Felicity Ellis - Reporting In (12/08/2017)

[Felicity Ellis]

Character Details

Character Name: Felicity "Flick" Ellis
Character Age: 30
Character DOB: 1 February, 2367
Character Image:

Character Species: Human
Gender: Female
Character Family:
Father: Dr. Cameron Ellis Ph.D.
Mother: Dr. Antoinette Ellis (neé Rennes) Ed.D.
Brother(s): Commander Gregory Ellis
Cameron Ellis Jr. D.Sc. (Deceased)
Other: Marie Rennes (Maternal Grandmother)

Character Bio:

General Overview
Felicity is a very empathetic individual. This is somewhat a requirement for her chosen field of study, as any psychologist must have the ability to understand, or at least appear to understand, any emotional issue or problem that a patient might be experiencing. She is sensitive, in many ways more so than most of her fellow colleagues and peers. Along with her insatiable curiosity for the unknown, these are traits that are always directly at war with her clinical persona, and sometimes she struggles to separate these characteristics in order to maintain a professional distance.

As well as having a clinical outlook and approach to many of the problems or issues presented to her, her general plan of attack is liable to change at any moment's notice while her mind logically formulates a course of action specifically tailored and relevant to any given individual. Her success with treating those with military backgrounds relies upon this tactic, as Felicity has discovered that those with a history of particular training are predisposed to responding to a more logical and pragmatically constructed line of questioning.

Very perceptive and observant, Felicity learned that she had to strive to keep these aspects of her personality in check from an early age. Not everyone appreciated the straight-talking child who was likely to launch into a litany of perceived character faults, or hypothesize the possibly resultant mental deficiencies. She enforced a manner of control upon herself, and depending on the company she is in she will closely monitor and evaluate her responses. This serves her well professionally; as she channels these innate abilities to help her with diagnosis and negotiation, but personally, it can negatively impact upon her relationships. Felicity can appear closed off, aloof, sometimes even cold to some. It became apparent in her adult years that her careful self-control, coupled with a self-deprecating attitude, would mean relations outside of the familial and professional would prove to be difficult for her to maintain.

Felicity lost this careful, internal composure twice in adulthood. Once upon hearing of the death of her younger brother, and again when she was forced to return from the USS Kildara.

She is kind and her ultimate goal in life and through her career is to assist those who need help. This is one of the main reasons why she chose to study the mind, as well as having an almost obsessive interest in its inner workings. She gives without want for reward and would willingly sacrifice herself and her time for anyone she cares about.

Felicity is a sensible sort, and she pursues further education and answers to her many questions in the place of needless frivolity. This isn't to say that she has no sense of fun, or no sense of humour (in fact hers is quite the dry, dark one) but rather her commitments and responsibilities will usually come before anything else. She isn't one to jump into an unknown situation without thinking it through and she will always have a contingency plan.

She works hard and you could call her tenacious. Almost to the point of obsession at times; once she has begun a new project she will not stop or rest until it is completed to her satisfaction. Her acute insomnia lends itself well to many a late night's study session and she hates to miss any deadline, whether it be set by a commanding officer, a mentor or herself.

There have been times when her insomnia has affected her general performance. If she is particularly sleep-deprived she can often appear absent-minded and dishevelled. She tries to combat this with an optimistic and up-beat attitude, but is sometimes unsuccessful.

Strengths & Weaknesses
+Focus
+Problem solving
+Trustworthy
+Communication

-Insomniac
-Workaholic
-Obsessive

Ambitions
-To ensure the mental health and well-being of her crew and colleagues is recognised as paramount and is maintained.
-To ensure quality of her service and to always be armed with the relevant information her superiors require for successful First Contact or negotiation.
-To ensure that what happened on the USS Kildara is never repeated.

Hobbies & Interests
20th Century Earth literature, specifically mystery and detective/crime novels; a fascination she inherited from her father. Her favourite genre of music is jazz and her mouth waters at the thought of apple pancakes and a good Irish whiskey. She developed an affinity for kayaking when she was a child in her native South Africa, but unfortunately she doesn't get much opportunity to enjoy it of late. She loves the challenge of puzzles, plays chess, but most especially harbours a not-so secret love of poker.

