Athan was a Novan and a descendant of the Terra Nova colonists.

He distrusted Captain Jonathan Archer and refused to believe that the Novans were in danger due to their water supply contamination.

After Lieutenant Malcolm Reed was wounded by a projectile weapon from the Novans, Athan was in charge of the group that held him captive. When Jamin and Archer saved a Novan from drowning inside a well, Jamin would convince Athan of the sincerity of Archer. Jamin agreed to assist his people in relocating, and had Reed released. (ENT: "Terra Nova")