Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Made up rules are meant to be broken

[Joel Cannistraro]

((Bridge, Deck 3, USS Ronin))

Jack knew that V'Len and most likely the others hated moving the ship from its position while an investigation was underway. The other teams aboard needed to remain in this location to continue collecting their data so that really only left two other options.

Kessler: Well, we have two other courses of action we could use. A series of probes launched deeper into the star system or we send out a shuttle to get the detailed scans we need, that would keep the Ronin on station for the other teams.

Shortrith: Each have downsides of their own.

Kel: Probes are the best option. Losing a probe is preferable to losing a shuttle full of people.  

Kessler: Probes can't give you the human factor and reaction time that a shuttle can but a shuttle puts crew in harms way, which at this point is a risk I am willing to take and I think anyone else here is too.

O'Connor had already asked to prep a shuttle and get a team ready, they could simply divert him and that effort to scanning the star system. They all knew the risk and at this point Jack was ready to take the shuttle himself to get the answers but he also had the Ronin and her crew to worry about. As ships tactical officer, the Ronin's safety was his paramount responsibility so that meant, unless ordered off the ship after what happened to the Captain's yacht, he was not likely going to volunteer to leave the ship when he was unsure of what lay ahead of them. O'Connor and the team he was putting together seemed like the best choice in Jack's head.

Shortrith: If needed, I can accompany whoever is on the shuttle to be there if any medical emergency arises. I'm willing to put myself at risk if it means to help someone.

Kel: I appreciate the sentiment doctor.  

Jack looked at the Doctor and then to V'Len. In his mind the offer was genuine but he would not risk another member of the crew unless their specific skill was needed for such a more dangerous mission. Jack knew when not to speak up but the ship coms chimed to life just as he was about to offer his unsolicited opinion, telling him to hold his thought. 

Morgan: =/\= Lieutenant Morgan to the bridge =/\=

Kel: =/\= Kel here Lt. Morgan.  Do you have something interesting?  It would be a good time for it.  =/\=

Morgan: =/\= We’re sending the data now, but we need to get some distance between us and the anomaly. It's wreaking havoc on systems and people's personal belongings; it’s most likely why the warp core was acting up, and we can’t form a warp bubble at the moment. =/\=

Jack remained silent as the other team made their report and suggestion and welcomed the second opinion on giving the Ronin more distance between this event and themselves. 

Kel:  Vomek get ready to move. : =/\= Is there a more optimal position for the ship? =/\=

Vomek:  Yes sir ::begins tapping LCARs::

Morgan: =/\= Well, if I’m reading it right, I’d get us five klicks to starboard, and we’ll see if that helps. =/\=

Morgan: =/\= Oh, one last thing, permission to fire another prob at the eddy? We notice a time jump on the other probe, as the internal sensors and clocks were off by a significant amount, hence why we think we should back off until we get a wrangle on things.. =/\=s

Kel: =/\= Granted.  Mr Kessler ::pointing at Jack:: will send you what we have.  Use a Class IV probe so the subprobes can feed data back to us if the main probe is lost.  =/\=

Jack nodded and began transferring the data collected to Morgan and Dohna's team. 

Dohna: ::turning to Wren::  Forward shields are being held at maximum strengh.  At this time the hull is intact.  

Morgan: =/\= Right, we’ll get on it. Morgan out.. =/\=

V'Len let out a sigh, as Vomek repositioned the Ronin. Jack looked back to his friend and gave him a quizative glance.

Kel:  That's strange, my antennae ache is gone.  Maybe this anomaly has a biological effect as well.  

Shortrith: I could also observe its affect on people, whether it be good or bad.

Watching his friend for a bit more time Jack studied his facial expression and knew something was not sitting right with V'Len. He gave a slight and gentle nod to reassure V'Len he had his back on whatever he was going to do. Jack wanted answers as much as the next person.

Vomek: ::chuckling::  Should I leave or should I probe?  Age old question eh, Commander?

Kessler: ::turning back to V'Len:: We have as much data as we can gather from here. Based on our current assessment, a closer look is warranted.

Shortrith: That's a good point. Both have pros and cons.

Kel:  Alright let's do it. Let's catch up with Ian and see if he's got his modified shuttle ready.  

Jack eyed V'Len waiting for the away team assignment and of course V'Len's next order made Jack cringe. They had already lost the ships commanding officer and executive officer. 

Shortrith:  Response

Kel:  Vomek, you have the bridge.

The Romulan turned around to give the Commander a confused look and Jack understood it with every fiber in his being. The two senior command officers were dead and now V'Len, acting Captain was wanting to leave the ship.

Kel:  I'm the chief science officer, who else should go on a science related expedition?

Kessler: ::standing:: Commander, I understand your desire to go but I must formally object to leading this away mission and General Order 15 states, No Flag officer shall lead an away team into a hazardous area without armed escort.

Jack knew V'Len would not back down so he left it to that statement only. He hoped that V'Len was not as up on all the General Orders but he would not however allow the ships Second Officer and now Commanding officer to leave the ship without Security escort. 

Shortrith:  Response

Kel:  I'm not a flag officer so I don't think that rule applies to me, Jack.

oO Damn, he knows the rules too well. Oo

Kessler: ::grinning:: Nor did I think you would, but you are not going without me there at your side.

Shortrith:  Response

Kel: =/\= Kel to Ensign Wren.  Please meet us in Shuttlebay 1.  We're going on a field trip.  

Wren: Response

Jack nodded to V'Len and then glanced at Vomek. He respected the officer and knew he would keep the ship safe.

Kessler: Vomek, if anything happens and you need tactical help get Captain Winters up here to handle Tactical for you.

Kel/Shortrith/Vomek: response

Jack nodded and then followed the others to the turbolift that would take them to Shuttlebay 01.

((Deck 09, Shuttlebay 01, USS Ronin))

Jack followed V'Len and Doctor Shortrith from the turbolift into the shuttlebay. The trek from the bridge had been mostly in silence and Jack knew each of the team was mentally preparing for whatever they were expecting and hoping for from this assignment. Jack most of all wanted to be able to ensure each of them came back alive but this was space and in space the unknown was always a factor that could and would snipe the life from you if you gave it the chance. Something he feared the CO and XO had faced and something he hoped deep down was a course of fate that could be changed.

Kessler: Any special equipment aside from the standard you want with us Commander?

Kel/Shortrith/O'Connor: response

Kessler: Well personally, I would prefer a larger ship with maybe some Borg enhanced shields and temporal shielding but since we don't seem to have any, I guess this will have to do.

Jack smiled and padded V'Len on the shoulder as he pulled a Security kit from a wall locker and proceeded to board the craft with the others. 

Kel/Shortrith/O'Connor: response

Tags/TBC

--

Lieutenant Jack Kessler

Chief Tactical/Security Officer

USS Ronin

T239901JK1