Editing Lydia Stakes (section)

==Starfleet History==

Both Archibald and Lydia entered Starfleet Academy at the same time, fast-tracked into Command class. They kept together all the time at the Academy but when they graduated (both with honours) they were assigned to different ships. Both became department heads after two years service, and rose through the ranks quickly. Lydia became Captain of the USS Watanabe (a light explorer) three years before Archibald became Captain of the USS Manchester (a heavy cruiser). Through their actions and determination, both were awarded many medals. Recently they both became COs of two re-designed Sovereign-class ships, expressly intended to take on and defeat Keltois. Lydia called hers The Star of Samarkand, and Archibald named his The Rose of Samarkand as a sign of their respect for one another. Not happy with the way Starfleet was behaving, Archibald defected to the 52nd Fleet with his ship and crew who chose to follow him. Lydia chose to remain behind, partly for fear of what would happen to her father if she defected and partly because she still believed that she could make a difference from within.

Lydia retained the rank of Rear-Admiral, and during the battle for the MDP commanded the Black Watch Squadron. Coming face to face with her husband's ship, the Boudicca, Lydia chose that moment to defect, and her squadron followed her lead. When the Boudicca rammed Valhalla and breached its shields, Lydia led a team of security and marines to help secure teh station and rescue the Boudicca crewmembers cornered there. She returned to Geneva with her ship when Archibald and the Boudicca were recalled there. She remained attached to the 52nd until recalled to Earth some months later.

Finding herself beset by politics, Lydia chose to stand down from the rank of Admiral and resume her career as a normal Starfleet Captain.