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Side Sim - Ready Room - The Hunt Is Over (Tag Wyatt)

Posted Aug. 18, 2020, 5:06 p.m. by Lieutenant Luke Wyatt (Chief of Security) (J Ridgley)

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - Ready Room - The Hunt Is Over (Tag Wyatt)

Posted by Lieutenant Luke Wyatt (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - Ready Room - The Hunt Is Over (Tag Wyatt)

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - Ready Room - The Hunt Is Over (Tag Wyatt)
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Cochrane made his way to the bridge. Making sure Faye’s escape hadn’t caused any actual damage, he went into his office and sat down heavily once the door had closed. Taking a deep breath, he began writing his incident report while he waited for the Security Chief to arrive.

Cochrane, CO

Thankful the security breach had been handled and Faye was now comfortable behind bars, or so the old saying went he found himself outside the Captains ready room. He didn’t hesitate as he pressed the control panel which gave an audio queue to let the occupant know of his arrival.

  • Lieutenant Luke Wyatt

“Enter.” came the Caotain’s voice from inside. The doors slid open and Cochrane, without looking up, pointed at one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Sit.” was all he said, but his tone conveyed his displeasure.

Cochrane, CO

Luke weighed up his options quickly and decided that following the command to sit like a dog to be his only desirable one, so he did. “You requested my presence sir.” He said having pulled out the chair and sat down, the Captains tone wasn’t something he had expected having detained a criminal.

  • Lieutenant Luke Wyatt

Cochrane spent a few moments typing and then cleared the interface in his desk and looked at Wyatt, his blue eyes holding a fire in them. “Lieutenant… before I say what I am about to, I am going to give you a chance, one chance, to explain your actions… Specifically your order to vent the air from the Jeffries Tubes knowing at least one person was in them… potentially risking their life and the lives of anyone else who may have been in there.” and he leaned back and set his hands in his lap and waited for the newly-minted CoS to speak.

Cochrane, CO

Luke had somewhat suspected that he would have to answer for his methods but so soon after the actual incident when he should be doing paperwork and seeing to Faye was counterproductive. “The only risk to life was the person we were chasing, though I don’t think she ever wanted to hurt anyone since she had every opportunity, which I will get to shortly. The fact of the matter is there were enough fail-safes within the system to ensure that nobody was going to be hurt. Firstly there wouldn’t be anyone else in the Jefferies tubes given that we ordered a security lockdown, secondarily if for some reason there was someone other than the culprit the system would not allow the venting of the atmosphere. The method wasn’t to catch her and kill her, it was to force her out of hiding, which it did far more quickly than intended therefore the method was flawless. Of course, the Chief Operations Officer objections were warranted in regards to the Culprit masking her life signs to our internal sensors, and adding a visual and audible alarm was another fail-safe and his decision to vent away from her was another merit to him.”

“I think the question I should be asking myself is how did she know at every corner, at every fork in the road which way to go? She is a very talented computer specialist but the way she made her way through the locked Jeffries tube sections was nothing more than a miracle unless she had help. Then there’s the question on how she was able to draw a phaser and down three command officers all of which are experienced in combat, combat indicators and defense strike me as puzzling. All of this in turn will go into my official report when I am allowed to make it sir. The method was indeed ruthless, but it was far from deadly and in fact, nobody was hurt and we caught our escapee not long after.” Luke awaited his response, he doubted it what the Captain wanted to hear but this is what happens when you keep people in the dark about individuals on the ship, especially those that could pose as a security risk. Luke felt he had been isolated from day one, and as a result, this had happened.

  • Lieutenant Luke Wyatt, CoS.

A small chirp indicated an incoming message. It was from the Brig console.

“Lieutenant Calloway is medically cleared, and in holding cell 4.

Lt Pretha Oberon
CRIT Leader/Security”

Pretha
CRIT Ldr

Cochrane confirmed the comm with a touch on his desk interface and listened as the newly minted Lieutenant dug himself an even deeper hole… and apparently without knowing exactly how poorly he was accounting for his actions.

Once the CoS finished Cochhrane looked at him for a long moment; obviously weighing some kind of decision. After a long silence, he spoke. “You are a right arrogant one, aren’t you Lueutenant?” and he chuckled slightly and then leaned forward and fixed the man with a decidedly intense look. “First off, Mr. Wyatt, I strongly suggest you take the chip off your shoulder and throw it out the nearest airlock. Second, you need to check your tone, Lieutenant. You’re on thin ice as it is, and if this job is one you want to keep I suggest you spend less time preaching and more time listening and learning.” and Alex paused and looked at him before taking a breath and leaning back.

“You said the only life that was in danger was the suspect’s, but that audible warnings and failsafes would have prevented any harm. Normally, that might be true. But you either forgot… or chose to ignore… that the computer didn’t know Calloway was in there because her life signs were masked. And you didn’t know where she was either. What if she had become incapacitated? What if she had smacked her head and was unconscious when you vented a section? She would have died, and you would have killed her… even after I specifically told you to make sure she was not harmed. And from where I sit, your response and plan was so far from flawless that the fact you said it is makes me concerned for your perception of the severity of your actions. The only reason it worked is because the Operations Chief saved your backside.” Alex paused to let his words sink in before continuing.

