“ Too bad. It looks like we won't be coming to any understandings today. „ ~ Dennis to Wayne Holden after attempting to kill him.
“ A perfect world free of the Akrid. The Frontier Project is what will shake the colonists of this planet free from that horrible nightmare. Half a century. 50 years is a long time. Some decided to abandon our dreams and become the lawless snow pirates. It was our fault for letting it happen. Our lenience with them was our undoing but at the time we felt a certain duty to our former comrades. „ ~ Dennis Isenberg about the Frontier Project.
Commander Dennis Isenberg is the main antagonist of the Lost Planet franchise.
He was voiced by James Sie, who also voiced one of the Warlords in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Smun in The Lion Guard, and Professor Hojo in Final Fantasy VII.
Biography[]
Early life[]
| “ | Let me tell you why I'm here. I'm here for the human race. Not just for my son's future but for all the children of Earth to escape extinction. | „ |
| ~ Caleb Isenberg indirectly mentioning Dennis to Jim Peyton. |
Dennis Isenberg was born on Earth while his homeworld is undergoing an energy crisis and extreme turmoil. Much of Dennis's early life largely remains a mystery, however his father, Colonel Caleb Isenberg of Neo Venus Construction is often off world on NEVEC missions in hopes of finding a solution to Earth's problems and prevent humanity's extinction. Caleb Isenberg and his NEVEC detachment was sent to E.D.N III to take over Coronis base replacing Phil Braddock in command. However noticing Jim Peyton joined the rebellious snow pirates, he was captured and interrogated by the colonel but was later released by Phil and saves the rest of the Coronis crew. Phil in an attempt to destroy Isenberg's army, sacrificed himself to destroy his ship, Coronis base and eventually communications dish, preventing him to call for backup. Jim Peyton battles against Caleb within Nushi, a device that allows him to take over the native Akrid and was defeated and killed after being tied to a rope and dragged straight into a drill.
Dennis was left fatherless for most of his life but grew up to admire his father's accomplishments within NEVEC and his dedication in saving humanity the best way he can. This leads to his commitment on the future Frontier Project to terraform E.D.N III into a paradise for everyone to inhabit comfortably.
NEVEC and Frontier Project[]
At some point in his life, Dennis joins NEVEC in which he peruses his political and military careers and overtime was promoted and sent to E.D.N III for colonization and put his Frontier Project to action. Many within the organization sees him as a pioneer and patriot of humanity especially Bandero, his second in command. Bandero, who kills Gale Holden who falls into a NEVEC trap, set by Ivan Solotov. Wayne Holden, father of Gale realized that Yuri Solotov left his Snow Pirate group to join with NEVEC to work on the Frontier project. Commander Isenberg welcomes Yuri with open arms as he and Yuri share the same dream of turning the planet from a hostile frozen landscape into a warm paradise for colonists to escape the polluted Earth. As head researcher, Yuri Solotov continues his work until he realizes that the Frontier system was also designed to exterminate the entire population both Akrid and snow pirates alike. In an attempt to stop the system, Yuri faces arrest for "sniffing around too much" and was tortured by NEVEC.
For months, Wayne and Luka would go hit and run attacks against NEVEC. During one of their attacks, they discover Rick is still alive, and has been rescued by Basil. Basil and Wayne take a NEVEC trooper named Joe hostage. It is after taking Joe prisoner that Basil goes on to explain that the Harmonizer slows down the aging process and unlocks the powers to Gale's VS. After Wayne interrogates Joe, they find out more about NEVEC's Frontier Project. After joining the snow pirates, Joe arranges for Wayne to meet with NEVEC leadership, inadvertently leading to an ambush where Bandero shoots Wayne in the leg. During the confrontation, Wayne and Joe learn that the project will use T-ENG to wipe out not only all Akrid but also kill all humans left on the surface while all of NEVEC watches safely from the sky. Horrified, the pirates go on a final mission to stop the project. Wayne confronts Bandero a final time, killing him and regaining his father's rebuilt VS. Wayne finds Yuri, gravely wounded from torture, and before he dies, Yuri gives Wayne an attachment to his Harmonizer that will allow him to unlock the true power of his VS.
