Posted by Gamemaster Deus Ex Machina (GM) in Rinker’s Office - Captain Niles Primrose comes to visit - When the past doesn’t match the present…or the future

Posted by Fleet Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Rinker’s Office - Captain Niles Primrose comes to visit - When the past doesn’t match the present…or the future

Posted by Commander Heathcliff Rinker (Counselor) in Rinker’s Office - Captain Niles Primrose comes to visit - When the past doesn’t match the present…or the future
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Niles looked at his watch and felt a surge of annoyance that the man behind the door did not toss out whatever malingerer was lolling about on the couch blathering on about what made them sad. There were real issues going on and a broken heart of bruised ego did not come close to a real issue in his mind. The real issue was getting inside the heads of the people on the ship. He had the information from the prisoner designated Rogan from Della Marx’s session. She would be going down later to speak with the other male. Rinker had the report on the child. After today the only one left with being the last female. They had booked an hour session but Primrose only needed about two minutes. Just enough time for the man to hand over his therapy notes. Primrose would extend him the courtesy of yammering on for a bit about this Jessa but he really didn’t care. It wouldn’t matter in the end. The child was the most logical to break and Starfleet intelligence could break someone in far less time using puppets or painting pictures as these counselor’s tended to use.

Ten minutes later the door rolled open and Captain Niles Primrose strode through the door entering Rinker’s office. “Commander Rinker,” he announced as if the man was a cadet in school and not another seasoned officer. “I intend to keep this brief. Since you counselors love to toss up the old confidentiality clause when it suits your purpose I will accept you understand the importance of keeping this meeting between me and you. My superior’s will thank you and if you play ball there might just be a promotion in it for you.” Not asking, Primrose took a seat in the chair in the office.

Rinker looked at the door. How on earth didn’t he lock the damn thing. He shook his head slightly and then looked that the Captain. “Yes, a confidential clinical session… I understand.”

“Hello Captain, I do like promotions.” The was no evidence in any of the records that suggested he had any interest in promotions. “That why I left the position of Chief of Psychiatric Services - Star-Fleet Command.” He nodded.

“Oh,” Primrose looked at him a bit perplexed. Since the immediate job he had intended to dangle for bait no longer seemed enticing he offered the only thing that would sweeten the deal and ensure compliance. “Well, then you can return as Captain Rinker Chief of Psychiatric Services for Star-Fleet Command.” Having gotten the payment out of the way, now Rinker can pay his bill.

“But then we’d be the same rank… that wouldn’t be right.”

Primrose rubbed his chin. “I am not sure we can go as high as an Admiralty rank but I am sure we can find you a past grudge. You know someone you need to settle a score with. If we can’t promote you up we can promote someone down. Our ranks go all the way to the top so if they out rank you we can make sure they won’t after this.”

“I wasn’t thinking that way, I didn’t think it would be fair that I was the same rank as you. You were doing all the hard work, you should remain senior to me. I don’t hold grudges in that way. Usually people get what they deserve.”

“Pffft,” he waved it off. “Nothing ever ranks above the need of the intelligence office. A few alterations here, a deleted message there,” he snuggle back into his seat getting comfortable, “ and we can control the public view of any narrative. So yes while technically we would be the same rank I will always out rank you Rinker my boy.” The tone wasn’t confrontational at all. It was more of someone lost in their own ego and so blind to their own importance they didn’t seem to grasp anyone could ever see the world differently than them. “Don’t worry though. We are now a team. Rank won’t be a matter…unless it is but we can burn that bridge if needed in the future. Right now we need to focus on the present.”

“Well, unless you have control of the free press, it is unlikely that any position is fully safe. They have been fantastically resilient to outside forces.”

“You would be surprised at what the masses believe.” Of all the things Primrose had said this was probably the only honest thing so far that came from the man’s mouth.

Rinker tilted his head, there was some truth in that

Setting the Data chip on Rinker’s desk, Primrose slid it towards Rinker as if it were a drink. “I need you to upload everything you have on the fourth member of the four-person team that attacked the ship. I was going to send in my own people,” he leaned back waving his hand like he was doing Rinker a favor, “but thought I would save time.” Settling back Primrose looked around the office waiting for Commander Heathcliff Rinker to comply.

