Part-Klingon, part-Tellarite pirate and leader of the Venari Ral, the main villain of Starfleet Academy's first season.
Nus Braka, short for Nustopher Braka, is a part-Klingon, part-Tellarite pirate of the 32nd century, played by Paul Giamatti. He leads the criminal group known as the Venari Ral and holds a deep grudge against the Federation.
Years before the series, Braka recruited Anisha Mir to help steal food rations from a Federation supply ship, and when he killed the pilot she was blamed as his accomplice, separating her from her son Caleb. In Starfleet Academy's first season he ambushes the USS Athena, disables it with programmable matter and demands its warp core, and later boxes in the Federation with mines powered by a stolen Omega substance. He plans to put the Federation on trial over the destruction of his childhood colony, which he blames on Starfleet. The truth of that tragedy is revealed, the Omega threat is neutralized, and Braka is taken into custody.
The producers framed Braka as a figure who uses hatred to sow division. Giamatti's casting made him one of the most high profile guest villains in modern Star Trek.