Arneb --- Part 1

This is part one of the back story from Comrades in arms. It also takes place in a different universe from both Dara's and Redding's stories.



Despite the intervening months, Dara was still not completely recovered from her ordeal. Thus, she shuffled through the dim corridor, the lights turned down for the night watch. As she neared the lounge, Major Mcejo rested for a moment, leaning against the bulkhead. Finally she got up the strength and walked through the hatch. Lit only by the light of distant stars, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to bring peace to her roiling emotions.

A soft voice pierced the silence, “There’s caf on the counter Major, scotch too if you’re looking for something stronger.” She opened her eyes, turned toward to the voice. Sitting in the corner, hidden by the shadows sat Commander Rogue.

“Should'a figured you’d be here,” she said, sitting in the chair he kicked out for her.

Rogue looked as haggard as she did and was already nursing a steaming cup. “You’d think after all these years…”

“Some memories don’t fade sir,” she said softly.

Rogue sighed. “You couldn't sleep, either?”

“Not a chance. Not to say I didn’t try, though. I wore myself out in the gym, hoping to sleep from exhaustion if nothing else.”

He smiled ruefully. “I tried the same thing. Even tried beating up the fresh meat in the simulators, no luck.”

Dara idly traced a pattern on the tabletop with her finger. “It didn’t seem like such a hard assignment when we got it, did it?”

His laugh was a little bitter. “No. They told us straight up we could do it in our sleep.”

A different voice came from behind them, “Arneb?”

Dara turned and saw Jay’em, hair tousled and expression weary. Redding stood right behind him, not looking much better. They both sat.

Dara murmured, “I don’t have to tell you two it’s the anniversary.”

“Would we be here if it weren’t?” Redding said.

Rogue waved over a droid server who placed three more cups of caf on the table. Rogue raised his mug as the others claimed theirs.

“To the memories of those who fell, and the futures of those who survived. All for one.”

“And one for all,” Dara, Redding, and Jay’em replied in unison. They drank the toast; then sat silently drawing comfort from each other. Rogue glanced at Redding, remembering the first time he’d met the man….



“Reporting for duty sir!”

Major Rogue looked up from his desk at the young saluting soldier. “Ah, the new blood. At ease Private. Have a seat. You have your orders?”

“Aye sir,” he replied as he handed Rogue a datacard and sat down. Rogue inserted it into a slot on his desk and skimmed the page that appeared on his display.

“Have you met Colonel Athos yet Private,” he paused, glanced at name tag on the other’s uniform, “Redding?”

“No sir, I just arrived on board.”

“Well, welcome to the Liberty. First time off world?”

“No sir, well, first time permanently assigned off world sir.”

“Then you already have your space legs, good. Do you know anyone in the division?”

“No sir.”

“Good bunch. We have the lowest casualty level of any unit in the battle group. We depend on each other, and we never leave a man behind. I encourage you to speak to both the Colonel, and to everyone in your regiment. Get to know them, you’ll find that we’re all very close to each other. Athos encourages it, though he says it’s strictly because it raises our combat efficiency.”

“I’ll definitely do that Major.”

“Excellent. See the division quartermaster, Lieutenant Yofin; she’ll get you a billet. You might want to get cleaned up and then head over to the lounge on Deck Six; we have it reserved beginning at eighteen hundred hours. Give you a good chance to meet everyone. Then we have a mission briefing scheduled tomorrow at ten hundred hours.”

“Yes sir.” Redding stood and saluted.

Rogue returned the salute; then offered his hand. Redding hesitated; then took it. Rogue gave him a firm shake and said, “Welcome to the Musketeers, Private. Don’t forget eighteen hundred, duty uniform. You’re dismissed.”

“Thank you sir.” Redding left. Rogue gazed at the door for a few minutes; then struck a key on his desk. A few minutes later the hatch opened and two people entered.

“What’s up sir?” asked the shorter of the two.

