Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 5, 2021 2:48:33 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - Front Ear - Corridors]
[Soon after S2;M10] It felt good to be in his ship uniform again. Less layers, lower collar, easier to move in. Pierce had already said his goodbyes, and his packed belongings had been transported to the ship ahead of him. All he had left was a duffle bag slung over his shoulder, filled with the clothes and other items he'd need before he had the chance to unpack everything else. Meeting Lt. Niles at the younger man's quarters, the two were now headed to the transporter room on Deck 10. "One thing to keep in mind about Captain Tenjin is that he's going to treat you just like every other officer that's not on his senior staff. At least unless you give him a reason to treat you differently. Maintain an objective view and don't take things personally, and you'll be able to learn a lot over there." Taggert had no doubts that the Captain would be greeting them when they transported to the Wyvern, which was why he wanted to walk with Niles rather than meeting him at the transporter room. It was his last chance to give him an idea of what to expect from his new CO.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 5, 2021 3:39:44 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - Corridors, Front Ear Station ]Just as he had been advised, Niles had seen to it the bulk of the belongings he was taking with him, in this case one larger duffel, would be sent ahead of him to the Wyvern, while he did retain a little more than just an overnight bag. Fresh uniform and necessaries, toiletries, no more. Given the circumstances, he had packed quite lightly. The comforts of home would remain between the Ear and the Mac and would wait for his return. And, he knew to wait for Commander Taggert to come and get him. At first he thought he would be expected to get to the transporter room and wait there, but he had found himself surprised by the older man wanting to walk with him. When his door chimed, he took one last look at the fairly comfortable accommodations, and simply stepped out. Of course orders said one thing, but there was always the caveat of 'subject to the requirements of the service' present, whether or not it was actually stepped out. One way or another, he would be gone for at least three months if all went well. Far less if he failed. Though at this point, he probably would be on a transport back towards Earth, or wherever he would go and take his very early retirement. As they walked, Taggert started giving him a heads up about Wyvern's CO. So, he was coming in as just some random Lieutenant. Which could mean any number of things, ranging from he would be doing no more than shuffling paperwork, all the way to see himself back on the officer of the watch roster, and everything in between. And depending on how many others would share his rank in Wyvern's Sec/Tac department, he could very well find himself as little more than a very well-paid Ensign, or as one of the seniormost Lieutenants, depending on how many veterans her crew had lost while she was in refit. He hated uncertainty. And that warning to not take anything personally and remain objective, that sounded like it could be a very rough start once he beamed over. "Sir, I've got no illusions Captain Tenjin knows what he's getting, and I get the feeling it took some doing to get him to accept it. I'm grateful for the chance. "The chance to get a change of scenery without making it look like he was running away, since it wasn't his request. The chance to get away from the Dirt Dude and that added stress. Speaking of which he certainly would have to make time to write Charlie, when he had the chance; he was leaving her with much to do, and none of his support, whatever it could be, readily available. But if he could serve out at least part of the remainder of his probation away from an environment that felt thoroughly uncomfortable, he had to take it. "And may I ask, what would Captain Tenjin expect of this particular Lieutenant? Frankly, Sir, beyond the study package you supplied me with, I have no idea what I'm walking into."
