Reporting As Ordered.

Posted on Mon Sep 7th, 2026 @ 2:09pm by Lieutenant Lireh Vin & Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Veran-Dallas

Mission: SHAKE DOWN IN A NEBULA
Location: Counselling Department
Timeline: Current

Vin had already spent that morning, a good 15 minutes in front of a mirror, ensuring her appearance was perfect; there was not a single blemish or wrinkle in her uniform; and her combadge and pips were exactly in the right place and securely fastened.

She was one of those people who had a firm belief in first impressions. To Vin, they were the magic key to the door of good possibilities.

She approached the door to the Chief Counsellor's Office. She reached to tap the door chime, hesitated, checked her reflection in a polished surface by the door once more for luck and then pressed the chime.

Isabelle had sensed an unfamiliar presence at the door, calling whoever it was to enter she stood waiting to see who was going to come through the door.

Vin entered the Office. She stood to attention as the doors closed behind her.

"Lieutenant Lireh Vin, reporting for duty, ma'am."

“Ahh our new Counsellor!” Isabelle smiled warmly. “Welcome to the station Lireh. Please sit, and feel free to call me Isabelle.”

"Thank you, Isabelle." Lireh replied taking a seat. "This informal style is helping with my slight nervousness. It is appreciated." She added.

“No need to be nervous, but it’s alright.” Isabelle smiled warmly. “You’ll be kept on your toes around here, between the station and ship duties when needed.”

"Sounds good. I have an expression. I'd rather be busy than bored. Or as my father says, scared to death rather than bored to death."

Isabelle grinned. “I like it! I’ll have to remember that. I just got back from being on the USS Cascade; it made a change to being on the station, but with two children here, I missed time with them.”

"Oh, how old are your little ones? I have no children myself. Still looking for the right person."

“My son Connor is 5 months, and my daughter N’vea is almost 3 weeks.” Isabelle smiled. “I drop in to my office a few times a week just to check for new appointments and pick up some files.” She smiled. “I’m still officially on maternity leave. I won’t need to worry as much now you’re here to share the load.”

"Sounds like you have your hands full with your family. I might be of some help; I did babysit for our neighbours back on Trill in my teenage years. Although their children were a little older, between 2 and 4 years old."

“My husband is currently off duty; long story short, he’s under the care of Starfleet Medical Counsellors for PTSD,” Isabelle added. “I’m typically not allowed to be his Counsellor.”

"I'm sorry to hear about your husband, but yes, you being his counsellor would be problematic. I wish him a speedy recovery. I am still getting used to being joined at the moment; only a month has passed. "

“Really? Yet another. I know someone else who was also recently joined.” Isabelle added. “How are you doing?”

"Pretty good so far. Although in the first few weeks I was having trouble remembering if I was male or female, until I pulled back the sheets in the morning. I am the fourth host to Vin, after Torbin, Lennah and Jorral, my previous host."

Isabelle nodded. “It must be quite the overwhelming situation, all those memories integrating with your mind.”

" Indeed. The training we receive as initiates helps deal with these kinds of issues. Without it, I suspect things would be considerably more overwhelming."

“I know that Commander Vehn struggled with her transition when she was first joined, but then she’s only half Trill,” Isabelle added. “Long story short, a race we recently encountered chose themselves a series of Queen’s from Trill over the centuries. Their latest host was dying of old age; they chose Commander Veran to be the new host for their Dragon Queen as she had visited their world. She agreed in honour of the Dragon Queen.”

"I confess that I am not familiar with this story. In fact, I have had snippets of information which I honestly thought were just hearsay and not actually factual. The Commander has a situation which is not one I have heard of. As far as I was aware, joining wasn't possible in the long term with someone who isn't fully Trill. I guess this disproves that. Interesting."

“I don’t know the whole story; maybe the Dragon Queen’s people assisted with the medical side of things. I don’t know.” Isabelle offered a smile. “It’s been a whole change for her.”

"I would imagine so, yes. The only drama I have had to deal with lately is that, a month before my assignment here, I split up with my partner of two years. It wasn't unpleasant and was mutually agreed upon, but I do miss him."

“I’m so sorry, break ups are heart wrenching.” Isabelle added. “Anytime you need someone to talk to feel free to call on me, that’s what friends are for.”

" Thank you. I will remember that. It's kind of hard being single again after such a long time. "

“You may find someone else here in time” Isabelle offered. “When you’re ready to move on with a new partner.”

" True. There are always possibilities. I will admit, it is kind of nice to have my bed all to myself. "

Isabelle couldn’t help but giggle at that one. “That’s where we differ, I find an empty bed lonely. I couldn’t be without my husband.”

"Oh I totally understand but there is something nice about having a big bed to myself. In one word sprawlage."

Isabelle nodded. “Ohh that is gold, to have the bed all to yourself!” She grinned.

" I do miss his company, the cuddles, the neck and shoulder massages, oh boy I miss those, as well as, well, you know. But certainly don't miss his flatulance." She smirked.

“Okay I think that’s getting a little personal” Isabelle smiled a wry smile. “I can see we’re going to get on like a house on fire.”

"Sorry, that was a little bit TMI there wasn't it. I agree, I think we will get on well. I hope to meet your family sometime, that would be nice."

“Of course” Isabelle nodded. “Oh and well done on your first patient here, I got your report just before you got to the door. I like that you got stuck straight into your work as soon as you got here. I wouldn’t expect it straight away, so good work.”

" Thank you. As they say, no time like the present. My mother always taught me to put my best foot forward and go for it. Hesitation is the number one cause of missed opportunities." Vin replied, smiling.

“That’s very true” Isabelle nodded in agreement. “On that note I’ll let you get on with sorting your office, feel free to make it your own in whatever way you prefer. It’s the door directly opposite mine, I’ll have your name sign up as soon as maintenance are available.”

"Very busy people, maintenance. I always make sure I thank them for what they do. I will have to get a picture of my name sign for mother. She will probably frame it. I will go sort it office, but if you need anything, I'm just across the hall." She added with a smile.

Isabelle nodded. “I’ll be heading home shortly, maternity leave or not I like to be here if just for a couple of hours incase anyone desperately needs someone to talk to. I don’t need to worry quite so much now you’re here.”

"Thank you. I appreciate that. Enjoy your maternity leave. I thought I might be having a child soon but now we've broken up, I guess that's back on the drawing board."

“I’m sure you’ll find Mr Right and have a family one day, take your time.” Isabelle smiled.

"Yeah. It's a big universe after all." Vin smiled and left Isabelle's office, entering her own, across the hall, the doors of which, closed behind her.

She rubbed her hands together. "Right, time for a little rearranging."

End