Reporting for Duty

Posted on Wed Apr 12th, 2023 @ 5:45am by 1st Lieutenant Hann Rudd & Commander Thomas Johnson & Sergeant Major Vespertine D'hetr

1,814 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Sand Sea Fun and Surf
Location: Beta Antares Fleet Yards, USS Tokyo

Newly minted Sergeant Major Vespertine D’hetr sat in the shuttle as it proceeded to the Beta Antares Fleet Yards. She has just recently completed both the SFMC 1st Sergeants school, and the Starfleet Joint Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education School. Her reward, if you could call it that she thought, was a promotion to Sergeant Major and the position of First Sergeant of the Marine Detachment on the USS Tokyo. She was not thrilled with the assignment as she had wanted to return to a Force Recon unit, hell she would have even settled for an assignment to a Marine Ranger unit. Instead, she was given this assignment. She had fought it but was told by the SFMC Training Command Brigadier General David Johannson that the decision had been made. She had asked why the Marine Corp was sending a scalpel to a hammer unit. General Johannson shrugged and mumbled something about improving regular marine units.

“Approaching the Beta Antares Fleet Yards. Care to look at the USS Tokyo?” asked the young Ensign piloting the rounabout. “No, just get this tub landed and ensure my kit and gear are transported to the Tokyo.” replied Vespertine. “I need to get over and report for duty, no delays.” The Ensign sighed, scared of the Sergeant Major. They had barely spoken a word during their trip, the Sergeant Major buried in the PaDD. The young Ensign had been warned though that Marines were irritable, and enlisted, especially the NCO were the worst. Vespertine looked up “Are we within transporter range?” The Ensign replied “Yes”. “Very well contact the Tokyo and inform them one to beem aboard.” With that Vespertine stood straightened out her white dress uniform and stepped onto the transporter. There was a golden white, blue star-like view, and she was on the USS Tokyo.
Seeing the transporter operator, she immediately asked “Who is currently the acting Officer on board the Tokyo and who is currently the acting Marine officer, while the others are on leave?” The young transporter operator gulped at seeing the Marine Sergeant Major in front of him.

Standing next to the young transporter operator was a more seasoned enlisted officer. It was evident by his presence that the older man was training the younger man.

"Commander Johnson is currently acting Commanding Officer in the absence of Captain Aisaka." He responded. "As for the acting Marine Commander in the absence of both Captain Shimada and 1st Lieutenant Beurling, well, you'd be looking for 1st Lieutenant Rudd of Platoon 1. Johnson should be in the ready room last time I checked, and Rudd was somewhere on Deck 16, probably in Captain Shimada's office keeping up with the Marine paperwork for Captain Shimada."

Thomas walked into the ready room, another day of upgrading the ships tactical and security systems. The new chief, albeit new to the position, knew exactly what he was doing and they were ahead of schedule. Sitting down in the captains seat, behind the desk. He brought up files bringing up all the reports and progress that the ship was going through.

Vespertine smiled and looked at the Chief Pett Officer "Thank you Chief." She then exited the transporter room before either the Chief or Crewman could respond. Familiar with Armitage Attack Carrier starships she made her way to the ready room and Commander Johnson, always best to present to the captain or in this case the acting captain, of a starship as a senior enlisted Marine first, so they knew you were aboard and why. She then would make her way down to the Marine section and find 1st Lieutenant Rudd. Vesper arrived on the main bridge, ignored the crew that were on the bridge and made her way to the ready room door. Here she pressed the chime button and straightened her Dress Uniform and ensured her ribbons were properly placed.

Looking up from the padds for a brief second. "Enter." He placed the padd down on the desk, and took this time to grab a drink from the replicator.

Vespertine heard the command "Enter" and she did just that walked through the door as it slide open and walked three paces away from the desk in the ready room and stood ramrod straight at the position of attention "Sergeant Major Vespertine D'hetr reporting for duty aboard the USS Tokyo. My orders are to be the First Sergeant of the Marine Corps detachment." Her dress uniform was immaculate with her ribbons all in place. For those who knew how to read the ribbons and flashes it told of Vespertine's entire marine corps career. The most notable being the Starfleet Marine Corps flash showing she was a Force Recon qualified and her Jump flash had the five star and wreaths of five combat jumps. She was highly decorated and had been wounded at least three times in combat if the Wounded Lion with Device award was any indication. It was obvious this was one tough female being.

Thomas watched as the odoor opened, and the marine walked in. Checking out all the medals on the uniform, he raised his eyebrow, but said nothing. Just gestured to the seat in front of the desk.

Vespertine, sat down and handed Commander Johnson the PaDD with her orders and returned to a sitting position of attention. She waited patiently for the Commander to read her orders. She knew he would see where she had 150 days of unused leave and the orders that she take some leave time upon reporting to the USS Tokyo by both Starfleet Command and Marine Corps Command.

Thomas glanced at the orders, "Welcome aboard first Lt." He replied as he placed the padd down. "Given your orders whats your plan for your leave. Majority of the crew are at Risa, I hear that there are plans for another shuttle to head that way. If you are interested."

Vespertine's jaw twitched just a little. "Actually, I am a Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps. I am being assigned here to be the First Sergeant of this ship's marine contingent. I have turned down multiple offers for field promotions as either a Warrant Officer or Officer, Sir. As for my orders to take leave I believe I will go to Risa as I believe Captain Taiga Aisaka has requested the crew to meet her there. I would like to catch that shuttle Sir, but require an orbital skydiving suit, I already have the clearance to for the jump."

"My apologies Sergeant Major." Thomas replied. "Reading the reports and delays that are going on with the repairs..." He gestured to the large stack. "Going to be pulling triple duty for the next week." He tapped a few buttons on the console. "We have a supply of suits in storage on deck five, section 12A you are welcome to take one. I will notify the shuttle to expect you."

"Thank you Sir! I should report to the acting CO of the Marine detachment first. Is there anything else Sir before I leave?" Sergeant Major D'hetr asked.

Thinking about it. "Just... have fun. Dismissed."

"Aye, aye Sir." Vespertine then stood and left the room. She made her way to the turbolift, thinking the whole time Damn Fleeters, have no respect for the Corps or how we operate. Not to check in with the 'acting' CO of the marines, especially as the top NCO, is tantamount to insubordination. She entered the turbolift and snapped "Deck Sixteen." The computer replied =^=Be advised Deck Sixteen is a Starfleet Marine area, all personnel not assigned to the marines or marines themselves must report to the Officer of the Day on Deck Sixteen.=^= In a sarcastic tone Vespertine replied "Well Duh, I am the new First Sergeant for this Marine detachment you useless piece of shit." The turbolift had already taken off and she soon arrived on Deck Sixteen. She made her way to Captain Shimada's Office, the few lower enlisted marines not on leave giving her a wide berth, sensing her mood. At the door to Captain Shimada's Office, she pressed the chime.

1st Lieutenant Hann Rudd sat at Captain Shimada's desk. The 1st Lieutenant had been selected by Captain Shimada and 1st Lieutenant Beurling to oversee Marine operations on board the Tokyo in their absence. Rudd's Rheuysian Defense Force cap lay on the desk. Rudd was in the middle of signing off on marine rotations when the chime rang. Her Rheuysian Defense Force training kicked in and she stopped what she was doing and rose to attention.

"Enter." She called out.

Vespertine checked her uniform over once before entering. She stepped in and responded smartly "Sergeant Major Vespertine D'hetr reporting for duty." She stood ramrod straight at attention, her Padd in her left hand. She studied the 1st Lieutenant with the critical eye of a seasoned combat veteran.

"As you were, Sergeant Major." Rudd said. "I'm 1st Lieutenant Hann Rudd, acting Marine Commander in the absence of Captain Shimada and 1st Lieutenant Beurling. Welcome aboard."

Sergeant Major D'hetr went to parade rest and handed 1st Lieutenant Rudd her PaDD. "Sir, I have been assigned to this marine detachment as the First Sergeant by order of the Marine Corps Commandant. I have already reported to the 'Acting' captain of the USS Tokyo. He informed me to take my leave, as stated in my orders, but that is not proper marine corps policy. I am therefore here to report for duty and see if there are any changes necessary to said orders."

"Captain Shimada's standing orders for marines assigned to this vessel are that all marines are cleared for shoreleave, and the decision to stay or leave rests at an individual level." Rudd explained. "However, if a marine decides to take shoreleave between Captain Shimada's departure and return, she has requested that they notify myself, the acting marine commander, first as a courtesy."

Vespertine smiled at Lieutenant Rudd "Well then Sir consider yourself informed that I am taking my mandatory leave as ordered by Marine Corps Command. Also rest assured any of the 'wayward children' that are enlisted or NCO that are on vacation that get into trouble I will be notified before Starfleet Security, so that I may take care of the situation..

"Sergeant Major, if there is an incident on Risa involving one of the marines assigned to this vessel, be it an officer, enlisted, or NCO, the incident will be forwarded to Captain Shimada's, First Lieutenant Beurling's, and, as acting Marine Commander, my attention as well." Rudd responded. "All marines assigned to this ship are Captain Shimada's responsibility, and as such handling any situation involving them that might arise falls on her shoulders. That is all."

Posting by

Commander Thomas Johnson
Executive Officer

1st Lieutenant Hann Rudd
Acting Marine Commander

Sergeant Major Vespertine D'hetr
First Sergeant

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