Drinks and Conversation [Part 1]

Posted on Tue Sep 28th, 2010 @ 9:43am by Colonel Damon Raine & Lieutenant JG Nava

1,064 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Peace, or Something Like It
Location: Marine Barracks
Timeline: Back-post [Before arriving on Turkana IV]

ON

Nava walked over to the Major's office and rang the chime. She had met the XO already, she rang the chime and waited for Major Raine to answer.

Damon was taken aback by the door chime sounding as he was mere steps away from exiting the room himself. With a curious frown, he toggled the door controls and stood in front of the door.

As the doors parted he caught the sight of a petite Ferengi looking back at him. Despite the time that had passed since her arrival, Damon had yet to get the chance to actually meet her, a failure on his part that became suddenly very apparent.

"Ensign Nava." He said putting on a smile. "I wasn't expecting you."

Nava smiled "I tend to pop up where I'm least expected. An unfortunate habit of mine. I had met with the Marine XO and decided that I needed to also meet the Commander of the Marine detachment." She noticed he appeared to be getting ready to leave the office "I can come back at a better time as you seem to be heading out." Nava said with a toothy smile.

"Actually, now is a great time. I just finished my shift so I have lots of time to chat. I was planning on grabbing a drink in the lounge before I head to my quarters; care to join me for a beverage?" He had plans with Samantha later that evening but it wasn't for a few hours yet.

Nava smiled "I'm always up for a drink." She said with a toothy grin "What exactly is your position aboard the ship?" Nava asked looking at the taller man. Being taller than Nava wasn't very hard though and she took it in stride.

Damon made sure to keep his steps shallow so he wouldn't outpace her. "Marine Major, of course, but I'm also apparently the Calypso's second officer."

Nava chuckled "I take it that was an unexpected addition of duties?" She asked as they walked "What do you see as your main function aboard the Calypso?" Nava asked "I'm trying to learn each person's job so that I can best assist them if need be." Nava explained "That and I'm a curious creature by nature."

Damon chuckled a bit at the comment before responding "My main function?" He paused for a moment in thought "To be the one who makes hard decisions." He felt the comment needed explaining. "The Calypso's crew and Marines are fully capable of carrying out their duties without me. When it comes down to it, though, when lives are on the line, they need someone to make the calls that aren't easy to make. I consider myself a Marine first, but I'll make those decisions for the ship as well if I have to."

Damon saw the doors to the lounge from the bend in the corridor

Nava nodded "I've heard that there have been conflicts between Marines and Star Fleet on some ships. Have you experienced any of that here?" She asked wondering if she would have to be a diplomat between the two different areas.

He shook his head "No, nothing on the Orion came up and I expect the same will be of the Calypso. I am very vocal about coming down hard on any Marine that upsets the balance we have here." He waved his hand out in front of him gesturing at the walls "This is a Starfleet ship, us Marines are just along for the ride."

Nava shook her head "What drew you to the Marines and not Star Fleet?" She asked as they walked, hoping that the relationship between the marines and Star Fleet would be a smooth one on board.

Damon thought for a moment as to what would be the best way to describe the reason. "Initially the decision was...complicated. The stories my parent's told me about how they lost friends left deep impressions on me." He thought it best to leave out that he considered the Marines to be a death sentence at the beginning of the war. "I can tell you that I decided to make a career out of it when I was stationed on Cardassia. Being a Marine is far more then carrying big guns and shooting at people as many in Starfleet think. Marines take a big risk everyday when they are deployed and they do it for the protection and support of others. I decided I can be of best use to the Corps by directing them."

Nava nodded "What can I help you with in my capacity as a diplomat?" She asked as they found seats in the Lounge "I want to be able to help each department on board." She said hopefully explaining her reason for coming to see Damon.

"Well," Damon started as he seated himself at the table "the thing you can do for my Marines is do what you do best; talk people down. If you are successful at the bargaining table between opposing factions it is less likely that my boys will have to be deployed. I will send them into hostile situations if I have to, but I would rather avoid doing so. My job is to keep my Marines alive."

Damon turned his head to greet the server as he reached their table.

"I'll have a pint of the house beer. I'm off duty." He said indicating that sythehol wasn't an option. Damon turned his head back to Nava to see what she would have.

"I'll have a glass of Andorian Wine." She said "I prefer to avoid confrontations if I can." She said "I may not be able to make everyone happy, but I do try to make sure that things are fair. I'll do my best to keep your men out of the line of fire as much as I can." She said with a slight smile "How much combat have you seen?" She asked "This is my first deep space mission so I'm interested to learn all I can about what happens out here." She chuckled "In fact I told the Lt that I'd participate in a work out with the Marines." She said "I will keep my word on that." She said.

To be continued...

OFF

Major Damon Raine
Marine CO
USS Calypso

Lt (jg) Nava
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Calypso

 

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