Scientific Counseling

Posted on Mon Oct 10th, 2016 @ 1:58pm by Lieutenant JG Élan Val & Lieutenant Zhara Rynn

1,544 words; about a 8 minute read

ON

The newly-appointed Chief Science Officer was someone Zhara had yet to meet. She seemed to spend much of her time in her department, which was fine, but she still needed to get her counseling session out of the way before they got too far into their exploration, so Zhara set up an appointment and sent a message.

Élan was sitting at one of the desk style workstations in the chemistry lab working on an equation that had been a little troublesome for her and the other science officers for some time. It had gone from a simple identification problem to a major pain in everyone’s brain as they had tried to identify the compound. The equation had been sent out fleet wide from a survey ship, and so far no one had been able to figure it out. For Élan, it was a challenge that was driving both her and Val more than just a little insane. Leaning back so she could take a break, Élan rubbed her eyes and frowned when the inter-ship messaging system pinged her workstation, indicating that she had a message. Reaching out with one hand, she opened the message and made a face.

Counselors were one of the evils that every Starfleet officer and crewman faced, and like some of the evil-minded medical officers who would sometimes run someone down for a physical; counselors were one of required individuals that all Starfleet personnel would have to meet on a regular basis. Being a senior officer, Élan knew that she would be required for more sessions. Checking the time, she saved her work and signed off of the workstation before she stood and headed towards the counselor’s office. As she arrived, Élan was silently thankful that for once she had worn one of her uniforms. Reaching out, she tapped the door chime and waited.

Zhara had a pitcher of sweet tea ready on the small coffee table in her conversation area ready for the science officer. It sat next to a vase of roses and lavender sat next to the pitcher. Soft violin music played in the background and the accent lights on the wall were a dark purplish blue. It took a little research to gather the information, but if you knew where to look -- and Zhara did -- it wasn't too difficult. Details such as these were added to the psychological profile so she would have them for future use.

Stepping into the counselor’s office, Élan paused as her senses detected the setting of the room. Closing her eyes, she sniffed the air and smiled as she recognized the scent of roses and lavender. Through their link, she could sense Val’s content. The office was almost like her quarters, and it was enough to let her drop her defenses a little. Shaking herself out of her nearly hypnotized state, the science officer turned towards the counselor and raised an eyebrow as she noticed the pitcher.

“You must be extremely serious about your job,” Élan said, realizing how much searching the counselor had to have done in order to obtain the information she had used to set everything up.

"I am, and I'm not," Zhara replied. "I believe it important to make a client feel at home. That does take some initial research. I also feel it important to not take a counseling session too seriously. I believe that is what causes so many to dislike counselors." She smiled at the science officer. "Please, have a seat. May I pour you a glass of tea?"

“Please, and thank you,” Élan said as she eased into a chair and leaned back. She tried to appear calm, but inside she had to admit that she was just a little nervous. Counselors were a big part of the Trill symbiont joining program, and her experiences hadn’t always been favorable.

"I hear you were recently promoted to Chief Science Officer," Zhara said with a friendly smile. "And on a new ship. How is the department coming along?"

“It’s coming along nicely. There are still a few minor things that we need to work on, mostly personnel rosters changes and there’s still a few people I’m not allowing into the chemistry labs, but for the most part science seems to be coming along as well as we expected it to. I have to admit that if it wasn’t for Val’s experience to draw from, it would be taking me a bit longer to settle into the position,” Élan replied.

"There's a always a large learning curve when you first take over a department. You are fortunate to have your symbiont to help you," Zhara said, smiling at the science officer. "Besides your department, how are you settling in on the Hyperion?"

Élan smiled inwardly at the mention of Val’s experience. Val’s previous host, Kseniya Val, had been a science officer for over twenty years before retiring. It also helped that Val shared an open ‘relationship’ with Élan as far as knowledge went. They were both at home in the science labs, which was why Élan spent so much time there.

“I have to admit that there have been some ups and downs since I came on board, but I think I’ve settled in on the ship fairly well. I almost feel at home, but I think that’s in part because the Hyperion is a science ship and Val’s previous host was on board a science ship for well over twenty years,” Élan said.

Zhara nodded. "Yes, that would definitely make it easier for you to adjust. How do you and Val get along?"

“Surprisingly, we get along pretty well. She’s mostly open about her previous experiences, and so far we haven’t had any major conflicts,” Élan said.

Zhara smiled. "That's good. There aren't often troubles, as the Trill are very careful about matching hosts and symbiont, but it does happen from time to time. I'm glad the two of you are doing well." She made a few notes on her PADD and looked up. "And what about the other crew members. Do you get along with them?"

“Well . . . for the most part, I haven’t had any problems with the majority of the crew,” Élan said, feeling a hint of amusement at her response from Val. It was true enough, although her brief vendetta with Miko had definitely ended with a surprisingly close friendship between them; it had started off as anything but friendly. And then there was Daniel, who hadn’t even spoken to her since their relationship had ended.

Zhara got a bit of Élan's emotions, but there was nothing that seemed of concern to the counselor. "There are always problems of one sort or another," she said. "With a large ship it is inevitable. As long as it doesn't affect your ability to do your job, I have no concerns." She paused for a moment. "Is there a problem with any of the crew?"

“Miko . . . That is, Lieutenant Sato and I had a bit of a rough start when we first met, but we’ve settled our disagreement and actually become friends. The only other person that you could say there is any kind of an issue with is Commander Divaro, but I think that’s just going to take time. It’s nothing that’s distracting me from my job,” Élan replied calmly.

Zhara nodded. "Fair enough. Is there anything you wish to bring up or discuss?"

“Not at this time,” Élan said with a friendly smile as she finished her tea and set the glass down on the table.

"All right," Zhara said, returning the scientist's smile. "Then I only need one more thing from you." She pulled out a PADD and handed it to Élan. "You've seen this before. Just answer the questions as accurately as you can. There are no right or wrong answers. When you're finished, you're free to go."

Élan accepted the Padd and frowned slightly as she skimmed through the questionnaire. She could feel Val’s oozing dislike for having to do it, but Élan finally shrugged and scrolled back to the top before she started answering the questions. She was quite sure that a few of the answers would raise the counselor’s eyebrows a little, but as the Trill officer finished and handed the Padd back to Zhara, she smiled.

“I hope this doesn’t earn me another session later this week,” Élan said jokingly.

Zhara grinned. "Only if you fail spectacularly, and I don't think that will happen."

“I guess I’ll have to wait and find out. Thank you for the tea,” Élan said as she stood and offered a smile.

"You're very welcome," Zhara replied. "I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I don't think you're the fail type." She gave the scientist a reassuring smile in return. "Just relax and enjoy being head of a department."

“Thank you. I’ll certainly do my best,” Élan said. Offering the counselor a bow from the waist, the Trill turned and started towards the door and back to the lab.

____

Lieutenant Zhara Rynn
Counselor

Lieutenant Élan Val
Chief Science Officer

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