Layet

EARLY LIFE (2360 to 2382)

Nathan Von Layet was born in 2360 on the Planet Vulcan to a Human father and Romulan mother. His father was a Starfleet diplomat assigned to Vulcan, and his mother was a Romulan defector who sought asylum on Vulcan. Through his early years Layet’s father inspired within him the ideals and morals of the Federation while his mother took great pains to make sure Layet never lost touch with his Romulan side and culture. In 2368 Layet’s life would be turned upside down. His father was murdered by his mother during talks to help promote Reunification between Vulcan and Romulus. Layet’s mother turned out to not be a defector, but a Tal Shiar agent who had been implanted to spy on Vulcan and had used his father to help cover her infiltration. Layet’s mother abandoned her son as she fled Vulcan and returned to Romulus. 

An infertile Vulcan couple adopted the young half-Human half-Romulan orphan. They would raise him as a Vulcan child, pushing him to adopt Vulcan logic and the teachings of Surak. Nathan would dress and style his hair as other Vulcan children and would even begin to only want to be addressed by a singular name as other Vulcans; choosing his surname Layet for that honor. However, he would often feel out of place amongst other Vulcan children. Layet learned to find solace in company in his own studies and company. His introversion would be a constant throughout his life. 

In 2378, Layet would, at the prodding of his adoptive Vulcan parents, join the Vulcan Science Academy. Despite performing just as well as, and even excelling at times, in areas such as Astrophysics when compared to his peers, Layet continued to be treated as an outsider… or at least he felt that way. Perhaps worse, he was constantly looked down upon by one particular instructor who would plague Layet his entire time at the academy. The instructor would rarely have a kind word for Layet, and even his compliments had an undercurrent of venom. “That was an exceptional performance with someone pushing past the disability of their birth.” This would become more burdensome as that instructor rose to a prominent position within the administration. In 2382, just days before he was set to graduate from the Vulcan Science Academy, Layet withdrew. One of his instructors had approached Layet and informed him that though his accomplishments should have merited him honors status, he was going to be denied based on his “disabilities” by the antagonistic administrator. Layet’s instructors had attempted to appeal the administrator’s decision, but he could not be challenged on the issue. This would have placed a black mark on his record compromising any future position he could hope to obtain within the Vulcan Expeditionary Group. Layet would learn many years later that his nemesis at the academy had family members murdered by the Tal Shiar and was an outspoken opponent of Vulcan and Romulan reunification. Placing that administrator at odds with both sides of Layet’s family history.

STARFLEET ACADEMY (2382 to 2391) 

After leaving the Vulcan Science Academy, Layet decided he would enter Starfleet, following in the footsteps of his father, and hoping he would find more acceptance within the diverse population of the Federation. He would spend the next year studying and training for the entrance exam. In 2383 he would take the entrance exam, but would be denied entrance. He received a failing mark during his background and psychological examination. The exact reasoning was not stated, but Layet believed it was due to being the son of a Tal Shiar agent who murdered a Starfleet Diplomat. He was not discouraged, however. He continued training and studying, hoping to pass with marks high enough to eclipse his background. In 2384, he applied once again and was finally accepted into Starfleet Academy. Though, he was uncertain if that was due to his scores, or due to recent sympathies between the Federation and Romulans with Starfleet offering assistance with the impending super nova threatening Romulus.  

Though he had a couple of close classmates, Layet rarely socialized. He once again had found himself an outsider as non-Vulcans saw him as a standoffish logical Vulcan, while Vulcans saw him as an emotional Human at best or an irrational Romulan at worst. He had grown accustomed to feeling outcasted over the years, and began to view his experiments, education, and meditations as his companions 

Much like his life in Vulcan, Layet spent all his free time at Starfleet Academy engrossed in his studies. He had chosen a specialty in Astrophysics, Exoarchaeology, and Command and Control with a Bridge Officer’s path, hoping to one day serve on an exploration vessel as a senior officer. His science studies came easily to him, due to his time with the Vulcan Science Academy, allowing him to explore various avenues of study between classes. It was during these spare moments that he found he had a particular aptitude for law and debate. It was not uncommon for the same cadets who ostracized him to seek his advice and aid when facing disciplinary actions, to which Layet obliged if only to sharpen his skills. 

Layet would ultimately decline a commission on a starship upon graduation, and instead decided to enter law school at Star Fleet Academy. His hope was that this would possibly accelerate his rank progression and open more doors down the road for advancement and future postings. 

USS TYSON (2391 to 2394) 

After graduation from law school with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, Layet was given a posting as a science officer aboard a Reliant class frigate, the USS Tyson due to personnel needs and the recent hostilities with the Sovereignty of Kahless and their attack on the Xavier Fleet Yards. In 2394, as a surge of paranoia was forming due to the attacks on Kitomer, Layet had the opportunity to put his law school education to use. Layet would step in to act as defense counsel for a fellow shipmate who was facing court martial for espionage and treason. His successful defense put him on the radar of the Judge Advocate General’s office. Over the next few years, Layet was called upon to act as legal counsel if the Tyson was near any station or planet that had need of counsel.  

JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL’S OFFICE (2394– Present Day) 

In 2394, Layet would be offered a promotion to Lieutenant Commander and a position as a lawyer and investigator within the Judge Advocates Office system. Though technically he was stationed at Starfleet Command, he was hardly ever seen there. Layet would spend the next three years traveling around Federation space investigating complaints sent to the JAG office or acting as defense council in tribunals. His dedication to his work, and his Romulan heritage, earned him the nickname of Intercessor (A Romulan Lawyer) within the JAG office. He had given up his passions for science and exploration, but at least he was still able to travel the stars in some form.

Layet would eventually be offered a position as part of the Judge Advocate General’s office onboard Starbase 93. This would not only require him to shift his focus from defense council to more of a prosecution capacity, but it would also mean tying him down to one place. The transfer would also come with a promotion to commander and place him ever closer to acquiring his own command. Despite being tied down to a single location, and often buried in work from the JAG office, Layet would spend any free time he could find pouring over science reports and studies from across the Federation. This often gave Layet the appearance of never partaking in recreational activities. While partially true, Layet simply found more enjoyment in studying the latest reports on a new quasar than a romp in the holodeck, or a drink at the bar.

USS ANAHEIM (2401 – Present Day) 

While Layet was a highly talented litigator, his desires to explore space caused him to grow more restless with time. Eventually, he would put in a formal request to be transferred to a deep space exploration or science vessel. His Commanding officer in the JAG office was reluctant to let Layet go. Initially he tried to offer Layet  an early promotion to captain as an incentive to stay within JAG. When that failed to persuade Layet, he then attempted to discourage Layet by reminding him that he may not get exactly what he was looking for. His transfer would get him a command position aboard a starship, but it may not be the deep space exploration vessel he wanted.  After all of these attempts failed, Layet’s commanding officer reluctantly signed off on Layet’s transfer request with one stipulation. That Layet could still be called upon to assist as legal counsel, similar to his days on the Tyson.

As his commanding officer foretold, Layet did not receive a commission aboard a deep space exploration vessel. He was assigned as the new Executive Officer aboard the USS Anaheim, a California class vessel operating out of Task Force 93. While it wasn’t the position he had dreamed of, Layet plans to make the best out of the situation and enjoy what time he can traversing the expanse of space.