RP Log: Plotting Next Steps

Roleplay Log
Participants: T'Shaav	Worthington
Location(s): Interrogation Observation -- Saucer Security
Stardate: 127318.39
2023-08-13 16:48

Interrogation Observation - Saucer Security <USS Phoenix NCC-170100-A>

This unassuming compartment is underlit, allowing for easier viewing into the interrogation room. Used in times where a witness, or observer, wants to observe what goes on in the adjoining compartment, but not be seen doing so.

[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Worthington says, "worthington here."

T'Shaav says,"Commander, report to interrogation observation, saucer security."

[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Worthington says, "aye sir. On my way."

Lieutenant Commander Worthington arrives from Security Complex.

T'Shaav has taken to sequestering herself around security. Just now, she's gazing almost meditatively through the panel into main interrogation. She doesn't turn as the door opens.

Worthington snaps to attention. "Reporting as ordered commander," he says.

"I have read your report," the Vulcan says. "So, we learned nothing substantive about our dead Crewman Jenkins. True?"

Worthington nods. "Unfortunately no commander," he says. "As far as Starfleet is concerned, she's just like many others of the thousands of crewman that are serving. She didn't even have previous assignments. Brand new to the service. No indication why the hell someone would specifically target her sir."

"Look over the jacket again," T'Shaav advises. "Sometimes, there may be a clue. Is there anything in her enlistment data about her background, family, etc. Does she have relatives in the service, perhaps? There may be no clues there, but then, there may. Tell me of this other hit you obtained."

Worthington nods. "The other, one crewman Paul Johnson, is listed as still serving aboard Phoenix as well. His record was also not particularly remarkable," he says. "We can confirm however that he was not transfered off the ship, so is missing, and at this point, it is logical to presume that he was murdered, or at the very least a prisoner, though I find the former to be more likely."

"Find him, Commander," the Vulcan says. "If he is dead, and I agree that that is a strong possibility, then even in death, he can still provide information. I want you to continue searching the crawlspaces and hiding places of this ship in concert with engineering. Find me that man's body, if that is indeed what we are to discover."

Worthington nods. "I will either find you a body, a phaser burn, or a grease spot commander," he says. "Assuming anything of the sort was left behind. I know the crawl spaces moderately well, so will start crawling around in there myself."

T'Shaav nods. "Very good. You had a theory, I believe, about the two MIA names that did not match crew roster records?"

Worthington considers. "A couple, though I could use some perspective," he says. "My going theory is that these false identities were created to mask the presence of a couple of conspirators. That seems the most plausible explanation, as it would give people freedom of access without raising much suspition, as everyone would assume that they belonged there. On a ship this large, people wouldn't question a couple extra bodies that noone knows. Plus, as we can confirm that the computer issue was present as a backdoor since Phoenix's construction, that would have given any imposters enough time to mingle with the crew and become accepted, such that when they do disappear, such a disappearance is noted. Such a disappearance in my mind can coincide with a few things, including a falling out among conspirators followed by subsequent murders, departing the ship, or hiding out somewhere on the ship that sees little foot traffic, and doing so for an extended period of time. I wonder if it would be logical to compare our entire crew and civilian complament against the records of one or more of the other starfleet ships here to see if there are any discrepancies sir."

T'Shaav considers. "We are guessing at this point. Two extra MIA identities may have been invented out of nothing as distraction, what you would call red harings. Though if they were planted in the computer to hide the identities of conspirators, that would be an unnecessary flourish. We already have no notion of who they are. This last suggestion, comparing our crew rosters against those of the ships here? Explain the reasoning more fully, as I do not understand it."

Worthington considers. "If there are any further discrepancies in our crew and passenger manifests from what we should have, a comprehensive records search may bare that out sir," he says. "That's of course assuming that these people are attempting to disguise their real identities in any way." he ponders. "Are you suggesting that the missing person reports themselves for these individuals were fabricated?" he asks.

"That is precisely what I am suggesting," the Vulcan says.

Worthington nods. "Perhaps then," he says. "So ignore these others then, and focus on the body search. Has anyone gone through paul johnson's effects?" he asks.

"No, but now that I have your report, I shall," she says. "That is a next step, assuming records of his billot and quartering are still extant. Now then, two further items. I have been in consultation with the captain, and it is our view that we should limit and closely monitor transporter use to and from the Phoenix. Once relocation efforts get underway, it is important that our conspirators not slip away undercover, perhaps disguising themselves as colonists or infiltrating the crews of our sister ships in orbit. Lieutenant Ryu and Commander Coil have been considering things the transporter can scan for to confirm whether people coming aboard are ours or colonists, for example. And I think it wise to limit our transports to vital, and known, personnel."

Worthington nods. "I would agree with that 100%sir," he says. "Having a fleet in orbit makes the possibility of escape far more likely. I'd even extend that to the other ships and their transports to and from Phoenix, as a transporter pad on the sending end is by no means a requirement, if any of the conspirators found a way to beam over to one of the other ships."

T'Shaav nods. "We are the ones with a problem. We must see to our own transporting first. Though I will suggest to the captain that he have a commanding officer's-level discussion with the other ship captains so that they can be aware. Now, you have a new computer image for us? Does Mr. LePage have that yet?"

Worthington considers. "It's in the cargo bay aboard hadfield sir," he says. "I kept that room sealed while we were docked on Saratoga. The portable core is in there, awaighting removal to the Phoenix sir."

T'Shaav nods. "It just became Commander LePage's top priority, and I will inform him of that. He will need to, what then, copy it over? I am not an engineer."

Worthington nods. "Basically, yes. The computer will likely be offline again while it's done," he says.

T'Shaav doesn't let her face convey what she thinks of that idea. "Very well. I will tell him to liaise with you for a secure handover, and you can brief him in on any details Admiral Kadn might have provided that would be of help to our engineering staff as the case may be. DO you have anything more for me at this time?"

Worthington shakes his head. "Nothing else sir," he says. "It seems the computer issue is an old backdoor, not a new threat, and it's not limited to phoenix, so new code would fix it sir," he says. "The admiral said anyone with academy level training could utilize the backdoor, so it doesn't take exceptional computer skills to utilize, which is good news in my book."

"Then I would rewrite your book, Commander. I consider it bad news, as it widens the suspect pool considerably, if we rule out expert-level computer skills to do the things that have been done," T'Shaav counters.

Worthington considers. "Unless you're worried about such codes being utilized again, which would pose a perpetual problem," he says. "With that issue rectified, the computers aboard would prove more reliable resources, even though the records in their present state may not be."

"I am a Vulcan. I do not worry about anything," she deadpans, of course deadpans. "We have been assuming that only someone with in-depth computer skills could have sabotaged the computer, triggered the alert, taken life sign sensors offline in the star drive, etc. But consider. If these things were possible because of a back door to the code, then no such advanced-level computer skills would have been required. Only a knowledge of the back door's existence and a plan for using it effectively."

Worthington nods. "Of course," he says. "Though seeing as a search for suspects based on those parameters has not thus far been fruitful sir, it does little to change the current course of the investigation, but can give us at least some piece of mind about the future security of our ship's computer, which is something that's been on my mind for quite some time now."

"That is reasonable," T'Shaav says. "Very well, Commander, you have done an adequate job. That will be all."

Worthington nods. "Understood sir," he says. "You will find me in the jefferies tubes if needed."

"Those are not the only possible places of concealment. But understood. you may go."

Worthington nods and heads out after saluting.