Each month, we interview a captain or first officer of the fleet to gain more insight on what it takes to command a ship and learn more about how each of these staff members found their way into these roles.
This month, we’re interviewing the Commanding Officer of the starship USS Astraeus, Fleet Captain Mei’konda Delano, a Caitian.
DeVeau: In a previous interview, you stated you’re a massage therapist. Would you mind telling us a bit more about that, how it helps people, and how you got into that field?
Delano: Of course. In the late nineties, I was looking into entering the tech field after high school, but a few things were working against me. I lived in Maine in the USA, an area not exactly booming with technology, and it was when the first generation of dotcom startups were all going under. It contributed to an almost complete lack of jobs.
I got frustrated, and decided to look into what I thought was the complete opposite of the IT field. I went to an open house at a Massage school, decided I liked it, and twenty-odd years later, here I am.
Most of my work is medical massage, helping people with chronic pain and in recovery from more acute incidents, such as car collisions.
Star Trek has been a big part of life since you were seven. Would you mind sharing about some moments in Trek that have particularly resonated with you, and why?
Delano: So many to pick from! The Next Generation is always going to be the most nostalgic series for me, as it ran from when I was seven to fourteen. As a child, I didn’t understand or care too much about anything other than that these were people in colorful uniforms who got to fly around on a space ship, and there was even a boy who wasn’t much older than me who got to sit at the helm!
As I got older, I began to be able to understand more and more of the complexities, and the action heavy episodes that first drew me in became less interesting than the deep character moments and the galactic politics. TNG’s ‘The First Duty’ is one that has been in my head lately, due to the beautiful way in which it added flaws to a previously largely perfect character, and how it portrayed the importance of truth.
You’ve experienced command under a couple of different COs. How would you say they influenced you for your own command?
Delano: My first Captain was Tony / Lia Rouiancet aboard the USS Mercury, and after several years I began to serve under Rich / Rivi Vataix. Tony’s personality was part of why I was drawn into 118 in the first place. He was energetic, eager, welcoming, and delighted in teaching us newer members about how the game worked. He played a big part in selling me on this group of wonderful people!
Rich and I had served together under Tony, and when he was given his first command, he recruited me to be his First Officer aboard the USS Veritas. He immediately made me feel like his out of character equal and collaborator rather than a subordinate, and we grew into a pretty great team, if I do say so myself. I learned a lot of my command style from him and I try to treat my own staff the same way, as peers instead of people who are junior to me. Feeling like equals who are all helping to run a story together is a lot more fun for me.
As a commanding officer, you have to deal with a lot of situations that come up. How do you handle difficult situations?
Delano: It really depends on the individual situation. Given that they all have to do with my players, I always try to approach each situation with empathy. If someone is having trouble meeting simming numbers, or their formatting needs work, or they’re having issues getting along with some of their fellow players, I want to know why that is and what I can do to help, not try to insist on an immediate solution.
What are some of the most memorable moments from the last year on the Astreaus?
Delano: Our fleet blockbuster last year, covering the events of Star Trek: Picard Season 3, was exciting and intense. There was a uniqueness that brought its own pleasures and problems that we’ll probably never experience again, given that I can’t imagine too many scenarios in which our game takes place in the same year as an episode of a TV show that we want to be a part of.
It also saw the relaunch of the USS Chin’toka under my own previous First Officer, Commander Serala. It’s the first time an officer who was once one of mine has grown into Captaincy, and it’s a great thing to see.
What are some goals you and your crew have for the next year?
Delano: Along that same vein, my current First Officer, Lael Rosek-Skyfire, is about to begin her Commander’s practical, a requirement for Lieutenant Commanders hoping to be promoted to full Commander during which time they run the ship themselves for a mission. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does with it! Beyond that, we’ll be expanding through our campaign region, the Par’tha Expanse, and likely doing some collaboration missions with the Chin’toka.
Thanks for your time, Captain Delano!
Delano: Thank you!
You can read more about Captain Mei’konda Delano on the wiki.
