Due to popular demand, a list of characters (and a couple of ships), and a glossary of acronyms, current as of Part 10: (Unfortunately, some spoilers unless you've read up to Part 10)
General Edward Davion, AFFS: The Commander-in-Chief of the Star League Defense Forces as well as the commander of the First Crucis Lancers, Edward is the cousin of First Prince Anderson Davion. He is presently commanding Task Force Aleph, the SLDF task force attacking the Capellan Confederation.
Colonel William Shenke, AFFS: The operations officer of Task Force Aleph, Shenke was formerly the ops officer of the First Crucis Lancers. He is a close personal friend of Edward Davion.
Leftenant-General Allen Kell, AFFS: A distant descendant of Phelan Kell and Ranna Kerensky, Allen Kell is the new executive officer of the First Crucis Lancers. As Edward Davion is preoccupied with coordinating the entire task force, he serves as de facto CO. He is a close personal friend of Edward.
General Lara Steiner, LAAF: Former commander of the Twelfth Donegal Guard, Lara Steiner is a distant relation of the Archon. She was captured by the Capellans in combat on the planet of Bharat, and was condemned to death for "war crimes." She is currently imprisoned on a Capellan WarShip.
Prince Zander: Once the adviser of the late Charlemagne Kerensky-Liao, Zander allowed Lady Janice Liao to fall into enemy hands and later framed Charlemagne for the act. He murdered Charlemagne and took control of the Tikonov Principality.
Precentor Martial Nicholas Kurita-Davion, Com Guards: Nicholas Kurita-Davion, the descendant of Victor Steiner-Davion and Omi Kurita, was formerly the Commander-in-Chief of the Star League Defense Forces, but resigned after the Star League's early defeats to protect the First Lord's reputation. He is a distant cousin and a friend of Edward Davion.
Colonel Rain Jeffers, Merc: The commander of the Lonesome Vanguards mercenary regiment, Rain Jeffers is currently employed by Prince Zander as his private military force. She is marginally aware of the way in which he seized the throne, but really doesn't care as long as the money is good.
Archon Donavan Steiner: The Archon of the Lyran Alliance, Donavan Steiner is also serving a term as First Lord of the Star League.
First Prince Anderson Davion (deceased): The First Prince of the Federated Suns, Anderson Davion and his immediate family were assassinated by Capellan agents.
Coordinator Ichiro Kurita: Ichiro is the Coordinator of the Draconis Combine.
Gunji-no-Kanrei Yoshi Kurita, DCMS: The warlord of the Combine Mustered Soldiery, Yoshi Kurita is currently commanding Task Force Beta in its assault on the Free Worlds Republic.
Captain-General David Corrigan: Once a Wolf Clan stooge, David Corrigan bucked his masters when he sided with the Capellan Confederation in the war with the Star League. Now, he's having second thoughts.
Chancellor Chong-lo Liao: Seated on the Celestial Throne, Chancellor Liao is the ruler of the Capellan Confederation. During the Tikonov Revolt he had his own daughter executed. His "reforms" have practically crippled the CCAF.
Captain Ti, CCAF: The CCAF officer assigned to the interrogation of General Lara Steiner.
Unnamed Maskirovka Agents: There are two in the story. The first is the agent who assassinates Anderson Davion. The second is the agent in charge of the interrogation of Lara Steiner. (Note: The Maskirovka is House Liao's secret intelligence/police agency.)
Rear Admiral Cassius Ver Burg, AFFS: Admiral Ver Burg is the commander of the Glorious WarShip task force.
Marshal of the Armies Sarah Hasek, AFFS: Normally the supreme military commander of the AFFS, Sarah Hasek is currently attached to Task Force Aleph, in command of the Davion Heavy Guards.
Tai-sa Katsuro Genimocho, DCMS: The commander of the Luthien Samurai Guard, attached to Task Force Aleph.
Major Hank Yountz, Merc: An officer in the Lonesome Vanguards, Yountz was one of the original members of the mercenary First Vanguards Company. He now commands its First Battalion.
Major "Scoot" Alder, Merc: Another of the original First Vanguards, Scoot is now an officer in the Lonesome Vanguards, and is the leader of Colonel Jeffers' bodyguard lance.
Jan Hakados: The FedSuns Intelligence Minister, Hakados was shot in the shoulder and gravely wounded during the assassination of Anderson Davion.
First Prince Shane Davion: Shane Davion succeeded Anderson as First Prince of the Federated Suns.
And now, the promised couple of ships:
FSS Warspite, AFFS: Avalon Class cruiser, flagship of Task Force Aleph.
CCS Celestial Glory, CCAF (Maskirovka-crewed): Aegis Class cruiser, the Maskirovka high-security prison, in orbit of Sian.
And the glossary of acronyms…
AFFS: Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
CCAF: Capellan Confederation Armed Forces
CCG: Capella Commonality Guard
CCS: Capellan Confederation Ship
DCMS: Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery
FSS: Federated Suns Ship
LAAF: Lyran Alliance Armed Forces
LAS: Lyran Alliance Ship
SLDF: Star League Defense Forces
TPAF: Tikonov Principality Armed Forces
TRG: Tikonov Regular Guard
Whew! Well, I hope this clarifies things for you a bit. I left off quite a few minor characters, like Sinclair, but that's only because they really don't matter in the grand scheme of things, they're just there.