Roy grinned, mirthlessly.  "Doc, even we weren't sure of the nature of the threat.  But I've seen enough people disappear mysteriously already...and there was even less reason for them to go missing than there is for someone to want to abscond with you.  Like the Corporal said, if she'd been here on legitimate business, waiting around to verify it with the Admiral would have been no big deal."

One of the comments she'd made kept eating at him, and he decided to share the thought.  "Y'know, Doctor, the Angels have been fighting the Demons for millenia.  Now, I know they haven't learned everything there is to know about them...but, then again, they haven't exactly been massively generous in sharing what they do know.  But the point is, if she's got all this Angel history accessible to her, and she's working legitimately for Earth's defense, like her company name suggests, then why is she contacting you to find out what you know, instead of offering to tell you what she knows?  Like you said, this information should be shared...why did she need a private meeting to do it?  I mean, I'm pretty sure you're planning on presenting your findings at Oxford, yes?  Why couldn't she fly there and attend the presentation, possibly even add to it?"  He shook his head.

"Like I said, we don't know for sure what the threat was...but there were too many things that don't line up right for me to believe there wasn't some kind of threat, all the same.  And I'm learning to trust that instinct, more and more."

"Interesting thoughts, Mr Spencer. I have not announced that I will be visiting Oxford, any presentations will be informal ones to colleagues rather than the sort of formal address that outside academics would hear about and be invited to attend, so I can understand why she might ask direct rather than just show up in Oxford, although how she knew I'd be here I have no idea. I just cadged a ride down on the shuttle, it wasn't planned. She'll just have to wait for the papers I've submitted to Nature to come out!"

Henry grinned again.

"The drink offer is for you as well, if you are free. Mr Appigan, most English pubs serve Guinness, many even keep it well... so if that's your pleasure..."

Aldin tried to avoid talking about his dogfights in front of his mom while they ate. He could tell every time they were brought up she got this look of worry on her face. Still his brother kept pursuing in the topic. "Look, how bout I take you for a ride in my Hammer, then Nick? The extra seat is a little cramp, but you can see what it's actually like, and I'll tell you more then. Right now let's just enjoy each other, as a whole family?" He said to his brother. His brother agreed with a shrug. They stayed at the restaurant for a couple hours, just talking.

"Alright I'm gonna take this knucklehead off your hands for you two. You guys should go see a movie or something" Aldin said as they left the restaurant. "Fine, but be careful, both of you!" His mom said with a stern voice. She hugged both of them. "And you have your key card right?" "Ya mom, jeez I'm 21 years old. I'm an adult. I can take care of my self!" "Ya a 21 year old adult that still lives with his parents" "Seriously dad??" "Sheesh, and I was missing all this? Haha" "Aldie tell us next time your coming back to Earth, ok?" "I will" He laughed at the whole conversation. Finding his parents a cab first, he then looked towards his brother.

"You ready?" He said jokingly grabbing another cab for his brother and himself. He had the cabbie take him back to the airfield that he parked his Hammer at. Once they reached the airfield, Aldin popped the canopy of the Hammer, and dug around for an extra helmet. Finding it he tossed it to his brother. He moved the box of brochures over to, so his brother could fit. Turning to his brother he handed him a paper bag as well. "If you feel like your gonna throw up, and you most likely will. Do it in this?" "What makes you think I'll throw up?" "G-force. Get in." He added. Once his brother was secured in the Hammer, he got in himself, and started it up. After getting the ok to take off, he shot into the sky. He mostly flew at a normal commercial craft speed as he flew over the town. He did a couple spins and barrel rolls. "Alright you ready to see what this puppy can do?" "Ya" Aldin kicked up the thrusters and started climbing up high. Just as he was about to reach the upper atmosphere, he turned down, letting the Hammer gain mass speed as it fell. Just like he had for-warned, his brother vomited from the flight sickness. "You alright back there?" "Ya..." "Good we're gonna head into the upper atmosphere." He said climbing back up, this time at a more steady pace. He climbed just high enough so his brother could see a space perspective of Earth. After some time, he made his way back down to the airfield they left from, and landed his craft. His brother got out, most of his vomit managed to get in the bag, with a little on his clothes. Aldin laughed. "So whatdya think?" Nick just shook his head and smiled.

