Posted by Lieutenant Helena Laursen (Helm/Nagivation Officer) in Memory: Reunions

Posted by Captain Marceau Renault (Commanding Officer) in Memory: Reunions

Posted by Lieutenant Helena Laursen (Helm/Nagivation Officer) in Memory: Reunions
Posted by… suppressed (70) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The B-4 Soul Jet Bomber banked sharply, the engines roaring over the practice field, as Helena circled the Academy campus. “Alright Gigs, that’s enough showing off. You trying to steal Razor’s call sign?” The voice chuckled through the speaker in her helmet. Helena laughed, “If Razor didn’t already have the name it would have been mine.”

“You’re lucky we didn’t name you ALF. I still think we should have.” Helena laughed at that too and then took the bird straight up before leveling out into a corkscrew. “Major Galloway loved me. He never would have let ya’ll call me that.” The radio comms crackled. =/\=Fleet tower to B-4 T 79. Laursen is that you?=/\=

=/\=This is B-4 T 79, Fleet Tower. This is Laursen.=/\=

The voice on the radio changed from the younger sounding cadet to the deep bass of Cpt Driscoll. =/\=Welcome home Cadet. Now stop showing off and land that plane. There are people here that want to see you.=/\=

Antto ‘ECM’ Nieminen, her co-pilot, laughed in her ear, “Told you to stop showing off.”

=/\=Aye Captain. Permission to land, Fleet Tower control?=/\=

=/\=B-4 T 79 you are cleared to land at your discretion on runway 5. You’ll be taxied to Hanger 15=/\=

=/\=Copy Tower. Laursen out.=/\= The Jet banked in a graceful arc as Helena lined the bird up with the runway and made a smooth quiet landing. They were taxied into the hanger before they slid the cap back. Helena took off the helmet and set it on the panels in front of her. “Told you we had time to kill. We’re still two hours earlier than we had to be.” A ladder was hooked on as she unstrapped out of her seat. She tossed the small duffel she had and Antto’s over the side. “Hey, careful Gigs.” Helena laughed, “Nothing precious in there, ECM.” She descended the ladder and they went over their post flight check. Then Helena grabbed her bag and took off at a jog toward the tower. The marine aviator keeping pace beside her.

Helena

When Helena returned to the Academy, Kenneth was waiting for her with a solemn, yet annoyed, look on his face. Most of the squad had returned for the year, he was among those already back. When he saw Helena, he grinned and waved her over. “Laursen, over here!”

~ Marceau

Helena waved at Kenneth and at least looked sheepish at his annoyed expression. Didn’t they expect her to show off some? She was too happy to be back to really worry though. She started heading that way, but a hand on her shoulder made her pause. “You aren’t leaving me alone are ya, Gigs?” Antto asked her with a charismatic wink.

“You’ll be fine. Captain Driscoll is waiting for you. You check in with him. I’ve got to check in with my squad and then I’ll come find you, ECM. Don’t worry, you’re a tough guy, you’ll be fine. Driscoll doesn’t bite, often.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Antto gave her a flirtatious wink and headed off after making sure Helena had blushed just enough to get his meaning. Helena hurried over to Kenneth and everyone else. Akela, Yvette, Alvida, and Gerard all hugged her before she could get to Kenneth. She looked around the group, not seeing who she was hoping to see. She came to attention in front of Kenneth with a cheeky grin, “Cadet Laursen reporting in.”

Helena

Kenneth grinned. “At ease, Cadet.” He said and then he couldn’t help but laugh. Then he turned serious as he saw her looking around… looking for someone specific. “Helena. He had a trip to the hospital this morning. Allergic reaction. He’ll be fine, but he couldn’t make it to meet you.”

~ Marceau

Helena didn’t hear anything else after “allergic reaction”. The blood drained out of her face, she dropped her bag dropped to the tarmac, and took off across the campus. They had been so careful, Marceau always asked about his food now. How did this happen? She’d figure that out later, she just had to get to the hospital and make sure he was okay.

Helena

Kenneth grabbed her bag and followed Helena, the rest of the squad following. At the hospital, Marceau was in a room by himself. Lucy wasn’t there, she’d had to go already. When Helena and the squad arrived, they were allowed back to see him. Marceau saw Helena and smiled. “Helena! You’re back!” He was laying on a biobed, the monitor reading his vitals as within range. A new rescue hypo sat on the side table near the bed.

~ Marceau

It was lucky for everyone involved that Lucy had already left. Without a doubt Helena would have not been nice. Which, of course, was why everyone had followed her.

