Recon In The House!

Posted on Wed Apr 23rd, 2014 @ 11:46pm by Major General Thomas Jackson
Edited on on Sun Jul 13th, 2014 @ 7:20pm

1,096 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: Docking Bay 12
Timeline: MD1 1744 hrs

ON:

Docking Bay 12 Access Way

It was yet another long day for Lieutenant Colonel Jackson. Between familiarizing himself with the division, receiving the new armor regiment, making sure the division was preparing for the VIP visit, and acting as Division CO in Colonel Hurd's absence, he welcomed the news of the USS Balent's arrival near the end of his watch. He informed the OIC on duty that he was going to receive the new addition to First Division before retiring for the day. He made his way to the docking bay.

Jax responded with enthusiasm as the USS Balent was finally docked. Upon his arrival at the access hatch, he could see a company of marines standing by to help unload the cargo. He was there to greet the passengers. He waited patiently until all the access ways between the starbase, and the Excelsior Class ship equalized. With the hatch finally opened, Balent crew members emerged to begin the offloading effort with the marine detail, and the station dock workers. The cargo was also of interest to Jax, consisting of updated marine weapons by the pallet load, along with the required power cells, and in the case of some of the weapons, the required projectiles. Marine transporters would be a big asset in this unloading. The marine armorer was going to be busy for the next week or so with inventory. He was already instructed to reissue the upgraded weapons to the marines that needed them upon completion of the inventory.

Gunnery Sergeant Gaius Aquila, along with a group of some rough looking marines clad in digital camo marine battle dress emerged from the hatch. The gold wing insignia on their chests indicated that these were not ordinary marines. Eye contact between Jax, and his old friend was immediate. The sergeant approached Jax with purpose, with the group following close behind. With their faces just inches away from each other, they stared each other down for a couple of minutes, as everyone in the area now noticed. The ensuing silence was deafening. The quickness of their sudden embrace could have shattered a few nerves among the onlookers.

"Jax, you old bastard, how have you been brother?" Jackson replied "I didn't know my beloved Corps was this hard up." Both men laughed for a moment. Now at ease, the work detail resumed their jobs. Aquila turned to his group, "Don't let the pretty duty uniform fool you. This is Major Thomas Jackson, and not only is he a mustang, but he is also Recon qualified. He also happens to be our new group CO. This man has been saving my hide since AR558."

This got the group's immediate attention. The Siege Of AR558 was well known to every Marine. It is the Khe Sahn, Roark's Drift, and Guadal Canal for Federation Marines. With over half the marine force a casualty, they managed to hold off the Jem'Hadar forces for a very long time. They would have held indefinitely if the Federation did not have to pull out of the Chin'Taka System altogether. And the term "mustang" referred to officers who started their careers in the enlisted ranks. Jax was now on their "People To Respect" list. They got reacquainted as they walked down the decks of the station.

The members of the group were sent to gather their gear, and find their quarters as the two veterans continued their conversation.

"So, how's the CO?" Aquila asked. "He has his act together Guias. And the base CO always has his act together." Both men laughed. The two warriors reconnected, exchanging stories of old times. Listening to them would almost remind someone of two Klingon warriors meeting again. It was a strange paradox, being a Marine. In an age of exploration, and enhanced diplomacy, being an individual who's main purpose is to kill, is both a necessary, but odd position to have. The Mark Of Cain follows marines, ever since their conversion from the old MACO units from the old days. Most people in the Federation will not admit it, but there are dangers, and times when deadly force is needed. They won't admit it in order to keep the illusion of their reality that everyone in the universe is "enlightened". Officially, the universe consists of rainbows, and unicorns. An "age of enlightenment".

"By the way, we have some heavy hitters visiting this station in a matter of hours. Six big fish from the Security Council, along with the usual entourage to keep their butts moistened. The division is already augmenting both station, and diplomatic security. I want a FORECON team to be on standby for QRF. "

Giaus listened to the unofficial warning order. "A tad bit cautious these days, aren't you Jax? "

"It isn't everyday big fish like these come out to the frontier. Knowing the competence of the diplomatic corps to keep secrets makes it a good reason to always be prepared. These guests also make for a very juicy target."

Giaus listened, and nodded at Jackson's new founded wisdom. "Okay, I will have Beta Team on QRF with me in the lead."

Jax picked up on the sarcastic tone of his old friend, but he understood it. He knew Aquila would get the job done. "Excellent. When this visit is over, we will have to touch base properly. By the way, please have your men shave. Where do you think you are man?"

Both men found that another reason to burst out in laughter. Giaus did notice a difference in Jackson's demeanor. The last time they were together, the Jackson he knew was not clean shaven. He made a guess that rank had its burdens. On the other hand, to Jackson, Guias Aquila looked like he just stepped out of a time capsule, with the exception of some grey hair, a curse of time, and the experience of the kind of stresses that came with recon work.

They shook hands, and parted their ways. Before Jax entered the turbolift, Giaus asks "Where are you going?"

"I am going to my quarters, take a long sonic shower, plop on my bunk, and die in place. I might remember to eat somewhere in between," replied the major.

"You're getting old."

As Jackson continued to walk into the turbolift, he raised his right hand, palm facing forward, and rendered Aquila the ancient one fingered salute. Aquila had a good look at it before the turbolift doors closed.

OFF:

LTC Thomas Jackson
Executive Officer/First FORECON Group Commander
First Marine Division

Gunnery Sergeant Gaius Aquila
First Sergeant
First FORECON Group

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