Trespassing
Posted on Wed Jul 31st, 2019 @ 11:08am by Major Cornelius Tremble & Ensign Hoa Nhi Nguyen
Edited on on Wed Aug 14th, 2019 @ 9:10pm
1,409 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 7 - Home Again
Location: The Morgue - Deck 9 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD005 2330 hrs
The Asian security officer was roaming around the ship getting to know it. She never been on an intrepid class before. She wondered on to the marine deck. She didn't know there were restricted areas for her. She stopped in front of a door that was sealed off. She stood on her toes to look through the small windows of the doors. She then saw the suits.
She looked around to see where the button was to open the door and then she saw a lock panel. She looked to it and then studied it closely. She then started to key in her security code. It beeped that her code wasn't valid. For a bunch of EV suits? She thought to herself. She thought a moment and then punched in Commander Myles' codes and the doors opened for her. "Wow, so department heads only huh?" She said to apparently no one, as there was no one around. She wasn't a hacker, but she had a keen observing eye. She walked in to the room to check on why the suits were so a secret to the rest of the crew.
She whistled when she saw their specs. "This is cool." Grabbed one of the helmets. "I can't wait to use one of these babies," She said amazed.
Neil had been attempting to sleep in his office, but that wasn't happening either. He hadn't wanted to go back to his quarters after his conversation with Cami and his office was about the place he knew to leave everything behind. He was surprised when an indicator flashed, telling him someone was accessing the Morgue.
Glancing at his desk screen, he was surprised again by the credentials used to access the newest addition to the Cure's armory. "I wonder what he's doing..."
Neil stood and let him self out of his office, walked through the Vault and then stopped in doorway to the Morgue. He had not expected to see a diminutive woman pawing through one of the Mark IV's.
He considered calling the corporal of the guard and throwing the Morgue into a Condition One lockdown, but instead he said. "Well Lieutenant Commander, you've changed. A lot."
Startled Nhi stoot up straight. "I didn't think anyone was up this late." She put the helmet down. She put her hands behind her back and stared at the floor. "Yea sorry, I was just curious, eh..sir. And I probably shouldn't have used the commander's security codes. I didn't break anything, I promise. Please don't tell the commander. It won't happen again, I promise." She then crossed her arms, still not looking at him."
"Really. You promise...what is that, an ensign pip or a pimple growing on that uniform?" Neil asked, moving forward to look over the trespasser. "Identify yourself, Ensign. For the record, I'm the Marine CO, Lieutenant Tremble, and you're in a 'No Loan Zone'. "
She kept staring at the floor. "I am Ensign Hoa Nhi Nguyen. I am the newest recruit, I just got on board this morning. S-sir!"
Neil folded his arms across his chest and stood regarding the dark haired woman, then murmured. "Well you're in luck, Ensign. They haven't installed the full weaponry into the Mark IV's...so, we don't have to shoot you. Brig you, or bust you back to Cadet."
Then he smiled ruefully. "So, I might as well give you the half credit tour. What do you think of them?" He said, gesturing to the suits as they stared back at them.
"They are awesome," She gestured to the suits as she was talking, "Are you kidding me? I have never...this...just...wow." She looked at them and sighed. "Well, let's look at the rest. Now I am actually glad you showed up, sir." She smiled. Then she looked serious at him with a prawned lip, "I won't break in again. I was just curious."
"Marines get all the best toys," Neil smiled at her. "And you don't have to break in. As a rule, we're giving guided tours through Marine Country, all you have to do is ask." He walked to a central table where one of the suit's arms was being worked on and inserted his arm into it. The armored piece buzzed and one of the coffin's lighted up, readouts began streaming and a set of vitals showed on the overhead display.
"Looks like I'm a alive, at least," he joked.
"Oh yes," Nhi said. "Anything else you got here?" She looked around curious. "And why is it that the Marines get all the best toys. Somehow I feel under appreciated as a security officer now."
Neil slid the armor off and the readouts died after a moment. "Lots of things that go boom and the like, but that's about it as far as the suits go until training is done."
"Marines get special toys because we're special," he said, smiling. "Besides, if you had these things, you'd be as unpopular as we are. They don't like us much until they need us. Then they can't wait until we leave. Kinda like having relatives visit."
Nhi wasn't really sure what that meant. She grew up in Vietnam, her family always went out of ways to welcome a relative back, especially if they have been away for a while.
"I was born in Vietnam, family is important to us." She smiled. "So if marines are family to starfleet, we should take care of you whenever you visit. And since I am visiting you now, should you take care of me. Is that not what you are doing right now?"
"After we decided you didn't need to be shot or tossed in the brig? Most definitely Ensign. So, we call this room the Morgue. Gesturing toward the suits hanging in their individual niches, he said, "And the suits, officially known as Marine Vertical Envelopment Enhanced Armored Suit, MARVEL-EAS Mark IV, or more simply the Mark IV's, are housed within powered niches that we refer to as coffins."
Over the next hour, Neil ran Nhi through the walking tour he'd more or less developed of the Cure's base of operations, from the Vault where the individual marines all had equipment cages down a long corridors, to the Snake Pit.
After having given Nhi the gist of it all, Neil chuckled at her. "So, any questions? We don't quite have the gift shop set up yet."
"Oh that is fine," She said. "You can buy me a gift as soon as it is up." She smiled to him. "How about we go for a little sparring in that marine gym of yours. I heard you marines think you got one over us security officer. I am not wanting to defend my honors, I just think its fun to duel a marine now and then." She was quiet a moment and then added, "Sir!"
Neil mentally sighed. Why was everyone wanting to kick his arse all of a sudden?
"Sparring sounds fine, Ensign. As soon as my schedule allows, we'll set something up. Just promise you'll take it easy on this old man?, he asked.
"Oh, and I thought I had to ask you to take it easy on me," Nhi giggled. "Marines can be so rough, with everything, or am I wrong, sir?" She winked playfully to him.
"Generally that's on a case by case basis, Ms. Nguyen. Personally, I'm gentle as a lamb, ask almost anyone. Right up until the point you're trying to kick my head in. And would you want me to be easy on you?" Neil asked, looking her over once again.
"I don't need to, the place is buzzing with gossip about you," She giggled. "Well, maybe I should go to bed. Unless there is some place else you want to show me, sir?"
Neil chuckled then. "Don't believe anything you hear, Ensign. But by all means, go find your rest. I think I've probably shown you enough for this evening."
Nhi winked. "See you around, sir." She walked off the deck with a grin.
He watched her walk away and shook his head, murmuring "Now why do I feel old?"
A Joint Post By
First Lieutenant Cornelius Tremble
Marine Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Hoa Nhi Nguyen
Security Officer, USS Pioneer
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