"A Friend In Need”

Posted on Wed Jul 22nd, 2026 @ 3:50am by Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Commander Tate Sullivan Ph.D.

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Counsellors office
Timeline: Prior to Savar’s trial
1632 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

***

Tate exhaled slowly before pressing the chime to Alicia‘s office. This was not going to be an easy visit, but it was a necessary one. Sullivan knew Alicia had lots of support, but she also understood she was one of a handful of people who understood what it was like to carry the weight of being steady as a rock for every single member of the Elysium‘s crew no matter what. Sullivan couldn’t change Savar’s circumstances, but that didn’t mean she was powerless, and Tate would do anything she could to ease Alicia‘s pain, even if that was provided an extra ear and a shoulder.

Alicia was doing her best to carry on as normal, with Savar confined to quarters they were one Counsellor down so his patients needed to be rescheduled. Hearing the chime she looked up from her PaDD. “Come in.” She smiled as the door opened. “Hi Tate, good timing I was just up to my neck in schedules.”

"I can imagine you're up to your eyeballs, which is why I'm here," Tate replied. She knew Alicia trusted her but Tate also knew Alicia wasn't going to trouble anyone if she thought she could shoulder the burden herself. "How can I help?"

Alicia smiled motioning Tate to take a seat. “In all honesty, I could use some advice. With everything that’s going on I need someone with a clear head. I’m not allowed to discuss the upcoming trial with Savar, it’s just totally unbelievable that this is happening!”

“I know,” Tate lamented as she sat across from Alicia. “It must be so difficult not to be able to talk about it with him, but also remain his department head at the same time. That’s why I wanted to stop by. I knew you probably wouldn’t ask for help for any of us,“ Sullivan added with a knowing small smile.

Alicia smiled. “I’ve always been used to Savar being the one I can talk to, but right now that’s a definite no. I have my mum and my father, but they’ve got enough on their plate with the twins to care for. I’m just…” she shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know anymore.”

“You know,“ Tate replied, “they don’t call assistant chiefs right hands for nothing. Taking care of an entire crew is what we signed up for, and as part of that crew, I signed up to take care of you too.” Sullivan understood asking for help was difficult, especially for counselors, who were used to taking care of everyone else, Still, she hated to think Alicia felt as though she couldn’t come to Tate in times of crisis or self-doubt. Whoever, Tate wasn’t sure how to say as much without making it seem as if she was making this moment about herself. Tate‘s questions weren’t motivated by hurt feelings, but a strong desire to ensure Tate was doing all she could to be the kind of friend and colleague Alicia deserved.

“I’m sorry I’m so used to helping everyone else I don’t think about seeking help for myself.” Alicia offered an apologetic smile. “I appreciate you coming to see me, I should have called you.” She paused. “I don’t understand any of this Tate, how has this come to this point?”

“ My words were intended to be a gentle reminder I am here for you, not cause for guilt,“ Tate replied, giving Alicia‘s hand a gentle squeeze. “I was going to ask you much the same thing. What exactly do they think Savar did wrong?”

“He’s being charged with abandoning a group of cadets during the boarding. He had to choose between them, or saving Heather and her children. He chose to save Heather and I can understand why.” Alicia sighed. “I’m worried what’ll happen if things don’t go in his favour.”

Savar's situation presented quite the dilemma and even from that simple description, Tate could consider the perspectives. Still, she recognized Alicia didn't want or need a legal or moral debate, just support. "Your worry is understandable. What have you been told about the legal process and next steps?"

“Not a lot, I trust in the legal process but I’m just not sure what the outcome will be, or how it’ll affect Savar.”

"In the face of uncertainty, it can help to focus on what is in your control about this," Tate offered. "Do you and Savar have access to proper legal advice? I have to believe command can offer some sort of guidance if not a guaranteed outcome."

Alicia nodded. “That’s true, I’ve just been too distracted to even think about it. He should have a defence team, so far it’s been more focussed on Savar we’re not even supposed to discuss it because I’m not his assigned Counsellor.”

"Maybe we can go to command together if you like just to explore options. I imagine the feedback will be to let the process play out with respect to the law, but you're at least entitled to know what those steps are." At the mention of Savar's counselor, Tate wondered aloud, "This assigned counselor for Savar...are you talking about someone outside the Elysium to see to Savar's emotional well-being during the proceedings, or someone meant to evaluate him and report his or her findings to the court?" Tate knew if it was the latter, those professionals had a very different mandate and Savar would need to take care in what he said.

“It’s not my decision to make, I’m not allowed in any part of the process concerning Savar” Alicia sighed. “ I can make recommendations but that’s about it, all because we’re married. It’s all so unfair!” She shook her head.

Logically, Tate understood why Alicia couldn't be professionally involved in the proceedings. After all, none of them were what would be considered unbiased, but Sullivan couldn't understand how not being permitted to participate also meant not being kept informed, even just to know the process if not the case details. "Surely he's entitled to his own legal counsel if not his own therapist for emotional support," Sullivan mused aloud. "We're not without bias, of course, but I have to believe Command is all over this. Has Phoenix or Gary told you anything?"

“Just what they can, I’m hoping for a good outcome on this. The problem is the cadets, this is going to mar Savar’s reputation with them, as well as his Starfleet record.”

"It's difficult not to jump to the worst case scenario," Tate offered with sympathy. "Still, none of us get credit or brownie points for worrying ahead of time about things that haven't unfolded. I expect Savar has no choice but to wait for the legal proceedings to conclude before he can think of how to heal his relationships with the cadets. Do you need me to check on them just to make sure they're being cared for too? Understandably, I can see why that would put you in a difficult position."

Ariana nodded. “Yes, please Tate. We’re down a Counsellor as it is with Savar off duty, I’m going to have to look at bringing the cadets in to help with the workload. At least it’ll be good practice for them.”

Tate nodded. “We did agree to provide them with hands-on experience when we allowed them to join the ship, and I’m happy to provide emotional support and clinical supervision for our counseling cadets who will be sharing department duties.. I think we’ll have to be careful, however, not to overload them with too much responsibility for helping their peers cope with the legal proceedings and the emotional fallout from Savar’s actions. I know they’ll have to get used to confronting situations that it close to home, but given their age and inexperience, I don’t want to expect too much from them too soon. Are there any cadets in particular that are taking this the hardest? I of course meet with everyone, but I’m wondering if there are people I should prioritize first?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, none of them have come to see me. Perhaps because I’m Savar’s wife, they may feel I wouldn’t be happy to see them.” Alicia shrugged her shoulders. “As difficult as this is, I wouldn’t refuse to help anyone in need.”

“I know that,“ Tate reassured. “I think under any other circumstances, we could address it by sitting down together with all of them, but given the actual circumstances we’re facing, it makes sense to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest or bias. I say that not because I doubt your professionalism, but out of a desire to not make this more difficult for you than it needs to be. I have no doubt you could put forth the effort to do whatever you needed to do, but you aren’t alone. We look out for each other.“

Alicia nodded. “That we do and I’d be remiss if I didn’t say thank you for all your hard work. You’re a wonderful counsellor and friend.”

Tate smiled. "Right back at you. Now, I don't know about you, but I could use some food and a chat about all things frivolous. Care to join?"

Alicia grinned and nodded. “You bet I would. I need to let my hair down for a bit.”

"Sounds great!" Tate replied, hopping up from her seat. "I can smell the cheeseburger and fries I need from here."