Overview: The Characters (UPDATED 9 MARCH 2024)

This is an overview of the major and minor characters who have appeared in the Surefoot stories. I have had to expand this considerably in line with my expanded universe, where Surefoot will encompass not just the eponymous starship, but other starships, the space station Salem One, the planet Cait and others. With the exception of Captain Weynik, Professor Tallus and David Bowie (Yes, that David Bowie) all are my own creation. Please be aware that this is the latest update (as of 9 March 2024), that if you are only just starting out reading the stories from the beginning, there will be major spoilers.

THE FAMILY

COMMODORE ESEK HRELLE: Captain Hrelle is a Caitian, a felinoid race. Born in 2320, he defied his father’s wishes and left his world to join Starfleet, building a long and lauded career culminating in taking command of the cruiser USS Furyk, based at Station Salem One. There, in 2358 he met and eventually married a human Starfleet engineer, Hannah Eismann, and became a second father to her daughter Sasha. In 2364 the criminal organisation known as the Bel-Zon attacked the Furyk and killed its crew, torturing Hrelle for information to raid Salem One, a raid which killed Hannah, among others. Hrelle was sold to the Orions, who enslaved him.

In 2369, he escaped and was reunited with Sasha, who by this time was a Starfleet cadet. He recovered from his experiences with the help of a Caitian Counselor, Kami Shall, whom he later married (ref "The Uncertainty Principle") and had two cubs, Misha (ref "Birthpains") and Sreen (ref "The Nanny State"). He returned to duty, commanding two ships named Surefoot, where he continued to demonstrate his talents for tactical combat as well as mentoring gifted cadets working under him. In 2375 he was trapped back on his Motherworld when the Caitians’ ancestral enemies, the Ferasans, invaded and occupied it, but he successfully led the Resistance that overcame them (ref "The Season of the Seven Hells"). Following the end of the War in 2376, he was promoted to Commodore and given command of his old base, Salem One (ref "Compilation").

Hrelle possesses extensive agency and experience of both armed and unarmed combat, and despite his stout appearance is stronger, faster and more agile than many humanoid opponents. During his captivity with the Orions, where he was physically and mentally conditioned to be a gladiator, he developed a vicious Alter Personality called the Beast, allowing him to commit terrible atrocities without guilt. Counseling and brain surgery effectively neutralised the Beast, but recent events hint at a new version having been generated during moments of physical trauma.

COUNSELOR KAMI SHALL HRELLE: Kami is Caitian, a mother and widow, her husband Rmorra having died while a Starfleet security officer years before, leaving her to raise their son Mirow. She is tasked with maintaining the emotional and mental well-being of Starfleet personnel and cadets. After his recovery, she could acknowledge their mutual attraction, and they eventually married in 2370, Kami subsequently having two cubs with him. In 2375 she assisted her husband in the liberation of Cait from the Ferasans, and following the end of the War she followed her husband to Station Salem One to serve as Chief Counselor.

In addition to her considerable skills in multi-species psychology, augmented by her Caitian senses allowing her to perceive deception better than many humanoids, Kami has also received training in Command protocols as well as armed and unarmed combat.

LT CMDR SASHA HRELLE: Terran female, born in 2352, never having known her biological father, she became the human stepdaughter to Captain Hrelle, though both long since dropped the “step” prefix, given the closeness of their relationship. Intelligent and tenacious, she has continuously defended him against his detractors, and served under him on two ships both named Surefoot. 

She graduated Valedictorian in her class in 2372, and after a tour serving as Second Officer of the USS Ajax under her father’s old friend, Captain Weynik, she was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was made Weynik’s First Officer on the USS Katana (ref "Compilation"). Sasha has long embraced the Caitian cultural identity, to the point of becoming the first non-Caitian inducted into the Kaetini Order, a band of Caitian warriors (ref "Tooth and Claw"), in 2373, and in 2375 was instrumental in helping free Cait from the Ferasans; along the way, she has become known as The Tailless Cub, and Hellcat Hrelle.

Nevertheless, she has suffered physically and psychologically from the numerous traumas she has experienced, and continues to receive Counseling. Like her father, Sasha is highly trained in both armed and unarmed combat, having studied several disciplines from different cultures and blended them into a unique combination that lends her an advantage over many opponents.

CAPTAIN T’VARIK: T’Varik is a Vulcan, who has served for 30 years as an instructor in various subjects at the Academy. She was a proponent of the Advanced Work Experience Program, where gifted cadets continued their education while performing actual duties onboard starships such as the Surefoot. She served onboard the vessel as First Officer, and though she was initially wary of Captain Hrelle’s familiar and paternal style of command, she since warmed to him, and has even joined his family, as Godmother to his cubs, and partner to Chief of Security (and niece) Lt C’Rash Shall, whom she married on Vulcan in 2374 (ref "Kith and Kin"). 

When Hrelle was promoted to Commodore, she was promoted to Captain of the Surefoot. Her long association with the emotional, instinct-driven Caitians, and her marriage and psychic bond with C’Rash has afforded her a demeanour that many outsiders might consider un-Vulcanlike.

LT C’RASH SHALL: Caitian Chief of Security on the Surefoot, niece to Kami and Esek, and a young but talented officer with a penchant for smart remarks and sensual indulgence. She had almost been cashiered from Starfleet because of insubordination driven by guilt following the death of a former Captain on another ship, but Hrelle subsequently tamed and tempered her (ref "Shakedown"). She entered into a relationship with T’Varik, and in 2374 they married, both of them retaining their full original names (ref "Kith and Kin"). And just as their psychic bond has made T’Varik more emotional, C’Rash is growing more mature and disciplined.

