Tactical Formation

Posted on 07 Jan 2013 @ 10:51pm by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk
Edited on on 08 Jan 2013 @ 12:54am

4,827 words; about a 24 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Security Offices
Timeline: MD 16 1600 hours

[ON]

Jeremy waited until after the shift briefing was over - a briefing he sat back and let the other officer handle. His mood was still foul, though it was reduced sharply from what vague recollection he had of yesterday. He watched his PADD while the briefing took place then, at the official beginning of shift.

"Chief Kiwoski, in my office," he said, moving through the outer office and wedging the chair into the door to keep it open. He went to the desk and sat, pulling up several reports and configuring one of the minor screens to mimic the tactical station on the Bridge. He set his PADD on the edge of the desk while he waited for Kiwoski to arrive.

Cyrus wasn't far from the Security Offices when he was buzzed. Tapping his badge he simply replied. =^= This is Kiwos k . I'll be there momentarily Sir. =^=

He made his way down the hall and turned into the offices, spotting Stone he approached, he had been half hoping for a call in order to try and set things right with the Lieutenant before everything got underway. With Shore Leave over and everyone returning to active duty, he had to make sure that Security was at it's finest...

And he was sure Stone was thinking something similar.

"You rang sir?" He piped up as he walked up to Stone.

Jeremy looked up, puzzled. "No, I did not 'rang'," he said, automatically thinking rang: past tense form of ring, the act of striking a surface, generally of a parabolic object, to produce a melodious sound, vernacular: to place a phone, subspace or communication message. Jeremy frowned, he didn't have anything parabolic in his office. "I did however call you here to discuss the memo you sent yesterday regarding the formation of the Tactical Response Team." He leaned back in the chair as he looked at Kiwoski, studying the man. Except...there was something. Dammit! Why was he able to remember there was something but not the stupid details! He grabbed his PADD and jabbed at the screen. There it was and it was so frelling simple. "Please, have a seat and avail yourself of refreshments," he read from the screen. Apparently he had just become so used to Chief Alexander that he forgot about the niceties of offering someone a seat.

"I did not intend for you to form a team of Marines aboard the Galileo," he continued, satisfied that social custom had now been satisfied.

Cyrus glanced to the beverages and repressed a chuckle. "No thanks, sir. And I can see where you might think that I would be training Marines, but I hoped to be clear that this is a first responder team, not Marines. They will have some advanced training, and I myself need some more leadership training if I'm to properly conduct a team this way, but my goal is to have a team that can respond to any emergency and make sure the problem is both contained and not worsened." Cyrus pointed out.

"Trust me sir, the last thing I want to do is make Marines on this starship, considering everything that has happened. I requested my former Marine CO, because he has extensive knowledge in leadership, tactics and how to prep non-combat personnel. The armor I requested was more of a hope than anything, the armor here is more than sufficient," he continued to explain.

Jeremy blinked several times. "I'm not against the armor. In fact, I understand that some of the Marine armor is more advanced and better capable of protecting its user than what Starfleet puts out. I am concerned about using all Marines as training staff however." He glanced at the console in front of him, checking over the various readings and outputs and the tactical station. Technically it was Rhodes's shift so he shouldn't be doing that much...but he couldn't let his mind wander.

"Perhaps we could find a way to modify it for duty use?" he said, regarding the armor. "Dr. Dhuinn cannot be a member of the team." He frowned saying her name, events still cloudy on what happened in Medical but that wasn't the point. "At this time, it would be better to keep the formation of the team to enlisted. It resolves chain of command issues for you. Though, aside from Dr. Dhuinn, if you find another officer that is best suited for the team..." he sighed. "I'll deal with that."

Cyrus nodded, surprised how open Stone was being...it seemed a complete change in personality. "I was hoping to keep out of the officers, I didn't want to interrupt the deparment heads or their assistants. My goal was to assemble a team of Non-Coms and lower." He passed a PADD forward across the desk. "That being said, I was hoping to place recruitment ads, anyone that was willing to put themselves forward could be taken under advisement. That sort of thing." He suddenly smiled.

"I have no problems asking for other leads help in training matters. My first thought was, by assembling this team, the majority of the missions it would be sent on are going to be in less ideal circumstances, so obviously combat prep would be needed, but they would also need to understand their roles in the team as well how to handle and take control of situations where their specialties are required, and maybe even help out in other fields outside their own with a basic comprehension of everyone's jobs in the group."

