Tahna Meru

USS Gorkon
Tahna Meru
Position	Chief Science Officer
Rank	Lieutenant Commander
Species	Bajoran
Gender	Female
DOB	237510.10
Age	25
Birthplace	Deep Space Nine
Academy Transcript • Medical Record Service Ribbons Starfleet Academy Graduate Ribbon Operation Safe Harbor Service Medal Intelligence Star Good Conduct Ribbon Joint Meritorious Unit Award Prisoner of War Ribbon Purple Heart Starfleet Investigation Ribbon Silver Lifesaving Ribbon Innovation Ribbon Legion of Merit UFP Medal of Freedom Recovery Ribbon Leadership Excellence Ribbon Awards Genesis Award Nebula Bar Russ Bar 1-year Member B-Plot Award Neelix Award Badges User Page - The Writer

		“Somewhere in space hangs my heart, shaking in the void.” Edith Södergran

Lieutenant Commander Tahna Meru is currently serving as the Chief Science Officer aboard the USS Gorkon.

	Personal Details

• Full Name: Tahna Meru
• Date of Birth (Age): 237510.10 (25 years)
• Species: Bajoran
• Gender: Female (she/her/hers)

	Appearance

• Height: 5'5" // 1.65m
• Weight: 132lbs // 60kg
• Hair Color: Dark brown (almost black), shoulder-length and wavy. Usually braided when she's working, loose when she's off-duty.
• Eyes: Dark brown
• Build: Grudgingly athletic. Initially, she took up running as a "necessary evil," but she's grown to enjoy and even look forward to her morning jogs.
• Voice: Gentle, soft-spoken. Her Bajoran is marked by a provincial Kendra accent.
• Scars: Small scar on her right middle finger from a mishap on her uncle’s farm when she was 10.
• Handedness: Right
• Taste in Clothing (when off duty): Comfortable, loose-fitting "rustic" clothes in muted colors. Still dresses like she's out in the Bajoran countryside, probably always will.
• Uniform: Always neat, at least at the start of the day. Has been known to wear both the pants and the skant variations, depending on what her work that day entails.

	Personality

• Habits/Mannerisms: Fidgets with things around her to stay focused.
• Religion/Spiritual Devotion: Follower of the Prophets, but not the best at it. The Bajoran religious tradition means a lot to her, but she has less faith in the Prophets as deific beings than she used to.
• Mental problems (complexes and phobias): Dyscalculia. Somewhat traumatized, decently adept at dealing with it.
• Personality: Generally optimistic, or at least able to appear so. At her core, she's a deeply introverted person who struggles with being social enough to make many friends, but lately she's been pushing herself to be more welcoming.
• Hobbies and Pastimes:
  • Reading: She has a growing collection of physical books she studies and rereads regularly, however she typically reads on her PADD for convenience’s sake.
  • Botany: She has time spent on her uncle’s farm growing up to thank for her love of plant life. She cultivates several species of native Bajoran flowers and other plants in her quarters.
• Likes:
  • Flora and fauna: She grew up on a farm but was never allowed to have pets, so she's got a fondness for plants and animals that extends beyond her scientific interests.
  • Coffee: "Raktajino, extra sweet with kava." ...so maybe she doesn't actually like coffee, she just likes sugar, but there's nothing wrong with that!
  • Literature: Especially poetry, from all around the galaxy.
  • Bajoran folk music: In another life, she might have been a singer. In this one, her serenades are confined to the walls of her sonic shower.
  • Speed: Alieth took her racing once, and the experience was both terrifying and invigorating.
• Dislikes:
  • Crowds: She's never been fond of them, she finds them overwhelming.
  • Public transportation: She was caught in a bus bomb on Darime IV, instilling an extreme distrust of similar public transit systems.
  • Loud noises: Surely this has nothing to do with all those explosions she's been caught in.

	Quarters

Meru's quarters, located on deck 2, are homey and comfortable, filled with plants, holophotos of friends and family, and several shelves of antique books. Her desk is usually home to multiple PADDs, so she can work on her personal research or continuing education whenever the mood strikes. Other personal effects include:

• • A painting of her family's kava fields, as seen from her childhood home (painted by her father).
  • A Bajoran prayer candle.
  • An antique collection of Emily Dickinson poems, purchased on Ensign Tahna's first shore leave.
  • A chameleon rose, known to change color according to one's feelings (gifted by Meg Bendyn).
  • A small golden trophy of Jupiter Station that lists their record-setting trip from Earth to the station (a prize from Alieth).
  • A Tyrellian Stellarium, acquired by Meru and Ico Ena on Palanon.
  • A sketch of Meru by her friend, Ena.
  • A small painting of the Gorkon by Meru's father.