MISHA HRELLE: Born in 2370, the son of Esek and Kami Hrelle, his fierce protective instincts obvious from an early age, when he has been witnessed fearlessly facing numerous threats to his ship and family, instinct honed with training from his father and cousin C’Rash. He is also very empathic and charismatic, and often uses his purrs and charms to get what he wants from others. He has ambitions to follow in his parents’ footsteps and join Starfleet, and shares his father’s love of food. His parents nicknamed him The Warrior Prince.

SREEN HRELLE: Born in 2375, the daughter of Esek and Kami Hrelle, Sreen has a condition called Neurodystraxia, a rare genetic anomaly which prevents her from utilising many of her major voluntary muscle groups, which will necessitate the use of an exoframe for mobility when she is old enough, a necessity that will presumably be with her for the rest of her life. Otherwise she appears to be highly intelligent and perceptive for her age, with advanced musical abilities. More recent incidents suggest that her exoframe has stimulated her neural development; not to the extent of curing her disability, but to accelerate her growth while wearing the harness, letting her speak and crawl sooner than expected.

SRITHIK: Srithik is the 12-year-old Vulcan nephew of Captain T’Varik. His mother Nivor, an anti-Starfleet politician estranged from T’Varik, was cold and manipulative to Srithik, attempting to discourage him from his ambitions to eventually join Starfleet. In 2376, when T’Varik learned Nivor planned to force Srithik to be conditioned by the adepts of Kolihnar into permanently casting aside his emotions, T’Varik arranged to obtain custody of him and bring him to her to live until adulthood (ref "Compilation"). Never having left Vulcan before, he is eager to learn everything he can, even when such zeal sometimes puts him at risk.

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STATION SALEM ONE CREW

CAPT KATE STERNHAGEN (STATION CHIEF): The former Station Chief of Salem One, managing the day to day operations of the facility, Captain Katherine Ruth Sternhagen had been on duty when the Bel-Zon attacked in 2362. Investigated for potential complicity in the attack, she was cleared, but still resigned out of guilt over the deaths, sequestering herself with a Federation colony on Scesity. Hrelle encountered Sternhagen on his arrival, later convincing her to return to her previous role on Salem One. She agreed, though she initially refused to don a Starfleet uniform again, feeling herself unworthy, though she soon changed her mind.

CMDR HALUK (ANNEX SUPERINTENDENT): A veteran Vulcan Starfleet officer, with extensive previous experience in various Intelligence agencies (ref "My Summer on Vulcan"), Haluk had transferred to Academy duties in 2350, eventually taking on the role of Annex Superintendent to the cadets stationed at Salem One in 2376, partly out of loyalty to Hrelle, having served with his kin-mother, Ma’Sala Shall, and partly to provide an unofficial Intelligence presence in the sector to Hrelle. He is outwardly a stern taskmaster, though he has a (for a Vulcan) soft spot for Sasha Hrelle, whom he met during an Advanced Tactical Course on Vulcan.

LT CMDR DONA IDRISI (ANNEX SUPERINTENDENT ADJUTANT): A Terran female of Madripoori descent, Lt Cmdr Idrisi is an experienced Operations officer with combat experience, who later transferred to Starfleet Academy duties, and has formed a close partnership with Commander Haluk. She is a no-nonsense senior officer, determined not to let the cadets interfere with Commodore Hrelle or embarrass Haluk or herself.

LT ZIR DASSENE (ADJUTANT): A young Orion officer, Dassene has risen rapidly as a cadet under Hrelle when he captained the Surefoot, gaining a battlefield commission to Ensign by leading a security team against Cardassians and Jem’Hadar who had invaded Engineering (ref "This Means War"). Subsequent efforts focused on Security duties had earned her further attention, though Hrelle grew concerned that the traumas of the War were affecting her psychologically, and offered her the opportunity to work with him as his official aide and representative, with a consequent promotion to Lieutenant (ref "Compilation").

CHIEF DAVID MASAAKI SAKAI (CHIEF ENGINEER): One of the former engineering designers of the Sabre class starship, Sakai had been retired for almost 15 years when he signed up again in 2375 to help deal with heavy Starfleet losses following the start of the Dominion War. Although initially intimidated, he soon re-embraced his former nickname of “Monkey”: the confident, wise-cracking NCO that his peers remembered, transferring after the War to Salem One, where the older systems were more familiar to him.

DR EZEKIEL "ZEKE" MASTERSON (CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER): Former CMO of the Surefoot, Masterson hails from Coldwater, a colony of humans who have embraced the culture of Terran Wild West. Though he’ll speak with Western slang, he is in fact a talented and skilled doctor, and his unflappable nature served him well during the Dominion War. Following the end of the War, he transferred to Salem One to run the Medical Department.

NURSE EYDIIR DAUGHTER-OF-KAAS (CHIEF NURSE): A former cadet, Eydiir originated from Capella IV, whose people are primitive, martial and Spartan. When she was a child, her older brother Straab caught a fever, and despite her efforts to save him, he died without any other help. She became determined to learn all she could about medicine, and left her world to join Starfleet (ref "Daughter of Kaas, Daughter of Esek"). After her graduation, she returned to the Surefoot, and then to Salem One after the War to serve as nurse and continue to study, where her medical and combat skills remain useful.

ENS PETER BOONE (COUNSELOR): Medical Specialist, a human male from the farming colony of Gault. Although gay, at age fifteen he accidentally conceived a child, Abby, with a fellow member of their farming collective. Not wishing to raise his daughter in a provincial setting with limited future, he joined Starfleet, eventually training to become a Counselor, where his fatherhood status has granted him a maturity belying his youth. In 2376 he transferred to Salem One to work under Chief Counselor Hrelle.

