Send in the Marines

Posted on Wed Apr 4th, 2012 @ 2:48pm by Lieutenant Commander Sean O'Connell & Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Gifford

Mission: The Mystery Men of Mira
Location: Security offices

[ON]

Sean looked annoyed he was busy enough with his job patrolling the sector and the station, he was short handed and now he had a platoon sized group of marines in his brig. over the past few weeks he had to arrest his fair share of marines and had addressed their personal CO's, but this was interfering with his work. He had sent a message to the new CO welcoming him aboard and invited him for a face to face meeting.

He also had to discuss sector security of the Archanis sector. O'Connell was responsible for customs, patrols and colony security matters, while the marines would be stationed on many of the colonies and would fall in some cases into his jurisdiction. Also where he was short handed he would have to request marines on colony security which was a low priority for him.

Jon had just completed his first staff meeting. He was alarmed at the amount of decay that had occurred. He nodded to Sergeant Major Dunmore. The Senior NCO had been selected by Gifford at headquarters for just such an occasion. He asked the temporary Marine XO to contact Captain Eddinger on the transport ship to save a good spot for some returning ex-marine passengers.

Several minutes later Gifford with his Sergeant Major in tow arrived at the main security deck. After a few directions he arrived at the Station Chiefs office. He noticed Security were the only unit on the station wearing the standard uniform. The pair of marines waited for lieutenant O' Connell to be advised of their arrival.

Sean looked up as he saw the two marines and waved them in.

"Welcome aboard, Gifford, have a cup of coffee and a seat." Sean smiled and offered the two seats opposite his desk. "Sean O'Connell,Chief of Security. Have Federation security, starfleet security, customs, and colonial security under my jurisdiction. In short Just another starfleet official with way too much responsibilities. Then again goes with the territory." Sean pored himself a cup of coffee. Situated on his desk where a few cups and saucers and a pot of coffee and then took his seat.

Gifford filled his cup. "This is Sergeant Major Dunmore, I received your message at the staff meeting. I decided to take you up on your your offer. I understand you have a few Marines as guests."

"Yep, we do. Mostly drunk and disorderly. That's about 10 of them. I am allowed to hand them over with the mandatory punishment of 30 days confined to barracks and 40 hours of community service. 5 others I have arrested off and on for the last few weeks. Another for the civilian court, master sergeant Mendez, domestic dispute so none of our business. You got your hands full." Sean was reading from his padd.

Jon frowned. "That is most unfortunate. Well they shall be receiving harsh punishment I assure you. The Marines you have in custody will be departing on the very Transport we arrived in. Those Marines will be going to Vega II. The disciplinary Barracks there will hold them for six months. After counseling they will be discharged. The community service will conducted by their immediate supervisors and platoon leaders." Gifford took another drink of Coffee.

"What can you tell us about Mendez, was there an assault involved?"

"Well I wish you the best with dismissing those marines, because If I have to fill in a report a few pages thick you'll probably have to do the same. I just assign them to a dumb assignment and they volunteer to the quit. As for Mendez as far as I am allowed to tell you in this case he's the aggrieved party." Sean looked at Mendez's case file." In my jail at his and his lawyer's request, can't say more."

"A very prickly situation for Mr. Mendez it seems, But with him being in a self imposed protective custody there is little for us to do about it. I would never interfere with any subject in your custody. Mr. Mendez shall be placed in prisoner status and placed in your control pending the outcome of his civil case. When his legal process is complete let us know so we can pick him up."

Jon refilled his mug. "Good coffee is a blessing, and this blend is superb. Well, As far as the good Sergeant Mendez is concerned please inform him he shall receive no pay or allowances due his status. If he wishes to appeal that decision he can have his legal council contact Staff judge Advocate at Marine headquarters. As the former battalion shall be rotating out very soon the current marine barracks will be filled with replacements. Those Marines that are not currently facing charges will be shipped out. If you need those Marines under punishment to remain here to fulfill that punishment they shall be moved to the marine brig until sentence has been completed. I shall allow them to complete their community service under your supervision. This will free up the space need in your facility for other matters, which is the solution to the current issue."

"The paperwork shall be completed by my staff and forwarded to Fleet with copies made for your review. Our goal here on the station is to create no harm or hindrance to the overall mission. The new battalion has been selected and shall arrive without marines with marginal performance records or disciplinary actions. So we are off to a very good start with them. I have been requested to run a Marine battalion not a jail house."

"If the marines in my brig get a good lawyer trust me they'll fight their dismissal because of a minor infringement. They kill somebody or beat somebody to a bloody pulp, court martial. Drunk and disorderly, 30 days or 40 hours of community service, maximum. Now as a person with a law degree........ I would suggest you tread carefully."

"Very well Lieutenant. If the Marines hire civilian attorneys to defend themselves against your charges that's certainly up to them. But as they have rendered themselves unable to perform their military duties they shall receive no pay that's just SOP. If they are acquitted, or the charges are dropped their pay shall be posted. Until then they are in your brig. But as prisoners they can not be made to work. Again just let us know when your finished with them and we'll take it from there as directed by Headquarters."

"You can dismiss the repeat offenders. As for Sergeant Mendez, you aren't allowed to intervene, civilian court issue, nothing to do with his work. I would suggest you put him on leave or put him on the sicklist. You throw the book at him and his lawyer will throw it on the harsdhip clause, in short his lawyer will have your guts for garters." Sean sipped his coffee. " As for the coffee, brazilian blend, have it shipped over on and off."

"Yes very good, I will definitely be enjoying this blend. I will forward Sgt. Mendez's case to Fleet JAG. It's their issue Really. Marines who are being held in civil cases are a totally different category.

"Now, as I could use a few of your marines on colony defence I would advise you post those 10 first timers on that schedule. You would be doing me a favour, because that way I can reassign 50 of my staff to much needed patrols and customs duties. Colony defence is a dead end assignment for security staff. Means you did something wrong in my opinion, but because of a federation mandate starfleet needs to have a security/marine presence on federation colonies. " Sean looked at Gifford.

"The Colony, of course, well that's one of our primary missions here. I have absolutely have no problems supporting that detail as Marines love Colony duty. Far better than sitting on a station. If you can give me the rundown on whats needed there I'm sure a Company with support of a platoon of Marine Engineers would fill the bill. Those Marines get a boost in pay for garrison duty." The Major turned to his sergeant. "Please pull the files on those currently in the Lieutenants brig for my review and transmit all personnel files with charges to Marine HQ. "

The Sergeant Major stood and saluted both officers and departed.

"What type of duties are your men conducting on the Colony, I presume it's Archa Four."

"Mostly law enforcement and customs. I have a training facility on Archa four. If I receive new enlisted men they are trained there. After few weeks they are posted here to complete their training. The Marines will basically assist the security staff remaining.We also have a few assignments in other systems. I have about 200 security staff assigned on about 14 planets between here and Shokaal. Mostly custom officers, investigators and support for planetary security forces. Though officially they fall under some captain at Starfleet command, seems there has been a reshuffling and I got the short end of the stick. In theory I have enough staff in practice I can't reassign them. " Sean sighed. "At the moment It's trying to find out what is my jurisdiction and what falls under Starfleet security, but at the moment it seems everything is being shoved in my shoes."

"A large task with little guidance as usual. You can count on support from us. I'm not sure of the Status of Forces agreements that are in effect. An issue I'll figure out as I go. Mainly the rule of presence is applied here. The Marines function in a protection role and perform no law enforcement duties unless total civil outbreak occurs. Fortunately for me my jurisdiction is clear... I command all Marines in this sector. Are you having any concerns with any particular location at the moment?"

"Well, as of late I have been getting vague reports in from my informants that pirate activity in our control zone might be rising in the near future. I would suggest you start checking the trade lanes near the starbase. I suggest you have a talk with Lieutenant Suder, she might know more then me. I only got a few sources giving me hints." Sean picked up a padd from his desk and handed it to Gifford. " That's all I got on the subject. as my sources are in the grey area starfleet won't put much fate in them, but something might be brewing and if anybody knows it would be SFI."

"I plan to try to meet with intel next. Our particular area is of concern, the Ferengi traders are most likely having a field day selling any forms of destruction they can. It is my hope that very soon we can use the Marine assets to start stopping and boarding select vessels smuggling cargo and weapons to several entities in this sector."

Gifford downloaded the information to his padd. "It won't take to long before questionable vessels were forced out of the trade lanes attempting to avoid being boarded. Those vessels will be prime targets for us. The result with hinder pirates, weapons runners and organized factions."

"Well, I wish you good luck. If you and SFI can focus on that. I can start focusing on station security. I think if somebody is going to make a move on the trade lanes then this station might be a hotspot as well. So if you come across anything concerning the security of the station I gladly hear about it. And not through the proper channels, it needs to be screened through SFI and they have a habit of making vital information disappear till the last moment. Have no idea what kind of person Lieutenant Suder is, but let's just say that SFI in my opinion has a spotty reputation at best." Sean looked at Gifford.

"If you are going to stop and search vessels I would advise selecting a few of my customs officers to aid you. Security is trained to search vessels. What your marines can't find they can. Also for traders to see security uniforms will make it easier for you to search their vessels."

Gifford nodded in agreement. "Excellent idea. send me those officers and I'll make sure they are protected assets, as far as keeping you advised don't worry. When we get started the station will be the only target. I'm sure attempts will be made to 'Cut the head off the snake'. that would be very foolish for them, but I expect it."

Jon stood up and offered his hand to the security Chief. "I look forward to working with you, much work to be done here."

"I think we'll manage, major."Sean shook Gifford's hand. "Good hunting."

[OFF]