Future plans

Posted on Mon Aug 14th, 2023 @ 7:23am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami [Naxea]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: MD02; 1000 Hours
921 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Marine Country-- home for the Marines of the 62nd Marine "Spartans" Detachment. Named for the ancient terran warrior society from the country of Sparta. It had been a name that had been earned with blood. The blood of too many if you asked their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea.

Her hand ran over a section of bulkhead that was scorched by disruptor fire over a year ago. The metal was cool to the touch though some spots were rough with scouring damage. She had wanted this one section to remain damaged to remind those under her and herself the cost of being in Starfleet.

"Hey Colonel," came the familiar voice of Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami as the woman approached Naxea.

Naxea turned and faced her longtime friend and sister-in-arms. "Hey. Did you grab Jenkins?"

"Yep. He's in your office now," Gami replied, jutting a thumb in the direction of the administration section where Naxea's office was located.

"Alright," she said as she turned and began to head for her office with Gami falling into step beside Naxea.

"Who's watching Sle'anna..." Naxea began to ask before her question was answered by the sight of Sle'anna being tossed high into the air by Chief Man'darr and then caught by the large Capellan.

"Never figured the big guy for a knack for kids," Gami commented as she watched Man'darr.

"If he drops her, I'm spacing his large Capellan ass," Naxea said, grinning.

The comment caused Gami to laugh as the two entered through the door to the administration section. Several feet down the corridor, the two entered Naxea's office to find PFC Jenkins sitting down in a chair across from Naxea's desk.

The blonde-haired human PFC jumped to his feet and came to attention. "PFC Jenkins reporting as ordered, ma'am!"

"At ease, Jenkins. Have a seat," Naxea said as she took a seat behind her desk and gestured Jenkins to sit. Gami took a position to Naxea's right.

"Jenkins," Naxea said after taking a deep breath. "Do you know why you're here?"

The man shook his head. "No, ma'am."

Naxea leaned forwards, clasping her hands together on top of her desk. "I called you here to discuss your future."

"My future, ma'am?" Jenkins, asked confused. They were thousands of lightyears from Federation Space. At the moment, his future consisted of life on the Elysium.

"When we get back to Federation Space, your enlistment will be over, so I was curious as to your intentions," Naxea explained.

Jenkins shifted uncomfortably in the seat as he thought about the question. "Well, if we get back ma'am, I plan to EAS out of the Starfleet Marines."

Naxea nodded as she was silent for a moment studying the young man before her. "Why did you join the Marines, Jenkins?"

Jenkins shrugged in the chair. "Honestly...I did it to impress the recruiter. She was hot!"

Gami stifled a laugh at the response as Naxea simply shook her head slowly. 'You idiot!' she thought. "You seriously joined the Starfleet Marines simply because the recruiter you met was good looking?"

Jenkins nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"I see," Naxea paused, collecting her thoughts. "And did anything happen between you and this recruiter?"

"No ma'am," Jenkins shook his head. "I didn't learn until after I signed the enlistment contract that she was married."

"Boo-yah!" Gami fist pumped the air in laughter. "You got suckered big time, Jenkins!"

Naxea could only shake her head. This had to be a joke. Nobody was that dumb...were they? She held up a hand for Gami to be quiet as she continued. "Is that why you keep screwing up?"

"Ma'am, I just have bad luck and the Marines doesn't seem like the place for me," Jenkins replied with a slight shrug.

Naxea pulled up Jenkins' service record on her desk terminal. "Top PFT and marksmanship scores. Multiple combat engagements. You're a good fighter, Jenkins, you just suck at the discipline side of things, and you don't always think things through. If you could improve that, then you would be an outstanding Marine. Despite your flaws, you are still an asset to this detachment. What do you plan to do after the Marines?"

"I'm not really sure, ma'am. I've thought about working for a mercenary group, maybe the Alteri," Jenkins said. The Alteri were primarily an Andorian Mercenary group, but they did hire other species. "They are offering good pay to combat experienced people."

"I see. They may make alot of money but they do not have the resources and camaraderie that we have here in the Marines. They will likely leave you behind on a mission without hesitation. Here, I don't ever leave a Marine behind," Naxea explained. "I would rather see you make something of your life, Jenkins."

"Well...I have always thought about being a cook and opening my own restaurant," Jenkins said sheepishly.

"Future mass murderer on our hands. Remind me not to taste anything you cook, Jenkins," Gami teased.

Naxea shook her head at Gami with a lopsided grin before turning back to Jenkins. "There are quite a few civilian restaurants on the Promenade. I would suggest starting out as an apprentice if that truly interests you."

Jenkins nodded his head in thought. "I may do that, ma'am. Thank you."

"If you don't have any questions, Jenkins. You're dismissed."

Jenkins stood and came to attention. "Aye ma'am." He turned and exited the office.

Naxea looked at Gami and shook her head at her friend. "Future mass murderer?"

"What?" Gami shrugged, laughing.