	Background

Meru was born in 2375 and spent her early childhood on Deep Space Nine where her mother was posted with the Bajoran militia, though her family made frequent visits and eventually moved to her uncle’s farm in Bajor's Kendra Province to accommodate her father's progressing disability. Meru had no siblings so she cherished time spent with her two younger cousins on the farm. She spent her spare time reading about distant planets and pestering her mother into letting Meru shadow her on her visits to the space station, solidifying her desire to one day join Starfleet despite her parents' reservations.

Meru has dyscalculia and as a result, failed the math portion of the Starfleet Academy entrance exam the first time she took it. She retook it the next year after more intensive study and passed, entering the Academy at age 19. At the Academy, she was a bit of an overachiever (and more than a bit of a troublemaker). Initially, her track was pre-med, and she planned to continue on to Starfleet Medical Academy and become a doctor. In her final years at the Academy, she realized she was too impatient to stay planetbound for another four years. She did not apply to the medical academy, and graduated with specialties in exobiology and astronomy, before taking her first assignment on the USS Gorkon.

	Relationships

Starfleet

Ico Ena Best Friend and Co-conspirator Meru’s best friend. The two met at the Academy after accidentally signing up for Intro Cardassian instead of Intro Cartography. They have a lot in common and were reunited when the Gorkon participated in a mission to rescue Ena and her classmates on Darime IV. They were perfect examples of scientists during Ena's cadet cruise on the Gorkon, getting into no trouble whatsoever. Megan "Meg" Bendyn Overly Enthusiastic Friend The two literally ran into each other on the Gorkon and found they shared an interest in botany. Meru appreciates Meg’s cheerful demeanor, even if the Betazoid has more energy than a Pugabeast on steroids. Cory Stoyer Friend A friendship sparked over a shared love of reading, despite their differences in taste. He was one of the first people to make her feel truly welcome on the Gorkon, and she enjoys his company and appreciates his advice. Bryce Tagren-Quinn Close Friend They were on the same search and rescue team when deck eight exploded, and spent time camping and science-ing afterward. Having learned that he lost all of the personal artifacts because of the explosion on deck 8, she gave him a housewarming gift in anticipation of his newly rebuilt quarters: an aloe vera plant, which he named Vera Rubin. Since his return from medical leave, they've started a habit of morning jogs with stops at the Brew Continuum. She appreciates his humor and cleverness, and considers him a friend. She definitely isn't harboring any secret romantic feelings for him, nope, definitely not, don't worry about it. Alieth Final Boss, Science Chief Supreme, Head of Matchmaking Tahna's former boss/nemesis. She's definitely never stolen Alieth's dog, and she did receive a trophy from Alieth for breaking some speed regulations in the Sol System with the Vulcan. She finds the tiny Science Chief to be terrifying and confusing, and particularly fears her matchmaking efforts. Thank the Prophets Alieth transferred, and can no longer cause trouble for Meru... Doz Finch Friend Initally connected through the dream world of Skarbek where the pair developed an unlikely found-family bond despite their acerbic natures, Meru and Doz have crossed over the threshold of friendship in the "real world" too. In a strange way, Meru almost thinks of Doz as the grandmother she never had. Rok Furry Friend This one-eyed winged feline instantly became a treasured companion of Meru's, after she was encouraged by James Bowers during shore leave on Andoria to adopt a furry friend of her own. Rok is named for a cat in a Bajoran childrens' book. She likes long naps, tall cat trees, and watching the stars go by at warp.

