Ushaump Shal/Joan Basilone
| USS Gorkon | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Joan Basilone | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Science | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Civilian | |||||||||||||||||||
| Species | Human/Haliian | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gender | Female | |||||||||||||||||||
| DOB | 237304.01 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Age | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Birthplace | Lolagi IV | |||||||||||||||||||
| Writer ID | G239603JB0 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Ensign Joan Alice Basilone was a false identy of Ushaump Shal, which he used to pose as an science officer aboard the USS Gorkon.
The following information is a record of this false identity and not accurate as to Shal's true biography.
Appearance and Characteristics |
- Height: 160 cm (5'3")
- Weight: 48 kg (106 lbs)
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Dark brown
- Build: Slender, athletic, yet still femininely curved.
- Hair type and length: Long straight hair that reaches past her shoulders.
- Skin tone: Smooth olive skin
- Telepathic/Empathic Rating: T0/E0|NR
- Handedness: Right
- Sexuality: Because of her Pomare Syndrome, Joan once considered herself "functionally asexual." However, recent events have made her begun reconsidering her own self-designation. She is still, however, unsure how to define her own sexuality.
About |
Temperament
Prior to entering the Academy, Joan was self-assured to the point of (occasionally) being cocky. That being said, a rough third semester in her first year at the Academy gave her pause, and even made her consider dropping out. By the time she graduated, she was back to being self-assured. Even so, Joan is often hesitant to put herself forward among strangers. If required to do so, however, she will be very forthcoming with her opinion.
For the most part, Joan is an optimistic young woman, confident in those areas she considers part of her bailiwick. She won't (or tries not to) represent herself as knowledgeable in areas she feels she has no training or aptitude in. This confidence and optimism, however, has recently been shaken in a situation where she felt her "psychic nullness" was actually a hindrance in her ability to perform her duties. Combined with recent academic successes at a civilian research facilities on Deluvia IV, along with her continued self-doubt about her abilities as a Starfleet officer, Joan decided to resign her Starfleet commission.
Medical
Joan suffers from Pomare Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder occurring among the female children of a Human and Haliian bonding, where the father is human and the mother is Haliian. To date, Pomare Syndrome has only been detected among the Haliian/Human hybrid population of Lolagi IV. Individuals with Pomare syndrome display the following characteristics:
- Diminished height
- Smooth forehead (most children of Human/Haliian bondings display the forehead ridges of their Haliian parent)
- Inability to mentally connect with telepaths
Joan was once mistaken for a holographic figure by a Betazoid classmate during a holodeck exercise. Joan's family takes extra care to insure Joan does not feel isolated from the rest of the family due to her condition.
Likes
- Tepache -- a drink made with fermented pineapple. On Earth, it's sweetened with brown or cane sugar, and seasoned with cinnamon. Though Lolagi IV grows its own pineapples (brought by the original settlers), a native root is used for the sweetener, while the zest of a local citrus fruit provides a cinnamon-like taste to the beverage.
- Busa busa -- Often referred to as the 'national dish' of Lolagi IV, the dish consists of pasta and the meat of the native purple crab, along with the oil of a native fruit, the spring leaves of the same fruit tree, and different spices. The restaurant that Joan's parents own and run is famous for its Busa busa.
- Creole Jambalaya -- One of the few recipes not from her home world that Joan is comfortable cooking
- Surfer Bands and other 'pop' groups from Earth's mid-twentieth centuries -- Joan's "guilty pleasure." Although her knowledge of these genres are hardly encyclopedic, there are certain groups she loves to listen to in private. Her favorite songs are "Lady Lynda", "God Only Knows" and "Don't Worry Baby" by the Beach Boys and "A Lover's Concerto" by the Toys." Another favorite of Joan's from this time period is "Didn't I" by The Delfonics.
- Flambé dishes and flaming drinks -- Another of Joan's 'guilty pleasures,' Joan's ambition is to have a multicourse meal where all the dishes, including the drinks, are lit on fire at some point of their presentation
- Pyrotechnics -- Prefers spectacular lights shows, though, rather than loud noises
- Sergei Rachmaninoff -- Joan's best friend at the Academy, Aleksandra Yashkin, introduced Joan to this Russian composer, who shares the same birthday as Joan.
Dislikes/Fears
- Joan has an aversion to realistic holodeck novels. The exercise programs she has to duplicate sports from her home world, such as surfing or mountain biking, are deliberately made incomplete (holodeck competitors are made to look like wire framed figures, etc.). This is due in part to having been mistaken for a holographic figure, and also due to an embarrassing situation where she walked into a fellow cadet's holodeck program where a holographic representation of Joan was the central figure of the holodeck adventure.
- Because of her condition, Joan feels uncomfortable in the presence of telepaths, until she gets to know them better.
- Joan dislikes flirting, either directed at her, or in her presence, and, if possible, will try to remove herself from the vicinity of such behavior.
