The Vulcan Counselor

Posted on Sun Feb 16th, 2025 by Captain James Cohen & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu

1,072 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: M01 - The Hooke
Location: Captain's Ready Room, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

James continued to spend time in his office trying to get everything exactly the way he wanted it. This was his first command and he didn't have many things that really belonged in his office yet. Many Captains across the Federation had things from their career, so James put some of the things from his time as an Executive Officer in his office.

He hadn't heard the chime nor did he notice the door behind him opening and closing. James turned to see a Vulcan officer standing behind him and it startled him a bit. "Oh..." He said, "You must be the ship's counselor?"

Aval nodded, "Sorry for disturbing you Captain, the computer said you were in here and I pressed the chime a few times. You didn't answer and I got a little worried sir."

James frowned, "I got distracted," He said and indicated the chair across from his desk. "Please sit down." He then slipped behind his desk and took a seat there. James had spent some time reviewing some of the personnel files for his senior officers. That was about as far as he'd gotten before the process of setting up his ready room had started.

"It's all right sir," Aval remarked and sat down across from the ship's Captain. "I just wanted to take the time to come up here before I started getting my own office set up. It's customary to meet the Commanding Officer when transferred to a new vessel, or so I've been told."

James nodded, "It is." He remarked. James knew little about his ship's counselor beyond the fact that she was perhaps the youngest Vulcan he'd ever met or interacted with. "Most of the crew is relatively new so you may have your work cut out for you Counselor."

Aval shrugged, "I can handle it." She told him confidently. "I understand this is your first command Captain?"

"Yes," James told her. He'd picked up on the confidence from the moment she'd walked into the room. "You're also perhaps the first Vulcan I've met that chose the psychology and counseling route. I'm curious, and I hope you don't take offense to this, as to how you came to the conclusion to become a counselor?"

Aval assumed it was best to be honest with her Captain, this was her first ship and her first assignment as the senior counselor. "It began as a social experiment sir." She told him, "I've long been fascinated by the human need to express themselves. It may come across as somewhat strange to you sir, but in the process of my experimentation I developed a fondness for understanding the emotional state of others."

"Because of the Vulcan need to repress their emotions?" James asked her.

"Yes," Aval answered with a nod, "Vulcan children are taught at a young age how to repress their emotions. I found it challenging at first to understand emotions and empathy during the early portions of my studies. I assumed it was only logical to continue my studies though."

"It's certainly intriguing," James told her. "As a scientist myself I can certainly relate to the need and drive to gain more knowledge and insight." He found Aval to be an interesting person given her upbringing. "What did your family say when you chose this path?"

Aval shrugged, "They seemed to see the logic behind my ideas." She told him. "Regardless, I promise that I'm not going to continue to pursue the same path of experimentation. I'm here to do a specific job and that is to help the crew through any emotional trauma they may suffer. And, to offer insights that you may require from me."

"I'm glad to hear it," James told her. "I don't know how others may react if they found out you were experimenting on them." He then chose to change the subject slightly. "How was your trip to the ship?"

"I came from Earth sir," Aval told him, "I found my trip to not be overly terrible. The shuttle pilot seemed to be quite knowledgeable anyway." She answered somewhat dryly. "My belongings were in my assigned quarters too, I just have to unpack them. But I'm sure that will be a sentiment felt across the entire ship."

James nodded, "Certainly," He told her. "If you wouldn't mind I do have a small side project I would like you to tackle when you get the chance."

"Side project Captain?" Aval asked.

James leaned forward, "I would like for you to begin analyzing the psychological profiles of all the crew. That way we're prepared if anything weird should happen."

Aval was rather curious about what he meant by the word weird. "Is there something specific you are looking for sir?"

"Just a baseline profile," James told her. "If you need to sit down and talk to the crew in order to gather that information then that is fine as well. I don't have an exact time table on when I want this task to be done. But, if you could have it ready to go by the first week that would be good."

Aval nodded, "I don't think I'll have to sit down with each individual member of the crew. I'll just pull their psychological profiles from my console and if I have any questions then I can address them. Is there anything else you'll need from me initially?"

James considered the question for a moment, "No," He told her. "I think that's everything I'll need for now. Beyond that simply making sure the crew's basic psychological needs are met. If you need any help I'll see if there is someone I can assign to help you with it."

Aval shook her head, "I don't think I'll need any help. There aren't that many personnel on board. Even if you count the civilians on the ship the complement isn't that large. Is there anything else?"

James shook his head, "No I think that's it." He stood up, "It was nice meeting you Counselor I look forward to working with you."

"You too Captain," Aval said. She stood up and departed from his office without saying another word.

James watched her go, soon finding himself all alone in his office. "That'll keep her busy for a while." He said under his breath. James didn't care much for counselor's but Starfleet insisted that he have one on his ship. He just didn't expect a Vulcan.

 

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