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 5, 2021 19:33:47 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - Front Ear - Corridors]Taggert gave the younger man a teasing grin. "Welcome to getting transferred. We never know what we're walking into when we join a different crew." Back in the day, people weren't assigned to long-term posts straight out of the Academy for that very reason. It taught flexibility, adaptability, and better determined what type of long-term post would be a good fit. But it seemed after the War, SFC just started sending bodies wherever bodies were needed. "Duty rosters are generally left up to the department heads, so I'll be the one making your schedule. As for general behavior... The Captain expects every crew member to do what they're told without argument or complaint. If you don't understand why he gave a particular order, or why he gave it to the person that he did, just trust that he knows what he's doing, and he never does anything without a damn good reason." Having been the former leader of a resistance cell, the Bajoran Captain often had a different way of doing things than most would expect from Starfleet. But that was precisely why he was chosen to command the Wyvern. When constantly dealing with underground criminal elements, one couldn't necessarily play by the same rules as everyone else.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 6, 2021 18:03:34 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - Corridors, Front Ear Station ]Niles found himself having to choke down a wince. He trusted Taggert; the veteran had gone to bat for him, he could recognize, respect, appreciate, and even admire that. But he was also very cognizant that he was pretty much expected to walk into a situation where trust was likely, yet again, to be a strictly one-way process; he would be expected to put his entire trust in a captain whose only recommendation was that Taggert trusted him and be ready to face surprise if he was wearing his uniform correctly and showed up on time. Granted, the uncertainty was par for the course when it came to transfers. At least most of them. And Niles damn well knew that unless he came out of this assignment with at least a good evaluation, his career would be straight out the airlock; he would die a career Lieutenant barring some form of miracle. But, he did trust Taggert. That would have to be enough. "It's one thing to not know what's on the far side of the transporter pad, Sir, but this is something else. I trust you, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried I was walking into another situation where the expectation is that I can't do anything right. Or worse, that because of my... background I'd be looked at like I'm expecting to skate by on money and my family name."Oh yes, that article in the Dirt Dude, even with Jenkins coming clean about it, had shaken him and badly at that. With some luck, no one on the Wyvern would know about it... but the grapevine/rumour mill were the only phenomenon known to safely reach Warp 10...
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 9, 2021 1:50:38 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - Front Ear - Corridors]Taggert sighed softly, suddenly grateful that they were nearing the transporter room. He could reassure Josh until he was blue in the face, but it seemed there were some things the younger man would need to see for himself before he believed. "I can tell you one thing. Nobody really cares about who your family is. Unless you come from one of the 'Starfleet Legacies', families have no bearing on personal reputations unless you make it that way." Sure, he'd heard about the article. But beyond that, he hadn't heard of a single person talking about it, let alone taking it seriously. "I already told you the Captain will treat you like any other member of his crew unless you give him a reason not to. And he's the only one on that ship that knows about the trouble you've been in here. As far as anyone else is concerned, you're being transferred because you've had recent experience with a few of the criminals we're going to be tracking down." The Serpent Ravagers hadn't been on the Wyvern's radar before, but after what they did to the colony on Serenity they were a top priority. As they entered the transporter room, he gave a nod to the officer on duty and stepped up onto the pad. "Any final questions?" he asked the Lieutenant, not wanting to give the order for transport until this particular conversation had reached a conclusion. Though he couldn't keep the ship waiting for long...
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 9, 2021 4:39:25 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - Corridors, Front Ear Station ]Not knowing whether he could truly trust or not was a killer for Niles. Not knowing whether he would be trusted from either direction of the chain of command, just as he was right now, was an ugly prospect. However, with Taggert's words, he let out a sigh of relief he hadn't even realized he was holding. It was odd, how intellectually he knew he could trust Taggert, but it had taken so bloody long for his gut to catch up to his brain. Especially that last part, which his brain actually hadn't quite grasped at first. The official story was that he was being brought in as a subject matter expert on space-based criminal activity? Well he had tangled with three groups of pirates since he had first been commissioned. The Talorian extremists, Kosoter's Scalpers and most recently the Serpent Ravagers. And he had a degree of expertise in analyzing ship movements and finding gaps in sensor, communications and nav relay coverage to find out where illicit activity would take place. So at least it wasn't a lie. And frankly, he had accounts to settle with the Ravagers and he would love the chance to do just that. Their attack had decimated his Tactical sections given they were manning the shuttles used in the system picket, as well as left gaping holes in the shuttle crews and pilots. And that was even before what they'd done to the Serenity colony and its people. And the minor matter of his leg having been shot off in their attack. "No, Sir, I think I'm good. I hope I am, at least."
