A Scientist's Mind
Posted on Sun Jul 6th, 2025 @ 4:06pm by Rear Admiral Timothy Rice & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Brigadier General Francis 'Judge' Sobel
Edited on on Sun Jul 6th, 2025 @ 5:00pm
2,437 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
The Amalgamation Interrogation
Location: Wardroom 1 - Habitat Ring Deck 11 - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD001 1500 hrs
Francis sat slouched for the moment. The way Tempest was going, slouching was about the only vice he had left. He'd dumped the swamp water called tea an hour ago and was making do with ice water.
Which might have been his wife's plan all along.
The Brigadier pondered that tactical ploy from his wife and surmised she was decidedly underhanded.
Looking at the flimsy summary in front of him, Francis remarked "Science department head aboard the Pioneer. Should give us a good impression of how the Fleet leaders are reacting to Tremble and be the most analytical and organized thought process we've had."
"I would agree. Commander Maren is a brilliant analytical mind. She was also instrumental in creating an arboretum aboard the Pioneer. Something she did with the XO's assistance and blessing. With any luck this interview should prove to be fruitful." Tim was not sure what would come when they were done with these interviews. However, he was pretty sure that there would be no separating this crew any more. He would breach this subject with the General at the end of the days proceedings.
Alyssa walked into the room and stood at attention. "Admiral, General, Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren reporting as ordered." It was the most formal she got, but the occasion dictated it.
"Thank you for joining us, Commander," Francis said, looking the science officer over. "Your record proceeds you and the Commodore only has good things to say about you. As you were notified, these interviews are to get direct impressions on the experiment putting FMC officers into traditional Fleet officer roles. There are obviously differing opinions all up and down the scale. Some believe it takes command opportunities away from deserving fleet officers. Others are a mind that it will breach a gap between the Fleet and Corp. Some commands feel this gap more than others."
Pausing to sip from his water, Francis finished, "So, we'd like your analysis, as a Department Head of the Pioneer, of how effective Colonel Tremble has been in doing a job he wasn't really trained to do."
"Are any of us truly trained for that role?" Alyssa asked. "I'm a scientist. Most of my training is academic. I have more field experience than most in Starfleet, but it's not the same. Many of us learn as we go. Colonel Tremble is a good example of that. I've seen how he works with the department heads, and I've seen him in a leadership role. I trust him and I'd follow him."
Tim was a little quicker than he would have liked to have been to jump on the end of her statement. "But of the reports of his gruffness with others. I do not mean to pass judgement on my colleague here or on anyone in the Corps. But, it is a fact that Marines are used to a more forceful hand than Fleet Officers."
Alyssa chuckled. "You haven't worked on an archaeological site with some of the professors I know." Then she grew serious. "I doubt you'll consider that an answer, though. Yes, they are. Colonel Tremble may be gruff, but he's quick to respond to danger and he doesn't overreact." She paused. "As a scientist, I work with exact measurements and readings. I can't afford to make approximations or take short cuts. My scientists know that and know I expect them to follow proper protocols. I don't expect sloppiness from my superiors, either.
Alyssa wasn't sure why they were asking these questions, but she sensed that there was something specific behind them. Or someone specific. "There are times when the strongest alloys are those that combine two different elements. Commander Malbrooke and Colonel Tremble are like that. They are both dedicated to their jobs. They both believe in adherence to regulations. But they aren't the same. They bring different things to command. Different styles and different strengths. But it is those very differences that make them a strong team because they both have the same core belief in why we're out here. Tremble may be gruff, but he cares, and he expects those under him to be prepared. I respect that, and I respect the command team." She almost wanted to show them a venn diagram, but didn't think it appropriate.
Sobel mentally checked through another agenda item and said, "Not all personalities gel. I'm glad to hear Neil and Tyler are making Pioneer work and the keep morale seemingly high. How's Neil's ship handling? Those are skills that were completely foreign to him and one of the concerns the Admiralty brought up. Fleet officers in the Command branch learn their whole careers to work a starship. Neil, not so much."
"I did my last bridge training with him," Alyssa replied. "Even then I didn't see any lack of ability on his part. He always seems in control. He's also available to the crew if they need to talk. So, I'd say he's doing well." She almost wished they'd come right out and ask what they wanted to know. Her feeling that there was more to this was like at itch at the base of her skull.
It was Rice's turn to speak up. "It is not his ability that is in question here. It is perhaps his style, or the style of others. Something you may not know about is Commodore Malbrooke's report on the Colonel's performance during the traditional Kobyashi Maru test. It seemed that the Colonel did not succeed in the test. This is not an issue as most do not succeed. However, the reason may shock you. Colonel Tremble chose to keep the Pioneer on the correct side of the Neutral Zone and allowed the Kobayashi Maru to be destroyed. Acceptable losses was the reason given. This is different from the line of thought that fleet officers train their entire lives for. How do you and the rest of the Pioneer's Senior Staff take to this command style?"
"Why does it matter? Lives are going to be lost either way, admiral. From what you said, he clearly made a choice and stood by it. Everyone knows they'll fail that test. So, why not try something different just to see what happens?" Alyssa paused, not at all comfortable with the way the admiral was phrasing his questions. It was as if he was trying to get an answer to justify what he already wanted to do. "I was trapped in a pocket universe with Colonel Tremble and most of the senior staff. I saw how he handled a stressful situation and I have no doubt of his leadership ability." Then she paused as an idea came to her. "Does that mean Colonel Tremble won the Kobayashi Maru?"
