Eagles Meet

Posted on Tue Apr 15th, 2014 @ 2:52am by Major General Thomas Jackson & Brigadier General David Hurd Sr
Edited on on Sun Jul 13th, 2014 @ 7:24pm

1,262 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: Deck 10, Marine Command
Timeline: MD Minus 1, 1100hrs

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jackson was settling just fine with the First Marine Division. He was now well acquainted with the key staff of the division, except for the CO, who he hoped to meet soon. Paperwork was in order. Requisition orders signed and transmitted, etc...

Lt. Col. Hurd walked into Marine Command, and as he usually did stood quietly just out of reach of the door sensor's and studied the activity in the room. Looking about, he was pleased with what he saw, and progressed further into the room, adjusting his Pistol Belt as he did so. Looking to his right, he noticed an Officer facing away from him with Major's insignia on his collar. Walking up behind him, he said, simply, ''Major''.

Jax turned around, and saw the colonel standing there. He stood up into the position of attention, "Good afternoon Sir". As he spoke, Thomas noticed the antique sidearm on the colonel's belt immediately, but did not want to bring it up as of yet.

Sticking out his hand, Col. Hurd said, ''Pleased to meet you, i am Lt. Col. David Hurd Sr, the First Marine Division Co. As he stood there, he noticed the Major glancing at his sidearm, and cracked a small smile.

"Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jackson, First Marine Division CO's right hand." Jax could not contain his passion for antique arms any longer. "And that is a fine 1911A1 on your hip Sir."

Shaking the fello Colonel's hand, he said, nice to meet you, and thank you for the compliment. He reached down to his holster, and pulled the pistol, checked the safety was on, and handed in to Jackson. ''That pistol has saved my life more than once, and has been carried by two great Marine Generals, Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller, USMC, And General James Mattis, USMC.''

Hurd already made the respect list as far as Jax was concerned. Not only because the pistol belonged to two military legends, but the fact that the weapon was carried "cocked and locked". "It would make a fine counterpart to my Garand Sir. I have it in my quarters. Jax examined the specimen, keeping the muzzle pointed away from anyone. "It is in great shape. How's the bore?"

Smiling, he said, ''Everything on that Gun is as good as the day it was made so long ago.'' Pausing for a moment, he continued, ''And if you are wondering why i carry it, its because it will function in area's where dampening fields prevent the use of Phasers and other energy weaponry, and is also quite useful against the Borg, because for some odd reason they just cant seem to ''adapt'' to projectile weaponry.

"Well, looks like I'll keep that in mind, and replicate a case of .30 caliber Ball ammo for my Garand. I also have some ancient projectile handguns in my quarters, but never had a chance to unpack them yet. By the way, ever had a problem when the stun setting was called for? That was a joke Sir.", Jax chuckled as he made his last statement.

"Speaking of dampening fields, the Type 3F Phaser, and Type 1C Photon rifle are supposed to be more resistant to dampening fields. I did notice that the division was alittle short on those. If you do not mind, I took the liberty of rectifying that problem. Had to call in a favor or two to do it."


Col. Hurd chuckled to himself and said, ''Colonel ,when the stun setting is called for, i use my fists.'' Pausing slightly for a moment, he continued, ''No i don't mind that you did that, and thank you.''

"Not a problem Sir. The knuckle assisted crisis management system requires no power usage. " Jax said this with a smile. I just want 1st Division to be at its best for you. We don't look for trouble, but we'll sure as hell be ready to deal with it. Got another surprise for you as well that will help the division out. You won't be disappointed. It arrives with the new weapons after you depart."

Smiling, Col. Hurd said that good, and you will have to excuse me if the next thing i do embarrasses you.'' Turning around, the Colonel said in a loud voice, ''Attention On Deck!'' All of the Marines in the room snapped to attention as the Colonel continued. ''This is Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jackson, our new XO.'' Pausing he continued, ''I expect and demand you treat him as you would me, and obey his orders as they were my own.''

That was the most informal attention to orders Jackson ever heard in his life, and he decided right there that he really liked serving under this colonel. He was lost for words, and instinctively he snapped to attention, and rendered to Hurd the ancient gesture of a salute. He finally found some words, "Thank you Sir."

Telling the Marines in the room to be at ease, he turned to the Colonel, snapped off a salute, and said, ''You are most welcome, Major.'' He then continued, ''So, and i want your honest opinion, what do you think of our Division here?''

"Well Sir, from what I have seen so far, division morale is pretty good. The men have been motivated enough to keep busy instead of being bored. T,O, and E has a few holes on it, but the upcoming shipment should alleviate most of those holes. Line unit support of good, but lacking in a recon element, and armor support. I am working on the recon part. Discipline is about on par with peace time marines. No serious breaches. That includes myself. " Jax smiled when he said that, knowing his tour is young.

"The fact that the division is a little understrength by a regiment or two is consistent with peace time organization. In fact, what we do have is pretty stacked for an understrength peacetime division. That makes me feel better, knowing the transition for peacetime to wartime strength can take time. Overall, we are in good shape, and ready to handle almost anything. "

Smiling yet again Col. Hurd said, ''Those were my exact concerns as well, however, the switchover from peacetime to wartime should not take that long at all''

Jax gave thought what the colonel said. "The switchover might not take that long for us. All the Corps has to do is sneeze, and regimental combat teams are born. But it would take Star Fleet some time to make wartime augmentations, seeing that it is still rebuilding from the last major conflict. The ultimate long term field problem would be for the Marines to operate without too much fleet support. That's one reason I would like us to hoard supplies for the division for a rainy day."

Remembering how the Second Battalion of the Fourteenth Marines got decimated on Tyra 4 due to lack of resupply from an unprepared Star Fleet, Jax would do all he can to make sure this division would never run out of options. "It's just epiphany I experienced as a Lance Corporal. Overall though, this division can still give anyone hell Sir. "

Jax was hoping he did not ramble too much about being prepared. It was a genuine concern that he had for all of his fellow marines.

Overall, the meeting between the CO, and XO went well. Jackson could sense that they would accomplish much together.


Lieutenant Colonel David Hurd Sr
1st Marine Division
Commanding

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Jackson
Executive Officer
1st Marine Division

RSS Feed