Counselor Department Meeting Part II
Posted on Wed Apr 2nd, 2025 @ 3:45pm by Lieutenant Vura & Lieutenant Junior Grade Zhara Rynn
Edited on on Wed Apr 2nd, 2025 @ 8:06pm
2,127 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Counselinng Office - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 1600 hrs
"You're correct. I'm not a suspicious person by nature but these questions hint at something more and it concerns me. As you say, I did ask for counseling, though I do appreciate your willingness to assist," she replied sweetly. "In any case, I do have to get ready for a chief's meeting and we have not met much, so I wanted to meet to discuss if there have been any concerns that you have noticed? How do you think that the crew is faring?"
Zhara sighed. "More people are complaining of nightmares and not sleeping well. Only a few remember what they dreamed. It's putting people on edge. I've had a few come in just to talk. How about you?"
"I've had the same," Vura confirmed. "After my first person came to me like that, I had an examination done with Hermia to make certain there were no neurological problems. We could confirm that this was an external problem."
"But nightmares?" Zhara shook her head. "There are too many of them to be random."
"I agree at this point. However, when I heard this the first time, this seemed like a necessary action. It seems to be affecting empathic and telepathic people most from what I can tell, though I am not experiencing any difficulties."
"Are you telepathic or just empathic?" Zhara asked. "I'm an empath, and I've had some trouble sleeping lately, but I don't recall having any nightmares."
"The closest thing to call me is a touch telepath, though that is not wholly correct. I can communicate telepathically with all other Deltans. As we technically have two with Llaxia, I can communicate with both of them within the confines of this ship. However, for other species, my touch also conveys so much more. In the case of Edmund Merrick, it freed his heart again from his deceased wife. However, when Hermia kissed me, well, that resulted in her going unconscious. I do fear that it may have been too much for her. Twice she has experienced my touch and I do fear more exposure for her. She could lose her way, go mad, and literally become a willing sex slave. It is not something I desire for her. This, again, is why we Deltans take the Oath. Other species are still hopelessly juvenile in their sexual morals. I know some take offense to that and others call us hedonistic, but it is nothing different than saying that we in the Federation have a great deal more technology and capability than an insect, unless of course, you're talking about the Xindi."
"No. Your species does appear to revel in sexual encounters more than others--for lack of a better way to express it. That may look hedonistic to those who do not live the way Deltans do. The opposite can be said for species who are more celibate. It's a matter of perspective." She was concerned however, that Vura was crossing some lines by touching people.
"I would not say that we revel in it, but that is not incorrect, either. We revel in anything that is inner space. Most Deltans do not feel the need to go to outer space because there is so much within their own world to experience. As to sexual experiences, many are just a polite way of welcoming someone to your home, for example." Vura sighed. "It is not terribly easy to explain, I'm afraid."
Zhara couldn't help laughing. "Clearly not. I'm not sure I want to know how sexual experiences are just a way of welcoming someone into your home. But I do understand about not wanting to leave your home world. Most people spend a lifetime and never learn more than a fraction of what their planet has to offer."
"And that nearly wraps up the supermajority of how Deltans think. Why go out there when there's so much at home to explore." She smiled nostalgically. "Tell me, would you rather explore outer space or inner space, Zhara?"
"Both, to be honest. I love nature and taking walks in the woods, reading a good book, watching a storm cross the sky, or walking in the rain. I appreciate the beauty of a nebula or star nursery. I also enjoy visiting new places while having my quarters and office on a starship. I'd be happy spending my life in the same town with people I know and love. But I chose this, and I love helping people as we travel the stars." She cocked her head to one side as she considered the question. "I can find the familiar on a holodeck, or in a garden. The familiar grounds me." Then she laughed. "How's that for an answer that isn't an answer?"
Vura laughed along with Zhara. "A perfect counselor or lawyer answer. Maybe you should consider a second career? How is JAG sounding to you, now?"
"Definitely not. I much prefer helping people find solutions to dealing with justice. I respect those who do, but I like what I do too much to consider changing occupations."
"I don't disagree. The satisfaction of watching someone grow is much stronger for me than determining punishment or liability."
Zhara nodded. "It's why we chose the occupations we did. But the biggest problem is that many don't want to talk to a counselor. They don't realize that we have tools that can help them. Or times like this when many on this ship don't even realize they need help."
"While that's true, you cannot help someone that does not want to be helped or is not ready to accept help. True change requires volition." Vura shrugged. "But this is a rather basic premise of our profession. It is also something that frustrates all of us counselors."
"Yes, but it's always worth trying." But Zhara did agree that, ultimately, it was up to the individual if they wanted help or not. "How do you feel you've settled in here?"
"I'm feeling comfortable here, but I am less concerned for myself than anyone else. You do keep coming back to my welfare, so I am concerned that something feels wrong to you."
"You're the chief counselor, someone needs to be concerned about you," Zhara countered. "Most of the crew seems to be a little uptight right now."
"Why do you say that?" Vura asked. "There is the issue with the nightmares, as you have said. Loss of sleep would definitely be a cause for some of those issues."
Zhara sighed. "Are you concerned about the crew on this ship?"
"I am always concerned about this crew. That is why I asked you here to get your observations as well. Do you think that I am not concerned about the crew? Are you concerned that there is something wrong with me?" Vura asked somewhat worriedly. Where was Zhara going with all of this? This was a meeting to discuss the crew and Zhara seemed to keep turning the conversation towards Vura.
"I'm concerned that you are exhibiting some of the same symptoms as the rest of the crew and yet you don't feel you need help."
"I'm sleeping well, and I do not have any nightmares. I appreciate your concern, but it is unfounded at this time. Believe me, Zhara, if I required some assistance, I would be the first person to avail myself of it."
Zhara raised an eyebrow. "Didn't Browning say, Physician, heal thyself?" She did not believe the counselor was unfit for duty, but she was radiating more emotion than normal, and she was going to keep an eye on the Deltan.
Why was Zhara pushing so hard? Did she feel that Vura was unfit for duty? Concern was one thing, but this was going a bit too far. Of course, someone with Betazoid blood would likely register her agitation and think that was making her unstable. However, Zhara failed to consider that she was the person irritating her now. "Yes, that is true. However, I have no need of healing. Though, I am becoming concerned that you do. Perhaps these nightmares are affecting you? You are part Betazoid, are you not? Have you been sleeping well?"
Deflection and denial? Perhaps. Zhara didn't think Vura even realized that she was showing some signs of being off-balance. It could simply be that she wasn't sleeping well, or there could be something upsetting her. It wasn't significant, but it was enough to draw attention. "I'm fine, counselor, as I said."
"As did I," Vura replied, driving the point home and commenting no further, Zhara further erecting a wall between the two by addressing Vura by title rather than by name. Vura decided that she would have to keep her eye on Zhara. There appeared to be signs of projection, which would be understandable given the circumstances.
"Well, Zhara, if something should change and you want to talk, let me know. My door is always open. We definitely need to monitor the situation with the crew symptoms and now that we know it is an external force, perhaps it would be best to see if any of this can be blocked by medical. I can further research this with Hermia, though I wonder if she will be affected soon. She was not when I met with her earlier today."
"I don't know if there is a way to block the nightmares, short of giving the crew sedatives to make them sleep for six hours, but do talk to Hermia."
"I will. The last thing that we need is a tired crew or a crew that is so irritable that it cannot function cohesively."
"I don't think we'll get to that point, but some of the crew might." She also wondered how many of the crew would come to them for help or just go to medical for a sleeping aid.
"Most likely, this is going to get worse before it is going to get better," Vura answered. "So, we need to come up with a solution and contingency plans."
"A solution for what? For the nightmares? We can't stop them, and we can't force people to get help. So, what are you considering?"
"Just because we have no solution to the nightmares now does not mean that we cannot find a way to stop them. In the meantime, for those who do want help, we need to figure out ways that they can cope."
"Some of the standard PTSD treatments may help. As should meditation. Or, if that fails, they can go to medical for sleeping aids. The biggest problem is they don't remember the nightmares--with a very few exceptions. If they did, then helping them work through the nightmares by giving them tools to defeat whatever they are facing would bring results, although it may take a few nights or weeks."
Vura had to agree. "The problem is the outside source. Let's schedule some voluntary meditation sessions, say an hour before each shift's anticipated bedtime. It is a good place to start and at worst will give everyone who participates some new skills to assist them."
Zhara nodded. "That's a good place to start. We can see how that goes and add to it if necessary."
"Hopefully it will stay isolated but I have a bad feeling that it will not. Do you have any other suggestions?"
"I might, but I want to do more research before sending them to you. I read some interesting papers on PTSD recently. I'll look them over again and see if we can adapt any of it. I'll send you any ideas that may apply to the Pioneer."
"I will look forward to whatever you can dig up. What sessions should I sign you up to lead for the meditations?"
"I work Gamma. I could do it then. And Beta. Zano's in medical and counseling, so I don't know if she can take a shift. You can ask her."
"I'll do that. Thank you for your input. Hopefully it will keep us going until we find a more permanent solution."
"You're welcome." Zhara knew this was a temporary measure, but she hoped the ideas they discussed would help some of the crew. "Have a good day, counselor."
"You, too, Zhara. Hope your shift is an easy one."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Junior Grade Zhara Rynn
Counselor, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
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