Somewhere in between lower decks and high ranks lies a mysterious land, full of Lieutenants and Lieutenant Commanders. They make up the backbone of the Fleet, leading departments, joining task forces, and giving Lower Deckers a hard time. However, they have been overlooked by interviews recently and don’t often get the credit they deserve. This new series Rising Through the Ranks aims to change that!
These interviews will focus on the journey, growth and character development that happens as Lower Decks is left behind but Command is not quite in sight yet. We will also be taking this opportunity to find out what it’s like to write for particular duty posts, lead a department, write without the training wheels of mentorship, and make plans for career advancement.
Today we’ve asked Lieutenant Commander Luxa Lorana, a female Caitian and the acting Chief Science Officer (CSO) of the USS Ronin to share their experience.
Nilsen: For those who don’t know you, why don’t you introduce yourself and your character? Any funny stories you like to share? Or hobbies?
Lorana: I’m Liv, and I hail from the western coasts of Scotland! I’ve been a member of the fleet since April 2023, so I’m coming up to my second anniversary since I started writing Luxa Lorana. And what a journey it’s been; I started on the amazing Artemis, and transferred over to the Ronin when it launched where I’ve been ever since.
I like to think my life is one big joke! Seriously though I’m quite a simple gal. My hobbies tend to revolve around reading, writing, and practising digital art on occasion.
As well as Trek, and science fiction in general, I’m a bit of a politics nerd, and really enjoy a good debate from time to time.
Let’s look back at your time as an ensign, you were first posted to the USS Artemis-A and then to the USS Ronin where you remain. Tell me about that jump. What was your experience?
It wasn’t something that I did lightly. I loved being an Artie and enjoyed writing with that crew so much. When the announcement and call-out came for the Ronin launch, I toyed with the idea for several days.
What made me eventually decide to transfer was the opportunity to be part of a launch crew from the very beginning. It really worked for where Luxa’s character was at that point; she was gaining in confidence and finding her footing within Starfleet as an officer after those initial months on the Artemis. So the appeal was to see her grow in confidence, and track that journey with the launch and growth of a new crew pulled together from the fleet. It’s been incredibly satisfying and continues to be, for me as a writer.
From there, you’ve climbed up the ranks and are now LT Cmdr. What are the biggest differences between being a Lower Decker and being higher in the rank structure? How does it change things both in and out of character? Do you miss anything about being a lower-decker?
In some ways,it’s a hard question to answer. Due to the way this fleet is structured and how promotions are granted, it feels very organic so the differences in each rank have always felt very natural.
I think the main difference, at least for me, is being able to guide newer characters and writers as Luxa through difficult moments and the trauma that we love to inflict upon our poor unfortunate crews.
With a higher rank comes with it, in character, a sense of responsibility and you have to write a more competent example of a Starfleet officer than you would as a lower decker. Not always, mistakes are fun but for the most part, you have to be an example for the lower ranks.
Out of character, the biggest shift is the additional responsibilities I got to take on, such as mentoring and becoming a Ronin ship staff member. I’ve always been a little bit of a busybody, as Keegan (Hopper) told me very early on. So picking up extra duties such as mentoring and most recently the training academy was something I relished and thoroughly enjoyed.
Lorana is now acting chief science officer. Tell us what it’s like writing for that position. What do you do to help your writing feel genuine and more accurate? Do you have any specific advice you can share with other members who may be writing
It’s only been a few weeks now but it’s a position that she’s coming to terms with slowly. As much as Luxa is written with confidence, she does question herself and her ability to lead others, which is an interesting thing to write.
Writing for an intelligent, curious science officer is a challenge. I’m not a scientist in real life, so my Google search capabilities have vastly improved and my ability to make things sound smart when I don’t have a clue what they mean!
Although I do try and draw on my real-life experiences to create a full, well-rounded character with the addition of her being a Caitian – so her world viewpoint is completely done via the lens of being a felinoid, which can be fun and incredibly frustrating at the same time.
The advice I’d give anyone who is writing a science officer would be to relax. No one is marking your scientific theory, as long as it’s fun and sounds like it fits then everyone is going to roll with it. Writing a science officer is the most fun, so enjoy it!
How have you found the transition of becoming a department Chief? What sort of added responsibility does that come with?
It’s been okay, I always had a good relationship IC and OOC with our former, temporarily on leave, Chief of Science Alieth. So Luxa has almost been in training for the role since the Ronin launched.
The additional responsibilities definitely come with guiding ensigns, we have a lovely ensign Science officer on the Ronin, and it’s been incredibly rewarding seeing the relationship develop between her and Luxa. Especially after a particularly traumatising mission that saw them in Bajoran bodies, attempting to survive the destruction of an ancient city.
What guidance would you give Ens Lorana both in and out of character if you could speak to them?
Lorana: I’d tell her to chill out a little, and enjoy the journey. In fact I’d probably need to remind myself of that from time to time even now!
Finally, what’s next for you both in and out of character? Any ambitions?
Next, I’m just as I said before enjoying the journey.
I do see Luxa eventually becoming first officer when the time and opportunity presents itself and from there who knows!
Thanks for your time, Lieutenant Commander Luxa Lorana!
You can read more about Lieutenant Commander Luxa Lorana on the wiki.
