Fleet Marines New Commission

by Swordwriter

Prequel to Fleet Marines. Second Lieutenant Rick Castle just graduated from the academy, joins the Commonwealth Fleet marines. He quickly becomes a seasoned veteran and combat commander. After being severely wounded in battle, his life is saved by the woman who will become the love of his life.

11. Chapter 10

FLEET MARINES

NEW COMMISSION

CHAPTER TEN

Aboard the Clara Barton, 29 August 2452. 07:00 hours

Kate checked the fit of her uniform. Satisfied, she called Lanie when she answered, Kate said;

"Are you ready? It's going to be a long busy day. I want a real breakfast, not something from the wall replicator. You can eat molded tofu and cooked hay, if you want to, but I'm not. Meet me in the officer's mess in five minutes. The two women were lingering over coffee for Kate and hot chocolate for Lanie. Kate was animatedly relating her introduction to the latest fashion in bar art.

Lanie was trying to figure out how to finish her chocolate without choking to death. She set it down, said;

"Oh Kate," looked up and broke out in gales of laughter. Kate looked up, over her shoulder. A thoroughly perplexed Lieutenant Grenville was standing there, holding his breakfast tray and trying to figure out what he'd done, this time, that was so amusing. Kate was also perplexed. Leaning forward, she whispered;

"What are you laughing at?" Lanie whispered back;

"When I saw Grennie standing there, I pictured him in the same condition as your brother's ex-aide. I couldn't help myself, I just lost it."

Kate's brows drew together and she pulled her friend closer and whispered, angrily;

"Grenville may be a nerd, he may be awkward and a pest, but he means well, but he's not always trying to slip his hands under my scrubs, like that doctor who impresses you does! I'm going to ask him to join us and you're going to be nice to him, or I'll bounce you all over the gym, like a handball!"

"But Kate…"

"Just do it." Kate said it, sweetly enough, but Lanie had known her long enough to know that the second part of that phrase could be or else. When suitable apologies had been made, Lanie explained the "flight of the bumble aide" to Grenville, as he ate. Expecting the story to be embarrassing or humiliating to Grenville, she was stunned when he burst out, laughing.

"I knew Mister Wolverton at the academy. He was such a pompous ass and a verbal bully. I can't think of anyone more deserving. At the look of astonishment on Lanie's face, he continued.

"I realize that your laughter was because you were picturing me in Mister Wolverton's place. That's okay, you're not the first. He smiled. Ruefully. I realize that I'm awkward and have an unpleasant voice and you consider me a pest. Again, you're not the first. I also realize that I have as much of a chance with either one of you, as a snowball in hell. Once again, nothing new.

All I want is to be your friend and occasionally enjoy your company. Nothing more. If that's okay with both of you."

With tears in her eyes, Kate reached out and covered Grenville's and with one of hers.

"Ervin, that's one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. You can share my table, anytime. Friend." Lanie reached over and covered his other hand in acceptance and a silent apology.

Flashback. Aboard the Belleau Woods, 01 August. 2452, 09:00 hours.

Rick Castle was reviewing a tactical text when his com beeped. "Lieutenant Castle."

"Lieutenant Castle, this is Lieutenant Danson, the acting adjutant. How soon can you be in my office?"

"I can be there in five minutes."

"That's fine, thank you Mister Castle."

"See you in zero-five." Rick walked into the adjutant's office. Danson, a short, stocky man put down his pad. "The colonel has a new assignment for you, Mister Castle. I think you'll like it."

"May I ask what it is?"

"You're being transferred to Alpha Company as its' executive officer. Reynolds tore up his knee, pretty badly in a training accident. He's being transferred out to the hospital on Alpha Centauri for orthopedic surgery. Poor bastard will be out of it for three months, at least. As you know, Alpha Company is the senior company in the battalion. The colonel must have a lot of confidence in you. I envy you. I'm coming to HHC to take your place. Captain Cooper is back from leave. He's the new adjutant." Rick laughed.

"Almost sounds like a game of military musical chairs." Danson laughed too.

"It does. Here are your orders. Good luck."

"I'd better go see Captain Romanov, right now." With that, Rick left the office.

Captain Romanov stood up and walked out from behind his desk as Rick entered the room. Rick saluted and he returned it.

