Tactical Meets Security
Posted on Tue Sep 13, 2016 @ 5:22pm by Lieutenant Martha Cusack & Lieutenant Commander Arrda
Mission:
An Orion to Die For
Location: Security Office
Timeline: MD 1, 1200 Hours
Martha had decided to check in with the Chief of Security aboard the Triumphant seeing as she would be working with him for the foreseeable future. Truth be told Martha much preferred working in Tactical and she was happy this position would be more of a focus on that. For sure she'd be happy to help out with Security and she fully accepted this would happen more often than not.
With Lieutenant Mallory located Martha headed for their shared office where the computer informed her Douglas was located. Once there she headed into the office and stood in the middle of the room - she usually knocked - but this time she was a bit too eager to meet him and see how they would get on.
"I'm the Chief of Tactical - Lieutenant Martha Cusack. Is it a good time to have a chat or would you like me to come back another time?" Martha said with a smile.
Douglas looked up as the Tactical Officer entered the office. He had not had the opportunity to meet her yet, and had looked forward to doing so. He smiled and stood. "No, now is fine." he told her, motioning behind him at the table with coffees and teas. "Would you care for a beverage while we talk?" he asked, noting then that his own mug of Marai coffee was empty and picking it up to refill it.
Martha was pleased that it was a good time and that she hadn't disturbed Douglas from his work. It was a good start and she hoped they would be able to get to know each other a bit better in their meeting.
"A coffee would be great. Thank you" Martha replied.
He smiled and stood, moving to the table to refill his own mug with the steaming, lightly-sweet-smelling Marai coffee in the carafe. "Would you care to try this one? Or should I replicate you some Earth coffee?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder, then pausing a second, realizing that it was slightly rude that he didn't keep some of that on hand for others who might want it. "I apologize, but I don't normally keep Earth coffee; it's a bit bitter for my tastes." he offered in apology.
"I'll try anything. A cup of your coffee sounds great - I'm always looking to try new coffees...as long as they're the real thing and not replicated. Replicated coffee was all right four years ago, but now I'll only drink it if the real thing isn't available." Martha replied.
A woman after my own heart, he thought as he poured a second cup of the smooth, lightly sweet coffee. Bringing the two cups back to the desk, he handed one across to her and then sat. "II confess, I never quite got into the habit of using the Replicators." he admitted. "My second wife and my children are half Kestra and always said that replicated food tasted... fake." He chuckled softly and took a sip of the coffee. "The downside to enhanced senses, I suppose." He sat back a bit and watched her a moment. "So, what did you want to talk with me about?"
"Replicated food...no...fresh food only for me. I used to make do with the replicated stuff but now...I can't stand it. I prefer the real thing all day long." Martha replied.
She watched Douglas place the coffee down on the table before continuing.
"I just felt it'd be a good idea for us to get to know each other - seeing as we'll be working together. I've not worked in this setup before but I think it'll work out just fine." Martha said.
He nodded. "I understand. Usually Security and Tactical are combined, but here they aren't. On one hand, it makes sense -- it allows for a wider field of knowledge and expertise by having two people with different backgrounds. On the other hand, it may complicate the thing more than necessary." This was not an opinion so much as it was a thought voiced, a bit of cognitive reasoning let slip into the world for discussion... or perhaps to see what she thought of it.
Martha took a sip of the coffee first before speaking. She liked it - so she took another longer sip before placing her cup back down.
"Well admittedly I started off in Operations but I was moved into Tactical and Security a few years ago by my last CO. I see what you mean though - that's why I came here now so we can set out a common ground so we're not treading on each other's toes further down the line. Being honest I prefer the Tactical side of things although I imagine I'll still be doing Security things from time to time if the need arises." Martha replied.
Douglas thought privately that it was an odd shift from Operations to Tactical, but he never assumed. He would reserve judgment until he had observed her for a bit. After all, Captain Aravan had taken her on as his Chief of Tactical, so he must have agreed, at least to some extent, with her previous CO's decision.
"I can certainly see the allure of that side of it," he admitted, "but I think I've gotten spoiled by being in the field so long. Not sure I could step back into a tactical-only role now." He chuckled just a bit. As both Enforcer and Starfleet, he had been trained to do both, but he also knew from experience how a good tactical plan could get completely trashed in the field by a changing situation. And, in a weird way, he liked the challenge of that fast-on-your-feet thinking such situations required.
"May I ask, why did your CO transfer you?" He finally allowed his curiosity about that particular point escape in the form of the question.
"Well the Nogura was short of staff - I was transferred over to Tactical and Security because there were no other experienced officers aboard at the time to manage the department. As there were other experienced Operations officers then it didn't leave Operations short of experience with me changing departments. Being honest I wish I'd started in Tactical and Security." Martha replied.
"Did you have Tactical experience before that?" Douglas asked, curious. In truth, it was more than simple curiosity, though. It was a professional assessing as well, know what he was working with as far as experience in his compatriot.
Martha didn't - although in the last four years she felt she learned more in the field that she would have if she went back to Starfleet Academy. Before replying she took a sip of her coffee - she was definitely going to be wanting some Marai coffee for herself.
"Before then - no." Martha replied.
"Was it scary for you when you first took it over?" he asked. Some people -- hell, most people -- found such 'outsie of their comfort zone' assignments terrifying. Others reveled in the new challenge. And still others simply adapted and moved on. He wondered which category she fell into.
He did note to himself that she seemed to be enjoying the coffee and made a mental note to slightly increase his next request from home so that he could give her some. It was a small thing, but he liked that he could share something of his home with his fellow crew.
Martha didn't really feel scared as such but she felt it was a steep learning curve and she felt under pressure to learn quickly. Had she not had the support of her department then it quite possibly could have been a more daunting experience than it was.
"I felt under pressure to learn the ropes very quickly - but I wouldn't say I was scared. I had a lot of support from the department and my CO so it was a smooth transition in the end." Martha replied.
Douglas nodded understanding. Her answer told him a good deal about her. "That's good. If I may ask, what study have you put into the field outside of duty hours?" His tone implied pure curiosity, but there was more to his question than satisfying some latent cat genes; he was learning about how she thought with every question, what made her tick.
"I've always been reading mission reports from ships in the Gamma Quadrant where I've had extensive experience combating The Consortium. I've done this to give me ideas to put into practice myself and also pick up on where I can improve. I also spent some time with a more experienced officer by the name of Isobel Joyce who also helped me improve my skills in the area." Martha replied.
"Excellent." Douglas complimented, pleased that although she had not started out as a Tactical Officer, she had jumped in with both feet and tried to make herself the best Tactical Officer she could. This said a lot for her. "I think we should get along fine, Martha." he mused. "Do you have any questions for me?"
Martha finished her coffee and placed the empty cup onto the desk gently. Not one to take too long to think about things she decided at the moment there was nothing she wanted to ask her Security counterpart and shook her head.
"Not at the moment. I shall let you get on with your work - thank you for the coffee." Martha replied.
Martha then stood up ready to depart.
Douglas stood as she did. "You're most welcome. I look forward to working with you." he told her with a smile. As she left his office, he found himself pleased to be working with someone who put so much thought and effort into her work and who was so easy to talk to. He indeed looked forward to further interactions.
Lieutenant Douglas (Arrda) Mallory
Chief Security Officer
USS Triumphant
Lieutenant Martha Cusack
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Triumphant
