Dammit man, I'm a researcher, not a redshirt!
CIVILIAN LIFE:
Q1. Name: dilbert719. Feel free to call me Dilbert.
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet? ldymusyc's journal.
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek? I've rather lost track, but I've been watching Trek since I was very young. Three or four, maybe?
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet? Aside from my enjoyment of Star Trek, and having had some LJ time come free with the closing of Hogwarts Elite, I'm primarily interested in seeing how I'll be assigned when I arrive at the Academy. Presuming, of course, I am fortunate enough to get in.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character? One of many questions that requires some deliberation. Aside from having an overall answer for each of the primary series, my opinions fluctuate depending on, well, my mood among other things. Since I was raised watching TNG, I'll go with that, and with Data. As common an answer as that likely is, and will be, there's something about Data that makes me warm to him more than others. Despite living his entire existence as an outsider, used as a tool by many, and treated as less than the sum of his parts by some people who should know better (Dr. Pulaski, I'm looking at you here...) he still dedicates himself to his goal of becoming as human as an android possibly can. After years of effort, developing interests and hobbies, cultivating friendships, examining and eventually integrating emotions, dealing with his family struggles, and remaining a valued crewmember, Data becomes a shining example of all a human can and should be, in ways that most humans can only dream of. That dedication, hard work, and willingness to do what it takes for those he cares about resonate with me.
Q6. And the least? Part of the reason is that I didn't watch Voyager consistently. Part is the writing. Part is that the actor was somewhat stifled in the role, but Chakotay never did anything for me. The Powers That Be had a tendency, throughout their careers, to do what fit the formula, even though the formula they were given from Gene Roddenberry revolved around breaking the mold and doing something new each time. However, they took that, and decided that the thing to do was codify the mold, instead. While Deep Space Nine earned some freedom, and from that some depth, Voyager was just little bits of TOS glued together with little bits of TNG, without the same innovation of either. Chakotay was the stolid, stalwart first officer Riker was, with a personality largely transplanted from Spock. He had so much potential, being the Maquis captain forced to serve under the Starfleet rules he could not abide, but that lasted all of one episode, before he became Generic First Officer #1. So much wasted potential, both with Chakotay, and with Voyager as a whole.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite? While the new shiny is quite excellent, I cannot help but favor TNG. As I mentioned, it's what I grew up on, and none of the Star Trek series have been as hopeful, or optimistic at their core, as TNG was. It really encapsulated a lot of what Roddenberry wanted out of sci-fi, and gave us unbelievable characters, pacing, plot, and depth, without ever losing that sense of wonder. As much as I love other forms of Trek, I don't think I'll ever find anything as near and dear to me as the NCC 1701-D.
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STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet?
I enjoy the sense of community, and the opportunity to help others reach their goal. On a personal level, the challenges presented through a life in Starfleet would give me something to strive for. I would take great pleasure in puzzling out solutions to these problems, and expressing my creative talents in a constructive manner.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for?
Fortunately, Security isn't a separate career path of its own. I'm not built for combat, and my first instinct in conflict resolution is to bring everyone to the table and talk things out, but as that is also an element of Operations, my concerns about a Security posting do not rule out the branch as a whole. I feel reasonably comfortable with each of the four branches of the Academy, and would be happy with any placement I am assigned. I trust the wisdom of the Admissions Board.
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: While my inclinations do not necessarily indicate a command post in my future, I feel I would be quite competent in the position. I certainly am no James T. Kirk, prone to bold strokes and frontier diplomacy, but could see myself commanding in the style of Jean-Luc Picard, as the capstone to a successful career as a reliable, trustworthy first officer. I would be more than willing to take on the mantle of responsibility, should my superior officers feel it the appropriate course of action.
Operations: Interaction with others is a key component of society. We've seen what happens when people with a touch of power are allowed to isolate themselves, from the World Wars, to the Eugenics Wars, and to the conflict of the Klingon Civil War. Open lines of communication, diplomacy, civil service, and the capacity to ensure access to those in command can end more suffering, by itself, than any hydroponic development or medical breakthrough. I have the mindset, the temperament, and the inclination to serve as a Starfleet diplomat or administrator, and would be honored to have the opportunity.
