What a Tangled Web

Posted on Mon Jul 11th, 2011 @ 1:42am by Ensign Evelyn Sol & Lieutenant JG Dylan Tyler
Edited on on Mon Jul 11th, 2011 @ 1:58am

Mission: Kingdom Come
Location: Chief Tactical Office - Phaser Array Console, Main Engineering
Timeline: Just after leaving Space Dock

Dylan could not believe the audacity. Didn't this woman know that he had an entire tactical staff to run. Granted, she had to meet with the senior staff at least once, but right now? Dylan was still trying to scrape up the pieces of the tactical department after his predecessor's hasty departure.

"Lieutenant, Counselor Sol is here to see you," the intercom interjected Dylan's thoughts. He has made quite a valiant effort not to see her, and never without just cause. Fazers needing to be realligned, tactical protocols being updated, not to mention going over the personnel files that have not been properly updated by his predecessor. However, it seems that the woman is more tenacious than he gave her credit for.

"I'm awfully busy right now, have her come back later," Dylan said resuming his reports

Hearing the reply Evelyn sighed and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Evelyn had read the Lieutenant's personnel file and was pretty sure he was dodging her. For someone who is a protocol stickler he sure was putting off reporting to the new ships counselor for a standard evaluation. This wasn't all that uncommon in Star Fleet though. No one wants to see the shrink.

For a moment Evelyn pondered leaving and trying, once again, to get the Lt down to her office. But after so many failed attempts she was inclined to have this meeting one way or another. Perhaps once he met her and they chatted he might have a different view on counseling.

Evelyn smiled kindly at the Ensign who had informed Lt. Tyler of her presence and gestured at the panel she used, "May I?" Without waiting for a response she engaged the comm. "I understand that you are busy Lt. but we cant very well put this off forever. We both have a job to do here, I promise to make it as quick and painless as possible."

Dylan turned to the intercom at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. "Quick" and "Painless" were two adjectives he would never have used to describe the therapy he had undergone as a child. After his father's death, it was always a game of wills. Unfortunately for his childhood psychiatrists, Dylan's will could match that of a Klingon. However, none of his previous counselors had been Vulcan. Though this woman was only half, and he would never admit this to a living soul, it frightened him of what she might uncover about himself.

By all exterior shows, he was a young man who, though mournful to a point about his father, had adapted quite well despite it. No one knew the hatred that he had for his father for his act of recklessness that cost his mother her husband and Dylan his father. All because he did not follow a direct order given to him by his captain.

"Counselor, I do apologize for the appearance that I am putting you off, but I have a lot of things that I am trying to get done. With this business with the Nevarrans and the fact that I was thrown into this department head position with no warning, I am trying to get caught up. I was actually getting ready to do a Level 1 Analysis on our targeting sensors, it could be a couple of hours before I'm available," Dylan said, deciding that the woman would most likely camp outside of his office. He gathered his supplies to do the diagnostic. One hadn't been done since he became a lieutenant, now was as good a time as any to do it.

Evelyn sighed deeply and poised her hands carefully on her hips. This was going to be harder than she thought. What in the universe could be so bad that he went to these lengths to avoid a standard evaluation? Oh well, it looks like she would be doing a Level 1 analysis on targeting sensors for the first time since the Academy. She waited patiently for the office door to open and met the Lieutenants eyes evenly with her storm grey gaze, her brow cocked in a distinctly Vulcan gesture. When she spoke it was in a even tone that brooked no nonsense "Its been awhile since I've been party to such a diagnostic but I'm sure I remember enough to not get in your way. I will accompany you."

When Dylan made his way out of his office and came face to face with the counselor, he was rather taken back. The woman was very beautiful, much like roses with a thousand thorns in the stem usually are, and the look she gave him gave a chill.

