Planning The Party

Posted on Fri Feb 22, 2019 @ 12:15pm by Major Victor Crowe

510 words; about a 3 minute read

[MARINE COMMAND CENTER, USS VICTORY]

Victor Crowe walked into his office and flopped down in the chair. “Levin, get your ass n here!”

Corporal Levin appeared in the doorway in an instant. “You bellowed, O Top Of The Heap?”

“Indeed, corporal. I need Captain Cavanaugh, Chief Tolar, Sgt. Hale and Sgt. Cranford in this office post-haste.” Vic announced, giving Levin a glare for the hell of it.

“What did they do to piss you off, sir?” Levin asked, no longer nervous around his commanding officer.

“Not a thing. I am giving them some temporary duty with Lieutenant Tanaka’s security force. Between you me and the bulkhead, Tanaka is a good lad at ship security in Condition Green Settings, but if a serious threat ever came up and we weren’t here there would be lives lost. I just got the nod from the exec to give the lad and his troops a Marine-style upgrade to their training.”

“How many survivors are you expecting, sir?” Levin asked in a neutral voice.

Crowe pulled up the security complement roster and gave it a glance. “They got some good chiefs mixed in with a passel of idiots I wouldn’t let guard a third-grade spelling bee. Gotta weed out the ones who suck! Cranford, I want you to assess their abilities and get back to me. Chief Tolar, you will work with them on their marksmanship and phaser-craft. By the book, chief!"

"As you command, major," the Vulcan master sharpshooter answered quietly.

"Yessir," Cranford answered.

"Captain, I want you to categorize, quantify, and then give them the tools to fix their problems! Let them earn it, the hard way if possible."

"Hope they don't get nervous!" Cranford remarked.

"There are six chiefs on this ship who went toe-to-toe with more Jem'Hadar then you, sergeant!" Crowe snapped. "My advice is give them the respect they deserve or you will find yourself doing a full tour with them!"

"Sir!" Cranford replied, looking stonily at him.

Vic turned his attention to the others. You mutts get to work. Send me daily summaries and be gentle. Dismissed. Cranford, stand fast!" When the othersw were gone, Vic turned in his chair to face her. "What the hell is your problem, sergeant?"

"Nothing, sir. Permission to leave, sir,"

"No," Vic rose to his feet. "I know Jim being here isn't easy for you. If you need to go back to the station, I'm sure we can accommodate you."

"It has nothing to do with Mr. Holbridge, major." Cranford said stiffly.

"Speak freely, Kath, it's just us now." Vic said gently.

"It will wait!" Cranford said, still with a bit of a sneer.

"Fine. Dismissed, and you're confined to quarters until you decide to tell me what the hell is on your mind!"

Cranford opened her mouth to speak, but she saw the dark look on Crowe's face, and snapped to attention, saluted, and abruptly left the room.

Vic looked at the padd in front of him, then threw it, cursing. "I need a vacation!"

***************************************************************

RSS Feed