Personnel Review
Posted on Tue Nov 28th, 2023 @ 4:07pm by Major Cornelius Tremble & Captain Edmund Merrick & Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr
Edited on on Wed Nov 29th, 2023 @ 10:47pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: XO's Office - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 0800
Neil glanced through his queue, scratched at the back of his neck and slouched into his chair after putting his feet up on his desk and looked around his office. It was the Pioneer XO’s office and he still felt a little uncomfortable in it. He missed Marine country and the layers of intimidation he’d built in. This place felt like a street vendor’s stand where anyone could stop by and talk about the weather.
People rarely did but he wouldn’t be surprised if that happened. On the Pioneer side, the ship and personnel were standing up as expected. After shore leave, things always took a bit longer for everyone to get up to speed.
Things were on track so he could focus on the Cure for a few minutes. He keyed his comm and said to the open air, “Captain Merrick. Master Sergeant Barr, join me in my office.”
Neil closed the link, not expecting either one to try and beg off.
It didn’t matter if they’d tried, honestly.
He regarded his office with some distaste for a couple of more minutes, enjoying the slouch, then stood and pushed his chair back, moving his work station into a standing configuration and began sorting personnel files.
Lachlan had been chatting to Gaagii about his teams effectiveness. They'd been slacking over the shore leave but that was to be expected. Peace time and all that.
They had still kept up drills but at a reduced rate and intensity. Gaagii and he were talking about ramping them back up again now they were preparing to set off but were interrupted by the Major's call. "Aye sir. On my way." Lachlan replied and ordered Gaagii to implement their programs.
It wasn't long before he was outside Tremble's office waiting to be called inside soon after pressing the call button.
Tracers picked up and flagged Lachlan's approach to his office and Neil let him hover a moment, then keyed the door and said, "Haul it in here, Master Sergeant and grab a pew."
Edmund had been going over the reports he had gotten from Poseidon Station, as to what went on. He pulled some strings as in, requested Cara, to give him access as to what happened where the Breen attack was concerned. This included video feed as to the fights that had taken place. From what he had gathered, both the XO as well as the CO were on some sort of mission, it left Schiano in charge and he performed with merit they were able to pull together along with K'doc. However what would happen on the Pioneer if the CO of the Marines and he were to disappear, on a mission, who would be able to step up and keep things rolling there was Lachlan and what if he were to be on the mission as well? The call from Tremble interrupted his thoughts and Merrick swiftly moved to answer the call.
He arrived at the door and pressed the chime to let Neil know that he had arrived.
Neil decided he really needed to program his door to auto-open for individuals, which he'd have to link to his calendar. He cycled the door and said, "Come in Ed." He waited until his command element found seats and said, "Right. Shore leaves over. First off, the Brigadier has given the Detachment a new tasking: We'll be training up to function as a Red Team. We'll need to develop training that allows us to mimic adversary tactics. Red Team tests will include full on mock assaults to snoop and poops. The latter will lean heavily on the embedded Intel assets, but I'll have to let Rowena know her shop is going to get to land a hand."
Neil spread his hands and said, "So. Thoughts?"
"Funny that you brought this up, I had been going over what had transpired on SB50 with the Breen attack. They did have warning, it was a short warning, which called upon some of our people to go assist. Commander Valadorn did rather well in making plans for the upcoming battle on such a short notice. However what could have been done differently? They did have civlians take part in the defense of the station." Merrick placing the padds he had in his hands upon the table.
" The Breen used breech pods, which spilled out a few of their troops. The leads of the Kingsmen were out on an away mission which led to a slight lack of leadership there. Well, with the exception of those who were seasoned. Granted they were able to pull together which certainly gave merit to the training that Colonel Patton had done with his people. As well as what Valadorn had experience in. Him being a marine before he became the chief of security. It though gave me a question, as per our troops here on the Pioneer. If you and I go on an away mission as well as Barr here, how would our people act if the upper ranks were not around to give out orders and will they be able to keep things up and running if there is an emergency."
Neil raised an eyebrow at that and said, "Like marines. Each marine is expected to teach those they outrank, follow those that have time in grade and know the jobs of every other member of their team. It's also why we cross train and embed security and other members as needed."
Neil eyed Ed before continuing. "It's also why we have personnel working on the bridge, spread out with Damage Control teams and the like. As far as who leads if You, Me, or Barr buy the farm or are away, the Ranking marine or Fleet officer." Sighing he continued, "Of course, if we're in a combat then my Senior marine better be xaxdamned good
at making suggestions if they have a Fleet Ensign trying to order things around."
Glancing toward Barr, he said, "Top. Do you think the kiddies are confused about battlefield chain of command?"
"I think we are better than Poseidon." Lachlan commented. "No offense to them but we are a smaller unit here and we have experienced men and women here such as Sergeants Flarn and Gaagii, we also have WO Ryan. Those are only a few and as we are a smaller unit I think we have the edge. A lot less moving parts than on a station and we are closer knit with better experience across the board." he paused for a moment. "However, I think the naval crew can be a bit confused on whom they report to engaged in battle. Should that side of the structure fall I am not sure those would know quite who stands where."
Neil squinted and chewed the inside of his lip. "SOP's for action aboard Pioneer are for the Marines to act as quick response forces, directed by the Security Chief if we get boarded. Externally, the same goes unless it's a direct action. We're tip of the spear."
Glancing to Ed, he said, "Did Poseidon make the mistake of breaking up the marines as stiffeners to lead their civilians? That'd cut down the Kingmen's effectiveness."
