Alora stands just over average height for a woman, though barely. Wavy brown hair holds traces of red highlights and is usually kept at a length just past her shoulders. Large green eyes peer out from beneath thick eyelashes and full lips tend to settle upward in a natural half smile. Her speaking voice is somewhere between an alto and a soprano, and her singing voice has a wide range. Her fingers are long and supple, her smile quick.
Personality
Alora tends to be a pretty informal, down to earth person. She's formal when she has to be, particularly when dealing with higher ranked officers, but most of the time she's just...well, her. She loves children and board games, tends to be rather naive and sometimes seems far too innocent for her age. She likes jokes but is bad at making them most of the time. Alora usually tries to look for the best in people and has a temper, though she does her best to keep it under control. When she is sure about something, though, she'll focus on it particularly hard, often times shutting out things around her until she's come to a conclusion or discovered something. She's not particularly brave, but she'll never abandon her post or her friends and she doesn't like to give up easily. Though she was tested for telepathy, she didn't register on any of the tests save for Empathy, though at a very low level. Whether this is due to some innate ability or she's simply is good at reading people has yet to be determined.
History
Early Life And Schooling
Alora doesn't consider herself particularly special. She's just an average
person. She was born the youngest child of a French businessman and an
American citizen. They met in Virginia while her mother was attending
the opera and the two struck up a conversation during intermission.
A singer herself, Grace Martin had always aspired to perform on stage,
but had been told by a former teacher that while her voice was good
enough for teaching, it was not good enough for performance. This
judgment stamped out any hopes she might have had.
Two years after their meeting, Etienne proposed and Grace accepted. A
year later they had their first child then moved to Atlanta. Alora was
the fifth and only girl. She and each of her siblings inherited some
sort of musical talent, but Alora was the only one whose voice shone out
from the others. Her mother gave her lessons from the time she was
seven and encouraged her to get involved in theatre. She performed as
one of the daughters in the opera "Werther" when she was just five years
old. Besides singing lessons, she enjoyed dance, piano and guitar lessons as well.
When Alora was ten, her father's business expanded its presence in the
nation state of Japan and appointed her father as the head. The family
packed up and moved halfway around the world to a strange and wondrous
place.
Grace had hoped that Alora would use her talent to continue her studies
in the musical arts. While Alora never stopped her lessons, she had
other passions as well, and didn't see herself as a professional
performer. Science was one such passion, particularly botany an
zoology. After taking exams for secondary school, Alora was accepted to
the Ishikawa School of Science and Technology, first in its class in Japan.
It was there that Alora discovered Aikido. She stumbled upon a group
practising one day after school. She had been looking for the Karate
group, but after witnessing that class she decided to study Aikido.
Currently she is a third degree blackbelt.
As her years of secondary school began to come to a close, Alora had to
decide what to do with herself. More and more she began to pay
attention to the Federation. Finally, she applied to the academy and
was accepted.
It was challenging. Alora wasn't a genius, but she was smart. She
graduated in the top three percent of her class - but a very large part
of that was due to her diligence, hard work, and unwillingness to give
up. That, and lack of sleep, especially since she specialised in Xenobotany
and Xenozoology with a minor in languages. Summer break? What was that?
She kept busy outside of the academy too with her music and her Aikido
which left little time for other pursuits beyond those.
The USS Mercury
She managed to survive graduation and has found herself posted to a
starship. It was with great excitement that she arrived at the USS Mercury. Upon that arrival, she was immediately drafted into service without a chance to cool her heels. The mission proved to be an interesting one on 83 Leonis with a strange, alien race. Alora's job was to identify DNA samples
gathered from the site and to compare them to any known species - and whether the race was descended from a more technologically advanced one or if they were pre-warp. This information would determine whether or not the USS Mercury attempted to rescue the aliens for the super-volcano whose eruption was imminent.
The race was discovered to be descended from an ancient one that had thought to have gone extinct two hundred years prior. Captain Kells immediately ordered a rescue attempt. A secondary assignment was that of tracing DNA taken from the research facility located on the planet's surface when it was discovered to be Vulcan. After scrutiny on the part of Alora, it was discovered the DNA seemed more Romulan. Further investigation by her, Dr. Saveron, and Assistant Chief Medical Officer Kotir Arith revealed it to be the work of Romulan war criminal, "The Infernal".
After this discovery, the crew were called upon to aid Starfleet in locating an Iconian Gateway. Alora assisted the team assigned with finding it through 'back door' means, whether they were scientific or otherwise. She enlisted the assistance of her father, whose business connections offered some insight. It offered her enough insight to give her and her fellow crew members. A search led the Mercury to the Nygel system - and the Gateway. When the ground where they stood was weakened by an earthquake, it caved in and sent most of the away team spiraling down a ravine into caverns that wound beneath the surface.
Unfortunately, an Orion by the name of Pasht-Nos, captain of the "Treasure Sprite" had also found the caverns - and the Gateway. Unable to leave the planet, he took captive the two members who had tumbled down to the very bottom - Alora and Roshanara Rahman. Although suffering from serious injuries, he forced the two to work on the Gateway. Together they discovered a panel and managed to pry it open - only to find a piece of the circuitry missing. While the two attempted to find it, the rest of the away team arrived. Harrison Ross entered into a fight with the Orion while the Alora reconnected the lost piece of circuitry. Ross was losing, but a couple of the surviving passengers from the FTS Treasure Sprite pounced upon the Orion and they all were thrust into the Gateway. Of course their good luck ran out with that bit and the cavern began to collapse on them. Fate was kind, however, as Captain Kells managed to get back into contact with them and the team was beamed out just in the nick of time. Up in space, The Mercury had run afoul of a Cardassian ship which had resulted in jettisoning the warp core in an effort to mask their get away. Fortunately, the USS Garuda arrived in time to keep the ship from certain destruction. The away team was beamed aboard while Captain Kells resigned and disappeared.
The USS Garuda
On 239101.22, Alora was transferred to the USS Garuda due to the severe damage done to the USS Mercury. While she served on the Garuda, she was involved in several notable missions, but making first contact with the Kubarey, where the crew, unwittingly, disturbed
a holy ceremony, causing anger and distrust. The Kubarey took the crew left on the ship hostage, while those on the planet, Alora among them, were forced to go through tests in order to determine their worthiness. The test takers passed, some with injury, and the ship and its residents released. Returning to Deep Space X to recover, Alora was then granted the promotion to Chief Science Officer.
Several other events occurred, but one of the most memorable was making contact with the cyborg spiders, who lived in the underworkings of DSX. Alora, in particular, established a rapport with the Spider queen and, with other crewmembers, helped worked with the spiders in order to protect the residents of the base.
Of a less pleasant nature, one of the missions resulted in the ship being overrun by plants that appeared overnight. Alora was kidnapped, and a collective, non corporeal entity called 'The Kindred' took hostage of her mind. All botanical life seemed to have grown exponential and held the entire ship in its clutches. The Kindred used Alora to make demands of Cassandra Egan Manno, the captain of the Garuda in order that they might escape the Genesis Cloud. Met with Captain Egan Manno's ultimatum, that she would destroy the cloud and thus destroy the Kindred should they not release everyone, the Kindred attempted to kill those it had captured, including Aron Kells, whom she considered a good friend. Somehow, Alora managed to force her way through the mental prison and call out to the Captain to destroy the cloud. This resulted in the Kindred's destruction, leaving Alora, and the ship, free. It was during this time that she was told by Moonsong she was 'attractive' to telepathic species, explaining why she was targeted by the Kindred.
Other missions followed, including a mission that involved traveling through time on a planet with random jumps, mediating a conflict between the Kubarey and the Va Wreth
The USS Invicta
After the mediation mission, Alora was reassigned to the USS Invicta. Little time elapsed before another issue brought that ship and the USS Yamaguchi. Thought to be lost twenty five years prior, the USS Yamaguchi suddenly came to their attention when the Invicta received a distress call. The crew found themselves as pawns in a game between two Q. It was only thanks to the ingenuity of Captain Aron Kells and other crew that they managed to escape.
The crew soon found themselves in another situation, this time having been pulled into a parallel universe where the Federation lost in the Dominion War due to a quantum fissure. With the help of a resistance ship, captained by the alternate universe's Saveron, they devised a plan to return - with the USS Ronin-A coming with them as part of the deal. A surprise attack by the Dominion was unsuccessful in allowing the Invicta to return, but it prevented from the Ronin from passing through.
Afterward, the ship was forced to take a shore leave on an uninhabited moon due to a neutronic storm. Once it passed, Captain Kells was called away, and the crew found out two days later, he'd been killed. Captain Roshanara Rahman took over, and in the pursuit of the killers, more information about the Invicta Expedition came to light.
Alora served on several more missions with the Invicta before she was transferred to the USS Za.
The USS Za
Alora's time on the USS Za was short, but memorable, particularly in dealing with parasites and viruses. Not long after, she went on a leave of absences to spend some time studying on Earth to further her education, as well as to spend time with her family.
The USS Veritas
After returning to active duty, Alora was placed on the USS Veritas under Captain Roshanara Rahman, with whom she has a service history. She served in several missions on the ship before she was tapped for a classified mission in 2396 and went incommunicado.
StarBase 118 Ops
In 2397, Alora reappeared, having returned from her classified mission. After spending some time on Earth, she was assigned to StarBase 118 Ops. There, she was met with the familiar face of German Galven, with whom she had briefly served on the USS Veritas, as well as a warm greeting from other members of the crew.
Her first mission as a member of Starbase 118 Ops found her as a researcher on a team in regards to the USS Nimitz which had been assimilated by a rogue Borg Collective - evidently bent on 'healing' all those it came into contact with, whether they needed it or not.
Connections
Family
Etienne DeVeau, Successful Businessman Alora's dearly loved papa. He's currently one of the presidents of Starconn Intergalactic, a business that develops and supplies technology to various businesses as well as Starfleet. He's supported her decision to focus on a science career since she first indicated interest in it. For hobbies, Etienne enjoys reading and ballroom dancing. He and his wife are accomplished amateur ballroom dancers and have won several contests.
Grace DeVeau, Domestic Engineer Grace always had high hopes for her daughter's music career. Unfortunately, Alora did not agree. A part of her still hopes that some day Alora might see the light. Either that, or start producing some grandchildren. Like her daughter, she still takes music lessons and performs in community productions and is an active member with the Tokyo International Singers.
Alain DeVeau, Successful Businessman Alain was twelve when Alora was born. Of her brothers, he's the most fatherly toward her. While all of her brothers are protective, Alain is particularly so. He's followed in his father's footsteps and is now an up and coming Vice President within the same company. He is happily married with three children.
Adrien DeVeau, Wild Thing The wild child of the family, Adrien's never settled down and there are months where no one in his family hears from him. Like his other siblings, he has a soft spot for his baby sister, but he thinks she can be a little too goody-goody.
Alexandre DeVeau, Medical Officer Alexandre is the only other child of the DeVeau's to have entered starfleet. He currently serves as a Medical Officer. He is a also happily married and has two children.
Aimé DeVeau, Artist The quiet one of the bunch, Aimé has always been the most timid. He is also the one Alora is closest to not only in age, but in their relationship. In addition to his art, Aimé is known among his friends and acquaintances as an excellent cook and an amazing massage therapist.
Aron Kells (or Captain, or Cap'n), Fleet Captain Her first captain, the two had a good working relationship that eventually turned into friendship. Eventually, they started a business together, which is still going strong.
Chythar Skyfire, Barista Alora heard about Chythar before she actually met him because of the Skyfire Cure. The two worked together, then became good friends.
Eudora Davis, Captain Eudora Davis was Alora's captain for a classified assignment. Despite an accident which left Alora with a condition, the two keep in touch.
Raissa Moonsong, Lt. Commander The two met on the USS Garuda and quickly became friends. Alora considers her like a sister, and although Raissa is now a Science Officer, Alora knows she's a skilled Counselor, and one of the easiest people for Alora to talk to.
Roshanara Rahman, Captain Alora has served for years on several vessels with Rahman. During a traumatic mission on the USS Mercury, the two became friends. Alora respects and likes her, and especially likes to tease her by calling Rahman 'sir'. Since Roshanara's rise to command, though, it feels like their relationship has changed to some extent. Alora still considers a friend, however, no matter what changes.
Raymond Lassiter, Counselor After an accident left her with a serious condition, he was her counselor and held her head through the recovery. While still patient and provider, they are also friends. Despite the physical distance now between them, Raymond keeps in regular contact with Alora, providing her support even light years away.
Saveron, Counselor/Diplomatic Officer Alora heard about Saveron before she met him. Specifically, she heard about what he did on 83 Leonis - and to be honest, she silently cheered for him. Since then she's worked with him and he's agreed to teach her the Vulcan harp. A friendship turned into a romance - which, unfortunately, ended, though not by her choice. She still cares for him, but knows that the role she will play will only be as a friend.
Tato Zeme (or "Prof" or "Taters" or "Tots"), Chief of Security & Tactical Zeme was one of Alora's professors in the Academy. He left just a few months before she graduated. Imagine her surprise when she was assigned to the same ship - the USS Mercury. Alora is slowly beginning to see Tato as less of a professor and more of a friend. That doesn't keep her from calling him 'Prof', though.
Playlist
Giacomo Puccini - O Mio Babbino Caro - One of Alora's favourite songs to sing.
Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons - One of Alora's favourite compositions by one of her favourite composers.
