The Navarch, Li Nalas, in 2370
Li Nalas was a leader of one of Bajor's many resistance cells during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor, and a revered war hero. He was considered the greatest Bajoran resistance fighter ever.
Li earned his reputation by slaying the infamous Gul Zarale in an intense duel. The story was told and retold among the Bajoran population until it was transformed into a gripping tale of patriotic courage. Li Nalas' career as a resistance fighter ended with his capture in 2360. Although his body was never found, he was presumed dead until 2370, when he was rescued from the Hutet labor camp on Cardassia IV by Major Kira Nerys of the Bajoran Militia.
Upon his return to Deep Space Nine, he became very uncomfortable with his hero status, and attempted to secretly leave the station for the Gamma Quadrant. Discovered by Commander Benjamin Sisko he explained that the stories of his heroism were wrong. In reality, he had stumbled across the bathing Cardassian and was forced to shoot him. Li confided with Sisko that he had always felt uncomfortable for being an accidental hero. Sisko persuaded him to return to Bajor which was on the verge of civil war.
Shortly after his return to Bajor, Li was given both the honorary title of Navarch and Kira's position as Bajoran Liaison Officer on board Deep Space 9, much to his embarrassment. This was done by Minister Jaro who wanted to get Kira out of a position of power and to get Nalas off Bajor so that he would not influence Jaro's plot to take over the government.
His rescue proved to be just in the nick of time, as he was able to play a pivotal role in preventing a disastrous coup d'etat orchestrated by the Alliance for Global Unity. He helped rescue Kira from the insurgents, and helped defend the station against General Krim's troops who attempted to take the station by force. After capturing Krim, Li Nalas was able to explain that the coup was being orchestrated by the Cardassians. Krim would tell his troops to stand down. Nalas was killed while saving Sisko from an attack by Colonel Day, and as a result, became a hero both in legend and reality.
- Li Nalas was played by Richard Beymer.
Appearances
- DS9: