Gentle Pokes

Posted on 02 Nov 2016 @ 12:50am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Lieutenant JG Jonas Flynn PsyD

2,972 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Counselor's Office
Timeline: MD -05 - 1150 hrs

[ON]

Lirha wasn't quite sure how long she'd been standing in front of the counselor's office door down on deck three. Maybe three, four minutes? Possibly ten? It had been her idea to make a house visit of-sorts to the new chief counselor, and it had also been well over a year since her last personal evaluation. Perhaps if all went well, she would be able to remedy both pending matters at the same time?

She subconsciously tugged on her uniform jacket to straighten it over her slightly-bulging belly, then pressed the door chime.

Jonas looked up from his desk where he was inputting the finalized appointment schedule he and Dora had just created. He wasn't expecting anyone until this afternoon, but word had probably gotten out that the counseling department was once again staffed and drop-ins were not out of the realm of possibility.

"Come in!" he called, staying seated as he finished entering Ensign Parker's information for the following day at 14:30 hrs. When the doors opened he cheerfully said without looking up, "Welcome! I'll be with you in just a second..."

There! The appointment was in the books and the notification had been sent to the ensign. He closed the file and turned his attention to his guest, surprised to see who had stopped by. "Admiral! Please, make yourself comfortable," he greeted, standing out of respect. "How may I be of service?"

Hands clasped behind her back, the Orion stepped into the room with an aura of projected authority and began to casually look around the small yet cozy office. Inspecting. Judging. All the while putting on a bit of a facade to hide her trepidation.

"Mister Flynn," she nodded pleasantly to the newly-arrived senior officer. "I like what you have done with your workspace," she added in reference to the room's amenities. "It seems...more comfortable." Did it really? She had no idea and it was entirely possible that he'd not touched or altered a single thing in the counseling office.

Jonas graciously accepted the compliment, though he was surprised the small plant on the edge of the desk had created such an impact. He surmised the Admiral must really have an eye for detail.

"Thank you. I was thinking of requisitioning an aquarium when we got to Starbase 234. I'll run it past the other counselors first, but I think it would be a nice addition."

"A good idea," she commented. "I have always found fish to be...soothing and relaxing to watch. Except for Klingon octopi, of course. They seem to devour anything put in a tank with them and the feeding can become quite messy." She remembered the first time she'd toured the Vajripam Marine Exhibit on Rigel VII -- the cephalopods were the main attraction and quite intriguing.

"Of course," Jonas agreed, laughing a little. "I don't think they'd enhance the soothing atmosphere I'm trying to project in here." He relaxed a bit, leaning against his desk. He imagined other officers would consider such an act a breach of protocol when in the presence of one's commanding officer, but much like the plant and proposed aquarium, he preferred to do his best to promote a calm and peaceful mood.

"How have things gone with all the new arrivals?" he asked, keeping the surface conversation moving. Though he didn't know her well at all, he had the sense that the Admiral might be talking around something. If that was the case, there was no need to try and steer her towards it - she would share if and when she was ready.

"Efficient, as usual," she answered with a light shrug. New crew arrivals were one of the more common duties she and her XO attended to, and she hadn't seen anything of concern with the newest batch of transfers. The new counselor included.

Her attention was momentarily distracted while she gazed out through the large window and to the streaking stars which passed by the outer hull at a rapid pace while the starship was at warp. "I suppose I should ask the same of you. How are our new arrivals? Is there anything I should be aware of?" she asked in a soft voice.

"Nothing so far," he began. "The counseling sessions begin this afternoon, so I might have a clearer answer by the end of the week. I have given every personnel file at least a passing glance, though, and I didn't spot any red flags. Just the 'standard' array of issues and ongoing treatments common to any group this size."

Ever so hesitantly, she slowly paced over towards the large couch near the center of the room and gingerly sat down. "I suppose that make me your first?" she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes while she adjusted herself to accommodate her pregnant belly's bump and extra girth. "It has been almost two years since my last evaluation," she began to explain. "I assume my record needs to be updated?"

"You assume correctly," Jonas affirmed. He retrieved a PaDD from a shelf behind the desk and made his way over the the opposite side of the sofa. "I have to admit, I'm not used to a CO voluntarily being so forward in keeping up with their psychological checks, so thanks in advance. Saves me the anxiety of figuring out how best to politely insist on scheduling an appointment." He flashed the Admiral his trademark grin. "Would you like anything to drink before we begin?"

