ESU/Tactical Officer Check In
Posted on Tue Apr 30th, 2024 @ 8:25pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Lieutenant Vincent 'Ghost' Zandrell
Edited on on Tue Apr 30th, 2024 @ 8:33pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Ready Room - Deck 3 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD006 0900 hrs
Vincent walked out of the turbolift and onto the bridge of the USS Artemis for the very first time. It was busy and, to be honest, overwhelming. The crew walking back and forth, heads dipping in and out of consoles, only to walk over to another to do the same. He wasn't sure if he was ready for all this again, but he had to be. This wasn't just for him. This was for Cassie too. A chance to return back to something regular instead of jumping around. Stability. As much as he needed it, she needed it to.
For a brief moment, he stopped and looked at the Tactical Station. When not working with the ESU, Vincent would most likely be here, Chief permitting of course. It was different from the ones he was used to working on, but not complicated. He was sure he would pick it up in no time when he was assigned to it. It was one of the most important stations on the ship.
"Can I help you, Sir?" An officer asked as he approached Vincent.
"Captain's Ready Room, please." He replied quickly.
"Right this way, Sir." The officer motioned for him to follow. It was a short trip, but at least, he knew where to find it for next time. As the Officer gestured to the door he said. "Right here, Lieutenant." Then walked off.
Lieutenant He thought as he took a second to feel the pips on his collar. He had almost forgot. Vincent was surprised it wasn't Ensign after what he did, but with so many people coming to bat for him in regards to his character and most of them understanding why he did it, he still felt he got off light. Two lives taken and he was still walking around. Vincent couldn't think of that now. He had to check in with the Captain. He tapped on the chime by the door and waited for a response.
Marc had just finished reading the after action reports from the Breen fight when the chime to his ready room rang. He took a quick bite of the BLT that sat on his desk and hastily swallowed. "Come on in..." He took a quick sip of the sweet tea to wash the bite down.
Vincent took a deep breath before walking through the doors, stopping just short of the Captain's desk, as he placed his hands behind his back. "Lieutenant Zandrell reporting for assignment, Captain." He said firmly, standing at attention, with his eyes forward and locked ahead of him.
"At ease Lieutenant, and please take seat. Let me know if I can get you something, I hope you don't mind but a Captain's work is never done so I am going have lunch. Welcome aboard the Artemis. Your record precedes you, and it is quite a stellar one." Marc decided that he would not open with the fact that the Lieutenant would be reporting to a civilian. Better to get a feel for the man first.
"Thank you, Captain." He said just before sitting down at a chair in front of the desk. "Umm... I wouldn't mind a Raktajino, if that's alright. Steamed, not iced." Vincent said before looking around. As he heard the Captain tell him that his record proceeded him, he felt a bit odd. Given he was hadn't see what he did for quite some time that was the last thing he thought a Captain would want to hear. Especially, since how he lost his rank was such a slippery slope. "Thank you, Sir. I know I haven't seen much, as far as activity as of late, but I have no intention of letting you down."
Marc got the raktajino from the replicator and headed back to his desk. "There are times when we all need to take a step back from duty and the fleet to tend to ourselves. Make sure that we are getting along in this universe sort of speak. I want to make sure that you know what you are in for by joining this unit. The Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit is not a glamorous posting. In fact most of the powers that be would see that this unit did not exist, and yet here we are filling a need. That said if you are looking for recognition or glory on a fleet level you will not find it here. Starfleet Command likes Federation citizens knowing that crime does not exist and that is where we come in. So, is this the kind of thing you want to be a part of?" Marc took a bite of his sandwich when he finished speaking.
Vincent reached over and took the raktajino, nodding his head in thanks, before sitting back to take a sip. He sat there quietly, hanging on the Captain's every word, lowering his mug before finally replying. "If you want to have a peaceful utopia, you have to keep it that way. It's no secret that crime isn't wiped out, and Starfleet has come across many races that claim the same thing only to go to extreme measures to keep their peace, so I can understand why they wouldn't want to promote it. Except, it's a necessary evil, to hold back far worse evils. The Federation has worked hard to get where it needs to be so I can imagine they would want to keep it that way. So, whether they like it or not, we have a job to do in order to make sure the Federation stays where it is in the universe." He took another sip, only to add softly. "I am not looking for recognition, glory, or trophies. I don't care enough for medals and awards. I took this job because my daughter is going to grow up in this 'utopia' and I want to make sure its as safe as possible before...." He paused slightly, letting out a sigh, just before finishing his sentence. "Before I get taken away from her too."
Marc was about to add a 'well said' to all that Vincent had spoken about. However, it was the last sentence that stopped him and caught him more than anything. "What do you mean before you get taken away from her too? That is if you don't mind me asking." Marc very often walked that tightrope between wanting to learn all he could about his crew and help them and making sure he was not prying.
Vincent sat there quietly, bringing the raktajino to his lips, before replying softly. "No... I don't mind. I'm surprised you didn't catch it in the file, actually." He said calmly with a smirk. Vincent would have assumed it would be the first thing he came across, but maybe the Captain hadn't reach that part because he was busy. He let out a slight sigh before saying plainly. "My wife was killed while I we were on vacation with our daughter. I took time away from the Vigilant." He paused for a moment, clearing his throat as he held back his feelings on the subject, before continuing on. "I took justice for her murder into my own hands. I performed my own investigation and pulled my own sources to find the man who did it. I forced him to tell me what happened and why." He smiled a bit, forcing a laugh out, which was mixed with sadness. "A robbery?! Can you believe that? He killed her because she fought back trying to take the locket she had around her neck. It had Cassie's picture in it. Our daughter." He got quiet again, taking a moment to breath and relax, as he gripped onto his raktajino. "I was... taken so much by anger and grief that I shot him. The phaser was not set to stun. I turned myself in right after... contacting Starfleet Security right after. I was demoted and lost my position on the Vigilant. I probably should be in a jail, maybe even on this very ship in the prison section, but the number of officers who stepped forward to speak to my character and the love I had for my wife got them to show me mercy. So, I was allowed to stay in uniform, but I haven't gotten a new assignment until recently."
He took a second to himself, taking a sip from his drink again, before looking back to the Captain. "After hearing all that you probably want me no where near this ship... unless it was in a cell. Part of me agrees. I regret what I did. No officer should ever go down the road I did for any reason. It's a mistake I won't make again. So, if you want me gone? Captain, you need only say the word and I'm out of here. No questions asked and no offense intended. However, if you do keep me on, I promise I won't let you down. My loyalty is to this ship, her crew, and this uniform. With respect, my daughter, is the only thing above those three and she is part of the reason I am here. To take this second chance to get back into uniform and make something of it. Gain at least some of what I lost."
Marc held up his hand as if to say relax. "You are not going anywhere. You are here because myself and Admiral Ford wanted you here. You are right when you say that people get second chances. Perhaps this is yours. Perhaps this is also your chance to make sure that no one else has to make the decision that you made. You will find that this ship seems to find a way of attracting people who need new leases on life. In fact our ESU CO used to be a Starfleet Officer and has since lost her rank, and perhaps her way. Who knows perhaps the two of you will help each other get back to where you want." Marc sipped his drink and thought that if this Lieutenant went about his job with as much zeal as he did for his family case then the ship would be in great shape.
Zandrell smiled a bit. Hearing that the Captain and Admiral were behind him, as far as getting on board and gaining another chance, set him at ease. He took a sip from his Raktajino before nodding his head at the Captain. "I can't make any promises, Captain, but I'll sure try to nudge her in the right direction. Ultimately, it's her call which way she's going to go. She's, as well as you and this crew, will have my full support. It means a lot for me to be here and back in uniform again. Also, that despite the status of this ship also holding a prison, that you've been accommodating enough to let me bring my daughter." He brought his drink up again, before pulling it back down to add quickly. "She's well away of where she can and can't go. You should get no trouble from her. She's a great kid. Unfortunately, she's had to deal with a lot and that's forced her to grow up a bit too fast."
Marc snapped his fingers as if he had just remembered something. "I almost forgot. I have had the bio sensors on Deck 13 reprogramed. They will not recognize anyone who is not an adult. This is merely a precaution as I know kids of any age get curious. I do not want your daughter wandering into the prison. It is no place for a child, so the turbolift will not take her there."
"I'll be sure to remind her of that, Captain." Vincent replied as he took his final sip of raktajino. He was going to place it on the desk, but then decided against it, before standing up and walking to the replicator. "While I am here, Sir..." He began as he placed the mug in the replicator tray. He tapped the console above it to recycle it before returning to his seat. "Is there anything you would like me to know or something you need me to do?"
"You know yes. Just something of a curiosity. Your file says that you have a codename Ghost. I know that most of the time when people have names like that it is because they have earned it. So, care to share the story?" Marc sipped his drink with a smile. He was curious about the name, and this story should shed some more light on who the person before him was.
Vincent let out a slight smirk, nodding his head, before looking to Captain Kidd. "That is actually something I got in my Starfighter Pilot days. During a live scrimmage, I part of the secondary unit which tested the first, so during the battle I adjusted my sensors in a that masked my signature until I was close enough. Anyone looking out would be able to see me, but if they relied on their onboard computer which I knew some of them do, I would have an advantage. The Squadron Leader praised me for my ingenuity and told me to keep it in mind. I left the configuration on my Valkyrie and the rest of the Squad started to refer to me as 'Ghost' every since then."
"You are going to have to teach that trick to our Helmsman. That certainly is a story. It is always interesting to see the experiences that people have in Starfleet. It seems that Security, Marines, and Pilots always have the most interesting. Well I am glad that you are here to share your talents with us. Do you have any more questions for me?" Marc smiled as he spoke. He genuinely liked Vincent, and hoped that the man made home on the Artemis.
Vincent took a second before finally answering. "Two things, actually." He said, taking a moment to think of the best way to say it, before actually coming out with it. "As I said, I was in a Starfighter Squadron before going into Security and Intelligence. My Squad Leader, Colonel Gamble Vogrim, was a great officer and a close friend. He was always there to give me advice and even made a point to be around when my daughter was born. She grew up knowing him as Uncle Gamble. Well... he passed away not that long ago and he left me his EM-33 pistol. His only request is that I don't leave it to collect dust or display it in a box. I use it and maintain it like he did. I know, ultimately, its up to the Chief of Security on board, but it would be good to have you blessing. Knowing what it means to me."
"I can understand sentimentality, and wanting to adhere to what equates to someone's last request. All of that said if Commander Benson has no objections, then neither would I. However, it would probably be best to keep it in your quarters unless going on an Away Mission." Marc knew that Benson would agree to the weapon. After all she was designing a phased energy sword with the Chief Medical Officer.
He nodded in response to what the Captain said about the Security Chief would still have the final say. "Of course, Captain. I have no intention of going over the Commander's head. I just wanted to make sure you understood why, a request for it, was on the table. He took a moment to himself before being up the second thing. "I was also wondering, when things have slowed down and with your permission of course, would it be possible to allow my daughter to come up to the bridge? Not as a permanent thing, but for her to see it for herself. It may get her on a path to want to be a part of Starfleet when she gets older and, at the very least, it could also earn me some great dad points."
"Earning you great Dad points earns me great Captain points." Marc began with a laugh. "So long as there is nothing pressing going on she is welcome on the Bridge. I am sure that the rest of the crew would love to see her. It may lighten their day, it can get pretty dreary around these parts sometimes."
Vincent responded with a laugh and smile. Hearing his daughters visit would earn him and the Captain 'points' was enough to ease him into a big laugh. Even though he was still new, he felt a comfort he hadn't felt in a long time. The nerves from having to get used to all this again suddenly took a back seat to the interaction he was having with the Captain at their first meeting. Vincent had no doubt, when it came down to business, the Captain would be all work.
When the laugh settled and all that was left was his smile, he nodded his head and replied. "I hope the bridge crew feel the same way."
"I think they would. We are a fairly easy going lot. Who knows she become the next Ensign aboard the ship." Marc chuckled. "Alright, Lieutenant I do not want to keep you from settling in and getting to know your new assignment. If there is anything else let me know."
Vincent gave another smile before nodding his head and standing up. "No, Sir. There is nothing else." He took a walk over to the replicator and recycled the raktajino mug. With a new found confidence, he walked back to the front of the desk and placed his hands behind his back.
A Joint Post By
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell
XO ESU/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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