Fitting Room

Posted on Fri Sep 14th, 2018 @ 12:34am by Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Asa Dael & Ensign Raymond McBain

Mission: Holographic Horrors
Location: US Hera, Deck 11, Security armory
Timeline:  72680.479

Raymond McBain lead the way into security to the front desk. "Good day. I am Ensign Raymond McBain and this is LTJG Asa Dael. We are here to be fitted with MACO Recon armor and for her to select a sidearm. We will both require firing range time with the TR-116c as well so I would like a schedule to see what openings Lieutenant Dael is free to be available." His deep voice was soft and pleasant, like he was just ordering lunch at a sit-down cafe.

Hiking her way up the Jeffries Tubes were a pastime of the old-time officer. Physical activity kept her from getting bogged down and bored to death by endless reports and schedules and meetings, which the forst officer of the USS Hera had aplenty these days. But right now she was coming up from Main Engineering, and through the hatch port as she encountered a landing on Deck 11, she spied the new infiltration expert and the new doctor entering Security.

I asked him to look in on them and help them along... Security? Taking them to the range to determine skill? Oh, if I've got this right I am well and duly pleased. Leaning against the ladder rungs, Paris produced her ever-present PaDD and moved a meeting back another 15 minutes. There was another onboarding coming in 45 minutes, but she could still afford to spare a few minutes to see how this was developing.

Exiting the Jeffries tube, the gold-clad commander marched to the Security shack, as they'd called it back in her day, and slid in behind the two officers. She made no attempt at stealth- though her boots were heeled, they were soft landing tread. That didn't mean she took pains to be silent- on duty she preferred to be visible, audible and communicative.

"Officers," she greeted them from behind.

McBain turned at the voice he knew "Commander Paris, we are here to be fitted with MACO armor as you spoke of to me earlier. We will be in the holodeck after to familiarize with the armor a bit later. You are welcome to join us if you like." Mcbain was pretty good at controlling his expression, but his eyes drifted to the First Officer's breast and he was wondering how those would fare even held inside body armor? "Do you have your own armor already Commander?" After all she had hinted she would be coming along in a fashion when they had spoken earlier.

The buxom blonde noticed the questioning eye, and she didn't misread the intention in the least. "No, Mr. McBain, I have never even seen one of these body armor suits in person. This is all completely new technology to me- in my day the suits were bulky and restrictive, designed for protection from the harsh vacuum and little else. I suspect I'll have to be something of a custom fit, though," she remarked with a wry smile. rolling her eyes skyward. "Looks like I dropped in at an opportune moment, then."

"Good afternoon, Lieutenant Commander! I am excited to try a suit out on the Holodeck with McBain, but I admit, I'm a bit concerned about the fit myself. It seems even custom-uniforms wind up bagging in all the wrong placed on me. But he seems confident, I'm sure this will be great. So McBain, who's up first?"

McBain looked from Paris to Dael and raised his hands "Normally I would say ladies first but in this case since I have done this before I will go first." He smiled calmly "We will be measured hologaphically with a body suit replicated from the perfect measurements. That will be the base for the rest of the suit. We can check the computer but the armor will be designed to also hold our gear. Asa you will need to decide on a sidearm at least. As a medic you normally need not carry a rifle? Commander Paris what say you?"

"Naval tradition dictates that medical personnel carry a sidearm," the old-school officer recited as she tapped away at the tablet in her hands, adding, "A phaser is a tool, after all, and it is the personal choice of those who swear by the Hippocratic Oath whether to employ it offensively. Primarily that's a personal code, because most of the universe doesn't care that you're sworn to do no harm."

"Quite right, Mr. McBain- no rifle for the good doctor, I'd agree. But I need to lean into one and familiarize myself. And you are welcome to qualify with the type 3 weapons if you like Myx Dael." Paris looked up from her research, confirming. "Starfleet has no regulations limiting you in this regard, and you may be as lightly or heavily armed as you prefer."

McBain followed the security crewmen at the desk inside the room. The security crewmen pointed everything out before returning to the front desk. McBain went to the platform and punched in his name and position. The XO being here would make this process go smoother if there was to be a hitch. The computer accepted his access though and he stepped on the platform.

