On The Way To Paktar, "A Marine Point of View"

[Ambassador Moose 0]

Master Gunnery Sergeant Mary Kathryn O'Malley

Federation Marine Corps

Assigned: Military Escort Service to Federation Ambassador Christopher T. Moose

 

Kate O'Malley stood at parade rest in the shadows of the sickbay on the Benai Starship. She was standing her shift with the young boy that lay in the bed a mere 6 feet from her. The young black dog creature that was the boy's pet, lay curled at her feet, his head resting on the toe of her boot. The Benai had not easily consented to either the presence of the Federation Marine, or the pup; but Ambassador Moose had managed to convince them to allow it.

 

Kate had no problem with the duty. She did not trust the Benai, and since the boy was helpless, it made perfect sense that he be protected. Her only real problem was being assigned to diplomatic duty in the first place. At 45 years of age, she was a Master Gunnery Sergeant, the second highest Non Commissioned officer rank in the Corps, and a highly decorated combat veteran. She belonged in a combat unit; not nurse maiding diplomats. But, she was a Marine. She went where she was told, and did her duty. So there she stood, in Federation Marine dress blues, her breast weighted with 27 years of honors and decorations, and the head of a sleeping puppy on her boot, watching over a child.

 

When the Axian woman entered the sickbay, and moved to David Quest's bed, Kate's 27 years of discipline brought her to attention; but her eyes did not snap front, and focus on that non existent place where Marine's at attention had looked for centuries. Instead, her eyes followed the woman carefully. She was an alien, too, and member of the Federation delegation or no, she could be a threat to the boy. Truth be told, Ambassador Moose was the only member of the delegation diplomats that Kate felt she could trust at all. He'd been a Starship Captain. He was kindred.

 

After the required respectful few moments, O'Malley returned to parade rest; still watching the woman as she moved a chair to the boy's bedside and began gently playing a harp and singing softly to him. The pup, Shadow, raised his head from her boot and watched too. He did not growl, but, Kate was certain that he was also prepared to defend his master with his life if the need arose. Kate liked the dog beast. He was a Marine's kind of dog. The pup was loyal, and Kate knew he had courage.

 

The woman, Rowan Moderi was her name, had a beautiful voice, and both Kate and the pup found it and the harp music pleasing. Shadow returned his head to Kate's boot with an appreciative whimper sound, and Kate relaxed a little as she listened and watched. Maybe she was being overly distrusting, O'Malley thought to herself as the woman sang and played. Clearly the woman was here to give what comfort she could to the boy.

 

Then the music stopped, and Kate found she was disappointed. She glanced down at the pup to if he too seemed to be saddened by the loss of the music. Kate did not see the woman's hand slip into her tunic; but she did see clearly when the woman reached over and took the boy's hand, and O'Malley stiffened. The young dog raised his head and offered a small tentative growl. Both watched as the woman's eyes closed as she held the boy's hand gently in her own.

 

O'Malley's posture changed, and she took a small step closer to the boy's bed. The pup raised to his feet and stepped forward with her, his head low, his ears back, and his eyes fixed on the woman. Both were poised if the woman made any attempt to harm young David. Kate's hand slipped to a small device on her belt and pushed a button that would alert Ambassador Moose. Then she prepared herself to do what she might have to do.