[[BACKSIM]] Ensign T’Fearne: Negative, Ghost Rider
Teayl Thorn
T’Fearne held up a hand, palm open, fingers spread in a gesture of surrender. A thin smile tugged at the edge of her mouth.
T'Fearne: Apologies for the interrogation, Chief. This is a lot to absorb for me and we are in the Alpha Isles. Changelings have infiltrated the ship and impersonated crew before. You plucked me off a cliff, claimed to be my new CO, and I didn’t recognise either of you. :: raising her chin slightly :: I’ll follow your orders, of course. But my trust and loyalty aren’t automatic. The last Chief earned that with actions, not just words. I don’t know anything about you yet. So respectfully... your past? Doesn’t hold great meaning to me. What you do now does.
The Chief’s expression was unreadable. But something glinted in his eyes. Humour? Irritation? She couldn’t get a clear sense yet. She held her ground and snapped to attention as he stepped closer.
Kessler: ::stepping slightly closer:: I have done nothing at the moment for you to judge 'trust or loyalty' on Ensign. I do not expect you to trust me or anyone else out here until you not have gathered all the intel on them you can. Not when the Ronin or her crew's lives are at stake. Am I clear Ensign?
She blinked, caught off guard by how measured his response was. His emotions were justified, but he’d reacted better than she expected. She felt a small wash of embarrassment at having gone in so hard. She had been prepared to argue her actions, but they seemed to be in agreement on the important things.
Maybe he and Kirsty were cut from similar tritanium hull plating.
T'Fearne: Clear, sir. I understand if the position offer is rescinded after subjecting you to that.
Kessler: ::tilting his head slightly:: Rescinded? Why would I rescind my offer to someone who was doing their job? No ensign, you don't don't get out of my sight's that easy.
That sounded almost ominous. She searched for a response to that, then glanced at the other individual towards the helm. T’Fearne knew most of Ronin’s marine roster on sight, and this one didn’t match any of them.
T'Fearne: I’ll stay in plain sight then. Sir. :: gesturing to the pilot :: I didn’t recognise your pilot either. Are you both recently transferred to the Ronin?
Kessler followed her gaze, smiling as he turned toward the front.
Kessler: That is Marine Captain Michele Winters. She came over with me from the USS Octavia E. Butler. When I need a hammer, I call on her.
oO Winters is the hammer. Noted for future reference. Oo
The pilot turned, flashing a smile over her shoulder as T’Fearne, walking on slightly unsteady legs, moved up through the shuttle to the cockpit to greet the Marine Captain, her rank equivalent to a Starfleet Lieutenant, and she assumed Kessler followed.
Winters: He would have been dead several times over if I were not around to save his backside. Pleasure to meet you Ensign.
The candid mention of her new CO’s backside was a bit startling, but she had been to the Academy with many humans and other humorous species from across the quadrant, and her own mother was one such irreverent creature. Sonna Elaazni could outmatch any Orion pirate for colourful commentary.
As the woman's hands were busy with the helm, T’Fearne merely dipped her head respectfully, eyes sweeping across the readouts on the console.
T'Fearne: Thank you for the catch, Captain. I was starting to think I had taken on too much of a challenge by myself on that cliff.
Kessler: Captain Niac says the Ronin is set to launch on her next mission in a day or two. I am not fully up on all the ships Security issues but I am guessing you are not out here on official ships business on your own are you?
She caught the drift of his gaze to her bare, scraped feet, and she hurriedly dropped into one of the Medusa’s jump seats, rifled through her pack and and tugged on her boots over slightly raw toes. Her feet needed protection for what may come next. She unrolled her trousers and began to speak as she worked. Giving as quick and succinct a report as she could.
T'Fearne: There :: gesturing out to starboard :: approximately 180 meters above where you pulled me off the cliff, under the thick tree canopy, is a mountainside tabletop. I was tracking a unique explosive residue signature from the bombing of the Soliton Receiving station tethered in orbit.
She gestured in the opposite direction, up toward a distant silhouette of the orbital lift, still tethered to what was left of the station, visible from their location, but veiled in distance and a haze of atmosphere.
T'Fearne: It’s the same signature of a compound used on the explosives on the Soliton Express. Maleconite. The trail led from the Terminal Facility to the Colony to the forest and this region of the Skelter mountain range. I believe there’s a cache up there, maybe a hideout. Possibly tied to the terrorist Emzai's network. I found data indicating the presence of co-conspirators in the area, and one of the colony’s Special Investigators, a Mr. Tarek, has gone missing suspiciously, just as the planet was rendered safe. He may have been on to the same trail, possibly taken against his will. I believe these are connected. We have to…
She paused, inhaling deeply.
Kessler / Winters (optional): Response
Stranger or not, Chief Kessler wouldn’t be standing where he was if he hadn’t earned it. No one got the SecTac post on a battle cruiser like the Ronin without being fiercely capable. She checked her tone, slower this time, more measured, making sure to afford him the respect his rank and experience deserved.
T'Fearne: This whole region is riddled with magnetic ore. It shreds comms and sensor sweeps. I'm surprised you even found me. I lost contact with Ronin three days ago, but I couldn’t risk losing the trail. I know how it looks, that I’ve overstepped my jurisdiction. But sir… we are very close, I believe it would be worth having a look to confirm the information either way.
She leaned forward and shared the data she had discovered so far, bringing up the readings on the Medusa’s large display, fragmented data, but enough to suggest a pattern. Triangulated readings, barely coherent through the interference, pointed to a tight cluster beneath the canopy.
She realised how her actions might be perceived, her unprofessional obsession over non-ship-security details and taking matters into her own hands and particularly for going off without backup, could be seen as reckless. Something Kirsty would have clipped her ears for.
oO Or at least chewed my ears off? No, that’s not the right Human saying either. Oo
The silence lingered. A beat too long.
She scanned their faces and steeled herself.
Kessler / Winters (optional): Response
She felt a little crestfallen at the response.
T'Fearne: Understood. May I have leave to continue to pursue this from another angle? I’ll return to the Colony Investigations Office and follow the data trail there…:: She looked back between Kessler and Winter :: And… and I’ll bring backup with me this time.
Kessler / Winters (optional): Response
T’Fearne sat back in the jump seat, adjusted the strap on her pack, her eyes fixed on the mist-wreathed peaks outside the viewstrip. One way or another, she intended to finish what she started.
[Tag, You’re It! / End of scene for T’Fearne]
===============================
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14