On Merit

Posted on Oct 21, 2015 @ 3:52pm by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane

Mission: Civil War

"ON MERIT"

(Continued from "Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World")

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Captain's Log, supplemental - as we continue to take on our new crew, drawn from all across the fleet now at Elandipole, I have been having a series of meetings with my senior officers to keep abreast of current events aboard ship...

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Location: USS Phoenix, orbiting E-4
Stardate: [2.15]1021.1945
Scene: Deck 35, drive section - Main Engineering


Michael Turlogh Kane had not come to Engineering to specifically talk about James Barton. There was another thing on his mind regarding Jake - the thing that had brought him down to Engineering, in fact - and he supposed that now was a good time to bring it up. He put his hands behind his back and assumed a military air. "Mister Crichton," he said, speaking more formally.

Jake caught the change in tone. "Yes, Captain?"

Kane wasn't quite sure how to put it, so he just decided to wing it. "It's been over a year since this ship fled Earth. I suppose we've been hurtling forward at such a breakneck pace since then that we've just settled into the roles that we were used to." He paused a moment. "But now, things are different. The government has been reformed, we all have our commissions restored, and we're taking on a new crew. Soon, things will be back to normal, more or less."

Jake nodded. "I've seen the crew manifest. Engineering alone will be more than doubling in crew size. Believe me, I have plenty fo work for them."

"We don't have a Second officer," said Kane. "I'd like to offer you the position."

"Sir?"

Kane gestured in the direction of the rest of Engineering. "You've done a fantastic job down here, Mister Crichton. You're the best engineer I've ever worked with. I don't think I'll ever forget how you managed a cold start of the Century's engines in K-60, or how you got your hands on all that latinum on Limbo. Command experience on the bridge of a starship would advance your career, put you in line for an ExO's job someday."

Jake was still taking it in.

"You don't have to answer now," said Kane. " It would mean taking the night watch once a week, and possibly sitting in the centre seat when Commander Jos and I are unavailable, on top of your regular duties in Engineering. I expect you'll want to weight up the pros and cons of the idea, so take a day or two to decide, but let me know one way or the other."

"Aye, Captain," said Jake.

"I'll leave you to it, then. Carry on, Mister Crichton." Kane turned on his heel, checking the nearby wall chronometer. So little time, so much work to be done.

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EXECUTIVE ORDER 14353 STARDATE2.151021


THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS


WHEREAS, the President of the United Federation of Planets, being desirous of fulfilling the office of Commandant of the Starfleet Marine Corps;

and

WHEREAS, the office of Commandant of the Starfleet Marine Corps being currently vacant;

IT IS HEREBY DECLARED that ALEXANDER TOWERS (Lieutenant Colonel) is appointed to the office of Commandant of the Starfleet Marine Corps, effective immediately, and that this appointment shall bypass normal verification by committee.

SIGNED
Thoris P'Trell

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS

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Scene: Deck 1, saucer section - Captain's Ready Room


Kane got back to the bridge to find Kassandra Thytos waiting for him. The bridge itself was mostly empty - only Byte and a handful of new bridge officers acquainting themselves with their future duties were there. Upon seeing him, the newbies all got really busy really quickly.

Kane eyeballed them with a death glare as he walked up to the MCO. Nothing like a bit of intimidation to keep junior officers on their toes. "Major," he said. "I'm early for our meeting. So are you."

Kass shrugged and held up a PADD. "Figgered a couple minutes wouldn't kill anyone."

"Come on in." Kane led her into the ready room, and they sat themselves down. "Have you heard that the President has appointed a new Marine Commandant?"

"Ah have. Ah dunno the man but if'n he's got more stripes n' I do Ah'll salute him. When ya git that high in rank, yer pretty much a politician anyways."

"The old structures are being put back in place. According to one report I saw, there are around a thousand Marines spread out across the fleet. They all need a representative. Might as well be Towers. He used to be on the Pendragon, I hear - the other one, not this one." He threw a thumb at the viewing port where various starships were orbiting Elandipole at lower orbits.

"Ya don't say."

"How's things with you, Major? Your children should be aboard by now, yes?"

"Yes, Cap'n. Earlier today, matter o' fact."

"Good." Kane snapped his fingers. "What about that girl Buttercup, the one from Limbo? Weren't you mothering her?"

Kass nodded. "She's gone and moved in with Harry Bellecotte, my platoon sergeant. They really hit it off. He dotes on her like she was his own."

"That's good," Kane smiled. Then he beckoned for the PADD she was holding. "To business, then. Your marine unit is all aboard?"

"All fifty of 'em, sir. Gettin' their stuff stowed away as we speak. Some of 'em or greener n' snot but I'll PT that outt've 'em afore long. We'll be ready ta kick ass anytime you need us, Cap'n."

"That's good," said Kane, running his eye absently down through the names and faces.

"Matter o' fact," said Kass, "that's mainly what Ah wanted ta talk ta ya about."

Kane looked up. He was used now to Kass' grating accent (and who was to say his own didn't sound as bad?). He sat back in his seat. "Go on, Major."

Kass looked like she really wanted a cigarette. "Well, Cap'n, Ah've bin wonderin' what sort o' relationship there's gonna be 'twixt tha Security people and mine. Also, an' Ah don't quite know how ta put this, Cap'n, but ya have a bitta reputation about Marines and suchlike, which gave me pause fer thought."

"Do I," Kane said wryly.

"Yeah - I mean, yes, Cap'n," Kass said evenly.

Kane paused for a moment. He had never liked marines in his youth - Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Essential, went the acronym. Eight years as a Security Chief hadn't cured him of that distrust that marines only got in the way aboard a starship. They couldn't do anything that Security couldn't also do, and while it was true that marines were trained for specifically more combat-oriented tasks like a special forces unit, Kane thought that having a bunch of killers aboard a starship was anathema to the notion of peaceful exploration. It had led to numerous arguments and rivalries with every marine officer he'd ever served with.

It had all come apart over the years. During the brief Calnarian conflict, the Marine Corps had been instrumental in rescuing him from the prison camp where he was being held, and he had been quietly impressed by how the Neo-Essentialist marines aboard the Discovery had moved to secure control of the ship when Stonn had given them the word. There was no doubt about it - marines had their place.

It also helped that he had respect for Kassandra Thytos. She had successfully overcome the disabilities of her body to forge an impressive military career for herself. Kane barely noticed the series of flashing lights under her skin anymore, nor did he think much about how her eyes were only able to follow him around thanks to her sensor net.

"The relationship between your marine unit and the Security department will be same as it is on every other starship in the fleet," he said. "My professional and personal feelings towards you are positive ones, Major, and I won't let them interfere with the best running of this ship." He paused for a moment to think. "As their name implies, Security will be responsible for the day-to-day security of the ship. They are the sword, but the marines are the sharp point."

"Yes, sir."

"I envision using the marine unit for hostile landing situations, external assault, boarding actions, forlorn hope missions, that sort of thing. While on board ship, you should defer to the Security Chief on matters of ship's security, but similarly be ready to assist in the defence of the ship." He looked at her pointedly. "Aside from the Neo-Essentialist marines, who don't really matter since they were really Stonn's people, this is the first opportunity I'll have to watch you command people. I know you'll do a good job, Major."

Kass seemed satisfied. "Unnerstood, Cap'n. No word yet on a new Security Chief?"

"I have someone in mind for the position, but have yet to make the offer," said Kane with a touch of irony. "I think it's an open secret who that is. I'll give him a bit more time before I ask. I want to be certain there are no disciplinary issues once he takes the oath."

"Yes, sir," she grinned. "Ah guess Ah'll leave ya to it. We both got work ta do, looks like."

Kane sat back and watched her leave. He gave her a few minutes to get a head start on him, then sighed deeply and got himself up from his seat.

It was time to pay James Barton a visit.

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NRPG: Moving things along. You can find Alexander Towers' bio and pic on the webshite, under the Manifest -> Federation Government tabs.


Jerome McKee
the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane
Commanding Officer
USS PHOENIX


"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"
- Shakespeare's "The Merchant Of Venice", Scene 1.117

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