Clean Up Operations
Posted on 14 Sep 2020 @ 11:37pm by Commander Calliope Zahn & Captain Corvus DeHavilland & Lieutenant Theodore Winslow
Mission:
M1 - Emergence
Location: Brig and Holding Area
Timeline: MD3 - 1130 HRS
2005 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure
Obsidian Command was meant to be a true modern marvel just like the International Space Station that had once stood watch over Earth. It was what every base was meant to be in that day and age and Theodore could just not see how it ever had been something to marvel at. Red, blue and grey were the new colours of what was once a high-tech holding area, which has now become the victim of a high energy clean-up operation that he had started with whatever available security crewmembers he had.
The brig and holding areas were littered with carnage, twisted metal and weapons from what the Security Chief could only imagine was a desperate attempt at some type of a last stand. He had not seen anywhere of such type of event happening but there was no way something had not happened with the mess that he was now dealing with.
Theodore stood among the chaos wearing coveralls indicating he was the security chief by the pipes at the collar but other than that he blended into the crowd getting involved in the cleaning and fixing. It seemed to the man there was no point in doing anything until at least one area of his new security department was cleaned and organised from 18 months of neglect. It seemed logical to him to start there as it would be needed soon enough even if it was just space to store much more needed equipment that was arriving by the hour. He turned as the door moved slowly open and stood from the plating he had been securing back to space.
“Sirs? Can I help you?” He wondered seeing two people who by the pips on their shoulders could only be the Captain and Executive Officer coming to investigate his arrival and the state of things.
"Oh." Calliope carefully picked her way over a fallen strut. "I read about this, in the report summaries." Calliope said. "During the massive evacuation efforts while the Station was trying to counter the effect of the Void, there was a prison break and riot. It was chaos. I think reports said they roughly organized under an Orion Pirate who got them out on his impounded ship. They're still at large. I wouldn't be surprised if we heard from those guys again in the future. Maybe in the near future if they have a bone to pick, what with the conditions being so ripe for a strike." She brushed off her uniform as she righted herself in a relatively clear place, checking above her head nervously for any loose and dangerous bits.
Theodore raised an eyebrow as he was told what had happened in the holding area. That made sense with the scene that he had come into hours before. If only he could get access to the network and be able to use PADDs to check fully on what had happened to the area but that could wait for when the flooring was completed.
"One of a million reasons why we need to get this station fully operational, now to include former inmates stopping by for a catch up," Corvus sighed, "Good morning, Lieutenant. I'm Captain DeHavilland and this is Commander Zahn," she said, introducing themselves.
"Nice to meet you, Lieutenant." Calliope felt just a little unnerved by Winslow's icy eyes, and she wasn't sure why. Maybe his harsh resting expression or the scars. She imagined he'd be a bit unnerving if he were correcting or interrogating a person, which probably served him well in his line of work. "So, um." She collected herself by looking back into her master pad she toted around everywhere. "We currently have about a tenth of the personnel I know you'll need to cover the station patrols. But we also have a great many decks off-line anyway, due to the skeleton crew's reserving resources in the void. I'm sending you a memo of the coverage we'll need to start out with. Beyond that I think you'll be kept more than busy taking inventory and securing the arms lockers."
“As I am sure you have heard before I wish we had met under less unique circumstances Sir.” Theodore truly wished this was not how he was meeting a new Command Team covered in dirt, grim and who knew what else. “Your information makes a lot of sense for what we found here Sir with regards to the final moments before the vortex. I have been unable to look at any of the updated reports since I arrived as I preferred to muck in and try and get us an area where we could then work from so I would appreciate that memo and the guidance it contains.” He admitted looking back at them properly giving his undivided attention this time instead of looking around to try and summarise what was happening in the space. Everything in this area was damage from console to empty arms lockers.
"While we hope it shouldn't come to this," Calliope said, "there is some concern that the station might have attempts made on it while our defenses are low. We're scrambling to have enough support craft to defend the station externally. Hopefully the muscle flexing will deter any attempts in the first place or repel any foolhardy enough to try. But... best to prepare for the worst in case of boarding parties or infiltration. We'll make sure to get you, Intel, and Tactical in a room to try to anticipate what scenarios are most likely and ready ourselves appropriately."
