Dammit man, I'm a death panelist, not a doctor!
CIVILIAN LIFE:
Q1. Name: Kat | kittehkat
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet?
rotae had mentioned she was thinking about creating a replacement for hogwarts_elite that would fill the gap of one of our more active online communities as it closed. I think the idea first surfaced as a theoretical tweet. Anyway, I was thrilled and on-board right away -- I love nerdy shows of fandom love, community interaction and discussion, and, of course, judging people. ;)
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek?
I was raised on TNG. I followed the career of Levar Burton (sorry, my first on-screen love affair with him was a result of Reading Rainbow, but I also had the biggest, most pathetic toddler-crush on Geordi [and Data, and Capt. Picard…]) as well as The Shat (Rescue 911 was the one time a week I was allowed to stay up til a scandalous ~8:30PM~ when I was an adolescent; it was kind of a big deal [and kind of gave me nightmares about escalators, pool filters, and sliding glass doors]). I also had an irrational love for Nimoy -- irrational because I never saw TOS, I just… loved the man's voice, his face, everything, and would watch Trek stuff for him. I still stayed out of Trek for a long while until Reboot's first teaser trailer got dropped and knew I would adore it. Since then, I've caught up with a lot of TOS and rewatched some TNG, and enjoyed the epic… splendor… of the older movies, and trying to learn more about the evolution of the fandom. I like the nerdiest side of it, perhaps -- the academic/meta area of it all, of this created world, and that's what keeps me interested over the screen-time.
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet?
Social interaction! The collective nerdgasms when a brilliant article surfaces analyzing some trivial bit of Trek! The sense of community that is lacking for a younger generation of Trekkies! Someone spiked my Romulan Ale! Honestly, I think it'll be fun and a good way to de-stress from the real world, to embrace the awesome thing that is online fandom with passionate people.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character?
Uhh. Is it bad that I'm between a Vulcan and an Android? What does that say about me? Anyway, when it comes down to it, I have to say Spock. I KNOW. But here's the thing -- nothing is more aggravating than watching people disagree with him, or challenge him, when he's weighed all the options, thought it out, and made a decision not by passion but by what makes the most sense. He keeps his feelings in check, rather than be ruled by them. He is everything I wish I could be as a person and I truly admire someone with that much control. His relationship with Sarek is much like my own with my father and for a parallel reason, and it makes him easier to relate to for me, particularly the smothering of feelings not only because of the Vulcan mindset, but also because you ought to because it's family, and you're supposed to do that, though peaks of passion are hardest to hide then. And finally, Spock has one outshining factor in my opinion: it would seem he could never be a fair-weather friend. No matter how effing illogical Kirk may be, how guided by his morals and not truth, Spock still remains by his side. Sure, there are disagreements, and also the idea that he is obligated by job title, but he also stays when he could transfer. He is the strongest, most loyal of friends. Total admirable. And also, Voyage Home: Spockbutt. Enough said.
Q6. And the least?
James Tiberius Kirk. I don't assume this is asking for the least likable 'bad guy' because, well, they're written to be hated, and that just means the acting's fantastic. But person I like the least that I'm supposed to like? Definitely Kirk.
This man is completely frustrating to me in every respect: he is ruled by his passions, he is highly emotional, he angers quickly, he takes what he wants without question, he's very cocky, and he's a womanizer. I know they needed to contrast with Spock and his robotic-like way of doing things, but seriously? I think the idea of him as Captain is terrifying -- he often seems irrational and reactionary, and I'd be in constant fear if I were in his command. I can hardly stand that kind of person, one who thinks they know everything, that their ideals ought to be everyone's, and that the world is for their taking -- I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to work under that. All actions have consequence, and to be ill-prepared for them, or disregard them because it feels right (hello, multiple violations of Prime Directive!), is foolish. I don't know, I guess because I don't 'get' him and find so many of his traits intolerable, that's why Kirk's my least favorite; it's not a big thing, or one move, it's all of the little things together that get under my skin. I have to respect a character for whom he is, and Kirk just can't get that from me.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite?
