LG-01T... ( Largran-01 Tech )

 Captured Hulk of a  Largran cruiser ... most of its big weapons  destroyed..

 It has been salvaged  and refurbished to  be another  tech/forge Vessel for repairing  Fighters, and  helping  repair  some smaller ships.... it carrier some  fresh fighters, as well as  keeping refurbished  fighters  ready to ship out.

  when the Fleet Moves... it moves in a Bubble formation....

 Med tech ships in the Middle....

 Forge ships, supply ships and Media ships   around it...

 transport/bases around them...

 Cap ships around them...

 and  smaller  vessels spread out wide as  scouts.

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

 in battle all for the center ships  keep their formation..except , most of the transport/bases  normally move up as well...

In reply to Admiral Hack (msg # 1):

Missy brings the Albatross around to the bay on the commercial deck reserved for ships of the Civilian Core of mechanical engineers. "FSS Albatross to LG-01T request permission to dock in CCOME bay 1."

  The COM  comes BAck,..Lt Cavan here....Approach  and Land..make sure any weapons are powered down... the Folks  manning the  AA guns  like to use them.


 Missy can see the flash of the static field as it shifts wavelengths.

     "My gun blisters are empty of both weapon and gunner."  Her boosters swivel up and the wings fold against her fuselage as she eases the large craft through the static field.  She carefully and slowly sets down snugly allowing room for other ships.

   As she   dismounted, an older  Black man with stripes of a  and one rocker of a CPO.

    His uniform was EMS. but the service  markings   showed ESN...Welcome aboard... I'm Chief  Franklin.... now?  what can we  do.... for you and....this? he waves his hand towards her  aircraft.

    "My name is Missella Gordova, though I'm more commonly know ass Missy Jagger.  I have applied for the head deck engineer job and have arrived to do my in person interview."  She looks back at her ship. "The Albatross is a multipurpose field quality shuttle.  It is self sufficient and doesn't need continuous maintenance unlike most military craft."

  The Chief  gave her  a nod,..well..Ma'am.. the  things i saw that didn't need worked on, were the  things that  never fly....

 ..Follow the green Arrows...it will take you to offcies up the ramp... someone should help you there...

In reply to Missy (msg # 7):

Missy giggles, "Oh she does need the occasional TLC but she can hold out for a bit on her own."  Missy follows the arrows.

  Unlike the Hermes ( or most ESN vessels ).. There wasn't a 'Morris's Shed". Instead there was   a small , overhanging bank of offices about  the Hanger Dec. Offices  for  Merchendise  in coming and out going... Supply Officers.... Office for  Repairs.. and  of course, Personnel office.

   Entering the  Personnel office , Missy sees  a couple folks  working on Computers  , One Lad  with an Ear Set looks up, She wears the   Uniform of  an EMS Ensign...May I Help You?

   "Yes, I am Missella Gordova, I know I'm early but I wished to check in.  I have an interview with the PIC for head deck engineer."

  The woman smiled a bit  as she  tapped something out on a  computer, she also had  2 vidboards  going..

  ...well?  You ahve a  50-50 chance on getting the job now.... Pirates  from the  Hillite sysetm hit  a convoy of  two transports  and a Tortugan Destoyer..the Destoyer  was damaged  and Limped  away.. but the transports  were captured and Flow to Gamma Quad. One of the Men up for that job was aboard the transports,

 then she   winked,..there's another  cute  fella who came a bit early as well. Used to work on Olympus and  esscaped... he seems to know his stuff....and the ladies!

In reply to missy (msg # 11):

    Missy rolls her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder how do your males get any work done when they are so busy thinking about lubricating their axles."

  The woman's   smile  vanished for a second, but popped up again, through  years of practice...well?  Ms Gordova?  It is  a Long  war for  all of us.....

  Have a seat.  The other fellow should  Be  done  with is interview soon, If you do not  want to wait for a call back?

     Missy blushes a little at the insinuation "Sorry, the courting practices of my people are rather subtle.  The females tend to be the ones who drive the relationships.  I've had some misunderstandings with human males who are looking for one night stands.  Those are impossible with my people even though we tend to be quite social."  at the offer to wait and have the interview immediately, "I might as well wait.  No need to prolong the process.  Who ever gets the job needs all the time they can get to settle in and learn the team."

  Missy waits.. there are  some   magazines..some of the older one s haw  pics and stories of the delta Fllet..some of the newer ones have 'profiles' on the  movers and Shakers on the 'bad guy's  side.

  Lady V  is  in a few of them... Bluggard  is  another, though he seems to have been around for a while, he has recently  been made the EST  poster  boy.

 The  Door Opens , a  tall , well built fellow  comes out of the Office , Laughing. He shakes the hand of an older fellow with glasses. The fellow has  a  dark blue  suit on

  As the tall fellow  leave, the  secretary says  something to the Little fellow   who turns with surprise and sees Missy.

  well? that was  luck...  Why don't you come in  I am  Nicky Cist... I do the  hireing, firing  and all that..

.........

 Once they get inside, he asks  if she has a disc.

     Missy [being Missy] had done her research on what would be needed for the job interview.  She would have gotten anything she  could pull together that would help her get the job.  If bringing a disk was something that was commonly, or even occasionally required, then she would have it including in what she brought.  There would naturally be a portfolio of satisfied customers, list of vehicles she upgraded restored and maintained, online courses and qualifications she finished, and letters of recommendation detailing her diligence work-ethics and character.

     She hands over the information. "Thank you for seeing me on short notice Mr Cist.  As I said while waiting, the sooner we can get the right person in this position, the better.  They say war waits only on opportunity, and often not even that."

  The  fellow  Nods  and Motions to the Coffee machine. There are some  soda drinks in the little fridge there.....

 His face was a cold  mask as he slipped into his Business form.  His  chin rested on his  hand one   finger  tapping on his cheek, while hi right had  scrolled and  clicked.

 Now and then he  would ask,..so?... Smaller  maintenice  place.... more or less family owned....

 ...no service?....but.. worked on Fuji?..hmmmmm.....

 ..ever work on fighters...bombers....?  Shuttles.....

 at each question, his  eyes  would shift to her  for an answer.

    Missy hoped this man wasn't locked in the good-l-boy club.  She had to compete with the charm of the previous man yet represent her business side and show she could be the boss.  "Less family owned and more me owned.  If i didn't do well, I went under.  My business thrived.  I dealt with the parts buying, finances, overhead, and time management of myself and multiple employees.  I know how to keep people moving and still turn out a quality job, yet I am a civilian and am used to working with civilian techs, laborors, and contractors.  I rebuilt an amphibous demon fighter bomber from the ground up to perform better than newer ESN vessels in it's weight class.  I personally maintained that vessel through multiple mercenary missions.  I have rebuilt and modified multiple civilian aerospace shuttles including one currently docked on this ship.  I know what it is to have the life of someone I care about riding on my work, so I won't compromise the lives of our pilots to look good."   

  The Fellow  nodded  as she  spoke, he  Keep clicking through the Disc Info.

    When he was finished, he  took the  disc out, replaced it in the folder and handed her  her Information back.

    He clasped his hands on the Desk,  looking at something  else on the  screen, he  double  clicked  again, then clasped his hands again, as his  eyes moved like a robot reading  and darting about as he looked at the split screen.

   Beginning slowly......we had one of  finest Tech Minds in The Black , on his way here..before he was taken... according the Chip Masters... he is dead...or...at very least, they took his arm... You and the   Fellow who Just left..Eddie Brick? are... in a way....a tie? he shakes his head slowly.

  ..He is  EX ESN..normally  that's a auto  sign up.... he worked on Olympus, and then Fuji..Upperhangers on both... his down fall, is he  was never in charge....

  ..you lck the intense backround of  working on ESN fighters and shuttles... were   an hour or so too long..might mean  the difference in many.many lives.....

 Turning his head to her, he regards her with a honest, but stern look,..The Felrites have the  Z-90.. it handles   thier  repairs and  such, and takes on some of ours.... The Occui have the   O-14.. its larger, and they take a good portion  of  aircraft that  are  suffering from heavy damage, but are still considered salvageable.... That brings  us to  out own ...LG-01T.... The ESN's hope is that we  can take on the heavy load  so the repairs  can be made, and aircraft be put back into service Faster...

 ..needles to say, our backers what to turn a profit....Unless Hack disappears from  leading the Delta Fleet.. we could be washed out of the fleet and have to attach ourselves to Carrier/stations , to get sub contract work... it will pay the bills..but out backers  want a return....

   he begins to tap something out on his Vidboard ...a few moments Later the Tall, god looking Fellow enters, a smile on his face.....You called, Nicky?

 The older fellow pointed to Missy,..This is Ms Gordova.... and this  Is Eddie Brick....

 Eddie  smiled and Offered his hand,..so nice to meet you!.. You'er out of Fuji?... Right?... saw that oddball aircraft on the hangerDec, could see its markings though..so? you are here for the Job as well?

  Nicky leans  back  in his  chair, one  hand on the arm, his elbow up.. the other hand  holding his chin,...we have two slots Opened...Eddie..one  for the Chief  DEC Tech (CDT )... and  one  for  the assistant ..( ADT )... we are going to have to settle this.. in a contest, of sorts.... Winner will the CDT.. the loser will be the ADT or..may walk away  and we will have to promote someone from the ranks.....IF..either or you...or both of you do not wish to do the Contest... then you can walk out  now, and   the LG-01T will have to  get more responses....

  Eddie   shrugs  and dazzles his smile,... I do not see why not?... what is the Contest....

  Nicky turns to  Missy,..first..we  must see what Ms Gordova thinks?

Missy looks over the fellow.  Her eyes a little flinty as the trace of human blood in her fires up at the thought of competition. "I imagine it has to do with skill Mr. Brick.  I accept."

    Her thoughts are racing, Bo had spoken about spies placing themselves in the ESN.  It was a little more than a coincidence that they had a really big fish in line for the job and his transport just happened to be taken while other ships in his group made it through.  She needed to get the job, just in case this guy was a plant.

   Nicky stood  and smiled,..good...good..now....this test?.. is..for all intent and purpose a free ride for the Company....The Delta Fleet goes through Fighters like water...sadly..at least half of them take thier pilots with them..

 he frowns   at the thought, gives his head a shake....any way?.... we have  some  fighters being  ferried over  by  The Tyr and One from the  Hermes.....These are real jobs.... real epopel are going to fly them into ...real battle... neither of you will be paid  for this...contest.. you will have a team of 3 Flight crew working with you..I will have thier  Names drawn right before the Contest starts..

 ..From what I understand, Ms Gordova has someone on the Hermes, she'll take that fighter..... Eddie will take  the Fighter  from the Tyr... I won't lie to you... the creds we save, not paying you for this contest..won't hurt the ship a bit....But it will be intense...

 ..The First ship done..will be  the winner... it will then  be taken out by a LG  test pilot... if it checks out... you'll keep the job..... if it is  found faulty?... then  the 2nd  ship will be tested..if  it checks out..that person will be rewarded.... I asked around the fleet.. the battle damage for tese two aircraft would take an average crew 8 hours to repar.... I don't  want Average.... the More repairs  we can make..the more creds we can make... if we cannot make it  in the fleet on our own... Hack my decide to  constript the LG and fill it  full of ESN  folks... meet me on the Hanger  deck  in 6 hours....if you need a rest..or food, or both.. go the  th RecDec  see what they have for you...

    "Yes" she says sadly, "I had someone on the Hermes ".

      Missy picked up a bite to eat and grabbed some sleep on the Albatross and showed up 10 minutes ahead of time with her Hermes spanner set.  If she can see the fighter, she starts looking up the specks on her data pad and figuring out what might need work.

  The  Fighters  sat in berths, about  20 yards  apart...

  Both showed signs of lazer scortches  and  rips  over the bodies and wings. One  was missing a skid,  held up by a manaual swing  crane

  The other  was missing the cock pit, whoever  flew this one 'Podded out'..and the   rest  was brought back to be  repaired., Both had   damage to the wings, knocking out  some of the weapons Pilot's names hand been  snadbalsted off, the tail fins  still had  Numbers but  could not be seen from the taped off lines.

 4 guards watched over the  fighters, keeping people away from them two hover  chests  sat on the Dec, but  each  aircraft was  well as  2 pair of Hyper and Hyrdro  drivers...a welder and Melder sat by each as well.

 ................................

  In the Morning, Nicky was dressed in a orange  jumpsuit. making him look oddly out of place

  Two  crews of  Tech waited.. 4 people each crew.. men and women mix.

   Nicky begins,..now?..... I have to point out, the battle  damage is a bit different.. but only in a few  ways.... the average estimate from techs from 15 ESN cruises say 7 hours..... The  Tech ships  say 8..... I would like to see that  time   cut...and the prize is  a CDT.... the runner up ADT.... unless, neither of you make the 8 hours....then?  I'll just have to search a bit longer, and you two can take a job as a dec techs, if you want... this may seem a bit..'under the gun'..but... when we start getting   fighters in here, that have to be repaired 'yesterday'.. you will understand....

  ..So?... Ms Gordova?... these are your Techs... and the Fighters  with the  missing skid is yours..... Eddie... the  pod-out is yours..... get yourself  ready...lets see what you folks can do...

  there were ropes to keep  people away from the area... no excuses  for traffic,ect....

  Looks at the  Ships Clock.....starting  in ...3.......2......1..... GO!

  The crews  worked hard..and well... Though   Brick and his  team were going to have to install a new Cockpit Pod... it may not be any worse, they the  missing skid, and the   manual swing  crane that had to hold the  other fight up.


 Nicky walked back and forth  with a  paper cup of coffee as he watched both groups.

    Missy was all over the fighter she was working on.  While the pod was a click into place the skid had created some  internal structural damage and had to be hand machined.

    She had the team do the opening while she booted up info on the structural stats and crammed on the internal structure.  Missy cursed when she saw the stress marks on the frame.  It isn't miss shaped but she had seen this kind of damage before.  The structure would likely hold out for the test but wouldn't be combat ready for more than two missions. "Crap, I'm not going to win this one."  she fumed, but immediately pulled it together and got to work. At least we can make sure the next pilot doesn't suffer for a lax job."  She told her crew.

    She works hard and fast and double checks for other hidden damage and takes no breaks.  Anyone watching her would know she was giving her best but with a couple of other problems that popped up it came in just under the deadline.  She thanked her team.  It seems they did pretty well for working under a new crew-chief.

     Missy grabs a drink and sits down cross legged by her job looking at the offending skid, new and shinny.  She doesn't need to look up.  She knows where she stands. "Well, it was worth the try."  She says to Nicky when he walks up behind her.

  Nicky  looked over the  Machines... two pilots ( test pilots) were standing behind Him...You both did  damn good.... 7:37.. 7:48....  But..now lets  see  what the fly boys think..eh?

 Eddie came over, he didn't have Much  dirt or grease, as he 'pointed ' the way most of the time, and what  work he did, was  with a Hyper  driver.

  ..not  bad....  I had some  trouble with the Pod locks?... but  at least the   aircraft stood on its own..

  The Pilot  in Eddie's aircraft began to  taxi for ward.. the tail  fin said the  aircraft was from the  Hera.

 When  Missy's  came out of the berth... she saw a  beat up  Number 19 on the tail fin...

  which, of course  would be  fried off by the blasters  to  be factory painted  to return to the next ship that needed an aircraft.

 they both slipped out into the Black.... fleet fighters   held  psotions to keep traffic out of a 50 mile  space  for them to test the machines...

   "Good job Eddie."  Missy said clasping his arm and shaking his hand, "It looks like you probably got the job."

   [Of course she seemed oblivious to the fact she just got his hand and arm greasy.]

   ...Thank You Ms Gordova... Eddie Looked at his Hand  and  gave a slight  frown, but he brightened as he begin to clean it off,..Not to worry Missy.. I imagine your hands  will get  ..very greasy..working for me..

    Nickey was looking  over the  shoulder of a pretty Young COM Tech who has a split screen of the two aircraft.

  ....Ok...Mike...Allie?..Pod out...   the shuttle  will recover you and the   fighters...

  Eddie's smile  vanished,..You are having them Pod Out?

 Nickey watched the screens  as he nodded,..its the last chance a pilot has..most times..... he snaps his fingers  with  looking away from the screen,..they are gone, just like that.... but..in the few cvhances they have to Pod Out... it might make the difference in Life and death..and? if the Fleet has to bring in a new pilot

  Allie..in the '19' craft.. Podded out, the Pod moving up and away and the lights  came on for her to be found...

 Mike .... wasn't ...Lets go  mike..been a long  day.....

  The Fighter  turned towards the  LG and made its way back.

 ..Mike!..Dammit....answer me... Ellie... why isn't he  answering.

 the  girl shrugged her  shoulders,..don't  Know,  Nickey....  I sent him him COMs.... they are going through....

 Nickey was Made  and  he called  two LG-SEC troopers over...unless he has a damn good  reason.. I want he locked up in jail...

  ..Brig...Sir.. its called a brig....

 he looked up at the broadshouldered   SGT. ( so was  Ellie!)..whatever!.. Just...lock him up for... for....

 ..Failure to follow instructions...Sir?

 yeah!..that's a good one..that one...

  The  fighters  Glided in, Nickey and  SGT Saur, His  Trooper and Ellie  approached the fighter... Mike  was pounding on the Cockpit.. they couldn't hear him, but his red  faces  and  flashes of gritted teeth  said he was less then happy.

 ..what the 8 hells.... Get that Cockpit open!

    Missy looked at Eddie with a raised eyebrow, "You didn't check it yourself did you?"  She sighs and rolls her eyes  "Any job that is attached to your name needs to be inspected by you.  AND you need to know everything involved.  If there are new systems you don't understand get a factory rep in to show you And your team the ropes.  They love giving free lessons.  It means more money for their company down the road."

 Eddie   frowned at the  techs  using  Hydro drivers to get the  Cockpit  pod loose.yeah...that was it... i..um..didn't  double check...

 Once the Pilot  Got out , he   threw his helmet in the direction of  Brick.what the 9 hells  was  that?.... the  whole pod shut  down when i  tried to Pod out!.... if it wasn't  for  auto pilot..  who the  9 hells knows where i could have hit!

 Nickey was talking to the foreman,who looed towards Brick and Missy  and Nodded.   then the over head, controlled  crane  polled over and the   clamps came down.. Eddie looked at his  boots ( which were really, really shiny)

 The foreman and one of the crew climbed up and hook the pod eye hooks as   the others   used the Hyper drivers to separate  the Pod from the explosive  ejects...

 when  the time  came to lifr the Pod.. Nickey , slowly  climbed up  and wathed.. the Foreman operated the   crave control..lifting it up slowly.... Nickey shouted....STOP!

