Exclusive - TRT

Posted on 24 Feb 2013 @ 6:09am by Marine Captain Ray Fernandez (Ret.) & Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk

2,602 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Arboretum
Timeline: MD 04 1500

ON:

Now this was more like it. This was something she could definitely package and put out there. Young, built stud - and extremely easy on the eyes she bet he would be receiving packages of used underwear by the time she was finished marketing him - and grizzled veteran mentor. Striving against odds to turn soft and inept scientists into something capable of defending the plucky and small ship.

This could have everything to bring in the young male demographics as well. Action, weapons, 'cool gear'. THIS was something that could help sell the otherwise dullness of what was going on with the rest of the ship.

Though, she was missing someone. The security chief. She was looking to get him on camera. She had more than a few questions for him. But, she put on her dazzling smile as she looked at the men.

"Gentlemen, I'm so glad to be here and see this!"

The woman eas enthusiastic to say the least, Cyrus didn't see the need to publisize the event for the Federation, but Ray...stubborn as stubborn can be had convinced him. "Just do it for the shits and giggles, besides, you're saying you don't like cameras now?" The older man had asked.

Before Cyrus could say anything Ray pipped up, his cane placed in front of him. "A pleasure Miss Fenta, an absolute pleasure. I'm glad you could have met with us on such short notice." He veteran gave the lady a wink and a smile.

"Yes, It's important that people understand what we are trying to do here." Cyrus explained. "If we're lucky, this might even be a forerunner for other such teams on smaller vessels that lack Marine capabilities. "

"Captain," Jool said, smiling as she returned the wink, "I do believe you are trying to charm me! No need, I'm already 'in' on this project. I think the most important aspect is that this isn't just another security exercise. You're actually drawing from other departments, showing interdepartmental cooperation for the safety and security of the ship. Now, I've had the opportunity to speak to others aboard and I can't imagine that's a widely popular idea."

"This is not me charming you miss Jool, that would include dinner and a bottle of wine." He replied without missing a beat. A small smile on his lips and his eye lit up.

"Only dinner and wine?" she asked, affecting a pout that had gotten her past several preliminary rounds. "Careful what you fish for, Captain, you just might reel it in." She winked again. "Now, about the general concensus of the idea?"

"Once this team begins to save their lives, I'm sure that their opinions will change. Humility tends to do that." Fernandez replied with another warm smile.

"But, this is a research vessel. Why would a ship like this need such a team? Wouldn't it make sense for a ship, like the Venture? One which could get boarded due to the nature of assignments? What's the worse you have to worry about, somebody lose the print of 'Star Wars'? Chief, why would you start a team like this on a science vessel?"

Cyrus was never one for public speeches. Interdepartment talks, sure that was what his job entailed, but this was something on a whole other level that he had never done before. The entire Federation would be watching and if he messed up, this idea would disintegrate....

Stone would kill him...actually kill him.

That wasn't a pleasant thought. Kiwosk took another steadying breath and rolled his shoulders. He had to relax, but he was both nervous and excited at the same time. He adjusted his uniform a second time before Ray clapped a hand on his broad shoulder. "Son, relax. You've run around star systems for almost five years now, and your scared of a camera."

"I'm nervous about the people behind it, sir."

Jool turned to look at the camera drones that had been set up for this. It wasn't a job she really needed Baker for, and she understood he was off somewhere filming some B roll for another story she was editing anyway.

"Will everyone just piss off with the 'sir' bit for just two minutes?!" Ray grunted sourly. "I'm human first."

"Understood, sir." Cyrus replied unconciously.

"I'd take you for a Borg drone if I didn't know you." Fernandez muttered. "Look son, you're not going to slop, I'm here too, and I feel that you're the one that knows the most about it, you've been ranting and raving about this team ever since you got the information, just go from that. Anything harder, you just leave to me."

Cyrus nodded, still unsure. "Alright, damn I hate cameras."

"That's 'cause your ugly." Ray finished, before turning to Jool. "Whenever you're ready, love."

"To leave the hard things to you, Captain?" she asked, her facial features and posture radiating sweet innocence. "But, as for the cameras, they've been rolling."

