Carol Marcus, Intelligent Scientist

Some people are just too smart for their own good. Carol Marcus was a brilliant scientist, and a significant influence on many well-known leaders, including James T. Kirk. Carol likely knew Kirk better than anyone, having birthed his son, David. She also knew their lives moved in different directions, so she raised David primarily on her own. Her devotion to science never wavered, though, and she instilled this trait in the Young Scientist. Together, they developed a project called Genesis.

Carol's skills are what you may expect for a renowned scientist, but a double portion of any skill (Exobiology for Carol) is always something of note. Carol helps overcome dilemmas like Berserk Changeling, but it's her game text that increases the likelihood this Non-Aligned personnel may appear in many deck designs. Her Cunning is increased by each card your opponent has in his or her hand. The mechanics of the Play and Draw Cards phase of a turn typically leave cards in your opponents' hands, but growing reliance on interrupts that can be used in any deck (such as Escape and Warp Speed Transfer) help ensure that your opponent will have at least some cards to help boost Carol's Cunning. While the increase is limited to plus five, this game text is clearly one of Carol's best attributes. She also carries a Past icon, enabling use of Temporal Delineation and a host of other cards that require it.

Her skills, printed attributes, and Past icon may justify adding Carol Marcus to any deck, but it is her game text that draws extraordinary attention. Be wary not to include Carol in a deck if your dilemma pile includes The Dreamer and the Dream, however, because its purpose conflicts with Carol's. This seems fitting, because when a smart person like Carol starts to dream, she dreams on a Genesis scale and that can be very dangerous!