In reply to Bo (msg # 52):

   "I'll hook up with Shadows group if it is permitted."

   Bo seeks out his assigned craft, does a walk around and internal chack.  He'd flown this craft elsewhere in previous exercises and simulations and was always comfortable behind the stick no matter how new the craft was to him.

   As soon as allowed he takes off, respecting the deck but opening to full throttle as soon as he was clear of the bay.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:04, Wed 28 Sept 2016.

   After  Bo took off,   Rivets  watched  for a Bit, then  headed to Morris's  Shed.

  ...so you lettin' him in a fighter now?

 Morris  shrugged  as he sat back from his   screenJust a patrol....I know he hasn't had the training, but  it won't hurt for him to fly around a bit....

 The Irishman frowned,..yeah..maybe....you'd think he'd  be workin' on his shuttle though...

 Well... Riley's being shipped to the delta Colonies to Run Mechs there.... Slick  went with Sparatan to do some kinda Brainstorm thing witht he Mech Techs on Fuji.... so that leaves Morgan... we can Jam  troops into Stoly's shuttle if  we have to... and Clamp Morgan on the outside.... If   we need  two?.. we'll grab another pilot, to take  Weske's  ship...

  Rivets was  already  preparing the Hanger Dec... he was less then happy. Hanger Decs were for  fighting ships  and fighting   people..not  for talking.

 Beth had  left the Rec Dec to  begin to have her people set up a wall on screens, each screen would be  set to have  4 captains  from the Delta fleet ships..all the way down to the  Destroyers ... The Athena's  Captain would be on The Hermes..and Roles was already here  as well.

 long tables  were being Set up  and Coffee MAchine as well  and  table s for pastries  set up..there was a note, there was  no 'hard  drinks'  to be had at this meeting ( unless those   on their  own ships  had some! )

>>>>>>>  from space  2

  The Dart eased through the static  Field .. then hovered a bit as Shadow  turned the craft and  'backed' it into its Berth.

   Climbing Out   he heads to the    Shed  to make  his  report. Then he leaves   to Henry's Lab to  see if  Shade is  getting ready.

   Morris   continue s to monitor  the New Pilot  and the  craft they were intercepting

     Some of the ship's  Captains were reporting in. Beth was   testing the  screens  as they lit up.

  a cigar shaped  Verian Vessel had  pulled up along side the Hermes. Adem, Evert  and the 'imporved' Dusk came on board..they had  6 armed SEC with them...4 of them were made to leave.

  St Gaul and   Von Brem came aboard, they only had  two SEC  troopers  with them.

  The Board was there, except  for Hack and SI..and Shade

>>>>>>>>>  shade, Shadow  and Henry from Christie's office.

 taking the walk  from the   Lab to the hanger Dec, the trio say people starting to gather  around the aircraft  at the  bow end of the Hanger area. with tables   set up, where shuttles  would normally come and go.

  Hack and Si  were at the table s  conversing with    Hennings and Bale , while  Evert, Dusk and   Adem  talked with St Gaul and Vin Bren.

  waitresses  where carting up  Coffee, tea  softdrinks as well as pastries  and some   finger food for those at the table... for the   'crowd, there were   smaller tables set up, for people to grab something.

 Shade grinded a bit  with some  deep hummms .

 Yeah... I see Dusk  as well.... looks  like they continued to  'improve' her...

 Dusk looked like  a young human women in her early 20s. her  skin ws a lighter   shade of  grey, then a  full blooded Verian.  but it  stayed the same hue, unlike  Shades  shifting  skin colors.

Henry put his head to one side.

"Can't say it's much of an improvement... but as long as she is happy with it, I'm not going to comment. Do you want something to eat, Shade?"

