Departmental Briefing

Posted on 20 Jan 2013 @ 8:36am by Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Lieutenant Aria Rice & Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk & Crewman Indri Chara & Senior Chief Petty Officer Anthony Davis & Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Smoak (KIA) & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark

4,285 words; about a 21 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 Security Offices
Timeline: MD -01 2100

[ON]

Jeremy followed Sidi into the security office and went to the console. From there he configured the station to match that of the Bridge station. He brought up the security feed for the Bridge as well so he could keep it monitored as if someone were actually there. Aside from that, he checked the brig cells to establish privacy fields.

As he looked up he noticed Smoak moving to the back of the room and refusing to make eye contact. The others seemed uneasy as well. Jeremy frowned as he configured his PADD for the meeting. "This is a time set for a review," he started. "As events have necessitated that this review be rescheduled, each of you has had more than enough time to make sure you are squared away and in compliance with regulations in general and department specific. Failure to be in compliance will result in a reprimand commiserate with the severity of non-compliance." He sighed as he checked the console. "However, this is also a meeting for the department where I will do my best to inform you of what I can and to try to address concerns and complaints. We will start with that. Who wishes to begin?"

Lt. Rhodes stood about half way back in the room to the side leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He was not mad, just a little indifferent. He glanced about the room to see who would speak up first to the Chief.

Chara filed in and sat down, placing her PADD on the table in the event that something of note would come up, but remained silent at the prompt for complaints or concerns. As a Tellarite, one might find it surprising that she neglected this portion of their meeting, but frankly she simply wanted to do her job, and do it as efficiently as possible. Gripes and moans were childish. Maybe that was a complaint? She thought on it for a while. It did concern her, in fact. "Our department lacks cohesiveness," she finally stated in her usual abruptness. "There's too much arguing going on when we're in the middle of a situation." She thought back to Kiwosk and Stone, Quinn, Holliday, the whole thing. In the middle of a firefight, that just did not sit well. "That can't be good for our efficiency, sir."

Jeremy made a note of Chandra's complaint. "Could you be more specific, Crewman?"

"Alright," Chara nodded. "Those SFI operatives. When we were after them. Chief Kiwosk, COB Quinn, Commander Holliday, Officer Smoak, you. It was a total disaster," she said bluntly. "I'm not blaming anybody, sir, or accusing anyone." She spread her hands out in the gesture for peace. "There was just a lot of heat between all of us, and we got lucky in the middle of it that it didn't turn out worse. I'm just saying, we need to communicate better. All of us. The security teams, the command teams, we need better focus. If stuff goes down like that, we can't spend the whole time arguing about what we're doing, countermanding orders, going in circles. You know?" she shrugged and ducked her head. "Sorry, sir, if that was out of line."

"No, Crewman, I asked for complaints," Jeremy said as he continued taking notes. "Anything else?"

Chara shook her head. "Not from me, sir." She looked around the table toward everyone else, inwardly hoping she hadn't alienated them all, but she wasn't here to make friends, even though deep down she knew she'd like to be on good terms with her teammates, she wouldn't sacrifice her efficiency for it.

"Whoa! What do you mean including me in that? I wasn't involved in arguing with anybody. Don't try to place the blame for that on me!"

"Officer Smoak, we are not here to argue personal merit. The Crewman has stated her complaint and that's the extent of it. How about you?" Jeremy asked, "Care to properly complain about something?" Jeremy scowled as he said it, wondering and deducing.

Smoak clenched his jaws and muttered "No, sir."

Jeremy waited for the next person to speak, not in the least disappointed in Smoak's refusal.

Cyrus listened to Chara and Smoak. "No one is going to jump out and say you could have done better PO. You did the best that you could do given the hand you were dealt, we all know that. "

"Thanks, Chief," Justin said, but he looked at Stone and knew that the Security chief had some thoughts otherwise. "Nice to know someone around here knows how to have someone's back." He glared between Chara and Stone.

