Featured Crew articles spotlight familiar characters not currently covered by official stats. Each article will typically feature a Major NPC version of the character, as well as a playable Main Character version (Core Rulebook compliant) that you can hand out to a player for immediate play (such as for a demo or convention game).
My current goal is to find characters to fill the different roles aboard a ship. This time, let’s look at a science officer who isn’t human.
Mendon appeared in one Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, “A Matter of Honor“. A science officer of unknown rank in the Benzite government, he participated in an exchange program aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-D. It was a learning experience for both Mendon and the crew of the Enterprise, as differences between Starfleet rules and Benzite culture and command structure caused unexpected difficulties. The confident Mendon was seeking praise and efficiency everywhere (not unusual in a meritocracy like on Benzar), and unfortunately was delaying a report until a full analysis could be done, as Benzite regulations required. When told that Starfleet regulations required important matters to be reported sooner, Mendon adapted and was able to prove his worth by solving the mystery of the subatomic bacteria.
This time I am presenting only one version, the PC version, which can easily double as a Major NPC version (remove Determination). For more on Benzites, see the Beta Quadrant Sourcebook.
Since there isn’t much material on Mendon outside of that episode, you can introduce Mendon into your campaign in many ways without worrying about canon. If you wish to follow beta canon, in the novel Fire With Fire Mendon had attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was Chief Science Officer aboard the U.S.S. Prometheus in 2385. Depending on when your campaign takes place, Mendon’s rank in Starfleet could thus be higher than Ensign, which is why the entry does not give a precise rank. Feel free to introduce him as a Science Officer wherever you need one, or to give a player an alien Starfleet Officer to play.
My favorite!!!!! He is joining my crew!!!!!