A Company

Posted on Wed Oct 22nd, 2025 @ 12:21pm by 1st Lieutenant Gus Viat & Rear Admiral Rebecca Talon

1,258 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 9: When the Stars Went Silent
Location: USS Denver - Admiral Talon's Office
Timeline: July 5, 2375 ~ 2 months after the Battle of Vulcan

Rebecca set the PADD she had been reading down on the desk with a sharp clatter and rose to greet the man standing in her doorway. Sol shone through the vast transparent aluminum, catching the angles of his Vulcan features and glinting off the silver bar on his Marine green collar.

“Lieutenant,” she said with a tired but genuine smile. “Come in. Can I get you anything?”

"Yes, please, Admiral. Red leaf tea and Vulcan spiced tea in one large mug. I did manage to secure this from our Rihannsu friends in trade for a few bottles of decent single malt." He produced a nice bottle of Romulan Wine. " I was assured this was in a nice vintage and quite drinkable. I have the other bottle."

"It seems we will be working with the crew of the Xoval a little longer," Rebecca said. "Commander Tomarah is in exile from her people and has chosen to join us on our mission to seed a new Federation."

"The Xoval, her crew, and the Commander in particular have been needed. Honor still means something to a few, at least." Gus offered.

"There's still plenty of honor to go around," Rebecca said as she walked to the replicator. "It's been luck and strategy that's been in short supply."

Entering commands into the device, she ordered Gus' desired drinks, brought them back to the desk, and set them before the Marine, choosing to remain standing. Her soul itched for the center seat of her ship. No, it wasn't her ship anymore. It was Riandri's. Biting her lower lip, she picked up her coffee and turned to stare out the window behind her. Space was beautiful as ever, but out there lay the Dominion, lying in wait for a final strike.

"A new Federation. No disrespect intended, but how the hell did we get here, Admiral...I wasn't directing that at you, but the overall situation." Gus got up, picked up his drink, and sipped at it, the warmth spreading as he swallowed the hot tea mixture.

Rebecca let out a long sigh and turned to Gus, shaking her head with a grim smirk. "We got our asses kicked far too many times, that's how."

A bitter pill to swallow. Gus sighed heavily. "Well, to hell with that." He said softly as he sipped his hot tea. The air between was still. They both knew the score. Gus broke the silence first, "Tomarah offered me a spot on her crew. I haven't told anyone else yet." Gus offered.

"I am still understanding that woman, but I think I like her," Rebecca said.

Gus nodded in agreement. "She is remarkable." He leaned back a bit in the chair. "Was there a reason you wanted to see me, Admiral?" Gus asked the obvious question.

“We are expanding your role. We’ll be heading into unknown territory, with more unknowns than any starship commander likes to face. To that end, the Marine detachment will be increased to a full three-platoon, 120-Marine company. You’ll officially command Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 238th Marine Regiment, 8th Marine Division. Of course, once we’re underway, titles matter less than performance. You’ll be semi-autonomous from ship operations, but ultimately you answer to Captain Nalim or myself.”

“Very good, Admiral. With respect, though, that deserves at least one promotion.” He gestured pointedly. “A company that size should be commanded by at least a Captain, not a First Lieutenant. Plus freedom to outfit my people properly. No kid gloves—within reason, of course.” His face twisted briefly, then smoothed back to neutral.

“Get me a wish list and I’ll push it through. As for the promotion, Colonel Davis of the 238th already had someone else in mind. I told him to kick rocks.” She grinned and gave him a wink. “Perks of having rank on my collar, so to speak. Nobody has your tactical experience, and nobody knows this ship or your Marines like you do. Why would I risk bringing in some anomaly now?”

Rebecca picked up a small black box, slid it across the desk toward him, and nodded.

Gus opened the box, seeing the set of gold oak leaves. "Thank you Admiral. I was beginning to feel underappreciated. " Left unsaid was that he more than likely got the promotion as much on merit as the fact that so many personnel slots were now vacant of friends and comrades. "A list of any recommendations will be forthcoming." He added.

"Having the manpower is one thing... do we have a direction yet?" Major Viat asked Rebecca.

"Once we get the colonists situated on the five transport ships, we'll head for the Klingon Border and then make a beeline for the Delta Quadrant. The initial plan was to skirt the Romulan Neutral Zone and navigate through the Typhon Expanse, but given recent events, the longer route was decided to be the safer option."

"Aye, Admiral. Though Cargo ships, how fast is the slowest one, since that is how fast we can go?" The Major asked. "That may also dictate other precautions or pivoting."

Rebecca laughed. "We ain't getting there fast. We'll probably average warp 6-6.5 for the most part, but we have a lifetime. The people we leave on Earth..." She shrugged, a dark expression crossed her face, and she let out a heavy sigh, "They might have significantly shorter lives than us. Starfleet Intelligence believes that the Dominion's standard practice is to wipe out the homeworlds of planets that were central to the resistance of their authority. I think Earth fits that criterion."

Gus having lost so many other Vulcans, was initially speechless "Scorched Earth, Admiral. If we can't have it, wait until there are as many of the enemy as possible, then crash a starship into the planet at warp speed." He wasn't kidding.

"Maybe," she said gravely, "but hopefully we won't be there to see it. Mister... Gus." she looked away, swallowed and turned to the window an leaned on frame with Earth peacefully rotating below. "We are literally an ark for the Federation. We are the last hope of some very selfless people who wish to make sure our ideals survive. I don't like it. I don't want to run away, survive when so many will not." She shot him a harsh expression, "I would rather die, but this is the most important job I have ever done. Dying is easy. Living and moving on... that's the hard part."

Gus stared at her for several seconds, processing her words and emotion. "Sometimes, I really hate it when you're right." He said, flashing a rare smile."Fine. " his face changing back to passivity. "I'll will have a plan on your desk soon, but I will need a rapid reaction force within fleet. With the extra personnel. I don't see that being a problem. Though training for any civilians that might like to be in reserve....a fleet of partisans is a bit more dangerous. We need the hard edge more than ever now." The Vulcan Major commented.

Rebecca nodded, "It will be martial law our here in the black. When we establish our colony that's a different story. By the way, you should report to Captain Nalim. She might need help at tactical with Commander Blake being assigned to Saratoga."

"Very good, Admiral. I will tend that. If there is nothing else...." The Major got up recycling his now empty tea.

"No Major, you are dismissed."

Gus thanked the Admiral, and walked out, returning to his duties.

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