Exploratory Sciences: The desire for knowledge has propelled man through the ages. From the wheel to the automobile, we mastered the land. From the balloon to the airplane, we mastered the skies. From the rocket to the starship, we mastered the outer reaches of space, and we have much more to learn. I am as driven by the desire for knowledge as by anything else in my life, and would relish the chance to explore the universe, in all its minute and magnitudinous wonder.
Medical: I've always been told that I should consider studying psychology. I love being able to help people work through their problems, find the root causes, and move past those things that are holding them back from being the best that they can be. If given the opportunity to study the inner workings of the mind, to understand the problems and pathologies that motivate people, and through that opportunity, to help people, I would feel that I've done something truly beneficial. The desire to do good, and help others, drives me, and while I know I could never be a surgeon, it's just as valuable to put together the mind as it is the body.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Empathy - I have a tendency, even when it goes a bit too far, to feel what others are feeling, and know how to commiserate and support them. I believe that everyone needs someone they can talk to, whether that person's close to their situation or not, who can help them offload their problems, look at them in a different light, and hopefully come to some resolution about them. I'm relatively good at that, and I'm proud of it.
02. Resolve - One of my most closely-held personal beliefs is that I am willing to bend, beyond all reason at times, but I cannot, and will not, be broken. Ever. I spent several years of my life barely communicative because of my grade school classmates. I spent four dealing with significant anger issues, throughout high school. I still flare up today. However, I knew, through all that, who I was, what I was, and why that was too important to let others take away from me. I will not yield, to anyone, for anyone, at any time, for any reason, if I feel it would break something I believe in. I may go along until just this side of that, but there are thresholds I will not allow myself to cross. Nobody can make me, for any reason.
03. Family - Those who are close to me, by birth or by choice, are my family: my girlfriend, my high school friends, my mother and grandmother, the people I game with, anyone important to me. I draw strength from them, even as I try to provide strength to them. Everything I am, I owe to my family, and I will be there for them whenever they need me. That is the core of my personality, when everything else is stripped away.
04. Dedication - Along the same lines as my resolve, I am dedicated. Once I commit to something, I will do it. I may not do it in the time frame I thought. I may not do it in exactly the same way I had envisioned. But I will do it, because I made a promise to someone. My word is too valuable, and I will do what I must to ensure that it is still good, no matter the situation.
05. Even Keel - I have a crazy side. I do get really angry at times. But those are mainly methods of venting, more than anything else, so I can maintain my even keel. In stressful situations, I feel the pressure, yes, but I have a job to do, and I can't let overreaction blow me over. I keep my head, because that's what needs to be done.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. The Mask - I'm an introverted person, by my nature. I'm not comfortable talking out my problems with people, no matter what they are, or who I'm talking with. I've been working on this for years now, and I still find it nigh-impossible to drop the mask. I show people the calm, placid side of me, in an attempt to keep them from worrying, and as a result I eat myself alive.
02. Worry - In those moments where I do manage to let some information about me slip, what people do see is a bundle of nerves. As often as not I'm worried about, or for, someone else, but I factor in, too. Is my sister going to find a job? What happens to my mother if her 401(k) dips again? Did I say something stupid just then? What do I do to fix it? How will the other person react if I try, and will I just make it worse? I've spent a minimal amount of time arguing in my life, because I am outwardly a relaxed person, but I argue with myself more than I do almost anything else internally. There comes a point where I want to just drop it, but then I'd start worrying about what happens now that I've dropped it.
03. Timidity - I don't like putting myself in a position where I can be singled out, unless I know it's very likely to go well. Because I spent so much time worrying, internally, I keep away from the center of attention, so as to minimize the number of things I have to worry about. As you can see from #2, it's a poor substitute for just getting over it, but doing so isn't so easy as identifying that it's a problem.
04. Complacence - Once I find a situation I'm comfortable in, I stay there. As before, why hazard the risk, and the worry that comes with it, when you can sit in your nice protected cubicle in the basement, under the stairs, where nobody comes to bother you, and do your assigned work? It's frustrating that I can't get rid of the nagging voice in the back of my head long enough to make that jump, but what can you do?
