On the Vid  screen by the mess tables on the Rec  Dec, someone put  the Earth New Station up. A balding fellow was interviewing the Head  of ESN  Admiral Hennings. Hennings  was talking, quite  profoundly,...and it does not matter how muchexperiance  our people  have. The ESN Hades is the Finest of  our  Cruisers, with them  and the ESN Olympus out  near  Saturn, we are not  at  all worried about  the Demon  attack on a lone merchant ship...

   Rumor  has it  the ESN  Hermes is going out  to Hunt the Demon Destroyer down?  the balding  man smiled.

   The Hermes  is just streching thier  legs, they will be going on deep patrol, I am sure  the Hades will not mind  them being there... The admiral  smiles again .

  Commnader Hack, a hero fighter pilot  from th  first meeting  with the Demons is  in Charge  of the Hermes..is that true? And..if i undestand it, The Hades  and the Hermes are to meet for the Fleet Championship football game coming up as soon as they can reach a dock together? And...If I am not mistaken..Commander Igor Drovishki...was taken off the fl;ight  Roster By Commander Hack for a drinkling problem?

 The Admiral was visably upset,  First of  all...The HAdes football team is  far  and away better then that of the Hermes..as  For  Commander Drovishki? He  and Commander HAck have a bit of a rivalry...but the better ship got the better  commander..I am sure Commander  HAck  would agree...

    Some folks  say Drovishki plays it too safe, then comes in  and gets the credit..where  Commander Hack does the dirty work...

  The admiral's  face turned  red,  This interview  is  at at end....  and he  walked  towards the left of the screen.

  from the Screens hanging in the Bay, the shops, the barriacks  and officers  quarters, and new Bulliten  was comng  across  The smiling  woman began,,Today is another step in the direction of Earth's responisblities in guarding   Uninverse. The ESN Hermes has reportedly left Mars Colony to meet up with  the ESN  Olympus and begin is  seek and destroy missions..starting with the elusive Destroyer that claimed 5  alien Merchant vessels in the  last 6 months....Commnader HAck , of the ESN  Hermes, could not be reached  for  comment. However,  The CAptain of the  ESN HAdes has expressed his regrets  that  his ship is ....'not  quite ready'....to take to the hunt.

 The  Young  , sharpe dressed man who was  co-anchor  added,...you would  wonder why?  The HAdes is 6 months older then  the Hermes....

  The feed went off and  depending on what station the  viewers were  watchig, the  regular shows  popped back up.

  The Commander frowned as he reached for  the siganl Button. Then pressed it as the HAiling whistle  sounded three times to get everyone's attention. Lt. Miller patched the bridge feed to the screens  so everyone  could  see the Commander.

  All hear this...All hear this. We  will no0t be stopping at the Olympus...we have  orders to sail stright by, and take Orbit  around Jupitor, to see if  we  might  find traces of the destroyer.  Once we have  either confirmed the demons are either  there..or have leaft, we  will Dock with the Olympus. You will be visited by your ranking Officers and given  you rbattle stations. Should  we find the thing, and  attack it...you will report to those areas , unless told  by the Bridge  otherwise...That is  all...

  all around the ship, The Balding Man from the Earth-Space Network broke into whatever  shows were on,  This  Just In..The ESN Hermes has  made Contact with the  Killer Destroyer that has been prowling  the  Jupitor area... we have  some Vids..but t here  are a bit fuzzy...we  will try to update  you folks as we get information...

  The Vids  showed Shadows  Flight mixing it  up with the Demon fighters...one of the Hermes  fightrs being vaporized...off in the distance was  the two armored Breaching Shuttles closing in on the smoking  Hole  near the  Destroyer's tail.....
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:52, Fri 11 Mar 2011.

  As the  Hermes  drifted  into the Docks, The Woman of  The Earth/Space Netwok broke into the shows  once more.  The Camaras Panned the Captured demon Vessel , then showed  the Hermes ( making  a point to show  the battle damage from the would be Kamakizi).

  ..and  we  she the 351 pulling into   the ESN   Olympus, after  its  victory against  the Demon Vessel. This  is Commander Hawk's 2nd Victory facing the Demons and we hope  that string Continues. There is  quite  a Buzz going on as well Lt Stevens of   B flight 351, was credited with bringing  down the highest ranking Demonic  Ace.  Many a fighter  pilot in the Allied Planets  with sleep alot better, thanks  to his  heroics!...

  One the screens  around the ship, on the station in bars  and such, and at some of the mega  screens in the  bigger  squares of the  Hubs of the Uppers  and Lowers...there is constant  videos  of the Hermes, the CAptured  Demon ship..some snips of   Fighter pilots taking out Demons ( after they were studied by the officers , of course)...file  photos of  people involved in the fighting, with some  side stories to stir public interest and increase partiotism

  Many a film  of  Lt. Stevens getting Three Bronze Service Stars. One form each, Earth (ESN), Sanri (SN), and  Angel (AGN).  Pictures  taken from the demon's  computers of the Red Devil who offically was credited  with 241 allied kills..rumors say there were at least that many that were not confirmed. Stevens  was the toast of the Station now.

  there  are pictures advertising the Final regular season game between  Hermes Football team  and Olympus #2..the winder  plays  The HAdes for the league championship, as the HAdes beat  Mars #1 team in thier last regular season game...The Olympus  pictures  feature a Sanri Defensive back who has taken out 7 recievers over the  season, and lead the league in interceptions...for the Hermes they featured  Miller  and  Shadow hooking up on passes.

  The  announcers debate the upcoming battle  thinking the  Hermes D-line will , all but wipe out  the  Olympus backfield, but the money is  leaning heavy to the  Olympus's  secondary with htier Nasty SAnri DB...the spread  has  gone to +14 for Olympus to was  the Hermes...

  The station feed  and the ESN network picked up Shadow and Grueless' duel interview. There can be  no claims  of " i misuderstood '..or  "that was taken out of context"...The Sanri  had threatened the smaller  man, and the  little  wide out fired back.


  shots  from the hermes  showed crew  and  civies place banners on the  ship "..GO 351.."  Pictures of Shadow, Miller, and  Lionel Hambridge, the  MLB  for the Hermes team. A marine  and nasty in his own right, is second to none  in intimadating  rivals.

  Around the station where signs  suppoting the Olympus 2 team...pictures  of Grueless taking out recivers  or picking of passes...however..few outside  Olypmus could name  more the  3 other players off the top of thier head.

  This was billed  as "the Real Championship"..which made many a HAdes crewman/fan very  unhappy.

 The  Pregame folks  were talkig baout various offense and defense fin points, many highlights of the players in question were shown, old players would draw up what he  or she  considered to be  the finer points of the plays.

  all the stations replayed the Duel interview with Grueles and Kray...more then  a few of them said that this could have been the nail in Hermes  coffin.

 a few of the studio people  had arguements about this...many though  Kray breaded the Lion, calling out Grules rather then  being humble...others  laughed and said that Shadow  knew  what he was doing  and  , if one looks at the films, Shadow  just may be right..

  The odds  makers had to add another poit to the spread...Shadow's interview was seen as  a mistake...Olympus  would be mad...and there  would be no holding back on the points...Olympus  was +15 now...and still credits flowed to thier side...but alot of Hermes crewmen, and Hermes  fans  still bet heavy on the Hermes...even if they did lose...they didn't  think it would be by 15!

  Across the station and  shipwide news, the story of  Grueles' death came as a shock. The Med-center had  thier  security, OP and ESN secruity all checking out the loss of this high profile patient.

  The stories  tell of  a security Camp and doctored footage..all sounding like there  was some big , underlying reason  for this Sanri's  death.

  And now  for  our newsbreak. The thief who tried to steal the figher Craft from the Military Commnad Center was Captyured with the  help from the Mercenary Craft Harvestor... I his eyes brows  went  up a bit  as he read this, but looked at his  Co-host out of the side of his eyes.

  The  woman  picked up a related  story,..It is  said that 7 people Died in the Grotto durning the Chase. Two  OP aircars collided and crashed into   some Gang members who were relaxing in the street...these deaths  are to be added to the prisoner's  crimes....

 The  man picked up his part of the story,there  are people who refuse to believe this  story as  some  personal Vids are leaked into the  Computer feeds around the  Station and ESN networks...there is  also a following who blames the deaths on Senator frans , who had issued a 30,000 credit  bounty on the  head of the thief...The Harvestor has been awarded the Bounty for its  hand  in the.." apprehension"...

  The Vids  showed  file pics of Chief Owens...there  were rather ties with him, and the Demonic sympathizers.

  somwhere in the  news, someone placed a piture of  Senator  Frans, and  people began to talk.

  The Hades as  being Moved to the Olympus  along  with the  new addition to the ESN, The Cyclops. The  Athena  was now released  and was being  sent out to Join   the Hermes Task force.

  Mars was now having the Zeus  as its  Cruiser, with the destroyers Iron  and Copper

 The Fuji still had the Hera, Tin and Shale as its home guard, as  well as Hermes  Task force now  , being  based out of there.

  welcome  folks, we have been gettig  alot of Buzz  from Fuji  space. On the World  of  Delta  Omega, the Mulls , who have  been in deep and heated  debate, were  said  to Have  Chosen the  Demon Confederation of  the Allied  Planets. However..it  seems the Pro AP forces have assassinated both, the LArgrean  Ambassador  and the Mull ambassador, abd bioth sides  began  a day or so o fcivilwar-like battles...the  fighting is dying  down  and the  New Force is General Orca  who has taken control of the  Goverment, and is  working  with  Ambassadors  from the AP  to sign a formal charter

  In  related  news, A Largan Cruiser  was destroyed  by the ESN  Hermes   and  the   EMS  Harvestor.. With the Athena  Joining the Task Force, and the Artemis  and her  destroyers  arriving soon,  Fuji  space  is setting up to a solid  area  for both the Earthers  and AP....

 A  woman  dressed in ESN uniform  with a headset  on, begins to speak, Hello, and  Welcome to an ESN newsbreak. I am  Ensign Frolls from the ESN  news sources. I am Currently aboard the  ESN Artemis, as  she and her Destroyers and  Tenders  make thier  way to the Delta Planets. This  turns  out to  be a Historic Day, in terms of Earth's infuence in the AP structure. With  the ESN  Hermes  escorting the  ambassador  from The Angels, and the meeting  with the Mulls to see which way the Mulls  would turn in thier treaties...the  ESN  came up big!

  she  flips  apage  and looks to the left as  some vids  appear in the  Left half  of the screen, they match what she  is  talking about...An Ambassador's  Ball was held , as the AP and Largran Ambassadors huddled with the Mulls. An ESN Pilot  shown here with an Officer that  was listed  as his..mate? Also recieved  the Mull's  Bronze  star  for  efforts   helping the AP  troops  stationed there. Along  with the dignitaries were  the BioTech Malcolm Roberts  and  his  assitant Cindy, As well as the Hero of  the First Demon defeat Commander  Hack and His  wife  LC  Si. As the  night  wore on, all were unsure how the Vote was going to go in the morning  announcement. According to a Hermes  representative, the Ambassadors  for  all the AP  worlds were  sent to thier shuttles, in case the Vote went against the AP...as it was, it turned out to be wise  choice,  as the Mull Ambassador chose to side with the LArgran.

 Graffic vids next. there was  strong  resistance to siding with the LArgran, and when the Vote was announced, both  the Largran  and Mull ambassador were assassinated...word has it, that some Mull homeworld activists were behind it. Heavy fighting  Broke  out as General  Orca Of the Mull army rallied  the state's  troops against those who sided  witht the LArgran...all the AP  Ambassadors  escaped the Planet and are  Saftely on the Hermes..The  state  of Civil war on  Delta Omega is  starting to quiet down and  the Hermes   with is Partner ship the Merc  vessel  Harvestor, are on guard , when the Artemis arrives a grand scale offensive will be launched to end  any LArgran  sympathizers,,,You will note in this footage , the  Brave ESN forces who aided the pro-AP forces Fighters like these, who are engaging Mull fighters, and this  one that is supporting the Ground  troops, as  well as  th esmall group of Security  folks who helped stem the tide of the Largrans  at the Ambassador's  Manor..there were only  a few losses on the Hermes  side of the ledger, most of those  Pilots  who tangled with the fighters of the Largran destroyer.." ScaleClaw"...The  largran vessel was destroyed   By the  effrts of the ESN Hermes  and  the Harvestor...Ensign  Miller , who had  command  of the Bridge has been awarded a battle field  commission to LT for  her handling of the ship, while the Commander and his  people  took care of the  Ambassadors ...

 ..even  as i read this, the AP  Ambassadors  and  general Orca , are putting the finish on a treaty  that brings  the Delta  Planets , fully into the fold of the AP...Good Job, ESN  Hermes  and her  Partner   The HArvestor.

  Anyone who might be watching the vids, are surprised  by an update , of the Goings  on  , On Delta Omega.

  The Pro-AP  Mulls  have  all but  wiped out the Pro-Demon Confeds, and have  them Trapped in the City of Algo, near the  Western Coast of the largest Mull Landmass.

  A join effort, coming up bertween the Delta Fleet and the Mulls   are set to route  the  rebels, so  Delta Omage  might concentrate on the matters of adding to the Defense of this  frontier.

 Vids  show Mull fighters  fighting  Mull fighters, Red  winged Craft belonging  to the AP  forces.

  other Vids show  Ground forces   in the small towns  leading to the Huge city, Building to building, fights  captured  on the Vids  show, Mull, humans and Sanri firng  on   Black and Blue clad  rebels, there is  a stream of  such beings headed towards the   Huge  city, hoping to hold out  for aid from there Confed backers.

  Now  and  again  a Largran or  Demon fighter  streaks through the Vids taking out  AP  fighters, or straffing AP ground  troops.............

  anoher breaking story as the vid  crews that are aboard the  ESN 701 Blackbird. A  Med-ship.

  They are in orbit  around   the Planet Arth. The  Planet has been colonized By Humans and Sanri and is  about 3 days  from Fuji space. The vids  are not plesant.

  As the  Crew  point thier  Vidwands, one of the smaller  towns  is in flames, Voices can be heard, mostly women and children calling for loved ones.

  Some of the MArines  that are part of the Med-ship's  protection crew are firing at something, the wands  shift and there is a 4 legged humanoid its arms carry a Human body as its ant-like jaws  bite into the struggling   captive. The marines fire   Pulse  rifles, the Blue ovals   strike the Creature and  Blow bits off it before it  finally falls to the hail of  fire.  Looking on the ground there is,   what looks like a human female, though it has  huge fly-like  eyes and three arms.  smoke  rises  from her chest, where  some marine had brought it down. It  seems  Like the Cresh are in town...

 A sad day for the ESN 351 Hermes. Thier  second leading..active kill leader  was killed today in operations  aggainst the Demons and thier allies. Also wounded was a Hydro-tech , and the Thrid  active Leader  Kray Shadow. Both the last two men are expected to be  alright, and Shadow now holds thesecond spot , On the  Hermes carreer  Kill list.

  following this  is a slide show  for  Baron flying and fighting  against demon craft, and a few of his smiling face  as he returned froma mission....

  On Earth things  are heating up, as two outspoken members of  the  Demon sympathizers were assassinated. President Fidel Lortia was killed when his  Motorcade was  blown up, as he headed to a meeting in Cuba. In Georgia, Stanislav Koriav and his famly wer executed while they slept,

  Though  this seems to  weaken the Demon hold on  Earth's Leaders, One wonders why such things have picked up?

  The Battle  for Delta  Omega seems to have ended. The Demon's allies   suffered a huge loss as the CAptial City was destroyed, along  with thousands of troops. Rumors  abound, that the Creshian..or 'bugs'..had been working with the Mulls , who were against the AP alliance. A very large Structure...assumed to be a Cheshian/Mull version of a  Carrier was destroyed, and  allied  forces  are now   mining its  contents....more in a momnet.

  A commerical comes  on showing snips  from battle  Vids, with HAmmers  and the Hermes  fighting, It shows  some  Ground troops coming off a shuttle craft with weapons  ready,"..NOW! you can have your Own adventures in  the AP, ESN  forces!..whther its  the  12' action figures, or the smaller posable figure, you can now, make up your  own Missions, your own stories as You play your favoirte heroes, or..make one up for yourself!.."

 The  commerical  shows  Action figures  Of  HAck, Spencer, Shadow, Hannah,, Angela, Frans, Stevens..all standing with  equiptment on, and  another Dozen or so figures  such a Rivets, Miller , Beth, Stoly...ect ect

 The smaller fgigure  come with more  weapons, or equiptment,  and Shadow comes  with  LAdy. Anglea  with  Rose Frans  and Eckles  m with thier  Craft.  Stoly comes with a Shuttle  Craft.

  News  Feed  from Fuji News


  ...The Olympus startion is gearing up for the ESN Championship  game Between the Hermes  Team and the Hades team...Senator Frans, of  Olympus makes no  secrect that he feels  Teh HAdes team will win.

  On that note, Gary. Many peoiple are looking at this game as  a political barometer..The HAdes team..LArgerly a Russian crewed  ship...is  said to be pro Demon, at least..to the point of talking nto them..they have yet to face Demons in battle , save  for  first contact a few years ago...The Hermes..is the f;lagship, of  Angel co-operation.  Unli Si, the Angel Ambassador that has  just beenposted to Fuji station, will be traveling with the Hermes, for the game as well , to earth for the christening  of the two Hero Class cruisers.

 the male annaocner  nodded and said with Earth, a solid Angel ourpost, the only weak spots are the few ships  and stations   out  in space that are sympathetic to the Demons... along those  lines, China has just finished thier own space craft...as they have never formaly joined the Earth Alliance..thier destroyer, Ming's Might..is set to  leave  Earth's orbit sometime today...it will tour the Home areas of our AP alliance..and have stated they will try to make contact with a demon vessal and start a dialogue with them. The Angels have warned them against such actions...one  can only wonder what will come of this....

  Attention , all Personnel....we have signed on board  , a Chaplin who has opened the chapel in the Business section of the town, and will aslo hear any problems that personall, Civie  or Military, wish to discuss...  Please  welcome, Chaplin Ethan  Graham...Comabt crew are strongly advised to seek him out with concerns....

  The  squaks click on  all over the ship, for  the latest 'breaking news' ( in the view of the  com operators).

 The HAdes  team was working out, The Captain of the Hades ship stood  with Senator Franz as the reorter interviewed them.

  Lias grey here with Capt Gregor Morski of the ESH HAdes, and Senator Franz, of the Olympus...tell me..people seemed pretty excited about the game, Why do you think that is?

 Well, Lias. Its a Championship game. Out here in space, it  is as big as the superbowl, because these are the teams we see play every week, and  these players also serve, i one way , or the other, the Earth and ESN the senator smiled at the Camara.

 ..i think..it is because..we have the rivals of the Hermes...the Commander and my self... Lt  Shadow  and Lt Progovitch..and ..of course ..the pride of both ships...for thier bragging rights...

 some say...this is a show of  the Proangel factions  and pro demon factions?

 no...no...they  are most wrong! This is about..who is the better team..the better ship...

 The Senator  gently nudges the Captain back,..the Angels are our allies...they have brought us into a new frontier..a frontier, we as Earthlings are  starting to get a grasp of....The Demons have done unspeakable things...so...to say 'pro-denon' is...a falsehood...what some people would like? is a working peace with teh demons...so our planet, and its peoples can be free to roam  space and colonize, without fear of war...

 ...but..senator Franz?...all of  our allies have been in space, eons before  we were ever found...what makes you think, the earth  could make  peace with a race that all others of the AP have found for centuries...

 A woman with a clipboard  stps in between Lias  and the others,..interview is over Miss..time to move  along......the screen goes black........

  The  Vid  screens all over the ship came on, Showing Commander Hack in his chair on the Bridge...

   Attention all Hermes Crew and Civies...As  of 5 minutes  ago, I have sent Messages to  Olympus, The Fuji, The Everest, Moon Base, MArs Colony, and Earth. We have a distress call coming from an Unkown  Passenger Liner... No logs  from any of the mentioned sites, have  a Liner coming this way, that we have not acconted for. Since the Olympus has found it.....wise....to allow a Demonic embassy on thier station..I have sent this message... If we meet an enemey Vessel near the  disrtessed Liner... we will act as though  that enemy vessel is in an act oif war...and we shall deal with it....Any....enemy vessel..that is in the area, must have thier  surrender lights on...and weapons  powered down..we will not warn them ...this  message is  thier  warning....

 He paused  for a Moment as he loked  at socme  screens the Vids  screens did not show,..there is activity out there...and we cannot tell what...But  any enemy vessel. this far into  the Sol system, will either be capturred, or destroyed....Lt Morrow  has been sending this  on all Com Channels  and wavelenghts...there is no excuse...there is no second  guessing....

 He looks  off camara  a moment then finishes, Lt. Miller as recieved  confirmation from all the sites i have sent messages to...there can be no misundertsanding, should we go to battle...The Harvestor will be sailing in from the side closest to earth, we will becoming in from the otherside...our fighters  will lead us in..Good Hunting....Hack...Out..

In reply to Commander Hack (msg #22):

Relocated in the Hanger Deck Thread
This message was last edited by the player at 01:54, Thu 08 Mar 2012.

   The News started with the normnal stories, until one, then  another ,Vid Network began showing  shots  from the Moon.. Passing  The Moon where Two EMS ships  flanking  the Hospital Ship   as they dragged the  wreckage of the Mica  and the Bloodoath...behind them was the  Blade..and behind  it the Hermes.

  All the news  shows  quickly cued  up scenes from thier feeds  that showed some of the BAttle...Fighters  being destroyed, as  well as shooting  down Demons...The Gun Camara vid of the  escaped Shuttle being blown to bits..through it all..no matter what country..the story repeated of the battle, and some graffic  vids that were released ..showing what the Demons  do to thier   prisoners.

   The Liner  and the  Bloodoath would be dropped off at the Orbit  scrap works, the  The Blade would follow the Hermes  into   the space docks... also in those  docs, were two , slightly smaller, streamlined cruisers..the  Achilles and the Hector..In Utah..on the  saltflats  ,the Bridge sectionss  were waiting for the  christening, and then would fly up to  join the  rest of the ships...

 Tomorrow  would be  a big day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:02, Thu 29 Mar 2012.

   There  seemed to  be alot  for  folks tuning into the Vid screens, seeing Shadow  with  Un-li  and showing off what a pair  of Hermes folks  could do on  leave time...

  these vids, caused more then a few folks to ehad  down  to the Lowers.

 Though..not  all the  Hermes  crew, where happy with what they saw........

 Flwoign through the traffic of the news  feeds, the story of the day seemed to be   The Angel Ambassador, who was also the sister  of the Hermes' LC, and the sister-in-law of the Commander.

  replays of the fight  and how this may have ousted the Angel "syggested"  from his perch...and LAnded  Shadow in the catbird  seat to be another marriage of  convinence...specials  popped up  as networks  fought each other  for the stories, even digging out  old  pics of Hanah and Shadow, and   how  HAnnah stayed behind on earth...many offered suggestions  and questions about all this...but the focus  was on  the importance ot a Sector  Ambassador , fo royal Blood  and the Human Fighter pilot/football star...

 Buried in  quick blurbs and on the second  or third pages of   the newspapers was a  LArge explosion in the Demon ambassador's apratments...teo burnt bodies ..beyoound recognition..and the  Demon Ambassador   and his shuttle gone missing.

  an message, from an unkown sorce, said the Ambassador  from the demons had issues  with  one of  his house guests...killed the  two lovers  and left the Olympus in his shuttle...none of this  can be pinpointed though..then...Back to the Ambasador  and her flyboy.....

  Three Troop transports  left earth and MArs  Colony with troops and supplies  for the Delta Sector.  The ESN  and AP feel  they need to  make Delta  sector a hardpoint in the Defense of  Earth-spce.....As we all Know..the Delta Fleet, is  just the group of folks to do it!

  The Delta Fleet is gearing  up for possible confrontations in thier sector. Three Transports   are heading out to meet The Hermes, and  will follow them to Fuji Space.

  thus far, No Earth Navy Vessels have sailed deeper then  the Delta  Sector...the ESN is pushing to spread our  bountires, in an effort to meet any enemey vessels, before they can get too deep, into  earth-space.

 The chillign Vids of the Avain Nest ship, are an, all-too-grisley reminder. of what the Human race is considered, by invading  some of the more  evil, invading races....

  Picking Up the Coms, Commander  Hack announced to the ship..ALL HEAR THIS....ALL HEAR THIS...THE FOLLOWING WILL REPORT TO THE OFFICER'S  CLUB ASAP...SGT SPENCER...CHIEF  MULLIN...MAJOR CUMMINGS...CAPT MONROE...LT BOLS..LT SHADOW...

  THAT IS ALL.......

  Somewhere in the   Offices of the ESN. Is a young Admiral, that never  sailed on a ship..never  fired  a blaster in anger, or  ever flown a HAmmer.

  He studied to be a diplomat...he  studied  propaganda, and the misuse use of it...he studied   the ways to sway the crowd, to get people to vote your way.

  This same fellow. Had the idea, for playing  Live Vid  feed through out the AP and EArth networks.  The war became a spectator sport.  when asked, "why would  we show our  troops dying..what if  we lose a battle on  the vids?"

 The young fellow  merely replied...when we are winnning Pride  grows, and thus, our recruitment grows....when we lose...people want vengence..and ...again..our recruits grow....


  There weree  commericals..there were talk shows..there were panles  of  old retired  fighters  who would  analize this  and that....Credits  flowed into the AP and ESN coffers, and that helped build more ships, and  armor...Ads..for recruitment  were coupled  with Action figures  of Names seen , often...MAster SGT Spencer shooting   a sniper  rifle, while some kid back home was shooting a .22...then looking up to the sky.

  Shadow's  #19 Fighter flying into , and out of   the First LArgran Cruiser  the fleet ever  encountered, with   flames and explosions following  him...then Cutting to a scene of a Highschool senior signing up to fly Hammers.

