Star Trekis a complex universe filled with TV shows, movies, and books. These works have built a vast history of expansion and relations within the far future, and that history involves countless characters of various races. Concerning those characters, though, some fans might overlook an important branch of the franchise.
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Several intriguing figures come from theStar Trekgames. Rather than just carrying over the heroes from the shows, many titles craft their own characters to explore the Final Frontier. Tragically, the evolving industry has left most of these guys adrift in space. Many deserve a second look. With their subversive backstories and complex personal journeys, they have the potential to challenge the wholeStar Trekseries in fascinating ways.
5Quint Freedman (Star Trek: Away Team)
Not many Kiwis show up inStar Trek, but Quint Freedman wears his roots for all to see. His Maori face tattoos make him one of the most visually unique humans in the franchise. That’s far from the only group he’s been a part of, though.
This man has occupied seemingly every faction in and around theFederation. To begin, he was formerly a member of Section 31: an off-the-books group that handles all the dirty deeds that the mainline Federation won’t touch. This somewhat undermines the organization’s utopian ideals.
That disconnect possibly inspires Freedman to join the Maquis. This extremist faction consists of farmers and colonists who get the short end of the stick in a Federation treaty with Cardassia. They feel abandoned by the very people who were supposed to protect them. How odd, then, that Freedman’s serving the Federation during the game.
InAway Team, he’s theFirst Officeraboard the USS Incursion. However, his life has undergone enough twists and turns to get its own game. These groups all stem from radically opposing ideologies. The fact that Freedman has traversed them all not only means he’s a man in flux, but it gives him a greater perspective than the entire crew combined. One can’t help but be curious as to how he’s gained that perspective.
4Torlek (Star Trek: Klingon Academy)
MostStar Trekgames (and stories, in general) focus on the Federation. This approach is familiar and lets fans live out their fantasies aboard a Starfleet vessel. However, other factions can be equally compelling.
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That’s why this game makes the novel decision to portraythe Klingon side of thingsthrough Torlek. He’s a star student in the ranks ofGeneral Chang, but that’s not what makes this young warrior so engaging. Rather, it’s that the story revolves around a hostile split between multiple parties in the Klingon Empire. Amid this infighting, Torlek must choose sides, confronting questions of honor and loyalty and determining how they factor into a warrior’s search for renown. As he uncovers the nuances of what could have been a one-note evil empire, so do the players. These lessons shape Torlek into one of the more thoughtful Klingons in the Alpha Quadrant.
3Alex Munro (Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force)
This Starfleet officer is like the flip side of Torlek. Whether male or female, Alex Munro is a member of Hazard Team: anElite Forceof security staff underCaptain JanewayofVoyagerfame. They soon come into conflict with the Borg as the robotic villains try to acquire a revolutionary weapon. It’s definitely a steep learning curve for a grunt.
Such life-or-death scenarios can be perfect for distinguishing heroes. Munroe comes to understand the weight of not only the Borg threat but also the weapon they seek. Needless to say, the character grows a lot in a short time. Along the way, the officer shows admirable ingenuity, initiative, and wisdom in determining who should (or shouldn’t) hold such power. If Munroe had been part of theVoyagershow, it might have been more interesting.
2Matan (Star Trek: Bridge Commander)
Not many people can say that they destroyed a star, but theBridge Commandervillain does just that. Matan is like many Cardassians in that he wants his people to regain their superior status in the galaxy. He’s disgusted by the reluctant peace with the Federation, so he attacks them and their allies with the help of the Kessok. On the surface, this harkens back tohow Gul Dukat sold Cardassia out to the Dominion.
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However, Matan comes with a few key differences. The aforementioned star destruction means the stakes are noticeably higher. More interesting, though, is how he manipulates the Kessok. They have a common disdain for the Federation infringing on other territories, worried that exploration will become expansion. It’s the same theme thatStar Trek: Discoveryattempts with the Klingons, butBridge Commanderhandles it with more care for the series at large. Not to mention, the events ofDeep Space Ninegive it exponentially more weight.
1Obanak Keelan (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen)
Ripe for expansion is how morally compromised the Bajorans become when the Cardassians occupy their planet. The once-peaceful locals regularly resort to terrorist actions against the invaders–killing soldiers and civilians alike. InDS9,fans see how this traumatizes others, but rarely the Bajorans themselves.
That happens to Obanak in the aptly namedThe Fallen. Like all Bajorans, Keelan believes in the Prophets. Sadly, his faith fades after experiencing the ugliness of the occupation and what he has to do to survive. Then, as if from divine providence, he finds an orb of the Pah-Wraiths: the Prophets' Satanic enemies. They provide him with the answers that his former gods couldn’t. As a result, his journey carries a powerful message about belief. Even the most stalwart worshippers may lose their way, and who can blame them? After all, the Prophets have made a lot of questionable decisions.