"Hot chocolate, please. Recipe Saalm-one-nine-one-five," she promptly answered. A warm mug of her favorite Earth beverage would most likely help to calm her nerves and anxiety.

"Coming right up!" The counselor stepped over to the replicator and ordered two of his guest's requested recipe. A lover of hot chocolate from way back, he was always interested in trying new varieties. The drinks materialized, and he walked back over and handed the Admiral her mug.

"All right," Jonas began as he settled into his seat. "Let's just start with what's on your mind. Anything in particular you'd like to talk about?"

"Well..." she thought for a moment while her mind raced through over twenty different possible topics for discussion, each of equal importance to her. "No? I am not sure."

Jonas had been gently blowing on the surface of his drink. He took a tentative sip as he considered her response. "Okay, let's start with something relatively easy, maybe your previous mission? I know Galileo was assisting colonial efforts on Celes III. How'd that go?"

She looked down at her fingernails and slowly inspected them. "Well enough. However, our evaluation of the new synthetic prototype was unsuccessful," she began before lightly shrugging. "There were some casualties during the initial landing and the colony modules lost several of their personnel...but they were able to recover and we assisted with repairs."

"I'm sorry to hear of the losses," he said, bowing his head slightly. "I know that as an Admiral it was not the first time you've lost someone under your command, but I can't imagine it ever gets easier. How do you cope?" The question was as sincere as it was straightforward, as he was both concerned for her own mental health in regards to the issue but was also genuinely interested in how his new CO approached such things philosophically.

She now glanced at her boots then back to her nails which she now began to play with. "I think we all cope differently..." she began, then paused when she realized she was attempting to skirt the question. "I push it away. Into another place for those types of feelings and try not to think about it while on duty," she answered in a quiet voice. "But I never forget. How could I? Or anyone?"

Lirha looked up at the counselor and the expression on her face was calmly composed. "I write the letters to the families of those who served under me and never made it back to port. It is never easy but...I must accept it as part of my duty."

"It never should be easy," Jonas said softly, his eyes growing distant for a moment before focusing back on Saalm. "Sorry, that was something Professor Davis once told me. She was my advisor back at the Academy, but we have stayed in touch since." He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "As you know, while it falls to the commanding officer to deliver such news to the family, it is often the reverse that falls on the shoulders of the counselor. I realize the context is not the same, but the task is similar, and it was something I really struggled with at the start of my career. I remember asking her if it ever got easy, and that's when she said, 'it never should'. Not exactly the advice I wanted to hear, but she was right."

Lirha felt a bit of comfort from his admission. In an ideal world, she liked to think that everyone had gone through the same trials and tribulations, but knew that it was an impossible fantasy. For a counselor, however, to be able to relate to her position and struggles...well, she appreciated it. In more than one way. "She is not wrong...it never does become easy," she said. "But, it is the nature of our jobs. The duties we all voluntarily signed up for. You would agree?"

"I would. And I think I've learned to appreciate that, in a way." Jonas reached again for his hot chocolate but didn't drink. "I still absolutely hate giving someone bad news, but I think I've become... maybe not grateful, but mindful? Mindful of the fact that I am there and can see that the duty is carried out correctly. It might include trying to comfort, but it is always an opportunity to be respectful. I feel privileged that I am in a position to insure that respect." He considered his own words before drinking deeply and then brightening his expression.

"We seem to be of the same mind on the subject, anyway, and I feel that your approach to such tasks is healthy. How about something a little less grim?" A slight smile formed as he noticed a hopefully pleasant topic. "How far along are you?"

"Almost twenty-five weeks," she answered. A slight pause followed during which she digested the news herself -- it seemed like only yesterday that she was just beginning to show signs of pregnancy...the fact that two months had whizzed by so quickly was a shocking and sobering revelation. "Though I swear it could have been less," she added with a trailing mumble.

"That's a good sign," Jonas remarked. "It's been my experience when I've heard people say something similar that it has been an easy or at least healthy pregnancy. Are you feeling prepared for the baby's arrival? Or, at least, as prepared as you think possible?"

She shook her head and laughed softly. "How much can a first-time mother prepare for twins?" she asked with levity. "I have read several books, talked to my family and friends...but I still feel nothing can really prepare me for the responsibility." She paused and took a deep breath. "I think my life will change a lot...very soon. But hopefully for the better."

Jonas nodded. "Having just met you, I can't speak with one hundred percent certainty, but I'm inclined to agree." He leaned back a little and simply held his cup, which was already empty. "I'm sure you'll have plenty of help from the crew if needed, but do you have someone closer on hand to help with the day-to-day? A partner, or family member?"