  It was all there...Other faces who have been around, all with some marketing built around them...Hannah and Frans Looking at Dresses in a shop on Fuji, while two little girls looked at Combat uniforms  for  women...

 Now the  Camaras were on Earth's very first..ever..invasion of  another  world....

  The Camaras were switching to differant views from differant areas of the Invasion.

  Kase, Calhoun and Shadow ripping up  Shuttles, LArgans being scattered to the winds  as the  ships  broke up.

  An Explosion of a door in a Mountain side, as  troops  rushed towards the door...a Mech flaming  anything in side.

  A  scene ( not seen by the Bridge , until it was released!)..The Davinci's Troops  fighting  ...and taking a fortified complex of demons, Capturing  equiptment  and Killing dozens of demons...However  the  three armed  Trtansport ships headed to teh west, were blowing   the smalled ESN assault ships out of the water.

 The Second of the 2 LArgran Cruisers had  expolsions  and fire  coming from its Port side...it was keelign over and   headed into Alba..small shuttles were being launched as LArgrans  tried to escape...the Camara followed it  down , into the atmosphere...where it  hit somewhere in the Northern hemisphere in a large explosion.

 A woman Dressed in a Tight blue dress with ESN on her shoulders. She smiled at the   people from the screen,now? before  we get back to the battle? A word  from our sponcers....


 there was  a view of  Kids playing in a big sandbox  with action figures, and  large  toy ships... It was hard to pick out  Sahdow's Hammer...and Ravens  HAmmer... and  the camra closed in on Sgt Spencer figures  and ESN amrines and sailors...Chief Mullins  figures  and Commander Hack...all kinds of  aline  figures littered the ground as the  kids  "battled"

 The Kids  themselves had   Jumpsuits on that looked like  ESN   or ESN MArine Uniforms...some had  Flight jackets on with  patches  on the shoulder, and ensignas on thier  backs.

don't forget Kids..you too! can fight the demons....

.............................................

  There was   another spot, Of Shadow  drinking from  a can, when a woman came up to him  and asked him ,what does  someone like you drink? she purred...

  Kray held up  the Can to show the Picture of  a ghostly woman on the can,..why...Nightengale's Rootbeer..or birch beer...  he winked...

.....................................

  the camras  came back tot he womanwelocme back!..now....remember..this is the first full scale battle, our  ground forces ahve every had , with the demons, outside out solar system...the last ground actioons we had, of any size? Was in the  Mars battles  , from a few years ago....lets see how  our troops are doing?...

  the camras cut back , going to the  charging   Demons, another Sherman Tank going up in a gout of flame....

   the  screens  around the ship where switched  from normal view to the  Earth News Network ( ENN). The  two men and one woman  were talking about the invasion of Elba...

  So, in a little more then 4 days, the  Detla Fleet took a Spacestation and a planet...we have to wonder, if they will be as successful on Bura?  the  blackman with Glasses  said  as he looked at the Monitor..a small inset in the scrren showed " highlights" of  attacks...always ending  with the Mass destruction of the Demons as they charged  from the Huge  transports.

   Its  HArd to tell , Myron. we had  surprise on both these attacks, Bura  will be waiting, and  all sources say, there are at least 2 Demon Cruisers at LArge out there..one  would only assume, they were at, or near Bura? the  thin, older white woman said.

 Ah, now ya all be a bit on the worry side. Until they out and stop us...we have ta figure they'll be a getting whomped as we push throiugh the system...with thaat station we took, and  Fuji? as well as the Delta Planets and  the two planets we will have  annexed....AND... he held up a metal finger on his replaced right hand,...there are already three ships ready to  pull out from Earth, Mars Colony and The Washington Colony, with Civie Miners  ready to  go down on that Burned out Planet that is being Renamed...Phoenix...there  are Metals, minarals there  that  the ESN uses in ship building and weapons  making...with the Trees  from the Delta Palent and Angel-tech...it won't belong  before the surface is reclaimed..until then? they will  live below the surface as they rebuild  and mine... he shakes his head with a grin,ifin i had  all my parts?...I would be signin' up right now...good time to be ESN!

 The Woman  and the  other man laughed as the  camara swung to the Black man,..And there you have it , From ESN  MArine Vet, Sean McGivens....A good time to be ESN!....we rejoin your  normal programs, if you want to relive the  invasions and  the fleet atcion at Tortuga? Please turn to the ESN channel, where the   clips and Commentary will be running i8n loops, until we have further  Up dates.

  As people settled down, Vid screens were  tuned to catch happenings  on Earth and her  holdings.

  The  Top story was. Ambassador Frans, has deceide to  'clean up' Olympus' Grotto Section...reports of   OP and even some  ESN Shore Patrol , getting into  gunfights with gang Members.

  The action grew to be unpopular , with the  people of Olympus, And the OP  has begun scaling back its efforts to clean out the area..

 ............................

 when sports  came on, there was the rundown of the normal stuff, until they began talking football. Earth was going to field a Team this  year in the ESN league...there were working out how the team would travel to play  "ship teams", but they foresaw no real trouble.

  the Face of the Earth Team was..Jonny Blue..A fighter Pilot , out of San Diego. he flew Hammer IIis against smugglers and slavers on earth, alot of his action, being in South America.

  WQhen asked  , how he thinks Earth Team will do?well...I'm Jopnny Blue? The best QB to come out of College in the last 200 years..and  I'm the Best damn pilot you'll ever see...got me 42 kills.....

All hear this...all hear this...all military report to the Hanger Dec, with over  flow as directed to the Rec Dec....all Civie personell begin shut  down for  combat...

  the message repeated itself  4  more times.

  The Pilots had  very small vbid screens, but from time to time  a new flash would be sent to them ( until they entered combat)...the shuttles, Cap ship, transport Bases..and everything that use  a COM line  received the pics  coming from Astra.

  Random shots  Of High powered Pulse rounds, or Old fashion Shells, slamminginto  cities  or   farmlands, or towns...The..the  great City Of Ragen, Glowing Green as its  containment  filed held the Gas in...and fires  bruned from the explosions from the ship, and the  Pods....that coupled   with  Hover car crashesand  wide spread  panic...The demons, looked like any other race that was being attacked  By superior force.

  shots of melting demons screaming...one shot of a Demon Med tech, trying to help a fallen Male, only to get the stuff on her, and  watch her hands  melt away

 BAck on Earth. Two LTs  sat in the Offcie of  one of them. The Russian  drank  from a bottle of Vodka, while the American woman drank some iced tea. They had some  food there to Nibble on, and the Vid screens Lt Stoly had installed, gave them access to the battle footage.

  not that no one else had the view...the "news" ship was running camareas of its own..from the ship itself and  small camera Drones, they spliced in feeds  that HAck allowed them so , from time to time , they could see what the fighters were doing as well.

 ..I still feel..Guilty, like we should be there.... Hannah said  as her eyes would dart to whatever  Vid screen showed a fighter.

 Stoy leaned back in his chair, he watched the  enemy Caps ships, now knowing there were no 'real' shuttles on Astra..he had  an Idea where they would be,Nyet, Hannah. You don't  think like that...we would be there,,if we could...we are there...in spirit...at least...we can watch, like  crewmen...

    Stoly laughed as he pointed to the Stoly#1,..HA HA!...That will be them!...going right at the Head of the Beast! There...would be you n Hannah..Da?

 she nodded, now feeling better, that they at least know, where most of their  friends ..I never liked going on those ships...you enever knew what you were going to find...


 Stoly  agreed, Best thing to see, the  the demons beiong Dead.....Look!...

 he  froze the picture, the transferred that feed to another Vid screen , before letting the main screen continue,..The Tailfin on that new HAmmer...19..that is Shadow...

 She smiled, that turned to concern, but  opened into a smile once more,..Yes...I could not beleive they make him switch from LAdy...I hear she is  Helping  the Bura folks....but...Shadow is all alone up there now...  the Fighter  followed By  one who's  wings were painted Green, and one that had a Eastern Bloc  flag under the Hermes insignia.

  She had Seen  Frans' fighter, that was all she could pick nout  from the fast moving footage...

 ...I would not want to be on that planet now.... Payback is coming  by the Shuttle load....things   will be a bit differant, after this action....

 All acroos   space..not just EArth Space..or ESN space...but  anywhere COMs and VIDs  could reach...The Attack on Astra by ESN forces....Offically Unaided by the AP, or the Angels themselves...Occui, Sanri, Humans , Angels..and the whole of the Demon Empire where watching this...just as they saw snippets of the battles...all was  uncut..no edits...every misteps..every victory was seen...and Now..the 'wrap up show"

  A very good Looking  half-angel women smiled at the Camera. Films began to roll, her  face dropped down to the right hand corner  as the films   mirrors her commentary.

 Hello, and welcome to the ESN Space Network...we try to show everything..to everyone...

 with a flick of her hand behind her  she began. Astra...a supposed  peaceful planet..founded by the Largrans and Given over to the Demons as a show  of friendship... Demon, LArgran, and Creshian peoples have lives  together in peace, for some 1000 years...Until today.

  At 0100 Black Time, The Delta Fleet  Attacked  Astra, deeming it a threat to the newly acquired space that b Admiral HAck has added to ESN's holdings, in Tortuga's Space at the Edges of the Delta  Sector...This Atack was frowned on by our Angel leaders, and some of the Admiralty In San Diego. Admiral HAck..continued with his course...and this is the results of Today's actions....

  There were some  small Vid clips , and a lot of  slideshows of  pics taken on the Planet..screaming   Civies...exploding  Military Vehicles  and  huge buidings on fire.

  Hack had  Promised to give the Demons and thier allies  a Taste of what it is like to have your homes invaded ..people killed..he made good on that ..and in spades....


 behind her  as the explosion of Ragen...and  films of the  Huge  fires Burning across the planet...shots of the  dark side of the planet were more  graphic, as the  flames stood out  against the backround

 ..the attack exposed some of the Lies, from the Demonic Empire...the  total destruction of Ragen, and some 900.000 Civies is due to  a new weapon  developed and stored on Ragen for the Migon Fleet to use against the  new kids on the block...seems the New Kids stood up to the bully....


  While the loss of ...Millions of people , and a planet, would be a crippling blow..the  biggest blow to the Demonic Empire was the Loss of  the Migon Fleet..and its NAme sake..Admiral Migon..in daring raids... One Demonic Cruiser , The Nilo was captured, 2 others were destroyed..Including Admiral Migon's Fladship, The Verg...the destroyer escorts were destroyed as well...from reports, there were very little...if  any survivors of the fleet..This Puts   the Delta Fleet and the ESN in control of a very important sector of space, as it is a crossroads of sorts, for Demon ships headed to Angel space...from all reports, The delta Fleet is nehaded Home to rearm,  and come back....Astra is  now..an ESN world....

  The News  flowed out of the Delta Sector like water  down a sluice. People , all over the   Human settled  worlds.

 There was  Mixed  emotions, Humans chattered and  formed up behind their  outspoken leaders....some  said "..not a good thing, Don't make the  Demons  mad...don't pick on the Angels "

 Others said "..how can we hope to  prevail against the Demons, when longer lived, more powerful races have backed down?"

 Still others just " wanted to be friends, and live together in a peaceful universe."

 Professors, Doctors, Lawyers, heads of State all weighed in on this subject. The thing that would make the Morning Vids, was a Vet from the First Mars wars..his Metal arm and hand reached up, and saluted the Vid of HAck Ranting  into the FAce of  the Empoor. "..That's what we should have done, from the start.." was his quote.

  Most of the religious folks did not like Hack's words...people battled on talk shows. But in the End..The ESN officals  gave their support, the statement was made.

  "These beings  we face, are no Humans..they do not live on our planet. Over the years, we have had  our monsters..we fought them, we beat them...but the  worst of them did not eat Humans...practice Breeding and Testing...We Give Leave for the Delta Fleet to conduct weapons testing onany Demonic Prisoners they wish...This is a fight for our very lives...our very existence...to use the  words of a very old Classic Movies....' we're  coming...and hell's  coming with us.."

 while  shows  and Movies  played...there was a break as a Sanri Reporter sat smiling at the people.Hello...and welcome to Delta Space  News...We have Just heard, of a big Open address, that will be Given By  Earth's ESN Officals, and  Ge-FI of the Angels....Admiral HAck will be speaking for the Delta Forces...this...coming  up , within the hour...

..All Hear this.....All Hermes Crew will report to the  Hanger Dec, or Rec Dec for the Conferance of Allies....Please wear dress uniforms  for this one  occasion..that is all...

  The Beautiful Woman's face came on the  "news break". She held   the standard  Orange card that meant there was a important  message  to be  relayed.

 Hello, Men, woman and allies  of the AP and ESN..we have this breaking report from  San Diego...  her face  fought with a frown, but as a pro , she moved on.

...siting ..'rash actions'..By Admiral Hack and the Delta Fleet. Ge-Fi  will no Longer be sending supplies, personell  and ships to the  Delta Sector...using the  Vids that Admiral HAck displayed as  the reason, he wishes to  build up Defense  in the Sol  System.....almost every moon in the  System has  some type of base on.....Ge-Fi and the Angels are setting  up a 'Fence , to protect Earth and the Colonies....

 She flipped the page  and a smile, now  fought to make its way to her face, Admiral Hennings, however..made provisions...for  a new 'Branch' of the ESN...The EVOLS..Earth Volunteers...those who from Earth  and its Colonies that wish to Join the  Delta Fleet and her  actions, cannot be stopped from doing so....Under the  Command of  Commander Wess...they are  leaving earth  space soon, to meet up with  the Delta Fleet at Astra...

  She  finally did  smile as she pointed to the screen behind her,..in a related topic?..most of your are familar with this Vid  Taken in the New ESN Shuttle Base in Texas.... Jonny Blu...regarded as the   Best Pilot On earth, was on tuor with this squadron...As he posed  for Pictures  with many of the service  men and women there...he ran into two Hermes Crewmen who have been assigned to the BAse to make cetrtain the Shuttles and COM systems were...In LT  Antonin..'Stoly' Stolyarev..words..."good enough for  the Knife fight"


 When  Captain Blu Visited the Shuttle Hangers, it was brought up , that he was considered EArth's Best Pilot... Lt Stoly step up and  shouted   Captain Blu down..saying....you may be the Best pilot on EArth..but you are not...Earth's Best Pilot!

   his  opinion was seconded by a LT  Killian...who  said...and i Quote "...We have  better pilots in the Delta Fleet..and LC Shadow is the Best in the Fleet..."

Captain Blu tried to contain the  verbal attacks, saying they were  former Hermes  Crewmen...that CAused  Lt  Stoly to lay out the challenge

 she pointed to the screen..Stoly's  red Face..Hannah's  disapproving frown was easy to see as  Stoly  pointed at Captain Blu,..if your  so damned Good..why don't  you try your hand  at Fighting real enemies, rather then some  half trained terrorists flying Cessnas!


 ..As we saw, the Crowd and ripples through the country..and the world, Caused    Captain Blu to Join the EVOLs....

 She leaned towards the Camera,..Get Ready LC Shadow...Jonny  Blu is coming!

well folks..it didn't take long  for  EArth Hero, Jonny Blu...to find ESN Hero Kray Shadow...here is the  Vid from thatv meeting!

(( see Fuji post))

 ..it seems..things are going to get inetresting out there...

...and that does it  for the news  around  Earth and   The Station Space...all except for Fuji Space, in the Delta  Sector....out tehre.. Admiral Hack's  Delta Fleet  is  heading towards Astra, on thier way to thier next objective. The Information we have, is  the Detla Fleet, except for a few ships left to guard Fuji, are going to Hit Astra  one more time, to aid the  occupation force there, in ridding the  planet of  aliens.

 ..there are  Merc transports that are  loading  refugees aboard...we  sent a message to Admiral HAck, as the hardline  approach of  'wiping them out' may have softened ..this was his reply...

 ..My full intent was to  eradicate every single alien on that planet , that was not  an AP member.  Since the  exterminations have began, our  troops  were flooded with  Demon and LArgran  females with young. So we are doing the next best thing....The  Merc Transports are taking the refugees to  Delta   Prime...there..they will work to build thier own city..under guard of course....should they contact demons or thier allies..they will be put to death, or sent to the   Delta Apes as tribute...I am not  doing them any favors..i do not owe them any. The Creatures we are taking off world, would gladly rip you leg off and chew on it, while yu watched...had we more men...we may have just harvested  them , then and there....but..they can serve a purpose...they will..however..never see thier homeworld again...unless we lose.

..there you have it folks..The Delta  Fleet is staying true to its purpose....one would wonder if the demons might have second thoughts on invading  EArth space?

 ...Here we are  People of Earth, the ESN  and the AP...Welcome to the  ESN Newsfeed.....We  will have  full coverage  of the  2nd  invasion of Astra..Live, thanks to our ship that has been  attached to the EVOL task force....I have a Bit of  an Interview  with  General Nickerson, Head of  the  EVOL forces  here on Earth...He is in San Diego now, at the ESN Admiralty to sit in  on the 'war room' vids as the Delta Fleet, seeks to finish off that last remaining resistance , allowing  full colonization of this rich planet, on the verge of the Delta Sector....This is   General Nickerson's Answer  to  their part in the Invasion....

 what?..Yes..Quite...Our people  will have a full and active  part in the Invasion....Admiral Hack was reluctant to allow  us to  put our hand in, you see...a bit of competition...wot?..We  Now have a solid...but smaller   part in this  attack..but our  heroes will be easy to see..Yea...yeas..Quite...

 ..what about the thoughts, of  the ESN...that the EVOL forces  aren't  ready?

 ..HUMPH!...Just...just plain jealous, you see...can't have   EVOLs  take over...no..no...not  enough  'training'....They will see..the world  will see..what the EVOLS  can do

 ..We managed to get this  Quote  from LC Shadow? Currently, the Leading  ESN ace of the war...


 The  Vid showed  Shadow  Near his fighter, he was working on load out s  as the reporter came to him and asked him his feelings  on the EVOLs....Really?... We're  about to Hit Astra...and you are asking about the EVOLs?  These folks..they really think that they are good...why?..because the capped a few Jungle Runners....EasterBloc...or   Desert rebels?.... These folks aren't ready...if they want to escort transports....Civie Liners...stand Pickette outside  colonies?..Fine....but going into a battle  with Alien  fighters....there are going to be alot less EVOLs 24 hours  from now...you can count on that....They need  a year or two more training, then maybe?  a dozen or so , might...make the ESN...


   She  switched back to Nickerson,..Hrumph!...what did you expect him to say..Hummm?..they count on Aliens  out there to aid them...EVOLs don't need  Aliens   to aid them...


 she   flipped back to Shadow and he Laughed...hard...as he wiped his eyes  he said,..this  from  some  whack job, who bought himself  a Uniform and is sitting safely in San Diego, while he sends a few thousand Humans to die...I have to go...I have to fight...for real....


  The woman looked out from the screen,...and there you have it.....Are the EVOLs  ready for  deepspace....total war?  I suppose..we will find out...tune in here.....

  As the crew  hustled about getting ready, Admiral HAck's  Voice  came over the COMs  and his Image on the VId screens.

  ..Attention, people of the  Detla Fleet...The ES Cocktail..our  embedded News Ship as  recieved  contact from the Demon forces...we have the ablity to block this message..but i chose not to...I do not hide things  from  My people, out of fear....Listen..but?..remember  who is speaking...

 ...Greetings to  you fools who are about to die...I am High Admiral Pirrca..I lead  The Grand Fleet that has held the Angels in check for 1000's  of years... he  Looks at his screens ..I see a pitful collection of  Earth ships....how you think this Handful of toys can defeat the Might of the Demonic  Empire?...it is not possible....Your  Admiral HAck..he thrives on Glory...but it  is you people who will pay the price....we Demons are merciful...so I offer you this  choice... Turn around  and Go back to Sol Space...Send  one ship..powered down towards the Blue moon....on that ship...I want 10,000 Humans..of mixed race and ages...those you send over?..we will use  for testing and Breeding..but the rest of you will be permitted to sail...unharmed, back to Sol Space.

 He leans  closer to the screen,...if you do not take this...grand offer....we will show no mercy, for those who show such disrespect, to thier betters...we will Kill  those  we  are able...and capture as many as we  can, for use in Testing  and breeding..here...and BAck on Hel...the  time is running  fast..Humans....if you do not  take up this offer, by the time  we can see your first ship...the offer...is off the table...as you people say....


 Hack Nodded to Beth, HAcks  FAce reappeared, next to that of the Demon,....I am sorry...Pirrca...but you frightened attempt to save yourself..will not work here...we are Not the Mulls...nor  are we the Humans who ran about earth with bronze swords and made bricks of Mud.....we would not , willing, give up one person...to allow the others to go free.....Enjoy your Rank...'high' Admiral...it  will not last much longer.....

 ..you...and your people are fools....it has  always been thus....Ber Jok looks forward to meeting Your  air Leader....it is  a shame. yuou send these folks to die..while you are safe...heading to Hel Space....safe...for now....

 HAck smiled..it was a cold  smile, they type he used to have on his face, when he locked on a target,..Oh...But   Pirrca?...Your people have  decieved you...the ships  who head to Hel space...are not mine.....as you will see..in lest then an Hour....Tell Ber Jok....Shadow  will find him....

  If it would be possible, to see 'blood drain' from the face of a Demon..this was it...his  Orange skin got  a few shades  Lighter.......You...You Lie.....

  ..Check...oh?...wait...  Hack snapped  his fingers in a comic  way,...you can't check...can you..no...i don't  suppose you could...we seemed to have  cut those bothersome  scans of yours....Ah...well...we  here..Pirrca...and you'er  all alone......

 He nodded to  Beth to  block the feed..the  Cocktail send complaint..but was threatened  with being 'escorted' out of the theater of war..and thus..losing  all their vids.

 ...sorry to have popped up like that...but i think it was best you all see....Demons...get scared too...

 The Vids  and  speakers  rang three times....on the Vids  was the ESN and AP insignias....Beth's Voic e came behind them,...at the  sound of the horn...we are 1 hour  for LAunch..proceed to your battlestations...al good luck!

 2 seconds  later..the Horn Blew  Long  and Loud....and the countdown  clock  slipped to 59:59 and counting down.

   The ships of the Fleet were getting head counts...there were  Colonists who were  being sent  down to Both Moons, there were Angels coming aboard, as either ESN/AP troops...or  as  members  of their own forces, attached to the Fleet.

  Fighters  were traded off  for the New Fighter..not all ESN pilots wanted the New craft...Admiral HAck sent the word out, for the time being...pilots  could choose which craft the wanted..in the end...the one that performed the best in battle  would be produced the Most...well..Until the next  new one came out.

 Vids showed  the traffic  between the fleet and the two Moons... Paradise made a gesture of thanks  By sending 50 power Cells to every ship in the fleet. with an 'official acknowledgement of their aid to Paradise space.

 Angel Colonists  were now  moving into the Civie sections  on the ships, looking for the chance to transfer to Fuji, or Bura, or even one of the Delta planets

One Vid  Showed  Miller, sitting in the Command Chair, receiving  a " hurry back"..COM  from Carras, as the Hermes  Pulled away.

  Miller's Voice  came over  all COMs..the message was  being  repeated on every ship that was now  heading out from Paradise Space.

 now hear this....now  hear this.  Launch Clock is starting in 40 seconds.... The Fleet is going into Action on Astra, once more..Stand By for  orders...prepare  gear for   planeside assault and possible  ship-to-ship actions...That is all...

Once more, Miller's Voice   comes  over all COMS,NOW HEAR THIS.....NOW  HEAR THIS....OPERATIONS TO TAKE OVER THE LAST REMAINING  STRONGHOLDS ON ASTRA  WILL COOMECNE IN 14 HOURS. IN 13  HOURS   ALL CREW  WILL MEET ON THE HNAGER DEC, FOR BREIFING, THEN, EQUIP TO MOVE  OUT AS SOON AS THE BRIEFING IS FINISHED... RIG  FOR  GROUND  COMBAT AND FOUL WEATHER....

  from the Bridge Miller's Voice  came over  all COMs,NOW HEAR THIS....NOW HEAR THIS....THE DELTA FLEET IS LEAVING ASTRA SPACE  TO SAIL TO FUJI FOR  REPAIRS, REFITS  AND SHORE  LEAVE..WE WILL PASS BURA AS THEY HAVE COMed OF ENEMY CONTACT...THAT IS ALL....

  on all the  ships ( including the EVOLs)..all the   colonies  within Fuji cruise range..and of course, all over  Fuji,

   Attention  people of FUJI. The  Delta Fleet returns  from  one of the  most historic  missions in the history of Mankind..or  angelkind!...  The Hermes will be docking  in the Uppers  at  Dock 675...rumors have it, that  LC  Kray  Shadow will be there to sign autographs  and pictures, Lt HAnnah  Killian will be there too....Just in time for the new series  of  Action Figures and  Micro battlesets!..you have 8 hours!...get ready for the chance of a Life time...


 the COM ran with some battle action of troops on the ground and  fighters in the air ( whether from the Battle of PArdise or not!)

  After Hack's and Evert's speeches, the cameras went back to the  studios and an older fellow with Grey hair  and an ESN pin on his lapel said,

 ..There you have it  friends. A new and powerful allie for Us...and  the loss of  some  Merc fighting forces for us..the clock is ticking....

 a Picture of LA shows  dozens of people Lined up out side an EVOL airbase, here are some  Vids of Crankston EVOL  base in south LA..... Shuttles  Lined up  ready to take off as EVOLs wear thier  greys into the Black and Join up with the EDT...and those who are tuning the greys in, for the Blues of the ESN...

 another Vid shows   a battle going on and a fire in the backround,In this  Vid. The EDT Tech site in Utah  is under attack By ESN troops. an EDT  Fighter had  strafed a convoy of ESN supply trucks on the road  as they headed for the ESN  base there...reports of many dead on both sides, but the EDT site has been taken, and some  30 fighter aricraft captured...

 The Camera  came back on the reporter. he was glum, to say the least,..The time has come..for Earth and her  territories to clear the decks...and make ready for war....the Hunt is on for EDT agents...rumors have it, that most of the EVOL ships are  going to  Demon space..where an EDT  planet  has been set up....

  Putting on an ESN hat that had  the Number of  his unit that he had  served with on MArs, the reporter  finished, saying, The EVOL's grace period is running out....to that i say to the ESN...'good hunting...'

   The  Reports came in o9n the Vids.  The EVOL ships  were  leaving , escorted  by  a few Skith Cruisers.

 Two EVOL ships  stayed..the Lion and the Lynx... there  were  crew members out side the ship spraying off the EVOL...and  adding ESN...The Lion took it one step further and  removed the plates that said  'EVOL'  and replaced them with new plates that said ESN.

 More News  breaks into  some of the VID shows.

 A very nice looking woman, wearing ESN Blue begins to speak..Hello  all the people of the ESN and AP..we have  some  troubling News  from Earth...there are rumbles of Civil War, as  sides  are chosen between the  Angels and EDT....here are some of the  comments...

 GE-FI's  Face  appears,..The People of EArth are stretching too far...too fast..they are going to lead EArth  and the Sol system to the path of Destruction...

 Admiral Hennings from aboard the ESN Hermes Our people have spread our Boundries more in the last  few Months, then we ever had the years the Angels  have come back to find us...Our people also Freed those  Angels from the Demon's Blockade...and the  'tribute' the Angels have been paying  for the last 1000 odd years...

General Nickerson EVOL/EDT..it is quite apparent that the Demons do not  want to wage war with  humanity, but partner with them...with the  two RAces Joined...The whole, of the Black could be our  new homes!

 Admiral HAck From the ESN Hermes...only idiots side with the demons. I have said this before. Us dealing with the Demons, would be like a sandwich dealing with us...sooner or later, the sandwich gets eaten.

  News Vids break into programing  The Vids  show the Blood Red  HAmmers of the EDT droppingout of the Sky on Bura, tearing Up the troops who are scattering around,  The  Wing Leader of the Blood red Hammers brings  down a Bura Hammer  whose  green and Blue colors  mark it as a Bura  HAmmer flying for the  ESN/AP The Tail fin of that Red Hammer  has a #1 on it...

 the voice over says,..Bura forces  are holding out the Best they can, Qarl and Skirth forces   are battling  each other to a standstill...The EDT forces, now  wearing the colors and insigna of the Demon Empire are turning the tide in the airwar. Their aircraft seem to be...better..somehow?

  during an ad, the News flash breaks in.

  FUJI SEC HAS JUST CLOSED A  SMALL SLAVER  RING. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY AN UN-NAMED SOURCE, SENT  FUJI SEC TO  A BAR JUST INSIDE THE STEM, INT HE UPPERS  CALLED 'MANY DELIGHTS' ...IT HAS BEEN KNOW FOR ITS  FOOD  AND  THE CHANCE TO FIND ESCORTS. SOME MISSING PEOPLE  WHERE SAID TO HAVE  MADE THE MANY DELIGHTS, THIER LAST STOP BEFORE LEAVING. THREE EDT AGENTS, AND  2 CIVIE CO-WORKERS WERE KILLED, AS WERE  2 FUJI SEC  TROOPERS. 5 PEOPLE  HEADED  TO THE DEMON FLEET WHERE  FREED...MORE LATER TONIGHT..

  the message ran in a loop 4 times through, then went back to the current programming

  another News break Pops up during the ads....

Hello...we have a snip from EARTH News....The  Cruiser Hades, The Sister ship to The Hermes has Left  Olympus Space along with the destroyer Pyrite. They have Crossed over to the EDT and are currently considered enemy ships...Ambassador Frans  was quoted...' this is what happens , when we, as a people make  war with aliens who may not wish to fight us...'

  a quote from Admiral Hennings in answer, said this. 'The Good Ambassador is a fool. The HAdes has  always been in question, thier leanings to the EDT were of no secret. We hope to encounter these traitors as we clear The Black of the scum who threaten our people, and our allies...'

  The First  COM  call to all Hermes Crew and Civies came though...4 hours  until cast off...4 hours  until cast off....

 On the Hermes herself, the  Ship's Horn blew long and Loud...with the same  Message popping up on all Vid screens

 On and off between shows and  other programs, Vids  from Bura  are being Piped in.

  They vary..some show   Fighters dueling in the sky...sometimes  a Demon or a Red  EVOL will go down, some times  an ESN or  Bura  fighter will go down.

..........


 a large  aircraft, most   folks have  not seen the  craft before. but it is a heavy Demon Bomber. it is dropping Pulse bombs on ESN forward bases, as it is protected by the Red EVOL fighters.

...............

 The  Mountain that is the target for   everyone   is  seeing heavy fighting all around, masses  of troops battle int eh plains, explosions dot the  slopes of the mountain as  people fight to get in, or be kept out.

  the news  comes on during a break, a smiling woman in an ESN news uniform says, As the Delta Fleet leaves Fuji for another  tour of duty, we  wish them well , and good Hunting.

 a quick look at her Vid Board, she looks up, The Skith and Qarl have  been having   many  runin's , in the Black, both forces  seem to be trying to keep the other  away from Bura. One Human Officer has  been quoted as saying "...the battle of the giants, while the little  people battle below.."

 There has been no effort to stop the EVOLs   and  any other Human who are deciding to  go over to the demon side of this war....as one ESN sailor put it..."...better to know  who to kill now, rather then find out in the middle of a fight.."

  The Hades and the  Pyrite have  been  on course, a bit our of the system, it seems they are avoiding  Bura, and the  Battle taking place there...efforts to try and find out the destination of the traitors  have not  been fruitful, as yet....

 ..two Angel Crusiers,..are Joinign the Delta Fleet...they have been Given ESN Numbers..thier NAmes...The Storm  and the Blizzard...are not know to us, but are supposed to have deep history in the wars within the PAradise system...The Strom Hails from the Blue  Moon, the Blizzard, from the Red Moon.


 Thank you for Listening, Now back to your shows!

  A very good looking brunette with a happy smile came on the Vids.

 Before  we get back to the regular programming, We want to announce that the Delta Fleet has...once more ..driven the enemy from allied planets. Bura is now free of the Demon Empire threat, and as I speak some Mop up operations  are in effect. The Fleet was even given shore leave, so  crew and Civies alike, can take in the   Forest planet, and decide it they wish to colonize there or not.

 we  have some Vids of the  Fight, I must warn you some of these a graphic..  there were scenes  from all over the fleet. Ajax took a pounding  from a qarl and Hand to  retreat, while the Achilles and Athena pounded the qarl to boxwood.

 a lot  of  scenes showed  troops on the ground and the tanks... there were flashes of the Hermes shuttles  fending off  Largrans and Demons with the help of a Unit of   ground troops

 more then a few scenes of Fighters, most going too fast to get a Good Look, But Kat's fighter was seen plainly as she  downed  one of the  Fighters at the   Hill..a brief  flicker of Flores as she took out the other one...

 after  a few minutes of this, ti Cut  to Shadow walking towards Blu, then finishing him off barehanded..this scene came from Si's   Gun camera.

 last a  vid  from Big Ugly as it panned the area showing the Mountain Blowing up, and folding in on itself while the  runaway feedback could be seen ehading to the ill fated bases.

 when the scenes were done a Pic of a ...somewhat professional looking Irina was transposed over the   Mountain Vid, a link to the story that told how she made sure the Mission was a success

 (( also menutioning the  new line of action figires, with an all new Irina in the set that came  with a Galactic Medal of Honor.))

 Vids...it is easy to tell they are ESN quality VIDs, Show the Hades, the Pyrite 2 Largran Cursers and two creshian Cruisers... They are in a battle around a small planet The HAdes  Fighters  leading the enemy fighting wing, while the Hades Guns   Hammer a Occui Transport.. the  Sanri destroyer wish being  boarded By the  Creshian's as they  came up along  side and docked.as the  Gun camera  Pans  around, there is an Occui hospital ship in its  death throes ..multiple explosions Blowing out the side of the ship as the HAdes Torpedo ships do victory rolls in the Black...

 On the Vid, people see Pavel Nolov. Once Captain of the Hades and  Hacks arch rival in the pursuit 'up the ladder' he know wears   Demon Red and the  collar ps of an Admiral....This is admiral  Nolov , of the  Demonic  Emprie ship  HAdes...You see what we  do to those who come into out space.... Admiral HAck? You would  do well to stay away, this slice of the Black...is mine!

 He motions  over his shoulder to the  hospital ship blowing up,..those of you on earth, and in the colomies, who fear the wrath of the demons?...now is the time to Join...to be on the winning side, when this is over.....we have agents all over..contact them..they will tell you what to do, to  aid the Just cause of teh demons!

   Nickerson's  face  was  squeezed to one  side of the  Vid well Hack was on the other.

 HAck, didn't even pretend to hold back his anger, Nickerson..You are...and always were..a Gutless   weasel...if there  were war crimes in this war, You would   be at the top of the list....

 Nickerson waggled a finger, well the Hospital ship could be allowed to make it out here..now  could it? And  Mrs frans..well, we warned her, But she wouldn't back down...fighting the good  fight,,as it were.... You Missed  Ambassador fran's , heart felt  words, from the golf course on Titan..but he did manage to add that , she was  'raising funds for a losing battle" he smiled his  sickening  smile.

 Hack pointed at the Screen...Do you know what you just did for us? You will only get the worse, the most Gutless of Humans  to Joined the  EVOLs now...a gods be damned hospital ship???..a transport?

 Yes....Rant..helplessly, Admiral...Now? about the Hemes...

 Hack  gritted his teeth,Oh....you'll see the Hermes  again...the second you step on my dec...i am going to drag you by that effeminate Mustache , down to the foundry, and roast you over the  ladle for a week! You just signed the Death warrant for every EVOL who crossed over...By the way? did you enjoy the Vid of Shadow crushing Blu's head with his hands?...well..Blu got off lucky....Cut the feed from the sickening bastard...

  With Help from Lilly ( rolls eyes)..The Admiral set up a   broadcast statement.  Having it  appear both as a bulletin and appear on  the Nerws  for then next 2 days.

  Admiral HAck, Admiral Hennings,  General BAle, Admiral Evert, and off to the Side, Commander Si.

  Good Morning  people of the ESN, and AP. he smiles slightly,At least it is morning here.... By now you have seen the Vids of the  attack on an Unarmed Civie transport...and the Newly commissioned   ESN  Robin, a Hospital ship...it will be  days..maybe  weeks  before  we find out the names of all who died. By the one name we know for certain, Is Mary  Frans.... Ms frans, before and After her MArriage to Ambassdor  Frans , Has been a big supporter of  the ESN and AP....her fund raising, and travel to colonies  was as important to this war, as the Hermes  Guns and fighters.

 his voice  got a bit tight, Si looked down at the floor. Her Daughter, who is our  2nd in command of the Fleets  pilots, is left with us , to carry on her fight.....I...Hope this   will show all those out there..how badly we need to stop the Demons and thier allies..which...includes the EVOL turncoats, and the EDT....everyone, can  take up this fight...point out the EDT where you find them...as a Member of the military, yuou  take them out...We cannot expect to  clean up the   Galaxy, if we cannot  clean up our own race.

  I will Now  Let Admiral Hennings, who over sees  the actions of the Delta fellet, along with the rest of the board here.


 He Steps Back, Hennings  has a very grim look on his  face , he has Notes but he doesn't even look at them.People of EArth, and her  Colonies...People of teh ESN, including all of  our  allies...People of the AP.....THIS...is now a standing order.

 without ever taking his eyes off the camera, he  says,  As before , the state ot TOTAL WAR..exists...in the past, any compassion  we have used towards  Demons  and thier allies have come back to bite us. ...We will have...what i like to call..THE HACK RULE.. everyone there smiled softly.

 At the start of  any action,  the  enemy will  be COMed..saying , any  troops who surrender, before the first shot...will be taken prisoner....After the  first shot, there will be no offers honored...Its easy to thrwo down your weapon when you are lost...that does not mean you didn't kill anyone right before that. There are no longer  'Safe Vessels   that fly for the Empire or her allies...ALL ...and i repeat..ALL vessels are military targets..this includes the   socalled 'egg ships' of the creshian...the 'broodships' of the Avians...and the birthships  of the Demons... We didn't start this  folks, but we damn well are going to end it.... towards the end of his  announcement, the nager in his voice rose  Until Hack  tapped his shoulder and  Hennings  stepped  back.

 One more announcement, ment  for   all ESN/AP craft and  fleets...Zolth is no longer  a  Free planet..nor is  Zolth space to be considered  Free....The EVOLs have ha dbase there..at elast one...in that system...used to carry out the attacks  on the   ships  we have seen in the Vids....The Delta Fllet is going to  Zolth  Space, and  I and the board will coduct talks  with teh Zolth leadership...they will have to pick a side....let's hope, for thier sake..the pick the right one...


 General Bale  Steps up,I thank you people for your time... to the Provosts out there...all rules for  warfare will still be in force...except the treatment of  'prisoners' after the fact...we will not tolerate abuse of prisoners who surrender before the fight....those who try to surredner  , during the fight...are still targets...Thank you for your Time...Remeber Ms  Frans..and   her Daughter in your Prayers...


 the Vids  stops..but will run on news casts for the next 2 days.

  every hour for  5 minutes a warning comes up on the VIds...

  Attention all Hermes and Delta fleet members.. As we  entry the Free  area of Zolth space. At this  Time the ESN and AP do not recognize the Free space Tag. They have allowed the EVOl/EDT factions of the  Empire to set  up bases , that have  resulted  in the destruction of  ships and raids on colonies. We are traveling there to set up talks, to force the Felrites of  Zolth to choose  a side.

  we are premitted to  have shore leave on the planet. The Planet offers  many sights and places to go. Be advised, do not go anywhere alone, and wear  items  marking you  , as being  from the Delta  Fleet.. fights, duels and attacks  are  common place on Zolth.

  Should you come under attack and cannot escape, call  the Delta fleet and SEC unit  s will be sent..note these units will be coming in to eliminate the threats, and take you back to your ships..should you find yourself in a Felrite prison, we cannot help you, unless they sign on as an allie....should the alliie  with the Empire..there may be a military confrontation....That is all.....

 On All COMS and Vids..

  Attention...a Delta Flleet. Recall...recall... Please return to your   Ships...Cast off  will be in...59 minutes....

 the   Announcement with repeat for 10 minutes...then those who miss the boat?...are in a wee bit of trouble

 about 15 minutes or so , into the 'cast off'..COMs  Light up up for those  who were interested in   the  up coming land fall on Zolth.

  a  small  ticking  clock shows  up at 14:30 and ticking, for when the meeting starts.

NOW HEAR  THIS....NOW HEAR THIS...TOMORROW MORNING, ROUGHTLY 10:00 AM SHIP'S  TIME, WE  WILL  REACH ZOLTH. WE HAVE  SIGNED A TREATY AND  ZOLTH  AS WELL AS ELBA  AND LUX ARE JOINING THE AP....IN LIGHT OF  OUR  RECENT ACTION ON ZOLTH, AND THE TREND OF FREESPACE ENDING TO THE FELRITES...ALL SHORE  LEAVE   PEOPLE WILL MAKE  CERTAIN TO HAVE LIGHT ARMOR AND SIDE ARMS...WE HOPE TO ESTABLISH TRADE WITH THE FELRITES, AS WHNE AS FIGHT THE EMPIRE WITH THEM AT OUR SIDES....THAT IS ALL...

   An announcement  comes  over the  Squawk.......NOW HEAR THIS...NOW  HEAR THIS....WE ARE APPROACHING AN UNKOWN AREA OF EFFECT...EVERYONE  WILL  SECURE  ANY LOOSE OBJECTS AND CONTAINERS IN CASE OF  SUDDEN AND EXTREME NAVIGATION..THAT IS ALL....

..ALL HEAR THIS....ALL HEAR THIS...THE FLEET IS  GOING TO ORANGE ALERT. ALL COMBAT UNITS  PREPARE...AND  CIVIE UNITS PERPARE FOR LOCK DOWNS...THAT IS ALL....

  all the Vids on the ship, switched to the WarRoom, Admiral Hack  stood in front of  the other  Fleet Officers. Except fpr Admiral Evert.

  Hack looked Grim but  he stared into the  screen, Attention,,Delta FLeet..this is Admiral Hack. Time is running out , and I want you all to hear this  from me, rather then through the channels..

 ....For those of you who have been with the fleet, will not forget  what we saw...and we tried to make sure the rest of The Black saw...what we saw..

As  I speak,  we are Cursiing  through a Valley...a Valley of  Empire ships...Ahead of us..Two Nest ships that have..AT LEAST...30,000 ESN/AP people have been sent there, thanks to  the EVOL/EDT units of their Demonic  Empire.

..we could..if  we wished, Veer to the Port, or  to the starboard, and over whelm that part of the  enemy. Should we do that, the other flank will be able to re-enforce the Nest ships,  So..I have sent  orders to  our Flanks to  sail towards the Middle with Us.... As  we head to the Nest ships... We...  he  looked at the dec, then back up,...I..understand..we will take  some losses in this....But we have to stop the  Avains  from...processing  the Humans, Sanri and  Ocuui that are there.... I hope...You all understand... and, Like me, Understand why we must do this....

  He Clears his throat,...in about  two Hours, we wil go  to red Aler...I syggest, those with famlies, contact them, those who  have famlies  aboard...spend  some time with them....when the dust clears..I am hoping   we are able to  sail some place  for R &R...Good Luck...My Comrades....

 the Screens  went  Black of Back to , what ever was on,...

 Vids   from the Hold came through... even as the troopers ran towards the  'feeding birds ' and gunned them down, the horror the woman went through, and  the sight  of the Hungry fledglings gobbling  up the 'food"..spread like  water  rushing through a Valley, in a flash flood.

 the   Vids  did not show, the women  being put out of her misery., But it  did show  the Trooper's grenade  blasting almost all the   birds to mush...

    The  Hermes  Vid Screens  all over the Ship came on, a  split screen showed  a Tired Admiral Hack, on the other  side  was a Pure white Avain and a Demon, that looked  almost Human Like, save for orange skin and the 'lava flow' veins  in her face.

 The  Bird  Began..in Halting  Trade Language.

 ..I am Effra...I am ...the Host leader, in the Delta Quadrant....I...am protesting, the Killing of thousands  of  Youn g, and destruction of eggs, for our Nest ships...that were ...protected  By our  Allies  from the  Demonic Empire....we seek...to have Admiral HAck, and  any person from the Delta Fleet.....arrested and brought to Naroi  for Trial and execution....

 The Demoness speaks, Her  Black hair  slicked back, My name Is Noza. I am Adimral of the Empire's    Fleet of Fire....I will serve  as witness...

  Hack Motioned to someone , off camera, the screen split  three ways..the  top had a let and right, the bottom showed  scenes from the Avain ship, before  and during battle, as the vid ran Hack  spoke, he  had to Fight a  tired laugh as he did,

 ..Really?...That's  what you want?  Your  Nest Ships, had Human Prisoners....as well as some Sanri and Occui....they were being  Fed to your...'people"...that is  not  including the  feeder chamber for  your fledglings, or the your ...science  Department, that was testing on live Humans...

 ..Now?..This  war doesn't have   any rules, save  , those rules , each race set for themselves.... For us?...it is total war...your  people, no people..of the Empire  can expect any less in return, for what they have done...

 You will see us on, Naroi..... and  you'll meet me...and... i will see to it personally, that you get to suffer, the same horrors, you inflicted on My people, and the Peoples of the AP...

 both the Bird and the demoness seemed taken aback at this,By the way, Noza? what was the name of the Fleet  we are using for scrap now?....because...if that's  one of your best...I would suggest the Demons  leave the Gaxlaxy and look for a home else where....Because it won't take us olok to tear your planet apart...


  Bale stepped into the Picture,.If  i may,  Effra? Admiral Noza? I am  General Bale, Provost General of the  Delta Fleet...i..try, to hammer out  treaties and such and we enforce the Human laws, that, well, quite frankly, mirror  the laws of the AP.... When this whole thing started, there were several attempts  at setting...how would you say?  ground Rules?...But  The Empire. mostly used it as a stick to beat the AP with...so?..Until such times as the Empire  withdraws from all AP sectors?, and returns  all prisoners...unharmed... We must continue to fight the war as  it has been laid out before us....

  Hack  Nodded slowly as he watched the faces of the  two aliens..though most of the AP  people will not be eating any prisoners?...we do not  stop our allies who...have been doing so.. The Skith.... the   Apes, Apemen, and  Wild  men from  the delta planets...adore fresh food, so we allow them thier  kills..... As a Whole, we  have , indeed, started to ...'test'...any captives we see fit...since   you folks have such a head start on us?...we need to catch up....You won't see us  breeding with others, unless  the subjects  in question, do so on thier own?

 he  leans  closer to the screens,.needless to say? We did not save ..'everyone'..when we hit your Nest ships...and sadly? Some  of your fleet ran away , before  we could finish them...and to be truthful, we lost  more  folks then i care to think about.....

 His fist slammed down on the TaBle ,  Bale Jumped as did the  aliens  on the screen,...The Angels  made a mistake, brining  us into this war.... we aren't fighting  to save our  world...we are fighting to destroy yours!...And the only way....the only way you can avod that, is to wipe out the Delta Fleet...or...surrender....OR...leave the Empire and sign a treaty....a treaty, that if you violate it, we'll turn you homeworld into a charcoal Briquette!

 I know this Vid COM was nothing more, then to try to get some folks to side with you...but our vids   are making thier rounds...EVERYONE..is seeing what the Empire  Does....I am being Upfront with you...We're Coming  for  anyone who sides with the Empire....so?...think about that...we're Done....


 The Vids   either shut off, or returned to whatever show  people were watching................

  Commericals flooded the  Vids , with the   Victory of the  Delta Fleet. The  Toy Folks   jumped on  in and began cranking out the New   action figures and play sets.

 One  Play set was a Big Black  Nest ship, that opened. inside it came with 100 HO scale Avains...25 'prisoners..and  50 ESN troops


  the next sets  had a choice of..a Stoly  that opened up and contained  20 HO sized  figures and  1 mech that opened and a little rider in side..stick on decals would allow the   buyer to  make the Mech , whatever number   and decal they wanted

 the other Choice  was  the three 'working' mechs   and 20 extra   troops to go with it.

 another big play Set, was a transport Inside it had   1 of each tank, and 50 figures.

 what most folks wanted  was the  new edtion to the 6 inch action figures.

Set 6... MedTechs

Stefi...Omin..Melia  and Cat..all with  equiptment and weapons to mix and match..each had a lab coat as well.

Set 7....heroes

 Lt Hirr... Sgt Hunter... Tucker  and Naomi..again..all with  weapons  and  items   gleaned from  VID Pics gathered.

Set 8..... Leaders

AdMiral Hennings,...Admiral Evert...General Bale..and Captain Morris..all had Vid boards and sidearms..Morris also had a cane

 Felrite Fighters and  ESN Darts also made the  scene too, small ones  and   craft to  fit in the  6 inch figures...there was yet another Shadow figure to go with his  Dart..as well as most pilots  in the delta fleet

   During the  station breaks for  whatever  shows people  might be  watching. A news Break popped up.

  An  older Black man with an easy  , if not  stern smile, began,..With the signing of the treaty of Fuji..an new Era in the Black, as come to be. all across the   Delta  Quad, there are ESN ships  from the  Delta  Fleet, stationed and on patrol, Manned  by all races of the APF...

 ..Now , the delta  Fleet expands, Patrolling the   Beta Triangle that serves as the  supply lines for the   Carrier/stations, and   APF planets  beyond.

 ..But?  As we celebrate this  new ear, the dark hand of the Empire is reaching into the Beta Quad... in the form of  ....independent .... planets who cling to thier  pirate ways...

  Admiral Hack  has  promised swift and merciless payment for those who attack ships  in the Beta quad....

 a picture  vid behind him shows  Hillites Caps ships   hammering a pair of  Sanri merchant Vessels  and the Sanri destroyers try to  fight them off.

 The  newsman's voiceover as the   Vid  took full screen, One merchant ships  was  destroyed, they other boarded and captured... both Sanri Destroyers were damaged  and  retreated back to  Everest...

 ..we  tried to reach Admiral HAck for an Interview, but  he told us, he  only  has a few words  for the Hillites......

 The Admiral's  Voice  was  cold,..you have  made a grave Mistake....enjoy what time you have left....we'll rename your Planet after it burns....

 the Vids kept showing the Hillites   gathering  salvage from the  destroyed  Merchant ship. The Voice over said,...and so it begins.....may the godsaid out people....

 There is   a whistle over the  PA's  and  The Commander's  Voice   is heard.

 All hear this...all hear this.... Pregame in 1 hour on Hanger Dec...or... from VID screens   if you are off  duty..that is all....

  around the ship...reg lights started to  flash, as Horns blew to alert Civies and off duty crewmen.

   The   owners of the  Rec dec  shop  began to shut down  their fires, or   stoves,  Barring cabinets and securing   things that would be loose.

...

 in the Civie section the PArk began to rise and light  came on in the shelter.

............

 Med tech  was   setting  up secured carts of  Derm foam and derma plast... stalls were being clean up, ready to take on the wounded when they came..

..........

 on the Hanger  Deck the,  Gresh's  Ship had been loaded, He  gave   SAnri salutes  to the hermes Hanger Dec   and their ship slipped  away from the Hermes....The Transport from the Edison  was slowly pulling up along  side,  to  get read  to Dock and bring aboard the mechs and their troops


  Linda   sat on a  crate near the mechs,  Her left legging  moving rapidly  as  she held onto her Pulse  rifle., her pack was next to her.. two crates  of  Minigun, belted   ammo with  Corded rope  handles sat near them, for the troopers to take  along.

