Meg and Annika

Posted on Wed May 14th, 2025 @ 11:49am by Lieutenant JG Annika Johnson & Lieutenant Megosho Gehente

1,747 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: ARYL 1X01: Bound for Cold Frontier
Location: Carbs and Counsels

::ON::

Meg had bagged a prime spot near one of the Dining Room's viewports. It hadn't been particularly hard. Ark Royal was still in Spacedock, so the view was of the inner hull of the immense structure. Tucked away at the periphery of her vision was a Centaur-class vessel, the Agamemnon-A. She daydreamed slightly over her bowl of Turkish eggs and flatbreads. Her last assignment had been on a Centaur-class, the Minos.

It had been a sleek, swift assignment, the latest technology Starfleet could muster. She had skirted awfully close to the Romulan Neutral Zone, powerful sensors sweeping as far into it as possible. Meg had spent hours cooped up in a dedicated Comms office pouring over the intercepts, analysing them as part of a team. The step up and responsibility of the Ark Royal was a welcome one, but she did miss her comrades aboard the Minos.

Walking into the dining room Annika made her way over to choose what she wanted to eat, taking a few moments to decide she settled on a Vulcan salad dish along with a Risan sunset to drink. She was about to sit down at a table before she decided to introduce herself. “Excuse me, would you mind if I joined you?”

Looking up from her eggs, Meg smiled at the brunette who had bussed her tray over. 'No, not at all,' she replied, sliding out a chair for her to sit in. 'Company's always good. Lieutenant Megosho Gehente, Chief Comms. Call me Meg, Lieutenant ...?'

“Annika Johnson” Ann smiled warmly as she put her tray down then took a seat. “I’m the new Counsellor, in fact the only ship’s Counsellor.”

'Oh you're part of that new program!' Meg exclaimed with delight. 'You're a listener too!' She began with enthusiasm, before correcting herself, putting a hand on her chest, 'I mean in a different way of course. This must be new and exciting for you!' It had been a long time since Meg had met someone with a completely unique discipline in Starfleet. 'Please, tell me all about it!'

Annika smiled warmly it was nice to meet someone who was this enthusiastic. “It’s different that’s for certain, at home on Betazed we telepaths freely share our thoughts. Here I have to keep my abilities in check. I can also read emotions which in my line of work is very useful.” She paused to sip her drink before continuing. “My being here is part of a program that aims to prove having a Counsellor aboard ships is beneficial and worthwhile.”

'I mean, that should be self-evident, no? Having someone to talk to is so important, and splitting it out from other medical disciplines can provide for a more tailored service.' Meg grinned, 'and I don't want to be too forward, but I don't think I've ever met a Betazoid before. All I've really heard are secondhand rumours - probably the same for you and Orions, all that talk about pheromones and controlling people, urgh.' Meg pulled a yuck expression before laughing again.

“I’ll admit I don’t know a lot about Orion’s either” Annika grinned. “No doubt we can learn much from each other.” She paused to eat some of her food, politely finishing what she was eating before speaking again. “Is there anything you’d like to know?”

'Well, they say,' Meg leant in conspiratorially, not indicating who they were. 'They say all Betazoids walk around naked on the planet - surely not, right? I mean, Orions are relaxed about this sort of thing, but ... it seems a little bit incredible to me that you would.'

“Well it’s partially true” Annika grinned. “Given that Betazed does get visitors it wouldn’t be right to stroll around naked, but in our homes and some areas of Betazed it does happen. Weddings are generally performed naked, but not in my case.”

'It sounds like an open and tolerant society - I suppose that comes from your empathic abilities?' Meg asked. 'And if you don't mind me asking, why was yours different?'

“My husband Cas is a Human, I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable with the whole naked wedding so I happily married according to Human tradition with a few adjustments for Betazoid tradition.” Annika smiled warmly. “Actually Cas is our new CMO it’s the first time we’ll have served together.”

'That must be quite the step for you both - it's not everyday you get to work with your spouse in Starfleet.' Meg's nose crinkled in delight at being able to work alongside your partner while doing worthwhile work. 'It must have been very difficult for you both to work apart before now, too.'

“It has been, we’ve had to meet up during shoreleave time and talk via sub space.” Annika smiled. “I’m looking forward to having Cas with me all the time.”

