Sniffing Around

Posted on 23 Apr 2026 @ 2:40am by Commander Madelina Barnes & Commander Camila Di Pasquale
Edited on on 23 Apr 2026 @ 2:43am

3,210 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Acceleration
Location: Security Complex
Timeline: Feb 2, 2391 || 1200 Hours

Camila sat in her office going over the plans for the new measures placed shipwide and gave a small nod. With the help of the Binar and some extreme outside the box thinking, the invaluable assistance of Lieutenant Frex and Mak, as well as others, the clone detection system and other measures were running smoothly.

She got up to get a Raktajino from the replicator, missing the days when she could wake up and get a fresh ground espresso while looking out over the canals of Venice back on Earth.

The Andorian Security Shen sat at her desk in the open reception area of the Security Complex, reading over a request from personnel and forwarding it to the proper personnel.

Maddy stepped through the doors of the Security Complex with the quiet confidence of someone who belonged there, her boots making a muted rhythm against the deck plating. The air carried the familiar blend of sterilized coolness and the faint hum of active systems—comforting, in its own way.

She spotted the Andorian immediately and approached at an even pace, stopping just short of the desk. Her hands were clasped loosely behind her back in a posture that was both respectful and unmistakably official. “Good afternoon,” she said, tone crisp but not unkind. “Is Commander di Pasquale available for an impromptu inspection?”

The Ensign Shen looked up and her antennae pointed forward towards the redheaded human woman. "Of course, Commander," she said as she took note of the woman's rank pips. "Who should I tell her is here?"

Maddy offered the Andorian a small, professional smile, shifting her weight just enough to signal ease without losing the crispness of her posture. “Let her know Commander Barnes is here,” she replied, voice courteous. “I won’t take much of her time.”

"Of course, Commander Barnes," the Andorian said before she tapped the console. "Commander? Commander Barnes is here to see you."

In her officer, Camila gave a faint sigh and raised the Raktajino to her lips and took a drink of the scalding hot liquid and swallowed it. She turned away from the replicator and moved to her desk to tap her console. "Send her in, Ensign Sh'tick," she said.

"You can go right in, Commander," the Ensign said.

Maddy inclined her head in acknowledgment, a brief but genuine gesture of thanks. "Thank you,” she said before stepping past the reception desk and down the short corridor toward the Commander’s office. She paused just long enough for the door sensor to register her presence, then with a soft hiss, the panel slid open, revealing Camila inside with a steaming cup of Raktajino in hand.

The redhead stepped through the threshold, posture straight, expression composed. “Good afternoon, Commander di Pasquale,” she said as she entered fully. “Thank you for seeing me on short notice.”

Camila set the mug down and gestured towards one of the seats. "What can I do for you Commander?" She asked.

Maddy’s smile sharpened just enough to hint at something beneath the polished professionalism—controlled, deliberate, the kind of expression that made it hard to tell whether she was pleased or simply assessing. She stepped closer to the offered chair but didn’t sit immediately, letting the moment settle before answering.

“Surprise inspection, Commander,” she said, tone smooth and matter‑of‑fact. “I’m here to get a firsthand look at the current inner workings of Security.” Only then did she take the seat, posture straight, eyes steady on Camila as if already evaluating the room and officer in front of her.

Camila gave the redhead a faint smile as she retrieved her mug and took a drink. "Then by all means, let me show you the best of Security, Commander," she said as she motioned for the door.

The faintest echo of that earlier unsettling smile returned as Maddy inclined her head in acknowledgment. “Excellent,” she said as she stepped aside to allow Camila to lead, her posture relaxed but her eyes already sweeping the area with quiet calculation. “I’m looking forward to seeing what your department has to offer.”

"You've seen the main Security Complex when you came in, which is where the hub is used to to monitor basic crew safety whether on-board or on an away team, control access to certain areas or systems, observe passengers and persons-of-interest, and serve as a base of operations." Camila said as she followed the redhead out the door.

"Would you like to see the Armory or Brig next?"

Maddy took a moment to consider the options, her gaze drifting briefly over the corridor ahead as old instincts stirred—Security had been her world long before Command ever called her upward. The familiarity of the environment, the hum of consoles, the crisp efficiency of the layout… it all tugged at something almost nostalgic. “The brig,” she decided, her tone firm but thoughtful. “Let’s start there.”

She fell into step beside Camila, hands clasped behind her back in a posture that was both relaxed and unmistakably authoritative. “Do we currently have anyone in custody?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of professional curiosity.

"Not at the moment, but they've seen their share of use prior to our Mellon supply runs," the ombre haired woman told her as she headed for the brig. "We have eight cells including two isolation cells and interrogation rooms."

Maddy absorbed the information with a small, thoughtful nod, her stride matching Camila’s as they moved deeper into the complex. The mention of prior use didn’t surprise her—this ship had seen more than its share of complications—but the calm efficiency with which Camila reported it was reassuring. “And I assume they're under guard twenty-four seven when there are prisoners?"

"Of course, Commander," Camila said. "They're also monitored by AI and tracked around the clock for any signs they may be attempting an escape, lying, or in need of medical assistance."

