"Change of Command"

Posted on Sun Mar 5th, 2023 @ 9:07am by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: Season 6 : Episode 1: Circinus
Location: Marine Command Tent, Elysium Colony
Timeline: MD05 - 1500 hours
1949 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

David stood at the portable master display, located at the side of the tent, looking at the various status reports that were being handed in by the various marines that were both on the surface, and up on the ship, helping with repairs.

"Colonel, current unit combat readiness is nearly forty percent. With main replicators still out of commission, we have enough weapons and supplies to hold out for a few days of moderate combat."

"I want every Marine on the surface armed with a bare minimum a Type One phaser," Naxea stated. "If something happens, they have protection and a way to create a heat source for warmth. The shuttles normally have an emergency stash of weapons. Get our people on the ship to scavenge those if we haven't already."

David nodded. "Aye, Ma'am. I'll make sure every one of our people are properly equipped." He made some notes on the mini PADD that he carried.

OUTSIDE THE CAVE SYSTEM - SHUTTLE LANDING ZONE

The wind was really picking up. And it howled across the open terrain in front of the cave system that was selected for their temporary home. Captain Woolheater stood watch with the marines of the 1st platoon. Their combat EVA suits keeping them warm. The problem was visibility. With so much snow and freezing rain mixed with large chunks of hail and snow; it made keeping the lights of the landing zone clear and visible a full-time job. It was cold, exhausting duty. And Sam was right there with the platoon doing the work that had to be done and watching the perimeter. Making sure that nothing unexpected came in - and - more importantly - nobody stumbled through the landing area and heading in the wrong direction away from the caves.

It was times like these that Sam was glad for the in EVA HUD display. A marine voice from the first platoon said, "Hoooly SHIT it's cold out here Cap!"

Sam nodded and acknowledged the obvious statement. "Instead of just bitchin' about it; stoke the fires y'know? Just a thought."

"Is that an order? Sir?" the marines asked back.

Sam said, "It's an observation. Keep your eyes open, keep moving and keep tabs on your peeps. If your EVA suit starts to freeze over; get over to the fire pit and warm that shit up. Now, quit moaning. Focus."

Nobody was happy. It was damn cold out here. Sam purposefully did not look at the outside temperature. He kept having to clear the face plate to keep the ice off of it. Marines did 90 minute shifts while there was daylight. And when the sun went down, curfew was strictly enforced. Nobody out. Last thing anybody wanted to do was search the tundra for some dumbass who got lost.

The final tally came in out of 128 marines; 98 survived and were accounted for. Samuel shouldered his rifle on the sling and typed in the commands that would sync his body armor with the unfrozen PaDD's in the field tent inside the caves. "I'm going in to talk with Captain Tonelly."

The same marine who was pissed earlier said, "Oh? You're going in? Nice warm cave huh? Going to be a while?"

Sam stopped and turned. The faceplate was faceless, just the reflection of the other marine in it and the roaring fire behind him. The wind sending blankets of snow and ice across the landing area as another shuttle came to rest. It's lights shining on just how much sleet there was out here. Sam said, "Do we have a problem here?"

There was a moment.

"Sir. No sir" was the reply.

"Stay. Frosty." Sam said and pointed at the other marine.

There was another moment.

Sam said, "That was a joke. Stay frosty? You gotta be shitting me right?"

"Yes sir. Very amusing sir."

"Lighten up marine. That's comedy gold I just gave you there. I'll be back to relieve you."

INSIDE CAMP DERANI

Sam turned and walked into the cave and he tried retracting his faceplate. It was partially frozen. He had to break the ice that had accumulated. He found himself saying as the cold air of the ice cave greeted him, "Hoooly fuck that's cold!" as he stepped into the marine command field tent.

Seeing Captain Tonelly at the mobile command table, busy, Samuel stepped over and looked for an unfrozen PaDD that had his data on it. Finding it. He picked it up and approached the table.

David saw Woolheater approaching with a PADD in hand. "Hey, Sam," he said with a slight grin. "What have you got for us?"

Reaching the mobile command table, Sam offered the list to his superior officer, "Final count is in for marine survivors. We lost eleven marines in their racks and nineteen over the past two days. Total of thirty-marines down. We're at ninety-eight. Basically one-quarter strength lost. Hardest hit was third platoon. They were in their racks. Morale is low, everybody is tired and worn out. I left second platoon in place back on Elysium. The CO says that life support has gone tits up and he's not going to be able to keep a whole platoon. Wants to know if we can keep the home fires lit with just eight marines. Two fire teams basically. One on patrol, one on standby on twelve hour shifts. And if that isn't enough...page four on the PaDD lists all the crew wanting to talk to someone 'in charge around here'..." here Sam made finger quotes. Everything from why there is no diner service and a chef to is the hot water in the showers softened or regular. We got shuttles coming in still and they're asses are late. It'll be dark in about...150 minutes. Emergency food replicators...apparently...don't work so well in the fffffffricken cold. It's all there sir. I gotta go back and relieve Masson before he files a 45-N complaint with the skipper...." Sam paused and smiled. "Just an awesome damn day sir. Definitely have to let the marketing team know that this experience goes on the brochure!"

