trans_9 | Department Meeting [Mainly for Security, but OPEN to everyone]

Entry tags:

Department Meeting [Mainly for Security, but OPEN to everyone]

Leon had called for a full staff meeting for the Security team, though it was also open to whoever else wanted to attend. He had gone easy on his group since the Bridge mission, mostly giving them time to rest, recover, and deal with the things they've all been told. But now it was time to start moving forward again.

The meeting was being held in the Precinct, in one of the larger conference rooms. He gave time for people to file in and sit down where they would. Once everyone was settled, he addressed the group.

"First of all, thank you all for coming. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Special Agent Leon S. Kennedy, from the United States Strategic Command, and current Chief of Security here about Transmigration 9.

"A couple of weeks ago, we all learned some startling information. That our worlds were gone, destroyed by the Ohm, and we're all that remains. That we've been chosen to travel across the multiverse to fight the Ohm, save what remains, and possibly restore what was lost.

"All of that may or may not be true, and we have people working to verify that one way or another. The only thing we know for sure is that, unfortunately, we're all stuck here for a while.

"Because of that, there'll be a few changes around here, most of which you'll hear straight from the Captain and the Commanding Officers in the coming days. As for this department in specific...

"Security was formed with the intent to be the first line of defense for this crew; to protect them from any threats on this ship, and sometimes to protect them from each other. That hasn't changed, and never will. How we operate is going to change, however.

"For the most part, we've taken a defensive posture, waiting for something to go wrong before we deal with it. But a Fix on Fail strategy isn't going to work anymore. Now, before you get started, no, we are not going to start hunting down and locking up crew members who may be a problem someday maybe." He wanted to be clear on that point, particularly with a crew as prone to kneejerk reactions as this one. "But, acid spitting roaches, one of which was crossbred with an Ohm; a variety of class 4 viral and biological weapons, all gathered in a failed experiment to create a biological weapon to annihilate the Ohm; the Nightmare King trapped in Escherville; HAL 9000; the Yeerks... these are all threats that originated on board. Things that were left behind when the previous crew abandoned ship.

"We need to find out what else they left behind; what other experiments they had going that have been left unattended for God knows how long. To that end, we need to root through every section of this ship, search it from stem to stern to locate and deal with these problems. We'll also be working with Engineering and Neuropathy to locate threats and malicious programs in the computer systems.

"In addition, we're also going to be expanding our duties to become a full blown Emergency Services Unit. We have to be able to deal with everything from heated arguments and hazmat spills to heart attacks and hull breaches. Some people here would be better suited for certain tasks than others, but everyone will crosstrained in a number of disciplines. I don't want to be caught short handed because we only had a few people trained to handle, say, hazmat spills, happened to be on an away mission, or were busy running through a maze, looking for cake.

"As for dealing with the crew themselves, Stacy has generally handled that, but we do have a bit more leeway now. We can interfere physically in conflicts between crew members without worrying about violations, provided you're not using excessive force. If you feel the behavior of a crew member has warranted something more than just a violation, you can haul them down to the brig where they can sit and cool off for a day or two, and any other additional penalties will be handed down by senior command, if necessary." Because that whole trial thing worked out ever so well last time.

"We have a lot of work to do, people. None of us want to be stuck here, but so long as we are, we need to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible."

((OOC: Beneath the two subthreads, people are free to talk to each other and free thread however they wish.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He wouldn't suck at it, but she wouldn't be learning her numbers the whole time. She might develop a strong moral compass, but it would be along the lines of "killing in the heat of battle is one thing . . ."

Goliath looks at the couch and considers remaining standing - he has a tail, after all, and seats designed for humans are not always comfortable for him - but this is Leon's territory and to tower over him during a conversation would be rude. He takes his seat, wings folded over his chest.

"I did not arrive here through the pods as humans do. My kind turn to stone during the day, but can be locked in stone sleep with sorcery. The Daligig must have taken advantage of this, because I awoke in the Statuary. I have already searched it for my clan, but could not find them."

He reaches into a pouch on his belt and pulls out a few tattered Polaroids, the only items in his possession that the Daligig saw fit to leave him in the Weapons and Possessions locker - fair enough, as he owns nothing else.

"Captain Picard has asked Stacy to monitor the Statuary, and he suggested I give you their descriptions." He offers the pictures to the Chief of Security.

To be fair, Leon is already teaching her along those very same lines.

