In the past on STARTREK.COM, we've enjoyed getting an otherworldly perspective on questions submitted by our readers. We've had columns from the honorable K'Plett, a delegate-at-large for the Klingon Empire; the supercilious Pelgar, a Ferengi writing from Starfleet prison; and the brassy Carpone, a student in interstellar law from Sigma Iotia II. In each case our columnists eventually got called back to their respective homeworlds for various reasons (well, except Pelgar, who just got paroled and bolted). And we thought, maybe it's time for a columnist with a more Earth-bound point of view. And maybe also one with a more feminine persuasion.

Thus, we are proud to announce the newest member of the STARTREK.COM team and our new advice columnist: Kate Stevens! You know Kate as the lifelong friend of Carl Jennings and Steve Williams, whose adventures are documented in the graphic vignettes known as "The Trek Life." Kate is not as rabid a fan of Star Trek as Carl, but she knows Star Trek and she knows the world of fandom — even if slightly from the outside. And we figured, if she can handle Carl, she can deal with the rest of us!

So if you could use some advice or encouragement from a cool gal with a brain inside that pretty blonde head — whether it's about relationships, or dealing with peers who don't understand you, or if you just wonder who she thinks would win in a fight, Kirk or Picard — please send your questions to the lovely Kate! Use the e-mail address columns@startrek.com, and be sure "Ask Kate" is in the Subject line.

Kate's first column will be posted on Tuesday, March 27, and she's eagerly awaiting your letters!

And you can be assured that Kate will have the full, unconditional support of her friends Steve and Carl. Well ... kinda. Click here to see how it went down when Kate heard from us.

Letters to Ask Kate become the sole property of CBS Studios Inc. Submitting to Ask Kate relinquishes all ownership rights to, or any claims for financial or other consideration in connection with the submitted material, including any ideas, suggestions, script ideas, anything. This goes for you too, Carl!