Artemis: A Fast Turnaround
Dori
“Major Bamber!” Laurents, the acting assistant chief security officer, hurried into Bamber’s office. “There’s been a last minute change in the marine line up, and a runabout’s coming in in 20 minutes with the replacement. We’re getting a new scientist too, I guess.” He put the PADD down on the desk. “I’ve sent a copy of the orders over to the rest of the marines too.”
“Oh?” Harry said, picking up the PADD. “How… unusual. Do we know why?”
Death in the family. They notified him and he turned in his resignation, real sudden like. From this report, they’re not hurrying to bring us our replacement, but to bring the scientist lady before we pick up Dr. Jarok, and I guess they had a replacement marine on hand, so they’re sending her too.”
“Well then… they check out, let’s make her welcome. Let Aiden know about the change,” Harry said.
“I have sir.” Laurents told him. “I expect he’ll be waiting in the shuttle bay.”
“Well then - best welcoming foot forward,” Harry said. “Shall we?” he asked, rising.
“Go ahead, sir. I’ve got work to do.” Laurents replied.
*** Shuttle Bay 1 ***
Aiden was waiting in the landing bay. He turned to acknowledge Harry as the Major stepped in. “Major,” he said, nodding his head once. “Damned short notice they’ve given us, but I’ve arranged quarters for her. She’ll be with Wright. Ah -” he cut off as a runabout signaled entry, and they all waited for the decompression, landing, and recompression sequence before entering and waiting for the new marine to make an appearance. Aiden noticed Mari and her second entering the shuttlebay as well, and made a mental note to ask her later what the scientist was like.
“Good job Ai-” Harry began and then blinked as the doors opened.
The shuttle door opened onto a rather troubling scene as it revealed itself to the spectators. Flanked by two rather well built starfleet security officers stood a single figure dressed in civilian attire, her hands bound together by a pair of shackles. She glanced forward then to her two escorts before letting out a little laugh.
“Is this where I once again ask...are we there yet?” she grinned maniacally at the pair as they just sighed and shook their heads. One glanced down at her and shoved her hard down the ramp as the second proceeded to toss her duffel to the base of the shuttle ramp. She glared back at them before hefting her bag and walking away from the shuttle. One of the security officers gave a sorrowful wave as the ramp closed.
“Good luck with that one….” he called out “Now she is your problem!” his partner laughed as the ramp finished closing. The young woman dropped her bag in order to shoot the pair an old human hand gesture that was once used on the great James T Kirk and Spock on a mission of mercy. After running a hand through her purple hair she turned around, gave a half smile and shrugged at the pair.
“Hello” she offered then snapped to attention and gave a awkward salute “Sargent Jennifer Byrd reporting”
Aiden glanced at Harry. “At ease, marine.” he said, then moved forward. “Why are you wearing these?” he asked, removing the cuffs.
She gave a sheepish grin “Lets just say I had a...run in with a bar...that led to a little misunderstanding..” she rubbed her wrists as the cuffs were removed.
Aiden rolled his eyes. “Not even Kyr came back to the ship in cuffs. Someone’s on a power trip.” he scowled. “Here, you’re a marine. You’re one of us, as long as you’ll fight with us and defend your fellow marines, and any ‘fleeters who you happen to be with. Agreed?”
She nodded unsure how else to respond to this situation. The fight hadn’t been her fault...she had reacted, poorly maybe but she had gone within the rules and regs for defense. Besides the XO of the USS Pathos looked better with a few less teeth in her opinion. “I understand, I won’t cause trouble or start brawls.” She knew that she was running out of good will when it came to what she could and could not get away with.
He smiled at her. “I’m sure you won’t, or you wouldn’t be here. Grab your kit, and I’ll show your your bunk. Unfortunately, your paperwork was misplaced, and only got her about a half hour ago, so the Major and I - oh, sorry, I’m Gunny Aiden Wright, I handle most of the day to day - know next to nothing about you. Want to give me the highlights?”
“Well my parents died or were assimilated when I was in single digits” she started “Ran with a gang of thieves called the Kabal, earned three slashes before my sister finally showed up in my life again and was forced to choose Starfleet the Marines or Rehab Colony Trustee….went Marines” she offered outright. She reached out with her empathic gifts and noted what could either be surprise, annoyance or maybe disapproval...she had felt them all before and they kind of blended together. “That is too far from the mark?” she asked once again as she reached into her pocket, fumbling around for her vapor inhaler.
“I’m surprised there’s a gang of criminals running around on Earth.” Aiden said slowly. “And that you need to use an inhaler. I bet our chief medical officer could cure whatever issue you’ve got.” he paused. “Where is your sister now?”
“How should I know, I mean we hitch a ride here together and she ditches me to play with ancient pieces of tech…” she sighed. “What can I say she is the perfect one I am the screw up.” she muttered
“We all follow our own path.” Aiden replied as he finished the walk up to Harry. “Major Bamber, this is Sergeant Jennifer Byrd. She was just telling me that her sister is our new scientist, and that she also used to run with a gang and the judge gave her a choice between the marines and a rehab colony.”
