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 within. A host can be joined to many symbionts over time; Yalu's current host is the 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 their early years. Presumably, Yalu mated and reproduced prior to their 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 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.
Hosts
| Hosts of Yalu |
|---|
|
1. Zedro Tiburn (2140–2193) 5. Benim Kolad (2286–2364) Talos Dakora (2398) |
Zedro Tiburn
Zedro Tiburn was a metrologist and subspace radio operator who lived in the 22nd century. He was the first host of the Yalu symbiont.
Zedro was born in 2107 in Ledaro on Trill. In 2137, he married Zennia Vekar. He was Joined to Yalu in 2140, at the age of 33. Once Joined, Zedro was disappointed to find out that he was his symbiont's first host, as he expected to gain knowledge and wisdom from multiple lifetimes of memories. Zedro and Zennia had a son, Kiabo, and two daughters, Dezru and Vemed. Their 23-year marriage ended in divorce in 2160. In 2171, Zedro married Luara Kojem. They remained married until his death of natural causes in 2193, at the age of 86.
Well-suited to a career in science and techology, Zedro was analytical, innovative, and curious. However, he was also disconnected, insensitive, and impatient, which caused difficulty in his personal relationships, particularly with his first wife.
At the zhian'tara of Yogan Yalu, Zedro was embodied by Nedal Verso, a Guardian apprentice and Yogan's younger brother.
Edanne Ozanis
Edanne Ozanis was a farmer and artisan weaver who lived in the 22nd and early 23rd centuries. She was the second host of the Yalu symbiont.
Edanne was born in 2167 in a village near Devritane on Trill. She was educated mostly at home, but completed a few years of education in a nearby village school. She apprenticed to a weaver in her home village and became exceptionally skilled in the art and craft of weaving. She was Joined to Yalu in 2393, at the age of 26, and was the first person in her agricultural community to receive a symbiont. In 2196, she married Laharno Meeros, a fellow farmer from the same region. They had a son, Rajim, and a daughter, Rekela. She taught both of her children how to weave. Edanne died in 2208 from injuries sustained in an accidental fall on her family's farm. She was 41 years old. Nearly two centuries after her death, some of her woven works had been preserved as part of a traveling museum exhibit of 22nd century Trill folk art.
Edanne was practical, sensitive, and warm, which made her well-liked in her community. In contrast to her predecessor, she was reluctant to innovate and improvise, and was content to live a simple life. The pressure to leave her mark on the symbiont was complicated by her vulnerability to criticism and need for affirmation.
At the zhian'tara of Yogan Yalu, Edanne was embodied by Etan Iljor, a Bajoran Starfleet science officer and Yogan's roommate aboard the USS Resolution.
Omed Petru
Omed Petru was a civil servant and administrator who lived in the 22nd and 23rd centuries. She was the third host of the Yalu symbiont.
Omed was born in 2179 in Leran Manev on Trill. She was born into a privileged family and received a comprehensive education, however her career potential was hampered by the gender inequality of 23rd century Trill society. In 2203, she married Zevin Porax, with whom she had five children in seven years, sons Erovo, Bival, and Mezim, and daughters Auzena, and Yuvi. Omed was Joined to Yalu in 2208, at the age of 29. After her youngest child was born, Omed accepted a position as deputy administrator of Radzax, an early offworld colony.