The news was not good--Third Platoon was Chief Man'darr's Platoon. She knew he had to be taking it hard. Naxea stepped towards Woolheater. "Tell them to be glad they have hot water and if they have any issues, to bring them to me and I will ensure they see a solution. Everyone is cold save for the young and the wounded for obvious reasons. As for Masson, tell him to suck it up and keep his bitching to himself," Naxea said sternly. She wasn't about to allow one Marine destroy the fragile morale at the base camp.

Sam acknowledged Azhul with, "Yes Colonel. I will remind them. It's good to see you back. Both of you. There were some pretty....well. We didn't know what had happened and we couldn't raise anybody on the COMM. It's just...everything started to turn around when you all were found."

David moved over to Sam and placed his right hand on the other man's left shoulder. "Though the rest of the universe sees us as mindless warmongers, we Marines are still regular people at the end of the day. Everyone has fears and concerns. I know I speak for the Colonel when I say that we both are extremely proud of you and how you kept things together. Keep it up and you'll have a bright a prosperous future."

Naxea nodded. "You have done above and beyond so far, Captain."

Sam was happy to hear the compliment. The deaths of so many still weighed on him. Especially the death of one little girls parents when a compartment collapsed and vented everything and everyone out into space. He would remember that for a long time. How that child's life now was changed forever.
He would, in time, check in on her and make sure that she was alright. Looking back at the Colonel and the Captain he simply said, "Just...doing my job. Tried to do it like I thought you would." Sam said, "I should get back out there. We have a few more landing cycles to get through. We'll start...acquiring...hand phasers per your orders on this round of shuttles. How do you want me to answer second platoon's request for minimal marine presence on the ship?"

David looked to Azhul to see how she wanted to reply.

"Security is in charge aboard the ship under Commander S'hib while Commander Taylor works with security here on the surface. I want majority of our Marines planet side. Keep no more than eight Marines aboard the ship on rotation to help with repairs. And Captain Woolheater, take a break. I don't need you collapsing from exhaustion," Naxea directed.

Samuel nodded as he processed his orders, "Copy that. Eight marines topside. Thank you Colonel, will do. May I have your permission to first follow-up on these loose ends, Colonel? Relieve Masson and pass along your orders? Then take a break? How long a break should I take Colonel?" Sam was exhausted and the thought of finding someplace to rest, get out of the body armor and maybe even something to eat was sweet music to his ears. But, he also knew, that's what everybody wanted. And he wasn't so tired that he couldn't do more.

"Yeah, pass along the information and then take several hours off to get some sleep and chow. Captain Tonelly and I will ensure things keep running smoothly," she replied.

Another marine LCpl. came into the tent and acknowledged the Colonel first. Then said, "Captain?" and offered a PaDD in the direction of both Woolheater and Tonelly and it seemed like both Captain's were going to reach for it. Samuel stopped just as his forearm started to lift. And the PaDD was handed to Captain Tonelly. It was tomorrow's shuttle schedule. The marine was excused and Sam said, "Sorry...four days in command...I got used to it. Colonel, I am ready to be relieved of command of your detachment ma'am. Going back to just a platoon CO seems pretty good to me."

"Sure, give me the burden of command on top of being a new parent..." she teased him. "I hereby relieve you of command, Captain."

"Thank you Colonel, I stand relieved." The Colonel had a unique style that Sam still wasn't used too. But that's what endeared her to the detachment. Her calm demeanor and even-handed approach. Her occasional quip and her genuine concern and openness. He smiled, "Yes, ma'am. Sorry Colonel." He looked at Captain Tonelly, and acknowledged him with, "Sir" before turning to leave the tent.

David gave Sam a friendly nod in reply. Then, when they were alone, he turned to Naxea. "All due respect, Ma'am, Sam could be your next XO. Once he makes Major, that is. I've been reading all the reports and, quite frankly, if we were back home, I'd be recommending him for his own line company command."

"I agree," Naxea said as she crossed her arms. "He has shown a lot of leadership potential. But until You're promoted, you're my XO," she grinned.

"Promoted past you, you mean?" David gave his friend and commander a sheepish grin. "Might be interesting to have you salute me." He chuckled softly at the image in his mind.

"Keep dreaming," she teased back. "But someday you will have your own command just as I'm sure Woolheater will."



[OFF:]

Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea
Marine Commanding Officer
(signed off by Woolheater)

&

Captain David Tonelly
Marine Executive Officer
(signed off by Woolheater)

&

Captain Samuel Woolheater
1st Platoon CO