"Good luck, Rick. It's been great having you as my X O. I'll miss you. Tom Merriweather is as fine an officer as I've ever met. You two will get along fine. Rick grinned.

"You've been a good boss and a good friend, Jeff. May I buy you a couple of drinks tonight?"

"Never turn down a free drink. That's my motto. See you at the club at eighteen hundred. Now get out of here. You've got a lot to do and I've got to break in that staff pongo."

Early the next morning, Rick walked into Alpha Company's orderly room. The first sergeant stood up.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"I'm Lieutenant Castle, I'm reporting in. I need to see Captain Merriweather."

"Yes, sir. The captain has been waiting for you. I'll tell him you're here."

A pleasant voice drifted out of the captain's office.

"Don't bother, Top, I heard him enter. Come in and grab a seat, Mister Castle. We've got a lot to do and not much time to do it." Rick walked in and saluted. Merriweather returned the salute and before Rick could speak, he said;

"Forget the formalities. I know who you are and why you're here. Sit down, relax and let's get down to business."

Rick looked the man over. And ordinary looking man with sandy hair and brown eyes, that held a fierce intensity that Rick could not miss.

"We lift for action in less than a month. That won't give you a lot of time to get to know the company. Fortunately, you've had actual ground combat experience. That will help. The third platoon leader and the weapons platoon leader are both new to the service and the company. I'm going to ask you to concentrate your time on helping them to learn their jobs and get the platoons to gel. Any questions?"

"No, sir but I do have a suggestion. A dual transfer. There's an exceptional second lieutenant in HHC that I'd like to have. His leadership qualities are outstanding. His name is Del Kevan. He's mentally very quick, and aggressive as they come. I think that we can utilize his talents better here in a line company than in HHC. We then send one of the newbies to HHC. "*

The captain thought for a minute then said;

"Do you really believe in him that much?"

"Yes, sir I do."

"Very well, I'll get right on it. Jeff owes me a couple of favors. I'll call them in. Meanwhile, get into battle dress, assemble third platoon and weapons platoon and run them through battle drills until noon chow. I'll have cleared the transfers by then and you can bring Mister Kevan over."

Rick stood up. "Very good, sir. I'm on my way. He sketched a hasty salute on his way out the door, eager to begin.

Second Lieutenant Del Kevan grinned like The Cheshire Cat and grabbed his friend's shoulder and exclaimed;

"Thank you for bringing me over, Rick, It's a great opportunity."

Rick grimaced. "Yeah, an opportunity to get your ass shot off."

"You've been in several combat actions and haven't got your ass shot off yet."

"I've been lucky but luck doesn't last forever."

Del snorted. "Some people have luck; others make their own. I firmly believe that you're in that latter category. Anyway, I'm glad to be here."

"If you're so glad to be here' you won' mind going over the training plan again." He grinned as he heard Del mutter; "Slave driver."

Training area, star base D-15, 28 August, 14:00 Hours

Rick stood, pad in hand, recording his observations on third platoon. He watched as they ran through an exercise. Lieutenant Kevan gave an order to his platoon sergeant. The sergeant tapped his com to wide band.

"Platoon, Deploy as skirmishers. Base squads, commence firing. Maneuver squads, advance. Although the firing was only simulated with blanks and lasers, the lasers scored on their targets and the men moved into position quickly with an economy of motion that would have credited more veteran troops. Their response to orders was immediate and without question. The platoon achieved its' objective with two minutes to spare. When Del gave the rally, then recall orders, the men crowded around him for hi critique. Rick was pleased to see that Del had become a popular leader in a very short time. Captain Merriweather walked up to Rick.

"How are they doing Rick?"

"Pretty good sir, here, see for yourself." He handed the captain his pad.

"Pretty good? That's a very large understatement isn't it? Hell, they were damn near perfect! Well, they're going to need it. We've been tasked with providing a security detachment for the hospital ship. I'm sending Lieutenant Kevan and you over there with first and third platoons.

Lieutenant Nikumu will stay aboard the Woods She won't like it, but I'll deal with that."

Why a security detachment? We pull out tomorrow. She can't be attacked in fold."

"It hasn't been made known outside unit commanders, but there's been a four- day delay in departure. I will brief you Lieutenant Kevan and your platoon sergeants, in one hour. For now, dismiss your men to quarters."

