Captain Alcon had just been released to light duty when her Sgt.'s notified her that the platoon's schedule for the next several weeks. They arranged to have night fire exercises to test and bring up to standard the shooting abilities of Company C, Platoon 10-Medical detachment. This was Jayme's fifth day of light duty and knew that this was definitely on the shouldn't be doing list. Jayme stood in her repaired combat gear, while her senior non-com's Berke and Ronning managed the platoon. Sgt. Corran had created the simulation and was going to be the senior range officer for the night.
"Ma'am, " Corran looked at her and then let his gaze wander to her knee, and asked, "how's the Knee?"
"Fine." Jayme said in return. She was watching the forty members of her unit...they were tired as the Sgt.'s had them doing morning workouts, then pulling duty, and now this. Well she smiled; they were being given 24hrs leave starting when they finished these exercises. "I hear you designed and programmed this scenario?"
"Yes, I started it on my previous assignment." Corran stated. He checked the time and moved to give instructions to the platoon. Jayme listened and watched allowing her Sgt.'s to do their job. It was difficult for her but she was learning not to jump in. She herself was tired, as she'd spent the day working in Sickbay.
As she waited Major Jackson, Captain Kalik, and Lt. McKnight joined her. When the first group was up and ready Corran had them moved to the monitoring room where they could watch every move and watch who qualified and who didn't. She stood and waited. She felt her back nudged by Major Jackson, who moved a chair behind her and with a look ordered her to sit. She didn't argue as she sat down and watched. Three hours later the last group was in position and released onto the course. The four men around her were watching and speculating on how they'd do. As the last group cleared the range, Major Jackson, Capt. Kalik, Lt. McKnight, and Sgt. Corran headed out and picked up weapons off the table. Corran had left the computer on auto start. Hating to be left out Jayme exited the room, grabbed a weapon and joined the guys on the ready line.
With her helmet in placed and on the same channel as the SRO and the Marines beside her on the range, she heard very clearly the order, "Captain Alcon, stand down!" Jayme turned her head and looked over at Jackson, and shook her head negative. He stood and safetied his phaser rifle. He took one step toward her but turned and resumed 'ready' as the SIM started.
As you moved through the course two hundred holo-simulations popped up and you had five seconds to recognize and fire some targets required multiple hits. As you ran and fired from multiple positions, standing, kneeling, and flat. The course wasn't flat but varied from jungle, wooded, and an empty field. The course included a two-mile run with obstacles and counter fire.
Thirty minutes later he followed Sgt Corran across the finish, with McKnight and Kalik just meters behind them. Major Jackson stood at the finish, arms crossed, and a scowl on his face. Five minutes later that Jayme completed the exercise. She safetied her weapon, placed it on the table, removed her helmet, and caught her breath and waited for him to dress her down. He shook his head and but said, "Lets see how we scored against your platoon. Then you and I will have a conversation in my office!"
The average time it took her platoon to complete the exercise was 25 minutes. The average score, ninety-percent. All four of the guys in Jayme's run completed the exercise in 22 minutes and Jayme herself at 27. She noted the smile on all four faces, but even then, she knew it wasn't going to save getting her ass chewed. She was a little disappointed at her score and time but knew her knee had been a factor. The scores were posted in her platoon's barracks. Those that needed remedial training would begin after their leave.
Major Jackson and Jayme walked to his office across from the Colonel's. He indicated the chair across from his desk and waited for the door to seal. "What were you thinking?"
Jayme met his eyes, and said, "Sir. You know the make up of my unit and know a lot of them have been bounced from other units. I had just been getting the unit settled when I was sent on that 'assignment'; for the most part they have no faith in my abilities to either to lead or support them on the combat field. So, I have to prove myself every time and then there is the part of me that is Light Infantry."
Jackson thought about what she'd just said. "You are their senior officer!" James said forcibly as he shook his head. He stood and paced for a moment, then leaned against his desk in front of her, and said, "you took a damn big chance at permanently injuring yourself on that course...to prove a point." He paused and added, "you did better then any of us expected...we watched the last few minutes live and thought you were going to quit the course at two points."
Jayme sat up straighter, then said, "You're right, I had no business running that course. I accept any extra duty detail you want to assign me. Sir." She watched him think about his options. He reached up and tapped his commbadge, "Major Jackson to Dr. Fletcher."
[Dr. Fletcher here.] Nathan was just getting off duty in sickbay and was debating working out Vs just going to his quarters.
The major saw Captain Alcon sigh in a huff, "I have Jayme in my office—she just ran a Night fire exercise". Jayme thought to herself does everyone know?
[Acknowledged. I'll meet her in her quarters to check her knee. Thank you Major.] Nathan walked out and headed for Jayme's quarters.
Major Jackson stood, and said, "dismissed Captain." He watched as Jayme stood and left his office. On her way back to her quarters she stopped and changed back into her brace and SFMC uniform before facing Nathan. Damn it!