Helena managed to take a breath and walk once she got inside and up to his floor. She read the monitors and relaxed. She had learned how to read them last year when he got sick. She walked right up to his bed with a grin, “You just can’t stay out of trouble on your own can you?” She leaned down and hugged him and then sat. “I got in about 10 minutes ago.”

Helena

“I need you to protect me,” Marceau said as he hugged her. “Did your training go well?” Marceau asked her, looking at her questioningly.

~ Marceau

Helena cracked her knuckles in a very exaggerated manner, “Well you just tell me who slipped you the peanuts, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Her eyes got huge as she grinned. “It was gruelling. I could sleep for a month. It was so amazing though. I learned to fly one of the new B-4 Soul Jet Bombers! It’s out in the hanger 15. When you’re better I’ll show you.”

Billy laughed, “Yeah, you missed the show she put on. I like to fly but I think I would get sick doing the things she did.”

Helena laughed and rolled her eyes. “They make it sound dangerous. Driscoll didn’t even yell at me, so it’s fine. They are amazing and so FAST. I got top marks, except in shooting.” Standing behind her Emilio and Kenson groaned. “Someone gave you a plane with guns on it?” Emilio asked and shivered. “Hey, that’s why I’m the pilot and my co-pilot shoots.”

Helena

Marceau smiled as she talked about it. “I am not going up in that,” he said. Just in case she might be kidding about doing that. He looked at Billy with a fake sad expression. “What terrifying show did I miss?”

~ Marceau

Billy coughed. “Came down over the training field low enough we could feel it, then went straight up,” He mimicked with his hand, “arched it backwards to fly upside-down, and this really terrifying cocktail screw before she landed.”

“Huh? No way, I’m glad I missed that.” Marceau said, shaking his head.

“I would never do that with you in the plane,” she told Marceau, “and you can’t fly in the jet anyway. Only trained and certified aviators.”

“Bien, now I have another nightmare to have.” He joked, looking at Helena.

After that everyone left. She took her bag from Kenneth. “What have you done all summer?” She’d missed him, and it was horrible finding him like this.

Helena

“Lucy stayed home this summer, so we spent time together.” Marceau shrugged. “Nothing exciting.” He’d missed her all summer but he didn’t want to dampen her spirits. “Sorry I seem to have put a stop to your welcome back party.” He said and smiled.

~ Marceau

Helena nodded, “I’m glad you didn’t have to spend it alone.” Why did it have to be Lucy though. Things had resolved, but Helena was still upset over things. “Oh hush, you didn’t ruin anything. You keep that up, I’ll call my mom and tell her you’re in here. She will fly right on over.”

“No, no, she doesn’t need to. They’re releasing me later today anyway,” Marceau said.

“You know she would come without hesitation. You better write her and tell her that you are okay. She won’t be happy to find out later.”

Helena stared at him. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Helena

Marceau smiled reassuringly at her. “There was cross contamination at a restaurant Lucy and I went to. Peanut oil on the fryer or something. It really was an unfortunate accident.”

~ Marceau

Helena shook her head. That was frightening. “They should have been more careful after you told them you had an allergy. Or told you they use peanut oil when you asked.” Concern was written all over her.

“I know…” Marceau sighed. “I don’t know how it happened.”

She perked up a bit, “Well I was going to wait till later, but I think you’ve earned it.” She reached into her duffel and pulled out a pastry box. “There was this woman who owned a bakery near the base. She was from Roane.” Helena tried really hard to pronounce it correctly. The box contained Profiterole, Mille Feuille, Cannele, Kouign Amann, Chouquette, and Pain Au Chocolat. Helena pointed at the Pain Au Chocolat, “Her name is Sylvie. She told me that in Marseille you call them … chocolatine.”

Helena

“Chocolatine!” Marceau smiled. “It’s my favourite desert.” He looked at the rest of the deserts in the box, all things he liked. “Merci beaucoup, Helena. I love it.”

~ Marceau

Helena smiled brightly. “And I checked, she doesn’t use anything with peanuts. She asked me why I asked, so I told her. She checked to make sure none of her supplies came from places that process peanuts. So they are all safe.” The woman had actually ordered special ingredients just to make sure. Helena paid her extra for the kindness. Helena didn’t have much money this summer. She usually used her spare time to get paid as a private pilot, but she couldn’t do that while with the marines. It was worth it to see the pleasure in Marceau’s face. “So tell me what I’ve missed. I know I didn’t write much, most days I was so tired, I don’t remember getting into bed. I missed being here.”

