Travis Ellis
| Travis Ellis
| |
| Book(s) | The Crypt Book 01 |
| Introduced | Episode One |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | unknown |
| Occupation | Military Service |
| Species | Human |
| Fan Name | Yes |
| Height | list height |
| Weight | list weight |
| Hair | color |
| Eyes | Amber |
| Military Service
| |
| Allegiance | Planetary Union |
| Branch | Navy |
| Years of Service |
unknown |
| Rank | Captain |
| Assignment | Commanding Officer |
| Stationed | P.U.V. James Keeling |
| Battles/Wars | *Second Galactic War *The Battle of Asteroid X7 |
| Awards | 3rd youngest recruit admitted to the Academy |
| Injuries | n/a |
Travis Ellis is a character in the novel The Crypt by author Scott Sigler. The character is initially introduced in episode one of the podcast version of The Crypt Book 01: The Crew.
Character Background
Travis Ellis was born and raised in Houston, Texas on Earth. The son of schoolteachers, Ellis had no military experience in his family background. He showed early aptitude in athletics, starring on his high school football team and earning a full-ride scholarship to the University of Texas. He also showed an early aptitude in mathematics and orbital studies, which drew the attention of military recruiters.
Travis entered the Naval Academy at seventeen years old, making him the third youngest recruit to be admitted. There he met his wife, Annalisa Ellis. They were married just before Travis embarked on his first commission.
Travis was on a rocket path to earning the rank of Captain on his own ship. He had excelled in the Second Galactic War as an Executive Officer (XO) on the P.U.V. Germsheed. Subsequently, Commander Ellis transferred to the P.U.V. Gilchrist at the direct request of Captain Antwone Williams. Just before departing on this commission, Ellis learned that his wife was pregnant with their second child.
Captain Williams was just a tour away from achieving the rank of Admiral and handpicked Commander Ellis as his successor on the P.U.V. Gilchrist. However, these plans were derailed by the events that took place during The Battle of Asteroid X7 on July 15, 2557, which led to the death of 50 percent of the crew.
The Gilchrist was first to respond to a distress call from the P.U.V. Blackmouth, which was under attack from Purist Nation forces. When the Gilchrist arrived, Nation marines had taken control of the Blackmouth, and blasted the Gilchrist with a surprise salvo that nearly crippled the vessel. Captain Williams made the decision to abandon the Blackmouth, saving the Gilchrist and what remained of its crew. Soon after, reports filtered out that the Nation marines raped and butchered the crew of the Blackmouth, earning the vessel the nickname “The Rape Ship.”
Although Williams' action saved his ship and half of his crew, he and Ellis were charged with and convicted of three serious crimes that were punishable, including cowardice in the face of battle. Commander Ellis was initially sentenced by Admiral Adrienne Boock to Execution by Venting but was given an alternative sentencing of serving a two year tour on the P.U.V. James Keeling at his existing position. However, since Captain Williams chose execution over serving on the Keeling, Commander Ellis was promoted on the spot to Captain and Commanding Officer.
Ellis was shipped directly from the trial to the Keeling. He doesn’t know a single man or woman in his crew. He knows nothing of the ship. On top of this pressure-packed situation, he has a wife and five-year-old son at home, along with a newborn that he has never seen.
Captain Travis Ellis will do whatever it takes to complete his two-year tour on board the P.U.V. James Keeling, and be one of the few to escape death aboard The Crypt.
Attributes
Outward Appearance
Descriptions of Cpt. Ellis' physical appearance are sparse.
Personality
Cpt. Ellis is a brave and resourceful soldier. The acceleration of his military career suggests that he is gifted showing intelligence and tenacity. In weighing his options for his sentencing, Cpt. Ellis also showed his level of dedication to his family and what he was willing to sacrifice for their well being.
Family
- Wife: Molly Ellis
- Daughter: Aven
- Daughter: Kinley
Crimes
Due to the events that took place during The Battle of Asteroid X7, Ellis was found guilty of the following crimes:
- Cowardice in the face of battle
- Gross dereliction of duty
- Disobeying a direct order in battle
Residence
At the start of Shakedown, Ellis lived in married housing on Crindalon Base in the Neptune Net Colony.
Fan Based Character
The character of Travis Ellis is named after the devoted junkie by the same name, pictured at the left. This dedicated junkie can be found as an active member on the official Scott Sigler website forums under the user name of tsolo888.
