Payne knew the risks of the uniform just like all of us.— Ed Mercer[1]
Harrison Payne was a Lieutenant and Engineer aboard the USS Orville. He died in March 2420 from falling debris during a plasma storm.
History[]
Chief Engineer Steve Newton recalls that the two met during summer camp after eighth grade when Harrison performed the Heimlich maneuver on Steve after he accidentally swallowed a wine cork. The pair became fast friends.
Steve eventually enrolled at Union Point, the academy of the Planetary Union, where he entered the Engineering section. Harrison was transferred to the Orville at an unknown date.
During an intense plasma storm, Harrison was crushed by falling bulkhead. Lieutenant Alara Kitan was called to Engineering to help move the debris, but she was momentarily distracted by am eruption of fire in front of her. By the time she reached Payne, further debris had fallen on him and he died from internal injuries.
Although Dr. Claire Finn later determined that Payne had suffered terminal injuries from the first bulkhead and would have died anyway, Lieutenant Kitan was still troubled by her supposed to failure to help Payne, due to fear of fire (which she later linked to a childhood incident when she survived a fire). She would later subject herself to a series of fear-based stimuli on the Environmental Simulator to overcome it.
Payne was survived by his parents, his wife, and his children. Captain Ed Mercer said that "Lieutenant Payne's death is a loss that is deeply felt by all of us and we'll be forever indebted to him, for his sacrifice."
Harrison's old friend Steve delivered his eulogy:
He was my best friend. And it's fitting that his last name was Payne because he probably died in a lot of it, which is exactly the kind of thing he would find funny, in case anyone was planning on getting mad at me. Anyway rest in peace, Harrison. You were the best.
Captain Mercer later sent a letter to Harrison's parents informing them of their child's death.
Trivia[]
- Harrison Payne is the first crew member of the Orville to die.
- Harrison was played by Tim Mikulecky. An autographed card appeared in The Orville Season One Trading Cards set.