Last stop on her initial tour was to report for her psychological review by the ship’s counsellor.

She didn’t mind psych evaluations; she tolerated them, as they were part of protocol, but she saw them as little more than a formality. She had often had debates on whether psychology was indeed a match for neurology and biological psychology. Lenka believed anything could be explained with firing neurons and changes in brain chemistry.

Her psychological report had been sent to her new ship as per protocol, which read:

‘Lieutenant Elias Lenka can be summarised in many words, and a few I would use would be efficient, to the point, and somewhat disdainful.

‘When asked, she was candid in her opinion that she did not put much stock into the discipline of psychology, but conceded that it was necessary. I admit that did not endear her to me initially, but after a few meetings, I did come to know her a little better.

‘Yes, she could be somewhat distant from her fellow officers, and sometimes quite abrupt, but she is professional and is not hostile in any way.

‘For my fellow professional on her posting on the Viking, I would hope they would encourage her to use her off-duty time to try and socialise and spend less time in the labs, alone.’

• Lt. Cmdr. Katerina Calledine, Chief Science Officer, USS Hesiod.

She rang the door chime of the Counsellor’s office, and waited.

Lt. (j.g) Lenka
Sci