Changes

Posted on Mon Nov 9th, 2015 @ 9:54pm by Major General Thomas Jackson & Staff Sergeant Sam Hopper

1,117 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 90 - The Great Relink
Location: General Jackson's Office
Timeline: MD1, 1030 hrs

Jackson sipped on his black coffee and rubbed his temples as he read his monitor. His thoughts were bombarding him. Is she ready? Can she do this? She has alot to learn. BUT...he still had alot to learn as well. "Sergeant Hopper, did you send for Captain Magbangan?"

"Yes Sir."

Jackson sat, and waited.

"I hope this better be good" thought Hondo as she hurried from her office to the General's office. Unless you were going to be on the short end of a very bad shaft, no one had ever gone to see the General, so knowing that she wasn't in trouble Hondo arrived at the office in her Uniform of the Day (UOD), which was a starched Marine Corp Class B Uniform..

Checking in with Sgt. Hooper, Hondo sat down in the Generals outer office, and waited for Sgt. Hooper to announce her.

"Knocking on the Generals door, Sgt Hooper announced, "Sir, Captain Magbangan is sitting in the outer office waiting for further instructions, sir"

Jackson remained seated as he spoke, still reading his screen. "Thank you Sergeant. The captain may come in."

Both the Sergeant and the General noticed the crisp Class B uniform the Captain wore, which contrasted to their BDUs.

Striding in with her usual determined look, Hondo stood at the front of the Generals desk and said "SIR, Captain Magbangan reporting as ordered sir". Hoping that the General wouldn't be commenting too much about how important the FTX was, Hondo wanted to get the meeting over, so she could continue the progress of the FTS. The last 14 days had been hard on her, physically as well as mentally as she would sit in the Regiment's TOC, listening to the communication between Lt. Simms and his commanders in the field.

Normally, she would be all over the Regiment's AO, making sure her BN Commanders were doing their work, watching how they all melded together, then leaving for another Battaion of the 327th. But for the other two who were now on alert status, all she had was 2nd Battalion that was going to have to prove to the General that they were ready and deserved the title of MARINES, of the Generals old unit.

Now at attention after rendering her salute, she waited for the General to say something....

"Have a seat Captain.", Jackson said, without looking up from the screen.

Thank you sir, replied Hondo, and now taking her seat, . [ Hondo remembered seeing the General, still remembered the General a few days after massive surgery, weakened by the ordeal, and the drugs; now here he was as tough as ever, and as sharp as a nail ] she sat in rapt attention to the General who seemed to be absorbed in the vast amount of information in the screen

"Captain, first I would like to compliment you on a great job you are doing with your regiment. They are getting as hard as they were during the Dominion War in a very short time. I am very sure they will recertify."

"Thank you sir", replied Hondo; it wasn't my doing, i just gave the 2nd Battalion input on how to do their jobs, and they in turn did what they had to do.

"Second, we have a security situation, and have been tasked to assist. Right now, we have a very important, and very dangerous high profile prisoner in the Maximum Security Block of the station. He is Admiral Bremer's duplicate from the Mirror Universe. Sector JAG is arriving to pick him up tomorrow. We need to post a Platoon in the block until this situation is concluded. As a precaution, I want a Company on standby QRF in the Marine Area in case an emergency arises. Can you make this happen?"

"Sir how about I let Lt. Simms the Battalion Commander know what you want". "He should know by this time which of his companies are more than ready to take on this important job"; replied Hondo.

"Whatever you decide. I am not one to micro-manage.", Jackson said with a smile.

"Starfleet Security have their own problem. We have a Changling on board as a guest who apparently has no knowledge of the Dominion. His escort will consist of Jem'Hadar. This is not our assigned problem, but it is good to know these things."

Jackson let his statements sink into the Captain before he continued.

"Finally, I have a Division Staff problem. Colonel Morris was wisked away from us the other day, to Command Third Division. This leaves a gaping hole withn our Chain Of Command. I need an experienced officer, a go getter, a field Marine not a pencil pusher, who can have my back running this division. We may not see each other eye to eye half the time, but we both care for our Marines. That is good enough for me if you want the job. What do you think?"

"hmmm said Hondo"... Begging the General's permission, but right now I would want to stay around for the completion of 2nd Battalions Recertification before I decide. I have told my Marines that I will never leave them, but if you really want an officer with the qualifications, then Ill take the job; but I want to appoint my own replacement, and the only one I know right now who has the same qualifications that I look for in a junior officer is Lt. Joe Friday, replied. Hondo.

"Sir, I'll take the job", but it would have to be after the 2nd Battalion certification, then I can leave with a clear conscience that I did my best to instill in my Marines their fighting spirit, sir!"

Jackson admired her loyalty. "I tell you what. I will let you oversee 2nd Battalion's progress, even in your new capacity. I am sure you are able to multitask. As for your replacement, as long as it is not an off the wall decision, you can pick the new Battalion Commander. "

Jackson took a small box out of his desk drawer, and pushed it on the desktop towards Hondo. "Well, we are burning daylight, so let's get cracking. Dismissed Major."

"Sir before I take over how long is my learning curve?", replied Hondo.

Jackson's eyes narrowed as a big smile formed on his face. "Your learning curve is as long as mine, and I never reached the halfway point as of yet. "

Tapping his fingers on the small box he offered Hondo, Jackson added, "You are familiar with the age old term "Voluntold", right?"

"Yes I am", So I guess from what you've told me is that I've just been Shanghied, and I'm the new Division Executive Officer, replied Hondo.

"Congrats, Major."

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