[snip]

”..Having spent time among Starfleet’s Intelligence branch myself and having my younger sister in it too. I can understand to a point what you’re saying. Intel requires a high level of thought process and dedication, but showing weakness or lacking there of actually could hurt her chances if that’s where she truly wishes to go.” Drudoc said sipping her tea. “..One of the key areas is knowing your own strengths and weaknesses. Not being able to admit those is often a disqualifier in itself in many sectors of its work.”

Sharah nodded, “We were working on that together. See, Ashlyn knows her strengths and weaknesses. But they manifest in unique and brilliant ways. I mean, I guess I see it better than anyone else. I can hear it all, and I see how her mind works. She’s very open about it all. But this last counselor seemed to have made up her mind before she ever met Ashlyn, or me for that matter. The CMO, he used to do that type of work. He’s actually been teaching her. She’s done really well, and he’s brutaly honest. So if she can’t stand up to it he’ll knock her back. I have no experience with that kind of work, but I understand what you are saying.”

”..Still I feel you’re feeling like this is your fault somehow? I’m no counselor by any stretch, Ensign, but to me it seems unduly placed guilt and worry in this event.” Drudoc added. Her voice took on a softer tone, one given to comforting others and being approachable. Not the harder more disciplined tone she likely used day to day while on duty. She clearly was trying to put Fayth at ease on some level.

Drudoc Andone

Sharah nods. “I know it’s not really my fault. I didn’t do anything but be her friend.” She looks around again, more into the past than the room. “I’m used to being accused of doing things that are disgusting because of my gift. People accuse others for things they don’t understand. I know Ashlyn made a mistake. She doesn’t trust many, and she’s come so far since we boarded Challenger. She has few close friends and when she was struggling after I left she didn’t talk to anyone. That’s on her, I know that. But I feel guilty that Ashlyn is left there to be blamed for something that…I didn’t force her to be my friend. I didn’t influence her, and I hate that now that I’m gone, they are convincing her that she was wrong, that she made a mistake to trust me and to actually have a friend. The hypocritic oath says to harm none, physically or mentally.”

En Fayth, Science

”..It seems to me you didn’t break that oath in any form. Unless I missed my mark you, indeed, were able to help your friend heal. So again I would say your sense of failure or the like is misplaced. No?” She questioned with a tilt of her head.

Drudoc Andone CO

There is a little bit of steel in Sharah’s voice and in her eyes. Just a flash though, quickly gone, “I didn’t break my oath.” She takes a deep breath, “I feel like someone else has. I’ve lived through it. Especially with counselors. They mean well, but they want to fix you into what they think is the better version of yourself, rather than listening. As her previous doctor, and more as her friend, I know how far she has come. It is wearing on the body and the mind to constantly be told you are wrong, the wrong version of yourself.” Sharah has a lot of first hand experience with that. And it would occur to Drudoc that maybe it wasn’t guilt that it was her fault, but a strong sense of family and need to protect those she cares about that is causing her guilt. “And I guess, Captain, for me, it just reminds me of how far the Federation has not come. That despite spouting off our ideals of seeking out new life and civilizations, we still cannot accept those around us that are different. I’m different, Ashlyn is different. And rather than accept us as we are, to allow us to contribute in a way that uses our strengths we are seen, at best, as a nuisance, and at worst, a threat.”

En Fayth, Science

Sensing where she had errored Drudoc nodded slightly brushing back a small lock of her cropped hair behind her left pointed ear. The light in the room seeming to almost sparkle off the faint silver locks mixed among the more evident black dark raven colored hair. “..I stand corrected them, Ensign. My mistake.” She said sipping her tea again.

”..Observing the Federation as an outsider for much of my life through this past century and a good chuck of the 23rd,” Drudoc said showing her age being in the late 140s mark. “..I can say we still have a long way to go. I agree with you whole heartedly. The counseling role if you consider it though is still, in the concept of the Federation’s age, still arguably quite a new one. Having only gained prominence on ships since the 2360s. But we must look at the positives that we jointly as a community offer each other. Find commonality and when encountering prejudice or other more negative aspects call out appropriately those actions for the betterment of our community..” Drudoc said stating her thoughts.

”..Assuming you are right thought, that this counseling officer is doing wrong and harming your friend what do you propose to do about it within your means?” She asked then.

Drudoc Andone CO