Summary: Meta. Many, many details gleaned from the Star Trek wiki Memory Alpha. Thanks to Elfin for additional notes! Still in progress, will be amended with further information.
Meta. Many, many details gleaned from the Star Trek wiki Memory Alpha. Thanks to Elfin for additional notes!
Still in progress, will be amended with further information.
The USS William Bell
Elfin writes:
The USS William Bell is a Miranda class ship, roughly contemporary with the Constitution class of Kirk's Enterprise. Her registry is NCC-1891. She's a light cruiser with augmented sensors and scientific equipment, but still carries a full weapons compliment. There is no goddamn holodeck. She has a crew complement of roughly 100-120 and accommodates families.
Single primary hull, saucer section containing the bridge, two nacelle pylons, docking port forward, two shuttlebays aft, impulse engines aft. Superstructure above the primary hull contains torpedo launchers, phaser banks, and additional sensors. Six dual phaser banks on primary hull, no torpedos on primary hull.
Main bridge on deck 1. Vertical warp core surrounded by three levels of decking. Transporter pad with 4 transporters. Shuttlebays also contain escape pods. The starboard viewing gallery has been converted into a bar. Her shuttles are The Seahorse and The Dragonfly.
On Board
Captain Olivia Dunham
Olivia's biological father died when she was very young. Her stepfather [REDACTED]. After her mother died, Olivia became the ward of Nina Sharp.
During the Cortexiphan trials Olivia developed a mental link to Nick Lane, which persists to this day. Both of them make an effort to ignore the link unless a situation demands they be in mental contact.
Olivia fiercely battled the prejudice against humans with biologically engineered enhancements, an attitude strongly ingrained in human society since the Eugenics Wars. With the help of lawyer Miranda Green, she argued that the Cortexiphan subjects were simply humans who had gained additional abilities, distinct from specifically genetically engineered Augments such as Khan Noonien Singh. Although the debate rages on, Starfleet saw the value in a ship whose complement included humans with extraordinary abilities and assigned Captain Dunham the Bell. Olivia is well aware that her ship's exploits face disproportionate scrutiny on all levels, but she has faith in her crew to rise to any challenge.
Olivia intensely dislikes the regulations stipulating that the captain doesn't join an away team unless specifically necessary, but given her ship's unique position she reluctantly sticks to regs barring special circumstances.
Elfin adds: She hates it. She and Lincoln have almost formalized fights about it, but she usually lets him win, because she doesn't want to endanger her crew, but she also doesn't want to put Lincoln in the position that he has to report (or decide to not report) unfavorably on her actions. Away teams are usually Lincoln, Charlie, and [crew member(s) with relevant training/ability].
Despite her attraction to both her First Officer and her Chief Engineer, Olivia adheres to the unofficial Starfleet guidelines about not dating subordinates.
Ability: Telekinesis, electrokinesis, can move between alternate universes.
Commander Lincoln Lee, First Officer
Lincoln served ably for several years alongside his best friend Captain Robert Danzig on the USS Hartford. Captain Danzig died when their ship was sabotaged by unknown enemies. Then-Lieutenant Commander Lee was honored and promoted for leading the rescue effort to save the crew and the families aboard, including Danzig's wife Jules and their two children.
Starfleet Intelligence (and the officially nonexistent Section 31) suspects that the attack on the Hartford is linked to a number of other anomalous destructive events involving Starfleet ships and outposts and has asked Commander Lee to quietly continue investigating as his other duties allow.
Shaken by the experience, Lee was at first hesitant when he was offered the posting on the newly commissioned Bell, but he swiftly came to appreciate the unique crew-especially Captain Dunham.
(Based on discussion with Elfin) Lincoln's unofficial duties also include reporting back to Starfleet Command on the efficiency of Olivia and the other Cortexiphan subjects, above and beyond any First Officer's responsibility to evaluate his or her captain. The fact that Olivia is well aware of this order doesn't reduce Lincoln's conflict about obeying or disregarding it as his conscience demands.
Elfin adds: Lincoln and Peter have a flirty, sarcastic bromance that occasionally leads to blowjobs and fucking up against the wall in a dark corner of Engineering. They're both in love with Olivia, obviously, but don't expect her to ever really pick between them, so there's no real jealousy there.