Definitely TNG. I think this is my only truly emotional response. This answer's kind of wrapped up in nostalgia and love for the series from my childhood. The truth is, I haven't seen TNG in release order since I was an adolescent as they came out, and don't remember a lot of the actual stories. I DO remember being challenged by the story lines, learning from them, and thinking about them when I watched them, though. I also feel like the stories themselves affected me. Though I'm more familiar/knowledgeable with TOS and Reboot in my adult life, the characters just aren't as… loveable or relateable (or multi-faceted/complex? [in TOS, Reboot attempts to capture this more, I think]) to me as those in TNG.
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STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet?
Above all, I would hope to gain knowledge -- of people, planets, and problems. I would thrive on interacting with others and befriending beings I have very many or very few likenesses with. I like finding out more about people, what makes them tick, where they've come from, and where they plan to go. I want to expand my understanding of the struggles of others, to truly comprehend what difficulties lie ahead for them and what they've already survived. If we're all linked by a common thread, I want to follow it and see where it leads.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for?
Probably Security or something else that is highly dependent on physical dexterity and quick reaction. Not so good with the coordination, to be perfectly honest. I think I could also be persuaded that perhaps stun isn't necessary, mostly because I try to see things from all perspectives, and what if some malignant being should be stopped but I'm sympathetic to his or her story? Yeah, not really the best situation. Errrm. Just, let's say I wouldn't pass the physical tests, or the battery of reactionary situations, or the written test of what-ifs. All around fail.
Q10. The four current Academic Tracks at the Academy are Tactics, Operations, Exploratory Sciences and Medical Sciences. Describe how you could be an asset to each of these departments.
Tactical: I am cool and level-headed in high-stress situations. I am an idea-generator and like to listen to as many avenues as I can before making a decision, but will also make a quick decision when it needs to be done, for the maximum benefit of the masses. I'm good at taking control when needed, and stepping in as the right moment.
Operations: I'm very good at communication-based things. I got my irl-degree in writing (oh, but don't judge me here -- my online writing reflects how I speak, not how I write when I'm being all srs biz) and taught language comprehension to high school students. It's easy for me. I might not be the most diplomatic in saying things, but I certainly make sure things are communicated even when people don't want to hear them. I suppose I'd bring honesty.
Exploratory Sciences: I was always good at science. It made sense. It wasn't dependent on people to make it work. I liked that. I think I could bring my analytical approach to this and feel I'd thrive on independent interest-based research. I work best alone when I get to make all the decisions for myself rather than try to please everyone, and find it enjoyable to head up large projects advancing knowledge others might find useful.
Medical: Once again, I don't panic when faced with crisis. I think that coupled with my drive to never disappoint people and help when and where I can would really assist this area. I like helping people based on what they need, too, and try to figure out what's wrong before they tell me or need to ask for it; deep down, hidden in my rough exterior, is a compassionate, willing person that would benefit serving fellow beings in the Fleet.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Honesty || There is no reason to be dishonest, ever. I do not want to lie to myself or others. I do not want to be fake. You can always count on me to give my true opinion when asked, and to know precisely how I feel about things. I've always felt that even if everything else goes wrong at least you can fall back on your honesty.
02. Strong Intuition || I have a strong intuition and precognitive sense. I can sense and feel things about people quite easily, often leading to prediction of how an interaction will go, sensing if there's distress or need, and knowing what to say in a situation to resolve it.
03. Realistic View || There are three people in my family and we all fill a role: the pessimist, the optimist, and the realist. I am the last of these. I think it gives me the ability to judge a little clearer, pull in all the data, analyze it fairly, and react in the most favourable way for the situation -- no use operating on hope that isn't there, and it'll do no good assuming you're doomed, either. I just like looking at the situation as it is and reacting.
04. Creativity || I'm pretty good at solving situations in inventive or new ways. I'm a major crafter, too, and love costuming, both of these practical applications of a creative outlet, and since I'm maybe not the most proficient at something I figure out new ways to work things out and make them happen in some other way (FOR I AM THE GLUEGUN QUEEN!!!). I love refabricating things and upcycling stuff. Weird brain: I has one. It's good for thinking about things in a new way. Most useful.
05. Flexibility || Tell me I might be on call and I'll drop everything and make it happen. I can take on massive projects, fill-in for stuff, pull all-nighters -- anything that needs to be done for something to get done on time or covered, particularly if it makes other people's lives better.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. Honesty || Man, where this can go right, believe me, it can go just as wrong. I sometimes have permanent foot-in-mouth. Sometimes honesty isn't what everyone needs. It can be a fine line between honest and hurtful, too, one I tiptoe over on occasion, not meaning to.
02. Impatience || Holy crap, please be competent; anything but will make me murder someone. I have a very short fuse in patience, sometimes. It's not the little things, either -- not waiting in lines at the grocery, or teaching someone a new skill, or waiting for something I want. It's the awful incompetence that happens when something is done wrong or inproficiently after multiple times of correction or suggestion for improvement, particularly when asked. Do it right, or it's not worth doing; let me do it and go home.
03. Indecision || When something really matters and has a loose timeline I can be awful with making a decision. It's not that I'm generally unconcerned, it's that I value the beauty of choice and the weight of decision that stalls me. Like I said, I enjoy seeing the perspectives, so exploring all the possibilities can make me seem like I take a long time to commit.
04. Quickness to Judge || You told me to write my worst, so I'll confess to this one assuming it won't hurt the rest of my application too badly. Here's the thing: I like judging people. Not necessarily in a bad way, I just want to get to know people, and develop ideas about them, particularly in the beginning to see if I was right. This part of me is often hidden a bit as I like keeping such a negative thing hidden. It's not that thigns can't change, or that I feel I'm right, I just… it happens. I'm not catty about it, at least, unless with like-minded people and the topic becomes a discussion point.
05. Loudness|| Just try to get me to be quiet. That's right -- you can't. My friends, online and off, will attest to my general loud behavior. Shoot, even worse is that my FACE is loud -- I can't hide my emotions from my face, they're painted all over no matter what. Subtlety: I do not have it.
Q13. What is your biggest fear?
Being lost in translation. …IN SPACE. I'm not a linguist and while I found the topic interesting at university, I was never good at it. I hate when I can't communicated what I mean to say. If I were serving in Starfleet, I would be afraid of having translation issues affecting missions, contexts being wrong, words missed or misinterpreted. I think, a lot of times, your mission could only be as good as your translator, and if you don't have the best you could fail or do harm, even breech the Prime Directive without intending to. There's so much that goes into it, what with the history, geography, evolution of languages and cultures… well, it's a lot.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower?
I can be both, easily -- I enjoy both roles and the dynamics of each. If I had to choose, though, I'd say leader. I like things being done right, and when you're a follower, even if it's equal share as a group mate, you can only ensure your level of quality for your portion. I expect the most of myself and hold myself to a high level of performance, when I don't see that in everyone it drives me nuts. I like to think of myself as a fair but firm leader, certainly expecting myself to not only hold things together but to also contribute equally if not more than those I'm leading; I never ask anything more than I can do myself in terms of work, and constantly check-in to see that everyone's happy.
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers?
Simply, truth. Truth, in all things; let it embody all things about you. I love having honest, real friends, and even if it's someone I dislike, if they're embodying an existence that is true to who they are, good for them. I'll drag out one of my favorite quotes of all time to expand: "Right is always right, even if no one is doing it, and wrong is always wrong, even if everyone's doing it." Be who you are, stand up for what you believe in, and defend it. I can't ask for much more.
Q16. You are stranded on a Class M planet that has not been mapped by The Federation. You are only allowed to choose two of the following items to keep with you: a phaser, a tricorder or a communicator. Which two would you choose to have?
I would choose to tote a tricorder and a phaser with me. As a member of Starfleet, my duty to explore, document, and process the new world I've come across would take front seat. Because I would be on-duty I believe, for practicality's sake, that a phaser would then be the most beneficial thing to take with me in addition to my tricorder for the reason of self-defense and self-preservation -- data and information is only useful if you have someone to interpret it and go through it. Military efforts often do not need constant communication -- you return at a set time, or when the job's finished, and seeing as I'm a responsible person I'd like to think I wouldn't get left behind for any fault of my own.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive.
