From Liz ;) Subject: Omega's using Bridge Officer Status to woe to girls December 4, 1999 Now I jump in with two feet in my mouth . . . >>Katrina asked about Athena's duties as pilot >Michele answered: >From a purely theoretical standpoint, she probably *would* have been utilized as a pilot when necessary. Perhaps in a reserve squadron. After all, her bridge skills/experience are also important, so she's probably needed to be on the bridge more than, say, going on patrols. I think a lot of the fanfic writers certainly keep her pilot status active.< Hmmm, I think it's a mistake to preserve her pilot status. NOT because Athena would be a bad pilot, per se, but because I think her experience on the bridge would be more important given the shortage of qualified personnel. OK granted, when we see Athena, she's acting as interstellar telephone operator (the headset was the dead giveaway) even if she wasn't very good at it (I mean, c'mon, no one thought to check the *merchant* codes when CORA began transmitting during TLP and everyone is scratching their heads to decode the message?) But I digress . . . The fact is, they are in uncharted space, which means the bridge people might be engaging in cartography (ala Lewis n' Clark); cataloging the space phenomina of the week ((TM) to Star Trek); listening for potential enemies or other forms of Life Out There; serving as the communication center for vipers on patrol or even between ships in the fleet, dealing with the endless reams of bureaucracy that come with any military organization . . . My bet, in fact, is that the bridge would actually have a *harder* time attracting recruits. I mean, let's face it, Omega's job may be safer than being a Viper pilot, but it certainly isn't as glamorous. EVERYONE wants to be the hero. No one wants to be the guy who mops the blood off the walls when the hero is done. Think of the current staffing shortage in hospitals. We have an overabundance of doctors, but not enough nurses. I mean, a being surgeon sounds a whole lot more glamorous than being a nurse, yet without a competent nursing staff, no doctor could actually do his or her job. Another strike against working the bridge? It's not going to get you the chicks (or the beefcake if you're Athena). Picture the following the conversation: Omega (to cute girl and her female companion next to him at the bar): Hi. Cute girl (chripily as her female companion rolls her eyes): Hi! I noticed your uniform. Which branch of service is that? Omega (puffing up chest): The Colonial Service. CG: Ohhhh! What a dangerous job! You must be very brave! Omega (shrugging nonchalantly): Well, someone has to do it . . . Starbuck (walking up behind Omega, slapping him on the back): Omega ol' buddy, I don't know how you do it. That was quite a feat you pulled off earlier today. Omega (wilting): Oh. Hi, Starbuck. CG (really interested now): What did he do? Starbuck (all grins): I was on patrol trying to communicate with the bridge and I wasn't getting any answer. All I got was dead air. Not even static. So, here I am screaming into the mike, 'Hello! Hello! Anyone there? If I don't get an answer, I'm going to assume that terrorists have taken over the bridge again and will blow it to smitherines.' Nothing. Not a rise. I mean, for a bit there, I thought terrorists really *had* taken over the bridge." CG: Wow! So what happened? Starbuck: Well, turns out it was a software incompatibility. (Turns to Omega) You *really* gotta talk to the contractor about that. I mean, I know we're in a constant state of emergency, but that's no excuse for shoddy programming. (Back to CG) It was my good luck the Omega was in his customary spot on the bridge because he overheard Athena muttering about my twisted sense of humor, came over to see what was happening, and sussed the situation right away. CG (deflated): The bridge? Starbuck: Yep. Within a microns he pulled the new program off-line and had my communications running through a terminal that still had the old set-up. Crisis averted and bridge remains intact. Way to go Omega! Omega (muttering): All in a day's work and all that . . . Starbuck: Yeah. Well, better you than me. I tell ya, I'd rather deal with a straightforward ol' patrols any centar than have to deal with all the nitpicky stuff you do on the bridge. Dealing with Tigh all day, now that's *real* courage under fire. Omega (as Starbuck walks away): The lieutenant. Great guy . . . CG (losing interest): He's cute. Omega (deflating): He's taken. CG (getting off barstool to walk away): Too bad. (As she leaves, Omega turns to CG's female companion and shrugs) Female companion: Hey, aren't you the dork that does the "We need you" commercials? Eeeek. I'm definiately going to go lie down now. Liz ;) (Who may be thinking about her last *really* bad date. The one that made her vow to give up dating . . . ) -------- Oooh, beware, female companion, lest you earn the deadly and eternal wrath of S.O.O.T.H.! (This threat brought to you courtesy of Supporters Of Omega The Hunk. We now return you to your regularly scheduled listing.) -- Sharon :-)