Promotion of Jennifer Killinger

[LaxKnight]

Corporal Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

It has been a hell of a time for the remnants of 7th Armored. They've recently gotten the word that they were PCS-ing to Task Force Reaper so they are preparing to move out. Tanks are being fixed, tools are being inventoried, and barracks are getting cleaned out. The company has been buzzing with activity but Jennifer Killinger has been absent for most of it. She's just recently returned from leave after having to put both her recently deceased parents in the ground. It wasn't by being casualties of war, sickness, or simply taking your last nap. It was an accident with a shuttle while they were going to congratulate some butterbars on Reach, one of the most well defended worlds in the galaxy.

It was a tragedy; nothing less. The legend that was her father was dead and her mother… that was one of her deepest regrets. Jenny never got along with her mother. She always tried to get her to be a lady when Jenny just wanted to be like her father. It didn’t help that she was a troublemaker either. She never realized how strong her mother was when she had to raise them practically by herself. She never made up with her, and never will. Then her father. He may not have been around much to be her father but he was a surrogate father to many Marines. Her brothers never really forgave him for not being in their lives more, but Jenny understood. He loved his children, but the UNSC needed him. UNSC victories were rare, but her father always did his best to make sure most of his Marines came out alive. It was something she strove to emulate. She also knew that her father’s biggest regret was not spending more time with his family; a thought that made Jenny cry a few nights.

But this war has seen the death of many legends and the Covenant are relentless. Jenny couldn’t stop long to grieve. Humanity needed her. What was surprising though was that when she got back she was told she was getting promoted. With her two NJPs she thought she would never see Sergeant. Then again, she didn’t think she would make Corporal again either.

As the shift ended Jenny’s platoon, what was left anyway, formed up at ease while Jenny stood at the front facing them. She held the Sergeant chevrons in her hand behind her back; waiting for the staff to get their shit together and for the Lieutenant to show up. She took a deep breath; trying to calm down eager nerves.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

John exhaled as the D77-TC Pelican dropship banked steeply to the left, flared up slightly, and begun rotating around towards the landing pad. It leveled off, and a few moments later thumped! to a rest on the ground. The engines spooled down slowly as the pilot decreased his throttle conservatively and announced their arrival over the bridge-to-bay internal communication device, "we've landed, sir."

He hadn't seen his daughter since well before the fatal accident, in fact he had only seen two of his kids since recovering from his procedures: Kyle and Adrianna, and his grand child, knew he was alive now... but both Travis -- deployed away from Reach still -- and Jennifer were unaware he had survived the crash, so when John learned of his daughters promotion he requested to be the one to do it.

The 7th Armored had taken hits, they were depleted now. What was left of the 120th Marine Expeditionary Unit was consolidated into 'Task Force Reaper' and reinforced from other combat units returning to Reach that shared a similar fate. Why the UNSCDF was even considering allowing John to return to active duty was beyond him, especially after such an extensive procedure that saved his life. Fortunately John wasn't entirely back to active service, he still had a few medical tests to under-go, but they granted him this one request.

The bay doors opened, and out stepped the Colonel and a Sergeant Major.

He had never met the senior non-comm before, and barely spoke to him on the flight in, but he could tell from the unit patch he was from the same armored division as Jennifer was currently in. He followed into a building and through a set of corridors, where he walked down a hall and spotted his daughter facing away from him. She was standing at ease in front of the assembled platoon, around her were other Marines working at their desks.

He stopped for a moment to admire the sight, but mostly to fight back some of the tears that were starting to form. He wiped them away with the palm of his left hand, straightened his uniform slightly, and heard the Sergeant Major bark out 'Promotion detail - attention!'. John was falling behind, but he caught up as everyone went rigid at attention.

Another officer, this one a Captain, marched forward and stood next to the Sergeant Major.

There was an exchange of salutes.

"Attention to orders," The Sergeant Major called. He flipped open a rectangle folder, holding it out length wise.

"To all who sees her presence, greetings."

"Know ye that emposing special trust and confidence, in the fidelity and abilities of, Jennifer J. Killinger." The Sergeant Major continued.

"I do appoint this Marine a Sergeant in the United Nations Space Command Marine Corps to the rank as such January 2552."

"Effective with this appointment, you are charged to carefully and diligently execute the duties and responsibilities of a Sergeant in the UNSC Marine Corps."

"I do strictly direct and require -- all personnel of lesser grade -- to render obedience to the appropriate orders, and as a Sergeant in the Marines you must set the example for others to emulate. Your conduct and professionalism, both on and off duty, shall be above reproach. You are responsible for the accomplishment of your assigned mission and the safety, professional development, and well-being of Marines in your charge."

The Sergeant Major shifted slightly in his stance. "You will be the embodiment of our united values of honor, courage and commitment. You will lead your Marines with firmness, fairness and dignity, while observing and following the orders and directions of your senior leaders and enforcing all regulations -- and articles -- governing the discipline of the United Nations Space Command Defense Forces."

