Doctor O'Rourke I Presume
Posted on Tue Jul 21st, 2026 @ 9:42am by Rear Admiral Timothy Rice & Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Brigadier General Francis 'Judge' Sobel
Edited on on Wed Jul 22nd, 2026 @ 9:09am
1,705 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
The Amalgamation Interrogation
Location: Wardroom 1 - Habitat Ring Deck 11 - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD003 1300 hrs
Francis glanced at the watch Tempest had gifted him with on their thirtieth wedding anniversary, then at the blinking icon that indicated a new addition to his schedule. Or rather, an entry that had been added, removed, added and removed and now added again. He glanced at the now empty tea cup with relief and really wished for coffee. But Tempest was not to be trifled with.
Smiling he tapped the polished desktop to catch Tim's attention and said, "Looks like the Pioneer's Doctor fit us in. O'Rourke is a busy woman. You have time to hang around for another hour or so?"
"I will hang around like a spider in a hurricane. But, the Doctor should have an interesting look on this little program. She was a Marine and bridged the gap over to the fleet. That and as a doctor she has seen the best and the worst of everyone." Timothy looked longingly at the sideboard that could and in his mind should hold some alcohol. These meetings were useful but tedious. "Well, we might as well get this over with."
Hermia left Sickbay in the capable hands of her staff, and with Helena in school, made her way to her meeting with the 'Big Brass'.
She stood at the door to the Ward Room, having activated the chime.
Timothy rose to get the door, the Yeoman that had worked with them was given lunch. "Doctor O'Rourke. Thank you for coming and seeing us. I am sure that you have a full plate while the Pioneer is in port. Please have a seat. This is General Francis Sobel in command of the Marines in this sector. I believe you know why you have been asked here." He took his seat next to Francis.
Francis wasn't nearly as delicate as Tim was but he was aware of the doctor's marine credentials. And he knew her father. "Welcome, Doctor. Come in and grab a pew," he said, gesturing toward a chair across the well polished table from the two flag officers.
"Good afternoon, Sirs." Hermia said. "General, my father speaks highly of you. He asked me to give you this." She added, producing a bottle 20 year old Jamison's Whisky and placing it in front of Sobel. "He said drink this in good health, and I quote 'I hope your taste buds haven't been tainted by that Russian swill, and that you can truly appreciate its nectar.'" She then took the offered chair.
"Thank your father for me. And thank you for being the courier. The Russian swill as he puts it does get the job done," Francis said with a smile. He slid the bottle off to the side, out of the direct line of sight and said, "You likely know why we're here, but I'll throw it out direct. We've," he said, gesturing toward Tim with his thumb, "Been tasked with taking the temperature on the integration of Marines aboard the Pioneer. As CMO you have the ear of the crew and also have the perspective of having FMC training. How are things aboard the Pioneer?"
"Okay, starting with Sickbay, I have found the Marines that work with me, to be efficient, adaptable and a great benefit to my department. Both the Marines and my 'Fleet staff have learnt a lot from each other." Hermia began.
Tim leaned forward onto the table. He was perhaps most interested in what Hermia had to say. This was because of her unique perspective as Sobel had put it. He had a few questions of his own, however, he held them to see exactly what she had to say.
"As you both know there has always been a rivalry between the Corps and the 'Fleet." Hermia said. "Well, the Pioneer is no different, most of it is gentle ribbing, but there are a few cases of 'my way is better', and 'I can kick your arse'."
"Of course. Things of that nature are to be expected. The question here is whether or not Marines enjoy the fleet related duties and vice versa. For me the ultimate goal of this program is to do away with this rivalry that you mention. There really should not be anything like that. But, I know to achieve that goal it would take time. I hope that we are stepping in the right direction thought." Tim truly felt that Starfleet could not continue into the future unless things such as departmental rivalries became a thing of the past.
Francis listened and said, "Some rivalry is to be expected and can be healthy. My Marines do play hard though and that doesn't necessarily transit well. But the Corps must evolve, without losing it's uniqueness. Again. The Federation paid a price before when they thought Fleet security and member militias could do the job. That's why this experiment is important."
