Debriefing the Science officer.

Posted on Sat Jan 21st, 2023 @ 8:03pm by Lieutenant Oelh Tsuruchi

1,275 words; about a 6 minute read

Joint Log:
Commodore Brandon Jefferies
Lt. Commander Oelh "Joy" Tsuruchi

Commodore Brandon Jefferies looked at his assignment and sighed. He wondered why he was always given the geeks. Then he thought, it could be worse, I could get a bunch of bleeding heart medical or counseling personnel. At least after looking through the service records of this officer, he knew he wasn’t getting a shrinking violet. Using the site to site, he beamed to Science and looked around. “I’m looking for Lieutenant Commander Joy Tsuruchi.” He was told she was on the bridge at the moment. Sighing, he took the lift to the bridge and looked around. “I’m looking for Lieutenant Commander Joy Tsruchi.” He stated again. The Orion pointed to a station in the back of the bridge and he nodded and walked over, looking at the woman and noting her false leg and knew it was the right person. “I’m here to take you to your debriefing.” He held out his hand to her and then beamed site to site to his office. He had set up comfortable chairs around a table with notepads for taking notes or doodling or whatever and within easy reach of the replicator so they could get snacks and drinks as they wished. “Take a seat and we can begin.”

“Yes Sir.” she said nervously, her stomach churned. "Was she nervous or was she coming down with something she would have to visit sickbay after this.” She thought to herself trying to not show on her face. She picked a nice and comfortable chair, she looked at the notepads and around the room. Hands fidgeting in her lap.

Brandon studied at her for a moment and frowned. “Do you mind if I call you Joy?” He asked solicitously. “Are you feeling alright?”

She straightened in the chair some, “Um..yes sir. I’m ok. Just the last meeting I had like this was one where they were getting ready to kick me out of the academy.So im just a little nervous” Still fidgeting in her seat.

Brandon smiled. “Well, that isn’t going to happen here. You are not in any trouble at all and we do not want you to go anywhere. Just to put you at ease, I will tell you this won’t be like a normal debriefing. We aren’t going to talk about what happened, we are going to talk about what will happen next. Does that make sense to you?” He looked at her again and studied her. He would keep track of her for the moment.

“Sure it does. It gives me the creeps thinking about that thing.” she gave a visible shiver. “I'm just glad that it's over.” Rubbing her arms like she was just hit with a cold breeze. “Can I grab some water before we get started?”

“You can get anything you would like to eat or drink. Please, make yourself comfortable. I don’t want you to feel this is the 3rd degree in any way, shape, or form. This is just a conversation and the orders you will have to follow are explained to you so you can understand the why, not just the what.” Brandon said and waved his hand for her to help herself to the replicator.

Gets up and replicates antacids and large glass of water before sitting down again. “Ok sir, I believe that I am ready.” giving him a nod.

He took note of the antacids and started to think things through. “Okay, Joy, the first order is that you are never to speak of the Fury to anyone who is not Starfleet Command personnel. The counselors are part of Starfleet Command, so you can talk to them about it. The story we do want you to talk about, and we do want you to talk about the mission, is that it was the Borg and not the Fury. The Borg had come up with a new covert process to attempt to assimilate the Federation from a remote place. And thanks to the Aldrin and crew, this plot was uncovered and stopped and now we know about it and can defend against it. Do you understand this and can you do this?”

She was taking a sip of water and about to spit it all over the place. “I’m sorry about that.” using a napkin to clean it up, “I understand that telling the truth will cause panic but lying about it doesn't seem wise to me…Um Sir.” Shifting in her seat. Her stomach made a growling noise.

“Please Joy, call me Brandon. And I can understand the distaste for lying, however, there are times when it is necessary.” He took note of her physical discomfort.

“Distaste is a very mild way of putting it. More like conning the people into a false sense of safety to have it ripped away one day. Then SF will have to pretend they never knew.” she said with great disdain.

Brandon looked shocked at the venom in Joy’s voice. “I see, Joy. And we don’t have that same outlook. Hopefully we will never have to find out who is right and who is wrong. I have to ask again, can you do this…will you do this?”

“Yes I can. I'm not crazy about this but I just want it done so we can move on. And put this in the rear view mirror as the expression goes.” she said. Taking another antacid.

Brandon sighed. “You will be required to attend one medical appointment, you may take someone with you and I highly recommend your mate to be with you for this. You will also be required to attend counseling for at least 10 days, but that is up to the counselor assigned to you. It could be more or it could be less, depending. You are still on a communications blackout. Your counselor will determine when that will be lifted. You can talk to anyone from the Aldrin crew or Starfleet Command personnel, but no one else until the counselor releases you.. Do you understand this and will you do it?”

“I have no friends or family here on Earth or anywhere else other than Aldrin sir. So no worries on the black out. The medical appointment is a member of the HQ medical staff correct?” she asked, concerned on why she couldn't just have Tholan do the exam.

“That is correct, Joy. You are not the only one required to have a medical exam. After counseling, you will be released for at least three weeks of shore leave on Earth. Some are trying to get you more, you will be informed by your counselor on how much you will receive when you are released.” Brandon reached behind him and picked up a padd and handed it to her. “This is your quarter assignment here in the headquarter’s compound. It also lists the recreational facilities we have that you are free to use while here. And…” he paused for a moment and then started again. “Joy, if you want or need to talk while you are here, my door is open to you. I hope that you will consider me a friend. It’s been a real pleasure to get to know you personally.” He held out his other hand for her to shake.

Stands and takes the padd before shyly shaking the Commodore’s hands and giving him a nice smile. “Thank you sir. I’ll keep that in mind. Have a good Evening sir.” Grabbing the antacids and heading for the door.

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