"But do you think he sees you as his crewmates and not pure resources to be used to their best." Francis asked, moving another flimsy to one side. "Not with Vulcan logic, but out of pure adherence to an order given." Smirking slightly, he said, "Given Tyler's propensity to shape the rules as he see's fit at times, it was one of the reasons Neil was given the nod for second chair. As we all know however, an XO can take on the reins of command suddenly. How do you think the crew would react to Neil being in Command for an expended period? How would you, as a department head think Neil would do?"
"I believe I already answered that question, general. Commodore Malbrooke and Colonel Tremble make a good team. They come at problems from different perspectives, which benefits everyone. As a scientist I appreciate that approach. I don't want someone who says yes to everything I suggest. I want other ideas and other options. Those are the people I value most--as long as we can come up with a workable solution. The command team on the Pioneer does that. And, just in case I wasn't clear, yes, I believe Neil Tremble would do a good job, even if he wouldn't want to be in the position for long."
"Commander Maren, you have not completely answered the General's question. The main point in play here is how the two divisions look at those under their command. Marines have a history of using things such as acceptable losses, and expendability. In that overall view death is acceptable so long as the mission is accomplished, and the greater good achieved. Starfleet on the other hand does not look at anything in that way. As you are no doubt aware Starfleet officers are responsible for the actions of those under their command. As such they typically protect those under their command ensuring minimal injury or loss of life. What we are asking here is your opinion of the Colonel's outlook. Does Cornelius Tremble view his crew as commodities or as a family of sorts? Yes, I understand that this question is subjective, but, that is the point. To get your subjective opinion." Rice went to take a sip of his coffee and found the dregs. A grimace crossed his face and he signalled one of the NCOs to freshen his cup.
Alyssa felt less pressure when she had to defend her thesis, but she remailed outwardly calm. "Colonel Tremble does not see any of the crew as expendable, admiral. I haven't seen him exhibit any indication he feels that way in any of my dealings with him. Not when I first came on board and asked to create a vertical garden, not when the science team was kidnapped and used as guinea pigs, not when the senior staff was kidnapped and sent to a pocket universe. I've heard the people in my department talk about Commodore Malbrooke and Colonel Tremble. None of them feel that they are expendable."
Alyssa turned her attention to the general. "In fact, Colonel Tremble follows another Marine Corps motto: leave no one behind."
Francis waived away the steward, having barely touched the tea in his cup. "To answer your question about the Kobayashi Maru: there's been some argument. From the Fleet point of view, Neil failed. He failed to engage a Mayday request, which breaks a trust that goes back to the days of sail on earth and other planets with similar histories. And absolutely as far back as Federation and Starfleet customs go." Musing a moment, he said, "When I talked to Neil about it, he said that he of course had that in the back of his mind. He chose the diplomatic course in following the Needs of the Many. He wasn't wrong persea, but the the eyes of some fleet officers, he didn't want to risk his Command and didn't know how to fight a ship."
"Which is what they expect of a mud marine," Francis stated. "That's just one of the questioning in all of this we're looking to try and answer. That and, of course: Does the experiment continue to a point where any of those officers participating get actual command of a ship someday? If not, is there a point to continuing it if it's going to result in officers that the corp has put a lot of time and effort into training get their careers stunted. One of the reasons Neil got tapped for the project is because he fast tracked through the Pioneer."
Sighing slightly, he said, "As good an officer and leader as he is, the Corp views him as expendable." Francis pursed his lips at that and his eyes unfocused as his thoughts led him momentarily elsewhere.
"But the same goes for Starfleet personnel," Alyssa replied, more thoughtful. "Is the lesson that you have a duty to respond to all Maydays, risk your ship and crew to help everyone who asks, or is the lesson that everyone fails and you have to learn to deal with failure or you'll never be a good leader? You can't help everyone, no matter how much you may want to. You can't save everyone. Sometimes, you have to weigh the odds and decide if the cause is worth the risk."
She paused for a moment, then decided to continue. "In the case of Neil Tremble, you tried an experiment by mixing a Starfleet captain with a Marine first officer. In this instance, it worked far better than expected. But now, you're questioning your entire premise. I think you should look at the micro and not the macro. To those of us who live and work on the Pioneer, it works well. No, not everyone will be happy with it, but you won't find that anywhere you have this many people living and working together."
"I think the question is simple." At least it was to Alyssa. "Are you going to throw him out because you didn't get the results you wanted, or because Fleet doesn't like mixing the streams, or are you going to admit that, in this instance, the experiment is working far better than expected and allow it to continue--even if it's only on the Pioneer?"
Admiral Rice smiled broadly. For the first time in these proceedings it seemed that someone had broken through his gruff exterior. "We are not at liberty to discuss that at this time Commander. However, I will say this you certainly have given us some food for thought. I have nothing further for you. Save to thank you for your time." He motioned toward Francis. "If my colleague here has nothing further you are dismissed."
"Thank you, admiral. I'll be happy to file a formal letter of recommendation to Starfleet for their foresight in putting a Marine in general and Colonel Tremble in particular in the position of first officer on a starship. I think this experiment may lead to better cooperation and integration between us and will foster better understanding. As a scientist, I think this was a successful experiment and encourage you to repeat it for further verification."
Sobel shuffled flimsies, causing four of them to evaporate from his pile. "Thank you Commander Maren. We can use all the help we can get," Francis smiled.
A Joint Post By
Rear Admiral Timothy Rice
Sector Commanding Officer, Trivas Sector
Empok Nor
Brigadier General Francis Sobel
Commanding Officer, 258th Starfleet Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Empok Nor
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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