"That being said, the Crewman is right, we were lucky things didn't pull a turn for the worse." He looked to Stone. "We were yelling at each other as much as were shooting at the two SFI Operatives, I'd hate to say it, but it's very possible that's why we lost the second target. It hurts bad to think that I'm part of the cause for that, but there it is. " He sighed. "I would suggest that anyone who has any problems with other members of the team decide to let those matters go." He looked around the room. "Myself included. There's no point in arguing when people's lives are at stake. Like they were earlier this morning." He adjusted his seating and stared down the rest of the room. "We are a team and we need to act like one, and as the Crewman pointed out, we didn't."

Theron wanted to speak up and interject that 'communication was the key,' but he was feeling his own problems with the chief and did not want to interrupt him leading the group or seem that he was taking over the conversation.

Jeremy frowned. "Yes, Chief, that was a problem." He looked down at the console to check the sensors. "One that will be addressed easily. Orders will be followed. You also have to remember that Security works as a team, something I believe the Marines teach as well. People don't go running off on their own to confront situations." He sighed. "This is something that was on my list to bring up. And something this department will work on."

He made a note of Chief Kiwoski's arguments. "Anybody else? Lieutenant Rhodes?"

"Not at this time, Sir." Rhodes reported.

Aria looked over at Rhodes for a moment, her eyes gentle. She liked him. And right now, she felt a bit like a school kid brought in for a parents' evening. She rubbed the back of her neck, her head aching. Hungover. Only had herself to blame.

Theron had caught the eyes of Aria. He felt that she was his equal in many ways, possibly not in the physical realm though.

Gabriel remained silent, biting the skin around his thumb. He was content to stay quiet. The others seemed to have enough to say.

Davis stood up. "I've got something to say, and since nobody else in this room seem to have the balls to say it, I will." He turned to Stone. "I'm tired of getting in the middle of you and Holliday. Seems to me everytime you and the XO decide to get after each other, I have to be the one in the middle of it. You're concerned about the department, then maybe you should learn to make nice with your superiors so they don't came back down on us."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow at Davis`s outburst, but he sat back and decided he would let it play out. The man had a point, a good one. Cyrus knew firsthand the tension that seemed to be between the officers. Then again...

Kiwosk looked over to Sidi lazing around the table. Rumour was that Holliday pulled some loop holes and got the pooch on board, claiming it as a ''ship dog. '' That was obviously not the case considering the two had been pretty much inseparable since Stone met the canine.

"Thank you, Senior," Jeremy said, making a note. "I agree and I'm working on that."

Jeremy looked over the faces waiting for anyone else to have anything else to say. He checked the board again while he took a breath.

"If there was no one else, then I have a few more things to say." He sighed. "An update of a sort. First, we have several new members of the department, arriving since, at least I have. The first is Crewman Indri Chandra."

"Chara," the Tellarite corrected.

"She will be assigned to Gamma Shift with Smoak after she completes a couple weeks of training. Also, new to the department is Sidious M W D 7223. He responds to 'Sidi' and is the ship's K-9 unit. He is tasked with security and search and rescue functions. His detection work comes highly praised." Jeremy glanced up briefly to address the crowd. "I want to make sure it's known, he is not a 'pet'. He is a security officer, granted the same rights and responsibilities of any of us. He has been currently assigned to me as a handler and...due to some exhibitions of aggressive tendencies, I'm keeping him controlled for now. As he adjusts to his situation and calms down, I hope he comes to integrate with the department better."

Jeremy did a sensor sweep as he brought up the next item on his agenda. "We are a small department, understaffed considering general security on a ship this size. This is because the ship is prioritized with science functions aboard Galileo. Because of that, I have tasked Chief Kiwoski with forming a quick response team. He will be working with myself to form the team, to include qualifications and training. He has asked to have members of other departments included on the team, something I'm working with the admin of the ship to make happen. Rhodes, Chandra and Rice are excluded from membership of the team, the rest of you are eligible. Chief Kiwoski will be able to give you further details."

