Cleared

Posted on Mon Oct 13th, 2025 @ 9:04pm by Lieutenant JG Diana Morrison-Johnson & Ensign Gregory Turner

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Counselors Office

It had been two days since he first arrived on the Resolution. Walking down the corridor, Ensign Turner had received orders that he was to be reassigned to the Resolution, since clearly going back to the USS Nelson was no longer an option. Before checking out of sickbay the other day, Gregory received noticed that he was to see the counselor for therapy before retuning back to duty. Normally, he wouldn't be quick to jump into counseling, but in all honesty, he was pissed off all the time. And even he realized that this was not healthy behavior. Pressing the chime, he waited to be called in.

"Come on in," Diana called out. The door opened as the Ensign walked in. "Ensign Turner right on time. Can I interest you in a drink?"

"Yes please. I'll have peppermint tea."

Walking over to the replicator, she requested one peppermint tea and green tea for herself. Returning back to her seat, Diana had the drink over to the Ensign.

"Thank you, ma'am." Taking a sip, Gregory leaned back in his seat and began to relax a little. "So where do we begin?"

"Just be honest," the counselor began. "From what I read in your file. You were assigned to the USS Nelson but wasn't there that long."

"I was there a little over a month," Turner explained. "It's weird that I wasn't there long, but yet feel like I suffered a personal loss."

Morrison sipped her drink before responding. "Its natural to feel that way. You took an oath to serve and protect. Now you're one of a few survivors."

"In a way, I wonder why I did survive. And so many more experienced people didn't."

"Unfortunately, there is no logical explanation," Morrison explained. "Sometimes its just about standing in the wrong place when a bulkhead explodes. Or even being in a situation when outgunned in a fire fight. The best thing to do is not dwell on and be thankful that you're still here."

"Is wanting revenge wrong?" the Ensign inquired.

"Most would say yes," the counselor admitted. "But your in the Federation and Starfleet we teach revenge is not the way. And that justice is the way a civilized society handles things."

Gregory sighed as he took in her words. The counselor was right, even though everything in him wanted to drag the surviving Cardassians by the neck to the nearest airlock and toss them all out into space. "You're right about that. But it seems so hard right now."

"That's because your only four days outside of surviving a warzone. Your emotions are still high. Those losses and near-death experiences affect your judgement. Its nothing to feel bad or even guilty about. This stuff takes time. Which is why the rest of the counseling department and myself are readily available."

"Thank you."

"So, Gregory Starfleet saw fit to reassign you to the Resolution," Diana mentioned. "Welcome aboard officially. Tell me a bit about yourself."

"Grew up Earth in a two-parent household, the only child," he answered. "Always have been active in sports."

"What sport?" the counselor inquired.

"Boxing and wrestling since the age of two. Participated in a lot of tournaments growing, which carried on into the Academy serving on the teams there."

Diana raised an eyebrow. "You started so young."

Turner smiled as he sipped his drink. "My father was a professional fighter. Wanted me to carry on the family legacy. He was a proud of me joining Starfleet but was disappointed that I didn't continue. Says I had potential to go further than he did. My mother was supportive, but all this fighting scared the hell of her. Mom says it was bad enough that dad did it for so long."

"And what does your mother think about you joining Starfleet?"

"Says that I am determined to give her heart attack," Gregory said with a laugh. "I go from entering fights to risking getting myself killed. The war with the Dominion really has her worried. With the loss of the USS Nelson, I know my family is worried. If they've heard about the ships lost in battle. Suppose I should call them as soon as we're allowed to contact families again."

Morrison noted the concern that the Ensign had for his parents. "I'm not a mother, but I can get why your mother would be so worried. Her son was placed in a potential war soon right after graduating and then an actual war began."

Thinking about everything that was explained to him, Turner nodded. "I knew what I signed up for. But it's bothering me more than I care to admit that I have experienced quite a bit of loss. Didn't even get to know the crew of the Nelson before it was lost. Only a handful of us survived."

"Sounds like you're dealing with some guilt."

"Don't get me wrong Lieutenant," the young man responded. "I am extremely grateful to be alive. But being one of the least experienced on board. Somehow, I was one of a handful of people to not get killed or possibly captured."

"Everyone in your position as dealt with survivors' guilt. And it's tough, especially with you being so young. You're just learning the job and thrown into a war."

"You think I'm unfit to return to duty counselor?"

Morrsion stared at the young briefly. "Actually, I believe that you are ready to return back to duty. But I want to have you in my office twice week for one-hour sessions."


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Ltjg. Diana Morrison
Counselor

Ensign Gregory Turner
Security Officer