Some Bad News, Not For A Change

Posted on Wed Aug 22nd, 2018 @ 6:11pm by Major Hailey Weston & Captain Michelle Bartlett

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Shortly after the away team returning from Reh'nar

There wasn't any dirt on Hailey's uniform, in fact she looked remarkably pristine, but despite the clean, crisp look, there was something about her that was off. That was what she felt like, too, as she made her way down the side of the bridge and to the Captain's ready room and pressed the chime. "Major Weston to see you, ma'am." Even her voice sounded like a shadow of itself.

"Come." Michelle said, putting down the PADD and her cup of coffee.

The door slid open and Hailey walked in and towards the desk, face fallen and no smile on it, her eyes bright and sharp still, but with a lack of light behind him. She stood by the end of the table, not even at attention, "I regret to inform you that half an hour ago, First Lieutenant Christine Zen was killed in a transporter accident when returning from the surface of Reh'nar."

Michelle looked down at the desk, feeling as though she had been punched in the gut. Another one? This entire ship was becoming the USS Grim Reaper's Playground... She let out a sigh and looked up at her... "I see." she added, almost emotionless at this point herself. But it eventually got the best of her. She placed her hand down flat on the desk.. "Damn it." she said after a short pause. "Do we know what happened? How did this occur?"

Hailey took a seat without asking, hanging over the front edge of the chair instead of being perched, "Buffer glitch. The engineer told me that the transmission interrogation went fine, then after she dematerialized, the buffer hiccuped and didn't capture the transmission signal." She shook her head, "It's true isn't it? Marines are cursed here, aren't we?"

Michelle let out what could only be described as maybe a quarter of a chuckle. "I'm starting to wonder if we're all not." she said. "I wonder if it was something from the more recent transporter damage." she added. "At any rate, once the remaining Marine crew has had the chance to grieve, it would be appropriate to put in for a replacement."

"The rest of the troops barely met her... Hell, I barely knew her. And now I get to have the fun of writing to her family telling her that they don't even get a body back." Hailey shook her head, "It's easier to write these letters for combat losses, at least I know what to say there. How do I make this sound like it was worth it? Christine valiantly requested a transport from a peaceful situation on the planet Reh'nar, then was horrifically slain when she didn't rematerialize?"

Michelle smirked just a little. It was funny, but still a tad dark. "I mean... that almost sounds comedically bad. I would advise against it. I'm still not good at writing condolence letters though myself."

"I'm regrettably too good at writing them." Hailey shook her head, "Sixteen and this one is going to make number seventeen. It might not seem like a lot on a starship, but each and every one of them was someone I knew very well, outside of this one. And I think that's what makes this one so hard to think about."

"It took me damn near a week to write the ones for the senior staff." Michelle said. "People I'd known for two years, sat in morning staff briefings with... Having to explain how they died. It felt like I was writing a hollow form letter afterwards."

"The curse of command." Hailey commiserated, "Why does anyone ever want our jobs? It's just far easier to sit back and let others make the decisions take the responsibilities."

"Because they have a very romantic idea of what it looks like. Everyone only ever sees the chair. They don't see the rest of the work." Michelle said, pausing a moment. "Or sometimes you do just sit back and end up taking the chair anyway."

"You mean, like when everyone above you buys a farm?" Hailey asked sadly, "The way both of us did. You know, I was content sitting in sickbay waiting for people to come in. It gave me more than enough time to keep in practice and all, but when the Colonel bought it and the Major... Did what he did, I don't blame you... Nyx was too young, too inexperienced in our ways and I guess I was pretty much ready-made. Generally speaking you as well after the Captain died and the Gul revealed."

"I would have given everything to never have taken command the way I had to." Michelle said. "I enjoyed the diplomatic service. If I went back to Command, I expected it to be something... Well.. Different."

"If I went back to the Corps proper, I'd expected it to be just as a lead surgeon on a hospital ship... Not this, here and now, with all the responsibilities and damning uphill battles just to get staffed halfway decently. But, I'll submit a request in a week or so for a new exec, maybe just request permission to inflate one of my senior sergeants. I don't know yet." She did give a small smile, "I know it'll all work out, we just have to get through."

"Do what you need, just let me know." Michelle said. "And yes... We just have to get through. And... I know we will. I'm just tired of condolence letters."

"Me too... Maybe we won't have to write anymore anytime soon." Hailey stood and gave another slight smile, "I'll see you later, ma'am."

OFF:

Captain Michelle Bartlett
Commanding Officer
USS Wellington

Major Hailey Weston
Marine CO/Second Officer
USS Wellington