The Counsellor Is In

Posted on Mon May 4th, 2026 @ 12:47am by Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez

2,540 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Behind the Curtain
Location: Captain's Office
Timeline: En Route

ON:

Blake set the lukewarm coffee down on her desk, sighing as she looked over the PADD that contained the file of the new Chief Counsellor. The brass were cutting it fine with this particular reassignment...finer than she would have liked. Still, so long as she had the right people in the right place by the time they reached their destination, it was all that mattered.

She tapped the screen to get to the next page of his file...before pausing. "Huh..." she said out loud to herself. She had never met an Orion with a blue skin tone before. Intriguing.

Blake was able to get a good sense of him from what had been written, but as always, she had booked in a meeting with the new crew member. She always found out more about a person by hearing about them in their own words. She would do her best to remain impartial though. As an ex-counsellor herself, she still found it hard to resist getting more involved in the department than she should.

Due to the Captain having scheduled an appointment, B'Lakkam had met with the XO first. He was not entirely certain how he felt about the XO at this moment; however, he knew that somehow that they would find a way to get along. If there was something that B'Lakkam had learned from all of his wanderings, it was how to blend. Right now, his first objective was to meet as many people as possible. Then, he would befriend them. Once he settled into his day to day affairs and he had gained the confidence of the command staff and crew, then he could resume his search surreptitiously.

He wondered about the Captain. Making an appointment was something that a counselor would do. However, he had not read anyone's dossier's before appearing on the rushed transfer, so he had little idea of what that Captain might be like. When the appointed hour came, he rang the chime and after being welcomed in, entered.

From what B'Lakkam could tell, the Captain must be about his age, which was somewhat surprising. Most people did not reach Captaincy at their age. Therefore, he rationalized that she must be quite astute or have some specialized training. He wondered which, or whether it was both. Her blue eyes drew him in. He knew that humans had them as well, but subconsciously they reminded him of Orion. Pulling himself away from staring, he said, "Good day, Captain. I am Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez, reporting for duty."

"Come in, Lieutenant, take a seat," Blake assured as she stood to greet him, taking the chance to subtly stretch her lower back. She'd take a running track over a desk any day of the week. She was now even more certain she'd never met an Orion with a blue skin tone now that she'd seen him in the flesh. She'd never seen such light hair on one before either, and she briefly wondered if it was natural and only appeared with that skin hue amongst his people. She would never not be curious about other cultures, even if she had to focus on bigger pictures now. "Can I get you anything? My coffee's reached the point of no return..." she lamented, catching hold of her cup to recycle before ordering a new one.

"Let me he see...." he said pondering the subject. "I already had a ginger beer with your XO...." He thought a bit more on the subject. "How about a black lemon fizz iced tea, if you don't mind?" he asked while the Captain was offering. "Though, I do feel as I should be serving you, not the other way around," he offered with a small chuckle, watching the Captain and her movements for any signs of anything unusual. He doubted that he would see anything but studying her never hurt for at least getting a baseline.

Scarlet gave a slight chuckle at the words, shaking her head lightly as she set the glass down in front of him before retaking her own seat. "My pips aren't heavy enough to stop me carrying a glass yet," she assured, a small smile of amusement pulling at her lips. "Why don't you tell me about yourself, Slichez?"

The open ended question. The question that every counselor and captain asked to see how much someone would give away about themselves and find areas to pick apart to discuss strengths and weaknesses. It was a sound strategy and one that he had employed numerous times. Well, perhaps some humor would defuse any bombs and help him get off the topic of himself more quickly and perhaps onto the Captain and what she expected from him.

"Well, I was born Andorian, went to Betelgeuse, and they took exception to my antennae, so now I pose as a blue orion," he replied with a small laugh. He then shrugged and continued, "I really was raised on a Betelgeusian colony and their philosophies have had a large impact on the way that I think. I attended their psychological universities and did my residency there, as well, before deciding to join Starfleet. You see, I wanted to see more of the universe, than a colony, and mental patients, while entertaining, can get a bit repetitive after awhile," he finished with an easy smile. "So, after a couple of ships, here I am."

Blake had chuckled softly at the opener, watching him intently all the same. He was clearly a natural at putting people at ease. That wasn't always a given for a counsellor, despite expectations. "That's understandable...you wouldn't be alone in joining the fleet to see the universe. Has it impressed so far?"

"I have to say that I have not been bored. Space seems to throw all sorts of unexpected traumas at Starfleet members," he replied with an apologetic shrug. "While I do enjoy helping beings, I certainly would not mind being put out of business."

"I can understand that conundrum," Blake nodded, deciding it was time to be honest with him. "I used to be a counsellor, then Chief...and from there, First Officer," she explained quietly before sipping her coffee, appreciating the bitter heat. "So I get it. It...also means that I can often be...drawn into the department's goings on. I won't mean to," she arched an eyebrow with a small, apologetic smile. "You should feel free to tell me you have it under control if you feel like I'm looking over your shoulder."

"Really?" B'Lakkam replied interested. "A Chief Counselor who then became Captain? Why did you choose to do that and leave the 'field,' so to speak?" He sipped on his black lemon fizz iced tea, patiently waiting for an answer.

Blake took a deep breath as she thought on the question, wanting to give him an honest answer rather than a stock response. "I always had ambition within my career. I was in the marines before any of that. So I'm comfortable with rank and structure. And...a counsellor becoming a First Officer seemed a sensible step...they're used to offering advice, seeing the other side of the coin. I also enjoy helping other officers achieve their goals," she motioned lightly to him. "And still do. So any ambitions or goals of your own, you should let us know."

