Emile Mars-Smith's father was a communications engineer at Krytell and member of the Natural Path. He held strong religious beliefs and was never close to Emile, whose mother tried to protect him before her death.
Following Emile's mother's funeral, his father only permitted him to join him for Sunday lunch, which would be held in silence. Emile left the X-boat relay station at the age of fifteen to study at St Oscar's University without telling his father. (PROSE: Beyond the Sun) When Emile returned to the station, his father sent him away and forbade him from coming back because of his sexuality. (PROSE: Deadfall)