the assignment on him, he’ll already know everything we’ve got about it.”
Qindall returned the grin.
“I want a mix of Marines on this mission, some who served with or under Daly when he was a squad leader, and Marines who joined the company since he left for Arsenault.”
“That means second platoon.”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll review the platoon roster.”
“Do it.”
“Aye aye.” Qindall rose and left his commander’s office. Office of the Company Commander, Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company, Camp Howard, MCB Camp Basilone, Halfway Commander Walt Obannion gave WO Krispin Jaqua time to overburden Ensign Daly with his new duties before summoning his staff to the initial planning session for the mission to Haulover. Sergeant Major Maurice Periz stood easily inside the door to Obannion’s office. Periz didn’t say anything; he knew that Obannion would say what he had to say when his staff arrived, and anything else he, Periz, needed to know, he’d get from the commander after the staff meeting. Captain Stu Qindall, the executive officer, was in his office, on the comm alerting the platoon commanders that something was coming down, while Ensign Arvey Barnum, the S1 personnel officer, remained at his desk in the outer office waiting for the other staff officers to arrive. Lieutenant Jimy Phipps, S2 intelligence, and Captain Alphonse Gonzalez, S4 logistics and support, entered the outer office together just moments after Obannion put out the call for them. Jaqua was next to last to enter the outer office; he was trailed by his new assistant. Qindall and Barnum joined him in entering Obannion’s office. Barnum, the last man in, closed the door behind him.
“Are you settled in your quarters yet, Jak?” Obannion asked Daly.
“No, sir.” Daly suppressed an ironic laugh. “Gunner Jaqua’s had me so busy I haven’t even had time for a head call.”
“Now you know why the company staff always seems harried.” Obannion quickly turned to the reason he called for his staff. “We have a deployment. Two squads, one officer. Isolated homesteads on a new world called Haulover have been attacked by parties unknown, for reasons unknown. There has been total destruction of all buildings, and the people resident in the homesteads have simply vanished. The Haulover planetary administrator states he has no idea who is behind the hostile activities.
“All that and further details are in the briefing packets the sergeant major will give you on your way out.
“The first thing we need to decide is which squads are going. Suggestions?”
Qindall recognized his cue. “Sir, how about third and fourth squads from second platoon?” he asked. Obannion seemed to consider the suggestion. Fourth squad’s Sergeant D’Wayne Williams was new, and Sergeant Him Kindy had been promoted to succeed Daly when Daly had left for Arsenault. Lance Corporal Santiago Rudd had been in the platoon when Daly was still there, and Corporal Mikel Nomonon had been one of Daly’s men. The others didn’t know him. Obannion gave a sharp nod and said, “Inform Kady and Alf,” Lieutenant Kady Rollings and Gunnery Sergeant Alf Lytle, the platoon commander and platoon sergeant of second platoon. “Arvey, see to it that the records of everyone in those two squads are up-todate. Jimy, find whatever you can about Haulover’s history and interactions with its neighbors, and past pirate activities in its sector. Then add the information to the briefing packets and give it to Krispin for his planning. Alphonse, triple-check everybody’s weapons and equipment, make sure they’ll stand up to a possibly prolonged deployment without support—including the, ah, ‘special’ equipment. Krispin, stay in close touch with Jimy and integrate whatever he finds into your op plan. You’re also responsible for establishing the routines for the special equipment.
“Are there any questions?”
Daly hesitated; he didn’t want to sound stupid,
Qindall returned the grin.
“I want a mix of Marines on this mission, some who served with or under Daly when he was a squad leader, and Marines who joined the company since he left for Arsenault.”
“That means second platoon.”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll review the platoon roster.”
“Do it.”
“Aye aye.” Qindall rose and left his commander’s office. Office of the Company Commander, Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company, Camp Howard, MCB Camp Basilone, Halfway Commander Walt Obannion gave WO Krispin Jaqua time to overburden Ensign Daly with his new duties before summoning his staff to the initial planning session for the mission to Haulover. Sergeant Major Maurice Periz stood easily inside the door to Obannion’s office. Periz didn’t say anything; he knew that Obannion would say what he had to say when his staff arrived, and anything else he, Periz, needed to know, he’d get from the commander after the staff meeting. Captain Stu Qindall, the executive officer, was in his office, on the comm alerting the platoon commanders that something was coming down, while Ensign Arvey Barnum, the S1 personnel officer, remained at his desk in the outer office waiting for the other staff officers to arrive. Lieutenant Jimy Phipps, S2 intelligence, and Captain Alphonse Gonzalez, S4 logistics and support, entered the outer office together just moments after Obannion put out the call for them. Jaqua was next to last to enter the outer office; he was trailed by his new assistant. Qindall and Barnum joined him in entering Obannion’s office. Barnum, the last man in, closed the door behind him.
“Are you settled in your quarters yet, Jak?” Obannion asked Daly.
“No, sir.” Daly suppressed an ironic laugh. “Gunner Jaqua’s had me so busy I haven’t even had time for a head call.”
“Now you know why the company staff always seems harried.” Obannion quickly turned to the reason he called for his staff. “We have a deployment. Two squads, one officer. Isolated homesteads on a new world called Haulover have been attacked by parties unknown, for reasons unknown. There has been total destruction of all buildings, and the people resident in the homesteads have simply vanished. The Haulover planetary administrator states he has no idea who is behind the hostile activities.
“All that and further details are in the briefing packets the sergeant major will give you on your way out.
“The first thing we need to decide is which squads are going. Suggestions?”
Qindall recognized his cue. “Sir, how about third and fourth squads from second platoon?” he asked. Obannion seemed to consider the suggestion. Fourth squad’s Sergeant D’Wayne Williams was new, and Sergeant Him Kindy had been promoted to succeed Daly when Daly had left for Arsenault. Lance Corporal Santiago Rudd had been in the platoon when Daly was still there, and Corporal Mikel Nomonon had been one of Daly’s men. The others didn’t know him. Obannion gave a sharp nod and said, “Inform Kady and Alf,” Lieutenant Kady Rollings and Gunnery Sergeant Alf Lytle, the platoon commander and platoon sergeant of second platoon. “Arvey, see to it that the records of everyone in those two squads are up-todate. Jimy, find whatever you can about Haulover’s history and interactions with its neighbors, and past pirate activities in its sector. Then add the information to the briefing packets and give it to Krispin for his planning. Alphonse, triple-check everybody’s weapons and equipment, make sure they’ll stand up to a possibly prolonged deployment without support—including the, ah, ‘special’ equipment. Krispin, stay in close touch with Jimy and integrate whatever he finds into your op plan. You’re also responsible for establishing the routines for the special equipment.
“Are there any questions?”
Daly hesitated; he didn’t want to sound stupid,
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