  Shade   looked up as they wanted, he  rattled off   something  and Shadow shook his head,sorry, kid?.. no pizza or  milksshakes here..have to settle  for  doughnuts  and soda, or milk  or  coffee? The  Came  down the  farside of the table, closer to the Bow ( and putting a  wall behind them)

   SHadow  Made his salutes  and   said,Doc  Henry has  come along to help keep an eye on things?

 Hack nodded ,that's fine. there  shouldn't be anything happen, we can't handle

 Shade holds up the borrowed Vid board  and shows  the images of the   Gun mounts to   The Admiral as he rattles  off a stream of  bleeps  , beeps  and whirls.

 Hack looks  at Shadow...

  He seems to think, that  the Saladin weapons could still fire  without the power cell charger.... and..that  it would use  the last of latest charge  to launch the  hard Ammo  round

 so?.. they could  fire..like what?.. a flintlock?

   Shade   rattled off   a stream once more..... The HArd  ammo rounds  would do what damage   they would do, when fired  from a normal   HArdammo Cannon, except,  The Guns  don't have to be 'on-line'... The power cells   normal provide a jacket around the hard round to help do more damage to a target...if shield  stop the   Pulse jacket, the hard Ammo  round  will continue whether it be HP..or AP...or  just a hard lump of metal...

  HAck frowns at this,turns to Rivets,..Call that   dock...tell the crew to make sure   the   guns are unloaded, and if someone is  messing in there  without orders..capture them, or gun them down...


  Dusk  came up to them. Looking  fetching, in her Verian way. Hello  Father.... Dr. Christie... Shade.... I see they still have  not fixed you  yet? her smile  was  sweet, but the venom was there.

Jesse had made quicker time that she had anticipated.  She wasn't in any hurry, guess she was thinking about alot of things.  Now, she needed to find a healthy distraction.

Seeing Shade, Christie, and Shadow off speaking, she came up behind them.

Hey guys, she said and patting Shade on what would have been his back.

Need any additional aide?

   Dusk looked at Jesse she was almost as tall as her, Shade  was  still only Belt  high to Shadow.

   Hack looked  abit annoyed at Dusk, but said nothing, hiseyes shifted to Jesse...if you do not have   Duties, Ms Dalton, please find a....good place... to watch...  The he told  Shade  to  send the vids and pics  he had to SEC.

  Shade  bleeped a bit. Dusk  giggled in her  metallic way,...you still cannot talk? And you are the  elder one?....Father... you should  send him to Veria  to be fixed...  Shades   eyes shifted  between red and Black.

 ..... I think, Dusk...you need to stand  down....

Jesse looks to Hack and nods.  Yes, sir, she replied and found a place to sit and guard, watch.

Jesse looked at Dusk and just shrugged off the other females attempt to make herself look better.

 From behind some where Hunter's voice is sharp and hard, and full of contempt.
"I see you saved of your race, your debt is not paid". "So therefore your opinion and voice are sounds on the wind, now apologise or I will place you over my knee like the spoiled brat you are"

 Dusk looked  around puzzled  , until she saw  Hunter.

  Shadow  looked   at bit over his shoulder, but did not turn around,I don't think either  will be happening... Dusk is a memeber of the Veria  party, and , thus, is  afforded our  protection......we must also feel  a bit sorry for her, in that, she had to be changed for  her   'family' to care..where as ..Shade   has been excepted as he is....

  Shade  rattled of an  impossible   fast series of sounds....  Dusk Looked  angry for a second  has her white eyes  turned Black, but she managed  to  make them settle into a light Grey. ..Father..perhaps  we  can have a meal together, after the Meeting.... she  walked away

   Kray looked  down at Shade  whose eyes  were  green.quite imprssive....

In reply to hanger dec (msg # 65):

A quiet chuckle can be heard and Hunter stands there impassive.
"in all likely hood not Sir, but I took oath, and you and I both know my oaths bind me".
Hunter stands as Over watch and guard

Jesse leaned forward to dispose of her two cents.

"Regardless of how much we disapprove of her attitude and choices, if she's under Hermes protection she's our responsibility regardless of likability."

