”I’m sorry for your loss,” Ryke replied, making a mental note of the andorian’s speech and his body language. There was something there to unpack, for sure. “And no issues with any of your colleagues recently?”

Traan again paused, deciding to use Rykes latter statement to bypass more discussion of his father and brother ‘Issues, no, I did have an encounter with a Tellarite who was to be my roommate, before being reassigned to different berthing. I’d only been aboard for a day, and before that i had been on a transport for 7 weeks, after being transfered here from Luna Shipyards though.’

He reminisced to himself somberly about his time cooped up in a cabin aboard that transport while the events of the Blackout and Vaadwaur invasion were playing out. The sense of restlessness and the thoughts that he should be doing more to serve the Federation in that time of crisis were constant companions of his. And having been assigned the menial duties of a general maintenance tech on his arrival at SBB had kept some of his more jaded trains of thought going. Traan then added “I guess I haven’t had enough time to cause or be involved in an ‘Issues’ yet Sir.” Traan, smiled and shrugged, implying that addressing an officer as ‘sir’ was just the standard he followed. Aside from his family a few close friends and colleagues who he was on a ‘first name basis’ with, Traans life in Starfleet had involved him almost exclusively referring to others in the service either by their rank or their family/last name.

Ryke nodded and smiled. “Very true. Well, reviewing your files and having chatted with you, I think I have everything I need to complete your evaluation. Obviously, if you have any questions or other concerns then please reach out, but for now, I’ll let you go, Chief.”

“Thanks, uh, Ryke” making a noticeable attempt to show some openness. “I’ll be sure the request you again next year if we’re both still around. This has honestly been the quickest, least awkward, and most professional psych eval I might have ever had.” He said as he got up and moved towards the door.

“You’re more than welcome.” Ryke smiled and levered himself to his feet in a graceful movement to accompany the andorian to the door. It was a professional courtesy, one from his  life before the fleet.

As the andorian left, Ryke checked the waiting room, but it was empty. He rubbed his chin, his last appointment must be a no-show. Returning to his chair, Ryke made his notes on the session with Chief Traan and read through the andorian’s files again. He’d applied for a field commission, twice in the last ten years.  Interesting.

Quickly typing up his evaluation, Ryke send it through the correct channels and checked his job list for the day. His last appointment was not, in fact, a no show but had been picked up by one of the other counsellors on staff. Which meant he was done for the day. Perfect, it meant he could get to practice early.