Meeting Adjourned

Posted on Mon May 9th, 2022 @ 9:33am by Captain Samuel Woolheater
Edited on on Mon May 9th, 2022 @ 9:40am

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: TITAN - SATURN VI - THE CARLOS HATHCOCK CONFERENCE ROOM
Timeline: THE PAST - A WEEK AGO
Tags: Hostee, Patel, Agent Garmin
2215 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

=== THE PAST – CAMP MARGRAVE, TITAN, SATURN VI – CARLOS HATHCOCK ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – MEETING ROOM ===

A framed picture, centuries old now, of Marine Scout/Sniper Carlos Hathcock hung on the wall. Below it, arranged with such careful detail were award letters, letters of commendation and accreditation for Scout/Sniper school here at Camp Margrave. A picture of the current Federation President the Andorian Relvsian sh’Zorhacs hund next to the CinC of Starfleet Command and so on through the Marine Brass.

The meeting room had a large, long table. Seated were a dozen instructors and marine staff. They each had an LCARS interface terminal embedded onto the table in front of them. On another wall behind them were screens monitoring the classrooms, the ranges, the holodecks, and other training facilities. Each screen was busy with students as they went about their work. Above the table and equal to its length were illumination lamps that were directly over the table and ran the entire overhead length. Except for the pictures and the monitor screens, not much else is visible in the room except for five flags at the head of the table. These were the Marine regimental “battle flags” for the camp and those that were historical associated with the various commands stationed here on Titan.

A marine General sat at the head of the table. His uniform was crisp and neat. The rest of the staff worked quietly. At the other end of the table sat a marine Major. She was reviewing her screen, making notes and observations on students’ performance.

“What about this business on Arcadia?” General Hostee asked. He looked up and to the other end of the table.

Major Patel answered, “What do you mean sir?”

“I mean we got something didn’t we? Something that has the Science department all excited over?” he asked.

Nima Patel took a beat and answered, “Everyone? Take a break. Clear the room. I need a few minutes with General Hostee.”

Everyone got up except one. They saved their work and stepped out of the room. General Hostee sat at one end, Patel at the other and a man in nice clothing and neat appearance at the ”La Grange” point between them. He pushed his PaDD away and steepled his fingers quietly. When the sliding glass door slid silently shut and then automatically frosted for privacy, Patel continued.

“The incident is still under investigation. I don’t think anybody is clear about what we got or how it happened” she said to Hostee.

“Now what the hell does that mean?” Hostee asked annoyed as he sat back in his chair.

Nima said, “It means that we are not to talk about it until we are given clearance by both the SFMC and the Office of Starfleet Intelligence.” She said calmly. Her regulation short trimmed black hair dully reflected the light of the lamps above her head. “The crew of the Hale has been debriefed. As far as the Starfleet crew is concerned, this is a terrible accident. The marine platoon has also been debriefed and those who were there and have eyewitness knowledge have been debriefed and…reallocated elsewhere.”

“Tell me what the hell is going on here? I’ve read the reports and I know that one of those marines damn near lost his commission because…”

The man in the nice clothes interrupted, “He did…lose his commission General.” His voice was calm and measured. And a little but unsettling. It was like a screw went up your spine when you heard it. Not that the tone was alien, or the quality of the voice. Those were acutely normal. It was the way he said the words. Like someone who knew the answers before you asked the question.

Patel looked at the man as did Hostee. Nima spoke up, “But, they are doing so well. I thought…”

“What you thought is irrelevant” the man said.

General Hostee asked irritated at the man, “You are critical of the marines? Critical of how we handle things then I take it?”

The man answered, “I am critical of indecision.” He still hadn’t changed his gaze or his finger steeple.

Hostee was agitated now and sat forward, “You mean of me? Of my decision to dispatch marines to accompany your little experiment?”

“No. That was necessary. You lost the chief scientist.” Here he looked directly at Hostee. The gaze was hostile and intense. Hostee backed down by sitting back into the chair. “So…that’s why you’re here then? To take…to make decisions. To perhaps make the right decisions?” Hostee asked.

Nima watched with quiet observation.

The man answered, “I’ve already made my decision. I’m here to help others make theirs.”

The air seemed to grow colder now. The room seemed darker at the edges. Hostee held that gaze as long as he dared and then looked away. There was a moment of chaos. When the world seemed to have come unglued.

Major Patel, seeing the unravelling before her said, “However, you can understand our hesitancy. They say when there is no…clear…option; it’s best to do nothing.” She ended her statement to make it sound like a question. Even though that is not what she intended. Hostee glared at her from the other end of the table.

The man in the nice clothes turned his head towards her, “The balance of power has shifted Major. I would have thought that such esteemed, career military officers as yourself and the General here would have noticed the shift in the wind.”

The air was still. Like a gallows.

“Let me be clear” the man said. “What happened at Arcadia is to be remembered as a tragic terrorist bombing. It will be blamed on a radical group of terrorists. And the knowledge and the existence of the science teams work with extra-dimensional technology…will…be…silenced.”

Hostee made a face of contempt towards this man. Patel, being smarter than him, tried another tactic. “I understand” she said. “But…”

“Yes?” the man said.

“If the Lieutenant loses his commission. He won’t have a job. He might…become an undesirable? Something of a variable? One that we could not control?” she ventured forth.

The man sat forward, palms down and said, “I’m listening.”

