Collaboration

Posted on Tue Sep 20, 2016 @ 5:18pm by Lieutenant Commander Arrda

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Timeline: MD 1, 1700

Now that he had informed his Second that they would be working with the Marines during this mission, she would inform their staff. It was not a common practice, and so he did expect some resistance. That was something he'd had to get used to in Starfleet, the division between Marines and Fleet Security. On Marai, both were divisions of the Protector Division of the Enforcer Guild, and not separate entities that had to be coaxed to cooperate.

Not knowing the Marine Lieutenant Colonel, he could not be sure how the man saw him. It would not affect his performance of his duty no matter the man's opinion, but one way would make it easier to work together, and another would complicate their interactions. Tapping his comm. badge, he placed the call. "Lieutenant Mallory to Lieutenant Colonel Racktor. Is this a good time to discuss the collaboration of our forces?"

James smiled as the call came in. "Lieutenant Mallory, you saved me a call. I was hoping to meet with you to discuss the exact same thing. My office or yours?" He asked, pleased that the Security Chief wanted to meet with him. It was definitely a good sign.

Douglas understood the normal relationship between "Fleeters" and Marines was not always this cordial, and he did not want to give the impression that he could not be accommodating. It was always a good idea to try and begin such collaborations on a cooperative note. "I can come to your office if you prefer." he offered, filling his coffee mug and putting the non-spill lid on it.

James nodded even though the man couldn't see him. "Sounds good. I'll alert the security checkpoint that you're coming; you'll see it when you exit the turbolift." He said, sending a message as he spoke. "Look forward to meeting you."

Security Checkpoint? Douglas thought. What's he got going on down there that he doesn't want the rest of the ship to see? "Understood. Mallory out." He closed the channel and glanced over the ship's layout once more to ensure that he went to the right place; then he left his office and made his way to the Turbolift.

At the other end, he stepped out of the 'Lift and glanced at the Marines stationed there. "Colonel Racktor is expecting me." he told them, giving them his credentials. There was no point in stirring the pot between the two departments if he didn't have to. There was also no reason to get these men into trouble for not doing their jobs just because it was inconvenient for him.

More just odd really for Starfleet. he thought. Enforcers had checkpoints in strategic locations, even on facilities that were supposedly secure. Therefore, he did not take it as an indictment against his security personnel either, a statement that he and his people could not do the job. It was more likely just the way the man had been trained, what he was used to doing, and Douglas could understand that.

One of the Marines stepped forward. "Aye sir, he did." The Marine replied. "Just running a scan; standard procedure for entering Marine Country." He explained, as two beams of light came out of emitters and scanned Lt. Mallory. The Marine looked at his colleague, who was checking a computer screen, and nodded. "Thank you sir." The Marine said, as another Marine appeared. "This is Lieutenant Michaels; he'll show you to Colonel Racktor's Office. Welcome to Marine Country." The Marine said, as Michaels saluted Mallory and began to lead the way towards Racktor's office.

Douglas nodded to the three. "Thank you, gentlemen." he said, following the one designated Michaels. They were very efficient; that pleased him. He actually found himself relaxing just a bit; while this level of security might seem unusual to most Starfleet officers when entering an area of their own ship that was not a Secured Area, it felt more... familiar to him. When they reached the office, he waited patiently for Michaels to announce him, or whatever Racktor's protocol was, before doing anything.

Michaels rang the chime, and as James looked up, he smiled. "Enter." James said. Michaels entered, and stood to attention. "Lt. Mallory to see you, Colonel." Michaels said. James nodded.

"Thank you Mr. Michaels. Dismissed." James said. Michaels nodded and left the office, leaving Mallory and Racktor. "Lt. Mallory, I'm Colonel Racktor. Pleasure to meet you, Sir. I've read your record. Damn, it was a good read. I hope you don't mind, I replicated some pastries and coffee. I figure if we're gonna talk, we might as well be refreshed. Please, join me." He said, sitting at a chair at the meeting table.

