Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Main reception room Perkins meets Mardusk at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D

Posted by Fleet Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Main reception room Perkins meets Mardusk at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Main reception room Perkins meets Mardusk at the Christening of the New USS Atlantis D
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
SNIP
Admiral Perkins surveyed the room. Kelly’s crew seemed distinctly loyal but there was always one. One officer that could be tempted to see the benefits of a casual relationship and the perks random updates could bring. Information was always more powerful than weapons. As he surveyed the room Perkins debates where to start. He had the dossiers on everyone. Now it was time to play on the cracks in their armor. Power was all about promises and Perkins was all about promises.

There was very little looking needed to find the security chief of the Atlantis. Lt. Commander Gravel Marusk was near impossible to miss and not only because he was an Orion. The man was huge even for an Orion. What was most appealing however was Gravel’s rebellious and anti-authoritarian demeanor. This meant he did not play well with those in positions of authority. While Mardusk excelled in school, his assignments at USS Culloden and Starbase 54 all reported he had an aversion to authority. This would be something Perkins could use to his advantage. No one was more adversive than Kelly once you got to know the woman.

“Mr. Mardusk, how is life on the Atlantis,” Perkins said nodding to the Orion security chief.

Perkins

Mardusk turned slightly to look down at Perkins. “Admiral.” he said with a nod and a slight straightening of his back. “Life is good, Sir. Glad to be here.” he replied in a formal manner, his voice a low rumble of a far off landslide; but a look in the bright metallic emerald eyes held something akin to annoyance. Whether that was directed at the Admiral or just his standard look was anyone’s guess. “I trust your arrival on board was met with the proper reception? I instructed the Security teams to make sure you were assisted as much as possible, Sir.”

Mardusk, CoS

So that was you, Perkins gaze narrowed on Mardusk as his mind flashed back to their arrival. Well, at least his assistants. It started with Titus and Butkuz who of course arrived first to prepare for Perkins’s arrival. “Are you referring to the random security screen which took close to ninety minutes. Titus and Butkuz claimed they were remanded to a holding cell where they were required to answer a questionnaire that had no end and no asked seemingly random questions that had no purpose,” Perkins glared at the security chief. Since he was not there it was only Titus and Butkuz words against the security staff yet Perkins was going to get some answers.

“When were you off-world last and how long were you gone? What bearing does that have with entering the ship,” Perkins growled out the first absurd question that was asked of his staff by the Atlantis security team.

“Many planets have experienced recent viral outbreaks and personnel from those areas are subject to mandatory quarantine, Admiral. Standard screening question for incoming personnel.” Mardusk replied, his look never wavering.

“That was a Starfleet Medical drill,” Perkins exclaimed angrily with his voice carrying slightly across the room. “They are calling it Zomboidus because it is a preparedness drill Commander,” he half raged half squawked. Sensing that the security chief was toying with him, Perkins looked around the room to see who was looking in thier direction. At the present, it was only a few security officers. Growling low in his throat he brought up another question.

“What’s the most important file on your computer? That is classified and they were never going to tell you that,” Perkins’s tone got low, “so why even bother asking?”

“Because your staff has access to sensitive sections of a brand new ship, Admiral. If a simple question like that tripped them up,then could we really allow them access? Honestly, sir. I think you of all people would understand our need for such minor tests of adherence to security protocols.” It was hard to tell, but was that a small glint of satisfaction in the big Orion’s eyes?

“Of course I own this ship,” he leaned in snarling at Mardusk. “It is mine. I know every bolt, panel, and Jeffery tube. Nothing goes on in this ship that is not on my radar. Remember that,” he moved back grabbing a drink off a tray from a passing waiter. Downing it allowed Perkins a few precious moments to gather his thoughts. This Orion was infuriating. The Admiral would give anything to wipe the slight smirk simmering just under the surface of the steely gaze Mardusk was leveling at him. Pulling at his collar, Perkins loosened it some just like the liquor was losening him up. “And what was the last question,” he demanded.

“What part of your body would you replace with an improved mechanical version? Was that one a threat,” Perkins began to slightly lose his cool.