 The foreman handed the control to one of his crew and He  and Nickey looked inside the Guts of the  Dart...most of the  Pod was plug and go.. they could  see the belts in the front that fed that Gatling Cannon the  controls to the wing weapons and controls..thrusters..everything... But one box  was diffe3rant from all the rest... a manual  hand pulled  lever  that tripped the  charges, that  ejected the pod... one  thick wire  was  twisted into a knot and taped.. this  gave the signal  that ...yes..there is power...so no red Lights would show.... sadly.. the failsafe, not just for pilots..but  for people working on the fighters... was, if there was a malfunction in and Pod control..it would shut  all control to the fighter  down, except  auto pilot... The pilot would be trapped in his   fighter, unless  he was lucky enough to come across a  ship with a hanger dec.

Zac Fry, the foreman ( EMS)  Popped his head  out from under the dangling Pod. Which one of you Dumbasses did this?  I could get two naked, drunk Mulls  , in mating season, that could do a better job then this! The fury in  Zac's voice  couldn't be missed.

  Nickey  sat on the rim  next to Zac,..I haven't   did any work on anything bigger then an aircar..... I do know ... by the book..every engine and almost every system that the ESN  uses.... This is one thing i know.... you can't wire something like that...in a vessel build for combat.... Eddie...why?

 Brick looked a bit  embarrassed  as he turned  from  Nickey to Missy..to the foreman,...you said?  this was supposed to be like a combat situation ...right ?... get the machine up and ready, because they need it  he looks around , nodding his head, ...You tell me a fighter Pilot cares if he can Pod out? that's only for noncombat times....90% of those  folks  get fried when they get hit.

 ..I saved 15 minutes by making ehr 'good to go..'

  Zac  tried scramble out of the   pod, but it was too tight.

 Nicky shook his head...Not good , Brick.....  This is the ES BLOODY N.... There isn't a Hanger Dec officer out there , that doesn't know more then you'll learn if you libe  200 more years... thier  crews  will see something like..they'll report it...if we're Lucky.. we get a call from the Hera... he motions to the Tail fin number  and  sign.....or the  Tyr ?.,.... If  we're not Lucky we Get  a COM from Rivets of the gods be damned Hermes.... and right behind him  will be Captain Morris... and right  behind him  will be Oilver  Gods  be damned Hack.... we will lose  contracts.. the fleet will lose pilots... and  i'm betting  they make  a charge for sabotage stick!

 he leans a bit   forward  as  Zac finally  gets out with help of a crewmember, he whacks aside the woman's  hands  after he puts his soft cover back on...Glaring   at Brick from the rim...But you know what is really  scary..Mr  Brick?.....  he  says in a start stage whisper,.. the WC of the gods be damned  Delta fleet..find out  that his pilots  died..or went to  battle in some drunken Mull rigged   fighter.....'cause.... you don't want a visit from him....

 Eddie   started to Laugh.....the WC? what... Shadow?  the  poster boy for  joining the  ESN fighter Corps The  guy is a Vid hero....

   "And a good if ruthless man by what my brother had to say.  Bo Jagger podded out on an earlier mission for the Hermes and went on to die getting Shadow off an alien moon." She looks at Nickey, "Do I really have to have this guy working under me?"

  Nicky say on the  Rim... his hands clasped, his  feet bumping against the   fighter, like a kid on  a porch swing.

  Zac shook his head,..Look,  Nicky... I'm  EMS..we got..what?  Have the Crew ESN.. the rest are workin' civies... If he stays as th ADT... whose  gonna wanna take orders from him? And? Its like you said... sooner or later..whether   patching them up..or  doing  checks... the  Cap shop  crews  will find something like this..and  this ain't no Mistake..9 hells... Rivets would space  the guy...and Hack would let him...

  Nicky Nodded his head as he thought

 what?..wait..Comon..i did what you asked?  who the 9 hells  has a test pilot ,Pod out of the gods be damned  aircraft? Had you not done that? You'd never had known...

 Nicky shakes his  head this time and says,...sorry.. Brick.... get your things.. get of our  boat.....

 ...Ms  Gordova.... You'll find your  quarters on the Officer's Dec... Ellie should have you name lit up, by the time you get there...Now..everyone go get something to eat, and rest..'cept you Brick... get off the ship...

 Brick  threw the  towel down on the dec..he glared  at  Missy and the Others  and walked towards the  rooms they were using  to stay...

  Ellie giggles.....he walks   kinda cute, when he's  mad...

   Missy watched him walk off. "Are you sure we shouldn't detain him to make sure he is who he says he is?  It's kinda suspicious that the biggest competitor got taken in route and I'd hate to see him get away if he was here to make trouble."

   She looks at the leads and shrugs, "For that matter you should look at my background a little more closely.  Porcine are a little harder to impersonate but it's still a remote possibility."

  Micky   slipped on the   fighter  with a bit of an Ooofff,..Right now, SGT Saur is going to escort him to the temp quarters you had... then  escort him  to a shuttle that will take him to a merchent vessel... though there could be rpoblems  from him..or you?..if that should happen, the Fleet standard is a walk in The Black....most folks  don't reach that far though.

 ..Congrates on your new Job... comign Morning..you know you have two aircraft waiting for you... you can start a night shift, or even a third shift if you want..but  keep in mind, we only haveabout 1/3 of   a full crew.. and OT costs alot of creds... ..If.. you should..um....over extend us.. we'll have to run a review ... we'll have to see about an ADT for you as well...

    She smiles a bright smile, "It's okay, I can stand the scrutiny."  The smile fades a little "And I have no patience for those who can't.  In the mean time, you job description was a little vague, and I was somewhat in a rush to find a position where I could contribute to the fight.  I was led to believe the position was a salaried one, and I would like to review the resources I have to complete the job, including the quality of the suppliers.  Like I said my name is on the job, and like you said, a shoddy job will not be tolerated regardless of whether it is due to bad supervision, bad work, bad parts or bad maintenance equipment."

 Nicky half listens to  Missy  as he eyes Brick being escorted  by the  two SEC troopers a blue and red shuttle from a Merchantman  was  coming into  View  as the  bright Lights over the Hanger Dec doors shown out into The Black.

   he turned and crossed his  arms, the Foreman was standing next to him, wiping his  hands in a rag that  always seem to be hanging out of the back pocket of his orange  coveralls.

 well?... Ms Gordova,  I  normally handle the ordrs and such. If you know Venders,  we can have thier backround Checked. But at least 60% of our parts  come  the Carrier bases... the rest?  we have to scrounge...its not uncommon for a Tortugan privateet task force to   shop thier wares they  seized or salvaged..takes a long  damn time though...Most times..if  we dealt with them before... we'll buy thier whole lot... and scrap what's not good..... cuts into the bottom line, but so does checking each and every box , carton crate or item..

 ...Your Office is next to the QM's... Nice..  you'll have a secratary as soon as we hire one... the inner office is   big, but there are alot of   paper files and Disc files, waiting to be filled up... there is a  some restroom in the back and a small room with a cot. incase things get  hairy and you need  to sleep...again?  we have alot of folks to hire...  The Fleet knows this... they'er sending  a wee bit of work our way, until we tell them we're  ready  for a big push.

  "All right.  I'll go through my records and see if I can help fill the spots.  We need to be ready asap or this ship aint helping or making money. How is our background screening system.  Are we going through the fleet or relying on our own system?   Even if I trust them or they come through a reliable source, I want them security checked six ways to Sunday."

  Nicky shook his head with a frown,.. we use both... the fleet's backrounds go deeper then anything else we know? But that doesn't mean they get everyone right, or  someone doesn't get turned after they join up.

  ..There was a group called  The Orphans... they had   a very good Tech businessset up... abut  4 or 5 of them went bad... ... the fleet... eliminated the threat..which caused more to turn.... now?  from what i understand... there are like 3  left who can be trusted, but are  hidden away..  while the remained  are being hunted  down.

 .so?  see what you can do.... we have feelwers out  on the CAp ships fro Techs who are  at the end of thier tours, and  don't want to sign up, but still want a check.

  "Okay, I'll keep current staff on regular shift.  They got here first so we might as well keep them happy.  After we are up to full steam I can use positions to encourage better performance.  I'll send out feelers tonight and get on repairs in the morning.  I didn't get to see much of the machining shop or get an idea of what the forge can put together for us.  Probably won't until everything is running full steam, but please tell me when we are fully staffed that there is a budget to upgrade equipment."

  Nicky nodded,I will... from what i undertand, the forge   can  make payes  , bend them, and cut them to fit anything from  a Duce on down... repairs  for a Big Ugly and up will need to be at a carrier station..or.. be locked in with us, and  down from the outside in...

 ..Carry on then... You should recieve your  pathces and pins in the morning...

  "I will look forward to working that, but for now I have a deck to shape up and run.  Thank you for your time and the opportunity to make a difference out here."

    She gets her gear together and looks over the two teams that worked with her and her competition.

    "You ladies and gentlemen saw how this went down.  Gross neglect is rewarded with termination at best.  It is up to everyone to do make sure we are turning out a good product because loved ones WILL be flying these ships.  If we don't do a good job, some one gets hurt.  If we do a slow job, the next job goes to someone else who may not do a good job.

    I'd like to set into place a double check policy.  Regardless of how lousy that man did his job, someone should have caught it.  We will discuss policies that will allow us to work together on this just before the next shift.  You are the spear head to our team.  You are tasked with helping me make the policy that this deck will run on.  Your performance may get you promotion.  Rest, and meet me 15 minutes before the next shift."

     The Crews ( 8 people) listend and nodded,  and broke up when she  told them to leave. The   ex-hernes  fighter was  being Unloaded on the dec  the over head crane  hooking it up, to bring  it  over as far as it could  reach.

  The Foreman was getting  Hover  Jacks to work in tandem , so they could get both fighters into the  maintenance berths.

   Missy worked like a dog [not a mull] keeping her crews busy and checking all of their work.  She kept record on her observation of their performance and worked with them to find their strong points and improve their weak points.  She kept thing light in the beginning easing into a no nonsense air of getting the job done right.

   In every other spare minute she worked on hiring a full crew with her superiors.

   The crew was mixed.  Her countrymen had a sense of detail and got things done right but needed the presence of more ambitious species to get the job done quickly.  They were also very low security risks like the occui who were good at the technicalities and could get into tight spots.  Humans would always be the most versitile, but it was unwise to leave out workers who had two sets of hands.

   She heard of the species that just joined the APF from the moon where her brother died who were giant arachnids in body design capable of reading the minds of coworkers.  She sent a message welcoming them onto her crew and promised training if she could hire them.  These would be perfect for muscle work and mind reading ability meant they would learn fast.  Missy with her wheel training could outfit them with the gear to do the job and felt welcoming them into the APF in this way would strengthen both the forge ship and it's position with the fleet.

   Does she run into difficulties?

  Nicky and Capt Muller are  walking through the deck.  Nickey is taking notes, Muller is pointing  out things to  Nicky to take notes on.

   They Approached  Missy, The CAptain  cleared his  throat.Ms  Jagger?   what is your status? we're losing creds to Etna with   thier swap out  for newly minted  fighters... we need to  start showing the Fleet  we can save   then Creds   by  repairing those aircraft...

 Nicky looked at his list that were submitted,..your  request for  Naragran crew? If have to hold that until we can see if  we can feed them..and....for that matter..talk with them.

  "One moment Dylan" Missy looks up from training a worker to adjust energy coils, "I understand your concerns.  You know my logic."  She looks at her board.  "My unit has been working to put out as many repairs as current man power allows without authorizing overtime.  I've been increasing their skill levels and efficiancy as best I can and keep turning out good product."  She looks up  "I have been hunting for people to fill out the crew, and have submitted lists from every hour I stay I stay on the computer and com unit doing so.  Do you authorize me to act on my own on this or is interviewing and hiring still your responsibility?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Mon 28 Aug 2017.

  The CAptain  watched the  crews at work,..Nicky will still Hire..but if you have sources..and fill then need to hire..then those will be your responsiblity..

 he turned and walked a few steps  away to look out the  Hanger Dec's  doors......when i reach my  offcie.. i am sending the  COM out that we are open for Business...The time  at shor eelave, should  give us work, with less pressure, and make us  ready for when we, next sail into battle.

     "Thank you."  Missy says simply and gets back to work.  That night she again contacted the Civilian Core of Mechanical Engineers and checked through their work pool.  Cross referencing past work several employers back.  While the background checks were necessary, Missy found that in getting people with a history of taking pride and enthusiasm in their work was nearly as successful a deterant, as spies were lazily looking for a credit and didn't want to put in the extra work.  She also double checked references through the core making sure they were legitimate through legitimate businesses.

  a few hours   of searching  she   found 4 more  members to her liking..all hand some time, in either Carrier/station aircraft factories.. or served time on a CAp ship...all were now out of the service, but  still trying to get the 'big creds' working for the fleet..in some place.

 the one that  stood out  was  Molly McCan.. Irish Aircraft tech with  a  history from Mars... to Olympus, to  the ESN Hera, and finally an  asteroid Mining   colony outside astra where she  kept Shuttles and Tenders going.

In reply to Missy (msg # 48):

Missy sent out an invitation to all of the candidates, but checked to see if she could get a live feed to Molly

 She managed to get a  narrow  10 minute  feed to  a supply transport that traveled  with the fleet..serving   to ferry supplies back and forth through the fleet without slowing for  Civie schedules.

 The Red Haired   woman  had a  Pony tail poking out of the back of her "Fry a Demon today"  Baseball hat.

 her green eyes looked into the  Screen,..Molly NcCan here... what do you need

    Missy doesn't beat around the bush with preliminarys,    "You.  I've got a deck of ESN craft to repair and I need the best."   She sends the information on the job of night lead in a text file. "I can only look after things part of the time and we both know trusting a man to a job like this is a mistake.  How soon can you be here?"

  She Looks at Missy for a second  as the info  come  through and she opens it.

  Scanning the information for a bit, she shrugs,..what do i get?..Right now  i get 40 creds a day, and a bit of  any bonuses when we come in undertime.... I run the whole dec here...

  "We should be able to mach and exceed that.  You'll run the whole deck here when I'm not on it and work on the best fighters in the fleet.  As far as the pay goes, the range should be in there.  Bonusses work about the same.  If we like you we keep you and make sure your well compensated." [the job description provided for the second should have a pay scale included.  That's above Missy's paygrade to decide.]

  Molly  frowned as she looked over the information on her computer.

  ..from what i understand..the Fleet is in this bleedin' quad for a few days...a week maybe... I'll Come over there.. see what its like.. if i like it , I'll stay..if not.. I'm  coming back to the  Warsaw before   we  cast off...

   That's up to you.  If working on shuttles is what you want to do for your life go for it.  But you don't strike me as the stay at home nice and cozy type.  We'll see you when you get here."  Missy ends the communication breathing out a sigh. "I think I might have miss read her Missy says to herself.

  About an Hour Later a  supply shuttle is granted landing on the Dec. The  rear ramp is lowered and a short Red Hair  woman in Clean, but well used, Orange Jumpsuit, and  Duffle back with a Half dozen  ship's patches sewed onto it.

  The  LG SEC meets her and she hands  over her disc.  a Pallet of Fighter  parts is being Unloaded  by another Warsaw crew man.

  when they are done, she shakes the   Crewman's hands  and  pounds on the side of the shuttle, she is away from the aircraft as  it buttons up, and watches  it  leave, while waiting to be greeted by someone of Import.

   "Welcome on board Molly"  Missy says walking up.  "We have some quarters set up for you it this location." She hands Molly the data pad.  "We are still putting together a full shift, which means, if your interested in the job, you get to help assemble your own shift.  We will of course run checks but you get to put together the roster."

  Molly Nods as she looks  around,..funny? this used to be Largran..and they closed off the   portside   hanger  Dec  doors... seems to me, a ship like this  would do better with both   sides opened...

 ..Can't  do much about it now  with that bank of Offices on that side... but the time   changes were made anyway?.. the war would be over...

 ..Let me stow  me Bloody gear  she  picks up her Duffle  and says to Missy,..I'm a chancer alright.. she looks around again,..give me a bleedin' team that donna look like a blind Cobbler's thumb and we can start , stright away...

   "You would think that but expecting high end engineers to think seems to be too much to ask anymore.  That said we do have a lot we can still do.  The demons keep pulling Allies out of their asses so things are gonna take more time than we think.  You might get your wish.  There are Improvements I'd like to see to.  Maybe in time we can discuss them over beers on the commercial deck"

  Molly looked at the Vid Board  and in the direton of the  quarters...then i'll be on me way, bet  e  kit settled  in  and we'll start... I dunna  care who you pick fer me  crew?... cause they'er gonna have ta  work my way...and they will...

 she  moves off to find her quarters.

    Missy had been working hard to knock out both quality and quantity.  When she wasn't on the clock she was hiring or pouring over schematics with the occasional collapse into a hammock.

  Lights  turned Yellow  as the Fleet  cast off  from  Etna.

  The LG-01T would be with the Sanri and Occui forge ship In the   second  ring around the  MedTech ship..the Agra-ships  would be next as well as supply ships and Tankers..

  Outside of them, the Transport/bases

  and outside them the  warships.. Media ships were  waiting for the OK to broadcast, and made thier way to the outer rings of warships...

 some 10,000 miles ahead of the fleet.. destroyers and Corvetes ranged on all sides to  stop any flanking   forces..or..at very elast alert them


  The  Military crew was, in haste, in the prep. AA guns being tested...a pair of fighters  were ready, painted  pure lt grey primer .. the two test pilots  could fly them in defense, if needs be,

   Missy looks at the fighters in satisfaction.  "Okay, do we have the next challenges set up, or can we take a breather?"

  Zack Fry, the foreman, shakes his  head....all we can do right now?.. is wait... we have some parts?..could try and get another figther together..or ? Just wait and use the parts   when they start sending aircraft over.. or tenders  drop of what's left...scuttbutt says its gonna be  nasty...and that Vid  feed didn't make it sound much better.

   Missy nods. "We'll get more fighters out of repairing than building so maybe a break is in order.  Okay boys and girls, get to the rec deck, blow off some steam but make sure you are well rested, because if the rummers I hear are correct, there's going to be fewer hands working elsewhere and we might be needed to get in some overtime."

 Fry  Nods  as he looks out into The Black,..You know?... I  ain't never been a real fighting  man... always been in the rear area   fixing stuff... But with this fleet... there is no ..'rear area"... cause they bring us  right along with them...

  "Your still not a fighting man.  ESN needs good repair teams on site?  We'll give them good repair teams on site.  If your grabbing food on the rec deck bring me a cup of miso soup in hanger nine.  I'm working on a new sensor array for the Albatross."

  ..Right.. Miso coming up... hope you get to eat it!... he   moves off. Some of the ESN troopers  were staring out the static  field as well, their faces  lit  but starshine , static filed flickers, and the Lights  of  Transport/bases  as the  glided by..seemingly in slow motion.

  Missy heads to her beloved ship.  As it was basically designed like anphibious twentieth century bomber/cargo plane with space ship upgrades, the sensory suite was built into the nose where the bombardier station would have been.  A deep swivel seat allowed the operator full access to multiple control stations at once...or it will as soon as she builds the station.  With the loading ramp facing the rear of the hanger it would be easy to enter the ship, not so easy to find the nose compartment from the payload.

about  15 minutes later  Fry came  back with a box that  had a large container of  Miso..  one half of  a French breada small container   for shreaded cheese and a cookie.

 ..Hey!..Soup's On... for real!..

 he placed the  box on  tool stand and sat on the floor  with a Cup of  Coffee and half of a doughnut.

  Missy comes out of the shuttle, a little bleary eyed. "Thanks, what do I owe you?"

  Fry laughed, 48 hour  pass to Eden II Pleasure  Moon...next time  we  hit Astra  space.

 ..See  them destroyers.. they  are   rising abover the main body... msut be red alert...

  Missy nods. "I better finish up.  In about forty five minutes we are going to have the injured limping in and 30 minutes of shut eye is needed for a human or porcine brain to reset."
   She winks at Fry, "Bet you thought mechanics was all I was good for."

 Fred  grinned and looks innocent as he said,..wait?.. you'er good?

   Missy shrugs, "You know what most human men say about porcine Maidens:  when we are good, we're good.  And when we are bad, we're really good."

Missy popped out of her hammok on the flight line and got on her coms,  they had been through all of this before in imprompt practice runs but this was the real deal. "You heard the man folks."  Her shrill voice cut across the coms and the deck.  "R&R is over, grab a coffee of a stim-drink and get your game face on.  They call this a forge ship for a reason, you are about to be forged in battle."

  "Okay, control room, send the dry working ships to the high repair bay numbers and the repair jobs to the low numbers.  Deck staff we want to start shifting batteries to the high numbers so it takes less time to load.  I want armor plating in both places in case we need to do any quick swapouts."

   "When a ship is coming in for repairs I want the pilot in contact with the crew chief in contact with the pilot who is coming into their repair bay as soon as they are free of the fight.  Chiefs, be aware of the pilots condition.  If he might goof up on the landing I want your crew clear of the bay, if it might endanger other bays you sound general alert."

   "Batery loading Numbers, havd them check their retros befor they come on final approach, last thing we need is a ship that cannot stop plowing into fuel cells and blowing us all up."

   "Crash deck, double check your proceedures and fire up the magnets, I want one last run through on all systems."

   "Let's move it folks, by the end of this battle I want Rivets begging to recruit each and every one of us."

  ESN   troops  we almost all in palce.. a few ran about to  make sure they had power cells  for Pulse  weapons or  get that 'extra' box of  37MM cannon rounds  for the   AA guns.

  the  Civie folks ran about, most knew what they were  doing.. some looked scared. Some looked like it was another day on the Job.

   Missy saw everyone into their positions, and got ready herself.

  some of the ESN types  were laughing  and  talking as the stood by their  battle stations.

   fred  was  grinning his teetah as he watched the abttle get closer and clsoer... it seemed   by inches?.. but   each inch  was  10,000  miles   or  more.

  already stray Bits of the expanding BAttle   field  was   floating past.. Bright  flashes, that were just 'twinkles' before.. heralded the death of  an aircraft.. or, perhaps a smaller  ship... grand  explosions heralded the death of  a cap ship... but, without  watching Vids?  no one know whose

 Matterhorn looked like a   decoration with    twinkling light s  as Parasites  were Blown off, or  fighters  died.

  There were PODs are ready  Blinking, for pilots who were lucky enough to escape..

  then the Lights  started to flash... Two  ESN  fighters   crippled , one trilign Smoke  and  atmo. were wobbling in...

 an Occui's voice said,....LT  Cranz....   I can't land  on the Odin.. too many  bugs  flying around..Captain sent me here......

 the one  trailing Atmo COMed,Ensign  Hues  from the  Remus... my bird's  bleeding here...

   Missy waits for the tower to instruct them in, then sends them both the same message.  "Alright boys, we're happy to be your home for now. Throttle back and make sure you have enough maneuverability to land.  If not your going to need to use the crash deck.  Hues your up first.  Stay calm.  What's you maneuvering status."  She motions for a med team to com forward.

 Hues was  calm..but stern,..she can fly.. but  she's hurting..O2 is almost gone...

 The Occui Hovers   a bit  wobbly  but waited.

In reply to LG-01T (msg # 82):

   "Bring her into bay one.  The lights will show you the way.  Cranz, what is the status of your maneuvering thrusters?"

 Hues    Cuts power and   slides  slowly towards the hanger Bay.. they can hear in the backround of the COMs ,that  his O2  is gone.

  the   fighter doesn't even hover,, but   bounces on the Dec , with is's  skids.

...

 Cranz...she's  fighting me... i may have  to  just  shut down and drift in...

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

   "Go for it.  Tower, can we get a tender to help him out?"

 Cranz says,.... Power  Burst.... Now......

 there was  a Flash of after  Burners  behind the wounded aircraft.

 ..Cutting..Now.....

  the  ship continued  to  speed   forward under the thrust.. and  the  Occui  fought with Dart to keep it level.

   Missy fires the magnetic grapples out the field to guid the Occui to bay two "Get that gear down.  No need to scratch up you belly."

  The Occui laughs,..naw.. ya know  skids  don't go up and down.. least not  on this side of earth!

 the  Occui uses tint bits of thruster to  bring  it in..bouncing along the dec until it was 20  yards from the back wall where the tools set.

  Missy is there to help him out. "I take it you've done this before?"

 The   Occui crawled out.. there are more them a  few holes in his craft,

 ..its  those  damn lizards.. have to keep  remembering thay use hard ammo too!

  ..guess i'm gonna  miss the end of the fight...

   Comunications suggest Some perfectly good ships are left on the Matterhorn  How about you?"  Missy asks the human who was in the leaky fighter. "Would you like a shot at the end of the fight?"  She checks her data sheet,  "Actually we have a bead on two fighters pushed off the Oswald if you want to do a space walk.  It might get you in the action faster."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:52, Tue 21 Nov 2017.

    Both  Pilots nodded, the human frowned as he looked back at his fighter,..yeah.. they made me  leave The Field... guess it was good.. i had no O2 left....

 The Occui nodded,..a chance to  crush some more bugs.. ya.. you bet.... don't need a suit  though.. our  flight suits  should last long enough ta get into a craft... you know.. if they didn't lock the  cockpits..

  "Flight control, do we have any shuttles to take these pilots out to those drifting fighters, maybe hitchhike with a tender or supply shuttle?"

Fred  says,  we have  4  shuttles with nothing to do.. until we send them out after Pods or something... got pilots   wanting  to go... but remember they only have  one  ball gun on top.. these babies were made to work, not fight...

Any spare pilots or gunners to help?

  Fred   looks at his  Vid Board,shuttle 1 and 2 are on standby..  one pilot.. one gunner  and two load  ahdlers... Shuttle one's pilto is a bitch do.. she's still made cause she  failed  her combat shuttle  training.. she ..'claims" ..it was  cause she was a girl.. we got her 'used' , from Etna...

  "Sounds like my kind of pilot.  Let's give her something to do."
Missy turns to the Pilots "Let's go get you in those ships."

   Missy finds the shuttle and is horribly blunt with the pilot.  "I need someone with combat shuttle training to get these Pilots to two fighters floating in the void.  Can I count on you?"

  There is a smallish  strawberry Blonde standing here with  a side arm on her  flight suit and a  trench knife  strapped to her left leg.

 .. My Names  SHari.. yeah.. i can get them in and out.... If I can't.. won't be anyone to bitch at!
 she grinned as hse  chewed on a tooth pick

  "Missy, deck chief.  Don't screw up Shari.  You die it's on my head.  Besides, I will probably be needing a good combat pilot for testing some sensor arrays latter on and it will help if I don't have to put you back together with duct tape.  See ya when you get back.  I've got fighters to repair."  Missy turns to go and stops, "Oh, and after these there are spare fighters on the station.  As the ships come in you might be needed to take other pilots there." 

  SHari Nodded and the other three guys  stepped in the shuttle  followed by the pilots.

   when she got the Clearance  she  took off, for the   Tag signals of th aircraft.

   Lookign over the two damaged  Fighters.. the Occui's looked like a write off... the other looked like they  could fix in it an Hour or so.

   Alright, we have enough teams right now to work on both of these, but the human ship goes first as it's the fastest rapair.  By the time it's done I want an assessment on the Occui's as to whether or not it's a complete wreck.  If yes, we parts it out, if no we start piecing it back together.

    Missy helps her crew pull apart the first ship inspecting the damage thuroughly, but waiting to see what her crew comes up with then authorizing the repairs. "You know what to do guys, have me check it before we close up.  I trust you to do your best but even I miss tings once and a while.  Double checking must ALWAYS be part of the proceedure.

   She moves on to the inspection of the other craft as she listens to the com trafic.  "Shadow, if you have ships that can't fight, the station has ships that can.  Your pilots should be able to swap out there and stay in the battle.  Or even bring them here and we'll shuttle them over."  She continued her job eficiently but her mind was always processes two things at once.  She contacts her superiors.  "Boss, when pilots come in un injured they can still fight.  Think we can talk thee fleet intoletting us carry a few spares as loaners?"

   Capt O'Muller answer's Missy Question...we'll see what we can do.. it will depend on room and such. If we carry  more then a few, we may as well be a warship?... we have our  two aircraft in the air, in case  we are approached.

 ...Shadow here.... MAtterhron is a bit  far for us right now.. we are hurting a bit..it shouldn't  be much longer...one way, or th other.

  "Thank you Captain. Can't imagine needing much more."  to Shadow, "Sorry sir it was worth a try.  We have bays for your broken if needed."

   Shadow Gives a dark Chuckle,..there are at least 4 fi8ghters on the spine  of the Hermes now... Pilots  had to  abandon them and  enter  though the VIP landing pad... Hermes  lives through this..  Rivets isn't gonna be able to handle them all... if....he's still there.

   "He will be sir.  Bugs can't chew through the old nails and bailing wire he's made out of.  Their mandibles aren't that strong."

  there's a sad  Chuckle,we haven't had  any orders  since the shuttles hit.... everyone's   handling thier own people... If worse comes to worse,  i'm having the rest  of  my pilots  enter the ship and we'll have to pretend  we can fight like troopers.

   "It will be enough sir."   Missy says removing the engine armor. "Damn, this whole Ion booster is toast.  Anyway, good luck LT."

   LG Shuttle 1   guided its   way back in.

     Chief O'Cline  stepped out   as she waited  for her  crew to Open the cargo Hold...we  Pulled in a Pod  from  The Remus while we  were out there.. Pilot  says he's ok...

   "Good to know.  Get him checked out with med bay and ask the tower to take the first load of pilots to the Matterhorn.  We should be getting some more ships and pilots in shortly."

  Shari turned around as another  shuttle pilot called out,...Chief   O'Cline?   did you see  many pods out there?

 She nodded...aye, That we did... but  they were a bit away... I didn't have  aircover.. or might have  tried  for another  two.

 there are also 2 more of the  Ewald's  fighters  drifting out there.

 the  three forge ships were spaced out  Behind front line  of Cap ships.. the ships were multi-leveled and stack at odd points to give mix of  'height' and  space between them.

   Captain Mullar made an announcement ,..all Hear this...all hear this... if you have fighters on  Dec  that can fly... and there is a pilot?.. have them fly it out... we are goign to have an Influx of wounded birds.. the Sanri and  Occui are already pumping out craft..let's see if we can match them.. Also?  all AA guns make sure your Ammo is maxed out... you won't have time..later..That is all...

   "Alright guys, you heard the post.  IS that first Fighter ready for final inspection yet?"  She remembers the situation with Shadow and uses her earlier conversation to link to his com.  "Lt, you still with us?"

  walking out of the Med Tech, Shadow answered,..yeah..still hear..gearing up  to meet the Largrans.. .. The Admiral  is sending Pilots over to  the Matterhorn, to bring back fighters..we got a mess on the  Hanger Dec.. I don't  think most of them should fly.. but  i , betting they will, if we can't pull in enough  fresh figthers

   "We'll take care of your birds for ya.  It's good to hear everyone is in one peice, especially the Admiral."  She laughs  "No one told us about the Largrans.  We're total mushrooms over here: kept in the dark and feed bullshit.  Thanks for the update.  It will boost moral and help us prepare.  Good hunting Lt. our thoughts are with you and your people."

   She switches her com to Rivets.  "Your hairy hide in one piece? Better be or I'll be pissed.  We have bays open, and are willing to help, just tell us what you need." 

   Missy gets on the com with our own traffic control.  "According to my com records the Ewald still has two perfectly good ships floating around out there, let's get them on our hull so we can send two pilots back out.  Shari, can you bring them in?"

   She turns to her team  "Hey! I asked if that leaky ship was repaired and ready for inspection yet!  I want to hear a "Yes Ma'am" or a "No Ma'am" with an explaination as to why RIGHT NOW!

    Shadow  answers,we'll se what we can do.. I'm sure some folks will  thank you for the prayers...me?.. Just give me a loaded fighter... Shadow out...

 Rivets Came on the COMs,..Ack,  I'm a bit  worse  fer wearing, an't there's no deinin'.. but  we're gonna give them lizards another  beatin, afore  we aren't here anymore. We got some folks goin' ta the matterhorn for fresh fighters.. Got a bunch here that need fixing, and..well.. most  o' me people aren't here anymore...so's  were short fixin' people..and flyin' people... be nice to get these beat up one's off me dec...

...

  ..the leaky one is Green now?.. the other  is  in the chop shop, getting broken down into parts and plates...

 There was a COM from a Hermes fighter....

 ..hey..Ya'll?..  LT Wilkes  here? I'm brining 13 Hermes Aircraft  to be fixed... Captain O'rielly, well he says  Just  Burn off  the numbers and such.. sue them  for replacements , if ya get the little darlin's   fixed? They got  some brand spamking new ones  from the Matterhorn..... now?.. you just tell us where ya'll wnat us  ta land?

   Missy is watching the void shaking her head. "Wilkes, All repair bays but #1 are open.  Come in, take the load off.  Grab some food.  I'l Get you back to the LC's victory party if I have to fly you myself."   She puts a com through the tower, "tenders, grab those two Ewalds, so we can claim them."

   To the void. "Shadow, that was beautiful to watch, but you better take your take your ship home before she realizes she's hurt.  I know she seems to be flying well, but she has taken some pretty serious hits and you don't want her going to pieces on you."

  COM s Come  back,..Right  Ma'am.. clsing in on the  ewald's now  they are  pretty far apart,, but we're the only one here  right now.. everyone  else is  in  The Field, looking for pods...should have them both in...30 minutes?..maybe  40 if we have a bad time of it...

 .........

 Shadow comes  back on a scratchy COM 1,...She's not  flying well....between the rounds  and the  climb..not to mention that damn lizard in boarding armor... The wing is.. sort just hanging there... Like Howe  said... in atmo  I would have had to POD out as soon as Il eft the LArgan....Can't land though... Hermes   has the HAnger BAy Blocked off with the boarding tunnel  and the other  two bays  are  a bit close to try to land... don't think they want us coming in just yet anyway?

 all the other CAps ships have thier own problems.. so?.. I'll Just wait... no planning on doing  any fancy stuff...

   "Get in here, I have a dart ready for you.  Bo would not want you to be undefended in the black."

   Shadow  was about to answer, But Commander Si spoke up...Go LC...  take that scrap metal back an come back with a proper   craft..

 ..Aye  Ma'am... on my way..

 Ok  Missy.. where  ya  at?..  I'm  coming from the edge of the The Field.. headding to the support ship area......

 Howe asks,..someone wanna go with him?

 ..I don't need...

 ..wsn't asking you LC...

   "LG-01T I've proposed half a dozen other names but no one around here want's to get creative."  She frowns,  "No worries LC, we'll take care of your ride."

   "On it, squack your location and I'll have the tower sent cordinates."  Missy snags two members of the loading crew and heads for the albotross.  The cargo deck should just be big enough for a dart."Flight control, I'm going to go pick up the LC, send me his coordinates and I should be back in a jiffy."  She parks the Albotross in front of the repaired dart and loads it, then goes out to find Shadow

    as she  leaves  the LG...at first it  it seems  normal.. the  support ships  and   monster Tranportbases that were held in reserve ...

 the  further  out  she goes.. she  sees    Crippled  Cap ships... battered chunks  for Bebris.. if she looks hard, she might see a body, form rather  side.. floating, frozen in death

    to her  3:00 was Matter horn.. there were still some explosions  from the lowers  as mor e parasites  were leaned off At 12:oo was   the  Alpha Fleet, or what was left.. Huddled together to protect themselves ,a s well as the MAtter shorn.

 Gamma ships were spread out.. though, not one of them looked like they would be seeing seep space anything soon.

 Battered delta Fleet  CAp ships were  Forming up  Covering  ships more  crippled then themselves.. some were already allowing  batter fighters   to  land..

 Dozens of  fighters   from many ships,  limped along. trying to get 'home'...about have  way from  her and the dying battle   with the Largran reserve fleet..a tiny dot  leaving a  tendril of  smoke from its   portside  wing.. it was    Flying   'crossways' to  keep the  battered   wing towards the direction it was headed...

   "Closing in on your position LT.  Are you still capable of small spacewalks in your pilot suit?"
[should I change threads?]

   As he saw the  aircraft   coming closer,..yeah... I haven't  been holed that i know of... what you  want  me to know.. her portside  wing is only holding on by will power.

  The thrusters  had  been cut.. and  he glided waiting to reverse the thrusters if needed.