"Take seats, gentlemen. Captain Merriweather said. I will now explain what this is all about. Most ship's security detail handles all matters of threats to the ship. As the Clara Barton is a hospital ship, therefore a non-combatant, the security detail is smaller than usual. Marine intelligence agents have infiltrated a Gorrock special detail. Read that as military terrorists. They informed Fleet command and the Colonel was alerted. A strike against a major support unit is planned, just before we sortie. The Clara Barton is the most likely target. Therefore, the colonel convinced the admiral to put security detachments aboard the Clara Barton and two supply ships. We drew the best duty. I hear the chow aboard her is first rate"

"What are my rules of engagement limits, sir? Merriweather raised one eyebrow.

"There is only one rule protect the ship, the medical people and the patients, at all costs. you and your men are expendable, if necessary. The terrorists are to be given no consideration, whatsoever. If they attack, repulse it. Deadly force is not only authorized it is advised. Make no effort to take prisoners. The terrorists are fanatics, they will not surrender. Clear?"

"Very clear sir."

"Very good. Lights out at twenty-two hundred. Reveille at zero five hundred. Have your detachment at the armory at zero five-thirty. Draw submachine guns instead of rifles. Special ammunition and grenades. Be ready to board shuttles at zero six-ten. Board the Clara Barton at zero-six-thirty. Get the men settled. Breakfast will be aboard the ship. Give the company liberty until twenty- one hundred. Dismissed, gentlemen."

Rick called his platoon leaders together.

"After chow, I plan to go to the Golden Empress. First rounds on me. Who's with me?"

All answered in the affirmative.

Aboard the Belleau Woods, assembly bay 3, 29, September, 2452, 05:45 hours.

The master sergeant stood in front of the two platoons, looked over the assembled Marines and barked out;

"Atten-hut. Dress-right, Dress. Ready Front! Open Ranks, March. He did an about face, saluted and said;

"Sir, the detachment is prepared for inspection." Rick returned the salute. Sergeant, platoon leaders accompany me on the inspection. The four men made a rapid but thorough inspection. Rick commanded; Close Ranks, March! Port Arms! Right Face! Forward, March! Double Time March!

Reaching the docking bay, Rick halted the detachment, and gave the men at ease. Rick then commanded; "With one magazine, lock and load. Safeties on. Listen up. There is zero tolerance for errors on this mission. If we screw up, innocents die." The master sergeant said;

"The Lieutenant's nice about it, I'm not. If any of you fuck up, you better commit your soul to God, because your ass belongs to me!" Two shuttles entered the ducking bay. The outer doors sealed and as soon as there was sufficient air pressure, the inner doors opened as did the shuttles' main hatches. The master sergeant commanded;

"Detachment attention." Rick commanded;

"By file from the right, board shuttles." By zero six-forty the detachment had completed boarding the Clara Barton. Surprised that the security chief was only a Chief Warrant Officer, Rick reported to the ship's captain.

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Boy, am I glad to see you and your men? I'd avoid Captain Sevilla if I were you. But that's not something to worry about. He runs the hospital side; I handle ship side. Go ahead and get your men fed, then take over the security.'

"Aye-Aye, sir."

Kate and Lanie were just finishing their breakfast, when they heard the sound of marching men in the passageway. They looked up as Marines filed into the mess hall. The last two in, were a pair of very tall officers. They made a striking contrast. Rick Castle was a full two meters tall and solidly built, ruggedly handsome, with dark hair, blue eyes and a fair, if tanned complexion. Del Kevan was equally tall, but slender and lithe. He had auburn hair with coppery highlights.

His eyes were a copper-brown and his skin, the color of honey.

"Oh, Lord, Lanie exclaimed. I'm in lust. If I weren't, I'd think I died and went to heaven."

"Which one? Kate asked?"

"Which one? Either, both, it doesn't matter!" She looked at the two men, like she wanted to devour them"

"Come on, Kate said; Let's get out of here before you start acting like something, I have to put a leash on!" Lanie started to walk towards the Marines."

"Not that way, Lanie, I'm not going to let you wiggle past them, use the aft exit."

Lanie grumbled but followed Kate, turning her head, to look over her shoulder at the men. The Centauran noticed and gave her a smile.

