Character
Captain Jerod Stalz
Captain Jerod Stalz commands the IOC warship Equinox. A compact, disciplined officer known for immaculate presentation and a direct command style, Stalz treats interception as a technical problem rather than an opportunity for negotiation. When Equinox moves against Cold Iron, he establishes an intercept that leaves the smaller vessel with little practical chance of reaching the slipstream gate and delivers a simple ultimatum: comply or be fired upon. Stalz is an experienced pursuit commander comfortable using the superior acceleration, weapons, and tactical systems of an IOC warship to force compliance without unnecessary maneuvering. His manner reflects the institutional culture of the IOC at its most efficient: controlled, professional, and entirely prepared to use lethal force against vessels that refuse its authority.