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Step Into The Light - Out and bout (OPEN side sim)

Posted Aug. 20, 2021, 2:53 a.m. by Ensign Rika Nishizumi (Doctor) (Nathan Derricutt)

Posted by Lieutenant Maria Beckett (Chief of Security) in Step Into The Light - Out and bout (OPEN side sim)

Posted by Ensign Rika Nishizumi (Doctor) in Step Into The Light - Out and bout (OPEN side sim)

Posted by Lieutenant Maria Beckett (Chief of Security) in Step Into The Light - Out and bout (OPEN side sim)
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The U.S.S. Memorial, a dedication, a reminder. Built out of the fires the first encounters with the Flea’tans in 2390. A proud, noble ship, dedicated to standing up, and pushing back. Lieutenant Beckett looked on, studying the Federation battlecruiser, her new assignment. Dressed in a solid black uniform she sighed, shaking her head. Reaching up she tapped the shoulder section of the uniform which quickly shifted to Operations Gold.

Years of Intel training and work, a couple turns as Strategic Operations Officer for the Pioneer Fleet. It wasn’t the career track she’d imagined when setting out. Getting into the shadow work, the tradecraft. But it proved to be as challenging and exhilarating as anything she’d ever done. While the post had only given her status officially as a lieutenant, and on paper she might have been an ‘analyst’ or ‘liaison’ … it was her recommendation and directives that moved ships, altered defenses, and moved manpower and supplies.

This, of course, was a completely different kind of posting. Closer to what she’d dreamed of when first joining. It had its own kind of prestige, and while the influence wielded was lessened, it afforded it’s own opportunities, both timely and unique. Oh, she still worked for a certain portion of Starfleet. Officially , she was taking on the Chief of Security position there. But it was an advanced, combined role, taking on that of Chief Tactical Officer, and Chief Intelligence Officer, rolled into one burrito. Many ships doubled up, or even put all three together. Depending on their crew count. But this wasn’t a matter of necessity. The Memorial was different, as the position was reserved for more seasoned officers. It was a good fit for her career track, and a side-step back into the light.

Making her way to the turbolifts from the observation deck, she slipped in. =^=U.S.S. Memorial gangway.=^= The turbolift gave an acknowledging beep and dropped several decks, then began rushing toward the ship.

The Memorial had been docked for a few days, but most of the crew had rotated off. New crew rotations were set to start soon. Maria wanted to get aboard, get settled, and up to speed before that happened. Thankfully, there were only about two hundred fifty new faces to look after, rather than a few thousand. A double-beep caught her attention as the lift slowed. The doors opened, spilling her out into a general space designed for moving passengers and physical cargo.

Ahead she spotted a female officer in Operations Gold with a PADD, overseeing the loading of several large crates. Maria made her way closer, then fished a thin, narrow PADD out of her pocket, nestled next to the pocket phaser she carried out of habit.

“Good morning, Lieutenant,” NE Donnely said brightly.
“Morning. Lieutenant Beckett reporting in for the first time.” She presented the PADD. “My transfer orders, Quartermaster.”
Donnely took the device and scanned it’s contents, then nodded. Swiping a stylus, she copied the transfer orders to her larger PADD and then sent that onto the ship’s central computer. “Arrival noted and logged. Welcome to the Memorial, ma’am. Looking forward to working with you.”
“You too.”

Maria brushed past the younger officer and made her way into the airlock and then deeper in. As soon as she could she stopped to take in the scents and sounds of the ship, feeling it’s warp core, practically asleep for now, vibrating the decking.

What new adventures, challenges, and crises awaited? Only time would tell. Moving deeper in, she headed for the ship’s dedicated turbolifts.

((OOC: This is intended to be an open thread for anybody that wants to ‘bump into’ the new COS in the halls and spaces of the ship for a less formal meet and greet.))

