AITA?

Posted on Thu Nov 19th, 2020 @ 4:16am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani

Mission: Season 4: Episode 2: Rest And Relaxation
Location: Elysium Couselling Office
Timeline: MD 7
1042 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON]

Miraj sat on the edge of the comfy chair in Dr Kelea-Salik's office, stretching the hem of her shorts over and over. They were a metallic copper, and the slinky material was starting to distend where she was pulling at it, trying to decide where to begin. What to say that didn't sound awful. "I'm having... I'm sorry. This seems so petty. Everyone else is picking up pieces of a lifetime of trauma, and i'm whining about something inconsequential. Totally first world problems. I've not even had a proper nightmare, I'm just fussing about something silly."

Alicia looked at Miraj curiously. “Miraj ... take a breath” she smiled warmly. “A nice deep, slow breath. Then start from the beginning and tell me what’s troubling you.”

Miraj let out a sigh. "I'm having some issues with. Well technically its senior officers, but everyone is senior to me, so I don't think its that." She twirled her fingers into the tail of one of her bunches. "But... I'm good at flying. I mean really good. really really good. I teach others, and not basic stuff, proper aerobatics. I have all the academy records that don't involve shooting someone down. I'm a good pilot." She paused. "No. I'm an amazing pilot." Her shoulders dropped again. "And everyone keeps treating me like I've hardly ever seen a conn and can barely turn a corner."

“So you feel like you’re being looked down on because of how they treat you” Alicia nodded. “I can understand that must be infuriating! Have any of them actually seen you fly?”

"They have now. But when I asked Commander Vaii why she hadn't read my file, she said she never believed files. I would have thought she'd at least believe mine. I'm pretty sure most cadets don't have an intercession from the Dean praising their flying skills." Miraj looked rather glum. "I'm still not entirely convinced I would have passed the second year without it."

“Try not to let others get you down Miraj. Some people could just be teasing, not that it’s very nice.” Alicia offered an understanding smile. “You have a talent to be proud of, don’t let others spoil that for you.”

"I know. I'm just...used to my reputation preceding me. This is like the first month at the academy again. I thought I'd be okay with it. but I'm just... annoyed. I don't get annoyed with people."

Alicia nodded. “It’s normal to feel upset when something doesn’t meet your expectations, you’ve worked extremely hard and you’ve earned that respect. After everything that’s happened to all of us lately it’s no surprise that you’re short fused so-to-speak.”

"But I don't want to be short fused." Miraj said. "I don't want to be biting my tongue everytime I get in cockpit with someone."

“Then perhaps you could set some ground rules?” Alicia gave Miraj a curious look.

But the pilot just looked at her blankly, as if the concept was utterly alien.

Alicia offered a smile. "What in your opinion would make the situation easier for you?"

Miraj thought about it. "I don't really know," she said it last. "It all kind of depends on whether or not they query if I can fly. And I can't control that."

“I understand it’s difficult Miraj, it’s a case of weathering the storm and coming out on top.” She offered a smile. "Push comes to shove we find a way for you to show people just what it is you can really do.”

Miraj thought about that. "I'm not sure the Captain would appreciate me trying to do cobras with a billion ton space ship." she smiled to show she was joking. Mostly. She wouldn't mind trying. Not as if there was high g in space, you'ld only have to worry about the inertia not ripping the hull apart.

“Of course!” Alicia nodded. “I, for one, think you have nothing to prove Miraj. You said it yourself, you fly a billion ton starship! What better way to show you’re able to fly?”

"Well, I agree, obviously. I guess its just so common place they think anyone can do it." She shrugged. "And space is so vast, if all your doing is going in a straight line, pretty much anyone can. Its when shit starts going wrong that counts." She realised she'd just said a rude word at a superior officer. "Sorry, ma'am. When things go wrong "

Alicia smiled. “Don’t worry about it Miraj, shit hits the fan all the time around here!” She grinned playfully. “I could just wave my hand and say ignore them and let them get on with it, but I know it’s not that easy. Feeling like you have to permanently prove yourself is enough to drive anyone crazy, me included let’s see how it goes and if necessary I’ll pull these people in for a re-education on how to work as part of a team.”

"Okay. I'll see how it goes. Or get Lieutenant Barclay to install ejector seats on all the shuttles. One of the two." She gave Alicia an Impish smile.

“Now that I’d love to see” Alicia grinned. “They’d come in handy for takeover scenarios!”

"Probably best we don't test that." Miraj decided. She'd like some nice boring mission where she'd only have to fly through a coronal mass ejection, or pull a handbrake turn around a black hole or something.

Alicia smiled. “I’ve no doubt your piloting skills will be required soon enough.”

Miraj "Well, hopefully not all of them. Just the basics for once. Less stress all round that way."

Alicia nodded in agreement. “We could all use less stress.”

Miraj nodded, but more to herself than to the counselor. She could do this. She was a grown up. "Thank you, counselor. I think I'm feeling better about this now."

“I hope so Miraj” Alicia smiled warmly. “If you need to talk again you know where to find me.”

"Yes, ma'am." And feeling far more confident, she stepped out of the office.

[OFF]

Ensign Miraj Derani
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Elysium

Lt Alicia Kelea-Salik
Chief Counsellor