  Smiely  was  leaning against the  wall near Morgan's  Mech, helmet down over his eyes...sleeping.

 Eagan, Folkes  and  Fredricks   drank sodas, Eagan was   watching his  helmet spin on the Dec,

................

 beth Hustled  down and    Told Lyri to be careful, then  smiled at Spencer and Nodded to Jesse. Supe and Tucker  gave her  a wave.Shumaker   gave her  a Hug. Then she made her way to the Pilots.

 Giving Shadow a Hug she looked  at Kat and  Flores,..don'[t let him do anything  stupid...

 Flores  laughed,..too late, he's already wearing the uniform!

 there  were brief  chuckles  as   beth Gave  frans  and Eckles  a little hug..Steele gave her a  'high five" and then she scurried back to the stage

  Time for school.......


   Beth counted  down to zero and  the screens lit up.. about half were APF homeworld, the rest  was  The Triad Planets  and  some  'odd screens' that Beth mangaed to hook into.

 Around the  ship ( ships) about half he Vids  carried  the Admiral, the others carries, what ever  happened to be on, unless folks changed it.

............

 ..Greetings   to the people of the Hillite system..greetings to the Members of  The Triad, and those  Empire folks who are getting the signal. he looks  down as he notes,pushing them aside.

 I want to made this ..very...very clear. We..Humans would not have been out  here, Had the Empire not  pushed its luck and forced the Angels to teach us , how to reach space... he leans   closers towards the screens...we  had...we  have....our own problems... fighting among oursleves. If the Empire  had any intellect at all...they would have just waited for us to kill ourselves off...

  He straightens,..but..they were foolish. As bad as our people were to each other, we are not  that much worse, to those who attack our world, our  colonies....and now...our allies.

  None of us. when we Joined the ESN, ever thought  Humankind would be this far out..but all of us, are proud to be the standard Bearers of the  ESN  and APF.... We will..fight, kill, ...we will attack and Destroy..because..as a RAce, it is something we're  damn good at...and Now, the Empire   has given us something to focus  that on.....

 Begining his Trademark  pacing with his hands  Clasped behind his back, That beings  me to this day..The triad... all three systems are going to be taught a lesson... the lesson will not be cheap, for either side.... but..its  coming..no wore  will you hade  behind the Triad Treaty, or pretend to be independent . YOu make a grand show, then had to try and make a Point, by attacking  Earth Vessels. Even if not  for   those attack as an act of war, they were, at least, pirate attacks...and.. we do  not suffer them to sail unharmed either,

 So?  all three of your Home worlds  were punished..all three Capitals destroyed.... the total of Hillite deaths may never  be known..to me, the Cost of Humans  and APF slaves was way too high.

 That was lesson 1..how easy Death can come to those, who  cause  death, and harm, when they are too cowardly to fight an honest war. To me?..you are as Gutless  as the Demoic Empire, who hide behind thier slaves, thinking thier Home world is safe...it is not....there will be a day..where i am giving, much the same speech to Hel, as hit burns and smolders  under the weapons of the ESN and APF Cap ships...

   we now have Blockaded your system... any hillite ships  returned   will be seized or destroyed...and Hillite ship, attempting to leave, will be seized or destroyed...any  Triad vessel will be seized or destroyed..and  Empire Vessel will be seized or destroyed....

 ..the only off world  supplies  you will be  permitted to have, will come  from APF  merchants..the same merchants you and the triad seem to like to raid.... the costs, i am sure will be high. But i am sure you have plenty of Creds from the Empire, since you enjoyed raiding the  Beta Triangle

 ..this  will continue, until the Triad joins  one side or the other... if you join the Empire, we will natural try to destroy you enough, that you cannot   make  war on my  people..and? 2 of your planets would make very fine colonies  for us, and the  other APF systems..... If you join the  APF, you will be required to provide ships, troops and supplies to help fight the Empire..and yes..you would be punished  if you  would aid the Empire...

 now? I will let you people go, and tend to your wounded planet... those whom we have spared, keep this in mind. Only half the   Delta Fleet attacked this  day/..the next time we attack, it will be to Take your planets...not merely warn you...today... was but a slap on the wrist....don't make us paddle you....

 Have..a nice day....

  Across the Vids, everywhere in the Quad, the Admiral came on the screens.

  For the LAst 20  hours, the   Hermes-led  section of the Delta Fleet has been in blockade  orbit  around the   Triplet planets of the Hillite system... we are stopping  any and all aid  unless it  comes through the APF...... There are those  misguided folks, who ....'want to help..'... you are not helping anyone. You are aiding the enemy  and  that will only give them hope, that there are enough  fools in  The Black, that they can prey on thier  kindness..or  stupidity. Every  member of the triad or Empire  you aid, could cost dozens of  APF lives ..you will..be treated  as the enemy. Do not  count on the Red Cross to save you...if you aid the enemy..you are the enemy...

  ..The New Hilite council, has  formaly told us to go to the 9 hells...so?..they have sealed thier fate... Its  HUnting seaons....only APF  ships  are save....Good Hunting....

 As the Vid    go back to the normal shows..the Hermes  jerks, slightly as they Pullout of the Blockade to take their  turn scouting...The Harvester  along  side as its  partner

   The Vids   make a brief interruption of programming as Feeds  from  Everest Vids  send out a report..

   the scene   runs as the reporter's  Voice over says,..Today... Is a great Moment fro the Beta Triangle With  The Delta Fleet coming in to help.  The Anubus has  Captured a Hyrian  freighter just inside the  Beta Triangle as it  tried to make its way towards Nivar. Food   stuff and Med Supplies  were  seized and  will be  consigned to  Various Merchants for sale.

 The great Fighter  Pilot Josef Von Bren collected  two more Victories to Give  him a total of  31..he is  indeed, the cream of the ESN flying forces!

    The Admiral come on the Screens  for a brief  Update, From the Bridge. This  is  for  all ESN Colonies , The Beta  Quad allies  and those who see as  Enemies.

 He  Looks   at the screen, ..During our patrol of the areas that have been sued by slavers and Pirates,  we attacked groups of these  ...people.

 ...our  scout parties  encounter  and fought these....creatures , who live of the lives and Fear of others, they held these people in place,  until a small number  of  ESN troops were sent to finish the Job.

 ..It would be a lie to say, we did not lose  some people in this fight. But in the end, there were No survivors of  those we considered  enemies. a Total of a Dozen slaves  were  saved, As...as farm as we know, an entire  Nest of  some Insectiod  creature  was  burned, leaving  no eggs, or  living insects ... The Mine is now  clear, and   will be taken over  by ESN/AP Business folks  with defenses  set up by the ESN/AP forces....A pirate trading post was also  wiped out, no survivors   of the enemy forces, though  many ran from the  fight before the ground troops arrives...

 He chuckles a Bit as  he says,..we also encountered ..your'god'.... your  'god' is  a spaceship with some odd masking device.. we had...a stand off of  sorts, as it  retreated  from ESN forces, before you could attack..trust me , when i say, should the  thing come back again? You will be short one god...

 he looks  at the floor for a Moment then BAck to the screen,We are here, for only one reason, to drive off, or destroy, anyone who harms ESN/AP members. Trust me, when i say, we are very good at this, and..most of  us DAmn well enjoy it.... This is the only warning you will ever receive from  me... leave now.. seek  your  Business in the Hel system, because..you will find, we are alot less merciful to pirates and Slavers, then the Demons  could ever hope to be...

   Admiral Hack's face  came on the  screens once more. He seemed a  bit stern. Perhaps  even Unhappy.

  ..Greetings to the  Delta Fleet. We have been ....invited... By Admiral St Gaul..to have a Visit of  the Carrier/Station Everest.

   His  mouth  forms into a stern line as he continues,..Though i refused this offer at first, seeing how we  have found a likely place to start thinning out Pirates and such. The Board ....after   Admiral St Gaul's  5th request..thought it would be a good  thing, to accept the offer.

 ..So  we will be Bound   for Everest  shortly after this message ends....I am leavign  HAlf of our ships  in the Area to keep the  corridor clean... we will swap places with them after a day or two on Everest..that is all....

  The Vids  all over  the ship stop and a , rather good looking  woman, Dark-wine red  hair and  sharp Greens  eyes  appear.

 Ahhh..there  we are.. I must say, it  is a bit hard  getting sued to talking  with other Fleets. I am Admiral Stacy St Gaul, I am in command of the ESN Everest and, The Beta Fleet. I welcome you to our Space, thought  we do not  understand, the why you are here?...

   But this  Gives  us the chance   for many things? No?.. I get to  meet your  Well meaning Admiral HAck, and the Board of the Delta Quad?... Our great  heroes of the Air will get to meet. And  out football teams will clash on the field..They are Very  eager to play, you see, they were sad, that your  team chose to ..how you say..''turn away'...perhaps? It was  because you had   the chance to play for the title? No?  She smiles sweetly

 ..I am sure..Your team will give, the good effort..No?... Please.. enjoy the comforts Everest has to offer.. but please... make sure you abide the rules..Yes?

 The Screens went back to their normal  Vids....................

While  folks Gathered on the rec Dec for the send off , after Party. The  News Vids broke into the Feeds.

 The  Vids were varied , in that there were  Vids of  allied  craft being destroyed  as well as the enemies..there was  some clear, if not Jostled Helmet Vid  from the Destroyer  as well as the Listening Base.As the Vids   flicked by the New Anchor did a voice over.

 Today the Beta Quad  has entered the war. With savage surprise strikes, The Hyrians have lost forwards  BAses, in what was  supposed to be neural Space We  reached Admiral Hack Before   The Hermes returned to Everest...


 The Blow  we dealt the Hyrians, has Given the beta  fleet a foothold in the  space that was once  neutral, but now belongs to Us....I feel it onlyu fitting, since the Hyrians  were there for a good many decades ... The Hyrains  aren't the...Big Dogs..anymore.

  Some 10minutes after the games, The vids popped up on all stations....

  The top 10 in all events were shown  but many vids were shown of the Death Run.Si was being called Hack's Warrior Princess....though most vids showed Beta fleet folks hammering on Hermes people,they couldn't hide some of the brutal blows inflicted by Hermes crew.

The vids ended with announcers agreeing,that times have changed in the  beta quad.

  The News  Vids  popped up, almost as soon as the flashes of the Delta fleet lit up The Black as the broke into Everest Space.

  a Young  woman announcer  stood   on a Docking arm of  the station..making sure the   approaching ships as well as the orbiting  docks the Saladin was  locked in...were on camera.

  Nancy  Zell , here for  ESN News Everest.  YOu see behind  me, two things of importance this  night... the first... the recovery of Goods  as well as the refit, of the Former ESN Saladin... Boarding action has  concluded  with , what Fleet Admiral Hack, has said  were  enemies of the ESN/AP forces...The Saladin  is being given to the Everest , to add to the  Beta  Fleet, once it is  check out.

 The Bigger news? Those  flashes  of Lights  and  growing   dots, are the   Main Body of the Delta Fleet.  Thought this  does  come as a surprise?..it surely is not  welcome news to the Hyrians...or..The Empire.

 the Vids showed the  growing  dots... and  a think Cluster in the Middle , that were the transportBasses and  MedTech ships ( as well as the ESN news  ships) The Voice  of Nancy was in the backround  as the   ship grew closer and Closer..appearing to slowly grow  in size  as they  sailed in...... With the Delta Fleet's reputation for, no nonsense approach to attacking  enemies  of  the ESN /APF forces... one has to wonder...what the Hyrians are feeling..right about now!

     Once more the News  popped up... The Nasty looking  face of a creature that looked   like a Pitbull, that someone tried to mold into a human.

  Its Uniform was Black , with  many shiny circle and triangle pins on the left breast. The Muzzle of the   creature  was scared  , one eye was have closed from an old  scar, but the glint of light showed the eye, or some kind of eye. lived under the squashed eyebrow.

 ..Attention Humans , and Verians. You have broken our  ancient pact, of attacking the  listening posts  on the Bouy Line.....you have killed many Hyrians..you have stole our territory.... You will pay for this....We  trusted  you... and you showed us, The demons  speak the truth, You are no better, then the Angels and Thier allies!

 The screen broke into  2 as St Gaul appeared on her half....  YOu must understand... Everest Space is part of the ESN/AP, JUst as Veria ....with you siding with the Demonic  Empire. we must look to our own and...

then..the screen Broke into Three sections , with a rather amused  Admiral HAck, though the smile he had was Dark, and  showed more hate the mirth...Stand Down, Admiral.....Now... who might you be? Or  did your break your leash, and escape your kennel?

 Both St Gaul and the Hyrian looked  angry and shocked. The Hyrian spoke ,

I am the High Admiral of the Hyrian Black Fleet...even as  we speak... we are heading towards Everest, to take  compensation for your  attacks...Admiral...Hack....

 really?..That's good, hope you don't take  too long getting here... Now..Admiral..? Fiedo? What is your  Name?

 The Hyrian snarled   and stood Up, the Camrea panned back, the creature  must have been pushing   7 foot tall..and made Rivets look small. He pounded his Chest,I am High Admiral Jerg... I have  won more   battles  then you have  fought!

 ..That just may be true....Jerg...but i have won..ALL mine... your  dogs  got their tails  whipped  By my Task Force....  My Ships will do the same  to your ...'Black Fleet'.but you just keep coming... it will be easier  for us to haul the scrap back to Everest, Fuji and Etna...

We are Coming Human..and  we  will not stop  Until we are docked in the  ruins of Everest! We will be there in.... he  looked to his right..there was a bit if  Yipping in the backround,26 of your hours....I will hunt you  Hack!

 You won't  have   to look hard... i'll be in the ship  that is chasing yours away....

 The screens  cut off....

  Lille's  face  came on the  screen as the  Bells rang for a ship wide/fleet wide announcement.

 Um... Hi... This  Is  LT Orre.  The Admiral has..um.... set up Call back..for ships crews in 18 hours...with Jump off in 20..um..better be back by then..Ok?..Thanks...

   every Third Vid  Screen showed the  Quad Map, with active icons. The  red dot that was the Black Fleet was a good 1/8th of the way  across the screen.

  A counter at the bottom of the screen showed  9 hours  54 minutes and counting, before Jump off.

   The Vids  all over the show show hack on the  stage.We will have the send off of  our people who died in this battle, tomorrw morning at 0900.... Those who wish to   jojn in the Send off,  may assemble on the hanger Dec , starting at 0830.... Shadow  will have his  ..'after  party' on the rec dec, starting in the next hour or so... Job well  done...thank you all...

 Then Vids  return to  news showing vids of the battle, or what ever  shows  were on , at the time.

..............

  The  Time  was  0500... Lily   woke  Admiral Hack, He and  Si made thier  way to the screen, when  he heard who  was COMing, he ordered the  feed to be sent  Fleet wide, and to make sure the Media ships  got the feed.

   Hack was Disheveled ... Si's  hair was only slightly messed...but who ever  saw  an disheveled Angel?

  across the screen was   a Red Furred Hyrian... there were burn marks on it s  fur, and the  Hyrians behind him, looked a lot worse, for wear.

  Right...Tell me who the 9 hells you are, and  why you are bothering  me....

 The Red Furred Dog snarled,...I am Driv... i am the Highest Ranking Hyrian on the Planet, because of you... Our leaders are Dead... The City you destroyed  was our Capitol...

  Behind Driv was Jerg, with  his stumps  covered in think wrappings...Really?... we were told your Capitol was on the  Eastern Hemisphere?

 The  Dog snarled,... That was our 'eastern Hemisphere'...our world..like yours...turns!

 Hack started to Laugh, The Dogs  snarled,..I'll be damned!..well... they always say?.better to be lucky, then good ..right?

 ..you think this is  funny?... you think slaugthered Pups  and  the old ones is...

 SHUT UP!.....

 The   Dog looked like he had been hit on the nose with a newspaper.

 ..now...listen...carefully. By your uniform, i figure you are a warrior..so Listen.... when I first stepped into a cockpit... I was going to fight the monsters who were killing  eating and  raping  Humans...as the war  went on... I learned  there were more  and  more monsters out there..and  we also found more  and more  ...'normal'...people out there...closer to Humans , then the Empire...didn't  eman too much..  I jumped in my fighter... Captain pointed  me at something, and I killed it....but then we started  seeing..Birthing Chambers...officers   dining on human infants, that were still alive..and  forcing  women to have some twisted creature, that might help  the Empire  grow even faster....  he  chuckled  darkly,...so?..you'll forgive me, if i don't give a good   damn about a few roasted dogs...

 The Red Furred  Hyrian  snarled again.....We will make you Pay..we're  turn Everest into...

 ..Driv?.... do you have any scientists left down there..any?

 The Dog looked  perplexed,..of  course.... but...

 ..Then..here's what you do... you get them...and you ahve them  test your air...and your water...and  get ready to  have a rush to your hospitals... people are going to start dying..lots...and lots of them..and they are going to get sick..and the more   that get sick, the more that will get sick... and they will most likely Die..because you'll get no help from us...we do not help Empire  LAp dogs....So?.. fire up  what ships you have..send  them here  , we can sue the extra scrap...but?..if I was you...i'd ask your allies for help...lets see how  quick they  to aid you..now that you got your furry asses kicked?

 Looking at the screen he adds,..Jerg?  sorry for your  hands..paws..whatever... You shouldn't have boarded..my people don't like that...had you waited for us to come to you? I would have  just killed you..but...you had to suffer for daring to step on the Hermes... Now? Driv. Take this to  heart...warriro to warrior... gatherer you docs  and techs...and get to work...if you are damn lucky... you might save your homeworld...and just so you know?... any ships  trying to aid you..we  be  boarded, or destroyed.... so?.. help is gonna have to come from Empire space....now?.. I have to get  what rest i can.. i have some Heroes to send off, in a few hours..

   There was  a break in the News... the  Vids  were   sketchy as the ESN  filters, beat back  and  sniffers that the senders attached  to it.

  Macy Day...a  filed reporter  from Earth who would go out on the front lines of battles  with the Angel/ESN forces, against the  EDT, Eastern Bloc, Chinese  ect ect to bring the Real feel of the  'war' to people at home.

 But something had happened along the way..they say, everyone has a price....She  switched to being a Mouth Piece  for the EDT, and lost all her reporter's passes, but she made up for this  by having  'news' break into  Earth Vids to 'inform' people what is going on..urging support for Earth to side  with the EDT, and Allow  Ge-Fi to broker a deal with the Empire..

 ..The Vid   shows  some  captured  footage of Hyrian ships  being Hammered  by the Delta  Fleet... it also shows    the two Beta  Fleet ships being destroyed  as they   Blocked the path of the suicide Hyians...

 ..Greetings EArth  and  Earth Colonies. This is  your Free News  reporter, Macy Day... I am sure you have seen  the Vids, that Admiral HAck forces  through the ESN broadcast system,,and  I apologize as well.. for the delay in this broadcast, as we have to move our  studio from time to time, to stay away from the  jackbooted  ESN thugs  who Hunt  down anyone, who has  sympathies to the EDT.

  There is    vids of  the   victory with her  voice in the back round. We  see the Admiral's Fleet wrecking The Hyrian Black Fleet..This..is , indeed a great Victory, if it was not   for the sole purpose  for spreading  Hack's Glory, and the Glory of the ESN..and their   APF  followers. We are quite safe on Earth, our colonies , that are not in contested space, are also safe. It is only when we transgress into  the Empire's Holdings, that we face threats...

 We  see Two Beta  ships  sacrifice  themselves to save thier CArrier station....while the .... 'Brave'....ESN ships   pound the Limping Hyrains to scrap....does this look like a great leader, Some one who wants to  save the galaxy?.. Or...does this  fit the lines, they have spouted  at the Empire?

 ..while  our  'brave' heroes  of the Delta  Fleet, get ready to attack some other harmless aliens..we have this   Vid... The ESN Ajax and   a battered  Captured  Hyrian Cap ship...steaming  thier  way to Fuji.. People die... Hack's  ledgend  grows...and  this is not..stopping the war!

  This week alone... More then  a dozen  ships... Merchants...Liners... and transports  have been captured or destroyed, by  Empire  ships in retaliation...or by Pirates, looking to  make good creds  from the Empire...shouldn't  our   Fleet be protecting them ?

  The  Camera  closes in  on MAcy DAy's face. Reddish Blonde  hair... Light blue  eyes and a smile that  would melt many men's  ( womans?) hearts from across a room... She says,...so?..I say this now...to all of  our  young peopel  in side the academy or out....wither in the parade ground, or  Class rooms..whether in a fighter, or  drop ship..Think...before you sign up.. The EDT  doors  are open to  everyone  who  wishes  to sign up, and Save  EArth, and her  Holdings... As the great Leader... Ambassador  Frans  says,"...we cannot hope to  win, if we fight ourselves!"

 In the back round are some people who are moving things, in a hurry.. There  seems to be a few animals  about.. there is a Glimpse of a white   dog with something in its mouth as it  slips under the   Canvas of the tent....

(( as  seen by Jesse at the hotel))

  The People  argue  on the talk/news show  about the  'correct' way to use Cap ships in BAttle.

 An old Russian  Admiral ( retired) Says the   ONLT way to use  CAps ship, is to  form a Line, or stack them for a wall, Preventing the enemy from sailing through your postions.

 A Younger American Captain ( reserve ) Points out ,That the Delta Fleet has more  Victories then all other  fleets  put together, and  the enemy has trouble adjusting to such tactics.

 the  Commentator , looking to spur the agreement, says,so..what happens when they adjust to our tactics..with thier  , more heavy armored ships....

 ..They will cut through the Del;ta  fleet like  butter..and...

 The  Young Captain slams his   hand on the Desk,..YOUI ...SIR!  are a fool! You have not even flew a CAp ship., on a patrol around the Moon!.... I have been on a Destroyer out by Titan.. i have seen a Demon ship..... Thier ships  are heavy armored and  some are ehavy Gunned...NONE..of them are made to dance  around the Black Like  our Caps ships are... Let them try to stop..or even copy our tactics..they will fail....And..Admiral..Until you have   commanded  a ship in Action..I suggest you bow to your betters!

 The CAptain  took off his Mic and slammed it down, He looked over the panel,I suggest..you begin to  think of which side you are on.......the Captain walks off camera  The Russian Admiral is  red faced and speechless..

  Vids  around the ship  and in Quarters are interrupted by the ESN news feeds that come through the Media  ships that travel with the Fleet.

  A older man looked  out of the screen,..We have  be sent this Vid.. we are playing it..ONLY..because Admiral Hack insists on  all coverage.... Please.. keep in mind, this   vid  is from 'the other side'

 The screen switch to see the rather good looking, if not , flat out hateful , Lady V.

 ..Greetings, People of the ESN/APF.  I am Over joyed to hear, that the Great Delta  fleet is  somewhere   between the Alpha and Beta Quads.  I Have I fleet of  my own... it  goes  by many Names... But  Our Name will be known..The Death Fleet.. it is simle.. but it means what it says.. I have much to pay the delta Fleet back for...every transport.. every colony we attack, those  we  capture  have 3  choices.. join us... die.. or be given as tribute to  the REAL  allies of the Human Race... The Empire!

 ... we will see you soon...Admiral Hack.. and count  each death... as if you killed them yourselves...

 The Vid  ended  with the  The  Mask Of Death..insignia... however... the face stopped as it  was eclipsed...

  Lt  Miller;s  Voice  came over the COMS and Vids...

  Attention please...  Attention please.... As per   odresd  of Admiral Hack, the Delta Fleet while  cast off in 16 hours.... Any  , not board will be considered AWOL..... 16  hours  on my mark....3......2.....1.. MARK!

 All around the   ship, the  blacked out 'jump off' clocks  started to  tick down..15:58: 56....

 after BAttle of  The Field ( Matterhorn)

   Vid  feeds were interrupted  by Vids   that were being set out  officially  to The Black..open feeds   ..that would reach  The Empire  as well  as ESN/APF forces, colonies and Homeworlds.

  A very fetching  Sanri Female  smiled at the CAmera's voice , like that of a loud  whisper, that caught many guys ( and some women) staring at the  her as she spoke.

  ..Greetings to those  who are watching are feeds in The Black... we have  some exciting  news..

 as she  talked her form got  smaller  into the lower left corner  and   Vids of the battle took up the whole of the screen.

  the  Debris  field  first came into Focus...

 ..from the information we have  recived from our Media ships, The Matterhorn    has   Invaded  by a Creshian  Colony  fleet...A Largran Support  fleet was there to  provide   back up...


 One of her  left arms   motioned to the screens   as  a lower left  and lower right hand held her  Vidbaord.. the   Upper  right  hand held a  stylus.

   what we  see  is the Gamma Fleet   ships were... badly mauled as they tried to hold off   the landing craft of the Creshion Hive troops.... But?.. the  Aplpha  fleet  fought its  way across the   main area of engagement to  try and cut off the flow of Creshian troopers to the station....

 the scene shifts to that of the Alpha fleet  trying to stay in formation as the  fought thier  way through  The Field... very good   pictures of   Parasite  shuttles  slamming into the Cap ships.. while  Alpha Fighters tried to hold them off.. it was noted... there were very few  fighters in the air... and many of the alpha  fleet fighters , Vanished  it  white-yellow blossoms of fire.

 The Next scene  showed the Delta Fleet steaming into the fray...

 ..The Delta Fleet,  caught up with the  Alpha fleet  and   helped to turn the tide of the battle....

