Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Respect earned
Joel Cannistraro
((Security Complex, Deck 11, USS Ronin))
Jack stood silently listening, taking in all that was being discussed as he stared at the blurred image of the giant whatever it was. As a child he heard stories of space dwelling lifeforms and dreamed of encountering one and what it would be like. In the Academy, he had studied the encounters with spaceborn lifeforms, far and few between each encounter. There was an excitement in this that he was eager to fuel from the scientific side of his upbringing. His mother would have absolutely loved this. She would have dove head first into trying to understand the biology of the creature. That was one area she specialized in and right now, he wished he had her knowledge to fall back on but he would settle for the drive she instilled in him to discover the secrets that each new contact held.
Venn: It’s massive. We’re not even sure how massive yet, but early speculation is on the order of kilometers.
T'Fearne: Do we have a way to verify that? The details about the size? It would be remiss of me not to bring up the possibility of an Alliance or Consortium scheme? Could we be heading towards a trick? False readings created to lure Starfleet explorers?
The doors to the briefing room whooshed open and Jack glanced from T'Fearne to a younger officer entering the room. Although he had not called her over the coms when he called the others Jack had decided that Ensign Akani and her experience aboard the Compass Rose and in the Alpha Isles could play a role and had summoned her through a PADD request.
T'Fearne: ::in greeting:: Ensign Akani.
S’tek: Ensign.
Akani: ::In response:: Lieutenants, Ensign.
Kessler: Thank you for joining us Ensign. Did you get the briefing note I sent you about this? ::gesturing to the blurred image::
Venn: Response
T'Fearne: Given current uncertainties, I believe Security has several immediate objectives. I assume the Science department is attempting to determine what this entity is. What they uncover could help us understand more of its nature, tactical assessment is merely conjecture without more data. Regardless of what they uncover, it would be prudent to have a range of repellents and attractors.
Kessler: Agreed but at the same time we need to understand that we do not know the physiology of this creature ::beat:: yes, I am assuming it is biological and not man made. That said we need to ensure whatever counter measure we are discussing needs to be looked at also from how to prevent from doing this creature any damage. We have a duty to protect the ship but we also have a duty to protect new life.
Venn: Responses
T'Fearne: I prefer to think of heightened situational awareness as a significant advantage in ship security and preparedness. I don’t assume hostile intent, but neither can I assume it can identify us as non-hostile, or that it can even distinguish between incidental contact and a deliberate attack.
S’tek: We do need more than just conjecture… Sirs.
Akani: Would it be worth optimising shields just in case?
Jack gave the young Ensign a slight head nod. He appreciated that she and Ensign S'tek were not too nervous to speak up and offer thoughts and ideas. He needed all the ideas they could come up with.
Kessler: Like I said, all ideas get put on the table. Optimising shields is a good start.
Venn: Response
S’tek: I apologise if I’m going over ground already covered but where did… ::gestures to the screen:: …these images come from?
Akani: Honestly, I'm wondering the same thing.
Jack looked at the two Ensigns and then to Venn. Technically to Jack's understanding, that piece of information was still classified as Venn had not offered the information up and essentially had only explained to the command staff that the data had been collected by several attempts by other vessels. Jack wanted to honor what he told Venn on the corridor, that he hoped she could prove him wrong about Starfleet Intelligence but at the same time he needed her respect and willingness to trust him and his team. He took only the briefest of moments to choose his answer.
Kessler: At this time Ensign, that information is on a need to know basis. We are working with the data Lieutenant Venn has provided.
T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
S’tek: Any puzzle starts with the edge pieces. For us, that’s the source of these images. If they were taken at range, we’re missing context. If they weren’t… then someone got close to this creature…
Jack noted the glance between the two junior officers and then their collective glance to T'Fearne, most likely to see her response to the need to know statement.
S’tek: …or non-biological creation, and we need to know how, Sirs.
Akani: Forgive me if this has already been asked, but are we planning on making contact with this… ::trying to choose her words correctly:: entity?
Kessler: ::looking to everyone in turn:: I would be extremely disappointed if we came all this way just to take pictures and then be on our way. ::beat:: Yes, I would plan on making contact with this creature.
T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
Akani: ::bowing her head:: I understand. How long do we have before we make contact?
Jack looked over to the large wall display and pointed to the tactical readout of the last known position of the target and the Ronins current position and speed.
Kessler: Not as much time as we would like to have Ensign. We need to work fast, but smart.
S'tek/T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
Akani: Apologies for my questions, Sirs, but just how big is this thing?
Jack looked to Venn to field this question and then looked back over to T'Fearne as she looked to the wall display and then back to Venn. He could tell she was on the same thought process he was by the glances she gave to the tactical display and the data. It was not a leap to know what she or anyone else was really thinking, the data was limited and that meant, as S'tek had pointed out they needed to start putting a puzzle together without knowing where all the pieces were.
S'tek/T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
Kessler: ::unfolding his arms and picking up his PADD:: Ok, here's the plan. Akani, I want all relevant data on any spaceborn lifeform Starfleet has encountered to date. How were they dealt with in a non-lethal encounter? S'tek, you specialized in Tactical systems at the academy. I want you working on options for the shields and how to best optimize them against an unknown energy output. T'Fearne, Venn; please coordinate any data from other ships in the area that have made any reports about this thing or any obscure mention of a biological encounter that might have been overlooked in subspace coms traffic. ::looking around:: There are workstations in here we can use so we do not need to leave the area, this will give us the best chances of finding some of Mister S'tek's puzzle pieces.
S'tek/Akani/T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
Kessler: Use your PADDs to add your findings. Even the smallest puzzle piece left out can leave a gaping hole in the overall scheme. Let's get to work and do not hold any questions back.
S'tek/Akani/T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
Jack turned to Venn and gave a slight head nod before stepping over next to T'Fearne.
Kessler: I wanted to officially congratulate you on your promotion. Sorry it was over the coms and not at a ceremony where it properly should have been done.
T'Fearne: response
Jack smiled back as he locked eyes with his officer. He raised a hand and extended it, offering it to her to shake. He knew that her telepathic abilities came with contact and wanted to ensure that she understood how proud he was of her and her achievement but also how much he respected and depended on her.
Kessler: I also want you to know that I want you to take on the job of my 2IC (second in command) of the Sec/Tac department. How does Assistant Chief sound?
T'Fearne: response
Jack smiled and let his hand release hers and turned back to Venn, eyed the officer for a brief moment with a gentle smile and then stepped over to a wall mounted display and began entering several queries. Respect among his team, acknowledgment for hard served duty with reward was what Jack felt made people want to do the work you asked of them and that was what he was hoping to convey to everyone in the room at that very moment.
S'tek/Akani/T’Fearne/Venn: Responses
[TBD/Tags]