First Day

Posted on Wed Nov 25th, 2020 @ 6:46pm by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant JG Lunara Hol

1,263 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 108 – Tragedies, Fortunes, and an Endgame
Location: Counseling Offices
Timeline: Current

"The time is now 7 AM station time. It is time to wake up."

Lunara groaned as her alarm clock went off, reminding her that she had a real job to do now. Yesterday had been a long day. Station arrival, gear issuing, quarters assignments - not to mention she went to a Halloween party to top the whole thing off - and now was time to start her first day. The young Trill yawned, as she sat up and took a look around her room. Crates everywhere still, damn.

"Computer! Turn off the alarm. And make me a tea while you're at it, something from Trill... something that will help wake me up. Oh, and some Trill scrambled eggs, too" She looked around her quarters, trying to remember which crate had her uniform. "Books... mementos... clothes... ah, 'Starfleet'." She went over to the crate and opened it up. Inside were several neatly folded uniforms, a few commbadges, an extra PADD, some standard issue boots, and other things like dress uniforms and PT gear that could wait until later. "There we are." She took out a uniform and the boots, quickly changing into them before picking up her breakfast from the replicator. She sat down at the table and dug in. She didn't want to be late, first impressions and all. She finished it up, placed her dishes in the replicator, and took one last look in the mirror.

"Come on, girl. You've done this before. Nothing to worry about... right?" She straightened out her uniform and stood up straight. "Well... here I go."

A bit later, she arrived at the counseling offices. Even with all the turbolifts, it took awhile to get around this beast of a station. She walked inside, greeted the receptionist, and walked over to the Chief's office. Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself out and rang the chime.

Ariana had been expecting a new Counsellor, having received news from Starfleet that one had been assigned. She was sitting in a chair feet up on a low stool resting. “Come in”

Lunara stepped through the door, stiff as a board, and fired off a snappy salute. "Lieutenant Lunara Hol, reporting for duty!" She relaxed slightly when she realized how informal her new boss seemed.

“Come on in Lieutenant and make yourself at home.” Ariana smiled warmly. “Do you mind if I call you Lunara?”

Lunara smiled. "Please do, I've never been too keen on ranks anyway." She sat down with a small sigh of relief. All she'd heard about Starbase crews being stickers for protocol was apparently wrong.

“I’ve been expecting you.” Ariana waved the PADD she was holding before she put it down. Getting up she straightened out her maternity uniform “Can I get you anything to drink?”

"No, thank you." Lunara shook her head.

Ariana nodded and walked over to her desk picking up a drink she already had. “So tell me what brings you to a station Lunara? Most of the Counsellor’s I’ve known either prefer to be planetary or starship based. We station based Counsellors seem to be a lesser breed.” She grinned as she re-took her seat.

Lunara smirked. "Some counselors like to go where the action is. And reading what's happened in the past few months..." She drew a circle with her finger, "... it sounds like it's right here."

Ariana nodded. “Isn’t that the truth! We’ve had our fair share, in fact more than our fair share, of everything!” She smiled warmly. “As part of the Counselling team here on the station you’ll be kept busy. Recent events have led to an influx of patients some due to trauma, others just looking for reassurance. You won’t be bored that’s for sure!”

"Perish the thought." Lunara chuckled. "I've heard so many different stories of what happened, though." She shook her head. "What actually happened, in your words?"

“Well ... the shortened version would be that we were forced to abandon the station, the fleet was divided between two stations, civilians to one and our ships to the other. We eventually went out on mass to take back this station. It was a tough battle during which we lost a few ships including Admiral Bremer’s flagship The Pegasus. Suffice to say we won and got our home back.” Ariana smiled warmly. During it all Admiral Bremer lost his wife.”

Lunara sat back, exhaling. "Damn, that can't be easy. How is he taking it?"

“Well if you were to ask him he’d say he’s fine” Ariana shook her head. “I’m truth, he’s not had a chance to grieve, he’s keeping himself busy with this war and when it does hit him it’s going to hit like a sledgehammer. All we can do is offer help and be there when the Admiral decides he needs it.”

"Sounds like we should expect him here soon, then." Lunara nodded.

“There’s also Doctor Hades, he recently lost his wife but as you’ll find out he’s an extremely private man.” Ariana smiled. “I’m lucky enough to have become close friends with Hades, he’s helped me through a lot and I’m returning the favour.”

"Well, I suppose I'll meet him soon enough, I'm trying to continue my emergency medic training. Anything I should keep in mind when I talk to him?"

“Don’t let the rumours and stories put you off!” Ariana grinned. “He’s not as bad as he’s made out to be ... unless you meet him on a bad day!”

Lunara chuckled. "Good to hear. God knows I've ran into enough grouchy old doctors already."

“Trust me Hades maybe grouchy at times but he’s one of the best, he’s become more of a father figure to me lately as odd as that sounds. He’s my mentor, he got me onto my bridge test and I passed first time thanks to his teachings.”

"Ooh, lucky." Lunara grinned, "Maybe I'll have to bug him into helping me with the same thing."

“Give him some time” Ariana smiled. “He’s mourning the loss of Kalani and he’s taking it hard. She was his universe.”

"Right. Sorry." Lunara shook her head. She'd gotten carried away again. "I suppose we'd better reach out to him soon."

“I’ve already done so but you can keep an eye out for me in secret for now. Hades is ... very private even with me. It’s taken years just to get to know him this well.”

"I guess he really is a lot like the other doctors I've worked with. Don't worry," she winked, "I've lived on the other side of the desk too. I can be discreet."

“I’ve no doubt of that Lunara” Ariana smiled warmly. “Thank you.”

Lunara smiled back. "Hey, what else am I here for? I'm sure I'll be getting to know all our favorite patients soon enough."

Ariana nodded. “I’m sure you will. My office and records are open to you if you need them, there are plenty of counselling offices available so just pick yourself one and decorate it how you’d like.” She smiled warmly.

"Be careful about giving me that much freedom, you might regret it." Lunara chuckled, beginning to stand. "Thanks for the help, ma'am. I'm looking forward to working with you."

“And I with you” Ariana smiled warmly. “Oh and when we’re alone it’s Ariana.”

"Sure thing, Ariana." Lunara waved on her way out the door. "See you around!"

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