Saren Maelrok

## Biography

Raised on the agricultural colony of Virinat, Saren longed for a life exploring the stars rather than one of agriculture and farming. His family all shared a love of, and skill in, agriculture - his sister in particular being something of an expert in arboral studies. Saren was not so blessed, indeed it was a point of humor that a family of such renowned experts in their field could produce a child who was most certainly not 'green fingered' as the human saying went.

With his sights set on the heavens rather than the rolling fields of his home colony, Saren enlisted in the Romulan Star Navy as soon as he was able. He took well to his life in the military, but never lost sight of his origins and remained proud of his families work and achievements. In particular Saren was very proud of his sister, Liviana, who's skill and expertise in arboral studies earnt her renown and respect not only across Virinat, but across the Empire too.

Despite some looking down on his origins, Saren rose steadily through the ranks of the Star Navy being assigned to various positions from pilot to tacitcal officer. His willingness and openess to new experiences did not go unnoticed, and he was selected for an exchange program with the Romulan Marines. Despite some inter-service rivalry at the start, Saren never the less settled into the assignment winning the respect of the Marines with whom he served. He seriously considered asking for a permanent transfer to the Marines, however was drawn back into the Navy with the offer of a position aboard a D'Deridex as its tactical officer.

As with many Romulans, the destruction of the homeworld had a profound affect on Saren and his family, his sister being listed amongst the casualties from the destruction of Romulus itself. His sisters last gift to him, a minature tree (similar to a bonsai tree in human culture) remains one his most treasured posessions. The rise of the Tal Shiar following the Hobus supernova was of concern to Saren, even at the best of times he was never comfortable with how they operated seeing it as an affront to the honorable role the Navy played in defending the Romulan people. Along with his fellow officers, Saren tried to maintain the standards and principals of the Star Navy, however the situation continued to deterirate. Things came to a head when the remaining members of his family were lost in the attack on the colony of Virinat. With the Tal Shiar's involvement in the attack revelled, Saren led a group of his fellow officers in defecting to the fledgling Romulan Republic.

Since joining the Republic, Saren has served with distinction in various conflicts including the Iconian War and Hur'q Crisis. As a keen supporter of D'tan and his vision of a new place for the Romulan people on the galatic stage, Saren has dedicated himself to protecting the new Republic, vowing to never again let the likes of the Tal Shiar endanger those who cannot defend themselves.

Having served aboard a variety of vessels ranging from Valdore and D'Deridex class warbirds to smaller scout vessels, Saren eventually rose to the rank of Sub-Commander. His superiors, particularly impressed with his ability to work with other species (or perhaps just tollerate them) singled him out for a position in one of the many joint operations the Republic was conducting with its new allies. In particular, he was singled out for assignment to Joint Task Force Bellerophon as the XO aboard the RRW Shull ch'S'harien.