Posted by Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik (Chief Of Security) in Main Sim - Bridge

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim - Bridge
[snip]

“Captain, I recommend we adopt a measured deterrence posture,” Thalos said evenly. “Phaser arrays charged and held at standby, torpedo tubes armed but safetied. Shields raised to a moderate defensive threshold—high enough to be noticed, not high enough to provoke.”

He keyed another command, projecting a suggested configuration onto the main screen.

“This presents us as prepared, not aggressive. If the Shiarain are observing us, they’ll see a vessel capable of responding instantly, without signaling hostile intent.”

A brief pause, then he added, drawing on hard-earned experience.

“I also suggest tightening internal security and placing damage control teams on silent standby. If they favor surprise or first-strike tactics, they may test us before formal contact is established.”

His hands returned to the console, fingers hovering near the controls.

“This posture keeps the initiative with us,” Thalos concluded. “We show strength, maintain discipline, and leave the next move to them.”

He fell silent then, eyes back on sensors, ready to execute the captain’s orders the moment they were given.

“That all seems good advice,” Captain Glen replied. “Please go ahead and implement those suggestions.”

The security chief’s ideas made sense to Elyss. If they didn’t want to appear threatening to these Shiarain, but still wanted to be ready for an attack, the Lt proposed a viable plan. She wasn’t eager to meet the aliens as they sounded really unpleasant and dangerous. However, that was part of space faring life.

Though Cross said nothing she fully agreed with Lt ch’Ravik which made her more at ease knowing everyone present on the bridge was prepared for the unknown.

The Captain added to Thalos, “the tightening of internal security is something you can easily organise yourself.”

“Aye, sir,” Thalos replied without hesitation.

He turned back to his console, fingers already moving as he acknowledged the command and executed the approved tactical posture. Shields adjusted smoothly to the designated threshold, phaser banks holding steady at standby readiness, torpedo systems armed but safetied—prepared, but disciplined.

Without wasting a moment, Thalos opened a secure internal channel.

“Security teams, this is the Chief,” he said calmly. “We’re moving to a measured deterrence posture. All Junior Officers are to brief their sections immediately.”

He paused only long enough to ensure the channel remained clear.

“Damage control teams to silent standby. Boarding response units on alert, but remain out of sight unless activated. I want rapid-response drills reviewed and internal sensor sweeps doubled—quietly.”

Acknowledgements chimed back in quick succession.

Thalos monitored the confirmations as they came in, antennae subtly shifting as he listened to the ship itself—the hum of systems adjusting, the faint vibration of shields reinforcing. Everything responded exactly as it should.

Only then did he lift his eyes back to the tactical display, posture relaxed but coiled with readiness.

The USS Merrimack was prepared.

If the Shiarain Dominion chose to test them, Thalos intended to make certain they would regret underestimating Starfleet—or its Chief of Security.

Captain Glen turned towards M’Mera, “placing damage control teams on standby is your Department. Maybe run some simulations. I’ve heard your role-plays in Security were very popular.”

The Captain asked Rana, “Let’s also check that everyone knows their up to date General Quarters auxiliary roles in the event of a battle. We’ve had a number of crew changes since we were last under attack. For efficiency, crew need to adopt their correct stations immediately that the Red Alert is heard.”

Finally Glen told Zavey, “The initial data gathered from the surveys is looking good. The cartographers are going to be pleased with that, I think? If there are no further questions, then I shall retire to my Quarters for a few hours.”

‘’I hope the science dept is doing its part and we need to contact bridge =/\= Sharp from security dept to bridge.....we have located a torpedo which seems very familiar to ours and the ship is stirring its way behind it ........someone please acknowledge ?=/\=.

=^= This is LT ch’Ravik, thank you for the information, this will be investigated=^=

“Aye, Sir.” Zavey called out to the Captain, acknowledging his departure from the bridge. As the message came through from the security department, she looked over her console again. She had not been alerted to the presence of the torpedo they spoke about. With a deft motion she ran a quick diagnostic on her equipment. When it was done, there was a notification of an empty torpedo casing outside of the Merri.

She looked over at the security chief. “Lt, I show one of our own unequipped torpedo casings, floating off the starboard bow. The casing was not cleared to be fired as the Captain didn’t want to waste them. Also, the ship isn’t following it, we are both just drifting in the same direction.” Waiting for the Andorian to respond, Elyss gave him a more thorough look. Interesting…

“I wasn’t aware that we had,” Thalos said, his tone even but edged with concern. “They specifically stated the shipment was sent without a torpedo casing.”

