ALT #343: Marine R&R
Marine R&R
Summary: Orion's marines hit Charlie's for an evening of beer and relaxation.
Date: 15/Dec/2013
Related Logs: None
Leightner Jena Reed Neko Amos Stone Fischer Kapali 
Checkpoint Charlie's - Piraeus
The first structure completed on Piraeus was a 'recreation center' that was thinly veiled as such. Checkpoint Charlie's is in every other way a blue collar bar with an unsurprising bent towards the military establishment. Camouflage netting hangs from the ceiling with some kind of dried vine tangled throughout. On the walls are pictures and mementos of times past on the planet they currently reside on. There are a few billiards tables smuggled out to Piraeus specifically for this location, along with card tables and an fully functional line of taps and kegs mounted to, perhaps unsurprisingly, a beat-up but taken-care-of oak bar. The matching stools and wood tables seem to indicate that the construction workers may have disassembled someone else's bar back on the Colonies. The story even goes that the name is taken from a former bar on Aerilon that happened to resemble, very closely, this particular establishment.
AWD #343

It's Charlies and it's later afternoon going on early evening. Any trace fo the Air Wing shindig last night is gone and now the place has a definite CMC feel. It's still early, so the palce isn't packed, but there are representatives from both 1st and 3rd Battalions starting to stick their heads in and claim beers and seats.

Leightner moves into Charlies with Jena, hand in hand, looking just sickeningly happy couple like. He looks about and smiles, seeing preperations have been made, "Nice one." He mutters, and grins to Jena.

Jena is wearing jeans and a jersey of her favorite Pyramid team beneath a leather jacket that's left open. Her hand is in Leightner's as she stops at the door and wipes her feet before looking around. "It's your party, lead the way."

Catching a shuttle down from the Orion, Corporal Cassidy makes his way through Piraeus and to Checkpoint Charlie's. Not one that frequents the place, not really one that drinks much, Reed feels a bit out his element. Removing his cover, for he wears fatigues (is that all he can wear?), he runs a hand over his short cropped hair and makes his way on into the bar properly. He can't help but smile as he sees Leightner and Jena making their way in as well.

"I am freezing my frakking ass off!" Neko announces, to no one and everyone, as she shoulders her way through the door of Charlie's. It's easy to see why. She's wearing a little red dress and not much else, save strappy high heels that shove her already tall height well over six feet. And her dogtags around her neck, but that's the only vaguely military issue thing she's sporting tonight. She pushes her way up to the bar and announces cheerily, "I need a shot of something!"

Amos is also one found habitually in his greens, although the Captain hasn't felt the need to bring his lid along. Perched on a stool at the far end of the bar he appears to have been one of those who arrived early to stake out a spot. There's a glass infront og him, or something that is likely a spirit given the colour and measure, and of course, the fact that he seems to be spping it carefully.

Soon enough Stone is arriving as well, grinning at the words of things being cold. "Well you should keep more on yourself then." He offers with a chuckle. Himself not really wearing too much either. Tank top and cargo pants. Though a jacket does offer a bit of warmth for him. Looking a bit like the marine type still perhaps but hopefully not as much of a boy scout as usual. Getting himself something to drink as well.

Leightner looks around, and leans to Jena, pointing to Neko, "Oi, Soun!" He says, "Thas her. Panther." He says, as he waves to the Marines gathering, Jena at his arm, leading into the party and heading for the booze. "Two brews." He calls in advance.

A smile is given to each of the gathered Marines as Reed finds a stool to sit upon and hesitates a moment before saying "Uh, a beer." He settles himself in, fingers drumming on the bar top.

"Hey!" Jena greets Reed with a warm smile when she notices his, but it's brief as Leightner leans in to point someone out. "Ohh, the autograph. Wow.." Looking towards the Pyramid player with something akin to awe in her expression. "It's nice meeting you." And then Ian is leading her into the party and heading for the booze. She lifts a hand, waving, looking slightly amused.

