Posted by Lieutenant Laural Corynn Witley, Ph.D., M.D. (Chief Counselor) in Counseling Deck - On Boarding

Posted by Lieutenant Laural Corynn Witley, Ph.D., M.D. (Chief Counselor) in Counseling Deck - On Boarding

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief Of Security /Lead RTF Officer) in Counseling Deck - On Boarding
Posted by… suppressed (38) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Bethany really wasn’t in the mood for answering questions about her feelings. It was complicated and made more so by the fact the last year of her life was all compartmented and classified. She wasn’t allowed to discuss it.

She just hoped this new counselor, Laural Corynn Witley, wasn’t going to hit on her and make passes and ask her for a date like the last one did. She took the lift down to the counseling deck. A whole DECK for mental health! Was that good or concerning? Time would tell.

Bethany found the correct office and Rand the chime.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Keestal was curious, seeing yet another new crew member she hadn’t met before. The young Bolian girl approaching from the side so as hopefully not to startle her new crew mate,

Gadi heard the girl’s foot steps and turned to watch her approach.

“Oh, hello there! Are you waiting to see Dr. Witley?” she asked. Her entire aura was - soft, devoid of anything that could be read as a threat. Just a pair of wide eager eyes poking over top her PaDD and a gentle smile, letting everyone know she was ready to assist where needed.

Gadi nodded her head once, “I am. I have an appointment in 5 minutes.”

“I’m Cadet Oggar, I’m a counseling resident. Dr. Witley is one of my mentors. So is Lieu- oh, I guess it’s now Commander Nyman. But Witley has taken over counseling duties since so I mostly work with her now. Anyway, I haven’t seen you around before, are you new?

|Cadet Oggar, Counseling Resident|

Bolian’s were so jovial and open. Their diets were intriguing, but they were brilliant as a species. Gadi unclasped her hands and let them relax at her sides. “Lt. Gadi. I’m the new tactical officer. I just arrived this morning.” Interesting that a Cadet was on a ship that didn’t exist in a fleet that no one had heard of, with a station that was a gauntlet of murder to reach.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“Oh, that’s exciting. I never really had the mind for tactical myself. But I’m glad for people who are, if you know what I mean. What made you choose this posting?” Oggar asked.

|Cadet Oggar, Couseling Resident|

Bethany did indeed know what the Cadet meant. Gadi shrugged, “I didn’t choose this assignment. I go where Star Fleet tells me. What do you think of the ship?”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“So far it’s been interesting. I suppose I expected it to be, off the record and everything like that. Most people onboard are not very conversational. It’s all very straightforward and to the point. Which is good I guess with the ARU being so top secret and all. I mean don’t get me wrong I know it’s what’s best for security reasons but it gets a little lonely sometimes.”

She paused, only really long enough to take a breath before continuing,

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m even here, then. You see, I specialize in trauma recovery. My main focus is helping people recover psychologically after experiencing severe physical trauma, getting them back to feeling like themselves. But I’m also training to cope with the traumatic experiences as well.”

It was becoming clear that the so-called loneliness had driven the Cadet to the point she was just waiting for someone to show interest long enough for her to just talk. It was getting to her, as she said, and she was happy to have someone listen. But then of course she had to remember that conversations were two-way.

“Anyway, what about you?”

|Cadet Oggar, Couseling Resident|

Bethany was keenly observant, and was happy to let the Cadet ramble on and tell her story. “Hmmm I have a range of specializations. Mostly electronic warfare. I’m not sure how that translates to what is done here on this ship with the ARU, but it is where Star Fleet sent me.” Bethany waved a hand toward the sitting area on the deck and took a seat. “So tell me, Cadet, what made you pick such a dangerous training assignment? It’s a bit daunting even for a seasoned officer.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“Oh, I actually was offered this post because of my specialization. I’m part of a program that prioritizes placing counselors and residents counselors in, well- what Star Fleet calls ‘high-risk’ environments.” she explained, emphasizing with added air quotes.

“I noticed that most of the positions were on smaller ships, which is fine. But the professor running the program said in so many words that I should look for a large ship on account of my more social tendencies. But like I mentioned it didn’t really turn out that way. I mean it’s not like I knew about the ship’s mission before I joined. Otherwise I might’ve expected all this quiet.”

|Cadet Oggar, Couseling Resident|

That sounded off to Gadi, but she just smiled in understanding. “That must be hard. Have you considered arranging some social functions? I would imagine a crew that is as high strung as you say, would need distractions.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Bump for CNS

Bump

The slight hum of Laural’s gravchair preceded her arrival as she approached the counseling department’s main reception area. She heard what sounded like two female voices, one of which she recognized as Cadet Oggar’s. She presumed the other voice belonged to the woman she was set to see, Lieutenant Gadi.

