Security of the Sciences
Posted on 07 Apr 2016 @ 2:36am by Lieutenant JG Catherine Cooper & Lieutenant Commander Adam Casey
Edited on on 07 Apr 2016 @ 4:37am
4,059 words; about a 20 minute read
Mission: Outbreak
As Adam stepped off of the shuttle, he looked around, and suddenly felt himself stumble. Steadying himself before he fell, he frowned. "Amy, Maria, front and centre." He snapped. The two girls suddenly stopped running around, and stood at attention in front of him. "What have I told you both about running around like this?" He asked.
"I dunno." Maria mumbled, staring down at the floor.
"Yes you do, young lady. Now get your bags, and stay in line behind me, or no desert." He said. The two girls, properly chastised, nodded, and collected their bags from the pilot, who finally handed Adam his bag.
"Welcome back to Starfleet, sir." The Pilot said.
"Thanks." Adam replied, still not sure if he believed that he had agreed to rejoin the fleet. Still, he had missed the access to the equipment, if not the people. He sighed, and then led the two girls towards the exit of the shuttlebay.
Lt. Catherine CJ Cooper was standing by the shuttle bay CJ backed up one step to make room even as her mind flipped through its mental screen to match name with face. "Sir, Welcome to the Blackhawk. I was sent to meet you. Lt.Cooper, Security. Do you require assistance?" It was an odd combination of rapid speech yet well enunciated. She made the offer giving the impression of stillness that could and would burst into action at any moment, she gestured at the bags. The family and their bags had already been scanned by her with a tricorder before they even left the shuttle so she knew they were safe. The Consortium was a hard learned lesson.
"Well, if you know anything about kids being hyperactive, you might start keeping these two in check." Adam said, with a small smile. "Adam Casey, these two are Amy and Maria." He said, introducing the two girls respectively. "Girls, what do you say?"
"Hi Lt. Cooper." Both girls said at the same time, as Adam held out his hand to the woman.
"Pleased to meet you." He added.
Having been somewhat of an active child, Cooper grinned, and shook his hand briefly then nodded a greeting. "Well it's not so much keeping them in check as it is keeping them occupied on interesting stuff that isn't blowing up the chicken coop...no chickens were harmed..." She immediately said, putting up her hands out in front of her briefly in a 'stop and listen' kind of gesture. As she was concerned they may think she blew up live chickens. She knelt briefly in front of the two girls, "Nice to meet both of you. You can call me CJ or Catherine, or Cat. And it was just a small explosion...couldn't even see if from the next property but my parents were super annoyed. That led to rule 7 for Catherine, 'No science experiments without a responsible adult'. Parents huh? But its because they care. You tell me what you like to do later and I can show you the coolest parts of the ship...that are totally safe..." She directed the last at their father as she stood. "Take any bags Sir? I've your quarters assignment right here..." She tapped a small PADD in a pocket. She said using what her mother would have called her version of 'company manners'.
Adam raised an eyebrow as the young woman spoke to the children. She was certainly...interesting. "Well, we have a few bags." He said, as he indicated three suitcases that were just being unloaded, as well as three large holdalls, and three small boxes "We were on holiday on New Risa when I saw your Captain." He explained. "If you could just beam them there, it'd be a great help." He added. He was pleased to see that the girls had been looking intently at what Catherine had been saying. "By the way, if they blow stuff up, you'll be on clean up duty." He joked, with a grin.
Cooper smiled broadly as she went to talk to the shuttle bay crewman to get the items beamed to the proper quarters. “Fair enough, it fits in with Rules for Catherine 1. If you made the mess you clean it up..” She said as she was walking back, “Fortunately when I really needed it my family was always there. One time I tried to bake a pie, they were finding bits in nooks and crannies for weeks. I...oh wait almost forgot.” She said suddenly remembering something. Then knelt again in front of the two girls. “I got presents for you two...” She grinned conspiratorially and pulled out two beautiful necklaces from a pocket. Each had a pretty star with the girls names written in starlight around the medallion. “It was a bit of a rush job but I hope you like.” She'd designed them herself when she found out two kids were coming to the hot and cold war battle zone. She had a strong protective streak, not uncommon in security types and so her ever whirling mind came up with this. She continued, “These are Guardian necklaces only for special, smart girls like yourselves. If someone really scares you, just hold this for a few seconds then my friends and I will come to help you. If you are in a super dangerous place just twist the medallion to the right one click and it will beam you somewhere safe.” She demonstrated how to hold them to active the panic button and how to active the transport.
