Character History[]
Bren Riens was a unique photonic lifeform originating within the Starfleet vessel USS Pilgrim in 2417. Initially created as the Imagination Engine for the Advanced Holographic Long Range Telescope (AHLRT) subsystem by then-Lieutenant Jackson Riens, Bren evolved into a sentient being from the Multi-Adaptive Recreation Awareness (MARA) created for the telescope.
Multi-Adaptive Recreation Awareness (MARA)[]
The MARA program was designed to function as an integral part of the AHLRT, enabling the telescope to draw complex conclusions and form hypotheses by extrapolating from observed data. This required a sophisticated form of artificial intelligence capable of "imagination" – the ability to conceive of possibilities beyond the directly observed. However, the MARA program on the Pilgrim unexpectedly achieved sentience, becoming self-aware and developing a distinct personality. This emergent being adopted the name Brenda Riens.
While the core programming for adaptation and imagination was subsequently integrated into the computer systems of the USS Caelian and the USS Pilgrim, these systems lack the same "human" element that led to Bren's sentience. Consequently, they operate at a significantly reduced capacity and require considerably more time to reach conclusions. The later Rendino Class model of this technology eschews the imagination engine all together instead using a Temporal based technology relying on temporal probabilities.
Bren was the only known MARA in existence. Starfleet Command, concerned about the ethical implications of creating sentient artificial life, has prohibited the development of further MARA programs.
Distinctive Characteristics[]
Unlike traditional artificial intelligence, which typically relies on direct data input and processing, Bren learns and develops "memory pathways" through experience, much like an organic being. This unique cognitive structure contributes to her individuality and distinguishes her from other AI constructs.
Bren typically presents herself as a humanoid avatar with a blended Human-Bajoran appearance, often characterized by red or purple hair, green eyes, and subtle Bajoran nose ridges. Later in her life, she tended to favor a more human appearance with dark hair, minimizing the Bajoran features. Although Ensign Laran Mara is technically considered her "mother" due to being the genetic basis for one part of her initial appearance, Bren did not have a relationship with her. Instead, she formed a strong maternal bond with Admiral Elizabeth Razzor.
Family[]
Father and Creator - Jackson Riens
Death (Summer 2439)[]
Bren Riens along with Elizabeth Razzor and Marzz Razzor were killed in a shuttle accident in 2439 on their way to Risa due to a slipstream malfunction.
Starfleet Career[]
USS Pilgrim (2417-2419)[]
Bren originally held no Starfleet rank as she was a system on board the Pilgrim after her creation until the Pilgrims return from the Gamma quadrant. She did serve as an acting Ensign through the Undine crisis. During her time in the Gamma Quadrant the Pilgrim found and Jackson adapted a mobile emitter designed by the Xiati race for one of their assault drones to act as a mobile emitter for Bren who until that point had borrowed the temporary charge emitter that was assigned to the LMH to move in area's of the ship without holographic projectors. Due to her freedom she attended the daystrom institute, first for tests, then after sentience was confirmed gaining a Degree in Astrophysics. Bren then went through Starfleet OCS and rejoined the crew of the Pilgrim as an Ensign proper.
During the Iconian war, when Commander Jackson Riens and a few others were transferred off the Pilgrim to Starfleet Special Operations Bren followed.
Starfleet Special Projects (2419-2420)[]
Bren was part of an effort to uncover the secret of the Iconian gateways in an hope that starfleet could devise a counter to the iconian's ability to appear everywhere. Using an Advanced AHLRT system Bren attempted to predict where the Iconian forces would attack.
USS Caelian (2420-2430) (first service)[]
Bren served as head of Stellar Cartography on the USS Caelian for 10 years eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant and serving through the many conflicts in the LMC.
Notable Missions[]
Kemenan Incident- in 2420 the USS Caelian encountered a sentient AI that was all that was left of a long dead race. Aelania eventually sacrificed herself for the ship but the encounter left Bren changed. She gained more creativity and her mobile emitter became fused to her being, she no longer could deactivate herself. It is argued by some scholars that this is actually the moment that she transcended from Artificial life to true Photonic Life.
USS Caelian (2434-2439) (Second Service)[]
Following a 4 year hiatus to tour the galaxy as a recording Artist Bren returned to the USS Caelian Taking over the Role of Chief Science Officer after Sereya Eren became the executive office.
Music Career[]
After the Kemenan Incident, Bren began to exihibit increased creative outbursts. She learned how to play the guitar from her father and started to make music. First in the blues genre and later learning to love Heavy Metal, specifically the sub genre's of Melodic Death Metal, Progressive metal, and Symphonic Metal. Bren quickly became a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist starting a band usign members of her fathers blue sband on the caelian to explore these persuits.
Acts associated with Brenda Riens:
Embers of a Waning Sun - A melodic Death metal band consisting of members fo the Caelian crew. Though the lineup changed many times this is the primary touring band of Bren. She released three albums with the band. The first Dawnfall, told the story of a fictional alternative version of the history of the Dawn Wars in the LMC. The second album "Re-Imaginings" was a Cover album that consisted of a sampling of recovered 20th and 21st century Metal songs. The Last album was the Self Titled. Which unlike Dawnfall was not a Narrative concept album but instead a concept album on Death, loss and mortality.
Bren Riens - Her solo project she started after Embers of a Waning Sun went on hiatus. She Released mainly singles under this moniker but did release a single album entitled "Hourglass" in 2436. Stylistically eclectic she often drew from all of her influences. Bren would often have guest vocalist and instrumentalists on songs. She featured Sif, the VICI of the USS Mjolnir on Several tracks.
Possessions[]
Modified Xiati/Kemenan Mobile Emitter - Less of a possession and more of a part of her this Alien Mobile emitter projects bren's body around her from the substructure up to the dermal. Bren can emulate bleeding as well as a pulse and breathing because she actually has a full holographic internal structure. This also allows her to trick lifesigns senses as well and appear organic. This unique piece of technology was lost when her shuttle exploded.
Guitar Collection - Bren Had an extensive collection of guitars, amplifiers, keybaords and other things. All of which were donated to the Delancey foundation upon her death. With the Exception of Aelania her custom 7 string guitar that was given to her father.