Posted by Lieutenant Alex Cross (Chief Counselor) in Lt. Commander Yoshida Onboarding Psych Eval

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Shinichi Yoshida (Executive Officer/Number One) in Lt. Commander Yoshida Onboarding Psych Eval

Posted by Lieutenant Alex Cross (Chief Counselor) in Lt. Commander Yoshida Onboarding Psych Eval
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After finishing in Sick Bay, Yoshida made his way to the Counselor’s office. He was determined to get the preliminary meetings out of the way before they arrived at Starbase 342.

He rang the door ping outside the Counselor’s door and waited to be admitted.

Lt. Commander Yoshida
Executive Officer

Within a few moments the doors whooshed open to show the Counselor standing with a welcoming smile upon his face.
“Good afternoon Commander, I am Dr. Cross. Come on in and make yourself comfortable. Can I get you something to drink?” He asked as he indicated the recessed seating area where a sectional set with two winged arm chairs across from it. Cross headed toward the replicator while the Commander took a seat.

Counselor Alex Cross

Yoshida’s face remained stern. While he had nothing against counselors and understood their need with helping the crew through traumatic events and mental catches, he wished he did not have to spend his valuable time with this evaluation. “Water, please,” he said as he took a seat. His posture was very rigid, straight backed and all right angles. Though the atmosphere was one of ease, it did not melt the cold exterior of the XO. “Shall we begin?” Yoshida prompted.

Lt. Commander Yoshida
Executive Officer

Picking up on the Commander’s demeanour, Cross privately wondered about it. Was it caused by past experiences with previous Counselors or something within the Commander’s personality. Ah, he did love a challenge. He crossed quickly to the replicator and ordered two waters, temperature cold. Returning to the sitting area he set them on the coasters before taking a seat across from the Commander. While he did not mirror the other man’s posture he did sit straighter than he normally would. He folded his hands onto his knees and looked straight at Yoshida. He had time to briefly skim the Commander’s service record but it was strangely bereft of any personal details other than a strange experience when he was a pre teen.
He decided a straight forward approach might work better with this man, he had a feeling that he would not appreciate any obfuscation.
“You have had an exemplary career from what I can tell from your service jacket, Commander. Tell me your thoughts about taking this position. Is it only a career move for you?”

Counselor Alex Cross

Yoshida bent over and took the cup up from the table, cradling the base in his left hand while his right brought it to his lips. Finishing his drink as the Counselor finished his opening question. Yoshida took a moment. Does our counselor doubt my convictions? Let me see how he likes this answer. Yoshida replaced the glass in his laft hand and said, “The Ark Angel is a fine ship with a very distinguished reputation. I was honored to be offered the position of Executive Officer. While, yes, it was a “career move,” I am very pleased to have made that move in this direction. Though, were I offered this position on another ship besides the Ark Angel, I’m sure I would be equally as honored. Issai Chozanshi wrote in his book, the Tengu’s Sermon on the Martial arts, a passage in which a butterfly describes the change from caterpillar to butterfly as simply following its nature. When it was a caterpillar, it had the mind of a caterpillar, and was so suited to its form. When it changed, its mind changed with it. Had it changed to something other than a butterfly, it would not bemoan not having become the butterfly. Its mind would have become that of its new form and it would find that the most appropriate. Brings to mind the analogy Douglas Adams made of the puddle that believed the whole it filled was made perfectly for it because the puddle filled every crack. The puddle failed to realize that it was he who had adapted to the environment around him, rather than the environment being made to suit him. I see my career in Starfleet similarly to how the Butterfly sees his transformation. I am Executive Officer, before that I was a Chief of Security. The transformation is made, and my mind is now that of the Executive Officer, no longer the Chief of Security.”

Lt. Commander Yoshida
Executive Officer

Cross found himself sitting forward slightly as he listened, fascinated. The Commander had an interesting mindset. He also appeared to do everything with precision. It would be interesting to see how he handled the XO job with that mindset. Though if he, like the puddle or the butterfly, would change with the position.
“Did you always see yourself in Starfleet, Commander, or did you ever wish to do anything else?”

Counselor Alex Cross

Yoshida sat back slightly, his gaze looking upwards as he began to recollect. “When I was younger, I didn’t give much thought to my future. I allowed life to happen around me, like a leaf in a stream. Then, as I grew into my teens, I began to think of what I would do with my life. I realized I wanted to be able to steer my own path through the waters. Once that was established, I began to look at what path would appeal to me. My father, as you may know, was a Terran Diplomat and had thought I would follow in his footsteps. There was a time I considered it, but a life of bureaucracy did not suit me. The more I looked, the more Star Fleet seemed the natural choice. However, I still find myself dealing with bureaucracy and politics, particularly as my career progresses. My karma, I suppose.”

Lt. Commander Yoshida
Executive Officer

Cross listened attentively, hands folded loosely in his lap, a small, understanding smile touching his expression as Yoshida finished. He nodded once, thoughtfully, before replying.

“Unfortunately that is something that naturally appears when any group that works together. It cannot be avoided,” Cross said evenly. “Wherever there are people, there will be structure, politics, and differing priorities. Even in Starfleet—perhaps especially in Starfleet, given the scale of what we do.”

He leaned forward just slightly, his tone warm rather than clinical. “What can be avoided is letting it define you or steer you in a direction that no longer feels like your own. From what you’ve said, it sounds like you’ve been very intentional about choosing your path—even when the current gets complicated.”

A brief smile crossed his features. “I wouldn’t call that karma so much as the price of leadership. The higher you rise, the more of that noise you’re exposed to. The important question is whether, despite it all, you still feel you’re steering your own course.”

He paused, giving Yoshida space to reflect before continuing.

Counselor Alex Cross

Yoshida nodded slowly, appreciating Cross’s words. “I agree,” He said taking another drink of water, “Politics, bureaucracy, these are but the natural processes that arise from structured social interaction. And society functions best with structure. Much like the individual. In martial arts, much attention is centered upon one’s structure. From good structure flows all things. The logic behind the movements are centered around protecting your structure and disrupting your opponent’s structure. When you have good structure, you will succeed. When your structure is disrupted, you fall. So it is with societies. So it is with life.”

Lt. Commander Yoshida
Executive Officer

“And yourself. If your structure is strong within Starfleet then the politics will not disrupt you and your core.”Cross smiled, he had really enjoyed meeting the XO and thought they would work well together. “I think that is enough souls searching today and a good place to leave this. Thank you, for coming in today, Commander. I have very enjoyed meeting you.”

Counselor Alex Cross

“Thank you,” Yoshida said standing, “I apologize that we cannot take more time, but I am meeting with the other department heads before our arrival at Starbase 342. We should find time to have more discussions in the future. My door will be open to you, Counselor.” Yoshida gave a slight bow and offered Cross his hand.

Lt. Commander Yoshida
Executive Officer