Marine Briefing

Posted on Thu Dec 8th, 2022 @ 6:40pm by

Mission: Evacuation
Location: Marine Allocated Decks
Timeline: Current

Following the Briefing with the Chief Security Officer and armed with information provided by the attending Lieutenant, Jack knew now he needed to brief the marines on this additional duty that was not in the mission packet they were briefed upon. It would have been easy for Jack to sit this one out, to let the others do all the work while 400 marines sat on board just enjoying the ride that the Resolution was providing. Still, the offer was made and accepted, so now he needed to make sure all knew the plan.

As Sam and he walked to the nearest Turbolift he was already formulating the action plan in his mind.

Sam kept pace with her Commanding Officer in silence, she knew Jack well enough to let him have a processing moment before engaging him in planning talk, he'd get to it eventually or she'd press the topic.

"I'd like you to assemble the troops, all of them for a briefing in 1 hour. I want to make sure each of them knows what is going on and at stake." Jack spoke as he pressed the button for the Turbolift. Link in the Quartermaster too, so he can be prepared to allocate equipment. I don't want him swamped unexpectedly."

"Understood." Sam spoke as the doors to the Turbolift opened and she followed Jack inside. "Do you have any considerations towards recon teams?"

"No, we have plenty of certified marines, the teams will be small anyway for recon and observation. I want enough teams to observe a 360-degree field of approach to the landing site." Jack spoke after instructing the Turbolift on its way. "We are going to be down there for the duration, we'd need to make sure appropriate food, water, shelter, and if possible an up-to-date weather report."

"Depending on the weather I will make sure we have appropriate wet weather gear available." Sam spoke.

"We can always signal Resolution for additional supplies." Jack returned. "But only...from our decks, we may be here to help but we still have operational security to maintain." The General that briefed him made it clear, failure was unacceptable. "Cancel the usual routine of order, if we are going to be down there all day I want the troops well rested and alert."

"Understood." Sam spoke making the notes don't the Padd she held in her hands. "Sir, about that, do you think it was wise to include the First Officer?" Sam asked. "Conditions were clear in our briefing, the Commander doesn't have the clearance level."

"I know, but as you saw the Captain was not going to be briefed unless she was included and he needs to be briefed. He vouched for her, so it's on him." Jack answered though he could see the point his Exec was making.

"The Captain seemed to understand what was being asked of him, and his ship." Sam spoke, which was a relief in some ways because of the dangers involved.

"He didn't have a choice, you saw the Admiral, even if he didn't know it yet the orders were waiting for him one way or another." Jack returned just as the doors opened to the marine allocated decks. "One hour Major." Jack spoke as he stepped out and sharp left turned towards his office.



*** 1 Hour Later ***


400 marines were packed into the massive room that was once one of the large cargo bays of the ship. Not the most ideal briefing area he knew but it served its purpose to get the job done. Jack had made sure there were some storage containers to stand on so his voice could project over the rows of marines and that he could also be seen. He saw Sam had arranged for a holographic projector to be made available so that as he briefed, there would be associated data imagery to take in too.

"Alright Marines, settle down and listen up." Jack spoke, his voice a little louder than usual to ensure it carried to the rearmost rows. "Our assistance has been asked for by Fleet, and we will answer." Jack let the usual mumbles of Marines working with Fleet gripes settle for a second or two. With his customary hand gesture to Sam he indicated to begin the projection.

"This, is an area assigned by Starfleet for the evacuation of the local population centers." Jack looked at the map being projected and the site blinking in red to highlight it from the surrounding topography. "Estimates place body count at approximately 15,000 civilians. I've been informed that this ship can field 700 evacuations an hour, the combination of transporters and shuttles."

"Starfleet Security will be providing civilian screening, forward positions will be in place where civilians will be screened for weapons and other articles of harm or danger. From there, they will travel up this road towards the evacuation site and then await evacuation." That...was the overall picture, now came the detailed one.

"A CP (Command Post) will be inside the compound, low yield shield generator as well as supporting power generators, erectable shelters and structures. A perimeter fence will be constructed to maintain security and flow control. The last thing we need is civilians trying to swamp the site from all directions. Advance recon teams will be situated in a 360-degree spread around the site for early warning and observation, I will aim to prioritize the deployment of these teams to situation and dig in as early as possible. Be particularly alert, reports indicate potential riot status in combination with anti-federation elements that could pose a risk to the evacuation site." Jack continued as the Major cycled through the data slides.

"Those assigned to recon teams will have sensor gear linked to the ship and back to the CP. This means, that if you observe something suspicious or the like, using your rifle's scope you can sensor tag that person or persons, the ship's sensors will then in real time track that person and relay position to the security screening checkpoint. IF you observe weapons, explosives or devices that pose a danger, tag the target and signal it in. It will be up to security on what they want to do about it." Jack paused as he looked to see what was up next. "Sharpshooters will be positioned in key overwatch positions both inside and outside the evacuation site. Your weapons will also be linked in, if recon teams observe, you will be in on it too."

"For the rest of us, we will be handling site defense and coordination of the evacuation. Designated locations for shuttle landings and transporter zones will be established. Marines will be stationed to guard key equipment on the ground which will include food, water, and any electronics. It's going to be stressful, people are going to be afraid, and those hostile to the situation will have no compunction to use civilians as a distraction to attack. If we are attacked, no heroics, engage to secure but do not advance, this is not our mission remember, losses here will put the mission at risk. Recon teams will report but not engage. Escape and evade if you have to move but don't alert anyone to your presence."

"All marines will be subdermal tagged, equipment tagged too. If we have to evacuate then the tag will enable emergency transport of everyone and everything. We leave nobody, nothing behind for capture. It is not known at this stage what kind of weapons packages and munitions the potential hostiles possess, we do know that tensions are high and reports suggest Marquis's involvement. I have made the following point clear to the Chief of Security, we are here to help, if the civilians decide to use violence and engage then we will withdraw and leave them to it. We are here to help, not pick a side." Jack continued on as the next holographic slide appeared.

"I can not stress enough the importance of being alert, not just to the situation but also to your own well-being. Some of you will be in direct sunlight, others immobile for extended durations. Look after yourselves. If you need something, call in on encrypted comms and it will be delivered. It is not a room service, however, so I don't want any wise-ass jokes ordering luxury foods, or a manicure for the ladies, or the gents I don't judge." Jack added that purely to lift the mood a little.

"Training and regular routines will be canceled until we deploy. I want everyone well rested, well fed, and watered as we will be out there for a long time." Which reminded Jack that he'd have to make sure to find the time to do that himself.

"Squad commanders and command authority officers will be briefed separately, expect to hear from them. Questions can go through them and be passed up. Make no illusion here Marines, just because these people are not Jem'Hadar, doesn't mean they are not dangerous. Be alert, observe, report and stay alive." Jack looked at Sam indicating he was done.

"Report to the Barracks for gear assignments, orderly fashion people let's not annoy the Quartermaster, I won't save you from him."