Austin Bishop

Political Information

• Affiliation: Starfleet, United Earth Commonwealth

Family

• Mother: Deborah Bishop, retired teacher
• Father: Steve Bishop, retired teacher

Biography

Early Life

Austin was born on 4th February 2120, in the British city of Kingston-Upon-Hull to two secondary school teachers, Deborah and Steve Bishop. He had a relatively normal upbringing with his parents, enjoying the many holidays they had together. Austin was pretty bright for his age and did remarkably well through his years at primary school and subsequent secondary school years too. He avoided attending the same school that his parents taught at, a decision they made, which meant he was able to become the individual he was and explore his interests without anyone commenting about him gaining privilege due to who his parents were. As a child, he was an excellent swimmer and played for his school’s soccer team. Thanks to his tallness and sporty attitude, he was picked to represent his school on the basketball team, doing incredibly well. He tried other sports like tennis, cricket and rugby but preferred swimming, football and basketball (along with athletics). Most weekends, he would watch a match for his favourite home team with his parents, who were season ticket holders. He loved his summer holidays, from camping trips with family friends or their long travels to various other countries; Authin enjoyed the time spent with his parents. 

At secondary school, his mathematics and science teachers inspired him to take more interest in these subjects. Though he enjoyed PE, art, drama and language studies (something he could do well with), science and maths led the way. As a result, he found himself dabbling with the concept of becoming a medical doctor, but a visit from scientists from UESPA changed his mind. He became particularly fascinated with astronomy and astrophysics thereon. With this in mind and after finishing school with impressive grades, he attended the University of Edinburgh. After four years of studying, he graduated with a master’s degree in astrophysics and astrology. He dabbled with doing his doctorate but decided he wanted to take his work further and considered joining UESPA before he changed his mind and applied to Starfleet instead. Though he had worked hard while at university, Austin had developed a good balance between his studies and enjoying the social life that came with being away from his parents. He had no serious relationships, the odd girlfriend or boyfriend here. There was no one serious that he had taken home to introduce to his parents (besides good friends). 

Starfleet Career

Early Career

Due to his degrees and impressive qualifications, Austin undertook the fast-track program at Starfleet Training Command. Most of his studying was around understanding starship operations and other exercises to prepare him for a life out in space.  Though he did not need to do much more in his areas of specialisation, he did request if he could undertake the work to get his doctorate. STC supported him with this and by the time he completed his two-year fast-track program, he graduated at the top of his class with more letters after his name. While at STC, Austin had started a serious relationship with a fellow cadet who was also on the fast-track program. The two shared a dormitory and the relationship was the most intense one Austin had ever had in his life. When graduation came, they decided to mutually end it as they were moving on to different assignments. 

Libra (NCC-112)

Becoming a member of the Daedalus-class starship, Libra in 2144 was not the first offer that Austin was presented with. Due to his credentials, Starfleet had been eager to have him assigned to Starfleet Science and was willing to give him a promotion to lieutenant junior grade but he politely declined it. He wanted to explore the stars and was happy to start at the bottom as an ensign. The Libra was brand new and even though it felt more like a submarine in space (due to the closeness of the corridors and quarters) it was certainly an adventure he loved. For two years, Austin became close with his fellow crewmembers and was able to see what lay beyond his homeworld. His parents were particularly proud of him and his achievements; he would write to them every month and share pictures he would take. By his second year, his department head recommended that Austin consider moving on to avoid his career being stunted. They suggested he apply to join another ship as a Second Science Officer, something he was quite capable of doing. Taking the advice into consideration, he did that and was successful when a vacancy came up elsewhere.  

Rhine (ND-12)

Though leaving the Libra was tough, with a promotion to lieutenant junior grade on offer and the ability to take on a new challenge elsewhere, Austin packed his gear and moved to join the Rhine, another new ship that Starfleet was preparing to launch. Serving on board the surveyor-type ship was like a dream job for him. They would spend more time undertaking more scientific-based missions within the home territories of the United Earth Commonwealth. From mapping the surrounding space to investigating every planet, moon, nebula, asteroid and comet they passed, it was perfect for the inner scientists in Austin. It was on the Rhine where he experienced his first ever time in a combat situation. Though every simulation and training exercise could prepare him, being in the moment for real was far different for him.  Rescuing a cargo vessel from attacking alien pirates and seeing the brutality they took in their assault, made Austin realise he had yet to truly experience what space contained for him. He remained on the ship until 2151, rising to the position of Chief Science Officer before his commanding officer advised him that a newer, bigger ship, needed his expertise. Thankfully, his skipper knew the commanding officer of a brand new Poseidon-class ship that was close to being built. Austin’s transfer was accepted.

