Vanessa Kimball

"This war has gone on for too long. Too many people have died, and our remaining soldiers are young, inexperienced, and scared. But you give them hope. They've heard what you've done and they will look to you for guidance. They will run with you into battle, they will follow your orders, if you choose to lead them. I can't do this alone."

- Kimball persuades the Reds and Blues to help the New Republic in Lost But Not Forgotten

Vanessa Kimball is the leader of the New Republic, a group of rebels that battle against the Federal Army of Chorus in order to obtain their freedom. First appearing in Lost But Not Forgotten, Kimball persuades the Reds and Blues to take command of her young troops.

Helping the "Heroes"
Kimball first appears in Lost But Not Forgotten, where she acknowledges Caboose, Tucker, Simmons, and Grif on their past accomplishments. She then informs the four that the Feds have Sarge, Donut, and Wash alive and in captivity and makes them a deal: if they can help the New Republic take back Chorus, they can save their friends and leave the planet when the war is over. Although the four are reluctant to agree, Kimball reminds them that the civil war on Chorus has gone on for too long and has taken too many lives. She then adds that the young, inexperienced, Rebel soldiers are scared, yet have hope because of them, encouraging the four to take on leadership positions and join the New Republic.

When the four are assigned their own squads, Grif, Simmons, and Caboose, take command of them and infiltrate a former mining facility. However, their infiltration turns into chaos when the squads clumsly execute an attack, due their poor leadership. Kimball stops the madness, revealed to be a training exercise, and scolds Grif, Simmons, and Caboose for cracking under pressure. She then tells them to debrief their squads.

Trivia

 * Vanessa Kimball's full name has great relation to herself, as:
 * The Greek meaning of Vanessa is butterfly, which often symbolizes the soul or transformation, similar to how she seeks to change Chorus for the better and inspires others.
 * Kimball is of Celtic origin meaning war leader, similar to her being leader of the rebels. This may also be a reference to the leader of the New California Republic in Fallout: New Vegas, President Aaron Kimball.
 * Kimball's armor has cobalt trim, which is similar to Washington and Church, the leaders of the Blue Team whose primary armor color has been cobalt.
 * Kimball is the first female faction leader to appear in the series.
 * Kimball's statement to Tucker, Grif, Caboose, and Simmons about trying to lead her soldiers is a reference to Reconciliation where Wash tells Tucker to try.
 * Kimball's armor consists of Air Assault helmet, Commando left shoulder, GUNGNIR right shoulder, War Master torso, Contoured forearms, Ricochet legs, and Pioneer visor.