Submitted by Telak on Mon, 09/18/2006 - 22:00
(2) • Boothby, GroundskeeperFederation "You did what you had to do. You did what you thought best. I just made sure that you listened to yourself." Characteristics: Card logging info: Logged by openCards team at Jan 1st, 2008. |  |
of Human species.
Anthropology This Card-Review article was written by and was published first on "none".
Dear Diary,
The year started as most years start: new uniforms in the latest styles, polished shoes, exotic haircuts to show off to friends, and the hottest model Trapper-Keeper PADDs latinum can buy. They're all so eager, so young. And they always think they're ready for anything – ready to graduate; ready to move into comfy Ensign roles on starships; ready to settle down and start families. Some of them are eager for command, yet few know the challenges they will face out there, let alone the challenges they will face within themselves. We were all put to the test today as a team of zealous cadets, Nova Squadron, ended the year with a bang – literally. Led by Nicholas Locarno, Nova Squadron tried to ignite their plasma trail in a blazing display at graduation, and the result was tragedy for everyone. A promising cadet, Joshua Albert, was killed during the attempt, and then Nova Squadron shamefully tried to cover it up. Though he eventually told the truth, even Wesley Crusher initially lied about the accident. Wesley will spend another year here thinking about the honor he has lost, and searching even more deeply for the man within. It will not be an easy year for him. Imagine what they could have done, the missions they could have completed together...
Why couldn't they just Practice Orbital Maneuvers instead of trying to show off? Nova Squadron could have easily completed this mission, especially with their propensity to attack mission requirements as dilemmas to be overcome. They'd be in a very different situation right now if only they knew the discipline that comes with experience. Like Riley Shepard, Seth Matthews, and the other cadets in Red Squad, they could have gone on to help Federation forces achieve almost anything instead of the tragedy Starfleet Academy faced today. As is so often the case, what makes them strong also exposes them to risk. They need help and guidance. I guess that's where I come in. I envy them their youthful energy, but they have a lot to learn about life. My experiences can help these people, so I must guide them. Many think I'm just the groundskeeper, but this is my real purpose - it's what I do.
The situation reminds me so much of Arik Soong and the tragedy of his "children." Like these cadets, genetically enhanced personnel are strong and smart, but they face different challenges. Genetically enhanced personnel sometimes lack the wisdom that comes from experience, or the social graces to function in our limited universe, but they hold so much untapped potential. Others have tried to harness the brilliance of these so-called mutants, but to no avail. If someone could only combine the skills of genetically enhanced personnel like Patrick, Jack, and Sarina with the eagerness of the cadets, they could achieve anything. One officer (an eager cadet himself in his youth) visited today who could lead them, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. It was good to see him again. It's amazing to see the leader he has become – a far stretch from the arrogant cadet who lost a bar brawl with a Nausicaan thug. He could rally these cadets and genetically enhanced personnel, mold them; he could make them more than what (and who) they would be left to themselves. Ah...silly ramblings of an old man who can't even keep kids out of his flower beds. Jean-Luc will never leave his flagship. Still, get these eager cadets and genetically enhanced personnel aboard a ship like the Valiant with Jean-Luc or even Tim Watters, and just sit back and watch.
They could do great things, like Aid Clone Colonies, or provide Medical Relief. They're so smart, I bet a team of them could use a Quantum Slipstream Drive on the Valiant and do it all in one turn, even if they had to Traverse Ion Storms to get there. Of course the strong ones always have strong wills and strong opinions, too. That's why they need guidance. With a little help, though, they'd be ready to make history, just like Zefram Cochrane. Still, who am I but a groundskeeper? The politics of rank will not hear my voice, but those who dare To Boldly Go may find this diary some day. Then we will know.
The year started as most years start: new uniforms in the latest styles, polished shoes, exotic haircuts to show off to friends, and the hottest model Trapper-Keeper PADDs latinum can buy. They're all so eager, so young. And they always think they're ready for anything – ready to graduate; ready to move into comfy Ensign roles on starships; ready to settle down and start families. Some of them are eager for command, yet few know the challenges they will face out there, let alone the challenges they will face within themselves. We were all put to the test today as a team of zealous cadets, Nova Squadron, ended the year with a bang – literally. Led by Nicholas Locarno, Nova Squadron tried to ignite their plasma trail in a blazing display at graduation, and the result was tragedy for everyone. A promising cadet, Joshua Albert, was killed during the attempt, and then Nova Squadron shamefully tried to cover it up. Though he eventually told the truth, even Wesley Crusher initially lied about the accident. Wesley will spend another year here thinking about the honor he has lost, and searching even more deeply for the man within. It will not be an easy year for him. Imagine what they could have done, the missions they could have completed together...
Why couldn't they just Practice Orbital Maneuvers instead of trying to show off? Nova Squadron could have easily completed this mission, especially with their propensity to attack mission requirements as dilemmas to be overcome. They'd be in a very different situation right now if only they knew the discipline that comes with experience. Like Riley Shepard, Seth Matthews, and the other cadets in Red Squad, they could have gone on to help Federation forces achieve almost anything instead of the tragedy Starfleet Academy faced today. As is so often the case, what makes them strong also exposes them to risk. They need help and guidance. I guess that's where I come in. I envy them their youthful energy, but they have a lot to learn about life. My experiences can help these people, so I must guide them. Many think I'm just the groundskeeper, but this is my real purpose - it's what I do.
The situation reminds me so much of Arik Soong and the tragedy of his "children." Like these cadets, genetically enhanced personnel are strong and smart, but they face different challenges. Genetically enhanced personnel sometimes lack the wisdom that comes from experience, or the social graces to function in our limited universe, but they hold so much untapped potential. Others have tried to harness the brilliance of these so-called mutants, but to no avail. If someone could only combine the skills of genetically enhanced personnel like Patrick, Jack, and Sarina with the eagerness of the cadets, they could achieve anything. One officer (an eager cadet himself in his youth) visited today who could lead them, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. It was good to see him again. It's amazing to see the leader he has become – a far stretch from the arrogant cadet who lost a bar brawl with a Nausicaan thug. He could rally these cadets and genetically enhanced personnel, mold them; he could make them more than what (and who) they would be left to themselves. Ah...silly ramblings of an old man who can't even keep kids out of his flower beds. Jean-Luc will never leave his flagship. Still, get these eager cadets and genetically enhanced personnel aboard a ship like the Valiant with Jean-Luc or even Tim Watters, and just sit back and watch.
They could do great things, like Aid Clone Colonies, or provide Medical Relief. They're so smart, I bet a team of them could use a Quantum Slipstream Drive on the Valiant and do it all in one turn, even if they had to Traverse Ion Storms to get there. Of course the strong ones always have strong wills and strong opinions, too. That's why they need guidance. With a little help, though, they'd be ready to make history, just like Zefram Cochrane. Still, who am I but a groundskeeper? The politics of rank will not hear my voice, but those who dare To Boldly Go may find this diary some day. Then we will know.
