Preparations

Having finished his work with what was now the Strategic Operations console on the bridge, and locking it with his command code, Jureth returned to the Polaris and stood alone now on the bridge of his ship. "My ship," he said aloud to the empty bridge. The Polaris wasn't really his he supposed, but according to Captain Kheren she was, and he could tell from the Andorian's tone that he expected Jureth to act as if the ship was his, and he intended to starting now.

"Computer, activate internal sensors, and begin security sweep. Identify any unauthorized substance, weapon or unauthorized persons aboard USS Polaris. Continue internal sensor sweeps every hour unless otherwise directed by command personnel. Report results via link with USS Horizon main computer." 

"Internal sensor scans started." the ship's computer confirmed  in the Starfleet standard pleasant female voice

Jureth nodded in approval and went  to his PADD and the checklist he had created for the items he wanted to be in place aboard the Polaris. He then sat down at the ship's tactical console and began inputting several commands matching the Polaris security procedures to those of her mother ship the Horizon. It took him several minutes of modifying standard protocols and changing several access lists to preclude anyone but the necessary personnel from accessing certain areas of the ship. As he was finishing he heard the turbolift doors open and saw a familiar face step out onto the bridge.

"Lieutenant T'Lana, it's good to see you again." he said with a smile

"Greetings Commander," the vulcan woman replied "I am reporting for duty, though I admit I expected that Lieutenant Steele to be serving as your chief assistant."

"And she might have," Jureth admitted "but she has accepted a chief of security position aboard the USS Celestial, an Excalibur class cruiser."

"I see, it is..unexpected that she would not be with you."

Jureth nodded "it is, but she had to do what was best for her career."

"and logic would dictate that the chief of security position would better serve her advancement."

"Yes,"

"Very well, is there anything that you require of me Sir?"

" I have set up an auxiliary console on the bridge for our use, I'd like you to take a look at it and see if there is any other data you think we could use. Then I'd like you to see about a duty rotation for myself, you, and Lieutenant Commander Yiral. As we are the most senior strategic operations officers I want one of us on the bridge at all times."

"Understood Sir." T'Lana noted that there was something different about the Bajoran as they spoke. At first she struggled to ascertain what it was, but a closer study of his facial features made it clear. "Commander, may I ask you a...personal question?"

"Fire away."

"I cannot help but notice that your scar is gone."

Jureth smiled, the observant Vulcan was correct. The scar that had been by his left eye, the direct result of a bar fight with a Cardassian, he had regenerated after the conclusion of Operation Horizon. Previously the deformity had served to remind him of the stupidity that his own arrogance,and temper could produce, but after commanding the Alsea, and all the other events that went on during the operation had changed Jureth's outlook and he felt that he no longer need the physical reminder of his own actions.

"You're right, I had it regenerated after Operation Horizon. Starbase Ten has a fine medical staff, and I decided that I no longer needed a physical reminder of my past actions."

"I see...though I am not quite sure I understand."

"Perhaps we can discuss it further another time."

"that would be...agreeable."

As they were finishing conversation the turbolift opened again and revealed the combat fatigues of the Horizon's MACO commander Major MacGregor, and the dark skinned Marine who had been part of the group Jureth had met aboard the starbase.

"Commander Oseno, ye wanted to see me Sir?"

"That I did Major. Major Duncan MacGregor, Lieutenant T'lana, my second in command."

"A pleasure Lieutenant, and this is my second in command Captain Kevin Reese." MacGregor said with a smile.

T'lana raised an eyebrow "I was not aware that we would have Marines aboard the Horizon."

Jureth nodded "they are here to support our operations, and augment the ship's security team if needed."

"Fascinating...if you will excuse me Sir.." 

"Go ahead T'lana, I'll see you later."

"Aye Sir,"

T'lana turned and exited via the turbolift leaving Jureth alone with MacGregor."

"How do you like the ship Major?"

"She's huge Sir! If it weren't for the computer, I'd never find my way around!"

Jureth chuckled a bit "She is indeed huge. Tell me Major-"

"Call me Mac Sir, everyone does."

"Alright Mac, tell me what you and your men do aboard ship."

"Mostly we shoot Sir," MacGregor replied "lots of target practice, and physical training."

"I see, I'd like to add to that."

"What did ye have in mind?"

"I want you to secure this ship."

"This ship Sir? Isn't she secure enough?"

"No," Jureth replied "After the Horizon's Children infiltrated the Fleet so successfully I'm not taking any chances. I want you and your men to secure this ship when she's docked. Two Marines on each shift, and no one gets aboard until their identity is verified by tricorder."

"Not to be arguin Commander, but should ship's security be doing this?"

"No, they have enough to do. I want the people securing the Polaris to be directly under my command, and I know no one is getting by you and your team."

"Fair enough Sir," Mac said "I'll work up a rotation, turns out we're due to get a sixth man for the team so it'll  be a perfect rotation."

Jureth nodded, "Good, the only other direction I will give you is that you stagger your shifts so they are offset from the rest of the ship."

"So no one can hit us during a changeout," Kevin Reese said speaking for the first time

"Exactly Captain, that is how I ran my security department on the Alsea."

"It's a good plan Sir."

"Aye," Mac said in agreement "we'll get her locked down. I'll have Pierce and Kelly get their gear and get down here immediately."

Even as MacGregor made the statement Reese was nodding "I'm on it Sir." the younger man said and left the bridge quickly.

"Was that all Sir?" Mac asked

"That's it, and Major,"

"Mac" the Marine reminded gently

"Mac," Jureth said with a nod "I'd like to train with you and your men some time."

The Marine smiled, he had already developed a measure of respect for the Bajoran Commander, simply from their first meeting, but this confirmed what MacGregor had already suspected; the Bajoran was anything but the typical Starfleet type.

"Any time Sir, we'd be happy to have ye."

The Major departed the space, and Jureth turned back toward the console noting that the computer was already reporting the first results from his security sweeps.

The inspection team entered the hanger the the chief security officer leading the way.

Sarah turned to her assistant and said "Chief secure the control and command areas and deploy the inspection teams to verify that the hanger systems all secure."

Aye sir.

Afer a quick few moments a young crewman approached her and quickly blurted out in a brisk manner "Ma`am their appears to be some armed guards next to the aux craft, their refusing to allow our inspection teams to secure the ship or the external command controls something about us not being authorised."

At this sarah looked a little startled, picking up her datapad she scans through the rosters of the ships departments and security arrangments not seeing an order for any marines.

"hmmmm, ok crewman lets go see what they are doing here"

With the crewman in toe sarah made her way out of the control room and down into the hanger, heading straight towards the two armed marines at the support escorts airlock.

As the cadre of Starfleet officers approached the two Marines, Master Sergeant Nicolas Pierce, a large intimidating human male and Gunnery Sergeant Autumn Kelly, a slim, but well toned human female tensed and each rested their hands on their phaser carbines. The two MACO soldiers were well trained and both knew their orders from Major MacGregor via Commander Oseno. Pierce being the senior officer waited until the group was within earshot and stopped them.

"Halt, stop and identify yourselves."

Taken a little aback by the tone in the marines voices Lieutenant Corcoran and the group halt a metre away from the marines.

" I would happen to be the chief security and tactical officer aboard the horizon and this is a security inspection team why exactly have you prevented my officers and crewmen from securing and inspection this ship and the hanger"

The security team arrays themselves around their chief with weapons still holstered as no one is was willing to push the situation further as they could see the marines had their hands on there rifles.

Chief warrant officer williams motioned to Lieutenant corcoran that the marines appeared to be holding phaser carbines.

"Well one question marines why are you both using and armed with phaser carbines while not making the chief of security aware they were taken out of an armoury and more importantly being armed on the flagship of the fleet when in spacedock, which may i add is in contrevention of numerous protocols and rules?"

Looking rather displeased Lieutenant Corcoran in a raised voice stated:

"Get me your commanding officer here right now"

Both Marines has snapped to attention recognizing of the presence of a senior officer, but neither relaxed their posture. Pierce had dealt with Starfleet officers his entire career having gone from being an enlisted security team member to volunteering for the MACO training when Starfleet reinstated the program. Rather than reacting harshly to the woman's demands Pierce knew that while officers were demanding, especially security officers, they were also reasonable, and so he spoke calmly and evenly.

