Marine BBQ (Casual)

[MrKill]

This is a 'for fun' thread, a casual thread taking place a week before the current unit mission that will count to your characters progression, meaning it is canon. While it won't be added to the RP list, as that's for official missions, this still counts as canon.

You don't have to RP in this thread! This is a voluntary thread only, and members of the 7th Marines (And her attached units) can participate in this thread. I hope this casual thread allows members to enjoy themselves and have fun with their characters.

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During a seven day field training exercise for the Marines in First Battalion - Alpha and Bravo companies, Colonel Killinger cancelled the last day of training in favor for a barbecue to boost morale. The at the time temporary Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Riveens, allowed people to choose between the two options: A day of leave in New Alexandria or a day with fellow Marines enjoying beer, burgers and buddies. Everyone had to report to the Marine Corps base in New Alexandria tomorrow at mid-day.

Since the next week was prepping for deployment and everyone had to be on their assigned ships to make the preparations, the last day of leave in New Alexandria was a nice calling for most people to visit friends, family, get drunk or other... adult topics. However, some Marines chose to enjoy the BBQ the Colonel had paid for, out of his own pocket, that day.

Those Marines that decided to join their brethren in the BBQ were ferried to a rented out park, used previously by the Colonel in the past, that supported various sports. Grav Ball, Floor and Ice Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and King of the Hill were the primary sporting selection. Food Catering was purchased and around 10:00 AM UNSC Military Calendar Time the BBQ officially started.

---

Colonel Killinger
7th Marines
Relaxin

John had a satisfied smirk on his facial features as Marines in their fatigues lined up at the various food tents that had been set up. John himself was behind the grill, slaving over some delicious looking burgers, smokies, sausages and hot dogs. He had also grilled up some bread for anyone who wanted it 'crispy', and to his surprise, it actually disappeared quicker than he could supply the hungry Marines. In all, out of the Marines training for the past six days, only about a hundred remained behind. The other three hundred had decided to use the free day to do what ever they wanted to do.

John had sent Admiral Klix the invitation and was informed a couple of ODSTs and other Marines from various units were on the way. Hopefully, though none had arrived yet, his own kids would show up for the relaxing - at least he hoped it was - day of fun and food. "Hey, Colonel!" A Master Gunnery Sergeant said, half saluting the man as he stepped up for some food. "Last time we did this, I was serving you at your little family BBQ. Call me a pork chop, I think this is humorous."

"Okay, pork chop. What do you want?" John replied.

"Two burgers and a beer for me, sir. You can find me over at the king of the hill match about to start. Someones got to teach these youngsters how to play the fucking game, am I right, sir?" The Master Gunnery Sergeant replied. John chuckled in response as he dished up two buns, put the burgers on them, and handed the Gunnery Sergeant a beer.

"Okay, Master Guns, 'Lettuce' remember you've got a more experience than probably anyone here." John replied, satisfied with his pun as he pointed towards the table full of condiments and toppings. The Master Gunnery Sergeant shook his head and a half grin and walked away. Next up was a Private who was too afraid to talk, but quietly asked for a burger and a beer. He looked young, so it was the Colonel's job to ask his age but since the kids information scrolled across his retina. Legal. Since Reach was inhabited by a culture of Hungarians, the legal drinking age was still eighteen.

John handed the food and drink over to the man and watched as he shuffled towards the toppings table.

[Cabel]

[Epsilon Eridani: Planet Reach: New Alexandria: Rented Out Park: Barbeque: 7th Marines: 1st Battalion: Alpha Company: Captain Mark “Spade“ Seamus Sorelson: Year 2547]

It’s like John to throw a barbecue before our big deployment, he mused with a small grin forming on his otherwise field-hardened features.

