Reporter Issue 16

Reporter Issue #16
Issue Number: 16 Issue Date: 237412.20 Editor: Fleet Captain Elinor of Kanist Reporter Archive Index

Submissions are welcome. Please submit by the 19th of each month to Fleet Captain Elinor.

Captains, please submit plot outlines for your ships by the 17th of each month.

FROM STARBASE 118

**STARFLEET SECURITY GENERAL COMMUNIQUE**

-This communication has been released for public viewing by Admiral Tolen, Starfleet Security.

In Regards To The Captain And Crew Of The USS FREEDOM-A:

As of stardate 237411.20, the Captain and Crew of the USS Freedom-A are wanted in regards to several possible violations of Starfleet Regulations.

If any of these officers are spotted, the public is asked to contact Starfleet Security immediately so that they may be brought in for questioning.

These officers were last seen spread throughout several cities on Earth. Though not considered dangerous, they may be armed and should be not be approached by the general public.

Signed - Admiral Tolen, Starfleet Security, Planet Earth

**END OF GENERAL COMMUNIQUE**

PROMOTIONS

Congratulations to the following officers for their promotions.

• Cory Corundum, USS Centris, Lieutenant

CURRENT SIM PLOTS

STAR BASE 118

none submitted

USS CENTRIS

After completing an advanced training exercise, we left Star Base 118 on a routine charting mission in the Beta Quadrant. The second system we are charting, System Beta 278-XII9 has generated some interest. Several small vessels have appeared around one of three class M planets, all previously thought to be uninhabited. We are currently exploring this situation.

USS FREEDOM-A

Please see above.

USS RANGER -A

The Ranger is due to come off hiatus within the week.

INTERVIEW

This month I am interviewing Lieutenant Skyfire, a Vulcan/Terran Chief Security officer onboard Star Base 118.

Why did you choose a career in StarFleet?

Well, at the risk of sounding cliche, I have always wanted to see the world. While it is fine and well to study the universe from our many esteemed research institutions and facilities, I still think it is much better, much more 'intimate', shall we say, to actually go and see all these things for myself. But although interstellar travel has become quite common for some time now, it is still not something that most people will want to, or can afford to, do on a regular basis. So, as I reasoned at the time, what better way to have someone actually pay for you to see the universe, while advancing one's career, than to join Star Fleet? Beside, my mother, begin a Vulcan, always thought I lacked a certain discipline, and was more than glad to send me to Star Fleet. "To keep me out of trouble" were the words she used.

I remember it was on a bright but chilly winter day, a group of us engaging in outdoor exercises, when my teachers came and told us the recruiters were on our campus. Not being as disciplined back then, I practically jumped at the opportunity, and ran straight to the lecture hall where a presentation was being given about life in Star Fleet. My fellow students did not think much of me than, as I always let my emotional side show through rather easily.

The presenter was one Lieutenant Commander Modoon, a Vulcan. And when what chance did I have if even a Vulcan can make a career in Star Fleet sound interesting? Interesting in a very logical way, of course. I was majoring in law enforcement at the time, and after talking to him extensively after the presentation, I was sure the Lieutenant Commander noticed my 'bubbling' enthusiasm and helped me filling out and sending in my applications. Before long, I was accepted into the Academy, and the rest, as the Earth saying goes, is history.

And your training in law enforcement, is that what motivated you to become a security officer?

Most certainly. As I mentioned before, I found myself lacking in discipline. Having grown up thinking that, the imposition of discipline, and order, became an obsession when I was with the Academy. Naturally, I paid the most attention to those courses which taught me to do just that, over myself or others. Of course, the Vulcan part of my upbringing, wanting everything to be organized and in their proper places, had a great deal to do with it as well.

What has been your greatest challenge so far?

One may think my greatest challenge so far was a particular event or situation, but it was not. I have been lucky in that I got to serve with some fine officers since I was posted to the Star Base, and I have hardly ever felt hopeless in any situation that befell the station.

At the risk of sounding cliche, I will have to say it has been the effort to rein in my emotional and impulsive side, as it is detrimental to finding a solution to the situation at hand. A thinking mind is likely to be more equipped to deal with most of the crisis I encounter. Often, the role of a security officer is not so much to play soldier as to be diplomatic in a potentially explosive situation. As many great tacticians and strategists have taught us, the best victory is won by avoiding the conflict altogether.

I can not say I have been completely successful in being impartial and objective in all the situations I came across in my role as a security officer, and I can distinctly remember a few times when reasons were thrown to the wind and the irrational mind took over. I still do that sometimes.

It sounds like you are seeing security as an avenue to command, or diplomacy. Do you have ambitions in that direction?

I would be dishonest if I said I harbor no ambition towards command, but I am not entirely sure about diplomacy. Command is about authority, loyalty, and obedience. In short, order. Something us security officers believe in strongly. And I like the concept itself, and the implementation of it. Therefore, yes, I am looking forward to entering the ranks of command one day. Diplomacy, however, I am none too fond of, as it involves the massaging of too many egos. I am a strong believer in a meritocratic system, you see. I therefore see being diplomatic while on duty as a necessity, not something I prefer.

Thank you for your time in giving this interview, Lieutenant. And good luck on your Commander's examinations.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Any book compilers out there, the Admiral has all former Star Base 118 sims collated and would like someone to transform it into book format. Contact him if you are interested.

END NOTES

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