Transfers and Check Ins ptA

Posted on Mon Aug 18th, 2025 @ 10:34pm by Lieutenant JG Christian Rogers

1,089 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Below Decks
Location: Docking Station
Timeline: prior to departure

“Don’t do it,” Sergeant Terry Baldwin said. He gave a slight shake of his head but continued looking around.

“It’s been so long, though,” Sergeant Hunter Kawolski said as he unbuckled the straps to the heavy rucksak on his back.

“You know the moment you put it down, we’ll just be moving again,” Baldwin answered, looking at the other sergeant. “Murphy just love enforcing his law on grunts.”

Kawolski let the pack slip to the ground and pulled at his uniform, trying to peel the sodden patch off his back. He’d been wearing the ruck so long as they moved from one place to another. Supposedly this was the last stop before they could check in and be allowed to board the ship. They thought they would have been able to two hours ago then the specter that they were Marines assigned as Starfleet Services in the Special Weapons and Tactics/Security program came up. This ship, Kowalski blanked on the name. It was named for some old Earth paganism was all that he remembered. Because the ship didn’t have a MarDet, suddenly their orders were in question, their presence was in question and they were considered possible hostiles. Or something like that.

Kawolski rolled his shoulders, freeing them of the strain from carrying the rucksack that contained his possessions, issued gear and other gear. That there were two rifles strapped to the sides and three different pistols contained with the ruck didn’t help them convince the quartermaster station that they weren’t threats to the ship. The Fleeter uniforms with the Fleeter ranks on them should have been a clue but it was seen only as a clumsy attempt at a disguise since their files marked them as ‘Marine’.

“Is it going to be like this every time?” Kawolski asked as he sat on one of the upended cases he was responsible for transporting onto the ship. “I mean, it’s not like we asked to be in these uniforms or to have to go by Fleeter ranks. I mean, what the hell is a petty officer anyway?” He glanced down as if he could see the insignia on the collar denoting what rank he was in the Fleet structure.

“A sergeant,” Baldwin answered handing over a bottle of lemon and electrolyte infused water. “We did sort of ask for this, we were too good at the program and now they want to prove it wasn’t a fluke. The ship is going out to unchartered parts of the Beta Quadrant and they might run into trouble. Trouble is our speciality.”

“No,” Kawolski grumbled, “soaking up phaser fire is our speciality and hopefully destroying a ton of shit before we’re too aerated. That’s our specialty.” He accepted the bottle and took a long drink.

“Don’t let Weaver hear you say that. You know how upset she gets,” Baldwin said, still looking around. That’s when he spotted the tall man in the tactical and gold uniform headed their way. Unlike them, he wasn’t burdened at the moment with a heavy ruck and cases of equipment. He moved with purpose among those gathered on the platform and were, like Baldwin and Kawolski, waiting to get checked into their assignment, or seeing others off. Or were finishing up their assignments on the ship and departing. However, as big and broad as the man was, others naturally moved out of the way for him, allowing him to arrive at the two sergeants quickly.

“Staff Sergeant,” Baldwin said, giving a knowing glance to Kawolski. He had, after all, warned him.

“Petty Officer First,” the taller man, Brownell – known as ‘Brownie’ to the squad – said. “We have to get used to using Fleeter ranks. Man, how did Hannah ever get used to all this?”

The three of them went silent for a moment. They all had wondered about Hannah. He was assigned as a FMF Corpsman – a combat medic – but now that their squad was in SFS did that make Hannah Fleet again or still Marine or...the whole concept was mind boggling.

“Get ready to move,” Brownie said as he made several clicks on the padd. “Lieutenant finally managed to get this cleared up. I’m sending over your authroizations.” He pocketed the PaDD after verifying that they received the information he sent. “The cases should be tagged by the quartermasters and they’ll get them over to Security. Once you board, find your room assignments, drop off your gear and - “ he glanced to Kawolski “freshen up. We’ll meet in the Security conference at 1900 so make sure you had chow proir.” He glanced at his chrono. That gave them several hours to accomplish everything. “You’ll get your assignments tonight. Clear?”

“Yes, Brownie,” Baldwin said, answering for the two of them. Kawolski was making a face as he lifted the heavy pack in order to put it back on.

“Questions?” Brownie asked.

“Do you know anything about Malinda?” Baldwin asked about his wife.

“She and Jeremy boarded some time ago,” Brownie answered. He anticipated that would be a concern. The young sergeant’s wife and infant didn’t have the same problems that the squad had since they weren’t Marine or Fleet, only dependants. “Weaver as well,” Brownie said, glancing at Kawolski. “They should be settled in already.”

“Thank you, Ser- Petty Officer,” Baldwin said, happy to have heard the news. He was afraid that there were problems and Malinda and Jeremy were still being held up. He would have preferred coming aboard with them instead of the squad but Lieutenant’s orders were Lieutenant’s orders.

“Alright, get a move on, I still have to find Warran and Cort to get them authorized.” He used his height to glance around and nodded, thinking he found them waiting off several hundred yars away. Typical of the younger grunts, they were busy eating while sitting on their gear. “And if you see Hannah along the way, tell him Lieutenant’s looking for him.”

“Yes, Petty Officer,” Kawolski said as he rebuckled the pack and shoved the water bottle into a thigh pocket. Brownie gave a final nod before he headed off again.

The two picked up their cases and headed off to the quarterdeck.


SWAT/S Squad NPCs (LTjg Christian Rogers, player)

Petty Officer 1 Anthony "Brownie" Brownell
1st Sgt SWAT/S squad

Petty Officer 2 Terry Baldwin
SWAT/S Squad Sergeant

Petty Officer 2 Hunter Kawolski
SWAT/S Squad Sergeant

 

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