 “You’ve done it this time, John,” he said having been flown in by a pelican transport to the same park in New Alexandria the Colonel had held a barbecue previously. "Could you set me up for a couple of burgers, medium-well if you have the time? I didn't know you knew how to cook, and I'm sort of glad my own kids aren't here. You'd spoil 'em off of my trail stew,"

“I meant to attend the last one, but didn’t quite get around to it. It’s nice to know I didn’t miss out on the calendar’s social events,” he said. Reaching over to pick out a bottle of dark ale rather than beer from a nearby opened cooler, the marine Captain looked around for a bottle opener before removing the safety strap of his field-issued Kabar. Tapping the bottle’s top against the hilt-guards of the Kabar, the bottle’s top popped off only for Mark to catch the bottle cap before it flew too far. After securing the safety-strap on the Kabar, the marine moved off towards a table the plates had been placed out on with some plastic picnic-ware.

“I’m surprised Alpha Company could make it. I thought they’d enjoyed their extra training. There isn’t anything better than waking up in the morning to run the obstacle course,” he chuckled softly, hearing a few marines nearby groaning softly at his odd joke only a Drill Instructor might have found funny. He’d take a swig of the ale, pressing the bottle to his lips and savored it since he knew their next deployment back to the same system they’d only recently departed from had scheduled to take place the following day.

[MrKill]

Colonel Killinger
Seventh Marines
Relaxing

"Yep," John replied to his friend - Captain Sorelson - who requested two medium rare burgers. John quickly identified the most recent batch of burgers he through onto the barbecue and checked them. Almost done, but not quite. Another thirty seconds or so at this temp. and they'd be good to go. Meanwhile, while the Captain moved off the line and collected himself a refreshment another Marine took his place, requested two hot dogs and a soda/pop, and hurried away to join a group of his buddies laughing at each other over something.

John overheard Sorelson crack a joke. This must have been how it felt to be a old guy in a Regiment of younger Marines. John understood, a little, but decided not to comment directly on the lack of laughs and the quiet moans of a couple Marines in line. The veteran marine snorted softly, serving the next man in line. By now the Captains burgers had been done, and John scooped them onto a bun and put the plate on the table next to him. They were a little over cooked from medium rare, but John was paying for this so it he expected no complaining. So far he hadn't gotten any of that.

"There you go, Sorelson, two medium well...er burgers." John informed, thinking for a split second on what he just said. He mentally shrugged it off, it made sense to him when he said it but the presentation on how he said it could have been delivered better. Regardless, the burgers were done and two more replaced them on the grill, the fresh patties sizzling as they cooked over the flame. John would serve a couple more Marines before getting his own burger and letting the catering staff take over for the rest of the time. He had a spot by a tree, nice and shady, and a good old fashioned book he wanted to read on his tactical pad.

[Wax™]

1st Lt. Killinger, T.

153rd ODST's B, C.

Tossing the pig skin

Travis shot his arms up into the air catching the rough leather of the old American Style football out of the air with a light grunt. Adjusting his stance he'd toss it back over a thirty or so meter gap to another ODST who was attending the BBQ Travis' dad was hosting. Travis turned his head shortly after throwing the ball to look at dad. Standing by the grill as usual on a BBQ. Though it was to be expected, he was the host, though it would be nice to be playing ball with his old man. Not to put anything against Master Sergeant Booth, who he was currently tossing the ol' pig skin with.

"Lt!" Travis heard Booth yell out. Turning his head he had only a second's time to react. Remarkably managing to catch the ball before it pelted him in the face. Travis had outstanding reflexes. If he wasn't going to be a UNSC Officer he was for sure going to become a pro footballer. Despite his Canadian heritage and his fathers love for the infamous brutal sport known as Ice Hockey. Mind you Pro Football was quite brutal as well. With the modern design of better armor and padding. Players only tackled people harder and harder.

"Go long..." Travis said tossing the ball outward in an old fashioned hail mary. Tossing the ball around eighty five or so yards. Which was around seventy seven meters. Travis' longest throw was during his college football days when he threw a ninety nine yard hail mary, which was close to ninety meters. After Booth failed to run the distance and catch the ball, the man ran back toward Travis' position before smirking and giving him a light shoulder nudge.

"Let's go get some grub John..." He said to the ODST before slowly walking over to his dad.

