User:Bemiller

The Truth about Talion
Despite the popular cultural familiarity with the name not many real facts are actually known about the best know Bounty hunter of the 24th Century known as Talion. [It was actually pronounced Tal-EON not Talon as used on the Holovid series1] but it is known that for some reason he preferred to simply by Talion rather than his full name.

However despite the varied and colorful stories that circulate in late night intoxicant parlors and are the source of many holovids and short stories, little is really know about the details of his life. Which is why he is subject to so many popular stories. In fact many of the popular ideas and fictional stories of a self-independent non conformist hard drinking rogue warrior are based on fiction rather then what little facts that are known about Talion 1.

It is interesting to question if his parents deliberately chose a name with historical significance (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/talion ) and apropos to the story that he would live.

This Report is created simply to clear up some of confusion of what is historically known and what is not known and also to discount the exponential growth of stories based on popular Holovid episodes.

BIRTH
What is known is that Talion Chatora Aldesei was born to a pair of ex- slavers on the planet Turkana IV sometime around 2350. How long his parent survived is not known due to the constant civil wars and political turmoil of that period but it is known that he was quickly recruited into the multitude of shifting fractions and civil wars in his early years. The instability of that time period must have been a great training ground for survival and early espionage as evidently he did well even leading several smaller fractions at some points in his youth.

Rumors vary greatly at this point ... but he rose quickly through the ranks of some of the larger fractions – although how he became incorporated into the larger fractions - after being involved with rival fractions may never been known. (However it is a sources of some the stories of his personal flamboyance and loyalty of those under his command).

Despite the lack of coherent history of that time period, there are actual records of Talion making a local name for himself at a young age, creating temporary alliances and pulling off raids against the enemy rival forces and fractions that historical experts of that time period claimed as theoretically impossible. Yet these events are annotated in several authenticated historical sources.

All sources confirm however that he suddenly and quiet unexpectedly disappeared from Turkana IV, at around the age of 17. Some historians claim he was on the run, while claim he was recruited with an offer by off world training from the Orion syndicate.

TRAINING
Where (and if) he actually got advanced training is questionable but several substantiated reports of his training noted that that training had made him a Master at espionage, unarmed combat, short ranged weapons, and of course smuggling.

Note there is considerable dissent on whether his training came directly from Dominion hands (unlikely) or more likely was trained by one of the races that were subjects of the Dominion or more probably one of the guilds involved in the temporary alliance of the Dominion and fractions of the Orion Syndicated guilds. (No official involvement of the whole Guild has ever been proven although is generally accepted as fact)

Reports indicate that for some reason he seemed to develop a preference for using Klingon pain sticks, and an edged weapon small, curved blade weapons designed to be held in one hand (knives) and ancient projectile weapons over modern phasers and vibra-blades, or even the typical Klingon Batleth or short sword of the Romulans despite historical evidence that he was well versed in using such.

He reportedly was quoted as saying that the terror factor of the slower kill from projectile weapons and edged weapons made them superior "psychological weapons" versus the so called efficiency of the phaser and that the real function of a weapon was to intimidate the opponent not kill them. Proponents of this belief system quote the fact that he was noted to have been extremely skilled in close quarter unarmed combat and may not have needed weapons for other than intimidation reasons [This logic is highly disputed by social historians but is argued by the remaining Sanuri warrior clan elders.]

There is no question that Talion was well versed in use of modern weapons as evidenced by some of the multiple raids he successfully made on small Klingon and Cardassian armories while under the shield/ employment of the Orion guild. Some of these raids have become classic training points for security officers assigned to defending such armories.

TIME-LINE
Again rumor is probably wilder than the real facts but the predominate rumor is that he killed a Orion Guild officer over a dispute and had to "quickly leave" that employment status seem to mesh with facts about known of his "employment."

