Torch and Burn

Posted on Sat Mar 7th, 2020 @ 4:22am by Major General Alan Masters & Lieutenant Colonel Tragg Highmountain & Division Admiral Celeste Yamaguchi-Hobbs & Lieutenant Colonel Tienn Nerra & Colonel Brianna Hobbs
Edited on on Sat Mar 7th, 2020 @ 4:24am

Mission: Mission 69: Tienn's Fall from Grace
Location: Various Locations - USS Argonne
Timeline: 1300Hrs - March 25th, 2392

Corps General Alan Masters had reported aboard the USS Argonne earlier this afternoon, he had been briefed on the full particulars of the case and now he needed to deal with various things pertaining to the matter at hand.

Masters had not been able to hide himself like he had the last time.

Meanwhile in the marine spaces. Commander Celeste Yamaguchi looked tired and fat while she placed a cup of Tarkalian tea before her wife. "Don't look so unhappy... He's not coming here to have a go at you... Is he?" the dark skinned human woman responded.

"No, he is not." Hobbs replied flatly. "He is here to discuss Tienn."

"I heard about what happened.. " Celeste smiled as she gently rubbed her wife's shoulders as the doorbell beeped. Yamaguchi regarded her wife. "I'll get that."

Yamaguchi went to the door and found herself face to face with a Marine two star General. "General sir."

"Is Colonel Hobbs about?"

"Yessir. Come in." and with that Yamaguchi stepped aside and allowed the General to enter which he did a moment later. "Colonel Hobbs. I got your report, has anything changed since then?" he inquired without preamble.

Yamaguchi turned. "I'd best get going... Thank you, General."

"Of course Commander." as Celeste blew Hobbs a kiss from behind the General's back as she departed. Masters caught the gesture of affection from out of the corner of his eye, which in truth made him smile. "I won't keep you, long Colonel..."

"Yes General, can we discuss this in my office?" Hobbs gestured towards the door.

"Of course Colonel." and with that he turned and went out the door, several minutes later the two of them were seated in Colonel Hobbs's office. Masters did not say a word to anyone while they were in transit.

"Did you read the report on Tienn?" Hobbs asked.

"Yes Colonel. I did... I did have a couple of questions... " he responded.

"Of course General. What are they?" She asked.

"Tienn's file has been exemplary... Do we know what went wrong all of a sudden?" Masters inquired. "Also do you have the performance reviews done by her sergeant major and her battalion exec?" Masters inquired. "I'd like to have a look at them before I call in Tienn."

"Yes, of course. The reports are right here." Hobbs handed Masters a PaDD. "I don't know if your familiar with Bajoran culture but Tienn has been declared apostate."

"I read about that particular detail a while back... something about abandoning one's faith... That would explain a great many things.." as he read over the various reports and the like on the PADD. "Alright... Let me see..." he then skimmed over the report before he went back and read it far more carefully. "Yes... A JAG Case with three counts of assault except one is not pressing charges because Tienn never once hit her and that she's become a cold hearted cow to her people... all of this happens in a two week period.." Masters turned to Hobbs. "Alright. Lets call in Tienn now... also call in Major Highmountain too."

Hobbs nodded and called both officers to her office.

The door opened and in walked Major Tragg Highmountain. "General.. Colonel. Major Tragg Highmountain reporting."

"Have a seat Major." and with that Tienn walked in.

"Tienn... Have a seat." Masters indicated the chair across from him as he held up a PADD. "I've been called into deal with this case... I assume you know what its about.."

"Me.."

"Yep... You record however.. Is nigh impeachable." Masters explained. "Yet the Sergeant Major of your battalion even addresses this but he also says that the morale of your battalion has suffered over the last few weeks.. Considering the JAG case against you for three counts of assault and your insubordination to Captain Rhodes regarding the Colonel Nye case. I am going to take the following measures..." he sighed. "I'm reliving you of your command, effective immediately. Major Highmountain will take over as commander of your battalion."

"Is that really necessary?" Hobbs asked.

"Her sergeant major's report is scathing... But I'm not going to strip Tienn of her rank because her service record is excellent.." he turned to Tienn. "Tell me something Major before I pass sentence on your case"

"Sir..." Tienn responded.

"What was your first mistake?" Masters regarded the handsome Bajoran woman before him.

"I didn't tell anyone I was having problems with my personal life.."

