Theo Whittaker
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| Captain Theo Michelangelo Whittaker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Captain Theo Michaelangelo Whittaker is the 37 year old Commanding Officer of the USS Columbia. Previously, he was the Commanding Officer of the [[USS Blackwell|U.S.S. Blackwell], Chief Engineer and then Executive Officer of StarBase 118 Operations. Prior to his move to the command division, he was the Chief Engineer of the Columbia under Captain Ben Livingston and subsequently Commander Brek. He has also served as an instructor and examiner for Starfleet Academy at the satellite campus aboard StarBase 118.
Theo was born and raised on Archer IV largely by hs father - a professor of ancient Terran literature at The University of Tucker's Landing- who intended for his son to follow in the footsteps of his family and enter a life of academia, as all the male members of the Whittaker family had done for centuries. This expectation caused a great deal of friction between Theo and his father- with Theo wanting to find his own path in life. Eventually, in his mid twenties he ultimately decided that he wanted to join Starfleet to follow in his mother's footsteps (who presently serves as the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Orb of Prophecy & Change) after studying for a English Literature degree (and a Post Graduate degree in the same subject) at the University of Tucker's Landing. The defiance of his father's led to an estrangement between father and son that was not resolved at the time of his father's death, when Theo was a second year engineering cadet. This often fraught and complex relationship has had long last psychological repurcussions for Theo, namely self-doubt and anxiety.
Starfleet Career Statistics |
- Starfleet Serial Number: MM - 120 - 848
- Training Facility: Starfleet Academy, Sol III, Sector 001, 2389-2392
- Major: Engineering
- Minor: Starship Operations
- Supplimentary Data File: Academy Transcript
- Commisioned: Stardate 239203.22
- Current Rank: Captain
- Current Assignment: Commanding Officer USS Columbia
Appearance |
Theo is of average stature for a human male from Archer IV, standing at 5ft 8' (or 1.76 meters) and weighs approximately 152lbs (69kgs). He keeps himself in shape via thrice weekly visits the gymnasium aboard the Columbia giving him a slim but toned appearance. He keeps his black hair short and prefers to wear it with his natural curls which has earned him the nickname of 'Mr. Perfect Hair' from his former colleague Lieutenant Commander Antero Flynn. He has Caucasian skin and has uncommonly bright hazel eyes.
Tone/Voice
Due to being raised mostly by his father, whose family can trace their heritage back to the old British aristocracy, Theo speaks with a distinct old British accent known as 'received pronouncation' and has a tendency to be unusually eloquent as a result, although he has found that he has become more relaxed with his vocabularly as he has become more comfortable in his skin. He has a tendency to smile a lot, especially when dealing with his friends and colleauges. Perhaps as a result of his tenure as Captain Sal Taybrim's Executive Officer aboard StarBase 118 Ops he also has a habit of communicating with his eyes.
As a Commanding Officer, Theo operates a relaxed style of command, encouraging many of the crew to call him by his given name when off duty and being extremely encouraging in everything they do. On duty, he does expect to be called by his rank when on-duty, although he prefers to be called by that over "sir", which he equates to his difficult childhood as his father insisted Theo call him by that honorific. He has displayed extreme discomfort at being referred to as 'sir' on a number of occasions. His amenable command style has seen him host soirees and attend various off-duty staff gatherings and he frequently greets newly arriving officers to the station by personally giving them a guided tour. He has also displayed a dry, sarcastic sense of humour which some have noted is used in difficult situations as a defense mechanism.
Personal Life |
Quarters
Theo's quarters aboard the Columbia are located on Deck 2, Section Alpha and, along with the Executive Officer's Quarters, are the closest cabins to the bridge which allows him quick access to it in the event of an emergency. Although they are more or less identical in basic layout to the XO's cabin, the CO's quarters aboard Columbia somewhat larger. He keeps personal touches to a minimum, however he does have several model starships on display and a series of ancient human novels in first editions, given to him by his father for his 15th birthday. He is fastidious with his cleaning, which is surprising considering that he spends very little time in his quarters unless it is to sleep- even off duty (he spends much of his off duty in his ready room, on the holodeck, lurking in Engineering or visiting his friends aboard the Columbia).
Hobbies and Interests
When not on duty, Theo is a keen amateur mixologist and could- before the aforementioned destruction of his apartment- often be found in his kitchen perfecting his favourite cocktails or attempting to create new receipes. Somewhat of an old-fashioned traditionalist, his favourite cocktail (and drink of choice) is the classic Manhattan Cosmopolitan, which is he renowned for ordering on a night out. Since assuming command of the USS Blackwell he has little time to indulge this pastime, but he continues to try as and when he can.
Theo is also a follower of fashion and when not on duty. As previously mentioned he is also noted for the attention that he lavishes on his hair earning him the moniker 'Mr. Perfect Hair' from former colleauge Lieutenant Commander Antero Flynn.
