[USS Renaissance] A test of Character

  • From: Ian <hewman100@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: USS Renaissance <renaissance@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 10:43:40 +0100 (BST)

A Test of Character
   
  Captain Boah'diel inMatta  and Lieutenant (j.g) Mary O'Donnell
   
  There was one more name on Boah'diel's list, one more member of his Senior 
Staff who had yet to accept her assignment.  He had asked the Admiral if he 
could seek the woman out himself and offer it to her.  He wanted to see her 
eyes if she turned him down.

Dressed in simple sands and greys, he stepped onto the station at Izar and 
headed for where he knew she had last been seen.  Idly, he rubbed a finger over 
the sigil on his wrist, sending a prayer to his family for a good result.
   
  Spending three days turning the Station and environs upside down had done 
nothing to improve Mary's mood, "When I catch you John Forester I'm going to 
turn your balls into earrings."
   
  She wanted a drink badly, just to soften the edges, but although not aboard 
the Avalon she was still nominally a member of it's crew. Stopping at a 
viewport and running fingers through her short hair, she caught sight of 
another starship that hadn't been there when their ragtag convoy arrived.
   
  It was now home to so many of her friends and colleagues. Mary let out a long 
sigh, "Maybe those idiots have snuck over there too."

Boah'diel spotted his prey, a slight smile tugging his lips as he approached 
her.  How few people knew who he was, it often pleased him to see how they 
reacted to what appeared to be a simple civilian.  Sorrean had snorted and told 
him he behaved like a king going about among his subjects in disguise.  "A 
beautiful ship," he mused to Mary.  "Sleek, attractive."
   
  "Looks like a starship as opposed the 'abortion' I'm assigned to at the 
moment." She flicked a finger at the Curry Class vessel, "In wartime I can 
understand the need for such drastic measures, but it looks all wrong."

He stared at the old design and crinkled his nose.  "As much as I am aware that 
there is little need for a sleek design in space, I do believe that one has 
gone beyond not caring to head straight towards frumpiness."  His smile was 
tight as he added, "Her captain doesn't have the greatest of reputations either 
or so I'm lead to believe."
   
  Mary frowned, "He's changed that's for sure, but that maybe due to his boxed 
pip. He is still my CO too." She turned and finally took in the man behind her 
and realised she was addressing a civilian. "I'm not sure I should be 
discussing 'Fleet business with you though sir." 
   
  She was ashamed that she hadn't checked the man was in uniform before talking 
but those two were clouding her normally good judgement.

Boah'diel flourished a bow, a quirk of his mouth showing his amusement.  "Too 
late, I'm afraid, you have begun so you must finish.  That is the way of it."


  "No sir, I do not believe so. The information I have imparted may be common 
knowledge by now, but technically I have breached regulations," She scowled 
inwardly, "and these are still uncertain times."

"Then you should have me arrested," he mused idly, "for attempting to obtain 
information of a military nature.  The law, is it not?"
   
  Mary fixed him with her jade green eyes, Why do I get the feeling this is 
going to bite me in the arse. She placed her hand on her hip, over the hidden 
pocket on her uniform where a Type 1 phaser was secreted. "Are you going to 
accompany me to Station security so I can run a check on you then sir?"

"No," Boah'diel said with an easy smile.  "Run through protocol, first, I 
think.  You have to ask my identity, then call for back-up, then two of you 
accompany me to the nearest Security office where one of the officers should 
have my profile and any criminal records available for examination."  His dark 
blue eyes were twinkling as he quoted the regulations to her.
   
  Her eyes narrowed slightly. Now I know I'm goin' t'get burnt. "We can do it 
that way. May I see some form of identification please, sir."

"No," he replied, thoroughly enjoying himself.  "All I have on me is my 
comm-badge," which he slipped from his pocket, "and my PADD with your orders on 
it.  Other than that, I am breaking official regulations by not carrying formal 
identification on me at all times."  Leaning close, he suggested, "Perhaps you 
should arrest me for it."


"In that case you'll have to come with me, sir. O'Donnell to Station Security." 
 PADD? Orders? The words sank in. Oh hell, who've I got here?

  "Security here," a voice said.
   
  "Request assistance to bring in an unknown with no identification, looks like 
some sorta monk."

"Monk?" Boah'diel burst into bright laughter.  "The High Priest would have a 
fit!"

There was a huff over the line and a snicker.  "You've been had, ma'am.  That's 
Captain inMatta.  No point bringing him in, the Admiral'd only haul your arse 
over the coals for it."
   
  "Understood." She contained the urge to punch the Captain out, but felt the 
heat rise in her face. "Make a habit of humiliating junior officers sir?" she 
growled.

"Ah, you misunderstand," he chuckled.  "I do not embarrass, I test."  He 
offered out the PADD he was carrying.  "New orders, Lieutenant.  You will be my 
chief of security."


  Mary looked over the PADD carefully, "Is there any reason why I shouldn't 
forcefeed you these orders sir. I am on assignment for the Avalon, which you 
are no doubt aware of." Her anger was barely contained below the surface. Those 
bastards are doing it to me again.

"You could certainly try," he mused idly.  "If you managed to do as such with a 
broken back and your neck snapped, I would be impressed."  Even if his smile 
was easy, his threat was clear.  Boah'diel was not a violent man but the Desert 
People called for harsh justice when threatened by those beneath them.  "You 
have been reassigned.  Either accept it and move ship or reject it and be put 
in front of a court martial."


  She really want to hit him now, "Best accept it," she said through gritted 
teeth, "Am I still permitted to continue my search?"

"You have been reassigned," he said, blinking only once.  "That means you drop 
everything and start as Chief of Security aboard the Renaissance."  Pointing 
back out of the view port, he nodded.  "The pretty one."
   
  She nodded, "May I ask if the ship has been inspected from a security 
perspective sir?"

"She's all yours, Lieutenant," he said with a smile.  "Inspect to your heart's 
desire."
   
  Eyeing her superior, she asked the next question, "And has anyone from the 
new crew been on board yet?"

"I have," he shrugged.  "But then I have a secret weapon."  He grinned at her, 
his blue eyes dancing.
   
  Mary snorted, "Secret weapon or no', The Security department are always first 
onto a ship after the passage crew have disembarked."

"Ah but our Security team consist solely of you at the moment," the captain 
pointed out.
   
  That caused her to raise an eyebrow, "I will have to be made aware of this 
weapon of yours as well Captain."

"No, you really don't," he said with a tightness to his eyes.  "The most you 
will know is that it is uniquely mine and no one can take it from me."
   
  "And if this weapon becomes a security concern on the ship?" she pushed.

He shrugged one shoulder.  "It won't be.  Is a Betazoid a security concern or a 
Vulcan?  Would you make sure as to know each person's personal talents without 
them knowing it?  No, Lieutenant.  Unless the time comes when it is necessary, 
this one is my concern only."

"With both the species you mention there are protocols in place should they 
become a security concern Sir." She said plainly, "But I will not push any 
further on the matter."

"Good," he said with an easy smile.
   
"In that case would you care to join me on an inspection tour sir?"

"Lead on."



"If there's nothing wrong with me... maybe there's something wrong with the 
universe!" 
~ Dr Beverly Crusher (ST:TNG, Remember Me)



                
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