Her mother is Lei Janna, daughter of Kol Shakan and Lei Roma, two Bajoran resistance fighters who died when Janna was only 10 years old. Janna has been fighting her whole life - first to free Bajor, then to free New Terra and the other Maquis worlds. She now holds a senior liaison post between the Maquis and the Federation.

As an ex-Starfleet pilot, Susan's late father Thomas Rivers had many skills to offer the Maquis and rose swiftly to a position of leadership.He and Janna moved from colony to colony, setting up resistance cells then moving on to prevent detection and capture. Their son, Marcus, was 10 years old when Susan was born, and so although she was sent to live with her father's sister Luisa on Earth when the War began, he was allowed to stay with his parents. Even after the end of the War, Susan remained with Luisa (an archaeology professor) while her parents continued the fight for self-determination.

By the time the Peace Accord was signed in 2388 and she could have returned home, Susan was 11 years old and in secondary education. It was decided not to disrupt her life by returning her to New Terra. Susan was bitterly disappointed at this decision, and felt as though her family was rejecting her. To forget her unhappiness she threw herself into her studies and graduated top of her class. She went on to study archaeology, but soon realised that she wanted more from life than the study of dead civilisations. She considered applying to the Maquis fleet, but eventually decided that she would have no place there that was not created by her parents and brother for her. She felt that only within the diversity of Starfleet could she make a place that would be hers and hers alone.

Her major problem is her constant clashes with authority, and her temper, both of which she is learning to keep under control. She doesn't suffer fools gladly and can be blunt to the point of rudeness, but can be intensely loyal where she feels it is deserved. Her respect, like her loyalty, has to be earned.

Education

Educated on Earth, in the care of her father's sister Luisa (a noted archaeologist), Susan's first degree was in archaeology. However, she soon decided that she wanted more out of life than following in her aunt's footsteps and studying dead civilisations, and after much thought (and a flaming row with her family) applied to and was accepted by Starfleet Academy.

Pre-Starfleet History

Susan was sent to Earth during the War and was brought up there by her father's sister Luisa. She chose to join Starfleet as opposed to the Maquis fleet, rather to her family's disapproval. She has a hot temper and can be assertive almost to the point of rudeness. She is painfully honest but during her Starfleet service has learnt to be tactful - sometimes! Her loyalty and respect once earned are absolute

Starfleet History

Her three years at the Academy were notable for two things: her constant clashes with authority and her equally constant high marks in all her classes. She was on average in the top five students of her year each year, and graduated with honours. For three successive years she held the title for marksmanship, and has kept up her practice. She also gained high grades in hand-to-hand combat, with a distinction in unarmed combat. She has learned to control her temper on *most* occasions.

She was first assigned to the USS Nimitz as OPS officer with the rank of Ensign(jg).
On the Nimitz she progressed to the position of 2O and the rank of Lt(jg) before being transferred to the USS Spectre as FO, with a promotion to Lt Commander.
She served as FO on the Spectre and later the USS Athene, being promoted to Commander, and was then transferred to the New Victory, the temporary home of the Nimitz crew, as FO.
After serving as FO on the New Victory and later the Nimitz, she was promoted to Captain and given command of the USS Boudicca. After an attack in which she was severely injured, so seriously that the injuries could not be treated aboard ship, she was put into stasis and on their return to the nearest Starbase, invalided off the Boudicca.
When she eventually recovered several months later, Susan was informed by SFHQ that command of the Boudicca had been given to her former FO, Sam Kaneshiro, and that she was to await a new assignment. In the meantime, once certified fit to return to duty, she was given a desk job at SFHQ, reviewing OPS procedures. Never one to accept inactivity gracefully, Susan became increasingly bored and frustrated kicking her heels at SFHQ. Knowing that Sam fully deserved the command, and being glad that the Boudicca was in safe hands, nevertheless did not make things easier for her. Eventually her frustration boiled over into a furious row with Admiral P'Zaan over his refusal yet again to consider her for a return to active service, and at the disciplinary hearing which followed she was reduced in rank from Captain to Commander.
Susan was beginning to seriously consider an offer from her brother to leave Starfleet and return to the Maquis, when Admiral Kriller ordered her to join him on board the USS Firebrande. Once aboard and underway, he informed her that they were travelling to rendezvous with the USS Nimitz, and that she was to be given command of her.
During her time in command of the Nimitz, the ship was requisitioned by Admiral Aragorn for a secret mission to the Gamma Quadrant. Events during that mission remain classified but led directly to the secession of the 52nd and the start of the cold war between Admiral Doenitz and the resistance that centred around the 52nd.
On leaving the Nimitz she was transferred to Admiral Ohlsson's staff. Further information remains classifed until further notice. A recent court-martial for gross insubordination resulted in a reduction of her rank from Captain to Lt(jg). Assigned to USS Boudicca as TAC/ASC Promoted to Commander and made FO by Captain Sevant after injuries sustained in battle disabled the previous FO, Commander West.
Promoted to Captain and transferred to take command of USS Champlain on 2407.04.02.
After the destruction of the Champlain in the battle for the MDP, Susan spent some months in limbo, not knowing which ship she would be assigned to. Eventually she and the surviving crew of the Champlain were assigned to the Rosenante, a brand new explorer. She was to be in command of the Rosenante for only a short time, however. Barely a month after taking command she was recalled to Geneva to assist with investigations into various acts of agression which took place during the civil war. No charges were brought, but at the end of the investigations, Susan did not return to the Rosenante which was now under the command of her former FO, Ahmed Ibn Salid.
The arrest of Captain Sevant meant that the USS Boudicca, Susan's first command, needed a new CO. Since she knew the ship so well, Susan was sent to take command of the Boudicca, now removed from being a ship of the line and instructed to undertake exploration duties.

Medical History

Numerous appearances in Sickbay due to injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Skills

Expert at unarmed combat, also target shooting. Has recently received advanced computer training.