Posted by Civilian Caitlyn Dillon (Director, The House Sanctuary) in Protection Comes in Many Forms (Tag Karlson)

Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Police Commissioner) in Protection Comes in Many Forms (Tag Karlson)

Posted by Civilian Caitlyn Dillon (Director, The House Sanctuary) in Protection Comes in Many Forms (Tag Karlson)
Posted by… suppressed (14) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Feel free to contact me whenever, I am attaching my office hours and my secretary’s contact info. Also if you prefer we can meet elsewhere, the Government tower isn’t everyone’s preferred meeting place. If times outside these hours fit better let me know as I can also host at my house.

Regards
Jósef Karlson, PhD
Police Commissioner Oed V

Commissioner Karlson

The Beck had arrived and the ship offloaded and people moved into temporary housing on the lands that the McKenzie-Edmans had purchased. It was going to be a lot of work. It gave Caitlyn a sense of purpose and pride. They had worked hard over the months to help people get used to living more roughly for the foreseeable future. Now that the trip was over, however, it was not time to relax. One of the first things though was to set up all the various meetings that had been agreed upon. It would take time to set up facilities and contacts and such. Putting it off would not make it go faster.

Caitlyn sent a message to the Commissioner’s secretary to request a meeting for herself and Ashran, since he handled security. She was eager for this meeting and having safe ways to get help to those that needed it.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Bump

Dillon received an invite to meet with the Commissioner. She had the choice of three timeslots over the next few days. 0900 and 1200 at his office in the government building or 1700 if she preferred a more public meeting. Those slots were available for the next three days.

Commissioner Karlson

Caitlyn talked over the options with Ashran and they chose 1200 at the commissioner’s office. That would allow them to help get things started for the day and give them plenty of time incase the meeting ran over. Caitlyn trusted police and Ashran was quite at home with them as well.

On the indicated day, Ashran escorted her back to the government tower. They checked in with security and then took the lift to the indicated floor. Caitlyn kept her hand on Ashran’s arm as he guided her through the busy outer area and were escorted back to the Commissioner’s secretary. “Good afternoon. I’m Caitlyn Dillon and this is Ashran Th’rialnek. We have a 1200 meeting with Commissioner Karlson,” she quietly told the woman, her gaze direct, but not quite in the right place.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

The secretary stood up, walking past her desk to open the door “Welcome Madame Dillon, the Commissioner is ready for you.

Once inside the Open space of the commissioner’s office, Dillon could hear the door close behind her followed by a soft voice just in front of her, a gentle baritone with the qualities of a grandfather “Fröken Dillon” The unfamiliar title an affectation of his native language “It is good to finally meet you” Joseph gave Ashran a nod and a friendly smile, gesturing him to the two seats available for them.

“Commissioner Karlson. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. This is Ashran Th’rialnek. He is in charge of Security for The House, so I asked him to accompany me.”

The Andorian bowed his head slightly, “I am honored to meet you, Sir.” He helped Caitlyn to a seat and then sat after she did.

Once the pair was seated Joseph finally allowed himself to sit “There is a cup on my desk approximately thirty centimetres in front of you, surface level five centimetres to your left. Would you care for some coffee or tea?” He asked. Joseph was very precise in his dealings with those lacking sight as his experience had mostly been with soldiers who’d lost their sight, precision was important.

Commissioner Karlson

“Coffee would be wonderful. Thank you,” Caitlyn’s gaze was direct, but slightly off of meeting his gaze. She was eager to be there and relaxed, but the Commissioner would notice she was nervous as well.

Ashran was relaxed but watchful. He cared the alertness and comfort of self of someone who had served and protected for most of his life. “Nothing for me thank you.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Joseph grabbed the porcelain coffee pot and poured into two cups, the one he’d described to Caitlyn and one on his side. He took a moment to assess the Andorian mostly out of habit than anything serious “Onto business? he asked.

Commissioner Karlson

When she heard the sound of the pot touching the desk, Caitlyn reached for the cup and carefully brought it to her lips, taking a sip. “Thank you, this is very good.” She set the cup down with the same care. “Yes. When we corresponded we discussed an officer to coordinate with. You also mentioned advice on security and real estate. We have, or will have, a residence, but Governor Hyrushi suggested we have a more public office.” She reached for the cup again, enjoying the warmth. “I will admit that the prospect makes me anxious.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Joseph considered for a moment “I understand that. The Governor’s suggestion is not a bad one but I do have a suggestion on that front” He took a sip of his coffee “If you do plan to have public offices have them be an entirely separate entity from your group proper. No direct connection to anything, no physical trail between the two for security reasons. Hire locally to have someone be more publically available for information and guidance” Joseph pressed on his desk, no visible button but still there was a chime =^=Sav, please send for Pangolin=^= He received an affirmative from his secretary, and the channel was closed “Having the House remain word of mouth has positives but a public office can help with outreach. Where I’m from there was a similar group that had a shelter whose location was hidden despite any number of people who were aware of it but did not speak of it almost entirely by social contract.”

Commissioner Karlson

Ashran’s antenna stood up straight. “Two seperate locations would be best. The question becomes where to have a more public face and security for it. On Earth our ‘public’ face was Cuyler Edman and his clan. People went to them and then came to us. They acted as the buffer. There are only the five of us, we may need to hire, but that will require background checks.”

“That is a process we need to check on as well. We require background checks for all residence and staff. We didn’t used to, until someone posed as a victim to reach one of our residents,” Caitlyn added.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Joseph nodded and spoke at the same time “Of course” He said to Caitlyn before turning to Ashran “Regarding your public offices, you have a number of options. I’d recommend a location around the Government district facing the Residential district. Somewhere with private access hidden from view. Regarding your public face that depends on what you are looking for. Do you require a public face that is known or unknown? Are there specific qualifications you’d need?”

Commissioner Karlson

Ashran lightly touched the back of Caitlyn’s hand for her to answer. “That is a question I am not sure of. Cuyler Edman and his people came to the role by tradition, really. Their clan has a centuries long history of taking in those in need of a safe haven. This spread of word of mouth and eventually they built the House for those that wanted a more hidden refuge than their village. I suppose if I had to assign personality traits it would be someone who is approachable and not capable if being bullied. Someone to work in the more public office that people won’t be afraid to approach.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Joseph considered for a moment “Well the Klingons of House Duroc are incapable of being bullied but I don’t know how approachable they are, I will recommend their services for any security concerns, Lord Duroc is a friend” He explained “That is if you’re looking for protection outside the standard Federation security company.” He held his cup but didn’t drink “The Holloways are a public family and might be willing to assist but I personally don’t know them but they are considered beyond reproach”

He took a sip and then grimaced “I have an older brother who lives on Oed as well, Jóhann. He owns a company that is run out of New France that has many subsidiaries on Oed, Import/Export, hospitality, security, and manufacturing. He is known locally both as a businessman and as my brother. Usually, I don’t recommend him to avoid any inferences of Nepotism, I have asked him not to be involved in anything related to the Police unless the entire senior command and cabinet accept it. In this case, he might be useful to you, he’s charming and approachable and has an eye for hiring the right people. He’s also incapable of being threatened” He then added in a mutter “Too stubborn for his own good” He placed the cup on his desk “The security company that handles my personal protection and that of my wife is a Hekla Corporation subsidiary founded for that purpose. If you need private resources he can supply them” There was a hint of hesitation in his voice, clearly he disliked giving family an edge in business. However, this wasn’t business but service and to serve was a duty and a pleasure.

Commissioner Karlson

Caitlyn didn’t respond right away, as she thought over the different pieces of information provided. “I’ve read a little about House Duroc. It seems they are known for taking in people who have nowhere else to go. They are known to be very honorable. I get the impression people on Oed trust them. Would you know how I might meet with someone from House Duroc and see if someone would be interested in working with us?”

Joseph chuckled “Technically speaking you are speaking to someone from House Duroc” There was amusement in his tone “Lord Duroc inducted me into the clan after I helped him with some minor issues a while back, I can get you in contact with the right people.” The amusement faded and was replaced again with professionalism “For the second part I don’t know, I think your cause would be welcomed, Lord Duroc is strangely protective of Oed and its denizens but he is Klingon so he doesn’t necessarily share our Federation ideals. He is a good man though and trustworthy.

His antenna waved about with surprise and respect as Ashran listened to Karlson’s explanation. Some of the best people he had ever fought with were Klingon. Their reputation as fighters was well earned. Dillon nodded, “I don’t suppose it will hurt to ask.”

“I hope these questions don’t offend, Commissioner, I don’t intend to be offensive. Is your brother well known in the community? You said he does not get involved in the government, but what is public perception of that? I ask because often the people who come to us are afraid of people with prestige and power. They are running from people who can use such things to harm others. Sometimes they will refuse help if they think organization they are seeking refuge with can be influenced. Your brother seems to be someone we would very much benefit from having contact with. I wouldn’t refuse the help, but knowing perception, whether accurate or not, helps me navigate possible bumps in the road later on.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Joseph nodded and made a sound of agreement “He is well known although not perhaps as famous as myself. I recommend him not solely because of his prestige and influence but because of his approachability. People have in the past approached him for help, be it for employment, housing assistance, or just life advice. He prefers to be known as a bartender or barber than as a businessman. As far as I can gather he is perceived as just that, an approachable elderly man of means and with a great deal of experience. He has no connections to Starfleet or the Government beyond family and Oedians have always been at most lukewarm in regards to Starfleet so that would be a point in his favor.”

Commissioner Karlson

“I would very much like to meet him if he is willing,” Dillon said. “What are the protocols for reporting? If your department sends someone to us, then you are already aware, but sometimes we do get people who seek us out before contacting the police or a doctor.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Before Joseph could answer the door to his office slid open. A tall dark-skinned man entered the room, he wore a long brown coat over a dark shirt with a red tie. He had slightly pointed ears, black irises and the slightest hints of spots on his neck hinting at a multi-species parentage. He nodded to the Commissioner as he walked into the room and stood next to the desk, hands in his coat pocket. He gave the two visitors a brief scan before nodding to the Andorian “Miss Dillon, Mister Ashran, this is Detective Chief Inspector Pangolin, he’s the head of the Major Crimes Division and my unofficial right hand” The detective smiled a polite smile “Ma’am, sir” He said in a deep voice, the hint of an Odian accent “He’ll be given oversight over Police involvement with the House.” Joseph continued “To answer your question, there isn’t a set protocol for this. Our officers go through yearly joint training with social workers and they do give out resources but in this case I think it would be best to have protocol set, at least in part, by the experts in the area” He paused “That would be you in this case.”

Commissioner Karlson & DCI Pangolin