What Do You Think?

Posted on Sun Sep 1st, 2019 @ 5:26am by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost

1,295 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What Stalks The Night
Location: MCO's Office

Jack watched the Counsellor leave then turned his attention to the Major. Part of him knew what Sam was thinking because he was too. "Go on, out with it." Jack spoke opening the door for what ever the Major had to say.

"This is going to come back and bite us in the ass and you know it." Sam spoke as she got up from her seat, walked to the window and leaned on it. "Even if we, you and I, couldn't have done anything about it her conduct is going to be reflect on us and what, and how we train our marines. They are going to say we have lost control of the situation, training out of control marines on a new spiffy ship."

It was hard for Jack to argue her points because he'd thought about the same thing. "It will not surprise me if they investigate us both for this. Cadi nearly killed the man and it took several others to get her off of him." Jack sighed, even with the Counsellors help at best all that it would show command was that he was proactive in his following procedure.

"When are you going to tell the Captain?" Sam asked.

"We, are going to tell him in a minute." Jack corrected.

Sam sighed, she knew she shouldn't have asked that. "Well, might as well get on with it...can't wait to see his reaction to this."

"After last mission, this is the last thing he needs." Jack sighed also. "Come on."

*** Bridge ***

Jack had not been to the Bridge of this new Dreadnought but when he stepped out to see the huge space that formed the Bridge it was in awe. "What the hell..."

"If this is the Bridge, I'd hate to see Ten Forward." Sam chipped in coming to stand beside him. "Come on, sooner we do this the better."

A quick question and they were pointed to the Captain's Ready Room where they were informed he was within. Jack touched the chime to announce them, then took a breath, straighten his jacket and wait.

Perplexed by the sequence of events that had taken place Will paced behind his desk as he waited for an update. He wanted answers but knew it was just a waiting game and right now patience was something he did not have in abundance. The sound of his door chime afforded him a brief reprieve from his self torment. "Yes, come." Will stopped and turned to the door watching it open to see his two ranking marines. "Colonel, Major." Will greeted. "What brings you two here?"

"Sir." Jack spoke walking in. "I was wondering if we might have a moment of your time for something that has transpired recently?"

"Captain." Sam spoke walking in to the Captain's Ready Room.

Will wondered what it was that could have brought the pair of them to him, but then after recent events he wondered if they were linked in some way. "Of course, please take a seat."

Jack sat, sighed, now was the moment and began to explain the situation to the Captain as he knew it, as the reports detailed it, and how things stood currently. It was a grim story and Jack could easily see that this was not what the Captain wanted to hear and he expected hell for it in return.

All Sam could do was watch, listen and wait. Jack was telling the story and she didn't want to interrupt of contradict him, everything was in the report but the Captain needed to know and that is why they were here now.

"So let me get this straight." Will answered. "One of your marines attacked another, injured him critically, that it took several others to drag her off of him. Where is she now?"

"Sickbay sir, being treated for her injuries." Sam chipped in, hoping Jack would not mind but also so that Jack was not doing all the talking himself and that she was there to back him up.

"Under guard I hope." Will remarked, dumb struck that this happened, notching it up to yet another thing that was going wrong within the armoured shell of his ship.

"No sir, however once fit for release she will be held in custody." Jack answered.

"I want her under guard, she's clearly a threat to ships personnel." Will spoke.

"Sir, I don't think that will be necessary, she.."

"If afraid it is Colonel." Will interrupted. "Lets paint the picture clearly here, one of your marines assaulted and beat another marine. Now lets not mince around the bush here people. We all know marines are trained in hand to hand well beyond typical Starfleet norms. What if this marine of yours was not fighting another marine, what if it was Starfleet or a civilian? She could have killed them."

Sam winced, though it was hard to argue with the point the Captain was making, sure it was speculation but the Captain had an entire crew to consider.

"What is his condition?"

"Critical, initial medical report is in the computer and a copy of it is added to my report for submission to have her discharged." Jack replied. "From what we can tell, by reports, witness statements and her own service jacket which has its own issues listed she wanted to make a statement, she had a bit of an ego on her and it can get the best of her."

"Well this time it has." Will replied. "When shes out of Sickbay I want her escorted to the Brig. Custody to be handed over to security."

Jack saw that coming and he knew exactly why. By taking her out of his custody Captain Hood was protecting Jack and Sam from any blow back later on down the line for anything after this moment. "Aye sir."

"How have the marines taken it?" Will asked.

"Mixed, shock, surprised mostly. Many didn't see it coming and apparently it just exploded in a matter of seconds. It's all in the witness statements that will be forwarded to you Captain." Jack spoke.

"We plan to speak to the troops later today. The Chief Counsellor is doing a review of the marine to assess her mental condition." Sam spoke up trying to in some way help.

"I would like to be there for this talk." Will said. "It may be your department Jack but this is my ship and as much as this is going to reflect on you given what we have been through recently its also going to reflect on me. Your men a trained, and well but this can not, must not happen again under anyones watch. I know you guys don't like fleet down on the deck but we need to make sure that everyone knows that regardless of personal feelings there is a code of conduct that must be upheld."

"When would suit you Captain?" Jack questioned and understood the Captain's position wholly. A united front was needed and while the Captain was right in some sense that many didn't like fleet down on the deck, they damn well better make an exception for the Captain himself.

"An hour. I have a few things I need to wrap up here."

"Understood. Major, gather the men." Jack spoke looking to Sam.

"Aye sir." Then stood up as if to leave. "Captain." Then darted off to carry out her orders.

"I apologise Captain." Jack offered. Something which was difficult for Jack to say but something he meant. The conduct of his men was something he used to be able to pride himself on, they were good and well trained marines. Not savages. He stood up also. "I'll assemble the men, we will be waiting for you sir."

"Dismissed."

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