U.S.S. Denver Security Complex

As he reviewed a pad, Conroy sipped his water and listened to one of his security officers give their report. It had been a hectic day, with a lot going on and even more throughout the day. He thought about the away team and having a QRF team prepared for anything if needed. He could tell the tension in the room. Everyone awaited good news from the surface or at least some way to help. “Thank you, crewman,” he said, acknowledging the end of the young man’s report. “We will not be returning to our normal watch until after all crew are back aboard; I will be personally working with some of you on phaser and combat training. Alpha tact team, I need you to monitor communications and long-range sensors. If they’re talking or flying, I want to know about it. Beta team, your priority is the away team communications.”

“We are on extended duty shifts until further notice?”

“Uh…” Conroy shifted in his chair and sat forward, “that would be correct. I want you to look to your direct line for guidance. we will try to rotate you guys off for breaks, but for now, we will merge shifts until further notice.” Conroy stood and finished his water. He turned to face the rest of the security officers still sitting. “I need you all to be on point and stay at your designated posts.”

The turbo-lift doors opened as he gathered his thoughts, and a crewman walked out. He paused momentarily as if he had walked in at the wrong time, “you’re okay, carry on, crewman.” At that moment, he lost his train of thought.

“Supervisor, I need that list of those who need training after this meeting. Holodeck three has been reserved for security; we want to rotate throughout the day. Any questions?” He paused for anyone to speak briefly, “Alright, let’s get to it?”

Deck 11 Cargo Bay 2

The doors to the cargo bay opened, and two security officers walked in; the lights came on, and they looked around. One officer checked around while the other grabbed a pad and examined the logs. He yawned and laid the place down. “I can’t wait until the end of my shift.”

The other officer chuckled, “Yeah, my bed is calling me!” They both laughed and continued their walkthrough. One of the officers quickly slipped, grabbed one of the containers, and pulled himself up. He looked down and saw blood. He quickly drew his phaser, “OVER HERE,” he shouted to the other officer, who also ran over. The container wasn’t sealed. He tapped his communicator. “Richards to security central, we have an issue in cargo bay 2.

Richards nodded, looked back at his partner, and began to open the container. When he looked inside, he quickly put his phaser away, grabbed his tricorder, and began to scan, “She’s alive.” He tapped his COMM badge again, “Richards to sickbay; we need a medic in cargo bay 2.” The two then entirely removed the lid removed the young ensign, and laid her on the floor; kneeling beside her, they began to apply pressure to her wound. The other officer began to look inside the container for anything important. His communicator was missing and nowhere to be seen.

“Check around the bay for anything else,” Richards said to the other officers.

The cargo bay doors opened again, and a Conroy entered with three other security officers. “Report.” He said as the other officers began to scan the area.

“There was blood here on the floor. We found her in the container; she is breathing but barely.”

Conroy walked over to her and glanced down, “Shit,” he muttered as he pressed his communicator, “Conroy to sickbay emergency site to site transport one to beam… energize.” The ensign vanished, and Richards stood back up and faced his chief. “Conroy to Bridge.” As he awaited a reply, he looked at the officer beside him, “Lock this deck down; let security central know we have an issue for all personnel to stand by and await further orders.

“What’s going on, Mr. Conroy?” The captain asked.

“We have an assault in cargo bay 2.”

“I trust you know what to do. I am dispatching medical to your location.”

“Acknowledged, ma’am; I recommend we go to yellow alert and enact enhanced security protocols.”

“Sir, over here.”

He rushed over to see a box with wires attached to a conduit. The panel had been pried open. “

“Secure this area; get the investigator and engineering here ASAP.”

“Yes, sir,” the officer said.

He turned and walked out of the bay into the turbo lift. “bridge,” he called out. The doors closed and reopened moments later.

Rebecca was standing over the shoulder of an ensign sitting at operations. Turning to face the security chief, “Report.”

“Security patrol found an officer, unconscious but alive, inside cargo bay 2.” He said while approaching the tactical station and entering some information. “Deck 11 is on lockdown; an investigation team has been dispatched.” He paused as he began to access communication logs. “There appears to be no unauthorized communication; we did find a damaged panel in the cargo bay. No sensitive systems, but an unknown tech was positively identified. I have requested assistance from engineering.”

Turbolift Deck 11

Security investigator Xara took a confident step forward as the turbo-lift doors opened; she looked around as security officers and engineering technicians scrambled about. She had an eerie feeling and felt a dim atmosphere in the corridor as she walked towards the cargo bay. Her mission was twofold: to investigate the apparent assault of one of her fellow crew and the suspected sabotage of critical systems.

Xara adjusted her uniform and pressed her communicator, “CPO Xara to security, I have arrived at cargo bay two; I am beginning my investigation,” she announced.

“Copy that, chief,” came the reply from LT(JG) Reyes, who was currently at the watch desk. “Proceed with caution; we need this resolved swiftly.”

Xara nodded; she knew the threat was real, and time was of the essence. She approached cargo bay 2; she noticed a flickering overhead light that cast a spooky shadow that danced on the metallic walls. The cargo bay doors slide open with a hiss, revealing a chaotic scene. She began her investigation meticulously examining the bay for signs of a struggle and tampering outside of what was already reported. She found traces of a scuffle near the rear containers, indicating a violent confrontation had taken place there. She collected evidence in hopes of identifying the assailant. As she worked, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation. All of these were ominous signs of potential trouble brewing.

The better part of an hour had passed since she had arrived in the cargo bay; with the evidence she had collected and the interviews with the officers who found the scene, she had enough to piece together a preliminary report. The evidence pointed to an inside job. Someone with knowledge of ship systems and a possible understanding of sensitive cargo. “Computer, locate the CoS.” The computer chimed and, after a moment, informed her that he was in his office. Xara looked around one last time and collected her things.

Security Complex

At the security complex, CPO Xara entered Lieutenant Conroy’s office carrying a stack of data pads containing her findings. The office was filled with screens displaying data feeds from across the ship. The room was dimly lit, but the fluorescent lights from the screen were bright. Lieutenant Conroy was sitting behind his desk, and Lieutenant Reyes, the shift watch officer, stood nearby reviewing reports.

Xara saluted, placed the data pads on the desk, and stepped back. “Sir, I’ve complied preliminary reports regarding the incident in the cargo bay.

Conroy nodded and motioned for her to continue. “Please, investigator, share your findings.”

She cleared her throat and then began to outline the essential details of her investigation so far. Lieutenant Conroy and Reyes listened intently while reviewing the data on the pads.

“I see the entry logs for cargo bay 2 were still intact. There is no mention of a suspected assailant.” Reyes said, cutting her off.”

“Yes, sir, I cannot explain that now.”

Conroy leaned forward, concern and distress in his eyes. He quickly looked over at Reyes.

“Sir, you don’t think…”

“I’m not sure,” he said, cutting him off, “but this is troubling and without proper explanation. We won’t start making assumptions.” He paused and stood; thank you, chief, keep me updated on your progress. Lt, I need you to implement enhanced protocols immediately. Run a background check on anyone accessing that cargo bay in the last 4 hours. Chief, I will require you to interview them when complete.” He handed the chief a data pad and adjusted his uniform as he walked around his desk and exited his office.