New Counselor, New Possibilities

Posted on Thu Sep 10th, 2026 @ 6:24pm by Commander Angel Devroe & Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Veran-Dallas & Lieutenant Lireh Vin

Mission: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 09/26
Location: Starbase M-69 XO's Office
Timeline: Current

::ON::

Now that the dust had settled from her trip to the moon, Commander Devroe wanted to flesh out her Crew some more. If, and that's a big if, the McCook was either utilised more often and/or required to go a greater distance, they would definitely need a larger Crew. The Akyazi Class usually had a crew complement of around 85, give or take, and they were far from it.

There was a new Counsellor aboard working with Isabelle and after going over this Lieutenant's file, Angel noticed she also wanted to be included on a ship's crew in her current position.

Thinking she should talk with the Chief Counselor first Angel tapped her comm "Commander Veran-Dallas this is Commander Devroe, do you have a minute to talk?"

Isabelle was reading through some files taking notes when Angel’s voice came over the comms. “By all means Commander, I’ll be with you soon.”

With her children at home she arranged some short term care for them then made her way to see Angel. Pausing outside her office door she pressed the chime.

Hearing her door chime "Enter" Angel called out. Seeing the Counselor enter her office "Isabelle, so nice to see you; may I offer you something to drink?"

“Thank you, no I’m fine thank you. I just came from home and I’ve just finished one drink.” Isabelle smiled. “What can I do for you?”

"I'll be talking with Lieutenant Vin shortly. In her file she has requested being assigned as a ship's Counselor along with her duties on the Station and since she's on your staff I wanted to make sure you'll be fine with her working in two areas; I would like to assign her to the McCook. Ive been trying to piece together a Crew but Sureth hasn't indicated as yet how much the McCook will be used" Angel explained with a smile.

Isabelle nodded. “I can’t really refuse when I’ll be doing the same for the Cascade.” She smiled warmly. “I don’t see an issue as long as we aren’t away from the station for too long a period covering the ships. I don’t want Starfleet complaining that either of our station duties aren’t being fulfilled.”

Angel thought for a few moments "I don't foresee that being an issue. The last two times the McCook has been sent out it's been only for a couple of days at a time; if previous assignments are any indication. Being the Base's XO I don't think Sureth would want me away from the Station for too long at a time" she concluded.

“That’s true” Isabelle nodded. “I think our new Counsellor is a very good addition to the station, she seems to be fitting in very well.”

"That's good to hear. Lireh does seem to know what she wants and from my first impressions she isn't afraid of hard work" Angel responded "Well I've taken up enough of your time and thank you for meeting with me on such short notice Isabelle."

“It’s not a problem Commander, I maybe on maternity leave but I’m still doing a handful of hours incase my patients need me.”

"And I'm sure your patients are grateful. Now I should have a chat with Lireh and see if she's interested in being on the McCook" as Angel stood out of respect for a fellow Officer.

“It’s been nice talking to you Commander.” Isabelle smiled warmly as she stood and headed for the door.

Now that she had secured the green light form Isabelle, Devroe tapped her comm badge "Lieutenant Vin, this is Commander Devroe. If you're not with a patient, please report to the XO's Office."

Ironically, Vin had just finished her last appointment and had just left her office.

She tapped her combadge. "On my way, Commander."

A short time later, Vin arrived outside the XO's office. She rang the chime and waited.

"Enter", Devroe called out as she stood with a smile, eager to talk to a new crew member.

Vin walked in after the doors opened, her hands clasped behind her back, a trait from Vin's previous host, Jorral.

"Lieutenant Lireh Vin, reporting as ordered, Commander." She announced.

"Welcome to Starbase M-69, Lieutenant", as Angel extended her hand "Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable", she stated before sitting herself "So, how are you getting along in this community we call M-69?"

Vin shook her hand and took a seat. "Actually, better than I expected. I have been here less than 52 hours, and I have already made some friends and seen a few clients. M-69 certainly has a friendly feel to it." she replied, laying her hands, with one on top of the other, on her lap.

"That's nice to hear; I guess we're doing something right then" as Angel grinned "I also see in your file you would like to be assigned to a ship as Councilor; is that correct" she inquired.

" Yes, I would if that's possible. I don't mind being stationed on the Starbase if not, but a change of scenery is often therapeutic and rewarding. " Vin replied.

"Well it just so happens the USS McCook hopefully will be used from time to time. I'm in the process of expanding the skeleton crew and I would very much like you to be Counselor when the ship is called upon. I've commanded the ship the last two times she's been out and I hope the Commodore will see his way to keep me in that position" Angel explained "So tell me a little bit about yourself that I wouldn't know by reading your file."

" That sounds perfect. I'd be delighted to be the counsellor for the McCook when called upon."

She paused to ponder the Commander's question." Hmm something about me not in my file. I think this counts. I'm very partial to a type of sushi called Dragon Rolls. "

Angel grinned "Well I sure hope it tastes better than it sounds. Just for my own curiosity do you have any command experience; I didn't see any inference to that wasn't in your file" she inquired hoping for the right answer.

" I did have to assume command of a runabout I was on when our lead was incapacitated by a power surge. We were on route back from a Psychotherapy Conference on Dorel III. Not sure if that counts. There was only five of us and after our lead was incapacitated, I was the most senior officer. "

Hearing Lireh's reply was welcome news "Good. Right now as things stand when we're on a mission and I have to leave the Bridge, or the ship, my Science Officer has taken the Conn. She's done a fine job but she really has her hands full with the Science Station. So until as such time I can find a qualified First Officer I'd like you to assume command when necessary" Angel explained "Plus that'll give you even more command experience."

"I will be happy to stand in for First Officer for you Commander. I would appreciate the extra command experience. I am always keen to improve my skills in many things. However, the one skill I'm struggling with is not managing to kill a house plant after a mere 3 weeks of brining to my quarters. "

Angel laughed "Trust me, you're not alone in that regard.....I had the same problem until I found a solution.....I switched to artificial plants and never looked back" she responded "I'll touch base with Commander Veran-Dallas and bring her up to speed" as Angel stood and extended her hand "Welcome to the USS McCook Counselor."

Lireh stood. She shook her hand. " Thank you Commander. I will give artificial plants a thought. Some in my counseling room might work well. "

"Sounds like a plan Lieutenant; you're dismissed" Angel stated. After Lireh left the Office.

::OFF::