The Warden of The Asylum
Posted on Wed Mar 5th, 2025 @ 11:59am by Captain Winfield Hood & Lieutenant Jayak Zek
Edited on on Wed Mar 5th, 2025 @ 11:51pm
1,607 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Back To Basics - Empok Nor Episode 3
Location: Ops Command Center - Deck 1 Central Core - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD004 0800 hrs
Zek knew that this was a deed that he had to finish whether he wanted to or not: he had to meet the Captain of this space station. Regulations always required that the new Chiefs check in with the Captain. In principle, he had nothing against it. However, in practice, some captains liked to have a great deal of oversight and that personally rankled him. The Counselor was much more of a free spirit.
Nonetheless, he was not about to lose this position. It had a great deal of opportunities to meet interesting species and women to pass his time. He just hoped that the Captain would not confine him to his office. He preferred meeting anywhere but there.
He headed up to Ops to find the Captain and get the mandatory reporting meeting completed.
Hood had just received the latest fleet reports from Jek'Lar. It seemed at the moment there was not much going on, which was new and well received. There was one small blip involving something the USS Valiant discovered in the Badlands. But it seemed the Pioneer was well on its way to handling that. For the moment Winfield relaxed and it was in that moment that the door chime rank. Hood could see the man that stood on the other side of the glass. A Bajoran that wore a blue Starfleet uniform. Winfield waved the other man in. "Lieutenant welcome to Empok Nor. How can I help you?"
"I am Lieutenant Jayak Zek, Captain. I'm your new Chief Counselor. I've actually been here for a bit. I apologize for not reporting in sooner but a young lady who left on the Pioneer required assistance and I was bound by oath to come to her aid first." Thank you, Audie for helping me cover my ass.
"Not a problem Lieutenant. Welcome aboard. Your record from Poseidon Station precedes you. It has been some time since this station had a Counselor. So, I'm afraid you may have your work cut out for you." Hood found it interesting that Starfleet sent a Bajoran Counselor here, to Cardassian space. That should prove interesting to say the very least.
"I don't mind the work. I seem to have already bumped into a few interesting characters, as I mentioned before." He looked at the Captain and observed, "I bet that you are wondering why I would come out here, aren't you?"
"The thought about why you would want to serve in Cardassian space did cross my mind. However, if I am totally honest I wonder the same question about every Bajoran that comes to serve here. Most Bajorans that I have encountered in the fleet have either wanted to get as far away from Cardassians as possible or serve on Deep Space Nine and work close to home." Hood realized that he had made some generalizations but they had the luxury of being fact.
"Becoming xenophobic really is not a healthy reaction. It does nothing to help anyone grow, does it? It is like curling into a ball and hoping that everyone goes away, right?" he told the Captain.
"Well said Lieutenant, well said indeed." Hood said with a broad smile and a slight chuckle in his voice. "Well then, if I may. What brings you out here to the Trivas System? I will confess that we have had need of a Counselor for some time."
"I could say Fate or the Prophets, but I doubt either would be true," the Counselor admitted. "Something about the Solar Winds just brought me here and I enjoy going to new places. The position was open and it is one I have fulfilled elsewhere. So, I applied and here I am."
He thought about the Captain's statement for another long moment before continuing, "You say that you have needed a counselor for some time. Why is that? Is there something pressing that needs addressing?"
"There have been a fair amount of traumatic events that have happened here. Not the least of which was the station having to be evacuated and it being taken into enemy control. Followed by a rather bloody battle to retake the station. I imagine that event among others has taken quite the stressful toll on the crew." Despite his usual aloof method to command Hood actually felt for his crew and worried about them.
"Well, that certainly is a lot," Zek confirmed. "Is there anyone that you are particularly concerned about, that might need my assistance? I certainly could seek them out."
"No, there is no one in particular that I can think of. My suggestion would be to read the logs from that mission and then go from there. There have been some crew changes since then. So, not everyone would be affected to the best of my knowledge." Hood knew that he could probably use the Counselor's help. He lost some friends that day. However, that would have to wait a little while.
"Would that be the battle log or some other mission?" Zek asked, watching the Captain carefully.
"The battle logs can be provided on the library computer. The fleet that took the station back was led by the USS Pioneer. The crew of the station was relocated to Port Royale Station at least temporarily. I know that a fair amount of our civilian population was affected. As they remained aboard when the Cardassians took over. So, feel free to talk with Mickey Taggart of the White Stag and Zulg. Incidentally Mickey makes some good food and better drinks." Hood smiled at his comment, an attempt to lighten the mood somewhat.
"Sounds like I should start there, then," Zek answered with a congenial smile in return. As you are unwilling to shed more light on the subject, it makes sense to start with where you pointed me. "Incidentally, Captain, I think you should be aware that I will rarely be found in my office. I like to be rather hands on and indirect about my work. I find that the office can be stifling to many people who just want to talk and do not want to feel analyzed."
"Then you should fit right in here. Most of us do not spend time in the office. I think it comes from the lack of movement. The station can't explore, so we explore the station," Hood said with a laugh. "This is not something I expect too often, but it should be brought up nonetheless. As Counselor aboard the station, you will have to be available for any refugees that may seek asylum and what have you here. Of course you will be briefed in that event ahead of time. I just wanted to make sure that you are aware."
Zek's initial impression was that he liked this Captain. He seemed relatively well adjusted and did not seem to want to impose his ideas on him. "I appreciate the advanced notice. I would rather be prepared for the contingencies when possible." He paused before asking, "Is there anything else that I should know or you would like to know?"
"Perhaps the last thing you should know is that Empok Nor is a revolving door of sorts. We have ships coming and going constantly. The USS Pioneer is at our disposal for assistance should we need it. So, I would keep in touch with the Counselor there Lieutenant Vura if I recall correctly. Just in case that crew needs any further assistance. But, the rest of the ships that come through could need anything. So, you should be ready for anything." Hood rather appreciated the want to get right to work from Zek. He knew the Counselor would be a great addition to this crew.
"I do like the revolving door aspect of this station. It will maximize my ability to meet and help people. If Pioneer will be here regularly, then I should acquaint myself with this Lieutenant Vura." And if Pioneer is regularly coming in, I'll get to play with Audie more. Perhaps I should contact Pioneer and torture her some more? He paused and asked, "Do you know where the Pioneer is off to? I heard that shore leave was revoked."
"No, I do not. In fact, to the best of my knowledge the Commodore revoked shore leave and is playing the rest of his cards close to the vest. I guess that is your prerogative when you are the senior officer in the sector." Hood had been curious why the Pioneer would rush off with little to no notice. But, he was also of the mind that it was none of his actual business.
"It certainly would be easier to acquaint myself with Pioneer personnel if they were here, but, I suppose that will have to be put on the shelf for now. Alright, then," Zek replied standing up. "I suppose that I should find some trouble for myself to get into then."
"I would prefer that you didn't find any," Hood said with a smile. In the instant he knew that Zek would fit right in with the rest of the staff on the station. The question now was, did the rest of the staff know what they were getting themselves into?
Zek grinned back. "Until next time, Captain," he replied as he rose and then exited Hood's office.
A Joint Post By
Captain Winfield Hood
Commanding Officer, Empok Nor
Lieutenant Jayak Zek
Chief Counselor, Empok Nor
RSS Feed