Mercy, Mercy Me (Part 2)

Posted on Thu Aug 29th, 2024 @ 12:22am by Lieutenant Akira Kogami & Lieutenant JG Eradaar Ezazzan & Lieutenant JG Julia Araala
Edited on on Thu Aug 29th, 2024 @ 12:23am

1,423 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: I-402
Timeline: After 'Mercy, Mercy Me (Part 1)'

Previously, on Star Trek: Missouri:

As the Gorn eventually located the ward in which Lieutenant Kogami was being housed, she could just barely make out the sounds of someone singing to themselves. The voice was distinctly feminine, but utilized a heavy baritone that at first made it difficult for Eradaar to identify. It took her a good few seconds before she realized that it was coming from Lieutenant Kogami herself:

"Woah, ah, mercy, mercy me,
Ah, things ain't what they used to be,
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east..."

Approaching Lieutenant Kogami's biobed, Eradaar took a moment to observe the young officer. Kogami looked physically much better than the reports had indicated, though her eyes still held a hint of the trauma she'd experienced.

"Lieutenant Kogami?" Eradaar's voice was gentle as she approached, ensuring she didn't startle the recovering officer. "I'm Lieutenant JG Eradaar Ezazzan, the ship's Chief Counselor. I understand you're due for a psych evaluation, and I'd like to have a chat with you if you're feeling up to it."

And now, the continuation:

Lieutenant Kogami looked up at her and frowned. "Of course I'm not up to it; but seeing as I've been taken off of active duty, it's not like I've got anything better to do..."

Eradaar gave a reassuring smile, hoping to convey a sense of calm and safety. "We can take this at your pace, and discuss anything you're comfortable with. My goal is to support you in your recovery, both physically and mentally."

"Really? Well, in that case, you can tell Doctor Bakshi to go ahead and discharge me so I can get back to active duty-!"

Eradaar maintained her calm and steady demeanor, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding of the complexities of recovery. "I understand your eagerness to return to duty, Lieutenant Kogami," she said gently. "It's natural to want to get back to work, especially when you’re committed to your role. However, it's important to make sure that you're fully prepared, both physically and mentally, before jumping back into active duty."

She took a seat beside Kogami's biobed, her posture open and non-threatening. "Our conversation today is part of ensuring that you're not just physically fit but also in a good place mentally. Sometimes, the best way to return to duty is to address and work through any lingering concerns or stressors."

Eradaar's tone was reassuring, aiming to create a sense of collaboration rather than confrontation. "I promise this won't be a lengthy or invasive process. Think of it as a check-in to make sure you're fully ready and supported. If there's anything specific you'd like to discuss or any concerns you have, I'm here to listen."

She offered a gentle smile, hoping to ease some of the tension. "So, why don't we start with how you're feeling overall? Any particular thoughts or worries that have been on your mind lately? It’s all part of the process, and we can work through it together."

"The only worry I've really got is that my Security department isn't running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off!" Akira very much lied. It was clear that she was keeping something else close to her chest, but Eradaar was going to need to try a lot harder if she was going to bring those worries to the surface.

Eradaar took in Kogami's response with a nod, acknowledging her concerns while gently probing for deeper issues. Her voice was warm and encouraging, aiming to build trust and open a line of communication.

"I can understand how it might be frustrating to feel like your department is struggling without you," Eradaar said sympathetically. "But it’s also important to remember that taking the time to address your own well-being now can actually benefit your team in the long run. If you’re not at your best, it can be challenging to support others effectively."

She leaned slightly forward, maintaining an open and non-judgmental posture. "I know it might seem like a waste of time or even frustrating, but these conversations can sometimes help uncover things we might not even realize are affecting us. We all carry burdens, and it can be useful to talk about them, even if it’s just to get them off your chest."

Eradaar's gaze was gentle yet persistent, hoping to encourage Kogami to share more about what was truly on her mind. "If there’s anything more specific that you’d like to talk about—something that’s been weighing on you or anything that’s been difficult—I'm here to listen. Even if it's not directly related to your duties, it’s important that we address any underlying concerns so you can move forward with confidence."

She gave a soft, understanding smile. "Sometimes, simply talking through our thoughts can be incredibly beneficial. You don’t have to go through this alone; we’re here to support you in any way we can."

"Nothing you'd care about," Akira scoffed. "Probably would just tell me to suck it up and cope like the half a million other counselors who've probably cycled in and out of my life..."

Bingo.

Eradaar's expression remained calm and empathetic, though her eyes reflected a deep understanding of the frustration Akira was expressing. She sensed the depth of the lieutenant's struggle and was determined to offer genuine support, rather than dismissing her feelings.

"I hear you, Lieutenant," Eradaar said softly. "It can be incredibly disheartening to feel like your concerns are met with the same old advice. I want to assure you that I'm not here to give you a one-size-fits-all solution. My aim is to understand what you're going through and to offer support that feels meaningful to you."

She leaned in slightly, her voice gentle but earnest. "You've faced significant challenges, and it's clear that you're carrying a lot right now. I’m not here to tell you to just 'suck it up' or push you through a cookie-cutter process. I want to understand what you’re really dealing with and how we can address it in a way that resonates with you."

Eradaar offered a reassuring smile, hoping to bridge the gap between her professional role and Akira’s personal experience. "It’s okay if you’re not ready to talk about everything just yet. We can take this one step at a time, at a pace that works for you. But know that I’m here to listen, without judgment, and to support you in a way that feels genuine and effective."

She glanced around the sickbay, then back to Akira, her tone warm and sincere. "If there’s something specific you want to focus on or if there’s a particular way you’d like to approach this conversation, just let me know. Your well-being matters, and we’ll work through this together, on your terms."

With that, Eradaar settled into a patient silence, giving Akira the space to share as much or as little as she felt comfortable with. Her presence was an invitation, not a demand, and she hoped it would encourage the lieutenant to open up in her own time.

Akira sighed. "You counselors sure are persistent..."

She looked over at Eradaar. "Alright, you want a story? I'll tell you a story. Fortuna XV, about four years ago; I was Assistant Chief of Security on the Itasca, and we were out investigating an anomaly that had disrupted mining operations on the surface. the Chief Of Security- fucking womanizer, I swear- he'd come down with a case of Correllian Flu, so he's holed up in his cabin, hacking his lungs out while I'm getting switched in last minute to head our security detail on the away team.

"Anyways, we beam down to the surface, probably spend four to five hours dicking around in the mines trying to find this thing- and mind you, it's like 105 degrees down there, so we're sweating our asses off trying to find this thing that we're not 100% sure even exists, getting caked in dust and whatever nasty shit you tend to find getting kicked up in a mineshaft, and at least three of our guys passed out from heat stroke and had to be beamed back- but I'm veering off topic, so let's get back to the stuff you probably actually wanna hear.

To be continued...

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