Posted by Cadet James O’Hara (Security Officer) in COS’s Office - Cadet O’Hara reporting for Duty

Posted by Lieutenant Henry Rodier (Chief of Security) in COS’s Office - Cadet O’Hara reporting for Duty
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Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
James O’Hara made his way slowly through the maze of decks and corridors that was the USS Challenger. The young Irishman was a very long way from home. The furthest he had ever been from the west coast of Ireland before this was to the beautiful city of San Francisco, and that felt alien enough to begin with. James felt he was in the right place at last, after a brief stint in the territorial battalions of County Galway had proven his abilities as a soldier. Now, he had to prove himself to his new commander, Lieutenant Rodier. The tall Irishman strode through the corridors with his kit, scratching his neck from time to time due to the unforeseen scratchiness of a Starfleet collar. He had to admit; yellow suited him. His brief time in Renmore Barracks had taught him a few basic skills; follow orders, present yourself well and never switch off if you want to survive. To complicate things, a combination of new shoes and travel sickness caused James to slide around corners in the most uncivilised of fashion, but he carried on regardless. Punctuality was the name of the game with security. He had to be the right person, in the right place, with the right phaser.

Not knowing how to announce himself, O’Hara approached the door to the COS’s Office and knocked twice.

OOC (Out Of Character): Great first post! I really like what you’re doing with the character. I would suggest filling out some of the details you’ve outlined here in your character’s bio, both for you to refer back to and for other RPers to see. Otherwise, keep it up! And don’t forget to sign off your posts with your character’s name and rank :)

IC (In Character):

Henry Rodier, his still-shiny two full pips on his collar, was standing at his office’s viewport (or viewscreen, he still wasn’t sure) taking a break from the endless reports that came with his position. At the moment, he believed he could see Callisto, one of Jupiter’s moons, in the far distance, though it could just as easily have been Ganymede. He was about to pose that question to the ship’s computer when the two knocks came at his door.

Expecting a new cadet, Henry moved to his desk, glancing at the time in the process. Right on time. Haven’t seen that since… well, since my check-in, he thought. “Cadet O’Hara, I assume?”

~ Lt. Henry Rodier - CoS

OOC: Thanks! I’ve updated the bio just there and I’ll remember the name and rank at the end. Thanks for all the help :)

IC:

O’Hara watched the door slide open to reveal his new boss. The Lieutenant was of similar build to himself and his face was illuminated by the starlight coming through the viewport. The Irishman saluted, driving his shoulders back and clicking his slippy boots together. He was still getting used to the Star Fleet sense of respect, and didn’t yet know if the COS was going to be a stickler for saluting like his previous Lieutenants in the Irish Army.

“Yes Sir, Cadet O’Hara. I’m new to Security and Star Fleet.” O’Hara spoke slowly, allowing each word to sing before continuing. For the sake of clarity, he wasn’t going to go to full, Saturday-night-speed with his new commander yet. I feel like Dr Livingstone he thought to himself, remembering the famed introduction Livingstone had been greeted with when he was rescued after going missing in Africa in the 19th Century.

“I have the details of myself and recommendations from the Academy forwarded onto you, Sir.” O’Hara extracted a simple ledger from his kitbag. “Put just in case you prefer physical documents, I have them here as well.”

O’Hara presented them onto Rodier’s desk and retreated back towards the door, before returning to his ‘attention’ stance.

~Cadet O’Hara, Security Officer

O’Hara’s attitude was something quite unusual for Henry - the Academy usually had to instill a sense of respect in its cadets, but in this man that sense was not only fully present but arguably excessive. The Chief allowed a smile to enter his expression, and with a reciprocal nod of respect said, “At ease, Cadet. And thank you for these,” he gestured to the ledger, which he proceeded to flip open.

“Please take a seat. How’ve you been finding the Challenger so far?” Two dark blue felted chairs sat in front of Rodier’s desk, their fuzziness indicating they were fairly new.

~ Lt. Rodier - CoS

“You’re very welcome, Sir.” James walked forward and gently sat down on a blue chair opposite the Lieutenant. It was the first comfortable seat he had found since San Francisco. The Shuttle’s metal seat were badly suited for long range transportation. James allowed himself to recline slightly and stretch out his long legs. He was still soaking in everything; the decks, the crew and the new ecosystem he found himself in.

