Ariel Cord was a Federation Starfleet medical officer on active duty in the late 23rd century. Dr. Cord was chief medical officer of the USS Excelsior beginning in 2290. In 2295, Cord temporarily relieved Captain Hikaru Sulu of command, pending a psychological evaluation after Sulu's reaction to several officers and crew dying under his command within three weeks' time. (Orion Press: A Little Family Secret)