The Warrior and the Couch

Posted on Sat Mar 7th, 2009 @ 1:18pm by Lieutenant JG Ador Shran & Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter

989 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: In The Dark
Location: Counseller's Office

Ador thought the psyche eval was a waste of his time. However he had to lead by example. He marched to the Counselor's office and pressed the chime. He waited for the young Ensign to answer the chime.

Putting down her PADD and cup of tea, Ensign Carter was surprised at the sound of the door. "Come in" she said, rather louder than she had meant to. She had no appointments booked but, as she always said, her door was always (metaphorically) open.

Ador marched in and stood in the middle of the room. He hated the whole idea of the Eval. He took a look at the young Ensign. He gave her a once over and came to the conclusion she needed seasoning.

"Ensign, I am here for my required psyche exam. I also require a list of my personel that have not reported so I can free them up for you." He said in the voice of an old Sargent. His icy glare spoke volumes about his feelings.

"Welcome to the Counselor's office" said Carter, sensing the other's dislike at the request to report for the evaluation. "Please, take a seat". She smiled and remained friendly, despite the obvious prickle in the air.

Ador sat down on the edge of the couch like a caged animal. He surveyed the room with the practiced eye of a warrior.

"So, sir, how are you settling into the ship's life? I for one am delighted the mission is underway". She smiled again at the Lieutenant.

"I and my family are settling just fine. To be honest in my profession speaking to members of your profession can be seen as a problematic." He said with an icy glare.

"How so, sir," asked Carter now very much aware that the Lieutenant would really rather be anywhere than with her.

"I am privy to all kinds of information that needs to stay locked in my head. I also am not the nicest sort. I am the junkyard dog that keeps the monsters at bay. In my opinion I think it best to keep my own counsel unless the need arises. If I need to confide in anyone I do so with another Marine." He said as he crossed his arms in distaste. "Honestly kid how can you relate to the things I have done and seen. You are still wet behind the ears, right out of the academy." He added with a little less venom.

Carter took this on board without saying a word. In her profession, saying nothing was often the best course of action in tricky circumstances.

"Now, sir, I have to ask you a series of compulsory Starfleet questions. These are asked of every individual coming for one of these evaluations and may I assure you that the results are confidential. Please answer them as truthfully as you can." She readied her PADD on her lap and pressed on, despite the Lieutenant's obvious dislike of the whole proceedings.

"Proceed Ensign." He said stiffly.

Carter proceeded, as asked. She was aware of the Lieutenant's run in with the terrible Borg and wanted to make this as easy as possible for him.

"Question 1. Do you ever feel very down or deliriously happy for no real reason?"

"No Ensign I always have a good reason for either emotion." Ador answered.


"2. Have you ever had thoughts to harm another sentient being?"

"Yes. It was my job. I was a Marine for 22 years Kid." He said with a huff.


"3. Have you ever been convicted of a serious crime?"

"No." Ador said flatly.


"4. Have you ever taken illegal mood enhancing substances?"

"No. I prefer Andorian ale to enhance my mood." He said sarcastically.

"5. Have you ever lost your temper so badly that you lost control of your actions?"

"No Ensign. If I had I wouldn't be here now. In my business if you don't control your emotions people die." He said with angry stare. May be that would make the Ensign lose interest in this farce.

As with all such potentially hostile situations, Carter was skilled at diffusing tactics. She saw the Lieutenant's angry face and beamed at him. "Well, sir, it sounds like you have had an interesting past," she began. "It must have been hard to learn such controlling techniques. Perhaps I can learn from you!" She wasn't sure about that as she suspected he was the type to attack first and ask questions later - not her style at all.

"Try sitting in one spot for a week to avoid detection. You really learn to control yourself real quick or you get dead even quicker." He said with a dark evil grin. "Besides that spend time as an assistant to a Vulcan. That will teach you control." He added a little less testily.

She progressed the interview as planned. "Is there anything you would like to discuss with me, Lieutenant?" she asked.

"No Ensign. I am satisfied with my own council. When I need a second opinion I ask my wife." He said with a grin at his own personal joke.

"All right, then," said Carter, wondering what it would be like to have an "other half" as they put it. Could one really be not a whole person until they had someone else? She didn't know. It was clear the Lieutenant had no further interest in being in her office and, as she added some notes to he PADD she said "well thank you, sir, for coming to see me. I trust you will find this mission fulfilling".

"Any thing that keeps me serving the Federation is fulfilling Kid. I'm an old warhorse, I live to serve." He said with a painful looking melancholy smile.

Ador strode out of the counselor's office. He was glad to be free.

Lucy watched him leave.

By:

Lieutenant JG Ador Shran
Chief Tactical/ Security Officer
USS Archimedes

and

Ensign Lucy Carter
Chief Counselor
USS Archimedes

 

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