The Bearer of Bad News
Posted on Mon Oct 14th, 2024 @ 7:13pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Vura
Edited on on Mon Oct 14th, 2024 @ 10:01pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 1000 hrs
The orders from Starfleet were clear. Vura had checked them for the third time, hoping for some wiggle room. There was no room for misinterpretation. Unfortunately, that meant a discussion which she was certain was far from high on the Captain's priority list. After all, the Captain only saw her in Chiefs meetings and prior to her boarding the ship at the White Stag.
At the White Stag, Tyler had made it very clear that around him that he did not prefer her sensual nature. So off the bat, she felt crippled, going into what would be an undesirable meeting. On the other hand, he did say that off duty, she could call him Ty or Tyler. So, that was something that could be built upon.
Lost in her thoughts, she did not even notice if most people were looking at her as she walked to the Captain's ready room. She rang the chime and held her breath, hoping that some inspiration would hit her.
Tyler sat on the couch in his office and stared out the window into space. He was lost in thought about all he had gone through, about how to mend the friendship with Sof, and if raising a child on the Pioneer was the right decision. The door chime rang and without turning around he bade the person enter. Very much unlike his normal self he did not turn to see who entered or say anything as they did enter.
Vura entered the Ready Room and was stunned to not have the Captain turn towards her. While he had made his wishes known at the White Stag, he had a friendly demeanor. If Starfleet had not ordered it, she would have been here anyways. It was obvious that he needed assistance. Would he take it?
The Counselor asked softly, "Captain?" She paused for a moment and asked again, "Tyler?"
The sound of Vura's voice actually snapped Tyler out of the funk he sat in. He turned and smiled. "Counselor, welcome have a seat. What brings you to my neck of the woods?" Tyler did not fathom that she was there for him. He assumed she came to discuss one of the crew members.
"Well, actually, I wanted to talk to you." She laughed lightly but it ended quickly. "I think that was fairly obvious. I did come to your office."
She paused awkwardly and then in an almost apologetic voice continued, "I came to talk to you about everything that we, well, you went through."
Tyler had expected this to happen, hell he was surprised that the order did not come directly to him. Although he had planned to go talk with Zano. She had been there since the beginning; they had a rapport. Although if he did that it would not be fair to Vura. She was the Chief, it was her department now. Tyler nodded and smiled. "Vura, I thank you for your discretion. I know sessions are usually held in your office. But as you are no doubt aware it would not be good for the crew to see me under evaluation." Tyler said that with his official Captain voice, then he pointed toward the replicator as the wind left his sails. For the moment he seemed normal, vulnerable, not the heroic Captain that he always was. "Help yourself and pull up a chair. I am sure we have a lot to talk about."
Vura did as she was told and sat down. Unlike normal, there was no hint of her flirtatious behavior. Even the process of her sitting was purposely stilted. Like a secretary getting ready to take dictation, she stayed on the edge of her seat for the moment and spoke softly but melodically, "Quite the last mission, no?"
She thought for a moment or two and wondered if she should focus on other's behaviors first. She decided against it as Tyler had already opened the conversation. He knew that this was coming and was somewhat willing to talk. Well, she might as well let him.
"I would say so. You always hear about and read about people in the fleet getting taken by one space entity or another, but it is something different entirely when it happens to you." Tyler started speaking in a solemn reflective tone, then as if he caught himself his demeanor shifted back to normal. "So, tell me Counselor how is Rowena and the rest of the crew?" He knew that Vura would not let the change in subject go, but he still had to try.
Vura allowed for the momentary distraction. "The crew is in need of a good shore leave. From everything that I can tell, the ensigns stepped up well. Some promotions may be called for. As to Rowena, I will be meeting with her, as well. Her experiences were likely just as traumatic as yours."
The transition was naturally made, "So, Tyler, should we talk about them?" There was the slightest hint in her voice that indicated that there was no choice for him.
