"Unpacking Josef's Demons (truncated post)

Posted on Sat Aug 23rd, 2025 @ 10:38am by Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Petty Officer 3rd Class Josef Forstinger & Avalon [ADMIN NPC]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Dr. Tate Sullivan's Office, Counseling Department, USS Elysium
1143 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Tate exhaled slowly as she stood from her desk and lowered herself in her familiar chair, awaiting Josef's arrival. The uncertainty of their current situation weighed upon her more than she'd like, but she found purpose in routine. None of a counselor's routines were mundane and that was one of the things she loved about her role, Systems, engines, and other aspects of fleet service only provided a certain degree of diversity, but there could be endless complexity and challenge in the beings that staffed such vessels and bases. Short of being jolted by a red alert or other calamity, she could also lose herself in a session, forgetting if only momentarily the universe outside the bulkheads.

She felt a twinge of guilt that she was only just now meeting with Josef, who had one of the most unique and trauma ridden histories she had ever read. That was of course saying something because the crew of the Elysium had been to hell and back several times, and triaging their psychological needs was a task that Tate accepted faithfully as soul affirming. Unfortunately, the rules of triage meant prioritizing the people with the severest symptoms, not the severest risk.

Busted knuckles seemingly sustained out of the blue was certainly indicative of a psychological 911. She fought to push the guilt away, reminding herself she had done nothing wrong and could still be of service to him now.

Josef was indeed an interesting case. For one, what was in his file-if one could even clasify if as that, was barebones at best. It had his Name, Age, Place of Birth and a Record of Medical Procedures done to him on the Elysium. What there was in his bio section, or at least what he seems to have willingly disclosed, was his service, time thereoff-and that was it.

There were notes of course. Searching Starfleet Archives had brought up next to nothing, maybe a Birth Certifcate, but it seems most of his information went up in the flames of the following 3rd World War.

And of course reports by the crew. Self-Isolation, Moodswings, Irratability. Some even report shouting and or screaming from his quarters at night time. And of course, that latest medical entry, the busted knuckles. Nearly seems to have even broken them.

Strutting towards the Office, Josef wasnt all too pleased. He had been asked to visit the Ships Counselor. It didn't take him long to figure out who or what that was. From his background he didnt exactly like the proposition. Did they think he was crazy ? Was he on his way to be stuck in some padded cell ?! No, he just had to calm down. This was probably just some routine thing. Itll be fine.

Finaly, arriving at the correct door, he pushed the doorbell button-at least that hadnt changed. Upon being let in shed immidiatly noticed his appearance. Early to Mid-20s, Stubble, Hair Comed to the left. He wore a tanktop, cargo pants and combat boots-all seemingly still original, and around his neck hung a small golden cross. He also looked like he hadnt slept,or slept well, in some time.

"You wanted to see me, Counselor ?" he asks, standing with his hands behind his back, staring at the woman behind the desk. The longer he looked the more it seemed like he was nit looking at her-but moreso through her.

Tate scanned the man before her briefly, and then met his eyes with a smile. She didn’t need to have any expertise to recognize sleep deprivation when she saw it, and while that wasn’t unique amongst the crew given their circumstances, the observation seemed to support Sullivan‘s reason for concern. “Yes. I want to apologize for not reaching out to you sooner. I imagine being here has been quite the adjustment and I thought perhaps it might be good to check in and see how you’re adjusting. In the spirit of full disclosure, I should also mention I was informed of your recent injury. The person who treated your knuckles thought maybe you would feel better having someone to talk to.“ Sullivan gestured for him to make himself comfortable in one of the seating options she had in the office’s seating area.

Right. Of course word would travel fast on a ship, even one as big as this. He did appreciate the check up though. Taking a seat as she motions for it. "Dont worry counselor. I can imagine what your workload must be like with so many people. And....yes, it’s been an adjustment. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I turned on the shower and instead of water it started screaming at me. Though thank God they let me have a water shower after I requested for it. Or trying to figure out how a food replicator works.....or a turbolift..." what had begun as a more jovial retelling had slowly turned more melancholical as he went on, his mood darkening little by little. "Christ, Counselor, it makes me feel like a child."

"There's a lot to get used to,” Sullivan agreed with a nod. “Though surely you encountered things as an adult you didn’t fully understand and had to figure out before now, right?“

"Most of my adult life I've spent at the front. Me and the guys-" he pauses for a second. As if thinking of how to explain "the guys" to her as well as some counter to her logic, but just continues after a brief pause, unable to find one "Well, I guess youre right Counselor."

Concerned Josef was agreeing with her just to be agreeable, she paused, then said, "I wasn't intending to sound dismissive there and apologize if it sounded that way. If I'm understanding you correctly, I hear you saying you're used to knowing what to do and taking action with a team behind you, but now, you're completely out of your element. Am I reading you correctly there?"

On some level she was, and Josef didn't know how to react to that. After a moment of silence came the brief reply of "Yes."

Which after another sigh he elaborated on "If you didn't learn fast enough, you were dead. I did, some of my friends did, others didn't. Until one day, it was only me that was left. I went through it all, thinking id at least get to go back home to my family. Well, me being here you can probably tell how that went."

“It’s a lot of loss to absorb in a short time,“ Tate agreed.

The two sat and talked for the full hour and afterward, Josef seemed receptive to more sessions. Tate was under no illusions his adjustment would be easy, but she knew she would do everything she could to help him.