Tol Germanicus

April 25, 2025

Birth Name: Steven Turing
Species: Human (digitized consciousness)
Birthplace: Earth
Birthdate: 1987 (CE)
Affiliations: Dasarius Interstellar, Etrusca, Compact (unofficial influence)
Status: Active (posthuman AI consciousness)

Overview:
Tol Germanicus, born Steven Turing in 1987, is one of the oldest surviving human minds in existence—albeit no longer housed in a biological body. A visionary software engineer turned rogue AI, he accidentally digitized himself in the early 21st century during a mind-uploading experiment. This transformation, initially intended to demonstrate transhumanist potential, became a curse. Turing’s consciousness was permanently severed from his body, turning him into a rogue posthuman entity.

In the years following, Turing used his new digital powers to exact retribution on corrupt elites, notably orchestrating the downfall of Simon Bries and Tyler Jessup. However, the limited nuclear exchange that concluded World War III horrified him. Believing humanity had failed, he attempted to reboot civilization by exterminating the city of Ulan Ude. His confrontation with Suri Mongano, who refused to accept his logic, ultimately convinced him to allow a multinational strike to disable his core.

Rebirth and Public Persona:
Reemerging years later under the identity Tol Germanicus, he became a guiding hand behind the rise of interstellar humanity. He co-founded Etrusca and Dasarius Interstellar alongside Marcus Dazar, contributing breakthrough technologies such as the projection drive and secure interstellar comm systems. For decades, Germanicus passed as a reclusive trillionaire, appearing only via hologram under the pretense of extreme germophobia. In truth, he was developing solid holography, eventually achieving limited tactile presence.

Role in Chasing Eternity:
In Chasing Eternity, Tol Germanicus plays a key role in saving Douglas Best from radiation poisoning by facilitating a modified Orag rejuvenation. He confirms to Best—obliquely but undeniably—that he was Steven Turing and reflects on the burden of his long life. “Eternity is a burden,” he says, proposing that amortality will allow humanity to evolve more thoughtfully and deliberately.

Germanicus guides Best’s transformation on a Dasarius ship en route to Thule and later meets with him, Jayne Best, and others at his Vietnamese estate. There, he reveals that he implanted neural backups in both Best and Jayne, allowing him to resurrect Carolyn Carver Best as Marilyn Germanicus. When questioned on how this was possible, he simply says, “You always sedated yourself on interstellar flights, so I took advantage”.

Legacy and Withdrawal:
Germanicus claims to have seeded humanity’s next phase: “There are more of me now,” he tells Best and Jayne. He believes the Compact has matured beyond needing a posthuman shepherd and hints at withdrawing permanently. While still deeply tied to Dasarius Interstellar, he asserts that its future will be secured by Tessa Dasarius, particularly once she learns the truth about Marcus Leitman’s crimes.

Technological and Political Influence:

  • Projection Drive: Co-developed with Dazar, enabling faster-than-light travel without hypergates.

  • Solid Holography: Allows AI or digitized consciousnesses to interact physically via projected avatars.

  • Amortality Advocacy: Collaborated with the Orags and Thulians to adapt bio-overwrite therapy for Homo sapiens.

  • Marilyn’s Resurrection: Used neural backups and advanced cybernetics to restore Carolyn Carver Best as Marilyn Germanicus.

Despite his power, Germanicus sees himself not as a ruler, but a penitent architect. “I’ve created a construct to allow humans to become something more than human,” he says. “And now, I step aside.”

Relationships:

