Subterfuge Most Helpful, Part 2 of 3

Posted on Tue Jun 23rd, 2020 @ 12:44am by Lieutenant John Sandoval & Ensign Emmanuelle Larose
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:20pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Training Room, "Gifted"
Timeline: Current

A Mission Post by Lieutenant John Sandoval & Ensign Emmanuelle Larose
Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Training Room, "Gifted"
Timeline: Current
Fri Nov 2nd, 2018 @ 5:16pm

ON

John hadn't been to the "Gifted" fitness centre yet, so took his time exploring before he found the small training room. This area was usually reserved for group exercise and self-defence classes. A few sizes of weights, resistance tools, and melee weapons were stored on shelves against the back wall. Mirrors adorned the remaining three. I should check the workout schedule, thought John.

His cane was leaning against one of the shelves. He didn't need it right now, but it was useful to have on hand after what he had planned.

Right on time, the door opened and two women entered. The first was Crewman Liane Marcoux, his assistant. The second was Ensign Emmanuelle Larose, his security officer.

Cailus had been right. This was the least intimidating security officer John had ever seen. But she came highly recommended. She was a full ten centimeters shorter than John, who was himself short already. She had long hair, pulled back into a pony tail right, that was brown at the scalp but purple near the ends. John thought she was quite pretty, but kept that strictly to himself.

Emmanuelle stood before him at attention, while Liane took her place by the door.

"Ensign Larose, reporting for duty, sir!" she said. Her voice was accented in a way John found familiar. She was French-Canadian. As a native of Toronto, he appreciated that they at least partly shared a culture.

"At ease, Ensign," said John. "Do you know why you're here?"

Emmanuelle softened her stance, and held her hands behind her back. "Lieutenant Griffin ordered me to report to your office. I am to be a permanent security attaché to the diplomatic department." She squinted her eyes at John. "As for why I'm in this room, I'm not sure. Crewman Marcoux escorted me here, but wouldn't say why."

"Exactly as I asked her to do," said John, with a nod to his assistant. "Security for diplomatic missions is a different challenge than others you've faced. You often won't have much support from your department, being the only guard in a room with potential enemies. You may have only concealed small arms, or be completely unarmed. You need to be able to assess security risks and whether someone on an opposing delegation is intending us harm and react appropriately, whether that's disabling your foe or just warning me that there's a genuine risk. One bad call and you've just shot an unarmed diplomat. It helps to be aware of the politics involved in what the department is doing. But it's rewarding work, and you can get good exposure with senior command."

John paced a few steps as he spoke. "I've read your file. You've done brig security. You've been a VIP bodyguard. Your phaser accuracy scores are very high. Lieutenant Griffin spoke highly of you when I asked him for someone. He also offered me Petty Officer Lizi. Why should I choose you for this?"

Emmanuelle was taken aback. She was ambitious and wanted to go far. She knew intellectually that her superiors trusted her, but often felt overlooked because of her small stature. She wanted this assignment, and wanted to prove she was cool under pressure too. "Petty Officer Lizi is a good choice, sir," she began. "But if I may speak freely?" John nodded. "I'll admit Lizi knows more about politics than I do so, but I'm the person you want. The reason my phaser scores are so good is because I wait for the shot. Many of my classmates took it too quickly and often had collateral damage as a result. As a bodyguard, I once got the Arcadian representative to the Federation Council, who was visiting Mars before returning home, by spotting a man in a crowd that meant her harm. I didn't open fire, because there was a chance he was just angry, but I raised it with my superiors and the man was quietly approached by security. Turned out he was planning on attacking the Council member by releasing a poison outside her hotel room. He had vials of a poisonous substance on his person; had I fired on him, I would have hit him, but probably injured or killed dozens of others." She seemed satisfied with her answer and allowed herself a smile. "I got a commendation for my judgment. As for politics, I'm a quick learner."

She was happy with the nods she was getting from Lieutenant Sandoval. "But I could have told you this in your office, sir," she added. "Why are we here?"

"It's quite simple, Ensign," John replied. "I trust your judgment in the field, and I think you'd be great in this position. But there's one last thing I need to be sure of." He looked Emmanuelle in the eyes. "I was a marine for years before I donned the purple uniform. I've got height and quite a bit of weight on you." He bent his legs and stood in a proper combat stance. "Apprehend me, Ensign. Give no quarter."

John had barely finished his sentence when the small security officer rushed him. She went in low, going for his stomach, which he's inadequately defended. She got in a few blows before he managed to block effectively. The two were locked in a tense match. He was good, but she was better.

The match ended when Emmanuelle dropped and slammed her elbow, with as much force as she could muster, into John's left thigh.

In excruciating pain, John dropped to the ground. Emmanuelle rolled him onto his stomach, mounted his back, and secured his right arm almost instantly. He tapped out, declaring her the victor.

"I read your file, too, sir," Emmanuelle stated with a slight smile. "I knew about the leg. Always know your foes' weaknesses."

"Welcome to the team, Ensign," John said between sharp breaths. "Now help me up and get me my cane." She got off of him and offered her hand, as Liane brought the cane forward. "I wonder when the self defence classes are scheduled," John said as he stood, looking for a schedule posted on the wall. "Apparently I need to hone my edge."

"Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1500 hours," replied Emmanuelle matter-of-factly. "I teach the Thursday one. Happy to help you improve, sir."

OFF