'And I'm sure he's looking forward to having you with him all the time as well,' Meg replied with a wide smile. 'How did the both of you meet?'

“We were serving together aboard the USS Churchill, it’s wasn’t for that long so I don’t really count it as having served together as a couple. We fell in love, and Cas proposed, I couldn’t refuse! We were married before being sent our separate ways again.”

'Sounds like a whirlwind romance that's worked out well for you both,' Meg replied, nose crinkling again as she smiled. Tucking an errant lock of hair behind her ear, she leaned forward. 'So, other than meeting the love of your life, how's being one of the first Betazoids in Starfleet working out for you?'

“Actually it’s working out pretty well” Annika smiled as she paused to sip her drink and relax back in her seat. “I like the adventure although the danger has proved all too real as well.” She paused again, “I was almost killed at one point, the result of which is that I can’t have children.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Took me a while to get over that, but I have Cas that’s what matters.”

'Oh I'm so sorry to hear that,' Meg said genuinely. She wanted to reach across the table and squeeze Annika's hand to show sympathy, but wasn't familiar enough with Betazoid mores to dare to try lest she offend her. 'What happened? If you don't mind me asking?'

“We were under attack, a plasma conduit ruptured and I was caught in the resulting explosion.” Annika paused. “I was lucky to survive so they tell me, I don’t remember much about it myself. I still have a few scars left, my own husband will be responsible for any further treatment of those.”

'Damn,' Meg said. 'I know ship life is dangerous, but man I have not been that close to a ruptured plasma conduit in my life. Sounds like you were incredibly lucky to make it out alive from the fight.' She concentrated on her meal for a moment before asking, 'was it the Klingons?'

“To be honest I don’t remember” Annika shrugged her shoulders. “The whole thing is like a giant blur. Whether that’s due to my injuries, or whether it’s psychological is another thing.”

'That's fascinating, and more than a little terrifying,' Meg admitted to the Counselor, food forgotten as she concentrated on what the other woman was saying. She leaned in over the tabletop, 'sorry - I'm not trying to be insensitive,' she smiled uncertainly, 'I just find other people's stories and histories to be fascinating, you know?'

Annika nodded. “I can understand that, it’s a good way to get to know people. It makes a change for me to simply sit and talk to someone outside of my office and my position as Counsellor.”

'Oh I bet a lot of your work is listening and nodding along until you get a moment to ask a question,' Meg chuckled. 'Did you always plan on being a Counsellor? Or is it like a calling or something for your people?'

“Well it seemed the right thing for me, Betazoids are quite adept at whatever they do really.” Annika smiled. “Being telepathic and empathic does give you an edge, but with it comes responsibility when around non-telepaths and punishment for crimes is severe.”

'I should imagine - must be hard for non-telepaths to fight off, uh, mindcrimes,' Meg wasn't quite sure what the correct terminology was for what such a crime would be, having never really encountered a telepath before. 'Or is there some sort of natural immunity?'

“No such luck” Annika shook her head. “It’s called a violation. Just as something physical would be. If I wanted to read someone’s mind then I’d ask permission first.”

'I see,' Meg replied, a little non-plussed by the fact you couldn't defend yourself against such a move. 'It's a good thing Betazoids put such store in telepathic ethics, then.' She mustered a weak smile, 'a pity most Orions won't do the same regarding their pheromones.'

Annika smiled. “Pheromones are something that can’t be helped, though I see your point.”

'You'd be surprised,' Meg replied with a small smile. Finishing the last of her dish, she leaned back and sighed contentedly. 'That was great.' She smiled at Annika, 'thanks for the company too - made the food all the better.'

Annika smiled warmly. "Its been nice getting to know you, as ships Counsellor people tend to avoid you more. I've enjoyed this."

'Well, feel free to hit me up any time you want company that isn't your husband,' Meg chuckled, 'I'm always happy to run a lap, play a boardgame, whatever someone wants. Friendships make this job so much easier.'

"I'll remember that" Annika grinned.

'Excellent,' Meg replied as she got to her feet and picked up her tray. 'This has been a pleasure - see you around Counsellor!'

“Likewise” Annika smiled warmly finishing off her drink, it was time to be getting back to work.

::OFF::

Lieutenant Megosho Gehente
Chief Communications Officer
USS Ark Royal

Lieutenant (jg) Annika Johnson
Counsellor
USS Ark Royal

 

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