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Risk Assessment

Posted on Wed Jun 14th, 2023 @ 5:21pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Commander Jörgen Leed & Chief Petty Officer Charles Stephens Jr.

1,193 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: Leed family quarters, Deck 6
Timeline: Day 2 of the boring 6 months

[ON]

Charles was not looking forward to this next assignment but it was better then the alternative that Jackson was taking care of. Charles had little interaction with the Lieutenant Commander and even less with his family. He figured it would be best to old the risk assessment in the family quarters to keep this less formal. Computer had said that Helle was in but he was unsure who else was home. He stood outside the door and hit the chime.

"Computer, stop music," said Helle. She froze in the bedroom, eyes wide, one arm holding up a 3D hanging model of a Crystalline Entity. After several breaths she let out a small, "Oh," and quickly backpedaled into the living room. "Come in."

As the door opened Charles strode into the room hoping to find a room full of Leeds but instead he saw Ms. Helle that he was here to run a risk assessment on. "Good Morning, I hope I am not intruding I am Chief Stephens with Intel. I was hoping we could have a quick chat and discuss some things."

"You're with Intel?" She brightened, her head craning to see around the man. "Is Lieutenant Jackson with you?"

"I am, and he is not. He is dealing with some other issues. It is a pleasure to meet you. You must be Helle." Charles offered his hand in greeting.

"Oh, ok," she said, slowly extending her hand. Stephens. The name rang a bell from stories she had heard. "Oh, you're the Chief of Boat. Sure, I'm not on duty for another hour."

"No your fine. With recent incidents with your father we are just checking in with and doing risk assessments on all those close to him." Charles explained. "I am sure you already know that if you have any issues or think you are in danger in any way you should be letting Security or Intel know."

"Why would I be in danger? I'm a new ensign on a pretty insignificant ship." Helle set the crystalline model down on the coffee table--a wine table, her dad called it. "That incident with my dad was just wpwt: wrong place, wrong time.".

"Well while that maybe the case we like to run risk assessments as purely precautionary so we ensure we aren't caught with a proverbial pants down." Charles explained. "Ninety percent of the time we do a risk assessment and nothing comes of it and that is how we like it. As Jackson says better to be prepared and not need it." He hoped his explanation calmed any fears.

"So, how does a risk assessment work? Like, do we run through simulations on the holodeck? Prove that I'm physically strong, quick, and have a high accuracy rating with a phaser. Is that it?" she said. She warmed up to the idea quickly. "I should change first."

"No nothing like that, it is merely a sit down and we talk about the importance of being aware of your surroundings and the importance of reporting any issues that you run into." Charles explained excited by her willingness to train. "Lets start by what are you responsibilities as an Ensign here. Who do you report to?"

Training took over. Helle slid into resting attention with her hands behind her back. She stopped herself from rolling her eyes at her actions. "I'm assigned to assist, advise, and investigate in all scientific areas but my specialty is biology. Specifically quantum biology. I report to Lieutenant Baxter. And the captain, obviously."

"At ease Ensign, just getting any info that we may need in the case of a incident." Charles tried to reassure her. "So any issues with the crew so far? Or any questionable transmissions you have received?"

"No, no problems. I mean, I don't get along with everyone on the ship because sometime you're just too tired after a long shift and need a break, you know?" Her eyes narrowed as she paused to survey Stephens closer. "No one has tried to bribe or threaten me if that's what you mean about questionable. Maybe I don't know what you mean. How would I know if a transmission was questionable? In the academy I got some very, uh, personal messages from several people but I don't think those are the types of things you care about."

"NO, not at all. I am just asking some standard stuff to see if you think anything is out of the ordinary." Charles tried to explain. "These risk assessments can be messy cause we don't have any threats yet, and may never have any. We just try our best to check and see if there is anything out there we need to look closer yet." He tried to reassure her. "It seems this is purely precautionary I am not hearing anything alarming."

"Mostly it's people hitting on my during a mission or a resupply. Some of them ask lots of questions like getting into my business is going to make me jump into bed with them." Helle spread her arms as if inviting Stephens to join in her disbelief. "I'll pay more attention to those in case they are digging for intel on my dad."

"That is exactly what we need. Just be careful how much info you give out even without your father being who he is. It is just a good idea you never know what peoples motives might be." Charles said with a smile as it seemed she was on the right track. "Well I think I have all I need is there anything else you want to add to my report?"

"Dad always said us to tell people he was a failed attaché to some admiral. Keep things boring. Since he never tells us anything interesting, that's my story." Helle tucked her hands under her legs and rocked forward and backward. "Now, you're not going to be hanging around are you? For protection? Because nothing will kill a woman's chances faster than a lurker over her shoulder."

"Nope I am more of the hide in the shadows and save the princess from out of nowhere type." He jibbed. "No but I am just a combadge tap away."

"Well thanks, but that sounds kind of like lurking. Look, I love my dad and even though his rules sometimes sound dumb, I get why. But I don't need two dads on this ship," she smiled so he wouldn't take it personally. She meant it though. Helle gestured to her combadge. "I promise to tap for help if anyone off-ship tries to get all bunkmate chummy with me."

"That's all I ask." Charles replied knowing his welcome was wearing out and taking the hint that now was a good time to exit. He stood and gave a courteous nod before heading for the door.

[OFF]

Chief Petty Officer Charles Stephens Jr.
Chief of the Boat / Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298
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Ensign Helle Leed (NPC by Leed)
Biologist
USS Firebird NCC-88298
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Comments (1)

By Captain Malcom Llwyedd on Fri Jun 16th, 2023 @ 3:40am

It is always nice to see two characters that are an interesting contrast. Stephens and Helle (I can't say Leed!) are at the far ends of the Starfleet career spectrum. And they clearly have very different personalities. I very much enjoyed their dialogue and a peek inside something that we haven't seen much of, namely what kinds of things do Diplomatic Officers and their families go through. Fun post. Great job.