Kalab Jeovanni

Swim Lessons

On the sleepy shores of Suraya Bay, Kalab Jeovanni was born into a household overfilled with laughter and music. His father designed buildings to bring more tourism to Risa and his mother worked as a cultural archivist, but as young parents, they took to work like hobbies, rather than careers. This was the foundation from which Jeovanni grew, but it was a time largely before he held onto remembrance. By the time he was a child, attending school, Jeovanni’s home had turned into a quiet and cautious place. Despite being a strong swimmer, his older brother had drown. In reaction, Jeovanni was never allowed to swim; he was kept away from the tourists passing through Suraya Bay. He was only permitted to attend school and family and gathering spots frequented only by the locals. Jeovanni was raised to believe he was a previous gem who must be kept safe above all else.

Jeovanni’s first exposure to the pleasure planet resorts of Risa came when he took a job in a casino, while he was studying in university. His decision to study philosophy came not from a passion nor a desire to actually do anything with the education. His parents and his teachers encouraged him to study something he loved, so work would never feel like work, but Jeovanni felt no stirrings in any one direction. Rather, it was a counsellor who asked Jeovanni what came easily to him in his foundational education that finally motivated him towards the pursuit of a degree.

In-Flight Safety

After progressing through over five years of higher education at the Fornral Institute on Risa, Jeovanni found himself increasingly moved by the plight of the Romulans. From the news media, he learned of the Romulans fleeing the impending supernova of their home. Jeovanni’s work in the resort brought him face-to-face with inspiring Starfleet officers who were, themselves, facing a potential future where they could spend an entire generation in aid of Romulan relocation. That instinct to protect resonated in Jeovanni. After pondering the pros and cons for some months, Jeovanni enrolled in Starfleet’s officer candidate school.

Although he fully intended to join Starfleet as a science officer –perhaps an anthropologist or sociologist to assist the transition of Romulan refugees on Federation worlds– Jeovanni pivoted towards the end of his training to a career as a security officer. In the full vigor of youth, he wanted to spend his days using his body, remaining on vigilant on his feet. Sitting hunched over a science console didn’t appeal to him. Even upon his assignment to the USS Charlton as a security officer, his security training continued. As he progressed through promotions, he continued his training on advanced starship operations that he missed by not attending the Academy proper.

Those New Scientists

After Romulan rescue efforts fell through, after the initial wave of paranoia followed the attack on Mars in 2385, Jeovanni’s fling with security neared its end. His education in philosophy drew his attention back to the social sciences and he was eventually approved a transfer to a role as a science officer. After publishing an article on the ideology and cognition that motivated the Sovereignty of Kahless, Lieutenant Commander Jeovanni received recognition in being promoted to Head of Sociology on Starbase 310.

Towards the end of his tenure in that role, Jeovanni spent a couple of years developing a proposal for an independent research team in the Avalon Research & Design Group. His proposal was rejected a couple of times and redeveloped until he was granted a multi-disciplinary research team to evaluate the language, application and litigation of Starfleet’s Prime Directive through the philosophical lens of axiology. The team’s progress in their first years of research lead to the team being expanded to the We Are Starfleet project, a practical philosophical critique of Starfleet’s mission statements, purpose and general orders as Starfleet enters the 25th century.