Security Check

Posted on Wed May 7, 2025 @ 9:50pm by Lieutenant Annora Tessaro & Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant JG Anson Lee

1,934 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Station Command - T'mpest's Office
Timeline: Day 2 0740 hrs

ON

T'mpest sent word to the chief and assistant chief of security to meet her at their earliest opportunity. She had so much to learn about the ins and outs of DS5 and two of the best people to ask were the two in charge of keeping it secure.

Cara arrived in T'mpest's office carrying two mugs filled with freshly made tea, peppermint and two scones. "I brought some tea and two scones, and I have honey as well as jam if you prefer it. I figured we'd need a little bit of something to go with the tea." she placed the offerings on a small table next to the desk.

"Thank you. Honey would be lovely," T'mpest replied. Tea and a scone sounded perfect.

The first message Annora saw when walking into the office that morning was from the interim Commander asking for a meeting. Replicating a large mug of mocha, she headed back out.
"Edinger, I have a meeting with the Command team. If you see Lieutenant Lee, tell him he's in the hot-seat as well."

"Aye ma'am, will do." The Algolian yeoman responded.

Reaching the Command offices, Annora was ushered right into the main office.
"Commodore, Commander. Good morning." She said by way of greeting.

"Good morning." T'mpest smiled. "Good to see you again. Please, have a seat and tell us how security is progressing."

Anson slipped through the door, saw everyone already there and flinched. "Sorry. I was in the middle of something when I got the message."

"No worries. Please, have a seat. I was just asking the lieutenant to tell me how the station is doing. Feel free to add anything."

Meeting with the new Command Team was expected, it came with the uniform, although the failed invasion by the Cardassians added an extra layer to it all.

"We took a beating, but we held. It could have been a lot worse an outcome had just a few things gone different. The timely arrival of allied forces was a big help."
Knowing about the sabotage helped as well, but Annora considered that secondary.

"Security teams are completing a full sweep of the station. Once that's done, we'll do a more thorough sweep of the more sensitive areas. It's just a precaution to ensure there's no nasty surprises left behind."

There was still the matter of the station blowing up in the original time, but none of the computer diagnostics had shown anything. Hopefully that was a good sign that things had changed enough to avoid that tragedy.

"A good idea. I would not put it past the Cardassians to leave booby traps for us. Let me know if you find anything," the commodore added. "When that task is completed, I would like a list of what improvements you would like to see going forward. This is an excellent opportunity to make any needed upgrades as Starfleet will likely feel generous."

All the while during the conversation between T'mpest and Annora, Cara was nibbling her scone and sipping her tea. She paused in her nibbling, "I will concur with what the Commodore is saying. I also do wonder" looking at both Annora and T'mpest. "Would there be a likelihood of Marines and Security working together?"

Anson pulled a face before he could stop himself. Marines had their role, but they were not security officers. "Working together on what?"

T'mpest glanced at Cara with a raised eyebrow. That was not something she considered. From her limited experience, security and Marines had different roles and complimented each other rather than worked together. She would have to talk with Cara later about her question. "I assume she is referring to increasing security on the station and planet. I will be talking with Colonel Means about what he would like to do with his Marines."

It sounded like they were being handed a blank check by Starfleet, or at least one with a generous amount. Annora sipped on her drink, trying to keep her expression neutral. Talk then turned to Security working with the Marines. It was likely none of the others in the room had much experience working with the Marines.
"We have most the gear we need. A request was submitted just a few weeks ago, so I'm sure I'll get answer soon. As for any other upgrades, I will have a list to you by close of business tomorrow."

The security chief set down her mug to focus on the other question that was raised. It wasn't something she expected to be discussing during the meeting, but at the same time it wasn't out of place.
"During normal operations, Security handles things on the station while the Marines primary jurisdiction is planet-side. That's not exclusive however, and we try to train together at least once a quarter. Mutual aid flows both ways between our departments. It's especially useful during large scale incidents when the normal teams are stretched thin, either by providing reinforcements or back-filling for normal operations that still need to take place. From time to time, we'll embed personnel with the other departments to help them get a feel for how the other side operates."

Annora shifted her gaze between the two women seated opposite her as she spoke, trying to gauge their reaction. She also made a mental note to schedule a training mission with the Marines as soon as things calmed down. Lt Lee would run the security side while she stood off to the side as an observer.
"If you're talking about increasing the security presence on the station, that's above my pay-grade. During my time here I have seen an increase in manning, although according to the regs we're at the recommended number of personnel for a station of this size. I was able to get a few extra troops, but anything beyond that will likely take some persuading of the Brass."