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 11, 2021 18:44:58 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - Front Ear - Transporter Room]Pierce nodded, glad that Josh seemed to be getting a better hold on his nerves. It was understandable for him to be worried, but dwelling on it and overthinking things weren't going to help anyone. He turned his attention to the waiting transporter officer. "Energize." [Captain Tenjin Raag - USS Wyvern - Transporter Room]As Taggert had expected, the Captain was standing next to the transporter officer when they materialized on the pad. "It's about time you showed up. We were about to leave without you." Though his words were gruff, his expression was that of a teasing friend, not an upset CO. "You wouldn't dare," Taggert replied with a grin of his own, stepping off the pad and shaking the other man's hand. Glancing back at Josh, he waved the younger man over. "Lieutenant Niles, Captain Tenjin.""Welcome aboard, Lieutenant." The Bajoran greeted with a friendly smile and not a hint of reservation in his voice. He handed Josh a PADD. "Here's a rundown on our current assignment. We're about to get underway, but we won't reach the colony until tomorrow. Commander Taggert can show you around, help you get settled in."
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 12, 2021 4:18:24 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - Corridors, Front Ear Station -> Transporter Room, USS Wyvern ]Uncertainty was still very much a factor in Niles' mind when he climbed onto the transporter pad, but he was committed. In fact, he had been ever since he'd been asked if he'd care to try for a change of scenery, and irremediably so when orders for his temporary transfer had been cut and sent his way in what must have been record time. But, there was little more time to think until the order to energize was heard, and the starbase dissolved in a crescendo of brightness, and a new reality solidified around him... Or, more accurately, he solidified within a new reality. The first thing he saw was the Captain. Bajoran, obviously. And with the kind of lantern jaw that he reckoned he could actually break his prosthetic hand against should he actually move to punch it for some reason. Hell, right down to the blonde hair and steely blue eyes, he even looked like the adventure holonovel or recruiting poster version of a starship captain... and Josh wasn't entirely sure of whether he should be terrified, or amused by the fact. And when he spoke to Commander Taggert, Niles remained stone-still on the transporter pad, letting his superior officer step off first as he exchanged pleasantries and a handshake with the Captain, the kind shared by old friends. Well, that could be very good, or it could be very bad. When gestured to follow, the Lieutenant did just that, still trying to size up the situation as he was being introduced. And directly addressed, in a way that did not sound like the man had any real problems with having him aboard. It took Niles a moment to actually gather himself, and as he accepted the PADD, he offered a polite nod. "Thank you, Captain," he started as he tucked the PADD under his arm. It would not do to start reading it right now, but he also now knew that he pretty much had the night to learn its contents well enough to actually be useful upon arrival. But at least, he would have a guide, and a chance to get settled in before then. Hopefully, he would get to at least meet some of the key people in the department, and other officers he would be expected to work with.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 15, 2021 2:58:37 GMT
[Captain Tenjin Raag - USS Wyvern - Transporter Room]"Well, I'd best get back to the Bridge. I'll leave you in the Commander's capable hands." Tenjin spoke to his new Lieutenant before focusing his gaze on said Commander. "Welcome home, Taggert."[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - Front Ear - Transporter Room]"Happy to be back, sir," Pierce replied, then watched as the Captain strode out of the room. Shifting his duffle bag over his shoulder, he looked over at Josh. "Come on, I'll show you to your quarters." Trusting the younger man to follow, he made his way out of the transporter room. The lighter grey of the ship's bulkheads were a welcomed sight for him, a subtle yet distinct difference from the darker shades of the station. It was strange to think of the little things that reminded him he was home. While he had enjoyed his time on the station... and there was no doubt in his mind that it had been necessary... It wasn't the type of job he wanted to do long term. The Wyvern's ongoing mission in the galaxy was far more in line with the work he enjoyed doing, and he had a feeling it would be more along the lines of what Josh wanted for himself as well.