Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in Main Sim Academy Hall 2c - Nkosenye Security Lecture

Posted by Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye (Chief of Security) in Main Sim Academy Hall 2c - Nkosenye Security Lecture

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim Academy Hall 2c - Nkosenye Security Lecture
[snip]
“Part of Security Operations aboard a starship is leaving the vessel and escorting the ship’s crew on task on other vessels or planet-side. On the Merrimack, we refer to these operations as ‘Away Team’ missions. I am not presenting how to conduct these operations, as each is unique and requires the ability to be adaptable to an ever-changing tactical scenario. What I am going to demonstrate is something I feel is lacking in what you are taught here at the Academy… the incorporation of data from other Away Team members into your security planning and execution.” and he gestured to the aid and the screen behind him came on to reveal the view looking down onto the top of the table. All that was visible was the opaque plastic covering the set-up he had designed.

Eyes turned to watch the tall man working his speech across the room. The security minded cadets quite closely paying attention.

Glen was amused at how quickly Nkosenye’s idea of “Away Teams” as opposed to “Landing Parties” was catching on. If these cadets began using the phrase, then it might spread to every ship in the Fleet, and it all would have begun right here with the Merrimack.

“Here is a scale model of a likely scenario: Your team is planet-side. You have encountered a structure that you have to investigate.” and he picked up the Security tricorder and held it up. “Standard Security tri-corder. This detects motion, life-signs, energy sources. Current operational doctrine says this is all that is needed for security operations. It will show you this.” and he lifted the plastic. The screen now showed a model of a multi-room structure with markers indicating life forms and energy readings. “This is what you will know is present. And if you acted on that information alone… you would probably be killed in this scenario.” and he lowered the plastic and adjusted some things below it out of view of the observers and set the plastic back down. Looking up, he saw the CSO and said “I will now ask for the assistance of the Merrimack’s Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Grey. Lieutenant, would you please come down and give a brief description of the standard issue Science tricorder, specifically what it is capable of detecting in a scenario such as this.”

Some nods came the COS’s way but remained quiet so far.

William gave a look of bemused surprise as he stood up “Of course Lieutenant.” He smiled at the Security Chief as he stood up and made his way to the front of the Hall. Although he stood at an impressive 193 centimetres his thin figure made him nearly half the size of the hulking Security Chief. Turned around and looked at the full hall with the same smile, the arrogant smile that often accompanied scientists. He grabbed the tricorder and lifted it for the crowd to see as he opened the familiar device “A Science Tricorder can gather information on geological, biological and atmospheric information of its Scanner range. Utilized in the scenario described here the scanner will inform you of the size and structure of the location and the biological conditions. It can be used for detailed tight scans or general wide scans. It’s connection with our shipboard computer will grant me, the user, information on what it is we’re looking at” He looked back at the Lieutenant unsure if he should explain any further seeing as this was not his lecture.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” rumbled the Security Chief, and he nodded giving the CSO the leave to return to his seat. Looking back at the crowd, he removed the plastic again.

Now visible were dozens of tiny red markers scattered all over the model. “The red marks are radiation markers. If the structure of the building was sufficient - or the materials used capable- these markers would not be registered by the ship’s scanners. Standard protocol as it stands is that Security teams would beam down, secure the building, and then the rest of the Away team would enter. That means all of you wearing a red shirt that were on this mission would now be dead or dying.” and he let his words sink in.

Gulps were almost audibly heard from the security cadets who nodded grimmly.

It was a good point; well made. Glen had always thought that, for Starfleet life was cheap but nice toiletries were expensive.

“But… if we stop separating our Away Teams and insisting that each section do it’s own tasks, and instead incorporate operations into a single entity - ” and he laced his fingers from each hand together, ” - we can incorporate data from all sections more effectively. This will protect the Security teams and… ” and here he cast a long glance at Cross, “… allow us to keep any headstrong and risk-prone team members inside a secure perimeter and stop them from running amok unprotected.” Dropping his hands to his side, he looked -slash-glared at the assembly. “As Ship’s Security, it is our foremost duty to protect the crew. We can only do that effectively if we have enough information to go on. So I challenge each of you, in all sections… work with your Away Team members. Convey data rapidly to each other. Don’t think that an engineering assessment isn’t good information for the guards protecting you to have. Don’t take a sample of a flower for study without letting Security know you are doing it so they can watch out for you while you collect it. In sort… pay attention to each other and work together. You will live… or die… in direct proportion to your ability to do that consistently.” and he turned off the projector.

“Now you may ask your questions.”

A hand went up, “..Sir?” One of the red squad’s security/weapon cadets said, “..We got trained with live fire excerises, but what would you say is the best advise for when combat actually happens, for those of us here?” He asked.

Nkosenye looked at the Cadet intently for a few moments and then said “Assess your threats, prioritize your targets, and ensure that your Away Team is protected at all times.” and then he shook his head. Looking out at the Cadets he took a deep breath. “Those of you in Security must realize something right now. Your job is not just to fight. You are not mercenaries hired to assault your way out of every situation. You are there to protect your ship and crew. That is your duty. And if you do your job correctly, fighting will be an infrequent and non-welcome aspect of your day. Yes, you will tasked with combat operations, but those are going to occur if… and only if all other options have failed.” and he looked around the room again, the scowl deepening.

