Post #131 - Planning

Posted on Sun Jan 8th, 2023 @ 3:27pm by Major David Hurd Senior & Captain Tracey West Jr
Edited on on Sun Jan 8th, 2023 @ 3:45pm

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: Current

Off: Sorry for the delay.

On:

[Marine Country]

Trace tossed the PADD on his desk, then sighed heavily. He had just received word that Starfleet had reversed it's decision on marine contingents on ships.

He couldn't help but think that the whole thing had been some power play by the higher ups gone wrong. He imagined the Marine Commandant storming out of a conference room in a fit, yelling 'Fine! I'll recall all the Marines' before getting what he wanted a month later.

On a positive note, he had received word that Hurd had returned to active duty. In fact, he thought looking at his chronometer, he expected him any moment.

A beep told him he had arrived. "Come in." He said, standing at attention as his superior officer came in.

"Evening West", Hurd said and then stopped seeing the look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"I wish I knew." West replied. "Nothing new I suppose, just wish the brass would make up its mind on troop allocation. In any case, it looks like we'll be getting our compliment of Marines back. And our Commander." He said, reaching out to shake Hurd's hand. "Welcome back sir."

Shaking his hand, Hurd let go, a look of contemplation on his face. "Its good to be home my friend."

Going silent for a moment he continued. "West, i owe you a very big apologie." "I have been nothing but flat out rude, disrespectful, condescending, and just a general jerk".

Studying his Executive Officers face for a second, he added before falling silent, "I promise you, that will all cease as of now, and, West, please forgive me my friend".

West nodded. He didn't really feel that Hurd's behavior had been inappropriate in any way, but he understood what it must take to make such a statement.

"No harm done, so...Commander." He had almost called him 'son' out of habit, for the man was his junior in age, but certainly not in experience.

"Well now, we're about to get this place fully stocked up with bodies." He said, gesturing toward the general area of Marine Country. "What are your plans for organization?"

"Well, Hurd replied sitting down. "One thing i want to do, among others, is have all our Men and Women cross trained as Medics". He smiled at the thought. "And i want our PT and Weapons training increased in both frequncy and intensity". He added, "A saying i live by is, 'The More You Sweat In Training, The Less You Bleed In Combat'", don't you agree?"

West grinned. He hadn't really taken the time to get to know Hurd, but hearing that, he couldn't help but like the man. "Couldn't agree more. We have a couple of men that are qualified as medics, and can train the others, but getting Dr. Silk's staff involved could help with that. I also think it would be a good idea to focus on inter-squad tactics. I've seen more than a few operations go sideways because the left hand didn't know what the right was doing."

The two men continued to talk about their plans now that they would be back at full capacity. They detailed out the manner and timing of medical training and combat readiness plans utilizing the holodeck. They wouldn't be popular with recreators, but that was the price the crew would have to pay for having a battle ready contingent on board. An ounce of prevention and all that. By the end of the next day, Marine Country was packed with men and women, forty strong.

Major David Hurd Sr
Marine Commander
USS Amandora

and

Captain Tracey West Jr
Marine XO
USS Amandora