Rika had only just returned from the business meeting her grandfather had asked her to attend as a representative of the Nishizumi Company. Being asked to represent the family company wasn’t anything new, but it was always intimidating. Just because she was heir to one of the biggest companies in the quadrants. didn’t mean she was always going to do well. However it had proved most profitable for the young ensign. Several thousand tons of goods shifted and an exclusive contract achieved. She had surpassed what she had been asked to do, and was happy that her Grandfather found her efforts impressive.

All she wanted to do was get some sleep and ready herself for her new missions. She walked along the empty corridors, her head buried in the PaDD she held. Her black heels clicked every now and then. She couldn’t wait to get out of her form fitting black dress and into something a bit more comfortable. She was so buried in her Padd that she didn’t see the new COS until she literally crashed into her.

Rika picked herself up and bowed to the COS. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you Ok Ma’am,” she asked, shame clear in her voice.

Ensign Nishizumi (Doctor)

The Lieutenant offered Rika a hand and helped her to her feet. The Ensign was half her age almost, an inch taller, and weighed almost nothing as she was skinny as a rail. Was she even old enough to be out of the Academy? She had the pips and wore Sciences blues. Smart girl. Fitting, she supposed. “Oh, I’m fine, Ensign. I’ve had far worse for the wear.” A warm smile blossomed across her face. Lieutenant Maria Beckett,” she supplied, offering her right hand for a shake. If taken, it would be with a firm grip, quick shake. The Lieutenant had the weight of muscle and the physique of a female human who engaged in frequent vigorous physical training, with just enough softness to power those muscles, filling her out well. She had thirty-five to forty pounds on the girl. “I’ll be your Chief of Security for this cruise if all things line up right. I apologize. I haven’t familiarized myself with everyone on the roster yet. And you would be…”

Lt Beckett, COS

Rika accepted the handshake with as much firmness she could muster. “I’m Ensign Rika Nishizumi, Ma’am. I’m part of the medical team,” she said kindly and respectfully “I can imagine being the Chief of Security on this ship, that you’re going to have a lot on your plate,” she added, trying to start a conversation.

Ensign Nishizumi (Doctor)

Maria smiled with a small nod. “Ah, well I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.” At the mention of having a lot on her plate, she nodded again. “Oh, for sure. The post isn’t just one, but doing the duties of three or four, at least aboard this ship.” It was true, she’d have a lot to keep up with this cruise, but already had a slowly-building sense of excitement. It wasn’t hard to see the sparkle in her eyes.

“Nishizumi… I know that name,” she mused. “My family used to do cargo runs, mostly between the Sol system and Deneva. Every once in a while we’d freelance for the Nishizumi Company. You wouldn’t happen to be related, would you?”

Lt Beckett, COS

Rika smiled and nodded “It’s my grandfather’s company. I’m the heir to the company. It will be my duty to take over when my Grandfather either finally retires or passes away. Regardless of the rank I have achieved in Starfleet,” she said simply. it might sound like a lot to give up. but to Rika it’s been bred into her that, that is what is required of her and she would do her duty. It also helped her to know that by taking over the company she would have access to almost unlimited resources and the power to change the things she didn’t agree with.

Ensign Nishizumi (Doctor)

“Forgive me if it’s a sensitive topic, but what about your parents,” she asked. It was unusual for heirship to skip a generation. Surely her father or mother stood to inherit the company before Rika did? Then again, she supposed there was a cargo hauler sitting in mothballs with her name on it, along with the keys to the family company as well. Maybe someday she might take up that mantle and hit the spacelanes again. Or maybe she would sell it off.

Lt Beckett, COS

Rika paused for a moment. “They died when I was six. My mother was the COS on the USS Imura and my father was CE. They dropped me off at my grandfather’s then went on a mission for Starfleet Intelligence. They were sent to pick up an ancient data storage device. It malfunctioned and drove the crew of the Imura mad. The ship was found adrift. My mother and father both died. My mother was sucked out into space when she destroyed the device, and my father died defending the only survivors. Three kids,” she said sadly

“So only my grandfather was left to raise me,” she added. “Why they couldn’t just send a team to inspect it on the colony, instead of needing a ship to transport it, I’ll never know. But then again not all of Starfleet Intelligence cares about the lives they send on their missions,” she continued then stopped and looked at Beckett. “No offence,” she said hastily. Mentally kicking herself for probably offending the new COS.