LT CMDR ARCANIS PRIMA SALVO (SECURITY CHIEF): Salvo is from Nova Roma, a colony which embraced Roman culture and principles. Salvo brought her considerable fighting skills to bear in Starfleet, rising through the ranks despite a chequered history for her often disrespectful attitude. Commodore Hrelle saw her potential, particularly in her experience defending outposts under Dominion attack, recruiting her as his Chief of Security. She is loud and boisterous in the style of Klingons, but is being tempered by her association with the Hrelles.

ENS URAD KALDRON (SECURITY OFFICER): Security Specialist, the only Hroch male in Starfleet. He is a Heavyworlder, the higher gravity of his planet granting him mega strength and his thickened hide protecting him. He appears very much like a bipedal Terran hippo, and his culture is martial in nature, though he is also surprisingly gentle and careful around children and his best friend Tori Emoto.

COMMANDER JAMES SOMERSET (INTELLIGENCE OFFICER): Terran of British descent, a skilled and experienced member of Starfleet Security, assigned to Salem One in the wake of the Bel-Zon's initial attack (ref "The Dragon Gambit"). He has investigated industrialist Max Zorin in the past, though has yet to obtain sufficient evidence against him for prosecution.

COMMISSIONER RYO NAM-SEON (FEDERATION LIAISON): A young but promising official assigned to oversee Federation matters in the Salem Sector, and ensure that standards of life, security and trade and legal matters are met and maintained, Ryo initially came across as demanding and uncompromising, as she compensated for her youth and lack of experience away from the more established centre of the Federation, but soon she understood the practical problems behind meeting her goals.

PROFESSOR TALLUS (STATION SCIENTIST): A respected Roylan archaeologist, historian and anthropologist, Tallus is the mother of Captain Weynik and the wife of Admiral Tattok, who took time off to care for Weynik’s children Naida and Jaxan during the Dominion War. Following the end of the War, Tallus accompanied her son and grandchildren to Salem One, aware of the numerous opportunities for further research projects in the sector, and serves as the civilian science specialist.

ENS STALAC (SCIENCE SPECIALIST): Stalac is a Horta male from Janus IV. He is a limbless silicon-based lifeform, who produces acidic from his ventral side to quickly burn through solid rock, or to help consume minerals. He has a Starfleet combadge bolted onto his side, which acts as a communicator, Universal Translator and voder unit to produce speech. He was initially reluctant to go out into space, both because of the confined spaces and the attention drawn to him by the "Carbs" he works with, but like many others he soon found a niche onboard the Surefoot. After the War, he transferred to Salem One to join the Science Team.

LT CMDR XAN MARAUD (JAG OFFICER): Efrosian from the Judge Advocate General, he was serving as Prosecutor in the court martial of ensign Bill Beaudine (ref "Persona Non Grata"), he remained as Chief JAG Officer for Salem One, when his superior, Captain Louvois, was transferred away in disgrace.

TALBOK / LAWRENCE TALBOT (TEACHER): A young male who outwardly appears human, but is in fact Talbok, a HabwI' Klingon whose ancestors had been infected with the Augment Virus in the 2150s and developed humanoid physical features and temperament as a result. Although most infected Klingons responded to the treatment that was devised in the 2280s, a minority proved resistant, and have passed on the external traits to their descendants. Many of the 'normal' Klingons consider HabwI' to be Unclean. Talbok fell in love with Jiyajh and they had a child together, Matleth, forcing them to leave Klingon space and assume new identities. After an incident with her House pursuing them to Salem One, Talbot remained with their child on the station working as a teacher (ref "Killing Honour"), while Jiyajh continued her work on the USS Katana.

SRE GYVER TIMBREL (TEACHER): A Paladel male, an equinoid race newly joined to the Federation, Timbrel is a quiet, brave, patient individual with devout religious beliefs. Few are aware that the ‘Sre’ in his name is not a nomenclature but a knight-like title, that he has considerable fighting skills, and he is out in space to honour his faith by serving others as best he can. Following the end of the War, he was offered a position on Salem One as one of the teachers to the children of the personnel, providing supervision and protection while their parents and guardians are working.

TURIKANA BENJO: The son of Paserak Maquadan Benjo, Turikana knew Hrelle from an early age, and was often present whenever his father met Hrelle. By 2376, he had been forced  to assume the leadership of the remains of his tribe following an attack by the Kzinti and the apparent loss of his father. On reuniting with Hrelle, he formed a partnership that would offer Turikana and his tribe shelter and protection in exchange for technical services (ref "Under New Management"). The bond with Starfleet strengthened following one of his people's children being saved by Ensign Kaldron (ref "The Dragon Gambit")

SIRIZO (MERCHANT): A Paserak entrepeneur who set up a shop on Salem One following the station reopening for business, he is a charismatic individual who seems to have the ability to identify an item among his eclectic collection that a potential customer might need or want.

MAGGIORE (CRECHE SUPERVISOR): An elderly Paserak female with numerous caretaking skills, respected among the tribe who sought refuge on Salem One during their people's Schism, and whom Hrelle appointed to manage the Creche for the youngest children of those serving onboard the station.

DARREN KOLCHAK: Veteran journalist for the Federation News Service, who first became involved in the Salem Sector while investigating illegal activities from Zorin Interstellar. Initially brash and cynical, he decided to remain permanently on Station Salem One after seeing how Commodore Hrelle managed the affair (ref "Bleeding Edge"). Though sometimes a little too pushy when seeking a story, his contacts and civilian identity can sometimes be useful to Hrelle and others.

PROMINENT CADETS

RACHEL NASH (COMMAND CADET, MACBETH SQUAD): Terran of American origin, Rachel has struggled to be the best commander for her squad, while also facing an unacknowledged fear of not being good enough to protect her Squad.  She relies on her squadmate and friend C'Riir for support for his social skills and senses.

