Making things go boom

Posted on 27 Jan 2026 @ 5:42pm by Sergeant Major Christopher "Chris" Kildare & Master Sergeant Thomas Zang

1,767 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: Tomcat Lounge/Various
Timeline: MD: 00

[ON]

Thomas sat in his quarters in his off time. He had checked his field bag and his weapons to see if anything needed refilling or replacing before the next mission. He wanted to get some practice in his demolitions since he usually was training his sniper skills. He remembered that there was another demolitions expert on the Tomcat and had met him once, but hadn't really gotten to know him or even really talked with him yet. He got up from the seat he sat in and headed for the door. It slid open as he approached it, and he stepped out. He turned and headed deeper into the bowels of the Tomcat's Marine country. "Computer, please locate Sergeant Major Kildare for me, please?" He asked as he walked.

- Tomcat lounge -

Chris was currently alone in the Tomcats Lounge; his wife was resting as she was due to give birth soon, so he was taking some downtime before he returned to the rat race that was Marine Country. He sensed someone standing at his table. He slowly looked up and smiled. The face was familiar, but he could not quite place it.

"Hello...?" Kildare began

"Sorry to bother you, Sergeant Major, I'm Master Sergeant Thomas Zang. I'm one of the other demolitions in the 95th." Thomas said with a polite nod. "We met once before, but didn't get a chance to talk much before the last mission. I was ordered to stay with the shuttle to guard it and Lt. Kildare."

Smiling, "Ah, yes, please join me", Kildare said, indicating the seat opposite him "What type of demolitions is your area of skill?" Kildare asked.

Thomas took a seat opposite the sergeant major. "I don't really have a speciality when it comes to demolitions, though I love to make things go 'boom', whether it's a timed, trigger, or fuse-based setup. I have even used the holodeck to try and blend my demolitions and sniper skills together by setting up the explosives and then, from a safe distance, using my T-116 rifle to detonate them with a precise shot," he explained with a smile.

"Well, I specialise in disarming bombs. I used to be partnered with Lieutenant Colonel Alex Somers back when she was a Marine Captain. She has a hobby of making Micro-explosives, so small that someone could swallow one and not know it. The yield is equal to that of a Photon Grenade; all that remains of the person is blood and guts, so SFMC High Command partnered me with her to diffuse her bombs, should something go wrong. It was an interesting time," he paused.

Looking at Zang, "You know, this is the first time you have actually approached someone to speak to. I have noticed since you joined the crew that you have mainly kept to yourself. But this start is good; keep going. You'll feel it gets easier with time, but so far, it's a good start. So, why is it you plant explosives and shoot from a distance?" Chris asked, taking a sip of his drink.

Thomas grinned slightly. "There might be a time when there are frequency dampeners in place that would negate the use of a remote detonator, yet you need to blow the explosive at a certain time that can't be estimated for a timer. Like if you're being chased by an enemy group or waiting for a specific troop to reach a certain point. You wait for them to reach the optimal position, then with a single shot, BOOM!" he said, the last word loudly, making a few of the nearby personnel jump in their seats. Thomas let out a nervous chuckle with a small wave to apologise for startling them. "As for me staying to myself, most snipers do tend to be more of the loner type, plus I was raised in the forests in the Washington area back on earth. I didn't tend to get to cities or towns much, so I have always been more reserved around people," he explained.

"It was City for me, Pennsylvania, my family dates back to the American Civil War, so being a military man is in my blood, I too am a bit of a loner, but I am getting out of the habit as I am married to the Ships Counsellor and we are expecting a kid, but usually my job requires me to be alone, some explosive devices were so intricate I had to give it my full attention, defusing explosive devices is not conducive to being social" Chris said with a chuckle.

Thomas returned the chuckle. "I hear ya there. Demolitions and snipers are lonely professions just like scouting is as well." He offered a smile to Chris. "I got to meet her on the last mission. I was the one positioned on the shuttle with her as a guard. I really wanted to get out and be active in the mission; staying behind as a guard was an important job too. Especially with the special cargo I was guarding. I think I was put in that position as I don't think they really needed my skills."

"Scouting Mission, no, a Demo expert will not be needed, now, if there were something to blow up, then you would have likely been added to the forward party, but scouting and rescue, nothing needs to go boom *chuckles* So Thomas, you found someone to keep you company when off duty?" Kildare asked, then realised Enlisted were in four-man bunk rooms; still, the question had merit.

Thomas gave an enigmatic smirk. "You could say that, but unfortunately, I really don't talk to my bunk mates." He sat back in his seat a bit. "I have gotten out and met a few of the other crew members on the ship, but most are fleet and not marines. Though there is one Marine I have my eye on." He said with a sly wink.

*Knowing Smile* "Ah, got it, but remember if it is someone higher than you will need to speak to the Captain, especially if that person is in your chain of command, something to do with conflicts of interest, I think, but if it is serious, you will need to speak to Captain Somers" Chris said.

"I'm aware, Sir. I'm thinking of transferring to another department to satisfy that issue." Thomas said with a sigh. He looked down at his hands for a moment. Then looked back up. "It's 2nd Lieutenant Matthews. I'm aware that I will be hampering my advancement most likely, but it's worth it to me."

Hiding his surprise, "An officer, a worthy goal, recommend it, I am married to one, you should see our quarters, I doubt it will hinder your advancement, especially as you are looking to change departments, so where is it you are thinking of going to?" Kildare asked.

"Security and tactical, I can still use my skills in that area, but it helps with my future goals in life," Thomas said as he thought of what the future holds. "I want to start on getting a family. I grew up most of my life isolated from the general public and have been a loner still, even when I joined."

"Hmm, Lieutenant Benson is the CoS/CTO, so you would be under her command. I do believe there is an Acting CoS in place, too, but do speak to the Captain, I cannot say if and when the change will happen, but the Somers family are not as intimidating when you get to know them," Kildare said. "Starting a family is good, I got a Nugget on the way, and if I am honest, I am a little nervous about being a father. So apart from that you have any other plans?" Kildare asked.

Thomas let out a small laugh. "I'm sure you will be a great father. I'm learning as I get to know Martha as well, so I might have some advice if you need it, but as for the small babies, I'll be just as clueless as the next single guy." He smiled over at Chris. "As for any other plans, not really. I haven't really put much thought into my extended future really. I've really been the live-in-the-moment kinda person until I met Cassandra. That is when I really started to think about what I wanted and spurred me on to try to become an officer."

"Making an Officer from an NCO has only been done twice that I know of, both got field commissions, for similar reasons "Colonel Somers got promoted from an SNCO rank to 2nd Lt around 17 years ago. Her sister, Lieutenant Karyn Somers, who is currently Security on SB51, is a former Rifle Officer. She was posted to the Leto as MXO, so she was field promoted to 2nd Lt, and eventually she made Marine Captain, then something happened, she left the Leto, transferred to Fleet and became a Security Officer. So it is possible to become an Officer, but it is not easy for most people; the Somers Sisters got lucky, so do not give up hope," Kildare said with a smile.

Thomas thought about it as his heart skipped a beat at the thought that he might not get to become an officer without having to return to Starfleet headquarters and go through an officer's school. "I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up then." He let out a sigh of resignation at the thought. He shook his head and banished it from his mind. "On to better subjects, what are some of your hobbies, Sir?" He asked as a change of subject.

"Please, on or off duty, it is Chris, on duty when on parade, it is Sergeant Major" Chris responded *thinks a moment* "I like Pizza, Lamb Kebab, Old Cartoons, History documentaries, Jazz and Swing and my Dislikes are idiots and self-righteous people, Traitors, as for hobbies never really thought to have any career rifleman and all, suppose fatherhood will change all that!" Chris answered.

[TAG:] Zang

*Nods* looks at the clock, eyes widen "Oh Shit gotta, go the wife is expecting me, perhaps we can chat again at some point Thomas?" Kildare asked, knocking back the last of his beverage.

Zang nodded and watched Kildare leave and sighed.

[OFF]

 

RSS Feed