Pallas (NP-04)

Between joining the Pallas after leaving the Rhine, Austin had returned to STC to undertake further training to qualify him for command-level positions. This was something he wanted to do, so six months before the launch of the new ship, he spent time on Earth undertaking refresher courses in engineering, astronautical tactics and Vulcan-led training in diplomatic interactions with new races. After completing the training he was promoted to lieutenant commander and joined the Pallas as its new second officer along with being its chief science officer. Being more responsible for the wider crew, besides those in the science division, was a new sensation for him and something he enjoyed. Over the next four years, the Pallas would remain close to Commonwealth territory, assisting with the development of new homes on new colonies beyond Earth’s star system. Patrolling became quite a regular thing as newer aliens were discovering the whereabouts of Earth thanks to the NX Program’s deep space exploration assignments. When the Xindi attacked Earth, the ship was recalled to Earth. It received several tactical upgrades and Austin found his science department halved due to Starfleet wanting to make more room for weapons and other armoury personnel. It wasn’t until the conflict with the Romulans loomed on the horizon that Austin started to feel that his career was about to take a turn in a direction he didn’t feel familiar with. Not wanting to be left out, he started to train with the ship’s small complement of MACOs (with every other senior staff member as required by their captain) in 2154. He also worked closely with his counterpart in the armoury department, while also taking flying lessons from the chief helm officer. When war was officially declared in mid-2155 with the Romulan Star Empire, Austin felt ready.

The Pallas led a small squadron of ships that patrolled the space lanes between the Deneva colony and Earth, ensuring shipping was protected and the colonies on Deneva were defended. The ship some action when the Romulans started their attacks against Earth forces. Austin would review the latest information coming through Starfleet’s dispatches about enemy forces and their abilities. Working with other members of the crew to find the best ways to defend themselves and hold up against their attackers. During the first few months of the war, the Pallas crew found themselves involved in most of the major battles to defend Earth and its allies. During one battle, Austin had to take the helm when their pilot was injured while in another he used the atmosphere of a gas giant to give them the upper hand. Furthermore, he started to work on ways to create sensor ghosts to fool enemy sensors into believing there was more than one of them on their long-range scanners.

Voyager (NV-03)

When Voyager required a new executive officer and chief science officer, after its previous one had been given command of their own ship, Bishop applied straight away. Captain Madison Braddox was impressed with his resume and instantly accepted his application. He joined the ship at the end of September in 2155 and felt at home immediately. He found himself forming a good rapport with his new skipper and the two of them enjoyed sharing their passion for science and exploration in between battles. Voyager was assigned to several deep space tactical assignments under the leadership of Captain Braddox’s brother and Challenger (NX-03). When their squadron was brought back to Earth at the end of the year for resupplying and a new assignment, the ship found itself pairing up with Challenger when the Sol system was invaded by the Romulans. During the battle, the ship was hit hard and Captain Braddox died on the bridge. Austin was forced to assume command, though he didn’t know her long enough, he was grief-stricken by the sudden loss. Though the battle ended well for Earth and its forces, the loss of so many lives, especially to Voyager‘s crew was a tough one. Before the year finished, he was ordered to a meeting at Starfleet Command Headquarters, where he presumed he would be meeting his new commanding officer, but instead was surprised by the sudden decision by Starfleet to give him a battlefield promotion to captain. Voyager was handed over to him.

Over the next two years, Austin had to rebuild the morale of the crew. The early months were quite challenging as the ship, after it was repaired, was sent back to the frontlines with Challenger. Changing his entire career and becoming captain was a lethal wake-up call for him. Yet by 2157, he became better at it and was more comfortable in the role and the crew of Voyager seemed more at ease and moving forward with dealing with their losses from the Battle of Sol.