Saved By the Bell - Part Two

Posted on Mon Feb 24th, 2020 @ 1:21am by Colonel Thomas Jackson & Company Sergeant Major Jeffery "The Mountain" Duval

Mission: Mission 9: Interference
Location: Airlock Three - USS Essex
Timeline: 1210Hrs - May 1st, 2389

"Of course," Jackson replied.

"Serving with your MARSOC guys will be a nice change of pace from the two-bit miscreants I get to deal with in first battalion." he paused. "I think I need to take their training to the next level." he paused. "they are a disgrace."

Jackson listened, appreciating the normal bluntness of a senior NCO, especially one who was a combat veteran. Normally, he would not tolerate trashing the chain of command, but he did, after all, give the man permission to speak freely. These off the record conversations have always proved interesting.

"Well, it sounds like that battalion really needs you. Officers who lack certain traits have been balanced by good NCO's since the Roman Empire. Your unit does well to have you. Also keep in mind that most of the division consists of post war marines, and officers who got lucky enough to sit the war out. We can strive to train in a war footing, but realistically, you know that is difficult at best."

As Jackson spoke, the thought that there was something familiar about the master sergeant kept growing in his mind. He needed to know.

"Question. Were you ever assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 327th Marines during the War?"

Duval raised an eyebrow as he gently lifted a hand to his long scar which started just above his eye then curled sideways and then down, ending just next to his mouth. "I was.... yes..." he commented. "Jem'Hadar fought like genetically engineered computers..." he paused. "I didn't kill enough of those things... and now we have a Jem'Hadar assigned to the starbase.." he paused. "I've not hurt...I mean met him yet... " he added in a dry tone as he
paused. "May I ask why you inquire about my Dominion War service sir?"

Jackson could see that at this time, he and Duval were walking on the same path of memory lane. His thoughts drifted back to his first assignment after receiving a battlefield commission. How Second Lieutenant Jackson, along with his future friend, Private Giaus Aquila, managed to be on the lucky half of a platoon that lost half of its men during that siege, yet managed to prevail against the Jem'Hadar onslaught. Some of his kills had to be done by hand, not a small feat in a human versus Jem'Hadar fight. "I was a platoon leader in Alpha Company on AR558, and I think our companies were neighbors on the perimeter."

"I was watching over a wretched piece of ground nicknamed 'Cardie Cooker.'." he did not smile. "I was one of the replacements brought in about half way through... I lost all but sixteen of the entire company... " he paused. Jem'Hadar made interesting opponents..." he looked at Jackson. "Were you in second or third company of the 327th?" he inquired.

Jackson recalled the Cardie Cooker. Though his company had the honor of watching over "Iguana Ridge", a place named affectionately after the growing piles of Jem'Hadar corpses that grew into an insane size after weeks of battle. I commanded Second Platoon of A Company until the Company Commander, along with all the ranking junior officers got killed. I ended up taking over A Company before the Fleet pulled us out."

"We met once before... though we never actually collided.."

"Interestingly, Warrant Officer Aquila, the MARSOC CO, was right next to me in that damn siege. You two would get along well."

Duval smiled. "I've heard of him... he's something of a legend in the corps." he replied evenly as he regarded the Colonel before him. "As I said.. I was one of the replacements... nobody walked to know my name even though I outranked everyone and had more experience then my entire platoon combined." he recalled the hellish conditions and the environment. "the commander was a fresh faced second lieutenant who didn't have any experience at all... and he got killed on my first day.." he sighed softly. "They loved their Houdini mines..."

Jackson was lucky enough not to become too acquainted with those damn mines. He also recalled how he did not like being the only surviving commissioned officer in his company. He really missed being an enlisted man sometimes...

"Well, the good news, Jem'Hadar were are easy to kill as we were. And yes, I did notice that we now have one serving on this station. As far as I am concerned, if he is part of this crew, he's one of us, as much as it might take me awhile to stomach that. "

"I will try to restrain myself." Duval answered. "My wife however would find this entire situation amusing." he then smiled as clearly they were not having issues or were divorced. "T'Nae hates the Jem'Hadar more them we do."

Even though the concept of a Vulcan hating anyone is not a big surprise for Jackson, it was still entertaining to him. "I wonder if our grandparents felt the same when the Klingons became our friends. I know I was shocked to see Romulan warbirds in our fleet formations all of a sudden. Point is, things change, and people like us need to suck it up. "

"T'Nae tells me I must adapt and grow quite often." Duval explained evenly. "but as for First Battalion, In the Major's defense... the state of the battalion is not her fault as she was appointed to that command a week before I left on the Essex sir." he added by way of explanation for the earlier chat.

"Sounds like very good advice. I was lucky enough to be assigned to a division that has it all together. These are going to be interesting times," Jackson said.

"You quoting an ancient Chinese philosopher?" he inquired. "a curse disguised as a blessing... it goes, may you live in interesting times." Duval explained. "I hope the Shield of Vega stops by the base at some point." he sighed. "I miss my wife." he paused. "Also I have a Doctors appointment I need to see to. If here is nothing further sir.?"

"No.. Dismissed."