Susan Sommers is an Earth journalist assigned to cover rising tensions between Venusian nations Ishtar and Aphrodia. She arrives in Aphrodia's capital just before Ishtar's invasion, initially viewing the conflict as a career opportunity and showing little concern for locals. Her detachment is evident as she films the invasion with visible excitement, prioritizing dramatic footage over safety.

During the invasion, she encounters the Killer Commandos battle bike team and flees with them, forming relationships with members Hiro and Will. Her bond with Will becomes romantic while they hide. This relationship shifts her perspective, especially after witnessing Will's death during a military operation she urged him to document with her camera. His loss replaces her detachment with deep personal investment.

Motivated by grief and vengeance against Ishtar's General Donner, she arranges an interview under false pretenses and attempts his assassination. The attempt fails when she forgets to disengage her weapon's safety, leading to her arrest and imprisonment. After Donner's death and Aphrodia's liberation, she is released. She returns to Earth and files exclusive reports on the Venus conflict. Despite trauma, she maintains Venus connections and plans personal visits after fulfilling professional duties.

Her development moves from an opportunistic outsider to an emotionally invested participant experiencing personal loss and taking direct, albeit unsuccessful, action against the occupation. This transformation results in her enduring connection to Venus and its people beyond her journalistic role.