She walked over to Cyrus. He reminded her of some of the men in her past. Big men with quite a lot to offer in private, but sometimes very little in public. "Now, Chief Petty Officer," she said, leaning in as she fixed his collar. "don't worry about the cameras. You just keep those beautiful brown eyes fixed right on me. Talk to me," she said as she moved her hand to place against his chest, feeling the hard muscle underneath, as well as the rapid heartbeat. She smiled at him. "I'm sure you've got yourself some pretty girl somewhere, waiting for you to be done. Just imagine how nice it'll be for her to see you on the holovid. Her strapping, young buck telling everyone how the galaxy is going to be made safer through his innovations. Feel better?"

She dropped her hand, even if a bit reluctantly. "Let's start easy, to ease you into this, okay?" She smiled again. "You were a Marine just a short while ago, but then you switched to Security. Are you finding it hard to adjust from one to the other?"

Cyrus nodded. "It was a surprising change in how each department works." Smiling at Jool he continued. " Security and the Marine Corps are both similar, yet with differences that make them both individual departments. For instance, a marine's down time is mostly spent training for the next big mission, yet when they are called upon they are expected to act without hesitation. Off duty they are supposed to conduct themselves with as much professionalism as any other department. Security, there is no down time. You are always on duty, even when you are technically off-duty, on a small ship it's double because of the department's small size. The adjustment has taken time, but all in all I feel, I've transitioned fairly well."

"You say that the Marines and Security are basically the same, but isn't the entire focus of the Marine department combat where Security is protection? And weren't you recently 'fired' for lack of a better term from security?"

Cyrus supressed a smirk. She was a journalist, it was her job. "I never said they were basically the same, I said they are similar, but have large differences. Security is the face of the Federation, it is what people see on a day to day basis. they are the police, the body guards, the safety of the ship and crew rely on the Security department. The SFMC play a role that, while similar, has nothing to do with the defensive, or the policing aspect and they rely more specifically on combat. It would be like saying that the SFMC is the sword or the blade of the Federation." He sighed, having wished he had remembered Fernandez's analogy prior to his clearance suspension.

"As for my ' firing'. I fail to see how a simple miscommunication and a very well needed learning experience as any part of this interview. Miss Jool." He smiled evenly.

"No?" she asked, "Still worried about all those people behind the camera? Of course not! You're doing so well. You know what you're talking about, you're confident and handsome. That's very important because people will hang on what you say. Guys will want to be you, women will just want you."

She winked to Fernandez. "So, ready to continue?"

Ray grinned, his eyes afire. "I'm always ready darlin'"

"I thought the Marine code was 'semper fidelis' not 'semper paratus'," she said dropping another wink. "Okay, Cyrus, why don't you run me through the program and we'll expand from there. Start with how you select members and then what this means for their responsibilities aboard ship."

Ray grinned. " It's all a matter of opinion."

Cyrus nodded. "Sure enough. The TRT is an elite reponse team, so the expections are going to be high and the requirements, higher. " He looked at the reported as smiled again. " The selection process was pretty straightforward. I asked each department individually about their thoughts and questions about the TRT and if they were willing to allow a member under them to be trained in the fashion we are. After that there will be a testing on firarms and technical skills in their fields. we then select four security members and one member from the other departments. "

"So, anybody from the ship could join the team? If I were stationed aboard Galileo permanently, I could join?"

"If you passed the qualification with a minimum 90% on the accuracy and 80% in the other tests."

"The idea to form this team, this was in response to the recent combats aboard the ship?" she asked.

Cyrus hesitated, gathering his thought, when Ray jumped in. "I think I'll take this question if you don't mind miss Jool." Placing both hands upon his cane he smiled into the camera before looking back to the journalist.

"This team has been in development for many a-year. " He explained. "Naturally, it's taken different names since it's original concept was conceived. The creation of this team has more of an educational purpose, more than anything. It seemed prudent to pick a science vessel with a small Security department to trial this team. If it works on one of the most advanced science vessels in Starfleet, than I think all the smaller Federation vessels that don't have a large Security or Marine department can sleep a little easier."