Captain Niles Primrose, Starfleet Intelligence

“I must officially protest and say I’m forced by ethical rules to have you to get a court order for my notes.” He started, “after you acknowledge my protest, and say I’m a Captain of Star-Fleet Intelligence, I don’t give a damn about your ethic rules, I’ll acquiesce.” He paused to let Niles follow his thinly veiled opportunity.

“Excellent,” Niles smiled broadly. Leaning in as if he and Rinker were close friends he added in a frustrated tone, “you have no idea how infuriating this crew can be. No one had anyone’s back here on the crew. It’s that Kelly,” he rolled his eyes. “She is preventing this crew from the greatness our esteemed benefactor Admiral Perkins could grant them. Glad you have the sense and intelligence to play ball.” He pointed his finger like a gun and made a clicking sound at Rinker with a wink. “You are destined for great things. I can see it.” A novice therapist could see the man in front of Rinker believed every slippery word escaping his mouth. “A team player through and through. Even though you kept me waiting, I think we will be good friends in the very near future. Now tell me about this fourth person.” The man seemed to be practically salivating at the idea of hearing what Rinker was going to say.

“I didn’t write a full report, don’t have enough data for that, but since it’s between you and me and this data stick you could send to anyone.” He slid the data chip into the port and copied his first note for Jessa. “I can give you everything I recorded in my session notes about prisoner 4.”

“Of course it would be between me and you,” Niles propped his feet up on the edge of Rinker’s desk “I mean we can’t be held liable for a data breach or someone accidentally,” he air quoted the last word, “misplacing it. Lucky or unlucky,” he let out a deep, satisfied laugh, “for us these damn things all look alike…am I right?” Working with this Rinker was a walk in the park and so unlike the rest of the crew. As he watched Rinker comply with his request he decided why stop with one set of records. The man seemed affable enough. “You know while you’re at it… download everything you have on Captain Bordeaux. Never know when a little leverage comes in handy.”

“That presumes that Captain Bordeaux has had clinical sessions. Why would you presume she’s done anything but the standard psych assessment, which wouldn’t be that valuable.”

“Aux contraire. That woman is vile, manipulative, and refuses to do what it needed when asked,” the disdain dripped off Primrose’s voice like drops of milk spilled from a counter. “You know she stole Bordeaux from us. The day she got this ship in fact. Strolled into Admiral McLaren’s office, who by the way is another calf that needs to be culled from the herd but that is a story for another time,” Niles let out a small sound mimicking disgust. “She pilfered Bordeaux who was had a brilliant future to rot away on this floating barge in the backwaters of the galaxy. She effectively ended his career and trapped him in a marriage making him a trophy husband. Now don’t get me wrong women should have someplace in Starfleet but there are some desks that are more....appropriate. Obviously, you agree or you wouldn’t have that harpy of a receptionist out there. I am positive she replicated the field version of coffee and not the arabica I ordered. I am not saying Kelly should not have a career but just not here…until she learns to play ball. That is why her psyche records are so valuable. If she is crazy as a loon which we know, that is great but refusing to confess to you all the stressors of a job… that is golden. We can spin it, either way, depending on what we need.” The man wobbled his head as if contemplating between a vanilla or chocolate shake at a restaurant. His tone never increased nor did his grasp of what Rinker might be thinking. If there was such a thing as reading the room, Niles Primrose read it as Rinker was already sitting in San Francisco with his neck a bit brighter.

Taking the PaDD Rinker passed over so he could review the information Captain Niles Primrose wore a smug, satisfied smile.

Patient J, First Session, Stardate 202112.01.
J entered my office escorted by security and IB. She was calm but displayed hypervigilance (sub clinical). We worked together to process her trust issues, conflicts W/SF, minimal progress. Left office calm, agreed to return if available.

“I’ll just put in my session log for you ‘that you requested that I violate Doctor - Patient privilege, under color of your authority as a Captain of Star-Fleet intelligence.’” He smiled.

“Nah leave off that last part,” Niles blew off Rinker’s comment as if Rinker was asking if the statement was needed or not. About twenty seconds later the smile turned into a frown.

Rinker shook his head, had the guy not figured out what he was doing yet. Perhaps he was being too subtle… which he was almost certain he wasn’t.

“What and I supposed to do with this,” he threw the PaDD back on Rinker’s desk.

“Sorry, I’ve always been told I’m too subtle.”

“It’s okay. You will learn. In fact, we work on that back in Frisco. You play golf, right? So many skills are learned on the back nine. By the way, Perkins likes golf so make sure you pick up a Taylormade set or as we like to call it Perkinsmade because that man will make your career.” Niles took a second to let out a chuckle at his own joke.

“A little,” he was right about that. “My handicap is about an 12. So no record setting here.”

“Well that’s good. You won’t need the pep talk about letting the old man win,” he spoke while reading the report. For the first time the man seemed fin Amy focusing on something real and not his self serving bubble.

“Whats all this garbage. J….IB….. Hypervigilant…left calm,” Nile’s looked at him confused. “There is nothing of value here.”

Rinker shrugged, “That’s how I write my notes.”

“I need details,” he leaned forward in his seat. “What are her triggers? What will force her to be compliant? Can she be controlled? I am here to determine if she is the best candidate for cooperation and that ain’t in your report,” Niles rattled off everything that was not mentioned in the report stabbing at the screen with his finger. “Apparently the human male that goes by the name Rogan is psychotic or psychopathic or something but probably not our best candidate for debriefing. We don’t know about the other female but some on name ensign by the name of Dorothy or Debbie or Darla,” Niles fumbled Della’s name. “She thinks the other male is sociopathic or schizophrenic. Either way, he might not play ball so we are focusing on which female we can get to play ball with the least amount of time and effort.”

“There is a significant difference between those diagnoses. Maybe you should follow up and get a firm answer.”

“I plan on it. I’m meeting with that Dora later today but it’s all mumbo jumbo anyway. Any excuse to get out of something even though it does come in handy for us at times. Besides you know what the labels mean. All we ever worry about is does it fit M.I.N.E. My Interpretation Not Everyone else’s..”.

“I surmise I have a bit more experience that her. Would you want me to speak to those other … gentlemen?” Not that Rinker had much interest in speaking to them. He wasn’t an interrogator and he didn’t have much interest in helping those who didn’t want to help themselves.

“Nah,” he waved it off. We have access to the gentlemen and the woman. It’s this fourth person the senior staff has locked up tighter than my Uncle Earl’s bowels when he eats too much cheese. I mean if you have a hankering you can go down with Della but I find men tend to talk to a pretty gal faster than anything else. It’s why a lot of our gals are lookers in intelligence.”

There was truth in that too. However it was true for all genders, they all seemed to enjoy talking to the attractive members of the sex they were interested in.

Leaning back in his seat, Niles let out a small huff of annoyance. “Since you didn’t get around to putting something useful like that in your report you can just tell me,” he motioned with a gesture for Rinker to start talking.

“But all of that would be confidential?” He questioned innocently.

“Yes…yes it is,” he nodded smiling broadly and nodding his head. The rumors that Rinker would be a hard sell were obviously wrong. The counselor played the lost and confused lamb so well. Rinker was already practicing his code words. He would be a boon to the Perkins team. McLaren and his crew would never be able to touch him.

“It would be important for you to understand the complexities of these diagnoses. We certainly talk about that.”

“Does it really matter though,” Primrose leaned forward. “None of these four are seeing the light of day if they don’t choose to play ball and even then if they can’t report to their people…what can I say? Space travel is full of hazards. We haven’t decided technically if they are actually here or not yet but we can worry about that all later.” Nile’s appeared not to care either way about this topic and would be fine with any decision that didn’t cause him to think too hard.

“I certainly believe knowledge is power. Isn’t that the whole purpose of Star-Fleet Intelligence?”

“We have about 57 minutes left,” He leaned back in his chair. “Let’s talk about how you don’t have any friends. Is it because you reject people first by being a jerk on purpose… or is just that you or so unlikable by trauma? Did your mother not love you?”

“What,” he blinked twice. “I grew up in a perfectly wonderful home with mother. I don’t have many friends because it is hard for most to understand how my mind works. The price of being a genius I guess.” Niles missed the sarcasm in Rinker’s comment completely. “People have always been jealous of my natural leadership qualities,” he replied with utter conviction in his voice.

