A Protective Film
Posted on 26 Nov 2017 @ 6:21pm by Lieutenant Nimh Ahressa (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR, Bre'el Dip. Msn.) & Captain Jason Kage (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR, Camp Revenant)
Edited on on 27 Nov 2017 @ 2:54am
Mission:
He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: CiC / Marine Country
Timeline: sometime after Nimh meets Kosu.
Ahressa was finding herself really liking the CiC. It was a really convenient way to keep track of things rather than relying on small displays and speed of shifting displays to have fast readouts. Granted she'd still spend a good portion of time on the Bridge, but having everything withing eye-movement range was very appealing to her inner geek.
The only problem was, any tracker programs she would put in, she'd need to do when CiC was either empty, or when she was on the Bridge and the others were distracted by their jobs to not look in her direction.
So it was more a mixed blessing, when she actually thought about it.
Jason Kage stepped into the armory, Gunny Melota of House reHDep a step behind scanning with her usual intensity. She was about his height, attractive in a formidable way, one of the toughest Sergeants in the Marine corps. They'd served in several war zones and understood each other's ways.
Kage returned the salutes of the noncoms in charge and examined the racks of weaposn, explosives and other items. One area caught his attention and the corner of his lips rose for an instant as he glanced at the explosives assembled.
"Been stocking it with special items again, Gunny?" Kage asked, spotting the small package near the back.
"Well spotted, Captain." Melota replied. "A cousin in the defense forces owed me a favor. You also see the difficulties."
Kage nodded, "Agreed. Best to go through channels. Our compatriots in fleet will handle all relevant details. I'm sure you know where I am headed next."
Melota laughed briefly, her predatory smile causing a nearby PFC to sweat. "Any Marine that behaves anything but correctly towards fleet will receive my special attention."
Kage barked out a quick laugh. "I wouldn't wish that on a Gorn. We'll end the tour here and I'll deal with this situation. Dismissed"
Melota saluted and strode out, her voice could be heard barking orders to some passing grunts.
Kage entered the hallway and hit his commbadge. "Kage to Ahressa. Are you free. I could use your assistance deck 21. Specifically the armory."
"Kage, this Nimh. Ahressa corrected through the same commbadge, trying to keep the annoyance at the usual Human mistake out of her voice. I'll be down in a moment. Nimh out.
Considering the Armory was needing her services, she'd adjusted a few tools in her kit, just in case. So, now she was stepping over to the Armory, nodding to the guards posted at the Armory door.
Keen eyes gave each a quick glance, taking in their physique and armaments.
"I'm Lieutenant Nimh, here for Captain Kage?" She said to the one that had the superior rank.
They both saluted and the one with the corporal chevrons was about to answer. Then he spotted a figure coming down the hall from the other direction. "Officer on the deck!" he barked and all the nearby marines froze and saluted.
Kage stopped and saluted, adding a second crisp salute for Ahressa. "Lieutenant Nimh, my apologies for the incorrect usage of your name. Inexcusable ignorance on my part. I'll try to prevent such a mistake on the part of myself and those under my command."
Ahressa blinked. Not only at the apology. She was looking at a starkly identical man to one Captain Jack Lashmore. Even down to the haircut. How...
Shaking her head, she threw on a smile, "it's alright Captain Kage, it's still a relative novelty to the Federation, my people's names." Ahressa said, "and please, no need for salutes with me. I work for a living."
"We marines believe in formality. In any event, please follow me and I will show you the small difficulty I hoped we could address." Kage replied, heading into the armory and returning quick salutes as he passed the grunts working in different areas.
He stopped at a small area with a forcefield marked explosive. He said, "Computer, lower the force field. Confirm the order, Kage Delta 361."
"Affirmative." The unseen voice replied and the forcefield lowered.
Kage stepped inside and stopped before a small red box with Breen lettering on the side. "Gunny Melota and I worked some classified jobs in the past. She brought in this explosive in the event of a serious crisis. It's a Breen Kelvin explosive, a very powerful explosive. It is inactive and inert at the moment. Proper safety procedures require a second layer of protection in case of a series of events that are, by all estimates, about 540,000 to 1. Can you assist?"
Of all the stupid things to do... Ahressa nodded, "has this been cleared with Security and the Quartermaster? Non-regulation ordinance needs to be cleared before getting it aboard. Even if not with them, Intel would have needed to clear it."
She reached out gingerly and took it from him, making sure to keep it from jostling and to keep it in a level position.
"That being said, I think I can help." She said, her eyes focused on the small box. Seriously of all the stupid things you could bring aboard.
"It was properly cleared, Gunny Melota is a stickler for exact paperwork. I'll forward all relevant forms to you immediately. I will include all other non-regulation ordinance as well. We're a raiders company, so we occasionally use weapons for specific missions. Everything is cleared and we will take whatever precautions your request. My ordinance NCO is Sergeant Keel." Kage replied.
Ahressa nodded, "thanks. Look I'm not doubting your work, but I have to ask these things so we know what went off and how to contain it in case it does blow. I won't stop you from doing your job, just need to be able to do mine in the process, is all."
She carried it over to the closest elevated case and carefully placed the box on it.
Taking out her tricorder she did a quick scan to check the composition and state of inertness.
"The current layer doesn't appear to have scan and transporter dispersal, so we'll have to add that one." For the sake of appearing not to know it's full range and capability or the protection layer, she had to ask, "anything else you want to double up on the protective layer?"
She was, of course familiar with what it was, what set it off and what could inadvertently do so. The intelligence officer of her, that is. The Operations officer, however, knew a lot less by given pre-text.
Kage shook his head, "Nothing that requires advanced prep for care. You won't find any Vatron-T disruptors or other evil nonsense. We do use a more simplistic type 3 phaser disruptor rifle that may become standard issue soon. The current design is too delicate for advance field ops. But if you wish to take a look, you will not be challenged now or in the future. Standing orders allow yourself, Intell, XO, and ship CO unlimited access to examine."
He did smile slightly a moment later. "I would not advise attempting to take anything, however. Keel is a fellow Capellan and we have a tendency towards protectiveness. Even I best have every form completed unless I give a direct order."
Ahressa chuckled. "Relax. I'm more of a kit-bash ordinance girl. All this fancy new age stuff is way over my head. So it's safe." Then she looked up at him, "I'll trust you and your people to handle these properly. All I ask is if things go belly up you tell me what I'm dealing with so I know which counter measures to enact. What I was asking about was if you wanted any double protective features on this little guy?" She pointed to the box, "or if I should just put on an additional layer and a pattern lock dispersal film on it?"
Kage shook his head. "That's ten layers thick with a genetic lock on it as well. Any additional boxes would be surplus to requirements. I just don't believe in allowing for even small chances when dealing with explosives. Especially Breen armaments. I think they're all designed with a black sense of humor."
It is an effective one though. Ahressa commented in her mind, her thoughts going to the infamous Breen Energy Dispersal Weapon, one very recently used on several Federation ships by the Free Romulan Movement.
"I believe you. I heard stories about them, though when they'd roam through DS9 when it was Occupied by the Dominion, you couldn't really figure them out with their suits and all." She said chuckling. "Alright, you have a replicator down here, I assume?"
"Yes." Kage said, "head down the third row, take a left at the photon grenades and head straight. The replicator is on the right. If you see a giant with sergeant chevrons lurking around the racks, that's Keel."
Ahressa nodded, leaving the box with Kage while she set off down the indicated path. She looked left and right as she came out of the final row and stepped over to the replicator.
Easily, she entered her code into the replicator and input a series of instructions on how to create the item from various parts already present in the pattern constitution buffer.
A wide shouldered man in a marine uniform appeared from around the racks. He was over seven feet tall and had his hair pulled back into a topknot. He glanced her direction and saluted. "Sir. I assume you are the Ops CO the Captain contacted. I am Staff Sergeant Keel, Armorer."
Ahressa had to look up and arch her head. "Wow, you're tall." She thought to herself as she fought the urge rub the back of her neck.
"Yeah, I'm Lieutenant Nimh. Good to meet you Mister Keel." She said finally. "I'm just assisting the Captain with the little red box."
"Construction complete." The computer announced.
Ahressa turned to the replicator and extracted a device that looked to be delivering a spray.
Keel grunted. "The Captain always keeps one of those in the armory in case of a disaster. Must be his human half, a Capellan wouldn't think of using anything so destructive."
With that he saluted and vanished back into the armory. His deep voice was audible where Nimh stood, snarling at some unfortunate private for some foolish activity.
Ahressa chuckled softly and went back to where she had left Kage and the LRB.
"Alright," she announced her presence, "let's see if I manged to put this one together correctly. It's not every day you make pattern lock dispersal layers."
She fished out a device that resembled old style tongs and gently clasped them around the box and leaned over it. Gently, she pressed the disperse control and began applying a thin layer of what looked like mist over the box.
"Interesting, faster work than I could manage on my best day. Here's hoping we can return this to the deep armory stores back in Pendelton. Because if we need to use this device, things are as dire as can be imagined." Kage stated, frowning.
"Had to use one once...bad time. Thank you again." He added.
Ahressa nodded, "we're a team, Mister Kage, Starfleet and Marines alike." She glanced at him briefly, then turned her attention back to the box and fished out a tricorder. "The film is solidifying. Give it say five minutes before you put it back. The pattern dispersal layer will be fully set in by then."
"I said as much to Gunny Melota. Not sure about other ships, but she and I won't stand for any competitive crap between fleet and troopers. If you see even a hint of that, let either of us know immediately." Kage replied, looking grim.
Ahressa nodded, "of course. What might not be a bad idea is to do some joint Fleet and Marine exercises, to strengthen morale. Probably need to clear it with the XO and Security first, but it wouldn't be off point to do one, hm?" She asked, yet again marvelling at how similar Kage and Lashmore were.
Kage nodded slowly. "Yes, that usually helps. One I learned from Major West when I was a PFC is called the Blood Games. The marines and security work together to prevent a lone agent from performing some goal. Creates a team atmosphere, win or lose. Also a good learning activity about security holes."
Ahressa nodded, "indeed. When I was with the Militia during the War and after, we did the same exercises with the Starfleet crew on Deep Space Nine."
"It is a well proven way to work as a team. When I was a being transported out of the war zone once, my team had to act as escaped prisoners on a ship. The marines there were lax, security much more professional. You can imagine how their Colonel reacted when he received the assessment report. I think that officer is still in charge of rock polishing at a camp on a frozen listening station." Kage mused.
Ahressa chuckled a little at the image, "now we just need to hope the rest play ball. Especially Intelligence."
Kage shrugged, "From what I gather, a lot of what's coming involves all of the above. Let's hope everyone is on the proverbial ball."
Ahressa nodded and opened up her tricorder again, "the layer has hardened and moulded into the existing ones. I'd say this is good to go in it's casing again." She said, nodding at Kage.
"Thank you. I hope we can return this cursed device back to the armory unused. Weapons like this one are used only when we're close to a hopefless situation." Kage mused.
The bajoran nodded, "heh...yeah." There have been way too many hopeless situations for the Federation and allies of late.
"I know, been doing the front lines work since I was in my teens. It'd be nice if I was out-of-work for a time." Kage mused.
Me too. Ahressa gave a silent thought as she nodded to Kage.
