Of Mice and Men

Posted on Sat Aug 20th, 2022 @ 4:00pm by Captain Tracey West Jr

Mission: Zaris Three
Location: USS Viceroy
Timeline: Curent

On

After boarding the Viceroy, Hurd was already weary of where they were. He had heard many things about the Major General, not even a Small fraction of which was good.

Sighing inside, Hurd walked over to West and said, "Blunt honest opinion West, but but do you think of all this?"

West took a deep breath. "I think we're in a position where we're playing second fiddle to another CO, and that's always a gamble. Could be he's a straight shooter, could be his a political animal. We'll suss what's what when we meet him. Times like these, the men need to know who's callin' the shots."

West looked around the interior of Viceroy, and the small office they had set aside for he and Hurd. They had been sent the blueprints of the compound, and the latest sitrep, and it wasn't as clean as West liked it.

"I see two entry points, one on the North side, the other on the South. Likely they'll both be well guarded so I don't see any way out of a firefight. If it were me, I'd hit both sides and then send a third contingent to the roof, for the actual extraction."

"I agree with all you have suggested", Hurd replied amicably. A small wince played across his face as he said, "Before we plan anything I want to do a face to face with this other CO, who is a Major General. I can't tell you the amount of nothing but bad things about him I have heard, but I want us both to size him up, just remember, I'm the Bad Cop and you are the Good Cop, so to speak?".

Trace nodded. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before being summoned to the Major General's office. Walking in, the two officers from the Amandora stood at attention.

"At ease, gentlemen." The Major General said, grabbing what looked like a glass of whisky and taking a long pull. Have a seat."

Hurd and West did as they were bade. "I appreciate the assistance the Amandora is willing to provide. You and your men will be assigned to Major K'tak's platoon. He has all the information you'll need, and you're to follow his orders. Any questions?"

His face tuning red as brick, Hurd stood and said, "My Marines are under my command and will remain so", he said in a cold voice.

"Nobody has control of them except me, and my orders are from people far higher up, so basically you are a transport". Hurd turned to look at both the General and West".

Winston's eyes narrowed, but he seemed to master himself before replying. "Very well." He said, "but don't forget who's in command of this operation."

West chimed in. "I'm sure you understand, Major General. Our men are well accustomed to taking orders from Hurd and myself. We'll assist in any way we can, but we need to have control over our own men." The console on Winston's desk chimed. "Sir, we're on approach to Thanos V."

"Geosynchronous orbit." He turned to Hurd and West. "Since you two have changed the plan, we'll need to reconvene and review it before we send our men down there."

Hurd was starting to shake badly. "I've read your record General, you are nothing but a pencil pushing desk jockey. How you got a Starship Command is beyond me, but let me make one thing crystal clear. Once my Marines leave this ship, we, not you are in charge of the ground assault and Hostage rescue, is that absolutely clear?" Hurd finished, his entire body red and his eyes gone a pitch black dark.

West placed a hand on Hurd's shoulder. It was a risk, he knew, since he didn't really know the man, but he knew he had a role to play here, so he did it.

"Very good, Major General, we'll reconvene to discuss the plan. Time is of the essence."

Without another word he left the Major General's office and headed to the briefing room where the other marine commanders were waiting, hoping Hurd would follow his lead.

This was not the time to get into a pissing match, better to work with the other commanders and get a plan made. What the Major General didn't know, wouldn't hurt him, West decided. Hopefully, the other marine commanders were better at their jobs.

Off:

Major David Hurd Senior
Marine Commander
USS Amandora

and

First Lieutenant Tracey West Jr
Marine XO
USS Amandora