"Training Patrols"
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Setting USS ANUBIS, Sec/Tac's Office
Stardate: 60327:0945
Nico sat blankly in front of his computer screen. He had just finished a detailed log addressing his concerns and documented the XO's refusal to do anything about them. He could not understand her not wanting to take precautions. He knew in his heart that he was right. Something was wrong, he could feel it. Primary and auxiliary systems don't just crash for no reason, especially on such a tightly run ship. What was her problem? Surely there was no harm in heightening security aboard ANUBIS. Besides, *he* is Chief of security, not the XO. If there were an intruder aboard and the ANUBIS was to be sabotaged, it would be Nico who would be called upon to answer the hard questions. That thought seemed to make up Nico's mind. He picked up his PADD and within a minute he doubled the amount of security forces on duty. He made no official alert changes, simply added a hell of a lot more sets of eyes roaming the ANUBIS. He was confident that in doing so, he had not disobeyed a direct order from his XO. Security shift rotations were, after all, up to his discretion.
That done, Nico was aware the XO was bound to notice the extra security, and considered finding her to explain. In the end he decided to let her come to him if she had a problem, and he was relatively sure she would. He went back to his screen and began making the necessary adjustments to the security shift rosters. Some security officers had to be pulled from training sessions to cover the extra work load.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor outside Main Engineering
Stardate: 60327.1010
The Romulan/Terran hybrid was experiencing déjà vu, as a two man security patrol passed by main engineering. It was the second such patrol to pass her location within ten minutes. "Ensign", she called out to the patrol that had just passed.
"Yes, Commander?" the security officer answered.
"What is your assignment?" she asked.
"We are assigned to routine patrol, Team four, Deck 22."
"Team four?" the confused Romulan/Terran hybrid asked, "I thought there only three teams that patrolled this deck."
"There are currently six teams operating on deck 22, Sir" the officer answered.
"Six? As of when, Ensign?" the XO countered.
"Approximately 20 minutes ago all security personnel were doubled ship wide."
"*On whose authority!*"
"Sec/Tac, Sir" the officer answered.
"*That over muscled ape, who does he think he is?!*" serenna said as she spun and stormed off to find the Nausicaan Sec/Tac.
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Setting USS ANUBIS, Sec/Tac's Office
Stardate: 60327:1015
Nico had just finished up with the roster schedules when the door to his office opened and the XO stormed in like a raging bull. From the look on her face, he prepared himself for the worst. It hadn't taken him long to step over the line with her, and now he was about to pay the price.
"Mr. Rostov, perhaps you would like to explain to me why ship's security status has been heightened, mere moments after I specifically told you that we *would not* be going to heightened status." The XO began.
Nico feigned innocence. "Commander, I assure you, I have not heightened security."
Serenna had to summon all her will to restrain herself from diving across Nico's desk and driving her fists into that ugly face.
"*Try again!* I have seen the doubled patrols with my own eyes. Disobeying your XO's orders are bad enough, please don't make your situation worse by lying to me."
"Oh, I see," Nico answered, "You're referring to my order to increase the number of on-duty security personnel."
"You're damn right that's what I'm referring to. Who the hell do you think you are? You're Chief of Security for five seconds, and your first move is to disobey the Second in Command? I hope you haven't grown too attached to this position."
Nico stood now to tower over the Romulan/Terran hybrid, hoping for a small intimidation factor. "Commander, Please, I have not changed the alert status of the ship. I simply added extra personnel to patrol duty. Security duty rosters, after all, fall under *my* jurisdiction, *not* yours. I simply wanted more bodies on duty for the time being."
Serenna stood silent for a moment. **Could he be right?**. As Chief of Security, it *is* his decision who is on duty and who is not.
"Call it training patrols, if you will." Nico went on, "I've decided *my* men needed a little brushing up on routine ship patrols. Surely, that is within my purview as ship's Sec/Tac. I don't see how this countermands your order to not heighten security."
The XO found her tongue, "I fail to see the difference.” She said, although she felt herself losing the full head of steam she barged into Nico's office with.
"The difference is simple, Commander," Nico stated, "Heightening security status would be disobeying your direct order, simply adding training patrols does not."
She realized he was right. It was a simple technicality, but there was no way he could be disciplined since he technically did nothing wrong. She stood there uncomfortably not knowing how to end this when Nico spoke again.
"May I have your permission Commander, to speak freely, and off the record?”
Serenna sighed, waved her hand and said "Go right ahead."
Nico took a moment to gather his words, "It's obvious your feelings towards me are, shall I say, less than favorable. I don't know if it's me or Nausicaans in general. If it's the latter, I can hardly fault you. However, I'm wondering if it has anything to do with a certain incident concerning a Cardassian escaping from the brig a few days ago. If that is the case, I assure you, I have not spoken to anyone regarding that incident, nor do I intend to."
The Romulan/Terran hybrid felt her anger resurfacing after being reminded of the embarrassing episode. "*It's got nothing to do with that!*"
"Ahh, but there is something. I can only assume, then, it's because of what I am. I don't think I need to remind you that, once upon a time, Romulans were not exactly welcome at Federation tea parties either. Yes, I *am* a filthy Nausicaan, and I cannot change that. I cannot atone for the carnage my kind has caused across the quadrant, nor do I want to. All I want to do, right now, is make sure my ship is secure. That is my only job, and I *will* do my job. There is something wrong aboard ANUBIS, I swear to you, I can feel it. If you order me to rescind the double patrols, I will. It will make my job harder, but I will still get it done."
All the fight was gone from Serenna and she just wanted to leave the office. "That will not be necessary Ensign. Maybe your men *could* use a little more training."
"Thank you" Nico said. "Commander, I apologize if you felt I was circumventing you authority. You are my XO, that makes me *your* Nausicaan. I only want to serve you, Captain Rikar, and my ship with honor. It would be easier if you and I were not adversaries."
Serenna was, again, at a loss for words. She was saved by a message to Nico's com badge.
=/\= Sickbay to Security. =/\=
"Rostov here, go ahead sickbay."
=/\= This is Head Nurse Vellas, I've been trying to locate Dr. Summers, but the computer tells me she's not on board, but I can't find any record of her leaving the ship. =/\=
"On my way." Nico Answered
Nico gave the Romulan/Terran hybrid his best **I told you so** look and said, "Commander, would like to accompany me to sickbay."
Serenna said nothing, but simply followed him out the door.
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Jammie Thouin {lone-gunman@att.net}
Sec/Tac Officer
Nicodemus Rostov
USS ANUBIS
-- 2005 post #445
"All right, brain, I don't like
you and you don't like me - so
let's just do this and I'll get
back to killing you with beer."
-Homer Simpson
