Simple Observation & Logic
Posted on 20 Sep 2022 @ 11:58am by Lieutenant Commander Sikan
Edited on on 20 Sep 2022 @ 12:17pm
Mission:
M3 - Into the Deep
Location: Sikan’s Quarters, Security Offices
Timeline: MD05 - 2100 Hours
1274 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure
When he was still a boy, Sikan had undergone the ritual of kahs-wan, which called upon him to enter the Forge and test himself over the course of ten days. Every Vulcan child was expected to undergo the ritual, to survive in the fierce heat and intense deprivations of the Forge. It was a test of individual strength. While there would be other children undergoing their own rituals, every one of them was expected to stay by themselves, to challenge themselves to survive. If one failed, tried to leave the desert, or ate meat for survival, then they would have to undergo the ritual again. Sikan could still remember the sharp thirst that clutched his throat, the thick taste of dust, the burning rage of the sun beating down on him, day in and day out. When he walked back out of the desert after ten days, he was burned and dehydrated, his body exhausted, bleeding from a dozen different scratches and minor cuts. He’d never felt so truly alive before.
Today, he stood at the replicator, an eyebrow quirked slightly as he realized that the computer hadn’t transferred his programming codes for his preferred incense for meditation. Sikan pondered how far he’d traveled from that day to this one. His cat, Pumpkin, was wandering around the quarters to which he’d been assigned, sniffing everything she encountered. She seemed frustrated that things were different, and Sikan knew such frustration was illogical. Nonetheless, he sympathized.
“It would seem, Pumpkin, that we have grown more comfortable than anticipated with our former surroundings.” He’d been stationed on the USS Luna for six years, the longest time he’d ever been in one location since he’d left Vulcan. For her part, Pumpkin released a low groan and retreated instead back into the carrier cage which he had transported her to the base in. “That is not a reasonable solution to this problem,” he said.
The feline ignored him sulkily.
Sikan had arrived on the base half a day earlier than anticipated, his shuttle ride over benefiting from a surprisingly lighter passenger load than scheduled, with fewer stops. Sikan intended to settle in his quarters, light his preferred incense and meditate for a while on this new posting before sleep. But his replicator codes hadn’t transferred yet, and while he could spend some time programming the replicator with his requirements, he instead found himself…curious.
This was to be his home and posting for the near future, after all, and with this unexpected free time, perhaps he should take the opportunity to see it sooner than later, before formally accepting the responsibility of security. “I intend to see more of the starbase. I hope you will endeavor, Pumpkin, to similarly explore your surroundings. You will find, I think, that as attractive comfort can be, it often leads to stagnation.” There was no reply from within the cage, though Sikan hadn’t anticipated one. The feline had proved to be more mercurial than he had anticipated when he agreed to care for her.
An hour later, carrying a small bag containing incense he’d found on a shop in the Promenade, Sikan entered the security offices of Obsidian Command. On a ship at this time of the evening, the security station would be mostly quiet. But on a base with this many souls aboard, it was almost as staffed and busy as on any day. Sikan had occupied his time on the shuttle ride over by reading security reports, personnel files, results from readiness drills and whatever other pertinent documents he could get his hands on. He’d learned that the previous chief had already vacated the posting, and that a newly-arrived contingent of Federation Marshals were on base to assist Starfleet security. Sikan had worked with Marshals from time to time, though rarely. They struck him as…an interesting force. He wondered what it would be like to work with them on base, especially once he discovered that the Chief Marshal on base had arrived only a few days before himself. Now he wanted to get a look at security himself. He wasn’t in uniform, wearing only a black sweater and trousers, and looked like any other civilian entering the office.
A security officer near the reception desk glanced up as Sikan entered. “Yes, sir, how can we help?”
Sikan looked at the officer, his eyes quickly assessing him. Ensign pip, clean uniform, a human in his mid-twenties with sandy blond hair. Several PADDs laid out on the desk around him in a somewhat disappointing show of disarray. He read the information on the PADDs in an instant before looking at the officer again. “Greetings, Ensign. Are you finding your training rotation with security to your satisfaction?”
“I…” The Ensign blinked as he processed what Sikan had just asked him. “Yes, sir. I am. I’m sorry, do we know each other?”
“Certainly not. I’m a recent arrival on the station. Lieutenant Commander Sikan, the new Chief of Security.”
“The new chief? I’d heard Lieutenant Winslow had departed, but…” The Ensign realized he was speaking to his new security officer and stood up. “Sir, welcome aboard, sir.”
“Thank you, Ensign. However, I do not officially take command here until tomorrow. I simply wished to see the offices, speak with the people here.”
“Yes, sir. Well, I admit I haven’t been in security very long. I only just started my training rotation a couple weeks ago. I’m sorry, I’m Ensign Jared Bracken, sir.”
“The work is certainly different from the work you’re used to performing in Engineering, Ensign Bracken,” Sikan replied. “But I think you will find it can be quite illuminating.”
“Yes, sir,” Bracken said. He hesitated. “Sir, if you don’t mind my asking. How do you know I’m usually with Engineering?”
“The PADDs strewn about on your desk. One is a standard security training manual, the other two are technical publications, both of them of particular interest to Engineering personnel. Presumably your recreational reading when things are quiet. There’s also what appears to be the indentation of welding goggles on the bridge of your nose and above your ears, which leads me to indicate you were likely working on some technical problem on your own before reporting to duty. Given the contents of the articles you were reading, it is simple enough to recognize your specialization is likely in structural engineering, and your personal project revolves around the problem of transparent aluminum alloys suffering cracking during high-intensity laser welding operations. Simple observation and logic, Ensign.”
The Ensign stared at Sikan for a long moment, his mouth hanging open. “I…yes, sir. That’s absolutely correct. That’s amazing.”
Sikan gave the slightest of nods as he peered into the office itself. “Again, simple observation and the application of logic, Ensign. As I said, I think you will find your stay in security quite illuminating if you apply yourself in the proper manner.” He glanced back down at the PADDs.
Bracken followed his gaze and quickly picked up the PADDs, clearing his workstation. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Would you like a tour of the office, sir? I can…get somebody, I’m sure.”
“That will not be necessary, Ensign,” Sikan replied. “I have seen all I meant to see this evening. Thank you for the offer. I look forward to working with you.” He gave the slightest of nods again before retreating from the office. Perhaps Pumpkin had finally stopped pouting.
