A Healthy Station Is A Happy Station (Part I)

Posted on Tue Apr 8, 2025 @ 2:16am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant T'Lul

1,530 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Station Command - T'mpest Office

ON

T'mpest informed Cara that she wanted to meet with the counselor, then sent T'Lul a message to meet with her at their earliest convenience. She wanted to know about the health of the station's population, and what they could tell her about the recent attack.

As ordered, T'Lul walked into T'mpest's office and gave the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Commodore. You requested to see me."

Cara had arrived just moments after T'Lul arrived, moving to one side to observe quietly. She had seen T'Lul earlier when she and T'mpest had arrived onto the station a day or so ago. She wondered what sort of report the Vulcan counselor would have.

T'mpest returned the greeting. "Peace and long life." Then she indicated one of the chairs. "Please, have a seat."


She nodded to Cara before taking her own seat and getting straight to the point. "What is your opinion of the station's recovery?" She knew T'Lul was still in contact with many of the station's resistance.

T'Lul did as she was told and then answered, "There is some battle trauma," T'Lul started. "However, after the successful repelling of the attack, I can conclude that the morale of the station is relatively high. But, there will be some individuals who will need some specialized care."

"That is to be expected. I'm glad it is not more severe. Have you identified those who may need further help?" Considering everything the station personnel and colonists had been through, T'mpest was impressed by their resilience.

"I have identified as many as possible. However, there are always those that hide their trauma for some time, feeling that they can handle their situation on their own. I will continue to monitor the behavior of those that may be most at risk."

T'mpest nodded as she considered T'Lul's words. "If you need additional help, or perhaps some counselors for the civilians on the station, let me know."

Cara thought of the counselors that she knew on Poseidon Station, wondered if she could contact one of them. "If you need some help counseling Civilian wise, I do know of one if you'd like me to contact him?"

T'Lul looked at both the Commodore and Commander and wondered if they were suggesting she was somehow deficient in her duties. After a moment's thought, she decided that they were not and trying to be helpful. "There is always a need for counselors of differing abilities and styles. However, at this time, I have not had any issues that needed outside consultation."

"If that changes, please let me know." The commodore didn't want to suggest that the counselor was unable to do her job, but the station was large. There were far too many inhabitants for one person to treat. But she had yet to see how the station's medical department handled patients, so she would wait and see if the system--not the counselor--need revising.

"I will," T'Lul answered simply. Her head tilted slightly. "I am curious whether Starfleet will be sending more counselors to the station."

Cara raised an eyebrow, she felt that T'Lul seemed to take a bit of umbrage, as to the suggestion of having another counselor: a civilian counselor. "Lieutenant T'Lul, when I was a chief counselor, on a station, I found that having a civilian counselor, who wasn't Starfleet but worked with Starfleet was most helpful. This way counseling got divided between Starfleet and the civilian population. The Civilians felt more comfortable and more willing to talk to a counselor. I am certain that you are quite capable in taking on the daunting task. There also needs to be considered the task of making certain you do not suffer burn out either." Cara's voice was gentle and yet a bit firm as well. She could understand T'Lul's stance, but she was just one out of myriads of others.

T'Lul raised her right eyebrow at Cara. "You seem to be rather insistent on a civilian counselor. If this is something that you desire, then you certainly can order it," the Vulcan shot back in a neutral tone.

Cara glanced towards T'mpest, as per T'Lul's comment. It will end up being the Commodore's call. T'lul seemed to have a bit of needing control or even protective of the station. And Cara felt that perhaps T'Lul might be seeing her as an interloper, wanting to protect her territory.

"I have discussed a number of potential changes," T'mpest replied calmly. "But any definite plans will depend on the need here and my reports to Starfleet Command. One idea is to put a counseling center in the civilian areas, under your direction, of course."

"It seems reasonable to have a center there," T'Lul answered simply. She tilted her head in the other direction. "May I ask a personal question of you, Commodore?"

"Of course." Although how much of an answer she gave would depend on the question.

"You are not purely Vulcan. I assume that you are partially human, as well?"

"I am. My mother is from earth." She raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

"I am curious how you deal with your duality. Do you feel that you are divided in some way? Do you allow your emotions to run free or do you subscribe to Surak's philosophy?"

It was a good question, and one she didn't mind answering. "I do not believe in suppressing my emotions, although I am not as emotional as most humans. Nor do I follow the teachings of Surak. My understanding is that logic dictates that emotions are not only healthy but necessary for balance. Logic and self-control keep emotions under control." She did have rare bursts of emotion, but that was not pertinent to the conversation.

"Interesting," T'Lul commented, lightly scratching her chin before setting her hand down. "Why do you think it is necessary to keep emotions under control?"

"Because we are not creatures controlled by emotion. We need to work for balance in our lives. That is not to say I have not felt love or pain. They are both necessary for growth. I merely try to keep them from overriding my self-control."

"You say, 'try.' That necessarily implies that sometimes your emotions do override your self-control. When would that be?"

"There are always possibilities. It is rare to have perfect control. Even for a Vulcan."

Cara spoke up, "I feel that there needs to be a balance with emotions as well, even though Betazoids are known to be emotional but there needs to be some control. As it can be taxing to allow emotions to run wild."

The Vulcan looked over at Cara. She seemed to need to insert herself in conversations that did not involve her and apparently was an overly involved counselor. There were specific reasons that T'Lul was asking these questions, having to do with her own research on Vulcans. "That is because of the sacrifices that were made for logic," T'Lul answered T'mpest, referring to pon farr, without having to mention the name of the event most Vulcans found distasteful. "But you, Commodore, have no such restrictions, hence my curiosity."

"Not to the same extent, no. And not unless I'm keeping other parts of my life in check." T'mpest kept it vague as well. Still, she hoped T'Lul got the reference to celibacy.

"I see," T'Lul answered. "I should like the opportunity to study you further, if you are not opposed. I am working on a research paper that should be significant to Vulcan."

"I do not mind, but I doubt my life would be of interest to Vulcan. I am, after all, half human."

"That is true. You are half-Vulcan, which in some ways makes you all the more relevant. But, given the topic, my paper is likely to be disregarded or heavily attacked once it is completed anyway. I may not even be welcome on Vulcan should my hypothesis prove correct. Change is not something that Vulcans do readily, Commodore."

One side of T'mpest's mouth quirked up in a smile. "Oh, they appreciate our scientific achievements, but knowledge has been prized by Vulcans since the time of Surak, when we were taught the only way to stop being barbarians was to embrace logic and self-mastery. And we do excel in that." Then she shook her head. "But any talk of trusting our emotions will not be tolerated. Not yet, anyway."

"Do we?" T'Lul countered. "If we embrace self-mastery, then should we not embrace a potential uncomfortable truth?" She shook her head. "If logic is the highest form, then should we not all aspire to be computers? All logic and no other..." she paused for a moment before coming up with the word, "inconveniences." She bowed her head slightly. "Logic has taken me down a path that no other Vulcan has dared speak. That, sir, is why I am here. My studies were deemed 'unwise,' and 'unhealthy.'" She paused for a moment and her head lowered further. "I have said too much. I apologize for my improper behavior."

(To be continued...)

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant T'Lul
Chief Counselor
Deep Space 5

 

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