[John]

Second Lieutenant Charles Callaghan
1/7 Delta Co., Second Platoon
Happy Time

Charles had received his orders. He was to report in to the Colonel who commanded the Seventh Marines. Afterwards, he was to take command of the Second Platoon of Delta Company, First Battalion Seventh Marines. They were supposed to be on a training mission, but were set to arrive back in New Alexandria today.

Clad in his cammies, he arrived at the supposed spot. It did not exactly look like a place that Marines were supposed to be training. It looked like a party. Charles looked at the TACPAD to see if he was really in the right place, but he was. He took another look at the file, and recognized the picture of the Commanding Officer of the Seventh. The man was... Standing behind a barbecue?

The Lieutenant shrugged and started walking towards the man. Charles approached the man, halted, and saluted. "Colonel Killinger? Second Lieutenant Callaghan, reporting in, as per orders. Sir," he said.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Seventh Marines
Relaxing

John watched as the young Marine saluted and reported in. John returned the salute and flipped another burger, trying to think of who the new officer was. Since John was the regiment CO most, if not all assignments and reassignments came through him. He probably approved it some time ago as it was obvious the Marine, with his newly looking camouflage, was coming right off an officer commission.

"Welcome to the Seventh Marines, Lieutenant. If you're down here reporting it means you're expected to train with the rest of the Regiment for the final day, but as you can see that's not happening. Sit down, enjoy a burger and beer... or what ever it is you young guns do." John replied, flipping another burger while sipping on a bottle of water he recently opened.

Across the way he could see his son approaching with an ODST in tow. He chuckled softly and returned his gaze to the Second Lieutenant. "While you're here," John said - pulling out a cigar from his breast pocket. "Might as well dish up."

[John]

Post by Big Momma on yesterday at 9:18pm
Second Lieutenant Charles Callaghan
1/7 Delta Co., Second Platoon
Happy Time

Charlie lowered his arm after the Colonel returned the salute. He was a little confused as to why they were not training, but he did not exactly minded. He had been training for a few months as was glad for the rest. He was not sure what to do, though, so he just waited for a second.

"Need a light, sir?" the Lieutenant asked as he saw the Colonel take out a cigar. Charles took one from his metal cigar case himself too, and offered the issued zippo he took out of his pocket with his other hand.

[Wax™]

1st Lt. Killinger, T. 

153rd ODST's B, C. 

Going to get some grub

"Hey dad... Grill us up a couple of burgers will ya!" Travis yelled about twenty meters away from the large marine veteran. Before closing in with a soft power walk and gently shoulder barging the man before chuckling lightly and throwing his arm around him. He then perked his head up and looked around quickly for his mum and younger siblings before focusing his attention onto the actual BBQ itself.

"That sure smells nice... Just don't over cook it like last time." Travis said before chuckling again and pushing off his dad's shoulder and taking a couple of steps back toward a cooler, bending down and reaching in for a beer bottle. Popping the top before taking a quick swig of the beverage. "You're not a master chef yet y'know..." He said grinning at the reference of a television show his mum sometimes used to watch when Travis was a kid.

Travis then turned his head and looked over to the car park which was a hundred meters or way so, making sure that his motorcycle was still there. He took a lot of pride in his motorcycle, he loved the machines to bits. Almost as much as his current girlfriend who was currently playing with a couple of little girls on a park bench a few meters away, the three of them lined up along the bench braiding each others hair.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Seventh Marines
Relaxing

John accepted the offer and took the fancy ancient styled lighter the young Lieutenant had. He lit his cigar and returned the lighter to the man, taking in a savory puff and exhaling away from everyone moments before his son climbed in behind him, pushing John slightly as he plowed into a stance with his arm around John.

His son commented on John's cooking skills in a smart ass type of way his entire family seemed to have. Travis chuckled softly, but this wasn't a casual barbecue with family. Marines from the unit were here, watching the two Marines awkwardly as Travis stepped away and grabbed a bear, and then saying another smart ass comment.

