Saddle Up Boys.

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 @ 12:54 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant John Mitchum & Lieutenant JG Oakham Renn & Ensign Kaleo "Kal" Monroe

Mission: Intermission
Location: Security Room
1031 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

John was in the security office going over the rosters of those assigned to him. "This is Lieutenant Mitchum. Lieutenant Oakham report to my office." While he waited, he started creating 2 teams in his mind.

While Mitchum waited for Oakham, he started going over the security roster to find the best candidates for the mission. He also authorized the armoury to issue phaser rifles for the mission. He had the computer list all qualified security personnel for the upcoming mission. Their names were: Zephrel Kahn, Orion male; Jor'Vak Kalkar, Klingon male; Hector Schmidt. human male, Dana Mortensen, human female and Kara Lefevre, human female. He had the computer send messages to all of them to report to the security office immediately.

Renn was still in his sweats, having been in the gym at the time, his vest top clinging to him in a most unbecoming manner. Had he known the new Chief of Security had arrived he would have ensured he was in a much more professional looking state upon their first meeting.
He thumbed the chime to the office and waited for admittance which came promptly as the doors parted.
"Lieutenant Oakham reporting as ordered. Forgive my appearance sir!"

John waved it off. "No problem. We've been assigned a mission by the captain. A group of changelings have gotten on the ship. We'll be two four-man teams. You, lieutenant, will lead one team, and me the other. We will be assigned phaser rifles, we'll do phaser sweeps on all decks until we find them." He paused. "Oh...and one changeling will be on my team, they said they will help us find the other changelings."

The young Bajoran was caught off guard trying to process the torrent of information that had just been lobbed at him like grenades on a battlefield. Apparently this new chief didn't believe in the 'get to know you' stage of a posting in favour of jumping right in. Personally he approved but could see it rubbing a number of the crew up the wrong way.
"Aye sir... Changelings? Are we at war again?"

Renn was too young to have been present during the Dominion war but as with anyone in the Alpha and Beta quadrants the tales of the Emissary and the war with the Dominion were now legendary. He was more than aware the damage the Changelings had wrought.

"Alright. Get your combat gear from the locker rooms. And your rifles from the armory. I'm going to get the changeling guide." John walked out of the security office and headed to where the changeling was.

"Aye sir" Renn said to an empty room. "Not one for the pleasantries" he chuckled to himself before turning on his heel and making a beeline for his quarters first to change into a duty uniform and then on down to the armoury.

John headed to where the changeling was being held. Two security officers were guarding the changeling. He nodded to the guards and had them open the door. Jon walked in, his hand on his phaser.

"Sir," a young ensign with blond hair looking like your typical surfer said standing up, "The alien," Kal said as his brain crunched that a changeling could be anything. He almost said "She" but well it wasn't was it? "Its said nothing. Just sits there and reverts to its liquid state every so often."

John looked at the changeling. "The captain said that you are willing to help us to find your 'friends'. Is this correct?"

The changeling - now calling itself Alice - had not moved since John and the security team had entered. Now, her mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Friends? Not exactly the word I would use, Solid." She stood and started pacing. "I grow tired of this, this fude... This conflict that serves no purpose except to add to the dead." She approached John and stood in front of him, as if appraising him. "I will help you hunt down my fellow kind on board this ship, but they are not my friends."

She returned to the chair where she had been sitting. "How do you wish to proceed?"

"You will come with me and my team as we sweep the ship." John stared at 'it'....he refused to give this thing a name. "Do you understand?"

Even though technically she did not have lungs, she blew air through her lips in an exasperated sigh. "Yes, I understand, even with your primitive method of communication. Do not take me for an idiot. Just try and remember which changling it is you're trying to kill." She then muttered under her breath, as if an insult, "Solids...."

Mitchum stopped and faced the changeling. "You can either be helpful or stay in your cell....either way it doesn't make a difference to me. You will treat me and my team with respect...you give us respect, you will get respect in return. Your choice."

She looked at him for a moment. "I could say the same for you. Respect is earned. Your Captain saved my life. She has my respect. You, on the other hand... I don't know you, and your words so far do not convey much respect, but I have done nothing to earn it.... Yet.

I have information that can help you, but in doing so, I will be signing my own death warrant. The two changlings out there will show me no respect. In their eyes, I am a traitor. I do not know what I am in your eyes, but I am willing to help. So, shall we begin?"

John stepped aside and indicated that 'Alice' should proceed.

Kal stepped forward. "I'll take point sir."

"Understand, that I will do my best to protect you when we encounter these changelings. If they wish to surrender, I will not harm them, but if they don't..." John stopped talking.

"I understand," Alice replied as she prepared to hunt down her own kind. She knew deep down that they would probably force the security chief's hand

He would have to kill them.

OFF:

Alice Changeling
NPC Jones

Kal Munroe
NPC Miller

Lieutenant John Mitchum
Security Chief