Kiff Bullion

-=Early Life

Kiff was born on Ferenginar to an all-Bolian family, in the employ of the East Quadrant Trading Company. His father was a Contractor who was always fighting to get out of debt he would find himself in with the Ferengi over one mishap or another. Thus, his father used the employment of all of his family (Mother and 7 Siblings) in the ‘family business’ of goods and trade transportation. There was a staunch 8-year age gap between Kiff and the rest of his siblings did not hinder their relationship, as he was dotted on as the ‘Baby’ they thought they would never have.

Being the youngest and smallest, Kiff would often find himself crawling into places most others could not reach, which gave him the unique ability to help the family business by effecting repairs on the ship most others could not go due to their size. Each of his family members would teach him about their special lines of interest, making him a jack-of-all-trades. But one thing Kiff excelled at was reading ‘boring’ technical manuals and even contracts.

Because of his growing handywork, Kiff offered to work at the EQTC chop shop, where goods that were ‘Procured’ from all around were stripped, repaired, and resold at over market value, with the guarantee of their quality (usually meaning Kiff would have to repair anything that broke in the warranty period).

By the age of 13, his family was sent on a ‘Big Haul” that was rumored to pay off their debts. During this time, Kiff had managed to build a case against the EQTC for predatory business practices against them, due to his years working in their base of operations. But before he could bring it to the trade commission, his family’s transport ship was raided by Nausicaan Pirates, and they were all killed, leaving Kiff on Ferenginar alone. The Chief Financial Officer of EQTC tried to pin his father’s debts on him, as a means to keep him working for the EQTC, but Kiff came with receipts.

Not only did he have proof that the CFO had been doctoring his father’s contract, keeping him in servitude, but he had enough dirt on him to call in the Liquidators and have them shut down for multiple violations of the Ferengi Trade By-Laws. In the end, the CFO realized it was more profitable to give into Kiff’s demands than risk such a scathing legal battle, and offered to split his family’s life insurance policies, as well as fund his education in Starfleet, as long as he served the remainder of his days with the company -quietly-.  Knowing his family wanted more of him than to live his days under Ferengi heel, Kiff agreed.

-=Starfleet Academy

Kiff found a sense of freedom within the Academy, finally away from his Ferengi oppressors; however, now he had a chance to allow himself to properly grieve his loss and realize how alone he truly felt. This was noticed by academy staff, who thought to bunk him with another freshman with a similar background, Zack Brannigan. The two quickly bonded over their shared parental loss and became very close. As where Zack was brave and popular with other students, Kiff was the ‘egghead’ always studying and tinkering in his free time. Occasionally, Zack would pull him out to a party, and though he always objected, deep down he appreciated the opportunity to feel a part of the commodore with his class.

-=Starfleet Service

Graduating at the top of his Class in 2395, Kiff and Zach parted ways while Kiff continued his education with Starfleet Engineering Corps in the San Francisco Fleet Yards, working on the still-developing Duderstadt-class Starships. He remained a part of the project until the class’s debut into the stars, where he requested a transfer. Kiff was an excellent officer, but it was his isolationism that was holding him back in his career.  He joined the USS Armstrong in 2397, alongside Zack Brannigan, serving at first as a Hazard Team Engineer, but quickly showcasing his capabilities. He received his first promotion since graduation in 2398, and grew in his responsibilities, following Zack once more to the USS Geronimo in 2399. He eventually took the position of Shift Supervisor of Engineering, Beta Shift, and received his latest promotion to full Lieutenant in 2401, just before Frontier Day.