Even In Preparation, There Is Always More.

Posted on Thu Jan 4th, 2024 @ 10:17pm by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost & Major Samantha Snyder

714 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Marine Deck
Timeline: Current

Flanked by his Exec, Major Snyder, Jack was pacing his way through the main area of the deck that around him had an array of activities going on from workouts, team exercises, educational toolbox talks, equipment maintenance and others making sure that everything in between was tended to and looked after. It wasn't that Jack had any particular doubts that his men were not prepared for what lay ahead, just that he knew from experience that plans seldom lasted beyond the point of initial contact and even then it was something that needed to be addressed. With him were 800 marines all itching for action, he knew some saw this assignment as a bore, the idea struck him a few times too but duty didn't care for the location, only readiness. Even as Jack made his rounds some that noticed snapped to attention until he waved them at ease, it was hard to sometimes miss a marine in green but his Exec flanking him with blonde hair was harder to not notice.

News of recent developments had filtered down the command lines, Sam and Jack were aware of what was going on but so far there was nothing that needed to be passed down to the rest of the troops. The journey to the AO (Area of Operations) was relatively uneventful and as such the Marines were making most of the time they were presented with.

"Todays sick parade?" Jack asked coming to a stop off to one side of the massive room.

"3." Sam answered. "2 training injuries, minor. Full recovery is expected in 24 hours. The last is a dislocated shoulder I am awaiting an update." Sam checked the padd she was holding to see if one had come through, it had not.

"Cause." Jack spoke.

"Classification examination injury," Sam answered, no stranger to injuries gained from classification exams, especially on an elbow and both ankles. "I'll contact Sickbay for an update."

"Cancel examinations, we can't afford injuries to put the mission at risk." Jack spoke as he looked at the two groups of marines sparring and another group training in unarmed combat with one of the CQB specialists.

"What about those already in progress?" Sam chipped in knowing that a cancellation could put a promotion board on hold.

"I'll approve time in consideration." At least then there would be no delays, assuming that they still passed the required testing and exams. "I'd like to run a deployment drill, I don't want them going lax because of the size of the ship, they need to be ready at a moment's notice." Jack was feeling his age today, particularly today and he wasn't sure why. With a child at home, it was perhaps that knowledge that with such a bundle of energy even he would struggle to keep up in his physical shape.

"Time?" Sam asked making arrangements on the Padd she was carrying.

"05:40." Jack picked, random, just as the shift change was about to happen knowing that a drill would take at least an hour, maybe 2 to complete. "I'd also like a staff meeting of senior officers." Jack wanted to get to know his officers a bit better, a key to being a good leader is knowing the capabilities of those under his command and to do that he needed to talk to them, not read on them on a screen.

"Aye Sir." Sam spoke as she had already begun that particular preparation yesterday awaiting that very order. She also made a note to inform Bianca of what was going on in case she woke up and Sam was not there. "Would you like to include the Captain in that meeting?"

That was an interesting question, but a valid one. Typically the Captain wouldn't get involved in the affairs of a department unless that department was needed or his input was mission required. "Extend an invitation." Jack didn't expect Captain De Havilland to attend, but it didn't hurt to invite none the less. "Would hurt to show the Captain we are ready to deploy when he orders it."

"Understood." Sam spoke making notes. She knew it wasn't often that the Captain got an invite to departments and she wanted to make sure that everything was prepared, in place and presentable should the Captain decide to accept.

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