In reply to Kray Shadow (msg # 126):

She matched speed with him drifting only slightly faster above and too the side.  Th albatross was inverted and the massive tail was drifting within 6 feet of the stricken Dart.  cutting the gravity she had the loaders gently pushed the open dart in her hold out at just the right speed so it was relatively stationary to Shadows dart.  No wind drag, and an object in motion stays in motion.  The same velocity of Shadows dart.  Shadow could push straight out of his cockpit and graple into the open cockpit of the repaired Dart.  Missy had inspected the work herself so she knew it was in good shape. [starting recovery of old dart in next post.]

  ..Right then.... be careful  when yu take her in the   compartemnt as  2 live grenades....a greasegun and  some ammo mags...Here Goes....

   His cockpit poppe o2  flishing like a cigar puff, then was gone...haven't did this since  academy days....


 he 'swam' to the other   Dart, and  slowly  slipped it,..hello?...  do yu pick  up any pilot that floats along? he  spoke to the  fighter.. which of  course.. did not answer.
  as he slipped in and started  the  canopy to close, he  COMed  Missy,..That lady out there.. she worked hard.... If you can save her.. make sure her parts  go to a combat fighter  and not end up on a Transport/Station... i don't  think she would like that...

  "You have my word LT"

  ..thanks.... I best get back to over watch.... watch out  for debris....Lots of  Bugs  and lizards floating around out here...

  he   kcked in the thrusters. and  Dove   down to get away from the others,  Before  corkscrewing through The Black, to get the feeling for  the new aircraft.

Taking her time, Missy manouvers the Albatross onto the same plane as the dart directly in front of it, then gently taps the retros causing the stricken ship to float into the bay.  Before turning on the gravity she gets the leaks under control and ties off the nose of the ship before evacuating the cargo bay.  She vents the bay sucking the oil and fluid particles out into space before repressurizing and taking the dart back to the forge ship.

  The LG folks were at work, The Dec  Boss   waves Missy in with her   new cargo.

   Fred says to Missy as she disembarks , Be nice  if  we can beg some of that salvage out there  for  out  supply.. Matterhorn's got alot of  work do do... but that Field is right there.... we'll me moving, better to take what we can..

 Shari agrees,.. give me a few  spare hands.. we can grab some of the ESN  junk, as many times  as we  can get out there..

 we're goign though some of the fresh plates  we have... and swapping out plates  from damaged  fighters that are dead... the  forges  are going to be running anyway... may as well feed them?

   Missy nods, "Why not?  With the fresh craft coming in from the station the repair jobs aren't a rush.  Put the LC's dart in bay one.  Logs show he has flown her a couple of missions and with that stunt he pulled out there, well that was a combo of good piloting, good craft, and good luck.  I wanna work on her myself."

   She thinks for a bit, "The albatross has a good sized cargo bay and I've been tweaking the sensor suite a bit.  I think I might be able to help you pull in a little salvage.  I've heard the Largan light transports are submersible, it might be nice to see if we can gleam some tech from them for our own uses, I'm especially interested in how their energy shields works.  It could be the answer to a lot of things."

  Fred    nods as he listens,... them lizard  Cap ships  have  4 guns   aside..like ours . the difference is , they have  three hard ammo guns and   one pulse... were  ESN Cap ships have two hard ammo.. one PUlse  one torpedo... it is  suggested.. and  somewhat proven by  the LArgans  we have captured.. that Both Pulse Cannons are Linked.. so they can  use  other power  for  sheilds..whatever the shields.. they are limited as  each burst of  power weapons war them down. Still?.. you get into a battle and  stop a few boardsides.. that gives you an edge.... we have to remember they fought the Bugs and Demons  before  signing on.... that's why, so far... they seem to be the only other hard ammo fleet out there...

   Missy nods, her mind racing.  "My education in this area is incomplete.  Has anyone explored the possibility of medium sized ships dedicated to generating shields so they can move to where they are needed?"

  Fred shakes his head,If there are, there is none out this way.. Fuji is our main  R&D  place.. the only other   place would be earth itself.. and  we're not gettin' anything coming out from there.

 Shari sits  there  drinking a can of soda,..big bosses wouldn't  waste the  material anyway.. If Hack's   ESN?>. if it doesn't have Guns... it better support the things that has  Guns.. even the media ships have  an AA gun mounted.

 ..Med Tach ships have short range AA Guns to  try and keep boarding shuttles  away...or protect shuttles that are bringing in civies and such that abandon ship... ESN  Transports have  one  hard  ammo gun a side  and AA guns..Civie Transports have Pulse  cannons, cause its cheaper, and saves  room for product..  I really don't know if anyone ever  brought up a shiled  ship.

   Missy nearly choked as she was sipping her coffee.  "You guys take things way too literally."  She said on the verge of laughter "Of course it will have hard ammo AA guns, but like this is a dedicated forge ship, or we're travelling with dedicated medical ships, the primary purpose of these little dreadnaughts would be to have a big ol shield generator and maybe a primary weapon when the shields weren't needed.  Like you said, blocking a certain amount of enemy fire can make a lot of difference at strategic points in a battle.  In one case we could blow a handful of fighters in tight formation and even boarding shuttles past AA canons.  We could position them to cover ground operations like that treaty signing Hack had trouble with on the last world, or even cover a key breach in the armor of a crippled ship allowing it to reach safety."

   She motioned to the crippled mother ship. "When they did the kamikaze run, a couple of quick light shield vessels could have covered it to the target then booked out of there just before the collision."

   She purses her lips "R&D can't win a war from behind the lines.  Stoli knew that.  Sometimes you have to throw new gear onto what you have when there's nothing left to do but take a chance.  After you come back alive, [with luck] then you send your design concepts to R&D to refine them."

   people were runnignaround the Decs...fighters being lifted  to  certain  berths to get fixed.. other   be  sent to the paint shop for ESN  Blue... or.. Occui  Blur-red.. or..Sanri Light Blue.

  ESN/APF insignia's  painted on, but nothing  else by serial Numbers.. that rest was up to the ships and Pilots..

   small shuttles  stood off with pilots  from ships, to ferry repaired  ships back

 Even now  a pair of Fighters  took off for the Nemesis..

 Nickey was beaming ,..creds  are rolling in!..look at all those beat up  figthers and  torpedo  craft  waiting outside... even a shuttle or  2!... we  could be  working around the clock for the next 10 days!

   Missy had just come in with another dart she found in the black.  She laughs "Get me an old Stoli frame and I'll keep them working even after that."  She goes through checks on the crews  makes sure the job is getting done right.  The standing policy?  Missy looks at it before you close it up..  She gets to Shari, "OKAY, with slow, hands-on work I can go up to 48 hours but with this I can pull only 12.  I need a woman I can trust on the flip side.  Do you want the first shift or the second?"

   Shari looks at her,well, Now?.. That depends?.. Di i still get to fly?..I i get to fly, you take whichever one you want.... if i don't get to fly... i don't want it...

    "Flying is exactly what I want you to do.  Molly McCan will handle the deck side duties but you'll be jockeying the repaired ships in and out and to the storage births.  When free we will try and sneak out and snag damaged ships and shuttles and bring them up.  If you find any enemy transports small enough for us to work on that you think we might be able to bring in let me know.  I'll send you all the sensory intel my albotross has picked up so you can keep your eye open.  Let's keep ourselves as busy as possible."

 Shari  stood   Up and Grabbed her  Helmet,..naw yer   talkin'.... I  kin get around out there  as good  as them  fight jocks... Ye  Just tell me what ya  what... and  we''ll bring it back...

 She   GAve a Loud Whistle  and  her  Hold  crew   came  running  over...Let's git us  some stuff  to fix, by the time we git out there an' back, these  ferry Pilots should have thier  birds outta the way, and   we'll hlep you move in  the rest form the line?

   "I don't doubt your flight skills, it's the combat that's the bitch.  I've never understood how my brother did it.  Not only do you have to be aware of what your doing, you have to be aware of what everyone else is trying to do to you."

 She   takes off her  crumpled  soft cover and still it in  her BAck poacket of her   suit.

 .. well?  last time out. We  saw the Hermes  and a  few other ships  forming up.. others  from teh Delta's are doign that  as well  4-5 ships , i guess protecting  each other.. until they can start the big repairs.. we  might  want to look aroudn there  for   fighters  and  shuttles.. alot of them Cap ships won't let a fighter land if its too beat up, so they pod   out... or get picked up by a shuttle  and let the fighter float?

  Good bet, I'll get on it.  You may need rest if your going to help latter, if not, I'm not your CO so you'll need permission to work overtime.  If you get it the help will be welcome because nows the time to snag things before anyone else does.

  Shari  nods ,..well?  I'll COM them  while I'm out there..  can't tell me to come back if i'm already out there?

  turning to  the Line  of floating  fighters  and shuttles,...then we  can get to them?  Depending  on what we find out there, we'll bring in the  'quick turnarounds' first.. By the time  were done  with the rest?   everyone  will have to bring in the battered ones...either to save..or scrap..

   Missy grins, Their right not to take you as a shuttle pilot.  You use your brains tomuch to be a combat shuttle jokey.

   Shari  Grins  her people ready they   climb in  ease out of the HAnger  and   fire off towards the far end of  The Field.. to look for  fairly recent  fighters...

  Nicky is walking around the Dec,..hey!.. don't waste that  grease.. we might be able to use it elsewhere..or  something!

   "I was wondering why the fries on the rec dec tasted so nasty."  Missy called to him, she checks the available projects then takes the Albatross out, by strapping a fighter to the ceiling and leaving the gravity off, she and her team could bring in two darts at a time.

 Shari's  shuttle   floated amid the  debris. Once Matter Horn was on its  feet again, they would have a massive supply of scrap, even after the Delta Fleet took what they wanted.

 Shari  watched the CAms,..let's go folks.. time is creds!

 ..Ok Boss?.. what we have, right outside the   ramp?..  One Gart, missign  its thrusters... One   Dart missign a letf  wing.. and... well.. the   caopy was holed.. i think the pilot might  still be in..and there are two LArgran Pods  out  here...

  ..Right..Pul the thruster one first... then  the  one with the  pilot.. and  Burn the Pods...


 ..you sure about the Pods?

 after   Nivar.. I'll never  pick one of their  again.... No use letting them suffer.. Burn them.. the  tenders can  use the shells  ..

  Missy drifts amongst the debris.  She has a crew of 4, 3 cargo handlers and Jimmy.  A Kid fresh out of mechanic school with an eye for assessing damage.  Missy's sensory equipment gives him an advantage but not much of one as she is still tweaking iy and setting up the interface.  Jimmy sat at the sensors guiding her in.

  Shari  was  curing   at a pretty good clip,..I'm heading Back  Boss Lady... You need cover?

  Missy's people see three good lookign prospects. A Hammer Va with no wings.. a  dart with  the fuselage torn up... and a  Creshian  fighter that was missing the Metaglass in the   Viewport that served as its  Canopy.

She loads the dart and the creshain.  Both are the higher dollar items.

  the Hours flew by... as  hours  do, when you know  you might be behind....

  Floating   fighters   line were  locked in line.. were half  as long as there were... on the launch dec.. were  7 primer gray.. 'almost new" fighters.

 another  6 were being worled on.. 2 nearly finished.

  Nicky was grinning as he walked around....we're gonna cash in... even the Occi and Sanri Forge ships  are   being over worked!.. we need more battles  like this!

   Missy shakes her head. "It's good for profits but a lot of good men and women were lost.  The fleet can't survive too many hits like this too close together.  We need another cash cow for between battles.  Not just repairing but sprucing something up in a way that makes it valuable to the ESN." She scrolls through the general message logs downloaded from the Albatross. "Okay, this is a possibility.  There was a request from a Sgt. Wolfrim on the Hermes for a Largran mech.  I imagine there have to be a couple floating around out there we could snag and tinker with for the Hermes mech-unit." She taps her chin "...and maybe I can get some Porcine Ferrals to work them.  Those bastards love to fight with every ounce of their being and wouldn't mind strapping into a walking coffin just to shoot really big guns at Demons."

    She sighs and looks at her vessal parked in the back. "I love my ship and it was great to have the extra cargo hold to get projects, but she's not ideal for this operation.  We need something that takes less deck space and does more, maybe two rather than relying on your shuttle which also has limitations."  She scans her logs some more, "Here we go.  The Hermes pushed some bug boarding shuttles into the black.  We should be able to trace their drift and two seem like they would be in fairly good condition.  We can retrieve them first, mag them to the haul of LG-O1T for latter retrieval then see if we can sweet talk some mechs out of those tight asses on the other ships.  Worse comes to worse we can Omni them out for loading first, then make clip on weapons we can add to experiment with from weapon debris."

   Nodding a bit  he  is still smiling,..yes yes..of course..poor  service folks and all that..shame..really... but?... he takes a  sip of his coffee and Holds out  the  Vidboard he had  rolled up.

  we  we see press like this... you know were gonna  be making Creds...  the  Pics showed, of course.. a three photo sequence of Shadow's  fighter going through the largran..though it made no mention of his name the 19 on the tail fin, and the  winged  foot on the fuselage  was hard to miss.

 another  sequence of three..showed the Hermes blasting  the LArgran Flag ship at Point blank  range...

 and finally , through out  'today's edition'.. were many pics of 'The Field."

 ..you find time to get somethign esle going... go ahead....but  fixing these babies is  what we are hired for!...

   The Creshain shuttles are the press items time wise and they will help us get to the sweet items before other ships.  I do a on the check on the jobs and make sure the crews get it right, then we head out and grab the two best ones before the tenders get to them."  She looks at the data boards, "With all of the spare darts the ESN picked up, we can take just a little bit extra time and make sure things are done right and avoid over time. But of course the Mechs will be back burner."  She sips her coffee "I was going to call picking them up as a task I do next time I'm off rotation." She looks around, "Can we use one of the tenders to pick up the shuttles though?  It would be easier and faster for them and even if we don't work on them they are cash items."

 Nicky Nods a bit, still looking at the Line 'to be worked on'.. getting smaller, but for every  two that are brought in..another one is added

 ..I saw some Vids... Admiral's taking care of some  business...nasty stuff....  we got  inbound Verians  and Hyrians... and  there is still MAtterhorn to  deal with?.... I don't think we'll be here too long though...so you'll have to hunt  down what you want....

 Meanwhile a shuttle from the Atlas had landed with  4 of thier Pilots getting out, waiting to take  the 'fresh' aircraft from the launch Dec.

 Nicky Grins  as he  taps his  Scanner,..Better take  care of these Creds... I mean..these  pilots! he moves off towards them.

   Missy laughs "Nicky, you can be a real ass sometimes, guess that's why we love you so much."
   She turns to the pilots "Come along gentlemen.  I have some winged ladies just flying to meet you."

   Missy sees the Pilots off in darts that had been thouroughly inspected giving them one last look over in plain sight of the Pilots and having them run one final internal checkthemselves before take off to give them confidence in the work.  [if there is necessary role play I'll flex it.]
   Missy then goes over all the repair projects checking and double checking the finished work before okaying the crew to close up.  She went up to the storage bay to see that the darts had been closed up well before okaying them to be painted to look new.

   Alas it's show time.  She gets on the data pads and tracks the Bug shuttles.  Then snags a space suit and heads out with a tender to get them

   Missy had retrieved the two intact bug shuttles and swiped a bunch of parts off the one that wasn't intact.  But when she had gotten back there was much work to do keeping her busy until time to get off shift.  She was bushed but had to make a call.  She checked around to see what classes of Largan craft carried ground forces on them.

   Nickey came down  on the Drc..looked out at the 'line'.. Four   fighter and one shuttle ..he nodded as he sipped  from his coffee.

  Shari's  shuttle  was   Coming in.. it was stopped at 'the line' as her  two crewman were     floating to Hook a fighter that they  'dragged' back to the line... Inside  her shuttle  was  another... only slightly damaged  Fighter..., but the  shattered canopy , that was coated  red, told of why it  was out of the fight.

  Missy helps with the unloading of the fighters.   She nods to Nicky  "If I can mod the shuttles we snagged to clamp on these from the outside we can move more fighters in the time we have and increase revenue.  Especially if the fleet has to battle and move on."

  She unloads the next one "Can we get a stretcher down here?  This being died for us, we need to give him the respect he deserves.  Reference his number and contact his mother ship.  Let them know we have one of their people."  She turns back to Nicky, "It doesn't hurt business to make them happy with us for how we treat their people."

  When done she checks the information she got back on the Largran equipment carriers.  "Well it seems there are some transports in the invading fleet most got hit pretty hard but there may still be some hardware on board."  She looks longingly at the screen, "And they are those nice tight little submersable ones my brother was talking about."

  One of the  workers  called for a scanner... the Chip ws dead, from the body being dead to long, he  reached in side the   suit..a bit embarrassed,..it was female.... Enisgn... Zila  Horst o the Hera....

 he   moved  away from the  body after laying the Dogtags out for the stretcher folks, as he punched her name into the scanner...


 ..she and her aricraft were reported  Missing in action... she.. had  1  Kill before the battle, Just transferred over from Etna?.. 12 hours logged....

 Nicky doesn't  seem to pay attention to the   pilot's stats,..good...good...  if it  can make us creds.. i want them.

   Missy checks her watch, end of shift"Treat her gently folks and save footage in case it's needed."  She looks at Nicky, "If it gains us honor and a good reputaion for our service and relationship with the AP I'll take it."  She whispers to Nicky, ["Because that means more money down the line."]

   A com comes in from the LG tower, "Speaking about reputation, it seems some people from the flag ship for the entire fleet want to swing by and slum it with the forge crew, You better polish your buttons Nicky.  Rivets himself is comming and while he's not top brass per-say, he is the ONLY one who has the Admirals ear in this arena."

   She heads off toward the Albatross and pauses "Oh and Nicky, I've been putting on some over time, how about I give your budget a break and go off the clock till about 8 hours after shove off.  What the night crew can't handle can wait for now."   She calls her loading crew and they head out to the Hermes.

Garrat trues one of the waist gun seats.  (Btw, why are they called the waist gun seats)

  The Shuttle lands.. the Small group get off. Ma-Ti looks around a bit discomforted  around all the  MAchined and Noise.

  Grit Looks  around and Points above  thier heads,..I think that's were they have the  fixed Up ones.. those  little birds out there  are beaten up.. I guess they pull them in when they wanna Fix the buggers...

  "Triage, My freind."  Missy says, "we rapair the fast fixes first so that when we leave in the morning we can have all the more time consuming jobs in the bays and no longer need to store ships outside."

