The New Assistant
Posted on Sat Sep 2nd, 2023 @ 12:32pm by Lieutenant Vura & Petty Officer 1st Class Nina Lawson
Edited on on Sat Sep 2nd, 2023 @ 8:54pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Counsellor's Office - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD008 0800
Nina made her way down the corridor in her hand was tray.
Arriving at the Counselor's Office, she balanced the tray so she could press the chime.
The Deltan was curious, she did not recall that she had an appointment at this hour and nobody else should have known that she was here yet. She rose from her desk and headed to her door, anticipating that she would escort her patient further within her office. She called out, "Come in."
Nina did so, still carrying the tray. "Morning, Ma'am," she said. "I'm Nina Lawson, your new assistant. I didn't know whether you like coffee or tea, so I brought both," the half-Betazoid said trying to find a place to put the try that contain a pot of tea, a pot of coffee, cups, milk, sugar, honey, and lemons.
"An assistant?" Vura asked surprised. "I don't remember putting in for one.... Then again, I've never been a chief before, so I suppose that one comes with the job, doesn't it?" She considered the matter further before stating, "I have no preferences on drinks. In fact, anything new is always welcome. Oh, and do call me Vura. I know that ma'am might be proper, but I'm anything but."
"Well, the tea is from my father's homeland of Yorkshire, so that's probably new to you, Ma'am, I mean Vura." Nina said with a smile.
"Yorkshire?" Vura asked taking the tea. "Where exactly is that?"
"It's on Earth in the North of a country called England," Nina said. "It a beautiful, if sometimes cold place. The people are friendly, but blunt. They were farmers, miners, and steelworkers in the past."
"Hmmmm," Vura mused. "I think that Paisley's young engineer, Connor Turner is from that place, England, if I recall. But you both have different accents, so I am uncertain."
She sampled her tea, sipping it slowly. Vura closed her eyes as she allowed the liquid to slowly slosh over each tastebud, relishing the sensations of the hot liquid and the heaviness and bitterness of it. Verbally, a satisfied, "mmmm," escaped her.
"For such a small place, England has so many different accents, and although we're all speaking the language, some of us can't understand each other," Nina said. "I'm glad you like the tea."
"That seems rather," Vura paused and searched for an inoffensive word, "unusual."
"Unusual is good." Nina said putting down tray on an available desk. "So, Vura what would you like me to do first?"
"I don't know," the Counselor said honestly. "I've never had an assistant before, so I'm not exactly certain how to best use you." She paused and giggled. "My, that sounds very wrong."
"Well, the majority of my job, is to take care of the administrative portion of your work, so you can concentrate on helping people," Nina said. "It's like, if you were a Captain, I'd be your yeoman."
"I appreciate the analogy. This is a tricky business, though, Nina. There's confidentiality involved. That means nothing that I tell you, or that you see, can ever be spoken about or hinted at, to anyone except me. Are you able to do that?"
"Yes, that was part of my training." Nina said. "I've also undergone mental training, to create walls in my mind that telepaths can't read more than my surface thoughts," she added.
"Interesting," Vura acknowledged. "Well," she continued thoughtfully. "Perhaps you should start by making certain that I have met with all of the chiefs and then making certain that everyone's psychological evaluations are scheduled with someone in the department. I really have not made schedules of appointments on a regular basis with some folks yet, but we should really get that done. I know that I have met with a few people that need at least weekly appointments."
"I can do that." Nina said. "Where do you want me to start, from the top or the bottom?" She asked.
"Whatever is easiest for you."
"Okay, will do." Nina said.
"Is there anything that you should require from me?" Vura asked curiously. "I would like to make your job as easy as possible."
"I'll need access to your files, I have the required Security level." Nina said.
"Certainly not an issue. Computer, please give Nina Lawson access to all of my patient files at her clearance levels." The computer bleated out an acknowledgement and Vura smiled at Nina. "Is there anything else that you require? By the way, answering 'me,' is not a workable answer," she told Nina with a short giggle.
"Well, I can't say, it didn't cross my mind, you're very beautiful, Vura." Nina said with a smile. "But, I'm a professional, so I'll keep my hands to myself."
"Probably for the best. Can't have my first assistant going insane. It would give me a bad reputation."
"Agreed." Nina said.
"Oh, come on, Nina.... That was a little funny, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, a little," Nina said with a smile.
Taking another sip of tea, Vura asked, "So why don't you have a seat and tell me a little bit more about yourself?"
"I was born on Betazed. My mother's a minor noble there. My father is a mining Engineer from Earth. My parents divorced when I was about six, so I spent my childhood between my mother's estate on Betazed and my father's house in West Yorkshire." Nina said. "I preferred living with my father, the banquets and dances on Betazed bored me distraction, and my mother would often find me rolling around in the mad in my formal dress."
"Do you keep in touch with your mother?"
"Yes, on occasion. She's remarried and has a daughter with him," Nina replied. "I've met her, her name is Rila and she's into all the stuff that my mother likes." Nina said. "I think my mother is finally happy."
"Does that bother you?"
"A little, but I don't bear my mother any bad will, or to Rila for that matter." Nina said. "Some things just aren't meant to be." Then changing the subject. "I don't reckon your parents were cuffed (happy) about you leaving Delta IV?"
"Unlikely, but they understood that I had to go. The difficulties for a Deltan outside of Delta IV are well known."
"Yes, you'll just have to find yourself another Deltan, though they are rare in Starfleet."
"If I ever feel the need, there is a Deltan on this ship but that Deltan has some interesting issues that need sorting."
"That's interesting." Nina said.
"What's that?" Vura asked, looking for more elaboration.
"Sorry, I just detected your change in emotions, when you talked about this other Deltan."
"I have concerns about her," Vura admitted.
"I understand." Nina said.
Vura did not know what Nina understood or did not understand. She was not likely privy to the information regarding Llaxia's situation but at some point she might be. For the time being, Vura was happy to have the subject dropped.
"So, what do you do when you're not my assistant?"
"I like my hobbies to be productive, I enjoy mind puzzles and crosswords, to keep my mind active, kick boxing to keep my body in shape, mediation, and nature walking for the soul," she said. "How about you, Vura, what do you do when you're not helping people?" Nina asked.
"Nothing quite as active as you," Vura replied with a small smile. "I am, what you would call, artsy. I like to draw, make pottery, jewelry, act, and dance."
"Dancing can be fun." Nina said. "I'm not much of an artist, when I try drawing horses they come out looking more like cows," Nina added with a small laugh at her lack of drawing abilities.
Vura laughed along with Nina. "Well, everyone has their own talents. Do not ask me to do engineering. I'm more likely to blow up whatever I'm working on."
"Remind me not to ask you to fix my replicator." Nina said.
"You're so reminded," Vura replied with a toothy grin. "Besides, there are several people in ops that might be better suited for it."
"Agreed," Nina said. "Well, we should get back to work."
"Indeed," Vura agreed. "Thank you for the tea, Nina. I look forward to working with you."
"Me too, Vura." Nina said.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
Petty Officer First Class Nina Lawson
Counsoler's Aide, USS Pioneer
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