Posted by Lieutenant Edelu (CMO) in Office of the Counselor = Psych Eval

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade (CNS) in Office of the Counselor = Psych Eval

Posted by Lieutenant Edelu (CMO) in Office of the Counselor = Psych Eval
The corridor outside the counselor’s office was quiet, with only the low hum of the ship underfoot and the occasional muffled hiss of a distant door opening. Dr. Edelu paused there—not out of hesitation, but out of habit. The Mintakan way was to observe before acting. And though Federation culture leaned more toward efficiency than contemplation, some instincts refused to be unlearned.

He adjusted the edge of his medical coat, simple and traditional in its tailoring. A visible badge of belonging, and yet still a symbol of distance—of a journey traveled farther than most Starfleet physicians would ever imagine.

He had read what was available about Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade. South Boston roots. Big family. Big energy. No patience for nonsense. The kind of person who probably made her patients talk even when they didn’t mean to. He imagined her office smelled like burnt espresso and lavender hand lotion.

He didn’t mind that.

The real question, as always, was whether she would mind him—a Mintakan, trained off-world, charting a life far beyond what his own people still believed possible. He had met counselors who recoiled at his logic, or tried to coax out trauma where none had been claimed. But something about Slade’s file told him she didn’t deal in fragility. She dealt in real.

That, at least, they would have in common.

He stepped forward and tapped the chime, his voice smooth and even:

“Lieutenant Commander Edelu, reporting for onboarding psychological clearance.”

Then he waited, standing at ease, expression composed—ready to face the first of what would be many first impressions aboard the Genesis.

-Lt. Cmdr. Edelu
Chief Medical Officer

His response was not immediately met. Instead small grunts and soft pops could be heard if Edelu was listening carefully enough. About ten seconds after he reached out, he heard a breathy yell of “okay be right there,” followed by some more soft pops and grunts. A minute later the door opened and Vanessa along with another crew member appeared in the door way. They were dressed as if they were playing tennis and breathing as if they just competed in something like Wimbledon.

“I am really sorry about that vase Vanessa,” the officer said. “My back hand can get a bit crazy at time.” He had a sheepish look and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Its fine,” she waved him off. “I mean it was only something my grandmother made in her pottery class at the senior center. I will just get her to whip me up another one. Next week same time,” she said.

“Yeah but can we do something less physical. Maybe we can play scrabble. See you. Sir,” he nodded at the CMO before walking out of the room.

Edelu nodded in acknowledgement of the young officer.

“Sorry about that,” Vanessa said dropping the racket into a basket by the door. “I sent a timer on the program but it didn’t seem to go off. I will get engineering on it. Come on in. Can I get you something to drink?” Heading to the replicator, Vanessa replicated a large iced coffee.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” as was Mintaken tradition, you always followed your host’s lead.

Generating two iced coffee’s Vanessa hoped it would be okay. Many people liked tea over coffee but it was too early to tease him about his beverage choices. She also grabbed a tin box that was hexagonal in shape.

After finishing with the replicator she plopped down into one of the large living room type chairs in the space. Her outfit was not the tradition counselor uniform. It was in fact a white tennis skit with navy trim and matching white v neck sweater with with navy trim. Her hair was pulled back into a long pony tail that bobbed with each step and movement. “So how was your trip here? Easy enough of I hope?” Vanessa had an easy and relaxed quality to her personality. She greeted the CMO as if he was a friend stopping by for a long overdue chat and not with the formality of an intact meeting.

Vanessa Slade CNS

Edelu appreciated the informality immediately. Protocol, rigidity, and formality—these were all constructs he’d had to learn when he joined what he often referred to as “the advanced universe.”

“I always find long trips on quiet transport vessels rather relaxing,” he said, settling in. “It’s the closest I get to feeling like I’m back on Mintaka III—outside a holosuite, that is.”

-Lt. Cmdr. Edelu
Chief Medical Officer

Vanessa had placed his coffee on the table and opened the tin. Inside were several large, oblong cookies. “My grandma’s keep me stocked up on these. They are called biscotti. The are a cookie that is hard as a rock. They are twice baked so they are supposed to be like this. The benefit is they travel really well because they have the consistency of a brick.” Tapping it on the table she let out a small chuckle. “What can I say though. It is a piece of home. Help yourself but if you don’t like it please don’t be polite. I am not one to stand on ceremony around.”

“So I hate,” Vanessa said leaning down and untying one shoe as she talked, “the whole tell me about yourself. What are you deep secrets schtick.” Pulling off one shoe she started working on the other. “I mean who would just sit down and unload their crazy on their first visit. Normally it takes a second one,” she laughed again kicking her other shoe off. “So how about we do a twenty question type thing. I will tell you something about me and then you can tell me something about you. Since we are going to be DH buddies I figure we should get to know each other a bit more. To make it less weird I will go first. I have nine brothers and they all start with the first letter D. Dalton, David, Daniel, Duncan, Dane, Dallas, Dylan, Dexter and Dennis. Its not some weird cult thing. We are Catholic. Typically you name your first born son after the dad however my brothers were twins and there was a small mix up when they were born. The doctor delivered them and then presented them to my mom but couldn’t remember which one came first. So my parents decided to use the first letter instead of calling one Doug junior and later finding out he was technically Doug the third.” Vanessa wore a small smile on her face. My next two brothers were named after my uncles so the D thing just kept going except when I came along. My Dad decided to use my Mom’s first letter. Anyway that is the weird fun fact about me. I have a football team of brothers that all start with the letter D. Your turn.”

Vanessa Slade CNS