"Taking Point"

[Hunter Matheson 0]

"Taking Point"

Granger & Matheson

 

July 4, 1969

Cape Canaveral, Florida

 

Taking point on your first mission with a new team wasn't exactly what Kal expected when he was assigned to Challenger. 'Course he already knew their reputation as quick-change artists, having heard the scuttlebutt from most of his buddies. Oh, you want us to go there instead of there, sir? You completely changin' the mission, sir? No sweat, sir. Roger that, sir! We got it!

 

It's called a lot of things, but the polite way of sayin' it is mission creep. You begin with one mission and it creeps into a totally different one, as dangerous as dropping into a hot zone with no support. When a mission changes it leaves everyone but the head shed* out in the open, aka Kal & co. But, hey... it comes with the territory.

 

"Okay, few changes for Zeus Boy," Kal began, settling onto a handy bunk in the largest bedroom of their quarters, the only room large enough for a private team meeting. The rest of the team draped over chairs, sat on the floor, or leaned against the wall. PFC Souter sat on one of the top bunks swinging his legs over the side, lookin' like a kid arriving at camp. But he was pretty much a kid anyway, the youngest of the bunch.

 

"Today's standard patrol, civilian clothes. Cap'n Granger's picked out... uh..." he grinned as he glanced up to the figure that leaned against the wall. She shrugged, giving a playful smirk in response. "...anyway, they're on the dresser over there for y'all to fight over. Just pick some'n that fits."

 

O'Neill rolled his eyes. Moa gave a low snort. Danny opened his mouth to make a comment, then shut it when he noticed the cap'n had him in her crosshairs. The rest seemed pretty content except for Tasha, who seemed to be looking for something in particular. Cap'n pulled out a sundress with matching swimsuit and tossed it to her.

 

"Stay sharp for anything out of the ordinary," Kal continued. "Frequencies we're monitoring won't change and if a frequency comes in under the radar, Main will be on top of it and send an alert. Then we switch to plan B. Three nets we're monitoring: Main, team, and NASA. Got it?"

 

Kal looked around for nods, then moved on.

 

"The mission. Cap mentioned, I'm repeating: Cap, Lance," he glanced at Tasha, "and Cmdr Rinax will be located in the main building. If they move beyond that Main will pick that up and transmit to Actual, who will establish the creep, if any. No contact - repeat no contact with any of them. Cap has that covered." Kal looked to Cass, who confirmed.

 

"All other AORs* are still valid. Gunny," he looked at Momoa, "you're with me at the prep and launch area covering HVTs.* Daniels, there was discussion about pulling you off overwatch with NASA security, but that's a critical position and still a go, so stay put. The rest of you clear on your AORs?" Again he looked for nods.

 

" RIght. Rules of Engagement. Lance," he looked at Tasha, "MEDROE* has changed."

 

Tasha looked puzzled. "How so?"

 

"Only personnel you treat are Challenger mission personnel, and then only if they are critical and can't be medevaced. Don't even think of helping a kid with a skinned knee. Head shed says you're not supposed to be medical so they don't want you actin' like it. The rest of you, if you're injured and need assistance, move to a secure location and use that medevac tag. Your buddy gets injured, same thing. No one - repeat, no one gets left behind on this mission. Timeline is critical. Got it?"

 

A chorus of, "Got it," came from everyone but Tasha, who gave a reluctant, "Aye."

 

"Okay. Call signs. Commander Murphy is Zeus Actual. I'm Zeus 1, Cap's Hera, everything else stays the same.

 

=======

Cheat Sheet:

AOR - Area of Responsibility

HVT - High Value Target

ROE - Rules of Engagement

MEDROE - Medical Rules of Engagement

Head Shed - Command

Main - Challenger OPS

Actual - mission commander