"I can answer your questions....Lieutenant," he said checking her rank "But I need to verify you are who you claim."

He motioned to the female Marine beside him and she produced a tricorder and swept it back and forth over the group.

"Confirmed Master Sergeant," she said after a moment "Lieutenant junior grade Corcoran, Chief of Security."

Pierce nodded "I apologize Ma'am, our orders come from Commander Oseno, and if you'll check you'll find our gear was registered with the Starbase and transferred with us under my care as our squad's weapon master. As for why we're here, I'm afraid you'd have to speak to the Commander. I can contact him if you like, but I can't allow you aboard without his authorization as we weren't notified you were coming....orders," Pierce repeated the fact that they had their own orders hoping the young officer would appreciate that the two Marines were only doing as they were told, and trying to calm her ire at the same time.

"I understand that you have your orders Master Sergeant and i shall contact Commander Oseno  shortly. At the moment though there are bigger issues for instance your apparant lack of informing shipboard security you were bringing weapons onboard. Which may i point out must be registered and catalogued and secured in the ships armouries. In which case these firearms were not, otherwise i would have seen the transfer request and logs relating to the events."

Lieutenant Corcoran takes a breath and looks at her datapad and calls for a security team to join the inspection team in the hanger.

"Now it is clear to me that you are dedicated to your duties and as such i will not place anymore undue stress upon you but, i have to request you turn over your phaser carbines and any other weapons you currently have in your possession. For the time being you will be issued with standard shipboard phase pistols from one of the security armouries on this deck. This is not a suggestion either its an order."

The security team arrives in the hanger and arrays themself into the standard gamma pattern, involving the securing of both exits and the control room.

" These officers will take temporary possesion of your weapons so they can be properly be logged aboard in the main security complex, I do hope you wont have a problem with this will you Master Sergeant?"

Pierce was slightly startled by the security officer's reaction, now she was being unreasonable and he hadn't planned on that. This wasn't going to end well he knew because Marines were trained to never surrender their weapons. His response was the only he could make, he tapped his combage.

"Master Sergeant Pierce to Commander Oseno."

Jureth was sitting in the ready room aboard the Polaris when the call from Pierce came in. The former security officer could immediately detect the stress in the Marine's voice.

"Oseno here, what's wrong Pierce?"

"Sir, you better get out here...we have a problem."

"Oh hell," Jureth muttered under his breath "I'm on my way Pierce, Oseno out."

Jureth practically leapt from the ready room door to the turbolift and road it down to the where the Polaris's boarding hatch was. As he stepped through the hatch he took in the scene arrayed before him. Master Sergeant Pierce, and Gunny Sergeant Kelly were standing on either side of the hatch and in front of them were what appeared to be a platoon of Starfleet security officers. It took Oseno all of two seconds to figure out what was going on.

"By the Prophets," he said aloud as looked over the array of people he found the one that was wearing the most rank pips and approached her "Lieutenant, I am Commander Oseno Jureth, Chief of Strategic Operations, and Second Officer of the Horizon. The Marines are here on my orders...stand down immediately."

"Unfortunatly sir i cant have me team stand down unless the proper protocols are carried out."

Lieutenant Corcoran stood defiantly before the commander.

"Your marines have brought unregistered heavy weapons and sidearms onaboard the flagship without clearing them with shipboard security, as you may know that is a breach of quite a number of regulations."

Holding up a datapad.

"If though you would be willing to sign this datapad to confirm you take full responsibility if any accidents happen with those weapons or god knows one is used against any crewmen or visiting dignitaries. Also that you will be willing to store them in a designated armoury to be guarded by a joint team of your marines and security than that would be statisfactry. But as for security on board this vessel that is my department and i will not have any personnel that do not allow a simple inspection team to carry out their duties or that question the security chief. God forbid if there was a problem and it caused any damage or issues with the horizon as we would all be for it when the captain found out."

Lieutenant stares at the commander awaiting a response.

