Subject:

J'hon was on his way to the mess hall when the call came in. "Brinn to

Roak, I want four fightin' men ready to beam to Kerestia upon our

arrival."

"Aye, sir." He paused, then addressed the computer. "Computer,

what is the location of Chief Kirby?"

"Chief Warrant Officer Kirby is currently in Gymnasium Number Two on Deck

Twelve," intoned the computer.

J'hon switched directions and rode a turbolift to Deck 12.

Entering the gym, he saw the Omega Company in full combat gear, jogging at

a good clip around the track. Judging by their gait, they looked to be

around mile fifteen of their run. Chief Kirby led the team at a ruthless

pace, haranguing them continually. As they approached, Lt. Roak saluted,

and Kirby brought the company to an abrupt stop.

"Companyyyyy, HALT!" shouted Kirby as they rounded the corner to where

J'hon stood. Kirby approached and snapped to attention, right after

slinging his rifle over his shoulder. He saluted. "Sir, I didn't expect

you to attend our PT. Any news from the meeting of the minds, sir?" said

Kirby, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"In a moment, Chief. Let me look at my company, here."

J'hon looked over the company. Like all Marines they were fit and

hard-looking. A team of take-no-prisoners, high-speed killers. From the

sounds of it, they had already acquitted themselves well in their last

engagement. J'hon put on his parade-ground voice. "My name is Lt. J'hon

Roak. I am the new commanding officer of Omega Company. I plan on

getting to know each and every one of you soon. As long as you do your

job correctly we'll get along just fine." J'hon began pacing behind the

group. "Your job, as I see it, is to kill people. My job is to tell you

who to kill." He stopped. "Any questions?"

"No, Sir!" The company shouted in unison.

"Good. Chief, please select four marines to accompany you and myself to

Kerestria. Unless I hear otherwise, we will be loaded for bear. From

what I understand, the planet is a war-torn hell-hole, and we may have to

kick ass and take serial numbers. The rest of the company will be on

standby as a rapid reaction team."

"Understood, sir," said Kirby. He stepped to the side. "Sherman! Lavon!

Demott! Johnson! Front and center!" The four Marines stepped forward.

Kirby spoke their names again, for Roak's benefit, mainly. "Sherman,

Steven, Lance Corporal, sniper; Lavon, Vanik, Private, infiltration;

Demott, Charles, Corporal, medical corpsman; and Johnson, Abraham,

Corporal, Electrics and Technology. These are my choices, sir."

"Thank you, Chief. I'll leave you and the team to finish your PT. Semper

Fi!" The Marines shouted "Semper Fi!" and grudgingly formed back up for

the rest of their run. J'hon smiled to himself as he left the gym and the

soothing sounds of Kirby browbeating the tired soldiers.

"Let's move it, children!" came Kirby's voice as J'hon left. "By the look

on your faces you'd think that you'd never seen an officer before! Now,

we have ten more miles to go! MOVE OUT!"

Lt. J'hon Roak

CWO Jeb Kirby