The Favor Exchange Rate

Posted on 14 Feb 2013 @ 3:10pm by
Edited on on 16 Feb 2013 @ 4:36pm

1,616 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 Security Office
Timeline: MD 03, 0930

[ON]

Jeremy left breakfast earlier than normal since he had gone later than normal. His duty station was on the bridge and he wasn't too keen on the idea of being away from his station for too long - not with the way life aboard this ship was going. Though, on the other hand, he wasn't too upset about not being under the watching eye of Captain Saalm.

Her sister. Security was supposed to be notified when VIPs came aboard the ship - and by definition any member fo the Captain's family were considered VIP, no matter their role or function. But he sighed, trying not to think about yet another failure to notify security as was required.

Jeremy was about to enter the turbolift when his commbadge chirped.

==^==Lieutenant Stone, incoming subspace from the Venture==^==

"In my office," Jeremy said, indicating the change of destinations to the computer. With it being such a small ship, he made it to his office within a few minutes. He sat at the desk and stared at the panel on the wall before he fingered the controls that would open up the subspace transmission.

"Lieutenant Stone?" the man on the other end of the line asked. He came across as a big man - both physically and personality. Dark cropped hair atop a squared jawed face with bright blue eyes. A ready smile played on his lips. Though Jeremy knew nothing about this man, and he wore the ubiquitous gold collar of support, the aura of Security radiated even through the commpanel. Except, he reminded Jeremy too much of Chief Kiwoski - holding that same fratboy air about him. "I'm Lieutenant Barnes, Venture Security."

"Yes?" Jeremy asked as he checked his PADD. The Venture security chief was listed as Lieutenant Evril Kelchik. Jeremy held a sigh, hoping that he wasn't being shunted to minor personnel. He needed to talk to someone who could authorize decisions, not someone with a PADD and stylus ready to take notes.

Jim rubbed his temple. Something about the man on the other end of the subspace message reached out and mentally slapped him, leaving his temple throbbing. "Sorry, not used to saying that I'm the acting Security Chief. Lieutenant Kelchik is currently on personal leave."

Jeremy frowned. He hadn't been told that. But...it wasn't necessary to reveal to him the personnel matters of another ship. "I'd like to see about using Venture resources on the upcoming mission. Mostly personnel. I am projecting the Galileo may field multiple away teams which will require adequate security protection, which I do not have."

Jim shook his head, as if that would dislodged the nail pounding into his temple. "Oh, hey, Lieutenant Barnes, how are you? Doing well? That's great to hear, hey, I could use a favor."

Jeremy scowled. "I'm Lieutenant Stone. You stated you were Lieutenant Barnes. Was that not the case?"

Jim blinked as he stared at the monitor. Wow, really? "Is this a joke? Did Kalwoski put you up to this?"

Jeremy scowled. Why the hell was Kiwoski speaking to other security departments without notifying him. "The Chief is very particular about how his name is said, it is "Kee WAH skee". I think. I'm pretty sure, though, he's always correcting me about the emphasis syllable. No, he did not ask me to engage in useless jocularity, why do you ask."

"No," Jim said, "Not Kiwoski...Kalwoski. "KHAL-wah-skee", and because this can't be..." Jim sighed as he held up his hands. "Okay, fine, not a joke, not a prank. I think I might be able to help you out. How many away teams can you handle at once?"

"Without paupering my ship in the case of an emergency, maybe one."

"One?" Jim asked, incredulous. "That's...are you serious?"

Jeremy shrugged. "Security on this ship isn't a consideration. My department is at least half of what it should be for the crew compliment and ship size. It's more important that we have full time linguists and a chief research officer and chief science officer and sociologists on a full time basis." Jeremy tried to hold back the bitterness at the reasons why security was shortened. "I have five general science officers as well as a biochemist and molecular biologist." Jeremy heroically stopped himsel from rolling his eyes. "But only nine security personell not including our canine unit."

