Preparations

Posted on Sat Mar 28th, 2020 @ 10:52am by Lieutenant JG Kevin Lance
Edited on on Sat Mar 28th, 2020 @ 3:10pm

Mission: Ghost Station
Location: USS Independence
Timeline: Current

::ON::

Kevin sat at his desk in the Chief Tactical Officer's office considering the communique from Star Fleet Command on his PADD. The starbase Chief of Security had released Lieutenant Commander Relor back to the U.S.S. Independence but the two security guards that had escorted the doctor to the ship's airlock left Kevin with the distinct impression that these troubles were far from over. The communique he was read all but confirmed it.

The Captain of the Independence was tasked with maintaining contact with Lieutenant Commander Relor such that that officer would be available for further questioning as deemed necessary by the Fleet Judge Advocate General's Office. It wasn't pretrial confinement, rather the space equivalent of "don't leave town". Since the ship's captain was task with responsibility for confining Commander Relor, the doctor could be allowed to perform his duties and have as much freedom on the ship has the Captain deemed appropriate.

Captain Hellion had forwarded the communique to Kevin with a terse "just handle it" comment attached. Kevin could, with the Captain's concurrence, confine Doctor Relor to his quarters in a form of house arrest but that could be perceived as punishment before conviction. Besides, on a mission in deep space, the doctor didn't present much of a flight risk. Monitoring the doctor's location and restricting access to the means to depart the ship would be enough, Kevin determine.

"Computer," Kevin call out. After the acknowledging chime, he continued, "Track the location of Doctor Relor until further notice."

"Security authorization required to perform this function," advised the computer.

Kevin recited his security code to the computer and provided biometric verification.

"Acknowledged. Commander Relor's location will be monitored and recorded."

"Restrict Commander Relor from all transporter rooms, remote transporter functions, air locks, and the shuttle bay," ordered Kevin.

"Restrictions emplaced."

"Warn all security personnel if Commander Relor attempts to violate restrictions or he attempts to access ship's lifeboats," Kevin added. The computer acknowledge. "Now the fun part," Kevin groused to himself.

=============================================

Kevin had just finished sending the notification of restrictions to Commander Relor when his comm badge chimed.

“Lieutenant Lance take a security detail over to the star base, see what you can uncover," Commander Ellis' voice ordered, "There has to be answers. When you’ve finished with the base check out the ships.”

Kevin's brow furrowed. The ship had a Marine Detachment. Why wasn't the Exec tasking them with the off ship mission? Sending the Chief Tactical Officer, the officer responsible for the physical safety of the ship from external threats, away from his post during such an uncertain situation struck Kevin as very dangerous. Kevin briefly considered sending his assistant, Lieutenant Jenkins, but quickly dismissed the idea. Based on Jenkins' performance during the Ferengi attack, Kevin expected that Jenkins would attack the starbase as a preventative measure.

Kevin tapped is comm badge, "Lieutenant Falkenburg, this is Lieutenant Lance."

After a few seconds the comm badge responded, "Lieutenant Falkenburg. What can I do for you, sir?"

"I need you to prepare one of your Marine Squads to accompany me to the starbase," Kevin ordered, "Full protective gear. Personal weapons and stun grenades only."

"Aye aye, sir," replied the Marine second lieutenant, "Do you want me to coordinate with Flight Control for shuttlecraft to transport the away team?"

"Yes, please," Kevin responded, "There will be three personnel in addition to your squad."

"Wilco, sir"

Kevin tapped his comm badge again and said, "“Lieutenant Covitchka, this is Lieutenant Lance.”

::OFF::