Joint Log | CO & Cns/Dip | Capt. Carpenter & Lt. Odan | "Discussing Dinners"

Posted on 241403.19 @ 4:43pm by Captain Eric Carpenter & Lieutenant Orson Odan MD, PsyD

Mission: Where no man has gone before.

= Captain's Private Dining Room =

With all these meals and interviews, it was a wonder Eric was getting any work done! Dinner with his Vulcan counselor/diplomatic officer. This one was definitely of interest to Eric, given that Vulcan's generally didn't enter the counselling field, as emotions were illogical, and they didn't really open themselves up for comforting people. Diplomacy he could get, some of the best ambassadors had been Vulcans... but counselling?

Orson had made his way to the dining room after his encounter with the Klingon in the corridor and was a little flustered. Was he supposed to have brought something? Was that the done thing? He didn't know, or have time to rectify the situation. Feeling as nervous as a small child on their first day of school he ruffled his hair attempting to make it look more normal, it didn't work. Giving up, he pressed the chime and waited.

The steward opened the door in a now well rehearsed drill. Eric was a little taken aback by this new arrival, who clearly wasn't the man he was expecting to show up. For starters, he wasn't a Vulcan, but a Trill. "Good evening Lieutenant, can I help you?"

"No, yes... I suppose so" Orson said not exactly sure who to address. Deciding the Captain was probably the best bet he turned to face him after flitting his gaze between the two. "It's regarding Lieutenant Vanik, I... err, relieved him of duty because he was suffering from depression and a psychotic break, probably as a result of the bizarre Ponn-Far experience with his closest friend, she served on his last ship... anyway, I spotted this on Earth and made a comment to someone. Word spread and before I knew it, I was ordered here to perform an assessment... which he failed and confirmed my diagnosis, he was removed before departure. Quite brilliant really, a cursory glance proving to be right. You just have to know what to look for".

Orson was digressing and could feel the irritation of the Captain growing. "To cut a long story short sir, Starfleet Command assigned me in his place. I know he was your first choice - but I don't think you'll be displeased with my service jacket" he added taking a PADD with the transfer orders out. "I have considerably more experience than Lieutenant Vanik in both the fields of counselling and diplomatic services, although I don't believe my file was ever passed to you for consideration the first time round... there was an incident… with an Admiral..." he concluded.

Eric narrowed his eyes somewhat at this rambling officer, mostly because affairs regarding his chief personnel had been conducted completely without his or his XO's knowledge. "You'd better come in, Lieutenant." He said. "You'll have plenty of time to explain all this over dinner, that I was supposed to be having with Lieutenant Vanik. I trust you'll explain, in exquisite detail, why both myself and my first officer were not consulted on this prior to you and god knows who else, deciding on the placement of personnel aboard my ship."

“Yes, certainly” Orson said walking into the room and awkwardly sitting at the seat indicated by the Steward. “Well, I cannot comment why Starfleet Personnel didn’t properly inform you of the change of staffing, I imagine it had something to do with the timing of things. It all happened moments before the ship launched. I appreciate it would be frustrating though” he said reading the expression on the Captain’s face and passing him the PADD containing the transfer authorization and his own personnel file.

“I guess I can start at the beginning if you wish?” Orson added.

"Well, that would be a logical starting place." Eric said, as he tucked himself in under the table. "Starting at the end would be most unhelpful. As for Starfleet personnel - since the civilian authorities took charge of personnel, nothing surprises me more."

Orson mused at the comment and decided to treat the encounter as a therepy session. If only Kellian had come with him, she would know how to handle this. He was, however, alone in this instance. “Sometimes it is important to know the ending to put the start into context… but as you wish” he said.

