Sam Finnley

Samuel Finnley (known as Sam by most) was the governor of Gai-Ian VI, which the inhabitants had named Concordia, and he ruled from the planet’s primary port. He was at home in the cold temperatures of Northern Concordia, and tended to wear an ordinary, if faded, civilian dress suit (a thin black jacket with a low collar, and black pants) with a dark grey parka when working. He had one daughter, Elise, about whom he cared deeply, and he was also attended to by an assistant, William Kam. Finnley had the authority to conduct trade negotiations with those who approached him, although Concordia’s resources were low at the time of the Vindyne assault. As the head of Concordia’s civilian government, Finnley was often at odds with the military, and frequently acted without consulting them. This meant that military officials like Colonel Douglas were sceptical of the future of Finnley’s political career.

In Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins
Shortly after the First Light repelled an initial wave of Vindyne ships from the Gai-Ian system, they met with Governor Finnley at Concordia’s primary port in the northern areas to negotiate a compensation settlement. On this occasion, Finnley was accompanied by Elise, his daughter, and Kam, his assistant. They negotiated trade with some urgency, as Finnley was sympathetic to the crew and was keeping the military at bay for as long as possible. He allowed the First Light access to Concordian shield technology schematics and information, in return for the Freeground ship’s medical database. Finnley hoped that this data would lead him to become known as the Governor who helped cure and prevent dozens of diseases, instead of perpetuating a turf war between the military and civil services. He also sent his daughter to be cured of Sodian Syndrome by the doctors aboard the First Light.

After the return of the Vindyne fleet and the escape of the First Light’s away team from the Overlord, Governor Finnley contacted the ship to notify them that he had fled Concordia on a large transport ship, and to get in contact with his daughter. No longer a governor, but now overseeing the refugees from Concordia, Finnley met with the First Light again the next day. The crew advised Finnley and his refugees to make for Freeground space and assist the station in its fight against the Triad in exchange for shelter. Finnley, along with his daughter, departed the system on good terms with the First Light and her crew.