New Orders

Posted on Tuesday 16 February 2021 @ 18:54 by Gunnery Sergeant Alexander Beck
Edited on on Wednesday 17 February 2021 @ 14:13

Mission: A Cry from the Darkness
Location: New Beijing Colony, near the Romulan Neutral Zone
Timeline: Current
664 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Alex stepped out of the spare bedroom he was sharing with his wife, Marika, and walked down the stairs to join his wife, son, and mother in the kitchen. Jessica Beck was doing what she loved doing most. She was spending time with her grandson and chatting with her daughter-in-law. They were on leave pending reassignment to a starship. There were plenty out there, but Starfleet generally took their time when determining where a Marine with his particular skill set was needed most.

"Have a nice nap? " asked Marika as he entered the kitchen.

"Sure did. " he replied, turning to his son.

"Are you behaving, Mister? " he asked. The boy nodded, grinning that mischievous grin that reminded Alex of his first wife, Wyatt's mother. He was definitely up to something.

"He's a little angel. " Alex's mother protested half heartedly, smiling at Wyatt and winking.

"Yeah, when he's with YOU he is. " Alex groused. Marika slapped him playfully on his shoulder. Like Alex's mother, in her eyes Wyatt could do no wrong.

"So when are the two of you going to give me another one? " Jessica asked. Alex shot a quick look at Marika, who looked down, a bit disappointed.

"We can't." he said simply.

"Orions and humans aren't genetically compatible, Jess. We can't concieve a child. " Marika said gently.

"I'm so sorry. " said Jessica. Alex just hugged his mom.

"There's always other options, Mom. Marika and I are already talking about adopting sometime in the future. " said Alex. Jessica nodded. Alex was about to say something when the communications console sounded out a noise. Someone was calling. Jessica walked to it and sat.

"On screen. " she said. The face of a middle-aged man in an SFMC uniform appeared.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I must have made a mistake. I'm trying to contact Gunnery Sergeant Alex Beck. " he said.

"Then you haven't made a mistake. He's here. I'm his mother and he's on leave at my home. " she replied.

"Oh. In that case, may I speak to him, please? " he asked. Jessica nodded and stood.

"It's for you, Alex. " she said. He nodded and headed for the console, and sat down. He immediately recognized the Marine on the other end of the channel.

"Master Sergeant Ramirez. How are ya? " he asked.

"Good, Gunny. I've got your marching orders, finally. " said the other Marine.

"Where are we going? " asked Alex.

"USS Merlin. Excalibur Class exploratory vessel. She's currently docked at Earth but she'll be departing on a humanitarian mission soon. A civilian transport is already en route to New Beijing to pick you up. It'll be cutting it close. Your scheduled arrival time is only a few hours before she leaves Earth space. " said Ramirez.

Alex nodded. "How long do we have? " he asked.

"The Vespucci will arrive at New Beijing day after tomorrow, local time. " said Ramirez after checking the ship's itinerary.

"We'll be ready. " said Alex.

"Will you need help packing? I know your wife hasn't been in Starfleet long and has even less experience with sudden transfers. I can send a couple of enlisted people from the Starfleet post in Shangzhou City." said Ramirez. Alex shook his head no.

"She's a Chief Petty Officer and a Marine wife. She knows how to handle the day to day. We'll be fine. " he said.

"Okay. Then that's it. Good luck in your new assignment, Gunny. And drop me a line once in a while. " said the older Marine, signing off. Alex stood and walked back to the kitchen.

"Did we get a ship? " asked Marika.

"We did. There's a transport coming to pick us up and ferry us to her the day after tomorrow. It's a bit of a trip. Merlin is at Earth. " said Alex.

"That's plenty of time. " said Marika.

"So we can spend the rest of today and tomorrow with you. " Alex said, turning to his mother.

"That sounds like a plan. " said Jessica, smiling.

END POST

Beck, Alexander, GySgt, SFMC
USS Merlin.