The New Blood
Posted on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 5:19pm by Rear Admiral Timothy Rice & Lieutenant Junior Grade Galen Trellis & Brigadier General Francis 'Judge' Sobel
Edited on on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 5:20pm
2,587 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
The Amalgamation Interrogation
Location: Wardroom 1 - Habitat Ring Deck 11 - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD003 1000 hrs
Rice poured a fresh round of coffee and brought the tray of snacks over to the table where he and Sobel had been interviewing the crew of the USS Pioneer. "It seems that up next is the new pilot for the Pioneer. One Lieutenant Junior Grade Galen Trellis. Trill are known for not pulling punches with their thoughts. That combined with them being new to the crew should prove to make this interview a good one."
Shrugging, Francis blew on his coffee to cool it and said, "Fresh perspective is always good. Especially from young fresh minds. Generally speaking." Frowning he put the cup down, deciding not to singe his tongue. And there was Tempest's prohibition on his caffein intake to consider.
The yeoman escorted Lieutenant Galen Trellis into the conference room with crisp efficiency, gesturing to the available seat across from Admiral Rice and Brigadier General Sobel. Lieutenant Trellis took in the scene quickly—two senior officers, coffee, a pad of notes suggesting this was an official interview rather than casual conversation.
He came to attention out of habit, offering a respectful nod. "Admiral Rice, sir. Brigadier General Sobel." His acknowledgment of the General was slightly more formal, though his expression remained professionally neutral. Admiral Rice he knew by reputation—the overall command for the Trivas Sector, based out of Empok Nor. That was straightforward enough. But Sobel's name triggered something in his previous host, Dorian's, memories, a faint echo from decades past. Aviation unit. Betazed.
The memory was vague, more of an impression than a clear recollection, but Galen recognized the sensation of inherited familiarity with someone he technically shouldn't know. He definitely wasn't carrying a star on his collar the last time I saw him Galen surmised internally. He was still wrestling with the overall burden of carrying 3 lifetimes of memories and associations within his brain.
"At ease," Francis said amiably. "Thank you for joining us, Lieutenant. Feel free to grab a pew." The brigadier gestured to the chair across from he and Rice and continued. "We're looking for input on the integration of Marines into the crew of the Pioneer. While many ships have a detachment, very few ships in the fleet have them so deeply embedded. We'd like your thoughts."
Lieutenant Trellis settled into the chair, his expression thoughtful. He took a moment before responding.
"Honestly, sir, I'm not sure if the integration works or doesn't work," he said, his tone measured and deferential. "I have concerns about it, but I can't say it's right or wrong."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "The thing is, Marines and Starfleet are fundamentally different. Starfleet explores and engages in diplomacy . When we encounter problems, we look for solutions that preserve relationships. Marines are who you call in when talking fails and you need to break things. . .really good. Those are two completely different jobs with two completely different ways of thinking." He said.
Tim raised an eyebrow at Galen's words. He knew that the pilot was not entirely wrong. It was a different way of thinking; the question was can the two be integrated. "Suppose Starfleet's solutions to preserve relationships fail and things don't necessarily need to be broken, but they need to be preserved or protected. One of the purposes of this program is to change the lines of thinking slightly. Starfleet visits others to engage in diplomacy and exploration. Now, if that breaks down. Those we visit have their soldiers and weapons there ready, willing and able. It would make sense that we have ours standing by. What would it take to alleviate your concerns?"
If there was one thing Galen remembered from Dorian's time in the Corps was that you'd have an easier time wrestling a Nausicaan than trying to change the thinking of a Marine.
"Sir, Marines lead through discipline and mission focus. You give an order and it gets done. The individual's comfort or concerns come second to accomplishing the objective. Starfleet officers are taught to consider the welfare of their crew alongside the mission. We balance both things."
The Helmsman said to the Admiral. "Right now, the chain of command is clear and people follow it. But at some point, a situation will come up where a Marine officer and a Starfleet officer disagree on how to handle something. Maybe it's about acceptable risk. Maybe it's about how to treat personnel. Maybe it's about what methods are justified to accomplish an objective."
Galen paused for a moment as he tried to think of the right analogy. His previous host, Maren, was a sculptor and always seemed to be able to pull an appropriate analogy out of the air for any situation.
