Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 17:03:23 -0500 (EST) From: Greg D Armstrong Subject: USS OBERON: Reflections in a Vanity Mirror SD 110217.1700 FO's Quarters "First Officer's log, stardate... computer, fill in the approprate stardate," 'Lanni dictated to the PADD as she sat back on her couch, painting her toenails. "The awards ceremony seems to have been an outstanding success, if I do say so myself. I suppose I should schedule a few inspections over the next week just to remind people that this is still a job. But it is good to see that everyone is smiling again. Well, except for Keyotay, er, Nabon... whoever. I was trying to help him and Keegan with his new body, but he just kept getting more and more tense and irritable. When I realized I was snapping back at him, I decided I had better leave. Apparently, Keegan did the same thing some time afterwards. Perhaps Nabon is simply adjusting to the Vulcan physiology. I don['t know. If it continues, I'll talk to Stae-faan about it. I don't think our new counsellor is quite ready for the revellation that Keyotay is Nabon, and is several thousand years old." She paused to examine her artistry before continuing. No, she didn't quite have the knack of doing nail art. Perhaps she could get a few pointers from Chrystalla. She reached for the remover as she continued her report. "And speaking of Commander Ellsworth, he is an... interesting addition to the crew. So far as I can tell, everone who has spoken to him dislikes the man. And for many, 'dislike' is too mild a term. Perhaps his method for getting folks to let their aggressions out is to get them to direct those aggressions at himself. I don't know how well that works at a university, but on a star ship it is a good way to find yourself trying to breath vacuum. Well, Nigel is nothing if not intelligent. I am sure that he knows what he is doing." 'Lanni paused to consider that, then shrugged and went on. "Our other new addition, Kr'tara, seems quite happy to be here. The science department, on the other hand, is still adjusting to her straight-forward, Klingon ways. I'm sure that once they get used to her, everything will be fine. But it is good that she has the Guardian to distract her; it will give her subbordinates time to get used to her. I wonder at the co-incidence behind our getting a Chief Science Officer whose primary field of study was Temporal Physics while we are orbiting Gateway. Not to mention Adam's ties to the place. I would suspect the new head of Personnel at Star Fleet Command has been poking into classified documents. If that is the case, I'd drink a toast to her the next chance I get." She picked up her polish and began painting her toes once again. "Then there is Marten, or rather Captain Huntington. I would love to hate that man, but I cannot bring myself to do so. When he first came on board and I thought that he was here to replace Stae-faan, I was ready to kill Jack Sullivan. But then when the Admiral explained that he was 'only' here to investigate Stae-faan, I relaxed and was only contemplating stuffing the JAG officer out an airlock. But the more I see of the man, the more it seems that he is investigating this with a completely open mind, and has no preconceptions. That, and his British formality and politness are hard to hate. Well, if he keeps that open mind, then I am sure he will find no fault whatsoever with Stae-faan's actions." Once again, she paused to consider her statements. Even if Marten was not all that he seemed to be, there was nothing she could do about it. She, like many before and more to come, would quite literally have to trust in his judgement. Her reverie was interrupted by a chirp from her com badge. "Tabak here," she replied. "What can I do for you, Ri'sahn?" the Tahnekko explained. "I'm on my way," Yolanda said as she pulled on her boots. "Computer, close log." As she walked out of her quarters, she let go of the laugh she had been surpressing. "Junior?" ********* Operations Office Nigel Ellsworth II smiled at her approach. "Ah, Commander, perhaps you can help me here," he began. "It seems there is a problem with my quarters, and the good people here refuse to see reason." "And just what reason do they not see, Nigel?" Yolanda asked. "Please, just call me 'Doctor,'" the man began. "It seems that I am not to be allowed to take the designated Counsellor's quarters." He crossed his arms and would have looked down his nose at Lt. Keldaen, had the Tahnekko not been so tall. The Lieutenant was quick to defend himself. "Commander Lawrence's quarters are sealed, and regulations are specific; we cannot unseal them until we reach port." "These regulations are hampering my ability to perform my job," the Counsellor protested. 'Lanni was confused. "How so?" "As long as I am in the 'guest quarters,' the crew will view me as a visitor, and will not reveal their innermost feelings," Ellsworth explained. "I need them to feel that I will be here for as long as they need me in order to get them to open up." "But you have no problem with the quarters themselves?" "Oh, I am not one to quibble over little things, but anyway, if they were the quarters appropriate for my position here, they would be most adequate." Yolanda thought about that for a moment. "I think I have a solution... Computer, access Tabak-gamma-fuchia. Room designations change. The quarters currently occupied by Nigel Ellsworth, Junior --" "The Second, Commander," the Counsellor corrected. "Nigel Ellsworth the Second." "Nigel Ellsworth the Second," 'Lanni ammended, "are henceforth to be designated Ships Counsellor's