Lieutenant Saxon Kreeger, Chief of Security, sat alone in the forward corner of the officers’ mess aboard the USS Manhattan. The morning watch had already begun, and the room was quiet except for the low murmur of conversation and the gentle hum of the ship’s engines.

Before him rested a simple breakfast: scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, fried potatoes, and wheat toast. Beside the plate sat a steaming mug of black coffee—strong, bitter, and exactly how he preferred it.

Balanced in one hand was a PADD displaying the day’s security briefing.

Kreeger took a measured sip of coffee before scrolling through the report.

Security Brief – Stardate 79868.1

• Condition: Security Status Green. No external threats detected within sensor range.

• Personnel Report: Two security officers were transferred aboard overnight from Starbase 214. Both are scheduled to report to the Security Division at 0800 hours.

• Tactical Systems: All Type-XII phaser arrays operational. Quantum torpedo inventory at 100%. Defensive systems passed overnight diagnostics.

• Internal Incidents: Minor unauthorized access attempt to Cargo Bay Three during Gamma Shift. The investigation determined the cause to be an engineering ensign using an expired access authorization. No malicious intent suspected.

• Brig Status: Empty.

• Intelligence Update: Starfleet Intelligence advises heightened vigilance along the patrol route following increased Orion Syndicate smuggling activity in adjacent sectors. No direct threat to Manhattan has been identified.

Kreeger nodded once to himself.

Nothing dramatic. Just the kind of report he liked.

A quiet ship was a disciplined ship.

He cut into his breakfast while making a mental note to update the cargo bay access protocols and personally interview the two incoming security officers. Standards aboard the Manhattan would be high, and everyone under his command would understand that from their first day.

Finishing another sip of black coffee, Kreeger closed the PADD and rose from the table.

Breakfast was over.

Now it was time to inspect his department.

Lt. Saxon Kreeger
Chief of Security
USS MANHATTAN