Amos glances towards the door at each new arrival, as if checking off some mental guestlist, but he seems content enough to let people trickle in and get themselves sorted for drinks. Resting one forearm on the bar he uses his other hand to lift his glass and have a sip before being engaged in a brief conversation with one of the 1st Batallion's lieutenants.

Neko is explaining to the bartender how to make a shot called a 'Dock Whore.' It involves lots of rum. So it takes her a second to respond to Leightner. But, finally, she turns around and raises an arm to wave to him. "Ahoy there, Medic. This your girl you were telling me about?" She notes the look from Jena and stands up straighter, openly preening. "Yep. Nekora Soun. That's me. I played a little pro ball. Back in the day. Not that I like to brag or anything. Was Delta Conference lead scorer during my years with the Vice." She extends a hand to Jena, for shaking purposes.

Leightner grins as Neko goes into pyramid chat, and he collects two brews, passing one Jena. "Here, luv." He looks to Neko, and nods, letting them meet as he takes a deep drink of the beer, one second. He's drinking. Yep. Still drinking. And it's going back. And it's gone. A slight gasp. Oh, that's how they do it on Virgon. He sets it on the counter and motions another. "Thas a start."

Stepping in from the outside, steps a bit slow, Fischer looks around the room for a few moments, as he comes to a stop not too far from the door now. Glancing between the people present, and then back towards the door now, as if he's considering something.

A small sip of his beer, Reed listens to Neko talk to Jena about her time in Pyramid. A slight wistful look passes over him. "She was really good, too," he adds to the conversation.

When he offers her the drink, Jena takes it with a smile of thanks but she's looking at Nekora at the introduction. "I heard of you. I followed Pyramid as long as I could remember." Slipping her hand into the offered one, she firmly shakes. "It's so great to meet you. Ian told me you were on board the Orion but I'd not seen you even in passing yet." So she was rattling on. Withdrawing her hand from the hold, she smiles. "Maybe I can get you to sign my jersey sometime?" Indicating the one she has on. Yep, one and the same as the former team.

Most of everyone is at the bar at the moment, ordering drinks, talking it up. Leightner just downed one and is going for round two already.

Arriving a few steps behind Fischer, catching the door in fact before it closes, Kapali aims a sweeping glance around the bar that - at first glance at least - looks like damn near every other bar. Plus or minus a few snoring drunks and the smell of sour beer and other things. All that's missing is a bad three-member band, a bowl of peanuts and the cries of alarm as drunks throw darts.

"Was?" Neko turns to scoff at Reed. "Am, sweet cheeks. The Panthers would've owned the league this season. If the whole end of the worlds thing hadn't gotten in the way." She pumps Jena's hand, firm and friendly-like, before withdrawing. "Yeah, sure. Bring whatever you want signed by the Marine berths. I'm always up for doing that kind of thing for a fan. You play any yourself?"

Chuckling "Well you were getting on in years," Reed points out with a wink. He looks at Jena "And she loves signing stuff." The beer before him is more toyed with than actually drank. But now the little pretzels are gathered up and eaten. Not good one's but still, a snack of one kind or another.

Leightner takes his next brew and drinks from it. More humanly this time, not like he's powerslamming the poor thing. He lostens to Jena and Neko talking, and glances to Reed, with a smirk as he tightens his lips and exhales. Carbonation.

Amos finishing his conversation with a couple of pleasantries, then a grin and then gesturing the lieutenant in a vague direction that may or may not be towards Neko. Noting the arrival of Fischer and Kapali he still seems happy to keep to his stool at the end of the bar, slowly sipping the spirit infront of him.

Kapali simply side-steps her way around the tables, tours the room - actually searching for the dart board - before setting course for the bar and the host of marines already deployed, in force.

