Raya elMora

Raya elMora was a female Payav of the nation-state of Larenda on planet Mestiko in the 23rd century.

Early Career
As a youth, Raya was very close with her Elor, or grandmother, and would often turn to her for advice on matters both personal and professional.

While attending university, Raya studied to become an environmental sciences teacher, and joined a student organization committed to maintaining the purity of Mestiko's land and water. While still a student, Raya testified before the Larendan Convocation on the need to protect wetland regions by imposing stricter emissions standards on manufacturers. The positive reaction she received from this testimony convinced her to pursue a career in public service.

Circa 2263, Raya was selected by the people of her province to be their Servant to the Convocation. During her initial session in the governmental body, veteran Servant Matthi orJurbes served as her mentor. Her earlier activism and outspokenness caused many of her colleagues to see her as a young radical, and most notably conflicted on several occasions with the members of the Atmospheric and Astronomic Council. However, after seven seasons in the Convocation, she came to be a respected member, to the point where the Presiding Servant began inquiring about her suitability for a leadership position. (TOS eBook: Mere Anarchy: Things Fall Apart)

"The Pulse"
In 2265, after a rogue pulsar passed through the Mestiko system, Raya found herself one of the few surviving members of the Larendan government. She was approached by the surviving remnants of the Zamestaad, Mestiko's planetary council, and made a member of that body. At that time, Raya was made aware of the existance of the United Federation of Planets, their (unsuccessful) efforts to prevent the disaster that had befallen their world. Raya accepted an invitation from Captain James T. Kirk to visit the USS Enterprise, where she was given his personal assurance that the Federation would do all they could to help her people recover. While somewhat skeptical of his ability to keep such a promise, Raya recognized Kirk's personal determination, and the two formed a bond of mutual respect. (TOS eBook: Mere Anarchy: Things Fall Apart)

Jo'Zamestaad
By 2267, Raya had risen to become Jo'Zamestaad -- the leader of the Zamestaad. That year she welcomed Kirk and the Enterprise back to Mestiko, where they deployed a system of satellite designed to repair the damage done to Mestiko's atmosphere by The Pulse. However, their professional friendship was strained when Raya also accepted overtures from the Klingon Empire to help in Mestiko's recovery. Even after learning that fellow Zamestaad Councillor Traal had conspired with Klingon Commander Kor to overthrow the goverment, her remained open to the idea of accepting assistance from the Klingons. (TOS eBook: Mere Anarchy: The Centre Cannot Hold)