Rhodes licked his lips thinking, 'Good. That suits me.' He looked about the team in the room to see who might respond.

A quick check of the live feed showed no immediate concerns. "I am also in the process of initiating a uniform change for the department, to help facilitate our smaller size and response needs. To go along with that, I'll be seeking cross training for each of you into a different department speciality.

"Mandatory twelve hour shifts will continue until further notice. I'll also be reviewing the current duty roster and additional changes may be forthcoming."

Jeremy sighed. That was the easy part. "Anything from any of you regarding any of that at this time?"

Chara looked between Stone and Sidi, tilting her head curiously at the K9 but saying nothing.

"Err..." Aria's hand shot up, and she looked at her Chief for a moment. "Not to be the one begging for more work...I mean, 12 hour shifts are killers anyway...but just why am I excluded from the special team?" she asked, her blue eyes focused on Stone.

"Because you're a junior lieutenant and Chief Kiwoski is a chief warrant officer," he answered.

She looked at him, sitting back slowly. "And Chief Kiwoski is a specialist, and as a Warrant Officer has the authority that any officer has...and bucket loads of experience. I mean, he has a helluva lot more combat experience than I do. I wouldn't have any issue obeying him...but I can see the dilemma from a purely theoretical perspective," she said and shrugged, looking down. "Just wanted to know, I suppose."

Gabriel Stark watched the Chief with a slight frown of confusion. Was he actually saying then that only enlisted could volunteer because he was a CWO? He sighed softly, looking to Aria. He arched an eyebrow to her. Over their time working together, they'd gotten to know each other intimately enough to be able to communicate pretty well without words. He pursed his lips a little, his legs half swinging. He was getting more and more restless. He wasn't good at sitting down and just talking at the best of times, let alone when there was so much tension and confrontation in the room. He was all but shifting in his chair, anxious to get out of the room. The amount of lecturing going on, he felt like he'd been sent back to his childhood tutors as some kind of punishment.

After everyone had finished Cyrus smiled. "Well, As the Lieutenant mentioned, I'm hoping to take on a few extra members of the Security Personnel to assume the responsibilities of a Tactical Response and Rescue Team. This group is hopefully going to be comprised of primarily Security personnel, but also elements of the Medical, Engineering and either Science or Operations teams as well as a flight officer in case this team would be needed planetside or on another ship. " He held up a finger. "That doesn't make us Marines, we aren't frontline fighters, we are simply damage control and relief in the case of emergencies...such as our last day aside Vega IX."

He looked around. "I'm also in the process of asking for specialized instructors to help improve combat prowess, and also , as Lieutenant Stone has said, cross train some members with basic understandings of ship functions, advanced first head and piloting. I hope to set up another meeting with all Security personnel interested in joining this team and have the numbers away to the Captain and the Lieutenant here. " Cyrus leaned back in his chair slightly. "If there is any interest, you can talk to me after the meeting or we can arrange something later on after Beta." He went to finish before remembering. "One last thing, this will not impact your normal security duties. There will be one day every seven ship days where we will collect to practice, train and improve."

"Any questions?"

Jeremy glanced at his PADD and to the next item on the list. "This department will start displaying a professional demeanor. There is not such thing as 'off duty' for a security officer aboard a ship. A course of conduct that leads others to believe their own behavior is acceptable - such as public intoxication, carousing or other disturbances - creates an unfavorable impression upon the department with the rest of the crew. It gives the impression they may either engage in obnoxious behavior or that security personnel believe themselves above the very regulations and laws they are to enforce.

"To continue in that theme: speculations, gossip or other damaging actions aimed toward other members of this department will not be tolerated. I will take whatever action is appropriate - to the fullest - if that behavior continues." He sighed as he again checked the station. "I have attempted to demonstrate a sense of humor regarding members of this department and their comportment towards me. I will no longer do so. Things such as creation of signs falsely proclaiming shipwide orders from me, or participation in groups whose sole purpose is assassination of my character will no longer be tolerated. The foregoing examples are not an all inclusive list of behavior that I will find intolerable. You are members of Starfleet and I expect you to act with the honor and integrity that comes with the uniform."