Maddy nodded as she walked beside Camila, absorbing the explanation with clear interest. The system was more robust than she’d anticipated, and that alone earned a flicker of genuine approval in her expression. “Impressive,” she said, the word carrying a weight that suggested she didn’t hand out that assessment lightly. “That level of monitoring would’ve saved me and my teams a lot of headaches back in my Security days.”

She glanced toward the corridor ahead, mind already turning over the implications of an AI capable of tracking deception, medical distress, and escape attempts simultaneously. It was sophisticated—far more than what she’d worked with during her Security years—and so far, every part of the department was beginning to exceed her expectations.

“Has the AI ever actually picked up on any of those indicators?” she asked, tone curious but edged with something more analytical.

"As of yet, no," Camila said as she led her to the Brig and began to explain the multi-layered aspect of the new Security protocols, pausing to let the new Executive Officer take it in and ask questions about it and redundancies.

“Good. Very good, actually,” Maddy said, the praise understated but sincere. “The integration is tighter than I expected, and the report you sent me didn't quite do this justice.”

Her gaze lingered on one of the status panels, absorbing the information. It was the kind of infrastructure that spoke of careful planning and a department that took its responsibilities seriously. As did the Chief.

“I’m pretty impressed by what you’ve put in place here,” she added, hoping to see some of this in action in the future.

"And," Camila smiled as she brought up another display on the console. "You'll be happy to know that you haven't registered as a clone, changeling, or anything other than your biosignature registered with Starfleet and birth records indicate, Commander Weisz."

Maddy let out a soft huff of amusement, the corner of her mouth pulling into a smirk that was equal parts appreciative and edged with her usual dry humor. “Well, that’s reassuring,” she said, meeting Camila’s eyes with a glint that suggested she was only half‑joking. “I’d certainly hope I’d know if I were anything other than who I’m supposed to be.”

"A clone would say that, too," Camila said in the same manner, but her eyes were dead serious. "Shall we see the Armory?"

The redhead let out a quiet breath through her nose, the kind that carried equal parts agreement and lingering unease. The topic of clones was one she’d hoped never to revisit. “I seriously hope the days of clones are behind us,” she said, her tone low but firm. “One round of that was more than enough for this crew, I'm sure.”

She lifted a hand in a small gesture, inviting Camila to take point and lead the way toward the armory. “But what did happen to them?” Maddy asked. “I don’t recall seeing the full details in the reports.”

"I'm uncertain," Camila responded as she headed for the Armory. "Then again, I didn't expect to be kept in the loop once they had been turned over to Starfleet."

Maddy gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment, the kind that suggested she wasn’t surprised in the slightest. Starfleet Intelligence had a habit of sealing doors the moment something stopped being an immediate threat. “Figures,” she said, her tone dry as she moved with Camila toward the Armory. “Once things are out of our hands, it’s all need‑to‑know… and apparently we don’t need to know.”

"I used to think that I wanted to know the end results of our work, but then I'd have a boxed set on my chest and be spending hours staring at PADDwork and cursing the crews that brought it to me." Camila said as she came to the Armory and submitted to the scans, then stepped aside for Commander Barnes to be scanned.

Maddy stepped forward without hesitation, letting the armory’s scanners sweep over her. When the scan completed, she exhaled through her nose, a wry half‑smile tugging at her mouth. “I can see the appeal of staying out of that loop,” she said, glancing over at Camila. “All that extra brass comes with a lot of headaches.”

Command already demanded enough of her time and sanity. The idea of climbing even higher, into the realm of endless classified reports and political fallout, wasn’t exactly enticing. “Not entirely sure that’s a route I want to take.”

"It's enough to send it to them," the Security Chief said as the door to the Armory opened silently and she stepped in. "Welcome to the Armory, Commander. We have everything here that a Starfleet Security or Tactical Officer could need to defend the ship."

Maddy stepped in right behind Camila, letting the door seal shut behind them with that familiar, airtight hiss. Her eyes swept the armory automatically—racks of phasers, secured lockers, the gleam of polished housings and neatly inventoried equipment. It hit her with a strange mix of nostalgia and muscle memory. “Feels like it’s been ages since I’ve been this close to defensive hardware,” she said, a low note of amusement threading through her voice as she took a few steps deeper inside. “Command doesn’t exactly let me get hands‑on with this stuff anymore.”

She paused beside one of the weapon racks, her gaze lingering with the kind of appreciation only someone who’d once lived and breathed this environment could have. “I was Security and Tactical before I made the jump to Command,” she added, glancing over at Camila. “Places like this used to be my second home once upon a time.”

"What made you make the jump, if you don't mind me asking, Commander?" Camila asked. It was part curiosity when it was clear that the women loved her previous department by the way she looked at the phasers and equipment laid out under biometric lock and physical key.

Maddy let her fingers trail a few centimeters above one of the secured phaser housings—close enough to feel the faint warmth of the power regulators, far enough to respect the biometric locks—before she answered. The question clearly struck something deeper, and she took a moment before speaking. “The time was right,” she said finally, her tone reflective. “I’d hit a point where I realized I could keep doing the job I loved… or I could start shaping things on a larger scale.”