Personal History
Felicity Ellis (dubbed "Flick" by her family and later her classmates) was the second child of three born to Cameron and Antoinette Ellis in their then home of Johannesburg, South Africa. The neurologist and surgeon (respectively) married in 2361, celebrated the birth of their first son, Gregory, in 2361, their only daughter Felicity following in 2366, and second son and final child, Cameron Jr., a year later in 2367.

All three children were home-schooled from a very early age under the instruction and expert tutelage of their mother, who following her children's enrolment in one of the finest secondary schools in the city, decided to return to and focus on her own career, which she had sorely missed during the early part of her marriage to Cameron Ellis.

And so from the age of twelve, Felicity was raised mainly by hired help, seeing both of her parents for fleeting dinners the odd evening, or on special occasions or birthdays. Despite their absenteeism they supported her budding intellect and often voiced their pleasure and encouragement at her academic prowess and accomplishments. Felicity was a self-possessed, focused teenager, and rarely gave her parents any cause to worry or discipline her. Her older brother Gregory was much the same and often maintained order over his younger siblings in the absence of their parents. Cameron Jr., however, was not quite so well-behaved.

While Felicity loved her older brother, and respected his academic achievements as he did hers, it was Cameron Jr. that she enjoyed an emotional connection with. He was compassionate and kind; two traits not so obvious in the other members of her family, and this is what drew her to him.

Obsessed from an early age with any and all creatures great and small, Cameron brought home every stray and vagrant animal he could get his hands on, with the hopes of either befriending them or nursing them back to health. Felicity both humoured and adored her younger brother and often covered for these minor misdemeanours in attempt to protect him. They maintained a close relationship throughout both childhood and their teenage years.

When Felicity was fifteen, her mother was invited to join Stafleet Medical as a lecturer. As one of the foremost surgeons in her field she was much in demand, and she felt that her services would be put to good use teaching at the Academy, as well as the fact that it would offer her children more opportunities as legacies. The family left their beloved home and relocated to San Francisco, where their outlooks and lives would completely change.

Gregory enrolled in the Academy almost immediately and soon displayed a proficiency in numerous fields, though graduated with a doctorate in engineering and a degree in Advanced Tactical Application. Felicity was expected to join the Academy herself, a career in the sciences and medicine already mapped out for her by her ambitious parents. While she herself thoroughly enjoyed the sciences and had contemplated pursuing pure medicine, she felt her future lay elsewhere. For the first time in her life, she dug her heels in, refused to toe the family line and left Earth for New Vulcan as soon as she turned eighteen. She left with a promise that when she returned she would continue her education, but in a field that she felt would suit her best.

Truthfully, it hadn't taken Felicity long to decide what it was she wanted to do with her life. From the age of thirteen she knew she wanted to study psychology, and as her brother Cameron was often heard to remark, she was indeed fairly adept at joyfully telling people what was wrong with them. But her curiosity at that tender young age was not easily ignored, and she theorised that she would be better served to helping people deal with their life experiences if she, herself, had some life experiences of her own.

She spent some time on New Vulcan, learning, observing, soaking in their culture and their ethos. From there she travelled to Andoria, where she would spend the better part of a year enjoying the hospitality of a noted and close friend of her father's, who encouraged her and mentored her. She fell in love with the Andorian way of life, everything from their passionate self-assurance to their art and their music, which reminded her so much of Earth's blues.

Felicity was sorry to leave but excited to begin her real studies. She returned to the Academy to major in Psychology, with a minor in Forensic Psychology and electives in Interspecies Ethics and Protocol. Cameron joined her that same year, much to her surprise, as she had been rather hoping he would pursue veterinary medicine or even exobiology. She suspected that due to his compassion, and out of respect for his parents, he felt his place was in Starfleet. And so he pursued his own science; virology.

For seven years Felicity studied for her doctorate. Her placements were challenging and varied, and she embraced college with joy and absolutely no trepidation. She was sure of herself and completely comfortable with her choices. A couple of her published papers gained small notoriety amongst her peers; particularly her thesis work on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military, and the treatment of same. It was this study that would eventually allow her to work unofficially on the USS Kildara.

Cameron Jr. had graduated two years previous to his sister and had been stationed on a predominantly scientific vessel, the Kildara. He and a group of specialised scientists, accompanied by a small crew and half a dozen marines, had been dispatched to investigate a strange sickness that was sweeping the Taranko colony.

