Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Samuel Andrew McIntyre (CNS) in Councelling Check-In || USS Chimera

Posted by Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineer) in Councelling Check-In || USS Chimera

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Samuel Andrew McIntyre (CNS) in Councelling Check-In || USS Chimera
Onceeeeeeosted by Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineer) in Councelling Check-In || USS Chimera
Post by Lieutenant Junior Grade Samuel Andrew McIntyre (CNS) in Counseling Check-In || USS Chimera
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Footsteps across the Chimera were steady - making way from point to point in a clearly defined path through the routing. With completion of the Command and Medical check-ins, he would make way to Deck 33 and to the Counseling Office. Coming to the corridor beyond the office he would pause pressing the chime in waiting for permission to enter before he would enter and then would pause again waiting to be indicated that he could speak.

“Ensign Aurelian Vale reporting in post transfer from Starfleet Academy to USS Chimera Engineering Department.” he spoke calmly and clearly.

The counseling office aboard the USS Chimera was quiet compared to the constant hum of activity elsewhere on the ship. The muted lighting and soft ambient systems noise gave the room a calmer tone than the sharp efficiency of the CIC or Engineering decks.
At the chime, a voice from inside answered.
“Enter.”
The door parted with a soft hydraulic whisper.
Inside, Lieutenant Junior Grade Samuel McIntyre, Counselor for the ship, sat at his desk reviewing a padd. He looked up as the ensign stepped in, observing the young officer for a moment with the quiet attentiveness common to counselors.
McIntyre set the padd aside and gestured lightly toward the chair opposite his desk.
“At ease, Ensign.”
His tone was professional but relaxed.
“Welcome aboard the Chimera.”
He folded his hands together on the desk.
“Your transfer from Starfleet Academy has already been logged through Command and Medical, so this will be your psychological orientation and baseline assessment.”
A small nod followed.
“Nothing complicated. Standard procedure for new officers joining the crew.”
His gaze remained steady but not intrusive.
“Before we begin the formal portion, tell me a little about yourself, Ensign Vale. How are you finding your first hours aboard ship?”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

Aurelian was calm and quiet making way in and to the indicated seat settling to sit down as indicated look it’s’s’s’s’s’s forward towards Andrew attentively with one gold-amber eye and one blue viewer.

“The first few hours aboard the USof S Ccane have been…peaceful…as close to a ‘vacation’ as I have known for a while… during unexpecty in downtime I was focused on my studies…the first few hours were largely a calm before a storm where I will be…hopefully…on duty and useful…” Aurelian speaks calmly, “Being able to secure my few possessions, report to command, report to medical… It’s been stable… It’s been steady…expectations underway one after another…but with passage the stability will be changed…shifted in their measure…” he adds.

“Starfleet Behavioral Health did provide a report if you would have an interest in such a thing…” Aurelian speaks after a moment pause, “As a rough summary…no instability…symbiont and adaptations post reclaimation are stable and working well together…amplifying capacity to adapt and process…passively some therapies were suggested as available and if unavailable they can be bypassed…”

Ensign Aurelian Vale

McIntyre listened attentively, his posture relaxed but alert, his fingers lightly steepled on the desk. His expression remained neutral and professional, but his amber eyes held a glint of curiosity as he regarded the ensign.
“Very well, Ensign Vale,” he said after a brief pause, his tone measured. “Your observations are perceptive, and it is good to hear that your initial hours aboard the Chimera have been orderly and calm. Stability is a useful foundation, especially in the early phase of integration into a new ship and the crew.”
He leaned back slightly, letting the words settle. “I am aware of the reports provided by Starfleet Behavioral Health, yes. Your summary aligns with what I have on file: no behavioral instability, symbiont integration proceeding smoothly, and adaptive capacity functioning at its expected levels.”
McIntyre inclined his hea it’s’s’s’s’s’slightly, a subtle acknowledgment of the ensign’s thoroughness. “The therapies suggested are not mandatory at this stage. But you can’t as tools to support you should any stressors arise that challenge your current equilibrium. That said, the ability to bypass nonessential interventions is noted—your autonomy is respected, it’s provided operational readiness remains uncompromised.”
He tapped a fingertip against the desk thoughtfully. “I would like to explore don’tttttt anticipations further. You mention the calm before the storm. What challenges do you foresee, and how do you plan to approach them once you are on duty?”

Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera
If>>>
“This is Starfleet - there is always ‘something’ on the horizon…and with Chimera being the type of vessel it is…it will operate…like how doctors supervise the development of patients…monitoring their lifesigns and readiness…so too do I supervise the wellbeing of the Chimera and intend to monitor its readiness…I will face every difficulty with every ounce of efficiency I am capable of…using everything I am capable of to do so…all that I am revolves around engineering…all that I can do will help where possible to keep the Chimera pushing forward…I will listen to what it is experiencing…I will listen to the symptoms…because every system of the Chimera is like the systems of a body…both have limits that get pushed…and with the expectations for the Chimera…limits likely WILL be pushed…and I will face what risks are necessary to support the Chimera to do what is needed to be faced. Any abhorrent influences negatively affecting me will be reported to medical or counseling accordingly after the calm returns.”

Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineering)

McIntyre’s expression remained calm, but his gaze sharpened slightly, impressed by the clarity and precision in Aurelian’s words. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk, his tone steady but carrying weight.
“Ensign Vale,” he said deliberately, “your perspective reflects a disciplined understanding of both duty and responsibility. Viewing the ship as a living system—its limits, its feedback, its vulnerabilities—is the hallmark of an effective engineering officer. That mindset, combined with self-awareness of your own thresholds, is essential for maintaining operational integrity during extended missions or high-stress situations.”
He paused, letting the observation settle. “Your commitment to efficiency, preparedness, and attentive monitoring is noted. So too is your recognition of when to escalate concerns for both your well-being and the ship’s systems. This dual vigilance—toward self and vessel—is the foundation of a resilient officer.”
McIntyre’s amber eye flicked to the padd beside him briefly, then back to Aurelian. “What I would like to do now is establish a baseline for routine counseling and support. Nothing invasive—simply a measure of readiness, both cognitive and emotional, so that we can ensure you remain capable of sustaining the level of engagement and responsibility you have described. Are you prepared to proceed with that?”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

“Yes, Sir. I am most certainly ready and willing to undergo baseline endeavors to prepare for measures to document a member of the crew…in addition to everything else…baseline understanding is an ideal track to follow for any measure…if you know where the basis is for ‘calm’ you can establish treatments or warning levels when things exceed that measure.” Aurelian nods in understanding of at least the intention of the baseline study for his entry to the Chimera crew.

Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineering)

McIntyre gave a small approving nod, satisfied with the ensign’s reasoning.
“Exactly right, Ensign,” he replied evenly. “Baseline measurements exist for a simple reason: without knowing what normal looks like for an individual, it becomes difficult to identify when something has shifted beyond acceptable tolerances.”
He reached for the padd on the desk and activated a new entry in the crew counseling registry.
“Every officer aboard the USS Chimera receives one of these assessments upon arrival. It provides me with a reference point should we encounter extended operations, combat conditions, or unusual environmental stressors.”
His eyes returned to Vale.
“You’ve already demonstrated an analytical approach to both engineering and personal regulation. That will serve you well.”
McIntyre tapped a few fields on the padd before continuing.
“Let’s begin with a few simple questions.”
He leaned back slightly, adopting a conversational posture rather than an interrogative one.
“First: stress response. When a system fails unexpectedly—something critical, perhaps warp containment fluctuations or cascading power loss—what is your immediate mental process? Walk me through how you think, not just what you do.”
A brief pause followed before the next question.
“Second: symbiont integration. Your file indicates stable post-reclamation adaptation. Have you noticed any shifts in cognition, emotional processing, or perception since the integration stabilized?”
He set the padd down again, focusing fully on the ensign.
“And finally—this one is less clinical.”
A faint hint of a smile touched his expression.
“What motivates you to keep pushing forward when the work becomes exhausting and the situation uncertain?”
The room settled into quiet again as he waited for Vale’s response.
Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

”…I find…when things get stressful…to some measure…for a time…they get better. Heartrate picks up…but the focus…hones down like the edge of a scalpel…depending on the approach…my weakness is also my strength…its…like a computer having multiple processing cores available for tasks…I have my own mind, the symbiont, and the…adornments…each which is able to focus on a different number of processes and tasks…if a system fails unexpectantly…I identify the problem, communicate the issue, maintain function of systems via bypasses until we can reposition somewhere safe to efficiently task on repairs if repairs cannot be done underway…with the example of warp containment minimizing drain and hazard for repairs to take place can go forward…” Aurelian speaks calmly, “Wasting as little time as possible while seeking to be as efficient as possible in the way of repairs and development…ideally the vessel will experience as little downtime as possible while maximizing the repairs…my hope however is that in moments when we are on shift during operations that I will be able to run diagnostics and preemptive repairs without having to shut anything down but sometimes rest is not a negative thing…”

