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

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

Posted by Captain Marceau Renault (Commanding Officer) in Memory: Reunions
Posted by… suppressed (23) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
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

They made their way back across campus to their new dormitory. 3rd and 4th year cadets were housed in quads - whole floors given to one squad. Double rooms, two shared bathrooms, a large common room and kitchen. It looked like Yvette was already giving orders to Billy and Gerard on how to decorate, the most important being a banner for the Black Jacks she had made over the summer to hang in the common room. “Hey look who’s been set free,” Helena called as they entered. Marceau was swarmed and Helena laughed.

Helena

Marceau greeted everyone and assured them he was fine and well. He saw the Black Jacks banner and pointed up and grinned. “Who did this? It looks amazing!” He complimented.

~ Marceau

Yvette grinned, “I did. I worked on it all summer.” She was slightly flushed because everyone thought it was wonderful. Kenson pointed at another wall. “I got all these photos from our first two end of year missions. And when that marine gets here I’m going to fanagle some pictures of Helena out of him. Surely they took some.” He laughed. Kenson opened the fridge and started putting drinks on the counter. “Alright so do we want to go to the mess, cook here, or order something? I’m starved.”

Blackjacks

Marceau smiled at Yvette. “It’s great.” He laughed too, “I’m sure they did. Apparently they ended up liking Helena.” To Kenson, “Let’s cook here. I don’t want to eat anywhere else today.”

~ Marceau

Helena flipped her hair and threw her self into a dramatic pose in the couch. “Like? I am totally adorable. They loved me!” That got laughs. “Helena, you and Emilio get in here to help cook and remind us why we love you.” Helena jumped up and in about 10 minutes the smell of food cooking filled the rooms.

Helena

Marceau sat in the main area and waited. He was a terrible cook anyway but he would try if it was asked. He spent the time talking to and catching up with the rest of the squad.

~ Marceau

The discussion was lively. Photos and souvenirs were passed around and stories shared. Emilio, Kenyon, and Helena interjected every so often between clings, bangs, and laughter in the kitchen. The consequence would be a mess to clean up for their culinary antics.

“Helena a package arrived for you. Looks like from your mom. I put it in your bed,” Gerard said ducking in and then out of the kitchen in a hurry.

“Oh! Akela! Let Marceau open it. I bet there are cookies or bread or cake or all the above.” Akela hopped up and ducked into their room and brought the box back and set it on the small coffee table near Marceau. There was a rapid knock on the main door. “I’ll get it.” Akela turned and hurried over to the door. She opened and paused. On the other side was a tall very trim, very fit, healthily tanned officer in a green flight suite, and next to him was Caotain Driscoll. “Cadet Akela. I would like to speak to Cadet Captain Renault and Cadet Commander Edwards.”

“Yes, Sir.” Akela dragged her gaze off the younger man and went back to the living area. “Marceau, Kenneth. Captain Driscoll wants to talk to you both.”

Black Jacks

Marceau had started to tear the tape from the package when he heard Akela say Driscoll was there. He set down the box and went to the door. “Sir?”

~ Marceau

Kenneth walked over with Marceau. He recognized Helena’s marine friend. Marceau hadn’t seen him yet.

“Gentlemen, welcome back. This is Marine Aviator 1st Lt Markel Villegas. He is going to be shadowing and training with Cadet Laursen and therefore training with your squad. If you have room, I would like him to bunk with you, or we have guest quarters.”

Driscoll

“There is space for one more,” Marceau said, looking at the aviator. “Welcome to the Black Jacks, Villegas.” He said, smiling. “I think we can learn a thing or two from each other.”

~ Marceau

Kenneth echoed the welcome. “Welcome, Villegas. Come on, I’ll show you where you can store your bag.”

“Thank you, Renault,” Driscoll said as Kenneth led Markel off. “Glad to see you on your feet.” He nodded once and left.

“Thank you, Captain.” Marceau said quickly.