"It's like oil and water." Lieutenant Trellis started, "You can mix them together in the same container, and they'll work together toward a common goal. You pour them in the same bottle, shake it up, but they don't blend."
He looked between Admiral Rice and General Sobel's eyes as he kept talking. "On the Pioneer, they're in the same bottle. They accomplish missions together. But I can't tell you if that combination actually works long-term, or if we're just managing to keep two things that want to stay separate. The Marines are still Marines. Starfleet is still Starfleet. Putting them under one command doesn't change what they fundamentally are." Lieutenant Trellis said.
"Is this not what happened to the MACO's and now they're nothing but a footnote a history book?" He asked pointedly before he had a chance to catch the words before they came out of his mouth. Galen mentally kicked himself for allowing Dorian's feelings on the subject to surface.
Frances pursed his lips, formulating his words before saying, "The MACO program didn't survive the growth of the Federation as Earth transitioned and went all in. The word Military in itself didn't promote the ideals of the time and the burgeoning Security departments thought they could handle everything. Mostly they were right. Slowly over about a hundred and fifty years, the Security Council decided that we were needed."
"The Pioneer marine program is evolving to be something of a example. Marines work with Starfleet and the Federation providing leadership and counsel just in case a large scale conflict ever comes to us. Besides taking the brunt of, say another Dominion attack, they act as command and control for when Federation member world troops come on line and are committed. We hope what we're trying to do with Pioneer will illustrate that much better than just words."
Then Francis smiled slightly and said, "History can only guide you if you learn from it and advance those lessons learned to fit the present and future."
"Starfleet vessels are akin to the naval vessels of old on Earth. Those vessels explored the planet, while we explore the great oceans of space. Like those vessels of old we must carry Marines aboard to assist whenever needed or possible. Unlike, those vessels of old we do not have to cram these Marines into a box, that they can only do a certain task or what have you." Rice truly believed that what they did here was take the logical next step from those old vessels. He also felt that opinions such as the one the Lieutenant presented was one of the hurdles this program had.
Lieutenant Trellis stilled at the sound of his own words, recognizing immediately what had just happened. He caught himself mid-thought, his jaw tightening slightly as he looked away from the Admiral for just a moment.
That was Dorian. Pure Marine Corps institutional skepticism coming right through. But he's not wrong. The pilot thought to himself.
He took a deliberate breath, forcing himself to respond with more care this time. When he met Admiral Rice's eyes again, his expression had settled back into professional composure.
"I understand your point, sir," he said, his tone respectful but still carrying the weight of his concern. "And the historical context about Earth's naval vessels makes logical sense. I can see the reasoning behind viewing Marines as a necessary capability aboard exploration vessels." He paused, considering how to articulate his doubts without sounding insubordinate.
He paused, aware that Dorian was still loud in his head, still insisting that this was the same pattern that dissolved the MACOs, still convinced that integration would dilute Marine effectiveness because they needed operational independence to remain effective. But Galen's own concerns ran parallel to that, even if they came from a different place.
"The challenge, as I see it, is that the fundamental differences between Marine and Starfleet philosophy don't change just because we acknowledge them. Marines are designed for one purpose. Starfleet for another. Those operational philosophies can coexist, but the pressure points will eventually surface under the right circumstances." Lieutenant Trellis said. "Asking officers trained in fundamentally different problem-solving approaches to operate under the same command structure creates structural conflicts.
Lieutenant Trellis kept his voice steady and professional. "I'm not saying you're wrong, sir. I'm saying we need to be prepared for those conflicts when they come, rather than surprised by them."
Rice leaned back in his chair with a smile on his face. Now, that was something he could get behind. Preparing for the conflicts that may or may not arise. That was what these meetings were about. "What conflicts should we be ready for and how can we alleviate them? As you see it."
Rules of engagement. Galen could almost feel the impression of Dorian's memories hitting hard against his thoughts.That's where it always falls apart. Every single time.
"Rules of engagement," Lieutenant Trellis said aloud, keeping his voice measured. "When a situation escalates fast, a Marine and a Starfleet officer standing in the same compartment are going to reach two different conclusions about when to act."
A threat is a threat. You see it, you end it. The Trill thought to himself.
"A Marine sees a potential threat and the instinct is to neutralize it before it becomes an actual one. Remove the possibility entirely." He paused. "A Starfleet officer sees the same situation and opens a channel. Tries to determine if it is a threat before treating it like one. By that point, sirs, you're already taking fire." The Helmsman stated.
"Marines are not know to blink first," Lieutenant Trellis said.
Damn right we don't He heard within his own head.
Steadying himself, the Helmsman continued. "Which means Starfleet needs to be prepared for what it looks like when a threat gets eliminated before anyone tried reasoning with it. Because that's a very different diplomatic problem than a threat that simply got away."
Francis sat back in his chair and said, "ROE's are usually fairly general when it comes to reacting to threats. Determining intent usually boils down to agendas. Explorer's generally don't get Detachments unless the Captain can make a valid argument. But back to the Admiral's question: What conflicts do you see your ship getting into, given her mission. And do you think that mission validates the marines being aboard?"
Trellis continued, careful with his words. "So yes, sir, given the neighborhood we operate in, I think the Marines being aboard makes sense. We're not out here cataloguing nebulae. We're sitting on a border where the other side has soldiers standing ready, like you said." He paused. "But validating the mission isn't the same as solving the problem I described. The conflicts I'm talking about don't go away just because the mission justifies having Marines aboard.
"From the marine officer perspective," Francis remarked as he thought through Trellis's words. "And to a lesser degree, our non-coms, putting them into situations where there are more options." He paused, to let his thought fully formulate then continued, "Real world-real time situations, is beneficial for addressing what I believe you are listing as a problem. When the Federation and Admiralty decide it's time to bring out the Corp, our personnel usually have a very limited number of scenarios to use. In the Carrot and Stick phase of any negotiations, we are the Stick. I do think, especially in the Pioneer's case, having a Field grade marine mixed into the decision making and negotiations is valuable and might stop a conflict from escalating."
Trellis listened, and nodded.
The General wasn't wrong — and even if some part of him wanted to push back further, he was a Lieutenant Junior Grade sitting across from an Admiral and a Brigadier General. That particular arithmetic wasn't complicated.
"That's a fair point, sir," he said, his tone respectful and final. "A field-grade officer in the room during negotiations changes the calculus. For both sides." He left it there, not conceding the larger argument so much as recognizing where his rank ended and theirs began. Some conversations weren't his to win.
Tim knew that you did not have to be a flag officer to see where Galen stood. He could tell that the words were less like agreement and more like you outrank me so yes you are right. Hell, Tim had been a junior officer that was just like that. In this moment the program now became about proving Galen and those like him wrong for Tim. "Lieutenant I want to thank you for your candor. This program is vital to us and to Starfleet as a whole. The experience and opinions of those involved will help us perfect everything. I think we have all we need. Unless there is anything else?" The last question was directed at both Francis and Galen.
Francis mused for a moment before saying, "No. I'll add my thanks as well. The reason we are doing this in a closed door setting isn't to brow beat our way or the highway type of mentality so much as it is to get our thinking out and share it with everyone so that it'll open up future discussions and comments by having all the cards on the table. Your hosts experience is valuable to us, as is your own." Francis kept the smile on his face and kept his tone even as he said, "And I know the Commodore, Colonel and Major would all like to hear those comments as we go along. Feel free to bring your thoughts to them."
"Thank you, sirs." Lieutenant Trellis rose from the chair and came to attention with the same quiet precision he'd walked in with. "I appreciate the opportunity to speak plainly. Not everyone asks for that."
He glanced briefly between Rice and Sobel. "And I'll take the General's point seriously. If the program works the way you're describing, I'd rather be proven wrong than be right."
He gave a respectful nod and waited to be dismissed.
"Enjoy what little down time you have from the Pioneer. Dismissed Lieutenant." Rice said and watched the pilot leave. He thought that this Trellis was someone to watch. There was something deeper there, something that could be an asset.
A Joint Post By
Rear Admiral Timothy Rice
Sector Commanding Officer, Trivas Sector
Empok Nor
Brigadier General Francis Sobel
Commanding Officer, 258th Starfleet Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Empok Nor
Lieutenant Junior Grade Galen Trelis
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Pioneer
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