Thrown Into The Deep End

Posted on Sun Jun 21st, 2020 @ 3:32am by Cailus Griffin
Edited on on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 6:42am

Mission: New Moon Rising
Location: Deck 17 (Security HQ)
Timeline: After "Neon Boulevard"

Deck 18 of the Pandora was, for the first time in months, thrumming with activity. Security HQ, as it had recently been named, was crowded with the entire Security and Tactical departments, dozens of officers milling around. Some sat at some of the desks that ringed around the room while others stood near the bulkheads, working the wall-mounted displays. They were expectant, but the tone of the combined voices was also faintly nervous. Rumours abounded about their new department head; some even wondered if the man was here, among them. There were a dozen ensigns present, several of them human males, and a faint undercurrent of tension rippled throughout the crowd as they waited.

As it happened, they need not have worried as at precisely 1400, a bearded middle aged man emerged from the turbolift. He wore the same grey and yellow uniform as everyone else, but there could be no mistaking who this ensign was; he strode forward with purpose, looking around with coldly calculating eyes as he moved to the small gap of the ring of desks. Silence fell only seconds later, everyone turning to the new arrival.

"Welcome aboard the Pandora," the man announced, crossing his arms. His deep voice carried easily, demanding people to listen. "I am Ensign Griffin, your Chief of Security and Chief Tactical Officer." He paused, looking around and meeting as many people's eyes as he could. "I know you all must be wondering who I am, why such a junior officer has been given this assignment and how I am qualified to lead this department. Those are fair questions, so I'll give you a fair answer."

With that, Griffin's expression grew even more stern. "I have served in Starfleet for ten years. For five years, I was Chief of Security of the USS Churchill. I then spent the next eighty seven years in cryostasis after the Churchill was attacked and destroyed." A faint intake of breath was audible from the back of the room but everyone else kept quiet, simply watching. "Some of you may find my methods old fashioned, or outdated. If any of you wish to talk to me or to the deputy chiefs about this, then you should consider it your duty to do so."

Placing his hands behind his back, the man paused. "I've read all of your records. You are the best of the best, and that is exactly what I expect from all of you. I vow to give you everything I have. I expect the same in return." With that, his demeanour grew downright threatening. "That begins now. You all may have noticed that the deputy chiefs are not present. That is because they are busy preparing a drill that begins now." Glancing up at the ceiling, he added "Computer: begin the scheduled Security drill."

The computer's feminine voice rang out promptly. "Intruder alert on Deck 20. A Changeling infiltrator is aboard. Repeat, a Changeling infiltrator is aboard."

As everybody looked around in confusion, Griffin' voice rose to a shout, immediately bringing silence. "That's you, people. Arm up and set for a Changeling sweep. Team leaders, contact Deputy Chief Sloor for your sweep zones. Now move!

After a second's hesitation, the entire crowd exploded into action. Griffin stayed perfectly still as they ran around him, rushing to the Armory and to the turbolift, watching everything with cool, dispassionate assessment. It had taken only two minutes for half the department to hate him, while the other half already feared him. Regardless, everyone was certain that the strange bastard didn't seem to care either way.