Alex Benson

Early Life

Being the middle child was always advantageous for Alex. Between reprimanding his older sister, and babying his younger brother, he often escaped parental punishment. As a child, Alex was very quiet. Not one to cause trouble, he preferred the “go along to get along”. This caused great concern among parents and administrators. After seeing no decline in self-esteem, it was decided he would grow out of it. Upon entering high school, Alex realized his exceptional arbitration skills. Noticing this, the school counselor asked for his help to start a peer-counseling group. This caused him to gain popularity rather quickly. With popularity, unfortunately, comes jealousy. Alex was attacked both mentally and physically, on several occasions, by a group of classmates led by a Betazoid. One favored method was to tie him up and repeatedly inflict mental and physical pain.

Shortly after graduating high school, there was a strong pull towards Starfleet. Alex wasted no time in signing up, anxious to see the world. Focusing most of his attention on diplomacy and law gave him little time for a social life. After graduating from the Academy he was assigned to the Bismarck, an Intrepid-class starship.

Starfleet Service

USS Bismarck

A few months after being assigned to the Bismarck, tragedy struck Alex’s life. During a shore leave, he decided to visit his sister at Science Research Colony 388. Shortly after his arrival, she and his brother-in-law died of an unknown virus. In a final moment together, she asked Alex to take care of her five-year-old daughter April. Rising the command structure quickly, Alex became the second officer aboard the Bismarck.

Deridous IV

His command skills caught the attention of Starfleet Command and he was reassigned as the executive officer of a Federation colony, located on Deridous IV. Following the death of his current commanding officer, Captain Donaldson, Alex assumed the position of commanding officer. Shortly after, Deridous IV became geologically unstable and natural disasters began to occur, ultimately destroying the planet. Starfleet then decided to reassign Alex to the JAG Corps.

JAG Corps/USS Aurelius

He was then assigned by the Corps the task of finding (and bringing to justice) the rogue ship USS Aurelius. After being rescued by the crew of the Aurelius he decided to join them. He took the temporary assignment of Diplomatic Officer while he figured out the truth. During his service, he discovered a conspiracy in Starfleet Command to remove Commander Hawquyne 56 from command. Alex, in a bold act to prevent this, filed charges with the JAG courts. His actions ultimately failed and he was charged with Dereliction of Duty and Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer. This resulted in him being disbarred, stripped of rank and privilege, and sent to a prison colony. He was released after a five-year prison sentence. After, Alex returned to civilian life as a mechanic.

USS Cantabras

Alex was once again (begrudgingly) called into service by Starfleet. He was placed in command of USS Cantabras to lead a “brute squad”, a group of officers called in to handle tenuous situations for Starfleet.