One of the recurring themes in Star Trek is how different species bring their unique cultures and philosophies into their roles within Starfleet. My friend, Sam, has explored this many times in his stories (most recently with the Tellarite captain Glal commanding USS Gol in his Starship Reykavik series). I also have explored this in my Quarterdeck Breed series, with a Gorn captain in the episode “Exeter.”
Vulcans, with their adherence to logic, strict discipline, and the teachings of Surak, are often portrayed as the most rational members of any crew. In the second story of my First Duty series, Borderline Justice, I explore this aspect of Vulcan culture in the context of starship command and military justice, showing how it influences not only the outcome of investigations but also the perception of fairness and impartiality.
Spock in Command: The Primer on Surakian Philosophy in Starfleet
Vulcans in command positions bring a set of guiding principles that are deeply rooted in logic and ethics. The teachings of Surak, which emphasize the suppression of emotion and the pursuit of rational decision-making, make Vulcans naturally suited to roles that demand objectivity. In canonical Trek, we’ve seen examples of Vulcan Starfleet officers who exemplify this. Spock, from The Original Series, is undoubtedly the most well-known example (though he is a human-Vulcan hybrid), leans heavily into logic as his guiding star while often tempering his decisions with just enough empathy to keep his human crewmates in mind.
One of the intriguing aspects of Spock’s tenure as executive officer of the USS Enterprise was how his approach to logic created both conflict and collaboration among the crew. Whether it was Captain Kirk’s reliance on instinct or Dr. McCoy’s unabashed emotional responses, Spock’s ability to remain unbiased and focused on evidence was often central to resolving disputes and making decisions. It also highlighted the limitations of purely logical decision-making in human-dominated organizations such as Starfleet in the mid-2260s.
In Strange New Worlds, Spock’s earlier years on Enterprise is portrayed as a journey of finding that balance between his Vulcan logic and his human emotions he demonstrated in TOS. As he wrestles with the duality of his heritage (particularly amplified in the second season episode, “Charades“), Spock grapples with his deep human vulnerability. He explores the complex interplay between rational decision-making and emotional intuition. His internal struggle sheds light on the broader challenge Vulcan officers face in maintaining strict adherence to Surakian philosophy while navigating the unpredictable nature of command. This exploration of logic versus emotion directly informs how we view the high-stakes decision-making in Borderline Justice, where the limits of Vulcan logic are put to the test in a crisis where the line between order and chaos is razor-thin.
How Borderline Justice Puts Vulcan Command to the Test
In Borderline Justice, this dynamic comes into play during a complex investigation into the death of a petty officer aboard the USS Detmer. Commander Straat, the ship’s commanding officer, serves as the convening authority for the investigation. As a Vulcan, he is naturally expected to approach the case with complete neutrality, relying solely on logic and factual evidence to inform his decisions.
This presents both a strength and a challenge for those involved in the investigation. On one hand, Straat’s commitment to logic ensures that he will not be swayed by personal relationships or emotional appeals. This is crucial in a setting where accusations of bias can quickly undermine the legitimacy of any legal proceedings. On the other hand, his rigid adherence to logic can lead to a certain inflexibility, particularly when it comes to interpreting human behavior, which is often driven by emotion rather than pure logic.
For Leo, who is leading the JAG investigation, this presents an interesting conundrum. Normally, a convening authority might subtly or unconsciously influence the investigation, either through implicitly-stated expectations or by pressing for updates that could bias the outcome. However, dealing with a convening authority like Straat means that Leo can focus purely on procedure and evidence, knowing that Straat will maintain his distance and avoid any appearance of impropriety.
To me, this creates an interesting dynamic where Leo is both liberated and restrained. He’s free to conduct the investigation without fear of undue influence, but he is also acutely aware that he must present his findings with impeccable logic and precision; anything less will fall apart under the scrutiny of a dispassionate Vulcan. In a way, this mirrors the tension seen in The Original Series when Spock had to assume command and enforce discipline aboard Enterprise. The balance between unyielding logic and the nuanced realities of human behavior is a fine line to walk.
The Importance of Perception in Command Roles
While the Vulcan approach to command has clear benefits, one of the ongoing challenges explored in Borderline Justice is the perception of fairness. Even though a Vulcan convening authority is almost immune to bias, the non-Vulcan crew members might still feel uneasy. For them, justice is not just about the outcome but also about being seen to receive a fair and impartial process. If a commanding officer’s decisions seem too cold or detached, it can create distrust, even if the decision is entirely fair from a logical standpoint.
This is another area where Borderline Justice draws inspiration from canonical Trek. In The Original Series episode “The Galileo Seven,” Spock finds himself in command of a stranded shuttlecraft crew. His cold, logical decision-making process quickly alienated his human subordinates, who believed that his approach lacked compassion. This tension between logic and empathy is at the heart of the episode, highlighting how perception can influence the crew’s morale and trust in their leader. In my opinion, this episode sits among the top five best episodes of that series.
Similarly, in Borderline Justice, I try to portray a similar juxtaposition of the crew of Detmer. While it is a much less dire situation, the loss of an unpopular petty officer weighed against the possibility of a popular petty officer being charged places Leo and Straat straddling the line of emotion and logic. For them, seeing justice done involves more than just a logical analysis of evidence—it’s about understanding the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to complex situations. This creates some friction as Leo navigates the expectations of Straat, his colleagues, and the crew, who may not fully trust a purely logical approach to such a delicate matter.
The Role of Logic in Borderline Justice
The character of Straat in Borderline Justice isn’t just my unsubtle nod to the rich history of Vulcan characters in Trek, but a deliberate choice to explore how logic and reason play into military justice. By examining how a Vulcan approaches command, I’m looking to shed light on the benefits and potential pitfalls of such a mindset in dramatic situations. In my opinion, the tension between rationality and empathy continues to be a cornerstone of Trek’s storytelling, and I’m excited to delve into that dynamic further in this story.
In Borderline Justice, my readers will see how a Vulcan commander’s adherence to logic affects both the investigation’s outcome and the crew’s perception of fairness. Whether justice is truly served—or whether it’s too detached from the emotional realities of the case—is something only the readers can decide as they explore the complex interplay of logic, command, and justice in the Trek universe.
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