For the next three minutes the system took a holographic image and allowed for a certain amount of expansion. The entire time the holographis image scanned McBain from head to toe. When McBain stepped out the base uniform appeared at the replicator. It was a sort of body glove but the material was tough despite its flexibility. McBain picked up the uniform and pointed to the machine. Who wants fitted next?" McBain pointed to changing stalls "I will put my on while you have yours fitted and made. This is step one."

"May as well. I can make small talk while I get scanned... I imagine this is anticipating muscle movements and so forth to reinforce the bodysuits where they need it? The future," Paris grinned as she punched in her code and stepped up on the pad. "The future is so very cool. So, Doctor Dael, I see you've met the Captain and you've met your neighbor. You just need an onboarding physical and you're all checked in, aren't you?"

"Yes Lieutenant Commander, that's correct," Asa replied. Having Paris and McBain here together was putting their nerves at ease. "And I prefer to stick to a phaser if you please, and of course I'll have my medical tricorder with me. It would be a good idea to have a pouch for emergency injections too. If we are going into an environment where a phaser would be unwise, energy weapon and whatnot, I prefer to stick to a knife. I know how to use that to minimize harm."

"Good thinking, Doctor. I like where your head's at," the first officer offered with an encouraging grin as the holographic measuring scan continued. "I suppose I should come up with some customization of my own other than 'pack me my phaser and a tricorder like the old days, and throw in a rifle'. I have one idea, but beyond packing a medkit I'm a bit stumped. Any ideas for the old lady, Doc?"

"Backup power supply for phasers? Universal translator to loan to others if needed? Rope? Good old fashioned pen and paper.. come to think of it I should have that too...," Asa trailed off.

"All good ideas, Doc. Do you object to the shortening? Some prefer their entire titles- Dr. Lang hated to be referred to as Lieutenant, for instance. Universal translator... good idea, that. I live with a Vulcan and I know maybe a dozen words in his language? I assume the comsat gear in the helmets will offer the function of a tricorder in a HUD, which covers an awful lot of ground, and these things have heads up displays I am sure are to die for. Buck Rogers," Paris grinned like a school kid at the physician. "In the 24th century. Here's to the future."

"Doc is fine. I admit, I don't know all the ins and outs of what the helmets can do. Any insight, McBain?"

McBain came out in a dark green uniform that had feet, gloves, and a hood. Only his face was uncovered, "The helmet is pretty tech heavy. Communicator, universal translator, speaker so your voice can be heard outside the suit clearly. The visor has several call up screens to view various data streams and visual enhancements. It not only allows you to see almost any light spectrum but it will guard your eyes against flares or flashes. It has enhanced hearing so the normal isolation of wearing a helmet does not occur. Again it has protections built in to protect the wearers hearing just like it protects the wearers vision. It seals to the suit for hostile environments. It takes a bit of getting used to but once you are acclimatized to the helmet it is second nature to use all features."

McBain looked between the two officers "that answer the question? How are you two making out with the first layer?"

"It does. I'm just waiting for my timer to let me know I'm well and thoroughly scanned, which the ship's sensors are always doing passively- isn't that an odd realization? At any rate, I think I'm about done..." At that, the system powered down and the replicator shimmered the custom curvaceous body glove into existence. Stepping down from the scanner, the leggy lieutenant eyed the clingy material. "Ah, do we use talc or lube to get into these, McBain?"

While Paris was navigating the logistics of donning the newglove, Asa stepped into the scanner. They tried not to squirm while the scanner worked its magic.

McBain laughed and was going to make a comment that the suit was not rubber or latex, but refrained. "It goes on easy as cotton, Commander ,but feel free to use whatever you wish. The sensors in the uniform will scrub away anything that is not hygienic to you.”

As the dubious first officer retired to a changing room to wrestle into the constrictive garment, McBain went to the computer terminal and began the replication of the second layer that would attach to this layer to become one piece. That would be the flexible armor plating and the exoskeleton. Actuators at each joint of arm and legs that would increase speed, jumping distance, and strength by a factor of three. It would also contain the power supply for the suit. Once the power supply was activated the first time the two layers would sort of fuse together to become the basic armor. The boots were about twelve inches high and felt much like a running shoe. They were light and flexible, not as thin and flexible as the armored gloves though. McBain began the process for his own and for Commander Paris’ suit as well.

