Inspection Part 4: The Reality Principle

Posted on Wed Nov 20th, 2024 @ 5:45pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Petty Officer 1st Class Ember Locksley & Civilian Verity Thorne & Commander Cornelius 'Kit' Hanlon & Ensign Eridani
Edited on on Wed Nov 20th, 2024 @ 8:14pm

1,206 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Counselling Office - Deck 7 - USS Fenrir
Timeline: Day 6, 13:15

ON - CONTINUED:

Counselling Office, Deck 7

Blake hesitated for a moment before heading inside the counselling office suite. When her career had changed paths from the Marines to the Fleet, it had been as a counsellor. But it concerned her that it would make her perhaps a little too close to the department's remit for comfort. The last thing she wanted to do was make them feel like she, as an ex-Chief Counsellor, was breathing down their neck. She wanted to give them agency, not micromanage them. "Number One, I'd like you to take the lead on this one."

Kit looked at her for a moment before he smiled. "Sure thing, Captain," he said with warmth. He moved to the doors and they opened as he walked in. Inside were Petty Officer 1st Class Ember Locksley, Verity Thorne who was the civilian and Ensign Eridani. But as two Counsellors and a Chaplain, they were equal to Kit's eyes. "Inspection time," he said with an easy smile. "Seeing how things are settling and making sure we are on track."

Ember offered a gentle smile to them as she tucked her hands behind her back, nodding to each in greeting. She didn't mention that they'd all agreed the office felt far too cold and sterile and one of the first points of business was for them to bring a bit of warmth and life to it. "All personnel files have arrived and have been verified. We've made a start on psych evaluations and will continue throughout the next few weeks."

Kit nodded, holding her eyes for a moment before he smiled. "It's a large list of people...if you need additional support to get through them, the shipyards offer assistance to all ships docked with them," he said, but he suspected already that they had full control. After all, it was not something that needed to be done over night.

"I think Ensign Eridani and myself will manage for now," Ember assured with an appreciative smile all the same. It was reassuring that there was at least an acknowledgement that, for now, they were missing a Chief.

"Unfortunately, I can't help with that side of things," Verity added lightly, also more relaxed in nature. But as a civilian serving in the 'fleet, he'd never been fully onboard with the military style. "As a chaplain, I can listen, give advice and even offer some kinds of therapy and support, but I don't perform psych evaluations."

"Yes, there are not many Chaplains," Kit said as he met Verity's eyes. He gave him a small smile to soften the words. "I am sure that the crew will find that reassuring too, to talk to someone and not worry about their Chief sniffing it out..." the last was said playfully, he doubted any Chief had ever raised an eyebrow at someone seeing a counsellor. In fact, they might have felt relief instead as it meant that they did not have to drag some ensign kicking and screaming in.

Verity grinned at the suggestion, shaking his head head with a playful tut at him bringing it up. There was a grain of truth in it, but the reality wasn't quite as cynical as the jest suggested. "With your permission, I would like to start some recreational groups. Music...theatre...reading, that kind of thing."

Kit looked at him with surprise before he nodded. "Of course," he said, smiling at the idea. "It's good to have some community hobbies as well that isn't just 'go to the holodeck and mess stuff up in period costume'...if you ask me anyway. Let me know what you need to make it happen, Thorne."

Verity nodded swiftly, before he changed his mind. "Maybe your voice on the tenor line, Commander?" he teased lightly, warmth in his smile.

Kit made a face at that, shaking his head. "I'm not very much for singing," he admitted, but it was with warmth. "Except the occasional sea shanty."

"We'll see..." Verity replied lightly, a playfulness in the way he spoke despite the other man being a high ranking officer.

"Are we expecting any more members of the counselling department before we leave?" Ensign Eridani asked in their usual straight forward manner, comfortable with whatever the answer might be. They just wanted to know what to expect.

"Hopeful, but not certain," Kit admitted as he looked at them, shaking his head. "Finding a Chief Counselor has proven to be a challenge. Sounds like a wave of them retired and now everyone's trying to get a hold of some..." the last was said with a smile that was genuine but also playful. So whether the story was fact or embellishment was up for debate.

Ember's eyes lifted at the words, but with a small smile, and it didn't quite develop into a full eye-roll. "We've offered to assist the Ensign with the admin in the interim," she assured firmly. Because while Ensign Eridani was the officer amongst them, it wouldn't usually have all come down to a lower ranking officer. And with her own background in the medical world and the Chaplain having run his own parish when he'd served as a Priest, it had seemed wasteful and churlish for them not to take some of that extra workload.

Eridani looked at Ember before they smiled. "I appreciate it, if only for my own sanity," they said before their features settled more professionally.

Kit nodded, smiling as he looked at them. "Sounds like you all have a lot to get going on," he said and looked over at Blake for a moment. "Of course, the Command staff are here to help in case you have anyone...dragging their heels for sessions."

"We'll be sure to let you know if that's the case," Ember replied with a hint of humour in her eyes...because she knew how reluctant some Starfleet types could be on that front. It was an interesting psychological phenomenon in its own right. "Fingers crossed, it won't be necessary."

"Fingers crossed indeed," Kit said as he looked at them. He was confident that the department would do well, even without a Chief. "We shall let you get back to your work."

"Thank you Commander, Captain," Eridani straightened a little, more formal in the dismissal as they watched the pair leave. Waiting for the doors to close, Eridani offered their hand out to the others for a low five.


Keeping a brisk pace down the corridor, Blake glanced across to Kit with a small, half smile, her hands tucked neatly behind her back even as they made their way to Engineering. "Not too shabby," she finally relented, but with a touch of humour to her manner.

Kit shook his head, a warm smile coming to him. "Not at all. Glad to know we got them keeping us sane. Of course, we might need it once we get into Engineering..." Without a Chief Engineer there, he was...hopeful rather than confident.

TBC:


Commander Cornelius 'Kit' Hanlon
First Officer
USS Fenrir

Commander Scarlet Blake
Commanding Officer
USS Fenrir

Petty Officer 1st Class Ember Locksley
Counsellor
USS Fenrir
[PNPC Blake]

Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Fenrir
[PNPC Blake]

Ensign Eridani
Counsellor
USS Fenrir
[NPC]

 

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