Cawfiel, Maestress

  “Spiritual mother” and political prime mover in the city of Narrin, on Yakaba. Said to be “older than dirt,” she is half a head shorter than the second-shortest adult in town, and has skin that is pale almost to the point of translucence. She has short, green hair. She bore a deep grudge against Rheela, and conspired unsuccessfully against her.

  Celter

  Governor of the city of Selinium on Nelkar. Celter extended asylum to the Thallonian refugees rescued by Hufmin and the U.S.S. Excalibur.

  Central Design

  Branch of Starfleet that handles new starship design and construction.

  Chapel, Christine

  Nurse aboard the original Starship Enterprise during the command of Captain James T. Kirk. Nearly a century later, former Enterprise chief engineer Montgomery Scott claimed Morgan Primus bore an “uncanny” resemblance to Nurse Chapel.

  Cheshire Cat, The

  A character in the Lewis Carroll book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The Cheshire Cat could slowly turn its body invisible, until all that remained was its enormous grin. Robin Lefler’s mother, Morgan Lefler, nicknamed her “Cheshire,” because of Robin’s constant efforts to bolster her mother’s spirits.

  Christiano, Ensign

  Member of Burgoyne 172’s engineering crew aboard the U.S.S Excalibur. Was romantically involved with Ensign Ronni Beth, but left her for another woman. Killed during an incident in engineering when the Tentacle, a.k.a. “Sparky,” pulled him into the warp core. Ensign Ronni Beth tried to save him, but failed.

  Circuit Judiciary

  A judge on Yakaba who roams from city to city, adjudicating criminal and civil cases. The Circuit Judiciary, or “C.J.,” visits the same locality roughly every six months. The Circuit Judiciary who heard Kusack’s case was, in Calhoun’s estimation, “an unassuming but learned individual.”

  City of The Dead, The

  A vast graveyard and collection of tombs, crypts, and mausoleums in the capital city of Romulus, where it is known as the Rikolet.

  Clark, Engineer’s Mate First Class Kate

  Crewman aboard the U.S.S. Exeter, under the command of Captain Elizabeth Shelby. An old poker buddy of Exeter first officer Garbeck, who helped arrange her transfer to the Exeter.

  Collie

  A long-haired breed of dog native to Earth. The breed is renowned for its human-friendly disposition and loyalty.

  Comar IV

  A planet on the outer rim of the former Thallonian Empire.

  Corinder

  Neighbor world to Makkus.

  Corinderians

  Native inhabitants of Corinder. They were longtime allies of the Makkusians, but when the Makkusians began considering accepting membership in the Federation, the Corinderians engineered a lethal virus and spread it to the population of Makkus, using insects native to that planet. Makkusian scientists exposed the treachery after the initial insect threat was dealt with by Captain Shelby and the crew of the U.S.S. Exeter.

  Cudsuttle

  The Momidiums’ head of extraterrestrial relations. Brokered the deal with Captain Calhoun of the U.S.S. Excalibur for the release of Morgan Primus, a.k.a. Morgan Lefler.

  Cwan, Sedi

  Uncle of deposed Thallonian prince-turned-Federation-ambassador, Si Cwan. Failed to stop the Black Mass from devouring Rolisa, a Thallonian- controlled planet.

  Cwan, Si

  Formerly a popular prince of a royal family in the Thallonian empire whose family was overthrown. Si Cwan actually was liked by the people; nonetheless, those around him were hated and reviled, which was one of the reasons that the Thallonian empire crumbled. Si Cwan and the survivors of the coup sought refuge in the Federation. Cwan, however, now returns to the Thallonian empire to prove that the family is willing to work with the Federation and “by extension” the people of the Thallonian sector, in order to achieve peace.

  After a lengthy search, Si Cwan located his missing sister, Kalinda, who had been abducted by Zoran Si Verdin. Later, Si Cwan undertook a new quest to avenge the murder of his mentor, Jereme, who was killed by Nikolas Viola, son of Si Cwan’s longtime rival, Sientor Olivan.

