Freelance Traveller

Shell O’Deedy: Advocate at Large

profiled by Timothy Collinson

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2026 issue.

Shell O’Deedy, 6678C8, Age 37
Characteristics: STR 6 (+0), DEX 6 (+0), END 7 (+0), INT 8 (+0), EDU 12 (+2), SOC 8 (+0)
Skills: Advocate 4, Investigate 2, Streetwise 2, Electronics (computers) 1, Persuade 1, Science (planetology) 1, Tactics (legal) 1, Admin 0, Athletics 0, Drive 0, Flyer 0, Mechanic 0, Medic 0, Navigation 0
Equipment: Cr150,000

Relationships:

Ally:

Senior Advocate Valerius Thorne – Thorne took Shell under their wing and offered guidance and support during her first months and years in Chambers seeing potential in Shell’s dedication and sharp mind.  This mentorship solidified into a lasting alliance with Thorne providing Shell with valuable insights and, occasionally, discreet assistance in navigating complex legal landscapes.  Thorne is an established and respected figure in legal circles.

Contact:

Jaxon “Jax” Dondren – Jax operates in the shadows of the city, dealing in rumours and illicit data.  They met while Shell was working with a street advocate on an assignment for her Chambers, defending a client wrongly accused of dealing in illegal (drugs/tech/AI – delete where not appropriate).  Jax can help Shell with discreet information gathering.

Contact:

Hentiflon “Ratchet” Lena – a skilled mechanic who can fix most things except her broken heart.  Lena helped Shell repair a damaged grav vehicle and they discovered a shared view of men: useful, but not to be trusted.  Lena offers technical expertise when cases require her specialist knowledge.

Contact:

Aila Vorhees –  Vorhees is a well-regarded diplomat known for her skill in negotiating treaties and smoothing over social faux pas.  They met when Shell exposed government corruption and Vorhees offers powerful connections and advice on navigating delicate social situations.

Enemy:

Jarod Eisley – Eisley is a corrupt advocate in Shell’s former Chambers.  Shell exposed Eisley’s unethical practices which led to his downfall.  He harbours a grudge and seeks to undermine Shell’s reputation and career wherever possible.

Description

The neon lights of the lower levels cast long shadows as Shell walks purposefully through the crowded streets.  It’s a time of day when everyone has somewhere to go, someone to see, some stress to urge them on.  Shell pauses, observing a trio of figures engaged in a hushed conversation; something is amiss.  She subtly adjusts her route to avoid a potential confrontation; her hand instinctively moves towards a pocket ’larm.

Shell O’Deedy was born on a low law level world and from a young age demonstrated a sharp intelligence and a surprising amount of grit given the circumstances of her upbringing.  Her family, her father was a well-respected preacher, valued education which gave her a solid base to build upon.  She learned some basic first aid from her mother who often tended to the scrapes and injuries common in their rough community.  Shell also tinkered with electronics and was a dab hand at repairing simple machines which was useful on a world where things often broke down and where help was far away.

Last night, in her small apartment, she had pored over geological surveys and sensor logs.  The glow of the screen illuminating her determined face.  Now, as she walks, she feels the strain of so much concentration over so many hours and rubs her forehead to relieve the pressure.  Two kids race by on scoots, breaking her reverie.  Shell stops at a kiosk for a halfmug of synthkof and refrains from getting out her portacomp to check the details one last time.  She knows this material.  She knows her line of attack.  She knows her mind.

Shell undertook a pupillage with Greyspire Hall and passed her bar exam at the first attempt with a clear aim to go into criminal law.  She joined the Borderland Legalists Chambers having developed a knack for persuasion and street smarts.  They could see the talents she brought to the table as well as her drive to make a difference.  A senior advocate in the firm acted as her mentor (see Valerius Thorne above).  Thorne was instrumental in Shell joining a team investigating the disappearance of a merchant liner.  It had vanished near a gas giant and rumours suggested that the vessel might have fallen victim to a criminal organization.  Shell was able to devise some novel legal approaches that permitted law enforcement to both track down the culprits, apprehend them and make the charges stick.

A dilemma arose when Shell uncovered some shady ethical practices of another advocate in her Chambers (see Jarod Eisley above).  She could report the matter and avoid any reputational damage to Borderlands, or she could expose him trusting, hoping perhaps, that justice would prevail.  She chose the latter and made a enemy who dogs her footsteps to this day.

In a dimly lit café, Shell waits and fiddles with a menu.  With any luck this will be the final piece of the puzzle.  The air is thick with the smell of spices and illicit fuel.  Ratchet comes in, looks around carefully and kicks a stool nearer to the advocate.  They greet each other with nods and Shell smiles at the mechanic’s acknowledgement that she has what was promised.  Lena slides a datachip across the table.  Crucial tech specs exposing a criminal network.  Shell glances round, but there is no one in the place who is out of place or keeping a closer eye on them than ought to be.

One case she dealt with involved a string of apparently accidental deaths at a corporate mining concern. The company claimed the deaths were due to unforeseen geological instability but the families of the deceased suspected negligence at best and foul play at worst.  Shell delved into the technical reports and geological surveys relating to the mining site.  She noticed inconsistencies in the data, subtle anomalies that suggested the company was aware of the instability but chose to ignore it.  The crucial evidence came in the form of encrypted sensor logs that the company claimed were corrupted.  Shell managed to get hold of them (see Jaz above) and realized the readings that had been dismissed as background radiation spikes were actually indicative of a previously unknown mineral compound destabilizing the rock structure.

In the sterile confines of a corporate boardroom, Shell stands her ground against a panel of stony-faced execs.  Her voice, though calm, carries the weight of legal authority as she offers irrefutable evidence of their negligence.  The data are unimpeachable, even if her means of procuring it was not.  A bead of sweat traces the cheekline of the nearest suit as the advocate presents the sensor logs.  She’s in command of her presentation and their room.  The several faces in front of her feel in command of nothing.

Shell is a woman of striking presence with a build that speaks of both physical and mental resilience.  She is slightly shorter than average which surprises those expecting a towering legal figure.  Her features are defined and sharp, hinting at the intensity and determination that drive her; her eyes are dark and intelligent as she constantly observes and assesses those around her; her hair is thick, dark and often styled in a practical manner which reflects her no-nonsense attitude.  She carries herself with a quiet confidence that is born from her legal expertise and a willingness to stand up for what she believes in. 

Shell might now be deciding to strike out on her own as a travelling freelance Advocate or may be seconded by her Chambers to help out on particular assignments.

Shell enters her apartment at the end of a long but satisfying day.  It takes her a moment, but there’s something out of place.  Yes, that’s it.  A screen is angled just ‘so’ which is not how she left it.  She tenses.  At just that moment her comm buzzes in her pocket.  It’s her watch ’net telling her she’s made the news; for all the wrong reasons.  It’s going to be a long night, too.

Adventure Seeds

The Corporate Conspiracy

Councillor Aella Vorhees (see Contacts above) approaches Shell needing legal assistance to uncover a corporate conspiracy that threatens a treaty negotiation.  Aella believes the company is sabotaging the negotiations for its own gain, potentially triggering interstellar conflict.  Shell’s legal expertise and investigative ability is needed to gather evidence and expose the truth; all the while navigating treacherous corporate espionage and the potential for a trade war that could turn much hotter.

The Frame-up

Shell’s old enemy, Jarod Eisley, frames Shell, planting evidence to implicate her in a crime.  Shell will need to clear her name and expose Eisley’s scheme which may mean evading law enforcement, gathering evidence to prove her innocence and confronting Eisley and his allies.