These chameleon devices, used sometimes to protect important people, could take many forms. They responded only to the person's DNA to which they were assigned and so couldn't be used by enemy forces. But one had to keep the functions simple so the coding needed would fit in the little devices. So in one case it would send a secret panic button signal the other would indicate the need for emergency transport but that was the limit of its functionality. It was in essence a much simplified version of a comm. badge and much less likely to get lost by a small child. The best part of the chameleon system was it was undetectable unless actively in use and allowed emergency tracking in authorized situations. She held them out to the kids with one eye on their father as the thought occurs she should have asked him first. Her mother would be so disappointed but she'd been too excited about suddenly remembering the cool thing that she forgot proper etiquette.
Adam smiled at her as the girls accepted the necklace. "They're gorgeous." Amy said, looking at hers. She immediately handed it to Adam. "Papa, put it on me, please?" She asked. Adam nodded, knelt down and put the necklace on Amy, before helping Maria put hers on her. Both girls then ran to Catherine, and kissed her on both cheeks, before embracing her in a big hug.
"Thank you." Adam said, smiling at her. "This means a lot to me, it really does."
Cat beamed pleased it was so well received. Never one to hid her feelings one could almost feel her emotions. She accepted the hugs with a gentle bear hug of her own and spun them both around once before putting them down. "You're welcome. We're kinda a family here...ok a bit weird but still, we look out for our own." She looked down at the girls, "Hey you guys wanna see your new place?" She glanced over at the Commander, "If you're ready Sir?"
"Sounds good." Adam said, with a nod. He already liked the woman; she seemed to like the kids and was already looking out for them. He definitely appreciated it. "It's been a while since I've been aboard a fleet ship. Do you know if there is a way to get a kitchen and stasis unit installed in my quarters. I like cooking for the kids myself."
She started walking with them to the TL and talked as they headed for his quarters, "Brave man, me I'm lucky if people let me boil water. I mean I can totally do it but sometimes cooking takes forever. I mean I can't just sit there and stir a pot so I do other stuff...forget to set a reminder one time..." Then mutters, "Maybe a few..." then at a normal tone, "And you get a reputation even if you've improved...Oh anyway." She said her mind prodding her her about his question, "You could talk to engineering, they are whiz's and I expect can help but it would be depend on how difficult it is. I've never needed it sooo.." And she shrugged.
"Papa, can Cat come to dinner, can she, can she?" Maria and Amy pleaded with him. "She'll love your Chicken Pap...papa..."
"Paprikash." Adam said, with a small smile. "Have you got kids? They tend to make the decisions in parents life." He joked.
Cooper grinned with her every ready smile, one got the impression smiling was something she did often. "I remember being a kid, drove my parents nuts, me and my younger sister..." She winked at the girls then continued, "Myself though? Not yet..." She wondered if the current political situation would even allow it, she admired anyone with the big brass ones to raise kids in such a dangerous universe and it seemed like their new Chief Science Geek was a good one if the kids were any sign. She pushed thoughts of the future away focusing, as she often did, on the now. "Until then I am Super Aunt/Friend!" She struck a silly hero pose briefly before keeping walking to amuse the girls.
Both girls giggled at Cat, and began to run with an arm extended, running around her. "They love superhero movies. They've been watching old ones, and love the idea of flying." Adam explained. He had to wonder about this woman though. She didn't know him, and yet right away the kids loved her, and she seemed to like them. It was...unexpected, but welcome, especially if he was going to run a department. "I guess that means you'll be coming to dinner then?" He asked, with a small smile.
Cooper smiled down at the girls remembering how her father used to spin her around and around. He was so tall it was like flying.“Then we can totally got to get them qualified in zero-G. There's a series of trainings in case of emergencies so everyone knows what to do. There is one where the idea is what to do if we lose gravity. All you have to do is sign them up. All the trainings are on the computer and optional unless the Captain says otherwise. We should be able to make it suitable for the age range no problem.” She dodged the girls smoothly as they arrived on the floor of the Chief's new quarters. “How about a raincheck kidlets?” She asks the girls and including their father, “I've still got a lot to do to make things safe for everyone...”
The girls smiled at the idea of flying. "Oh, can we, can we fly?" Amy asked.
"What's a rainch...check?" Maria asked.
"It means she can't join us for dinner right away, as she has to work." Adam explained. "The idea of zero G sounds like a good idea." He added. "What do you think of the ship anyway? I used to serve on an Excelsior Class, which was fun, but it's been quite a while since I was aboard a Fleet Ship. Anything I need to know?"
"Little Ladies...you don't just fly. If you get very good, you can dance in Zero-G." She promised. "I can send you some holovideos of professional z-g dancers. It's like ballet in the sky..." She said trying to express the beauty of it in terms they would understand.
"We can dance! We can do ballet!" Amy said, as she spun around on the tip of her toes. Maria tried to do the same thing, but fell to the ground, laughing. "Can you dance?" Amy asked.
Cat grinned, "I can not embarrass myself if I do say so.." She said a bit proudly.
Then she turned to Commander Casey, her demeanor taking on more of a professional cast, well as professional as she tended to get anyway. "This is a small small ship so the usual living on top of people concerns, as well as the new security protocols..." And she explained about the protocols she and the Security Chief had put into place.
"Energy can sometimes be at a premium so make sure you work out any energy intensive experiments work them out in advance with Ops. The usual restricted areas and data access levels will be strictly enforced due to...past situations..." She said trying not to go into detail with the little big ears nearby but her face sobered ever so briefly with a hidden pain before the smile was back. "Everything you need should be in a welcome packet on your computer in your quarters but any questions, anytime." She paused and glanced at him curiously as she tried to determine if that's what he meant. They stopped near his quarters and tapped a few keys on the door padd nearby, "All set for your code."
Adam nodded, and entered a code that he and the girls would remember easily. "Perfect. Thank you." He said, as the doors opened. He could tell that the quarters had already been set up for him and the girls as he stepped in, given the additional furniture in the room. He took a look at the second bedroom, and saw that there were two single beds for the girls, and a double bed in the main bedroom for him. "I know you don't get many kids on board. You must have worked really hard to set this up." Adam said.
Cat shrugged good-naturedly, "I just helped Ops, besides its important for kids to have their own space as soon as possible so it feels home to them. Though that feeling relies more on the people than place, it's still important." She said smiling in understanding as the girls ran around exploring the space, a sense of empathy clear on her features.
The girls grinned and climbed onto their beds. "Papa, they're more comfortable than what we have at home." Amy said, grinning.
"Suitable for jumping...er..not that you ever should do that." She tried to look very stern for a moment then failed.
"Thank you. You know, keep this up, I'm gonna have to hire you as a babysitter sometimes." Adam joked, with a grin. His smile vanished as he looked at the girls, silently telling them to stay in the bedroom. "I need to know one thing: I've been given a very quick brief on what's been happening. Is it as bad as I've been told? I need to make sure my kids are safe."
Her smile faded as she turned back to him. "There's a full briefing on your computer but I expect the answer is yes. Sleeper Cells and brainwash victims hit at once all over the fleet. We lost Deep Space 11 and more than half the fleet. We've regrouped and think we've found all the sleepers..." She glanced at the girls, still happy in their room, a vaguely pensive expression flittering across her face. "Intel has been trying to rescue the brainwashed and those who sincerely believe they are following the right orders. Though its the core fanatics that are the worst." A hint of a smile ghosted her face, "It's not all bad. We've got some new leads on allies and intel has been successful in undermining the Consortium somewhat. More than expected have remained loyal and new ships are straggling in all the time. We're taking every precaution especially with the kidlets. If you feel there is a security hole we are not addressing please bring it to my or my Chief's attention"She then shook off the seriousness and said, "Retroactive permission to speak freely Sir?" as a minor quip.
Adam looked at her. "Never ask me that again." He said.
Cooper's one eyebrow rose briefly in a 'what are you on' look she learned from a former Vulcan shipmate.
"Catherine, at this point, I'm still playing catch up. I need to find my footing here. Yesterday, I was just a dad on holiday with his kids. I run into an old friend, and suddenly I'm back in uniform, with Starfleet compromised, people potentially looking to kill me because I pissed off the wrong people and my kids in danger. I need people to be straight with me, so you never need to ask permission to speak freely again with me. I need people I can trust to be straight with me, even if I'm not going to like what I hear." Adam said.
She actually looked a little relieved, "Well thanks for that I've only really one mode but I'm told a well rounded officer must learn diplomacy." a hint of a joke in her voice and she shrugged as if to say, 'if they say so'. She had known he most likely would be surprised. She was when she had found out that because of his qualifications not only was some poor guy was getting recalled to duty but two kids were not going to be in the hot seat with the rest of them. Never one to hold still especially when there was something that needed doing she took on helping Ops getting the family settled. And fortunately it didn't take much to update the 'new officer informational briefing package'. To be honest she didn't need as much sleep as other people so she tended to have more time on her hands and using that time to help others was just fine by her.
"One thing to keep in mind is we've been through this ship with a fine tooth comb so we're as safe as we can be, look to us and we'll look to you. We are literally in the same boat and none of us alone. We do our jobs and we'll get through this day by day. Alright?" She said giving a supportive and sympathetic smile.
Adam nodded, and stood in front of the window, looking out at the stars. "Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more." He said, almost wistfully as he thought of the path now laid out before him. "If there is one thing I have learnt, it is that we never get to lead the path we want to in life. We're now facing some of the darkest times, and all we have is each other." He said.
"Very true." She said in agreement with a rare sigh as she moved next to him to look out at the Stars and spoke the random thought that occurred. "you know my favorite thing is to put on a suit with mag boots and sit on the hull sometimes. Does great things for your perspective....and really weirds people out when you wave at them from outside the windows. Ah perspective such a tricky thing but controls so much." Tries not to laugh as she remembers one time she made someone jump when she waved in at the lounge, no one expects it so of course its a surprise. She'd laughed so hard she thought she was going to have to go to sick bay. She avoided private quarters to be respectful but public areas were fair game and it was super funny. Oh the plans she had for Halloween. It was tough keeping up morale on a war ship but CJ was game. And it wasn't that she didn't respect the situation they were in or plan accordingly, she simply tried not to dwell if it wasn't helpful which could maybe give her the appearance of not taking things seriously.
"That's the beautiful thing about the universe. You learn that we're tiny compared to the cosmos. Humanity once thought the Earth was flat. Columbus proved it was round. Humanity thought they were alone in the universe. Cochrane proved otherwise. There's one rule I've learnt: Anything is possible within the universe. When you realise that, then you open your mind to new possibilities. That's when everything changes. But for some, it will always be about power, and who can wield the most power." Adam said.
Cat smiled and this time it was a somewhat wicked one but still very determined, "Well, up to us to expand their consciousness then, isn't it?"
"That's the goal. And we will, always have faith in that." Adam said. "When I've gotten the kitchen set up, I'd love for you to join us for dinner. The girls already like you; they won't be taking off those necklaces, I can tell."
Her smiled changed to a gentler, pleased one, "They seem like good kids, we'll do our best to keep them safe." She promised. Determination seeming to be her primary mode of operation. "And on that note I better get a moving duty calls and if you hit snooze it kicks you out of bed pretty rudely. If you're all set?"
"Yes, we're all set, thank you." Adam said, with a smile.
"And sounds like a plan." Then she raised her voice, "Hey Kidlets, I'm heading out was nice to meet you."
Both girls ran out of the bedroom and wrapped their arms around her. "See you soon Cat." Amy said.
"Thank you for the necklace." Maria added.
Catherine did alot of martial arts so was easily able to once again pick them both up and spin them around before putting them down. She knelt at their level, "And if its ok with your dad you can come see me anytime I don't have to adult, or even if you just want to leave me a message." She stood, "And you're both very welcome. What's the fun in drawing if you can create fun things once in awhile." She turned to Adam, with a kind of respect in her eyes, "It's been to good to meet you." A small bow, "Namaste". She used it to mean, 'I've seen a bit of your soul and I respect it'.
"Namaste." Adam repeated, knowing the meaning, and bowing slightly as he spoke, smiling at her, and at the girls, who were clearly very happy.
As she left she reflected it was good to remember why they fought. Beyond protecting ideals like what the Federation stood for and fellow shipmates, it was for the children. For the future of their very peoples. She rather thought their new Science Chief would do well and was interesting to boot. Not everyone understood when she spoke random phrases in ancient languages. All in all she was pleased with the crew assigned here she felt they had the right people, in the right places, at the right time to do some real good. And she looked forward to getting to know them a bit better even as she plotted on how best to spoil the kidlets.
Giving in to impulse she pulled out a PADD and began coordinating security operations even as she started dancing down the corridor, dodging random crew (who by now was getting used to her oddness) singing quietly,:
OOC: Happy by Pharrell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do
Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah,
well, give me all you got, and don’t hold back, yeah,
well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine, yeah,
no offense to you, don’t waste your time......"
"
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