New Security Chief's Arrival

Posted on Sun Jul 27th, 2025 @ 4:00pm by Captain Lorut Vila & Lieutenant Commander Chester Ripley & Lieutenant Commander Ishmael Nisim

890 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Yesterday’s Enterprise
Location: USS Intrepid: Ready Room
Timeline: MD

The shuttle landed on the docking bay of the ship. The Intrepid had dropped out of warp for the quick drop off. A tall, bald, fit man walked off the ramp of the shuttle onto the deck. He had a duffle slung over his shoulder. It wasn't long before a few crewman ran up the ramp with a anti-grav sled and started to load his personal crates onto them. His sleeves were rolled up showing his bare forearms. He saw two officers walk into the shuttlebay from the double doors.

Lieutenant Commander Ishmael Nisim recognized the both of them from the profiles of the ship. The Captain and XO. He made it a point to know the crew so that he knew who he was responsible for protecting. He dropped his duffle and snapped to attention, a habit from his time as an enlisted security officer. "Lieutenant Commander Ishmael Nisim reporting for duty, sirs."

Vila was the first to speak. "Ma'am," she corrected, but hoped her tone was gentle. "I don't like that "sir" nonsense, even though I know it's protocol," she said, raising her eyes to the ceiling. "At ease," she instructed.

"Welcome aboard. You are Commadner Nisim, I assume?" She asked. "Commander?" She turned to Lyo. "Let's head for the ready room; it's far more comfortable than here," she said. Plus, her coffee was there.

Lyo nodded silently, giving a slight bow of his head in recognition before motioning with his arms. ’After you,’ he thought, hoping to seem pleasant, well, as pleasant as Rylen Lyo ever got really.

Nodding to her correction on the formality, "I apologize ma'am. Thank you for allowing the Intrepid to drop out of warp momentarily to allow me to come aboard." He dropped his duffle onto the anti-grav sled. Fishing a PADD out of the bag, he got in step with the Captain and Commander.

"You're welcome. Truthfully, we've been without a security chief for so long, I think the Fleet was going to make ME do it. I used to be Bajoran milita," she remarked. "Can still shoot, but now...Well. I suppose that's old news," she said, wistfully.

“Or me,” Lyo quipped. “As if I don’t wear enough hats around here,” he added.

Chuckling, the new Chief of Security, "The Bajorans took the fight to the Cardassians. I am sure you have plenty of fight back in you. We should meet on the phaser range." Ishmael said as he started to memorize the ship's layout from the corridor. He would need to know it in order to keep the ship secure. He would take some time over the next month exploring every nook and cranny to find all the possible hiding spots. After a few moments he asked, "How is the security crew on the ship? Experienced? Green? Needing whipped into shape?"

Vila just nodded. "Thank you," she said, graciously. "The Security team are well trained," she said. "Mostly experienced, though most of them are enlisted but have been in the Fleet forever. I'd trust them with my life," she said, which, coming from her, was high praise. "We just ran a battle simulation, and they passed with excellent marks," she said. "Lyo, anything to add?"

“Lieutenant Tête will be your point person for tactical and security. She’s been overseeing the department in the absence of a department head. “She’ll be able to pinpoint the problems and she’s more than determined enough to help you correct any training issues. Though, as the captain said, there’s not one I would t trust to have as backup.”

The new Chief of Security smiled, "I am glad. That should make my job easier. Enlisted crew are easier to work with than officers. In my opinion, Captain."

She just nodded lightly. "I tend to agree," she said. Though likely for different reasons.

“Couldn’t make it through a day on this ship without our NCOs,” Lyo added. In all reality, the ship was maintained and run by the NCOs under orders from officers, but the fresh faced crewmen were the only ones who’d be confused if the ship lost ALL the senior officers. The older ones would simply step up and assume command, if things ever became that dire.

Vila nodded. "That's very true,' she said. "I rely on them almost as much as the senior staff. This ship wouldn't run without any of them, but they play a valuable role as a go-between between the officers and the Enlisted personnel," she noted. "I have some plans for later on after our current orders are met with the Counselor to have a small party for them," she said.

Nodding, "They would appreciate that. I started my career as an enlisted security crewman. In '89 I went to OCTP, and here I am today." Ishmael said with a smile, "Just couldn't get to where I wanted to go without becoming an officer. I always take of my enlisted staff because of it."

Lorut smiled. "Well, that's great. We're here for you if you need anything. Any time, day or night," she said. Even though Vila was now fully on Alpha shift, she still kept late hours. She'd spent decades being on alert 24/7 and old habits died hard.

"You're free to go," she said.

 

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