Re-allocation of Forces

With the newly commissioned USS Leviathan-B still undergoing extensive modifications, the Marines of the 201st Expeditionary Force, 8th Battalion, Foxtrot Company had some shore leave. That is, they were on terra firma, not so much shore leave.

Major Jon Phanan sat in one of Marine Post 13's many small offices going over reports about personnel reassignments and the disbanding of the unit into others. It was a little known fact that Foxtrot Company of 8 Battalion of the 201st MEF did not exist. It was the name Jon had given to the men that had been placed under his command while onboard the Leviathan. Now, with a new Leviathan still in dry dock, these people were being reassigned. His time was coming. Jon was sure of it. At this time, he was working on getting the men and women under his command in to… easier assignments.

There was a knock at the door. "Enter," Jon said calmly, not looking up from his work.

A Gunnery Sergeant entered. He made his way to the front of the desk and came to attention. "Sergeant Montgomery reports as ordered sir."

"Take a seat Sergeant," Jon said, not looking up. "How long have you been onboard the Leviathan Sergeant ?"

"Permission to speak freely, sir ?"

"Go ahead."

"Longer then I'd care to imagine, sir," He replied. "Under Devore there was the whole Barian War. That wasn't exactly fun."

"No it wasn't," Jon agreed, reclining back in to his chair. "Sergeant, I called you in here to talk to you about your new assignment. As I'm sure you already know, they're transferring the people that were under my command out in to other units."

"Yes sir," Sergeant Montgomery replied. "A lot of my squad has already been transferred out or at least have been notified as to where they would be going. A good portion said they were being transferred to the Sol system and other assignments close to Sector 001."

"Well, they weren't lying." Jon leaned forward. "Sergeant, I have received notification of a new post opening that I think you might be interested in."

"Sir ?" Montgomery asked.

"It appears that the flag officers in the Marine Corps want to establish a stronger recruiting drive across the UFP. They're opening up recruitment stations throughout most of Federation controlled space, including some desirable locations such as Risa and Parmethia and Hubarus IV." A smile began to form. "A venerable Marine such as yourself should be able to persuade young and eager people to join our ranks. People, for instance from Risa. I can't think of a better man for the job then you."

"Does this mean what I think it means sir ?" Montgomery asked, slightly confused.

"If it means getting the youth of Risa to join the Marine Corps, the yes it does." Jon rose to his feet.

"Congratulations Sergeant." Jon extended his hand.

"Thank you sir," Sergeant Montgomery said, rising from his seat. He shook Jon's hand, and then entered a salute.

Jon returned the salute. "Dismissed."

"Hoo-ah sir." Montgomery exited the office with a smile on his face.

[Major Phanan.] A voice came over his commbadge. He tapped it.

"Phanan here." He replied.

[This is Colonel Dowrey. Please come to my office as soon as you can.]

"Yes sir. I'll be there momentarily." Jon checked the papers on his desk to make sure that the transfer orders he was going to cover today were done, and made his way to see the Colonel.

Colonel Dowrey's Office

"Enter." Was heard from inside the office. Jon entered and came to attention, saluting.

"Major Phanan reports as ordered, sir."

"Take a seat Major."

"Yes sir." Jon took a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the Colonel's desk.

"Jon, I've got a new assignment for you. Nothing I'm sure you can't handle."

"Yes sir. If I may ask, what is it sir ?"

"You've actually been requested for this one." Dowrey handed over the PADD. "You're being assigned to the USS Taurus." He sat back in his chair. "The request is for you, First Lieutenant Jack Truman, Second Lieutenant Gibs and thirty other Marines at your discretion."

Jon read over the transfer orders. "Where is the Taurus now sir ?"

"Last I heard they were looking for a couple of kidnapped Federation in the Gamma quadrant. The USS George Patton is heading for Deep Space as we speak and the USS Churchill is being prepared to transport your group to Bajor at seventeen hundred hours tomorrow night. Select your group and have them ready to disembark by sixteen thirty hours. In the mean time, finish up the transfer orders you have to finish, and the rest will be taken care of by one of my staff."

"I have one question." Jon announced.

