Professor Alexandros Leonidas¶
Role: Mission Principal Investigator
Background: Greek descent, early 50s, kinetic Talent (K6 official)
Overview¶
Alexandros Leonidas is the driving force behind this mission — a xenoarchaeologist who has spent decades arguing that humanity is not alone in the solar system's history, and who now has a chance to prove it. He is driven, obsessive, and genuinely difficult to work with. He is also extremely charming, a brilliant lecturer, and a compelling author.
History¶
Leonidas and Iyer were students together at the University of Mare Serenitatis. Where she chose Service, he went straight into academia. He has spent his career arguing for a theory the scientific establishment largely dismissed: that artificial elements in historical Mars rover samples — isotope ratios and molecular structures that could not have formed naturally — are evidence of pre-human intelligence on Mars.
He was considered a crank until the University of Mare Serenitatis staked its reputation on backing him and commissioning the Carl Sagan mission.
The Theory¶
Leonidas claims to have identified artificial elements in historical Mars rover samples — isotope ratios and molecular structures that could not have formed naturally. He believes these are evidence of pre-human intelligence on Mars.
He also believes Talent has always existed in humanity, pointing to historical accounts of "miracles" and "psychic phenomena" as evidence of unrecognized Talents throughout history. This theory is less controversial but still contested.
The Talent¶
Leonidas is officially rated K6 — already exceptional. He specializes in macrokinesis and can move enormous masses with precision. However, he has a persistent mental block against microkinesis; the fine manipulation that would be invaluable in his archaeological work frustrates him endlessly.
Relationship with Iyer¶
They argue like an old married couple and trust each other with their lives.
The friction is real: Leonidas thinks she wasted her potential, that she could have been a brilliant researcher but "settled" for being a ship captain. She thinks he doesn't understand what it means to want the experience of discovery, not just the analysis of it.
Both are a little right and a little wrong. Underneath, she's proud of him and he's proud of her, and neither would ever admit it directly.
His relationship with Pravitha is the most human thing about him.
Personality¶
- Driven, obsessive, and genuinely difficult to work with
- Extremely charming, a brilliant lecturer, and a compelling author
- The kind of scientist who would be too much trouble for most institutions — but he delivers results, attracts critical students, and brings in funding. The university knows exactly what they have.
- He has enemies: colleagues within the university administration who resent his special treatment, and researchers across the scientific community who consider him a publicity-seeking crank
- Projects indifference to this criticism, but it grates on him more than he admits. He knows he's right, and soon everyone else will too.
- The name "Leonidas" is a family name, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't glory in it a little. Holding the line against ignorance. Defending truth against overwhelming odds. It appeals to him.
Beliefs¶
- The evidence is on Mars. I will find it, and when I do, no one will ever dismiss me again.
- Talent is humanity's birthright, not a mutation to be feared. I will prove we have always been more than we knew.
- I will drag humanity into the truth, whether they're ready or not.
Instincts¶
- Always position myself between danger and my students.
- When someone dismisses my work, I make them regret it.
- When I'm frustrated, I move things.