"I was hoping to build a mainly Security based team, plus one from medical, one from engineering and one from science, as well as a shuttle pilot, just in case."

"What were the minimum testing qualifications you have set for entrance on the team?" He considered the different departments Kiwoski had mentioned. It did seem like a good mix, well, maybe not sciences so much, but the rest were logical.

He grinned. "Standard Fitness test and a minimum of 70% on accuracy tests. Everyone should have some time in, I was thinking around the four to nine years in mark. "

Jeremy frowned. "For a specialized squad? That seems...low."

Cyrus admitted that it was pretty sub par for specialists. " You're right. I know you're right, I guess I was worried that no one would apply for it. I mean, being a front line response unit isn't a warm cushy job that most of the crew is used to. I figured if I set the bar moderate I would get more people to screen. You think we should raise the bar up? " Cyrus asked curious....Stone was being...helpful? This wasn't the same man he had first spoken with.

"It's a specialized team, you have to be aware from the get go that they have the capability of fulfilling requirements of training and execution. If the bar is low or moderate, then you may acquire team members who aren't up to the challenge of training, much less the rigors of a call out. Set the bar at...eighty percent of training levels then you can be reasonably assured that they will be able to raise up. As it stands now, you're up to only about fifty percent. As for shooting accuracy...nothing less than ninety percent passing and up to ninety-five before deployment.

"The quick response team needs to excel from the getgo or it's meaningless."

Cyrus thought deeply about the entirety of the concept. It was simple, and effective, get the best of the best and make them better. He shrugged. "That makes sense, I like it. What about the proper channels, I can only assume recruiting out of the other departments may be difficult depending, and then there is approval from the CO and XO. " He was a bit at a loss other than bringing the idea up with Command. "Do you think they would have a problem with it."

Jeremy frowned and blinked. He...there was...he checked his PADD. He had a vague recollection of Holliday mentioning something about wanting updates on the response team but...there's no notes and he...he sighed. Maybe he was just remembering something that he intended to talk to Holliday about? "I'll take care of the XO and CO regarding the formation. I'm sure there won't be a problem with drawing from other departments, it's a good idea. As long as training and exercises don't distract from their normal duties. Though callouts may be problematic, especially for medical and engineering sections." He sighed. "That's a problem to be dealt with after the team is formed."

He sat forward and flicked through screens on his console, rapidly going from one to another. "About your time in service requirement," he said, stopping to check on a security feed then moving on as he continued rapidly flipping through screens. "Your requirement removes most of the available security personnel, to include yourself. Perhaps you should consider lowering a time requirement to a year?"

Cyrus pondered the idea. "That is true, but I also don't just want people still green from the academy. Two years should be more than appropriate I think. That will have the members still capable to adapt with little issue and still be able to continue working with their own proper jobs." He smiled before folding his arms. "I have to say sir, I'm happy I've been able to work with you on this. Considering how we started off, I'm surprised how well we are working together." He finished with a nervous chuckle.

Jeremy stilled for a moment, his eyes merely on the console but not really looking at anything. "For what little time I remain here," Jeremy said, "My job is the protection of this ship and crew. That is my primary focus, everything else is secondary." He almost stopped there, told himself he should stop there. It was a good place to stop. Unfortunately, he seldom listened to himself. He looked up and considered Kiwoski.

"I don't like you, Chief," he said simply. It was said flat and without emotion or rancor, a simple statement such as "I like rainy days" or "I do like green eggs and ham". He shook his head as he continued scrolling, apparently aimlessly, through the screens on his desk console. At one point he checked messages, waiting for one that hadn't yet arrived. "I...have a ...condition...and that means I don't know why I don't like you. I know it's not because of a misunderstanding. That was my mistake and I would not let you suffer for my mistake. It is something else. Something I don't remember but has left a bad impression on me. I'm being unfair to you about it, I know, since I can't tell you what your transgression was to make me feel this way, but it's there. I bothers the hell out of me that I dislike someone without knowing the reason.

"You are, on record, a good candidate for my department. I consider that you will be an asset and I look forward to experiencing some of your training classes because I believe you will be a good instructor and good for the department. I'm glad to have you here and to give you an assignment that will, if pulled off, be a large recommendation for your continued upward advancement, should you decide to become a Starfleet or Marine officer and will gladly share or handle the burden of blame - presuming I'm still here - should it go wrong, as it will be my responsibility to give you the tools and support necessary to succeed. I hope you remember that after you leave this office, knowing how I feel - even if neither of us understands why - that I am striving to be more than fair to you, but to set you up to make anyone that looks down at you for your age and rank to be highly mistaken."