While some stories claim he was defending a Cardassian target he believed was innocent, and other stories say he killed his superior over a lover. See Notes 2, 6  Rumors that he killed the entire local guild leadership are completely unsubstantiated (but in this writers mind entirely possible for someone who had grown up in the Culture of Tarkana IV)

Whether he actually fell out with the entire Orion Syndicate or simply that local guild is a matter of much conjecture as he definitely delivered many targets that would have been beneficial to the Syndicate plans. However he was also credited with actions that seemed to be in direct opposition to what we know about the dominion and their aspirations. See Note 7

Exactly who he was working for and why is purely a matter of conjecture (and the source of many a story) but somehow during that time he became the "legal" owner of a small warp capable ship named the Qua'Lon – [translates as small poisonous stinging animal ... Editor Scorpion ?] which had a long history of (semi-legal) cargo running [again a source of stories and multiple holovids episodes in itself].

NOTE: Despite Popular belief based on Holovid stories, it has never been proven that in fact he had a running enterprise with the Ferengi and in fact there was considerable friction between the Syndicate and the Ferengi.

It is probably this period that generated the quotes attributed to Talion although how many of these are really from Talion or from the writers of the Holovid series remains a question to social historians.***

During the same time period – at least at times it appears he evidently was a free agent, at time under employ of both the Romulans and the Klingon empires – playing off the ongoing war between them and delivering reported spies and Cardassian enemy agents of both sides to the highest bidder.

Some reports even claim he was a courier to his Klingon lover, delivering weapons, messages and money during the Romulans attempt at inciting a civil war {Note : Time live events do not match Talion's projected age (he would have been somewhere around the age of 17) and this report is discounted by most social historians. Even Jau Lin fails to comment directly on this question. See Note 2

Some reports claim that Talion was somehow involved with the REman Coup in 2379 and that such was in fact sponsored at least in part by the Klingon High command in retaliation for prior Romulan interference and involvement in a Klingon Political attempted Coup by the house of Duras (in 2369) but such has never been proven and even asking such questions is usually unhealthy. See Note 8

He was reported to have later delivered several rogue group leaders to the New Cardassian Military command although rumor was that there were unknown [despite the claims of the Holovid series*] personal reasons for such actions and that no bounty was ever collected.

Also No official explanation is available on how he managed to corner and deliver several high value Romulan targets to the Klingon High Command during that period.

However Rumor and stories vary greatly on this one of the most popular is that he actually also delivered a pair of Klingon assassins alive (although there is considerable debate on their actually health at time of delivery) to the Romulan Senate [some how with Klingon High command approval) *during this time period.


 * details of how and why this occurred have never been able to be verified

Physical characteristics
Despite the descriptions of a tall handsome mysterious male humanoid that fills the holovids. There is little evidence to believe the Talion actually matched such physical characteristics of the Holovid series or even the portrayal of the many (trashy) adventure and romance novels on the market in many of the rim worlds where his reputation holds far more credit than it does on the central worlds.

In fact, Jau Lin describes Talion as a plain, average height average looking person. Furthermore it is noted that for several decades Talion kept a Orin class shuttle/ jump ship that we all know had a cabin height of less that 2 meters, so it is highly unlikely that he was of excessive height or he would have chosen something more comfortable in height – at least in the long run

As far as looks physical looks, appearance that stands out would have been a disadvantage rather than an asset in his chosen field(s) of work, so the good-looking persona portrayed by the Holovids is again highly unlikely.

Jau lin never commented directly on Talion's feelings of his own looks but claim on several points in his book he commented that Talion seemed surprised and somewhat suspicious whenever he was given attention by the female of a species. Which leads away from the tabloids idea that the popular saying was in regards to selling himself.

If you want me it is going to cost you. See Note 3

Instead evidence points that this reference was probably related to Talion's bartering his skills at smuggling or bounty hunting - as even by then he had a reputation of success where others had failed.

Relationships?
It is noted that Talion in fact did have multiple "relationships" – some simultaneously as noted by some of his famous quotes. Unfortunately many of relationships seemed to have ended badly – One in particular as noted by the famous Gun battle that erupted after the break up of Talion and his then Bajoran lover Kerin. See note 5

(The reader should remember the well publicized gun battle raged across Cardassia and several of its moons after the two "parted ways". While no one is sure why the battle started or suddenly quit both parties were noted to have been seen afterwards so there is no evidence to support the Holovid stores that Kerin was killed by Talion or vise versa - as claimed in some romance trash in publication on several worlds.