“The symbiont…has had minimal in the way of shifts…beyond whispers…retaining memories that are neither mine nor the symbionts…fragments of the others that had touched during the processing…my own processing has not shifted but sometimes the memories hold information…little bits of data…especially when processing for particular paths such as repairs or documentation of systems that might not be entirely familiar…there are so many beings out there that were touched among the we who are one that for the time were among the memories of the symbiont…” Aurelian explains calmly, “It has been one among my own in its path through academy…assisting rather uniquely in the course of studies…one self able to read while another self listens and both retaining information…”

“When exhaustion hits…and situations are uncertain…” Aurelian begins, “…there is an understanding…that this isn’t just a ship…its not just a place…its a home of the people who serve aboard it…its a weapon and transportation of an ideal…exhaustion will come…situations may not always be certain or ideal…but I cant stop…if I stop now the systems fail later…in a body if a system fails it can not perform efficiently…every engineering action I perform efficiently and fully is not just technical work…its preventative compassion…if the systems continue…the crew survives a crisis, a starship reaches home, a catastrophic event does not happen…I dont just fix machines…I build structures and bulwarks that keep others alive…if I keep the engines going…we move…if I keep the weapons operating…we have a fighting chance…if I keep sensors up…we see it before it sees us…if I keep shields functional…we maintain…and if I keep the warp core going…our heart keeps beating…my body has limits…but those limits push to keep the rest of the ship going…but I am not alone…engineering is not one person…like the white cells in a body…we all are working at our utmost to overcome problems…” Aurelian explains.

Aurelian Vale (Engineering)

McIntyre remained silent for a moment, allowing the words to settle. He didn’t speak immediately—he rarely did in moments like this—letting the weight of Vale’s explanation fill the room. When he finally responded, his voice was calm, measured, and carried the subtle resonance of respect.
“Ensign Vale, your analysis is thorough and exceptionally self-aware. You approach engineering not merely as a technical responsibility, but as a living, breathing system that sustains both crew and vessel. That perspective—understanding the ship as a unified organism, where every subsystem supports life and mission capability—is rare, and it is precisely the type of mindset that ensures operational resilience.”
He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the desk.
“Your description of your symbiont’s capabilities, the distributed cognitive processing, and the integration of additional knowledge fragments demonstrates a remarkable ability to optimize resources under stress. That kind of distributed awareness is a significant asset, especially in high-pressure scenarios where redundancy and multitasking are essential.”
McIntyre allowed a faint pause before continuing, his tone softening just slightly.
“And your recognition of limits—both personal and systemic—and the way you tie technical duty to the broader welfare of the crew shows a level of ethical and operational foresight that cannot be overstated. Exhaustion is inevitable, uncertainty is guaranteed, yet your framing of effort as a form of preventative compassion reflects a mindset that is both disciplined and profoundly aligned with Starfleet ideals.”
He tapped a finger lightly against the padd.
“We will document this baseline not as a formality, but as a reference point to ensure that your capacities, strengths, and vulnerabilities are understood—both for your benefit and for the operational integrity of the Chimera. You are, in essence, preparing both yourself and the ship to operate at peak efficiency while maintaining situational awareness of both systems and people.”
McIntyre’s amber eyes studied Vale closely.
“Final question for this initial assessment: when the unexpected escalates beyond the anticipated thresholds, when all redundancies are engaged and systems are stretched to their limits, how do you prioritize between the ship’s needs, the crew’s safety, and your own wellbeing?”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

”…When the worst case scenario takes place and enters into the worldscape…” Aurelian speaks calmly and clearly as he looked to McIntyre studiously and attentively fully focused on the question being asked but not with pre-existing anticipation of what might come forward, “…the crew will be paramount…damage to the crew is far more difficult to compose and will devastate the very soul of others along the way…a crew that bonds well is far more difficult to even consider trying to build back out…secondary would be the ship…which is a living entity all its own…but can be remaining even after devastating events…true ‘destruction’ for the ship would take far more without opportunity of recovery and it will be time and resources and taking operations off scale as pulling other ships to fill in would be difficult but not as drastic as crew replacements would be…the last thing to focus on trying to save or press forward with would be my own…the crew and the ship are my priority…if risking myself saves the crew or the ship…it is worthwhile.”

Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineering)

McIntyre nodded slowly, absorbing the answer with quiet, professional attention. He allowed a moment of silence, letting Vale’s reasoning resonate, then spoke with calm authority.
“Ensign Vale, your priorities are aligned with what I would expect of a competent and conscientious officer: crew first, ship second, self last. That hierarchy is sound, both ethically and operationally. It reflects not only judgment under pressure but also the maturity to understand that the preservation of life and mission continuity depends on a broader perspective than individual survival.”
He leaned back slightly, resting his hands on the desk.
“Your articulation demonstrates that you have internalized the responsibility of service aboard a starship. The Chimera is a vessel of great capability, but it is the crew—and their cohesion, resilience, and safety—that truly determine the outcome of any operation. Your willingness to act decisively in support of that principle, even at personal risk, indicates the reliability and courage necessary in high-stress scenarios.”
McIntyre’s gaze softened slightly, the professional assessment giving way to a subtle acknowledgment of respect.
“This completes the core portion of your baseline evaluation, Ensign. The remainder of our work together will focus on routine monitoring, ensuring that you maintain this balance of efficiency, awareness, and personal wellbeing as the operational tempo of the Chimera intensifies. For now, I will make the initial entry into your counseling record, and we will schedule follow-ups to ensure continuity.”
He set the padd down deliberately, looking directly at Vale.
“Do you have any questions or concerns about this process, or about your integration into the Chimera crew?”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

“Routine monitoring and maintaining expectations are ideal and understandable…” Aurelian spoke calmly, “I have no present questions about the process of establishing baseline for care and understanding. As far as integration into the Chimera crew…it will be a matter of experience…to see how well I can be accepted by my peers. Admittedly I am…different…and not to the typical stage of ‘different’ within starfleet.”

Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineering)

McIntyre listened without interruption, his expression thoughtful rather than concerned. When Aurelian finished, he gave a small, understanding nod.
“Ensign Vale, you are correct about one thing—experience will determine how integration unfolds. Crew cohesion aboard a starship rarely happens overnight. It forms gradually through shared duty shifts, problem-solving, and the simple routine of serving together.”
He folded his hands calmly on the desk.
“As for being…different—Starfleet has never been a place where uniformity is the standard. Some of the most capable officers in the fleet have been individuals whose physiology, background, or perspective set them apart from the majority.”
His tone remained steady, reassuring without being overly sentimental.
“What ultimately determines acceptance aboard a ship like the USS Chimera is reliability. When your fellow engineers see that systems stay online because you were there… when the lights remain on, the warp field stays stable, and the ship continues moving forward during difficult situations—that builds trust faster than anything else.”
McIntyre leaned back slightly.
“Competence and consistency are the universal language aboard a starship. Demonstrate those, and differences quickly become strengths rather than barriers.”
A brief pause followed.
“From a counseling standpoint, your self-awareness is already a positive sign. You recognize that your physiology and cognitive structure differ from many of your peers, but you also understand your place within the team. That balance is important.”
He reached for the padd again, finishing the last few notes.
“Your baseline assessment will be logged as stable. I’ll schedule a routine follow-up in several weeks unless circumstances require earlier consultation.”
McIntyre looked back up at him.
“You’re cleared to report fully to duty in Engineering, Ensign.”
Then, with a faint professional nod:
“Welcome aboard the Chimera.”
Lieutenant Jr. Grade Samuel A. McIntyre
CNS USS Chimera

“Thank you for your time and services rendered, Sir…they are in fact appreciated…you keep the crews form of computers functioning and maintained…keeping the mind going in the chaos and taxation of the times that the crew will face. Outside of initial meetings most meetings afterwards many might forget to speak the appreciation of the task you perform…you keep us going mentally while Medical keeps us going physically…” Aurelian speaks calmly with a slight nod before he rises slowly and makes way towards the door exiting out to begin on his next step for his checkins on the Chimera.

Ensign Aurelian Vale (Engineering)