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 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 Lt. Commander Toxin Arlill, a male Bolian/Tellarite hybrid and the Chief of Operations on the USS Octavia E. Butler, to share their experience.
Marsh: First, enlighten us. 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?
Arlill: In character, the biggest difference is definitely the level of responsibility. As a Lower Decker, you’re focused on learning and executing tasks. Now, I’m responsible for making sure entire systems and departments run smoothly. While I sometimes miss the simplicity of just following orders, the satisfaction of leading a team and seeing our collective achievements is incredibly rewarding.
Out of character, I find it both rewarding and taxing. While I enjoyed having fewer responsibilities as a lower decker, there’s a deep satisfaction that comes from leading others and helping everyone succeed.
Now that you’ve got some experience under your belt, how would you say that your writing style and your approach to simming have changed? Do you still rely on your mentor, or have you moved into being a mentor yourself?
My writing has become more focused on the bigger picture. While I still enjoy the personal moments, I now find myself thinking about how my character’s actions affect the entire department and ship. I’ve recently started mentoring junior officers myself, which has been a wonderful way to give back to the community that helped me grow.
Toxin is an Operations Officer. Tell us what it’s like writing for that position. What do you do to help your writing feel genuine and lore accurate? Do you have any specific advice you can share with other members who may be writing an Operations Officer?
Operations is all about resource management and problem-solving. If Engineering is like the ship’s heart, pumping power through the vessel, then Operations is the circulatory system – we ensure resources flow efficiently throughout the ship. Whether it’s coordinating power distribution with Engineering, managing cargo logistics like a digestive system processing supplies, or handling crew assignments like oxygen being distributed to cells, we keep everything running smoothly. My advice would be to always think about the bigger picture – how each decision affects the entire ship’s ecosystem.
How have you found the transition of becoming a department Chief? What sort of added responsibility does that come with? How has it impacted Toxin in character?
In character, the transition to Chief has been both challenging and rewarding. Beyond just managing operations, I’m now responsible for developing my team members and coordinating with other department heads. It’s pushed me to become more diplomatic and strategic in my approach to problems.
Being a team lead has pushed me to think more strategically about how multiple characters can work together to solve problems. I find myself naturally planning scenes that involve coordinating different crew members and their unique skills, which has made my simming more collaborative and dynamic.
Finally, what steps did you take to achieve the rank you’re at now and what are your career plans for Lt. Commander Arlill moving forward?
In character, consistent dedication to improvement, both in technical skills and leadership abilities, has been key to my advancement. I’ve found that supporting crew initiatives and encouraging innovative thinking has created a more dynamic department. Looking forward, I’m focused on further developing my department’s efficiency, building stronger interdepartmental relationships, and nurturing the next generation of Operations officers. While command may be in the future, right now I’m committed to excellence in Operations.
Out of character, I’ve found great satisfaction in supporting the ship’s operations beyond just writing. This includes helping compile fleet reports, maintaining our wiki documentation, and mentoring new members. These behind-the-scenes contributions have been just as rewarding as the in-character writing, as they help keep our community running smoothly and welcoming to newcomers.
Thanks for your time, Lt. Commander Toxin Arlill!You can read more about Lt. Commander Toxin Arlill on the wiki.
