Meeting the Boss

Posted on Thu May 23rd, 2024 @ 6:13am by Sub-Commander T'shir & Captain Vilhelmina Nimitz & Major Erin Ishikawa

964 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: First Deployment
Location: MACO Operations, Ishikawa's Office

Erin was finally starting to feel settled aboard. After her meeting with the CO and actual check in with Sickbay... her shoulder twinged as she remembered the schedule of physical therapy appointments she was going to have to endure to get back into combat shape by the time they arrived at Berengaria. In the meantime Erin had been familiarizing herself with the MACOs aboard already, she had some good candidates to recruit to their unit but she wanted to understand the dynamics already at play.

The morning had been spent interviewing her Platoon level Officers, and her prospective XO. So far it had been a fairly productive day, but she wouldn't get the real answers until she spoke with the NCOs later today. Her last officer appointment of the day was a rather unusual one. A Captain, Vilhelmina Nimitz, a transfer from one of Earth's national Militaries, the United States Marine Corps. Erin hadn't worked with many of them before, she'd rarely been on Earth besides the mission to Florida following the Xindi attack. Though the MACOs had taken on members from all of the Nations of Earth, most were more experienced than the Captain. It would be interesting to hear if she were up for the challenge.

Vilhelmina and Bruno was prepping for their shift. She was finishing on getting Bruno's body armor on when she spotted the Major. She snapped to attention, followed by Bruno giving his version of attention. "Sir."

"Captain Nimitz? Ready for our appointment I expect?" Erin said as she stepped through the hatch from the Tactical Operations Center out into the equipment storage room. She had taken a bit of a walk around MACO Operations, familiarizing herself with the space. A full TOC, Briefing room, barracks, training center... it was impressive to say the least. She'd already started her other Officers to do the same.

"Yes sir." Vilhelmina simply said.

"On me Captain, lets talk in my office." Erin turned leading them back through the TOC to her adjoining office. Small by comparison to the Captain's Ready Room or many other senior officer accommodations she'd seen over the years, Erin appreciated it. A small desk, sitting area, bookshelf, it was comfortable enough while still being efficient.

"Have a seat, if you'd like any coffee please help yourself." Erin said indicating the thermos and cups on the table.

She have Bruno a hand gesture, before following her CO. "Yes sir." Vilhelmina said before she followed the MACO CO. She took the seat that was offered. "No thanks sir, I don't drink coffee."

"Alright." Erin grabbed her own mug, refreshing her cuppa with just a splash of milk and sugar before moving back to her desk. "So, you're a new transfer to the MACOs, from one of the Earth militaries? Haven't seen as many of you since the Xindi crisis."

"I am apart of the UEMC, which was once the United States Marine Core." Vilhelmina said. "My family has proudly served in the military for 9 generations." She said proudly. "As for many of us. Many transferred to Starfleet to crew their ships."

"You didn't want to join them or remain with the UEMC, decided the MACOs was your calling? Certainly takes the legacy in a different direction." Honestly Erin couldn't blame the Captain. She was a soldier after all, she couldn't really see joining Starfleet and she certainly didn't want to live on Mars her whole life. Getting out into the universe was quite the adventure.

"The writing is on the wall, sir." Vilhelmina said. "With the formation of the Coalition of Planets, the militaries of Earth will disband, or be assumed by Starfleet." She stated. "If things continue to work out between us, Humans, the Vulcan's, Andorians, and Tellerites, we are forming a new foundation on this Coalition that will evolve into a new government. A Federation of Planets."

"I don't know about all that, other species may not be so eager to follow our rules. Allies sure, but more than that... well, Earth will have to prove that other governments and trust them. There's still quite a bit of resentment back home on Mars." Not that it mattered too much right now, they were at war, Erin was a soldier. If she'd joined the Militia rather than the MACOs she'd still probably still advocate for them to fight.

"But I guess looking toward the future is more important, if nothing else to motivate us to get through this thing." Erin mused taking a sip of her coffee. "I looked at your record, right out of training, good marks for an officer training cadre." Erin flashed the woman a teasing grin. "Your role is a specialized one, even more so among the MACOs, we should probably select a team for you to work with closely, get you used to them and they used to the pair of you."

"Yes sir." Vilhelmina said. "I look forward to it. I know that my specialization hasn't been seen in active service sense the early Twenty First century."

"Exactly we'll have to relearn and adapt doctrine." Erin picked up a PADD typing in a few commands to bring up the Uni's MACO Detachment Order of Battle. "I think you will fit in best with the unit of Raiders that have been attached to the ship. Most of the detachment is more your standard Infantry fighting unit while the Raiders are our small unit Reconnaissance element. Whether we're in a stand up fight or a boarding action their small unit tactics will suit you best."

"Yes sir." Vilhelmina said. "As long as Bruno is treated as an active member of the team."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Erin responded, handing Vilhelmina the PADD. "Let Master Sergeant Reece know if you need anything else."

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