Captain Roshanara Rahman: Ensign's Wrap Up

[r.rahman]

((Ready Room, USS Veritas))

 
Rahman: I was reading over your bio and academy record earlier, Ensign. What was your most memorable class?
 
Kivik: ::Considering nir response for a moment:: Anthropology 114, Ma’am. Recognizing and Mitigating Cultural Assumptions.
 

The captain gave a gentle nod of her head back at the answer.

Rahman: Ah... and what made that one stick in your mind?
  
Kivik: With all due respect to my homeworld, Captain, our society’s understanding of our own people is largely predicated on deeply-entrenched systemic prejudice.
 

Parker: Which is unfortunate, since it is unfortunately one of the things which would keep you from Federation membership.

The new ensign nodded in return, and Roshanara thought briefly back to her own species, the Kriosians. She herself had been raised by adoptive human parents on Earth and was thus a Federation citizen. But "her people" were still living with their own prejudices, with empathic metamorphs like her segregated from the rest of society and treated as companions, playthings, and sometimes just status symbols for the wealthy and powerful. Her birth mother ironically ran the school that trained them, and once the two were reunited, she'd asked Roshanara to stay and help bring about change to Krios Prime.

To do so, though, would be a violation of the Prime Directive unless Roshanara was willing to resign her commission and go to Krios on her own. It was a choice she wasn't willing to make just yet.

 

Parker: But enough of that. Tell us what makes you excited, what brought you out here?
 
Kivik: I was fortunate enough to be raised in a family that valued the scientific method and to have mentors who encouraged me to look at the facts, rather than at what my government told me to believe. That perspective led me to the Federation and to the Academy. Discovering and overcoming misconceptions about the world around us is core to my identity as a Starfleet Science Officer.
 
Parker: Well said, Ensign. Well said.
 

The captain nodded at the sentiment of both.

Rahman: However your journey brought you here, I'm glad it did.

 
Kivik: ::Smiling:: Since you ask, the class field expeditions were also a real pleasure.
 

Parker: Those are always fun. Putting theories into practice. Which is how I almost destroyed the Tactical lab, but that’s another story…

The Ensign raised nir eyebrows before exchanging glances with Roshanara, who only chuckled slightly.

 

Rahman: Yes, the scientific process can be messy, isn't that right, Mr. Parker?
 
Kivik: I see.
  
Rahman: So what are your specializations, Ensign?

 
Kivik: Ah, yes. My background is in biology, ma’am, but I also trained as an ethnologist on J’naii before applying for Starfleet. There, I specialized in Anthropology & Archaeology.
 
Roshanara's smile widened a bit at the revelation. How very fortunate indeed as they prepared for their trip to investigate the Endeavour Five.

 
Kivik: I assure you, I have a well-rounded knowledge of theory and application of the broader sciences as well.
 
Rahman: I have no doubt. Well, you'll get to put all that classroom knowledge into practice soon enough. We'll be departing from Esperance aboard the runabout USS Baikal.

Parker: Response
 
Kivik: I appreciate the vote of confidence. Bringing me on this mission so quickly, that is.
 
Rahman: ::nod:: All right, we leave in two days. Take care of your check-ins with medical and security for your clearances until then. And if you have any questions, just let me know.

Parker: Response
 
Kivik: I’ll keep that in mind. ::To Rahman:: You can count on me, Captain... ::Turning to Parker:: Commander.
 
Rahman: Excellent. Welcome aboard, Ensign. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better and see you in action on this mission. Dismissed.

 

END

Captain Roshanara Rahman

Commanding Officer, USS Veritas

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