09-21-2025, 12:55 AM
Mara’s eyes went back to the holoprojector and never left as she took in the replies from Ardanna and Ollie.
Leman Yordan had his take as well.
“I’d like to advise heavy stun, but I know you well enough to know that’s probably not where you’re going to go with it,” the big Trill rumbled. “But the plan itself is sound. We can breach the perimeter fence without too many problems. And I don’t think even you would do too well against an entire barracks.”
The Security Chief’s lips pulled back in a feral smile.
“Yeah, well. I prefer my odds hand to hand over a firefight, but I’m also probably the only one that that applies to,” she replied. There were 3 Klingons with severe slash wounds in the morgue that would attest to her lethality. “OK. Let’s stick with that plan then. Kill shots authorised. I’m not risking any more danger to our teams than I absolutely have to. Pearson, get the 2 type-bs. I like your thinking there just in case we have to even the odds. And yeah, rifles for all Security officers. The rest of them, type IIs if they’ve got a permit, type Is if they don’t.”
Calleja looked up.
“Right. Personnel. A type-14 gives us 14 slots to play with. Cap’n is assigning us a pilot. Us 4. 2 Science, 1 Medical, 1 Engineering. Leaves 5 more for reinforcements.” She tapped her commbadge. “Calleja to Howland, Sansum, Partik, Coyn and Vedlar. Gear up and head down to the shuttlebay. We’re goin’ to see the Klingons at home. Full gear.”
Dark eyes went back to the others.
“You 3 as well. Gear up, get down there. Yordan, I want you geared to breach the fences. Pearson, bring the holoprojector so we can brief the rest of the team. I’m gonna go get myself sorted out and get Okehampton to rustle up enough to equip everyone else as well. Good work on the prep.”
Mara headed away to the Armoury. It seemed that word had already reached Okehampton on what was going on, as she already had a set of armour ready for the Security Chief along with a fresh rifle and cleaned machete.
“Chief. Am I right with my guess?” Nat asked, her head tilted.
“You are. We’re goin’ to see what’s up down there,” Calleja replied. “14 crew away team. 9 of them ours, the others from the other departments. Once I know who’s going, can you get armour sorted out in the right sizes and beamed over? Get me a spread of type Is and type IIs ready as well.”
“Will do.” Okehampton nodded. “I’ll make sure the suits are all fitted with the lifesign scramblers as well. They’re still a bit experimental but every little helps. Oh, and yours. I added a reinforced plate behind the torso and chestplate. You get in way more brawls than anyone else and I doubt you’d notice the weight.”
“Sound. I appreciate it. Hopefully I come back with a report on how well it all worked.” Mara grinned, nodded in thanks and grabbed her gear before heading back to her office for a little privacy.
She quickly donned her armour with a practiced ease. That part, she knew inside and out. Her reputation had been forged in harsh conditions and hostile environments. It was the rest of it that was new to Mara. The burden of commanding her own department was still settling on her broad shoulders, and now here she was about to lead a second away team. That was a new level of pressure and why she wanted to take a moment to herself.
I owe Crawford big time the Security Chief thought to herself as she replicated and then chugged an energy drink. There’s no time to get caught up in my own head about whether I’m the right choice for any of this. Straight in at the deep end. I just gotta bring my best and no fuckin’ around. Which is exactly what I’m gonna do.
With a deep breath, Mara took a long look at the inspirational photos and pictures that decorated one wall of her office. Her own family were in amongst the loved ones there and she felt a familiar surge of confidence. She’d come a long way.
And now to go that little bit further.
Satisfied she was ready, Calleja left the office and headed for the shuttle bay.
>> Shuttle Bay >>
Leman Yordan had his take as well.
“I’d like to advise heavy stun, but I know you well enough to know that’s probably not where you’re going to go with it,” the big Trill rumbled. “But the plan itself is sound. We can breach the perimeter fence without too many problems. And I don’t think even you would do too well against an entire barracks.”
The Security Chief’s lips pulled back in a feral smile.
“Yeah, well. I prefer my odds hand to hand over a firefight, but I’m also probably the only one that that applies to,” she replied. There were 3 Klingons with severe slash wounds in the morgue that would attest to her lethality. “OK. Let’s stick with that plan then. Kill shots authorised. I’m not risking any more danger to our teams than I absolutely have to. Pearson, get the 2 type-bs. I like your thinking there just in case we have to even the odds. And yeah, rifles for all Security officers. The rest of them, type IIs if they’ve got a permit, type Is if they don’t.”
Calleja looked up.
“Right. Personnel. A type-14 gives us 14 slots to play with. Cap’n is assigning us a pilot. Us 4. 2 Science, 1 Medical, 1 Engineering. Leaves 5 more for reinforcements.” She tapped her commbadge. “Calleja to Howland, Sansum, Partik, Coyn and Vedlar. Gear up and head down to the shuttlebay. We’re goin’ to see the Klingons at home. Full gear.”
Dark eyes went back to the others.
“You 3 as well. Gear up, get down there. Yordan, I want you geared to breach the fences. Pearson, bring the holoprojector so we can brief the rest of the team. I’m gonna go get myself sorted out and get Okehampton to rustle up enough to equip everyone else as well. Good work on the prep.”
Mara headed away to the Armoury. It seemed that word had already reached Okehampton on what was going on, as she already had a set of armour ready for the Security Chief along with a fresh rifle and cleaned machete.
“Chief. Am I right with my guess?” Nat asked, her head tilted.
“You are. We’re goin’ to see what’s up down there,” Calleja replied. “14 crew away team. 9 of them ours, the others from the other departments. Once I know who’s going, can you get armour sorted out in the right sizes and beamed over? Get me a spread of type Is and type IIs ready as well.”
“Will do.” Okehampton nodded. “I’ll make sure the suits are all fitted with the lifesign scramblers as well. They’re still a bit experimental but every little helps. Oh, and yours. I added a reinforced plate behind the torso and chestplate. You get in way more brawls than anyone else and I doubt you’d notice the weight.”
“Sound. I appreciate it. Hopefully I come back with a report on how well it all worked.” Mara grinned, nodded in thanks and grabbed her gear before heading back to her office for a little privacy.
She quickly donned her armour with a practiced ease. That part, she knew inside and out. Her reputation had been forged in harsh conditions and hostile environments. It was the rest of it that was new to Mara. The burden of commanding her own department was still settling on her broad shoulders, and now here she was about to lead a second away team. That was a new level of pressure and why she wanted to take a moment to herself.
I owe Crawford big time the Security Chief thought to herself as she replicated and then chugged an energy drink. There’s no time to get caught up in my own head about whether I’m the right choice for any of this. Straight in at the deep end. I just gotta bring my best and no fuckin’ around. Which is exactly what I’m gonna do.
With a deep breath, Mara took a long look at the inspirational photos and pictures that decorated one wall of her office. Her own family were in amongst the loved ones there and she felt a familiar surge of confidence. She’d come a long way.
And now to go that little bit further.
Satisfied she was ready, Calleja left the office and headed for the shuttle bay.
>> Shuttle Bay >>