Perkins

Mardusk cocked his head to the side slightly and a look of obviously false confusion appeared on his face. ” Oh. I’m sorry, sir. That wasn’t on my initial screening questionnaire.” and then he snapped his fingers and nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, right right right. That wasn’t an arrival question. There was a discussion between the two Security officers on that post about a video they saw where a guy gets his arm lopped off and it gets replaced with an arm from a Klingon. But it turns out the arm is possed by Kahless, and keeps trying to kill him. So the guy goes to Q’onos to get it fixed, but they tell him its sacred and they can’t so the only thing they can do is put another possessed limb on to counteract the first one and the guy gets to choose which one but this one will be technologically based with a crystal on it containing the soul of a Klingon hero of old… I’m surprised you haven’t seen it, Admiral. Seems like your kind of show. Anyway, the two Security officers have been arguing about which limb to replace and making bets on what the guy in the story will do.” and he looked down slowly and said in a overtly sarcastic sad voice “I just dont have the heart to tell them the show was cancelled.”

Mardusk, CoS

“What the hell are you talking about,” Perkins looked at Mardusk like he wanted to kill him. A bout of laughter erupted from around the room and while Perkins could not tell that all of it was directed towards him, the security division was obviously in on the prank. “Fine, you want to play games how about this one. It is about a file that came across my desk about Gravel Mardusk and his connection with the Orion Syndicate.” Perkins let the words roll off his tongue. Everything coming out of Perkins mouth was either a lie or threat. He had no proof that any of what he said existed but everyone had a dark secret in thier past they guarded closely. All Perkin’s had to do was let Mardusk think he knew what the secret was and then he controlled the man. Once Mardusk knew Perkins held all the power, Perkins would have another little bird in his pocket to sing him details when he needed to know them.

Perkins

Mardusk leveled a gaze at Perkins that would melt the deuterium hull of a Juggernaut. For a long few moments, the massive Orion just held the gaze, as if nothing in the world existed other than Perkins. The only external movement in the giant, green behemoth came when a few of the laughing Security officers stopped laughing and began looking concerned and moved closer. Mardusk, without taking his eyes off the Admiral, motioned once and they stopped.

Looking down, Mardusk moved close… very close… to Perkins. And slowly a small grin crossed his dark green lips. It was a grin part sly, part predator. In a voice loud enough to carry across the room, the Security Chief said “Well hell, Admiral… I would have thought a man of your position would have been informed about that ‘report’. I mean, all of the Command staff here knew about it. One of the Intel guys that tried to sneak on board the old ship brought it up. In front of the Skipper and XO and myself… after we had, of course, tracked him and monitored him for a few days. That report was not only flagged as false, but its continued circulation was deemed harrassment.” and the smile broadened. “Not against me… sir. But against Admiral Mardusk… my mother. I think the two of you have met, yeah? I can see how you could confuse the two of us.” and his head cocked to the side. “I’m sure we all look alike to you.” and he then bent down at the waist and whispered into Perkins’ ear, so low only he would hear it.

“She is far more intimidating than you. She is unforgettable,” Perkins attempted to curtail Mardusk’s words with a hint of brevity peppering his words with a small fake chuckle. Hopefully, all the spectators to the event would think this was friendly banter. He kept a smile as Mardusk leaned in wearing the ever political smile that perpetually graced his lips. Inside though, Perkins was fuming.

“First, lies are like genitals. You dont whip them out in public unless youknow yours is the biggest. Second. You don’t scare me, Admiral. I have one of the finest Security sections in the Fleet, and a Command staff who will always have my back. Who do you have?” and he leaned back up and took a step back.

“Whomever I need,” he countered in a low tone. “While you may have loyal friends, you don’t have the upstarts that will climb over someone’s body just to gain an inch in the presumed ladder of authority. No matter how loyal people are, there are the few that will sell their mothers to gain perceived power and authority. They will give me what I need when I need it based on the simple lie of friendship.” Perkins was not lying on this piece of knowledge he was imparting. There was always some young, hungry officer that would do what was asked and never think of the consequences.

Again in the louder than needed voice, he said “But I’m sure that is just an error on the part of your aid. Might want to have a chat with them, sir. I’d sure hate to see you getting hemmed up for broadcasting false claims and perpetuating erroneous information about any Line Officer… especially an Admiral like yourself… Sir.” The last word was delivered so flatly that there was no doubt as to his opinion of the man standing before him.

Mardusk, CoS

“I would watch your step Commander,” Perkins hissed in a venomous tone. “You just made an enemy that you will wish you hadn’t.”

Perkins

Mardusk laughed… loudly. He then looked down at the Admiral and said “There are a lot of people who don’t like me, sir. But none of them can beat me up, and that’s whats important.” and he grabbed two glasses of bubbly something as a waiter came by. He offered one to the Admiral and just said “Sir?”

