The horrors of war

Posted on Wed Feb 5th, 2020 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Olivia O’Riley

815 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 103 - In The Darkest Days...
Location: Counselling Offices
Timeline: MD3 1555hrs

{ON}

With both Freya and Ariana off station the Counselling department was scarcely manned, Ariana had asked Olivia, who was a qualified Chief Counsellor herself, to help out as a Counsellor instead of Counsellor’s Aide until her return. She was busy piling through padds of patients sorting appointment requests from regular appointments when the doors opened and an Admiral entered that she hadn’t met before. “Admiral” She straightened her uniform as she stood to greet him. “Can I help you Sir?”

"Um, Lieutenant. I was looking for Lieutenant Monroe, is she around?" K'Temoc asked as he looked around.

"I'm afraid not Admiral" Olivia offered a warm smile trying to put K'Temoc at ease. "Both she and Staff Sergeant Ross are currently off station. Lieutenant Monroe asked me to fill in while she's away."

K'Temoc gave a respectful nod. "I was hoping to talk to the Counselor for a moment. I'll return when she is back."

"Admiral, I am a fully qualified Chief Counselor. You obviously came here to talk so please..." She motioned towards Ariana's office, leading the way she walked inside and turned to look at K'Temoc. "Please sit down and tell me what's wrong."

After following the young woman, K'Temoc took a seat.

"Thank you." He took a breath. "As I'm sure you've heard, General Fultian-Bremer was recently killed. My brother of course is taking it hard. My heart breaks for them both too. However, I'm currently engaged to Lieutenant Cole in the Science Department. Danielle and I haven't set a date, but I'm wondering if we should go through with the marriage now, enjoy the time we have. No one knows how long this war will last, and I'm not one to say, 'what if'. Do you think we'd be rushing things?"

Olivia took a seat in one of the chairs. “No, not at all. If you have been planning to be married then you’re both obviously ready for that commitment. I’d suggest you speak to Danielle and see what she thinks first and foremost. War is...unforgiving, don’t let it put you off what you want to do for happiness.”

"We have spoken about it, and she said the same thing actually, but we both want to wait until Mike returns, whenever that might be." K'Temoc replied.

“You said that Admiral Bremer’s wife was killed? I’m afraid I didn’t know that.” She paused. “My condolences on your family’s loss. May I ask where the Admiral is now?”

"Thank you." K'Temoc replied. "He's angry, hurt. When we returned to the station he sent his youngest son to Earth to stay with Janice's mother and he immediately took the Pegasus out and behind enemy lines. A revenge mission. I don't think he's trying to get himself killed, but I do think he wants to make the Romulans pay." He paused, "I can't say I wouldn't do the same."

"You have had time to accept and adjust to the loss of Janice but he hasn't. As you said he's hurt and he's angry, something that's normal but going out for revenge isn't going to bring her back." Olivia paused. "I'm concerned that, if anything it'll bring retribution down on the Admiral and everything he cares about including this station."

"Actually, I don't think it's sunk in that my sister-in-law is gone. I mean, I realized and processed it when word came from Starfleet Command, but it also seemed unreal." K'Temoc paused again, "You see, this is Mike's second wife to die in battle. His first wife, Becky, K'Wor and Becca's mother, they had separated but were working on things when she was killed aboard the Pegasus-A. Now Janice. He's grieving on a level I can't comprehend."

Olivia nodded. "I can't even imagine what he's going through. To lose not one but two wives in battle, it's cruel. War is unforgiving." She paused. "Grief is...complicated, but it's important to let it take its natural path, he's trying to bury that grief and avenge Janice but in the long run he'll do himself more harm than good. As for you, don't delay your marriage live your life and enjoy every moment of it. Be there for her and let her be there for you."

K'Temoc took a deep breath. "I'll talk with Danielle again. Thank you for your time." He stood to leave.

"Admiral..." Olivia stood as well. "If you should need to talk again, please feel free to call either myself or Rol. We're available anytime we're needed."

"I absolutely will, thank you." K'Temoc said sincerely.

Olivia nodded. "Glad to help Sir." She smiled as she watched him go before sitting down and rubbing her forehead. She could only imagine what Mike was going through, she just hoped he came to his senses and realised what he was doing before it was too late.

{OFF}

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