Counselor

Posted on Wed Mar 25th, 2020 @ 5:46am by Lieutenant JG Draestrad

Mission: Discovery
Location: Counselors Office
Timeline: Incidentals

Frank sat at his desk reviewing reports, the Pennsylvania was leaving Iota Station in the morning and had restocked supplies as well as picking up a few crewmen. He typically allowed the department heads meet their junior crewmen and he always met the senior staff. He finished the supply reports and had begun reading the Lieutenant’s service record when he received an alert from the computer stating the counselor had checked in to her office. Frank stood deciding it was a good time to take a break. Several minutes later he pressed the chime on the Counselors’ door.

Draestrad looked up from her monitor, suddenly conscious that it had been several hours since she last ate or drank, or even got up and stretched. “Enter” she crooked, her voice dry and raspy. A man with a rather unkempt appearance entered, and it took the El Aurian a moment to see his rank, the pips obscured by a shaggy white beard. When she seen his rank, she stood up in a show of respect.

“Oh, Captain Kamar. My apologies, Sir. I should have reported for duty before diving into my work” said the El

“It’s ok Lieutenant Draestrad, I uhh should have cleaned up a bit before coming by, my apologies. I was an engineer and tend to find myself reverting to fixing things rather than delegate it to a junior crew member. The uhh replicator quit in my Ready room and I, never mind I didn’t come here to ramble,” he said with a smile. “So Lieutenant you have found your office and quarters, I do hope you find them suitable.”

She smiled as she gestured for him to have a seat, walking over to the replicator built into a wall. “Jestral tea, hot” and then turning back to her new captain. “Yes, they will do just fine. Can I get you something to eat or drink? “ She asked as her requested beverage shimmered into existence.


“No thank you, I’m fine for now.” Frank said politely, “ It’s been busy trying to get everything squared away for our departure in the morning. This will be the last time we dock Iota for awhile, Starfleet has tasked us with finding a planet suitable for establishing a colony. The goal is to strengthen the Federation’s presence here and to use the colony as a trading post. There will also be diplomatic offices there too.”

The counselor nodded as she sat back down, clutching her demitasse of warm, fragrant tea. Being part of a team establishing a new colony was an exciting prospect. “Well my services are at your disposal. Diplomacy and counseling aren’t all that dissimilar. Each involves a great deal of careful listening and contemplation before deciding on a goal.” Offered the woman.

“When I was a child, my mother would say the same thing, listen and contemplate before making a move, but that was because we played a lot of checkers,” Frank smiled slightly at the happy memories. “I do appreciate you joining us,Counselor. I don’t think we have any pressing or urgent issues at the moment but if you don’t mind I’d like to have most of the crew check in with you just to meet you.”

She smiled at the man, pleased with his obvious complement of her vocation. “Of course, Captain. That’s what I’m here for. Long journeys in deep space can be rather tricky. One moment, the crew can feel like daring explorers doing front-line work for the Federation. The next they can feel isolated and alone. One of my goals is to foster a sense of community aboard the Pennsylvania. I can’t meet everyone’s entire emotional needs, but I can encourage the crew to regard one another as family.” Said the El Aurian.

“I agree, especially in this environment, we have suffered loss since arriving in the DQ, Lieutenant, in fact our Chief of Security and his away team were ambushed by Hirogen pretending to have a non working ship. They sent a distress signal. Anyhow we have had some new crew arrive since leaving Iota Station. I would appreciate you speaking to them. I will be issuing a ship wide message for all crew to schedule a meet and greet with the new Counselor,” Frank said as he rubbed his hands together.

“Well captain, I try to avoid preconceived notions about people before I get to know them. Having said that, it is a quantifiable fact that Commanding Officers are some of the hardest to get in the office. I’m hoping that won’t be the case here. You needn’t consider me in the same manner as the rest of the crew. What you say in this room is completely off the record and stays between you and I” said the counselor.


"I appreciate it Counselor, I promise I won't be a stranger. I know this may sound like an odd question but are you a poker player by any chance?" Frank asked the Lieutenant.

“The Terran card game? I’ve been known to play a hand now and then. But it would be risky to bet against a woman with the better half of a millennia under her belt. I’m a born listener, trained observer of non-verbal cues... I’d hate to see the Captain lose to a lowly counselor” she said with a playful smile.

“Duly noted,” Frank said with a grin. “Tell the Doc to schedule you in our next appointment. We try to line up our schedule once every couple of weeks for a game and a few drinks.”

“I look forward to it. Now if you’ll excuse me, my next appointment is due shortly.” She stood as she spoke, straightening her uniform. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Captain.”

“It was nice meeting you as well, Lieutenant. I’ll show myself out.” Frank nodded to the new Counselor and exited the office.

Tag

Captain Frank Kamar
Commanding Officer