Henry Ding

Henry Morgan Ding (2631- presumably died in 2705) was a decorated Union officer and diplomat, best remembered as captain of the flagship UCAS Open Horizon.

During his 28-year tenure as commanding officer, one of the longest-serving officer on a starship, Ding witnessed not only the major turning points in recent galactic history, but also played a key role in them, from making first contacts with more than 34 species to spread Union ideals across the quadrant. He served as Director of the Specialized Diplomatic Missions and Scientific Exploration Division of the United Command Armada, as one of the Arbiters of Peace during the Grana-Rumonik Border Crisis and as Royal Advisor to the Edel’vor during the Edel’vor-Vorodian Conflicts. The Open Horizon was one of the lead ships in the Kothvat Civil War of 2666.

Ding was the chief component in the exposure of the Juranin conspiracy perpetrated by the Domain of Q’wak-rentho and the United Rumonik Interstellar States throughout the Juranin constituent state process, in order to stir up domestic chaos in the state and fuel the rising tension between the Reformed Union and the Powers Alliance. He later retired as captain of the Open Horizon, and became an ambassador in 2689.

Ambassador Ding disappeared in 2693 in a unknown anomaly following a rescue mission in Abanthas system, and was declared dead in absentia in 2699 by the President of the Reformed Union of Planets. After his presumed death, many building structures and certificates were dedicated to him, most notably the Henry Ding Frontier Distinction, the Henry Ding Shipyard. Because of his reputation and his mysterious disappearance, many tales and legends developed throughout the years among cadets of the United Command Armada and other alien species, making him one of the most enduring symbols of the Union.