2383, August: Promoted, Flight Officer, Vanguard Squadron, USS Galaxy

Since his birth, Ayden’s parents had sought peaceful lives for themselves on Mars. It wasn’t that way however, as Ayden’s father was once a highly decorated and well-known soldier of the Federation. Brigadier General Paul O’Connor had been there during the first Federation/Cardassian war, and had led his troops to victory in an overwhelming success for the Marine Corps. He had retired with great reluctance after Ayden’s birth, in large part due to his wife Kara’s persistence. Rather than commanding troops on the battlefield, he took up lecturing at the Marine Academy.

While his father strongly discouraged the prospect of Ayden ever enlisting into the Marine Corps, he often spoke of his many experiences. Ayden became deeply immersed in these incredible chronicles, and dreamed of pursuing such a path. Paul didn’t see the harm of a child’s fantasies, but Kara grew weary about her son’s direction. She saw her husband’s ambitions and pride within her only child, and feared that Ayden would eventually choose service in the military, so she made her husband promise never to tell Ayden another story. As a result, Ayden’s childhood fantasy became a determined endeavor.

As soon as Ayden was old enough, he applied for service within the United Federation of Planets Marine Corps. Only because of his father’s influence was his application turned down. Ayden’s determination to serve the Federation could not be extinguished however, so the family reluctantly compromised by allowing him to join the fleet. He enlisted into Starfleet at the age of seventeen, and was accepted through his own effort and credentials.

While his parents felt safer in that he had joined the fleet rather than the “ground pounders”, Ayden’s interest in security could not be avoided. Ayden took to his studies and exercises with an immeasurable sense of dexterity. After graduating from basic, he applied into several additional courses which further augmented his skills in security. Despite his every accomplishment however, he was still better known as the son of a great general.

The admiration Ayden once had for his father soon turned into apathy as he fought to earn a name for himself, yet was provided with little opportunity to do so. Even as the Dominion War raged throughout the quadrant, his every request for transfer to the frontlines was turned down. He later discovered that his father had an influence in this matter.

Four years later, Ayden was faced with a difficult decision. His term of service was nearing its end, and his parents were insistent that he hang up his uniform and return to civilian life. He still had a strong sense of resentment for the strings his father had pulled to keep him away from the war, and a stir in his gut told him that his service to the Federation was far from over. But as long as his father was protecting him, Ayden would never feel the satisfaction that many of the veterans of the war returned with.

It was the second time in eight years that Ayden returned home, and it was for one purpose alone. In what became a tremendous battle in itself, Ayden completely severed his relations to his family. He demanded to be left alone to endure his own hardships, and swore to his father that if there was any interference he would be gone from their lives forever.

A few months later, Ayden enrolled into a two-year program at Starfleet Academy in order to earn an officer’s commission. From there he immediately started to build his network of friends and superiors so that if any potential intervention by the hands of his father could be averted. He decided to take a new path, and while his skills as a pilot were a little shaky at first, his devotion, as well as a hand from his peers made him into one of the best. He was offered a seat in the Red Flag Advanced Flight School, where his abilities as a fighter pilot was further augmented with nearly four months of grueling instruction. While he didn’t make the top, he did graduate with high remarks from his instructors.

He served a short stint with the Sol Defense Force, and after an extended leave on Risa and Betazed, Ayden O’Connor joined the ranks of the Vanguard Squadron on board the USS Galaxy.

A hobby from when he was an enlisted man, Ayden continues to search for ‘that special someone’ through various singles holosuites across the Federation network. He has at least twenty profiles up and running, and corresponds to several women, yet continues to search regardless.

Kara, Ayden’s mother is a Cairn. An offshoot of the human species gifted with telepathy. While their ability is focused on pictures and images compared to words, many have learned to utilize ‘traditional telepathy’ as a form of communication. Ayden possesses some of this ability, however rarely uses it.

As he swore, Ayden hasn’t communicated with his family since their last reunion on Mars. He holds a lot of resentment for his father, and feels as though his mother was part of the problem.