Pieces of McBain’s second layer were appearing as Asa was finishing with their holographic scan. Their body glove appeared in a different replicator area. "Asa, this will go on much like normal clothing, so when putting it on, just do whatever you do when you get dressed in the morning."

Asa ducked into a changing room and stared at the garment. They were a bit unsure of this, but with a minimum amount of wriggling found their way into the suit.

Huh. He was right, no weird bagging. There’s something to this holographic tailoring. Maybe I should look into ways to get all my clothing done this way. Kinda nice to not have baggy butt. Asa thought.

Loading in Asa's stat-line, all three secondary layers were being replicated in short order. McBain nodded as Paris appeared from the changing booth, the very snug body glove clinging to her rather extreme curves in an improbable manner that definitely did not seem likely to lend themselves to armor plating. "I took the liberty of beginning the replication of the second layer for all three of us. One word of caution- do not activate the power supply till you have the second layer completely on. Myself, I start with the boots and work my way up."

“Thank you, Mr. McBain. This should prove to be interesting if nothing else,” Paris chuckled, collecting the hard armor plates and actuators to lay them out so she could begin wrestling into them. Starting with the boots, she began layering her way upward.

The young doctor decided to follow suit and started with boots as well, adding the hard exterior legs and then torso pieces on. They felt decidedly awkward now, and an odd sense of relief from the awkward finally kicking in. After all, Asa knew it would be weird at some point, and vindication is always nice.

They smiled at the other two however, and kept feigning confidence in themself. “So, how do we turn this puppy on?” Asa asked.

"You just flick the switch like so." McBain hit an activation tab on the chest as he spoke. "You will feel a squeezing pressure as the exoskeleton and the body glove bond into one uniform. The socks should sort of bouncy once the process is complete. There are several sensory indicators that should all be green in a minute or so. Any that stay red are a problem. That is extremely rare." McBain stopped talking for about twenty seconds as the suit squeezed and set. Afterward, it felt no heavier than a regular uniform would.

Meanwhile, the curvaceous commander seemed determined to move and stretch while the plates worked to bond with the bodysuit. Jogging in place and bouncing a bit, it was clear Paris was trying to get a feel for the biosuit even though it was quite alien to her experience. Rolling her neck a bit, the buxom bombardier stretched her shoulders a bit, flexing her fingers as the suit settled on her frame.

McBain watched till both officers relaxed than he went around both checking each sensory check light. As he did that he spoke up again "Once we are all green we will each sit at a terminal and begin making the rigid outer armor sections. They will be in 3D and you can customize them to a wide extent. Cargo pockets, holsters, scabbards, or other equipment are all up to the wearer. I will show you mine once completed if you like?"

“All green here,” the first officer reported, beginning to compile a mental list of outer armor requests, including a holster for her particular antique type 2 phaser.

“All green here too,” Asa reported, moving towards an empty terminal.

"I always start low and work up. It is like a clamshell, Just swings around and seals shut. Lower leg, upper leg, lower and upper arm, and the body. This is the third and last layer, it locks onto the exoskeleton and becomes one suit. Just lock in the rack like that one and climb free or climb in whichever way you go. So each piece has load bearing capability it's just up to you what you place where."

Asa began locking the pieces on to the best of their ability. They never were one for puzzles, but this was fairly intuitive. They mirrored McBain's movements, and gave a moment of thanks to the universe they were able to mirror others motions easily. It was one of the things that helped them become a surgeon, and it appears this was another valuable use of that skill.

Stepping into the bulky suit, Paris was amazed how smoothly it all came together. Confirming that she had the pieces closed she had missed the seals on two of them, and had to resecure them. And putting on the arms first was apparently not the best approach. But the ancient astronaut managed to button up the clamshell. Flipping her short shock of hair out of her face, the cheerful cosmonaut flashed a smile before she slid on her helmet.

Holographics winked to life as the screens and functions began to come to activate and queue themselves, and the gal from the age when starships were controlled by knobs and rocker switches was a bit awestruck in the moment.

McBain smiled as he glanced over Paris, he wondered if she was as much of the Valkyrie as she appeared. His thought were that she was. She had that sort of confidence and attitude to be the real deal. He was putting his suit together around him. He had chosen a soft light absorbent outer layer look to help with stealth. He had all the electronics, lock-picks, and other small toolkits needed in the trades. He then added his chosen weapons.

