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. Once Joined, the host and the symbiont cannot be separated without killing the host within hours.

While the Trill possess a similar average lifespan to Humans, Bajorans, and other Alpha Quadrant humanoid species, the symbionts are considerably longer-lived. When a humanoid host dies, the symbiont is joined to a new host, bringing the collected memories and personalities with it. A host can be joined to many symbionts over time; Yalu's current host is its eighth.

Physiology

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 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.

Timeline

  • 2030: Yalu is born in the Caves of Mak'ala on the Trill homeworld.
  • 2140: Yalu is Joined to 33-year-old Zedro Tiburn (1st host).
  • 2193: Zedro Yalu dies in Tenara (Trill) at the age of 86. Yalu is Joined to 26-year-old Edanne Ozanis (2nd host).
  • 2208: Edanne Yalu dies in Devritate (Trill) at the age of 41. Yalu is Joined to 29-year-old Omed Petru (3rd host).
  • 2280: Omed Yalu dies in Leran Manev (Trill) at the age of 101. Yalu is Joined to 22-year-old Keroga Tanesk (4th host).
  • 2285: Keroga Yalu dies in Leran Manev (Trill) at the age of 27. Yalu is returned to the Caves of Mak'ala.
  • 2286: Yalu is Joined to 30-year-old Benim Kolad (5th host).
  • 2364: Benim Yalu dies in Ohmallera (Betazed) at the age of 108. Yalu is Joined to 24-year-old Auzell Altav (6th host).
  • 2374: Auzell Yalu dies aboard the USS Tian An Men at the age of 34. Yalu is Joined to 48-year-old Eira Lejef (7th host).
  • 2392: Eira Lejef dies in Leran Manev (Trill) at the age of 66. Yalu is joined to 30-year-old Yogan Verso (8th host).

Hosts

Name
Sex
Born
Place
Joined
Age
Occupation(s) Marriage(s)
Partnership(s)
Child(ren) Death
Place
Cause
Age at death
Time joined
1 Zedro Tiburn
Male
2107
Ledaro (Trill)
2140
33 years
Metrologist
Subspace radio operator
Zennia Vekar (wife)
(2110–2210)
m. 2137–2160 (divorced)

Luara Kojem (wife)
(2114–2210)
m. 2171–2193 (Zedro's death)
Kiabo Tiburn (son)
(2143–2218)
Dezru Tiburn (daughter)
(2145–2233)
Vemed Tiburn (daughter)
(2146–2244)
2193
Tenara (Trill)
Natural causes
86 years
53 years
2 Edanne Ozanis
Female
2167
Devritane (Trill)
2193
26 years
Farmer
Weaver
Laharno Meeros (husband)
(2162–2256)
m. 2196–2208 (Edanne's death)
Rajim Meeros (son)
(2197–2242)
Rekela Meeros (daughter)
(2199–2284)
2208
Devritane (Trill)
Accidental fall
41 years
15 years
3 Omed Petru
Female
2179
Leran Manev (Trill)
2208
29 years
Civil servant
Space colony administrator
Zevin Porax (husband)
(2170—2259)
m. 2203–2259 (Zevin's death)

Olor Beex (husband)
(2203–2308)
m. 2270–2280 (Omed's death)
Erovo Porax (son)
(2205–2307)
Auzena Porax (daughter)
(2206–2244)
Bival Porax (son)
(2208–2267)
Yuvi Porax (daughter)
(2210–2309)
Mezim Porax (son)
(2212–2315)
2280
Leran Manev (Trill)
Natural causes
101 years
72 years
4 Keroga Tanesk
Female
2258
Najana (Trill)
2280
22 years
Actor
Dancer
Singer
Renvo Reegahn (husband)
(2253–2332)
m. 2279–2282 (divorced)
None 2285
Leran Manev (Trill)
Suicide by poisoning
27 years
5 years
5 Benim Kolad
Male
2256
Gheryzan (Trill)
2286
30 years
Journalist
Activist
Novelist
Yaver Tallus (husband)
(2268–2315)
m. 2297–2315 (Yaver's death)

Togar Mahl (partner)
(2280–2377)
p. 2325–2340 (separated)
Hraz Tallus (son)
(2300–2315)
Bror Tallus (son)
(2301–2315)
2364
Ohmallera (Betazed)
Natural causes
108 years
78 years
6 Auzell Altav
Female
2340
Tenara (Trill)
2364
24 years
Starfleet officer
Academy class of 2369
Gaiane Piruzian (partner)
(b. 2337)
p. 2371–2373 (separated)
None 2374
USS Tian An Men (Chin'toka system)
Killed in action
34 years
10 years
Text
7 Eira Lejef
Female
2326
Leran Manev (Trill)
2374
48 years
Politician Delu Vizaud (husband)
(b. 2327)
m. 2351–2392 (Eira's death)
Kedzall Vizaud (daughter)
(b. 2353)
Saban Vizaud (son)
(b. 2355)
Amon Vizaud (son)
(2357–2388)
Narud Vizaud (son)
(b. 2359)
2392
Leran Manev (Trill)
Illness
66 years
18 years
8 Yogan Verso
Male
2362
Sarajevo (Earth)
2392
30 years
Physician
Starfleet officer
Academy class of 2397
None None n/a n/a