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Merely Cross Training (tag Chief of Security Isaac Forgrave)

Posted Sept. 27, 2020, 9:27 p.m. by Ensign James Mason (Engineer) (Jeremiah Bullock)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Issac Forgrave (Chief of Security) in Merely Cross Training (tag Chief of Security Isaac Forgrave)

Posted by Ensign James Mason (Engineer) in Merely Cross Training (tag Chief of Security Isaac Forgrave)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Issac Forgrave (Chief of Security) in Merely Cross Training (tag Chief of Security Isaac Forgrave)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
If I was to have any momentum at all gaining revenge and piece while aboard the USS Dresden I knew I’d need to seize my chances. Thankfully there was an easy start that an old buddy had told me before getting rolled up by the Federation on terrorism charges and got thrown in a cell darker than Messier 87. Still, the advice was sound and went like this: “If you ever need to do something discretely, become friends with security. Just by knowing them you’ll start to know strengths, weaknesses, and most important of all blind spots.”

Two decades is long stretch to wait, but the new CO had kindly illuminated what Starfleet was like. Wanting to punch her lights out aside, it was clear that if I was going to do anything I’d have to be squeaky clean. Hence referring back to the advice given to me long ago. Turning to the inquisitive officer who’d been probing at me like a instrument jockey probed a nebula I grinned and raised an eyebrow.

“An idea came to me while we were jawing in mess hall,” I began, taking care not to be too forward. “One of the things the Master Chief of my last vessel before the Academy harped on was crosstraining non stop. Were you finished with a task but still on the clock? Learn someone else’s job. Had everyone hip hopping around their department learning new things, and by the end of it was the reason that the Bonchune is still in one piece.”

Gathering myself I made my pitch. “I was thinking of doing that here but expanding on it. Would help out if different departments knew what the others were doing and how to help do if things go sideways.”

I looked Forgrave in the eyes as I got to the deal. “Interested in working to teach some Security and learn some Engineering?”

Ensign Mason, Engineering

“Hmmmm. Idea’s got merit…” Issac answered non-committedly.

Over the past while, Mason, Stores, and Forgrave had gotten into the habit of eating breakfast every other week or so; just an informal gathering over coffee. Ideas and stories got swapped, and something akin to friendship had naturally formed. Last week, Issac had brought up his efforts to rotate his security personnel through all the departments, so as to familiarize everyone with the entirely of the ship. Apparently, that had struck a chord with Mason.

“I’d be lyin’ if I said I weren’t interested. Bit surprised though, you approaching me ‘n not Lt. Kleinhoffer or the XO. Seems like they’d be the ones to start with…” Issac eyed the shorter man with exaggerated suspicion. “You wouldn’t happen to be plotting anything… nefarious, would ya?”

Issac didn’t even try to hold the charade for longer than a moment, chuckling at his joke. By all accounts, Mason was a fine officer. Idle curiosity and some comments that Mason had made had led Issac to look into his records, but there weren’t any grand revelations to be had. James had a bit of a troubled past; some fighting that had earned him an NJP, as well as some other indiscretions. But it looked like he had made a concerted effort to turn his career around on his second tour; enough to get into the academy and become an officer. And Issac knew well that time could change a man.

“Truth be told, I got my hands a bit full at the moment. Still got newbies ta get up to speed; and a handful of other things I’m trying ta implement. But I like yer idea. Tell ya what, I’d like you to join me at the next command meeting - I’ll vouch for ya, and you can share yer idea. You deserve the credit for it, after all.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

Nothing like the real world experience of living threw a boarding action to encourage a man to jump at a chance to train with the security department. “So when you two get this rolling sight me up. Velocity is a poor substitute for training with the Security department.” Stores breathes over his coffee cup. This being the first cup he had had sense the CSO blocked his access to the program. He had grown rather fond of Isaac and Elaine’s addictive drink of choice.

Clinton “Stores”Reed, Supercargo

Issac chuckled. “Yeah; I reckon it’s better than nothin,’ but that’s a poor metric. I know in the Academy, ‘fore I started on the Security track, we learned the business end of a phaser, but not much more ‘n that.” He took a long sip of coffee; pausing to collect his thoughts. “Seein’ as this is a warship, I suppose the possibility fer combat is a bit higher; though I sure wouldn’t complain about my job bein’ boring…”

Issac found himself warming more to the idea as he considered it; thinking of various possibilities for implementation, as well as potential drawbacks. “Much as I like the idea, I’d be lying if I said I were excited about the idea of everyone getting a phaser; that’s a damn fine way fer accidents, and ‘accidents’ to happen.” The latter was said with Issac making ‘air quotes’ on the word. “Frankly, not everyone handles stress well in the moment. But yea; bein’ prepared for action, knowing where to go, and what to do.... I can work with that. As far as actual cross-training; well, I could see everyone knowing shut-down procedures and the like fer emergencies; things like that. Maybe a bit more, iffin’ folks are interested. Yea…” Issac nodded to himself, completely lost in his thoughts. Distractedly, he pulled the ever-present notepad out of his pocket and started jotting quick notes to himself.