Douglas was actually a bit surprised by the colonel's greeting. He had expected the man to be hard and reserved as most Marines were with 'Fleeters', but he was not only being personable but complimenting him? He moved to the table and sat, showing the other man the mug he had brought with him. "Thank you, colonel, but I brought my own coffee... not realizing, of course, that it would be provided." he added with a smile. There was no need to insult the man. "The pastries smell good though."

James returned the smile. "Well then, please help yourself." He said, as he picked up a custard danish. "One of my weaknesses. My wife says I'd live on these and steaks if she wasn't there to cook for me. And you know what? She's probably right." James said, pouring himself a coffee. Taking a bite of the pastry, he smiled. "Now my wife made these herself. She makes some every day for my meeting, and I keep them until needed and warm them up. Are you married?" James asked.

Douglas glanced over the pastries and chose a simple apple danish. Taking a bite, he smiled and finished the bite before speaking. "Indeed I am." he answered proudly. "Danielle is strong, beautiful and full of fire... just the way I like it." He chuckled, remembering all the times she had stood toe-to-toe with him when she felt that he was making the wrong decision for his crew. "And these are very good, by the way." he complimented. He considered moving this on to the problem at hand, but if they were to work together, then they needed to trust one another; and learning about one another was the first step.

His Enforcer training screamed at him that he was wasting valuable time; but for the moment, he ignored it. He had a good Second who was speaking to the troops even as he spoke to Racktor. There was time to establish at least the beginnings of a rapport between the two men.

"I'll tell Lucy you said so." James said, smiling. "Danielle sounds a lot like my Lucy. I rely on her so much. She's already memorized the senior officers and family, and she'll start working on the rest of the crew. She has an Eidetic memory, and uses it to help everyone she can. If I'm the father of the Roughnecks, she is most definitely the mother. Everyone goes to her if there's a problem, and she's been responsible for at least thirty marriages for my men." James said.

"I have a great love and respect for the Roughnecks, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for them. They follow me, and I follow them equally. Given your reputation, I wouldn't be surprised at a similar rapport with you and your men. It's the kind of rapport I'd like between the Roughnecks and you and your men as well, because I think we'll make a fantastic united team." James explained.

Douglas was not sure if 'love' was the correct word for the way he approached his subordinates. He definitely respected them as officers and fellow sentients, and he would definitely give his best to them, but love? Hm, that was a thing to think about.

"When I was being trained as an Enforcer," he offered in response, "my Trainer used to socialize with us when we were off time. She said that it was her way of showing us that there was a time to be Enforcers and a time to be people and that such actions fostered a rapport between yourself and your subordinates." He smiled, remembering the looks on some recruits' faces. "So i try to always give my people the respect I expect from them. It is earned, after all, not given away."

Did that address what Racktor was asking for? Or had he just babbled like an idiot, giving the other man information he did not care about? He hoped it had been the former and not the latter.

James smiled and nodded. "It was the same for me when I was under General Anderson. He taught me the most important quote which I live by as a Marine, or at least one of the rules I live by. He said to do anything you ask of those you command. When I ask my men to go into a life or death situation, they know I'll be right there by their side. It gives them confidence because they know I wouldn't ask them to do anything I wouldn't do." James explained.

"We are a family, after all, and the only difference between Security and Marines are the colors of our uniform. Okay, training might be a little more rigorous, but we're still one family."

Douglas nodded. "Enforcer First Teleth Norr taught me the same thing. Her words were a bit different -- 'Never ask your people to do something you aren't willing to do' -- but it amounts to the same thing. Sge led by example, teaching us to lead from within rather than from behind." He liked the way Racktor said the only difference was the colors of their uniforms; it implied solidarity between these two divisions of Starfleet. That was not something usually seen between the two, and it was refreshing.

The man was right about the normal Starfleet Security training, but Douglas wasn't the average. And he intended to make his Security staff not the average. He smiled. "Oh, don't underestimate me, Mr. Racktor, as far as training. I imagine mine is at least equal to yours." Something in his eyes shifted, a look not quite identifiable. "When one joins the Enforcer Guild, after all, we are informed that many don't survive the training. But the ones that do are tempered and honed to razor sharpness." His expression returned to his normal. "I suspect your training is similar?"

