Still a job to be done
Posted on Thu Aug 21st, 2025 @ 4:53pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Ensign Garath Of the House of Varal [Baas] & Commander Jerome Hunt Jr. & Lieutenant JG Christian Rogers & Lieutenant JG Adam Taggart
2,617 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
What was Lost is Found
Location: Security
Timeline: MD 1 - 1630
[Security]
Garath had been returning his weapons to the armory officer an was stowing his EV suit when the news had hit the Security center. Lt. Well had been attacked by one of those Defiled creatures and mutated into one of them. Gonzalez, Hudson, and Lee had also been killed. Lambert had survived, of all of them the jittery, easily spooked one made it. Several had wanted to go to sickbay but there was a cautionary quarantine in place and Taggart and Rogers had both directed people to settle down and stay focused.
Once back in uniform he went to write his report from his away team but as he sat he his thoughts drifted to the friends he had lost.
No matter the size of the ship, station or planetary outpost, rumors travelled fast. The more lurid the information the faster it spread. Despite not being on the Bridge, but in a Holodeck conducting a training exercise pairing his SWAT/S with junior enlisted security, he'd already heard about the SecChief and the disastrous events of the planetary away team. His countenance was darker and more stone than normal as he raced through the doors leading to the Security Complex as they started opening. "Get me a visual of the shuttle, now," he barked at one of the officers at the desk. "That monitor there," he indicated one high on the wall on the other side of the room.
Jankowski paused for a moment then considered the junior Lieutenant's stance, wide set feet, arms folded across his chest as if to hold himself from vibrating. He looked around the room. The few other officers in there, other than Garath, were all as lost as he was. Finally, he tapped the sensor feed from the shuttle and sent the stream to the indicated monitor. On seeing the monstrosity barely contained by force fields on the shuttle, he wished he hadn't done it. Even more so, he wished he didn't suddenly get sick and a part of his lunch came back up his throat.
Rogers, held his breath as he stared at what he was to understand was once his SecChief. He winced by the sudden onslaught of psychic energy, each emotional gasp like a small splinter in his own psyche. "Do we have the visuals from the team?" he asked, his tone flat but thrumming. He tried his best to keep emotion out of it, but it always had a way of revealing itself.
He turned, saw the green tinge to Jankowski's face and scowled. Fleeters he grumbled to himself. They talked a lot but when it came down to actually making good on it, they couldn't live up to their own hype. He looked around the room, finally setting his gaze on Garath.
Garath had see the warning message while on the station and now saw why that the man had called for the planet to be sterilized. From the pre-mission briefing the man they had recovered form the hibernation pod had claim the mutation s were of the dead. If true he hope Wallace died in battle before becoming that... thing. Feeling eyes on him he looked away to see the Lieutenant looking at him. He nodded to him, one warrior to another.
Rogers was about to tell the ensign to give him a brief report of what happened planetside when his comm-badge chirped.
[Outside Medical]
Daegan looked to Jerome as they returned to the subject of a replacement for Lt. Wallace. "Any suggestions on who we should move up to Chief of Security?"
Replacing a crew member was never easy. Hell, Jerome had been brought on this ship to replace the last First Officer. "I would go with Lieutenant Rogers. There are those who might feel placing a former Marine in that position might be overkill. But he's expertise makes him the best person for the job."
"I agree. Adam Taggart is senior and would technically be next in line but given the current situation I think we need a more combat mindset for security."
Tapping his commbadge. "Baas to Lieutenants Taggart and Rogers. Report to the Security Center, Commander Hunt and I are enroute."
[Security]
Rogers hesitated as he went to activate his own comm device to acknowledge the orders. Taggert? he thought to himself. Well, he considered, that made a bit of sense considering the shuttle. He took a quick glance at the monitor once more before speaking. "Aye, Captain, report to Security."
Then, he turned to Jankowski. "Shut it off," he said, softer than before, "we've seen enough for now."
Deck 11 Medical
Adam had been talking with Lambert, checking on his status. The man was starting to calm down but he needed more help. After having an in-depth discussion with the Counselor he tapped on his commbadge.
"On my way."
[Deck 11]
As they made their way to the Security Center, the Commander was definitely curious about their next steps regarding the defiled. "Any idea on how you want to handle the defiled?"