 To those who knew.. they could pick out the 'name ships' with their light numbers and Nose  art.... others  would see the odd shaped  fighter  now and again.. as  The Bee.. would dat in and out of the  scenes .,,    Creshian vessels   broke up.. as well as many   ESN Vessels.. the Death of the Sanri Vessel    Goddess's Eyes.. and the Fe;ite  ' Hunting Beast' were  captured on the vids.

  some ESN   vessels   turned  away from the frat  streaming   atmo  and  smoke, and  even  sparks of  fire.. as they  headed to the Matterhorn to    get away from the main BAttle, but yet, support the Battered   Gamma  fleet ships that have  set up, more or less, as shore  batteries.

  ..According to  Fleet Admiral  Hack.. the death of the  Hive ship was the turning point of the battle... ending the  flow of  UE  troops..and ending the threat of colonization by the creshians...

    the Capture of the   Flag ship as the Queen   tried to Board the Hermes ended that part of the Battle..

 the Damaged Charon appeared.. firing what was left of its   batteries at a  damaged   Creshian  Cap ship to 'finish it off'.. before settling in near the Hermes.

 ...In a bold , if not  foolish  attempt to  attack while the ESN was crippled.. the LArgran reserve fleet attacked  from the ' corridor' that leads to the  backside of Anzio space....less then half the  Delta fleet formed up to await the attack... and all went  wrong  for the Largrans... as   faster    destroyers   swept in from the flanks   and the Delta  ships  steamed   on head to  head...

 TheVids   didn't show 'how' destroyers  swept in. But a few shots  from Destroyer's   CAms  showed the  giant torpedoes  slamming into  Largan  camp ships as ESN  fighters poured    through the LArgran formation to  attack the   Largran Fighters....

    Vids of   primer colored fighters   would be seen with  hand sprayed  Numbers...

  There was a  View of  Shadow's Gun CAm footage as  he   zipped  towards  and through the LArgran  Hanger Bay.. no mention of the traitors...  now Vids of them  were seen.

 The Vid  ended  with the  Hermes   locked with the LArgran Flagship  with the  Harvester close  by, and  the Orville Wright  sending troopers down to the stricken ship.

  the   reporter  smiled at the Cam as she said,..and this ended the  Largran fleet...Congrates to the  Empire... not  many  forces   in The Black, could lose two full fleets in one day!

 She got a bit more serious as she added... our best wishes for thos  APF people who have   lost people in this  battle... and our hopes that the Empire  will fall soon...

about 15 Minutes after  Hennings  Sent his  Vids to the Media...

 the Vid  normal Vids were interupted, a  Younger looking  fellow with Buzzedcut Blonde HAir. and a   ESN Blue T-shirt that had the  words "..Kiss me, I'm a Fighter Jock.."...

    Hey Folks!..  Errol Gord here, you'er  favorite  , retired  fighter Pilot. Now? I was working on out  show for the top 3  fighter  Vid Games..when the Media made good on its promise to let  us know when the New  Numbers  came up for the  most recent battles..we  understand  that  these also include  nay numbers  from   encounters with scout ships... Os?    we'll put that Up here...... and..there it is... we'll scroll to the Hermes  since the  Dealt  fleet is  in the hot spots, as it were?...

 ..now?  we  all  love it when we  get some surprise  Gun cam vids..right?... Yeah.. so?..here is  some  footage.... Not sure the Ships names..just ...yet.... I know the Verian ship is.... The Charon?.. and  the Hyrian vessel?.. The Jaws... and..at the end.. some  ..OUTSTANDING.. vid of the LC himself  doing something special..right?.. yeah... The meida  will be  selling copies, with 100 %  of the   Creds going into the Delta Fleet, to make sure  we keep kicking  Empire ass/... so... here we go!

 The Vids started  with the Hermes    veering off   to Pound the Hive ship.. some quick  shots from the others that followed  the Hermes  Up the  flanks.

 then  the Wall was  breaking up as the  ESN ship  'charged' the blind Largrans and Began to hammer the 9 hells out of the   LArrgans CAp ship.. intermixed were the  scenes of   The Hyrian CAptain on his Bridge... and the  scenes  from Dusk on hers.

  as promised,  the Vids showed   Sgadows  Gun Came  as the   'postage stamp' size of the hanger  bay doors  grew ..ever so  slowly  as he  flew  towards.. then through  and Climbed   with the LArgran snapping off his  skid. pinwheeling off into  The Black..

 ..wow?..Some stuff huh?... well.. we know those Hyrians  are for real now?.. Abd  we'll have to find out About that  verian... she may be..... checking here.... she may be.. The LC's  Daughter?.. yeah>  Don't ask me?.. Well Media is tellign me  I have to go.. I'll see you all when my show pops up in  2 hours?.. and ..maybe we'll run these  feeds again... Good Hunting! he slautes the camera  and the regular Vids  return.

   Vid  Feeds were Interrupted.. The insignia of  Eclipse  appeared, before the Smiling  ace of MAcy Day appeared.

  ..Greetings  to all of our loved ones in teh Delta Fleet!.. How are you feeling today? We have seen ..YOUR  fooatge of the  Grand Battle of The Field.. but you  left out these?...

  The Vids showed   ESN fighters  getting torched,..The Sanri Cap ship 'Goddess's eyes'  blowing up, and the Felrite ship " Hunting beast ".. breaking up as it was hit, time and  again By a Creshian cap ship...

  ..now  we  know you say you 'won'.. you destroyed a helpless  Hive ship..and its protectors... and devastated  the largans who , like heroes , tried to come to thier aid....

 ..But your Fleet has been fairly crippled... The Matterhorn still fights the brave Creshains who have  invaded the   bastion of hate. And Your...'great' Admiral sits in his command chair watching people die, to sooth his  ego

 she  shows   footage of Dark ships attacks  a MedTech ship and two transports.. the Colors  prove them to be a Sanri  convoy.

 ..The Roussians  have now entered the war... joining thier great friends in the  Empire.. The Roussians  also tried to aid their normal trade partners..The Hillites  and the Nivarians... thus far, Nivar seems  to have  taken up the mantle of an APF  planet.. The Hillites  are mixed.. as they try to fight to save thier  worlds.. some have joined the ESN.. others  stand  as meutral, as they try to undo the great harm, done to them By  the Delta Fleet..

 Then she puts down her papers and stares, hard at the screen,..Hyrians?... The Black is ashamed of you!  You have tucked your tails... the curs that you are.. and allow the ESN.. and the parasite Verians to  come and go as they will?.. you cowardice, is rewarded, with the death of your homeworld...

  ..Members of the Delta Fleet?  How are your loved ones doing?.. are they on a colony? facing  attack from the Empire, while you follow  Hack?..... are they on your home world..perahsp being 'comforted' by friends...who are tending to thier needs, since you are not there?  Some thing to think on..next letter you read.. or vid you watch from home?.. who is there with them?... who is there..when the letter is sent, and the Vid shuts off....

.. ..

 the screen goe black.. the eclipse  insignia  Cones on..  Next to it  is Lady V's  face as she says,..The Viper fleet is coming.... then it ends.

   Vids  were cut, the face of one of the ESN Media  'studio' folks  appeared.

   ..Good  Afternoon.. I am  Blake Horn, with the lastest news  inthe Delta Fleet, and APF....

 some vids of the battle were going on behind him on the BIg screen,..As you KNow, the Delta  Fllet/APF forces, dealt a monster blow , to the Empire. In Yesterday's  fight....24 hours  of battle, overturned  3 months  worth of damage , done by the Empire.

 ..APF Memebers were concerned.. and rightfully so. How could this Happen, to a Quad  with a station, designed to fight off such attacks.....Welll.. today.. the answers have come...

 Vids of the   Prisoners.. with Mulli and Sevente in the forefront.. only Sevente looked  out of place. Unshaven, dirty, torn white  uniform.

 The   Delta Fleet Board   convened a hearing  for those in charge and found deep sloth, favoritism and cronyism ....  All Alphs Cap ship  Commanders  were  busted and will be sent to the delta Colonies.... the newly..made.. Ensign  Mulli, and  Ensign Sevente will be talking the long  walk home, sometimes with in the hour...Alpha ships were now being commanded by Delta  fleet Officers who were recommended  by thier    senior  officers, and have had the Board OK thier new ranks, as per combat record.

  For Some  feed back.. we  have  Vikk of the Occui Media ship.. for  her look at this event...

 A..relatively good lookign Occui  female  with Long, Dark green  hair  that framed her  light purple face, and  highlighted her  light purple eyes, smiled,.. Yes.. As you said  , Blake. The Alpha  fleet did not seem to  answer any call for aid...nor send  any ships    for the Normal patrols..Destoryers were sent  as a ...scout system...but? It appears anyb think they have learned, were not acting on.....

 Taking a drink of  some  red Liquid she  continues,..The Swift action  The Delta Fleet has Taken, shows the APF, that no one is untouchable... and people who do not  strive to help thier allies in this war... are no better then Enemies.... I would offer our sad feeling to the   families   of these men who 's  lives are changing..or ...ending...But i cannot do so...If have heard the reports.. we have talked to people on the streets in Etna....it is about  time, there was a reckoning...

 Blake smiled at  Vikk..who then signed off.....rumoprs of more actions.. we will  keep you up to date..now?.. BAck to your  regular shows...

  the Vids   broke in again, ....Blake Horn here, and  welcome to this   update...Things are happening fast in the Gamma  Quad, and the  Alpha Quad.. with these sweeping changes...

 ..The whole of the Alpha Fleets , ship commanders  were  busted down to ensign!.. they have been scattered through the fleet, to continue thier service...Admiral Sevente and His   Flag  Captain were executed for  gross neglect , that  lead to teh  incursion of the  Empire  Fleets.

 Admiral Richards   and her Staff are being transferred to Etna to take over the Helm... and  Captain Van Ros of the Athena , is now  Admiral  Van Ross  and has taken over the   rebuilding of the Matterhorn...delta fleet Captain have taken over the Bridge of all the  Alpha Fleet Cap ships... and  rumors  are hot, and heavy as to how Etna  will be ...restructured...

 Also.. we have news  that  some ..'rebel' Verians..who now call themselves 'Blue Verians' in a show of respect to the Angels who have left Paradise system to fight along side us....These Verians.. have brought  ships and troops to teh delta  Feet...Joining them, are Hyrian Regulars who have  survived the pounding of thier planet...and   are now..joining the  APF..Welcome  Hyria  and  Uden.

 .. the Vids you are seeing behind me now.. are more vids  of the  retaking of the Matterhorn...  The  Apefolks of the delta Colonies... as well as the Nivarians  and  ..Naragrans.. have teamed  with teh MAtterhorn troops   to  exterminate  the  Creshians .. we have seen the  grossly large numbers, of   UEs and the like..but one has to think, that the Creshains have to be hurting after these losses..... As you see  in this   last vid... and i warn you.. its is very...graphic.. the  destruction of the Last  Breeder  queen on the stations.....because of the looses the  APF has taken, they are unable to take prisoners..so..there will be no live Empire  troops when they are finished.

  you may view these vids on out  Star Channel at your  leisure ..now..back to our regular programming

Once more, news  broke...

  Hello   ESN/APF.. we have a breaking bit of News, that is  at once..shocking, but yet..may have a beneficial effect on the  war...

   Behind him as a Vid  Of Adem    speaking at  a conference.. with Evert near him...

  ..The  High Lord  Of Vera , is making good on his threat... Uden.. a planet that was  a colony of Vera, has  been Cut off , From Vera, for  actively joining the  APF...and suppling ships. troops  and   tech to the war effort.... There will be a  one month Window, for  people from either planet  to 'move'..before  any Uden  Natives are labeled as  outlanders... Verians moving to  Uden.. will already  be marked  as Udenese  citizens...

 Unable to reach  Admiral Hack or his board.. we contacted  WarLord  Lilit of the Uden people...

  Lilit showed a  stern  look, but a  dark line of a smile teuned up  one side of her face,

 ..We..The People of Uden..... are verians ...as a race... But we are Udenese  as a people. What good, does  our Knowledge do, if  he  keep it to ourselves... and if we die  with it, when the  Empire rolls over  Vera?

 ..We have watched the Sanri... the Occi.. the  Green peoples of Bura fighting and  very few of us showed  aid....We threw in with  Paradise  defenders.. only to be locked in a siege of thousands of years.....

 she took a  sip of  some grey liquid ,..I have seen what the AP  peoples  can do... and the Newly formed APF, with the Humans  as members   are not ...just.. a bright light in the darkness.... The  are  a flame..... a fire...that is  running loose through The Black... and causing the Empire to shutter...

 ..Thus... My people.... The  Blue   Verians....as i labeled us.. Join the rest of the APF..along with  Nivar and Hyria... and Volunteers  from the Hillite system.. to  not  just push back against the Empire... but..destroy it....

 we wil be sending new tech to the  Delta Fleet..and  as it is accepted. it will spread through the APF..... The Empire's time is now, at an end... they would be wise to worry, if thier home worlds  will be left in tact....We.. the people of the APF.... do not  need  you for food.... we do not want you for breeding.....we... just want you dead.....the Vid  stopped with the  Cold  Black eyes  of   Lilit staring into the screen.

  ..There you have it  folks... I'm scared and i'm her side!....  he grins  as the Vids go back to their normal shows.

   News  reports, broke into the Vid s once more...

   ...Hello to the   ESN/APF Planets, thier homeworlds  and  all the ships   in The Black...

 A Vid  Popped up  behind the anchorman, It has a Picture of GE-Fi  who was speaking..

 ..this  Vid  is  an Hour or so old.... we had to double  check , to make sure it was not at EDT or Empire trick.... Please.. listen....

 The Vid started  with a Voice from   The Backround saying ".... why do this? Doesn't this  hurt Earth and the Sol System? "

 GE-FI looked Grim,...if  the   ESN and the APF  adhere to the rules, there should not be any harm  done to either  side... But... first and foremost..  We are here to protect the Sol System, and that's  what we will do...

 "...But?.. Ge-FI.... What about those who wish to colonize, and even fight in the forces  of the ESN and  APF?.."

 .... we  are not   Jailors .. we are protectors.....  People of all  Races, who wish to  aid  EArth and the Sol System, may  do so..in whatever  manner they wish..whether it  be serving in the SSN , or   joining the  ESN.... just as  , any who wish to come into the system to help with  finsih the terra forming of  Pluto  and , Jupitor and Saturn's  Moons, and the  Finishing of the  Newest Carrier Station. Arcadia ..which has  already begun Operations   as they  Finish the Lowers.... It has the   Honor of beign the First Station of  the   SSN... Olympus has  Changed Flags and is  Now  considers..SSN

 "what about the  new  navy?"

 ..The Sol System Navy  is  comprised of  the New ...City Class.Capships... They are built  for one thing.... to fight..Thus, they  are a bit  smaller then  Hero class or God class Cap ships, that also serve as colony vessels....The SSN Has  a Number of ships   in Orbit   now... and   will be turnign the out  quickly, as we use  Largran , Creshian and Demon prisoners to mine  Venus, using the Underground  colonies  there,  as mining operations....

"..so?.... what  will be the relationship   with the  SSN  and the  ESN?.."

 ..They are not  our enemies.... but they have shown more inetrest in the APF, then the Sol system..... there  may, Indeed..be confrontations with SSN  Vessels and  ESN Vessels  when they meet in the Black... for our part..in the Sol System, we will allow   merchant vessels  and  cruise  vessels to  dock  at Arcadia , which will serve  as  a commerace Hub... Olympus will now   be the    Council's Hub for  emissaries from all over The Black.... It will also be noted that Arcadia  is  directly opposite of   Olympus's Orbit... with  Two carrierstations  and the  New SSN, there should be no worries  about  Invasion from the Empire...

 ".. i see in the handout sheets..that the  SSN will  make creds  by escorting  merchant vessels from  anywhere..to anywhere....but there is no....linmits  to what the ships carry.. How can you ne sure there are not slaves,  weapons and such being  Fed to EDT  and Empire forces..?"

 Ge-FI looked hard at the reporter,...we need the Commerace... we  are goign to Trust in the  transport Captains  and thier owners, to make certain, the cargo is legal...

 The reporter laughed, "..Ge-Fi... you know the ESN  or APF  Vessels will  board  those transports, to check for any goods  ..whether it be people, weapons  or  underwear....if they find the wrong things, those  ships will be seized...."

.... the SSN ships  will not let that happen... the ships will be  escorted and protected.. thier cargo is theirs  to deliver... and...

 "..so you are saying the  SSN will Protect  tribute ships that go to Empire  ports...just...like... you..people..did..in Paradise..."

 Ge-Fi nodded  and there  was shouts for help  as  Black Unifromed  guards  hauled the repoter  away.....we are done... I pray the ESN does not do anything Foolish...

 The  anchorman  shook his head,..This...is not good  news    folks....we can only hope, that those  on board the  SSN ships... will not  fight thier own...this?  to this repoter..sounds  like the EVOLs and EDT  have a new label now...

   on  Screens  around the station There   was a news   Bulletin  break.

   ... Hello to people of the ESN  , APF  and  all the ships in The Black..  We have a   ruling  being Handed  down by the Porvost general of the  Delta Fleet in conjuction with the High Council of the APF has passed a down this  edict ..

  ..No Empire ships   will be tolerated  in  ESN/APF  space... they will be  boarded, and captured, or destroyed outright.. any privateers  , Mercenaries , or Ships  from other  Fleets  will also be treated  as  Empire assets and  boarded, Capratured  and destroyed..This  includes  any newly formed  Sols System Navel Vessels.

 ...The New Head of the  Sol System Navy,  Admiral Milko Vessov said it would not deter his  ships from portecting  helpless  transports.

 Admiral Hennimgs, Speakign  For the APF  Council and the ESN Board   andsered by saying,.."..the EDT by any other name, is still the EDT... This is the only warnign Sol System Navel vessels  will get.... Oue NAvy is fighting a war.. if you bring your toys out here...they are getting broken..

  Vessov's answer  was.."  we will stand  by our commitment..."

 The  reporter smiled as he said,..Admiral Henning's  answer  was "... good  we can use a few more prize vessels..."

  There was the Blast of the Horn,  Millers   voice   came over the   COMs  and Loudspeakers.

  ...NOW HEAR THIS....NOW HEAR THIS.... ON MY MARK , THE FLEET WILL BE CASTING  OFF IN 8 HOURS..ANYONE NOT   ONBOARD  WILL BE  LISTED AW AWOL.... THAT IS ALL....

 then see counted  down.......3.....2.......1...MARK!

 Countdown clo9cks  all around the ship  hit  8  hours.. then  ticked   down  7 : 59: 55...and  ticking..

A couple of hours before cast-off, Spencer's voice sounded across the ship's PA, as well as on comm units for those not aboard the ship.  "NOW HEAR THIS...due to recent events aboard the Hermes, the Admiral has ordered a crackdown on illicit recreational substances.  This search will happen before we arrive at Anzio.  Amnesty will be offered for anyone who turns in contraband substances before the search...anyone found in possession during or after the search stands a very real chance of being charged as an enemy agent...and dealt with accordingly.  Do us all a favor...turn it in NOW, and don't get any more.  Searching will commence in twelve hours.  That is all."  (The searches would actually start later...but the only crew that knew that were Security personnel who were involved in the search.

  The    alarm  Bongs  three times...

  ..Now here this ... Every  one   will  allow the  med Techs roving the ship  to  give them  the Vax  for  the  trip to  Anzio  and....Aqra... if you  have nit  been dosed   within the hour..report to Med Tech... This  is  an Oder... this does include   Civies...

   ..This Is Fleet Admiral HAck, of the Delta Fleet , ESN/APF.... because of  anti APF actions... aiding the Empire and  deaths causes to citizens of this  station... The   Port Of Anzio  is now  seized  and Under ESN/APF laws...... there are teams of  ESN  troops on the station  hunting  down Empire and Empire friendly forces....

   Hack is  quiet for a Bit  as he looks at the one screw.. 100s of dots  following    around  the   Tiny  dot of  Anzio, as the   fleet engulfed it, spreading around  in a cloud of protection.

  needless to say... we cannot  protect the station  from within, as long as we know there   Empire  and Empire friendly  people  aboard...... The station  has 2 hours for  all Empire Races  to  leave.. all Aqra  will leave.. all Unknown species to us.. will have to approach  A-SEC to  be registered ....I turn the    instructions over to General BAle ...

 Bale  Cleared his  throat and Read from his   'Provost Bible'....all Empire....Empire allies  and Aqra..may leave the stion is  small ships.. YOu will have surrender  lights..or flashers on at all times , Until you reach the safety of the Empire Fleet..or?.. travel out of this system, to Aqra..any ships leaving   with out   markers  will be destroyed on sight... any Empire    people elft on the station will be   either  executed..or sent to a prison colony...depending on the nature  of the  people..and the actions taken By the  forces that   find them..Gavas  are to be   found  and taken to  transports   to be relocated to safer planets..or?.. Aqra, if  we  find that is thier home planet..

 He looks into the  Screen and says  very Solemnly,..do not take this  warning, Lightly,,,  the  Fleet will carry out its orders... and  Aqra, or Empire..wil not be spared..aft the   2 hours  is  done...

 Hack Looks at His COM.....the  2 hours  starts....now...

    The  Gongs  Rang  3  times to  get people's  attention..  Admiral Hack's  face  popped up on several screens, his Voice  boomed through the PA systemns.

  ..Greetings Shipmates, of the Fleet..and of the Hermes.. we  are  in a position for a  'strike first'    battle.. and.. should   the rumor s  be true.... we will take that  path. Rough Intel has a  Demonic  Battle  fleet...somewhere? If its  out there.. we wil find it.. if  we do not find it, then its is merely  Propaganda ..and  we push on to Aqra...Aqra... needless to say has a Fleet of thier own, as well as  Unflagged    Merc ships ... to simplify  everything,  any thing that is not  flagged  APF or ESN  will be  destroyed.. id   someone  flags themselves as APF  and  fires on one of our  vessels, they  will be   captured or  destroyed.. we wil find out where they shipped  from, and  bring the 9 hells  down on them.

  ..The time  of the Empire  hiding behind  'neutral' vessels is over.

 He grins at the camera,..Aqra?... we're comign for you... whether   we have to  cut through  Empire scrap piles to  do it..or not... You'll be seeing us...no offers.. this is the only warning you'll recieive... I'll leave you all with scenes  from the Core of Anzio.... the Books and disc  seized.. has only  two destinations for these....people... The outskrits of Empire  space.. and Aqra....there must be a reckoning  for this..... see you soon..

 the  vid showed   all teh races  packed in cages,  having to get cleaned off.. far too many bodies  were not  moving.. while many  others needed assisted to the   Med tech shuttles.

 about   30 minutes before  Jump off, Admiral Hack  appeared  on the screens.

 He   had a confident smile,Hello  Shipmates of the Delta Fleet.  In 30 minutes  or  so.. we wil be Jumping off  to Aqra... we thought there may be an Empire Presence out there.. but  ...it appears to be  nothing but, Broken Empire Promises, to those  they are leaving in our  way, hoping to buy  a month or  so before  we    destroy Hel and  all its  inhabitants

  There was a soft chuckle,...from what we have seen... there is nothing  between us  and Aqra, except   a Planetoid, that we  will  take   as a forward Base for  out  Operations on the   ...ESN....Anzio...The Taking  of the Station, and ousting   of the Empire  folks there,  adds to the solid  grip the  APF  now has, since we  have  Etna and Matterhorn set on the right track.

 ..because of the lack of Opposition forces in the way.. we'll pull the picket ships in for a tighter, faster cruise .. we'll leave  our  support ships  behind,  they can catch up once  we have taken Aqra...

 ..Thank You all... and here's to  the Delta   Fleet!...Hoo Rah!

 at  2100 hours , ships  time...

 ..This  is Admiral HAck...  we wil have Jump off at 0600 , ship's time..... as we settle in for rest, those who have rotated  in, are carrying on the fight...Aqra's  Cities  are being battered.... the   floors of the Seas, oceans, Large Rivers  and Larger  Lakes  as well...I look for   Aqra to reach out to us.. and?.. I may listen,  The Board  and I have some issues to discuss  them.. if... the answers  I get are satisfactory , they will get to stay on this planet.. if not....well....Hyrian and  the Hillites  will seem like  a 'nice thing'.....Get rest..get ready.. see you in the Morning.

 One more thing?..  The LC wants all piltos  on the Hanger Dec  at 0500..that is all...

 Sounding through the Fleet..


  Chatter   came through on the Progress of  other Squadrons..  Up at the North Pole,  the Ice  had been shattered  and  a City Detroyed  there....


  At the South Pole three large Bases  sent on the  coast of a ...relatively... warm climate  where  Buring... estmates of losses to the enemy were in the hundreds of thousands.


 the  south  east and  South west   Hemisphere   also Lost thoer Biggest citystates.. and the North east, and North west  Lost  one, as  Achillies  pounded the one to the North east.... The Capitaol was considered Battered..but still holding,


  fake COM traffic  said the ESN was  going  to mount  a Massive attack on the city in two days time....

(( on all COMs ))

  Admiral Slash finally Got In touch with   Admiral Hack as  they  watched   what was goign on with the    various assult  teams...some were  engaged in fire fights... mostly  stray aqra, but a few LArgran and demon squads

 ..What can I do  for You Ogden?

 Admiral Hack.... I cannot  wait  any Longer.. we need to send our transports in so thier Goods  may be delivered..

  Captain Bornberry's  squadron  is  on rotation there.. what did she tell you?

 ...she  said    each trasnport would  have to be boarded  and searched.. that will take days!....I told her  we were going to send  them anyway..and   would escort them safely. if needs be...

 Hack chuckled,..and?  what did  she  tell you, Slash?

 ..The brazzen little bitch  said  she  would    board all the ships in the convey, can capture  what she could, destroy waht  she couldn't...


 ..Very well.... so? If you send them..you know what to expect... i any loss of life, is on you...

  The   Vids  and PAs  Cut out  as  Admiral Hennings appeared on the Vid screens.

  ..Attention... we are sending this  out to the  Entire  Fleet... We  will  dock or  go into orbit,, around Anzio  in  8  hours or so..