  "Our policy is always triple check the repairs.  It's easy to miss things and speed is a push here if we are to keep up with bigger crews, but I got this job on my quality."
She looks critically at Rivets, "You guys took a hit o your hanger.  How did your crews fair?"" Her eyes soften a little with concern.

   "We have a fairly good machining shop so we can fabricate many of te simpler parts we dont have.  This reduces the amount of stock we need to carry for repairs.  Our teams are still not quite up to full staff and much of the ship was gutted for repurposing that is still hapenning.

  "I'm afraid our version of the rec-dec is a little more chaotic.  More like an open market than orderly rows of shops with a couple docking bays for off loading goods and storing private craft.  The vendors get a lot of business from the medic ships and other suport craft i the fleet when things aren't tense. Every forge ship tends to have a couple suited urchins with space bikes that sneak out and try and snag rare peices of technology from the debris feilds.  I'f you want specific weapons they keep an eye out for you.

    The   Pushed his  crumpled  soft cover  back a Bit,  one eyebrow  up, the other  down  as he  gripped  his chewing  cigar on the left side of his mouth,..well...  looks  like they'er  gettin' work done..at   least..

 he points to Harry,..she flys  a Prototype... Bee ..first of the insect series.....There's supsoed to be more  comin' down the pike..but who know s when?.. anyway....  she popped her canopy after gettin' shot up.. me lads and lasses   have been tryin' take get one to fits.. but i ain't happy with   what we have so far...And  I ain't lettin' it off the Dec  until i know  she  can keep the damn think closed...

 Then  His  eyes  when to Missy, then back at the folks running  around  doing thier Jobs,..Lost  about  2/3s of the lands  and Lasses on the  hanger Dec....Bugs  came in...  shootin'..them  damn beetle  things  pourin' out.. me me  people  with only helmets fer armor?.... didn't last long at all..everyone was fightin'.. Doc henry... Shadow's kid... the damn board.... coruse.. the board ain't never backed  down from a fight..they weren't  gonna start  on our own hanger Dec.

   Missy is quiet for a moment, "I'm sorry Rivets."  She looks at her teams "so now you need to get the new techs up to speed.  That's no easy task."

  He looked   troubled  for a moment, but his gruff face  reappears ,...we lost one  now and  again..  some  stray shell..  someone tryin' to board. but this last  lot.they were there  to kill and they did a  damn good  Good  job of it... i had to split up  teams put some vets  in with new  folks..and?... by new folks  , i mean new to the Hermes... I dunna care who you were on your last ship..or the bleedin' trainin' camps.. ye  can't be makin' mistakes fer our pilots, 'cause they won't be comin' back if ya do... so?  we got   8 flights  o' fighters...one is a Feltite  flight, they have thier own folks  there... we had  7  crew teams ..one team for each flight.. one  Chief who   would make sure his  people were workin'... Now.. I sorta got  7  crews... Vets sprinkled in with transfers and recruits an' i got ta hope that's good enough for the Lads and Lasses who sit in the cockpits.

  Missy thinks a bit, "I'll tell you what...  How much would the ESN be willing to spend for in the feild training?"

 Rivets  chiuckles, but there isn't any mirth in it,..the  people we 'ad? The were either in the  academy toegther. or they were in boot  camp together.. they  worked  fer  alotta   months..years even.. toegther...They get trained, just fine... but, its in here...

 he  taps  his  heat with a thick finger.....an' in 'ere.... he  uses  the hand  to  thump his chest where  his heart is,.. . they get thier  training... they know where ta put the Bolts.. and link the wires... they can shoot a PUlse  rifle, some  o'them can  even fight with a knife... but there's a  bit differant  when yer workin' next ta a person, an' ya only have  to give a nod of yer ehad, or a grunt  , and they know what yer  tryin' ta do..

Missy shrugs, "It was just a thought that Maybe we could handle the last stage of training here.  They get hands on, I make sure they are line ready, you can eye ball them and make sure they are up to par and I get a little work at ESN expense.  Believe me when I tell you The Esn WILL get it's money worth."  She looks at looks at the group with him "By all means folks, have a look around.  The commercial deck is just down those steps, shops in the back, repaired ship is up those steps.  We even have some enemy ships and shuttles to look at."  She looks back at Rivets, "You said you are having trouble with a canopy for the new Bee?  We have a polycarbon three-D printer that should be able to take the job on.  We need it because everyone is gunning for the glass and the AP has more ships than we can carry stock for.  Do you have schematics for the original canopy?  If we have to fabricate one from the ground up I can't guarentee how well it will fly in atmosphere."

In reply to Garrat Wolfrim (msg # 165):
[flex]
  Garrat had took one of the waist gun seats and enjoyed the view on the way over.  Especially if Ma-ti took the oposite seat.

[unflex]
  Garrat smiles, much as I'd like to geek out on the engineering I'd like to take a peak around on the lower deck and see it any good weapons came in.  He pauses by her date board showing what she was seaching .  "Why are you interested in the Largan landing craft?"
   

  ..well?.. we kin call it up on the  Computers, or the Vidboards?..its the odd ball shape they gave it, cause of the   swivel gun under the Nose... the Darts an'   'ammers  all starte with the   belt  fed  Cannons, so's they all made thier designs  from that.. You wanna   print one up?  we can have a look see how it fits... I tell ya  up front, they'll pat have the cost to print it... if it works you get the other half.. if not?.. well...

   Missy moves to the data board next to the one Garrat is looking at, opens a printing program. "It might be a little heavyier than usuall, but it should be able to take more abuse than many oth the designs Earth was sending out recently. With a glazed coating it should be able to reflect glancing energy bolts and maybe even one or two hard amo hits, nothing transparent takes a direct shot anymore."  She steps back. "I've requesting acess to your records.  Please enter Access and make sure your Sec doesn't tear our system a new one."

   Garrat, your just the Ogre I wanted to speak too.  I heard your request about mechs.  We have limited time to pick one up before the fleet leaves so I was looking for where to search." She looks at rivets, "did your mech unit make it through the attack."

  He punched in the  codes   and snorts,..don't matter  too much, if i have the codes in  or nay? If they Think someones Tamper..Beth will burn stuff... from   your   Vid board  to the  controls of the ship... she  kin be a  bit...feisty..

 ..now?  I klnow yer busy an' all, but i'd like the first one as soon as you get get it off the press.. or that LAss over there is gonna go up in spare  dart or Hammver Va.

--->Hangar Dec

Stepping off of the transport Harry would gaze around at the array of fighter craft in their various states of repair as Garrat and Rivets spoke to Missy, paying particular attention when they started discussing the possibility of printing new a canopy for her Bee out of poly carbon, that and the possibility of having to fly a different bird next time around "Oh god, please not a Hammer!" Harry said in an agonised voice at the thought having to fly a Hammer Va again.

With Rivets working on getting the plans for a new canopy uploaded Harry decided she'd have wander "Right, well I'm going go and take a look at those enemy fighters, see if I can't find myself a Felrite Hunter engine or Lagran shield generator for you guys to install" she said with a smile as she headed towards where the salvaged enemy craft were being stored, hoping that she might be able to find some goodies to modify her ride with before then cheerfully calling to Grit with a mischievous grin "Come along Grit, I'm going to need you to carry my shopping"

   Missyy's fingers fly across the board checking to make sure the Data is complete, "No problem, I told my supervisor Hermes has priority because you have the Admiral's ear.  His, and therefore your opinion can make or break us." then before executing the task her fingers stop,  "Was there any change in the shipside rim of the seal?  Any alterations I need to make from the original?"

   Harriet makes her comment.  Without looking up Missy says  "Esn doesn't have the pit crews to maintain a sheild generator and the emitter systems need to be built into the superstructure."  Then she raises her head. If you want to mix technologies your going to need a very specifically trained pit crew, and they still won't be able to make the original modification without a specialized shop.  Felrite engines are high performance but they are also high maintenance.  You would not be able to operate the Bee in feild conditions if you swap out."  She is thoughtful for a moment "It can be improved for a cost however and if we can simplify the instalation using those two things together with a cloak would be an excellent combination for a special ops fighter team."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Thu 11 Jan 2018.

  Rivets   pointed  at the scoop in the front on each side.....that's were  we have the problem.. it doesn't  wanna  match up there... , it comes  down.. clicks... but the  sensors   say it isn't  locked.. smoke  tests show  a  tentril  coming out   aomewhere on the  ends.. we  grind it  down.. still..happens .. if its  not perfect.. it  won't seal.. and were not  sendin' the Lass out in that.... the only other way we  can deal with it is  to   refashion the   cockpit sides, so they are more DArt-like....  we haven't  tried that.. but  i'm about to.

  Grit  followed her  , lookign off in the  direction of the  food shops   and such.

  ...um ...   tryin'  ta  fit our styuff  into thiers? that's  somethin' I'd like ta see..... He  saw the  scrap  twisted, broken... some   folks were   taking parts off to  catalogue ( or sell for souvenirs )

   two Largran  fighters  sat next to each other.. wings are ready gobe.. their Canopy , raised  into the air.

In reply to LG (msg # 180):

  “I don’t have to tell you, you change the frame and it will open another can of worms.  I think your going to have to bring the ship here and let me scan it before we start printing.  Are you using a single, duel, or tongue and groove gasket?”

 Rivets  cups  one  hand    and lays the other  hand  in it, as he looks at the screen.

 ..its a  single  Grove, they'er supposed  ta fit  tight... then... he take the hand that was Cupped and   fold it over  the  top of the upright hand,.. the  seal's  supposed to ..sorta flow  over top..once the edge is  set.. that's the part that ain't happening.... we can foam the  seal.. but it would look like th e9 hells  and  we'd have to clean every ride out?

 He  Pulls  Out  His COM and Calls Morris......Hey, Washington?  If   Kase is still there send him over   to the LG  with the Bee... Tell him ta  close the  glass the best he can.... and to wear a suit, incase something bad  happens..

Harry should have known that it wouldn't be as simply as bolting the parts in and then running with it. It was times like these that she wished she had more than a rudimentary knowledge of the technology being used by both the ESN and the Empire, then again up until this point she'd never needed more than a rudimentary knowledge causing her to wonder whether she should brush up on her engineering. However despite having her own ideas shot down it would appear that Missy had some intriguing suggestions of her own "ooh now that sounds nice" Harry said from the foot of the stairs, pausing to consider the possibilities such a craft could open up for her "I'll tell you what, I'm going to to let you get on with printing that canopy and I'll come and see you about that idea in a bit, ok?" she said before continuing up the stairs with Grit in tow.

Walking passed the collection of salvaged fighters, many of which were in the process of being stripped, Harry would pause to examine a pair of Lagran fighters. Although she'd plenty of them before this was the first time she'd seen one up close without being shot at "hmm I dunno baby...I shot a lot of these down yesterday so I can't say I've got a lot of faith in them" Harry replied in a dubious voice as she jumped onto the stump of a wing so as to clamber into the cockpit of the closest Lagran fighter "I think the first piece of ESN tech I'd want in here is a chair not designed for a tail" she said, shifting around inside trying find a comfortable position. Truth be told other than the fact that all the control's were designed for Lagran's including, the labels on the buttons, she didn't think it would be too difficult to fly....though perhaps not in a combat situation.

   Garrat was kinda caught with the reference to mechs but looks at Ma-Ti.  He'd invited her after all and it looked like Missy was busy for the time being. "Well I'll be happy to talk with you about that after your done here.  For now we might as well do some shopping, see if they have any interesting weapons for feild combat."  He looks at Ma-Ti "Maybe get something to eat."

   They head for the comercial level.

  Ma-Ti walked with the   normal Angel Grace. More then One  Crew Member had to  be shouted out , or  get hit with a Plate, or run over  by a hover jack.

 ...yes, we can look about.  I can only thi8nk the weapons would be  from fighter survival  boxes...or, perhaps, what was left on a shuttle


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

 Grit looked It  to the cockpit and  looked at the  controls,..You gotta  think there are some enemy fighters  flying with out colors on?.. I mean... if you got a  captured Aircraft?.. you'er not gonna  Bloody, tear it apart?

 then he muses  a bit,..wanna  try in , in the Black first... no mountains to hit.. no gravity...

 a Voice  comes   to them,Hey!..Hermes!.. what do you think you'er doin'?

 ..back off  , Ya Shepard's git!.. we're Lookin' at  aircraft that we normaly only see on the target scanner..or.. gunsights...

 The  fellow heads off to  Tell Missy....

 ..ya might need a Bloody  book of '  ESN Guidelines  to dealing with  Aliens'..ta sit on, so's ya  kin look over the Bloody console...

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


 Rivets nods  to Missy...got a fella who volunteered ta shuttle aircraft.. poor lad   ain't got much of a life, outside  flyin'... he should be  here.. mabbee..10 minutes?

     Missy nods.  "That would be a good thing.  I'm sorry but just printing of a canopy sounds like it would be a waste of money."

    An orderly approaches her and whispers in her ear.  She rolls her eye's, "They are my guests, they can sit in a cockpit if they want.  You will be polite and attentive to tham.  If they want to hop in and out of ships they can, if they want an ice tea while they are doing that, get them one and bring me the reciept.  If they want to fly anything tell them I will come and check the ship one last time to make sure it's safe then they are free to test drive it then come immediately and get me.  But don't piss them off."     As the man is walking away, Missy looks after him, a mischievious smile playing on her lips "Rivet's dear? would you mind texting your ship mates and having them ask that lout for an Ice Tea?"   

  He didn't look to Happy as he said,..I dunno?... The Lad  was  just doin't his  job.. i wouldn't  want folks  poking around be HAnger Deck...

  Sending a COM to  Harry to ask the  fellow  for  an ice  tea...

In reply to Rivets (msg # 188):

The defective canopy was sealed as best as possible, allowing Justin to launch the Bee, from the Hermes once in the Black he obtained directions to the LG and brought the Prototype into a hasty approach. Requesting Permission and location to land.

  Rivets  sees  the   Bee  getting set for the approach...here  comes  the Bee now...not the prettiest thing... we got some folsk who can't wait to get in it..others  won't touch it ...

    "Figures, some  want the newest, some are wary of the bugs that come with the newest."

   Justin dismounts  and the   Dec Boss Points  towards  Rivets and Missy.

  The enisgn notices this  dec of the ship is as Busy at the  Materhorn  Uppers Hanger... only with less area, and people, .

   Missy sees Justen and pulls up short.  She nods to him curtly, "Thank you Mr' Kase."  [it might be noted she knew his last name without being told]  and immediately starts examining the Bee
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Sat 13 Jan 2018.

    She Looks over the Bee. There are Many  new plates that haven't been painted over  yet. The  canopy is  brand  New, with the exception of  alot of  smudges were the  Dip in the  glass  is.

"Yeah, not to mention a step ladder so I can get in and out, this thing is huge there'd be room for both of us in here!" Harry exclaimed with a laugh as she held her arms out towards to Grit so that he could help her get out. Stumbling slightly right at the end Harry would find her arms wrapped about him so as to stop herself from face planting the floor and an embarrassed flush on her cheeks, though that was more due to the fact that whole scene could have been lifted straight out of a cheesy rom-com "you know...you still owe me a quiet night in?" she said in a low voice before getting back onto her feet and checking to see if anyone had seen her little tumble.

"I think we'd have to completely refit the cockpit before anyone but Garrat was able to fly that thing but the idea of having a few captured ships available could be useful" Harry mused as she glanced back at the Lagran fighter, wondering if anyone had ever considered using a captured transport to infiltrate an assault team onto a ship before "Come on, let's go and take a wander round their Rec Dec, see if there are anything worth having"

  Grit   Catches  HArry.. he  is no hurry to let her go...yeah.. well.. Urn , bloody blew that Night in fer us  didn't  'e . I 'aven't seen  'im around Much? Don't know  if he's restricted..or  'idin' out.. or  'angin' with other  Mates..

 The  Orderly came over, in a rather firm tone said,..superrvisor  says   you can check all the machines you like.... but..if you want to fly one, yo have to have her check it out  first...

 Grit  Nodded and Looked  at HArry to see where/what she wanted to do.

In reply to Missy Jagger (msg # 193):

The Porcine's curtness is exactly what Justin expected from the race, he responds with Your welcome Ms Jagger. without inflection or malice. [As their paths had crossed previously and his name is emblazoned on the his Flight suit.] Strolling across the deck to join Rivetts spotting some of the other Hermes Crew looking about. Sir do I pick up a replacement or catch a lift back with you?

   Rivets  gave him a nod of hello,..Dunno yet. We  may have to leave the Bee here for them to work up a Canopy....don't  think we'll be taken anything back yet, but we'll see. They have a  Rec Dec of  sorts  here....Crew  folks have a  coffee station set up.. Go , relax  a bit.

At the mention of how they had spent the majority of last night Harry would roll her eyes "yeah don't remind...we still need to have a little chat with Mr Urns" Harry said, managing to make the word chat sound decidedly sinister without even trying "so...um...you fancy trying again at that quiet night?" she coyly asked, moments before the guy that had shouted at them only a few minutes before returned to tell them that they were cleared to look at whatever they wanted to, but would only be allowed to fly fighters that Missy had deemed safe. It was at this point that Harry would noticeably perk up, turning to look at the guy with a curious look on her face as she cautiously spoke "now that would depend on whether you've got anything air worthy...also I'm rather thirsty, I don't suppose I could trouble you for a glass of ice tea?" she said, managing to keep a straight face for all of a few moments before getting a fit of the giggles "I'm sorry but the look on your face is priceless...your boss set you up good and proper!"

Justin Saluted the Captain Aye, Aye Sir, will do thank you. before making his way across the deck towards some of the different fighters. Giving Harry and Gris a friendly wave. Hi guys. Found anything interesting besides each other...

  The Fellow  frowned,..yeah..she's a  bit awe struck By  Hermes Folk... didn't help her  god  came aboard...


 ..any way.. Nicky is the Bean counter  here.... The Captain flies and protects the ship... and Missy's turf is the  HAnger Dec... he shrugs,..anyway.. Ask Missy what she has  that flies?... and... um... do you want the ice tea?

"No mate, I was only messing with you" Harry replied with a friendly smile "...we'll probably just grab a coffee or something from your Rec Dec after we've had little wander around" she finished, deciding to let the guy get on with his work.

With the arrival of Justin, Harry would return his greeting before replying with a smile "Well we've just had a glegg at the inside of a Lagran fighter, Me and Grit were discussing the merits of flying enemy craft, personally I'd want something that came in little girl sizes though" she said with a chuckle, wondering if they had anything else of interest lurking in amongst all of the scrap, turning to look up at Grit as she asked "you want to look around a little more? See if they have anything Creshian or Felrite stuff we can hop into before getting something to eat?"

 Grit looks around,well?... we  kin look about  if ye  want?.. But I dunno if  we'll see  too many of the CAt flighters ..... Dunno if i wanna get in a bug fighter... bit we can see  whatvthey 'ave?

Justin shrugged, leaving Harry and Gris to check out alien fighters, then headed to the Rec Dec, exploring the vessel as he went.

    [Commerce Deck]  And there is much to explore.  The ship was originally a Largran cruiser, it was undergoing extensive repairs to be another ESN ship when they found the main cannons could not be made functional.  ESN being what it is had gone in and started striping out the ship leaving vast open areas sectioned off only by the peculiarly shaped Largran emergency bulk heads.

    While smaller than the Hermes, LG-1T was still pretty large and did not have an entire football stadium.  The deck bellow the repair ship ran from Bow to stern built nearly 35 feet high from floor to support girders with almost gracefully arched frames contrasted by industrial triangular gaps maximizing strength, minimizing weight.  Two massive bulkheads cut the deck into three sections.

   The forward was like a town square with the center open in a park like structure and an actual department store under construction in the nose edge of the ship with three levels stretching to the ceiling.

   The middle section is less developed, but of more interest.  Sparks rain down as the shops are worked on.  Walls are still going into place while merchants pause from assembling shelves to hawk wares to customers from the carrier stations or medical ships.  People from the news ships bustle around either looking for goods or chasing down hints, sources, leads.  Two "streets" run down either side of a center structure that is terraced back on the second floor to make an upper walkway.  The more rowdy shops and clubs are on the lower level.  More shops and some docks along the outer wall.

   The last section is the forge.  A massive industrial complex is in the last  section of the ship.

   Will write more when I have the time.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

Chuckling softly at Grit's reluctance to climb into a bug fighter Harry would slip an arm about his waist as the pair of them started to move on "Is that your way of saying you've seen enough wrecks and would like something to eat?" she gently teased, more than happy to compromise so long as it meant spending time with him "ok, let's go and grab something to eat... and maybe a little something for tonight" she didn't know in what form that little something would take but Missy had said there was a market of sorts, though she figured most of it was liable to be salvage.

As they made their way down to where the Rec Dec was situated, Harry would pause every now and again to quickly examine a fighter or a piece of machinery or watch as the ground crew carried out some piece of maintenance before carrying on their way down as ever since she was a young girl she'd always found the inside of engines fascinating, even though she didn't know what most of it did.

Upon entering the bustling middle section of what was now the ships Rec Dec, Harry couldn't help but be reminded of the times she'd spent in Camden Market with her sister Julie; exploring the maze of stalls in search of hidden gems on which to blow their considerable allowances much to their Mother's disgust.

With her arm still about Grit's waist she would weave her way through the crowds, glancing at the various wares on offer that seemed to range from cheap tat to highly valuable (and most likely illegal) luxury items as well several "street" vendors selling a variety of different foods. It was from one of these that Harry would buy herself some kind of spicy chicken and noodle dish and watch as a guy dressed in maintenance overalls played old rock'n'roll songs on a beat up guitar, with the pretty blonde humming along in between mouthfuls "So...how long do you reckon we'll be at Etna for? I mean...I know we've got work to do but I've just got away from the place!" she said with a wry chuckle before giving Grit a sidelong glance and quietly asking "are you ok with the kind of work we'll be doing there...I mean...have you ever done it before?"

    As  they  browsed the stalls and market, they could see  what most places would  have... some  real goods shipped in to sell

 Some  goods taken from salvaged  ships, or Containers floating about in space.

 there were some   crewmen who tired to  fatten thier accounts by  fixing  and selling  items found in  salvage.

  Largran helmets..   various   weapons... lots of  manuals  both paper  and Disc....( sicne  discs  don't help much if the console is out!)

 Claws from  creatures  that were   sanitized  and  sprayed  with a  Poly-shell for souvenirs.. even  alien jewelry.. chains, lockets  rings..ear rings... leather   belts and straps  of  various  kinds..

...........

 while they at...  Grit had a burger of sorts.. he  ended up putting alot of  Burian green ketchup on it.

 he lowered his  voice as he looked  around at the    people.. I can't say for bloody certain... but the stuff  we're gonna do?...  will run the range from  stealing  ta blowin' some one away.... there's always been the stories?...  The Delta Fleet comes in... fires  break out.,..people die... people go missin'... but there are also the stories  of  kids bein' found.. or a batch of  orphans getting to go to the colonies, rather then hunt  Stem Rats  for food..

 Chewing the burger  a bit he  washes the bite down with a honest to goodness ( and expensive)  Aussie  bottled beer!  He smacks his lips at the taste , looks at the bottle,then leans closer to her,.. you ask around?.. you see some  o' the Shelias that fly... and  some others  who hang out with the LC on shore  leave... everyone fingures   somethin's goin on..yeh?  But  we'll be findin' out...... now me?.. nickin' something.. breakin' somethin'.. that's fine.... shootin' some one in a battle?.. sure.. don't know  what'll  'appen ta me if i gotta  sneak in and slice someone?..... but....we're gonna   be workin' with folks who  don't bat an eye..

   Garrat wonders the shops on the upper level not one to be patient with the things going on on the lower lever.  They stop by the food shop of Ma-Ti's choice and get something to eat.  Garrat is a lean meat and green vegetable kinda guy himself.

  She  tries some Human foos.. Burgers.. and   Fries... she looks at teh fries with a bit of  Confushion.. but finds she likes them  with teh red Jucie  humans   put on them.

  ..this is  much like  the scrap markets we have on the Moon. salavge and  supplies  found, to sell to those who could use, or want it....

    "Yes," Garrat says looking over some supplies and comparing them to some parts lists on a data board. "I suspect the pickings will be better once the merchants get a chance to build up some stock." He had not enjoyed the hamburger as much but had eaten it without complaint and had taken out a small shaker to season his fries with.  He munched some fries thoughtfully.  "This place is still young, it will be interesting to see how it grows."  He looks around, "Still, it may be, I can find what I need to complete an interface adaptor before I get back to Fuji."

    He looks up, "I'm sorry, all this tech talk must be boring you.  How about we see if there are any munition makers.  Do you prefer hard rounds or energy?"

  Ma-Ti finished her  food, wrapping up the  paper  and carefully placing it in the bins.

 ..for us...as  a race.. we have  always used  Pusle weapons. But after  your people   freed us, and we saw the impact that HArd Ammo had on Demons... most of us ...'blue' Angels are more interested in hard   rounds... a main weapon with hard  rounds.. and a second weapon for  pulse, when it  the hard ammo runs out

     "And your sniper rifle?  Do you use the 35 caliber high velocity rounds the earth soldiers are fond of?"  Garrat decides to cut through to the other street to see some shops he hasn't seen yet.

  Ma-Ti  reaches into a  pouch on her weapon's belt.....This is  a  round i use on my sniper  rifle... it is  much like the rifle the MAster Chief  and  Sgt MAjor  use... you call it  50 cal?... we call it ..'long round'

  we only have this make?.. it is softer, then some of the rounds  we have seen  Human snipers  with.. it ...makes larger holes..on the way out.. it  is good. Because  we do not have to  aim for  head for quick kill...almost  any hit.. will Kill, or  eliminate  a demon.

   Garrat chuckles "That's only 5 cal. less than I use.  Buy then I use high velocity armor piercing rounds as I'm often in a multi enemy situation.  The velocity does the damage two the first two or three enemies the bullet passes through.  I used to use a heavy pulse rifle but the shot would stop with the first enemy even if it did do a lot of damage.  I wish I had my antimaterial on the avian nest ship.  It would have made for a good kill box." 

    The alleys that cut through to the other street are located only on the second floor unless your cutting through the ware house by the foundry.  They enter the central most one known as china town though there are very few actual Chinese shops.  Most are from other Asiatic cultures.

Garrat keeps a lookout for tech items on his list, Hard ammo weapons, and decent bladed weapons.

    Not much here in the way of projectile weapons, accept for some hand pistols.  A couple of pulse rifles and sub machine versions of medium to low quality.

    There is a shop in china of eastern and African bladed weapons.  They have some decent knives and machetes but almost all of the swords are for hanging on the wall rather than battle.  There is a set of butterfly knives, one chinese sword, and one duel sword [a single blade that can split into two.  All traditionally made of medium quality with the butterfly knives being the highest with angel steel spines but high carbon blades.

    Percentile Roll on six items on your list.  The first four items regular rarity at, 75%  The last two rare at 25%

    There is also a shop selling custom ammo and "Mystical" items.  Percentile roll of 5% gets you one of those guys that turns into a gremlin for 500 creds.  One roll per player.  No rerolls.

Justin continued his exploration of the ship. Making his way high and low from stem to stern, port to starboard.

   The streets in the rec-deck area are named rather unimaginely Port and Star.  Justin is not granted access to the private quarters, or any of the spaces under construction, but will be granted tours of the industrial area, and the bridge structure if he asks and will be treated politely unless he tries to leave his escort.

   I will have more information on the ship structure latter.  Was there something specific you wanted to find in your explorations Justin?

Giving an understanding nod of her head, Harry would take a mouthful of her decidedly cheaper beer before replying in an equally quiet voice as she lent in close to him "Kind of figured it would be that line of work...never thought of myself as being a Fixer but obviously the Brass has seen something in my records they like" the fact that they had managed to discover those particular skill sets so quickly and easily still kind of worried her, though like Roy had pointed out there very little she could do about it now “…but yeah I know what you mean, I’ve never killed anyone who wasn’t trying to kill me first, and certainly not whilst sober so…yeah that could be…um…yeah” Harry let the rest of that particular line of conversation drift away as she knocked back a little more of her beer in an attempt to hide how uncomfortable she was currently feeling “we should probably think about heading back soon… see if we can’t grab a bottle of something nice to drink whilst snuggled up on the bed with a film and something chocolatey”she said, knowing that by the time they were finished talking with Missy about her new canopy that it would about time to call it a night. She'd already had two late nights in so many days not to mention the stress of the battle and Urn's little break in meaning that she was rather looking forward to simply being able to relax whilst she had the chance, as something told her she was going to be rather busy once they reached Etna.

    Grit, smiles a  bit awkwardly,..ya know?...... I've been askin' about some of the folks   on the 'ermes?  But not too many folks  talk....least ways, no ta some  ensign. But Most of the folks  Hack has picked, has  some sort of Reason ta be here?...i alos  know.. they have a reason  ta...'not be there'..if they prove ta lean  to the wrong side of the war.

  ..Bloody '9 'ells... in  for a red.. in for a Black..eh?  Guessin' any one that needs offed... is gonna deserve it... he   finishes his  beer...smacking his lips once  more...well?.. let's go pick somethin' out..eh? and get ready ta go 'ome.

In reply to Missy Jagger (msg # 219):

ooc Justin has no interest in or intention to investigating private quarters, he's just getting an overview of the ship's layout.

Finishing the rest of her beer whilst Grit talked, Harry had to quietly admit that it did make some kind of sense to have a group of people with shady backgrounds in order to do this kind of work as they generally knew things that couldn't be taught in a classroom. She also fully understood that such people could be easily disposed of should they prove...problematic "In my experience I find it's best not to question why someone needs to be gone else you're liable to lose a lot of sleep over it" Harry replied in an equally quiet voice as she tossed her rubbish into a nearby bin. The other thing being of course that people who started questioning the morality of their superiors actions were in danger of being removed themselves.

Threading their way through the market in a leisurely manner, Harry would window shop as she went, stopping to give a set of Angel steel butterfly knives a longing look before walking away knowing that they would probably cost far more than she could afford, before finding a liquor store of sorts.

As much as she'd like a good bottle of Scotch, most drinks from earth were prohibitively expensive as proved by Grit's Aussie beer meaning that Harry would instead look through the selection of Alien spirit's on offer "how much for a bottle of this?" Harry asked the shop keeper as she gently tapped a bottle of Burian Whiskey with a fingernail deciding that if it proved too expensive then she could always ask about a different brand.

Having explored as much as he could of the ship Justin made his way back to the hangar deck.

  Looking   around at the Bottle or Burian, the  Mull behind the  counter Blinked a few times,..nornally 5 creds..but  since you are  from the Hermes .. i should give it to you for  5....

 Grit  nodded,...so?.. any earth  Juice there?

  The Mull shrugged,..got this...Ken-Tuckey... juice?.... sells  for  50  creds?  two bottles left...

Giving a short laugh at the Mull's comment that he should give them the bottle simply because they were Hermes, Harry would shake her head before replying "no, we'll pay our way like everyone else…don’t want this one getting an ego" she said, flashing Grit a smile before pointing at the Kentucky Bourbon “I’ll take that one, it’s been awhile since I was last home” she said as she slid the creds across the counter to him. It may not be a good single malt, or the cheapest of drinks but it was still a taste of home when all was said and done.

Upon returning to the hangar deck, with Harry once again slowing down to examine half built fighters and random pieces of machinery, they would make their way over to where Rivets and Missy were stood “so…how’s the canopy coming along?” Harry cautiously asked, almost dreading the prospect that she’d ejected the only working copy into space and that it couldn’t be replicated, dooming her to flying a Hammer Va again, well… I suppose at least I’d be flying it this time rather than just sitting in it.

  ..The Canopy  is being   made... we'll have to  ferry the Fighter  over, if  and when the   Glass is replaced..good thing this happened  now, rather  then in a big battle..Once  we  get it to Fit, we'll print  out a few of them, for  both  The Hermes and  Here.. so?.. you shouldn't  have to  worry about  popping a pod again...

  Grit  offered his wrist to scan, and he  grabbed the other Bottle  of Kentucky Burbon... he looked at the Label, it  had  race horse striding on it.

Flex

"That's good to know" Harry said, happy to see that things were well in hand and that her baby would be back in the black when she needed her again "I don't suppose there's any way of boosting the engine power on the Bee is there? A little more speed so she can keep up with the Dart's would be nice, also I don't suppose there's a higher calibre of rotary cannon available is there?" Harry asked, Knowing that Rivets and Missy would be the best people to ask concerning potential upgrades.

Flex
 The Fellow  waves   Harry and Grit  ( and Justin, if eh is about) over to the  scrap area.. he  pulls  a Round out of  a Bin, and Holds it up...

 http://static.rcgroups.net/for...277.jpg?d=1260328893

  well. Ma'am? this is a 37 MM round? its the same   rounds  used  in  the M3 ESN Stuarts we have ...  AP..HE..Mix  and Match?..  they figured out how  to belt  feed these  babies in the Tanks.... then some genius  said..'hey, lets put these in fighters'.. that makes you guys flying tanks..Now   the limit  per Belt is 100 Rounds.. and  they  can Jam  2 belts  in  a Dart  and a Hammer  Va .. that's the reson  you guys still have Lazar and  pulse..  incase your  run out of the hard stuff.

 ..now?  there  are  rumors  coming down the Pike of  50 Cals takimg the place of Lazars... but that means heavier   weapons  mounted  and heavy ...limited..Ammo.. but?.. I don't know  too many  aliens  that are gonna stand up to 50 Cals....That might lead to the Dec Bosses  keep  a flight behind  , and  send them out  as  other flights  have to re-arm..or  just fight  with  heavy Pulse?..

  He pots the Round back into the Bin,..I'm Guessin' that's up to you folks.. your feed back to the techs? he smiles a  bit sadly,..I ain't never heard of a Tech  who was  killed in battle while flying his  designs....

Flex

"No, that particular honour would fall to us" Harry responded with a sigh, just because they had spent a few years studying engineering and design, it didn't mean that the techies back home in their cosy offices knew what the ESN needed, for that they needed test pilots to survive long enough to provide feedback "...well a .50 cal would certainly give my baby the punch she needs...let me know if you boys ever manage to lay your hands on one I'd be interested in giving a go" she said before bidding him farewell and heading for the shuttle in order to return to the Hermes "So Grit...my place or yours?"

  The   Fellow shrugged,we can pull 50s  from  shuttles... even from the    Tanks... we have  to rig them a bit  to get the  feeds right.......most things  are built  for  , plug and play now, to save us  time in the field... the only difference here, is  setting  up the belt  feeds and  the  ammo cache.. then you'll have to run it a few times.. when you get back to the Hermes , Talk to  Rivets  about it....no better place to  work on her, then  on the LG?

Flex

At the mention of the fact that they could already get their hands on .50cals by ripping them from out of shuttles and tanks, a lazy smile would spread across Harry's face "you know, I may just do that" she said, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to talk to Rivets about upgrading her guns.

---> Officers Quarters

    Garrat was Browsing through the munitions shop with Ma-Ti.  He wondered is the little fluffy creature in the cage behind the counter was good eating but paid no further heed to it at that time.

    He kept an eye on Ma-Ti to see what she liked.  A gift latter on might smooth things a bit.

    "So, if I gave you specks on munitions I wanted made, you could make them?"

    The old man behind the counter was probably the only Chinese in china town....and he seemed more mongolial.  He looked across between your typical chinese wise man and a trash space hermit.  A curved plate of metal marred one side of his ancient head but his clean white hair was neatly braided down his back.  The head plate had some computer jacks in it but scarring along the edges suggested that getting it installed wasn't the old man's Idea.   A set of engineering specticals sat high on his head where he could flip them down and examine items.

    "Anything within reason.  The harder  to make, the more expensive of course." He seemed interested in Garrat's tatoos but didn't say anything about them. "Was there something You were interested in?"

   Garrat seems a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny. Well, er, I was hoping to have these made at a 12 guage diameter."  Garrat places two Asgard rounds on the counter.  one is a damaged specimen from his supplies when he crashed, the other is an undamaged one.
   "I'm not sure If I can aford many but I might get ESN to put in some orders if I work hard enough."

   Garrat looks for a name over the counter or somewhere so he knows what to call the man.

  "Ah, this is admirable craftsman ship."  The merchant says examining the rounds, "But .7 millimeters too wide for 12 Guage.  I will see what I can do."  He notices Garrat look around from the corner of his eye while still examining the round, and guesses what he seeks."\

   Most call me "The Ancient"  rather sill really, though my brother's children call me..."

   "Uncle," A young man and a young woman [late teens] come in from working on the salvage dech weearing tanktops, cargo pants, and elbow length protective gloves.  The young lady has the very finger tips snipped off her gloves.  Both of them had sturdy backpacks designed for hualing parts.

  Ah, Ling and Keesa, so good of you to join us.  It seems Sgt Garrat has made his way to our humble shop much sooner than I expected."  He turns back to Garrat, "If you don't mind me keeping these I'll make several prototypes for you to test.  If they are up to your standards we will discuss a deal." 

   He looks at Ma-Ti "...And for you my lady a special gift I believe is in order."

   He opens his display case and fuses over the munitions a bit before choosing one.  It is s sniper round that fits her rifle, slightly longer than she is used to with Kanji type inscriptions on it.  "This is a special round, made in the ancient traditions of demon slaying.  It has a thin titanium housing, denser on the cone, with iron shavings and a small explosive charge that scatters the iron into the victims bodies.  Save it for a...special target."

   The Ancient claps his hands together "Now, I'm afraid I must close the shop till the end of this cycle while I go over what the young people have collected"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Tue 23 Jan 2018.

   Garrat is taken back by what is said then the dissmissal "Um, do I know you?"

    "I have seen your doll in the toy stores and researched your prosthetics."The old man smiled.

    Ever since he escaped being a demon test subject he has been interested in brain drain tech, and your the first ESN trooper to have it." His nephew provided tapping the base of his skull in the same place Garrat has his cranial interface.

   "I might have found some information about your people in this quadrant, come see me whan your next battle has finifshed and we will talk, for now, I think Missy is looking for you."

   He doesn't actually push Garrat and Ma-Ti onto the street but he does flip the sign to closed and starts working with his neice and nephew on what they found.

  Garrat looked back at the Old man with the kids, "Well...um, I guess it's time to go."  He checks the clock on his com "It's getting late anyway."

   They make their way down to the rapair deck.  Garrat steps up to Missy and nods.

   Mi-Ta Looks at the Round, she turns it  over in her   hand .....I...Thank you..for   such a gift..

 She    reaches into her Pouch,..The Hermes Tech people  are  somewhat busy... would you be able to.. make  rounds like this?..They are  made to  fell demons,  or  make them, so they cannot harm others , once hit....

 she places her 'softnose ' round on the counter.

[china town]
  Tha Ancient picks it up and examines it. "It is my way of saying "I'm sorry for closing while you are here." These munitions should not be a problem, let me know if you need to have anything produced in large quantities.  I will need to set up an off ship production facility."

[repair deck]
   Missy is rolling a cart of supplies on to the Albatross "There you are Mr. Garrat. ready to do some mech hunting?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Tue 23 Jan 2018.

 Chinatown

 Ma-Ti gives a slight bow,whatever you can make?.. I am sure   we will need them, after  we castv off  from  Etna?.... could be a few days, at  least. You can COM the  ship, or myself... for pick up and payment.

 she  turns to  leave  with GArrat

[China town]

  There's some street urchins that I can give shelter to.  They can help and I can justify giving them food shelter and training.

[repair deck]

   "I got a call from one of the Largran ships that are to be refitted.  If I have someone with sailing capabilities to move a transport I can have it and the contents.  There's suposed to be a mech or two we can salvage, maybe repair."  She looks into the Albatross "I don't have a sailor, but you qualify don't you?  I'll send out a call to see if anyone else wants to help."

     "I do.  Were we going to stop by the Hermes and pick up a mech pilot or two just in case?"  He looks at Ma-Ti.  The ship would have Largran equipment on it but he wasn't sure if she'd interested enough to come with them or not.

  Ma-Ti just shakes her head,..I think i wil go to the Hermes, and get to  know my teammates  more...I am not one  for  floating about in The Black.

    Missy shrugs "Might as well, I need to take some of the others back." She turns to Ma-Ti "Actually the transport is hooked onto the side of a of a capital ship.  They want it out of there so they can work on it but getting a transport flying is not exactly the sort of thing you jump into.  I'll drop you off.  I hope you enjoyed your time on board our forge ship."

  Missy gets in the Albatross and waits for any one to board that is coming aboard.  If any fighters are Heading over to the Hermes, she loads them.  Then she heads into the black.

=========>  Hermes hanger deck.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Tue 23 Jan 2018.

   Missy was deep into the undercarriage of a dart when her com went off.  Her hand searched out from under the ship to snatch the phone up but grabbed the current detector instead [which shrieked horribly when she tried to answer the call.] Droping the current detecter and grabbing the real phone she listens and says "Can it wait just a little bit, I have only two more ships to check out and then I can release my team for some much needed shore leave."  she listens to Joe explain the situation and bangs her head as she suddenly tries to sit up. "They what?..no, no, no, I'll be right there."  She closes her phone. "Okay guys, shore leave is on now. We'll wind this up latter.  I gotta go."  She sprints to the Albatross.

    She needs another pilot if she's going to do this.  Who to call.  Maybe the pilot of that prototype will help.  She coms Harry as she climbs into the cockpit and clears the hanger.

   Missy stood on the boarding deck of the Largraan transport waching the battle fleet sail by ahead of the suport ships.  The static feilds and the doors had been repaired on company dime in the hopes they could snag more valueable salvage with it.  It needed some major upgrades but that would come after it proved it's worth.

   A handful of junk rats and mechanics with spare time to burn stood with her watching the spectacle.  The inner door was open so two darts could fly straight through in formation and land on the dissassembly deck beyond if they wanted.  At this point the transport was just another part of the LG and had even been used to help the boost on the left side of the ship when there was an engine problem.

   "Well guys, lets get those grpple arms on that Largran mech and see if it's good for our uses.  Then maybe we can grab a bite in the galley before preping for the ships.

   One of the techs chuckle, "Then you better order out.  I don't know who's the hungry hippo but that fridge os as bare as an Avian's beak."

   Missy looked shocked, "I just stocked it yesterday morning, oh well, chang's has familiar with delivering here."

   She sends a com and while they are calibrating the quick release limb system Missy got from the mechanics on the Hermes to the new arm a hover scooter gurgles up with the traditional chinese takeout food boxes strapped on the backMissy is sacnned by the driver and they pile it into the tressal tables in the lunch room.  It was an unspoken rule not to think what had been eaten on those tables before.  in time they would redecorate to make it their own.  For now, it was still novel to kick around on the Lagran transport.

    They wer coming from the galley when general quarters sounded.  Some techs from the foundry were staring out the static feild as the demon fleet tried to flank the suport ships.

    "We're going to die one lady said wringing her hands.  Missy just shook her head, "This isn't Hack's style.  He's got a plan, that's why we are cruising .5 military power, slow for even the slowest suport ship."

    Sure enough the rest of the fleet sliped in and engaged the enemy.

    We aran't out of the woods yet.  Missy said closing the hanger door. "Anyone who can.  Man the outside guns in case any demons get through.


    Missy heads to the bridge and unlocks the connputer to her voice cpomands only.  Then she verbally releases the sensor array.

    Glancing at the data logs as she fires the system up she notes that someone tried to access this terminal too.  She wonders who has been so nosey.  She feeds the sensor telemetry to whoever is at the guns so they have a 3-d view of the battle then locks it down.  While the comunity on the LG is pretty tight EDT spies have been found on board, though they don't usually last long when outed..

alot of that would have  happened  already

The anti aircraft guns on the transport were mounted to cover 360 degree archs on four lines down the hull.  One starboard high, one starboard low, one port high, and one port low.  each row had two double barrelled bateries aft of the assault hanger and one foreward of it making a total of 12 guns in this configuration.  Of course the Transport was dicked on it's Starboard side so only the six port guns were available.

   Three of the guns were ocupied by a veteran who worked in the foundry and two junk rats who had probably played too many video games, but by the way they ran through a quick simulator they showed promise.

   "Okay no shooting freindlies or we will all be headed for the delta colonies," She gets on the new com for the LG "Hey guys, if you have some spare gunners we have some spare anti aircraft guns"

    LT, Veck here?.. we have   4 Able bodied  Gunners ..and  Two more   LG-SEC troopers trainer..the rest of the troops  I'm holding to defend the Hanger Dec, in case of boarding Actions.

In reply to COMs (msg # 253):

   Perfect, we have 5 guns, they aren't much but they can help.  I have three volunteers, tow are inexperienced but they are side by side so your spare can take over or start live training.   I'll Set up anything you need before I have to go get the repair deck ready

 LT  Veck answers,..I'm Sending  LT  Pete Smythe   Up the   the weapon's  ring..  Show him were to place the Gunners... I'll be on the Hanger Dec  with  the rest of my troopers.

  Smyte  could be heard,.on me   Way Mum...already done...

In reply to COms (msg # 255):

See you when you get here Mr. Smyth

 On ALL COMS...

  ..attention  Delta Fleet   This is  Commander Bornberry.. we have  noticed   Empire   fighter craft are   either  Runnign away  or  heading towards    ships... we thing they may be  willign  to use thier   fighters   as  torpedoes ... all  Support ships.. have  you weapons  active and  Launch any fighters   you have...

 HAck's  Voice   adds to the ALL COMs, Rear  Guard move up.. help protect the   Support ships

...................
  Smythe   arrived witht eh Gunners ,..Right!.. here we  are.. which  Guns  are  empty?

The upper batteries are taken but the lower three are not

  Smythe   waves to the Lower  Guns, and the Gunner move to the positions..

  ..This  is  ..Rather... a bit   differant, thsoe  Demoinics, do not  normally throw  thier  Lives away..

 The  Gunneres  nestled into the  stations  and  began to  track the Black, looking  for   the  wrong type of  aircraft to  come by.

In reply to LG (msg # 259):

“All I know is we have to do what we can with what we have”. She looks towards the bridge “How about we talk about this on the bridge where we have radio contact with all our gunners and maybe we can use other weapons systems on board.”

Missy leads the way to the bridge “These ships come with air to surface missile systems as well as two navel cannons which are fixed to the frame forward of the assault deck.  Of course those are useless without a full crew but I might be able to rig the missiles
As space mines or something
Missy taps back into the sensor array and gets a bead on the incoming fighters so the gunners are ready when they come within range
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Sun 20 May 2018.

  As the Last  attack  by  suicide  fighters  went  after the Snow bird...  a few  strays   tryied to  attack other support Vessels...

 The LG -01  Ha d three Fighters  comign in from the port side.. with   Fighter  cover  Pulled off  else where. there were only the AA guns left to fight.

 Smythe    Calmly said into the COMs..here  we go then... let's  take it  by the Numbers,,,  and get them before they get too Bloody Close...

 Veek stood on the Hanger  Dec.. she   ordered  her  troopers  to be  ready.. other then that?>. they had to watch helplessly  as the   three  dots  got   Bigger...soon  there  twinkling of   tiny lights  signaled thier   Pulse  weapons were  firing at extreme range... Soon  the   twinkles became Flashes.. and  impacts on the LG   could be  felt... the  dots were no recognizable as  fighters... And Veek just  stood straight, watching the approach..

With no other means at her disposal And no friendly fighters in the area Missy launches two of the air to surface missiles at the fighters.  Unable to track moving targets they are about to sail right by the fighters when Missy detonated them.  Maybe she can damage them with this making them easier prey for the aa guns.

  The  Guns  begin to fire   streams  of  Pulse    rounds   zip out  from the LG... the    missles      explodes,  causing  one   suicide e  fighter to   fly  a bit  higher.. this , get  it Blow  out of the  air   by one of the Gunner  , Smythe   brought to the  section


 The other  one   was  getting   closer.. weaving  very slightly... as  to not  slow  its    path to  his Target
\
 Veek watched grimly, from the hanger   Dec,,another   50 second or  so... the fighter could hit.....

In reply to LG (msg # 263):

Missy calculates she has a chance so blows up a half dozen missiles in his path.

  Bursts  of Explosions. Caused  the  last  Fighter   to  weave a lot  More. Then  it  erupted  in Flames as one of the Gunners were able to chew it up. The   Flickering  flames  of the fighter   vanished under the LG..Cheers  from the Gunners  could be heard....

   Missy locks down and drops her fore head to the control panel in relief.  Then she raises her head and looks at smyth "Let's not try that again anytime soon."

  Smythe  shakes his head,I'm not going to  lie,  The arcs  of the AA guns  aren't  meant for  full on conflict.. they are there to Help fighters..and  we didn't have  any fighter  cover... I wager to say we're  going to have a lot  more action as  we get near Aqra...

In reply to LG (msg # 267):

Missy shakes her head. “I have a repair deck to run, and let’s just hope we don’t have any more kamikaze runs. These Air to surface and missiles are not very efficient

    Missy has been on deck doing her job and double checking work.

  a Tender drooped   a good  section of  Largran  Metal off  for the  LG to  tow, then   scuttled away to look for more 'big' pieces.

 it wasn't until  the  flashes of  light ahead, when the   Helmsman said through the COMs,..By the Gods  almighty! look at the  size of those things!!!

 The Massive Battleships dwarfed the   ESN  Caps hsip,   but the  ESN  ships   just stayed thier  course,  slipping though  the  gaps  and crossing T's

 around the   fleet, the  fresh Novas were dispersed...  damaged  Darts  and Hammer   Vas were  sent to  forge ships to  be repaired...


  The Verian  Transports were on their  way back home to get fresh craft.

   Healthy 'older fighters' were  being parceled  out to the  'colonies ' that were being Laid out.... Volunteer  Pilot s   agreed to  serve thier  tour    as Colony fighter  pilots..most of them were pool pilots. lookign to move up in rank and log more air time.. some Vets who  'liked the look" of  Aqra, also  volunteered

   Missy had her hands full double checking the fighters as the mechanic teams went through on thier repair jobs.  There wasn't much of a que as it's less cost effective to lift fighters that had been totalled on the surface than it was tocapture drifting fighters that had been chewed up, and The mechanic teams were getting better at being...well.. teams.

  As the number of ships to be repaired dwindle, she looks to the next project  "Garrat,"  She radios, "I saw some information ond the ground vehicles, I'd like to bring the transport down and maybe bring up some sample technology.  Are you free any time soon?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:34, Fri 08 June 2018.

Missy receives a com telling her garrat is on nearby med transport awaiting pick up

Missy has one of the pilot transports pick him up on the way through and meet him on the landing deck.

   “ Hello Garrat, I’m glad you were able to make it.  We have stabilized the blast doors and the static shield on the transport, the engines are in good condition and she should fly well. Ready to take her down to the service?”

     Garrat drops his duffel bag on the deck and stretches his neck.  “I will be after I clean up quickly.  We don’t have much in the way of showers planet side and I’ve got a lot of dead Aqra on me.”

Clean your gear in the shop, you can use the shops shower but don’t take long, who knows how Much time we have.”
Missy goes looking for a crew.  “Smyth, we’re going to try to sneak down to the planet and look around, are you and your boys interested in keeping some cities out of trouble?”
This message was last updated by the player at 07:36, Sun 10 June 2018.

  Smythe  called his    LT. whe  he was done,..she  is  sending   me and 2  troopers of my choice  to ....train.. for 2 Hours.....we must be back  by 0400 ship's time.. because the  next jump off is   at 0600..

 two trooper       came runnign towards him with  enviro suits  and  light boarding armor.

Soon Garrat is in the pilot seat pulling the transport free of the LG.  “This is Sgt Garrat wolfram of the Hermes requesting permission to land on Aqra in the captured transport.”  He makes sure he has his squak set to friendly on the new com system making sure the old was powered down.

    Garrat sets a course for his camp, and waits permission to do a quick deorbit to push the ship a little.

    SGT Wolfram of the 351 Hermes.... This is  LT  Platt of the H006  Nymph. Please  follow  me   and  my fighters  down to  the  Beach.  The Beach MAster is sending  you about  200  Yards North of the  Hermes assault  Camp..be advised... if you cannot land there You will have to Land on the North shore....about  2 miles north of  Hermes  Vamp.... You are to chose  and  send your Choice  to the Hermes CP on the ground.

“Thank you sir.  I’m In full compliance.  If the shallows are clear this ship is supposed to be amphibious.”

    Garrat manouvers the vessel in as close to perfect formation as he can.  The light armor gives it better than average manouvering but it has the feel of falling short of its potential.  This will be the first time Gareth maneuvers it in an atmosphere.  He Is very aware of how it performs and any problems that might start to develop.

  Missy is not happy to see the Largran.  Her people were dominated by the Demons while they were still at war with the Largrans but these were still the enemy.  She gives Garrat a dirty look when he speaks of her smelling like a Doner but it would be good to have an actual Largran mechanic on board.  “I’m sure we can teach each other a few things but Garrat is right, nothing but death awaits your friends out there.”  She’s  certainly looks closely at his arm. “Garrat, That wasn’t made by an AP weapon.”

    The LArgran     used it s  tail to  ease its  way down the  wall to the floor...you can tell them they will die.,.... They may  be hoping to link up with  the Fish...   They will have to chose  then.. whether to  fight...run..or  Die..

 Looking at the battered  arm,..Creshian   Gunners are not known for thier  great skill.... As  far as i can tell they were tracking a  fighter  and   Hit  us, when they missed it... I was  too close to the Hull when the Pulse rounds hit..

In reply to LG (msg # 282):

Largran warriors don’t hide.  They run and attack you.  They can’t help it. You guys are sharp but your weakness is when those reptile instincts take over and make you act foolishly.  But you guys didn’t do that.  you use your heads for a living That makes you techs.”  Garrat looks at Missy “did you say you had a mech I could ride?  That should help me catch these guys.”

Missy blinked, so much was going by.  “Um, yes...we have one with a very adjustable seat.  It’s working pretty well but only has grasping hands.”

    “The other one is standard human sized but we’ve been having trouble initiating start up.  Maybe...”

   She turns to the  Largran “What be we call you?”
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Wed 13 June 2018.

  The Largran looks  about.....I am.... Krits..I am Tech..

  He looks around more. Div  and  Clar  are  one sout tehre.. Clar is female..she is..mean one..

   Garrat nods. "Well let's see if we can save her bitchy little ass.  Behave and you may live a good life with us.  Don't behave and Missy will have sec execute you on the spot.  Missy bring him out to the security, Introduce hims as newly aligned with the AP."

  "Larray come with me."  Garrat runs to the mech and showing more dex than he has in awhile clamberes into the cockpit in with his rifle It takes only a little it to fire up.  Garrat has a passion for driving and repairing heavy equipment. Okay larry lets fimd those largran."  They take off in search of the other two canopy open so garrats ESN armor can be seen with the colors painted on the side.  Don't wan to get hit by freindly fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Wed 13 June 2018.

  Larry Runs  about... then he  Howls  as he takes off into the trees,  smaller  trees  snapping off  as his  shoudle r of  tail  hits them..he is head   North East, Close  to were   Teela  had been picked up.

