The Major and the Vulcan

Posted on Tue May 5th, 2020 @ 5:58am by Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Deck 11; Counselor's Office
Timeline: Before, This Isn't Good!
1381 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

As she rounded the corner in the corridor, Naxea let out a sigh as the last place she wanted to be was with a counselor--she was never one to talk about her feelings to others, even her family and close friends. Yet she had been ordered to have an evaluation done. The reasoning had been it was time for a standard reevaluation but Naxea suspected that it had more to do with her recent capture as she pressed the chime to the counseling suite.

The sounding of the chime let Savar know his next appointment had arrived and it was Major Azhul Naxea. No doubt this would prove interesting.
He hit the door lock, to unlock his office door, "Come in." He called out, standing up behind his desk as he did.

Naxea entered, stepping briskly, wanting to get this meeting over with. "I'm Major Azhul. I'm here for my mandatory counseling session," she stated, trying to be professional yet dropping the mandatory part as a way of letting this...Vulcan? 'Great, not only a counselor but a vulcan at that,' she thought bitterly to herself.

"Yes Major, I've been expecting you." Savar replied emotionlessly. "Please have a seat. Would you like something from the replicator?" He asked politely even while sensing the major's hostility towards him.

"No, thank you," she replied as she took the offered seat.

"As you wish Major." Savar looked over his notes and knew that the major had been recently rescued from where she and several other Elysium officers had been held by Orion slavers. He looked across the desk at her, she was angry, she didn't want to be here it was clear by her body language. "Major." He began "How do you feel?"

"About what?" she asked quickly in return. "My feelings change according to the subject at hand."

"Nothing specifically Major. Just a general how do you feel. For instance, I can tell by your body language you are angry. Further your quick answers indicate you do not wish to talk about your feelings and wish this session over." Savar replied calmly.

"So you're perceptive of the obvious," Naxea stated. "I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at being told that this is mandatory when I have much more important matters to attend to. And why would I want to talk about my feelings? Do Vulcans ever talk about their feelings or do you suppress them?

"I never said you were angry with me Major. As for why you would want to discuss your feelings is obvious. To deal with what is bothering you. Vulcans handled their feelings in their own way. I for example have been declared "vrekasht" or outcast because of my emotional outbursts. So you see, I do express my feelings as my wife could tell you."

"This meeting is what's bothering me," Naxea retorted. "As I said, I'm here, expected to talk about my feelings and get emotional when I have over a hundred Marines to oversee."

"Why Major? Do you not have an executive officer that can oversee things for the short time you are here? If your executive officer is incapable of preforming your duties in your absence even for a short while then it is illogical to have one." Savar countered.

"I have a newly assigned one who is as green as a Gorn," she replied, trying to remain professional about her XO whom had not impressed her much as of yet.

Savar nodded, "I see. Then now would present the perfect opportunity to see if they need to be replaced. Would you not agree Major?" He asked in the Vulcan, cool way.

"Easier said than done," Naxea replied. "But this meeting is supposed to be about me, not my XO."

"I disagree Major that it is easier said than done but I will not press the issue and you are quite correct Major. However it was you that mentioned your XO as a reason this meeting is bothering you." Savar pointed out. "And frankly I highly doubt that."

"No, I mentioned that this meeting is bothering me because I have more important things to do," Naxea replied. "You brought up my XO. Since you know me so well apparently, why don't you tell me what's bothering me?"

Savar didn't react to the dig instead he merely replied. "You are belligerent in general and hostile to me. You have had I believe the Human term is a chip on your shoulder. It is clear you do not wish to be here and are using me to vent your anger. I am sorry to disappoint you Major but being angry will not hasten the end of this meeting," He pause and continued, "You are angry, I would hazard a guess that is because you felt helpless during your recent imprisonment. You are a woman of action and that was taken from you and you were helpless to prevent it. In addition you like to maintain an appearance of strength and you keep your feelings bottled up inside you to keep from appearing weak."

Naxea glared at the man across from her. She hadn't really ever stopped to think about it--wanting to just push it back. Yet this man was forcing her to think about it and that angered her even more as it brought back her time in the Occupation--another time she wanted to forget. "I have to maintain an appearance of strength," she replied finally. "If a leader appears weak, he or she loses the confidence of those under them."

Savar listened as Naxea replied and he knew he had hit a sore spot if the glare she was giving him was any indication of her feelings. As she finished he didn't reply right away but waited a few seconds just looking across the desk at her. Finally he spoke, "Interesting. I was not aware that acknowledging your weakness lessened your ability to lead or inspire those around you. It is not a crime to have feelings Major and to both acknowledge and react to them."

"Then you have never led combat troops," Naxea replied. "Marines are different than that of Starfleet. Each Marine in a leadership position, especially the CO are looked up to. The portrayal of anything but confidence and strength is looked down on."

"You are correct Major, I have not and I am not suggesting you sit down and cry in front of your people. However you can still portray strength and have feelings. The key is not to let your feelings put you in weakened position. You need an outlet Major. Not boxing or running or swimming but an outlet where you can express yourself, let your guard down if you will and not fear any repercussions." Savar countered.

Naxea sighed heavily. Only one thing came to mind and that was pottery making--something she hadn't done in over a year due to time restraints. "Anything else?"

"Why are you so resistant to my suggestions Major? I am trying to help you find an outlet for your emotions, your anger and you fight, argue with me. If you prefer I can just have you removed from active duty until we can get this issue resolved." Savar replied.

"I doubt that as one, I am not a danger to myself, two, I am not a danger to others and three, I am not neglecting my duties. So there are no grounds for relieving me of duty. Also, I am not resistant to your suggestion. I am in fact, taking into consideration what you have told me."

Savar quirked a disbelieving eyebrow at her. "That is your opinion Major. and I respect that." He stopped and sat back and looked at her. "I would like to see you again in thirty days Major, so you can inform me of what steps you have taken to reduce the stress in your life."

Naxea knew it would be useless arguing with the man. "Fine. Anything else you want me to do?"

Savar shook his head almost sadly. He was trying to help the Major but she was resistant. "No nothing else Major. The session is ended you may leave."

"Thank you," she said, getting up quickly and making her way out of the office.

 

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