Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Dressed for Desecration
Natasha Schell
((Elysium - Main level, Deck 6, USS Artemis))
Cole: You can tell a lot about someone when things don’t go how they expect. For example, I read that Lieutenant Bancroft threw his phaser at a giant spider on the last away mission.
She noticed Alex leaned back relaxing for a moment crossing her legs.
Storm: I was there to see it. He and I had … a brief discussion over that one. In his defense, our phasers weren’t effective against the creature, but throwing a phaser at it had even less effect.
Cole: Oh, I’d expect nothing less from him. His instinct is always to save life first. ::beat:: Ours is… whatever it takes to protect the many.
Storm: But who was he saving by throwing a phaser at it? It certainly didn’t retreat because it got hit. I think it only made the spider angrier.
Cole: Someone in my family once said “Don’t go looking for danger, it’s already got your number.” Though I think the real lesson they were trying to impart is Bravery is the instinct to move when others hesitate, because someone has too.
Storm: Hesitation is failure’s mother, and second-guessing is its father. Like you said, action is the key.
Alex seemed to be watching Natasha, possibly intently. Was she trying to get a read on her, maybe get an impression from her mind, was that how Betazoids did it?
Cole: ::Nodding:: Absolutely.
Storm: So let’s talk about this drill. Should we open it up to anyone not in Security or Tactical? Or just keep it within our respective departments?
Cole: While it’s always important for Security and Tactical to be prepared for situations that are more geared towards our respective skill sets. ::the corner of her mouth curled upward:: I think it’s equally important for the other departments to be prepared as well.
Natasha watched as Alex tapped away at her PADD before leaning in to talk in a hushed tone.
Storm: So what type of simulation are we going to run? The Artemis gets boarded? Something is able to partition off the ship, and we have to work together to break through, despite not being able to communicate across sections. Something - an entity of some sort takes over Captain Makenzie, giving her extraordinary powers, and we have to work together to stop her. Or something else?
Natasha raised an eyebrow at the myriad of simulation suggestions Alex rattle off. They all had great potential. Truth be told she had a slew of ideas coming to mind, but something Alex said sparked an idea.
Cole: ::leaning in matching Alex’s energy:: How about an amalgamation of sorts blending some elements and leaving some room for surprises.
Storm: Go on.
Cole: Ok, so here is my thought. Simulation is set up where the ship has been boarded by entities unknown, but their doppelgangers of our crew. Think like a mimic, or skinwalker, where they look and sound like us, but something is just a bit … off.
Storm: That’s a fabulous idea. Where’d you come up with something like that so quickly?
Cole: Oh it’s a thing from old Appalachian folklore. Think more along the lines of changelings, but more primordial and mysterious. Anyway these entities once aboard the ship, partition it so they can sow distrust and gain control of critical systems to travel the galaxy or some such.
Storm: It sounds mystifying. ::Her grin sharpened, mind already racing through possibilities.::
Cole: We could even set the program to pull inspiration for these entities from folklore and mythology to add some elements of surprise.
Storm: We absolutely could. Okay, let’s talk about particulars so we can set up said scenario. How do these entities get on board? And how many entities are there?
Cole: We beam them aboard. ::smiles:: Under the guise of responding to a distress call from a remote planet where the ‘survivors’ have been isolated. As for how many, as many as we want, but for our exercise I would suggest no more than a dozen. In Appalachian lore Mimic’s are supposed to be ancient, known for betrayal of the familiar and erosion of identity and trust. It’s what makes them so terrifying.
Storm: I like it! And how many ways are they going to partition the Artemis up? Personally, I think we should keep sickbay, the bridge, the security area, and engineering separate. oO If only real threats came with this much advance notice. Oo What do you think?
Cole: I think that’s a good idea, from the standpoint of someone attempting to take control of the ship each of those locations would be invaluable for various reasons, not just limited to controlling the ship as a whole.
Natasha thought she noticed a hint of sadness in Alex’s face, it was brief, but as quick as it came it was gone and her smile had slipped back.
Storm: And how does the scenario end? Capture, containment, or something beautifully chaotic?
Cole: I think in true Appalachian fashion, their not captured or contained. They’d be more likely to just run, be it by taking a shuttle, beaming off the ship or even, using an airlock to escape. ::making direct eye contact:: After all … do mimic’s need to breath?
Storm: I’ve picked up some hearsay about the Captain airlocking ensigns. While I’m sure there’s no real substance to it, who knows? Maybe your solution to the scenario would play into the rumor.
Cole: I do think it would be a good idea to have a safe word just in case the computer takes its recreation of Mimic’s to far. My go to is Pineapple, ::shrugs:: but I’m open to suggestions.
Alex’s eyes crinkled with laughter.
Storm: Pineapple works for me.
Cole: You ok? You looked a bit sad, or maybe distracted a moment ago. It’s ok if you don’t want to share.
Storm: I’m okay.
Cole: …Uh-huh. And I’m a Tellarite ballerina. Want to try that again?
This time Alex chuckled.
Storm: Really … It’s just ... It’s strange. Have you ever felt guilty for enjoying yourself or for letting your guard down?
Natasha thought about how she chose her own happiness over others expectations for her and the repercussions of that. Her eyes drifted toward her PADD on the table, with a hint of her own sadness.
Cole: No ::looking back to Alex:: I’ve chosen to be unapologetically myself, and admittedly my guard is always up.
Storm: Sometimes I get so focused on something that I have to remind myself that it’s okay to enjoy what I do, or to enjoy laughing with a colleague.
Cole: If you don’t take the time to enjoy things, you run the risk of losing yourself. ::making a face, that conveyed a familiarity with that topic:: And I’ve seen what that does to officers.
Storm: Response
Cole: So what’s dominating your focus? Do you need me to put on my friend hat, or Security hat?
Storm: Response
Natasha leaned forward and listened intently as Alex shared what she was comfortable sharing. Being sure to not interrupt and only nodded when she felt it was appropriate.
Cole: ::exhaling slowly through her nose:: That is a lot to deal with. As your friendly colleague, I am very sorry that you’ve had to carry this. No one should ever have their child taken from them.
Storm: Response
Cole: Now with that being said, ::in air quotes:: Hypothetically if you need a hand to … any emergency extractions. ::end air quotes:: I want to help.
Storm: Response
Tags/TBC
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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4