Romen Corbin

History

Political Information

Affiliation: Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Family

• Wife: Arleena Corbin of the Fourteenth House of Betazed – Federation Ambassador
• Son: Avexan Corbin – Starfleet Officer
• Daughter: Niraxa Corbin – Starfleet Officer

Biography

Early Life

Romen Corbin was born on 10th August 2352 in a grand rural estate nestled in the hills outside the city of Rixx on Betazed. His family were members of Betazed’s high society, respected, cultured, and well-connected, though not affiliated with any of the Great Houses. The Corbins’ manor, surrounded by manicured gardens and terraced vineyards, was a place of refinement and tradition, where intellect, poise, and social grace were valued above all else. From an early age, Romen was raised to embody these virtues. He attended the prestigious Cataria Boarding School for Boys, an institution known for its academic excellence and strict discipline. His education at Cataria instilled discipline and quiet confidence, shaping his leadership style.

After completing his studies, Romen enrolled at Rixx University, where he pursued degrees in psychology and psychiatry. Immersed in the study of the mind, he gained a deep understanding of emotional complexity and interpersonal dynamics. This knowledge would serve as the cornerstone of his early Starfleet career.

Starfleet Career

Starfleet Academy

After completing his studies at Rixx University, Romen Corbin was accepted into Starfleet Academy on Earth in 2370, majoring in counselling with a minor in xenocultural studies. Though his time at the Academy coincided with the escalating tensions that would culminate in the Dominion War, Corbin remained focused on his studies. However, in the final months of his cadet training, like all officer candidates of the era, he undertook extensive ground combat and field survival training. This was a pragmatic shift by Starfleet Command as the political climate worsened. While not naturally inclined toward combat, Corbin’s discipline and quiet determination saw him complete the program with distinction. During this training, he met fellow cadet Elizabeth Nelson, a trainee engineer, who supported him during their field exercises. Later, they discovered they both shared an interest in cooking and would frequently cook for each other between their classes and revisions. They became good friends.

Before graduation, Corbin returned to Betazed to take part in the traditional wedding ceremony with his Imzadi, Arleena. This union bonded him by marriage into the Fourteenth House of Betazed. Their ceremony, held at her family’s beach villa, marked the merging of two respected lineages. Shortly thereafter, Corbin graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2374, just as the Dominion War started. Arleena entered the Federation Diplomatic Corps, beginning a career that would often run parallel to her husband’s Starfleet service.

USS Magellan (NCC-71820)

Upon graduating from Starfleet Academy, Corbin was assigned to the Galaxy-class USS Magellan, one of the many vessels serving under Starfleet’s Tenth Fleet during the height of the Dominion War. Fresh from the Academy, Corbin quickly established himself as a stabilising presence among both the ship’s crew and the soldiers they transported to and from the front lines.

The Battle of Betazed in 2375 marked a defining chapter in his early career. The Magellan and the rest of the Tenth Fleet were caught off guard by the Dominion’s sudden offensive, forced into a desperate retreat after sustaining heavy losses. Amid the chaos, the Magellan was able to rescue survivors, including Corbin’s wife, Arleena, whose diplomatic transport had been destroyed during the initial attack. Though relieved beyond words that she had survived, Romen learned that her entire family had perished in the invasion, leaving her as the new Head of the Fourteenth House of Betazed.

In the following months, Corbin channelled his grief and empathy into determination. As chief counsellor, he tirelessly advocated for the liberation of Betazed with his commanding officer, though his appeals were often met with silence or bureaucratic caution. When the Magellan was reassigned to the Second Fleet, Corbin volunteered for bridge duty during the ship’s three subsequent attempts to reclaim his homeworld. He had to be there to see the outcomes. During the second assault, when the helm officer was injured, Corbin took the controls himself, demonstrating calm precision under fire. His quick thinking and adaptability impressed his captain, and it was during these operations that Corbin first discovered his fascination with starship operations and the broader tactical picture of command.

USS Odyssey (NCC-72503)

Following the Dominion War, Corbin was transferred to the Sovereign-class USS Odyssey, serving as the flagship of Rear Admiral Luke Duncan from Starbase 4 in the Mellstoxx system. The ship was commanded by Captain Nicola Duncan, the admiral’s wife.

