Front Mission/Characters

Front Mission has a fairly large playable cast that are seen throughout the game. While many of the characters join the player's party automatically, some characters (such as Alder Weiss) require the player to do certain tasks to recruit them.

The game's PS1 and DS remake introduces a new cast exclusive to the U.C.S. side of the story, in the same timeline as the events of the original O.C.S. scenario.

O.C.U. Scenario
Royd Clive (Roid Clive in Japanese releases, Lloyd Clive in the SNES fan translation) - Age: 23.

Royd is a former O.C.U. Ground Defense Force (OCUGDF) captain and the current leader of the Canyon Crows mercenary group. Royd was born in O.C.U. Australia from a middle-class family, living a normal life until he enlisted in the OCUGDF at the age of 18. During his time in the military, he meets O.C.U. Lieutenant Karen Meure and begins to take a liking to her. Royd is emotionally traumatized after witnessing Driscoll destroy Karen's wanzer, seemingly killing her. He eventually kills Driscoll on Longrivers Island.

He would later appear in Front Mission 2 and in Front Mission 5: Scars of the War. In Front Mission 2, Royd is hired by Saribash Labra as a bodyguard to protect him against Revolutionary Army assassins. He can also be fought in certain Colosseums in Front Mission 2 and FM5's Arena.

Karen Meure - Age: 23.

Karen is an OCUGDF Lieutenant and Royd's fiancée. She enlisted at the age of 18 and served as an intelligence officer. Karen eventually met and fell in love with Royd Clive, who eventually proposed to her at the age of 22. Karen was considered KIA by Driscoll's squadron a few months after the proposal during the Larcus Incident.

Sakata Ryuji - Age: 23.

Ryuji is a former OCUGDF Lieutenant and the younger son of Sakata Reiji, the Chairman for wanzer developer Sakata Industries. Ryuji was born in O.C.U. Japan and was groomed since birth to take over the company. Ryuji desired the chance to prove his skills in the OCUGDF despite proving to be a worthy leader for the company's future. Ryuji befriended Royd Clive and the two have great respect for one another, forming a brotherly-like bond. Despite the aftermath of the Larcus Incident, Ryuji reunites with Royd in the Canyon Crows.

Natalie F. Blakewood - Age: 21.

Natalie is an OCUGDF Lieutenant and the Canyon Crows' adjutant. Like Royd, Natalie was born in O.C.U. Australia, but had a sheltered life until she decided to enlist. Natalie's career opportunities were limited by her father, Senator Willas Blakewood, who wanted her as far from from the battlefield as much as possible. Her new position as the Canyon Crows' adjutant is an advantage as Willas, a respected O.C.U. politician, closely monitors the status of the team and grants them special status within the OCUGDF. This is likely the main reason that the mercenary outfit is largely unaffected by military policies and laws set by the O.C.U. Army.

Keith Carabell - Age: 23.

Keith is an experienced mercenary, having fought in several conflicts around the world with his partner Joynas Jeriaska. Keith was born in U.S.N. America and dreamed of becoming a mercenary ever since he was a child. He trained and graduated from a military academy prior to becoming a full-time mercenary. Keith and Joynas (whom he met during a mercenary job) eventually came to Huffman Island looking for mercenary work. The two were recruited by Colonel Orson into the Canyon Crows after he saves them from being arrested by O.C.U. officers. Both are ambushed by U.C.S. forces during a reconnaissance mission, but are saved when the rest of the Canyon Crows arrive to the area.

Joynas Jeriaska (J.J.) - Age: 25. Joynas is a mercenary born in OAC South Africa and grew up in poverty due to civil conflict. Wishing to help his family to move out of the neighborhood, Joynas becomes a mercenary and leaves South Africa, but regularly remits his earnings back to his family. During his travels around the world, Joynas meets and befriends mercenary Keith and the two have been good friends since then. The duo travel to Huffman Island in search for jobs, but an encounter with O.C.U. officers nearly leads to their arrests. The two are saved and recruited by Colonel Orson to work for the Canyon Crows.

Frederick Lancaster - Age: 30.

Frederick is a veteran journalist who is well-known worldwide for his detailed reports and findings on various matters. Frederick was born in O.C.U. Australia and worked for various publications before he worked for a newspaper company based in New York City, U.C.S. America. Frederick was fired after writing an article that disclosed information about the U.C.S. Army. During the Second Huffman War, U.C.S. forces attack Frederick while he investigates the crash site of an O.C.U. transport. After the Canyon Crows save him, Frederick asks Royd if he can join the unit for the purposes of data-collection.

After the conclusion of events in Front Mission 1st, Frederick, as an independent freelancer, publishes a newspaper article about the Second Huffman conflict, which eventually became a sensational news report with major international repercussions.

Frederick also makes an appearance in Front Mission 4, investigating the causes behind the destruction of EC German bases by unknown forces.

Hans Goldwin - Age: 19.

Hans is a gifted computer specialist and information tracker, capable of finding data on anyone or anything in a short period of time. Hans was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in U.C.S. America at an early age of 12, but was later expelled after causing the university's main computer network to crash. After his expulsion, Hans moves to Huffman Island to offer his skills as a computer specialist and information tracker. Hans is accepted into the Canyon Crows after he travels to Freedom City to deliver information about Karen to them, right after a successful military campaign there. He is seen wearing a VR-style helmet at all times.

Yang Meihua - Age: 19.

Yang Meihua is a Colosseum combatant and wanzer pilot who was born in the People's Republic of Da Han Zhong (D.H.Z.). Meihua lived with her brother Yeehin in D.H.Z. until the two decided to travel around the world. During their travels, Yeehin disappeared when he was 12 years old and Meihua has been searching for him ever since. At Huffman Island, Meihua claims to have met Karen at a Grey Rock hospital while she recovered from injuries sustained in a skirmish between the O.C.U. and U.C.S.. After Royd defeats her in the Colosseum, Meihua joins the Canyon Crows to aid her own search for Yeehin.

Peewie Richburg Jr. - Age: 20.

Peewie is a licensed OCUGDF supply truck driver and comes from a wealthy family. Peewie was exempt from the OCUGDF's qualification tests due to his family's reputation and support for the O.C.U. Army. The lack of training has a price though as Peewie tends to retreat in situations where his life is threatened. During a mission, Peewie retreats from the area of operations when his supply truck was attacked by U.C.S. wanzers. Guri saves Peewie from receiving a court martial for deserting and assigns him instead to the Canyon Crows.

Paul C. Grieber - Age: 34.

Paul is a OCUGDF Lieutenant who spent a large portion of his life devoted to helping the weak and powerless as a pastor for a church in Huffman Island. While he refuses to solve issues through violence, numerous conflicts that Paul witnessed in Huffman Island changes his views on how to resolve conflicts. Paul enlisted in the OCUGDF and is assigned to defend the city of Grey Rock. During a battle against U.C.S. forces, the Canyon Crows assist Paul in driving them out of Grey Rock. Paul later joins the team in hopes of ending the war soon.

Gregorio Maias - Age: 29.

Gregorio is a former OCUGDF soldier. He earned the nickname "Kong" for destroying an impressive number of enemy wanzers using only melee weapons at close range. One of Gregorio's commanders realizes his talent and tells him that he is better off making a living as a Colosseum fighter instead of being a soldier. Gregorio takes the advice seriously, amassing large sums of money from winning many Colosseum battles. Gregorio joins the Canyon Crows after they defeat him at the Colosseum.

Maury O'Donnell (Molly O'Donnell in the DS remake) - Age: 42.

Maury is a civilian and a former nurse who lived her life in the Huffman Island town of Lark Valley. She developed an interest for helping children as she grew and and worked as the nurse for a local orphanage. During the Second Huffman War, Lark Valley is destroyed by a U.C.S. bombing raid and the O.C.U. sends no assistance to the town, which enrages Maury. Maury tries to discourage the Canyon Crows from entering Lark Valley, but this fails when a U.C.S. detachment attacks her and the mercenary outfit. Maury joins the Canyon Crows afterwards in hopes of ending the war to spare the lives of children.

