Commander Kanaka Shakura

Name Kanaka "Kana" Shakura

Position Chief Counselor

Rank Commander

Stats

82 Mission Posts
16 Personal Logs
6 News Items

Last Post

Saturday June 8th, 2024 @ 12:42pm

Basic Info
Personality
History

Character Information

Gender		Female
Species		Betazoid
Age		32

Physical Appearance

Height		1.6m (5ft 3in)
Weight		62kg (137lbs)
Hair Color		Black
Eye Color		Black
Physical Description		Kana has short black hair styled in a bob cut, and deep black eyes. She has fairer skin than most regular Betazoids, as well as a strong jawline. She often walks with purpose and on the surface can seem very strict, but upon approach can take a much more friendly stance once properly introduced, especially amongst fellow crew. While possessing a natural beauty, she is also deceptively strong and agile with a fairly muscular physique.

Family

Spouse		None
Children		None
Father		Augustus Shakura
Mother		Proxima Shakura
Brother(s)		None
Sister(s)		None
Other Family		T'Kurrak - Close Friend and Personal Mentor (Chief Counsellor, U.S.S. Maverick)

Personality & Traits

General Overview		Kana is a very logically minded person, possessing a strong will and a keen mind for understanding others. While a private person herself, she strives to understand the lives and feelings of her fellow crew-members, often carrying an aura which allows others to feel safe in her company and counsel.
Strengths & Weaknesses		Kana is able to keep cool and composed under pressure or duress, and her telepathic abilities along with her compassionate nature as a Betazoid afford her the ability to help deescalate a tense situation or to comfort others through significant moments of distress or trauma. When placed in the most extreme of situations, however, Kana is prone to losing her composure and acting in a far more stern and aggressive manner. She also becomes very touchy on the subject of her personal history: while quite often she's able to brush it off with ease, intense scrutiny will draw her ire.
Ambitions		Kana's sole ambition seems to be to support others during their time in Starfleet, helping them grow as people and through that she believes she also grows. This is where she wants to make her name, but doesn't do so for any form of attention or adulation: on the contrary, she seems content to remain in the background, living a good life while helping others do the same.
Hobbies & Interests		When she's not working, Kana enjoys physical exercise and meditation, as well as playing the violin. She enjoys appreciating both classical and modern arts of all cultures, while reading the ancient philosophies of both Earth and Vulcan. If she's not to be found in her office or in her quarters, she can often be found in the ship's Lounge amongst the social life of the crew, keeping to herself but keen to quietly and subtly observe the commotion around her.

Personal History		Kanaka Shakura was born in the year 2363 on the planet of Betazed to her mother Proxima Shakura and father Augustus Shakura. The only child of the Shakura Family, one of the Betazoid "Great Families", she was burdened with lofty expectations from a young age. Her mother was a prominent diplomat, having represented Betazed to the likes of the Federation as well as the Klingon Empire, and had high hopes for her daughter to follow in her footsteps. However, the invasion of Betazed by the Jem'Hadar in 2374 left an indelible mark on the young Kanaka. The horror of the conflict caused her own father to become infantile due to the mental damage caused, meaning he required significant care, which influenced her decision to want to become a caregiver. At the same time, witnessing the relief of the planet due to the aid received from the Federation's Starfleet convinced her that she wanted to join them and journey the stars. Unfortunately, her mother did not share her ambition, and forbid her. This caused the two to withdraw from each other emotionally as she grew older, becoming more resentful of the fact that her mother was controlling her life while - in her eyes - caring less and less for her ill father. At the age of eighteen in 2381 her mother had her enrolled at the University of Betazed to study Interstellar Relations. After a heated argument which her mother would reluctantly concede, Kana was able to pursue a minor in Humanoid Psychology. Two years later - without her mothers permission - she got a transfer offer to Starfleet Academy which she immediately accepted. The two fought bitterly over the decision, which resulted in Kana leaving and never looking back, only keeping in contact with her father through his carers. On arriving at Starfleet Academy in 2383, Kana immediately began to study Medicine with a focus in Psychology. There she first met the Vulcan T'Kurrak, then an Instructor of Psychology. Upon graduating with honours in 2386 with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade), she was - via T'Kurrak's own personal request - assigned as the Counsellor's Aide to the U.S.S. Maverick, where he was to serve as Chief Counsellor. While serving her tour of duty with the Maverick, she received personal tutelage from T'Kurrak. In 2389 she was promoted to a fully-ranked Lieutenant, transferred and serving as Counsellor to the U.S.S. Ganymede. Highly commended by her Commanding Officer, she was among the top candidates on the shortlist to serve as the Chief Counsellor aboard the newly recommissioned U.S.S. Poseidon in 2393. At Commander Franklin Johnson's personal request during the Poseidon's first shakedown, Kana accepted a field promotion to be Second Officer. Shortly after, she became Executive Officer after an agreement was reached between the Commander, Lieutenant Commander Phoebe Graydon and herself so that Graydon could dedicate more time to family matters. At Kana's personal request, she maintains the role of Chief Counsellor. During her first mission as Executive Officer, Kana helped oversee the Poseidon's tour through the Betreka Nebula in anti-piracy operations, the culmination of which saw her lead a Forensic Away Team onto the hulk of a Cardassian Akril-Class Starship. While there they were confronted by the Gorn pirate Russhook and a metalloid creature; Kana used her telepathic powers to stun the Gorn in aid of their escape. When reporting to the Captain, she would briefly collapse from exhaustion due to the exertion of the experience. Since then, she has been having the same recurring dream...
Service Record		-- Starfleet Academy: 2383-2386 -- Student of Medicine, specialising in Psychology. Graduated with honours and with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). -- U.S.S. Maverick (NC-42215) Intrepid-Class Light Cruiser -- Aged 23, appointed Counsellor's Aide at the behest of Chief Counsellor T'Kurrak. Quickly became highly regarded as an efficient and ethical worker. With T'Kurrak's continued tutelage and with his recommendation to Starfleet, she was promoted to Lieutenant in 2389 and transferred to the U.S.S. Ganymede. -- U.S.S. Ganymede (NC-80107) Luna-Class Reconnaissance Science Vessel -- Aged 26, assigned as a Counsellor to the Chief Counsellor's Office. Highly commended for her work in supporting crew members during the often stressful working conditions in the Gamma Quadrant. Upon the commendation of her Commanding Officer at the end of her tour of duty, Kana was promoted to the rank of Lt. Commander by Starfleet prior to her next deployment. -- U.S.S. Poseidon (NCC-42635) Miranda-Class Destroyer -- Aged 30, assigned as Chief Counsellor in 2393, still actively serving in 2395. Field promoted to Second Officer (Stardate 70610.9), before subsequently becoming Executive Officer (Stardate 71028.6) in order to relieve Major Graydon on personal grounds. Kana eventually stood down from Command duties two years later on both professional but also health-related grounds.