Salute!

Posted on Sat Jun 30th, 2012 @ 7:18pm by Lieutenant Cedric Shepherd & Lieutenant JG Marcus Augusta PHD
Edited on on Sat Jun 30th, 2012 @ 7:19pm

922 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Location: USS Ranger, Deck 9, Security Office
Timeline: During the crew swap from Pelican

The doors to the Security Office hissed open in the usual way, revealing a large dark-skinned man behind the desk, who looked up from his PADD and rose.

"Lieutenant Augusta, I presume," he said, extending a hand to shake.

Marc saluted shortly before offering his gloved left hand to the man before him. He had only just arrived on board following his transfer from the USS Pelican with Tiberius. His main priority from the moment he had set foot aboard the ship was to acquaint himself with his superior officer.

"Indeed sir, Lieutenant Marcus Augusta, reporting for duty."

"No need to salute," said Shepherd affably. "There are no marines on board Ranger. No sense confusing the protocols." He did not release Marcus' hand immediately, instead turning the back of the gloved hand up and looking at it quizzically even as he spoke.

"You're not Emarryn, are you?" he asked. "Touch telepath?"

Marc had always been a stickler for protocol but had never quite been able to shrink the old marine habits. Slowly drawing his hand away Marc dutifully responded to the question posed.

"No sir, It's merely a personal preference." Rather hesitantly Marc added to the comment, "I can change out of them if you would prefer?"

"As long as you can work with biometrics, I'll leave it to you," replied Shepherd. "Please," he indicated the chair before the desk, and keyed the console on his desk as he resumed his seat behind it.

"Computer, please page Lieutenant Fletcher and Master Chief S'teis to this office," he said, settling back in his chair as the computer chirped its understanding of the command.

"When other crew are around, we'll keep things professional, but when we're alone I've got no issues with you calling me Cedric. Do you prefer Marcus or Marc?" asked Shepherd.

"I understand, Marc will suffice." Marc replied as he took the offered seat. Having made himself comfortable Marc posed a question, "Are there any changes to standard procedure you have initiated? I know that lots of security chiefs prefer to deviate slightly from established protocol depending on the individual circumstances they find themselves in?"

Shepherd nodded. "There are two points there I want people to remember. First, this is a science ship. We're well armed, but we're not big enough for protracted fighting. For us in security, that means it's our job to look for ways to either defuse potential fights quickly, or end them quickly."

"Second," he continued, "we have to work with the rest of the crew. It's our primary job to keep them safe, but the size of the crew means we have to be more than bodyguards--we actually assist scientifically where we can. So brush up your tricorder certification," he finished with a smile.

Marc's face remained straight and unreadable. He was amused by the comment and it was not out of irritation or any kind of unhappiness that Marc didn't respond, he simply had the sense of humour more akin to a Vulcan than a Human.

"I understand, my background in archaeology may be of greater use than I anticipated. I-"

Marc's sentence was interrupted by a chime from the chief's office door:

"Come in!" called Shepherd. The door slid open to reveal two figures. The first was ramrod straight and carried himself with an air of authority that belied his obvious youth. The other was lionine and loped smoothly on digitigrade legs with an air of predatory competence.

"Lieutenant Marcus Augusta," said Shepherd, indicating the entering officers in turn, "I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Edmond Fletcher and Master Chief S'teis. Mister Fletcher is my other assistant department head."

"A pleasure, Mister Augusta," said the younger man in a crisp British accent, extending a hand.

Marc took the hand politely. He frequently had to endure situations where his rank did not reflect his experience but in Marc's cynical opinion this young man had the same problem for the exact opposite reason.

"And Chief S'teis is our master-at-arms and of course the head of our enlisted roster," Shepherd said, finishing the introductions. S'teis bowed his head slightly and pronounced a respectful, "sir," as the extent of his greeting.

The understated acknowledgement that Marc received from the chief was much more to his liking, Marc respectfully returned the nod before asking a quick question directed at both men but not specific to either.
"Anything to report?"

"All's well at the moment," said Fletcher. S'teis nodded agreement.

Marc nodded his approval. It was good to know that he hadn't walked into any outstanding issues.

"Mister Fletcher can show you to your quarters," offered Shepherd. "We'll get started on the real official stuff tomorrow. For now, get settled and welcome aboard."

Marc nodded his approval. "I would be grateful. Thank you Lieutenant."
Marc moved to salute once more but stopped himself at the last moment instead once again offering his hand to the chief shortly before turning on his heels and moving toward the exit.

As Fletcher accompanied Augusta from the office, Shepherd turned to S'teis.

"Your thoughts?" asked Shepherd as the door slid shut behind the two junior lieutenants.

S'teis shrugged. "He's old for a jig. Was he a marine?"

"He was."

"That explains the twitch. I thought he might try and salute."

"He did at first," Shepherd smiled and picked up the PADD containing Augusta's service jacket. "He's got a decade of marine experience, and then an advanced degree in Archaeology. Sounds like the right mix for Ranger."

S'teis nodded. "Time will tell, sir."

 

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