"You're absolutely right about that. If there is one thing I've learnt, it's that the universe is a dark place, and an unfair one. So I make sure my Roughnecks are ready for anything. I run scenario's based on every kind of training, from simple diplomatic missions to kidnap missions, and full on war exercises. Sometimes I base them on missions I've been on. One of the main training exercises is the Battle of Starbase 285. It involved a Roughneck force of 200 and a Jem Hadar force of 1500. We took back the base, although Starfleet wasn't best impressed since I blew a massive hole in the side of the base. Still, that's the kind of thinking I nurture; out of the box, and I think we'll work well together." James said.

He handed a PADD to Douglas. "I've written up the entire training regime of the Roughnecks. I'd like to merge it with yours, if you're willing?" He asked.

Douglas took the PADD and read through it. For Starfleet, it was quite impressive. But then, Starfleet prided itself on being para-military, not true military; so he expected their training to be less stringent than Enforcers endured. But this was designed closer to what he was familiar with from back home. Closer.

He handed the PADD back and smiled. "Very nice, Colonel." he complimented, taking a non-Starfleet Data Pad from his jacket and opening a file. "This is what I intend to do with my Security forces. It isn't standard for Starfleet, but then, I'm not standard for Starfleet."

On the PADD were exercises that more resembled his Enforcer training, everything from pure battle simulations to diplomacy, and much of what lay between. He had eliminated certain aspects such as Arbitration, since Security was not required to do that. And the book learning that went with being Enforcers had been eliminated. But the physical training, modified for species from lower gravity worlds of course, and the Neutrality training that allowed Enforcers to do what was needed while in the situation and worry about it later remained.

"Currently, it's on one of the data storage devices I brought with me because I just finished modifying it. But I intend to put it into the computer and run it by the captain since it is more arduous than what Starfleet Security is used to." he informed. And, for the love of the Goddess, no one on my watch will walk to a potentially dangerous situation!

James nodded, looking at the information he had been handed. "I like it. In fact, I may incorporate some of these into the Roughneck PT sessions as well." He said. "My men life in three daily cycles. One is for being on duty, for training, protection, whatever is needed. One is for spending time with family, for PT sessions, eating and so on, and one is for sleeping. I make sure my men get the necessary sleep because I don't want them falling asleep in battle. I also rotate their cycles once a month, to keep them on their toes and make sure everyone gets the same amount of time on the same shifts." He explained. "I'd like to start by having our units train together daily, not everyone, if you'd like to keep to your own cycles, but we can send men back and fourth, make sure they're working well together. I'm also running a training session tomorrow. I'd be honored if you'd like to join me."

Douglas listened and nodded. "That sounds like a plan." Having the two divisions train together would allow them to work out any kinks between them in a controlled environment rather than during a situation. As to the cycles you spoke of, what times do you schedule for each? Depending on whether they coincide with what we are already doing, I may or may not utilize them." The general principle, he agreed with. The actual implementation might prove prohibitive, and he wanted to be certain before he agreed to it.

James handed the shift rotation to Douglas. "We run the same shift rotation as the ship does, Alpha Shift being oh-eight hundred to sixteen hundred, and so on." James said. "I've also included the Roughnecks files, so you can see how they match up on paper to your guys. Have a look, and if you want to make any recommendations for changes, I'm always happy to listen. You've got the experience, and I'm happy to learn from you." He said.

Douglas nodded, taking the PADD and glancing through it. He would reads it more thoroughly later. For now, the cursory skim told him enough. "I will look over it later and get back to you." he said.

James finished his coffee as his comm. badge beeped. "Masters to Racktor." A voice came through.

"Go ahead." James replied.

"Sir, we've finished installing the Marine Armory, Brig and Security Stations, as well as the MTAC area. We're ready for your inspection." Came the reply.

"On my way." James said. He looked at Douglas. "You're welcome to join me for the tour." James said. "Have a look, see what you think of how we work."

"All right." Douglas agreed, standing with the colonel. "After you." As Racktor stood and headed out, Douglas followed a bit behind him. It would be interesting to see the Marines in their routine, see how much of it matched his own methods, he thought as the doors to the room closed behind them.

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