Cold Barrel
Posted on Wed Jan 17th, 2018 @ 6:52am by Gunnery Sergeant Flarn & Gunnery Sergeant Gaagii & Staff Sergeant Shayla Kunadt & Major Cornelius Tremble & Sergeant Azure Thompson
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 9:51pm
1,902 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Enemy Within
Location: Marine CO Office - Deck 9
Timeline: MD003 1300 Hrs
Tags: SD 71375.1300
I really need a private to handle all of these PADDs Jack thought. There certainly were more to deal with than back on Camp Eisenhower and he couldn't take the detachment into the field to avoid them. He leaned back in his chair, yawning, thinking about his last field rotation with his old Marine platoon. First Sergeant Yinks had truly screwed that entire mission. The after action review had been an exhibition in public humiliation by the Colonel. Jack prayed he never had reason to be on the receiving side of that.
He sighed and sat up. He was still working through his familiarization with his people and rather than a whole unit meeting, he was going to meet people as they were free. Right now he had a chance to talk to, he reviewed a PADD, PFC Cyrilius, PFC Dawes and Lance Corporal Kunadt.
He tapped out a command on his console, ordering them all to see him at their earliest convenience.
Private 1st Class Syrilius entered the CO's office and presented his PADD, announcing his arrival per Starfleet regulations. After two years of both basic and specialized training it had all become second nature to the Vulcan. He knew it for what it was: an intricate charade designed to show proper deference to ones superiors, and an exercise to train one's mind to react to orders instinctively. Still, there were times when he missed the loose camaraderie of the circus, where respect was earned rather than enforced, and disputes were normally settled over a bottle of some strong alcohol, fists, and occasionally a combination of the two.
Syrilius had seen what power could do to people in Starfleet. His sniper training officer was an Andorian, and one who lived up to every stereotype foisted upon members of his species. Long-winded, hot-tempered, he was the antithesis of Vulcan self-control and logic, even to a Vulcan who had been raised far outside of the normal Vulcan spheres of influence. Moreover, the Chief Warrant Officer had never forgiven Syrilius for besting his distance record for projectile target rifle, and had seen fit to make the Vulcan's remaining training days as difficult as possible without actually breaking any regulations. Syrilius had taken it as a challenge, and had calmly gone about his duties, a reaction that had only served to infuriate CWO Ch'Ralkryn all the more.
"Private First Class Syrilius reporting for duty," said the Vulcan.
Jack took the offered PADD and set it down on his desk. He didn't need to read it as he knew everything there was, officially, about his new sniper. "Have a seat, private," he said and waited for the Vulcan to follow his order. "I know you are fresh out of training. I've seen your scores and they are impressive. I'm glad to have you on my team. I have to say though, usually someone with your kind of scores would be on one of the specialty assault squads doing high tempo operations. What brings you to the Pioneer?"
"Such operations leave little time for exploration," explained Syrilius after taking the proferred chair. "My previous work instilled in me a love of travel and an interest in history and antiquities. Time has proven that high tempo operations lead more often than not to urgent insertion, completion of one's mission, and a hasty extraction, with little time to take in the local scenery or interact with the indigenous peoples. I requested instead to be assigned to a ship that might occasionally offer the opportunity to seek out new life, new civilizations, and so forth. May I ask if there has been much work for the Marines thusfar?"
"I've really only just arrived. But I can tell you that I plan to keep you all busy," Jack said. He was internally trying to understand a Vulcan who professed a love of... anything. "Our mission is exploration primarily, but something always goes wrong with fleet operations and they need us to save their behinds."
The door chime sounded. "Come in," Jack said and a youthful looking human woman practically bounded into the room.
Shayla scanned the situation and came to attention. "Lance Corporal Kunadt reporting as ordered, sir."
Jack motioned to an open chair. "Please sit down, corporal."
Shayla slid into the chair and nodded to the Vulcan Marine. "Good afternoon, private."
"Good afternoon, corporal," replied Syrilius, returning the nod.
"Sorry I was a little late, sir. I was checking out my new ride. That shuttle isn't anything like the fighter I am used to. Honestly, it is going to have the flight characteristics of an elephant."
Jack laughed. "Easy, corporal. Your job is different on this ship than it was on the Creed. You're all about getting me, PFC Syrilius and the rest of the Marines safely to wherever we are going. You'll have to restrain your urges to do barrel roles and Picard maneuvers."
First Sergeant Flarn, and Sergeant Gaagii had been chatting as the arrived into Marine HQ. They were sharing stories of the ancient peoples of their respective homeworlds, a shared hobby that the two men had. As they entered, they saw their Commanding Officer and snapped to attention.
Flarn as the senior man spoke first, in a gruff voice almost a snarl. "Sir, First Sergeant Flarn and Sergeant Gaagii reporting in sir."