Cara regarded Anson for a moment or two before she spoke turning her attention to Annora. "What you had mentioned, Lieutenant Tessaro, that is what I was referring to. Security taking care of normal day to day details but when things get a bit tougher, then bring in the marines. I am not saying that Starfleet security is incapable of dealing with tough situations but it is still good to have others for back up." she took a sip of her tea then placed it upon the table.

"On the last two stations that I had served on, we had a unity between Starfleet security and the marines, putting aside the enmity that seems to pop up on numerous occasions. It wasn't perfect as there were those who didn't want to have that happen. We even had them train together. And yes we did have the Marines fill in where Starfleet needed the help. Both security and marines had even gone on rounds together as well. On the last station, both security as well as the marines worked together to deal with a Breen onslaught, the Breen using breech pods to invade the station. They were stopped though by the combined effort of both Starfleet security and marines alike and actually citizens of that station who chose to protect their home."

The muscles in Anson's back relaxed. "In an incursion situation, it is vital that marines and security work together. But for a lot of security work, especially on a station with a large civilian population.... Bringing a Marine when you're dealing with a drunk crying in the corridor because he's been locked out of his quarters by his wife is a little like bringing a photon torpedo to a phaser fight."

"That isn't necessarily always the case. Lieutenant Lee. In my experience it depends on the Marine. But, Marines are sent to do a job get it done and move on. Starfleet security have to be a bit more diplomatic. And I do know that quite a few Marines would rather leave that for Starfleet security to handle. It’s a mixed bag." Cara having a memory come to the surface about a certain friend.

"Yes. They both have their places on a station this size, and both are needed, but in different capacities--unless, as you said, there is an incursion or uprising. My desire is to see both departments succeed."

"I echo that desire as well." Cara responded with a slight smile, as she regarded the Chief and Assistant Chief of security.

"What improvements would you like to see in security as we move forward?" T'mpest asked.

Shifting her weight in the chair, Annora mentally reviewed the various security issues she'd encountered since arriving at the station. Most of them weren't something you could simply throw troops at for a fix.
"Even before we expelled the Cardassians there's been a problem with the internal sensors. More than once they've been bypassed or scrambled to help facilitate the commission of crimes. We've been working with Ops to come up a solution while not turning the station into a surveillance state. I'm also concerned that our computer system was hacked in the lead up to the attack. If that hadn't been discovered, it could have led to disastrous consequences. Again, that will have to be a joint investigation with Ops."

T'mpest wrote a note on her PADD. "I will make that a priority."

"I am rather glad that you were able to take care of that." Cara giving a nod,

While she didn't like that it took a failed invasion to push the security concerns to the front of the concerns list, Annora wouldn't complain too much about it.
"We were quite fortunate it was revealed in time. I'll swing by Ops later this morning, at least get the ball rolling on a plan to prevent a repeat."

T'mpest nodded, making more notes. "Yes. It was quite fortunate. I will see about putting this on the top of the list. I agree that it is concerning. I know Starfleet has updated security systems. Hopefully, after the attack, they will be more amenable to sending some here. Please, let me know what you and operations decide." When she finished her notes, she looked up again. "is there anything else you need from me?"

Anson had only seen the station in crisis mode so far, and was still getting a feel for how the station operated in its day-to-day. He looked to Lt. Tessaro for her input on the question.

All things considered, Annora was pleased with how the meeting went. While there were still some legitimate concerns to address, it seemed everything was moving in the right direction.
"No Ma'am. No further concerns. We are holding a memorial service this evening, and tomorrow afternoon will be a tasteful celebration of our victory. The details will be in today's security bulletin."

T'mpest nodded. "Excellent. I will be at both." Honoring the dead and celebrating the victory was the least she could do to honor those who fought and died to preserve the station. "Thank you both for meeting with us. Please, let me know what other ideas you have moving forward."

Cara's eyes darkened with the sorrow she felt from the others and she felt the sense of loss as well, she knew that feeling all to well. The loss of those a person they served with always cut deep within their souls. She will be there for the ceremony as well.

TAG

OFF

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Anson Lee
Asst. Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

LT Annora Tessaro
Security Chief
DS5

 

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