A Graves Encounter, Part 2

Posted on Sun 27th Oct, 2024 @ 6:23pm by Captain Gordon Francis & Commander Paul Graves PsyD
Edited on on Sun 27th Oct, 2024 @ 6:24pm

800 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Phoenix Gamble
Location: Brown Sector, near Graves' office
Timeline: MD 1, 1145

"Now," Captain Francis said, "what else is happening on the station that could use a little attention from the CO?"

Francis and Commander Graves were sitting at a table scarfing down a lunch from a local food stand in Brown Sector. Their conversation involving that part of the station had been lively, with some excellent ideas and input from both men. Now their conversation was taking a different turn.

Paul paused to catalogue everything in his mind, first. "In my areas of responsibility--It's time for refit of the last set of lifeboats down in the Lower Decks area of the base," Paul said. "We've been doing a staggered refit of all of the base's lifeboats over the past year, and we just have twenty left to complete. If you want to observe that, you're welcome to. Navigational marker buoys and beacons on approach to the base are operational but could use an upgrade. I was about to make the request of Captain Navarra, but she left before I could submit it.

"In terms of Counseling, nothing that would require your attention; I haven't noticed any unusual trends in presenting conditions among the Starfleet personnel or their families. Needs in Brown Sector are being managed. I or my staff have taken over the patients Dr. Anderson was seeing before she closed her half of the clinic down there. We haven't had much need for trauma or PTSD counseling among that population since the bomb scare was resolved, and we haven't had any new refugee groups needing space there for a while. From what I've seen, the residents are making efforts to redecorate some of the public areas, which is all to the good."

Francis nodded. "It sounds like everything is being handled just fine. I'll send in my approval for the various upgrades. Thank you, Commander."

"And thank you, Captain. Your attention and interest in this part of the station are much appreciated. I'd like to see Brown Sector become more fully a part of the starbase community, and not something that's an afterthought," Paul said. He swallowed the last of his meat and cheese roll and wiped his hands on his napkin. "In return, are there any ways that I can help you, sir?"

Francis smiled. "Actually, there is something. When you've been around the block as many times as I have, you begin to believe you know everything. As counselor I expect you to keep me on my toes. Don't let my age or experience begin to hold me back. I'm not the kind of spring chicken you are anymore."

"'On your toes,' eh?" Paul said. "In other words, keep you informed. That's part of my job description. Or am I misunderstanding you, and you mean something else?"

"Not just informed," said Francis, "I need to be advised." He sighed. "I recently went through the hardest period of my professional life. I was disgraced by Starfleet and demoted to Captain, a light sentence for a political scapegoat. But this command is no small thing. Considering its location, Starbase 109 is a devil's hootenanny waiting to happen. Starfleet didn't put me here to relax until retirement. They put me here because they still believe in my abilities. I don't see this command as a disgrace from Starfleet. This is my redemption from Starfleet."

The Captain's voice got a little more quiet, but stayed steady and strong. "What I really want, more than anything, is redemption from my family. I have four children and three grandchildren. I hardly know them. My newborn granddaughter is the only grandchild I've ever held in my arms. Her mother, my daughter Jessica, is my only family who still speaks to me.

"What I need from you the most," Francis continued, "is therapy. Or counseling, or head-shrinking or whatever. Before all this gobbledygook I was too proud to ask for such a thing. But that little baby..." He let that sentence trail before adding, "I need you to keep me focused on what's really important. It's something I've never been able to do."

Paul's eyes widened a moment as he took in the depth of emotion and honesty he sensed from Francis. The man had just laid himself bare, and that was a thing some commanding officers lacked the strength to do. Suzuki and Navarra had been comfortable speaking with him; Drake had not. It had been like pulling teeth. Drake had needed counseling more than any CO Paul had ever served under.

"What's more important than anything is love," Paul told Francis, "and what you've just said to me proves you have plenty of that. I am glad and will be honored to work with you, sir. I will make time for you whenever you need."

"Thank you, Commander," Francis said with a smile.

End

 

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