Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Counselor) in pre-sim - Bethany Reports to Holloway-poor Holloway - CO’s Ready Room

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Commanding Officer) in pre-sim - Bethany Reports to Holloway-poor Holloway - CO’s Ready Room
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Nodding slightly in thought, Molly’s gaze finally returned to the Dresden’s new Counselor. “So, why exactly made you want to serve as a counselor on a ship and not with Intel anymore?”

Holloway, CO

She took a sip of her drink. “I wouldn’t say ‘not anymore.’ I always wanted to serve, at some point, in this capacity on a ship. The opportunity came up, and I took it. Not that other opportunities hadn’t come before, but now was good timing.” She wasn’t sure how the captain would take this. “Other opportunities came that would have required me to walk away from the people I was helping. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave them in the middle of helping them heal for the sake of my career. This position came when I had no one depending on me.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

There was a quizzical eyebrow raised but it quickly returned to its original place. At least she showed integrity and concern for those she helped, and that was a very good thing in Molly’s opinion.

“A commendable choice, Lieutenant. I assume then, that you are aware that despite her being a dreadnought, the Dresden is not an Intelligence ship, and that the officers that serve on board are not Intelligence officers. So I expect you not to treat them as such. I have met my fare of Intel counselors, and I have to admit I was never too fond of any of them. These are officers, not operatives. They will hopefully never see the horrors that Intel can force upon you.” For a moment, she was back at the park in San Francisco, phaser out, as the figure of her own partner was vaporized right in front of her eyes, by none other than her own weapon. Molly shook her head to dismiss the thought. “Are we understood, Lieutenant?”

Holloway, CO

Bethany sighed. She was weary of the unfounded accusations. “There is no such thing as an Intel ship. I perfectly understand you Captain. And at the risk of being insubordinate, I am going to ask you to really read my file, look into the work I do, then make your prejudgements about me. And then judge me on my own performance or lack of.” It was all on the isochip she gave her. But if Holloway really looked into it, from the file or her own inquiry, she would see the counseling unit Bethany had been with, was different and was rocking boats about how operatives were being treated and handled. She was vocal about it and didn’t back down. Their methods showed a significantly higher success rate for the personnel, most notably in their social and personal lives.
Lt. Hadi, CNS

There is no such thing as an Intel ship. It was clear that Gadi didn’t know about the Thresher. It wasn’t surprising, as technically the ship wasn’t supposed to exist, and the fact that Holloway held the rank of Captain made it so they had slightly different clearances. And well… Ryan. His involvement also helped in Holloway’s knowledge of the project.

“Yes, Lieutenant. I meant that this is not a ship where every officer is a member of Intel. I didn’t mean to imply there were such things as Intelligence ships, and I was hoping you would understand that.” There was a slight hint of annoyance in Holloway’s tone. “And I have read your file. Several times. But I will read it again if it makes a difference. Maybe the isochip is more complete than what I have.”

Pulling out her most professional officer tone of voice. She’d obviously irritated the captain. She had expected that, but she hadn’t meant to do it on purpose. “Yes ma’am I understand that. It doesn’t matter to me their position. They are people, living, breathing individuals first and foremost. I don’t care their department or job. I’m here to help them, if they are willing to let me.” She didn’t know how else to put it to the captain. Gadi didn’t comment on her file. Obviously it didn’t matter. She was proud of the work she and her ‘team’ had done. They wanted to change things. She shrugged mentally. Adversity never stopped her.

Molly took another sip of her coffee, leaving her mug almost empty. “Well, I have shared my concerns with you, Counselor, and you have addressed them. For that I am grateful.” Holloway had her own reservations about Gadi, but then again, she was paranoid about anyone coming from Intelligence and she didn’t exactly like counselors. But she was willing to give her a chance, like she did anyone on board. Maybe much like it had happened with Renveer, she would change her mind about the woman. “Do you have any questions for me? About the Dresden, the crew, or anything else, really?”

Holloway, CO

“Just one, Captain. I know my responsibility to the crew. But what about my responsibility to you and the Cmdr. Part of the job as head counselor is to advise the senior staff. I understand, as you have informed me, you have a smoothly working relationship with Cmdr. Renveer for that. What do you expect or not expect from me in that position?” After this meeting, Bethany wanted the lines to be very clear.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

It was a hard question to answer. And one Holloway hadn’t even thought of it herself. The changes were still quite fresh, and even though she was fully aware Renveer was the Dresden’s XO now, it was still hard not to see him as the Counselor as well. Molly allowed herself some time to think before replying. “The counselor’s main job while on the Bridge is to advise mostly on the matters of diplomacy and, hopefully, peaceful conflict resolution. I expect nothing less. Indeed, Commander Renveer has had that role on this ship for the past year, and he will still have it, much like he would advise in Engineering matters if that had been his original background. However, you have a very different background than he does. One that is much closer to mine, which I expect to bring in some different insights to the table. Not to mention, it is my understanding that you have empathic abilities due to your Betazoid ancestry?”

Holloway, CO

Bethany nodded, “Yes ma’am. I’m half Betazoid. I am a strong empath, but I have no telepathic ability to speak of. That would require an extremely strong telepath to initiate communication.” And now to let the captain in on something most, outside of Betazed, didn’t know. “I also can not read emotions past any mental barrier. The ability to do that requires telepathic ability, which I don’t have. I’m very good at reading body language and physical ques though. If asked I would say that on top of my understanding of psychology, observation and a study of sociology are my best tools for advising you in those instances.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Relief washed over her at the Counselor’s mention that she couldn’t read emotions past any mental barrier. But then again, wasn’t that part of what they were there for? During her Intel training, Holloway had studied the ability to form mental barriers at length. After all, it was an imperative way of defending private information from prying eyes, especially when many forms of telepathic abilities existed across the galaxy. However, she had never been fully confident in her ability to practice the skill, but she tried her best, and so far, she hadn’t come across any situation where she had faltered.

Holloway nodded. She was aware how much body language could give away. It had yet been another thing Intel hammered into their officers, and Molly suspected Gadi knew that as well.

Finishing her coffee and looking back at the new Counselor, Holloway couldn’t really think of anything else that she might want to discuss. Not at the moment, anyway, she was sure a few more questions would pop up in her mind the moment Gadi left. It was always that way, wasn’t it? “Well… I think I have touched on every subject I wanted to address. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

Holloway, CO

Bethany shook her head. “No ma’am. I have nothing else.” Bethany was sure there would be other questions from both of them later, but for now she at least had an idea of where she stood. Only time would make things better, or worse, depending.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

With a quiet nod, Molly stood up. “Well, if that’s case, it was a pleasure meeting you, Lieutenant.” It was a formality, but it wasn’t apparent whether or not it had really been a pleasure for Holloway. She gestured to the door with her open palm, moving to accompany Gadi to the door. “I hope we can put our differences aside and work with our similarities.” There was a polite smile in Holloway’s lips. “And I look forward to see your progress with the crew. In the end, there’s no one better to evaluate one’s performance, don’t you think?” Intel or not, Molly tried to put the interests of her crew before her own. And if the crew was comfortable around Gadi, who was she to judge? Only time would tell how both of them would get along.

Holloway, CO