Mardusk, CoS

Perkins took the drink. “So your strategy is appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak,” the Admiral spoke in a cool tone. The history of this Orion security chief proved he could be a loose cannon. Since he did not appear to embrace the personality traits of the less reputable faction of Orion pirates and thugs past brawling like one maybe Perkins would have to appeal to his sense of loyalty. “Your Captain was not the prime candidate for this ship as it has been heralded by command. In fact, due to the politics, you were just mentioning, its the only reason she is in the command seat. Her record is one of cowboy moves and renegade operations. Until now you were shielded by lower ranks and superior officers that lost their command following her orders. I am going to be frank with you. Command needs someone to keep us aspraised of her command decisions. Take that incident where the intell agent snuck about the ship. You should have seen how she passed the buck onto security for that.” Perkins took another sip of his drink. The infiltration episode was a debacle. Maybe if Mardusk thought he was implicated in it, it would go further to sticking a wedge between him and Bordeaux.

Capt. Kelly Bordeaux

Mardusk snorted and actually shot some of the drink from his nose. Stopping a passing waiter and grabbing a napkin, he wiped his face and then looked at the Admiral, the sheer willpower evident in him not busting out laughing. “Passed the buck? Man…” and he shook his head. “Okay. So first let me educate you as to what happened. She didn’t pass s&^, Admiral. Me and my team were aware of the agent as soon as he boarded. He really wasn’t slick, after all. Copying a crew members credentials is all well and good, but he should have known that particular crew member was on leave. So when he came back and used those credentials, all kinds of flags went up. I went to the Skipper, told her. She contacted Fleet, and Fleet let us in on the drill. After that, it was the agent being tested… not us. We clocked him every second he was aboard. And when it came to the debriefing, me and my team got the credit. Seventy-two hours liberty at our next stop over, too. So that’s one.” and then he looked down at the little human man and his voice grew stern and his face hard… but his voice remained low. “Second. If ‘Command’ needs someone to keep them appraised of the Captain’s actions and decisions… read my reports. And that of any other member of this crew. Because we have nothing to hide, Perkins. Not from you, not from Command… not from anybody. And if Captain Bordeaux wasn’t the Fleet’s ‘prime candidate’, then someone else would be center-chairing this ship. Because they don’t hand the keys to a brand-spanking new ship like this one to their second* choice.”

Mardusk, CoS

“How are you,” Perkins took on a formal tone. “You do not address a superior officer in such a fashion,” he squared his shoulders and straightened his spine ramrod straight. At over six foot three he was a tall man and normally men had to look up at him however Mardusk was not a normal man. He was a massive Orion who looked down on everyone simply because he was a giant. Taking a step backward, Perkins moved slowly to step up on the riser behind him. He was always aware of his surroundings and this would help equalize the height behind him.

Perkins

Mardusk locked the man with his best ‘Come At Me Bro’ stare and said flatly. “I’m not addressing a superior officer. Merely a higher ranking one.” The Admiral, had he done more than a cursory overview of Mardusk’s record, would have… probably should have… learned that rank mattered little to the Orion Security Chief. Character counts, and as far Mardusk was concerned, Perkins lacked it in spades.

Mardusk, CoS

Sauntering over, Kelly sipped her drink with a smile. “My thoughts exactly,” she chimed in with an innocent look. “You were talking about the latest round of baseball playoffs right? God,” Kelly let out an overdramatic groan. “I hate how that weasely little pitcher seems to stare at the catcher with his black soulless eyes thinking he can psyche you out but actually just makes himself look like an idiot. Like because he is on the mound he thinks he has such a better perspective but it is not like a team really lets the guy do anything. He can’t bat. He can’t run. He just rides on the back of the team and then takes the credit when a game is one. You were a pitcher in your academy days weren’t you,” she asked Perkins taking a sip of her beer she let the conversation pause.

Perkins glared at Kelly with a gaze that would wither any first-year cadet to puddle status yet she and Mardusk were not cadets. As he opened his mouth Kelly unceremoniously cut him off. “I’m sorry. Hold that thought. They are wanting to do the formal presentation now so maybe we can put a pin in whatever retort you had about your massively unsuccessful baseball career and we can discuss it later huh.” Throwing back her drink she turned on her heel and headed to the podium.

“You will come to regret your candor in your discussion with me,” Perkins snarled at Mardusk as he followed Kelly to the front podium.

Kelly Bordeaux.