Commander Peter Bishop, Chief Engineer and Third Officer
A textbook rebel, Peter spent most of his career traveling from outpost to outpost on the fringes of Federation space, often flouting Starfleet regulations. Despite that, his talent as an engineer has won him accolades as well as a (mostly) friendly rivalry with Montgomery Scott of theEnterprise.
Peter was intrigued enough by the possibilities of the William Bell's crew-especially Captain Dunham-to sign on to a permanent posting. He's friendly with Charlie, more than friendly with Lincoln, and generally well liked by the crew.
Unknown to him, Peter is actually the son of a Walter Bishop from [an alternate universe/another timeline/TBD].
Lieutenant Commander Charlie Francis, Security Chief and Second Officer
Charlie Francis was a decorated officer in the Federation Security forces before joining Starfleet. He met Olivia when he was teaching a Tactical Training class at the Academy. He knew she'd make captain despite the prejudice against enhanced humans and signed on to be her security chief when Olivia was awarded command of the Bell.
Charlie came aboard with his wife Sonia, who has made herself useful to the crew as an Operations NCO. They're talking about starting a family.
Lieutenant Commander Brandon Fayette, Chief Science Officer
A protégé of Nina Sharp, Dr. Brandon Fayette rose swiftly through the ranks of Starfleet's science division despite his occasionally awkward personal manner. Some members of Starfleet Security wonder if the commander's ultimate loyalty is to Ms. Sharp rather than Starfleet, but Dr. Fayette has never provided any proof for their suspicions or given cause for his shipmates to doubt his reliability.
Dr. Fayette is extremely interested in the biological mechanism by which the Cortexiphan subjects access their abilities. Though he refrains from invasive testing (and questioning), he intensively studies all reports of their abilities, hoping to publish a comprehensive treatise at some point.
At the behest of both Nina Sharp and Dr. Alistair Peck of Starfleet Science Ops, Dr. Fayette has also been studying the structure of space in areas concerning the incursion of alternate or parallel universes. His specialties include mathematics, astrophysics, probability dynamics, and quantum mechanics.
Brandon has a mild crush on Lt. Farnsworth but is content to admire her from afar.
Lieutenant Commander Frank Stanton, Chief Medical Officer
Frank Stanton's parents were in Starfleet and he traveled extensively around the galaxy with them as a child. He always knew he wanted to be a doctor and applied to Starfleet directly out of medical school.
Dr. Stanton is a noted expert in the field of bioethics and helped the Cortexiphan subjects develop guidelines regarding the use of their abilities. He drew on the traditions of species such as the Vulcans and Betazoids to construct a kind of psychic's moral code, which he admits is a work in constant progress and always subject to circumstance.
As befits his posting, Dr. Stanton has made an intensive study of the side-effects that trouble the Cortexiphan subjects.
Elfin adds: Astrid and Frank Stanton have been dating off and on since they met on Earth when Frank was consulting on a research project at Starfleet HQ and she was doing some post-grad work at the Academy.
Lieutenant Astrid Farnsworth, Communications Officer
Astrid is good friends with Nyota Uhura on the USS Enterprise, ever since they met and bonded over their similarities at the Academy. (Uhura was several years ahead and doing post-graduate linguistics work.) She often employs her background skills in cryptography and computer science to aid Dr. Fayette and the science division.
Astrid speaks several Earth languages and a number of others (Vulcan, Klingon, Andorian, Tellarite, [TBD]). She enjoys baking for the crew during her off-duty hours. Her relationship with Dr. Stanton continues at a casual level, though they both enjoy each others' company and rarely argue.
Lieutenant Nick Lane, Ship's Councilor
Nick and Olivia Dunham were paired together for the Cortexiphan trials. That experience left them with a lasting bond and an intimate relationship that defies categorization. (Nonsexual, closer than family; "a single soul dwelling in two bodies.")
Nick's empathy makes him an excellent councilor, although he needs to be careful that his own feelings don't impinge on his patients' moods.
Nick and Sally Clark have been a couple for years.
