Happenstance Meeting

[Cabel]

Note: This gathering takes place a few days after the 120th MEU Gathering, and the location is a bar near one of the UNSC Installations:

[Inner Colonies: System: Epsilon Eridani: Planet: Reach: Location: Bar on Base or near New Alexandria Base: 120th MEU: Echo Company: Captain Mark “Spade“ Sorelson: Year: 2548]

Having attended the 120th MEU Gathering at the civilian recreational facility days ago, Mark had finished up the paperwork that had awaited him back in the barracks. He’d posted the list of replacement officers, and NCOs for Private First Class Murray’s Platoon where the entire Platoon had been able to see it, as he’d promised and it hadn’t been a task he’d been fond of. Composing a list of approved transfers to his Company following each deployment, a near constant run, hadn’t been a task he’d grown to enjoy. With each new replacement had meant an empty pair of boots and an empty cot had been left to be filled for a marine that had fallen on a forsaken dirtball somewhere, and it had meant more members of his Company -- brothers and sisters alike in that sense -- had been reduced to little more than a burn box of belongings, a pair of dog-tags and the memories of every surviving marine. With the paperwork having been filled, he’d found the in-coming box on his desk had been left empty which had meant he’d been able to go off-base to a local bar, or to the chow line in the mess hall. He’d missed dinner-call, mostly from the fact of the grizzly task that had laid before him in posting that list of replacements for Third Platoon.

Having packed up his gear to saving what data that had been found on his computer, he’d fastened the marine field jacket with the barracks cover and had left word with his aide to call his phone if he’d been needed. With the arrangements made, Mark had filled out a requisitions form to use a warthog and driven off-base through the guarded gates. Even with the presence of armed Military Police at the gates and concealed gun emplacements in case any Covenant or Insurrectionists had been dense enough to have shown, Mark had known the reinforced security measures hadn’t meant spit if a Covenant ship arrived in orbit. Driving through the opened gate which closed behind him, the aging Captain of Echo Company took the streets or at least what streets accommodated vehicle traffic and headed for a little local bar he’d stumbled on once in his NCO days.

[edtosivaree]

Sgt Octavia Alexandria and Cpl Taylor Timperley were coincidentally at the same bar the Captain was heading too, telling a story to some of the civilians who were in the bar. Nothing they said was classified... probably. There was quite the group around them, interested in hearing about the endeavours that the two had been through.

"So there we were, at least fifty kilometers behind enemy lines and completely cut off from our platoon. There we Covenant fucking everywhere! We couldn't take even twenty or thirty steps without bumping into some split lip or Chicken. The Grunts were easy enough to deal with, but you start dealing with the stronger forces? Whooee! It's get's a bit challenging!" Octavia said, leaning precariously over the table. It was a little clear she had been allowed a bit more than she normally would be, given that the Corporeal beside her had her arms wrapped around the bigger womans waist to stop her fall.

One of the gentlemen in the crowd placed a shot on the table, and Octavia thanked him before carrying on. "So we were running along, about twenty feet from a sheer drop off when Little Miss Timperley here noticed a huge commotion happening a good Mile away" She said, awkwardly hugging the girl in question. "I swear, half the Covenant army had to be in this fight! Explosions, plasma fire, bullets flying this way and that. It was chaos! I pulled my rifle off my back and looked through the scope. In the middle of the Covenant shit storm, was something I thought I would never see with my own two eyes. A Squad of SPARTANs!" She exclaimed dramatically. The fairly obviously hammed story was really getting the attention of the Civilians.

[John]

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) James Sorelson

Jim had finally returned to Reach after a long, long mission for him. He figured he'd see his old man on the base his new assignment was quartered, but after asking around he learned that the Captain had left already. If this were Earth, he could've been in one of two places: Home, or the bar where Jim had shared his first beer with his old man. This wasn't Earth, though, which meant that there were a total of one options.

After changing in a pair of civilian clothes, Jim went out. After some time he arrived at his destination. If there was one thing Reach trumped Earth on, it was public transportation. The young Lieutenant entered the bar and immediately saw the Captain sitting at the bar. Jim sat down next to the man, and without revealing his face, he said "Good evening, Captain"

Tag: Cabel

[Cabel]

[Inner Colonies: System: Epsilon Eridani: Planet: Reach: Location: Bar on Base or near New Alexandria Base: 120th MEU: Echo Company: Captain Mark “Spade“ Sorelson: Year: 2548]

“Good evening, Captain,” he heard as someone sat at the bar to his left. Mark had managed to arrive at the bar, a place that had been in business and had stayed in business since his NCO days which had even surprised him. The place had a more down-to-earth, laid back atmosphere which Mark had felt had been more by intent than an attempt to cater to Reach’s clientele in their towers. He hadn’t had a problem with it, and had been the reason why he’d found it appealing in his younger days and found it even more appealing in his older years. He’d set his barracks cover on the bar in front of him, the rim-side up and had seen to ordering a beer.

“Evening. I see I’m not the only one to have found this place…James? Tell me my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me,” Mark said, with a smile turning to see his son sitting on the stool next to him. “It’s been too long,”

[infinium]

SSG Monti Heijman

Monti and his friend Cpl Lewis Muck had been listening to two chicks telling a story about how they had done some seriously "heroic" event, but Monti didn't know how much of it was true since they both looked a tad bit wasted. They had just finished a work detail on base and both Monti and Lewis were in BDUs. Lewis leaned over to Monti "Well Staff, should we call 'em out?" "Wait." Monti sternly replied. "....a squad of SPARTANs!" the woman telling the story exclaimed dramatically. "Oh really?" Monti piped up, getting the woman's attention. "Please, tell me and my associate here more..."

[edtosivaree]

Octavia was in the midst of trying to calm some of the more excited civilians down. Since the SPARTANs were only recently made public any word on them was hot news. Taylor however noticed the two Soldiers in question and silently brought Octavia's attention to them. The larger female stood up and looked at them with a curious look.

"Yeah. SPARTAN's. Unless you and your associate are ONI, you can drop the serious tone. If you are ONI, you can still drop the tone because the SPARTAN program was publicly outed sometime last year" She snipped. The ODST certainly didn't like people challenging her so boldly. "There was four of them, fighting the covenant like Machines. Probably what they are from what I heard. Not that it matters to me though. From what I saw though, I rather them on my side then the Covenants" She continued.

"Figured I would lend a helping hand, so I started taking pot shots at some of their tougher opponents. We ran out of ammo about the same time we lost sight of them. After that, we picked up our gear and hauled ass to our next LZ. That was that. Glad you killed the story?" She asked, glaring at the two soldiers. Some of the Civilians looked pretty pissed off to.

[infinium]

SSG Monti Heijman

The chicks looked pissed, and looked seriously like she was about to kill him. "I didn't mean it like that so you can chill." Monti said. "I meant it as me and Lewis ain't never seen one in combat before and quite actually wanted to know more." "Finish the whole story and I'll buy the pretty one a drink." Lewis said, only to be hit in the side by Monti.

[edtosivaree]

Octavia narrowed her eyes a little, but the meek Corporal quickly brought her back to the table. "Yea, well It's kind of hard to fully describe exactly how these things moved. I have to admit, when they were claimed to be the perfect soldiers it really irked us ODST's. Seeing how they all moved like one cohesive team, flawlessly cutting down Covenant like a well oiled murder machine changed my mind on that pretty fast. As I said before, I would rather be with them than against them. That is for absolutely sure. I can honestly say I wouldn't last 10 seconds in a full out fist fight against one of those guys. Too fast, and when I watched one take out a hunter without a gun I gave up the charade" She finished.

One last drink made it to the table from the crowd of civilians, to which Taylor quickly pulled away from the already a little over board Octavia. The Sargent glared at the Corporal, but the Corporal gave the glare right back. Sighing in defeat, Octavia waved her hand and propped her head on it in a grumpy kinda way. "Sorry there isn't much more to tell. Then again, the more involved the teller of the story is, the less likely it was true. A couple of Marine Privates came in here the other day spouting nonsense about how they trained with SPARTAN's. Had to set them straight pretty fast" She chuckled, swaying a bit.

[John]

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) James Sorelson

"They do not, I'm afraid" James said, smiling. He nodded when the man said that it had been too long. "It has... I believe the last time was before I joined the ROTC" he said and then offered his hand so as to shake it. He waved over the bartender with his other hand and ordered two glasses of whiskey. They had to drink to their reunitement.

[Cabel]

[Inner Colonies: System: Epsilon Eridani: Planet: Reach: Location: Bar on Base or near New Alexandria Base: 120th MEU: Echo Company: Captain Mark “Spade“ Sorelson: Year: 2548]

“They do not, I’m afraid,” he’d heard his son say, and taking his son’s hand he shook it warmly. “It has…I believe the last time was before I joined the ROTC,”

“Has it been that long? It has, hasn’t it? It’s the War. I meant to be a larger part in yours, your brother's, your sister’s and your mother’s lives. I meant to be there. I wanted to be there, James. I had to go where the War sent me, and there hasn’t been a day in which I haven’t thought about you, Jason, Erika and Alyssa. It’s one of the things that has kept me going these years, but I’m glad you’re here. I mean it, James. You’re a hell of a sight for these old eyes,” Mark said, honest with each word and warmer than most of his marines had rarely seen.

“The War…not really an excuse is it? Pardon that. How have you been? And where? How long will you be on Reach? We have a lot of catching up to do,” he’d ask while the tumblers of whiskey had been set on the counter between them. He’d thank the bartender, even paid for the drinks.

[John]

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) James Sorelson

"Dad... It's fine. When I was younger I didn't understand, but I had Jason and Erika around who did. And now I'm part of the war myself, and now I understand as well. It's gone on for as long as I can remember, but it has to end some day. Hopefully before I have a family of my own." James said. Yeah, he had rarely seen his dad at times. Yeah, it sucked. But there was nothing either of them could have done about it. "Speaking of family... Mom sends her love" he added, remembering what his mum told him to tell his dad should he see him by any chance.

"As you know, I joined the Navy. After college, I was assigned to Captain Galina's crew aboard the Passchendaele as a junior Engineer. After that, a certain office I won't name recruited me and I can't really say anything about what's gone on since then." James said. He took a sip from the whiskey and continued. "Regarding my stay: I'll be on Reach for however long the 120th MEU is staying in Reach. I got my orders today, and they told me I am to ship out with you lot." Jim smiled as he joked around a bit.

[Cabel]

[Inner Colonies: System: Epsilon Eridani: Planet: Reach: Location: Bar on Base or near New Alexandria Base: 120th MEU: Echo Company: Captain Mark “Spade“ Sorelson: Year: 2548]

“Dad…it’s fine. When I was younger, I didn’t understand, but I had Jason and Erik around who did. And now I’m part of the war myself, and now I understand as well. It’s gone on for as long as I can remember, but it has to end some day. Hopefully, before I have a family of my own,” James had said. “Speaking of family…Mom sends her love,”

“As you know, I joined the Navy. After college, I was assigned to Captain Galina’s crew aboard the Passchendaele as a junior engineer. After that, a certain office I won’t name recruited me and I can’t really say anything about what’s gone on since then,” his son continued. “Regarding my stay, I’ll be on Reach for however long the 120th MEU is staying on Reach. I got my orders today, and they told me I am to ship out with you lot,”

“I miss her, but I miss the entire family. Your mother’s always been there, and I’d wager she could out-best many of the D.I.’s in the Corps. Your mother’s a special woman. There aren’t many that would have stayed with an old Devil Dog through the years. I do love her. I’ll see about sending a transmission, or a disc-message back home to let her know you arrived safe and other…such things,” Mark said. “The Passchendaele? You were in the Fourteenth Tactical Response Fleet? When was this? The Killimanjaro was the Flagship of that Fleet, alongside the Iowa and the Twenty-Second. You were in the same Fleet I’d been assigned to, son. I’m surprised I never saw your name on the lists,”

“I’ve heard the Passchendaele’s a good ship. She’s one of the few cruisers that’s survived from the original Fleet. I've never had a pleasure of serving under Captain Galina or even meeting him, but I've heard he's a strict one. He's also experienced, and that's what we need these days. You say you’re staying as long as the 120th MEU is stationed here on Reach and that you’re shipping out with us? I’ll have to see if I can have a word with John about it. I’d rather not have my own son shipping out in my Company. The Battalion and MEU's another story. As far back as the American Civil War, the armed services have tried to keep families from serving in the same unit. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you’re here, and you’re safe. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. Echo Company’s among the first to engage in the fiercest at the front. I know you can handle yourself. You wouldn't have made it if you hadn't, but we do see the fiercest on the field,”

“If you can’t divulge anything classified, even the name of that certain office it’s not my place or pay grade to even press it,” he’d say taking a sip of the whiskey.

