Deunan Knute possesses mixed African and Caucasian heritage. Her mother died in racial violence after crossing a street designated for white individuals. In response, her father, Carl Knute, an American Securities officer, rigorously trained her in combat and survival. This forged her path as a mercenary. During training, she met Briareos, who was seeking asylum after killing his KGB-linked terrorist commander. They formed a partnership that evolved into romance while operating together. An explosion critically injured Briareos, requiring his transformation into a full cyborg. This event altered their dynamic, yet they sustained their enduring partnership and romance. Both later joined the elite E-SWAT unit within Olympus, a utopian city-state built after a global conflict variably termed World War III or World War V. Olympus is governed by genetically engineered bioroids under the artificial intelligence Gaia. As an E-SWAT operative, Deunan counters threats to Olympus, including terrorism, political conspiracies, and corporate malfeasance. Her missions often involve confronting the Human Liberation Front, which opposes bioroid rule, and its radical offshoot, the Argonauts, led by Alcides. Her combat expertise spans firearms, hand-to-hand combat, tactical maneuvers, and acrobatics, often utilizing advanced powered armor systems called Landmates. Specific missions reveal her character. Having her sidearm serviced by a gunsmith resembling her late father, she simultaneously investigated unexplained bioroid suicides, showcasing her deductive skills and connection to her past. During an outbreak of a bio-engineered pathogen causing vampiric symptoms, she was bitten and infected but overcame the affliction through sheer resilience. This led to the pathogen being named "Deunan" after her. Her personality blends decisive leadership, calculated risk-taking, and fierce loyalty to comrades, particularly Briareos and vulnerable civilians. She prioritizes mission success and teammate safety, readily disregarding regulations that conflict with her moral compass. While confident in combat, she experiences emotional vulnerability through nightmares and hallucinations stemming from traumas like her infection. Her relationship with Briareos remains central, intertwining professional coordination and deep personal commitment as they navigate Olympus' conflicts and pursue Eden, a place of peace in the post-war wasteland.