This was the third week of her C-medic program. With the help of Colonel Tarik and Major Jackson, and three dozen marine volunteers. She was able to construct the scene; which included the site with a dozen snipers adding live fire to the corpsmen's challenge of finding twenty-four wounded, triaging casualties, treating them with just basic med kits, and extracting to the LZ within the 3hour time limit.
This was the third and last team of the day. Jayme ordered the last twelve marines training as corpsmen into the holosuite where they were instantly dropped into an environment that had aggressive overgrowth of plants, insects, and a sketchy report on troop deployment and conditions, and hostile. The air was hot, moist, with ozone and the unmistakable odor of blood. The sun was headed for the horizon and dusk was not far off. From the observation deck there was a series of monitors from which the officers could observe-recording devices mounted in the helmets as part of the lights and scanners, relayed instantly so she could see the process of triage and treatment.
The first four marines (team-1) burst through the door and onto the scene could hear the shouts and cries of the wounded company. The four had their side arms at the ready and issued cover fire as they took covering positions. Two advanced using rocks, trees, and a crashed runabout for cover. Another team of four (team-2) burst into the AO and started searching out wounded under the cover of the first foursome. The final team entered (team-3) ,and relieved the first team who then advanced to join team-2 in finding and treating the wounded. This is where the shit hit the fan and coordination, communication, and teamwork broke down.
"This is team-2 leader, " a scream could be heard over the open line. "Repeat this is team-2, we have found fourteen recon marines, four major injuries and ten minors, held up in a cave. I am leaving two men here to treat and hold this site-the rest will continue to search. Over."
There was a few minutes of silence then a female voice came over the line, "This is team-1 to team-2, we receive." From the observation area the three officers watched as the four in team-1 climbed into the downed runabout and stayed.
Team-3, continued to hold their position and return fire when they had targets. Five marines 'walking wounded' managed to crawl or limp to help. There two of the corpsmen immediately started working on them and then helped them through the portal to safety. Team-3's leader keyed his boom mike and reported, "team-3 to ALL Hands: five minors escorted to LZ. Over." Just then he felt a tap to his helmet and glanced over and recognized Marki. She leaned in and spoke into his ear. "Those five reported that there are two major's down on the other side of that rock outcropping, sir."
Colonel Tarik keyed his communicator. "Assault team disperse four men to the take the runabout on my order." The only response that the order was received was two clicks from an open mic. Jayme shook her head disgusted with this group. She caught the colonel's smile and twinkle in his eyes as he said, "Relax Lieutenant."
Team-3 leader ran his hand across his face to clear the sweat from his brow and eyes. Thinking. Keying his communicator, "Team-3 to team-1, come in. Over." He looked around and noticed that darkness was falling pretty fast. "Team-3 to team-1, report in!" He demanded. Finally, when he was about to get angry a faint click and static hazed and broken response came.".Team1.here.repeat.mess.age."
Frowning David rolled his eyes and gave up.
David added up the count=19. Damn, he thought to himself! Still short five men. Three if they could get the two Marki just told him about. In the back of his mind he wondered what the hell was going on with team-1. He keyed his communications, "Team-3 to team-2, Over."
There was a moment of silence and then team-2 leader came online, "Team-2, go."
"Team-3 to team-2, be advised team-1 is having communications difficulties. Also, I am detailing two of mine to scout and bring in two major wounded. Over."
"Received." There was a brief pause and then team-2 leader added, "be advised we have found three more minor's and have reached the cave. We'll start back to LZ with wounded, ASAP.
"Marki, take Duncan and work your way to where those two wounded are and report back." The woman moved like the wind and was gone in a blink. He glanced at his watch and noted that they had thirty minutes left to accomplish their rescue. Just then a light misting rain began to fall and he silently cursed 'Murphy'. He was watching the distant area where the runabout sat and though he saw movement. He fired off several quick shots in that direction. He keyed his mic, and requested, "team-3 to team-1, what's you're 20 (status)?"
The four Corpsmen sat in the runabout listening to the activity on their communications channel. They snickered and smiled at each other and dealt another hand of cards.
Four of the twelve snipers moved to surround the runabout. One sat just outside of the partially opened hatch and waited with a flash bang granade, waiting for orders to take the shuttle on a secured line.
"Marki to team-3." She finished treating her wounded and saw that Duncan was having trouble with his and joined to help.
"Team-3 to Marki. Report!" Duncan had his stabilized and was ready to carry the unconscious man to safety. Marki was rechecking her own. "Marki here. We found them and are on our way to the LZ. Sir." With that she pulled her patient up into a 'fireman's carry', as Duncan did same and they threaded their way out. With covering fire from team-3 they exited the portal.
Moments later they reappeared and moved back to their team leaders side. Moments later the fire fight became intense as team-2 worked its' way into view. "Sir." Marki asked, "Permission to help them to the LZ?"
"Go!" He authorized, and they opened fire to cover there two that headed off to help bring in the four major's that team-2 had along with thirteen minors. Five minutes later, they were all grouped, the minors helping to provide cover as Jayme watched four of her five problem marines shirk their duties and fail the simulation. She watched as Colonel Tarik keyed his communicator and order, "Colonel Tarik to Assault Team. BLOW THE RUNABOUT! Detain POW's."
Then there was an explosion, which shook the ground, and blinding light shot through the cockpit canopy on the runabout. Everyone paused then Team-3 leader could hear Marki cursing and ordering everyone though the LZ ahead of her.
Team-2 and team-3 leaders along with two other of the less injured marines started toward the runabout when six of the sniper team grabbed them and ordered "Kneel!" The Holosuite flared with light and became a large room with mock boulders and the mockup of the runabout. The four members of Team-1 knelt on the deck in restraints, still shaking and trying to clear their heads.
The three officers exited the door and at the bottom of the stairs turned and headed to the staging area outside the holosuite's portal. The wounded were all leaning against the walls and had come to attention, "Officers on Deck!" SGT Hartman called.
"At ease. Well done and thank you for your participation in this drill. Please complete your evaluation of your treatment by the medical team and any other observations you had and email them to Lt. Alcon. "Dismissed."
Colonel Tarik smiled and turned to me, "What have you learned from all of this Lieutenant?"
"Sir. I've learned who I can trust to treat patients without direct supervision and which four I'll never allow to work as a team again. They will be divided out from now on." She paused as the portal opened and the twelve corpsmen, twelve snipers, and thirteen 'walking wounded' flooded the hall. Jayme turned and in a loud voice ordered. "Snipers and wounded, please fill out and email me your evaluations. Thank you for helping today. Dismissed." As they disappeared around the corner she looked at the loosely assembled sweaty bunch. Jayme yelled in her sternest voice, "FALL IN. SINGLE FILE." She pointed, and added, " ALONG THAT WALL."
They were slow moving to comply so the Major called out, "NOW!" They formed up and stood at attention, where 'they were critiqued in minute detail for the next hour by Jayme.' Before being dismissed the Colonel addressed the group. Jayme shook her head. Teams-2 and team-3, you are dismissed." Team-1: Commings, Esteva, Kaplan, and Zack's remained standing at attention.
"Lieutenant." She looked at the Colonel. He nodded and said. "You're dismissed. My office 0900 tomorrow." With that Jayme pivoted and did an about face took two steps and fell out.