"130 Meters"

Posted on Sun Sep 15th, 2024 @ 9:33am by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami [Naxea] & Gunnery Sergeant Moses Henderson & Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Staff Sergeant Liam "Swede" Reece [Reece]
Edited on on Sun Sep 15th, 2024 @ 10:01am

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: DECK THIRTY-TWO - MARINE PARADE GROUNDS
Timeline: MD1
2574 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

USS ELYSIUM – DECK THIRTY-TWO – MARINE PARADE GROUNDS – FOLLOWING “Dum spero, spiro”


All of the staff sergeants through master gunnery sergeants received the same message from the computer. Whether they were awake or asleep the message was the same. It read the same for everyone:

=A= Please report to the HQ immediately. I want to see you right away. Thank you. -MXO Capt. Samuel Woolheater =A=

Liam had just finished showering after a long day at work, when the message came in. Sighing to himself, he quickly pulled on a fresh uniform then, after giving both Samaire and Skylah a kiss goodbye, he left their home and made his way back down to Marine Country.

Leilani was enjoying family time as well when the message arrived, giving George and her children a kiss she reluctantly made her way to Marine Country.

Luxa entered, fresh from the sonic shower in a fresh uniform after working out at the gym.

===


Once everyone had arrived, Woolheater appeared at the MSR door. Marines came to attention, “Marines. As you were.” In his right hand, he held a large, old fashioned field survey tape measure. It was the kind that was used to determining the size of an area under survey. He looked at the sergeants that were assembled. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

He stepped out of the office and onto the Marine parade grounds. He opened the tape measure and asked Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami to, “Hold this end for me?” and he handed her the tape end of the measure. He turned and walked down the parade ground with the tape measure unspooling as he walked. Down and further down the parade ground until he reached one-hundred and thirty meters (426.5 feet). There he stopped and tapped his comm badge.

=A= This is one-hundred and thirty meters in distance. This is one, one-thousandth of one percent of the approximately thirteen million light years we are away from Federation space. Let me say that again. We are thirteen million…light years away from Federation space. The distance that I have paced out is not one percent, it’s not one tenth of one percent…not one-one hundredth. This is one, one-thousandth…of one percent. On this scale. Elysium is the size of a grain of sand. Everyone serving aboard this ship, everyone you count on to keep you alive, everyone you are protecting, everyone you love out here is on that grain of sand. This tiny grain of sand represents the entire Federation out here. We are it. There is no resupply. There is no relief. It’s just…us. The maximum warp of Elysium is warp 9.5. Cruising speed is warp 7.8. Presently, I am told that we cannot do either of those speeds. But let’s say that we could. If this tape measure is the entire thirteen million light years we must travel, at maximum warp of 9.5. It will take us seven-thousand one-hundred and ten years, one-hundred thirty-seven days, eleven hours, thirteen minutes…to get home. That comes out to about nine-hundred and forty-one light years we can do per year. At maximum warp. On this scale, Elysium moves 0.9 centimeters (0.37 inches) per year. On this scale. =A=

Sam wound the tape back into the field survey tape as he walked back to the MSR. When he stood before them again, he said, “Facts are stubborn things. Back inside. I want to talk to you all” and taking the end of the tape from Gami, “Thank you Gunny for the help.”

Liam stood silent, as he watched and listened to Captain Woolheater speak about their current situation. He knew it was far to get home, after speaking with his family, but, to see a representation of just how far, was quite sobering.

Luxa knew the details from Naxea about their situation but she debated if telling everyone like this would be good for morale.

Leilani knew they were far from home, but to see it demonstrated was sobering. At least she had her family aboard with her.


When they were back inside the MSR, “In a circle. Everybody. Thank you. Listen up. Some of you may already know that at the EOW today, Private Christopher Corelli was jumped. He was beaten by Marines. Quite severely. He is in with the medics, Staff Sergeant Lelani Charles is keeping him in an induced coma. He is expected to survive. I hope that everyone here is just as shocked and disturbed as I am about this…this…incident. I want to know how this happened and who is responsible for it. Because we are not going to spend the next seven-thousand YEARS…falling apart.” Sam paused a moment and then continued.

