First Meetings: Marines 1

Posted on Fri Sep 25th, 2009 @ 4:19am by Commodore Samantha York & Colonel Damon Raine

2,609 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Prelude: Blowing away the Cobwebs
Location: Marine CO's office
Timeline: Current

ON

Samantha took a little time every day to explore the Orion so she could get familiar with it.

On one of her trips she found herself on the Marine deck. She'd always respected the Marines and wanted to say hi to the CO.

She found his office and rang the door chime.

"Enter." Damon simply stated.

Currently the Marine's head was burried in equipment requisitions and personnel records. Along with these he had a fresh report on his desk detailing how two of his Marines had already managed to create a fair amount of damage at the stations lounge after a reported fist fight with each other. He made a mental note to make the two involved break down and reassemble every TR on the station for a month in addition to whatever his Gunnery Sergeant had in mind. He smiled inwardly at what drills the Gunny might have them running. He didn't even notice the Lieutenant as she walked into his office, assuming it was just another Marine looking to make good with the new boss.

"What do you want?" He asked irritably, still looking down at his desk.

Samantha chuckled to herself at his irritability. They were all very busy right now. "I just stopped by to say 'hi.'"

Damon looked up in suprise at the voice as he knew it to be that of the Orion's Chief science officer. She stood in front of his desk with an amused smile on her face which only made the situation more awkward for the Marine who rudely addressed her.

"I'm sorry." He said in a sincere tone. "I have no excuse for being rude."

He stood up and motioned for the CSO to take a seat opposite his desk.

"You weren't rude," Sam assured him. "Don't worry about it." She sat down and smiled. "I won't stay long. I'm exploring the ship and thought I'd stop by for a minute."

Damon returned the smile. "Well i'm glad you did. I've been couped up in this office all day dealing with all the last minute details. I haven't had a chance to really tour the ship, let alone talk to any of the staff."

"Me, too. That's why I'm making a point of getting out. I spend a good deal of time moving equipment and setting up labs an computers. I need to take breaks to keep one foot in reality," she replied with a chuckle.

Damon leaned back in his chair and allowed himself to relax a bit. "So what brought you to the Orion? A transfer? Promotion...?"

"A transfer. Unexpected, too. I had only been on the Republic a short time when the Captain had a family emergency. Starfleet decided to use the opportunity to transfer a couple of us to other assignments. I was transferred here. I loved the Republic, but I'm also looking forward to serving aboard the Orion. How about you?"

"I'm still not really sure what to call it. Before this I was in a posting that was very...out of the way, if you know what I mean. I was told that the Orion would be a fresh start with a challenging new program." He shrugged. "Seemed like it wasn't much of a choice to make. Sure beat dealing with bored Marine's."

Damon sat up from his chair and headed over to the office replicator. "I'm getting a coffee, can I offer you anything?"

"Tomato juice would be great," Sam replied. "Bored Marines ANYWHERE are dangerous. Then again, so are bored scientists. They tend to make things blow up when they're bored. Whether by accident or on purpose."

Damon laughed at the truth of the comment before retrieving the drinks and returning to his desk. After passing Samantha her drink he sat down and took a slight sip of his coffee.

"So I guess that means we have something in common, namely that we can't leave our posts for fear that our department members get into something that could potentially put a very large hole in the Captain's new ship."

"I think I have it a little easier than you. As long as my department can work on individual projects, I'm good. But if there's nothing to do for an extended period of time, then yes, it can be quite... eventful... if I leave them to their own devices," Sam grinned. "At least most of my labs are shielded. Less collateral damage. And I can predict what sorts of trouble a scientist will get into. With a Marine, you NEVER know. I would much rather have my job than yours." Not to mention the fact that she was far too much a rebel to ever fit in with the Marines.

"It's not so bad. Usually the problems happen when a new unit is still trying to galvanise, like now. After a while the problems pretty much go away as the transfers start happening. The Marines who don't fit in are quick to extricate themselves. Having 120 Marine's working on one ship goes a long way to sorting out the bad apples." He shrugged. "At least that's the easy part. You have to be far more picky with your staff then I do."