He watched the assemblage. "When officially on duty, you will confine your conduct to matters that are related to your duty. You will not shirk your duties to have romantic liasons or to play games with your 'buddies' no matter who they may be. You will not ask other officers to 'cover' for you so that you may engage in this activity. If you do not wish to carry out your duty shift, I will have no problem finding people who will wish to fulfill their jobs and not stop working to spend time with non-familial loved ones. Though I suspect many of you will now be unhappy, and complaining, about my comments, I will let you know I have a stack of PADDs in my office that are transfer requests. They only require a name and my signature. I would be happy to give that signature and wish all of you well in your future endeavors. Anything from anyone regarding what I have just outlined?"

Theron's jaw clenched uncontrollably. He hoped that his demeanor had not changed. This domineering attitude over the Security Department was hard for Theron to deal with. It was too close to the controlling nature of Tandar Prime.

Cyrus sighed, but said little else before holding silent. The Lieutenant wanted to assert his authority, let him. If he did something that was out of line actions would be taken.

Aria watched him for a moment with disbelief. She took a breath, biting her lip as she considered it. "Sir," she said...if he wanted that tone, then he could bloody well have it. "I might be one of the only ones here to say it...but we're a good department. It's a small ship, so yeah...maybe we're a little bit less professional with the crew. But it is because everyone here knows everyone. It doesn't make us lazy, or bad at our jobs. Or stupid. And I quite frankly, Sir, find that when gossip happens on a ship this size, it tends to be quite close to the truth..." she looked around at the others, her eyes taking them all in. "We're not quitters, or less than you. We're a team, and we have worked well as a team."

Jeremy glanced at Rice. "When?" he asked simply.

"Last mission," she said, her voice gentle. "And we worked hard together. All of us. Still do. Don't think we are less than you, just because we don't have your attitude. Youth is the cause of rash behaviour...doesn't make us bad. Just makes us something you are not used to. Sir."

"In that, Lieutenant Rice, you are correct. I'm used to dedication and professionalism. I'm used to security officers holding themselves with pride in the job they do rather than looking for the next party. I will get used to that again. I will not accept a vagary of age to be an excuse for anything less. If you believe otherwise, see me later about a PADD."

Aria watched him with disbelief before shaking her head. "You know what? You can say whatever you want about us...but I would die for any of these people, and I know they would do it for me. And we would all do whatever is in our power for the crew. And that has nothing to do with pride in the job...that is about what is inside..." she tapped her chest, her blue eyes dark with barely contained anger. "It's in the soul and the heart. And there's no regulations, no training, no common sense and stiff upper lipped speeches that can create that. It's just there."

It was Cyrus's thing all over again. Kiwosk bowed his head, not wanting to intervene on Rice's behalf.

"Considering how I've seen this department operate, Lieutenant Rice, that is exactly what you will do - die. I do not give motivational speeches and I'm puzzled how you can find that training and common sense would be a deterrent to not having to die. Speaking of dying, how many of you have visited Ansen Pawlek? Have you, Lieutenant?" he asked, watching Rice. "He is the brother of one of those people who died for you, isn't he?"

She watched him, standing as she held his eyes. She hadn't visited. Hadn't had the heart. He reminded her too much of of Marek. Her jaw worked with her anger, the tears in her eyes. Rash. It was rash, she knew it as the words came out. "Screw you," she said, her voice shaking before she sat down, dumbly. She wanted to leave. Hell, she wanted to run out of here. But some sort of training stuck inside of her. Hadn't been dismissed, couldn't leave. So she just sat there.

"Perhaps that should be a consideration before you give me the 'we'll die for each other' speech. Dying is easy, it's the living that's hard," he said as he performed another sensor sweep.