Ensign Nishzumi (Doctor)

As Rika told her story, Maria’s expression dropped. It was a sad tale, and her heart went out to the younger woman. Her own mother had passed on, but not in such a noble or heroic fashion. The Lieutenant’s vision turned watery for a moment. Tightening her jaw, she blinked, the tears threatening to well up away.

With one hand, she waved away the comment about Intelligence. “Nobody’s perfect. I’m sure Intelligence thought it was more prudent to put the device into a more isolated, controlled environment. A starship with trained investigators and researchers would be ideal. But sometimes, we blunder into things and there are repercussions.” She gave Rika a small, apologetic shrug. “I’m sorry your folks paid that price. Nobody should have to grow up without their mom and dad.” As the words came out of her mouth, they were like another sledgehammer to the chest. The mask keeping things in check cracked once again. Reaching up, she wiped the outside corner of her right eye with the tiniest tip of her finger, so quick it seemed casual.

It had been a long time since she’d really thought about her parents, especially her mom. Much less had that loss come up in conversation. Not even in her tenure at Outpost 42. Grief… never really went away. Not all the way. It could still jump up and bite you on the ass decades later.

Maria opened her mouth to say something, but choked a little as her throat tightened. Clearing her throat, she found her voice again. “Sorry. I… I lost my mom in a freak accident on one of our runs. We were passing through a system when a rogue meteor shower crossed our path. Moving quick. Some of the rocks punched through our hull. A few caught my mother, and they went through her like rounds out of a railgun. We didn’t have access to great emergency medicine. She didn’t make it.” A moment later, she cleared her throat once more. “My dad and I survived. He eventually remarried and settled down on Earth. Neither of us were ever the same.” She shrugged and shifted uncomfortably. “So I feel for you on that. So definitely no offense. I understand all too well how that feels.” The older woman gave Rika a small nod. “But now you have me curious. I kind of want to look into that mission and see why Intelligence was handling it instead of a regular exploration or science vessel.”

Lt Beckett, COS

“I’m sorry I brought up bad memorise” Rika said kindly. Space was so dangerous even now when travelling through it was the norm. Ships, people even whole colonies get lost all the time to some strange space phenomenon. It reminded Rika of sea travel, eve though it too was the norm it still could slap you down. She should understand why so many people fear space.

“If you find anything i would love to hear about it. Maybe intelligence thought there was some tactical or navigational information, that was too dangerous to be handled by anyone else” she said, she had been wandering that very question for a long time. Of course she had put feelers out, though unofficial channels but nothing came of it.

“Either way it was in vein. 250 lives lost for nothing, and people still think my mother should have just brought the device to its destination.” she added shaking her head “Idiots”

Ensign Nishizumi (Doctor)

Maria nodded slowly with a grimace. “If there’s anything I find, and I can get clearance to share it with you, I will. You deserve to know as much as you can.” She shook her head. “And it might not have been in vain. But whatever it was, it was dangerous. There’s a chance it’s been quietly recovered but who knows.” The lietutenant heaved a small sigh. “I kinda hope they didn’t though. It sounds like something that’s better left in darkness and silence.”

Lt Beckett, COS

“My mother blasted the thing into a sun. If it survived that I would be very surprised. And I hope no ones stupid enough to recover it if it did survive. It was damaged before imagine what it would do now” Rika said with a grimace.

“Sorry. you’re knew to the ship and the first person you bump into delves into their past. Did you need help with anything or maybe a tour?” Rika asked after a short pause. she was eager to change the subject.

Ensign Nishizumi (Doctor)


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