Free Lieutenant Colonel (The United Federation Marine Corps Book 6) by Jonathan P. Brazee

2D display.  But the sailors and Marines tended to congregate in the officers and chief’s messes or the galleys in order to watch on holo platforms or large screens.  The socializing aspect was as, if not more, important than the holo or flick being shown. 
    As the CO of troops, Ryck had the second largest stateroom on the ship, and that included a 100 cm 2D screen, which was more than large enough to provide a good viewing.  He could pull up and watch the same flick in the comfort of his stateroom, which was probably why no one had thought to invite him to see it with the rest of them. 
    He hoped that was the reason.
    As both a private and as an NCO, Ryck had been surrounded by his fellow Marines while embarked.  Even as a lieutenant and captain, he’d bunked with others, and they ate, exercised, and generally had their BS sessions together.  Now, as the battalion commander, he had his own stateroom, and he ate at the first sitting with the ship’s CO.  As he thought about it, in three weeks onboard, he hadn’t had much socializing.  His interactions with his Marines and the ship’s crew had been mostly official.
    A Lord Commander has no friends , [5] he quoted to himself, only now realizing what it meant.
    Oh, grubbing hell!  First I’m contemplating Cicero and the sword, and now I’m quoting 21 st Century fantasy writers?  Boo-fucking-hoo! Jeez, get a grip.  Guys would give their left nut to be a Marine battalion commander!
    He shook his head and laughed out-loud.  He has the best job in the Marine Corps if not the entire Federation.  Only forty-seven other Marines were so honored at the moment, out of 25 billion souls in the Federation, and Ryck was going to grab his opportunity and seize the day.
    Carpe diem, mother-grubbers!
    He looked at his PA and then turned it over.  Thirty-two items now.
    No rest for the wicked, he thought as he keyed in the highest priority item, a request from division for an update on the power plant leakage on Wolfpack-7, the “Sheena.” 
    With a quick swipe of his finger, he forwarded that to the S4 with a cc to Captain Cristophe and CWO4 Barnhouse.
    Action passed is action completed, he thought, his third homily in less than 20 seconds.  One down, 31 to go.

GAZIANTEP
     
    Chapter 11
     
    “Sir?” Ryck asked Captain K aʻ an āʻ anā, the Derne’s Commanding officer, as they approached the hatch to the wardroom.
    “After you, Colonel,” Captain “K” said, one arm held out for Ryck to preceded him.
    Ryck nodded and opened the hatch, calling out “Attention on deck!”
    The assembled staff and officers from both the Derne and the battalion came to their feet as Ryck, Captain K, and Mr. Karadag entered the wardroom.  As with all Falklands Class Integrated Assault Transports, there was no real working conference room, so the officers’ wardroom pulled double duty as a mess and a meeting space.
    “Be seated,” CAPT K said as he entered. 
    Together with the other two men, he moved to the head of the main table and took a seat. 
    He slowly looked around at the gathered men, then simply said, “It’s Gaziantep.”
    “I knew it,” Chris Attleman said, turning to Eric Koske to give his fellow company commander a high five.  “We’re going to kick some Ataturk ass.  You owe me ten.”
    He probably hadn’t intended for everyone to hear, but the Golf Company commander was a little high-strung, if nothing else, and his voice had a habit of carrying. 
    Oh, shit, Ryck thought, shaking his head.
    CAPT K locked his eyes on Ryck’s young captain, then said, “I would like to introduce you to Mr. Karadag, the Ataturk liaison for the mission.”
    Dead silence came over the wardroom as Attleman looked suitably shocked.  Ryck knew the brash captain was mortified and didn’t know what to say.  The guy let his ass speak before his brain engaged too often, but Ryck understood his mistake.  Ryck had been rather shocked himself when he’d gotten the heads up