There's a grin worn by Jena as she looks between Neko and Reed. "I play but not so well. Just as a fan knows how to play a game. By dreaming they were the big time." Chuckling she nods to Reed. "Does she? I'll make a list then." Lifting her drink, she tips it back, a few swallows and she lowers it again. "Enjoying yourself, Ian?" Watching him drinking on his second now. As the others enter, she lifts a hand in greeting. No rank tonight. At least not acknowledged by the PJ.

Fischer remains where he is for a few moments longer, before he makes his way over in the direction of the bar now, making sure to stand a bit away from the rest as he orders himself some beer.

Neko does some more snorting at Reed. "Getting on? Please. That's what you get for listening to frak-off sports pundits. They're all just assholes who couldn't cut it on the hardwood themselves. Trust me. I was just hitting my second stride. But, now I'm in the whole protecting and serving business. Which, also awesome." The bartender gets around to pouring her shot, and she takes it and knocks it back. "Woo! So. Are we celebrating something specific tonight, or just general toaster-killing?"

While it's true that there are still marines arriving, Amos figures that enough of those expected are present that he might as well get the formalities over and done with and leave everyone free to enjoy the rest of the evening. He may only have been sipping from his drink until now, but the rest is quickly drained and he holds up a finger to let the barman know that he'd like another. As that's being done he quietly stands and shifts slightly so he's in a position where he can see just about all the bar, and conversely, just about all the bar should be able to see him. As his drink arrives he gives a brief nod of thanks, then takes a deep breath and states loudly and clearly, "Gentlemen. If I might have your attention for a moment." It's not a bellow, that would imply crudenes, but it is projected in a manner that is clearly meant to be heard.

Leightner looks to Jena, smiling, and nods, "Startin ta." He says, taking another drink, moving to slide onto a stool at the bar nodding to those about, looking at Neko as the old lady starts to defend herself, then he looks to Amos as the Captain calls for attention. He sets down the beer, and straightens. Standing off the stool next to Jena, discreetly taking her hand.

Having mostly kept out of trouble and conversations as well Stone does sip on his beer. Watching the others with an amused grin. Though not really wishing to intrude too much currently. Running a hand over his head. Leaning his arms and back against the bar. Pushing off of it.

Kapali arrives at the bar, alongside Stone, aims a nod at him in greeting even as she's turning her attention to Amos. And . . since she's there, ordering a drink.

Reed is about to answer Neko but just at that very same moment Amos speaks up. So he looks to the Officer, fingers wrapped around his beer, waiting.

"Are we toasting? Gimme another shot!" Neko orders the bartender. Before actually shutting up and mostly paying attention to Amos.

Amos cuts back his remark about the quicker everyone shuts up the quicker they can get back to drinking since, well, everyone seems to have shut up. "Thank you," he starts, with the faintest hint of a smile, "I shall try to keep this as brief as possible so we can all get back to doingwhat is important." Just in case anyone is in any doubt what he means by that, he lifts his drink and takes a sip. "First off, Major Rand sends his sincere apologies to you all. He had hoped to be here tonight but has been summoned to some top flight meeting. In an effort to make up for his absense and for leaving you all with me instead, the first round is on him."

As soon as there is a call for attention, Jena gives it, turning her gaze to Amos. She'd met him down on Picon a few times. With her own drink in hand, she leans back just a little on Leightner, smiling at the contact as he takes her hand. She doesn't say anything, but she does listen as the Marine speaks.

Reed grins, takes a sip of his beer. Not often one gets to drink on a Major's tab. He waits though, for if a Major was going to show up then something's in the air. And usually that means something not to good. He waits for the other shoe to fall, so to speak.

Kapali lifts her voice in a quick cheer at the news that the first round is on Major Rand's tab, lets hear it for command pay grade!

Leightner listens to Amos, nodding, and as the cheer goes up from Kap he adds in, yay for free drinks., then he quiets to listen more.

Stone does nod in return to Kapali before raising his glass about first round being on the major. Eyes always studying those around. Listening quietly for now.

Neko lets out an enthusiastic "Woo!" as to the first round being on the Major. Then she waits for more things to 'woo' about.

Letting that one settle in a moment Amos rests one elbow on the bar, although for now he's making no further move to drink. "Secondly," he continues, one the general murmur and cheering has died down again, "secondly, I am sure that most of you are well known to each other. Any unfamiliar faces you might see are the 1st Batallion marines who've been cheerfully strapping red lights to their heads and being shot at repeatedly to provide you with an authentic training experience in the kill house." A seconds pause and then, "I trust you will all make them feel suitably welcome." How exactly to go about that, he leaves to them.

Reed looks at all the Marines in the bar, yep he knows them all. But now, new comers? He doesn't exactly look pleased. "Sure we will, Captain," He mummers.

Neko eyes the unfamiliar Marines in the room, trying to pick out the ones from 1st Batallion. One tall fellow gets a wink from her that isn't exactly subtle.

Kapali angles her head to the side and speaks in a quiet voice to Stone, "If by mak them welcome he means shoot at them with rubber bullets… I could do that," in a quiet aside that doesn't carry much beyond Stone.

Leightner looks about, nodding to new faces. He's just fine with that, corpsman and all. A look to Jena with a smile follows as he looks back to Amos.
Stone has partially disconnected.

Having gotten his beer, Fischer takes a sip from it as he listens, just shrugging a little at the mention of the ones from the 1st Batallion. Not looking for them at the moment, keeping his attention on the beer in front of him.

Stone does offer a grin to Kapali, "Perhaps so." Not seeming to care too much one way or the other though. "I am sure we'll need all help we can get." He offers and finished his drink.

Amos mentally counts off the points he has to make, ensuring that he's not missed anything so far, then finding himself still on track he moves on. "Thirdly, and I promise this is not an extensive list, the main purpose of tonight is so everyone can relax, kick back, chill, or whatever it is you kids call it these days. We've worked damn hard these past few months and like as not we'll be doing similar again soon." A faintly wry smile as he explains, "I've already had the delights of a short briefing with intel, so they've got something up their sleves for us."

At the mention of Intel Reed's jaw tightens. There was another shoe for sure. "No disrespect Sir, but if Intel has something up their sleeve, I hope you have reviewed it. Not that I don't trust them but," he just shrugs his shoulders as a way to finish his thought.

".. But, Sir, they'd keep themselves in the dark if they could figure out how to do so and maintain operational security," Kapali chimes in from where she's standing.

Leightner looks to Amos as he speaks, tilting his head and rather than voicing concerns, he stays quiet and takes his beer back up, taking a sip. Remembering the important things of the evening.

Stone doesn't feel like arguing as he just pushes off and makes his way out of there. Calling it a day.

Amos flashs Reed a quick smile, he's not going to get drawn into a lengthy discussion, not here and now, but does offer, "fear not, I've looked over what they have so far and told them what addition information I expect before I'll start doing any serious planning work." And the conciquences for a certain intel officer if that information doesn't arrive, but that is a story for another time. Kapali also gets a flash of a smile before he takes another sip of his drink. Setting the glass back down on the bar he states clearly, "finally, and please, don't all cheer at once, there is just one more annoncement I have to make before you can all get back to drinking the major's savings away. Corporal Cassidy, front and centre please."

Neko looks curious when Amos mentions Intel, but most of that sort of thing goes over her head anyway. So she doesn't bother to dwell. She looks eager to drink more, though she watches Reed when he's called up. Paying more attention to this than she did at the mention of whatever Intel has in mind for them.

Reed sees the smile, but doesn't return it. No, he has turned back to his beer. That is till Amos calls for him. He looks up puzzled, pauses a moment then slips off his stool. Moving to where Amos sits he comes to nearly an attention "Yes Sir?"

Leightner looks at Reed as he's called up and smirks, taking a sip from his drink, watching with an amused gaze. A quick squeese of the hand of the PJ next to him.

