- "Everyday I ask myself, "what do you fight for", and every day I answer "for a better tomorrow". Well, if we can’t set aside our past and start trusting one another, there won’t be a tomorrow. So please, fight with me. Fight to see Malcolm Hargrove locked away for the rest of his life! Fight to wipe that stupid grin off of Felix’s face! Fight because you deserve to fucking win!"
- —Kimball's motivating speech to the New Republic and Federal Army in All or Nothing
President Vanessa Kimball is the president of the planet Chorus and former leader of the New Republic, a group of rebels that fought against the Federal Army of Chorus in order to obtain their freedom. First appearing in Lost But Not Forgotten, Kimball serves as a main character in the Chorus Trilogy.
Overview[]
As the leader of the resistance group, the New Republic, Kimball is an idealist that truly believes she is fighting for a better tomorrow. She is also a realist when it comes to acknowledging the abilities of those around her. When the Reds and Blues crash land on Chorus, she believes it to be a fortuitous event that could invigorate the troops and start their path to victory. Her strong beliefs lead her to continually distrust the Federal Army of Chorus even after they agree to a ceasefire, and she repeatedly blames Doyle and his people for past and present problems. However, Kimball's view of her world changes as the series progresses, and she starts to view the entirety of Chorus as her people, not just the New Republic, and that the future of the planet is more important than winning a civil war.
Kimball is an effective fighter, displaying proficiency with a DMR and various alien weaponry. She is not above asking for help, either, as evident by her plea to Simmons, Tucker, Grif, and Caboose in Season 11. She is also a capable tactician, able to analyze the constantly changing tides of battle and adapt strategies on the fly. Perhaps because of New Republic's position as outcasts, Kimball seems to prefer guerilla tactics to open battle and retreat to confronting superior forces.
Role in Plot[]
Meeting the Reds and Blues[]
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 their friends 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 the young, inexperienced, Rebel soldiers are scared, yet have hope because of them. This, in turn, encourages the four to take on leadership positions and join the New Republic.
Several weeks later, Kimball stops a failed training exercise led by Grif, Simmons, and Caboose, and scolds the three for cracking under pressure. After Tucker and Felix return from a mission, Kimball informs the captains that she knows where their friends are being held, having ascertained the information from the hard drive Tucker stole. Seeing the mission as too dangerous, Kimball gives them five days to assemble a new squad, comprised of the best of their respective platoons, in preparation for a potential rescue mission.
Several days later, Kimball interrupts a heated discussion between Felix and Tucker, and privately talks to the latter near a lake. There, Kimball apologizes to Tucker for Felix's rude behavior and explains more about the latter's history with the New Republic, as well as his rivalry with Locus. She tells Tucker that Felix has been fighting alongside the New Republic long before she became an officer and has stood by them ever since. She then reveals that she's the New Republic's fourth leader and encourages Tucker to keep on training with the time he has left, before leaving. However, Kimball and the other rebels find a message from the Reds and Blues regarding their departure, concerning her.
Learning the Truth[]
After Felix informs her and the rebels of the Reds and Blues' "deaths", Kimball becomes very depressed and loses hope. However, Felix convinces her to launch a final attack on the Feds, who he states are assembling at the Chorus' capital, Armonia, and use the "deaths" of the Reds and Blues as inspiration to the rebels. Initially reluctant, Kimball agrees and thanks Felix. After she gives a moving speech to her troops, she and the New Republic proceed to infiltrate Armonia, where they are soon surrounded by Doyle and the Federal Army of Chorus. As the two armies engage in battle, Kimball corners Doyle.
Suddenly, several video screens activate inside Armonia and display Felix revealing the Space Pirates' involvement in the war through Tucker's helmet cam. Now realizing the truth, both Kimball and Doyle order a cease-fire and pick up the Reds and Blues from Radio Jammer Station 1C. After the armies form a truce, they regroup at the New Republic HQ, where Kimball and Doyle discuss moving the rebels to Armonia. The two then thank the crew for their efforts and together learn the true identity of Control: Chairman Malcolm Hargrove. When the Chairman declares war on Chorus, the Reds and Blues, Federal Army, and New Republic accept.
