Who Gets the Honour?

Posted on Fri Aug 23rd, 2013 @ 11:57pm by Gabriel Grey & Lieutenant Walter Roebuck & 1st Lieutenant Jessica Croft

1,996 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - Whispers in the Clouds
Location: Deck 1 - Conference Room
Timeline: Day 2 - 0945

Jessica tapped her combadge “Jessica Croft to Lieutenant Roebuck, do you have time to talk in the conference room? I’d also like to include Mr Grey as it relates to him.”

Roebuck had just finished his meeting with th'Iroth, and he felt confident in the Ensign, however with th'Iroth off working on another project, he had to turn to an inexperienced Ensign to take over Tactical for a few minutes. "I'm on my way." He replied over the comm before nodding to the Ensign and exiting the Bridge.

Jessica closed the com-line with Lieutenant Roebuck and tapped her combadge to open a new one.

“Jessica Croft to Diplomat Grey, are you currently free to meet in the Conference room? I’d like to discuss your protect detail, Lieutenant Roebuck will also be there.”

"I'd be happy to meet with you both," Gabriel Grey called out to the air after tapping the communicator badge on his chest. "I'm heading to the Conference Room now."

With the closing of the com-line Jessica started for the nearest turbolift and deck 1 “hopeful the turbolift was going where it was told now” was a flash thought Jessica’s had as she stood in a turbolift.

With the door opening and finding she was where she wanted to be, she strode into the conference.

Gabriel Grey walked in through the Conference Room door, and gave a gentle smile as he spotted a young female officer wearing Marine-green accents on her Starfleet uniform. The pips on her collar seemed to make her a 1st lieutenant, and her blonde hair and hazel eyes made her easy to look at. The older gentleman held his hand out to the young lieutenant as he approached, his manner courteous and dignified.

"Gabriel Grey," said the elderly ambassador, introducing himself and offering to shake hands. "Good to finally meet you, Lieutenant."

Jessica took the offered hand and replied “Diplomat Grey, thank you for having the time to meet with us here. Hopeful you had no trouble finding the ship? Also please take a seat, as soon as Lieutenant Roebuck arrives we can get start as I’m sure you have more important this to deal with.”

"Please, just call me Gabriel," smiled the old man. "No need to stand on ceremony with me, young lady. Actually, I'm rather glad you asked me to meet you. I've been making my rounds, trying to meet with all of the other senior staff members aboard Unification. This meeting gives me the perfect excuse to make your acquaintance. Besides, as a former Marine, it's always a pleasure to meet another 'jarhead'." Gabriel seemed to nod at Lieutenant Croft's green uniform collar. "How long have you been with the Corps, Lieutenant?"

In response to Gabriel’s question, Jessica said “Sir, I’ve been with the Core 6 years but my relations have been Core as far back as the formation of United Earth. My father was Major General Richard Croft, Sandhurst Training Commandant you may have known him?”

A look of recognition broke across Gabriel's wizened features. "Yes, I do know him ..." Gabriel seemed to want to add something, but decided against it. The topic of Richard Croft's court martial and fall from grace was too heavy a topic to discuss with someone he only just met — even if that someone was the man's own daughter. "So you're Dick Croft's daughter," Gabriel observed, with a smile and an appreciative nod. "I'm sure you do your father proud." Gabriel held up a finger and wagged it at Jessica playfully. "And none of that 'Sir' stuff either, alright? I'm just 'Gabriel'."

Roebuck finally arrived in the Conference Room, "Apologies, I was wrapping up a meeting and training with Ensign th'Iroth." He nodded to both Grey and Croft."

"How can I be of assistance?"

Gabriel smiled at the arrival of the sandy-haired security chief. The older gentleman leaned over and offered his hand to the gold-shirted lieutenant. "Gabriel Grey, Chief Diplomatic Officer. How are you Lieutenant?"

Roebuck nodded and flashed a closed mouth smile, "Nice to meet you sir, doing well, thank you. I'm Lieutenant Jonathan Roebuck, Chief Security and Tactical."

Jessica nodded back to Roebuck, “Thank you for both coming the reason I asked you here is to try and settle, Mr Grey’s guard detail, also please take a seat.”

Jessica paused for a second while she found a seat and then continued with “Now I can understand if Lieutenant Roebuck, would like to run the ship based side, but I feel it would be easier and best if the marines were to be in-charge, this cuts down on any hand over problems and it means that Lieutenant Roebuck would have more men to guard the rest of the ship.”

Jessica straitened in her seat “Also no offence to Starfleet personal but they are trained in multi disciples as so are a Jack of all trade master of none a Marine is only a Marine.”

Roebuck smirked. He understood what Croft was trying to do, kind of a 'stay out of my pond, remain in your own' discussion, and even though Jonathan had many skills that would be useful with VIP protection, and even the boarding of 'enemy' vessels, his place would be aboard the Unification and on the Bridge under the circumstances.

"I think the Marines should form the detail." Roebuck replied. "With that said, ship board Security is my responsibility, I want a say in all final decisions and protocols while aboard the ship. If there's a problem, I don't want to be sending teams to 'Point A' if that's being used as a decoy position for example."

