The New Guy Part 2
Posted on Fri Apr 3rd, 2020 @ 6:19am by Major John Kayhill & 1st Lieutenant Johnathan Askard
946 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Food for the Gods
Location: Marine Deck
Timeline: Concurrent
ON:
“Muchos Gracias, I’m sure I can find my way to the CO and S1 for registration. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” Bowing slightly he started walking down the row of doors checking each one quickly before moving on to the next. After about ten minutes he palmed a sensor on the door that stated it belonged to the CO
"Enter", John said as he read a report and sipped a cup of coffee. His early time on the ship had been busy and he was just getting his office the way he liked it.
Johnathan did so, placing the small pouch on a seat before rigidly snapping to attention and saluting. “Major, Sec-“ he cut himself off and appeared to stutter over his next words. “First Lieutenant Johnathan Askard reporting as directed.”
John stood up, returned Askard's salute, and then said, "At ease Lieutenant. John Kayhill."
He extended his hand to him.
Dropping the salute Johnathan took his hand and shook it smartly. “Not to rush anything Sir, but what Platoon will I be heading? I’d like to get straight to work.”
"Slow down Lieutenant", John said. "Before I assign you to anything, tell me a bit about yourself. Depending on what I hear, who knows I might just send you back to HQ."
“That depends on what you want to know.” Setting the padd with his orders on the CO’s desk, Johnathan went to an “At Ease” position and smiled. “So what do you want to know?”
"Give me some insight as to what makes Johnathan Askard tick. Things that I can't read in your service jacket."
Taking a breath Johnathan stopped before he went with the generic ‘Duty, Service, Commandant.’ “That’s a tough one Major. I guess what drives me is being better than what people see when they look at my jacket. I’m more than where I came from, or how I got here.”
"Always trying to be better today than you were yesterday is admirable", John replied, gesturing to the chair on his side of the desk. "So, what brought you to the Marines?"
“I wish I had a better answer,” Johnathan said simply as he sat down. “It’s where I knew I would belong. Instead of constantly being on a ship, this job allows me to travel to new and exciting places; and maybe end a couple of fights if the call comes.”
John nodded and asked, "What are you looking to accomplish while in the Corps and once you get out?"
“While in? Run a battalion out by the Romulan Neutral Zone or the Delta Quadrant, make General, then help train the next wave of Marines and officers that will be protecting our Federation.” Johnathan put his hands together, and then started lightly tapping his lips with the two fore fingers; while having a pensive look on his face. “Honestly I never thought about getting out, where I’m from that’s not an option. Your in the military until you die.”
"So, when you start training Marines, what do you want to make sure they know besides what the traditional Marine handbook teaches", John asked, sipping his coffee.
“Better non-verbal communication than what they ask us to know. I’d also like to see each platoon able to jump in and take over a position that may have been taken down without any orders being given at the time.” Checking the surroundings, he pursed his lips. “What is something you demand from your men no matter the situation.”
"Timely communication", John said without hesitation. "If people don't know what is going on, situations fall apart easily. If I ever hear something from the Commodore or XO, that I should have heard from those under me first, well let's just say, boulders roll downhill."
“Understatement of the millennium,” Johnathan said with a chuckle. “And my final question, which platoon am I running, and who are the other two PL’s that I’m working with?”
"In general, you will operate the command platoon as part of your XO duties", John said. "However, you will also be leading Bravo Platoon until we get someone in charge. 2nd Lieutenant Melo is currently in charge of Alpha Platoon, and Staff Sergeant Bosley has Charlie right now."
“Wait, I was sent here as a PL, not an XO;” Johnathan said frowning. “Change of orders come before I did or did this just become a thing?”
"I was only told you would be the second in command", John said. "If you would like, I could demote you just to platoon leader. It is up to you.
“Miscommunication,” Johnathan said simply before shaking his head. “That won’t be necessary, I’ll gladly take HQQ and Bravo under my wing. What’s the first order of business with both of them?”
"Inspection and evaluation", John said. "I've only been here a couple of days myself and was thrown into a unique situation my first day. We need to know what this group can and can not do before we can make any further long range plans."
“Sounds like a plan Major. I’ll get everyone assembled right after getting cleared by Medical. I’ll put them through their paces.”
"Very good", John said. "Anything else?"
“Unless you have standing orders that I don’t know about than no Sir,” Johnathan said standing. “I’ll go have medical check me out; then I’ll see what our men and women can do.”
"I look forward to it Lieutenant", John said.
Major John Kayhill
Marine CO
USS Calypso
First Lieutenant Johnathan Askard
Marine XO
USS Calypso
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