Posted by Commander D’Vash Odinson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Side Sim - Conference Room - CRIT… And So It Begins

Posted by Fleet Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - Conference Room - CRIT… And So It Begins

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - Conference Room - CRIT… And So It Begins
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

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“Fair enough,” Jen replied. Battle plans were just that and made when one had the luxury to make them. “Are the people under you in your department knives to be looked for when you need something done? I’m guessing that if you have a job to do given by necessity, simple routine or a call for an away team where a certain skillset is needed that you know your people enough to call the ones you feel would be best suited for that. Am I correct in that assumption?”
Jen, XO

Kelly mulled over what the XO said chewing her bottom lip. Frankly she hated that this was something command thought was good and should be implemented everywhere as a pilot program to judge its feasibility. That always translated to someone was scared it wouldn’t work and they would seem like they failed. It was why no one name was ever tied to something or why it took months in a committee to move a pencil from one ship to another.

Her issue was Cochrane. While she had only met him a half dozen times in a scattering of committee meetings and briefings, the man seemed to be level headed putting the needs of his crew over his career. If he was backing this it was the one name she could trust.

Moving forward Kelly rested her elbows on the table tapping the PaDD as she spoke. “Forgive my flippancy here but what I seem to be reading here is a real life Sanctioned version of the B Team?” Most around the table would recognize her reference about the do gooder paramilitary team helping those the universe forgot.

“I see Jen’s concern. This team could build resentment in the crew if they are deployed. People could make the assumption Jen and I don’t have confidence in their skills. CRIT could be seen as Elitists and not for their skills. I do however like the idea of no one specific person in command at any given time. I have seen more missions go to hell becuase the person in command thinks they know more that the person next to them. My biggest concern is the brass using this to promote themselves or using the team as scapegoats when something goes wrong. “

Kelly had unwavering faith in her crew and her COS. So far she had never been given pause to doubt Mardusk or his ability to delegate when needed. Still there was a lot of new faces with years of experience behind the eyes looking at her. “Odinson you are new here. Half the stuff in your file is redacted or on an as needed basis which apparently was not needed to be shared when you transferred over,” she let out a half chuckle showing she felt most of the stuff was hidden to hide his personal accomplishment in tasks so that others could “share” in his successes. It was so much easier to say we did it when you didn’t risk something but harder to claim it was a group effort when a report read about a solitary officer doing the impossible and being successful.

“Nine times out of ten something you find hinky is going to deploy Hannibal, Face, Murdock and the green BA here so speak freely. What’s your two cents on the feasibility of a team like this and the ability for a team to work together as perfectly as this presentation is suggesting?”

Taking a sip of her coffee Kelly waited for someone to reply. She had asked three questions. Only one was directed to a person. The ones about elitism and culpability were open for anyone to answer.

Captain Kelly Bordeaux

Mardusk looked at the new XO. “To answer your question: You are correct. But I dont know who the best medic is. Or the best surveyor. Or the best computer programmer. You’re the XO of the ship. Do you know who our best negotiator is? How about the best linguist? And we can take it a step further, Commander. What if the best medic was cross trained by our best marksman? Or our best computer programmer was cross-trained by our best linguist? Not only have we now identified our specialists, but we have put them in an environment where they can become even broader skilled and made more versatile options for the Skipper to utilize in a pinch.”

Mardusk, CoS

D’vash had been listening to both the pros and cons of Mardusk’s idea. Leaning forward and clasping his hands together on the table top, he replied to the captain’s question.

“Starfleet Intel has used variations of this plan many times in the past to a great deal of success. The difference between this and that is. . . those missions and teams were planned well in advance. Intel would reach out to the Intel officers on various ships asking for referrals for, for example, a specialist in quantum engineering, or a negotiator, or a ghost. . . . they would be recruited by SFI for this one mission. They’d train together as a team, do the mission, then be transferred back to their ship after it was done.”

“With Mardusk’s plan, the team is already assembled and can go at a moments notice. I would expect that during down times they would train as a team as well. Working together, cross-training together to become the best of the best. Each member taking the lead depending on the situation parameters. I’m assuming, Mr. Mardusk that there would be a team leader, per say. The person putting the team together, making sure every spoke on the wheel fits, relaying objectives and sharing Intel. That person then defers the leadership to the specialist while on the mission.”