"That's true," Sam agreed, nodding. "I have to have specialists in a variety of areas, so I need to be more careful as to who is in each department and how they work together as a teams. It can be more difficult when a team of three has problems."

"Especially when the work is so biased. Each of your members has a different perspective on how to do things or how to approach a problem. I may have more people to worry about, but you certainly have a larger responsibility in maintaining your personnel. I've got a lot of respect for the work you have ahead of yourself."

"Thank you. I have a lot respect for the Marines as well. But I'm not going to start a mutual admiration society," she said with a grin. "I will admit I've never looked at science quite that way before. So, Lieutenant, what do you do besides PT and ordering Marines around?"

"Reading, actually. If I ever get a chance to. To be honest I find little more relaxing then some music, a good glass of scotch and a fresh novel."

"Me, too. I collect and read paper books." She gave him a wry grin. "I have a large library on board. What type of music do you like?"

He smiled a bit. "I know it's kind of cliche, but I'm into classical music. It just sets the mood and nothing gets someone really thinking like a full orchestra. Of course, when it's time to get active i'll take anything with a fast beat and a hard line, louder the better. You a music lover?"

"I'm afraid so. I grew up on Earth, so my music preferences reflect that. I enjoy classical music. I also love Williams, Gershwin, Wildhorn and other 20th Century composers. I love musicals. And Andean folk music." Sam grinned. "And when I want something to get me moving, I love 20th Century Classic Rock."

His small smile grew dramatically at her words. "Classic rock, huh? Back in the war my unit's unofficial theme song was "Welcome to the jungle" by Guns 'n Roses. We would play it as loud as possible inside our hopper before any hot drop." His smile disappeared a little at the thought. Just as quickly as it left he shook his head and seemed to snap out of the spell he was falling into. "So you asked me what I do for fun, now it's my turn. What claims your spare time?"

"Let's see... Rock climbing, fútbol, target shooting, books, archaeology and history." She chuckled. "Work is also my hobby. I'm an archaeologist and historian by trade."

"Wow." He said with a laugh. "Well you certainly keep yourself active. Ya know, a lot of those activities are right up the alley for a Marine. Shame you don't train with us."


Samantha thought about that for a moment. "Depending on the training, that might be fun. And, yes, I do like to keep busy."

"So I guess that means if there are any explosions it won't be by your hands." A smirk was added for emphasis.

"Not by accident, anyway," she said, grinning.

Damon paused for a moment before continuing. "You know, I have always found the science type hard to get along with. Most of the time they look as though they have more important things on their minds then to deal with the people they serve with, let alone the Marine's. I think you may be the exception to the rule in my book." A wide smile accompanied the compliment.

"On behalf of my fellow scientists, I apologize. I think, in most cases, it's that we tend to get so involved in our work we neglect everything -- and everyone -- around us. I work in the social sciences, so I deal a lot more with people," she said, returning his smile.

"Good to know." He said with a nod. "Well in that case I will officially appologise for my fellow Marine's who will inevitably invoke your disspleasure. They may know how to deal with each other, but the details remain sketchy at best when it comes to 'playing nice' with Starfleet members. I would hate to think that we would no longer be able to just chat to each other because of what someone else does."

"No fear of that. I've had to deal with Marines on a number of occasions. They are a... unique breed," Sam replied. Several digs she'd worked on had been guarded by a squadron of Marines.

Damon laughed at the term. "Hmm, 'unique' huh? Apparently diplomacy can be added to your list of credentials."

"Blame my parents," she said, laughing. "I am a product of my environment. You know the saying, 'train up a child in the way he shall go and when he is old he shall not depart from it...'"

"An excellent quote from a very very old book. It stands true, my parents and grandparents were also Starfleet, though I am the first in my family line to become a Marine. So I take it that your parents are diplomats?""

