Old Sheriff Returns...

Posted on Tue Sep 26th, 2023 @ 11:54am by Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Kyle Reece & Lieutenant Commander S'hib

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: USS Elysium, Security Offices
Timeline: MD 4 1630 hrs.
3405 words - 6.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After meeting with the Commodore and X-O, Kyle made his way directly down to the ship's security suite. When he reached the door, he took a moment to reflect. It had been six years since he last walked through these doors as the chief of the department, albeit only an hour.

When his crew, the survivors of the Ragnarök, came aboard the newly finished Elysium, he was still the combined chief of Security and Tactical departments. However, upon seeing just how large of a task that would be, especially for a young Lieutenant, Admiral Sharr had decided to split the departments into two, moving Kyle into the Chief Tactical position, and promoting another security officer to head that department.

Of course, given the Elysium's current state, it was a doable option the reform the two back under one chief.

Releasing the breath he didn't realize he was holding, Kyle reached up and punched in his authorization code. The computer acknowledged the code and opened the doors.

Stepping inside, the activity of the various security officers, now his officers, all stopped. Everyone knew who he was, and his experience. However, they still had mixed feelings about having their chief and assistant chief locked up.

Stepping forward, Kyle waited for the doors to close behind him before he spoke.

"Alright, listen up," his deep voice quickly filling the void of silence. "I understand that this is a painful situation, especially as we still haven't recovered from the crossing. I'm not here to replace Aurelia or S'hib. I'm here to do a job and keep this department running until such time as it is decided they both have paid for their mistakes." He took a breath and continued. "Some of you know who I am. Others know my history. I have certainly made my own mistakes along the way, and I have paid my own penance. While I'm here, I expect each of you to continue to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. If any of you have any difficulties, I want you to bring them to me. My door is always open to each and every one of you."

As he spoke, he saw that some of the hard stares had softened some. Others had not. He figured this would be the case. As he had his own devout followers in every department he had led, there would be those that would only respect him for his rank, while giving the rest of their respect to the detained Chief and Assistant Chief.

He could work with that knowledge.

Summing up his speech, he continued. "We still have work to do, so let's get to it." He nodded once and the activity of his new team resumed.

He stood there for a few beats, simply taking it in. Then, he made his way to his new, temporary office. Upon entering, he saw the various personal items that Aurelia had set up. He decided to leave them untouched, as much as possible. He replicated a small case and carefully stored the other items inside. Once he had a clean workspace, he closed the case and placed it safely in the corner behind the desk, then he sat down and started going over all of the information pertinent to the case at hand.

*58 minutes later* Gary came into Kyle's 'new' office. He noted that many of Lia's personal things remained where she had placed them. "So," he greeted Kyle. "Ready to go and talk to S'hib? Get his ideas and any insights he may have?"

Looking up as Gary entered the office, Kyle noticed the X-O's thoughtful gaze around the space. Before answering the question, he stated, "Just so you know, I recognize that this is your wife's space. I only removed the personal items that I needed to, so I could work efficiently." He indicated the Hardcastle in the corner behind him. "I carefully packed the things I removed in there. If you want to take it back to your quarters, you can, obviously. Or, you can leave it here. It's not in the way where it is." He then took in a breath and stood, letting it out as he stood. "I'm ready when you are, Sir." Though they had been the same rank, and Kyle's was only lowered to fill the role he had, he would still give Gary the respect he was due.

Gary nodded at Kyle's explanation. "Kyle, it is quite alright. There is no need to explain. This is your office now. Make whatever changes you need. Though I do appreciate your thoughtfulness in this matter." he looked at the small case in the corner. "It can stay where it is, as long as you are sure it isn't in your way." Gary paused and smiled as he said his next. "Kyle I appreciate the respect you are giving me by calling me sir, but I have a name and I would like you to use it."