“I gave you a direct order to not allow harm to come to Calloway. First, she is charged… not convicted. So she is innocent until proven guilty. But you, Lieutenant, have already convicted her in your mind. And that is not your job, nor is it your privilege. Of anyone on this ship, myself included, I expect the Chief of Security to be the most impartial, non-judgmental individual on my staff. So far, you are the exact opposite. You carry some sort of personal grudge because of Calloway and her lab… even after I specifically told you that I and the XO are aware of the work done there and gave you my assurance that it was above board but classified. Oh, and to your conspiracy theory about how she moved through through the Jeffries tubes so efficiently? Her first three months on board were spent almost entirely in those systems. Hell, Lieutenant, she probably knows those passages better than anyone on this ship… because that is part of her job. Had you taken the time to review her record on this ship, you would probably have been able to infer that… but instead you simply jumped to an unfounded conclusion and acted with prejudice against a member of this crew. Which, by the way, Calloway still is until she is convicted.”

Cochrane leaned forward and jabbed a fibger into his deak to emphasize his words. “You act as if you are owed something, Wyatt. Trust me, you aren’t owed a damn thing. If you think that there are other things playing out here that you are not a part of, then I suggest you put yourself in a position to earn the trust of those involved in this catastrophe, which you most certainly have not attempted. Instead of setting yourself above the suspect, the crew, your fellow officers, and the Captain of this ship. Do you understand me? Or do I need to find a Security Chief who can do what they need to without injecting their bruised ego and perceived slights into the job?”

Cochrane, CO

“I have been very Impatial sir” Luke started, in truth yes Luke had to apprehend Faye but her trial and execution as the Captain was making it out to be was far from the truth. “There are three questions sir which contradict what you are claiming of me sir. I am not judge, jury executioner, I look at the evidence in front of me. Do you deny that the Lieutenant fired a phaser at yourself and two others, meaning the incapacitation of three Starfleet officers? Instead of handing herself in did she then proceed to evade security and overtly tamper with federation security protocols to open sealed hatches which could have been sealed for other reason than for security for example plasma conduits overheating as a result of her re-routing commands?”

“You ordered me to apprehend her without harm, I ask was Lieutenant Faye ever injured or hurt as a result of my actions or orders and is now, in fact, sat comfortably behind a forcefield? If anything sir I believe I have been the most impartial, I did my job under Regulation 21, Section 6, Paragraph 4 which when Federation security supersedes the rights and privileges of Federation citizens. Given the Lieutenant’s computer abilities and her line of work, the accused firing of a phaser at Starfleet officers including a Captain of a Starfleet vessel, it was plausible for me to believe that Federation lives and secrets were at risk either directly or indirectly from her actions. I was able to apprehend the Lieutenant with nobody being hurt, injured, or killed. Was there a risk? Of course, there is always a risk in what we do.” The Cos was beginning to feel like he was the one being treated as a criminal and as if he was the one who had held the phaser to the Captain and fired it.

“Captain to be clear I suspect there is more to what is going on here I am apologies if I wish to know all the details but you’re right, I am not entitled to that information but If I don’t have it then I can only act on what I have been given.” The chief took in a deep breath his cool demeanor showing frustration, “I would also demise that whatever is going on here you may have some part in it, as well as several other crewmen meaning that they are either in aid of her actions or simply looking out for a crewman, which is far from impartial. I had no desire to hurt the Lieutenant but to apprehend her for the ships and her own safety. If you too sir are looking out for a friend and a crew member I only hope that you one day you show me that respect and loyalty instead of treating me as a criminal however at this moment and if I was emotionally compromised either protecting a friend or crew member then under Regulation 619 I would step down.”

And finally Luke finished with one last burst of information, “If you believe then my action was whole-heartedly wrong and that if any of the previous questions sway in favor of Lieutenant Calloway then I shall have her released but not before pending a formal Starfleet Security Review and my commition because sir I can not and no other security officer can not do their jobs when the person in question is surrounded by smoke and mirrors. If you can find another security chief who will look the other way and will allow crewmembers to run rampant aboard the ship risking their lives and others then you know you have the right to remove me, I am a proud person and take pride in where I have come from Sir please don’t mistake that for an egotistical maniac,. I have been mislead, misinformed and now I am being treated as the person who might aswell have fired at three officers. If Lieutenant Calloway is as innocent as you might suggest then remove me from my duty, release Lieutenant Calloway and report the incident in full to Starfleet Security. Which might I add the former is highly suspicious of a person having been shot and betrayed by someone they trusted, because that’s how I feel, betrayal, that’s my only chip.”

-Lieutenant Luke Wyatt

Cochrane flared as the man spoke and when he stopped talking, Alex took a breath before speaking. When he did his voice was low, his speech deliberate, and his tine conveyed the underscoring irritation Wyatt’s words caused.

