From: rneces@mastnet.net (Lynnaea AelCaymarth)
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 00:37:00 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Laying the Groundwork
MD 09.1600
Scene: XO's Office
CSO Aelyria Keyrin and MCO David Shachor walked into Brennan's
office in step, each holding a PADD containing their notes on the
security detail for the upcoming mediation between Corellis and
ShipOres, Inc.
Commander Brennan put down his still steaming mug of coffee as the
door slid shut behind them.
"Ensign, Lieutenant," he nodded, then gestured them to seats in
front of the desk. "May I offer you something to drink?"
"Coffee, black, if you please, sir," said Keyrin, as she took the
offered seat.
Brennan nodded, then glanced at Shachor.
"Coffee is fine." He sat down next to the Security Chief.
The Commander nodded, and went to retrieve the two cups from the
replicator. Upon returning and handing them their drinks, he sat
down and leaned forward in his seat to listen. "Let's hear it,
gentlemen." He reached for his cup.
Keyrin looked over at Shachor, and he nodded for her to proceed.
She sipped her coffee, then put the mug on Brennan's desk as she
pulled out her PADD.
"Here is the best layout of my SEC troops, according to their
given specialties and personalities.
"LT(jg) D'varen and myself will lead Sigma-One with a force of
three to cover the Chesapeake.
"I would like to assign Team Sigma-Two, led by aCSO Torr and CPO
Mayberry, to cover the Corellians. They will have a force of
three other crewmen with them.
"Team Sigma-Three, headed by LT(jg) Stewart and ENS Martiljohni,
will cover ShipOres, again with a force of three crewmen."
"That makes five Security staff per party," she concluded. "That
specific personnel have been assigned to the delegations would not
become apparent until a contingency arose. In each case, a mature
officer has been teamed with a less-experienced one, and I kept
D'Varen with me as Crisis Specialist. I feel that in an emergency
his training would be invaluable. Upon approval of this detail,
all crewmen will be specially briefed as to the nature of their
assignment. Security is also back in the holodecks for practice
drilling this week."
Aelyria did a mental sweep of her notes, looking for any tidbits
she might have missed. Finding none, she exhaled and looked at
Brennan. "I believe that covers Security, sir," she stated as
she glanced at Shachor.
The XO rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment. "Very good. I
don't forsee any dire scenarios this mission -- after all, this is
supposed to be a diplomatic assignment, and there is no open
hostility between the parties. At least, not yet." He pulled
over a PADD and a lightpen. "The detail will be unobstrusive,
yes? Neither party, especially the Corellians, will not take well
to being treated as hostiles."
She nodded firmly. "Unobstrusive, sir. But we will be keeping track of the
whereabouts of all the delegates as long as they are aboard."
Brennan nodded. "Commander th'Tellan is assigning them working
quarters. Do you have the layout?"
"Yes, sir. The teams will be briefed closer to ETA."
He nodded, and said, "Thank you, Ensign. Now, Mr. Shachor... what
do you have planned for us?"
David's tone of voice was decidedly blunt. "I have twenty soldiers
fit to be of use," he admitted, with no expression. "Maybe ten
more whom I'd trust to be competent to support their teammates
right now. Not to protect the rest of the crew. Twenty for that.
I propose to leave the Corellians to Ensign Keyrin's department --
with my apologies," he added wryly, glancing at Keyrin. He looked slightly
embarrassed, and Aelyria felt for the magnitude of the task that
was before the MCO.
Keyrin nodded calmly. "My people can cover that." David flashed
her one of his rare million-kilowatt smiles out of pure gratitude.
"I can supplement her ShipOre team if she likes with five: three
combatants, two backup to them. I like to think the couple of
backups will be able and willing to defend their crewmates in
Security as well as the other Marines, but I can't count on it.
What they *can* do is to provide a more visible force, and to free
up the others from the distracting task of throwing off rude
strangers who want to kill them while they're trying to deal with
a battle."
"The rest, I want on ship, stationed at intervals. The
Chesapeake's the first priority, and my soldiers can do more good
on board to cover it against potential hostility than they can do
anywhere else right now." Again, he looked embarrassed, and
winced a little before turning a carefully unflinching gaze toward
first Brennan, then Keyrin.
"Commander; Ensign; I apologize for the condition of my troops.
They're making better progress than I had any right to hope... but
the ingrained habits are a real problem, and the Warrior's Reflex
just isn't there." He didn't explain the term, but the slight
emphasis to the words served to convey a sense of doctrine.
"No apologies necessary at this point, Mister Shachor," said
Brennan. "I do not expect people -- even Marines -- to recover
from what they have experienced in a little over a week. You've
done remarkable work so far... and I see no reason to doubt it
will continue."
Shachor nodded silently as Brennan continued. "I'd like the
Marines kept as backup. As I said, the likelihood of open
hostilities, whether aboard the ship or outside, is relatively
minimal at this point. They are currently not hostiles."
He gave a quick smile, then sobered again. "However, I have asked
Counselor Tats-Marush to keep the Captain and me informed on the
political and military situation on Corellis and its territories;
I will pass on such information we consider necessary for you to
adjust the plans you have." He looked at the two of them in turn.
"Yes, sir," replied Keyrin, and Shachor echoed assent.
"Right." Brennan picked up his mug again, sipped quickly.
"Anything else?"
The Marine Lieutenant shook his head. "No, sir." He looked over
at Keyrin, who shook her head as well.
"Thank you for your time, Ensign, Lieutenant. Dismissed."
Respectfully submitted,
Lynnaea AelCaymarth Takako Nagumo Naomi Rivkis
ENS Aelyria Keyrin, CSO CDR Daniel Brennan, XO LT David Shachor, MCO
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