HESH C'RIIR (SCIENCE CADET, MACBETH SQUAD): Caitian male who felt guilt over being at Starfleet Academy while his planet was overrun by the Ferasans, particularly after the death of a former boyfriend. He has had to suppress his hero worship of Commodore Hrelle and Lt Cmdr Sasha Hrelle for their efforts to free their Motherworld, and has a bantering but close relationship with his best friend Gela. 

GELA (ENGINEERING CADET, MACBETH SQUAD): Ferengi male who followed in the footsteps of the legendary Nog, though unlike Nog he occasionally lets his instincts for profit emerge in minor schemes, often with the reluctant aid of his best friend C'Riir.

DENEK (MEDICAL CADET, MACBETH SQUAD): Vulcan female who followed the example of her father, a Starfleet crewman who died during the early days of the Dominion War. She had the same issues dealing with other races that many Vulcans faced once going off-world, and has recently entered into a relationship with her fellow cadet Janusz Spychalski, following her attempts to assist him with his anxiety issues during crisis operations.

JANUSZ "JAN" SPYCHALSKI (FLIGHT OPS CADET, MACBETH SQUAD): Terran of Polish origin, his initial romantic notions of piloting starships, extending across centuries of Terran pop culture, was quashed following his first crisis simulation at the Academy. He refused to make his issues known for fear of being dismissed, and has asked his friend Denek to assist him in secretly overcoming his anxieties.

ANGE BOLADEDE (SECURITY CADET, MACBETH SQUAD): Terran of Nigerian origin, his family ran an interstellar private security firm, whose staff trained him from an early age in many skills, making him a formidable cadet from the beginning. However, he had developed an infatuation with Lt Cmdr Hrelle after seeing her during the disaster at her graduation ceremony (ref "Class of 2372"), an infatuation that grew more obsessive when he transferred to Salem One, and was confronted with his actions and punished, ultimately being tricked and provoked into attempting to assassinate Counselor Hrelle (ref "The Art of Being Broken"). His fate has yet to be revealed. 

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USS SUREFOOT CREW

LT CMDR SEXTILIS MAGNA BELLATOR (FIRST OFFICER): The current First Officer of the Surefoot, Bellator is a non-binary human from Nova Roma, a Terran colony which embraced many of the old Imperial Roman ideals. Gifted in Exolinguisitcs, Cryptography and Communications, and formerly a Lieutenant Commander, Bellator was not initially equipped to deal with the horrors of combat, and during a battle while serving on the Korolev, they had a panic attack. They were subsequently court martialled and reduced in rank to Ensign, but has since been reinstated to their former rank on the Surefoot (ref "Upgrade"), and after this, First Officer.

LT KITIRIK ABYSS ZUINTHINEM EMIJIZ (CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER): ‘Kit’ for short, he is Qarari, a non-Federation reptoid race with one female but five male genders, each gender appearing slightly different and performing different functions within their society. Kit was born a Warrior Male, but felt himself to be a Seeker Male, and left his world to obtain corrective gender reassignment and become a Science Officer in Starfleet (ref "Who We Are"). He is etiquette driven, insectivorous and loves puns. Often to a terrifying degree.

LT GILES ARRINGTON (2ND OFFICER/CHIEF OPS OFFICER): Human whose family has a long tradition in Starfleet in senior roles, as well as a feud with Captain Hrelle instigated by Giles’ grandfather. When Giles was posted to the Surefoot as a cadet, his family coerced him into spying on Hrelle, believing the man to be a security risk. Giles, however, rebelled against their wishes (ref "Secrets and Lies"). He entered into a relationship with Sasha while both served together, though they parted amicably before their graduation, and have remained friends. He has recently returned to the field, at first assisting Starfleet Intelligence operatives in information gathering, before transferring back to the Surefoot to serve first as the Chief Helmsman, and then the Second Officer/Chief Ops Officer.

DR SORA SHYRIK (CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER): An Andorian doctor serving onboard the Surefoot as part of the Medical Exchange Program, she personifies her people’s reputation for sharpness, rudeness and aggressiveness, though remaining talented and dedicated to saving lives. Though she had planned on returning to civilian life following the end of the War, Dr Masterson’s decision to transfer to Salem One made her reverse her decision, and stay as CMO.

DR ALEXANDER AUGER (COUNSELOR): Terran assigned to the Surefoot in 2375, following Counselor Hrelle’s extended leave of absence to remain on Cait following the Occupation. Auger is a physically and psychologically imposing individual, with a reputation for being uncompromising, and shows a particularly austere attitude towards Hrelle’s mental state (ref "Blue Sunshine"). This is later revealed as being part of orders received from Admiral Raner, to assess Hrelle for his subsequent promotion and transfer to Salem One. After this, Auger chose to remain on the Surefoot as Counselor, fascinated by the dynamics formed here by Hrelle.

ENS ASTRID MICHEL (CHIEF HELMSMAN): A human female from Mars, for most of her life, she believed she was the daughter of the shipping trillionaire Charles Michel, who raised her with his other children in a life of privilege. At age twelve, she fell ill, and a scan uncovered that Astrid’s mother had genetically altered Astrid’s DNA to make her appear to be Charles Michel’s child. The man had her mother arrested and imprisoned, and instigated a conspiracy to cover up the crime and protect his reputation. Astrid had maintained the false story of still being rich and connected until she revealed the truth to her friends (ref "Beach Party"). She has matured considerably since then, though her personality remains buoyant and playful.

LT JIM MADISON (CHIEF ENGINEER): A Terran junior officer first seen as an Engineering Assistant on the Ajax under Captain Weynik, where he met and started a relationship with Sasha Hrelle. They split following the Battle of Khavak when she underwent psychological trauma, but have remained good friends since. It proved difficult for him to work together, particularly after she returned following the Caitian Occupation, along with Lt Mru Mori, who turned out to be her new lover. Partly because of this, following the end of the War, Jim transferred to the Surefoot to become their Chief Engineer (ref  "Nightmare Fuel").