“First of all… Regulation 21, Section 6, Paragraph 4 which says Federation security supersedes the rights and privileges of Federation citizens is not applicable here because you don’t work for FedSec. That regulation is for the use of Fedration Security agents… not borderline insubordinate Security officers. Second. You most certainly have not been impartial. After Faye attacked us and you came through the door said, and I quote, ‘It would appear Lieutenant Calloway has shown her true colors and has attacked the command staff.’ That is not impartial, Lieutenant. That is judgement before the fact. You didn’t like Calloway, and you let that dislike color your actions. You took risks with her well being. Period. Third. Yes, there is a great deal going on that you are not privy to. Kudos to figuring that out. I would hope that you could have, since I point blank told you there was when I made you the Security Chief of this ship. A decision I am coming to have second thoughts about, Mr. Wyatt… and that is because your actions have not proven to me that you are one who can be trusted to not act on confidential information. They have, in fact, proven just the opposite.” Cochrane took a moment to see how the man would react, but didn’t give him the chance to speak.

“Lastly. Never condescend to tell me when a Security officer can and can’t do their jobs, Lieutenant. I may be the Commanding Officer of a Science and Research vessel, but I am no scientist. I have been a Security officer far longer than you… and I’m a damn good one or I wouldn’t be sitting here and neither would you. So I want you to take ten seconds and decide if you are going to this job the way it needs to be done - without second guessing me and taking your convoluted sense of pride out of the equation. You want to know whats going on? You have to prove to me I can trust you further than a CO to a DH. And if you won’t… because I know you have the ability to do so… then tell me now and I’ll send you somewhere your ego and pride won’t shoot yourself in the foot. Back to the Corps? Or maybe just a slightly less… complicated… duty station. One where your sense of black and white won’t be a hindrance to the mission at hand. Your call, Mr. Wyatt. But if you keep this job, you do it on my terms. Because right now, I don’t have any other option. Ten seconds. Decide.”

Cochrane, CO

“I won’t walk away sir.” He didn’t feel defeated, perhaps relieved he had spoken his concern aloud. At the very least nobody could say he never followed his own moral compass and nor that he didn’t stand up for what he belived to be right. That being said there were moments to stand and moments to concede, after all you can’t win a battle if you’re not there to fight it. He wanted to say that his comment was a clear statement as to what had happened and that his suspicion bscked up by an action is not a decision of impartial ability but clear fact however he knew it wouldn’t have been received, he really wanted to say that the Captain also only saw in black and white, what he had done was wrong, but was it wrong? It wasn’t inheritly right but it had worked, nobody had died or gotten injured so it wasnt black either. None the less, for the first time since he walked Into the room plucked up his pride and put it into the bottom of his mind. “Yes sir.” Was all he said.

  • Lieutenant Luke Wyatt, CoS

Cochrane remained quiet for a long time, just staring at Wyatt as if he was contemplating some matter of great importance in which the Lieutenant was a pivotal figure… and he was doing just that. After a few minutes in silence, Cochrane said “You have one chance, Luke. Use it well. We will not have this conversation again. You have one shot to prove to me that I can trust you. I know you can do the do the nuts and bolts of the job. Now you need to show me you can deal with the… let’s call them the ‘gray areas’… with equal capability. Because I will tell you here and now… this is not a black and white situation. And you are going to have to accept that if you plan of getting through it unscathed. Do you understand me, Lieutenant?”

His tone was not as aggressive as before, but it still held an edge.

Cochrane, CO

“I can only ever try my best sir” Luke replied, his own voice sounding less strained as before. The CoS was physically and mentally exhausted by this point having chased Faye through the ship and then having it out with the Captain about his methods. He wanted to laugh, he had been saying from the very beginning that the situation wasn’t Black and white, he knew there was more to it but nobody told him anything! So how was he meant to know what the grey areas were? He asked questions got shot down, locked out, or just ignored. This ship was going to drive him insane. Nobody made sense.

  • Lieutenant Luke Wyatt

Cochrane watched the man react and saw the conflict on his face. Sighing heavily, he said “Speak your mind, Wyatt. If we are going to get to a point where we can be an effective partnership, you and I need to be on the same page… as much as we can. And yes, I know you are aware this is a complex situation that you dont have all the pieces to. But you are still focusing so much on that that you are losing traction. So… talk to me. But talk to me… not at me.”

Cochrane, CO

“Speaking my mind hasn’t fo me any way, I am exhausted sir.” Luke admitted, “Both physically and mentally, anything I have to say won’t have anything productive to add right now and queit frankly I’m lost for what to say or do without it being picked apart. I need to take a step away.” He didn’t lie, but for him the conversation was over what use was it talking to or at the Captain, despite his accusation of impartiality he had made his bed and was going to lie in it, the Captain was atleast in his eyes had also decided that Luke was wrong, perhaps he should have just let Faye escape maybe the Captain even wanted her to escape.

  • Lieutenant Luke Wyatt, CoS

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