     Evert came  up along the    wall that separated  the Hanger Dec  ,from the Bow section.

  .... So  WC..... i see you are  going  along with this....this  farce of Shade  as the ambassador  for  Veria...

  Shadow   was leaning  against the wall , after Dusk went  to be with Adem. He  pushed himself  away from the  wall and offered a head nod   to  Evert,well..you see?...Its a minor thing, really.... The way Beth explained it to me, we needed  a Member of  an APF  Race   to fil the spot...someone  we  could trust... with your Dealing   in the beta  quad  with the dogs?...letting the triad  run wild?.. it couldn't be you, and you add to that, the whole breeding thing? Well...Lets just Say  Shade seems to be the best your  people have to offer?

 you should  encourage him to come to veria, we can refine him..make him like  Dusk....do you know want your  son to be like your daughter...

 Shade, is  as close to be  my son, as i would have ever thought i would have....Dusk.. isn't anywhere  near, how ..a daughter  of  MINE... would be..so..no.. he stays with us, until the  time comes  he  does not wish to.

 ..you are being selfish.... he cannot  even speak  to your people....

 He speaks  just fine..i understand him... others  are  learning...here'ssomething you don;t know..Shade can hear everything we say..and he undertands it....now  how much he hears?  i don't even know...just...keep that in mind....

   Waggles, Norwood, Kat and Flores  were  returning to the hanger Dec  now, leaving Bo and   Gao out there  with their  target...

.........

    Supe  is   Dressed in his   Navy dress Blues,  a Heavy pulse rifle in his  arms  as he stands  near the    static field  end  of the  table. He does  his best to looks nasty  when   people  come  by.

 Meanwhlie, walking and mingling   at the   'fighter' side of the table  is  Tucker... chewing on a doughnut  as he watches the  folks in the crowd.

In reply to hanger dec (msg # 68):

Hunter, in a light conversational tone
"It is a strange thing understanding". "Some have it, some strive for it".
"Some never get it".
Hunters tone is polite.
But his eyes oh so very watchful

Jesse had stood back and watched the conversation twist and turned and a question had been on her tongue since they had found out that Shadow was a father and that Evert wanted both of them to be the traditional Verian.

Now, with Jesse's lack of formal history and traditions of the Verians, her question could either be logical or uncoth.  But to Jesse, she was curious to know regardless how she may look at the end.

Pardon me, Evert, she said frankly.  Now, not being quite up to date on Verian traditions and all being I'm a homegrown Earthling, I know that some times traditions and beliefs are the embodiment of a family.  You can fault me on that, but this next bit I think less a fault on my behalf.

She crosses her arms.  Why are you so adamant about Shade becoming like Dusk, or yourself even.  You, and the rest of us can quite clearly see that Shade is content with his current state.  Right? She looks to Shade and shrugs a questionable look.

My question is, why aren't you content with it when he is?  Were you displeased like this with his mother and her choice of being what she was? 

She cocked her head a bit.  Are you having unresolved parental woes?  Thus taking it out on Lady's creations?

I never knew Lady unlike yourself, Shadow, or some of the others here.  May her spirit wander in a blissful place.  I would think she'd want her sproglings to be...whatever...they want to be.  Not what you, or her, or Shadow want, but what they want.  Without prejudice or being felt unwanted. 

She looked among everyone briefly, then to Shade, back to Evert.  Am I wrong?  Lady seemed quite competent in knowing what she wanted and who she wanted it with.  I wouldn't think anything less of her children any different than I would of herself.

Henry just stood quietly listening to all that went on.

 Evert  looked at Jesse as she asked her  question.  Shade   had  come back with  two crème filed doughnuts, handing on to Shadow.

 Shadow  took a Bite of his and shrugged with a nod  to Evert.

 Shade  bleeped  as he   took a bite  as well, Evert gave the little guy a sharp look, then turned back to Jesse.