He sighed. "But, I could not ethically continue to allow you to believe that we are becoming friends. I am your boss. I do not like you and I'm afraid that will remain the case until I can figure out why I don't like you and either offer my apologies for being an idiot about something or at least letting you know the reason. I wish I knew more and could tell you, but I don't and I've been trying to discover why all day." He slapped the console as he glanced up, momentarily. "I simply can't at this time."

He stilled again, let out a breath. "We'll try two years at this time and see what kind of response we bring in. Sometimes, however, a fresh from training recruit is the best. Less bad habits to break." He frowned as he grabbed his PADD and looked at the screen. "You have thus far performed very admirably in this assignment." He scowled at the screen. Why didn't this things ever seem right? "I wish to commend you on doing a good job."

Cyrus stopped and looked at the Lieutenant. It was surprising how quickly Stone opened up about himself in the short amount of time. "Well, " He began. "Don't get me wrong, I don't think of you as a friend either, but I'm not going to let what happened get in the way of working for you." He kept his arms folded, but offered the Department Head a smile. "The fact that you reinstated me, when for all intents and purposes didn't have to makes you alright in my books.

"I'm not looking for a friend in my boss, I'm looking for someone I can rely on to make the right decision and the right call at the right time, so I can work for you the best that I can. Whatever happened to you and whatever made you as angry as you are doesn't make a bit of difference to me." He glanced over to the drinks and sighed. "Despite everything, I don't think you're an idiot and you certainly don't have to apologize to me. I was just as at fault as you are." He shrugged. "It's not going to happen again on my end, so I don't see why it needs talking about, sir." He finished. "I will defend you, whatever is brought up about you and everyone in this department, because I understand the importance of need that cohesion and teamwork. That's why I told the crewman in the lunch room to take a hike after he mentioned... that thing." Stone had probably forgotten by now given his track record with memory, but Cyrus wasn't willing to risk an outburst after finally learning about his new boss. "So if you're willing to continue as is, then so am I, Boss." He smiled.

"Besides, your taste in opera is impeccable, I can't get mad at someone with good taste in opera." He chuckled.

"Then you have already heard about the juvenile...prank...in the mess hall this morning?" Jeremy realized he shouldn't be surprised, it was a small ship after all and nothing traveled faster than hurtful gossip. "You should know that I have conducted an investigation into the matter and cleared you of involvement. A careless comment cannot be held responsible for the immature actions of others. Though I believe some thought you could be easily blamed due to the conduct we have previously discussed. However I can prove you were not responsible for making nor placing those signs."

signs? He scrunched his brow in thought, before realizing what the lieutenant was talking about. "OH!" He started, supressing a laugh. "The 'no soup' posters all over the mess." He sighed. "Yeah, I can assure you that that wasn't me, but given the circumstances it was a pretty good prank." He thought hard. "Though I do have to wonder who thought of it. Any ideas?"

Jeremy stilled once again, his jaw clenching. He sat motionless for several seconds. "Yes," Jeremy said. "I know exactly who did it. And yes," he said, keeping his hands flat on the console to keep them from clenching. "It was hilarious. A pretty good prank indeed. There is nothing funnier than telling the crew that it's funny that their security officers are fascists who wish to oppress them and take away simple things, like soup. Based on a misunderstanding of facts. Because," here he looked at Kiwoski, "people should suffer from a misunderstanding, shouldn't they, Chief?"

He shook his head, returning to his 'work' at the console. "I'm beginning to understand why it is I don't like you."

"Sir, I wasn't saying that the prank was right in the making, I mean it was good as in detailed. I don't agree with making fun of superior officers in any form." He explained. "Besides, you were only doing what you thought was right." He also provided.

Shrugging, he sighed. "Misunderstandings seem to very common on board this ship. You're not the only one, as you can tell." Cyrus gestured to himself. "Anyways, I wanted to just apologize for my actions prior to my reinstatement, and before we continued with the whole setting up this TRT, I wanted to just explain myself was all. "

"Explain yourself?" Jeremy asked. "Regarding what, exactly? Acting like an overspoiled frat boy on Spring Break? Or is there something else I should know about?"