Kenneth led him to a room he would share with Emilio and Gerard.

Helena

Marceau returned to the main room. “One of the aviators Helena trained with will be training with our squad for a while.” He said, to the rest of their squad. “Be welcoming to First Lieutenant Villegas.”

~ Marceau

Kenneth came back out, Villegas just a moment behind him. “ECM! Well you must have impressed Driscoll if he’s letting you hang out with us,” Helena called. He didn’t see her yet, but he focused on Renault and offered his hand with a chuckle. “Gigs said you all were the best. After seeing her fly, and they way she talks about you all, I ha e no doubt. Thank you for having me Cpt.”

Helena stepped into the doorway, flour on her hands and a little on her clothes. “Did Driscoll feed you? We’re eating here tonight. Blackjack Tradition.”

Markel turned to answer her and stared. Every guy in the room knew that stare, Helena seemed unaware. He let out a small whistle, “You cook too? I told the guys you were the whole package.” He stared a moment before answering, “No, I haven’t eaten, but I don’t want to intrude.” His smile was friendly as he looked at the rest of the squad.

Helena

Marceau’s eyes narrowed slightly and his body stiffened ever so slightly. He watched the pilot for a moment, then broke into a friendly grin that to the squad, would seem… not as nice as his usual grin. “Non, non, you are part of the squad, you eat with the squad.” He said, shaking the man’s hand. “Akela, would you like to show our guest around the place while we prepare the food?”

~ Marceau

Gerard wasn’ttoo pleased with the familiarity and what was with that nickname? He was glad Marceau was keeping him away from Helena. Kenneth, Flinza, Billy, and Kenson all grinned behind Villegas and Marceau’s backs. Money changed hands. It was going to be an interesting semester.

Akela grinned. She was more than happy to give him a tour. “Sure,” she hopped up and walked over to him. “Come on, Villegas.”

“Markel, please, or Kel if you like.” He offered his arm in a very ‘an officer and a gentleman’ kind of way, and then when out of ear shot said something that made Akela positively blush and laugh breathalyzer.

“You know I’ll go with them. Nice to talk to another pilot,” Billy got up and followed after them.

Helena

Marceau glanced at the others, and then Helena. “Let’s get the food ready, we don’t want to keep our guest waiting too long.” He said. They all knew Marceau was a terrible cook. But if Helena was cooking, he’d mill about the kitchen talking to her.

~ Marceau

Kenson and Emilio had extreme self control to not laugh and give Marceau a hard time as he basically got in the way as they cooked. Marceau had no idea as he talked to Helena, and Helena was too busy talking to him to notice otherwise.

Kenson was making sweet potato salad and fresh fruit cocktail. Emilio was frying prok chops, and Helena was making fresh yeast rolls.

Everyone else was busy setting the table and Yvette pulled out two bottles of sparkling grape juice and a brand new set of wine flutes she had purchased over the summer. They had the Black Jack crest etched on the glass. They were short one now though. Luckily they had some plane ones in the cabinet. Maybe she should wait?

Helena told her to just a plane one on the table. Markel would understand and not be offended.

Helena

Once everything was ready, Marceau called everyone to the table and then took his seat. Helena’s seat was next to his, Markel’s was conveniently on the other side of the table.

~ Marceau

Akela sat next to Markel, obviously quite taken with him. Everyone introduced themselves and what their position within the squad was. The table was, as always, filled with conversation, jokes, and familiar friendly teasing. Markel was not immune to this, Helena made sure to drag him into the conversation and include him. She was the only one who knew him, so she felt it was her responsibility to make him welcome.

“This is really good. We only get food from the mess, and it’s nothing to a home cooked meal. Thank you,” Markel said to everyone. “I feel right at home, thank you.” He grinned at Akela who blushed (makinng Billy grind his teeth) and winked at Helena who laughed.

“Oh I know all about you, ECM. Save your charms for someone else,” Helena teased him. He shrugged, “It’s not charm if it true, Gigs” he grinned and winked at her again. Was Helena’s face flushed?

