Star Fleet Battles – Columbiad Stardate 04.20.21 Pre-History Years

Counselor Akemi Kinoshita smiled at Crewman Laila Littleton.  She offered her a soothing cup of tea which Laila gladly accepted.  Counselor Kinoshita crossed her legs and prepared to begin writing on her clipboard.  Akemi was a beautiful Japanese woman with straight, long, black hair and slender glasses.

“Your supervisor tells me that you have been making repeated errors while on duty.  He also says that you have been late for three shifts.”

Laila looked down embarrassed.  She shook her head, accepting the words, but not approving of them.  “Yes…that is all correct.  The Captain thought I should speak with you.  She said you could…Help.”

“Indeed, I can, Laila.  That is why we are here.  To attempt to help you.  We can do it Together.  But you have to be open and honest with me, alright?  Lying and leaving out important details is only going to hurt what we are trying to achieve.  Everything you say to me is completely confidential, I assure you.”

Laila nodded her head, indicating she understood.  “Yes, Counselor.”

“You mentioned to me previously that you were having trouble sleeping.  Why is that?”

Laila’s brow furrowed.  “I keep having the same nightmare.  I am caught in a Plasma Leak.  My body is slowly incinerated.  I wake up screaming each time.”

Counselor Kinoshita jotted down some notes.  She was quiet for a few moments.

“I see.  That is horrible.  When you think of your nightmares, does it remind you of anything?  Perhaps something from your childhood?”

Crewman Littleton thought about the question for a minute.  She hadn’t considered it all.  She was so caught up in the excitement and pain of the nightmare, she didn’t stop to think about it.

“Actually, something does come to mind.  When I was a young girl, I almost set the house on fire by accidentally leaving the stove on.  My father was enraged.  He told me, ‘You’re so stupid!  You’ll never amount to anything in life!’”

“Hmmmm,” Counselor Kinoshita mumbled as she rapidly jotted down notes on her clipboard.  “And did you believe him?”

Laila was confused by the question.  “Believe him?  What do you mean, Counselor?”

“When he said that you were stupid.  And that you wouldn’t amount to anything in life.  Did you believe your Father?”

Crewman Littleton thought about the question.  She had to really look within to find the answer.

“Yes…I suppose I did.  But I was just a little girl.  What else was I supposed to think?”

Akemi removed her glasses, revealing her unique emerald eyes.  She took Crewman Littleton’s hand into her own.

“Laila, this old memory is the source of your current troubles.  And your reoccurring nightmare.  It is a poison that you didn’t even know existed since you were a little girl.  It has affected you your whole life.  You believed what your father said to you and those negative beliefs have become incorporated into your character.  Now, it is time to break free of those chains.”

Laila couldn’t believe it.  But deep down, she knew that Counselor Kinoshita was right.

“What…what do I have to do, Counselor?”

“We will face this together, alright?  It will take multiple sessions over a long period of time, but this challenge can be overcome.  We simply have to be aware every time it surfaces.  When your nightmares occur, we are going to face them and defeat them.  Your nightmares have a negative association with your Father and the stove accident.  We have to change that association.  We also have to promote positive reinforcement in your job performance and growth.  We will track it carefully.  I will communicate with your supervisor so we can both help you.  I have no doubt that you have great potential within you, Laila.”

Laila smiled.  She was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  And that tunnel had been dark indeed.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes, Counselor.  Just tell me what to do.”

Counselor Kinoshita helped Crewman Littleton to her feet.  She walked with her to the door.

“For now, just get some rest.  Think about what I’ve said.  We will overcome your nightmares together.  Your life is turning around, Laila, starting right NOW.”

“Thank you, Counselor.  I will see you next session.”

Counselor Kinoshita watched as Crewman Littleton left and walked down the corridor.

The Human Psyche is an Interesting Thing.  We all walk around like everything is fine, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  We all have our own mental and psychological scars.  We have all been shaped by the circumstances and trials of our childhood.