05. Rationalization - The capper on this complex is that I've made it into a self-sustaining circle, making it harder to overcome. I don't tell people because I don't want to burden them. Because I don't want to burden them, I stay out of situations that I might need help with. Because I stay out of situations I might need help with, I never expand my horizons beyond the comfortable. Because I never expand my horizons beyond the comfortable, I never get over the worry, and because I can never get over the worry, I don't tell people about it... so why tell people? Isn't it easier to sit back in your shell, and do what you've always done? That voice is seductive, dangerous, and leads to my bad side taking over the positive characteristics I've elaborated on.
Q13. What is your biggest fear?
I have no shortage of fears, and I'll be honest, that worries me. (There goes that cycle again.) However, my greatest fear is the fear of death, particularly suicide. Life is too precious, too important, to simply squander it foolishly. We know what we have to love, to enjoy, even to worry about, every day we're here. What comes when we're gone, we can have no idea, and to give up those great things we have, no matter how distant they seem at a given moment, is painful to me. I can't let it happen, and many of my worst fears are of losing people I care about, as a result.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower?
I'm quite capable of leading, in a situation where it is called for, but ships require more than just a captain to function. My natural inclination is to seek advice, consensus, and other lines of reasoning before making the best decision, and while that is valuable, in the end, the captain is most likely to face moments where they must act, the consent of the group be damned. A moment's hesitation could be the ship's last, and I feel the pull towards that moment too keenly to desire the center chair.
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers?
Most of my peers do not suffer from the overwhelming drive to work behind the scenes that I do. I work in one of the few positions in my department that do not require long hours of travel, a photographic memory for names and faces, and a comfort level with asking relative strangers to do something they very much do not wish to do, specifically hand over large sums of money to our institution. I admire their confidence, and their willingness to accept the likely rejection that comes with it.
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?
Beaming down without a communicator would be, in the words of Commander Spock, highly illogical. Beaming up to a passing ship, even if my own is unavailable, becomes much more complicated without a communicator on hand with which to hail them. It's also worth noting that the communicator functions as the universal translator, and would be invaluable for anyone without a concentration in theoretical xenolinguistics.
As for a phaser vs. a tricorder, the utility of a phaser is well known, both for defensive and constructive purposes, but a tricorder would be preferable. Anything a phaser can do can also be done using more primitive methods, both in terms of fashioning rudimentary forms of weaponry as well as creating shelters. A tricorder, meanwhile, can provide scans, means of interacting with computer devices, if such have been developed, record information, set up distress calls in the same manner as a communicator, and many other invaluable functions that cannot be easily replicated. I wouldn't want to go anywhere without my tricorder.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive.
By the letter of the law, the Prime Directive requires the complete non-intervention of Starfleet with protected civilizations. Primarily focused on non-intervention with pre-warp societies, it can also be invoked in the case of purely internal matters of non-member entities. The only known exception to the Prime Directive's rule of non-intervention is as a means of correcting for the intervention of non-Federation entities. (OOC: Yes, the Omega Directive comes into play as well, but I'm not a Captain, so I can't know about that yet.)
In spirit, the purpose of the Prime Directive is to ensure that Starfleet does not accidentally damage a culture, normally until the appropriate date of First Contact. As noted before, it can be used as a general non-intervention interdict. The Federation's ideals, and as a result, their reputation within the interstellar community, require this hands-off approach. Failing to uphold the Prime Directive could result in societies as a whole abandoning those very same ideals, making the universe a more hazardous, violent place. Having had some exposure to stories of the Mirror Universe, anything that puts the Federation at risk in that fashion must be prevented.
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?
I'll be honest, given the roles I expect would suit me best, I would either have to say Risa, for those moments when I wouldn't be shipboard as a psychiatrist (have to take shore leave somewhere, after all), or wherever I was needed, if I was to fill a diplomatic post. Earth will always be home, though, and I'll feel a strong pull back there whenever I'm away.
