Getting back to work

Posted on Thu Oct 11, 2012 @ 9:20pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit
Edited on on Tue Oct 16, 2012 @ 10:41pm

3,550 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Refit and Reorganization
Location: SB900: U.S.S. Victory
Timeline: 62348.829 {Thu, 27 Sep 2384 05:15}

SB900: Officer's Country.

0515 hours

*beep*beep*beep*

*beep*beep*beep*

*beep*beep*beep*

A muffled complaint rose from beneath a thick, down filled comforter which shifted and shook for a moment until one arm finally found it's way free of the restricting material to reach out towards the light on the nightstand accompanied by a smooth toned feminine voice with a soft burr like antique velvet which said in a sleep-slurred growl, "All right! I'm awake! Computer end alarm!"

Sitting up, long hair touseled about her face from sleep Commander Katrijn Kennit - commanding officer of the U.S.S. Victory brushed the fingers of her right hand through her hair and moved the long silken strands away from her face while the left hand reached to the other side of the bed, expecting to find a warm, solid male form beside her and instead finding only cool, empty sheets.

She frowned, turning to look first at the empty mattress with the pillow still bearing the indentation of it's former occupant and then swiveled to survey the darkened room. "Lights.."

She was alone, though a single perfect red rose rested in a slender vase on the nightstand left for her to find when she woke with the alarm. She smiled a little, in spite of the hangover and drew the rose and vase close to breath in the sweet, pleasing scent of the flower for a moment.

Then, setting the vase back on the nightstand as she released a huff of air from her lungs, she flipped the soft comforter and bed sheets back and then rose from bed. Standing up made the headache worse, and she winced a little as she walked barefoot towards the bathroom to clean up, shower, and dress. The process was going to take a little longer than normal, the hangover from last night's indulgence was impressive to say the least. She was going to need coffee. Strong coffee.

With an extra shot of chocolate.

Just before she entered the bathroom, she paused a moment to gaze out the view port at the graceful sleek hull of the starship visible where it rested held fast to the starbase docking ring. Just a few more days until the Victory would be slipping free of the moorings currently tethering the ship in place.

Incoming crew would be boarding again today, new personnel working to get themselves settled, find their duty stations and get at least a little settled in before the ship departed the station and returned to active duty after a 2 year long refit.

Maybe if she was lucky that strong smell of fresh paint would fade away soon.. the fumes were horrible though some people didn't seem to notice it at all.



SB900: Terry's Apartment


0530 hours

Terry's internal Alarm Clock told him that, despite having a beautiful human girl in one arm and a klingon lady who had probably never been this satisfied until now, snoozing in his other arm, plus a cat in his lap, that now would be a logical time to get up if he wanted to impress the captain with a ship that, with a well-aimed shot of the phaser, could easily move away 110% on her own power.

Of course, Captain Rhea Katrijn Kennit wasn't likely to agree to use the phaser to cut the docking clamps, but he had just the right configuration in mind to have Victory completely ready to leave. The only 2 things he would be waiting for would be for the docking clamps to release, and for the crew to come aboard-- if necessary, a phaser could solve the clamps, and the transporter could retrieve the crew.



SB900 Gangway to U.S.S. Victory


0620 Hours


Valen walked the long, narrow gangway extending from Starbase 900's interior shell and connected to the U.S.S. Victory. He was a tall man with heavy creases at his eyes and a mess of stark, bone-white hair that was neatly combed back at present, but would certainly rebel and fall in an almost halo-like frame around face by lunchtime. His gait was unusually casual, hands slipped in pockets and his black uniform jacket unzipped and open down the front. After a decade and a half of life tightly strapped in a tactical harness, Val had come to appreciate less constrictive attire. Plus, he hated the Intelligence uniforms -- all black-on-black and formal. The getup felt one pair of jackboots shy of the gestapo, and hardly did anything to challenge the common perceptions of what Intelligence work was; namely hunting down terrorists or playing the dashing spy behind enemy lines. If a holovid was ever made staring Val's life on the job, it'd never see a second screening. Two hours of watching some guy read sensor logs and align communications arrays would hardly set the box office ablaze.

Speaking of which...

Valen paused his approach halfway down the long tube. His hand unconsciously tugged and reset the heavy and full Starfleet duffel slung over his shoulder as his eyes gazed through the transparent aluminum wall and followed a cargo shuttle arcing towards the Victory's rear bay. Twenty minutes ago he had finished final checks and preparations of the Class-6 Intelligence drones and collapsed Corado-III transmitter array the boxy craft was delivering. Expanding the reach of Starfleet's Intelligence network within the Delta Quadrant would be his highest priority aboard Victory.