“Now Heathcliff,” Niles adjusted his bulk in the seat. “If you could just give me the rundown on what we need.” A first-year clinician would see that the choice of pronoun from I to we indicated Niles had no idea Rinker was not on board with the agenda Primrose had conceived. “Oh but before you do, why don’t you pop on over and rustle us up something to drink and maybe a sandwich or two. I missed lunch. Ian Bordeaux informed me that the officer’s mess was being renovated so I was going to have to eat with the crew. Can you even imagine,” he let out a hefty laugh like Rinker just told a joke. “Eating with the crew.”

Heathcliff just blinked for a full 20 seconds. Well he did it. He stunned Rinker to silence. This had to be the most obtuse insensitive non-sociopath he had ever met.

His fake polite question face and tone dissipated and his annoyance came out. “I mean does that,” He gestured at him, “ever work Did you even bother to read up about me before you tried this… stupidity. I’m not a first year resident who still wet behind the ears. I’ve been a psychiatrist for a long time. Do you think I’ve never had my records subpoena-ed? You can’t get a drop of information out of me or my session notes unless I want you to.”

Rinker

“Exactly,” Primrose hit the table with his palm. “That is exactly the kind of hutzpah response we are looking for. Keep it up. I really love the way you referenced the whole subpoena thing. For the record, we did look into it and you are like an iron gate with magnalocks. Ain’t no one getting past you and this confidentiality thing,” he twirled a finger about like the notion of confidentiality was a field surrounding them that could be turned on and off. “Now about my questions and that sandwich?”

Niles Primrose

=/\=We need medical services on the observation deck=/\= one of the security officers said into his comm. He put it out on several channels knowing someone would show up.

Rinker winced, that probably meant his girl decided to do something stupid. But he was a psychiatrist, which made him a medical doctor, but he wasn’t a surgeon or even a general practitioner. A minor emergency didn’t need him getting in the way of those who had more experience. But he did keep an ear out for a further call.

The comm call being in a session was odd to say the least. Security had the power to override anyone but tended to do so only in emergencies. Even then it was highly irregular with only the receptionists announcing an issue and not someone’s voice blaring through the comm badge on a uniform. What was even more strange was the call didn’t come through Rinker’s badge but Nile’s’

“Is your badge on the internal ship channel and during a session?” He wondered what else might be on. Rinker’s badge would go off is specifically called or during an incident of significant importance… but not over a general doctor call.

“Don’t worry about that,” Niles waved it off. “Your senior staff was such a pain in the arse I got a few of my intelligence friends to make sure any comma between them are sent to me also. Keeps me in the loop,” he shrugged it off

“If you feel a hankering you can reply with your own badge,” he shrugged it off

“Prudent. If a bit paranoid.”

Rinker pointed to the replicator built into the wall. His rule wasn’t actually against eating in his office, it was against offering people food and drinks in his room it just seemed stereotypical and phony. Most people were polite enough not to request food when they weren’t offered so it seemed no one was allowed to eat. Ultimately he didn’t mind that someone wanted to eat, but he be damned if he served.

Again Primrose’s badge announced the activities elsewhere in the ship.

. =/\=CMO, I’m on my way. =/\=

=/\= Confirmed. =/\= O’Neill’s voice rang back across the open channel.

Ignoring the calls as if it were nothing he continued on about his empty belly.

“You can’t just call out to her receptionist and have her pop on down to the kitchen. I prefer people to bring my food. Gives the crew something to do. Bonds them to you.”

=/\= Commander Rinker to the Observation Deck immediately. =/\= Mardusks voice broke through the channel again a few minutes later.

Primrose did pause slightly in his ramblings now noting the chief and CMO were in about something together. It only held his attention for a second though.

“This would be so much easier if a crewmen just stopped what they were doing,” he poked at some replicator buttons. “Again rank equals privilege”

“That isn’t my understanding of the emotional impact of servitude. I actually get my assistant food and drink more often that she gets it for me. She seems to like it, but what do I know.”

“Oh just send down that Della girl. We got things to discuss. It is my hour,” Primrose waved off the request.

