Unexpected Dilemma

Posted on Wed 3rd Apr, 2013 @ 3:05pm by Captain Eee-eee-rie--eeee-eek Nightingale D.Sc

1,262 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Science Office

"Computer, pull up the file Ensign Wilma Ryder filed on the Forensic items found, and tagged, in Section 49 Alpha." Nightingale said, with a wince. She'd filed every other piece of paperwork, before coming to this last bit.

"Error: You are unauthorized to access this file." The computer noted.

"I'll think you find, Computer, that I'm listed as the Chief Science Officer, and it was filed, by one of my subordinates, for review, and authorization to be transferred to Colonel Drake." Nightingale said, instantly glaring at the computer terminal on her desk, even though it was only remotely connected to the obnoxious feminine voice assaulting her translator.

"Error: You are unauthorized to access this file." The computer noted again.

Nightingale threw something at the door.

The door, sensing something moving towards it, opened.

The item, a flower vase, filled with Earth Daffodils, which, for some obscure reason William had deemed fit to deposit on her desk this morning, promptly smacked the Chief Warrant Officer about to enter her office, for her first day of work as Captain Nightingale's assistant, in the face.

"Oh bloody hell. This day is going to get worse. Assault charges." Nightingale said, with a wince.

"Oh, no ma'am. That's quite alright." The woman, of a race Nightingale hadn't come across yet, said. "You'll find most Cardassians to be rather thick skinned, and while I'm only half Cardassian, I still get the awkward looks, and the itchy scales. Especially when I wear the earring."

"Ah. My apologies, Miss." Nightingale said. "How can I help you?"

"Well, you can refrain from further assaults of flying objects, to begin." The woman said, jokingly.

"I was pretty sure that was obvious." Nightingale said.

"Actually, ma'am, I'm here because I've been assigned as your assistant." The woman noted. "Chief Warrant Officer Korr'ha Kel, at your service. Though it'd be greatly appreciated if you just called me Kel. Everyone butchers my surname."

"Hah. You think you got it bad, kid?" Nightingale said, nearly choking on the very water her environmental suit generated for her to breathe, with laughter. "Give mine a go. I dare you."

"If it is all the same, ma'am, I've read your file, and wouldn't want to sprain my vocal chords." Kel noted.

"Brilliant. You've got a brain in your head. I like those kind of people. Not like Security Officers." Nightingale said.

"Ma'am, don't you think that's a bit... harsh?" Kel asked.

"Hey, when you're in the Marines for a while, or a Scientist for a few centuries, you start to hate the bumbling Security buffoons. Thankfully, the ones I've met on this Starbase actually have an understanding of a great many things, surprisingly. There wasn't a single paperwork mess-up on the Forensics from 49-Alpha. Though, I can't access the Forensics Summary, or the energy scans, for some reason." Nightingale said.

"Oh?" Kel asked. She tapped a few commands on her PADD, and frowned, when it broadly shouted "UNAUTHORIZED FOR ACCESS."

"Well, that's rude." Kel said to it.

"Hence why I threw a flower vase." Nightingale said, with a nod.

"Well, I presume that you would at least be able to find out who locked it." Kel said.

"Computer, who disabled access to this file?" Nightingale asked.

"Error: File does not exist." The computer noted.

"Oh. This is fixable." Kel said. She sat down at the desk. "Yes. It appears that we've got some kind of a memory worm in our Science Databases. There are files missing. Other files have really weird permissions folders on them."

"Great. First, I hear from one of my old friends, that some Ferengi Eee-reek-vassshhhh-na stole our work on Trans-spatial vortex generation, and now some idiot is hacking my science database, so I can't even send her any information on the subject, without putting the Aurora's systems at risk." Nightingale said. "I've got to go inform Colonel Drake. Would you-"

"Mind getting Engineering to straighten out this mischief? Not at all. Sign this form, and this form, please ma'am." Kel noted.

Nightingale read them, nodded, and signed, appropriately.

"Great. Thanks." Kel said, as she left.

As Nightingale began to exit, Kel returned to her. Or... well, it looked kind of like Kel, except she had very clearly recently been sleeping.

"Oh, Ma'am, I'm sorry to be late, I'm Chief Warrant Officer-"

"Korr'ha." Nightingale said. "I just gave you the authorization forms to get the computer systems sorted out, did I not? Literally minutes ago?"

"No, ma'am. I woke up about 20 minutes ago. I was supposed to be here 20 minutes ago, but last night was somewhat foggy. I think someone slipped something in my drink..." Korr'ha said, holding her head.

Nightingale nodded to the console at the Assistant's. "Pull up the Forensics, Spatial Anomaly, and Energy Readings reports for the 49-Alpha case on that thing, please."

"Of course ma'am. Would you like a portable copy?" Korr'ha asked.

"Please." Nightingale said.

"That's odd. It says that this was downloaded 3 minutes ago." Korr'ha said. "By me?"

"With me. Bring that." Nightingale said, with a very angry look on her face.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry I'm late. Please don't-"

"Chief Warrant Officer, calm down. I'm not angry that you are late. I'm angry that I didn't think to verify that you were you, before I authorized you to access semi-classified information, pertinent to an ongoing investigation. Until Colonel Drake says otherwise, according to Regulations, I'm relieved of duty. You are to escort me to his office, and we will explain what happened to him there. Also, notify Ensign... What's his name? Kid, in Botany. Only one I've met so far."

"Ensign Jimmy Devon, ma'am? He's the only male assigned to Botany. Also, the only Ensign. Most of the others are Chief Warrant Officers." Kel said, after reviewing her PADD.

"Does anyone outrank him?" Nightingale asked.

"Well, technically Lieutenant Junior Grade T'vik does." Kel said.

"Technically?" Nightingale asked.

"Well, it's just that... I've worked with her before... she's a bit... OCD, and it's midway through her sleeping pattern right now. Believe me, you don't wake theoretical physicists from their sleeping pattern." Kel said, with a wince.

"Ah. Fine. Tell Ensign Devon to cover shop while I'm gone." Nightingale said.

"Ma'am, there are 19 Ensigns that are qualified to lead the Science Department in your absence, and Ensign Devon is not among them." Kel said.

"Oh? Really? Because He's the only one I've met so far, as everyone seems to be actively avoiding me, after that incident where I nearly decapitated the new Forensics girl for vomiting on my suit." Nightingale said. "And I don't trust people I don't know with my job. If you won't call him up here, I will."

She tapped her comm-badge. "Captain Nightingale to Ensign Devon, you're temporarily Acting Chief Science Officer, until Colonel Drake clears me for resumed duty. When Ms. Kel is finished in the Colonel's ready room, you may enlist her services, for assistance."

"I'm sorry, wh-" The male voice stammered on the other end.

"Nightingale out." Nightingale said, without bothering to clarify.

She wasn't looking forward to telling Colonel Drake that on her fifth day on the job, she may have compromised the security of an active investigation.

But, if she had her suspicions right, about how this came to be, Colonel Drake probably wouldn't have been surprised to learn of it.

------------------------------------------

(Marine) Captain "Songfish" Nightingale, D.Sc
Chief Science Officer
SB Protector

Chief Warrant Officer Korr'ha Kel
Doctor Nightingale's Assistant

With a brief comm-visit by Ensign Jimmy Devon
Chief Botanist
SB Protector

 

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