2365-70: Dr. Timicin Center (previously: Kaelon II Center for Advanced
Learning)
Major: Non-Kaelian Sociology,
Minor: Astronomy

2378: Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth, First Year Cadet

2379: Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth, Second Year Cadet

2380: Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth, Third Year Cadet

2381: Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth, Fourth Year Cadet

Erastus grew up in Kade, a major city on Kaelon II. When Dr. Timicin sought the Enterprise's assistance in revitalizing their sun in 2367, Erastus was twenty years old and paid close attention to the fate of her world. She, like so many other young Kaelians, had initiated her education with the intention of trying to find a solution to her planet's critical situation. When the Enterprise succeeded in revitalizing the Kaelian sun, the entire Kaelian culture had to take a step back and re-evaluate how society should proceed. A small segment of the population encouraged a closer involvement with the Federation and a less xenophobic approach to other races. Erastus signed up for an experimental course on other races and quickly became interested in the subject, to the extent that she not only minored in the sociology of alien races, but taught herself an obscure Terran musical instrument - the dulcimer.

After graduation for the newly rededicated Dr. Timicin Center, Erastus discovered that there was little she was qualified to do. Her Astronomy degree, geared toward saving her planet, was no longer in demand. Her interest in alien races was frowned upon by many. For several years, she worked as a lab assistant at a pharmacy production plant, moonlighting at a restaurant to cover the bills.

In 2377, her parents turned 60 and, as is the custom with Kaelians, committed ritual suicide so as not to be a burden on the younger generation. Erastus in no way thought her parents wrong in their decision, and she honours their memory. However, it was also the year that Erastus herself turned 30. She still had found no satisfying work and the idea that her life could end in another 30 years left her dissatisfied. The rejuvenation of the sun had proved successful. Kaelon II was recovering, and slowly becoming able to support a larger population. Yet the people of Kaelon II could not so serenely revoke their traditions, especially such a one that every Kaelian child knew from bedtime stories and funeral hymns were more common than nursery rhymes. But having studied various other cultures, including those who had faced planetary crisis, Erastus was left questioning whether Kaelon II could truly remain her home.

Four months after her parents' passing, Erastus visited her old sociology professor and applied to Starfleet Academy, as she was convinced serving on a ship would be the best method of discovering new ways of addressing cultural growth and her own mortality. She continued with the science program, as it was still her greatest strength and the most likely to and her a position on a ship and not an assignment at a base.

For the most part, Erastus enjoyed her first tour of duty aboard the USS Miranda. The two-plus years she spent on board opened her eyes to a wide variety of cultures and experiences. Most importantly for the Kaelian, however, it brought her to question some of the most basic assumptions she held about life, the universe, and everything. She struggled for nearly six months with the repercussions of a mental institution, nearly being relieved of duty for her actions and behaviour. The time she spent on Trill after a trying experience in the Gyndine sector finally got her grounded - just in time to receive word that she was being transferred to DS5, complete with a positional demotion to Operations Officer after having been the Assistant Chief aboard the Miranda.

Erastus cannot fully shake off the xenophobia she grew up with. Nonetheless, is something she constantly fights to overcome.

Thus, she may act on stereotypes or demonstrate shock at the appearance or habits of various races, but she does not mean ill. She consciously attempts to get to know new people and has a friendly personality, once the initial acquaintanceship has been passed. Elderly people in particular draw her attention, as do the mentally ill.

In her attempt to understand various cultures, Erastus is constantly dressing in the fashions of different races while out of uniform.

Family:
Mother - Azubia Ampete, deceased.
Father - Lhabo Ampete, deceased.