The  fellow  Hits the Hot  COM to beth and hands  him a  wired   COM mic...its  wired, so no one walks off with it... it also records  everything  for SEC records....Being its the Hot  COM, unless they hid it in the bathroom, they she answer it.

In reply to Slick (msg # 5):

Lieutenant Marrow right? he looks for an affirmative nod from the security man, nods a thanks back,  Lieutenant Marrow, petty officer Des Griuex here, Begging your pardon mam'am for interrupting your Liberty, but if you have young Sam  with you? I need to relay a message to you about her father. waiting for her to respond, he continues. Ma'am, he's been rat in a training mission on the proving grounds moon of Fuji, he's in surgery, I'm sure he will be alright, but we wanted to let his daughter know as soon as we could track her down. I'm not too sure it would make a real big difference if she were rushed back, but it would be a good thing she knows upon her arrival on the Hermes, where he is and how he's doing. Not much else to relay to her, other than he's in the med deck berthing, and probably will be for a few days.  Thanks again, like I said, not too sure what I can say to offer more. . Manding the mic back to the tech, he waits.

  Beth  looked at her COM a bit annoyed, but Answered,..Lt Morrow..... Uh  huh.......Uh  HUh.... she looked at Sam.

 ..Yeah... we w ere having a  debate on whether she could stay a few more hours or  not.... She'  be coming back with Lyri and I.... Thank You.. see you inside  a half hour or  so.

   The COM ended, the  SEC  Trooper held his hand  up for the Mic...Sorry about your friend... we...osrta had some   COM traffic  here  we  pciked up  on OMIN COM....  he  gave a frown and shrug.

In reply to Slick (msg # 7):

  nodding, he looks at the tech and thanks him, Yeah, it was a rough one, he took a beating. anyway, thanks for the help, please leave a message for her that she can comm me anytime at her convenience. thanks again guys, he waves to the techs on duty and strolls out.
 Once in the passageway, he looks both directions, and tries to figure out where to go from here. he needs a shower. to the shower then, he heads off to his qrtrs.

 >>>>>Non-comm qrtrs

>>>>>>>>  Beth, Lyri, Sam from Med tech

   when they enter the  SEC   the  two  SEC tropers   at their  desk started to rise to salute beth,  She just  smiled  a half  smile and  said,..Carry On.....

   Lyri  went over to her  Desk and started hammering away at the keys,..i'm pulling up Vids....

 Beth Nodded,..well? Sam... this is the bad  part of   being a hero...sometimes bad things  Happen, now?... I'm taking you over to the room at the far side of the  Office.. there is a bed there..bathroom  is that door there?... as soon as out bags   get here, you can change  into  other clothes...but it would be a good idea  to sleep a bit, Find out  what's going on....

  After   beth Gets  Sam settled she Comes over to a very angry Lyri,..what's wrong?

 ..Shadow's  confined to the  OB Dec  for 24 hours....

 She Laughed, OB Dec... well...oh..jessze... why?

 ..This....is..why...... Lyri plays the Admiral's debrief,  heading to the   places  where Hack asked  Shadow answered.

 ..what..no way in the 9 hells...

 The  she played the Gun Cams  from Morris's office...

 Now it was Beth's turn to be mad,..that's not   right..I'm Going...

 ..you'er not going anywhere... we can look at this  , because  of our Job...we can't  act on it...well... because its  our job...

 ..but...

 Comon...you'er  the LT here..you know better....

 ...Kray?..when it comes to stuff like this..can be pretty smart.... the Admiral? we'll..he's  just flat out smarter..you don't have to be a rhodes Scholar  to pull the  Vids  and COM  records....but...HAck has them sealed.

 ..but then?  everyone will think Shadow....

  ...naw... anyone who has been on Opts  with Shadow? knows  better....and? its not like this is the first time?..so..swallow your fire  and  get to work, or get to sleep... I have to reseal these and mark them , that we viewed them.

----->> Sam from Med Dec, post #   to Sec Office

In reply to girls (msg # 9):

when they enter the SEC the two SEC troopers at their desk started to rise to salute Beth, She just smiled a half  smile and said,..Carry On.....