Helena

“Right at home is the goal,” Marceau said, ignoring their inside jokes and Helena’s little flush. “I am glad you are liking the food and the squad.”

~ Capt Renault

Markel nodded, “I appreciate it, Cpt. Or Cadet? I’m sorry, I’m not sure how the ranks work exactly. They are different than the Marines.” He cleared his throat with a drunk. “I know I have several on-boarding tasks tomorrow, and I will have a lot of flight time, but if you are willing, I would like to join your squad anywhere you want to assign me.”

“I’ll be happy to show you the way to medical in the morning. It’s on my way,” Akela offered, maybe a bit too quickly. Billy tried to shake it off. She was a doctor after all.

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

“Cadet,” Marceau said modestly. “The ranks are really just for assignments.” He smiled, “Akela can show you to medical. Billy, I’d like you to show him around as well. He should have a chance to work with all departments.” He smiled at Helena, “Except you, he’s already a pilot after all.”

~ Capt Renault

Helena grinned, “Aviator. In the Marines there is a distinction between a pilot and an aviator. Markel has earned the title if Aviator. Though that won’t help him once we get into space.”

“Yeah, yeah Gigs. So you keep saying. Put your money where your mouth is,” Markel challenged, but it was good natured.

“Oh I will, but you have to pass all your preliminaries first.”

Billy nodded, “Yep. And Helena holds the highest scores for all evals and tests and holds top place in all the rankings,” Billy said, his voice full of pride.
Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

Marceau nodded. “There is no flying Helena can’t do. Everyone is expecting great things from her once we start flying in space.”

~ Capt Renault

Markel shook his head and et a hand on Helena’s shoulder. “We learned that about Gigs real fast. She took to our birds like she was born in one. Cut some egos down to nothing the first few days.”

Helena shrugged, “I plane is a plane. Took me awhile to figure out the guns though.” She laughed and pointed at Kenneth, “All your tips on aim didn’t do a thing when you are moving past the sound barrier.”

Kenneth chuckled, “I’m sure they decided to keep you a pilot instead.” Markel laughed, “We did. Inputting coordinates she was fine, but firing on the fly needs some work.”

“Hey that’s why I’m the pilot and you are the gunner,” Helena said and reached for her glass. “I can’t wait for this year. Commandant Burras said I’m going to get to try a warp 2 ship first thing.”

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

Marceau smiled. “I struggle to shoot on the ground. I can’t imagine trying to do it in the air.” Truthfully, the idea made him a little sick. But right now, that embarrassed him more than usual.

~ Capt Renault

Emilio laughed, “Marceau you do fine. But in a fire fight, take the guns away from Helena.” Helena scowled at him, “Just for that I’m not giving you your surprise.”

The whole table went, “Oooohhh!” Emilio paused with his fork in his food, “Helena, forgive me, my dear. You are amazing, wonderful, brilliant.” He got up and walked around the table, knelt beside her chair, and took her hand. “I only meant to illustrate how profoundly devastating you would be, outdoing us all.” He started kissing her hand, and in Gomez Adam’s fashion, going up her arm, punctuation each with some pet name.

Everyone was grinning. Helena tried hard to hide it. “Eeww! Yuck! Emilio stop, ugh!” She jerked her hand away and then had to play tug of war with him for her hand. “Okayokayokay I’ll tell you. Just STOP!” Emilio grinned and kept rapt hold of her hand just in case. “Over winter break you will be returning with Markel to the Marines. If you pass your weapons test you’ll go back in the summer to do what I did, but as a gunner. Learning to fire on board weapons.”

Emilio’s jaw dropped, he jumped up, pulled her up, kissed both her cheeks. Then he proceeded to lift her and spin her around. “Helena! Oh My Gosh, THANK YOU.” Helena laughed and hugged him. Then quite forcefully made him put her down.

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer