Personal Log: Vertrauen
Posted on January 27th, 2022 by Rike Herschel

Henrike Herschel, Personal Log. Stardate 12201.27…

“I did it without so much as a second thought or nervous hand shake. The command just went into my ears and my fingers flew across that console faster than warp speed. I don’t know if it is because the situation overall was not as stressful as the war-ridden months were, or if I have grown more comfortable in my position on the bridge. Either way, it is a good thing my actions were quick today. I’m not sure what would have happened if I fumbled. The important thing is, I didn’t. If I was in this situation when I first was stationed on this ship, I certainly would have. I was not comfortable in my position. I felt forced on the bridge, awkward at that science console in the middle of all the action.

Not going to lie, I always felt more comfortable in the science labs- still do. I very much enjoy working with the ensigns, seeing what talents and knowledge bud and grow from their young minds, and I can’t wait to see where they take that talent and knowledge in the future. I have a handful of ensigns I particularly commend, mostly for having the patience for putting up with my frantic bullshit when we discover the new and unknown. Discovery is the reason I joined Starfleet, after all. Wissensdurst, it’s called. A burning desire for new knowledge, with an archive of never-ending questions. Even though I have been at this for four years now, that desire for knowledge and exploration has not even dwindled a bit.

Anyway, I am glad that I was practically forced to the bridge despite my initial hesitation. I would like to believe that watching the senior officers work up close and show trust in my work has boosted my own confidence in my abilities. Though I do have certain hesitations and stress to work out in private with the councilor, I have no doubt I will continue to improve my technical abilities and calculation in situations that may arise on the bridge. I hope that the Commander and Captain have seen this work for the past couple of months. Oh! Computer- remind me to send Commander Wright the experiment updates in the morning. The Phedarus JT5 plant cross-fertilization experiment from Ensign Votnuhn-Nuraux has gone quite wonderfully and I’m proud of their initiative! Can’t wait to see what comes out of this!”