Ship's Security status

Posted on Sun Nov 14th, 2021 @ 5:06pm by Major David Hurd Senior

Mission: The Forgotten Children
Location: Major Hurd's Office
Timeline: Current, 0945 Hours

Major Hurd was at his desk, going over after action reports from the previous Battle. He shook his head, frustrated that the ship was boarded in the first place. Deciding he, for the first time, he needed a second opinion, tapped his combage and said, "Lieutenant Commander Kahn, can you please come down to my office?"

Finally getting both her new quarters, and then her office arranged Liza was kicking back in a lounger in her living room, a bottle of Klingon bloodwine in hand. As per tradition she had even found her d'k'tagh and hacked the stopper off. After a few swigs she unzipped her tunic and had it open to allow more air to her torso. After a while uniforms just got stuffy. She heard the summons, knowing who it was by voice tone. Getting up with a few grunts for effort Liza strode from her quarters, bottle in hand and swigging here and there, as she made her way all the way down to Hurd. Arriving at his office, still looking like her relaxed self, Kahn pressed the chime, then the key for mic. "Hello, David, it's me. You're friendly, neighborhood Trill. May I enter?"

"Of course you can, hope you brought enough to share", Hurd laughed as he sat down behind his desk in a relaxed posture.

Kahn strode in with her normal, casual swagger and plopped into a guest chair. She took another swig from the bottle then handed it to him over the desk. "So, what devious idea has you calling me down to the basement." She gave a smile with the twinkle of a jokester in her eye. Mirthful, cynical, and sarcastic all wrapped in a friendly conversation. Work hard, play hard. The Kahn philosophy for life.

Taking a pull from the bottle, Hurd sat it back down, exclaiming, "Now that's the good stuff!". Pausing for a moment, he continued,
"Reason I wanted to talk is twofold, first to discuss strategy and new procedures to ensure that this ship is never comprised the way it was again, and two, to get your thoughts on perhaps starting a K-9 Unit, because I can't help but think if we had had one those 31 assholes would never have been able to sneak by our people."

Kahn took a moment to absorb the K-9 thing, the rest already so. "First off, we don't have the facilities for a contingent of furballs. And, no, we won't be putting them in. This is a ship stuffed with civilians who merely want to live on a starship. The other good portion of that is crew families. Some of those families already have pets putting a strain on engineering and Ops to keep our systems free of pet particulates." Having spoken on that portion she moved on. "Security protocols and procedures are in place to prevent incursions, yet they failed. Internal sensors were inadequate. To me that says there's a mole. But, we can't mole-hunt because it will give away that we are doing so." Liza was still upset over all their systems being so easily bypassed. It had to be a mole aboard and she would find out who. "If you want your marines involved in more shipboard Security details then I am open to discussion. And, of course, I will have conditions for such an agreement." She paused to see what he would say, reading his expressions and more importantly, his eyes. Kahn was an avid poker player and was damn good at reading 'tells' after a few lifetimes.

Pausing to consider his words, Hurd said, "I am also in agreement that we have a mole aboard and they need to be ferreted out and eliminated". Looking Kahn straight in the eyes, his eyes and face completely neutral, he asked, "What are your conditions?"

After thinking a moment Kahn answered. "Your marines have to be adults. By that I mean that they will do things by Security protocols while serving in that capacity, or they can forget it." Her eyes continued to meet his. "And, right there, with how you worded things makes me nervous about it. You chose the word 'eliminate', whereas I would have chosen the word 'neutralize'. Our last action, always, is killing. When no other choice can be made, then, and only then, do we terminate. I would rather nail some squatter for treason and have them sit in a cell and rot for years to come."

After another pause Liza said more. "You, most of all, worry me, David. You are prone to anger, lashing out when you should either stay quiet or offer a solution with calm determination. You have to stop shouting at your fellow officers like they're raw recruits. You have to realize that your ideas are not the only ideas to be had, and that military action is always the last option. Period. Like saying no to you on the K-9 thing. There is no need for that. I'd like to see some piss-poor trained dog handler trying to shimmy his narrow ass up a jeffries tube with a dog in tow. Not a sound idea. Or, lead them through engineering crawlspaces. Again, more trouble than it is worth. The idea is a good one but not for a starship. A base, yes, but a ship, no. In my professional opinion, of course." Kahn looked at him pleasantly.

Hurd lowered his head, for the first time in his life, in shame. He didn't speak for a few moment's, and when he did, his voice was low, almost broken. "Your right on point with everything you said." "I do have anger problems."

"True me when I say this, David." Kahn kept it pleasant and professional. "Anger is fine, it's the impulsiveness you have to work on. I still deal with it, myself. After seven previous lives Kahn has all those memories. Memories I have access to as if it were me in a dream state. It can be confusing and overwhelming, and does cause me to jump in too soon. Moderation; that's how I keep it level. I have to or I'd be drummed out of Starfleet. Hell, my last host commanded the USS Sovereign. So, hold that close to your chest and show us you DESERVE the full bird on that collar, Major Hurd." She gave a friendly grin.

Hurd raised his head, eyebrow raised, and said, "The day they make me a Colonel is the day that I become the Klingon Emperor", he laughed. " I do appreciate the comment, but its never going to happen, at least I don't think so in my mind, although it would be nice".

"We'll talk more as time goes on," stated Liza, standing up and making to move toward the door. "You keep trying to be inventive with MY Security department. How about this, for a change. Train your people better, as will I, then we don't need tricks and traps. Say hi to the Mrs. for me." As she headed out the door she tossed out over her shoulder. "I have somewhere to be. See ya soon." And, she was gone.

Smiling as she left, Hurd went back to his work, thinking on all she said.