Yalu (symbiont)

Yalu (born 2030) is a symbiont, a sentient vermiform lifeform native to the planet Trill. Yalu, like all symbionts, is capable of living symbiotically inside hosts of the humanoid Trill species. Each joining of Yalu to a humanoid host creates a new, unique individual, who carries the memories of the previous hosts. As of 2397, Yalu's eighth and current host is the former Yogan Verso.

Background

The Trill are a humanoid species, of whom a small percentage co-exist with a sentient symbiotic organism, the symbiont. The relationship between humanoid host and symbiont plays a significant role in Trill culture and spirituality. Joined Trill have personalities which are a synthesis of the two beings, including the memories, skills, and personalities of the previous hosts.

While the Trill possess a similar average lifespan to Humans, Bajorans, and other Alpha Quadrant humanoid species, the symbionts are considerably longer-lived. When the humanoid host dies, the symbiont is removed and joined to a new host.

History

Yalu was born in the Caves of Mak'ala on the Trill homeworld in 2030, and was tended to by Guardians during its early years. Presumably, Yalu mated and reproduced prior to its first joining in 2140.

From 2140 until 2285, Yalu lived within four hosts in succession–Zedro, Edanne, Omed, and Keroga–with only hours or days elapsing between a host's death and their successor's joining. This line was broken in 2285, with the death by suicide of Keroga Yalu at the age of 27. After Keroga's death, the Symbiosis Commission returned Yalu to the pools in the Caves of Mak'ala to recover from the trauma, as well as to be evaluated for its suitability for joining in the future. Yalu was joined once again the following year, and has lived continuously within humanoid hosts–Benim, Auzell, Eira, and Yogan–since 2286.

As of 2397 and across its eight hosts, Yalu has been married eight times–three as a husband and five as a wife–and partnered twice further. Yalu has been father to five children and mother to eleven.

First host: Zedro Tiburn (2140–2193)

Innovative inventor with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Zedro Tiburn was a subspace radio operator and metrologist in the 22nd century. He was born in 2107 in Ledaro, and was joined to Yalu in 2140 at the age of 33.

Zedro died of natural causes in Tenara in 2193 at the age of 86, having been joined for 53 years.

Marriages and family

In 2137, Zedro married Zennia (2110–2210). They had three children: a son, Kiabo (2143–2218), and two daughters, Dezru (2145–2233) and Vemed (2146–2244). They divorced in 2160 after 23 years of marriage.

In 2171, Zedro married Luara (2114–2210). They had no children. They remained married for 22 years until Zedro's death in 2193.

Second host: Edanne Ozanis (2193–2208)

Extraordinarily social and popular, always eager to help.

Edanne Ozanis was a farmer and artisan weaver in the 22nd and 23rd centuries. She was born in 2167 in Devritane, and was joined to Yalu in 2193 at the age of 26.

Edanne died from injuries sustained in an accidental fall in 2208 in Devritane at the age of 41, having been joined for 15 years.

Marriage and family

In 2196, Edanne married Laharno (2162–2256). They had two children, a son, Rajim (2197–2242), and a daughter, Rekela (2199–2284). They remained married for 12 years until Edanne's death in 2208.

Third host: Omed Petru (2208–2280)

Bold and practical experimenter, master of all kinds of tools.

Omed Petru was a civil servant and space colony administrator in the 22nd and 23rd centuries. She was born in 2179 in Leran Manev, and was joined to Yalu in 2208 at the age of 29.

Omed entered the Trill civil service in 2203. She completed her Initiate training between 2205 and 2208, during which time she had two children. She became deputy administrator of the Radzax Colony in 2215. In 2221, she was passed over for promotion to administrator in favour of a man she had trained and mentored, but she was eventually promoted to administrator in 2225. The colony was disestablished in 2237, at which point she relocated back to the Trill homeworld.

Omed died of natural causes in Leran Manev in 2280 at the age of 101, having been joined for 72 years.

