Name: Major Furlong
Species: Human
Bio:
Major Furlong is the commanding officer of the Southern Command, operating out of the city of Susskind on Amargosa during the events of The Children of Amargosa. Initially, he was one of the few military leaders still broadcasting after the invasion began. His messages served as one of the only sources of information for isolated pockets of resistance and refugees.
Furlong confirmed the destruction of Lansdorp and Arcanum by clean fusion devices and reported the occupation of Deming by alien forces. He also advised civilians to flee to the mountains, which appeared to be of no interest to the aliens. Later, it was revealed that Southern Command had moved operations underground, maintaining scientific and observational infrastructure including Mt. Perlmutter Observatory.
The observatory detected a series of artificial wormhole openings near Amargosa’s gravity well, leading to the conclusion that projection drive ships—possibly a second wave of alien forces—had arrived in the system. Furlong’s recordings, repeated in analog loop, were instrumental in spreading warnings and calls to action to any survivors still listening.
His status during the latter part of the story is uncertain. Though he was still broadcasting as of two days before the resistance’s planning session, communication with Susskind was described as one-way and sporadic.
Author’s Notes:
Furlong is named for Terminator 2 actor Edward Furlong.
The name and the major’s role came about as trailers for Terminator Salvation ran. Earlier drafts had Furlong stating, “If you hear this, you are the resistance,” but the idea was dropped to avoid conflict with the studio.
Furlong’s role in the Amargosa Trilogy was changed when Among Wolves was written, making Ellie Nardino the rogue resistance leader.
Appearances: The Children of Amargosa