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 15, 2021 18:47:34 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - USS Wyvern ]Well, that was a more positive meeting with the Captain than Niles had hoped for in his wildest dream. If anything, the best he has been expecting was to be reminded that he was there on sufferance, and that he should consider himself lucky to have the likes of Commander Taggert being willing to go to bat for him. Of course, his real, deepest hope had been that he'd be able to walk up to as clean a slate as possible, but he certainly hadn't been expecting to get it, or even something close to it at all. Rather than being greeted as a reprobate expected to be more trouble than he might be worth, he had been greeted as, well, an officer joining the ship's company for a time, probably no different than any other. Once the captain departed, Josh shouldered his own bag again and followed Taggert out of the room. "Thank you, Sir," Niles replied. Being shown to his quarters by his boss rather than some random guide selected for him, that, though, he was not entirely sure about. But he wasn't about to complain about it. And, it meant he would have some time to pick his brains along the way. A way, he noticed, was far different than the halls of the station, the Mac, or even the Fawkes when she had delivered him from Earth to the Front Ear. The lines of the corridors, even the colour of the panels, and the various interfaces along the way, despite showing standard-pattern Starfleet displays, were different from what he was accustomed to, a ship built to a different design standard all right. But she did have the feel of a true working ship still on front-line duties in spite of the age of her spaceframe. Not the sharp point of the spear, so to speak, as the Mac was, or a tired old workhorse pulled out of mothballs only fit for milk runs as the Fawkes had been. But somewhere in between. And speaking for working, he was given an information packet about the mission. Now, he had no idea whether he was supposed to be riding the bench from an office or elsewhere, or expected to be directly employed as a subject matter specialist in a more direct fashion. Which meant, he needed both time to study, and to know the other players at hand. "Sir, I don't know what you've got planned, but I would appreciate a chance to meet up with other personnel I'll be working with before I can study up on the mission and prepare for tomorrow."
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 15, 2021 23:17:13 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - USS Wyvern - Corridors]Pierce nodded, having expected as much. Getting to the know the people you'd be working with was important in any situation, and learning as much about the people you'd be going up against could mean the difference between success and failure. That was part of the reason why Niles wouldn't be expected on duty until they approached their destination. "The best time and place to meet people is in the mess hall around evening shift change. I'll be meeting with the Captain at that time, so I won't be able to join you. But you're part of this crew now; you don't need me to hold your hand. They're a friendly bunch, and they'll be eager to meet a new face." It was a short walk to the deck that contained the officer quarters. Taggert had almost forgotten how much easier it was to get around a ship than a station. His pace slowed slightly as they began to pass the row of doors, his gaze tracking the identification numbers on the panels. "Here you go," he stated as he stopped outside one of the doors. "Shift change is at 1800, so if you get to the mess around 1700 you'll meet the crew getting ready to start, and stay longer than an hour to meet the crew coming off." Josh already had clearance to access the ship's database so he'd be able to find his way around without a tour guide. The quarters were all equipped with replicators if he wanted to eat earlier. Anything he had sent ahead would be in there waiting to be unpacked.
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 17, 2021 21:00:19 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - USS Wyvern ]Wyvern's watch schedule was bound to be different from what he was accustomed to. Starfleet had a few standards going, but those were never cast in stone; any commanding officer was free to change things up as they saw fit, depending on the operations they were going to be undertaking. So he would also have to go over the ship's standing orders, routine orders, watch and station bills, and pretty much integrate himself into an existing well-oiled machine as though he'd been with them since the very beginning. And become as familiar as he could be with the new mission. No pressure. "Thank you, Sir," he simply answered when he was led to his quarters and supplied with some of the basic information he would need to get himself started. And as they parted ways, Niles went into his quarters to find his baggage already delivered, and he wasted no time in getting himself unpacked... a fast affair that he was not entirely sure whether it was sad, or a good thing. However, he did not start digging into his reading material just yet. Instead, he chose too walk the ship and actually visit the various Security and Tactical spaces. He might not be on duty, but he had to become familiar with those spaces, and the faces crewing them. In fact, he was also planning to do the same thing in the afternoon to catch a different set of watchstanders before meeting up with as many he he could over dinner, and then again before going to bed. He might not be going to stay on Wyvern long, but he certainly was planning to make his stay there as effective as possible. And so he had spent his day, between reading and re-reading the target package, reviewing ship's orders, dinner, and taking purposeful walks across the ship. Now, he wasn't entirely ready to pronounce himself as to how he was received aboard, but he had stayed clear