Private Reflection

Posted on 10/17/2020 @ 4:19am by Lieutenant JG Siobhan Richards PhD

Mission: S2E2: The Auction House
Location: Counselor Office
Timeline: Day 40 at 1245

Standing outside Richards' office door, Tahlin reflected this was the second time in a month she'd been in this office. But, she had to talk to someone, and who better than the ship's counselor. Stealing herself, she signaled the office.

"Enter." Siobhan response was almost immediate and prompted the doors to open. She was sitting on the sofa, in the opposite corner to the desk. The sofa was part of a small recreation spot, with armchairs and coffee table. She switched off the PADD and her blue eyes looked at the entering officer. "Lieutenant, how can I help you?" She asked softly and gestured invitingly for Tahlin to join her.

Tahlin made her way over to the sofa and sat. "Thanks for seeing me on such short notice... Its... Been a bit of a rough day... I hate funerals... And analysis after funerals."

"Why do you hate funerals? For me it was always a nice send off of people who you cared about and chance to share that moment with others who did care too." Siobhan said.

"Its... Well, do you know how many bodies we had to bury in a mass grave down there? We're trying to figure what happened to the rest of them, and its just..." The Bajoran looked out the viewport. "Sometimes, I question the wisdom of the universe. How can people be so cruel as to do that to an innocent colony? ... I've studied various religions--even considered chaplaincy rather than security--and I've seen death... It still hurts the soul, though..." She trailed off.

"Are you taking those deaths personally?" Siobhan asked softly. "Why?"

Tahlin sighed, stepled her fingers, then said, "You probably know that the Bajorans are a deeply spiritual people. What you might not realize is that we're a very community-oriented people. Of course, we're all across Bajor, not to mention her moons and colonies, but we still retain that community spirit. We're not as prolific as humans, so when a group of us decides to build a new life somewhere, its a bit of a big deal. I am taking this rather personally, because I know that there are families and communities back home who will be expecting word. I might even know some of those waiting--not likely, but its possible."

"As I understand, Bajorans are indeed deeply spiritual people, and death is not the end. Their pagh were now returned to the Celestial Temple, correct?" Siobhan asked.

"More or less... There are, of course, those of us who take a wider view... I am one such... Not that I don't disbelieve in the Prophets, but I've studied enough other religions that I don't blindly follow them, either."

"What about those colonists? Shouldn't they be treated according to their religion?" Siobhan asked. "Did you identify them?"

"We did... Most of the dead were Bajorans, with about fifteen percent of them being human. We're organizing something to honor them, but..." She let out a long sigh. "Death is not the end, I know it, but its still... Difficult..." She pondered a moment, then went on, "maybe this is partially because my father was and is such a strong religious presence... Have you reviewed the file on why I'm officially breaking contact with him?"

"I saw it in your files, but I skipped it." Siobhan said. "I like to make my own first impressions on the subjects that are crucial for the person I am talking to and I try not to be influenced by previous counselors’ perspectives." She explained. "I am going to check what is there in details after you decide to talk to me about it." She leaned back and made small adjustments to her position. "So why is it difficult to deal with the death? Is it because you subconsciously reject the Bajoran ways because of your father and you seek other ways to understand it? Or is it something else?"

"Its..." Tahlin sighed. "Something else, but I'm sure my father has something to do with it. He's got a very... Narrow view of the world, of the Prophets, of our place in the universe... I broke contact with him because he wasn't willing to accept me for who I am, and he wasn't shy about it, either. As for views of death... I just hate seeing lives cut short--its my job to protect lives, and when lives are gone, even if I had nothing to do with it..."

She broke off, unable to continue.

Siobhan let things linger for a moment before she spoke.
"The family issues are hard to untangle but if you want me to help you, I am here, Lieutenant." She said softly before changing the subject. "As for death. This is part of the natural life cycle. And you can't save everyone. Any premature death is a sad, often tragic story, but ultimately your responsibility is in protecting all of the people not just one person. Or few of them. What I am trying to say is that you need to focus on those that you still can save, not on those who can't be saved. Those who you helped to bury, those need now justice." Siobhan paused briefly. "Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

Tahlin gave her a bit of a grin. "I do, more than you might think. K'Taal told me something once that seems appropriate here... 'Morn those you must take to death's embrace, mourn those you cannot save, but do not linger overlong on death, for death is the thing which we must all face, whether we would or no... The one constant in the universe.' Very Klingon, and very human, wouldn't you say?"

"I would, though I think this can be attributed to every species." Siobhan said softly. "Not just Klingons or Humans. It is a good principle to protect. What stopping you from adopting it?"

"Stubbornness... Sensitivity... I don't know. A commitment to protecting those I can?" The Bajoran raised a hand as though to ward off an errant fly, more an expression of frustration than anything.

"Shouldn't the commitment to protecting those you can actually help? So you would not dwell on those who you didn't save? Shouldn't you focus on those you still can save and protect?" Siobhan asked quietly. She could see that this discussion was going to be a longer one. While the Bajoran officer was chewing on her questions, Siobhan stood up and headed toward the replicator. If they were to stay here for a while, she was going to be a good host and propose some refreshments.

A Post by:

Lieutenant JG Siobhan Richards PhD
Chief Counselor
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant JG Lae'Or Tahlin
Chief of Security
USS Crazy Horse