Boot reporting in

Posted on Sunday 6 June 2021 @ 15:39 by 2nd Lieutenant Drakur Redragon & Major David Scarlet

Mission: A Cry from the Darkness
Timeline: MD8 0800
1045 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Drakur sat aboard the shuttle, shoulder to shoulder with other marines. He had received his orders; he was part of a reinforcement effort aimed for the USS Merlin. He was slightly nervous at actually being an officer in the Corps, having others under his command and his responsibility. He pushed the feeling further down, burying it alongside the other feelings he didn't have time for at the moment. His instructors had recommended him for this, after all. Someone saw the ability in him, even if he didn't see it in himself. He was a warrior, sure, but he wasn't sure about a leader quite yet.

A jostle in the shuttle made Drakur shudder involuntarily. He still wasn't a fan of shuttlecraft; they didn't feel right to him. Not enough between him and the cold of space. At least starships, much like the one that brought him and this shuttle to this system or the one that he was heading towards, were large enough to feel more secure. He vaguely heard the pilot making arrangements to land the shuttle on the Merlin. He grabbed his bag with his few possessions and prepared to disembark. Time for a new home.

The new pips itched even more than the original ones. Scarlet held back a grimace as he watched the shuttle land. He stood like a statue as the shuttle touched down and hissed as the hydraulics released and the hatch opened.

There was a new Lt and Scarlet needed the man up to speed immediately. Eyeing everyone who got off the shuttle, Scarlet spotted the Lt. And made eye contact.

As Drakur stepped off the shuttle, he noticed the man standing and waiting. This was the man that he was to report to and begin his assignment. He shouldered his bag deftly and squared himself in front of the officer.

"Sir, Lieutenant Redragon reports as ordered," he stated, saluting.

Scarlet crisply returned the salute and silently studied the officer before him. What reading he'd done made him think this man had worked hard for his commission.

"Sir, these are my transfer orders assigning me as a platoon commander aboard the USS Merlin." It was a sentence that he had practiced, but it still sounded clunky. He enjoyed the disciplined nature of the Corps; it meshed well with the discipline he had learned in his childhood. Still, the words were different, not what was drilled into him in the Academy, and it didn't feel right because it lacked practice and polish.

"Accepted." Scarlet said as he turned and motioned for Redragon to follow him. "With the shake up from the latest mission, pleasantries will have to wait."

"Sir," Drakur replied, following his CO. He was relieved that pleasantries were waiting...as far Drakur cared, they could continue to wait. Work is what he did best.

"I want you to integrate with your platoon and give me a full report on their capabilities and your proposal for ongoing training." Scarlet walked briskly toward the turbolift. "Your quarters have been assigned and we'll be passing them on the way. You can drop your kit off then."

Drakur took mental note of what was being said as well as the layout on the brisk walk, insuring he kept pace lock-step with his CO. It was one thing to read words and look at a map, it was another entirely to experience it firsthand. He knew that shuttlebays frequently served as emergency egress points, so he made the note of the entire configuration in case he needed to move without thinking, as emergencies frequently required.

The turbolift doors shut and Scarlet turned to face Redragon once again. "Questions?"

"In regards to training the platoon, are there any specializations I need to be aware of, or am I to use basic marine competencies as a baseline, sir?" he asked. "And does the marine contingent support security efforts on ship when not otherwise tasked? I read that some starships prefer it that way, but others take offense to marines 'overstepping their authority'." Drakur punctuated the overstepping with finger quotes, sincerely hoping that he was using the gesture properly. He resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably, hoping this was the proper amount of questions, not too many or too few. He needed to prove his capability as a marine, and officer, and a member of Starfleet. Peace time Marines were something to which he would need to acclimate himself. Battle, he could handle, or at least he hoped he could. That part felt natural to him, at least.

"Baseline them, they're your platoon. Read their files and get to know them. How you maintain their readiness if your call. My only order in the matter is that you do it and do it efficiently."

"As for security, we have a new CSTO that I'll need to meet with and determine how much, if any, aid they will want in maintaining security duties."

"Aye sir. I will do so. And I will await your orders regarding security," Drakur replied. I have what I need sir, unless you have anything else for me?"

The turbolift door opened the the barracks and Scarlet stepped out. "Drop you kit and report to your platoon. We'll debrief at end of day."

"Yes sir." With that, Drakur departed for his quarters. He did little except remove the katana, his only real possession from home, and place it on his bed. The rest of the bag he simply left on the bed as it was. He straightened his uniform and took a deep breath to steady himself. Now it was time for the uncomfortable part of the job. He mentally went through what he needed to say and do in order to assume command. He pulled out a PADD and briefly went over the roster. He didn't have time to learn each person, but he wanted to at least have some idea of who would be present. He would have time to learn about their capabilities afterwards. Time to get to work.

OFF:

* Major David Scarlet
Marine Company Commander
USS Merlin

| 2nd Lieutenant Drakur Redragon
Platoon Leader
USS Merlin