Upon arrival Cameron quickly deduced that the spreading illness was the result of a parasite that migrated constantly with the slow axial rotation of the planet. Because of this half of the planet was covered in light from the sun for many months, while at the same time the other half of the planet was covered in darkness. The parasite followed the humans, who followed the sunlight. The parasite killed slowly but thoroughly, its presence in the subjects' systems triggering a severe allergic reaction that manifested in both the Frontal and Temporal lobe regions of the brain. It compromised motor functions and stimulated visceral and terrifying hallucinations. Cause of death for the infected was commonly heart failure, or the rare few that survived the onslaught of hallucinations eventually succumbed to dehydration.

When Cameron discovered the cause of the deaths he went to work creating a cure; a way to eliminate the parasite and the domino-effect symptoms. Unfortunately, neither he or his team of scientists and accompanying security personnel escaped unscathed.

Cameron's death was not reported as heart failure, nor was it dehydration. He had been stabbed and killed by a security sergeant. Though he had successfully formulated a solution that he believed wouldn't just cure the colony, but eventually also inoculate them, he'd been too late to help himself, or his team.

Needless to say, when Felicity was informed of the news of her brother's passing, she was inconsolable. Following a quick period of emotional turmoil, she requested that she be dispatched to the USS Kildara, where the remainder of his team and the ship's crew remained in orbit around Taranko. Cameron's cure had been administered and had been heralded as widely successful, despite a few minor side-effects. Felicity explained to her superiors, and her mentor, Dr. Katrina Collins, that her skills and her specialisation in PTSD were perfectly suited to the situation. Privately, she admitted only to herself and in a brief moment of weakness, to Dr. Collins, that this tour would also serve as a type of closure for her.

For six months she worked with the crew of the Kildara. Offering them counsel through the aftermath of their terrible ordeal. Many still claimed to have flashbacks of the horrific living nightmare they'd been put through as a result of the Taranko Parasite. Every one of them remembered every single thing they saw. Remembered every image, every emotion. They suffered from insomnia, they struggled to return to their work and their lives before the incident, and more than one harboured feelings of deep guilt after they'd completely recalled their actions while they'd been compromised.

One such individual harbouring this deep guilt was the sergeant who had killed her brother. While Felicity had already reconciled herself to the fact that this man had had no control over his motor functions at the time, that what he was seeing hadn't been reality, but had been real to him at the time, and even though he'd been the one to stab her little brother in the gut, she knew she could not blame him. Despite her attempt at logical reasoning with the man, and despite her total willingness to forgive him, he could not see these facts for himself.

After three months of intensive therapy and after exhausting every method she was aware of that might possibly help the sergeant, Felicity found him dead in his quarters one morning after he'd failed to show up for one of their scheduled sessions. He had taken his own life to escape his overwhelming guilt.

While the remaining crew and officers returned to regular duties after Felicity declared them fit to do so, and while many of them would return to life as normally as they possibly could, she still considers the mission a failure.

The day following the discovered suicide Felicity was recalled to Stafleet Academy, where she was informed she would receive her first assignment. Following a brief (and enforced) shore leave to recuperate, she departed for the Starbase Columbus.

Service Record
2385.1 Enrolled in Stafleet Academy
Major: Psychology
Minor: Forensic Psychology
Electives: Interspecies Ethics / Interspecies Protocol

2392.1 Received Doctorate in Psychology - Premier Distinction

2392.22 Interim assistant to Dr. Katrina Collins.

2394.35 Dispatched to USS Kildara in Acting Counsellor capacity.
Commended for contribution to the recovery and continued health of USS Kildara crew.

2395 Recalled to Starfleet, assigned to Starbase Columbus as Counselor.

2396 Promoted to Chief Medical Officer.

2396 Promoted to Commander and became Executive Officer of SBC.

2397 Resigned commission and currently works as a civilian counselor, consultant and researcher aboard the base.

Your Details

Previous Role-Playing Experience: 15+ years' experience with play-by forum RPGs; created and ran half a dozen sci-fi roleplays during that time. Have very little experience with any kind of SIMM like this though, but am keen to learn!
Department Preference: Counselling / Medical
Secondary Department Preference: Medical
Commissioned, Enlisted or Civilian: I have no idea what might be more appropriate for Flick... Commissioned maybe? Please feel free to go with whatever suits best, I'm open to anything.

Sample post:
"Acting Counsellor's Log Stardate 2394.155, USS Kildara.

