Part 2 - Where Fore Art Thou, Counseling

Posted on Saturday 10 September 2016 @ 05:02 by Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Captain Melody Jones & Major Richard "Wolf" Johnson, Psy.D.
Edited on on Wednesday 14 September 2016 @ 01:53

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: USS Merlin, Deck 9, CAG Temp Quarters
Timeline: MD8 - Mid Morning
4782 words - 9.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The turbolift stopped as it was just a short distance. The doors opened and Sav led them across the foyer and into her Quarters. She suddenly giggled, "Oh, Melody, these are Temporary. It seems the Dips found out about my L'Tandrey citizenship and are making sure my 'real' quarters are up to code and shoved me in here until they are done." She shook her head, "They needn't have worried, I grew up on Apollonia, not in the L'Tandrey Protectorate."

"Well I'm sure your new quarters will be just as nice," Melody added smiling.

The doors opened upon a 'living room' type space, bar to the side, work desk, and 'coffee' table style meeting table with a couch, easy chair, and loveseat. Right near the door was a coat closet. Just past this 'living room' was a kitchenette with a secure comm panel. The doors at the back opened to a bedroom with a full bed instead of the usual bunk-bed style arrangement of Junior Officer quarters, and a fresher to the side of that with a full bath besides shower and sonics.

As the two came into the quarters, it looked as though no one lived within. There were no knick-knacks about, no pictures, no personal mementos, just a sterile quarters with at least a tea and coffee set in the kitchenette. The set was made of Crystalline Ceramic Material, and with engravings of idyllic sharing scenes of Mephetian families having picnics on very large tree branches.

Sav started towards the kitchenette, asking, "Tea or Coffee, anyone?"

Melody stopped her friend and pointed to the couch. With mock sternness "You sit yourself down right there miss, I think I can find my way around getting some nice soothing tea for you. Also it gives you a chance to have a nice talk with Wolf here" Melody's tone was light but her stance was immovable. She wanted her friend to sit down and relax.

Sav pulled up short, her ears full towards Melody with a surprised expression upon her face. It was her quarters, and she was supposed to be the hostess to the two guests. She started to open her mouth to object, but the stance of Melody was such that Sav realized it wouldn't do any good. She did a quick shake of her head, then said, "If you insist. I'll take an herbal spiced tea, third container over from the left." She looked over at Wolf, trying to continue to think of him as fellow flyer and not the dreaded 'C' word.

Turning to Wolf, Melody asked, "Anything thing for you?

"Coffee, please, black," the Major replied with a nod and looked around the spartan quarters, "you decorate like I do, Sav," he said with a grin.

Sav moved to be among the couch, loveseat, and easy chair, trying to decide upon which to sit. As she did, she answered Wolf, "Umm, yeah, temp quarters, no need to make them personal. Besides, I don't have much anyways, as most was de... dE.... DE... " Sav closed her eyes, her voice seeming to lose some of its timber, "lost, was lost during treatment for an... incident, on Apollonia." Her breathing was heavier, as though from exertion, and so she chose the closest to sit upon, the couch.

As she prepared the tea, Melody could hear Saveena talking to Wolf. She also heard Saveena's voice change as she answered Wolf's question. 'That's the first time I've heard her stammer like that, she's fighting something' Melody thought to herself. Melody made a mental note and continued preparing the drinks.

Sav opened her eyes, then snorted out in humor, "At least Melody has more stuff about to make the quarters into a home, instead of a 'just passing through' space." She now smiled to Wolf, "So, why don't you have more decorations than 'spartan', Wolf?"

"Well, Marines are only passing through one way or another, most of us just don't bring much in case we leave.....unexpectedly, " the Marine replied with a smile, "but, on Merlin, I really am just passing through, I'll be reassigned once you get someone to man this department full time."

Sav looked down at her lap, wondering what to do now. She now knew Wolf was a temporary Counselor, not able to fully immerse himself into her 'case' before he was off onto his next mission. The tea would be coming shortly, but, now, there was this awkward silence between her and Wolf. She sighed, then decided to hit the proverbial elephant in the head. "So, umm, what do you want to ask?"

