AT/D13 - Security Complex

[Tyra Crawford]

== The Security Complex is an extensive facility that houses all the needs for the ship’s Security personnel. Training Areas, Shooting Range, and Armory are some of the larger features. The Chief of Security’s Office is located along with a few other small offices and interview rooms. There is a sizable Lounge and Rest Area that is permeated with the aroma of coffee, even in emergencies. There is also a Locker Room with refreshment facilities, a Briefing Room, and an area for communications exchange usually referred to as ‘Dispatch’. Finally, the Brig area features several holding cells, with most designed for multiple occupancy with bunk beds, refreshment stations, and an ever-present forcefield when in use. A couple cells are designated for single occupancy only, when isolated or protective custody is needed. The brig area is overwatched by a few desk terminals occupied by security personnel at all times when detainees are present. ==

[Mara Calleja]

== For the most part, the Security Complex is fairly standard. The biggest exception is the long wall that runs the length of the bullpen. Chief Calleja asked every Security crew member who wanted to, to send her a photograph of their loved ones. Family, partners, best friends, even treasured pets. She then had the entire wall covered in these pictures to remind everyone what they were fighting to protect. The effect is certainly striking, a riot of colour amidst the sterile grey, black and beige.

Just outside the Chief of Security's office is a pair of screens and they constantly display commendations, medals and promotions, along with the best times set in drills and marksmanship scores. The intention was to literally put the names of the best performers up in lights, to try and inspire others to match or beat their achievements. Given how regularly the names change, it seems to be working.

The department also features 3 bright candy red coffee machines, upgraded on the Chief's own dime. The coffee they produce is some of the best available on Artemis. ==

[Lira Ghemor]

The doors to the Security Complex slid open with a quiet hiss as Lira stepped through them. She had an athletic, broad-shouldered frame that reflected her Half-Cardassian heritage. Her warm peach skin glowed softly under the ship’s lights, creating a striking contrast with the full, prominent Cardassian ridges that ran along her forehead and down the sides of her neck. The ridges also carried subtle blue-gray accents that caught the light as she moved across the complex.

She had arrived not too long ago but was eager to get started. She hadn’t brought much so it had not taken her much time to get settled into her quarters. As she walked across the complex, her blonde curly hair flowed behind her as her purple eyes scanned the large room.

Let’s hope that I don’t seem too eager to prove myself.

She approached the Chief of Security’s office with calm composure, reading the name on the front of the door: Lieutenant Mara Calleja. She pressed the button on the door to alert the Lieutenant that she was outside.

“Midshipman Lira Ghemor reporting for duty, Lieutenant.”  Her soft alto voice carrying a gentle, but firm Cardassian lilt as she announced herself through the door.

She stood at ease but not casually, hands clasped behind her back, waiting patiently for acknowledgment. Inside, she was a mix of excitement and nervous resolve stirred.

==Tag Mara!==

[Mara Calleja]

Since disembarking for shore leave, Mara hadn’t set foot back aboard the ship right up until the recall went out. A whole lot had happened. The embarrassment she still felt after the party. And then… Then there was so much to unpack after what had happened when she went back to her homeworld. Bandar IV would be feeling the effects of that for a good while yet.

At least they finally took that fuckin’ billboard down from the spaceport she thought with a wry smile to herself as she walked back into the Security Complex.

The Amazonian Calleja paused on the edge of the bullpen, taking a moment to listen to the buzz of voices, the whirs of the coffee machines, and just the sounds of a department bringing itself back to readiness. She felt like the Chief of Security now in a way that she hadn’t before. Her stamp was starting to show all over the department, from the mural and the coffee machines, to her picks for positions as the teams gathered and started to lay out the schedules that she’d set.

She fingered the third pip on her collar that she was wearing for the first time, almost to reassure herself that she had the right to wear it. Mara had drawn a lot of reassurance and confidence from that talk with Tyra Crawford before leave. The Bandaran was not what anyone expected from a senior Star Fleet officer, but now she was at peace with that. She no longer felt like she had to excuse or justify herself. And that was a big step forward for her.

Calleja made her way towards the coffee machine right outside her office, returning greetings and acknowledgments with a nod. With a mug of Colombia’s finest, she turned towards her door and stopped.

“Hey Yordan,” she called. “They gonna repaint this door any time soon?”

The burly Trill wandered over.

“What’s wrong with it, Chief?” he asked. “Lieutenant Mara Calleja. That’s you, right? You didn’t get fired over leave?”

The promotions board chose that moment to cycle over and display Mara’s own promotion. Yordan looked at the board, looked at her collar, and laughed at her raised eyebrow and wolfish grin.

“Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander,” he said. “I’ll get that fixed right up.”

“Good man,” Mara replied as she went in. The door slid closed behind her as she sat down behind the desk. She detested admin work but it needed doing, so she figured it was better to blitz it now whilst she was still fresh.

After a while, the door chime sounded.

[Midshipman Lira Ghemor reporting for duty, Lieutenant.]

