Diplomatic Protections

Posted on Thu Jun 7th, 2018 @ 12:13am by Major Hailey Weston & Gunnery Sergeant Ami Rori

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Major Weston's Office
Timeline: Immediately after 'Quick Review'

"Lieutenant Zen to my office." Hailey said quietly, having activated her comm, "Bring your dress uniform with you." She added before cutting the comm and watched Ami come back in already half in hers, "I swear, Ami, you have clones ready for anything, don't you?"

In response, Ami stuck her tongue out, "Not giving up my secrets. Finch and Valentine are getting dressed up and they'll grab all the gear for the four of us. You really sure about this?"

Hailey nodded, "It's not the deep end of the pool, Gunny, I wouldn't do that one yet, and she has you there too."

"WHAT!!!!!", she yelled, in the middle of her quarters."OMG! Dress Uniforms! What the hell...", she said, tumbling over her duffel bag. Her quarters were a complete mess as she was in the process of re-arranging it. Getting up and tripping over another bag had her sprawled on the floor, both otter pups licking her face made the pain turn into laughter. Getting up this time, she finally made it to the closet and her dress uniform. Putting the pups in their housing units, she left for the Majors office.

"I wonder what this is all about", she said and hit the door chime.

The door slid open and then closed behind her and Hailey waved her over, "I did say on a moment's notice, right?" It was only semi-apologetic, "While you're getting changed, here's your brief: You are in command of a diplomatic escort to Lieutenant Commander Honn. She's going down to try to keep our away team, which includes the Exec, from getting their heads handed to them. Literally." She had no diagrams, but then again she had basically no real intelligence of the area, "Your job, obviously, keep the Commander alive. Use your head, but protect Commander Honn and if you can get the away team into your formation, them as well. Rules of Engagement Delta are in effect." She used the 'regular' Marine set of rules in this case, which meant that if a credible and genuine dangerous threat showed up, the Lieutenant was authorized to take actions to protect the primary, but overt aggression was a big no-no. "You have the Gunny, Nyx and PFC Finch and I wanted you all to look spotless. Rifles, sidearms, I want intimidation and professionalism."

Christine stood there with her mouth open and her face pure white like she had seen a ghost. "Major...me...lead...I mean in command? Snapping a fast salute, "Yes Major", she said pivioting on her heel and went to change.

'Oh god...what am I going to do? My first time leading? Oh god Zen help me Please.' she thought as she changed clothes, checked her rifle, sidearm, boot strap knife she always carried inside the boot. Extra ammo packs on her belt, and thought if she had forgot anything else. Then she read the orders, again, and made sure that they were clear in her head before she returned to the Major's presence.

"Major ready for duty sir!" she said snapping another salute, knowing it wasn't necessary.

Hailey sighed slightly as Ami sniggered openly, “Well, I really had meant to change right here, but oh well.. No sense in having a huge amount of body modesty, especially when time is of the essence. But, yes, you in command. This really is a straight forward operation, not a true drop-kick, that’s why I was gone for a couple days.” She stood up and stepped around her desk and looked over the uniform, reaching out to rub the left epaulet’s single silver bar to shine it a touch, “Just remember to keep your head on, don’t panic. If you freeze, you have the Gunny with you, she’s got a shit-ton of experience. But just think parade ground.”

"Now that Major I can do, but do I have your permission to emergency beam out if things get dicey?", she said. "If I can get the away team and the Commander plus my team in one place can I holler for the beam out?", she finished.

“Nope. That call will be up to Commander Honn or Commander Tang. Would it be safest for the away team? Absolutely. But the mission is to successfully negotiate a cease fire and to establish proper diplomatic relations with the indigenous people.” Hailey pointed out, “They probably wouldn’t take it lightly if we just bailed out, would you? It would definitely hamper our negotiating position.”

"True, I was referring to worst case senario, Major. If something happens and I am left with no other option...and I am the only senior command officer capable of giving orders...is what I was talking about", she said.

Hailey laughed, “If you get into that situation, Christine, then you can do what you want or need to and damn the consequences. Until you get back, of course, then we see the fallout at that point. That’s why it’s called command, evaluating a situation and responding to it. Or, you know, you can just call up to the ship.” She leaned back to see what the response would be.

She put her hand to her chin, thought about it for a minute or two, then wrinkled her face up, then smiled, "I am sure it won't come to that sir but should it happen, I will use my head first", she said, a small wirely smile forming.

"All right then, go get 'em, kid." It was the irony that Christine, the host, was older than Hailey that made her almost laugh again, "And remember: She who laughs last?" She grinned.

But it was Ami who finished off the quote, "Thinks fastest."

Snapping a fast salute, "Yes Major. Count on me!", she said, almost running for the door.

Ami waited at the slightly upraised finger until the Lieutenant was out of the room, “Keep them alive, Ami, she looks like she may make a cherry mistake, too eager and bouncy, not serious enough. Nyx and Jessi should listen to your orders should you override hers, hopefully you don’t need to.” Hailey gave a wry smile.

With a nod, Ami followed Christine out the door, “Birdie! Where’s my rifle?” She called before the door slid shut behind her.

OFF:

Major Hailey Weston
Second Officer/Marine CO
USS Wellington

Gunnery Sergeant Ami Rori
Senior NCO
USS Wellington

Lt. Christine Zen
1st Lieutenant
USS Wellington