Aravissa zh'Aqren

Aravissa was born on the Starfleet ship U.S.S. Hutton. The Captain of the ship, Commander (now Rear Admiral) T’Leia instigated a programme to help Andorians within Starfleet find suitable parents and aid the sometimes difficult process of having a child. It was part of this programme that brought together Aravissa’s parents, the Tactical officer of the Hutton, Ishara and her Thaan and Chan companions Tholos and Jhamal with a Zhen –Tarah- who was also on the crew and was willing to carry the child.

Aravissa is the only child produced from their union. She was one of a few children on board the Nebula class U.S.S. Hutton and was raised largely by three parents, Ishara, Tholos and Jhamal with some input from Tarah, akin to a human Aunt in social relationship. From an early age Aravissa was exposed to the wonders of a Starfleet science ship, phenomena and Astro-physics, Botany, Medicine, study, hard work and self-improvement. Her parents agreed to raise her in a manner that would not assume her entry into Starfleet, but gave her an education that would provide her with the skills she needed if that was what she chose.

In particular while growing up Aravissa used to visit sick bay and speak to all the members of the crew who might visit with ailments or problems. Initially the doctors thought of her as a slight nuisance but soon began to see that often her presence was a soothing influence on the patients in sickbay, with her gentle yet inquisitive and bubbly manner and her soothing touch, warm with an Andorian’s natural body temperature. When she became old enough she started to help the doctors in sickbay and expressed an interest in attending Starfleet Academy to become a nurse. Her parents tried to persuade her to become a doctor, but Aravissa was adamant.

Four years later, Aravissa has passed out from Starfleet Academy as an Ensign Nurse with very creditable scores all-round, excelling in Xenobiology (especially Andorian physiology), Veterinary Science and Combat Psychology and Triage, with a minor in Botany. She has augmented her Academy medical training with further courses to qualify her as a nurse assisting major and minor theatre procedures and as a lab assistant for medical research.

Aravissa’s first ship assignment was back to the U.S.S. Hutton. While there she suffered at the hands of the parent who had largely raised her, who was pushy, overbearing, belittling and narcissistic. Vissa’s reaction was an eating disorder which she is now managing now that she has been moved elsewhere in the fleet. Vissa is undergoing therapy with the Counselling service to undo the damage her parents did, but she remains remarkably thin.