Lt Zenno - Capers, Not the Kind you Eat
Cobalt Penumbra
((OOC Combining two sims into one for manageability))
((Security Suite, Deck 8, USS Khitomer))
The Mission Specialist and the Security Team were discussing the theft of the USS Arrow and attempting to formulate a plan.
Waters: Now, Mr. Zenno. You mentioned inconsistencies in these Starfleet files. ::beat:: What is the both of your assessments here? Could we be looking at forged documents?
Zerva: ::briefly takes a look at the files:: That would be my first suggestion. It would make the; pardon the Vulcan phrase, most logical sense. At least in my mind. Either someone is indeed working on the inside to aid them, or someone hacked the data base or otherwise fooled those who needed to make the security determination and clear the decon team as safe.
Zenno: Database security in Starfleet is notoriously lax. The track record is so lengthy it shocks the conscience. So it would not be a stretch to imagine that either they or an accomplice was able to modify the records.
Zerva: ::To Zenno’s response:: A valid assessment.
Waters: Responses?
Zevra: Do we know the exact number of the decon team? I would summarize that the decon team as well will likely be operating on a Skelton crew in order to main a starship. Unless they somehow managed to pickup other passengers along the way.
Zenno: It was a small crew, less than 6. Of course, the Arrow was a small ship and as long as the thieves didn’t intend to do anything crazy, they might be able to handle things with that small a number. If we take the Arrow unawares, it may be that they could be overwhelmed trying to engage in combat with so small a crew.
Waters: Responses?
Zerva: ::nodding:: Given they would need to pass off as a cleaning crew that was able to finish in a timely manner that would make sense.
Waters: Responses?
Zerva: I am wondering, isn’t there a way we can take control of some of the systems from the Arrow here? I recall reading a report where one Starfleet ship can disable another starships shields remotely. Perhaps there are other systems that could also be remotely disabled? I realize that’s not our assignment, but as a member of Starfleet security, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention it or any other security concerns that we might have along the way.
Zenno: If these people know how to break a command lock authorization, they should know to change all the codes. Besides, the method you are recalling was on a much older platform. Even the Arrow was built long after that on a different tech stack. We could try to develop some new method that achieves the same result, but I am not sure we would have the time to do it. Much less test it.
Zerva: This is true, Starfleet would have updated those protocols since then. That’s a fair assessment that there wouldn’t be a lot of time.
Waters: Responses?
Zerva: ::nods:: What are the chances the decon team was genetically altered in some way? Renegade Klingons or Romulans or the like? Or even the possibility of them working with the Lattice Alliance? ::checks the files again::
Zenno: Everything is on the table. They are certainly technically capable. But who we have any evidence of that?
Waters: Responses?
Zerva: I am hoping we can cover all security possibilities. I feel it’s important to think outside the box when possible.
Zenno: Always a welcome idea. I hope we can capture them first and then get a full breakdown into the whys and wherefores once they are all safely ensconced in our brig.
Waters: Responses?
Shayne: =/\= Shayne to all hands. In accordance with instructions this date, I have taken command of the Khitomer, effective immediately. Duty officer, please note the time in the ship’s log. Carry on. =/\=
Zerva: It would seem any concerns I had about two Captains working together have been addressed. Not that I had any doubts about Captain Shayne’s ability to work with the other Captain, more so about any other protocols that might arise. I am curious what this means for us and our home aboard the Arrow?
Zenno: The disposition of the Arrow is a discussion we can delay until after this current crisis.
The Security Chief wasn’t particularly sentimental about things like ships. But others might be and any such extended discussion might lead into a distraction they just didn’t need right now.
Waters: Responses?
Their deliberations were cut short by the XOs arrival.
Hobart: How are we doing, Commander?
Waters: Responses?
Zenno: Furthermore, in our analysis, we think it more likely than not that the crew on the Arrow is still very small. They would not have had time to install significant automation. If we can surprise them, we might be able to overwhelm their ability to control the ship.
Zerva: On top of that, there are inconsistencies in their personnel files. Some forgeries that indicate they are not whom they seem. They certainly are not trained in the job they claimed they were when they left to ::air quotes:: decontaminate the Arrow.
Waters: Responses?
The XO considered the reports of the team.
Hobart: Good work, but I’ve got a new immediate goal I hope you can help us with.
Zerva: Absolutely Commander.
Waters: Responses?
Hobart: I suspect they’ve got an ally close by, monitoring our response to the theft. ::holding up a hand to stall any overeager initiative:: I'm less interested in apprehending the look-out than I am in using them. I’d like to figure out where they transmit updates from, in order to discern where they're transmitting to. Thoughts?
Zenno: It would be easier to monitor for a transmission if we can influence the timing and encourage them to transmit.
Zerva: I agree. That would be a good idea, assuming we can pull it off.
Any: Responses?
Zenno: One option might be to transmit a fake analysis and make a false announcement to our ship… that we’ve decided the Arrow is not recoverable and we have attack and destroy orders. Information like that would be useful intelligence for any spy to transmit. If our comms people are prepared, we could be watching for the transmission?
Zerva: It certainly would put them on guard if they thought we were being sent to destroy the Arrow. It would also give us the advantage to see how they would respond.
Any: Responses?
Zerva: There is another option I thought about. Once we locate either party, what if we sent a fake signal pretending to be the Arrow? Or pretending to be the ones monitoring for the Arrow? We could intercept any transmissions between the two and send whatever message we wanted to either party.
Zenno: Fake messages have a long and glorious history in these kinds of capers. It’s a tool for the tool bag.
Any: Responses?
Tags/TBC
LT Zenno
Security Chief
USS Arrow
A240006Z13