This isn't over

Posted on 01 Dec 2012 @ 1:03am by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk
Edited on on 02 Dec 2012 @ 6:54am

3,015 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Security Office
Timeline: MD 13

ON:

Jeremy frowned. Some tickling thing nagged at the back of his head and it was starting to bother him. Eventually he set aside the report he was reading and looked up. Several security officers were in the corner talking.

There was something...to do with...finally he grabbed his PADD and looked at the display. That rediscovered Earth opera was still there, the one he'd been studying again. He found himself drawn to a duet between the young female lead and that of the villian. There was something about those lyrics that spoke to him. Sighing, wishing that he could go back to the simple joy of trying to really understand the lyrics but he was on duty at the moment and had responsibilities. He had...

Chief Warrant Officer Kiwoski. That's what he needed to remember. To meet with Chief Warrant Officer Kiwoski.

"Computer," he said, keeping his eyes on the PADD and the libretto displayed there. "Please inform Chief Warrant Officer Kiwoski to meet with me at his earliest convenience." He waited for the acknowledging beep from the computer then set his PADD aside. Without acknowledging the glance of the enlisted security personnel in the corner, Jeremy went back to work on the stack of reports from the past week.

Manchmal in der Nacht ich mich einsam und traurigdoch ich wei nicht was mir fehlt

Sei bereit

Manchmal in der Nachth ich fantastische Trumeaber wenn ich aufwach qult mich die Angst

ran through his head. He heard there was a recording of a new performance of the work and a Klingon was working on translating it for a performance on Q'Onos. Jeremy absently made a note to remind himself to track down both recordings, having already moved past remembering he wanted to meet with the Chief Warrant Officer.

****

"94, 95, 96, 97" Cyrus counted off the pushups during his exercise routine. He was elevated, balancing two free weights vertically on the mat. The idea was balance and full activation.

"99, 100, 1, 2, 3" He breathed out slowly, he arms pumping as he kept his shoulders tight. I was hoping to end at 150.

"8, 9, 10..."

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER KIWOSK TO THE SECURITY OFFICE. The computer droned, causing Cyrus to break his rhythm and fall flat on his stomach.

"Damn," he breathed loudly, forcing himself up to his feet. It wasn't anything over pressing he hoped, but the rumour that Parker had been replaced so soon was surprising. Hopefully whoever was taking his place wasn't as clueless.

He grabbed his water bottle and drank deeply. Beginning a small cool down before he readied himself back at his quarters. He figured it wouldn't hurt to let whoever wanted him to wait a while. He took the time to towel his hair and give a good armed stretch before leaving the gym to the quarters.

It wasn't too long that he was back in his quarters, changed into his uniform and was back out heading for the security office.

Security Office

Jeremy, sitting at the security desk, looked up at the second chime. "He's not in," he said then stopped and cocked his head. That didn't sound right. He reviewed what he said "I'm not in the office. There's a problem with the door that I'm waiting for Ops to come and fix."

That earned another brow furrow as he picked up his PADD and quickly typed out: contact Ops regarding problem with office door.

Cyrus eyed the newcomer. He seemed focused, but looks could be deceiving. He approached nonchalantly, and upon noticing the ranking on the man's collar he stopped short of sitting down, apparently he was the new Security head that he had heard about. "Sir, you called for me?"

Jeremy pulled up another report on the security station. "Chief Warrant Officer Kiwoski, Cyrus. Starfleet ident SK-177-9028." Jeremy looked at the display of his PADD to compare the image to that of the man standing before him. There seemed to be more scars since the facesheet image was last updated but otherwise he felt confident he could verify the same person.

As the PADD was laid on the desk, it displayed a musical score. "What can I do for you?"

Cyrus glanced at the PADD, noting the music. Looks like it's German... He was slightly confused though at the head of security department was asking him about the meeting that he had called.. "You called me here, sir. I think the better question is, what can I do for you?"

Jeremy picked up the PADD again and stared at it for a moment. "Yes," he said, sounding a bit unsure. "Yes, I did." He set the PADD down then approved the report he was reading and opened the next one.

Without looking up he asked, "Chief Kiwoski, could you tell me if you are a Security officer or a Marine?"

Cyrus tried to ignore that unneeded 'i' at the end of his name. "Well, sir I actually have certifications in both." He paused, feeling like he was being weighed and analyzed. "But I would say that I have more experience as a Marine."

Jeremy looked up briefly, his lips pursing as his brow furrowed. "Then why are on my department's duty roster and wearing a Security uniform? Impersonating a security officer is a chargeable offense." He turned back to the console and brought up several surveillance monitors studying them as if Kyle wasn't there.

What? Cyrus almost said aloud.