"Nine...okay, now I know this is a joke...wait...did you say canine?"

"Yes. I was granted a security dog for shipboard operations. It helps to increase the size of my staff without taking up crew space but," Jeremy shrugged. "One away team is going to take half my department. With this being a system survey with limited time, I'm sure that the Captain will want as much data gathered as necessary, which means multiple away teams. Will you be able to offer me assistance in that regard?"

Jim sighed. "I'll take a look and see. Most likely if I could, it's be another eight to ten people. Maybe twelve. But that's going to be putting me on twelves and Captain Sutherland may not be happy to hear about that. Let me see what I can do for you." Jim shook his head. "How about we get together when we get in system? I'll beam over and we'll see what we can do?"

Jeremy nodded. "I'll wait for you to come over. What favor did you need?"

"What?"

"When you confused your name for mine, you stated you needed a favor. I'm not sure what resources the Galileo could provide you, but tell me your request and I'll see how and if I can fulfill it."

"No, you don't..." Jim sighed again. "Y'know what? It's something I'd feel better discussing in person. Mind if it waits until I can beam over later?"

Jeremy scowled. "I have not agreed to the reciprocity of favors and will not do so until I understand the terms to be presented. I'll still ask for your assistance - not a favor - despite a lack of solidified quid pro quo. Or will you tie your assistance into a quid pro quo?"

Jim laughed, sure it was the wrong thing to do. His Galileo counterpart was serious. So serious about what he was saying. Did he catch the man at a bad time? What was shipboard time over there anyway? His curiousity was grew more and more the longer he spoke with Stone. "Stone, buddy, I'm gonna let you know that my assistance in your shortage will come absolutely free of a 'tit for tat' situation. I just...I'd feel better asking for favors after I get to know you a little better."

Jeremy scowled. He did not know this person and so therefore was definitely not his 'buddy'. He despised such immediate familiarity. Obviously Barnes thought the goldshirt made them 'instant brothers'. Which, for Jeremy, was far from the truth. Barnes could be the type of security officer Jeremy despised, the kind that gave the rest of them a bad name. Judging from this initial contact, there was every possibility Barnes felt security was a way to 'having fun' or 'picking up chicks'. The similarities between him and Kiwoski was growing. "I will not do a personal favor in exchange for a professional one."

Jim tried hard not to bark laughter, caught by surprise at that statement. The inflection on the word 'personal' let Jim know all he needed to know - it would snow on the surface of the Rojarian sun before this guy agreed to a personal favor. He wanted to ask Stone (what an appropriate name) who pissed in his kibble but kept his mouth shut on that score. Somehow, he got the feeling, that statement would take the conversation down roads he didn't want to travel and the effect of it would be lost along the way. "Lieutenant Stone, rest assured that you're the last person in four parsecs I'd be asking a for a personal favor. I'll see you after we park into orbit, or at least are assured to come out of warp for an extended amount of time. Until then, stay that warm and fuzzy person that I'm coming to know and love."

Jim gave a two fingered salute before ending the transmission. "You have got to be kidding me! This has to be some sort of set up! Nobody...I mean nobody is that uptight!" He couldn't stop his laughter now, which was okay since he was no longer linked to that...associate.

Jeremy sat back in his chair. He was already late returning from his break and that bothered him. But not as much as that conversation had. What did Barnes mean? "I'm told that I'm not at all 'warm and fuzzy' as per the euphemism. And I shaved this morning as I do every morning so I am not 'fuzzy'." He rolled his eyes as he closed down the commpanel and left the office, headed back to the bridge. He didn't like this Lieutenant Barnes, didn't like him at all, but - he sighed - he had a feeling Kiwoski would consider him some form of long lost personality twin and the two would glom together to turn the Galileo into a raucous frathouse.

[OFF]

Lieutenant James Barnes
Acting Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Venture
(pNPC Rabe)

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

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