Returning to the Fold...

Posted on Wed Jan 5th, 2022 @ 8:07am by Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: USS Elysium, Marine County, MCO's Office
Timeline: MD 06 / 0915 hours
920 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After Baeryn left for her shift, David quickly got cleaned up and dressed in his duty fatigues. He then made his way back down to the familiar settings of Marine County. After greeting several fellow Marines as he passed, he finally reached his destination. Doublechecking his uniform, he reached up and pressed the door chime the Colonel Naxea's office.

Leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed, Naxea savored the taste of warm Raktajino sliding down her throat, warming her. The sound of her door chime brought her back to the present as she sat up and set her cup down on the desk. "Enter."

Upon hearing the command, the computer unlocked and opened the doors. Once they were open, David marched inside, snapped to attention and saluted Naxea. "Ma'am, request permission to speak with you."

Naxea grinned and stood, returning the salute. "Of course Corporal, have a seat," she gestured to the nearby seat. "Care for anything?"

David moved to sit and then replied. "Beer, if you have it, Ma'am." He grinned as he spoke.

"Good thing you're not on duty or the answer would be no," she replied, looking at the man before. "Any particular type of beer?"

The El Aurian grinned, remembering briefly the time when he was in the United States Army, and his squad would sometimes go down to the base bowling alley during duty hours, if it was a big birthday of one of the kids, usually their twenty-first, and they would all drink cheap pitchers of beer and just have fun.

Blinking back to the present, he said, "Was always partial to Dunkel, Ma'am."

Naxea moved to the replicator. "Computer, one standard glass of Dunkel," she ordered. A moment later, a glass of the dark colored German lager materialized. She turned and offered the glass to Tonelly. "So what brings you here, Corporal? Ready to come back to duty?"

Taking the glass, David thanked Naxea, then took a pull from the glass. "Synthbeer. Kinda takes the fun outta things." He shook his head, to get back on track. "My apologies, Ma'am." He took in a deep breath and slowly released it. Then, he continued.

"To answer your question, yes Ma'am, I am. However, I was thinking about the question you asked me, after Quel'lish, if I was interested in becoming an officer. I was unsure then. Now however, I am quite sure. Yes, I would like to attend O.C.S. and become an officer. If, of course, you feel I am qualified to attend training?"

Naxea grinned at Tonelly as she leaned back in her chair. She was proud when Marines under her command wanted to further their careers. Many enlisted only wanted to serve one or two tours and then move onto another career. "Alright, Corporal. If you're serious about becoming an officer, I'll sponsor you but it's alot of hard work."

David chuckled softly. "With everything I've been through, I'm sure I'll do fine." He paused briefly before adding, "I do have one requirement, Ma'am. While I do wish to complete the entire course, I need to do so remotely. Baeryn, Lieutenant Whavi, is pregnant with our first child. She's about seven weeks in. I have to be here. I will not miss this time or our child being born, Ma'am. Respectfully."

Naxea was quiet for a moment as she looked at Tonelly. Remote Training was often harder than on-site training due to having to maintain active duty requirements on top of learning but she knew he would make a damn good officer and leader one day. She still wasn't entirely happy that he had gotten a Fleet Lieutenant pregnant. "Very well, Corporal. I'll get you started in Remote Training. All Assault and physical tests will be conducted aboard the ship by myself and my XO, Warrant Officer Man'darr."

David smiled softly. "Thank you, Ma'am. I appreciate your understanding in this matter. As soon as the courses can be set up, I'd Ike to begin." He finished his beer in a large gulp, then stood and returned the empty glass to the replicator. In a flash, it was reclaimed by the system. Returning to his seat, he sat down and asked, "What is the first step. Ma'am?"

"First, you fill out an official OCS enrollment form and give it to me where I'll add my recommendation and send it off to Starfleet Marine Corps HQ. You should then receive your first courses within 24 hours from HQ," Naxea explained.

Nodding, David responded. "You'll have the form within the hour, Ma'am." He was starting to feel a level of excitement as he started the wheels in motion for this new path in life. "Is there anything else I need to do in the meantime, Ma'am?"

"Just prepare for alot of work and testing. But I'm sure you will do fine and in about six months, you should have your commission," she grinned at the man. "You're dismissed."

David snapped to attention and saluted Naxea. "Thank you, Ma'am, for all of the guidance, support and patience that you have shown me. You have my word that I won't disappoint you."

Naxea stood and returned the salute. "I know you won't." She had been impressed with Tonelly ever since his first day aboard.

After the Colonel dropped her salute, David followed suit, performed an about face and moved smartly out of her office. As soon as the doors closed a huge grin filled his face. He couldn't wait to tell Baeryn tonight!

~OFF~