Fwd: New Applicant: Joe 7/5/2025

[Star Trek Borderlands]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rich <tel...@gmail.com>
Date: Sun., Jul. 6, 2025, 11:20 p.m.
Subject: New Applicant: Joe 7/5/2025
To: Star Trek Borderlands <startrekborde...@gmail.com>

TIMESTAMP:

7/5/2025 18:56:57

AFFILIATION:

Federation

DUTY STATION:

Engineering

RACE:

Human

WRITING SAMPLE:

Chief Petty Officer Smith stood a moment at the Admiral’s door before touching the notification bar. He heard the Admiral’s voice called out and he then hit the open button. He walked directly to a position in front of the Admiral’s desk and stood at attention.

“Good morning, Chief Smith. At ease. Please sit down,” said the Admiral in an almost friendly tone motioning to a chair off at angle to the Admiral’s beautiful desk.

Smith took the seat and waited. He had never actually met Admiral Tanaka, but he knew his reputation. He was a no-nonsense, by the book Admiral. Smith noted a data pad on the Admiral’s desk with Smith’s history on the main screen.

Admiral Tanaka looked Smith directly in the eyes, “Let me begin by saying how sorry I am for the loss of your wife. What happened above the Ba’Ku homeworld is a tragedy.” Admiral Tanaka pointed to the data pad, “Your report is clear and to the point, but you left out the most pivotal information. You stopped the Breen attacker.”

“I’m sure you understand that’s not exactly how it unfolded,” began Smith. “I would have died, but for my wife’s actions. Her actions gave me the time to get back in the fight, but, she died to give me that time. No disrespect, Sir, but, what difference does it make now. Ba’Ku is safe. We have shut down the Ba’Ku research facility and I’m about to retire.”

Admiral Tanaka took a deep breath, “About that . . . . . ”

Smith’s smooth brow wrinkled, “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“You’ve given thirty years of your life to the Federation and served with distinction,” began the Admiral. “I have your discharge prepared for you and I wouldn’t blame you if you took that option, but, I want to propose another option.”

Smith shifted uncomfortably in the plush chair, “What do you mean?”

“Have you looked in the mirror, lately Chief?” asked the Admiral. “The Ba’Ku were horrified at what took place in our orbital research facility. They knew that Breen attack was an attack on them. Before you lost consciousness you sounded the alarm. You were moments away from death when they found you. The best way to save you was to take you to the surface. Your injuries were so severe that you went into a coma, and when you woke up . . . . ” The Admiral motioned to Smith’s face. “You look twenty years old, Chief Smith. Biologically, you ARE twenty years old. Which brings me to that ‘other option’ I was talking about.”

“The Borg War took quite a toll on the Federation,” began the Admiral. “We put on a brave face and tell everyone that thing are just fine . . . but they aren’t. The Federation is in bad shape Smith, very bad. We didn’t just lose ships, with lost some of the finest officers I’ve ever met. So, we are expanding Starfleet Academy to fill the urgent need. I’d like you to apply to Starfleet Academy, which is my way of saying your application is already filled out on the same data pad as your retirement paperwork.”

Smith smiled, “Well, Admiral, let me begin by saying I am honored that you would even think of me as Starfleet Academy material. Having said that, during my thirty years of service there were other times when we were ‘short’ of officers. During one of those times, I was encouraged to apply and I did but when I took my physical, my IQ test came up short. I have done well over the years because I work harder than others, not because I’m smarter than others.”

Admiral Tanaka gave a small, almost noticeable head-bow, a carry-over of his Japanese culture, “I was told you speak, very, ‘directly’ and to the point.”

Smith wanted to ask, “Told by whom?” but the Admiral continued.

“Your physical’s IQ test did come in below our minimum score, but, this is not the first time the Federation has found itself in a situation like this,” said Tanaka. “In the past, we did the same thing we are doing now, . . . . We lowered our minimum requirements to fill a pressing need.”

“You want to pin Ensign bars on someone who doesn’t meet minimum requirements” asked Smith.

“I’ve read your file . . . ” said the Admiral dryly. You push yourself and those on your team to get the job done . . . . whatever that job is at the moment.”

Chief Smith thought for a moment. The truth was, he really didn’t have any real plans for his ‘retirement.’ Helen was the one who had made plans, beautiful plans, but he sure did not want to go to any of those places without her by his side. Perhaps the four years in the Academy would give him time to find some direction. Of course, there were the six years he would have to serve after that. Even so, he would fulfill his obligation about the time his body hit thirty.

The Admiral broke the silence, “I’m asking you to say, ‘Yes.’ I’ve read your file. I know you have served well for thirty years. I’m asking you to give us another ten.”

Chief Smith nodded, “Very well, Sir. Where do I sign?”

NAME:

Joe

EMAIL:

trekk...@gmail.com

EXPERIENCE:

YEARS ago . . . . beyond that, I'd rather not say

FEEDBACK:

Been looking around for a while, (since I retired) so just hoping you're actually out there.

HOW DID YOU FIND THIS APPLICATION?

Google

[Richard N]

Is anyone interesting in taking on this applicant?

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[Taeron tr'Ishal]

S'Task is. 

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[Richard N]

Reach out. He's good.

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[Doug Becktroyd]

okay square space it is

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[Taeron]

I sent him a welcome email this morning.

Drika

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-- 
=\/=========================
khre'Arrain Taeron tr'Ishal
Galae Diplomatic Corps
SES S'Task

Eredh A'Rhea t'Aryn
2nd year Cadet, Security
SES S'Task

khre'Riov Kaol tr'Erik 
CinC, 6th Swarm
CO, Visak'a Station
=========================\/=

[Taeron tr'Ishal]

My email bounced back, guys. 

Seems the email no longer exists.

Drika

[Richard N]

That;s too bad.