Overalls
Who: Jilleen Simmons & Corporal Menlo (npc) Where: Locker Valley at the cottage. When: Early morning, Monday Y03 Jan 08
“Ready corporal?” She asked the marine while she put on a heavy brown parka which one of the civilians gave her along with other accessories for the cold weather. Her group was not prepared for a winter climate after coming from Tawa on Sagittaron which was in the middle of hot summer. It was ironic she had packed her winter uniform in her bag the day before for an entirely different trip back home. Her bag still sat on her bed in her apartment on the base.
Corporal Menlo was the lone female marine in their group. She was assigned to Headquarters’ special protection detachment less than two weeks ago. The corporal was Sagittarius who grew up near Tawa. It was very likely she lost some of her family in the first nuclear strike that evening. They were in her thoughts ever since she landed on Aerilon. She wondered what if she made a different decision and not shown up for duty, she would be back there fighting for her home world, not in an entirely different star system on a foreign world.
“You’re okay?” Asked Jilleen when she saw the marine struggle to pick up her assault rifles which leaned on the side of the table.
“It’s these fraking overalls, they like to creep up my ass,” said Menlo. Her rifle was now slung over her vest.
Jilleen cracked a smile, probably her first since they arrived here. “Farmers don’t usually wear heavy overalls under their armored tactical vest.” She walked up to the Marine and then kneeled. “Here,” Jilleen pulled down the pants legs which had rode up almost above her boots. “That better?”
“Yes, thank you sir.”
“Don’t mention it. We’ll find something more suitable next time.” Jilleen said back on her feet. She felt a little bad that she wore a proper ski-snowsuit and didn’t think to look after the Marines. Her job for a long time had been to look after those above her rank and to make them look good. It sort of all seemed silly now.
“If we can find a warmer climate, we won’t have to worry about it.”
“Something with climate control, perhaps a battlestar?”
“Sounds good to me, sir,” said Menlo who was ready to move out.
Jilleen reached down to check that her side arm was secured in the holster strapped on her thigh, before she closed and zipped up her parka. She was going to leave her tactical vest behind and helmet in the cottage. The winter clothes they found to wear hid their uniforms underneath. The battle ready marines looked like survivalist with assault rifles, vests and helmets.
Jilleen was going to procure some vehicles now that snow had stopped falling. The Lodge was going to let them take one of the vans, and one of the civilians offered a SUV. She was going to make sure they were in working order and had enough fuel for the trip to New Ostia or to at least take them to the nearest town of any size which was Glenrock.