Erika Hernandez

Biography
Erika was born in 2105 in Feira de Santana, Brazil, United States of South American on Earth. She was the oldest of Martin and Melinda Hernandez, with five younger brothers, Ramon, Agustin, Pueblo, Macario and Mano.

Her family is Portuguese by ancestry and were among the first to migrate from Portugal to Brazil during its colonization in the 1500s.

Early Career
In the beginning of her career, Erika became romantically involved with her fellow officer Jonathan Archer, but the two were forced to break off their relationship when Archer was promoted, as it was inappropriate for Erika to be with a superior officer, though Archer continued to press for it.

Immediately prior to her posting, Hernandez was assigned to the UES Republic as its executive officer under the command of Captain Andrew Jennings. When Erika left, Jennings allowed her to take the ship's cook with her.

In 2153, Erika reached the rank of captain and took command of the UES Columbia, the second NX-class vessel under construction by Starfleet.

Xindi Conflict

Barely six-days after assuming command of Columbia, the Xindi First Strike decimated Earth and brought about the eruption of the Xindi Conflict. Hernandez quickly transferred to the UES Saratoga and took command of the United Earth Second Fleet, tasked with the defense of the Sol-system.

It was not until 2154 the the ship was cleared for launch and Hernandez took command.

In 2155, Columbia was assigned to protect shipping lanes used by members of the Interstellar Coalition following several attacks on Coalition shipping lines. Columbia later responded to an raid on Draylax by Xindi ships. As that attack was being investigated, Columbia was then forced to attempt to defend a number of freighters in the Alpha Centauri-system from Xindi fighters. Contact was lost with the Columbia for at least several days after this incident.

Death
Read More: Conquest of Penthara II

On 17 February 2156, the Coalition launched another attack to take Penthara II on 17 February 2156, winning a long and bloody victory over the Xindi fleets stationed at Penthara II. Death tolls and ships lost were almost twice that of the occupying enemy forces. Among those ships lost, Columbia was destroyed during the battle.

Captain Hernandez and her entire command staff were killed but a third of her crew managed to get away safety before the vessel was destroyed.

Legacy
Because of Columbia and Hernadez's actions during the Conquest of Penthara II, the ship's name was added to the Coalition Fleet List of Honour.

The ICS Erika Hernandez launched in 2180 was also named in her honor and served during the Tau Ceti Incident.

The Hernandez Fleet Academy was also christened in her name and was founded in her hometown of Feira de Santana, Brazil.

Service Record

 * UES Republic, XO (2150-2153)
 * UES Saratoga, Captain (2153-2154)
 * UES Columbia, Fleet Captain (2154-2156†)