Mira

Early Life

Born into the Romulan Star Empire, Mira spent her early childhood as a devoted Romulan. In school, she pledged to the Empire and the Praetor. In public, she learned to remain inconspicuous and small so no trouble would befall her or her family. She learned to play Harpastum, a Romulan sport similar to rugby which utilized every part of the body. (based on the Roman sport, Harpastum). At home, however, Mira learned of a different point of view and played with toys such as Vulcan language dice.

A Good Little Romulan

As the story went, at the age of eight, Mira’s parents told her that she was not a full-blooded Romulan and that her mother was Vulcan. According to Tal Shiar officials, young Mira felt betrayed and confided in her aunt, the renowned Commander Di’thea. The Commander, a devoted Romulan herself, had no choice but to turn her brother and his wife into the Tal Shiar. Both were arrested and executed. Mira was looked on as an example to the Romulan people.

In truth, Mira confided not in her aunt, but in her Harpastum coach, Huler. A family friend, Huler favored unification and calmed some of Mira’s fears. (Huler’s father attended meetings in which Ambassador Spock would occasionally speak). Commander Di’Thea made plans to have her brother and his wife arrested long before Mira was made aware of their secret. The Tal Shiar pressured young Mira to fabricate a story for the purposes of propaganda.

As Mira’s only living relative, Commander Di’thea was tasked with Mira’s education and upbringing. Cost was no object. As a Commander in the Romulan Star Empire, Di’Thea had no time to take care of a child and enrolled her in the Imperial academy. There, Mira received the best education, training, and more propaganda.

Exodus

Rumors that the Romulan sun was unstable were quickly quashed by the Star Empire and the Tal Shiar. The public ridicule and arrest of doomsayers helped alleviate some fears.
Mira, on leave with friends from the Imperial academy, was kidnapped by Huler. She and three others were taken to Vashti. There, she reluctantly learned the truth of her lineage, that Commander Di’Thea was her biological mother. It took some time for Mira to come to terms with both her new surroundings and her new truth. Fear, anger, and sadness encapsulated her, and she was counseled by a sister of the Qowat Milat.

The Qowat Milat

Mira was 11 when the Romulan supernova occurred. Even at that young of an age with feelings of betrayal from her own mother, she mourned the loss of Romulus like so many others. She came to rely on Lukisa, a sister in the Qowat Milat and began her journey into that philosophy.

As more refugees made their way to Vashti, the Qowat Milat played a role in aiding all they could. The order aided the Federation in relocation efforts, but when the Federation pulled support the all female order remained. Mira eventually joined the order and began her training both in their philosophy and combat skills.

Ironically, it was through the Way of Absolute Candor, a key philosophy of the Qowat Milat, that led to Mira’s future. Though Mira had adopted many traditions from the warrior nuns, she still revered the teachings of her Vulcan mother. To Mira, the Federation’s withdrawal of support from the crisis of Romulus was illogical. However, change in Federation policies must come from within. The only method to enact that change would be to join the Federation.

Starfleet Academy

The first year was the hardest for Mira. She left a home and a people she had known and loved for many years. She left a man who had been her father in all but name. Her Qowat Milat sisters were not happy with Mira’s choice of career and told her with absolute candor, though they wished her well.

Many at the academy distrusted the Romulans and Mira faced bigotry and hardships. She attempted to deal with the strife through logic, but as a passionate Romulan, she didn’t always keep a lid on her temper.

Mira adjusted slowly and kept to herself throughout the remainder of her education. It was the loneliest time of her life, but she managed to persevere. As a cadet, she was in the top ten in her class both in academics and real ship experience. With her background with the Qowat Milat, she pursued security, vowing to protect her shipmates.

USS Leda

After graduating, Ensign Mira was assigned to the USS Leda, a Luna Class starship bound for deep space. The Leda was captained by Charlotte Fawkes, a former science officer with an almost Vulcan-like discipline. Six months into the tour, Mira was assigned as one of Fawkes’ bodyguards, much to the Captain’s chagrin. The two became friends.

When the Leda encountered a saboteur anmed Rey, rather than hand her over to Starfleet, Fawkes gave her a job on the ship. Mira made it a point to keep an eye on Rey as much as possible. When Fawkes and Rey entered into a romantic relationship, a confrontation between Mira and Rey was inevitable. Fortunately, for all involved, both women valued honesty and eventually formed a friendship. Mira enjoyed her time on the Leda for the next two years.

USS Xenuis

Weeks prior to the fall of the Romulan Star Empire, Mira was transferred to Starbase Four. Captain Fawkes fought the others to no avail. When Mira wasn’t on duty as a security officer on SBB, she aided Rey in refitting the USS Xenuis, a clunker of a starship.