It's Orion O'Clock

Posted on 21 Sep 2018 @ 11:32am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Luke Wyatt

1,967 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 1, Conference Room
Timeline: MD -180, 0847 hrs

[ON]

Luke PaDD in hand walked out onto the bridge, this was possibly one of only a handful of times he had been here but this was the first tie he'd seen it with a full complement and whilst they were at warp. The reason for his visit was to propose his and Chief Ghoc's training plans to her as well as get a general sense of how she was feeling.

He and Lirha never had any problems with each other, and he respected the woman for the choices she had to make, but their long overdue conversation was starting to frustrate him. So deciding to bring the training proposal directly to her instead of mailing it to her was an easy one. It gave him an excuse to be seen by her. Walking through the bridge Luke greeted the on-duty personnel, smiling and waving maybe he'd bring up his request for a tactical station being situated on the bridge as he looked for his green-skinned friend.

It'd been two days since Galileo had departed from the shipyards en route to her new area of operations in the southern district of the Milky Way galaxy. Captain Saalm had, surprisingly, settled back into her routine rather quickly (all things considered) and now found herself re-living the monotony of long starship ferry voyages with little stimulation along the way. The sight of her robust Security chief was a welcome distraction and she flashed him a small smile.

"Mister Wyatt," she greeted.

"Captain," He said nodding respectfully. "I was hoping to drag you away from your bridge duties for a few minutes to discuss something I have been thinking about that would greatly benefit the ship and this crew?" Watching her and the way she spoke Luke could already deduce that she was if not slowly returning to her normal self.

Lirha took a brief glance around the bridge to make sure all the stations were manned then looked to her chief scientist who was the second senior-most officer on the bridge. "Yes of course. We can speak in the conference room." She then looked to Marisa and gave her quick instruction. "Lieutenant Sandoval, you have the bridge."

The Orion captain stood and motioned to Wyatt to head to the bridge's starboard exit. The small conference room where staff briefings were held was located just outside and across the corridor from the bridge.

Luke did as instructed and followed the direction of the Captain arm towards the conference room. Walking in he placed his PaDD down onto the table top and waited for the captain to sit before sitting himself, as was tradition.

Procuring two glasses of water from the nearby replicator, Saalm set one down on the large table in front of the security chief then took a seat at the head of the table. "So. What is this great benefit you propose?" she casually asked while crossing her legs and leaning back in the chair to regard him.

Luke took the seat out and sat down, shuffling it back in enough so his elbows and arms leaned casually on the table in front of him. "I have been talking to Master Chief Mazen and Chief Ghoc in regards to training simulations I want to run during our transit through Federation Space. More precisely touching ship and away team emergency procedures." Luke passed the Data chip across to her. "Everything can be found on this in detail."

The captain took the small blue isolinear optical chip in her hand when it was passed to her then unclipped her own PADD from her belt and inserted the chip into the memory slot. The new data source was quickly recognized and a new display of proposed training rotations began to slowly scroll down the small screen.

"Yes I see," she replied as she reviewed the routine more closely. "Have these contingency procedures been approved by Commander Blake?" she asked, looking up briefly from her PADD to the tall Human man.

Nodding, "I have done yes captain. I have also given her a copy of the data chip containing all the information in detail." Luke paused a moment shuffling in his seat. "The reason I have decided to come and bring you directly is one, I believe you should be involved in all ship security matters and two I... Well If I may speak freely I wanted to formally tell you as the ships Chief of Security and tactical that I do not believe this ships would be ready for an engagement both in an away team, on the ship or ship to ship. To name my main concern is the lack of place for tactical on the bridge.

I am well aware that this is a strictly scientific vessel however even the most rudimentary vessels have a constant tactical presence on the bridge. Further to that point if and when, and we both know it will be a when this ship comes under hostile actions the reaction time for a tactical officer to be ready just isn't good enough. You could argue that we don't need to be on the bridge, but this is just a simple misconception. How are you as a Captain meant to issue orders or monitor a battle without an immediate tactical station on the bridge, those stations inside the ship should only be used as back-ups not full time duty stations."

Lirha sipped her water while she listened to the security chief make his case for bridge duty. At least, that appeared to be his primary concern for the moment along with the other suggestions. "I'm not necessarily opposed to the idea," she replied with a light shrug. "As it is currently set, the senior-most in your department is required to assume the tactical station during all red alert conditions. Are you proposing to keep a security officer occupying one of our science and multi-role stations at all times, even during green alert?" she wondered, a bit unsure of the specifics of his request.

