Posted by Lieutenant Commander Liadra (Counselor) in Check in with Counselor - Ang’er To’kar, Chief Engineer

Posted by Lieutenant Ang’er To’kar (Chief Engineer) in Check in with Counselor - Ang’er To’kar, Chief Engineer

Posted by Captain David Johnson (Commanding Officer) in Check in with Counselor - Ang’er To’kar, Chief Engineer
(snip)
Despite popular belief, her job was not to pick apart a person. It was actually quite the opposite- she was there to help keep them together in the moments when they might need support they weren’t expecting. And at some point, everyone did- it was an inevitable part of being a mortal being living an existence. No where was this perhaps more true than in a higher pressure life in Starfleet. “Every choice made in life is an opportunity for learning, for growth. It won’t always be pleasant, and it might disguise itself under other things, but it’s there. And all these choices, these reactions to our circumstances shape us to become who we are in the present moment. And they offer a path forward to who we will be in the next moment.” Liadra gazed softly at the CE. “Would you agree or disagree?”

Lt. Cmdr. Liadra, CNS

Ang remained nearly unmoving from the comment. “I am aware that every choice and action places us where we need to be in the cycle of life. I know that I learn as much from the cadets and Ensigns around me as I do from the Lieutenants and Commanders. But I do not set out to seek those lessons. So while I agree we do learn and grow, I do not believe I chose this post for any particular reason other than what I stated.”

While her voice, to almost anyone else, would sound almost blasé, chances are the counselor would sense the tension in the young half Klingon. Ang wasn’t used to being confronted about her choices. It unsettled her slightly that a choice randomly made during rotation time would be questioned with enough scrutiny to make her wonder if someone had wanted her to choose elsewhere… or at least, anywhere but here.

Lt Ang’er To’kar
Chief Engineer

Liadra couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t think most of us seek out those lessons. They just happen regardless. Consequences aren’t always negative, but they aren’t always possitive either. For a cadet about to experience Starfleet, and sometimes deeper parts of space, for the first time, it’s a test they are rarely prepared for. We’ve been through that test, so they look to us for guidance, even when they feel confident they have everything under control. Some will come to you with arrogance and a beleif that they don’t need help. That will be your challenge.”

Lt. Cmdr. Liadra, CNS

Ang nodded. “I am aware of what we learn and experience when we aren’t looking, or prepared. And anyone with a position of knowledge, responsibility or guidance should know that others will look ‘to them’ in times of need, and need to be ‘looked after’ when they aren’t willing to admit it.” Ang rose and paced a moment before stopping a the portal looking out into the vastness of space.

“Do you ask all your new crewmembers if they are ready to be in a position of guidance,” she asked before turing to see the woman’s reaction as she continued, “or simply me? And if it’s me, is because I am female in a male dominated job, or because I am half Klingon and not in a security or battle role?” Despite her best attempts to remain neutral in the query, Ang’s voice and posture rose a touch to show she was unsure where this line of questioning was going, but ‘was sure’ she wasn’t comfortable with it. Many of both human and Klingon race thought her ‘less’ for choosing a mechanical versus a physical role aboard some of the most prominent ships of the fleet. For her it was merely a question of desired preference. She liked working with her hands and seeing how things worked. Not simply pulling out a weapon and knocking someone down.

Lt Ang To’kar
CE