Releben

Releben grew up on Kaelon II and rarely ventured off the planet for the first twenty years of his life. Enrolling in the University in the capital city of Kaelon, Releben majored in Philosophy and graduated at age 20. Not wanting to seek an immediate career, he took up additional classes and earned a second degree with a double major in Biology and Chemistry by age 22.

Releben's father served as a Medical Officer and Instructor for Starfleet Command for a dozen years prior to Releben's birth and retired from active duty by the time Releben had even considered attending the university. Releben's mother served ten years aboard a Starfleet Science Vessel as a Communications Officer before being discharged from service to raise the family.

Releben had been instructed in the Kaelon philosophy and always had reservations regarding the ritualistic suicide all members of their race performed at age 60. Feeling it was far too brutal, Releben decided to pursue a medical degree to make the transition from life to death far less traumatic then he had experienced.

At age 29, Releben had completed all residency requirements and was practicing medicine at the University Hospital. All the while he had been preparing to assist his father in the ritual suicide that his was required to perform this same year.

Releben's father, being too proud to accept any assistance, alienated his son and took his own life in a most disenchanting way. The details of which are too disturbing for Releben to recall. Feeling shunned by his family, Releben enrolled into Starfleet Academy on the eve of his 30th birthday. Completing both medical and engineering studies, Releben Graduated with Honors from the Academy at age 32.

Instead of accepting a commission aboard a Starfleet vessel, Releben remained at the Academy and spent the next 20 years teaching. Retiring from his duties just prior to the start of the war with the Dominion, Releben attempted in vain to walk away from the troubles of the Federation.

However, because of his strict sense of duty, Releben requested reinstatement and assumed the Chief Medical Officer position aboard a Galaxy Class vessel at the front of the war. The faces, the names, and the details of the 1,279 victims he has pronounced dead since the beginning of the war remain etched in his memory. No sadness or grief for the dead, as they have moved onto the next existence.

After spending five years on the front battle lines and assisting the Cardassians in rebuilding their society, Releben requested a transfer to the USS Pharaoh to continue his duties as Chief Medical Officer. His intentions are to spend the remaining two and one half years of his life in relative peace while preparing himself for his own suicide at age 60.