Later on

Posted on Sat Aug 6th, 2022 @ 6:31am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium, Josh and Anna's quarters
Timeline: (Immediately following "Devil Dog to Devil Dog")
2030 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Anna spoke again. "Nothing happened Josh." She noted. "I should have known they'd all think they were better than the rest of us. They got posted on this shiney Elysium Class Starship. We didn't challenge them, they are making shit up. It was just a little goddamned fun, and they made a big deal out of it. Listen, there's a reason I walked out, Starfleet is all well and good until you run afoul of their ideology." She noted. "You saw it, they don't want us there. They don't give a shit we used to be marines. We're just hired protection for the Diplomats, and they all hate guarding the diplomats. If anyone asks, nothing happened. We do the brig time we let this thing fizzle, and we never revisit it."


Josh sighed, "Anna, listen to yourself my darling. WE are marines! We just protect the diplomats and I don't give a shit if they like us or not. They can't take away the fact we're marines. Plus, you, me aren't going to the brig. The Colonel released you to my custody. So, just keep your pretty mouth shut and smile if you see any of the others again. I don't want to come visit you in the brig and definitely don't want to be in the brig if I break someone's jaw for smarting off at you."

At that moment, Mattias, after speaking with the Colonel, entered the room. To say that he looked upset was putting it mildly. "Lock it up you two, now!" He growled dangerously at them both as he stared at them.

Josh knew that look and he knew not to say a word. So, he quickly clamped his mouth and looked at Anna to do the same.

Anna stood motionlessly as Mattias started in on them. She was going to deny everything, and she was done with making nice with the Elysiumites. All she had to say was 'I don't know, Sir," until Mattias got tired of yelling.

Mattias looked at both young Marines. To say that he was proud of their deeds, would be an understatement.

That was, of course, until today.

"Would you two care to explain what the hell just happened down in Marine Country?" He waved his hand dismissively to silence them. "Belay that! I already saw and heard the internal sensor feeds!" He was steaming mad at the both of them.

"I don't get it, you two," he started to pace back and forth in front of them both as he continued to speak. "You both have line company experience before you were selected to join SpecOps! You know how things are supposed to be run! And yet! After a couple months out in the bush, you two decided, all on your own, to meander down amongst our brethren, not announcing yourselves to the fucking X-O of the unit! Instead, you feel it's just hunky-fucking-dory to get in a smart-ass contest with the man!" He stopped pacing and stepped right up in Anna's face, forcing her to flinch backwards some.

"Do you know how long I have known that man? Since before he and I were even in the fucking Corps! He hitched a few rides with my family, back when Kara snd I were kids! He's a fucking El Aurian! Not only that, he is the now the MXO here, and he has been in more shit than you could even fathom! Ever heard of the Eugenics Wars? How about World War III?! He fought and bled in both of them!"

He stepped back, clearly very ashamed of Hendrix. "And you call yourself a Recon Marine." He said quietly as he shook his head. Looking back and forth between the two of them, he continued. "That Marine, has forgotten more about warfare, than the three of us will ever learn."

He was silent for a few beats, then looked at Josh. "Taking into account what you said to the Colonel, Josh...you're still on my team. But know this, one more fuckup and I will make it my mission in life to have you assigned to the smelliest, nastiest fucking armpit assignment that I can find. Do I make myself clear, Lieutenant Young?!"

Josh didn't bat an eye. he knew the captain was mad, hopping mad and he couldn't blame him. Looking at Mattias he replied in a firm tone. "You do sir."

Mattias grunted, then looked at Anna. "As for you, Lieutenant Hendrix. You better count you lucky fucking stars that the Colonel decided to give you a second chance. Screw up again, and she will throw your ass in the Brig, herself!" He paused to look into her eyes, seeing the defiance there. "You're off my team. I can't risk having a protective agent cause a diplatic incident, because of her smart-ass mouth. As of 0900 tomorrow, you will report directly to the Colonel, to get your assignment on the maintenance detail. More than likely, you'll be put to work, ensuring every one of our brother and sister Marine's weapons are in pristine condition. Do the job properly and to the Colonel's satisfaction, and maybe...MAYBE...I'll consider bringing you back onto the team."

He stepped back up in her face again. "But mark my words. You fuck up again, and where I promised to send Josh to will seem like a picnic, compared to where you will go. Do I make myself perfectly clear, Lieutenant Hendrix?"

Anna grasped her combadge and began to squeeze it. "Fuck it.. I am not being set up by the marines again. Consider this my resignation.' She threw the combadge on the ground and smashed it. It sparked a bit and she walked out. "I am not cleaning up shit, by that bitch's command. Nor am I fucking going to kowtow to her. I'd rather tend fucking bar than be her piss-girl!!!"