Possibly due to his aristocratic upbringing, Theo is also a lover of fine food and often dined out in one of many restaurants aboard StarBase 118, although this did attract the ire of then-Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Mirra Ezo who placed Theo on several 'meal plans'- which he often ignored. Interestingly, despite his predilection for high society cuisine, his favourite food is in fact his mother's spaghetti carbonara.
Family
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Father: Josiah Peregrine Whittaker (deceased, 2387)
- Mother: Madeline Christine Whittaker (neé Lawson)
Theo's relationship with his father was often frosty and difficult, eventually breaking down all together after Theo made the decision to become a Starfleet officer. Josiah expected his son to enter a life of academia, as had every Whittaker for over 400 years, while Theo wanted to be his own man and find his own way. He would often disappear into the Keating Mountains which lay near Tucker's Landing, the capital city of Archer IV for days on end, camping in the woods purely to spite his father. This was a sharp contrast to his relationship with his mother, Madeline, which is extremely close. She privately supported her son's desire to become whatever he wanted to be and was the one to sponsor his application to Starfleet Academy- which led to the breakdown of her marriage to Josiah. Theo and his mother communicate regularly by letter and she is extremely proud that her son is the Executive Officer of Starbase 118 at the age of 35. His father passed away from Meenok's disease during the second year of Theo's Starfleet Academy studies while the two were still estranged.
Early Life |
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Theo Whittaker was born on Stardate 236610.18 in the city of Tucker's Landing, the capital city of Archer IV. His father, Josiah Whittaker was determined to ensure that the boy Theo would follow in ten generations of Whittaker's and become an academic, although his mother - Madeline, a Starfleet officer, privately encouraged him to find his own path in life. As mentioned previously, Theo's strong minded independence and closeness with his mother led to a frosty and difficult with his father. On multiple occasions, Theo would run away from the manor he lived in with his father, escaping to the mountains on hikes that could last for two or three days. Other times, Theo would hide for hours in the tunnels that ran beneath the family home.
Due to the intensive studies forced upon him, Theo was known by his peers at school as something of a recluse and a loner with very few friends. His teachers expressed concerns about this, which were dismissed by his father. As a result, Theo found it incredibly difficult to forge bonds with children his own age and led to his reserved manner that developed later in life.
From a young age, Theo was fascinated by machinery and how things worked, largely due to the fact that his father was determined not to use any technology unless he absolutely had to. At age thirteen he built his first replicator as part of a high school project and won first place. When Theo was sixteen he announced his intention to apply for Starfleet Academy which his mother agreed to sponsor. As a result, his parents marriage broke down and Theo became depressed, believing that it was entirely his fault. As a result he could not focus properly and he failed his first entrance exam. He took two years to recover before reapplying at age twenty and passing the entrance exam. He took his place at Starfleet academy the following year at age 21, majoring in Starship Engineering with a minor in Starship Operations Management.
Career in Starfleet |
Assignments aboard the USS Columbia (First Tour of Duty)
Assignments aboard StarBase 118 Ops
- Dish Served Cold
- Tribbles and Strife
- All Time High
- Once More With Feeling
- Way Down Below
- The Show Must Go On
- Dig Two Graves
- Rendezvous at Raskor
- Terminal Velocity
- The Edge Of Glory
- One Last Gasp
- Cruising for a Bruising'
Assignments aboard the USS Blackwell (Andaris Task Force)
Assignments aboard the USS Columbia (Second Tour of Duty)
- Missing In Action
- The Battle of New Years Day
Personal Relationships |
Mirra Ezo: Having served together for most of their respective careers and forged a close bond, Theo has come to consider Mirra as his best friend. Though much of their friendship has been characterised by playful and sassy banter they have an enormous amount of respect, affection and love for one another. They have saved each other's live on more than occasion from threats ranging from Iconians, sadistic criminals and Human Augments... to name but a few. Always there for another regardless of the situation, many have speculated that there is nothing that they would not do for one another. They briefly lost contact after Mirra took a Leave of Absence to deal with personal issues stemming from her stabbing by the criminal Chennel but were reunited aboard the Blackwell after she was caught up in the Hur'q invasion of Arndall. Mirra currently serves alongside Theo aboard the USS Columbia as his Diplomatic Officer, exploring the very edge of the galaxy in the distant Sagittarius Reach.
Perhaps the greatest influence on Theo's professional career has been Sal Taybrim, StarBase 118 Operation's iconic Commanding Officer. It was Taybrim who put Theo on to the command track, asking him serve as his Executive Officer. He encouraged and fostered his natural, but latent, leadership ability and was always there with advice and a kind, non-judgement ear. In many ways, one call Taybrim a mentor to Theo, with the Columbia's CO attributing much of the success he has had in his career to the ginger-haired Betazoid. When Theo considered stepping away from the fleet, it was Sal's gentle encouragement that stopped him. In return, when the man was removed from command of the station for disobeying orders, Theo protested profusely and made no secret of the fact that he did not have faith in his temporary replacement- Storm Bomba. While more professional than his friendships with Mirra and Tatash, Theo came to deeply care for his mentor and a friendship truly blossomed. Even now, tens of thousands of light years away at the edge of the galaxy, Theo still fondly thinks on the advice that Taybrim gave him during the two years he served under him.
Much like Mirra, Tatash has served with Theo for most of his career and they also share a close bond. Unwavering in his support, Tatash has become somebody that Theo relies on as well as looks up to (quite literally given their height difference). Their friendship grew considerably in the two years that they were stationed aboard StarBase 118 and Theo was the first person to champion the Gorn's transfer to the Marine Corps to take command of the 292nd "Iron Jaegers" Tactical Marine Regiment. During the final confrontation with Haz Arrihmen Tatash lost an arm and Theo kept a vigil at his bedside and supported his friend through his rehabilitation and subsequent training to use his prosthetic arm. When transferring to the USS Blackwell, Theo asked him to serve as the Andaris Task Force's Strategic Operations Officer, although he was unable to due to family concerns. Never the less, the two remained friendly and when Theo needed a new Chief of Security, Tatash was his only candidate.
: Impressed by the man's bravery, diligence and dedication, Jarred Thoran was Theo's first choice for First Officer (along with Randall Shayne when Cayden Adyr was reassigned to Starfleet Intelligence. In the months since his ascension to the second highest position of the ship, Theo has developed an excellent working relationship with the man and there are clear signs of a friendship developing between the two men. One of Theo's first official acts as the Blackwell's commanding officer was to promote him to Lieutenant Commander, which he felt was long overdue. Their friendship has stood them both in good stead on the galactic edge as Theo needs somebody he can trust to be his XO- and there is nobody better suited for the job than Thoran.
The friendship between the then-XO of StarBase and it's second Chief Intelligence Officer began slowly, evolving from her simply delivering weekly briefings to becoming meditation partners and close confidants. There are very few people that Theo trusts more than Aitas. He dotes (when he can) on her son, Aurelio and she in return sends him parcels of alcohol when she is able to for his growing interest in mixology. She was present for his promotion to Captain and the two reaffirmed their close bond with one another. Theo is proud to have watched Aitas ascend the ranks of Starfleet Intelligence and supports her wish to make the Intelligence Tower a more transparent place. She is also unfraid of telling Theo the truth and has put him in his place more than once- chiefly over the sloppy way that Theo ended his burgeoning relationship with Taelon, another one of her close personal friends. It is this honesty that appeals most to Theo.
: There was an instant chemistry between Theo and Baylen from the moment that they first met in battle aboard the USS Albion, Starbase 118's late auxiliary support vessel. That quickly blossomed into an intense and passionate relationship... not to mention Theo's first. For several months they were happy together until returning from one mission, Theo found that Baylen had left the station under mysterious circumstances and had ended their relationship without warning. It took him month's to come to terms with what happened. Then just as suddenly as he left, Baylen returned to the station well over a year later. Confused and thrown for a loop, Theo kept his distance unsure of how he should feel. Unfortunately, he had no chance to confront these emotions as Baylen's return coincided with Theo's transfer to the USS Blackwell. At present, the two men are not in communication (although they are not not speaking) and it is clear that Theo has been able to put the past behind him and move on with his life.
Something was beginning to develop between Theo and StarBase 118's chronically shy and socially awkward Chief Science Officer although both of them were hesitant to define its nature. It fell into a grey area between friendship and romance. Unsure of how to proceed, Theo made the regrettable decision to leave the station for the USS Blackwell without defining- or indeed ending- whatever was developing between the two of them, which has led to some recriminations with Taelon's family. It is one of Theo's greatest regrets, especially since Taelon was lost in a temporal incursion.
Service Record |
| Service History | ||||
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| Insignia | Rank | Dates | Posting | Assignment |
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Cadet First Class | 239203.16-239203.16 | Graduated Starfleet Academy | Engineering Officer |
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Ensign | 239203.24-239205.03 | USS Columbia | Engineering Officer |
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Lieutenant Junior Grade | 239205.03-239207.26 | USS Columbia | Engineering Officer |
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Lieutenant | 239207.26-239211.16 | USS Columbia | Chief Engineering Officer |
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Lieutenant | 239211.16-239212.14 | StarBase 118 Operations | Chief Engineering Officer |
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Lieutenant Commander | 239212.14-2 239406.06 | StarBase 118 Operations | Executive Officer |
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Commander | 239406.06-239412.04 | StarBase 118 Operations | Executive Officer |
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Commander | 239412.07-239509.04 | USS Blackwell, Andaris Task Force | Commanding Officer |
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Captain | 239509.04-239509.10 | USS Blackwell, Andaris Task Force | Commanding Officer |
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Captain | 239509.10-PRESENT | USS Columbia | Commanding Officer |
Gallery |
NPC Listing · USS Columbia Crew Manifest · Crew History
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