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Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO's Office

Posted Oct. 13, 2020, 11:17 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) (Ben Z)

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Counselor) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Counselor) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(snip)

Renveer nodded and gazed off at one of the colorful abstract paintings on the wall behind Bethany. “Perhaps I judged you too quickly, Counselor. It sounds as if you have your head on straight about a lot of things, and that we share many of the same ethical principles. So, now that I am done interrogating you, you are welcome to do the same. That would be only fair, after all.” Renveer’s mouth crept into a small smile. His body language was not as open as his words, but he had relaxed considerably from when they began talking, at least.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany was sure it would be rude to not return the ‘favor’ for interrogating the XO, as he put it. But she really had no desire to do so. And though his words were open, his body language did not reflect that same degree of relaxation his words attempted. “That’s alright, Cmdr. I already know what I need to from our conversation. You have an ethical standard that you hold yourself and others to. You are particularly protective of the crew, the captain specifically. That’s a positive in my book. Even off of what little I know of her, and what I know from my own work with Intel, that’s a good stance for you to have. I hate the necessity of it, but I understand it. I hope that as we work more together, you’ll find I’m not like other intel counselors.” In fact her little ‘team’ had made too many waves and pushed back on policies and made a name as trouble makers for themselves. But that hadn’t stopped them from doing it. “I do have one question and then some clarifications on my role here on Dresden. And it’s totally personal, and you don’t have to answer it, but you spent a lot of time studying and being a counselor. Why did you switch to command?”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer’s expression did not betray his thoughts about Gadi’s assessment of him, but her reference to his relationship with the captain sent a flash of suspicion across Renveer’s mind. It seemed that she was right about his protective feelings toward Molly. But it sounded like that wouldn’t be a problem. For now.

Gadi’s last question caught Renveer a bit off-guard. It was a decision he was still reconciling. And perhaps the Lieutenant could see more plainly than anyone else aboard how difficult it was for Renveer to make that transition. He stiffened slightly and took a deep breath in through his nose as he formulated his answer. “I didn’t seek out the position, but it was offered to me and I believed that I had the capacity to be of even greater assistance to the captain in this new role. I suppose… I hope that I will be the sort of supportive executive officer that a captain like Holloway needs. There are many captains like her. Smart, capable, and direct. But I believe there’s value to a gentler touch in many of the missions Starfleet assigns to us. I did my best to have that soothing influence as a counselor. But as an executive officer, I can make sure that there’s a balance to decisions being made. We compliment each other well.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you. For answering my question. My mentor was a ship’s counselor and took the position as XO. When I asked her she told me it was thrust upon her and she had never wanted it.” Bethany smiled sadly thinking about the day she asked T’Jal about it. They had thought that Jake had been sucked out into space with a hull breech and dead. Being the ranking senior staff the captain had forced her take the position. Jake had actually been POW. “She even tried to step down.” Bethany realizes how that sounds, “I’m sorry Cmdr. I didn’t mean that there weren’t other reasons. She even ended up becoming a captain and then an admiral. I guess command suited her. Your situation was just similar to hers, and I was overly nosey.” He had no idea though, how similar their situations. T’Jal had been CNS on Dresden and then XO. And now Bethany was serving the same position on the same ship as her mentor. “And my situation is very similar to hers as well.” Bethany’s voice is not as confident as it had been earlier, she’s obviously contemplating something, and from the conversation it’s probably her position and her future on the ship. Bethany knew all about confidentiality and clearance levels, but when orders allowed her to be able, she was honest. There seemed to be some disappointment to her body language, subtley and not quite sure it’s there, unless you knew what to look for.