“I think another important factor to consider is that each member of this team can physically AND psychologically handle the stresses that come with the job. Being mentally healthy is tantamount to the success of what you’re asking the team to do.

Odinson (CIO)

Mardusk nodded. “Yep. The first Team Leader is the only role designated and recruited without CRIT input. After the leader is designated, CRIT handles all selection and vetting. That way they are beginning to build the intimate familiarity from jump. And the monthly medical and psych reviews keep everyone current and accountable for their personal well-being. Couple that with the required clearance from Medical and CNS prior to commencing the in-team selection and training, there should little room for error in bringing in someone that isnt mentally and physically capable.”

Mardusk, CoS

“So how is the First Team Leader chosen,” Kelly asked. “You said they are the only member designated.” Staring at the faces of the officers around the table anyone could fill the role however one stood out to her. Odinson. With his intimate knowledge of off the books missions and his training in seeing a big picture out of a million snap shots from years of intelligence work, he seemed the best candidate so far to her. Regardless Kelly would spend quite a bit of time talking to Jen about his thoughts before she made any official decision.

Kelly Bordeaux. CO

Mardusk had been waiting for that question. He nodded and said “The first Team Leaders were chosen from a list of candidates compiled by Fleet, Captain Cochrane, and myself. We whittled it down, made our recommendations, and then the Brass chose from there. Only part that is up in the air is if they accept the new role or not. Skipper, that info should be in your last comms from the Admiralty. Everyone involved wanted final approval from the respective CO’s. And, since it is a team operated under their sole authority, it should fall to you to ask.” he said with a grin.

Mardusk, CoS

OOC: Taking out the tag … think we’re all here ..

“And if it is never activated, what then?” Jen said. “A team like that is one to be used and not sitting on Terran laurels. A typical away mission works based on rotation, department head or their designates that they choose. There are long stretches of time traveling in space before meeting anything. Especially with a Mythology class ship. I mean, it’s not like we’re going to run into say a Carrier class ship under sail as a pirate vessel anytime soon.”

He was becoming aware that this was something imposed on them rather than a good idea in the wrong place. He was, in short, fighting a losing battle. The Captain felt this was perhaps elitism. Jen knew special forces ideas when he saw them and it would have worked wonderfully on the Chimera. But here? The ‘brass’ had really picked the wrong class of ship to do this on.
Jen XO

Mardusk looked directly at the XO and said “And again you are missing the point. Commander. Yes, a typical away team mission works exactly like that. This is for atypical situations. And the excessive time we spend traveling? Ample time for training and cross training. And I can see you think this is a bad idea. Maybe this isnt the right setting for something like this. But that would again miss the point of a tailored, command specific response. It cant be the wrong place for it, because the command itself designs it for themselves. Each team will be it’s own entity… not some cookie-cutter SpecOps team who all trained on Mars and then were deployed to the ship. Our best people. Trained by our other best people. Capable of immediate activation and response without having to contact individual departments and sorting through duty rotations.”

He then looked at the Captain. “You said there would be a concern about elitism. That was a concern I actually brought up in these discussions. Admiral Hallway and Vice Admiral Von’ton both looked at it from a psych point of view. Since there are no prerequisites to apply, no ‘Ten weeks of this training and two months at this school’ type stuff, they believe it will be just the opposite. Anyone can apply. They just have to posses something, some skill or knowledge, that the team leader thinks they need. Will everyone apply be selected? No, of course not. But if they aren’t, they can train and study and try again. And what does that do? Makes them more capable overall, so they are an even bigger asset to the ship regardless of whether or not they get the credentials.”

He looked at the table in general and said “This is an opportunity to do something really unique on a brand new ship. And I think we would be remiss if we chuck out the airlock without even trying.”

Mardusk, CoS

“I think Mr. Mardusk has a good point,” the CIO added. “If you want to be on this team bad enough, you’ll work harder to achieve it. Than in turn, makes you more valuable to the ship as a whole.”

