Pt 3, Counseling Session: CMDR Jonathan Martin

Posted on Sun Jul 19th, 2015 @ 8:30am by Lieutenant Arnon Barak MD, PsyD & Commander Jonathan Martin

950 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: Arnon Barak's Office
Timeline: current

ON

"...and apparently, she's been fixated on rubber chickens ever since," Arnon was dictating.

Arnon's comm beeped.

"Go ahead," he said, activating the comm on his end.

"Sir," said Chief Petty Officer Markos Ileous. "Your next appointment is here."

"And the winner is?" Arnon asked.

"Commander Jonathan Martin, sir," the Chief replied.

"Excellent," said Arnon. "Send him right in. How are you doing on that rubber chicken?"

"I should have something for you by the end of the day," the chief said.

"Wonderful," Arnon said. "I'll check in again later."

"Thank you," Jonathan's voiced could be heard as he walked into Dr. Barak's office feeling refreshed from a good night's sleep after a day's worth of travel the day before.

The so-called dreaded counseling session that was fairly routine for all newcomers aboard a vessel or station in Starfleet. "It never huts to meet the counselor" one of his best buddies back in the academy used to say to him as a joke. His friend was right, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

He saw the counselor for the first time in person waiting in the office for the next patient to stroll in and participate in a round of Q & A's. "Hello, Lt. Barak, it's a pleasure to meet you," Jonathan said smiling extending his arm as soon as he got within shaking distance of the counselor.

Arnon took Martin's hand and shook it.

"Welcome, Commander," he said. "Please make yourself comfortable. Can I get you some refreshment?"

"Thank you," as Jonathan took a seat opposite of the counselor. "Gunpowder tea please, hot," he added in at the last second. "So, what brings me into your office, counselor?" He asked.

"Why don't we figure that out?" Arnon said. "You're new here and I haven't met with you before. Tell me about yourself."

Jonathan crossed his right leg over his left with his ankle laying on top of his knee grasped by his right hand. "Loaded question, but ill make it quick. Served as a conn officer after graduating from the academy aboard the USS Herald where I stayed for 8 years where I got offered to command my own defiant class ship; the USS Stalwart. That ship was assigned to the Alamo Station where the Cardassians surprised attacked us and we lost badly. I lost a majority of my crew and the fleet was pummeled. We lost the station at which point I got reassigned to the USS Sunfire, another defiant class vessel. Stayed there for 5 years before it got decommissioned. Took a year off and here I am now as a mission advisor to the Calypso. " He looked at the counselor signaling that he had finished his brief introduction of his career at Starfleet.

"You must have a life outside of Starfleet," Arnon said. "What are your interests? Are you married? Do you have children? Do you like to read? Play chess? Box? Tap dance?"

"I do. My interests? Well, there's a lot of them such as mahjong, various sports, playing the violin, reading, and chess. And when I have the time, spending time with my son. I was married, but she was killed by a Cardassian in our home a couple of years ago." He paused for a moment before asking, "How much longer will this interrogative interview last?"

Arnon looked at Martin with a confused expression on his face.

"You've been here...what? Five minutes?" he asked. "Do you have somewhere more important to be? I'm sorry to hear about your wife. That must have been very painful for you and for your son."

Jonathan sighed, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude. Just not a fan of being called into the counselor's office before I've even had time to settle in without knowing why I've been called."

He paused for a moment, reflecting on what had happened with his wife. "Of course it was painful, losing a loved one is never easy, now is it?," he asked rhetorically. "But, that was a few years ago and part of the wound for both me and my son have healed somewhat. It's a gradual process I assume."

"Yes," said Arnon. "It is. If you ever want to talk about that...both the loss and the recovery process, make an appointment and we can work on those things. Is your son on the ship with us? How old is he?"

"He's 10 years old and no, he isn't. He's been re-located to an undisclosed location for safety purposes after the attack at our home. Starfleet has been helpful in that regard and only a select few know where that location is."

"It must be difficult to be away from your son," Arnon said. "Do you speak with him regularly?"

"Of course it is, but i's what needs to be done for his safety. For his survival until the threat is gone." Jonathan shifted the balance of his body weight from the left to the right to make himself more comfortable. "No, I don't speak to him regularly due to precautions, but once every few weeks or so I try. He's in good hands and is quite distracted where he is, which is a good thing."

"Well, you seem to be handling your situation well," Arnon replied. "For your situation you seem well adjusted. I have no qualms about you carrying out your duties. We should touch base periodically and of course you are welcome to come to me anytime you feel you need to talk or work on something. If there's nothing else, why don't we call it a day? Nice meeting you."

OFF

Lieutenant Arnon Barak, MD, PsyD
Chief Counselor

Commander Johnathon Martin
Mission Advisor

 

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