T'Pel Kestra

Captain T'Pel Kestra is the Second Officer and Chief Science Officer of the USS Odyssey.
==Background==
Mother, Lorina, is a Betazoid Ambassador that studied on Vulcan where she met Sakar, the Vulcan half of her genetic make-up, who is also an Ambassador. They typically work as a team. They lived on Betazed for a few years where T'Pel had difficulty dealing with herself and the other kids there. It was after a rather nasty accident involving water, bullies, and self defense they moved to Vulcan, where her father spearheaded efforts to teach her a more Vulcan way.   
She has one sibling. A brother named Kalen. He is about two years younger than she is and as annoying as he can be, she cares for him deeply.
T'Pel's telepathic abilities range from empathic (mild most of the time, unless caught off guard or put under quite a bit of stress) to Being able to pry into a mind without touch. Something she is loathed to do. She does not particularly enjoy the sensations from others that she is often privy to as she feels it is intrusive for both her and others. However it is something she can only endeavor to improve her disciplines in controlling. Being a hybrid she has never felt like she belonged anywhere and joining Starfleet seemed like the most logical choice. If structure is not working, throw yourself to chance and see what happens.
T’Pel chose Starfleet because she did not want to be limited to Vulcan or Vulcan interests. She has always felt that as closely tied to Vulcan as she is, there needs to be more if she is ever going to find her place. She also did not relish anything Betazoid. The traumatic experience she had as a child has caused her to view Betazoids with caution and a tendency to keep them at arm's length. Especially if they are more “nosy” than usual.
Getting into the Academy was no more or less taxing as what most Vulcans find. She had her talents and leaned into them, and did not waste much time with frivolous things. Sadly, one of the things she did find difficult yet unavoidable, was dealing with others. More so understanding more emotional things. That is not to say she did not try to learn more. Shortly after her arrival she settled on it being a constant lesson for her throughout life that she would have to work on. She would be the first to tell you she has difficulty relating to others. 
Born with a natural curiosity and an eye for non planet side things, the sciences fascinated her more than anything else. Especially the Stars. The stars did not feel, or think. They just are. Everything in the universe aside from living entities have it’s place and that is that. Astrometrics seemed far less complicated than people, and were usually better to look at and be around. However, she made a point to delve into as much psychology as possible. The mind could be just as fascinating even if she did not understand why people did the things they did all the time. Psychology was the tool to learn. But that was always more for herself. She feels that she has no business counseling anyone else while she is still attempting to find her own peace.
She has served aboard 4 ships thus far in her career. The USS Nevada, USS T'Kumbra, USS Retributor, USS Essex. With occasional reassignment to the T'Kumbra. The one place she found a sense of belonging. 
==Personality==
Quiet. Observant. Perhaps at times a bit tense for a Vulcan. Blunt to a fault. Typical Vulcan cold, until she warms up to you, if she warms up to you. Loyal and doesn't always think before she speaks.
== Photos/Art ==
File:Right TPel.jpg|Art by Lavender
Category:Characters
Category:Odyssey Crew
Category:Science
Category:Lieutenant Commander
Category:Betazoid
Category:Vulcan
Category:Female
Category:TPel
Category:Department Head
Category:Senior Staff
Category:Senior Officer