A slight reprimand

Posted on Thu Jul 17th, 2025 @ 4:32am by 1st Lieutenant Mazal Falk & Major Cameron Bourne

1,195 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: Marine CO’s Office

On:

Sitting at his desk in his office, Cam had sent Falk a message to meet him here when she was next available. While he understood her actions onboard the pirate ship, he couldn’t allow a subordinate to disregard his orders on an away mission. Sitting back in his chair, he waited for his officer to arrive.

Mazal knew this was coming. Cam had the right. When she arrived in his office, Mazal went into formal attention. "I am here as requested, Sir." Saluting, out of respect. There wasn't any defiance in her demeanor.

Pausing for a moment, Cam looked up at Mazal, “Lieutenant, I assume you have a reason why you disobeyed my orders on the pirate ship?” He asked, his voice firm but not agitated.

"Yes, I did have a reason for doing so Sir." Mazal lowering her arm. "You were going after the two left behind. However with feather-. I mean Ensign Tuff, I knew he wouldn't be moving too quickly so his safetyy was vital. And seeing that Lieutenant Melo wasn't near Ensign Tuff you couldn't divide your attention. Sir."

“So instead, you left your squad mate behind. Do you find that an acceptable solution Lieutenant?” Cam asked, templing his fingers.

"Sir, may I ask you a question, would you have let Chevy find his own way to the beam out point with others chasing him? He isn't capable of defending himself. Which is why Kara was with him. She was separated from him, trying to let him get away. Who knows if Chevy would be able to find his way to where we were to be meeting. I know how Maria worked, and her capabilities. You do not, Sir. And I do realize that you are not certain what I am capable of either. You had your goal, I had the other, as part of a team effort. To get Chevy to the beam out point. "

“Do you think so little of your fellow officer? Ensign Tuff is a Starfleet Academy Graduate. Even their science officers are trained in phaser combat. I would expect any officer, including one of his intelligence, to be able to get themselves from one point to another. However…” Cam said holding up his hand, “…I understand your position. Now you understand mine. I can’t have officers going off on their own initiative because they think they know better. I didn’t get my rank through sucking up to the brass and I didn’t go to the marine academy. I earned it the hard way by coming up through the ranks. I think I’m my years I’ve learned how to handle unfamiliar situations.” He said, standing up from his desk. “I wanted you and Maria to protect the scientist, I would’ve handled the rest. If you can’t follow orders Falk, I can’t trust you to have my back and I’ll be forced to leave you on the ship. Is that how you want you career to go?”

Mazal saw his point, and she totally understood his position. In fact she had a small smile. "I am sorry sir, for the smile but you have given a very satisfactory answer. And I thank you. However, I wasn't trying to suck up to you. You are right, I didn't take into consideration of the Ensign being capable of taking care of himself." though she was less certain as to whether Chevy was able to quickly defend himself. "I wouldn't want you to leave me behind either." she wasn't offering any excuses. "Plus I don't wish to be booted off the ship either. You, Sir are someone I feel that I can serve under with great respect."

Cam nodded, “good, then I’ll let you off easy this time, but if you ever pull a stunt like that again, you’ll be scrubbing the parade ground until it sparkles. Am I clear?”

"Crystal clear." Mazal responded. "Also just one minor thing. I made that judgement call, in the mindset of my earlier position. I do apologize for that sir. It will not happen again. Just bear with me please." her dark brown eyes going rather soft, with a pleading look. "I was completely willing to downgrade my rank as that is, in my opinion, proper protocol especially when going onto a new ship. And it constituted a brand new start for me. Not that there were any bad reports as to my conduct there, just a refresh."

“Just remember who’s the boss here Mazal. I understand you’re used to running things, but even I have to take orders from superiors I don’t like” Cam said, reaching out his hand, “chalk it up to a stumble and keep moving on. Your experience is a valued resource that I intend to put to good use.”

Mazal took his hand gave it a slight shake and let his hand go.

"You are the boss, and the same for Kara. And I am quite happy, not to be worried about being strongly urged to step away from being a Marine and becoming a StarFleet officer. Doing that in order to be a second officer and one day being a captain of my own ship. I--" Mazal looked down towards the toes of her polished boots, to hide the feelings of frustration she still felt from that discussion she had with that CO. She liked the CO well enough, but not enough to stay.

"I-I just couldn't, it went against who I felt I was, who I am, and it didn't feel right. " blast it, do not get all emotional in front of the new CO. Mazal, pull yourself together. she curled up her fist, striving to gain control. There was a tightness of her shoulders and her jaw was clenched as she worked through this emotional upwelling. She inhaled through her nose holding her breath for four beats then breathed out slowly.

Mazal looked back up towards Cam, being more calm, her fist loosening up. "Sorry sir. that sadly is an issue that I am dealing with still. I will actually be quite happy to work that out, in a more constructive manner. Even if it is scrubbing the parade grounds with a toothbrush." Deciding to lighten things up with some humor. "it would be great, cardio training, don't you think?" flashing a smile and having an honest twinkle in her eyes.

Cam smiled, “you may not think so after the first hour. But if you’re willing to give it a test run……” he said before walking around his desk and placing a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. First offences are rarely harshly punished. So long as you do your job, we won’t have any problems. Now get back out there Marine”

"Yes, Sir. And thank you!" Mazal giving a huge smile. "I most definitely feel that great things will happen here." With a salute, the tall Marine, left the office with a little bit of a skip.

END

1st Lieutenant Mazal Falk
Marine
USS Calypso

Major Cameron Bourne
Marine CO
USS Calypso

 

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