Reason and Psychology

Posted on Thu May 7th, 2020 @ 7:32am by Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: Before Void
1181 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

A door chime came on the counselor's office.

Alicia looked up from where she was sitting. “Come in..”

Arrianna walked in. "Greetings Counselor. I am here for my psychological assessment." She said in her usual calm disposition.

“Thank you for coming Commander” Alicia smiled warmly. “It’s nice that people are visiting me without me having to chase them!” She grinned. “Please feel free to call me Alicia, there’s no need for titles here.” She motioned to the seats. “Feel free to choose where you’d like to sit, can I get you a drink at all?”

"Thank you for the generous offer, I am good." Arrianna noted. "Actually I have been meaning to see you concerning recent events." She noted.

Alicia took a seat and looked at Arrianna. “Oh? What is it that’s been troubling you?”

"The last few missions have stimulated emotional responses that are unusual for my kind. Usually we are not prone to emotional outbursts, but we don't suppress our emotions like Vulcans. I believe my mental discipline might be failing." She noted. "My people are exceptional scholars because we keep our minds disciplined and rational. But these last six months have been anything but rational." Arri mentioned.

Alicia nodded. “From what I’ve read and heard there have been some very difficult times for this crew. Would the most recent have had an effect on your mental discipline?” She picked up a PADD from the end of her desk on which to make notes. “There was kidnapping and harm of individuals involved.”

"First my friend, Phoenix is kidnapped, then others on this crew have been kidnapped by slavers." Arrianna noted. "The worst part was when we had Admiral Mountbatten and her aides on the Elysium. Phoenix is simply trying to be the best Commanding Officer, and these reporters and 'desk-jockeys' as they are called, try to question her compentence at best, and smear her at worst. I'm angry, Counselor... We don't get angry very often. But it is not their lives on the line out here onboard the Elysium. How dare they sit on the news and judge our dedication to the ideals of Starfleet when they have never had to face Romulan attack or fight Orion slavers." Her calmness was laced with some anger. "I'm sorry Counselor. I shouldn't have had another outburst. You see my problem now?"

Alicia nodded. “Please call me Alicia, it saves the titles, and Yes I do see. It’s frustrating when others who don’t understand what we do here, stick their noses in and pretend they do. You care about your friends and when they get hurt you feel for them. It doesn’t help to bottle up anger, trust me I know!” Alicia smiled. “If anger is something your species don’t normally experience, how do you work it out of your system when you do?”

"Normally Alindari have each other through our telepathy to help in maintaining our emotional balance. But here. People keep things bottled more." Arri noted. "Aside from that Humans are... impulsive... Sometimes their thoughts spill over into mine."

“They are a very...emotional people and they don’t tend to understand that as telepaths we have to work hard to keep their thoughts out of our minds.” Alicia smiled. “I understand only too well how easy it is to be overwhelmed. If there’s ever anything I can do on a telepathic level that is, please feel free to ask. I’m only half Betazoid but I’m experienced in the use of Telepathy.”

"Perhaps we can attempt it." Arri noted. "My people share thoughts as well experiences, knowledge. It's a very personal affair, and key to our emotional introspection. We can see ourselves from another viewpoint, and guide ourselves in our self-improvement." Arri mentioned. "Like looking at ourselves in the mirror with another's perspective."

Alicia nodded. “I’ll warn you, I’m bonded with a my husband whose Vulcan so my mind is already shared and open to my husband’s thoughts and feelings. I’m not sure whether that would have an effect on my trying to help you telepathically.”

"A mind-meld might be appropriate from one of the ship's many Vulcans." Arri mentioned.

“Might I suggest from Commander Savar, he’s one of my colleagues in the Counselling department, and my husband” she smiled. “I could refer you to him if you wish?”

"The introspection of a Vulcan could assist me. Even though our methods of emotional mastery are quite different. These humans, they ride the waves of their emotions. First they are as passionate as Klingons. And then they confound me in the most surprising ways by suddenly embracing reason."

“Indeed. Humans aren’t used to controlling emotions in the same way we do. Not being telepathic or empathic they don’t learn to suppress they simply let their emotions out when they feel them. We have to learn how to block that, if we can.” Alicia shrugged her shoulders. “Humans have surprised me though, they can be so compassionate, so caring and they fight for what they love harder than any Klingon.”

"That is why they are going to save the Alindari race, Counselor." Arrianna noted. "That is why the Borg will not ever win, and why the Alindari will always stand with them. They defeated the Borg. Twice. Not even the Old Alindari Empire could do that." Arri mentioned. "And yet this Federation seems to do so. It inspired me as an adolescent."

Alicia nodded. “That’s why you joined Starfleet? The inspiration spurred you?”

"To be part of an alliance that defeated the enemy that destroyed our old empire. How could I turn it down? I needed to know how, why? And I have several clues. While the Borg can indeed swiftly adapt to any weapon system or defense used against it. The Federation has still, surprisingly, successfully resisted the Borg." Arri noted. "I have dedicated my entire Starfleet Career to understanding how the Federation can win against the borg, and I have meet others who feel as I do in the Federation... They will come again, and we must be ready." She noted. "That is the core of the research I've dedicated the remainder of my life to; Finding ways to defeat them."

Alicia nodded. “That’s a very worthy and noble cause. I hope you manage to find everything that you need.”

Arrianna nodded. "One thing, Counselor. I'm going to put myself into a medative trance when I'm not on duty. It is not good to stare into the darkness that will be outside out viewports for an extended period of time. It is especially not good for telepaths. We risk madness on this mission, Counselor."

Alicia looked at Arrianna. “I know, I’ve already found the amount of emotion that’s risen since we entered this void distracting. My bond with my husband helps me with my emotions fortunately.

"Thank you Counselor, I'll be sure to schedule a visit with your husband soon." Arri mentioned.

“Please do” Alicia smiled warmly.