Arrival - Military Presence - OTA

[tele_military]

As soon as the paperwork was finished, Sgt. Barq was put on a helicopter and flown to Washington. She didn’t as questions about why they were rushing her to Fort Wenachee. If they wanted her there as soon as possible, she would be there. No one could miss her arrival. The helicopter circled the camp first while the pilot waited for permission to

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[captaine_sykes]

Hearing the helicopter circling Ethan had been quick to finish up what he was doing so he could make his way out from his office and to the helipad to greet Barq. By the time he got out of the building though, the helicopter had taken back off and was leaving.

Jogging the short distance across the camp Ethan slowed his pace to long brisk strides, catching sight of Barq as he neared. For those who truly knew Ethan they'd be aware that it was rare and often quite hard to get a genuine smile from the man. But for Jen though the smile was wide, bright, genuine and reached his eyes.

"Sargeant Barq," Standing opposite, Ethan saluted Jen; she might well be beneath him in ranking but he had a lot of respect for his fellow soldier. One of the reasons he'd requested to have her pulled from her current team and mission was because Ethan knew he could rely on her. No questions asked. "I trust you had a good journey?"

[tele_military]

Jen returned his smile with the same genuine happiness. It was good to see her friend again. It had been a long time. She quickly went back to her usual professional demeanor though, returning his salute.

"Captain Sykes. Yes, sir, I did. There was no trouble getting here," she said, standing straight.

[captaine_sykes]

There would be plenty of time to catch up properly but for the moment Ethan would follow the rules of arrival and get Jen settled before a tour, briefing and introductions.

"Ethan will do fine when it's just us," he responds lifting the holdall that was resting by her feet up onto his shoulder. "I'll show you to your room before giving you a tour. We're in the Lincoln Dorm, first floor. You're in room 104 and I'm 105. Did the General send you the files on the team or do you still need to have a read through?"

It's not that Ethan doesn't think Jen can carry her own bag, instead it's meant to be a friendly gesture.

[tele_military]

She was going to protest that she could handle her own pack, but she knew that he didn't mean it that way. She let him handle it. He was probably the only person she didn't have to prove anything to.

"I only received some basic information," she explained, "You're having some discipline problems. This must be a special team, if they haven't gotten any sort of punishment over these problems."

[captaine_sykes]

With a sideways glance Ethan continues towards the accomodation buildings. "Special is an understatement. Major Stryker never enforced any rules with them, allowed the team as much freedom as they seemed to want so obviously they aren't too happy with the new structure here. You wouldn't believe the amount of hassle I've had over something as simple as wearing uniform."

Holding the door open to the building Ethan reaches into his pocket and hands over Barq's pass-cards, ID badges and all access codes. "So yes, when you say having some discipline problems I'll agree. Though not happily."

[tele_military]

Jen frowned. "A Major didn't enforce the rules?"

She almost couldn't believe it. Why would a Major let things get so out of control? That was just unthinkable to her. There was something seriously wrong with this team.

"What do you need me to to?" she asked, taking the cards, badges and codes.

[captaine_sykes]

"I think, to be honest, he was overwhelmed with their abilities. More of an act of self preservation than out right decision to ignore the rules he'd implicated. I don't blame him either to be honest, most of the group are wet behind the ears." Gesturing to the door which had a name slot with J. Barq written on it Ethan remained in the hallway. His Momma had brough him up not to just welcome himself into other peoples rooms, homes or private spaces.

"What I need is someone to assist me in ensuring that they fall in line. Frost," there's a pinched expression from Ethan at the mention of that name. "Emma Frost, is also my equal but she does not have the military training that you and I are well versed in. There have been issues, to say the least though I'd rather discuss them with you in private."

[tele_military]

"Then maybe you should come in," she said after taking a quick look at her new quarters. They were pretty typical for a military base. She would put her things away later, maybe add a few pictures of her family to personalize it eventually.

"Unless you'd rather discuss this in your office?" She was eager to start work and help him however she could.

[captaine_sykes]

Glancing around Ethan was on the point of agreeing to entering her room but then though against it. "My office would be best. I wouldn't want the team to think you were getting special treatment for reasons other than your skills."

Still he stood with his shoulder resting against the doorframe as he spoke. "I can also give you copies of the files and any other relevant information too."

[tele_military]

"I don't expect any special treatment just because we know each other."

But he probably had a point. There was no telling what other people would think. Of course, Ethan would never do anything un-professional to her. She wasn't supposed to think that was a shame.

"Then let's go to your office."

[captaine_sykes]

"I know you don't, that's why I asked you to join me." Jen doesn't need to know what Ethan didn't even contemplate anyone else for the position either. As Ethan leads the way back out of Lincoln Dorm he keeps his strides in pace with Jen's.

"I'll be speaking with General Stone regarding your ranking and promotion as soon as possible. Obviously you'll be introduced to the team according to your high ranking for that matter unless you'd rather them know you by your surname or any other?" Ethan's been sticking with Captain or Sir but he knows how everyone works like he does.

[tele_military]

She matched her steps to his, easily falling back into the routine she had with him back during the first time she served with him.

"Thank you." She was pretty excited for the promotion, just one more step towards her goal. "I think we should use rank. If this place needs respect and protocol we should stick to it."

[captaine_sykes]

"Lieutentant it is then," Ethan said with a smile as he ushered Jen into his office. Gesturing to one of the visitor chairs Ethan fetched a shorter file, still at least one hundred plus pages, on the team and any key notes. He even went on to explain about the death of the soldier who'd tried to kill Richter and Dr Chandler's unfortunate implication in the matter; then the apprehension of Daken and his attempted murder; the constant rule breaking and bending by the team inclusding Braddock who had recently come to complain about not being allowed to visit Hendley and finally Ethan's disagreement with Frost.

"Do you understand now why I had to have someone here that I could trust? Someone that would support me and understand the necessity of the rules in place?" Ethan looked a little strained but still calm, despite the hellish way things were turning out.

[tele_military]

Jen listened close to the report, flipping through the file as he went so she could put names and faces together. She was almost overwhelmed by how much help he needed. Was she really the best choice for this? Well, what mattered was Ethan thought she was the only choice.

She let out a low whistle, "Yeah, I can see why you need me. I'll do everything I can to help get this place in order with you."

[captaine_sykes]

"It's appreciated." With a slight smile Ethan settled back in his chair. "Now tell me, what's been happening with you. Last I heard you'd been keeping the others suitably in line yet here you are."

Truth be told Ethan was curious as to quite why Jen had said yes despite the fact she knew so little about the assignment here in Fort Wenachee. Not that he didn't appreciate that fact that she'd dropped everything to come and assist him but still... even he had wanted to know all the facts before agreeing to anything. Ethan was worried that something had happened to mak Jen need to want to jump ship. "Everything alright?"

[tele_military]

"Things are fine." Jen put the file back onto his desk and relaxed back into her chair, imitating his posture. "I've mostly been working in the Middle East. My unit was dealing with insurgents in Afghanistan, some terrorist cells in Iraq and Iran."

For the past few years, her life was mostly explosions and sand. It wasn't exactly the most pleasant assignment.