Counselor Appointment

Posted on Fri Aug 27th, 2021 @ 1:45pm by Lieutenant Rala Sunaar & Lieutenant JG Stan More

Mission: Recovery
Location: Counselor's Office

Stan’s life had been quite a rollercoaster. As a baby his parents used to take him with them. When they went on their archaeological digs across the Alpha quadrant. Even once his brother Boris and twin sisters Lisa and Nadia were born. They still got dragged with their archaeologist parents.

It was not until a dig on Vulcan that would change Stan’s life. He was bitten by an insect and developed a serious allergic reaction to the bite. Stan, then aged 5, almost died. A healer was brought in when things turned serious. He saved Stan’s little life. But this caused an imbalance in Mores' brain. That would not show itself for many years later.

After this Stan’s formidable paternal grandmother took over. Insisting the children stayed with her on Earth in Edinburgh Scotland. While her son and daughter-in-law gallivanted around the galaxy digging up pots.

Many years later Stan fell in love and was due to be married to Gale. Two days before the wedding Stan caught her cheating. The wedding was called off and the imbalance that had been lying dormant in Mores' brain. Awakened changing Stan into a completely different person and not a very nice one.

He managed to join Starfleet academy and quaduate. But his career in Starfleet almost ended. His behaviour on his first posting to the USS Komorkis had not gone well. The Captain and XO had no choice but to bust him off the ship. But thanks to their insisting he sought medical advice. Stan was sent to Starfleet medical. There the imbalance was found and treated.

Now he was back to his normal happy self. But one of the conditions for his reinstatement. Was he must have regular counselling. On the USS Comfort that had been ok. As it was a hospital ship. Now he was on Wellington and even though she was not a hospital ship. He still needed to see a counsellor.

Sunaar was finishing from her last session and taking a few moments to review a file she'd been sent about a new addition in science they had picked up at the same time Captain Bartlett arrived on board. The Bajoran officer closely examined the file. It seemed to be quite the circumstances. A near-death experience from an insect bite which triggered an imbalance that stayed dormant until an adulthood trauma.

Guess it beat the regular topic of conversation on the ship these days, at least. The whole crew seemed traumatized at this point.

Stan arrived outside Sunaar’s door carrying a potted plant. He pressed the door chime.

“ Lt.(JG) Stan Collin More to see you ma’am.

"Come in!" Rala said as she heard the door chime.

Stan walked in smiling and handed her the plant.

“ Greetings counsellor I am here for my therapy session. I have brought this potted alpine for you. It’s easy to look after and only needs watering one a month. I thought you might like but.” Stan said.

"Considering how busy it's been, I think that might be a good choice of a plant." she said, looking at the Alpine. "It looks lovely, thank you." she paused a moment. "So... You've gotten everything set up okay?" she inquired.

Stan took a seat and smiled.

“ Och.....Sorry oh yes. The foundations are down which is important. Plus the first trees are planted. I took the liberty of bringing some seedlings onto the ship when I arrived. They passed quarantine and are all ready planted. Which is good.” He said

"That's the main thing." Rala replied. "How have you been doing otherwise with managing your emotions? It must be a little frightening in some way to be so far from home?"

Up until now Stan had not really thought about the great distance he was from home. More gave his beard a scratch before answering.

“ To be honest counsellor I have not really thought about being so far away. There are three things that I have always enjoyed. Good friends , my plants and seeing new things. Ok my reasons for joining Starfleet may not of been clear at that point in my life. But those feelings were always inside me. Once I was cured they resurfaced. I have to say that at the moment. I am just where I want to be. I have a group of new friends. We are exploring the Delta quadrant plus I have my dream job. Ships botanist.I have had no relapses or fits of temper. Even when I discovered we had the wrong base soil for the arboretum.” Stan said.

"That's progress!" Rala said. "It sounds like the treatments you were being given have helped." she added. "I would certainly recommend keeping to that routine and it sounds like you have. I can also suggest some meditations as well. They're in Bajoran but you can always switch them around as you need.

Stan had heard of Bajoran meditation before. As a teen he had once gone on a dig with his parents. To the planet Bajor as a treat for getting good grades. While there he had visited a Vedek who had shown him some Bajoran meditation techniques. Stan had always been interested with the idea of Pa.Each person having there own life force. Which can be accessed by holding ones ear lob. The ability to see into ones deep feelings and all that.

“ Oh yes please. As a wee…… sorry as a teen I studied some of those on Bajor with Vadek Hosun. It was one of those rare times. My grandmother allowed me to go on a dig with my parents. I had done well at school and it was a treat for being good.” Stan said

"A dig? What part of Bajor?" she asked, a bit curious. It was always nice to hear that others had been to her world. Though it had been years since the brutal Occupation and the war, Bajor still seemed underrated as a spot for others to travel.

Stan had a quick think before speaking.

" Dahkur Province Tanis Canyon. Some pots dating at least 500 years before the occupation were uncovered. Believed to be from a missing group of Vadeks. Who attempted to build a monastery there but vanished. No one knew why but the dig uncovered evidence that they were attacked by bandits." Stan explained

"Fascinating. Your parents were archaeologists?" Sunaar asked

Stan smiled.

“ Oh yes. We used travel from one planet to the other. Before my brush with death when I was small. Then my grandmother took over then myself , Boris and the twins stayed on Earth. Some summers we were allowed to go with them if we wanted.” Stan said

"Sounds like you got to see a lot before that incident. Makes sense you joined Starfleet all these years later."

A cloud crossed Stans face.

" Actually counsellor my reason for joining Starfleet at the time was a little diluted due to my condition. Don't get me wrong I now love it in Starfleet epically now. The fog has cleared from my mind. But back then I was a different person. Nursing a broken heart and wanting revenge. To be honest I am still ashamed of the way I behaved towards my female cadets. I know it was all due to the embalance in my brain. But it still makes me feel terrible." Stan confessed

The counselor nodded. "I understand." she replied. "I'm just very happy that you sought treatment and have help now. And of course if there is anything I'm able to do for you, Lieutenant... I'm happy to lend an ear."

Stan seemed a little confused.

" So I don't have to see you again. Unless I start to feel strange again?" He asked.

"Unless you start feeling strange, or unless you have something on your mind that's bothering you. In any event, I'm happy to make time to meet with you. But from what I've read from your previous posting, you've really come a long way."

His last posting. Was he ever going to be free of the past?

“ Will I ever be free of the Komorkis? I would like to add some weight to my collar. But I suppose that is just a wee pipe dream now.” Stan said sadly

“From what I’ve seen? And observing this conversation, I think you’ll be past it faster than you think. I don’t think it’s a pipe dream at all.” Sunaar replied. “And I’d you need tips, I’m happy to help.”

Stan felt like getting up grabbing the counsellor and give them a great big hug. But protocol ruled against giving hugs to anyone. Unless they were close relatives or very best friends.

“ Wow. Thank you very much.” Stan said instead.

“Any time. Thanks for stopping in!”