Maren Shepard was born on Earth into a Starfleet family. Her mother and father met as science officers on a starship, and her brother followed the family tradition and became a science officer when he graduated from Starfleet Academy too. Though she had a natural aptitude for it, Maren never felt the pull of the sciences. Growing up, she was a bit more rough and tumble than the rest of her family. Maren had a natural disdain for bullies and oftentimes got into fights at school defending other kids, much to the dismay of her more bookish and passive family.
When Maren graduated from high school, it wasn't even a question that she would enter Starfleet Academy. However, upon entering the Academy, Maren began to pursue a major in security, only minoring in science. Her minor gave her enough details about studying science in Starfleet to fool her family into thinking she was pursuing a posting as a science officer. On the eve of her final exam, Maren put in a request for a security posting, directly defying the expectations of her family.