“Hall and Woolheater are doing very, very well. Many people have noticed by now. They were both dur for recertification as luck would have it. If they were to suddenly have unfavorable events fall on them by upper management. It might cause an inquiry. Questions could be asked, and the JAG might get involved?”

The man said, “You have something else in mind?”

General Hostee was more direct, “What are you getting at….exactly?”

“We could promote them. They are doing so well anyway it is a logical choice. Both are fine officers, and they are overdue for a promotion. In doing so, we could decide for them to have a more…forward…position at a high conflict, or other hardship post. Certain accommodations could be made and…well…” she ended.

Hostee looked disgusted, “My god. You people. God almighty. The only thing you people won’t steal is a red-hot stove. You want to promote these marines and ship them off to a meat grinder? Is that it? That’s your brilliant plan?” He sat disgusted and looked at them. “You people make me sick. You ask us to guard the fences and protect the peace. And when things don’t go according to your shitty plans then you want to wipe the slate clean. Well, you can’t destroy these marines’ careers just because your secret might get out. It’s wrong. I won’t sign off on it.”

The man said, “Major Patel, I believe that you have the authority to promote these officers?”

She looked startled that now she would have to get her hands dirty, “Technically….yes…”

“Then we won’t need to bother the General here” the man said calmly.

“You can’t go over my head. I commandant of this facility. I will stop you. And if you do what I think you’re going to do Major Patel, then you can start looking for a new job. I will drum your ass out of the Corps faster…” the man quietly interrupted him.

“…General. You will do as you’re told. It would be unfortunate if you were to befall something scandalous here on Titan? That is one of the many benefits of working for an Agency like ours. Who watches the watchers? We do General. And in watching we have seen everything. And a series of unfortunate events…could…be arranged for you too. And then; who would be Commandant?”

The man stood to his feet. He walked over and stood by Major Patel, “Promote them. Assign them to some duty station where Nature is likely to murder them for us? You can do that can’t you Major?” He started to leave. The doors unfrosted and they slid open. Then he turned and said to them and to the people now returning to their seats at the conference table, “I think it would be a wonderful idea to promote Hall and Woolheater. And I have heard so much about the Elysum. Would that not be in everyone’s best interest?” The man left and was lost from sight in the crowded corridors of TITAN.

Hostee got to his feet. He walked by Major Patel. Stopped. Looked as if he was going to say something. Stopped again. “By the end of business today. Do it. Make it happen” he said.

The Major got to her feet, “Yes sir” she said. They exchanged a knowing glance. After what the USS Elysium has been through; they would be lucky to last a single tour of duty.


=== LATER THAT NIGHT – MARINE BARRACKS ===

Having scored very well on the second day of Scout/Sniper recertification, Sam and Mason, after getting patched up in medical, had gone to dinner. Tomorrow would be hand-to-hand combat and gathering intel and reconnaissance. Sam slipped out of his bunk and made his way to a COMM station. There, he called Emily her face broke into a happy smile at the sight of him.

“SAM! How are you? Are you hurt?” she asked

“Hey there Em. I miss you so much babe! I’m OK. Just the normal stuff. Nothing too bad. Nothing the docs can’t patch & match” he said. Sam we truly delighted to see her and hear her voice. He was in his green boxers and flip flops and a white t-shirt with the SFMC logo over the left breast.

“I can hardly wait to see you again” he said as he touched the screen.

“I leave tomorrow morning. I’ll be there in five-hours after we leave. How did your recert go?” she asked.

“Good” he answered. He smiled, “Pretty good, I think. We’re up near the top of the score rank. New guy, spotter, he’s good to work with. Y’know? We get along easy” Sam answered.

“Will I get to meet him?” she asked.

“Sure. If you want too. But I want this time to be just you and me. I want to take you to Earth. Let’s do all the things that we want to do. I miss you so much. When I’m out in the field; I’m thinking of you. You’re on my mind babe.” He said softly and tenderly.

“You mean it Sam? Are you getting out? Really?” she asked.

“If you can stand to have me around. Then yeah. I think this….yeah. It’s hard for me to imagine another way of life. I guess you’ll have to help me?” he said.

“Oh god Sam. I hope so. Let’s talk about when I see you?” she aaid excited and hopeful.

“Yeah. Sure. When you get here. Give me a call when you’re close OK? When get off of work then I can meet you at the visitor and family center. I’m so looking forward to seeing you again Em. I love you.” Woolheater said.

“I love you too Sam. See you tomorrow sweet” she put her hand to the screen. Sam put his to touch hers. “See you” and the transmission ended. The SFMC logo enlighted the screen.

Sam looked up and saw Mason just stop and lean against the door frame. “Well, well, well….”

Sam said, “What?” as he got to his feet.

“Just amazed is all. You never talk about yourself. I mean, we have all that time between getting shot at today. Does that call mean there is someone special in your life?” Mason asked teasing.

Sam was not going to answer and just leave. Mason put his muscled arm to block him and said, “Does this mean that…all-go….never-quit…shoot-first-ask-later….big-nuts…Sam Woolheater might actually have a heart under all that Marine bull-shit?”

Sam gave him a look and said, “Well…you’ll never know.”

Mason put his arm down, sighed and let Woolheater pass out of the COMM room.



[OFF:]


2nd Lieutenant, Samuel Woolheater
“Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas”

===UNASSIGNED===