Security Meeting

Posted on 29 Apr 2013 @ 1:37pm by Lieutenant Aria Rice & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Lieutenant JG Kestra Orexil & Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark & Petty Officer 1st Class Camibree Christoph & Crewman Indri Chara
Edited on on 29 Apr 2013 @ 2:11pm

3,895 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Security Office
Timeline: MD 06 - 1500

ON:

Lt. jg Aria Rice sighed as she looked around the Security office, then at the time. It was still early, but she and Rhodes had called in a meeting. Because, well...they needed it. Everyone needed to be on the same page with what had happened with Stone, and everyone needed to see how the department would be run. She was still worried. She still felt like it was unreal. But she supposed that was part of life now. Things changed.

Lt. Rhodes stood at one end of the room with a serious look on his face as he anticipated the security officers and personnel. With arms across his chest, he paced slightly one step and then 2 the other direction. He was a serious situation and did not want any levity during the meeting.

Chara came in first, in the process of zipping up her uniform jacket. She had a PADD under her arm and took the nearest available seat like she always did. She noticed Rice was standing near the front, not Stone, and frowned to herself.

Gabriel ducked into the room, stretching out as he made his way to a seat near the back. For some reason, he hadn't been sleeping well. He caught Aria's gaze, offering a smile to his friend. He had moved to a seat behind Chara so safe in the knowledge she wouldn't see, he gave Aria a wink as he grinned, wanting to give her some encouragement. But then, he didn't want Theron to feel left out, did he. So he gave Theron a wink too before sinking down into a seat and stretching his legs out, tucking his hands behind his head.

Kestra had received the message with something akin to glee. Finally. Finally, she had somewhere to be besides the bed and the curtains and the ceiling and the endless walls and twittering sounds. Something to focus on beyond her own useless body and overactive mind. She could have tapped a head, dragged its accompanying body in Sickbay to entertain her... and the fact that the thought had even occurred to her scared her more than anything else. Sacrilege. She understood now why so many youths endowed too young with these abilities became monsters. The power was eerie. She shook it off, internally, as she navigated her hover chair into the Security office. The journey into the chair, figuring out how to manipulate it, then navigating the people in the corridors, the turbo lift... all of it was so much a welcome change from the monotony of her bed. She'd return eventually - too soon - but for now... She looked at new faces and old, closed her eyes, took a breath, and opened them again, focusing on Rhodes and Aria. It is good to see you both again, she murmured in their minds, apologetic for the intrusion, but there was no other way for her to be heard.

Petty Officer Christoph entered the room. She stopped just inside and looked cautiously to the left and then to the right. She wasn't sure if this was going to be a party or a typical 'get to work' type of meeting. With the sturnness she saw in Lt. Rhodes' pacing, she expected something more serious possibly. She move over to the left side and took a seat.

Aria smiled warmly when she saw Kestra, moving to her and touching her shoulder. "It's so good to see you," she said. She had requested for her to come if she felt up for it, and seeing her helped a lot. "We'll cover a lot in this meeting, including ideas for what you want to do while you recover..." she winked, giving her shoulder a tender squeeze before stepping back.

Cyrus walked in and noted a sudden change in the air..."What a minute...people are happy to have a meeting? Am I missing something here?"

Kiwosk happened to spot Kestra off to the left of him and he smiled and tipped his head. "Ma'am. Good to see you are on your feet, looking forward to working with you."

Kestra bowed her head to him. And you.

The security office was at capacity with all the security personnel in one place at one time. They seemed relaxed yet eager for this meeting as they chatted quietly with each other. It was a rare occasion. Definitely not something they wanted on a regular basis. Lt. Rhodes believed that all their personnel were now together. He looked over at Lt. Rice to get an acknowledgement that she was ready as well.

Aria looked over at Rhodes and gave a small nod, to let him know she was ready as she moved to stand with him, a little further back so all could focus on Rhodes.

Standing confidently before the department, Lt. Rhodes addressed them, "Settle down." He waited a moment so that he had everyone's attention. "The good Captain, in all her wisdom, has assigned me as Department Head." He glanced toward Aria, "Lt. Rice will be taking up the position as Assistant Chief."

Gabriel sat back in his chair as he folded his arms comfortably, watching with a smile. His features said it all. Good call. And good timing. Theron had been in charge of the department before, he knew his way around it. Gabriel was good friends with Aria by now. He knew his Aria doll would be worried inside, but he also knew that's what made her right for it.

