PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION - TALT
 
 

Stardate: 37310.27
Time: After the Captain’s meeting and whatever else.
Location:  Chronos sickbay
People: Lt. Talt and Dr. Zimmerman

::  As Lt. Talt and <> re-enter the sickbay, they find the ever-present EMHP waiting for them with folded arms and a sour expression. ::

[Zimmerman] “You’re late.”

:: Talt looks at the EMPH with irritation.  Then she shakes it off and smile at Dr. Zimmerman. ::

[Talt] “Well, maybe, if we’re lucky, you won’t have to deal with this “amateur” much longer.  Did you hear Lt. North’s report?  It’s possible that at some time in the future, he may be able to find another space for my office.  You could have your secondary diagnostic bay back.  Isn’t that something to be cheerful about?”

::  Talt winks at the EMPH as she walks toward her office. ::

::  Zimmerman drops his arms to his sides and follows her, talking sharply at her back. ::

[Zimmerman] “May I remind you, Doctor” *  The title is said with heavy sarcasm.  * “that Lt. North is currently involved in a number of projects.  The actual possibility that he may be able to direct his energies toward anything so convenient as moving you out of sickbay is exceedingly low.”

::  Talt walks through the doorway and into her office.  She drops bonelessly into her chair, blowing a loose strand of hair off of her forehead.  Dr. Zimmerman moves to follow her into the office.  But as he starts to cross the threshold, Mirifice looks up at him sharply and warningly. ::

[Zimmerman] :: stops suddenly, and crosses his arms once more.  A look of complete disdain crosses his features. ::  “Oh, very well.  May I come in?”  :: he says with more than a hint of sarcasm. ::

:: As Talt nods an affirmative, Dr. Zimmerman enters her office with poor grace. ::

[Zimmerman]  “Doctor,” * again Zimmerman’s voice betrays the fact that he feels the title is unjustified. *  “while I was attending the meeting, I received a large download of psychiatric files from Starfleet Medical.  Would you care to explain why my data files are being added to?  They were quite complete as they were.”

::  Talt looks up at Zimmerman from her chair with a slight expression of dread. ::

[Talt] “Well, yesterday, I realized that my orders from Starfleet Medical concerning Psychological Evaluations for the entire crew had to include myself.  But it just didn’t seem...appropriate for me to perform my own evaluation.  I’ve been in contact with Dr. Grimes, over at SF Medical.  We agreed that the best solution was to enable you to perform my psychological evaluation.  I suspect that’s what the additional files are relevant to.”

[Zimmerman]  “I see.  And you didn’t see fit to inform me of this fact until now.  Thank you very much.” * His voice is heavy with righteous indignation. *

:: Mirifice rolls her eyes in exasperation. ::

[Zimmerman] “Doctor,” * his voice actually sounds a little puzzled with the title now. * “I have just noticed that your name appears on a number of these files.”

::  Talt grins. ::

[Talt] “Careful, Doctor.  That almost sounded like a compliment.” :: she says, teasingly. ::

::  The EMHP looks non-plussed but then immediately regains his bad humor. ::

[Zimmerman] “I was not making a decision about your - a-hem - abilities.  I was merely remarking on your proliferacy.”

[Talt] “Of course.” * laughing quietly into her chest. *

[Zimmerman] “I find nothing humorous about this situation, Doctor.  When would you care to engage in this Psychological Evaluation?”  :: Zimmerman crosses his arms again, exuding impatience. ::

:: Talt looks down at her desk.  It has a number of datapads on it and the comm board is alight.  She sighs and looks back up at Zimmerman. ::

[Talt]  “If you would be so kind, Doctor,” * this time it is her voice that is sarcastic, * “I need about an hour to complete the paperwork on Lt. Comdr. Sixx’s transfer.  I want to place some calls - see if I can get him into some programs I know about."  :: She mutters to herself. :: “I think Dr. M’Gunu still has some openings.  Maybe he’d qualify for the DN-33 program.  Hmmmm.” :: She looks back up at Zimmerman, almost challengingly. ::

[Talt] “Would in an hour be all right with you . . . Doctor?”

[Zimmerman] “Very well, if it will take you that long to get yourself together.  I’ll just be waiting in sickbay.”

:: With that, Zimmerman turns on his heel and practically marches out of the Counselor’s office.  Talt sits back in her chair and slowly rotates her head to loosen the muscles. ::

[Talt] * muttering to herself * “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

:: Doctor Talt then picks up one of the datapads and starts going over the information contained therein. ::

Okay, approx. one hour later, Talt emerges from her office, looking tired, triumphant and scared.