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KOBAYASHI MARU:
The following questions describe situations you may commonly find yourself in as a member of Starfleet. You will be read the scenario, and then given two options to choose from. You may expand upon the reasons for your choice, but you must indicate one of the two that you feel best describes your likely response to the situation provided.
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:
b. Say hi, then stick in some earphones for music or grab a PADD for some recreational reading. A lie-down sounds pretty good right now, or maybe a bit of time relaxing on the observation deck - it should be pretty quiet by this time, which will give you a chance to sort through the day’s events in your head.
Being an introvert, I'm naturally drawn to quiet time, where I can sort out my problems on my own. I'd be more likely to try and unwind by myself, so that when I do talk to my roommate, if I do, I have a better handle on events and don't end up rambling on about things that probably were relatively unimportant in the long run anyway.
Q20. You’ve intercepted what sounds like a pretty important transmission - you feel like the Captain needs to know. When you report, do you:
b. Give them the facts, but your interpretation and the way it fits into context is more important. The Captain wasn’t there, after all - the way you explain it could make all the difference.
The caveat, of course, is that they must have all the facts, along with the interpretation. I do have faith in my ability to analyze situations, and I would rather the Captain be aware of the reason why I feel it's important, so that there can be no misunderstanding as to the value of the message being passed along.
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:
b. Try to understand the perspectives of the people involved. They are the ones that will be influenced by the decision, and conflict is the least desirable outcome. Be certain to be tactful, even if some of the message is lost in the communication.
Empathy is critical in assessing a situation. Inflaming people's passions, and failing to give their viewpoints a proper hearing, will make them less likely to accept the results of the decision, and in the worst case scenario could lead to a mutiny, or other failure of leadership. The decision must be yours, if you have the power, but that decision must be supported by strong reasoning, and a good understanding of the motivations of the other actors.
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.
It's not that I want to be a procrastinator. I'm just not particularly efficient when working ahead. Pressure amplifies adrenaline, and the adrenaline rush gives you the capacity to excel. As information comes in, you can revise and reassess your situation, and the finished product can take into account last-second updates in a way a slower, more methodical pace cannot allow for.
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:
Q1. Name: dilbert719. Feel free to call me Dilbert.
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet? ldymusyc's journal.
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek? I've rather lost track, but I've been watching Trek since I was very young. Three or four, maybe?
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet? Aside from my enjoyment of Star Trek, and having had some LJ time come free with the closing of Hogwarts Elite, I'm primarily interested in seeing how I'll be assigned when I arrive at the Academy. Presuming, of course, I am fortunate enough to get in.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character? One of many questions that requires some deliberation. Aside from having an overall answer for each of the primary series, my opinions fluctuate depending on, well, my mood among other things. Since I was raised watching TNG, I'll go with that, and with Data. As common an answer as that likely is, and will be, there's something about Data that makes me warm to him more than others. Despite living his entire existence as an outsider, used as a tool by many, and treated as less than the sum of his parts by some people who should know better (Dr. Pulaski, I'm looking at you here...) he still dedicates himself to his goal of becoming as human as an android possibly can. After years of effort, developing interests and hobbies, cultivating friendships, examining and eventually integrating emotions, dealing with his family struggles, and remaining a valued crewmember, Data becomes a shining example of all a human can and should be, in ways that most humans can only dream of. That dedication, hard work, and willingness to do what it takes for those he cares about resonate with me.
Q6. And the least? Part of the reason is that I didn't watch Voyager consistently. Part is the writing. Part is that the actor was somewhat stifled in the role, but Chakotay never did anything for me. The Powers That Be had a tendency, throughout their careers, to do what fit the formula, even though the formula they were given from Gene Roddenberry revolved around breaking the mold and doing something new each time. However, they took that, and decided that the thing to do was codify the mold, instead. While Deep Space Nine earned some freedom, and from that some depth, Voyager was just little bits of TOS glued together with little bits of TNG, without the same innovation of either. Chakotay was the stolid, stalwart first officer Riker was, with a personality largely transplanted from Spock. He had so much potential, being the Maquis captain forced to serve under the Starfleet rules he could not abide, but that lasted all of one episode, before he became Generic First Officer #1. So much wasted potential, both with Chakotay, and with Voyager as a whole.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite? While the new shiny is quite excellent, I cannot help but favor TNG. As I mentioned, it's what I grew up on, and none of the Star Trek series have been as hopeful, or optimistic at their core, as TNG was. It really encapsulated a lot of what Roddenberry wanted out of sci-fi, and gave us unbelievable characters, pacing, plot, and depth, without ever losing that sense of wonder. As much as I love other forms of Trek, I don't think I'll ever find anything as near and dear to me as the NCC 1701-D.