"I'm certain that there are other things you could be doing, Ensign," Dylan emphasized her rank to make the point perfectly clear without issuing an order. "Besides, as I am certain you have already read my psychiatric evaluations that are already on file, they will tell you I am fit as a fiddle and as sane as anyone can be. Nothing has happened since the last one that could possibly have changed that," Dylan walked past her into the corridor to make his way to the targeting sensors array station.
It was quite obvious he had been taken aback by her approach, but she couldn't guess why this was becoming such an issue. Evelyn may appear Vulcan, and in fact have a great deal of their obvious tendencies, but she was half human, and she could get angry. She was starting to get there. Right on Tyler's heel she followed him out of the office. Even through her rising temper her voice was well tempered and perfectly calm. "I'm sure you are fit as the proverbial fiddle lieutenant but as the head of a department and a member of the senior staff you have a responsibility to set an example for your people, as well as protocol to follow. You know you have to have an annual complete physical including psych evaluations to remain in active duty. As I said, we both have a job to do here. In reply to your previous statement *this* is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now lieutenant, and if you are so concerned with me keeping my schedule you would quit canceling our appointments." she finished speaking and kept his pace comfortably keeping the outward appearances of a serene Vulcan calm. "At any rate I am here now, and willing to work around your duties, I'm sure that we can have a simple conversation while you run your analysis."

Dylan kept his pace even, trying to make sure that he showed no outside response to this outrageous conduct by a subordinate officer. "Counselor, I have just recently taken head of this department and I am setting the example of which I wish them to follow. I expect a lot from my staff and my expectations are quite high for them as to what needs to get done and to the quality of their work. I hold myself to an even higher standard in order to set an example for them. What kind of leader would I be if I allowed myself to skip out on my work because I allowed an eager Ensign to dictate to me the finer points of protocol and pull me away from my work? I wouldn't accept that excuse from one of my staff, so I will certainly not be setting that example," and Dylan quickened his pace and entered the turbo lift hoping to close it before the counselor could get in.

Evelyn didn't even flinch to his overtly rude comment. This was a deplorable way for a member of the senior staff to behave, and frankly his behavior had her questioning his mental fitness more than anything he could say in a standard session. So much for a routine evaluation. "Eager ensign? Perhaps you missed the senior staff meeting in which I was introduced as the Chief Counselor, a fellow member of the senior staff. You are correct Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyler, technically you outrank me, but in medical matters, specifically mental health, that isn't the case. I would very much like to have a nice polite conversation in which we get to know each other so I can finish my paperwork and send it up to the Captain and Chief Medical officer, my superior officers. However if you continue to avoid your duty to report for evaluation I will be forced to report it and we both know even the captain has to report for annual physicals and evaluations to remain on active duty." she stopped talking and looked directly at Dylan before continuing in a calm tone, trying to impress a hint of kindness to it. "What bothers you so that you won't talk to me, Lieutenant?"

Dylan tried to think of anything that could assist him in this matter through his mind, however, it fell short. Dylan lived his life based on protocols and procedures, now they were being wielded by a formidable force against him. Dylan took a resigning breath and looked into the counselor's eyes. "My apologies, counselor," he avoided using the term ensign as he had already established that as a derogatory term for this woman, "I've just been under a lot of stress lately and this feels like just one more thing that I have to deal with. If you would like to accompany me while I do the diagnostic, you are welcome to. Or, if you prefer, I can come by your office once I am done. You may even send a security escort if you wish," Dylan said reluctantly but sincerely.

"With the amount of work I have had to do as of late, I could use a fresh pair of eyes to look over the diagnostic data to catch anything I might miss," it was invitation to keep him out of her office. Dylan wanted to feel comfortable, and he was always comfortable at a tactical station. Something about having buttons that could destroy a ship inches from you made Dylan more at ease than even his own quarters. If he had to speak to this woman, he would rather do it someplace he could center himself. Though, Dylan doubted that she would be able to catch anything he missed, as he rarely at all especially on a diagnostic or a shot at an enemy ship.

