A Hero and A Friend.

Posted on Sat Jan 18th, 2020 @ 7:55pm by Brigadier General Kaden Ross & Brigadier General David Hurd Sr

1,644 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 102 - The Rising Tide of War
Location: Kaden's Office
Timeline: TBA

Kaden sat in his office going over the meeting he had with the junior officers and staff with in the division. Minus a few complaints notably the fifth time First Sargeant Renford caught lovebirds Sergeant Godfrey and Lance Corporal Zanderhall doing it in the locker room shower. Not to mention Privates Biggs and Wedge on their usual rant about the food and lack of packets of ketchup in the Marine Mess.

Things was going rather smooth for the men and women on the starbase he helped Hurd oversee. Setting the PADD down Kaden rubbed his eyes before leaning back in his chair looking at his display case of antique swords and firearms wondering when he last cleaned and inspected them.

Hurd, making his daily rounds, decided to check in on Ross. They hadn't talked much lately, but Hurd regarded the man as a friend and wanted to see how he was. Stepping up to his office, he rang the chime, hoping Ross was in.

Hearing the chime Kaden wasn't expecting anyone or worse yet probably one of Sergeants needing to report some shenanigans some of the Marines might be doing. In a way Kaden didn't mind a bit of fun from the antics the men came up with long as nobody got hurt or in trouble. In this line of work everyone needs a good laugh to help ease tension keep up morale. But there was always the by the book types that just well loved to nag but Kaden was type to bend the rules time to time and crack the whip when needed. "Come."

Walking in, General Hurd stopped, saluted, and said, "Good day Colonel".

Kaden quickly got to his feet saluting the man back. "General, what a surprise I wasn't expecting you...something I can do for you?" He asked slightly nervous in his voice.

"Oh no, I was just doing my rounds, and thought I drop in to see how you were is all", Hurd said smiling .

Kaden sat back down in his chair picking up the PADD he was reading earlier. "I feel like I am in over my head at this job...it is like I am helping you run a circus with the antics our guys do down there." He tossed the PADD on his desk leaning back in his seat. "I understand the need to brighten others in this line of work but does this job get easy later on?"

Taking a seat, Hurd said, "Some aspects of it do, but some don't , and those that don't will never get any easier". Pondering his thoughts for a moment, Hurd said, "For example, when I was a Colonel , I led the Marine Forces on Archanis IV". "During that fight, I lost over 1000 men on the ground, plus almost the entire on-duty crew of the Tirpitz, which I was CO of". Looking down for a moment, he looked back up and said, "Loosing people, and the worries of keeping your men safe, but at the same time knowing they are well trained, well lead, and knowing you have to go into battle with all the uncertintes that follow, I think, is the hardest part".

Kaden wasn't sure what to say to that he sat there in silence for a moment before leaning in his seat. "I was pretty young when that happened it was all over the news. I know that this sort of job is going to require I make hard decisions but I am prepared to. People like you and I have to be cause if we don't it could cost more lives out there." He turned in in his seat slightly to look at the MACO flag displayed on the wall. "It's just...in the end I worry that the things we do the sacrifices we make. Won't be tossed aside cause men like us is considered a dinosaur to those we trust and their vision for a better future."

"Oh, there will always be a need for us, and the sacrifices we make will be remembered forever with honor and glory, by the generations of Marines that follow us, you have no need to worry."

Kaden blinked a few times as he stood up from his seat. "Not sure many will remember me other than my wife and family." He frowned as his feelings of loneliness took over. "I am not a very popular man where I come from."

"Not sure why", Hurd said, "Everyone here like and respects you". Chuckling a bit, Hurd added, "And I'm not very popular anywhere, so you have that over me".

"If they do they all have a funny way of showing it!" Kaden snapped. Realizing this was his superior he was speaking to Kaden felt his face turn red. Regretting already he lost his cool for a moment in front of Hurd like that. "I'm sorry, it's just the closest thing to a friend I had here recently left a while ago. I been missing him and feeling lonely as of late."

Looking at him, Hurd said simply but warmly, "Kaden, I may be your superior officer, but I respect you as a man and consider you a close friend, and will your friend if you will let me".

"Despite the history me and your daughter have?" Kaden asked. "I recall the fact you seemed none too happy of the fact I uh...deflowered her."

"As they say, it's water under the Bridge Ross".

Kaden walked around his desk. "Listen, I just want you to know that, Ariana, means a lot to me she is a great woman and I would never hurt her. I mean, she and I have been friends since grade school after all." He told him.

Folding his hands, Hurd said, "As long as you take care of her and treat her right, I have no problems with it".

Kaden sat down next to his superior nervously rubbing his hands. "I would never hurt her if that is what are asking I mean we grew apart and it sucked. But I think she in good hands with that Cameron fellow as for me I be lost if not for Freya." He said before leaning back in his chair staring up at the ceiling. "It is just I have a hard time making friends and honestly beyond you and a few others I haven't really ventured out to know the rest of the folks on this station yet."

"Well get out and about my friend".

Kaden smiled and looked at Hurd. "Oh I do, Sir, it's just I seem to always find myself at Kitty O'Shea's I guess I took a liking to that joint you ever been there?" He asked.

"Actually no, between my duties and wife I little free time, but I do have I'm willing to spend with you my friend"

Kaden blinked he was very flattered well more like honored. "Wow, I don't know what to say...I would certainly like that, Sir." He replied.

"As would I Ross". Studying the man for a moment, he said, " I know you have questions so ask them, I'm an open book and who knows what u may learn".

Kaden lifted up a finger as he went to his desk and dug out a PADD. "Sir, I hope you don't mind but I have a copy of your book on tactical theory of the Dominion War you wrote. I read this book cover to cover a lot when I was a teen...you don't mind signing it do you?" He asked.

'Ill sign that and do you two better, you got a pen?' while waiting for Ross to get the pen, he had two objects transported to the office. One was the Very First Edition of his book, complete with authors notes, and the other was a Leather bound Edition of the History Of The United States Marine Corps..Saying to Ross, Hurd spoke, "These are yours now friend"…

Kaden didn't know what to say as he took them clearly touched. "General, I don't know what to say." He looked them over. "Thank you, Sir."

"No thanks needed Ross, none at all". Pointing at the one books he said, "Pay close, very close attention to the Stratagies, leaders, and battles in the USMC History, I think you will find a very common symbolism with our Marines".

Kaden nodded as he set the books on his desk before turning to his superior. "General, I been looking at some alternative range weapons and came across the new modulating regenerative phaser Starfleet has been working on to counter the Borg. It is designed to make it harder for Borg drones to adapt and still function in a dampening field I would to request I be allowed to acquire a side arm and rifle to test in the field."

"Consider it approved".

Kaden smiled and was about to say something when Sergeant Renford entered his office holding both Godfrey and Zanderhall each by the arm. "Colonel, I have had it how many more times do I need to.catch these two doing it in the shower before something is done?" Groaning as this touching moment Kaden and Hurd was sharing ruined by the antics of the Division lovebirds unable to contain their mad passion for one another was giving him a headache. Looking at Hurd and rubbing his dimples Kaden sighed. "Like to handle this one, Sir?"

"Oh no, this is all you Ross".

"Actually, General, according regulation 246 subsection 5B this both yours and Colonel's matter to handle." Renford pointed out.

Kaden crossed his arms turning to Hurd. "She has a point there it is our job to both handle proper discipline proceedings or we could be in deep trouble in direlection of our duties." He replied.

"All right bring them in", Hurd said sitting up.

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