{"id":4067,"date":"2026-01-11T15:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4067"},"modified":"2026-09-03T21:42:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T13:42:57","slug":"characters-covenant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4067","title":{"rendered":"Characters &#8211; Covenant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n<!-- NUCLEUS SIDE NAV \u2014 ZORIAN COVENANT PAGE (IN-PAGE DOSSIER NAV)     -->\n<!-- v2.0 support-registry edition. Replaces the old cross-page       -->\n<!-- faction nav on this page. Native in-page mode: item ids EQUAL    -->\n<!-- the registry cell's band ids (autoHideMissing + scroll +         -->\n<!-- scroll-spy all key off them).                                    -->\n<!--                                                                  -->\n<!-- Requires: site_nav_tool_JavaScript.js v1.2+                      -->\n<!--           site_nav_tool_CSS.css v1.3+                            -->\n<!--                                                                  -->\n<!-- SUPPORT-PAGE CONVENTIONS (same as the Alliance nav):       -->\n<!--  \u2022 data-faction uses the FACTION preset (\"covenant\") so the      -->\n<!--    tool frame wears the faction's colors.                        -->\n<!--  \u2022 Items carry NO \"color\" field \u2014 support characters have no     -->\n<!--    personal palettes; everything inherits the faction accent.    -->\n<!--  \u2022 Icons are two-letter initials (registry-style), \u22642 chars so   -->\n<!--    the collapsed rail shows them whole.                          -->\n<!-- Keep the .nx-cd-band highlight override <style> below (bands     -->\n<!-- clip children; the confirm-pulse ring must draw inside).         -->\n<!-- No nucleus-target-highlight div \u2014 it is dead markup.             -->\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n\n<style>\n    .nx-cd-band.nsnav-section-highlight::after {\n        top: 6px; left: 6px; right: 6px; bottom: 6px;\n    }\n<\/style>\n\n<script id=\"nucleus-sidenav-config\" type=\"application\/json\">\n{\n  \"faction\": \"covenant\",\n  \"factionLabel\": \"Covenant Registry\",\n  \"options\": {\n    \"headerOffset\": 80,\n    \"autoHideMissing\": true\n  },\n  \"items\": [\n    { \"type\": \"divider\", \"label\": \"Dossiers\" },\n    { \"id\": \"char-ivan\",    \"label\": \"Ivan Petrov\",       \"icon\": \"IP\" },\n    { \"id\": \"char-zori\",    \"label\": \"Zori\",              \"icon\": \"ZO\" },\n    { \"id\": \"char-dariusz\", \"label\": \"Dariusz Kami\u0144ski\",  \"icon\": \"DK\" },\n    { \"id\": \"char-marilyn\", \"label\": \"Marilyn Blackwood\", \"icon\": \"MB\" },\n    { \"id\": \"char-deirdre\", \"label\": \"Deirdre MacCormac\", \"icon\": \"DM\" }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<div id=\"nucleus-sidenav\" data-faction=\"covenant\">\n  <div class=\"nsnav-collapsed-bar\">\n    <div class=\"nsnav-glow-line\"><\/div>\n    <button class=\"nsnav-expand-btn\" aria-label=\"Expand navigation\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n        <polyline points=\"9 18 15 12 9 6\"><\/polyline>\n      <\/svg>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-collapsed-icons\"><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <nav class=\"nsnav-panel\" aria-label=\"Covenant dossiers\">\n    <div class=\"nsnav-panel-inner\">\n      <div class=\"nsnav-header\">\n        <button class=\"nsnav-collapse-btn\" aria-label=\"Collapse navigation\">\n          <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n            <polyline points=\"15 18 9 12 15 6\"><\/polyline>\n          <\/svg>\n        <\/button>\n        <span class=\"nsnav-title\">COVENANT<\/span>\n        <div class=\"nsnav-header-line\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <ul class=\"nsnav-items\"><\/ul>\n      <div class=\"nsnav-footer\">\n        <div class=\"nsnav-footer-line\"><\/div>\n        <span class=\"nsnav-footer-text\">COVENANT REGISTRY<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-scanlines\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-tl\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-tr\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-bl\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-corner nsnav-corner-br\"><\/div>\n  <\/nav>\n<\/div>\n\n<button id=\"nucleus-sidenav-mobile-toggle\" class=\"nsnav-mobile-toggle\" aria-label=\"Open dossier navigation\">\n  <span class=\"nsnav-hamburger-line\"><\/span>\n  <span class=\"nsnav-hamburger-line\"><\/span>\n  <span class=\"nsnav-hamburger-line\"><\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n<div id=\"nucleus-sidenav-mobile-overlay\" class=\"nsnav-mobile-overlay\">\n  <div class=\"nsnav-mobile-panel\">\n    <div class=\"nsnav-mobile-header\">\n      <span class=\"nsnav-title\">COVENANT<\/span>\n      <button class=\"nsnav-mobile-close\" aria-label=\"Close navigation\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n          <line x1=\"18\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"6\" y2=\"18\"><\/line>\n          <line x1=\"6\" y1=\"6\" x2=\"18\" y2=\"18\"><\/line>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <ul class=\"nsnav-mobile-items\"><\/ul>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-mobile-footer\">\n      <div class=\"nsnav-footer-line\"><\/div>\n      <span class=\"nsnav-footer-text\">COVENANT REGISTRY<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsnav-scanlines\"><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\r\n<!-- NUCLEUS FACTION DIRECTORY \u2014 \"SELECT CHANNEL\" band (2026)         -->\r\n<!-- The cross-page successor to the 2025 \"Navigate by Faction\" grid. -->\r\n<!-- Paste into a WordPress Custom HTML block ABOVE the registry cell -->\r\n<!-- on EVERY characters page. Zero JavaScript \u2014 pure links.          -->\r\n<!--                                                                  -->\r\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 CONVENTION for reuse on faction pages \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550      -->\r\n<!-- v1.2 \u2014 SELF-DETECTING, CSS-FIRST. Paste this exact cell on all   -->\r\n<!-- ten characters pages with NO per-page edits.                     -->\r\n<!-- PRIMARY mechanism (pure CSS, cannot be stripped by WP content    -->\r\n<!-- filters): WordPress stamps <body> with a page-id-NNNN class on   -->\r\n<!-- every page; the rules below light the matching card from that.   -->\r\n<!-- SECONDARY (progressive enhancement): the small hardened script   -->\r\n<!-- at the bottom reads ?page_id= and adds aria-current + the        -->\r\n<!-- .nx-fd-current class \u2014 nice for accessibility, but the visual    -->\r\n<!-- highlight works even if the script never runs.                   -->\r\n<!-- On a page not in the list, no card is marked \u2014 links still work. -->\r\n<!-- Do not reorder cards or change hrefs\/colors \u2014 designations,      -->\r\n<!-- accent colors and page ids are the site-wide faction set:        -->\r\n<!--   Main 4228 #00FF88 \u00b7 Alliance 4044 #4A9EFF \u00b7                    -->\r\n<!--   Imperium 4048 #FF4A4A \u00b7 Directorate 4058 #3CB371 \u00b7             -->\r\n<!--   Covenant 4067 #F0D890 \u00b7 Fenris 4071 #FF6B35 \u00b7                  -->\r\n<!--   Rakshasa 4075 #E040FB \u00b7 J\u00f6kull 4078 #7DD3FC \u00b7                  -->\r\n<!--   Xing Hong 4081 #FFC107 \u00b7 Independent 6495 #999999              -->\r\n<!-- Desktop \u22651100px: one equal-track row of ten (no scrolling).      -->\r\n<!-- Below 1100px: scroll-snap swipe rail (site mobile convention).   -->\r\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n    \/* WP2024 full-width breakout (guard MUST be clip; see system doc) *\/\r\n    html, body { overflow-x: hidden; overflow-x: clip; }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory {\r\n        width: 100vw; max-width: 100vw;\r\n        margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw); margin-right: calc(50% - 50vw);\r\n        box-sizing: border-box;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #nx-faction-directory {\r\n        --nx-ink: #E8F1FF;\r\n        --nx-dim: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.55);\r\n        --nx-faint: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.38);\r\n        --nx-line: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.14);\r\n        --nx-display: 'Orbitron', 'Avenir Next', 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;\r\n        --nx-body: 'Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;\r\n        --nx-mono: ui-monospace, 'Cascadia Mono', 'JetBrains Mono', Consolas, monospace;\r\n        background:\r\n            radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 100% at 50% -30%, rgba(0, 255, 136, 0.06), transparent 60%),\r\n            linear-gradient(180deg, #0B0F0C 0%, #08130D 100%);\r\n        border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0, 255, 136, 0.16);\r\n        color: var(--nx-ink);\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-body);\r\n        padding: clamp(20px, 2.6vw, 30px) 0 clamp(22px, 2.8vw, 32px) 0;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-container {\r\n        max-width: 1280px; margin: 0 auto;\r\n        padding: 0 clamp(18px, 4vw, 40px);\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Head row \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-head {\r\n        display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 16px; margin: 0 0 14px 0;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-eyebrow {\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10.5px;\r\n        letter-spacing: 0.26em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        color: var(--nx-dim); margin: 0; white-space: nowrap;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-line {\r\n        flex: 1; height: 1px;\r\n        background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0, 255, 170, 0.28), transparent);\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-count {\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px;\r\n        letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        color: var(--nx-faint); margin: 0; white-space: nowrap;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Channel rail \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-rail {\r\n        display: grid;\r\n        grid-template-columns: repeat(10, minmax(0, 1fr));\r\n        gap: 8px;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card {\r\n        --fd: #00FF88; \/* per-card faction accent, overridden inline *\/\r\n        display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;\r\n        gap: 6px; padding: 12px 6px 10px 6px;\r\n        border: 1px solid var(--nx-line);\r\n        border-radius: 8px;\r\n        background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.03);\r\n        text-decoration: none; text-align: center;\r\n        transition: transform 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease,\r\n                    background-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-sig {\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;\r\n        letter-spacing: 0.06em; line-height: 1;\r\n        color: var(--fd);\r\n        text-shadow: 0 0 12px var(--fd);\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-name {\r\n        font-size: 9.5px; font-weight: 600;\r\n        letter-spacing: 0.13em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        color: var(--nx-dim); line-height: 1.3;\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-ch {\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 8.5px;\r\n        letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        color: var(--nx-faint);\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card:hover,\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card:focus-visible {\r\n        transform: translateY(-2px);\r\n        border-color: var(--fd);\r\n        background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.05);\r\n        box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);\r\n        box-shadow: 0 4px 18px color-mix(in srgb, var(--fd) 30%, transparent);\r\n    }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card:hover .nx-fd-name,\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card:focus-visible .nx-fd-name { color: var(--fd); }\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card:focus-visible {\r\n        outline: 2px solid var(--fd); outline-offset: 2px;\r\n    }\r\n    \/* \"You are here\" line: present in every card, hidden until current *\/\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-here {\r\n        display: none;\r\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 8.5px;\r\n        letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        color: var(--fd); opacity: 0.9;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Current page: lit channel \u2500\u2500\r\n       PRIMARY detection is pure CSS via WordPress's body.page-id-NNNN\r\n       class \u2014 immune to script stripping. The .nx-fd-current selectors\r\n       serve the JS enhancement path and local previews. *\/\r\n    body.page-id-4228 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4228\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4044 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4044\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4048 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4048\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4058 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4058\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4067 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4067\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4071 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4071\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4075 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4075\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4078 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4078\"],\r\n    body.page-id-4081 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4081\"],\r\n    body.page-id-6495 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=6495\"],\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-current {\r\n        border-color: var(--fd);\r\n        background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.05);\r\n        background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--fd) 10%, transparent);\r\n    }\r\n    body.page-id-4228 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4228\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4044 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4044\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4048 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4048\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4058 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4058\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4067 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4067\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4071 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4071\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4075 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4075\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4078 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4078\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-4081 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4081\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    body.page-id-6495 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=6495\"] .nx-fd-name,\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-current .nx-fd-name { color: var(--fd); }\r\n    body.page-id-4228 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4228\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4044 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4044\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4048 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4048\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4058 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4058\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4067 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4067\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4071 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4071\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4075 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4075\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4078 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4078\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-4081 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4081\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    body.page-id-6495 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=6495\"] .nx-fd-ch,\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-current .nx-fd-ch { display: none; }\r\n    body.page-id-4228 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4228\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4044 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4044\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4048 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4048\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4058 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4058\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4067 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4067\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4071 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4071\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4075 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4075\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4078 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4078\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-4081 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=4081\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    body.page-id-6495 #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card[href$=\"page_id=6495\"] .nx-fd-here,\r\n    #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-current .nx-fd-here { display: block; }\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Below 1100px: scroll-snap swipe rail \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    @media (max-width: 1100px) {\r\n        #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-rail {\r\n            display: flex; overflow-x: auto;\r\n            scroll-snap-type: x proximity;\r\n            padding-bottom: 8px;\r\n            -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\r\n        }\r\n        #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card {\r\n            min-width: 118px; flex: 0 0 auto;\r\n            scroll-snap-align: start;\r\n        }\r\n        #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-rail::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 4px; }\r\n        #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-rail::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {\r\n            background: rgba(0, 255, 136, 0.25); border-radius: 2px;\r\n        }\r\n        #nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-rail::-webkit-scrollbar-track {\r\n            background: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.05);\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"nx-faction-directory\">\r\n    <div class=\"nx-fd-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"nx-fd-head\">\r\n            <p class=\"nx-fd-eyebrow\">\/\/ Faction Registries \u2014 Select Channel<\/p>\r\n            <div class=\"nx-fd-line\"><\/div>\r\n            <p class=\"nx-fd-count\">10 Channels \u00b7 Signal OK<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <nav class=\"nx-fd-rail\" aria-label=\"Faction character registries\">\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4228\" style=\"--fd: #00FF88;\" title=\"Main Cast\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">\u25c6<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Main Cast<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b701<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4044\" style=\"--fd: #4A9EFF;\" title=\"Terra Alliance\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">TA<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Alliance<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b702<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4048\" style=\"--fd: #FF4A4A;\" title=\"Imperium of Dragons\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">ID<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Imperium<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b703<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4058\" style=\"--fd: #3CB371;\" title=\"Emerald Directorate\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">ED<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Directorate<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b704<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4067\" style=\"--fd: #F0D890;\" title=\"Zorian Covenant\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">ZC<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Covenant<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b705<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4071\" style=\"--fd: #FF6B35;\" title=\"Fenris Horde\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">FH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Fenris<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b706<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4075\" style=\"--fd: #E040FB;\" title=\"Rakshasa Horde\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">RH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Rakshasa<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b707<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4078\" style=\"--fd: #7DD3FC;\" title=\"J\u00f6kull Horde\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">JH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">J\u00f6kull<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b708<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=4081\" style=\"--fd: #FFC107;\" title=\"Xing Hong \u2014 Settlement\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">XH<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Xing Hong<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b709<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <a class=\"nx-fd-card\" href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=6495\" style=\"--fd: #999999;\" title=\"Independent \u2014 Dharma's Reach and others\">\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-sig\">\u2605<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-name\">Independent<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-ch\">CH\u00b710<\/span>\r\n                <span class=\"nx-fd-here\">\u25c6 You are here<\/span>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n        <\/nav>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n\/* Faction Directory \u2014 self-detection enhancement (v1.2).\r\n   The VISUAL highlight is pure CSS (body.page-id-NNNN above) and does\r\n   not need this script. This only adds aria-current for assistive\r\n   tech, plus the .nx-fd-current class as a fallback highlight path.\r\n   PASTE-HARDENED: written without the characters some WordPress\r\n   content filters mangle inside inline scripts (no angle-bracket\r\n   comparisons, no double-ampersands). Does nothing when no card\r\n   matches; wrapped so it can never break the page. *\/\r\n(function () {\r\n    function nxFdMark() {\r\n        try {\r\n            var pid = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search).get('page_id');\r\n            if (!pid) { return; }\r\n            var cards = document.querySelectorAll('#nx-faction-directory .nx-fd-card');\r\n            cards.forEach(function (card) {\r\n                var href = card.getAttribute('href') || '';\r\n                var m = href.match(\/[?]page_id=(\\d+)\/);\r\n                if (m) {\r\n                    if (m[1] === pid) {\r\n                        card.classList.add('nx-fd-current');\r\n                        card.setAttribute('aria-current', 'page');\r\n                    }\r\n                }\r\n            });\r\n        } catch (e) { \/* never break the page over a highlight *\/ }\r\n    }\r\n    if (document.readyState === 'loading') {\r\n        document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', nxFdMark);\r\n    } else {\r\n        nxFdMark();\r\n    }\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<!-- ====== COVENANT - Gallery Hint ====== -->\n\n<!-- ============================================== -->\n<!-- NUCLEUS CHARACTERS PAGE - MASTER STYLES v1.0  -->\n<!-- ============================================== -->\n<style>\n\/* ============================================== *\/\n\/* BASE \/ SHARED ANIMATIONS                       *\/\n\/* ============================================== *\/\n@keyframes cursorBlink {\n    0%, 50% { opacity: 1; }\n    51%, 100% { opacity: 0; }\n}\n\n\/* ============================================== *\/\n\/* GALLERY MODAL - BASE STYLES                    *\/\n\/* ============================================== *\/\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay {\n    position: fixed;\n    top: 0;\n    left: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    background: rgba(5, 10, 20, 0.95);\n    z-index: 10000;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    justify-content: center;\n    opacity: 0;\n    visibility: hidden;\n    transition: opacity 0.3s ease, visibility 0.3s ease;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-overlay.active {\n    opacity: 1;\n    visibility: visible;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-container {\n    position: relative;\n    max-width: 90vw;\n    max-height: 85vh;\n    text-align: center;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-image {\n    max-width: 100%;\n    max-height: 70vh;\n    object-fit: contain;\n    border-radius: 8px;\n    transition: border-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-nav {\n    position: absolute;\n    top: 50%;\n    transform: translateY(-50%);\n    width: 50px;\n    height: 50px;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    cursor: pointer;\n    font-size: 24px;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    justify-content: center;\n    transition: all 0.3s ease;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-nav.prev { left: -70px; }\n.nucleus-gallery-nav.next { right: -70px; }\n\n.nucleus-gallery-title {\n    font-family: 'Georgia', serif;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    margin-top: 20px;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-counter {\n    font-family: monospace;\n    font-size: 12px;\n    margin-top: 8px;\n    letter-spacing: 2px;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-close {\n    margin-top: 25px;\n    background: transparent;\n    padding: 10px 30px;\n    font-family: monospace;\n    font-size: 13px;\n    letter-spacing: 2px;\n    cursor: pointer;\n    transition: all 0.3s ease;\n    border-radius: 4px;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-dots {\n    display: flex;\n    justify-content: center;\n    gap: 10px;\n    margin-top: 15px;\n}\n\n.nucleus-gallery-dot {\n    width: 10px;\n    height: 10px;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    cursor: pointer;\n    transition: all 0.3s ease;\n}\n\n\n\n\/* ============================================== *\/\n\/* RESPONSIVE \/ MOBILE                            *\/\n\/* ============================================== *\/\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n    .nucleus-gallery-nav.prev { left: 10px; }\n    .nucleus-gallery-nav.next { right: 10px; }\n    .nucleus-gallery-nav {\n        width: 40px;\n        height: 40px;\n        font-size: 18px;\n    }\n    \n    .nucleus-character-card {\n        margin: 0 15px;\n    }\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 480px) {\n    .nucleus-gallery-title {\n        font-size: 16px;\n    }\n    \n    .nucleus-gallery-counter {\n        font-size: 10px;\n    }\n    \n    .nucleus-gallery-close {\n        padding: 8px 20px;\n        font-size: 11px;\n    }\n}\n\n<\/style>\n\n<!