Posted by Ensign MJ Shau (Security Officer) in Ens Shau COS Check-in

Posted by Lieutenant Conner Reid (Chief of Security) in Ens Shau COS Check-in

Posted by Ensign MJ Shau (Security Officer) in Ens Shau COS Check-in
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<snip>

When asked the question, Ensign Shau paused to think for a moment before answering. “I believe you’re offering me something a false trichotomy Sir. I don’t believe my actions fall squarely into any of those options.”

“I fully acknowledge that I was wrong to not check in with you first, Sir, and can see how being in CIC last night could appear arrogant. The truth is the opposite. As a new transfer I felt like I would be less useful to you than every other officer in your department and wanted to learn as much as I could about the ship and the tactical situation before my check in. My goal was to become an asset to you, rather than a burden. Though that clearly backfired.”

“Calling it simple curiosity doesn’t fit either, Sir. It makes my motivations seem frivolous. A truer, but no less unflattering, assessment of what happened last night would be to call my actions selfish. I am…” MJ paused slightly. “normally… a very good Security Officer. Being able to fulfill that role, even in a limited capacity, would allow me to support the ship and give me something to focus on while my subconscious processed the events on the Pickett.“

MJ felt the painful sting of memories at that comment, but had regained enough of his center that he didnt let it derail him.

“Finally, Sir, we were already fighting an enemy and our attention needed to be focused out there. I accept that my actions could have been an unintentional distraction at a critical moment, but I would never attempt to test ships company amidst a red alert.”

Ensign Shau gave his conclusion of the root cause… something he should have seen for himself yesterday. “Ultimately Sir, despite being cleared for limited duty by the doctor and the counselor, I failed to recognize that my judgment was compromised, which lead to my poor decision last night. Placing my need to be useful over the security of the ship and the success of the mission.”

“I accept whatever consequences you deem appropriate, Sir.”

Ensign MJ Shau - Security Officer - USS Chimera

His expression didn’t change as Shau spoke—didn’t soften at the admission of fault, didn’t tighten at the mention of the Pickett. The Chief of Security simply watched him with the same steady focus he used when reviewing sensor logs or studying a tactical display.

When Shau finished, the office fell quiet for several seconds.

Reid leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Well,” he said evenly, “that’s the first honest answer I’ve heard since this conversation started.”

His fingers tapped once against the desk before going still again.

“You’re right about one thing, Ensign. My question was a false trio”

A faint hint of approval touched the corner of his mouth.

“I wanted to see if you’d recognize it.”

Reid studied him another moment.

“Overconfidence I can correct. Curiosity I can channel. Testing the department…” he shrugged faintly, “…that just tells me someone wants attention.”

His gaze hardened slightly.

“But an officer who can sit in that chair, acknowledge he made a mistake, and explain why without trying to dodge responsibility—that’s a different matter.”

He leaned forward again.

“You made a bad call,” Reid said plainly. “You entered a sensitive operational area during a red alert without clearing it through your department head. That’s not a small mistake.”

A brief pause.

“But you didn’t lie about it. And you didn’t waste my time pretending it was something it wasn’t.”

Reid nodded once.

“That counts for something.”

His tone shifted—still firm, but less interrogative now.

“The Chimera’s security department doesn’t need perfect officers, Ensign. Perfect officers are usually the ones who haven’t been tested yet.”

His eyes held Shau’s.

“But it does need officers who know when they’re compromised and have the discipline to admit it.”

Another quiet beat passed.

“So here’s what’s going to happen.”

Reid tapped a control on his desk, bringing up a small LCARS display.

“You’re going to report to NE Velez for the next week. Tactical systems familiarization, internal security protocols, and—most importantly—this ship’s chain of command.”

The display blinked off again.

“Consider it a reset.”

Conner folded his hands.

“You want to prove you’re an asset to this department?” he said calmly. “Good. That starts with learning how this ship operates—and learning when to step forward and when to stay in your lane.”

His voice softened just slightly.

“And Ensign?”

A small pause.

“Next time you feel the urge to be useful during a red alert…”

A faint, dry hint of humor crossed his expression.

“…come see me first. I’m always happy to put motivated officers to work.”

Reid leaned back again.

“Dismissed.”

Lt. Conner Reid
Chief of Security-USS Chimera