Family

Spouse/Significant Other: None Parents: Mother: Tahna Yavarel. An orphan, the first of her family name, a resistance fighter and later Bajoran militia, Yavarel is now retired. She and her daughter are two sides of the same coin, though they refuse to acknowledge it. Arguments are a common occurrence and are usually unresolved. Yavarel remains opposed to her daughter's decision to join Starfleet to this day, and Meru avoids calls home for fear of confrontation. Love runs deep between mother and daughter, under many layers of hurt, and Meru regrets her inability to mend this relationship. POV feature in Thirty-Four. Father: Tahna Rej. Rej and his brother used their farm to help feed the Bajoran resistance, which was how he met Meru's mother. Rendered unable to walk during his time in a Cardassian labor camp, he took up art when the Occupation ended, and is now a respected painter on Bajor. Rej has always supported his daughter's aspirations unconditionally, and he and Meru are close. Siblings: None Uncle: Valis Aleni. Kava farmer. He is like another parent to Meru, and she inherited her love of botany from him. Cousins: Valis Tara. Plans to inherit the family farm. Meru and Tara were as close as sisters growing up. Meru's decision to join Starfleet put some distance between them (literally and figuratively) but they remain casual friends. Valis Renas ("Ren"). Starfleet Cadet 3rd Class. The youngest of the cousins, Renas followed in Meru's footsteps and entered Starfleet Academy. He looks to her for mentorship and advice, and hopes to beat her to the rank of Captain (a race and rank she has no interest in). POV feature in Only In Silence The Word.

	Mission History

USS Gorkon

Upon graduation from Starfleet Academy, Ensign Tahna Meru was posted to the USS Gorkon as a science officer.

• Operation Q-Ball - Stardate 239801.20 to 239802.02

Her first mission on board the Gorkon, she was ordered to stay with the shuttle and keep an eye out. What could go wrong? Theeda. Theeda could go wrong. After being drugged and spending a brief stint as a prisoner of war, she was rescued (and further drugged) by Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn Marshall and Ensign Sarah Phillips. Their attempts to distract Theeda from the Latinum Beluga resulted in the first of many explosions that would haunt Tahna's career. Her capture and feeling of relative uselessness on this mission caused her to begin questioning her decision to join Starfleet.

• What Do Boys Dream - Stardate 239803.23 - 239806.18

Waking up in a Cardassian prison cell, Tahna "Greenhorn" Meru joined her maquis compatriots in finding a way out and back to the Skarbek. Her team retrieved manual actuators, attempted to remedy a problem with the power supply, had the floor cave in on them following an explosion, and eventually befriended a sentient slime they named Roomba (after an old folk character) before they were rescued. Upon waking to reality, and learning of the Gorkon's history of shared Skarbek delusions, she joined many of the crew in seeking mental health treatment on Deluvia IV. She struggled with guilt and post-traumatic stress, and considered resigning her commission after two terrible experiences in one year. Her therapist and superiors convinced her to give it another go before leaving.

• The Pelian Brief - Stardate 239808.28 to 239811.18

Ensign Tahna Meru, Commander Samira Neathler, and Lieutenant Cory Stoyer joined Agent Lynas to investigate when Bisul, a Pelian religious leader, was found murdered in his study. They discovered a hidden grotto, mysterious scrolls, and a forbidden love triangle. During their investigation, they were caught in a bus bombing, before they uncovered and put a stop to a massive conspiracy. Meanwhile (unbeknownst to her) Tahna's best friend, Cadet Ico Ena, was trapped in a cave under the very same planet. The successful completion of this mission convinced Tahna to retain her commission in Starfleet, as she realized that she was really in Starfleet to help others, not to help herself.

• Shadows of the Rift - Stardate 239901.27 to 239904.22

The USS Gorkon picked up garbled distress signals from the USS Triumphant with their last known location attached, located deep within a subspace bubble—possibly a Tyken's Rift. Lieutenant J.G. Tahna Meru joined Lieutenant Commander Samira Neathler's team to investigate a drifting escape pod for clues, but she and her team were thrown around the cargo bay by a mysterious force that forced them to confront their fears. She was first reassigned to Commander Jona ch'Ranni's team, which attempted to fix the power drain in engineering. They were reassigned to a search and rescue mission and joined by Ensign Bryce Tagren-Quinn when a hole was blown in the side of the Gorkon. Despite extensive damage to Deck 8 and unreliable sensors, her group was able to rescue several survivors, including Ensign Tzim-Shah, Lieutenant JG Vorin, and Lieutenant Valesha Sienelis.