Evelyn stood listening to the lieutenant her face implacable until he finished and then she smiled. A real warm smile, one that should have looked out of place with her Vulcan features but somehow seemed to fit. "I would be more than happy to accompany you, and I doubt security will be necessary. I also doubt very much that you would miss anything. You strike me as someone who is very efficient. And please call me Sol, we are serving the on the same senior staff." she paused for a moment as the turbo lift kept moving.
"I hope that eventually this wont be seen as another task, I'm really here to help with the stress of duty. Most of my job is being a good listener with an objective point of view and bound by a code of privacy." she said reasonably. Now that the conflict had passed her tone slipped into its typical calm tones, if you listened closely, one could hear the soft British lilt.

Dylan smiled, a cordial one but at least it was better than the grimace he was wearing earlier. The turbo lift stopped and Dylan walked at a more calm pace to the tactical station. The ensign that was on duty looked up, quite stunned to see Dylan as he had not been told he was coming. "Ensign Carter, I'm going to need this area for a brief period of time to run a diagnostic. I understand your friends are still looking for a fifth for poker tonight," Dylan heard the man decline his friend's offer seeing as he was going to have to work the mid shift instead of his typical day shift. The ensign smiled, "Thank you, sir," and left the Counselor and the Chief Tactical Officer alone.

"So shall we begin with my childhood or would you like to start with my academy years. It seems to be the two favorite points that my previous counselors liked to start with," Dylan said as he went to the tactical station and began the diagnostic. The data was streaming onto his screen and he was reading it as he waited for Sol's answer.

The security chief seemed to relax a touch. Though Evelyn wondered how much of it was forced. At least he was smiling. This man was definitely going to be a challenge. Watching the exchange between him and his crew made her wonder how many extra hours he put in a week. Was there something in his personal life that he was escaping in work? She wouldn't push him for now, but it did seem that he could benefit from someone to talk to, if he was willing that is.

"How about we start with now. Tell me about yourself. I'm not aiming to psychoanalyze every facet of your existence, just get to know you a little." she said wryly though her tone was not unkind.

Dylan began taking notes on his data pad as the diagnostic came across the screen. "Well, if we're to talk about the now, then it is going to be a very boring conversation. However, if you insist, the diagnostic I am running is run that has been long over due. My predecessor, after the ship's encounter with a very large type of insect species that Starfleet is still trying to sort out, had a leave of her senses leaving an ensign to do the work of a department head. I, being that ensign, am doing the best that I can with what I have to work with. Most of my subordinates still hold my predecessor in high regard and it is taking a bit of trial and error to win them over. The one thing, from what I understand, they can agree on is the fact that I am not willing to settle for less than excellence in this department and even if it means working long hours myself, it will be.

"Striving for excellence is definitely a good thing, one just has to remember to have balance in their life. While you're striving for excellence in your work, you cant forget the other facets of your life. Its all about balance. If you ignore one part of life other parts will suffer. This is friendly advice from the half Vulcan who has learned all about balance." she said, her voice level, the picture of Vulcan serenity, then added in a dry tone "and trust me, I learned this the hard way."

"Starships, to the general public, are explorers that are fearless and seek friendships across the galaxy. However, not everyone we run into are friends. Take the Nevarrans for example. They seem accomodating, but one can't help but wonder why they were isolated for so long. Was it because they simply believed themselves to be the superior species and sought no one to object, or was it that they had come across a more powerful, lethal species that they had to protect themselves against? It is a pity that their records are not intact from their earlier history. It would certainly give some insight as to why they are the way they are, wouldn't you agree, Counselor?"

"I would indeed be interested in reading more of their history." she replied neutrally. "Learning anyone's history can give you insight into the why of their actions Then again we can't judge anything completely by their history. You have to look at their current actions, don't you agree Lieutenant?"