Sports and Hobbies
- Surfing, especially kiteboarding ("It's what I do. I surf and I know things.")
- Adventure racing
- Epa'ani (Epa'ani is a sport descended from Australian rules football, though it is more strenuous and hazardous to its players than the sport it is derived from. Epa'ani players are noted for their large size. In addition, unlike Australian rules football, Epa'ani allows some limited passing besides the hand ball. A desperation pass under these rules is often referred to as an "Alohaʻo Maria." Joan enjoys it strictly as a spectator sport).
- Parrises Squares ("If you're too small for Epa'ani, Parrises Squares is a decent substitute.")
- Mu Torere
- Limalama (although adept at this Polynesian mixed martial arts form, the primary reason Joan studied this was because she wanted to learn the Maulu'ulu dance, and the only instructors were members of the local Limalama martial arts school. Unfortunately, Joan was less than adept at learning how to dance.)
- Despite having a singing voice that is "so horrible that it's comedic" (as her friend Aleksandra has described it), under the right circumstances, Joan can be convinced to sing Karaoke.
- Cooking (having grown up in a chef's family, Joan is a more than acceptable chef, though she doesn't have the flair for innovation that her parents do. She much prefers sticking to the recipes she knows)
Favorite Books
- Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
- Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott Abbott
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman
- Napohaku Waleno by Flora Vait (The most famous writer Lolagi IV has produced is Flora Vait. Her book, Napohaku Waleno, a reimagining of the stories, legends and myths of Earth's Pacific and Indian Oceans, is considered a children's classic.)
Family |
Parents
- Thomas Allen Basilone (father, b. 233509.24)
- Shiamma Rath Basilone (mother, b. 233805.01)
Joan's father and mother are licensed purple crab trappers, as well as the chef/owners of Momona Opiopio, a popular seafood restaurant
Siblings
- Morris Howard Basilone (brother, b. 236502.02)
- Lawrence Joseph Basilone (brother, b. 236502.02)
- Jerome Lester Basilone (brother, b. 236607.04)
- Samuel Horace Basilone (brother, b. 236607.04)
Joan's four brothers, all of whom are more than two meters tall, play for the Bayasur Total, an Epa'ani club, where they are collectively known as The Four Horsemen.
Relationships |
Ensign Aleksandra Yashkin -- Aleksandra was Joan's best friend at the Academy, as well as her roommate during their plebe year. For the rest of their time at the Academy, the two would share adjacent quarters. This led to the practice of referring to each other as 'suitemates,' a title that would be extended to other friends. While at the Academy, Joan would tutor Aleksandra in her more advanced mathematics classes. After graduation, Aleksandra was assigned as an Engineering officer to the USS Njörðr. She was also one of the collective guardians, along with a number of other lower decks officers, of a puppy named Toto. After escaping the destruction of the Njörðr, Aleksandra would give custody of Toto to the Gorkon's CMO, Lieutenant Genkos Adea. Aleksandra and Genkos would also become "friends with benefits."
Ensign T'Lina -- An Academy friend and 'suitemate' of Joan's, T'Lina is currently an Operations officer on the USS Yarahla. T'Lina tutored Joan in her 'Elementary Vulcan' language class.
Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn "Jo" Marshall -- The Executive Officer of the USS Gorkon, Joan credits The Commander (as Joan refers to her inside her head) with getting Joan and two other officers off of the disabled USS Njörðr alive. Joan has a certain amount of hero worship directed toward The Commander.
Lieutenant JG Brianna Wilson -- While she was a fourth year cadet, Brianna served as an unofficial mentor to Joan during Joan's plebe year, and was especially important in helping Joan get through the third semester of her plebe year. Brianna's nickname for Joan was "Cadet Surfer Girl." Brianna was also the one who introduced Joan (as a joke) to the 'surfer bands' of Earth's mid-twentieth century. Brianna currently serves as a Nurse on the USS Yarahla
Dr. William Bell, PhD -- Dr. Bell was a visiting professor at the University of Adhyapanaya while Joan was there earning her degree in mathematics. He currently runs a research facility on Deluvia IV. In addition, he is an avid surfer. Impressed with her contributions at another Deluvian research facility, Dr. Bell has offered Joan a research position at his North Ridge Research Station. In addition, Joan would be able to pursue advanced degrees while pursuing her own research projects at the research station. Joan has chosen to take Dr. Bell up on his offer.
Chomyi "George' Areto -- A graduate student at Dr. Bell's research facility, she and Joan share a burgeoning friendship. Areto is currently finishing up her thesis project at the Deluvian research station, in order to receive a doctorate in computer programming from the Daystrom Institute of Technology on Mars. Besides working on her thesis project, Areto also does all the odd jobs at the research station that do not fall neatly into the assigned duties of the other research station personnel. Areto has recently informed Joan she would like to pursue a romantic relationship with her. Although Joan has decided to remain on Deluvia IV, she is still unsure what type of relationship she wishes to have with Areto.
