Trial by Trill Eval.

Posted on Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 @ 12:14am by Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr & Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx

Mission: New Worlds
Location: Counsellors Office USS Oberon
Timeline: Pre mission

Niali settled down in her office waiting for her next yearly evaluation Lt (jg) Talerian Maxx. She had not yet met him but his name was known amongst the Trill community. His several hosts ensured he had a generous amount of intelligence, experience and hutzpah. It would be nice to meet another joined Trill she thought although her recent experience with her only symbiont and Finchley had left her unnerved as she was still waiting for the neural blocker. She looked at her timepiece and sighed.

Lt (jg) Talerian Maxx was deep in thought as he was reading his countless reports and drinking his coffee. He was a workaholic and addicted to coffee on a normal day, but this was different. His brief time with the beautiful Vulcan Sakaan had caused a stir in his heart. It was another reminder that he was doomed to never find love. Granted he was popular with the ladies, but things just never seemed to work out be it timing, his job, their job or some random encounter. Then he was caught off guard as his auto reminder on his com badge came on and reminded him he had to visit Lieutenant JG Niali Korial for a mandatory counseling session. He sighed as he clean up his stuff and finished off his coffee to calm his nerves and then headed to her office. Normally Maxx was fine with the usual protocol but he felt a bit out of sorts lately. So after he arrived he touched the door to see the Counselor waiting for him. He replied, "Sorry I'm late. I am up to my neck in reports."

Niali smiled a welcome, Brutus looked up at this intrusion into his sleep yawned and went back to sleep. “No problem, come in Lieutenant, nice to meet you at last.” She indicated a choice of seats. “Would you like a drink?”

Maxx noticed the large marmalade cat looking at him before going back to its nap. Maxx smiled at Niali and nodded as he sat down and replied, "Yes coffee please. No offense I would like to get back to work soon since I have a lot to catch up on." Maxx smiled as he seemed restless. He looked around a bit and tapped on his thigh.

Niali turned on her coffee machine producing ground coffee, placing it in a cafetière with hot water and depressing the plunger. Milk, sugar?” She asked as she poured the hot liquid into a China cup. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the room.

Naial sat down and crossed her legs. “I will be as quick as I can Lieutenant, I realize everyone’s time is valuable as is mine. This evaluation is mandated for everyone by Starfleet. It is usually once a year but if a new Counsellor comes in then unfortunately you may have another one. I apologize if you have already had one this year. This evaluation is completely private, if something comes up I my ask you to have further consults with me or it is within my purview to remove you from duty.” She smiled “having said that it hardly ever happens. Do you understand and give me your consent for this evaluation?”

Maxx shrugged as he nodded and replied, "Yes ma'am. So where do we start?"

Niali picked up her paDD and smiled, “how do you feel about this evaluation Lieutenant?”

Maxx smirked as he replied, "I feel that it is required in accordance with my assignment to this station. I understand the need to maintain the proper mindset while in service and I understand the threat it can identify when a crewman is not of sound mind. However I see it as a necessary thing even though it is inconvenient like getting a physical." Maxx smiled as he looked at Niali as he waited for her reply.

Niali smiled to herself At his attempt to smirk. She had to admit it was quite a good one and he must have had a lot of practice. “Lieutenant what do you think is the main function of being a crew member on board the ship, apart from your Science Officer function?”

Maxx smirked as he prepared his textbook answer hoping to end this soon. He never enjoyed this part of the job since it meant opening up to a stranger every time. He replied, "Every member on this ship serves a purpose that maintains the balance on this ship. If some are lost and not properly replaced it will lead to chaos and disasters." Maxx maintained his smiled.

“That’s a pretty emotionless answer Lieutenant, sounds like you read it somewhere. Let me ask you what you mean by ‘properly replaced?’” She looked down so as not to challenge him directly.

Maxx chuckled as Niali decided to probe a bit more. Then he replied, "I think you are reading too deep on this subject. As for the properly replaced topic....What I am referring to is selecting the best candidates for the job with time and resources as oppose to last second promotions while in danger. Surely you have experience with that situation correct?" Maxx turned it around on Niali to see if she had experience with this dangerous topic.

Niali was not going to be drawn. Smiling she said “this Eval is not about me Lieutenant so if you don’t try to be too smart we can get this done with the least unpleasantness to both of us. Let me ask you another question what do you think emotional maturity means?”

Maxx sighed as he heard his next question. He then looked at Niali and replied, "Being able to accept the good and the bad in most situations. Life is far from fair and as we grow wiser we will have to face good and bad times."

Niali nodded, “can you tell me about something lately that has given you joy, it can be anything subjective or objective?”

Maxx thought for a moment then realized he was not happy but managed to ignore it through work. He replied, "Well I do enjoy a good cup of coffee. After all the aroma and taste are so calming that it helps gives me focus before a challenging day."

She sighed inwardly again, she would rather have had him bring up the subject of relationships himself but as he had not she knew she old have to ask him directly. “How about joy in human relationships, what would you say is the joy in those?” She smiled to try to make him feel a little more comfortable.

Maxx knew where this was going and he was hoping to avoid this topic since it was sore subject for him. Sadly hiding a secret from a woman was like hiding candy from children, since they were going to find it eventually. He was aware of this type of thinking since one of his past lives was as Chiara Maxx, who was a famous female diplomat and translator for the Trill Government. Over time she gained a reputation for being gambler but, that was mainly used when gaining intel and connections. However her skills in diplomacy made her well known and feared. After she retired she had 4 kids and eight grand kids. She later died of old age and her Symbiont was passed on to Cole Maxx. Maxx replied, "Well other than a few dates, I haven't had much time for anything more. Sometimes one has to choose between their career and a possible life partner. Both have potential but its up to the person to decide what takes priority. Sadly that also applies to the possible life partner as well since they too have to make that hard choice. Based on my past lives and current life choices I have found that there is no easy answer and you can live in regret for taking the chance or live in regret because you took that chance." Maxx sipped the coffee Niali made for him. He replied, "Good coffee."

She smiled and nodded, “I only drink good coffee and it is always on tap. You are always welcome to partake. You have a good base and your symbionts lives to use to your own advantage but, in the end it is your life, and, in the end we have to choose our own path. You put up a front for everyone to see and sometimes that stops you from moving on. Finding someone special to share life with and love with every fibre of your being may or may not happen but if you try to open yourself up to love you will find it.”
Niali put her PaDD down. You are fine Lieutenant, just do not choose the career instead of love. You can have both.”

Maxx smirked at Niali and was a bit taken back by what she said. He replied, "So we are done here?"

She stood, “yes Lieutenant we are done here, just do me one favour,” she stepped over to him and put her hand on his cheek. “Just….don’t smirk as much, you have far too nice a smile. Good day.”

Maxx was a bit taken back again by Niali. He nodded and finished his coffee before excusing himself. Once he was out the door he sighed in relief and decided to head to the coffee bar to get another coffee.