Session 2

Posted on Fri May 6, 2022 @ 1:42am by Captain Larisna Koralova

Mission: Interludes - These Are Our Voyages...
Location: Starfleet Academy
Timeline: Stardate 2392.089

This time, Larisna was more composed, and seated. Across from her couch was a simple table and another couch where Doctor Amir Singh sat. The sky outside was overcast and a fog was rolling in. Even though Earth could now regulate its weather at will, this was really only done as needed and there was still room for normal weather. Unlike Risa, where it was kept clear year round for tourism, though it didn’t match her mood entirely.

“So, bring me up to speed. Where are you right now, Larisna?” Amir asked with a patient smile.

“My third year class has begun its analysis project of the strategic situation six months prior to the signing of the Khitomer Accords through six months after. A few are pointing out that I’m asking them to study the strategic planning under two different chiefs of staff - Admiral Cartwright and then his successor.” Larisna chuckled at that, “But that’s not quite the point of that lesson.”

“Since I’m not in your classes, what is the objective of the lesson?” Amir asked, leaning forward.

“It’s a case study in aggressive posturing versus defensive vigilance. Admiral Cartwright was only the result of the era, it’s easy to just paint his thinking with the Camp Khitomer Conspiracy. But you also can’t completely disregard it, either. It’s a strange sort of duality and the lesson is also to accept that you have to both regard who is planning but also take them out of the equation and look at the broader picture.” Larisna explained, “Doctrine, conventional wisdom, outside influences.”

“Ah. So you must both get into the mind of Admiral Cartwright but also put him out of your mind. Sounds as if you and I have some shared fields.” Amir replied with a chuckle.

“Surprisingly, yes. Psychology is part of it. When playing chess, you can’t just play the pieces, you have to play your opponent. But finding that balance where you aren’t focusing on one or the other, that’s the mark of a brilliant strategist.” Larisna said.

“And how do you figure when to do one or the other?” Amir asked.

“Thus the ever present question we try to teach, but so much of that is instinct.” Larisna replied, “But I often look to some controversial subjects for why we have to find that balance. I actually had a long talk about one of my lessons with the Chancellor of the Academy. It was on Gul Dukat.”

“Now that is intriguing. Obviously, you would have risked alienating yourself among every Bajoran on campus and then some. But he was a major player in the Dominion War, the war you were forced into. So, what is the lesson of Gul Dukat?” Amir asked, now very curious.

“The man was a brilliant strategist, you didn’t get that far in the old Cardassian military hierarchy without some successes. And while Damar rode his coattails, Dukat was a different story. A butcher, murderer, absolutely vile in every regard. But evil doesn’t equate to failure. Strategy doesn’t care about morality. I can sacrifice every pawn I have on my board to stymie you and it’s a good play.” Larisna explained.

“Ah. Who mourns the loss of the chess piece?” Amir nodded, “Go on.”

“But then enter Captain Benjamin Sisko. Dukat stops playing based on his pieces and starts playing solely for Sisko. Every move he makes, every piece he takes or loses, all of it is only to frustrate and defeat Sisko. And so he moves on from the Dominion to the Pah Wraiths. Because that was a battlefield that Sisko would take more personally.” Larisna smiled, “Thus, the duality in our profession - if I sacrifice all of my pawns in the real world, I am a monster. And if I work only to defeat not my enemy but one person opposite of me, I am obsessed. And neither guarantees victory.”

“There are times, and you’ll know it only at the time and in your gut, where you have to detach from the person opposite of you, just go with how the pieces are arrayed. But you also have to know when to get inside the head of your opponent, because you need to make them make mistakes and move as you need them to.” She shrugged, “The Chancellor said I should find another example. So I picked Cartwright.”

“Interesting analysis. So. If I may, Commander. Let’s pick someone else this time - Admiral Ramsay. You had some choice words about him last time.” Amir said.

“Doctor, you should put him on this couch some time. Trust me, you’d have a lot of material for a study on ego.” Larisna said, and then let out a sigh.

