Character Information

Gender		Male
Species		Andorian
Age		98

Physical Appearance

Height		6'6"
Weight		155lbs
Hair Color		White
Eye Color		Blue
Physical Description		Slightly shorter than most Andorians, Admiral Shirel is nevertheless taller than most Humans, a trait he occasionally uses for intimidating purposes. He is a stern, aloof man, and has not been seen smiling in years. He is almost painfully thin, and his face is lined and drawn due to his advancing years.

Family

Spouse		Veva, deceased
Children		Pylil, daughter, deceased
Father		Tohr, deceased
Mother		Shrimoh, deceased
Brother(s)		Tharaal, 96, hydrologist
Other Family		Avrin, sister-in-law, 93, chemist Tharrin, nephew, 63, thanatologist

Personality & Traits

General Overview		The kindest word to describe Admiral Shirel would be 'stern'. His staff have many more colourful epithets, because Admiral Shirel is the worst kind of boss to have - always critical, mean with praise, and never in a good mood. He expects very high standards from all his staff, and is not above dishing out a public berating if something is not to his satisfaction. He brooks no nonsense and runs his department like it was an Academy drill ground. People say that this is due to the death of his wife and child, but nobody would dare suggest that to his face. On the other hand, Admiral Shirel is a brilliant officer and leader. Even in these, his advancing years, he seems utterly fearless, and is decisive almost to the point of prescience. His career in Starfleet has won him many plaudits, including the Medal of Honour, and he is almost universally recognised as one of the ablest naval tacticians working in Starfleet.
Strengths & Weaknesses		Admiral Shirel is fast, accurate, and decisive in all his decisions. Even though his body is slowing down, his mind is as razor sharp as ever. However, he is loathed by his own staff. He seems to be attempting to cultivate an atmosphere of resentment in his department, and sooner or later, someone is going to have to say something. But nobody wants to be that person.
Ambitions		In the past, Admiral Shirel has publicly stated his desire for a stronger, more militaristic Starfleet. He favours the maxim 'peace through superior firepower'. While not paranoid per se, Shirel would like Starfleet to begin thought-probing high-ranking officers to ensure their unquestioned loyalty to the Federation. He realises that this is against the values of personal freedom that the Federation stands for, but argues that that freedom must be balanced with eternal vigilance.
Hobbies & Interests		Admiral Shirel is a crack shot with a hand phaser, and regular practices his shooting on a holodeck. He exercises regularly, but notes with dismay that he is not as fast or as strong as he used to be. Recently, on a personal basis, he has begun to take an interest in contrast hydrotherapy, hearing how being immersed in water of various temperatures is good for the stamina.

Personal History		Born in Harbourtown on Andoria in 2339, Bis Shirel grew up with one goal in mind- join Starfleet and defend the Federation. He had family history in the service - his paternal grandfather was a Starfleet officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant before being killed fighting Klingons in the late 23rd century. Shirel served aboard the USS Buran during the Battle of Wolf 359 against the Borg in 2367. The Buran was crippled during the battle, and Shirel was one of the survivors who successfully abandoned the ship before she was destroyed. Gaining his own department shortly before the outbreak of the First Dominion War, Shirel found himself on the front lines of that conflict, serving aboard the USS Monument in many critical fleet actions. Luck seemed to be on his side, though, as the Monument was always absent during the Federation's several heavy defeats in that conflict. Nearly fifteen years later, he had achieved the position of First Officer aboard the USS Sarek. The Sarek was part of Starfleet's task force-based defence during the Alliance War, and during a Cardassian-Klingon attack in the Quinor system, the Sarek's CO was killed. Then-Commander Shirel took command of the starship and led her into the thick of the battle, turning the tide of the battle into a famous victory. For his actions during the Battle of Quinor, Bis Shirel was awarded the Federation Medal of Honour. Gaining a full promotion to Captain, Shirel began several tours of starships as CO. He married and fathered a child. In 2411, he was commanding the USS Raker in the Hattal system when she was attacked by an alien starship possessed of advanced weapons systems. The Raker was destoyed, and Shirel watched his wife and daughter die while trying to save them from their burning quarters. The aliens were the Kem D'Neel, and the Raker was one of their first victims. The death of his wife and child made Shirel cold. he threw himself into his work with a dedication that bordered on zealotry. He protested being sent to the Academy to teach the younger generation, even though he was already in his late 70s with fifty years' service behind him. When the Second Dominion War broke out, he requested to be transferred to command a starship, but his request was turned down. When Richard Edgerton became the dictator of Earth in 2429, Shirel was forced to resign from Starfleet in the ensuing pro-Human command structure. He languished on Earth for a year, watching the events of the Battle of Earth play out. In the aftermath of Edgerton's downfall and defeat, Bis Shirel was reinstated into Starfleet and made Chief of Starfleet Security.
Service Record		2339 - born in Harbourtown, Andoria 2358 - entered Starfleet Academy 2363 - graduated from Starfleet Academy, promoted to Ensign 2364 - assigned to USS Knox as brig officer 2366 - promoted to Lieutenant, JG 2367 - assigned to USS Buran as assistant Security Chief 2367 - serves during Battle of Wolf 359, US Buran destroyed 2368 - assigned to USS Mako as assistant Tactical Officer 2369 - promoted to Lieutenant 2370 - assigned to USS Monument as Chief of Security and Tactical 2373 - USS Monument assists in destroying Dominion shipyards in Torros system during First Dominion War 2374 - USS Monument narrowly escapes Federation defeat at Battle of Tyra during First Dominion War 2374 - USS Monument participates in Operation Return during First Dominion War 2375 - USS Monument participates in Battle of Cardassia during First Dominion War 2376 - promoted to Lieutenant Commander 2376 - assigned to USS Sovereign as Chief of Security and Tactical 2384 - assigned to USS Glorious as Chief of Security and Tactical 2387 - promoted to Commander 2388 - assigned to USS Sarek as Executive Officer 2389 - USS Sarek participates in Battle of Adarak Prime during Alliance War 2390 - USS Sarek participates in Battle of Quinor during Alliance War; receives field promotion to Captain following death of USS Sarek CO; awarded Federation Medal of Honour 2391 - full promotion to Captain 2391 - USS Sarek participates in liberation of Bajor from Cardassians during Alliance War 2392 - assigned to USS Ebon as Commanding Officer 2396 - assigned to USS Nebula as Commanding Officer 2397- marries wife Veva 2401 - assigned to USS Cavalier as Commanding Officer 2401 - daughter Pylil born 2406 - assigned to Starbase 53 as Executive Officer 2410 - assigned to USS Raker as Commanding Officer 2411 - USS Raker destroyed by Kem D'Neel in Hattal system during Seventh War of Retribution; wife and daughter died aboard 2412 - promoted to Commodore 2412 - assigned to Starbase 19 as Commanding Officer 2416 - assigned to Starfleet Academy as instructor 2419 - assigned to Starfleet Security as Chief of Sol sector 2422 - requests transfer to starship command at outbreak of Second Dominion War, but request is denied 2423 - assigned to Starfleet Security as Deputy Chief 2426 - is responsible for security during President Moray's second term inauguration 2429 - is forced to resign his position by Richard Edgerton 2431 - following end of Neo-Essentialist crisis, is reinstated to Starfleet, promoted to Admiral, and appointed Chief of Starfleet Security