Posted by Ensign Issac Forgrave (Security Officer) in Commotion in the Holodeck (tag Security)

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Commotion in the Holodeck (tag Security)

Posted by Ensign Issac Forgrave (Security Officer) in Commotion in the Holodeck (tag Security)
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<SNIP>

Turning back to Forgrave, Molly tapped her combadge. An option that had just popped in her head. =/\= Holloway to Reyes. Jersey I need your help in Holodeck 3. Quick. Medical emergency! =/\=

Capt. Holloway, CIO

OOC: At this point Molly would have requested an emergency site-to-site transport to Sickbay regardless of what repercussions she could face. However, given the amount of work our wonderful CMO already has on her plate, and given the fact that Cass is still keeping up with it even though she’s on LOA, I don’t want to overwork our good Doctor. :) That, of course, doesn’t mean this won’t move to sickbay at some point. – Joana

There was an unusual delay in the Marine Sargent’s response before Jersey’s voice popped over the Comms. =A= This is Jersey.... um… give me… 90 seconds. Reyes out=A=

As Holloway finished the comm-call to the sickbay, NE Jo’han returned with the medkit. He crouched down and ripped it open, saying “Here Ma’am.” After a pause, he asked “Uh, what happened to Forgrave? Was he attacked?”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

OOC: Sounds good!

The stern look was accompanied by a hand on Forgrave’s shoulder. “Don’t even think about it.” Molly said as the Security officer contemplated the possibility of getting up.

”…Kay.” Issac only resisted the hand momentarily, just a token effort before relaxing back down.

Ignoring Jo’han’s question, Holloway reached for the medkit, yanking the medical tricorder from inside of it. Opening it, she hovered the device over Forgrave, trying to identify the condition of his ribs. Like any other Starfleet officer, Molly knew basic first aid, but she didn’t know anything beyond that.

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Suddenly, there was a shimmer of a Transporter Pattern by the arch leading into the corridor. As the shimmer stabilized, the image of Sgt. Brianna Reyes appeared… sneakers (no socks), a pair of SFMC sweat pants and a grey SFMC tanktop she was still pulling down over her midriff as the transport completed. Her hair was still damp and if anyone looked more than a second, it was clear she had just bolted from the shower.

Running the second her feet were on the deck, Jersey slid on her knees to the injured Ensign’s side. She already had a medical tricorder in hand and was evaluating his injuries. “Sir…” The young woman said in a stony, level-pitched voice. “… I’m Sgt. Reyes… Can you tell me where you’re hurting the most right now? We’ll work backwards from there.”

Reyes, CO’s Yeoman

Molly stood back to allow Jersey access to the injured officer. However, the fact that the usually cheerful Marine did not direct a single glance or a word in her direction told her that she was in trouble. If he happened to be paying attention, Forgrave would be able to notice the change in attitude of the otherwise stoic Intelligence officer.

It wasn’t difficult to identify his chief complaint at the moment. In a slightly strained but neutral voice, he gave a quick answer of “Ribs. Right side.”

As the tricorder swept the indicated area, Issac tried to do a quick assessment of himself; trying to mentally recount what happened. “Uh, got hit; in back. Landed… badly. On shoulder. Ribs hit… Something. When I fell.” And something must have been ‘knocked loose’ when… I fell. What happened? Ribs hurt again… Damn.

“Are you alright, Issac? I reset the holodeck!” NE Jo’han’s face somehow mixed concern and triumph; combined with his unusually small frame it made for a comical sight. Now, if only Issac’s ribs would stop aching with every breath, maybe he could start laughing…

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

OOC: I’d say the most concerning injury would be a few cracked/broken ribs on Issac’s right side - result of landing rib-first on a rock or root or something. Secondary/minor concerns would be perhaps some cuts on his back from the creature’s claw, and maybe a large bruise forming on his right shoulder. But feel free to introduce further concerns! Issac won’t appreciate it, but he’s in no position to argue right now. :)

From a step behind Jersey, Molly glared at Jo’han. Yes, he had reset the holodeck. Yes, they knew it. Yes, she had lost all the progress she had achieved that night because of ONE–

Molly’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Jersey finally spoke to her.

