Tinh Hoc Phuong was a Section 31 operative of Vietnamese descent. Before serving Section 31, Phuong served as an ambassador for United Earth. In 2155, Phuong was sent on a mission into Romulan space with Commander Charles Tucker III in order to sabotage a Romulan warp seven development project. The first part of the mission was to head for Adigeon Prime in his aging Rutan-class ship Branson so that he and Tucker could undergo cosmetic surgery and take on the appearance and identity of Romulans.