The Council of Counsellors: Part 2/2

Posted on Wed May 20th, 2026 @ 5:24pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Ember Locksley & Civilian Verity Thorne & Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez & Petty Officer 2nd Class Khlynt Medan
Edited on on Wed May 20th, 2026 @ 8:47pm

1,487 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Prologue: To Boldly Go
Location: Counselling Office
Timeline: En Route

Previously in Part 1...

"Yes, most people are all bright eyed and bushy tailed at the moment," Verity agreed with a soft chuckle, arching an eyebrow as he looked around the small group. "A few grey hairs from having to fix some last minute problems, but they got the job done."

Continued...


B'Lakkam mused about that in his mind. So what was the XO all worried over? "Can you tell me more about the last minute problems and how they were handled? You can tell me the ship gossip or interesting conversations afterwards."

Khlynt tilted his head a little bit as he looked at B'Lakkam, a look of amusement crossing his features, briefly, at the words. "About two dozen personnel files were unaccountable for," he said, shaking his head. "The records had not been received yet, and when we tried to access the Starfleet database we were informed we did not have the permissions...as someone had forgotten that the personnel had been assigned to this ship. Like all admin issues...I sent it to Operations to deal with," he said, reaching to adjust the cuffs of his shirt. "And they did. Commander Evans runs a good department."

"I shall have to meet Commander Evans," B'Lakkam confirmed. "Then again," he started pulling at his collar uncomfortably. "I am a bit behind on meeting everyone, so I will be doing a lot of that over the next few days. But, do, go on. Tell me more."

Khlynt looked over at Verity for a moment before he gestured to the viewport. "There are a few files flagged for review, standard...continued counselling. But to be honest, most of the work was to get through the senior staff before we departed, and preparing for the inspection...which I heard went well. I had not yet reported for duty..."

"It did," Ember assured with a soft chuckle, shaking her head as she thought back to the Holodeck adventure. "It was a joint training exercise with medical and science. We've also juggled some last minute changes of some higher ranking officers, so that can always make people feel a little off balance...just when you think you're settled, it changes. But it looks like we're fixed now."

"I'd rather say complete or filled up," B'Lakkam told Ember with an apologetic smile. "Fixed tends to imply that something was wrong and I don't think, based on what I am hearing that anything was wrong. It was just a bit discombobulated."

"Hectic," Khlynt said and tilted his head, watching B'Lakkam closely, almost...observing. "And fixed also means...fixed in place, a stability..." he moved his hand, a gentle and elegant gesture. "We are steady now."

"In a couple of days I'll be starting some groups for people to join," Verity offered with a small, half smile. He knew clubs and activities weren't everybody's thing, but a lot of people liked them, or just the community spirit they fostered. "A choir...a theatre group...a band or orchestra depending on the instruments we have among the crew...maybe a book club if we have enough readers...that sort of thing."

That was the second time that Khlynt's statement had caught B'Lakkam's notice. Was he trying to undermine him? The first time, B'Lakkam shrugged it off, but this time, when Khlynt made the point of continuing on about the word "fixed," now made B'Lakkam reconsider. Khlynt beared watching. "I hope to make certain that we stay on course," B'Lakkam told Khlynt, purposely not using the word "steady," in return. Let him chew on that.

Turning to Verity, B'Lakkam replied, "Those are really good ideas. It is really important to build a community." He then turned to the group, "Any other ideas?"

Khlynt looked at Verity, a small smile coming to him. He liked the ideas. But he had none to offer the group in that sense. He...had been a scientist once. Not an artist. "I am sure there are many talented people on this ship," he said, looking at B'Lakkam. "Perhaps therapeutic art or something like that."

"Perhaps, if someone needs it," B'Lakkam said thoughtfully. "Of course, we could just build an art class or art group if someone has some sort of expertiese...."