Gaagii for his part stood at attention, while his body was rigid his face showed relaxed stoicism. His long black hair was pulled in a ponytail, with a single braid that hung at the right side of his face.
"Relax, gentlemen," Jack said pointing at the open chairs. "Have a seat. I'm glad you are here. As I was telling the others, this is really just a chance for me to get to know everyone and hear any concerns they might have. For example, Corporal Kunadt was just telling me that our shuttle is the equivalent of an elephant. That's pretty valuable intelligence, don't you think?"
Shayla covered her face with her hand. This is starting out SO well she thought.
Gaagii smirked at the young private. "Where I am from elephant means indestructible... So perhaps it is appropriate." He then took the seat indicated by the First Lieutenant.
Flarn let out a loud grunt he was a little perturbed at the lack of discipline. These Marines should be standing at parade rest. But this was not his outfit, so he simply grunted again and sat down.
Azure had just finished a duty shift in Sickbay, and headed to down to Marine Country. She'd heard the new LT had arrived and thought it was as good a time as any to report in, so made her way to her new CO's office.
Entering the room, she came to attention and said. "Corporal Azure Thompson reporting in sir." She kept her eyes forward, not looking at any of the other occupants of the room.
"Have a seat, corporal," Jack said. "Now that almost everyone I invited is here, lets talk about what our mission here. I know we can all agree that most fleet officers can't find their ass with both hands. But the captain appears to be alright. He's going to allow me to run things the way I see fit. That means, we are not going to go soft as we tool around the galaxy on this luxury craft. We will have regular training. The First Sergeant and all fire team leaders will be conducting physical training and ongoing professional training. We will use the holodeck for detachment exercises. That means I am going to dream up all kinds of horrible scenarios designed to break you all down."
Syrilius nodded. The Vulcan had been using the holodeck for sharpshooting and thrown weapon target practice to keep his skills honed, but proper Marine detachment exercises were logical. It would also help the Marines train as a team, and to learn each one's strengths and weaknesses. He assumed Lieutenant Cunningham's use of the word "horrible" was hyperbole, since most Human command officers were prone to exaggeration. Still, if Cunningham was designing the scenarios whole cloth from his own imagination, who knew what they might find themselves encountering?
Azure took her seat. "Sounds good to me, sir." She said, her antennae displaying her eagerness to get started.
The garbled gruff voice of Flarn rang out. "Sir, I would agree on both accounts. Fleeters are too busy with their heads up their own keisters to care about anything else. As for the training, I suggest we even include some these Fleeters. It might toughen them up a bit." He simply grunted after he finished speaking.
Gaagii was not one for many words when in an official capacity. He nodded sagely at his CO. The idea of the holodecks appealed to him as he missed the outdoors. However, his stoicism kept that appeal from showing on his face.
Shayla nodded. "I'm up for anything ,sir. As long as some of this holodeck time includes a rapid insertion exercise under fire. I think that kind of training could be important."
Jack nodded. It was nice to be amongst Marines again. "I'm glad to hear you are all on board, people. I plan on a detachment review tomorrow morning at 0500 hours. I want all Marines locked and loaded. We will conduct a thorough inspection and inventory of all our equipment. If something is missing, I want to know it."
Standing easy to one side, Cornelius let everyone weigh in before he spoke. "I'd recommend drills in zero-g, no light, low light, intruder alert and boarding actions. Including Pioneer's Security group and with us taking on the roles of aggressors. Serving aboard, we can get called on to do all of that. And training in the ship itself will provide a definite feel that the holodeck's don't." Glancing up, he caught the CO's eyes and added, "Sir."
"Well thank you for the suggestions, Gunny. I will take them under advisement when I develop them. I do have some experience planning unit training though, so you can rest assured that I am not a complete desk jockey," Jack said with a smile. "Now, if there isn't anything else, I will let you all get on your way. I will see you in the morning for inspection."
"Sir yes sir!" Gaagii responded.
"Yessir!" came the gruff voice of Flarn.
"Yes sir," Cornelius responded.
"Yes, sir." Azure responded rising from her chair.
"Acknowledged," said Syrilius, joining the others as they stood.
A Joint Post By:
1st Lieutenant Jack Cunningham Jr
Marine Commanding Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
Master Sergeant Flarn
First Sergeant, USS Pioneer
Gunnery Sergeant Cornelius Tremble
Team Leader Rifle Fire Team 2, USS Pioneer
Sergeant Gaagii
Team Leader RECONN Fire Team, USS Pioneer
Corporal Azure Thompson
Corpsman Command Fire Team, USS Pioneer
Corporal Shayla Kunadt
EVAC Pilot Command Fire Team, USS Pioneer
Private 1st Class Syrillius
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