Second Task Force

Posted on Tue Oct 24th, 2023 @ 3:07am by Admiral Deela T'Lar & Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell

3,094 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 118 - "It's About Family"
Location: Admiral T'Lar's Ready Room
Timeline: MD1 - 1410 hrs

Ezekiel was standing right outside the admiral's office on Starbase 400. He had just completed his training to become the new Marine Commander for the base and for the First Marine Division. He had worked with the Admiral for many years, sometimes being under her direct command for battle strategies but the two of them in the elastic here to never really had a chance to sit down and talk.

Today was finally going to be that day, because he's being transferred into her command. Further the duties of the first Marine commanding officer was to assume command of a starship. He was chosen to command the USS Saratoga the ship with a proud and Noble name with a rich history. The Marine corps is very lucky to have such a legacy name be assigned to them and he knew that. But that wasting anytime he quickly tapped on the intercom waiting for the Admiral to respond accordingly.

Deela was sitting in her temporary office going over the reports on her ship, the USS Essex. Most of the repairs were finished. It was just a few small things that needed to be tweaked. She looked around, thinking about what happened the last few months and hoped that things would completely work themselves out. Her thought were interrupted by her comms, "T'Lar here."

"Admiral I hope I'm not disturbing you, I was kind of hoping we could have a minute to meet. I'm outside of your office but I can come back if another time see you better." Ezekiel said trying to make it first get impression on the Admiral. He realized that his suddenly showing up and being a little impulsive could be a bad thing but he hoped it she would see it more as he was ambitious and eager to prove himself.

"No, you're not disturbing me." Deela welcomed the interruption as the walls were beginning to close in on her. She moved a few PADDs off her desk, "Come on in."

Ezekiel walks straight over to her desk sit in front of it snapping to the position of attention, before offering a salute with his right hand making sure it was firm and crisp. "Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell, reporting is ordered sir." He said knowing that he wasn't really reporting or she had an asked for him. But he still wanted to follow protocol it was proper to report his ordered.

Ezekiel is trying to learn all the new Marine corps protocols and discipline that he would have to adhere to it as being a Marine. It was still strange for him to accept the fact that he was now a marine and that Admiral Bremer accepted his lateral transfer he just helped the Admiral's XO would also accept him.

Deela couldn't help but smile. It was just them in the room but she appreciated that he was keeping up with protocol, "At ease, Colonel." She had always wanted to say that, "Have a seat." She waited for him to sit down, "So what brings you here?"

Ezekiel make sure his posture was proper when he went to sit down, he kept his hands at his laugh and tried to show a common cool collected demeanor, which was kind of ironic since the fact that he was sitting in a four-star admiral's office, how could you be calm and collected at a time like this. Now with that said though he kept the Vulcan like appearance, from his years of training on Vulcan. For the moment he needed to keep his mind focused on the task at hand and that was getting through this meeting.

"I appreciate you taking a moment to meet with me, I just wanted to get a chance to meet my new commanding officer." He as he quickly went on. "Admiral Bremer has given me command of the USS Saratoga and the first Marine Division which places me and Task Force 2." He said and according to the database, that was her task force.

"Congratulations on the promotion." She observed him for a moment, seeing how stiff he was being, "You know, it's just us in this room. You can just be yourself here." She wasn't the same person as she was 2 plus years ago after Jack was nabbed and returned. Her Vulcan veneer was barely there anymore. But, if he didn't feel comfortable with that, she'd understand. It was up to him.

" Thank you Admiral. I appreciate the gesture Admiral it's not you, I'm going to use that classic trope by saying it's me. It's literally me. Long time ago had to learn how to cope with my emotional upbringing I was involved in an incident when a little kid, in order to save my life, I was sent to Vulcan to learn how to control my emotions to try to repair the damage in the process I ended up becoming bonded to a fellow Vulcan and another human. I apologize if my demeanor comes a process impolite or too direct." Ezekiel said, hoping the Admiral would not hold this against him, he had worked really hard over the last six years if he was worth on Starbase 400. He had come a long way and managed to overcome a lot already.

Deela nodded, "My father is Vulcan and although right now, you wouldn't know it, he did teach me in the Vulcan way, so I do understand. Unfortunately, when Captain Solomon went missing, trying to control my emotions became exhausting. Now that he's back and out of danger, I will probably use my training to get some of that control back, just enough to do my job here. My goal is to find a balance."

"I appreciate you sharing that story with me, I hope you do find the balance that you're looking for. I know how much our struggle that can't be." Ezekiel said to her. He really appreciate the fact that she was willing to open up to him.

"Yes, it can be." She thought for a moment, "You've been here on Starbase 400 for what, 6 years? And this is the first time we have had a conversation of more than three words. It is such a shame. Makes me think that it's something that should be change around here."

"I believe that's partially my fault. Taking one assignment after the next when I wasn't on special assignment I was on patrols. I value my time in special Operations and be coming Beta Team Commander was one of the greatest privileges of my life. I also knew though that if I wanted to advance that I needed to find something else I was passionate about, then I heard the Marine corps first Marine Division needed a commander, so I dedicated myself to achieving that goal. I truly believe I can help make a difference with the first Marine Division. I also believe I can help make a difference here on the station." Ezekiel said. Despite his emotional struggles that he goes through he knew that he was a capable officer and so when they could defend on especially for the tough decisions I had to be made or for the crucial missions I needed to be completed.

He also knew that if he stayed in that field, promotions in special Operation would be limited. Especially if he wanted to stay on the station. Admiral Bremer and Captain Harrison were both very capable officers and excelled in their roles. From young age Ezekiel was fascinated by the Marine Corps. He had even debated about joining the core, but his father talked him out of it saying that if he wanted to command his own starship someday that he would need to join the fleet. Once he had achieved his goal of commanding a shift, the USS Falcon, he notices something will still missing. He believed what he was missing was the Marine Corps. It just seemed like a perfect fit for him, especially with those discipline and strategic-like operation.

Captain Harrison and her had been friends for years and talked a lot about things. She had nothing bad to say about anyone, "I can tell you that Captain Harrison has only had good things to say about you. She'd agree that this move is the right choice. And the Marine Corp will be fortunate to have you."

"Thank you admiral, I have nothing but the utmost respect for her and it pleases me to hear that she thought of me just as equally."' Ezekiel said, even though his face is pretty stoic on the outside and the inside he was smiling.

Deela had to ask, "So, you'll be commanding the Saratoga. Have you been on the Saratoga and looked around yet?"

"Not yet, I've already started to review the specs, but I know the specs don't do it any justice. The Saratoga has a proud namesake. I hope I do good buy her, but I think that's true of any commanding officer. When they first take over a command. They want to leave a pro-founding legacy behind. I've always been fascinated with the design of the Akira class. They're always be a place in my heart for the Falcon, but I know her new captain well, and she will lead that crew well." Ezekiel said he felt like he was rambling a little, but he had a lot to say. She was right they barely spoken three words now it felt like he couldn't get himself to shut up.

Deela thought back to her ship before this one she had now, "I have to admit that I miss my Intrepid class ship. I loved how sleek she looked but this new one, the Inquiry Class is nice too. Change is always difficult but we adapt. I think you'll like the Saratoga. If I remember correctly, it does have a Klingon cloaking device. My ship doesn't have that." She smiled, "It's a good ship. You won't do her wrong."

"I appreciate the compliment. Means a lot. The Saratoga, also has a cloaking device." Ezekiel said with a surprised look on his face. He thought only special operations had a cloaking devices on their ships due to the sensitivity of their missions. He could see the benefit of equipping a cloaking device on your carriers. She did house 36 state of the art fighters.

"You command an Inquiry Class, that battle cruiser has a lot of fire power. People would be wise to think twice before attacking the USS Essex. I can see why you would not necessarily need a cloaking device." Ezekiel said, knowing he would not want to go toe to toe with that ship.

"She is that." She sighed slightly, "It's a shame that the Essex was damaged when the Yorktown blew up. Repairs are almost finished though. That whole situation was rough. So much damage but I guess we were fortunate that we weren't blown to smithereens."

Ezekiel remembered hearing about that incident, at the time he was in for training. The Admiral had approved his request to become a Marines, so he attended an academy course the problem, but anyway even with all that prep, he would still be in for a huge learning curve. "We are fortunate it was just the Yorktown, I know several other ships were damaged including the Falcon.

"Seems like we can't catch a break, the Borg and with the recent attack, I'm having assessments done on all my crew to include me. I need to make sure we're ready for what comes next. The typhon pact situation it's still fresh to me, no doubt it does in a lot of our minds too. I fear my Marines could become blind side with combat fatigue and PTSD."

"Well, hopefully not." Deela sat back in here chair, "As for what comes next? I keep getting the sense that something else is going on. Bremer is not being forthcoming about something but I don't know what it is. So, I agree, you need to be ready for anything." Being part Betazoid had its perks but it also had its problems.

"'If the situation arises you can count on my Marines will be ready to serve Starbase 400 of course." He thought his answer to a little cheesy cheesy, but he meant every word of it. He didn't know Admiral Bremer like cheated but he trusted her judgment.

"Good to know." She didn't think that Bremer was keeping things from her on purpose. He just wasn't keeping her updated, so she wasn't sure what was going on but she was going to find out, "I have to admit, it's partially my fault. I've been focusing on my family so I haven't been readily available to talk to him."

"I understand. I think we're all coping the best way we know how too. I tend to focus on my career. I feel like my fiancé has played second chair. Recently I have changed that. I pushing forward with my marriage. Commander Woodhouse has been very patient with me. This last attack made me realize life is to short to only focus on my career. I am prioritizing the important things. Being a Marine and Anna are the two biggest things in my life. I take both things very seriously." Ezekiel said, he kept feeling like he was rambling. He had a lot on his mind, and he wanted to make sure to express them. After taking a breath he went on. "I'm looking forward to joining your task force."

"Well thank you. Glad to have you." Deela added, "And I am looking forward to your wedding. I'm happy for you."

"You're welcome, sorry about rambling I'm just a little nervous mainly about the wedding coming up soon and about meeting you." Ezekiel said did he try to refocus himself, this tended to happen a lot giving his medical diagnosis from childhood. Some ways some people would call it a severe accusing ADHD, but people around me that I wasn't but he wasn't able to focus his thoughts or keep one thought you weren't he had a hard time focusing his emotions.

"You're nervous meeting with me? Am I that scary?" She couldn't help to tease him a bit, "I'm just giving you a hard time." She smiled, "Look. Don't worry about the wedding. I've been married three times and it's never gone without a hitch. If you ever need advice, I'm always here."

"I appreciate that. It's the four stars and the level of respect it comes with." Ezekiel said, hoping that made sense. She seemed really nice. He appreciated that too.

Deela nodded, "I get it, I really do. It can be intimidating for anyone." She didn't feel any different when she was promoted to Admiral than when she was a Commander except she was privy to certain information that she wasn't before. She hadn't let her rank go to her head like some had in the past.

"I do have a question now, now that I moved over to the second task force beyond the scope of my own Marines what obligations or expectations do you have for me in the second task force?" Ezekiel asked as he was trying to get back on track, he felt like his emotions were a little too out of control and he needed to turn it back a little bit. He appreciated her ability to adapt with him and her patience.

"I have 7 things I expect from those under me, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage." She observed him for a moment, then continued, "What I mean by those is this. A loyal Marine is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Marines. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. So make sure you fulfill your obligations. Treat people as they should be treated. Put the welfare of others before your own. Do what’s right, legally and morally. You do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. And lastly, you can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable."

"I can do that admiral, when I was a beta Commander for the special Operations team and pretty much had a lot of those core values already instilled into me and to my crew on the Falcon. I'll definitely continue that tradition with the Saratoga, the first Marine Division and with the second task force." Ezekiel said with a ton of confidence, but there was a hint of humility in his voice. He had a lot of respect for her especially since she made those seven core values and expectation which they should always be in his own mind. The fact of hearing her say that gave him a lot of respect for her, because in the past he never knew anything about her just that she was a capable officer and a four-star Admiral but the more he started to get to know her the more he started respecting her beyond her rank.

"Good." Deela shifted in her chair, "Then there shouldn't be any problems between us." She liked this guy sitting in front of her. She was very impressed with his attitude.

"I'm happy to hear that." Ezekiel said, lets his tongue deflection indicating that he was practically done. He didn't know what else to talk about at this point but she was in charge, so he was going to let her the the opportunity to address anything she wanted to, to open the proverbial floor to her as it were.

"Well, if there isn't anything else," Deela stood up, indicating that they were finished, "Then you are dismissed. If you ever need anything in the future, let me know."

Ezekiel immediately stood up snap to the position attention, and then proceed to saluted her. "Thank you for your time Admiral. Permission to leave?" Deep down he had a great feeling about her, he believed he could be a valuable asset to her and to the second task force.

"Permission granted." Deela watched him leave. She could sense that he had more confidence than he had when he first came to see her. That made her proud and put a smile on her face, "Okay. Onto the next task."


End

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