=/\= Loading Dock – SB UNITY =/\=
“Move those crates carefully, god damn your eyes!” shouted Harper, as he supervised the loading of the cargo bay with essential supplies for Padassa.
“Why must you always curse them, Patrick?” Sophie asked, standing beside him with a tablet padd, ticking off the inventory list.
“Because, its what Sergeant Major’s do. We shout, bellow, curse and abuse. That way you officers look good.” Harper replied, giving Sophie a sweet smile.
“Always the flatterer, aren’t you Patrick?” She said, coolly.
“Of course.” He said, then turned back to the operation at hand. “Considering the crap we’re bringing, you’d think Richard was expecting us to invade
“I believe General Sharpe is planning for all contingencies.” Sophie said.
“Yeah, I know. He always thinks five steps ahead. It’s a curse and a blessing all in one.” Harper said, and turned to bark at a private who was lugging a phaser rifle case up to the loading ramp. “Easy lad, don’t put your back out.”
“We all squared away?” Came a soft feminine voice from behind them. Both turned and spotted Major Westbourne, the MEF Command & Control Officer walking up towards them. At 29 years of age, with long flowing light brown hair, tied up in a pony tail, she was General Sharpe’s combat co-ordinator. A somewhat essential role, considering the fact that General Sharpe didn’t act like a typical general, and would lead from the front more often than he’d co-ordinate operations from a command room. Much to the annoyance of his staff.
“Yes Major, the last of the supplies are being loaded. The 501st were brought aboard earlier, and their fighters are secured on the lower deck. The 2nd Battalion are also aboard, and settled in.” Sophie said.
“Where’s our esteemed General?” Westbourne asked.
“Probably on the bridge, pissing the captain off.” Harper said. “He likes to irritate fleet captain’s. Lord knows why.”
“I swear to god, I’ll never understand that man.” Veronica Westbourne said. “But he’s good at what he does, so I guess he’s worth keeping around.”
“He is?” Harper replied, teasingly.
“So they tell me anyway.” Veronica quipped.
=/\= A few hours later – USS Titan =/\=
The retrofitted Galaxy Class ship was en-route to Padassa with Richard’s marine contingent. In the briefing room, a normal galaxy class style observation lounge, Richard sat with Major Westbourne, Sergeant Major Harper and Lieutenant Colonel Strayer, CO of 2nd Battalion. Lt. Daniels, Richard’s aide, sat in the corner, taking notes.
“Alright.” Richard said, and activated the holo-table. “This is Padassa. One ugly looking Romulan monstrosity that Starfleet seems to feel is valuable real-estate right now. Our task on the outset seems simple. We go in and we defend it.”
Strayer, someone whom Richard didn’t know all that well, but had heard he was a capable operator, merely nodded. “I’m guessing it isn’t that simple.”
“You’d guess correctly. If anything, this is going to be a nightmare.” Richard said. “We will be the main body of defence, but we will be assisted by elements of the Klingon Defence Force, and the Errassian Guard. Not in big numbers, but they’ll want their say on how we’re doing this, since this is, in theory, the Klingon’s station.”
“Right.” Veronica said.
“Before we even worry about our ‘allies’, the terrain is going to be a nightmare as well.” Richard continued. “The corridors are not curved like our starbases, or anyone else’s, but have sharp corners, and dead ends. The lower decks are actually a maze, deliberately so to flummox invaders. Unfortunately, it also presents defensive nightmares too.”
“I would suggest then that we concentrate our forces on critical areas, and leave some in reserve to go where necessary.” Strayer said. “If we put Charlie Company on defence of the command decks, Dog on defence of Engineering, Easy on reserve duty, and Fox on defence of the mid-section, that should give us a good spread.”
Richard nodded. “I assume the CO of Easy is level headed enough to know where to concentrate?”
“Captain Spiers is one of my best.” Strayer said. “Although don’t tell him I said so.”
Richard chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Where will the Klingon’s be?” Harper asked.
“Probably everywhere.” Richard sighed. “Best not to worry about the Klingons. C&C will be in the command centre. I take it I can leave that in your capable hands Veronica?” Richard asked.
“Yes sir.” Major Westbourne said.
“Good. Admiral Guzman will probably be there co-ordinating the fleet action. You’ll need to take your cues from him where you can.” Richard said.
“Sir, where will you be?” She asked.
“I’ll be with Easy.” He said, simply.
“Is that wise?” Westbourne asked, curtly.
“Probably not, but I’m not an office boy. I work better when I’m in the thick of it.” He said. “I’ll be co-ordinating with you via my comm. Carrier anyway.” Richard said.
“And I’ll be with you.” Harper said.
“I’d rather have you as liason to the Klingons.” Richard said.
“And I’d rather you were up in command with Major Westbourne.” Harper snapped.
“Patrick, mind yourself.” Richard said, darkly.
“Sir, you nearly died on the last combat mission you lead. I strongly urge you to remember that your place is in command of the entire operation, not just a combat company.” Harper said.
“That’s enough, Sergeant Major!” Richard shouted, and slammed his PADD down. “Are you questioning my orders?”
“No sir!” Harper said firmly. “Merely expressing concern for a friend, SIR!”
“Noted.” Richard said, hotly. “Strayer, you stay up in command with Westbourne, co-ordinate your Battalion. Liase with the Errassians. Harper, you can come with me.”
“Sir!” Harper said, acknowledging his orders.
“Carry on.” Richard said.
=/\= End Log =/\=
Major General Richard Sharpe
Commanding Officer
1st MEF
Sergeant Major Patrick Harper (NPC by Frankie)
Command Sergeant Major
1st MEF
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Strayer (NPC by Frankie)
2nd
1st Regiment, 1st MEF
Major Veronica Westbourne (NPC by Frankie)
Command & Control Officer
1st MEF
Marine Lieutenant Sophie Daniels (NPC by Frankie)
Personal Aide to General Sharpe
1st MEF
