the colonel’s question than a cursory inspection might reveal, and that made her weary. In fact, she feared the colonel harbored significant doubts about his new company commander. Perhaps Lieutenant Paen’s upcoming one-on-one with the colonel was actually a come-to-Jesus meeting. If so, she pitied the lieutenant for it. Regardless, this wasn’t Fuji’s maiden jump across the ’verse. Commenting on a superior, however young and inexperienced she might be, well, that wasn’t done lightly, not even by a first sergeant. Particularly not to a disgruntled light colonel with friends on the RAW-MC’s selection board for the rank of captain.
Fuji folded her hands behind her back and decided to humor the colonel. “Would you care to clarify what you’re after, sir?”
“What happened to your ability to read my mind?” Fuji shrugged. “Okay, fine, what’s your frank assessment of her?”
Fuji stalled again. “Have you spoken with Gunnery Sergeant Khaine?”
* * *
Halvorsen grunted, not at all pleased. He knew exactly where Fuji was going with her question, and he didn’t like it at all. Not one bit.
Nhorman Khaine served in the billet of the battalion gunnery sergeant, or the “battalion gunny.” Khaine directly reported to First Sergeant Fuji. Fuji was in many ways Halvorsen’s right hand. Likewise, Khaine was hers.
The battalion gunny was an enigma in other military traditions. In fact, the RAW-MC was the only Marine Corps in the ’verse with that billet, the only Corps to field companies of forty mechanized Marines, the only Corps with gunnery sergeants serving as senior enlisted noncoms at the company echelon.
Battalion gunnies like Khaine functioned as a intermediaries between a battalion’s gunnery sergeants and the battalion first sergeant. If there was a problem with morale in one of Halvorsen’s companies, or a serious disciplinary issue to be addressed, or any number of other issues that might arise in the day-to-day operations of a battalion of Marines, Khaine would likely hear about it long before he did. And Khaine could always play the part of the “good gunny,” allowing Fuji to be the heavy when the situation warranted it.
Halvorsen smiled grudgingly. “I’m still thinking, Samantha.”
“Understood, sir.” Fuji did her best not to smile back at her commanding officer.
Halvorsen knew that Gunnery Sergeant Khaine knew more about Lieutenant Paen than probably anyone else in the battalion. Khaine had actually served with her when she was a mere corporal in his platoon. That was Samantha’s real point, after all.
Still, Samantha has a valid point. Khaine saw her in combat, he admitted. That counts for something. It still doesn’t mean she’s fit to lead a company of my Marines.
“No. I haven’t spoken with the gunny,” he said with a hard edge to his voice. “And I don’t intend to. Any more questions?”
“No, sir.” Fuji stood to her full height. She wiped every trace of emotion from her face and met the colonel’s eyes without hesitation. She stared just long enough to make her point too.
“All right, Samantha. I’m putting you in an awkward position and I can see you don’t like it.”
“Sir, with respect, I’d rather not comment on Lieutenant Paen until I’ve had a chance to meet with her first and form my own impression.”
“I respect that, and normally I’d agree with you. In this case, I’m worried about a potential weak link in my chain of command. There’s little time before we deploy. I need to be well out ahead of any … personnel difficulties that may arise. It’s fine and well to make your own first impressions. I’m sure you realize we don’t always get that luxury.”
Fuji stiffened. “Of course, sir.”
“In that case, I’d value your assessment of her … now.”
The first sergeant looked away, momentarily lost in thought. “At first glance … she’s impressive. Dedicated and daring come to mind too.” Fuji pitched her next words carefully. “The Silver Star isn’t handed out casually, sir.”
“Humph. Those aren’t the words that come to my mind.”
Fuji pursed her lips. “I suppose other words come to mind, depending on your point of view. Her actions on Montana were quite … brazen.”
“That’s one way to put it. Reckless also comes to mind.” His eyes narrowed. “I see. So your assessment is…”
“Undecided, sir.”
“Smart answer, Samantha. I told you there’s a reason why I keep you around.”
“And I believe I said something about looking out for your best interests, sir. If I may speak boldly, sir, you really need to speak with Gunnery Sergeant Khaine about her, and Captain Spears for that matter. The captain field-promoted Promise to second lieutenant after