JP: Major Parker & Flt. Captain Kells: Honor before glory, part 1
Tony Colella
(( Marine Gym- Duronis II Embassy ))
It was one of the most brutal workout sessions Hannibal had put himself through in a long time. That mornings’ PT with his Marines at the Embassy for the last time was bittersweet, tinged with nostalgia. He had commanded a unit with a combat record unequalled since the end of the Dominion War, and now, it was all over. He had commanded the USS Thunder-A in combat, defeating three Deridex Class warbirds during the Red Star incident recently, and doing the same to a Galor Class Cardassian cruiser a couple years previous. In space or on the ground, Hannibal was the consummate warrior, defeating the enemy at every turn. Now, with the stroke of a stylus by someone with way more stroke than he had, it was all over…
Shirtless, the sweat glistening on his massive, chiseled frame, Hannibal was easily throwing six hundred pounds on the bench press, and he was now on his fourth set of eight reps. Next was several sets of pullups. Only then would he begin his day of both planning the ceremony and moving what was needed to the USS Thor…
Now standing before the pull up bar, Hannibal jumped up and grabbed it, his huge arms spread wide, pulling himself up, first chinning the bar, then pulling up the bar behind his head. Twenty reps later, he heard a voice behind him, a voice he did not instantly recognize but he had a very good idea as to who it was...Fleet Captain Aron Kells…
Kells: Major Parker? Hannibal Parker?
Without stopping, Hannibal spoke…
Parker: Captain…
Kells: Kells, yes. I understand that you wanted to see me?
Parker: So...you are the man responsible for my dishonor, wrecking my command of the Thunder-A and my garrison of Marines…
Aron blinked once, and then again. He couldn’t tell from the tone of Parker’s voice exactly how the marine CO meant him to take this accusation. The words themselves were inflammatory enough, but Aron decided to err on the side of misunderstanding. Maybe this was how Parker talked to everyone. Or maybe Admiral Turner had encouraged this sort of openness in her dialogues.
Kells: I beg your pardon? Your dishonor?
Parker: What else could it be? I have done nothing to deserve such treatment, and if you did your homework Captain, you would know that to be true.
Hannibal was a highly decorated Marine, and he had saved his crew more than once, the Laudean government, and the entire planet in concert with the crews of the Embassy. It was not the way a man who had done so much should be treated. Kells spoke…
Kells: What, er, treatment are you referring to, Major?
Dropping down from the chin up bar, Hannibal turned to face his new CO. He was shorter than he was, but nowhere near the massive size of the agitated Marine commander. Kells had a full view of the Klingon tattoo Hannibal sported across his chest, a symbol from the Klingons of his combat prowess. Hannibal spoke…
Parker: If it was not dishonor, Captain, then exactly what the hell was it?
Well, now Aron had no doubt about Parker’s intentions. He frowned, and his voice sharpened.
Kells: I’m your commanding officer, Major, and a fleet captain in the Federation. You at least owe me an explanation for your complaint here.
Hannibal listened to the mans’ words, but to him, they were ringing hollow, because he wasn’t saying anything that Hannibal wanted to hear. At least, the man stood at point blank range…
Parker: Certainly your memory could not be that short, Fleet Captain, or do you choose to stab others in the back then run and hide behind your pips...
Aron’s face froze. He’d had enough.
Kells: (barking) At attention, Major!
It had been a long time since Hannibal had heard those words directed at him, but his response, despite his anger, was almost Pavlovian. His body rigid straight, thumbs lined down an imaginary seam, eyes forward, locked on the far bulkhead. Just as instantly, and almost involuntarily, Hannibal boomed out...
Parker: YES SIR!
TBC!
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Fleet Captain Aron Kells
Commanding Officer
USS Thor
V238208LV0
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SB118 Captains Council Magistrate (so ask me anything!)