Marraiges and family

In 2203, Omed married Zevin (2170–2259). They had five children: three sons, Erovo (2205–2307), Bival (2208–2267), and Mezim (2212–2315); and two daughters, Auzena (2206–2244) and Yuvi (2210–2309). They remained married for 56 years until Zevin's death in 2259.

In 2270, Omed married Olor (2203–2308). They had no children. They remained married for 10 years until Omed's death in 2280.

Fourth host: Keroga Tanesk (2280–2285)

Spontaneous, energetic, and enthusiastic, around whom life is never boring.

Keroga Tanesk was a world-famous actor and singer in the 23rd century. She was born in 2258 in Najana, and was joined to Yalu in 2280 at the age of 22.

Keroga died by suicide in Leran Manev in 2285 at the age of 27, having been joined for 5 years. Due to the traumatic nature of her death, Yalu was not immediately rejoined to a host, and was instead returned to the Caves of Mak'ala for recovery and evaluation.

Marriage and family

In 2279, Keroga married Renvo (2253–2332). They had no children. They divorced in 2282, after 3 years of marriage.

Fifth host: Benim Kolad (2286–2364)

Quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tirelessly idealistic.

Benim Kolad was a journalist, author, and political activist in the 23rd and 24th centuries. He was born in Gheryzan in 2256, and was joined to Yalu in 2286 at the age of 30.

Benim died of natural causes in Ohmallera (Betazed) in 2364 at the age of 108, having been joined for 78 years. He is both the longest-lived and longest-Joined of Yalu's hosts.

Marriage, partner, and family

In 2297, Benim married Yaver (2268–2315). They had two adopted sons, Hraz (2300–2315) and Bror (2301–2315). They remained married for 18 years until Yaver's death in 2315.

In 2325, Benim became partnered with Togar (2280–2377), but the couple did not marry. They had no children. They separated in 2340, after 15 years together.

After separating from Togar, Benim remained single until his death.

Sixth host: Auzell Altav (2364–2374)

Smart, energetic, and very perceptive, who enjoys living on the edge.

Auzell Altav was an officer in the Federation Starfleet in the 24th century (Academy class of '69). She was born in Tenara in 2340, and was joined to Yalu in 2364 at the age of 24.

Auzell was mortally wounded during the First Battle of Chin'toka in 2374, when her ship, USS Valley Forge, was destroyed by the Jem'Hadar. She survived long enough to be rescued by the USS Tian An Men, but died en route to Starbase 375 at the age of 34, having been joined for 10 years.

Partner and family

In 2371, Auzell became partnered with Gaiane Piruzian (b. 2337). The two had an on-again, off-again relationship prior to partnering. They had no children. They separated in 2373, after 2 years together, returning to their previous on-again, off-again status.

Seventh host: Eira Lejef (2374–2392)

Bold, imaginative, strong-willed leader, always finding a way, or making one.

Eira Lejef was a politician and member of the Trill Senate in the 24th century. She was born in Leran Manev in 2326, and was joined to Yalu in 2374 at the age of 48.

Active in politics from her teenage years, Eira was elected to the Trill Senate in 2355. At 29 years of age, she was one of the youngest senators in modern history. In her first year as a senator, she offended a visiting Tellarite delegation when she mistranslated 'Tellar is unique,' telling them instead 'Tellarites are freaks.'

Eira was diagnosed with an incurable illness in 2388, but kept her diagnosis a secret from everyone, including her family. Eira died of the illness in 2392 at the age of 66, while in the middle of a debate on the floor of the Senate chamber. She was joined to Yalu for 18 years.

Marriage and family

In 2351, Eira married Delu (b. 2327). They had four children: a daughter, Kedzall (b. 2353), and three sons, Saban (b. 2355), Amon (2357–2388), and Narud (b. 2359). They remained married for 41 years until Eira's death in 2392.

Eighth host: Yogan Verso (2392–present)

Main article: Yogan Yalu

Poetic, kind, and altruistic, always eager to help a good cause.

Yogan Verso is a physician and officer in the Federation Starfleet (Academy class of '97). He was born in Sarajevo (Earth) in 2362, and was joined to Yalu in 2392 at the age of 30.

Yogan has never married and has no children as of 2397.