A visit to the Marine CO.

[Major Randall Gordon]

Gordon walked up the corridor towards the Major's office. He had no problems with the man, but had gotten a hunch that the feeling was not mutual. Now as he moved, his practiced footsteps making very little noise on the deck plating, he wondered if those differences could be worked out, because it would not do well to have differences and infighting among the Marine Command structure. "I hope whatever this is can be sorted out." he thought as he rang the chime.

[John]

Looking up from a report Shepard says "Enter" and sets the report aside before leaning back in his chair.

[Major Randall Gordon]

He strode into the room, looking his normal self in duty uniform with his phaser on his waist and his holster in its usual place. "Hello sir." he said before coming to attention and saluting.

[John]

Raising and returning the salute Shepard says "At ease Lt." before retaking his seat and adding "Yes Lt.?"

[Major Randall Gordon]

"Permission to speak freely and off the record, sir." he asked.

[John]

Raising an eyebrow Shepard says "Enterprise, engage privacy mode, deactivate all audio and visual sensors in my office, i will reactivate them with my console."

"Engaging privacy mode, audio-visual sensors disengaging." comes Enterprise's reply.

"Alright granted Lt. What is it you wished to say?" Shepard says after the sensors are off.

[Major Randall Gordon]

"Sir, I have reason to believe that you have a problem with me, the cause of which I am unfamiliar with. If that is the case, let's work this out now, instead of later on in the mission. Even though I am a Marine with additional training and knowledge, I realize the need for unity in the command structure instead of disagreements and bickering." he said.

[John]

Shepard nods "Indeed Lt. Though i would never allow my personal feelings to affect my command decisions. My problems with you mostly involve having known more then a few officers like you. You are a good officer, and a good marine, but i believe you are doing the right things for the wrong reasons. You may not even realize it. But you remind people of your difficult mission to save miss Mandelo's mother every chance you get. This is not so bad, but my past experience has shown that glory seekers always do this, and love to constantly tout their abilities and bravery."

Pausing to take a deep breath Shepard continues "Beyond this i dislike your use of primitive weapons, they cannot work in vacuum, or under water, or in any number of conditions when a KEW can. I fear one day you will get a squad killed because you are drawn into an engagement where your primitive ballistic weapons will be useless and your team will suffer because of this."

After another short pause and breath Shepard says "I have been avoiding ordering you to cease carrying them only because it could cause problems in the chain of command as you have brought up. And let me be clear, i am not saying you are a bad person or officer, i am saying your motivations, conscious, or subconscious, may be flawed. I have seen some warning signs that i have seen before with others, but again, i would not allow this to affect my decisions untill it became clear." Shepard nods to Gordon to show that he is finished.

[Major Randall Gordon]

The Lieutenant listened as he spelled out what he had to say. He took a deep breath before replying.

"Well, first off. You exaggerated the amount of times that my mission was mentioned. And I certainly do not brag about it, if the time to tell stories comes and its my turn sure I'll say my piece but it will not take up the entire venue. Now, your definition of glory seeker is my definition of holding true to basic principles that you should already be aware of, sir, and which I will not repeat." He said, pausing a moment before continuing.

"These "primitive" weapons as you call them are not to be underestimated. It's true that they will not work in the environments you mentioned, but that's why I am up to date on the latest weapon systems and will pack them as well as the others, sir." He chose to ignore the part about the engagement because to have answered it would have been considered touting his own ability.

"And as far as my motivations are concerned, well this is one case where I speak to a degree about my ability. My motivations are simply related to getting the job done while leaving no one behind and ensuring the safety of my friends and comrades. Don't mistake that for anything else other than what I've said. Don't forget those of us in the detachment with special training if a situation comes up where a...different approach is required, whether it be stealth, infiltration, package retrieval, and so on." he said, before adding, "Oh and by the way Major, if you had read the report fully, you would have noticed the line I placed on the record when requested that went a little something like, 'No one ever asks to be a hero, sometimes it just turns out that way.' That's what I think about all the hype that was given to me after that incident, and it should clear up any shadow of a doubt in your mind about where I stand."

OOC: basically in that last part he's putting out a veiled suggestion for a special ops squad within the marines that answer directly to the Major and Captain. Make of that what you will.

[John]

Shepard nods "Very well Lt. I still have my reservations, but as long as you continue to do your duty we won't have a problem. I will take your concerns under consideration aswell. Now, was that everything Lt.?"

[Major Randall Gordon]

"Yes sir, let's get along during this long voyage." he said, offering a hand of presumably friendship, he'd be surprised if it was shook, but not surprised if it wasn't.

[John]

Shepard stand and takes the Lt.s hand. Nodding he says "Indeed Lt." After they are done shaking he says "Dismissed." and salutes the Lt.