His fingers paused over the console as he reviewed the manifest again, eyes narrowing slightly. The data didn’t align—not with protocol, not with logistics, and certainly not with standard Starfleet procedure. His antennae angled forward, registering the subtle shift in ambient vibration as systems updated around him.

That shouldn’t be happening.

Thalos rerouted the feed, cross-checking cargo logs against internal sensors and security records. Every discrepancy, however minor, was flagged and isolated. The Imperial Guard instinct stirred—quiet, insistent—whispering that anomalies rarely occurred without reason.

“Requesting verification,” he said calmly, already opening a secure channel. “I want confirmation on origin, chain of custody, and transport authorization. If there’s a casing onboard that wasn’t declared, I need to know how it got here—and who signed off on it.”

Outwardly, he remained composed, posture relaxed at the tactical station. Internally, his focus sharpened.

Cargo discrepancies led to problems.
Problems led to casualties.

And Thalos had no intention of letting either slip past unnoticed aboard the USS Merrimack.

Dariusz was trying to cover Navigation and Helm as well as Comms, all at the same time. Personally, he thought it was poor decision to have sent the Communication Officer away to collect bric-a-brac and jumble at a serious time like this, but that was well above his pay grade.

“Sirs! If I may? It was Lt. Stella Gagnon and Lt. Hercules Kahuna who launched the first load of junk and clutter, Sirs! They were going to send it out in a torpedo casing at first, but then the Captain changed his mind and they confirmed that they had unpacked it,” said Dariusz. “it’s also possible that the sensors are on the fritz, Sirs!

A reply came back for the COS. =/\= Good Morning, Sir. Fleegman here! Sharp is repeating the sensor sweep scan cycle in case of spectrographic artifacts caused by the fluctuating power supply. If it’s real, he will triangulate the exact torpedo tube point of origin. =/\=

=^=Good morning Crewman , that would be helpful, thankyou , while I have you on the comms, please have teams situated in the shuttle bays and the torpedo bay, make sure they are armed and have the helmsman and comms officer sent back to the bridge=^=

He knew Guy was just a crewman but He and Sharp seemed to be very capable and he knew they could be trusted

Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik
Chief Of Security
USS Merrimack

=/\= Yes Sir, Understood =/\= replied Guy.

It was then that Stella finally showed back up on the bridge wearing a newly pressed and clean uniform. ” Sorry, y’all I had to stop on my way back to change into a clean uniform. Torpedo tubes it seems are a low level on the dust and clean menu.” She then sat down at her station and as was her routine she went through a total check of all systems remotely having to do with comms before she settled in to relax and listen.

Stella Gagnon Lt.jg comms

About the time that Stella showed up, Kahuna replied to Cmdr. ch’Ravik. =/\= Kahuna to the Bridge. I can confirm that an empty torpedo casing has been launched from the Merrimack by accident. I’m still investigating how that was possible, but I take full responsibility and I offer my resignation as Weapons Officer, Sir! =/\=

OOC: I have to go away for a week (for a family funeral, and will probably be too busy to post until back but I will try so I won’t post a LOA). Don’t be too harsh on Kahuna (or on the Ensign).

• Dave

Thalos let out a quiet sigh. To think one of their own had made such an error—it was regrettable, but not unforgivable.

“=^= Bridge here. It will be for the Captain or the XO to determine any disciplinary action. =^=” His voice remained level, neither harsh nor indulgent. “=^= That said, I do acknowledge—and respect—that you are willing to take responsibility. =^=”

He closed the channel and straightened slightly at his station, antennae settling back into a neutral position. Errors happened. What mattered was accountability, correction, and ensuring the mistake was never repeated.

The Imperial Guard in him would have demanded immediate consequence.

Starfleet required something more measured.

Thalos accepted that distinction—logically, deliberately—and returned his full attention to the tactical display.

Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik
Chief Of Security
USS Merrimack

Rana let loose a long sigh at the news. The entire operation had been his idea. He had thought it to be simple enough. But somehow someone had gotten a portion of the original plan confused with the final draft. He had not been clear enough when he issued the final orders. After all the results of any operation should start and end with the officer who gave the orders. Rana checked around the bridge and thought for a moment. He was quite sure that Kahuna had nothing to do with things. He was just a good man accepting the blame for something that had taken place in his area.

Lieutenant Thalos. ” Rana began. ” If you would tell Kahuna that all will be forgiven and that will stand him a drink if he can find and secure the warhead that went with that empty casing.” Rana had every belief in Thalos . He would no doubt find the real culprit. ” In the meantime, everyone keeps out an eye out for more oddities. “

Rana Singh Number One