Gathering Intel the Counsellor’s way.

Posted on Tue Apr 29th, 2025 @ 8:03am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Price

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Chief Intelligence Officer’s Office

Having opted to start taking on some of her duties again, Sky made her way to see the new Chief Intelligence Officer. He hadn’t yet sent a request for a boarding evaluation so she thought she’d make the first move. Arriving at his office she paused and pressed the chime.

Ryan's morning had started off on the quiet side, the usual after action reports, damage reports from other ships even some reports from ground actions, most of which weren't the worst news just not the best news either. He'd managed to get breakfast from the replicator and was putting the dish back in for reprocessing when the chime rang out, Who now?

His question had been answered quickly as he opened the door, Humanoid-Vulcanoid maybe late twenties, possibly betazoid? ear shape is wrong for a Vulcan "Can I help you?"

Sky offered a warm smile. “I’m Sky Jansen-Carey, Chief Counsellor. I thought I’d take the time to drop in and introduce myself.”

Ryan froze "Ryan Price." something about the counsellor made him freeze in his tracks, "Is there something I can help you with?" he paused turning to face the new arrival.

“Actually I’m sure you know that new arrivals are required to submit themselves for a psych evaluation, I haven’t seen your request come through as yet?” Sky’s eyes rested on Ryan sensing his discomfort at her presence.

Ryan let a crooked smile out "There's an exemption for intel officers, much to many captains disliking I did a full debrief with a counsellor after my last assignment." Part Romulan...interesting

“I guess I can understand that, Intel officers do deal with a lot of sensitive information.” Sky smiled. “I, however, don’t like to leave any stone unturned so I’m going to insist on an evaluation anyway. I won’t be asking about any assignments or details that I’m not supposed to know.”

Ryan radiated some mild annoyance his first real flash of emotion, he removed his uniform jacket without realizing that the web of scars on his left arm would be fully visible too the counselor, the poorly removed tattoo was peaking out from the uniform t-shirt ask he spoke "What would you like to know?"

Sky took a seat making herself comfortable. “It’s obvious that you’re not comfortable with my presence, I’d be able to tell that without my senses. Perhaps you’d like to tell me more about your scars, or maybe the tattoo that used to be on your arm?”

Ryan narrowed his eyes, "Hand to hand combat with a Gorn raiding party and an unskilled medic, the rest is classified." he said flatly, the truth behind the tattoo was part of something that no living person would find out he hoped.

Sky nodded. “There’s obviously more to that, but if it’s beyond my level of classification then so be it. I am here to help those who need it, I’m not here to judge. What is said between myself and patients is protected by doctor, patient confidentiality.”

Ryan kept cool with what he said next "No one alive has the security clearence too know about it." he said in an almost frozen voice.

Sky was surprised by that statement, raising an eyebrow in an almost Vulcan fashion. “Fascinating.” She paused. “Tell me when was the last time you truly talked with a Counsellor? I mean actual talk, heartfelt and honest.”

Ryan looked her squarely in the eyes, "Outpost three three seven, Doctor Shayla McKenzie the resident psychologist, we played chess." which was one of the things he could be honest about. "I lost in twenty four moves."

“Chess? Seriously?” Sky smiled a wry smile. “Do you have a board? I’ve never played so you’ll need to teach me, but I can’t be too long or I’ll two very grumpy babies on my hands.”

"When things aren't too chaotic or if you have a babysitter I can run though some basics." he paused "Once you understand the basic moves, it becomes a case of knowing when and where to make the moves, knowing where to make a specific move versus taking control of the game and going in for the win only to risk a loss."

Sky nodded. “Sounds a little like Counselling difficult patients” she smiled a wry smile. “I get the distinct feeling you have met Counsellors that you haven’t liked or trusted before, I aim to change that.”

Ryan avoided the usual 'trust is earned' routine since this one clearly wanted into the inner sanctum of the dark world he'd lived in for a while, "You heard about me giving the captain a Jem’Hadar dagger?" he started "I've made it my goal to avoid a repeat of the story behind that knife." he said seeing if she would start to understand the reasoning.

“Actually I didn’t hear about that one” Sky gave Ryan an honest look. “I do have access to your file, but I prefer to get to know people for who they are rather than what a personnel file tells me. Could you give me the easiest version of the story?”

Ryan sat back "Commander Stoffels seems to have an unwarranted issue with me, even seemed to have this what could be called a delusion that the Dominion are going away like the borg did after Wolf three five nine, after being in fire fight after fire fight with the Jem’Hadar I'd accumulated a few of their daggers after each battle, including one I pulled out of my side." he said rubbing his right side unconsciously.

“Ouch!” Sky nodded. “I can only imagine what that must have been like. “As for Commander Stoffels you’ll need to give her some leeway I’m afraid, she’s been through a lot that I’m afraid I can’t go into. She’s a good Officer, and I’m not saying that because she’s a friend.”

Ryan paused making another mental note, "Unfortunately we're going to be staring at an unavoidable run-in with the Dominion before long I keep getting the impression that some of the crew are not ready, and it's got me scared."

Sky nodded. “Me and you both, Xavier has already told me if the threat becomes too dangerous he’ll have our children moved off ship.” She paused. “The problem is I can’t see them being any safer on a space station during a war.”

Ryan paused "The mandate might change about families being near the front lines, it might be wise to start making other arrangements with family."

Sky nodded. “Thanks for the heads up, if that’s what happens then I’ll see what happens to me when the time comes.”

"If this drags on much longer there'll be a few things that will happen." Ryan started "I'm surprised carrying sidearms hasn't been made madatory yet."

Sky nodded. “It’ll happen eventually no doubt, right now were classed as a medical ship not a warship.”

Ryan's head sunk, "There is the one thing I tried to explain to the XO, the Jem’Hadar don't differentiate between hospital ships and warships, they don't care."

Sky nodded. “That’s very true, they’re a warrior species from what I know of them.” She paused. “Have you faced off against any Jem’Hadar? What are they really like?”

Ryan reached back to his desk grabbing a specific pad off of his desk, "This is from a briefing package that everyone should have had by now." he handed it over and without looking began to speak from memory "The Jem’Hadar are the main foot soldier of the the Dominion, they average in appearance from one hundred fifty to one hundred seventy centimeters and approximately sixty kilograms, they are they are a genetically engineers soldier who don't require sleep or food." he paused looking at the counselor "They are chemically dependant on he drug Ketracel white."

He paused "Page four is the aftermath of Calondia four massacre." he waited patiently.

Sky turned to page four looking through the details, just the descriptions of the scene made her cringe. “My god….how do we face an enemy that kills in cold blood like this?”

Ryan sat back, his first thought was about someone finally listened, "We have to be smart, we have to learn, in the end we might need to find an upper hand."

Sky nodded. “As ship’s Counsellor it usually falls to me to help with research when needed, if you could keep me appraised with any necessary information I’d appreciate it. My security clearance is high enough for a certain level of disclosure.”

Ryan shrugged, "Most of the files except for some after action reports are all available for anyone to look over." He paused to reach for another pad "Starfleet had kept specific details of battles under wraps mostly due to security, but the security data from Deep Space nine and a few other engagements are on file."

Sky nodded. “In that case I have some studying to do. Thank you for talking to me Commander, I’ll let you get back to your duties.”

"No problem." Ryan said as he stood up.

Sky stood ready to leave. “It’s been nice getting to know you Commander, ohh and please arrange your psych evaluation when you have a free moment.” With that she turned to head on her way.

Ryan sat back in the chair trying to be casual, "I'll see what happens." he shifted slightly "Nice meeting you."