Johnson sat back and pulled his leg up on his knee and rested his hands in his lap, regarding the young officer for a moment, "How bout this, what do you feel comfortable telling me?" he asked, deciding to take a different approach to start rather than just asking questions.

Sav's eyes opened wide as a quizzical look came across her face and muzzle. Her ears went to upright but 30 degrees away from front as her whiskers went to 45 degrees outward, showing surprise and inquisitiveness. Before she could even think on how to approach this, she caught motion in her perception vision and looked towards it.

Melody walked over carrying a tray which had a 2 cups of herbal spiced tea for herself and Saveena and a cup of coffee for Wolf. She placed the tray on the table then sat down next to Saveena and passed her a tea.

"Here you go Sweetie. It smelled nice, so I decided to try it as well. Hope you don't mind."

Sav smiled shyly to Melody, shaking her head in small motions, "Not at all. It is there to enjoy."

Melody handed the coffee over to Major Johnson "You didn't say if you wanted sugar."

Wolf smiled, "Black is nothing added," he replied with a smile as he took the cup, "Thank you," he added gratefully before looking back to Sav.

Sav sighed, "Why? Why the interest? You'll be transferred soon, and onto the next assignment, and anything we attempt will be gone as the next counse... counse.. COunSEloRr comes in." She shook her head, trying to keep it clear to talk to Wolf. She continued, "Besides, what happened to me, my 'aCciDENt', is nothing compared to what Melody has been through." She looked over at Melody, concern and caring on her face, as she said, "She had been in the clutches of the Mekhanii, now rescued, but with Mom and Dad still in their clutches. She was ra.. ra.. ra.. " Sav's muzzle scrunched up in pain and anger as she suddenly yelled out, "DAMMIT!"

Sav shivered, rocking gently, muttering, "another word, another word.." Sav looked up at Wolf, managing to continue, "Melody was invaded in mind and body, no childhood, and needs guidance on how to be an adult.. " Sav felt a tear fall onto her muzzle, she couldn't help it, "which I can't give, not for dating and finding a husband. You're a marine, a couns.. se.. lor, a flyer, with experience to give."

"Maybe not, but I'm always going to be reachable," Wolf replied softly and sat forward, "and yes, Melody is on my list of people to see. My specialty is trauma, in part because I've lived through something only a few like Melody can relate to," he added, but not giving anymore detail than that, "my interest started because I'm supposed to evaluate the senior officers, Captain included. I'm here now because it's clear you're keeping a trauma buried and that trauma is manifesting itself by making you shut down, and, I don't need to be empathic to know you're in pain."

Sav's eyes flew wide at hearing the cruel irony of Wolf's words as it related to her situation. She almost burst out laughing, her brain feeling like it was trying to short out. Others were forcing her trauma to stay buried and not to have ever been while their idyllic memories of what should have happened were pounding themselves into her. 'Oh, yeah, I'M keeping the trauma's buried.. right...' Before Sav's dark thoughts could continue down that path, Melody drew her attention away from herself and onto Melody.

Hearing that she was on Wolf's list made Melody cringe inwardly. 'Great, another counselor' she thought to herself, but for Sav's sake tried to put some humor on it.

"Hey Sweetie it's ok, you see he's got me on his hit list too. Right now I'm more worried about you and Wolf is right, you're in pain and trying to hide it. Not very well I might add" She put an arm around her and looked directly into her eyes, searching as she spoke softly "IS there something you want to say but feel like you can't?"

A focus, Sav had a focus now away from herself. She concentrated on Melody, adding, "But, what about you? I am doing what I can as your friend, and as the wingman and dating support It from final year in college and time at the Academy. Wolf is not here long, and has plenty of experience and help to give you. He may have insight into your Dream of your Mother, maybe just to confirm what I think." She gave Melody a gentle hug, the moved back to look into her eyes, "We don't have time to break through my forced phobia, not unless he is similar in abilities like a Betazoid. But, he has time, for you." Sav shook herself as surprise crossed her face. She had just said what she said, without having the overlays stopping her. But, her focus was on helping Melody, not her, and maybe helping her get out some of the truth without getting stomped upon.