Kyle nodded and shrugged slightly as he replied. "It is for now. When your wife's punishment is over and comes back, it would be hers again." He tilted his head to the side as he continued. "Of course, should the decision be made that her services are no longer required, then the office would go to S'hib. I'd rather run both departments from the bridge. Of course, if it comes down to it, where I remain in command if both departments, and space becomes available, I'll choose an office space somewhere. That way, the personnel from both would have a neutral place to report to." He then stood and moved around to the front of his desk. "And as far as how we talk to one another, I'll agree to it, Gary, so long as we are alone. When we aren't, I will refer to you as regulations dictate." He spread his arms and grinned. "I come from a long line of Starfleet officers. It's only natural for me to do so." He grinned and chuckled softly.

"We'll worry about all that when the time comes. As for now, it is your office. The rest will sort itself out and we'll go on from there." He paused for a moment then continued. "As for calling me Gary when we're alone, fair enough. Who am I to buck a long line of Starfleet officers or go against the natural order of things." He grinned. "By the way and completely off topic, have you informed Malakai of your promotion and being placed in charge of both departments?"

Kyle nodded as he listened. Then, he shook his head as he replied. "Not yet, no. I was going to tell him later. Came down here straight from speaking with the Commodore." He then started out of the office, leading Gary to the holding cells. "You know both Lia, obviously, and S'hib better than I do. How do you think they will take me being put in charge?"

Gary didn't rush an answer, and when he spoke, it was with a deliberate tone. "Lia will grouse about it but accept it. S'hib is loyal to Lia but I think he realizes a change had to be made. He and Lia both lost their objectivity in this investigation. They not only pushed the boundaries, they broke some. I don't fault their desire to find who attacked Miraj. I do find fault in their methods."

Kyle nodded as both men left the security offices and started towards the temporary quarters that S'hib and his family had been assigned. "While, officially, I have to disagree with what they did," he began, "I can also find agreement in it as well. There are those that I have served with over the years that I might lose my cool about, if they were attacked like Ensign Miraj was."

Gary simply nodded at Kyle's reply. While he did understand Lia and S'hib's motives, one couldn't just break the law to catch a criminal.

When they reached their destination, Kyle nodded to the security guard that had been posted outside. Reaching up, he pressed the door intercom. "Mister S'hib," his tone was firm, yet professional. "This is Commander Kyle Reece, the current Tactical and Security Department Chief. I have Captain Taylor with me. It's time for us to have a discussion."

There was silence at first, leaving the pair looking at each just long enough for one of them to reach for the intercom again. But then the door hissed opened.

The first thing they saw was Sle’anna, bundled up in long sheets of yellow fabric and attached to her fathers bare chest. Her long equine legs hung freely, twitching about with her hooves cupped within S’hibs hands.

She stared inquisitively at the new faces in front of her, her gaze a lot softer than her fathers above.

“Come in…” He said with a tired but mostly relaxed tone as he stepped back and turned to walk further inside. “Id offer you something to drink but they’ve taken the replicators offline while they troubleshoot power surges on the deck below.”

Seeing the infant, Kyle couldn't stop the soft smile that suddenly filled his face. "Apologies if we are disturbing her sleep," he began respectfully. He then led Gary inside as he followed S'hib. "Thank you," he replied about the beverage issues. "Hopefully they will be fixed soon. On a personal note, should you or the Colonel need anything for your little lady here, please let me know. I'll do what I can." He gave S'hib another friendly grin, then his demeanor turned to a more appropriate one, considering why they were there.

"Now, as I said, I have been put in charge of the Security department, following Commander Taylor's brigging. The Commodore has also placed Captain Taylor and I in charge of the investigation regarding the heinous attack on Ensign Miraj." He took a breath as he remembered what he read in the earlier reports of the attack. "That being said, is there anything, not in the files, that you feel is relevant to this case so we can find the individual responsible?"

"No, just wild theories and speculation... you know this, both of you do." S'hib began as he gently sat down on the small sofa, the only seating available besides the bed in the other room. "I spent the entire time grasping at handfuls of sand, watching the leads pour away between my fingers instead of just cupping my hands together."

His face went sour as he stared at his clenched fist and the small cloven fingers stretching out to grab at it.

"The only lead I didn't get to pursue was about the promotions, there was discontent between groups within Miraj's department..." He frowned, thinking hard for a moment as his hand opened up at the little tugs from Sle'anna.

"I remember breaking up an argument at the ceremony and that's when it hit me, that this attack, this attempt on her life has probably been brewing for some time."

He looked up at Kyle and Gary, switching his attention between them both. "it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing, it had been planned... and I don't think it was just one person either."

Kyle stood there, listening quietly, as S'hib spoke. When he finished, Kyle inhaled deeply through his nostrils. He held his breath for a beat or two, then exhaled back out through his nostrils. He knew the situation was bad, but to hear that there was a possibility of several inferior officers on board was quite troubling. "These officers that you spoke to at the ceremony, are they the same ones you interviewed? Or are there others that you were going to speak to?"

Gary looked at S'hib, "Who was the argument between Mr. S'hib? In addition, did you have any suspects in mind who may have attacked Ensign Derani? Something we can follow up on and hopefully nail who attacked her?"

"Yeah, I'll get to that in a moment..." S'hib replied with a slight shake of his head, his expression flicking between smiling at Slee and discontent at the two of them stood in his lounge.

"Like I was saying, I've been doing a lot of thinking... not much else to do in these four walls, so I went over some of my old logs and reports... don't need access codes for those so that's what I've been doing to pass the time." He sighed heavily before leaning down and kissing Slee on the top of her head, keeping his lips there for a moment as he began to speak.

"At the ceremony, I broke up an argument between three individuals... Eric Kyler who we have spoken to and Anish Talan. They both had a rather loud disagreement with Jason Danvers who had just received a promotion."

"At the time I thought nothing of it but looking back on it the reason I was called over was because Anish was seen getting aggressive, with Eric holding them back..."

"A room full of senior staff, A Commodore and the then Captain Phoenix... and they were still willing to throw a punch?"

He stopped for a moment, staring at nowhere in particular as if the very act of speaking out loud had put more pieces of the puzzle together.

"Eric's the loudest of the two for sure... the most vocal, it's why we focused on him, but I had my doubts from day one. He just... doesn't seem like the type."

"Anish on the other hand..." S'hib continued as he got up and moved across the room.

Gary shook his head. "It isn't Eric. That's too obvious. He's being set up to take the blame. However, Anish and others are definite possibilities."

"That's what I'm saying, he's a good fall guy... seemed all too happy to be there even when I was throwing him around the room." S'hib scoffed before turning and pointing. "He's in on it I'll tell you that much." he added before turning back to the kitchen counter and picking up a bottle of milk he'd been letting warm up.

"Tell me more about Anish," Kyle asked politely. "The name isn't ringing any bells for me."

"I can tell you this. He's Eric's roommate." Gary put forth. "So, maybe there is some truth to them both being involved. I don't know, at least not yet."

Kyle nodded to Gary, then looked back at S'hib and waited for his reply.

Gary too awaited S'hib's reply and insight.

"Well, from what I've gathered... Eric and Nerinath graduated the same year as Anish, so they all know each other rather well." S'hib began as he moved the bottle in front of Sle'anna, watching her dexterous lips moving in tandem with her hands to grasp at the nib.

"The thing is Anish has a squeaky clean record, mostly because there is no record... no performance reviews, no crew evaluations or promotions, it's the same for a lot of the flight department." He shook his head, feeling like he should have noticed sooner his friend needed help in her role.

"But Anish, in particular, has been stuck on graveyard shift after graveyard shift on the battle bridge." He looked up at the two, then between them at nothing in particular.

"Essentially Anish has been forgotten about... which is the sorta thing that would harbour resentment for your superiors," Again he looked up at the two, though more directly at Gary. "Which again a lot of the flight crew have... and not just for Miraj either."

"But what I will say for certain, they're covering each other's asses... and lying, the lot of them."

Gary listened intently to S'hib's observations. "This goes in line with what Eric has said. That Miraj was an inefficient officer. I would imagine the whole department has a squeaky-clean record which is good and bad. Good for no reprimands or other duty issues. Bad for nothing to base a promotion on. You may be right S'hib in that the whole department while not in on Miraj's attack is covering for each other in regard to the resentment they feel at being ignored."

“Another thing… Miraj is going to need protecting, if they’ve attacked once they'll do it again… but knowing her, she wont want someone following her around, she likes her own space…” He fell silent, rubbing his face as his other hand tilted the bottle up further.

“Talk to High Priestess An’dalus… her Sovereign, T’han. He’s fond of Miraj… and could act as security without Miraj even realizing.”

“She owes me a favour anyway…” He added cryptically, showing no sign of elaborating.

The Commodore has increased the security around the senior officer's quarters." Gary replied. "As for T'han, it is definitely something to look into." Gary answered diplomatically.

Kyle listened to the whole exchange quietly as his mind worked to process everything her heard and saw. Something, other than the attack, didn't feel right about the whole situation, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was. Not yet anyway.

Looking over at S'hib, Kyle responded. "While that is a nice idea, I'm not sure how Mister T'han could be in two places at once. It was my understanding that he doesn't leave the Ambassador's side." While he wasn't as Diplomatic as Gary had been, he was still polite. "Besides, I've already got a plan to prevent this from happening again."

S'hib waved his free hand dismissively at that last part, overconfidence was the last thing any of them needed right now.

"Under most circumstances, he does not. However, if the High priestess were to make a request that required he leave her presence then he would do so... Like I said, she owes me a favour... So I might just ask her anyway."

"While I certainly appreciate the relationships involved here," Kyle replied honestly, "for now, I'm going to keep any protection details strictly in-house. We have no idea what dangers lay ahead, out here in the wilderness. So, if you can provide me with a list of security officers that you fully trust, I'll choose from them."

“I’ll send you a list…” S’hib replied with scepticism in his voice, he was still torn over how he felt about the whole situation, his duty to Star fleet and the trust therein being shaken to its very foundations.

It wasn’t so much that he couldn't trust anyone anymore, he just didn’t want to… he was tired of being vulnerable, tired of being prey to hoofless animals.

Gary listened to Kyle's answer and nodded. "I think that is the correct way to proceed at this time. It may come we need to reevaluate the situation but for now, we'll proceed with security providing protection for Miraj."

Though Kyle wasn't telepathic, he had learned to read both situations and people over his years in service. Looking S'hib directly in the eyes, he spoke clearly and honestly. "I know you don't know me from Adam, Mister S'hib. However, I will show you that I am a man of my word." He extended his right hand as he spoke. "After all, a man is only as good as his word."

He reached out, trying not to move too far and disrupt Sle'anna from her bottle, and shook his hand. Though it was a light grip, with little enthusiasm behind it... which honestly summed up his mood of late entirely.

"I'll let you see yourself out." He nodded politely.

Gary rose and put his hand on S'hib's shoulder. "Mr. S'hib, we're here for you. Don't shut yourself off." He said sincerely.

His top lip curled as he looked up at Gary, that sudden unbridled rage filling his eyes within an instant. “It’s a bit late for that.” He growled before returning his attention back to his daughter, the venomous glare vanishing in an instant.

Gary sighed but said nothing. It seemed anything he said to S'hib angered him, so best to just leave him alone and say nothing. He looked over to Kyle, "You done?"

Kyle exhaled softly, understanding S'hib's anger. He then nodded to Gary. Looking back at S'hib, he said, "We will find the animal that did this. I give you my word, Mister S'hib." He then turned and led Gary out of the Assistant Security Chief's quarters.

~OFF~