Character Biography
Ylis
Nathanite
Federation Ambassador
U.S.S. Socrates
"Ylis is odd."
This is what the cadets whisper whenever the towering amphibioid enters the room. They clearly skipped out on cultural-sensitivity training at the Academy. Apparently, they are also ignorant of the incredible sensitivity of Nathanite hearing.
Sometimes they remark on the Federation ambassador's penchant for speaking in questions, assuming he must perpetually be either confused or sarcastic. It never occurs to them that universal-translator technology is not all it's cracked up to be, that Starfleet has been working a full thirty years to break the code. Only recently has Ylis's chief xenolinguist aboard the Socrates made modest progress in translating the Nathanite language into a mode more appealing to the ears of the average Federation citizen.
Other times, they'll notice how Ylis fidgets, scratching at his diplomatic vestments. Perhaps if they knew that, on Nathanus V, no one wears clothing, and that the handful of Nathanites inhabiting Federation space have overcome great physical discomfort simply to appear in public clothed, then they would treat the ambassador more graciously.
If only they simply knew Ylis's story. Or the story of the Nathanites, for that matter - the supernova of the star Omicron-37 one million years ago, releasing a stream of nathon particles into the orbit of Nathanus V four light-years away, a phenomenon which rapidly sped up the evolution of Nathanties, from creatures resembling the extinct axolotls of Earth to a sentient, space-faring society.
Ylis was ten at the time of first contact, and from then on, he knew his path would carry him through the stars. He begged his three fathers for an educational opportunity that would set him on this path. At twelve, he enrolled in the fledgling Nathanus Institute of Exoanthropology. He graduated with honors at fourteen, and then applied to Starfleet Academy. The powers-that-be at the Academy were hesitant to accept someone so young, but at last relented when the Nathanus Egalitariate informed them of how rapidly Nathanites develop, and that, actually, Ylis was slightly behind the curve for his species.
During his Academy years, Ylis was noted for his curiosity. At first, this was chalked up to his language difficulties, but later, his professors noted that the tall blue student in the back of the class possessed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. They considered that this curiosity, combined with his relaxed and equanimous demeanor (aforementioned factors aside), made for the perfect Federation diplomat. Thus they encouraged him to enroll in the diplomatic corps after graduation.
But Ylis was not comfortable with the idea of forestalling his dream of exploring space whilst cloistered in yet another set of classrooms and offices indefinitely. So Starfleet struck a compromise, giving Ylis command of his first ship, the U.S.S. Thales, whilst allowing him to develop his career in the Federation diplomatic corps from afar.
Ylis’s first missions took him to the Delta Volanis cluster. Here, he made first contact with several species, including the Totarans, the Rimbalans, and the Maedwii. He also brokered a peace treaty between the Fegrans and the Zaji.
But peace would not be the norm for long: war broke out between the Federation and Klingons in 2408. By this time, Ylis was captain of the U.S.S. Socrates, a powerful Odyssey-class starship built for defense. This commission was originally intended to allow Ylis’s crew to maintain diplomatic arrangements in more dangerous sectors of the Alpha and Beta quadrants. But now, Admiral Quinn called Ylis and his ship to fight on the frontlines for the Federation.
All the while, Ylis was deeply disturbed by what he saw as a needless loss of life. At times, he even contemplated rescinding the Federation citizenship Starfleet accorded him and catching the first ship to the Orellius Sector so he could return to a life of simple contemplation on Nathanus V. But his closest confidantes convinced him to maintain his commission, arguing that a quick end to the war would return peace to both the Federation and the Empire.
Now, the war is behind Ylis, and what lies ahead is the wonders of the Delta Quadrant. Admiral Tuvok has called the Socrates to a diplomatic mission of indefinite duration, allowing Ylis and his crew to resume what they love most – to learn, to discover, and to make peace.
And still, Ylis hears the snickers when he enters a room. No matter. He holds his head high, for he knows how far he has come, and where he’s going.
Nathanite
Federation Ambassador
U.S.S. Socrates
"Ylis is odd."
This is what the cadets whisper whenever the towering amphibioid enters the room. They clearly skipped out on cultural-sensitivity training at the Academy. Apparently, they are also ignorant of the incredible sensitivity of Nathanite hearing.
Sometimes they remark on the Federation ambassador's penchant for speaking in questions, assuming he must perpetually be either confused or sarcastic. It never occurs to them that universal-translator technology is not all it's cracked up to be, that Starfleet has been working a full thirty years to break the code. Only recently has Ylis's chief xenolinguist aboard the Socrates made modest progress in translating the Nathanite language into a mode more appealing to the ears of the average Federation citizen.
Other times, they'll notice how Ylis fidgets, scratching at his diplomatic vestments. Perhaps if they knew that, on Nathanus V, no one wears clothing, and that the handful of Nathanites inhabiting Federation space have overcome great physical discomfort simply to appear in public clothed, then they would treat the ambassador more graciously.
If only they simply knew Ylis's story. Or the story of the Nathanites, for that matter - the supernova of the star Omicron-37 one million years ago, releasing a stream of nathon particles into the orbit of Nathanus V four light-years away, a phenomenon which rapidly sped up the evolution of Nathanties, from creatures resembling the extinct axolotls of Earth to a sentient, space-faring society.
Ylis was ten at the time of first contact, and from then on, he knew his path would carry him through the stars. He begged his three fathers for an educational opportunity that would set him on this path. At twelve, he enrolled in the fledgling Nathanus Institute of Exoanthropology. He graduated with honors at fourteen, and then applied to Starfleet Academy. The powers-that-be at the Academy were hesitant to accept someone so young, but at last relented when the Nathanus Egalitariate informed them of how rapidly Nathanites develop, and that, actually, Ylis was slightly behind the curve for his species.
During his Academy years, Ylis was noted for his curiosity. At first, this was chalked up to his language difficulties, but later, his professors noted that the tall blue student in the back of the class possessed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. They considered that this curiosity, combined with his relaxed and equanimous demeanor (aforementioned factors aside), made for the perfect Federation diplomat. Thus they encouraged him to enroll in the diplomatic corps after graduation.
But Ylis was not comfortable with the idea of forestalling his dream of exploring space whilst cloistered in yet another set of classrooms and offices indefinitely. So Starfleet struck a compromise, giving Ylis command of his first ship, the U.S.S. Thales, whilst allowing him to develop his career in the Federation diplomatic corps from afar.
Ylis’s first missions took him to the Delta Volanis cluster. Here, he made first contact with several species, including the Totarans, the Rimbalans, and the Maedwii. He also brokered a peace treaty between the Fegrans and the Zaji.
But peace would not be the norm for long: war broke out between the Federation and Klingons in 2408. By this time, Ylis was captain of the U.S.S. Socrates, a powerful Odyssey-class starship built for defense. This commission was originally intended to allow Ylis’s crew to maintain diplomatic arrangements in more dangerous sectors of the Alpha and Beta quadrants. But now, Admiral Quinn called Ylis and his ship to fight on the frontlines for the Federation.
All the while, Ylis was deeply disturbed by what he saw as a needless loss of life. At times, he even contemplated rescinding the Federation citizenship Starfleet accorded him and catching the first ship to the Orellius Sector so he could return to a life of simple contemplation on Nathanus V. But his closest confidantes convinced him to maintain his commission, arguing that a quick end to the war would return peace to both the Federation and the Empire.
Now, the war is behind Ylis, and what lies ahead is the wonders of the Delta Quadrant. Admiral Tuvok has called the Socrates to a diplomatic mission of indefinite duration, allowing Ylis and his crew to resume what they love most – to learn, to discover, and to make peace.
And still, Ylis hears the snickers when he enters a room. No matter. He holds his head high, for he knows how far he has come, and where he’s going.