Melody gave her friend a hug back "Sweetie, right now I'm spending my time helping my friend and I think it's time very well spent."

Sav flinched. 'No No No No No No, the focus is on me again' trampled through her mind. She could feel hands rubbing with glee inside of her as she felt the oppression of the overlays tightening their cage once more. There was a cry deep inside of her, of her core self trying to get out without having to fly, but all that was left was the logical self making the motions of being who she once had been. She began crying inwardly as the tearing of her psyche would happen once more with telling of the lies.

Her voice an even monotone, Sav stated, "You're right, Melody, this time and focus is upon me." She turned towards Wolf, "You have asked what I can, am allowed, to tell you." Sav inwardly smiled, able to get those two extra words in, even as her outwards self remained in its now rote, zombie state.

Sav now started into her countless times recital, even though, due to her always fighting, some parts were beginning to unravel. "I was employed by Mr. Thompson to fly and work on his private Space yacht. I was doing some maintenance work when the harness failed?? ... I failed to wear a harness??... I fell onto a pile of scrap under the ship, the b.. the b.. the debris puncturing deeply where I landed in a sitting position upon it. My left leg was pinned at the inner thigh with a piercing of my artery, causing blood spurts over me. I panicked... terrified.. and began scrambling up many times, only to fall back down upon the piercing debris perforating my insides, everything, . a Federation Councilman (growled out) rescued me and took me to the Esteemed StarFleet Strom Thurman Advanced Medical Research Center where the Doctors saved my life."

Melody sat there and listened as her friend recall this traumatic event, but as she listened she noted Saveena's tone had changed again, loosing all its usual life and timbre.

Sav took a breath, continued, all emotion totally gone as she was now fully into her lying rote state. "I was told I had a fantasy dream from blood loss about Diostros that the Counselors had to correct and so went into ten weeks of intense, deep, psychosomatic counseling. I was cleared and released, all court documents bound and put away from the investigation of the incident. I was at fault for not wearing a harness, for falling onto the debris, for causing great expense to Starfleet, for attaching a fantasy dream to the Esteemed Federation Counselor, and court investigations and findings due to acting out on those fantasies." She glanced up at Wolf, then her eyes lowered again. "Thus, in accordance with the court findings, no trauma, just a Rave girl crying for attention and turning a simple accident into more than what it should be. I am fully recovered by decree of the Councilman and Strom Thurman Center."

Even though finished, and sitting there without emotion, head properly bowed in a submissive stance, hands folded upwards to show no ill intent, her legs having opened to allow peaking at her wares if she had not been in a duty uniform, she had a couple of tears spill down in the crease between muzzle and face. Inwardly, Sav felt a little pride in not reciting, 'I am at fault' before everything the counselors laid blame onto her, even as she felt hurt and anguish at having to tell this lie, again, always, again. She did not realize that in finishing the rote, her behavior was back to the training given to her by Mr. Thompson's sex slave dungeon.

Melody reached over to reassure her friend. She gently wiped the tears off her face "Hey sweetie, don't cry. I'm sure it wasn't your fault"

Wolf again just watched, studying as he had in the corridor and in the lift on the way up to Sav's quarters and, while he wasn't a telepathy, he knew conditioned responses and actions when he heard and saw them. What he had suspected, and the reason he asked the CAG to pick the topic of discussion, had been confirmed. He looked at the second officer for a moment before steepling his fingers and resting his chin on his thumbs, watching Sav closely, "yes, I do believe it was your fault," the Marine said and shot Melody a 'don't start' look, "but, you finally came to your senses and admitted your mistake, which is good," he added, having seen how deeply the conditioning was rooted, "you're forgiven, Saveena," he added and watched the young woman's reaction, if his theory was correct that would release her from the trance and the pain it seemed to be causing.

