#80 Boarding and A Walkabout

Posted on Wed Dec 14th, 2022 @ 12:34am by Major Jackson "JJ" Barnes {Meji}

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: various
Timeline: current

ON:

Corporal Jackson 'JJ' Barnes sat in a replimat on Starbase Pegasus, enjoying a final meal with a few of the grunts he had served with in the unit he was leaving.

"Well, the Amandora just docked, Barnes." said his Gunny. "You looking forward to this?"

"Not really, Gunny. Pops said there was some kind of political shake-up on Amandora, in the marine unit. How this will affect my assignment remains to be seen." Barnes replied, explaining that he had inside information most marines would never get.

"You're a tough leatherneck," reassured Gunny. "If anyone can weather the storm it's you, JJ."

Downing the last swallow of milk from his glass, then dabbing his mouth, Barnes stood up to brush the crumbs from the front of himself. The other marines all stood when he did. The group gave him hugs of brotherhood each, and a sturdy handshake, with the Gunny going last.

"Keep your eyes up and your ass down, Corporal, and you'll get through anything."

Barnes gave a nodding grin. "I'll just emulate you, Gunny. Should be fine, then."

"Goodness gracious, don't do that, JJ," replied Gunny, chuckling as he spoke. I don't need to come fetch your as outta the brig, son." They all laughed at that, said their final goodbyes, and departed.

Taking up his duffle, Barnes put the carry strap over his left shoulder as he dug the PADD with his transfer orders out of his left thigh pocket. As a marine he wore his equipment belt with sidearm and gadgets, no grenades. Adjusting the heavy bag some more he then walked towards the docking arm for Amandora. The gangway was at the very end since the Dora was a Galaxy class, and a massive Exploration cruiser. All head, no ass, as Gunny liked to put it. That made Jackson grin to himself, already missing his former NCO. But, nothing for it, he proceeded down the corridor, passing those leaving the ship for leave, or just a short shore leave on the base. He did not know which, and really did not care. As was his way Barnes made sure to stay out of the way of the oncoming foot traffic, being both polite and courteous in doing so.

Arriving at the Security podium Barnes handed his PADD over to one of the two ensigns standing there. Both men, skinny and undernourished, it seemed, looked at the PADD together as if it took both to form a cohesive thought. So, waiting patiently, he stood there.

"You assigned to the Amandora, Corporal...Barnes," Asked the lead ensign, reading his name for what looked like the third time, and still had to glance at it to get it right. Not like the name Barnes was difficult to pronounce, or forget.

"Nope, I'm here for the boat tour, Sir." The sarcasm was there, but subtle when JJ answered. "Figured I'd go to the holosuites first. What do y'all think?"

"Ha ha, very funny, Marine." The ensign responded, though he did backtrack on one thing. "Apologies, I should address you by your rank, not your profession. No offense."

"None taken," said Barnes. "The cake is marine, the icing is what it is."

"Uhhh, right. Anyway, here you go Corporal. You're added to the ship's log, and your communicator on your belt can now access the computer, among other things. It should aid you on your way."

"Thanks, gents. Be seein' ya." Barnes walked passed them and onto the decks of the Amandora. He could now drop the southern drawl way of talking, using that only when confronted with ignorance. Putting his PADD away he took up his communicator and began to ask the computer for directions. As he moved he asked and was guided securely to his destination. Upon entering the marine berth he was surprised, and dumbfounded, to see there was no one here. No officers, no enlisted. No one. An empty berth that could hold up to 40, from the looks of it. "You have got to be kidding me." He said to himself. "Maybe Security has a cot I can use in the Brig area."

Deciding his fate was yet to be determined Barnes began to unpack his bag, picking a lone rack with a wardrobe and a foot locker. He shook out each item and refolded them, putting them where they belonged. Having no idea what to do next Jackson did the next best thing. He left the berth and began to walk the corridors, his eyes taking in the placards for section and department, trying to commit some of them to memory. Knowledge of one's environment was key to winning battles and overcoming adversity.

OFF: