MOTOR POOL 15, MARINE CORPS BASE VALTO, DAY 40, YEAR 21,410 - 1120 HOURS
WEEK 13 OF THE PRE-DEPLOYMENT CYCLE
Kat was struggling to turn the wrench. Her only set of light-brown coveralls had stains of various sizes and shapes. This was not what she signed up for.
After their regiment-wide exercise, they were back to the most mundane parts of military life. As if cleaning and maintaining their weapons and gear endlessly isn't enough, now they had vehicles to add to the list.
A majority of the troops had military vehicle licenses, which meant they knew how to maintain their vehicles… barely. Even with the Marines from the regimental logistics battalion teaching and helping out, they still found themselves doing preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) for hours on end every week.
The members of 3rd Platoon were under, on top and inside of the 8 Lynx light vehicles they had just been assigned by the regiment. They were there to maintain the repeater and it's turret, screw loose parts tight and clean all of it to factory shine - the more complicated maintenance such as repulsorlifts, electronics and engine parts would be done by the Vehicular Transport (VT) Marines.
The problem is, the aging vehicle frequently had issues. Calling the VT Marines took hours for them to even come to their motor pool. So they took matters into their own hands.
2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon's LCPL Scowdcie Ka'lutanry was a mechanic's apprentice before he joined the Corps, so he was the de facto supervisor. He moved as smoothly as a Tatooinean viper, going under, over and in the vehicles, checking if everyone was doing it right.
"Hey Scow!" called out Wolverton. "Having fun not doing any work?" "Not this again, Rorry…! My job is more important - it's to make sure we don't spend any more time at this place more than we have to," he shot back with hands on his hips, hazel eyes and black skin shining in the sunlight.
Kat wondered why he didn't join as a mechanic instead - "Should've saved him all the trouble,"
Then she saw Scow peeking down towards her. "Kat? How's the underside?" "Uh… Just screwed some loose parts and pipes, LCPL. I don't dare to touch anything else."
"Get out. I'll see it." Kat slithered out from under the hydraulic lifter as he went under.
"Okay, looks good. Nice job, Kat. Get a swig of water and see anything else that needs doing," and patted her arm. "Thank you, LCPL." "I have a name, Kat. Call me Scow. You're not a fresh boot anymore. Just a boot." He turned towards the next vehicle and walked away.
Kat looked above the stand, and went into the vehicle. It was filled with dust, small wrappers and even emptied magazines. Clearly the previous owner decided to forgo any work and offload the cleaning onto them instead.
She picked out the empty magazines and stored them on a table, then was using a suction cleaner to clean the dust when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"PFC Cathria Merrick, Fox Company, 605th Regiment?" "Yes, CPL." You are needed at the Enforcement and Investigations Command." The Mirialan Corporal eyed her up and down.
"And please change into a clean pair of cammies, PFC."
QUESTIONING ROOM 5, ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMAND BUILDING, MCB VALTO - 1200 HOURS
Kat didn't know what to make of the captain sitting in front of her. Or the room they're in - it was somehow worse than her barracks, which had cracks in the walls and mold on the ceiling. She swore she could smell a faint hint of sweat, tobacco and blood.
"Hello there, PFC Merrick. I'm Captain Karlineviorg from the Investigations Department. I understand that in your last exercise you witnessed a accident of negligence?" "Sir?" "An armored vehicle was disabled from friendly fire, and you were beside it when it happened, correct?"
It came back to her quickly. This is what it's about? She didn't mind being pulled away from the hot, dusty motorpool, but she didn't like where this is going. "Yes, sir. I hope I would have to be dragged to court for this? My outfit wouldn't approve of me gone,"
"No, PFC. I only need you to do this - answer every question I ask as truthfully and clearly as possible. This conversation will be recorded. Don't overcomplicate things, don't be emotional, and don't go off tangents. Understood?" "Aye, Captain,"
"Outstanding, Marine. Let's begin. I'm sure you'll want to go to lunch..."
MOTOR POOL 15 - 1410 HOURS
She could hear the yelling from afar. And she could see the entirety of 3rd Platoon (minus 2LT Cavell, who's nowhere to be seen from the start) standing at parade rest.
