Mara Wallace

Early Life (2373 – 2392)

Born into a lineage of freighter captains, Mara has traversed space for most of her life, journeying from one spaceport to another. Even at a tender age, she demonstrated an innate knack for engineering, diving into assisting her parents aboard the S.S. Carico. From the age of six, she undertook minor repairs on the vessel, gradually progressing to more significant overhauls as the years passed.

Her family, comprising her father, mother, elder, and younger brother, all held distinct roles onboard. Harmony prevailed until a fateful day when Mara clashed with her elder brother over the quality of certain ship components he had procured. Tragically, that same day, the Carico became ensnared in a plasma storm, leading to catastrophe. Mara’s older brother perished when an EPS conduit ruptured, a conduit he happened to be standing beside.

Since then, Mara has carried the weight of guilt, blaming herself for the final contentious exchange with her brother. She laments her failure to advocate for better equipment earlier, believing it might have altered the outcome, perhaps even sparing her brother’s life.

Following the tragedy, life aboard the S.S. Carico underwent a profound transformation. Mara’s father, consumed by grief, withdrew emotionally, causing the family to gradually drift apart. Meanwhile, Mara’s once-close bond with her younger brother began to fray as he increasingly disregarded safety protocols and embraced risky behaviors in his work.

A confrontation between Mara, her mother, and her younger brother erupted one day, fueled by concerns over his reckless conduct. After a heated argument, they parted ways, intending to revisit the issue later. Regrettably, that opportunity never materialized. In a cruel twist of fate, the Carico fell prey to pirate aggression. Though her younger brother valiantly repelled a boarding party, he ultimately fell victim to a disruptor blast, sacrificing his life in the process.

With this devastating loss, Mara’s mother also retreated into a state of emotional numbness. For Mara, the once-welcoming confines of the Carico now resembled little more than a cold, forsaken vessel adrift in space. At the age of 19, Mara made the decision to depart, seeking solace and purpose in joining Starfleet.

Starfleet Academy (2392 – 2396)

Mara’s experience at the Academy proved to be an arduous journey. It marked the first time she had been away from her family for an extended period, intensifying the weight of her brothers’ loss. Coupled with the relentless demands of her coursework, she found herself struggling to maintain pace. Few friendships blossomed, and she increasingly retreated into herself. Living on campus, Mara observed how her past encounters had left her wary of confrontations, convinced that those she clashed with were doomed to meet a tragic fate. Thus, she navigated through her initial two years in San Francisco with determination, clinging to each passing year with tenacity.

As she entered her third year of study, Mara made a pivotal decision to seek assistance from a counselor at the Academy. Engaging in therapy, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and healing, gradually coming to terms with her profound loss. With each session, her once-dimmed spark began to reignite. As a result, her academic performance saw a notable improvement, and she began to cultivate a vibrant social life once more.

U.S.S. Warakurna (2396 – 2401)

Upon completing her time at the Academy, Mara eagerly returned to space, receiving her assignment aboard the USS Warakurna, an Ambassador-class starship. Over a four-year stretch, she served diligently on the Tango shift, specializing in the maintenance and enhancement of the shuttle fleet.

Though she tended to keep to herself in the workplace, Mara’s proficiency did not go unnoticed. Recognizing her capabilities, she earned a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade and assumed the role of Deputy to the Shift Leader. However, her past struggles resurfaced after a few months in this position, rendering her incapable of effectively leading her team. The unreasonable fear of deadly repercussions following disagreements continued to haunt her.

In light of these challenges, Mara opted for a transfer, a request that Starfleet duly granted, allowing her to seek a new role better suited to her strengths and growth.

Avalon Fleet Yards (2401 – Ongoing)

Mara assumed her new role as a Decommission Engineer on The Fourth Fleet’s Avalon Ship Yard.