With the New Year and first shift in sickbay out of the way, Jayme woke early and headed for the gym, showers, and breakfast in the cafeteria. She entered the training room to find 20 fresh faced marines and 15 who appeared to be seasoned veterans, all stood at her entrance. Five in the back row were less then sharp, two looked like they'd actually slept in their uniforms and were loosely at attention. "Be seated!"
"I am Lieutenant Alcon, your instructor for this course. I am senior Marine Corpsman for the 28MEF." Pausing, she waited for the two in the back row to stop whispering. "You have been chosen to complete this task, the program is challenging, but on the battlefield you will be looked to by fellow marines as important assets-which has it's rewards."
Walking to stand beside the back row, she yelled, "IS THERE A PROBLEM MARINES?" Three of the five shook their heads and softly answered, "no." The two women smiled and added, "No Ma'am," In a little louder voice. Jayme met each pair of eyes, and yelled, "I DIDN'T HEAR YOU." This time as one and in a loud voice answered, "NO, MA'AM!"
Better. The next six weeks were going to be rough. Justhow rough would be determined by this group of marines themselves. "This is a six week course, after each new section there will be a test and practical, near the end you will be assigned four shifts in sickbay working with me, and then there is the final, final practical, and the mass casualty incident simulation.
"There will be times when we will be fielded as individuals and others when we will be sent as a group to staff a field hospital. In any matter, you will also maintain your current MOS's."
"Lives are at stake. Minimum passing score in this program is 85%. If you fail this course you will repeat it! Is that UNDERSTOOD?"
"YES, MA'AM!" As one they responded. After calling roll. Jayme noted that Corporal's Esteva, Kaplan; PFC's Commings, Neil, and Zack's, comprised the five in the back row, were also on her 60 days past due physicals list. Figures
Everyone had PADDS out and accessed the system and the first thing was an assessment test; which would let her know their general education levels, previous medical knowledge, and attitudes. Two hours later the computer was doing the automated evaluation, and generating a comprehensive report. Jayme moved on starting with the anatomy and physiology portion of the course.
Jayme's chronometer beeped signaling 1700hrs. "Tomorrow, here 0800. Everyone but, Commings, Esteva, Kaplan, Neil, and Zack are dismissed."
There were no looks to the five named; everyone just hurried out. She walked to the back row and noted the sneers. As she laid five pieces of paper (pages copied from the Marine Corps handbook) on the desk, one in front of each. "Commings, read the first line." She listened, then looked to "Esteva-second line." She worked her way through all five marines.
"What's this shit man?" Esteva asked, when Zack completed his line. Jayme ignored Cpl. Esteva's blatant insubordination. And waited another minute.
"I wanted to make sure the five of you could read." She said sternly. "You will address me as Lieutenant, Lt. Alcon, or Ma'am-I do not answer to 'man'." Jayme shook her head, "you've checked your email because you are here and that is how the notices went out last week. So my question is: Why Are All Five of You still delinquent on your physicals?" Several shrugged, a few more looked to Esteva, then Zack answered.
"Physicals are a waste of time and are unimportant."
"Really." Jayme walked to the front of the room, retrieving her mug of cold coffee and warmed it with fresh. "Hmmm. That's interesting reasoning but it has no bearing on the Marine Corps Regulations-- stating that 'ALL' will have yearly screenings. It's a regulation and there is no latitude granted." She sipped her coffee and waited for this to sink in. "You may have been able to hold Starfleet medical off with excuses or threats in the past, but it stops here. I will be in my office for the next four hours. At 2200hrs, if you are still delinquent, I will file with the Colonel to suspend you from all duties, without pay or privileges." Jayme picked up her PADD and left the room headed for mini sickbay.
By 2000, Neil arrived and completed his physical. Afterward he paused in the door way. "Lt. Use caution with Esteva and Commings." He left without another word or glance. Jayme sat at her desk filing her findings. At 2030 the door buzzed and there stood Esteva and Commings. Both women took places on the bio-beds and Jayme started running thescans. She moved to Commings, and said, "I need to draw a micro-tube of blood." Using a lancet, puncturing the first index finger of the woman's right hand. When it was filled Jayme sealed both ends and placed it in the analyzer. "I'll email you the results, you're dismissed!"
"I'm going to wait for Esteva." She said. Jayme smiled and nodded, "suit yourself."
The analyzer beeped. Jayme moved to Esteva and repeated the procedure and placed Esteva's blood in the machine. "You're both dismissed!"
Jayme's back was to them less then a minute when she felt them grab onto her. Jayme moved back into them to give herself room. After a few blows apiece they fled the room; one with a busted lip and a knee injury, and the other with bruised ribs and a bloody nose. Jayme slid down the cupboard between the bio-beds and sat for a few minutes applying pressure to the laceration on her right temple that she received when her head struck the counter top. Shaking her head, she stood and moved to the desk. A few minutes passed, while she sat thinking nothing's so bad it can't get worse! She used the dermal generator to seal the cut but nothing to be done about the knot and bruise that was forming.
Jayme finished the reports on Corporal Kaplan and PFC Zack's. Before leaving Jayme took 3 Acetaminophen with what was left of her cold coffee before heading to the Colonels office. Then off to her quarters to study. "What a day! Hate to see what the next 6 weeks would bring. I should never have left the Phoenix!" she muttered as she buzzed the Colonel's office. No answer, she turned to leave and ran directly into Major Jackson. "Sorry, Sir!" she said, stepping back and coming to attentio.
"Lieutenant." He asked with a frown and a glance to my face. Jayme then followed his gaze where she noted a smear of blood on the emerald green of her tunic. "Trouble?"
"Locker door sprung and caught me, Sir." She kept a straight face and forced herself to keep her eyes straight ahead.
He nodded, then asked, "Did you file a report to get maintenance to fix this 'locker door?'"
"I will, sir." Wanting to avoid any further questions she handed him the reports on Kaplan and Zack's. "Reports for Colonel Tarik on the delinquent physicals."
He took the hard copies and the disks from the woman. "I'll see that he gets these in the morning. Dismissed Lieutenant."
Relief flooded through her as she answered, "Yes. Sir!" Pivoting Jayme hurried down the hall toward her quarters.