of the Bridge so far, and given he was welcomed by the Captain, he had not been expected to report himself to the XO. And, well, he already knew his department head and the way they had parted pretty much relieved him of the formality of swinging by Taggert's office to report himself. He had tried to go to sleep at something like a civilized hour, be well-rested for the morning's activities, but as it turned out trepidation got the better of him and he had a restless night, a combination of being in a new command, and the upcoming operation. Though came morning, a few hours before he was expected to report for duty, he replicated the first personal possession he could think of in the form of an insulated ship's mug... Which actually did travel with him while he did another walk around, and this time he actually did include Sickbay, fitness facilities and the holodecks to his route. After all, it tended to pay to know these things. And finally, a little after lunch, the time when he was officially on duty was starting, beginning with weapons and equipment draw, and finding his way to the transporter room before beaming down. And, knowing what they were after, he was fairly chomping at the bit to get started. Whatever that meant.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 18, 2021 3:02:45 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - USS Wyvern - Briefing Room]Once the entire away team had gathered, Taggert rose from his seat to address them. "We are approaching Kaus Borealis. As most of you are aware, they were hit a few weeks ago by raiders. There was no structural damage, no resources taken... But a couple dozen colonists were abducted. The MO is the same as those we were tracking before. This is the first we've seen of them in a year. Our primary goal down there is to find out as much information as possible about the assault. If anyone got a good look at the raiders... who was taken... What methods were used in the abductions." The Commander wasn't foolish enough to think they would get more details this time around than they had before... But with the group finally emerging from underground, they needed to know if they had changed anything if they were going to stand a chance at catching them. "The colonists are expecting us, and are eager to get their people back. But keep in mind that they're traumatized. Emotions will be raw, and there may be outbursts. Choose your words carefully when you're asking questions - we don't need a repeat of last time." He paused then, his gaze sweeping around those gathered at the table to give them a chance to ask questions before he continued.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Nov 18, 2021 5:28:24 GMT
[ LT Joshua Niles - Briefing Room, USS Wyvern ]The team heading down was sizable. But then again, it was to be expected, given the issues at hand. But it also meant that there would be a lot of different pairs of eyes and ears, and perspectives, on the ground. Which could be an asset all right. Niles, though, did listen to the mission brief that supplemented the written packet he had studied over and over again. But what he lacked was the first-hand, direct experience Wyvern's officers and crew had acquired about those particular slavers. As Taggert was giving his brief, Niles worked to organize his thoughts towards the mission at hand, and some things that were not quite clear in the information he'd been given. But, he held his questions until the end, when he paused and looked the room over. "Sir, since we'll be here for some hours at least, does Wyvern have the resources to spare to put together a relief package for the people colony, and maybe cobble up some space-side sensor and comms platforms for them? At least a stopgap until a real system sensor net can be put together? St... We're a day late and a credit short for them, so maybe maybe going that extra kilometer on our part could help smooth over some of those raw feelings, help build some trust that we're actually there for them?"Not having been privvy to any other work that was happening around this particular mission, Niles had no way to know if that kind of effort was already in the works, or even if Wyvern had the resources to spare. But then again, everyone damn well knew he had just come aboard and couldn't be entirely up to date on absolutely everything about the ship. And whether some people believed it or not, he had learned a few things since Taggert had arrived at the Front Ear.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Nov 18, 2021 15:31:26 GMT
[Lt. Cmdr. Pierce Taggert - USS Wyvern - Briefing Room]Pierce wasn't surprised that Josh was the first to ask a question. While he wasn't the only new person on the crew, he was the only new person coming down to the surface with them. "When Starfleet received word of the abductions, they sent another crew ahead to increase orbital security. They finished tests and departed last week. The director of the colony has since made it clear all they want from us is to get their missing people back." That was at least a benefit of the raiders only taking people. There was still plenty of food, shelter, and everything else needed for the remaining colonists to continue their lives in relative comfort. It meant the Wyvern didn't need to divide up their own resources or man power to solve multiple problems at once.
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