   Lyri  went over to her  Desk and started hammering away at the keys,..i'm pulling up Vids....

Beth Nodded,..well? Sam... this is the bad  part of   being a hero...sometimes bad things  Happen, now?... I'm taking you over to the room at the far side of the  Office.. there is a bed there..bathroom  is that door there?... as soon as out bags get here, you can change  into  other clothes...but it would be a good idea to sleep a bit, Find out  what's going on....

Sam nodded and quietly went where she was told.

She sat on the bed and watched her shoes for a while.
Eyes cold, lips pressed tightly together, she thought about how terrible things could happen even out of the Demon Lab.

Daddy had tried to warn her.
But it wasn't something she wanted to think through before now.

Daddy could die.
That's what the man at the Med desk had not wanted to say.

Sam slipped her pink tennies off,
put them neatly aside on the floor.

She wished for her big "stuffed up animal" at home.
He was good for hugging.

Sam loosened the lace-ups on her high-tops and pulled her little sock feet up on the bed...
..so that she could hug her knees... She put her chin on her knees and hugged her legs with her thin arms very tight.

.....and.. did.. NOT.. cry.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Sat 20 Feb 2016.

.. Entering the Office Stefi Gives the Gilrs  a look  and  they walk over to her., just outside Specner's Office.

 ..I.... made a Text COM...i broke even... used some of the prime stuff.....Rush  will be able to talk a bit in the  Morning...and  he should be   a few days ..one or two? a head of schedule, i...um..wasn't allowed to give any more.

 Beth's eyebrows furrow,MORE!... he's lucky he  got the ok for that!

 Lyri  nudged  Beth who   shakes her head and looks down.


 .. I know you are a Doctor... but  you watch yourself.... we won't get another Shipment Until the Blizzard and Strom get thier  need supply run...and  we need that ..

 Stefi Nods,Understood.... if it wasn't for the girl? I wouldn't have asked...

 The girl? She has  more people taking care of her  then anyone on this ship...Sad in a way?  but at least she  not left in  her apartment all the time...

 what did Cat say when you told her?

 Stefi shook her head,..i..um didn't..she  was  wiped out after the operation.. and  McCloud  came by  to see her..so.....

  Jezzes!... I want to be there when you explain  sudden rush of healing....

  Stefi nods,well... i won't do it again....Just wanted you to know... you can bring the girl over  after lunch... We should have him settled in...

 Stefi walked away and Out the Door...Beth was still seething.

 Ease up... its  ok....

 she  just gave  lyri a sideways stare and  went back to researching the    goodies

  Lyri  went into the back and   opened the Door, che  got  one of the  soft fuzzy flannel  covered the crew sues when they have to stay in SEC.

  ..alright , Chickie.. here's the deal..so far... Stefi came in said, your  dad  is doing a bit better.. he might even be able to talk to some folks tomorrow? But... he's been  drugged up a bit to keep him sleeping  so he'll heal faster  and not try to  do  dumb stuff, like try to walk around?

 ..so..the Plan is, after Lunch time tomorow...Stefi will COM  us  and you can  go see him, Now?... how about  getting some  sleep, in the Morning    Beth and I will take you home and you can get cleaned up and  take you fuji goodies  home, and   then Come back here and wait. But..tonight you'er staying here  with us...we don't want the  whack job lady from the Orphan's  group to send you away....heck?  if that happens, how would Kenny know where to look for you!

 beth Came in with a Cup of hot chocolate,..thought this  might help you sleep a bit? nothing esle..it will warm you up.

 the she looked at Lyri with a frown,...first recall has been sounded... how many you think are going to miss the boat...man..i hate that, having to deal with  FUJI SEC...

Lyri went into the back and opened the Door, she got one of the soft fuzzy flannel covers the crew use when they have to stay in SEC.

She found Sam curled up in a tight ball laying on her side on the bed. Staring at the wall.

  ...alright, Chickie.. here's the deal..so far... Stefi came in said, your dad is doing a bit better.. he might even be able to talk to some folks tomorrow? But... he's been drugged up a bit to keep him sleeping so he'll heal faster and not try to do dumb stuff, like try to walk around?