Counselor Corliss Fortune -- Although Joan has stated she has no use for Counselors, Ensign Fortune was someone Joan felt comfortable using as a "sounding board."
Background |
Lolagi IV
Joan was born and raised on Lolagi IV, one of the earliest human colonies, predating the founding of the Federation. Thanks to its three moons, which limits the planetary tilt, along with a near perfect circular orbit in the optimal zone around a yellow dwarf sun, Lolagi IV enjoys mild seasons, with a climate reminiscent of Earth's Oceania. Lolagi IV has similar water coverage as Earth, though its land masses are smaller, as are its polar caps.
Despite her English name, Joan's physical features are similar to those of the original settlers of Lolagi IV, who were mostly from islands in Earth's Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Besides its human colonists, Lolagi IV also hosts a dolphin population, who migrated to the planet along with the original human colonists. There is also a sizable community of Haliians, who migrated to the planet approximately a hundred years ago. Numerous intermarriages have occurred between the Human and Haliian communities, including Joan's parents.
The native language of Lolagi IV is Federation Standard, though there are numerous "loan words" from the languages of the original settlers interspersed in native dialogue. One such phrase is "Hananāhana," which can be translated as "Thank Heavens," "Providence provides," or "Saints be praised," among other interpretations. Another word is 'keff', which is a verb with various meanings attributed to it, though none suitable for use in polite company.
A common hand gesture among natives of Lolagi IV is the clutching of the fist while extending both the thumb and the pinky. This can be variously interpreted as "Everthing is good", or "Everything is okay," but also is meant to include the wish that everything is well with the person to whom the hand gesture is directed.
One of the delicacies of Lolagi IV is the purple crab, which is very similar to Earth's brown crab (Cancer pagurus), save for its coloring. The purple crab is carefully regulated, though, and only licensed individuals are allowed to trap for them.
One of the species native to Lolagi IV is the oddapaski (literally, 'odd bird'), a flightless bird known for its often erratic behavior.
Nanalu Mamalu is a week long planetary festival that occurs every two and a half to three years, when Lolagi IV's three moons align so as to produce the highest waves.
Childhood
- Began learning to surf at the age of six
- Read "Napohaku Waleno" at the age of ten
- Watched the John Wayne movie "The Cowboys" at age eleven
Teen Years
- At the age of thirteen, Joan spent two months at an Honors Science camp. During this time, Joan and some of her camp mates went on a VERY chaperoned trip to Risa. Among the sites visited were Risa's subterranean gardens, in which all the plants were luminescent. The camp was also the first time Joan had ever used a transporter beam.
- Audited "An Introduction to Observational Physical Oceanography," a class taught by Dr. William Bell at the University of Adhyapanaya, when she was 15
- On her seventeenth birthday, Joan qualified to participate in the Osofaiga, an expedition length adventure race in which the participants traverse a rugged two hundred and fifty kilometer course using various means of transportation, including running, climbing, swimming, mountain biking and kayaking. Joan finished seventh in a field of fifty.
Academic History |
- Graduated from the University of Adhyapanaya (on her home world of Lolagi IV) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Mathematics while simultaneously graduating from her high school. Joan's math degree meant she could waive her MATH101 requirement at the Academy.
- Majored in Science at Starfleet Academy, specializing in Physics and Oceanography
- Against her guidance counselor's advice, Joan originally sought a minor in intelligence. While she excelled in SIGINT Collection/Jamming and Crypto-analysis, she recognized the error of her ways two weeks into Espionage 1 and voluntarily withdrew from that class. Joan subsequently changed her minor to Engineering (Programming)
- Joan's favorite elective class at the Academy (outside of her major/minor) was Starfleet History
- Joan's instructor at the Academy for History of Ethics was Commander Stonn, a Vulcan
(See also: Joan Basilone's Academy Transcript)
Service History |
| Service History | ||||
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| Insignia | Rank | Dates | Posting | Assignment |
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Cadet First Class | 239603.05 | Graduated Starfleet Academy | Science Officer |
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Ensign | 239603.05 - 239604.16 | USS Gorkon | Science Officer |
Awards & Service Ribbons |
- For award descriptions, see: Awards and Service Ribbons
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SIM Archive |
- If you kill one, more will follow - (239603.18 While the rest of the group goes through the decontamination chamber, Joan kills a crab, not knowing it's definitely not the last of its kind.)
- What doesn't kill you is just getting started - (239603.19 Somehow Lieutenant Commander Marshall, Lieutenant Adea, Ensign Tis and Joan survive a hull breach, a horde of giant killer crabs, sentient poisonous gas and malfunctioning artificial gravity)
- If everyone had an ocean - (239603.29 Joan runs across an old professor who shows her the best place to surf on Deluvia IV)
- Should I stay or should I go now? - (239603.31 While touring a research station on Deluvia IV, Joan ponders her future)
NPC Listing · USS Gorkon Crew Manifest · Crew History
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