  Dackow

  A henchman of Zoran, Dackow was an irrepressible “yes-man.”

  Danter

  Homeworld of the Danteri, in Sector 221-G.

  Danteri

  A humanoid species with dark-bronze-colored skin who pride themselves on being prepared for all situations. They occupied the planet Xenex for more than 300 years, until they were overthrown by a grassroots rebellion led by M’k’n’zy of Calhoun.

  Danteri Empire, The

  A strategically situated group of worlds located in Sector 221-G that became members of the Federation following their troops’ ouster from the planet Xenex. The Danteri Empire is located in close proximity to the fallen Thallonian Empire, and may have been involved in that government’s collapse. Regardless, the Danteri have designs on the acquisition of former Thallonian territories.

  Darkshade

  The most mysterious sector of Thallonian space. No ship that has ventured into the area has ever returned. The more scientifically minded believe that it is some sort of gateway, possibly to another time, possibly to another dimension. It is believed by some of the more fanciful that it is the source of all evil.

  Delina

  Aide to Falkar. Delina sacrificed his life to save Falkar from a falling boulder pushed by M’k’n’zy of Calhoun.

  Dissuaders, The

  An Unglza offshoot clan from the northern territory of Zondar. Considered by their fellow Zondarians to be an arbitrarily negative group.

  D’ndai

  Mackenzie Calhoun’s older brother, who conspired with Thallonian Chancellor Yoz to overthrow the Thallonian royal family and participated in the plot to assassinate deposed prince, Si Cwan.

  Dogs of War, The

  The Dogs of War are one of the few groups from Thallonian space who have actually made incursions into Federation space. There are only about a hundred of them, ferocious living weapons, a genetic breeding experiment gone awry. They are vicious, feral and extremely devastating fighters, with thick fur, claws and teeth.

  After they were defeated in a battle with the Brikar more than ten years ago, the Dogs retreated to their home system to lick their wounds. After a recuperation period, the Dogs spent some time marauding on the outer edges of Federation territory, then relocated to the edge of Thallonian space. They later sought out The Quiet Place, and many died in the attempt to reach it.

  Dorado, Laurence

  Founder of the El Dorado luxury hotel on Risa.

  Dunn, Lieutenant Commander Christopher James

  Chief engineer of the U.S.S. Exeter, under the command of Captain Shelby. Nicknamed “C.J.” His favorite phrase, when acknowledging orders, is “Done and Dunn,” much to his shipmates’ chagrin. Also prone to thinking aloud and rambling profusely.

  Eenza

  An ethnic group on the planet Zondar that waged a centuries-long civil conflict with its neighbors, the Unglza. The eventual outcome of their conflict was predicted by the Zondarian prophet Ontear.

  El Dorado

  Terran literary/historical reference: A legendary “City of Gold” in South America on Earth, spoken of by the Aztecs to the Spanish explorers who arrived in the 15th century.

  In the 24th century, El Dorado is a well-known luxury hotel on Risa, named with tongue-in-cheek aplomb by its founder, L. (Laurence) Dorado. Hotel manager Theodore Quincy hired former Starfleet engineer Montgomery Scott to iron out problems with the resort’s state-of-the-art computer core. Scott ended up staying on staff as a “greeter” for the hotel’s bar, The Engineering Room, before returning to Starfleet to head up the Starfleet Corps of Engineers.

  Morgan Primus and her daughter, Robin Lefler, were visiting the hotel in the 24th century when a man named Rafe and his son, Nik Viola, sabotaged the resort’s central computer and murdered Quincy.

  Enev

  Colony world located near the planet Haresh. Colonized by the planet Alora with the dregs of its society. When Enev was threatened by a vicious magnetic storm, the Starship Excalibur, under the command of Captain Mackenzie Calhoun, answered its distress call and rescued its colonists in the nick of time. However, this rescue mission delayed the Excalibur from reaching the planet Haresh in time to prevent its entire population from being slain by the Redeemer virus.

