You're Not Alone

Posted on 29 Jan 2013 @ 7:30pm by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk
Edited on on 31 Jan 2013 @ 9:53am

2,537 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 - Security Offices
Timeline: MD 01 1800

ON:

Cyrus leaned back in his chair. He had been hearing about Stone an awful lot. There were reports of him wanting to leave, among other things. It was an odd feeling, he didn't really care for the Lieutenant, but he knew that he was doing the best he could...it felt like a lot of people were worried about his sanity.

Kiwosk was conflicted. As he stared at his desk he frowned in thought and contemplation. Stone was angry, he was rude, abrasive and a total jackass... but there was no denying that Stone was also working the only way he knew how. He couldn't help but think that Jeremy was trying to work hard at being the ideal Chief, but was forgetting important aspects...and it certainly didn't help that everyone was forcing the issue and almost forcing his hand every single time. He didn't condone his actions with a lot of things; his reaction in sickbay, Cyrus's firing, to name a few, but there was more to this man that people refused to see.

Kiwosk needed to talk to him.

"Computer, locate Lieutenant Stone."

"Lieutenant Stone is currently located on Deck 4, in the arboretum."

"Must be playing with Sidi again." Cyrus chuckled. He had grown fond of the dog in the last few days he had seen him. In the short time he had been aboard, Sidi had really helped Stone open up, but to tell the Lieutenant that would be signing a death warrant. Kiwosk sighed. well it won't hurt . Cyrus pushed himself up from the table and began to make his way out of the offices down to the arboretum.

After several minutes, the doors to the room swung open, it was hard to locate the Lieutenant and his latest colleague. "Lieutenant Stone, sir. " Cyrus called as he jogged over.

"Heel," Jeremy called to Sidi, recalling him and keeping him from seeing Chief Kiwoski as something to chase after. That would be unfortunate to have two such incidents in the past week. "Down" he further called, though Sidi had some difficulty with that one as Jeremy was currently holding a sandwich in his hand.

"Chief," Jeremy said as Kiwoski caught up to him. With the bulk of the man stopped 'jogging', Jeremy took out the ball and threw it again. Sidi went from lying down to all fours and then after the ball, following the arc of the throw. Jeremy watched the dog as he raced across the grass chasing after his favored toy.

"Seems like Sidi is fitting in?" He chuckled and rolled his shoulder. "How've you been holding up? "

Jeremy chewed as he scowled. "No, Sidi isn't fitting in. To many people think of him as being just a 'pet' or a 'dog'. They fail to understand his primary role aboard ship. Just because he is of a species they think of as being 'lesser'." He spoke not with his usual frustrated tone, but with some real anger. "And people say I'm a bigot."

Well, good thing he's all sunshine and rainbows today, why do I always get him in the foul moods? Kiwosk cursed to himself silently. "That's kind of rediculous, didn't you say yourself that the Commander had given him all rights as a member of Starfleet, seems to me he should get as much respect as anyone of us...and doesn't he technically outrank you?" He chuckled. " He may be a domesticated animal, but that hardly makes him a pet. I know plenty of friends you have had wolves and horses as companions, not pets...why can't Sidi be treated like that...we're all supposedly companions on this ship...at least that's the theory...." Cyrus sighed. "I wanted to talk to you about the Department, well...more like the ship in general. "

"He is not a 'domesticated animal'!" Jeremy said, sharply. The more he talked about this, the more he heard from other people, the more he understood how vital and necessary his lawsuit was in order to force a change in dialog with the way people viewed Sidi and his fellow canine personnel. "Why are you here, Chief?" he asked, finally fed up with being bothered.

"Whoah, I never said he was. Just the opposite, he's a companion and a colleage of this ship in my eyes." Cyrus stopped himself short of whistling his displeasure before starting his other point.

"We did not have the best start, I understand why, but I want you to know that you weren't the only one who made mistakes. I've...done some thinking." He sighed. "I came in thinking I knew everything, and I don't. I made a lot of mistakes when I came aboard the ship and I want you to know that, while I don't agree with how you go about it, I understand what you're trying to do and you have my support. Not just as a subordinate, but as a colleague."