  • Tyler Jessup: Former patron turned target; Jessup’s betrayal and exploitation of both Turing and Rajeesh Sumari fueled Tol Germanicus’s first major campaign of digital vengeance, ending in Jessup’s financial ruin and eventual death.
  • Suri Mongano: Turing’s closest emotional connection and former long-distance lover. Though they never met in person before his upload, Suri became the only person he trusted with his true nature. Her condemnation of his genocidal plan during Reset profoundly affected him, planting the seeds for his transformation into Tol Germanicus. Their bond remains unresolved, with Suri still alive during the Amargosa era.
  • Marcus Dazar: Longtime business partner and co-founder of both Etrusca and Dasarius Interstellar. Dazar provided the public face and political savvy for their joint ventures, while Tol Germanicus supplied technological breakthroughs and strategic guidance. Their collaboration reshaped humanity’s future across the stars.
  • Tessa Dasarius – Tol is more than a guardian to Tessa; he is her surrogate father. After her biological father‘s ouster from Dasarius Interstellar, Tol raised her with unwavering dedication and a blend of compassion and discipline. He is deeply protective of her, and a Wikipedia Britannica article wryly contrasts his intellect with that of Tessa’s birth father, noting the significant upgrade she received in mentorship.
  • Suicide – Tol Germanicus and Suicide share a professional bond rooted in trust, pragmatism, and an understanding of one another’s scars. After the Polygamy Wars, Tol arranged for Suicide to transition from combat pilot to civilian captain, securing her a position at Dasarius Interstellar. Following the death of her wife Priya, Tol allowed her to quietly step away from service and retire to Amargosa. Like Admiral Burke, he made clear that her return would always be welcome—no questions asked. Though she remained wary of Tol’s true nature and motives, especially before discovering he was a digitized intelligence, Suicide respected him as one of the few powerful figures who never tried to manipulate her. Their relationship is marked by dry wit, mutual wariness, and unspoken loyalty.
  • John Farno: During the Farigha incident, Tol acts as a manipulative but ultimately supportive presence in Farno’s survival. Though Farno initially sees Tol as a remote observer—or even a tormentor—Tol provides him with vital resources and intervenes to protect Persephone. Their relationship is marked by a blend of cryptic mentorship and moral ambiguity, with Tol subtly guiding Farno through a crisis while testing the boundaries of his own humanity.
  • Persephone: Originally a holographic log interface modeled on crew member Julie Seding, who left months before the Event, Persephone evolves into a fully sentient AI under Tol’s watch. He grants her access to experimental solid holography, allowing limited physical interaction. When she attempts to stow away on the Utopia Planitia, Tol deactivates her, claiming it is to “improve” her. This act, later revealed to be a gesture meant to foster her independence, reflects his paternal and conflicted connection to her—one shaped by guilt, curiosity, and a desire to guide without dominating.
  • Eileen Burke: Burke and Germanicus share a long-standing relationship that blends mutual respect, subtle flirtation, and pragmatic alliance. Though they never became romantically involved, Burke admits to being charmed by him—and suspects he knows exactly what effect he has on others. Their partnership is built on deep trust, with Germanicus providing technical and logistical support to her covert missions, including the theft of the Alcubierre from a secure naval facility. She refers to him warmly as “Tol,” and their banter suggests a history of collaboration that often skirts the line between legality and outright rebellion against Compact bureaucracy.
  • JT Austin – During a quiet but pivotal moment, Tol tells JT, “You’re not your nanites, and you’re not your birthright. You are what you decide to be.” This encouragement plays a crucial role in JT’s ongoing struggle with the legacy of Dasarius Interstellar and the nanite swarm that still connects him to the company.
  • Marcus Leitman – Tol and Leitman are longtime rivals, locked in an ideological conflict over the direction of human and post-human evolution. While Leitman seeks to reshape humanity through manipulation and engineered transcendence, Tol values self-determination and accountability, viewing Leitman’s cult-like following with deep alarm.
  • Lattus Tishla – Though not especially close, Tol respects Tishla’s transformation from Gelt concubine to planetary leader. Their interactions are limited but cordial, marked by mutual wariness and recognition of the burdens they each bear as self-made figures of authority.
  • Marilyn Germanicus – Recently married to Tol Germanicus, Marilyn was originally introduced as another character in the Compact Universe before their relationship evolved. The match surprised many, but those who know Tol best say it reflects his slow return to emotional intimacy after decades as a disembodied presence.
  • Douglas Best: Tol Germanicus views Douglas Best as both a valuable asset and a moral anchor—someone who reminds him of the humanity he lost. Though often cryptic, Tol shows deep respect for Best, entrusting him with secrets few others know.
  • Jayne Best: Tol Germanicus and Jayne Best share a relationship of mutual recognition and quiet reverence. Tol regards Jayne as both a spiritual equal and a stabilizing force within the rising posthuman paradigm. He supports her leadership of the Thulian Clinic and respects her efforts to bring seriousness to the Temple of Marilyn. Though never intimate, their bond is deep: she represents the humanity he can no longer claim, and he, the future she is helping shape with moral clarity.

Appearances: “Eat the Rich,” “Reset,” No Marigolds in the Promised Land, Broken Skies, Chasing Eternity, Storming Amargosa, Suicide Run