It took a grand total of three seconds for everything in front of and around her to make crystal clear sense. Jersey’s eyes flashed with contempt and annoyance as them snapped to meet Molly’s. “What… the… actual… frack…!?! What did you do Molly?! Were you jacking around with…” Her eyes glowed bright in realization. “You did… didn’t you?! Jesus Molly! That goddamn program is dangerous! You could have got all three of you killed!”

Was Holloway… scared?

Issac lay quietly where he was; trying to listen and observe the situation carefully. Clearly, this Sgt. Reyes was someone to be on good terms with. And apparently, some of his suspicions had been correct - something about this situation was… well, ‘hinky’ was the best word he could come up with.

The Intel officer gave the Marine a sheepish glance, before saying weakly. “It’s… it’s not what you think, Brianna…” Jersey didn’t know half of it, but she had been the one finding her after her first holodeck incident, so she knew enough. Not to mention, for a highly trained Intelligence officer, Molly made a lousy liar. At least in the current situation. And she was sure that Jersey would be able to see right through her.

Reyes looked like she could emit smoke from her ears as she began to patch the Security JO in front of her. Between the osteo-regenerator and the dermal regenerator, the former Marine Medic had the Ensign at least stabilized and patched up in a couple minutes. The young woman glared at Molly for a moment before turning back to the Ensign. “Al’right hun…” Her tone much more bedside-manner-y, her New Jersey accent unmissable. “… ya’had cracks on ribs Four & Eight along with breaks on Five, Six, and Seven. Four and Eight were nicely patched… but yer gonna need ta see the Chief about the other three. As for the claw marks, I patched them as best I could. Sickbay can help prevent scaring and you appear to have some deep tissue damage on that shoulder. Doc will certainly wanna look at that.” With that, the Medic hit the Ensign with a powerful pain killer. Though it was strong, it would not knock Forgrave out. “Take it easy, OK hun?”

As the painkiller spread through his system, Issac carefully released the tension he had been holding in his chest; with the worst of the pain fading, he started breathing deeper. “Yes Ma’am. Thanks fer patching me up. Heh, hopefully you won’t have ta see much of me uh, in a professional capacity.” With minor assistance from the Sgt., he carefully stood, being sure to avoid using his right side.

Molly’s stomach churned with guilt. Even though she knew that the Marine was doing nothing more than let the Ensign know the injuries he had sustained, Holloway was sure that each of the words leaving Jersey’s mouth was also uttered with the intent of making her feel even more guilty.

Task completed, Jersey’s hand leapt to her CommBadge as she stared down the CIO.

Reyes, CO’s Yeoman

Flashbacks from her previous stay in Sickbay popped into Molly’s mind as the Marine’s hand jumped to her commbadge. And in her head there was no doubt who Jersey was about to call.

“No!” With incredibly fast reflexes, Holloway’s hand grabbed Reyes’s wrist just before it touched the Starfleet insignia on her chest. “Please, Jersey… I can explain!”

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Issac could feel the tension between the two women. Turning his head to face NE Jo’han, he gave a genuine smile of thanks to the smaller man. “Jo’han; Thanks for resetting the ‘deck - you did a good job. Now, I hate to ask, but can you go and run a fast diagnostic on the other three decks? Don’t think it’s likely they’re acting up too, but better safe than sorry with this. We’ll be here; just come on back when you finish.”

NE Jo’han looked like he wanted to argue with Forgrave, but after only a brief hesitation he nodded firmly and took off.

With NE Jo’han gone, Issac turned to the intelligence officer with a fierce glare in his eyes. “Ma’am, you’ll have to pardon me for speaking my mind to a superior officer… or maybe you don’t, but I damned well don’t care! I’d fraggin’ love to hear your explanation of events, and a reason as ta why the Sgt. here ain’t got good cause to call anyone she damn well pleases!”

Molly turned to face Forgrave, clearly surprised at his outburst. Her hand forgotten as she listened to the Security officer, but still firmly holding Jersey’s wrist.