Josh silently groaned at the news of Anna being off the diplomatic team. She was a damn good marine; she just pushed the envelope too far sometimes. Josh would talk to Mattias later but wasn't very hopeful of changing his mind. His eyes widened in shock at Anna's outburst and the smashing of her combadge. He started to say something but stopped he would talk to her later when they were in their quarters, and she had a chance to cool down.

Mattias had a feeling Anna would react that way. So, outside, he had a pair of Sergeants-at-Arms waiting. They were under orders that if she stormed out like she did, they were to arrest her on the spot.

Which they did. Before Anna could react, they had her pinned up against the corridor bulkhead and had secured her wrists with cuffs.


Josh looked looked at Mattias, knew what he had ordered. He was tempted to go out and go to Anna's aid but she needed to cool down first.


Tag Anna,

After hearing Anna cursing, Mattias stepped out to see her securely subdued. "Throw her in the brig. Charges, as of now, are pending. I'll be down to see her later, after she has thought about what she has done here."

Josh saw Anna, cuffed, her hands behind her back and more importantly with an angry, defiant look. *Oh boy. Not Good. Not Good at all.* He thought silently.

Both Sergeants-at-Arms nodded and escorted Anna down to the Marine brig. It was a much bleaker one than the one that the fleeties used. Marines take care of their own.

"Josh," he said, his voice sounding sadder. "Go talk to her. You might be the only one she will listen to. She can't be allowed to throw away her commission. If she does, and leaves, you know only two outcomes will happen. One, she'll turn into what she hates most. Or two, even worse, she'll be dead within a year." He reached up and gently squeezed the younger man's left shoulder. "I count on both of you for so much. Have done so for so much. Have I pushed her too hard?"

Josh was quiet for a moment before he replied. "Yes sir, I will, I just hope she does listen to me." Josh shook his head, "No sir, I don't think you pushed her too hard. I think this is one big over reaction. Anna and I were teasing when we were in the gym and you know Anna, she is going to push to see if anyone pushes back and how hard. Captain Tonelly was one we were teasing, and he took us to see the Colonel, which got Anna madder, her thinking was they couldn't take a joke and were awful thin skinned. Then you said your piece and I think it wasn't what or how you said it sir but no one saw or attempted to see our side. We're marines too and we've bled as well. Anna and I have saved each other's lives and I trust her with mine." He stopped. I'll talk to her sir. I don't want to lose her."

Mattias nodded, his anger clearly fading quickly. "Nor do I, Josh. I see you both as more than just any Marines. You're my Marines. I just need you both to remember where we are now. We're not back out in the reeds, busting doors and kicking ass. We're back in civilization, where our behavior, mine included, is held to a higher standard. We aren't just Marines, or SpecOps Marines, we are Recon Marines, a whole other level of dangerous for our enemies. But we still have to follow the rules of the land. And here, Colonel Naxea is in overall command of all Marines assigned to the Elysium. After her, is Captain Tonelly, then it's me. So long as conditions aboard ship stay green, we stay to ourselves here, operationally speaking, in DipSec. However, when the shit hits the fan and out protectees are tucked safely away, we muster in with the Sixty-Second."

He paused briefly before adding. "And I will take your sides every time that I can. I just need you two to make sure you don't go pissing in a bigger bowl of corn flakes. Because then? Then my hands are tied and I have to put the screws to both of you." He gave Josh and honest look. "I hope you understand what I'm trying to tell you, Josh."

'Sir, Anna and I trust and respect you. I know and Anna knows, you always have our backs. I admit, we were wrong, but it was innocent fun as one group of marines to another. After all, we know Recon is best and the baddest of them all. I know you have to follow rules and the chain of command. So does Anna, she is just mad. I think she and I both thought we can act like we usually did, and we were wrong and we accept responsibility for our actions. We didn't mean to reflect poorly on your leadership sir and I apologize for having to have you come and read the riot act to us." Josh offered Mattias a weak smile, "I understand sir. It isn't personal it's professional. Don't sweat it sir, we're good. I'll let Anna cool down some hopefully and then I'll go and talk to her."

Mattias nodded silently, then allowed Josh to make his way down to the brig, hopefully to calm down Anna. If Mattias lost her over this, he'd never forgive himself for letting both her and Josh down. Clearly, he had failed them in his leadership. He should have pushed harder to ensure they realized where they were now. This wasn't the Black Watch, under the command of Lilly. This was the USS Elysium, flagship of the Obsidian Fleet, under the command of Captain Phoenix Lalor, who was ultimately responsible for several thousand lives, theirs included.

He instructed the computer to close Josh and Anna's quarters, then he left to go to his office. He had to contact his friend at HQ, ensure that Anna's commission be kept alive and valid.

Then he was going to go have a drink.

~OFF~

 

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