A Fellow Marine
Posted on Thu Jan 12th, 2017 @ 3:17am by Major Parker Jacobs & Colonel S'er'in'e
Mission:
Shadows and Whispers
Location: Marine Training Holodeck
Lt.Col S'er'in'e had heard through the 'grapevine' that a new Marine Commanding Officer came on board yesterday but missed the arrival due to his duties. He remembered when he was new on board though for him it was an alien station filled with a variety of species that for most he would have to get used to at the time. From his desk he called up the profile of the new officer. Major, Human, middle aged with a solid jacket under him. With the recent departure of Lt.Col Maxwell for unknown reasons this left S'er'in'e as the ranking marine on board, he didn't want to seem rude by not at least meeting the Major especially if it came down to working with him at a later date.
After asking the computer the location of Major Jacobs he left his officer and headed there.
When he arrived he was surprised that some remembered him from his own time as the MXO, many however didn't know him and for some a surprise at seeing a tall, imposing and dominant Caitian walking around. He stopped at the desk where the assistant was waiting. "I am here to see the Major." S'er'in'e spoke. "Is he available?"
The Corporal sitting behind the desk frowned up at the large Caitian officer. "Uh I'm not sure sir. The Major came to the office this morning was in there for maybe 15 minutes before leaving. I believe he's currently watching one of the squads from Fox company in holodeck 3."
"Thank you." S'er'in'e answered then made his way to Holodeck 3.
Major Parker Jacobs was not a man of inaction. No in fact he had barely been shown up for his posting when he had seen the readiness status of the companies. The former commander had seemed to take a personal liking to one of the four companies, and while that company was in tip top shape, the others had fallen a bit lax in his opinion in terms of training and competency.
And that just wouldnt do.
One of the positives of training within a holodeck was that it was easy for a officer to watch a training session as Parker was doing now. Hanging above the small hamlet of housing units that made up the training exercise, a simple sweep and secure of several houses, invisible to the squad below sat the Major with a frown upon his face. The squad was going through the motions, by the book, and performing the task admirable, but they had no urgency to their task, no dedication. That worried the senior marine. A lack of urgency could get a marine killed, especially in a situation such as this.
"Computer add several combatants to the farthest house from the squad. Have them come out and attack." Parker spoke aloud knowing the ever present computer was listening. As he did so he noted the sound of a door opening behind him, but paid no heed to it. It wasn't unusual for some to want to watch others train.
S'er'in'e stepped through the open door and saw what was going on, training simulations. He quietly came to a stand near the Major though a little ways off to not disrupt him. "How are they fairing?" S'er'in'e asked watching the troops work.
"By the book? Fine." Parker watched as the new opposition filed out of the furthest house. There were some muffled shouts from both sides before a firefight began. "But it's just fine. All by the book, a little slowly but still within guidelines. Not near the level I want it to be." He shook his head as he stopped watching and glanced towards his fellow viewer. "Well, it's a good thing I know they're my men. Some officers would take it personally if I criticized them like I did for their own men. Major Jacobs." Parker said as he offered the towering Caitian his hand.
Taking the offered hand S'er'in'e returned. "Lt.Col S'er'in'e. Commander Air Group. I used to be the MXO here a while ago before I was reassigned. It has been some time since I was last down to this area of the station."
"Yes I read your jacket Colonel, welcome home I suppose, a Marine never stops being a rifleman after all." Parker said with a shrug, "I like to know who I'll be dealing with." He finished with a chuckle as an explanation as to his knowledge at the cat's history. "What can you tell me about the last Battalion CO? I've heard... rumours."
S'er'in'e began to explain the things he had seen during his time in the department, his observations outside of it and rumours he had heard over time. Some were good however there were always two sides to every coin and thus some were unexpectedly negative. "I hope that sheds some light upon your question?" He asked wondering if anything, what else he might be able to share.
Parker let out a low sigh as he listened to the details the senior marine was telling him. "Yes unfortunately it does. I've found that I will have to be doing some restructuring and the likes. Seems the Major had some ideas that this was a Special Operations battalion rather than a Infantry one." He shook his head, "I'm sure you've read my jacket Colonel, you know my background even we didn't do all these things."
Taking a step away from the viewing area, Parker ran a hand through his hair. "Colonel obviously we'll be working closely together in the near future. For now I think we should just settle some things. I'm not a Marine that looks for a fight, in fact I look to avoid them at all costs. Funny I know, but I've experienced far to much in my life time to willing send Marines into a fight without support or proper training. I'll be working these boys and girls hard to bring them up to snuff, not the corps snuff, my personal level of snuff which you will find is a step above. To do that we'll be working closely with all departments on the station to get them properly trained in interior urban combat. After that we'll go planet side for some real world, none of that holographic crap, training in real terrain. Hopefully that means all the Marines on the station your pilots, support staff, my marines and their support staff. Of course your men are welcome to join the training as well, I want our two outfits to work together like a well oiled machine, like Marines should."
"I will relay this to the pilots and staff, I am aware some have expressed an interest in developing some skills outside of flight." S'er'in'e replied taking another look at the training. It seemed at least to him that the Major was a grade above Major Griffiths, he was confident the men would appreciate the shake up. He'd learned that a new CO tended to bring with them new ways, ideals and perspectives. While some were good, others were bad but the intent for improvement was constant. "I have occupied enough of your time Major and the men need you."
"Thanks for stopping in Colonel." replied Parker as he offered up a smile, "I look forward to working with you in the future. Perhaps I'll send some of my training regimes to you so you can get an idea of where we're headed."
"I look forward to it." S'er'in'e gave a last look at the training area before giving a nod and departed.
