Taking Heads
Posted on Mon Mar 17th, 2025 @ 5:13am by Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Tue Mar 18th, 2025 @ 6:48pm
1,933 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Officer's Briefing Room - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD006 1200 hrs
"Ed," Neil said as the Department heads filed out. "Stand fast."
Once the hatch had cycled shut, Neil glanced at Rommie and said, "You're relieved, Rommie. Give us the room."
As the hologram merged into the walls data stream Neil turned to regard Edmund and said, "Captain Merrick. Stand at attention."
Edmund quickly stood at attention, he swallowed hard, "Yes sir!" yup he was deep in the latrine pit now. Just how far? He will find out.
Hands behind him, Neil moved to stand in front of the Captain. Scrutinized him for a handful of beats, then asked. "Captain Merrick. Just what in the clot are you doing to my Corp? I took a good look here and didn't see that you've transferred into the Fleet, so there has to be a really good reason you're going around like a moon struck calf. Or maybe it's a sex struck calf. I've heard the rumors about Merrick's Merry Maids and Ed's Harem. Even Doctor Sobel was asking how you were juggling your love life and managing to be CO of the Cure at the same time."
Still speaking evenly, Neil continued, "From where I stand, you're not. We've got a combat mission coming up mister and you're not just dropping the ball. You can't even find the xaxdamned thing. Now. Explain yourself." The last was said with Neil's nose less than an inch from Ed's.
Edmund flinched slightly, an eyebrow raised and there could be seen a flash of fire in his gaze as he met Neil's eyes. "Sir with all due respect, I have a harem? Merrick's Merry Maids?" his voice rather gruff. "If you recall I have been in StarFleet, before I came to the Marines. Am I having trouble witth someone? Yes. Details sir? I got into a fight with Lieutenant Vura. She pissed me off royally."
His eyes narrowing, Neil raised his voice slightly and said, "Watch yourself, Lieutenant. I'm very aware of your past with Fleet. That's like an egg and chicken-dhrak. They both came from the same place, you're a marine now so start acting like one and not the other. As to your dalliances, I'm not making up the rumors I've been hearing. I shouldn't have to throw up names and I'm guessing you know that an impressional Ensign was noted just about throwing herself into your arms. And along the same notes, I hear tales of a ménage à trois with the counseling staff. And I still haven't heard a reason why you're thraggling up my detachment."
Edmund drew in a breath, he can see Neil's concern and these rumors were certainly dragging the reputation of the Cure down. And that Ensign Emiko? "Sir, there is no reason nor is it my intention to besmirch the good name of the corps. I do not know how this has happened. That Ensign."He stopped, wait he was just called Lieutenant Oh crap!
Neil saw a bit of dawn in Ed's eyes, but he wasn't done yet. "What is your malfunction Captain? One fight with a woman and you're ripping your tunic and looking for a crying towel? What is this? A thraggling romance novel. Is the Pioneer your own personal Love Boat?. You don't get your drahk squared away and I'll not only bust you back to the Fleet, they'll have to surgically remove my boot from your ass. Do you read me?" Neil leaned a millimeter closer and said, "Am I getting through. Is the haze blowing away from that brain of yours Captain? Or do I have to say it even plainer than that?"
Leaning back, crossing his arms now, Neil said, "Well. At least you got the no reason part right. We have a combat-op coming up and I'm going to need you at one hundred percent. Or do I need to get someone else. You tell me now if I need to get a fire hose to try and wake up you and the Counselor. I even caught you both trading glances, trying not to let the other notice like this is a thraggling middle school during the department head meeting."
Running fingers through his hair, Neil finally sighed and said, "Alright. At ease." Then he met the other marines eyes and he said, "What the hell, Ed?"
"First off sir, you don't have to worry about getting someone to replace me. The second part. this thing, this fight I had with Vura, its been developing for a little bit. That sigh you heard it was more of frustration with her sanctimonious, judgemental attitude. I've not spoken to her since we got into that argument. I will say this, I feel I brought it on myself, not remembering that information about Deltans and not having any physical contact with them, as in my offering my arm to her to hold like a gentleman would." he scoffed, "That is on me. I've been too pissed off to even talk to her, and I really want to keep my distance from her, to cool off. She has the opinion of my not knowing much about women? And constantly flings her opinion out there." he sat down not too far from Neil. "With StarFleet its a, be a bit diplomatic, make certain to deal with things peacefully whereas Marines when there is problem it gets taken care of short sweet to the point. Guess you might say I've got to find my balance once more, between both worlds, my having been in Starfleet which I've lived in and now in the Marines."
