Captain Roshanara Rahman: Build-a-Bot

[r.rahman]

((Captain's Ready Room, USS Veritas))

Rahman: I see... well, maybe a better question then first is: what have you enjoyed most about your job thus far? What would you want to do more of?

Vanlith: Well I loved making BAXTER and the Spiders that we were working on. But those haven't really been linked to any missions so much as in my free time. Although despite the pressure that came from trying to stabilise the Veritas as it was in orbit of Hecate I really enjoyed running engineering. It was full on and constant and required skills I knew I had but didn't know I had at the same time.

Rahman: And is there anything about your time on Veritas that you haven't enjoyed as much? An aspect of your duties you've found particular challenging or unsatisfying?

Vanlith: That time I had to fly. Never again. Seriously never.

Roshanara nodded as she considered everything that the young lieutenant had told her.

Vanlith: Honestly it was the single most terrifying moment of my life.

Rahman: I understand.

Vanlith: I guess I don't know what kind of picture this creates in regards to my future at all.

Rahman: Well, believe it or not, from where I sit, your future looks quite promising.

Vanlith: Response

Rahman: First, I want to let you in on a little secret: it's okay to have your doubts. *Everyone* has them, and I *mean* everyone. If someone says they don't ever have any doubts, then they don't really know what they're doing. Because here's the thing about "imposter syndrome:" imposters don't get it. Those who actually are working hard and achieving things are the ones who will have those doubts because they care so much about the work they're doing and aren't sure if they're really where they're supposed to be at times.

The captain interlocked her fingers for a moment and looked back at the engineer in front of her.

Rahman: But that's why others around them including their captains and department chiefs can let them know that they're doing a good job. And you *are* doing a good job, Charlena.

Vanlith: Response

Rahman: I'm glad you mentioned BAXTER and the robotic animals you've been working on. I think that might actually be a perfect project for you to work on during this time while you wait for your next long-term assignment.

Vanlith: Response

Rahman: As a graduate of the Daystrom Institute, I still have a number of contacts. I could get you in touch with their robotics department... I'm sure they'd love to have you join them to collaborate on your work.

Vanlith: Response

The captain smiled as she thought of her own time at Daystrom.

Rahman: I learned a lot, not just about my work but also on how to develop my interpersonal skills. No matter what you do after Veritas, I think the skills you'd learn there would come in handy. What do you think?

Vanlith: Response

TAG! TBC...

Captain Roshanara Rahman
Commanding Officer, USS Veritas
I238705TZ0