Stepping into the lift "Deck 8". Leaning against the lifts wall, "According to Aseek those mutated are already dead, so unless our data changes that we wipe them out. What are your thoughts?"
"Dead people don't come at you like," said Hunt. "Who they were is dead, but they are something else now. Wiping them out is my first thought. But Starfleet directives prevents us from wiping out life, regardless of how dangerous and horrible it is determined to be."
"When dealing with a sentient species that would be true, however it wasn't too long ago that efforts were made to wipe them out if the opportunity presented itself. These things could be acting on pure instinct. To be honest, right now we don't know enough to to go either way. Until we know for sure, I'd rather error on the side of caution."
The Commander nodded in agreement. "Definitely agree with caution. So we have this world quarantined to be studied and researched?"
"It's not our world...but have quarantine markers prepared. We don't wand anyone landing and getting caught up in that thing."
[Deck 8]
The lift opened as they arrived at deck 8 and it was a short walk to the Security Center. Glancing to the personnel present, it was obvious that they already knew.
"Captain, Commander," Rogers said as he straightened slightly, a response to their presence in the Security Center. He worked to project an outward calm that belied the seething inside him. Ever since getting the call from the captain to meet in Security he wondered if he would have to fight to get his team sent down this time. He was still a bit upset that they weren't sent in the first place, given what little he was aware of with the mission parameters. Though, at the moment, he was trying to hold back on those thoughts considering it was his SecChief that made the call and he was now paying the cost for that decision.
Taggart entered into security just a matter of minutes after the Captain and the Commander had arrived. He looked at those that were there.
"Greetings."
Turning at the sound behind them and watch him move to join the others. "Good." Daegan look to the the two senior officers and the handful of others that were present. Having been a security officer before he knew what they were feeling and they last things they needed was rumor. He was never one to sugar coat things so he let then know what they knew so for. "As you already know Lieutenant Wallace, Ensign Lee, Chief Petty Officer Gonzalez, and Petty Officer First Class were lost today. Ensign Lambert made it back from the surface with the rest of the away team and is currently in medical. Mourn them, honor them, but remember we still have a job to do. The data collected on the creatures o the surface is be gone through right now and their deaths will not be in vein."
"Sir, the SWAT/S team is on standby and ready to go in five minutes. We'll do our best to capture one or two of them alive for study and to find a..." he stopped for a moment...what would it be? A vaccine? A cure? "...way to restore Chief from that...condition." He stood stiffer, glancing to Taggert. "And retrieve our personnel, sir."
Daegan shook his head. "Have your team stand down. From what we know these mutation take place only after the host is already dead. After the scans of what had been Lt. Wallace were completed, the shuttle was incinerated in the planet's atmosphere.
The full impact of the captain's statement hit him hard. "Sir! You can't have..." He forced himself into silence, ashamed he let the shock of what was said, as well as the emotional impact that flooded over him from those assembled, to cause him to speak out of turn and nearly insubordinate. His jaw clenched but he managed to grind out a few words. "Yes, Captain, understood."
"I understand completely how you feel," the First Officer spoke up. "But there was no other option than to neutralize that shuttle with Wallace onboard."
Daegan looked at Rogers as he objected but pulled himself back. Jerome had addressed the issue but he would speak to him alone when the opportunity presented itself. Looking directly to Taggart and Rogers. "We need to speak with both of you; in the Chief's office."
"Aye, sir," Rogers said, stepping to the side to let the senior officers proceed him.
[ChiefSec Office]
Once everyone was inside Daegan glanced to Jerome and then the security officers. "With Wallace's death a new Chief of Security has to be appointed. Lt. Taggart you are the senior officer and would normally be appointed to the post without hesitation. However, given the current situation and the prospect of encountering more of these creatures we feel a more...combat oriented individual is needed."
Taggart's jaw tightened when he heard this, Security have been trained like the Special Forces Unit in the UK. Just what was the difference that this man had, and the training that he didn't have?
"Permission to speak freely, Sir?" Taggart requested.
"Granted."
"Look, Sir all of us were caught by the short hairs on this, there wasn't any way to prep for what we faced. Now that we have more information- I am sure we can figure out something to take down those creatures. " He paused for a moment as a thought occured to him. "Or is it better that someone who isn't directly affected by what happened to take lead of the department?" Taggart even though he hoped that he was next in line, he wasn't a fool either.
