New Devil Dog in the House

Posted on Tue Jan 12th, 2021 @ 9:51pm by Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami [Naxea]
Edited on on Mon Apr 3rd, 2023 @ 6:21pm

Mission: Season 4: Episode 3: Guided by Starlight
Location: USS Mississippi & USS Elysium, Marine Country
Timeline: Prior to Away Team Mission
1378 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

The Danube class runabout, USS Mississippi was hurtling through the cosmos as it was nearing its destination, the USS Elysium. It was occupied by two individuals, the pilot, a Female Catain ensign and Corporal David Tonelly, sniper and proud member of the Starfleet Marine Corps. He was very excited about becoming a member of the famous starship. He had read over some of her history, at least the files that his low clearance level allowed. What he did see told him that on her decks was the place to be.

His daydream was interrupted by his pilot speaking to him. “Prreparre yourself, Corrporral. We will be arrriving at ourr destination shorrtly.”

Nodding, David replied as he rose from his seat. “Yes, Ma’am.” He then moved to the rear cabin and retrieved his bags and sniper rifle. Renter if the cockpit, he managed to catch a view of the mammoth starship right as the runabout dropped out of warp. The pilot transmitted the required arrival codes and, the reply was received, turned back to her passenger.

“Have a safe jourrrney, Corrporral. It has been a pleasurrre having you aboarrd. Stand by for transport over to the Elysium.”

Nodding again, David moved over to the small, two-person transporter pad, located at the rear of the small cockpit. After placing his bags on one pad, he stood on the other. “Ready for transport, Ma’am.”

The pilot sent the request and seconds later the familiar shimmering began to fill David’s vision. As his view of the runabout cockpit vanished, he felt a brief shiver of cold. Then, as quickly as it began, the sensation ended, as he rematerialized in one of the Elysium’s transporter rooms.

At the transporter room, stood a well built Marine with her hands placed on her hips as she waited for the the transporter to complete it's cycle. Staff Sergeant Gami looked the new arrival over. "Staff Sergeant Gami. Welcome aboard, Corporal."

Upon seeing the Noncom, David snapped to attention. “Corporal David Tonelly reporting as ordered, Staff Sergeant!”

"At ease, Corporal. Come on, I'll escort you to Marine Country and let you meet the Major," she motioned as she turned to head out of the transporter room. "So, you're the new sniper? Any good?"

Relaxing from his stance, David reached down and collected his belongings. After slinging his duffel onto his back, he picked up a smaller duffel in his left hand and the hard case, containing his sniper rifle, in his right. He quickly moved to fall into position, on the left, and one pace behind, Gami. As they walked, he split his attention between taking in their surroundings and their conversation. “I graduated second in my class, Sergeant. Then, while I was assigned to Camp Amazon, I earned the callsign, “Ghostwalker”, as I’m sure you probably already knew, from my file.”

"I'm not privy to that information. Only the Major sees the records," Gami replied with a shrug as she rounded a corner, coming to a stop in front of a turbolift, entering. "However, you at least seem competent," a grin crossed her face. "So...you're not terran," she concluded as she entered the lift, having sensed a portion of his experiences.

Following Gami inside, David replied. “That’s correct. I’m El Aurian.” He then took a moment to consider the other Marine. “You are Betazoid, aren’t you?”

"Deck Thirty-Two, Administrative sector," she instructed the computer as it chirped and the lift began it's journey. "Right you are," she replied, looking at the Corporal. She was rather in awe of the man. What was it like to have such long life spans? she wondered. A moment later, the lift came to a stop and the doors opened to reveal an almost seemingly different ship as the bulkheads were a darker shade and the lights slightly dimmer than that of the rest of the ship. Gami stepped out into the corridor. "I'd suggest leaving your equipment outside of the Major's office," she suggested as headed for Naxea's office. "Don't worry, I'll make sure nobody messes with it."

Following behind Gami, David nodded. “Understood, Sergeant. Thank you.” He continued looking around their surroundings as they walked. It always made him chuckle to himself at just how different the two worlds, Starfleet and SFMC, were. “Have you served on the Elysium long?”

"No. I just arrived a few weeks ago after Major Azhul requested me. We served together prior, when she was my Platoon CO on Deep Space Fifteen and we get along well since we have similar backgrounds--we both went through occupations as children."

David nodded thoughtfully as he listened. It was good that his command had served together. In his experience, when the leadership knows how each can react to combat situations, it can only make them a better team.

She soon came to the door labeled Major Azhul Detachment CO. "Here we are," she said as she pressed the chime.

"Enter," came Naxea's voice from within.

Entering, Gami spotted Naxea at her desk--she felt sorry for the woman having to constantly keep up on "paperwork." It was one reason why she never became an officer. She approached and came to attention. "I have Corporal Tonelly here for you, ma'am."

Looking up from her desk, Naxea nodded and grinned at the woman. "Thank you, Gami. That will be all." She watched the woman nod and turn to walk back out. "Enter, Corporal Tonelly."

Quietly lowering his gear to the deck, as Gami entered the office and spoke, David had just straightened up and was smoothing out his impeccably ironed uniform and nodded once to Gami as she stepped back out into the corridor. Moving smartly, he entered the office and stopped three paces from the desk and officer in front of him. Snapping to attention and saluting, he spoke clearly. “Corporal David Tonelly reporting for duty, as ordered, Ma’am!”

"At ease," Naxea said as she brought up the man's bio on her desk terminal. "Have a seat, Corporal," she said, gesturing to a chair near her desk.

Lowering his salute, David moved to the offered chair and sat, waiting for Naxea to begin speaking.

"So, Corporal, you're an El-Aurian..." she paused as she studied the bio. "With your educational background and experience, why are you not an officer?"

David thought about the question and chuckled softly. “To be honest, Ma’am, I’m more familiar to the enlisted side of the house. I’m sure you’ve seen my entire past in my file?”

"That I have, and I believe I understand. Just know if you ever change your mind, I'll help you with a commission. Now, your training is very impressive so I'll be assigning you to First Platoon which is also our Special Operations Platoon."

David nodded. “Thank you, Ma’am. I appreciate that.” He then shifted in his seat slightly. “What will my duties entail?”

"Well, you're trained as a sniper, so I'll place you there as the Platoon's Sniper and with your experience, you'll be in charge of Marksmanship Training for the Detachment as well the training of other snipers."

Nodding politely, David responded. “Understood, Ma’am. I won’t let you, or the unit, down.” He paused briefly and then continued. “May I ask what our current mission is?”

"Right now, we're escorting some religious zealots from Earth to their new home," she answered with a sigh. “But the detachment is doing daily training regimen. You'll have the day to get squared away and report for morning formation tomorrow at 0700. Staff Sergeant Gami will show you to your quarters. Is there anything else, Corporal?"

Standing and snapping to attention again, David replied. “No, Ma’am. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in your command.” He then saluted again.

Naxea stood and returned the salute. "Then you're dismissed Corporal. Welcome to the Sixty-Second Spartans."

“Thank you, Ma’am,” David replied. Then, after Naxea dropped her salute, he did the same. Afterwards, he performed an about face and exited the office as quickly and smartly as he entered it, eager to begin his duties.

*OFF*

Major Naxea Azhul
62nd Detachment Commander
USS Elysium

and

Corporal David Tonelly
Special Operations Platoon Sniper
USS Elysium