Counselor Liaji had been present at the staff meeting when the Hornet's present situation was revealed. She now paused on the bridge to massage her temples.
At the time of the warp core overload, Zirana was in a counseling session with Ensign Vinko . As the ship rocked, both women were thrown to the ground, Vinko sustaining a mild leg fracture. Instantaneously the counselor's mind was flooded with the panic and fear of the entire crew complement.
Jenara Chee was walking next to her. "Counselor?"
Lataro turned when her name was called. Zirana smiled, bringing herself back from the daydream and looked at the Science Officer, "Yes?"
"Is everything alright?" The concern in her voice was apparent.
Zirana nodded her head, "The emotions on the ship are high. The crew is very unsettled." She shook it off.
"I sense it too." Jenara affirmed.
The doctor finished his conversation in the conference room and joined the conversation. "It will be important that the crew maintain stability."
The crew congregated again. Someone asked, "How?"
The Counselor spoke up, "The crew will be looking to the senior officers to provide leadership and support."
She continued, "It will be important that people be given extra time to recognize their feelings before they can move on." She paused, "As officers, we are trained to work with what we are given, but we are also living social beings. We are not all invincible."
"Speak for yourself Counselor." Johnny Chee laughed.
Liaji smiled, "As the Captain said, it will be important that we keep our sense of formality. I would add to that our sense of duty and purpose." She breathed for a second then added, "As always, I am available to assist any of your crew that you feel are not coping well."
Nods of affirmation circled the Counselor as the senior officers moved towards their respective departments to oversee assignments. Liaji followed the doctor, sickbay would be the first place she would be needed.
However bleak the situation the Chief Medical Officer offered kind support at the bedside and a tightly run, efficient sickbay. Liaji was grateful for it made her job much easier. Being trained in critical stress debriefing, she was typically present when an officer lost a life and often worked with the family and friends after being informed.
Zirana was also called to qualm the fears of people who experienced great loss and injury. Six were dead, sixteen severely injured, and numerous other injuries.
She scanned the room and walked over to Ensign Sintax. He was seriously injured by a plasma burn, but even though the pain was excruciating, he carried a fellow ensign to sickbay for treatment. His friend who he carried was one of the casualties. Ensign Sintax's heart ached and it called to the Betazoid. She touched his hand and wrapped it in hers. They sat in silence together.