Jessica nodded at Roebuck’s request and replied with “Well Sergeant Van Althuis, is my First Squad’s XO. Until I find out where my XO or who my XO is, Gunnery Sergeant Ivonette Grax is operation as my Unit’s XO and leads Squad 3, Staff Sergeant Nina Kavanagh is in-charge of Squad 2 until my XO turns up.”

Jessica paused for a second turn to look at Gabriel and said “I was planning on Squad 1 running close protection; Squad 2 would run high ground over watch and Squad 3 roaming patrols and pre-visit recon. Of course this is only for off ship events. Lieutenant Roebuck do you see any gaps that need fixing? Also Mr Grey are you ok with this system? Would you recommend any changes?”

Gabriel seemed almost caught off-guard at the question directed at him. The older man had been so engrossed in the back-and-forth between the Security Chief and the Marine Commander, that he almost forgot that he was meant to be a participant, not merely a spectator, in the conversation. "No, I think you've pretty much got a handle on it, Lieutenant," answered Gabriel, slowly. "Although, I don't expect such an intense level of personal protection will necessary for all off-ship engagements ... but, no, Ma'am. I think the plan you've put in place is a fine one."

Roebuck though for a moment, but Croft's plan solid, as solid as possible without a trained XO. "I would suggest some simulation training for the Sergeant while we have time." He figured training was already planned, but he wanted to make sure all the bases were covered.

"I'd also like to run some joint simulation with your team and a Security team, just in case." Roebuck added. Learning on the fly wasn't the easiest, especially between people that haven't worked together before, but sometimes that stress could be an asset.

“As soon as my unit’s not need to help with repairs, I’d have no trouble setting up some joint training, as both are teams will be working on board. And as none of my unit have worked together before well be run a lot of drills, we will try to keep the noise and interference down.”

"If it's not too much trouble," added Gabriel, his face lighting up at the mention of joint training exercises, "I wouldn't mind participating in a few of those drills myself. After all, having a well-trained subject can only make things easier on the protective detail assigned to him, right? And don't worry about me being able to keep up," Gabriel added quickly with a smile. "I may look as old as Father Time, but I reckon I still know my way around an obstacle course."

Jessica though about it for a few seconds and responded with “I think that would be a good idea, it would allow us to work in any possible problems, and you will be able to see where we need you. That is if Lieutenant Roebuck has no problem with your inclusion?”

Roebuck nodded, "It's a good idea."

"Splendid," Gabriel smiled. "Just let me know where and when, and I'll be there."

Jessica paused to think for a second before asking “With your approval Lieutenant Roebuck, my unit could start production on some of the heavier ship safe weapons; we normal don’t bring these on board without approval, one is a lighter version of a pulse phaser canon found on Defiants.”

“As long as the Captain approves.” Roebuck quickly replied. While he personally didn’t have a problem, he’d served with Captain’s before that were more, strict.

Gabriel smiled inwardly at the exchange between Croft and Roebuck. He'd seen how easy it was for a ship's CSTO and MCO to get off on the wrong foot. The overlapping mission goals and contrasting service cultures usually brought the two officers at those senior staff positions into competition, and even conflict, with each other. Gabriel had seen it too many times. Yet, as he observed Jessica Croft and Jonathan Roebuck attempt to straighten out their positions to each other, the elder statesman couldn't help but feel that here, aboard Unification lay an opportunity for these two senior officers to actually beat the odds.

"If I might make a suggestion," Gabriel offered to both the Security Chief and the Marine Commander. "Perhaps you can both go to Commander Lambert together to make that proposal? It definitely couldn't hurt ... and who knows? The solidarity it shows might just be thing that gets him to approve it. What do you two think?"

Roebuck nodded, “Sounds like a plan to me.” Inwardly, Jon was skeptical. Not with Croft or her plan, he’d read over her Starfleet Record and knew she was a well-trained and capable Marine. He simply wasn’t used to sharing responsibilities like this. He was used to doing things his way…it was something he was going to have to learn to deal with and get through.

Jessica responded with “I have no problem, would after this meeting be convention for you Lieutenant Roebuck?”

"Absolutely." Roebuck replied. Truth was, he was eager to get back to the Bridge, and he'd hoped the Ensign he'd left at Tactical hadn't missed anything.

Gabriel folded his hands and smiled. "Well, I have to say that I appreciate very much the time that you've both taken in regards to my detail. I want you two to know that if either of you needs anything from me ... anything at all ... you have only to ask, and I'll do my damnedest to come through for you."

Jessica happily replied “Thank you Mr Gre…Gabriel for making the time, I just hope we don’t need to put in to practise what we will be training. Also thank you Lieutenant Roebuck for making the time to come as well and so quickly.” With that Jessica started to stand “And I need to get back to help with the repair so I can arrange the training schedule.”

Roebuck nodded, “Thank you sir, Lieutenant Croft.” Roebuck also stood and picked up his PADD from the table. He too hoped they wouldn’t need to implement any of the planning they had just discussed, however he was confident in it, and happy to be prepared.

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