SitRep

Posted on Mon Oct 7th, 2024 @ 2:06pm by Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t'Aegis & Commander Cynfor Rees

1,417 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Interlude 1 Gamma Quadrant
Location: Deep Space 18 Various
Timeline: A few days after the peace negotiations

[ON]

Cynfor walked the Promenade of Deep Space 18 and saw a world which looked to be reborn. There was a lot to be done but the station had been returning to life. He saw Commander t'Aegis doing the same as he that is taking in what was going around. "Commander how goes everything? Mind taking a walk with me?"

Rhiana was holding a PADD while she was walking through the promenade and occasionally made a note on it. She did not seem to pay much attention to the foot traffic and yet, there were no collisions with anyone or anything. When she heard Reese's familiar voice, she turned away from the vacant lot she had just been inspecting and towards the station's executive officer. "Commander," she greeted with a slight nod of her head. "I am currently working on a security analysis of the station. Will your walk take long?"

"It should not take long. Security and other needs are just the topics that I wish to discuss." Cynfor said and motioned for her to fall into step next to him. "Are there any major concerns that should be looking at? I know that we are short staffed and that is something I am working on. Any ideas on how we can introduce some life, and vibrancy to the station while keeping security?"

"There is no 'keeping security' possible at the moment, Commander," Rhiana replied as she matched her pace to his. "The station's security department has incurred tremendous losses during the attack that we cannot fill. We cannot employ civilians. Not only do they lack the training, we simply cannot trust them." She glanced around, seeing the random civilians loitering on the promenade. "We will need stricter access controls for the entire station to keep unauthorised personnel contained in a smaller area. That will make it easier to oversee them. I have assigned a majority of the remaining security personnel to the promenade, docking and merchant areas, but it is a vast space and there are areas of the station we have not yet properly surveyed." She looked back at Reese. "What is your plan to increase our staff?"

"I have already sent a request in to Command for additional personnel to be assigned here. However, I know that things cannot wait that long. I do plan on talking with the Captain about temporarily reassigning some of the Firebird's Security staff here. That should at least give you some help. Additionally you can recruit staff from any department that is not essential. All Starfleet officers are trained in basic security protocol. So, take some scientists and even medical staff if you need. Everyone pitches in, I will volunteer as well to be placed on your security rotation. Security and engineering are the top priorities here." Cyn noticed the civilians loitering and knew that at least one of them would be up to no good.

"Since the Wormhole is currently still closed, it will be impossible for reinforcements to arrive, Commander," Rhiana replied after a brief pause. "I have already assigned the Firebird's security staff to station duty. All twenty-four of them." She marked another pause to let that sink in before she continued. "I can enlist the help of non-security personnel, but the station is at a fraction of its full crew complement. What crew there is and has survived is mostly engineers and operations officers. They have more urgent tasks than patrolling the promenade." The chief of security glanced at her PADD before her eyes rose to look at Rees again. "More and more ships that were on route for the alpha quadrant are arriving at the station. Some of them are military vessels. We could ask them for volunteers of their crew to fill our ranks."

"Yes, do that. As to the reinforcements and the wormhole. Reopening the wormhole is the priority. I am going to check in with engineering and see if we can figure out a way to at least get a message to Starfleet. I will also speak with the Captain about bolstering your request with the other ships. I believe that the other Captains would be willing to send some people to assist." Rees paused for a moment as he considered what he wanted to address next. He knew that Commander t'Aegis could be counted on to be as frank as possible on most any subject. "Commander what is your opinion on the odds of success here?"

"I will contact the military captains," Rhiana confirmed and made a note on her PADD. "As to our chances of success, I would realistically estimate them to be at twenty percent at most." She paused for a second before the continued. "But this is the Firebird. We have overcome difficult situations before."

Cynfor beamed he knew that Rhiana's comment while a little dry was high praise coming from her. "Indeed Commander we have seen life and death together. I have perhaps one more question for you. How are you?" The stress of everything that had happened could get to anyone. He knew Rhiana was not just anyone but, Cyn would not be doing his job if he did not ask.

"I am... excuse me, Commander," Rhiana interrupted herself and strode past Rees. She had not stopped scanning the area during the conversation and her sharp eyes had noticed a situation that could easily lead to violence. Indeed, some civilians appeared to be cornering another in a somewhat darker alcove of the promenade that would one day be the entrance to a commercial establishment.

"You will all accompany me to the security station." Rhiana was about two metres away from the potential troublemakers when she came to a halt and while her voice was not loud, they had certainly heard her. They stopped the verbal abuse towards their target and the small group looked at her. Saw the uniform. Noticed the phaser she was carrying in its holster. "Come and...," a young man with disheveled hair and pasty skin began in a taunting tone, but he was cut off by a sharp "Shut it!" from a red-haired woman in the group. She mustered the security officer and the eyes of the two women met. "I'm sure there's no need for that," she said in a conversationally friendly tone after a second of silence. "We were just talking."

Cyn watched as the scene unfolded and he had the utmost confidence in Rhiana. "I do not believe you have a choice in the matter." Rees spoke to the group of civilians. He hoped that they would see Rhiana being backed by a Commander and would decide to cooperate.

They saw the new uniform and the members of the small group all looked at the red-haired woman. "I assure you, we were just talking," she repeated to Rhiana, still keeping the friendly tone. "You can't arrest us just for that."

"I am not arresting you, madam," Rhiana replied. "In lights of the recent attacks, we are conducting a census to establish the station's current population - and casualties. Please accompany me to the security station so we can register you and your companions."

It was not exactly a lie. They did need to know who was aboard the station. It was not realistic to register everyone, but the red-headed woman and Rhiana both knew that the red-head had lost. If she protested, Rhiana would demand proof and they also both knew that there was none. So, after a few seconds, the red-head finally nodded, masking her defeat quite well. "Oh, right. I'm sure I saw some signs about that. Come on, everybody, let's help station security."

Rhiana extended her arm in an inviting gesture in direction of the nearest security station and while the group slowly began to get moving, she looked back at Rees. "We will have to continue our conversation at another time, Commander. I need to make certain that noone gets lost on the way."

"Of course Commander. I will give you a hand." Cynfor felt that he should pitch in his fair share as Security is stretched so thin. He fell into step behind the group as he allowed Rhiana to lead the way.

[OFF]

Commander Cynfor Rees
Executive Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298


Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t'Aegis
Second Officer / Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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