“My name is Orson Odan I am a Starfleet Lieutenant and a fully certified psychiatrist and anthropological psychologist. In addition to that, I am a qualified and recognised mediator and diplomat. Past duties of note include providing counselling duties to the Secretary of State for Culture during his rather public divorce and mediating peace treaties and first contacts all across the fringe regions of the Alpha and Beta quadrants, focusing extensively on the cluster worlds near the war-torn Xenexian region of space to name a few. I am one of the best in my field and therefore my opinion was often listened to at Starfleet Medical”. He paused allowing the context of the situation to sink in and save the Captain the time of flicking through his service record.

“Lieutenant Vanik, esteemed in his own right I’m sure, passed me in the corridors and I merely commented that he was suffering from depression and about to experience a psychotic break. I could tell by the way he carried himself. This got around to senior staff at Starfleet Medical who ordered an immediate psychiatric assessment to determine if Lieutenant Vanik was fit for duty. I arrived onboard, performed the assessment and confirmed my diagnosis. As I said, the Ponn-Far experience he had left him shaken and his half-Human side was taking over. Dangerous for a Vulcan who doesn’t typically allow emotions into his psyche. Starfleet Medical relieved him of duty and… despite some personal feelings of a certain Admiral towards me they realised there was no one else of greater or equal skill and qualification to place onboard the Enterprise… which is why I am here. As for why Personnel or Medical didn’t tell you, I couldn’t begin to guess” Orson concluded.

"Probably couldn't be arsed." Eric replied, allowing his Londoner accent to sneak out. "In any case, you're here now, and there's no sense punishing you. You have a job to do, same as the rest of us, and I'd rather have someone than not. I assume you would prefer to pass on the Vulcan cuisine my steward prepared, and partake in something else?"

“I imagine so… people can often be forgetful though during times of high stress and let’s face it, Earth has not been short of high stress situations”. Orson wanted to comment at the Captain’s next sentence and wondered if Kellian had been here he would have acted differently. “I wouldn’t want to put him to any trouble… but yes, I think we would both probably prefer something non-Vulcan”.

"Its his job, I doubt he'll voice his objections if he has any, will you Steven?" Eric smirked.

"No sir, it might be that the Lieutenant will have a replicated meal sir." The Steward said, as if this was the most offensive thing in the world to him. "What would you like, sir?" He directed his question to Odan.

“Oh, um… well… hmm”. Orson wished for an explosion, an incident or something to bring the situation to an end. ‘Oh Kellian, where are you’ he thought to himself as he mused the question. He could tell the Steward was offended and rightly so. “I would be fine with whatever you’ve already prepared, honestly” he offered diplomatically with an awkward smile.

"Vulcan Plomeek soup it is then sir." The Steward said, and walked back into the galley.

"Brave of you, Lieutenant." Eric said. "Very acquired taste that."

“A previous host was quite fond of it if I remember correctly. Or did they hate it? I don’t remember… I guess we’ll find out!” he commented cheerfully and relaxing a little bit. “I hope the loss of Lieutenant Vanik on your senior staff isn’t too much of a problem, I know you had hand selected all your department heads” he added knowing full well this topic was the proverbial elephant in the room.

"I think its more the fact that I wasn't consulted at any stage that annoys me more, Lieutenant." Eric said. "If Vanik had a psychological condition, it was best he got help before we ended up spending months in deep space, away from help. You made the right decision, and I'm sure you're suitably qualified for the role. Truth be told, Vanik was my choice because he was the best of the candidates submitted to me for the joint billet. You are right in your assumption that you were not on the shortlist - but from your dossier just now, I'm sure you'll be more than suitable."

Orson nodded “I can appreciate that Captain, if I had been in the same situation I am sure I would have felt quite the same way. As for Vanik, while it is a shame he needed help otherwise yes, it would have been a problem. You would have seen an emotional Vulcan which while I appreciate sounds novel, would have made him very violent and unstable”. Orson paused “yes, I didn’t imagine to be… like I said, incident with an Admiral” he added. “Well, if Vanik’s service record impressed you, then mine will hopefully do so too, I’ve been doing this a lot longer than the young Vulcan” he added realising this was an odd comment considering his youthful appearance. “Context would probably help there I imagine… I’m part El-Aurian as well as the host to a very old symbiont” he flustered.

