Character Spotlight: Lt. Commander Jessica Vaii

Posted on Thu Sep 17th, 2020 @ 9:53am by Elisha Pryce-Randal [ADMIN NPC] Ms

Mission: Character Spotlight
Location: Crew Lounge
Timeline: Current
1048 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Brief Interview with Ms Elisha Pryce-Randal - onboard Ship Reporter

EPR: What is your role on the Elysium? And what does it entail?

"I am the Commander Air Group for the 45th Fighting Tigers Squadron based on the USS Elysium

EPR: What made you choose that line of work?

"Now that is a long story, Ms. Pryce-Randall. I hope you have the time." *Jessica gets Elisha a drink*

"You see my mother was a real bitch. If I didn't meet every single one of her expectations, flawlessly, she'd take me into a bedroom and whip me with a belt until I bled. It was excruciating and it happened every time I didn't measure up somehow. It's heartbreaking for a little girl to grow up, unloved by her mother, but cherished like a treasure by her father. You see all she gave a damn about was advancing her house's status on Betazed. It was all tradition and all that ceremonial business, and when I didn't measure up to her expectations, she'd take it out on me. It pissed my father off. You see, marriages are still arranged on Betazed, and daddy; oh he tried to follow tradition around mother. He did everything they asked of him, me; I was a disobedient brat and I snuck away many times into the local wilderness. As it happened, Kessanna manor was about five klicks from a Starfleet Fighter Base, and I'd watch the fighters take off and land... and wish I could fly away from mother with them. Well it turns out blood is thicker than water. Daddy eventually overheard Mother making deals to betray Betazed to the Dominion. That was the last straw, but he already hated mother when she first started beating me, and mostly tried to run distractions for her when mother began drinking. So, when the invasion came. Me and Daddy made for the airbase and flew away on an evacuation shuttle. It was a dream... and a nightmare. I got to watch my home get overwhelmed by a Dominion Fleet. I never wanted to see that happen ever again."

"To me, I was flying away from Mother, and her treacheries. Jessica Kessanna was left behind on Betazed, and Jessica Vaii was born. I'd be my own woman, I'd decide who I was. Father filed for a divorce under Federation Law, and we relocated to Earth. I was twelve and we bought a small Victorian home nearby an old RAF Airfield. As it turned out, Father was of noble blood on Betazed and in the nation that we immigrated to. He was recognized as nobility, and was a Lord. We both picked our new family name. Vaii which in the old spoken tongue means 'glorious bird.' Growing up without my mother's abuses was four years of paradise, but I never forgot what she did to me. I vowed I'd never let mother or anyone hurt me again. I wanted to become the finest fighter pilot in starfleet, and become strong enough to never let her hurt me again, and all the pain she gave me, that didn't break me, it only made me stronger.

EPR:How do you handle the pressure that comes with being a Starfleet officer?

"Do you wanna know why fighter pilots fly in a squadron? Because we're never alone. Because were all brothers and sisters. Just like the Naxea's Marines are brothers and sisters. With these pilots, we can bear any burden together. I teach all of my pilots pride and respect, and from that Discipline can arise out from nowhere. Speaking of Naxea's marines, both of our ideologies are very compatible with each other, as everyone who wears this combadge is our brothers and sisters, and from it we can bear each other's pains. We have a great relationship with the Marines on this ship. I even have no problem with Starfleet Counselors because of the simple fact; a Starfleet Counselor is wearing our uniform and our combadge. They see every battle, ever death we see."

EPR: What would you say to a cadet aspiring to do what you do?

"You are never going to be a Federation Fighter pilot."

"Let me finish.... and I invite you to prove me wrong. This is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. You are never going to make it... alone... You see the person next to you? They are going to help you bear the burden of the many months of hell I am about to put you through. And if you prove me wrong, and earn your wings, You will win something more valuable than an ensign's pip; respect and honor. You all will endure hardship, but together; that will make you stronger."

EPR: What is your favorite memory of your time at the academy?

"When I was assigned my first trainer when I qualified for the Combat Pilot program. Yeah, it was a trainer, But it was what I really wanted to do, become the best.

EPR: Do you have any funny tales to tell about your time on the USS Elysium?

Jessica laughed. "One of my first pilot-cadets was a little turd named Jeremy Martins. He had the balls to ask me to marry him on the first day of training, and I told him 'Martins, the day you become a squadron commander is the day I will agree to marry you, and goddesses almighty. When that day comes, you'll have to put up with me for the rest of your damn life, and I will kick your ass every time you screw something up.' Then his smart mouth shifts into gear again and he says this; 'you promise?' I had to excuse myself and laugh in my office. True leaders set an example, and never break discipline in front of their men and women. I believe I've trained the finest pilots in the United Federation of Planets, Ms. Pryce-Randal. The ones that don't make it, I respect their decision because they're still wearing the same uniform I do. The ones who do make it, become my squadron for life. And the ones who do not come back and give their lives under my command; I will never forget."

OOC:

EPR - Elisha Pryce-Randal