Yang Yeehin - Age: 17.

Yeehin is Meihua's younger brother born in the People's Republic of Da Han Zhong (D.H.Z.). Yeehin and Meihua left D.H.Z. to learn more about the world, but Yeehin went missing at the age of 12. Unknown to Meihua, Yeehin was recruited by the U.C.S. and he trained in a military academy until the age of 15. Yeehin later deserts the U.C.S. Army and sends an SOS signal to the O.C.U. in hopes that someone will protect him from his pursuers. The Canyon Crows respond and defeat Yeehin's pursuers then take him to Guri, who wants him locked up. Meihua objects and Royd supports her by accepting Yeehin in the Canyon Crows as a substitute for imprisonment.

Bobby Hopkins - Age: 32.

Bobby is a mercenary and a former Corporal for the O.C.U. Army. Bobby served in the OCUGDF for an undisclosed amount of time in an elite wanzer squadron, receiving the nickname "Death" for surviving many missions. He later resigns from the army and becomes a mercenary along with his friend, Porunga. After finishing several jobs in Huffman Island, the duo head to a bar in Peseta City and get into a fight for no apparent reason. The Canyon Crows accept them as new members after breaking up their fight in Peseta City. For unknown reasons, Bobby frequently defers to Porunga.

Porunga - Age: 28.

Porunga is a mercenary and a former O.C.U. Army Sergeant. Porunga was born in O.C.U. Australia, though he comes from an Aboriginal family. While he could not join the O.C.U. Army due to his lineage, he joined the O.C.U. Volunteer Corps to prove his worth to the army. Porunga's efforts do pay off when he contributes to the success of a military operation led by an elite wanzer squadron that Bobby Hopkins is part of. Porunga is then formally accepted into the O.C.U. Army and soon becomes best friends with Bobby.

Alder Weiss - Age: 48.

Alder is a former OCUGDF Master Sergeant who served in an infantry unit during the First Huffman War. He was promoted to Master Sergeant for his contributions when the war ended. Alder resigns from the OCUGDF after his son was killed during a military operation. During the Second Huffman War, Alder initially despises Royd as he resembles his dead son and challenges him to a Colosseum fight. Despite losing, Alder joins the outfit to end the war and spare the lives of many young soldiers.

Ralph Dian - Age: 34.

Ralph is a Colosseum combatant and a former First Lieutenant for the U.C.S. Army. Ralph enlisted at the age of 18 and was assigned to border patrol duty on Huffman Island, though he never got the chance to engage in wanzer battles. Ralph resigned and became a Colosseum regular, finally getting his chance to partake in wanzer battles. When Ralph is defeated by the Canyon Crows in Fort Monus, Royd offers him the chance to join and apply his skills in actual wanzer combat.

Gentz Weizer - Age: 39.

Gentz is the leader of the "Spirits of Huffman" terrorist group. While working for an unknown military source, Gentz infiltrated a factory run by Sakata Industries. Unknown events resulting from the discoveries made during the infiltration has Gentz attempting to bring down Sakata Industries ever since. All of his attempts, however, have failed due to interference from Driscoll and the Black Hounds, although it was not known if the ragtag, untrained guerrillas of the Spirits of Huffman was also a contributing factor in their repeated failures.

Matthew Lorenzo (of the U.C.S. scenario) and Reiji both remarked that while the Spirits of Huffman is a terrorist group, the group has never targeted civilians, choosing to exclusively target Sakata Industries. They do, however, attempt to directly assassinate Sakata Reiji.

Dr. Mizzete Brown - Age: 48.

Dr. Brown is a researcher that specializes in neural science. He was researching on how the brain functions when a mysterious man asks him about how to control the brain. Dr. Brown then works on an unknown project for a period of time before he decides to quit and attempt to leave Huffman Island. Although he never discloses the details of his work, Dr. Brown deeply regrets having worked on the project, stating that his conscience had been guilt-ridden, years after leaving the job. He assisted the Canyon Crows on two occasions in their pursuit of Driscoll and Sakata Koichi.

Guri B. Olson - Age: 47.

