Posted by Lieutenant Nicholas Foster (Chief of Security) in Psychology for the Stubborn

Posted by Lieutenant Sheleah Ruby (Diplomatic Officer / CNS) in Psychology for the Stubborn

Posted by Lieutenant Nicholas Foster (Chief of Security) in Psychology for the Stubborn
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
With his medical exam quickly over, Foster pulled out his PaDD and alerted the Counselor’s staff that he was on his way. Nicholas wasn’t particularly fond of having his mind probed by a shrink. Though he wasn’t the type to hold his session to the last minute, he did have concerns that anything that he would say or do could hold him from his duties.

The Security Chief went from the Sickbay, out into the corridor, and then into the turbolift. He hadn’t yet met the Counselor personally but knew enough about them to know they were trustworthy. Once the lift came to a stop, Nick stepped out into the corridor and continued along until we saw the door to the office. Without another thought, he stepped forward and pressed the chime, waiting for a response from inside.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

From inside could be heard a harried, “Yes, come in.”

The doors would slide open to see a woman dressed in civilian clothing wrestling a displeased feline up into a cat tree.

“I’m sorry, somebody did not want to take their medicine this morning. Hello.”

• Sheleah, CNS

“Cat nip might do the trick,” Nick responded nonchalantly, spying the cat in his tower. The COS had a cat or two growing up, and knew they loved their independence unless food or nip was involved. Lt. Foster quickly stepped inside so the cat couldn’t escape then walked to one of the empty chairs. “I thought I’d get my eval out of the way before your staff hounds me.” He stated.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah pat Rex on the head and gave his nose a playful little flick before turning to face the new comer.

“I’m sorry, the ocelot in the tree, Rex, is my only staff. Well I get an occasional intern or somebody making their rounds every once in awhile but it’s just usually me. Hi, I’m glad you’ve decided to come visit me today without being hounded as it were. Can you be hounded by an ocelot? I’ll have to look that up.”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

“I doubt it, unless there’s a treat involved,” Nick said as he sat down in the chair. He found the cat to lighten the mood some, though thankfully he wasn’t allergic to animals. “How long have you had him?” The COS asked.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah smiled as she recounted mentally the memory of retrieving Rex and his litter mates.

“Since before he could open his eyes actually. He and his sisters were rescues. I’m happy to see you like, or at least don’t visibly disdain, animals. You’ll do well on the Saracen with that attitude. Please, tell me a little more about yourself.”

• Sheleah CNS/DO

“Hmmmmm, there’s really nothing overtly exciting to tell.” Nicholas stated trying to search his memories of any stories worth telling. ” I grew up on Earth, lived a normal childhood, and joined Starfleet right out of high school.” The COS added. “I had a few cats growing up, so I have a soft spot for them, but we’re really not different than cats, dogs, or lizards.” The COS wasn’t the macho type you’d usually see in the security or tactical departments, but he was headstrong and had a more analytical mind.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah listened intently. Usually people had a lot more to tell about themselves and thought it made an excellent first impression to go on and on about themselves. Curious that Nicholas did not.

“Lizards? Not that I disagree, but I am very curious as to why you think that.”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

“We have commonality, in that we share our most basic brain functions evolving around breathing, balancing and coordinator,” Foster stated, “…And then we also share the most basic survival functions too” Nick added. For a tactician, Nicholas knew a lot about biology. Then again, being able to understand why things to what they do can greatly assist someone in the security department.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

“Many species throughout the Galaxy share the same commonalities as you put it. That is a very astute observation though.” Sheleah said.

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Foster nodded in return, “We all have the same goal too,” Nick said, “To survive”. The COS turned to look at Rex in his tree, then turned back to the Counselor. “Though, I’d probably be bored laying up there all day,” He laughed.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah took a few seconds to think about that. Was Rex bored? No, it couldn’t be. He had a wide-ranging social life, play dates, friends, and even possibly a girlfriend if Dr Sam had his way.

“Well, luckily he sleeps and grooms quite a bit so I doubt he’s bored. He also has the same nondisclosure agreement that I do with all my patients so your secrets are safe even among felines. Not that you have any secrets, do you?”

