The grunt and the Doc.

Posted on Friday June 12th, 2026 @ 9:54am by Lieutenant JG Summer Wyse & Major Markurius Savage

1,707 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: VFY S9, E1: We Have A Home
Location: Promenade/Counsellor’s Office

The conversation with Commodore Hogan was quite productive and he had a few ideas on how to turn this highly specialized unit into something truly good. Now he headed for the the place that most officers felt they could simply ignore. But he knew better, there were some dark things out there and it was not easy to carry it all alone. He himself had had a few female companions over a few nights to ease his burden, not that he told them much but it was always nice to have someone listen. His walk was the same as always, almost like he was walking a military parade alone.

In her office Summer was surprised to see the name of the Marine CO pop up on her schedule, it was rare to have a marine who would volunteer for an appointment with a Counselor. She hadn’t yet gotten around to the marine contingent onboard, but she had requested another counselor from Starfleet, just for the contingent.

The sound of his steps came through the door before they hissed open, he didn't wear the standard marine or fleet uniform. It was more tactical and all black. Without a word he stood at parade rest in front of the younger woman. This war had taken so many senior men and women, forcing the younger to step up. It was quite impressive and a sign that the people before the young had trained them well.

“Major” Summer stood up to greet him as a mark of respect motioning him to a seat. “Please feel free to take a seat, and tell me what I can do to help you today.”

"I’d rather stand ma'am. I am here to get my psychological evaluation as per regulations after reporting for duty." Savage said calmly.

“Fair enough” Summer nodded before taking a seat. “So, tell me about yourself Major. I have a PaDD here all about you but I’d prefer to hear it from you.”

"I am just a grunt ma'am. Been crawling through the dirt for decades. I do not know what else to tell you." he answered truthfully.

Summer nodded. “You must have been through quite a lot in your time in the marines, how does it affect you when you have to send marines out knowing they may not come back?”

"I do not expect the men and women to face the jaws of death alone, I have always stood next to them, eaten the same dirt, bleed the same blood." he answered.

Summer smiled. “I expected you to say something like that. Your record shows a marine that has always dedicated himself to his role. The fact that you’re here as Marine CO proves that.”

He nodded. "It's the first time I will be off the front lines. But we will need something new. Fill a gap where we are lacking."

“Ohh? May I ask what that gap is?” Summer asked as she looked at Markurius curiously.

"Rapid Response ma'am. We have standard security forces and marines. But we need something far more specialized. Fast response teams, field medics that can work side by side of standard troops to carry out very specific tasks to ease up the standard troops to focus on what they do best." he responded.

“That sounds like an interesting idea, I’m obviously not a Marine but on my homeworld we’re all chosen for our roles in society at an early age. I have relatives that are in Drax’s version of the Marine Corps.” Summer paused. “Do you have any family?”

"No ma'am. Family isn't in the cards for me, I do not have the time to focus on that and my job is far to risky to let the pain of my possible death harm them." he said.

Summer nodded. “What about having someone to carry on your legacy? To keep your bloodline going?”

"I do not need that. My legacy will be the Rapid Response. Thousands of men and women who are specially trained to respond fast, deal with threats, rescue hostages, heal wounded in the field. I am going to make sure to invite the navy to the training sessions, security officers and fighter pilots alike. They might be different departments, but they all bleed in the end."

“They do, but they have families to go home to. Loved ones who will mourn them if they don’t come back.” Summer added. “Do you socialise with your troops? Get to know them for who they are?”

"To some minor extent. I do not get to close to the troops, there is a chain of command and the man on top is suppose to be set aside from the troops when it comes to friendships. But they knew I expected the best, When they gave their best, I paid them back with the best. Food, entertainment, living quarters when possible. Ample ability to rotate out for a week to mentally, emotionally and physically recuperate."

“That’s excellent, you certainly take care of the people under your command.” Summer smiled. “Actually I have requested a Counsellor from Starfleet Medical who will solely work with the marine contingent. There was a similar arrangement at a prior assignment of mine and it seemed to work well. They can of course still see me if they wish.”

"I will demand the best from the men and women under me. I will need more than one, there will be several hundred men and women. I would not say no to bring in your team to see and understand the hardships they will train under, so long as you do not interfere with their training."

Summer nodded. “I don’t know about a team, Counselors are few and far between when it comes to being on ships or stations, but I’ll see what I can do. Do you have any particular questions you would like to ask me?”

"I would never interfere with your work. But I am hoping what ever help I can ask from the navy will have all the tools needed to help my pups. Is this something you would be willing to entertain?" he asked calmly.

“I’m open for whatever help you may need” Summer nodded. “If you have any telepaths amongst your marines I can help with teaching them how to best utilise their abilities in the field. On Drax we’re all telepaths so helping each other is something we do.”

The old marine rubbed his chin, he would have to stress test those as well. "Well, I am going to throw these pups into the worst kind of scenarios possible. Psychic overloads and loss of those abilities in the heat of battle. I need tools that will push those abilities to the max or force them to use other means to survive."

“That’s asking a lot Major, although it’s sensible. Sensory overload can cause issues, last thing you need is to lose people in the field because they’re distracted. I’d be careful though or you’ll risk pushing them too far the other way.”

"This is why I need experts in that field, to prepare the men and women for the worse. Extra sensory perceptions are gifts, but they are also points of attack for those who do not care for my pups. If I make them experience some of the worse cases in a controlled environment. Steeling their minds and resolve, when that happens in the field, they would not be surprised and have tools to survive and operate normally. This could be a tactical move on our part, the enemy thinking our forces are impaired, but they are not." he explained.

Summer paused to think. “I can work with that, I could request some help from homeworld in helping test your pups, as you put it, it would take more than just me for an exercise like that. Right now I want to know why you became a Marine? What made you want this life?”

He arched an eyebrow. "I serve the men and women next to me to protect the innocent." he answered.

“Yes, but why did you join the marines? What made you want to serve?” Summer looked at him curiously.

"I am a simple man. I like to use my hands, the marines gave me the best use for my talents. Serving is a way of life and I like when things are fitting neatly into place."

Summer smiled. “It’s good that you’ve found it to be the perfect fit for you. Your service record speaks for itself.”

"Well, my service record has it's ups and downs. I don't approve of commanders who throw their men and women to their doom without a really good reason." Savage answered.

“That I understand, you wouldn’t be where you are if there was any disagreement from your superiors.” Summer smiled as she put her PaDD down. “I think I have all I need for your evaluation Major, I appreciate you coming to see me.”

"I believe that my spotted record would usually keep me away from the good assignments. So I have to work much harder to prove myself useful. If I get any troops under me, I will make sure they see you. I would need your input if there are any unforseen risks."

Summer nodded. “That’s fine, but hopefully you’ll have a Counsellor just for the marine contingent if my request for one is approved.”

"Good. I have put in a request for one." Savage said.

“Then our combined efforts should prove successful” Summer smiled. “I think I’m done for now Major, unless there’s anything you’d like to ask?”

"No ma'am, I came to get this evaluation out of the way so it will not hinder my work." Savage said.

“In that case Major I’ll let you get back to it.” Summer smiled warmly.

He gave her a nod, a sharp 'ma'am' and left to get a transport to his station.

Watching him go Summer smiled before finishing off her notes for his file. She was sure the Major was right where he needed to be.

 

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