Evaluation and T charts "
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.27 1415

Location counselors office.

Absently, Zoei shifted from side to side. Her toes grazed the floor as she rotated in her chair. Slowly, her fingers tapped a beat, the steady tattoo matched the rhythm of her heart thrumming in her ears. The subtle vibration of the ship filled her. Her eyes drifted closed as she attuned herself to the crew. It was a good day. Anticipation was high. Fear was at a minimum. The crew was at the ready. Her eyes snapped open. The next name on the roster was Sam Carter. Unbelievably, considering the time spent on her away missions and then her transition from Intel to Security, Zoei had never had the opportunity to meet with Carter, other than the brief meeting during dinner.

Zoei to Carter

Carter here, go ahead Counselor

When it is convenient, I have a review that needs to be completed for your jacket

Sam frowned as she heard the request. Review? "I will be on my way Ma'am. Carter out."

Leaving a brief synopsis about the training session for Ms Jarvis, Sam walked briskly towards the turbolift. "Counselor office.' she stated calmly.

"What would Ms Zoei want from her, she was in no need of phycologial aid."

The turbolift halted and Sam walked out. Greeting some other crewmembers she halted before Patia's office

She pressed the chime.

"Enter," Zoei called.

"Hello Ms Zoie. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, please have a seat." Zoei gestured toward the sitting area of the office.

Sam looked around the office, clearly decorated to make everybody at ease. She stiffly walked towards the couch and sat down.

"The review is a process I go through for each crew member on the ship. I noticed, as I was reviewing files, I don't have one in your jacket. This is just an opportunity to chat about your thoughts and feelings and for me to be able to notate, for the record, your status. The first visit is a formality. If you have the desire for any further visits, that is up to you. The only exception to that would be if there was a situation which should have recommended you for an evaluation. Do you have any questions?" she asked.

Sam shook her head. "No Ma'am." Sam sighed inwardly, talking about feelings and thoughts were not her strong point. She was more a private person concerning that

The corners of her eyes crinkled slightly as she watched the security officer across from her. She found those in security and intel to be the most reseverd of the crew. This one had been in both.

"What kind of questions will you be asking?"

"Let's start with 'Tell me a little about yourself'" Zoei requested.

"There is not that much to tell Ms, " Sam started. "I grew up on a hars planet, my parents were sceintists so they did not have much time for us. That is my sister and myself. The planet we lived on was populated by pirates, gangs you name it."

Zoei nodded.

"I learned to defend myself at an early age. As well as protect my family.

"When did you decide to join the Maquis?" she asked.

Sam looked directly at Patia and then her gaze wondered off. "It was in our 5 year when the Federation seiged the planet we were on. We had not heard much about the war, it was far from us. My parents got arrested and we were put in an prison camp."

Sam paused before she continued. "Live was hard and many others died. We were lucky to survive but it took my parents all their savings and more to get us out of there. Then after some travels we ended up on Qultuq and thats where I decided to join the Maqui."

"Did you start in Intel?" Zoei asked.

Sam's eyes began to sparkle and she nodded. "Yes I did, according to my teachers at the academy I had a flare for finding out information, probably because I am so plain. You know, average."

"I love intelligence work, trying to find out what is going on by using just the tiniest bit of information. Using various contacts on off worlds, snitches etc.

"Do you miss it? Would you go back to it?" Zoei asked.

Sam blinked a few times. "I miss it very much. Don't get me wrong Counselor, security is good too but patrolling the ship and doin the daily training session with the rest of the gang tends to get boring."

"So to be honest, yes I would love to go back but I guess Miss Jarvis will not let me go."

"Why did you leave Intel? And have you asked Lieutenant Jarvis for a transfer?" Zoei asked.

"It was not my choice Ma'am," Sam said sadly. When we, that is Lt Atwood and myself came back from our mission, Captain Hunter found it better when I transferred to Intel."

"Understandable," Zoei nodded.

