Joint Duty Log / Cmdr PontBrillant & 2Lt Garza / "Made Another Ally in the Ship"

Posted on Tue Aug 19th, 2014 @ 7:01am by 2nd Lieutenant Jasmine Garza & Vlimar PontBrillant

1,554 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: In the Dark
Location: Deck ? - Marines Headquarters

-=- Turbolift 2 -=-

Vlimar was continuing with the initial Department reporting duties, as dictated by his mandate. He slowly reviewed some department and initiated contact with the Department Head and, sometimes, its assistants. The goal was to open dialogue, as Vlimar was basically establishing his network around the ship. At the same, he wanted to come on site to take any issues and personally attend to them. The next stop was the Marines Headquarters.

-=- Deck 10 - Marines Headquarters -=-

As the commander arrived in the corridor that led to the Marine barracks on 10 he was met by two heavily armed guards at the turbo lift and than two more at the actual entrance. "Identification commander." One of the male guards asked.

Vlimar looked at the guard and couldn't help but smile. It reminded him immediately of his previous times with the SSS, which became Section 31 over the years, where everyone was just so jacked up and ready for any emergency and evasion. Glimmer had two choices, either use the strong method where he would use his rank and the orders he had receive, or simply use his past as SSF Deputy and his Marines Veteran status, which came with the S31 training and background.

The guard stood down which was weird but something about the smile and the man himself convinced him to stand down.
The Commander walked in the lounge, where a few marines were working at various tasks, looking for Garza, which he never meet.

"I'm lieutenant Garza may I ask why you don't have a escort? And who I should yell at for allowing you in without one?" Jasmine asked standing up and walking over to the commander.

Vlimar nodded and looked around him. "Vlimar PontBrillant, Operations.", he replied. "And, frankly, I do not think there is anything around here that I have not seen before...", he added, respectfully.

"With all due respect that still doesn't mean you roam freely through a restricted area for any and all non-Marine personnel." Jasmine said keeping her tone respectful as possible.

Vlimar nodded. "If you care to check your records, I am sure you would consider that I am family...", he declared. "But I am happy to comply with your request, if you care to accompany me... I would like to update your communication relays, as well as inspect your transport facilities...", he added, smiling softly.

Jasmine nodded to one of her Marines to get a ID check on the man and get to her as soon as possible. Nodding she turned and led him to where the communication station was. Just than the private ran up and handed her a PaDD, "impressive record or of what I can see. But I don't quite understand why a lieutenant colonel would give up his Marine billet for a naval one?"

Vlimar smiled. "Colonel, actually.", he replied instantly. "And, really, return from retirement, got handed the rank. Actually intend to get my leaf back, but there's other priorities.", he stated. "And don't let the record fool you...", he concluded.

Jasmine just nodded as she leaned against the bulkhead keeping an eye on the former colonel. "Can you speak of those other priorities?"

Vlimar smiled. "Well, insuring this ship is ready to leave would be one of them", he quickly answered, laughing. "But, in the end, it will be up to the Captain to decide how she wish to call me, rank wise.", he added.

The answer was simple but also a little cryptic whether it meant to be or not. "But with your record and rank and some use favors to get your leaf back and essentially take my job?" Jasmine asked this just to get the feel of the man 'cause in her book he was still a Marine and was curious with the acceptance of taking a naval posting.

Vlimar smiled widely. "Believe me, I have no interest into getting back on this floor.", he stated. "However, if you need my assistance with anything, I will be pleased.", he added, wanted to show an offer of overture, rather than defiance. Vlimar, even though he had a back ground with the Marines, had no interest into getting back to that line of duty.

Jasmine looked at Vlimar with a mix look of confusion and understanding. Seeing as she was still very very young in her Marine career she couldn't see herself doing anything else than being a Marine. Jasmine also understood where the former colonel was coming from, "I appreciate that offer and I'll more than likely take you up on it."