“From the first day I was reassigned from Knox to Galaxy, all he would do is talk to me about his record and ask me to retell the various battles I fought while I served on Savannah. Never about the way I felt or the people we lost. It was always about how we outfought, outthought and outplayed the Cardassians and the Dominion. Briefly I fell for it.” Larisna continued.

“Maybe it was a sort of indoctrination to his way of thinking, but the more I reflect, I think it was validation. I think he needed me to validate his victories for him. But why, I don’t know. Even towards the end of my time, before I turned down command of Galaxy, I’d become quite cold towards him. But he kept acting like the next conversation would sway me, not push me further away.” Larisna glanced out the window.

“Did you ever meet any of his family?” Amir asked.

“No. His husband left him ages ago, neither of their children kept in touch either. I think, if I recall right, his oldest daughter is about my age…construction engineer with SCE.” Larisna pondered. Then she laughed and shook her head.

“What?” Amir asked.

“No. Don’t tell me that I was a surrogate for his daughter.” Larisna said, laughing again.

“Why not?” Amir tilted his head to the side.

“Why make that connection with me? Out of everyone in his life?” Larisna asked.

“A fair question, one beyond what either of us can answer. But the possibility is quite real and I think perhaps Admiral Ramsay saw in you what he wanted of a child that he couldn’t have. Does he still try to contact you?” Amir asked.

“At times, yes. Fewer still I acknowledge.” Larisna replied. “Doctor, I don’t want that. First of all, I have my own parents. My own family. And we’re just fine. I have a father who has supported me my whole life and yet given me room to grow on my own. My mother knew I’d be rejected for the Symbiosis Commission but still submitted my application because she knew I wanted to still try.”

“My brother Alexei and I have lunch every other Monday and my sister Kehdeza just invited me to Vulcan for her wife’s birthday next week.” She added, “The Dominion War affected all of us too. Did you know Kehdeza used to be in Security too? She can’t serve on a ship long term anymore because of how deeply it scarred her. Luckily, JAGs serve on planetary bases and starbases.”

“In these cases, it often has little bearing on what you want but what he feels he needs. And in all honesty, I don’t think I’m telling you anything you’ve yet to already consider. Nor do I see this as where you’ll either confront him or accept him.” Amir said.

“But that’s putting me in a bad spot - if I validate it, I’m leading him on. If I cut him off, he loses yet another connection and I can tell you, he’s not got many left.” Larisna replied.

“I think the status quo is perhaps the best for both of you. You shouldn’t validate it, that’s not who you are and you’re only hurting yourself, but you do have enough empathy to know you can’t hurt someone like that, even someone you don’t particularly care for. You’re not Dukat, after all.” Amir cracked a smile this time.

“I suppose we have to all live with something uncomfortable. But there’s going to come a day he’ll be back in my life and I will have to confront it. As will he.” Larisna said.

“True. But I think you’ll study that board, the pieces, and him. And you’ll know in your gut what tactic to employ.” Amir said, his smile broadening. Finally, Larisna smiled as well.

“You know, I’m bringing my chess set next time.” Larisna said as she stood up, “I’ve always had a standing rule in my classes - in lieu of one assignment outside of midterms and finals, I’ll accept a challenge. If they win, they pass the assignment with the condition they still need to demonstrate they understood the assignment. If I win, they still need to complete the assignment along with an analysis of the match.”

“Any takers?” Amir asked, standing as well.

“I generally get a few. Generally First and Fourth year. The former typically come in and want to show off. I usually win in ten minutes after toying with them. The latter it’s more insightful. And sometimes, the two are the same cadets. In those cases, I usually lose.” Larisna said, “But they still usually complete the assignment anyways, just because they wanted more to show the real lesson they learned.”

“And perhaps because they want your approval?” Amir asked.

“Usually. And usually, they get it.” Larisna approached and shook hands with Amir, “As I said, I’ve got a few things coming up soon, so our next session might be a bit. I’ll send you my schedule though.”

“I can be patient.” He replied, “Until next time.”