Ensign Reine'X - How do you feel now?

[Reine'X]

((Valhalla Lounge, Deck 4, USS Valkyrie))

Is'Kah: I am still under mandatory counseling sessions, as Captain Serala never rescinded them.

Reine'X : But of course, please continue talking if you wish to. If you want to take a break, that is also fine.

And the short officer continued speaking. 

Is'Kah: The other missions, while traumatic, were not as overwhelming. One week after witnessing C-crewman Ba-Baker's death, then Lieutenant Commander Kel and I were recalled to Earth from the Alpha Isles and the USS Ronin. This occurred just prior to Frontier Day, 2401. Following the theft of our ships by the Borg, my partner, Lieutenant Ghee’looth Xiron, and I were involved in the operation that led to the theft of the USS Chin’toka using forged orders. As we attempted to defend the fleet, the process of assimilation began. Subsequently, then Lieutenant T’Ama was assimilated before shooting then Commander Serala. Returning fire, the Captain shot T’Ama’s eye out. The Captain subsequently beamed her to the brig and deactivated all phasers on the ship.

oO Interesting… I wonder how easy, or difficult, it was for the Doctor to reverse T'Ama's assimilation. We possess that knowledge now, thanks to Picard’s assimilation, but that still doesn’t guarantee the process to be “easy and smooth.”.Oo 

Reine’X: I read about this encounter very briefly before coming aboard… ::she nodded, signaling Is'Kah to continue.

She was a cadet during the events of Frontier Day.

Is'Kah: At the time, we were unaware that T’Ama possessed a phaser from the USS Artemis and was not integrated into our computer systems. After setting off an explosion in the brig with it and fleeing, the Borg proceeded to engineering. Due to the incapacitated state of the weapons and my recent trauma-induced desperation to protect a senior officer, I deemed it appropriate to confront the Borg Lieutenant physically and bite as forcefully as possible. At that moment, I had implants that enabled me to extend my canines. In hindsight, having them installed was not the most logical decision. It is why I’ve been ordered to undergo mandatory counseling as part of my reprimand for my inappropriate choices.

Reine’X: Ah, I see. 

oO And I hope the mandatory counseling is to deal with the PTSD. Because I wouldn’t necessarily call the behavior inappropriate in this case… Oo 

Reine’X knew this wasn’t her place to judge or disapprove of another counselor. With her limited background information, it seemed most reasonable to give her counterpart the benefit of the doubt. And so she decided to refrain from commenting further.

Is'Kah: It indeed achieved the intended effect and effectively halted the Borg's advance. To facilitate this, I intentionally provoked T’Ama with a highly offensive remark concerning the theft of her t'hy'la, Vulcan for soulmate, should she choose to continue her allegiance with the Collective. This provocation offended her, prompting her to respond by slapping my face with such force that it fractured my jaw and implants.

Reine’X: Crude, but effective, it seems. 

Is'Kah: Following a brief visit to the medical facility, I resumed my duties in Engineering. At some point, I am not aware of the exact time, we rescued President Chekov. After his announcement to the Federation, the fleet turned against us. We were losing, so I implemented a deadman's switch in the computer to maximize the ship's chances of survival in the event that Engineering was compromised. Ghee’looth and I bid farewell to one another in the most professional manner, which honestly took me by surprise, when Admiral Picard ended the threat somehow.

Is’Kah spoke in a perfect monotone when describing death; just reporting facts. That emotional detachment was a classic PTSD symptom, often referred to as emotional numbing. The flat delivery of information can be a way to avoid triggering painful emotions or memories. Reine'X was aware that the medical practitioners commonly approach this through a multi-phase process. The primary goal is not to force the person to “feel” immediately, but to first restore a sense of internal safety. That was when Reine’X began to realize that perhaps she had pushed Is’Kah too far, too quickly. The Orion hoped that wasn’t the case, and that she hadn’t overstepped. 

oO Let’s take it slowly now… Oo

 Reine’X: Thank you, Is’Kah… ::she smiled warmly, placing her hands on the table::…for opening up to me, for trusting me.

 She paused for a moment, then continued.

 Is’Kah: optional? 

Reine’X: I’d like to show you a quick grounding exercise that might help you in the future, whenever you feel overwhelmed. It’s called sensory re-orientation. Have you heard of it, perhaps from your Counselor?

Is'Kah: Response

Reine'X : Right, so it’s simply noticing physical sensations. So anytime you feel overwhelmed, you quickly identify five sensory inputs. By naming things you can see, hear, smell,  feel or touch, and taste  ::she pointed at her eyes, ears ,nose , hand, and tongue respectively:: in the room, you send a signal to your brain that you are safe in the “here and now,” which helps calm your nervous system.

Reine’X said those last few sentences a little slower, just trying to emphasize her point.

Is'Kah: Response

Reine’X: How do you feel now? We covered a lot today. I also want to make sure that we don’t rush through it. 

She also thought it might be a good time to pause the conversation and perhaps change topics. But then again, she wanted Is’Kah to come to that conclusion on her own. 

Is’Kah: Response

 

Ensign Reine'X
Medical Officer
USS Valkyrie-A
V240302R14