  Three Earth Based  HAmmers flew over the   site, the  pivoted in the  air and Hovered over the Admiral's  Shuttle that was  parked were the  VIP shuttles had been, now..the place was  almost  a ghosttown...The  4 Testpilots stood  around the three parked  HAmmer Vs  as the other  one still drifted  smoke  from Kray's Tags.

 ..Well Corpral, If you are coming  with us, do not  worry about your Uniform, Yoiu can use  the shuttle  Com and  call haead  for what you  will need...it should be  waiting for you.

  Commander?   SGT?  Well done. HAck? You have  some good people..try to hang onto them...when you are   ready to  leave earth Space, I might  come up to the Hermes  and travel as  far  as MArs  with you...it  will depend what i have on  my plate by then...Carry on..and try to have some fun..eh?

  Lets be on our  way boys, I haven't had real English food  for years!

Roy was torn for a moment by the invitation.  He'd never been to England, and in his mind, the place was a pastoral countryside with ancient castles keeping watch over it...even though he knew that was a highly romanticized view of a pretty slight percentage of the country.

He sighed, though, and shook his head.  "I appreciate the invitation, Doctor...I truly do.  But I haven't had an honest-to-goodness shoreleave since we left Earth the last time.  I was wounded at Olympus, spent my shore leave at Fuji trying to track down missing members of the football squad, and was on guard duty for part of the squad when we stopped at Olympus again."  He sighed, and there was some indicator of just how much this last tour had taken its toll on him in the way his posture grew more tired with the action.  He didn't slump...he couldn't.  The collar on the dress uniform threatened to cut his throat open if he didn't maintain good posture...

But his shoulders weren't quite as square, and his eyes showed the strain of being at top alert for so much sustained time.  "Frankly, I just want to go somewhere and pass out for five or six days..."  He offered a tired smile, and added, "However, when we return to Earth, assuming we both come this way again, I'd be more than happy to take you up on a trip to England.  My ancestors came from there...it'd be kind of like coming back home, in a way.  I just want to be more energetic for the trip."  His smile changed slightly, becoming apologetic, and he shrugged.

  Kray met with his Nephew and Niece and Sis-in-law.  A few  of the  workers  came over  and Kray signed some autographs, the niece and Nephew at this up.

   They Got a cab  and  went to  Hofstra, where the Jets  were  starting thier  Summer camp, being the  1st week in August.  The  Coach ( and reporters) Greeted  him The family got to take a tour of the  place, and  Kray  suited up for  some practice  time.

  He  caught the  balls  easily and the Coach shook his head, telling a reporter that he  could  come in and  start right away. But  Kray laughed saying he  had   some things to do for the ESN  first...The Angel Food would allow him to play for  many years to  come...

  a few hours later, they left. The  kids holding autographed  team footballs...

  His Sis-in-law said,..so..what about Hannah? YUou were supposed to be getting married?

 the smile  left  the Pilot's face  as he nodded slowly her  Mom is ill, This meant a great deal to her...we can wait...I have to make some  calls  when we get to your house..


 When they reached the House, His brother met the at the door. He seemed less-then happy to see his  brother, but  welcomed him, just the same..the Kids  took them to thier   model room..The Model of the Fuji was about  1/4 finished...Kray reached into his  bag and  Pulled out  a pair of  boxes of a 3 inch action figures..they each got  a box  of Hermes Figures and another box , that was a mix of  Demons, Largrans  and Bugs

Having distributed the 750 recruitment flyers  Justin was able to visit Alchem Transformations. During this he was given a tour of the the complex, he noted with interest how they had recently acquired a number of substances which were being examined and assessed for suitability in Defence related projects.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Thu 12 Apr 2012.

"All right, lets go," says Appigan.

"Guess I'll need a set of off-duty browns and suitcase to pack my dress uniform in.

Clearing chamber."

The last phrase comes out in robotic tone. Appigan pops the magazine on his rifle then cycles the bolt back and forth. The round in the chamber pops out. Appigan picks it up off the ground. He brushes off some dirt. Deciding the round is still safe to use he feeds it into the top of the magazine. The magazine is then slapped back into the rifle. That's where it stops. There is no cycling of the bolt to bring up the first round.

Appigan gives Spencer a friendly fist-bump into his shoulder.

"Thanks for being coming to back me up."

He follows to the shuttle.

