Meeting the new Marine XO

Posted on Wed Jun 8th, 2011 @ 4:58am by 1st Lieutenant Kara Melo & 1st Lieutenant Noelle Ghassan

760 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shades of Gray
Location: Marine Deck
Timeline: Current

ON

Kara saw the report that a new Marine XO had joined the Calypso. Wanting to meet the new officer, Kara made her way to the Marine XO's office and rang the door chime.

Noelle looked up "Enter." She said wondering who was at her door. She wasn't expecting anyone at this point. She was still settling in.

Kara walked in and saluted. "Staff Sergeant Kara Melo. Welcome aboard ma'am."

"Thank you Sgt Melo." Noelle said returning the salute "Please have a seat." She said "Tell me a bit about yourself." Noelle said with a small smile. Noelle had read the SSgt's folio and knew quite a bit about her already, but it was always better to have the information directly from the source.

"Would you care for something to drink?" Noelle asked as she got herself a glass of ginger tea.

"Whatever you're having, ma'am."

"Ginger tea it is then." Noelle said returning with a second cup "How long have you been aboard the Calypso?" She asked sitting down next to Kara rather than across from her.

"Almost a year," Kara said, taking the cup. "To answer your earlier question, I'm a tracker currently serving as Platoon Leader for Alpha Company."

"Excellent. What do you think the strengths of the platoon are?" She asked taking a sip of her ginger tea.

"Permission to speak freely, ma'am?"

"By all means Sgt." Noelle said

"Some of the Marines are disciplined and skilled. There are some, like Kushner, who have the devil's own luck. But there are some who forget their training and try to commit as much wanton destruction as possible." She shook her head. "Marines are better than that."

"I would have to agree with that." She said "We're not trained to create wanton destruction." She said "Can you give me specific examples. You don't need to use names, just situations that you have found this happening in." Noelle said "We can correct behavior if that's what needs to happen."

"One planet, underground. The Marines went in shooting and throwing grenades before they knew where the civilians were. We found a room with several who'd been held prisoner and rescued them, but they asked the Marines not to kill them, which bothered me: why would they assume the Marines would kill them? Another time, a Marine shot and killed two guards 'by accident.' The explanation later was that the Marine -- a sniper -- was not very good with weapons. It turned out the two guards were mercenaries, but we had no inclination of that fact beforehand. Some Marines have the false opinion that they have a right to destroy property and cause wanton destruction simply because that's what Marines do. There''s no discipline. No order." Kara shrugged. "There are times when force is necessary and you need to bring out the big guns, but not at first. Not without just cause."

"What does the Major think of this?" She asked wanting to get another impression of Leo "He doesn't seem to be the kind that would be okay with wanton destruction." She said taking a drink of her tea "I can tell you this. I will not be tolerant of it when I am in charge. Any Marine caught doing this will be brought up short and reprimanded." Noelle said "I've seen enough wanton destruction in various situations. I will not allow it."

"I'm glad to hear it," Kara said with a nod. "Colonel Raine felt the same way. Captain Mangalia appears to be less hard line, but I will admit I haven't worked with him much."

Noelle smiled "I think you'll find he has a harder line than he let's on." Noelle said "But as it stands, I won't put up with it." She said "Anything else you think I need to know Sgt? I see you as the eyes and ears of the platoon. You have your finger on the pulse and you will need to let us know if there is something going on that we are missing."

"Nothing at the moment," Kara said. "Get a feel for the company. I'll keep you informed once you get the lay of the land. Right now, you should form your own opinions, ma'am." She stood and bowed to the Lieutenant. "It's good to have you aboard."

"Thank you Sgt. My door is always open." She said standing up "I will indeed do that." She smiled slightly "Have a good day Sgt."

OFF

2nd Lt Noelle Ghassan
Marine XO

Staff Sergeant Kara Melo (PNPC)
Platoon Leader
USS Calypso

 

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