Whispers of Foreshadowing
Posted on Tue Sep 10th, 2024 @ 7:30am by Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Staff Warrant Officer Rommie
Edited on on Mon Sep 30th, 2024 @ 3:01am
1,145 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Executive Officer's Office - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 1830 hrs
Neil brooded in his office, slouched purposely in his chair as data streamed from holo screens over his desk. Feet up on said desk, he drank from a heavy mug of Dula roast and scanned the data flow through his contact, as the Ai sorted, routed and flagged information for his attention.
Since the return from the pocket dimension, he’d been busy and he knew he needed sleep. He’d been fencing with Fleet; the FMC; and getting the Pioneer back in fighting shape. Rubbing at his face, he sighed and knew this last…trial? Had been hardest on the crew. The ship herself was mostly fine and the repairs to the hanger were mostly complete. Or would be by the time they were finished with this Port of Call.
Another flag popped up and he stared at it, reading through the official action notice and he mumbled under his breath.
A Red Team mission.
As if he didn’t have enough to do. He began breaking it down and decided this one wasn’t that bad. A boarding action to take over a Fleet ship. Tabletop exercise. USS Myrmidon vs a brace of Ferengi Marauders.
Not really sure why this was his tasking, he shrugged and ordered the computer to begin compiling all the latest data on Ferengi military tactics. Known piratical trends and most recent events. The scenario brief stated the Myrmidon was escorting a small convoy of cargo vessels with valuable cargo.
It would have to be valuable, Neil thought and then dismissed it. He set the AI to also gathering public domain information on the Myrmidon and the noted transports, then dismissed the problem for a later date.
Another flag popped on his HUD, this one from Brigade Command and he frowned. The subject line indicated a TDY (tour of duty yonder) with his name on it.
Pulling his feet down, he sat up in his chair, he opened the packet and began scanning. As part of FMC modernization, he would be reassigned in the not distant future to take command of Company J, 385th Mechanized while the unit underwent training into the MARVEL suits. Training would have to be on site at the same time as a rotation into a suitable training site (as yet undesignated). At the same time, he would ALSO be taking command of the 733rd Regimental Landing Element in a training exercise to a Federation World (as yet undesignated) for training in planetary landing and Urban maneuvers.
Blinking, Neil now understood why he’d been assigned the AI and bit at his lip. This was a lot. With only the bare bones of someone else’s proposed plan on a proposed, as of yet undesignated location.
There wasn’t much he could do with it.
A notification also indicated that he would be required to attend refresher training and a course on the Mark V variant of the MARVEL EAS suits. The update was mostly minor, allowing for AI integration for the CnC suits and further component miniaturization
Neil picked up his mug again, sipping at the brew and studied the information for a while longer. Then he leaned back and said, “Rommie?”
One of the holographic displays moved back from his desk and then elongated and a familiar female silhouette formed within the data stream, slowly absorbing the information as the AI formed and seemed to step from the data. Actually it was all her and she tossed her head, causing her shoulder length black hair to clear her face then form into a bun on the fly as she said, “Yes Major?”
Neil appreciated the aesthetic as he looked at his aide, now appearing in her customary skin suit and boots in black and command yellow. “Looks like we have a lot of work ahead of us. I also want you to keep tabs on the Company J and the RLE.”
Rommie nodded to him and Neil continued, “Any indications on why Devon won’t be in on this party?”
Now the AI affected a frown and her eyes clouded slightly as she processed the data and then her eye tint returned to the normal brown. “Nothing has been announced formally, but I DID find a mention of him lecturing at the War College in six months time. His name shows up as guest lecturer for the next year.”
Nodding, Neil eyed her and asked, “What about Andrew.. Major..”
“Major Creed,” Rommie answered, having anticipated the question, “Has no notations on his service record. However,” she began.
But Neil snapped his fingers and pointed at her and said, “Della is probably due about then, isn’t she. See if he’s put in a request for family medical leave.”
Rommie grinned as the Major cut her off and her eyes clouded only briefly. “Yes sir, the leave is open ended but medical records indicate she is due. And with them expecting twins..”
Neil nodded, “That explains most of it and I’m sure I’ll be told the rest, if all this actually goes through.” Glancing at his chrono, he said, “Well, no time to be buggering about with this now. Keep running those programs, including eavesdropping on Brigade reports. Give me a daily brief on those and we’ll go over TOE reports and bio’s for the officers when we can fit it in. I’m late for a date.
Standing, he began moving toward the hatch and then paused. “Thanks for the good work. I don’t think I’ll be able to do any of this without you.”
“My pleasure major,” Rommie smiled, “And it’s my function. Give Lieutenant Mira my regards, please.”
Nodding, Neil exited his office, walking toward his quarters to change and then for yet another undesignated destination to have supper with Jayna.
Rommie watched Neil go, then surpassed a squeal of delight. Her uniform did change though, the skin suit changed to the FMC version of the mini-skirt uniforms from the mid 2360’s. She twirled, causing the skirt to flare and then stepped back into the data stream, merging into the holo display before winking out as she shut down the visual feeds and dimmed the lighting in the XO’s office. She also secured the space and engaged the security protocols.
She was BUSY. Not yet quite up to her full capabilities, but it was better than being in a void, waiting to be useful.
A Post By
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
Staff Warrant Officer Rommie
Artificial Intelligence, The Cure
USS Pioneer
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