John caught the attention of his sons gaze. Apparently, he had taken his bike instead of the pelicans everyone else were shipped into the park with. While John had rented the park out, he couldn't rent the entire park. That was much too expensive. Instead, John had a small little section designated to the Marines and their families, he supposed.

John guessed, in a way, it was more casual than he was expecting.

"I'm a better chef than you are," John muttered back to his son. "At least I don't mess up on mashed potatoes." He added, dishing his son up two half burnt burgers just for the hell of it.

[David]

Corporal Tom Baker
Marine BBQ
Enjoying life.

Standing around, Tom was unaware of people around him. In his eyes, there was only one person that was mattering. Amanda, Who Tom had nursed a secret crush on for many years, Was finally reciprocating after a very traumatic experience on a planet, Ironically named Hope. He laughed a bit at the recollection. 

"Hey handsome" Amanda said as she strolled up to him, thrusting a beer into his hands. "What are you laughing at?" 

Accepting the beer, He draped an arm over her shoulder and indicated they should have a seat. "Just remembering."

[LaxKnight]

PFC Jennifer Killinger
1/7 Co, 15th Armored
Chillin' and Relaxin'

Jenny had a large grin on her face as she drove in her beat up pickup truck she had since a few years before joining the Marines. She did get to go back home too often and she never had the heart to sell it so whenever she came back it was never in the greatest condition. The paint is faded and rusting in some areas. She often finds that she would have to refill the transmission fluid whenever she came back. Today she had trouble starting it (hence why she was late). After some tinkering she got it up and running and headed straight to the park. As she drove memories of riding her bike to the park to play to avoid being around Mother. She never realized how much she missed Reach.


The route was familiar to her and soon enough Jenny was in the parking lot. She wore her dark brown hair, cut short to a low fade only a female Marine could get away with but she wore a black baseball cap with a white tank on it over her hair. A pair of sunglasses hide her cocoa colored eyes. It was a little warm for her typical hoodie and jeans and she thought the occasion required something a little more 'casual' so she wore a pair of khaki shorts with a belt and a white shirt that though was a size too big, it only modestly hid her bodaciously fit body. However the shorts allowed people to see toned legs and feet clad in black Converse All Stars. 


Jenny hopped out of her truck and took in a breath of fresh air. She almost forgot what it smelled like being either trapped in a stale ship or a charred warzone (if she didn't take off her helmet). She joined the party and found that there were few of her fellow tankers here though they didn't recognize her in her garb, more used to seeing her in a grease stained tanker's suit. She saw her eldest brother, Travis, but she saw the most important person here, both to her and the command. It was odd seeing her Daddy out of uniform, something she was sad to say, but seeing him again instantly brought a smile to her face and she felt ten times better. Any day with Daddy was a good day.


Jenny strode up behind Travis as Daddy served him, not bothering to make her presence known.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Seventh Marines
Relaxing

After Travis left the 'cooking line' (Area behind the BBQ), to which John had started referencing it due to the sheer number of caterers compared to the Marines, he dished up his son and scanned the horizon to see if he saw anyone in particular. In the distance his wife, Beth, was conversing with Captain McKennic from John's H&S company. Kyle had managed to make it, too. John thought for a moment how inferior other Marines could possible feel. Four Killinger's in one Regiment of five thousand Marines. Yes, he could see how some people felt awkward around one of them.

His daughter appeared behind Travis as he moved away from the line and towards the topping table. John smiled and met the eyes of his child. "And how are you today, sw-" She's a Marine, not a child anymore. "Jenny?" He asked, flipping a burger and twisting some hot dogs on the barbecue. The next generation of the Killinger family had expanded, and another was in 'progress'.

John and Beth had four children with each other, Travis, Kyle, Jennifer and Adrianna all various ages. Twenty two, twenty one, twenty and seventeen. I feel old, John thought. If anyone gets my a cane I'll shoot them, I swear it... Okay, maybe not. I'll hit 'em with it!.

