Meeting the Marine XO

Posted on Thu May 6th, 2010 @ 6:02am by Commodore Samantha York

1,308 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: What Lies Beneath?
Location: CO's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

ON

Samantha read a report about the arrival of the new Marine XO... and his landing in the shuttlebay. The report left more questions unanswered, so Sam decided to take the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone -- so to speak -- and call the 1st Lieutenant to her ready room.

Leroy was asleep when the call came through and dressed quickly. He didn't like the idea of answering questions, but he didn't have a choice. Soon he was in full combat uniform, the only clean one he really had, he started to sprint down the halls. He made good time, about twenty minutes, having run into an Ensign road block. Growling, he shoved his way through the screaming match.

Rushing through the bridge, he saw some of the officer's get startled, then got to the door of the ready room. Catching his breath quickly, he rang the chime to the room, winking at the young Ensign sitting at the Con.

"Come in," Sam called, setting aside the PADD she'd been reading.

Walking in, the doors hissed quietly open then closed. Leroy stood there in his fatigues, ramrod straight and looking forward. "Lieutenaaaaaaaa." he tried saying his rank and a yawn broke through. "Excuse me, Lieutenant Mangalia reporting as ordered Ma'am."

"Have a seat, Lieutenant," Sam said, trying not to smile at his yawn. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Thank you, no," Leroy said as he carefully sat down. "What can I do fro you Ma'am?"

"I wanted to meet you, as I like to meet all my senior staff -- and that includes the Marines," Sam replied. "Have you met with Captain Raine yet?"

"No ma'am, I've been told that I needed a day or so after the crash. I haven't been enjoying it, but orders are orders. I planned on meeting him at about 1900, when his duty shift should be over."

"It would be a good idea to check with him, first," Sam cautioned. "He doesn't work normal hours." She didn't want to come right out and tell the new Marine XO that she was having dinner with Damon that night.

"Yes ma'am, it'll be taken care of." Leroy looked around the room, scared just a little. "Is this about my coming aboard ma'am? It wasn't my fault."

"What's your side of the story, Lieutenant?" Sam asked, her voice softening. He was looking nervous and she wanted him to feel at ease. She would listen to his story, then decide if anything further needed to be done.

"We were coming from the base, I had been reassigned from a ground unit to here. The pilot was just days away from retiring, and older than this ship I think. Coming out of warp he had some kind of stroke or heart attack. I can't pilot ships, I have no idea what does what. That and they don't like me. We came in, and I tried as hard as I could. Somehow I got the blasted thing to flip over, and couldn't correct it. During the academy I failed the pilot's exam three times Ma'am. I'm not meant to do it." Shuddering again, he sat back in the chair. "I tried to do what I could, but by the time I could figure out any of the controls, the top of the shuttle was already touching down, and we were out of control."

Sam listened carefully, then gave him a direct look. "Not everyone is good at everything, Lieutenant, but weren't you taught to call the ship for help? We could have locked a tractor beam on the shuttle and brought you safely in. There would have been no danger to you, the ship or the crew in the shuttlebay. You're fortunate Lieutenant Mikkola will not take kindly to you damaging one of the Orion's ships. Neither will Damon."

"Yes ma'am, but I panicked." He was afraid now, dearly afraid. "I'm going to be asking a pilot or two to help me out with flight simms as well. Also, the shuttle I came in was older than the pilot, with a few bugs. I'm not placing the blame, and I'm willing to take any shrapnel that comes from this. As to collateral damage, how bad was it?"

"You'll have to talk to Lieutenant Mikkola about the damage. I scanned a report about it. As for collateral damage to you, I leave that to Commander Sheridan and Captain Raine. I'm not going to step on your CO's toes in this. I support whatever he decides," she assured him. "As for the pilot's age... that reminds me, Lieutenant... The Orion isn't as old as you are. I'd be careful what I call 'old' around her." She took great pride in the Orion. It was a fine ship and had only just come out of a major refit.

"Aye Ma'am. I wasn't harping on your ship. More the one that I had come in on." Reaching down, he pulled a small padd and put it on the table, sliding to towards her gently. "This is my report about what happened. The systems started to fail, first the communications relay then a few other things. I don't know the exact age of the bird I was on, but I don't doubt if it was from Admiral Kirk's day.

Sam took the PADD from him with a half smile. "Thank you. I'll add it to the others." She set the PADD down on a stack of others awaiting her attention. She hadn't been on the planet for a day and everything seemed to be falling apart. "For what it's worth, welcome aboard. I know Captain Raine is looking forward to having an XO." Her smile grew broader and more genuine. "I don't know if it's a good thing or not, but you did manage to make an impression."

"I'd prefer to be one of the ones that stays in the background Ma'am. It has to do with my training, and hunting as a little boy. Dare I ask what kind of impression?" Chuckling softly, she would have to be deaf not to hear the nervousness in his voice. He didn't like attention, never had. "And please take your time reading the report. It doesn't say anything that hasn't been said before."

"Impression? It depends on who you ask. Mikkola's not happy. Then again, he's not happy with anything that damages his ships. Captain Raine hasn't met you yet, so I don't know his reaction. People are talking about your arrival -- and landing. They will, until something new replaces it. What matters is what you do from here on out."

"Yes Ma'am. Perhaps I should go appologise to Lieutenant Mikkola when I get the chance."

"I think he may be the only one who's offended," she agreed. "Then again, he did crash a firefly... so maybe you can meet as equals?" She grinned. "Okay, maybe not. You can apologize to him if you wish. I leave that up to you."

"It may be a good idea. Some people do get rather offended when they have a piece of property that they believe is theres damaged or destroyed. Do you have any Orders for me Ma'am?"

"No order, Lieutenant." She grinned. "I'll leave that to the Marine Captain. I just wanted to meet you." She stood and extended her hand. "Thank you for stopping by."

Leroy stood and took her hand. "The honor is mine Ma'am. I guess I'll be seeing you somewhere around the Ship." Smiling, he stepped back, saluted, then turned and left the room. Without even looking at the young bridge officer, he continued on. It was going to be a rough time being the new man on board.

OFF

1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia
Marine XO
USS Orion

Commander Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Orion

 

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