Sounding Board

Posted on Monday 3 May 2021 @ 11:13 by Major David Scarlet & Gunnery Sergeant Alexander Beck

Mission: A Cry from the Darkness
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: MD2 - backlog
1712 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

As he reviewed the reports coming through, Scarlet could only agree with the Captain's assessment. Something wasn't right about this whole situation.

Scarlet took a deep breath and leaned back in his seat. He shook his head and muttered under his breath. Standing up quick enough that his chair rocked and almost tipped, Scarlet walked toward the door.

He needed to clear his head and he wanted out of the office. Walking briskly through the corridors like a man determined, he gave the aire of knowing what he wanted and where it was. That was only half right.

Walking into the large training hall his eyes peered around before he finally spied who he was looking for.

Alex was over on the holo-mat practicing his melee combat - although he was considerably proficient in this area, it always was worth practicing in all aspects of your craft. Dual-wielding two swords as he moved in perfect time against ever increasing numbers of holographically generated non-defined targets. Ducking and weaving as he blocked with his left and swung with his right to catch the first target in the mid-rift, before ducking and rolling forward to come back up into a stance and swipe out with both blades, taking out two targets at once. A small gathering of marines had formed to watch as he went through his paces.

Beck wasn't one of the Marines watching the LT; he was over on the other side of the mats. He was working on a punching bag. He needed to work up a good sweat, and so had spent some time on the speed bag but was now working with what he referred to as a 'body bag'. He'd watched the young platoon leader work with on his melee for a bit. The guy was good, really good. But swords weren't Beck's thing. He was more proficient with his combat knife; many Jem'Hadar had learned that during the war. Beck had well over three dozen confirmed kills with his rifle. However, several more enemy troops, both Jem'Hadar and Cardassian, had met their ends by his ancient K-Bar. But Beck never bragged about what he'd done. It was his job, plain and simple. Those who bragged about that kind of stuff were either liars or madmen. Silently, he continued to work on his bag, needing to tire himself out a bit so he could sleep decently later.

Scarlet watched both displays from a distance. Finesse and power. Their styles were vastly different from one another but equally impressive. It was almost a shame to interrupt them.

"Richards, Beck." He called out sharply. "On me."

Hearing the barked instruction, Alex stopped and turned to look, noticing Scarlet standing impassively on the far side of the training room. "Computer, end simulation." He instructed as he tossed his training blades onto the mat and grabbed his towel and water-bottle from the side, passing through the gathered marines.

Beck got out of his fighting gloves and jogged to Lieutenant Scarlet.

"You rang, sir? " he asked.

Waiting until both men stood before him, Scarlet began. "Impressive work gentlemen. Right now however, I need your minds."

"Should we take this off the training floor sir?" Alex asked, cautiously, aware that there were many marines in the area.

Scarlet raised an eyebrow at Richards before continuing. "Come with me to the class rooms. I need a display and room."

He turned and began walking to the classrooms. These were usually used for squad meetings and briefings or other instructional lessons. Right now, they were half empty and Scarlet tapped the console before entering one. The inside was sparse. A small table surrounded by chairs and a podium in front of the display. Someone had taken to painting the shield emblem on the knights on the starboard bulkhead, but otherwise the room was pretty standard.

Scarlet looked at the emblem for a moment before sitting down. Might be worth letting them spruce the place up with more banners and such to allow them to show their pride. Maybe. He ignored the podium and pulled out a chair at the head of the table and waited for the two men to join him.

"Not sure if you two have become acquainted yet, Gunnery Sergeant Beck, 2LT Richards." Scarlet offered in way of introductions.

"Nice to meet you Gunny." Alex said, nodding respectfully.

"Likewise, sir. " said Beck, returning the nod. He hadn't seen Richards in action yet, so like for the CO, he would reserve judgement. But so far both men had shown him they were efficient and attentive to details, both good traits in an officer.

"You're both going to be part of this upcoming mission and I wanted to run some things by you and get your honest feedback." Scarlet leaned back around and showed his padd display on the screen beside him. "The captain and I agree... there's something not right about all of this."

Alex reviewed the information on the screen and was quiet for a few minutes as he abosrbed the information contained within. It was sketchy to say the least but he could at least see what both Scarlet and the Captain were concerned about. It was easy to just assume on face value that the lack of information made the whole thing sketchy enough as it was, but what they had provided just wasn't right either.

"Is there an assumption of a third party here?" Alex asked. "A mysterious illness that pops up almost overnight into a colony that hasn't seen any significant medical issues beyond that of normal humanoid sicknesses, that spreads like a wildfire through the population to the point that it overwhelms their command and control infrastructure as well as their own ability to manage it? I would definately assume some kind of 'x' factor here, Lieutenant. There's something we're not seeing and that could pose a potential risk to the landing party."

"Nothing confirmed, but it seems likely." Scarlet said grimly. He tapped his padd and changed the display. It now showed hotspots and progression of the disease outbreaks. "We'll set up a standard perimeter for the outpost. But have everyone familiar with the environmental reports. If there is a fight, I want the troops prepared and ready for anything."

"I think we should pack for a fight, sure, but don't forget they'll need rebreathers as well as a need to travel light so that they can provide aid to colonists." Richards added. "Ideally, what I'd like to do is bring down a couple of squads who're geared up specifically for combat operations and everyone else equipped to provide humanitarian support. What do you think Gunny?"

"I agree with your assessment, sir, but in my opinion we'll need more than a couple of squads geared for combat. And for those who you put on humanitarian aid, have them bring their gear anyway. We can always set up a temporary armory down there once the area is secure. That way if we do get into trouble we have more we can put on the perimeter. " said Beck.

There was a chime at the door and Scarlet looked at the time. No one was scheduled for using the room for the next hour. "Enter."

A young civilian carrying a box walked into the room. She smiled warmly. "A delivery for you sir." Putting the box on the desk, she then opened it and took a step back. Quite pleased.

Scarlet looked inside at the various doughnuts and raised an eyebrow. "Who from?"

She frowned slightly, not the reaction she had expected. "I'm not sure sir. I was just asked to deliver them to you."

Scarlet sighed and glanced at the civilian woman before nodding. "Thank you."

Her smile returned. "You're welcome!" She said happily as she walked back out of the room. "Enjoy!"

Scarlet looked back at the box and then at the other two. "Be my guests. Then we'll continue with the briefing."

Richards took one of the doughnuts and poured a fresh coffee before resuming his seat.

Scarlet looked down at the padd, ignoring the doughnuts in the box for the time being, and gritted his teeth. His first instinct was to go down armed to the teeth and maybe ask questions later. However, humanitarian missions weren't supposed to start out that way.

"I want to make sure we have everything needed to defend the encampment and personnel. We might not have everyone kitted out at all times, but we'll want to have the availability." Scarlet said firmly.

"I suggest having dropships on station to hold the gear if we need it. And the can also serve as air support if things get dicey. " said Beck.

"Its going to be a tough balancing act though." Richards said, finishing off his doughnut. "We need to be seen as there to support them, not invade them. Too much hardware is going to give off the wrong impression. If we land too many heavily armed marines, with drop-ships and the like, it's going to look like we're an occupation force, not a humanitarian one."

"We outfit primarily for peace keeping and containment." Scarlet conceded. He punched a few numbers into the padd. "But we'll have additional armory in one of the shuttles."

"I think that would work for a fair compromise." He said firmly as he put the padd down on the table.

"Yes sir." Richards said, happy with the compromise.

"Do either of you have any other points to consider before we get back to duty?" Scarlet asked, looking at both men in turn.

"No sir, no questions. As long as those weapons and gear are handy if we need them I don't see any problems. " Beck said.

"I'm good sir." Richards added, finishing off his doughnut.

"Good." Scarlet said firmly as he stood up. "I want the crew ready for anything that is thrown at them. Dismissed."


OFF

| 1st Lieutenant David Scarlet
Marine Company Commander
USS Merlin


| 2nd Lieutenant Alex Richards
Bravo Platoon Leader
NPC by Godding


((>>> Gunnery Sergeant Alexander Beckt
Marine Sniper
USS Merlin