“Have a seat guys,” he indicated the chairs. Both did; the taller slouching slightly, the other, a woman, sat straight but relaxed. “The new guy just reported in. I told him to show for tonight. Go easy on him Jay’em. I think we’ll like this one.”

The shorter, Captain Daramis, chuckled. “Lieutenant Noe’s never gone easy on anyone Rogue, you know that.” Jay’em grinned menacingly.

Rogue sighed. “I don’t want to make it an order Jay’em. I didn’t say leave him alone, I just said go easy. Tonight is not for hazing, it’s for an achievement. Call him ‘Junior’ if you must, I would prefer you didn’t. Razz him a bit and let it go, ok?”

Jay’em chuckled, “I think I can live with that Major. It pleases me.”

“Thank you, dismissed.” The two left and Rogue turned his attention back to his work.


Redding straightened his uniform shirt, ran his hand over his hair, took a deep breath and stepped into the lounge. The room was awash in conversation and laughter. He looked around, hoping to see someone familiar. Failing that, he headed for the counter. An impressive selection of drinks and hors d’oeuvres was laid out with a bartender quietly mixing drinks for the crowd.

Redding popped a couple of sweet meats into his mouth and ordered a drink. While waiting for it to be mixed, he again glanced around the crowd. Shy by nature, being in a room of strangers wasn’t the most comfortable situation for Redding. His drink arrived and he took a large gulp. He immediately gasped as real alcohol burned down his throat. He set the drink down as he coughed a couple of times before regaining his breath.

“Are you ok Private?” a female voice asked from behind him. Redding turned toward the questioner; an attractive woman with Captain’s bars accompanied by a taller Lieutenant. She was looking at him with a concerned expression while the other had a smirk on his face.

“You’ve had a drink before, right Private?” he asked.

Redding indicated his drink. “That’s real alcohol Captain.”

“Correct,” she responded.

“I thought that was against regs.”

The Lieutenant chuckled, “Indeed it is Private. However, Colonel Athos has an understanding with the Liberty’s Captain. We can use the real stuff for our functions as long as there is nothing that would require official recognition; altercations, intoxications, etc.”

“What happens if we go on alert?”

The Captain answered. “Then we do our duty.” The serious expression on her face allowed no disagreement.

“Yes Captain,” Redding replied.

Her expression softened. “I’m Captain Daramis Mcejo, my friends call me Dara. This is Lieutenant JG Jay’em Noe and you can call him whatever you want.”

Noe gave Redding a menacing glare. “Yeah, just try that Junior.”

Dara jabbed Jay’em with her elbow, “You couldn’t resist could you?”

Jay’em’s glare broke into a grin, “Of course not, Rogue said I could razz the newb and I’m going to.”

A new voice broke in, “I said to razz him a bit and then let it go Lieutenant.” Rogue walked up with a drink in his hand. “Glad to see you Private. These two haven’t been too hard on you have they?”

“No sir,” Redding answered.

“Excellent.” Rogue set his glass on the bar, ordered a new drink then motioned for the three others to follow him to a table off to the side. After they all sat, Rogue spoke up. “Well, Redding, I’d like to again welcome you to the 325th Infantry Division, informally known as the Musketeers. I command 2nd Regiment; we’re a Combat Support Ops unit. Captain Mcejo here is my squad leader and Jay’em is our demolitions expert. You’ll be joining us as a rifleman initially and we’ll see about moving you into whatever specialty you have an aptitude for.”

Redding replied, “I’m a decent hacker sir.”

Dara’s eyebrow twitched, “Modesty from a comp geek? He’s either really awful or he’s exceptional.”

Jay’em snorted, “Lot of good hacking will do when you’re up against a charging line of Dominion shock troops.”

Rogue waved Jay’em silent, “Good hacking could keep you from facing that line in the first place Lieutenant. That’s good to know Private. You have any questions for us about the unit?”

Before Redding could reply, the sound of a glass being tapped silenced all conversation in the room. Rogue, Dara and Jay’em jumped to their feet and along with the rest of the room faced the sound. Redding quickly followed suit. Standing against a backdrop of stars from the viewport was a medium height, solidly built man with graying temples. His Colonel insignia gleamed under the lights as he raised his glass to ensure he had everyone’s attention.