"Lieutenant," Oseno replied with a sigh "I was the Chief of Security on two vessels including the former flagship of Lotus Fleet, you do not need to lecture me about protocol." He extracted his personal PADD and entered several commands "I simply hadn't had a chance to transfer the proper paperwork to the Horizon's main computer, negligent of me, perhaps, but a court martial offense...not quite.  Now, if you'll check again you'll see I just transferred the proper paperwork from my PADD,  to the main computer which authorizes the transfer of the MACO equipment from Starbase Lotus and designating it for assignment to Horizon, and the Polaris. Second as for accidents...Master Sergeant, your weapon."

"Aye Sir," Pierce said handing the carbine to Jureth who rather dramatically pointed it toward the one of the bulkheads and fired...but nothing happened. "These weapons are equipped with the latest in Starfleet biometric weapon security protocols. They cannot be fired anyone but the registered user." he handed the weapon back to Pierce. "Finally...I agree, the security department aboard the Horizon is your territory and you are free to run it as you see fit...however, this" he gestured to the Polaris "is my ship, and I am her commanding officer, and I secured her as I deemed necessary, and the Marines did. their. job, end of story. Were you aware that Lotus Fleet recently had several incidents of sabotage by cultists masquerading as Starfleet officers? I know full well, my security officers captured one aboard the Alsea during the Azimuth Horizon incident. Were you also aware that there well established records of Undine infiltrators wreaking havoc within all the races of the Alpha Quadrant? Those two things alone were enough for me to implement verification procedures before anyone was allowed aboard the Polaris. Can you imagine what would happen if this ship were stolen? Her warp core is in the process of being fully online!"

Jureth could feel his face flushing as he spoke...was I this bad? he wondered. He took a breath trying to compose himself especially in front of a junior officer. "Now, then, if you wish to report my actions to the captain you are free to do so, and I will not hold anything against you if you do. In fact, I commend you and your team for being thorough and for handling well what you saw as a potentially dangerous situation. I apologize for the confusion Lieutenant and will take responsibility for it,  at the same time, however; unless Captain Kheren orders me otherwise, the MACO team will continue to guard the Polaris as long as she is docked and as long as she is under my command."

Lieutenant Corcoran couldnt help but smile. While checking the paperwork had been properly stored with the relevant details.

"Well commander the papers are now in order. As for the details of the past i have read the reports and i am amazed at how your team aboard the Alsea handled themselves in the situation not many would have come out the otherside so valiantly. As for the marines for now i will not push the issue further but to make you aware that once they leave this hanger and the polaris they are on my turf, the same goes for any other polaris crew so i must request the weapons are left behind as im sure they will not be needed onboard the horizon. To make sure of that the security office on this deck will run with a 4 officer team with 2 officers to guard the entrances to the hanger at all times, just to be on the safe side."

Placing the updated schedule on the padd she held, the lieutenant couldnt help but admire the marines dedication to their duties and the loyalty they showed to the commander.

"As everything stands sir the inspection team will still need to carry out their duty before the ships commissioning and departure, even if that means they have to be accompanied by a marine guard or not. We wouldnt, as i said before, want any surprises when we are out in space."

Oseno smiled as the young security chief dictated her terms on the weapons the Marines had brought aboard with them, thinking that he might have done much the same thing.

"Understood, Lieutenant, and I think I can solve the weapons issue permanently. Master Sergeant,"

"Sir?"

"When you are relieved by the next team, you are to lock your weapons in the Polaris armory. You are free to store your armor, and other gear in your quarters, but the armory officer will check your weapons in and check them out on each shift. I will give you each your own access code to the boarding hatch, but there will always be an engineer aboard as well as some security"

"Yes Sir,"

Jureth turned back to Corcoran "You are free to conduct your inspection Lieutenant. The Marines will remain here, but please don't disturb the engineers any more than necessary. The startup of a warp core is a delicate operation. Also, I've instructed the Polaris computer to run internal security sensor sweeps continuously. I can have the results reported to your office or personal PADD if you like. They are already going to the bridge, and my own PADD as well. Marines, as you were, oh, and Lieutenant...good work."

Jureth stepped back through the boarding hatch, now that the crisis was handled he had work left to do.