Posted by Captain Mathias McGarrett (CO) in Counselor’s Office - CO’s Annual Pysch Eval

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Chandel (Counselor) in Counselor’s Office - CO’s Annual Pysch Eval

Posted by Captain Mathias McGarrett (CO) in Counselor’s Office - CO’s Annual Pysch Eval
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It wouldn’t have been his choice to be here. After a decade or so serving as a Starfleet officer, not to mention his time as a cadet, Matthias had been through his share of psych evaluations. As far as he knew he hadn’t been declared crazy by anyone yet, and found it unlikely that it would be the result of this meeting. Yet he was brought here by his own will. Actually his own stubbornness would be more accurate. He really didn’t care for the counselor’s attempt to push him into an evaluation he wasn’t due for when she came on board, and he wanted to prove himself a man of his word by showing up a year after his last session, if one could call it that. Somehow he had a feeling this meeting would be different than the one a year ago. His counseling appointment last year involved a game of poker, several beautiful women clinging to a wealthy playboy, his XO gambling away her living situation, and the counselor running from the room crying.

Mathias pressed the chime as he stood outside the Counselor’s office and awaited a response.

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

“Come.”Came the rich, contralto voice from within which sounded like rich coffee mocha. As the doors whooshed open the Captain would see the Counselors office was decorated in the rich colors of autumn with a comfortable lush carpet on the floors. The walls and the decor on the walls continued the theme and seemed to naturally lead one down to the sitting area recessed down a few steps and to the side of the Counselor’s desk which she sat behind at the moment. The sitting area was comprised of a couch and several deep plush chairs that looked very relaxing to sit in.

Mathias entered the room and approached Chandel’s desk. He pondered whether or not the color scheme had to do with the time of year. Probably a coincidence, and she wasn’t human anyways. Though he didn’t really care about such trivial matters. He did, however, care about his own appearance as he always viewed it as something that would help him go places in his career. His uniform looked flawless, as did his hair.

The Counselor looked up from the various files she was working on and her eyebrow raised.
“Are you psychic, Captain?” She asked with an amused look in her deep colored eyes that were filled with a sense of mischief. Her outfit was not the regulation Starfleet uniform but a rich looking fabric caftan with matching scarf on her head that wrapped her corn braided ebony hair. The color of the outfit matched the autumn tones of her office.

Counselor Chandel

“Not as far as I know, but that would explain that time the four of clubs came up in the Risan Hold’Em Tournament,” replied Mathias with a smirk.

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Chandel’s grin widened and she laughed.” Why don’t sit over here? It is a bit more relaxed and I prefer my ‘clients’ to feel more like we are having actual conversations rather then feeling like they are in an interrogation. Would you like something to drink, Captain?” Chandel said as she rose and made her way over to the replicator after indicating the recessed seating area to him.

Counselor Chandel

“Thanks, but no thanks,” said Matthias as he took the seat on the couch. “Interrogate me if you wish. I’m quite certain I could handle it. You have the office set up very nicely by the way.” He couldn’t recall the last time he had been in this office. Actually, he couldn’t ever recall having been in it before.

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Chandel smiled as she took in one of the plush chairs.” Well how bout we start with you telling me about your Command history and how you came to be here at the station, Captain?” She asked by way of opening the conversation. She knew that the Captain would be well aware of her having access to personnel files but she liked to get a view of a crew member’s history from their point of view rather then data in a file.

Counselor Chandel

“I’d love to,” said Mathias with a smile. He was very proud of what he had accomplished in his career to this point and was more than happy to talk about it. “A little over two years ago I was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and assigned here as first officer. I would have chosen a position on a starship if I had the choice, but I wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to be promoted no matter where it was. I had been looking to land an XO spot ever since I was promoted to Lieutenant. Then a couple months after I had been promoted the CO retired. Then next one lasted not quite a year before having to take a leave for family reasons. It was at that point I was promoted to captain and given command here. I’ve always felt I was born to be in command since I was a child and it was a dream come true when I made captain.” Mathias was clearly pleased at himself thinking back on it all.

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

“Is Starfleet service in your family?” Chandel asked curiously. She had noted as she listened to the Captain that he seemed very comfortable in his position of Command and enjoyed it. She liked his easy attitude, it seemed suitable for this starbase.

Counselor Chandel

“Certainly,” said Mathias, still seeming at ease with the conversation. “All three of my siblings are. Actually, they’ve all come and gone from the Outpost. And my parents were in Starfleet as well. They helped established the Ravis IV colony, which is where I grew up. It’s a jungle world full of carnivorous plants. Completely up my mother’s alley as a botanist. She’s actually here on the Outpost now trying her hand at running a business. With luck that will keep her out of trouble.” He sighed softly as he finished.

