Meeting the Counselor

Posted on Sun Jul 28th, 2019 @ 1:10am by Lieutenant Commander William Gunnison

Mission: Getting To Know You
Location: Counselor Engels' office

Will headed to the office of Counselor Engels.

"Counselor, I would like to take the opportunity to formally meet you. I'm William Gunnison, the chief of operations. There are a couple of items I would like to discuss with you. The first is concerning myself and my son, Cole. I don't know how much of a chance you've had to go into any depth concerning my personnel file as of yet, but as you may be aware my wife was killed two years ago. Cole and I have been in counseling for that, and I've been instructed that we are to report in with you for at least an initial evaluation, given the change in my assignment from the Academy to starship duty, and to see if you feel that continued counseling would be advisable."

The abruptness raised Bert's eyebrows slightly. Usually when a person came in for counseling they required a little small talk to loosen up. Gunnison was ready. He came out the gate running. It made things easy, thought Bert, if he could name his issues that would make it that much easier to tackle in session. "Well, I'd be happy to see you and your son regarding the death of your wife. When would be a good time to bring your son in for the both of you to see me? Or would you rather do this separately?"

"We're both available at most any time, assuming that nothing comes up that requires me at a time beyond my usual duty shift," Will said. "We've been seeing a counselor both together and separately, so perhaps that would be best to continue that, after we come and see you together the first time, at least, though of course I'll leave it up to your discretion as to how we continue with that."

"Okay. How about you both come in tomorrow then and I can see you first together and decide where to go from there then?" asked Bert.

"That sound good," Will said. "What does your schedule look like?"

"I have tomorrow at 1500hrs or 1730 if you're looking to hit the ground running," the counselor suggested after glancing at the PaDD in his lap. "Either that or you need to tell me some times that are good for you because I'm still doing incoming crew check ins. My daybook is just full of blocks at the moment."

"We'll go with the 1730 time," Will said. "That should get the ball rolling, both with myself and Cole as well as allow you to get whatever you may need as far as my initial general check in at the same time."

"I look forward to seeing you both then," Bert said, rising from his chair to shake the man's hand.



Lt. Bertram 'Bert' Engels Jr
Chief Counselor
USS Astraea

&

Lt. William Gunnison
Chief of Operations
USS Astraea