"Why not.?" Masters inquired

"Because my shame is not for public discourse.."

"Because you're an apostate?" Masters responded.

Tienn gave Hobbs a nasty look but she turned back to Masters who caught the look. "The Colonel didn't tell me about your situation. I read between the lines and guessed. You simply confirmed it.."

"Yessir." Tienn responded.

"So... why did this situation get so out of control for you...?" Masters responded as he regarded her.

"Bec-" she stopped. "I have no excuse sir."

"Good answer Major." Masters responded. "I will leave JAG to handle their case... So they will deal with the three assault charges against you... now you are not a flight risk so I hope they won't bother with none of the pretrial confinement bullshit.. Your service record is excellent.. until now."

"Yessir." Tienn answered.

Masters turned to Highmountain. "You'll be assuming command of the Three twenty seventh engineering battalion effectively immediately." he nodded but held his silence, his displeasure was clear for all to see. "Yes... sir." Highmountain rumbled.

"Right.. You'd best go and talk to your people Major.. I won't keep you." and with that Highmountain got up and departed in silence, but there was no mistaking his anger at this turn of events.

Masters turned to Hobbs. "Alright... Did I miss anything other then your protest?"

"Where will Tienn be posted for the time being?" Hobbs asked.

"Since Argonne is being deployed... I'm going to have her sent to Watchman Station for now to handle paperwork for IFO's Marine force... Otherwise, due to her career, I'd leave her here... JAG wants her for an article thirty two hearing.. Whenever that will be..." he turned to Tienn. "I am going to leave you here until the tenth, you will be off of this ship at that time.. You will assist Major Highmountain with settling into his new command and then you will report to Watchman Station, JAG can have you at this point. You will also see the Counselor of Watchman station for this issue... You have issues opening up to others which I must correct for you."

"Okay, I think this unpleasant business is over. I have nothing else General." Hobbs told him.

"Alright. Thank you for your time Colonel." Masters sighed softly. "Dismissed Major." he added softly

Tienn rose to her feet and with that, she turned and departed.

Masters turned to Hobbs. "Onto happier news.. I brought everything you requested on the transport I was on, new personnel, new equipment and the like..."

"While that is good news you won't be offended if I don't act overjoyed." Hobbs told Masters.

"No offense taken Colonel... In truth I feel as you do.. but JAG is watching this one and ... I have to relieve her.... Her record is spotless and one incident... and she loses her command." he regarded Hobbs. "Colonel, do not think me insensitive to what being an apostate means to a Bajoran, especially one of Kalla Menis sect."

"I'm the wrong person to ask." Hobbs replied. "My society went to hell so I don't have a life outside Star Fleet. I also think religions are nothing but old superstitions."

"I agree Brianna..." Masters responded. "I also know you want to keep her very badly but she is still IFO even if she gets reassigned elsewhere..." he paused. "After she does her punishment detail... I will have her reassigned back to you... if you want her."

"Yes, of course I want her." Hobbs replied. "She is a good officer. She just had a weak moment."

Masters nodded his head, accepting her answer. "Alright... Well go reign in her sergeant major.. His report of her is downright nasty, he makes her out to be the devil himself." he paused as he breathed in and then out and then back in again. "If JAG doesn't come down on her too hard and she is able to continue her career... When she finishes her punishment detail. I'll send her back to you."

"Thank you General." Hobbs replied.

Masters nodded. "Of course Colonel. The USS Lancaster should get here later today. Your command is being expanded to house a full scale infantry regimental combat team and you are getting a second ship for all of this... You'll have one of the first artillery battalions and a full engineering battalion.." he then let out a sigh.

"Okay, how long will I have to try and fold these new units in?" Hobbs asked.

"The situation with the Klingons is very fluid right now... I don't know... I'm sorry Colonel but it could be as little as a week and.... I know its not good.. But, do the best you can..."

Hobbs let out a small moan. "No wonder your not very enthused about the change."

"Yeah... I am sorry Colonel and the Tien situation makes things worse..." he regarded her. "I'll try and help Tienn out if I can..." he added "But you know JAG... They want her.. and if she wants it after all is said and done. I'll send her right back to you."

"I understand General." Hobbs told him. "I don't like it but I understand."

Masters regarded her. "I wish I could have given you more time but this expansion was stalled for awhile while the ... paperpushers... figured out what they wanted to do. Lancaster should be here soon..."

"Thank you General." Hobbs replied.