Wolf's way of questioning, with the statements of Sav being at fault, and admitting it, instead of trying to get her to admit it, caused a special imprint to come out. Unknown even to the counselors at the Thurman Center, Diostros had paid for an implanted, deep psychological need for 'Uniqueria' to come to the fore with a trigger congratulations card and for her to seek out Diostros, no matter where she was. And now, that special deep need had been forced to the fore by giving the other imprint overlays full control over Sav as she was reinforced with 'her fault' and 'forgiven for it'. Sav, not having encountered this new, deep recess imprint before, was submerged, for the time being.

Uniqueria, now to the fore, at the 'your fault' affirmation, slipped forward out of the couch and into a proper harem slave stance. Inside, Sav was fighting it, trying hard to break it, but had no foothold, not yet. She was not this Uniqueria, she was not this 'Saveena' of the counselors, she was Save'ena, Sav, college student, independent, not merchandise for the basest of desires. Yet, as Wolf continued his statements, the conditioning of the dungeon, coupled with the psychic overlays, shoved Uniqueria into this new direction. She spread her hands upon the floor, her face and muzzle bowed down between her breasts, as she said, "Admitted, this lowly one is always wrong, Master. Who is 'Sah-vene-ah'? Uniqueria is here to serve your needs..."

Melody's jaw hit the floor. She looked over at Wolf with shocked expression. She stood up and got in front of Saveena. Gently she said "Look at me. Your name is Saveena Tillatix. I know you're in there somewhere sweetie. Come back......... for me........... please........"

'Uniqueria' was keyed to Wolf, yet, it was a fresh shift-bond, and thus, upon hearing the 'new' voice, wondered if this was another of Wolf's harem. She shifted into a kneeling position from her bowed one and looked up at Melody. But, no recognition took place as Melody had used the keyed phrase name of the Federation and Federation counselors. 'Saveena' was always mispronounced by the Federation and Starfleet, and by which name the psychic imprints knew her as. The spelling was supposed to be 'Save'ena' and pronounced 'Sah-vay-enah'. 'Sah- vene-ah' was just how everybody said it. Since Melody had not said Sav, or Save'ena, the new imprint was fully in control. Uniqueria left off looking at Melody to look around the room, searching for the implements to remove her pelt for her master's pleasure. Not finding them, she focused her eyes downwards as it was not for a slave to look into her master's eyes.

Tears were starting to form in Melody's eyes. She had lost her parents and now she felt she was loosing her friend to some deep seeded mental trauma that was consuming her. Fear and Panic began to course through her. Melody looked at Wolf, a look of sheer horror on her face as if saying to him 'What have you done?' Suddenly, the fear and panic inside Melody built to bursting point and suddenly, without thinking, she turned and slapped Saveena across the face....... Hard!

'Uniqueria' took the blow, then turned her face the other way and started to say, "Desired Punishment for your enjoyme...", but she was interrupted.

Melody cried out "Sav! Snap out of it!!"

This time, Melody said the correct term, 'Sahv', which was an anchor and spur for Sav deep inside, and she began working her way out of the forced prison within.

Richard stood up and slapped his comm badge, " Johnson to transporter room one, lock onto Lieutenant Jones and transport her to the brig, now! " he ordered then looked at Melody," I warned you, Lieutenant. "

On the floor, Sav's fur was standing out along her neck, face, back of hands, and tail. Her muzzle was pulled back into a grimace of anger with fear as a low, continuous growl sounded out into the room. Her climbing claws had come out as she fought this new unknown that had surfaced, needing to become her again, despite what had been done inside of her mind to make her into others desires of her body and to cover up that it had happened. The growls began cycling, starting, increasing, then going away as the drilled into her Anger Management classes at the Academy now interfered with Sav trying to break free.

