Preparing Counseling - Security Joint Sessions
Posted on Fri Apr 3, 2026 @ 4:25am by Lieutenant T'Lul & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro
2,056 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Jubilee
Location: Pierre's Patisserie- Promenade
Timeline: Day 1 - 15:13 hours
ON:
The Chief of Security was a bit of a mystery to T'Lul. They met briefly when she initially arrived and when Maritza was running the station. However, other than passing or talking about how to fix the timeline after the station had been overrun by Cardassians originally, they had little discussions. T'Lul believed that the Chief and her got along well enough, but simply being acquaintances would no longer suffice. Their objectives were very much the same. They were attempting to keep the station safe. She tapped her comm-badge and called out to Annora, =^= Lieutenant Tessaro, this is it Lieutenant T'Lul. Would you care to literally break bread with me? I know a place on the Promenade, if you are interested. =^=
(The Forge, training area)
"Try it again. This time be more confident in your abilities." Annora was running a team through a training exercise when the call came in from T'Lul.
"Actually take five." She told the team. "Get a drink, catch your breath. Do what you need to do to reset mentally."
She stepped around the corner to take the call from the station's counselor. =/\=This is Tessaro. I can meet for a late lunch. You'll have to give me about half an hour. What location did you have in mind? =/\=
---
If the Vulcan was human, she would have smiled. She should have known that Annora was working herself too hard, as usual. =^= The break will do your body good, =^= T'Lul reminded the Chief of Security. =^= I intended to go to Pierre's Patisserie. Would that suit you? =^=
While not her usual haunt, they had good food.
=/\= I will meet you there. Annora out. =/\=
"Computer, notify me when 20 minutes have elapsed." As the automated voice responded in the affirmative, Annora returned to gathered security guards.
"I've been called away, but have time for another run through or two. Everyone ready?"
A chorus of affirmatives rang out.
"Good, with being said. Let's go."
The team moved forward with more gusto than previously. No sooner had they turned the corner, then the first two curve-balls showed themselves. The corridor was plunged into darkness, illuminated only by emergency lighting and a thin cloud of smoke filled the air. Just enough to obscure the path forward. While there were some muttered curses, the team regrouped and pressed on. Annora had just added an extra .25 g's to the gravity when the 20 minutes ran out. "I have to leave, you're left in the capable hands of Petty Officer Zillak."
After a shower and change of clothes, Annora headed to the promenade. It didn't take long to find the desired restaurant, all that remained was to find T'Lul.
It took little to find T'Lul, she was talking to a man in a chef's hat behind the counter. Annora could hear the words "anise" and "bread," but little else. She then turned around to see Annora there and greeted her, "Lieutenant Tessaro, thank you for coming." She held her hand out in the Vulcan salute, "Live long and prosper."
Annora returned the salute. "Peace and long life, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?" While she knew of the restaurant, it wasn't a location she frequented.
"In particular, nothing," T'Lul answered. "I believe that is a common phrase that humans use when they are musing something. Am I not correct?" She changed the subject for a moment and asked, "What would you like to eat? I have a particular taste for the anise bread here, so I will be requesting a sandwich made of it."
Taking a padd with the menu, Annora looked over the offerings. The large breakfast had worn off and the chicken wrap from earlier was starting to fade.
"I don't particularly enjoy sweet breads for a lunch, but to each their own." She turned her attention to the man behind the counter.
"I'll have the pastrami on ciabatta bread please, extra pickles and mustard if I may. With a side of Consommé soup and a tall glass of sparkling water. Thank you."
Once they both received their meals, the two officers sat in a corner booth. "So Doc." Said Annora. "What's on your mind? Or did I steal your line?"
"I do not think that you can steal something from my mind," T'Lul responded flatly. "Though, I have looked at your logs and it does seem that you are still working too much. It is a concern."
If she was talking to just about anyone but a Vulcan, Annora would have thought T'Lul was joking. Apparently 200 plus years of working along side humans didn't help the Vulcans learn the more peculiar aspects of speech.
Letting the comment slide, she took an exploratory bite of her sandwich enjoying the mixture of flavors and textures.
"We're still coming off the Cardassian invasion, and I have close to one-hundred new security personnel I'm still getting spun up. When he took over as XO and made me security chief, I remember Commander Ryan telling me I was no longer the deputy I'm now the sheriff. He backed my requests to sector command to increase the manning numbers for security after multiple high visibility incidents. While I have a solid NCO corps that helps with training, it still results in longer than normal days. Plus, any other meetings that require my attention at odd times of the day."
T'Lul lowered her voice conspiratorially and whispered, "I assume, like myself, you have memories of both pasts?"
The security chief almost chocked on her water at the Counselor's question. She expected Jason to have the memories, and her own experience with time travel somehow made her more sensitive. Or at least that's what she assumed. "I do. So does Commander Haines. As long as everyone involved stays quiet, I wouldn't worry too much. If DTI does come poking around, let me know. Even if I'm off shift. All duty officers in the department have a standing order to alert me to any urgent requests from senior staff."
