A new path (backlog)

Posted on Fri Oct 17th, 2014 @ 2:20am by Major Koer

1,065 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Are You Touched?
Location: Camp Juniper - Starfleet Marines
Timeline: 241401.10

=/\= Starfleet Marines - Camp Juniper - 3rd Company Marine headquarters =/\=

Koer sat at his desk, tapping at the PADD in his large hand. His after-action report was short and sweet. The intel on the Orion Syndicate hideout had been accurate for a change. 28 pirates captured, 17 killed, and 50 metric tons of stolen supplies had been recovered and returned to the neighboring colonies. Only 3 of his men had been injured during the assault and all three would be back to full duty by the end of the week. All in all, a textbook operation with very positive results.

He had personally lead the platoon that had assaulted the stronghold. Leading from the front had always been his style and it had served him well, earning him the rank of Gunnery Sergeant after only 6 years in the Starfleet Marine Corps. After his court martial some 7 years ago for Insubordination and Assault on a Superior Officer, he had found himself busted down from a Lt. Commander and XO of the USS Normandy to a Marine Lance Corporal transferred away from Starship operations. If it hadn't been for the intervention of Admiral Cerywyn, he would have ended up in prison, but he was given a second chance instead.

Cerywyn... His first real commanding officer (in Hirogen terms; His Alpha) and one of his only true friends. She had been the first to take a chance on him. Promoting him to Security Chief of the USS Endeavor all those years ago. If 'she' had been his commanding officer on that rescue mission, she would have approved of what he had done. The Naussicans that had kidnapped those two female science officers were going to kill them... or worse. They had fled into the Romulan Neutral zone with Koer's shuttle hot on their tale, hoping that Starfleet wouldn't pursue them. Captain Sutanga had ordered him too break off pursuit, but Koer had turned off the commlink and followed the Naussicans. In the end, Koer had rescued the science officers, only to be verbally chastised and belittled by his commanding officer in front of the bridge crew. Koer had barely realized he had thrown a punch until he saw Sutanga lying unconscious on the floor of the bridge, his jaw shattered and his nose broken.

Setting the PADD down, Koer rubbed his big knobby head and turned to look out the window at the training fields below. He had no regrets, such was not the Hirogen way, just another path of his journey...

A knock on the doorframe brought Koer out of his thoughts. He turned to see his Commanding Officer, Colonel Mordicia Drake, standing just inside his door. Koer immediately shot to his feet and snapped a sharp salute, "Sir!"

Drake returned the salute,"At ease, Gunny." The tall wiry human pulled up a chair next to Koer's desk and motioned for him to sit. Slipping the stub of a half smoked cigar in the corner of his mouth, Drake eyed the Hirogen with a slight smirk, "Just came from the debriefing with Starfleet Intelligence. They were impressed with your assault. Looking to pin another medal on your chest.."

Koer grimaced and grunted, "I have enough medals on my chest. They should give the platoon the medals. They did all the work." Picking up the PADD he had been working on, Koer handed it to Drake, "My report on the assault."

The Colonel glanced at it and set it down, then stood up and walked to the window,"I hadn't come to talk about the assault... I've come to talk about you..."

Confused, Koer turned to face the Colonel,"Have I done something wrong, Sir?"

"Well, No and Yes.." Drake stood with his hands behind his back, "Koer, how many times have I tried to promote you back to a commissioned officer over the last 4 years? Three times.. Four times.. And you have always declined, saying you weren't ready to take command again, but then everytime I need an operations plan thought out or advise on a tactical situation, who do I always go to first? You... Now this comes through..." Taking a PADD out of his cargo pocket, Drake tossed it to Koer.

Transfer orders... USS Vindicator... Marine Platoon Commander... Koer rubbed his head and grimaced, "I'm confused, Sir. This is a job for a commissioned officer?"

Drake smirked again and pulled a small box out of his other cargo pocket, then tossed it to Koer, "Then I guess you'll need these..."

Koer turned the box over and looked at the bronze cluster inside. The rank of Major... "Sir, I canno..."

"There's no declining this. Orders came straight from Starfleet Command. You may not realize it, but you made more friends than emenies when you broke regulations and went after those scientists. One of those girls is the niece of Admiral Corso.. Besides, everyone knows Sutanga is a jerk.. Alot of people have wanted to punch him, you're just the only one to actually do it..."

As Koer stared at the PADD in one hand and the box in the other, he shook his head.

Drake turned to stand in front of him, "You brought this on yourself, boy... If you weren't so damned proficient.. Maybe I wouldn't have to be looking for a new sergeant to lead 1st platoon.."

Setting the PADD and box down, Koer stood and saluted Drake, "It's been my honor to serve under you, sir."

Returning the salute, Drake then held out his hand, "The honor's been all mine, son... You go show those boys on the Vindicator what it means to be a marine... And if life back on a starship doesn't suit you, you always have a home here..."

Koer shook Drake's hand, "I appreciate that, sir. I take the honor taught to me in the 3rd company with me."

Drakes smiled and turned to walk out of the office, "You leave first thing in the morning. There will be a Runabout setting down at 0600 hours, bound for the Vindicator with new personnel and supplies... Gonna miss you, son..."

He stood staring at the door for several minutes after the Colonel had left. A new path had just opened up before him. Koer threw what few personal items he had in a small satchel and walked out, his heavy footfalls thundering in his wake...

=/\= End Log =/\=


Major Koer
Platoon Commander
Marine Detachment
USS VIndicator

 

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