[Zimmerman]"Well, Doctor, at least you're on time. I've spent the last hour going over all these new files and cross referencing them with data I already had. I suppose the captain will be calling on me for enopsychological resources next. Are you ready to begin?"

[Talt] * smiling wearily * "Certainly, Doctor.  Whenever you are ready."

[Zimmerman]"Very well then. Please have a seat."

::Zimmerman sits down  and puts his feet up on the desk.::

"I've selected a process that I believe will be short, yet give me the data I need to compile an accurate report. I'll ask you a few questions, and when you're ready, you'll give me an answer."

::The Doctor looks very serious about this whole thing.::

:: Talt takes a seat in a chair across from him, desperately trying to repress laughter.::

[Zimmerman]"How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?"

[Talt] "Excuse me?"  ~~ Confucian therapy? ~~

[Zimmerman]"I believe I asked you 'how can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?'"

[Talt]  "Well, I expect that technically whenever one is on a starship in a subspace bubble, one is everywhere at once and nowhere at all.  I suspect that there also temporal anomalies that could cause the effect you are speaking of.  Spiritually, when one is at the state of Zen, one is nowhere.   I'm afraid that I never was very good at the "Classical" riddles.  If the answer is AIR or something, I've probably forgotten it by now."

*Zimmerman still looks serious, and has the beginnings of perturbed around the edges - which for him is normal*

:: Talt shrugs helplessly with an apologetic and slight smile on her lips.::

::Zimmerman appears to be readying himself and taking mental notes.::

[Zimmerman]"What is fear?"
 
[Talt] "Beyond the classic "Fear is the mind-killer.  Fear is the little death." approach - I think that fear is . . . a paralyzing inability to deal with a potentiality.  I think that it is the predictive nature of fear that makes it so elusive.   It's not really a concrete thing, not per se a reactionary behavior.  It's something learned . . . "

:: Talt trails off.::

::Zimmerman raises an eyebrow::

[Zimmerman] "Robert Heinlein, Dune"

[Talt] "Frank Herbert.  A 20th Century Earth fictionalist."

::Zimmerman affects annoyance at the correction.::

[Zimmerman] "And I suppose, you've *read* this fictional work?... Never mind. Next question: Is biology destiny?"
 
[Talt] "Never.  Biology is the road we walk to our destiny along.  It guides us, helps or hinders us, but in the end - we choose how we'll walk."

:: Talt answers that one quickly and with confidence. ::

[Zimmerman]"So, I suppose you're telling me that those of us who have no biology have no destiny?"

Talt] "Doctor, I feel that a silicon or data-based "biology" is EVERY bit as relevant as carbon-based or chlorophyll-based biology.  Though I do recognize that the term "biology" may be being used incorrectly here."

:: Talt smiles at the Doctor earnestly.::
 
::Zimmerman has developed a facial expression best described as 'perplexed'::

[Zimmerman]"What is death?"

[Talt] "Starfleet medical policy defines death as the cessation of self-directed alpha brain patterns in a pre-established identity pattern. "

:: Talt delivers this speech as very much the professional, then she pauses, sighs and continues.::

[Talt] "I, personally, believe that death occurs when a being is changed to irretrievable inert state.  About souls and spirits, I'm not really qualified to judge.  A lot of very intelligent and enlightened people have a lot of very different ideas.  And I just never felt like doing the comparison studies."

[Zimmerman] "What about non-'biological' life forms?"

::Zimmerman shifts his feet and crosses his ankles on the desk.::

:: Talt leans forward in her seat. ::

[Talt] "Doctor, if you note, I said irretrievable inert state.  This is just as applicable to non-biological life forms as it is to biological ones.  As to whether, non-biological life forms have souls or spirits - it seems to me that if you grant the possibility to one form of life, then you grant it to all."

[Zimmerman]"I see."

[Talt]  "Why, Doctor Zimmerman, if I felt that you had no validity as a person - I wouldn't waste my time arguing with you as much as I have."

[Zimmerman] "What is betrayal?"

:: Talt leans back in her chair.  She's actually worried about this one.::

[Talt] "Betrayal . . . betrayal is about broken promises . . . and lies.  While no one can be responsible for how everyone views them and their responsibilities - there is a standard for what is expected and what is delivered.  If those two things - expectation and actuality - differ too much, then there is betrayal."

[Zimmerman]"Very clinical explanation Doctor Talt."

[Talt] "I am a clinician, Doctor Zimmerman.  I do think of these things in those terms.  However, I assure that I have feelings about the issues that we are discussing as well."

[Zimmerman]"I don't suppose you'd care to share any of those?"

