The Teufel Hunden are coming.

Posted on 15 Jul 2016 @ 2:34am by Lieutenant Colonel Cassandra Blackburn & Major Edward (Dragon) Cagney

1,244 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Wyvern Hopper 1 & 2, en route
Timeline: ED 2, 0930

ON

Major Edward Cagney sat strapped into his seat, along with 35 other Marines, en route to their new assignment. 36 more Devil Dogs were on the other Wyvern, all bound for the USS Redemption. He looked over his pilots. They were green, raw, and fresh out of flight school. This was an awesome responsibility, but one he relished. The scent of nervous anticipation hung in the air, the unspoken question was almost audible: "What will it be like in the fleet?" He smiled, remembering his first assignment, asking himself those same questions.

"Major?" The pilot called out. "Come up to the cockpit, please?"

Eddie unbuckled his restraints and walked up to the front of the Marine Landing Craft, and looked over the pilot's shoulder. "What's up, lieutenant?"

"Just got off comms with the Redemption, sir. ETA: ten minutes. Distance; two hundred thousand klicks."

"Roger that, Lieutenant. I'll make sure they're all tucked in nice and tight." he returned to his seat. "Listen up, Marines! We're about ten minutes out. Check your gear, make sure it's stowed, and be ready to form up as soon as we hit the deck!"

"Aye-aye, sir!" thirty six throats answered in unison.

Yep, he thought to himself. Still boots.

He took out his PADD and started reviewing the rosters. Leaning over to the Gunny next to him, he said, "Have the wing and the ground forces fall in to two separate groups, by unit. The Marine CO is already on board, and may want to review the troops."

"Aye, Major," came the gruff reply.

The minutes ticked by, and soon Eddie felt the light thump as the wyvern touched down. The doors opened slowly. Marines poured out of the two landing craft, and formed up as instructed. Eddie made sure nothing was left behind, and stepped out onto the flight deck. It was enormous. He'd never set foot on an Excalibur class ship before. He'd seen sports stadiums smaller than this. Shaking off the gee whiz factor, he set about looking over his troops. They were at parade rest, their gear at their feet. He made eye contact with the Gunny and nodded.

"Marine Aerospace Group, ATTEN-HUT!" The wing snapped to attention.

Eddipe tapped his comm badge. "Major Cagney to Marine Commander, USS Redemption: Your Marines are aboard, and awaiting your inspection. Please acknlowledge."

"Yes, Major. Two minutes." Blackburn replied, already stood outside the doors to the flight deck with Lieutenant Roberts and Sergeant Major Bourne. She was flustered and frustrated - she had been perfectly happy with her understrength Battalion and had no desire to shoulder even more responsibility, albeit temporarily. Roberts was excited and his enthusiasm annoyed her; Bourne could read her and the fact he knew what she was thinking annoyed her even more. "Let's get on with it." She said to them. Bourne grunted at her with disapproval; realising what he was indicating she did up the top button of her tunic, frowning at him whilst she did it.

Entering the flight deck, the Marines sprung to attention. Her heart sank as she mentally calculated the average age of them. She approached Major Cagney; salutes were exchanged.

"Major Cagney, my name is Blackburn." She indicated to the others behind her in turn. "This is the Detachment Sergeant Major, William Bourne. This overexcited young man is Lieutenant Errol Roberts - he has the electronic warfare section. I wasn't aware of your arrival until this morning." Bourne grunted again - he had in fact sent a message to Blackburn the day before about the reinforcement, but she hadn't bothered to pick it up until a few hours before they arrived. She wasn't dishonest, but was at the same time being economical with the facts. She felt his eyes burning into the back of her head. "I trust you had a good trip?" She said, attempting to delay the inspection she dreaded.

"The ride over was smooth as glass, Major Blackburn. Sergeant Major Bourne, Pleasure to meet you. Major Blackburn, the new troops are ready for your inspection." Eddie nodded toward the troops, standing locked and cocked at the position of attention.

"Yes, of course." She said, quietly. "Sergeant Major, stand the middle and rear ranks at ease until I get to them, we'll start at the front."

She walked the lines slowly, the others following in her wake. She nodded in approval and made the occasional comment of encouragement, as was expected of her in this ancient sacred ritual. They were exactly as she had expected to find them: well turned out, eager, clearly proud to be there. She worked her way through the ranks, finally coming out of the other side of the unit. She felt the tension building up inside her, and pushed it away.

The flight deck crew had pushed together a pair of crates to form a platform for her to stand on, in order to make her address. She clambered on top, adjusting her service cap as she did stood up. She clasped her hands behind her so they couldn't see them shaking. She coughed.

"Welcome to the Starship Redemption." She began, adjusting the volume of her voice to the massive flight deck. "I am Major Blackburn, your Commanding Officer." She looked at the dozens of attentive eyes, all focused on her, eager with anticipation. She saw their faces, most blessed with the innocence of youth and clearly willing to trust her with their lives, although they had never met her until just minutes before. She suddenly felt overwhelmingly ashamed. The emotion crashed over her like a wave and displaced her anger. "I trust-" She began, but her words failed her. "I trust-" She said again, but nothing else came out of her gaping mouth. She felt the dozens of eyes cutting into her, hanging on for her next words. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck. She put her hand to her forehead, before removing it again. "Just, please try not to die." It was all she could manage. No-one moved, but she could feel the weight of both the surprise and disappointment.

She jumped off the crates and hurried past the gaggle of officers to her side, waving her hand dismissively at Bourne. She scurried quickly out of the flightdeck and tore her cap off as soon as the door closed, putting her head in her hands.

Borune remained expressionless, in the silence of the flight deck. "Pick your jaw up off the deck, sir." He grumbled quietly to Roberts, who looked aghast. Borune turned to Major Cagney. "Sir, I have arranged your accommodation and will begin billeting the troops, with your permission."

Eddie, clearly taken aback by the Major's... could he call it melancholy? No, it was more than that. "Thank you, Sergeant Major Bourne. Please take care of the troops first. I'll see to my own needs. Perhaps we could have a chat a bit later, in my office." He looked after the retreating Commanding Officer, wondering what had hit her so hard.

"Yes, Sir." Bourne replied. He pointed to two Gunnery Sergeants and they moved forward, barking orders at the troops, the ordered lines falling apart as they grabbed their gear to move. "I will come see you once I have completed the tasking here, Sir." Bourne saluted.

Eddie returned the salute and headed off to his quarters to settle in.

OFF

Major Edward (Dragon) Cagney
XO, MarDet,
USS Redemption

Major Cassandra Blackburn
CO, MarDet
USS Redemption

 

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