Questioning the right choice

Posted on Wed Nov 18th, 2020 @ 8:10am by Private Christian Laknema & Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D.

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Deck 11 Small Garden area
1205 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

After being shown around Marine Country by the Major Christian was still shocked at what he had heard and it was evident on all the Veteran Marines faces, the Detachment had lost fifty percent of their Marine force and it hadn't been done through transfers. That meant that Christian was now in a green unit again and that scared him. Green units tend to make more mistakes then normal as the Corporals, Sergeants and so, forth tend to not catch all the little things that keep the Privates like himself safe for the most part. He had the urge that he needed to talk to someone about it to get it off his chest and was enroute to the Counseling area when he noticed the small garden area and stopped.

He sat thinking about his choice and if it was a proper one. Watching some of the crew members come and go he was starting to realize that you could tell the old guard from the new. Those that entered wide eye and awed at the room were those like himself the new guard who had just arrived and was taking in all the sights, the old guard you could tell in their eyes that there was strain there. They tried not to show it but never the less it was still there. Christian didn't hear the person approach him until she was basically on top of him and he could tell that she had called out to him several times already.

"Oh, hello Ma'am am I in your seat," he said going to get up. He had taken a seat on a bench to ponder his thoughts.

Tate smiled. "Not at all. I was just saying it's nice to see someone enjoying this area, although to be fair, the crew has found themselves reflecting here a lot lately." Tate paused, then said, "I'm Tate Sullivan, assistant chief counselor. Are you new to the Elysium? I know there's a lot of people to know here, but I don't think I've seen you around here before."

"No Ma'am I just arrived a few hours ago," he replied looking up a little at her, " Private Christian Laknema UFMC," he didn't know why he added the UFMC she could obviously tell as she was within Starfleet.


"Welcome to the USS Elysium, Christian," Tate replied, deliberately using his first name to make it clear she was not one to focus on rank unless it was absolutely necessary. "We've just been through a really difficult ordeal, so it may take some time for you to make friends and to get a feel for the routine here, but I hope you will make it here. Our crew is large, but our relationships with one another are surprisingly familial. I'm assuming you came by for your boarding psychological evaluation?"

"Is that a thing? I thought we only had to do the Medical check up?" he asked he also made a mental note to stop by the Marine Medical Facilities to do his check up next.

"It is indeed a thing," Tate replied with a nod and a good-natured smile. "Just as Starfleet wants to make sure new crew members are physically healthy at the beginning of their postings, Starfleet also wants to make sure new arrivals are coping psychologically with their new challenges. Every person comes to the ship having experienced different things at different times, so it's just easier to establish one protocol for everyone." Sullivan's eyebrow rose in curiosity. "Were you just exploring the ship?" She wasn't used to people coming to her neck of the woods unless it was intentional or required.

"I...I...I," he started but didn't know really what to say. He had actually started out to speak to someone but he wondered him stopping in here was his way of saying he didn't know if he should have gone through it or not, "I was. But I saw the garden so I stopped to look at the planets that are in here. Our talk did help though," he smiled a bit.

Hearing what she thought might be nervousness in his speech and in his tone of voice, Tate offered, "I assure you, you are not in trouble. Whether you are here checking out the scenery or you're here because you have something on your mind you might want to talk to a counselor about, I welcome your visit."

"Thank you Ma'am it has been helpful," he blushed slightly, "I feel better knowing that it was just a one off event and that nothing further is going to happen. The Garden is a lovely place," he looked around, "I do love green living things."

I do too," Tate remarked, "It's easy to forget green things exist in the austerity of space. What do you think of the ship so far?"

"It's is really.... big," he said with a laugh, "I have never been on a vessel this large.... and I am sorry please sit if you wish," he held his hand out, he couldn't believe he hadn't asked her to sit before this, "I guess with a ship this size you must be kept very busy."

Tate excepted the invitation with a smile as she sat. "You are right. We stay really busy within the counseling department, particularly after what the crew just went through. Still, I want everyone to know they can come see us anytime without worrying they are taking time away from others. In my experience, it's much easier to ask for help if the crew takes the time to get to know us before there's ever an issue."

"I guess that makes sense," he replied turning a bit towards her, "it is easier for us to know that you guys are here for us rather than just get us transferred off the ship and into some padded room." That was one fear he had was to be locked into a room with no way out.

Tate chuckled. "We haven't put people in padded rooms for a few centuries now, but it's interesting how the old stereotypes continue to persist. Padded rooms and men in white coats are for holovids, not for modern medicine. May I ask, is that your experience with counselors? People who ship people off to other ships?"

"Something I read once," he replied looking at her growing up he didn't have need for an Counselors a few of his friends did but he didn't which he considered blessing in a way but also the Lieutenant seemed nice to talk to. Looking around the garden again he look a small breath in, "I should probably get going. I still have to unpack my stuff and report to the medical facilities."

It didn't escape the counselor's notice he didn't answer her question about expectations concerning counselors, but as this wasn't a formal evaluation and was in fact a friendly chat, she decided not to press him. "Of course. I will let you go take care of those things, but I look forward to talking with you again soon."

"I enjoyed our chat to Ma'am," he replied with a smile. He nodded to her and departed to get his medical check done.