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Tachyon

Interview

“Interview”

Anastasia Poldara and Captain Seiben

Stardate 9401.17

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Anastasia approached Captain Seiben's office. Memories of Jupiter Station confronted her as she went up to the slate blue door and pressed the chime. Here we go, she thought. Teeth? Check. Hair? Check. Right. You can do this. She tugged nervously at her uniform and waited.

 

Captain Seiben once again looked up from his PADD. He checked his schedule. “Ahh, that's right. Come in please,” he called out to the person at the door.

 

The door opened, and Anastasia entered the office. "Lt. Poldara, reporting for my interview—sir," she said.

 

Seiben got up and approached the newcomer. “That's right. For the Chief Science spot. Thank you for coming in.”

 

“Um . . . you're welcome, sir.”

 

He extended his hand. “it's nice to meet you. I've heard lots of good things about you from Commander Asquith. I worked with her before. And she has a good mind. So, I've been looking forward to meeting with someone she recommends so highly.”

 

Anastasia took the hand and shook it, relieved to know that her captain was flesh and blood, and unlike some officers, actually had a personality that didn't say “Made in San Francisco” on it. “I've been looking forward to meeting you, sir.” Oh god I'm gushing. “I mean, I'm so overwhelmed,” she added. She felt relief eluding her once again.

 

Seiben smiled and nodded. From what he read from her bio, he kind of knew why. Lord knows, he remembers his first assignment. “I'd imagine as it was on such short of a notice. But I'm glad you can make it.”

 

“To tell you the truth, sir, I wasn't sure if I would. I've . . . adjusted to my life as it is now. But the Challenger seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” She wondered if you went to hell for overusing cliches.

 

“Technically, it could be true. But then, I don't have to tell you that,” replied Seiben vaguely. He rubbed his non-existent beard and racked his memory. “So, I assume your family supports your decision . . . and your husband?”

 

Anastasia nodded. “He's actually the one who pushed me to go. I wasn't sure—well—it's a big commitment. But it's one I'll have to make to satisfy my curiosity and see what's out there.”

 

Seiben nodded. “It definitely is a big commitment. And I feel for you, having to leave your family behind. I myself am leaving behind my wife and three kids, so I know what it's like having to miss out on everything,” the captain mused. “My 8-year-old daughter played a superb Juliet, but sadly I didn't get so see it.

 

“Anyway,” Seiben smiled, moving on, “do you feel that you can take on the role as Chief Science Officer? I noticed that you don't really have a lot of service experience. Do you feel that this may affect your performance in the long run?” he asked.

 

Uh-oh, thought Anastasia. He's on to me. Smiling, she said, “I've never served on a starship before, no. However, for the past three years, I've worked as a deputy department supervisor at the Asimov Centre for Cybernetics. I manage the day-to-day operations of one of our lead research terms.”

 

Seiben raised a brow and wrote some notes on his PADD. He looked at it, then back up to Anastasia. “Interesting. What did you typically do there?” he asked, mostly out of curiosity, as this wasn't one of the listed questions on his PADD.

 

“My team is working with positrons to see if we can create a lossless neural network. It could put artificial intelligence ahead by decades, if not centuries. A viable positronic brain would theoretically be capable of handling the data processing needed to mimic human behaviour—in short, sir, we're trying to build android brains.”

 

Seiben was impressed and made some more notations into his PADD. “My brother has told me a bit about that before. He's an admiral and a member of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. It could work.” The captain shrugged. “Who knows, 100 years from now, we could very well have androids in Starfleet.”

 

Anastasia bit her lip. “Perhaps. We aren't making much headway. Personally I'm more interested in quantum computing—although positrons would have applications there, which is why I'm involved with this project. But it will be a long time before we get any real results, unless we're gifted with another Einstein.”

 

Seiben shrugged. He tried to maintain a knowing professional demeanour, but it was difficult when a speaker is talking to you about a subject you have no clue about. “Quantum computing, eh? Might have the opportunity to do that on Challenger.” Referring to his PADD again, Seiben looked back at Anastasia. “Okay, and what qualities can you bring to the role of Chief Science Officer. No doubt serving as a supervisor in the Cybernetics Centre will help in delegating duties and supervising the science crew.”

 

“In addition to my cybernetics ability, I have a PhD. in astrophysics. I can chart and analyze stellar phemonena—anomalies, black holes, nebulae—and operate Starfleet-designed probes,” said Anastasia. But couldn't every science officer do that? And PhDs. weren't necessary—nice, yes, but that didn't mean she was qualified. She tried to think of something that set her apart from regular science officers. “I can do Holtzman field equations in my head,” she added. Then she cringed—too braggy? Oh! “I'm not a typical academic type—I also do athletics, that sort of thing. I won't always hide in the science lab like some scientists do, setting a bad name for us everywhere.”

 

Was it just him, or was there a sudden strong gust of wind blowing over his head. Maybe the air-conditioning unit is on too strong? Seiben mused. Or maybe it's nothing and all in his mind. “That . . . could be useful”—referring to the the equating of Holtzman fields in her head. “You're athletic too, eh? That's certainly a plus given the role, What sort of activities do you like to pursue?”

 

“I did anbo-jyutsu back at the Academy—I wasn't too good at it, but I could hold my own. Some running, basic martial arts. I tried baseball once, but I'm lousy at hitting. These days I mostly scuba dive—although I imagine that I won't have much opportunity for that in space.” At least, I hope not.

 

“Oh. great. Well, you never know. We could always visit an N-class world for exploration,” he smiled. He wrote some more into his PADD. “You know . . .” he said, as he continued to poke at the hand held device, “I'm a black-belt in judo myself, so it's nice to see other people pursuing in the martial arts.”

 

Anastasia shrugged. “I don't know if I'll ever be a black belt. It just seems slightly more civilized than wrestling. Men and tights . . .” she shuddered. “I prefer opera,” she added, thinking of ballet.

 

Seiben nodded. He liked listening to it too, on occasion. “Okay, great to hear. The ship computer already has a good database on operatic music, and you of course add your own . . . ahh, are there any questions about the ship or your assignments that you have at this time?”

 

“Oh, a thousand,” said Anastasia, “and likely a thousand more once I get to see the ship. But I don't really want the answers yet. I'm still trying to adjust to the idea that I might actually be serving on a starship.”

 

Seiben smiled knowingly. “That's fine by me. When you are ready, feel free to ask me. I'd also invite you to ask my XO . . . if I had one . . . but oh well.”

 

“Thank you, sir,” Anastasia said, sensing that the interview was coming to a close. She leaned over and offered her hand.

 

Seiben shook the extended hand. “No, thank you, Anastasia. From what I can see, I can tell that Commander Asquith was precisely correct in her praises about you, and I feel that you'll make for a great fit as Chief Science Officer on board the Challenger. So, if you're willing, then I'd like to formally offer you the position.”

 

There was a stunned silence as Anastasia's brain waited to catch up to her ears. “I—really—oh. Wow.” She didn't know what else to say. “Oh, um . . . thank you. Sir. I guess I'll get my things together and arrange for my tests and such. Wow.”

 

“Congratulations. All that's left I guess is to pass the physical training portion, but that's up to the medical staff. So, best of luck, on that and on the Challenger. We're glad to have you with us.”

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