"Nesh is on board. She is my youngest sister," Lirha began. "I have a partner as well and I think we enjoy each other very much." She thought of Jesra with momentary flashbacks of Siren while wondering whether or not to mention her ex-wife. "Do you think a family unit is required to raise a child?" she then asked. "Does having a partner or spouse in Starfleet help the child?" It was a loaded question not only due to the transient nature of Starfleet service but also the uncertain futures the children might have to face.

"Not at all," Jonas countered. "I think of family as more of an abstract concept, and it can be perfectly complete with only two. However, I do think that having a support system is also vital, whether or not it's a spouse, partner, sister, best friend, whatever." He paused to consider the rest of his response. "As far as that partner or spouse being in Starfleet? As long as they love and nurture the child, I don't think it can be a bad thing. My parents weren't in Starfleet, but they ran our ship and my childhood turned out okay." He intentionally left out the word mostly before the word okay as this was not the time to discuss his own issues with his father, and in truth those issues had only developed after his childhood.

She thought about his words for a long moment. The counselor's interpretation of family units and all the intricacies which accompanied them -- especially across the various species -- was accurate, she felt. There was no way to realistically define such a concept and have the meaning of it apply equally to all of the different lifeforms in the galaxy. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized her own interpretation of family was quite different from that of Humans or Romulans or Vulcans, and even from other Orions. She was, after all, a cultural hybrid...one who'd been creolized at a young age and had grown up influenced by multiple societies and cultures.

"What do you think of Starfleet relationship protocols?" she curiously asked. He seemed to be one of the more liberal counselors she'd encountered and was curious to know his thoughts on relationship ethics within the ranks. "Should it really be forbidden to form a family bond with other ranking members of the fleet on the same starship?"

Blushing a bit, Jonas craned his head to the side slightly. "Well, I'm actually of two minds on the subject. Personally, it has been my intention to avoid... or at least, attempt to avoid becoming involved with a member of the crew as I do not wish to create any complications or conflicts of interest as the Chief Counselor." That was his opinion, he was sure of it, but the explanation of his personal stance might have sounded more like an attempt to convince himself it was the correct choice than an explanation of why he chosen such a position.

"As a counselor in general, however, I see nothing wrong with it. You put a handful of humanoids together on a ship and some sparks are going to fly, bonds formed and nurtured. Ultimately the strength, security and comfort of a family unit is of immeasurable value to some, and their work shows a marked improvement from this stability. Others prefer to remain single, but the freedom to engage in... well, the freedom to indulge in casual sex fulfills a different need and helps them maintain their balance."

Jonas chewed his lip a bit before continuing. "Now of course, complications can arise, but the hope is that Starfleet officers have the capability to separate personal and private matters as needed and to exhibit respect and maturity at all times. This maturity also applies to Command and Senior Officers - despite my personal decision on the subject. If the officer cannot stay professional and perform their duties as required when engaged in a relationship, then I would question whether they could perform them at all in the first place. Romance is only one of a thousand potential distractions from duty, and at the end of the day, I'd argue the potential benefit outweighs any potential risk."

Lirha was relieved at the final judgement. She'd been all-too guilty of breaking the occasional Starfleet regulation throughout her entire career. It had always brought personal pleasure and stability by forming close bonds with those around her -- despite the Starfleet command training which completely discouraged said behavior. When all was said and done, however, she'd always felt that the memories two people could make together in a single night were something special to be cherished. Something which made them all feel alive and a part of the greater galactic connection. Perhaps something which transcended even Starfleet.

"And have you ever had a relationship with a subordinate? Or superior?" she then asked, hoping he would confess and not make her feel like the outlier.

"I wouldn't exactly call them relationships..." Jonas answered, making air quotes with his fingers for the word, 'relationships'. His head rocked back and forth as he choose a more accurate term. "I'd say... intimate encounters. Usually with those my rank or above, never with those in my own department... well, except that once." He let out a deep sigh. "I suppose the point is, well, that we're all human? Sorry, I know that's a terribly ethnocentric thing to say, but it's an old Earth expression and I think you catch the meaning."

Fortunately for Lirha, she was one of the few Orions who was deeply familiar with Earth culture, customs, and sentiments. "You mean questionable decisions as a result of emotions and desires?" she tried to clarify. "Yes...I suppose we are all 'Human', in that case," she winked. "Me perhaps more so than you."

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Jonas Flynn
Chief Counselor
USS Galileo

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