Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Issac Forgrave (Chief of Security) in Office of Lt. Forgrave - Reporting For Duty

Posted by Ensign Buddy Cullum (Security Officer) in Office of Lt. Forgrave - Reporting For Duty
Posted by Ensign Levi Gordon (Doctor) in Office of Lt. Forgrave - Reporting For Duty

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Issac Forgrave (Chief of Security) in Office of Lt. Forgrave - Reporting For Duty
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: I was thinking of joining the mess hall thread which I thought might take place after this encounter and reporting in. So this can be our initial meeting. I will play the mess hall as having already met Forgrave. If that works for you.

-Harley

IC: Having read up on his Chief, Lt. Forgrave, Ensign Buddy Cullum thought he sounded like a pretty decent bloke. However, experience had taught him that people are rarely exactly as they are depicted in their personnel profiles. It didn’t matter though, Buddy’s personality made him generally likable by everyone.

His dark brown hair was short on the sides and back, with a growth of wavy curls on top. He was handsome and a smile nearly always played on his lips. A small man, he was used to being underestimated due to his size but could take on a fully grown Klingon if the need arose.

He stood straight at attention and activated the door chime to the office of his new boss.

-Ens. Cullum, SEC

OOC: Void my previous OOC comment. I see that the mess hall post takes place when Forgrave is still an Ensign so it wouldn’t make sense for my character to be there.

-Harley

OOC: Yeah, the timeline of active threads is somewhat murky. To fit within your current posts, lets say this is happening at the tail end of the Dresden’s shore leave/resupply; maybe a few days to a week after Buddy’s boarding.

IC: At the sound of the chime, Issac looked up from his work, over to the small screen on the side of his desk. Through the hidden camera outside the office door, he saw a man he didn’t know, but did recognize from the transfer orders he had read the other morning. “Come in!” He called out clearly.

Stepping into the Chief’s office, Buddy would find a space roughly twice as long as it was wide. On the left wall, there was a large shelf, filled with various devices and odds and ends, some in protective casing. Further away from the door on the same wall was a large screen, currently powered down and black. On the wall opposite the door was a larger screen, almost taking up the entire wall with a cutaway view of the Dresden showing its current status. On the right wall near the door, was an abstract painting with vibrant primary colors. (Genesis, Leonardo Nierman) Further along the wall was a large L-shaped desk, with the short end butted up to the wall and closer to the door. Set into the wall above the short end was a standard replicator. Across from the desk were two simple chairs. On the far end of the right wall away from the door was a narrow metal cabinet; approximately head-high and with closed doors.

Buddy’s eyes went directly to the painting. He had seen many by this particular artist. He expression of color was truly exquisite. “That’s breathtaking,” he muttered half to himself, before turning to the chief.

Rising from his seat behind the desk, Issac stood and turned towards the Ensign, extending his arm for a handshake. “Ensign Cullum, I suppose? Chief Forgrave; Pleased to meet you.”

Buddy walked swiftly forward and smiling gripped the chiefs offered hand firmly with both hands. “You suppose correctly. Pleased to meet you as well, Sir.”

Chief Forgrave’s appearance perhaps didn’t quite match his words. He was a man of average height with a lithe but sturdy build; a thick mustache and very short-cropped hair giving him a distinctive appearance. Issac’s eyes were sharp, and focused entirely on the Ensign; it would seem that an evaluation might be on the day’s menu.

Buddy felt his new superior’s eyes sizing him up but he wasn’t fazed a bit. That was the man’s job. Evaluate and size-up the new guy. Buddy welcomed it.

“Please, have a seat.” Forgrave gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk. “I apologize for delaying this meeting; I wanted to take a coupla’ more days ta get things settled while I was on leave. I ‘preciate your patience, and hope you’ve been finding the Dresden to your liking so far.”

“No apology necessary, Sir,” he said as he sat in the indicated chair, “and the Dresden is great. She’s a fine ship.