Helena

“The others came back from their vacations over the last week,” Marceau said. “So you haven’t missed much. I stayed here with Lucy all summer.” He smiled at her, sitting up and reaching to hug her again. “I missed you. I’m glad you’re back.”

~ Marceau

Helena hugged him with a chuckle, that faded away as a realization came to her that she refused to acknowledge. She let the hug last however long he wanted and then sat up. “How is Lucy? Is everything okay between you both now?” Things had been rocky the end of the year. Helena didn’t blame Marceau for that, but Lucy seemed to make him happy.

Helena

“They are better than they were.” He said, his smile fading slightly. “We had a long talk about… a lot of things. We’re trying to work on things.” Marceau shrugged. “We’ll see how things go.”

~ Marceau

“I’m glad. You both just have to keep talking and listening. You have college and Academy to get through and careers. A lot is going to change.” She sounded supportive, and she was. She just wasn’t sure this would make Marceau happy, but that was his choice.

“So what did you and Kenneth cook up for our first night back? More poker?”

Helena

Marceau smiled. “Poker, yes. But also a little welcome back party for everyone.”

~ Marceau

Helena grinned. They would all end up passed out in their common room. This year, like last, they were bunked together in a set of connected rooms. “I’m sure Akela has a case of sparkling cider too.” She gave him a concerned look, “Are you sure you feel up to a party? We would all rather you rest and feel better. Classes will be in full swing in two days.”

Helena

“I am breathing now. I’ll be okay.” It was meant to be a little funny. But Marceau nodded then and added, “I will be careful. Go to bed a little early.”

~ Marceau

Helena’s face paled. He was breathing now? It sent ice down her spine, and she wasn’t here. She was flying instead…

It had been a bad attack. It had been his second major reaction and as was common, worse than the first. His throat had closed up and he hadn’t been able to breathe at all. It was lucky he’d gotten to the hospital in time.

If Helena knew, she would never sleep. As it was she would have nightmares about it.

“We all should. You remember what first day was like last year. I didn’t think anything could be worse than first year. Have you seen our duty schedules yet?”

Helena

Marceau nodded. “We will be very busy. Third year is a busy year. Especially for medical. We are starting to prepare for medical licensure exams and things.”

~ Marceau

Helena’s eyes lit up and she rubbed her hands together with glee. “Does that mean I get to quiz you and help you study? All the more challenging when I botch the pronunciation.” She squeezed his arm. “We will avoid that restaurant from now on.”

Helena

Marceau nodded and gave her the name of the place. He grinned and nodded, “You’ll spend all your free time quizzing Akela and me. In exchange I will help you study language.” He always did anyway, but he knew she’d still need the help.

~ Marceau

Helena groaned. That year they would be studying Vulcan, and had to be pass in 2 languages. Customs and culture she got as long as she didn’t have to talk. “That will take all my free time. Oh and I have to tutor the marine aviator who came back with me. I have to meet up with him later.”

Helena

Marceau smiled. “We will get through it. We always do. I want to meet your new aviator friend.” He looked at her and grinned.

~ Marceau

“You’ll get to. He will be taking some of our courses with us. Engineering and tactical courses and aviation for sure. I’m not sure where they will place him. He’s a really excellent pilot. I’ll make sure he gets to meet everyone.” Helena shrugged. It would all work out.

Helena

“Can I meet him today?” Marceau insisted. “Once they release me.” He muttered something in French, sounding annoyed. He wanted out of the hospital room.

~ Marceau

Helena’s eyes went wide. “Marceau! What language in front if a lady!” She began to laugh softly. She had no idea what he said, but it sounded unpleasant. “Yes, I will make sure you meet him, today. I’m sure they will let you out soon.”

Helena

Marceau smiled. “You don’t speak French! How do you know what I said?” He nodded. “I hope so. I have been here long enough.” He declared it, as if stating fact.

~ Marceau

Helena laughed, eyes crinkling. “I don’t, but I know you and that tone. You had the same tone when we thought we had that tent pitched in the rain storm and it collapsed as we all tried to get in it.” She shook her head. “Calm down and be a good patient.”

Helena

He smiled at her, she really did know him well. Marceau crossed his arms playfully. “It’s only observation. I’m not going to suddenly go back into anaphylaxis. Besides, like you said, classes are in two days. The last thing I want to do is spend that time as a patient.”

