Changing Orders
Posted on Wed Nov 1st, 2017 @ 7:11pm by
Edited on on Fri Jun 1st, 2018 @ 5:24am
899 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Episode 1 - Pioneering Spirit
Location: Prennar V
Timeline: MD000 Pre-Pioneer
=A= Prennar V - Federation Protectorate =A=
First Lieutenant Akaar James Cruz, better known to those around him as AJ, pointed at the situation table before him. "Right here is where we should focus our efforts to break the Prennaran Rebellion's lines. They've already stretched themselves thin here," AJ adjusted the table to zoom in on the nearby mountain range where the rebels had based one of their offensive cells. The holographic image shifted to show the alterations in the terrain's elevation. "And here," he adjusted the display again to show the lowland coast.
"They're backed against a wall in both places. Nowhere to go but further into the mountains or into the sea. Their lines in the middle are weak because they're afraid to commit."
Colonel Faar grunted. "They're fairly committed already Lieutenant. Half their forces on either side fighting to the middle and they've already killed a total of thirty of our Marines."
"Incoming, Prennaran rebel air support!" someone announced tersely in the background.
AJ adjusted the holographic display hanging above the situation table. "Four incoming atmospheric fighters. Bring the anti-aircraft defenses online."
"Not possible, Lieutenant. Air defense is still not online. We're still shielded, but if they're dropping incendiary devices, shields may not be entirely useful, sir."
"Air defense isn't online," AJ repeated incredulous. He stormed to the Private's station and grabbed his uniform by the shoulders. "Air defense just went active."
Faal stepped directly in Cruz's way. "Exactly what are you doing, Cruz?"
AJ smiled dangerously. "Air defense just went active, Colonel. This private ad I are going to take a walk outside with a couple of isomagnetic disintegrators and defend this forward operating base from an incoming air to ground attack."
Colonel Faal smirked. "You're a crazy son of a bitch, Cruz. It's why you'll never make a higher rank."
"I may be a crazy son of a bitch, Colonel, but rank is for old men who are too lazy to do the work required. I'm not there yet." Cruz used his right arm to shove the private into the colonel's line of sight. "Neither is he."
=A= USS Gorkon =A=
AJ materialized on the deck of the USS Gorkon. He dropped the isomagnetic disintegrator on the deck and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He looked down at his hand, realizing he'd probably just wiped the filth off his forehead or into it. At this point, it didn't matter.
AJ looked at his platoon's Sergeant. "Staff Sergeant Burns, let's get these men patched up and cleaned up. We're back on the field in forty five."
"Minutes?" Burns asked, not bothering to keep the surprise from his voice.
For the last four hours, Cruz had marched his men into the middle of the Prennaran rebel's lines, beating them back to the ocean and the mountains. Now they had a war on two fronts and their tactical reports indicated it would be less than a day before the rebellion was forced to lay down arms and surrender to all terms.
AJ cocked an eyebrow at the sergeant. "Minutes. I don't want to hear excuses. We'rve bee ordered to hold Prennar's capital and I'll be damned if we'll stand down before the Fleet sends in reinforcements."
"They've got twice as many men, Lieutenant," Second Lieutenant Flarn snorted. It was only half the fault of his species, a Tellarite whose skin was as thick proverbially as it was actually. As Executive Officer for Cruz, he had to voice his concern despite the fact that he was itching to get back on the field.
"And we've got twice as much initiative, Flarn. Anyone who isn't dead better be ready to get back to killing the Prennaran rebels," Cruz said, eyeing the men in the cargo bay into which Captain Shemar had transported them.
As if the thought of Shemar had summoned her, the Starfleet captain entered the bay. "Lieutenant Cruz, you look like you've seen better days."
AJ nodded. "Probably true, but I've still got ten fingers and ten toes, so I can still pull a trigger. We'll be back on Prennar V in forty five minutes, Captain."
Shemar shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Lieutenant. The Gorkon has been recalled. Starfleet has sent another three platoons of marines to the planet already."
Cruz could feel his teeth grind in frustration. "May I ask why we're being pulled from the fight, Captain?" he nearly growled. AJ was like a shark in chummed waters.
"I've been told there's trouble brewing in the Cardassian sector, First Lieutenant. The Gorkon has been ordered to Empok Nor, from there we will receive updated orders as to why. For now, I suggest your men get to medical, get cleaned up and hunker down. It'll be a few days before we get to Empok Nor."
"I find this suspect, Captain, and I don't like standing down from a fight."
Shemar crossed her arms over her chest. "Whether you like it or not, orders are orders, First Lieutenant. If you have a problem with it, you take it up with Colonel McCann."
AJ's teeth ground again. McCann was a twit. "I will, Captain. You can be sure of that."
1st Lieutenant Akaar Cruz
Marine Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
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