Ghemor? Where did I see that name… Oh yeah, our new Academy graduate. Fresh outta school and onto Artemis. Oh boy is this gonna be a learnin’ curve.

“Come on in,” Mara replied, rising from her chair and stepping round the desk to greet the newcomer. At nearly 190cm tall and 102kg of well-honed muscle, the Chief of Security considerably outmassed the newcomer. She’d freshly shaved the right side of her head and braids hung down over the bare skin, the rest of her hair hanging loose over her left shoulder. Dark brown eyes met the purple stare of Mid Ghemor.

“Good to meet ya,” Calleja said, her accent harsh by Federation standards. “Welcome to Artemis,” she added, holding out a hand to Lira. “Can I get ya a drink?”

== Back atcha! ==

[Sovar]

If it hadn’t been for the crimson colour of his uniform, Sovar would have easily fit in with the bunch of orange shirts that resided in the Security Complex; he was fit, with well defined but toned musculature, and had an aura of seriousness that served him well in security roles. As he walked through the complex, he noted that it was sizable. That was not a surprise to Sovar as he considered just how often the Artemis ‘ran into trouble’. Perhaps that was the problem, just how much Artemis found herself in trouble. That thought briefly ran clearly across Sovar’s usually stoic face.

More than a few of the officers that Sovar passed openly scrutinized him visually; though they did acknowledge him with a polite, if short, “Commander”. It wasn’t just the blonde streak in his hair either, but it was an inspection. Almost as if he were an invader. In a sense, Sovar understood that he was. This security team had created a history for itself since the Battle of the Megasphere. Some of that was during Bryan Crawford’s watch, sibling of Captain Crawford. Much of the rest came from Captain Crawford herself, Commander Coleman, and now Lieutenant Commander Calleja. It was yet to be seen how exactly the security crew would take to Sovar.

Passing the Bullpen, Sovar noticed the incredible number of photos and mementos plastered on the wall; security team’s loved ones, and trinkets devoted to them, adorned the stretch. It was saccharinely supportive, but the messaging acknowledged underlying emotions that came with service to Star Fleet, particularly in the security field. It also displayed the crew’s bravery; the requirement, especially to security personnel, to traverse space and encounter the unknown in sometimes dangerous circumstances.

“Fascinating.”

It was an intriguing move, and not one done to the same extent that Sovar had seen before. He was curious to know how that particular Artemisian tradition started. It could make sense, given the nature of her history, that it started early in the Vesta class Explorer’s service. Though Sovar was uncertain of either of the Crawford’s predilections for sentimentality. Whatever the case there was, yet more, to intrigue the Commander.

As he moved through the Complex, Sovar found himself greeted by a pair of screens just outside the Chief of Security's office. Commendations and promotions scrawled along the bottom of action-shot images overlaid with top scores and best times of exercises. All security teams that Sovar encountered had such competitive natures, and whether Artemis’ environment of professional rivalry was a healthy one, was yet to be seen. It was another example of an environment tailored to the professionals within. It spoke volumes to Sovar about the culture of the team, and the officer who led them.

Ahead of him, there seemed to be another eager officer wanting some of the Security Chief’s time. There was no urgency on Sovar’s part. He had simply wanted to visit the Security Complex, and if the Lieutenant Commander was available, make acquaintance with her. Acknowledging the situation, Sovar moved such that the Security Chief would be able to see him milling about for a moment or two. Then he wandered his way over to the communications exchange to oversee their current work, while still staying in eyesight of the COS Office, patiently waiting his turn.

[Mara Calleja]

== OK, I’m going to move things on a little, as it’s been nearly a month. ==

The Security Chief caught the arrival of a figure in command red out of the corner of her eye.

So that’s the next contestant is it? That last FO barely lasted long enough to unpack his case. Wonder how long this guy makes it.

Mara looked up and saw the distinctive Vulcan ears and internally sighed. The mercurial officer hadn’t yet managed to build any kind of friendship with a Vulcan. Emotion and instinct ran very close to the surface with her, too close for the comfort of anyone who operated on cold logic and reason. She was fairly sure the only reason she still had a career was because she’d never had to answer to a Vulcan. But now it appeared that run was about to come to an end.

“Sorry Middie, but the new boss has just arrived. So I gotta go pretend to be a functional officer,” Calleja joked. “Let me getcha section leader over ‘ere, he can get you sorted out.”

Mara opened the door and caught the eye of Leman Yordan, the burly Trill with the close-cropped blonde hair wandering over.

“I got your next victim,” the Security Chief said. “Mid Lira Ghemor, freshly arrived from the Academy. Lira, this is Lieutenant Leman Yordan. I’ll catch up with ya later.”

As Yordan led the Midshipman over to the bank of desks, Calleja looked over to Sovar.

“Welcome to my ‘umble domain,” she said in greeting, a roguish grin on her lips. “I’d introduce myself but pretty sure you already know who I am. Sovar, right? Step this way. Can I get you a drink while you’re ‘ere?”