Going to War[]
A month later, Kimball and Doyle argue over the armies' proper use of ammunition until Grif interrupts them. After Kimball orders Grif out, Doyle informs her of their men's most recent capture of a Charon research facility. Soon afterward, Kimball and the others at Armonia are informed by Dr. Grey, Carolina, Sarge, and the Blues of the reactivation on an alien temple, which destroyed all of Charon's hybrid weapons. Because of this Kimball suggests they launch an assault on the pirates while they're down, agreeing to lead Wash, the Reds, and Chorus armies to Crash Site Alpha while Carolina, Grey, and the Blues follow coordinates the temple emitted.
As the armies prepare for the attack Kimball finds trouble ordering around two Feds, who instead take orders from Wash. Wash advises Kimball to let go of her animosity towards the Feds and try to have faith in them, though Kimball is reluctant to comply. Nonetheless, Kimball leads her squad to Alpha and the army executes their attack. Unfortunately, Felix informs Kimball that the mercs were prepared for this, as the pirates gain reinforcements from the UNSC Tartarus. Outmatched, Kimball sends a distress call to Doyle and demands he sends reinforcements. However, Carolina interrupts her and tells Doyle to send a squad east of the mountains instead.
Ultimately, Doyle decides to send squads to both Kimball and Carolina's location, while he leaves to obtain the key at the east mountains. With reinforcements on the way, the assault team are forced to take refuge inside the shipwreck due to enemy fire. Simmons, luckily, devises a plan of escape by using the ship's engine to create a smokescreen. With the help of Wash and the lieutenants, the assault team escape Alpha and return to Armonia, along with the away team. Kimball soon becomes aware of Doyle's decision to forfeit the Great Key to Felix and gets into a heated argument with the latter, until Wash breaks it up.
Upon realizing that the two armies lack cooperation, the Reds and Blues attempt to improve their teamwork. However, when Kimball and her men threaten to leave Armonia, the Feds create a perimeter around the city to prevent this from happening, causing tensions between the two armies. Because of this, the Reds and Blues have Doc hold a counseling session for Kimball and Doyle in an attempt to get the armies to cooperate with each other. The session makes the generals reveal their true feelings about each other, much to the shock of the crew. Suddenly, however, the meeting comes to an abrupt end when the Space Pirates attack Armonia.
Charon's Final Assault[]
In order to survive the assault, Epsilon comes up with an idea of eradicating the pirates by overloading the nuclear reactor in the center of the city. Kimball, Carolina, and Washington are sent to overload it but run into Sharkface on the way. Carolina asks the latter to spare Kimball and Wash so she can fight him alone, to which Sharkface agrees. As Kimball and Wash proceed to the reactor, they are told that Doyle didn't get on the Pelican with the rest of the Reds and Blues like he was supposed to, but is instead on his way to the reactor, in order to keep the pirates in Armonia. Kimball and Wash try to tell Doyle to go back to the others but he refuses.
After informing Carolina of this, the two soon find her and an injured Sharkface in the streets. After Sharkface threatens them, Kimball and Wash quickly gun him down and kill him. Doyle then contacts the three and informs them that he must destroy the reactor manually after the pirates destroy the reactor panel. Kimball contradicts, volunteering herself to do it, but Doyle tells her that Chorus still needs her. As the Reds arrive to pick up Kimball, Carolina and Wash, Doyle ignites the reactor's core, selflessly sacrificing his life in addition to killing a majority of the Space Pirates. Still within the blast radius, Carolina uses her Domed Energy Shield to protect the Pelican.
After escaping, Kimball and the Reds and Blues regroup at Crash Site Bravo with the armies, who mourn the loss of Doyle. While the crew attempt to formulate a counterattack plan, they realize that the armies still won't cooperate, with the Feds blaming Kimball for their leader's death. Kimball then provides a speech for them to fight not only for their lives, but so that Charon can pay for what they've done. As a result, the New Republic and Federal Army of Chorus finally manage to work together and prepare for a final fight with Charon. After the crew and Chorus armies acquire alien artillery from the Temple of Arms, Kimball leads the attack on the Communication Temple.
With the armies united, they are able to beat the Pirates, forcing the remaining ones to surrender. After the Reds and Blues activate the Temple, Hargrove himself arrives at the planet in the Staff of Charon and releases numerous Mantises. Upon noticing, Kimball, Wash, and Carolina hold off against the droids, while the Reds and Blues board the Staff of Charon in order to override their controls. With the override successful, Kimball, along with the Freelancers, Dr. Grey, Bitters, Smith, Palomo and Jensen, act as the crew's evac from the enemy ship.