Melody's mind raced. She had precious little time now. She knew she had stepped over the line and while part of her was deeply shamed, another part was still focused on Saveena. She watched Saveena reaction as the tears started pouring down her face and a glimmer of hope sparked somewhere. 'That shook something loose, maybe........' she thought to herself. Ignoring Wolf, a firm resolve gripped her. "Oh, screw it!" as she slapped Saveena across the face again.

This time, the second slap bypassed the academy training. Sav felt the blow, felt the Uniqueria conditioning, and reacted out, trying to stop her tormentor and get back into control. Her climbing claws came out.

Wolf tensed and pulled his left foot back slightly, even if Jones didn't see the claws extend he did and he'd be damned if he was going to let one friend kill the other.

Melody felt the transporter kick in and just had time to say "Sav......... I'm sorry........" as the room dissolved around her.

Sav shoved outwards with a down rake of claws. But, she encountered no resistance as she went through the beaming Melody. As her tail was in full protective mode, the transporter lock failed to notice her going into the 'lock' area of Melody and so Sav was not transported with her. Instead, Sav fell face forward onto the floor right near Wolf's feet. The growl was going full tilt now, while her wickedly sharp climbing claws were still fully extended on hands and feet.

The Marine started to push off his left foot to tackle Melody just as the transporter engulfed her. He managed to stop himself from going to far forward and let out an audible sigh of relief when Sav went through the dematerializing Melody rather than through the solid Melody. When he heard the thud at his feet he instinctively stepped back, keeping his arms down, but keeping his shoulders tense and turning at a slight angle with his left foot back again, this time in a position to catch his weight should be need to dodge, "Uniqueria, enough," he said firmly.

Within the growls, words were forming, ones of specific syllables showing something was happening. The young Mephetian slowly came up into a kneeling position, saying, "Not..." "Uniqueria..." "I.." "Am..." "Sav..." "SAV" "SAVE'ENA!!"

It would have seemed even crueler to Melody, but, Wolf listened, taking in everything the CAG was saying and watching what she did. There had to be a clue as to a trigger to bring her back, even under what ever control she was under if she had will enough to fight it then she may be able to give him something covertly.

The eyes, which had been 'vacant' of intelligence sparkle, once more seemed to absorb and be with the light, instead of just reflecting. Sav shoved the compulsion within once more to find Diostros, to let him finish what she started, to become his bedspread. As she did, she barked out a "NO!" She shoved back into her mind's secondary compartment for telepathic speech and memory retention the psychic overlays and their forced memories, barking out once more, "NO!", even as she went to her feet into a crouch. Straightening up, with fingers spread out, claws at the ready, Sav focused onto the only person in the room, as she said with a finality in her voice, "No. I am Save'ena." She held her head defiantly, eyes hardened, daring this interloper to try something with her. Within her, she knew it was for nought, but she had to keep fighting, not let them win, even though she was slated to be killed in the end.

"Lieutenant Save'ena, ateeenhut!" he called, pronouncing her name exactly as her heard her say it, then came to attention himself, turning to face her directly. It was a gamble, however, from what he had already learned of her. He was getting her sense of duty and loyalty would give her something solid to grab onto.

Wolf's words, coupled with the scene of the room, began to penetrate the swirling memories that had created the remembrances of the dungeon around her. Her cell slowly dissipated from view as her temporary quarters came to the fore. Mistress Elizabeth's Eunuch Help faded into a Terran before her, in a very well known uniform. She fixated on that Uniform, "Pilot.. not.. Keeper... Pilot.." Her claws sheathed as she took a step forward, her mind busy on climbing out of the forced past and into the present. "Pilot..."

"That's right, pilot. And I said atteeenhut, pilot!" Wolf repeated, not moving and his gaze hardened as he focused on Sav.

