PERSONNEL FILE: Sisko, Benjamin

**Includes updates, addenda through SD 50500 (2373)

Played By: Avery Brooks

Rank: Captain

Current assignment: commanding officer, Deep Space Nine/U.S.S. Defiant

Full Name: Benjamin Lafayette Sisko

Year of birth: 2332

Place of birth: New Orleans, Earth

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sisko

Education: Starfleet Academy, 2350-54

Marital status: Widowed: married to Jennifer Sisko 2354-67

Children: One son, Jake, born 2355

Starfleet Career Summary

prior: -- Assigned to U.S.S. Livingston and, under Capt. Leyton, promoted to lieutenant commander and first officer of U.S.S. Okinawa

2367 -- As lieutenant commander and first officer of U.S.S. Saratoga, survived ship's loss at Battle of Wolf 359 against Borg; assigned to Utopia Planetia Shipyards on Mars and oversaw development of Defiant-class warship, later mothballed

2369 -- Agrees to lead Starfleet contingent on Bajoran-owned Deep Space Nine; helped discover Bajoran wormhole, make first contact with its builders, the nonlinear "Prophets"

2370 -- Made first contact with the Jem'Hadar and Dominion in Gamma Quadrant

2371 -- Given command of experimental U.S.S. Defiant to beef up DS9 defenses; later promoted to captain

2372 -- Temporary assignment, Chief of Starfleet Security on Earth

2373 -- Single-handedly postponed Bajoran admission into UFP based on "visions" from "Prophet" aliens

Psychological Profile, Medical File Extract:

Report of Chief Medical Officer Julian Bashir, M.D. (acting in counselor's capacity)

***Starfleet Biographical File appended

Following the tragedy of his wife's death fighting the Borg at Wolf 359, Sisko entered a dark period for three years at Utopia Planetia and very nearly resigned from Starfleet rather than take the Deep Space Nine assignment - until an encounter with the Bajorans' "Prophet" aliens and the discovery of their wormhole jump-started his healing and set him on an ongoing journey in that role, energizing his life once again. Moreover, his one-time ambitions to make admiral as soon as possible have yielded to his realization that he's more suited to making decisions work than just making them - a prime reason for his success as a "builder" at DS9 and for Bajoran-UFP relations, along with defending against external threats such as the Dominion, the Maquis, and foreign powers.

Sisko is very much proud of his New Orleans upbringing, where his father was a gourmet chef and insisted the family dine together to try out his new dishes. Sisko had worked summers in his father's restaurant, simply called Sisko's where he had a job by age 15. Along with his brothers he has a sister, who lives in Portland, Ore.; the boys had to pick vegetables in their family garden as youngsters. He had a crush on one Effie Beaumont, but later dated Zoey Phillips for three years.

Sisko had been so homesick during his first week at the Academy that he beamed home at 6:30 for dinner to New Orleans, where his mother was still alive. Today Sisko worries about his elderly father's health and heart condition, and at one point felt helpless when it appeared he would indeed die. The elder Sisko refuses to leave his business and make the long journey to DS9, so visits are few and far between.

During his academy years Sisko was captain of the wrestling team in 2351, and served his sophomore field study at Starbase 137. One cadet Sisko knew at SFA was Laporin, a Benzenite.

A fellow Academy graduate was Cal Hudson, who shared his love of baseball and ambition to make captain by 30 and admiral by 40; they remained close until the Maquis crisis of 2370 split their loyalties. Another friend is now the captain of the U.S.S. Venture; another is the Tholian ambassador at DS9.

As a "raw cadet" he also met Curzon Dax, a joined Trill and Federation official who became his mentor through many years and assignments; when the two first met on Pelios Station, a woman named Anastasia was somehow involved. A perpetual womanizer, Curzon joined him as a first-rate carouser at least until Sisko's late 20s, well after Jake's birth. Curzon had attended his wedding and wild bachelor party as well. They toured the Cliffs of Bole together, often visited Risa, and he once bet he and Hudson's dom-jot play against two Zakdorn at Pelios Station.

Sisko met his future wife Jennifer on Earth immediately at Gilgo Beach after his Academy graduation in 2354, and they soon grew serious about marriage. They once shared a trip to the Mazurka Festival on New Berlin with the Hudsons; ironically, Gretchen Hudson died within the first year of Sisko's stint on DS9. After Jake's birth the men recalled their best family trip ever was camping on Itamish III.

