Posted by Lieutenant Colonel Melissa Barber-Tafoya (MACO) in Final Countdown… MACO or bust (MACO)

Posted by Lieutenant Elizabeth Prescott (Security) in Final Countdown… MACO or bust (MACO)

The day before had been rough. Prescott moved towards the MACO’s office and wondered just how badly she was gonna get it today from another superior officer. After three days, the bruises were starting to fade, but she still looked like she’d taken a beating. The marks on her arms were still colored, though fading, as were the grip marks on her wrists. Her black eye was fading to just the dark impact point on her left cheekbone. She had let the Doc treat her, but knew there were some things she had to get over on her own.

As she reached the woman’s office, she straightened her uniform and tapped the chime. She was inspection ready… for the most part. And she knew the next few minutes may mean the difference between her staying on the ship, and having a job, or being sent away for her incompetence.

Lt Elizabeth Prescott
Sec/Intel (relieved)

Melissa looked up “Enter Lt.” She said leaning back in her chair. Melissa had already read Prescott’s file and now the woman stood before her looking like the worst part of a bad night. Melissa stood up “You have three minutes to explain to me what the hell happened to you and why I should give you a chance to remain on this ship.” She said firmly. Melissa believed in second chances, hell she had had several second chances in her career, some she probably should have never had.

MACO

Elizabeth frowned slightly. Had Baumann gone and told everyone? Was she honestly going to have to justify even remaining on the ship now? She didn’t exactly come to attention, but she didn’t slouch either. “I would hope you’d keep me on the ship cause I have three weeks to get ready to confront Commander Baumann and knock him on his backside. Then I’m sure he’ll save you the trouble, if I fail, and simply space walk me.” There was an edge of annoyance but she kept it far enough away from insubordination that she hoped even the MACO would see she was trying.

“As to what happened. A bad call in judgement that ended with my ass being beat. Is that a sufficient enough admission of guilt, Ma’am?” Her jaw was tight. She had come here to ask for help, not get another chewing. It was bad enough she got it from Medical after the Commander. But now the MACO. It dawned on her she should just walk around the ship and pull aside everyone of rank higher than her and await her discipline speeches. Perhaps even bring them all to the Conference Room and get it over with at once.

Prescott
Sec/Intel(relieved)
Melissa’s stance softened ever so slightly, she had been where Elizabeth was now “Lt., I need you to tell me exactly what the Commander told you.” She said “I have a problem with acting like that because of a lapse in judgement.” She said “We’ve all made a mistake and got our asses handed to us. Have a seat.” She said pointing to the metal chair in front of the desk and she took a seat on her desk “So…how badly do you want to make Commander Baumann eat his words?” She asked “He’s going to come at you with everything he’s got.” She said folding her hands in front of her “And the biggest question of all....Has Medical cleared you to particpate in physical activities?” Melissa asked ..

Elizabeth nodded. “Medical said I needed a couple days. So I’ll be ready by tomorrow or the next day. And I don’t want to make him eat his words as you say. I just want him to know I’m serious about coming back to Intel. That’s all. I need to show him I’m worth the training.”

“I’ve been where you are. I made a stupid mistake when I first joined the MACOs. You have to understand that I’m not as calm as everyone seems to think I am. I have a temper and it got the best of me and I screwed up. It could have cost lives, fortunately it didn’t. I was given four weeks unpaid leave and told that I would have to fight the biggest guy in our company, just to prove my worth.” Melissa sighed “Needless to say, the time came to the fight, I had trained day and night, cus the biggest guy in our unit was almost twice my height and three times my weight. I was able to use that to my advantage, don’t get me wrong, I got a beating, but in the end, I wore him out.” She said “When do you want to start?” Melissa asked looking Elizabeth in the eye.

MACO

Prescott listened and nodded. “I’m sure I’ll end up on my backside before him. But I need to try. I’ll be ready tomorrow. Since I’m relieved of duty, I am open to any time. You just say when and where.” She had a determined look on her face. Whatever it took, she was willing to do it. She had to.

Prescott
Sec/Intel(relieved)