As she got closer, she noticed the yelling came from a well-built Iridonian female, pacing in front of the platoon, hands flailing. Kat stopped to parade rest fifty meters behind her as the Iridonian continued her yelling.
"...Where is your platoon lea-duh?! I'll not stand for this! This laxness is what gets Marines killed in combat, tracking? Next time I see any of you, you WILL be in regs or may the Force help me, I will NCP your behinds!"
She made an about face to see Kat at parade rest. It was a Sergeant First Class. Her face still tense, she yelled, "And who just are you, Muh-reen?" "PFC Merrick, sir?" "Why aren't you with your platoon? Playing lazy, aren't we?!"
Kat raised an eyebrow. "Uh, no, Sergeant First Class. I just returned from EIC - they needed my statement for an investigation,"
The SFC mumbled for a while before grunting a, "Carryonmarine," and left. Kat quickly went to her platoon.
"Ah, Kat. You're back...lucky you," LCPL Nowd sarcastically remarked. "What happened? Who was that?" "That was the new regimental SFC. He smoked us out for not wearing helmets and 'slacking off' on work', " "SFC Jal isn't around any more?" "Didn't you hear? She got relieved of duty a couple of days earlier for domestic violence - old lady was torturing her husband!"
"I didn't know that…" Kat felt a chill go down her spine.
"Yeah, looks like the replacement isn't that good of a being either…" " That's ridiculous, isn't our part of the work almost done, anyways?"
"Yeah, but when has something like facts stopped an SNCO from yelling their throat off? I'd suggest you pick up a pail and bring more water. The VT Marines wouldn't be here for another… two hours."
BRIEFING HALL 8, MCB VALTO, DAY 44 - 0812 HOURS
That morning entire 605th Marine Regiment had been packed into one of the base's lecture halls. The paint has slightly faded some of the seats had flakes shaven off and scribbles of all writing types carved into the walls and tables. Marines chattered away amongst themselves, with the occasional laugh or scream breaking out. The stage, like most halls had a podium and a large holoprojector and holotable in the middle of it.
"PFC Kat!" yelled out PFC Hunter Caford. The cheerful light-rocketman had just arrived to the squad with last week's boot drop, replacing the long-suffering LCPL Pioc, who "wanted nothing to do with the Corps after I got out" at his last exercise, and Kat was the only one to not greet him with an icy shoulder - Not going to treat him as an equal, but not hazing him either. Too much on my back. Let Wolverton or Thule do that.
Caford had neat, regulation dark-brown hair and light brown eyes that sparkled, oblivious to the "bullskuggerry" of military life. Kat wondered if he would make it two months without being disillusioned in any way.
He handed her a small piece of candy. "It's from back home. Have one," The candy was sweet, fruity and slightly salty. "This is good. Thanks!" "No problem, Kat… You know what are we here for?"
"I don't know - CSGT Wojhiee said it's about our upcoming mission. Me? I think it's bullskug. He just got transferred here, he doesn't know anything! I think it's just another safety brief. I heard someone from Bravo Company played a fire-game and accidentally set themselves alight. Poor being's in the aid station now…"
"Damn, that's rough… and stupid,"
"...And two people from Gamma Company got arrested by the local police for driving while intoxicated last weekend. And worst of all, someone from the comms battalion fell and broke their feet when they fell downstairs, so we can add an extra hour to the briefing," whined Kat. "I thought long briefings were just a training thing." "That is a highly exaggerated truth, boot. Get used to it,"
He sighed and slumped down in his seat.
"So, Kat, what do you do outside of work?" "Why are you asking me this, Hunter?" "Just curious. I asked all the seniors and all I got was a 'beat it, boot!'. Is it wrong to be curious?" "No, it's not," "So what is it?"
"What do I do? The usual. Reading anything that I can find, and playing the ronat… if I felt like it," "What's a ronat?" quizzed Caford. "It's a traditional Brentaalian drum - you play it with two sticks, or one hand and one stick-"
"Never took you for the creative type, Merrick!" interjected LCPL Thule. "I don't play often anymore - I just picked it up if I wanted to. My old roommate hated the noise, and I wasn't going to fight a Lance Corporal, you know?"
