Look What the Cat Dragged In

Posted on Tue Jul 24th, 2018 @ 1:32am by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost

1,009 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Emerald Road
Location: Marine Deck

Jack was in his office as he was looking over the latest batch of reports to cross his desk. It seemed that Samantha had been busy making all the arrangements she could for what was coming up, even though the information was vague. One thing was clear, they were going to get their hands dirty.

Sam stood up from her office and walked towards the MCO's office with an update on the work she was doing. She also wanted to talk to the Colonel about a few things regarding training and promotions. She noticed the assistant was not at her desk and assumed Jack had sent her on an errand, seeing the doors were open she knocked on the frame. "Got a minute?"

"Sure Sam, pull one up." Jack spoke after he lifted his gaze from his computer monitor to the door. "What's up?"

"I've been looking over some of the senior troops. With everything that's gone on recently two have been overlooked for promotion, one has completed advanced training and another is due his long service award." Sam slid the information across the desk to Jack.

Jack knew that sometimes delays happened, he once waited 3 months for an award but he tried to be different. "Yeah, things have been pretty on the go." He picked up the information and looked it over. "Corporal Vim has 20 years service? Why is he only a Corporal?"

"He's turned it all down, apparently he doesn't want to get stuck behind a desk, wants to be where the action is." Sam answered knowing exactly what the man meant.

"Explains that." Jack replied. "What about Specialist Tal, counter electronics. She wants to be a marksman?"

"She's been hitting the range often every week for the last 4 months. Shes been having guidance, shes aced the cert 3 grade and ready for the next stage if you approve?" Sam spoke as she recalled the information from memory.

"What about the skill set she vacates, do we have someone to replace her?" Jack asked.

"Specialist Sada, new on board but has what would be needed." Sam replied.

"Alright, if that's what she wants let her make the trade transfer, speak to her new Sq CO and let them know too." Jack answered and it was at this moment he heard the main doors open. He stood up to see who it was and he saw Mark walk in. "Well look who just rocked up."

Sam rose from her seat and stood next to Jack to peer out the window. "Do you think he misses it?"

"Probably." Jack said then walked out of his office. "Hey, I think you got lost, we don't like your kind down here." Jack called out playfully.

"Funny, I'll pass the message on to your girlfriend." Mark replied as he walked up the ramp towards the office."

"So what bring you down here?" Jack asked as he watched.

"Can only go over tactical diagnostics so many times, the ship was practically new when we got on board and I can only apply experience so far. So I thought I'd go for a walk to change the scene." Mark spoke. "How you been fella?" Hand out to shake Jack's.

"Good mate, good." Shaking Mark's hand he walked him inside the office.

"Sam, good to see you. Everything good?" Mark asked seeing that they were no longer alone.

"Can't complain, but I will anyway." Sam smiled watching the two men walk in.

"So whats going on guys?" Mark said leaning against the glass of the office window taking in a view that though different, reminded him of days of old.

"Mission prep." Sam spoke up.

"How is that panning out for you?" Mark asked as he turned his back to the view and focused on the two others with him.

Between the three of them they spoke about the mission, perspectives on it. It was expected that there were mixed feelings that the Commodore was in charge of a mission so close to him and yet the idea that the Admiralty picked him anyway meant they had already considered everything the three of them were doing so now.

"Do you miss it, the green?" Sam asked.

"Miss it yes, regret it no. Though Ayla in a green shirt in the morning looks pretty damn fine but hey, if it works, it works." Mark spoke.

Jack chuckled knowing himself that experience with Acacia. "Yeah, they do that."

"Annabelle doesn't wear my shirts." Sam said with a smug grin.

"Oh I bet she doesn't." Jack shot back.

"Speaking of, how are things?" Mark asked since focus had turned to Sam.

"Good, we are taking things slowly and as they come. Not rushing into it." Sam replied with a fond smile at the thought of Annabelle.

"I wonder how the Commodore is handling things without Vash, as I heard he was quiet taken with her." Jack spoke. "And I'm not saying that because she's an Orion." Putting that out there in case people jumped to conclusions.

"How would anyone handle it really if a loved one was taken from them?" Sam spoke up. "Taken on Earth, the heart of Starfleet. So who ever it was, pretty sure hes going to make them pay."

"Can't blame him, I would." Mark chipped in. "We just gotta make sure he doesn't cross any lines personally. Shitty situation or not, he's the Captain and as the crew we have to back him."

"We are marines mate, it's not the first time we have had to unofficially make people disappear." Jack spoke.

"No, but he's right. Regardless of how this goes we need to stand behind the Captain." Sam added. "This was a bad mission from the start and the last thing he needs is dissension in the ranks."

"Yeah, anyway I suppose I better get back before the team damages something. Good to catch up again, should do it more often." Standing up Mark patted Sam on the shoulder, a nod to Jack and then left the office heading back to his own.

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