Appointments: Security
Posted on Tue Mar 25th, 2025 @ 7:13pm by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Elias McEntyre
1,054 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Resistance is Necessary
Location: Captain's Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Jane Addams
Timeline: MD002 - 0800
Lacking a yeoman at present, Raz did the appointments himself, sending them out to the three individuals recommended to assume department head responsibilities based on their performance on the away team, their records, and the current needs of the Jane Addams.
Elias had cleaned himself up, changed into a new uniform and had checked in on his brother before heading to the Ready Room. He stood at the door a moment, trying to get his breathing under control before he tapped the chime to the office.
With the ship out of immediate danger, Raz had turned toward administrative duties when what he really wanted to know was think. He was pretty much main-lining coffee at this point since a couple hours of sleep wasn't enough for anyone. Luckily for him, having wrestled with an inability to sleep when something was weighing on his mind for literally most of his life, he was good at maintaining focus. Getting the job done. He looked up at the sound of the chime and called out, "Enter."
Elias took a deep breath and stepped into the Ready Room, standing at attention before the Captain's desk. "McEntyre, Reporting as Ordered."
"As you were, Lieutenant," Raz said as he gestured toward the seats in front of his desk. "Please, sit down. I thought we'd talk a moment about your duties on the ship."
“Thank you, sir.” Elias nodded as he took a seat in front of the desk. The chair groaned softly under his massive bulk.
"Tell me something about your duties prior to the attack," Raz said. He was lean and nearly a foot shorter than the Cait before him but still formidable in his own right. There was an intensity about the way he focused on people, as though he were seeing into their very soul, that some found off-putting though it wasn't anything he'd ever worked at. Personally, Raz though of it as a byproduct of his unusual coloration. The only one of two Caits he had ever known with pale gray eyes and predominantly white fur. "I've read the record but I'd like to hear it from you."
"Prior to the attack, I was the Assistant Chief of Security for Earth Spacedock. My security forces ensured good order, custom enforcement and security operations for Spacedock and Earthside support. Before that I served 2 years on the Ronald McNair as Assistant Chief. I am a graduate of the Hayes College of Security with specializations in Military History, Defense, and Strategic Studies." Elias began to elaborate before pausing and continuing.
"Permission to be candid, sir?"
"Within reason, of course," Raz said. "Speak your mind."
"I know don't...meet...what most would consider a Traditional Caitian. I have a human name, grew up on Earth, basically know nothing of Caitian culture. I can stave off the obvious questions. My great-great grandfather was adopted by the human McEntyre family in 2237. He was the sole survivor of a Klingon raid on the ship his family was on. From there, the family has mostly shifted from humans to Caitian." Elias explained to the captain.
"And this matters because," Raz asked, his head cocked slightly to one side.
"Putting it out so there is no awkward questions, Sir." Elias spoke professionally. "Merely a clearing of the air. I find that explaining it first, saves on time later."
It was borne out of caution and necessity. Too many ignorant people, too many chaste jokes. Elias had no time for it.
"I have no interest in the history of your family or why you do not bear a Caitian name," Raz said. "I am much more interested in whether or not you'd be a good fit for my senior staff. Things are going to be difficult for awhile. Longer than probably everyone on board thinks and I need someone who can do what I need done."
“You have him sir. I’m field rated for all small arms and shipboard weaponry in inventory, I hold expert ratings in defense tactics and combat operations and field command of over 200 security personnel aboard Earth Spacedock.” Elias shifted back to his professional accomplishments.
"And why would you want to serve on the Jane Addams," Raz asked. "As opposed to being dropped off along the way. Maybe serve on another base?"
"This is in my blood. Service is all I've known and as it stands, it's safer here, on the move than on some planet in the path of these...Borg. If we can take the fight to them, Sir, I'd rather be here than out there," Elias started.
"I am also raising my brother who is my only family left and being on a Starship means safety, security, and a chance for him to have somewhat of a normal upbringing, even with all that has happened." Elias was at this point being logical, professional, even if it seems like he was pleading. His face never changed from the stern face he had shown since he came aboard and on the Shipyard.
Raz nodded. Aside from an unfortunate tendency to overshare, the Cait seemed to have the skills required though, as with most of the refugees he was taking on as senior staff, Raz was conflicted. It took him time to grow comfortable with new people in his inner circle and longer still to trust them with his ship and crew. Still, needs must and all of that.
"Alright," Raz said. "I'm going to give you a chance. Lieutenant McEntyre, I hereby appoint you to the position of Chief of Security with all the privileges and clearances required for that position."
"Lieutenant Elias McEntyre," the computer responded, "is now the Chief of Security for the USS Jane Addams."
"You and your brother are hereby approved to move to Deck 2 quarters," Raz said. "You can speak with Operations about that. We're not going to be able to make any major refits for the foreseeable but I'm sure you can work something out."
"I'm sure it will do, Sir. Thank You, Sir" Elias stood to attention.
"You're dismissed," Raz said. "Welcome to the Jane Addams."
“Thank you, Sir” Elias saluted, before turning on his heels and departing in proper order to assume his duty station.
Captain M'Raz
Commanding Officer
USS Jane Addams
Lieutenant Elias McEntyre
Chief of Security
USS Jane Addams
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