Another long drink from his beer, as Fischer listens now. Glancing to Reed momentarily as he hears what's being said, but then back to his focal point. Which would be, the beer glass.

With Reed infront of him, Amos takes a moment to ensure that the others present are giving as much attention as they're going to, then slips a hand into one of the pockets of his fatigues and withdraws a small box. "Now I promised I wouldn't keep you long, and I won't, but sinceyou've joined us Corporal I've heard nothing but good things and your record backs that up. As such, paperwork has been pushed about a bit and it gives me great pleasure to promote you to the rank of Sergeant, with all the duties and responsibilities that that entails." Reaching out his right hand to shake, he also extends his left, in which is held a small box of the type rank pins are stored in, "congratulations Sergeant."

Neko lets out another "WOO!!!" A louder and longer one this time. Followed by a wolf-whistle.

Kapali chimes in at the same time as Neko, letting out the same sort of ear piercing whistle followed by applause.

Leightner sets down the beer and disengages his hand from Jena to clap and cheer as Neko sets off the process. a promotion. An actual good excusde to celebrate. That's great, he claps and cheers as the crowd erupts.

Reed looks stunned. He reaches with his right hand for the box at first, then takes the offered hand and with his left takes the box. He holds it carefully, much like it might bite him "Uh, I don't know what to say, Sir," Then he smiles "Thank you sir." But the calls, whistles and what not behind him causes him to turn and look at the others with a What the hell does he do now? look.

Amos looks cheerfully satisfied at the reactions all round, then states quietly to Reed, "traditionally you insist everyone owes you a drink before they all insist you owe them, then you find the prettiest girl in the room and get her to pin them on your collar for you." Or guy of course, but given the banter between him and Neko earlier he's guessing he has it right. Reaching to give him a quick pat on the shoulder he then calls to the barman, "a drink for the sergeant, make it a strong one."

Draining the last of his beer, Fischer raises the glass a bit in a silent salute to the new sergeant, before he places it on the bar, and turns to head for the door again now, moving out into the fresh air a bit quickly.

So, the ladies room. Jena had slipped off there but she had heard the announcement and smiles at Reed when she returns. "Congratulations, Sir." Taking her place beside Leightner again, she winks at him. "Sorry about that."

Kapali gives a snort of amusement, "He's a sergeant, not an officer, he still works for a living," she says as she snags the drink she'd ordered, grins at Jena then nods at Reed. "Congrats, Sergeant. You're still stuck with us, though. It's probably some sort of consolation prize, but you're stuck with us all the same."

Turning back to Amos he nods "Aye Sir, and I won't let you down." He turns to the others "Ok, which of you are going to buy me a beer?" He asks, grinning.

Leightner looks at Jena as she returns, grinning to her, leaning in and whispering, "Good timing." He says, offering Jena back her drink, and a wink, looking back to the newly minted sergeant, taking a drink of his beer.

"Oh don't worry about me," Amos replies good naturedly, raising his glass in informal salute, "it's them you need to worry about not letting down." He gives a brief nod towards the assembled marines before finishing with, "I have every confidence in you though, or we wouldn't be having this conversation. Now go, enjoy your night."

Kapali shakes her head, amusement quite visibly stamped on her expression, and waves one hand to the bar keep, signals a drink to be sent toward Reed and pays for it while taking a second one for herself.

As Amos speaks his words, Reed nods. Hadn't thought of that. "No worries Sir, they will be taken care of." He turns once again to the others and nods as a new fresh beer is placed before him. "So, Kapali, feel like doing the honors?" He asks as he holds the Sargent pins in his hand.

His official duties done for the evening, Amos takes his drink and slips quietly back towards the stool he'd recently vacated. Casual conversation and relaxed appreciation of what passes for a decent drink very much the order of the evening, or the next few hours at least, until he needs to be back onboard.

((if anyone has the rest after I left, please do add it.)

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