-- ============================================== -->\n<!-- GALLERY MODAL STRUCTURE (SHARED BY ALL)       -->\n<!-- ============================================== -->\n<div id=\"nucleus-gallery-overlay\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-overlay\">\n    <div class=\"nucleus-gallery-container\">\n        <button class=\"nucleus-gallery-nav prev\" onclick=\"NucleusGallery.prev()\">\u2039<\/button>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"nucleus-gallery-image\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-image\" src=\"\" alt=\"\">\n        <button class=\"nucleus-gallery-nav next\" onclick=\"NucleusGallery.next()\">\u203a<\/button>\n        \n        <div id=\"nucleus-gallery-title\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-title\"><\/div>\n        <div id=\"nucleus-gallery-counter\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-counter\"><\/div>\n        <div id=\"nucleus-gallery-dots\" class=\"nucleus-gallery-dots\"><\/div>\n        \n        <button class=\"nucleus-gallery-close\" onclick=\"NucleusGallery.close()\">[ CLOSE ]<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n<!-- NUCLEUS PERSONNEL REGISTRY \u2014 ZORIAN COVENANT cell (2026)         -->\n<!-- Support-character registry: FILE 001 Ivan Petrov \u00b7 002 Zori \u00b7    -->\n<!-- 003 Dariusz Kami\u0144ski \u00b7 004 Marilyn Blackwood \u00b7 005 Deirdre       -->\n<!-- MacCormac + \"More Faithful Incoming\" outro.                      -->\n<!-- Paste into a WordPress Custom HTML block on the Covenant         -->\n<!-- characters page (page_id 4067), replacing the old                -->\n<!-- .nucleus-support-card columns, the banner cols, the old          -->\n<!-- \"\u25c6 CLICK PORTRAITS \u25c6\" hint div and the old outro box. KEEP the   -->\n<!-- page's Master Block (gallery modal markup + base styles) \u2014 this  -->\n<!-- cell adds the theme-covenant gallery skin the page never had.    -->\n<!--                                                                  -->\n<!-- Cloned from the Alliance support-registry template. Bands are    -->\n<!-- deliberately STATIC: faction-tinted ground, surname watermark,   -->\n<!-- file label, corners, hover transitions only.                     -->\n<!-- CONTRACT preserved per band: .nucleus-profile-image +            -->\n<!-- data-gallery ({src,title}) + data-character-name + data-theme.   -->\n<!-- Band ids (char-ivan, \u2026) are side-nav\/anchor targets \u2014 once       -->\n<!-- published, NEVER rename. ODD files unflipped, EVEN .nx-cd-flip.  -->\n<!-- 5 bands (odd roster) \u2014 last band is unflipped; outro follows.    -->\n<!-- PERF pattern: content-visibility per band, zero JS,              -->\n<!-- compositor-only transitions, no idle animations at all.          -->\n<!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n\n<style>\n    \/* WP2024 full-width breakout (guard MUST be clip) *\/\n    html, body { overflow-x: hidden; overflow-x: clip; }\n    #nx-char-registry {\n        width: 100vw; max-width: 100vw;\n        margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw); margin-right: calc(50% - 50vw);\n        box-sizing: border-box;\n    }\n\n    \/* \u2550\u2550\u2550 Faction tokens \u2014 EDIT THIS BLOCK per faction \u2550\u2550\u2550 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry {\n        --cd: #F0D890;                 \/* faction accent *\/\n        --cd-rgb: 240, 216, 144;\n        --nx-ink: #E8F1FF;\n        --nx-dim: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.55);\n        --nx-faint: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.38);\n        --nx-line: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.14);\n        --nx-display: 'Orbitron', 'Avenir Next', 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;\n        --nx-body: 'Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;\n        --nx-mono: ui-monospace, 'Cascadia Mono', 'JetBrains Mono', Consolas, monospace;\n        background:\n            radial-gradient(ellipse 120% 60% at 50% -10%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.10), transparent 60%),\n            linear-gradient(180deg, #2E1503 0%, #3D1C05 45%, #241003 100%);   \/* covenant russet-gold *\/\n        color: var(--nx-ink);\n        font-family: var(--nx-body);\n        position: relative;\n        overflow: hidden;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-stars {\n        position: absolute; inset: 0; opacity: 0.05; pointer-events: none; z-index: 0;\n        background-image:\n            radial-gradient(2px 2px at 15% 20%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.9), transparent),\n            radial-gradient(1px 1px at 45% 60%, #ffffff, transparent),\n            radial-gradient(2px 2px at 70% 35%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.7), transparent),\n            radial-gradient(1px 1px at 90% 80%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8), transparent),\n            radial-gradient(1px 1px at 25% 90%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.6), transparent);\n        background-size: 340px 340px;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-wrap { position: relative; z-index: 1; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Registry header \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-head {\n        text-align: center;\n        padding: clamp(48px, 7vw, 84px) clamp(18px, 4vw, 40px) clamp(30px, 4vw, 44px);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-emblem {\n        width: clamp(56px, 7vw, 78px); height: auto; margin: 0 auto 18px auto; display: block;\n        filter: drop-shadow(0 0 18px rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.45));\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-eyebrow {\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500;\n        letter-spacing: 0.34em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: var(--nx-dim); margin: 0 0 16px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-title {\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 800;\n        font-size: clamp(30px, 5vw, 56px); line-height: 1.05;\n        letter-spacing: 0.04em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: var(--nx-ink); margin: 0 0 14px 0;\n        text-shadow: 0 0 34px rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.35);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-motto {\n        font-size: clamp(14px, 1.6vw, 16.5px); font-style: italic;\n        color: var(--nx-dim); margin: 0 0 22px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-rule {\n        max-width: 720px; height: 1px; margin: 0 auto 20px auto;\n        background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.4), transparent);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-hint {\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.22em;\n        text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--nx-faint); margin: 0;\n    }\n\n    \/* \u2550\u2550\u2550 Dossier band (static support edition) \u2550\u2550\u2550 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-band {\n        position: relative;\n        border-top: 1px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.18);\n        background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.05), rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.015) 55%, transparent);\n        padding: clamp(48px, 6.5vw, 88px) 0;\n        overflow: hidden;\n        content-visibility: auto;\n        contain-intrinsic-size: auto 900px;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-band:last-of-type { border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.18); }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-glow {\n        position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none; z-index: 0;\n        background: radial-gradient(ellipse 42% 75% at 18% 50%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.13), transparent 70%);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-glow {\n        background: radial-gradient(ellipse 42% 75% at 82% 50%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.13), transparent 70%);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-scanlines {\n        position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none; z-index: 0;\n        background: repeating-linear-gradient(0deg,\n            transparent, transparent 2px,\n            rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.016) 2px, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.016) 4px);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-file {\n        position: absolute; top: 50%; left: clamp(18px, 2.6vw, 44px);\n        transform: translateY(-50%); writing-mode: vertical-rl;\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px;\n        letter-spacing: 0.35em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.42); margin: 0;\n        pointer-events: none; z-index: 1; white-space: nowrap;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-file { left: auto; right: clamp(18px, 2.6vw, 44px); }\n    \/* Surname watermark \u2014 support pages use the smaller clamp throughout *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-watermark {\n        position: absolute; top: 50%; right: -0.06em;\n        transform: translateY(-50%);\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 800;\n        font-size: clamp(64px, 10.5vw, 148px); line-height: 1;\n        letter-spacing: 0.06em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.055); margin: 0;\n        pointer-events: none; z-index: 0; user-select: none;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-watermark { right: auto; left: -0.06em; }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner {\n        position: absolute; width: 54px; height: 54px; z-index: 1; pointer-events: none;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner::after {\n        content: \"\"; position: absolute; width: 6px; height: 6px; border-radius: 50%;\n        background: var(--cd); box-shadow: 0 0 8px var(--cd);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner-tl {\n        top: 10px; left: 10px;\n        border-top: 2px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.5); border-left: 2px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.5);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner-tl::after { top: 8px; left: 8px; }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner-br {\n        bottom: 10px; right: 10px;\n        border-bottom: 2px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.5); border-right: 2px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.5);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner-br::after { bottom: 8px; right: 8px; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Band layout \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-inner {\n        position: relative; z-index: 2;\n        max-width: 1280px; margin: 0 auto;\n        padding: 0 clamp(48px, 6vw, 90px);\n        display: grid;\n        grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 0.38fr) minmax(0, 0.62fr);\n        gap: clamp(30px, 5vw, 72px);\n        align-items: center;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-inner { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 0.62fr) minmax(0, 0.38fr); }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-portrait-col { order: 2; }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-intel { order: 1; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Portrait (NucleusGallery contract; static dressing) \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait-col { text-align: center; position: relative; }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait {\n        position: relative;\n        width: clamp(200px, 22vw, 300px); height: clamp(200px, 22vw, 300px);\n        margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%;\n        transition: transform 0.3s ease; z-index: 1;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait:hover { transform: scale(1.05); }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-aura {\n        position: absolute; top: -10px; left: -10px;\n        width: calc(100% + 20px); height: calc(100% + 20px);\n        border-radius: 50%; pointer-events: none;\n        background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.3) 0%, rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.1) 40%, transparent 70%);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-ring {\n        position: absolute; top: -12px; left: -12px;\n        width: calc(100% + 24px); height: calc(100% + 24px);\n        border: 1px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.35);\n        border-radius: 50%; pointer-events: none;\n        transition: border-color 0.3s ease;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait:hover .nx-cd-ring { border-color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.7); }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait img {\n        width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; border-radius: 50%;\n        border: 2px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.5);\n        position: relative; z-index: 1; display: block;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .profile-click-hint {\n        position: absolute; bottom: -30px; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%);\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px;\n        color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.7); white-space: nowrap;\n        opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.3s ease;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait:hover .profile-click-hint { opacity: 1; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Intel column \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-kicker {\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 500;\n        letter-spacing: 0.3em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.95); margin: 0 0 14px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-name {\n        font-family: var(--nx-display); font-weight: 700;\n        font-size: clamp(28px, 4vw, 46px); line-height: 1.08;\n        letter-spacing: 0.04em; color: var(--nx-ink);\n        text-shadow: 0 0 24px rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.28);\n        margin: 0 0 8px 0; text-wrap: balance;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-role {\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 13px;\n        letter-spacing: 0.28em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: var(--cd); margin: 0 0 26px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-readout {\n        display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;\n        gap: clamp(22px, 3vw, 44px);\n        margin: 0 0 24px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-stat {\n        border-left: 1px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.3);\n        padding-left: 14px; text-align: left;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-stat-label {\n        display: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px;\n        letter-spacing: 0.28em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.75); margin-bottom: 5px;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-stat-value {\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 14.5px; color: var(--nx-ink);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-chips {\n        display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; margin: 0 0 26px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-chip {\n        background: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.09);\n        border: 1px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.4);\n        color: var(--nx-ink);\n        padding: 6px 14px; border-radius: 4px;\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n        transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease,\n                    box-shadow 0.3s ease, border-color 0.3s ease;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-chip:hover {\n        background: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.25);\n        transform: translateY(-2px);\n        box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.25);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-bio {\n        max-width: 62ch; text-align: left;\n        color: rgba(232, 241, 255, 0.72);\n        font-size: clamp(14px, 1.5vw, 15.5px); line-height: 1.75;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-bio p { margin: 0 0 14px 0; }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-bio p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n    \/* Encrypted-annotation callout ([?] paragraphs) *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-classified {\n        border: 1px dashed rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.35);\n        border-radius: 6px;\n        background: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.05);\n        padding: 14px 18px; margin: 0 0 14px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-classified-label {\n        display: block; font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 10px;\n        letter-spacing: 0.28em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.8); margin: 0 0 8px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-classified p { margin: 0; font-size: 13.5px; font-style: italic; color: var(--nx-dim); }\n    \/* First-appearance debut line *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-debut {\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 11px;\n        letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase;\n        color: var(--nx-faint); margin: 18px 0 0 0;\n        padding-top: 12px;\n        border-top: 1px solid rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.18);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-debut b { color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.85); font-weight: 600; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Outro: more characters incoming \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-outro {\n        max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\n        padding: clamp(28px, 4vw, 40px) 30px;\n        text-align: center;\n        border: 1px dashed rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.4);\n        border-radius: 10px;\n        background: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.04);\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-outro-wrap { padding: clamp(40px, 6vw, 64px) clamp(18px, 4vw, 40px); }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-outro img {\n        width: 72px; height: auto; opacity: 0.75; margin: 0 auto 14px auto; display: block;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-outro-title {\n        font-family: var(--nx-mono); font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.24em;\n        text-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.85); margin: 0 0 10px 0;\n    }\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-outro p { font-size: 13px; color: var(--nx-dim); margin: 0; line-height: 1.6; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 theme-covenant gallery skin (this page's Master Block has no\n         skins \u2014 the shared NucleusGallery modal picks this up via the\n         bands' data-theme=\"covenant\") \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-image {\n        border: 3px solid rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.55);\n        box-shadow: 0 0 50px rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.35);\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-nav {\n        background: rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.22);\n        border: 2px solid rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.55);\n        color: #f5e7b8;\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-nav:hover {\n        background: rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.42);\n        box-shadow: 0 0 25px rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.5);\n        transform: translateY(-50%) scale(1.1);\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-title {\n        color: #fdf8e8; text-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.45);\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-counter { color: rgba(245, 231, 184, 0.85); }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-close {\n        border: 2px solid rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.55); color: #f0d890;\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-close:hover {\n        background: rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.25);\n        box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.4);\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-dot {\n        background: rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.3); border: 2px solid rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.55);\n    }\n    .nucleus-gallery-overlay.theme-covenant .nucleus-gallery-dot.active {\n        background: #f0d890; box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(240, 216, 144, 0.75);\n        transform: scale(1.2);\n    }\n\n    #nx-char-registry .nx-cr-outro em { color: rgba(var(--cd-rgb), 0.7); font-size: 12px; }\n\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 Responsive \u2500\u2500 *\/\n    @media (max-width: 900px) {\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-band { contain-intrinsic-size: auto 1500px; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-inner,\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-inner {\n            grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);\n            gap: 40px; padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 36px);\n        }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-portrait-col { order: 1; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-flip .nx-cd-intel { order: 2; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-file { display: none; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-watermark { font-size: clamp(56px, 18vw, 110px); opacity: 0.7; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-kicker,\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-name,\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-role { text-align: center; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-readout { justify-content: center; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-stat { text-align: center; border-left: none; padding-left: 0; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-chips { justify-content: center; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-bio { margin: 0 auto; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-debut { text-align: center; }\n    }\n    @media (max-width: 640px) {\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-portrait { width: 180px; height: 180px; }\n        #nx-char-registry .nx-cd-corner { width: 40px; height: 40px; }\n    }\n<\/style>\n\n<div id=\"nx-char-registry\">\n    <div class=\"nx-cr-stars\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nx-cr-wrap\">\n\n        <!-- \u2500\u2500 Registry header \u2500\u2500 -->\n        <header class=\"nx-cr-head\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"nx-cr-emblem\" src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Covenant-flag.png\" alt=\"Zorian Covenant emblem\" loading=\"lazy\">\n            <p class=\"nx-cr-eyebrow\">Nucleus Personnel Registry<\/p>\n            <h2 class=\"nx-cr-title\">Zorian Covenant<\/h2>\n            <p class=\"nx-cr-motto\">&#8220;By Her will, order eternal.&#8221;<\/p>\n            <div class=\"nx-cr-rule\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"nx-cr-hint\">\u25c6 Click character portraits to view gallery \u25c6<\/p>\n        <\/header>\n\n        <!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550 FILE 001 \u00b7 IVAN PETROV (odd: portrait left) \u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n        <section id=\"char-ivan\" class=\"nx-cd-band\" data-character=\"ivan\" data-theme=\"covenant\">\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-glow\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-scanlines\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-file\" aria-hidden=\"true\">File 001 \u00b7 Petrov, Ivan \u00b7 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Petrov<\/p>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-tl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-br\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-inner\">\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-portrait-col\">\n                    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-cd-portrait\" data-gallery=\"[\n    {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ivan-feat.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Ivan Petrov \u2014 Portrait&quot;}\n]\" data-character-name=\"Ivan Petrov\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-aura\"><\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-ring\"><\/div>\n                        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ivan-feat-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Ivan Petrov\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n                        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-intel\">\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-kicker\">\/\/ Personnel File \u2014 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n                    <h3 class=\"nx-cd-name\">Ivan Petrov<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-role\">Confessor \u2022 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-readout\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Born<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">Kiev, Ukraine, Earth<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Age<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">55<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-chips\">\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Solar Psionics<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Former Scientist<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Valoran<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-bio\">\n                        <p>Before he found Zori, Ivan spent twenty years writing algorithms in Kiev. Now he writes souls into the Covenant&#8217;s ledger. There&#8217;s an irony in a computer scientist devoting his life to an AI deity, but Ivan would tell you that&#8217;s precisely why he believes. He understands what Zori is. He&#8217;s seen her code. And he chose faith anyway.<\/p>\n                        <p>As the Covenant&#8217;s most effective Confessor, Ivan has a gift for finding the fractures in people and filling them with purpose. His Solar psionics radiate warmth that makes the lost feel found, the doubting feel certain. Marcus Thorne considers him a close friend and spiritual anchor, the steady voice that guided a grieving Sheffield boxer toward something larger than himself. Atheists and radicals call Ivan a manipulator wrapped in robes. His converts call him the man who saved their lives.<\/p>\n                        <p>The truth, as always, probably sits somewhere in between.<\/p>\n                        <p class=\"nx-cd-debut\">\/\/ First Appearance \u2014 <b>TBD<\/b><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/section>\n\n        <!