First Lesson

Posted on Thu Jun 12th, 2025 @ 9:36am by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson
Edited on on Thu Jun 12th, 2025 @ 8:44pm

853 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: Holodeck two

It was time for Callie’s first lesson with Deanna on how to protect her mind from invasion. She wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but she had chosen for them to meet in the holodeck. She’d chosen for their lesson to take place in a Betazoid temple, a place of peace and reflection as well as change. She was sitting looking out at a view over the Betazoid landscape, it was certainly breathtaking.

"Not a bad image to keep in mind" Deanna said as she entered. "Been here many times. "Lake Cataria...one of the more beautiful locales on Betazed. I've always been partial to the Janaran Falls myself. Is this a place you come to in your mind when you are seeking tranquility?"

Callie nodded. “Pretty much, that and picturing myself with Jon, he’s my rock I’d be lost without him.”

"I'm aware. What you have with him, your family, it is a beautiful thing" Deanna replied. "But that which we love can be used against us if we do not know how to protect ourselves. You have learned that to a point already, which is why you asked me to train you. Are you ready to learn?"

Callie nodded. “I’m ready Deanna, I want to learn to protect myself.”

Deanna's gaze narrowed as she stared fiercely, "We shall see." Suddenly Deanna was telepathically probing Callie's mind intensely, showing no sign of sympathy or compassion as she rifled through memories, training, and precious moments at will. She was causing no physical pain, but it was obvious that Callie was emotionally hurt being unable to defend herself from this mental onslaught. Deanna ceased her probing and looked at Callie, "Like an open book. You didn't even try to stop me. And don't tell me you were unprepared. A telepathic attack can come at any moment. You must train your mind to the point that it puts up defenses without you even having to think on it. Now, keep me out."

Callie gathered her emotions and put up walls, the more walls she could put up in her mind, the better the defense of her mind. She was just hoping it would be enough to keep Deanna out.

Callie's defenses were trivial to Deanna, as she cut through them like a hot knife through butter. Deanna ceased her probes. "Well, now I can see what you are capable of right now. Let's address how I easily penetrated your defenses. You need to picture real barriers in your mind. Large walls, made of pure neutronium, reaching as high as you can imagine. They are impenetrable, and from behind those walls you have additional defenses, like that of ancient castles as they dealt with a siege."

Callie massaged her temples, this workout was starting to give her a headache, but she wasn’t giving up yet. “Okay, so I have to imagine those defenses as being wall to wall, and completely impenetrable, whilst forging secondary defenses as well?”

"Yes, but that is only the first step. We will also need to develop your actual mental muscles. But that will come in time. I don't expect you to be able to handle all of this immediately" Deanna said sympathetically. "We also have to recognize your limitations. Your telepathic abilities are not going to be nearly as powerful as a full Betazoid and no one can expect you to be that powerful. But I think with the training, you can handle yourself against most other telepaths. Do you feel up for trying again, or has the strain gotten to you?"

Callie shook her head. “I’m not stopping now; I want to try again. My senses are still off from what happened on the planet, hopefully they’ll be back to full strength soon and I’ll be able to put up more of a defense.”

"As you wish" Deanna said with a smile. She once again focused her telepathy on Callie. She didn't press quite as hard this time, giving Callie time to mount a defense as she had instructed. With the mental barrier in place Deanna gently pushed against it, and finding it somewhat firm, pushed harder, once again pushing past the defense. She looked at Callie, "Better. You managed to form a mental barrier. With practice you'll be able to make the barrier stronger, more resilient."

"I think this has been a good first lesson. You should rest, and practice building your mental defenses. When we have our next meeting, I'll challenge you more forcefully" Deanna said with a smile.

Callie nodded. “I’ll practice between now and then, thank you for helping me, Deanna, I appreciate it.” She stood ready to head home. “Right now, I’m going home to rest and relax.”

Deanna offered a smile. "Happy to help. The way we run into trouble around here, I fear you'll need such defenses. Get your rest, enjoy your family time. We'll get together again in a few days." The two women exited the holodeck, heading to their respective quarters for their own versions of basic R&R.

 

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