Leon took the Polaroids and looked them over. After a moment, he pulled out his omnicomm and scanned the images in. This way he could have copies, and let Goliath hold on to the originals.

"I can't recall seeing them, but I'll keep an eye out for them. What are their names?"

He takes the photos back - mostly shots from Halloween, when Elisa gave the trio a gift of a disposable camera and license to use it freely. The clan thought it only fair to give her half of them afterward, but they had kept enough for themselves.

He taps the photos as he names the individuals in them, their costumes doing little to hide their inhumanity. "Brooklyn." A reddish-colored, white-haired gargoyle with the appearance of a lanky youth about him. "Broadway." A robust blue gargoyle, hairless like the next member of his clan. "Lexington."

He sorts through the pictures again. A few more shots of the trio, some costumed humans, including Goliath and a woman in a yellow ballgown that may or may not be familiar to Leon. He comes to a stop at a photograph of the one gargoyle who didn't partake of the Halloween festivities, an older male glaring at the holder of the camera from a recliner. "Hudson, my mentor."

He's missing the picture just following this one, where the flash from the camera startled Hudson nearly out of the recliner, but the memory arises anyway. He smiles, thoughts of his family overtaking the turmoil he feels over having perhaps, perhaps not, lost them.

When he pulls his thoughts back to Leon, and the reason for his visit, the perpetual grimness of his expression resumes, overshadowing the clear love he feels for his family, and his sadness at not having them with him. "I have no photographs of my daughter, Angela, or of the rest of my clan's children."

The sight of Gargoyles dressing up in costumes was amusing in and of itself, though outside of a slight smile, his expression remained relatively neutral.

"Most of your clan is named after the New York City area? Or is that the other way around?"

"In the tenth century, when I and my clan were hatched, gargoyles took no names. My companions named themselves at the start of our new life in 20th century Manhattan." Lest Leon think that Goliath chose his name, with its less than flattering origin, himself, he adds, "I was named in the 10th century, by the humans whose castle we guarded."

Which brings him to his next point. He pauses, inhaling deeply.

"I have protected humans all my life, but not with them. Not in the sense of being part of a guard or police force not composed of my own kind. But the nature of a gargoyle is to protect, and I -"

Thus far, these humans have been receptive to him. Thus far, he has no reason to believe this human will not. Still, he pauses, because this is pain at the heart of pain, for his kind - for him. Loneliness can be endured. Purpose can be found. But to have one without the other is a fate worse than oblivion. And oblivion, now, is not his option.

"I have nothing. No family. No kin. If you would not deny me the right to my own nature, then I will give my life in defense of this crew. These people are strangers, but they are all I have."

"Well, as you've probably noticed by now, its not just humans here. Werewolves, cyborgs, elves, mutants, aliens, androids... you may have been out of place before, but you're hardly the strangest one here." Not to mention being on a ship made of meat. Everything seemed less weird in comparison to that alone.

A bit of perspective there.

"Now, since you haven't really worked with people before, that's probably going to mean some adjustments, on both our parts. But if you're willing to adjust, then I'd be glad to have you as part of Security."

"My 'strangeness' has not hampered my progress here." Dryly, he exhales. He has been unclear. "My world has many wonders. These did not stop your 'people' from fearing mine to a genocidal degree."

Goliath's perspective at work.

"But as prejudice is a powerful tool, so is acceptance. I have called many humans friend, who accept my kind, and worked with them - it is their organizations, their clans, that have been less open. I would like to know what adjustments will be expected of me before agreeing to them."

If there's a uniform, he's not wearing it.

Goliath will wear a pulsing plantsuit uniform and HE WILL LIKE IT SOLDIER. :|

Or not. One of the two.

"Nothing major, most of it will be the same kind of adjustments most people who haven't been in a police or military organization will have to make. Namely, taking orders from me, as well as from the senior command. We aren't overbearing and won't bother legislating what you do every second of every day, but when an order is given, I expect it to be followed to the best of your ability.

"It's fairly straight forward, but a lot of people who are used to making their own rules tend to have trouble with someone else suddenly calling the shots. That's probably the biggest thing."

Yeah, gonna stick with the loincloth, kthx. It doesn't feel eerily like it's groping him.

And predictably, here is where the opportunity for conflict arises. It has been a while since Goliath was the one following orders, not giving them, and Leon is no Hudson. Goliath doesn't really know who Leon is at all, truth be told.