As they walked to their duty stations, Kate said;

"Erv, do you know what those Marines are doing here? They all had weapons, even in the mess hall."

"Yes, Kate, I do. Captain Sevilla half won and half lost an argument. The Marines wanted to put a security detachment on board. The Captain didn't want one at all. The Marines wanted to put a full rifle company on board. Admiral Fletcher settled it. That's two platoons, half a company. Well, here's my stop. See you later." He turned and walked into the medical supply office.

"Do you really think we need a security detachment?" Kate asked.

"Who cares, Lanie replied. This is what the Marines call a target rich environment. I'm going hunting after supper!

That day, at lunch Kate, Lanie and Ervin were sitting at a table in the officer's mess. Actually, just a screened off section of the main mess hall. The two officers she'd seen that morning were four tables away. Erv said;

"I've found out a little more about the Marines. Ervin said. Everyone in that group is a drop trooper. The craziest badasses in the corps. Their leader is Lieutenant Castle. They say he's the biggest badass of them all. He got the Fleet Cross on his first mission!"

13:00 hours

Two squads from third platoon relieved the squads from first platoon. One squad at the security station one at the docking bay. They were reinforced by five sailors from ship's security. The other two squads were on roving patrol. Master Sergeant Ralston and Senior Chief Petty Brewster officer were both at the security commander's desk First platoon was in the mess hall. The mess hall stayed open for the Marines who had been on duty during normal meal hours.

Rick walked into the security station by the docking bay. The squad leader rose and started to salute. "Belay that, Sergeant, combat protocol is now in effect." The sergeant dropped his hand. Rick looked around, satisfied that all the men were alert and their personal weapons were in patrol slings, across their chests, their hands on the pistol grips. "Carry on, Sergeant." Rick said.

Aboard the Clara Barton. 01 October, 2452, 18:05 hours

Rick sat at the security commander's desk. It was late afternoon and he was tired. The day had been both tedious and stressful. He was looking forward to some dinner and maybe a drink or two in the Lizard Lounge. Maybe he could get one of the pretty nurses to talk to him. All the doctors outranked him. Just as he stood and turned away from the desk, his com beeped.

"Watchdog Six, this is Watchdog One-Six Over." Del's voice came over the channel."

"This is Six, go One-Six."

Six, I think that we may have a problem. Over"

"Clarify. Over."

"I've been watching a shuttlecraft, of and on for the last hour. It keeps loitering near the docks, without much purpose. It has apparent damage, but it's a transport, not a combat type Hull number SC-1066, over." Rik turned to the sensor operator. "On screen."

As the shuttle appeared on screen, Rick called for a list of hull numbers assigned to the sector. SC-1066 did not appear. Rick carefully scanned the shuttle. Its' IFF was transmitting Tolvar recognition codes, but Rick knew that no Tolvar fleet units were assigned to the area.

In addition, there were pressure patches on the hull. His internal radar was sending out warning signals. Something was definitely amiss."

"Watchdog One-Six, this is Watchdog Six. That recognition number is definitely a fake. Get all personnel out of the docking bay and take up blocking positions at access to passageways one through four. Block the turbo-lifts. I'll join you at lift one. I will challenge the shuttle in one minute. Execute, now! Six out."

Rick then turned to the communications yeoman. "Open hailing frequencies." "Open Sir."

"Shuttle Sierra Charlie One-Zero Six-Six This is a restricted area. Identify yourself and state your business."

"The audio came back but no visual.

"We are a Tolvarian Research team. We suffered a serious onboard accident. We have causalities serious damage to our navigation and communications systems. We request a docking vector and assistance."

"Stand by. Rick turned to the yeoman. Well?"

"Sir, sensors indicate that the video is turned off, not malfunctioning."

"Sierra Charlie One Zero Six-Six, you are denied a docking vector. Stand by to be boarded."

The shuttle headed directly for the docking bay. Rick jammed his hand down on the collision alarm, grabbed his heavy machine pistol and sprinted from the room Rick reached Del's post, just as the shuttle slammed into the docking bay.

Kate, Lanie and Ervin were walking to the mess hall, talking among themselves

"I'll be so glad when we lift ship, Lanie said. I've been in sick bay, all day, acting like a GP. I've prescribed more analgesics and ointments today, than in a normal month."

"Yeah, Erv replied. We received medical supplies tile noon, then spent all afternoon counting and recounting them, three times!"

"I've been luckier than you…" Kate never finished her statement. The collision alarm sounded, then the whole ship shuddered to a sudden impact. Then more alarms began to shrill.

"Intruder alert, intruder alert1! Multiple intruders. Security personnel to decks two and four. All other personnel return to your quarters and secure them! I say again…"

"Let's go, I'll stay with you!" They ran as hard as they could, headed for the ladders. * Lifts would be death traps in a situation like this. When they passed an open maintenance bay, Grenville said;

"Wait a moment. I don't have a sidearm, but maybe I can find something in here." He emerged, moments later, carrying a heavy laser torch.

"It isn't much, as weapons go, but it's better than bare hands." He said. They had barely reached The Doctor's quarters, then bullets ricocheted from the bulkhead.

"Open that door, get inside, close and secure it. I'll hold them, or distract them."

Kate and Lanie got inside. Kate locked the doors and turned on the holo scanner and set it to scan the corridor. Poor Grenville didn't even get ten feet, when a converging stream of bullets cut him down. Kate jammed a fist into her mouth to keep from screaming.

Three Gorrockians, in stolen Fleet uniforms appeared in the corridor. And stopped, looking down at Grenville's body. "Should we force the doors?" One asked.

"We don't have time., the leader said. Our orders are to do as much damage as possible, then get out." Suddenly the lead marauder crumpled to the deck, his chest looking like a colander. His companions turned to aim heavy automatic rifles, but never got a shot off, before they joined their leader.

The shuttle slammed into the docking bay. The main hatc popped open and Gorrockian marauders poured out. They hadn't achieved the surprise they expected and were met with heavy fire from the Marines. Rick's quick action in issuing his orders delaying the shuttle had given the Marines just enough time to rip heavy benches off their stanchions, overturn them and use them or cover. A small group of the marauders knelt in the hatchway of the shuttle, laying down covering fire for their comrades. They didn't last long under the withering fire of the Marines.

Of course, some of the Marines, fell, too. The marauders weren't stupid. They knew that the turbo-lifts would be blocked. While the covering fire lasted, a squad of them raced for the ladders. Firing a long burst at the enemy squad he saw two of the terrorists fall before reaching the ladder door. He surged to his feet.

"First squad, follow me." Rick skidded to a stop at the main entrance to deck four. Several causalities lay on the floor. Four of the ship's medical department and two terrorists. One squad of Del's men were exchanging fire with an unknown number of terrorists they'd pinned down.

"How bad is it, Del?"

"Pretty bad sir, they've killed a doctor, a nurse and two orderlies, so far and damaged an ER."

"I've brought reinforcements. Provide suppressive fire We'll get close enough to enfilade them and take then out." Del snapped- out orders to his men. All of them began pouring fire into the terrorists' position. Rick turned to his men.

"In squad wedge, advance. Thompson, Trevairre, Roland ready grenades, throw grenades, drop! The Marines dropped and covered their helmets with their arms. As soon as he heard the triple boom of the exploding grenades, Rick yelled;

"On your feet, follow me! He vaulted the barricade and put a long burst into the three terrorists' heads. He looked up the corridor and saw a large group of terrorists in pursuit of three Fleet personnel. A man and two women. Rick pumped his fist over his head.

"Come on Marines we've got the rats now."

The terrorist leader caught sight of the pursuing Marines, he split his group, taking the main body down a service corridor while sending three to take out the medical personnel. Del had caught up. Rick spotted the maneuver.

"Sergeant Aguirre, your fire team with me, Lieutenant Kevan go after the main body. Move out!

Rick paused to drop the partially empty magazine, replacing with a fifty-round drum. Then he said, follow me! He surged forward, his men hot on his heels/ As Rick burst into the corridor, he realized that he was in medical staff quarters.

As he watched, a slight boyish looking officer stepped out of quarters, holding a heavy laser torch. He raised the torch and was immediately cut down. In a Rage, Rick emptied his magazine into the terrorist. Aguirre's team got the other two.

Rick knelt by the body of the dead officer. He reached down and gently closed the dead man's eyes.

