The officer and the mechanic

Posted on 17 Sep 2016 @ 8:13am by Gunnery Sergeant Kris Danger & Major Edward (Dragon) Cagney

661 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Marine XO's Office
Timeline: ED 4 1200

ON

Eddie decided it was high time to meet the gunny. He liked to know his support staff. He tapped his comm badge. "Gunny Danger, report to the XO's Office."

Danger responded an affirmative to the summons and inwardly cursed the XO for choosing the moment he was covered in grease and coolant.

"You couldn't have waited till after I was done servicing the fighters and was some what clean. A marine shouldn't meet his xo covered in grease." Kris mumbled to himself as he moved towards the xos office and wipped his hands on a spare rag.

He stuffed the rag back into his back pocket as he neared the door and waited for it to open.

The door opened at his approach. Major Cagney was seated behind his desk. "Come in, Gunny. Have a seat." He gestured to a chair opposite him. He noted the condition of the gunny's coveralls. "Sorry to pull you away from maintenance, but I felt it was time we should meet. I must say, I'm impressed that you came immediately rather than cleaning up first. I'm not too big on spit and polish, except in front of the noncoms. SNCO's. I prefer to have honest and up front. Good call." He relaxed in his chair. "What were you working on?"

"I figured, sir, that you wanted to see me rather urgently lest you wouldn't have called for me. No time to get changed into my spiffy duds. Right now were working on getting five of the birds in the air. The rest of the wing are in good working order and I have my mechanics doing general maintenance on them to make sure there ready to fly when the stick holders get around to taking them out." Kris paused "Though I'm guessing sir that you had a reason for calling me in other than to check up on the maintenance schedules for the birds."

Eddie leaned back in his chair. "Gunny, I have found over the years that in order for a unit to maintain cohesiveness and esprit-de-corps, it is generally a good idea to be passingly familiar with one's subordinates." He paused. "I like to get to know, or at least have an introduction to, the people I'm working with, and especially those Marines working on my birds. I also believe in honesty and being up front with them. I was taught leadership by example, and I expect the same from the people under my command. Since this is the first time the Redemption has had a full Marine Starfighter wing, I'd like your opinion. Maintaining my birds can't be easy. Do you anticipate any down time between rotations?"

Kris snorted "Yes and no Major. The birds we have down will keep my teams busy for a while. They are down and by down I mean in terrible shape. I dont think anyone has turned a wrench on them since they were made." Kris unconsciously reached back behind him pulling the rag out of his pocket and wiped his hands before replacing it seeming to not notice he had done anything "However I should be able to keep the birds that are in working order in the vacuum. It will mean pealing off two of my teams to do maintenance and slowing the repairs of the other birds currently sitting gutted on the deck." Kris grinned at the Major "But you dont worry your pretty little oak leaves sir, we'll keep them in the vacuum if I have to go out there and push them around in an EVA suit."

Eddie chuckled. "My oak leaves will be just fine. I like your candor and your initiative. Just keep me posted on your progress. My door is always open. Dismissed."

Kris snapped to attention and saluted "Sir, yes sir." He performed an about face and left the office.

OFF

Major Edward (Dragon) Cagney
Marine XO/CAG
USS Redemption

&

Kris Danger
Gunnery Sergeant
Chief Mechanic

 

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