“I remember a time, probably when you were around seven or eight when your mother had fixed lunch for you guys to take to school. I had to get up early, meet the training platoon in my charge and my junior D.I,’s for an early morning PT run around the base grounds. I must have left two hours before the crack of dawn, and grabbed one of the bags in the fridge. I hadn’t even thought about checking it, and drove off. It wasn’t until after the morning PT run and seeing to the educational courses of the training platoon, along with some paperwork, that I opened the bag and found this sticky note. I found this sticky note, with your name, a sandwich with the crust cut off, a slice of chocolate cake, some juice and an apple…I think. I realized what had happened. In the morning rush, I’d grabbed your lunch by mistake meaning you probably had mine. I made arrangements, told my CO I’d be off the grounds for a time and drove to your school. Your Principal told me your class had already left for lunch, and wrote me down as a visitor. I found my way, and I think that was the first time I’d actually had lunch with you at school. Your mother was almost fraught over it, but well…to make up for it we did go to that restaurant you and your siblings liked so much off base. We made it a weekend, went to the movies, to that theme park and…for a time I thought your mother would have me scrubbing the toilets with a toothbrush for all the sugar I let you kids have,” he’d finish, softly chuckling at the fond memory even if he’d been almost on the receiving end of his wife’s fury. "I can't imagine how you reacted to seeing a Philly Cheesesteak, with yellow mustard, and a thermos of coffee in your lunch box,"

[John]

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) James Sorelson

He'd been with the fleet for a couple years, but he had mostly kept to the background. Besides, it'd take a helluva long time to sift through all the names in a fleet. He just nodded along with his dad. As for the company... "I'm not actually attached to a particular unit. I'm attached the MEU from a Regimental level. I'm not going with the Marines, but part of a small ONI team. Most folks don't particularly like ONI. Hell, I don't really like it myself. But it pays better than the Fleet, and I do stuff that I'm proud of." Which was all that mattered. He saved lives... Usually.

And Echo Company did ring a bell. He had a friend in that particular Company. A Lieutenant Callaghan. "Say, you wouldn't happen to have a Callaghan in your Company, right? Butterbars, straight from the Academy?" he inquired. If this was so, he'd find a way to visit the guy sometime soon, before they shipped out.

James made a toast as a final thing about the war. "Here's to us! Who's like us?" he said, raising his glass high. He hoped his old man would know this one.

As for the lunch incident... He remembered it well. "Do you also remember that I had already drank most of that coffee, and that I didn't sleep for days?" Jim said. This memory made him smile. It was one of many happy memories, but only one of the few he'd actually had with his dad.

Without saying anything, James took his phone out of the right pocked of his jeans. He proceeded to tap a few times and then laid it down in front of his dad. It showed a photo of an ultrasound. His girlfriend was about 11 weeks pregnant now. Which gave James all the more reason to want a quick end to the war that had been going on for decades now.

[Cabel]

[Inner Colonies: System: Epsilon Eridani: Planet: Reach: Location: Bar on Base or near New Alexandria Base: 120th MEU: Echo Company: Captain Mark “Spade“ Sorelson: Year: 2548]

“ONI? That’s the agency you were talking about? I don’t hold any issues with ONI. I can’t say I’ve had to work alongside them, at least at the front. I suppose it’s wherever you feel you can serve best, son. It doesn’t matter what branch, what department or even what kind of socks one wears as long as they’re fighting for humanity. We’ve been in this war too long. Do you remember your Uncles? Taffy? Doberman? Shades? And Chris? The originals from Zulu Squad? Well, Doberman and Shades retired years ago with full pensions. Chris and Taffy…things weren’t the same without them. Taffy fell at New Constantinople on Jericho, and Chris at Skopje. I’m sorry, old memories. Sometimes, I can even hear Taffy chewing on the candy he’d been named after,”

