Lt Jg Karen Stendhal - Twinkling stars up in the sky

[KRN STDL]

(( 8-Forward, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Karen watched her colleague with a mix of fondness and a professional eye. She kept seeing stars everywhere! It was like she was adding exclamation points to everything she saw with stars.
Karen took a bite of the Blossom Tempura. It tasted and looked right, but it just wasn't the same as the ones her mom used to make back on Betazed. There's something about homemade Blossom Tempura, with that casual, fried look, that a replicator just can't capture.

Stendhal: Now, this is optional, but highly recommended. It won't really affect your role or your promotion. It's a psychological evaluation questionnaire for your new role as mission specialist. (a smile)

Nijal: An (beat) evaluation?

Stendhal: Don't worry, it's 6 sections only.

USS Octavia E. Butler. Counselor Karen Stendhal.
Questionnaire for a Mission Specialist Psychological Evaluation
Note: This questionnaire is designed to assess the psychological suitability of an individual for the Mission Specialist role.

Nijal: (faintly) I can't believe such a thing exists.

Stendhal: (Smiling) oO You can count on it. I'm preparing one for each department! Oo
Karen gazed at Nijal while she was reading it.

Section 1: Personal Beliefs and Values

1) Philosophy of Exploration: How do you view the exploration of space? Do you see it as a duty, an adventure, or a scientific endeavor?

2) Ethics and Morality: What are your core ethical principles? How do you navigate moral dilemmas, especially in situations where the needs of the many may conflict with the needs of the few?

3) Belief in the Unknown: Are you comfortable with the unknown? How do you handle uncertainty and the possibility of encountering the unexpected?

Nijal: Should I...? (indicating the pencil and miming writing)

Stendhal: Yes, of course, you can start whenever you're ready!
Karen replied, sipping her non-alcoholic beer. It was little more than sparkling water, really, but it did have a fairly distinct bitter aftertaste.

Nijal: Do you want to hear what I have so far?

Stendhal:  Absolutely! I can't wait! (smile) By all the stars in the universe!

Nijal: Okay. (beat) I think of exploration as an adventure more than anything else. My people haven't traditionally been the most adventurous, at least outside the we're-coming-to-conquer-you sense. (wan smile) I've been trying to change that, to show that a Cardassian can live up to Starfleet ideals. And that's a large part of the principles I think are most important, too. That biology is not destiny. I'm Cardassian, and that's who I am and where I'm from, and I still choose to be a Starfleet officer. And I think sometimes (beat; slightly embarrassed) of what others would do in my place. Captain Worf, or Captain Nog -- the first of their species in Starfleet, and what they'd do -- not as a Klingon or a Ferengi, but as someone with the pressure to be the first on them. And the future -- that's the biggest unknown, isn't it? I mean, I've always thought that my eventual goal was to be the first Cardassian captain in Starfleet. But (slowly, thoughtful) I don't only want to be that. I want to be the sort of person who challenges herself to do that, and succeeds or maybe fails, but does her best. I don't know. Does any of this make sense to you?
 
Karen jotted down some notes on her PADD, wrinkled her nose, and continued to take notes.

Stendhal: You have a good self-awareness, you are very good in articulating your thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
(taking more notes) Ambition, you have a good point when you say that you want to be the first cardassian captain. Very well in aspiring to achieve significant milestones within Starfleet.
(taking more notes) Adaptability, very good to adapt to new challenges and the desire to change the perception of Cardassians within Starfleet. oO Is very good indeed.Oo
Areas for Growth: Self-doubt, Fear of Failure, Need for Validation. We'll need to address these points. Don't worry, these feelings are quite common after a promotion. Even Vulcans can experience self-doubt sometimes, they are just good at hiding it.

Nijal: Response.

Stendhal: Very well. If you're ready, we can continue with the questionnaire now.

Nijal: Response.

Karen dug through her papers, found the sheet she wanted, and passed it over to Nijal.

Section 2: Interpersonal Skills
1) Leadership: Do you consider yourself a leader? In what situations do you naturally take charge?
2) Teamwork: How do you work in a team setting? What are your strengths and weaknesses when collaborating with others?
3) Conflict Resolution: How do you handle disagreements and conflicts with others? Do you prefer confrontation or diplomacy?
4) Empathy: How empathetic are you? Can you understand and relate to the perspectives of others, even those who are vastly different from you?

Nijal: Response.


Tags! and TBC!

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Lt Jg Karen Trisha Stendhal
Counselor  
USS Octavia E Butler

ID: C239604KS0
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https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Karen_Stendhal