"Following the suicide of Sergeant Kenneth Taylor, I have scheduled sessions with each of the crew members originally infected to ensure recovery continues on course. Recovery and reintegration rate is now 95%. Progress has been slow for many and difficult for all, but I am confident that Sergeant Taylor's actions will be an isolated event. Those who show signs of depression outside of the expected extent have been referred to the USS Kildara's new Counsellor, whose abilities I have the utmost confidence in. I have recommended that the crew return to duty in a gradual, restricted respect, to facilitate rehabilitation in the workplace. Captain Hui has received my specific suggestions for each individual in this regard. I believe this will benefit many, and most will welcome the distraction and opportunity to return to life as normal.

"Provided that tomorrow's sessions go as expected, this will be my last log as the USS Kildara's Acting Counsellor. End log."

Felicity hadn't realised how far forward she had been sitting, nor had she realised that she'd barely taken a breath during her recitation. She frowned, deep in thought, and her right index and middle fingers absently rubbed circles into her temple. She cleared her throat.

"Personal Log Stardate 2394.155, USS Kildara.

"The crew are shaken over what happened to Ken. I fear that those who never before considered this a viable option may now give it more weight. A big part of me realises that these fears are unfounded, that for many of them their recovery has been almost miraculous, that what they have overcome thus far and the strength it took is not something to be wasted.

"I'm shaken too. Ken had been by far the most forthcoming, the most brutally honest throughout this process. I'm accustomed to this meaning that the patient is ready to be helped and ready to accept said help. Whatever signs there were, I missed them. Ken wasn't the only one with guilt. That's something I will have to address now, as I question the rationale behind my coming here. Of me putting myself into the position of having to counsel the man who killed my brother. Did looking at me, speaking to me and confiding in me only serve to compound his guilt? Was I mistaken in my belief that it would help him recover when he saw me so obviously forgiving? Or that reaffirming it was not Kenneth himself who killed Cameron, but a terrible illness, would that help him reconcile his overwhelming reaction?

"I can't answer that, because he can't answer that. Following a communique from Star Fleet, I am to return and receive my assignment. With me I take responsibility for what happened here, and whether that appears as a success or otherwise in the eyes of my superiors, it will forever remain a failure in my own. End log."

Felicity collapsed back into her chair with a long exhale. "You try to help people get over a disaster on a backwater planet, and you get burned," she said aloud, frowning at a crack in the magenta coloured wall of her small office. "Moral of the story?" Her hands now splayed on the desk she pushed herself upward into a stance, her eyes still out of focus as she pondered her own question.

Snapping out of the thoughtful reverie she turned her head, locating the bottle of Hennessy brandy on a nearby cabinet. With a quick movement she pushed her chair backward and grasped the bottle, twisting the cap open and bringing it to her mouth, not bothering to get a glass. It was her father's favourite old Earth remedy for sleepless nights, something he'd gifted her for those times when insomnia raised its ugly head. It would serve another purpose for her now.

She swallowed a generous gulp, and as the liquor pleasantly burned its way down her throat the corner of her mouth twitched downward.

"Moral of the story? Sometimes you deserve to get burned." Satisfied with her conclusion she then silently vowed to make the most of current circumstances. Simply put, she would never let it happen again.

Additional information: I'm in Ireland so it may appear as though I'm posting at very unsociable hours!

How did you find Shadow Fleet? A message from Kirok some months ago. I RPed very briefly with him a few years back.

[Kirok]

Felicity,

It is always good to see a returning player.

Please help me remember who you played before?

Kirok

[Felicity Ellis]

Hey Kirok,

I've never actually had a character here before on Shadow Fleet, but I did very briefly play a Counselor on another site of yours. I'd say it was about three or so years back!

[Kirok]

Hey!

Her name was Felicity too.

So, we have an opening on Starbase Columbus.

You could be the counselor there.

Would that work?

Kirok

And commissioned would be ideal I think - especially if you want to move up in rank to potentially one day be Captain.

[Felicity Ellis]

It was! I didn't really get to use her much, so I figured I'd dust her off and see if she'd be a fit here.

Counselor on Starbase Columbus sounds great, right up my street.

Many thanks!

[Kirok]

Perfect.

Your first step is to PM (email) Malcolm Adeyemi and Michael Tritter.

They will tell you the best place to start posting and help you along.

Welcome aboard,

Kirok

PS - Someone from the Academy will post next and help you get you Officer Training Course started.