Ability: Empathy. Nick has a strong psychic bond with Olivia Dunham and can forge psychic links with the other subjects when necessary.
Lieutenant Edward Markham, Stellar Cartography
An expert in charting space and sensitive to spatial relationships. Maintains a collection of rare ancient (paper!) books that he might lend out if he likes you. Commander Bishop usually has the best luck in wheedling a manuscript out of Markham's clutches.
Lieutenant Amy Jessup, Security
Lt. Jessup was a forensic investigator with Federation Security before being assigned to the Bell. She takes the lead on away teams where her skills come into play. Amy has some ethical qualms with the idea of the Cortexiphan project but tries to keep an open mind about her fellow officers. Her objections stem from religious grounds and she sees the Cortexiphan subjects as victims of cruel scientists.
Lieutenant Ann Mathis, Security
Charlie's right-hand deputy. Levelheaded and a good balance for Charlie's occasional pessimism. Weapons expert.
Ann Mathis ( 2x21 "Northwest Passage")
Lieutenant Kate Green, Astrophysicist
Dr. Green is a brilliant physicist, far more interested in pursuing her research than furthering her Starfleet career...and the best place to study unique phenomena is out on the frontier. She has a special interest in temporal mechanics and collects reports from ships that have experienced any kind of time anomaly. As a theoretical exercise, Dr. Green has assembled a nearly complete schematic for a time-travel chamber in her private notes, but she is well aware of the repercussions of time displacement and has no intent to actually create the device. Married to engineer Raymond Green.
Kate Green ( 4x10 "And Those We've Left Behind")
Lieutenant James Falcon, Engineering
Another Massive Dynamic protégé with degrees in warp theory, gravimetrics, and plasma dynamics. Falcon's senority outstrips his rank and he resents Commander Bishop for having attained his rank without, as he puts it, "paying his dues." He's both disturbed by and jealous of Ensign James' ability to sense fluctuations in the warp engines.
James Falcon ( 3x11 "Reciprocity")
Lieutenant Birger Anthonsen, Geophysicist, beta shift commander
Lt. Anthonsen grew up in the Vega colony and was an intern at Massive Dynamic before deciding to join Starfleet.
Original character from "Open the Skies" by Elfin.
Lieutenant Renie Sala, Engineering, gamma shift commander
First command assignment. Bit of a nightowl, she likes working the gamma shift. Helps Sam do maintenance on the bowling alley.
Original character from "Open the Skies" by Elfin.
Lieutenant JG Henry Higgins, Helmsman/Tactical Officer
An experienced pilot before he joined Starfleet, Henry came aboard as the ship's helmsman along with his wife Jasmine (a nurse) and his daughter Laura.
When circumstances warrant, Henry flies the Bell like a New York cabbie.
Lieutenant JG Thomas Kashner, Transporter Chief
Lieutenant Kashner takes his job very seriously, despite the fact that Commander Bishop usurps the controls whenever the captain uses the transporter.
(Elfin adds) Kashner hasn't been on the Bell very long and is still sort of skittish around the enhanced crew members. He took his assignment to theBell as a measure of his skill, rather than as something punitive. Due to the nature of her crew, transporting them can be more problematic than normal, and Kashner graduated top of his class from the academy.
Agent Kashner ( 2x5 "Dream Logic")
Ensign Simon Phillips, Navigator
One of the few humans to study the telepathic arts on Vulcan. To help him deal with the scope of his abilities, the Vulcan elders allowed Simon to pursue the early stages of kolinahr training, making him the only non-Vulcan to have done so. The discipline helps Simon deal with the demands of his ability but sometimes makes him seem reserved or detached from his fellow officers. Simon speaks fluent Vulcan.
Simon's progress through the Starfleet ranks has been delayed due to his time studying on Vulcan.
Ability: Telepathy. The intense exercise of his ability still causes Simon pain.
Simon Phillips ( 3x12 "Concentrate and Ask Again")
Ensign Sally Clark, Security
A frequent member of the away team. Excellent shuttlecraft pilot. Fascination with old Earth history.
