James Markson

James Markson
Biographical Information
Homeworld:	Earth
Species:	Human
Gender:	Male
Physical Description
Height:	6' 0"
Weight:	165 lbs
Hair:	Light Brown
Eyes:	Blue
Political Information
Affiliation:	United Federation of Planets
Posting:	Pending Reassignment
Position:	Pending Reassignment
Rank:
Played By:	John
[ Source ]

General Information

Name: James Markson

Rank: Lieutenant Commander

Position: Chief Flight Control Officer

Gender: Male

Species: Human

Age: 30

Physical Appearance

Height: 6’ 0”

Weight: 165 lbs.

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: Light Brown

Physical Description: James is fairly tall and slim, not being broad but rather slight in frame. He is clean shaven with brown hair and vaguely blue eyes, which, upon closer examination show splashes of green and hazel, giving a vibrant feel and a look constant alertness in an otherwise often calm face. His straight nose and proud chin shine through his turbulent past, suggesting a handsome face, now marred by a subtle scar across his left cheek, which despite modern dermal regenerators, still remains as a faint souvenir of his career as a fighter pilot during the dominion wars. His stature, though never hunched, is not proud, and he walks for the most part softly.

Personality & Traits

General Overview:

James started the academy at 18 as a proud young man, confident in his abilities, at times, overly and overtly so. One did not have to scratch much at the surface to find arrogance, born from the experience of being the best at everything. Though constantly aware of the virtues of modestly, he was all too keen to let others know of his achievements, and impressive though they might have been, he still found few who were able to tolerate his sometimes boastful tendencies. It was therefore with little remorse that he decided to leave his home for Starfleet Academy, not having many close friends to hold him. His athleticism and intelligence saw him through the Academy entrance exam easily, earning him some of the best marks in all tests. Upon entering the academy, overly confidant in his own abilities, he put little effort into his work, seeking to impress his peers with daring stunts and high performance in competitions, hoping to earn the friends and admirers he had never had. His lack of effort and lack of interest in his subjects gave him moderate grades, and his poor attendance in classes soon meant he found himself being humbled in front of his commanding officer at Starfleet Academy. His extravert nature was tamed and he retreated into himself. Finding solace in solitude, he still paid little attention to his work throughout his first year, instead focusing on challenges, both physical and mental, hoping that in finding the limits to his abilities he might kerb the soaring self confidence which had led to such arrogance that he hated himself for it. Here he found a solution at least in part, and was finally humbled during the dominion wars, barely escaping with his life in one particular conflict and withstanding heavy injuries. Having found the limits of his abilities which at one time he almost thought boundless, he became more reserved and shy in character, in what most of his few friends thought was a change for the better. Many of these friends had never doubted his academic ability, though his brilliance they later discovered was restrained in his inability to appropriately express himself, as neurological scans revealed a degenerative genetic disorder. Having been informed of this, James was shocked and spent several months in self-imposed isolation. However he later returned to his career as a fighter pilot, eager to not only impress but determined to become the best, confidant that at least in this field at least he might be able show his ability.

Strengths & Weaknesses:

James has a determined nature which while often a bonus in terms of his willingness to put in long hours and his ability do a job well, has a tendency to cause what others might call perfectionism. James is often unsatisfied with second best, and unwilling to compromise. He has an unfocused mind, though he rarely finds this a hindrance, and has resulted in many minor contributions in many wide-ranging fields. However, when the occasion calls for it, James may be quite single-minded, though too often he suspects things not to be worth his full attention. Furthermore, he finds it difficult to trust people, and works for the most part alone.

Ambitions:

James is determined to excel, and will settle for nothing less. However, he is not concerned as he once was with promotion, and yet fears becoming too settled in one place for fear of losing a sight of his self affirmed potential to succeed in his field.

Hobbies & Interests: Sports:

As a child, James enjoyed cricket, athletics, football and many other sports. However as he grew older, he spared less and less time on the sports field. To maintain his fitness, James therefore spares as much time as he may to maintain his form in long and middle distance running, his speciality in athletics.

Starship Design and Development:

Finding himself to be a talented pilot, James naturally turned his attention to seeking to improve upon the work of others in their design of Starfleet�s starships, most particularly their auxiliary craft. Having spent time at the Mars Shuttle Operations Test Facilities on Mars, James maintains contacts at the facilities whose work he continues to influence through correspondence.

Holodramas:

As an outlet for his creativity, James infrequently takes the time to write and sample holodramas.

Languages:

English, French, Latin, Greek

Family

Father: Colin Markson (deceased)

Mother: Ann Markson (deceased)

Brother: David Markson (younger brother)

Sister: Sophie Markson (missing presumed dead)

Martial Status: Single

History

James Markson was born in Plymouth, England. His childhood was to others one of excellence, to him one of frustration, as he struggled to find ways to express his advanced ideas at an early age. Academic studies came easily to him, and he soon found himself a year above his age group, still being the top of his local school. He was in many ways detached from his parents who never really understood or got to know him. He therefore focused on his many pursuits, finding time to be involved in most or all of the sports available to him, and often going further than was required in his studies.

