"Contingencies"
[Previous Post: "So Close, Yet So Far"]
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Setting: Sec/Tac's Office
Stardate: 60327.1600
Nico sat staring at the monitor on his desk. It was currently running a loop of the video feed from Dawson's cell at the time of his disappearance. He knew Lt. Fairborn would be doing the same with much more technological finesse, but Nico had to do something. The video record was not much help however. It showed Dawson sitting in his cell going over notes on his PADD when the video signal scrambles for 1.8 seconds. When the feed clears, Dawson was gone. Nico was trying, without luck, to determine the source of the interference, when Uxtar entered the room. Nico welcomed the sight of his friend, especially since it got his attention away from the damned screen.
"Uxtar!" Nico greeted as he stood, "It's good to see you, my friend!"
"I wish I could say the same to you." Uxtar replied, only half joking.
"Surely Uxtar, you prefer my company to zipping around space in that little hot rod of yours." Nico said, grinning a big ugly Nausicaan grin.
"Nico, you're lucky that you're armed with that phaser at the moment, or you'd be on the floor right now, wondering how you got there."
Nico's laughter filled the office, and Uxtar could not help but laugh with him.
When they finished, Nico said, "I truly am sorry Uxtar. I know how much you love your new toy. I won't take much time, and I think you will like what I have to say." With that, Nico extended his arm, motioning for Uxtar to have a seat.
Once they were both seated, Nico went on, "I've been giving some thought to the ship's tactical protocols, and am considering an enhancement."
Uxtar cocked his head, intrigued.
Nico continued, "I was thinking, that in a confrontation in open space, having 3 ships would be better than one. What if when the ship's status went to red alert due to an approaching vessel with unknown intent, the ANUBIS automatically scrambled 2 VIPERS."
"Usually the Bridge Commander would give the launch orders if the situation merited it." Uxtar returned.
"True." Nico said, "But if the VIPERS were automatically scrambled at the onset of a red alert. They could take up stand off positions in seconds, and put us in a tactically superior position before trouble begins, possibly staving off hostilities without firing a shot."
Uxtar thought for a moment. "What if the approaching vessel or vessels interprets the VIPER launch as a hostile act? We may trigger an aggressive response when there was none to begin with."
"I've considered that. First of all, the red alert would not have been issued if there weren't some concern. Also, the red alert already automatically raises shields and brings ship's weapons on line. These could also provoke the hypothetical vessel. I would much rather be too cautious, than not cautious enough. I realize we need to plan this out in much more detail before I suggest it to the Captain. I just wanted to get your thoughts on the idea."
Uxtar smiled, "If it gets me into the cockpit of a VIPER, I'm all for it. One suggestion, though. Why don't you run it by the XO first? If she signs on, let her bring it to the Captain. That way, she could score some much-needed points with Rikar, and it will all be thanks to you. You score some much-needed points with the XO as a result."
Nico smiled broadly, "I like the way you think my friend, I like the way you think."
Uxtar continued, "Why don't I head to the simulator and work up some maneuvers. I could mock up some theoretical scenarios to support your idea."
Nico laughed, seeing right through his friend's attempt to get back to the pilot's seat. "Yes, Uxtar. Why don't you get on that right away?"
"*Yes sir*" Uxtar snapped, heading for the door.
"Oh and one more thing, VIPER pilot." Nico added, "That comment you made about me being on the floor a while ago? You and I both know that you couldn't beat me on your best day."
Nico could still hear Uxtar's laughter even after the office doors slid closed, and he sat back down to study the video feed.
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Jammie Thouin {lone-gunman@att.net}
Ensign Nicodemus Rostov
Chief of Security/Tactical Officer
USS ANUBIS
-- 2005 post #457
"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