Hermia thought for a moment. "Agreed." She said.
"The larger question here is whether merging the two while keeping the individual identities of both is feasible. There are many officers such as yourself, Doctor. Officers that made the crossing from to the other. However, this is the first time a synergy of sorts is being attempted. As one such person who made that crossing you are in a unique place to tell us how the program is working. In your observation how are things on the Pioneer? It is our understanding that you have a Marine Corpsman who serves as a Nurse in your Sick Bay. Is that working out for you as well?" Tim quickly realized that Hermia was a woman of few words. He attempted to get her talking.
"Actually, I have two Corpsmen, who serve as nurses, one is also a botanist." Hermia began. "There were a few teething problems, when it came to procedure, but we were able to come up with a structure that worked for all involved."
"What structure did you work out? Perhaps we can adapt it to fit other departments, and even other vessels." Tim thought that adapting was progress. There was potential here to get some real helpful information.
"We began with the procedures that the Corps and Fleet have in common, and then we moved onto things that vary. Marine Corpsmen are trained mainly in triage and stabilizing wounded for travel, I've given those in my department experience in monitoring those in recovery, treating everyday injuries, and assisting in surgery." Hermia said. "While having the Marine Corpsmen help train my Fleet staff in battlefield medicine and retrain them in triage." Hermia explained.
"Cross training, that is exactly what we are striving for here. Well done Commander." Tim said with exuberance. Finally, one of these interviews went the way he had hoped they all went.
Francis nodded at the Admiral and said, "And I'm not surprised medical is where it showed up. Hermia would have the most..insight..into what the corpsmen would know and how to use them. It'll make them better Marines too." He swapped his look over to Hermia and said, "I'll echo the Admiral's praise. And add my thanks, Commander. We want this program to not only succeed, but to benefit both sides of the coin. Now, do you have suggestions for integrating Marine personnel into other departments."
"Well, you have to start by honoring both parties' skills and experience." Hermia began. "Also you must instill in them its not a 'Fleet vs Corps thing, that we are working together for a common good, and different situations my benefit from different approaches, also flexibility is required when it comes to certain ways of doing things, we don't want to take the Marine out of the Marines and make them 'Fleeters or vice versa. Its a balancing act, but I believe its worth it."
"It is that precise us vs them mentality that presents the largest hurdle to this program. Tell me. Do you think the reverse of what we have done on the Pioneer would be a benefit? If Starfleet personnel were appointed into positions within Marine units and had to perform the duties. Would that go toward stopping this combative line of thinking?" Tim was not sure they would get volunteers for a program like that. But, something told him that a number of officers would benefit.
"Yes, I believe that Starfleet personnel working within a Marine framework, may lesson the animosity between the two groups." Hermia said.
Tim nodded in agreement and took some notes on his PADD. For the moment he was more than satisfied with Hermia's answers. It was the first person they spoke with that believed the program worked one hundred percent. That was something that made Tim immeasurably happy, as this was partially his baby of sorts.
Francis rocked in his chair slightly, thinking. After marshalling his thoughts, he said, "It would have to be carefully done. Volunteers plugged into the right units in the right roles so that their skill sets would be useful. When and if my Brigade gets stood up for something more than a short term mission, we can always use extra help. On the flip side, And it can't be one for one swaps. Might have to include some sort of basic infantry training program.."
Realizing he was thinking out loud now, Francis looked at the two officers and said, "It does help to have your endorsement, Commander. Thank you. Anything more we should be talking about?"
"I think we have a great start here. Some good information to go off of. Thank you for the information and the endorsement Doctor." Tim's voice was always gruff. However, he conveyed his genuine appreciation here.
"You're welcome, Admiral, General." Hermia said. "I'm glad to be of assistance."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Rear Admiral Timothy Rice
Sector Commanding Officer, Trivas Sector
Empok Nor
Brigadier General Francis Sobel
Commanding Officer, 258th Starfleet Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Empok Nor
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