Posted by Lieutenant William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer) in Main Sim Academy Hall 2c - Following Nkosenye Security Lecture

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim Academy Hall 2c - Following Nkosenye Security Lecture
[snip]

“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 exercises, 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.

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.

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’‘ .

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.”

William followed after the Doctor “The lass is right, Lieutenant. Don’t ever remember hearing a Security Chief talk about the complexities of Security work.” Will gave the large man a friendly pat on his back, regretting the action almost immidiately. It was like giving a wall a high five “But yea, well done.”

At the word ‘Lass’ Cross arched an eyebrow that would have made a Vulcan envious Some lass I am she thought then spoke to William ‘’Say, when I was in the Captain’s chair and refused to fire back I do remember someone from the science dept freaking out and shouting that we were all going to die but I cannot quite remember who he was’‘ .

Tinga had made her way tot he small group but was silent not knowing the history behind this topic of conversation.

“I suggest that it is time to move on from that incident,” Glen announced. “Doctor Cross was exonerated for her conduct and violated no regulations. Her decision was made in the best interests of the ship and was subsequently proven to be the correct decision. I also think that she learned from the experience and has become a better officer because of that. However, it is also quite understandable that watching from the space station, as the Merrimack was attacked without returning fire, would raise questions and anxieties amongst the crew. I doubt that there will every be full agreement, but for the good of the ship, I ask that we let it lie now.”

• Glen, CO

William nodded at the Captain’s comment then turned to Cross and shrugged “Cannae’ve been me, Doctor, I was Either at the think tank or institutionalized for being quite mad. If I’d’ve been there ye would ‘ave had my support” He threw the doctor a wild smile. As far as he’d heard he agreed with the Captains and the Security Chiefs assessment.

CSO

That was a good enough explanation for Tinga. She might have acted differently but she hadn’t been there and one would never know.

• Tinga, Comms