Chief Coffee Officer Joint log of Tesla Abbingdon and Erich Jaenke Great decisions are often made in the most unlikely places. Lawyers argue in the courtroom then reach life-changing compromises at the corner hot-dog stand. Corporate executives face off in the board room, then finalize mergers on the golf course. Political factions threaten each other around the table, then turn around and forge agreements in coffee shops. The difference in venue makes a difference in mindset, which in turn makes a difference in emotion and in the willingness to negotiate, or, in the case of Counselor Tesla Abbingdon, the willingness to share. For that reason she was a frequent visitor to Ten Forward, where the mindset tended to be more relaxed than in her office. Of course, times of day made a difference. In the evening when music was loud, karaoke was rampant, drinks flowed freely, and space came at a premium, the extroverts appeared. The lulls between breakfast and dinner or during mid-shift drew more introverts who kept to themselves, hid in corners, usually ignored other patrons by burying themselves in a book, a PADD, or by… hovering over several cups of steaming coffee? “Italian,” Erich uttered, pointing at a far cup. “Blonde? Latte...wait.” No amount of concentration would jolt his memory of these beverages. His drink of choice remained tea, even after getting over the bitterness of coffee. “Just what was that smell.” Again he spoke to himself, not caring if others heard. It helped him think through problems more complicated than priming recycling systems of starships. He brought a drink to his lip and drank. “Eww.” “Are you sure it isn’t French Roast Peruvian,” Tess suggested as she bent into his field of vision. “That’s it!” Everyone in the mess looked at the chief engineer as if he needed help. He only looked up at her. “Sorry, how did you know?” “It’s one of my favorite blends,” she confided, “along with Rich Azteka, which is quite difficult to come by nowadays. But if I can’t find that, I take Kona Dark. May I?” Tess gestured to the chair opposite. He greeted with a nod. “I don’t believe we have met. Chief Jaenke, Erich Chief Jaenke...I mean Chief Engineer Erich Jaenke.” Nothing like botching his own name and title. He put down the cup, embarrassed. The minds of the other quieted as he drew his attention towards her.. “Very nice to meet you, Chief Jaenke, Erich Chief Jaenke, Chief Engineer Erich Jaenke,” she said with a lighthearted smile. “I’m Counselor Abbingdon, Tesla Counselor Abbingdon,… oh, bother. Counselor Tesla Abbingdon.” she laughed. “We both need shorter names,” Erich retorted, returning the smile. “I figure my mental profile must have crossed your desk.” “Oh,” she waved it off, “they all do. But… if I may? That one cup you tasted?” She leaned forward to whisper. “It’s bitter because it was not properly roasted. I can tell from its smell.” He picked up the cup once more and sniffed. “I’m more of a tea drinker, but...wait. It was you. I was sensing your mind. That’s where I got the urge to search out that taste.” A minor horror crossed his mind. “I am so sorry. It’s bad etiquette to read someone’s mind without permission. I did not know it was yours.” “Oh, pish-posh. Sometimes it’s difficult to block things like that, especially when it comes to food and drink.” “I guess you know I’m the mind-reading engineer.” He slumped in his seat. “They call me the Warp Core Whisperer.” “Oh? Then you can even read the warp core?” Erich laughed out loud. “I wish. It only says if you don’t keep containment I’ll breach.” He looked past her. “I’ll take it over Staenky Jaenke.” “Staenky Jaenke? I’m sure there’s a story behind that one.” A half smile, half embarrassing expression. “The story was all around, the ship...literally. A noxious gas.” He shook his head. “I can’t imagine you want to hear.” “Well, as long as everything turned out alright.” “I came out smelling like a rose.” Erich realized the bad play on words. “Sorry. So,” he swallowed. “What did your report tell you about me?” He tried a random cup of coffee before they all went cold. Tess paused to allow the server access, thanked her, and waited until they were alone. “Well,” she said after a sip, “it told me you are Betazoid, very intelligent, and capable. It told me that you are sensitive, that you care very much about the welfare of your subordinates and the rest of the crew, and that you are well suited to your post in engineering. Is there something else I should know?” Who’s file was she reading? Must have been those thousand of questions on the psych profile form. “It should say he self-medicated for years so he’d not have to deal with his overactive debilitating ability. Also joined this ship in the menial engineering task of waste and recycling to avoid people only to be thrust into the Chief Engineer post far faster than imagined.” He stopped, wondering if he said too much. “Really.” The counselor’s expression didn’t change; she wasn’t surprised, she wasn’t amazed. In fact she seemed just interested. “And what kind of medication was this engineer taking?” “Loradril, a psilosynine inhibitor,” he shrugged. “In a sense it made me human.” “Human, as in not able to hear the noise from others’ thoughts?” Erich nodded as if in trouble in a principal’s office. “And did it work?” “Well,” he started. “It did. It really worked, but the prescription came through unofficial channels. But my source dried up.” “And what do you plan to do now?” “I’m asking a friend, or at least I think they may be a friend, for help. A fellow telepath.” For some reason he did not look her in the eye. Tess studied her cup for a while, then set it gently and precisely on the table, as though she were thinking. “Erich, what you have is called Hyperactive Paracortex Syndrome, and yes, I did read it in your file.” She looked up. “I must tell you that the drug you were using does work in the short term, but in the long term it can be debilitating. And by that I don’t mean addictive, I mean it can cause permanent damage to your cerebral cortex.” “Permanent damage?” He started to break down and placed his head in his hands. “I had no idea. What have I done to myself?” “Erich,” she put her hand in front of him to get his attention, “I said it can cause permanent damage. There is nothing in your medical file that indicates you have any cortical damage whatsoever. You are fine.” “However, I would like to propose that you allow me to do some research into other methods of control while your friend explores other avenues. Perhaps with two of us looking, something will surface that will help you even more than what you have tried before.” “Will you allow me to do that for you, Erich?” He went silent in contemplation and swirled his coffee around in a cup. “Sure. I have no wish of medication for, um, HPS? I just want to avoid sickbay.” The thought stopped him momentarily. ”If I’m ordered to see them, I guess I don’t have a choice. Anyway, I’m not sure T’Prise will be helping me. She was preoccupied and did not stay for dinner on Earth. It really distressed me. Oh, don’t tell her I told you that.” His face reddened. He should stop while he’s sliding back. “I would be grateful for anything you can do for me.”