By the age of 14 he came out of his self imposed solitude, seeking to impress those around him. This he found difficult, conversation and integration with his peers being one of the few things that did not come easily to him, but he persevered, only to discover his arrogance and his unswerving belief in his own superiority kept others at bay. He subsequently found it difficult to make friends, and so buy the age of 16 he had few ties to his home in England. It was at this point he started looking for something to do after he finished at school at 18, and quickly settled on Starfleet. Here, he thought, his talents would be recognised and he focused his studies on learning all he might need to know.

Having taken the entrance exam shortly after his 18th birthday he was accepted, and later that year began his first year at the Academy. He found the Academy to not be up to his high expectations, and although many were near his ability he failed to see them, and assumed he needed to put little effort into his work. This resulted in him seeking other outlets in his spare time, resorting to stunts and pranks, and infrequently attending classes in an effort to gain himself attention.

Mid-way through his first year he was subsequently called up before his commanding officer at the Academy and put on probation. This time even James himself could not ignore his behaviour. After this he spent increasing amounts of time alone, and focused on challenging himself, soon realising he was not as talented as he had once led himself to believe. He ended his year once more towards the top of most of his classes, but his poor effort throughout most of the year meant he only survived the cut of a large percentage of the students by a small amount. On starting his second year he focused on "Fighter Maintenance and Piloting" enjoying this more than any other of his courses, and his diligence paid off, finishing top in a class of 70, having extended his studies in this area well beyond the required level.

It was soon realised by his superiors and tutors at the academy this was his forte and his focus on this subject was encouraged. By the end of his 4-year course he had done well in all areas, but was recognised for his excellence in Fighter Maintenance and Piloting, and transferred to the Mars Shuttle and Fighter Testing Facility to work on the Razor Class fighter. However this work was cut short by the outbreak of the dominion war, and he was sent along with other, more experienced pilots, to the front lines. His first taste of major action was during the dominion assault on Betazed. Here at last he saw a place to win himself renown. Ignoring the order to retreat he foolishly fought to the last against Dominion dominance. His battle came to an end in his futile defence of a fleeing transport ship carrying civilians from the planet. After disabling two Jem�Hadar attack ships his fighter was caught by the fire of a Breen warship, and he was counted for dead, however his fighter managed to limp away from the battle on impulse power to be picked up by a retreating Federation Starship.

He was commended with a reward for bravery, his refusal to retreat being seen by others as a selfless determination to save civilians. After recovering from his injuries he was posted as the Chief Shuttle Officer on the USS White Star, and whilst serving there, was given a promotion to Lieutenant JG before being transferred to the USS Russia were he served as Fighter Detachment Commanding Officer on a predominantly Marine ship. His ability to command was there seen, despite his reclusive nature. It was nonetheless a shock when he was offered a promotion to Lt. Cmdr. and a position as the Executive Officer on the new sovereign class USS Intervision. He quickly accepted this promotion and was later offered a further promotion to Commander and the command of the USS Intervision as the CO, Commander Dor was transferred to another ship. Despite his success as an executive officer, he soon found that the new position and the responsibility that came with it did not suit him and stepped down from command, feeling he was more at home as a pilot and always would be. He maintained command of the Intervision until a suitable replacement was found, but was glad to be accepted to the position of Chief Flight Operations Officer of board the USS Pacifica.

Service Record

Starfleet Academy | Cadet | 2369
Starfleet Academy | Cadet | 2370
Starfleet Academy | Cadet | 2371
Starfleet Academy | Cadet | 2372
Mars Shuttle and Fighter Testing Facility | Test Pilot | 2373
14th Fighter Wing | Fighter Pilot | 2373
Mars Shuttle and Fighter Testing Facility | Test Pilot | 2375
USS White Star | Shuttle Pilot | 2376
USS White Star | Shuttle Pilot | 2377
USS Russia | Fighter Pilot Detactment Commander | 2377
USS Russia | Fighter Pilot Detactment Commander | 2378
USS Intervision | Executive Officer | 2380
USS Intervision | Commanding Officer | 2381
USS Pacifica | Chief Flight Control Officer | 2381

Mission Participation

Total: 11

• Operation Typhon
• The Zone
• Deck the Halls
• Back in Action
• Strange New World
• Supply Lines
• Changing of the Guard
• Down the Rabbit Hole
• Pacification
• Something Old and Something New
• Legacy

Character Awards

Simmer of the Month | 1 (October 2004)

Post of the Month | 4 (May 2007, October 2006, August 2006, July 2005)

Bravest Officer of the Year | 1 (2004)

Billet Information

Preceded by: Holly White

USS Pacifica Chief Flight Control Officer 2381 - 2330

Succeeded by: N/A