"What would that be ?" The Colonel replied.

"You said that the request was for me, Truman and Gibs." Jon stated. "Who made the request ?"

"Captain Aki Taybar." The Colonel replied. "She's the USS Taurus's Commanding officer….And I believe the former Captain of the USS Leviathan-A."

"Yes sir." Jon rose to his feet. "Request permission to be dismissed sir," he said while saluting.

"Granted. Oh, and Jon. Good luck."

"Thank you sir." Jon left the office to go and choose a team from a dwindling list of candidates.

Deep Space Nine (July 24, 2384)

The Danube class Runabout Des Plains set down in one of the large cargo bays of Deep Space Nine. The docking controller had given the Ensign clearance, only to find out that the bay they were to dock at was being occupied by another Runabout. After a few minutes of chatter, the problem was cleared and they managed to settle in the bay without anymore hassle.

As the doors overhead closed, sealing out the vacuum of space, the Ensign shutdown the engines and then walked into the cargo area. She stated the she would be on the station for the next half hour before the next transit back to Bajor would commence and proceeded to open the egress hatch.

Major Phanan was the first off of the Des Plains followed by his second in command First Lieutenant Jack Truman and Second Lieutenant Michael Gibs. The three had served onboard the Leviathan for what seemed to be ages. Now, they were being transferred to the USS Taurus where their combat experience was said to be "valuable."

*Knowing how to kill someone valuable ?* Jon always asked himself. He picked up the duffel bag he had placed on the deck.

"When do the rest get here sir ?" Jack asked.

"From what Sergeant Hormel said, they're due here no later then fourteen hundred." He checked his chronometer. It was only twelve hundred. Jon had come over with twenty Marines from the Leviathan. Another ten were due on the next Runabout bringing the strength up to that of a platoon. The others from the Leviathan were being transferred to different ships and installations across the fleet to fill Marine vacancies in the ever-continuing expansion of the Federation.

"Gives us time to check out the place." Jack replied.

"Let's get situated first. Report to the Chief of Security and have quarters assigned."

"Yes sir !" Jack picked up his duffel and made his way out of the bay.

Jon began issuing commands to the group of enlisted making their way out of the runabout. They formed up into their respective squads. Jack Truman entered a few moments later.

"Chief of Security received the transfer orders this morning. We're situated in the habitat ring, section one, rooms ten through twenty."

"Outstanding. Lieutenant Truman, move them out. After room inspection, they'll have leave until twenty-three hundred hours."

"Hoo-ah sir." Jack turned around. "Platoon atten-HUT!"

The twenty Marines came to attention. "Fallout !" The group took a step back, and did an about face. They picked up their bags and followed Truman out of the bay.

Jon watched his men leave for their temporary accommodation. His attention was drawn back to the runabout as he noticed another Marine leaving the runabout. Unlike the other Marines that had come with them, this one was different. For a start she wasn't one of the Marines from the Leviathan. And secondly, she was a girl. Whilst the Major knew that the Marines was in no way sexist and treated men and women equally, he personally felt uneasy having a female in his platoon. However, she was the only choice he had for a Field Medic.

Private Eliza Dyson was a new recruit, straight out of bootcamp on Mars. But her credentials were first rate, a former civilian Doctor in Australia before joining the Marines just six months ago. Her fighting skills lacked some finesse but her Drill Sergeant back on Mars said she had the makings of a good, if not excellent Marine.

"Private Eliza Dyson, you're falling behind the platoon." Jon announced in a strong authoritative voice.

"Yes Sir." Eliza came back, picking up her duffelbag. "My apologies sir."

Quickly she rushed off across the cargo bay, trying to catch up with the other Marines. She'd actually fallen asleep in the back of the runabout and only awoken when the runabout had fallen silent. She'd had a long ride to DS9, from Mars to Bajor in a little over two days in a cramped courier vessel and then another two hours to the station on the overcrowded runabout.

Turning his attention to his chronometer, he realised that it was time to get moving. He wanted to do a little sightseeing before welcoming the rest of his "chosen few" to the station. They would have about a day before the USS Patton would arrive at the station.