Posted by Captain Marceau Renault (Commanding Officer) in side - sim: Dead Letter Office?

Posted by Lieutenant Helena Laursen (Helm/Nagivation Officer) in side - sim: Dead Letter Office?

Posted by Captain Marceau Renault (Commanding Officer) in side - sim: Dead Letter Office?
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
NE Zuwiki and NPO Mills were clearing out the cargo bay. It had been a rather quick load and then leave from Beta Station. Then there was that whole issue with the dog, Sgt Nessa. No one wanted to deal with cargo after that, afraid of what other missed placed items they might find. Zuwiki and Mills were assigned the job of getting the bay cleared out and organized.

“Aww man, captain is gonna be POed,” Zuwikie muttered.

Mills waslked over, “Why’s that? Find an empty crate of guns or something?”

“Nu uh, package here for him. Looks like it was shipped over night to make it to the ship. And we’re over a month out.”

Mills shrugged, “It happens, and not like this is Renault’s first ship side assignment. He knows how things go.” Mills looked at it again, “That can’t be right, why would Lt Laursen ship him a package when she was on board?”

Zuwiki grinned, “Or do you think it’s a seceret? You know I heard those two…”

“Knock that off. Rumors and gossip. We haven’t got time for that. Besides look, it says it’s from a Dunna Laursen. And last I checked Lt Laursen’s name is Helena. Oh…do you think it’s from her family for her?”

“Why would they address it to Cpt Renault? Oh maybe they thought it had to go through the captain?” Zuwiki said.

“Helena has been in the service over 13 years, I doubt this is the first time her family sent a care package. Maybe they aren’t related at all. Just a coincidence.” Miller shrugged. He didn’t have time for speculation. He wanted to get the bay cleared.

“Well what do you think it is? Maybe some surprise for the Lt? I heard they have served together a long time. I mean they have to be close if he’s getting…” Zuwiki would be on this all night.

Miller lifted the box and shoved it at Zuwiki, “Here you take it the captain and you can ask him. I’ve got work to do.”

Not thinking about how awkward it would be for him to grill his captain about his personal deliveries, Zuwiki took off for deck C to deliver the box to Cpt Renault. He stopped outside his quarters and rang the chime and waited. All kinds of scenarios running through his head.

Nosey NEs

Marceau let the door open. Off shift, he was in casual wear, Helena’s necklace hidden under a plain cotton shirt. “Ensign Zuwiki?” He asked, looking at the officer, and then the box in the Ensign’s hands. “What’s that?”

~ Capt Renault

“Hello Cap,” the young Ensign replied rather cheerily, the coughed, “Umm, ahem, I mean Captain Renault. We found this package addressed for you while we were organizing the cargo hold.” Oh why not, maybe he might learn something. “But we think it might have been meant for Lt Laursen. Sent from a Dunna Laursen. Thought maybe they didn’t know how to send a package through.” He held out the larger box for Renault.

Zuwiki

Marceau had wondered if she was going to send something. Dúnna usually did, but it must have barely made the ship and then been lost. They’d been in such a hurry when they left space dock, a lot of the cargo had been poorly organized and misplaced. That was, after all, how they ended up with a ship dog.

He smiled and took the box from the Ensign, “No, it’s mine.” He wasn’t giving away anything else. That poker face that frustrated Helena, Zuwiki was now on the recieving end of it. “Thank you for bringing it to me.”

~ Capt Renault

“Oh, you’re welcome, Sir. Happy to help.” Then Zuwiki, unsure if the captain was really pleased, or angry at his false attempt to help by asking questions, hurried away. Mills laughed no end at Zuwiki’s attempt.

Zuwiki

Marceau put shoes on, and then excitedly took the box and headed down to Helena’s quarters. He hadn’t been angry at the Ensign at all. He was happy to have gotten the box, but also had wanted to avoid more rumors about himself and Helena… It wasn’t going to help that he was now going to see her. Oh, well.

He stopped at her door and knocked, then stood and waited with the box.

~ Marceau

Helena had just gotten out of the shower when she heard the knock. She pulled her robe on and came out and opened the door. “Marceau.” She grinned and eyed the box, “Mom?” She stepped back, “Come in, sit down. I’ll be right out.” She grabbed her clothes off her chair and disappeared into the bathroom. A short handful of minutes later Helena came out, towel drying her hair and grinned as she took a seat.

Helena

Marceau grinned and nodded. “Another one of her care boxes. It was lost in the cargo bay.” He stepped into her quarters and sat down where he could find space to, setting the box in front of him. When Helena came out and took a seat, Marceau opened the box and peeked in.

