Tchalla Mel'Chir, or more formally Thirichalla zh'Melchir, was born in the balmy Andorian City of Te'perek. Her first parents, both biologists, were studying a rare breed of chekit mite in the plains outside the city. Her second mother, an artist, was there to capture the occasion for posterity. Her second father was serving in Starfleet as a science officer. Her zhavey (or first mother) took a mere three weeks off from her work before returning after the birth. The trio (minus Zhen, her second father) helped to raise her. With two of the three, Tchi (as her name had been further shortened) was surrounded by science, and it was a natural inclination for her to gravitate toward that as a field of interest.

During her first ten years, Tchalla attended school as all Andorians do, but she also received additional instruction from her mother. She and her brother, Chodar, attended daily chaka training. The chaka is an Andorian ceremonial dagger. Tchalla was good, but never as good as her brother. He told her it was because she lacked the muscle mass to perfectly utilize the chaka as it should be used. She was small for her age, and not quite as strong as the rest of her peers. And, while she went through the motions of the fight, her blood didn't burn for it the way others did. Her first father told her it was alright since many scientists never had to fight, and her skill with the chaka was more than adequate for what she did.

When she reached her eleventh year, Tchalla decided she wanted to go to Starfleet Academy. All the best scientists went to Starfleet, such as her second father, Zhen. And, that path was always considered the honorable one. She studied hard for the next four years. In the summer of her fifteenth year, Tchalla took the entrance test. After all her preparations, she passed easily on four of the five required tests. The fifth, a personality assessment, wasn't so easy. She'd always been shy, even around her own family. The only time she managed to get away from it was when she was caught up in a scientific discussion, or when she was in a chaka duel. Despite that though, she was admitted into the Academy.

The next four years at Starfleet Academy were difficult for Tchalla. She did well in her courses, excelling in the sciences and the medical courses she took. She had trouble with the basic security procedures class and the counselling course in her sophmore term. Though the classes were nothing compared to the Academy social activities. Her friends, she did manage to find a few, tried to get her out of her shell, but with such a large, unfocused group around, Tchalla was nearly terrified. Usually a couple drinks loosened her up to the point where she could remain in the vicinity of large gatherings of cadets. By the time she graduated, she could actually converse with other cadets without a lot of stuttering and she could stand in a crowd at a party and not immediately need to bolt for the door.

The graduation was a wonderful time. Her family showed up, including her brother who was on leave from the USS Sovereign and her second father (on leave from Enterprise, for the celebration. Tchalla nearly chewed the fingernails off both hands while she waited for news of her first posting. She nearly fainted from hyperventilating when she received the padd that would tell her where Starfleet was sending her. Chodar finally convinced her to look. USS Sulu. She did faint at that. The excitement had been nearly too much. She was heading off for what was being labeled "the finest ship in the fleet" in many circles, though there were some circles that considered it the dumping grounds for Starfleet's worst. The party was big and exciting that night, and Tchalla actually managed to dance with one of her friends. She couldn't remember a time when she was happier.

From the time she joined the Sulu, Tchalla's been caught in a whirlwind of activity. She participated in an Away Mission with Lt. Tagliesh that nearly got both of them killed, was inflicted with a virus, and joined the Sulu's band as a backup singer...all very traumatic things for her. In addition, she met a lovely, lively, and very outgoing young Trill woman...and rather quickly fell in love. She has told none of her family of her relationship with Kelzira Rax due to the complicated nature of Andorian family arrangements. And, she doesn't believe her chosen Quad would appreciate her being involved in a relationship with an alien who could not serve the needs of the Quad in the first place. Still somewhat shy, Tchi is rather defiant about her duties to her family. She know she'll have to return someday, but for now she's perfectly content remaining on the Sulu and with Kelli.

Around those people she doesn't know, Tchalla is painfully shy. To those she does know, she is quiet and doesn't speak much. Most of the time. In a conversation about science, she is quite animated and talkative.

Tchalla is a very nice person. While her species is a fairly violent one, she has chosen to follow a path of non-violence in her life. She doesn't consider the chaka duels as violent since now they are always conducted in a controlled environment with no malice directed at her opponent. She views the duels more as a sport than any sort of aggressive act. She is very considerate and kind to everyone she meets.

And, despite her shyness, she is insatiably curious. She has often gotten herself into trouble by poking around something she shouldn't.

Tchalla Mel'Chir is an attractive, young Andorian woman. She has white hair and blue eyes, along with the blue skin of her species. Protruding from her skull is also a pair of antennae. She is of slight build, but she's much tougher than she appears.

Tchalla has a beautiful singing voice that few people have ever heard. Because she is so shy, she rarely ever sings when she knows people are around. Though, she often sings to herself when she's alone.

Also, as is the case with all Andorians, Tchalla's hearing is far superior to a human's. In addition, her antennae allow her to sense energy patterns.