Counseling: check

Posted on 20 May 2018 @ 3:36am by Admiral Ayana Varon & Lieutenant JG Cleopatra McCaine PhD

1,136 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: M-14 New Beginings
Location: Counseling

ON

Ayana was still getting used to the new ship. She was so concerned about learning everything that she was neglecting some of the other requirements that came with a new assignment. Being checked over by the counselor was definitely one of the first things she needed to do. Fortunately, she remembered before she had to be called in.

She made an appointment and headed down to the counseling offices.

They were small, and furnished with the typical smooth edged fittings in regulation grey, anonymous, but cosy. A slightly taller than average human, with blonde hair tht fell in gentle waves around her shoulders came out into the waiting area. "Ayana Varon?" she held out a hand, "I'm Doctor McCaine. Call me Cleo."

Ayana nodded and shook Cleo's hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you."

"Do come through." Cleo took her through the door to her office and indicated the two comfy chairs, waiting for Ayana to sit before she did. "I'm afraid I haven't been on board long enough to check everyone's files yet. Perhaps you could give me a break down of anything I need to know?" It was a lie. She had of course read Varon's medical file. But she liked to hear it in their own words, without the filters of previous professionals.

"Not much to say," Ayana admitted. "I'm a geek who likes to tinker with things." She really didn't think there was much of note in her file, or her background.

"Tinker?" Cleopatra replied. "You invent?" she settled back in her chair. Tell me about some of your tinkerings."

"I don't invent, exactly," Ayana said. "I like to take things apart, see how they work, and improve on them, if I can. I like old-fashioned communication devices. You know, ham radios, walkie talkies, citizen band radios. They don't have the range of a combadge, but it's amazing to see what primitive cultures did to talk to each other."

"All of life is communication. All behaviour. Its the story of civilisation." Cleo crossed one long leg over another and looked at the ops officer attentively. "Why old, as opposed to new?"

"I'm fascinated by the steps mankind made to get from talking face-to-face to ansibles to what we have now," Ayana said. "I think there's still a lot we can learn from the early communication devices. It can also be important for scientists who are observing pre-warp civilizations."

"And what have you learnt from those devices?" Cleo was slightly fascinated herself. She enjoyed people who had passions. They were always interesting.

"Mostly the ingenuity of our progenitors," Ayana said. "I am constantly amazed at what the ancient peoples did and how they did it. Did you know that on earth, the man credited with discovering electricity failed ten thousand times before he succeeded? That type of dedication is remarkable. And on one planet, ribbons would be hung from trees to leave messages to those who came after. The color of ribbon and pattern of knots left a clear message."

"I know Franklin managed to get zapped by a lightening bolt whilst he did it. And the earliest known battery on earth is believed to be nearly 3000 years old. People can do some very strange and dangerous things in the pursuit of Knowledge." Cleopatra replied.

Ayana nodded in agreement, a twinkle in her eye. "That's why I prefer to study what others have done and learn from their mistakes."

"And do you?" Cleo countered. "Learn?"

"Yes. Well, mostly," Ayana admitted. "I do learn, but not everything they have to teach me. Sometimes I learn more in trying to modify the old devices using only equipment from that era. That's when I really appreciate what they accomplished."

That sounded interesting. "In what way?" Cleo was getting drawn into the other woman's enthusiasm now. She wasn't sure she was asking for professional reasons, or personal ones.

"Think about it. What would make someone want to create a vacuum tube radio? Or television? What gave them the idea to use a cathode ray tube? Or a gel pack? Or a holodeck? Someone had to come up with the idea and then try to figure out how to make it work. Like the Wright Brothers on earth with their airplane. The ingenuity of mankind is amazing when you look at it over centuries." She grinned."I get a little carried away. But this is what led me to choose operations. It covers so much and has such a rich history behind it."

"That it does."Cleo agreed. She paused and checked her notes, "Tell me about the Ticonderoga. What was life like there?"

"It was good, mostly. Captain Stark gave us leeway to do our job, which was nice. But Lieutenant Rouvier was a taskmaster. He expected perfection. While he and I disagreed on a number of things--like how hard to ride the newbies--I did learn a lot from him."

"Enough to think you'll be successful on Pheonix?" Cleo asked, wanting to sound out the new department head.

"From him, and others I've worked with," Ayana said. "Mostly, I've had enough experience as an Assistant that I think I can handle the job. But I'm sure I'll make a few mistakes along the way."

It was a good sound, mature answer. Not over confident, not timid, balanced. Hopefully all the new department heads would be as prepared, emotionally and mentally. "You have plans for things you want to achieve?" Cleo asked idly. Some heads knew straight out of the gate. Others likes to take time to know a ship.

"A few, but I want to find out how the department is run first, then build on that."

Ayana cocked her head to one side. "So, how do you like being a counselor?"

"It works for me," Cleo told her. "Always meeting new people, helping people, solving problems. Helping people understand what they do."

Ayana smiled. "That sounds great."

"It keeps me busy." Cleo agreed. "Now, going forward. I don't see any need to insist on anything more than the annual review, but my door is always open if you feel you would benefit from a regular session. What would be your preference?"

"I don't think I need more than an annual review," Ayana said. But I wouldn't mind chatting from time to time socially."

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that. Its always hard when you join a new ship."

"It is." Ayana still didn't quite have her sea legs. "Is there anything else you need from me?"

"Not today. Its been a pleasure to meet you Ayana."

"The pleasure is mine. I look forward to working with you," Ayana said cheerfully. She paused in the doorway. "See you later."

___
OFF

Lieutenant Cleopatra McCaine
Counsellor
USS Phoenix

Lieutenant Ayana Varon
Chief Operations Officer
USS Phoenix

 

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