A meeting with the shrink

Posted on Tue May 9th, 2023 @ 7:52pm by Captain Lukas Fredricks & Commander Naois Mercy MD

1,327 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Prelude: Getting Ready to Depart
Location: Counselors office
Timeline: MD1 - 1030 Hours

It has been two months since Britannic has been towed back to spacedock from the Gamma Quadrant. For most of the crew the mission has taken it toll. Most had had to fight for their lives against a foe they thought they'd beaten.

However, for Lukas Fredricks, it has been both a physical and mental ordeal. Tortured, beaten and subject to cruelty that most would have crumbled under. But the sake of his crew, he did not break. This came at a massive personal loss. He had lost himself during the mission.

His physical injuries had taken only weeks to heal but the mental ones had broken him internally. To those around him, he remained an isle of tranquility like he always had. Those closest to him knew the cost.

Now, he sat in an armchair opposite his first officer, his counselor, his friend.

Naois allowed the silence to drag on just a fraction longer as he studied his patient. "Now, tell me how you truly feel," he suggested as his mental walls were slammed with a wide variety of emotions. "And tell me, how do you plan to care for three teenagers, when currently you can barely take care of yourself?"

Lukas smiled, "You know how i truly feel, Naois. I can't see me being in the chair when Britannic leaves Utopia Planetia." He paused for a moment. "Perhaps its time for my children to look after me."

"Three traumatized teenagers?" Naois shook his head. "Surely, you should look after them? They need you, and the Britannic needs you so... how are you planning to get your act together in time?" It was a harsh approach, one he rarely entertained, but it was necessary.

"I didn't do a good job last time Britannic was in open space. I'm surprised Starfleet hasn't already removed me from command already." Lukas replied, his tone defeated.

"You uncovered a secret prison, you saved a great many lives and you now have a child in your custody who looks up to you because of all that. Without you, that child would be dead. What makes you say you did not do a good job?"

"That was a successful mission, but the last one? Definitely not." Lukas replied before pausing. "I let a changeling take over my ship and release 4500 Jem'Hadar and Vorta prisoners. We lost a lot of good officers and crew because i didnt go with my gut."

"I was there," Naois reminded him, "you did not let him do anything. This is on Starfleet making us transport more than we could carry. Without additional security arrangement."

Fredricks couldn't argue with his first officer on that point. With no additional security the Britannic was bound to run into trouble. He sighed with frustration. "I just keep seeing their names. Most went through the war and came out the other side alive only to be killed by that same enemy in peacetime."

"As long as one side keeps believing there is a fight to be fought, there is no real peace." The Vulcan leaned forward a little. "Have you been keeping up with the treatment regime the doctors have given you?"

"Sort of." Lukas replied a little sheepishly. "I just can't get it out of my head that the failure of the last mission lays solely at my feet."

"They are not," Naois countered, "they are at the feet of Starfleet command, who failed in their duty to protect us. what is in your, however, is not keeping up with the exercises I assigned you and which medical had assigned you. Do I need to inform your children and make them see to you keeping up with them?"

"Harsh words, Commander. Turning ones children against me must be breaking some sort of code of practice? Surely?" Lukas replied surprised by the threat.

"Against you?" The Vulcan feigned surprise. "Hardly. They would look out for you."

Naois was right and Lukas lowered his head. "I'm sorry, i didn't mean to lash out." He said quietly. "I'm...I'm still coming to terms with the events of the last mission. I know you're only trying to help but its...difficult."

"I was there," Naois repeated, "I know what you went through, because so did I. But for some reason you are allowing yourself to affect more than you really need to."

"I bear the responsibility as Captain. I always have and i always will." Lukas replied simply.

"But you were not responsible. Those that dumped them on us are. You need to accept this."

"But the lives of the crew we lost is on me. They died on my watch, for no reason other than Starfleet commands arrogance." Lukas replied angrily.

"And thus they are on Starfleet command, not you. We did not have the people to defend the ship, we were not equipped to deal with it. They set us up to fail."

"A no win scenario is always a possibility though." Lukas said, more thinking out loud rather than a reply.

"In which event any commanding officer is set up for failure," Naois commented dryly, "because one is set up to lose. Like we were."

Lukas sighed, the Commander was right, again. "I've still been considering my position on the ship. I just don't know if im the right man for the job any more."

"You do not need to know. Starfleet command decided that you are, and I support it. Besides, do you want to take your children's home from them? I know one thing for certain Lukas, the Britannic will not set sail without you in command."

"It will if i choose not to be here." Lukas replied defiantly. "Im not sure my children are ready for starship life. Their first impression hasn't been great. Zirvell has adapted better to life on board."

"Then give them the opportunity to learn to adapt," the counselor challenged, equally defiant.

"Perhaps..." Fredricks replied at length. "Ill speak to them, see how they feel."

"You make it seem like they have a choice... you are their parent, they go where you go until they become of age " Naois arched a single eyebrow at his patient...his friend. "I remind you that mine have gone through a similar process .." after all, he too was a single father, and while the circumstances were slightly different, his children too, needed to get used to starship life "

"They have rarely spent time on board a starship. They're used to the fresh air and freedom that earth brings. I'm not sure i can be objective with them onboard." Lukas replied.

"Learn," Naois told him. "It is something you must learn you may not be objective without them on board either."

The Captain sighed and rubbed his chin in frustration. "You really want me and my children to stay on board, don't you?"

"Affirmative. It may offer them a first hand chance to experience starfleet life and it may help them with a prospect career choice too. And their presence may also help your adoption process of the Cardassian child."

"It's something I'm going to need to think about. Perhaps I'll see what my children want to do?"

"As they are minors, technically they are required to go where you go," Naois warned, "unless you have a family member willing to take them in."

"My parents could take them in but we will see." Fredricks replied. "It seems I have much to think about before our meeting later with Chex. Has our session come to an end, Commander?"

"If you take command yes, otherwise no," Naois 'threatened'.

"You'll have my decision at our meeting, Commander. I promise." Lukas reassured his first officer and friend.

"If there is a meeting I expect your answer to be yes," the Vulcan answered with just a hint of a smile. "Go to your children, and tell them the news."

Standing, Lukas smiled at his friend before leaving the counselors officer.

 

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