Sergeant to Sergeant

Posted on 10 Jul 2018 @ 4:35am by Captain Gabriel Barron M.D. & Sergeant Major William Bourne

1,155 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Empty Creche
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: ED1: 0930

ON:

William Bourne entered the Captain's ready room in his customary fashion - rigid, impeccable in appearance, the definition of authority. He approached the Captain's table and stood to attention, saluting. "Sergeant Major Bourne, reporting, Sir." He said, a low subtle growl in his voice.

Barron looked at the Sergeant Major and his eyebrow shot up. He wasnt sure exactly what he had expected from his first interaction with the Marine Commander but a spit and polished top was not one of them. He leaned back in his chair and got the immediate feeling he would like this man.

"At ease Top." he said with the familiarity that only a fellow Marine would have. "Please sit."

Bourne frowned. He did not like Naval Officers using Marine terminology - it did not sit naturally with him. He sat down on the chair but did not relax - he sat bolt upright.

"Sergeant Major, as the senior most NCO in the detachment what can you tell me about your CO. She has received praise and a certain amount of desired coddling from the former CO of this ship. Having been a former NCO in the Marines back in the war I know that you would know all the scuttlebutt and be able to direct my attentions better with regard to the detachment." Barron's voice was a rolling baritone bordering on bass tone as he spoke.

"You served in the Corps, Sir?" Bourne asked, seeking clarification before answering the question.

He nodded "Indeed, I was a Medic attached to the Marine Recon Company, 2nd Recon Battalion. Made it to E-5 before the war ended and I went back to become an MD."

Borune grunted. He had seen many Officers in his time, this one seemed more interesting than most. He considered his answer to the question.

"Loyalty, Sir, is one of the Corps values. I have served with Major Blackburn for many years and do not intend to speak behind her back, so I will tell her what I tell you, if she wants to hear it. She joined us from a G4 post at Luna, her track was logistics. She was promoted quickly, too quickly, and was very fresh faced and quiet when she got here. She got on fine, but no more. She was taken POW by the Sixth a few years back, by their head of intelligence, who also used to share her bunk. His name is Joe Fursman. She was tortured, but got herself away in a self-rescue. On coming back she dug herself into a foxhole and has never climbed out, had her resignation refused, went AWOL a few times, ignored her day to day duties. I and Major Cagney run this detachment."

Bourne frowned for a moment before continuing. "She's impulsive, to the point of recklessness. She's also brave, intelligent and resilient. She fought off an enemy landing party alone when she was MIA during a shootdown in the last mission, and was the first to slot an Ee a few years back. She isn't driven by the things the rest of us are and she has no love for Starfleet or the Corps - she's driven by anger alone. It makes her dangerous, and not just for the enemy."

Barron nodded "Of course Top, I wouldn't ask you to break loyalty, but my questions about the Lieutenant Colonel is more so I can determine what role the detachment and it's commanders might play in this new mission. I need to know if I order the detachment to hold a swath of land or fight off an enemy boarding party if it will have the leadership to get it done." He looked the man over before speaking again "No bluster and false bravado, is the detachment action ready?"

Bourne's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of his commanders new rank, but he did nothing else to acknowledge it. "I am not in the business of exaggeration, Sir. I have 275 Marines across all roles mission ready, 8 on light duties, 2 in sickbay. We are awaiting three replacements for three KIA on the last mission, including our EW Officer. The company commanders are effective. The air wing is effective. We will get it done, CO present or not."

Barron nodded "Understood Sergeant Major, I will include the Detachment in my battle plans. I will also be speaking with Major Cagney as to his assessment of the readiness of the fighters." Barron turned to look at the shadow box with his Marine insignia in it before turning back to Bourne. "One Marine to another, loyalty stops when Marine lives are unduly placed in harm's way. Her duties are hers, not yours and not Cagney's. She had her chance to get out clean, she didn't take it. Now she has to shape up and be a Marine. If she fails in that you will inform me immediately so I can take steps to secure the lives of the Marines on this ship. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sir. I will inform you as ordered. One Marine to another, Sir, despite her attitude, she has never endangered the lives of my people. I believe she wanted to get out so she did not do that."

He nodded "It speaks volumes that you are loyal to her Top. I'll keep an open mind but we have a war to win."

"Yes, Sir. My priority is always the mission and my people. Permission to carry on."

Barron nodded "Provided you have no questions or concerns to bring to my attention, your dismissed."

"I have one question Sir. Why has she been promoted?" It was unusual for Bourne to question a command decision, but this one did not agree with him at all and he wanted an answer.

Barron looked at the man across from him for a moment before answering. "According to the Generals they promoted her for bravery in the face of almost certain death in the Hadronus system. My instincts and Admiral Ashcart's objections seem to lead me to believe they did it to keep her in uniform. The promotion came with a removal of the President's get out of jail free card. Take from that what you will."

Bourne grunted again. It was as he suspected. "Yes Sir." He said, standing and saluting. He marched from the room, his powerful frame dominating the room around him as it always did.

Barron returned the salute and watched the man go, his overall impression of Bourne was that the man was honest, straight laced, and by the book. He nodded to himself, a real NCO's NCO and he made a mental note to make use of Bourne's insight and instincts when it came of the detachment. If he had a hundred more like Bourne, he could get this war overwith in a week.

OFF:

Gabriel Barron
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

William Bourne
Sergeant Major
Starfleet Marines Detachment
USS Redemption

 

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