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STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet?
I enjoy the sense of community, and the opportunity to help others reach their goal. On a personal level, the challenges presented through a life in Starfleet would give me something to strive for. I would take great pleasure in puzzling out solutions to these problems, and expressing my creative talents in a constructive manner.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for?
Fortunately, Security isn't a separate career path of its own. I'm not built for combat, and my first instinct in conflict resolution is to bring everyone to the table and talk things out, but as that is also an element of Operations, my concerns about a Security posting do not rule out the branch as a whole. I feel reasonably comfortable with each of the four branches of the Academy, and would be happy with any placement I am assigned. I trust the wisdom of the Admissions Board.
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: While my inclinations do not necessarily indicate a command post in my future, I feel I would be quite competent in the position. I certainly am no James T. Kirk, prone to bold strokes and frontier diplomacy, but could see myself commanding in the style of Jean-Luc Picard, as the capstone to a successful career as a reliable, trustworthy first officer. I would be more than willing to take on the mantle of responsibility, should my superior officers feel it the appropriate course of action.
Operations: Interaction with others is a key component of society. We've seen what happens when people with a touch of power are allowed to isolate themselves, from the World Wars, to the Eugenics Wars, and to the conflict of the Klingon Civil War. Open lines of communication, diplomacy, civil service, and the capacity to ensure access to those in command can end more suffering, by itself, than any hydroponic development or medical breakthrough. I have the mindset, the temperament, and the inclination to serve as a Starfleet diplomat or administrator, and would be honored to have the opportunity.
Exploratory Sciences: The desire for knowledge has propelled man through the ages. From the wheel to the automobile, we mastered the land. From the balloon to the airplane, we mastered the skies. From the rocket to the starship, we mastered the outer reaches of space, and we have much more to learn. I am as driven by the desire for knowledge as by anything else in my life, and would relish the chance to explore the universe, in all its minute and magnitudinous wonder.
Medical: I've always been told that I should consider studying psychology. I love being able to help people work through their problems, find the root causes, and move past those things that are holding them back from being the best that they can be. If given the opportunity to study the inner workings of the mind, to understand the problems and pathologies that motivate people, and through that opportunity, to help people, I would feel that I've done something truly beneficial. The desire to do good, and help others, drives me, and while I know I could never be a surgeon, it's just as valuable to put together the mind as it is the body.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Empathy - I have a tendency, even when it goes a bit too far, to feel what others are feeling, and know how to commiserate and support them. I believe that everyone needs someone they can talk to, whether that person's close to their situation or not, who can help them offload their problems, look at them in a different light, and hopefully come to some resolution about them. I'm relatively good at that, and I'm proud of it.
02. Resolve - One of my most closely-held personal beliefs is that I am willing to bend, beyond all reason at times, but I cannot, and will not, be broken. Ever. I spent several years of my life barely communicative because of my grade school classmates. I spent four dealing with significant anger issues, throughout high school. I still flare up today. However, I knew, through all that, who I was, what I was, and why that was too important to let others take away from me. I will not yield, to anyone, for anyone, at any time, for any reason, if I feel it would break something I believe in. I may go along until just this side of that, but there are thresholds I will not allow myself to cross. Nobody can make me, for any reason.
03. Family - Those who are close to me, by birth or by choice, are my family: my girlfriend, my high school friends, my mother and grandmother, the people I game with, anyone important to me. I draw strength from them, even as I try to provide strength to them. Everything I am, I owe to my family, and I will be there for them whenever they need me. That is the core of my personality, when everything else is stripped away.
