KirThon th'Shran

KirThon th'Shran (b. 2328) is an Andorian Commander in the United Federation of Planets Starfleet, and a native of Andor. As of 2358, th'Shran was assigned to the USS *Valor* (NCC-26519) as executive officer and flight controller.

## Early Life

Th'Shran was born in Neshilev in the Clorisev District on Andor. A member of the ancient Keth Shran, KirThon was trained in the martial arts from an early age, and expected to carry on the Keth's long tradition of service in the Imperial Guard or Starfleet. While he took to the warrior's path quite naturally, KirThon also possessed artistic talent and harmonized the two threads of his life through the practice of *traloxa’ilnir*, ice sculpting. An ancient art that seems to have originated in the ice carvings made by minors in idle moments in camp on the great glaciers, *traloxa'ilnr* is an artform in the temporal mode, requiring the sculptor to predict the effects of weather, temperature, and other environmental factors on the ice being carved, so as to create a sculpture that changes with the environment, shifting into new forms that are often commentaries or variations on the original. By the time he entered Starfleet Academy in 2345, th'Shran was already considered a skilled artist, and his reputation has only grown in the years since. One of the few ice sculptors to practice his art on multiple worlds, th'Shran's artistic reputation has spread far beyond Andor.

## Starfleet Academy & Career

Th'Shran excelled at Starfleet Academy, where he developed a passion for piloting everything from atmospheric craft to starships. Alongside astronavigation and helm operations, th'Shran continued his practice of the martial arts, and also began studying Vulcan meditation techniques, finding that the practice mental discipline allowed him to focus with much more precision on whatever tasks he set himself. He also became known for his skills in wilderness survival in a variety of climates and conditions, completing the notoriously grueling Escape and Evasion and Forced Landing Survival courses with the highest possible marks. Commissioned as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade upon Graduation in 2349 and assigned to the USS *Wyoming* (NCC-43730) as a helm officer. During an encounter with a hostile Cardassian cruiser in 2351, th'Shran threw the outgunned *Wyoming* into a series of break-neck maneuvers through a nebular asteroid field, resulting in severe damage to the Cardassian vessel when it attempted to follow and engage the smaller Federation starship. Captain G'Taric credited the young helmsman with saving the ship and promoted him to full Lieutenant.

With the end of his tour aboard the *Wyoming* in 2354, th'Shran was promoted to Lt. Commander and assigned as Chief Flight Controller aboard the USS *Crazy Horse* (NCC-50446)*.* During the Second Battle of Korvac in 2356, the captain and executive officer of the *Crazy Horse* were both incapacitated, leaving th'Shran as the senior officer present on the bridge. Taking command, th'Shran executed a fighting withdrawal that likely saved the *Crazy Horse*, while also disabling two Cardassian ships. Upon her recovery, Captain S'Hurr convinced th'Shran to change his career track from conn to command, and upon his promotion to full commander in 2358, recommended him for the position of executive officer aboard the USS *Valor.*