Post-War[]
During the months after Charon's last assault, Kimball becomes President of the planet Chorus. One of her first acts was allowing the Reds and Blues to live peacefully away from conflict, stating that they were done fighting. Unfortunately, ten months following the crew's retirement, a group of imposters posing as the Reds and Blues begin a killing spree on UNSC outposts, forcing the UNSC to act against Chorus in suspicion that the terrorist attacks are associated with the planet, putting all peace talks on hold and making Kimball distrustful of any outsiders, particularly the press.
Kimball initially refuses to speak with Dylan Andrews, due to her connections with the press, but after Andrews threatens to expose Chorus diplomat Alfred Packard's corruption if he did not reopen peace talks with Chorus, Packard eventually allows her a chance to meet with Kimball. After questioning Andrews' motives and confirming them with Santa, Kimball reluctantly agrees to give Andrews a message that was meant for the Reds and Blues but could not be delivered to them due to UNSC surveillance. After Andrews and her cameraman Jax leave, Kimball states that they will be in "good company".
Sometime after, an anonymous drop-off, revealed to be an injured Washington, is made to Donald Doyle General Hospital at Chorus, leaving Kimball suspicious. Following the defeat of the Blues and Reds, Kimball sends Palomo, Jensen, Bitters, Smith, and Sister to pick up the Reds and Blues, who inform them of Wash's recovery. After the lieutenants tell them about the drop-off, Dylan reassures them that Kimball's relationship with the UNSC will become more positive after Dylan publishes the story.
Paradox[]
At some point after the Reds and Blues break time, creating the Everwhen, Washington finds Kimball and presumably informs her of what is actually happening on Chorus. Kimball, absolutely clueless, tags along with him as part of Wash's explanation to the past Reds and Blues at Crash Site Bravo.
Later, Tucker gets transported back to New Republic Headquarters - where Genkins (inside his armor) attempts to convince him to kill Felix before he betrays them. Tucker refuses, as it would result in a paradox. Kimball and Felix are both next to him, and cannot hear their conversation - leading them to believe it is the result of his concussion from the fight at Crash Site Bravo.
Personality[]
Kimball is shown to be a wise leader, expressing her belief that the New Republic is fighting for a better future and sharing much wisdom with her new captains. While Kimball does at times lose her temper and is strict, such as over the failed training exercise in Oh Captains, My Captains, she is truly a passionate person. For example, when she first meets the remaining Reds and Blues members, she gives an inspiring speech to them on why she needs them and shows concern over her troops' morale. Although she becomes somewhat disappointed that her "heroes" aren't quite what she expected, Kimball acknowledges that the Reds and Blues are respected because they're misfits that have overcome impossible odds, which allows everyone to relate to them as fellow soldiers instead of commanders.
Although a capable leader, Vanessa has proven more than once to favor the more fatalist option when backed against a wall. She has on multiple occasions expressed her belief the best way to handle a losing battle is to die shooting as opposed to considering other options. Such an attitude often puts her at odds with other commanding figures, such as General Doyle, Agent Washington and Agent Carolina.
Relationships[]
Since her introduction in Season 11, Kimball has developed few, but significant, relationships.
Felix[]
Since being thrown into her new position as leader of the New Republic, Kimball immediately developed a sense of dependency on Felix on multiple levels. She viewed the mercenary as the only true hope for her army's future, and always trusted his judgment. Despite the fact that he charged for his services, Felix gave Vanessa a sense of comfort and confidence; so much so that she was willing to believe his suggestion of staging a final assault against the Federal Army at Armonia, unknowingly walking straight into a trap Felix and Locus set up.
This dependency, however, was shattered after the Reds and Blues revealed the truth about Felix and Locus: that the two had been playing both armies for monetary gain, while they recovered and manufactured the technology left over from Project Freelancer. After this, Kimball despised Felix, having taken the revelation of his actions personally.
Tucker[]
While she recognizes his lecherousness, Kimball places a high amount of faith and trust in Tucker, confident in his growing skills as a commander. She also finds it easier to relate to him, being able to discuss her history and fears with him on a deep and personal level. Kimball supports Tucker in his efforts to both train his elite teams and to rescue his friends, and offers words of wisdom and encouragement to him multiple times throughout the series. When Washington tells her that the plan to infiltrate the mercenaries at the radio jammer station was Tucker's idea, Kimball acknowledges that she isn't surprised, showing that she has a great degree of faith and confidence in Tucker's abilities. By the end of Season 12, the two seem to have a very fond relationship.
