Joint Duty Log - LtCmdr Waterhouse & Ens Barnes - "I Perspire When We Tango"

Posted on Mon Dec 22nd, 2014 @ 9:13am by Commander Amelia Waterhouse & Ensign

1,383 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: All Hallows’

My first assignment, Rocky thought as she left the transporter room to report to the Executive Officer after learning the Chief of Intelligence wasn't available. While it wasn't unusual for an Assistant Chief to conduct a initial interview, that person hadn't been available, either. Looks like Intel is busy on this ship. I'll be flexing my fingers before I know it. Going to the turbolift, she requested the bridge and looked down at the small carryon that held a few holos of her family and a couple of personal items that she had been allowed to bring with her.

Exiting the turbolift, she came to attention on the deck of the bridge. "Ensign Barnes to report to Lieutenant Commander Waterhouse," she told a Yeoman.

"She's in her office, ma'am," the dark haired young man answered with a quick evaluatory look over the new face. "If you'll follow me." He started towards the office in question, trusting the Ensign to fall into step behind him, his eyes falling to his PADD as he walked.

"Thank you," she said. Following the young man, Rocky put her game face on and tried not to show her nervousness. Remember what you learned at Academy. Intel doesn't give away anything.

The yeoman didn't even slow down as he approached the office door, pressing the button to open it and walking in without looking up until he stood in front of the desk. He stood with his PADD clasped behind his back, waiting for the XO's attention. She was focused on her paperwork on the screen in front of her.

"What have I told you about entering without checking first, Cecil?" she chastised him, then looked up to see the Ensign behind him. Cecil bit back a smirk as Amelia shook her head. "Thank you, Yeoman," she added, shooting him a look.

"Good luck," he breathed at Ensign Barnes as he moved past her to leave. The doors slid shut behind him.

"Welcome aboard, Ensign," Amelia said, standing up. "Did everything go okay getting here?" She gestured to a chair in front of her desk, and smiled.

Setting her carryon down, Rocky took the offered seat. "Yes, Commander Waterhouse," she said. "It was a smooth trip, thank you."

"Glad to hear it," Amelia returned, sitting down again. "I apologize that Commander Archer wasn't available, but we both know how Intel is."

"Aye, Commander," Rocky said. "I'm looking forward to meeting him and learning how things actually go on a ship." She realized she was showing how green she was, but she had to be completely honest.

"Archer's a slippery one, so good luck with that," Amelia teased, biting back a smirk as she reflected on how she'd had to chase him across the ship when she arrived, and only caught up to him when he'd landed in the brig. "I'm sure you'll settle in quickly though, and Archer's a good Intel officer."

"I've taken the time to read up on as many officer bios as I could on the way here, Commander," Rocky said. "As for slippery, he wouldn't be Intel if he wasn't." She gave a grin before going serious again. "Being fresh out of the Academy, I'm eager to learn all that I can. What are the basic protocols that are in place on Vindicator?"

"Slippery is great for field work, I know it saved my bacon enough times... but tends to ruffle the feathers of the desk jockies and non-Intel. As for protocols, we're pretty standard. Is there anything in particular you're concerned about?"

Rocky thought about the question for a moment. "What types of missions is Vindicator usually sent on?"

"Diplomacy and Exploration, mostly, but the typical emergency response and whims of the brass occasionally come up too," Amelia answered, settling back into her chair and crossing her legs. "And occasionally we have to pull out a dog and pony show, since Vindicator is one of the fleet's best."

"What is typically expected of Intelligence other than the usual standard operating procedures?" Rocky asked, feeling more comfortable talking to the Commander.

"When you're not tied up with stuff for HQ, we'll occasionally borrow you to help with whatever is going on for the ship." Amelia reached out to tap the screen of her terminal, and pulled up Ensign Barnes record, and glanced to confirm she was remembering right. "You specialize in encryption?"

"That's correct, Commander," Rocky replied. "I'm up to date on the latest in Federation, Cardassian and Romulan encryption and decryption methods, as well as working on a thesis for a old form of encryption using a combination of old Terran methods."

"Which ones?" Amelia leaned forward, clasping her hands together on the desk. "I studied cryptography in the Acad, though most of my practical knowledge is stuff I could implement on the fly in the field..."

"SKC, PKC, ECB, CFB, OFB mixed together with DES," Catalina responded. "I realize it's a complete mishmash of different types of encryption, but to any enemies of the Federation who haven't studied ancient methods of Terran encryption, it'll be something that they've never seen before."

"While the methods themselves are sound, and I'm curious how you mix them, hoping for the lack of familiarity with the systems to provide a degree of protection is security by obscurity. I'm not a fan of that sort of thinking," Amelia observed with a frown. "I'd be curious to see your thesis though. Your choice if you want working feedback, or to just let me read the end results."

Catalina twitched inwardly at the Commander's words, but kept her face neutral. "Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. My overall goal is to mix the old with the new to create something which has never been seen before. With the various methods of encryption currently employed by both the Federation and enemies, I'm attempting to achieve that which can be integrated into current systems while defending against enemy decryption specialists."

"I'm looking forward to seeing what you have," Amelia grinned. "I've played with some blending of old and new, though mostly for personal curiosity, and had to improvise in the field more than a couple times. I'd love to see you be successful in this."

Rocky's mind flashed to the bit of info that she had read on the Executive Officer that she now sat in front of. PhD in Mathematics and Cryptography. It's time to fold before she eats you alive and spits your bones out. "I'd be more than happy for your input, Commander," she said graciously while hoping her bones wouldn't the subject of discussion among the Command staff later. "I'll submit my work to you when I have it assembled in a more coherent format." Such as something which may actually be feasible and intelligent enough to stand the test of an experienced officer in a field I'm just starting out in.

"Very good," Amelia said as she stood up and held out her hand. "Welcome aboard, Ensign. My door's always open if you need anything."

Coming to her feet, Catalina shook the offered hand. "Thank you, Commander. I look forward to speaking with you again soon." Did I just say that? Crap. Seize the day for tonight I die she thought to herself. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get my physical, quarters and begin learning the ship and meeting the crew." With that, she waited to be dismissed formally as she picked up her carryon.

"Dismissed," Amelia said with a sly smile. She had to give Barnes credit, keeping up the mask through that conversation. Amelia had been in much the same situation herself before, so if it wasn't the right of passage of up and coming officers to get checked like this by someone more experienced, she'd be tempted to commiserate with her about it.

Turning, Rocky gratefully exited the office and headed for Medical, hoping her experience there wasn't as grueling. Once in the turbolift, she allowed her mask to fall away and took a deep breath. "Barnes...you really need to step up your game. Computer, Medical."

=/\= End Log =/\=

Lt Commander Amelia Waterhouse
Executive Officer
USS Vindicator, NCC-78213-E

Ensign Catalina "Rocky" Barnes
Encryption Specialist
USS Vindicator

 

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