View source for Vada Laney

[[Category:People]][[Category:Tal Haliim]]
[[File:vada2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Vada, The Baroness Laney]]
'''Vada Laney, The Baroness Laney''', TC KCS KT OM DSC** is a Major in the [[Royal Tyrin Marines]] and Commander of the [[Tyrin Royal Guard]]. She is a close friend of [[Mike Houghtaling|HRH Prince Michael]] and His Grace, [[AJ Olsen|The Duke of Waverley]], and has been with them on all their adventures since shortly before their arrival in the Tyrin Empire.


== History ==


Born on the planet [[Averna]], Vada spent nearly four years in the Federated States FedMarine. Discharged for insubordination, she then became a soldier and bodyguard for hire, eventually ending up in the service of the crime boss Boran Jarrett, and then [[Tercei Jarrett]] when Boran was assassinated. She was later assigned to escort Tercei's sister [[Tarya Jarrett]] to [[Raisus]] aboard ''[[Royal Fortune]]''.

When the crew of Fortune realized they were transporting [[Emilie Duryea Cassin|Princess Emilie of Tyrin]] in cryosleep among Tarya's belongings, Tarya attempted to take over the ship. Vada turned against her and assisted in retaking control. [[Michael Houghtaling|Captain Zuko]] offered her a job as Tactical Officer, and they returned the kidnapped princess safely home to Tyrin, imprisoning Tarya Jarrett. On this return trip to Tyrin the Royal Fortune was attacked by several Azuli ships. They fought off the ships, and used a ruse to chase them off by using one of Fortune's drones to simulate an incoming warship.

In gratitude for her role in the safe return of his daughter and fighting off the Azuli, Vada was awarded the [[Order of Merit]], the highest civilian award in Tyrin. When the crew entered naval service, Vada was made a Marine Warrant Officer, and they were recruited for a secret stealth mission which resulted in the destruction of a secret Azuli research base in the [[Draal]] system, and capture of the Phairon assault ship prototype. After turning over the [[Phairon]], the Royal Fortune was sent back to Tyrin, halfway through the journey they received a distress call from the Grafton system, and diverted to investigate as they were the nearest ship by at least a day. The distress call was from a Royal Navy scout, the TSS Mistral which had been docked while doing a routine inspection of an unmanned weapons depot, HM Naval Anchorage Rook in orbit of Grafton-5. Rook had been captured by Azuli, and she joined Mike's team to board and locate survivors from Mistral and combat the Azuli.

With Azuli routed, Fortune and Mistral headed for home. As a result of their successes, the crew transferred to the frigate [[Paladin]], of which Mike was given command. They were then assigned to return to the Grafton system to patrol it and determine what the Azuli interest in it was. At Grafton they discovered a secret base created by an unknown race that had been long abandoned hidden inside and asteroid, and Vada joined Mike's team to board and deactivate the base's defense system. After defeating the defense system they discovered that the base contained an advanced sensor and mapping system, and the system alerted them to a large number of Azuli ships that were massing at Grafton-8. She was present aboard Paladin for the [[Battle of Grafton]], after which Lord Zuko arranged for her to receive a full commission as 1st Lieutenant.

She then participated in the [[Lower Marches Campaign]], which saw heavy use of her Marine forces in boarding actions. After returning from the Marches, it was the intent of [[Great Officers of State|Lord High Marshal]] Michael for Vada to become familiar with the Royal Guard's processes so the safety of the royals could be increased. As such she was added to the royal protection detail, and was present with the royal family during the Conference of Governors in [[Aquita]] when the Azuli attacked in the [[Battle of Alkirk]]. She is credited in saving the lives of the King, Queen, and Princess Emilie, though the King perished later due to crushing injuries received from falling debris.  

In recognition for her actions in saving the Royals at the Battle of Alkirk, Vada was awarded the Tyrin Cross and was Knighted into the [[Order of the Sword]].

Vada participated in the Assault on [[The Helix]], and for her many services to the crown was elevated to the nobility with a life peerage of Baroness. She was also awarded her third Distinguished Service Cross and invested as a Knight of the Thorn, as well as elevated to Knight Commander in the Order of the Sword.

== Titles and Honors ==

* Baroness Laney (life title)
* Commander of the Tyrin Royal Guard
* Major, Royal Tyrin Marines

'''Styled as:''' 
''The Right Honorable Vada, Baroness Laney, Tyrin Cross, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Sword, Knight of the Most Eminent Order of the Thorn, Order of Merit, Commander of the Tyrin Royal Guard''

== Service History ==

* Commander of the Royal Guard
* Captain of Marines, TSS [[Astute]]
* Lieutenant of Marines, TSS [[Paladin]]
* Tactical Officer, TSS [[Royal Fortune]]
* Sergeant, [[Federated States]] [[FedMarine]]

== Awards, Honors and Decorations ==

* [[Tyrin Cross]]
* Knight Commander of the Most Honourable [[Order of the Sword]]
* Knight of the Most Eminent [[Order of the Thorn]]
* [[Order of Merit]]
* Distinguished Service Cross x3 w/ "V" device
* Gold Lifesaving Medal
* Azuli War Medal
* Azuli Campaign Medal w/ "GRAFTON", "MARCHES", "ALKIRK" and "HELIX" bars
* Tyrin Valorous Unit Commendation 
* Royal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
* King's Meritorious Unit Citation
* Royal Navy Meritorious Unit Citation
* Mentioned in Dispatches x2
* Marine Commando Leadership Ribbon
* [[Marine Special Warfare Badge]]

== Campaigns and Actions of Note ==

* [[The Helix|Assault on the Helix]]
* [[Battle of Alkirk]]
* [[Battle of Grafton]] 8
* [[Lower Marches Campaign]]
* Assault on [[Draal]] research facility
* Defense of Royal Residence against terrorist action
* Defense of HRH Princess Emilie from Azuli Warships
* Recovery of HRH Princess Emilie from kidnappers