ENS VICTORIA "TORI" EMOTO (ASST CHIEF ENGINEER): A Terran female with a talent for alien technologies and diagnostics. She was also born with a talent for insults, one which was suppressed when she entered the Academy, but which has since resurfaced upon joining the Surefoot. Although she suffered psychological trauma following an attack from Cardassians during the Battle of Khavak (ref  "This Means War"), she has since recovered with the aid of her friends and crewmembers, and is using her analytical skills onboard the ship as well as various projects assigned to her by Commodore Hrelle.

ENS ATIARO THYKRILL (ASST SECURITY CHIEF): Andorian female, former cadet on the Surefoot, she had been pugnacious and isolated, and dismissive of those she considered weak, including fellow cadet Jonas Ostrow (ref  "Walking Wounded"). After he publicly praised her father, a renowned statesman, Thykrill began changing her attitude, towards him and her fellow cadets. and started improving her demeanour, attaining a senior position onboard the Surefoot.

CREWMAN MALALA JAIN (SUPPORT SERVICES): A Malurian female who in 2369 had been abducted by traffickers before being rescued by then-Cadet Sasha Hrelle and her Alpha Squad. The act motivated Malala into studying and joining Starfleet in 2376, where she eagerly wished to serve onboard the Surefoot as payment for what they did for her and her people. She embraces life and positivity, serving as inspiration for the others.

CREWMAN KEVIN O’REILLY (SUPPORT SERVICES): A Gorn male who, as a hatchling, had been abandoned to die on an evacuated outpost by his parents for allegedly being ‘defective’. A Starfleet Away Team who arrived on the outpost discovered him, and he was adopted and raised by a human couple in Queensland, Australia, where in many ways he behaves as a Terran, expressing a love of sun, surfing and music, and showing no interest or kinship with other Gorn or Gorn culture.

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USS KATANA CREW

CAPTAIN WEYNIK (COMMANDING OFFICER): Former captain of the USS Starsong and Ajax, current captain of the Katana, Weynik, a Roylan, is Esek Hrelle’s oldest friend in Starfleet, a friendship that is often peppered with good-natured insults and occasional pranks. As a heavyworlder, Weynik’s strength is belied by his diminutive size, and his extensive tactical experience almost matches Hrelle’s. He was married to a Roylan female named Fala, who died years before in a shuttle accident, and has a daughter, Naida, and a younger son, Jaxan, both of which he gave birth to himself during moments of intense stress.

LT CMDR SASHA HRELLE (FIRST OFFICER): For a fuller description, see her previous entry under Family. Sasha is new to the role, and is coping with balancing her professional and personal life as current and previous lovers are included in her crew.

LT MRU MORI (SECOND OFFICER): A Caitian junior officer specialising in Engineering and Security, who had been on temporary duty at the Starfleet Offices on his planet in 2375 when the Ferasans invaded and occupied. Fearing for his and his family’s safety, he fled into hiding with Captain Hrelle and other active-duty and retired Starfleet colleagues, and was vital in the Resistance. During this period, he formed a sexual relationship with Sasha Hrelle, developing romantic feelings for her that continued after the Occupation. He was transferred to the Ajax, and subsequently the Katana, along with Sasha and the rest of the crew.

DOCTOR BAS VESTRI (COUNSELOR): A Denobulan female who has been a Starfleet Counselor for forty years, and in her life has earned related degrees in General Medicine and Physics. Like many of her people, Vestri has numerous spouses (three husbands, two wives), and many children and grandchildren. Many see her as the grandmotherly type, but she will fiercely counter anyone daring to call her Granny.

MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER HELGA MARYK (CHIEF ENGINEER): A Terran female of Russian origin, with extensive experience in Starfleet, Maryk’s expertise is matched only by her pugnacious attitude, openly complaining about the status of the ship and systems. Following the loss of the Ajax, Maryk joined the rest of the crew in the Katana. She is still complaining.

LT JOR-DAKK (SECURITY): A Brikari male, with thick, rock-like skin offering a high degree of strength and durability at the expense of speed and flexibility. A recent addition to both Starfleet and the crew of the Katana, Security Officer Dakk seems to possess a very dry wit that some explain as Universal Translator malfunctions, though he refuses to confirm this.

DR GISHA JIYAJH (CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER): A young Klingon civilian and member of the House of the Klingon Dr Kline, Jiyajh was sent to Starfleet, ostensibly to learn about non-Klingon medicine and provide support. In fact, Kline sent her away for her own protection, as their House had threatened her life following a scandal when she scuppered their plans to marry the son of a prominent House to build an alliance. Kline believed she would find acceptance and protection among Starfleet and the Federation.

LT BRIANNA HOLTZMANN (SCIENCE OFFICER): A Terran female fresh from the Academy, her first assignment is with the Katana, with her youth and lack of experience balanced by an enthused unflappability about the wonders of the Universe. 

LT GREL (CHIEF HELMSMAN): A Tellarite male, young but experienced, who has served with Weynik, Sasha and many of the others in the crew while they were on the Ajax, though he had been away temporarily during the end of the War studying Tactical Flight Operations. He is delightfully belligerent like the rest of his people, and obsessed with his hairstyle and his success with women.

AJAX: A Terran English Bulldog, the canine who would later be called Ajax was owned by Hugo Hengist, a Rigellian smuggler who physically abused and neglected him, until Hengist and his ship was intercepted by Captain Weynik on his first mission as Captain of the Katana. Weynik, who was struggling to recover from PTSD following the Dominion War and his injuries, felt a connection with the canine and its implacable spirit despite its own traumas. Following the encounter, Weynik adopted the dog and named him Ajax, after his former command (ref: "Nightmare Fuel").

