Born in 2264, Tuvok was raised by Vulcan parents who set high academic standard, strongly encouraging
him to join Starfleet Academy.
Rebelling against tradition, Tuvok questioned the value of logic and suppressed emotions,
even falling in love with a Terellian girl, willing to reject all of Vulcan society in
the pursuit of a relationship.
Yet when the girl did not return his feelings, he fell into emotional turmoil, requiring
months of quiet contemplation.
At last understanding the reason for their traditional beliefs, he embraced the teachings
of Vulcan masters and learned to supress emotion.
Upon completing his studies, Tuvok swiftly returned to the path laid out by his parents,
excelling in both academic and physical training, even completing the Tal’oth ritual by surviving
4 months in the deserts of his homeworld with nothing but a ceremonial blade.
Throughout his life, Tuvok developed an interest in martial arts, the game Kal Toh, played
the lute, bred prize winning orchids, and despite having no interest in artistic pursuits,
studied the Vulcan dictates of Poetics to become a talented writer, eventually creating
a popular holonovel, originally intended as a tactical training exercise.
Obeying his parents and against his own wishes, Tuvok entered Starfleet Academy in 2289 before
graduating in 2293, when he was assigned to the USS excelsior, under the famous Captain
Sulu.
Unfortunately these years led him to believe humans were arrogant and undisciplined, even
publicly admonishing captain Sulu when he sought to violate Starfleet orders by rescuing
his friends from an enemy prison.
*In the battle of the Azure Nebula, Tuvoc was infected with a virus that laid dormant
for decades, though it was eventually cured by the starship Voyager’s doctor.*
Having fought against the Klingon Empire, even seeing his bunkmate die in his arms during
the Battle of the Azure Nebula, Tuvok joined many others in protesting against a proposed
alliance with the Federation, yet it went through in any case, and became a stabilizing
force for the region.
Thoroughly dissatisfied with his life, Tuvok finally had enough and resigned his commission
after only 5 years, returning to Vulcan where he taught Archery science at the Institute
for Defensive Arts.
Ready to embrace a new life of his choosing, he married T’Pel in 2304 and together had
4 children, becoming a dedicated husband and father.
By 2349, Tuvok was at last ready to revisit the past with a more mature, open minded attitude,
and so returned to Starfleet ready to build the career he wanted, regardless of his parents
expectations.
After serving as an ensign aboard the USS Wyoming, he spent 16 years as an instructor
at Starfleet Academy, before returning to space.
Of the relationships he forged during his time with Starfleet, he grew closest to Katharine
Janeway, first meeting her in 2356, by admonishing her in front of 3 Starfleet admirals for failing
to observe proper tactical procedures.
Despite her embarrassment, Janeway eventually realized he was correct and came to rely on
him as valuable officer, which then turned into a deep bond of respect and friendship.
While working as Janeway’s tactical officer, Tuvok was ordered to infiltrate the Maquis,
a faction of former Federation worlds turned guerrilla warriors seeking independence from
the Cardassian Union.
Though many in the Federation were sympathetic to their cause, the peace treaty with Cardassia
meant they must side against the Maquis.
During Tuvok’s time undercover, he served under Chakotay of the Val Jean, making himself
an invaluable member of the crew.
However, in time his true identity was discovered by Teero Anaydis, a Maquis counter intelligence
agent who chose not to reveal his discovery.
Considered an extremist, Teero instead used Tuvok for his own purposes, capturing him
and programming his mind so he might one day active as a diehard Maquis loyalist, regardless
of his true beliefs.
In 2371, Captain Janeway of the USS Voyager, was at last ready to end Tuvok’s assignment,
arranging for the capture of the Val Jean crew.
Yet as the two ships moved through the badlands, they were unexpectedly pulled 70,000 light
years away to the Delta Quadrant, by a being called the Caretaker who sought a compatible
genetic mate for reproduction.
Unfortunately the being soon died, and Captain Janeway felt it necessary to destroy the device
that brought them to the Delta quadrant, as using it to return home, meant leaving the
technology intact and readily available for the violent Kazon species who ruled the region
and sought to destroy the peaceful Ocampa.
Looking at a 70 year journey back to Federation Space, the Maquis and Starfleet crew combined,
leaving Janeway as Captain, Chakotay as First Officer, and Lieutenant Tuvok as Third in
Command.
Fortunately the Voyager crew proved clever and resourceful, able to make reach home in
only 7 years, with Tuvok playing a pivotal role during the tumultuous events of their
journey.
Though his primary responsibility was as chief tactical officer, he also served as an advocate
for those facing legal or diplomatic challenges, once even representing a member of the Q continuum
with Janeway to judge, arguing that a sentient being should have the right to end his own
life.
Tuvok also acted as an instructor for many in the crew, becoming a mentor to the Ocampa
Kes by teaching her to control her telepathic abilities.
Despite the knowledge he was unlikely to ever see his wife again, Tuvok remained committed
to his marriage no matter the circumstances, rejecting the advances of Noss and Marayna,
two Delta quadrant females who cared for him deeply.
His loyalty was so absolute; he was even willing to risk his health, refusing to accept anyone
but his wife while struck with the Pon-farr, a natural biological urge to mate occurring
in Vulcans every seven years.
Understanding the problem Tom Paris created a holographic replica of his wife, thus allowing
him to complete the Pon Farr ritual without shame of disloyalty.
Often putting his physical and mental well being at risk to help others, Tuvok’s heroism
saved the lives of many within the Voyager crew, including Captain Janeway and other
senior officers.
Excelling in his duties, Tuvok was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2374, and by 2376
had received 17 commendations of valour.
Known to be serious and formal, those on Voyager with opposite characteristics did not always
care for his attitude, but in time he earned their respect, even developing friendships
with some like Neelix and Tom Paris.
Yet of all his fellow crew members, he most enjoyed spending time with the former borg
Seven of Nine, who shared his affinity for silence and hard work, often taking assignments
together.
Tuvok also came to understand the mind of a Borg Drone better than most, as he was voluntarily
assimilated by the collective during a mission, requiring months to fully recover from the
experience.
As the years went on the Lieutenant Commander contracted a degenerative neurological condition
requiring an intensive mind meld with another Vulcan to cure.
Unfortunately, no one aboard Voyager was compatible, and so the only way to save his sanity was
by returning to the Alpha Quadrant as soon as possible.
Yet when Voyager was presented with such an opportunity, through use of a Borg Transwarp
Hub, Tuvok refused to inform Captain Janeway of his condition as using this technology
meant passing up the chance to destroy it, thereby dealing a significant blow to the
borg and saving countless lives.
Fortunately, the Voyager crew found a way to attack the transwarp hub, while also using
it return to Earth, finally ending their journey through the Delta Quadrant in time for Tuvok
to receive treatment, and be cured of his condition.