“Not in my chain of command and not how I use my people.”

“You should really rethink that,” Primrose said in a soft but almost as an order. They needed to see what the girl would do when pushed and if Rinker got all meddlesome in it, he would just talk her down or worse prevent her from acting out.

=^=On my way.=^= Rinker said. Despite how much fun he was having with the Captain, he was anxious to find a way to get away from him. He made his skin crawl with his repulsive attitudes.

=/\=Rinker belay that, this is my patient for now.=/\= Evrilla’s voice replied to Rinker

“See let the people below you think for themselves from time to time. Gives them the importance and self-confidence not being told what to do every second or every day,” Niles imparted his helpful leadership advice.

Primrose was thrilled Rinker was ordered to stand down by someone other than himself. It just kept relations happy and light with the newest member of Perkins team.

=^=Okay, not on my way… but someone needs to explain to me when it’s not an emergency what you mean by patient… there is only one patient I should be getting calls for and they shouldn’t need a doctor… well not your kind of doctor.=^=

=/\= Yeah, I’ll call you back.=/\= Evrilla’s voice responded.

“I’m not going to get a call back.” Rinker frowned.

“See. All handled. Stuff like this makes people feel needed but maybe you are right. We do have a timetable to keep. Our hour,” he said slowly as if it were a secret message. Niles moved to the replicator. For a man worked about time, the amount of time he took instructing the replicator how to make a ham on rye could have numbed Rinker to sleep or spurred the man to take notes on a blog for what not to do during a counseling session.

“Yes, but I’m sure you can see why an experienced hand might be able to make the situation go smoother.”

“Absolutely but do we really want things to go smoother? Between me and you I am finding it a little dull right now. Maybe if we give them a bit of leeway they will do something…interesting,” Primrose admitted. The people trapped in a brig were not very interesting. If they were as powerful as intelligence believed, then giving them a chance to show it on someplace like the Atlantis was the best option. No point in tearing up an intelligence lab.

“I see your point, but be careful what you wish for. Every report suggests that they are fanatics which means when they act, their behavior is going to be extreme, dangerous and final. Its going to go from all quiet, to everyone is dead very quickly.” Rinker hadn’t really thought about the big picture until this moment. He only had to worry about his little corner of it and he felt he was doing pretty well in that area.

Makes them feel needed but maybe you are right. We do have a timetable to keep. Our hour,” he said slowly as if it were a secret message. Niles moved to the replicator. For a man worked about time, the amount of time he took instructing the replicator how to make a ham on rye could have numbed Rinker to sleep or spurred the man to take notes on a blog for what not to do during a counseling session.

Well he did reserve an hour. “Eating with the crew… insane, I mean, why, what would you think about that?”

Heathcliff Rinker… actually in a fantasy world

“Eye wood int ooh it,” Primrose said through a mouthful of sandwich. Luckily taking a moment to swallow, Niles then continued. “We both know that with rank come privilege and if you swill and gorge with the crew it gives them ideas,” he waved his sandwich about as if punctuating a sentence. “The trick is to make them think what you want them to think. Make them think they are getting something where you ain’t giving them crap. How is that summary coming,” he segwayed back to the original request he came into the office for. “You are free to type as I finish this up. It’s fine. Anyway,” he inspected the sandwich as if looking for a prime bite, “so you make sure that you tell them what they need to hear to let them leave feeling like a win. The poor schmucks never see it coming but it creates that sense of teamwork…for them.”

“I’m not renown for my typing speed, its mostly a lost art with all the audio recording techniques now. Although what I am know for is my psychological approaches, which means i know behaviors tend to have a greater effect on relationships then words. Although appearances have a disproportionate effect. Tell me how do you evaluate your appearance? Hard six, Soft seven?”

“Oh ten. If there was an eleven I’d choose that,” he laughed. “But alas it is why I don’t have many friends. Hard to have to explaining why they fail but I always succeed.” The tone again in his voice was almost sad. Not that he wanted friends but more pity for those that struggled with not understanding their role in Nile’s’ world.

“Confidence, studies show women find that the second most valued personality trait. Humor was number one by the way.” (this guy isn’t a 10 is he?)