"Your Assistant Chief also has both, as well," T'Lul replied softly. "That likely has an added effect on your attention. I would still counsel that you get additional rest and work less hours; however, my experience with you indicates that you will ignore me. Am I correct?"
She quickly ran through the highlights what she learned from the various temporal mechanics classes she took at Starfleet Academy. It made some sense that everyone involved in resetting the timeline would have knowledge of the alternate sequence of events.
"Lieutenant Lee didn't tell me. Although I haven't asked either. I'll have to get with him on that. As for schedule. I have 2 more groups to run through the Forge before making my final decisions on the filling out the ranks on the last DART team. Then the plan is to transition everyone in the department to a standard 40 hour week, with the 4th weekend being an extra day. Senior security staff however will have 30 minutes on either end of the shift for a clean handover."
"That will be a welcome reduction in the time that you traditionally spend on the job," T'Lul answered in a way that was intended to sound like a compliment to Annora. "However, I have considered an idea that would increase both of our loads but would likely benefit the station in the long run."
One minute she was raising concerns about the workload, and then in the next proposing an idea that would increase the workload. Annora chewed her sandwich while trying to figure out T'Lul's angle.
"OK, you've piqued my curiosity. I'll bite. Hit me, Doc."
"I think that I could offer security some training on how to break mob mentality and for sensitivity to defuse situations when there are conflicts."
Cross departmental training wasn't unheard of, although Security and Counseling weren't the first two that came to mind.
"The teams are encouraged to check in with the civilian populace as they do their rounds, especially on the promenade. Let's people know that while we're here to keep the peace, the station is just as much our home as theirs. We shouldn't have to upend anyone's schedule to incorporate your courses. Stop by Security Control when you get a chance and coordinate with them. I'll let them know to fold you into our training lineup."
"Would that be your Assistant Chief? Lieutenant Anson Lee?"
While he was capable of adding her to the schedule, it wasn't necessary. "If he's there, he can do it. All you really have to do is talk to whatever junior officer is manning the security desk. I'll leave a note when we're done with this meeting."
"Thank you for your consideration. Knowing that your logic matches mine confirms my conclusions and will benefit the crew greatly." She cocked her head to the side and asked, "Is there anything that I can do for you? Are there any concerns that you have?"
The meeting didn't take the direction Annora expected, which was a pleasant surprise. "Nothing pressing. This isn't my first temporal run in, and I've worked under much higher tempos. If anything comes up, I'll let you know."
She paused. "If you ever want to test your skills Doc, we can slot you into a training event. Just say the word."
"Test my skills?" T'Lul asked, her right eyebrow raising on her face. "What kind of skill testing were you suggesting?"
She at least piqued the interest of the counselor. "While many of our security policies are based on those established by the late Commander Ryan, the Forge is my own creation. We commandeered available space in the depths of the station to build a dedicated training environment. By combining physical partitions, cargo containers, conduits, and furniture, we run the teams through a wide variety of scenarios. We still use the holodecks, of course, but having a dedicated 'hard environment' increases the realism and ensures we aren't competing for deck time. The cadre can manipulate gravity, lighting, and environmental variables in real time, using holoemitters primarily to simulate people, both civilians and hostiles. Should you ever want to join a team for a scenario down there, you’re more than welcome. Perhaps a hostage negotiation crisis, having a counselor’s perspective before such an event ever arises for real could prove beneficial."
"I agree. This would be beneficial to assist our security personnel. Perhaps we could do both on the same day?" She thought about it and asked, "Would it be possible for me to be teamed with Mr. Lee?"
This was the second time T'Lul had specifically asked about Lieutenant Lee, which seemed a bit odd to Annora. Perhaps she just didn't understand how the department was run, or there was something more. Currently, the reasoning wasn't important.
"More likely you'll be teamed up with Petty Officer Tihr. He leads the specialized teams. If you want to combine the two tasks, I purpose you run through a scenario or two with a team. First as an observer and then a more active participant."
If T'Lul was disappointed that she was denied her request, she did not show it. "That would seem like a wise decision. I shall consider the possibilities on these scenarios."
'A wise decision.' That was tantamount to high praise coming from a Vulcan. Annora gave a small smile. "Sounds good. Look forward to seeing the results. Need anything else from me Doc?"
"I would say that you should take some rest, but I suspect it will take you passing out before you do so," the Vulcan replied with a hint of humor.
Annora glanced at her watch. "I don't get off duty for several hours. I'm on swing shift today. If there's nothing else, I shall see you around the station and possibly down in the Forge."
The Vulcan said, "You will see me. We have training to arrange. Also, I would recommend that you try some of the anise bread prior to leaving. Pierre delivers me some every week. It is quite satisfactory."
"I'll consider it. Thanks."
As the two parted ways, Annora linked up with the nearest patrol. It had been a while since she walked the beat, and this was a good excuse to do so.
(Off)
Lt Annora Tessaro
Chief Security Officer- DS5
&
Lieutenant T'Lul
Chief Counselor - DS5
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