Forgrave winced slightly at the end of his tirade - he was nearly shouting, and the extra effort put into his words disagreed with his still-sore ribs; painkillers be damned. But he was furious. What the Hell was going on here? He’d joined Star-Fleet to get away from his father’s pigheadedness (or the aftereffects of it), yet here he was, mired in yet more of it.

Calming down somewhat after his outburst, Issac realized it was less Holloway and more the situation she had created that drove his anger. In a calmer voice, he rephrased his question, with a bit of a concerned tone sneaking into his voice - “Ma’am, what’s going on here? What’s driving you ta spend the night in here, just to create a jungle with monsters in it?”

He was making some guesses and assumptions with his questions, but he had a feeling he was close to the mark.

He paused briefly before continuing. “I ain’t got nothing against ya, but… I need a reason not to take this elsewhere, if that’s what ya want. I need to be convinced ain’t no-one gonna get hurt… Issac glanced at himself before continuing well, again. Guess that includes you.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

Molly let the Ensign speak without uttering a single word. With his last sentence, her expression darkened and her lips curled into a sardonic smile. She opened her mouth to reply, but she didn’t have time to speak.

Jersey didn’t fight the grip the CIO had on her during Forgrave’s outburst… in fact, she kept her wrist perfectly still as she continued to stare down Captain Holloway. Her fingers on the same hand, however, were not so confined. As the Captain focused on the Security Ensign, Reyes confirmed her plan of action.

Suddenly, with a flick of the captured hand’s middle three fingers, Reyes completed the activation of her CommBadge… her eyes defiant in their glare.

=A= Jersey to Harris…=A= Her tone deadpan. =A=… Medical Emergency, Holodeck 3. Please respond. =A=

“No!” The words left her mouth without Molly having time to stop them. She wondered if they had carried through to Cal’s comm.

The response was quick, with the Dresden’s CO coming on the line. =A= Jersey, what’s going on? I’m on my way. What happened?=A=

Jersey snapped her wrist away from Molly’s grasp and turned on her heel as as she stood and walked to the door. =A= Situation is secure but I need your assistance. I’ll meet you at the door. Reyes out.=A= The young Marine then walked to the arch and waited, the disappointment and anger with Molly projecting from her like a starship’s shields.

Glaring at the Marine as she yanked her arm away from her grip, a pained expression settled on the Intelligence Chief’s face as Jersey walked to the door. Molly knew what was about to happen, and she couldn’t believe Reyes had done it.

It was at this point, the previously unarmed Sgt. Reyes flipped the laser scalpel in her right hand. From her spot by the door, the Marine activated the small and dangerous device, a bright 2-inch-long blue light extending from the tip. She glared from across the room, daring the Captain… hell, daring anyone at this point… to make for the door.

The sight of the scalpel didn’t faze Holloway. She had never even intended to make a run for the door. Molly might be reckless, but she wasn’t stupid. And she knew both Jersey and Cal well enough to know better than that.

Turning to Forgrave, she finally spoke. Remorse apparent in her tone. “I am truly sorry about what happened. I never meant for you to get hurt.” She paused. “Or anyone else for that matter. I never intended for anyone to be here but myself, and if I get hurt, it’s my own responsibility.” Taking a breath, she continued. “But I don’t blame you for being angry with the situation. I don’t blame you if you feel like you should report me to Security or take me to the brig. All I can say is, this is not just a ‘jungle with monsters in it’ as you put it. As to what made me spend the night here, I am afraid I am not at liberty to discuss.” As Molly went on, the tone became drier. It was hard to know whether she was telling the truth or deflecting the subject.

“Ma’am, I believe about half of what ya just said.” Issac gave Holloway a hard look. “I recognize your apology. But you’ve spent all yer credit with me already.” Damn, can this woman not speak clearly? I think she’s sincere about bein’ sorry, but only once the big man is on his way. ‘My Responsibility’ my ass… if she gets hurt or killed, who the frack does she think’s gonna pick up her slack?! If we can’t trust our superiors, how can they expect us to be worth a damn?