"You disagree with me?" he asked, glancing at the younger man. "Explain what you disagree with."

Taking a deep breathe. "If you want to look at the negative part of what I'm saying, sure. " He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I don't agree with how you have dealt with a large portion of the veteran crew. There is a better way to go about making the changes you want instead of threatening their positions on board the ship, if anything it's a sure fire way to get you fired or worse, which I don't want to happen because I agree with the heart of what you want to do: Bring more professionalism into the department that has been relatively leaderless for quite some time."

"I have not threatened anybody's position," he said scowling. "I have merely let them know that entreaties to emotionality will have no effect, merely compliance. If they wish to transfer out, with cause, I will allow them to go. Where were threats made?"

"Many people would perceive that as a threat to their position. I know when you said something similar to me, I did." Cyrus explained. " I'm not saying this because I think your goal is wrong, it was the execution. The way you brought it up and how you tried to explain, made me, and I can only assume the others, feel like their jobs could very well be at risk. "

Jeremy sighed. "I can't be held responsible for how people wrongfully interpret what is said. Your situation was different. You told me that you were simultaneously a Marine and a Security officer, I wrongly perceived this ship had a Marine detachment. I have not said anything that has not been straightforward and direct. If their conscious has them worried about their conduct and dismissal, they should be set at ease now that they are aware of what to expect."

"But they are not, at ease. Just the opposite in fact. I know you were trying to explain that if they didn't shape up their behavior there would be consequences. I agree with that, but it was how it was explained that causes them to be so hostile to you."

He sighed. "Chief," he said. "They will remain hostile to me until they come to accept that I am not what they perceive is 'human' any longer. Until they can accept that, then they will continue to judge me based on what they feel 'should be' rather than what is. Until they are able to distance themselves from the need to have their self-esteem stroked externally and realize that they are responsible for it themselves. I have every right to become a tyrannical dictator and begin issuing official reprimands that will affect their careers and futures. As you are aware, I don't have a problem standing up to the admin if I believe I am correct - nor admitting when I'm wrong. Can you tell me which member of this department has been unfairly reprimanded or negatively affected for previous actions?"

"That's not what I said, and you know that. I'm saying they want guidance from you, but this isn't going to go anywhere. " Cyrus sighed and looked at Sidi. "I wanted to let you know that I understand what you're trying to do and I approve and agree, I support your want for quality in this department, sir. " Even if you're the biggest stubborn prick to roam the Milky Way.

"I have given them guidance," Jeremy said. "Starting with a foundation of expectations. I can't dump everything on them at once, they'll never take it. Just dealing with actual supervision is causing problems. I don't know the previous security chiefs, but they take a lot of blame for what's going on here."

Jeremy glanced at Sidi. "Chief, you're the Master at Arms for this ship? Meaning you're responsible for training in the department?" He started walking toward the replicator. "I have some training issues that require your assistance. Unless you're not willing."

"That is correct." He saw the Lieutenant look at Sidi and he chuckled. "What seems to be the issue with Sidi? He not getting his bite quota?"

"No, he's not. His bite training has been neglected for lack of volunteer participants. People seem...reluctant...to let him go after them." He went to the replicator and ordered up a bite sleeve from the list of materials. He handed it over to Kiwoski.

Sidi stop and froze as he saw the sleeve. BITE!! YES!!! He ran around Alpha hoping for BITE!! BITE!!! He made sure to show his fangs showing how good he would be at this. BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE! He voiced his pleasure at the idea. Alpha commanded and he stopped and heeled immediately, making sure to wait for BITE!

Jeremy sighed. "Wear this on your arm and make sure to present it out in front of you so it's a target. Don't get lazy about that because he's trained to go after any target presented, not a specific one." He frowned. "This is not a suit so we'll do this stationary. Above all...do not run!"

Sidi barked to tell big-smell to go ahead and try to run. RUN RUN RUN! Sidi is FAST. Much faster than lumbering big two legs!

Cyrus chuckled and picked up the bite sleeve. "Does someone want to rip my arm off? Yes he does..." He looked back to Stone and nodded. "I think I can manage that. Give me something to do and will keep me on my toes. Else I'll probably lose them."