Downfall and death[]
Wayne (left) and Isenberg (right) confrontation.
| “ | This time I'm the real deal. I'm done wasting time on you. | „ |
| ~ Dennis Isenberg to Wayne within his DBS-000XM. |
Wayne, Luka, Rick , Basil and Joe plans to attack the heart of the Frontier operation, the orbital elevator where NEVEC employees go to hibernate while the Frontier System terraforms the planet. Commander Isenberg orders Bandero to annihilate the snow pirates but failed and was defeated by Wayne in a VS battle. After obtaining Gale's VS taken by Bandero during their fight in the dome city, Wayne was contacted by Luka and Rick about Yuri's fatal condition and said his final goodbye to Wayne while dying in his arms. Meanwhile Isenberg with his plans crumbling with Joe infiltrating the Frontier System and disabling it. In a desperate attempt to restore it, the commander orders his men to restore it while he focuses on Wayne within his Billion Sword VS. He then confronts Wayne within his very own Vital Suit and tells him to mind his own business, Wayne declines and faces Isenberg on his own in a VS combat, resulting in the destruction of the Frontier system, sabotaged by Joe. Isenberg survived the impact within his VS and then confronts Wayne one more time, face to face. Isenberg was killed after being shot by Wayne's pistol, right before he passes out, losing his memory again.
Aftermath[]
Even 10 years after Isenberg's death, most of NEVEC's employees remained dedicated to Isenberg's plans. By that time, NEVEC has been divided into two factions. the New NEVEC, who remain loyal to Isenberg's goals of exploiting the planet's Thermal Energy and wiping out the Snow Pirates, and the Ex-NEVEC, a group of rogue NEVEC agents who defected from the organization in order to stop NEVEC's plans for exploiting the planet.
Personality[]
Isenberg is more of a political figure then a military strategist, which mainly falls to Bandero. Isenberg is highly disciplined and strategic, often viewing situations from a tactical and utilitarian perspective. He sees people as assets or obstacles to his mission and is not above sacrificing lives if it means advancing NEVEC's objectives. His demeanor is often calm and controlled, which can make his actions even more unsettling, as he can order ruthless actions without showing much emotion. One of Isenberg's defining traits is his unwavering loyalty to NEVEC's cause. He genuinely believes that the end justifies the means and is willing to make harsh decisions for what he perceives as the greater good. Unlike Bandero, who uses brute force, Isenberg uses manipulation and careful planning to get what he wants. His personality also includes a certain degree of arrogance, believing that his vision for E.D.N. III is the only viable path forward. This arrogance, combined with his ruthless pragmatism, puts him at odds with Wayne Holden, and the Snow Pirates, who oppose NEVEC's exploitative and destructive methods.
Though he is quite resilient in maintaining order to E.D.N III while keeping the Akrid hostility at bay. Much like his father, Dennis cares for the future of humanity and supports. Though Isenberg is shown to focus more on saving humanity and re-populate E.D.N. III rather than saving Earth, implying he wants to make E.D.N. III the new home for humanity. Although hasn't show his combat experience in person, he is exceptionally a skilled Vital Suit (VS) pilot having his own customized VS the DBS-000XM codenamed: Billion Sword and advanced to take Wayne’s VS at full power.
Appearance[]
Isenberg is a Caucasian male of athletic stature sporting dark short neatly kept hair and glasses. He has a distinct and authoritative appearance that complements his role as a high-ranking NEVEC executive. Isenberg is typically seen wearing a formal white and black NEVEC military uniform, which is dark and practical, emphasizing his status and rank within NEVEC. His uniform often includes insignias or markings that denote his high status as a commander. He also doesn't possess a harmonizer.
Gallery[]
Full body.