  The APF  has   found it to be a better fit, for APF  leadership on the station... So... Pollis,  Of the Sanri..... Inken , or the Occui..and the  ...'retained' General Cullit of the Mulls.. will be runnign the  station, with  ESN people in cahrge of the  Navy and   troops there....

  ..to that end... The..um..Normal groups  will attend a formal gathering at  the New Anzio   HQ... there  will be  some  50 other  places  for    ships  crews to take party in thier own parties..as always..have side arms and Boot knives with you... and if you visit  the parks... protect ant Gava you see there.

 ..That is all...

  people goign thier separate  ways... most heading  for sleep, others  just relaxing.

   Beth's Voice   comes over the COMs..Screens start showing  a blurred Vision of a  human female.

 Attention.. I was  going to Block this... but  i'll let her go a few Minutes.. Just for Laughs...

 The Image   became clear, with LAdy V's  angry face appearing  on the Screen,..The ESN...351 Hermes.... once more, you and  your  Fleet has entered and disrupted Space that was not yours  to   disrupt... all in the name of the   war... and  the flag of the  APF...

 She  seemed to walk around something, a desk, perhaps, and leaned up against I, her  arms  crossed  under her Breasts that were , well defined  by an Angelsilk Dress.

 ..The  Fleet you  all But destroyed, was the Pride of   the Sol System. Crewed   Humans  and our  Allies ..and You.. Killed   almost all of them... destroyed ships...

 A tired    HAck appeared on  a  split screen, He didn't have a shirt on, and  the dermaplast of his wounds showed  as he  simply said,..will you shut up you dumb bitch....

 you wanted to  cut in to our feeds... right.. here is something for you to look at...

 Beth Fed the raw  footage  of   the  'feast' that the  CAptains  and higher shared  with  the Empire... and the footage of the kids in the Metaglass   cages..and worst.. the raw, unfiltered, full sound Vid of  Wee's  wife  preparing   the last meal  they never got to eat.

  as the Vids  rolled, HAck  ran his  left hand through his hair,..we are punishing  any one, who works  against the APF.... we punish  anyone..who  works  with the Empire....but we are  goign to punish human traitors  the  worse... Enjoy what time you have left, LAdy V....and when you see the Delta Fleet.. you best  eat a pulse round..because.. If I get to you..it will take you days to die... and if one of my people get to you first... You'll wish you would never have escaped Zolth..


  the feed ended, and  the screens went back to whatever shows were on.

    Most Vid screens had  news this  early in the Morning.

 from the Docks on the Equator East, 4 transports  where  boarded.. some  200 Merc troops  we  captured as they   were scanned as  EDT 'purchased' troops... at the momnet they were Undergoing  'interviews' to see if they should be   released.. sent to  Prison colonies ..or  absorbed into the Fleet.


 a small ship  managed to evade  the Corvette   that hellped  with teh   detaining of the transports..it was  headed at  'all speed' to the Deep Black.

 The transports in question and    crago within, are not property  of the Fllet with  2 of them being givien the  Emmie's Tranpost line,  as  recompense for use of her transports  elsewhere.

........................

 100 more GAva  were  found looked  in cages   aboard  the transports  at the Axis  west.. the  former  owner  was   found dead, along with   serveral guards..these transports were also  seized, by the Delta Fleet.


..............................

 The transports  marked  as T-54  and T-55  were  also seized, bit earmarked   for Emmie's  Line, that will be workign out of  Aqra... no Vampic  surviors  are know to  have made it out of battles there.

...............

 The Security Broker, know as  Bren, has  noted that his    household  was  attacked ... servral EDT agents were  found dead in his offcie, as he was  wounded in the Gun battle.. he issued  a statement sayign, his security agency  would help any of those who felt htreatened by th EDT  form  this day forward.

....................

  The Business  world  in   Aqra Space has been shaken as  close to 400  companies  ran by  close to 50  people or  corperate groups  , have been reduced  to nothing, as thie  creds were  wiped out. The Mull Money people  refute that  it was a Glitch, and some organization has  transferred   all teh creds through Muitiple  accoutns.... thought the  the earmarks  tend to point to the EDT.   EDT officals  are  shouting thier  innocence , but the   facts seem to make the case  against them , Iron Clad

…..................

There was a heated  Gunbattle in the   upper  tube sections   near Axis East... Fire Control  and APF SEC, found  Bodies  of   ANSEC and mercs in the  wreakage  of the fire... the  access tunnesl  to the  Heating  tubes   for a mile long  section had to be shut down. At this  time , charred  bodies  are being caried  out from those  tunnels.. the esitimate of deaths  is pushing the 100 mark, Fire contol says  it will be hard to tell as those closest to the  gas ruptures may have been turned to ash.. the rumors  are, a clash between   Mercs  and  EDT,  as  bodies  of  both groups were found.

.................

Lastly.. the scientist known as  Dr Festus has  died  in waht looks  like a lab accident... Dr  Festus, whose  concentration was  the interaction between humans  anf other creatures seems  to have   had   an accident  thatset off explosions .

while peopel in the Condo, fleet and ..anywhere else  in The Black..watched the Vids.

  there was news   from Etna of  massive fires  and   death  tolls..  Bodies  being examined were being  traced to the EDT..either through EVOLs  contacts, or Straight up members of the EDT.

 Pictures  of   Lady V were shown, stating that the   Leaved of the  EVOLs  was, now ,also the The Leader of the EDT. who seems to have been recruiting its own allies, slowly becoming   another player  in the War.

 other  news  involved   Matterhorn , being declared  'under control'.. with Refits  and repairs  well ahead of Schedule .

 Some Vids of the  'newly minted'  Admiral   Van Ross, working along side  techs  to ..plate  plates, while Tech  welded  or Melted  them into place. a Brief  exchange  was aired.

 ..Admiral Van Ross.. you seem to be pushing the  Station  very hard to make repairs?

 She took off her   ESN   MAtterhorn  cap, her  face was smudged as she smiled a tired smile,.. I might be GAmma Fleet Now... but  i was raised   in the Delta Fleet.. we have bounties on UEs, and any Empire RAce  we  find on the ship.. we will not allow   Creshi8ans  or LArgrans  aboard, Until this  station looks like it did  when they opened the docks.

 we have  brought in  Civies  for   construction , Farm and Mercantile work, soe   Fleet crews  can work on the hangers  and weapons systems..The Naragran have  showed alot of promise  as they  cane  put plates in places  for Techs  to secure, without waiting  for scaffolding... the Gava here, are enjoying  thir  assignments. , since they are the right size  to  hunt  down Creshians and the UEs.. lots of Gava are making lots of  creds in bounties.

 even in the Stem?   the  gangs  have  called  truces, and are s actively , eliminating  any   enemy  they  come across..The UE  bodies  are being used   for   the soil in the farms, and the Apefolk are enjoying   one of thier favorite  food.

 she puts her  cap back on,..its not perfect..no station is... but she'll be better then she was before   the invaion...  Van Ross  Moved off.. grabbing on end of a PLate and hlping  lift it to   carry to the  weakened   area

  The Screens  all  Lit  Up. Adamiral Hack was  wearign a Hermes   grey t-shirt that was soaked with sweat,

 He wiped his face a Bit and said,..sorry to disturbe  you all.. but  we have a  conferance CAll with our Friend  LAdy V... sh e  wanted to speak  on Open Cams to the Fleet.. I agreed as we  will both appear on split  screen... i'll try not  to have this take to long...

 the Screen split.. LAdy V looked  sad..her   eye makeup ruined  as she dabbed her  cheeks.Members of the Delta Fleet.. I have seen the  disgusting  Vids, of what was done to the remains of  my  Nephew.. Lt Besserman.. i am shoicked that the  cold and ehartless  manner, in which  he was treated..

  HAck smiled, he might have been talkign  out the last football game, or what he had for dinner,Indeed?.. I gues that it was much  worse to shoot up an  allied  aircraft..or.. send  kids  to be put on platters for a demon or SSN dinner? How about having  Kids  eaten by Cats?..

 She Narrowed her eyes  at the screen...so?.. You  do not show remorse for what you have done?

 Hack looked thoughtful,..I am Sad... I am Sad  a woman and a Trooper  had to  die to have him killed... I am really sorry he wasn't alive  to be tossed out the static  field..

 her eye water  as she  grew angry,..the deaths  were caused  By your own people.. you could have let him go!

 ..Traitors   don't get to be 'left go'.. traitors  die.. he hurt a crew man..Killed a Civie .. and  one of Mine had to die, to make sure he didn't escape....

 He pointed at the screen as he said,..let me ask you this?.. what about a family, attacked by  chipped cats..a family..all civies, two of them kids... 3 of the died..once escaped..that was from your  ordrs..and I have the proof... so? LAdy V... if i were you, i'd start gathering up  family and friends and Movign   to  the Hel System..because   we are about to end your Linage....Now..save the fake tears for  your followers?...you'll be eharing from us soon..

all across the ship   the alram   horns   Blared... 1;30 AM  ships time...

ALL HEAR THIS....ALL HEAR THIS... BATTLES STATIONS ...BATTLESTTONS...THIS IS NOT  A DRIL...THIS IS  NOT A DRILL

 2 hours  or so after the  Send off...from the  Pit

 Attention... all hands..  some news  that needs to be told before the Media  runs  wild... about  15 Minutes ago.. There was  a Vampic ship detroyed  as  it tried  to  sneak in to   save the  Prisoner.. since they Broke the   rules  of  engagement .. the  ship was lost with all hands...there is also a rumor, that a second vessel, did  indeed  rescue the  Vampic ..but something  went   wrong, as  an explosions  ws  recorders...  Fighters  were sent... only debris  was  found...

 ..this  may sound  cold..btu considering  our enemies.. it  is fitting..   The  first   ship entered  the   area  as a spy craft... if there ws a second ship, it must have tried Stealth  as well......in the  End?.. allies   do not do this...  we will continue   on this course..it is  not  for us  to adpat  to our enemies, but  for them to adapt to the APF

 ..that is all

  The   Squawk lights  came on   and the Admiral's  face  appeared on the Vid Screens. He was smiling.

 Delta Fleet?.. we  are in the process of  docking at , what is  now, our  Home Base...... Minimum duty will  be in effect, save for those  who have to load, and unload..Today...tonight..  is  party  time.... Tomorrow , those    crew that are  interested  may go to the  Proving Grounds, or as the natives  call it..Woth... We plan on staying in port  3  days, In hopes   the  heavy  damage  done to some of  our  vessels  will be   made.... transfers in and out  made... and , depe3nding on how the   PG trials go... equipment  swapped out

 He  smiled a bit sadly,..Take this time to  relax, and  enjoy yourself... I will ...frown..upon getting  people out of  FUJI SEC..so?  keep that in mind....

(( before Burian  Ball ))

 Now hear this.... now  hear this.... All Crew  headed to  the  will be  on the hanger  Dec  at 11:30 shops  time, with thier Escorts., if they  have one... Departure is  12:00 hours..

  People going   on shore leave , will  board the  Next ship headed  down  to the planet... pack  gear you will need  for  at least, a  2 day stay... shuttles  will not be running frequently

 As  always..pack what gear you may need  for.....shore  leave.... That is all...

on the screens  around the Rec dec ( and  elsewhere)

 the   EDT  News broke in. A very good lookign woman   looked distraught...to those who  are fighting the Good Fight to protect Earth from the APF and   Hack's DEelta Fleet.. we have  hurtful news!...an Offcier of the ESN who was  coming over to  our side, to fight this fight, was   Killed  when his  Shuttle  seeme to have been hit   by a stray asteroid  as he Fled to the Safe Haven LAdy V provides for thsoe    seeking to get away from  the APF's  oppression...  It also seems, but none can yet Prove, the ESN detonated 100s of   old  style Nuke    weapons.. this has  done  great damage to the safe passage to LAdy V's  safe  Haven... Please?  any of yhou seeking the Safety of LAdy V's arms, contact  your Local EDT  offcie   to see if...and when... you might  be  able to enter once more..That is all.. and may the Gods  save us, from The Delta Fleet!

.............

 following that news.. the  APF  News  came on, and Older man dressed as  an Officer in the   Tech Services.

 ..Greetings.  As you have heard from our  counterparts on the other side... Lady V's  terrorists  seem to be locked in..or out of  her  Safe Haven... Those  who are abroad  should be hunted down, now that thier  escape  has been cut off  for the time  being..becarful... be  aware...

 a break in on some  Vid shows   around the fleet and  The Balck..

  Mizka here at the Sanri news section. If have been gettign reports  from the fleet of  hostilities in Vera  Space, which may , or may not  evolve  into a civilwar, between the Udenses and the Verians, over   some  planets in Udenese  space... It is said the Fleet may be  comign in to negotiate  a peace of sorts..or... take action to aid the Udenese...

The Sanri's  arms  moves  as she   discarded   or picked up new  sheets

 ..it has been confirmed, that teh Verians have Joined the  Empire... and may..indeed  draw the Vampic  into the conflict as well...adding moire   Empire  forces   , opposite  the  Galaxy  of the  Demon Homeword... whether this is a move  to stall the Delta  Fleet..or   some plan to  counter attack the rampaging Delta fleet..none  can tell...we will know, when the Fkleet reaches   Udenese  space..

................

 Across  APF  holdings.. there is much to be happy about, as  Homeworlds  and colonies  are bolstering their defenses  with aid of the  scarp   and captured  Vessels  on the Encounters... as well as  fire  fights  across  The Balck as smaller  fleets  hit and run with Empire  , Pirate  and  unknow  enemy forces...it is  ..indeed 'those who do not kill us, make us stronger!" she smiles at her own quip.

....................

 ..things are turning  bad on Earth... ESN people  , academies  and  bootcamps have risen up  at the news  that Ge-FI with help, of  OPne CAptain Maris, covered up and made false  claims   for the Destroyer.. Neutron and her  crew... what was made  out to be  a foolish and inexperienced  Commander , is now a Hero  and   scored the first Victory against  superior  forces, of  4 Demon Cap ships.. Riots   on earth are  flaring up... Ge-Fi's  people  cannot  contain all of them, ESN groups  are now  redoubling thier efforts to get vessels  , troops  and  supplies  to  The Delta Fleet...

 In a COM  interview  with Admiral Oilver  Hack  with the  Chief Editor  of  the ESN Media Ship  'Open Mic".. The Admiral  has sent  this message,

 the vid showed,..People of Earthj and the Sol System... keep your  resoures there...find your  own  places  to hold  and strike out there . EDT..EVOLS, and  thje Sol System Navy are your enemies.. If Ge-Fi stands  in your way, then he and his people  are  your enemies  as well..Its Time Ge-Fi  picked a side... I cannot  promise you when.. Buy i will promise you this.... there is a time  the Delta Fleet  will come  back to the Sol sysetm... and if it need s cleaned up.. we will clean it up with our allies..Sanri.. Occui..Hyrians, Nivarians, Gava, Naragrans Burians, Angels... hack looked coldly at the camera.

 In the Balck we have expeiranced  traitors , we have seen the horrors  of thsoe who turn on thier own kind...not  hurts more, then to see the Humans  join the Empire..whether it s for greed and Power, Like  Ambassador Frans... or cowardfice  like GE-FI... or, those who would sacrifice thier  friends and Neighbors to save themselevs and MAke Money.. There are people on Earth who have been fighting the good  fight... they will contact you..it  won't be easy..it  won't be fun... but tis better  to die with a weapon in your hand, then on a platter of a demon  dinner..or  hooked up in a breeding chamber.... You all saw the Vids... remember thsoe Vids  when you see  an Offcier   of the Sol System Navy... and keep in mind, the child they ate, could be yourse..or a friend...Its time Earth...The Delta Fleet is punching  noses, breaking legs  and ending lives... Show  Our allies.. the Earthers  can fight as hard for thier own planet, as  our allies have to fight  for thiers..... you enemies will be surprised , by the people in place on Earth...

 there  was a bit of s smile as  HAck raised his ehad and said,perhaps in the day... weeks..and months to come, we'll   we watchign Vids of   Sol System resistance , and porudly say, 'that's where the Delta Fleet started..."..Good Luck..fight hard...give us a home to come to...  He stood and Saluted... the Vid  went  Dark.

well, That is all we have from ESN news   now... this  report  will be repeated  every  4  hours   for the next two days... thank  you for listening... and..May the Gods   save the Delta  Fleet!

 Beth's Voice  came on the COMs.

 Attentiom... we have a ALL COMs going out..Fleet wide....and to the Corners  of The Black...From  Warlord  Lilit..

   for thsoe who were  near Vids,   Lilit  was on the Dec of Uden's promise  , behind them  Undenese  Verians  we  Hustle  around  repairing  Battle Damage... Dusk stood  next to her    a cut still above her  forehead, that had yet to be attended  to and  smudge stains on   her  'shifting' colored  face.

  ..I give this announcement. with pride, and yet.. with sorrow.  Calimiteb  is  almost free of the Verian threat . The  base that was  built has been over run by Undenese...Calimite  and APF   forces,  What  verians may  have fled..are now beginning  hunted  down by elements of Naragrans, Gava, Burians  and Larg Trainers.. we expect none to survive.

  Found on the base where   Verian regulars..Empire Regulars and EDT  troops. It seems whatever  foothold they  wanted to  estblash , has beet  eliminated....

 that brings up a point of Vera , herself... Using the battle as a diverstion.. EMS   ship pounded  the CApitol city and  most of the land  around it  with ION  rounds... ION gas, or Dust , is like poison  to Verians... for Undenese ,if you be a sickness we could treat,,,,, We have not heard from Adem or Evert..but we are not foolish enough  to believe  they are Dead...... But for Now the Battle is won... Tomorrow  we  meet on The Hermes  to get a more ....excat  count of losses to both sides... the  following Dayt we will have a Victory  Ball in  Vesta, the Capital of  Uden, un the   Palace of   The one Tree..... The fleet will be given leave there  for the time it takes  for repairs  and  resupply .. I  Thank all  the members of the   APF for what they have  done  for us....

 the Vid  signed out

  The Screens Lit up... as  an announcement when through... Lilly had  patched the Info through the best she  could, since Beth  was   off  duty.

 Hack Stood  with   Admiral Hirle on one  side and  Lilit on the other...he began to speak... Good Morning.... as  it is cracking the envelope  of morning here on the ESN 351  Hermes.  I am going to save time, since  i have alot  on my plate  for the next  24  hours or so.....so.. please.. every one who this is reaching, pay attention, there  won't be  'follow ups'

 ..The Delta Fleet   and our support fleets are  now  docking at  Uden, where  we are going to  celebrate  the Victory of the 1st Battle of Uden....and the welcoming of  Calimite to the APF as one of Uden's  colonies....

  ..Though some of our ships took a pounding, we  did not lose any..including the EMS HArvester.. who , sacrificed herself to save  The  Hermes..The Good  news? The Verians, Vampic and Roussians  were  more then kind enough to provide us  with More ships, that   increased the Delta  Fleet, and   those fleets who had  come to our aid. We are now a stronger  Presence  then ever  before...

 ..The fleet has  sent out its  awards... But I give  My thanks...with out  the People  who fight to free the galaxy of the  Empire... this would have been a cause, long  defeated....Admiral Hirle?

 The  Hyrian    gave a nod  and  spoke,  We, Hyrians were taught   three  things , By Admiral Hack  and the APF.... the first, is you do not cross them... you will lose..... the 2nd is...The Admiral does not make empty threats, but  hands out  heavy promises... and 3rd... If you  see the error, and  you  join to  make this  a Galaxy worth fighting  for.. you will be welcome  with open Arms.. Hyrian, Is Now and APF  world, and all her holding, now  fly the APF  flag... we   turn our attentions to both the Verians and the Vampic... with the aid of Everest, we  will  make   our Quad, solid, against the Empire!

 Lilit  smiled  As she stepped up......I have many reasons  to side with the APF.. My Daughter  died  , fighting the Empire  and their stooges. By Granmod   fight  as well... one at my side  on my Flagship..one  at his father's  side  on the Hermes...I have never been more proud... and seeing  How The Admiral has  handled  'Total War'...makes  me feel, confident..that the second  Battle of Uden  will be victorious  as well

 The she looked at the  CAM...we are coming for you Adem....

 Shade  was  behind them, he gave a thumbs up...

 The Admiral took  the  front again as he said...... I have been accused of  being   worse then the Empire.... but? that has  come from our  enemies, so? I take that as a Compliment... every....single....time.... I think i know what 'Total War' is... the Empire  ups the ante   abit....The suicide attacks  on the Hermes? I? I just didn't understand? The  best guess in numbers, is close to 1000 lives wasted  on the  run to try to kill the Hermes...now? that's  counting    from the  total number of aircraft that advanced , before our  fighters  whittled  them  down on the first pass, and   chopped  away   more   as they chased  them...

 he   sorta    made a  small 'helpless  gesture' with his hands...They were stopped... but not  by me..  not by our   AA guns, not  by out  fighters... but by a rashy, and  brave choice  by  Captain Roles  of the  Harvester

 ..I Thank   EDT  Captain Maris  and  Adem for this..because now? I no longer have to feel badly, about  killing each and every enemy that chooses  to face us. I mean? why should i care if they die, when their own leaders..hiding behind a console  or safe in a Bunker. can send them to thier deaths.

 ..so.. Now... Vera.. please take this message to heart, because  this...right now... is your one  and only warning...For the next 24 hours, we are going to be celebrating with all of our allies, the crushing defeat we handed Vera  and her   allies..... You know have   3  ships  above you planet..if you are   lucky..maybe the Vampics  send more.. or the Roussians... there is the smallest of chances , there might be an Empire squadron in  deep space, we do not know  about... but it won't matter.. we'll crush whatever   ships you throw at us, or capture them out  right, and use them against you.. in 24 hours, some of the Ordinance raining down on your Home world  we  be from  Verian, Vampic  and Roussian vessels , that now  bear  ESN names...

 ..Now  the Heavy Promise, Admiral Hirle talked  about. he  took a  deep breath  and leaned to the CAM , just a bit,There are  only two reasons  , Vera  is getting  this  warning...1...Vera  sorta  helped us  fight the BAttle  of the Line..I have to believe there are some Verians  that are still proud of   working with the ESN..though? I could be wrong.  The 2nd reason is.. i would rather now waste the time and the troops
 to  raze your planet, like a slum lord's crack house...

  Form   the end of this message.. until the fleet has   parked in orbit  around  Vera..  You..The  Verians.. have  in the neighborhood  of  48 hours to    send up a shuttle  with  Adem and Evert...if they do not surrender.. or...not turned over to us...in 72 hours , no one  will recognize  Vera...all the   strides you made in 'perfecting ' your Race... and the advancements  you have  made, will be shattered , but the very people  you  left behind on  earth, when you tried to exterminate them with  floods...

 ..no vessels were  be permitted in  or out of Vera.. anything  trying to escape, as you have seen.. will be destroyed or captured. You have no COMs  right now.. save  to contact the Delta Fleet..we have seen to that..Vera  is  alone, unless some allies  want to  pay a stiff price to aid her...

 If Adem  and Evert  surrender... or , if they are   turned over..and we  Verify the bodies...Vera  will be spared.. the  savage   onslaught the Hillites  suffered... H3  has  finally surrendered..  and some  'Blue  Hillites  are joining the  fleet... but keep in mind, the pounding  the Hillites   took, was  spread over    3 planets...The Pounding  Nivar took, was only as ahrsh as it needed to be, since many of the  Nivarians had   eagerly joined the APF.... Vera  could be  an asset  to the APF...but  it  does not offer as many resources  as our allies  have...so...we will not mind  pounding   your planet to box wood... I do not  feel sorry for    your 'civies"... because the chocie that is coming, is being made by thier  leaders ..and the leaders  are going to chose , life  or death...now?.. I have to get some rest, for eating, drinking and dancing.... I suppose we'll have another one, when we finished with vera...when the screen goes Blank... you have   47  hours..12 minutes...

 the screen went black.

  ( 10 minutes  after Recall for  Calimate)

 A fellow with a  car salesman smile and    plastered hair   said..welcome to EUP  Independent media...from  the Ship  'Spotlight' here in the heart of the delta Fleet. We have , standing by, our   Reporter, Wendy. She was there  for the  sentencing of Adem and the signings of the articles of Uden System Joining the APF..Wendy?

 ..Yes... we have great film of the   'last death' match of Adem vs the erstwhile  LC  Kray Shadow, who seems , for whatever  reason, to be the darling of the ESN Hermes...

 the footage was edited  ...alot... Most of the film showed   when Shadow was thrown  across the dec  by Adem, and Only showed  Shadow Last 'stab' to immobilize  Adem.

 There was even   an edit at the stare, when it showed  Shadow  thinking over his next actions  as he   asked about Blades.

 so..we see here?  that the  Hermes Pilot had  a great deal of luck on his side, and taking advantage of Adem's  trip.. finished the  fight in  a very...ignoble  way

We saw it  first..here  On   EUP!

  A Service announcement  was made by the SM....

 From the Desk of the SM, Delta Fleet, effective  immediately

to the Marine personnel of the Delta Fleet and any other Marines still answering to the Space branch of the Corps (with copies sent to Admiral Hack, the Board, and the Nivarian Cavet)--

It has been brought to my attention that, in defiance of recent orders from the Cavet, there are elements of the Nivarian forces who persist in the old, abusive practices of larg handling...in particular, forcing larg to fight each other, either to the death or until one simply stops fighting.  I've also been informed that these same handlers eat the defeated largs.

In light of our recent discoveries of the intelligence and loyalty of largs, this is an appalling situation.  In consideration of the efficacy of well-handled larg in combat situations, it is my carefully considered opinion that this is not only a morally repugnant situation, it is also a gross waste of valuable resources.

