Post Mumber 18 Teachable Moment

Posted on Wed Jun 1st, 2022 @ 9:37pm by Captain Tracey West Jr
Edited on on Wed Jun 1st, 2022 @ 9:52pm

Mission: Rescue On Romulus
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Prior to Current

Off:

[Holodeck]

"Contact, Left." West said, as calmly as he could manage. It wasn't a shout so much as a command at the appropriate volume for his squad to hear him. That was one of many things that holonovels got wrong about battle, marines shouting everything.

Sure, sometimes shouting was required to be heard above the sounds of battle, but more often than not it did nothing but give away your position.

As one, the squad turned to the left and silently lowered themselves into the high grass, waiting patiently for the Klingon sentry to turn toward the other direction. As soon as he did, West hand signaled the command to take him down, and Jenkins slid forward like a wraith. Moments later, the sentry went down with a slit throat.

West motioned them forward and they took up positions to the right and left of the door to the small compound where their target was being held. Conners produced a small device and after several moments, the control panel cycled to the correct code and the doors slid open.

In they went, weapons held at the ready. West nodded when no sound was evident, knowing that what was about to happen was a mistake, but letting the men make it anyway. It would be a teachable moment, his old commander would have said. The squad moved forward, and right into a group of Klingons.

The firefight that ensued was bloody, and at least two of his men would have been killed.

"Computer, end program." West said patiently. His men were breathing hard, and several of them looked like they needed the rack.

"What went wrong there?" He asked.

"We got surprised." Jenkins said, "No way to know they were there."

"Not true." said West, holding up a scanner. "You forgot to use the tools at your disposal. Remember, not engaging is always better than engaging. Firefights should be your last option."

Off:

Second Lieutenant Tracey West Jr
Star Fleet Marine Corps
USS Amandora