  Enevian Empire

  Enormously powerful political entity of the 39th century. It came to dominate what was once known as Thallonian space, and forced many worlds and species into servitude. Its leader, Shad Tiempor, predicted its eventual domination of the Milky Way Galaxy.

  Enevians

  Colonists of the planet Enev.

  Engineering Room, The

  Bar in the El Dorado hotel where people, after a few drinks, are known to “act on impulse” or become “totally warped.” The bar’s “greeter” was, for a time, Montgomery Scott, former chief engineer of the original Starship Enterprise under the command of Captain James T. Kirk.

  Excalibur, U.S.S.

  Starfleet Registry number NCC-26517. The U.S.S. Excalibur was a newly refitted Ambassador-class starship under the command of Captain Calhoun. Her last assignment was to monitor the collapse of the Thallonian Empire in Sector 221-G, render aid, and keep the peace when necessary.

  The ship exploded shortly after rescuing the Redeemer homeworld Tulaan IV from The Black Mass.

  A new Excalibur was commissioned several months later. This new Excalibur, a Galaxy-class starship, was christened and launched, in a formal ceremony, from Starbase 8.

  Exeter, U.S.S.

  Starfleet vessel. Former Excalibur first officer Elizabeth Paula Shelby’s first command as a captain.

  Faicco the Small

  In a parallel reality, a Rolisan philosopher, one of the greatest thinkers in galactic history. Son of Izzo; father of a son, Milenko, and a daughter, Blaymore, who shared his intellectual gifts. Does not exist in this reality, because his ancestors and their world were destroyed by the Black Mass.

  Fairax, Majister

  Yakaban law-enforcement officer in the city of Narrin. Served under a four-year contract. Wasn’t very fond of most of the people under his jurisdiction, except for Rheela. At her request, he placed the ailing and incoherent marooned Captain Calhoun in “gaol,” or jail.

  Falkar

  A Danteri commander of the House of Edins who pursued the teen-aged rebel M’k’n’zy of Calhoun during the Danteri occupation of the planet Xenex. Falkar and a squad of troops under his command, including his second-in-command, Delina, were killed by M’k’n’zy when they pursued him into a region of Xenex known as The Pit. Falkar’s son, Ryjaan, would later grow up to become a Danteri representative.

  Fenner

  A Class-M world with an early level of spaceflight technology and a recently united world government. Selected for conversion by the Redeemers, who sent a High Priest of Xant to the planet.

  Fennerian jungle

  Hiding place of the High Priest of Xant, who was dispatched to convert Fenner to Xantism. The High Priest was found and captured, unharmed, by Starfleet security officer Ensign Janos. The jungle of Fenner is renowned for its beautiful sunsets.

  Ferghut, The

  Leader of the Corinderian people, chosen by an artificial intelligence that scans the populace for suitable candidates. The office of the Ferghut is an anonymous position that is conferred for life. The decision to make the ruler anonymous was rooted in the belief that it would help shield the leader’s family from retribution or scrutiny, and that it would make each new leader a “blank slate” upon whom the future of Corinder could be written.

  Fermit, Subminister

  Hareshi politician, and primary political rival of Haresh’s appointed leader, Minister Rizpak, who is also Fermit’s brother-in-law. Fermit was a physically formidable individual.

  Final Challenge

  Under Danteri Law, the family of a murder victim can opt for a Final Challenge, in which a family member fights the accused to the death. If the accused wins the conflict, he is allowed to go free. If he loses, however, death can be drawn out over any period desired. Any manner of killing one’s opponent in a Final Challenge is considered acceptable.

  Finnegan, Cadet

  A rambunctious Starfleet cadet who pushed the young Cadet Selar into the Academy pool when she showed reluctance to dive in. This cadet is not to be confused with the Cadet Finnegan who tormented a young James T. Kirk many decades before, although the two cadets’ behaviors bear an uncanny similarity.

  Fireworld

  One of the major tourist attractions of Thallonian Space, the Fireworld remains a major mystery. It has a surface of constant, unending fire that burns and burns without apparently having any source. No one is quite certain whether the fire is limited to the surface, or whether the entire planet, right down to its core, is one gigantic ball of flame.

  Fista

  A Dog of War, litter brother to Krul. Lean and hungry looking, with mottled gray fur.

  Flamebird of Ricca 4

  A beast to which Soleta compared the Great Bird of The Galaxy.

  Flutzed

  Hermat slang term, made official by the Hermat Language Council, meaning “messed up; not performing as expected due to error.”

  Fogelson, Ensign Scott

  U.S.S. Excalibur bridge officer who filled in at ops for Lieutenant Robin Lefler.

  Foutz

  Barspens prison guard of average height who tormented Xyon of Calhoun. Xyon later slew Foutz by breaking his neck.

  Fr’Col

  Sole surviving member of the Ruling Council of Montos City. An elderly man, with graying whiskers sticking out from his chin at odd angles. Walks with a bowlegged shuffle. Carries a triangular stone in one hand as a symbol of authority, and uses it as a gavel.

  Freenaux the Undesirable

  Leader of an Unglza clan from the eastern territories of Zondar.

  Furn

  Domesticated, benign-looking farm animal indigenous to Liten. Large and slow-moving, and not very smart, even for an animal. If fed and cared for properly, it will provide liquid sustenance on a daily basis. If knocked on its side, it is unable to right itself, and will die if not assisted back to an upright position.

  Gamma Hydrinae system

  Home of the Momidium species.

  Gaol

  Yakaban word for jail.

  Garbeck, Commander Alexandra

  First officer of the U.S.S. Exeter, under the command of Captain Elizabeth Shelby. Slim, bordering on diminutive, but possessing an air of quiet authority. Her hair is long, knotted in an efficient bun, and her chin comes to a point that is perpetually upthrust, ever so slightly.

  Gauntlet, The

  A region in the Lemax system, between two warring planets in the former Thallonian Empire. The area was infamous as a battlefield, but was silent for centuries after the Thallonians ended the conflict. After the fall of the Thallonian Empire, fighting resumed almost immediately, and the Cambon, a noncombatant vessel transporting Thallonian refugees, became caught in the crossfire.

  Kolk’r

  Yakaban supreme deity.

  Gi’jan

  Hermat word for a quest of a personal nature.

  Giniv

  Vulcan woman with a saturnine face and slightly stocky build. A close, personal friend of Doctor Selar since their childhood. Stood with Selar before the Judgment Council during the adjudication of Selar’s parental rights regarding her offspring with Burgoyne 172.

  Goddard, Commander Seth

  An officer at Starfleet Command who reactivated Lieutenant Soleta’s commission to active duty, and posted her to serve as science officer aboard the U.S.S. Excalibur under Captain Calhoun.

  Gold, Lieutenant

  A smug and aloof conn officer who serves on the night watch aboard the U.S.S. Excalibur. He is a tall, lean, and very handsome man of mixed African ancestry.

  Golden Gate Bridge

  One of the largest suspension bridges on Earth, constructed in the 20th century. Located in San Francisco, and prominently visible from much of the Starfleet Academy campus.

  Gothil

  A late member of the Ruling Council of Montos City, he requested a visit from the officers of the U.S.S. Excalibur shortly before his demise.

  Great Bird of the Galaxy

  A creature once considered mythological, its existence was finally confirmed when it “hatched” from the planet Thallon, destroying that world entirely.

  Subsequent investigation was correlated with the beast’s mythology, and led to the conclusion that, when the Great Bird ended its last life-cycle, it imparted its “essence” to the world of Thallon, which accounted for the unique attributes of that world’s mineral-rich surface. After a period of many centuries, that mineral bounty was reabsorbed as the creature’s new incarnation gestated, and it was then reborn, destroying its temporary planetary “nest.”

  Great Chair

  The throne of The Overlord, leader of the Redeemers of Tulaan IV. The Great Chair is located in, of course, the Great Hall.