Rogers's jaw clenched as he cast a glare at Taggert. He remained silent despite the seeming provocation concerning the training and capabilities he and his team had above and beyond what Fleeter Security provided. But, he'd already spoken out of turn once, allowing himself that momentary emotional outburst toward the Captain. He wasn't about to allow that to happen again.
Taggart caught the glare from Rogers "What, Sir, are you thinking that those of us in security are ill trained in dealing with things? Experience is a good teacher, granted you have been in the marines, I saw as much in your records but, I'm getting sick and tired of the blasted, Marines are better than Star Fleet security. Granted, yes you've been trained intensely for boots on the ground but just quit the attitude. Star Fleet security isn't useless."
Daegan stepped cutting them both off. "That's enough! I know that emotions are running high right now...", looking directly at Taggart, "...losing your friends and your leader is hard, I know. Now, we are going into, what could be a combat situation against a unknown but very aggressive adversary. I hope I'm wrong but I want to be ready, just in case. ...And No one is saying Starfleet security is useless...I WAS Starfleet security!"
His gaze continued to pass form one to the other, pausing at Rogers. "Once a Marine always a Marine...I get it, but you are wearing a Fleet security uniform now so set the OoohfrickenRah aside...well at least tone it down."
Pointing to door leading the security center. "Those men and women out there are now looking to you the two of you, so whatever issues there might be...end it."
Letting out a breath. "You are both highly qualified, you wouldn't be here is you weren't, but given the high probability of a combat situations I want everyone as ready as possible...to include the other senior officers or other specialists that might be on any away team...I don't want to lose anyone else to these things. Are we clear?"
Looking to Taggart.
Taggart stiffened, and gave a bit of a nod to Baas. "Yes, Captain, understood." giving a sidelong glance towards Rogers. damned Marine. Though he didn't say anything more.
Baas then looked to Rogers.
"Yes, Captain," Rogers said, trying unsuccessfully to keep the venom from his voice. He did, however, manage to not look at Taggart this time. There would be time enough later to settle that situation if it became necessary. "You'll get the full ooohfrickenrah necessary and not a 'rah' more." There was just the tiny flicker of the eyes toward Taggart.
Taggart frowned catching that look.
"Good! Because you two are going to be working closely together. Computer, senior officer appointment. Lieutenant Junior Grade Christian Rogers is hear by designated Chief of Security and Lieutenant Junior Grade Adam Taggart is designated Assistant Chief of Security for the USS Valkyrie. Authorization Baas, Gamma-91735-Echo."
"Acknowledged. Appointments to Chief and Assistant Chief of Security positions have been logged and access authorizations increased accordingly."
"Thank you, Captain," Rogers said, "If that's all, we -" another glare to Taggart, "have things to discuss regarding the situation."
Adam felt like he had been sucker punched when Baas made him Assistant Chief of Security, he was going to have to work with Rogers? ~Son of A~ he gave a look to Rogers.
"Acknowledged." was all he had to say. For now. Taggart was still smarting from that tongue lashing Baas handed out.
Baas nodded, "Very well." Looking to Jerome he nodded to the door. The crew in security were quiet as the Captain and XO left the office and departed the Security Center. Once out in the corridor Daegan looked over. "How soon do you think until they put each other in Medical?"
Jerome sighed. "I give those two a solid week at best. Never was in security myself, but my brother was so, I get it. Always the stigma of bringing in the Marines when security was deemed unprepared to handle a particular assignment. No doubt we made the right decision for now. But I wonder deep down if we truly did the right choice here in the long run."
"Only time will tell...but my previous command had both Standard Security and Marines and they worked together quite well. But keep an eye on them all the same. There's nothing wrong with a little internal competition as long as it doesn't get out of hand. Set a meeting of the senior staff for 1600 tomorrow, Tanaka's quarantine will be over and that will give everyone to go through everything we've recovered."
"I'll set it up."
Captain Daegan Baas
CO
Commander Jerome Hunt
Executive Officer
LTjg Christian Rogers
Security Chief
Ensign Garath of the House of Varal
Security Officer
LTjg Adam Taggart
Assistant Security Chief
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