Norman Hofmann

Grand Marshal Norman Hofmann is a new character introduced in When the Cold Breeze Blows Away.

One of Jonathon Marple's best friends and serving as the second-in-command of the Coalition of the Red Star (that makes him the right-hand man of Supreme Leader Victor Nevarez), Norman serves as one of the minor antagonists of the novel.

Hofmann appears very arrogant and is quite strict. He only seems to care about the Supreme Leader's will being fulfilled, and can get rather high tempered if something goes wrong. He has an addiction for chocolate, as he is seen eating it in various parts of the novel. When his subordinates arrive at his room to tell him that the Coalition invasion force is ready, dozens of emptied chocolate wrappings can be seen on his table. He also appears to have a sadistic nature and seems rather joyful when the Invasion of Earth is about to begin. He's also very irritated whenever his lackeys disobey his orders or fail an important mission given to them.

Appalled by the punishing "Vader style" of command that so many of his contemporaries supported, Norman preferred to promote creativity in his crew, rather than merely punish their failures, and does not want to kill off personnel for minor failures, as that could easily strain the resources of the Coalition, which was unaffordable at the time.

At the age of 50, he has xanthic eyes, brown hair, and wears a customized black-colored uniform.