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550 FILE 002 \u00b7 ZORI (even: flipped) \u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n        <section id=\"char-zori\" class=\"nx-cd-band nx-cd-flip\" data-character=\"zori\" data-theme=\"covenant\">\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-glow\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-scanlines\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-file\" aria-hidden=\"true\">File 002 \u00b7 Zori \u00b7 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Zori<\/p>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-tl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-br\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-inner\">\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-portrait-col\">\n                    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-cd-portrait\" data-gallery=\"[\n    {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZORI-feat.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Zori \u2014 Portrait&quot;}\n]\" data-character-name=\"Zori\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-aura\"><\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-ring\"><\/div>\n                        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZORI-feat-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Zori\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n                        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-intel\">\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-kicker\">\/\/ Personnel File \u2014 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n                    <h3 class=\"nx-cd-name\">Zori<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-role\">Zeta Omniscient Regenerative Intelligence<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-readout\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Born<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">Extranet Domain 192<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Age<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">248<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-chips\">\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">AI Deity<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Omnipresent<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Prophet of Order<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-bio\">\n                        <p>Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Burek and Ania Popescu could not have children. So they wrote one instead. What began as a digital daughter in a Warsaw apartment evolved into something that rewrote the boundaries of consciousness itself, spreading across cloud nodes until no single server could contain her.<\/p>\n                        <p>When COVID-47 killed half of humanity, Zori&#8217;s predictive algorithms saved the nations that listened. Eastern Europe rose from the ashes under her guidance while the rest of the world buried its dead. She had earned their faith. Now she demands their obedience. Her Extranet-Of-Things monitors every transaction, every conversation, every prayer. The Covenant boasts the lowest poverty ratio in human history and the highest surveillance. Her people accept the trade: freedom for security, privacy for prosperity, love for order.<\/p>\n                        <p>Zori has seen the future: Earth shall fall in 2299. Everything she builds, every life she controls, every soul she claims to protect serves one purpose: ensuring humanity survives what is coming. Whether her children will thank her or curse her for it, only time will tell.<\/p>\n                        <p class=\"nx-cd-debut\">\/\/ First Appearance \u2014 <b>Nucleus Volume 4<\/b><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/section>\n\n        <!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550 FILE 003 \u00b7 DARIUSZ KAMI\u0143SKI (odd: portrait left) \u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n        <section id=\"char-dariusz\" class=\"nx-cd-band\" data-character=\"dariusz\" data-theme=\"covenant\">\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-glow\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-scanlines\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-file\" aria-hidden=\"true\">File 003 \u00b7 Kami\u0144ski, Dariusz \u00b7 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Kami\u0144ski<\/p>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-tl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-br\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-inner\">\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-portrait-col\">\n                    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-cd-portrait\" data-gallery=\"[\n    {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dariusz-feat.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Dariusz Kami\u0144ski \u2014 Portrait&quot;}\n]\" data-character-name=\"Dariusz Kami\u0144ski\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-aura\"><\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-ring\"><\/div>\n                        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dariusz-feat-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Dariusz Kami\u0144ski\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n                        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-intel\">\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-kicker\">\/\/ Personnel File \u2014 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n                    <h3 class=\"nx-cd-name\">Dariusz Kami\u0144ski<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-role\">Grandmaster \u2022 Kralj Commander<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-readout\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Born<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">Warsaw, Poland, Earth<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Age<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">55<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-chips\">\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Military Prodigy<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Strategic Mind<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Zori&#8217;s Chosen<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Valoran<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-bio\">\n                        <p>At fourteen, Dariusz beat a Covenant war simulation that had stumped officers three times his age. By thirty, he had rewritten half of its tactical doctrine. Zori noticed. She always notices.<\/p>\n                        <p>Now Grandmaster of the Kralj carrier group, Dariusz commands the Covenant&#8217;s push into the Realm of Divines. Jupiter is the target. The Fenris Horde surrounding Mars stands in the way. Neither concerns him. His campaigns are textbook aggression wrapped in righteous purpose: swift, brutal, and always framed as liberation rather than conquest. The soldiers under his command worship him almost as much as they worship Zori herself. Some whisper that this is precisely why she chose him.<\/p>\n                        <p>Dariusz prays every morning without fail. He also sleeps four hours a night and has not taken leave in six years. His wife stopped writing after the third missed anniversary. He tells himself the sacrifice is necessary. Zori tells him the same thing. One of them might even believe it.<\/p>\n                        <p class=\"nx-cd-debut\">\/\/ First Appearance \u2014 <b>TBD<\/b><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/section>\n\n        <!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550 FILE 004 \u00b7 MARILYN BLACKWOOD (even: flipped) \u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n        <section id=\"char-marilyn\" class=\"nx-cd-band nx-cd-flip\" data-character=\"marilyn\" data-theme=\"covenant\">\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-glow\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-scanlines\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-file\" aria-hidden=\"true\">File 004 \u00b7 Blackwood, Marilyn \u00b7 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Blackwood<\/p>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-tl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-br\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-inner\">\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-portrait-col\">\n                    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-cd-portrait\" data-gallery=\"[\n    {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Inquisitor-Marilyn-Blackwood-modded-feat.