When it came time to choose a college and a degree Autumn wasted no time thinking about it. She had already decided on Zoology because she both loved the subject and later if she so decided (and followed her parents wishes) she could continue on to medical school. The choice of Duke University was equally easy; the school her parents attended.
Her four years of college were a juggling act of studies and her much loved outdoor activities. During this time she came close to failing her course on several occasions but always managed to avoid this with a burst of intense study. This only served to have her professors shaking their heads because it showed what a brilliant student she could be. Most had given up on her by her senior year though; it was clear that her heart was not in it.
Despite all this Autumn still managed to pass with honors.
The summer following graduation was spent at home and Autumn would often disappear for days on end, camping overnight in her favorite places and generally refreshing her soul. Her parents took every opportunity to push her towards medical school but as the deadline to accept an offer from Duke approached she was no closer to deciding her future. She finally accepted the offer but it was more out of having nothing else in mind.
A few months into her schooling Autumn knew this was not what she wanted. She loved the idea of being a doctor but not the idea of another four years of study. After a third scholastic warning, and threats of expulsion Autumn beat them to the punch and quit. On the way home an impulse took control and she signed up with the Marine Corps.
To say her parents were angry was an understatement. For all their talk about tolerance and only wanting her to be happy they proved to be very close minded when faced with their daughter's decision. Perhaps they could have understood if she'd joined as an officer, but a 'Grunt' ? Autumn retreated to the peace and solitude of the mountains to let them cool down, hoping they could talk before she left. When she returned to pack though neither of her parents would talk or even acknowledge her. They have not spoken since.
Not the most punctual person, Autumn was often late during basic training and faced the wrath of her drill instructor on more than one occasion. This would have been a concern to her fellow soldiers if she hadn't proved that in the field she was always instinctively in the right place at the right time.
Autumn is cool, level headed and very quick thinking. She is friendly, though not overly affectionate and rarely loses her temper. If she does however it's best to be somewhere else; preferably another star system. Fortunately it takes something very significant to get her this angry. There is a however a mistaken belief that Autumn is always volatile and short fused, but this is far from the truth; she simply likes to push the envelope and see what she can get away with.
The only enemy she has ever feared is boredom.
Without a doubt the single finest warrior I have ever seen. Her natural athleticism and grace under pressure are matched by an indominable will and purity of purpose. Unfortunately, and perhaps because of these gifts, the young woman is an uncontrollable force of nature. She has no respect for rank or authority and is constantly in trouble with her superiors. I admit to have been at a loss as to how to handle the girl until realizing she responds positively to those she holds in esteem. That is the currency when dealing with Autumn Hayes.
~ Jennifer Ayasho; Captain USS Defender