Therefore, any Marine personnel are strongly encouraged to intervene in any situations where these practices are in use, and use whatever measures are deemed necessary to preserve the largs.  The war is going well for us...but not so well that we can afford to eat one of the more valuable weapons that we have discovered.  Nivarian forces carrying pulse batons may NOT reclaim largs from Marine forces, but Nivarian handlers who have adopted the new handlers should be allowed to reclaim largs.  If no Nivarians are in the area to take the largs, Marines are expected to take care of the largs and, where possible, incorporate them into future actions.  Training at least one or two members of every Marine platoon in practices for larg handling is also strongly encouraged, so that any confiscated largs can be treated appropriately.

 the   Horn sounded  twice..long and Loud.. the red  lights began to Blink.

 This is Captain Si, we have   enemy  confirmed... at out present  course  we shoudl like up with out  task force.. an hour, most like, less, we will see  out enemy.. Admiral Hack  will give a briefing with in the hour... prepare for battlestations...

  Captain Si's face  appeared  on the VID  screens, her hair wet from a shower  as she  Held  up her Vid Board  and smiled a  bit darkly.

  Greeting... I have   received  a message  from Everest's Admiral. saying there will be  a Ball at  2000 hours  the day after tomorrow.... Tomorrow will be  about the football game, and  the parties   around the Uppers  and Lowers.. I trust you all to use your  heads, not  only with the Everest SEC..but.. other ship's  crew, as the rivalries  do seem to   rise   when shore  leave starts.

 ...For the Ball?... TAdmiral St Gaul as invited  all the officer Ladies  of  the
  4 section flag ships, The Burian fleet and  the Hyrian  fleet... Those Ladies  may , of course, bring thier own escorts..though i am sure  some will be going in a certain limozine..

 All Ladies should  Report to My Condo  at our  new  Hotel we are using.. called   EVER-REST..it is in the lowers    about  3 blocks  from the Beta  HQ building where the ball will be held...

 ..thank you all for   the work you have done..enjoy the up coming shore leave.

  Admiral Hack and  Captain Si Appeared on the  Vids all over  the Ship.

  Good  evening , Shipmates. Welcome to Everest... it is now... 11:00PM Ships  Time....
 Will will be opening the GAngway for those  of the  first wave  of  shore leave , for the crew who must stay aboard to maintain things... we are goign to allow   each   wave  24 hours leave from the time they are scanned, to the time they get back...If  we stay a Third  day, we will figure out  additional time....

 Pilots, Troopers  and other Combat related  ratings,  are free to come and go..keeping in mind they  need to be careful while on shore leave

 captain Si  smiles her   wonderful Angel Smile,Lady officers who will be goign to the Ball,  I am having  my dresses  shipped to out  Condo tomorrow  morning.. The Ball will be from 4:00pm Station time, until they shut the lights out...so ladies  who wish to wear  a new angel silk dress?  Please  come to  the Condo to pick your  style.. it is also  to be pointed out, if you are a  Non-com or enlisted, and you are  being escorted by an Officer, you are welcome to  pick a dress as well.... I love the Hermes Ladies to be the  highlight of   the Balls we must suffer through... Admiral St Gaul  has said , Full dress uniform, or  dresses/Gowns  for the Ladies.... if  ladies   choose to wear a Dress and you are a Blue Max  holder?  wear your smaller 'everyday' Max... The men, will have to wear the larger  Dress  version, since they will all be  in Dress Blues or Whites.. Be at  the Condo  around 1:00PM station time..

  Some of you will be receiving special instructions for the Ball.. but as a whole?... try not to get into fights  with  Rival ships or races of the Delta Fleet.... if Everest Folks  give you are a hard time, you must try and  defuse  the situation...

 Now?  The Hard issues..... Theft..will be dealt with , by allowing  Everest to lock you up, there is a damn good bet you won't be  on the ship when we leave.... Rape or attempted Rape... if you're   damn lucky?  you'll be sent to  the colonies..if you aren't  you'll walk there....Murder..which incudes  fights in bars.. will be   the colonies  or The Walk... Provosts will decide that...Drunks?... you'll be sent  back to the ship  and spend  time in the Brig

 looking at the little note he had  and giving his head a shake. We are goign to   a place, that is  as much of a world  as  any planet we have been on... there are criminals there..there  are enemies there.. do not confuse  Enemies for   rivals.... Rivals   might get into a fight  with you for honor... the  other  types?  will get into a fight to try and Kill, rob, or both?... Unlike the rest of you, The Captain, the Board and Myself  , have a tight  schedule of where we need to be.. though we do plane  on some  sun on the Lower's  beaches  the Morning of the third  day... anytime, people from the fleet get into  trouble, they will be brought before   the  Captain of thier  ships, where ever he or she may be...YOU DON'T... want to be brought into the Beta Fleets HQ during the BAll..that would be a very bad thing..Have   fun, unwind.. and be smart... That is all...

all across the Fleet  and  the stations.. the GAme was  aired  and  rating climbed..at first some folks  hoping to see Hermes get   thier  butts kicked. But as the  team fought  hard, more and more people  were   watching, and rooting  for the  Hermes, that was  always seemed  like the Blue  Collar ..working  folks team.

 CE-VA's  smiling  Face came on as the score board  had  'somehow' been taken over to show the  score  and the   Hermes  Highlights.

  Well..there you have it ..It may not have  been the most  clean  game  I have ever  saw, But  the hermes  team seemed  like it came to play

 A Black fellow  on the APF  New Ship smiled  as  the screen split,..the loss of the players to the Hermes  did not seem to hurt them, nor the  the recent trades  seem to Help Everest;s  sqaud...  can you give us   any Insight?

 she nodded her ehad   as she listed    to her  earbud,,Yes?....  Miller, the QB   said not much has  changed, Its  part of Fleet football, new  players  are expected  to 'fit in'.. LC Shadow, always a Fan favorite,  more or less  said they were   coming to  kick  butts.. and they didn't  like the disrespect shown  to people who are front line fighters..

The Black man laughed,It may be a good thing The hermes  are front line  fighters...They seem to know  how to win!

 a  Hand came into View  Giving the  guy a sheet of Paper....Just got this?... CE-VA's coverage of the Game  has  been listed  as the  top coverage of this  'game year'..The APF network  is proud to have her  as one of our  Own..Great Job CE-VA!

 CE-VA   looked surprised  and said,..I tried  my best.. I had some help from the Hermes COM Tech officer, got  some  good  boosting  for   the CAM  feeds... Well..I have to Go,   the 'Ever Rest' is goign to have thier Condo parties tonight.. I'll be gettign shots from there!


 the  screen sended shoing  the  score,  with a frozen Pic  of melia   crossign the goal line on the last TD

 Feeds  hit the  screens  all over the fleet, and the station

 there was a med  tech with  the Stem kids   and there  was alot of noise behind her  as they approached the   area where they would get sent to  the warships  that would convey them Hope.

 The Feel good story of the Hour  is  , some  200+  kids getting to leave   Everest for life on the lush planet of Bura...one of the Civie  Volunteers  handed out  crayons and markers and told them to draw a  picture of  what they liked about  their last day.. here are some pretty telling pictures ....

 alot of pictures of   stick figure in water   or  eatign hotdogs... picture of  little stick figures  with colorful clothes  on..

 ..here's  a picture  from a kid named Slider... it shows  a ..Green creature  eating some one... he was one of the children saved  by the   raid in the tunnels...

  There was a   Tall Purple   stick  figure  and  a tiny   stick  figure.....this was drawn by a girl named  Skiffle

 There are several   bigger stick  figures  who are handing  little stick figures  pizza?.. i wonder who that could be! she  laughs.

 here  is one  with  a bigger stick figure  shooting  at  other big  stick figures... with little   ones in a corner... from what i understand,, it was a Kid who was saved in the Stem that drew this?

  ..here is a cute one.. a Little boy drew, he won't say who it is..., he is one of the sad ones.... But you see a little  Brown  stick figure  , walkign with a taller  brown stik figure  that has   'woman hair' and a  Man with   greyish  air , stick figure.. and..a dog stick figure...

 ..new planet, new lives... eh?... she smiles   as the Vids  go off.

((   Vid Screens were Interrupted))

 Admiral  hack was on the screen,Attention...  We have reports  of Roussian  vessel    shadowing, and slowly closing on the   vessels that have taken the   kids to Bura... we have had  limited  action agains  Roussians,,, none of them worked   out well for them...

 After  talkign to the  board  and section Commanders... The delta fleet is  going to Roussian space... we are going to pound the  9 hells out of the planet and invade.. to help keep  the surpise.. there will be no COM traffic leaving    Delta  Fleet vessels   for the next  3 hours.... Jump off is  in 2 hours... countdown clock starts now......you transfers?.. welcome to the delta Fleet....get what rest you can..  and get  ready... that is all...

 Horns  Blew   through out the ship.. and the   countdown clocks  under the ships  clocks  and  Vid screens  started to   coutdown..1:58:36....and counting..

(( before hunting))

   The Horns  blew  of an announcement.

  ATTENTION..... THE DELTA  FLEET IS  ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A HUNTING EXPEDITION .  I WON'T GO INTO DETAIL, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR   SSN, EDT AND EVOL SHIPS OR AIRCRAFT, AS WELL AS ANY STRAY EMPIRE SHIPS , COMING THROUGH  THE SOL SYSTEM  AND INTO THE BETA QUAD. i WILL GO INTO MORE IN PREGAME, WHEN WE HAVE CONTACT. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR  COMMANDING OFFCIER, MAKE SURE YOU EAT, AND HAVE YOUR GEAR READY.. THANK YOU.

during battle of the alpha Beta  funnel ))

 Beth snorted  and Put  the Vid up on the screens... Admiral Akkus  snood , with a very angry  demon Face.

 Admiral Hack!..i have reports  of  many SSN ships  and thier  Empire  friends being attacked by the delta Fleet!... You must stop this, or   face war crime charges!

 Hack  Climbed the   stairs like he was  16 years old, and Grabbed the Mic.. he was laughing  as he said...War Crimes?.. Now.. what do you consider War  Crime Akkus?.. eating  kids, stealing people to feed to your troops  and allies..slavery... pirate attacks?

 we are  ridding  The Black of Pirates and Empire  folks.. this includes sterilizing  the home worlds of  enemy  forces... some times  we have to make two trips..no one wants  us to make that second trip...

 Now?  since the ESN/APF  are at war  with  the Empire, and the SSN is not a full blown ally, rather then just normal ...run of the mill, traitors.we are attacking our enemies who happen to be  pirates as well!..so we kinda get to do  2 good deeds  at one  time..</Red>

 and, Admiral? we're  comign for that Nest ship too...and we aren't coming to 'take it'

 The demon looked very angry...that isn't a normal Nest ship... it is  a station with all of our  peoples  in the  Sol system use  for  rest  and recreations....

 ..and  feeding and breeding....

 Akkus  just gave a dark  smile  with a shrug.....to the victors....

 Aye.... to the Victors..... he waved  at the screen...get that face off my screens....

 beth  smiled,already done...  the screens  went black, and feeds from the battle came back.

all around the Black, and streamed  to colonies, planets  , whether  folks wanted to hear it or not ( they...of  course..could  shut  down Monitors  or unplug things..which..in a way would  help the ESN/APF  even more)

 As with these feeds from the battle.. I am  sending this  message so everyone...everywhere... will understand what is about to happen...

 he was  quiet for a bit  as he watched the fighting  of the assault  teams and drop ship troopers.. and saw the   reddish dot  on the screens, that  was  the  Nest ship.

 what has been labeled as the  'SSN # 3  Fleet".. has been destroyed... many of thier ships captured... I would have to say , most of the crews   are going to die in battle..., those who surrender, will be  judged   and The APF  will act upon thier  judgements... Earthers, however  will be treated  as Traitors... unless they show some sort of sign, that  we  might  allow some  sort of lenience towards  them...

 ...This  message goes out to those on the Nest  Ship, because  everyone else  on that side of this battle doesn't mean one gods be damned thing...... The Nest ship has  to chose...and you have  roughly...25 minutes to make that choice....

 Elements of The Delta Fleet, and perhaps the Burians  are   sailing towards   the   Nest ship.... I don't care if its in 'Sol Space"  since the  Fleet that served it  , pirated   APF ships  in Our  space.....Please  Understand this.....THE NEST SHIP WILL BE DESTROYED....

 the venom in his   voice  was   as intense  as the fist he squeezed and held  up...

 For  Prisoners on board that ship, I can only say, I am sorry....but  we cannot permit  the  nest ship's existence any longer... and? this is a very good chance  for   The Sol System to see what the Empire  does?... do they send ships  to  fight us off?.. do they send ships  to help EVAC?..or... will they EVAC thier own, and leave  those they cannot  find transport for....to die.

 The Clock is ticking...   The Empire, that the Sol System has joined, along with the
 Angel outcasts  who follow  GE-FI..must make a choice....do not expect Mercy... The Die was cast  when  the Sol System joined the  Empire..and the  '10th Planet' is about to be, no more...EVAC... if you are 'normal Humans' maybe  you can fight  and kills  the Empire folks  and  het a ship for your own..But... you can bet,  there won't be many  Demons and the like, left on board when we get there...Unless.. you make sure  they can't escape.

 I am sorry, for the  good folks....if  any... that will die there...but i will be glad to  sut this infection out of the Sol System... Good luck...may you meet your gods  with a smile on your face...

The transmission ended...

  There is the   horn sound  for the  PA System.

  Now Hear this. As i check the  Logs. Today is  the  6th year, Since  The  ESN 351 Hermes  sailed from Earth...her  first Mission, to  fine and  Kill one demon  Cap ship, that was hiding between Jupiter and Saturn

 he  was  quiet for a moment  , then continued...we were a differant ship back then...only 24 aircraft..50  troops and alot less  billet room!

 very few of us, had been as far as Mars... No Earth ship, in the History  of Earth...went ship to ship and lived to tell the  tale. And on the ESN  Neutron, every traded  rounds...

 For  the rest of the Day Until noon tomorrow..Skeleton crews  so crew may celebrate...and  miday tomorrow, we'll have to great up for shore leave....

 To all those   who cast off on that Day..Congrates  for still being here.... for  those who came aboard since.. bask in the glow, of those who came before you....That is all...

  The   feed was set up like  any other interview.. ZU-IS sitting behind  his  desk with  many awards  on a book should  and  swords  from enemies on the wall...

  Welcome to  Paradise  Feeds... I am interviewing  , Paradise's  Grand High Admiral, ZU-IS...Admiral, Thank you for joining us  today... What  do you see, in the  Upcoming meeting with  Fleet Admiral Hack.

 Well, GR-DA..it will be alot of Adjustments  for  the Humans... we are free of our defense of  The Paradise  system..it is time for us to lead the APF to Victory...

 Polls show  the APF , leaning  hard to  Admiral Hack and His ESN Delta Fleet.

  Sadly, this is  the case... his hands  were clasped, they opened in a motion of concern.

 we will  have to Hope, The Admiral concedes to his betters and  Puts  the good of The Black, before his own ego!

Tonight at 8pm on the Hermes Rec Dec, my beloved Val will do me the honour of becoming my wife. You are all invited to come and celebrate with us.

   for anyone watching  After   Henry's  invite. Yet another  channel showed a  'kindly smiling' ZU-IS.

  A Male , Human, reporter was  asking him questions.Admiral ZU=IS, I know this is on the mind of  most of the APF, and i have to  think its on the mind   of every Human in the Fleet.... Why do you think we need your  Leadership?... You ships and   Troops  will be welcome, I would suspect? But our leadership seems to be  just fine.

 Well, as  with you being a Human, I understand your Loyalty. But Angels have been fighting  Demons since  we first clashed  eons ago..we know the Demons, they know us... that should be ...elementary.

   But..The Delta  fleet  carved a swath  through  The Empire Holding  in The Black, when the AP...now the APF, joined  as  a force, we have fought some massive battles....and the Empire has always  lost..

There was a brief  glimmer  of  anger, But  ZU-IS caught himself I think you would file that , under...beginning luck?

 Beginners ..Admiral....and I think 6 years  of  solid  victories , should  take that word out  of  the equation?

 I must go...we must be prepared for the Welcoming Ball, and the  Conference after..

 ..Its a Victory  Ball for  The  Fleet..and a Welcome Home for  The Fleet, as Admiral Richards was once, one of  tthe Delta' Fleets most promising  Officers...

 ZU-IS nodded to some one.....Remove him, i have  work to do...

 the screen went  blank.

 Those who had the  screens on were greeted  by the morning news. Most of  it was Etna  local news,  as well as  'The Black', from the  Media vessels.

 A Half Burian  woman, the other half  appeared to  be  'green Angel', spoke in a lilting accent  as she  recounted the  some of the activities.

 The  1st  as  what appeared to be a  Party, gone out of  control, with gun shots fired  and   Hover cars wrecked into the  building 47 people  were killed, in various ways  from  gunshot wounds  to being burned to death, the  house is not  taped off, as  Etna Sec, as they search for clues into why a shoot out may have occurred.

2nd ... a resort in the Uppers  called   'The Big Tipper" was heavily damaged  by  fire. close  to 80 people are believed  to have  died, in and  around the  resort, there are also close to  30 people who died  in  boating  incidents , which are believed to be  related to the resort attack.. another  27 people are  injured and in   Etna Uppers  Med-Tech.. the  area around the resort  has been cordoned off  as   Etna Sec  begins to come  trough the  debris  to find out what clues  they  are able to come up with... some witnesses  to the FC vehicles fighting the fires, said, many of the  Dead  where Vicrock Troops enjoying shore leave.

3rd... there  is a possible related shootout  happened in the  Stem as a popular  'shipping bar' was raided by people who eliminated   any of the  Vicrock or  Brown Coat Mercenary group there... a woman who did not wish to be Identified, stated  the group that attacked  were of mixed races, with a Human outside., it is unclear  how many people died, since many of them were  'freelance   Mercenaries '...a total of  23 Vicrock  troops  died  in the   shoot out

4th..this lead to the  situation  on the Docking arm , that the  Paradise  Vessel  " Frosted Feather' was docked...

 it  appears  at least one shooter..or peahaps  two, began shooting   crew , it is believed the shooting lead to a fire, with even more people   dying as they  began to fight the blaze.... people escaping the resort . tried to  escape the resort by  arriving at the  Gates to the docking arm...warnings  were traded as well as  resort refugees  claiming that  some of the Vicrock people where truning on them causing  even more deaths then should  have happened....

 FC Vehicles  could  not  enter the  docking  arm as the   mob  clashed with  Frosted Feather  Crew..., The ship  was removed from the doing arm, along with whatever  crew they could recall, and sent to an orbiting  dock  for internal repairs, caused  by fires   and explosions.... Frosted Feather's  commander  refused to release the  deaths and  injuries', but we have a report of 30 some people, either shot , ot trampled  at the gates.

 The woman   smiled at the screen as she laid  down her papers.as the investigation goes on, This reporter  would like to recommend, that  Vicrock  and other  such EDT allies, be refused  entry into our  beloved  station...no matter  who started the shootings..the idea is plain to see...enemies on the station lead to bad situations for the rest of us...

  Hello and good afternoon... this is  a new break from Etna SEC  News  feed.

  an investigation is being held  for the Commander of  a PSN Corvette, that was damaged  by an explosion,casued  by a Vicrock Civie  Skimmer....All reports show the  skimmer  contained  Colonel  Fred MAris  of  Vicrock marines  and His  Son Eric

 the Commander is  being blamed  for   the accident, and No Vids  to clear him are available, and  all witnesses  on the Hanger  Dec were Killed , outright, or sucked into the Black..The Corvet also seems to have suffered  weapon's damage  to its Bridge   window3s, which cost a few more  crew thier lives...no surrounding ships have  vids, and no one  has seen an attacking Vessel.

 Some people say it was an attack  by pirates who areangry at Vicrock  for  patroling the system and keeping  shipping safe...Others  say it might have been politically  motivated  , as Vicrock is a   Sub group of the EDT, and have ties with both, Paradise  and The Empire.

 Paradise  has  sent a condemnation to Etna, for the Loss of   close to 400 Paradise and Vickrock  lives, as well as close to 200 hundred  Civis who were commerical  allies  to the  two systems.

 Lady V Said , The delta Fleet was responsible.

 Admiral Hard  gave a short, terse, one sentence answer to that claim...My LC  warned Colonel Maris, Thta Etna could be a dangerous place"

 some people who wintnesses altercations on the beach, where Paradise  Angels and Vicrock crewmen  battled    Delta Fleet personal, and their  animals

 Chief  ETNA SEC  Officer, Elge, stated.....Etna has been getting better, as  far  as danger goes. But you cannot antagonize Delta Fleet personnel , right have  a  rough , jump off...it boarders  on stupidity, and smacks of insanity "

 That is all, for Etna  Update...and a Hope for safe travels , for the Delta Fleet...

(( After transfers left))

   CE-VA  smiled  at the  Shoulder CAM she set up on the table while she shared a cup of coffee with the Admiral.

  Hello, I am CE-VA of the ESN News Force..I am Here  with Fleet Admiral Hack as an important  Event  Just happened...Admiral?

 The Admiral  Looked  sad, or disappointed. He  began,As Most people Know  by now, we are headed into the Gamma  Quad once more to aid the Matterhorn in securing its space... The Paradise   Space Nay, was to  come with us, But, various  issue  , Including  some trust issues, had me make a  decision to sent them to try and Retake   Earth and the Sol System... it is not an easy Task, But as i have been told, time and  again, the Paradise   Angels have been in this  war for well over 1000 years, I am sure, in that time, they have   found many ways to  achieve a goal...and? Sadly, if they cannot, well, we could use thier ships...not thier people...

 ..will there not   be some   problems with the PSN allies?

 The Admiral nodded as he  took a sip of his coffee,And?  that is where the  PSN  has to take a Stand, recognizing  Vicrock as a system, and allying with them? well...We are Enemies of Vicrock, and any other version of the EDT  there is..at this point in time, The Sol System is also allied  with Vicrock and the Empire?...so there is some question where the PSN  fits in..we shall see what happens   when The PSN  sails into the Sol System...

 CE-VA gave a   heartfelt look to the Admiral,..there is something else  troubling  today, is there Not?

  Hack sat back  and  put his  arms, helplessly into the Air...yes.... we received  a much need   infusion of  Transfers from the PSN...however, with those  transfers  came  a fe Vickrock crewmembers....They seemed to  have a hard time fitting in? And , as a  Warship, in the delta Fleet, we  do not need those, we...however unlucky we seem...get enough of those through regular channels, we cannot have enemies  aboard our vessels..there were some...how can i say this?  Altercations?, there were  some  confinement, some  Med tech work..., in the end, we   sent the  transfers  back,  No Vicrcok trooper had a chance... the Angels  did...for our ship, the Blue Moon Angels  stayed, everyone else  left...I have been getting feed back, through General Bale, that every ship in the fleet has cleaned house of the Vicrock transfers, and  only a few Angels  stayed to  figtht...

I don't  mean to fish too deep for information ..but? where will they go?

 ..We contacted   a Privateer group, they  seem to be  good people, maybe one or two steps down from the EMS... They used cargo shuttles  from Transports that have  taken as prizes, , They were paid through Fund  we recovered from  the '9th' planet in  The Funnel.. The Shuttles cannot hope to catch the PSN, so they are  steering to the Kyper  Belt  where they will unload  all the transfers at the first  Sol System Navy outpost they  come too

 But?  The  PSN is moving in to attack the Sol System?

 This?  is  true... Admiral ZU-IS wil have to  play diplomat , and see what he might arrange for his people....The Vicrock people will be treated well , by the Sol System... but  there is not solid  alliance between the Paradise system and  the Sol System, not to mention the  whole 'invasion thing'.. but? we couldn't  keep them here,   Vicrock will have to pick a side..or Sol system will..or? the PSN will, That isn't my  Problem, we'll have  our handful out here..

  CE-VA Gave a thoughtful look...and if Paradise  joins with the Sol System, they will become out  enemy? Can you handle  a Foe like that on , yet another front?

  Admiral Hack gave a dark smile,..I have planned for that..it may not have the best over all consquences ..but it will leave the ESN and the APF a bit   happier.

 Thank yiou , Admiral Hack, for the  Information, this will go a long way into settling  our peoples. questions  and   worries...

 The Admiral Looked at CE-VA his  Brow  furrowed...wait? was this borad casted?.. This was supposed to be   ESN/APF only!

 CE-VA put a hand to her  Mouth,Oh Gods... I am sorry Admiral, it  was fed to our Newships and   broad casted live,,,, I am afraid ,everyone who wants to   watch it..saw it, or could  call it up..

 Hack stood, looking  a bit more tired the angry,<Red>Well?  next time..we have to  make this clear, one  way  Hack walked out of Camera  view, CE-VA Bit her Lip...well?...an accidental scoop for you all.... Thanks for listening..

   Screens all over the  ship...all over  the  fleet, all over the Balck, began to   light up  with 'NEWSBREAK'...all manner of  alien and Human  reporters, showed  excitement and wonder, and?  Confusion.

  Empire feeds  show  shock,  Paradise  showed  despair.

 Lady  V  was  trying to  reached  for Comment.. The Vids  Caught  GE-FI with his mouth hangign open like a thristy Aqra...

  reporters  trying to get a hold  of  Admiral Hack, would have  to wait for CE-VA

.................

 a reporter  from a Jovian  moon base  looked frantic.  The  PSN  Fleet seems to be under  attack, there   are  outposts   getting  ready to  fire on the  PSN  ships, as they appear to   be coming to  invade the Sol System.... We can only hope the brave Heroes of the SSN  can stave off this attack!!

............

 Meanwhile,  clips   coming and  going as COM techs  tried to cut feeds, but always seemed to find another one popping up...

 This  is  Vi-SE of the PSN  Grand Fleet,  we  are under attack by  minions of the   ESN!!...   and  we  are now, returning fire on some  renegade outposts on  Jovian moons!

..........