…the Prime Directive has many different functions, not the least of which is to protect us. It keeps us from allowing our emotions to overrule our judgment.
A completely necessary document, and really, philosophy. I guess it could be seen as careful, and maybe just as much of playing God as not following it, but I think the original intent to keep other cultures safe is important. Without their own trials and failures to understand space ethics and challenges, I don't know if it'd be respected and as safe as it is. Without having worked through their own feelings on it (I feel like a program to advance space travel would cause a ton of debate and years and years of internal/world issues, let alone universal), it'd be a dangerous advance where people have not thought out repercussions. I feel like in the US-USSR space race a lot of people's lives were compromised (most were not ended, luckily), but without that struggle, the worth of an individual might not have been realized. Essentially, I guess I'm saying it's a contract between advanced worlds stating they will not advance ethics and challenges beyond a pre-warp world's natural means of the time.
Q18. The United Federation of Planets includes more than 150 member planets, and the galaxy has many more besides. Which planet do you most want to visit?
Nimbus III, way pre-Sybok and before it was an awful place to live. Conceptually, a peace-loving place where three intergalactic governments could discuss issues and work together sounds fantastic. Think about it -- Romulans, Klingons, and UFP all working together. Just… wow. It'd be a model government and a great place to gain knowledge in peace-keeping, compromise, and leadership. In theory, it sounds amazing. And also, you didn't say I couldn't time travel. :)
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KOBAYASHI MARU:
Q19. Service in the Fleet can be draining at the best of times, and on one particular day everything seems to have gone wrong. You’re exhausted, but your shift is finally over and it’s time to unwind. Your roommate is already on their bed when you get back to your quarters. Do you:
a. Settle in for a lengthy chat with them - you’d really like to vent about your day and you’d quite like to hear about theirs too. It’s a bit of a ritual by this point anyway. Maybe you’ll even head out to the Rec Hall together to unwind over a card game with the others.
I'm a social person when not working on something, and if it's tradition… well, why not? I don't need a ton of time to unwind or process, usually, and just don't sleep a ton. I like finding out what's gong on in my friends' lives and what other areas outside my specialty are up to.
Q20. You’ve intercepted what sounds like a pretty important transmission - you feel like the Captain needs to know. When you report, do you:
a. Give them all the facts: what it said, what the voice sounded like, where the inflection was, the language it was in, and so on. Details and facts are the important part, everything else is subjective.
This is what I was talking about in my fears section -- lost in translation. I feel like here, as translator, telling the inflection and sound of the voice, is giving your interpretation. Even in reporting facts, you've made the most precise, appropriate translations of what you've heard to report. Trust yourself and the work you've done.
Q21. There are many decisions to be made in Starfleet, and some are harder than others. Faced with a decision where things could go wrong in any number of ways, do you:
a. Stay impersonal and objective. Weigh up the pros and cons, think out all the possibilities, and focus on the basic truths. A careful analysis of the situation will reveal the best possible choice, even though some may not approve of it.
I could go either way, maybe, but the other sounds like there's room for morals and personal desire, and this one seems more fair. Again, I'm assuming that you are given all the information you can be given and you're still choosing the way that is the best possible outcome, serving the majority and still remaining fair.
Q22. The day-to-day life of Starfleet can be quite arduous at times, and quite exciting at others. Everyone has their own way of approaching everyday work, but would others see your approach as:
b. Flexible and spontaneous. Others think you prefer to adapt to the world around you rather than organise it. You seem to be more comfortable staying open to information and experiences rather than making decisions immediately. You appear fairly casual, working in bursts and motivated by deadlines.
This is the best summary of how I work, ever, particularly following my passions. I know what I need to do, and will get it done, but I will do it in my own way in my own time. I like new kinds of challenges every day and hate routine. I'm pretty casual, as I've said - any level of stress or new frontier, bring it.
Q23. You can earn 5 points for your future Track by promoting the community in your Journal. Please link the post here if you wish to do so: Promoted.
