Kira Nerys was a female Bajoran in the 24th century. Kira lived on Bajor in the Cardassian occupation and was a member of the Bajoran Resistance. When the Cardassians withdrew she joined the Bajoran Militia and, when Bajor joined the Federation in the year 2376, transferred to Starfleet at the rank of captain, in command of Federation Starbase Deep Space 9 and the starship USS Defiant. Kira later left Starfleet and became a cleric of the Bajoran religion, having become known as the "Hand of the Prophets".