Max Harper

Commander Maxwell "Max" C. HarperCaptain, U.S.S. Bretagne

Gender: Male

Species: Human

Born: June 5, 2246 Mantilles

Played by: George Chakiris

Physical features:

Ht: 175cm (5’ 9”)

Wt: 72kg (160lb)

Olive skin, black hair, brown eyes. Prominent “Greek” nose. Radiation scar along left jaw line.

Commendations:

Christopher Pike Medal of Valor

Current Assignment: Captain, U.S.S. Bretagne, under Commodore Robert Wesley

Personal History:

Max Harper was born to Alexander and Natalia Harper on Mantilles, in the Pallas 14 system, the Federation's most remotely inhabited planet on the outer fringe of the galaxy.

His father is a successful merchant trader who gained a name for himself by establishing successful trade agreements throughout the Federation (and several outside Federation space). A business minded man, Alexander Harper assumed his son would follow in his footsteps and take over the family business one day; however, Max never cared for numbers and trade negotiations preferring to devote his time to exploring the lesser known portions of Mantilles...and to racing.

A precocious and charismatic youth, Max managed to work his way into the pilot seat of any vehicle he set eyes on, even at times with the permission of the owner. As a teen, he was capable of piloting anything from a sub-orbital transport up to a freighter with modest warp capability. He earned a significant amount of credits in the 23rd century equivalent of street racing across the unpopulated desert regions of Mantilles. Unfortunately, by age 18, the Colonial Police force caught him at this one time too many for his father's liking and he was given the choice of putting aside his childish pastimes and buckling down to learning the family business or of making a livelihood off-world where his hi-jinks would no longer tarnish the family name. Defiantly, Max enlisted with Starfleet and left for the Academy the next day without saying goodbye to his father.

Cadet Harper found with Starfleet the discipline and stimulation he lacked on Mantilles and impressed the Academy with his voracious intelligence, straight-forward willingness to tackle any obstacle (academic or physical), and a certain disregard for the rules. His bonhomie and decisive charismatic nature made him popular among his peers. His instructors readily put him in leadership positions and, during his third year (2266), picked him to be among a handful of promising cadets to take part in a new field training program. Under the command of Fleet Captain Christopher Pike, the cadets piloted an old class J starship through a series of maneuvers designed to test their character under stress.

Commander Harper on bridge of Bretagne

During the training exercise, one of the ship's baffle plates ruptured, exposing the engine room to delta radiation. Captain Pike suffered extreme radiation exposure attempting to rescue cadets trapped in the engine room. Harper, believing this to be just another simulated test, assumed command of the vessel, organized the rescue of the remaining trapped cadets and managed to bring the crippled training vessel to Starbase 2 when it was determined the emergency had been real and their wounded need advanced medical care. Harper was the first to receive the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor in recognition of remarkable leadership, meritorious conduct and personal bravery. A field commission to Ensign was also given, which would become official with duty time served. Ensign Harper was placed under Commodore Wesley aboard the U.S.S. Constitution as helmsman and distinguished himself quickly. He impressed Wesley, first with his abilities at the helm, second with his decisiveness in difficult situations, third his ability to work with, and over, other junior officers who were several years his senior, and finally with his wit off-duty. Wesley was particularly taken by Harper's depiction of his home world Mantilles. This may have been a contributing factor in the Commodore's choice to retire there a few years later. As Cdre. Wesley’s duties led up toward retirement and off the bridge of the U.S.S. Constitution, he chose Lt. Harper as his aide-de-camp. Harper has thus been exposed to the higher political workings of Starfleet much earlier in his career than is typical. His swift advancement in rank was partly facilitated by this assignment.

Aboard the USS Bretagne:

Commander Harper was personally recommended for captain of the U.S.S. Bretagne by Commodore Robert Wesley. However, Starfleet felt Harper was too inexperienced for his own commission. This consensus among high command was largely due to the fact that Harper had never faced a Kobayashi Maru scenario. As a compromise, Harper was (initially) appointed as "acting" captain under Wesley's authority.

During Bretagne's initial shakedown cruise, Cdre Wesley arranged an unscheduled Kobayashi Maru under the discreet supervision of LtCdr. T'val. The simulation was fed through the entire ship, with the assistance of Richard Daystrom's M-4 multitronic computer. The rest of the crew was fooled into thinking that the scenario was the real thing. T'Val later wrote up Harper's final evaluation.

Service Record:

  • Cadet, Starfleet Academy – 2264 to 2266

  • Acting Ensign, U.S.S. Constitution – 2266

  • Lieutenant, Helm junior officer, U.S.S. Constitution – 2267

  • Lieutenant Commander, Aide-de-Camp, Commodore Robert Wesley’s Office – 2268

Background:

David Gautreaux was initially considered for the role of Maxwell Harper (even appearing for a costume test), but he didn't appear "rugged enough" for the producers, and so the role eventually went to Chakiris.

Cadet Harper with radiation burn