Sisko and Curzon served some months on the U.S.S. Livingston. He was a veteran of the last UFP-Tzenkethi War during his tenure as lieutenant and lieutenant commander under Capt. Leyton on the U.S.S. Okinawa. Leyton promoted him in rank to become his first officer, and helped nurture his career beyond a basic interest in engineering and ship design.

Sisko's next assignment, on the Saratoga, came to an abrupt end in early 2367 at Wolf 359, where his wife was killed amid their cabin's debris and he and Jake barely escaped. (A reunion with Jennifer was bittersweet when the short-lived encounter occurred in the mirror universe after he was forced to replace his counterpart, the assassinated leader of the Terran Rebellion, in talking her out of working on a deadly project for the Alliance there. This doppelganger also lured Jake over a year later to coerce Sisko in helping build that universe's Defiant for the rebels.)

Leyton, later an admiral, nominated Sisko for the DS9 post when it came open upon the Cardassian withdrawal, but he took it without conviction, still not over his wife's death; his displeasure turned more solid when his send-off came from Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, who was kidnapped and for a time transformed by the Borg to lead the Wolf 359 assault. While considering a resignation to escape the post, Sisko considered directing construction of orbital habitats on Earth - the field of astrionics he was asked to teach at the University of Vasteras in Sweden. Instead, Sisko not only decided to stay but convinced Bajorans and Promenade merchants like Quark to stay.

Sisko's comfort level in his role at DS9 and as a religious icon to Bajor has gradually developed as he's grown comfortable in both roles. Dukat once called him the most joyless and least vulnerable human he's met - a compliment that was eventually rescinded. Torn between the important joint subspace relay project with Cardassia and the looming chance it might be a foretold catastrophe of Bajoran prophesy, he went ahead with a risky save that not only allowed the relay to work but fulfilled the prophecy in a different way. The incident left him more open and reflective about other prophecies regarding the "Emissary," whose arrival is now celebrated annually as the Ha'mara. He sat in for the ailing Bareil during the secret Bajoran-Cardassian peace talks on DS9, but refused Kai Winn's later request for Starfleet Security troops or aid during her hunt for fugitive Shakaar, based on Prime Directive.

Sisko does have a temper and is usually unswervable when his mind is made up. He carries a small scar on his lower lip from the impact of a ring where Curzon decked him after he took on an Argosian lieutenant. As a junior officer on VIP escort, he once slugged a visiting ambassador for sexually harassing a female ensign. When perturbed in surprise he often utters an odd yipping sound.

He initially butted heads with Kira and Odo, including a case where she went over his head to Starfleet, but he grew to value their opinions and abilities as time passed. Sisko has stood by Kira during her battles with the Bajoran Provisional Government and been aware of her discomfort at his dual role as her religion's "Emissary." Likewise, he has defended Odo's performance from past criticism by Starfleet regulars, and refused to desert him more than once.

It is certainly with Dax that Sisko has the most history. He still calls her Curzon's "old man" nickname and continues their friendship as one of many years, despite Dax's new outward form - a rare break for Trills who usually are barred from such reassociation. He and Dax lost touch after Jennifer's death early in 2367; Curzon slowly slid into death and Dax was joined to Jadzia later that year. He hated to see her go to be with the Meridians, but unlike Curzon he knew she'd thought it through. He never thought he'd get used to the "new Dax," but he threatened to turn Trill society upside-down by revealing the Joran scandal after the long quest with Bashir to save Jadzia's life. After taking the risk of embodying the murderous Joran for Dax's zhian'tara, he counseled her not to let Curzon manipulate her again in Odo's form. In return, Dax may have a latent attraction to him, since under the effects of Lwaxana Troi's Zanthi fever she can't keep away from him.

Sisko has long shared his love of baseball with Jake, aided by a holo-program he brought to DS9. Early on he is wary of losing personal time with him to the demands of work, and at first banned his friendship with the Ferengi boy Nog until he got to know him better. The landmarks of Jake's aging often leave him confused or anxious, as when he first dated. He knew Jake was writing, though he'd try to hide it, but Sisko was not ready to let him become a matchmaker and was miffed that his private life was so well known before he even met Kasidy Yates. Still he and the freighter captain did hit it off - especially when she revealed her brother plays baseball in a Cestus III colony revival league. Sisko later risked shooting a then-allied Klingon ship to rescue her freighter shortly before the alliance breakup.

