CAPTAIN URIELL STARKIN

Rank: Captain Age: 56 Hair: Dark Emerald Eyes: Indigo Player: Matt Hallaron

Background: Uriell Starkin is a member of the Garman species, born on the planet Jace. Uriell was always a little bit of an explorer with a great interest in the stars and races from other planets. A particular interest was taken in Earth, since many aspects of their culture seemed similar to those on Jace, such as their emotions, their diversity, their sensibilities, and their overall values. (Although Uriell's own sensibilities seemed much more in tune with humans than some other Garmans.) But when Clairus Ceirca entered the picture, everything changed. They fell in love and were eventually married. Uriell chose to abandon those space-faring dreams, instead content on choosing a happy life with a loving spouse, and eventually the two of them would raise their only child, Vartine. After many years of marriage however, tragedy struck as Clairus was killed in a vehicular accident. Suddenly a single parent, Uriell had to act as both a mother and father to Vartine, giving 110% to raising that child.

Life went on. Vart grew up and went on to higher education, leaving Uriell to finally feel quite alone. Remembering those aspirations long forgotten, Uriell decided to start a second career - to go against many societal conventions, leave the planet, and join Starfleet. This gave Uriell the chance to finally work with, learn from, and really get to know humans (as well as other races.) Still, it was a difficult decision and an even more difficult path to take. Uriell was much older than most of the cadets. And being one of the first (if not THE first and only) Garmans in Starfleet was occasionally stressful, dealing with prejudices and misconceptions. Not many in Starfleet know of the Garman race, and even fewer understand them. But Uriell had ways to combat those forces: One was with an easygoing, human-like nature that won many over. In fact, some classmates have made comments that "Uriell is more human than most humans." Another factor that helped was that Garmans live longer lives than humans, so Uriell looked much younger than humans would be of the same age (and could also handle the physicality of Starfleet training.) And lastly, Uriell worked very, very hard. Prejudice can be a double-edged sword. Some in higher command may withhold promotions because of it; others may give promotions just to get 'them' away. Uriell Starkin worked hard to overcome both of those, to prove that every promotion was completely earned and well deserved.

In Starfleet, Starkin tried many things (especially enjoying on xenosocialogy, xenohistory, and xenobiology), eventually going onto a command track: Ensign on the USS Remonda, Lieutenant. on the USS Courage, and eventually Commander (XO) on the USS Copland. All the while, Starkin continued to learn and became an experienced and distinguished officer.

As the Dominion war came crashing down on the Federation, Commander Starkin knew Jace would also be threatened. And Jace was not (and still is not) a member of the Federation (although there are some ties and diplomatic relations.) To help strengthen the ties between them (and to help ensure Jace's protection), Starkin became Starfleet's official liaison to Jace. Starkin was also promoted to captain, and was expected to take command of a ship soon after the war.

But love had already stuck Uriell's heart again, this time a younger human named Danielle Sylverman. Though the unorthodox coupling has raised more than a few eyebrows, they became very much in love and Starkin married a second time. Not subscribing to the theory that Starfleet captains should lead lives of solitude, or that careers should always come first, Uriell passed up several [non-family oriented] ships, and instead chose to spend time with Danielle. However, once the USS Cochrane came up, knowing that it was meant to be a place for people to raise families, Captain Starkin knew that was the ship for them, and fought very hard to win its command.