Once the shuttle was clear from view, Val resumed his approach. In the distance he could hear the Victory's computerized voice chirping a standard welcome message to those ahead of him as their biometrics were confirmed upon entry. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Devereaux," the wall intoned as he crossed the ship's threshold. "Many thanks, Victoria," he grinned back as the computer issued a flat tone signifying its lack of comprehension. "Never mind..." he mused aloud, but paused to get his bearings. "Computer -- which way to the Communicore?"

An affirmative chime sounded followed by the ship's feminine voice. "The Communicore is located on Deck 8. Please follow the lights to starboard turbolift 3."

"Much obliged, Vickie," he grinned and was punctuated by another flat tone of misunderstanding. "That's alright... I'll find one you like sooner or later. I'm nothing if not persistent."



U.S.S. Victory Communicore


0631 Hours

Following a chime signaling biometric confirmation and clearance, the doors to the Victory's Communicore split open with a swoosh. Val nodded with optimistic approval as he stepped inside. There was still work to be done, but the room looked serviceable -- circular with a round desk in the center and surrounded by a ring of flat monitors angled so only a person seated in the middle could view them. The walls of the room also contained monitors for general use and the ceiling bowed deeply inward with the base of the physical hub of subspace communications protruding into the room. From here Valen would be able to monitor all communications, sensor bursts, extra-ship broadcasts and the like via an isolated, secure network specifically designed for Intelligence work. He was a Miner of Information, and this would be his Quarry.

"Is the isolated feed online?" he asked the wall as he allowed the heavy duffel to slip off his shoulder and fall to the carpeted deck with a *thud*.

"Negative. Only Alpha and Beta subspace channels are active," the ship's computer replied.

"Well... why the hell is that?" he asked and in response a monitor suspended over the desk illuminated. Valen slipped into the chair and began to swipe the screen with his eyes. Apparently a breach of network security had been reported... nothing major, just an unauthorized control of a crewman's alarm clock. Hardly a threat to the manner of encryption used to protect a Sierra-class Communicore, but still -- no point in taking unnecessary risks on the first day.

"Would you like to initiate an override activation?" the computer asked.

"No, not just yet. Is the Captain aboard?"

"Affirmative. Captain Kennit is currently on the main bridge."

"Great. I need to report in anyway... now's as good a time as any," Val mused as he exited for the turbolift.



U.S.S. Victory: Main Bridge


0658 hours

With a soft whoosh, the doors to the turbolift opened and as soon as the opening was wide enough for her to pass, Commander Kennit stepped out of the 'lift and onto her bridge. She made it exactly two steps before she stopped in her tracks, nostrils flared with a deep breath, and she turned a malicious glare towards the two station work crew officers currently painting the overhead paneling along the operations console. If looks could kill...

Closing her eyes for a moment, a quiet prayer for strength flashing through her thoughts she turned and headed towards where Lt. Cmdr. Alec Hunter was at work at the XO's position on the bridge, set on the upper level just behind her own. "Good morning Number One," she told him as she crossed the short distance to the central hub of the Victory's bridge. "I see the night crew did not accomplish their goals over night.." she said. Adding a slightly hostile, "As usual.." accompanied by another quick, dark scowl towards the offending paint crew.

Alec looked up at Katrijn's approach, a bright smile on his face. Showing no traces any of last nights extra curricular activities and there had been several; all extremely pleasant and fulfilling. "Good morning Captain. No they didn't but they assure me they will have every item on the 'to do' list done by the time we're ready to leave." The in a lower voice so no one would hear. "Did you sleep well? Sorry I had to leave you, I know waking up alone was a surprise but the Captain is beautiful but tough and I wanted to impress her by being on the bridge." All this said with a teasing tone. "You are impressed aren't you?" Then in a whisper, "Did you find my gift?"

"Let's hope so," Katrijn answered. "Otherwise I may be forced to jettison non-crew out the nearest airlock once we depart because I do not plan to delay departure. We will be getting underway whether the work crew is finished and has disembarked or not.." Then, stepping closer to him she added in a quieter voice, "I slept quite well.. eventually." She paused, then said in a lower voice for only him to hear, "And I did find the rose.. it was beautiful.. thank you.." Then, louder she added "Though next time some Starfleet brass officer decides to throw a party remind me to steer clear of the stewards who keep coming around to refill drink glasses. ." she said with a slightly rueful tone to her voice.

"Ah.... eventually." He said with a grin. He nodded his head and in a low whisper. "I'm glad you like it Katrijn." Then in a louder voice, "I shall make it my personal duty to steer you clear of any and all stewards."

"Ahhh... wise words from our lovely Captain."

The Captain in question and her Executive Officer's attention were drawn to an open turbolift. The speaker within was a short, bald alien clad in a blue sciences uniform and possessing wide ears that obviously were not simply for show as they had seemingly plucked Katrijn's whisper from the air. He crossed the bridge with a welcoming smile, his teeth obviously altered to resemble a human's blunt mouthwork rather than the sharply pointed maws typical of Ferengi. "The Thirty-Sixth Rule of Acquisition: Good drink loosens both minds and purse strings."

Though tall by Ferengi standards, he still craned his neck slightly to meet their eyes. "Greetings and salutations. I am Lieutenant Nix, and it shall be my esteemed pleasure to serve you during this voyage." He paused a beat, his eyes glancing between the pair of officers as he adjusted a heavy satchel slung over one shoulder. "I trust there is a science lab prepared for my use?"

Turning towards the new arrival, the Captain answered first. "Lieutenant Nix, welcome aboard the Victory. And yes, there is a small science lab located here on deck one, while the main science laboratories are located on deck 5."

"Ahhh, very good," the Ferengi's smile broadens and he clasps his hands together with excitement. "Double the labs mean double the profits! I am humbled that you would invest so much in my studies," he adds with a tiny little bow of his head.

"I'm sure you'll find the labs in order, and if not get in touch with the Work Crew Supervisor and tell him what you need.." the Captain answered. "And be certain to be specific regarding completion requirements, I don't want to be late leaving dock." she added.

"I shall be on deck 5 should you need me Captain. And when the proverbial dust settles, I would like to meet with you to discuss profit sharing and dividend options." With that, he nods his bulbous head to the officers in polite farewells, "Captain. Lieutenant Commander," and turns for the exit.

The turbolift door splits open as Nix approaches and a white-haired man with relaxed shoulders, an open uniform jacket and holding a steaming mug steps out. "Good day, hoo-mon," Nix greets him cheerfully as they pass.

As their newly arrived Science Officer left, Katrijn looked at Alec with her head cocked curiously to one side and said with a smile, "Profit sharing & dividend options?"

Alec shrugged his shoulders, "Got me Captain, I have no idea what he is talking about. All they think about is money and profit and how to make it."

Devereaux's feet slowed to a halt, his brain trying to process what he had just witnessed aboard the bridge of a Federation starship. He heard the doors of the turbolift close behind him, then glanced to the captain and XO as he brought the steaming cup of coffee up to his nose for a curious sniff. "This stuff must be stronger than I thought," he joked before switching the mug to his off-hand so he could extend his arm in greeting to them. "Valen Devereaux," he introduced with a roguish grin and gripped their hands in turn. "So, what's this I hear about a breach to network security? I know you all are busy getting things underway, but I can't bring the 'core online until that's dealt with and the systems are flushed."

Reaching out to shake Devereaux's hand, the Captain's expression turned puzzled. "I haven't been informed of a network security breach.." She turned and looked at the XO, "Were you aware of a systems problem?"

"No, I wasn't. No one has made any mention of any security breech in the computer system."

Turning back towards the Intelligence Officer, she asked "What exactly have you been told about a breach in network security? Whatever it is, it hasn't been officially reported and that is unacceptable.. I need to find out who dropped the ball, as well as what's going on.."

"I tried to bring the 'core online and the computer's safeguards had it sitting cold due an unauthorized access to the network," Valen answered and enjoyed another sip of his morning coffee. "Nothing major -- some comedian sliced the online protocols to tweak a crewman's alarm clock. Doubt it's anything to get in a twist over, but protocol is pretty clear that you don't bring a 'core online unless the alert logs are clean. Zero room for risk there."

(OOC: Continued below with Bishop's arrival. Should we consider merging these two together?)


U.S.S. Victory: Secondary Bridge


0658 hours

"Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Lieutenant. Good morning, Ensign. Good morning, Lieutenant."

Terry made sure that he said good morning to everyone he saw. He would not miss a single person.

