Major Boyle was in the Easy Inn sitting back drinking his beer and telling himself he wouldn't get into another fight in a bar as long as he lived. Colonel Tarik walked into the bar upon seeing the Major sitting in a corner table alone, Tarik walked over towards him.
"Major Boyle. I've been looking for you. "Tarik said walking over towards the Major.
"Yeah Colonel, now you found me. Let's see if I can find you."
"Hey, I didn't come looking for a fight. It isn't my fault that Captain Mallory took away your little piece of the Galaxy.
General Taylor is on the comm channel and he wants to speak with you ASAP," Tarik said, pointing over at the door leading to the Easy Inn's office. Boyle looked at the Trill bartender and asked if he could use his office. The Trill smiled and shook his head.
General Taylor was a Major General and was second highest ranking Marine in Star Fleet. He had been in the Corps for almost 32 years. Taylor was a major supporter of Boyle's career.
Tarik and Boyle walked into the office that was small and had a small computer on the table. Boyle quickly turned the View screen on and a picture of the General that Boyle respected came on.
"Evening General."
[Evening Major. I have a reassignment for you and your entire crew.]
"Reassignment? Sir with the Piracy the way it is now and the Mulluran Freedom Fighters attacking on our side of the DMZ we need to stay here." Boyle was getting a little frustrated.
[At ease Major. The Hammerheads are 13 years old. They are too costly to continue operating. You lost 2 during the last conflict and those two that replaced the lost ones were the last to be built. Also, Captain Roberts chief of Strategic Operations says the Marines should focus on ground operations not flight. So basically the VMF part of the Marines is gone now. Star Fleet will take over the fighter squadrons.]
Boyle scratched his head in frustration and anger. "Now what do I do with my Squadron not to mention myself?"
[Your pilots and you will command a Patrol Vessel. A modified Nova class ship. She can't last long without a home port -- 23 days is about the longest. Her name is the USS Iwo Jima. You're going to be an experimental unit. Your officers will serve as bridge officers and put into use their secondary skills.] Boyle looked over at Tarik who was just as astonished as Major Boyle.
[The Iwo Jima will arrive in 8 days. Your fighters -- keep them around just in case something happens. I'm sending over the Iwo's modified specifications. Taylor out.] The screen went blank and Boyle slammed his fist into right hand.
"Attention Hammerheads. Report to Briefing room. I have news about us all being reassigned. The Hammerhead fighter squadron is over. Meet me in about an hour," Boyle said tapping his comm badge, trying not to cry.
"I'm sorry Major. If their is anything you need let me or Major Jackson know and I'll do what I can," Tarik said giving a quick pat on Boyle's shoulder.
"Not now sir, I have to go over some information before I brief my men. I'll, ah, see you later Colonel?"
Boyle read the information. The USS Iwo Jima was a modified Nova class ship built in 2382 and was built as a Marine patrol cutter craft using the basic ideas of that class of vessel. Most of the sensors remained the same as a normal Nova class ship.
The weapons redesign was the major difference. Three class XI phaser banks and two rapid fire photon torpedo tubes. The ship was also equipped with ablative armor and regenerative shielding. Iwo Jima's propulsion was almost the same only capable of Warp 9.2. And could only carry enough fuel for no more then 23 days. These interesting facts couldn't hide the fact that the Hammerheads were no more an official unit. General Taylor said to keep the fighters around which meant they were not an official unit.
Major Boyle explained to his 54 member unit the whole story and what their new mission was and how important it was. It was indeed an experiment that did excite most of the members including Major Boyle. Thomas also felt disappointed though. His pride and joy was being phased out. He had spent more then 4 years with the 58th and lead them in almost 20 different skirmishes.