Q1. Name: Kat | kittehkat
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet?
rotae had mentioned she was thinking about creating a replacement for hogwarts_elite that would fill the gap of one of our more active online communities as it closed. I think the idea first surfaced as a theoretical tweet. Anyway, I was thrilled and on-board right away -- I love nerdy shows of fandom love, community interaction and discussion, and, of course, judging people. ;)
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek?
I was raised on TNG. I followed the career of Levar Burton (sorry, my first on-screen love affair with him was a result of Reading Rainbow, but I also had the biggest, most pathetic toddler-crush on Geordi [and Data, and Capt. Picard…]) as well as The Shat (Rescue 911 was the one time a week I was allowed to stay up til a scandalous ~8:30PM~ when I was an adolescent; it was kind of a big deal [and kind of gave me nightmares about escalators, pool filters, and sliding glass doors]). I also had an irrational love for Nimoy -- irrational because I never saw TOS, I just… loved the man's voice, his face, everything, and would watch Trek stuff for him. I still stayed out of Trek for a long while until Reboot's first teaser trailer got dropped and knew I would adore it. Since then, I've caught up with a lot of TOS and rewatched some TNG, and enjoyed the epic… splendor… of the older movies, and trying to learn more about the evolution of the fandom. I like the nerdiest side of it, perhaps -- the academic/meta area of it all, of this created world, and that's what keeps me interested over the screen-time.
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet?
Social interaction! The collective nerdgasms when a brilliant article surfaces analyzing some trivial bit of Trek! The sense of community that is lacking for a younger generation of Trekkies! Someone spiked my Romulan Ale! Honestly, I think it'll be fun and a good way to de-stress from the real world, to embrace the awesome thing that is online fandom with passionate people.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character?
Uhh. Is it bad that I'm between a Vulcan and an Android? What does that say about me? Anyway, when it comes down to it, I have to say Spock. I KNOW. But here's the thing -- nothing is more aggravating than watching people disagree with him, or challenge him, when he's weighed all the options, thought it out, and made a decision not by passion but by what makes the most sense. He keeps his feelings in check, rather than be ruled by them. He is everything I wish I could be as a person and I truly admire someone with that much control. His relationship with Sarek is much like my own with my father and for a parallel reason, and it makes him easier to relate to for me, particularly the smothering of feelings not only because of the Vulcan mindset, but also because you ought to because it's family, and you're supposed to do that, though peaks of passion are hardest to hide then. And finally, Spock has one outshining factor in my opinion: it would seem he could never be a fair-weather friend. No matter how effing illogical Kirk may be, how guided by his morals and not truth, Spock still remains by his side. Sure, there are disagreements, and also the idea that he is obligated by job title, but he also stays when he could transfer. He is the strongest, most loyal of friends. Total admirable. And also, Voyage Home: Spockbutt. Enough said.
Q6. And the least?
James Tiberius Kirk. I don't assume this is asking for the least likable 'bad guy' because, well, they're written to be hated, and that just means the acting's fantastic. But person I like the least that I'm supposed to like? Definitely Kirk.
This man is completely frustrating to me in every respect: he is ruled by his passions, he is highly emotional, he angers quickly, he takes what he wants without question, he's very cocky, and he's a womanizer. I know they needed to contrast with Spock and his robotic-like way of doing things, but seriously? I think the idea of him as Captain is terrifying -- he often seems irrational and reactionary, and I'd be in constant fear if I were in his command. I can hardly stand that kind of person, one who thinks they know everything, that their ideals ought to be everyone's, and that the world is for their taking -- I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to work under that. All actions have consequence, and to be ill-prepared for them, or disregard them because it feels right (hello, multiple violations of Prime Directive!), is foolish. I don't know, I guess because I don't 'get' him and find so many of his traits intolerable, that's why Kirk's my least favorite; it's not a big thing, or one move, it's all of the little things together that get under my skin. I have to respect a character for whom he is, and Kirk just can't get that from me.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite?
