Free All My Sins Remembered by Brian Wetherell Page A

needed.  The briefing room was large enough to accommodate a squad of Marines, which was all the ship could comfortably house, along with any supplies and equipment that may be needed.
    Tasha saw four Talon Marines wearing their olive drab garrison utilities, with the letters T.M.C. stenciled above their left shirt pocket, already seated.  Two Marines sat in the front row, and two more sat in the second row.  One of the Marines in the front row, a sandy haired, blue eyed man, wore the chevrons of a Corporal.  The Marine next to the Corporal was turned around in his seat, trying to land a friendly punch on his buddy sitting directly behind him.
    “Hey, cut it out, I just asked a question!” The Marine being hit complained as he fended off the blow.  Next to the man in the back row was one of the biggest Marines Tasha had ever seen.  He looked uncomfortable sitting there as his legs barely fitting under the counter his display was mounted on in front of him. The name “Grobnak” was stenciled on a patch on his shirt.
    “It was a dumb question, Delgato.” Grobnak growled , not making a move to help or hinder the exchange.  “Of course we’re here for a mission.” Grobnak’s expression was neither angry nor happy, and Tasha half suspected that Grobnak said everything in a growl.  Scowling at Grobnak and then at the Marine in front of him, Delgato muttered something in Spanish under his breath.
    Taking a closer look, Tasha caught sight of his unit patch on the shoulder of one of the Marines.  The patch was a silhouette of a Marine in full powered armor jumping into the flames depicted at the bottom of the circular patch.  Along the red bordered edge of the patch she could barely make out the word “Helljumpers.”   The presence of the Marines puzzled her.  If she were in trouble, surely they wouldn’t be sitting at ease here in the briefing room, and didn’t that big Marine just say something about a mission?
    As Tasha continued to imagine why she might be there, the door across from the briefing room entrance opened to emit Commander Schultz.  The door was dubbed the “commander’s door” because it adjoined the officers’ briefing room.  Tasha smiled briefly as she caught sight of Colonel Bakore through the open door, leaning back in his seat at the head of the table in the officers’ briefing room with fingers interlocked behind his head, eyes closed as he was taking a deep draw on what she assumed to be a fine grade cigar in his mouth.  Then, as the commander’s door closed, her attention turned towards Commander Schultz, who walked to the podium.  Realizing the Marines were all standing at attention, she stiffened her posture to attention as well.  Pay attention, Tasha! She thought.  Commander Schultz waved his hand dismissively.
    “As you were.” Nathan rumbled as he flicked on the display built into the top of the podium and worked at bringing up some files.  He read the documents on his screen fo r a few moments before leveling his gaze at the room’s occupants.  Deftly manipulating his touch screen, on the podium, he brought the display behind him to life.  On the display, everyone could see a dossier labeled “ R.E.S. Choyo .”  The dossier showed the profile of a Rejaian Navy Supply Ship.  Statistics could be seen below the profile.  It was capable of carrying out multiple mission roles.  It could be a simple cargo hauler, or it could convert some of its cargo bays into a barracks, becoming a troop ship capable of carrying an entire battalion, and the supplies typically needed by a battalion, such as food, ammo, and medical supplies.  If necessary, it could fulfill a bit of both roles simultaneously by simply converting as many cargo bays to barracks as needed, and leaving other cargo bays to fulfill its original purpose.  Tasha recognized the ship type, as did one of the Talon Marines as he rumbled something about “sardines in a can.”  Commander Schultz nodded in