"Looks like you know your place, Merrick. Good job!" sarcastically replied CPL Merd Sel.
She was about to reply, but was interrupted with a gruff but shrill "Attention on deck!"
A lieutenant colonel stepped onto the podium. Huh… It's LTCOL Lu'gve. This must've been important. "At ease. Thank you, Sergeant Major. Good morning, Marines! Let's first start with the small but nonetheless important things, first… We'll be ramping up punishment for not using the prerequisite leave forms. We will be upgrading the consequences from reprimands to non-court punishments."
Small murmurs started to rise amongst the Marines.
"Silence! Next up is workplace safety. I'm sure you've all heard about the blue on blue incident with the tank during the last regimental CAX…
"What happened?" asked Caford. "Our tank shot another tank. I was beside it," replied Kat. Caford gasped.
"...such incidents during the exercise, and we've found that a large proportion is caused due to continuous exhaustion."
Is that the reason? Holy God of Gods… I never knew.
"We understand that Marines are required to operate in a nonoptimal condition, but that does not excuse an unhealthy deprivation of sleep or food and water. I will say this outright : If any of your superiors are ordering you to push on in such conditions, you are allowed to bypass the chain of command and go straight to EIC,"
The murmurs and grumbles grew louder, especially from the front. No doubt the officers are complaining.
"Of course, there's the usual - no drunk driving or flying, no fighting with other servicemembers or the locals and no trashing your equipment for no reason, it comes out of your daggon' pocket, DAMMIT! Anyways, the next and most important thing..." Kat felt an invisible hand slapping her in the face - she suddenly remembered an incident from two weeks ago, where she lost a magazine pouch, and had to pay out of pocket after inventorying. She felt her cheeks flushing.
"...Our outfit will be heading out soon. We can't reveal anything, but all I can tell you is that we'll be ramping up exercises and training. Expect a lot more briefings on all levels from now on. From now on, bring your best selves out forward. You and your fellow Marines shall need it."
"GYSGT Wojhee! Can I talk with you?" asked Kat as they were standing by outside of the hall. "Sure, Marine. Fire away!" "You've been in combat before, right?" "Aye, so I have - on Circapous V. Not the Sith Empire, but got shot at nonetheless..." He continued to mumble to himself before picking back up. "What about it?" "I need some advice, Command Sarn't... I just want to be prepared for this." "Alright. You've still got a lot to learn. Pick up your fellow boots at 0600 hours. Full battle rattle."
THE NEXT DAY, OUTSIDE THE FOX COMPANY BARRACKS - 0627 HOURS
The rest of the base was starting to wake up, but the boots of 3rd Platoon had been waiting in front of the armory for half an hour. GYSGT Wojhee showed up in full armor. Half of the Marine boots were in the light configuration, protecting their vitals with a plate carrier on their torso and helmet on their head. The other half were fully decked in durasteel and plastoid. Kat was part of the latter.
"Good mornin' Marines!" He was greeted with sleep-laced "raar"s and "aye"s. "Some of you wanted to prepare for this deployment, and I'm here to help you with that. Now, let's start with a good ol' motivation run!" Run around this field until I tell you stop!" The gunnery sergeant immediately picked up and dashed ahead of them.
"Come on you snails!"
HILL 200, MCB VALTO, 2 WEEKS LATER, DAY 56 - 1241 HOURS
"OK Marines? Lay your equipment out as ordered! I'll give you all five mullies!" yelled CPT Vlogel as they finished their 15-mile ruck.
The Marines in formation started taking off all their gear - armor, spare clothing, bagpacks, it's contents, weapons, ammunition, comm gear and any assorted gear that differed between each Marine. CPT Vlogel paced around the front as the seconds turned into minutes.
"Stand at attention!" He slowly walked through the ranks of Fox Company, glancing hard for any misarranged or missing gear. The gear list is absolute. It can't be subtracted from, only added on.
There will be no foul-ups tolerated. Foul-ups here meant foul-ups in operations. And that gets Marines wounded or killed.
The tension in the company formation could be cut with a vibroblade. 1LT Fletcher and GYSGT Wojhee followed along behind him.
