Unauthorized Personnel

Posted on 29 Dec 2021 @ 7:03pm by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius & Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Yukime Frost
Edited on on 29 Dec 2021 @ 7:49pm

3,433 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: Regula I - Level 17, Promenade
Timeline: MD 02, 0930 hours

[ON]

Following an early morning workout and an interesting morning meal at a small cafe on the station Promenade, Tris began to walk about the Promenade, peeking into the shops, but not going in. He was curious about what type of items these shops might hold, but not interested enough to spend the time and investigate further. Today, he seemed more intrigued by the people than the shops.

Tris stopped and sat down on a bench, which gave him a significant view of the morning patrons in the area. He sat comfortably with his right arm extended upon the back to the bench as he followed individuals as they went about their day.

Only after a few minutes, Tris could seem to categorise most passers-by into one of three groups. Those rushing through, those searching for something, and those just enjoying themselves and the conversations they were involved.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius, on the other hand, took no particular interest in the research station's population. The majority of them looked like boring civilian scientists, with a few Starfleet crew mixed among them. Or they were fellow visiting crew members from one of the various starships in Galileo's task group. Either way, he was more interested in the station itself. It was his second day of leave from the Nova-class and he'd been spending most of his time perusing the tree hub corridors and various unrestricted modules attached to them. It was not a large facility compared to the massive Stardock-class space docks but he was sure there were at least a few interesting areas.

His exploration had led him down to the main promenade level which was surrounded by a large and robust arboretum. Benches and kiosks lined the walls which he now casually paced through in no particular rush. Soon, he spotted a familiar blue face adorned by a pair of Andorian antennae. "Hey L-T," he called out to Shizn as he approached.

Tris’ antenna turned toward the recognised voice before he turned his head to see the Warrant Officer. With a touch of a smile, the Andorian turned to face the dark-skinner human more directly, “Good morning Mr. Darius. How are you enjoying the Station so far?”

Lamar slowed his pace and came to a stop in front of Shizn. He looked around, craning his head left to right then back to the fellow conn officer. "It's okay I guess. Lots of eggheads here. Not too many fine ones," he grinned. "But the base? Man, she's got bones. Old bones." He pointed to the reinforced inner bulkheads separating the promenade from the arboretum. "Haven't seen construction like this since my old Marine training facility."

As Lamar spoke, there were several words and phrases he used that Tris did not quite understand. With each of these, he either raise and eyebrow or angle an antenna to one aide with a thoughtful expression, repeating to himself, ‘eggheads’? ‘Got bones’? He wasn't sure if he should ask for clarification just smile and nod. He liked Lamar. Tris knew him to he a good Engineer, but uncertain how he would respond to questioning the words and phrases he used. “Yes,” the Andorian finally replied. “The station is no doubt been operating for many years.” He turned about and looked at a few of the passers-by.

Turning back to Lamar, “Sometime I hear parts of conversations where I don’t understand their . . . um, ‘phraseology’?. Sometimes uncommon words perplex me.” Tris then smiled and hoped he was able to provide a reason for his prior strange reaction.

"Some of it isn't proper Federation Standard. Probably euphemisms from different planetary regions and colonies," Lamar casually explained. He looked at a pair of white-garbed scientists pass by who were speaking in technical terms he didn't understand. "And sometimes they just speak that science nonsense neither of us can understand," he mumbled.

Tris nodded slowly in understanding a couple seconds, thinking about things he understood very well, then commented, “Maybe we should go and look at something we do understand well?” He grimaced in thought before adding, “Possibly the Engineer section or the flight bay?” The Andorian looked toward The Engineer with an expression of curiosity.

Now that sounded like something interesting to Darius. He'd been itching to get a look at the station's large hangar where all of its shuttlecraft were stored. "Let's do it." Then he frowned. "You don't happen to know where it is, do you?" Somewhere on a level above them, but he wasn't quite sure which one.

This question definitely brought a smile and a wink from Tris. “I’ve already planned that one out my friend. Level 8,” he commented as he stood, “should bring us to the observation walk above the shuttle bay. I’m not sure if we have access,” he gave an encouraging nod, “but it’s worth a try.”

"Lead the way, L-T," Lamar replied with an open palm gesture to his Andorian counterpart. "If they give us any shit for it, we'll just tell 'em it's a routine inspection and Captain Saalm ordered us to do it," he grinned. Either way, they were getting in that shuttlebay.

Tris stood with a smile and added, “Or we can admit that we got lost. You never know, we just might.” He began to walk away, then turned about, walking backwards with a thumb pointing over his shoulder, “Shall we go, or do you know of something more interesting on the way?”

Lamar gave Tris a light mocking look as if he were crazy. "I've been walking around this place for the last day and trust me...there's nothing more interesting. In fact this place is probably the most boring starbase I ever visited. Let's get the hell out of here and go check out some shuttles."

With an encouraging nod in agreement, Tris turned about and walked forward, shoulder to shoulder with Lamar. “We should probably start out on Level 10. That’s where the shuttles rest.”


Level 10

As the Turbolift doors opened upon Level 10, Tris stepped forward onto the the deck of the shuttlebay, sometimes called the ‘tarmac’. He wasn’t quite sure why. Something to research later he guessed to himself. He hesitated for a second to look both ways quickly. “Hmm, not even a Tech in sight.”

Darius walked out into the expansive shuttlebay then halted just behind Shizn. His head craned around to take in the entirety of the hangar, not even bothering at first to register whether or not any base personnel were present. It was a unique sight - the upper catwalk crossed the middle of the bay from one end to the other. Below them were various shuttlecraft and runabouts idly parked on the tarmac. Two giant open portals at either side of the hangar were exposed to space, creating a breathtaking view of the surrounding cosmos. Only a set of force fields separated those inside from the harsh environment of space. "Hell of a view."

“You are right there,” Shizn replied as he turned to smile at Darius, then looked again out upon the stars through the launchway. After another cautious look about he added, “I do not see anyone about. I wonder how many craft the station usual has staffed?” He looked to Darius asking, “How many levels of shuttle storage? 3 or 4?” He wasn’t questioning his friend, as much as trying to remember the layout himself.

"Storage?" Lamar looked at the dozen different-sized support craft neatly arranged in the confined bay. As large as the compartment was, the way the shuttles and runabouts were compactly parked gave him the sense that there wasn't any additional hangar space available. "I think this is it." He motioned with his dark hand across the room. "Looks like five or six shuttlecraft - old Type 6s and a couple Type 11s; two runabouts...and maybe three maintenance craft," he tried to count. "See those two workbees over there?"

Tris nodded slowly in agreement as he looked at the many shuttles stacked neatly in the area. He realized that there was a similar storage area on the other side of the launch bay. The Andorian then looked up. There past the catwalk was a doorway in the ceiling the size of a shuttle. He pointed up, “I would guess that is an accessway to level 7 and more storage possible.” He looked to Darius, raising an eyebrow questioning.

Looking up to where the Andorian's finger was trained, Lamar indeed noticed a closed hatch which could theoretically fit a small support craft. "Yeah, maybe. Looks kind of small though. Maybe a workbee could fit in there?" he speculated. He started to wonder what was directly above them. Cargo bays? Deuterium storage? Computer cores?

An unfamiliar voice suddenly called out from the upper catwalk. "Who are you two?? No one is authorized to be in here right now," bellowed a yellow-collared Starfleet officer. It was hard to see exactly who it was from such a distance. "Identify yourselves."

Tris’ eyes averted to the side to see a figure standing on a catwalk two levels above them. Casually Tris looked toward Darius, giving him a smile and a wink. The Andorian knew this to be a human mannerism that meant ‘that I can handle this.’ Tris knew this could go either of two ways, good or bad. He chose to be confident and act professional, but not arrogant.

Looking up again at the officer, confidently with his hands on his hips, Tris spoke up loud and clear, “Good day Sir! I am Lieutenant Shizn,” holding his fingers to his chest. Extending his hand toward Lamar he added, “And this is Chief Warrant Office Darius! We are crew members of the Galileo!” He smiled confidently as if he belonged there. “You have a great facility here!” Tris looked to Lamar a bit uncertain as he massaged his own neck. He didn’t usually raise his voice like that and it felt strained.

The security officer briskly jogged to the nearest end of the catwalk then started to climb down a long ladder leading to the main level. "Galileo? Still going to need to see your clearances," he yelled over his shoulder. After many vertical steps, he arrived on the tarmac then moved towards the two intruders with a quick walk. He came to a halt in front of them. "There's no shuttle ops scheduled until 1000. What are you doing here?"

Tris made an expression of not really having a good answer. After a quick glance toward Darius, the Andorian looked with a smile directly at the apparent Security Officer, “Well, . . we are just touring the facility.” With a quick gesture to his friend he added, “We are both pilots and are part of the Galileo bridge crew.” He fumbled quickly and brought out his PADD with hos identity, extending it toward the Officer.

Following his department head's lead, Lamar also pulled a small LCARS PADD from his pocket and handed it over. "Yeah. Like the L-T said, we're just here to look around. The station's kind of boring to be honest..." He shrugged and made a hand motion to all the different shuttlecraft and runabouts surrounding them. "We work in Flight and just wanted to see what you you're working with here."

The gold-collared man took the two PADDs from the unfamiliars then scanned them with his own device. "...Lieutenant Tris Shizn.." he mumbled while reading their dossiers, "..and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius..." The man rolled his eyes then sighed and returned their PADDs. "Look, I get it. It's shore leave for your crew and you all were on mission for a long time. But we have security protocols for a reason."

Tris extended both hands out to his sides in an accepting gesture, adding “I’m all for protocols. I have no desire to be where I’m not expected. So, . . could you tell me where two pilots looking for a good time and to engage maybe some other pilots? It certainly might make things more interesting during our stay?” The Andorian glanced over the his shipmate and gave him a quick wink.

Lamar stepped forward to stand next to his lieutenant and emphasize the Andorian's request. "We've been scouting this base over the last day and," he paused then shrugged with little apology, "it's a little boring." His dark brown eyes shifted from the security officer to the nearest Danube-class. "Can we take one of your runabouts out for a sortie?"

Tris glanced toward Lamar, raising a curious eyebrow, wondering where he was going with the conversation.

The security ensign stared at the chief warrant officer as if he were crazy. "No. Not at all." He puffed up his chest then glared at the two Galileans to enforce the point. "Only our base commander can authorize flight plans."

Then with a quick thought, the Andorian turned directly at the Security Officer, and with a confident voice and posture, “Exactly right. I think we should contact the Commander.” He turned to Darius, giving him a positive node. Shizn turned hack to the young Ensign, and raised his eyebrows in a questioning fashion.

Tris was actually hoping that all this was just a distraction or subterfuge, but he held his posture with no doubt in his expression.

Begrudgingly, the gold-collared junior officer pressed his commbadge. His eyes narrowed at both Shizn and Darius with obvious disdain for the hassle they were creating. "Security to Administrator Frost. I have two unauthorized personnel in the shuttlebay, level ten. They're from Galileo."

Tris crossed his arms across his chest, feeling frustrated, and rolled his eyes, looking towards Lamar giving him a bit of a shrug.

Frost had just finished dealing with a little dust up on the Promenade deck when the combadge beeped and a voice came across detailing some problem in the shuttle bay.

"Silk here. What in heavens are Galileo people doing in the hanger?"

"No idea, ma'am. It appears they let themselves into our hangar. Because they were bored." The security officer's glare bounced between Shizn and Darius. "I know, it sounds crazy but that's not the end of it. They want to take one of the runabouts out for a joy ride. Wouldn't take 'no' for an answer and asked to speak to you to authorize a flight plan."

"Put them on. Let me here their reasons for taking off in one of our shuttles."

Tris closed eyes to the confusion and problems. His antenna sagged to the side slightly. Shizn realized he was getting himself deeper and deeper into a problem he didn’t create. He looked to Darius wondering if he should blame him for this situation. ‘But no’, he thought, ‘I opened my big mouth too.’

Tris raised a hand toward Lamar in a motion to mean ‘stop’ and ‘let me handle this’. He certainly hoped he would be able to handle it.

Looking confidently with a smile to the security officer, the Andorian’s antenna stood up straight. “I would be happy to speak to the Commander.”

The Regula I officer silently stared at the Andorian for a lengthy period of time. It wasn't his place to deny the station's CO her request no matter how his personal feelings on the matter. "Go ahead," he reluctantly said to blue-skinned man.

Shizn spoke professionally and confidently, “Commander, I am Lieutenant Shizn of the U.S.S Galileo, a science vessel. I am the lead flight control officer. Chief Darius here is also in a Helmsman.” He glanced quickly to Lamar and back to the security officer and continued. “It has only been our desire to find some semblance of normalcy to our routine, following our recent mission.” The Andorian paused for a moment to focus, “We were seeking a tour of the Stations flight facility, conversation with other pilots, and possibly get some flight time.” A grim expression crossed his face before continuing, “I’m sure you realize that placing oneself in a familiar work environment, . .going through standard procedures help the mind revert to a good mental position of cognition and confidence.” He wanted to smile, but kept a straight professional expression. He didn’t think a smile right now would help too much.

Silk listened to the explanation and thought to herself it was so much excrement. The two had gotten caught. 'Oh there might be some truth in there.' She tapped her desk a moment thinking. She could just toss them out and report them to one of the senior officers from their ship.

"Tell you what," she said after a few moments. "If you are bored, and you want to fly around, I will allow you take one of the shuttles out but I want a complete survey of the station's exterior. That being said, you get beyound three thousand meters of the station. I am going to send someone after you. Slip away you will be explaining your actions to your senior officers and Commander Tarin. You got that?"

Tris was quite surprised by this turn of events. His antenna perked up straight as he turned to Lamar. Speaking softly, “This is our ‘out’, with no issues. You wanted to go for a ride. Eh?” Tris smiled encouragingly, hoping his fellow Galilean would cooperate and agree to the situation.

Darius leaned in close to Shizn to whisper a request. "...Ask if we can have a runabout..." He really wanted to step inside one of the famed Danube-class hulls he remembered from the Dominion War. He'd always been a passenger in the back during the few times he'd traveled on one, but now that he was a Starfleet helmsman. The prospect was too enticing to not mention.

Tris gave his friend an agreeable wink before turning back to the security office confronting them. Speaking up so that the Commander, on the Comm, could here him, “Yes Commander. This would be very appropriate.” He cleared his throat slightly before continuing, “For a proper scan of the station, the shuttle used would require the appropriate sensors. I have found that a Danube Class shuttle normally has the adequate sensors for the task.” He glanced to Darius and back, asking cautiously, “If that is not too much to request?”

Tris quickly thought about what he was getting himself involved in. Yes, a bit of work. He would definitely need to stay in command and not let Darius take them beyond the allowed parameters. And he would need to show the proper appreciation to the Commander, after the fact.

"Whatever would you need a long range warp capable ship like that? I do not believe the sensors for a relatively overview scan are needed." Silk paused. She wished she could be there so she could get an impression from the two. The whole thing sounded like a scam, which most likely it was, still the station could use a good look over. "Alright, I am not that familiar with different shuttles available. Let them use one of the Danubes, but gentlemen, you go three thousand and one meters out, you best keep going because I will insist on your commander skinning you alive if Commander Tarin does not do that first. You got that?"

Unseen to the station's administrator, Lamar silently fist pumped the air. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you ma'am. Three-thousand meters," he confirmed, speaking up into his DH's commbadge channel.

Tris glanced to Lamar at his remark. He couldn't help but smile. “Yes Commander,” Shizn began, “I look forward to seeing the flight plan.”

"Alright let them have a Danube, not a scratch gentlemen, not a scratch."

The security officer's commbadge chirped at the end of Frost's order. The man stood frozen, slightly stunned. He couldn't believe the two from Galileo had just manipulated their way into a joyride. "It's your lucky day," he scowled, then turned away towards the tall ladder to the upper deck. "Don't let me catch either of you in anymore unauthorized places while you're here," he yelled over his shoulder. "Next time, I'm calling your CO."

Shizn nodded to the security officer with acceptance of the situation. Looking at Lamar, Tris opened his eyes with excitement and the acknowledgment of a very odd situation remarkably going their way.

[OFF]

--

Yukime 'Silk' Frost
Station Administrator
Regula I
[PNPC Warraquim]

CWO3 Lamar Darius
Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Saalm]

LTJG Tris Shizn
Senior Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A

RSS Feed

Comments (2)