[LaxKnight]

PFC Jennifer Killinger
1/7 Co, 15th Armored
Catching Up

When her brother left Jenny stepped up to meet her Dad. He was the first to speak, asking how she was. A smile spread across her lips. She was so happy to see her Dad. It's been too long since they spent any time together, something she always treasured. The rest of her family saw him as Colonel, someone to be obeyed, but she saw him as Daddy, a role model to look up to, a soldier stalwart in his duties, and man who loved his children. He may not have always been there for her but she knew he cared for them. 


"Any day off is a good day, even if it's mandatory fun day," she said with a chuckle then became more serious, "Sorry I was a little late. Truck broke down on the way here but I got it back up. How's serving chow?"

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Seventh Marines
Relaxing

As his daughter explained why she was late all that ran through his head was 'excuses, excuses.. excuses' and he'd normally correct a Marine for creating them, but that was the problem. The Marine standing in front of him wasn't just any Marine, it was his daughter and he knew she was telling the truth. It tore at the veteran Marine. On one hand, he was a father. On the other, he had been serving in the Corps for twenty plus years. Ultimately, however, the father side won. Quickly after she finished John spoke up, "I don't know why you don't just buy a new one, kiddo, it's a machine and it's breaking. Time to upgrade, maybe I'll buy you a new one soon."

Yes, John though. It would make an excellent birthday gift indeed.

"Most Marines have eaten, I think." John replied to Jennifer's' question. "Only a couple more and the Marines who showed up are fed. It'd be a shame..." John added, narrowing his eyes and cocking his right eyebrow up. "If I made them do a twelve mile PT run in full gear, wouldn't it?"

[LaxKnight]

PFC Jennifer Killinger
1/7 Co, 15th Armored
Chatting it up

Jenny saw the disapproval in her Daddy's eyes when she explained her tardiness. She knew that he didn't like excuses but it was the truth. Nothing she can do about it. He then mentioned buying her a new one, something that made an eyebrow go up. She had to stop herself from scoffing. Sell her truck? No way. The reason she bought it in the first place was to be something to build up and keep her mechanic skills sharp. Besides none of the new cars appealed her compared to the sentimental value of the truck.

He then answered her question, saying how most Marines ate already then following up with a remark on what a shame it would be if he made them do a 12 mile PT course in full gear. The thing with Dad was that almost always kept his military bearing, even off duty. It was something that was both inspiring but also made it hard for people to read him. Though he was her father, the time they spent separated showed for she couldn't tell it he was joking or not. She stood at an awkward pose, confusion apparent in her stance. She doubted he was serious, but nothing was beyond him.


"Good thing I'm in a different unit. And a tank," she said with an awkward laugh, "Well if you wouldn't mind I'll have a burger please."


As she waited she looked to her truck. "I can't get rid of her. We've been through too much together," she then looked back to her Daddy, "Besides, it's not like I come back here often enough to warrant a new truck anyway."


Jenny couldn't remember the last time she took leave. It's not like she had anything to go home to. She was always deployed, Daddy was never home, and she doesn't want to see Mother. Hell, the only thing she can think coming back for WAS her truck. She installed, repaired, and all around tinkered with about every bit of that thing herself. She knew it inside and out. She loved its little quirks like how you had to push the door and hold the handle in order to get the driver's door open and how after a long drive the radio would randomly changes stations until she smacked it. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she couldn't bare parting with it.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Seventh Marines
Relaxing

John mentally frowned at his inability to make a joke around his daughter. He was loosing it. Back when he was her age, as a First Lieutenant, John was fairly cocky. He'd go as far as say he was as cocky as Kyle was now from the reports he'd read. Fraternization was a difficult subject with the Killinger line, as John liked to employ a sense of friendship into his Marines - but at the same time none of them would ever invite them inside of his house. At the end of the day, John felt he needed his Marines to trust him with their lives. To make the right calls at the right time, even if it meant he had to send Marines to their death. In death, he had to trust his Marines trusted him it would be for a good cause.

