Post# 182 - Evaluation for mission

Posted on Sat Jan 25th, 2025 @ 8:30pm by Lieutenant Commander Michael McMahon & Ensign Erin Couldis

1,062 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Secrets

On:

Mike finished his shift and reported to the counseling area as ordered for an evaluation so he could go on the mission to rescue his Uncle. He really wanted to make sure he would be ok, but as Chief Operations Officer and because he had worked in various areas, he was prepared for any tactical mission. He understood why the Captain wanted to make sure he was mentally prepared for the mission. Lt Stokes was not available, so he had made the appointment with Ensign Couldis.

Erin was in her office, grabbing together things she could possibly need while she was gone on the away mission. She knew that she had been selected to accompany the away team because of her telepathic abilities, but she hoped that she would have more to offer. She had already taken the training that the Marine Commander had required, and felt that she was reasonably prepared. She looked up as Mike entered her office, and smiled.

"Commander, welcome. Please... have a seat."

Mike nodded and sat down. "So I've been told to come here for an evaluation to see if I am able to go on the rescue mission for my un.. Admiral Bradley." Erin nodded.

"Captain Pontmercy thinks, and I agree, that it could be possible that you are too emotionally close to the situation. This of course could lead to disastrous consequences in the field, putting your life and the lives of the away team at risk. So, we have some questions to go over. Let me be frank, Commander. Do not lie to me, answer these truthfully. Can you do that?"

Mike nodded. "I figured that was what he was worried about. I'll be honest."

"Okay, great," Erin said as she adjusted her seated position to face McMahon more directly. She pulled out a data padd, and then looked up at him. "Why do you feel you should be allowed to go on this mission?"

"I'm the chief operations officer as well as second officer. Part of my job is to go on all away missions." Mike responded.

"That is the Starfleet answer," Erin replied. "You as a person, Michael McMahon. Why do you want to go?"

Mike laughed. "I'm serious. I've always been on away missions. I love the action. I've done so much in training to be where I am. Would I like to go because it's my Uncle? Of course. But I'd want to go regardless of who it was." Erin nodded, glancing down at her padd.

"What were your first thoughts and feelings when your Uncle was taken?"

"I was nervous, scared. Worried for him as well for my Aunt. Also angry that all this happened. To be very honest, I was kinda pissed at him, cause he hid all of this from us and we could have been working on it" Mike said.

"An understandable response," Erin said. She marked something down on her data padd before continuing. "How are you feeling now when you think about the incident?"

"Well, we are learning more about the Synthulans because of it instead of being blindsided by them in the future. I'm still frustrated it happened and I am hoping my uncle is ok. But other than that I guess ok." Mike said. Erin nodded, thinking.

"What strategies have you used to cope with the stress of this event?"

Mike laughed. "Honestly, I just worked. I tried to help come up with plans on what to do. And I checked in on my Aunt. I didn't like sit down or meditate or anything. I did what I usually do every day." Erin nodded.

"Commander, you seem to use humor as a coping method. I am not saying it's a bad thing, but you seem to use it as a way to mask what you are truly feeling. Have you found this to be an issue in the past?"

"I've never been told that. And I'm not trying to cope or using a coping method. I'm trying to be honest." Mike said

Erin was worried that he was getting defensive, and that was not her intention.

"I am in no way saying that you are not being honest, I know that you are. Sometimes, even subconsciously, our minds use certain things to mask when we are uncomfortable or upset. Your Uncle was taken, quickly, and by an enemy that we know little to nothing about. We are here," she paused, "to determine exactly how that is affecting you." She sighed for a moment. "How about guilt? Do you blame yourself for what happened to your Uncle?"

"Not at all. I love my Uncle. Don't get me wrong. He's been like a father to me. Do I want to see him returned safely? Yes. Do I want to make sure he's ok and do whatever is needed? Yes. But, I won't risk myself or members of the crew. In this instance, I'm not in charge of the mission. So I have to follow orders. I know when I see him I'm going to want to rush in. But I have to hold myself back and make sure I don't. Cause I don't know what the area is like and if there are things I don't know about how he is locked up." Mike answered. Erin studied Michael for a moment without saying anything. Finally she put the data padd down.

"You have passed all of the questions," she said hesitantly, "and so I am going to clear you to go on this away mission," she stated. "However I must caution you. I think, personally, that you are too close to the situation and that it is a risk for you to go. I am not going to prevent you from leaving, but I want you take a little while and seriously think about it. If you still think you are able to look at all of this objectively, then by all means- go. But if you hesitate at all... I want you to stay."

"Thank you. I appreciate your advice. If there isn't anything else, I'm going to head out to prepare." Mike said standing up. Erin stood as well.

"No...nothing else. Just- just be careful." She gave a small smile.


Lieutenant Junior Grade Erin Couldis
Asst Chief Counselor
Starbase Obsidian

Lieutenant Commander Mike McMahon
Chief Operations Officer
Starbase Obsidian

 

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