Interesting. First marines, then Starfleet.... That's quite the change. I wonder if I should ask about that. She makes it sounds like her entire career was planned from the moment she was born, but it almost sounds like being a counselor was a step to achieving her goals, not necessarily to assist first. It was not a calling, perhaps. Things to think about. "I've reached one of my goals just getting here. I suppose that I will figure out my next ambitions and goals as time goes on. Right now, I am just happy to be here," he responded casually. All true. I will have time to set up and then figure out how to use my position to potentially find Lucy. Time to get to know people first.

"And do you have any specialties? Or areas that are of particular interest?" Blake asked as she sat back, watching him with her usual calm gaze. Again, she was more interested in what he would pick out rather than what someone else had said about him.

"I am rather magical," B'Lakkam answered with an amused smile. "Would you like me to produce some latinum from behind your ears? Or, perhaps you would like me to do some card tricks?"

Blake chuckled softly, giving a slow blink to the colourful words as she shook her head. "At work," she added, knowing he understood full well.

"Well, Captain, if you insist, but I assure you that the side job is a lot more amusing and fun...." He shrugged his shoulders as if to tell her that it was her loss but that was alright because she would get another chance to have fun with him. He started with a slight bit of dramatic tone, "If you must know," before changing to a more serious tone that got more serious as he progressed, his eyes turning from a bright blue to steel in color. "I am particularly interested in ridding the universe of xenophobia. It should go without saying that *I* am a blue orion. However, that does not make me a pirate, does it? Yet, what is the first thing that most people think when they hear, 'Orion,' 'Vulcan,' 'Ferengi'? I bet you could spout it off in time to each one of those quickly. It is a disservice to what the Federation represents."

His eyes lightened as he switched topics and continued, "I'm a clinical psychologist by trade and I specialized in assisting those with mental disorders."

Blake nodded with full understanding. They had come so far since the early era of the Federation, and even since the war, but there was always more to improve and learn. She approved of his vision and ambitions. "Be sure to reserve time to research and develop ideas and programs. You have a team of counsellors to take some of the therapy load, to give you some time back."

"I am looking forward to meeting them and seeing what their skill sets are," B'Lakkam replied earnestly.

Blake tilted her head with approval, taking the chance to sip her coffee before it cooled down too much for her taste. "Do you have any questions for me?" she offered him the chance to take the floor.

"Such an open ended question, Captain.... That leaves so much room for so many things and as I'm certain that you know, a counselor is never out of questions." B'Lakkam responded with humor in his voice. "We've talked so much about work and careers, what can you tell me about you as a person?" B'Lakkam knew that so many decisions were formed not by the career but the person behind the rank. After all, impressions and biases came from the basic being of who they were.

Blake set her cup down lightly, the question surprising her a little...although, perhaps it shouldn't have. He was a counsellor, after all, being curious about other people was literally his job. She just wasn't used to people asking it anymore. "I'm here with my daughter, Lily," she turned the photo frame enough for him to see the picture of a 7 year old girl with the same dark hair and blue eyes that she had. "I moved from the Marines to the regular fleet when she came into my life. At this point, Starfleet is as much a home to her as me."

B'Lakkam said nothing when Blake put down her cup and smiled when he saw the photo. "She looks like a happy girl. Has your eyes," B'Lakkam observed. "Does Lily have a father? Where is he? I assume that he is not on this ship based on your phrasing."

Blake's eyes cooled and her body became just a touch more rigid despite her already military style posture. "No," she replied simply, offering no further explanation. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Well, I certainly hit a nerve there. We've gone from friendly to downright icy. Better find a way to end this on a much better note. "Well, Captain, I was getting rather curious whether I could dress in a revealing skin tight outfit or whether I had to stay in uniform on duty, but I could just leave that in your discretion for another time, right?"

Blake quirked an eyebrow, some of the frost thawing a little with the whimsical comment. "Uniforms in meetings and official functions, but alternatives for therapy are fine...well, respectable alternatives, at least," she added the last in response to the lighter tone he had struck.

"Well, Captain, if you insist," he replied with an amused tone. "But I was so looking forward to wearing thigh highs and high heels like that person from that ancient Earth movie.... What was it called? Rocky Horror? I was told at the Academy that it was something everyone had to watch."

Blake arched an eyebrow but shook her head slowly from side to side. "I literally have no idea what you're talking about..." she admitted openly, never having heard of it. But then, she hadn't grown up on Earth. She'd been space borne most of her life. "If there's nothing else? You're free to get back to it."

"Huh!" B'Lakkam exclaimed regarding the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie. "Maybe it was something the particular group of cadets I met felt was important." He thought for a moment, "If I knew you better, I might have an idea of whether or not you would like to see it, but we can learn more about each other at another time, I suppose." It was obvious he hit a sore subject at the Captain seemed ready to be rid of him. "Perhaps lunch some time?" he asked as he rose from his chair.

Blake watched him for a moment as she stood, hands clasped behind her back as her eyes softened again. "That would be good. We should speak often," she replied honestly.

"I would like that," B'Lakkam replied earnestly. "I am sorry that I touched upon something that is obviously painful. I hope that you can tell me more about it when you are more comfortable with me," he told Blake with a soft, warm smile. "In the meantime, I should probably let you be."

Blake nodded in acceptance of all that he said, walking him to the door. "Welcome aboard, Counsellor. I'm sure you'll do good work here."

B'Lakkam again noticed the lack of a verbal acknowledgement as he started to walk out of the Captain's office. There was a lot of pain there. However, she seemed to have faith in him and wanted to speak more. It was a good start. Once they were on good terms, he could surreptitiously start his search again for Lucy.

OFF:

Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez
Chief Counselor
USS Fenrir

Commander Scarlet Blake
Commanding Officer
USS Fenrir

 

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