Roy gave a wave in farewell.  "Have a pint for me..." he said as Appigan moved to the shuttle with the Admiral and the Doctor.

Roy turned back to Hack, and gave a tired smile.  "Are we heading back to the Hermes soon, Sir?  With all due respect to my uniform, I'm sick and damn tired of broiling away in it out here..."  There was an odd combination of respect for a superior officer, and the casual familiarity of men who've shared the same battlefield, in his voice and posture.

 Well , SGT, we have no further  issues  down here...we were all going back up to the Hermes, if you would like to go else where, I can  have  a shuttle  take you there?  or...you are welcome  to ride back with us.

Roy shook his head.  "I've got no one left on Earth, Sir.  Hermes is home."  He'd been thinking about it ever since they announced the return to Earth for the launching...everyone else had been talking about who they were going to visit, and it dawned on him...he really didn't have anyone left here.

"I mean, I was planning on being planetside for the wedding, if and when they let us know where it's gonna happen...but aside from that, I've really got no reason to stay on the ground.  All my friends are either in the Corps and on duty, in the ESN and on duty, or dead..."  He raised a hand in a gesture that was equal parts resignation and frustration, and indicated the Hermes folk that were still on the ground there.

"This is all the family I've got, Sir.  All the family I need..."  He shrugged.

Henry followed the group towards the shuttle. Looked like the Admiral was going to accept the dinner invitation, so he'd best call ahead.

  The Commander nods  to  SpencerUnderstood  SGT....If not  for  The  LC...i would only have my comrades  as well...it  will get worse, as long  as we keeping eating Amgel Food..Lets  Head  BAck to the Hermes...

  As  they walked  towards  the Hermes Shuttle, the LC was on   her  Com  and looked upset...she looked at  the Commander with  sad eyes   as she talked on the  com...Her sister, also looked sad, shaking her head  a bit.

  As he  and his brother  stood   talking. A handfull of  Soldiers came up to them,we  saw  some of that flying!...you do that against the Demons?..From what i hear..none of the other ESN  ships even seen a demon!

  he recieves  a  call  on his  com, from this....family......something  seems to  be  amiss. There  is tracking of the Items  we are purchased. Also...there  seems to   be  a portion of the Family Missing.. They were last seen in Everest Space..they were with  an ESN contingent, trying to contact a new race, of allies...

In reply to Justin (msg #130):

Reading the messages Justin's texts to the  distribution facility requesting details of the transfer. who was involved timings etc He provides specifics of the shortfall  His concern over the disappearance prompts him to contact Hermes Bridge, requesting information about the mission in Everest Space.

  The Loss is  several mambers of  "the  family"...not to mention, loss of  contact with the  new  alien allies, and the loss of  the ESN A001...a sloop of war, the Hemlock...

  The Hermes  Bridge  has no information on the Mission  to Everest Space ...at least..they have  no access to it at this time..The Commander has yet to return to the Hermes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Fri 13 Apr 2012.

In reply to Justin (msg #132):

Justin rubbed his brow attempting to ease the tension he was feeling. Taking a few deep breaths he calmed himself. Keying into the ongoing family schedules, hopes to get details on who was headed to Everest and possibly information about why they were requested to accompany the mission.

 as they Boarded the shuttle, Lyri shakes her head,..I should have popped her..I could  have siad  i misread her intentions...that's  always a good one...


  Hack nodded slightly,That would have took  care of her...but...now..we might get the rest of the snake, before it goes  underground...

   Si hands   HAck the Com, Shadow?....Yea?...well... I'll have it taken care of  as soon as  we hit the  Hermes...sorry 'bout that kid...See me when you get back home...  he hands  the com back to   the LC who looks really upset.  Unli, has moved  a bit  away from her "suggested Companion"..he  did not look real happy.

Roy looked around, for a rare moment dropping the Marine exterior, examining the faces that everyone had on.  "Well, this is a helluva way to do shore leave at Earth, huh?" he observed, with a wry grin on his face.

"Hope SOMEONE comes away from the planet with some good news...on a personal level, I mean.  Gettin' another ship in the fleet is great news, especially since it's likely the Demons will start sending ships in quantity with the reputation we're getting--but ain't a person on this shuttle that doesn't look like someone just kicked their dog in the teeth."