Guri Olson is a Colonel and a special operations commander for the O.C.U. Army. Guri is the supervisor for the Canyon Crows, making sure that the mercenary outfit does not cause any trouble within the O.C.U. Army. Looking for a way to reverse the O.C.U.'s losing situation in the Second Huffman War, Guri recruits Royd and Ryuji to serve in the Canyon Crows unit. He is aware of the actual events of the Larcus Incident, as Royd's main motivation to join the Canyon Crows stemmed from Guri's promise to help him find the person responsible for Karen's death. He seems to align himself with Driscoll, apparently knowing about the B-Device from the start, towards the conclusion of Front Mission 1st, although what happened to Guri afterwards was left unresolved. It is quite possible he simply died without fanfare in the last mission he appears in. Willas E. Blakewood - Age: 51.

Willas is a well-known politician from O.C.U. Australia who looks after the Canyon Crows and closely monitors the Second Huffman War. Willas is also the father of Natalie Blakewood and has tried hard in vain to discourage her from a life in the army. Willas works hard to ensure the Canyon Crows protect his daughter at all times, and towards the end of the events in Front Mission 1st, he actively assisted the group by sabotaging pursuing wanzers on two occasions, both of which would, according to Natalie, "amount to treason".

Sakata Koichi - Age: 31.

Koichi is Ryuji's older brother and the current President of Sakata Industries. Koichi is heavily involved in the Metal Worker project, which is expected to boost the company's reputation as a wanzer developer. Koichi has been a target of the Spirits of Huffman's attacks. He was eventually killed by Driscoll on Longrivers Island, 30 kilometers offshore from Huffman Island, when he failed to stop the Canyon Crows with his mobile weapon, the Growning.

Sakata Reiji - Age: 60.

Reiji Sakata is Koichi and Ryuji's father, as well as the chairman of Sakata Industries. The elder Sakata desires to see the company thrive, and places a great amount of faith in Koichi's Metal Worker project as a result. Reiji does not have a personal preference when it comes to expressing an interest whoever wins the Second Huffman War. He was killed when Koichi, while escaping Canyon Crow pursuit, ordered his men to fire upon Reiji's vehicle, causing it to explode.

U.S.N./U.C.S. Scenario
(North America translation uses U.C.S. while the original Japanese versions uses U.S.N., but both refers to the same supernation in Front Mission. In order to prevent confusion, the North American term U.C.S. will be used for the bulk of the article.)

Kevin Greenfield - Age: 23.

Kevin is a Second Lieutenant, and at the start of the game, he was the leader of the B-team platoon for the Black Hounds in the U.C.S. Army. Kevin was born in U.C.S. America and has lived in a military environment throughout his entire childhood as his father was a former Lieutenant Colonel in the U.C.S. Army.

Kevin enlisted at the age of 18 and graduated from a top military academy before applying to the special forces unit, the Black Hounds. Kevin is then accepted as the B-team platoon leader after passing the qualification test, eventually meeting and falling in love with fellow Black Hounds member Maria Paredes. An incident involving Maria causes him and the rest of his squad to lose their positions in the Black Hounds, but during the Second Huffman Conflict he was sent to Nirvana Institute under the command of Driscoll, whom Kevin dislikes due to Driscoll's extremely standoffish nature. He reunites with Matthew and Johnny during this time.

Soon after, a series of disagreements with Driscoll's policies and research, coupled with the mobilisation call for the Second Huffman Conflict war effort, eventually causes Kevin to leave Nirvana, and form another group (with additional members Howard and Halle) under U.C.S. Colonel Stewart's command, the 112th Special Armored Infantry unit a.k.a. the Silver Lynxes. Kevin has a strong sense of justice and, perhaps because of his upbringing, often displays a humble attitude towards whomever he meets, and the rest of the Silver Lynxes gives him a lot of respect and are loyal to him. However, both Matthew and Johnny remarks that as a result of Kevin's tendency to act first and talk later, he has remained a Lieutenant in the aftermath of Huffman, despite having very impressive wanzer combat records.

Maria Paredes - Age: 26.