Molly’s eyes narrowed slightly. More in confusion than anything else. It was clear that she hadn’t expected Forgrave’s reply. “I don’t expect you to have ‘credit’ to spend on me, Ensign. I never actively requested your presence here, I never intended for any of this to happen. And I don’t have to give you satisfactions about what I am or am not doing. My private business is exactly that. Private. The only people that have the right to demand anything of me are the Commanding and Executive officers of this ship, and last time I checked you are not one of them.” There was a fire behind Holloway’s eyes that Forgave hadn’t seen there before. “I have already been very lenient with you and NE Jo’han. Mostly because I care about your and anyone else’s safety on board this ship. You should be grateful for that.”

From Holloway’s tone and glare, it was quite obvious to Forgrave that he had gone too far. Damn… ought ta have just kept my fraggin’ mouth shut. I’m in Starfleet now, not a civilian. Can’t be speaking so freely. Even if I do disagree with her. Does she even recognize that she’s losing the trust of the crew? As he formulated an apology, he felt the heat of anger fading away.
“Yes, Ma’am. I… apologize for my words and my tone; they were not appropriate. I speak out of concern for the crew and the ship; but I let my emotions get the better of me.” Issac paused, unsure if he wanted to say anything else. Frag it; hole’s already half-dug… “Ma’am, if you’d be willin’, I’d like to discuss my concerns over… this in a quieter setting, maybe without the pissin’ contest. I think we’re on the same side here, but damned sure I don’t want ya as an enemy.”

A few moments later the door hissed open and the Dresden’s Commanding Officer stepped into the grid line-lined room. His eyes scanned the room and took in everyone in the area. His eyes went from Forgrave then shifted to Molly before his gaze clouded with anger.

The moment the doors opened, Molly knew this was it. End of line. They hadn’t seen each other outside of the Bridge since the night she had slammed the door to her quarters in his face. Holloway could see the disappointment in his eyes. She knew what he wanted to know, but she also knew what he would do if she ever told him. When Cal’s gaze met hers, Molly looked down. She knew Harris was worried. All she could do was hope that he wasn’t going to send her away to a mental institute in some remote planet until she was ready to deal with life once again.

“Jersey…” Harris began to speak but was cut off by the younger Marine. “Raven… she was running that stupid program again only this time… the Ensign over there got hurt and I had to…” Harris raised a hand and snapped sharply. “Stop!” Then proceeded to Ensign Forgrave. “Young man… tell me exactly what happened from the moment you got down here until my Yeoman arrived?”

Reyes/Harris

Molly could feel her heart pulsing in her ears. Her gaze moving from Forgrave to Harris and back again. She wouldn’t dare to look a Jersey in fear of finding out that telepathy was real when the Marine’s head exploded. Holloway made a mental note to have a chat with the woman. They had been friends. As close of a female friend as she was ever going to get. Well… if she excluded Alison… and even that friendship had ended with a bruise on her right fist and a broken nose on Ali’s face. Molly sighed, wondering for the first time in twenty years whether there was something inherently wrong with her. Her right hand travelled to just below her collar and remained there for a second, pressing against what would seem to be something she wore under her uniform. Closing her eyes, all she wanted was to fade into the background and vanish from the room.

The situation had escalated a bit… quicker and steeper than Forgrave had anticipated. He certainly hadn’t expected to be debriefed by the Dresden’s commanding officer.

“Uh, yes Sir. If you’d be kind enough to uh, give me a moment to gather my thoughts.” Issac closed his eyes while standing in place, mentally organizing the mornings’ events.

When dictating from his memory to Colonel Harris, Issac is deliberately enunciating and speaking clearly, and his otherwise distinct southern accent is a bit less pronounced than what is typical.

Harris awaited the information, though it was clear from the expression on his face that his patience would only last so long.

“First off Sir, NE Jo’han was here as well, ‘till a moment ago. Just prior to the Sargent’s comm call, to be more precise. I sent him to run a diagnostic on the other three holodecks, in case they were having issues as well. Which is frankly unlikely, but… to be honest it was a good reason to send him off to buy myself, Sgt. Reyes, and Captain Holloway here some privacy. To yell at each other, I suppose. I requested that he return here when finished.”