"PFC Gavenaigrd, why do you have white socks on your equipment layout?" "Those… those were the only socks I have, Captain." "Not an excuse. Drop and give it until I tell you to stop." "Aye CPT."
"LCPL Vhrask, these gloves aren't regulation. Mind explaining yourself?" "These are allowed with the new regulation, sir." "Have you submitted the forms required to bring this particular brand and model out with you?" "No, sir." "Not an excuse. Drop."
"LCPL Ekari, is that a dirty plate carrier I'm seeing?" he said in an icy voice.
He's close now.
"...Yes… Captain…" she trailed off.
"Drop."
Then, the captain finally stopped in front of Kat. As his eyes darted around, she realized - her rifle optic was missing! Her stomach and airway tightened. She couldn't breathe. Her heart pounded out of her chest.
No, it was there before formation, no nonononono- I'm in deep, deep trouble now.
"WHERE is your rifle optic, Private First Class?"
She only managed to squawk out "I...I don't know sir."
"You don't know? Explain yourself!"
"I… I-I… no excuse sir."
Vlogel stared into her eyes, merely inches away.
He lowered his voice into a growl. "You will follow the outlined Marine Corps procedures of reporting and replacing missing gear, and I expect for it to be done before the end of the work week."
He pulled away before screaming, "For now, PUSH, PRIVATE!"
VALTOS CITY, DAY 61 - 1804 HOURS
All Kat wanted to do after that wreck of a week was some time alone. After losing 600 credits to pay for the missing optic, a weekend of binging and drinking was out of the question. She didn't feel like going partying anyways - the 4-day field ops left her physically and mentally spent. Tallus City was busy and full of servicemembers, so she decided to take a slightly further trip west, to Valtos City. It wasn't as much of a military-heavy place, so it was perfect.
She and Xand agreed to sign out for libo together, but in actuality go separately. She just wanted to be alone. Away from the Marines. Away from anyone.
She didn't hate the Marine Corps. She just hated what happens it.
So she spent the entire first morning and afternoon at the motel, lying in bed watching holos and only rising to get cheap instant food from the store.
By the evening, she was bored of the holos, so she decided to take a walk and absorb the nightlife of Valtos City.
At least I'm stationed at a great place.
The city smelled of fresh rain. Speeders zoomed along designated highways. Ships flew on invisible flightways, their engines whining above the hustling city.
She arrived at a lakeside park, and sat on a bench facing the water. The lake was dotted with colorful lights that formed a circle.
She took a deep breath, and looked around - a Twi'lek couple having a picnic near the water's edge, their child poking curiously into the lake. A woman was jogging on the pathways. Kat suspected she wasn't military - Who else would jog here? At this time?
An elderly Ithorian sat on another bench not far from hers. A young child is fishing along the lake with his father looking on. Is that legal? Passersby walked along the parkways, talking amongst themselves.
She suddenly remembered - she hasn't replied to the mail her father sent earlier in the week.
She took out her datapad to type down. It was as a good time as any. She took another deep breath of the fresh air.
Dear father,
Don't forget to thank mother for the homemade cookies she sent (my squadmates enjoyed MOST of it, even if it was a little stale - blame the couriers!). It was nice to have something of home for once.
And please send my condolences to the Leedairs - Mevft is a good person, friend and son. I hope they find peace.
I hope everything is alright back home. I'm glad you and mother are enjoying that trip to the Bria Mountains! I barely remembered the time I was there - 15 standard years ago, I believe?
Everything is getting intense here, which brings me to the most important thing - we're moving out. We don't know when or where, or if it's into combat or not. This is it.
Truthfully, I'm conflicted on military life. I love the challenges, the adventure, the lifestyle and most of my fellow Marines. But with the good, also comes the bureaucracy, the incompetent people, the endless waiting. It is those things that made me question whether I could do this as a career.
But maybe that's because such is garrison life in the military. It's one thing to watch or read about it. It's another to actually experience it.
Maybe our upcoming deployment could change my view and make me realise, "This is what I want.". Maybe it could turn me so disgruntled that I don't care anymore. Maybe nothing will change.
I just hope whatever it is, I won't lose myself in the process.
Do not forget to send all my love towards everyone back home.
Yours truthfully,
Your loving daughter,
Cathria