He decided to address the issue with the crew first. "You can let everyone know that the Pioneer will put into Emok Nor and shore leave is not only authorized but it is so ordered. When you have a chance please coordinate with Major Tremble so that everyone can have time off." Tyler ran his hand through his hair, an affectation he did when he was frustrated and did not know how to proceed. He placed his cowboy hat on his head in an effort to not only stop himself from doing that but to connect with his lost mother. "I suppose you are right. So, how does this work? You ask questions or what?" He felt that it would go better if this session acted more like a debriefing and she asked him questions.
"There is no one way 'this works,'" Vura answered. "It is all about you, Tyler. I can't give you timelines, if that is your next question." She crossed her legs and leaned in slightly. "For example, I'm rather curious as to why you put on that hat."
He smiled and even laughed inwardly, something he had not done in a day or two. Tyler took for granted that he had not had a chance to chat with Vura, really talk, since she came on board. Just about everyone on the ship knew why he wore the hat. "This... This was given to me by my mom on my 16th birthday. It was time for me to take an active role on the ranch and every good rancher needs a hat. I have kept it all through the years. Just something to remind me of where I came from, who I am kind of thing."
A security blanket, Vura reflected while nodding. Right now such a thing would not be bad. The Captain was likely very uncomfortable with this discussion, and what better way to build up trust, when he was feeling safe? "It looks like it has held up well. When did you stop working the ranch and sign up for Starfleet?"
"Dad actually sold the ranch when I was five. But, when I was around thirteen or so I would go back to Oklahoma and work the ranch with the new owners. That stopped when I went to the Academy. I miss it fairly often, you can take the boy out of the ranch you know." Tyler chuckled. The more he spoke to Vura, the easier it was becoming. He realized that he had not spent any real time with the Deltan, and at the moment he regretted it.
Vura was pleased that Tyler was starting to open up. She just wanted to keep him focused on talking about comfortable things for the moment. The hard stuff would come later. For now, it was about building up trust and comfort. "I really can't say. I've never been on a ranch, but you clearly loved it. But what made you want to join Starfleet?"
"Despite my love of horses and the outdoors, I was more interested in how things operated. I took the tractor apart when I was eight. The western United States was once known as the great unknown, so I decided to enter the new great unknown and learn how everything worked there. Starfleet Operations was the answer there." He sipped his ever present cup of coffee as he thought of those days. The simplicity of it all. He always wanted to be a Starship Captain and yet part of Tyler Malbrooke longed for things to be a lot less complicated.
"Ah, a sense of adventure. I definitely can appreciate that." Well, let's start broaching the subject of his possession. This seems like an appropriate place for it. We can see if something changed or if he has maintained himself. The Counselor leaned in and asked lightly, "So, what do you think of the great unknown?"
Tyler chuckled inwardly, for a moment he wondered if Deltans were telepathic. "In a word complicated." But was it complicated or was it his job in this great unknown that was complicated? "I don't know about you. But, much of my Starfleet class, including myself, thought getting out here would be like riding free on the plains. But, it is far from that. There is so much that we don't know, so much that we think we know and so much to worry about." He paused and sipped again then looked at Vura. His eyes were steely and there was not a shade of doubt anywhere in them. "But, if you are asking if I would do it all again. I would and without hesitation."
"It was not but it is an interesting place to start," Vura answered, slowly crossing her legs. She leaned back slightly, memories of home flooding back. "I don't know what you know about Deltans, Tyler. I know you said that you have known a few and that they were not as flirtatious. Perhaps but have you wondered why most Deltans never leave home and join Starfleet?"
Vura did not wait for an answer, as she quickly answered the question on her own. "Deltans are more interested in inner space, not outer space. Why leave home when there is so much that you can concentrate on at home and with one's self. Yet, I am here. I try to help people who are out there discovering what's out there with their inner selves, so you can have the best of both universes."
"So, Tyler, it is good that you have no regrets. That helps a great deal. However, what you experienced, as near as I can tell was a violation of yourself, something akin to rape. That leaves marks on a person, even you." She put her right index finger delicately towards her head. "So, why don't you tell me about those complicated thoughts."
Now, she came to the heart of the matter Tyler thought. Truth was he was unsure if he wanted to talk about those experiences at all, and with anyone. There was so much he had not even told his wife yet. "You spend your four years at the Academy training to be an officer. Then the rest of your career training to be a Captain. When you take the bridge officer's exams they teach you to be ready for anything. To be ready to send someone to their death...." His voice trailed off and he stared out at the stars. "...What they don't train you for is what can happen to you. How you can be trapped in your own head. I read the logs when things like this happened to other people, other crews, other ships and the whole time you say it won't happen to me. I will make sure... And yet here we are." After a pause and another sip of his coffee, he spoke again a tad softer this time. "Perhaps your people have it right. Perhaps looking at your inner self is the best way to go."
Sometime, but looking there hurts, because I have to see what was. I can't face that again. I'll leave first. No, Vura. No! Focus on Tyler. He needs you now. Don't think about it. Cannir is there. Vura suppressed a wince at the thought of Cannir and she shook her head to try and cover. Softlly, her voice trying to become stronger as she spoke said, "You do not have to have your mind suppressed by another entity to be trapped in your head, Tyler. Just trust me on that."
The Counselor pressed her lips hard together and then released them as she gathered her strength. "But yes, here we are." Offhandedly she joked, "You could have worse company than me, though. I promise that I won't do anything untoward." She smiled mischievously, hoping that it would cover any hint of her own pain moments ago.
Tyler smirked at Vura's remark, perhaps he had misjudged her at their initial meeting. "It's fine, but if you were untoward it would not be me you would have to worry about."
Glad to be on another topic that did not remind her of Cannier, she paused the conversation regarding Tyler's experience, deciding she could circle around to Tyler's experience a bit later. She allowed her right index finger to sit delicately to the right of her chin while her other fingers paralleled it. "Oh, please.... Do tell.... I am most interested in this."
"Suffice to say my Kat has claws." Tyler laughed out loud at his own joke. He was gladdened to be temporarily ridden of his sorrow and depression, and was content to leave it at that.
"I do enjoy cats, but I take it in this instance you are not referring to an animal. It is a shame, as I can touch them. Humanoids are much more of an issue - to them."
"Learn something new every day." Tyler referred to Vura's comment about animals. He had no idea how lonely it could be as a Deltan with little to no physical contact. He thought about his family, his crew. If Tyler could not protect himself from an invasion such as what he experienced then how could he protect his wife, the kids or anyone. The sudden realization of fatherhood hit home at the moment. "Tell me is your life a lonely one? I mean without the ability for physical contact with anyone."
"I would be lying if I said that it was not a hinderance. However, the risk of me being amongst all of you is too great to indulge that. After all, I do not desire anyone becoming a mindless slave to me. Your kind simply cannot handle the pheromones, sensuality, or the touch of our telepathy. I'm sorry to say that your species is, well, rather primative in those respects."
She shook her head, mostly at herself, realizing she probably insulted the Captain, regardless of how true the statement must be. However, she continued, "There is a Deltan on board, though I suppose it is technically two. So, I can indulge there or on the holodeck if I feel the need...." She hesitated before adding, "I suppose." There was another breath before Vura added, "But I knew that when I came to Starfleet and took the Oath. It is too late to cry about it now. But, I make friends and they can be fulfilling in other ways."
Tyler furrowed his brow as he looked back out at the stars. This was the face of someone who had fallen deep in thought. A moment later it had occurred to him, something that to his knowledge no other Captain had thought of. "You know there is an old Starfleet regulation that supercedes everything but the Prime Directive. That regulation states that aboard a starship the Captain's word is law. It is my belief that no one should be forced to live without physical contact or whithout the choice of partners. However, I understand your point about humans and pheremones. So, if there is someone you choose to be with, and that person wants to be with you and knows the risks. You would be released from your oath for that person. Of course the person in question would have to go on record and Dr O'Rourke would have to be informed. But, my overall point is it can be done." He turned back to Vura a look of sympathy and hope on his face. He wanted the woman to find someone, lonliness was something no one should have to live with. This was a lesson that Tyler Malbrooke learned recently and learned the hard way.
The Captain did not know it; however, he was opening another wound in her. He was offering her a partner. Someone that she could touch and be with. She though of Cannir and looked down and swallowed hard. Edmund and Hermia had experienced her touch. So had Thex. She did not want to think about a partner. It was too painful.
Her voice hoarse, she uttered, "Captain, you are...kind. I cannot accept your...offer.... Certainly not at this time." She cleared her throat and tried to put on a braver face. "But I did not come here to talk about my plight. Why don't you tell me more about this KAT?"
"Perhaps not now, but in time, know that the offer is there, and I will see it done." When she changed the subject Tyler could not help but smirk. "Kat? She's my wife and one hell of a lady. Met her back at the Academy and have been inseparable since. Of course, it took some time for me to widdle her down so she would accept a date. But that is a long sordid tale."
"It is a tale that we have the time for. Besides, I would like to know as much about your relationship as possible. I cannot imagine that your experience would be easy on her, either. There is nothing worse than watching someone that you love suffer." I, of course, know that too well. Vura slightly bent at the waist but then straightened up. Stop thinking about Cannir and what happened. Right, Vura. You know that the more that you say that, the more you won't be able to stop. You've seen the results of experiments where people were told to stop thinking about pink elephants. They could think of nothing else.
Tyler stroked his chin as he nodded in agreement with Vura. "You know I will let you in on a secret that not many know. In fact doctor-patient confidentiality applies. Kat is pregnant, in a few months there will be some little feet running around this ship. I am sure what happened is worse on a woman who is pregnant. Thus far she has worked hard to keep my mind off of what happened. I in turn have worked hard on trying to figure out how to talk with her about it." He paused as he thought of where to begin to talk about his wife. "As I said we met at the Academy. She was an engineering student and I operations, so it went without saying that we would be inseparable. There was something about the fiery redhead that took no guff from anyone. We were the best of friends, that is until our junior year when I worked up the gumption to ask her out. She was even there with me when Lieutenant Kim gave me a tour of the USS Voyager. Just like engineering and operations lean on each other to keep a ship running, we have leaned on each other through it all."
"Then why not lean on her now?" Vura asked softly. "I know that, for you, it has to be difficult to talk to someone who is a stranger to your life. It should not be so difficult with your wife."
She shrugged lightly and rose. "It is something for you to think about. Of course everything we talk about here is protected by the patient-client privilege, unless you fall into an exception, which you don't currently." Whistfully she continued, "You may not recognize how lucky you are to have someone like KAT. There are many who would die for what you have." Or, they already died for you, right Cannir?
"Let's make sure that you're able to be there for her, your little one to come, and the crew, OK?" She smiled warmly at the Captain. "I think this is enough for today. I'm certain that if you do not have it, you will soon, regarding the mandatory sessions. I just hope that you will find my guidance helpful and utilize me whenever. I don't want you to ever feel like you only need to come to me because you're ordered to do so."
Tyler had not been informed of any mandatory sessions, but he was now. It made sense that Starfleet would want to make sure that he was cleared mentally in order to keep command of the Pioneer. "Of course I can lean on Kat. However, it is more that I would want to keep her from having to know about the horrors. But then she is a Starfleet officer." Tyler began to rationalize and then caught himself. "I will be sure to take you up on it...." His voice trailed off for a second as he sipped his coffee. "Oh, and Vura... thanks." He smiled as the Counselor left. Tyler had learned a bit about himself and his ship's Counselor. Learn something new every day, he thought.
"Just take my advice. Don't lock Kat out. Let her in." She smiled at him warmly, but it changed to almost a bashful glance as she let her head swing around towards the door. Keeping her back turned on Tyler, she caught her breath and strengthened her voice, "And, you're welcome, Tyler. You can count on me any time." With that, the Counselor disappeared out the door.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer

Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