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Chandel chuckled softly,” I take it you find your mother a bit of a trial? What type of business is it?” Chandel tried to imagine carnivorous plants and was glad she was stationed on a Starbase and not a planet like that. She really was a urban gal, give her technology and metal deck platings and she was happy.

Counselor Chandel

Mathias couldn’t help but let out a full laugh. “A bit of a trial? Clearly you have not met the woman. That’s like saying Earth had a bit of a drug problem in the late 21st century. Anyways, it’s a coffee shop she’s running. Just getting underway now. Really I think it’s just a front for her to have a good source of gossip and plenty of opportunities to find a mate for me.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Chandel laughed, it wasn’t just a polite laugh but a rich, delighted one.” I think I would enjoy your mother. I take it she has been trying to match you up for a long time?” Her eyes twinkled as she considered that this was a complaint from many sons that was centuries old.

Counselor Chandel

He let out a soft sigh. “Since I was about 11 or 12 I’d say. Ever since whenever those school dances started all the way until here on the Outpost. That’s just how she is, especially with me. Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you now.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

“Indeed, you can’t. So Captain, tell me about the crew here at the station. Do you think we have a good balanced team?” She pondered if she should mention any of the concerns she had with a few of the crew. She decided not, she would observe them on duty and see if their personal difficulties effected their performance first.

Counselor Chandel

“It’s a fine crew. It really is,” said Mathias without needing to stop and think about it. “Those who were inexperienced are to the point where they no longer are. I’d say all our department heads have a good handle on their areas. Even among the junior officers we’ve got some stellar contributors. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on the crew as well though…” He paused mid-sentence, briefly biting his lower lip before letting a slight smile creep over his face. “I’m not sure what any of this has to do with my psychological condition.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Chandel smiled,” Ah but it does, Captain. Your thoughts on the crew and station tell me about your thoughts as a Commanding officer. You as a Commander is just as important as you as a person. So, you are comfortable with your crew and feel that it is operating together well. That tells me that you have been instrumental as a commander in seeing that your crew has reached this stage and are comfortable with them as well. From my initial interviews with the crew that is the impression that I am getting as well. They are all satisfied both professionally and personally with their places on the station. There are a couple with some personal issues but I do not see these issues as affecting their positions. If and when that becomes the case I will of course, notify you of my concerns.” She sat back a moment and studied him in silence.

“Good. And I’m glad to hear my assessment of the crew agrees with yours. I didn’t think they all hated being here, but it’s kind of nice to have that confirmed,” said Mathias as he let a hint of his quirky sense of humor come through.

“I have to say, Captain, I am a bit surprised by your reluctance first to come speak with me but you seem not so when you finally did so. Was that a test of myself on your part?”

Counselor Chandel

“No, not at all,” said Mathias without hesitation as his tone suddenly became more serious. “I don’t mind annual check-ins with the doctor or with the counselor. What I do mind is someone new coming on telling everyone on the Outpost that they need to report for annual appointment whether they are due for it or not. Everyone’s time here is valuable. You need to treat it like it is. Pushing for annual evaluation more often than once a year is not acceptable, nor is neglecting to take the time to figure out when everyone’s last appointment was. I understand you need to do your job. But others need to do theirs as well and you shouldn’t unnecessarily consume their time.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

“Understood.” Chandel said with a brisk nod. “Well, I won’t keep you longer, Captain. Thank you for coming in.” She said as she rose to walk with him to the door.

Counselor Chandel

Perhaps his comments came off a little too harshly. Mathias tried not to worry about it, as it was difficult to avoid being blunt as a captain. He got up and walked with her towards the door, and came to a stop and turned to her before he reached it.

“One thing you should know Counselor, before I go. I have no intention of getting in the way of you doing your job. We have a lot of officers that are here to keep the station functioning as it should. There’s a decent-sized medical staff that helps keep our bodies working as they should. But you fill a need that the rest of us can’t. And I’m glad you’re here to do just that. I may think highly of myself, but I know there will come times when I need your help.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Chandel looked up and studied the Captain’s face for a moment and noted his sincerity which also radiated off him in a aura she could feel. “Thank you, Captain. I appreciate that and I am always here.”She said simply with a wide smile. She thought there was more to this man that he allowed others to see readily. She hoped she would have that chance to get to know him as time went by.

Counselor Chandel