04. Dedication - Along the same lines as my resolve, I am dedicated. Once I commit to something, I will do it. I may not do it in the time frame I thought. I may not do it in exactly the same way I had envisioned. But I will do it, because I made a promise to someone. My word is too valuable, and I will do what I must to ensure that it is still good, no matter the situation.
05. Even Keel - I have a crazy side. I do get really angry at times. But those are mainly methods of venting, more than anything else, so I can maintain my even keel. In stressful situations, I feel the pressure, yes, but I have a job to do, and I can't let overreaction blow me over. I keep my head, because that's what needs to be done.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. The Mask - I'm an introverted person, by my nature. I'm not comfortable talking out my problems with people, no matter what they are, or who I'm talking with. I've been working on this for years now, and I still find it nigh-impossible to drop the mask. I show people the calm, placid side of me, in an attempt to keep them from worrying, and as a result I eat myself alive.
02. Worry - In those moments where I do manage to let some information about me slip, what people do see is a bundle of nerves. As often as not I'm worried about, or for, someone else, but I factor in, too. Is my sister going to find a job? What happens to my mother if her 401(k) dips again? Did I say something stupid just then? What do I do to fix it? How will the other person react if I try, and will I just make it worse? I've spent a minimal amount of time arguing in my life, because I am outwardly a relaxed person, but I argue with myself more than I do almost anything else internally. There comes a point where I want to just drop it, but then I'd start worrying about what happens now that I've dropped it.
03. Timidity - I don't like putting myself in a position where I can be singled out, unless I know it's very likely to go well. Because I spent so much time worrying, internally, I keep away from the center of attention, so as to minimize the number of things I have to worry about. As you can see from #2, it's a poor substitute for just getting over it, but doing so isn't so easy as identifying that it's a problem.
04. Complacence - Once I find a situation I'm comfortable in, I stay there. As before, why hazard the risk, and the worry that comes with it, when you can sit in your nice protected cubicle in the basement, under the stairs, where nobody comes to bother you, and do your assigned work? It's frustrating that I can't get rid of the nagging voice in the back of my head long enough to make that jump, but what can you do?
05. Rationalization - The capper on this complex is that I've made it into a self-sustaining circle, making it harder to overcome. I don't tell people because I don't want to burden them. Because I don't want to burden them, I stay out of situations that I might need help with. Because I stay out of situations I might need help with, I never expand my horizons beyond the comfortable. Because I never expand my horizons beyond the comfortable, I never get over the worry, and because I can never get over the worry, I don't tell people about it... so why tell people? Isn't it easier to sit back in your shell, and do what you've always done? That voice is seductive, dangerous, and leads to my bad side taking over the positive characteristics I've elaborated on.
Q13. What is your biggest fear?
I have no shortage of fears, and I'll be honest, that worries me. (There goes that cycle again.) However, my greatest fear is the fear of death, particularly suicide. Life is too precious, too important, to simply squander it foolishly. We know what we have to love, to enjoy, even to worry about, every day we're here. What comes when we're gone, we can have no idea, and to give up those great things we have, no matter how distant they seem at a given moment, is painful to me. I can't let it happen, and many of my worst fears are of losing people I care about, as a result.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower?
I'm quite capable of leading, in a situation where it is called for, but ships require more than just a captain to function. My natural inclination is to seek advice, consensus, and other lines of reasoning before making the best decision, and while that is valuable, in the end, the captain is most likely to face moments where they must act, the consent of the group be damned. A moment's hesitation could be the ship's last, and I feel the pull towards that moment too keenly to desire the center chair.
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers?
Most of my peers do not suffer from the overwhelming drive to work behind the scenes that I do. I work in one of the few positions in my department that do not require long hours of travel, a photographic memory for names and faces, and a comfort level with asking relative strangers to do something they very much do not wish to do, specifically hand over large sums of money to our institution. I admire their confidence, and their willingness to accept the likely rejection that comes with it.
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?
