An Arboretum break

Posted on Thu May 1st, 2025 @ 4:14am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes

1,147 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Genetic Purity
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: Morning after release from Sickbay

With recent events Callie had made a point of giving Deanna a call, but instead of requesting it be at her office she had chosen the arboretum instead. It wasn’t a Counselling matter, more of a personal one for Callie, she was sitting beside the stream that ran through the arboretum when Deanna arrived.

"Everything alright Callie? You sounded a bit frantic in your call" Deanna said as she walked up.

“Oh, hi Deanna” Callie motioned for Deanna to join her. “Sorry I didn’t mean to alarm you, I just…” she paused. “I wanted to…” she sighed. “After what you did for me, and what we shared I wanted to say how much it means to me. I haven’t really spent much time around Betazoids, considering they’re my own people. I’ve never really put my telepathic side to that much use.”

Deanna sat down on the bench beside Callie. "Don't worry about it. I did what I did because you are a friend. And don't sweat the fact that you haven't spent much time around other Betazoids. I grew up with them and I tend to avoid them, especially my mother. Betazed is beautiful, but dealing with all those telepaths can be difficult. I would think even more so for you, since it is obviously something you aren't used to. You did the right thing marrying Jon. Relationships with other telepaths is a problem best avoided" she said with a smile and then began to chuckle just a bit. "I should thank you for not discussing what you saw in my mind with others. I know some of it was probably a bit disturbing."

“No more than it would be in mine” Callie grinned. “Besides you’ve been through more than I have, I couldn’t imagine being in a line of career like yours. To me being a Counsellor has always been what I’ve wanted to do. I wish I’d have been able to put up more of a defense against Goebbels, she almost had me believing I was back aboard ship.”

"Don't take this the wrong way, but as a scientist, what you and Inara experienced fascinates me. To genetically alter the human genome so that a form of telepathy was possible was astounding" Deanna replied, somewhat cautiously. "Some of the other abilities they apparently developed are equally fascinating to me. You remember the planet we encountered not long ago where the machines became sentient and tried to kill the humans? I discovered several creatures on that planet that had remarkable abilities that I have never seen in any species before. I was able to capture a few of them and the captain allowed me to bring them aboard for further study. I can't imagine how those people managed to create such abilities in a human genome."

“Well the Human brain is a surprising organ, myth used to say that Humans only used 10% of their brain on a daily basis, but that has proven wrong over the years. Humans use all of their brain, but unlike us they never developed the ability to use telepathy. Our brains are similar enough for the ability to develop if the brain is stimulated in the right way, they obviously learned how to do just that.”

"Did you get to experience any of the other mental abilities? My understanding that the aggressive abilities were experienced by Jon, Seth, and Phoenix. They dealt with pyrokinesis and electrokinesis" Deanna replied. The wind in the arboretum began to blow in a gentle breeze, bringing a bouquet of flowers scents.

“Goebbels demonstrated telekinetic abilities, she seemed to want to show off what she could do.” Callie struggled to recall it, not wanting to experience the memories again so soon. “She wanted to know what I could do, so they could stabilize their abilities and enhance them where possible. She never got to know about my empathic senses, at least I don’t think she knew.”

"I know it was traumatizing, but it seems like this Goebbels person was far less megalomaniacal than the others that the others seemed to encounter. You and Inara seem to have been lucky in that sense" Deanna responded. "I can understand why you might want to meet in a tranquil place like this after that ordeal."

Callie nodded. “I haven’t had my mind invaded like that before. Controlled, yes, but not invaded. It’s not an experience I ever want to repeat.” She paused. “Deanna you’re more skilled than I am being a full Betazoid, can you teach me how to better defend my mind from attack?”

Deanna remained silent for a few moments, looking contemplative while the wind blew through the limbs of the Sakura tree nearby. "Are you certain you want to learn that sort of thing?" she questioned. "It is strenuous and difficult training, and it may prompt some difficult memories in the process."

Callie nodded. “I understand, but I’d rather that than ever face going through anything like that again. I’m willing to take the risk, though I have no doubt Jon would be more dubious.”

Deanna chuckled. "Men are so overly predictable. They never seem to grasp that we can handle things on our own. I suppose they just need to the protector, its genetic, particularly amongst the humans. We can set aside some time for you to do these training sessions. Think of them like a reverse counseling session, where I will be in charge. You'll want to put aside about an hour worth of time for each one, and I suggest a little time before so you can mentally prepare yourself like you would before a meditation, as well as time to rest and recover afterwards. You'll be surprised how strenuous it will be initially. I can't promise to make you as strong as I am, but we'll definitely bolster your mental defenses, teach you how to mentally protect yourself."

Callie nodded. “Sounds good to me, I can make time at the end of my scheduled appointments, that way I can rest up at home afterwards.”

"That would be fine" Deanna replied. "I suggest you get yourself cleared for duty before we start this training." Deanna rose from her seat and took a last look around the beauty of the arboretum.

Deanna walked with Callie as they completed their conversation in the arboretum. "We'll have that first session soon. You should go talk with Eislyn. I know she is your subordinate, but she is good at this counseling thing. She has handled everyone else that was on the away team due to your situation, and Ayana says she had a solid talk with her. I sent Kate to see her before coming here. I'm sure she'll be able to at the very least clear you for a return to duty."

 

RSS Feed