Commander Sha'kel was a Yuuzhan Vong warrior who commanded the slaveship Tsam P'ah. His rank was marked by his red armor and flesh extensions protruding from his upper jaw. The Commander ordered the presence of Nina Galfridian for a meal in his throne room, but received her daughter Kaye instead. He stabbed her with a coufee to show her the Yuuzhan Vong way of embracing pain. He was beheaded by Arbeloa in a revolt of slaves led by Kaye. Arbeloa turned his head into a hat that he wore.