Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Cassidy Abrams (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - Unnecessary Ideas

Posted by Ensign Ashlyn Trenton (Security Officer) in Side Sim - Unnecessary Ideas

Posted by Ensign Ashlyn Trenton (Security Officer) in Side Sim - Unnecessary Ideas
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Ashlyn took a step back and slow calming breath. “I apologize, I understand that my excited energy may give off an air of impatience but I know everyone will take their time with this. I estimate that it will take anywhere from 6-8 months before any of this will be seen by the captain and that is assuming that everyone agrees that it is something presentation worthy for the ship leadership. Just as much as I understand that it may take just as long to be rejected by everyone. My goal here was to get things started on that process. Like a report, I’m sharing my findings and deferring to your judgment, making sure you are aware that I am available and happy to explain any aspect of this that you don’t understand or can’t quite follow. I realize people don’t think as I do and we all come from different skill backgrounds, my goal is to explain this in a way that everyone will understand it so when I take it to the Captain, they can follow along with ease.”

It was a lot of words to express a fairly simple idea and Cass focused her attention more deeply on Ashlyn.

Ashlyn took another drink of water to bring more calm to her energy. “I’m also working on additional theories to work on or look into, but I didn’t bring those with me. I didn’t want to overwhelm you so I’ll bring those another time so you can help me decide on a more productive project should this one not pan out. Not that I’m trying to prove anything, I’m just occupying time. I didn’t realize how much time I spent with Sharah until she left. Now I have a lot of free time and a roommate that encourages me to not be present. I figure projects are probably a better idea than letting myself get into trouble out of boredom.”

• Ensign Ashlyn Trenton
  Security, USS Europa

Ahhh, there it was: the explanation for the sudden flurry of activity and need to handle every detail she could think of. Cassidy gave Trenton a small smile. “Ashlynn… take a deep breath, will you? And I’m not saying that figuratively, I actually want you to take a slow and deep breath.”

Abrams, COS

Trenton was not quite sure how to take that, being that this was a professional meet, but she decided not to overthink it and took a slow, controlled, deep breath. “Sorry Lieutenant, I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.” Ashlyn’s inward focus complained, the calming breath brought the Conference to heel and only make the evidence of the familiarity more apparent. To counter this, the thoughts turned toward other things to distract the Ensign so she can maintain her center. Didn’t help too much, though her face remained more neutral, her eyes did start to water. Who knows what she is thinking about.

• Ensign Ashlyn Trenton
  Security, USS Europa

Cassidy leaned forward at her desk and sought to meet Ashlyn’s gaze. “Hey, I get that this is a hard time, and the impulse is to throw yourself one hundred and ten percent into anything that will distract you. But that isn’t going to work for very long. And in the long run, will overwork you and possibly make you less effective. I’m not going to have you burn out on me, got it?” Her tone was gentle but her demeanor was serious.

Abrams, COS

Trenton maintained her neutral mask as she ran through a vast collection of arguments, counter-arguments, pleas, and deals eventually resulting in acceptance. “I am open to suggestions, I’m afraid I’ve little else in the way of alternatives to cope. Even when I was on the street, keeping myself actively distracted helped me to deal with the problems that came with that.”

• Ensign Ashlyn Trenton
  Security, USS Europa

She gave a sympathetic smile. A part of her wanted to suggest that she talk to Vora some more because she was certain the pair would have some things in common! But that was a bit… unfair to both of them. “I don’t know. Honestly. Everyone is different. Moving your body is only one way to calm your brain though. And they don’t always have to be social. I know my friend Vora had to find her own coping strategies, because like you she could get fixated on the one thing that was obvious in front of her. But what about something artistic? You don’t have to be good at it. You can paint, try an instrument. I mean hell, even plants. I was a botanist and I can attest to the therapeutic nature of plants. I don’t know what the answer is for you Ashlynn, but anything that can allow you to slow everything down for a bit and still keep you busy can be useful. And you might even find something you enjoy. So maybe… just try different things?” she said wit a slight shrug. “And if you need to, talk to Counsellor Nox. She’s good at helping with that sort of thing.”

Abrams, COS

Ashlyn held back a laugh at the mention of moving her body to distract herself. She was a regular at the gym or holodeck when it was available running her very power hungry parkour program. There are a few engineering complaints logged when she runs the program each time that are easily ignored as just complaining, but the lean shape of the security officer was maintained through hours of running, jumping, and diving through the air of moving platforms or turret armed mechanical spiders. It had been a while since Abrams graced the Park with her presence, maybe she needed a reminder? Ashlyn retrieved a data module from her bag and plugged it into the computer on the desk after pulling out the one with the security presentation. This new module had a drone flight view of the city, which was the upgraded version of the Trenton Park program that needed all the upgrades to the holodeck. The intricate layers that evolve from the lower city of chaotic cyberpunk to the smooth vibrant lines of the upper city Minimalist Cyberpunk. Platforms are replaced with cars and trains, scaffolding is everywhere or used as decoration, tight-ropes connect all the buildings, the city was created to be the dream of any parkour runner. “You know, since Sharah is gone, I could use a new running partner. It’s more interesting when there is competition or companionship. We do have the same work schedule at least fifteen times a month, think I could borrow you for four of them?” Ashlyn resisted the urge to use the same line she did when inviting Sharah to parkour the first time. As honest and funny as it is, it is also rather inappropriate and she didn’t need to have that problem again.

Ashlyn straitened back up shortly after the question. “This is my off duty project, the security upgrades are my on duty project proposal so I can hone my security skills and help the ship at the same time. It also gives me a better challenge to hone other skills the Doctor is helping me develop for my ‘application’ to Intelligence later. Much later, not any time soon. It’s likely you’ll finish your tour on this ship before I’m ready to join Starfleet Intelligence. You are absolutely right that I should address the issues I’m ignoring with the work I’m doing, but at the same time, this doesn’t mean I shouldn’t seek out opportunity to grow and develop into a better Security Officer, especially if I am not accepted into Intelligence. Never hurts to have a solid backup plan.”

• Ensign Ashlyn Trenton
  Security, USS Europa