Simmons[]
Since they met, Kimball and Simmons have been respectful to one another. After she motivates the remaining Reds and Blues to join the New Republic, Simmons was genuinely grateful to Kimball for giving him a promotion and his own squad in his journal entry. When Simmons becomes depressed, calling himself a "coward" after she states the group wasn't what she expected in Something Else Entirely, Kimball states he's not, but he and the others are underdogs that still accomplished the impossible, improving his morale. When Tucker decides they should leave without their recruits in Self Assessment, Simmons argues that Kimball might pass their team, showing his faith in her judgment.
During the battle of Crash Site Alpha in Season 13, Kimball agrees with Simmons' idea of using a smoke screen to escape from the crash site, despite the latter telling her it wouldn't work - showing she has faith in him when it comes to taking risks.
Grif[]
Kimball initially had respect for Grif and the other Reds and Blues who joined the New Republic, despite the fact that Grif attempted to explain to her that they are not who she thinks they are on numerous occasions. As the show progressed, however, Kimball tended to show annoyance at Grif's interruptions and immaturity, which culminated into putting him on dish duty as punishment more than once in Season 13. A notable exception to this attitude towards him came when Kimball attempted to contact the Reds and Blues in Fed vs. New and she called out to both Tucker and Grif, perhaps indicating she does care about his well being deep down.
Doyle[]
Because the two are the leaders of the opposing factions of Chorus, Kimball and Doyle show mutual disgust for one another. When they face each other during the battle of Armonia, Kimball claims the Feds governed "a broken, fucking bureaucracy that nearly killed the planet!" while Doyle calls her a "selfish and bloodthirsty" human being. However, before the two can kill each other, both learn that the Space Pirates have been manipulating both factions for monetary gain. This results in the two negotiating a truce between their factions, somewhat improving their relationship.
However, after a month passes, the two still seem to bicker over numerous things, as shown in Capital Assets, where Kimball blatantly states her dislike for Doyle and the Feds. Later on, in Off - Key, Kimball calls Doyle a "stupid, selfish coward," because the latter wasn't willing to sacrifice himself during his confrontation with Felix, as well as the fact that he doesn't take risks. She was nonetheless surprised to later learn Doyle admired Vanessa's courage, and was all too willing to attempt a rescue for the General prior to his sacrifice to detonate Armonia's reactor to destroy the Pirate forces. Although Doyle's death both shocked and deeply saddened Kimball, it was the General's sacrifice that inspired Kimball to realize the Federal Army of Chorus as the New Republic's "brothers and sisters", and was what ultimately convinced Kimball that the two factions had to put aside their past differences and unite.
Washington[]
Although the two have had minor interaction, Kimball and Wash seem to have respect for each other. This is seen briefly in the Season 12 finale, as both are able to get along well through dialogue. Their relationship develops further in Season 13. In No Fighting in the War Room, Kimball doubts the Feds will take orders from her for the impending assault on the tractor beams at Crash Site Alpha, but Wash states otherwise, as their lives are on the line. In Along Came a Spider, Wash advises Kimball to believe in the Feds, as they may do the same with her. The two also seem to work well together in combat, as can be seen during the battles at Crash Site Alpha and Armonia.
In The End is Near, Kimball greets Wash in a relieved tone upon his and Carolina's return from the Purge, indicating that she both worries and cares about him.
Carolina[]
Kimball's relationship with Carolina is much like her relationship with Wash; they both respect each other and cooperate well in combat. In Armonia, Part 1, Carolina asks Sharkface to spare Kimball and Wash. In Armonia, Part 2, Carolina, Kimball and Washington team up to take down the latter. Later in the episode, Carolina helps Kimball into the Pelican after hearing Doyle's plan to sacrifice himself to save the others and later expresses concern about her state of mind following Doyle's death. It appears this concern is mutual, as Kimball greets Carolina with relief upon learning that she and Wash survived their fight at the Purge.
Santa[]
Since becoming her A.I. companion following the war on Chorus, Santa has shown loyalty to Kimball, being her personal advisor when needed.
Dylan Andrews[]
Due to her being a member of the press, Kimball initially was shown to dislike Dylan, refusing to speak with her, let alone disclose the location of the Reds and Blues. However, after the two finally met, Dylan earned Kimball's trust. After informing Dylan of the Reds and Blues' location on Iris, Kimball states they'll be "in good company" with Dylan.