~ Marceau

Helena crossed her arms too and gave him a good glare. “And what would you tell me if I was the one being held for observation?”

Helena

Marceau looked sheepish and shrugged, grinning. “To sit there and be a good patient.” He admitted at last. “And I’d sit and watch you to be sure you did if I thought I had to.”

~ Marceau

Helena’s brows went up and she nodded slowly. “That’s right, and right now I think I need to sit and watch you.” She stifled a yawn. “Don’t get any ideas Renault, I won’t fall asleep on the job.”

Helena

Marceau gestured to the chair next to the bed. “Sit then, you seem tired.” He smiled, “You think I would wait for you to sleep and then sneak away?”

~ Marceau

“I am a little,” Helena moved to the chair, turning it so he didn’t have to look sideways at her. “The last 3 days have been non-stop with final qualifications and the airshow. It feels weird to be sitting still.” She stretched out her legs and smirked. “If you thought you could get away with it you would.”

Helena

Marceau grinned and shrugged. “Better keep an eye on me, then.” He looked at her. “Non stop? So much for a restful summer.” He had the bed raised and then he was sitting up on it anyway. “I can see my own monitor from here, I’m fine.”

~ Marceau

“Yes, yes, you’re fine. You are still staying there until they decide otherwise.” Helena pointed a finger at him. “There was nothing restful about this summer. As much as I hate to admit it, Driscoll was right. It was hard, and they didn’t want me there. But you know me,” she grinned mischievously, “no one can resist my charms forever.”

Helena

Marceau crossed his arms again and humphed. He smiled, “I’ll bet you were running that squad in a week.” Then he gave her a look, “but you better be staying with our squad, I can’t lose my pilot.”

~ Marceau

“I was.” Helena laughed, her eyes warming and she flushed slightly. She leaned forward and whispered, “They were great, but I’m staying here. I would never survive as a marine and I want to fly in space. And I’m a Black Jack and always will be.” The marines didn’t have Marceau.

Helena

Marceau seemed to visibly relax. “Good. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Especially once Command courses started, after their formal graduation from Academy. He had no idea how he’d pass a pilot’s certification. “You have to fly me around space so I can help people.”

~ Marceau

Helena knew he would have to learn how to pilot. Marceau had been very hesitant about being picked squad captain, but he had really taken to it. She could see the excitement and pride when he thought about it now. She was really proud of him. “Of course I will. Once you make captain you’ll be able to pick your crew. I don’t care what I’m doing or where I am, I will accept.” Knowing how afraid Marceau was, Helena thought that this year might be a good time to start his training.

Helena

“Once I make Captain?” Marceau chuckled. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” He was smiling though, he would want her on his crew if he did make Captain. She better not tell him that or Marceau would stress about it endlessly.

~ Marceau

“I’m not. We all know you are headed for the big chair, and so do you. You were made for command. Medical track or not. Not only are you squad captain, they put you in charge of the medical bay on Luna under Ballaris. You had near perfect evals.” Helena smiled. “We are all really proud of you, Marceau.”

Helena

Marceau smiled shyly. “Kenneth is made for command. Cadet Stevens,” that was a cadet captain of another squad, “is made for command. I’m… just doing the best I can.”

~ Marceau

“You and Kenneth are a natural team. And Stevens,” Helena huffed. She had worked under him on Luna when she was helping fill in. “He yells and doesn’t listen. He is great at delegating, but he doesn’t trust. He checks over everything and if it isn’t done his way, even if he is wrong, he files formal write-ups. That isn’t command, that’s dictatorship.”

Helena

“His evals are almost as good as mine are and even though he acts like that his squad wants to follow him.” Marceau shrugged. “I just feel out of place in command.” Whether that was true, or a result of fear of piloting courses, he didn’t know.

~ Marceau

Helena gave him a look like he should be making a connection. “Almost as good, is not as good. And the Ravens do like him, but that approach wouldn’t work with us or the jesters, coyotes, or the miracles. It takes all kinds. Don’t compare yourself to others. Look at yourself and your own reviews and whether or not we are working as a team. That is where it matters.”

Helena

Marceau nodded, though he didn’t seem convinced. He didn’t realize then that he did not miss Lucy really, he was just really glad Helena was there. He hadn’t realized exactly how much he’d missed her over the summer. “Do you have anything you need to do? I don’t know when I’m being released.” He wanted her to stay, but he didn’t want to hold her up.

