Col. Ion Kirst (ret.) is one of three sons of Dr. Steffan Kirst, a Caldari scientist.

In YC93, Ion and his brother, Ivan, during a covert DSO (deep space operation), got caught-up in what they thought was a simple border dispute. Their CO was Commodore "Perry" Pierce.

"It was like we were in a hornet's nest, ships were poppin' all around us. Ivan was my wingman. As we broke left, 10 Gallente battlecruisers warped in off our bow. The sky lit up like a nova . . . that's all I remember." Ivan was never found, and was classified as MIA. (capsule and clone weren't joined until YC105.)

Ion retired YC103.06.12, after 20 years in the Caldari Navy. But he returned to service in YC110.02.17. The Caldari State was secretly planning the re-taking of Caldari Prime from the Gallente. Later that year, YC110.06.10, Kirst helped maintain the blockade in Luminari Space and regaining control of Caldari Prime.

"Always remember Tovil-Toba, and what was done there."