Themes[]
Trust[]
Kimball has a long history of trusting, or not trusting, individuals. In Lost But Not Forgotten, Kimball trusts and convinces Tucker, Grif, Simmons, and Caboose into joining the New Republic and leading her soldiers. Later, she expresses her trust in Felix in Reflections, due to him having fought in the Chorus Civil War longer than she had. After being placed into leadership, following the deaths of the New Republic's former leaders, Kimball trusted Felix out of desperation. Unfortunately, Felix tricks her into believing the Reds and Blues' purported 'deaths' as well as going to Armonia to fight the Federal Army of Chorus. While in Armonia, Kimball discovers that Felix had been manipulating her the entire time; calling him a "son of a bitch". Throughout Season 13, this theme continues, only with Kimball refusing to trust Doyle and the Federal Army as a whole. In Season 15, Kimball initially distrusts Dylan Andrews and has Santa ensure that her intentions are honest.
Skills and Abilities[]
Leadership[]
As the young leader of the New Republic, Kimball is known to have a great sense of leadership. This is first seen when she persuades Tucker, Caboose, Grif and Simmons into joining her rebellion in Lost But Not Forgotten. Right before the New Republic heads to Armonia, Kimball lectures her men on how they've come too far to back down and how they are so close to victory. Kimball also seems to take big risks. An example of this can be seen during the battle at Crash Site Alpha as she orders her team to prepare for the smokescreen, even when she was told the engine might explode and kill them.
Motivational Speaking[]
Throughout the Chorus Trilogy, Kimball has made several motivational speeches, due to the fact that she is a leader. While at times her speeches can have a bleak tone, they have always inspired or motivated other characters to take action. For example, in Lost But Not Forgotten, Kimball encouraged Tucker, Grif, Simmons, and Caboose to join the New Republic despite their initial reluctance. In Reflections, Kimball had a private talk with Tucker which, by the end of their conversation, influenced Tucker to rescue the other Reds and Blues even though he wasn't fully ready. Kimball later influenced both the New Republic and Federal Army of Chorus to fight together in order to beat Charon in All or Nothing.
Kills[]
In Fed vs. New, Kimball kills several members of the Federal Army of Chorus, the only on-screen kills being the Feds guarding Doyle as he retreats from the battlefield. She then fires three shots and tries to kill Doyle, but fails. Later, at Crash Site Alpha, she manages to kill several Space Pirates. She later, assisted by Washington, guns down Sharkface in Armonia.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Vanessa Kimball's full name has a 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; this similarity progresses further after Kimball's promotion to President in Season 15.
- Kimball is the first non-Freelancer female character to have her own theme, which is the song Vanessa by Trocadero, featured on the Red vs. Blue: Season 12 Soundtrack.
- 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 in Halo 4 consists of Air Assault helmet, Commando left shoulder, GUNGNIR right shoulder, War Master torso, Contoured forearms, Ricochet legs, and Pioneer visor.
- When asked what's the most hilarious thing she could say in Kimball's voice in the Season 12 outtakes, Lindsay Jones answered: "Do you have a tampon I could borrow?"
- In Halo 5, her armor consists of an Air Assault helmet (Disrupt skin) and War Master body armor (Scipio skin).
- Being a President, Kimball is currently the highest ranking individual in the series.
- According to series director Miles Luna, Kimball was originally written as being killed in action detonating Armonia's reactor to destroy the majority of Charon's Space Pirate forces. However, the role and death instead went to Doyle when the episode was made.
- Kimball most likely shares some similarities with Sarah Palmer from the Halo universe as they are both female military leaders, wear Pioneer visors, and use a DMR as their primary weapon.
- Throughout The Chorus Trilogy, Felix often refers to Kimball by her first name rather than her last name.
- According to Blue vs Blue, Temple planned to pin the blame on Kimball for his attack on the UNSC.
References[]
| New Republic |
|---|
| Most Known: Vanessa Kimball · Felix · Lavernius Tucker · Dick Simmons · Dexter Grif · Michael J. Caboose · Charles Palomo · Katie Jensen · Antoine Bitters · John Elizabeth Andersmith · Matthews |
| Other Members: Simmons' Lieutenant · Jason Cunningham · Rogers · Medic · B.B. Ghanoush · B.H. McCallister |