Su'Kal

Su'Kal was a male Kelpien who lived during the 32nd century. He was the son of Issa, the last survivor of the Kelpien vessel KSF Khi'eth. His name roughly translated from the Kelpien language as "beloved gift"; in Kelpien culture, the name was traditionally bestowed on the next child born after a disaster (in this case, the ship's crash).

When the Khi'eth crashed on a planet in the Verubin Nebula, Issa – knowing she was dying and that rescue was unlikely – created a vast holographic environment to sustain her son's needs. Due to radiation exposure from the nebula while he was in utero, Su'Kal developed a connection with his surroundings; specifically, the planet's large dilithium reserves. When he was approximately four years old, Su'Kal inadvertently caused the Burn when he emitted a powerful psychic shockwave, which triggered the nearby dilithium. (DIS: "Su'Kal") The psychic scream was triggered by Su'Kal's trauma of seeing his mother's death. (DIS: "That Hope Is You, Part 2")

Eventually, Su'Kal was found by the crew of the USS Discovery in 3189. He became afraid of Michael Burnham, Hugh Culber, and Saru when they explained they were from "outside", but warmed to them when he believed they were holographic characters from within his simulation. At the appearance of a holographic monster, Saru stayed with him and sang him a lullaby, calming him and preventing another Burn from occurring. (DIS: "Su'Kal")

Su'Kal was rescued from the wreckage of the Khi'eth and returned to Kaminar, where Saru could help him build a new life. (DIS: "That Hope Is You, Part 2")

Five months later, Su'Kal attended a session of the Kaminar High Council to assure them that there was no danger of another Burn. Afterwards, he encouraged Saru to rejoin the Federation. (DIS: "Kobayashi Maru")

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Su'Kal was played by Bill Irwin.