Shattered Spirit

Posted on Mon Jul 29th, 2019 @ 1:47am by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Lieutenant Commander Radak

1,605 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The science of stars
Location: USS Wolff | Deck 1 | Observation
Timeline: 7th March 2395 early morning

ON:

Command crew aboard Federation starships and space stations were the decision makers; They called the shots and summoned their staff and additional members of the crew for meetings, mission briefings, and crew evaluations. How queer is must have been for the Captain and First Officer to find themselves on the receiving end of a meeting request. Summoned to their own Observation longue of all places.

There, Doctor Deepak El-Azar awaited their morning arrival. Summoning via invitation the evening prior for a meeting in the wee hours of the morning before the changing of shifts. Deepak had been a guest of sorts aboard the starship for quite sometime now. He had shadowed the Chief Medical Officer who had doubled as the Ship's Counselor for his own personal studies.

He was known to be a bit of an insomniac by those who noticed him up and about at odd hours. Some questioned whether or not he even slept, but his chipper attitude and vibrant personality dictated that he must sleep at some point otherwise there would have been no plausible way for him to be as upbeat and energized as he was.

Doctor El-Azar sat at the head of the table in the USS Wolff's Observation Lounge, the seat usually by default reserved for the Captain. Deepak, however, occupied it with his legs crossed, a PADD in front of him and a mug of tea to the right of his hand.

He waited for the two officers to arrive as requested. He was a Federation civilian who had no weight to throw around nor any pull. So, the fact that he requested the meeting in the first place probably aroused some suspicion and disbelief if not complete bewilderment. He hummed a little tune to himself as he patiently waited for them to walk through those doors.

Lieutenant Commander Radak entered the room with trepidation, his distinctively Vulcan eyebrows furrowed deeply in concern and confusion. He had never been called to a meeting by medical personnel. "Doctor El-Azar, I presume?" He had seen the man around the ship, but he hadn't ever formally introduced himself.

Taking a sip of his tea which was filling the room slowly with its floral aroma, the man with slightly darker skin swallowed and set his mug down. "I hope so, Commander. Otherwise, I am more confused than ever," replied Doctor El-Azar.

"I've invited the Captain to join us," added Deepak. "I suspect they will be joining us shortly. I would have gotten you both drinks, but I don't know your preferences yet, and Trills are particularly unpredictable."

"The captain prefers tea," Radak responded. "I believe that I need coffee at this hour. I am not certain what kind of tea she prefers though. There are so many varieties." He stepped toward the replicator and ordered a dark roast coffee, double cream, double sweet. "I would ask why we are here, but I assume you will tell us when the captain arrives." He returned to the table and sat down with his cup of coffee in hand.

Deepak nodded. "Yes, that would be the idea," he replied with a smile.

A moment or two later Taliserra arrived, dressed not in her uniform but in civilian clothes and preceded by the unmistakable sound of a crying child. She'd planned a lie in on the rare day off she'd scheduled, but this unconventional meeting and a crying child had seen that shelved.

"Oh, that is a most delightful sound," commented Doctor El-Azar when Taliserra arrived. "Captain, you brought the little one? How wonderful. Music to my ears, Captain," added Deepak. "Please, help yourself to some tea and have a seat."

Radak winced a little with a particularly shrill cry from the baby. "We are all here now, Doctor," he said, stating the obvious.

Carefully Taliserra fetched a drink from the replicator and sat down. If she could have avoided bringing Lashell with her she would have, but the little one didn't want her grandmother today.

"Grand" replied Deepak. He observed the two for a moment before proceeding as straight as he could to the matter. "This crew has been through a lot. You've lost a lot. I don't think I have to inform either of you that aside from the crew compliment taking a hit, crew morale has been gutted. Your Chief Operations Officer, your Chief Medical Officer who doubled as Ship's Counselor" began Doctor El-Azar.

"You've pulled people up, promoted where necessary, but there's a vacancy that needs to be filled. You are at a crossroads here...a grew grief-stricken without proper guidance on how to deal with those emotions, and you Commander Radak, oversee personnel matters, but what could you possibly do to help this crew grieve? No offense, but a Vulcan XO and a Vulcan Chief Medical Officer though effective at aspects of their respected positions cannot handle this alone. I'm asking you to put the needs of the crew up and weigh your options. You need someone and I am that someone if you let me be that someone."

"You had been following Lt Polaris' activities for a while now, right?" Taliserra asked, while she'd never met the man before now, she had heard of him around the ship.

Radak nodded in agreement. The doctor's assessment of Vulcans being able to handle the emotional needs of a mostly emotional crew was probably not what was healthy for them.

"Yes, I was before..." he started to respond, but the whole death thing was hard to say. It was not that he had not seen death or known people who had died, but the manner in which she did was tragic. "My research continues nevertheless, but that void needs to be filled for the sake of this crew to continue intact. My research can take a few steps if you would allow me to take the mantle of Ship's Counselor."

Taliserra glanced across at Radak before turning back to Deepak, "I managed to have a quick glance through you file before coming here, you certainly seem qualified enough for the position." She said as she carefully shifted Lashell to her shoulder.

Radak nodded again. "I too, had a look at your file. I agree with the Captain's assessment. Captain, this is not a good time for the crew to go without someone to speak to about emotional matters. The doctor's statement is... rather accurate concerning the emotional support of Vulcans." He looked back and forth between the captain and the doctor.

"I pride myself in being qualified to help people," replied Deepak with a subtle playful grin. "Being a good listener is often the first step in sorting out the emotional matters of various species" stated Deepak who then specifically focused on Radak. "I just want to clarify that I have nothing against Vulcans, Commander. I, in fact, find them extraordinarily efficient in most matters... but the emotional well being of the crew, especially at a time such as this needs a little more care than a Vulcan following the philosophies of Surak can provide."

"I agree with you, Doctor," Radak said simply. "I, myself, have not participated in the Kolinahr, but I still find myself lacking sympathy to a multitude of Human emotions. I agree that I cannot provide the proper emotional support."

"Humans can be complicated at times, same with most races." Taliserra smiled slightly, she glanced over her shoulder at Lashell who had been suspicious quiet for the last minute. 'finally' she thought seeing that she was asleep again. "I have no problem with you taking over the role, Commander?"

Radak shook his head. "I have no objections either..."

"Good," replied the darker skinned man with a youthful smile. His dark eyes displayed an appreciative look. "You two both look like you could use some more coffee or something stimulating. If neither of you are opposed to me taking over the position, I'll start effective immediately."

Radak nodded and rose from his chair. "I will make the appropriate changes in the roster if the captain approves." He looked at Taliserra for final confirmation.

"What I could do with doing is going back to bed," Taliserra remarked. "Go ahead Commander."

Radak nodded. "Then you should do that. Especially now that the little one is quiet again. I'd imagine that you don't get much sleep," he said. "Besides, this is your day to not work. I will take care of the paperwork and the office assignment. You, Captain... should return to your quarters and relax."

Picking up her tea to take with her, Taliserra slowly stood up and headed for the door. "Then I'll head back there. Good day, Commander, Doctor."

Radak nodded yet again. "Rest well, Captain. We will speak again soon." He looked at the new counselor. "There is an office for you. I believe, close to the medical bay. Do you wish me to accompany you there?" he asked.

"I appreciate the offer," replied Deepak. "However, you have other matters to attend to, and I have a starship to explore a bit more in depth. I'll deal with the office soon enough, but I think my first course of action will be mingling with the crew so they get more accustomed to seeing me rather than being held up in a lab, my quarters, or shadowing crewmembers in Sickbay as I have been doing."

Radak nodded curtly, his face expressionless. "Alright, I will leave you to it, then. Good day, Doctor. Congratulations on your position." He bowed slightly and left the office.

OFF:

Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Deepak El-Azar, MD
Ship's Counselor

Lieutenant Commander Radak
Executive Officer

 

RSS Feed