As he liked using his left hand, he put his pistol on his left hip. The Captain had said to carry ballistic weapons so he carried a heavy 10mm semi-auto pistol. The pistol had the same basic shape as his type II phaser so the two weapons were interchangeable according to need. He carried a tricorder in his right upper leg piece and another in his left forearm. His right forearm was a dart shooter. It was a handy hold-out weapon.

He had throwing blades in various scabbards, a heavy bladed fighting blade in a scabbard on his lower right leg. By the tricorder he had a special pocket made for his Commando tomahawk. It was a tool as well as a weapon and he had spent many hours training with the weapon. He could throw it accurately at forty feet. On his chest he added an extra load bearing layer for demolitions and PaDDs. He stood once it was all put together and took a few steps. Satisfied he walked to a wall rack and clipped his armor in. He opened the chest piece grabbed the overhead bar and pulled himself out with practiced ease. "That is the easiest way I know. Anyone need any help?" He had an easy smile on his face as he looked between the two known members of the away team.

Flipping through the options, Paris chose an adaptable phaser holster with a right hip-slung segmented belt that she suspected might be handy, as she would use it to keep spare power packs for the phaser and rife. A spare comm unit for her left wrist was a part of her plan, along with a basic medkit on her beck and a survival knife in her boot. The segmented plates allowed for a surprising range of motion, and on a lark she selected the stealth coating that duplicated the stealth plating of the Hera. Finding a selection that piqued her interest, she chose the batteries in the shoulder armor that would powers shock gloves. Plus the bulkier shoulders would help keep a rifle strap on her back where she put it. And while she had nothing to put into it, she included a scabbard on her left hip.

“That ought to do for now, at least until I have a chat with Dedjoy,” the buxom blonde bombshell nodded, satisfied with her selections for now. “Doc Dael, you’re up.

Asa created fashioned a pouch for a basic medkit, another for the advanced medical mixing and injections, a holster for their medical tricorder (with an extra battery pack equipped), a holster for the phaser, and hidden spaces for small knives close to the boots and along the chest-plate seam. They also created a holster for a thin-yet-sturdy expandable rope, a small journal and pen, and a canteen. For a finishing touch, Asa added a caduceus and a red cross to the visible portion of the chest shell along the front and back.

"Never hurts to declare oneself a medic, right?" they quizzed the room.

McBain nodded "I would have suggested it but you already did it. I think it is an excellent idea." He looked from Asa to Paris "Commander do you want us to keep these suits here in the armory. Or should we keep them in our quarters so they are handier to get too?" He still had his own weapons locked in a trunk at the foot of his bed. He would move those to the armor now, so it would be ready for deployment at a moment's notice.

"I might put it on the shoulder and not like a cross-hair target on your chest, Doc. But your call," the leggy lieutenant opined. "Tell you what, Mr. McBain. I think I'll be fine to come to the armory to armor up- here's hoping that decision doesn't come back to bite me," Paris clapped the hard plate on her wrist against the round plate covering her rounded rear end.

"You can keep yours in your quarters if you wish- inform security, but you are one of the people we'll count on to be combat ready in short order. So that makes sense. Doc Dael, where you stash your hardshell is up to you." The commander jogged in place for a few seconds, then did a wide waist twist.

"This is going to take some getting used to, but I'm out of time today. Looks like I'll have to schedule some simulator time as well as cross country if I'm going to fly in this rig. All right Ensign, let's see if I learned anything from your demonstration, shall we?" The improbably armored astronaut backed up to the wall rack, took a couple of tries to get her mounted, but once she did she tried the wrong side of the hardshell to pop it own, but once she did, the overhead bar gave her the leverage she needed to swing free.

"Technology of the future," Paris chuckled, then turned to hit the changing room. "Wreck it Rita, whoda thunk it."

Asa glanced at Rita thoughtfully, mouthing to themself "Wreck what? Nothing broke..." and proceeded to fashion some stick on covers for the medical insignias in the event they were needed. They also added symbols to their arms for good measure.

"Well McBain, I think we have a holodeck session, do we not?" the diminutive doctor asked.