Engineering a Counseling Session
Posted on Wed Sep 28th, 2016 @ 3:59am by Lieutenant Zhara Rynn & Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro
1,088 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Into the Raptor's Shadow
Location: Counseling
ON
Zhara had yet to meet with all the senior officers, which concerned her, under the circumstances. So, she decided to set up appointments and inform the various officers.
For Lieutenant Commander Divaro, she set his appointment for right after his shift so that he would be sure to have time to meet with her. And, since he was officially off duty, she also decided to provide what the computer informed her was one of his preferred drinks: bourbon.
She altered the lighting to give the walls a blue tinge as it was more relaxing and seemed to be one Divaro liked.
Now, she waited.
As he was about to leave his office, Daniel remembered that he had an appointment with the ship's counselor. He couldn't say that he was exactly looking forward to it but that which could not be avoided had to be endured. So he headed for the counselor's office. When he arrived, he rang the chime and waited to be admitted.
"Come in," Zhara said, standing to greet the Engineer. "I am Zhara Rynn, the counselor here. Please have a seat. May I offer you a drink?" She indicated the decanter of bourbon on the table in the conversation area.
"If my eyes do not deceive me and that's bourbon in that decanter you certainly may offer me a drink," Daniel said with a smile as he took the offered chair. "Commander Daniel Divaro at your service, Ma'am..."
Zhara poured him a glass and handed it to him before taking a seat in the chair opposite. "How is Engineering?" she asked.
"Things are going well in engineering," Daniel answered. "I have a good second-in-command and everything seems to be running smoothly."
Zhara smiled. "Always a good thing," she said. "And how are you finding the Hyperion?"
"I like the Hyperion very well," Daniel answered. "I have a much larger engineering department than I did on the Indianapolis. In fact, I think I have more engineers here than we had officers on the entire Indy."
"That sounds like a nice challenge," Zhara said. "So, to take care of the elephant in the room, how are you getting along with Velah?"
"Velah and I get on fairly well," Daniel answered. "Our divorce came about because of a difference in assignments. I was assigned to the Indianapolis and Velah didn't want to leave Starbase 171 because she had just been promoted to Chief Medical Officer, so we decided to try a long-distance relationship. As you know, sometimes those don't work out and unfortunately ours didn't."
Zhara nodded. "Yes. Long-distance relationships are very difficult. At least you're both doing a good job raising Sassy."
"I appreciate your saying that and it hasn't been easy over the past three years," Daniel said. "But hopefully now since we're both on the same ship things will be easier."
"At least for Sassy," Zhara replied. "Has it had any impact on your personal life? Having your ex-wife and daughter on board?"
Divaro though for a moment, unsure of how to answer the question. "I'm not sure..." he said slowly. He didn't know if he should bring up the issue of Elan' Val right now or not because, truthfully, he wasn't sure if Velah's presence aboard the Hyperion actually had any bearing on his and Elan's breakup. Finally he decided he had to trust Lieutenant Rynn. "I don't know if this is relevant or not, but prior to their reporting aboard, I was seeing Lieutenant Val socially. When I told her they would be reporting aboard once we reached 171, the news caused a..." he hesitated a moment, searching for the right word. "...scene...in the lounge. After that, the relationship between Elan' and I went south in a handbasket."
Zhara considered that for a moment. "Was that just because your wife and daughter were arriving or were there problems before that?"
"Ex-wife..." Daniel reminded her quietly. "And we had not experienced any problems before. Everything seemed to be going fine between Elan' and I. Her decision to end our relationship came as a complete surprise to me."
"My apologies," Zhara said. "Ex-wife. Although there is nothing between the two of you, you are both Sassy's parents, and will remain so. That can negatively impact any relationship."
Daniel frowned slightly at Lieutenant Rynn's statement because it was something he had not thought of. "I had not considered that," he said slowly. "Do you think that's why Lieutenant Val ended our relationship?"
"I don't know," Zhara replied honestly. "I don't generally delve into people's relationships."
Daniel nodded. "I'm not sure what happened there," he said. "Everything seemed to be going well until I told her I had just found out that Velah and Sassi were coming aboard. Then it just seemed that everything went downhill from there."
"It could be that, or it could simply be that she had second thoughts," Zhara said. "Relationships are always a little awkward at the beginning. Add to that the insulated community on board a starship and it's even more difficult. What do you think of the rest of the crew?"
"They seem to be a pretty good crew," Daniel answered. "I haven't met most of them but the ones I have met seem to be really competent. I know I'm well satisfied with my engineers." He smiled a bit at Rynn, then asked "How are YOU finding things aboard the Hyperion?"
"So far I quite like it," the counselor replied. "The Captain respects my opinion and, like you, I like those I've met so far." She reached for a PADD and handed it to the engineer. "You've taken this test before. I find it most effective in helping me fill in the gaps. Simply answer the questions honestly -- there are no right or wrong answers. Once you are done, you will be free to go about your business -- unless you have something you wish to discuss?"
"Not that I can think of at the moment..." Daniel said as he took the PADD from her. "But I'm sure as I learn to deal with a teenage daughter I will have questions," he said with a grin.
She nodded. "Then after you are finished with the test, you'll be free to go."
====== Twenty minutes later ======
Daniel finished the test and handed the PADD back to Zhara. "All done..." he said as he stood up. "Have a good day, counselor."
"Thank you, Commander," Zhara replied. "Have a good day."
____
OFF
Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro
Chief Engineer
Lieutenant Zhara Rynn
Counselor
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