Measuring the Marine
Posted on Sun Jul 21st, 2019 @ 9:43am by Lieutenant JG Mira Jayna & Major Cornelius Tremble
Edited on on Sun Jul 21st, 2019 @ 2:14pm
908 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 7 - Home Again
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: MD005 1300
Since intel worked with the Marines a good deal, and since she'd heard a number of things about the Marine CO, both good and bad, Jayna decided it was time she go down to Marine Country and have a look around.
Because she was off-duty and generally didn't like wearing her uniform unless she had to, she was dressed in a black leather catsuit and ankle-high boots, her hair loose. If nothing else, it would give her a unique first impression of the Marines.
So she would know her way around, she took the time to familiarize herself with the layout of the deck and how to find the Marine CO's office.
Neil was supervising the stowing of ordinance when the Corporal of the Guard informed him they had a visitor. Moving out to the Snake Pit, he caught site of the unfamiliar face right off. Dismissing the Corporal, he walked forward and held out his hand. "I'm Lieutenant Tremble, Ms..?"
"My name's Jayna," she said, shaking his hand. She smiled. "I was looking for you."
Neil scratched the back of his head idly, then shrugged. "Right. Well you found me Ms. Jayna. What can the Marines do for you?"
"Quite a lot, I imagine," she replied, smiling sweetly. "That's one of the reasons I came to see you. The other is to find out what I can do for the Marines."
Considering the woman for a long moment, Neil finally said. "So, you're what? Trying to sell me something?" While she was pleasant, Neil was starting to get a bit vexed.
He had a lot of drahk to do today.
Sometimes, Jayna liked to nudge a few buttons to see how people reacted--especially on first meeting. It gave her a good idea of who a person was without rank getting in the way. "No. I'm not selling anything. We'll be working together, from time to time, and I wanted to meet you."
Grunting, Neil sighed. "Let me guess. Intelligence? I'm like most Marines," he quipped, "We've no time for intelligence. Most of our body armor reads Front Toward Enemy for instructions."
"Special Forces and Recon are generally the exception, but I've met a few who need step-by-step instructions." She gave him a slow once-over. "Same with some of their commanding officers." From her conversation with Tremble so far, she was of the opinion he fell into that category. "I gather information. I know of some Marines I can't trust. I'd like to know some I can. I'd also like to hear how you think we're supposed to work together."
"Right," Neil said. "Well mainly, we get either we get directions from Fleet. Then we look at what they want. Then we break it, get the mission done despite parameters and you all blame the Marines for going out f plan. But, you know it's how marines are." He winked at her then.
She laughed appreciatively. So he did have a sense of humor. She had no problem with those parameters, either. It was the same way she generally worked.
"Trust is earned in the field, sister. But our motto is, You have a problem, We Are The Cure.
"I can respect that," she said, relaxing. "I don't trust easily. Occupational hazard."
"Well, there you go." Neil nodded, then said, "I suppose your question can become mine. What can we expect from you?"
"I do my job, even if my methods are a bit...unorthodox," she said. "I've worked alone and with a team. I can generally hold my own and don't like to be pampered." She couldn't help smiling as she added, "But I'm also not one of the boys. Treat me with respect and you'll get the same."
"So, you do what's expected. I can go along with that. And we both know respect goes with the trust part. But, you hold up your end, the Cure will hold up ours," Neil said, his eyes weighing her thoughtfully.
Well, she didn't exactly do what was expected, but he'd learn that soon enough. "Fair enough." She watched him, examining the expression on his face. "So, do I pass muster?"
"Now that will remain to be seen, I suppose," Neil stated. "I might ask the same thing, but then Marines always pass muster," he said with a grin.
She laughed again. "That remains to be seen," she replied impishly.
Neil caught her look and crossed his arms, "Do I sense doubt," he asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Marines as a whole always pass muster. Marines as individuals can vary," she said. "I trust Marines more than many, but individually, trust is still earned."
"Seems like we'll have to wait until the balloon goes up to see what can be earned then," Neil commented. "Until then, I can only offer up the full tour of Marine Country."
She decided she would like working with this Marine and smiled. "I'd like that. I'll even buy you a drink after."
"Sounds like a deal," Neil said smiling, "Or there's the Captain's party later today in After-11. Maybe we'll run into one another there and can have that drink?"
She nodded. "All right."
A joint post by;
Warrant Officer Mira Jayna
Infiltration Specialist, USS Pioneer
First Lieutenant Cornelius Tremble
Marine Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
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