For Corbin, the Odyssey represented a new era. It was a shift from the chaos of war to the act of rebuilding the Federation. As chief counsellor, Corbin played a crucial role in supporting the ship’s officers and crew as Starfleet transitioned back to exploration and humanitarian efforts. The Odyssey’s presence at the heart of diplomatic and strategic operations exposed Corbin to the inner workings of high-level politics. Furthermore, Arleena was able to move to Mellstoxx, and it was here that she gave birth to their son, Avexan, in 2376. Romen was beyond excited about becoming a father and enjoyed every moment with his son. Three years later, their daughter, Niraxa, was born.

Corbin’s keen empathic sense and understanding of negotiation soon caught the attention of Captain Duncan, who sponsored him for advanced training in diplomacy and command. Recognising his growing aptitude, Captain Duncan took a personal interest in his development. Though the Odyssey rarely ventured far beyond the Mellstoxx system in its role as the admiral’s flagship, Duncan encouraged Corbin to expand his experience by serving at her side during diplomatic sessions and later as a duty shift watch officer. Standing in for command during routine patrols and ceremonial duties gave him valuable exposure to the operational side of starship command, an area that increasingly fascinated him.

USS Triton (NCC-80106)

In 2380, Corbin accepted a dual assignment aboard the Luna-class USS Triton under the command of Captain Evelynn Vangelos, joining the ship as both Chief Counsellor and Chief Diplomatic Officer. The Triton had been launched on a five-year deep-space exploration mission into the Beta Quadrant, a venture designed to expand Starfleet’s knowledge of uncharted regions following the Dominion War. During his time on the Triton, Arleena was offered a senior position in the Federation Diplomatic Corps and returned to Betazed with their children. Knowing he would be away for a long period, Corbin frequently sent daily messages to his children. Fortunately for him, Liz Nelson, his old Academy friend, joined him as the ship’s chief engineer.

Corbin’s unique skill set made him an essential part of the Triton’s senior staff. He quickly became one of Captain Vangelos’s most trusted advisors, frequently accompanying her on away missions and serving as the ship’s lead negotiator during first-contact situations.

A defining moment came in 2383, when an away team sent to initiate peaceful contact with a warp civilisation on Elarin III failed to report in. Fearing the worst, Captain Vangelos authorised a limited rescue operation, with Corbin insisting on leading the delegation personally. When it became clear that the missing officers had been detained after a cultural misunderstanding, Corbin used his empathic abilities to communicate with the local leadership, de-escalating a potentially catastrophic situation. He ultimately secured the away team’s release without a single casualty. For his efforts, Corbin received Starfleet’s Diplomatic Service Citation, though he often downplayed the honour, crediting his team and the Elarian leadership for their willingness to trust. The incident left a profound impact on him.

By the end of the Triton’s mission in 2385, Corbin had earned a promotion to Lieutenant Commander and the complete confidence of Captain Vangelos, who personally recommended him for the command track. Her endorsement marked a turning point in his career.

USS Shackleton (NCC-79321)

Following the return of the Triton from its five-year mission in the Beta Quadrant, Corbin was assigned as first officer aboard the Rhode Island-class scout USS Shackleton under Captain Thelra Jenari. The Shackleton operated primarily in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants from 2385-2390, performing exploration, humanitarian, and occasional tactical assignments. Being closer to home meant he was around more with his children. In 2388, both Avexan and Niraxa came to stay with him for two years while Arleena was part of a large Federation diplomatic delegation sent to help with matters along the Romulan border.

As first officer, Corbin’s calm demeanour and sharp judgment were especially valuable during crises, earning him the respect of senior officers and junior crew alike. Jenari, an enthusiastic pilot herself, developed a close bond with Corbin, and the two formed a seamless team—a genuine partnership that complemented each other’s strengths.

One of the most formative moments of his tenure occurred during a plasma containment accident in engineering. Captain Jenari was gravely injured, and Corbin was forced to assume temporary command. He orchestrated the emergency response, ensured the crew’s safety, and coordinated repairs while maintaining operational readiness. His composed decision-making under pressure impressed Starfleet Command and demonstrated his readiness for full command. Due to her severe injuries, Jenari was relieved of her duties and departed the Shackleton to recover at Starfleet Medical. Corbin was promoted to captain and formally took command of the Shackleton in 2390. Over the next decade, he led the ship through numerous assignments that balanced exploration with diplomacy.

