Counseling the Newly Wakened

Posted on Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 @ 9:46pm by

1,397 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: S1:3: Myriad Problems
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: Day 1, Morning

Peeph sat in his office. The Andorian looked around it and decided that his office was decidedly dull. His antennae wilted at the thought. Every object had already been used for one experiment in play or another. Of course, he was careful to sterilize them afterwards. He would not want his patients to be uncomfortable and he knew that the Pink Skins for certain were exceptionally sensitive and prudish. When brought out of their shells, though, some of them proved to be quite entertaining for awhile.

Of course, there seemed to be a new problem brewing on Traveller. It was not unexpected. People who were recently thawed from stasis were having trouble adjusting to having been out of time and not working, yet being thrown back into routine. Already creating a stir was Lieutenant Jolani Kohnar. She certainly was not winning friends. Reading her file, he understood the trauma she suffered. After all, Andorians could suffer the loss of the same bond. This was one of many reasons that Peeph decided that he would stay a neuter. All the play with none of the risk. His antennae picked up and wiggled at that thought. Perhaps that's what the Lieutenant needed...a new play partner.

He did not have the time to consider the thought long because he had scheduled an appointment with the other Chief that was recently brought out of stasis, Lieutenant Traa. Unlike, Lieutenant Kohnar, she had been compliant with scheduling. His antennae twirled with the challenge of meeting with Lieutenant T’raa. However, for now, he needed to focus. His chime rang and he answered in his soft voice, "Come in, Lieutenant T’raa."

The Vulcan waited for the invitation, and upon receiving it stepped towards the door which slid open to grant her entrance to the counselor's office. With her arms folded behind her back she entered, inclined her head slightly and said, “Lieutenant Peeph, or do you prefer Counselor?”

The Andorian’s antennae twirled randomly, as if there was some sort of confusion. Vulcans and Andorians were old enemies but brought to peace with the Federation. Who knew how much animosity, this particular Vulcan would have. Of course, a Vulcan might state that she had none because it would be illogical; however, often times Vulcans denied or suppressed emotions. It was up to Peeph to help them sort through them, as infuriating as it might be for her.

Peeph’s antennae switched to a more interested emotion, leaning forward towards T’raa. “It does not matter. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

"That is not logical," T'raa said, "it is your person, your preference to what you should be called takes priority. This is also your office."

T'raa kept her expression flat, but felt a slight annoyance at the inefficiencies of this process. However she felt about being awoken from stasis, or as the crew called it 'thawed out', was irrelevant. The method of keeping a large portion of the crew in stasis was an efficient means of travelling with limited resources and her being thawed out at this time was logical. That Starfleet insisted in mandatory counselling was illogical and vexing. That they were spending time debating what terminology the counsellor would like to be called was a further inefficiency.

"Both your rank designation and name and your function title are standard usages in this situation," she pointed out.

"And thus, both would be accurate and neither is of importance. Hence, whichever makes you comfortable." Peeph's antennae continued to lean in forward. Vulcans were always the most interesting patients, as getting in touch with their inner selves was highly uncomfortable. Vulcans term for this was always "illogical," as if it was a magic wand to dismissing any discussion they did not find interesting.

Yet, discussing his name would, in this case, be pointless. Let it hang out there and vex the Vulcan. IT would give her something to consider. "Tell me, how do you feel? Does it bother you that you have been in stasis so long and missed out on some chronology?"

The Vulcan was glad that the Andorian decided to cease the pointless discussion of name. Though no appropriate or preferred name was presented T'raa decided to simply go with the logical option in the context that it was presented in. Yet as expected the Counselor went from pointless discussion to pointless question. Humans, Andorian and so many other species in the Federation were obsessed with discussing their feelings when there was more pressing matters. However rather than let this continue to vex her T'raa had learned as all Vulcans had to simply go along with these conversations and not let it unsettle them.

As little point as there was in the conversation, there was less point in having an additional conversation about the pointlessness of the conversation.

"I am not bothered. It was the logical choice and I was selected for this rotation based on a logical data set. I hope to get up to speed with what I have missed and be able to do my part to make the mission a success, regardless of when I was in stasis," T'raa said in a flat voice. Then she added, "Is this something that occupies your own thoughts Counselor?"

"My thoughts are irrelevant," the Andorian replied, his antennae twittering happily at the turned phrase. "I am a ship's counselor. I am here to assist you. After all, what we have done is unprecedented. Does it not bother you that you may not see family or friends ever again?"

"There is no evidence to suggest that I would see them again, short of an unexpected and highly improbable temporal anomaly occurring. However the chances of that are infinitesimal, and not statistically worth considering," T'raa said plainly, "And obviously I would like to have been able to continue to see the individuals that I am fond of but I was well aware of this fact when I departed. Also this is hardly unprecedented, while the mechanics of cryo-statis have not been often used for travel, there are beings who have woken from stasis after much time. Further early explorers from many Starfleet worlds took journeys with no promise of being able to return to explore their world or to establish colonies."

"Yes," Peeph responded. "However, you are not those others. You are you. As you say, stasis has not been used for some time and when you are in stasis, you are not aware. Does that concept not alarm you? The passage of time without knowing? To put your trust that all the mechanics will work and not break, perhaps for millions of years? Who knew if the jump itself would work? It was untested. Regardless, there is then the adjusting after out of stasis. Some do not do well. And what are your plans for when certain emotional states arise? Going home to Vulcan is not likely an option."

The Vulcan shook her head, "Hypotheticals that have not come to pass are not worth dwelling on. As for my emotional state, I assume you are attempting to be delicate when talking about Pon Farr. It is obviously a concern, but I have ten months before I will begin to exhibit the first signs of the condition. By then I may find a suitable mate aboard the ship. As you know Vulcans factor this into our service and Starfleet will have made the appropriate crew assignments to address my needs. Unless Lieutenant you are volunteering."

She paused, then added, "Andorians are suitably durable enough to survive the act."

T'raa raised an eyebrow, interested to see how the other officer would react to that.

"But life is a hypothetical. Nothing is ever certain until it happens, no? All that you have are probabilities and those are far from certain. Hence, it is worth asking the questions. And yes, I was being delicate regarding Pon Farr. I am aware that is a time that most Vulcans are quite uncomfortable discussing. It is good to know that you have made some peace with your emotional and genetic needs." He made a note on his PADD.

"I was not volunteering but I must admit that the idea of playing with a Vulcan, a traditional rival, is titillating." His antennae started to twitter from side to side in a rapid motion, clearly showing his excitement and interest.

 

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