"Was there anything else from anyone?" he asked while checking video feeds.

Theron had heard and felt every word from Aria, and agreed with her. If he had the confidence, he would have walked out of the briefing at that moment. He felt his options were limited, and he was uncertain how to proceed.

Gabriel was absolutely fuming. The young man had always had anger management issues, but what he had heard from the Chief was pushing him to the full edge of his control. His cheeks were flushed red from the heat of anger surging through his veins at the way the Chief spoke about them, as if they were unruly children who didn't even know what their job was, let alone being able to do it. He talked as if they were disrespectful teenagers who needed a good slamming back into place in bootcamp...when actually, how he talked about them was about the most disrespectful thing he'd heard since joining the Fleet. He looked to Theron with wide, dark eyes full of heat. He wasn't sure why, probably because the man had been his leader and he'd looked to him. It wasn't like he could do anything, yet his eyes were almost half pleading for Theron to let him tell the Chief that he had gone way over the line of professionalism himself with what he had just said about them, and the orders he thought he had the right to issue concerning their personal time and personal life.

Gabriel's eyes then turned to Aria, his breathing hard in his chest in trying to control himself and his anger. He didn't care what the Chief said. If they were being forced to maintain grueling and unnecessarily punishing 12 hours shifts for no good reason, then his time off was definitely his time off duty. He'd drink if he wanted. He'd flirt if he wanted. And he'd dance if he wanted. It was the least a hardworking crew member deserved after a normal shift, let alone after the 12 hour shifts they were being forced to do as if some kind of punishment for something they hadn't even done. If the Chief thought this was the way to gain any kind of respect or authority, for Gabriel at least, he was very much mistaken. At least Aria had had the nerve to tell him he was out of order.

Gabriel's heart was racing in his chest, thumping. His temper was something that had gotten him into serious trouble more than once. Even prison. He closed his eyes tightly, struggling. Right now, he felt that it was either give the Chief a piece of his mind for the out of order things he'd been saying and ordering, hitting something, or using the door and walking away before he lost it. His jaw tightened and he stood up. He tugged his jacket down before moving quickly for the door, leaving silently.

Jeremy watched Stark leave and made a note on his PADD.

Cyrus watched Gabriel leave. He would talk to the young man, hopefully calm him down. He couldn't in anyway approve of Stone's methods for bringing up the harshness of the last mission, it still being fresh in the minds of all who were involved. Aria hadn't really spoken to Stone before, she didn't know just how far the depths of torment went for the man. He couldn't believe what he was thinking....he was... defending the man that almost fired him? Maybe it was a relation to going through his own near death experience, or having to deal with trauma, but Stone wasn't as evil as he tried to make himself be.

The meeting having come to a close, Jeremy glanced at the crowd. "You are dismissed," he said as he checked his chrono. "Lieutenant Rhodes, meet me in my office. Now."

Rhodes hesitated a moment looking as his Department Head. He felt that all eyes in the room were on him. He replied with a straight voice, "Yes, Sir."

Aria stood, swallowing before moving to Rhodes. Without a word she placed a hand on his arm and met his eyes, holding them for a long moment before nodding. "Got your back," she whispered before moving out, her breath tight in her chest.

Theron's facial expression did not change as Aria touched his arm. He glanced down at her and gave her a slight nod. He so much appreciated her support, but could not reply honestly, not yet.

Cyrus sighed as he stood up. "I'll go check on Gabriel, make sure that he's not going to do anything stupid." like I did.

[OFF]

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K-9
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (jg) Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief Security
USS Galileo

Lt. jg Aria Rice
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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

Senior Petty Officer Anthony Davis
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

PO2 Gabriel Stark
Security/Tactical
USS Galileo

PO3 Justin Smoak
Security/Tactical officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Indri Chara
Security/Tactical Officer, SFS
USS Galileo

Sidious MWD 7223
Security K9 unit
USS Galileo

RSS Feed