"It would be foolish from a tactical point of view to not consider that as an option Commander I am relieved to hear it was considered before now. This area of space is close to many factions that would give a lot to have a base even in as bad space like this one for their own." Theo had considered that as an option on his trip from Haumea to Obsidian Command with the basic information that had been given to him. “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between would sum up my security department I would hope even at 10% manned."
Calliope nodded with approval at his can-do attitude and then looked to Corvus before broaching the next thing. "Mr. Winslow, what are your feelings about working with Starfleet Marines?"
Theodore looked at the woman first then glanced at the man before he grinned. He loved Marines, they were honest, fair and did not mince their words at all. He valued they had their place in Starfleet as much as any other department and he thought at the moment beggards could not be choosers about the help they got.
“I work with them just like any other department. Are we getting Marines to help Commander?” He wondered innocently taking on a whole different persona almost as his professional attitude slipped just enough to reveal he might be human underneath all his aloofness. Some bases and commanding officers hated them whilst others like him appreciated their cog in the grand scheme of Starfleet.
"We're discussing requesting them, yes." Calliope was relieved at Winslow's reaction, even noticing his expression relax from intense consternation to what she took to be hopeful inquisitiveness. Not at all what she had expected. Of all the things that could go wrong with Marines, she'd encountered the rivalry between Security and Squaddies most often. "It would be the quickest way to shore up defenses in the department. You've worked with Marine detachments before?"
“Some Chief of Security have issues with them but I see them as valuable assets in most situations, we all have different skill sets. They are normally more unified in approach to their work. I have worked with them on my last three postings. I have no issue with working with them here especially when we need defences shoring up Sir.” Theodore explained glancing around. They did not even have a holding area working and he knew that Engineers were working double shifts to help where they could to fix the damage so he was just relieved to have more support.
“Alright,” Corvus sighed, still not crazy about the idea but aware of how desperate they were for support. “So you’re aware I’m going to reach out to General MacTaryn at Falkirk, the closest Marine base, and ask for whatever support he can spare,” she explained. “I would expect some portion of that support would remain as our standard garrison,” she added. Right now her concern was operational effectiveness and if that meant eating a bit of pride by letting the Marines have a hand in it all than so be it. She just hoped MacTaryn didn’t put up too much of a fuss to support them.
Calliope said nothing more on the matter of the Marines, although she wanted to reassure Corvus that this was going to be for the best. "If there's no power to your offices yet, feel free to assume a station in the command center with us. Everyone is taking a number with Engineering. Clearing the detritus is a start, I'm glad to see that's underway at least. Just.... Maybe you want to look out for anything that might have kept a record of the prison break? Or any helpful evidence. Maybe there's something there we can use to find the escapees that have gone into hiding and go on the offensive when we have the resources." Calliope suggested.
“Appreciate that offer sir there does seem to be a fallen structural support beam occupying that space at the moment,” Theo assured quickly wanting to get himself a little more updated with what had happened so he was not scrambling to keep up with information. “Were you security once upon a time Sir?" Theodore asked Calliope interested. "I am creating a bit of a PADD pile somewhere around here in line with evidence gathering procedures along with leaving the holding cells till last so they can be inspected properly. It is the best we can and once the Engineers have managed to make the room structurally secure I will ask them to retrieve anything from the console.” It was not much in the way of what he would have liked but with a crime scene as damaged and old as this one it would be all his team could do.
"I have never worked security as such, I've just had the privilege of supporting a few very fine officers in the role. If I've anything to lend I owe it to their sensibilities. And I'm looking forward to likewise garner any understanding from you, Mr. Winslow." Calliope looked to Corvus. "Is there anything else for now? Or should we leave him to it?"
"Until I talk to the General and we have some idea of what kind of support we're going to get, I think we're good for now," Corvus replied, "Please keep posted on any issues, Lieutenant. Nothing's too small right now," she added, as if he needed to be told it was ok to come to her directly. Corvus certainly wanted the reputation of being a shrewd leader and a little bit of fear was healthy in that regard, but she didn't want to be completely unapproachable. Especially by the Senior Staff. There was a chain of command and rules, to be sure, but that didn't mean that her crew should be banned from being honest and direct, if they felt the need to be.
Theodore appreciated both offers and the honesty that came with it all. It was already becoming apparent that he was going to enjoy this new challenge even if he was tired and unsure what the challenge was going to be. "Yes Sir." The Security Chief replied simply nodding to the pair as he about turned and strode back off to the area he had been working in before the impromptu appearance of the Captain and Executive Officer to keep him on his toes.
