True Colours

Posted on Mon Dec 28th, 2020 @ 9:56am by Commander Peter Horn

1,462 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - Echoes Of An Empire
Location: XO's Office
Timeline: MD3

Report in time. Peter hated it, considered it a waste of time. Time much better spent getting acquainted with the ship, settle the family and take inventory of one's office.

He tugged down the hem of his tunic, taking note of his new colours. Well new... He'd been wearing them for a while now, but he still wasn't used to them after nearly a lifetime in yellow. The Vulcanoid officer sighed as he pressed the chime, tugging down his tunic a second time as if that would give him some composure. As if he needed that! Expression perfectly neutral, as expected from one of his species, he waited for the XO to answer the door.

Tamaska was reading over the newest reports on the ship, she raised her head and called out, "Enter!" rising up from her chair to stretch her legs and to see who had come a calling. She straightened her own tunic top, so it would sit just right.

The door opened and the visually Vulcan stepped into the office, producing his transfer offers as he approached the desk. "Commander Peter Horn, reporting for duty," he announced as he came to attention.

Tamaska gave an appraising look at the counselor, who stood before her. She reached out to acquire the transfer orders from the commander. "Thank you. Won't you have a seat please?" going back to sitting down at her desk. "Your arrival is most welcome." Tamaska remarked with a little bit of a smile. And what she said was true, with what had happened previously to the ship, and those that survived, they were going to need all the help they can get.

Tamaska glanced through the transfer orders and entered his arrival in her computer. "You've been in Security, what made you decide to become a counselor?" raising her eyes from the computer to look at Horn.

"I needed a new challenge, expand my horizons and my knowledge. I realized, that perhaps my desire to assist might not be in my career in security, but perhaps I will find it in a new path as counselor." He smiled ever so slightly, a minute twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Vulcans are a very long lived species, it is only logical that I attempt to be the best I can be, and find that which may give me the most... gratification."

Tamaska gave a slight smile, making a mental notation. He was an onion, someone with multiple layers. "With your life experiences so far, I'm certain that you'll be able to give a different perspective that isn't a cookie cutter analysis that some counselors seem to.. show a preference to. I feel that will be rather handy with this crew, especially with the survivors of the attack on this ship. I am part of that list of survivors."

"I apologize ma'am but I seem to have missed a briefing," Peter started, tilting his head a fraction to study her. "What attack?"

"I thought you might have been briefed." Tamaska went silent for a moment as she gathered her thoughts, before speaking. Tamaska began giving Horn a little brief rundown. "Whilst on a routine mssion to scan a planet, getting ready to make plans to explore it, our ship was attacked. We don't know why, but it is speculated that Romulans had done the attack. This ship was almost destroyed, and.."Her voice faltered as she said the next part, tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. " We lost most of the crew, including the Captain and XO, I escaped, due to my not being on the bridge. A freaky un-nerving escape. If I hadn't left the bridge when I did, I wouldn't have been here. I was in the turbolift when the attack hit." Tamaska swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears back, her face going pale as she continued. "We lost most everyone on the ship, just a small handful of us survived, and we were barely hanging on when the USS Merlin came to our rescue."

Tamaska went quiet, clenching her fists, trying to bring her mind back to the present and not relive that terrible day, her breath coming out in short gasps.

"Breathe," Peter said quietly, "slow breaths. Slowly count to ten, and relax." He could see -and easily sense- that she was tense. "I would like to schedule an appointment to allow you to speak of this in a more... informal setting. Someone has been remiss in not briefing me, I apologize for having you relive such a dreadful memory."

Tamaska blinked then focused on Horn, she went into her meditative breathing, feeling herself calm down. Finally she was able to speak once more. "Isn't it either the captain or my job to pass on that information? Or is it someone further up the chain of command?"

"I would assume, given past experiences, yours or the captain. But under the circumstances I would assume anyone could have. I was not, however, aware of the circumstances. If you are willing, I would still like to be caught up to speed. And who I need to make sure comes to see me for an appointment." He offered the smallest and minutest of smiles. "Including yourself."

"Quite a few people would avoid counselors at any cost if they can. I for one, am willing to make an appointment. And also I am all right for now, and am willing to get you up to speed on what's been happening. Where would you like to start?" Tamaska asked.

"Just give me the rundown of what I need to know, so I know where to start with the crew," Peter offered, "and I know a great many would run away screaming. I have avoided counselors myself in the past, but I have also learned that it is best to deal with an issue straight away instead of allowing it time to fester."

Tamaska nodded, "Well you now know of me. Mel, she had to deal with the bodies and injured coming into to sickbay. Her daughter Charlie lost most of her friends during that attack and I do believe a boy whom was probably her boyfriend. His name was Greg. Keiben, who is now our Captain, he had to bring us together, he kept us alive, almost starving himself. "she glowered at that. "He pretended to eat while giving us his share of food." She shook her head, continuing on. "Then there is Ensign L'johk Adams, he was there as well. I will have to get the names of the others whom you will need to check in on, but for now the ones I have mentioned would be a good start."

"I will most definitely be speaking to the captain. Melanie, I know will come to me. I have known her for a very, very long time. Even if she will not come to me as her counselor, I know she will as a family friend. Her and my wife go back quite some time too. Our oldest daughter was very close friends with her son. I am certain they kept in touch even though she never said anything."

"Old friends? Oh good, that will probably help Mel in talking with you." Tamaska replied, looking a bit relieved. "Just as I surmised, you are going to be a good fit here, Counselor. What other things am I forgetting at the moment." tapping an index finger against her pursed lips. "What else can I inform you of or is that something that needs to be taken care of in your counselor's office?"

"I do not know. How is the captain faring under the circumstances?" Peter wasn't sure what else there was to tell, or to brief him about. He just got here and he had no idea otherwise what the crew had gone through. Could he relate though? Yes, most definitely given his own long career with Starfleet, which hadn't been without incidents either.

"Honestly, he's had to deal with more than his share of what happened. He tries to hide it but he suffered greatly. Keiben's a good man, self sacrificing doesn't expect more out of a person than what he expects out of himself. I am hoping that he does talk with you. And I am certain he felt, the anguish that everyone suffered, including him." Tamaska replied.

Peter nodded. "I will make sure to speak with him then," he commented. "I have taken up enough of your time commander. If anything comes up, then I will know how to reach you."

"Yes, you do indeed know how to reach me." Tamaska giving a slight smile. "Until next time."

Peter simply nodded again, before getting up and leaving the office. He had work to do.

 

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