Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Counselor’s Office – Molly Holloway

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Katie Nunn (Counselor) in Counselor’s Office – Molly Holloway

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Counselor’s Office – Molly Holloway
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“Molly Wright.” Holloway said out of habitude before shaking her head. “Pardon me. Molly Holloway.” There was no explanation as to why she seemed to have gotten her own name wrong. “I’m the Dresden’s Chief Intelligence Officer.” She paused for a split second before continuing. “But if I had to guess, I’d say you probably already know that too.” The tone was calculated, typical of the Intelligence personnel. “I don’t mean to take a lot of your time, Commander, but I think we have an appointment right now?” It would be clear that Holloway was a woman of few words.

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Katie’s practiced friendly poker face didn’t show any reaction to Holloway’s name slip up, although she did file it away for later reference. She patiently waited for the CIO to finish introducing herself, matching her grip with her own similar one.

“Ah, yes, I do recall seeing an appointment pop up,” she responded with a smile. “You’ll have to forgive me, I’m still getting acquainted to the Dresden. It’s been a while since I’ve had a posting on board a ship.” She fluffed a throw pillow back to where she had been sitting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain,” she added and then explained further, feeling that this intelligence officer would prefer a straightforward approach. “While I do know who you are, I don’t think that excuses an opportunity to introduce ourselves to one another. Please, take a seat.”

“Of course.” Holloway said politely. “Thank you.”

Katie waited for Holloway to choose her seating arrangement and then queried, “how can I help you?”

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Stiff would be the best way to describe the way Holloway sat down on the couch, and from her impeccably pressed uniform to the perfectly made ballerina bun on top of her head, it was clear that Molly left nothing to chance. Sitting with her legs uncrossed, her back straight, and her fingers intertwined on her lap, the fact that Molly had chosen the spot on the couches from where she could best see the door only added to the fact that she seemed ready to run from the office.

The question took Molly by surprise, but no sign showed on her features. Colonel Harris booked the appointment. Why don’t you ask him? were the words that crossed her mind, but she opted against uttering them.

“Starfleet Medical requires me to see a counselor on a monthly basis. I am here to fulfill in those requirements.” Her tone was neutral and devoid of emotion. What she didn’t say was that she hadn’t filled said requirement in over two years

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Katie’s eyes studied Holloway’s face for a few moments before taking in her entire body language as she sat on the couch. Perhaps it was a bit of prejudice on her side, but the intelligence officer seemed just what Katie would expect from one. They did all tend to be fairly stiff and formal, which was certainly a challenge, especially to someone who had been working almost exclusively with women and children who mostly wanted her help. She sank on the couch directly opposing Holloway, her posture more at ease. She leaned forward on her elbows as she studied the CIO and pondered her response.

“Well, I don’t tend to find it very useful to require officers to see a counselor,” she finally said after some thought. “Could you tell me why Starfleet requires that? Obviously, I’m aware that I could look that up, but I’d prefer to hear your version.” She didn’t like the feeling of her second comment, but she felt like she needed to head a referral to her file and previous reports off in an attempt to turn this into a productive conversation instead of a staring contest.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Molly’s gaze didn’t change. There was no hint of surprise or otherwise. It was clear that the Intel officer liked to keep her troubles to herself, but it was also clear that she was somewhat used to be around counselors, not hesitating in sharing when asked.

Taking a moment to ponder what to say and how to say it, Holloway began. “I lost my mother when I was six.” She finally said. “Her death left me and my baby sister with our father, who…” She pondered for a moment. “… was not the most pleasant person to be around, let’s put it that way. We ran away when I was ten and we were sheltered and later adopted by an ex-Starfleet officer. He made us go through Starfleet Medical in San Francisco.” Her tone was cold and calculated. “The official version says I was…” Molly’s gaze turned upwards as she thought of the exact words. “… socially inept. It also says I displayed violent behavior and had anger management issues, and that because of this they would have to keep me under counseling as I grew up.” She paused. “My version? I was a kid from a broken household, left to care for my baby sister. Of course I was angry. I used to fight, I used to protest, I didn’t want to be away from her. I was scared. And I did so well into my teens. I was a teenager, I rebelled.” Slowly, emotion seeped through her words. The strain in Molly’s tone felt almost as if mentioning Starfleet in the context of her past brought back resentment of some kind.

“Eight years later, I’m accepted into Starfleet Academy, under the provision that I keep my counseling sessions.” Molly shrugged. “So I did.” As Holloway spoke the same anger and resentment seemed to become slightly more apparent as she spoke. “I think I did fairly well. I rose through the ranks, perhaps too quickly, but surely. However, no counselor I’ve seen has ever let go of the requirement.” Not even Ashton Molly thought bitterly. “Even though they seemed to think I had issues, Command made me Captain at twenty-five. Whether or not I deserved it is a conversation for another time, but they took my ship away almost as fast as they put her under my command.” In her lap, Molly’s entwined fingers tightened. The bitterness now tainting her speech made it clear that this was a point of contention. “To be perfectly honest, Commander, I don’t know why I am still required to see someone. Intelligence never seemed to care, they were just happy they had someone broken enough to exploit. But as long as I am on a Starfleet vessel… I am required to come here.”

For a moment she seemed to find her shoes very interesting. “Colonel Harris made the appointment.” Holloway added in a defeated tone. “He insisted I should come. He’s been worried. I don’t think he has reason to be.”

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Katie remained silent, allowing Holloway to work her way through the entire story and then taking a moment to collect her thoughts in an organized fashion. She studied the captain in front of her, feeling frustration at the way Starfleet had handled the woman’s situation. Simultaneously toying with the woman’s career and requiring counseling appointments seemed to be the opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to good mental health.

“Well, I think I agree with your version of the events, Captain,” she said simply when she finally spoke, a small friendly smile turning her lips upward slightly and brightening her blue eyes. “But you have to know that I’m going to ask why you think Colonel Harris is worried and why you don’t think he has a reason to be next. That’s how this always works, after all.” Her eyes sparkled slightly, demonstrating that she was adding a slight dose of humor to the otherwise somewhat stiff situation.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS