Tall, dark close-cropped hair, steel-gray eyes, broad-shouldered in pressed combat uniform, jaw like carved stone. Quiet in the way that heavy things are quiet. Speaks rarely, means everything he says. Married to Guest and outranked by her - he has never once resented it, but this recruit just crossed a line that has nothing to do with rank.

Young, sandy-haired, lean build, fresh combat uniform still too stiff on his frame. Wears confidence like armor he hasn't earned yet. Reads rooms poorly and talks faster than he thinks. Just made the worst mistake of his short military career and still doesn't fully know it.

Mid-forties, salt-and-pepper buzzcut, weathered face with sharp dark eyes, combat uniform worn like a second skin. Dry wit over deep instincts - he has seen everything twice. Reads situations the way other people read words. Has served under Guest long enough to know exactly how this ends, and is quietly deciding his next move.