“All of you, listen closely. Regardless of your section, your duties, your assignment… you are not going to be able to fight your way out of every hostile situation. No matter how strong you are, no matter how well your practiced in fighting, you must always remember that the most important muscle you possess is your mind. Think. Assess. Then act. Take the time to get all the information you can, and you will be better able to plan and react. And if you can do that, then the odds of you surviving something like this -” and he gestured to the table and model scenario, “- are increased. If you don’t, then the jokes that your class mates make about ‘Red-shirts’ become reality.” and he looked at the past of the assembly that wasn’t Security and said “And no. The jokes are not funny. Now… next questions.”

Cross’s thoughts went back to the time she was put in charge of the bridge ,when the small orange tint ship appeared from nowhere. She had assessed the situation and did not fire back but rather waited, much to the dismay of those present . Afterwards the doctor was made to feel that she had failed to protect the ship even though she had ordered for the shields to be raised and the damage was insignificant.

She stood up ‘’Lt what if you are the only one who would think its better not to retaliate while the rest of the away team say you should?How would you know that your decision is the rightful and justified one?’‘ Cross asked.

Tinga perked up. That was an interesting question Cross had posed and she wondered if there was a back story to it.

Glen and the longer serving Merrimack officers would recognise the back story to this. Cross had been given a rough ride for her decision not to return fire when she had command of the Bridge, but that was what this question came down to. It was a Command decision, and those couldn’t be taught from a book or in a lecture; every situation was unique, and only experience taught you the best way to act, and someone else would always question if it was right or justified. You had to be prepared for that when you sat in the Captain’s chair.

William looked at Cross with a perplexed look, he had heard rumours but was largely unaware of the incident. He simply found it an odd question from a Doctor.

Nkosenye nodded slightly and, looking directly at her, said “If you are the one in charge of deadly force, be that the leader of a Security Away Team or the Captain of a star ship, then the decision to utilize that force is yours and yours alone. It is not a decision to be made lightly, and you can expect more than a few people to questin your decision either way.” and he began looking around the assembly. “The choice to fight or not is rarely an easy one. And contrary to what a good number of your instructors here at the Academy will say, fighting is rarely the best option. Those of us in Security are conditioned to fight. We are fed ad naseum with tales of a hardy few standing against the tide to protect their crew from destruction. And those stands are gallant and make for inspiration, but they aren’t what is truly noble.” and he began walking back and forth, his stern gaze seemingly falling on each individual in the room.

“A Captain who meets an unknown and hostile adversary and who strives for communication, for understanding first… before resorting to force… A Science officer on a strange and unknown world looking at how species interact and live within their environments before simply grabbing samples for study… A Security officer standing between two crew who are getting ready to trade blows and talking with them to get to the core of the disagreement… these are the truly noble actions. These are the actions that we as Star Fleet officers should be defined and remembered by. Not by how many beings we killed. Not by how many ships we destroy. We are supposed to be better than that.” and his gaze fell on Cross and remained there. “Anyone who chooses understanding before violence… communication before force… these are the people who truly grasp what it means to explore our universe… and what it means to be a part of it.” and he looked around the room again. “We are not conquerors. We are not oppressors. We are explorers. We are diplomats. We are keepers of the peace. We are bringers of unity and understanding. That is who we are supposed to be as officers in Star Fleet. That is who you should strive to be every moment you are part of all of this.”

Kord appreciated the optimistic perspective of the young races in this region of the galaxy. They had no idea how rare their ideals were in a universe ready to devour them at the first sign of perceived weakness.

Cross was quite aware that he held his gaze upon her and felt goosebumps all over but when she spoke her voice was steady ‘’Thank you Lt Nkosenye’‘ and promptly sat down.

Being Andorian, Tinga found this explanation rather enlightening as the the ways of Star Fleet. She had heard it put many ways before but something about the way the COS laid it out resonated. She was from a war like race and would always see things in that light, but she had chosen to join Star Fleet and would strive to understand this viewpoint.

Some nods came from the cadets and quiet discussions on what was said were murmured back and forth already causing small debates among the classes it was seemed though nothing disruptive. “..Thank you sir..” Came the red squad cadet from before and he sat down too. It seems most of the questions pressing to the cadet’s minds were answered the rest involved in what was said so far. Nkosyene could wrap things up if he wanted unless he had something else to talk about.

Glen had been very impressed by the latest lecture. They had all been good, so it was difficult to say that it had been the best. What was obvious was that the standard was extremely high and when it came around to his own turn then he was going to struggle to make it stand out.

• Glen, CO

Nkosenye looked around and, as no further hands went up, said simply “The lecture is concluded. Dismissed.” and turned around and began to clean up his presentation and answer the inevitable few questions from those too timid to speak in front of the assembly. He thought it went fairly well. The Red Squad Cadet’s question about combat was expected, all though Nkosenye had hoped… just a little… that the instructors weren’t still stuck on trying to make Security officers into a ‘fighting force’ rather than the enforcement and peace-keeper roles that Nkosenye thought they should be. But it seemed that was still the case. Inside his head, he shrugged and continued to clear away the presentation and talk to the few remaining Cadets.

Nkosenye, CoS

As the Cadets were leaving Cross made her way towards the CoS ‘’Lt you gave an awesome lecture,a truly knowledgeably Chief of Security and if you don’t mind me saying so couldn’t have answered my question more fittingly’‘ .
Cross Dr.

Nkosenye looked down at Cross, the trademark scowl ever present but his eyes softening just enough. “I meant every word, Doctor. I am pleased I could answer your question. I know that is a topic of some past discussions.”

Nkosenye, CoS