Elle Maple
Ms. Elle Maple is the longtime executive assistant to Lord Lee Geddy of the Rocinante Group.
Character History
Born and raised in Montreal, Elle Maple joined the Rocinante Group in the 1970's as a member of the secretarial pool. When Lee Geddy was in training to inherit the business from his father, he saw great potential in Elle, and recruited her to work for his office.
Elle was immediately attracted to her boss, but she knew it was not reciprocated. Still, she transferred this dedication into her work and became one of the most formidable members of Lee Geddy's inner circle. When Geddy inherited his father's title of "Margrave of Niagara" as well as given control of the Rocinante Group, Elle was promoted as well, becoming his chief executive assistant.
Since the Rocinante Group dealt with government agencies around the world, she was offered and quickly accepted training with the Canadian Land Forces in close-quarters combat, especially in the use of knives. She then required that all executive assistants be likewise trained.
Elle's chief asset to her boss has been her unquestionable loyalty to him first, and to the Rocinante Group second. This has included doing things that went above and beyond normal "executive" duties.
Temporary Leadership
In several instances, Elle was given executive authority on behalf of Lord Geddy to deal with matters concerning both the Rocinante Group and with Shadowborn itself. Often this would be temporary, such as when a branch office was experiencing problems, or during the transition of the home office to Paragon City.
Following the failed assassination of Alex Wentworth, however, Elle was given prolonged control over the Rocinante Group when Geddy feared retaliation from MidKnight X. She accepted this responsibility, although she made it clear she could only manage it until Geddy's return. Unfortunately, her "leadership" was short-lived as responsibility of the Rocinante Group was handed over to Malcolm Rochspare.
Powers and Abilities
Ms. Maple's primary ability is Dual Blades, with her preferred weapon being knives. She maintains her skills by sparring with BloodBlader.
Her secondary ability is Super-Reflexes, which even at her advanced age makes her a formidable opponent.
She has had military training in close-quarters combat, as well as specialized training from various experts. In addition, she's skilled in dictation and can type over seventy-five words-per-minute.
Relationships
Elle Maple has one love in her life, and that is Lord Geddy. She has long accepted that this love can never be reciprocated, so she has put her efforts into her work, often proving that she can be as ruthless as any her employer.
She maintains a semi-friendship status with BloodBlader. She has also rebuffed the assassin's "playful advances" believing that Wendy Slade's actions were more a reflection of her psychotic nature.
Related Information
Ms. Maple first appeared in Issue #21 of the "Guardians of the Dawn Spotlight" series. She plays an integral role in "The Guardian Powers" as one of the principal arch-enemies of the remaining Guardians.