“Around… 0800, I received an intruder alert on my security console. It pinged on Holodeck three; I silenced the alarm and grabbed NE Jo’han to investigate and verify the alert one way or another. I commed the holodeck, and got no response. Computer confirmed the presence of one life-form and one comm-badge present in the holodeck.”

“NE Jo’han and I entered the holodeck, finding a… jungle program running. The computer was not responding to commands to stop the program, and so I moved further into the simulation. Jo’han stayed near the entrance.”

“I began making my way through the area; before too long, I ran, uh, literally ran into, Captain Holloway. She seemed surprised and… concerned. Shortly after, we were attacked. I didn’t recognize the creature, but Holloway did. She advised me that phasers were not very effective, but flashlights were. There was some running; I got hit by behind; that’s when I was injured - I fell badly. I was able to use both my flashlight and phaser on the… beast, and that was enough to have it dismissed by the simulation.”

“After that, we proceeded to a clearing within the simulation. There was a… restaurant booth there, and we sat down. I started asking some questions of Captain Holloway, regarding what happened. I… did not get any clear answers.” Issac shuffled a bit at the last statement, seeming a bit uncomfortable. Eh, wish I had a better way of phrasing that....

“Before too much longer, I suppose the simulation ended. I think we have NE Jo’han to thank for that; but I’m not exactly sure what happened or what he did. I think when it ended, I dropped out of the chair I was in, and hit my ribs again. I think I must have passed out briefly from the pain.” Issac looked uncomfortable at this admission.

“I don’t think I was our for long; when I came to, Holloway and Jo’han were over me. Sgt. Reyes arrived less than a minute later.”

“I uh, suppose that’s what I know about the situation, Sir. I can go further into my conjectures and suspicions; but that’s all they are, Sir. I’m not quite comfortable… freely voicing those. NE Jo’han may have some technical notes to add, if he was able to access the holodeck console. I believe he mentioned that he used to be a technician; but I’m not sure.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

Molly listened in silence to the Security officer’s report. To be fair, she couldn’t have put it better herself.

Almost as a child waiting for a parent’s scolding, Holloway didn’t dare to speak. Like most others, Cal didn’t know the details of her training program, mostly because Molly had deemed he didn’t need to know. She didn’t want to worry him. And yet, here they were.

Capt. Holloway, CIO

The Marine took a slow, staggered breath. It was the tense momentary clinch of his jaw that was the only outward sign of the storm brewing inside the man. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Harris sighed and nodded. “Thank you Ensign. Your report was thorough and helpful.” His tone was flat and it was clear that while he maintained complete control, the man was absolutely livid.

Issac simply nodded in reply. He knew that he’d stretched his neck out more than far enough this morning; no sense in drawing further ire.

“Brianna…” Harris said softly after a moment. “Yes Skipper” Came Reyes’ quick reply. “Would you mind looking after the Ensign while we wrap up here?” The younger Marine quickly came to Forgrave’s side and smiled. “Happily Sir.”

The young woman then spoke to the room. =A= Computer… Standard Issue mobile infantry berth… surface height 75 centimeters.=A= A moment later a green bunk with pillow appeared beside her and he helped Forgrave settle onto it. “Make yourself comfortable hun. When Skip is finished, we’ll head down to Sickbay.”

“Thank you, Ma’am. Painkillers are doin’ their job.” Climbing carefully onto the berth, Issac muttered quietly to the Sgt. “Maybe if I hold my tongue, I’ll get to leave here intact…”

Harris then turned to Holloway like lightening striking the ground, the Marine ordered sharply. “Explain yourself Captain.”

Harris/Reyes

Molly shook her head before momentarily looking at her feet. Looking back up at Cal, she started to speak.

“I couldn’t sleep, Calvin.” There was a defeated tone in her voice. Shaking her head, she continued. “Came down here, hoping to at least tire myself enough to go to bed, but…” She shrugged, pausing momentarily before sighing. “You want to know what happened? Fine.” Her eyes glared at Harris for a moment. “I don’t understand why I was restricted access to the difficulty level I usually run my training routine at. Higher levels, I don’t care. But the one I run it at? I have been using this program since I was an Ensign. Nothing bad has ever happened! I run it with safeties on all the time, and I have never hurt myself or anyone for that matter!” The anger and confusion in Molly’s voice were genuine.

