The first encounter

Posted on Sat Jan 23rd, 2021 @ 11:01pm by Commander Peter Horn & Commander Lillian Carter

1,263 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - Echoes Of An Empire
Location: Counselors office, deck 3
Timeline: MD5 1000

ON:

Lillian had not spoken to the new counsellor since she had come on board, not even at the staff briefing the other morning. But she had noted that he had recommended that new officers should come and see him after their medical for their psychological evaluation.

Lillian had just had her medical so...

She hopped on the turbolift and rose up one deck, stepping out onto deck 3. It was a short walk to the counselors office. She stopped outside and straightened herself before pressing the chime.

"Come in!" Peter was just walking around his office, wondering if he'd let Harley get on with the decorations, or whether he'd keep it sparce. So far, the office looked a little cold to him... Yet as the chime went, he motioned for his pup to go to her spot and turned to face the door.

Still treating this very formally, Lillian entered and stopped on the other side of the door. The counsellor cut an imposing figure in his small office and with him being almost a foot taller than she was put her slightly on the defensive. "Ensign Lillian Carter reporting Sir."

"Ah, come in, and do please leave rank at the door Miss Carter." While he didn't smile, the Vulcan's expression was one of mild amusement. "Have a seat...anywhere you wish. I am still debating whether I want chairs, or a couch. What do you think?"

"Thank you.....Erm..." She faltered, not quite sure how to address him. She opted for the couch but still not feeling comfortable enough to lie down on it, sat at one end.

"I think a couch would be better for a counselling session, make your patients feel more at ease." She spotted the little pup nearby. "Why hello there, aren't you a cutie." She looked back Horn "What's he called?"

"She." Peter patted his lap as he sat down and the white Shepherd pup jumped up onto it. "She does not have a name yet. Do you like dogs?" He looked up at her. "Also, I would prefer not to speak of you as a patient, even if technically it is accurate." He arched an eyebrow at her, sensing her confusion. "Also, in here you may call me Peter, or counselor if you prefer."

"Ok.... Peter..." Lillian answered. She was still not used to the whole counselling idea but was willing to go along with it. "Well, She is very cute and to answer your question I like all cute little animals. Now I've got a permanent position I had considered of getting a pet myself but not really given it a great deal of thought." She took a breath, still not fully at ease. "So.... what are we supposed to talk about?"

"We are talking," Peter encouraged, "we can talk about anything you like, or want to. Is there anything specific you would like to talk about?"

She thought for a moment. "Well, I've spoken to the Captain. He seems an.... interesting individual. I just I can demonstrate to him that I'm a competent officer, although landing the ship is something I'm a bit anxious about. I've reserved some time in the holodeck so I can go over several different scenarios."

"That is a good attitude to have, a prepared person counts for two." He nodded in approval. "Can you tell me why you feel anxious about landing the ship?"

"I've only ever landed a ship in a simulator so far." She replied honestly. "The Copernicus is a relatively small ship but she is enormous compared to a shuttlecraft or runabout. And landing a ship is a lot more complicated. I just would prefer to have some practical experience first..."

"Surely, the real deal is not so different from a simulator? Pretend you are in there when you have to land the ship? Treat it like a simulation?" He realized it was probably asking a lot, but it was the best he could think of now.

She frowned slightly "A simulation, even randomised always has a certain artificial element. The computer is very good at creating the simulations but I always found a certain..." she thought to get the right words "there was a certain something missing. I would never go so far as to disable the failsafe as that would be reckless. I can always tell when I'm on a holodeck. I suppose I could try, but I will feel better after a few more simulated runs. Still when it comes to the real thing..."

He could tell something was bothering her. "Has something happened with a prior landing?" he pointedly asked, knowing that perhaps he should've let her come to that herself, but she seemed reluctant somehow.

"No, that's just the problem. I've never landed a starship apart from in the holodeck. At the academy, we got to practice flying and landing a real shuttle and piloting a real starship. I... I'd just like to be better prepared at landing one. She let out a breath. Maybe I'm just obsessing over nothing."

"Do you like flying?" Peter asked, studying her. "How does it make you feel, when you fly the shuttle, or a ship?"

She nodded enthusiastically “Yes, of course. These something flying that's very.... Liberating. Finding the precise course and heading is just so... Satisfying.”

"Then why not use that feeling, when you need to land the ship? Is it not similar to landing a shuttle?"

"I suppose so." Lillian replied, in though. "It's just there's a lot more people watching and hoping you land the starship right, rather than it being just a shuttle, including the Captain."

"Pretend they are not there. Focus on the one task you have, and drown everything else out." Peter gave her an encouraging look. "Do you think you can do that?"

She nodded tentatively "I'll try that. As I said, I've booked some time on the holodeck so I can have a few more practice runs. Hopefully, that will make me feel better."

The counselor nodded. "I have no doubt that it will ensign. Practice does make perfect."

Lillian took a deep breath, starting to feel more relaxed. "Is there anything else you want to cover?" she asked Peter.

"Not unless there is anything else you would like to talk about?"

She let out a small laugh "Unless you can tell me if there are any available gentlemen on this ship?"

"Though this is a small ship, I am certain there are single men on board," Peter mused, "but it is not something I occupy myself with. I have no interest in men, and I have been married for quite some time now. I doubt my wife would be amused, if I were to engage a man."

"I was asking about for me!" she replied with a straight face. "It seems rather a difficult proposition to find a good man, or maybe, as I was telling the Doctor that my standards are too high. I'm holding out for a proper gentleman."

"Then my suggestion would be to keep your eyes open," peter answered bemusedly, "as I said, I cannot help you there. As I have no interest in them, I do not know what to look for."

Lillian shook her head. "Just my luck," she said to herself. "I'm probably going to have more chance of getting a pet." she stood up. "I think that will be all for now. Thank you for your time, Peter."

"Anytime," the counselor replied, "and good luck."

OFF:
Commander Peter Horn
Chief Counselor

Ensign Lillian Carter
CFCO
USS Copernicus

 

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