She was smiling as she spoke, her tone meant to be light and playful, he could open up or deflect as he chose.

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Nick shook his head. “Secrets aren’t really my thing since they tend to come back and bite you in the butt later on,” The COS explained. Nicholas had learned from a young age that hiding something from his parents could always tell when he was hiding something.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah nodded and smiled. She knew the truth of that one all too well but, felt there were secrets in her own life that had to be dealt with sooner or later.

“Yes, I find that to be true in most cases. I know that there are some cases, especially in your line of work or that of other intelligence vocations, where secrecy is necessary, how do you deal with that?”

Sheleah felt that was a valid question because she had to understand how he would work with the rest of the Saracen crew and, especially, his own department.

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

“Well, it’s easier to box away information that only a few people are able to know, since I’m on the job,” Foster replied, “In my Psychology class back at the academy, the professor said it was normal for an introvert to appear as if they were an extrovert in the line of work,” Nicholas explained as he shifted in his chair.

“For instance, a diplomat could spend their free time reading and dining alone, but have no trouble leading a trades talk in front of 100 or so people,” He added, ” When it comes to my work, I’m more than often going to follow the orders of my superior officer and Starfleet Security, and that involves who does or doesn’t receive secret information.”

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

For the moment, Sheleah didn’t see a fault in his logic. She had to examine his words to figure out if actually was one or not. For now it didn’t look like it.

“That implies you have a great level of trust in your superiors, your colleagues, and your own moral compass. Do you have those things? Do you come by those things easily?”

Nicholas nodded. “It’s easier to trust until given a reason not to,” He replied. The COS had followed that path thus far and hadn’t been proven wrong yet.

At that moment Rex woke from his nap and begin an intensive session of grooming. This was usually followed by a lazy stroll around the office but, that remained to be seen. Perhaps he would come settle on the newcomers lap and get to know him personally.

Foster turned to look at Rex and smiled at its ignorance of the world beyond the Saracen. “I’d say my moral compass is on par with what’s expected in Starfleet officers,” Lt Foster added. “Of course, we’ll never know how we’ll truly react to a situation until we’ve come to experience it.”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah nodded in agreement. At the moment, there was no need to ask about or discuss Foster’s personal moral compass. She didn’t know him well enough and there was no situation that required a deeper dive of the situation. Rex decided to leave from the cat tree to the arm of Foster’s chair and give him a look over.

“I like that outlook. It can be flexible if it needs to be. I think flexibility is very important as long as you know your personal core values. So, where do you see yourself in 6 months?”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Nick paused to look over at Rex as he jumped onto the arm of his chair. Part of him wanted to reach out and pet him, but Nick decided it was best to let Rex interact first. “It’s hard to tell with Starfleet stretched as thin as ever,” The COS responded after a moment, “I would like to say I’d see myself still on the Saracen, but I’d have to say that I’ll be wherever Starfleet needs me”.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah appreciated that very tactful non-answer. She can see herself saying about the same thing, and she would mean it.

Rex began to nuzzle at Nick’s hand and started to purr.

“I can appreciate that answer. Some people like to dig in when they find something that seems like home to them. Starfleet is Starfleet though, when they need people in certain places they do like to shuffle the board. Oh look, I think he likes you.”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Nicholas laughed and reached out to pet Rex. “I’m sure my answer could change in 6 months, a year, or even 5 years down the line,” Foster replied as he continued to pet Rex. “But, being realistic is better than getting hopes up on a dream that doesn’t arrive,” The COS said with a shrug.

Lieutenant Nicholas Foster
Chief of Security

Sheleah smiled at that. He certainly seemed to have a good head on his shoulders she thought. Rex seemed to enjoy next company and leaned into him before deciding just to take a small leap and settle on his lap.

“Well, that seems reasonable to me. I think this can be concluded. You definitely seem fit for duty. As soon as you can get rid of that newly acquired lap lump, I think you can continue with your day. I will be checking in with you in 6 months though. It’s standard procedure.”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO