Lask

Lask is the only Empath of Earth Colony, and indeed one of the few to survive the aftermath of the war. Stripped of all emotions since childhood, she can sense the emotions of others.

Her loyalty is divided between her old spymaster, Petara-- who she both is indebted to, and hates-- and the third Imperatrix of Earth Colony, Nerrine. Lask has infrequently been a viewpoint character, most notably in The Egg Thieves.

The Genetics War
Unusual for a Daughter of Mars, Lask was loved by her parents, and even given a name from birth. But this did not protect her from the brutal Genetics War. When she was very young, their home was destroyed; Lask was buried under the rubble for days, and her parents were killed.

Lask was brought before the High Imperatrix, who wanted to kill her. Petara intervened, arguing that the child was young enough to endure the transformation into an empath.

Lask became one of Petara's spies, eventually traveling to the pleasure-moon Deimos and recruiting Nerrine to serve as a spy.

When the war was over, Petara brought Lask with her to Earth.

''Petara always picked Lask, and Lask has never known why. She should be grateful. Petara saved her life as a child. Saved her several times during the war. Saved her after the war: she could have burned in the White City with the other empaths. Instead, she was secured a spot on Garaka's ship.''

''She would be grateful, she thinks, if she could be grateful. If the part of her brain that had emotions hadn't been cut out and replaced with a machine.''

-- The Egg Thieves

Earth Colony
Lask was chosen to be part of several adventuring parties. (The Song of Thirteen, Puppets and Poison, The Egg Thieves)

To Bell The Cat
Lask overhears Petara and Kellin speaking about Ress's involvement in the death of Jarissy. (Walking Wounded) She comes to Nerrine with this information, who asks that Lask recruit Fenn to serve as a spy. (The Long, Brightly-Starred Night)