"Given under my hand at 7th Armored, 120th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 7th Marine Expeditionary Force in January 2552."

The Captain stepped away.

"Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger, Colonel, United Nations Space Command Marine Corps, Task Force Reaper, Commanding."

The Sergeant Major snapped the folder closed, and John stepped up behind his daughter.

"About face!" The Sergeant Major ordered.

John couldn't hide his smile now, trying to fight away the watering eyes.

"Hello."

[LaxKnight]

?? Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

Attention was called and Jenny slid into it. She hardly listened to the SMAJ go over the warrant, it was something she heard many times, but her heartbeat spiked a little bit when she heard her name. She waited for the Captain to stand before her and ask who she wanted to pin her. Then the Sergeant Major said her father’s name. They could probably see the confusion on her face. Then the Sergeant Major told her to about-face. She did it more out of instinct than conscious thought and before Jenny was… her father.

Jenny looked like she'd seen a ghost because to her it really was. There was no way he was alive but... he spoke. It was his voice. She was frozen as many thoughts and emotions competed for her attention. She was overjoyed, furious, and confused. How was he here? She buried him with her mother. Was her mother alive too? Who did she bury? Was this a dream? So many questions. It was surreal. What felt like an eternity for her, which was really more like 30ish seconds, Jenny finally asked, “Dad?”

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

"Dad?" Jenny asked.

It had taken half a minute to process what she saw in front of her.

John knew she'd be the one that would be the most startled by the discovery her father was alive, but he still had no idea how his children coped with the idea their parents were gone -- until one of them wasn't. Of the four kids he and Beth had together, Jenny was by far the closest of his children. Travis respected him, but went his own way after joining the UNSC; Kyle held him in contempt for an unhealthy amount of time after the O-6 missed the majority of their childhood; and Adrianna left the UNSC to raise her own child by herself... Jenny though was always attached to his hip, something he immensely appreciated.

This was a special moment for him.

"Yes." John smiled, effortlessly embracing his daughter in a hug.

Right then... right now. It didn't matter where it was, what was happening.

He was back for his children.

[LaxKnight]

?? Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach

2552

When the man before Jenny embraced she didn't move initially. Was this real? Was this actually her father? Or was this another shade in her dreams? His arms felt real. The warmth was real. He smelled of deodorant, not melted meat or decomposing flesh. She then hugged him and squeezed. Yes, there was something there. Something real. This was him! The legendary Colonel, father of Marines, and, most importantly, her Dad.

Jenny prided herself in being fairly tough and fearless. So, the platoon would likely be surprised to see Jenny start to cry as she hugged her father. They all kind of just stood there awkwardly, waiting for the ceremony to end so they can flee the discomfort they were feeling, or do more important things than watch a reunion; maybe reflect on their own losses in their barracks room with a bottle or two or play video games.

Jenny looked up at her Dad with watery cocoa brown eyes and a big smile on her face. He came back.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

John had learned a long time ago that you let your kids hug you not for as long as you needed, but however long your child needed, and that applied well into their teen years, adulthood and even -- in some cases -- seniority as the twilight years pass. He had learned this from his mother and father, one of the greatest piece of advice he had ever been received from his parents, and passed this down to his children through his actions and eventually words as they become parents themselves. Adrianna had already gotten the spiel, the only child of John's to have a kid so far.

The Colonel looked down towards his daughter when her face eventually shifted up, and couldn't help but return the smile. His fatherhood instincts kicked in, like he had done for all his kids through the years, and he gracefully wiped the sliding tears off of her face with his free arm. Good things, however, were short lived as the Sergeant Major cleared his throat behind Jennifer. "I don't mean to disturb the reunion, sir, but we need to proceed with the ceremony -- tired Marines at the end of the shift and all that." He said softly, soft enough for both of them to hear but not loud enough for the rest of the platoon to even eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Just a moment, Sergeant Major. Just a moment."

[LaxKnight]

?? Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach

2552

Jenny sniffed and smiled when he wiped her tears. Yes, this was her father alright. No clone or ghost would do this. She gave him another squeeze.

Then there was the clearing of a hoarse throat. Jenny turned around to see the Sergeant Major. Reality started to trickle back to her senses. He explained that it was time to get things wrapped up. Yes, that's right; they were in a ceremony. A promotion ceremony. Her promotion ceremony. She let go of her father, wiped whatever tears were left on her sleeve, and made sure that the chevrons were still in her hand. She straightened up into attention and closed her eyes. Time to come back to reality, a new reality where her father was still alive and she was a Sergeant. She took a deep breath before looking to the Sergeant Major and giving him a nod; signaling she was ready to continue. He then looked back ahead at her father like the professional warrior she was.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

John let his daughter correct herself, wipe away the tears that remained, and watched her quietly nod to the Sergeant Major before the senior enlisted nodded towards the aging full-bird Marine. John moved forward, joined the Sergeant Major's side, but couldn't let go of the smile he wore proudly. He cleared his throat, let out a quick exhale, and stood just a little straighter. He was proud of his daughter, she had endured a turbulent military career after striking a Captain while intoxicated, climbing back up through the ranks after being busted back down to private.