Sally is in a strong relationship with Nick Lane, although she sometimes exhibits frustration because he's everyone else's sounding board, not just hers. She's also jealous of Nick's psychic link with Captain Dunham and fears that Nick will someday leave her for Olivia, no matter how often Nick tells her his connection with Olivia is more fraternal than anything.
Ability: Pyrokinesis, some geokinesis. Also highly sensitive to environmental changes and phenomena.
Sally Clark ( 2x22 "Over There, Part 1")
Ensign James Heath, Doctor
Dr. Heath's sometimes-abrupt manner hides his dedication to helping the sick.
Ability: Healing. Using his ability taxes his body's resources and is reserved for dire crew injuries. The initial expression of his ability caused rapid-onset disease in those he touched, but James has sworn never to use that manifestation of his ability again.
James Heath ( 2x17 "Olivia. In the Lab. With the Revolver." and 2x22 "Over There, Part 1")
Ensign Cameron James, Engineering
Cameron is sensitive to the fluctuations of the plasma in the warp engines, making him a valuable first-alert resource. Cameron's ability interacts disastrously with transporter technology, making him the only Starfleet officer to be forbidden to use any transporter. (Dr. McCoy, when he hears of this, is exceedingly jealous.)
Ability: Electrokinesis, manipulation of energy fields.
Cameron James ( 4x4 "Subject 9")
Ensign Akim Okonkwo, Computer Sciences
Akim was on the verge of being indicted for hacking sensitive Federation databases before Peter Bishop convinced him to turn his talents toward more gainful pursuits. He still loves modifying computer systems whenever he has the chance, often without the authorization of his commanding officer Lt. Commander Fayette.
Akim ( 1x12 "The No-Brainer")
Ensign Thecla, Navigator, beta shift
Andorian. Her mother is a diplomat at the Andorian embassy on earth. Her father is a history lecturer at the Academy. Thecla grew up in San Francisco and never considered any other career path than joining Starfleet.
Original character from "Open the Skies" by Elfin.
Ensign Jill Ruiz, Engineering
Rooms with Ensign Chen. Has a crush on the captain.
Seen as Olivia's assistant in 4x5 "Novation."
Ensign Lian Chen, Communications
Lian is a Command candidate, currently working Communications beta shift and rotating stations throughout her tour.
Original character from "Girls' Night" chapter of "Scenes Aboard a Starship".
Ensign Noah Kent, Security
Ensign Kent has been a fierce advocate for Captain Dunham since she saved his life during an away mission. Any bad word against her is likely to earn the speaker a bloody nose.
Agent Kent ( 1x14 "Ability"). Olivia failed to save Agent Kent in canon. He had better luck in this 'verse.
Senior Chief Petty Officer/Recreation Chief [NCO] Sam Weiss, Rec Officer/Cook/Bartender
A historian specializing in the era of the Eugenics Wars, Sam had a particular interest in the Cortexiphan trials. Fascinated by the progress of the subjects, he signed on when Olivia received her commission. Sam took special glee in revamping the Bell's recreation facilities to include a bowling alley.
("Recreation Chief" is a legit position. See Harb Tanzer in Diane Duane's Star Trek novels and elsewhere.)
Chief Petty Officer/Chief Engineering Technician [NCO] Raymond Green, Electrical Engineer
Raymond has been happily following his wife Kate around the galaxy, content to travel wherever she wants to go in pursuit of her studies. He's begun to think about retirement, but it's a theoretical concern as long as Kate still wants to follow her passion.
Raymond Green ( 4x10 "And Those We've Left Behind")
Petty Officer First Class [NCO] Emily Mallum, Captain's Yeoman
Emily graduated from the Starfleet Technical Services Academy on Mars and specifically requested to be assigned to the Bell. Once ensconced as Olivia's yeoman, Emily confessed to a powerful natural precognitive ability that she had been afraid to reveal to Starfleet. Captain Dunham and Dr. Stanton have been helping her learn to channel her gift.
Emily Mallum ( 4x6 "Forced Perspective")
Petty Officer Second Class [NCO] Sinead Rossi, Diagnostic and Repair Technician
Sinead's Scottish mother and Italian father met at the Technical Services Academy and married after a brief tumultuous courtship. They taught Sinead that enlisted crew were no less valuable to a ship than the commissioned officers, and she's determined to prove them right.
