Post Number 42 Reporting Aboard

Posted on Thu Mar 4th, 2021 @ 4:47pm by Major David Hurd Senior & 1st Lieutenant Greg Jackson
Edited on on Thu Mar 4th, 2021 @ 5:16pm

Mission: Planet Savai
Location: Marine COs Office
Timeline: Current

Greg paused outside the door to the Marine COs shipboard office and took a moment to square his shoulders, and give his reflection a once over off the door, before pushing the chime button.

"1st Lieutenant Greg Jackson reporting aboard as ordered," he said entering the office and assuming the position of attention in front of the Captain's desk. "My orders assigning me to the USS Amandora," he added sliding the PADD he had held in his left hand across the desk.

Taking the PADD, Hurd skimmed over it, and said, "Welcome Aboard, please sit", gesturing to one of the chairs on the other side of his desk. Looking up from the PADD he continued, "So tell me, what have you heard about my group of Marines?"

Greg sat down at the indicated chair, "Not much, I asked around to a few NCOs I know from back in the day when I received my assignment and except for lacking heavy combat experience the unit is squared away." He gave a shrug of his shoulder, "The senior NCOs have seen the sharp end of the stick but for the most part haven't seen it together with this unit."

Shaking his head in agreement, Hurd said, "I Agree, but the lack of combat experience, for better or worse, will soon be a distant memory". Falling silent for a moment, Hurd contemplated his next words before he spoke. "Our motto is "Retreat, Hell", and the meaning behind it is quite clear". "We will never retreat, withdraw, or run from any fight we get into, if necessary fighting to the last man". "And unlike most Marine Captains these days, I lead and fight from the front."

“If a situation calls for a last stand or fight to the last, I’ll be right there beside you,” Greg said keeping his face neutral, “However to say no withdrawal when a withdrawal back to a more defensive area would save Marine lives for the next fight, or feigning a retreat to lure an enemy into either leaving a defensive emplacement or being led into an ambush, seems a bit well Klingon for a Federation Marine.”

A smile spreading across his face, Hurd slowly nodded his head. "Seems Klingon yes, but except for the ambush part you mentioned, that's the way we do things around here." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "I've read over your service record, but tell me somthing about yourself that isn't contained in it".

Hurd waited silently for the reply, crossing his fingers as he did so.

Greg rubbed his chin slowly keeping struggling to keep his face neutral, “Not much I’ve been in the Corps since enlisting, pretty much everything is in there.”

Smiling, Hurd said, "A career man like myself, I like that." Pausing he added, "Do you have any questions for me?"

“Not at this time Major,” Greg said, “I’m sure things will come up once I settle in.”

"Very well," Hurd said, "You are dismissed".

Greg gave a nod of his head, before standing and giving the Major a salute before heading out and back to his quarters to finish unpacking.