And then there was the problem about treating his own children the same way he'd treat the next First Lieutenant, or Private First Class, or even Hospitalman. It was difficult to show the affection John had for his own blood when surrounded by other people who weren't his kids, but the Marine Corps also made each and every one of those Marines his brother and sister-in-arms. Yes, he was a Colonel. Yes, he didn't get to the front lines anymore as much as he'd like.. but for the most part John had learned to adapt to the situation. How could his daughter, his sons, be his sister and brother in arms as well as his kids?

It tore at him mentally - more than he ever admitted to anyone. Ever since [color=yellow
Travis and Kyle[/color] joined the Academy he graduated from he couldn't distinguish the responsibilities between parent and commanding officer. It wasn't in the sense he didn't know the difference of the responsibilities, it was he couldn't turn one off and turn another on anymore. Since, most of the time, his kids were deployed in his unit. Travis, Kyle and Jennifer were all attached to the Seventh Marines. Though, he supposed that Kyle was the only 'true' marine under his command. Jennifer and Travis's units were simply attached and could easily be unattached in the future.

Joy.

"I understand," John replied. "But consider this. If you're too attached you'll be more disappointed when it finally breaks down. We've got a nasty twelve month deployment coming up after this on the Iowa, so it'll be pretty degraded when you get back. If you're not going to retire it at least let me get you the material you need to upgrade it so it runs reliably." John added. As it stands, it wasn't reliable.

If Jennifer wasn't going to sell it, he'd certainly use the money he didn't need with his paygrade to help improve her quality of life. He'd spent what ever it took for a new engine, or at least new parts to the engine. John personally owned a few vehicles. Though all his kids still lived at home, they were never there, so the term 'living with my parents' wasn't accurate. At that home were a couple of vehicles...

They had two cars, a Uberchassis and a Genet - both reliable little cars that fit two. John also owned a flatbed civilian Warthog, a nod to John's like of the reliability and versatility the Warthog possessed. It had come in handy when John moved out of the military base and settled in a house just outside of New Alexandria. He also bought the family a Sperry FCMMagLEV, a recreational ATV to use around the mountains when they went to the cabin.

John sold the mini-van he once had to get the ATV. He missed it, but glad he didn't have it anymore. He felt old just thinking about it. He chuckled to himself and dished up his daughters burger, flopping it onto the buns and handed her the plate.

"Enjoy." He said, smiling. "Only slightly burnt. When we get back, I'm thinking... Lasagna for supper, maybe."

[LaxKnight]

PFC Jennifer Killinger
1/7, 15th Armored
Enjoying Food

Jenny listened to what her Daddy had to say about her truck, how she should let go of it for eventually it will disappoint her. He then offered to at least buy the materials to upgrade it if she wasn't going to sell it. If he knew how many times it broke down he would have made that offer a lot sooner, probably just scrap the truck without her knowing. He wasn't telling her anything new, she knew that it was a clunker. However she saw every breakdown and repair as an opportunity to learn, keep her skills sharp, and challenge herself. Being the only mechanic in the family, she doubted they would understand though if anyone could it would be her Dad.


He slapped on a only slightly burnt burger on her bun and Jenny offered him a smile in return. "Thanks," she said, "I'll finish this and then I'll come help you."


She then moved on to the next table where she piled on a slice of cheese and some lettuce before pouring on some barbecue sauce to complete the burger. Grabbing a small bag of chips and a soda, she went over to an empty bench and sat by herself. It was only natural for her. Daddy wasn't home very often, she didn't like her Mother, Kyle was a brat, Travis never really bothered with her, and Adriana was too much of a girly girl to do anything with her. This left her to her own devices and doing things mostly on her own to the point where it was natural. It wasn't that Jenny didn't like people, she had a few friends, she just didn't see the point of hanging around people who didn't give two fucks about her. Besides, in a way she was kind of proud of it.


Jenny engrossing herself in her burger. Oh it was so good! She can't remember the last time she had 'real' food. She's been deployed so often and so long that such things were almost luxuries. Barbecued food was a rare treat. She chewed slowly in order to savor the flavor.

[David]

Archiving.