"Who do you want to pin you?" The Sergeant Major asked.

John nodded. He would let her choose.

[LaxKnight]

?? Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach

2552

"Who do you want to pin you?" The Sergeant Major asked.

Jenny's right fist tightened around her chevrons. She never thought she would see this day. Then again, she thought that she buried her father yet here they were. She thought of this day a few times in the rare instance where she let her mind wander. She always imagined her Sergeant would pin her while maybe her Dad watched on in the back. She would have felt that having her father pinning her would undermine her being a self made gal and likely worsen rumors that he was helping her career. But that was before he died. Before she put him in the ground with Mom. Before he came back from the dead to stand before her, right now, at her promotion. There was only really one course of action here.

Doing her best to hold in new tears, Jenny said, "My father."

She held out her hand and opened it to reveal a pair of new, and slightly sweaty, Sergeant chevrons.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

John reached out and grabbed the rank pins with a small smirk, he was a proud father standing in front of what was left of the former 120th MEU's armored platoon. He straightened her left collar slightly, pulled the Corporal chevrons off, and replaced them with her proper rank. He moved over the other side and repeated the process. "Hey, this is the highest you've ever been." He said softly. Not even the Sergeant Major could hear him, just that he was mumbling something. "Don't punch a drunk Captain this time, eh? I'm proud of you, kiddo." He teased his daughter, finalizing her promotion to Sergeant.

Normally there would have been two enlisted members pinning her ranks, but this was a special occurrence. He took a slight step back and shook his daughters hand firmly, proudly.

He took another step back with a smile and saluted.

[LaxKnight]

Sergeant Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

Jenny stared straight ahead, more an attempt to keep her bearing than anything else as her newly risen father replaced her chevrons. He noted that this was the highest she ever achieved and warned not to punch another drunk Captain. She let out a breath that she didn’t know she was holding and smirked. Typical Dad.

Jenny saluted her father and then gave handshakes to the Captain and Sergeant Major who gave her her warrant. It was time for this to end. She had many questions.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

John returned his arm to his side, watched his daughter shake the hands of the nearby Captain and Sergeant Major, and the Captain barked out the orders for the formation to fall out once everything was done -- they were all dismissed now, but John didn't take his eyes off his child and her three strips pinned to her collar. There was a sense of deep pride within, she was the only child to go down the enlisted path and in many ways it was a more difficult trail to tread. Tough decisions built an officer up or destroyed careers, but it was the enlisted that made those decisions happen, and she was now in a position where her junior marines would look up to her for... anything, really.

John expected people to come up and congratulate her, but the platoon melted away from the formation, so John took the opportunity to ask a question.

"So." He started, "want to stop and get some dinner on the way home?"

[LaxKnight]

Sergeant Jennifer Killinger
Camp Tenacity, Reach
2552

Once they were dismissed the formation quickly dispersed. It wasn’t so much that they didn’t like Jenny, but they were tired, it was the end of the day, and it didn’t take an AI to figure out that she had to immediately deal with her undead Colonel father. Her father spoke about getting dinner. Jenny looked around for a bit to see if anyone else was going to talk to her before giving him a nod.

She remained quiet as she followed her father. It wasn’t because she was lost for words or in shock. Well, not entirely. Her father probably got the sense of a valve ready to burst. She was sure shocked that her dead father was taking her to lunch but she didn’t want to blow up in public. She was a Sergeant now and she didn’t want undoubtedly very personal stuff to be aired out in front of them, especially when the person she was talking to was a Colonel.

Once they got into Pelican that took John here Jenny would turn to him and said with an arm waved at him, “So, what the hell? How are you even sitting here right now?”

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon Killinger
Pelican inbound to New Alexandria
2552

How am I alive right now? John thought -- if this had happened a hundred years ago he would have been dead. The medical advances since then allowed him to survive, along with very intrusive surgeries and a very unpleasant stay inside a glass tube. The only reason they were able to identify his would-be remains was when they were flash cloning replacement organs that eventually saved his life. The list was extensive, but over the course of his surgeries he had learned that they'd done more on worse individuals. It wasn't blunt damage that turned him into ground meat, it was the heat and fire after the crash that ruined him.

"I wasn't," he admitted. "For a while there I was as good as dead, or maybe even really dead. Lungs gone, everything else scorched, internal bleeding everywhere -- of course I wasn't conscious for any of it. Only reason I'm here today is because of New Alexandria's medical technology, that and I still had a pulse for EMTs when they arrived. I'm mostly flash cloned organs, blood bank donations, and skin grafts now."

The pelican slowly vibrated as it lifted off the pad, and the door closed behind them.

"But I'm here."