    Shadow.... Hannah's  Mother took Ill.. from what he said, had  something to do with  watching the live feeds of the BAttle of  Mar's Reach...then...when Shadow  and  Hannah showed  up with the Ring? Well..let's  just say the wedding will be  a while... He asked  me to pull some strings, get  HAnnah a post at the New  BAse they  set up near her  town, so she can take care of her Mom... he shrugs, and lowers his Voice,..The LC..is quite upset..seems she thought  they were  a good couple...She seems to  look on  Kray as her own kid , sometime....Unli?  Was hoping to get Kray as a Suggested  Companion..but the whole  Human thing  gets in the way... Feri...doesn't  seem to care a whole lot  for Shadow...and?  to top it off.. Kray..with  his wonderous people skills is on the fence   as to  whther he should  break Hannah's  brother's  Nose...or Neck...  he  smiled slightly at this.

   Right now  , he's up in New York..visiting his  Brother's  family...made a stop at the Jets  camp and  ran some plays  with them...that should have made him feel a tad better...All i can say? I wouldn't   want to  be the next guy that  makes him snap....[t

 He was  quiet for a second   as he Looked  at the LC, then turned back to  Roy,..you know..the  day i recruited Hannah...Shadow was having a...er...talk..with our  frined  Ambassador  Frans...looking back at it..I should  have   stood down and let Shadow take him out...things would be  alot  simpler in Fuji space , had  i did...Couces..we  would have had  to send a team in to bust Shadow  out of the brig..but i think i could have  found enough volunteers....

Roy thought for a minute, and shrugged.  "No, it's better this way.  His true colors have had a chance to show, there's not much chance of anyone working to make a martyr's case for him when he meets his demise, now."  He didn't say anything about it, but the way his hands flexed on his rifle gave an indication of his willingness to be the source of that demise...

"Bad news, about Hannah's mom.  Losing both her and Stoly?  I feel like our ground-based actions have taken a serious hit.  She was good people...think-on-your-feet material, and that's hard to find."  He fell silent, musing over the vagaries of life and how abruptly good fortune could turn.

  Hack nodded  as he leaned back against his seat,  she came up with the Ion dust, on her own, afte rthat whole think with Harvestor's cannon and  Kray's...er...requistioning  the Olympus's Mark 1V...that gave   us   alot of  time to get the shuttles off the ground  before the Mull fighters moved  in...who knows...with any kind of Luck? They'll find thier  way back to us.

  he  gives his  head a shake  as he muses  a bit,..I knew Shadow  since he was  about..i dunno...10?  Him and Roles  both...Kray's Father  was a damn good  man...was a Member of  the EAF....Earth-Alien Force...learfned  alot from the Angels  as far as fighting goes...he passed that onto Kray...kray's Brother  wanted nothing to do with that..so...Kray was his  father's  favorite..I could tell you some  stories  of Him in the Battery....

Roy chuckled.  "I can just imagine," he replied.  "He's a fascinating one...actually as good or better than he claims to be, and that's a rare find."

He grinned and shot Hack a calculating look.  "Seems you've got a whole ship full of rare finds...or at least, you've managed to scatter them about in a pretty strategic manner."

when they  were building the  ships..every country in the world was trying to get officers  on the ships..even the damned Tenders!...The Angels had thier own ideas..they picked the best, from the best countires...Mostly the  best....'warlike' countries...That's  why you'll never  see  a Mideastern Captain of  a  ESN ship...Terrorists don't  make   it in the  Angel's Military..France  won't put too many in either.. England, America, Canada, germany, Russia, Japan ,Aussieland..all the movers  and the shakers of the old  wars...well? They had  me picked when i only had  10 kills as  a fighter pilot..I would get rotated back to eaerth  for  a week at a time to  wacth the  Laying of the Keel for the Hermes...Adniral Hemmings  and the Angels told me to pick some people..and they would fill in the rest...I pulled some strings to Get Shadow and  Roles into the academy...otherwsie they would have  went to a football factory somewhere..and ended up  as Earthers...i started reading up...Beth helped me...she could hack into anything i needed...pull up what i neded...9 hells..even change some thing!  There are a few  of .."perfect" military folks on our  ship...but almost  everyone has  something wrong  some where...The idea of mine was....as long  as what ever  was 'wrong'..doesn't effect them  on our ship? I didn't care...Like that Janitor we sent to  the Delta Prison colony...i thought he might  make a decent  solider somewhere along the line..i was wrong.