Moving Parts

Posted on Thu Apr 3, 2025 @ 4:37am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon

1,346 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Station Operations - T'mpest's Office

ON

T'mpest knew the ones who could tell her most about the station--along with security--were the chief and assistant chief of operations. Especially as both had been on the station during the attack. She sent both a message, along with Cara, asking them to meet her in her office at their earliest convenience.

Ace was beginning to think that there were too many Vulcans on this station. In fairness, T'mpest was half-Vulcan, but they all had a way of acting vastly superior to the rest of the species in the known universe. Nonetheless, when a Captain called, duty required that he had to answer. He might not like it, but he was going to do it. So it was that the Assistant Chief Operations made the short walk from his work station to the Commodore's office. He gave the Vulcan salute, making certain not to offend, and said, "Live long and prosper and greetings, Commodore."

Cara arrived right behind Ace, she at first caught a glimpse of the back of a tall man dressed in uniform with the gold indicating he was in Operations. She though wasn't certain who had arrived until she moved to one side to get a look at his features. Ah Lieutenant Ace Cannon, of operations.

"Greetings Commodore, Lieutenant Cannon," Cara replied, giving a smile.

"Hello, Lieutenant Canon. Will Lieutenant Ta'Gas be joining us?" T'mpest hoped to see the chief, as she would prefer to meet with both gentlemen at the same time.

"I do not know," Ace answered simply. "I merely follow my orders."

The commodore nodded. "All right. Tell me a little about how you managed to keep the station intact during the battle."

"Much of my work was completed before the battle. With some assistance, I was able to ascertain that the ODNs on the space station were being sabotaged in roughly 48 hours’ time. I mobilized engineers and operation officers to conduct the repairs. Had the ODNs gone down, we would have been virtually helpless as most systems would have failed during any attack and our sensors would have been blind in certain areas."

"I read that weapons and shields were also compromised. What measures have been planned to keep an attack like this from recurring?"

Cara was listening quietly, she was rather glad that the sabotage had been stopped, otherwise as what Cannon had said things would have been very, very different. She, T'mpest, and others would not have been here.

"Weapons and shields were compromised, this is true. However, most of the sabotage was done on site. This was not done remotely. Therefore, in terms of prevention, it is my opinion that security needs to do better sweeps. In the meantime, I can use a double security protection. This, of course, will not prevent moles or spies from sabotaging anything, as they will likely know the processes. That said, I doubt we have one in my department."

T'mpest followed Ace's logic, but she found it amusing as well. "So, the station was damaged by someone who was on the station, but not in operations. And you would like double security. What sort of security will this entail?" She could see the value in improved security measures, but she wanted to be sure she was thinking of the same type as Cannon.

"I don't know that I want it," Ace responded. "You asked what we could do. I certainly could implement double security, whether it is by requiring a passcode to make changes or open panels or the like, or requiring that all of our systems have a specific authorization before modifications. Simple but mostly effective."

"Lieutenant, who was in charge of the station at the time of the sabotage?" The Commodore appreciated his sentiment, but she felt that he was also forgetting key information.

"In charge? I suppose that would have been Captain Soran or her XO."

"What about the Cardassians? Most of what I have read is unclear on this point. Would security have kept them from trying to disable the station?"

"Perhaps," Ace answered. "While many of the areas attacked are not readily accessible to the public, they are not strictly guarded, either."

The commodore nodded. "Additional security measures can be implemented, but it will be difficult on a station this size to do as much as you wish, or to protect everything, I would like you to send me a list of what you believe to be the most crucial areas and I will see what can be done."

"I agree that it would be difficult. You asked what could be done. I told you. I'm not certain that it SHOULD be done," Ace countered.

"I did indeed. Suggestions are always welcome, but many are not practical. Still, we may not know what we can do until we consider the matter." T'mpest had no intentions of making broad changes, but she did have some ideas, and she was always willing to look at other possibilities.

"Well, I'm glad that you have some sense, Commodore," Ace said freely. "Must be the Vulcan side of you. However, I must tell you that I'm against anything that requires double authentication. In any emergency, those extra seconds could mean the difference between life and death. For my part, I think that additional security rounds looking at vital areas would be more than sufficient. You might even use the marines for that. Give them something to do. Lord knows they're always looking for some action." And who isn't looking for action? he replied internally to himself with a sly grin.

That was something T'mpest did not agree with. Yes, in an emergency, double authentication did slow down repairs and access, but it also protected the station from other problems. She also felt the Marines had better things to do than add patrols. That would make the civilians feel that the station wasn't a safe place to live. But she could take his intentions and see what could be done going forward. "Thank you. I will consider your suggestions."

Ace's grin grew wider. "Now, was there anything else that I could do for either of you?" Cara could feel the sexual energy radiating off the Assistant Chief Operations Officer.

Cara just gave Ace a rather pointed look, she wasn't interested whatsoever. "There is nothing else that comes to mind." Her voice had a cold edge to it. "Just do your work and do it well, and as for security measures, I have met the chief of security, and I feel that she has security measures well in hand. I know you are worried, but I feel certain that it is covered."

If Ace was bothered by Cara's chilly tone, he did not show it. His demeanor did not change in the slightest, so certain of himself. "I don't worry about what I can't control. Neither should anyone else," he added. "Life's too short for worry and there's too much to experience to not enjoy it."

"Let Lieutenant Ta'Gas know we wish to speak with him. Otherwise, we have covered what I wished to discuss," T'mpest said, inclining her head. "Thank you for coming, Lieutenant Cannon."

"You order, I come. That's how it works," Ace replied with a sly grin. He started to head towards the door. "You know where to find me if you need me."

Once the door closed after Ace left the ready room, Cara turned towards T'mpest. "He is rather sure of himself isn't he with his so called manly wiles. It seems to broadcast all over the place and at times like a battering ram. I was wishing I had a spray bottle to cool him down with ice cold water."

"I doubt men like him would take the hint." T'mpest shook her head. "I will give him one thing: he is good at his job." Even so, she would keep an eye on him and the women he pursued.

OFF

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
Deep Space 5

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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