Cyrus chuckled. "Well there was the whole 'Cyrus Kiwosk is a giant womanizer who flirts with everything he sees.' " He began. " And then there is the 'ties to the marines' thing." He sighed.

"I don't know if you read everything that happened, but I owe you a full explanation. The only reason I was so deep set into joining the Marines was because of the death of my older brother Osric." He sighed outwardly. "Well, then there was the trying to prove myself to my old CO, which ended up sending me on the worst hell ride of a life time that almost got me killed. A botched mission, severe trauma, mental terror." He shuddered visibly. "The long and the short of it is that I got messed up pretty bad before coming here."

"As for the womanising thing. Sir, I may look like a frat boy, but I treat women with respect and admiration. I would never intentionally do anything to harm a woman physically or emotionally.

"As for the rest of it, the bullying complaints, are all explained in the reports I wrote and filed. Everyone that was cranked at by me. Not that many. I want to apologize for any problems that were caused by any of that. I've been trying to make sure I've been fit and ready for active duty. You were right, Security is more than I originally thought. I have a lot to learn."

"No," Jeremy said, sighing deeply. "I've..." trailing off because he didn't know what to say about Kiwoski's loss of an admired brother or his experiences. Jeremy could certainly understand having to rebuild a life and coping with mental trauma. If anyone on this ship could understand that, it was him. He caught a PADD on the counter next to the desk. He handed it over to Kiwoski. Truth be told, all the information was making him uncomfortable. "This is in regards to fraternization regulations, which you are in violation of with your relationship to Dr. Dhuinn. I've signed off on a waiver. Usually it's a formality at this point but the paperwork should go through, presuming the CO has no problems with the relationship. Though, quite frankly, after meeting Dr. Dhuinn, I'm more worried for you."

He knew this was bound to have come up. "Me, sir? Why me?" Pola had been an angel in disguise since coming aboard this ship. His heart was beating in his chest so loudly he thought that Stone could hear on the other side of the table.

"She is a lot tougher, and meaner, than she looks." He got up and grabbed the chair from the doorway, allowing it to close. What he had to say was private, though he was also sure that it had become part of the ship's rumor mill. Just another funny story of the 'crazy Security chief'. He walked back behind the desk, but stood, staring down at the console. Flexing his hand, he shook his head. "Something happened yesterday, in Medical. I'm...fuzzy...on all the details but...I'm left with an impression I don't want to confront her again.

"I'm afraid I made a jackass of myself and...well...I need to apologize but...I'm not sure the best way." He gave Kiwoski a quick glance. "I'm not approving the waiver because I want your help. But because I don't believe you're going to put her in a position she shouldn't be in. More likely the other way around if you should ever make her angry. But...if you have advice on the best way to apologize?

"That is, if I'm even allowed back in Medical at this point."

Cyrus blinked several times. "Sir, if you will permit...what exactly happened" He held his breathe. The Chief of Security wasn't allowed in the Sickbay? That was almost unheard of.

Jeremy continued to randomly shuffle through screens. "I..." he frowned. "I don't know. A lot of yesterday is...gone." He seemed to get a little agitated at that. "I should review the security feed but..." he sighed. "I should go back and review the feed but...I'm not sure I want to see what happened. I just...I, don't remember but it feels like it was bad."

He felt almost bad for his Security Chief, but more so for Pola. " Jesus...boss. Um, if it's as bad as I think it might be. You might have to give it a couple of days, let things calm down. " He stood up and moved to the back of the chair. " I would send her a comm to meet in a public place so she's not frightened that anything will happen and well, be as sincere as you can. " He sighed. "She'll forgive you eventually, she has a big heart, but I'm sure she will come around. " He sighed, deciding it was olive branch time. "I could talk to her before you ask to meet, get her feelings on this, it's also entirely possible she might not have been prepared for what she was expecting."

Jeremy stopped for a moment, going still as he blinked. "No," he said, drawing the word out. "I can't waive your relationship based on a belief that it won't be a conflict, then ask you to interfere on my behalf." He sighed. "Public place. Couple of days to cool off? Not now? Get it done with, let her know that I didn't mean what happened? I think?" He went back to flicking through screens. He settled on the medical security feed and stared at it. That he had unfettered access to the system to review any of the feeds on the ship was a double edged sword. He wanted to know...but he was afraid to see it. He knew had it had been in the past and was worried it was getting that way again.

