Stacie Archer was born with Swyer Syndrome. Swyer syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the failure of sex glands (i.e., testicles or ovaries) to develop. Swyer syndrome is classified as a disorder of sex development (DSD), which encompasses any disorder in which chromosomal, gonadal or anatomic sex development is abnormal. Girls with Swyer syndrome have an XY chromosomal makeup (as boys normally do) instead of an XX chromosomal makeup (as girls normally do). Despite having the XY chromosomal makeup, girls with Swyer syndrome look female and have functional female genitalia and structures including a vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes. Girls with Swyer syndrome lack sex glands (ovaries). Instead of sex glands, women with Swyer syndrome have “gonadal streaks”, in which the ovaries do not develop properly (aplasia) and are replaced by functionless scar (fibrous) tissue. Because they lack ovaries, girls with Swyer syndrome do not produce sex hormones and will not undergo puberty (unless given hormone replacement therapies). They were infertile.
Mutations in several different genes are known to cause Swyer syndrome. This rare condition can occur as the result of a new gene mutation or can be inherited in an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked or Y-linked manner. Swyer syndrome was first described in the medical literature by Dr. Swyer in 1955. Normally, the lack off ovaries would render a woman infertile. That was certainly the case in 1955 with this affliction was first discovered and wrote about. However, with the medical advancements of 23XX, that was no longer a worry. Stacie's parents were able to afford the hormones and surgery to ensure that she could live life as a normal girl. It also meant that she could follow in her cousin's footsteps and join the U.N.'s Pilot Program. She had a Y chromosome. She was 16. That was more than enough time to develop and hone an ability to emit a pulse and pilot a giant mech. Her parents were very supportive of her. They never limited her and let Stacie know that she could do anything that she put her mind to. Her sibling felt the exact same way. They put her in England.
In RAF Lakenheath Base, there were 4 squads of recruits. Being an effective Shine pilot was their sole goal. Each squad had 6 boys in it. That meant 24. Stacie was one of them. The pilot program was managed and headed by the United Nations because they had to manage humanities response to the Z'lanthrax threat. Stacie was the only girl recruit on base. That did not matter to her though. It was time to hone her skills as a Shine pilot. She wanted to serve her planet and get some fame. Then, she wanted to settle down to have a family. The United Kingdom had lots of good looking recruits and she was one of them. She was not a legacy Glowie. None of her family members want to risk their lives fighting aliens before now. It was just her and her cousin. He was also at RAF Lakenheath, but in a different squad. His parents were really skeptical about this stuff. They wanted him to become a fancy lawyer or doctor. Her cousin ran from home so that he could enlist. For this, he was disowned by his parents. People were often disappointed about what befell them in life. Owen was not different.
