Procedural Innuendo

Posted on 15 Oct 2012 @ 5:34pm by Lieutenant Scott Parker & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Lieutenant Aria Rice & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark
Edited on on 15 Oct 2012 @ 5:37pm

1,540 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo (Vega IX surface) - Loading Ramp Entrance
Timeline: MD03 - 10:02 hours

[ON]

'It is like a different creature when a starship sits on the ground instead of out in the blackness and vaccum of space. But then, such is a security officer's role,' Ensign Rhodes thought to himself while looking around the perimiter from the loading area outside the ship. Once on the ground, a security perimeter is established, all cargo and personnel coming and going are inspected and certified then cleared for embarkation.

Rhodes turned to see Aria walking toward him, "So, what is the status of our...'guest', Amril?" He tried not to smile. He knew that she thought the whole thing was unnecessary but ultimately required by the Captain.

She sighed and shook her head. "I am getting so sick and tired of the question. Do I look like a babysitter? He's fine, he's doing a good job, no complaints except everyone want to engage in a pissing contest with him to show how patriotic they are and how much the war affected everyone."

Transporting from the Resheznik had been a strangely arduous process and have left Parker feeling like he wasn't quite all there. The thought was oddly striking. Their transporter system had been a mess and the feeling that they had simply paused in orbit and figuratively dumped him on the surface left a sour taste in his mouth. As he materialised at the landing site of the Galileo, he blinked through a temporary headache and gazed up at the Nova class vessel, poised neatly upon her landing struts. The sight was unusual, like nothing he had ever seen before. Starships belonged in space, after all.

He took his time as he made his way to the loading bay. Various anti-grav lifts were being operated upwards by uniform-clad personnel, some were clearly Vega colonists, their uniforms a unique colour and combination. The site and ship were awash with activity but the atmosphere was calm, if not peaceful. Parker smiled as he made his way across to the entrance ramp, his eyes settling upon two Starfleet officers chatting. This would be his welcome party, no doubt; two security officers, one male and one female. As he approached he smiled widely and raised his hands in the air in mock surrender.

Ensign Rhodes turned to the newcomer. He must have been a bit jumpy, because he immediately put his hand on his phaser at this belt.

Aria tensed too, her hand on her phaser and her eyes narrowing. No one liked being approached like that...and they were all jumpy.

"Woah, relax, guys. I'm not an incognito terrorist or anything. Honest," he offered, drawing their attention to him.

"Yeah, because a real incognito terrorist wouldn't say that at all," Aria said sarcastically before moving her hand from her sidearm. "Who the hell are you anyway?"

Rhodes thought that question from Rice was a bit harsh, but with her current state of mind understandable. He waited for the newcomer's response.

The visitor extended a hand to the pair and broke into a soft grin. "Scott Parker, uh - Lieutenant Parker." He took the time to shake each officer's hand, unable to place names with faces. Transfers had been reluctant to give him any manifest details. "I'm here on assignment; the new security chief."

Aria grimaced and nodded, taking a breath. "Sorry, Sir," she said and took her hand back. "Aria Rice, Security."

Ens. Rhodes also felt rather foolish. He had been provided a list of expected crewman to come on board, but had not had time to look at it prior to landing planetside. "My apologies, Sir. Ens. Theron Rhodes, Tactical/Security.

There was a scuffling noise at the top of the ramp to the ship. A slender figure started to move down, slow at first, but then speeding up, turning into a run. Gabriel Stark smiled as he lifted his arms slightly to keep balance before letting his boots slide on the ramp, skidding down the last few feet until he jumped firmly onto the ground with both feet. "Hey, how's my favourite girl?" Gabriel winked to Aria with a conspiring look. He lifted his hand in greeting to Rhodes. "Sir, Sir," he nodded as he let the hand lift higher, shading his eyes from the sun. "Shame we can't go sunbathing. Or maybe it's for the best. We're all stuck in space too much, we'd probably burn to crackling in ten minutes."

Parker, still smiling, raised an eyebrow and gestured beyond the ramp. "It's a lovely place, huh? How often does a ship get to land somewhere like Vega. You guys should count yourselves lucky."

Aria smiled to Gabriel, her eyes shining before she nodded, looking at Parker. "We're pretty lucky for the location, I agree to that."

"We are lucky to be alive." Theron mumbled then hoped no one had heard him.

The new addition turned back to Rhodes and cocked his head to one side, glancing briefly between the group of three. Details had been slim regarding the Galileo's situation. They could tell he was about to start digging. "Yeah, about that," he said, "what happened? I was due to meet you in sector one, not here."

With the open air situatuion and cargo handlers around, Theron spoke up, "Sir. I am sure all those details will be in the brief once you have checked in and have access to the ship's log." He really wanted to say that it was totally unprofessional for him to be asking in this particular situation, but that would have been disrespectful.

Scott raised his eyebrow again and freed a hand to rub at the stubble on his jaw. He was eyeing all three up carefully now, his expression passive. "It's really that top secret?"

Theron then added, "I am sure that the XO will want to brief you himself on the situation."

"Huh," murmured the new security chief. He averted his gaze slightly and allowed a momentarily uncomfortable silence to befall the small group. After what seemed like an age, he finally turned back. "So you're both in my department, new officers, huh?"

Theron looked at Aria, then back to Lt. Parker and replied, "That would be mostly correct. The Galileo is my second posting since leaving the Academy."

Aria watched him for a moment, studying Parker. "And the same goes for me."

"Huh," replied Parker, scratching at his stubbly chin. "So you're on my staff then. Same for you? - uh sorry, you didn't tell me your name, uh, Petty Officer?" He squinted through the low sunlight at stark, holding a hand up over his eyes.

"Gabriel Stark," he gave a half smile, pushing his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, I'm security too. And I know virtually nothing about the last mission, sorry," which was true. All he knew came from the whispers. And he knew better than to trust them.

"Ah, okay," said Scott. He glanced between the three. "How's the department been performing? Any hitches or things I should be aware of..?"

The last couple days went through Therons mind before replying, "The department crewman are doing fine. We have had a rough time recently, and a lot of repairs have been required. So, between monitoring the ship for security issues, they have also been repairing and checking the equipment." He looked to Aria to back up his synopsis.

Aria met Theron's eyes for a brief moment before looking at Scott. "Rhodes has been covering the majority of bases personally and done an exceptional job at it."

Scott nodded thoughtfully, gazing intently at Rhodes now. The Tandaran was taller than his superior officer by several inches and the ramp didn't help. He had to tilt his head upwards just to make eye contact. "So you were the acting department chief, Ensign?"

The Ensign replied, "Yes, that is correct." then with a sadder tone, "I had to step into some very big shoes." He glanced at Aria and pursed his lips, saddened.

"Rhodes, would you mind showing me to my quarters?" Parker scratched the back of his head awkwardly and turned to the other two. "You guys can hold that fort here for the time being, right?"

Aria looked at him, arching an eyebrow. Well. Short and sweet she supposed. "Sure," she said lightly. "Whatever you want."

Rhodes felt that this was just a bit too much from their new Chief. He raised an eyebrow back at Aria and handed her the PADD with the loading schedule. Looking toward the Lieutenant, "Right this way, Sir." He said compliantly, turned, and walked up the ramp.

Gabriel smiled to Aria, nudging her with his arm, laughing gently as the others walked off. "I'll keep you company, girl," he teased lightly, winking before motioning to the padd. "Hey, look, we get to know what they're hoarding on the ship. We should keep our eye out for food and drink," he joked, laughing softly to her before looking out and around.

[OFF]

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JP By:

Lieutenant Scott Parker
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Ensign Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Ensign Aria Rice
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Petty Officer Gabriel Stark
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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