“I know of Lieutenant Callaghan. He commands Fourth Platoon in my Company. Our last deployment was hairy, and the tunnels didn’t leave a lot of room to maneuver. We’re still sorting out the lists of KIAs and WIAs from that one, and the replacements. I’ll let you know when I can find anything about him,” he didn’t want to let his son know that a Private First Class in Fourth Platoon had reported Lieutenant Callaghan, or at least the Lieutenant of his Platoon if he’d been mistaken had taken a needle to the cranium. He’d have to check the lists again, and hoped that for his son’s sake his friend had survived.

“To family,” Mark said, toasting with his glass although keeping with naval tradition he hadn’t clinked his glass with his son’s. Dating back to the age of sail, the clinking of glasses at least as far as he’d been able to gather had meant bad luck aboard the ship.

“Oh, I remember. You had a caffeine headache for about three days and nights after that. I wasn’t sure if your mother would have me sleep on the couch, or in the garage. Although, if it had come to it I could have just slept in my office on Fort Lewis’ grounds. I hadn’t thought you’d drain half the thermos, but I’d imagine at the time you thought of it as hot chocolate,” he’d chuckle. “I’m only glad it had been coffee instead of a beer. Your mother would never have forgiven me, neither would have Child Services,”

“What’s this? An ultra-sound? Is this your girlfriend or did you get married without telling me?” the Sorelson Senior asked looking closely at the ultra-sound image on the phone. “How far along? And…I can’t believe it. I’m going to be a grandfather. The Detective is going to be a great-grandfather…I bet that’s something he won’t be able to wrap his head around. Your grandfather always did love you, and your siblings. He could be strict, but he loved each of you. I’m glad he was there for you, even if sometimes you didn’t exactly think of it that way. I still can’t believe I’m going to be a grandfather.,”

“James, I know you want to go back to her. I know that. I’ll let you in on something. I know you’ll find it a little embarrassing, or you won’t. When you and your siblings were born, those were the happiest days of my life. I knew what my parents had felt. Each of you came into this world screaming with your lungs full, and even the people on the first floors of the hospital heard it. Even a D.I,’s lungs can only dream of coming close. I heard from some of my other D.I. fellows, that a few training platoons full of recruits mistook the wails each time from you and your siblings as the call for chow. I’ll never forget those days. I’ll never forget seeing you, or your siblings like that. You’re going to experience the same thing, and you can only hope your child expresses themselves the same way. Remember, on those late nights where you can't get the young one to fall asleep white noise and a banana helps,” he explained. “I know you’re going to do all you can, and sometimes you’ll feel it won’t be enough. If you ever need to take a break, call your mother or the Detective. You know how your grandparents are,” he said before it set in again. “I’m going to be a grandfather. ForceRecon Training didn’t prepare me for that revelation, but I’ll manage,” He'd kept his voice down, loud enough only for them both to hear.

[infinium]

SSG Monti Heijman
Monti listened to the women tell about the SPARTANs and their abilities. Muck spoke up "So where was it you were with them?" Monti was still wondering why the ODSTs had gotten to fight along with the super soldiers, that wasn't a common act and was indeed something to brag about. 

[edtosivaree]

Octavia laughed. "That's what you have to ask? We were on..." She started before Taylor flung her hands over the Sergeants mouth and shook her head rapidly. Octavia looked quite confused for a moment, just as a look of realization took over. Taylor hesitantly moved her hands away, and started making really odd hand signals. "Yeah, I remember. When it comes to where we were, that's Classified. Under rather strict rules given to us and others from the particular battle straight from top brass. We are allowed to talk about the SPARTAN's, we are allowed to give a description of what we saw to within a certain bounds, and that is it. Of course, that means you're not gonna believe us any more doesn't it" She said, a drunken smile creeping across her face.

