Gehran Aerik

Early Life

Gehran was born in the final decade of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. His childhood was marked by hardships, having lost both parents in a forced labor camp. He lived in constant fear, scavenging and surviving by the generosity of others.

When he was twelve years old, he joined a local resistance cell after his older cousin was executed for sabotage. He relayed messages from one cell to another and helped warn civilians when to flee or take cover. As he grew older, he was entrusted with more challenging responsibilities.

The Cardassian retreat from Bajor and the discovery of the Celestial Temple brought a profound spiritual awakening to Aerik. He viewed the Emmissary’s role as a form of divine intervention and committed himself to serving with Starfleet. He saw the Federation as an instrument to prevent another occupation, not just of Bajor, but of any world.

Starfleet Service

Gehran entered Starfleet Academy in 2376 thanks to sponsorship from the Bajoran government and high recommendations from former resistance leaders serving in the Militia. He majored in xenolinguistics and tactical operations, graduating in the top quarter of his class.

His first posting was as a junior tactical officer aboard the USS Valdemar, Nebula-class, patrolling the former Demilitarized Zone during the tense post Dominion War years. He earned commendations for de-escalating several Maquis remnant incidents through negotiation rather than force.

Promoted to Lieutenant in 2385, Gehran served as assistant chief of security aboard Starbase 212 during the Hobus supernova crisis. He helped coordinate refugee intake from Romulan space and worked closely with Romulan Republic representatives, experiences that shaped his deep belief in diplomacy backed by strength.

In 2392, he became executive officer of the USS Nautilus, a vessel assisting with the reconstruction efforts on Cardassia Prime.

In 2395, Gehran took his first command: the USS Ashalla, a Nova-class surveyer, which engaged in long-range diplomatic surveys in the Beta Quadrant. The ship played a key supporting role during the 2399–2400 synth crisis and subsequent evacuation efforts.

In 2401, now a full Commander, he took the center seat of the USS Prophet, Intrepid-class, a deliberate nod to his faith. The Prophet was heavily involved in the aftermath of Frontier Day: securing compromised vessels and assisting isolated colonies cut off by the early Underspace instabilities.

Task Force 72

In November 2402, Captain Gehran was given orders assigning him as Deputy Commander of Task Force 72, the Fourth Fleet’s diplomatic and peacekeeping arm. Operating from Starbase 72 under the Task Force Commanding Officer, Gehran is second-in-command of a unit responsible for the Federation’s most sensitive diplomatic interventions across all four quadrants.

In this role, he oversees operational coordination for two task groups, maintains liaison with allies including the Cardassian Union, Klingon Empire, and Romulan Republic, and stands ready to represent the Federation in flashpoint negotiations. His extensive experience along the Cardassian border, combined with his cultural insight as a Bajoran who lived through occupation and reconciliation, made him the ideal candidate to help guide TF72 through an era of renewed galactic instability.