"So this is a pilot program for a fuller fleetwide rollout?" Jool asked, noticing the interactions between the two men - how the older came to the defense of the younger. "When will I get to see the team in action? Drills? Training? Something we can get on film?"

"If all turns out well, this could implemented in all small Federation Starships that do not host a large Security or Marine Department and grant a large dose of safety to those around." Ray explained. "But it will all depend on the actions of certain individuals who try out for this team and it's success rate before we can make a final decision." He smiled as he noted the lady's enthusiasm. "As for your other question, that will depend on the Captain and getting permission from her to watch the officers at work. "

"Well then, that's not a problem. When can we get something on film? I'll want to arrange it with Baker," she tried hard not to make a face at needing that trelk for anything. "Have you a roster for the team? That'll be helpful for credits and compiling the story."

"We're still deciding on what departments want to participate and who is interested. " Cyrus explained, now the questions regarding the ship were over and done with. "We have an almost complete list, but I have two other departments to talk to once we've finished here."

Jool nodded, "Okay. Then we'll consider this a dry run. I'll keep the footage I have, for use in the full report, and then let me know when there's more and I'll be happy to come back. I have to say this is a very interesting project for Starfleet."

It was Ray who smiled. "It's not the first time Starfleet thought about this, but it's the first time that they have thought it necessary to implement. The Chief of Security thought it would be best to have some added protection, and this idea sort of took place. Captain approved it and here we are. Starfleet is full of surprises my good journalist. " Ray replied winking.

"Ah, yes, the Chief of Security," Jool said. "Tall man, permanent scowl, disposition that would offend even a drunk Klingon?"

"That's the one." Ray replied smiling. "Though his canine officer must have done wonders for his disposition, from what I've heard. "

Jool laughed, "The one man reason for mutiny? I can't imagine how it could be worse. Though he's on my list of interview subjects. I'm just dying to know how his career survived the murder accusation. Or multiple psychiatric commitments."

"Because the man can do his job and do it well Jool, and it might help you to remember that." Ray remarked. "His colourful history is no less horrid than any of ours. Everyone deals with PTSD differently and people shouldn't criticize what he is accomplishing since his placement."

"I'm not sure the ship would agree with you, Captain," Jool said, "but, I'm not here to argue their position. Maybe you have some other insights about the matter you'd like to share? I'm free this evening."

Ray grinned at the invitation while Cyrus suppressed a groan. Even after retirement Ray was still a tryhard. "Why I'd love to Miss Fanta."

"Well then, Captain, how about seven o'clock? I'm sure we could find someplace...quiet." She smiled, even more so at the discomfort of the younger man. If he were really upset...all he had to do was speak up.


"I'd be delighted. We could discuss it over dinner prehaps, my treat since your hosting." Ray had turned completely towards Fanta and brought arm to lean against the wall. "That is...if you don't mind non replicated food..."

Cyrus couldn't believe his eyes. Was this actually happening. His former CO was trying to pick up on the Galileo... Maybe Stone was right....

"I think I could learn to enjoy that," she said, smiling. "So, Petty Officer, how about we get together again, say tomorrow? Or the day after?" she walked past him to the former Marine. Older, scarred but not so old, she hoped, that his 'appetites' had waned. She wondered just how scarred he was. He at least still seemed...fit. "Or whenever you have something new to report. Captain," she said, pulling a stylus and slip of writing medium from her small clutch. "Here's where we should meet."

Ray glanced at the paper and smirked as he raised an eyebrow. "I look forward to our next encounter. " He looked over to the Chief Warrant and smiled. "I'll look after our guest for a little bit Cyrus, you...go do your Security stuff like a good yellow suit."

Cyrus had been all ready waiting for the order to leave. Having amassed his items he sprinted for the door. "It's been a pleasure miss Fanta. Have an...interesting days with the Captain."

OFF:

Jool Fenta
Federation News Network Correspondent
USS Galileo

CWO Kiwosk
Security/ Tactical Officer
TRT Squad Leader
USS Galileo

Marine Captain Ray Fernandez
Marine Commanding Officer ( Ret.)
Starfleet Academy Earth

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