Meeting the Security

Posted on Tue May 14th, 2024 @ 5:47pm by Captain Eric Mitchell & Lieutenant Commander Johnathan Teach

1,365 words; about a 7 minute read

Eric had been drowning in PADDwork since the promotion came down from Command. If he'd known that having his own command involved this much extra work he'd have declined the promotion! All of that was in the past now, and he currently had a meeting set up with his new Chief of Security.

One thing he'd learned during his Command training was that having experienced officers under him was going to be a godsend, especially now since he was so new to the center chair. As he stood up and walked over to the replicator in his ready room, he cast a glance out of the viewport. The stars held secrets. They were out to discover them. That was the nature of exploration, was it not?

"Coffee. Two cream. Hot." He said, approaching the replicator as the mug materialized. Taking a long drink, he settled back down at his desk. Right as a the chime rang.

15 days ago he received a summons to Vulcan from an old friend; 11 days he bounced from shuttle to ship to shuttle, and now he was on the last leg of his cross galactic journey. The runabout dropped out of visual range of Starbase 70; keeping his head back he slanted eye open and softly groaned “For the glory of the Federation and Empire.”

“Excuse me sir?” The pilot ensign questioned
“Nothing.” He responded
The Renegade almost shimmered in the star light while the spot lights helped define the curves in even more detail. The silhouette was a call back to the Constellation of ages passed. Constellation
As the runabout broke through the force field and gracefully landed into its place in the shuttle bay; Teach slowly stood using his cane to brace himself the consistent sitting and lack of inactivity caused issues. Making his way to the entrance ducking down so his 6 foot height would fit through the portal; stepping down onto the deck with a double heavy thud followed by a soft ding.
Was meet by a young yeoman; indistinctly looking down at the yeoman “Lieutenant Commander Teach reporting as ordered.” His deep Klingon voice boomed “Is Captain Mitchell available?”

“Ye..yes sir…he’s expecting you in his ready room.”

=/\=

Teach stood outside of the Captains ready room; squared himself to the door; tugged down on his uniform pulling the wrinkles out before tapping the door chime button with his tip of his cane and waited for the response.

Eric put his mug down, and attempted to clear up the numerous PADDs cluttering the desk for a moment, but found nowhere to put them but back on the desk, this time in less of a mess. Soon he could be rid of the blasted things before they launched.

"Come!" He called out, trying to precariously balance the PADDs on the corner of the desk

Teach walked into room as the captain was trying to balance PADDs and raised an eyebrow; and came to parade rest in front of the desk.
“Captain; Lieutenant Commander Teach reporting as ordered.” Holding another PADD in hand he smoothly moved he moved his hand behind his back and tucked it into the waist “Command said you needed a first rate security and tactical officer; but unfortunately they were busy so you get this old warhorse instead.” Trying to soften the mood with some humor

Eric smile at the humor, holding his hand out for the PADD Johnathan held. "Yeah, well, as long as you have some form of experience, you're better than me." He said, looking around his desk before putting the PADD down in a seemingly random spot. "Please, uh, have a seat if you'd like. Could I, uh, get you anything to drink?"

Teach sat down with a internal grunt across the CO “No thank you I hardly sleep as it is don’t need anything else to keep me awake.” His expression went cold “Enough experience for the both of us…” ’I’ve seen things that would wake up men in cold sweets’ he says thought before adding “I believe there’s an old adage ’don’t let them take you off the ship that’s where you make the most difference’.”

"So I've heard. I believe that was...James Kirk, if memory serves. Never was good at remembering who said what." Eric chuckled, "after all, they want you to memorize over three-hundred quotes by various people and it's not possible for humans." He took a sip of his coffee, which was starting to go cold.

Getting down to business, he continued, "I'm sure you are familiar with the specifications of the Constitution-III class?"

Teach nodded “I was briefed on the specifications and have ran simulations while en route from Earth. It will be able to handle whatever we come across out here; even more imposing if had a helmsman who knew how to work in concert with tactical.” Eying the house of PADDs on the edge of the desk “I’m sure Starfleet sent a few recommendations. Is there something that you are uncertain about with the specifications of the fleets shiny new class of vessel?”

"Not with the specifications per se." Eric said as he leaned back in his chair. "More what we're going to be up against out there. We're going to be beyond Federation space in some cases, closer to the Anarchy. I don't have full details yet, I'm sure that's somewhere in this mess, but I'm concerned we're not going to be prepared tactically."

“You can leave the tactical concerns to me;” he reassured the new CO “I will see what research and intelligence there is on The Anarchy that way we will somewhat prepared for whatever we come across.”

"Good. We're not going to be in Federation space for some time, so I'm sure the data will quickly become outdated, but we'll have to make do with what we can get." Eric took a sip of his coffee, grimacing at it being cold. "Please, tell me a bit about yourself. I haven't had a chance to fully read over your personnel file. As I'm sure you can probably tell."

“Twelve years in Naval Corp rising through the ranks before tensions grew and transferred to Starfleet; in 2396 took reserve retired status until powers that be reactivated me after the incident on Federation Day. With a background in security and intelligence through out my 27 years.” Covering his com-badge “I might have unofficial connections.” Revealing his badge again “Anything specific you’d like to know that’s not…”motioning to the stack of PADDs “that’s not lost in there?”

Eric began to gesture to the stack of PADDs but instead sent the entire stack clattering to the floor. With a resigned chuckle, he leaned forward, leaning one elbow on the table and placing his head in that hand. "A bigger desk maybe?" Clearing his throat, he continued, "but in all seriousness, I just want your department as prepared as they can be. I want at least two-thirds of the department also rifle certified in case we need them on away missions."

Teach raised an eyebrow “Nervous captain? Don’t worry about the department I run a tight crew; I am part Klingon after all.” He chuckled semi diabolically “After the Dominion War, the Borg, and now the Changeling issue anyone above junior grade will be certified; lieutenants will be required to know all weapons systems, even at the basic level. I’m not just here to be your security officer but also to train up these greenhorns so they can become proficient officers as well.”

"Good. I don't fancy being caught out there with our pants down, so to speak." Eric said, changing the topic slightly. "That's all I had, do you have any questions or concerns for me while you're here?"

“Trust me captain our pants will be well secured.” Judging by the pile of PADDs he knew the captain had more work ahead “No I am all good, plus you have a literal pile of paperwork to do; if there’s anything that’s of security, tactical, or intel concerns you can forward them to my office and I will take care of them.”

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