Strategic Mind

Posted on Sat Jun 14th, 2025 @ 1:26pm by Colonel Jack Patton & Lieutenant JG Kara Quinn-Chaim
Edited on on Sat Jun 14th, 2025 @ 1:57pm

1,242 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: Colonel Patton’s Office
Timeline: MD02 - 0900

Having spoken with M’Mira, Kara had made a point of dropping in on Colonel Patton to try and get to know the new XO. Relations between Fleet and Marines was important, smoothing out relations was part of Kara’s job description. Arriving at the office door she pressed the chime and waited.

The door chime made Jack realize for the umpteenth time that he had given most of the men time away from the Throneroom to settle into their new quarters. This way they can start fresh with the work at hand. Normally visitors would be announced by watchmen on duty. However, regulations were not yet ready to be followed. "Come on in." He said to the door as he tossed a PADD on his desk.

Walking into the room Kara offered a polite smile. “Hello Colonel, I hope you don’t mind my dropping in on you?”

Jack sat at his desk as the Trill hybrid that he knew from her record was the station's Counselor walked in. Behind him on a manikin was the uniform that belonged to his ancestor General George S Patton. In a case on the front edge of his desk sat two pearl handled revolvers that once belonged to the same ancestor. "Counselor welcome to the Throneroom. What can I do for you?" He said with a broad smile.

“We haven’t had a chance to get to know each other yet, so I thought I’d drop in and correct that oversight.” Kara smiled warmly. “I will also need to arrange a psych evaluation, but that can wait for the moment.”

"Please have a seat." Jack motioned for one of the chairs in front of his desk as he placed the PADD he worked with on the desk. "I know fleet has a long tradition of XOs making the rounds and meeting the Department Heads. Something I do plan on doing. However, getting an entire Marine detachment settled in their new HQ takes most of my time at the moment."

Kara nodded as she took a seat. “That’s understandable, you have a two fold job really with both the station crew and marines. Commander M’Mira asked me to check in with you, she wants to make sure that the relationship between the two of you is running smoothly, as well as try to straighten out any issues that might crop up between fleet crew and the marines. May I ask what you think so far?”

Now that was odd. Sending the Counselor to make sure that there was now issues. Jack thought. "I would say that my relationship with the Captain is typical of a new arrival." There would not be much more he would say on that subject. "There are often issues that arise between Fleet and Marines. Especially now that Starfleet has begun to integrate Marine officers into the Command structure of Fleet assets. I imagine that it is a tad harder on Starfleet crew members, Marine officers tend to be more gruff then their Fleet counterparts."

Kara nodded. "That's true, things can be taken the wrong way when people aren't used to it." she smiled warmly. "M'Mira isn't used to dealing with marines, hence why she's asked me to smooth over any ruffled feathers so-to-speak. I'll also be responsible for the mental health and wellbeing of the marine contingent."

Jack nodded in response to the comment about M'Mira. This was something that he picked up on when he spoke with the Captain. It was Kara's mention of the mental health of the Kingsmen that made him smile. "There you have your work cut out for you. Marines are tough nuts to crack as the saying goes. We internalize and very rarely seek help for our emotions. Just ask my wife."

Kara smiled warmly. "I can understand that, but in the long run it's best to talk about what troubles you before it becomes more of a problem. My door will always be open to any of the marines if they want to talk."

"I will make sure that my people are aware that they have you should they need." Jack knew that the Counselor was only doing her job. However, he also knew that most likely none of the Kingsmen would seek her office voluntarily.

"I know marines very rarely seek out a counsellor, I've heard other counsellor's complain about it." Kara grinned. "However I suggest that if you feel any of your people need to talk that you either contact me, or send them to me. It's best not to leave it."

"I will definitely see what I can do in that situation. But, let me ask you something. Have you ever counselled a Marine? What I mean to say is: What do you know about the Marine mentality?" Jack was genuinely curious about Kara's knowledge of how he and his men ticked. Although the Kingsmen were not your typical Marines.

“I know marines are more likely to suffer from PTSD, given the nature of the kind of assignments you’re sent on. You have to more or less compartmentalise your feelings, to put them aside to be able to concentrate on what you have to do. You’re dedicated and faithful to each other, you possess courage, determination, you are disciplined, and possess high levels of self-control. You’re resilient, and you persevere, but at the same time you’re committed to excellence. Failure is not an option and any failure can be crushing and hard to accept. Need I go on?”

Jack smiled broadly; he had to contain a slight amount of laughter. "You hit the clinical ideas right on the head. However, none of that actually touches on the actual mentality. The fact is we are programmed from the minute we join our beloved Corps to not ask for help. That is why I tell you it will be hard for any of my people to come to you. Simply put they won't. When we have issues that need solving, we do it ourselves or seek the assistance of other Marines. I tell you this not make your job difficult. In fact, it is more to try to make it easier. Sort of let you know what you are in for."

Kara nodded. “Well, I’ll be around should anyone be unable to find all the help that they need.” She offered a warm smile.

"Thank you for that. Although none of us will admit it. It is good to know that there is someone there to help us get our heads out of our rear ends when we need it." Jack said with a smile.

Kara couldn’t help but grin at that statement. “Anyway, I should go and let you get back to work, plus I need something to eat before my stomach gets any more unsettled than it already has been, morning sickness is no joke.”

"Very well Counselor. Enjoy your brunch. Just know that as your XO should you need this door is always open." Jack smiled as she left. It was rare that he encountered a Counselor that knew how to handle Marines. Thus far it seemed that this one may have the answer.

Kara smiled warmly as she stood to leave. “Thank you Colonel, I will.”

{OFF}

Colonel Jack 'BlackJack' Patton
Commanding Officer, The Kingsmen
Exectutive Officer, Faltan Station

&

Lieutenant jg Kara Quinn-Chaim
Chief Counsellor
Faltan Station

 

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