Men From Nowhere

Posted on Wed May 2nd, 2012 @ 4:29am by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Gifford & Brenda Foster
Edited on on Wed May 2nd, 2012 @ 4:32am

Mission: The Mystery Men of Mira
Location: Marine Briefing Room Deck 121

::On::

Brenda Foster was sitting in a large armchair. Major Gifford Directly opposite. The UFP Flag to his right and the Banner of the 14th Marines on his left. He had granted this interview on the grounds she limited her questions to basic knowledge. He would only discuss current missions ongoing in small detail. She had agreed to that and set the date for her interview. He patently waited for her intro and after she introduced him she began..

"Major Gifford, In your brief stay here on the Star Base, what are you hoping to accomplish."

"My goal is to provide the best support that I can to the Fourteenth Marines."

She smiled at the camera. "How about the current operations that are taking place inside Ritorian space?"

"I'm not aware of any current missions taking place there at all. The Battalion has been tasked with enforcing proper and legal use of the trade lanes in this sector."

"I see Major, what can you discuss about secret operations against shipping?"

" Brenda, for starters, there are no secret missions against shipping. What we are enforcing is standard Federation operations with the help of Star Fleet Intelligence and Fleet Security Forces. And I might add our agenda here in the sector is not secret by any means."

Foster was unnerved by his calm voice. "Would you say your Battalion was sent here to rescue the current Security Forces from a hopeless situation?"

It was Gifford's turn to smile. "That's just ridiculous Brenda... The security Forces station here are the best the Fleet has. A group of highly trained and skilled Officers. This sector to which you have just arrived is the largest expanse of unknown space in federation control. It will take far more than a Marine battalion to change that."

She changed her her questions up.. "Who are you reporting to Major, and exactly whose directing your current missions here?"

"The Fourteenth Battalion is under the command of Captain Gunning here at the Star Base. As the sector commanding Officer he calls the shots. The Captain is my immediate supervisor."

"And how strained has that relationship become since your arrival Major?"

"Strained? Not at all. Working together is the key to all successes here. The Command here on the star Base is dedicated to their mission. It is of little consequence what color uniform your putting on in the morning. I'm very confident that our mission will be successful."

"I have heard this Marine unit is different Major, can you explain why?"

"Brenda I have been very lucky to have the caliber of Marines that I have in this Battalion. All of the the Marine Officers are a Navel Officers first. Our corps of senior non Commissioned Officers are 89 percent college educated, some with advanced degrees. However this group is fully capable of warfare. That's what we do Brenda."

"You have spent almost your entire career as a staff officer Major Gifford. How can that effect the confidence of your Marines?"

"I'm really not sure yet Brenda. Time will tell us that. I Command a force unlike any other in this quadrant. I think it's time that being realize that long lasting diplomacy cannot be gained at the point of a rifle. We are here to protect Federation assets not destroy them."

"So your efforts shall be peaceful to compensate for your lack of combat experience..."

He laughed at that one. "It surely doesn't take a whole lot of combat experience to prove that armed conflict is bad... I got it pretty quick after seeing the destruction and death that it brings."

The director cut the interview and the overhead light came on. Gifford stood the interview clearly over with.

Foster stood and stepped towards him. "Off the record Major, can you get this done?"

"Well... Off the record, really?"

Foster stepped in very close to here his response.. Yes Off the record."

"I think the biggest fight ahead will be asking you out to dinner.."

::End::

Major John Gifford
MCO, 14th Marine Battalion
SB 332

Ms. Brenda Foster FNN
SB 332