Sav, college student, pilot, dual citizen of the L'Tandrey Protectorate and Federation, tried to place why the pilot said what he said. Then, her time-space within her mind fast forwarded to and through the Academy. Sav grabbed onto that, hard, and came to attention, saluting, "Cadet Save'ena Amil'ia Tillatix, Sir, Yes, Sir." (Sah-vay-enah Ah-mil-eeah Til-lah-tix)

"Lieutenant Save'ena, USS Merlin CAG," Wolf corrected firmly and returned the salute as he watched her, keeping an eye out not just for changed but for anything that might warn him of an attack, he wasn't sure how far the programming would go to protect itself after seeing Sav go after Melody.

Recognition dawned in Sav's eyes as she fully came into the space of her room. She glanced around, "Quarters, my quarters..." She turned and faced Wolf, the waking nightmares of fighting off the deep imprint through the layers of the false memory imprints taking their toll upon her physically and mentally. She felt so tired, and looked so tired. Her fur literally drooped, her whiskers down, as light trembles of mental and physical exhaustion passed through her body. She looked really confused as the last remembrance of her 'fully there', she was sitting on the couch, not standing. She absently remarked, "By the Creator, I'm wrung out."

Sav focused on Wolf, with everything from when he spoke about her fault for everything to her becoming once again herself regulating to being another nightmare within her, slowly fading into not remembered dreams. She shook her head, saying, "I'm sorry Wolf, I.. spaced out." She shook it again, trying to get her mush for brains clear, then said, "I didn't catch what you said after I told my Raver's tale as decreed. Could you say it again?" She frowned, "And, where's Melody?"

Johnson relaxed slightly, "that won't be necessary," the Marine replied with a smile, "and she was called away," he replied simply, deciding it wasn't the time to tell the CAG what had happened and risk a repeat, he needed time to prepare and bring in back up in the form of Mental Health Specialist 3rd Class Maria Tomia, the Betazoid who had helped him conduct the case study for his papers on telepathic programming, "Lieutenant, I'd like to have you come see me in a few days, I don't really have many people to speak with on ship here and I think it would help me if you could?" he asked, again staying away from any phrase that may trigger her again, such as come see me for an appointment.

Sav smiled to Wolf, nodding. She was not sure what changed to cause Wolf to go from 'Counseling' to just 'Pilot friendship', but she would definitely go along with it as such askings did not delve into her phobia of counselors. "Sure thing, Wolf, I would like that. I have very few friends myself, and you saw me fly, and know I can do so, no tricks involved." She had a wry grin appear, "Dammit, it's not about me, but about us getting a friendship going." She snorted out in humor, "Sorry, Wolf, I am just used to being accused of must be pre-programmed tricks or knowing a course for my flying skills."

Richard smiled, "yup, you saved my six with that asteroid maneuver you had me do,v he replied with a honest grin, "I'd be your wingman any time."

Sav smiled to Wolf, and took a step to hold out a hand for a confirmation handshake and she felt herself swaying. "Uhhhhh... uh oh.. Wolf?"

Johnson grabbed her and moved her over to the sofa, "whoa there, take it easy," he said, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes and having seen it in her features while when she came out of her trance like state.

Sav gladly let Wolf help her to the couch and sit her down. She picked up her tea, and she drank it all down as it was cold, not hot anymore. She frowned, then looked up at Wolf, "Something happened, and you're not saying what." She sighed, shaking her head, "I.. am not up to finding Melody right now. Would you please have her come here when she is done with her errand? I am just so tired...." Sav's eyes closed and she slumped into a half laying down position on the couch.

The Major smiled and laid the young pilot down then grabbed a nearby blanket and put it over her. He turned and walked into the corridor quietly before tapping his commbadge, "computer, monitor vitals of Tillatix, Save'ena, Lieutenant junior grade. Set alert for dramatic increase in hearrate or spiked adrenale responses and report to myself."

OFF:

Lieutenant Melody Jones
Chief flight control officer / Second officer
USS Merlin

Lieutenant jg Saveena Tillatix
CAG / Uroboros Squadron Leader
Bridge Command Specialist
USS Merlin

Major Richard "Wolf" Johnson
TAD Counselor
USS Merlin