"This will depend on the orders you give," he says, after some thought. "The Gargoyle Way is not the Human Way, but our leaders are chosen for their deeds in battle as well as their wisdom accumulated over their lives. We do not have that luxury here, but in good conscience, I cannot declare submission to a leader I do not know yet."

This is the usual misunderstanding that happens when it comes to something as structured as this. He almost rolled his eyes, but instead gave Goliath something of an amused look.

Well, as amused as a guy whose facial expression is still :| can look.

"I'm not asking you to declare submission to me or anyone. You aren't my slave or servant, neither is anyone under my command. But I am asking you acknowledge and respect the chain of Command. Everyone who is in a position of authority is there because of a combination of skill, knowledge, experience, hard work, and most importantly, their willingness to put the interests and safety of the crew ahead of their own.

"I don't expect you to hop around in a circle because I told you to. And I have this job in large part because I would never give you such a petty and demeaning order to begin with." In other words, Leon was Chief of Security for a damn good reason. And if he gave you an order, it was also for a damn good reason.

"I realize that it'll take time to earn your respect and trust. But, if you want to be part of this, then you have to at least respect the people who out rank me, the ones who gave me this position, and trust in their wisdom that I'm the best person for this job."

He is matched lineface for lineface. "This is not about my dignity."

As if you could do anything about that, ~~puny human~~ Leon.

"I would like to believe you are all leaders of honor and capability. I hope that you are. But I have been deceived to many times to give my trust based on hope. When I know the chain of command better, I will know whether or not I can, in good conscience, assume a part in your system. But that is an answer I cannot give you yet."

You can blame Xanatos, Leon. A puppet to anyone's schemes is still a puppet, regardless of ignorance. Goliath will not take that risk.

Leon considered that for a moment.

"I can understand your hesitation, but at the same time..." He paused for a moment, and came at this from a different angle. "Okay, imagine for a moment that I came to you and I said that I wanted to join your clan, despite being a human, and help protect the castle, but also said that I don't entirely trust your leadership." He gave Goliath a moment to consider that. "It likely wouldn't make for a smooth working relationship.

"I don't doubt your sincerity, and I don't want to turn you away. But it's my job to give orders, and as much as you have to trust that I'm giving the right orders, I have to trust that you'll follow them. If either one of us doubts or hesitates, lives could be lost. We have to put our faith in each other, otherwise the system doesn't quite work."

The analogy is flawed. Goliath cannot help but point it out before moving to the point

"My race has been all but eliminated by humankind," he says, with surprising gentleness. Leon is not to blame for any gargoyle massacre, and Goliath has no desire to make him guilty for it. "You would be free not to trust my leadership to your heart's content, because until fate had conspired to prove in action to both you and my clan that we could place our lives with no hesitation in your hands, it would not be a possibility that you could join a gargoyle clan. Our clans are not units to be employed by. They are families. They are the units by which we survive, not merely by which we protect. As such, even the youngest, most inexperienced gargoyle has the right to challenge his leaders' decisions, if he thinks they are not being made with the best interests of the clan in mind. Or even if he is simply young and foolish, and needs to be taught to be less foolish so that he may live to old age.

"I say this, because I want you to understand that I know, and respect, that there are differences between your ways and mine. I cannot expect you to alter your unit to fit the ways of my race, but no more can I adopt your ways without question as perhaps a human, living his life as a human has, would be able to."

He stands, his own decision made. "I do not say this to be contrary for the sake of conflict. It is beneath my honor to mislead you through ignorance by saying that I will follow your orders, only to find, later, that I can not. For the present, I ask a compromise - that you consider me a possibility for your unit, but understand that I cannot pledge my loyalty to your authority until I know who you are."

Leon didn't take offense. They were, quite literally, from different worlds. He was learning how to be more diplomatic in dealing with that. It helped that Goliath was also keeping a cool and level head.

The conversation was a learning experience, at least.

Leon stood, considering the compromise. It wasn't unreasonable. They'd both have to keep an open mind.

"I can work with that." He held out his hand for Goliath to shake. "I appreciate your honesty in this matter. And your maturity." It spoke well of him.

"And I yours." The same could be said of Leon. It was a good step, for a first one.

He takes the human's hand. His grip is firm, but not crushing. Goliath knows his strength.

"I will be around. Thank you for your time."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Department Meeting [Mainly for Security, but OPEN to everyone]

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private

Re: In Private