Each month we interview a First Officer of the fleet as part of our “First Officer in Focus” column to get to know them better and learn more about what their positions entail.
This month, we’re interviewing the First Officer of the starship the USS Gorkon Lt. Commander Samira Neathler, a human.
DeVeau: Would you mind going into more depth about your love of reading? What sort of books do you like to read? What’s your favourite?
Neathler: I’ve always had an interest in adventure stories. I remember as a kid, going to the local library. In one particular corner, there was a whole series about a group of children who had their share of adventures and mysteries. And with each visit, I brought one of those books home. Later, that changed to detective novels, thrillers, fantasy books and science fiction. Although the last kind were difficult to find in our small library.
Only last year or so, I finally started reading the Star Trek novels and because I like a change in genre, I’m rereading one of Robin Hobb’s trilogy in English this time.
My problem is, if I enjoy reading one book from a certain author, I want to read all the books they’ve written. And just like with most people, my list of books keeps growing and growing.
Has anything you’ve read (or perhaps even watched!) inspired anything about any of your characters and plots?
Even though Samira is based on a previous character I simmed for, I think I might have put a few trades in her that I’ve seen in a female lead in a show somewhere.
As for plots, I often have those moments when I think, hey this would be great to work out as a mission, but usually by the end of the show or book, it has slipped my terrible mind.
What are the differences between sims you’ve experienced in the past and SB118, and how do you think that contributes to its longevity?
If you mean other fleets versus SB118, it’s the whole experience of SB118. SB118 has a steady leadership with experienced commanding officers you can rely on, who know the hardship of leading a crew of over ten writers and keeping them interested. While in other fleets, anyone can lead their own ship within a matter of weeks, without knowing if they even will have other people to write with.
And it all starts with The Academy. It teaches old and new to simming what is expected from them and the format we use and if it’s not to their liking everyone can move on.
Everyone in SB118 knows the minimum requirement is three sims a week, and it’s exactly that rule, together with a strong staff, that keeps a sim/ship alive.
When did you decide to look toward taking a leadership position in the fleet?
I think I kinda rolled into it by joining the different OOC taskforces and teams. Ever since I have had internet, I’ve discovered that I’m always looking for things to do behind the scenes of the community that has my interest at that specific time. Maybe it is my way to figure out the ins and outs of a certain place. So in SB118, I joined several of the taskforces, and one thing led to the other.
You were recently made First Officer of the USS Gorkon. What are some of the challenges you have faced?
I’m still facing them, actually. After Samira became FO, she was immediately dropped into a mission. Now, I had some ideas for her and her role as FO during shore leave, but we all know how things go with the best laid-out plans. I guess I will have to try again next shore leave and see if I can accomplish them then.
And next to being FO, trying to keep up with the many excellent and fabulous writers on the ship and in the fleet is already a challenge on its own.
Where do you hope to see yourself five years from now?
I hope I’m still part of this wonderful community and that in five years’ time, I’ll know more about Samira as a character than I do now.
Thanks for your time, Lt. Commander Neathler!
You can read more about Lt. Commander Samira Neathler on the wiki.
