USS PATRIOT: Marine Deck ("Downtime")

From: V. Rahul Chandra (vrccan_at_gmail.com)
Date: Mon Aug 25 2008 - 01:17:59 PDT


 

============

“Downtime”

Continued from Ran’s “New Engineer”

============

Location: USS PATRIOT

Stardate: 2424 [2.8] 0825.0318

Scene: Marine Deck

 

Lieutenant Morris walked into the marine area of the USS PATRIOT, looking
around him as he went.  With the PATRIOT in dock, Colonel Maverick had
decreed that the marines were to take as much shore leave on GATEWAY as they
wanted to.  After the most recent mission during which the entire marine
regiment had been in action, such a move was necessary to keep morale in the
unit high.

 

As Morris continued to walk, he eventually spotted the unit’s second in
command Daniel Clarkson sitting at one of the desks and making notes on a
PADD in front of him.  With a frown on his face, Morris walked up to the
table where Daniel was sitting and took the seat opposite.  Clarkson showed
no sign that he’d noticed Morris’ entry, continuing to tap buttons on his
PADD.

 

Finally, Morris forcibly cleared his throat in order to get the other
marine’s attention.  “We’re supposed to be on shore leave at the moment.”

 

“I’m aware of that,” Daniel answered, not taking his eyes off his work.
“But I have a two-month pile of paperwork that needs to be finished as soon
as possible.”

 

Morris shook his head, reaching across and grabbing the PADD from Daniel.
“You have got to be kidding me,” he said, giving the PADD a look.
“Inventory lists?  You’re actually in here when you could be on shore leave
because of inventory lists?”

 

Frowning, Clarkson took the PADD back from him and continued from where he’d
left of.  “It’s not just inventory lists,” he said, making a few notations
on the PADD as he continued reading it.  “There are communiqués from the
Starfleet Marine Corps, news on the rest of the fleet, personnel reports and
many other things in here.  They may not seem important, but I’m supposed to
read all of them.”

 

“You know Doc, I don’t understand you,” Morris said, leaning back in his
chair.

 

Sighing, Daniel lowered the PADD.  “Alright Josh, I’ll bite.  What don’t you
understand about me?”

 

“I don’t understand what you’re doing here,” Morris said, leaning forward
again and looking at Daniel closely.  “I mean, you’ve got the green light
for shore leave and the last time I checked you’re married to a beautiful
woman.  If I were in your position, I’d have been off the ship hours ago.”

 

“Yeah, well, you’re not me,” Clarkson retorted.  “And it’s a good thing too.
If we both had your work ethic, Tango Company would be in sorry shape.”

 

Morris laughed.  “Fine, don’t listen to me,” he said, getting up.  “If you
spend your whole life doing paperwork though, you’re going to regret it
someday.”

 

Daniel watched his subordinate leave before picking the PADD up and starting
on the report again.  However, after a few minutes he gave up and placed the
PADD down on the table, finding that he couldn’t concentrate.

 

“Computer,” he said.  “Locate Catherine Sterling-Jade.”

 

[[Catherine Sterling-Jade is in Holodeck 1,]] came the monotone reply of the
PATRIOT’s computer.

 

Daniel idly looked at the PADD on the table in front of him, considering his
options.  After a few moments, he got up, picking up the PADD and stowing it
before heading for the exit from marine deck.

 

=========

NRPG: Not much, but I wanted to assure everyone that I’m still alive!  My
next post will have more in it.

=========

Rahul Chandra <vrccan_at_gmail.com>

 

Playing…

 

Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gorman, MD

Executive Officer

USS PATRIOT

 

&

 

Major Daniel Clarkson, MD

Marine Executive Officer

USS PATRIOT

 


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