Bayle Olin Erikssen

Captain Bayle Olin Erikssen is commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Venture (NCC-71854)

Biography
When one compiles a list of the most skilled captains currently serving in Starfleet, the name Bayle Olin Eriksson is often considered, along with the likes of Jean-Luc Picard and William Riker. Over the course his almost 50 years of Starfleet service, Erikssen has defended his legendary record time and time again.

Erikssen was born in Oslo in 2308. His father, a fisherman, taught young Bayle the value of a hard days work, as well as a tremendous respect for the natural world and a sense of adventure. In grade school, he studied the exploits of the USS Enterprise and resolved to join Starfleet. Erikssen entered the academy and graduated second in his class in 2330. He then went on to command school where he showed himself to be a brilliant young officer. Upon graduation Erikssen was assigned to the USS Ironsides, an Excelsior Class Starship assigned to the Romulan Border. In his five years on the Ironsides Erikssen proved himself in multiple instances to be a capable commander, leading away teams and even taking over the night watch. At the end of his tour, Erikssen was re-assigned to the USS Metternich, a state of the art Ambassador Class Starship. He served on the Metternich for a six-year exploration assignment, charting the southern edge of Federation Space. By the end of this tour Erikssen was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and served as the Senior Watch Commander. In 2343 Erikssen was transferred to the USS Arapaho as that ship’s first officer.

Erikssen’s time on the Arapaho was marked by the start of the Cardassian Wars. During the wars the Arapaho was assigned to deep scouting runs in Cardassian Space. In 2350, at the height of the confrontation Erikssen was promoted to Captain, and given command of the USS Comanche, due to his previous experience with Excelsior Class Starships. He commanded the Comanche for five years, before taking a posting as a professor at Starfleet Academy. While there, he met a cadet named Aaron Kennedy, who he took under his wing and mentored. After ten years he was given the prestigious James T Kirk Chair at Starfleet Command School.

At the start of the Dominion War, Starfleet Command needed every experienced officer to fight the Dominion. Erikssen, with his extensive experience from the Cardassian Wars was a prime candidate. Starfleet gave him a crash-retraining course and assigned him to the USS Venture as her captain. The Venture fought in every major confrontation in the war, from Deep Space Nine to Cardassia.

Erikssen still serves as commanding officer of the Venture. He is one of the most respected line officers in the fleet.