~ Marceau

On the very top was a hand written letter, in French addressed to Msrceau. Then there were three bulk sized boxes of Blooberg tea. A variety of Icelandic thyme with antibacterial properties. It is perfect for curing colds and stomach problems and has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Helena’s mother swore by it and had taken to giving it to Marceau for his airsickness. After they both got sick on Mars boxes of it arrived like clockwork, where ever they were.

First he picked the letter out and read it. Then he looked underneath. The tea was one of his favorites. Marceau thought the Icelandic thyme stuff worked pretty well. He used the stuff whenever he didn’t feel well, partly just so he would use it. Helena’s mom sent it every time she sent him something ever since Mars. He always made sure he used everything she sent.

There was a large box of Omnon Chocolates. A favorite treat whenever Marceau visited them. Normally Dúnna sent French chocolates, though. She must not have had time to get any.

Normally Dúnna sent French chocolates, which Marceau appreciated because they reminded him of home and of the better parts of his childhood. Marceau was happy for the change though, because the omnon chocolates were one of his favourite treats when he visited and they reminded him of his visits to Iceland with Helena.

Under those was another Lopapeysa sweater. This one in a navy blue with light Grey and gold chevron accents. With a set of base layer shirt and pants. Dúnna was always convinced the ships must be freezing in space. The final thing was a large Frostrós Scandinavian design wool blanket.

Marceau’s old sweater still hung in the closet in his room. It was 13 years old and rather worn by now but he loved it. The new one was a different colour, but he loved it just as much. It would go right next to his old one. Seeing it though made him chuckle. “She did comment on how old my old one looked.” The cold layers wouldn’t be helpful unless they visited a cold planet or something, but he appreciated the idea.

Under these things was a box that was bigger than the rest with some heft to it. Another note was taped to it.

Helena

Curiously, Marceau lifted the box out and picked the note off and read it.

~ Marceau

Every captain should remember the legacy of their ship and what came before. We are so very proud of you, Marceau. Return home safe.

Love,
Dúnna and Torben

Inside the box was a recreation of the very first Sojourner space vehicle. The original Sojourner was a 6-wheeled, solar powered, robotic rover that landed in the Ares Vallis channel on Mars on July 4, 1997. Sojourner was operational on Mars for 92 sols (95 Earth days). It was the first wheeled vehicle to rove on a planet other than Earth and formed part of the Mars Pathfinder mission.

Helena’s face broke into a HUGE grin. This model was much smaller than the original. They had seen it when they were stationed on Mars. It sat in the middle of the central building of the Martian complex.

Helena

Marceau was grinning as well. He had liked seeing the original Sojourner on Mars. “This would go on the bridge if it could. It’ll have to go in the ready room instead.” He set the model down and then looked over the other things. “She thinks of everything… Or at least tries to.” He pointed to the warm clothes, “I’ve gotten at least something warm in every box.” Then the Icelandic thyme, “She’s sent me these every time since Mars.” Finally he pointed at the warm blanket, “That will be nice. Not that the blankets here aren’t warm enough but they aren’t very nice.”

~ Marceau

Helena ran a hand over the blanket, “Standard issue is functional, but that will be a nice addition to your quarters.” Helena laughed over the tea, “She sends it to me too. I know I’m too old for it, but I like that my mom still tries to take care of us.”

“Too old? Who said that?” Marceau grinned at her, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She shook her head at the base layers, “I keep telling her the ships aren’t cold, but she doesn’t believe me. But that model is wonderful. You know she probably worked with Flenza to get that package here before we left.”

Helena

“At least we will be very warm if we ever have to survey a very cold planet.” Marceau smiled at the model. “It’s perfect for the ship.” Then he nodded again, “She must have.” He smiled a little shyly, “It’s nice of her.”

~ Marceau

Helena smiled one of those warm affectionate smiles that only very few people ever saw. “My parents love you. You’re family, always will be.” Then she grinned, “Not to be morbid, but my mom probably has some of these on lifetime subscription. We will be getting it even after she is gone.”

Helena

Marceau smiled as well, “At least we will have plenty of tea… And Icelandic herbal remedies. Has she been sending you those since Mars too?” He started packing some of the things back into the box. When he came to the Lopapeysa sweater, instead of setting it in the box he unfolded it and slipped it on over his head. It fit just as well as his old one. “How does it look?”

~ Marceau

Helena laughed, “Oh yes. And Tumeric tea for aches and pains. I got some instant apple cider packets once. I may have to ask her to send more of that.” Helena gave him a long once over. She didn’t miss that her mother chose colors to match his new position. “Looks good on you, Marceau. Very commanding.”

Helena