However, rumor holds that reportedly no one – who lived – brought Talion's name up in conversation around Kerin after that episode.

Distinctive Clothing
The reports of Talion using a style of dress similar to rim world farmer and ranchers is not as far fetched nor as dramatic as the Holovids make it appear. For that time period use of a hat which blocked the sun and long tailed coat would have matched with many off world styles worn for practicality and would have helped him blend in. Also in those days and locals carrying of displayed weapons was not that unusual – especially in some of the more "unreputable" of establishments

As far as the claims that he used to wears an ancient Cowboy hat, dresses mostly in black and "drip with knives" one has to take the above factors into consideration however collaboration with accounts depicted in Jau Lin's book, the use of ancient projectile weapons and a Klingon pain stick not withstanding, such dress would have been practical for the occupation Talion was involved with at that point in time.

TALION's FATE
What happened to Talion is definitely a question marked with popular speculation ... some say that he retired not being able to deal with the notoriety of becoming known as a high value bounty, and took up a non threatening office job. (A statement meet with ridicule by those who are proponents of the more flamboyant styles of his life)

Other sources (mostly tabloid stores) speculate that he was killed in revenge, (for earlier insults) by the Orion syndicate. It is doubtful that the Syndicate would expose itself in attacking such a politically unimportant yet well known target without evidence of substantial profit reasons. However the syndicate is well known for actions of loyalty to its members and having a long memory towards those it feels have "crossed" it in the past.

A few of the tabloid stories go so far as to claim he was actually executed, by the Cardassians, for not fulfilling a contract, but that rumor is vehemently discounted by those that claim they knew him.

There is even less credibility in the claim that he deliberately piloted his ship into a space time rift. There is No evidence or even creditable sources that will officially agree that his ship would have survived such an event despite claims in the book by Jau Lin (See Note 4) or reports that he has been occasionally sited in outer rim systems

Most of those - who claim they knew him (and still live) - claim he just suddenly disappeared, leaving no traces and no reasons but they seriously doubt that he would ever give up the trill of bounty hunting nor the women or Aldorian Ale.

References:

Note 1: There is very little to substantiate the actions of character, who plays Talion in the on going multi-world Holovid series Spies, Enemies and Lovers as actually being attributable to Talion.

Note 2: The books written by Jau Lin including "The Truth about Talion and Empress Fleon III" has come under significant official rebuke – especially after Empress Tau has denounced Lin as a fabricator and claimed she never met Lin. (Reports are that she refuses to answer whether she ever met Talion)

Note 3: Quotes attributed to Talion (see note 1):

It is important to have a woman, a bottle and two weapons in every port.

If Gold or pressed latinum can't get you out of a jam then a fast gun will.

Search your lovers for weapons - frequently, it safer and can be a lot of fun.

Just because they are bonded doesn't mean they aren't interested in fun

Lonely? How can I get lonely with a hold full of Aldorian Ale?

And of course the famous sayings: Plan your escape before you start drinking

Make sure that kiss is worth the trouble it will start

If you want me it is going to cost you

There are of course many other popular sayings attributed to Talion. See the Book by Jau Lin – although many of the reported sayings are historically noted to have first appeared in holovid series and there is no evidence there were ever used by Talion

Note 4: Jau Lin is the (in)famous Gossip and Tell all writer noted for several of his Popular books including; The Truth about Talion and Empress Fleon III. The secrets BEHIIND Spies, enemies and Lovers, Lovers behind the Throne I told you she wasn't my Mother Good Ale, Fast Women and Better Guns: history in the making

Note 5: Kerin was the noted older sister of Leeta, noted to be as beautiful as she was deadly with a quick temper and tendency to shoot first.

Note 6: Lin's claim that Talion had killed his Syndicate Guild controller after the death of his partner (?lover) who had followed him from Tarkana IV has never been substantiated.

Note 7: The Dominion was for a period of time a sponsor and ally of Syndicate activity. Thus opposition to Dominion goals would not have been financially in the Orion guilds interest.

Note 8: The irony of that fact of Talion's employment by the Klingons, and involvement in this situation is particularly fitting and well noted to social historians, since the Dominion had been the source of much of trouble to the Klingons (as they had incited the Cardassians into revolt)