What's the Buzz?

Posted on Wed May 14th, 2025 @ 5:32am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant Seth Travis

1,064 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: Counseling Offices

Seth slowly walked into the counseling complex. He was here for his mandatory counseling session. The last away mission had been rough for the entire away team. Lt. Kono had been cut open and he and Phoenix had both been burned and electrocuted. He was even sure what had been done to Commander Grayson. he knew his wife Lt. Commander Callie Grayson had suffered some sort of mental assault but she had recovered and was cleared for duty.

Stepping up to the pretty blonde petty officer at the desk he announced. "Lt. Travis to see Lt. Cmdr. Raven-Grayson. I have an appointment."

"Yes sir." The petty officer smiled, "I'll let Cmdr. Raven-Grayson know you are here."

Callie wasn’t sure if she was looking forward to Seth’s session or not, but they both needed to move on from what had happened. Walking out of her office she offered a polite smile as she greeted Seth. “Hi Seth, please come on in.”

Seth met her smile with one of his own. "Hi Counselor." He returned as he followed her into her office for a meeting he didn't want to be at or have.

“Please take a seat” Callie motioned to the choice of seating. “Feel free to use the replicator if you’d like anything.”

'Thank you maybe later." Seth replied as he took a seat in one of the chairs opposite Callie's desk and waited.

Taking a seat Callie offered an understanding smile. “I know this isn’t easy, I felt the same myself when I saw Eislyn. Even Counsellors have to see Counsellors.”

Seth smiled at that. he relaxed. "You are right, it isn't easy, but your statement helps a great deal. Diplomats are keeper of secrets and supposed to be able to solve problems. I failed miserably in this last mission."

“No, you didn’t. They took us all by surprise, with the abilities they had we didn’t stand a chance from the beginning.” Callie offered.

"Maybe Counselor. The point is I should have been more aware, more on point. We all knew what we were going into. I should have known."

“Blame could be shared all round, I should have sensed that they were off, but I didn’t.” Callie paused.

Seth didn't or wouldn't hear her. "They practically broadcast what they were, with their names and ideas and I thought I could change them. How arrogant I was."

“Seth…stop!” Callie spoke in a firm authorative voice. “Blame could be thrown around all day, upon most of us but that’s not why we’re here, is it?”

Callie's firm tone stopped him short. He looked at her surprise on his face and then he slowly shook his head. "No, you are right That isn't what we are here for."

Callie nodded. “I understand you feel to blame, but you’re not Seth. We took a chance, maybe we were wrong to try, but we can’t say we didn’t give them a chance.”

Seth sat motionless for a few seconds before he gave a short nod of his head. "You are right, we did give them a chance. I don't think we were wrong to do that."

Callie nodded. “The actions that were taken to free us were justified, especially after what they did to all of us.”

Seth nodded again. "An experience makes trusting hard." He admitted "And in my profession, I have to have a certain degree of trust with the people I deal with."

Callie nodded. “Of course you do. Tell me what they did to you, it might help to talk about it.”

Seth took a deep breath and began talking, "I was tied to a chair and electrocuted several times. Each time was worse than the previous session as they lasted longer. It feels like my entire nervous system has short circuited."

Callie nodded as she listened. “I’m sorry Seth, That must have been awful. Have you been having nightmares or flashbacks?”

Seth nodded slowly, "Yes. Nightmares, I haven't mentioned them to Shon but i think she knows. I wake up shaking. It seems so real."

“I know the feeling” Callie nodded. “Have you heard of directed dreaming? It’s what I plan to use to face my nightmares and bad dreams, it gives you a way of controlling your nightmares.”

"I have not. Please tell me more. it sounds like something I would be very interested in." He admitted. "Does Commander Grayson know of your nightmares and bad dreams?"

"I have mentioned it" Callie nodded. "As for directed dreaming it's a way for you to set your own way to control your dreams. All you need to do is remember a symbol, any symbol you like, it could be the moon. When you see that symbol you know that you're dreaming, at which point you control your dream, or you can simply escape from it. I have a PaDD here..." she reached over to a pile of PaDDs and picked up a particular one. "Here it is, take a look through in your own time, it explains all about it."

Seth took the offered PaDD, glancing at it. "Thank you." he replied gratefully. "I will study it. This may be just what I need. It sure sounds like it is. if i have any questions, I'll be sure to ask you." He looked back at Callie, "You said you mentioned your nightmares to Commander Grayson, surely he understands and supports you and what you are dealing with."

Callie nodded. "He does, without Jon I'd be a nervous wreck. He's my rock, the one I depend on to help me."

Seth nodded in understanding. "That is good that he is so supportive of you. It shows his love for you, but you already know that. I am also fortunate as Shon is very supportive of me."

“I’m glad you have each other, having an understanding partner goes a long way to helping recovery.” Callie smiled.

"How right you are Counselor. I'd be lost without Shon as well as Shasta and little Sage. They keep me grounded and centered."

“Family is what keeps us all grounded.” Callie smiled warmly. “I know mine do.”

"I couldn't agree more. I think we are both extremely fortunate to have families that are so supportive." Seth replied with a broad smile on his face.

 

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