Semper Fi
Posted on Thu Nov 16th, 2017 @ 4:50am by
Edited on on Fri Jun 1st, 2018 @ 5:25am
928 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 1 - Pioneering Spirit
Location: USS Antietam
Timeline: MD000 Pre USS Pioneer
Tags: SD 71359.1000
Maisie Spencer grinned as she the other Marine fell to the ground with a satisfying thump, the gathered Marines watching let out of a shout of excitement as Maisie lunged forward and delivered a mock killing blow to the man’s throat. The dazed Marine looked back up at her, he had clearly not been expecting the petite young medic to use his own strength against him, but never the less accepted her offered hand as she helped him back to his feet. Maisie glanced around as the watching Marines split back up into their own sparring pairs on the parade deck off the USS Antietam. Although a Combat Medic by training, Maisie had always considered herself a Marine first; her chosen specialisation was to ensure she had prospects outside of the Marine Corps, yet she was a Starfleet Marine above all else; like her father before her, even if she had never gotten the chance to get to know him.
She hoped that he would have been proud of her.
She had been aboard the Antietam for a year now, after passing out of her medical training after Boot camp, and was enjoying herself immensely. She had been decorated for her bravery in a recent firefight, and she had been happier than she had expected to realise that the experience of combat had helped temper her tendency to get herself in trouble. She was, perhaps, growing up at last; learning that her past didn’t have to shape her future.
“Private Dawes!”
Maisie glanced up and saw the Detachment Commander, Andorian First Lieutenant Sheth Th'ryval, coming out of his office, a PADD in hand. Her first thought was what she had done wrong now, but she quickly chastised herself that it was the entirely wrong attitude to have, especially as she was doing her best to reign in her outspoken, forthright manner with her superiors. She stood to attention, in her fatigues and covered in sweat as she was, and rendered a crisp salute.
“Good Morning, Sir,” She said politely as 1st Lieutenant Th’ryval returned her salute.
“Good Morning indeed, Private,” Th’ryval replied. “I’m sure it’s supposed to be the job of a combat medic to fix broken Marines, rather than break more of them.”
“Every Marine a rifleman, Sir,” Maisie shot back with a wry smile. “I’m a Marine before I’m a medic.”
“Indeed,” Th’ryval agreed. “And the audacity of a Marine as well, most medics tend to be a lot more reserved.”
“I’m fairly sure reserved is a word that will never be used to describe me,” Maisie smiled sweetly.
“I think that’s safe to say Private,” Th’ryval nodded. “Now, as much as you’ve created more paperwork for me than any other Marine in my detachment, I am going to be sad to see you go.”
“Go, Sir?” Maisie frowned. “Where am I going?”
“To a new assignment, it seems that someone at Starfleet Personnel decided that a Combat Medic of your calbre would be better used on a more active assignment,” Th’ryval replied promptly. “You’ve been posted to the USS Pioneer, attached to Task Force 47 within the Ninth Fleet; specifically she’s posted along the Cardassian Frontier.”
“Interesting country,” Maisie commented.
The Antietam had been assigned to the Klingon-Federation Border, which meant that it had been a relatively uneventful posting; indeed the firefight last month that had won Maisie her spurs had been the most action the ship had seen in months. A posting to the Cardassian Frontier would be more active to say the least; although not in a bad way by any means.
“Indeed,” Th’ryval nodded. “You’ll report to a 1st Lieutenant Akkar Cruz.”
“Do you know anything of the Lieutenant, Sir?” Maisie queried.
“No, although I do like to give my Marines as much intel as possible, even when they are leaving my command, so I looked up his service record,” Th’ryval replied with a slight smile. “From what I could see he enlisted as a Marine, but was quickly snapped up for OCS… you could learn a lot from him if you want to make the Marines, and not Medicine, your career.”
“Understood, Sir,” Maisie nodded thoughtfully. “When do I leave?”
“As soon as you’ve got your deployment bags packed,” Th’ryval replied. “Before you go, however, there is one last thing.”
“Sir?” Maisie frowned.
“Attention to Orders!” Th’ryval called, bringing the entire squad bay to a halt. “The Commanding General, Starfleet Marine Corps, acting upon the recommendation of 1st Lieutenant Sheth Th’ryval has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity and abilities of Private Maisie Dawes.”
Two Marines stepped forwards as they realised what was going on and took rank insignia from Th’ryval; it was tradition not to put your own rank insignia on for the first time.
“In view of these special qualities, and her demonstrated potential to serve in a higher grade, Private Dawes is hereby promoted to the grade of Private First Class in the Starfleet Marine Corps,” Th’ryval finished formally, shaking her hand firmly. “I expect you to have more chevrons on your collar by the time I next see you, PFC Dawes.”
“Yes sir,” Maisie smiled, rendering another salute. “Permission to carry on.”
“Permission granted, carry on,” Th’ryval nodded, returning the salute. “Semper Fi, Marine.”
“Semper Fi, Sir.”
Private 1st Class Maisie Dawes
Field Medic, USS Pioneer
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