Imperatrix Rex

Imperatrix Rex is the third story in the first Orphans of Mars book, Earth Colony. It introduces Quasha and, in its original version, the title Imperatrix, though this was retroactively woven into the first two stories. It was originally published as Orphans of Mars # 1, and written some three years after the first two stories. The title is a punning reference to the Marvel Comics character the Sub-Mariner.

With Garaka dead, Earth Colony is bereft of leadership. Quasha declares herself Imperatrix, and leads a hunting party comprising herself, Jarissy, Ress, and Nerrine. The latter two have their doubts about Quasha's fitness as a leader, especially for the world they now inhabit. A disastrous (if largely comical) encounter with a herd of Alamosaurus convinces Nerrine (with some deft manipulation by Ress) to usurp power.