"So the best of all possible worlds then." Eric said. "El-Aurian's are great at getting people to talk - perfect for a counselor."

“Known as a race of listeners, yes” Orson added with a nod. “I consider myself a psychiatrist by design, a diplomat by accident” he added. “But the two often go hand-in-hand”. He paused wondering if it was appropriate to talk shop “I understand from the records Vanik left in his office that the CMO believed a number of junior officers were displaying a need for counselling sessions, I imagine there is a level of anxiety about performance onboard a ship with such a legacy overshadowing their every move. I will schedule in group appointments for anyone that needs it. That is... err, also open to yourself should you wish not to say I think you need it. How could I, We've not spoken much” he added as to how the CO was coping with the pressures of this particular command but knowing he had probably put his foot in it even more. 'Oh Kellian, you should be here helping!' he cried internally.

"I did submit a recommendation to Vanik that he should spend some time with Lieutenant Commander Rhodes, the Chief Engineer. He doesn't seem quite right to me, and he was checked out by the CMO, and she gave him a clean bill of health. I'd still like a psychiatric evaluation." Eric said, ignoring the comment that he himself should seek counselling. What utter nonsense. He was in perfect physical and mental health.

"Very well. Was there any reason in particular you believe the chief engineer to be 'not quite right'" he said quoting the Captain's choice of words. Orson mused, the Captain like most people, avoided the subject when it came to their own mental health. This made him smile and decided to leave it for now but made a mental note. Perhaps the Captain was insecure, would make sense.

"I had dinner with him the other night, and he'd received an injury, that caused him to have a temporary moment of loss of nerve control. He dropped his fork, and went completely blank, then carried on as if nothing had happened. Also, his attitude towards work-place safety did strike me as somewhat... cold... and callous."

"He dropped a fork... so you believe him mad" he summarised. The amazing insight people had into the pop psychology of something as complex as the human mind never ceased to amaze him. "Brilliant" he muttered to himself. "I shall arrange an appointment, I'm sure there will be nothing to worry about, those symptoms don't often result in someone being unfit for duty. But, if he is overly reckless in his attitude you will know in a full report within twenty four hours sir" he added. Orson made another mental note, never drop a fork in front of the Captain.

"I was worried for his health, Lieutenant." Eric said, with a worrying bite to his tone. "It was not just the fork incident, it was how he reacted, and his general attitude thereafter. If you're not going to take my concerns seriously, you can get on a shuttle back to Earth this evening. Is that clear, Lieutenant?"

"I, err, yes... I suppose so" Orson flustered. "Of course if that were to happen you'd be left without a Counsellor and Diplomat with no chance of a replacement beng anywhere close to my level of expertise". 'SHUT UP ODAN' he yelled in his mind. 'Oh Kellian, you have a lot to answer for leaving me in this mess' he thought. "I take your concerns onboard, if there is anything troubling the Chief Engineer I will not only find out what it is, but attempt to treat it and let you know the results... sir, Captain" he finished wishing this mess would be over.

The plates of food arrived at last, and Eric glowered over the table to his new senior officer. "You know Lieutenant, there's an old English parable I'd like you to remember - when one is in a hole, one should stop digging. I trust you take my meaning."

Orson mused the comment as the plates arrived and mouthed a 'thank you' to the Steward. "This is very true sir, but then there is also an Earth saying along the lines which goes good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. So if you stop digging before you learn the decision was bad, you will never learn the difference". Orson liked these sorts of games. Games of wit. "Of course, there was one interesting point from earlier; you failed to acknowledge the invitation for counselling yourself. Now that either means I should be concerned because you carried on as normal and want to avoid frank discussion or accept that as part of your character. Which would you go with if you were me?" he asked in a friendly tone and ate some of the soup in front of him. No, he didn't like it. That was the niggling thing from earlier; it was that he hated Vulcan cuisine. Refusing to admit that, however, he carried on regardless.