"Ed," Neil said slowly, "I feel for you, but your baggage is that. My troubles with Fleet is they tend overthink, over plan, and then wring their hands when said plans go south. Which they always do. My advice to you, beside getting your head clear is to look at all of this like knife fighting. Go right at it. You're always going to get cut up in a knife fight. It's going to suck. But, that pain is part of life. My second bit of advice, is STOP thinking like you're in the Fleet. We may be part of fleet, but if you're going to be a marine, be a xaxtdamned marine."
It doesn't matter how long a person has been in the marines, there are times when a person gets lost in their own jungle of events from the past,and in truth, he had gotten lost. The tangle of Vura, the petty officer, Emiko, his awakening from the self-made coma for connecting with people, and the desire to pursue a relationship with Rowena. Neil's remarks and chastisement cut through the tangled vines with surgical precision, sending a life line. He can't forget the advice Zhara had given either.
"You know Neil, you've got quite the way with words." a twinkle in Edmund's eyes, and it looked like there was a clearing from the fog that Edmund had been in. "I almost want to call you Dr. Neil." he leaned back, crossing his arms. "Thanks, it was needed."
Grinning slightly, Neil said, "You call me doctor and you'll need to see one. Use all of this as a syllabus and get the Cure squared away. Those two new leu's have me concerned. I don't care what they've done before and why is O'Rourke not leading team two? They seem to think they're in cushy berths or something and you need to start putting boots to asses. No more hand holding or hand wringing with the Cure. You can't be their friend, Ed. You've got to be their CO. Get it done Captain."
"You are right, and will do. As for O'Rourke, I don't know why he isn't in charge of a team. And is it you that I need to find out the why it is that way, or do I talk with Tyler?" This is the first time that Edmund has found himself in the position of being a Commanding Officer of a company. His previous experience was on a smaller scale so this was a learning curve for him. "And Jeksyne, I think he isn't certain as to what he needs to do, even though I've spelled it out to him. Don't know what his backstory is, all I know from him is that he is a tip top Marine, stoic, immovable not show any sign of weaknesses, sort of person. I am not going to worry about his backstory as to how he got here. Just that he is here and here to work."
Neil watched Ed for a minute, then went with the change of subject letting the Captain off the hot plate. "Then really put him to work. Run em ragged until he can't even think straight. It's not like we're not going to be under high stress conditions coming up."
Edmund gave a nod, as to what Neil had mentioned. "I'll get them run through scenarios and get them worn out." he stopped then put himself back on the hot seat "As for the other, I will be having a conversation with Vura, and get things hashed out. And the same for Petty Officer Emiko Marley, things will get nipped in the bud. And a big distance will be made as well."
Neil shook his head, "Everyone's short on sleep and nerves. You might want to wait to deal with everything until after the mission." Grinning he said, "Who knows. We might die and won't have to rip the band aid off. You can leave Merrick's Merry Maids in mourning."
Edmund shot a sharp glance at Neil. "Ugh, all this because I was being way too nice." dry washing his face, "You're not gonna let me live that down for a little bit are you." making a statement and a grimace. He shook his head, "I am feeling even more in the need of working out some frustrations. I don't want to bark at another person who doesn't deserve it."
"Meh," Neil said as he reconnected his contact to the ships net and his to do list reasserted itself. "Thing is about yelling at people. They usually deserve it for something. If not currently, then in the recent past." He chuckled then. "And no. This isn't going to go away for a minute. Brigade has a hold of it Ed. I'll try to shield you from the worst of Dr. Sobel, but that's no guarantee. As for working out...try my gym program. I can't remember if you've been in there before. If not, you should find it fun."
"Rommie," Neil commented to the general air. The Hologram's stepped from one of the walls and said, "Sir?"
"Add the Captain to the gym program permissions, yeah?"
"Aye aye," sir," the AI said, smiling to both marines. "Done. Enjoy Mik Captain. And the rest of the peanut gallery."
"Rest of the peanut gallery?" Edmund gave a puzzled expression towards Neil, rising up from his seat. "And thanks once again, Neil." giving Neil a salute of respect before heading out of the conference room.
A Joint Post By
Captain Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Battalion Commander, The Cure
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