Aside from Yates, Sisko's romantic life since Jennifer's death had only included Fenna, a telepathic psychoprojective alter ego of the Halanan woman Nidell Seyetik in 2370.

Sisko maintains a healthy recreational life, led by his inherited love of cooking, especially Cajun, and occasionally prepares a hands-on meal for the staff; an old recipes for Creole shrimp is how he finally got to know Jake's onetime girlfriend Marta, his poetry and dom-jot talents. He also cooks Hungarian food when in a good mood. His usual drink on duty is coffee - more specifically the Klingon variety, raktajino - especially first thing in the morning; even Dukat knows about it. Kira could set her watch by it during his first year.

Sisko collects ancient African art and after two years finally brought it to DS9. In 2371, Sisko threw himself into the project of building by hand and flying an ancient Bajoran solar-sail craft with Jake with a zest not seen since he built Jake's nursery - and wound up proving a Bajoran legend about early contact with Cardassia.

His love of baseball includes a holo-program of famous stars, including his hero Buck Bokai, and a baseball kept on display on his desk; when playing, he's a right-handed pitcher. He also keeps up with soccer, but he has no bluff in poker and is outclassed by O'Brien and Bashir in darts. He does play 2-D and 3-D chess, often with Dax. Befitting the crossroads culture of his command, he's been reading up on the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition as of his third year on the station, and hosted a Gratitude Dinner during the same-named Bajoran festival in 2371.

Professional Assessment: Report of Starfleet Command Evaluation Board

Sisko has been an exemplary commander in the new hot spot at DS9, although at times he has shown a streak of stubborn independence that has defied orders yet carried the day in the long run. He disobeyed direct orders to stay at DS9 during the Romulan-Cardassian covert invasion of the Dominion, and risked the Defiant to retrieve Odo anyway; at another time he delayed delivery of a Jem'Hadar youth until he made his escape, trusting in Odo's belief the boy could be raised against his genetic programming to fight. In still another instance, he liberally interpreted the word evacuate during the Bajoran coup threat to delay the withdrawal of his forces.

When trapped in the 21st century's Bell Riots, he risked his life to assume the identity of prematurely killed riot namesake Gabriel Bell and even took a bullet in the shoulder to preserve the timeline after he and Doctor Bashir's accidental arrival. Sisko has also made a bit of history in 2371 as the first sponsor of a Ferengi cadet to Starfleet Academy, Rom's son and Jake's friend Nog - but not before putting the boy to the test.

While Sisko's direct intervention to rescue Cardassia's civilian Detepa Council may have been questionable with Klingons nearing Cardassia Prime, along with the unauthorized use of the cloaking device, his heavily re-armed station helped persuade Gowron that division among Alpha Quadrant powers is exactly what the Dominion Founders want.

Sisko has risked his life on more than one occasion in the line of duty, including working from the Cardassian War Room to retrieved the Defiant when stolen by Tom Riker of the Maquis, then negotiating for the release of hostage Kira, the ship and its Maquis crew in return for surrendering their leader without the customary death sentence in store. He was also ready to self-destruct the Defiant rather than let it start another war with the Tzenkethi as part of a Dominion Founders sabotage.

UPDATE: Psycho-medical File, CMO J. Bashir reporting

SD 50500

As times have grow tense at DS9, Captain Sisko has risen to the challenge. With only the help of Odo and Nog he foiled a martial-law coup on Earth led by Admiral Leyton in mid-2372, even though it pit him against his longtime mentor and senior officer; he formed an uneasy partnership with the Jem'Hadar to subdue rebels trying to use ancient Iconian doorways; and he led the team that unmasked the Changeling double of Gowron's top aide Martok.

And I must say he has grown increasingly comfortable as Bajor's Emissary, especially since he had to "fight" for the role of religious icon from well-intentioned poet Akorem Laan later in 2372. This episode probably best prepared him for the experiences of a year later, when a post-neural shock helped the captain discover the ancient lost holy city of B'hala on Bajor after 20,000 years, and to seeing cryptic visions of the future. Now that this doctor can reflect from a distance, I am not sure what was more shocking: that without Jake's intervention to authorize corrective treatment he would have sacrificed his life to continue, that he called off Bajor's UFP admission based on a vision, or that he finally has Kai Winn's respect.

To the surprise of no one, and just as he had promised her, the captain resumed his relationship with Kasidy Yates when she returned from her six-month sentence for aiding the Maquis -- about the same time as his pagh'tem'far visions began. The intimacy and its consequences in hindsight have appeared to have little effect on his command ability, other than in a positive way.

AUTOMATED FILE REPORT: Agent X. Dulmer, Temporal Investigation

SD 50200

Upon review of the customary evidence and interviews of all subjects involved by this agent and Agent Lucsley, it is our determination that no lasting contamination in this timeline resulted from Sisko's accidental use of the Bajoran Orb of Time to visit 2367 and the NCC-1701, J.T. Kirk commanding.

My only regret on this trip is in not visiting more of this station, which I have heard so much about.

ADDENDUM: Adm. Charles Whatley, Starfleet Command

SD 50500

What do I say about Ben Sisko? First he and his crew are decorated for retrieving a new and fairly intact Jem'Hadar cruiser, and then he goes and starts having these odd Bajoran "visions" and postpones -- maybe even sinks for good -- the very Federation admission for Bajor that he's worked for five years. Not to mention his run-in again with the Temporal Investigations boys, after his run-in with the time-hopper of all "time," JTK.

Any other officer would have been yanked for that, or at least reassigned, but I have a hunch about Ben. I also have a hunch that any sudden action by this "secular" authority regarding Bajor's Emissary will not be received well by the locals.

Despite our earlier choice to take him off the mission, I must also commend Sisko for his handling of the Eddington affair and the virtual end to Maquis operations that brought. And yes, his covert team sent to check out whether Gowron had been replaced by a Changeling was well done, and likely helped set up the current armistice.

I suppose the fact that his psychographic profile is now required reading for Dominion Vorta field supervisors means something.

Avery Brooks is Captain Benjamin Sisko, the Starfleet Captain in charge of the Deep Space Nine space station. Sisko is a single parent to his son, Jake, since his wife was killed in an attack during the famous encounter with the Borg -- the bloodiest battle ever recorded in Federation history. Brooks commented on being a part of the Star Trek legacy, "Since its inception, Star Trek has always provided a positive message of life in the future." He continues, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine provides an opportunity to reinforce how critical it is to find a way to live together."

During the show's fifth season hiatus, Brooks starred in New Line Cinema's "American History X" co-starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong which is scheduled for an October release. Additionally, he recently co-starred with Mark Wahlberg and Lou Diamond Phillips in the Tri-Star feature film "The Big Hit" which was produced by Wesley Snipes and John Woo.

Born and raised in Indiana, Avery attended Oberlin College, Indiana University and later Rutgers University where he was the first black MFA graduate in acting and directing. His accomplishments were just beginning as Avery continued to develop into a distinguished and respected actor, director, musician, and teacher. In 1993, Avery was named Artistic Director of the National Black Arts Festival. Held biannually since 1988, in Atlanta, Georgia, the internationally renowned festival celebrates African-American culture and people of African descent.

Prior to joining Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Brooks performed to critical acclaim in the title role in the Phillip Hayes Dean play "Paul Robeson." Since 1982, he has performed the role at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at the Longacre Theater on Broadway in 1995. He portrayed Robeson in "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been?," both on and off-Broadway.

A veteran of numerous theatre productions, Brooks has appeared in the lead role in Shakespeare's "Othello" at Washington, D.C.'s Folger Theatre, and sang the title role in Anthony Davis' opera, "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X."

Avery has hosted several documentaries including the award winning, "The Musical Legacy of Roland Hayes." His television credits include the starring role in the ABC series, A Man Called Hawk, and the co-starring role with Robert Urich in the ABC series Spenser: For Hire, a role which he reprised in four two hour movies for Lifetime.

Avery has done extensive work with the Smithsonian Institute's Program in Black American Culture. He was seen in the title role in the film "Solomon Northup's Odyssey" for PBS' American Playhouse. Avery earned a Cable ACE Award nomination for his portrayal of Uncle Tom in Showtime's production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Brooks also serves as narrator for the large format, IMAX film, "Africa's Elephant Kingdom."

Since 1972, Avery has been affiliated with the prestigious Rutgers University where he is a tenured professor of theatre at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. In 1993, Avery was inducted into the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni. He has also taught at Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University.