Sam's dull blue eyes looked up and blinked away from a long ago scene in The Lab. The time Jean had been taken away for sneezing too loud.
Jean sneezed out blood spots and her head had hurt a lot..          NO CRYING! 

The Demons did not kill Jean quickly..  She had kept on feeling the pain for quite a while... Sam had felt her little heart finally stop... and was glad.     NO CRYING!

The kids didn't know anything about time back then,
but it must have been at least an hour before poor Jean was finally permitted to die.

Sam had counted Jean's frantic heartbeats. They were so fast and scared as the Demons cut her up into peices with the thin very bright light beam...

Jean... was Sam's best friend.


"So..the Plan is, after Lunch time tomorrow...Stefi will COM us and you can go see him, Now?... how about getting some sleep, in the Morning Beth and I will take you home and you can get cleaned up and take you Fuji goodies home, and then Come back here and wait. But..tonight you're staying here with us...we don't want the whack job lady from the Orphan's group to send you away....heck?  if that happens, how would Kenny know where to look for you!"

Sam looked up with her lips in a tight line, a little annoyed. People who grew up with parents thought orphans were a funny joke sometimes...

She had to deal with a couple mean kids like that at school.
Patrice had learned not to make fun of Sam anymore!  And not to steal Sam's brown milk candy either. Patrice had to go to the bathroom 6 times that day... The last two times she cryed like a little baby.

Doug was tougher. He might need another convincing.

Kenny would soon be working. He might work too much but he was mostly happy.
..Daddy worked too much too. He was happy when Sam was around. She made sure of it. Unless she was feeling cranky...she was a good cheerer-upper.
That was her "job" with the kids in The Lab.                NO CRYING!
She was good at it. ..Sam almost smiled.

Beth came in with a Cup of hot chocolate, ..thought this might help you sleep a bit? Nothing else..it will warm you up.

"Thank you Ms Beth."
Sam touched Beth's hand as she took the warm cup.   ...Warm... Warm is good...

Then Beth looked at Lyri with a frown,...first recall has been sounded... How many you think are going to miss the boat...man..i hate that, having to deal with FUJI SEC...

   Beth smiled a small smile, Lyri shrugged as they  left, Lyri said,..get rest... not going to help your  dad one  way or the other if you  don't get rest.

   well away from the sleeping room, beth ask,..could that happen? The orphan lady take her  away?

 Lyri nods,..you bet..you've seen them..They Normal only let Civies  have kids, if thier are single parents.... a Combat Soldier?...

 They don't notice it much, because  someone has  always stepped up..Shadow took her down to Bura... we took her on Shoreleave? Sooner or Later that lady's  going to show up.... Rush is injury list.. from what I hear?  She wasn't too crazy about signing off on it...some one with juice  must have made her  pull the trigger.

 Lyri shakes her  head again,..the girl's been through alot...but?  if she  starts  acting weird? No one will have the Juice to stop her  from being Pulled.

 Beth  leans  back in her chair,...don't you think. maybe, the Admiral, or Shadow  will step in?

  Lyri snorts,..Admiral's not a happy man right now... he might just wash his hands of the whole thing... Shadow?He used up alot of markers , doing what he did....Rush would have appeal to the Admiral Himself..how do you thinki that will go over?

 beth shakes her  head   and gets ready to run  more scans,..ahh..well..she's  around us?   She'll be  fine. And if not? then it might be better  for her to have a normal life  somewhere else?

In reply to SEC (msg # 15):

As Garrat approaches sec He slows and check what's going on in the P-ways outside of Sec.   He doesn't think there will be any physical threats, but the Delta quadrant has proven to be far more complicated than he is used too, and the cryptic message he got over the com...well, it's always wise to be prepared for everything.

   When the P-ways in that area are clear he enters.  "Hello ladies." he greets Lyri and Beth  "I was hoping I could talk with Sam. I was talking with some of the other mech Pilots and engineers, and need her help with something."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Mon 22 Feb 2016.

  When Garrat enters , Lyri and Beth   motion for him to go into Spencer's office.

  They Close the  door, and even then, they talk in Hushed Tones.