Quarters, and the quarters most recently occupied by Thomas Lawrence shall be designated as guest quarters. End access." came the computer voice. Yolanda smiled. "Now, will there be anything else, gentlemen?" As Ellsworth's mouth opened and shut silently, Ri'sahn said, "No, thank you very much, Commander." He quietly went back to work, turning away from the Counsellor. "Then I will be on my way," 'Lanni said as she turned away herself. As she was walking down the corridor, she heard the call from behind her. "Commander Tabak!" She turned once again. "Yes, Doctor Ellsworth?" "I thought that this might be a good time to have a chat," the Doctor suggested. Yolanda sighed. "Really, Nigel --" "Doctor, please!" "Really, Doctor, it has been a trying day," Yolanda explained. "And I still have several reports yet to write. Can't we do this another time?" "Well, Commander," Ellsworth responded, "I have been trying to see you since I got on board. All of your days are busy. That is one of the things I thought we should discuss." Yolanda had to see his point. "Okay," she said, running her fingers through her hair. "But it will be a short chat. My days are busy because I have a lot of responsibilities which I will need to get back to. Shall we go to your office?" "Yes, I think that is an excellent idea," Ellsworth said. "Now, about this schedule of yours; have you ever thought that you might be overdoing things?" "What do you mean?" "I mean, do you think you might be working so hard in order to acheive recognition, to be noticed? I presume that is why you constantly check your make-up and wear such ridiculous shoes..." "I find nothing wrong with being recognized for doing good work," 'Lanni countered. "Also, I was a beautician and cosmetologist for many years. Many happy years. Looking good was important to my work. I guess now I check mostly out of habit. And these boots are not ridiculous, they are comfortable." "Now you are getting defensive," Nigel said as he turned a corner in the corridor. 'Lanni followed, considering her responce. "Yes, perhaps so. But that would be because you implied that the way I am has some inherent wrongness to it. There is nothing wrong, it is simply the way I am." They entered the Counselors office. It was starkly furnished, with only a chair, a couch, and a small table. But on the walls hung diplomas, awards, and citations, all bearing the name "Nigel Ellsworth II." "I see that you redecorated," 'Lanni commented. "Yes, I did," Nigel responded. "I felt that the room needed a more controled atmosphere. This is a place where we work to heal, not sit and look at pretty pictures." 'Lanni couldn't resist. "Don't you think that displaying all of these is going a bit overboard? I mean, it seems to me that you are simply searching for recognition. Trying to be noticed." "I display them because they are my credentials. They show the person I am working with that I am knowledgable in my field. I cannot do my job if the person I am working with has no faith in my abilities." "But enough about me," he continued. "We came here to talk about you. It strikes me that you are actually a very insecure person. That is why you have to check your makeup so often; you have to have the bright colors to be noticed, to achieve recognition. That is why you insist that those boots are comfortable, when they are not. By standing taller, you feel that it makes you stand out; thus, the high heels make you more notable." Yolanda restrained herself from laughing. "Insecure? Me? I don't think so. I have a fine job, an important one. I work with people I both like and respect. I have lots of friends, and people here respect me as well. I have absolutely nothing to be insecure about." "I know that, Commander," Nigel countered. "But even though you say it, I don't believe you truly feel it. So I want you to do something for me. I want you to give up the high heels. From now on, only wear flat soled shoes. I think you will be much better off for it. You will learn that the respect you earn is not from your added height, but from the work that you do to earn it. Then we can talk again, say in a week, and we'll see how you feel about that. Does that sound alright to you?" "Well, Doctor," 'Lanni sighed, "if you insist, I will give up the heels. But I really do wear them for comfort." "Oh, I insist." "So be it, then. I will see you in a week. Now I guess I have to go to my quarters and change my shoes. Have a good day, Doctor." ********* Outside the Obervation Lounge "Hey 'Lanni," Iona said as they walked away from the briefing. "Thanks for asking for me on the away team." "Oh, no problem, Iona," 'Lanni sighed. "You're limping!" Iona gasped. "Are you okay?" 'Lanni shrugged. "My feet hurt. I promised Junior that I would wear flats." Iona looked puzzled. "What ever for?" "He thinks it will help me overcome my insecurities about my..." 'Lanni looked down at Iona. "About what?" she asked. Yolanda couldn't help but smile as she looked into the large, hazel eyes of her four foot tall companion. "About my height." Iona stopped walking. "About your...." She burst out laughing. Yolanda joined in, and together the pair set out to gather equipment for the away mission, laughing all the way. Respectfully submitted: Cmdr. Yolanda Tabak Executive Officer USS Oberon (NCC-0111) Brian: I leave it to you to start the away mission. Keep Smiling everyone! Greg :-) My web-page: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/~roboman Learning Robot web-page: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~rll World Weavers web-page: http://travel.to/WorldWeavers