In 2399, the Shackleton was sent to the Gradin Belt as part of Starfleet’s renewed exploration efforts through the Barzan Wormhole to the Delta Quadrant. Here, it operated as a scout as part of a large expedition force. Corbin was noted for facilitating the peaceful resettlement of a displaced Kinbori colony while mediating a territorial dispute between a Malon waste exporter and a group of Shivolians. Corbin personally oversaw the negotiations, ensuring that no lives were lost and that both sides felt their interests were respected. In addition, the Shackleton was responsible for mapping the entire Zai Cluster after other ships in the expeditionary force were dealing with the Omega Crisis. Shortly thereafter, the Shackleton returned to the Alpha Quadrant for much-needed repairs.

USS Columbia (NCC-76991)

In 2400, Corbin assumed command of the Galaxy-class USS Columbia, joined by his lifelong friend Commander Liz Nelson as his first officer. Their long-standing trust and understanding allowed the senior staff to operate with exceptional cohesion, particularly during the ship’s diverse missions across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

One of the first major assignments under Corbin’s command took the Columbia to the Grazerite farming colony on Villam IV. The colony was celebrating the Month of Forage, a traditional festival honouring the harvest, when they were devastated by severe weather that destroyed much of their crops. Corbin oversaw the relief effort, coordinating the delivery of food supplies and managing the installation of upgrades to the colony’s weather control systems. His hands-on involvement and visible presence on the bridge and during shore-side operations boosted morale and earned him the gratitude of the colonists.

While en route to patrol the Talarian border, the Columbia detected a Borg transwarp signature just beyond Federation territory. When the signal disappeared without a trace, Starfleet ordered an investigation. In an uncharted system, the Columbia discovered the remains of a Borg Cube shattered across the star system. Recognising the strategic importance of discovering what happened, Corbin directed his crew to retrieve key pieces of the wreckage before the Borg could return. Subsequent analysis revealed that the Cube had been part of the final stage of the Borg Queen’s attempt to attack the Federation, its transwarp conduit collapsing when her final link to the remains of the hive mind was broken during the Frontier Day events.

A few weeks later, Columbia responded to a distress call from Outpost Galen Alpha Four along the Talarian border after a neutronic storm passed through. Upon arrival, Corbin discovered several Talarian training ships had sought refuge at the station, each damaged and populated with teenage boys. Corbin took on a firm but patient father-figure role when they would not engage with the outpost’s commanding officer, who was female. Balancing diplomacy with the challenges of managing a group of culturally obstinate youths, Corbin found the process tested the limits of his patience. Nevertheless, he somehow got through to them, performed a Talarian bonding ritual with them all and gained their respect. As such, he avoided a diplomatic incident when a Talarian warship arrived to escort the boys home.

Shortly later, the Columbia participated in a peaceful exchange with the Cardassian Union, welcoming junior Cardassian officers aboard for a training program to foster better relations. Corbin’s attentive management and adherence to Starfleet principles ensured the program succeeded. During the mission, the ship was assigned to the Chin’toka scrapyard, where senior staff, including Corbin, were forced to confront lingering trauma from the Dominion War, testing the emotional resilience he had cultivated over decades of service. Seeing so many wrecks brought back bad memories during his time on the Magellan. At one point, he became a counsellor again to help others deal with the scars of their past.

At the end of 2401, the Columbia picked up multiple distress calls and was sent on a mission to assist Delta Quadrant vessels stranded in the Alpha Quadrant. A subspace shockwave had disabled them before being pulled into an underspace corridor. Drawing on his prior knowledge from his time on board the Shackleton in the Delta Quadrant, Corbin led a multi-species diplomatic conference, coordinating repairs and charting critical information about the underspace corridors. Despite their successes in repairing the ships and sending them back, the Columbia was severely hit by a severe subspace wave from the underspace threshold during the final effort, damaging its warp engines and forcing the vessel to be towed back to Avalon Fleet Yards for repairs. As a result, Starfleet reassigned Corbin and much of his crew to the USS Atlas, a brand-new Andromeda-class explorer under construction.

USS Atlas (NCC-90805)

Corbin assumed command of the USS Atlas from Avalon Fleet Yards in mid-2402. The ship’s construction was completed ahead of schedule, and it was sent out on a brief shakedown cruise. It returned to Avalon Fleet Yards for final testing before being assigned its first mission, the exploration of the Shackleton Expanse.