~ Marceau

“Nope. I need to get to my room, but everyone else is checked in to the barracks, so it can wait. My medical check is tomorrow. Driscoll said he would page me for my debrief. I just have to find Antto later.” She grinned, “So for now I’m all yours. I can stay until they release you and we can head back together.”

Helena

Marceau smiled. “Bien.” He leaned back on the bed with a sigh. “I am worried about this happening again. I don’t want a medical discharge. What if it’s too hard to prevent?”

~ Marceau

“We will be more careful. Everything here on campus is fine. We know how to manage ration packs, and cook for ourselves, and even on Luna was a simple matter of telling the cooks about the allergy. It will be like that after we graduate. You can even use a scanner to look for allergens with alien encounters. It’s when we go off campus that we have to be extra careful. We’ll figure it out. This won’t beat you.”

Helena

Marceau nodded. “Merci, Helena.” He said. Maybe it was laying down all day or finally relaxing but he looked tired. “Are you ready for classes after a not very restful summer?” He asked. He barely felt ready, and he’d done nothing all summer, aside some studying to keep his mind sharp.

~ Marceau

Helena shook her head. “No, not really. I mean I’m really excited to share what I’ve learned and put it to use in aviation, but I honestly just want to curl up with a really fuzzy blanket and a bunch of pillows and sleep. Maybe some of my mom’s hot apple cider first.”

Helena

“Would a… chounnel or choquette make it better?” Marceau asked, peeking into the box of deserts. “Speaking of your mom, you really think I need to write her?”

~ Marceau

Helena bit her lip in indecision. They were marvelous and she did want one, but… “It would make it better, but no,” she shook her head slightly with a grin. “Those are special, just for you.”

Marceau smiled. “You should have one. It would make me happy to share them with you. I’ll have one too.”

“Yes you should after you get out. If she found out later, she would be heart broken. You are hers now just as surely as I am.” She laughed. “She would give you such a lecture. Which she still might.”

Helena

Marceau nodded. Helena’s mom was so nice he didn’t want to hurt her. “I will write her as soon as I’m out.” He promised.

~ Marceau

“See, already an expert at diplomacy.” Helena patted his hand with a knowing wink. She looked at the box of pasties. “Okay, but just one.”

Helena

Marceau handed her a pastry out of the box and then took one for himself. Then he closed the box. “Try it. It’s very good.” He said, gesturing towards hers.

~ Marceau

Helena took the flaky light choquette and bit into it. It was very very good. She closed her eyes and sighed as it melted in her mouth. She finished it slowly and then moaned with a sigh. “That’s soooo good.”

Helena

Marceau finished his own, with all the eagerness of an excited child. “C’est trés bein.” He said and then smiled. “Very traditionally done, and very well done. Merci, Helena. It was excellent.”

~ Marceau

Helena smiled brightly. “I’m glad you liked it. Sylvie said she can ship them. She was eager to know what you thought of them.” It had been an unexpected find, stumbling across the French bakery. Helena, unlike anyone else, knew how much Marceau missed Marseille and France. She also understood why he couldn’t go back. So she tried, whenever possible, to bring him small reminders of home.

Helena

Marceau didn’t talk about it. He’d told Helena some about it once, but no one else. He always appreciated her little reminders, whatever she could bring him. “Tell her I am very impressed.” He said with a smile.

~ Marceau

“Good, I’m very glad.” Before she could say anything else, there was noise outside the door and then a polite knock before it opened. Perhaps the doctor had finally arrived to release him.

Helena

He was. “Cadet Renault?” Said the doctor. “You’re good to go.” He smiled at Marceau. “Be careful out there, okay?”

Marceau nodded. “I will. Merci, doctor.” He said, looking at Helena like Can I get up now?

~ Marceau

Helena turned and smiled at the doctor. “Thank you, Doctor. We’ll make sure he’s careful.” She laughed at Marceau’s look and stood. She slid the pastries into her bag and hung the strap over her shoulder. Then she grabbed the new rescue medication and slid it into the pocket of her Bomber jacket. “I’ll wait outside for you.” She closed the door behind her and chatted with a few of the medical cadets while she waited.

Helena

It was only a few minutes before Marceau emerged, dressed like normal, and smiled at Helena. He hugged her for a moment. “Welcome back, Helena. Now I can greet you properly.”

~ Marceau

Helena hugged him tightly and then pulled back. “That’s much better. Come on let’s tell everyone else they set you free. Before they start hounding the teachers for virtual classes and copies of notes.”

Helena

Marceau chuckled and nodded. “Okay.” Then he followed her out of the hospital.

~ Marceau