"I rather not talk about him, that chapter is closed now."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the repressed emotions play across the surface of Sam's face. They were restrained, and wouldn't have been noticed by anyone not specifically looking for them. "Have you asked Lieutenant Jarvis about a transfer back to Intel now that Lieutenant Atwood is no longer on board?"

Sam shook her head. "No, I did not ask and besides that archeology woman is in charge there. Sam's voice dripped with sarcasme. She normally did not judge another but she did not like that Northrop woman. Also I do not know if Ms Jarvis will grant it."

Sam looked away from Patia and tried to hide her emotions. She was jealous because Alyssa had basically taken over her job. She missed Intel but on the other hand she liked security too. She had made some nice friends there.

"Would it damage your relationship with Lieutenant Jarvis if you approached her regarding a transfer? Would it even be worth it to you, considering your current feelings toward the Chief Intel officer?" Zoei tucked her foot underneath her leg and propped her chin on her knee as she waited for the answer.

"Well me and Ms Jarvis get along resonably so she might not mind I dont know." Sam said hesitantly. Sam shrugged. "You know I do feel more at home at intell and I am a professional so I just have to set my feelings aside."

"But what do you think Ma'am," Sam asked in her turn. "Where do you think I would fit in better?"

"My opinion is, you need to decide where you are most comfortable, personally and professionally. You have reasons to want to return to Intel and you have equally valid reasons why you would not be comfortable there, at this time. Nothing you have said today would lead me to believe Security hasn't been a good fit for you, and wouldn't continue to be a good fit. It will boil down to your personal preference. Have you ever used a 'T Chart' for decision making?" Zoei asked.

"T Chart Ma'am," Sam asked. "I can't believe I did. What does it do exactly?"

"If you make a T, on one side place 'positives' and on the other 'negatives'. You would do this for both Intel and Security. Once you have the graph made, you can list all of the benefits and drawbacks of each position."

"Well honestly speaking I feel more at home at Intell. So if I use that chart will it not be predetermined then?"

"Not necessarily. As you write, you may find there are advantages to Security that are not readily apparent when you first think of it. This will offer you the chance to examine your decision, point by point, before you make it. The outcome may match how you feel about Intel currently, or, it may change how you feel about Security as a whole. Either way, you will be able to be confident you made the best decision for yourself in this time and place in your life." Zoei smiled slightly.

Sam shrugged. "I already have a lot of paper work." She hated paperwork and although she did not want to displease the counselor Sam tried to avoid having to complete the chart.

"I already know how I feel about Security and Intell." Sam said softly. "I ...... I am pretty confident in what I want. She paused. Sam let her eyes wonder around the room, it was like the Academy she plainly wanted to be the best.

"Then that is what you should pursue. A T chart wouldn't be an assignment, and it wouldn't be anything for anyone other than you to see. If it isn't going to help, though, don't feel like you should do it. Will you be talking to Lieutenant Jarvis soon, do you think?" she asked.

"I think it would be better to talk to her after the mission. But ehrm would you mind if you were there as well. As a buffer I mean. We both have some explosive.... well we can be persistant and such." Sam shrugged.

"I think that would be very wise to wait," Zoei nodded. "I would be happy to serve as an intermediary, although, I am sure it will be unnecessary. You are both well respected officers. I am sure it will be fine. Neutral ground is always good, though, so you are more than welcome to meet here."

Sam nodded and smiled. She tried to glance at her chronometer in a way that Patia would not notice.

Although the movement was subtle, it did not escape the attention of the counselor. The lieutenant before her hadn't been anxious for this meeting to begin with and was now more than ready for it to conclude.

"Would there be anything else Ms Zoei," Sam asked. "I need to get back to work."

"Nothing else, Lieutenant, good luck with your preparations." Zoei nodded as she rose.

Sam stood up and walked towards the door. "Thanks Ms Zoei. It surely was nice talking to you."

"It was nice talking to you as well. You are welcome to stop by any time."