Beaming down without a communicator would be, in the words of Commander Spock, highly illogical. Beaming up to a passing ship, even if my own is unavailable, becomes much more complicated without a communicator on hand with which to hail them. It's also worth noting that the communicator functions as the universal translator, and would be invaluable for anyone without a concentration in theoretical xenolinguistics.
As for a phaser vs. a tricorder, the utility of a phaser is well known, both for defensive and constructive purposes, but a tricorder would be preferable. Anything a phaser can do can also be done using more primitive methods, both in terms of fashioning rudimentary forms of weaponry as well as creating shelters. A tricorder, meanwhile, can provide scans, means of interacting with computer devices, if such have been developed, record information, set up distress calls in the same manner as a communicator, and many other invaluable functions that cannot be easily replicated. I wouldn't want to go anywhere without my tricorder.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive.
By the letter of the law, the Prime Directive requires the complete non-intervention of Starfleet with protected civilizations. Primarily focused on non-intervention with pre-warp societies, it can also be invoked in the case of purely internal matters of non-member entities. The only known exception to the Prime Directive's rule of non-intervention is as a means of correcting for the intervention of non-Federation entities. (OOC: Yes, the Omega Directive comes into play as well, but I'm not a Captain, so I can't know about that yet.)
In spirit, the purpose of the Prime Directive is to ensure that Starfleet does not accidentally damage a culture, normally until the appropriate date of First Contact. As noted before, it can be used as a general non-intervention interdict. The Federation's ideals, and as a result, their reputation within the interstellar community, require this hands-off approach. Failing to uphold the Prime Directive could result in societies as a whole abandoning those very same ideals, making the universe a more hazardous, violent place. Having had some exposure to stories of the Mirror Universe, anything that puts the Federation at risk in that fashion must be prevented.
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?
I'll be honest, given the roles I expect would suit me best, I would either have to say Risa, for those moments when I wouldn't be shipboard as a psychiatrist (have to take shore leave somewhere, after all), or wherever I was needed, if I was to fill a diplomatic post. Earth will always be home, though, and I'll feel a strong pull back there whenever I'm away.
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KOBAYASHI MARU:
The following questions describe situations you may commonly find yourself in as a member of Starfleet. You will be read the scenario, and then given two options to choose from. You may expand upon the reasons for your choice, but you must indicate one of the two that you feel best describes your likely response to the situation provided.
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:
b. Say hi, then stick in some earphones for music or grab a PADD for some recreational reading. A lie-down sounds pretty good right now, or maybe a bit of time relaxing on the observation deck - it should be pretty quiet by this time, which will give you a chance to sort through the day’s events in your head.
Being an introvert, I'm naturally drawn to quiet time, where I can sort out my problems on my own. I'd be more likely to try and unwind by myself, so that when I do talk to my roommate, if I do, I have a better handle on events and don't end up rambling on about things that probably were relatively unimportant in the long run anyway.
Q20. You’ve intercepted what sounds like a pretty important transmission - you feel like the Captain needs to know. When you report, do you:
b. Give them the facts, but your interpretation and the way it fits into context is more important. The Captain wasn’t there, after all - the way you explain it could make all the difference.
The caveat, of course, is that they must have all the facts, along with the interpretation. I do have faith in my ability to analyze situations, and I would rather the Captain be aware of the reason why I feel it's important, so that there can be no misunderstanding as to the value of the message being passed along.
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:
b. Try to understand the perspectives of the people involved. They are the ones that will be influenced by the decision, and conflict is the least desirable outcome. Be certain to be tactful, even if some of the message is lost in the communication.
Empathy is critical in assessing a situation. Inflaming people's passions, and failing to give their viewpoints a proper hearing, will make them less likely to accept the results of the decision, and in the worst case scenario could lead to a mutiny, or other failure of leadership. The decision must be yours, if you have the power, but that decision must be supported by strong reasoning, and a good understanding of the motivations of the other actors.
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.
It's not that I want to be a procrastinator. I'm just not particularly efficient when working ahead. Pressure amplifies adrenaline, and the adrenaline rush gives you the capacity to excel. As information comes in, you can revise and reassess your situation, and the finished product can take into account last-second updates in a way a slower, more methodical pace cannot allow for.
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: