Have a little faith...

Posted on 08 Aug 2016 @ 2:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Geraldine "Geri" Severide & Lieutenant Commander Magdalena "Maggie" Doyl

1,335 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Chief of Security's Office
Timeline: ED4: (Late)

Geri approached the Chief of Security's Office having reviewed their conversation and realizing that given the circumstances on the ship, now was a time for a 'leap of faith'. Chance was not something Geri liked to leave her missions to, nor was she particularly fond of entrusted those she knew little about. When choosing her allies, Severide was methodical, almost surgical. She studied them, spent days if not weeks researching a person. Her entire career was built around her innate understanding of how other's behaved.

This time she did not have the luxury. This had to be done on the fly.

Magdalena had been working out, using the quiet of her department to focus on each movement of her martial arts routine. It helped her purge the stress of the day and let her mind run through the days' events. Now she was stretching out on a mat, listening to Gregorian chants. When she was finished, she'd do one final status check and then go to bed.

A soft chime from her computer notified Maggie that someone entered the outer security office. She slowly sat up, half-expecting a knock at her door.

Having been granted access to the outer security office, Geri moved on towards the inner office where the Chief would likely have been. Giving a knock onto the door, she awaited the Chief's reply to enter.

Maggie sighed, expecting it to be one of the bravo shift with a problem. "Come in," she said, standing to greet the new arrival.

Geri entered the office approaching the Security Chief whom had notably just completed a rigorous workout. It was a practice Geri knew she needed to return to but her focus was elsewhere at the time. "That whole thing about faith, do you truly believe in what you said Commander?" Geri asked.

That took Maggie by surprise. "Yes, I do," she replied simply.

"Then I shall be taking a leap and placing faith in you." A brief pause. "Currently you and I share a common concern. Ensign Jon Marshall."

Maggie pointed to a chair. She'd heard about him, although no one was willing to actually talk to her. She'd read the reports of the past incidents with the Redemption. "Yes, but no one seems to think I need to be told anything. Most of what I know comes from reading past reports."

She waved a hand to the replicator. "Would you like something?"

"A green chai tea." Geri replied. "Ensign Marshall is a serious security threat given his past service with Intelligence and his tendencies to bound beyond the lines of morality. Simply put he cannot be allowed to operate unchecked. The success of this and future mission is dependent on limiting his ability to operate. However he can not be permitted to know of these limitations."

Maggie replicated a chai tea for Geri and a mango smoothie for herself and brought them over to the table. "Agreed. So we need to carefully monitor him in such a way that he doesn't know he's being monitored. He's a dangerous man, from all that I've read. Why he's here after what I read about the Redemption's past mission, I have no idea. I've been told nothing of his actions recently, however, which also bothers me."

"His intentions are current activities are only working theories at this time. However I believe that whatever he is doing will come to light, which is why covert surveillance on him is paramount. Have you begun anything of the sort at this time?" Geri asked sipping the Chai tea. She closed her eyes for a moment savouring the invigorating liquid.

"No," Maggie admitted. "I'm still finding my bearings on the ship and making plans. I have yet to implement anything."

"Then we must begin as soon as possible. There is no telling how much time we have until his plan comes to fruition." Geri commented.

"That is why I came to your office," Maggie said. "I already have ideas, but I wanted to include you, Major Blackburn, and Commander Ferreno. Between teh four of us, I figured we could come up with ideas that no one else would think of."

"I will make an encryption specialist and analyst available to you. They will assist in whatever way you see fit." Geri replied.

Maggie nodded. "I appreciate that." She raised an eyebrow and continued. "Besides the monitoring, what do you think we should focus on?"

"For the moment surveillance is the only concern when it comes to Ensign Marshall. Until we have sufficient data to move forward, he must be allowed to continue undeterred." Geri responded not wanting to have other departments putting their hands too deep into Marshall's business. It would be all too easy for the mission to be compromised, the fewer the better.

Maggie nodded. "I'm concerned with more than just Marshall. There are former members of the Redemption who have been taken by the Ee. If they were to return we would need new security to keep them from taking over the ship."

"I believe you have taken the prudent steps involving Ferreno and Blackburn in your new security measures. You'll need coordination, synchronization. It will be vital your departments can work with one another should one of these perceived threats return. Do you have any leads on whom these individuals may be? Do you know what you may come up against?" Geri asked.

"One was in science," Maggie replied. She was growing more comfortable about sharing information. "Major Blackburn has few resources right now, but I am confident if we had any trouble, I could get her help. As for what we may come up with, no. Therefore, I expect trouble from any quarter and must be prepared. Changing all passwords and all access is only a start. I need do take a page from Intel and have a secondary means of collecting and accessing data. And yes, there must be coordination."

"My analyst can assist you with your inquiries." Geri replied simply.

"How trustworthy is your analyst?" Maggie asked.

"More so then most I have met on this crew. Compartmentalism seems to be a fad amongst this particular roster." Geri replied glibly.

"I've noticed. And they hint at things rather than come right out and say what's going on," Maggie agreed.

"What kind of things have you heard?" Geri asked curiously.

"Stories about people who used to be on the Redemption," Magie said. "crew who, for one reason or another, strongly dislike each other. A lot happened to the Redemption a few months ago. There are still a lot of unresolved issues with many of them returning again."

"Have any of them given you any specific details? This sounds quite concerning." Geri replied concernedly.

Maggie raised an eyebrow. "They don't trust me any more than they trust each other -- with a few exceptions."

"Exceptions?"

"Yes."

Geri chuckled. "I'm sorry I'm just trying to get a lay of the land here. This ship...it's different."

"I agree. I'm in the same boat myself," Maggie said. "I get bits and pieces from people and I have to put them together. The crew that have been here the longest have been through a lot. I don't blame them for keeping quiet about most of it. We'll just have to be that more observant and that more prepared."

"Do you keep records of what was said?" She asked.

"Not always," she answered vaguely. "If it's official, yes. If it's not...I don't keep them where they can be found."

Geri sighed. "Very well. I have addressed all of my concerns." Geri said rising from her chair. "Until next time."

Maggie rose in turn. "Thank you. I'll be in touch when I get ready to implement the ideas we discussed. I'll definitely need the assistance of your department."

Geri did not respond simply strutting out from the office into the corridors.

OFF

Lieutenant Commander Magdalena "Maggie" Doyl
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Commander Geraldine "Geri" Severide
Chief Intelligence Officer

 

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