Liam was shocked to hear about how there was still violence occurring amongst the crew. Even more so now that it was in the Marines!! Marines don't attack their own, ever! It was one of the things his Grampy had instilled in him as a boy. No matter what the universe threw at you, a Marine could always count on their brothers and sisters to stand by them.

Samuel said, “I should not have to remind anyone here that as Starfleet Marines…we have the highest standard of military virtue. We obey orders, respect the chain of command and strive to be the best at everything we do. Discipline and Spirit are the hallmarks of a Starfleet Marine. Each of you, I count on to demonstrate these qualities to those under your command and who look up to you. We will give everything to our Marines even when they have given up on themselves. Starting now, we are going to treat all Marines with the highest level of respect because we have earned our place as Marines, and we will not accept anything less. Just so we’re clear, I expect that we are going to treat all Marines with firmness, fairness, dignity and compassion. At NO TIME will any Marine be physically abused or verbally threatened by a fellow Marine or Marine Officer. If ANYONE should mistreat you, or any Marine, I expect you to report such incidents immediately to me or to one of you. Further, if you feel that I have mistreated you or any Marine, I expect you to report it to Colonel Azhul. From now on, we’re doubling up the patrols and the watches. There will be no more single Marines on any standing post or watch duty. Every day, every night, every shift and every post. We are not going to tear each other apart and we will not tolerate what happened to Private Corelli to happen again.”

Sam took a breath, “I have told you what I expect and here is what you can tell your Marines what they will deliver. Marines will always give one hundred percent of themselves - at all times. Obey all orders quickly, willingly and without question. Treat ALL Marines with courtesy, dignity and respect. Marines will not: physically abuse or verbally threaten other Marines. Be completely honest in everything that you do. A Starfleet Marine never lies, cheats or compromises. RESPECT the rights and property of others. A Marine never steals. Let every Marine know that they must work hard to strengthen their body. Be proud of yourself and the uniform you wear. Above all else – never quit or give up!” Woolheater thought a moment and said, “I hope that I have made it clear and impressed upon you our situation out here. We need all of you. Our ship needs us. And we have to be ready at all times to defend her. That means we need to rebuild trust. Out here, we are the Starfleet Marine Corps. We are the Federation. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to leave a good impression with our friends…and leave our enemies with dread for crossing us. Does anyone have anything to say?”

Liam spoke up first. "Sir? What do you want done to those that attacked Corelli?" He knew the young Private, answer had started to see him start to falter. As an NCO he felt personal shame for not stepping in sooner. He looked over at the Private's squad leader and platoon sergeant. They had failed as well. The fault of Private Corelli's current condition rested at each of their feet.

Sam crossed his arms across his chest, "The law is very specific. UCMJ doesn't leave much room for guesswork. But I'm not a lawyer. They'll be brought up on charges, we'll have to get the JAG officer to help us on that. The fact that Marines did this...to another Marine is what bothers me. I want to know who they are, who else is involved, how big the problem is. And I want to understand why they did it." Sam looked at the younger Reece, "I hope this is helpful?"

Liam nodded as he replied. "Yes, Sir.' He wanted to get to the bottom of this too. They would find the cancer that was growing in the unit and cut it out.

Luxa was pissed about the attack.. "You want these bastards found, just let me do my thing, Sir," she replied simply. She'd hunt down the cowards.

"Everyone? I understand these feelings you may be having. I do not want anyone taking Justice into their own hands. There will be no drumhead trials. To do so would degrade yourselves, your uniform and me. I forbid anyone from reprisals. Make no mistake, I am angry and..." He stopped, "...we are Marines and we set the example. These persons are to be found and they will be processed according to the UCMJ. I hope that is very clear?"