For a minute Cyrus almost lost his cool...he almost stepped over the desk and almost punched his new boss in the mouth.


"Sir, with all do respect...I have two certificates that clearly state that I am qualified to be a security officer as much if not more than my claim to be a Marine." He added, forcing himself to cool off. "If you have a problem with anything in my file, which will point out the careers of both my fields and how I have acted both out and on the field. If that is not satisfactory sir, may I direct you to the part of my file which points out my academy scores and the grade of certificate I achieved.

"And if that's not enough." Cyrus continued. "Might I direct you to the mission rosters and reviews provided by my former Marine CO, my former Commodore and the Admiralty Board that approved my transfer..." He folded his arms and glared hard at the new security head.

"If you are looking for me to prove that I deserve the uniform sir, I will not hesitate to show you exactly why I earned this rank, at this age and why I'm qualified to be security." He stared at the Security Officer hard. "Now what can I do for you sir?" he finished heatedly

At the start of the outburst, Jeremy placed his hands still on the console and then stared at the Chief. He remained quiet, with his hands on the console. Mulgrew told him people liked to be looked at when they were speaking. Though his eyes remained on the Chief's face, he was noticing everything from body posture, clenched fist, tight jaw and squared shoulders. Though really, everything Chief Kiwoski said had no bearing on the question at hand. Was he Security or was he a Marine? As he finished, with a tone that Jeremy completely missed, Jeremy picked up the PADD and read it again. While thinking of the libretto in the back of his mind totalis finsternis...ewigkeit beginnt heute nacht! No. That wasn't right...the 'nacht' was more drawn out. He almost had a connection there.

"Chief Kiwoski, you've stated that you have 'earned' the right to wear a Security uniform, then I must understand you have gone through Security training and are aware that Marines are not Security. They are not trained for the complexities of being a security officer. Marines are trained for combat, not keeping the peace. Since you asked the question, I will answer. What you can do for me is decide which branch you are going to serve. I will not accept the liability of a Marine acting outside of the scope of security training and as a security officer." Having said his bit, Jeremy changed the console to reflect that of the bridge and checked the current telemetry and tactical stations.

Kiwosk stared hard at the officer and then his mind flashed back to what he told Kiri during the exercise, to what Fernandez had told him before he left...
He relaxed his posture and smiled.

There is always a third option

He splayed his arms wide and let out a big sigh. "Marines are trained for combat..." he repeated, testing it on his tongue. "You say that a Marine is a liability? I say you're wrong. I say that someone who has the military training I do is beneficial to Security, Marines are not just trained for combat, we participate in Security scenarios, and on board the larger vessels, we are paired off to help supplement Security Forces. They are two different fields that have many overlappings.

"Security and the Marines both protect, both serve, both fight, both conduct investigations, both involve a multitude of tactics and abilities only found within their fields, but if you're looking for me to tell you the differences between the two professions I don't think that that is required for me to do as I have taken both courses and aced them with flying colours." He crossed his arms once more and smiled. "You're trying to get me to choose between my two jobs

" So Lieutenant, I'm going to have to go with option three..." He grinned.

"I'm both."

"Computer, send security team three to Engineering on a sweep through." Jeremy situated his PADD on the console and tapped the screen with his right hand while operating the console with his left. Once his PADD displayed the controls and functions he desired he picked it up and went to the first brig cell. "Thank you Chief Kiwoski. However, I will inform you that your reasoning is flawed. You do not have two jobs aboard this ship and there is not an 'option three'. "

He activated the security field and stared at it, watching the small flecks within the field's opening. "Computer initiate privacy on brig one." The field darkened to an opaque grey. "Not aboard this ship and in this department. While it may seem as if this department has been run in a lax manner previously, that has come to an end." Taking the PADD in his right hand, Jeremy plunged his left into the security field of the brig and held it there. "This is a ship of the line..." he pulled his hand out and shook it out of reflex, "As well as a flagship. Throughout the Federation, Security is the most scrutinized department and most under criticism because of the nature of our duties. People do not like to be made accountable for their actions and it is security that bears the charge of holding them accountable." He made some adjustments on the PADD watching the field flicker several times.

"The security department on a flagship sets an example for others to follow. I will not allow that example to be one of marginal training and commitment."

Jeremy turned to face Kiwosk as he deactivated the first cell's security field and activated the second. "Your inability to understand the singular role you must play as a security officer leads me to believe you are not suited to that role. The confusion as to your role as Security or Marine has come to an end. You will be removed from the security department's duty roster and your security access revoked."

Cyrus blinked...once...twice....and then a third time as he registered what he heard. He almost wanted to laugh at this new Lieutenant's face. He had thought Parker was bad, this guy was from an entire different universe.

