Posted by Gamemaster Alias Smith N. Jones, Esq. (GMT) in Main Sim - Security - FedSec Says Hello (Tag CoS, Security)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Issac Forgrave (Chief of Security) in Main Sim - Security - FedSec Says Hello (Tag CoS, Security)

Posted by Gamemaster Alias Smith N. Jones, Esq. (GMT) in Main Sim - Security - FedSec Says Hello (Tag CoS, Security)
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The comms in the security section activated of their own accord and a voice only message came through.

=/\= Dresden Security, FedSec Agent Bolivar McCain. Acknowledge, Dresden. =/\=

GMT

Almost instinctively, Issac glared at the comm speaker as it interrupted his note-taking and planning. The glare turned into confusion, then suspicion as it squawked out the title. Comms immediately after that meeting finishes up? Hmmm; I don’t like it…

=/\=Computer; verify credentials of incoming call; show results on display one. Record call as well; along with any metadata.=/\= That done, he answered the incoming call; his tone sharp. =/\=Answer call, audio only.=/\= “Call acknowledged; Dresden security here.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

The computer chirped and the credentials were verified as Federation Security, Senior Agent McCain. =/\= Dresden, this is FedSec. I need to speak to your Security Chief asap. Please get Lieutenant JG Forgrave on the line. I’ll hold. =/\= came the response. The voice on the other end was polite, but rhere was an edge to it as well.

GMT

Various thoughts on what the subject of this call could be flashed through Issac’s mind. The rushed feel to this mission; Dr. Drillek accompanying them; and the science base itself. No sense wondering; likely as not this Agent McCain will tell me. And they already sound irritated - well, that makes two of us!

“Forgrave here; please go ahead.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

=/\= Lieutenant, thanks for taking the call. I understand you are going to the Julian Echo Observatory, and I want to know why. We have interests in the station, and if something is going on I want to know! I mean, a dreadnaught isn’t sent for a look-loo mission, now is is Lieutenant? =/\= Agent McCain replied, his tone tense and his words curt.

GMT

Issac was quiet for a moment; considering his words carefully. Hmmm, so Agent McCain knows where we’re going, but not why… And why not ask the Captain? She’s the one in charge here, not me! Either he doesn’t know about the Admiral giving us this mission, or the Admiral isn’t answering questions; and with the high-profile nature of the base, I figure they’d want to keep things quiet, even if we aren’t exactly black ops here. So… if Agent McCain has questions… why ask the Security Chief? Unless…

A thought entered Forgrave’s nasty, suspicious mind. Though he thought little of rank in general, his was relatively junior - hell, it was in the name! McCain here could be banking on me caving to intimidation; I’d wager many folks in my position wouldn’t want to risk new pins or a new office… But I smell a rat; now, how to suss it out....

In a voice full of false cheer, Issac replied. “Well Sir, I reckon I don’t really know all that much - I’ve been told we’re shipping out, and so I’ve got my work in front of me! And as a matter of fact, we get to go on lots of look-loo missions; turns out a dreadnaught can do an awful lot of looking when we put our mind to it. But you’ve mentioned you have ‘interests’ in this… Julian Echo Observatory, is that right? Would you be willing to fill me in? If something sounds familiar, I’d be delighted to tell you what I can, though it may not be very much.” That oughta get him riled up…

Issac Forgrave, CoS

There was a pause in the communications, a drawback yo not having video is Forgrave couldn’t read the agent’s facial expressions and body language, but then he replied =/\= We have a technocal system being tested on the station. New warp signature detection module. Im overseeing the project and wanted to make sure that nothing was jeopardizing testing. So… why is the Dresden going to the station, Lieutenant? =/\=

GMT

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to the station because that’s what we’ve been ordered to do - nothing more, nothing less. Ain’t my place to question why - I got my own responsibilities. But here’s a question for you, Sir… How is it that you know where we’re going, but naught else? And I reckon it seems a bit odd; you bein’ in charge of a project, but not knowin’ what’s going on. Presumably, you keep close contact with the station, right?”

Issac briefly debated asking when was the last time the Agent had heard from the station was, but he figured that may be showing more of his hand than he wanted to at this point. But now he had a better idea of the purpose of this call - though, it was still raising plenty of questions in his head.

Issac Forgrave, CoS

There was a chuckle from the other end and the voice said =/\= Seems odd a ship like the Dresden being dispatched without a briefing of the Department Heads, don’t you think? I mean, things may have change since I was an Executive Officer, but that was pretty standard… Lieutenant. =/\=, the last word being stressed for effect.