"That, unfortunately, is far outside of my skillset..." Verity admitted with a soft laugh, holding his hands up in capitulation. "But on my last ship, I managed to find someone to lead an art class, so I can do some investigating."

"Wonderful!" B'Lakkam exclaimed. He then asked seriously, "Are there any crew members that need continued counseling or have needs that you have observed?"

Khlynt looked at them before he gave a small smile. "There's a few," he said, his voice light. "I've taken Gabriel Stark on, and I would like to continue that," he added, not quickly, but there was weight in that. "...Constantin Vansen, Raine Ni-Ya, Azree Kar, Riaothren ch'Shaorhs, Kaelen Jax, Leon Inaros..." he gave a small, almost apologetic smile at having remembered the names. Not all flagged for needing counselling, but some could...certainly benefit from it. At least to have the offer.

"Certainly you should continue with Mr. Stark. I do not want to interfere in any established relationships," B'Lakkam answered. "Do any of the rest of you have any more names to add?"

"Not continued counselling necessarily, but certainly support," Ember mused, her chair swinging slightly from side to side as she thought on it. "Amari is on an exchange, so we should make sure she's not feeling isolated. Montague is dealing with illness. And there's Doctor Wylde and his child, they survived a devastating war...I don't think we'd even get near Wylde, but his son, maybe."

"Amari? Who is she? Exchange? And who is Montague and what kind of illness? Why don't you think that you can get near Wylde? And why is his son more willing?" B'Lakkam wondered as he rattled the questions quickly.

"She is an Engineer, on an exchange programme," Khlynt said as he watched B'Lakkam, the smile faded a little. "A non-Federation species. It can be difficult, to...feel part of it all. I don't think it is a bad thing to...keep in touch." He glanced over at Ember. "Montague has a chronic illness, I...glanced at the file, I don't have much more information. As for Wylde..." he paused, looking down. "He is stubborn and I suspect finds Starfleet counselling a waste of time. Laeon is...younger, has a more open mind. He may even enjoy the process. But..." he met B'Lakkam's eyes and held them. "With them, it is important we do not manipulate the situation. Laeon has a tendency to see through people's words to the heart of them."

"What do you mean by that?" B'Lakkam asked. "Is Laeon empathic, telepathic, or just particularly insightful?"

"Perhaps a little of both, we're not sure yet," Ember shook her head, pulling the file up on her PADD. "Their people develop talents, but we don't know if Laeon has developed his yet, he's still young by their standards. As for Amari...I would like to make sure she doesn't struggle with homesickness while she's here."

"Good advice, Ember. I suppose I will have to meet with both of them, being rather careful with Laeon," B'Lakkam concluded.

"Yes," Khlynt gave a small smile, watching B'Lakkam. Ah, to be a witness to the exchanges between Alexion and this man. It would be a delight. "And I am sure that between the four of us...we will make sure that the crew's mental health needs are well taken care of."

B'Lakkam once again considered Khlynt's behavior and decided that the two of them would have to have a talk at some point. There was something about him that just bothered B'Lakkam. "Well, if there's nothing else, I suppose that we can end this meeting. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to meet with me."

Khlynt nodded and stood, watching the man closely before he gave a small smile. "I look forward to working with you, Counsellor Slichez," he said, meaning it. It certainly would be interesting.

B'Lakkam gave Khlynt a small nod dismissing him.

Ember glanced between them, sensing...something crackling in the air between them. She nodded lightly, smiling as she took to her feet. "Gentlemen," she nodded to them each before letting herself out.

Verity hadn't noticed the slight frost. Instead, he was thinking about the kind of man the new Chief seemed to be as he stood and gave his goodbyes. Breezy, bright, optimistic. It was shaping into a great team. The breadth of experience across the board would be a pleasure to work with.

TBC:

Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez
Chief Counselor
USS Fenrir

Dr. Ember Locksley
Counsellor
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Blake)

Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Blake)

PO2 Khlynt Medan
Counsellor
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Hanlon)

 

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