Dal R'El was a male Augment hybrid who lived during the late 24th century.

Dal was raised on board the Damsel by DaiMon Nandi, a marauder and con artist. He believed that Nandi thought of him as a son, but at some point, she sold him as a slave to The Diviner as one of The Unwanted, who mined chimerium at the Tars Lamora prison colony.

After he and a group of prisoners found the U.S.S. Protostar, they escaped the colony, and he became the leader of the group. As the Captain of the Protostar, Dal learnt about Starfleet and its way of life. Months later, Dal and the others found themselves in front of a Starfleet tribunal where they faced various criminal charges, such as stealing a Federation starship. Admiral Janeway argued in their behalf and all charges were dropped. Although they weren't allowed immediate entrance into Starfleet Academy as they hoped, the crew would be permitted to serve under Janeway as Warrant officers-in-training.

For his part in the rescue of Captain Chakotay, and preventing Asencia from destroying the federation, he was given a field promotion to the rank of Ensign. Dal was assigned to the newly commissioned USS Protostar, as first office, under the command of Gwyndala.