Kestra watched the two of them attentively. She hadn't felt Stone pass; he'd been too far, even for her newly extended telepathic range. But she'd heard the thoughts register when the report had come up from the moon. Regret, grief, stubborn irritation... the man may not have been liked by everyone, but he'd taken his place and made himself known. That was one way of running a Security department. She wondered if she'd been able to teach Rhodes or Rice anything in the time she'd managed the department; either way, it had no bearing on the present state of events. They would do what they saw as fitting and she would work within the parameters of whatever abilities she had remaining.

Cyrus froze for a second, only then letting the words sink in. No one would be sad to have him leave, but in the same breathe Kiwosk couldn't help, but feel that this was what the old veteran wanted. To die. Kiwosk sighed outwardly and said out loud. "So what now?"

He took a step back and leaned against the control panel placing his hands on either side. "I would like to say that there were not going to be any changes, but that's not the case." He paused for a moment then added, "We will be making some changes. One of those will be to re-establish the 3 shift rotation."

Gabriel sighed with relief, glancing upward before closing his eyes. About time. 12 hour shifts were starting to make him want to hit his head against the bulkhead.

Ya buddy. Camibree thought to herself. Real work with real time off.

Cyrus nodded, it was a good move...a tactical move.

Lt. Rhodes continued, "I want to impress on each of you that the safety of this ship and her crew is my highest priority. We want security personnel to be well rested, alert, and ready for any task that comes our way, Day or night."

Kestra bowed her head slightly, peering at Rhodes as he spoke. He was different than she remembered him; was it the new responsibilities that had caused this, or had something happened in the time she'd been trapped in her skull to bring about this expanded confidence?

"We will be holding a memorial service for Lieutenant Stone. Details for that will come from the Captain." Rhodes crossed his arms looking very serious. "I know that many of you had issues with the late Lieutenant, but I would like to see a unified front of support from this department."

Gabriel frowned and looked down for a long moment, his jaw tensing and tightening. His hand lifted to his throat, and his fingers slid under his collar, touching the cross he always wore. He couldn't go. He wasn't going to discuss it, there was no need, but he couldn't and wouldn't go to the service. The way he felt about him - it would be plain ~wrong~ for him to be there. It would be beyond hypocritical, and he couldn't reconcile that with his beliefs or religion. Not that he would want to admit to that to anyone. He wasn't comfortable talking about his beliefs and religion to anyone other than a priest. He preferred it when people thought he just didn't give a damn.

Chara looked around the room, eyes skimming over the wheelchair bound lady, someone new, and narrowed her eyes at Rhodes. He was in charge now. She couldn't say that she approved of Stone's ideology, or his methodology, but he had been her department head. Her sense of duty and loyalty couldn't let her forget that. And despite everything, she'd gotten the sense that he'd somehow taken her under his wing, even if he thought she was an inept moron. He'd brought her along on away teams, gave her extra training. For all his faults, he'd been a good person. He'd tried to be, she thought. Or maybe that was what she wanted to think. She'd never know. He was dead. Just like that. Rice and Rhodes stood before them, ready to continue. Keep breathing, that's what they said. One day at a time, we're wired to keep going, keep seeking, keep searching. People moved on, gears kept clunking along. One man dropping off the map didn't stop the car. She let out a breath and stared at her hands, they were bunched into fists in front of her. "Then you'll get one," she nodded, firmly, and met Rhodes' eyes.

"If I may..." Cyrus said loudly. "I know there are a lot of individuals who didn't like Lieutenant Stone, but the man who was with us isn't here any longer. Instead we must step in place of the family that won't be here to see him. So that he can be remembered not as what he was...but as a Starfleet Officer that gave his life for the galaxy." It was never easy to go to a service of someone who has been hated by a large portion of the crew, but Cyrus also knew how Stone's family would feel if non showed up at all.

Rhodes nodded to Kiwosk, "Thank you Chief Kiwosk. A very good point.

Aria kept her mouth shut. She knew she had to be at the service, because of her position. But she wouldn't blame anyone for not attending.

Gabriel held his breath, looking to the viewport. No matter what Chara and Cyrus had added to Rhodes words, he wasn't going to attend. It went against everything he believed in. And to him the hypocrisy of going seemed even worse when considering family.

Rhodes looked to Rice for her to continue the meeting.

Aria looked at them all before taking a breath. "Now, as you all know, both me and Lt. Rhodes have been in this department for...almost a year. And we want your input in how we can make it better. Lt. Orexil," he looked at Kestra, meeting her eyes. "I want you, as soon as you can, to return to restricted duty. There's a lot of paperwork that has piled up and I need your assistance to get through it. And that way, you can catch up and will be up to speed by the time you are back on full active duty."