The man was definitely not a ten. Even the most generous soul could only rate the man a two on looks and a negative ten on personality yet Primrose saw himself in a far better light.

Classic man delusion-disease.

“So back to the prisoner number four. How malleable is she? Do you think there is any chance she could be turned? You know as a double agent for us. It would make life so much easier in the future. We initially thought it was going to be just a normal first contact situation but once Starfleet found the repeating code in the message requesting the Atlantis to show up here, Perkins knew we had to keep this on the hush hush. If the others knew what we know,” he waved back and forth, “we would lose the power and prestige that comes from bringing in another player into galactic politics and that is not going to happen on our watch.” Brushing the crumbs off his hands on to Rinker’s carpet, Niles continued. “So that is where you come in. Start the process for us. I heard a rumor she was younger than the rest in the brig. Younger they are the easier they are to recruit and instill loyalty. We just need to make sure that person’s loyalty is to us and not them.”

Niles Primrose

“That sounds uniquely unethical… if that sort of thing bothers you. Actually indoctrination of youth goes back centuries, very fascist. I mean isn’t the most famous of this groups were the Earth German Hitler Youth.”

Rinker

“Get then while they are young,” he responded. “Kids are stupid. You can tell them anything and they believe it but you know that.” Pausing for a second Primrose did decide to circle back on a point.

“So as to who will turn easiest if I have to go with the psychopath or the sociopath who do you think would be the best ally?”

“Theoretically the sociopath, he or she, is out for themselves. If you give them enough they will probably turn. The key however is to figure out their internal moral compass. They might only care for themselves but they will respect their own code, so if they don’t lie, or don’t betray. They won’t. Might need a shrink to be sure they don’t turn that on you.”

“So you want a crack at Da Mu or Zala Tsu,” Primrose asked.

“I don’t want anything. Sociopaths make me feel bad that there is so little empathy in a person. I’ll do it if ordered.”

Scratching his chin, Primrose rethought his earlier choice of waving Rinker off from the brig. “Rinker,” his voice took on a casual tone almost as if they were two men sitting at a bar swapping fishing stories. “Soon we will be both the same rank. Pretty hard to just order you to do something. Our circle prefers to have people volunteer. You know step up when needed but its your choice. Anyway that Delores girl,” Primrose again butchered Della Marx’s name, “has an appointment later today if you chose to meander down to the brig. I told her to press him hard. We need them to do something or at least create an interesting situation.”

This time a voice came through Primrose’s comm badge. =/\=Sir, there is a situation that may be of interest to you=/\=. The look on Primrose’s face indicated he was finished with RInker’s meet and greet.

“Commander,” he stood up. “Been grand but I must leave. Don’t worry about saluting or standing,” he waved off the formal regulation as if he were doing Rinker a curtsey. “Drop by my quarters some time with that data stick and we can talk about the future and your place in it.” Rinker was almost free of the man’s presence until he stopped inches from the door and turned back around. “Oh and bring the kid with you when you come. Call it a field trip or whatever you want to make up. Gravel Mardusk has this ship locked down so tight getting some one-on-one time with prisoner number four has been problematic but as a doctor, you can call them all section eight and then make what we need to happen happen.”

“I have significant doubts they will let me get out of my office with her without a guard.”

“You are the ship’s counselor. No one will doubt your out-of-the-box therapy techniques. Make it happen.” With his final order in place, Primrose left Rinker’s office.

Primrose

OCC: Okay so somehow my post got all crazy and didn’t create a split but when I went to reply, half of it was gone. Long story short, I married my previous post with your post and I think I captured it all. If I am missing something just stick it back in. I also put in an explanation of why Rinker is getting comm calls in his session. I don’t think that would be normal but I thought it made showing the timeline clearer so people knew what was going on when. (Ie: Ian is leaving the office as Primrose was going in and Jessa’s incident on the observation deck was happening during Nile’s session. I was so glad you hated Primrose by the way lol. We can continue to expand it if you want. If not I gave you and out. Hope this was okay. ~ Kate

OCC: Not sure if you want to be a part of the other thread meeting Da Mu but if you want to you are free to just write yourself in or take over or skip it. ~ Kate

Rinker