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USS AL-RAZI CREW

CAPT LUCILLE ARRINGTON (COMMANDING OFFICER): A veteran Captain, Arrington’s family was long established in Starfleet, and under the influence of her father, the then-Academy Superintendent, Lucille and her brothers attempted to bully Cadet Esek Hrelle into quitting. Later, after Hrelle escaped from Orion captivity, she believed he had been complicit in the Salem One Tragedy, and tried to get her nephew Giles, then a cadet, to spy on him (ref "Secrets and Lies"). Later, she had become a victim of the Bel-Zon herself  (ref "The Fast and the Furriest"), and as she recovered, she learned to appreciate Hrelle and both his ability to fight and to inspire his cadets. They reconciled, and after she lost the USS Redemption in the Battle of Cardassia (ref "The Longest Day"), Hrelle offered her one of the spare ships in the squadron he would be commanding, an offer she quickly accepted.

LT JONAS OSTROW (CHIEF ENGINEER): Terran male Engineering Specialist, a gifted individual with experience from an early age working with his mother in her space salvage company on Hyralin. Initially shy and, at one stage emotionally vulnerable following a telepathic attack (ref "The Uncertainty Principle"), he has grown in maturity and confidence, and in 2373 married his fellow cadet Neraxis Nemm. He is currently serving on the al-Razi as Chief Engineer.

LT NERAXIS NEMM OSTROW (CHIEF OF SECURITY): Bolian female, a large, boisterous figure from a large family, who initially treated Jonas as a little brother, before developing romantic feelings for him and marrying him (ref "Mr and Mrs Ostrow"), though her people’s acidic biochemistry has meant protective methods have been required for intimacy with non-Bolians. Like many of the cadets, she looked to Captain Hrelle as a father figure, and has developed into a reliable young officer. She currently serves on the al-Razi as Chief of Security.

DR ZHUAN YAN (COUNSELOR): Human of Chinese descent with a love for Terran bowling, he often uses the environment on Holodecks for sessions to help his patients relax and unwind, he has been instrumental in continuing to help Capt Arrington resolve her past issues.

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USS TANGSHAN CREW

CAPTAIN NEHERU (COMMANDING OFFICER): Former Second Officer of the Surefoot, a Kelpien male, whom Captain Hrelle first met when Neheru was in temporary command of the newly-built Sabre-class starship that would eventually become the Surefoot-A (ref "Vectors"). Though his people have held a reputation for caution verging on cowardice, in fact he has mellowed as he has gained wider experience in command of the ship. More recently he has shed his "threat tendrils", organs that traditionally warn Kelpiens of potential danger, and has sought to expand his adventurous side even further, with the help of his shipmates, including entering a relationship with the Chief Flight Officer, Lt Irina Velkovsky. He was seriously injured during the Battle of Khavak (ref "This Means War"), but recovered and was eventually promoted to Captain and given command of the USS Tangshan.

LT. IRINA VELKOVSKY (CHIEF HELMSMAN): A Terran female and former civilian racer of ships, she won the famous Delos 5000 Solar Challenge, before joining Starfleet. She still often races in her spare time, and her Engineering qualifications have assisted her in customising and improving on shuttles and other small craft. She followed Neheru during his recovery from injuries, and became his Chief Helmsman on the Tangshan.

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USS ULYANOV CREW

CAPT MARVIN BLUM (COMMANDING OFFICER): Veteran Starfleet Engineer, serving for many years onboard the patrol vessel Tempest at the Cardassian Border, before an onboard scandal involving his then-Commanding Officer forced him to assume command temporarily (ref "Star Crossed").  He proved adept at the role of Captaincy, and this and the imminent Dominion War moved him into the role on a permanent basis, though he still often misses the simplicity of his former responsibility.

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USS PROSPERO CREW

CAPT SONIA GODLESKI (COMMANDING OFFICER): Almost nothing has as yet been revealed about Godleski, beyond a brief relationship she shared with Commodore Hrelle when they were both Lieutenants on the USS Limaari, with Hrelle in Security and Godleski in Sciences. She rose through the ranks, eventually captaining the Sabre ambulance  vessel Prospero, serving with distinction in the Dominion War. Godleski has a patient manner and dry sense of humour, sometimes teasing Hrelle in front of his wife and friends about their past.

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NOTABLE PLANETBOUND CAITIANS

FIRST MINISTER MA’SALA SHALL: Kami’s mother, who has served as both the Fleet Captain of the Caitian Planetary Navy, and the Head of their Secret Service, Ma’Sala is a highly-experienced officer and combatant, remaining a formidable opponent despite her advanced age, and is intensely protective of her clan. Initially suspicious of her daughter’s second husband Esek Hrelle (ref "Caitian Holiday"), she has since changed her mind, and now trusts and relies both on him and Sasha. Following the Occupation of Cait in 2375 when she was injured, Ma’Sala retired from both the Planetary Navy and Secret Service, and became the First Minister to Cait (ref "The End").

MI’TREE SHALL: Caitian veteran actor and performer, famous for his booming baritone voice, he married his stunt double and bodyguard Bneea, and later the couple met Ma’Sala Shall, who proposed to them both, and Mi’Tree and Bneea became Kami’s fathers. Mi’Tree more recently left semi-retirement in 2372 to take on the beloved role of the Taleteller, who narrates broadcasted stories to the young cubs of Cait, a role he has wholeheartedly embraced. Following the Occupation, he also became a Goodwill Ambassador around Cait, promoting cooperation and reconciliation between the Caitians and the Ferasan survivors.