"My mother is a diplomat, my father an ambassador. I attended a lot of 'official functions' before I left home to attend University. I was fortunate to spend most of my time on Earth."

Damon nodded approvingly. "So to add to that list of credentials, you are cultured and comfortable in a dress." He couldn't help the smile that crept across his face.

"I can be quite formal when the situation dictates it," she replied, chuckling. "But I must admit I'm more comfortable in a pair of jeans."

"Ah, a dress-down as opposed to a dress-up kinda girl. I can respect that. Though I have to admit, I think I would like to see a woman trying to play fútbol in a full gown."

Sam laughed merrily at the thought. "That could prove quite difficult. I don't think I'd be very effective as a keeper dressed like that. I can just imagine myself making a spectacular mess of things if I tried."

The Marine joined in the laugh. "I'm sure you would rise to the occasion no matter what you are tasked with. You have been entrusted with the position of Chief Science Officer after all, no small achievement by Starfleet standards."

"I'm Chief Science Officer because I excel at history and archaeology. I don't think they took sports into account, but I appreciate the vote of confidence. Let's hope I live up to it." She was enjoying her chat with the Marine.

"You'll do well, I think. I know a good Officer when I see one. Besides, your family background in diplomacy lends itself to spending time thoroughly researching topics and high stress enviroments." He tipped his head forwards in a small bow. "I'm impressed." A smile punctuated the remark.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "I'll have to come down here next time I need an ego boost. Now, we've spent enough time talking about me. It's your turn again."

He let out a loud mock sigh and grinned at Samantha. "Well I guess it's only fair. Okay then, what would you like to know?"

"Well, you've told me what type of music you like. So... what type of books do you like to read?" she asked. Then, with a teasing grin she added, "And yes, it IS only fair."

"I'm facinated with Roman warefare, in fact, I'm facinated with any type of warefare pre-industrial age. Ever since I was a kid I have been interested in historical fiction along those lines. More so since the Dominion war." A fond smile creased his features. "My most valued possession, in fact, is a big hard cover edition of War and Peace dated 1908. It was given to me in a glass case by my sister for my 30th birthday."

Samantha shook her head and grinned. "That figures. Military leaders seem to gravitate to historical warfare. It does make sense. You can learn a lot about tactics and strategies from history." She grinned at his last comment. "I much prefer paper books when I can get them. I have some Dickens and some Shakespeare, but I don't have anything by Dostoyevsky."

His head bobbed in agreement. "The weaponry and tactics have changed, but the strategy's are still applicable. More so even the way the troops need to be motivated. Morale can defeat an enemy just as easily as a gun can. Even your preference in literature backs the point."

"It is a wise man who learns from the past. I believe the quote is, "He who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it.' I have seen that proven correct time after time."

"True enough. It's just sad that, knowledge or not, people tend to tread the same path over and over again. I think the real benefits to reading something like what I do is that it teaches you WHY certain paths lead to failure. Many can read, but few understand."

Sam nodded slowly. "The more I talk with you, the more I like you, Lieutenant," she said with a slow smile. It was good to talk to someone who understood not only the value of reading history but the value of understanding it as well.

"Actually the pleasure has been mine. Most of the time I spend my time talking shop to the other Marines. It's refreshing to talk to someone about anything but defective TR's. ~It sure doesn't hurt that she is cute.~ A grin accompanied his words.

Samantha walked over to him and extended her hand. "Come visit the science department some time," she asked with a warm smile. She'd enjoyed talking with him a great deal and hoped she have a chance to get to know him.

"I think I will. I wouldn't mind seeing that library of yours sometime as well." He took her hand and shook it. "Thank you for stopping by, it broke the bad mood I was falling into."

"I'm glad I could be of help," she grinned. "And do stop by any time. In a few days we'll have the arboretum finished, too. Something else you should have a look at."

With another smile, Sam turned and left the Marine CO's office.


OFF

2nd Lieutenant Damon Raine
Marine CO
USS Orion

Lieutenant JG Samantha York
Chief Science Officer
USS Orion

 

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