Posted by Captain Freja Andreassen (Commanding Officer) in PreSim - When Ground Meets The Sky (Tag CO)

Posted by Lieutenant Colonel Drangon Cull (Commander, Marine Batallion) in PreSim - When Ground Meets The Sky (Tag CO)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Lunan Farrah (First Officer) in PreSim - When Ground Meets The Sky (Tag CO)
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After being escorted to the Command Center, Lieutenant Colonel Drangon Cull- Commanding Officer of rhe 1st Marine Raider Battalion- walked to the Ready Room door and pressed the chime. The giant Xindi-Reptilian drew more than a few glances, but Drangon pretended not to notice.

Cull, MCO

“Come,” Freja called, looking up from her paperwork so when the doors slid open, as she’d been bent over her desk, her blond braid now hung over her right shoulder. It wasn’t messy by any means, which meant she had a light day of paperwork, which often didn’t happen.

~Freja Andreassen~

The door slid open to reveal an extremely large Xindi-Reptilian in a Fleet Marine working uniform. Lieutenant Colonel insignia adorned his collar, and he ducked I to the room and walked up to the desk. “Captain Andreassen. Lieutenant Colonel Drangon Cull, Commanding Officer of 1st Marine Raider Battalion.” he said, his voice a deep bass; and he held out a scaled and black nailed hand to the Chimera CO. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Cull, MCO

“Welcome to the Chimera, Lt. Colonel,” Freja smiled as she rose and shook the offered hand before sinking back into her chair, “I was beginning to wonder if Command was ever going to assign us another Battalion commander. I won’t keep you too long, I’m sure you’re eager to get organized and ready for the next mission, I expect orders to come down shortly. I just have this brief talk with every new department head that comes onto my ship, though I find it’s particularly important with the marine divisions that serve on the ship because unlike starfleet department heads, I have never been a marine. I find the best way to create a harmonious atmosphere is to adopt a simple rule, I don’t ever tell you how to be a marine battalion commander if you don’t ever tell me how to be a starship captain. That being said, I am available for advice, you just have to ask. I will also do you the courtesy of asking for your advice when I need it. Do you have any specific expectations of me at this stage?”

~Freja Andreassen~

Cull regarded Andreassen with a look of highly practiced and intelligent appraisal. “A few, yes; but I will say yiur ‘one simple rule’ does bode well for us going forward. Many ship Captain’s are not so willing to admit that the role of the Marines is something foreign to them, and I appreciate that. One expectation that I have is one that I have found to be uncommon from the Marine perspective: we will be part if the defence force of this ship. In that role, wr fully expect to be under the supervision of your Security officers. We will ho where they direct us and we will help defend this ship and crew from any internal threats.” and he grinned a wicked smile. “I’m sure your Marine Aviators will help take care of the external ones.” He thought for a moment and said “Additionally, I may be in a position to ask you to… ‘modify’… orders as they pertain to my Battalion’s deployment. Any such orders coming from Fleet Marine Command, that is. We can get into hypothetical or historical instances of when and how that has happened if you like; but honestly that is a discussion I would like to have with all of your Command team… Department Heads included.”

Cull, MCO

“I’m prepared for that,” Freja replied, “We can set up a briefing style meeting if you prefer or you can touch base with each DH one on one, whichever you prefer. I imagine you’ll want to coordinate quite closely with my COS, but I like the idea of laying out expectations from the word go. It makes it easier when we hit mission hiccups.”

~Freja Andreassen~

“I’d like to speak to all of them at the same time.” Cull said. “And I would like them to be prepared to give feedback, as well. Especially after I explain the role and mandate of the Raiders. We…” and he grinned a small but moderately predatory grin, “… are not your typical Marines. And sometimes that can be a bit of a shock. I’d like to minimize that shock as much as possible.”

Cull, MCO

“Of course, let’s look to set that up in the next day or so. I know you’ll be busy-ish with the typical boarding meetings with medical and whatnot, so you can coordinate with my XO as to what time will work best, he and I will make sure everyone’s there.”

~Freja Andreassen~

OOC: Would you like me to jump in here too?

-Kieron-

“I’ll send them our schedule and he can let me know when you all can be available.” Cull said. “And when my XO arrives, I am sure the two of them can iron out any scheduling issues.” He regarded the Captain for a moment and then said “Do you have any questions for me, Captain? Either about myself or the Raiders you have moving into your ship at the moment?”

Cull, MCO

“I personally don’t, but that is probably because I have worked with marines in the past. I’m sure in time I’ll learn the unique aspects of your battalion versus other battalions, but if you have anything specific you think I should know, I’ll happily listen and take notes,” Freja smiled, “I’ll warn you that most of my senior staff don’t have a lot experience with marines, but they are learning thanks to Colonel Lardel’s fighters, and I’m sure they’ll continue to learn with the addition of the Raiders.”

~Freja Andreassen~

Cull chuckled. “Well… I will say that we are not typical of the Corps, Captain. So to be a bit expository…” and he took a breath. “The Raiders are, at the core of it, an asymmetrical fighting force. As such, we are tasked with conducting operations that require more than just boots on the ground. We are trained and adept at infiltration and reconnaissance, intel analysis, and impersonation of local inhabitants. In the past, we have been called upon to train counter-insurgency forces with friendly governments… and we have been sent to train insurgency forces themselves in areas the Federation would ‘like to see change’.” He paused and let the true meaning of what he was saying be emphasized.

Continuing, Cull said “On board, many of my Raiders will look just like any other Marine, but there a some who most certainly do not. Due to the nature of our operations, we have many Raiders who are allowed to maintain ‘alternative grooming standards’. That being they are expected to maintain the appearance of whatever culture, species, government, or non-Federation military force they are experts in. They do so at all times, and are quite adept at slipping in and out of those personas. I do not want any of your crew to become concerned if they suddenly see a Romulan in full military dress heading for the flight deck. Specific Raiders will be tasked with individual or small-unit missions frequently. It is less common, but certainly does happen, that we are called upon to act as a Battalion. In those instances, we are utilized as a true fighting force…” and he grinned a predatory smile. “Although our tactics do tend to raise more than a few eyebrows.”

Cull, MCO