BNEEA SHALL: Caitian stuntman and bodyguard, who met and married Mi’Tree during the height of the action star’s popularity, and remained with him in the subsequent decades, also becoming Ma’Sala’s husband when the latter proposed marriage. Although he is quiet and reserved when compared to the more flamboyant Mi’Tree, Bneea remains highly dependable to the clan, as well as more physically fit and trained in stuntwork, martial arts and firearms, and often stands in for Ma’Sala as Clan Matriarch in her absence.

MIROW AND PTERA MROARA-LNEE: Mirow is Kami's son from her first marriage, a pilot with the Caitian Emergency Services. In 2370 he married Ptera Mroara-Lnee (ref "Caitian Holiday"), a neurosurgeon from a prestigious clan who could trace their ancestry directly back to the first settlers on Cait over a millennium before, and as per Caitian tradition, Mirow took his wife's clan name as his own. In 2375, when the Ferasans invaded, Mirow and Ptera (who was pregnant at the time) fled with the Hrelles to Kaijushima Island to hide from the occcupying forces. Ptera gave birth to a female cub, whom she named Jnill, after her mother, who died fighting the Ferasans. After the Occupation, Ptera assumed control of the clan's spaceframe construction company, with Mirow working in the Design Division.

DR JHESS FURORE: A civilian, Jhess is a rare Spotted Caitian sent by Ma’Sala to serve as nanny to the Hrelle cubs, and any other children who might be onboard at any time, as the needs of the Dominion War mean that they could not always rely on crew and cadets to act as minders (ref "The Nanny State"). Despite his jocular, irreverent personality, Jhess is a qualified pediatric surgeon, cub psychologist and educationist. Before this, he was a Caitian Militia veteran in the Sabrecat Corps, serving in the previous War. He continued to serve during the Occupation, and afterwards reunited with his estranged wife Mreia and his son Shau, and remained behind to assist in training the new Militia.

TARIM BEY: Caitian cybercriminal known to the authorities as Nimeni (meaning Nobody), Tarim was born with a severe form of Neurodystraxia, leaving him a paraplegic with sensory deficiencies, compensated for with sophisticated cybernetic implants and a hoverchair. Tarim used his talents for computers to build a criminal organisation, often avoiding legal sanctions because of connections with the Caitian Secret Service, colloquially known as the Mother's Claws. During the Occupation, he allied with the Resistance to assist them, and was instrumental in disabling the Ferasan forces with a series of computer viruses. Though he is still a criminal, and will often have mercenary motives with every action he takes, he is a patriot, and has taken a keen interest in the welfare of the family of the new First Minister Ma’Sala Shall, chiefly due to her granddaughter Sreen Hrelle, who like Tarim has Neurodystraxia. Later, he will be formally inducted into the Caitian Secret Service, 

VALTIRI: A Ferasan male with a rare telepathic gene, his psychic abilities were activated before birth, allowing the thoughts and emotions of others around him. Another telepath sensed the infant’s distress and took him away to live in the isolated wilds of Ferasan Prime. His Mentor raised him and taught him to control his abilities, and taught him how to hunt. Valtiri became the Hunter Prime of the Ferasan Patriarch, and in 2375 sent him to Cait to hunt down and kill Captain Hrelle and his human daughter, as they were leading the Resistance. Though he possessed a code of honour different to his fellow Ferasans, Valtiri only cared for the Hunt, until the Ferasans dropped a nuclear bomb on the nearby city of Shanos Minor. The psychic trauma of millions of deaths permanently changed Valtiri’s allegiances, and he was vital in assisting the Resistance in overthrowing the Occupiers. When the Ferasan system was destroyed by an Omega Bomb, Valtiri became the representative of the few Ferasan innocents who survived, and were given territory on Cait where they could live.

FLEET CAPTAIN CSARA MRORR: A Caitian female and senior officer in the Planetary Navy, she had been given command of the Deep Keep, an advanced carrier never officially designated in any records, with orders to remain secret in the event of any planetary crisis, such as the Occupation. At this time, Mrorr contacted Hrelle and together they successfully overthrew the Ferasans. Afterwards, Ma'Sala appointed Mrorr Fleet Captain, with orders to rebuild the Planetary Navy, while Ma'sala became First Minister.

COMMISSIONER NENJO CANRI: Former agent of the Mother's Claws, the Caitian Secret Service,  Nenjo had been one of the last survivors when the Ferasans invaded Cait and destroyed the military and intelligence infrastructure. Nevertheless, despite professional and personal losses, Nenjo continued to use her skills and remaining connections to aid the Resistance, and proved successful. Afterwards, Ma'Sala appointed Nenjo Head of the Mother's Claws, with orders to rebuild the Intelligence infrastructure to prevent another Ocupation, while Ma'sala became First Minister. 

CAPTAIN NOL NRARI: Officer in the Caitian Planetary Navy, Captain of the surveillance vessel Crooked Tail, Nrari possesses cybernetic eyes to compensate for a war injury. He is an irreverent personality, willing to bend the roles, who has served alongside Ma'Sala and remains playfully mischievous despite her elevation to the position of First Minister.

DAVID MEOWIE: Caitian entertainer whose musical style emulates the Terran artist David Bowie (whose name Meowie obviously adopted). During the Occupation, Meowie assisted the resistance by using his fame and contacts to facilitate movement of arms and supplies, and afterwards has worked as a Goodwill Ambassador to highlight the problems facing the Ferasan refugees on Cait. 

THE GREAT MOTHER: A mythical personification of the positive qualities of the Caitin people (love, compassion, mercy, parenthood, generosity, patience), there are many fables of her and her cubs, and though she is often invoked in exclamations, she has never been worshipped as such. During a period when Hrelle had been trapped in his own mind following a poisoning, he hallucinated meeting the Great Mother, who turned out to be the repressed memories of his real mother (ref "Mother's Cub").

