Boots On The Ground (Part II)

Posted on Mon Apr 21, 2025 @ 8:21pm by Commander Cara Letsul & Commodore T'mpest Michaels

1,551 words; about a 8 minute read

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

[PREVIOUSLY]

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."

[CONTINUED]

After all the 'congratulations' were over and as prearranged Velez took their now former XO to the party that awaited him in the unit’s assembly area. Means watched the pair go before turning and looking up at his new exec. "It's been a while since I've had to actually look up at someone regularly...not since Kzin. I look forward to serving with you Major."

"I also look forward to working with you Colonel Means. I have Prior experience with marines before coming to the federation to pay back an honor debt for my family. I was in the KDF and served in the house Hurric marines 132nd ground assault brigade. That would be equal to one of your special forces units. I am certain that we will work well together and bring honor to our unit and to the Federation. " Stated the large Klingon in a plain matter of fact tone in his voice.

"Excellent. Special Forces huh...well we will definitely have to get you involved with the Recon/Fast-reaction platoon."

The whole proceeding of changing of the guard , and seeing a former XO being sent off to be in command of another group of marines, brought back a wave of nostalgia to her. Her mind went to her friend, Captain Brina Tracy-Hall. "Congratulations Colonel Means."

Means had always taken promotions in stride, never worrying about them...when they came they came. "Thank you Commander. Well now that all the pomp-and-circumstance is over... Down to business?"

"Yes. Please, if you will have a seat, we can definitely get down to business." T'mpest was pleased that Cara not only knew the major, but she seemed to be familiar with Marines on other stations, which would come in handy moving forward. The commodore firmly believed that preventing further attacks meant strong security and strong Marines.

Means took a seat waiting for the new boss to layout her plan, her vision for the station and the colony.

"As I understand it, you have set up a temporary base on Pangaea, yes? This is in addition to the Marines at the portal complex. I would like this to become a permanent base. I would also like you to maintain what you have on the station. It may not prove necessary, but I believe a show of strength and stability will help ensure peace."

"Well ma'am I wouldn't even call the current set up on the surface 'a temporary base', more of a training site. We had only planned on being there for two weeks at most. I fully support the peace through strength philosophy but a permanent base on the surface as well as meeting our responsibilities aboard the station would spread my Marines pretty thin; and we are undersized for a MEU to begin with. If we were at full strength I could see us being able to successfully cover both the station and the area surrounding the portals and the research station.

"However, I doubt that big of a boost in our numbers is going to happen." Means' hand went to his chin and mouth as he thought. "If we were able to increase to 1200 that would give us two full battalions and support staff. Still well below a proper MEU but I think it would it would be doable."

The commodore thought over that for a moment and nodded. "I think that can be done. Especially if I request more personnel to protect the planet. I have also requested fighter pilots. The station has the facilities, but they stand empty. Whether they are starfighter pilots or Marine pilots is still under discussion." She raised an eyebrow. "I assume you have a preference?"

Well, that was easier than expected. He had actually expected push back and to have to negotiate for whatever he could get. Thinking to himself, ~Hell, I should have asked for the full thing.~ "Thank you. As to the makeup of the station’s pilots...well this is your station Commodore, but I think a blend would be ideal. There is nothing like a little friendly rivalry between Fleeter and Marine pilots to keep everyone's skills sharp."

One side of T'mpest's mouth quirked up in a half smile. "Indeed. I will see what I can do."

She turned to Cara. "Perhaps you could ask your friends on Poseidon Station for suggestions?"

"I could do so, the ones that can make the suggestions they have gone to another station. However, I can send out a message to someone who would, I feel work out rather well." Cara thinking about Phyllis. A broad smile appeared. She looked at K'doc. "And well another part of Poseidon Station is right here." giving a nod towards the rather large Klingon.

T'mpest turned back to Means. "If you could send me a list of what you would like, I will see how many of them we can accommodate. But I have a good idea of where to begin."

It would be nice to be closer to a proper MEU with the flight element and equipment to go with it. "Understood. We will put together our list of must haves, could use, and would be nice as soon as we can put it together."

"Thank you, Colonel. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?" T'mpest would have a good look at the list, and get Cara's input, but it seemed that they were pretty much on the same page.

Means looked to his new XO, to the Commander, and back to the Commodore. "Yes actually, Traditionally the roll of Marines on ships and basses was policing and security. Granted Starfleet now has their security department and Lieutenant Tessaro have worked together nicely in the past.

"What I would like to propose is to assign Marines, on a rotating basis to Lt. Tessaro’s department, specifical for security duties. It doesn't do this station or my Marines any good to be sitting around, doing little more than training, in the event the alarm go off and they are finally needed for something. If you do nothing but training, no matter how realistic, eventually decreases effectiveness.

"Our emergency stations and responsibilities would remain the same, it would actively augment stations security, and give our Marines something to do other that twiddle their thumbs."

T'mpest nodded as she considered his suggestion. "Yes, I believe that would be an excellent opportunity for both departments to work together. As long as Lieutenant Tessaro is find with this, we can start implementation as soon as you work out the logistics."

" As Commander Letsul has mentioned, on Poseidon Station, both the Marines and Security in conjunction with the civilian security forces on the station worked together and cross trained with each other. We were able to respond to any situation that arose and took care of it before it became a problem. " Stated K'doc.

The large Klingon continued speaking. "Rivalries between the fleeters and ground units to promote competition is always good. But they need to be reminded that they are on the same team every now and then. If you'd like me to Colonel, I could arrange for some training partners to help out with our people. " Offered K'doc.

With everyone on the same page he tossed a bit of humor into things. "Ahhh no need for reminders, a good brawl now and then might be just the thing."

Cara had an amused expression, she found Colonel Means an interesting Marine CO. She's worked with several now and found them all different in the way they ran their commands. There was Brina, K'rang, Patton, and now Colonel Means. Oh, the future was showing signs of interesting times.

"As long as you don't mind a night in the brig," T'mpest replied with a twinkle in her eye. "Just call it training and you should be fine."

Means laughed genuinely. Not only at the irony of her statement, but that they probably had no idea why it was funny. After a few seconds, "Ma'am a trip to the brig is just par for the course, but as a famous Marine once said, “Take me to the Brig. I want to see the “real Marines”."

Cara chuckled, she knew of such quotation. "General Puller, I believe made that quote. How do I know? My best friend, and adopted sister, is a Marine." This definitely was turning out to be an interesting new start on this new station.

"While this is my first posting with Marines, I have heard stories." This time T'mpest smiled. "I have a feeling they may have been...understated." It sounded like she had a lot to learn.

She turned to the colonel. "Send me a list of what you would like to see. We can negotiate from there."

OFF

Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea
Marine CO
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

Commander Cara Letsul

Executive Officer

Deep Space 5

Colonel Nicholas Means III

Marine CO
Deep Space 5 and Pangaea

Commodore T'mpest Michaels

Commander

Deep Space 5



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

 

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