Jessica Stern

Childhood

Jessica was born and raised on Risa, her mother being a service host in the tourist district of Suraya Bay. For the first few years of life, Jessica was always on her mother’s hip, so to speak. She was in a bassinette under the serving trolley, or the adorable 3-year-old fetching the tables’ new silverware and menus. Her mother planned to groom Jessica to be a service hostess just like her when she grew up, but she underestimated puberty. As Jessica grew older, she was assigned tasks on her own, allowing her to interact more freely with the various guests. Her favorite pastime was eavesdropping on large groups, listening to them swap exotic war stories deep in space. She came to resent her life of servitude and dreamed of grand adventures among the stars.

Orion ‘Corvette Girls’

At age 14, her dreams would appear to come true, as a traveling band of Orion Dancers visited the planet as additional entertainment. Jessica watched in awe as the Orion females carved their way through the crowds, demanding respect and latinum from their patrons, a far cry from the paltry scraps she would receive cleaning up after them. Falling out with her mother, Jessica set off on her grand adventure into space, joining the Orians on their traveling pleasure cruise ship.

It was quickly apparent that these Orions were backed by the syndicate and used their traveling act as a means to perform illegal activities all over the quadrant. (Smuggling, Espionage, etc.) But Jessica did not care, as it was her ticket off the water-hole servitude planet. For the next 5 years, Jessica would learn from these criminals to act as a look-out, mule, and even have a hand in several syndicate operations.

In 2386, one year after the Synth Ban, Jessica’s team was contracted to recover a database of synthetic research from a Daystrom Outpost. Unbeknownst to her, the Orions had set Jessica (whom they had always viewed as an expendable outsider) to be a fall guy when the alarms were tripped, allowing them to escape when Starfleet arrived. Jessica was arrested, but when presented with proof that the Orions had abandoned her, she turned on her former mentors, facilitating the entire operation being brought to justice.

Starfleet Academy

Her arresting officer was impressed by Jessica’s skills and mental conviction, and in turn for her help bringing down the Orion ‘Corvette Girls’, her record was expunged, and Jessica was given a new lease on life, being sponsored to join Starfleet Academy. As fun as it was joyriding around the galaxy with her alleged sorority, Jessica found that Starfleet provided the same off-world exploration, albeit with much more safety and security.

Jessica began her tenure at the academy on a 4-year specialized track to become a diplomatic aide. Due to her childhood around various species and her stint with the Orions, Jessica was already well ahead of her class in Xenolinguistics and Cultural Studies. Though she took a more professional approach to her classes, she would occasionally let her ‘wild’ side come out at after-hours parties.

Starfleet Diplomatic Corps

Following her graduation, Jessica was assigned to a Diplomatic Attache attached to the stabilization of relations between the Federation and the Romulan Republic. Her primary duties at this time saw her assisting in solidifying humanitarian aid, brokering trade agreements, and hosting dignitaries. Life was calm and peaceful for the first four years until 2394, when she was invited to attend the annual peace conference at Khitomer. The conference was attacked by Klingon Raiders, aligned with the former loyalists of the Sovereignty of Kahless. In this moment, her more ‘uncivilized’ side blossomed, leading to the safe evacuation of Romulan and Federation delegates, earning her a promotion to full Lieutenant.

Jessica is then transferred to the Alpha Quadrant to aid in rising tensions among the reformed Cardassian Union, serving more time aboard a starship than diplomatic suites. Jessica’s mentor passes away on route to a final negotiation meeting with the Detapa Council, prompting her rise in rank to Lt. Commander. Shortly following, the Federation pulls out from all trade agreements with the Cardassian Union.

Active Service

With the return of the True Way, increased aggression of the Breen, and the conflict with the Romulan Free State, Jessica is urged to take a more active role in Starfleet Operations and undergoes Bridge Officer Training. Taking advanced lessons in logistics and tactics, she changes careers from Diplomat to Tactical Officer within the year and begins serving in various campaigns wherever needed. In December of 2401, she was supportive of operations against the Orion Syndicate that was trafficking high-value federation technology on the black market. Her expertise and tactical command of the operation culminated in her promotion to Commander and First Officer.

However, her tenure was cut short during the Nightfall Incursions against the Vaadwaur, when her vessel was severely damaged and had to be towed back to Starfleet Command for immediate refit.