Captain Zbarki

Captain Zbarki (Assumed deceased)

The captain of the Lherok Empire, Captain Zbarki, was a public figure known for his frequent interaction with children of many different species. Despite the galaxy’s perception of the Lherok being mixed, Zbarki was seen as a positive public figure who would teach others how to live and thrive in ways that did as little ecological harm as possible. In workshops, camps, and outings he would teach children about reducing waste through reuse, composting, minimising pollution, and enjoying nature without interfering. Much of this was publicised in his own television series, “Captain Zbarki’s Li’l Eco Warriors”. Towards the end of the series’ run, however, viewers began to raise concern that some of Zbarki’s teachings and methods were becoming more drastic and radical, becoming inappropriate for the children watching and featured on the show.

Those close to Zbarki also raised concerns about his mental health, noting that he was becoming erratic and aggressive at times, and showing signs of paranoia or delusions among other personality changes. Zbarki, however, refused any kind of treatment, and firmly insisted on continuing the filming of his television series. Eventually the series abruptly but quietly stopped airing mid-season without any notice or explanation. Most assumed this was in response to viewers’ concerns and complaints about its content, however rumours had begun to spread that Zbarki had been killed by an animal attack. The rumour was met with scepticism, as there was no official confirmation of his passing, but Zbarki had stopped making any kind of public appearances.

Years after the end of the series, a hacking attempt aimed at another empire ended up inadvertently leaking digital data from the Lherok empire. Among this data were video files containing clips of the unaired final episodes of Zbarki’s show. The unaired episodes depicted Captain Zbarki performing and encouraging acts of violence, eugenics, and eco terrorism. During filming of the final unaired episode of the series, Captain Zbarki willingly surrendered himself to a pack of carnivorous animals and was mauled in front of several very distressed children. The rumour, now believed to have originated from the children who witnessed the incident, had been proven true. In response to this data breach, the Lherok empire released a statement expressing their displeasure with the leak and disclosing that after the incident, it was discovered that Zbarki had been suffering from an undiagnosed brain tumour, which had affected his personality and behaviour. They did not address the leak any further, nor attempt retaliation at whoever was responsible.

Unsurprisingly, the positive image the Lherok had gained from Captain Zbarki's work had been tarnished by his behaviour towards the end of his life. In spite of this, many people still considered Zbarki their childhood hero, and paid tribute to him after learning of his untimely end. Captain Zbarki is said to have embodied the full spectrum of Lherok beliefs, from the harmless and noble to the radical and dangerous.

In 'The Mind Electric', however, Captain Mondael discovers that Captain Zbarki is not truly deceased, but has been in stasis since the incident. She and Captain Gromper visit the Lherok homeworld Kwinaan to engage in diplomacy, but shortly after arriving Mondael slips into the Metaphysical Realm, where she finds Zbarki's shadow in front of his stasis chamber in the basement of the diplomats' building. Mondael enters Zbarki's dreamscape, where she observes his thoughts and memories throughout his psychological decline and eventually fights his shadow. The two eventually come to peace with each other, and Mondael returns to the physical realm. Shortly afterwards, alarms sound in the building, suggesting that Zbarki may be awakening from stasis.