"I have enough ghosts in my past that I'm quite happy to leave there, Mister Odan." Eric said. "I am not against counselors, nor will I avoid them, but I have spent a lot of time with them in recent years, and I'm damned if I'll go seeking the experience again."

Orson realised he may have touched a nerve, but perhaps a healthy one to pursue at another time. It was clear the Captain was troubled, but then who wasn't really? "Very well sir, my door is always open should you ever decide otherwise" he concluded turning back to the bright orange soup before him. Sighing he took another mouthful. "So, I... err... I'm not exactly up to speed, what is our assignment? It's an unusual request to have a diplomacy trained officer onboard".

"We're exploring, Mister Odan." Eric said. "Plenty of first contact missions and diplomatic situations. A properly trained staff was ideal for this, rather than relying on me."

"AH!" Orson exclaimed perhaps a little too over-excited at the prospect. "Oh, it's nice to see Starfleet going back to its roots and breaking through all the conflict to explore new worlds and meet new races, there's still so much out there! So much we can learn".

"Agreed." Eric said, finally glad to be on a mutually accepted topic of conversation.

Orson nodded as he stared at the soup that was left in the bowl. He sighed to himself and took another mouthful. ‘God it was disgusting’ he thought. Who had liked this stuff? Had one of his previous hosts? He’d talk to them about that later. ‘God this was disgusting’ he thought again before realising there had now been a few moments of awkward silence. A place, where outside of his job, he frequented oh so very often. “So which part of the universe is the ship currently pointed in?” he asked “I can revise some general language syntaxes and customs of particular regions which may be applicable if we run into any nearby, previously undiscovered species – there is often some similarities” he continued rather excited at the prospect.

It had not escaped Eric's notice that his guest was clearly not enjoying his soup, but for the life of him, he just found himself not caring all that much. "We're going to explore further out into the Alpha Quadrant, and head off where the other Enterprise's left off." He said. "Lots of space unexplored out there."

"Ah yes. Yes, very good. Lots of interesting cultures discovered that way. Fascinating languages too - complex syntax" he mused. "Are you a languages person?" he asked not really knowing all too much about the Captain and his background.

"Not really. I know how to swear in Klingon, but that's about it." Eric said.

“Ah, right, yes…” Orson laughed nervously unsure if the Captain was making a joke or being serious. “I guess that’s the way with most, languages are mostly left to the technology these days” he added. “Well, the soup was, err… lovely” he forced looking down at the empty bowl thankful it was now done and empty.

"You lie terribly." Eric said. "You hated that soup."

"Hmm, yes, probably am. Farin is... was an excellent liar. Made a living out of it, guess that hasn't been passed to me. Oh... he was the third Odan host" Orson explained. "The soup was quite disgusting. Not to say the chef did a bad job, I'm sure it's a prime example of Plomek soup, that is to say... all Plomek soup is quite repulsive" he blurted out.

"Next time, just ask for something you want." Eric sighed.

"Hmm, yes, yes a very good idea" Orson agreed. "I didn't know at the time of course we didn't like it. Problems of being a joined Trill". Hoping this ordeal was now over and more importantly he would never have to have such an awkward dinner again he wondered if it was now over.

It was.

"Well, thank you for a delightful evening, Mister Odan. I look forward to working with you." He said, without adding 'as little as possible'.

"Hmm yes... quite" Orson said secretly rejoicing that this nightmare of a dinner was over. "And, you know, should you change your mind about therepy, the door is always open!" he added enthusiastically getting up from the chair and half falling over it as he tripped to the doorway. "Ah, um... yes. Quite" he muttered. "Thank you for dinner Captain, it was most interesting".

"Good night, Lieutenant." Eric said, making sure the door closed the moment the man was out through it. "What an exasperating man."

= End Log =

Captain Eric Carpenter
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise
NCC-1701-F

&

Lieutenant Orson Odan
Chief Counsellor/Diplomatic Officer
USS Enterprise
NCC-1701-F