 ...we have been among your people since your  kind   began to know  fire. It is our people  who have  been the subject of many of your  gods  and demons... those  who were   demonfied were done so, only because humans tried to hang on to power over thier  subjects... when you toss in the Angels  and Demons working   with or against thier growth, and the largrans  living  under the surface of your  planet... it is a wonder your kind  grew at all?

 ..Adem...made a mistake....  She looked at Shadow  with a fierce look, challenging  him  to respond, while, at the same  time kept  talking. .... he   'sold'  Lady to Shadow, looking  for what he thought was a good  candidate  for helping refine our species... it appears  he was wrong...

   Shadow just chuckled..this seemed to anger  Evert more, then if  he would  have answered .

 ..In the End, Lady chose to use  Shadow's DNA  to meld  with hers, to create  offspring... she looked   at Shade  and  Frowned ( drawing a grinding  sound from the lad.and Shadow   patting him on the head ) ....When   we  refine  a Halfbreed.... we meerly take out the strands  that are not acceptable, then reforge what is left into  the Verian matrix... and we get this....  she pointed to   Dusk who was  chatting  with Lt Howe and Mara as she looked at their  fighters ( it was clear to see the pilots  were keeping   'non-Hermes' folks away from the  craft, whether it was their fighter, or someone else's)

 Shade  could be so much more...imagine  if  he  could converse  with you...if he was more.... appealing..to the eye?

  Shade's head drooped at that  last set of  words,  Shadow just kept  his hand on his head.

"Clearly there is more that I need to learn about Verians. I did not know how shallow they were, judging folks by appearance rather than more significant standards," said Henry, apparently musing to himself but quite audibly to the group around.

Jesse chuckled.  Well, there proves that fact, she said.  I guess the human race picked up quite easily on avoiding questions and using abstract explanations instead.

She gave a sigh.  My questions, still unanswered.  Maybe I should rephrase it.  Were you Lady's so called, parent? If so, were you so ill-content with her choice of what she wanted to be like you are with Shade currently?  Which in all intent, why you are acting like a spoiled parent who gets what they want.

She looked at her fellow Hermes.  I, for one, see nothing wrong with Shade.  I think it's only you and your race, that don't like rogue outcasts and their individual choices.

  Evert straighten.. she was a god 2 inches  taller then Shadow when she  did this.  it was hard to tell with her   pure  white eyes, but a subtle  shift of her  head, towards  Henry. made it clear she   heard him.

 Then , the head  turned  back to Jesse,....  I do not  know, what you fail to understand?... we want to improve  our race...NORAMLY ...we are careful about  whom we choose outside the race to add to the strands?...again..Adem made a mistake... Lady compounded it...her ....interest ..in Shadow and  that woman who he dallied  with..seems to have effected her sense of  priorities , and thus she chose Shadow...not that she had  much  choice... I do not know if a green Angel would have been any positive  addition..or not..

 then her  condescending smile  grew at Jesse,

 .... my people..indeed...try to keep our  Race growth, as the  most important  aspect of our lives.... Lady...was..indeeda Rebel..perhaps  a malfunction, from being so close to a Human?.. It cost her , her life... and.. it may seem... at elst one of her offspring...with out the Verian tech and skills, Shade  will only grow into what  his  new strands provide.... I doubt, if he will ever approach   Dusk's level....

Jesse chuckled.  So, I was right.  You have issues.  Much like his mother, he's against what you consider normal.  He's just like his mom and dad.  I think he'll be perfectly fine and actually out shine your...normal.

She looks to Shade and gets down on his level.  Shade, I like you for who you are.  You are just as important to us on the Hermes as any of the rest of us.  You be you, okay?

Once Shade had responded, she gave him a smile and stood up.  Now, that is how to parent.

She stood back off to the side with Christie and her arms crossed.  Me, too, she said in response to him.