Definitely TNG. I think this is my only truly emotional response. This answer's kind of wrapped up in nostalgia and love for the series from my childhood. The truth is, I haven't seen TNG in release order since I was an adolescent as they came out, and don't remember a lot of the actual stories. I DO remember being challenged by the story lines, learning from them, and thinking about them when I watched them, though. I also feel like the stories themselves affected me. Though I'm more familiar/knowledgeable with TOS and Reboot in my adult life, the characters just aren't as… loveable or relateable (or multi-faceted/complex? [in TOS, Reboot attempts to capture this more, I think]) to me as those in TNG.
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STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet?
Above all, I would hope to gain knowledge -- of people, planets, and problems. I would thrive on interacting with others and befriending beings I have very many or very few likenesses with. I like finding out more about people, what makes them tick, where they've come from, and where they plan to go. I want to expand my understanding of the struggles of others, to truly comprehend what difficulties lie ahead for them and what they've already survived. If we're all linked by a common thread, I want to follow it and see where it leads.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for?
Probably Security or something else that is highly dependent on physical dexterity and quick reaction. Not so good with the coordination, to be perfectly honest. I think I could also be persuaded that perhaps stun isn't necessary, mostly because I try to see things from all perspectives, and what if some malignant being should be stopped but I'm sympathetic to his or her story? Yeah, not really the best situation. Errrm. Just, let's say I wouldn't pass the physical tests, or the battery of reactionary situations, or the written test of what-ifs. All around fail.
Q10. The four current Academic Tracks at the Academy are Tactics, Operations, Exploratory Sciences and Medical Sciences. Describe how you could be an asset to each of these departments.
Tactical: I am cool and level-headed in high-stress situations. I am an idea-generator and like to listen to as many avenues as I can before making a decision, but will also make a quick decision when it needs to be done, for the maximum benefit of the masses. I'm good at taking control when needed, and stepping in as the right moment.
Operations: I'm very good at communication-based things. I got my irl-degree in writing (oh, but don't judge me here -- my online writing reflects how I speak, not how I write when I'm being all srs biz) and taught language comprehension to high school students. It's easy for me. I might not be the most diplomatic in saying things, but I certainly make sure things are communicated even when people don't want to hear them. I suppose I'd bring honesty.
Exploratory Sciences: I was always good at science. It made sense. It wasn't dependent on people to make it work. I liked that. I think I could bring my analytical approach to this and feel I'd thrive on independent interest-based research. I work best alone when I get to make all the decisions for myself rather than try to please everyone, and find it enjoyable to head up large projects advancing knowledge others might find useful.
Medical: Once again, I don't panic when faced with crisis. I think that coupled with my drive to never disappoint people and help when and where I can would really assist this area. I like helping people based on what they need, too, and try to figure out what's wrong before they tell me or need to ask for it; deep down, hidden in my rough exterior, is a compassionate, willing person that would benefit serving fellow beings in the Fleet.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Honesty || There is no reason to be dishonest, ever. I do not want to lie to myself or others. I do not want to be fake. You can always count on me to give my true opinion when asked, and to know precisely how I feel about things. I've always felt that even if everything else goes wrong at least you can fall back on your honesty.
02. Strong Intuition || I have a strong intuition and precognitive sense. I can sense and feel things about people quite easily, often leading to prediction of how an interaction will go, sensing if there's distress or need, and knowing what to say in a situation to resolve it.
03. Realistic View || There are three people in my family and we all fill a role: the pessimist, the optimist, and the realist. I am the last of these. I think it gives me the ability to judge a little clearer, pull in all the data, analyze it fairly, and react in the most favourable way for the situation -- no use operating on hope that isn't there, and it'll do no good assuming you're doomed, either. I just like looking at the situation as it is and reacting.
04. Creativity || I'm pretty good at solving situations in inventive or new ways. I'm a major crafter, too, and love costuming, both of these practical applications of a creative outlet, and since I'm maybe not the most proficient at something I figure out new ways to work things out and make them happen in some other way (FOR I AM THE GLUEGUN QUEEN!!!). I love refabricating things and upcycling stuff. Weird brain: I has one. It's good for thinking about things in a new way. Most useful.
