Double Deuce's New Boss

Posted on Wed Apr 6th, 2016 @ 9:57pm by Major General Thomas Jackson & Master Warrant Officer Gaius Aquila & Major Patrick McMichaels

1,223 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 90 - The Great Relink
Location: General Jackson's Office, Marine Country
Timeline: MD 4, 0900

Patrick stepped off the turbo lift onto the Bridge of Starbase 400. It wasn't like his former duty station; Marine Base Cerberus. This was a bigger; more sophisticated base. It mingled Fleet and Marine together.

He stood; bewildered, for a brief moment then shook his head. "Come Patrick. Snap out of it" he said to himself, a bit louder than he'd intended. He saw the star and knew he'd found his new CO.

"General Jackson, sir. Captain Patrick McMichaels reporting in" he said with a smart salute.

Jackson looked at the Captain. He knew about his arrival, but did not know the young officer would be so eager to report for duty so soon. He returned the salute. "Good Morning Captain. Please come with me, so we can do this properly. They walked over to the turbolife. "Level 40".

Shortly after stepping off the turbolife, they stepped into the area known on the starbase as "Marine Country". Even though the Marines occupied various parts of the base, the command and control, admin, and Marine Operations were mainly on this level. Marines saluted the duo as they made their way to the Command Post, where Jackson's office was located. They were greeted by an orderly as they passed through the foyer, and stepped into the CO's Office. "Take a seat please", Jackson said, as he sat on his chair, and started punching up Patrick's Orders, and his 201 File. He spoke as he read, "Would you like some coffee Captain?"

Patrick observed all that going on. It felt familiar but at the same time it was different. He followed the General through 'Marine Country' to his office. It was spacious compared to what he was use to. He sat across from his CO and tried to wait patiently.

"I'd like some coffee. Thank you, Sir" he smiled broadly.

Jax made a hand motion to the orderly, who placed a coffee mug in front of the Captain, along with two sugar packets, am a vial of creamer. There were many points of interests in the Captain's file that caught Jackson's attention. "Looks like we have a couple of things in common Captain. First, we are both Mustangs (Officers who started out in the enlisted ranks). Second, we both logged in quite a bit of time in MARSOC. Impressive to say the least."

Patrick smiled when he heard what they had in common. It kind of eased the tension in the room. "You can thank my mother. She's a retired colonel from the 5th MARDIV from Echelon Fleet. My former CO was a Brigadier" he said. The thought of him getting a general's star made him grin briefly. "My father wanted me to go Fleet but 4 years as a cadet really didn't spark my interest' he said with a nervous laugh.

Jax smile, remembering why he enlisted. "I come from a political family. I did not relish wasting 4 years of my life learning about politics when I grew up in it, so I snuck into the Marines. I never envisioned becoming an officer, let alone commanding a division. But I guess the Marines were running out of officers during the Dominion War, so they took my stripes, and gave me bars." Jackson took a sip of his coffee before speaking further. "The Marines are still short of decent officers, and you are a decent officer. For your sins, I am giving you a regiment."

Patrick gave him a startled look. "A regiment is equivalent to 3 or 4 battalions. I don't know what to say; other than thank you, General. I'll do my best with the men and women under my command" he said.

Jackson pulled out a PADD, and placed it in front of the Captain. "I know you will. The 22nd Marines has three regiments. All at full strength, but with mostly young leadership as far as officers go. 2/22 and 3/22 are on base, conducting routine training and maintenance with one exception. 2/22 has one company standing by on QRF (Quick Reaction Force) in case of an emergency. As for 1/22, they are on the Kaleb III Training Depot. They took a beating during an attack on the Borg, so they needed 120 replacements. They are working on getting their Combat Rating back, but it will be a few more weeks. For now, 1/22 is not deployable, along with 1/327, and 2/4. "

Jax was interrupted by a Marine standing at his doorway. "1/22 has some good Marines. They saved my hide in the Battle Of Death Valley."

Jackson stood up. "Captain McMichaels, I present you Master Warrant Officer Gaius Aquila, Commander of the 1st MARSOC Group. Giaus, this is the new skipper of Double Deuce."

Giaus walked up, and offered his hand to the Captain. The look on his face was that of a man deep in thought.

Patrick took the extended hand of friendship and greetings. This was still kind of new but it felt good. "Chief Aguila. Damn glad to meet you" he said with youthful exuberance. "Double Deuce huh? Does the 22nd have a code name; like the Wolfpack or Patriots? My former troops were known as 'the Hell's Guardians' in reference to Cerberus; the three headed dog; guarding the gates to Hades" he smiled with pride.

Giaus managed to smile as he shook his head. "Double Deuce IS their nickname. From what I remember, they got it during the Four Years War. Something about what the Klingons called them when they retook Rigel IV. D'wl D'sh, were Feklar's minions. Still not sure if that was an insult, or a compliment. The rankers figured that it just happened to sound like their regiment number. So it stuck. That's all I know. The General and myself were both "Chin'toka Reapers" during the Dominion War, so we would not know that much more about the 22nd." Deep inside, just mentioning the War send shutters up and down Giaus' spine. But topics or wars are normal conversation in the business he was in. He still hasn't recovered mentally from their previous action against the Borg, known to Marines as the Battle Of Death Valley.

Patrick listened intently as the two veterans exchanged stories. "It just seems a little off to me but I'm not gonna mess with tradition so the 'Double Deuces' it'll stay" he said. "Has there been any other changes that will affect the Division?" he asked, nervously.

"Nothing that I haven't already told you Captain", Jackson replied. "Again, welcome aboard, and good luck.

With that, the two officers exchanged salutes, and the Captain left to see his unit. Jackson then looked at Aquila. "Okay Giaus, is there anything I should know?

The happy facade Giaus was displaying earlier disappeared. "Jax, to be honest, I got pretty messed up in Death Valley. I have been reliving that, and AR558 everyday since we got back. Holly and the boys have been keeping me together, as well as the new Councilor. "

Jackson placed his hand on Giaus' shoulder, "Do you need to be on leave?"

Giaus shook his head, "No, I can still do the job, I just can't let these memories destroy me. Lieutenant Delair has not restricted me in any manner, well, at least not yet."

"Just let me know if you need anything."

Giaus gave the General a reassuing smile, "I sure will Jax. Thank you."

They parted way, and Jackson resumed his work.

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