>>714996957
If you are considering a higher difficulty, go for it, the game is not that hard and you can always change it later
Officers are pretty good and since with the first officer companion you get you should not take officer abilities, it's a good fit for the MC.
Pasqal best companion, he's metal as fuck (pun intended)

>>713478410
Really now, who even really uses Cassia as an officer BEYOND giving that extra turn to someone? All her skill slots are going to be spent upgrading her as a destroyer of worlds... I mean navigator.