“From a medical standpoint..” Leilani looked around the others. “Those who did this could be suffering themselves. The stresses and strains of being so far from home are taking the toll on everyone, not that it excuses such brutality.”

"Agreed. Marines are drawn from people all over the Federation. Our diversity is our strength. I want to understand how Marines could attack and beat a fellow Marine. I want to understand. This is not tolerance or acceptance. If we are to survive out here we have to change our tactics and think anew."

They were silent and Sam realized that this was such a downer so early in the morning. They knew how far they were, graphically and starkly presented by his little demo on the parade grounds. And they knew that a fellow Marines was attacked by fellow Marines. Sam wished he had better news.

Seeing that there were no more questions, Woolheater said, "I apologize to you all that I have not gotten up to speed in my role as your new XO. That is all on me; it is all my fault...all my fault. I am responsible for all of you as you are responsible for the staff under you. I will be bringing Colonel Azhul up to current events later this morning when we have some more information. I would like for you to talk to your platoons and fire teams all the way down the line and let them know what has happened. The person or persons who did this ought to know that they have our attention and we are coming for them. Any support you need any help, I make myself available. Oh, I almost forgot. I want to read you something, extra points if anyone can tell me where this is from. Listen up please..." Sam then read from a PaDD,

"Therefore, we herby resolve and encourage wisdom, and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused in every place and in every time among all people everywhere and forever..."

Sam clarified, "In other words this statement applies to everyone and everybody is included. Just making that clear."

He continued, "...all people everywhere and forever...being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties; and as these depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages of education in all locales, and among the different orders of all people, it shall be the duty of every citizen, lawmakers and magistrates, in all places and times of this Federation, to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and all institutions of learning of them;"

Again he clarified, "The love of learning...right? Education and reading shall be the duty of every citizen...and even moreso...they make it the duty of the Legislature and the Courts. By the people and the Laws and the Courts, it is our duty to make sure that learning and education is available to everyone. Reading. Education. The Arts and Sciences. Wow, y'all....wow. Can you feel the energy in these words? This....is a crown. Not of silver or gold. This is a crown of words and ideas. One that we are going to start paying attention to. Sorry...it gets me every time.."

He continued, "...especially at every and all Federation installations, the entire body of public schools and grammar schools in every time and place; to encourage private societies and public institutions, rewards and immunities, for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the cosmos; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and frugality, honesty and punctuality in their dealings; sincerity, good humor, and all social affections, and generous sentiments among the people."

Sam closed the PaDD, "Extra points for anyone who knows where this...crown...of words and ideas comes from."

“It’s The Federation Charter, Chapter V, Section II” Leilani offered Sam a smile. “As a mother I believe in the right for all to have an Education, to learn what there is to learn, and to enjoy doing it.”

"Well done Staff Sergeant Charles. That is correct. Enshrined in the charter is the right of every citizen to get an Education. Guaranteed by Law. Everyone. Marines? I believe that we are at risk of losing ourselves out here. What I mean is losing our purpose. At risk for forgetting who we are, what we represent and where we come from. Those qualities are worth remembering. Elysium has a school and an Academy branch onboard. Our former XO is also an instructor there as well as the other instructors. We are going to start attending the Academy. And the first document I think we should study and learn is the Federation Charter. I will be speaking with the Academy folks and as soon as the can accommodate us, we will be learning and reading. This will be as important as every Marine's physical fitness and marksmanship, close quarters combat and weapons drill. We're not staying down here on deck thrity-two for the next seven-thousand years. We're exercising our minds. Reading and learning will be part - as it always has been - part of being a Starfleet Marine. You will be hearing from me again shortly. Are there any questions? Is anybody unclear about the direction we are taking?"

Leilani shook her head. “All clear Sir, no complaints here.”

Sam let a moment pass, "Very well. To your platoons, wake up your people and let's get this day going. -yhut! DIS-missed! Fallout."

[OFF:]