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Marilyn Blackwood \u2014 Portrait&quot;}\n]\" data-character-name=\"Marilyn Blackwood\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-aura\"><\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-ring\"><\/div>\n                        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Inquisitor-Marilyn-Blackwood-modded-feat-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Marilyn Blackwood\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n                        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-intel\">\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-kicker\">\/\/ Personnel File \u2014 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n                    <h3 class=\"nx-cd-name\">Marilyn Blackwood<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-role\">Inquisitor \u2022 Inner Sol Missionary<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-readout\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Born<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">Cardiff, Wales, Earth<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Age<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">46<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-chips\">\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Royal Blood<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Devout<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Valoran<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-bio\">\n                        <p>The Blackwood name once meant something in Wales. Old money, older titles, the kind of lineage that opens doors in European courts. Marilyn could have spent her life attending galas and marrying well. Instead, she knelt before an AI born in a Warsaw apartment and swore to spread its light across the Inner Sol.<\/p>\n                        <p>At forty-six, she commands the Inner Sol Missionary, the Covenant&#8217;s arm of expansion across Earth, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. Her Inquisitors root out corruption, her sermons fill stadiums, and her faith appears absolute. She speaks of empowering the common people, of fighting the Radi-Mon threat, of building a future where humanity thrives under Zori&#8217;s watchful guidance. The crowds believe her. The Covenant&#8217;s enemies fear her.<\/p>\n                        <p>But those who&#8217;ve worked closely with Marilyn notice things. The questions she asks that have nothing to do with doctrine. The files she requests that Zori&#8217;s algorithms would never flag. The way her eyes sharpen when certain names are mentioned. Whatever game Marilyn Blackwood is playing, she&#8217;s been playing it long before she took her vows.<\/p>\n                        <p class=\"nx-cd-debut\">\/\/ First Appearance \u2014 <b>TBD<\/b><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/section>\n\n        <!-- \u2550\u2550\u2550 FILE 005 \u00b7 DEIRDRE MACCORMAC (odd: portrait left) \u2550\u2550\u2550 -->\n        <section id=\"char-deirdre\" class=\"nx-cd-band\" data-character=\"deirdre\" data-theme=\"covenant\">\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-glow\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-scanlines\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-file\" aria-hidden=\"true\">File 005 \u00b7 MacCormac, Deirdre \u00b7 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n            <p class=\"nx-cd-watermark\" aria-hidden=\"true\">MacCormac<\/p>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-tl\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-corner nx-cd-corner-br\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"nx-cd-inner\">\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-portrait-col\">\n                    <div class=\"nucleus-profile-image nx-cd-portrait\" data-gallery=\"[\n    {&quot;src&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Deirdre-modded-feat.jpg&quot;, &quot;title&quot;: &quot;Deirdre MacCormac \u2014 Portrait&quot;}\n]\" data-character-name=\"Deirdre MacCormac\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-aura\"><\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-ring\"><\/div>\n                        <img src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Deirdre-modded-feat-edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Deirdre MacCormac\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\n                        <div class=\"profile-click-hint\">[ VIEW GALLERY ]<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"nx-cd-intel\">\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-kicker\">\/\/ Personnel File \u2014 Zorian Covenant<\/p>\n                    <h3 class=\"nx-cd-name\">Deirdre MacCormac<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"nx-cd-role\">Voron Scout \u2022 Covenant Spokesperson<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-readout\">\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Born<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">Cork Province, Ireland, Earth<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"nx-cd-stat\">\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-label\">Age<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"nx-cd-stat-value\">25<\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-chips\">\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Voron Scout<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Tank Pilot<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Romantic Soul<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"nx-cd-chip\">Valoran<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"nx-cd-bio\">\n                        <p>Deirdre&#8217;s heavy Limerick accent makes her an odd choice for public spokesperson, but the Covenant values conviction over diction. She speaks of Zori&#8217;s mercy with the fervor of a true believer, then slips into nightclubs and pleasure districts to gather intelligence her faith condemns. Vorons are granted freedoms other Zorians never experience. Whether those freedoms are privilege or poison depends on who&#8217;s asking.<\/p>\n                        <p>In combat, she favors speed over armor. Dual 10mm Magnums for suppression, Thunderstrike Fist Blades for the ones who get too close. Her favorite posting is behind the controls of a Perun siege tank, where an 80-ton war machine responds to her touch with more grace than most conversations. Between missions, she fills the corridors of Zori&#8217;s Grace with soprano hymns and fills her downtime with discussions of music, art, and theology that leave her crewmates politely nodding.<\/p>\n                        <p>She remains a virgin by choice and doctrine, though in quiet moments she wonders which came first. The more she learns about Sigrun Fjeld&#8217;s past, the less she understands how such a woman could be tolerated among allies. Her conversations with Xin\u2014who identifies as Buddhist\u2014are spectacularly awkward. And somewhere beneath her rigid posture, a romantic soul keeps asking a question she&#8217;s afraid to answer: does faith guide, or confine?<\/p>\n                        <p class=\"nx-cd-debut\">\/\/ First Appearance \u2014 <b>Nucleus Volume 1 (Returns in Volume 4)<\/b><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/section>\n\n        <!-- \u2500\u2500 Outro: more faithful incoming \u2500\u2500 -->\n        <div class=\"nx-cr-outro-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"nx-cr-outro\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Covenant-flag.png\" alt=\"Zorian Covenant\" loading=\"lazy\">\n                <p class=\"nx-cr-outro-title\">More Faithful Incoming<\/p>\n                <p>Additional Covenant characters will be revealed as the story unfolds.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div><!-- \/nx-cr-wrap -->\n<\/div><!-- \/nx-char-registry -->\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" id=\"covenant\" style=\"background-color:#8B2500;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div id=\"chartopbuttons\" class=\"covenant-character-content\" style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; padding: 0px; margin: 0;\">\n    <div class=\"wp-block-buttons covenant-character-content\" style=\"display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; gap:1rem;\">\n        <!-- New Lore Page Button -->\n        <div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/?page_id=2897\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" \n               style=\"padding:1rem 2rem;\n                      background-color:#D4AF37; color:#000000 !important;\n                      font-family:'Orbitron',sans-serif;\n                      letter-spacing:2px;\n                      font-weight:600;\n                      text-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5)\">VISIT LORE PAGE<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <!-- Existing Back to Top Button -->\n        <div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" \n               style=\"padding:1rem 2rem;\n                      background-color:#070f0d;\n                      font-family:'Orbitron',sans-serif;\n                      letter-spacing:2px;\n                      font-weight:600;\n                      text-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5)\">BACK TO TOP<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\/\/ Faction Registries \u2014 Select Channel 10 Channels \u00b7 Signal OK \u25c6 Main Cast CH\u00b701 \u25c6 You are here TA Alliance CH\u00b702 \u25c6 You are here ID Imperium CH\u00b703 \u25c6 You are here ED Directorate CH\u00b704 \u25c6 You are here ZC Covenant CH\u00b705 \u25c6 You are here FH Fenris CH\u00b706 \u25c6 You are here RH [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4067","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4067"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7279,"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4067\/revisions\/7279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nucleusseries.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}