Not quite a session

Posted on Wed Jan 6th, 2021 @ 2:45am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Stoun & Commander Peter Horn

1,533 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - Echoes Of An Empire
Location: Counselors office
Timeline: MD6, after briefing

Stoun pressed the chime on the Counselors door. He figured it would be best to get all of the medical things knocked out of the way at one time.

"Come in." Peter circled around his desk to welcome whoever was calling. His schedule was open so anyone coming in would be somewhat of a surprise. He gestured for the tiny white pup to move back to her corner, casting it a stern look before looking back towards the door. He'd acquired the pup before boarding, feeling he needed another pet after mourning his beloved Tundra for several months now.

The Chief sighed and then entered into the counselors office and looked around. "Commander Horn, I hope you don't mind, I wanted to make a check off the list of things needed to be done and my annual checkup is one of them. Got my medical out of the way already, you are next, that is if you have the time. I checked through your schedule and it didn't look like there was anyone on the list."

"Please have a seat chief," Peter said, gesturing to one of the chairs, "make yourself comfortable. What can I do to assist you?" Though fairly new to counseling, experience with counselor's had taught him that asking direct questions wasn't always the best approach. Often, giving the opportunity for the patient to set the pace did work best.

Stoun moved around to the chair and studied the Commander for a moment. "You mentioned during the briefing that I needed get my evaluation, so, I'm here. Also, probably good to get to meet you beyond a briefing, trying to get a chance to say hi to everyone."

The Vulcan nodded solemnly as he sat himself down as well. "There is fresh tea in the pot, if you desire any," he offered, gesturing towards the pot and cups sat on a side table. "Tell me a little about yourself chief. I heard about an accident recently, were you here on the ship, when that happened?"

The chief stood up and headed over to the tea pot. "No, I was on the rescue team that boarded after all of that, stayed on to help with repairs and then they transferred me on." He poured a cup of tea and then sat back down in the chair. "I've seen my fair share of accidents before though." He took a sip. "Not really my cup of tea really, but it will do. Umm about me, been an engineer most of my life some capacity, I like tinkering with things, umm" He paused as he took another sip. "Not much to tell really."

"Engineering is a very worthwhile career to have," the counselor acknowledged, "you like to tinker, in your spare time, I assume?" He leaned back too, the pup taking the opportunity to jump into his lap. "What do you usually tinker with?"

"Real or Holodog?" Jon mused for a moment while he watched the dog. "I'm guessing real, anyways hoverbikes, models, contraptions, anything really, anything I can take apart and put back together again. What about you Commander?"

"I am still learning to be a counselor," Peter confessed, "I have been in security most of my career so far. But I did grow up with engineering as my mother is an engineer. My father a retired commanding officer. I have seen my share of engineering as a child." He idly stroked the pup's soft white fur, causing it to yawn and snuggle closer. "She is a real animal," he answered the musing, "long haired white German Shepherd, approximately eight weeks old. A recent acquisition to my family, after our old dog died a few months ago. She was... very old, for a hybrid dog."

"Sorry to hear about your dog. I know it must be rough though that one looks fluffy." He downed the rest of the tea, it was warm but not thick enough for his liking. "We always had mutts growing up, or cats, usually one would show up at our door and we'd let it in. We had fifteen cats roaming around at one point I think, though that number fluctuated daily. Never really thought of having a pet on a starship, though I imagine in your work it helps, how do you like being a counselor? Seems a bit esoteric to me really, though I guess I talk to the ship now and then, so probably not too much different."

"It is different from being a security chief," Peter admitted, "it has taken adjustment and I am certain I still have a lot to learn." He looked at the ball of fur in his lap. "She is fluffy, and will make an excellent guard and assistant. Tundra was a guard dog, she has kept my children safe on many occasions. I have no doubt this one will learn to do that too, though my youngest child insists he does not need a babysitter. Do you have a family with you chief?"

"Just me, never quite had time for a family." He paused for a minute. "I like kids, and the idea of a family, but, just not in the cards I suppose. Engineering takes up most of my time, even when I'm in my cabin I've usually got ships diagnostics up on the screen."

He looked at the dog for a minute. "I just programmed a dog for The Doctor, she wanted a big golden retriever, maybe I'll have to borrow your dog at some point to study and make some adjustments to hers."

"I remember her old dog, Nobu." The counselor nodded. "If using my pup makes it a more real experience for her, then I feel obligated to assist." He stroked the pup's fur, almost lovingly. "She still needs a name. As for family, sometimes you have to wait for the right moment, or simply take the leap"

"Too messy." Jon stood and moved back towards the tea. "Moving here and there and flying across four quadrants I imagine takes its toll. Not my life really. Also, don't have to worry about someone getting sucked out a hole in the hull, or brains being eaten by a Quaralian Fuglisu, or any number of the terrible awful things that can happen to you on a deep space vessel." He poured another cup and motioned to the counselor. "I don't know, I guess I've had to have too many conversations where I had to help explain to someone that their mom, dad, or spouse wasn't coming home."

"There is always that fear," Peter acknowledged, "the fear of losing your children because of a madman, or woman..." He clearly recalled when his own children had been abducted, and his family threatened when he was much younger. "My eldest daughter is just attending the academy, my second daughter is residing on Earth to prepare for pre-med. I am left with my youngest, both sons, and I fear for their lives every day. But this is the path I chose, and I have to deal with it, right?"

"We all have I suppose, only thing between us and and certain death is a few centimeters of Tritanium. Well don't worry Commander, I'll make every effort to make sure we don't have to worry about that." He smiled as he brought a cup over to Horn. "Turning more into a metaphysical conversation than a counseling session, unless you are psychoanalyzing me right now I suppose. One of those, I'm watching you, watching me, watching you moments huh?"

"Perhaps.. however from my conversation with you I consider you to be fairly level headed and I see no reason to keep you from your duties." He offered the slightest of smiles. "But yes, I will be watching."

"Well, we're are all mad here aren't we? Thanks for the talk Commander anything else that we need to talk about or anything else that I may need to do to have me sign off on?."

"No not that I am aware of. However my door is always open, when I am on duty. Feel free to check in if you do feel a desire to talk." Peter signed off on a PADD then handed it over. "You are cleared for duty chief."

Jon grabbed the PADD and scanned it over real quick. "Thank you, also, if you ever just want to shoot the breeze or learn about reverse induction plasma coupling coils, feel free to come and find me."

Peter arched an eyebrow at the man. "Shoot the breeze?" he queried curiously.

"Ohh.. umm.. you know." He paused for a minute. "Like you know, shoot the bull, chit chat, that kind of thing, like not about anything specific."

"Ah..." The counselor offered a minute nod. "I am certain my engineering skills are very lacking, despite having grown up in an engineering minded household. My mother is a very gifted engineer, you see. Unfortunately, I seem to not have inherited that gift. But I will keep it in mind, if I ever need anything."

"That's ok, see you around Commander." Jon stood and stretched a bit before leaving the room, satisfied that we was cleared for duty.

 

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