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Anton Dzhonovich Popov
Age: 37
Ht: 5' 10"
Wt: 175lbs
Hair: Sandy Brown
Eyes: Emerald Green
Background:
Born thirty seven years ago, he entered the world on a small M-class planet Inhabited mainly by colonists of Russian descent. The second son, he has always had a less than cordial relationship with his elderly father. From an early age he swore that he 'will get as far away from that horrid place (his house) as soon as he could'. Many years ago, with his planet's acceptance into the Federation, his dream of leaving home was realized.
It was decided (among the rulers of his planet) that the best way to normalize relations was 'to effect the intergration of the current military structures with those of the UFP.' In effect this meant several things: the trading of officers in 'joint operations', inviting Starfleet officers to attend the InterTerritorial Military Action Training and Tactics Eductional Reserve Station (ITMATTERS), and accepting StarFleet's similiar offer. Anton was on the first ship full of trainees.
The Academy was a rough ordeal for him. First there was the language barrier, then there was his own attitude (he already was a commisioned officer (2nd Lt) in his home world's armed forces, and it really got to him that the Federation 'wouldn't trust her valuable ally's judgement'). After he overcame these barriers, he advanced quickly in the areas of tactics and weapons systems. Quietly awed by some of the Federation's weapons, he finds the phased energy systems (Phasers) somewhat lacking.
After his early gradution (he took a 'quicky' class course to graduation due to his prior experience), he took off three months to report home and visit his older brother. While on leave, he experienced combat for the first time. During the horrible battle, he managed to conduct himself very well. For his valor, he recieved one of the highest commendations his country can bestow (Hero of the Republic, Order of the Gold Cross).
Commisioned as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) on his return, His first Tour Of Duty (TOD) was on the USS Wyld Foxx A, where he excelled in his position as Tactical officer, and was quickly promoted. Following the completion of that tour, he married his secondary school (Vargyentay Secondary) sweetheart, Katerina (Katia) Vasilovna Pyotrova.
His next three TODs were aboard the USS Prince of Wales, where he eventually gained the post of Executive Officer. The final week aboard ship was cut short, however, by the near destruction of the ship in an encounter with the Borg in the First Borg Incursion. It was during this battle, indeed, during the battle to get the wrecked ship home, that he swore that he would never serve on a fighting ship that carried a civilian complement. To this end, he authored the StarFleet White Paper: 'The Destructive Influence Of Civilian Co-Habitation On the Performance of Starship Crews During a Time of Military Conflict'.
This paper, and its negative repercussions with command, got him his next post as Executive Officer on a corvette (USS Viper) on picket duty. In the words of the Commanding Officer, 'One does not know the true meaning of Hades until one has spent a nine month cruise on a corvette.' The Viper as roughly twice the size of a Mod I runabout, and housed 15 crewmembers (4 officers, 2 NCOs, nine enlisted persons).
After two TODs on the Viper, he was finally given command of the USS Majesty. He was, in his words, 'Shocked that they ever gave me a command, much less such a pretty one like her.' Regretably, his pride and joy was shortly ripped from him by the cruel hand of fate. After she was badly damaged by a mine, starfleet decided that she should be used as a suicide bomber against the largest of the Breen shipyards. Following the destruction of the ship, and the harrowing rescue by USS Caliburn, he was brought to Pasteur Medical station, where he underwent the obligitory courtmartial, and was found not guilty.
Which finally leads us to his Current command, the USS Bismarck. She is a brand new ship, freshly commisioned, and handed straight over to him on Pasteur.
His uniform is standard issue except for a 1 inch strip of red cloth running from just over his shoulder, extending to the mid chest level, just to the left of his communicator. It bears his Republic rank and (nominal) unit designator,along with the ribbon version of the medal. If asked about what the ribbon means, he usually replies that 'it is something you get in my country for showing up with your shoes tied.'