“Just one more question, Cmdr. I asked the Captain as well. I know my duty to the crew, and I am eager to get to work. But ship’s counselor also serves to advise the CO and XO of the ship. I know you’ve served in this capacity and as XO you’ll continue to be that support for the captain. You both obviously trust each other, and you seem to compliment each other, from what I’ve seen today. How can I support you in that capacity as advisor to you?” Just like with the captain, Bethany wanted a clear line of what was expected and not expected of her.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer paused. He had the same question. They would both likely be approaching missions from a similar professional lens… even if they had their own personal viewpoints. “I…” he stopped and started his thought over. “I consider myself to be a pretty level-headed man, Lieutenant. I would like to think that I will be able to handle myself expertly in any given situation… but I know that won’t always be the case. And I do trust Mol- Captain Holloway immensely. I’m almost worried that I trust her too much. If you witness me neglecting my duties to challenge her decisions when it is necessary to do so, I would like your support with voicing those concerns, if we both share them. I am used to supporting the Captain… it will be a shift to needing to dissent to her actions sometimes.” Renveer was being honest. He had no idea how his dynamic with Molly would play out in a high-stakes mission scenario. And his personal feelings about wanting Holloway to feel accomplished and competent in her rank and command made him hesitant to be anything other than approving of her methods. That was a liability that he was hoping the counselor could catch and prevent.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany nodded, “I can do that. Do you prefer me to be overt or covert about it? Some situations will require that I speak up immediately, but others may provide the time to speak privately. I don’t want the captain to think we are ganging up on her and I don’t want her to think we are undermining her behind her back. It’s a delicate situation and you know her best.” She pauses here considering his words. “There is much support to be found, Cmdr., in helping someone question their own thought processes and actions. Maybe,” she says genuinely, “keeping that thought to the forefront will help you in your new position. Essentially, that is the role of the first officer. I believe you will do it well.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Bump

Renveer nodded with a long sigh through his nose, releasing some pent-up anxiety about the role at Gadi’s affirming words. “Thank you, Lieutenant. And if there’s one thing I know about Molly, it’s that it’s important to say things to her directly and honestly. Any insinuation that we might be conspiring behind her back would be very harmful for our rapport with her. Lets just… all be transparent about our perspectives, and hope that we can work with them from there.” Renveer nodded to himself, as if trying to assure himself that everything would work out.

Bethany nodded, “I got that sense from her that she likes things to be presented straight out, but some times captains prefer their senior officers to present their concerns or differing opinions in private. And I don’t know her well enough to know either way.”

The trill centered his gaze again on Gadi, at least mostly content with the extent of their conversation. “All three of us might have some growing pains in our new positions. But I have no doubt that we can support each other through it.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

“I’m sure there will be, Cmdr. But I hope that it won’t take too long. In the end I hope we will work together, smoothly, as a team.”

“I know you have many new responsibilities. And not to offend or over step, but I’m sure you don’t have all the time for sessions…I mean for.” Bethany took a deep breath. Better to just ask outright than beat around the bush. It wouldn’t create a seamless change if she did. “I’ll be taking over the counseling sessions, as the previous counselor how would you like to do that? To help the crew to transition to my care? Are there officers you want to continue to work with for awhile, or that we should meet with together? Anything I should know about anyone in particular and their care?”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer nodded in appreciation. “There are a couple junior officers that I have developed a close rapport with that I would like to continue seeing, at least until I am comfortable enough that they are ready to transition to a new support counselor. I’ll forward you their files after this meeting.”

“Lieutenant Reed… ‘Stores’, as he calls himself, is… a character.” Renveer smiled sheepishly. “But he’s a fine fellow, and he never gives as much trouble as it seems like he would. But given that he’s recently been promoted to our Chief Operations Officer, it might be a good idea to review his file more closely. All the other department heads seem to be pretty well put together… but I will make sure to pass along the junior officers of note as well.”

Renveer sighed and sunk, as if releasing a weight he had on his shoulders. “As for the crew in general… the Starfleet officers of the Dresden had been through much in a short time immediately before I arrived. Two particularly violent back-to-back missions left many of the crew either dead or grieving. To top it off, they were without a counselor during this crucial time. I was assigned to the Dresden to damage control that situation, and I think I have managed to get the crew mostly stabilized. But there are still those who are wary of counselors and avoid my attempts to engage. Maybe you will have better luck with those hold-out cases than I.” His gaze flickered regretfully at that. Clearly he had tried to do the best he could to help so many of the crew that were traumatized, but there was only so much he had been able to accomplish. Gadi was inheriting a difficult task, but Renveer also fully intended to help her manage it in his role as executive officer.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)


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