“Well, Sir, the Challenger is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The simulations prepare us well, but nothing compares to having boots on steel.” O’Hara smiled, letting his guard down ever so slightly. “I’m still learning the decks and I can’t wait to meet my comrades; I know that every crew, department and captain operates differently and with their own.. interpretation of the rule-books. I’m interested in finding out how you do things on Challenger?”

~Cadet O’Hara - Security Officer

“Well, the Challenger’s a bit different from others ships of the line, but she’s got a good Captain, albeit a new one just promoted. I think you’ll find I do things a little differently, mostly in that I put quite a bit of trust in my officers. But I do run a pretty by-the-book department.” He flipped through James’ dossier, stopping on the page containing his service record. “I saw you were a Corporal at your previous posting, and were actually up for promotion. So, why Starfleet?” The Chief leaned back slightly in his chair, allowing the ledger to fall back to his desk.

~ Lt. Rodier - CoS

O’Hara was beginning to like his new boss already. He spoke sensibly and efficiently, and with an accent that O’Hara could only place as being from the same neck of the woods as JFK, who was still remembered quite fondly in Ireland in the 24th Century. He understood his rationale and looked forward to working as part of a well oiled-machine.

“I’ve heard some great things about the ship and the Captain, Sir. In the Academy, I was told about some of the great officers and captains to serve on this vessel.” O’Hara smiled again and clasped his spindly fingers together. “I actually find it hilarious to be so many miles away from Ireland, and to be surrounded by Sheridans and Foleys again! There’s even an Aisling; but I don’t know if that’s an Irish connection at all? I must ask them!

“Truth be told Sir, I enjoyed my three or so years in the Irish Army and I meshed well with my platoon. But advancement seemed limited. It was mainly fishing patrols and aiding the Guards, our police force, with anything larger than burglaries. I thought to myself, if I wanted to do that sorta thing, I would’ve joined the Guards to begin with. It was like destiny when a Star Fleet recruiter wandered into the barracks when we had a parade on. She was a former Commander on one of Galaxy Class ships; can’t remember exactly which one, but she had all the information I was looking for and all the time in the world for my questions. She even told me about a lad from Dublin, Miles O’Brien, who did very well for himself on Deep Space Nine.”

O’Hara slowed himself down again and took a deep breath after blitzing through his history.

“My commander in Ireland, Colonel Mulcahy, was sad to see me go because, as you said, he was hoping I’d join the cadets to become an Officer. I had been promoted to squad commander quite quickly, and I had great craic.. eh fun? Irish-ism, Sir. You may have to get used to them. But I grew up in the outdoors, unpolluted by the lights and ignorance of the city. I’m not a scientist, by any stretch, but it’s a natural sense of being human to look at the stars with wonder and it is a natural desire of any good Irishman to dream of adventure and fighting the good fight. That’s why I turned down my promotion. I thought it better to go from half-way up a ladder to nowhere, to the bottom rung of a ladder that could bring me to the edge of what is known. I hope that sums my situation up!”

~Cadet O’Hara - Security Officer

OOC: You’re more than welcome to start your Medical and Counselor check-ins now or whenever you feel comfortable! I’ll also be getting you into the main sim whenever possible, I’ve been told security will be playing quite a big role.

IC:
Henry sat in silence for a moment, taking in James’ speech. He could tell the Irishman had been prepared for the question, and he could tell even more clearly that the man was excited to be where he was - both good qualities in the Fleet. “It does indeed, and you’re right on the money there. There’s plenty of diversity and room to move in the Fleet, and aboard the Challenger in particular. I’ve been lucky enough to move up rather quickly myself, and as you’re quite aware with the Foleys and the Sheridans, we don’t tend to discriminate.” He smiled, a big, genuine grin.

“That brings me to a question I always like to ask, but it seems especially applicable to you. Where do you see yourself in five years?”

~ Lt. Rodier - CoS
OOC: Perfect, I’ll work on the Physical and Counsellors office posts! Thanks for all the help and a great first experience. It’d be great to get involved with the Main Sim!

IC: “I feel very lucky to be here, Sir, and I’m already excited to settle in!” O’Hara leaned forward in the plush blue chair. “In five years? I definitely hope to still be with Star Fleet. As you were saying, there’s a great diverse group of people here and I don’t know who I’ll meet. I’m a great believer that good things will cross your path, and I have a better chance of crossing paths with good things here; if that makes any sense. I would like to get a chance at promotion, and I’ve seen that is possible in Star Fleet. I’d like to learn more from the Federation and become another helpful part of whatever ship I end up on.”

O’Hara felt very happy with how things were going with the Chief of Security.

“In five years, I hope to wiser and serving Star Fleet, but still just as friendly. I’m afraid it’ll take far longer than 5 years to get all the Irish out of me!”

~Cadet O’Hara -Security Officer

Rodier laughed. “Thankfully, that’s not a requirement. If it were, I’m afraid my genetics might’ve been a problem too.”

He closed the ledger and placed it in a nearby drawer, leaning forward in the process. The man’s eyes stared directly at James, sharp, seeking, but not unkind. “I’ve obviously read your file, O’Hara. A different officer might think he knew everything about you, knew exactly what you would bring to the table. I don’t.” He paused, letting it soak in for a moment, mentally smiling a little at what he imagined to be an intimidating image of himself.

“Why are you an asset? What do you bring to the ship, what do you bring my department, that everyone else doesn’t?”

~ Lt. Rodier - CoS

O’Hara reclined in his seat and moved into a pensive state. Consolidating his thoughts for a moment, he took a deep breath in and grinned again.

“That’s a mighty question, Sir! I’ve been asked that question a few times in my career already, and I’m still questioning what is exactly unique about me?”

O’Hara scratched his chin and stared directly at the Lieutenant.

“I can promise determination, Sir, total and utter determination. Nothing will stand between me and tasks’ objective. I’ve worked the fields since I was 6 and I’ve been through every class of Physical Training and Group Punishment in the Irish Army. Now, I won’t be as strong as a Klingon, or as logical as a Vulcan but I will give every inch and pound of myself to cause! I’m also qualified in the manual at arms for all variants of phaser pistols and rifles, and I have experience commanding small groups of soldiers, so I believe that will also add to my usefulness in Security. I was the part of Military Police detachment at my barracks, and that was the closest experience to Star Fleet security I’ve had. I think this combination of skills, combined with the fact I tend to get on well with my crewmates will make me a useful asset to your fine department!”

O’Hara slapped his knees and clasped his hands together, hoping he had said the right things.

~Cadet O’Hara - Security Officer

OOC: You’ll see I just cut off the top of this post and replaced it with <snip> to make it easier to read. That’s called snipping, we do that every so often to avoid needing to scroll for miles :)

IC:
Henry listened intently, unwaveringly returning the Cadet’s gaze. “I admire your confidence. And while we do things quite differently here than in any army, I have little doubt your experience will be valuable.” He rubbed his chin for a moment. “Something that may be odd is that you actually have more field experience than I do, and we’re almost the same age. I want to make clear that while I make decisions in this department, Starfleet’s all about collaboration. If you disagree with something for a good reason, I expect you to voice your disagreement.” He smiled once more, knowing that last piece of knowledge would take O’Hara some getting used to.

~ Lt. Rodier - CoS

OOC: Perfect! This has been a great introduction to the site, I saw the Main-Sim as well; it’s all heating up!

IC:

O’Hara felt relaxed in the Lieutenant’s company, he was looking forward to working with him.

“Thank you very much, Sir” He replied, sincerely. “I’ve had an unorthodox start, but I’m sure it’ll come in handy, Sir. That’s the old source of conflict in every organisation; when to follow orders to the letter and when to think on your feet. I’m looking forward to working with the crew, I had great craic with my class in the Academy and I’m sure I’ll do the same here. I’ve always been taught to trust my own initiative, and it hasn’t failed me yet. I will certainly follow orders and keep the department ticking along; but if the day comes when I feel the need to speak, have no fear, because I will… with the highest level of respect. Naturally!”

“Good to hear.” He glanced around the room and wiggled his chair a bit, a habit his long-time colleagues would notice to mean he was more or less finished with the meeting. “Well, I believe that’s all I have for the moment. But please, the floor is yours. Any questions or requests for me?”

~ Lt. Rodier - CoS