  Ambassador  Frans  was interrupted while he  ate, some sauce of some  kind on his  shirt.....This   is something we must stop!..The  Paradise  system is Allied with  Vicrock, who is also allied  with us.... this needs to be stopped...

............

 News from The Paradise  system was grave, almost chilling...This is High Chancler  PU-IM.... our   system has been invaded  by the Skith, even as i speak, hundreds of  ships  are jumping into our  system.  the  Moons   are setting up supply chains for the Skith..we need to call back the gran fleet now.. the fleets  in our system cannot   stand  against the  Skith, in this cowardly , surprise  attack...

 the  sound beep on the PAs  came...

   Attention...Attention.... SM Spencer, LC Shadow  and   Bio-Tech Chief   Christie, please report to Admiral hack on the football field, with in the hour...That is all....

  Announcement Bells  rang....

  NOW HERE THIS....NOW HERE THIS.... AT THE  SOUND OF THE HORNS, WE WILL HAVE ENTERED, WHAT IF OFFCIALLY  MATTERHORN SPACE, IN THE GAMMA  QUAD......OUR SHIPS  WILL BE  MANOVERING  TO THIER PLACES FOR THE JUMP OFF.....

 ..NO COMS WILL BE PERMITTED OFF SHIP, UNLESS IT  IS THROUGH  MILITARY  PATHWAYS...ANY OUTSIDE COMS   WILL BE  DEALTH WITH, AT LEAST BRIG TIME, OR A LONG WALK HOME....

  ALL RUNNING LIGHTS ON ANY VESSEL WILL BE   DOUSED.....ALL PORTHOLES  AND  BLASTSHIELDS  CLOSED... FIGHTERS IN THE AIR MUST  FLY WITH SCREENS BLACK.....WE ARE  2 HOURS  AWAY FROM PREGAME ON THE HANGER DEC, GET READY...BE  READY...i'LL SEE  YOU ALL ON THE HANGER DEC.

 THAT IS ALL...

  all the screens on the ship  stopped,  Admiral Hack in the   WarRoom with some Holomaps  behind him was speaking. he was easy going, but  some sternness in his eyes ,

 Good evening, Shipmates. and Fleetmates.  Tomorrow  we will be  going on a ... his  face twisted is a sour  half smile,..Rescue Mission. a company of Arch-Tech have  found, what is supposed to be , one of the Three Chinese ships that left  earth a few Months  before The  Hermes... From what we have  learned, there are  some Empire  troops  present ..our outposts on E-1 and E-2  have had  encounters and firefights  with  Largrans and  Creshians.....

 we were  on our  way   to chase the  scraps of the Empire  fleet we chased  from Matterhorn space.... some where  around  Midday, we  will be launching  Troops and Fighters, along  with the rest of Section 1..Section 2  will cover  The BLack..Section 3 is sending poeple down to E-2, with Section 4 protecting The Black, This will be  a good Jump off to
  use your training, and Pilots  to get used to the new rides..... Get rest... Ready Lights
 go on at 11:00..

  a Older looking  woman with a thick  Russian accent  appeared on a  'news Break'  Beth let filter through the Feeds.

 Good  evening , Peoples  of the  Empire Confed... we have much bad  new ... what you are about to see, is  very Graphic... so please..do not watch if you are sensitive..

she Voiced over  a View of   Ambassador Frans  flotilla.. The SSN Madrid decked out  with  Flashing white Lights , that  signified  'Diplomatic  Mission '.


 However, 2 Sister Ships   were in front of her, se[erated  by 2 miles or  so One at  11:00, one  at  1:00.

 Behind them, Two  Angel vessels   Dec out  in the  Red and Blue of Paradise one at 7:00 one at 4:00

 Above the Madrid was  a Demonic   Cap ship. and Below it was a Largran vessel...   another score of Corvettes    were close by, most likely, having  delivered  envoys and officers

  The Views  of  Frans  and  Hack  talking and Interrupted  by Shadow..the  insults  and threats  went back and   forth until Shadow  pulled out aa  Device,   Lt Frans   took the device  and  pressed the  button... and the screens went   Blank...


 Onside, Gun Gam View    Showed  the Stern of the Madrid  twist and  crumple  before  exploding. The  force  of the blasted  surged through the ship, setting off  ammunition, other power cells..gases, and flammable  liquids.. In 2 or 3 seconds, the Mighty Madrid  cease to exist... a crawl went across the  screen  estimating 15,000 people  died on the ship, Including  many high  ranking officers..."  was Trailing   smoke...." the Jagged Teeth"  suffer   Damage  to  its  spine, Both vessels Pulled away from the  formation  The SSN  Vessels, The Rio and  The Hanoi  Suffered damage  to thier  sterns.. and  had to shut down engines... The  Silver Cloud   and the Dancing Star had  damage to their  Bows.. The Silver  Cloud  lost its  Bridge... at least 17 Corvettes or  slops  were  vaporized  in the  explosion, another 7  were crippled  and   floated ..

 what  the screens didn't show, were  $ Cap ships  from Bura, and  4  from  Fuji closing  on the  Crip0pled ships.

The Empire...SSN..Pardaise  and Vicrock has  condemned this  attack..while others think it was a Malfunction on the Ship's maiden Voyage... If the ESN does  have the power to kil a ship from afar..the  war might be taking a bad  turn for   all of us..

  The Media  was  Broken  into By The ESN...

 Admiral hack , looking rather happy stood in front of , what looked like the War Room Holomap.. to his Right was Admiral  Hennings  and Captain Si. To his Left was General Bale and Lilit.

   Greetings  Sol System Buffet members. we have been watching the media  and ...quite enjoying the replays  of the Death of the SSN Madrid...more importantly. Those  aboard her.

 we  were rather disappointed  that the  'Great Paradise Fleet' did not  enter  our  territory... it would have been great to add to our fleet...though, I musy confess, we mayve have  just had to use them as  massive Tender?... since..they have never faced  an Empire vessel in battle...

 The ESN  is responsible  for the   death of the  Madrid....we had APF approval... You want to Help Vicrock.. you're gonna have to take the Long way around..of  send  some cap ships   .and?  we'll be ready... Olympus is looking like  a damn good place to start out  Jump off  for the Invasion of Earth... we still have to pull a few  weeds through..

 Now..all you people of  The Balck..what SSN news  isn't telign you is the  Madrid was just  a small part  of what happened to that Flotilla you dared to send into My House......every...single Corvette and Sloops  has been destoyed  or captured..

 The Hanoi was  Captured  by elements of The Burian Navy....The Rio  was captured  By  Fuji's  Defersnive  fleet.. he continues to look at a live feed.

 The Jagged Teeth.. is  Crippled, and  barely under way... our people have transported   what  crew and passengers  from other ships, we felt the need to let live... the rest of the  Crews?.. if you have them listed  as Missing... you may save yourself the  worry, and marked them as dead..

 The Silver Cloud  and  Dancing star  have been captured.. they  will be sent to  the  Blue Moon and red moon  to add to their  growing fleet...

 The Iron Hammer  is   damaged.. but  we are towing it  to Nivar...m it will serve  as a Home  defense  vessel until they can finish repairs...

 Sol System? You made a Mistake... you put that Clown on a Vessel and paraded him before  the  ESN and APF...It was an Insult  to  Earth..at least the Earth I used to know..now?  I can't even guess  how many lives  were lost, because  we do not know what the crew counts on the smaller Vessels  were.... our best  Guess is, on  the short side of 300,000... send more ships?  we'll do it again..Paradise?...we owe you two strikes..be
 ready for it...The Skyth  are  ready for it as well!

 This is just the start.... don't make us  any more angry...

 The Vid  ended..the Indian women sat in tears...can Ge-Fi and the Empire save us!

   As  the People  went about thier  day, The Admiral appeared on the  screens.

   Hello, Fellow Shipmates, , Fleetmates  and Members of the APF. Because of the recent incursipn by the  SSN and her  allies, we have   changed  our  course a Bit, . This  will give the   Largrans  and , Creshians  and Vampics  some time   to prepare..but  we have larger  fish to fry...

    Looking into the screen, so he would  be 'looking  at' his people, The Admiral continued. In a few short Hours   we  will be passing by Nivar..there, another  Transportbase of  Larg and Wort  units  will be picked up... as we steam past  the Hillite system and Vicrock Asteroid Field..we will pick up our first ever  Transport base of  Hillites that chose to  join the  APF.. This is Historic, because it  will mark the first time  since we invaded the Hillite system and Blockaded it, that they have officially  joined in APF actions....

 we will reach Bura  in a little under  , 2 days time..we will be  having shore  leave there  for 24 hours , to get the  New Largs and Worts  on the same page  as   the rest of our
 troops, and Give the Hillites   co-ordinated  as well...

 when we cast off  from   Bura... we will sail  By Fuji on our way to the Moons, there  , they will be presented  with   some 'fresh , out of the Box' Corvettes  from Fuji..while we are on this cruise..we will, of  course  intercept   or destroy any enemy Vessels  dare to cross into ESN Territory..we will have   a bit of a Co-ordinated   Effort with the Moons, and when we are Finished  we will return to Fuji for  shore  leave and repairs.

 He smiles  and ;looks  at the  screen with a dark grin...this message has been sent on a closed APF  network, to all of our  holdings... anyone  who has recived this message  and  did not have the Proper   Delta Umbrella?.. you can expect company in 30 seconds or so...the length of this message was designed to to trace any evesdropers....

 Thank You all, and  Happy Sailing...

(( sent  to  ALL COMS))

  LC Shadow here.....attention..in two days we  will reach  Bura..... It is my understanding we  will have  two days  shore leave.... The Larg  Units  will be working with  the  New Nivarian Larg Units  as well as   Gava-Spider gator units...... Other  training   by separate  units  will certainly have their  own times....

 to that end ..we will have a  survival Run for all Pilots, at 0800 the first Morning of our arrival...it  should take between 1  and  2 hours...Just so  I do not have to discipline anyone, the  Run is  to see how you survive  with the  equipment  you carry on a Jump off....mechs  and their support should  run thier own training...as always.. the   Run is opened to SEC Volunteers.

 I have  sent  ahead  for  an  area  that  is know  more having   beasties  and such that  may or may not attack you...They will inform me of the place as we reach orbit...

 After the Run, all pilots  will be permitted to go on their way, and  enjoy shore leave..unless, of  course.. you end up  in Med tech..That is all....

((From Intergalactic News ))

  The  storm over the annihilation  of  the SSN Madrid  and the   'diplomatic escort' that  was  with her. Charges  are being filed  by the   Earth, The Empire, Paradise system and  Vicrock. General Bale. The Ranking  Provost general in the Delta Fleet and part of the APF  Galactic  war consul had this to say....

Genral Bale  appears   on the screen.If this  wasn't a  war to save the  The Black, as we know it. It would  be very amusing....but it isn;'t amusing... he waves his  hand, his head shakes in disgust.

 I won't  rehash, Loyalty feasts, Breeding chambers, breeding experiments. attacking hospital chips  and cruise lines , pirating ...and  if you want to go back further..aubductions, examinations  and breeding  as well....

 Total war has been  called  our 2nd year out..or late  our first year. We take that to heart, as we know  our enemies  do. It seems they  feel as if they are 'above' everyone  else. when it  comes to  playback...we are here to show them , they are not.

 I feel these  SSN ships  and thier  escorts were sacrificed. We all know what happened to the last group of SSN vessels that  came into  Aqra  space, unleashed traitors  to  The ESN and apF who killed alot of our people, because  we weren't sure, who the 9 hells they were.They tried to force their passage  after we warned them...they paid the price.... Ambassador  Frans  was a fool...and a coward... he brought his  wife and the   girls he  labled as wives...he has   other escorts and claimed Diplomatic   immunity..

 he found out. In short order, that many of our people remember the EDT  and  Ambassador Frans...we  saw Paradise  turn on us, and the Empire  are here....only to be killed.

 The Delta  Fleet is combing the  area for more scrap...angel steel makes  good  weapon casings...... if any one  on that side of the Sol System feels  we acted in anyway, contray to what the empire  would  act?..please.. send  some warships over  and  we can hash it out....we....need more scrap..Good Night... check under your beds..behind   you closet doors...The Night of The Shadows is coming soon...

the screen returned to the sit come with a Mull family trying to live like their Human  neighbors... Called  ' Mull's Berry Bush'
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:13, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

(( intergalactic news))

The Reporter, a pretty looking  Indian  girl  with a stern look on her  face, I am  Anita  Holasphor , and this is a   special report, from  the Earth Network.  It appears the  ESN and her  Terrorist allies have struck once more.. Cargo station  #174, just outside of   Neptunes  Moons, where  many, many   supplies, passengers  and troops are  unloaded to  the next leg of thier  journey, in or out of the Sol system. at  0600 earth time today, the
 Angel Transport, 'Gossomer Wings'   exploded  as it reach the  dock. All people on board the ship perished, and  60% of  Cargo dock 174 was lost, along with crew, supplies and  any
  passengers . It us  not known how the  ESN did this thing, but it is reminiscent of  The explosion that took out the Late  Ambassador  Frans, his family and several  thousand  Empire   personal as well as ships, and damaging others. Is there No end to the Horribale acts the ESN will..............................

There was an interruption and a   younger, Black woman, wearing camo  uniform and helmet held a piece  of paper as she  comment.

 Good  evening, I am the  today's voice of  freedom, The Gossomer  Wings was a ship of terror, it  carried  2000  angel  troops that were to be send to SSN vessels to help fight the ESN....the people   that were  aboard, Cargo station 174. were also receiving the  Banned   Plasma  weapons, that  no allies have used this war. We regret, the loss of life  at whatever
 'innocent' people were working , or imprisoned on that  station. We do not regret the
  loss of traitors. as the  motto  says, 'Earth has   chosen poorly'... I will add that the
 Earth Network   has not  yet commented on the    Largran cruisers, and   Creshian destroyer that  had 'blown up' while in transition  to   APF space...I will leave the Empire with this
 warning...Not all people who want to fight  The Empire, belong to the APF...


 the transmission ended ..and regular shows   resumed.

 (( see  elsewhere))

 The  screens  came to Life, with  kids being lead into the  Govenor's Mansion   for  what looked like a massive Loyalty feast...all the way until Stoly  the elder  signed off.

 horns sounded   and the Vidboards showed   Hack's face.

 Hello , Fleetmates, We  are currently Passing  Fuji and headed deeper into th delta  Quad. I cannot  say where  we are heading, But i encourage you all, to  have   armor and weapons  ready to grab, there   will be  some  supplies  catching up to the fleet, sent  By Fuji. I encourage to  enjoy your down time, as well as have hear ready.

 Crews  should begin to assemble the scaffolds  for the Hanger 'war room'.

 Thank you, and  enjoy your down time.

the Vids  went back to normal

  As the  Fleet  left Fuji in their wake  the horns sounded once  more,  Captain Si appeared on the Screens.\

 Good Morning, Fleetmates. With Fuji a good  5  hours  behind us, we  will be sailing through, Th Zolth, Astra   slot.  when we reach that point, you will hear from us, as to our destination.

 LC  Shadow  and SM Spencer, please  see  Captain O'Rielly  on the Hanger Dec,, transfers and supplies are arriving.  Captain SI  out.

  Shadow's Voice   came on the COMs.

  All Hear this.... All pilots   will report to the Tunnels   in...1 hour  46 minutes in full gear.... SEC, may attend as  they wish.  That is all...

 Captain Si came on the screens..

  Attention... We are about to  be entering  areas  where some Mission  parameters  will start to take place. No COMs to any planets will be permitted  through, save  for opeational COMs. Anyone caught sending  COMs  to a Planet of Carrier stations, You will be  put into the brig. as we study what COMs were sent.

 That is all.

Once  More the   screens   around the  ship lit up.. or  jumped from whatever  was on, to see the  Admiral  in the War room  with   Captain Si beside  him.  The Board  was  behind  them.

 Beth was in SEC  running the show from her  desk with a  headset on

 The  screen split , showing . AP-LO  appeared  on the other screen, Hansome  and strong looking  as most Angel men he scowled at  the  people With AP-LO was a darker skiined female,, as all angels, she was striking.

 Beth said into the  headset That is  CR-SE, the number  2 of Paradise.

AP-LO was  clearly older the GE-FI, he eyes   The Admiral with  some contempt  as he said,Are you here  to ask us to come back into the Folds of the APF...or  do you wish us  to release  Earth  into the loving arms of the APF...

 The Admiral  chuckled, as  did the  board Members  behind him, Captain Si  gave CR-Se a  haughty , twisted smile.

 It  appears i have amused you?

CR-SE looked at  Captain Si,Nil.... your  poet Humna is still a live.. how is your child doing....? she smiled sweetly, but her  eyes  were  cold and dark.

 Captain  Si  shook for a Moment.our child  is  in the lands where they can meet our  ancestors. You can ask her  how she is doing  , very soon. and In person..

It was CR-SE  who shook now. AP-Lo  pointed  at  Hack.This is one of your warning  COMs, isn't it.. That is why  we cannot  shut down the COMs..

 I don't understand, AP-LO. how can you not shut down  COM restrictions, for  lowly humans?... but..no matter, this is going across The Black. So? if you decide  to turn the power of to your palace, or  shoot your COM screen..it  will only leave you deaf and dumb to my.....offer

  AP -LO   called for   something, and a servant  appeared with  wine for  Ap-lo and Cr-Se. Three  other, older Angels   appeared  and stood behind   the pair  by the screen.what  could you possibly  offer   Paradise.

 ..Your Lives... thouygh. that  means little to you, since you famed out 1000's of your own people to feed the Empire

 We have the Greatest civilization that has ever been  born,  it was a simple   task to have a lottery  and  send  the named pesons  to  the Hel system... They did it for  the Angel  race..our very homeworld!...

 I bet , very few of the richest, and high rank went...possibly, only  those  who fell in disfavor..  There was a Twitch from AP-LO..Hack grinned.

 We  do not  fear the 'great' Delta  Fleet,  when we see you coming, we  we  send our ships to meet  you, the there will, no longer be, a delta  Fleet+

  That's what you'll do? wow. that sounds  kinda  scarey..

 Nil said,Indeed,  I am , most  shaken, I would ask you to hold me, but i do not  wish to appear weak before our friends...

AP-LO Growled  You make sport of me!

 Easy thing to do, AP-LO. I mean The delta Fleet has  grown a bit  , since  we left earth  the second  time. But . here's the Thing , AP-LO..we aren't coming to ..'sigh a treay'..we won't be asking  for  angels  to  be given us,  Unless its to join us  in attacking the Empire... we   are here to Pound Paradise into  Dust..if you  doubt  my resolve? you are welcome to  COM some of those others  we 'visited'.

 AP-LO angry smile  vanished.You would   dare to  attack the planet of your gods?

 the very fact they need  a planet, and that  Angels surrendered to  Demons... I would  like  nothing   better then to shell your planet until it cracks in half...

 CR-SE  snaps.....you owe us....

 NOTHING!...  We got the  Humans  into The Black, The rest, they did on their own..with, as the saying goes..Blood, sweat and tears..

 It matters  not, our  Fleets  will be waiting for you and whatever  friends you bring with you.... You won't even see Paradise..

   Beth,  Tell Captain   DI-ME, he may  take  what actions he wishes...

 Already done, Admiral...

   the angels looked at each other   , Hennings  was  listening to his heads et as he  held out his  COM that was    ticking off   seconds

 Count it  at 10, Admiral  if you please.

Aye , Admiral at  10

 The angels were  getting  angry but wqtched.  He reached for a coffee and winked at them.

 Captain DI-ME came over to the APF after the  Battle of  The Black,  he got his own ship. It is  now crewed by  Blue and Red   moon angels, Sanri  and Occui.. They asked me, in person , on Etna, to be the  Hearld... I could not refuse..

  10......9..... 8.... Morris started to Count, in his measured , English way.

    The angels  were  running   around in the backround...Something , wrong, AP-LO?

 3.....2.....1...............................

 The   Angels looked like a bad Movie  as the screen shook and they attempted  to keep their   feet, a window..or  something like one must have  Blown in.. Glass  slinging up one of the Three Angels  behind them,  while the rest used their  AngelSilk  robles to cover themselves.

 Horns  could be heard  and  guards     moved around talkign the  wounded...councilman?  away... AP-LO's  Mouth  was open,,,CR-SE Glared  at   Nil...

 Nil put her fingers to her  mouth...oops... too much Plasma?

 HOW!!

  ahh..AP-LO..you guys, always   look down on us, until we stab up at you..then its  two late... Now...if  I have one ship  inside you fleet,,,how many others  do i have?

   a   distressed  LT  ran up to AP-LO with a  report disc.. the two  Angels looked at the   disc, and up at  Hack...You  hit   the transportaion  Ministry , the blast leveled  3  Blocks. estimates  say , it could be more then 1000...

 wow?  that sucks , huh? and that won't count to your tribute..a sip of his coffee...then points the cup at AP-LO...Consider  that a tiny bit of payback  .  For the attacks in new York. and... Tell GE-FI he better move  his assets in England, its harvest time.

 AP-LO was distressed..even the Demons did not  attack  out planet!

 well, since you rolled over  for belly  rubs, they didn't need to..and they were afraid  you'd retailate

 Hands   arms   went out, then slapped against his side,what are you goignto do? Attack us? That's what were here for!... attack our   Fedration Planerts,  well..you know you can't do that.. But one thing you can do?... surrender  you Cap ships to me, and all you  good little angels  stay on you homeworlds, wild the Adults play...

 CR-SE   raised a fist, tears  came from her  eyes,,,we'll turn Earth into a bardyard...

   Hack Laughed  and held his hand out to Henings, who was grinning as he   flicked  through   screens let's see here... Astra....  The Pit...  Zolth....Bura...... hmmm.. Nil..do you see?....

 she looked over her husband's shoulder...No? Oliver its not there...
Guys?  hey?  can you find  me Earth..i can't  find it in the  Allied  Planet Fedration Listing?

  That's the Problem , Admiral Hack.. they are listed in the Empire...

   Hack slapped his head...That's right! They signed with the Empire..even sent ship out this way to harrass us?..didn't turn out very well..poor  poor  Frans, but you'll have that..right?

 You would sit back and let us  wipe  out your planet?

 well?  yeah ?  I eman..I may have to do it myself in the future?..you'd save me time... but i will tell you this. There are people on earth who aren't idiots, and they fight you, in the mean time, The Angels  will be getting bombed back into the stone age..of thier ancesters... You see? I don't  want to  have breeding donw with  you folks... and i sure as the 9 hells won't eat you...but... i can't have you standing around waiting to attack the fleet or other  APF  holdings..so? we will have to render you ...useless.

 AP-LO talks , sirens   echoed in the back  round  and there  is suddenly  another  explosions,  things  go dark for a moment, before  about half the lights  come on.

AP-LO shouted, what was that!

  hey, Guys? help me out here?

 Hennings  stepped  forward, loking a bit awkward.Ahh..yers.. sorry  about that, Captain DI-Me send the  second payload  down.. he didn't want to  haul it  back. Guess  that's wht happens  when you leave your allies  to fend for themselves...


  CR-SI  pushed a hand through Hair long blonde hair...she  Glared   at  Si who have her a  wee wrinkled nosed  grin.

 Well AP-LO..i mean? those are just tokens . when we  shell you  planet, the shelling will last for  day and we have some other   surprises  for you as well... Right now..this
 moment.. you have to choose... Fight us, or unconditional surrender..

 we... will fight you.. we will be ready for you... and  you will decorate the Bow of  my Flagship....


 wow... you know, among the APF leaders  we had a bet.. I bet you would cave and surredner..the  rest of the folks, except  for the felrites, thought you would put up token resistance.... But.. By yours  words..so shall it  be..... we'll see you in 2 hours...

 Two Hours, that's impossible...

 Hack grinned   and said  while laughing...no...its  really not... The  End of Angel Dominace   is about to begin...

...............

 The screens  went  blank

 AP-LO saw the fires  burning from the massive  plasma  bomb...The ESN never used plasma ...screams from the streest  as fire control vehicles   zipped around..Send  word, recall all crews.. we have to get ready for the Fleet...

 The  crew  have stood  down, with ould   1/3 of the vessels on  patrol...

 anyone who can board a  vessel to fight, needs  to fill out the crews..now... I dislike Hack... but  he is going to try to do, just what he said he would,

 as soon as the  screen  went back to programming, Ornage  Lights flashed all over the ship.

 This is the Captain.... 2 hours  until Jump off... Grab  food, and rest. make sure  you are egared up and ready.... Today, we  Visit Paradise!

 Bussers  sounded   as Admiral Hack appeared on the  screens...

 I have  received the information i have been waiting on. We  will Jump off  in 4 hours Count  down Clock  starts  now.. Load  your aircraft, get you  ammo  and  kits  ready, then get good meals  and some sleep,, This  will be   a bit harder, as they know they are the last line, before  we  stat putting people on  Paradise. That is all...

 the  screens    had a count down clock in the upper left had. The Big  Countdown clocks  were staioned  over the ship, for  ships crews.

  Horns  Blast,  Lt Holly Hock makes an announcement.

 ATTENTION... THE  HEMERES WIL REACH  THE ORBITAL  DOCK IN 40 MINUTES... BUs WILL ARRIVE TO TAKE   EVERN PERSOENNL TO THE BAK, AND TO THE AIRFILED FOR THOSE WHO WISH TI  IVISIT THE CITY.... BUs WILL LEAVE  20 MINUTES  AFTER  DOCKING..THAT IS ALL.

 Shadow  fussed  with His COM   before announcing over the Squawk as well as sending COMs  on ALL COMs.

 Attention..this is   LC Shadow... There will  be  a Tunnel run in full gear that you would  take on boarding, or  in your Go pack of your fighter... Pilots  this is mandatory ..Troopers , ask  SM  Spencer ,Run will start at 2o00 hrs ship's time.. Largs will run first, since out Pack grew.. then the  Crew wil run...That is all.