 Beth Starts,..first off..Stefi was  here a bit ago... she..um...treated  Ajax with some stuff out of his paygrade, but...it helped him, they took the tubes out and drugged him up so he can sleep...and heal... They are going to look over him in the morning, and Stefi is going to COM us   if/when we can take   Sam to see him... she said she  COM about lunchtime tomorrow...

 Lyri Nods  now  and then as Beth  talks then its her  turn, we saw  the tapes, and transcripts.... we're Hoping   that Shadow's..to use one of his  terms..'blocking' for him might ned it all... Normally the board won't go against Hack's  recommendations?..but it has happened...anyway..because of that...and his  injuries that were the results?..we are more then a little ...afraid..and that's the right word... of the Orphan folks.

 She pours a Cup of Coffee holding the pot Up to the others to see if they want,...she doesn'[t answer to anyone  but MED TECH Board...and that board is on Earth...The lady on our ship?... she wasn't too eager to give Sam to Ajax....so?.. If  Sam starts  freaking out..acting weird, and the wrong folks see it?.. At best, she would be on a fast track to FUJI..at worst? we would never know..So... if you go  in... try not  to have her  get riled up?... This place..for us...is about  as safe as it can be...but all it takes is the wrong person walking by?

 Beth  finishes fixing her own Cup,...we plan on taking to her  apartment tomorrow  morning so she  can unload the goodies she got of Fuji, and get cleaned up... with Luck? the   Civies will see her with us, and no one one will give a second though...but?... someone starts  asking question...someone you aren't familar with..especially about  Sam?.. just nod your head and smile... there should be supplies  Coming them Paradise, a  day or so after we ship out... we'll be  resupplied  with 'good stuff'... but until them, what little  we have, needs to used sparingly..wStefi  burne through a lot   of the  The Battle in the Black..

   Garrat leans against the wallarms crossed and head down thoughtfully listening to it all.  "Sam can't leave this ship.  As of thee little party the admiral put on, she has become not just part of the hermes crew but an important part of the message we stand for.  If this ends in tragedy."   Garrat looks up. "That little girl copes like a soldier, it's a lot for her young mind.  Hes she had n emotional release yet? anger? crying? Thorn [used as a curse word] even hysterical laughter would have gotten her beyond the breaking point."

 Lyri and Beth  looked at  each other , Lyri said,..not  so much..she's withdrawn.. but still converses.... and? You misunderstand what we are saying?...WE..the Hermes will not have a say in this... Med tech Board <Periwinkle>

 Beth waves a  had as she sips her coffee,..her getting taken care of, by the Hermes  isn't even a question... You get the LC flying you down for  shore leave?.. I'm thinking your safe.... its making sure  she gets to stay on the Hermes...


  Beth  flipped  Spencer's   screen arouns  and  she  tyed like a MAd  woman, then showed the screen to Garrat...

 ..there have  been  50 or so kids  sent to colonies or stations   after they were deemed Orphans....there are  also some that don't show up.... The Unit freed some  at the start of Shore leave, they all got homes, except one... Orria?.. and Hunter  and Melia have her....those..are under the rader.

  Lyri   finishes her coffee  and slips the  Cup into the refuse tube,<Periwinkle>..so?... we  keep her  in here until we go to her house tomorrow to get all  cleaned up and such for Ajax.... and do whatever  we can..NOT to attract attention..now..go and check on her...  She's used to seeing us, maybe a fresh face will help.

In reply to garrat (msg # 19):

  "Maybe.  I think you may misunderstand me.  I'm saying she can leave the ship on shore leave, but her presence on the ship is a link between the military and the civilian population symbolically.  It is needed to further the image of Delta fleet.  You say she can be taken away by the system that looks after orphaned children.  That they do the bidding of earth.  With this new organization Hack has started can it be said that Earth has no further say in Fuji business?  Maybe the alliance applies to situations like this."

   "Do you feel it might be wise to encourage her to let some of her emotions out?  I imagine showing emotion was unwise when she was with the Demons."

  Lyri  smiled  slightly ...i..know what you meant..i am hoping you know what i meant. Med tech Board doesn't give one damn about  the Hermes or what we are doing..they worry about  health and kids and all that...picture this..you some  3rd tier  Orphan clerk..and you have a chance to snatch one , right  out from under  HAck's nose...send her to 'a good home' with  Nice big trees and  some weird assed furry animal for  a pet.. that, would be a jump in paygrade,,i promise you that!

