Security Detail Preparations

Posted on Wed Oct 30th, 2024 @ 6:47pm by Lieutenant JG Shaille Levine & Lieutenant Daniel Ellis

Mission: Let The Games Begin
Location: Main Security Office

Shaille rapped on the glass at the edge of the Chief Security Officer's office and walked in. "So..." she said with a grin, dropping down into a seat across the desk from Ellis. "I was in the lounge last night talking to Katelyn... her room mate Mariah, Oh my deities! Have you seen her new haircut? It looks like she's vying for a place on Vardwah's Next Top Model or something, the way it's all janky looking... but anyway, she was in the bathroom on deck seventeen at the same time as Janae in Medical who's dating Nathaniel from Engineering, I don't know why she's still seeing him, he really is such an ass, especially the way that he talks about himself, but you know, she's just a girl and all, but anyway, apparently Nathaniel told Janae who told Mariah who told Katelyn who told me that we're preparing for the Emperor of T'su to use the Astraea to host talks with a hostile race of aliens and we're supposed to ensure his safety and if anything goes wrong we're gonna end up back in Dalacari prison?"

Dee wasn't sure what he was more surprised about. In the short time he'd been aboard, he'd only obtained a passing awareness about Lieutenant Levine, mainly due to reviewing the ship's duty roster and security manifest. He hadn't had the chance to meet everyone yet, but many had cautioned him about how Levine easily attracted the scuttlebutt aboard the ship. And now, he got to see her reputation first hand. The warnings had not fully prepared him for such a sizable and rapid download.

The Security Chief set the padd he was working on down on the desk. He supposed it wasn't really a secret, the fact that the Astraea was about to play host to several dignitaries and recognizable figures. The exact details of that would be, with the more classified and sensitive details held closer to the chests of the higher ranking officers. "I wouldn't call our visitors hostile," Dee answered, carefully broaching the subject. "But we are preparing to host a kinetic match, the teams for the match, and several other Ts'usugi dignitaries."

"For real?" Shaille's expression brightened as she sat upright and leaned forward, clearly interested. "Kinetic? Here on the Astraea?" From her time with Koh she knew it was a premier Ts'usugi sport, one that captivated a large audience, and if you looked in the right places there was definitely profit to be made betting on teams... "That's amazing! Kinetic always seems to attract massive crowds..." She paused, the excitement on her face falling away. "Oooohhhh...." she groaned and shook her head. "Kinetic attracts crowds... and we're running crowd control, aren't we?"

Dee smiled and chuckled. "It's worse than that," he confessed. "Crowd control. Close services protection. Locking down sensitive areas. We're all going to be putting some overtime in on this one."

"Are we expecting much of a crowd?" Shaille asked. "Is there a limit on spectators or is it going to be a free for all? Regardless we'll need every security officer we have and then some. Can we borrow from other departments? Operations maybe? You know, as long as they can look imposing and hold a phaser something resembling the right way."

"The entire ship is being tasked with some aspect of this," Dee replied. "So we don't have any extra personnel available to us. I think we all can just expect some long days while this is happening. Besides, with all of the traffic, a temporary stand-in becomes more of a security liability and risk than even the most wild visitor." Dee tapped a button to activate a holographic schematic of the affected areas. "Our visitors will be contained to specified decks, and the turbolifts programmed to keep non-authorized personnel from getting to decks they don't belong on. All it takes is one visitor in a turbolift to keep a car from moving. Only the senior staff can override that, because you can bet the Captain and XO will be giving tours."

The petite blonde cocked her head to one side slightly, contemplating. "I would suggest we use some kind of self modulating security code, with each code only valid for single use or something like that, just to make sure no one gets any ideas about memorizing a code and trying to use it later."

"That and biometrics," Dee added. "By using physical touch with the companels in the turbolifts, we'll be able to tell if our team is under duress and instantly lock cars down in an instant. At the slightest sign of trouble, everyone in a car can be beamed to a transporter room, or the brig if necessary."

"Let's hope the brig isn't necessary," Shaille replied with a laugh. "The threat of ending up back in Dalacari prison may be misguided in this instance, but trust me, I have no desire to repeat that. Luxury or not, prison is prison."

Dee chuckled. "For a security officer, getting locked up is a rite of passage. I got stuck in a Ferengi prison once when a bartender thought I was stealing drinks. Did you know they make you pay to use the toilet or the bed? They really do try to get every slip they can off of you."

He shook his head. "Still, I agree. I hope it's not necessary. We have our work cut out for us no matter what. Our real challenge is to keep each of the teams away from each other. Spirit of competition is one thing, but many of the players really don't like their opponents. We'll need to keep them apart when they are not participating in the sport."

"That should be easy enough. Make sure any socialising only happens within certain locations, like the lounge. We can have a security detail there 24/7 just to make sure things don't get out of hand... and if all else fails, well, Ashe has that bat'leth above the bar that will come in handy, and I have it on good authority she knows how to wield it." Shaille grinned.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Dee said with a headshake and a grin. "The goal is to keep anyone normally aboard the Astraea out of prison and to maintain good relations with the T'susugi. It'll be a grueling few days, but we can do it." He pointed to the screen and added, "I'll be leading the teams supervising the Flames. I'll need your help with the Nebulas. Don't worry, they're the lesser intense of the two teams. Who knows, you might even be able to get draw some good information out of them."

"I speak a little bit of T'su... I mean, it's usually just enough to get me into trouble, but hey, it's a start, right?" Shaille replied. "Is there going to be any socialization between teams while they're here? Either before or after the match?"

"Forced socialization?" Dee asked. "We've been told that the players can sometimes be characterizations of themselves, especially if T'su media is nearby. What's the adage? Bad press is good press? Honestly, we can expect interactions and altercations in the lounges and public areas. We can also bet our own shipmates will want to get a closer look at the athletes. Situations and encounters like this... it's like participating in history."

"I mean, I could be wrong, but this is the first time they've played in alien surroundings... at least, I think that's what Koh said..." Shaille paused, contemplating for a moment. "We can't rule out the chance of sabotage or other outside interferences either. We're still an anomaly in the Delta Quadrant, some might consider us a point of weakness if they wanted to attack the T'sungi indirectly. We may be an appealing scapegoat."

"All the more reason for all of us to stay on our toes." Dee had thought the same. Thankfully, Commander Cole was responsible for defending the ship from the outside. "The safety of the ship and our crew remains paramount and our top priority, especially during the games. We'll need to screen everyone entering our makeshift arena to ensure that there are no weapons or explosives among the players or spectators, not to mention among our own."

"Well, I guess we're gonna have our work cut out for us then," the blonde replied lightly, her smile becoming a grin before she finished, "Let the party begin!"

If he had a glass, he'd raise it in a toast. Instead, Dee just chuckled. "And begin it shall. Spread the word that we'll have a staff briefing in an hour." He waved his hand at the displays on the desk. "Just a few loose ends to tie up and we'll be ready to go."