Arrival
Posted on 2024, Fri Aug 30th, @ 2:05pm by Admiral Christopher Townsend & Commander Paul Sleeford
1,948 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Revenge Of Group Omega
Location: SB113 - Task Force Flag Officer Office's - Office 1 - Admiral Chris Townsend
Timeline: 2 Hours Before Grand Opening Of Star Base 113
Tags: Commander Paul Sleeford, First Joint-Post, Admiral Chris Townsend, Meet and Greet
Sleeford stepped through the hatch and walked along the short corridor to the docking ring of SB113. exiting he stepped to one side to allow the ensigns and others to rush out, he could feel their excitement coming off in waves. A feeling he recalled well. the joining of a new ship or even your first ship.
Walking round in a counterclockwise direction, Sleeford slung the small duffle bag over his left shoulder, looking through the windows he saw a myriad of ships, large and small docked or just floating in docking formation. Approaching the large display column. Running his finger down the list of ships he found the one he was looking for Halo.
Approaching the docking port he was slightly surprised to see no security visible. As he entered he understood why, they were inside the port unseen but ready to protect the ship and crew. Waiting for one to approach Sleeford held the PADD with his orders in his right hand. As the Ensign stopped in front of him Sleeford handed over the PADD and waited. Without looking he knew the other guard was watching his every move. As the PADD was handed back the Ensign stood straighter.
"Welcome aboard sir. The Admiral should be on the bridge. I'll have your gear taken to your quarters. If you'd like to leave the bag here, I'll get it sent as well."
Nodding once Sleeford entered his new home. Finding the nearest turbo lift, he entered and stood near the back wall, as the car rode up to deck one, Sleeford pulled his tunic straight and waited for the doors to open he paused for a couple of seconds. Walking out he approached the ready room door, pressing the chime he waited.
"Enter" Townsend walked over to the coffee machine and started to get a cup of coffee.
Entering the room Sleeford stopped in front of the desk.
"Commander Paul Sleeford reporting for duty Admiral "
"Welcome, Coffee?" Townsend then walked over to the desk.
Sleeford relaxed slightly, "Thank you, sir, White no sugar"
While he waited for the replicator to produce his coffee Sleeford took a silent deep breath and waited for the admiral to read his transfer orders.
Townsend made the Coffee with white, No sugar, and handed it to Him. "You have quite a start in Starfleet, Won't you say" Townsend said, Referring to Sleefords past
Smiling slightly Sleeford nodded, "It's been an interesting career, not the usual path of progression that most academy cadets go through. But then under different circumstances, I'd be speaking to a General"
Townsend smiled. "Agreed, Also, Question, Would you mind doing random training for our new marines?"
Laughing Sleeford took a sip of the coffee, "Yes sir. The look on their faces when a "Fleeter" walks into the barracks and rips them one. will be priceless. I remember boot camp well, never fondly, but well. When would you like me to start."
Subconsciously Sleeford began to rub his left hip, in the years since his accident, he'd found the less he thought about the fall and the disappointment of his discharge, the less he hurt, but sometimes, the pain, just crept in, like a tiny needle twitching under his flesh.
"Agreed, And Now the part I want to know...What's your favorite holodeck game? Or Mission?" Townsend asked. Kinda hoping he would throw him off.
Sleeford stared at the admiral and shrugged, "To be honest Admiral, I use the Holodeck for security training, anti-boarding drills, weapons training. If pushed, I have a program that replicates the farm where I grew up, even got the pigs smelling right"
"Okay, Meet me in the Holodeck in 10" Townsend then stood and rose. But right before he walked out he turned to Sleeford. "And Be ready for a Fun Time"
Raising his eyebrows Sleeford followed the Admiral, this was the strangest interview he had with a commanding officer.
Stopping in front of Holodeck Sleeford waited for the doors to open, and entering he stopped.
The Doors opened to reveal the yellow grid lines with Townsend in the middle. "Welcome Commander"
Stepping further into the holodeck Sleeford looked to where the admiral stood, puzzled and more than a little confused, looking around the yellow grid seemed a lot more intimidating and a little scary, shaking his head slightly, Sleeford chastised himself for being stupid, as a seasoned security officer this shouldn't worry him.
"Admiral"
"Paul, for the time being, call me Chris," he said, before turning to the computer. "Computer, activate Unit Townsend-2-Omega 3." The holographic grid beeped and then transformed into a Star Fleet office located back on Earth. On the table, there were two vests, one rifle, and two phasers. Townsend then proceeded to put on the vests and gear up, placing one phaser in the vest holster and the other on his right thigh.
Nodding Sleeford kept his own counsel, calling an admiral by his given name was usually a recipe for a quick exit to a new ship and a sidewards promotion. As the holo program started Sleeford smiled as the weapons and combat vests appeared, seeing the admiral take both phasers, he picked up the rifle, loosening the sling, Sleeford slipped his arm through, wrapping it around his forearm, slapping his hand against the forestock he slipped the butt into his right shoulder, the rifle held naturally at the alert.
"Okay, Admir......Chris, what's the score?"
"Score? There is none, We are to fight our way to the CINC office on the other side of campus" The Computer beeped signaling it was ready to start.
"You ready?"
Sleeford walked to the window as the computer signaled ready, looking through the glass, the are in front of the building they were in was facing an open square, the distance seemed from this height to be 800 yards, mostly open ground with scant cover. On the left were some buildings with windows facing the square, ideal for snipers, Turning back to Chris he spoke.
"Okay a simple two-man squad Fire and manoeuvre, max 15 pace bounding, drop, roll, cover. Alternating left and right. You take the right, I'll take the left. When we hit 200 out, run in, screaming like a banshee. What opposition are we likely to face?"
"Alright, We will be expecting Gorn, unknown amount, The Computer changes it every day, Last time I had to bring in Holo Characters, Cause it brought 100 last time"
Sleeford nodded, any Gorn attacker mass would be difficult, large numbers would be impossible.
"Okay. Same SOP's. F&M, go in hard and fast, take as many as possible. Ready"
"Alright let's move" Townsend replied.
Leaving the room, Sleeford brought the butt of the rifle into his shoulder and swept the corridor outside the room, pointing to the righthand side, he hugged the left-hand side slowly moving to the stairwell, watching the open and broken doors, some hanging off the hinges like a band of mad, drunk marines had been through the building. Holding up his right hand to stop Chris, Sleeford slowly headed down the stairs to the first landing, peering over the edge, down into the stairwell three floors below. Nodding it was clear he proceeded to slowly walk down to the next landing.
The sounds of breaking furniture and glass, brought Sleeford to a stop, the rifle up and ready, finger on the trigger, right eye pressed to the sight, with slow deliberate movements, he raised the power levels to be three if it was a Gorn, then it would drop it cold, anything else, well that was a worry for later.
Townsend checked his side, Clear. He made the signal all clear on the right.
Seeing the signal from Chris, Sleeford nodded once, pushing the door hard with his left foot, he waited for the blast of Gorn phaser fire, when nothing happened, he slowly stepped into the doorway, using his left hand to slam the door back against the wall, anyone or anything behind it was now winded and in pain, placing his left hand back on the fore stock of the rifle, Sleeford stepped into the room sweeping left and right, seeing the tail end of a large cat leap through the window, the broken shards of a vase on the floor. Suppressing a smile he backed out of the room and after signaling it was clear to Chris, continued on his way to the main door of the building.
Stepping out and to the left, Sleeford ran forward fifteen paces and dropped to the ground, holding the rifle tight to his chest, he rolled right twice, once on his stomach again the rifle was up in the aim waiting for Chris to pass him on his phase of the move across the open ground.
Chris moved past him fast and took up a cover spot allowing Paul to move ahead as well, So far no signs of anyone, a bad sign.
Watching as Chris passed him Sleeford scanned the front and frowned slightly, the fact they'd crossed half the compound un-molested gave him the hobby jobbies, the Gorn should have done something by now. Raising to his feet he took his dash and reached the edge of the grassed area, resting his elbows on the gravel pathway he waited for Chris to reach the wall of the building.
Chris made it quickly across the courtyard and stopped. "Somethings not right"
Glancing up at Chris. Sleeford frowned, "True, we should be arsed deep in Gorn, but nothing. Nothing else for it crack on"
Raising to his feet Sleeford edged to the corner, dropping to one knee he slowly peered around the grey brickwork, the sight made him take in a sharp breath. Two men tied by their wrists to a large crossbeam their toes just scraping the ground. Tied to a post, her top ripped away, a middle-aged woman was being whipped by a large burly Gorn, her screams silent, her back a mass of bleeding wounds. Moving back he placed his head next to Chris's.
"They tortured one of the female staff, tied them to a post, and whipped them. Two men hanging. The rest are unseen"
"Light him up" Chris replied as he stepped out and took shots at the Gorn.
Stepping out Sleeford fired at the Gorn, watching as the shoots went home, half walking, half running towards the post Sleeford took aim and fired at the two Gorn that had emerged from the building, reaching the post, glancing at the now silent woman, Sleeford waited for Chris to catch up.
Chris quickly caught up. Then the program stopped. The Computer spoke. "Hologram Maintenace required" Chris sighed. "Damn, Well, Sleeford, Follow me" Chris then walked out of the Holodeck.
Lowering his rifle, Sleeford paused, looking around at the large black room, the yellow grid glowing slightly, and the doorway opened out into the corridor beyond. Sighing he slipped the rifle onto his shoulder and followed Townsend out of the holodeck.
"Good job, while it lasted Paul" Townsend turned to look to him once out in the corridor.
Sleeford looked at the retreating back of the Admiral. His mind going at a hundred miles a hour. " What the hell just happened? One minute we're ass deep in Gorn, then nothing"
"It's routine maintenance, More like random, Even my command codes won't work, Damn Engineers!" He said with a laugh.
Sleeford laughed, "Oh well it was fun while it lasted. So what now. ?"
"Let's get a drink" Townsend replied. "I know a place"
Sleeford laughed, "Last time i heard that I lost a week. "
Townsend laughed as they walked out.
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