Dylan smiled, "But it appears I have diverted to a whole new line of questioning entirely. Let's see, where was I?" Dylan looked over the screen of data as if the answer might scroll past on it and then he smiled, "That's right. A ship's exploring capability has to sometimes take a back seat to its tactical advantage, so as to make a better exploring vessel. That is what I am trying to instill into my staff, and what I am trying to make the captain understand. You, as a half Vulcan, can certainly understand that point. Vulcans never even left their sector of space until they found it logical that they were the most advanced of their species. They at least had two races as to which they could compare. The Andorians and their long desented cousins, the Romulans. Earth had no such luxury. We lie in the middle of our tiny sector, completely alone and isolated seeking with curious, unarmed hands out into the unknown universe for someone to take it. Frankly, it's amazing we have survived at all."

Evelyn quirked her lips into a small smile. "As interesting as your views on the history of the members of the federation are, I think you may have veered off topic." she paused for a moment in thought. "Do you always avoid talking about yourself so strenuously? Do you have someone you confide in regularly? You seem unaccustomed to talking about your life." Though her words were straight forward, she had a feeling that was a part of her Vulcan personality that Tyler could appreciate; honesty.

Evelyn was correct. Her directness was something that Dylan could admire. There was a reason he was called a mutated Vulcan at the academy, he preferred their logical bluntness as opposed to the human trait of sugar coating all of the world's problems so as to make it not so bad.

"To talk about myself with someone means for me to rely on them. When I can no longer rely on them, for whatever reason, life becomes unnecessarily difficult. Take this phaser array for example," Dylan points at the console. "Did you know that it is completely possible to aim the phasers without this device? The array allows it to do the aiming for us. I just type in the coordinates I want it to go and the phasers fire. Now, tell me counselor, what would you do if you were in my position in a battle scenario and your phaser array became useless?" Dylan was curious as to what her answer would be?

"Well in the case of the phaser array I would switch to manual firing and hope I it was a good day for my aim. The phaser array is a machine, they break and need to be repaired. I believe relationships are much the same way. But with proper care and maintenance neither are likely to fail." she paused again obviously deep in thought. "Sometimes things do go wrong, but in that scenario the only thing we can do is fix it and try to move forward." She waited patiently for his response. Evelyn had noted he was well spoken and thoughtful. Their conversation he has tried so hard to dodge was becoming actually enjoyable.

Dylan smiled at the ensign. "But would it not make more sense to not rely on them in the first place?" Dylan asked, "That way, you know your aim is accurate. An asset or strength is only that until it is taken away." Dylan finished the diagnostic, satisfied that he had found the source of the problem.

"It does not make more sense to rely solely on oneself. It is inefficient. Besides that its lonely. Human nature dictates that on needs interpersonal relationships to be healthy." she said logically looking at him in a meaningful way. Her large gray eyes were warm and kind, a drastic difference between the cold fire they were at the beginning of the conversation.

"Wasn't it a Vulcan that stated that Human Nature is nothing more than a species' excuse to not face logical fact but instead embrace chaotic empathy?" Dylan turned and looked at Evelyn with a smirk. It was a playful smirk, not meant to discredit what she said out of spite or to disagree with it at all, just a simple question that he sought her reaction to.

"That was quite some time ago, and one Vulcan's opinion." she said matter of factly seemingly not acknowledging his quip. "Besides, I am half human." she added cracking a smile.

"I suppose getting into an argument with you where I used Vulcan Logic Evidence would prove useless against you in comparison to the Human Condition of Emotions?" Dylan asked.

"It was my father, a Vulcan diplomat, who married my mother, a human psychologist...you are correct, it would be a futile argument." she replied cocking a small grin.

"Is there anything else, Counselor?" Dylan asked.

"No Lieutenant. Thank you for talking to me. If you do ever need anything, even just a friendly ear, you know how to find me." she said sincerely. "I told you it wouldn't be that bad," she smiled and added lightly, "I'm pretty friendly for a Vulcan."

Dylan smiled at the ensign's send off. "You are certainly the least logical Vulcan I have met, but perhaps that's just what I need. Thank you, Counselor. I will certainly keep that in mind," Dylan said as he walked the counselor back to the turbo lift.