"that's really all i can tell you sir. I'm sorry I'm not any more help." Cyrus sighed. "I know that she will be more forgiving once it's a little less clear in the everyones mind. I'll deal with the rumormill; however. " It was all he really could do.

Jeremy sighed. Wait several days. He pulled his PADD over, absently, and tapped out a note to contact the doctor to apologize for...whatever happened. "It's just another part of what I'll have to deal with," Jeremy said. "It's nothing I haven't dealt with before. Fortunately it won't make an impact and eventually I'll...forget."

Well, that's always a positive...I guess. Cyrus could count back in the last 72 hours just how many situations he wished he could forget. For a moment, he seemed to understand the severity of Stone's apparent condition. He could only hope that things would indeed get better, and that their idea for a Tactical Response Team would eventually become reality. "I'll keep the people off your back as well as I can. It's no point you getting more flak for this than you already will be getting."

His eyes suddenly lit up and he started chuckling.

"Sir, coming back to that sign...I have a suggestion...on how you can can get even with the crew and get that respect you were looking for..." His voice quiet, but a devilish grin spread across his face.

Jeremy sighed as he sat again. "Chief Kiwoski," he said, "getting 'even' does not gain respect. It's also not an appropriate method of dealing with issues, especially not for our position. We can't be vindictive or vengeful. We must remain objective and neutral. Otherwise problems rise with what we try to accomplish. We become exactly what they accuse us of being. We...I...can't allow that to happen to this department."

"Sir, trust me, I understand, and you wouldn't be getting even...not really." He couldn't help but laugh. "At least hear me out. Imagine this, you enforce the soup restriction, and let only specific members be permitted the soup license." He was half serious. "The way I see it, if they want to make you look like an idiot, you should turn it against them, make them see that you're the head of Security and that they can't just make a simple prank like that go unpunished. It wouldn't be long, only a day or two, enough for them to see that you aren't a pushover, because...Lieutenant..." He sighed. "You're not."

Jeremy considered what Kiwoski said. It did have some...interest. "No, Chief. We have how many people aboard this vessel? Your idea unfairly punishes them by removing a meal choice from them. Some of the crew, such as Lieutenant Liyar, have cultural biases toward a broth based cuisine. This plan of yours is petty and vindictive and would target too many members of the crew not directly involved in the prank." He stopped himself. He still liked the idea but...he wasn't just a security officer anymore, he may have even taken this idea himself a few weeks ago when he was just an assistant. But he was the head of security now. He had to consider wider ramifications and how this would backlash against the department. "No, we're going to forget this incident happened. Let it go and hopefully taking the higher road will be sufficient. At least show the crew that their security department isn't a group of fascists wanting to oppress them."

Cyrus chuckled. The slight hesitation was all he needed. "As you say sir..." He stepped away, his grin still planted on his face. "You are the boss, and I'm only a Chief, but could you imagine the looks on the perps who were in charge of the whole thing...especially after they 'gave' you the idea. " He chuckled and shook his head. "I'll have the modifications made to the TRT report and have them sent to you ASAP." He smiled. "Is there anything else Lieutenant?" Cyrus asked.

"No," Jeremy said, staring at the console. "Yes. I need a training plan drawn up for Crewman Chara. She's...in need of a lot of training to bring her up to standards. And..." he hesitated again, sighing. "No, that'll be all."

Cyrus laughed, pointing accusingly at Stone. "I knew you wanted to." He sighed, chuckling. "I'll have the plan written up within forty-eight hours Lieutenant." He saluted briefly and left.

Jeremy growled as he left - though, unfortunately, he had to admit the Chief was right. He might have done it, as well, if he didn't understand what Kiwoski couldn't understand. The repercussions went far beyond just a little, tiny prank back on the originals. While the crewman who posted the signs could be seen as 'just making a joke', nothing Security did - or even Stone if he made it clear he was acting on his own - would be seen as a 'joke'. It'd be oppression, no matter how its presented. He sighed. He wished he had the ability to see life as innocently as Kiwoski seemed able. But he couldn't.

His PADD beeped and he frowned, sighing again. This was a message he didn't want to receive but now he had to go deal with it. He left the office not even noticing the officer still at the security console doing a report.

[OFF]

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

CWO Kiwosk
Security/ Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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