Vlimar nodded. "With pleasure.", he replied. He then pointed at the main console. "Mind if I get this communication updated?", he asked, obviously waiting for Jasmine's acknowledgment to move inside the "restricted zone".

"Please." Jasmine said stepping aside and nodding for the other Marine to back off a bit. The Marine nodded and stood outside of the small ToC (tactical operations center). "So you were pulled out of retirement, may I ask how if it wasn't by the UFP faction who actually pulled you out of retirement?"

Vlimar smiled as he began tapping on the console. "Well, let's say that I know where my loyalty is. A good friend of mine came and basically shove my retirement down my throat. He knew I would kick back... so, here I am.", he stated, while installing the software. "How about you? You picked this side for a reason, no?", he asked.

"A certain facts came to light that made me choose to support the loyal Starfleet." Jasmine said looking at Vlimar as he worked.

Vlimar nodded as he kept typing on the panel, half listening. "Oh? What facts, if I may ask?", he asked, while working.

Jasmine took a second to think it over she had just arrived after the shit storm with the Romulans, and the Vindicator crew learning they were being used to get public support for the war. "It's not my place to discuss those facts." Jasmine finally decided to say.

Vlimar shrugged. He kept typing on the panel. "You know, we all have our reasons. Loyalty, Preference, Ambition. In the end, as long as we all work for the same goal...", he stated, without finishing his sentence. "And... we are done.", he concluded, looking at Jasmine, smiling.

Jasmine nodded, "you also wanted to look at the Marine transport facility." Jasmine pushing herself off the bulkhead and led him a bit deeper into the barracks, "and here we are. It hasn't really been used much." Jasmine said with a shrug.

Vlimar nodded and ran a scan of the system. It would take a minute or two, so he turned to Jasmine as the scan was being done. "So, tell me, Lieutenant, what's your life story?", he asked, as it was a normal introductory question.

"Parents were ancestors to the Boomers working for Earth Cargo Services, but were killed in a Orion raid but the Orion's left the freighter full of cargo. It was their way of saying we own this trade lane and everything that's ran along it." Jasmine said bitterly watching the commander work.

Vlimar nodded slowly. He was expecting a light, conversational answer but was served with a deeply bitter life story. "I am.. sorry to hear that...", replied the Commander, obviously taken by surprise.

Jasmine took a deep breath and nodded wondering why she told her life story to this man. "It's a story not many know.....apparently I found you honorable enough to tell this story to, I hope I'm not wrong."

Vlimar nodded. "No, not at all. Thank you for your confidence...", he stated. He thought for a few seconds about the following thing to say. "Our background defines who we are. Although sometimes quite harsh and painful, we must learn to accept that as our reality and use it to get stronger.", he said, philosophically. "I am sure you are using this experience as a catalyzer for better things...", he concluded.

"It has, slowly but surely." Jasmine said finding a rare calm when talking with this former colonel turned commander.

Vlimar slowly put his hand on Jasmine's shoulder. "It's going to get better. That, I promise you.", putting significant accent onto his promise. Vlimar offered a warm smile to Jasmine, as the console beeped, signaling the end of the scan.

Jasmine nodded feeling better and feeling a shift in how people were perceiving the Marines, at least at the non-senior officer level. Which in the long run was a very very good thing for them but Jasmine herself still had a lot of work ahead of her. "Everything look okay?"

Vlimar looked over his shoulder to the green result shown. "Yes, it is. You are all updated and good to go.", he stated, then looking back at Jasmine. "I will let you continue with your work. It was an honour meeting you, Lieutenant.", he stated, extending his hand.

"You to colonel." Jasmine deciding that using his former Marine rank was okay seeing as the man did earn with sweat, blood and tears.

Vlimar smiled as he left the floor. He knew he made another ally in the ship.

-=- END LOG -=-

Commander Vlimar PontBrillant
Chief of Operations
USS Vindicator

&

2Lt Jasmine Garza
51st Marine Recon Unit Commander
USS Vindicator

 

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