Boots On The Ground (Part I)

Posted on Fri Apr 11, 2025 @ 11:48am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Means III & Major K'doc Valadorn & Sergeant Major Arcenio Velez
Edited on on Sun Apr 20, 2025 @ 3:16am

1,609 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Station Command - T'mpest's Office

ON

T'mpest had not worked with Marines before. Former Marines who had turned to security, but it was not the same thing and she wanted to hear from the Marine CO and his XOs about the war and their thoughts moving forward. She sent the colonel a message asking for him and any others he wished to bring to meet with her at their earliest convenience.

"I am looking forward to meeting the colonel of the marine division here. And seeing Major Valadorn once more." Cara adjusting her seating as she waited for their arrival.

"I read over the colonel's file. He and his Marines have done an impressive job keeping the station and planet secure." Then she raised an eyebrow. "Tell me about Major Valadorn."

A smile danced upon Cara's lips with a laughter in her eyes. "He is a good friend of mine. He also of a good Klingon household. He was the Chief of Security on Poseidon Station, but before that he was a marine in the Klingon military. He came to Poseidon Station paying back a favor there. He took his duties as security chief very seriously, as what he does with most things. He also has a sense of humor. He is very honorable, and doesn't take his duties lightly at all."

The dust had finally settled with the Cardassians. Of the wounded during the fighting only the most serious remained on the surface. Lasuma's donation of his 'recovery' yachts to the stations medical department and their deployment to the planet could have come at a more perfect time. Several of his Marines would surely have died if it wasn't for those two yachts and their facilities.

Means, Stone, and Velez were in a lift on their way to the stations Ops Center to finally meet the new station Commander. Looking over to the Colonel, "What do you know about the Commodore?"

"Not much, graduated with honors...twice. A science type from her record, but did some time as a diplomat as well as an intel officer."

"Joy...you would think as much trouble as we've seen around here lately that Starfleet would have sent someone with some combat experience."

Means glance over to his XO. "Maybe, but someone doesn't get to be a Commodore without getting their hand dirty. Besides, Soran had that experience and she could be more than a little temperamental. You heard about what happened with her and Lasuma on the promenade?"

" 'The Nova felt round the station', EVERYONE heard about that. And now she bailed on him... I wonder how he's doing?"

Up until then Velez had been silent. However, he had worked with Lasuma's body guard during the defense of the station and since then the two had become friends. "From what I've been told he's been living on his ship docked in his commercial bay. Been focusing on his businesses and is supposed to be opening up a second shop on the promenade."

Means had heard about the new shop. As a cigar aficionado he had heard the shop was going to have a cigar lounge and had been hoping it to be true.

Before they could continue the conversation the lift came to a stop and the doors opened to the station's Ops Center. Led by Means, a knowing smirk on his face, the trio made their way directly to the Commodore's office.

As soon as she heard the door chime, T'mpest stood. This was going to be an...interesting meeting. As long as Colonel Means was willing to work with her, she was good. But she had no idea what to expect.

As the doors parted they entered the office. The last time Means was here he was checking in with Soran, now he's here as the new CO checks in. He stifled the chuckle at the irony but couldn't help but acknowledge her and the new XO with a tongue in cheek greeting that usually came from the other side of the desk. "Commodore, Commander; Welcome aboard."

Stone had to bite his tongue as his face distorted as he stifled a laugh.

The only reaction from Velez was his eyes moving from the two ladies to his CO before returning a moment later to the two women on the other side of the desk.

T'mpest smiled, appreciating the irony. "Thank you, colonel. It is a pleasure to meet you and your men. Please, have a seat. This is an informal meeting as I do not know much about Pangaea and your efforts during the conflict. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me."

Taking a seat, he was feeling better about the Commodore already. There were several after action reports already on record concerning the engagement but it seemed that, like himself, she preferred the face to face condensed version than have to read report after report. "Well ma'am the majority of the MEU had deployed to the surface for some unscheduled training. While on the surface I received communications from Lieutenant Wells about a pending Cardassian attack.

"With that intel we redeployed our assets, clandestinely sent two companies back to the station to augment Lieutenant Tessaro's personnel, evacuated and replace the research facility personnel with Marines and waited. When the attack came they had no element of surprise and well...with our preparations and the Klingon strike force that swept in, they never had a chance."

"Thank you." T'mpest nodded. It was a good plan, and had been very effective. "I spoke with Commander Wells. She is now the director of science, exploration, and archaeology on Pangaea. She will continue to research the portal complex. We would both like your assistance to increase security in the complex and the archaeological sites." She left it to Alanna to tell the colonel about her communications system--if Alanna chose to keep it active.

Means nodded, "That would be a welcome assignment for my Marines. Training by itself tend to due effectiveness in m..."

The doors once again swished open as K'doc ducked to avoid the door frame. He nodded to those at the table and stopped to address those present. " I am Major K'doc Valadorn, I am here to serve, it is good to be back to my roots as a marine once again." He nodded to Cara. " It is good to see you again Cara, Khylara sends her greetings. " He found a chair at the table and sat down with a large mug of Raktajino in his hand and pulled out a PaDD.

The Major's abrupt entry not only cut him off but brought a certain aspect of this meeting to a head. He looked to Travis who had a puzzled look on his face. With a knowing glance to the Commodore Means stood "ATTENTION TO ORDERS!"

Travis and Velez came to their feet, snapping to attention. With a sharp facing movement Means took several steps taking a position to the side of the new commanding officer.

Cara gave a bit of a smile when K'doc came striding in. Now though there was something of importance at hand, taking note of Colonel Means stepping up next to T'mpest.

T'mpest nodded to K'doc, then turned to look at the colonel. "Please continue."

Nodding to the Commodore as she yielded the honor to him.

There was the edge of a grin to Velez's expression. All the Marines below were in on what was to come and should be in the process of completing the preparation the party to follow.

Means had done this enough that he knew the words by heart. "To all who shall see these presents, greetings. Know that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of Major Travis Archibald Stone, I do, and by the advice and consent of Starfleet Command appoint him a Lieutenant Colonel in the Starfleet Marine Corps as of this date. This officer will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the office to which appoint.

"Lieutenant Colonel Stone his hereby requested and required to relinquish his current assignment as Executive Officer of the 21 Marine Expeditionary Unit, to Major K'doc Valadorn and proceed to Starbase 214 to assume command of the 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit."

Travis was completely blindsided by both the promotion and the assignment. How Mean's had managed to keep it a secret.

K'doc nodded to the Commodore. " it shall be as you command Commodore. I understand that the marines I am going to are highly trained and capable. I will be taking a week to put them through their paces and get to know they're abilities and them as well. " K'doc turned and saluted Stone. " Congrats upon your promotion and new assignment Lieutenant Colonel, Ka'pla. "

T'mpest waited for the congratulations to end, then turned to Means. "Colonel Means, as I am not a Marine myself, allow me to use my own words." There was a twinkle in her eye as she pulled a box out of her pocket. "In recognition of your invaluable leadership and service to Starfleet and Deep Space 5, it is my honor to promote you to full colonel, effective immediately." Then she handed him the box.

There was a twinkle in her eyes as Cara witnessed the rank raise, she also said her congratulations to both of them. "I am looking forward to working with you, Colonel Means. and once more with Major Valadorn."

(To be continued...)

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

Major K'doc Valadorn
Marine XO
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

Sergeant Major Arcenio Velez
Former Marine XO
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

 

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