"Nope, K'doc who is as you know a Klingon Marine before he signed on as the Chief of Security, he pulled the security team together along with the civilians. The Kingsmen boarded a Breen Vessel took it over and used it to take out another Breen vessel before they transported back to the station, after setting charges to destroy the previous vessel. With those tactics they were able to cripple part of the Breen attack force."
"Sounds like a good strategy to me." Lachlan commented.
Neil bit his lip thoughtfully, then said, "Maybe we'll find time to tabletop it and see what could have done better. Off the cuff, it sounds like the marines did what they're supposed to do. It was Security and the mob that might have had issues. Pick up games are like that." Rubbing the back of his neck, he said, "We'll stress chain of command during upcoming training cycles and build in more hands on leadership training if you two deem it necessary. "
Without looking at his itinerary, he said "Back to the Tasking. Anything on that you either of you want clarification on now? When we get a target, we'll handle it like any other mission. Except we'll have to apply, as best as we can, non-standard means of gathering intel on them and then apply appropriate tactics as per the assigned foe characteristic."
He let that sink in for a moment then said, "It's going to get confusing, so it'll be baby steps the first couple of times out."
"Baby steps are always good to start with." Edmund replied, in agreement. "Sometimes gaining intel in an unusual way works out in the long run. What sort of tactics would you use, Major? And curiosity sake, what did you glean from meeting with Commander Valadorn and his assistant Chief of security, Lieutenant Andloch?"
Raising an eyebrow toward Lachlan, Neil said. "In reverse order. The meeting was fine. Mostly pro forma. Valadorn and Andloch seems solid and capable. Their entire unit does, all things considered. At least from what I've read and saw on the surface. You never know until you get into the meat though."
"Tactics depend on goal," Neil said after a few more moments off thought. "If it was a Federation mission, we'd be looking to preserve infrastructure and keep casualties to a minimum. That's always harder."
Rubbing at the back of his neck, he said, "If I'd been the Breen? I think their mistake was not consolidating their forces and not going for the civilian sectors. I'd have started capturing as many civilians as possible, turn airlocks into holding cells. Try to tap into the life support system for some good old fashioned chemical warfare and make sure my support ships continued assaulting the station's exterior with sapper teams taking out internal infrastructure. Create as many fires as possible until the defenders are overwhelmed. The Breen are hard fighters and make decent shock troops, but they're not Klingons. Star Fleet will always find a way to use terrain and technology against an opponent, so that opponent needs to take over or wreck and replace kit to remove that advantage."
Edmund gave a bit of a nod at that. "There is the fact that the Breen had an established hidden base. Through intelligence it had been discovered. He paused. "Most times you hear about the Breen out in the Alpha Quadrant." he mused.
"True, but they are becoming more desperate I hear. Resources being somewhat scarce are forcing them out to newer areas and quite frankly with that base I think we underestimate their power, or reach for lack of a better word. Intel on them is still spotty at best and you'd think after the war we'd have stuck our teeth into them." Lachlan shook his head.
"Before we really get derailed," Neil said with a smile, it's also performance review time. Any promotions you feel are needed handing out among the Cure?
"I've been thinking about that very thing, and am still going over the lists and reports as to what happened on the last mission." he glanced over towards Lachlan, not saying a word just gave a nod towards him then looked back at Tremble, crooking up an eyebrow.
Looking down at his PaDD, "Quite a few are close to warranting it but not quite there just yet." Lachlan replied. "However, I feel that Sergeant Kunadt should be made up to Staff Sergeant and Gaagii to Gunny." Lachlan chuckled as the alliteration of the G's got into his mind. "Both performed admirably in our last mission and I feel length of service cannot be ignored."
"I do agree wholeheartedly. There are a few others that may warrant a rank raise, one of which would be Sergeant Miranda Schultz. She had performed above and beyond on our last mission. I was very impressed with how well she performed in that tough situation, where Corporal Shy was concerned." Merrick stated.
Neil made a couple of notes and said, "Noted and I don't disagree. Write up your recommendations, I'll attach efficiency reports and add endorsements." Glancing at the time, he said, "Right. Unless there's anything either one of you want to cover, we'll go from there. Captain, since it seems you're already part of the way there I'd like you to break down the Breen tactics, preparing a table top walk through of what happened at Poseidon and a general overview of what we know about their tactics, weapons and general capabilities. Work with Lieutenant Mira and Corporal Shy for any intel requirements and pick someone to back you up. We haven't gotten a Red Team tasking yet, but we might as well be prepared."
Glancing toward Barr, he said, "Top. I know you're already doing it but I need you to keep an eye on the crew, especially the Fleeties and make sure everyone is getting back into the swing of things after this last break. Consult with the Lt. Vura and medical as needed and get me a heads up on anyone that looks broken."
Sighing, he said, "I'm going to have to focus more on Pioneer and it sounds like the General has yet another tasking that is going to keep me distracted. I'll be depending on you two to keep me from missing anything."
"I'll get that set up and will get with both Shy and Mira to make that happen." Merrick gathering up his own padds. "This is a good place to close up this meeting." Giving a brief smile. "I am for one glad to be off shore leave and getting back down to business."
"I don't envy you sir." Lachlan replied to Tremble. "I'll keep doing what I'm doing with the enlisted and make sure we're all singing, all dancing. Any issues I'll solve them, anything major and I'll toss it up to you." he added respectfully.
"Good. Lets get to it gentlemen," Neil said as he began resorting his desk. "Dismissed. I'll see you both in a couple hours at the Captain's brief."
A Joint Post by
Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr
Chief of The Boat, USS Pioneer
First Sergeant, The Cure
Captain Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
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