The Gunny Arrives

Posted on Mon Sep 7th, 2009 @ 5:35am by Commander John Sheridan & Gunnery Sergeant Jethro Hawkes

872 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Prelude: Blowing away the Cobwebs
Location: Deck 20 Jupiter Station
Timeline: Currant

On

Lieutenant Sheridan was expecting the senior Enlisted Marine for a few days and spotted him and his companion as they came through the Security checkpoint...

Gunnery Sergeant Hawkes was just going through the Security checkpoint, when he noticed the XO coming out of his office. He and Bella made their way to him, 'might as well start now' he thought as they got closer.

"Gunnery Sergeant Hawkes, Sir" he acknowledged

The site of the Gunny, all 6'7 of him and Bella were just to much for most people to Absorb, so they just stared...

"Gunny Hawkes, how was your trip?"

"Very interesting, sir" Hawkes replied. "They gave me the option of coming up with the Detachment, but it would have meant me leaving Alaska early. We transport hopped instead" he continued

"Well you Two beat them here, if you have a few minutes I like to talk about a few issues with you."

"Fire away, Sir. I have a couple of questions I think you would be the man to ask"

They arrived at Sheridan's office, again amid the looks of all that saw them...

"Have a seat Gunny, can I get you anything to drink?"

"Water, would be fine thank you, Sir. Preferably in a large glass." he laughed as he looked down at Bella

John smiled and handed Hawkes a large bowl of water to give to Bella, "You see I've read your personnel file cover to cover. And picked that bowl up yesterday from Medical."

"Much obliged, Sir" Hawkes sat on the floor and placed the bowl at his side, only then did Bella move from the doorway and sit with him to drink. "She likes to make sure I'm comfortable before she settles down." Hawkes answered as he saw the unasked question on the XO's face.

"I know all about you Hawkes but very little about Bella, how about a little history."

Hawkes ruffled the fur behind Bella's ears before replying to the XO. "As part of my continuing rehab", Hawkes taps his left thigh, the attachment point for his prosthesis clangs metallically, "I was advised to walk over varying terrain. Being a native Alaskan, I returned home to hike through the mountains. I was hiking one week, when I cam across Bella's mother. She had been mauled by a bear and I suspected more than one of her pups had been killed. After burying the body, I heard a faint whining and found Bella under a thorn bush. It took awhile to gain her trust but we returned to Paris Island a week later and the Corps Commandant gave me permission to keep her on base. We've been inseparable ever since."

"She's very protective then, and highly trained and disciplined no doubt. As the first Sergeant your rated private Quarters on the Orion. I hope you and Bella will find deck Four to your liking. Your Commander, Lt. Raine's is First rate. He's been around and a hard task master, You'll get along with him well. He spends most of his time training and A fine Officer. Your unit here will be very different than most Marine units."

"That was going to be my first question, Sir. Normally we would have an company strength of 128 Marines, for some reason Corps couldn't tell me what our established strength would be, nor our role on the Orion, other than the usual marine duties on board.

"I can give you a brief rundown, Half of the Company will be Marine Artificers. Combat engineers and the best in the Corps. This could be the most mission capable unit in the 9th Division, your CO is working out the details now I'm sure. His office is just down the hall from here. Your unit will be tested I'm sure on our first mission."

"OK, that gives me more to fit into your shuttlebay" Hawkes grinned.

Sheridan Smiled. "Before I let you and Bella go, I want you to know Captain Montgomery and I consider our Marine unit a vital part of our crew. You have been around long enough to know the politics of the situation. You won't have that here on the Orion. Security is my concern here so keep the marines busy as they arrive and if there's anything you need call me."

"How about a bigger shuttlebay. I have 8 Firefly Pod Transports, 14 various pods and 10 MArgo ATV's and no matter how hard I tried, I can't find the space in the shuttle bay." Hawkes liked the XO, he got marines.

"You may have to give me a few days with the Contractors but we'll try to make that happen. I'm also trying to get a pair of the new type 57 gunships here but I'm not sure I'll win that battle."

Hawkes and Bella rose off the floor together. "Sounds like this could be fun" he replied as he saluted the XO and headed for the door.

"I'll get with you about the Additional space gunny, it was good to meet you both."

"Good to meet you, Sir" Hawkes added as they departed in search of LT Raine

Off

Lieutenant John Sheridan
Executive Officer
USS Orion

Gunnery Sergeant Jethro Hawkes
Marine First Sgt.
USS Orion

&

Bella
Alaskan Timber wolf

 

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