The First Prefect, or simply the Prefect, was the title of a unnamed Regorian man who was leader of the prefects of Regor 2. He was largely responsible for initiating, and concluding, first contact with the Planetary Union between the years 2417 and 2420.
Career[]
The First Prefect was the governmental head of Regor 2. He was assisted by Chief Advisor Makkal, the Science Prefect, and other advisors.
At the start of each month, the First Prefect delivered a message to the Regorians about the meaning of the month's astrological sign for newborn children.
First contact[]
The First Prefect met with his advisors and prefects in 2417 to survey the schematics of a satellite array capable of sending a signal inviting first contact into space developed by the Science Prefect. Though the mission was classified, the First Prefect believed the Regorians were at "an evolutionary tipping point," ready to enter the larger galactic community, and vowed to publicize the results of the mission if they received a response.
The First Prefect supervised the signal emission the following day and delivered its first message: "Is anyone out there?"
The USS Orville received the message in late 2420, and sent a diplomatic envoy. Captain Ed Mercer shook the First Prefect's hand (a custom which confused him) and told him of other life in the galaxy. The First Prefect showed the envoy their satellite array. That night, the Regorian government hosted the envoy for dinner. The First Prefect delivered a commencement speech:
A friend is a second self, and until today, the only friends we knew were our fellow Regorians. But our world has grown immeasurably overnight. For the first time in the history of our species, we can count among our friends, not just our countrymen, but the people who live among the stars. We welcome you.
He asked Chief of Security Talla Keyali to demonstrate her superior Xelayan strength, so she bent a candelabra.
Relations sour[]
As dinner progressed, First Officer Kelly Grayson and Second Officer Bortus stated that their birthdays were in a week - in the Regorian month of Giliac. The Regorians were outraged and imprisoned the envoy. After dental core extractions confirmed each officer's birthday, the First Prefect imprisoned Kelly and Bortus in a prison camp and sent the others to their ship.
Though Ed and the other senior staff tried to negotiate their officers' release diplomatically, the First Prefect was unmoved and soon tired of their criticism of the Regorian astrological system, he regretted reaching out to other worlds and rejected the Planetary Union.
In a last-ditch attempt, the Orville faked the re-appearance of the Giliac star in space. The First Prefect was awed and interpreted it to mean 'change.' Kelly and Bortus were released soon after.