"Lieutenant..." Cyrus began, his voice tight with anger. "Now...you're going to try and revoke my license..." He fought the urge to lean forward, instead letting his hand rest stiffly at his sides. "I normally don't do this sir, but my name is Kiwosk.

"And if you don't like the fact that I'm a Marine as well as a Security Officer, well I'm sorry I won't be there when the big bad wolf decides to bury you in his den." He stretched his arms, a smile creeping onto his face. "If you think I would be stupid enough to jeopardize the integrity of the crew or anyone with my actions you're as misinformed about the SFMC as they come. What gives you the right to waltz in here and say I'm not fit to work in a field I spent almost three years in training and another 8 months doing before transferring?"

Jeremy listened to the man's irrational reasoning and complaining. It was a simple choice...would he spend his career in the Marines or in Security or try to suffer working under two masters. Jeremy didn't put much stock in listening to the gossip and complaints about previous department heads but with the evidence mounting up, the Galileo was suffering serious problems due to a severe lack of management and protocol. Briefly Jeremy considered what Kiwoski meant by 'big bad wolf' but soon found that there were so many variables that the meaning could not be accurately ascertained he continued to check the integrity of the security field while engaged in privacy mode. Perhaps the required maintenance checks and routines had not been performed on the fields allowing for the possibility of a major security breach.

"I am the Chief of Security on the U.S.S. Galileo," Jeremy said, answering the only question of merit in the Chief's diatribe.

Kiwosk crossed his arms. "I've worked Security in the past Lieutenant, I know what the job entails. I've worked the Marine Corps, I know what the job entails, and I know what you are trying to do is overstepping your bounds. Did you even read my file?" Cyrus asked.

Jeremy stopped, frowning as he lowered the PADD and turned away from the second cell. "It seems obvious, Chief, that I have read your file otherwise how would I obtain the knowledge of your dual, conflicting roles?" Having said that, Jeremy went to the third cell, his left arm stinging and bruising from the damage done during the tests. "You have been removed, Chief Kiwoski, and you are in danger of being charged."

"I'm not impersonating anyone sir. I AM a security officer, with the same training and processes that you have gone through. I ran my trials on the Fitzgerald. I know what I can and can not do on the job. " He was completely blown away by the new lead's simple mindedness. He was beyond simple anger and rage. He was simply dumbstruck.

"So Lieutenant, before we take this to the Captain and the XO, and before you file your Crew Personnel Report. I'm going to ask you why you feel that this is necessary without even giving me a chance to show you what I know, and what you gain by being the school yard bully trying to throw his weight around in a department that he has just sat down in..."

Turning away from the brig cell Jeremy returned to the console. "I was not aware this was a schoolyard, Chief Kiwoski," he said...something nagging at the back of his mind about that. Key-wahsk-ee that sounded right, but something else told him it wasn't. Something else said key-wahsk but that wasn't right. Key-wahsk-ee. He frowned for a moment then began pulling up diagnostic and maintanence logs for the brig cells. "I shall wait for your complaint to be filed to forward it to the executive officer. Then I will schedule a time to discuss the issue with Commander Holliday, though I am given to understand that he is currently unavailable until the termination of this," here Jeremy almost seemed to shudder as he said, "shore leave period."

There didn't appear to be a problem with the diagnostics. However the fields were never properly calibrated. Jeremy tapped out a note to make sure that was done. "In the meantime, you are removed from this department."

Kiwosk stood there, removed his badge and phaser and slammed them onto the desk so hard it creaked. "Consider my report filed to the yeoman and then to the Captain since she is still on duty during this shore leave. I trust you will understand that you have overstepped your boundaries in what you did today, my uniform will be turned in at the first possible convenience, but we have not finished." He looked down at the name tag. Jeremey Stone....He would remember that name.

Cyrus didn't wait to be dismissed before walking out.


Jeremy failed to notice both the outbursts and the threats. A few minutes after Kiwosk left, he moved to the console and found a badge and phaser sitting there, blocking access to the screen he needed. Sighing he pocketed his PADD and taking the badge and phaser in his hand, grabbed the console chair in his left. Walking to his office, he left the chair in the doorway, preventing the door from automatically closing as he locked away both items. He scanned his computer, looking at any further appointments he had for the day then brought out his PADD and tapped another note: Forward Chief Kiwoski's complaint to Commander Holliday and schedule meeting for review.

Then, that issue taken care of, he left the office, replaced the chair and decided to take a patrol of the ship.

OFF:

Lt.jg Jeremy Stone
CSTO, USS Galileo

CWO Kiwosk
Formerly Security/Tactical
USS Galileo

RSS Feed