"Sidi, we'll bite later on okay? But you be a good officer and listen to Lieutenant Stone, understood?"

Jeremy gave Sidi the command get. Sidi lunged forward, his entire being changing as his snout turned into a snarl. He leapt, hitting the sleeve unerringly and using every bit of his weight to throw Cyrus off balance. His jaws locked onto the sleeve as he kept a firm grip on the way to the ground, shaking his head back and forth, doing his best to tear the sleeve away as he would tear into flesh.

Cyrus's eyes snapped wide at his Lieutenant. "But sir I said..." His attention completely left his boss and he scrambled to reattain his lost balance. "Alright you little bugger, let's play." Cyrus plantd his sturdy legs into the ground and began growling himself. He struggled against the K-9 officer. He watched his colleagues head waved back and forth. His eyes hard and his body planted he flexed his arm, forcing his arm to go rigid. "I can play shake too..." He chuckled grimly and gave the arm a good shake back. "Bite Sidi...BITE."

"out!" Jeremy commanded. Sidi let go immediately and came back. Jeremy gave him a hand signal and Sidi faced Kiwoski and barked madly, slobber flying toward Kiwoski. Jeremy was pleased to see Sidi responding so well. "That was good, Chief," Jeremy said as he pulled on Sidi's lead.

Cyrus smiled slightly. "That wasn't very funny Lieutenant, I wasn't ready for that-"

Jeremy almost smirked when he saw Kiwoski relaxing again. "GET! GET!" he commanded. Sidi lunged forward, grabbing the sleeve and locking. This time he didn't try to rip it off but came down, planted his feet and pulled on Kiwoski, pulling him forward his attention to pull him off balance and onto the ground.

"You..." Again Cyrus's attention was taken away from his chief and forced him. Grounding himself once more. "You're a quick study..." He grunted as he felt his arm being lurched forward. "SO....AM ....I" He let the dog try to bring him down, but rooted as he was he refused to move. His arm felt the pressure of the iron jaw of the dog. He gave a good tug back with his arm forcing the dog to move forward, followed by another shake." He glanced up at Stone for a split second before focusing back on Sidi. "You're enjoying this way to much...sir." He grunted as he fought against the canine.

"feint get!" he ordered. Immediately Sidi let go of the sleeve and dashed foward, under Cyrus's bulk. The immediate release of pressure had a desired effect and Sidi took advantage of that as his full 86 pound torpedo hit Cyrus in the back bringing him to the ground. Sidi stood astride him, barking madly uncomfortably close to Cyrus's ear, interspersed with growls.

Jeremy watched his Chief Warrant lying on the ground. "Life isn't fair, Chief. Our enemies won't be and won't wait for us to be 'set' and ready for them. Sidi needs to be ready for deployment at a notice. Want to try running from him now?" Though, yes, he wouldn't admit it, he was enjoying watching Sidi work. "Out!" he commanded, bringing Sidi back to his side.

"Trust me boss, out of everyone in this department, you're talking to the one that knows that the most." Cyrus grunted into a sitting position and rubbed his ear. "He deserves a treat for that takedown, I know I do..." He half chuckled.

Jeremy held out a hand to help him to his feet. "Sidi will get treats because he performed admirably," Jeremy said as he took out the ball and threw it for Sidi to chase, taking his focus away from the bite sleeve. "You do not because you did not perform admirably. You just got your ass kicked by a dog." Jeremy sighed as he shook his head. "And you're going to train my department?" He asked, frowning.

"I let him win. Have to make him feel like part of the crew now don't I sir?" He chuckled, hiding his bruised ego. "He got lucky, didn't want to break the guy training." Before Stone could reply. Cyrus hopped up and brushed himself. "Lieutenant...Sidi. " He stated before making his exit out of the arboretum.

OFF:

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K9
USS Galileo

CWO Cyrus Kiwosk
Security/ Tactical
Master-at-Arms, TRT Squad Leader
USS Galileo

Sidious MWD 7223
Security Canine unit/Kiwoski Buttkicker
USS Galileo

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