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“If the Bonchune and Senior Chief Jackson taught me anything, it’s that while a phaser is a great way to put boarders down, so is knowing what Security needs in an emergency. Boarders making their way through the ship? Turn off the lights in front of em, and turn the lights on behind em.” I explained with a wry grin. Chief Jackson thought that every minute of a shift should be fuller than a Ferengi freighter holder, and when the work hit a lull that’s when he’d snap out hip pocket training. The good kind that left you hungry for more, only to get shooed off to work with a knowing grin. However, when the Bonchune had our accident, it was Jackson and his training that kept the vessel intact, and not ripped open to the uncaring ravages of the void.

Mason’s voice shook Issac out of his focus; he snapped back to reality with a small shake of his head. “Sounds like this Chief Jackson has a hood head on their shoulders; that’s clever stuff right there.”

“The procedures and cross-training would probably be the best place to start, though maybe we save phasers for last,” I offer, throwing out my own spin. “The phasers are going to need explaining and a load of planning which means paperwork in turn.” I caution, knowing just how much of a cast iron problem those could be. This is why you meet up with some old friends to learn, and then practice in… simulated conditions. Bringing myself back to the present I continue. “The big thing is having a proof of concept before it pops up in a command meeting. Otherwise it’ll get administrated to death.”

Ensign Mason, Engineering

“Hmmm, I reckon you got a point there. I ain’t opposed ta fleshing out a plan of action; nor do I reckon it’d be a bad idea ta have a gradual uh, escalation of training. Even if it just starts with ship-wide drills, that’d be something ta get everyone on the same page. I suppose from there we can start gettin’ the rest of the crew involved; maybe sort out ‘roles’ fer people to fall into. In the end, I’d want most anybody ta be able to step into another’s shoes, but gotta start somewhere.”

“As far as a proof of concept; I’ll need time to think on that. I’m a bit leery of working on something like that without a heads up ta command. Ain’t opposed ta coming at it with a full outline though. I’m more ‘n willing ta be firm on my ideas, but at the same time, I’d be a fool ta ignore advice.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

His reply didn’t surprise me too much. Forgrave struck me as a more cautious start, and with so little time getting to establish himself within the ship taking the step to unilaterally start training without notifying command was more than a little bit out of his comfort zone. However, I could work with that. The real trick was just to have a solid enough base plan that command didn’t kluge together something completely different from what I’d intended. To do that, well I just needed to be a wee bit helpful.

“Well, I can get behind that. Don’t want to go stepping on people’s shoes this early in a cruise. It’s bad for the rank,” I said, gesturing up at the diminutive insignia showing my position in the Starfleet hierarchy. “In that case the best plan is to just have a solid plan that won’t get picked to pieces whenever the command staff are briefed. I can whip together a comprehensive plan of action so that way we have our bases covered and don’t get lit up. You down with that?”

Ensign Mason, Engineering

“Speaking from experience, eh?” Issac gently teased the shorter man. “Yeah, I think I do like that idea; bein’ able ta present a solid plan at a meeting sure beats tossin’ out a sketchy idea. Tell ya what, lets try and get together sometime in the next coupla’ days and run down a good foundation fer this. That’ll give me some time ta work out some ideas, and let you get some ‘a yer thoughts down on paper also.” Glancing at his chrono, Issac asked “What’s yer schedule looking like in say, two-three days or so?”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“Well I can neither confirm nor deny that I have gotten myself in trouble with a idea that was described as ‘less reputable than a back corridor Ferengi starship dealer’, ” I said, Chief Jackson’s irritated voice echoing in my ears. “As for a good time in the next couple of days, how about the day after next, say after your shift? Gives us time to square things away and come up with more of an idea than ‘hey lets crosstrain’,”.

Ensign Mason, Engineering

Issac quickly checked his schedule on his PaDD. “Yea; that oughta work just fine. That’ll give me time to get some items written out; and have a decent starting point. I already got some ideas brewin’, but I’d like to see what ya come up with in a few days.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“In that case let me get back to you,” Mason said with a grin and held out a hand. “Just give me a holler if there’s anything you need or if anything comes up.”

Ensign Mason, Engineering

(OOC: Call the thread here or time skip forward to a definitive plan for everything?)


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