Reporting Aboard

Posted on Wed Feb 24th, 2021 @ 5:04am by Master Sergeant Kieran Fredericks & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea
Edited on on Thu Mar 4th, 2021 @ 5:07am

Mission: Season 5: Episode 1: No Exit
Location: Marine HQ, USS Elysium
Timeline: MD 01
1243 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Kieran walked into Marine HQ on Deck 32 and looked for the Marine Commander's office. He was slightly in a hurry. Before he'd come down here he'd had to check his son Jack into the ship's daycare and then drop their dog, Duke, off in their small quarters suite. This had taken longer than he'd expected, but it was necessary and he hoped his new CO would understand. He found Lt. Colonel Azhul's office and pressed the door chime, then waited to be called into the room.

Sitting at her desk, Naxea had approving several equipment requisitions when the door chime sounded. "Enter," she called, looking up at the entrance.

Kieran walked into the office and stood in front of her desk at attention.

"Master Sergeant Kieran Fredericks reporting aboard, ma'am! " he said in a precise voice. He remained at attention.

Naxea stood from her chair. "At ease, Master Sergeant. Have a seat," she gestured to the chair by her desk.

Kieran went to the position of at ease, then sat in the chair. He looked at his new CO. She looked tired but still sharp. Typical of a Marine senior officer who was dedicated to their work. The kind that would sit up at night trying to figure out how best to look after her Marines. Good.

Sitting back down behind her desk, Naxea pulled up Master Sergeant Frederick's service record and studied it for a moment. What she saw impressed her. He was a Dominion War Veteran--something she admired and was often sought after in several Marine Commands as such people were a treasure trove of experience. She looked from the monitor to across the desk to the man. "Your service record is impressive, Master Sergeant. I see you did time in recon," she mentioned, recalling that some of the best Marines she served with came from recon.

"Yes ma'am. That's where I got my start. I had to transfer out when my wife was killed." he said. Although he generally didn't like talking about it, as CO she had access to that information anyway, and it was better that he be forthcoming with that kind of information.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Naxea said sincerely. "I see you requested this transfer from First Battalion, Fifth Marines. Why request a transfer from a station that would be safer for your child than a Marine Detachment aboard a starship?"

"I wanted him to be able to see the galaxy. He wants to join Starfleet one day and I want him to see what's out here. And when I was with 5th MARDIV I deployed four times and had to leave him for months at a time. Sure, I'll be deploying here, I have no illusions about that, but I won't be gone so long. And Chief Petty Officer Barnes in Engineering is somebody he's familiar with. He and his wife were stationed on Haskins' Planet for a couple of years and we were friends. That's where he stayed while I was deployed. " said Kieran.

"I see," she replied with a nod. She wasn't about to turn the man away and she knew that he was in long enough to know the risks. "Well, the Elysium is a big ship so there is alot to keep your son occupied. As for the current situation with the detachment, we received alot of boots last month. They're about as green as they come but they're coming around, though not quite as fast as I'd like."

Kieran smiled. "It sounds like I'll have plenty to keep me occupied as well, then ma'am. Not to worry. I'll have them sharp as a scalpel in no time. " he promised.

"That is good to hear, Master Sergeant. Do you want a tour of Marine Country as it's referred to aboard the Elysium?" she offered.

Kieran grinned.

"Absolutely ma'am. And feel free to call me Top. " he said.

Naxea grinned and nodded. "Very well, Top," she said standing. Some Marines preferred Master Sergeant and others, mostly humans preferred the nickname that referred to a unit's top sergeant. "Come with me." She moved around her desk and made her way into the corridor.

She immediately spotted Warrant Officer Man'darr exiting one of the training areas. "Warrant Officer Man'darr. Assemble the detachment for an announcement."

"Aye, ma'am," the big Capellan Marine replied with a nod before moving off.

"For many Marines, everything we could ever want or need is on this deck," she explained. "We have our own transporters, training rooms, urban training center, armory, mess hall, cargo bays and loading docks to name just a few."

"Very impressive, ma'am. Much more roomy and advanced than I remember. The transports I shipped out in during the war weren't nearly this nice. " he said.

"It is nice. One of the advantages of serving on a ship the size of the Elysium," she agreed with a smile. "We also can manufacture any weapons or equipment that we may need with the Industrial Replicators located in Section Twelve.

As the two made their way to the Assembly Bay, the last of the Marines were falling into formation with Warrant Officer Man'darr taking his place in front and center. "Attention!" he called as the the detachment came to full attention at the sigh of their CO approaching.

"At ease," she called.

"All Marines of the Sixty-Second Detachment are present or accounted for," Man'darr reported. "With two Marines on Away Team Assignment."

"Thank you, Warrant Officer. Marines, listen up!" she called, looking out at the Marines gathered in the bay. "We have a new First Sergeant, Master Sergeant Fredericks. He comes highly decorated and recommended. I expect each one of you to give him the respect he deserves and listen to his advice." She then turned her head and looked at the man. "Anything you wish to add, Top?"

Kieran nodded. He looked at the Marines with what he hoped was the proper amount of sternness.

"As the Colonel here said, I'm Master Sergeant Fredericks. You can call me Top. Unless you've messed up and you're on the carpet. Then you better pray to me as God. A couple of things. I'm easy to get along with as long as you do your job and don't complain. I don't have too many pet peeves for you to worry about. Don't show up for duty drunk, don't pick any fights with the crew, and we'll get along fine. I hope you like training, because I LOVE IT. " he said.

"Oh, and for all you wannabe pranksters out there, don't think you'll be able to prank me. Prank me, stand by for immediate retaliation. I've been at it a lot longer than you have and I know some really good ones. " he said. Some of the Marines laughed, although they kept it low enough to maintain decorum.

"Thank you, Top," Naxea said before turning her attention back to the detachment. "Detachment, attention. Dismissed." The Marines instantly fell out of formation, heading back to their duties. "It looks like you will fit in just fine, Top. Do you have any questions?"

"No ma'am. I'm good to go. With your permission I'll have an NCO's call, get a feel for things among the lower ranks. Then I'll head for my quarters to finish getting settled in," said Kieran.

"Go ahead, Top. I'll see you tomorrow at 0700," Naxea said with a grin before turning and heading back to her office.

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