Driven | Hopeful | Religious | Stubborn | Trustworthy
Portrayed by: Alexa Davalos
Born on Bajor to a Cardassian Gul and a Bajoran laborer. The Occupation marred the relationship between Cardassia and Bajor. Millions upon millions of Bajorans died at Cardassian hands. Unforgivable acts were committed. Ana’s mother was a water-bearer in a labor camp. Day in and day out, she watched as her family and friends were worked to exhaustion, often to the point of collapse. The Gul governing the labor camp lusted for the Bajoran water-bearer. Once ushered into his quarters, he desired for her to become his consort, since his family was back on Cardassia. She agreed on the condition that her family were spared from the labor camps. He agreed and her family was sent away.
Ana’s mother never saw her family again, never knowing if the gul kept his word. Within months, she carried a baby girl to term. The Gul, not wanting a scandal, sent the woman and her child away. After all, he had a plethora of potential consorts to choose from. Ana never got to know her mother, and doesn’t remember her. She was deposited on the steps of an orphanage not long after.
Children of both Cardassians and Bajorans were common in the time of the Occupation. There was a whole generation of children of these two worlds. Soon after Ana entered the orphanage, the Occupation came to an end. In those days, the orphanages were overrun by Bajoran children who had lost their parents. A half-Cardassian child was often overlooked by the Bajoran caretakers. After all, that was the face of their persecutors.
But a Bajoran male by the name Pol Berel encountered the small child outside of the orphanage. He was a Vedek in Bajoran religion. Taking pity, he decided to take her into his house for a short time, to give her some small comforts. His plans changed when Berel came to adore this young child. He named her in honor of his late wife, and even gave her his own surname: Pol. He brought her up in Bajoran tradition. Although her face may appear Cardassian, Ana’s heart, soul and mind were of Bajor.
Vedek Pol Berel made sure to protect his adopted daughter from the prejudices she could face on Bajor. He gave her a happy home and a happy childhood, providing all he could for her. She received an excellent education in science and religion, since her father believed that both went hand in hand with the other.
It was her father who encouraged her to enlist in Starfleet. He knew that she would face harsh criticism on both Bajor and Cardassia. But he knew the Federation welcomed species from all quadrants of the galaxy. He proudly attended her graduation and watched her grow into a woman he was proud to call his daughter.
Ana’s first assignment of her Starfleet career was to the USS Crucible. Her adventures are just beginning.
Information on Bajorans:
Bajorans are easily recognized by the ridges on their noses (which Ana has). Bajoran names state the surname first and the first name last. Pol is Ana’s surname, so she would be addressed as Ensign Pol. Bajorans believe in the Prophets and pray to them daily.
Information on Cardassians:
Cardassians have pale grey skin and are identified by ridges on their neck, forehead and around their eyes (which Ana has). Their blood is red, just like Bajorans.
