The Day After

Posted on Thu Sep 30th, 2021 @ 8:49am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Chief Warrant Officer Man'darr [Naxea] & Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami [Naxea]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: MD 8; 1130 Hours
826 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Dressed in her Marine Duty Uniform in the large open Assembly Area, Naxea stood at attention before five battlefield crosses. Each cross represented a Marine that had fallen during the attack on the ship. Behind the battlefield crosses were the Federation Flag and Starfleet Marine Corps Flag crossed. The bodies had been preserved in Sickbay's Morgue until they could be released at a nearby starbase to be returned to their loved ones for burial--four more Marines she now had to write letters home to their next of kin.

It was something she had never gotten used to and she hoped she never would. As their CO, she was ultimately responsible for them and any lack of compassion towards her Marines would be negligence on her part. And that was something she would not allow. Rendering the salute, she held it for a moment as she took in the names of the five fallen: Lieutenant A. Tanner, Corporal A. Davis; Lance Corporal S. O'Connor, Sergeant Dali, and PFC L. Menzay. Lowering the salute, Naxea right faced and marched off.

After the ceremony ended, Naxea made her way to her office. She looked at the deck as she walked, really missing and needing S'hib at the moment and yet all she had were damn empty quarters where she felt more alone. As such, she had been spending majority of her time at her office and in Marine Country. The rapidly approaching heavy foot falls broke her from her train of thought. "Hey, Warrant Officer Man'darr."

"Hey Boss," the large capellan replied, falling into step beside her. "Nice ceremony," he commented. "Guess with Lieutenant Tanner gone..."

"You're back to being my XO," Naxea cut him off.

"Shit," he replied, with a shake of his head.

The reaction caused Naxea to grin, knowing how much Man'darr hated the admin duties that came with being the detachment XO. It was something she understood all too well. She remembered when her responsibilities were far fewer as a platoon CO. Now she was responsible for everyone in the entire detachment and oversee the logistics of running it.

Entering her office, Man'darr followed in behind. "Are you alright, Colonel? You seem down."

Sitting down on her desk, Naxea let out a long sigh. "Just tired of losing Marines in my command. Five young Marines gone..."

"Yeah, it doesn't get any easier but we honor them by continuing to fight and live," Man'darr replied, crossing his massive arms. "Besides, where is Commander S'hib?"

"Off visiting his damn home planet," she snapped, anger and frustration apparent in her voice.

"Woah, why are you angry?"

She shook her head. "Well, he gave little notice and we're supposed to be planning our wedding but with him gone, it's put off until he returns."

"Damn, just when I was going to ask Mr. Hung if he wanted a threesome.
What, was there a global stampede on his planet?" came the voice of Staff Sergeant Gami from the door.

Man'darr chuckled at the comment and Naxea grinned. "I thought you were still confined to Sickbay," Naxea commented.

"Just some bruising and soreness but my ribs are healed," the woman explained, entering Naxea's office.

"Good to hear," Naxea grinned at her long time friend. "Just take it easy until you're fully healed."

"Yes ma'am," Gami grinned. "Well, since your sweetie is off ship, let's have some fun? Girl's night out?"

Naxea took a deep breath before responding. "Thanks, but I can't. I have duties to attend to at the moment. Perhaps another time."

"Alright, if you insist, but you really should get out. Especially with all that has happened," Gami advised with a shrug before looking at Man'darr. "And you, Mr. Man'darr. I hear the shuttle maintenance crews are cursing you."

A confused look came across Man'darr's face. "Me? Why?"

"I hear they're still trying to clean the blood off the deck from your supposedly perfect decapitation," Gami explained, grinning.

This caused the large capellan to laugh. "I should tell them to leave it as a warning to anyone else that thinks it is a good idea to attack the ship."

"It was rather impressive. You will have to show me how to use that Kligat of yours sometime," Naxea agreed.

"It will be my honor Colonel, however it takes alot of practice to master," he replied.

"Well, as much I enjoy the company, I really do have work to catch up on, including my after action report," Naxea stated, standing up and moving around to sit down behind her desk.

"Aye, Colonel. Just let me know if you need anything." Man'darr stated, moving towards the exit.

"Same here," Gami replied. "I'm hungry. Mess Hall better not be serving country fried steak again." She complained as she also headed out of the exit.

Naxea could only only smile as she watched her two most trusted Marines and friends exit her office before activating her monitor and getting to work.