Oron

Oron is a Machine Shepherd in charge of one of Luminate Combine stations, usually second subsector from Frontier start. He can teach the Captain the Drones Skill.

While being a "Machine Shepherd" may sound as if he belongs to a drone cult, it makes more sense if one considers the drones are autonomous - and may, in fact, need some shepherding.

He does belong to a drone cult, of course, as he references the "Word of the Oracle", which bless ones that hear it.