Terry stopped in mid-pace when he came to some people very improperly applying paint to the hallways.

"Young man, What are you doing here? The paint you are applying--" he took a nice sniff, "--appears to be lead-based."

"We are applying lead-based paint because it will stay on the walls longer.

"Why are you applying lead-based and not synth-based?"

"The civilians asked me to apply this paint. They are under the impression that it lasts longer than synth-based."

"Did you try yelling at them?"

"Yes. they told me that they have hackers that can cut my pay."

"Normally I'd tell you to-- wait, hackers?"

"Yes. we have hackers."

"Dont we have a firewall up and running?"

"Yes, but this morning my alarm clock told me 'You've been hacked, You've been hacked, You've been hacked' instead of doing the usual beeping at me."

"Hmm. I'll look into it. In the meantime, stop the painting. Better yet, paint with this." Terry went to a replicator and replicated a can of synth-based spray-on paint, then handed it to the young painter. His eyes lit up as if he was holding his girlfriend's breasts.

"Thankee's kindly sir!" he ran to tell everyone about it. Terry, on the other hand, had a bigger problem on his hands.



U.S.S. Victory: Primary Bridge


0700 hours

As soon as the ship's chronometer turned to 0700 hours, the doors to Turbolift-Bravo opened to reveal an exercised and awakened LCDR Brian Bishop, holding a small smile on his ebony facade as he takes his first steps of the day onto the bridge. He sees new faces among the enlisted crew. Whenever the crewmembers try to snap to a hastened attention, he returns their respect and offers a handshake introduction, wanting them to feel comfortable around the man that will be leading the ship's weapons crews and Law Enforcement teams. Brian does make it a point to get to know as many of the enlisted as possible, especially since he started out enlisted until he earned his degree in Forensic Anthropology and completed Starfleet OCS (Officer Candidate School). What many may not be cleared to know his that his degree from the University of Georgia came first thanks to his enlistment bonus, and then his years within the Hazard Operations community as not only an Operator, but a Trainer as well.

As he meets other new members of his Gun Crew, he thinks back that up until three months ago, he would be been retired after 26 years of service and helping out at his father's church back home and married to a woman that could have been his wife. On the day where he would have sent in his retirement papers, he went to propose to his girlfriend who took in the pleasure of seeing him almost every day from being based on Earth. Bishop would find out in a humiliating way that his girlfriend took in the pleasure of another man, in the same house that he was going to acquire for their marital life, and in the same bed where they would have consummated their marriage.

On the outside, everyone sees the professional and polite titan. But on the inside, is a man that has a tactical itch that can't wait for the opiate of modular warfare to appease the pain in his heart.



U.S.S. Victory: Tertiary Bridge


0700 hours

Seeing that there was a hacker on the ship, Terry decided he would need to use his hacking skills.

In order to determine where the hacker currently was, he was going to use the holographic projection system to look everywhere for the hacker. He would look everywhere at once.



U.S.S. Victory: Primary Bridge


0703 hours

Brian's ears perked up from the talk of a possible hacker staging a farewell prank for the ship. He steps down from the tactical console and politely interjects, "Excuse me Captain, sirs, is there a problem this morning?"

The Captain turned towards him, "You should be telling me than Lieutenant. Has there been a reported problem involving ship's network security?"

Alec turned his gaze on the newcomer, to both see and hear the reply. One thing Katrijn didn't but up with was being left out of the loop on anything that pertained to the ship's performance. She and he had overseen this refit for two long years and now the end was finally in sight.

Valen turned to acknowledge a mountain of a man dressed in a security uniform. "Here, I'll bring it up..." the Intel Officer said and nodded towards the terminal. "Computer, display network security log." The computer responded with a chime and drew the screen with information. "There," Val tapped a red line crossing the monitor with a finger.

He allowed the trio a moment to read the report then offered a sympathetic shrug. He knew they were all anxious to get this boat set to starry sea and seemingly trivial delays had to be frustrating, but if there was one thing Val had learned over his years was the trivial errors were the ones that had a nasty habit of mutating into much larger problems if left ignored, and Fleet Intel was a no-risk organization. "Hey look, I know this doesn't seem like that big a deal; just slicing the internal net to tweak an alarm. But it still qualifies as unauthorized access, and I can't trust the Communicore's initialization until this has been flushed and restored. Better to do that while in dock than after we're underway."

 

RSS Feed