A Westward Wind

Posted on 19 May 2018 @ 2:01pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Lia McCarthy & Rear Admiral Azura Ashcart & Lieutenant Mikail Kolmak

1,144 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: USS Redemption - MedBay 001
Timeline: Present

After the Captain and the others had stepped out to have their words, Lia settled back down into the bed to wait for them. At best, she could probably use more sleep and rest if she really could be honest with herself. But with everything that had happened in that office, let alone the effort to get here, she was anxious to get to work because she knew that the time she had was shrinking with every moment.

Lia quietly grabbed the tablet next to her and opened the ship library to find something to read, and introduced m0nk3y to the system.

"m0nk3y, Redemption. Redemption, M0nk3y. Play nice you two while mommy reads." she quipped in her head.

Lia knew immediately they would only allow her superficial access if any access at all. She was surprised to find that she had general access to the ship's computer. Secured areas required a clearance login, but she left them be for now.

It was extremely likely they were watching and recording every keystroke she made, so she was going to play nice for now until she could get to work. It wouldn't help her to cause any more problems at this point.

All she could do now was enjoy the fantasy book she found and wait for the captain to come back from their meeting.

--Captain's Ready Room--

Before Azura was able to get out of the readyroom PALLAS appeared. “Admiral, there is an incoming communication for you from Star Fleet Intelligence, code name SPARTAN.” she blinked “Apparently SPARTAN is the SFI's AI, encrypting communications.”

Azura paused and looked at PALLAS who transformed into the image of a spartan warrior. “Admiral, I am SPARTAN, the AI assigned to assist the Chief of Star Fleet Intelligence. With the unfortunate ailment of Admiral West and your promotion to replace him I am here to bring you up to speed on current SFI missions.” the gravely voice of the AI said.

Azura turned and headed back to his desk and sat down. “As Admiral West is no longer able to answer my questions perhaps you can. Tell me everything you are aware about Chief Petty Officer Lia McCarthy. Was she actually assigned to the Redemption by Admiral West or was it from SF Personnel?”

SPARTAN blinked and tilted his head before answer “Chief Petty Officer Lia McCarthy was assigned to the Redemption as per orders from Vice-Admiral Nathan West. He believed that her particular skills in hacking and electronic/cyber warfare will be a boon to the Redemption. Her neural interface to the monk3y program, when tied and directed by PALLAS will increase the Redemption's offensive and defensive abilities by about twenty percent. That combined with the intelligence gathering abilities of the Redemption guided by her and her program could prove invaluable for SFI.”

Azura blinked rapidly “She is that skilled?” he asked trying to remember the full dossier on the CPO.

“Indeed, I defended SFI from her hacking attempts and she still got past my firewalls for a second. With PALLAS supplementing her abilities we believe she will be quite formidable.”

Azura nodded “PALLAS please see to it that the CPO is allowed full access and is brought up to speed with the current workings of the E/C Warfare suites. Place her on full duty status after the medical department clears her.” the woman AI nodded.

“SPARTAN, I will join you on Earth shortly. Please save the rest of the briefing until I'm there in person.” Azura said as he pushed himself up out of his chair to head to his quarters via sickbay first.

“As you wish Admiral. I look forward to working with you. SPARTAN out.”


--MedBay 001--

Azura entered sickbay and looked towards where Lia was being monitored. He headed in that direction and stopped to stand beside her sickbay.

“Chief.” he said simply to see how she responded to him.

"Captain." she replied with the same simple tone, offering him a glance up from the book that she was reading.

"Chief, I have been brought up to speed on why you were posted on this ship. I can't say I'm surprised Admiral West would put you on the Redemption given your skill set and our ongoing mission dangers. If he thinks your abilities will help the ship than I see no reason why I should second guess him. I will be clearing you for active duty once medical gives you the green light. I have also asked PALLAS to remove any hampers on your access to the system within your perview of course. I will also let the new CO know of your status before I leave the ship so there shouldn't be any issues there either." He said in a voice that was slightly weary.

Lia sat up quickly after making the immediate connection. "New CO? What happened to West?" She knew that even though Aschart had been at the helm for the better part of three years, the timing was a little too coincidental for her comfort especially with what had happened so far.

Azura raised an eyebrow "I don't know, all I've been told is he had some kind of mental break and I've been promoted to take his place." he rubbed he back of his neck "The new CO gets here in an hour and I'm to be on the shuttle back to HQ to take my new posting soon after that."

Lia nodded and let the look of worry cross her face. She had hardly gotten a feel of West or Ashcart, although she felt relatively well with both of them. West had been shady and reclusive, but had the marks of a good man. And Ashcart, honest and loyal to a fault would be Lia's wager on the man.

"If you need me, I have a black channel. Spartan can find it. Works anywhere anytime and can't be traced." She offered. Lia knew that with West's office, came secrets and whispers.

He nodded "I appreciate that Chief, though I think your best place will be here helping Captain Barron to safeguard the ship and crew." he placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly "Get some rest, I'm sure your going to be needed sooner rather than later."

"There's always room for plan b, captain." She mumbled under her breath. She awaited her final examination and medical gave her full clearance to assume active duty status. After finding her way to her duty station she got to work.

The Russian doctor moved away from his patient to be within ear range with the Captain. "She will be cleared in an hour and back to duty, sir."

OFF:

Azura Ashcart
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

Lia McCarthy
Petty Officer First Class
USS Redemption

&

Mikail Kolmak
Lieutenant
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Redemption

 

RSS Feed