Controlling the Chaos

Posted on 13 Sep 2016 @ 9:19am by Rear Admiral Azura Ashcart & Lieutenant Commander Geraldine "Geri" Severide & Cadet Senior Grade Olivia Strathmore

2,349 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Bridge
Timeline: ED 4

Azura sat in the center chair of the bridge as the Redemption traveled to their destination. His mind was on the mission ahead and the obstacles that might present themselves. He had to walk the ship later today and check in with the carious departments. His thoughts were interpreted by the abrupt apperance of PALLAS.

"Sir might I speak with you in your Ready room?" She asked.

He nodded and begain to stand as he reached his feet she shimmered out of existence. He nodded to the Lieutenant who would take over for him as Rhyan had yet to come up to the bridge. Azura coveted the distance to his ready room and walked in seeing PALLAS pacing in front of his desk. This caused him to raise an eyebrow as AIs arent prone to agitation.

"What can I do for you PALLAS?" he said wondering at how fully her creator had programmed her to mimic human behavior, or did she actually feel agitated?

Her eyes flicked to the door of his ready room and the deadbolt clicked on then the soft hum of a forcefield snapping into existence caused Azura to wonder if the AI had lost her... mind?

"Sir you have tasked me with digging into Ensign Marshall's background and monitoring his activities. I have been able to find nothing other than his service record which is bereft of any information that could assist with ascertaining what he's doing here on the ship." she paused both speaking and then pacing and turned to face him as he moved to sit behind his desk and listen.

"He has found a way to isolate his science labs from my sensors, as has Commander Rhyan. Though Ensign Marshall should not have the security codes to over ride my over-watch subroutines and lock out the ship from monitoring what is going on in his lab. I have found this however, he is able to override Commander Rhyan's personal lock, which again he should not have the authorization to do."

Azura cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow that almost touched the ceiling. "What do you mean he was able to override Commander Rhyan's personal lock?"

"I mean, sir, he unlocked Commander Rhyan's sealed laboratory which was keyed to the Commander's voice only. He placed Cadet Strathmore in the Commander's lab and then returned to his own. That is after he had words with the cadet, I was able to pick up a great deal as the Ensign slipped and didnt take the Cadet into the shielded lab." she waved her hand and the hologram of the Ensign and the Cadet appeared from when the doors opened in the corridor. The video played until Marshall returned to his own lab.

"Sloppy of him but it would probably raise to many red flags to have surveillance go out when he's walking the corridors... or he dosent know about you." Azura said as he leaned back in his chair "Summon the cadet to me now please, PALLAS, I wish to have a word with Cadet Senior Grade Olivia Strathmore."

Just as soon as the AI had made the summons to the Cadet, a female voice came over the comms. "Lieutenant Commander Severide to Captain Ashcart, could we move to a secure channel sir? We have a situation."

Azura tapped his com badge three times which activated the security seeing on it before replying.

"It's secure on my end Commander. " He said

"Would you be able to see me in your ready room?" Geri asked as she did not want this conversation had whilst the Captain was on the bridge.

"I'm already here Commander please join me. "

Moments after the brilliant blue light of a Federation transporter filled the room replacing itself by the tall, well endowed Chief of Intelligence. Geri approached the desk remaining standing taking notes on her CO whom she met for the first time. "Captain, I know you want answers but summoning Cadet Strathmore here is not what you want to do. It is far more advantageous to allow Ensign Marshall and Strathmore to believe they are not being monitored. We have been given a rare opportunity and now we must seize it."

He snorted "And what makes you think I'm not going to take advantage of the situation?" He paused before continuing "Or have you brought the Commander into the fold so he can feed her counter intelligence?"

"I have yet to meet Commander Rhyan, but it is imperative that neither the Ensign nor Cadet Strathmore know we are watching. They must be allowed to continue. Infact, I would advise Commander Rhyan to assist the Cadet in getting whatever information Marshall seeks. This will place her in his trust and perhaps then he will reveal to her his plans. Whatever PALLAS doesn't hear, I'll get out of her." Geri replied pausing for a moment. "You bring the cadet in here, Marshall will not speak with her again, heck he might even kill her." Geri shrugged as she felt the latter a more likely option. "This is a game of patience sir. Tell Cadet Strathmore you only wished to meet with her, greet her...but do not let it slip we know."

Azura growled softly to himself "I remember when we were explorers." He looked at the Commander before speaking next. "I do not want her to be turned by him do you understand me? But I will bow to your expertise in this matter."

"Cadet Strathmore is simply naive and ambitious. She's looking to get ahead without realizing what she is actually getting herself into. In the grand scheme the only person she could jeopardize is Ensign Marshall." She paused once again as she went into thought looking away from the Captain for a moment. "Now that I think of it, I believe it would be better this arrangement be kept between you and I." Geri stated knowing the notion would be unsettling to her CO.

Azura raised his eyebrow "Your right I don't like that idea. The possibility that Marshall could get his hands on sensitive information displeases me greatly. Rhyan should be brought into the loop to help mitigate any leaks."

Geri raised her hand to her chin, caressing her skin with her thumb and index finger. "What exactly is Commander Rhyan working on in that lab?"

Azura shrugged "I do not know, I do know he is not the threat to this ship and is crew. Marshall is so he is who I'm more concerned about."

Geri waved her hand across her face as if to dismiss what the Captain had said. "I have no doubts that Commander Rhyan is not a threat. My concern lies with why this is so important to Ensign Marshall."

Azura almost grinned "Your our resident intell officer, I would have thought you knew already."

