Posted by Ensign Simon Starr (Security) in Psychological Evaluation: Simon Starr, XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Jasmijn DeVries (XO) in Psychological Evaluation: Simon Starr, XO’s Office

Posted by Ensign Simon Starr (Security) in Psychological Evaluation: Simon Starr, XO’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>
“Please, call me Counselor or Beveres–none of that ‘sir’ crap, it makes me feel old.” She grinned, shaking her head in mild amusement. “I see. Let’s make this quick and painless, all right?” She spoke softly. “Are you new to Starfleet, Mister Starr? Or is the Ark Angel among your many assignments to fleet ships?” She asked, typing in his name to pull up his file. It took a few moments longer, the transfer of information over a greater distance inhibiting her speed. After all, the Ark Angel and the Viking were nowhere near each other.

Lt. Beveres
CNS (USS Viking)

“Oh, yes counsellor” Starr replied. Pulling up the file, it would show that he was fresh out of the academy and this was his first posting. “This is my first official assignment as an officer,” he said answering the question. There was also a note regarding the fact that Starr had opened up a little about his brother, Tom, during his sessions at the academy. His brother was flagged as missing when the academy performed standard background checks on his family. He majored in Federation Law and in his third year also picked up Starship Tactics as part of his studies. He spent his final year on the cadet cruise aboard the USS Challenger, in the Security division.

Ensign Simon Starr, Security

“I see you come from the Challenger–a fine ship, don’t you think?” She smiled at the digital image of her patient. She did not focus on his file, figuring it had little to do with who Simon was as a person. Clasping her hands together, a mug of what appeared to be coffee beside them, she focussed on Starr. “How have you been settling in so far?” She asked. His cadet cruise would have given him the expectations for his first assignment, but that did not eradicate the anxieties of one’s initial officer position.

Lt. Beveres
CNS (USS Viking)

“She was a beautiful posting, counsellor” Simon replied to the counsellor’s first question. “I made some good memories there,” he said, with a slight smile. “As to right now, so far, I must admit, I’ve been a little nervous. First official posting after all. I’m also excited. I may have finished the academy, but really my learning has only just begun. So, there’s anticipation, I guess would be the best way to describe it. Wanting to get to work, I’ve spent four years training for this moment, and now I’ve made it, I don’t want to put my time to waste,” he answered.

“I like your attitude, Ensign. With that mindsey, you’ll be able to power through whatever comes your way. The Ark Angel is not the easiest of assignments, and your bound to experience situations that will test your abilities. So long as you view each mistake as a lesson rather than damnation, you’ll conquer her before she has the chance to conquer you.” Tal smirked, “And that’s the key to surviving out here, Starr.”

He had learned that there could be something to discover even when you’re having dinner with the crew, and there are always times to think of creative ideas. He thought about the caitian and wondered how her science project was going. He wanted to get into contact with the old crew. He knew where the doctor Wooley was assigned as they graduated together. “I also appreciate taking the time to consider those lessons when they do happen,” he said, bringing himself back to the meeting.

Ensign Simon Starr, Security

“Good. You won’t get much time to reflect, so when you do, treasure those moments. They’re few and far between.” Tal observed, intertwining her hands in a relaxed albeit formal position. “Tell me about your time on the Challenger. Did you make any friends? Was there a particular mission you found to be the most rewarding? A lesson your mentor taught you? Anything that comes to mind when you think about how your assignment to the Challenger impacted you.”

Lt. Beveres
CNS (USS Viking)

“I did, Doctor Woolley started around the same time and graduated with me - was one of the first cadets I spoke to on the ship,” Starr began in response. “Also, an experience just like the one I explained above happened and it’s stuck with me since. We were having dinner in the mess hall and talking about theories and coming up with ideas - one of the scientists told us about a project that she wanted to work on and the support we got from the senior officers in our positions was rewarding as a whole,” he continued.

“Did you help pursue her project after gaining support from senior officers? Or did the young scientist go after it on her own?” Tal knew the comradery between officers could form bonds unbreakable by the hardships of space. They were impregnable and therefore some of the most valued relationships known.

“And also being able to communicate with the rest of the crew was just as rewarding as the senior officers. I’ve definitely made some people to stay in contact with, that’s for sure,” he finished, remembering his time on the challenger fondly. He really only did basic things, but what he learned outside of his duties was something he found just as rewarding as what he learned about the responsibilities of the position by being assigned as such on the cadet cruise.

Ensign Simon Starr, Security

“That is wonderful to hear! You may never be assigned with any of those officers, but having them as friends can come in handy. Space can get lonely, and even though they’ll be light-years away, at least you’ll have a friend to talk to.” Tal smiled, “What got you into Security, Starr?”

Dr. Beveres
CNS (USS Viking)

Starr smiled at the first question, “well in fact, while I was doing a routine cargo scan, we discussed a location and I pointed her in the right direction - I was occupied by tasks my chief gave me, but still didn’t mean I provided what help I could in the moment, even told her the best person to ask permission was. Was just after that conversation I got called to the captain’s ready room and received my pips,” he answered, fondly remembering the moment as the point he had completed his first step in the journey he had in front of him.

Starr flinched at the second question. He knew it was coming and knew that this was the part he hated about these sessions. The questions that always came from it. He sighed as he knew it would be on his file anyway, answered “well, five years ago my brother, Tom, was given an opportunity with a merchant trading ship. His contract was a year long and he was supposed to return to England when it expired. The last time anybody saw him was when he boarded that vessel. We haven’t heard anything from him even via subspace, and well - understandably, mother and father got worried.

Tom is a role model to me, and well, the experience I feel I’d get at Starfleet will help me find out what happened, and if he’s OK. There’s also a part of me while I’m in the vastness of space we are, there’s that chance fate may play its role in one way or another, and if I’m meant to find out - then so be it. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t nudge destiny in the right direction.

I won’t find him working on the farm day in, day out - if his in Space, then that’s where the search should begin. Of course, I understand that we’re part of a bigger machine, but I’ve found in life, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination - and as I said - you can learn things at the most unlikely of times.”

Ensign Simon Starr, Security

If Beveres had any concern about his intentions upon joining Starfleet, they were not shown outwardly. Starfleet’s main purpose was exploration and diplomacy, their efforts expanding further into the scientific and peace-making realm than they ever had military–despite their obvious basis on the Naval branch of Terran military.

She understood his intentions, although feared he would grow consumed by his determination to locate his brother. Tal had never been a soft-spoken woman, she worked on the wrong ship to have anything short of duranium skin. “Ensign, I understand you wish to find your brother.. anyone in your position would, too.” She began, phrasing her words carefully. He’s not a Viking, Tal. She had to remind herself time and time again. “However, is it possible your occupation with finding your brother might impede your abilities as a security officer?”

Space was vast, far more so than science had come to comprehend. Even if his brother was out there, as much as Beveres hated to admit it, the odds that their paths would cross was quite slim. “Have you considered the possibility–and I have no illintent by this question–that your brother intentionally went off the radar? It’s not uncommon for people to find something they’re missing in their work and sometimes their choice to chase after it comes off far more distressing than they had intended.”

Dr. Beveres
CNS (USS Viking)