She stepped away from the rack and joined Camila again, hands clasped loosely behind her back. “I’d spent years on the deck plates—Security, Tactical, away teams, crisis response. I knew how things worked at the ground level. But I also kept seeing decisions being made above me that affected everything we did. And I realized that if I wanted to make a real difference, I needed to be in the room where those decisions were happening.”

A faint, almost self‑deprecating smile tugged at her mouth. “Didn’t mean I stopped loving this side of the job. Just meant I had to trade phasers and field kits for command codes and briefings," the redhead said as she glanced around the armory again, a flicker of nostalgia in her eyes. “Still feels good to be back in a place like this, though.”

"I really hope you're able to do some good and make change," Camila said earnestly. "I've had enough of a hard time just dealing with the Captain in getting Security policy and procedure implemented until just recently. If I were in Command..." She gave a brief pause since she technically was since being appointed Second Officer. "I'd be nerfed by the Admiralty and Harvey."

She came to the Tactical Belts and the Moll-E system of pouches for various items used by Tactical and Security. "This is one of the things I got approved. The Starfleet Tactical Belt."

Maddy stepped closer to the display, her attention immediately drawn to the belt’s clean lines and modular layout. She lifted a hand, gesturing lightly toward it. “Mind if I take a closer look?” she asked, already leaning in with the unmistakable interest of someone who was clearly interested in what she was seeing.

"Of course," Camila said as she released the lock holding the tactical belts and Moll-E pouches in place. "I came up with this design myself and it can be modified based on need."

Maddy reached in without hesitation, fingers closing around one of the belt. She lifted it, letting it settle across her palms as she turned it over for a closer look. The craftsmanship was immediately obvious. It was lighter than she expected, too, but solid. Reliable. The kind of gear she would’ve killed to have back in her Security days.

“Damn,” she murmured under her breath, clearly impressed. “If we’d had something like this back when I was running patrols, half my team’s lives would’ve been a lot easier.”

She tested the clasp, the give of the belt, the way the pouches locked in with a satisfying precision. Every detail spoke of someone who understood the job from the inside. “This is good work, Commander. Really good.”

She looked up at the Security Chief, expression open just a little hopeful. “Any chance I can get one issued?” she asked. “Mostly for away missions. Wouldn’t mind having something this practical on hand.”

Camila watched her handle the unloaded tactical belt and Moll-E attachments like she was born to and it made her smile. She knew that this was one officer who knew her way around Security and Tactical having been in the department prior to her rise to Command. "Of course, Commander," she said. "All away team members are required to have them now and be up to training on phaser certification. Are you up on yours?"

“Every year like clockwork,” she said, giving Camila a small nod. “Regulations haven’t let me forget yet, but if you’d like to run my certification yourself, I wouldn’t object. It’s been a while since I’ve done it anywhere other than a scheduled Command refresher, and those are… well.” A faint smirk tugged at her mouth. “Let’s just say they’re not exactly designed to challenge anyone.”

Maddy let the belt settle back into place on the rack. “You tell me when, Commander, and I’ll be there.”

The ombre haired woman gave a nod as she replaced the belt and secured it once more. "I'll have one replicated for you by the end of shift. While you can check the belt out at any time, the gear that goes in it has to stay here until needed."

“Thank you, Commander. I appreciate that,” Maddy said with an appreciative nod as Camila secured the belt back into place. She took one last look around the armory before turning her attention fully back to Camila. “Before we wrap up—do you have any questions or concerns?”

"Yes," Camila said. "Only that if you think my methods, policies and procedures are unorthodox or too radical, please review all of our past mission logs."

Maddy offered a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes—more an acknowledgment than an expression of amusement. She understood exactly what Camila was really saying beneath the words.

“I’m familiar with past missions. It made for some interesting reading after I was approached about the Executive Officer position,” she replied, her tone steady and sincere. “And based on everything I’ve read you’re doing what you can to keep this ship and this crew safe. Your methods make sense in the context of what you all have lived through. And I don’t see anything radical about adapting to survive.”

"Thank you, Commander," Camila said and seemed to relax just a tiny fraction, knowing that she had a possible ally in Command. Which she was now a part of, however marginally, she reminded herself. "Perhaps we can go to Talon's sometime and have a Rakrajino if you socialize informally with officers under you."

The XO's expression softened into something warmer, though the smile she gave Camila stayed easy and unforced rather than overly bright. “You’re welcome, Commander,” she said, tone carrying a relaxed sincerity. “And once I’m settled in, I wouldn’t mind that drink at all. Rakrajino or otherwise.”

She shifted her weight slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. “And, if we’re lucky, my husband will be the one behind the bar. He makes a mean cup of just about anything. That being said, if there's nothing else, I'll let you get back to your duties and continue on with my tour."

"Of course, Commander, and welcome aboard," Camila said with a smile as she made a mental note to look up the Commander's husband in relation to Talon's, but that was on a long list saved for later. Once she had escorted the Executive Officer out, she once more headed to her office to finish her shift and hoped she would have a new ally.

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