Chris Rouse

Despite an initial reluctance to join Starfleet, Chris Rouse has continued to turn heads and has caught the attention of several prominent members of Command.  When his parents were killed by Cardassian forces while providing relief efforts during the Dominion War, Chris found himself in the care of Commander Michael Richmond.  Life aboard a starship soured Chris on a life exploring the unknown.  Despite an inability to acclimate to his trek amongst the stars, Richmond had a profound effect on Chris and his future.

When he turned 18, Chris was at a crossroads.  He had attempted to strike out on his own and found that life on the fringes suited him and his desires.  He found himself traversing the moral gray areas and even ran afoul Starfleet and the Klingon Defense Force.  At one point, Chris was captured by Nimbus Orbital Patrol while he and his companions were attempting to bypass a blockade preventing Romulan refugees from receiving aid following the destruction of Romulus.  Having called in a number of favors, Commander Richmond was able to secure Chris’ release.  During a long trip home, Richmond was able to successfully persuade Chris to join Starfleet.

His time at the Academy not without struggle.  Though with Richmond serving as his mentor, Chris managed to thrive in his training.  Where he excelled in aptitude, he seemed to often find his leadership skills in question.  His classmates often referred to him as a ‘lone wolf’.  This upset Chris, because at his core, he longed for the conventional connections he lacked throughout his youth. Chris still managed to make a few close friends who saw him as the strong and resourceful officer he was destined to become.

After successfully graduating the Academy, Chris was appointed to the Security team aboard the USS Anchorage.  For years, Chris’ career was unremarkable.  He languished in the monotony of his posting and continually regretted joining Starfleet.  He had drafted numerous resignation letters, each having been deleted after checking in with now Captain Richmond.  When the Anchorage put in to drydock following a catastrophic systems failure, Chris put in a request for a leave of absence.  His request was intercepted by Captain Richmond who denied the request for leave and instead transferred him aboard his ship, the USS Redding.

While Chris felt his career was nearing a premature end, his body of work was filled with efficiency, courageousness, and praise from his superiors.  Richmond promptly promoted Chris to Lieutenant Junior Grade and assigned him to the Delta-shift Tactical Officer position. Chris would shine in his new position and shared in a multitude of unique and challenging encounters during Richards’ five-year mission in command of the Redding.

Disaster struck on the Redding’s final mission.  As part of the away team on Narval II, Chris was in charge of the security detail when Commander Ruiz was killed by a raiding party stealing supplies from the Federation outpost they were tasked to protect.  Lieutenants Gorbal and Krandell were both gravely injured and saw their Starfleet careers ended.  While there was no court martial scheduled as a result, Chris felt the need to take full responsibility and opted to resign from Starfleet.  Once again, Chris’ future would not go as planned.

While he had publicly resigned from Starfleet, Chris had, in reality, been approached by Commodore T’Var of Starfleet Intelligence where he was tasked with conducting clandestine operations in defense of the Federation.  Promoted to Lieutenant, Chris spent much of the next several years deeply embedded in the seedy underbelly of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.  Chris had felt the most comfortable in this new role.  He was able to operate on his own, away from the judgments of others and being responsible for no one else.  Here he could punish himself for his past mistakes.  He’d engage in unsavory, self-destructive behavior in the name of security and stability for the Federation.  Before he knew it, Chris was on the verge of being forever lost in the personas he had created to be able to do his job.  Had Starfleet not pulled him out when they did, Chris may have been forever unretrievable.

After years of no contact, Chris was reunited with Captain Richards at his debrief.  It was Richards who recommended Chris for a senior position and command of a small vessel as part of the Federation’s humanitarian efforts in support of the Romulan relief effort.  After much deliberation and soul searching, Chris accepted the promotion and return to a conventional Starfleet career.