LtJG Gila Sadar - Diversity in Practice
Gila Sadar
((Counselor's Office - Deck 7, USS Artemis-A))
Jashkaa: Questioning orders doesn’t make you a bad person Gila.
This wasn’t the first, or even the fifth, time that Gila had been told something resembling the Orion Cousenlor’s sentiment. She’d have to be particularly obtuse if she hadn’t caught onto that by now, and yet, actually discarding the cultural imperative to always follow the unit leader’s decisions was a far more difficult task to adhere to than she’d anticipated.
Which was funny, considering what behavior landed her in this alien mess in the first place...
Sadar: So I’ve been told... I have to admit that that is as foreign a concept to me as violence itself.
Jashkaa: And so being told to enact violence is an anathema to an anathema ?
It was a vicious cycle. Either she disobeyed direct orders - something that would be a preposterous idea to any Mizarian, even her - or she committed violence - a crime so massive that she’d most certainly be socially excluded for life. No right answer if she was on Mizabeth, though, of course, such a dilemma would never occur on Mizabet in the first place.
And yet, out here, the dilemma seemed to present itself almost constantly.
Had she other choices, she’d think this was the fault of alien environs in which she found herself, and yet, this was her home now. Her last home. And so, the problem had to be with her. Again.
Sadar: Perhaps that is one of those areas where I need to learn how to, uhh, ‘bend’?
This caused the Counselor to smile, and a fearful tingling ran up Gila’s spine. As far as she was concerned, women like Commander Jashkaa smiling was never a good sign for her.
Jashkaa: Perhaps it is, Gila.
Okay, that was admittedly not so damning a response.
Sadar: … Don’t exactly know how I’d go about that.
The Orion grew quiet, apparently giving serious thought to what suggestion to offer Gila. Hopefully one more helpful than ‘just do it’.
Jashkaa: Perhaps the next time you receive an order that you do not agree with wholeheartedly, why not suggest a different solution?
Gila considered that. It was, as a matter of fact, not too outrageous. She’d even attempted something to that effect once… The memory of her Captain’s glare on the bridge was almost enough to make Gila pale with nauseous panic, but she repressed it.
She’d worked through this, she convinced herself half-heartedly.
Sadar: ... I suppose that’s not too alien an idea. B-But, I don’t have as much experience as my senior officers-
Her attempt at shooting the idea down - subconscious or no - was interrupted by the Counselor.
Jashkaa: There’s a reason you’re in Starfleet, there’s a reason everyone is here - to offer diverse opinions. That’s your strength - your unique perspective. Remind yourself of it sometimes, before reminding others of it also.
oO I want this ship to be a place where all my officers, but especially the senior staff, to be able to voice their opinions and objections when they have them, without fear of retribution. Oo
The ghost of the Captain’s voice flittered into her tympani, and Gila blinked, processing the dual message her brain worked through, before nodding. Diversity... Perhaps the chiefest difference between her home culture and the culture she had been brought into with the Federation, and also - she believed - the Federation’s chiefest strength, even if it sometimes did not feel like it.
Diversity in practice was difficult. But, Gila considered, as she nodded to the Counselor seated across from her, perhaps the end result would be worth it.
Sadar: … I see. Thank you, Co- uhh… Thank you… I’ll do my best.
End Scene for Gila Sadar
LtJG Gila Sadar
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1