Posted by Captain Iphigenia Henao (Commanding Officer) in Away Team Psychological Evaluations: Tag Henao

Posted by Lieutenant Laural Corynn Witley, Ph.D., M.D. (Counselor) in Away Team Psychological Evaluations: Tag Henao

Posted by Lieutenant Dayner Ruuk (Chief Engineer/Containment Architect) in Away Team Psychological Evaluations: Tag Henao
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
With every medical clearance of the away team, Laural was notified. Serving as a medical officer herself, she could appreciate the ease with which medical clearances could be done. Not only could simple scans identify acute and impending injuries or illnesses, but people were far more likely to cooperate. After all, symptoms like physical pain or extreme fatigue could be just disruptive enough not to be easily ignored. On top of that, it was hard to justify the avoidance of a process that could take as little as 30 seconds.

Identifying psychological changes, on the other hand, could not be so easily identified or addressed. Psychic pain, if acknowledged at all, could be suppressed for years, even though it could be even more destructive over time because the sufferer could take it out on others.

All this Laural understood even as she acknowledged some would always seek to if not avoid the post away team psychological evaluation, at least delay it.

That was why Laural was persistent.

~Doctor Laural Witley, Counselor

Iphigenia entered the waiting area of the Counseling Suite, her mind full with thoughts about the mission they had just returned from. She couldn’t shake off the images of the desolate planet they had explored, nor the tension that had simmered among the crew during their time there. Despite her efforts to focus on the present, her thoughts kept drifting back to that eerie landscape, their terrifying inhabitants, and the eerie feeling it had left her with.

Iphigenia gave a nod of acknowledgment to a few officers she passed by as she made her way towards Doctor Witley’s office. The area was busy with activity, various officers attending to various tasks with focused efficiency. Iphigenia’s steps were slow as she approached Doctor Witley’s office. There was a slight hesitation before she reached out to press the chime. It was a small moment, barely noticeable to an outsider, but to her, it was a brief pause to collect her thoughts before stepping into the next phase of the post-mission routine. With the chime activated, she stood there, waiting patiently for the invitation to enter.

Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)

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“Come in,” Laural called out. She was expecting members of the away team to come by, having cleared her calendar until everyone had been seen to, but she had not asked to see specific people or anyone in a particular order, so when the door hissed open, she was surprised to see the Captain as her first customer, so to speak. Wit realized she should not have been, however, as Henao had always struck Laural as someone who took particular pride in leading the way, for things big and small.

Wit smiled. “Captain, it’s good to see you. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable. I’m glad to see you setting the proper example.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

Iphigenia stepped into Doctor Witley’s office, her gaze briefly scanning the familiar surroundings before settling on the counselor. She returned the smile, though it felt forced on her lips. “Thank you, Doctor,” she replied, her tone polite but distant. “I try my best to lead by example, I am afraid I don’t always hit the mark though.” she said as she reflected on the past few days.

As she took a seat, Iphigenia couldn’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort. Opening up about her feelings wasn’t something that came naturally to her. She preferred to keep her emotions tightly guarded, especially after a mission like the one they had just completed.

Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)

Naturally, Laural was curious about the remark, but rather than immediately address it, she simply offered with a small smile, “No one can be perfect all the time, not even the Captain. So, what was this mission like from your perspective?”

~Doctor Laural Witley, Counselor

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Iphigenia shifted in her seat, the recent mission pressing on her shoulders like a burden she couldn’t shake off. Doctor Witley’s question pierced through her defenses, and for a moment, she hesitated, grappling with the urge to deflect or conceal her true feelings.
“It was… intense,” she finally admitted, her voice a quiet murmur. “We faced unexpected challenges, and the decisions I had to make… they weren’t easy.”

She paused, her gaze drifting to a point somewhere beyond the counselor’s office, lost in the memories of the mission. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her, each choice she made echoing in her mind.
“But we completed the mission,” she continued. “We achieved our objectives, even if it came at a cost.”

Iphigenia’s fingers fidgeted with the edge of her uniform sleeve, a nervous reaction she couldn’t seem to shake. She knew she needed to talk about what happened, to unpack the emotions that were beneath the surface, but the words caught in her throat.

Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)

Laural didn’t need to have education and expertise in psychology and mental health to see Henao was reluctant to open up. At the same time, it was clear she understood the importance of processing events with someone who knew how to support her and also keep things confidential. Still, building trust wasn’t instantaneous.

“Even when we know leadership comes with costs, that knowing doesn’t make dealing with the emotional reality any easier, does it?”

~Doctor Laural Witley, Counselor

Iphigenia nodded slowly, her eyes meeting Doctor Witley’s with a hint of gratitude for understanding, yet also apprehension. Trust wasn’t something she readily handed out, especially when it came to discussing the complexities of her emotions.
“It’s… complicated,” she began, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. “As a leader, I have to make decisions for the greater good, even if they weigh heavily on my conscience. But knowing that doesn’t make it any simpler to bear the consequences.”
She paused, searching for the right words to express the emotions within her. It was difficult to articulate the conflicting emotions she grappled with, the pride of accomplishment mingled with the sorrow of loss, the relief of success shadowed by the burden of responsibility.
“It’s… a weight I carry with me, even when the mission is over.”
Iphigenia stood, walked to the window and gaze out of it as she locked she clutched her hands behind her back. The stars glittered in the darkness of space, a silent reminder of the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of her individual struggles. Yet, her choices held immense gravity in that vast expanse, shaping the course of lives and futures.

“I know it’s part of the job,” she continued, her voice soft but resolute. “But sometimes… it feels like too much to bear.”

Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)

Ruuk pressed with chime to Counselling suite. He would have come sooner, but he found himself putting off.

Lieutenant Dayner Ruuk
Chief Engineer/Containment Architect

Iphigenia turned at the chime’s sound, her senses alert to the unexpected interruption. However, she welcomed the distraction from the weight of her thoughts.

She took the initiative and invited whoever was outside the door in, “Come in,” she called. As the door slid open, revealing the figure of Lieutenant Ruuk, Iphigenia’s expression softened with recognition. She offered him a nod of acknowledgment, gesturing for him to enter the room.
“Lieutenant Ruuk, you made it,” she said, her voice warm and welcoming as she motioned towards an empty chair. Turning back to Doctor Witley “I really don’t want to make this all about me. I just want to ensure everyone on the away team is okay.”

Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)

“Thank you, Captain. I hope I’m not intruding?” Ruuk was tired but reassured by the Captain’s kindness.

Lieutenant Dayner Ruuk
Chief Engineer/Containment Architect

Laural didn’t know what to say at first, surprised by the interruption and the Captain’s invitation of someone else into her office. Ever the professional, however, she rolled with the punches, or in this case, the surprises. “I was just talking with the Captain about her experiences with the away team. We haven’t finished, but I can meet with her another time if she or I are needed elsewhere?”

~Doctor Laural Witley, Counselor

Iphigenia took a deep breath, recognizing Dr. Witney’s reason and thoughts about having Ruuk return at a later time, however she said, “Doctor Witley, I believe having Lieutenant Ruuk here might offer valuable insights. If you don’t mind, I’d like him to stay. It’s unconventional, I know, but his perspective on the mission could help us process what happened.”
She turned to Ruuk, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hesitation or discomfort. “Ruuk, I’d like to hear your thoughts on how the latest mission went. Your experience and role are crucial, and I think it’s important we understand every angle. Please, tell us everything. Your observations, your feelings.

Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)

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Captain Henao
(Commanding Officer)