Transfer Talking (working title)

Posted on Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 @ 5:36pm by Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Lieutenant JG Devin xi'Indrai

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Various
Timeline: Dr. Sullivan's office, USS Elysium
1313 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

- Corridor -

Devin had met her head of department CIO Casper Thornhill, and the Gorn CMO, that had been a bit of a shock truth be told, but she felt she had handled it well enough mostly. Now she was heading to go talk with the counselor because that was yet another regulation in regards to being transferred.

After several minutes and a few wrong turns, Devin found the office and rang the chime, tucking a loose strand of royal blue and scarlet highlighted hair behind her left ear. After a few hours she usually had to braid her hair over again.

"Come in," Tate called out, her office doors automatically opening upon her command. She looked over at the door and smiled at her visitor, genuinely happy to meet someone new and get to know what brought her to the Elysium. Approaching with her hand outstretched, she offered, "Hello, I am Dr. Tate Sullivan. It's a pleasure to see you."

Devin shook the taller woman's hand and offered up a smile, "Devin xi'Indrai, pleasure to meet you, I am transferring in from the USS Eagle-F," she wasn't used to seeing such a greeting from a counselor though admittedly the previous counselors hadn't been human nor very tactile in greetings. Devin didn't mind at all. It was just a small surprise.

Tate gestured for Devin to take a seat even as she said, "Welcome to the Elysium. Please, feel free to make yourself comfortable. May I get you something from the replicator?" It was a fairly standard greeting for Sullivan, but it was important to her not to make these introductory meetings feel like inquisitions.

Devin took a seat and offered up a grin that was surprised but delighted, "Oh uhm a peppermint hot chocolate please and thank you." She hadn't expected an offer from the counselor's replicator, but after the meetings with her department head and CMO, she definitely welcomed the offer to have something to drink.

Tate's eyes widened in surprise delight. "Someone else with a sweet tooth… A woman after my own heart," she added with a smile. The order was placed and retrieved from the replicator easily enough, and in short order she was handing the other woman her drink and then sitting across from her. "I like to use these boarding evaluations to get to know the new crew. That way, for those who don't need a counselor currently, at least they'll know of one if they do."

"Thank you," Devin said as she accepted the cup of peppermint hot chocolate, "I think most folks have a sweet tooth even if we don't catch them." She took a sip and then looked at the counselor, "I had my last evaluation six months ago I think." She wasn't one hundred percent certain of that but if she was wrong she wasn't going to fuss too much. "I just know it's procedure after a transfer."

Tate nodded. "It is. I'm sorry if it feels like you just underwent evaluation. Transfers happen for all sorts of reasons and some postings see more action in a short time than others do after years of service, so Starfleet Medical wants to make sure we're covering our bases." She paused, then offered, "I'm curious, how did you end up on the Elysium?"

Devin shrugged softly, "Lucky draw I guess. I don't mind the new posting, I like a challenge though admittedly I was surprised to be added here."

"Why is that?" Sullivan asked in genuine curiosity. Much of the crew would humbly say they never expected to be here, but they all had unique reasons for believing so. It was part of the reason she loved her job; she had the opportunity to get to know many people's stories.

"My first posting was also the ship I trained on I didn't expect my next assignment to be to such a big ship," she gave a wry grin, "I got a lucky draw I guess."

Tate smiled. "I can see what you mean with this posting being unexpected in that case. I'm wondering, besides surprised, how else you might feel coming directly to this ship from the one you trained on?"

Devin shrugged slightly, "I haven't finished getting used to the layout but I so far those I have interacted with have been nice. I figure once I am more used to it and meet more folks I might notice other differences. So far only thing is the size of the ship is enormous in comparison." She had trained more with the Andorian Defense force before the cross training with Star fleet. This ships had been primarily Andorian crews but there had been a few others, Trill and half Deltan. The USS Eagle-F had been Trill, Andorian, and Human, crew the Elysium had a much more diverse crew by comparison.

Tate nodded in agreement. "I was intimidated by that at first too and a bit nervous about how connected I could be to a crew seemingly so spread out, but the longer I've been here, the longer I realize a crew can feel like a family even if the ship feels immense. Going over your service file, I noticed you experienced quite a unique upbringing."

Devin nodded, "Family is family regardless of being so by blood or adoption." She said softly. She doesn't think it was that unique, folks adopted others and raised as their family a lot she considered herself lucky she hadn't ended up in an orphanage instead. The stories from folks there varied but they weren't always happy stories.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to suggest being adopted was unique or peculiar. I meant being raised within Andorian culture. I'm genuinely curious about how that has influenced your worldview."

Devin shrugged softly, "I know I am human, I don't have the strengths that Andorians do but I am capable to survive on Andor or anywhere else because they taught me those skills and the experience I gained from the Defense force coupled with my cross training with Star fleet I have gotten the chance to meet more humans and many others. I like the encounters so far."

"I imagine exposure to such diversity has given you many strengths," Tate replied with a nod. "Still, no one is perfect, and I'm curious to know what you would consider some of your challenges either professionally or personally." Sullivan didn't like to use the term weaknesses per se, as she believed any weakness could potentially be turned into a strength with some effort. That said, she liked to get a sense of an individual's sense of self awareness, particularly as it related to things that weren't always flattering.

Devin said, "I don't deal well with pain or extreme temperatures. I know I can be stubborn on certain points." She set down her cup as she looked at the counselor, "If you don't mind I would like to end on that point. I still have work to get sorted out and I want to try to get more familiar with the layout of the ship before anything crops up."

Tate kept her expression impassive with practice to professional ease, but inwardly she was surprised by how abruptly Devin had sought to end the evaluation. She could appreciate professionalism and eagerness to get started, but a small part of her wondered if she was uncomfortable or just seeking to reestablish control. Deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt, but also wanting to make it clear these evaluations were important, Sullivan offered, "if you would like to leave now, that is your choice. I'll reach out if I need additional information to complete my evaluation. It was good to meet you. Know my door is always open if you have any concerns."


Off

Ltjg. Devin Codi xi'Indrai
Infiltration specialist

&

Lieutenant Tate Sullivan, PhD
Assistant Chief Counselor