Security Arrangements

Posted on Sat Apr 26th, 2025 @ 3:04pm by Lieutenant Jaina Zalla & Commander Alesia Harrington

968 words; about a 5 minute read

The security office was small but it suited Jaina's needs quite well. She had set up a schedule for her small security team and everything seemed to be working out just fine. There wasn't much for her to so, and since she didn't want to sit on the bridge staring at the readouts on a computer screen she had selected one of her more qualified officers to sit on bridge duty while she finished getting security and tactical settled out. She was halfway through the security qualification reports on her staff when the door bell chime rang out. Lifting her head from her reading, Jaina ordered the computer to open the door.

Commander Alesia Harrington stalked into the security office, her expression one of her usual unsatisfied and judgemental best. Without invitation, she sat down in one of the chairs facing the desk and crossed her arms.

"Lieutenant Zalla, I think we need to have a conversation about the security arrangements that have been made for me during my stay aboard this ship," Alesia said.

"Oh, I thought that I had seen to all of your security needs, Commander," Jaina said, carefully choosing her tone so she didn't set the prima dona science officer off right away. She had been expecting this visit, and she intended to win the upcoming fight.

"I requested two security officers to be stationed outside the science lab that I am occupying for my research," Alesia snapped. "To date, I have only been assigned a single officer, and one only armed with a hand phaser. I demand better protection for my research."

"Unfortunately, as the Eclipse is only a small ship and I don't have proper information as to what your research involves, I can't justify assigning more officers to guard a single lab when I have an entire ship to protect," Jaina said with a wolfish grin. "So, either give me a clear and accurate account on what kind of research is being conducted, and something other than a single paragraph that says 'It's Classified', or be happy that I assigned you anyone at all."

Alesia took a deep breath and held it before she narrowed her eyes towards Jaina. The security officer seemed to be too sure of herself, and Alesia knew better than to give someone, anyone, any type of advantage that could be used against her. "I'll have to get authorization before I can reveal any kind of information about my work," she finally admitted.

Jaina smiled as she stood and walked around her desk. Sitting down on the edge of the desk, she managed to avoid giving a smirk towards the science officer, as she was still a superior officer. "Then I'm afraid that the security detail arraignments that have already been made will have to stand as they are," she said.

Alesia practically jumped to her feet. "That is unacceptable!" she snapped.

Jaina had slid to her feet as well, placing a light restraining hand on the commander's shoulder, just in case the science officer tried to get physically violent. She held her hand in place for a moment, slowly moving it closer to Harrington's neck gently. "I think we can come to some form of an understanding," she said, softening her voice just a little as her thumb gently caressed the science officer's neck lightly.

Alesia paused, unsure of what to do next. She wasn't used to anyone not giving her her way, and the invitation of something a little more intimate had definitely given her even more pause. She had to admit that she was becoming torn between the options that were before her. Her own isolation and indecision finally forced her to cave in to her silent desire to have someone to reach out to. She stepped closer to the security officer and reached her hand out to return the intimate gesture.

"I have to admit that I hadn't expected anything like this when I decided to come here," Alesia said.

"I do believe that makes two of us," Jaina said before she leaned forward to kiss the commander. Before she could stop herself, she had wrapped her arms around Harrington and dedicated herself to a brief yet fierce and passionate encounter. After a moment, she broke away and took a step back. "I'm sorry, I don't normally allow my personal feelings to interfere with my duties," she said.

Alesia likewise stepped back from the embrace, knowing that they were definitely toeing on a line that was difficult to handle. "I have to admit that I've been alone for so long that I had forgotten how enjoyable intimate contact with someone could be," she said. "But you are right, we should act responsible while on duty."

"Only if you act with the respect that is due to everyone on this ship," Jaina said. "We are all Starfleet officers, and there are many jobs that we have to attend to. I'll see about getting additional officers assigned to the science labs, but it will have to be equally shared and not just limited to your lab alone. You should also try to add additional security measures inside the lab as well."

"I believe that I can make the attempt to better secure my work," Alesia said. "And I feel that I must apologize to you. Would you accept an invitation to dinner in my quarters this evening?"

"I think I can agree to such an invitation," Jaina replied with a smile. "I can drop by around 2100 hours."

"I'll be waiting," Alesia said as she reluctantly started towards the door. "Don't leave me waiting up too late."

Jaina smiled as the commander left her office. She hadn't expected the meeting to turn out the way that it had, but she wasn't about to start complaining either.

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