Maria is the A-team platoon leader for the Black Hounds, and has remained as such throughout the U.C.S. scenario, although later she was shown to have an extensive knowledge of Driscoll's actions during the Second Huffman Conflict, being his secret adjutant and enforcer.

Maria was born in a poor village located in U.C.S. South America. Maria was orphaned early in her childhood and was raised to be a guerrilla soldier by her parents' friend. An attack in U.C.S. America fails and Maria is placed in a high-security prison, though she is later released by Driscoll.

Maria then becomes a member of the Black Hounds A-team platoon and becomes its new leader after the current one died during a military operation. Maria also makes an appearance in Front Mission 4, now working as an intelligence agent to assist La Alianza de Libertad Venezelana leader Luis Perez. Maria normally displays indifference in front of Kevin, but towards the end of Kevin's persisting conflicts with Nirvana, was able to tell Kevin how much she loves him.

At the end of Front Mission 1, Maria and U.C.S. apparently faked Maria's death in hopes of finding out the true culprit behind the Nirvana research that got the two supernations fighting in the first place, choosing to keep herself away from Kevin for unspecified reasons.

Johnny Sanders - Age: 42.

Johnny is a Master Sergeant, and a member of the Black Hounds in the U.C.S. Army. Johnny has an extensive amount of military experience and serves as a mentor to Kevin, although the two treat each other in a brotherly-like manner. Thanks to a referral from Kevin's father, Johnny was able to take the qualification test to join the Black Hounds. Johnny passes the test and is designed as the adjutant for the B-team platoon. Like Kevin and Matthew, a series of events occur which caused the three to split, only to reunite on Huffman Island a year later.

Acting as a contrast to Matthew, Johnny is the serious side of the Silver Lynxes, often analysing the battlefield and quickly understanding Colonel Stewart's decisions, to the point of being able to come to the exact same conclusion.

Matthew D. Lorenzo - Age: 22.

Matthew is a Second Lieutenant and a member of the Black Hounds in the U.C.S. Army. Matthew became a member of the special forces unit a few months earlier than Kevin and Johnny due to his outstanding performance in a major U.C.S. civil war. While Matthew tends to get sidetracked during military operations, he proves to be a valuable asset to Kevin, the B-team platoon, the Black Hounds and the Silver Lynxes in general.

Like Kevin and Johnny, he was also dismissed from the Black Hounds following a series of incidents, but a year later he reunites with Johnny and, soon after, Kevin, as a member of the Silver Lynxes. He acts as the team's goofball, often talking about food, to the point where Kevin actually mentioned that "as long as (Matthew's) definition of food is something out of a can..." and causes Johnny to be incensed by his persistent mention of food even during wanzer battles.

Halle Fiennes - Age: 20.

Halle is a Corporal for the U.C.S. Army, and is one of the later members of the Silver Lynxes. Halle is an expert mechanic of U.C.S. 334th Engineers origin, who loves to tinker with wanzer parts and weapons when the opportunity is available. Despite her incredibly extensive knowledge of wanzer warfare and technology (often providing Kevin with in-depth knowledge of their adversaries prior to a conflict), Halle is not a skilled wanzer pilot by any means, something she gamely acknowledges during her introduction to Kevin's Silver Lynxes.

Halle and Howard are good friends, and the latter often lets her tweak and tinker with his wanzer during their free time.

Howard Wong - Age: 26.

Howard is one of the new recruits to the Silver Lynxes and a long-range combat specialist in the U.C.S. Army. Howard enlisted at the age of 18 and became a wanzer pilot after graduating from a military academy, specifically as a support fire unit who specialises in fighting long-range. Howard dislikes close-quarters combat and he tries his hardest to ensure that he never has to fight an enemy unit at close-range. He is quiet and reserved in nature, but he has an immense amount of respect for Kevin, more so than other members of the Silver Lynxes.

Gina Davies - Age: 27.

Gina is a U.C.S. Army intelligence officer with the rank of corporal. Gina's squadron is attacked and defeated by the Canyon Crows (presumably within close proximity of Freedom City), though she survived the battle and continued to seek revenge for her squadmates, causing O.C.S. engineer corps wanzers some confusion and losses in the process. Though she is unable to access communications and signal for help, Gina is saved by the Silver Lynxes when they search the battlefield for survivors. Upon making a full recovery, Gina is formally recruited into the Lynxes.

Ghetta Cedric - Age: 24.

Ghetta is a Corporal and member of the U.C.S. Army's elite 64th movement squadron "Hell's Wall.", a group known for their apparent arrogance, disdain for the weak, as well as their alarming capabilities at taking most of the damage dealt to the U.C.S.'s advance troops in Huffman Island.

The Hell's Wall squad is defeated during Freedom City's defensive operation when they encountered O.C.U.'s Canyon Crows. While Grieg Demetrius is the battle's only survivor by U.C.S. records (and, subsequently bought the big one while piloting a mobile weapon, the Seaking, against the Canyon Crows in a second conflict close to Fort Monus), Ghetta also survived the Canyon Crow assault outside Freedom City.

The Silver Lynxes finds a wounded Ghetta and remaining U.C.S. after intercepting an SOS signal north of Freedom City. Ghetta is then recruited into the Silver Lynxes after making a full recovery, rejecting the right to be evacuated to safety by joining the Silver Lynxes to stop the O.C.U. advance in Huffman Island.

Driscoll - Age: 28.

Driscoll holds the rank of a Captain, and is the head of the Nirvana Institute for the U.C.S. Army. He mentions that he has the "authority equalling a major's when dealing with other units" within the U.C.S. Army.

Driscoll is heavily involved in the Nirvana System, a new type of weapon system being developed by the U.C.S. Driscoll is also Karen Meure's killer, and it is understood in the U.C.S. storyline that he is the one truly responsible for the Larcus Incident which triggered the Second Huffman Conflict, using the conflict to further his true objectives. As a show of cruelty, Driscoll reveals to Royd that Karen has always been with him - as a wanzer CPU developed through Nirvana research.

Driscoll pilots a unit called the Type 11DS, codenamed the "Raven", destroyed by the Canyon Crows during their first direct conflict. Driscoll was seriously wounded in the aftermath of the conflict, eventually doomed to his own research, a "new, shiny metal coffin", at the behest of his secret adjutant, revealed to be Maria.

Driscoll revealed to the Canyon Crows in a penultimate conflict, that he comes from the Republic of Zaftra (often referring to it as "The Motherland" as shown during his conversations with Sakata Koichi on both scenarios), and he was eventually killed, albeit in a Mir Orlen mobile weapon form (i.e. becoming a wanzer CPU), by a vengeful Royd Clive during a conflict in Longrivers Island, offshore south of Huffman Island.

Throughout the Front Mission story, Driscoll has always been referred to by this name. No sources indicate whether this is a codename, a first name or a surname.

Gail - Age: 26.

Gail is the head of the Black Hounds and Brigadier General Winger's personal assistant, and reports only to him. Gail is widely regarded as one of the U.C.S.'s ace wanzer pilots, and pilots one of four existing Type 11DS "Raven" units, the other known pilot being Driscoll of the Nirvana Institute.

In the U.C.S. scenario, it was apparent that Grieg Demetrius, squad commander of "Hell's Wall", had a strong dislike for Gail, stating that Gail is an officer who would "pay for glory with the blood of his own men".

He was killed in that same Raven unit when making a last stand upon the U.C.S. battleship "Santa Barbara" (home of the Black Hounds elite unit) with Winger and two other Raven pilots, in a last-ditch attempt to fend off Kevin and the Silver Lynxes.

Patrick S. Wingar (Winger in the DS remake) - Age: Unknown (appears to be in his 50s).

Patrick Wingar is the Director of the Nirvana System, overseeing every detail that goes on about the weapons system. He does not trust anyone with information regarding the Nirvana System except Gail, who has earned his respect and trust. He holds the rank of Brigadier General, and was one of the officers overseeing the war to further his own objectives, much like Driscoll.

He was arrested and tried for treason at the end of the scenario after attempting to escape with the Nirvana's research data discs, though he was later released and discharged into civilian life.