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OTHER NOTABLE CHARACTERS

ADMIRAL RUTH GOLDSTEIN: The Superintendent of Starfleet Academy on Earth, Goldstein has served in various commands before taking the position on Earth. She was a proponent of the Advanced Work Experience (AWE) Program, and awarded Cadet Sasha Hrelle a field promotion to Second Lieutenant on the day of her class’ graduation in 2372, for her pro-active response and organisation of her fellow cadets into search and rescue parties during a Dominion act of terrorism (ref "Class of 2372").

DR HWII’’!!’’II’!’IEI, aka "WHEELIE": Delphine (Dolphin) of Terran origin, who serves as Counselor onboard the science ship USS Kanaloa, but has offered his services in special cases, such as the mass healing of the crew of the USS Surefoot following an attack (ref "Cross Purposes"), where his ability to telepathically read many minds while in water proved efficacious. Wheelie was seen later on Cait, his family and himself having been trapped there during the Ferasan Occupation (ref "By Fire and Water") while on shore leave, and proved vital in helping overcome the invaders. 

DAVID BOWIE: Renowned Twentieth Century Terran music artist and actor. Prior to his death from cancer in 2016, he had participated in a project with renowned cybernetics engineer Jackson Roykirk, creator of the Nomad Probe, to holographically map Bowie’s brain engrams. In 2365, a Ferengi businessman found both the engram map and cryogenic samples of Bowie’s epithelial cells, cloned a new young body and imprinted the engrams onto the brain. The Ferengi attempted to claim ownership of the Bowie clone but this was rejected by the Federation Council, and Bowie was given freedom and citizenship. Though despondent over being surviving his loved ones and feeling like his music would be behind the times, an encounter with Captain Hrelle, who told of how listening to Bowie’s music while in captivity had given Hrelle hope and a reason to continue (ref "Space Oddity").

MAQUADAN BENJO: A Pasarak tribal leader and merchant. The Pasarak are a loose collection of nomadic reptoids with a breeding ground hidden in the Salem Sector, but who mostly travel in tribal ships, trading and offering their services as labourers, engineers and soldiers, in exchange for whatever they need at the time. Maquadan and Hrelle met years before when Hrelle commanded the Furyk, and developed a relationship where Maquadan would often break his people’s oath of neutrality to impart intelligence if he believed there were threats to the security of the entire sector, including his people (ref "The Lion of Salem Sector"). On Hrelle’s return to Salem Sector in 2376, it was reported that he was killed in an attack on his tribal ship by the Kzinti (ref "Under New Management").

MAX ZORIN: Terran industrialist, founder and CEO of Zorin Interstellar, a growing conglomerate whose chief businesses include shipping, mining, private security, shipbuilding, terraforming and colonial transport, and whose influence has grown since being contracted to supplement operations normally managed by Starfleet before the Dominion War. Zorin is a charming but ruthless individual, who has undergone secret, illegal genetic augmentation for strength, durability and intelligence, though potentially at the cost of psychological stability (ref "Bleeding Edge").

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DECEASED CHARACTERS

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GREV: CPO Grev, Chief Engineer onboard the Surefoot, was a Tellarite, a porcine humanoid race whose people’s banter is often mistaken for rudeness and hostility. Though not a commissioned officer, his experience proved to be extensive. He had been a supporter of the program to train gifted cadets, and had often provided them with tasks and operations to test and challenge them. His courage and tenacity served him well, and he died during the Battle of Khavak, locking the invading Dominion forces out of the Engineering systems (ref "This Means War").

ENSIGN NANCY YEAGER: Former cadet onboard the Surefoot, who was initially aggressive and angry towards her fellow cadets, a reaction to the recent death of her brother in a terrorist incident. She gradually recovered and matured, becoming a responsible young adult. During the Battle of Khavak, when Cardassians and Jem'Hadar occupied Engineering, she was killed refusing to provide the release codes to the ship's systems (ref "This Means War").

ADMIRAL IAN TRENAGEN: The head of Starfleet Intelligence, the Terran is English-born, a veteran officer, who has been rumoured to be either the head of or a senior operative in Section 31, a secret, illegal organisation dedicted to protecting the Federation at all costs. To this end, he has proven willing to sacrifice indviduals or whole ships to achieve his ends, though he has been stymied by both Captain Hrelle’s actions, and by Ma’Sala’s power and influence in her own capacity as the head of an intelligence organisation. His hatred of Ma’Sala drove him into a campaign of vengeance that almost cost the lives of the Hrelles, for which Ma’Sala executed him... though not before he sent classified intelligence to the Caitians’ ancestral enemies, the Ferasans  (ref "Cloak and Dagger").

ENSIGN MEOW RRORI: A Caitian Flight Ops Specialist, who arrived midway through the third year to replace Giles, when Giles transferred to another squad to take command  (ref "Grey Matters"). He comes from a prominent family on Cait, and arrived vain, arrogant, overconfident and oversexed. In time, he managed to mature so that he ended up being only oversexed, though this too has been tempered with maturity. Recently, Section 31 had attempted to recruit him, appealing to his ego and desire to achieve, but he soon recognised their duplicity and ruthlessness, and died saving a group of young refugees during the Battle of Khavak, rather than save himself (ref "This Means War").

DR JULIET LING: First Chief Medical Officer of both the Oberth-class supply ship Surefoot, and later the Sabre-class tender vessel Surefoot-A, Dr Ling quickly gained a reputation as an acerbic, no-nonsense practitioner, who nevertheless was fully dedicated to treating the crew of her ship. Not much was revealed about her personal life, except that she had a gambling addiction, and that children instinctively hated her. Though she kept her private life to herself and didn’t mingle much, never allowing her crewmates to understand the pressures she was undergoing, she ultimately proved her loyalty up to the end of her time onboard ship (ref "Snakes on a Starship").