"Poor little man, you may have had the face of a rabbit, but you had the heart of a lion! You're one of us, now! He stood and went to the quarter's door. He touched the com unit's transmit icon.

"In the quarters, this is Lieutenant Castle, Fleet Marines. Stay in there with the door locked. Even if you hear the all clear, do not open the door until you hear me give the all clear in person." He turned back to his men.

"Let's go men, we've still got some rats to kill." An hour later, Kate and Lanie heard the all clear sounded, but they waited, as instructed. Five minutes later, they heard;

"This is Lieutenant Castle, it's all clear. You can come out now."

Kate opened the door and looked into the weary eyes of Rick Castle. There was a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his left arm. Kate said;

"You're wounded, Lieutenant. You need to report to the ER."

"It's nothing, Doctor, I have men, who need your services more than I do."

"I'm not the only doctor on this ship. I'm Lieutenant Beckett. I outrank you Lieutenant. I'm ordering you to accompany me to the ER. By the amount of blood on that bandage, it's not nothing." Rick growled, but by the amount of pain he was feeling, the doctor was right.

"Give me thirty seconds doctor then I'll go with you."

"All right, thirty seconds, but not one second more." Rick tapped his com.

"Watchdog One-Six, this Watchdog Six. Sitrep. Over."

"We've exterminated all the vermin in our sector. Your situation and and what's your loc? Over?

"All vermin exterminated here. Located four dash six." Del choked off a laugh. The channel was still open, he heard in a clear female voice;

"That's thirty-two seconds, Mister Castle. Come with me, now!"

"Sit on the bed, Mister Castle, Kate commanded. Orderly take the gun and get that armor and web gear off him. Kate removed the bandage and cut the sleeve away. Lanie was with her and gleefully removed Rick's battledress top, eager to get a chance to ogle Rick's chest.

Oh lord, I couldn't even get my hand around that man's bicep. Kate snapped;

"Lanie, quit ogling my patient and go to work!"

Kate examined the wound, gave Rick a hypo-spray of anesthetic and said;

"It's mostly a clean through and through. There a couple of bullet fragments and detritus in the wound channel, but it's easily removed. Kate cleaned out the wound, injected some muscle builders and blood builders. Closed the wound and used a dermal regerator on it.

"Take it easy on that arm for a couple of days and it will heal fine. Oh, and wear a sling!"
Rick forced out a "Thank you Doctor."

"You're Welcome"

Rick got a new shirt from the replicator put it on and asked an orderly to help him with the armor and web gear/ He was about to leave when a hand caught his sleeve. The other hand held a sling.

A frowning Kate said; "Hold still while put this on you." Kate watched Rick walk off. She thought; I may have scolded Lanie for ogling, but I was doing some ogling of my own. But what ever woman that falls for that guy is going to have a rough road. In the shoes of Cassandra.

Around eighteen hundred, all the wounded had been treated and some were resting in the hospital beds, others had been treated and released. Captain Sevilla made a brief address.

"Today we suffered an attack by Gorrockian military personnel. Acting as terrorists, All of the terrorists have been killed, their ship destroyed. The Clara Barton has received some damage, but repair crew will be working around the clock to make repairs and we will lift on schedule. The greater loss, is not the damage to our ship. It is the tragic loss of seven of our colleagues and the loss of four Marines who died, heroically defending us. There will be a funeral service at zero nine-hundred tomorrow. The normal duty schedule will resume."

Kate sat on Lanie's bunk, her arm around the other woman's shoulders.

"Don't take it so hard, Lanie. You had no way of knowing something like this would happen."

Through her sobs, Lanie choked out;

But you were always so nice to Grennie. I was so mean to him, at first and he died to save us. Where did that courage come from, why couldn't I see it in him?"

The Clara Barton's main assembly bay, 02 October,2452, 09:45 hours

The Funeral service was concluding. The chaplain prayed;

Eternal father. Lord of the cosmos, we comment the souls of these, our comrades to thy loving care. Amen.

Seven Marines fired three volleys and a bugler played taps. All other calls were recorded, but this occasion, demanded the true rendition. The caskets were ejected into space and the final tribute was over.

Please review.

Swordwriter

Stairs are known as ladders in naval terminology