“Good show,” Harry said, sticking out his hand. “First stop sickbay, I used to work for a living before they made me a Major, Gunny Wright here has my fullest confidence and will be your first port of call. I am also engaged to the other parolee currently serving aboard this ship, so we don’t like to let people’s pasts define them. My door is always open to you, and I expect you to take up the numerous offers and availability of help. We are one big, happy, dysfunctional family,” he grinned at her. His feelings towards her were genuine.
Jennifer felt the honesty in his words as they flowed towards her. “Thanks, and if it’s alright I usually go by Jenny...or my boot camp moniker” she stripped of her old jacket revealing the tattoo on her right bicep.
The predatory black bird stood perched upon a Federation flagpole, three ragged slashes torn across a rather well illustrated federation flag. The word “Jailbird” written both in basic and Andorian above the birds head. If anyone was to look at the slashes they could just make out scar tissue colored over by the ink.
Harry snorted in amusement. “Descriptive,” he said. “But as long as you avoid strangling the counsellor on your first day, hopefully you won’t be breaking the record for fastest time sent to the brig after arrival aboard. -” He picked up her bag with ease and he and Aiden fell into step beside her, beginning to motor her towards sickbay. “You’ll meet the rest once you’re settled in, they’ll keep, rabble that they are,” he said.
She nodded tying the jacket around her waist then glancing around “So when I left my last assignment they kept my uniform...pricks” Jennifer commented “I am assuming I will be getting a new one here, or will I have to replicate a fresh one on my own time” She glanced around the ship smiling “THis will be my third unit I’ve been assigned to since Operation Stovokor...ever fight Klingons?” she asked
“Since before you were born kid,” Harry snorted. “A few of us old geezers even served in the Dominion War so we’ve been around the houses a time or two.”
“We’ll sort you out a new uniform. Don’t worry.” Aiden added.
“Thanks” Jenny responded “I didn’t want to have to steal one...again” she laughed “I’m kidding never had to do that...yet, though I did get to sell someone there uniform back once, when he and his bunkmate had well bet too much” she smiled at that memory “They tried to protest but the company sargent told them that never bet something you will miss in poker”
“Their company sergeant is wise. We don’t usually bet anything except chore rounds.” Aiden said. “Or at least, I don’t. Some of the younger men are rasher. If I can get them to do my extra work, I will.”
Harry briefly thought of all the rounds of strip poker he’d played with Kyr, Reyu, Tamaris… he blinked and refocused.
“Mmm, yes wise. Eats into replicator credits otherwise… Anyway, I shall leave you in the very capable hands of Gunny Wright - I’ve got to go do some more officering,” he said and pulled a face. “Look forward to working with you Jenny.”
“I’ll see you later, Major.” Aiden said, hooking the bag from his boss. “Jenny, I’ll take you to sickbay, and then leave you there and get you a uniform. Once the doc has looked you over, the computer can show you where you bunk out.”
“I understand and…” she suddenly felt a presence nearby. Glancing over she spotted her sister just entering a turbolift. The pair locked eyes for a millisecond, but that was enough time for her to get the message.
<After your settled, my Quarters, we have to catch up> she blinked her eyes then shook her head. As she opened them back up the turbolift had closed and she was gone. She rubbed her forehead before looking back to the Gunny.
“Sorry as I was saying, I understand protocol, just hope the doctor don’t use needles” she joked.
“We’ve got a really great doctor. She’s kind and an excellent practitioner of medicine. You’ll be in good hands.” he said, grinning to show he understood the joke. “You ok?”
She didn’t realize she was still rubbing her head until he had asked her. “I’m ok, sorry….just felt someone walking on my shadow” she said moving her hand to her side “Umm am I restricted from any areas on the ship for now due to my….probation?” she asked “I just want to make sure that I don’t make security’s job too easy” she gave a small smile.
“No. Once they send you here, they can’t restrict you. That would be your commanding officer and your probation officer’s job to decide, and since we haven’t read your paperwork yet, and your CO didn’t say anything, you’re free to go anywhere except the Intel office, which is off limits to everyone but Intel officers. It’s locked to their biosignatures, the only place in the ship that has a lock like that. Here’s our turbolift.” he gestured for her to board.
“Wow...I can get used to that...my last posting on the Retribution....” she shook her head “She was a good ship but because we had some well...questionable people onboard giving assignments for spec ops most Marines were isolated to stay in the armory deck.” she grimaced at that “Couldn’t take the turbolifts anywhere without escort...not that we needed to” She realized she was rambling so cut it short “It will be nice to get to walk around a real ship again.”
He smiled. “Here, we are valued members of the team. We form a backup to the security staff. Our officers fly the Valkyrie fighters that help make advanced tactics possible in difficult ship to ship fights. We have our own quarters, but we associate freely with the rest of the crew - I’m dating the head of science. I suppose there are areas that officers like to keep to themselves, but we have our own places too.” The turbolift stopped and the doors opened. “Here you are.”
“Hooray..going to a person on the ship who can order around everyone...including a captain” she let out a little chuckle “Ok lets get this over with...thanks gunny” she stated.
End