Forgrave’s voice came out in a surprisingly thick southern drawl, and with his apology the hard gaze seemed to dissipate. Gesturing towards the replicator in the wall, he asked “Something to drink?”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“No thank you, Sir.” Buddy was drawn in by the man’s voice. It didn’t quite match his appearance and Buddy appreciated that. Contrast and the unexpected usually attracted Buddy to a person, a song, or piece of artwork. “Excuse me, Sir, but that’s a Nierman, isn’t it? I always find myself staring at his pieces seeing different shapes and images the longer I view it.” He predicted that his new boss would turn out to be a lot like a Nierman painting. Subtle yet rich with deeper levels the longer you observed him. He hoped so anyway.

-Ens. Cullum, SEC

OOC: Geez, I did it again. I promise I’m not a complete noob. I’ll get the hang of this again.

-Harley

OOC: No worries; it’s easy enough to catch your intent.

IC: Issac was caught somewhat off-guard by Cullum’s asking about the painting; or more specifically, the recognition - while the style was distinctive, it was an old piece, and Issac hadn’t bothered to put up a label. “Good eye; this work is called Genesis.” He said, gesturing towards the aforementioned work. Taking a seat, he continued. “It’s just a replica, ‘a course. Much as I’d like to have some originals, I think they belong to museums and whatnot; in the hands of folk that can care for them and let the public enjoy them. As for Nierman; I’ve found myself appreciative of dang near every thing of his I seen - Ain’t willing to say it speaks to me on some deeper level or nothing, but I do enjoy his work.”

Forgrave settled back into his chair. “But I don’t reckon we’re here today to talk art history. Maybe some other time, but today’s topic is you, and your role here. That bein’ said, I’ll first try and give ya some context for myself and my… philosophy, if you will.”

‘Philosophy. Perfect!’ Buddy thought, though he doubted he was about to get a lecture on Nietzsche. None the less, any philosophy was better than no philosophy,

There was a pause for a moment as Issac ran through his thoughts; his eyes gazing out into nothingness as he contemplated his words. “Firstly, I’m new into this position. I took the role of Security Chief approximately 72 hours ago.” Issac paused for a brief moment, carefully watching Cullum for any reaction.

“Congratulations, Sir!” Buddy said, and he meant it.

“Our previous Chief, Lt. Ashur, was unexpectedly reassigned; even though he left on good terms, that put the Dresden in a bit of a spot. There’s been some other personnel changes too, but that was the big one. That being said, I intend to do my damndest to ensure that the Dresden and her crew remain safe and secure, and I expect everyone under my command to have that as their primary goal. I don’t reckon any of that is controversial or goes against your expectations.” Despite the words being phrased as a question, his tone made it a clear statement. Issac’s eyebrows rose, inviting comment.

“Of course not, Sir,” Buddy replied, “that’s the job we are trained to do, is it not? We are the watchmen, the protectors. Ready to lay down our lives for ship and captain.” He said this playfully but it was clear he meant every word. “I assure you, Sir, I expected nothing less.”

“Every ship has it’s quirks, along with every commander. My belief is that no-one is infallible - not you, not the captain, not me. We all make mistakes. What matters is that we learn from ‘em. As well, I believe a so called ‘stupid question’ is far preferable than a bad assumption. If at all possible, if you ain’t sure of something, ask. If me or anyone else is actin’ weird or you think a mistakes’ being made, consider it your duty to question it. There’s a time and place for everythin’ of course, and it may be that the best course of action is ta just write a note to yerself. But I’ll do my part and back you and your fellows to the hilt, and listen to any input you got. I can’t be everywhere at once, and I demand that you have more specific knowledge than me. Everyone has a role here.” Issac leaned forwards in his chair, placing his elbows on the desk. “Now, none of that is to be taken as a free license for insubordination, or an opportunity to slack off. Just because I don’t expect perfection, don’t mean it ain’t worth striving for.”

Once more, Issac settled back into his chair. Quietly, he muttered “Bit more of a speech than I intended…” before continuing in a more normal volume. “Now, that’s quite a bit I’ve dropped on ya all at once. You got any questions or concerns ya’d like me to address?”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“I believe you are entitled to make speeches, Sir. And if I may say so, it was a damned fine one.” Buddy liked this man, his boss, and he wanted to do him proud. “I only have one question, Sir. I have extensive tactical training but no practical experience. Ïs there any chance I could man tactical on the bridge at some point?” He wanted to add, ‘I’m ready for it,’ but he knew that only the COS could make that determination.

-Ens. Cullum, SEC