Bethany didn’t take her eyes off Oggar, but she was aware of the sound and tracking it with her hearing and peripheral vision.

Witley smiled at the two women as she entered the room. “Well, I see you two are already getting acquainted. That’s perfect. I’m Laural Witey,” she offered by way of introduction, “I apologize for my tardiness. There have been a lot of personnel changes and I was getting up to speed on where command wants me. Lieutenant Gadi, I presume?”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

“That’s me,” Gadi held out a hand, “No need to apologize. Nothing ever goes according to plan.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Gadi’s last statement intrigued the counselor, and she wanted to explore it further, but she knew the lobby was not the place. Instead, she offered, “thanks for understanding. Would you care to follow me back to my office?“

She looked up at the cadet and smiled her thanks. “Are we still on for lunch later? Laural asked. One of the things she loved about her role aboard was the opportunity to mentor and offer support to other developing counselors. She needs service aboard the Leviathan was unique amongst Starfleet assignments and could prove lonely, so she liked to offer supervision in a less formal environment whenever possible.

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Bethany stood. “It was nice to meet you Cadet Oggar. Good luck with your studies.” Gadi turned and followed Witley into her office and took a seat.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

When the office doors closed behind the two of them, Laural gestured for Bethany to make herself comfortable anywhere she saw fit. “May I get you something from the replicator? If I have any more raktajino, I’m afraid I’ll go into orbit,” Wit joked, “but I’d be happy to get you something.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

“No thank you,” Bethany said with a smile as she sat down, leaned back and relaxed in the chair. “I’m afraid I’m rather spoiled and picky when it comes to coffee.” She laughed a little at herself..

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Bump

“ I believe we all need a few vices to keep us going, and as it stands, there are worse ones than coffee,“ Laural with her own mischievous smile. Sitting back in her chair she offered, “So II like these boarding evaluations to be fairly informal,“ the counselor explained. “I like to treat them as primarily get to know you sessions. That way, if you ever do find yourself in need, at least you’ll have met one counselor already, so it’s hopefully not as intimidating. That said, if there’s anything I can help you sort out off the bat, please do let me know. Transferring to a new assignment, always comes with its own challenges, at least at first, and I’d like to do what I can to help ease that transition.“

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Oh there was plenty Bethany was sure needed the expertise of a counselor. However, she was under direct and strict orders to not discuss any of it. So that left her no options at all. “Well, mostly I can say I’m not too happy with the transfer. I just left a very long term assignment on a mission that didn’t exist. It was… well I’m under orders not to discuss it. Kind of like here. I’m not exactly enthused to be in a similar situation.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Bethany’s answer intrigued her for many reasons, but before she inquired further, she needed to gain some clarity. “My understanding of the regulations is that members of Starfleet, no matter how proprietary the mission, are permitted, and in the case of certain evaluations, are required, to share their experiences with an appropriately qualified counselor. This is because we all deserve someone to confide in, and practically speaking, a counselor can’t make an honest determination of another’s well-being without being permitted to know the full details of their experiences. Each crewmember must be mentally and physically well enough that others can rely upon them. I won’t be offended if you wish to confirm I have the necessary clearances, but I would not be posted here, I do not believe, if I was not qualified to hear whatever you’ve been through.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Bethany laughed, “Oh I have no doubt you are qualified, Doctor. You would think that the mental health of our officers are of utmost importance, but no. I can show you the gag order if you like.” The woman pulled out a microPaDD from her pocket and began tapping through the screens. “Given the choice I would be more than willing to discuss what is eating me up inside.” She passed over the PaDD. There in digital black and white was an order from Admiral Patrick Hallsley of special operations, and Fleet Admiral Jakara Menden of Star Fleet Intelligence. Along with an indorsement from the head of Federation Security. Lt Bethany Gadi, formally Lt Cmdr Bethany Gadi, is under a permanent gag order to not discuss the mission of the USS Asimov while she served there as Chief of Security. It went on for several paragraphs about what exactly a permanent gag order implied the the consequences if she were to defy the order.

“They aren’t exactly concerned with my mental health, Dr.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“They don’t have to be,” Laural acknowledged, “but that doesn’t mean they can disregard the people who do.” She noted no one from Starfleet Medical was included in the order, which likely meant no one from that branch had been consulted, let alone been in agreement with such an order. “I’ll need to make Starfleet Medical aware of this, and if you’d prefer me to wait for an answer before we meet again, that’s fine. Of course, if we’re just talking in hypotheticals, there’s no harm in that, is there? The universe offers all sorts of possibilities and it doesn’t hurt to speculate so one can be prepared.”

~Dr. Witley, Chief Counselor

Bethany laughed, “They already are. Well my doctor was aware and protested. He was also put under a gag order. You can ask him. My medical records are sealed. He was transferred here as well. Lt. Aasrel Izei.”

“Hypotheticals? Alright, what would you tell someone who was no longer themselves? Not mentally, but on a fundamental biological level? If such a thing were possible?”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Laural wasn’t sure what to make of Bethany’s laughter. Was she proud that her past was shrouded in mystery or so traumatized she was numb? Focusing on the question, she offered, “I think I’d want to explore with that person what she thinks makes her who she is. How important is biology to her compared to lived experience?”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Laughter was Bethany’s answer to everything. If she couldn’t laugh either in joy or irony, then what was the point of continuing? “That’s a solid point. But what if that lived experience of that biological change fundamentally changed the etherealness of what we call ‘the self’?”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“I would say the self is always changing, biologically and through live experience. What is truly fundamental in light of that?” Laural asked.

~Dr. Laural Witley Chief Counselor

“It is part of the definition of self. We are not just our biology, but our perception of it and how it shapes our perceptions and behaviors is significant,” Bethany said. She sighed, weary, even if she was cleared to discuss it, even if command knew nothing of it and she told Whiley, she’d be arrested. Because people always vilified what they didn’t understand or what they feared out of ignorance.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“I don’t disagree,” Laural replied with an encouraging nod. “So hypothetically, if something happened to someone that changed not only his or her biology, but in turn his or her perceptions and related behavior, my next question would be, what meaning is this hypothetically changed person giving to the changes? Change isn’t inherently positive or negative, just different. What do these changes represent for the being in question?”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Bethany gave her a very level stare, “The representation of everything they have always fought against.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

They were starting to get somewhere, and though Laural knew it was important to tread carefully, she pressed on. “Will you elaborate on that?”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

“It’s like thinking you are Wesley, but finding out you are really Prince Humperdinck,” Bethany said. She didn’t even know if Witley knew the reference, but it didn’t matter. That wasn’t the strongest example Bethany could think of, but it was close enough.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Laural frowned. She didn’t understand the reference, but obviously could glean that being this Prince was not desired while being Wesley was. Wit wondered if the reason for this had something to do with the title of “Prince” but she didn’t want to assume too much. “Tell me about both of them, please.”

~Dr. Witley, Chief Counselor

“Wesley and Prince Humperdink? Wesley was a poor farm boy who went to sea to earn money. He was captured by a pirate and assumed dead. Prince Humperdink was the prince, decided to marry Wesley’s woman. Forced her to marry him. Wesley came back and saved her, fought to get back to her. Prince Humperdink made the people love her and then tried to have have her assassinated in order to start a war so he could gain control of another country and its riches.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

Laural made a mental note to investigate this story further, but for now, she focused on Bethany. “So hypothetically speaking, how does one discover he or she is really a Prince Humperdink type? I would also wonder if this could be a case of circumstances forcing Humperdink like choices versus the person actually being a Prince Humperdink at his or her core?”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

“I imagine there would be any number of ways such a person could discover the fact. Self-reflection, forced acknowledgement by someone they trust, medical tests,” Gadi said with a shrug.

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“Medical tests revealing what exactly? Hypothetically speaking, of course.” Gadi’s other suggestions were equally of interest to Witley, but she wondered if the suggestion of medical tests was perhaps closer to reality than their hypothetical situation, though she couldn’t be sure.

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Bump

“Infections, genetic disorders, symbiotic parasites, subdermal implants,” Bethany shrugged. “There are so many options, Doctor.”

Lt. Gadi, CTO/RTF

“Hypothetically speaking, is there one of those options that feels more understandable or real to you?” They were perhaps approaching the point that speaking in hypotheticals would no longer be productive, but Laural was trying to give Bethany a way to share things without actually sharing them, at least until she could navigate the whole gag order of it all.

~Dr. Laural Witley, Chief Counselor

Bump

Bethany laughed lightly. “Dr. I have seen so many things during my service that I know those are all very real options.”

Lt. Gadi, COS/RTF