GMT

Issac returned the chuckle; though it was dry and lacking humor. “Well, I reckon things must’ve changed since ya were a XO! Yea, we still get briefings, that much ain’t changed. But I reckon these days we ain’t in the habit of sharin’ information that ain’t meant to be shared; frankly, I’m a bit surprised that weren’t the case back when ya were an exec. Might be why that’s past-tense.” Though his voice has started full of false cheer, by the end stubbornness and belligerence were fairly dripping from Issac’s words. Something in McCain’s usage of the rank ‘Lieutenant’ infuriated him - as if he could be intimidated into caving under pressure. The fact that he had speculated along those lines did nothing to assuage his temper in the face of it.

“And to clarify, Agent McCain, it’s ‘Lieutenant Junior Grade’ - that pip ain’t been filled as of yet. If you’re gonna call out my rank, get it right. And to make it clear, I hold the security of this ship and crew as paramount. Part of that is information security. I understand you have ‘interests’ in the station - well, so does the Dresden. We have orders to go to the station. I’m curious how you got that information, but cat’s out of the bag on that. If you’d like to know more, well, I reckon you oughta follow official channels, instead of trying to intimidate some junior officer into spilling secrets.” The last was fairly snarled at the microphone; Issac’s anger nearly boiling over.

(OOC: added a line)
Issac Forgrave, CoS

There was a long pause from the other end of the comms. No sound, no background chatter… nothing. After approximately thirty seconds, there was a chirp from the system. An indicator lit saying visual communications were incoming. “You’re gonna want to take that, Lieutenant Junior Grade.” came McCain ‘s voice. In his tone was barely concealed humor and mirth.

GMT

Issac briefly wondered if McCain had disconnected the call - a quick glance at the infoscreen said otherwise.

At the Agent’s ‘suggestion,’ he shot a fierce glare at the faceless comm screen. Quickly, he mashed the ‘mute’ button on the existing call - no doubt McCain was tied into it on his end, but Issac refused to give him anything. Taking a brief moment to set his face into a neutral expression and attempt to calm himself, he answered the incoming call. Damn; I knew my temper could get me in trouble.... But here I am. I’ve made my choice.

“Forgrave here.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

Before him sat a Vulcan woman wearing the red uniform of Command. Commander pips shown brightly on her collar and her face was, as one would expect from a Vulcan, passive. “Lieutenant Junior Grade Forgrave. I am Commander J’sol, Star Fleet Security liason to FedSec. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me… directly.”

As if I had a choice… Somehow, Issac managed to keep a neutral face. “Of course, Commander.”

There was a pause before she continued. “I was listening to your exchange with Agent McCain. I appreciate your adherence to Star Fleet Securiry directives concerning operational security.” Almost as an after thought, she added “I would recommend going forward that you try to keep your human temper in check, Lieutenant JG. That will open more doors for you than it closes.” Shifting slightly in her seat she said “I have sent you a file. It is the preliminary operational report on the warp signature module the agent spoke of. This is classified information. I expect you to use the same discretion concerning this as you did with Agent McCain. You are, however cleared to share this information with your Captain and Chief Engineer. Upon your arrival at the observatory, we want you to ensure the module has not been compromised. If it has, remove the device and report it immediately. If it seems undisturbed, we want the latest automated reports downloaded and sent via secure channel back to me and Agent McCain. Do you understand, Mr. Forgrave?”

GMT

Issac quickly skimmed the outline of the report; getting a rough feel for it. “Yes Ma’am, I do understand. I’ll do what I can to accomplish those goals; but make no mistake - this is priority two. I got standing orders already; I don’t reckon these will present any conflicts of interest, but I ain’t gonna leave you with any false expectations or ideas. But I can do discretion. That being said, is there anyone on the station that I should know about - anyone I should make contact with regarding this project?”

With his focus away from the irritating McCain; Issac found himself calming down. And Commander J’sol’s advice was well-heard, if annoying it it’s own way. But then, he had let his temper get a hold on him - she was right to admonish him. Anger makes a man predictable; and therefore able to be manipulated. Damn; I hate this void-forsaken cloak and dagger crap.

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“No. The system was installed by the project supervisor. He should be able to answer any questions you may have, and I understand he is making the trip with you. That should suffice.”

GMT

Issac’s head cocked to one side in an unspoken question; an involuntary response to the surprising statement. He took a moment to silently process this, rearranging his thoughts and plans. More damned secrets! She can only be talking about Dr. Drilleck - but… if she already knew he was aboard, how did they not know about our mission? None of this fraggin’ makes sense! More smoke and mirrors…

“Yes… I suppose that will suffice. So to be clear; we are to verify the… integrity of the module; and forward the data-packet. If anything looks suspicious, remove the device and report.” He paused, starting to focus on the new mission and it’s various possibilities. A serious expression was now on his face; the blank mask discarded with his new focus. “If compromise is suspected, and removal not possible… what are our options? Destruction of the unit? Leave it? How sensitive is this research - should I be considering the possibility of an investigation if anything is suspected; or is this a ‘in-and-out’ deal? And I’m just one man - if I’m limited to only three others that I can discuss this with and utilize, I’ll have severely limited options.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS