A Boy's Life

Posted on Sat May 22nd, 2021 @ 9:16am by Master Sergeant Kieran Fredericks
Edited on on Sat May 22nd, 2021 @ 4:49pm

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Marine NCO Family Quarters
Timeline: Current
545 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Kieran sat at his desk, going over NCO Readiness Reports. Normally the Company Readiness NCO, a Gunnery Sergeant, would be handling this, but since the last Op there had been a flurry of promotions as wounded Marines were transferred out on medical leave. So Kieran, who had never been trained as an RNCO but who knew his way around paperwork, had taken some of the work off the woman's hands. Gunny Carrin was extremely grateful and had promised a favor later down the line, as long as it was in her power to grant it. He sighed.

Needing a break, he looked over at Jack, who was playing with Duke. The boy had been pretty subdued lately, ever since they'd reported aboard. Kieran understood. It was a big change. He'd been around other Marine brats at their last assignment, where Kieran was a platoon sergeant and for the last six months of that tour, a battalion Master Gunnery Sergeant. He'd been bumped up to Master Sergeant just before the transfer.

Here it was different. While there were plenty of kids aboard the Elysium, Marine kids were different from typical Starfleet brats. They tended to be tougher, more versatile.

"Jack. " he said. THe boy looked up. Kieran motioned for him to approach.

"Yes sir? " the boy asked. Kieran smiled. Well disciplined, this one.

"What's wrong? " he asked.

"Nothing. " the boy said.

"You're awfully quiet lately. You're not your normal goofy self. " said Kieran. The boy laughed a little, but it was still not his normal level of happiness.

"I guess I'm still getting used to being here, Dad. " said Jack. Kieran nodded, accepting that answer as the truth, at least as Jack saw it.

"You know, life as a Starfleet brat is a hard one. Us Starfleet types often are so focused on the mission, we forget about the sacrifices our wives and kids have to make. And this last mission was rough. " said Kieran.

"I know. Chief Barnes told me we lost some Marines and had quite a few wounded. " said Jack.

"That we did. Is that what's wrong? You were worried? " Kieran asked.

"Kind of. " said Jack as if he were ashamed. Kieran grabbed the boy gently and pulled him into a hug.

"Hey, it's normal for a boy to worry about his dad. There's nothing to be ashamed of. " he said, trying to think of a way he could fix this. Then he remembered his own experience with a counselor, and he'd heard that a new Pediatric Counselor had reported aboard.

"Would it help if you talked to someone? " he asked.

"I'm talking to you. " said Jack matter-of-factly.

"Someone besides me. " said Kieran.

"Maybe. " Jack admitted.

"Okay. Tomorrow I'll go see the ship's counselor and see if there's an opening. " Kieran promised.

"Thanks Dad. " said Jack.

Kieran nodded. He nodded towards Duke. "I think he can use a walk. And I could use a break from this paperwork. Let's take a stroll. " he said. Jack nodded and went to get Duke's leash. He looked at the dog, who looked up at him, tongue out.

"Put that thing away, Mutt. " he joked. The dog let out a yawn, as if saying
"Whatever. "

End Log

Master Sergeant Kieran Fredericks
First Sergeant, Marine Detachment,
USS Elysium.