Azure
Posted on Fri Sep 18th, 2020 @ 10:13am by Major Cornelius Tremble & Sergeant Azure Thompson
Edited on on Fri Sep 18th, 2020 @ 11:36am
863 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Marine CO's Office, USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD008 1300 hrs
Neil sat at his desk and contemplated his Detachment’s readiness reports. Even after their last mission and it’s losses, he was still pleased with their status and even more proud of his marines.
Looking about his office, he stole a moment. Closing his eyes he could feel the ebb of the Pioneer’s systems in the bulkheads, ceiling and deck. The smell of the cleaning solutions mixed with the slightly smoky hardwood scents that he had ordered up through the rooms environmental controls.
Then he opened his eyes again and his contact brought the fan of personnel files he’d been going over onto his HUD. Each and every one had proven themselves: to both them and their comrades. He brought up a personnel file and skimmed it before activating the comm and saying, “Ok, Corporal. Send Thompson in.”
"You requested my presence, Skipper?" Azure said as she entered the office.
Neil gestured to one of the leather and wooden framed chairs in front of his desk and said, "Take a seat. I'm going through personnel files Corporal and wanted to see how your'e doing. That last mission was a bit rough on us and its evaluation time too, so tell me how you're feeling being part of the detachment and your duties here and on Pioneer."
Neil sat back, trying to ease the atmosphere. Azure was an old hand and past due for promotion. He just needed to see how she felt about the Cure.
Azure took the offered seat and thought for a moment before answering. "I'm doing okay, losing a comrade is always rough, but we knew what we were signing up for." She took a deep breath. "I'm no stranger to death, Skipper, as a child I watched my brothers die protecting me from pirates. Their sacrifice helped to shape me into the woman I am today, I am immensely thankful to them for the opportunity to save others in their name."
Neil nodded and commented, "And you've done that well during your time in the corps. How about aboard Pioneer. You do double duty more than most by working in Sick Bay. And now there's a new CMO; any problems there?"
"The Pioneer is a good ship, with a good crew, I'm proud to be aboard." Azure said. "The new CMO isn't completely new, I've worked before with Dr. O'Rourke in her previous role as ACMO, and we get along fine." She added.
"Promotions can sometimes change people, especially when they shift to department head jobs," Neil commented. "But, I'm glad to hear you're good to go at work. How about personally? Any problems at home or otherwise?" Neil hated asking personal questions like this but it was part of his job, "You know this, I hope, but my door is always open if you need an ear to bend."
"My parents are fine, but my brother, Kyle's got into a little trouble with some unsavoury Ferengi business men. My parents offered to help, but he wants to handle it himself. I'm worried for him." Azure replied.
Neil nodded, "Commendable that, trying to dig oneself out of a hole. Reminds me of a story a wise old gunnery sergeant told."
"This marine was working his way through cover behind enemy lines one night and fell into this huge hole that he just couldn't climb his way out of. A couple of hours go by and another marine came by, heard the firsts challenge, then warning about the hole. The second marine edged his way to the rim and asked what was going on."
The captain paused and then continued, "The first marine told him, Well Genius, I fell in this hole. Can you help me out? The second marine nodded and jumped in with him."
"The first marine asked him what the drahk he was doing. Why didn't he go for help, to which the second marine said. Well buddy, it's getting dark. we're behind enemy lines. But, now we're down here together."
Neil shrugged then and smiled ruefully, "The gist being, sometimes we just have to jump in a hole with someone, especially family, whether they want it or not. I'm not sure the story helps, but if you need anything you know your marine family will be there for you, Azure."
"Thank you, sir, that was very informative." Azure said. "And its good to know the Corps has my six."
Neil regarded the Cure's medic and said, "We are a family. We look to our own." He then shuffled flimsies about his desk and told her, "Right then. There will be a ceremony during the open house in a couple of days. Unless you have something you'd like to go over, I'll let you get back to your duties, Sergeant."
"Aye, sir." Azure and went to leave before dwelling on her CO's last word. "Sergeant?" She asked.
A joint post by:
Captain Cornelius Tremble
Marine Commanding Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
Corporal Azure Thompson
Corpsman Command Fire Team, USS Pioneer
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