• Rogue World - Stardate 239908.15 to 239911.26

A rogue moon mysteriously appeared in the Tyrellian system, on a collision course with Palanon. Freshly-promoted Lieutenant Tahna Meru joined Admiral Quinn Reynolds's team on the Bridge in investigating the rogue moon and its origins. They were investigating the possibility that the moon might be sent back through a transwarp conduit via a series of tachyon pulses when the USS Kerla returned to the Gorkon with inconclusive lifesigns. Admiral Reynolds, Lieutenant Commander Ayiana Sevo, and Lieutenant Gnaxac were investigating the runabout when they were thrown back in time to the Gorkon's time "Over There." They devised a plan to inject the ship's bio-neural circuitry with a chroniton-infused serum in order to return to the present. Upon their successful return, were able to send the tachyon pulses necessary to send the rogue moon home, while shielding the inhabited planets in the system from further damage.

• Fight the Power - Stardate 240002.05 to 240006.05

TBA. Skarbek!

• Shadows in the Temple - Stardate 240009.01 to 240012.02

TBA. Newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Tahna Meru is having a Bad Time leading her first away team.

	Service History

Service History
Insignia	Rank	Dates	Posting	Assignment
	Cadet, Fourth Class	239409.01 - 239508.30	Starfleet Academy	Science Major
	Cadet, Third Class	239509.01 - 239608.30		Science Major Helm/Nav Minor
	Cadet, Second Class	239609.01 - 239708.30
	Cadet, First Class	239709.01 - 239801.12
		239801.13 - 239801.19	USS Centris-A NCC-72913
	Ensign	239801.20 - 239812.27	USS Gorkon NCC-82293	Science Officer
	Lieutenant JG	239812.28 - 239907.19
	Lieutenant	239907.20 - 240009.01
	Lieutenant Commander	2340009.02 - 240103.05
		2340103.06 - Present		Chief Science Officer

	Awards and Ribbons

For award descriptions, see: Awards and Service Ribbons

Awards and Service Ribbons

Service Ribbon Name Date/Assignment Citation Starfleet Academy Graduate Ribbon 239801.20 Starfleet Academy Awarded for graduating from Starfleet Academy. Operation Safe Harbor Service Medal 239802.10 USS Gorkon Awarded for work in Ma no Umi against insurmountable odds, and a few pirates, while facing off against not only the Orion Syndicate, but members of several factions. Operation Q-Ball Intelligence Star 239802.10 USS Gorkon Awarded for quick thinking, resourcefulness, and determination while maintaining cover. Operation Q-Ball Good Conduct Ribbon 239802.10 USS Gorkon Awarded for the many acts of gallantry performed during the infiltration of Nassau. Operation Q-Ball Joint Meritorious Unit Award 239802.10 USS Gorkon Awarded for working with an allied party to achieve their common goals. Operation Q-Ball Prisoner of War Ribbon 239802.10 USS Gorkon Awarded for bravery in the face of danger, and reacting calmly under pressure following capture by Theeda. Operation Q-Ball Purple Heart 239812.28 USS Gorkon Awarded for the physical sacrifices we make while performing our duty, our willingness to risk our own wellbeing in the service of others. The Pelian Brief Starfleet Investigation Ribbon 239812.28 USS Gorkon Awarded for using their knowledge, skills and problem-solving abilities to conduct an investigation; in so doing, solve crime, defuse threats and resolve dangerous situations. The situation on Darime required those skills in abundance, and our officers tracked down murderers, saboteurs and butchers. The Pelian Brief Silver Lifesaving Ribbon 239907.20 USS Gorkon For exemplary bravery and quick-thinking in a tremendously dangerous predicament. Shadows of the Rift Purple Heart 240001.21 USS Gorkon For injuries sustained in during the Rogue Planet mission. It represents personal sacrifice, the strength of character to endure injury in the line of duty and in service to others. Rogue World Innovation Ribbon 240001.21 USS Gorkon For "quite some ingenuity and quick thinking" in devising a plan to return to their own time. Rogue World Legion of Merit 240001.21 USS Gorkon "When tossed into a—for them—unknown time zone, where materials and equipment were scarce, that did not stop Lieutenants Tahna Meru and Gnaxac, who came up with some splendid ideas to return their team to the present." Rogue World UFP Medal of Freedom 24001.21 USS Gorkon For acts of gallantry and heroism in an attempt to safeguard every single planet in the Tyrellian system and its inhabitants. Rogue World Recovery Ribbon 240103.06 USS Gorkon "Serving in Starfleet is not without a risk, especially when you have a knack for being around explosive events. When one of our crew presented herself at Sickbay, it didn’t take our medical officer long to discover that this Bajoran had suffered long lasting physical damage. Thanks to the good care and immediate reaction of our medical staff, this person had a complete recovery." Prisoner of War Ribbon 230103.06 USS Gokon For enduring and escaping capture by the Eye of Infinity Cult on Sargasso IV. Shadows in the Temple Good Conduct Ribbon 240103.06 USS Gorkon "Sargasso V came with a unique set of challenges, not least the nature of its inhabitants. We all encountered some degree of hostility, but two of our teams resisted capture; escaping their would-be prisons and using their freedom not to retreat, but to learn more and pursue the mission goals." Shadows in the Temple Leadership Excellence Ribbon 240103.06 USS Gorkon For successful leadership of an away team on Sargasso V. Shadows in the Temple Award Name Date/Assignment Citation Genesis Award 239806.26 USS Gorkon Awarded for showing conspicuous effort in improving their simming skills. Nebula Bar 239906.27 USS Gorkon Awarded for making "a particular effort to pump lifeblood into the locations we've visited, filling in the gaps where the travel guidebook descriptions leave off." Russ Bar 239906.27 USS Gorkon Awarded for broad and deep knowledge and understanding of Trek’s lore and mythology, particularly of Bajoran people and culture. 1-year Member 239906.29 USS Gorkon A length of service award given to those who have been members continuously for one year. B-Plot Award 240007.04 USS Gorkon Awarded to simmers who, despite the demands of the core storyline, illustrate a substantial portion of the character's life. Their sims convey the journey of their character while bringing their fellow crew members along for the ride, allowing for collaboration and making their world feel as though their fellow writers are a part of it. Neelix Award 240007.04 USS Gorkon Awarded to officers who go above and beyond the call of duty by displaying additional, Out of Character commitment. This includes assisting fellow officers in need of simming assistance, facilitating Out of Character discussions with the crew, maintaining wiki articles, and more.

	Gallery

• 

  Ensign Tahna Meru

• 

  Ens. Tahna Meru at the 2398 Fleet Awards Ceremony

• 

  Lt. JG Tahna Meru at the 2399 Fleet Awards Ceremony

• 

  Lieutenant Tahna Meru

• 

  Lt. Tahna Meru at the 2400 Fleet Awards Ceremony

Illustrations

• 

  Cyberpunk Tahna Meru for the 2398 Halloween Avatar Contest

• 

  Tahna Meru as drawn by her friend, Ico Ena (credit to Alieth)

• 

  Gorkonbumps Tahna Meru for the 2399 Halloween Avatar Contest

• 

  Chibi portrait

• 

  Gorkorama!Tahna for the 2400 Halloween Avatar Contest

Funny Business

• 

  Plaque commemorating Tahna's extensive experience exploding (credit to Jocelyn Marshall)

• 

  239806 Quote of the Month

• 

  239907 Quote of the Month

• 

  239910 Quote of the Month

• 

  240006 Quote of the Month

	SIM Archive

• Phone Home - A conversation with her parents at the conclusion of her first mission.
• Counseling Session, Stardate 239806.29 - Meru deals with the emotional fallout of her time in the Skarbek universe.
• Time to Explore! - Exploring Deluvia IV while on medical leave.
• JP (Backsim) Shezara: Part 1Part 2 Part 3 - Meru meets fellow Bajoran cadet Ico Ena when they accidentally register for the wrong class.
• The Starfleet Problem: Part 1 Part 2 - Meru is promoted to JG, and her cousin is accepted into the Academy, but the occasion isn't as joyous as they might hope.
• JP Crossing Paghs: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 - Meru and Doz Finch meet for the first time in an unlikely place, and reckon with the aftermath of Skarbek.
• We'll All Be Here Forever: Part 1 Part 2 - Six years after leaving home to join Starfleet Meru finds herself back in the Bajoran system. She can't avoid her mother forever.

NPC Listing   ·   USS Gorkon Crew Manifest   ·   Crew History CO Quinn Reynolds 2O & Ops. Chief Jo Marshall HCO Officer Cory Stoyer Sec/Tac Officer Isabelle Basilia Chief Engineer Vylaa zh'Tisav Asst. Chief Engineer Doz Finch Chief of Science Tahna Meru First Officer Samira Neathler Mission Specialist Ayiana Sevo Sec/Tac Officer Lina Dahlquist Sec/Tac Officer James Bowers Engineer Gnaxac Counsellor Max Whitlock Science Officer Taelon Edit This Nav