  Beth adds, regardless of  what the time with the demons are like...for these next few days.. we need a little girl who looks somewhat well adjusted..or? if  Shadow wan't  locked up, we could get him to....find something esle"  for the Orphan Lady to do?..but he is locked up... .. Sam had a Good time   on Shore  leave, there's a damn nice kid  down there  that gets along  good with her?...shame this screwed everything up.

 ..any way...  she's in the sleeping room..the  guys on duty?..if we can't trust them?..its over anyway.. so go in the back if you want..Just..you know?..  because the only thing  worse then  a whacking out  Orphan....

 ...is one who's  whacking out  with a Orphan Clerk 30 yards across the hall...

   Garrat nods  "Okay, let's see how things are."  He gives the ladies a soft fist salute  and goes to see the little one.  "Hello Sam, how was your shore leave?"

   Beth lead  Garrat Back,   she gives  Beth a  Small smile and   pats  Garrat on the back as she goes  back tot eh front .

In reply to Garrat Wolfrim (msg # 22):

Sam was staring into her little cup of hot chocolate, it was about half full.

She looked up.  "...Mr Garrat. ...Hi. ...It was good."

She blinked and raised her eyebrows:    "I found a... boyfreind?"
She made a face and half a crooked smile as her eyes lit up breifly.
"I think Daddy will be surprised..."

"...If he ever wakes up..."   She stared as if from far away, her lips tight again.

"Do you think... Daddy... will die?

He's hurt... pretty bad... in his chest...

...Lots of nice people... I was close to... have died."   

...Neutral Face... NO CRYING! ...

In reply to Sam (msg # 24):

   Garrat sits down, his face is serious.  "Me too, my second wife was on one first planets to be destroyed by the Grendal.  Since then I have lost children, wives, and brothers to that war.  When I came here, I was kinda alone, then your dad showed up, and was like a brother to me."

   Garrat looks down at his hands, "I have every faith that your dad will come through this.  Part of the reason is that he has you to look forward too, but what has happened is scary.  When we were there on that planet I thought I might lose him but I did what all good soldiers do and packed the fear and frustration into a ball deep down in my gut and kept going on."

   Garrat looks up, "Some scary things happened to your father before I was able to get there and I chink he packed a lot of memories into that ball in his gut.  Is that something you do too?"

In reply to Garrat Wolfrim (msg # 25):

Sam watched Garrat talk very intently.
"Packing it up inside... yeah thats about what I do? ...i'm not sure where it goes?"
Her eyes were peircing, mouth serious but not so tight.

"The Demons... would find fun ways to kill us? ...if we did anything but be quiet...
..if a kid cried or yelled... they would be next."
No trauma in her voice, just matter of fact. A familiar everyday routine horror.

    Garrat nodded, It's like a cold fire in the basement of your gut.  Sometimes,  you can use it to give you strength but if it grows too big, some times it makes it hard to think or do what's right. 

    I think that's what happened to your father.  Hi fire got a little too hot and he had trouble making the right decisions.

    Almost loosing your Dad stoked mine up good and hot.  It opened up memories of those I've lost and that kinda made things worse."   Garrat shakes his head.  "I've been a soldier too long.  I find it hard to release all that energy anymore.  I used to have an old friend who would help me but he stayed behind when I came here. 

    Garrat straightens up.  What do you call your place that you put your feelings when you deal with them?   Do you have a name for it?"

In reply to Garrat Wolfrim (msg # 27):

Sam got quiet. This was a secret thing...
"Uhhhmm... ..there is... a dark spot... in my head.
...On the inside? ..It gets closer... when things are bad?"

"Its gets farther back... when things are good. ...I never notice it much most of the time..."   Her little face was contemplative.

In reply to Sam (msg # 28):

Garrat nods then glances at the security camera [it's sec, there has to be one] his face saying "Oh shit" then schools into a calm face as he turns back to her. "It's okay, it's good to know where things go.  Does this dark spot talk to you?  Or is it one of those that is just there."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:47, Tue 23 Feb 2016.