[Talt] "Certainly.  One thing that has been very heavy on my mind was the transfer of Chief Anastoff.  I had done a Psych Evaluation of him myself and found him fit for duty.  Then . . . he is pulled and there is a security search for possible sabotage.  The findings that Lt. North discussed at the Meeting were . . . concerning.  I . . ."

:: Talt sighes and shift in her chair.::

[Talt] "I hadn't given adequate thought to what the technology aboard the Chronos could mean to someone who had suffered Chief Anastoff's losses.  It was short-sighted of me.  And now I find myself rethinking the potentialities of a vessel like the Chronos. I also find it immensely ominous that EVERY SINGLE Wolf 359 survivor assigned to this crew has been transferred off of the mission.  Even though I was responsible for one of those transfers myself.  I . . . I just didn't see the potentiality for temptation.  And I SHOULD have.  That's what I'm here for."

::Doctor Zimmerman puts his feet down, straightens in his seat, and leans forward.::

[Zimmerman]"Doctor Talt, I have been programmed with the medical knowledge of more technicians than I care to discuss. And even with all of that, I'm not sure that I would have done any better."

::Zimmerman leans back in his seat and puts his feet back on the desk.::

:: When Doctor Zimmerman sits up and gives his comfort speech - Talt smiles up at him.  ::

[Talt] "Why, thank you, Doctor.  That does actually help." * She looks at little surprised. *

[Zimmerman] "What are you going to do about the Captain?"

* Then when Zimmerman asks her the Captain question, she looks REALLY surprised. *

 [Talt] "Do?  About the Captain?  I wasn't aware that anything needed to be done."

:: Talt looks confused and a little suspicious.::

[Zimmerman]"No?"

:: Talt smiles a little and cock her head.::

[Talt] "We-ell, the chronic insomnia should be addressed.  But I don't think a major intervention is necessary.  I should be able to smooth that over with normal social contact.  As for the grieving process, I DO feel that it is running it's natural course.  To hasten a resolution there would only endanger both the Captain and the ship.  I know that Starfleet WAS aware of her condition when it chose her to command this ship.  And if they felt that she was capable of handling this responsibility - I would have to concur.  But it is something that I will be keeping my eye on

::Zimmerman mumbles something about 'a woman in her emotional state and a ship like this...::

[Talt] "Yes, you're right.  I may have missed something critical about Chief Anastoff and I may be committing the same error here.  But, I'll have to stand by my decision until the Captain gives me sufficient evidence otherwise.  After all, ANYONE could be tempted by the potentialities of this vessel.  It seems unfair to pre-judge based on personal tragedy."

[Zimmerman]"And what would be the temptation to you, Doctor Talt?"

::Zimmerman has a look of triumph, as though he's finally getting somewhere.::

[Talt] ~~Yeah, I felt that one the moment I stepped in it.  Ewww!~~

:: Talt looks straight into Doctor Zimmerman's eyes. ::

[Talt] "I don't know yet.  I'm sure it will come, but it hasn't yet. Unlike some of the crew, there is no great thing in my life that I wish to undo.  There is no great opportunity that I have missed.  I expect that my temptation will come if we loose a crew member on one of our missions.  However . . . "

:: Talt looks sadly at the floor.::

[Talt] "However," :: she looks back up at Zimmerman.:: "I HAVE lost patients before.  And I will again.  It's just hard when they are friends."

[Zimmerman]"So, you consider the crew your friends?"

[Talt] "Absolutely,  well - most of them.  There are some that I don't know very well yet.  But I will eventually."

::Zimmerman mumbles something under his breath about humanoid bonding
rituals...::

[Zimmerman] "Well, then Doctor" *the word has much less of a sarcastic tone than he has used before* "I believe that's everything I need to ask you.  I'll be sending my report to the Captain shortly. Thank you for your time."

:: Talt stands and extend her hand to the EMHP. ::

::Zimmerman stands and does not attempt to shake Talt's hand. There is a look on his face as though he would like to, but is unsure about whether the interaction would be successful - him being non-biological and all.  Then his face changes, and he goes for the handshake.::

[Talt] "Thank you, Doctor.  It was a very informative experience."  :: she smiles.::

[Zimmerman]"Snoo/Weller series. 2203."

[Talt] "Really, you do it very well.  I've never followed Dr. Snoo's work that much but I think he'd be pleased."

[Zimmerman]::Smiling at the compliment:: "Thank you. Now I believe we both have work to do. Good afternoon doctor."

::With that, the Doctor ends his program, and leaves Talt standing in the office alone.::

::Talt gives a little flip of her head. ~~Yah, "non-biologicals” are SO different.  Ri-ight. ~~