Lady Salome Hrek CSO was an officer of the Royal Navy of the Golden Empire, a Legate in the Vagaari War, and the first member of the Empire's nobility.
Born on the Leik homeworld of Mir Kaldu`uz, she was eleven years old when her planet submitted to the governance of the Golden Empire. She was the first Leik woman admitted to a Royal Military Academy and graduated the Royal Naval Academy in the top ten percent of her class. Commissioned as an ensign, she served in several command and staff positions throughout her naval career.
In 141 ABY, Hrek was the captain of the Resolute-class destroyer Redoubt. At the onset of the Vagaari War, she served in the Prime Fleet under the command of Tariun Sakaros. After the Ssi-ruuk attacked and Sorrik was dispatched to retaliate, Hrek and Tarse Medrego were made Legates under Tariun's command, and the three prosecuted a three-front war against the Vagaari.
Following the conclusion of the war and the genocidal slaughter of all Vagaari, Hrek and Medrego were made Commanders of the Sovereign's Order and offered promotion to High Command. Medrego declined promotion in order to remain a field commander, but Hrek accepted and was promoted to Admiral. By 149 ABY, Hrek was the leader of Royal Starfleet High Command and one of Sorrik's foremost deputies, assuming many of his administrative duties while he prosecuted the Nightmare War.
After the 65 Reforms, Hrek became a member of the Sovereign's Council. She retired from service in 154 ABY. As a reward for her service in the Vagaari War and High Command, on the occasion of her retirement, Queen Rin Sakaros created Hrek the first viscountess of the Empire as a life peer.
Viscountess Hrek attended the funeral of Eskol Kaartinen in the last weeks of 157 ABY.
Appearance and personality[]
Hrek had the gray skin common to Leiks. Like most of her species, she kept her barb-lashes wrapped around her arms and under her uniform. She had a reputation among her subordinates for always having an impeccable uniform, even in her earliest days as an officer.
Hrek was famous as a consummate tactical planner whose execution of duty was always precise. As a commanding officer, she was often contrasted with fellow Legate Tarse Medrego; while Medrego was inventive and risk-taking, Hrek was patient and methodical. In spontaneous battle, Medrego was the superior commander, but Hrek could accomplish more with time to plan. Tariun Sakaros considered Hrek a tactical genius but felt her quick-thinking in large scale battle could use improvement. Hrek and Medrego debated endlessly over tactics, but had a deep and abiding personal and professional respect for one another.
Hrek was also a very exacting commander, expecting the best of her subordinates and intolerant of carelessness. She was not as popular with those under her command, as they felt she considered them numbers in an equation rather than people. However, her intelligence and professionalism were widely respected. As de facto head of the Royal Starfleet High Command, she made numerous changes in the fleet's structure which improved efficiency, and she was often considered the right hand woman of Prime Legate Sorrik and regarded as a possible successor to Sorrik, along with her colleague Tarse Medrego.