Original character from "Girls' Night" chapter of "Scenes Aboard a Starship".
Petty Officer Second Class [NCO] Jasmine Higgins, Nurse
Jasmine came aboard with her husband Henry Higgins. She usually sees the best in people and enjoys being a nurse. Though she loves serving in Starfleet, Jasmine is beginning to wonder if the ship is the best place to raise her daughter.
Jasmine and Laura Higgins ( 3x01 "Olivia")
Crewman First Class [NCO] Krista Manning, Yeoman
Krista most often works with Sam Weiss to see to the needs of the crew during their off hours. She's an excellent cook. Krista has a crush on Commander Bishop and keeps trying to find a recipe that'll get him to notice her.
Krista Manning ( 2x21 "Northwest Passage")
Crewman Third Class [NCO] Sonia Francis, Yeoman
Sonia performs administrative and clerical duties for the crew. She's known for telling terrible jokes and trying to brighten up the ship by decorating with colorful plants "borrowed" from the Botany department.
Sonia Francis ( 1x16 "Unleashed")
Rachel and Ella Dunham, civilians
Olivia's sister and niece, currently traveling aboard the Bell. After Rachel's divorce from her husband Greg she took Olivia up on her offer to come aboard as a chance to start a new life. Rachel doesn't really like space travel and becomes extremely agitated whenever the ship runs into trouble. She's terrified on Ella's behalf and wants to find somewhere to settle, maybe one of the colonies.
Ella, of course, wants nothing more than to grow up to be a starship captain like her aunt Liv.
Elsewhere
Admiral Phillip Broyles
Once highly skeptical of the Cortexiphan project and its subjects' usefulness to Starfleet, Phillip was won over by Olivia Dunham's consistently high performance throughout her career.
Admiral Broyles lives on Earth with his wife Diane, son Christopher, and daughter Samantha.
Admiral Sanford Harris
A staunch opponent of the decision to allow the Cortexiphan subjects to serve in Starfleet. Seems to have some personal vendetta against Captain Dunham.
Starfleet Science Ops Director Walter Bishop
Eccentric and occasionally erratic but undeniably brilliant, Dr. Bishop keeps a terrible secret: Peter Bishop is not his son, but a stolen alternate version of the child he lost.
His estranged wife Elizabeth Bishop is a Federation ambassador.
Doctor Alistair Peck, Starfleet Science Ops
Noted expert in the fields of astrophysics, particle acceleration, and time travel.
Starfleet R&D Director Carla Warren
Dr. Warren and her division are responsible for turning Dr. Bishop's theoretical ramblings into usable technologies.
Nina Sharp, CEO Massive Dynamic
One of the richest individuals in the Federation, Nina Sharp has her hands (including the artificial one) in nearly every aspect of Federation technology via her immense company Massive Dynamic, which she holds in trust for the absent William Bell. She became Olivia Dunham's guardian after Olivia's mother died.
Nina provided the template for the standard voice of the computer aboard Starfleet ships.
Dr. William Bell
Super-genius. Entrepreneur. Futurist inventor. Missing in action.
Ambassador Lucas Vogel
Federation diplomat. Olivia Dunham's ex.
Ambassador Elizabeth Bishop
Federation diplomat. Estranged from her husband Walter Bishop.
Captain John Scott
Captain of the USS Dauntless. Former boyfriend of Olivia Dunham. Still wants her back.
Captain Scott is (unofficially) working directly for Section 31 on a secret counter-terrorism mission to root out the Federation's new mysterious enemy. His First Officer Mitchell Loeb is secretly a mole working for parties unknown.
Scott receives reports from Marshall Bowman and Daniel Hicks, Starfleet Intelligence operatives also working for Section 31. If/when one or both of them goes missing, he'll want to call on Captain Dunham for help.
Notes: I would be thrilled to see others take up this fic universe and run with it. Continuing adventures, I want to read them! And hey, begging DOES work! Collected pics for this 'verse now at the Fringe/Star Trek fusion project tumblr. ^_^