The Betazoid folded her hands in her lap and inclined her head, expressionless. Her face as still as a digital image. Paperwork. She breathed deep into her core and opened her thoughts to the room at large. I will be happy to do whatever I can to ease your transition, she thought. She could be frustrated with her body, her mind, the chair, and any number of other things, but he was doing what he thought was best with the resources available to him. She couldn't fault him for that.

Focusing on Rhodes, she carefully pared down her focus until it was just him - one single line of communication between two minds - There are other ways to catch me up. Faster ways that might make me more useful more quickly. A simple link - a sharing of knowledge and memories. We can discuss it later, if you like.

Theron felt an itching or scratching at the back of his skull. Very unusual, but familiar. He thought. He focused his mind, listening until the itching became words. He looked over at Kestra. He rolled his eyes slightly realizing what was taking place. As Rice continued the meeting, Theron smiled slightly and thought, Yes, my teacher. Let us meet later.

Kestra was warmth and pleased, passive acceptance in his mind for a moment longer, then she was gone. It was a struggle to drag the direct line back to herself, reeling it in like a recalcitrant sunfish. Her mind craved connection - yearned to seek out every mind around her and burrow in. To build a cavernous nest of mental spaces through which to walk and wander. She stretched her wrists idly and rested them purposefully on the arms of the hover chair. The thoughts and emotions of the other officers were not the only ones that pressed at her insubstantial mental veil; the Galileo and the Venture both teemed with active minds. Focus. Here. Now. She drew herself back to the table and the faces around it.

Aria gave a small smile as she looked at all of them, studying their faces. "Now, let's all have a moment to just...ask questions. Is there anything you want to ask myself and Lieutenant Rhodes? Now is the time before we get thrown into another away team," she watched them all, waiting.

"Is the Tactical Response Team still going ahead?" Gabriel asked while he remembered, rubbing the back of his neck. He'd put himself down for it but hadn't heard back if he'd been selected for the team or not.

Rhodes glanced over to Rice then back to the group, "The Tactical Response Team is a good and sound idea to support security in a time of crisis. We will continue with the process of organization and training until the Captain says otherwise."

Gabriel took a slight breath as he sat back with a frown. ~Continue~ the process of training? The team was already training then? Then he guessed that meant he hadn't been selected for it as he hadn't heard anything about it. He took a breath, jaw tensing and watching the floor as the meeting continued.

Cyrus smiled. "Well in that case." Cyrus brushed off his shoulders and puffed out his chest in pride. "TRT Qualifications will be held ideally within 48 hours, don't bother studying because it's not a test. I will be forwarding names of all security personnel expected to be there. I'm hoping for two different sets of tests, one for us, one for the exterior departments. That way we can accurately see what they can accomplish without knowing they won't be getting the top scores." He winked at Stark. "And if I may ask Lieutenant Rhodes, what would you say in having officers in this department applying as well. Stone said no, but in all honesty if he wants the best..." he pointed to Rice, Rhodes and Kestra, before continuing. "I really don't see what the problem would be if you all applied." Cyrus chuckled.

Kestra lifted a brow, eyeing the chuckling warrant officer. She could feel he had no ill intentions in the offer, but that didn't make it remotely feasible.

Rhodes crossed his arms, thinking through the possibilities. He twitched him mouth to one side and then the other. Raising one eyebrow he took in a deep breath and replied, "I see the TRT as a secondary force. A backup to the team that is trained to support the Security Department when in a crisis. I have no problem with an officer participating with the exercises, organization, and support of this Team. But in my opinion, Officers will not be part of that Team." He glanced down to Rice to get her reaction of his first decision as Chief.

Aria met his eyes before giving a weak nod. She felt disappointed. She wanted to be part of it and had wanted to back when it was formed. But she respected Rhodes and kept her mouth shut, showing unity in this.

Cyrus shrugged. "That's fine by me, sir. It's probably better that way anyways...Don't need you cramping my style anyways." He laughed.

Rhodes smiled and nodded once, then looking across the room asked, "What else?"

"I was talking to Captain Fernandez, and it sounds like you should expect him some time in the near future. He said something about 'getting right the first time...'" Cyrus added. "Other than that, I've said my piece."

Theron realized that there was probably more to that story, but this was not the place to go into it. "Alright, who else?"

Chara listened to the rest of them tossing ideas back and forth. The expression of Voices was more familiar to her, but she refrained from adding hers to the mix. She had nothing to say that hadn't already been said.

