Special OPS Seminar 
Stardate 10509.24 1400 
Conference Room #Special_OPS 
Hosted By: LtCmdr Mrlr CIV on the USS Triton
***********************************************************************************************************

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::enters the room and makes a big smile to the commander:: Mrlr: Nice to see a know face here ma'am

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::grins:: You too. ::sits down on the edge of the stage:: Looks like we're the only ones here.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: Looks like, people must be more interested in command than in being special.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::shrugs:: Either that or people are more interested in their stomachs...it's dinner time

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: True, well there is tomorrow's conference in any case

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
So...since it is just the two of us, how about we keep this informal.  Have any questions about Special OPS?

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: Basically everything, I am really not very aware of their function, their kind of mission, recruitment and so on.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::grins as her tail swishes slightly:: Then let's start from the beginning.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Special OPS is basically everything that doesn't fit into already established categories.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: Sounds like a plan to me.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
It can span different departments...but usually is most related to tactical and science.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: so may every crewmember of any ship be involved in one if it is the case?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Actually yes they can.  Although to be an operative in Special OPS you have to be a member of the Special Forces which requires additional training.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
I should say...to become a regular operative.  Temporary operatives are utilized in various situations.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: Oh ok. I kinda imagine what tactical spec forces do, what about scientific ones?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Those are usually involved in research and development.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: weapons and equipment?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Often times the sort of research that really isn't supposed to be known that it is happening. ::grins::

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: Well don't tell me if you have to kill me immediately after. ::laughs::

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Yep, weapons and equipment...plus biological entities and other aspects of that such as cloning, DNA manipulation, etc.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::chuckles::

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: mmm Commander aren't those more like black ops? and aren't black ops frowned upon?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Not everything Special OPS does is bad or "black".  Cloning has it's uses.  DNA manipulation can be used for medical treatments

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Mrlr: Sure commander, I know, but what I am wondering why Special OPS and not Starfleet medical then?

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::thinks he must look very naive at this point::

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Because sometimes the end result is not what it was intended to do....then it has to be controlled and that is where the military comes in.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
oh ok, but sure it must bring a lot of moral conundrums to the top brass. Will I diffuse this discovery or keep it secret?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
For example....what if Starfleet Medical is engaged in a gene splicing experiment.  But the result can be used as a biological weapon.  Starfleet Medical is not equipped to handle something like that.  That is where the scientific side of Special OPS comes in.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Unfortunately...it is extremely hard to unlearn something already learned.  And although some may be against it and state that everyone has the right to know everything...some information is best never disclosed.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
So they  take care of the potential weapon.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::nods:: Correct.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
I understand now. Thank you.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
And how can we regular officers help Special OPS?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
You already do....just by doing your job.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Operatives need transport...they need support crew...and all of that is supplied by, what you call, "regular" officers.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Then how does one become a Special OPS member?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
The old belief that only a Special OPS team knows that they exist is bogus.  And if we break it down you'd see why.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::grins:: Becoming a Special OPS member is easy...you apply.  Staying a Special OPS member is difficult.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Well I presume there are covert Ops and Ops that are played in the open. And that the confidentiality level depends on any single mission.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
That is correct.  but even covert OPS has a support team behind them.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Where apply? They were not recruiting at the Academy when I left.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
The exact objective and location may be known to only a few within the team...but their existence cannot be.  Although the knowledge of their existence may be limited to maybe a few dozen or even slightly less

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
It requires an LOA from your current position and then a reassignment to either a Special OPS team or to a CIV slot on a ship or station. ::grins and wonders if he picks up on that last reference::

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Sure the team needs support, logistics, and the rest in any case. Like with subs and the Navy SEALS or the SAS in the 20th and 21st century.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::grins and wonders if he will ever leave this room alive::

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
So what are the most common operation that are performed?

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Mostly though, Special OPS requires a lot of different training.  For instance...I know a little about most positions on a starship and/or station.  Enough to temporary take over if I had to....but I am not an expert in any except for my own position.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::thinks for a moment:: I'd say most of the common operations are information gathering.  Which can either be the most exciting...or the most boring of operations.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
True, but also vital for the survival of the Federation.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Correct. ::looks at him closely:: So you are interested in becoming a Special OPS?

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
It may be Ma'am, I am finding my current assignment much less exciting than I expected. 

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::looks concerned:: Why? What's wrong?

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
You know I always felt that being a Starfleet officer was a vocation, not a job. Now instead with all the computer work I have been doing I felt almost the need to watch the clock to see if my shift was over. But it may also be that this will change when the Triton will start her mission again.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
I really don't have enough experience to make a comparison between what is happening on our ship and the routine life in a starship.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Well, you really haven't had an opportunity to get into the other aspects of your job.  So that makes it a little tough.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
I know, this is why I have not made up my decision yet. Special Ops is very attractive, but our situation is very unusual as well

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::chuckles:: That is an understatement.  ::thinks for a moment:: I wish you could have met a friend of mine.  A young OPS officer.  She was a regular scrounger....could find anything anywhere.  It was an education watching her.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::smiles:: I know, that is an aspect of my job I did not have time to explore. 

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
But at the Academy they used to say I could sell a broken toy to a Ferengi, so I look forward to it  ::smiles again

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::ticks off points on her paw:: Not to mention personnel placement, quarters and supply allotments, maintenance of the computer systems and power systems of the ship.  Plus the housekeeping staff and all that entails. ::shakes her head:: No...I don't envy your position.  ::smiles::

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Yes but I am good at dusting Ambassador quarters. ::smiles:: In any case I believe once can always change, this is why my interest in Spec Ops, after debugging software even a stakeout seems desirable.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::chuckles:: Tell me that after you've spent four days in a soaking wet, sewage filled shed watching the person you are assigned to observe enjoy themselves in a nice warm house with heat, dry clothes and hot food.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
oh not good at all, but hey it's a story you may tell your progeny, try to tell them instead of the time where you finally managed to open that badly burned PADD and extract part of its memory

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Not finding enough glory in your job?

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
Well I don't know yet, I will tell you again in a few months.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::grins again:: Don't sell yourself or your job short, Rico.  You contribute much more than you think and I for one find you an invaluable crewmate and would miss having your expertise at the OPS station on the Triton.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Not to mention...I would miss a fellow officer I consider a friend.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
:blushes:: oh I am not trust me, I consider Triton my new family, even if a slightly dysfunctional one. I think there are still a lot of things to do and I look forward in doing them. After all this is not an usual situation. But when everything will be fixed I plan to have plenty of fun.

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
And now let's go learn about impromptu weapons, I have a feeling I may need that class soon ::grins:: See ya around Mrlr.

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
Say hello to Lt Grey-feather for me.  Tell him that I'll be waiting for him after the conference. ::grins and gives him a wink::

Ensign_Rico_Polo says:
::offers his hand with a big smile, happy to have a friend like Mrlr::

Host LtCmdr_Mrlr says:
::shakes his hand:: Have fun.