“I understand it is an opportunity for additional training in areas of interest. Do not think I disagree with that. Personal advancement in their career or trade is encouraged on every level. I can see the usefulness of this .. elite arm .. as a mechanism for this additional training that would be useful in one’s personal growth and career.” His hands came out in a brief open handed gesture then back down. “I don’t see it on this class of ship.” As much as they stressed it wasn’t a special ops type of group, the more Jen thought that was precisely what they were talking about. He’d used them. He’d been on them. That was combat. This was a vessel class that would better sport an elite group of scientists than what they were describing. One didn’t need an ornithologist who could snipe their studies out of the air.

“Nor do I feel it is elitist, Commander. These individuals won’t be sitting around on their butts during down time. If I’m interpreting this correctly, it might be just the opposite. They’ll be spending part of their time in this training, while still expected to do their regular duties in engineering, security, medical, or whatever department they are in. These people aren’t getting special perks or treatment in any way. They’ll be taking on a secondary and more dangerous risk than your average ship mate. It’s going to take a very certain type of individual to be a part of this team.”

Odinson (CIO)

He sighed and looked at the group. “Gentlemen, Captain, I honestly don’t see it, at least here. I think the application is limited and the benefits less than perhaps expected. However, I will agree to a trial and see whom is interested and what benefits come, personally. I’ve seen many a good idea turn into a table of drinking buddies around a table with little gained but additional weight and more skill at poker. As well I’ve seen some come to effective success and career improvement.”
Jen

Kelly tapped her fingernail on th table slowly in a steady rhythm. The security/intelligence background of her screamed sign me up for the first class and strip my pips if needed. The command side of her saw all the points Jen made plus a few more tumbling around her head. As perfect as this plan was on paper, there were some real life issues that were not going to just disappear. “So what happens if the best man for the job doesn’t want to be on CRIT,” Kelly proposed. “You are all the top in your field however i am not sure Sparky is going to be thrilled about extra push ups or a five mile fun run.” Kelly had no idea if Drayke wanted to join this team or not but the question worked either way. “While people can learn to be amazing in a field it does not negate the years of training and experience they have accumulated. My question more to the point is if say Drayke is the best man for the job, goes on the mission, and it is run by one of his Jo’s who has cross trained, who takes lead? The chief engineer or someone that took a few classes. I use Drayke as an example but plug in medical, science,” her voice trailed off. “Are we going to exclude someone who is better for the job simply because they would only be a tag along one timer?” Kelly really didn’t need a response. It was more food for thought unless someone had something to add.

Mardusk nodded to Odinson and the XO. “I appreciate the input… from everyone. If we shied away from criticism, it would mean we dont think this has the ability to stand up to scrutiny. And I believe it does. Now…” and he looked at Kelly, “… you have something you want to share, Skipper?”

Mardusk, CoS

Kelly gave Odinson a side glance before sitting up straigher in her chair. “I had several names tossed that would have been remarkable in this leadership position. Only one however I felt could get the job done based on his specific skill set.” Shifting so she looked Odinson in the eyes, Kelly continued. “Commander I would like to appoint you as team leader for CRIT. Your ability to take ten scraps of paper, twenty images, and four broken comm calls and then turn it into something meaningful is why you are sitting in that chair. Are you willing to take this on in addition to your other duties? I can’t give you overtime but I can buy you a drink and dinner sometime,” she smiled. No one at the table would question Odinson’s expertise and abilities. While this was a serious moment it was time for a celebration of sorts.

Captain Kelly Bordeaux

D’vash switched his gaze from the Co, to the XO, to the COS, and then once again, back to the captain. His stoic face slowly broke into a grin. “was beginning to think you’d never ask, Captain. . . the answer is yes.”

“As to your previous question, using engineering for the example. Cmdr. Drayke would be the most logical choice, but, perhaps, he chooses not to volunteer? Then we take the most qualified engineer that DID volunteer. This person needs to have the mental fortitude, physical capability, leadership abilities, and engineering skills to lead the team on an engineering type mission. The same goes for other departments as well. This would not just be restricted to officers, but non-coms as well. This crew includes petty officers and warrant officers with many more years of experience than the average ensign and most Lt.s.”

Odinson (CIO)

OCC: Okay so I am not sure any of you have an idea but you all are a creative lot. I am going to give you guys a story prompt and see how creative you can be with CRIT. I really like the work you put into this. If anyone has a better idea then ignore this. If you like it then lets have some fun. Anyone up for this and ready for a story prompt?

~ Kate