The Security Chief gestured towards her office. She’d considered taking a stiff formal manner but had dismissed the idea. It just wasn’t her, and she didn’t want to set any false expectations.

== Tag Sovar! ==

===

== Lt Leman Yordan ==

Leman had picked his desk carefully. He had a clear view to the COS’ office, the armoury and 2 of the coffee machines, making it easier for him to know who was around and where they were. That went double for Chief Calleja, who had a habit of never being where he expected her to be. He’d seen the new First Officer arrive and figured he would be needed soon enough.

When Mara called him over, it was a short walk, and Leman nodded in acknowledgement to the new officer who stood just behind the commander.

“I got your next victim,” the Security Chief said. “Mid Lira Ghemor, freshly arrived from the Academy. Lira, this is Lieutenant Leman Yordan. I’ll catch up with ya later.”

“Mid Ghemor. Welcome to Artemis!” Leman replied. “Over here please, and we can get you settled in.”

He led her over to his desk, idly wondering just how much Cardassian was in her heritage and how that was going to go over with the ship’s Bajoran contingent.

“Take a seat,” he said, his chair groaning under his weight as he sat down himself. “So you’ve met Chief Calleja. She’s… unconventional,” he added with a smile. “Me, I’m more what you were expecting I think. I’m Lieutenant Yordan, and the duty shift leader for my many sins. Obviously I’ve read your file, but tell me a bit more about yourself. What brings you here? What’s your ideal assignment?”

Blue eyes twinkled in the light as he waited for the Midshipman to reply.

== Tag Ghemor! ==

[Sovar]

There was movement on the periphery of his vision, and Sovar turned his body such that he was able to better see what was transpiring in the COS office. The Security Chief had taken notice of him it seemed. It wasn’t long after that she was delegating the orientation of the new Midshipman to another officer. Sovar raised a brow but gave it little thought; it was logical to do so given the circumstances. Still, there was just the barest momentary flicker of guilt that ran in the back of Sovar’s head, for having taken attention away from the Midshipman and their first interaction with the Chief. His guilt was allayed in knowing it hadn’t been his decision, as the Lieutenant Commander could have easily made him wait. And also, the Lieutenant that was called upon to do the orientation would gain experience from conducting it themselves.

“Welcome to my ‘umble domain,” the Chief of Security called out to him with an accent that Sovar could not place.

Noticing the roguish grin on her lips gave him an immediate understanding, and his brow raised again in reaction. Calleja was, to say the least, a character to be sure. Sovar had spent more than enough time studying her dossier. However, he had spent even longer trying to distill her actual personality, which was difficult to do from reviews alone. In person, he knew he would get a much better sense for the officer that Commander Coleman had, in writing, said ‘this woman has no quit’. In Sovar’s estimation, Coleman had meant it as high praise. Though drive such as that, in his experience, could also be a negative quality.

“I’d introduce myself but pretty sure you already know who I am…” Calleja said and he nodded.

“...Sovar, right?”

“Correct,” he replied.

Having already been approaching the office, Calleja’s invitation validated his instinct to casually enter. The air of informality was about what Sovar would have expected from her. In honesty, it was what he preferred as well. Vulcans were often treated with formality, which his predecessors had certainly ensured given their predilection for customs and rituals. Sovar often found it was just another mask behind which true intentions could be hidden.

“Spiced Vulcan Tea, with extra ginger and red pepper flakes, please,” he responded to Calleja’s request for a drink while looking around.

Sovar noted how little Calleja had changed the space from standard. Officers often imparted some portion of their personality when they were granted their own office, putting up pictures or making spaces for all sorts of trinkets, decorations, and memorabilia. It did make sense, from what he knew of her, that the space was more spartan than most. In fact, Spartan was a word he might have even used to describe her; at least from what he’d read about her. The only thing he noted to be non-standard were the incredibly comfy looking chairs in front of the desk. It was a tactic he’d seen before from some officers. Though he wondered what Calleja’s intentions were for installing them.

“You are quite busy, and I apologize for having interrupted your orientation of the new Midshipman. It was not my intention,” he started, intending to show he respected her time.

“With my background, I always enjoy scouting the decks of ships I arrive on, particularly those that house Security. Artemis has a much larger complex than I have been previously accustomed to. Which does make sense…” he let that thought drop without explaining it further.

Taking a seat in front of the desk, he noted that not only did the chair look comfy, it was comfy. Nowhere near as utilitarian as other ones he’d been in. There were two approaches that he could take, given his split heritage. One was to be stoic and sit upright, taking little comfort in the hospitality presented to him. The other was to indulge, accept the amenity of well cushioned seats, and relax in the informality Calleja had presented.

“The sumptuous nature of this seat is quite unexpected,” Sovar stated as he relaxed into and began to lounge in the chair.

“Is this a tradition of yours, to put visitors to your office at ease?” the question stayed aloft as he waited for Calleja to join him, and the much welcomed drink if she brought it to him.

== tag Calleja ==