05. Flexibility || Tell me I might be on call and I'll drop everything and make it happen. I can take on massive projects, fill-in for stuff, pull all-nighters -- anything that needs to be done for something to get done on time or covered, particularly if it makes other people's lives better.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. Honesty || Man, where this can go right, believe me, it can go just as wrong. I sometimes have permanent foot-in-mouth. Sometimes honesty isn't what everyone needs. It can be a fine line between honest and hurtful, too, one I tiptoe over on occasion, not meaning to.
02. Impatience || Holy crap, please be competent; anything but will make me murder someone. I have a very short fuse in patience, sometimes. It's not the little things, either -- not waiting in lines at the grocery, or teaching someone a new skill, or waiting for something I want. It's the awful incompetence that happens when something is done wrong or inproficiently after multiple times of correction or suggestion for improvement, particularly when asked. Do it right, or it's not worth doing; let me do it and go home.
03. Indecision || When something really matters and has a loose timeline I can be awful with making a decision. It's not that I'm generally unconcerned, it's that I value the beauty of choice and the weight of decision that stalls me. Like I said, I enjoy seeing the perspectives, so exploring all the possibilities can make me seem like I take a long time to commit.
04. Quickness to Judge || You told me to write my worst, so I'll confess to this one assuming it won't hurt the rest of my application too badly. Here's the thing: I like judging people. Not necessarily in a bad way, I just want to get to know people, and develop ideas about them, particularly in the beginning to see if I was right. This part of me is often hidden a bit as I like keeping such a negative thing hidden. It's not that thigns can't change, or that I feel I'm right, I just… it happens. I'm not catty about it, at least, unless with like-minded people and the topic becomes a discussion point.
05. Loudness|| Just try to get me to be quiet. That's right -- you can't. My friends, online and off, will attest to my general loud behavior. Shoot, even worse is that my FACE is loud -- I can't hide my emotions from my face, they're painted all over no matter what. Subtlety: I do not have it.
Q13. What is your biggest fear?
Being lost in translation. …IN SPACE. I'm not a linguist and while I found the topic interesting at university, I was never good at it. I hate when I can't communicated what I mean to say. If I were serving in Starfleet, I would be afraid of having translation issues affecting missions, contexts being wrong, words missed or misinterpreted. I think, a lot of times, your mission could only be as good as your translator, and if you don't have the best you could fail or do harm, even breech the Prime Directive without intending to. There's so much that goes into it, what with the history, geography, evolution of languages and cultures… well, it's a lot.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower?
I can be both, easily -- I enjoy both roles and the dynamics of each. If I had to choose, though, I'd say leader. I like things being done right, and when you're a follower, even if it's equal share as a group mate, you can only ensure your level of quality for your portion. I expect the most of myself and hold myself to a high level of performance, when I don't see that in everyone it drives me nuts. I like to think of myself as a fair but firm leader, certainly expecting myself to not only hold things together but to also contribute equally if not more than those I'm leading; I never ask anything more than I can do myself in terms of work, and constantly check-in to see that everyone's happy.
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers?
Simply, truth. Truth, in all things; let it embody all things about you. I love having honest, real friends, and even if it's someone I dislike, if they're embodying an existence that is true to who they are, good for them. I'll drag out one of my favorite quotes of all time to expand: "Right is always right, even if no one is doing it, and wrong is always wrong, even if everyone's doing it." Be who you are, stand up for what you believe in, and defend it. I can't ask for much more.
Q16. You are stranded on a Class M planet that has not been mapped by The Federation. You are only allowed to choose two of the following items to keep with you: a phaser, a tricorder or a communicator. Which two would you choose to have?
I would choose to tote a tricorder and a phaser with me. As a member of Starfleet, my duty to explore, document, and process the new world I've come across would take front seat. Because I would be on-duty I believe, for practicality's sake, that a phaser would then be the most beneficial thing to take with me in addition to my tricorder for the reason of self-defense and self-preservation -- data and information is only useful if you have someone to interpret it and go through it. Military efforts often do not need constant communication -- you return at a set time, or when the job's finished, and seeing as I'm a responsible person I'd like to think I wouldn't get left behind for any fault of my own.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive.
