Prelude to a Hunting Trip
Posted on Fri Jan 4th, 2019 @ 9:47am by Commander Rostra Tang & Lieutenant Commander Shaille Levine
Edited on on Sat Jan 12th, 2019 @ 10:08pm
Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/5
It had been almost 30 minutes since Shaille had returned to the security office from Sickbay, and she could feel every moment passing as though it were an eternity. They had run multiple internal scans of the ship and found nothing resembling any sign of the Shalti.
Shaking her head, Shaille pushed herself away from the console, a look of annoyance on her face. "Start organizing search parties, we'll go deck by deck. Corinne, get me any Marines left on the ship and then get in touch with Commander Tang. Have her scan the crew records for anyone who's had any kind of beyond standard weapons training. We need any hands we can get. We'll break into two teams and clear one deck at a time. Anyone joining the team needs to be at the weapons lockers in fifteen minutes."
With a quick nod, Corinne turned on her heel and walked away quickly to complete the tasks she had been assigned. It was quite obvious that Shaille was not in the mood for wasting time.
Once Corinne had left, Shaille rounded on Jackson. "Take Galbraigh and get down to the weapons lockers, audit what weaponry we have available. Oh, and Corinne," Shaille called after the other woman's retreating form. "Make sure the Captain reiterates that ALL crew need to be in quarters or at duty stations, because if I catch anyone loitering in the corridors, I'll damn well shoot them myself."
Stifling a laugh, Corinne left Security, followed closely by Jackson and Galbraigh, leaving Shaille staring down the handful of remaining junior officers who were left. "Alright you lot, let's get you something to do."
=/\=
In her office, Rostra Tang was already deep in research. Mind you, it wasn't the research that she'd be asked to do now. She was reading Thinking Engine calculation routes and pruning entries from some of the research she sent back to a semi-local Dalacari research craft. "Interesting." she commented to herself. "Computer, index from mark six through mark eighteen and label for future consideration." and the computer chimed its acknowledgment.
Corinne was slightly nervous as she approached the XO's office, to the point that she was unable to help but cringe ever so slightly as she pressed the chime to announce her presence. But, at the end of the day, Lieutenant Levine was scarier than the thought of having to essentially relay orders to the first officer of the ship.
A chime. Both sets of Rostra Tang's ears perked, followed by the weight of her full attention. "Come in." both halves intoned at once. Once bidden and the door opened, Rostra offered Corinne a pair of smiles, "Well, hello. Please, come in and relax, you look worried." she paused, "Is everything alright?"
"No Ma'ams... I mean yes Ma'ams.... I mean..." Corinne drew in a breath and shook her head. "Lieutenant Levine sent me up to see if you can find any additional crew with beyond basic arms training that she might be able to use for this search party to find the Shalti on the ship. She has also asked that Captain Bartlett remind the rest of the crew to remain confined to quarters or at duty stations..." her voice broke off, deliberately leaving the rest of that particular threat unspoken. "But anyone who might be appropriate for the search party should be advised to be at the weapons lockers in fifteen minutes."
Rostra actually smiled, "It's just Ma'am.I'm just one Dalacari after all." she pointed out, though she heard everything that was said. "So, the Lieutenant is looking for, hmmm you know, that shouldn't be too hard to..." and the Rostra that was speaking just stopped. Done. Over.
Her twin picked up the conversation seamlessly, "... sort through, actually. Academic records, parsed with an algorithm to analyze the surface purpose of holodeck programs in memory, indexed by citations." she mused, probably mostly to herself, then one of her forms picked up a PaDD and started to actually put thought into motion.
"How likely is the notion of Shalti onboard the Wellington?" one of the Rostras asked, concern evident in her tone.
"I don't know for sure Ma'am," Corinne replied, "And it isn't really my place to doubt Lieutenant Levine. The evidence is pretty damning. Three Wellington officers have been found dead with wounds identical to what the Icarus crew sustained in combat with the Shalti. None of the officers left the ship. I think at this point we're being safe not sorry."
There was a nod that started in one, and slowly moved to the other. Like a wave of sorts. Whatever it was, it doubled Rostra's efforts in her search criteria. "Funny story, Ensign." she started as she was working. "Dalacari are many things. Concerned about Personal Harm is paramount among them."
"If there's a way to avoid harm, believe me, we'll take it."
A few taps later, and the search was running. Rostra handed the busy PaDD over to Corinne, while her twin picked up the subject, "It'll take a few minutes, but that should get you everyone Levine is looking for. Let the Lieutenant know that when it comes to keeping the crew save..."
"... she's got my blessing. Also, I'll be here or in my quarters. Doors locked. Armed." she specified. "And thank you. I'll break the news to the Captain, if she..."
"... hasn't already been informed. Don't worry, I won't linger long. It's bad luck for so many high officers to be in one place during a potential hostile situation." she pointed out. "Be safe."
With a quick nod, Corinne checked the PADD quickly before offering a smile to Rostra. "You too Commander," she replied before heading back into the corridor and back down to security.
=/\=
Commander Rostra Tang
Executive Officer
USS Wellington
Lieutenant Shaille Levine
Chief Security Officer
USS Wellington
Ensign Corinne Wiseman
Security NPC
USS Wellington
