Weapons and Armor

Posted on Mon Feb 24th, 2020 @ 1:10am by Company Sergeant Major Jeffery "The Mountain" Duval

Mission: Mission 9: Interference
Location: Armory - USS Essex
Timeline: 1600Hrs - April 20th, 2389

Master Sergeant Jeffery Duval had been at this now for almost six hours as he was busy checking the ordinance in the armory to make sure the it, as some called it was good and ready for anything.

So far almost one fifth of all the rifles and the other weapons were not up to code, cracked power cells and other damage were showing, the rifles that were busted were lying on the deck and was busy replacing them as he checked one of the new rifles as the door opened and in came Sergeant Major Pepper.

Duval had to resist the impulse to jump to attention and had also to stop himself from saluting the other man, what he did do was lower his rifle to his side as he regarded the other man. "What can I do for you Sarge?"

Marcus shrugged "I'm just checking in, hows it going"

"I'm making good time, I've replaced all the defective rifles and I'm now restocking this armory." Duval explained. "the rifles on the deck are the damaged and defective ones... as you can see.... I'm not happy whatsoever." he commented as he regarded the wall monitor he had been using. "According to this. This was done by forth platoon, First Battalion but... I have a sneaking suspicion that this wasn't them as those guys are not this stupid.." he paused. "nobody is this stupid."

"You didnt see them on Parsus 7 then did you. I was a corporal back then and sat in my post with my lads when we heard this yelling. One of their soldiers was charging at our fortified bunker with a las-pistol" Marcus sniggered.
"Duval, when your done are we heading off for a quick beer?" Pepper asked informally.

Duval chuckled. "What kind of a question is that?" he inquired as he regarded the other guy. "Have you ever known me to turn down a drink?" the older marine inquired bluntly.

Marcus picked up one of the weapons and stripped it down on a near-by table, he picked up a second rifle and did the same then looked at the two rifles lay in parts side by side. He picked up the damaged parts and placed them to the rear of the table then using what was remaining he reassembled one of the rifles, then reassembled the other using the busted parts. The busted rifle was placed back on the floor and now working one was handed to Duval. "why you doing this, we have sergeants and corporals to do this stuff... hell get four one back down here"

"I'm doing it because I have special punishment in mind for Four One." he commented evenly while keeping a straight face. "Besides they aren't on ship and we're on assignment.. besides... a little work never hurt anyone." he replied. "Its better then paperwork of which I have little."

"Soon as you've cleaned up in here we'll go grab some food and a drink......" Pepper paused for a moment... "Duval, do you know what the hell our mission is, I mean I just got dragged on board without a briefing" He asked as he sat on the now empty table.

"I know little more then you do." Duval responded as he plucked the dozen disabled rifles and placed them in a crate two at a time. "I know we're off to visit a planet that has a tech level that's too high for its present state of development." he commented. "My wife is a science officer so I tend to listen to the eggheads when they talk. plus I can understand them far better then they think...."

"Oh really" said Pepper

"I prefer they think that I'm just a dumb grunt so that when I open my mouth, I tend to shock them."

"That has its advantages, sometimes it's better to stay quite too and just pick up useful info, that Kate I've been dating has provided some useful information too, being in Ops she picks up more than she's supposed too" he said with a sly smile

"Exactly." Duval answered with a smile. "Sometimes the quiet approach really is the best." he commented as he looked around. "Still... we're done here, shall we go have that drink and lunch?" he commented.