"Information management is the prime directive of my department. Other departments should also be endorsing this practice to a 'need to know' basis. However if the data is not sensitive, then it may be worth divulging to the cadet." Geri replied crossing her arms over her chest.

Azura snorted "That is sound practice but not conducive to furthering reserch." He shifted gears "You should be with me when I speak to the Commander. Will bring him into the loop."

"Very well." Geri nodded.

Azura nodded to her and then looked to the door. "You may want to depart before the Cadet gets here Commander and let me play the happy host."

Geri withheld an eye roll at the comment. It has irked her that the captain felt the need to mention the most obvious course of action. Instead, Geri simply flashed Ashcart a smirk.

"I'll be watching." She said before disappearing in the brilliant blue light once again.

Azura placed himself behind his desk and firmly in his seat waiting for the cadet. He disliked this course of action and wanted nothing more than to space the Ensign and purge whatever corruption he might have left in the cadet and his ship. However orders bound his hands as much as ethics. He shook his head to stop the violent thoughts that flashed in his mind.

"I really need to mediate those emotions shouldn't be that close to the surface." He mumbled to himself making a mental note to carve out more time later in the day.

The door chime rang only seconds later indicating Cadet Strathmore had arrived.

Azura sighed then straightened up in his chair and nodded as he spoke.

"Come." then he waited for the Cadet to enter.

Olivia entered the ready room almost marching to the Captain's desk. She had no idea why the Captain had summoned her but she hoped it had nothing to do with her recent encounter with Ensign Marshall. Either way, she had put her best presses uniform on and took extra time to review her appearance before visiting the Commanding Officer. She halted before his desk bringing herself to attention. "Cadet Senior Grade Strathmore reporting as ordered sir!" She announced.

Azura extended a hand and flicked it to the seat opposite him, in a way only a sovereign or commanding officer could. After he finished going over the cadets file he looked up and forced a look of clan over his face as he looked into the eyes of what could be a double agent.

"Cadet Strathmore, it is my custom to meet all of the incoming cadets which will be learning on my ship. Normally I do this at a general briefing when you all come aboard. However Admiral Halsey is a personal friend and he asked me to take an interest in you. He says you have potential and he hasn't been wrong yet. So having said that have you settled in well so far?" Azura's tone was buisness like and he hadent been lieing Halsey was a friend and he did mention the cadet in passing.

"I suppose that's a good thing." Olivia said cheerfully taking the seat offered to her.

He nodded "Indeed I've seldom heard of the Admiral singling out anyone for less than excellence. Though it could be a burden as well, expectations are high for you cadet don't let us down. We expect great things from you."

Olivia swallowed deeply as if feeling the weight of the words in her throat. The notion of an Admiral taking personal interest in her was nerve-racking. Such an opportunity was rare and only afforded to cadets in the highest tiers of excellence amongst the vast competition of the pool from the academy. She took a deep breath before responding. "I am honoured by both you and the Admiral sir, I promise you I will do my best to perform to both you and the Admiral's standards."

He nodded "Good Cadet, do you have anything for me?"

Olivia thought for a moment before she spoke. "Well sir, being a command cadet I am naturally curious of what kind of exposure I'm going to get to well, the command side of the ship. I don't expect to be placed in charge mid-combat, but I'd like to gain something from each department, especially command."

He raised an eyebrow "What I normally did for the cadets under my command was to give my yeoman the day off once a week and have the cadet stand in. That gives the cadet exposure to the command side of things while not placing you in emanate mortal danger."

"Really?" Olivia beamed. Her expression soon faded as soon as she realized how childish she looked in front of her Commanding Officer. She cleared her throat. "I mean, of course sir, sorry."

He nodded "I will speak to your supervisor and make the arrangements. You will have to shadow my yeoman and get her approval before I release you to do the work on your own. You will also be her subordinate during the time your acting in that capacity."

"Thank you sir. Perhaps after some time, I might be able to give your Yeoman more then a day off." She joked.

He nodded slowly "I doubt you'll have time with your fingers in all of the departments. However if so then we'll see."

"Of course sir." Olivia smiled. "Can I be of any other service to you today Captain?" She asked as she felt the meeting had run its course.

He shook his head "No that will be all Cadet, you are dismissed."

"Aye sir. Thank you for meeting with me, I appreciate your time as well as the Admiral's. I won't let you down. She said before rising from her chair and giving her CO a sharp salute. This was followed by an about turn and her exit from the ready room.

Not seconds after the cadet left did a brilliant blue light fill the room once again.

"So...How far down the rabbit hole are we going to go?" Geri asked crossing her arms over her chest with a wry smirk on her face like a tiger eyeing it's next meal.

He snorted "However far Alice wishes to take us. This way she's close enough that I can watch her too and it wont be unusual. I have had cadets as yeomen before. As you are the spymaster I'll let you decide the next course of action."

Geri's smirk widened. "Give her what Marshall wants. She'll gain his trust, gather our Intel and then I'll squeeze her like a lemon until the only thing left...." Geri snickered sinisterly as she left the end of her simile open to interpretation.

He shook his head "I think you enjoy this a little to much Commander. Gods below I'd love just one foe I can look in the eye before I vaporize them. The lines are getting a little to fuzzy these days."

"That can be arranged, if you so like." Geri cooed with a sinister smile.

======

Azura Ashcart
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

Geraldine "Geri" Severide
Lieutenant Commander
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Redemption

&

Olivia Strathmore
Cadet Senior Grade
Command Cadet

 

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