“The other time was an accident!” Holloway shot Jersey a pained look. “Yes, I was in a bad spot. Yes, I took it all the way to maximum difficulty. Yes, I turned the safeties off! But that was then. One time!” The hurt in her eyes was visible when she turned back to Cal. Her shoulders slumped and she sighed once again before continuing. “You really want to know what happened? I messed with it. I tried to bypass the authorization codes.”

“There. I know exactly what’s going to happen if I ask you or medical to lift up my restrictions, so it’s not even worth trying.” She shrugged again. “From then on, I don’t know what happened. The computer started to replicate random stuff. I tried to fix it. Clearly unsuccessfully. According to Ensign Forgrave here, the computer sent out an intruder alert and that’s why him and NE Jo’han showed up. And at some point, I seem to have actually bypassed the codes, and it loaded my program at a way higher level. Probably the same one I was banned from.”

“I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t know what happened. I never intended for anyone to get hurt. But it doesn’t matter what my motives are.” Molly glared at Cal. “You all come running wondering what is it that I’ve done this time, immediately assuming I stopped caring whether people around me get hurt.”

Turning back to Jersey, the young Marine would see in the Intel Officer’s eyes that she had crossed a line. “And you, Jersey. I expected better of you.” The disappointment in her tone was obvious. “I called you here because I wasn’t sure about what to do. Twice you’ve ignored my request not to bring him in on this.” Holloway pointed vaguely to Cal’s direction. “I know you care about him. I know you care about me. And I know you don’t want to see him get hurt again. Then how about you trust me for a minute, and maybe entertain the possibility that I am not trying to hide things from him because I am scared of being scolded. No. If I ask you not to bring him in on this, is because I know he will worry. He has a whole crew to take care of, and I am just another officer in the middle of it. The Dresden needs to see him as the example. They need to see him at his best. And they won’t be able to if all he does is worrying about things he has no control over. I know, Brianna, because I had my own ship. I know what the crew expected of me. I know how hard it is to keep it together sometimes, and I know that if there were things I didn’t need to know, I would rather not know about them at all. Useless entropy never helped anyone, Jersey. I want to protect him as much as you do.”

Turning back to Harris, Molly took a deep breath. “Now, this is how this is going to be. Mr. Forgrave was hurt under my watch. He is my responsibility to oversee. I will take him to Sickbay. I can go alone, or you can come with. I’d prefer the former, but since neither of you seems to believe what I say, you can choose the latter.”

Capt. Holloway, CIO

As this was happening, NE Jo’han was diligently running a brief diagnostic program on the other three holodecks. He felt concern for the other two officers - Captain Holloway looked… strained. And Forgrave had been injured! He was glad to have been able to reset the holodeck; no telling what might have happened if he wasn’t around. Fortunately, Holloway seemed to have things under control. And Forgrave was alive, and didn’t seem to be too bad off. What an unusual morning it had been!

NE Jo’han carefully read the diagnostic report from holodeck four’s console. Everything was within specifications, but it looked like emitter 36 might be on its final cycle. He made a note of it on the report he had been compiling, and sent it off to Engineering through the console. It would have been easier to do from his PaDD, but that was OK. The Captain clearly needed it; and he was glad to be of help. He gave the console a warm look, fondly remembering his time as a technician; before leaving holodeck four and heading back to holodeck three.

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

The door to the holodeck swooshed open, revealing NE Jo’han. As eyes turned to look at the small Security Ensign, he visibly grew nervous. Approaching the small group, he saluted Colonel Harris, before announcing (in a vague direction, Jo’han being unsure who exactly to give his report to) “I’ve uh, run a diagnostic on the other three holodecks and they all appear to be functioning correctly, Uh, Sirs.” His statement done, he stepped back slightly, before moving over to Issac. Glancing at the fellow Ensign, he seemed satisfied that he was going to be OK.

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

Bump :)