you're being very thoughtful and judicious so i'll try not to influenced you to join nova. much. maybe she goes rogue every so often and runs with nova because the coalition is being lame and the novas are so much more fun/better looking.
mallory is one of those people who would claim she's not bad, just drawn that way-- only everyone in the room would immediately start coughing pointedly and pulling out their pre-prepared lists of evidence to the contrary. she's got all of tahani's arrogance, cashflow, and strained family relationships (she comes from a long line of powered individuals), combined with michael's machinating tendencies and mild disconnect from the good side of humanity/belief that people who suck deserve the just and intricately constructed hammer she brings down on them.