"That is what I am insisting we move towards. If however were in a stable and secure position and it needs to be used for scientific purposes then I will have to relinquish it depending on the tactical value at the time. But having that post always manned will increase our reaction time and as a result of our survivability rate to at least double maybe more" Luke explained, his voice clearly expressing how passionate he was about this matter.

The captain cleared her throat and considered his words, then took another drink. "This is a vessel of science, Luke," she replied, using his first name to indicate a more casual tone to the conversation. "Observation, reflection, and evaluation. These are the tools of exploration that define our mission."

"I'm not arguing that and I'm not trying to turn this ship into a vessel of war Captain" he started before adding, "This ship despite its good intentions will see combat, its inevitable. I don't want to drudge up bad memories but I will not be the security and tactical of a ship to bear the Mark -B at the end of its name because were didn't make the most of one tactical station on the bridge and learn from our mistakes." He sat back sighing before taking a sip.

"In such a situation where a security officer is not present on the bridge during combat, the duty falls to the XO. As with any other critical unmanned station." She looked him in the eyes. "Or...do you doubt Scarlet's tactical ability? I understand the two of you are...close.." Lirha wondered what this was really about.

Luke was confused as to why it would matter how close he and the commander was, especially when discussing the ships security and tactical position aboard the ship. His facial expressions would have said as much even before he spoke. "Captain, forgive me but I don't understand how my friendship with Commander Blake would have any role in this discussion.

I don't doubt her ability or any of the bridge crew but as the chief security officer I am obligated to suggest any reasonable improvements we can make to this ship to increase the safety and well being of this crew. If you disagree with my requests then please state so, and further if you think that any relationship friend or more would effect my decision making then you are mistaken Ma'am."

"That is good to hear," she replied while taking a long look at the robust yellow-collared Human man. "I do not mean to suggest you're incapable of separating your personal feelings from your professional ones. But both you and Scarlet will be sharing several of our security duties. And the two of you have similar training and backgrounds. Sometimes that can cause friction aboard a small vessel." Pausing to take another drink of water, Lirha proceeded to look through the contents of the PADD more closely.

"I will discuss these proposals with Scarlet this evening. Personally, I value this ship's safety and security just as much as you do; I'd rather be over-prepared if it means bringing this entire crew back to Earth alive and well in three years." Lirha then tilted her head slightly to convey a different sentiment. "But this vessel -- this entire mission -- requires that we foster a culture of scientific exploration and investigation. It means maintaining an atmosphere conductive to research, analysis, and peaceful first contact. I'm concerned that seeing armed security officers manning one of the bridge's science and multi-function terminals at all times does not exactly send that message to our fellow officers and NCOs."

"I never requested that they be armed Captain, I only meant to have someone dedicated solely to Security and tactical on the bridge monitoring the bigger picture." Luke replied before adding "I appreciate that you will at least consider this proposal, my interests are only for this ship and its crew and well... I don't think I've ever heard of a ship that has never had someone dedicated to tactical on its a bridge, even the Olympic class has a tactical station. I know this ships personal message is for scientific purposes but so is Starfleet's whole agenda, to go where no one has gone before and sadly, more often than not, someone doesn't like us poking around in their backyard. And when you people meet who have never seen each other before in a starship brandishing militaristic logos, uniforms and ranks they jump to conclusion."

Lirha understood the logic and mindset of what Luke was saying. It would be an interesting conversation with her XO (a former Marine), to be certain. And perhaps, after their own mutual observation, reflection and analysis of the crew's past events, they might accept the security chief's recommendation. Or maybe not.

"We will give you our decision by 0800 tomorrow. No promises," she replied with a tiny smile. "As always, you present a strong case for your proposals."

Luke nodded respectfully, "Thank you, Captain, for your time and understanding, I don't have anything else so unless there's anything for me I must attend to my normal duties." Luke was content with their conversation if not confused and wary about Lirha bringing up Scarlet, had she said something? Luke didn't believe she would have.

"No, nothing for now. We'll talk more tomorrow," Saalm answered. "Dismissed." The temporary break from her bridge duty was refreshing and now she looked forward to remaining in the quiet conference room for a few more minutes by herself while she reviewed his proposals in more scrutiny.

[OFF]

--

CAPT Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

RSS Feed