“Musketeers! We gather tonight to honor our fallen brethren as well as those among us who have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to both the Coalition, and their comrades in arms!”

As one the gathered soldiers shouted, “Huzzah!”

Athos continued, “For special recognition tonight, will Captain Mcejo and Lieutenant Noe please step forward?”

Redding gaped as both winked at him then marched through the crowd and stood before their fellows.

“Two months ago, during our engagement on Ceti Prime the Musketeers as well as two other divisions were under heavy fire by a superior number of Dominion forces. Acting on their own initiative, these two broke off from their regiment, attacked a Dominion heavy gun emplacement and captured it. Before the Dominion could respond Lieutenant Noe, with supporting fire from Captain Mcejo as well as 2nd Regiment’s hasty reinforcement of their position, proceeded to take out two other emplacements and a company of shock troops. This allowed our division to go on the offensive, flank the Dominion’s central line and turn what could have been a rout of our forces into a stunning Coalition victory!”

The crowd shouted again and Athos let it continue for a few seconds before motioning for silence. “For these actions, I am proud to present both with the Coalition Star of Valor.” The room erupted into cheering. He pinned the medals on both and saluted them. “Congratulations you two. The entire division is proud of you.”

“Thank you sir!” both responded.

Rogue’s voice called out, “And if they ever try something like that again I’ll hammer those medals straight into their skulls!” Laughter rang out.

Athos again motioned for silence, “We have one more matter to care for, then I want everyone to head to their quarters. Major Rogue, will please attend to it?”

“Yes sir!” Rogue responded. He motioned to Redding, “Wait here.” Redding nodded. Rogue walked to the front of the room and faced the crowd. “My friends, it has been a great honor to serve with you. We’ve lived, fought and died together and when one of us is honored, we are all honored. Now I take great pleasure in recognizing a fine soldier. Lieutenant Noe, the Coalition Armed Forces has recognized your talents and outstanding conduct. They have seen fit to order the following.” He took a datapad out of his pocket. “Effective immediately, by the authority of Vice Admiral Sean, Commander of the Coalition 7th Fleet, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jay’em Noe is hear by promoted to 1st Lieutenant, with all the rights and privileges in accord with his new rank. Congratulations Jay’em.” Rogue saluted him and the newly minted Lieutenant returned it. The room broke into applause.

Rogue turned to look at Athos, “Colonel, I do have one other item I would like to address.”

“By all means Major,” Athos responded.

“Thank you, sir.” He faced the crowd again. “The ranks of the Musketeers have grown. 2nd Regiment is proud to present our newest addition, Private Redding. Private, if you will please step forward?”

Redding gulped then rushed to the front.

Athos offered his hand and said, “Welcome Private. You’re in the best regiment in the fleet.”

“Thank you sir!” Redding stood at attention so hard it seemed his back would snap.

“Of course,” Rogue said, “We will have to teach you how to drink Private.”

Redding flushed red and the room again exploded in laughter. Athos shouted, “Musketeers, salute!”

In unison, every individual in the room shouted, “One for all, and all for one!”

Athos then dismissed the gathering, “Everyone back to your quarters. We have a briefing tomorrow at ten hundred hours.” The crowd broke up. People came up and congratulated both Dara and Jay’em as well as welcomed Redding. As the room emptied, the three gathered around Rogue.

Jay’em asked, “So what hell hole are we being dropped into now Major?”

Rogue shrugged, “No idea Jay’em.”

Dara snorted, “You’re the XO sir, of course you know, you just can’t tell us.”

“I honestly don’t know this time Captain. No one below the division commanders have been let in on it. Even my contacts in other units haven’t heard anything. Whatever’s up, it’s big.”

“Should be interesting,” Redding said.

All three laughed, “Life in the Musketeers is always interesting Private,” Jay’em said. Thee door closed behind them as they headed out.