Barash was a male alien in the 24th century from a previously inhabited planet. As a child, his planet was invaded, and all were killed, except for Barash and his mother. His mother hid him on Alpha Onias III, where she hoped their race's enemies would never find him. She installed neural scanners and holographic projectors in a cave for Barash to live. They could read his mind and fulfill his desires and needs. However, the fantasies the scanners created were no substitute for real interaction with other sentient beings, and he became very lonely.