"I want to congratulate you on completing the Thermopylae assignment, Captain. Commandant Mer'an was very impressed with your performance," Tarik told Jayme as the two sat in Tarik's office.
"Thank you, sir," Jayme said. She looked haggard from her time on the secret asteroid base. She'd lost weight and there were dark circles under her eyes that disturbed Tarik greatly. "I'm still not sure what I accomplished there, though."
"You've taken the La'kon Legion--a group of mostly civilian volunteers from at least a dozen races--and taught them proper military discipline. Part of the problem we had with the Legion on Az'reel was a lack of unit cohesion. They spread out too thin, allowing the Mullurans critical maneuvering room and time. The Legion today would never let that happen, largely because of you. And, your medical skills have saved literally dozens of lives. You will be briefing your replacement, Captain Vladimir Mikhailovich Degataryev. Captain Degataryev arrives on the station tomorrow; I have some other assignments for him so if you can have him briefed on the Thermopylae operation by the end of next week, that would be very good."
A Russian? On a station run by G'kar? He'll probably be begging for reassignment to Siberia after the first week! Jayme thought. One of Starfleet's largest--and most disliked--survival training camps was located deep in Siberia on Earth. It tended to have a high turnover rate, particularly in winter.
"Now that we have more junior officers as part of the MEF I can start rotating some of the others. I want you to remember that everything you've seen and done here is strictly off-the-record. I have recommended you for the Good Conduct Medal and promotion to Major once you've met your time-in-grade requirement for your efforts. And thanks to Mer'an's good word, you now hold the rank of Subaltern in the G'kar regular forces. That's equivalent to your current Federation rank. Don't expect a fancy ceremony or anything; they're really not into that. The G'kar culture is built around discretion. If he'd praised you to your face at all it would have been considered an insult. But it is in your personnel jacket."
Jayme looked shocked.
"Now, here's what I really wanted you for," Tarik said, passing Jayme a PADD. "Until this year the 28th had been basically an infantry company. Now we're up to brigade strength. We have several infantry companies, an air wing, and a few other things you'll be hearing about soon." Tarik made it a point not to specifically mention the Samurai project until Jayme had an absolute need to know. Her file--and Kassia's work with her--had revealed a weak but still significant psi ability. "One thing we do need, and quickly, is a Mobile Medical Unit. You will be in command of the Mobile Medical Unit, and will report directly to me. Pick the people you feel appropriate for your staff and draw up an equipment requisition by 1530 tomorrow. Whatever you need, I'll do my best to get for you. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself having to use steel scalpels and catgut sutures the way Supply has been operating."
"If we're relying upon them I'll be lucky to get a barber's bowl and leeches!" Jayme exclaimed, still overwhelmed by Tarik's proposal.
"I can give you one thing, though: we're retiring the Hawke transports as of the end of the month. The Hawkes will be replaced for combat purposes with the new Rhino heavy transport. Some of the Hawkes will be headed where you just came from after being 'officially' scrapped; the rest we're converting to this vehicle."
Jayme looked at yet another PADD from Tarik. "The MedHawk medical transport...hmmm...it looks good, but who's going to fly it?"
"I've talked to Fleet; they'll loan us pilots until we get some pilots and backups trained. Since the people who were flying the Hawkes are now going to fly Rhinos, we don't exactly have a huge supply of people. We're due for at least three pilots from the Academy with the next graduating class, but I wouldn't count on them. In the meantime, you'll need to select five people from your group for flight instruction. The Starfleet side and the Hammerheads when they're able will provide instruction. I do insist on one thing, though."
"What's that?"
"You get flight instruction, at least as a backup."
Jayme looked terrified. "Me? Fly a shuttle?"
"It's one of the most useful things you can have. It's gotten me out of a jam or two, and particularly if you're going to fly medevac missions in combat, I want you to know how to at least bring the bird down safely--preferably where your patients won't have to walk too far for treatment. This is an order, Captain."
"Understood," Jayme said after a long pause.
"Cheer up! It'll be fun!" Tarik said enthusiastically. "Besides, your flight instructor's one of the best shuttle pilots I know--one who's flown this type of mission many times in the past." Tarik tapped a button on his desk, one that connected him to his clerk outside. "Send the Lieutenant in," he said.
The door slid open, and Paul Deveraux entered. "I believe you've already become acquainted with Lieutenant Paul Deveraux during the Swarva mission. He can fly circles around just about anyone on this station with the possible exception of the Hammerheads. And, he's flown several medevac missions."
"Ah hope zhat my performance now will be much better zhan my performance on Swarva," Paul said with a grin. "Ah've certainly not lacked for practice!" Jayme groaned inwardly.
"None of that, Mister, or I'll kick your ass myself--what's left of it, that is, after Captain Alcon is finished with you!"
"Ah, Tarik, mon amis! You take ze fun out of everyting!"
Jayme listened to the interplay between the two men. She'd known they were friends but hadn't had the opportunity to see them interact in this way before.
"I want Captain Alcon's flight training to begin no later than 0900 hours Monday next. I expect full progress reports."
"Understood, sir," Jayme replied.
"Don' be so nervous! You will enjoy flying weeth ze great Deveraux!" Paul said. Tarik said nothing--Paul could be as obnoxious as he wanted as long as he didn't try to make a move on Jayme. Particularly after certain details of Jayme's past had come to Tarik's attention.
"You have your assignments. Dismissed."
Jayme left the office, deliberately heading in the opposite direction from Paul. Not that she disliked the man--at least, not too greatly. The thought of anything associated with piloting was really doing a job on her.