Aria looked at them all before taking a breath. "Now, I will be arranging one on one meetings with everyone. I want to see where you want your careers to progress, what you feel is lacking in your training and how we can achieve your full potential," she said and smiled gently. "It might have to be done between away teams, as I suspect everything will be very security heavy from now on."

Does everyone know what exactly happened to Lieutenant Stone? Kestra asked Aria silently. I have only heard the vaguest of explanations, but details tend to help people cope - and the death of a fellow security officer, whether they felt connected to him or not, cannot be an easy thing to handle on one's own...

Cyrus winced, he had heard the rumours that him and Sidi had been ripped to pieces by someone unknown predator planetside. He knew it was only a matter of time before reports would be passed down his way.

The facial twinge drew Kestra's attention to Kiwosk, but her expression remained placid even as consternation surged internally. She'd focused, she'd touched only the thread connecting herself to Aria. How then had he heard her? Were her thoughts leaking all over again? There'd been a time, before the accident and the coma, when she'd just barely been able to send a thought to one mind without physical contact. Now she was releasing private thoughts for public consumption. It wouldn't do; it all felt the same.

Aria looked at them all, taking a breath. She had been there and seen it. Hell, she had really been there. She glanced at Theron before watching them all. "Stone was attacked by a native creature on the planet. It almost burned my phaser out taking it out. It attacked the dog and then Stone. Because of the gravity, we were unable to move quickly enough. They're dangerous, natural hunters with good camouflage. And they're fast. This was a single one, but they can most likely hunt in packs too. Once it was on Stone, it went for the kill. There was nothing that could be done."

Theron watched Aria as she went through the description of the event. She explained it very analytically, but he knew there was a lot of emotion behind it all. He was proud of her for remaining composed.

Kestra felt Aria's breath as though it were in slow motion right next to her ear. Words difficult to say, but important to be heard, and she was stronger now than she had been before. Kestra inclined her head silently in thanks.

Cyrus's assumption had been right. It didn't bring him any satisfaction as the worm of doubt continued to crawl through his gut. "What's done is done." He stated finally. "We all knew this could happen going into this. He certainly did..." He gestured to Rhodes and Rice. "But we have these two get keep things together." Kiwosk continued to lean against the wall, crossing his arms as he waited. "Buckle down, do our jobs and no one else has to die." It felt like it needed to be said, so he said it.

Rhodes wanted respond to Kiwosk, but thought better to let him say his peace.

Had Stone not been doing his job when he died? Had she not been doing hers when a blast of plasma had put her in a coma and then this chair? Did knowing the risks of their job make it any easier to die by them? 'Buckling down' did nothing to protect the security officers; it was foolish to say so. Naive. Comprehension was the only way to avoid repetition of an event. Fear was darkness and could only combatted with the light of understanding, analyzing... A scared officer was dangerous. An overconfident officer was worse, because he endangered not only himself but whoever he was protecting as well. It was a matter of balance.

Aria looked at them for a moment, her eyes going to Kiwosk. "We all just need to avoid doing something stupid," she said, a bit blunt perhaps. She finally smiled, warmly. "Me more than most perhaps."

Rhodes leaned his head Aria's direction scratching the other side of his head. He would have to find out later what that all meant.

Cyrus saw the puzzled expressions barring the exception of Aria. He nodded once in Rice's direction and didn't say anything further.

Lt. Rhodes stood and looked across the filled room, wringing his hand together, he finally said, "If there are no further questions, you are dismissed."

Gabriel got up quickly, stretching out as if he'd been forced to sit for hours. Indeed, it often felt like that for him whenever he had to sit for anytime at all. He smiled to Aria, silently showing his approval for her first go at a meeting before heading for the door, thinking about squeezing in some training to burn up the energy coiling tight in him.

Rhodes looked over and addressed his former superior officer, "Lt. Orexil, would you to join me in . . . my office." He turned and walked to the Chief's office.

Kestra assented, and followed him.

OFF:

Lt. (jg) Theron Rhodes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Indri Chara
Security Officer, SFS
USS Galileo

LTjg Kestra Orexil
Returning Security Officer
USS Galileo

PO2 Gabriel Stark
Security
USS Galileo
(PNPC: Lt JG Scarlet Blake)

PO2 Camibree Christoph
Security
USS Galileo
(PNPC: Lt JG Theron Rhodes)

LTjg Aria Rice
Assistant Chief of Security
USS Galileo

CWO Kiwosk
Security/ Tactical Officer
TRT Squad Leader
USS Galileo

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