Penelya Khevet was a female Cardassian who lived in the 24th century. She was born in 2355 on the agricultural world of Ithic II, a Cardassian colony in the DMZ. In 2370 she was orphaned when her parents were killed in a Maquis attack on that world. Fortunately she was staying with her uncle, Mikor Khevet, on Cardassia Prime at the time pursuing her studies in agronomy. Her life on Cardassia was very different than the life she lived on Ithic II, particularly after her parents' death. As an orphan she had no rights and no status in Cardassian society and was entirely dependent on her uncle's charity for everything from food and shelter to permission to continue her education or travel.