…the Prime Directive has many different functions, not the least of which is to protect us. It keeps us from allowing our emotions to overrule our judgment.
A completely necessary document, and really, philosophy. I guess it could be seen as careful, and maybe just as much of playing God as not following it, but I think the original intent to keep other cultures safe is important. Without their own trials and failures to understand space ethics and challenges, I don't know if it'd be respected and as safe as it is. Without having worked through their own feelings on it (I feel like a program to advance space travel would cause a ton of debate and years and years of internal/world issues, let alone universal), it'd be a dangerous advance where people have not thought out repercussions. I feel like in the US-USSR space race a lot of people's lives were compromised (most were not ended, luckily), but without that struggle, the worth of an individual might not have been realized. Essentially, I guess I'm saying it's a contract between advanced worlds stating they will not advance ethics and challenges beyond a pre-warp world's natural means of the time.
Q18. The United Federation of Planets includes more than 150 member planets, and the galaxy has many more besides. Which planet do you most want to visit?
Nimbus III, way pre-Sybok and before it was an awful place to live. Conceptually, a peace-loving place where three intergalactic governments could discuss issues and work together sounds fantastic. Think about it -- Romulans, Klingons, and UFP all working together. Just… wow. It'd be a model government and a great place to gain knowledge in peace-keeping, compromise, and leadership. In theory, it sounds amazing. And also, you didn't say I couldn't time travel. :)
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KOBAYASHI MARU:
Q19. Service in the Fleet can be draining at the best of times, and on one particular day everything seems to have gone wrong. You’re exhausted, but your shift is finally over and it’s time to unwind. Your roommate is already on their bed when you get back to your quarters. Do you:
a. Settle in for a lengthy chat with them - you’d really like to vent about your day and you’d quite like to hear about theirs too. It’s a bit of a ritual by this point anyway. Maybe you’ll even head out to the Rec Hall together to unwind over a card game with the others.
I'm a social person when not working on something, and if it's tradition… well, why not? I don't need a ton of time to unwind or process, usually, and just don't sleep a ton. I like finding out what's gong on in my friends' lives and what other areas outside my specialty are up to.
Q20. You’ve intercepted what sounds like a pretty important transmission - you feel like the Captain needs to know. When you report, do you:
a. Give them all the facts: what it said, what the voice sounded like, where the inflection was, the language it was in, and so on. Details and facts are the important part, everything else is subjective.
This is what I was talking about in my fears section -- lost in translation. I feel like here, as translator, telling the inflection and sound of the voice, is giving your interpretation. Even in reporting facts, you've made the most precise, appropriate translations of what you've heard to report. Trust yourself and the work you've done.
Q21. There are many decisions to be made in Starfleet, and some are harder than others. Faced with a decision where things could go wrong in any number of ways, do you:
a. Stay impersonal and objective. Weigh up the pros and cons, think out all the possibilities, and focus on the basic truths. A careful analysis of the situation will reveal the best possible choice, even though some may not approve of it.
I could go either way, maybe, but the other sounds like there's room for morals and personal desire, and this one seems more fair. Again, I'm assuming that you are given all the information you can be given and you're still choosing the way that is the best possible outcome, serving the majority and still remaining fair.
Q22. The day-to-day life of Starfleet can be quite arduous at times, and quite exciting at others. Everyone has their own way of approaching everyday work, but would others see your approach as:
b. Flexible and spontaneous. Others think you prefer to adapt to the world around you rather than organise it. You seem to be more comfortable staying open to information and experiences rather than making decisions immediately. You appear fairly casual, working in bursts and motivated by deadlines.
This is the best summary of how I work, ever, particularly following my passions. I know what I need to do, and will get it done, but I will do it in my own way in my own time. I like new kinds of challenges every day and hate routine. I'm pretty casual, as I've said - any level of stress or new frontier, bring it.
Q23. You can earn 5 points for your future Track by promoting the community in your Journal. Please link the post here if you wish to do so: Promoted.