Bravo Fleet
Summary
Shahr is a pilot at heart, despite his training requiring him to branch out. He just recently graduated from OCS, having transferred to Starfleet from the Andorian Imperial Guard. As part of his acceptance to Starfleet, he had been required to complete a science degree, and Shahr had chosen photonics theory. Now he has been assigned to the USS Valkyrie, as a member of the Science department. Shahr has a regular shift at the helm, which he loves, and has additional “learning opportunities” (ie training) that he is less excited about. Despite this, Shahr is overall excited to be on his first starship, and will semi-happily learn whatever is necessary to continue with this opportunity to pilot between the stars. It’s hard for him to find joy in running photonics simulations and repairing the emergency medical hologram, but his new science position has provided more opportunities to succeed at something than he ever got in the IG, so Shahr is grateful. Teamwork and cooperation are still difficult concepts to internalize – Shahr can’t break the habit of looking for the hidden blade when someone holds out a hand – but he’s learning.
Despite Shahr’s best efforts, one of his class mates somehow got wind of his call sign from his days in the IG. To Shahr’s horror, his growing circle of friends in Starfleet now all lovingly call him Paint Job. Shahr has prayed to all the gods he can think of to keep that nickname from making it to his next duty station, but he isn’t holding his breath…
Appearance
Shahr has blue skin and white hair, like most of his species. His left antenna is slightly crooked and doesn’t articulate fully, due to a shuttle accident when he was young. He cut his hair into a high and tight, after sloppily reviewing human military haircuts from the wrong century, but then he liked it enough to keep it that way.
Personality
Shahr is a bit of a hot head. Like many pilots, he believes he is the best pilot the universe has ever seen. This is, unfortunately, not the case. He is competent, and actually very skilled in small fighter craft, but has a lot to learn about maneuvering a starship, and is perhaps not quite ready to accept this. He has a hard time accepting criticism openly, however he secretly takes all suggestions and criticisms to heart, dedicating himself to overcome any flaws that others point out. Outside the work place, Shahr drops his competitive nature and is very relaxed and open. Eager to have fun at any opportunity, Shahr will try anything once, and will happily introduce himself to new people who he thinks may broaden his world.
History
Shahr was born on Andor, to a family of scientists. His mother studies botany, tirelessly working to improve crops that, in Shahr’s mind, have been improved enough to support Andor and don’t need any more work. Shahr’s father studies astrophysics, and has dedicated his life to unlocking the secret of creating an artificial wormhole. Neither of these fields could interest Shahr any less, so when he was old enough to get a license, he took a job as a courier for materials that were too unstable for transporters. He flew cargo shuttles for a few years, before applying to the Imperial Guard.
Shahr readily signed his contract with the Imperial Guard, starstruck by the recruiter’s tales of space battles and daring starship maneuvers. As many young recruits do, he quickly realized the military sends you where the military needs you, regardless of your wants or wishes. At least, the Imperial Guard does. After general military training, Shahr was sent to formal flight school. He graduated with high marks, and was promptly sent to remotely operate repair drones for his efforts. After two years and a short border skirmish (that Shahr didn’t get to participate in), Shahr lucked into an open fighter pilot job, as the previous guardsman in that position had somehow managed to die, mid-flight, without damaging their craft. Shahr spent the next five years flying his atmospheric fighter craft, as part of the planetary defense force, during which his excitement about moving up the ranks was quickly quashed. The end of the border skirmish meant no more opportunities to rank up, unless someone aged out.
To add insult to injury, instead of earning a badass call sign like “Ice Man” or “Afterburner,” he was humiliated with the moniker “Paint Job” after he scraped the paint off his fighter on his very first flight, narrowly avoiding shearing off the starboard wing. He applied for starship duty every year, like clockwork. And, also like clockwork, the Imperial Guard denied his request every year, 1 day after his request.
After 5 years of disappointment, Shahr had had enough. Over the years, he’d scoffed at a couple friends who had left to join Starfleet, but by now they were moving up the ranks and exploring the stars. Shahr applied for Starfleet through a transfer program, and was accepted. As a condition of Starfleet’s offer, Shahr enrolled in an advanced degree program for photonics theory. He attended classes on Earth, and reluctantly completed his masters degree without a single hour in the pilot’s chair.
Upon graduating from OCS, Shahr was given orders to the USS Valkyrie. He pulled up the ship’s records and nearly fell over in shock. A sovereign class!? Shahr couldn’t have asked for a better post. He made his way to the barracks, packed his bag, and excitedly counted down the days until the Valkyrie pulled in for him to transfer onboard.
Service Record
| Date | Position | Posting | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2401 - Present | Science division member | USS Valkyrie |
 Ensign |