Title: President of the Compact (formerly Secretary-General)
Affiliation: Compact of Humanity in Assembly
Species: Human
Birthplace: The Caliphate
Baker ibn-Aziz is a career statesman who rose to prominence as Secretary-General of the Compact of Humanity in Assembly, guiding the interstellar human government through the Gelt Incursion of 429 IE. Following constitutional reforms, he became the first President of the Compact, a role he accepted reluctantly amid pressure from both the Assembly and the Joint Chiefs. Though not a power-seeker, ibn-Aziz is a pragmatic and stabilizing force, recognized for his political finesse and ability to balance competing interests across the Compact.
Key Moments and Leadership Style:
- During the Gelt Incursion:
As Secretary-General, ibn-Aziz orchestrated a restrained but methodical response to the invasions of Amargosa and Gilead, resisting demands for rash military action. He deferred to experienced commanders like Vice Admiral Eileen Burke and Rear Admiral Quentin Austin, providing political support while avoiding direct escalation. His administration’s decision not to forcibly remove Tishla from Hanar allowed for a lasting peace process, though it was controversial at the time. - Transition to Presidency:
When a constitutional amendment redefined the Compact’s leadership model, ibn-Aziz was chosen as the first President, effectively separating the role from its previous legislative roots. He took on the new responsibilities reluctantly, believing continuity was vital during the postwar transition. As president, he remained more administrator than visionary, valuing institutional integrity over charismatic leadership. -
Disability and Disappearance
Baker ibn-Aziz was believed to have contracted a rare SARS variant and entered medical stasis on The Caliphate during Marcus Leitman’s rise to power. In truth, Baker had been abducted and stored in sleeper stasis, his disappearance forming the foundation for Leitman’s presidency. He was presumed permanently incapacitated.
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Recovery on Amargosa
In Breaking Liberty, Ellie Nardino discovers a disoriented, nude man wandering the Polar Zone of Amargosa. He is soon identified by Tishla, and later confirmed via genome matching, as Baker ibn-Aziz. He suffers from amnesia and symptoms of premature stasis termination, requiring careful medical handling and gradual memory recovery.
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Return to the Compact
After an attempted assassination by a paid pilot on Liberty, Ellie Nardino and Dr. Tishla Austin successfully smuggle Baker off-world using off-the-books transit. He is eventually delivered to the new Thulian Clinic on Aphrodite, where Tishla has been assigned temporarily. The discreet return is meant to avoid alerting President Leitman, whose political legitimacy depends on Baker’s presumed incapacitation.
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Debriefing with Secretary-General Barratus
Ellie later accompanies Baker and Tishla to debrief Secretary-General Barratus on the events on Liberty and the circumstances surrounding Baker’s disappearance and recovery. The debriefing is a pivotal step in challenging Leitman’s authority and revealing evidence of larger conspiracies within the Compact.
Working Relationships:
- Jennafern Tapper:
Ibn-Aziz relies heavily on his chief of staff, Jennafern Tapper, a sharp and politically savvy aide who handles much of the Compact’s internal coordination and legislative strategy. Tapper’s insight and execution are crucial to ibn-Aziz’s quiet but effective leadership style. Where he avoids confrontation, she thrives in it. Moments before he is sworn in as President, ibn-Aziz asks Tapper to marry him. - Marcus Leitman:
A constant source of irritation, Marcus Leitman embodies everything ibn-Aziz distrusts—ideological extremism, populist manipulation, and behind-the-scenes power grabs. Ibn-Aziz often finds himself undermined by Leitman’s scheming, particularly as Leitman builds cult-like support among fringe factions and seeks to reshape the Compact’s identity.
Legacy and Perception:
Ibn-Aziz is viewed as a steady hand during chaos. His reluctance to seek power paradoxically enhances his credibility, making him a unifying figure in a fractured Compact. While not universally loved, he is widely respected—even by some of his political adversaries—as a man who kept the Compact whole during its darkest hour.
Appearances: Chasing Eternity, Storming Amargosa, Breaking Liberty