[Trooper]

New Alexandria base, local bar, Reach
Year 2548
Private First Class Isiah Inch
Rookie is on the case

Isiah looked to his squad leader as he awaited his orders. A marine stood next to him his arms crossed over his chest.

"I'm telling you I didn't do nothing." Stated the marine in his own defense.

"Sergeant, he violated article 6 section 5 of the harassment awareness chapter of the field manual." isiah quoted from memory.

"I see, Private, allow me to take care of this incident. I know what you can do, take Private Ryuu and go to the local bar and try to calm her down." The squad leader asked trying to mediate the fight. The private snapped to attention.

"I'll do that Sergeant." He stated, but didn't move.

"Dismissed, Private." The SL sighed. Isiah did an about face from his position and left through the door.

"Stupid walking text book." The marine said as he did so. Isiah entered the small hall way and walked to the left, his eyes dead forward. That was until he found the room designated the quarters for his platoon. He entered and easily found Ryuu on her bed.

"Hey Ryuu. Sergeant said to head off to this bar, and take a load off. I'm to escort you." He encouraged.

"Perhaps." Ryuu said roused by the idea of a non-military area. 

"Then let's go. It's in walking distance so I assumed you'd like to walk." Isiah said proudly.

"Okay, let's go." She agreed as she grabbed a ODST t-shirt and a pair of ODST slacks. She replaced her worn and dirty pants and put on the t-shirt followed by a pair of sneakers. Isiah smiled, unlike her he was still partially in his BDU.

"I feel over dressed, but that doesn't matter let's go." Isiah chirped as he turned back to the entrance to the room. The duo began walking, a small conversation consuming their time as they walked.

--Time Jump--

Isiah halted at the door and opened it kindly for his friend. She smiled and punched him in the shoulder.

"When'd you turn into a gentlemen, worm?" She teased.

"When I stopped shitting silk." He said poking fun at his own nickname. The duo entered chuckling.

"...Of course, that means you're not gonna believe us any more doesn't it." Came a voice. Isiah looked over at the other two ODSTs and pondered what ramblings were being spread this night. He decided to take a table nearby incase they might indulge more on the subject.

[tento125]

SSG Shinji Akiwara
At bar near alexandra base


"Finally!" Samuel exclaimed. "Some social time with some civies"
Shinji chuckled as his friend countinued "You reckon I'd find a girl in there?" cocking his head towards the bar.

"Amber not good for you corporal?" Shinji replied jokingly "She's pretty hot, but not my type"

"Amber? No thanks, I still value my arms, my legs and my back." Sam replied refering to Amber's profieciency in hand-to-hand combat. "One wrong move, or word, and I'd be a mummy in a hospital somewhere"

"Well consider yourself lucky that she's not here and just enjoy yourself"

Sam laughed as the doors opened to them.

[[LTJG] James Sorelson]

Jim didn't interrupt his dad's reminiscing of the old days. Truth be told, he kinda enjoyed the stories of back then. He just nodded along occasionally. He did know his grandparents. And his mom. And his sister. All would be there to help his girlfriend when the time came, and he and the senior Sorelson were still fighting in a place they'd never heard of.

He returned to the subject of ONI. "I am thinking of going back to the regular fleet, though. Even though I haven't really been part of ONI for very long. I've heard stories that if you make one mistake, they will fry you so bad you wish you'd never joined the service...." he said. While it was nothing more than a rumour, Jim knew to take care. He'd serve out his commitment to ONI and then return to the fleet if he had a choice.

[edtosivaree]

Octavia waited... And waited... Then waited some more. She was tired of waiting. "Alright! I ain't waiting the rest of leave for a slackjaw moron to give me his opionion or not. Believe me if you want, don't believe me, I don't care. Just get the hell away from me" she growled, standing up and pushing past the two. "Ruined my buzz..." she added with a grumble. Taylor followed along side, expecting the Sergeant to fall over, but the foul mood seemed to have sobered her right up. A problem the Sergeant seeked to rectify.

She walked up to the bar with a sour look on her face, ignoring the Officer and the Spook having their own conversation just a few steps down from where she stopped. She ordered a pitcher and paid what she owed so far, which was surprisingly little. Taylor looked around as a force of habit. The two started to slip into their mutual silence once again.