"Coming Together"

[Allen Armstrong 0]

Joint Log featuring Torate tr'Jeth Dabi and Allen Armstrong.

 

He stood still in front of the Main Security console that overlooked all three levels of the concourse. tr'Jeth Dabi had walked off the turbo lift and right over to Main Security and stopped dead ahead of it. He continued to read through the PADD of information that Commander Chirakis distributed to him. The musings of the new security officer were listed in chronological order.

 

Torate didn’t even look up when Allen cleared his throat; he just continued to read the duty logs from the last few days, out loud. “Stardate: 0604.09, … containment … quarantine of colonists … success…. Bean set up … area…” He paused for a moment before reading the next line, even though he’d already read through all of this prior. Torate slowed slightly as he read every word in this portion with his heavy Romulan accent, “’I took a double-shift in Main Security, familiarizing myself with the main security console and station security procedures.’” Turning his eyes towards Allen, and raising one of his high ridged brows, he questioned, “this is your duty log?”

 

Allen was quick to answer, "Yes, sir. You will find internal sensor and video logs attached." Standing straight, appearing confident, his expression did not tell his thoughts. Allen was worried that he had done something wrong, that his log was not comprehensive enough for his Romulan superior. As first meetings go, Allen feared that this one was off to a terrible start. "Also, sir" he began, "you will find a note on a particularly interesting video log from the fighter bay. It was my opinion, however, that the situation had resolved itself."

 

The tall Rihannsu looked Allen directly in the eyes, giving the terribly long pause the presence it deserved.

 

Eventually, he looked back down at the PADD and started speaking again, not very loud, but enough that Allen could over hear Torate’s sure voice. “There were applicants for security technician positions. You reviewed them?” Allen nodded once, maintaining his rigid posture, his jaw firmly set. “I did, sir” was his only reply.

 

tr'Jeth Dabi was being particularly quiet, watching Allen’s moves and responses so he could characterize this man that was hand picked. “Senior is a pilot, Bean a marksman, but Rutian has some nice weapons.” While some may have struggled understanding the chief of security's meaning, Allen was quick with what he believed to be the answer he was looking for. “Yes, she does seem to have extensive theoretical knowledge of several different weapon systems. She handles them quite well also.” Allen paused a moment to consider his next words. “I would certainly place her below the two other applicants, but she does have her strengths. Though, she does lack the ingenuity of the others. She did not perform well under the pressure of the last task.”

 

Torate just nodded with a, “Ie,” to Allen’s reply. He stepped back to the containment cells, noting two open doors where he had left the applicants. Security Techs Bean and Senior had escaped triumphantly, though both tore up the cells a bit. “Fix these cells so they cannot escape,” though his delivery wasn’t kind or flowery, the rough words spoken by the Daise’Security were just words to him, nothing that had to be kind or gentle.

 

He looked into the cell where Maple had been held. Rutian’s walls and cell were in the same condition as when he had left. Torate stepped outside the cell and called down the corridor, “Rutian, front and centre.”

 

Maple Rutian had napped after Torate ordered her release while he was still off the station. When Security Tech Senior released the field, she leapt to her feet and felt rather grateful that she was finally free of her bondage. Though she hadn’t been formally added as a security technician, she was hanging out in the small conference area, waiting to meet with tr'Jeth when he returned. She dreaded this moment when she knew she’d have to face him again. And now, she stood in front of the two Officers wondering her fate, not just the one she feared.

 

Torate looked her up and down, noting she looked well put together and rested, so clearly she had time to rest up and present … those long legs again. He knew her skills – he had made his decision, but he wasn’t ready to divulge. “Interrogation 2,” he said so quietly they both had to strain to hear. After it registered for her, she said, “Oh, of course, Sir,” and scooted into the interrogation room quickly. tr'Jeth Dabi’s eyes followed her legs until the door closed behind her.

 

As it closed, Torate turned to Allen, then paused. “Your opinion?” Allen, who had also followed her legs with his eyes, was a tad too quick with his response. "Excellent shape." He looked up quickly, the slight smile that had crept into his expression fading.

 

Torate knew exactly what he was speaking of and wanted to slip an elbow to him in comradery, but there was no way he was making nice with some lloann’na, this was work. “Interrogate her. Get evidence she did not try and escape as the others.” He opened up the door to the viewing room, nodded to Interrogation Room 2, and left Allen to his own devices.

 

 

 

Allen entered the room, looming large over the table across from Maple Rutian. He straightened his Starfleet uniform and stared at the woman for what felt, for her at least, like an eternity. He did not sit as he began: “You did attempt to escape from your cell.” Rutian looked down at the table, speechless. “On several occasions you begged to be released, even broke down into tears.” He watched closely, the young woman's body language. “Why did you not attempt to escape?”

 

 

 

Torate was standing with his hands clasped behind his back, watching through the glass, actually nodding in agreement with the way this Midshipman was handling things. His choice was solid and here was the proof.