   Garrat moves quickly in the Largran mech, the light armor and long legs makes for a fast machine.  He scans ahead looking for the Largran and staying in close formation with Larry.  He makes a not toself about how tracking Larry with fast equipment can be used in the future.  He really needs to work on Shadow's speed bike.

  The  Mech begins to slow  as it  hits  the  Mash  and  trees, LArry   keeps  Zipping  through.. a stray  Aqra  strangler  here   and there  Dies in  horror, and Larry just keeps moving...
 Suddenly, LArry Veers  off towards the Moutnain..   Garrat  can see  the Two LArgrans  stompign  with  long mesured  steps  through the   trees  and muck.

  The LArgran   reaches the top of a Mound  some 300 yards  from the  Lragan's  right...  it loweres  its  body in the flat attack  position.

   "LARRY" Garrat's voice echos across the landscape. "Heel!".  He closes on tha Largrans  "CLAR! you are in danger.  This planet is about to be layed low.  Stop and we can talk."

   Larry  stomped in place with all 6 Legs  letting out a   loud frustrated  Howl.

   The female  Looked   back at Garrat..  lifed  the pulse rifles  and Fired  a  few  rounds  that hit the   Mech  in the right arm and  left leg. though the damage  was minor.

 The other  largran, was  struggling in the Muck. But.. would   take  great strids  when solid  footing was  Found.

Garrat Clamped his visor down and aimed his big rifle, "One more chance.  Put down your weapon and join the AP or die.  Aqra is dead, Hack is going to do something that will break the people even as they hide in the seas.  I know him.  I've seen it in his eyes as he studies the currents.  The land is already ours.  We have blown through over three Largran fleets including yours.  Larry is hungry.  My armor can take a dozen hits from your weapon while mine shoots bullets the size of your thumb at time and a half the speed of sound.  Your choice is surrender or die."  He raises his voice, and calls after her companion. "Div! One more step and I send the Larg after you."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Wed 13 June 2018.

  Larry  Stood Up  and Howled     he was  eager.. the sense  told him  of the  darkness ..perhaps  not  so much DArkness.. but the  hate that flew through the air   could almost be tasted.

 Div Looked  Back, for a LArgran, he seemed  'cowardly'..he  casrrier  a pulse rifle  by Ran  as  Clar  shouted  him Onward...


 ..I will not serve  as a Human's Dinner!   two m ore   round   flashed out from the  rifle, as  Div Continued to Run.. One shot  missed the  head  rest By inches.. the pother   shot  went  wide...

In reply to Garrat ect (msg # 293):

Garrat on the other hand, had  been aiming a sniper style rifle with a scope steadying his breath and focusing on his target.  “Humans don’t eat sentient species like Largrans.”  His rifle barks and the bullet flies true shattering her rifle.  “Only animals do that.” All bets are off, there is no longer any way Larry is going to sit still.  Without a weapon, the female is no longer armed and probably bleeding.  Garrat started the attack, that means Larry gets to finish it.

   Garrat turns and sprays fully auto into the dirt in front of Div.  “There is no home out there for you.  It would be more humane to end you right now.”  He says walking forward in the mech, “I don’t have time for a Largran to nieve to know propaganda, to stupid to know she’s already dead and I’m offering her life.  And to lousy a shot to hit an enemy at this range.”  He stops to look at the critter is it showed enough sense to stop.

   “Get up here, let’s get you home.  You don’t belong in this place .”

  Garrat's  howl stopped.. the  flattened  out  creature  shot through the tress  like  an ESN Torpedo.. The  Largran Screamed  as   larry   slammed   into her,  his   jaws clamping  as  his  Body continued on, the momentum of  his  Body   carried  his ehad    and   the    Vidscren-sized   bite of flesh  with him.. She   fell from the tearing and  ripping  of the  attack,  The  LArg   was  low to the  ground, it  spit out the  20 lbs or so of Flesh   and   Pouched, , Clar  never  had a  Chance..the front of  her  snout   Ripped  off and    4  front  claws   tore into the wound   in her belly...

 She wanted to scream but had  Nothing to  scream with... the Body   roiled  in the  ground.. LArry spit out the  meat again,and looked towards   Div...


 Div stood  still  droppign his  weapon as   LArry's bubbling  growl   came fem his throat...

    "Not yet." Garrat says at Larry, then to Div. "If you like, I can shoot you quick or you could come with me and see how we treat allies."

 Div nods  his  head..   larry's   Bloody tear  bared  as he  gurgled  his growl .

  ..you do not  undserstand... we have allies here... there is n o safer place  for me?... Humans.. will kill me.. Nasri   will rip off my arms..

In reply to Garrat ect (msg # 297):

   "I do understand.  I will have to kill you if you don't come with me, your allies will die.  We are twice as strong as when we retook the carrier station, destroyed a hive ship, and fought off two fleets including a quarter of the entire Largran navel might....you know, the one you were part of?"  Garrat shakes his head.  "You need to understand, I've been counting ships, you've been listening to a bunch of crap designed to make you fight bravely.  The Hyrians were the same way.  I showed a commander some real vids and she was able to break her programming and save something like 12 thousand people and go into negotiations on reversing the effects of our attack.  It saved their species.   Now, I've faught with two of your kind.  One stood back to back with me on a nest ship and killed hundreds of birds with me.  I have watched your people.  I haven't seen them take the vicious pleasure in other creatures misery that the other alliance species do.  But you have a weakness that causes you to fall in battle."  He nods to Larry's meal  "It killed her.  You fall back on reptilian instincts, and they make you stupid whenn you areusually pretty smart.  I want to see your people survive.  You come with me your leaders may or may not be right.  You don't, I kill you. It's a fifty fifty chance one way, a zero chance the other.  But I gotta go soon so if you stall I'm going to have to kill you and move on."

   Garrat raises his Rifle and levels it at him.  "Whats it going to be?"

Missy watched Garrat go and shakes her head.

  “Well Kritz, we are trying to recover some Aqra tech.  We are finding that unlike your people, they build really tough vehicles but the weapons load is really light.  The only thing light on your machinery is the armor.  Now we need to bring some on board but require a working mech to do it.  Garrat took that.  The other one is almost ready.  Want to go trouble shoot it and see if we can get it working?”

 Missy...  Lifting his  battered arm,..i do not know what help i can be.... we know my  life  will not last long, past the  first  ESN trooper that sees me...

...............…….

  Div looks   at the coiled  Larg, face covered  with  Blackish Blood, and snarling...I will go.... though..i know  i will die...

In reply to Garrat ect (msg # 300):

   Missy stops and looks at him. “Don’t get me wrong, my enemy is my enemy, but the primary complaint we have against your people is that they eat us.All you have to do is choose to see us as People rather than food, and we will be your friends. It is simply about respecting us as sentiment beings. If you do we will return the respect.
    “You are in engineer, I am an engineer, we live in similar worlds. We share something that a lot of other people don’t.    We also know things that the other might be interested in. This unity is what makes the AP work.  There is a place for your people in the AP if they respect us. there is a place for your people the AP if they respect us.”


 She looks at the Mac, “when we start it up it seems to register something and initiate an automated shut down. One of the systems isn’t working.  Probably a loose wire but we can figure out which one. Tell me what I need to check for and I’ll check for it it.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:35, Thu 14 June 2018.

  Missy  talked to the  LArgran. . He looked  at here, his snout  wrinkled a  bit  a 'a place in the AP".

  when she  asked  about  the shut down. he began to chuckle,.. you must go  down service  tuneel.. 2  levels.... Section marked   L17.. you must open door.... Two wires there.. you  twist together.. all  will work fine..

She chuckles “sorry, I meant mech, not Mac or whatever .  But I’ll do that other fix too.”

In reply to Missy (msg # 302):

Garrat takes his weapon and places it behind the seat then helps him perch on the edge of the cockpit one leg in and one leg out.  They make good time back to the transport.

The Largran looks her and blinks. “Oh”. He looks at the Mech. “ Draw too many amps and the battery core shuts down.  Find wires that are fused together and you find your energy draw.”
   “This will take a long time to go through everything.  I will probably be dead by the time you find it.”

“Could you stop that!  I don’t have time for your melodramatic “poor me” routine.  The thing that really pisses me off is it’s probably a cover up for you finding a way out of here.  But in the end, this was your ship.  It needs some work and despite the paper thin armor it’s a good ship. I don’t know if you people take pride in your work but we certainly do.  You have the chance to be part of making it better and judging by what was done they have been given you crap for parts.  I’m sinking a lot of income into it but there is much to do.”  Sh pulls out a energy sensor “crosses wires will emit a certain spectrum of radiation.”  Sh scans the mech.  “ There, found it.  Upper thigh servo on the right.  Five minute fix”. She says already pulling off the armor plate.

   Div  and  the  wounded  Largran just watched. Div seemed a little more assertive then the wounded one.

  ..Tell me?... I the Demons captured  your ship... would   you work  with them, so your  people could fit into the Empire?  there was no malice in his  question ( well?  if you can tell with the  hissing  type voice)

Garrat came into the hanger and let Div get down “Sorry about that.  Just thought we needed to save as many of these guys as possible.”

Garrat looked at Missy’s Largran “You were right, Clar wouldn’t stop shooting at me so I let her die.  Div here shows some promise but these guys have received some heavy brain washing.  I’ll have them on The bridge as we go up, but we need to confine them to quarters until they can be fully deprogram.  It says something on the Largrans Have to brainwash the more intelligent members of the species just so their society can continue.”

    Garrat asks on of the security team over, explains the situation and tells him to look after Missy but let the Largrans work. “We think they may have information that may be of use to Admiral hack.   we will lock them in quarters and tell them any chance to escape will result in painful execution .”

    To the Largrans, “Sorry about that guys but I can’t a Ford to trust you quite yet.”

    Garrett turns to Missy. “What did you want me to Drag in?”

  Div looks at Garrat,are you not also Brainwashed?.. to think of   the Empire  as  Evil? The Empire as  helped  Raise the  Avains and creshians  to powers  in The Black...

In reply to LG (msg # 308):

“Have you ever heard me refer to them as evil?”  Garrat laughs “Like I said, humans don’t eat sentient species, only animals do that.  Most don’t enjoy the suffering of others unless those others hurt them or those they love.  That’s a trait I have not seen in your people but I have seen it in Aviens  and the Creshians.  Like the Demons I view the avian and the Creshians to be mentally diseased animals.  Indeed I view humans who inflict suffering purely for pleasure the same way. And I have even worked with a demon or two that are exceptions to the rule.  I feel that your society never gave you the choice to be anything else so while I’m cautious with you, I want to give you that choice.  I’m sorry I had Larry put down the female, I wanted her to be part of this but I can only risk so much.”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Sat 16 June 2018.

In reply to Garrat Wolfrim (msg # 309):

     Missy snorts. “Speak for yourself old man.  Every Porcine child is shown the vids.  When the Demons descended on us our orbital defense grid was superior to any technology they have ever seen so after loosing their first invasion force they simply nuked our moon out of the sky to shatter our defense ring.  Why? Because they had captured our ships and really liked the way we tasted.  The resulting catastrophe nearly set us back to our steam age and then the Demons were among us devouring any they could lay their hands on. We fled with what we could using every last piece of technology to hold our enemies at bay while we boarded the three colony ships in anything that could fly and headed out Blindly searching for a planet that could support our life cycle.”
    She used looper like  snips to cut out the fused conduits and spliced the cables back together.  “The outer core of our planet was an iron-nickel alloy that was valued in ship building, our planet was literally drained of minerals and latter the radioactive core was and is still used in the reactor cores for the demon capital ships.”  She shakes her head again “If it weren’t for the people of earth we would have died out.  Demons are monsters, eating, enslaving or using species for their own selfish ends.”
     Missy finishes up “There, that should do the job.…now if Garrat will stop ratchet jawing we can grab the tech we want and get out of here.”

In reply to Missy Jagger (msg # 310):

“Sounds like a plan.  We’ll settle these guys in some officers cabins as their permanent residence and bring them up front for the flight home.”

    The Largrans are given comfortable quarters and Garrat and whoever uses the mechs to grab what they grab and take off.

    On the way back to the LG Garrat let’s the Largrans sit at stations that can’t be accessed.  He feeds them sensory information on the size of the fleet that they can confirm by looking out the window.  In a spare moment before heading down he tends the wounded Largran with the help of the other.

    “I’ll get back to you guys soon.  In the meantime we’ll see you will feed.  I lost a Largran friend when his hunger got the best of him on a mission.”

Total collection of equipment: Three workable mechs, one mostly intact APC,  parts to make the APC intact, and a bead on where more might be including what might be one almost intact tank.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Mon 18 June 2018.

In reply to Missy Jagger (msg # 312):

With the battle on the surface still, Missy was not finding work for her people.  However the contract guaranteed so many hours of pay, so Missy didn’t feel guilty when she made sure they worked their hours out, even though she used them on the toys on the transport.  Reviewing the defense logs she noticed something unusual and checked her AA guns.  They were of a different spectrum than most.  She went to the computer and ran some things through it.


     The results were interesting. She checked her watch and saw the jump off hadn’t happened quite yet. “Sgt Garrat?  I was reviewing the performance of the Largran energy based weapons and noticed a discrepancy in the damage per amp ratio.  I think the energy variance is designed to not dissipate as quickly in fluidic matter.”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:30, Wed 20 June 2018.

  Beth COMed back...i have  little  to  do with ships   guns  and  such? if the guns  were  made to work better under water? Then it  would be a  water going Craft?  This issomethign you need to take with   Rivets or  some other  Lead  Techs.

   "Understood.  Just thought you could send the information where it needed to go.  If this is the case there is a chance the Largran equipment we are going against will be able to shoot us from under water and we can in turn shoot things through the watter if we make similar adjustments.  I'll pass it on toRivets.  I don't know any other lead techs."  She does just that.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Tue 26 June 2018.

Missy had been walking on eggshells since Garrat left. She was certain the Largran could tech their way out of thier rooms and that the only thing keeping them in there was the threat that Garrat would hunt them to the death.  Some times the big Viking Marine gave her the willies.  He could show great compassion while saying he'd kill you, and somehow you believed both messages.

   She kept a feed of the battle and the comes going to the rooms and feed the creatures well so they wouldn't be board or hungry.  Even gave them access to files on past attles and the tech files she had put together on empire species.She also commed their rooms to see if they had questions or wanted to talk and acomodated them to the best of her abilities.  Then the com from Garrat came through.

   "Patch this through to the Largrans:  Spencer says as long as our guests are on the LG they are not a security problem to him and Hack knows of their existence and has niether ordered their execution nor wishes to question them.  All non Aqra empire forces seem to have been defeated.  The Fish have had their Siren pharamones stripped from them through chemical warfare, and may have been rendeered sterile by it.  We go to continue destroying the capital.  Any empire pressence on this planet has been contained to the seas and technologically crippled.  All because they wer not carefull about what they pu in their mouths and how they treated other races.  I'll be back soon."

     Garrat arrives and goes straight to the transport, “ I’ve got some time so let’s make it count.  How are we for a trip to the surface to get that Tank we found?”

   One of the crew members   nods,...the flight  lanes   have been opened up... lots of people are going down to get to see the planet.. try to  fish, or  even Hunt Aqra? , we  just have to stay from any of the  city ruins.

    “Excellent, could you tell the Largran to meet me on the bridge and let it be known I’m ready to take the ship down to the surface for some tech raiding?”

  The Crewman Nods,..Aye, Already done...

 a few  Minutes later the Two LArgran  came up to the Bridge. They did not look happy, and they looked a bit  woried.

     After motioning them to sit, Garrat makes sure everything is ready to go.  Studying the sensors he remarks: “I seriously need some navy types on the bridge crew.”  He looks up, “I’ve been told you have been treated well and have been given access to the vids.  Did you see us destroy the capital city with it’s own nuclear facility?  Admiral Hack was boots on the ground with us, it was an interesting if surprising experience.”

  The   two Largrans  looked at  each other.  Krits speaks up,..This Admiral, is a Fool. Riskign himself  in such  a way... We  saw the  end of the City...the talk is, Many Cities  died this  day.

 Div  looked out the   windscreen,4 days... to get this far, with the  Fish? What do you think will help  as you make your  way to Hel?.... the True Empire worlds, will not die  as  easy as the  fish.

 Krits shrugged,..It  matters not to us. If the  Humans  and thier  APF allies   win? We  will be able to  return home and  help rebuild.... If they lose... they the downfall of the APF  should follow  shortly... I wonder how you will fare, against your own kind?

In reply to Garrat (msg # 323):

      Garrat laughs “You lie.  Or worse, arrogantly believe the hype your people have been feeding you.  If the fish spent their lives crawling  across the land as you do, We would have defeated them in one day.”   He shakes his head chuckling. “As I recall, your people were even more susceptible to the pheromone attacks of the fish people than the humans were.  And despite your aquatic abilities you would have lost to them in the seas.  Your people are way too instinctual not to have fought them face to face.  The fish were weak as a land military but strong in other ways.   There mechs, Transports, and tanks are well-built and will armored even if they are light on guns .”

    “Our military is strong because we know that the Admiral is willing to fight to the last by our sides if need be.  I’ve only seen one of yours do the same thing and that was the Admiral for your own fleet.  He was the one to give me any hope for those of you who fight against us so you should be greatful as he saved your lives.  The rest of your leaders ran like little mice to save their own lives.  I’m not from earth but somewhere far away beyond your empire.  My people’s enemy  have  their  own creatures that can turn our minds, but they truly do it with a song.  I have faired well against my own when turned.  When the Hermès crew walks amongst their own people, we seek out those who have allied themselves with the empire out of their greed or cowardice and end them.  The only reason your hands lived is because they were fed lies like you are and I spoke with them that they understood the lies they were fed. Otherwise they would still be stranded on that deathtrap of a planet of theirs And Hack with have let them die poisoned  in the filth  that their actions brought upon themselves.  Your people have fought us at every turn, completely destroying your Home planet will be necessary Unless I can prove that you were salvageable. With every feet of years we destroy, your people are weakened  in the eyes of the empire, and the Demons will turn their back on you as they have violated every trade agreement That no longer benefited  them.  And even if they did help you, demon and Largran forces On this planet were swept aside the instant they showed their faces,  far faster than the fish themselves. 

    My success with the Hyrians  is the only reason hack is letting you live, and even that wasnt for sure.  You either live as our ally or Die as our Enemy, I will not even send you down to the work camps like the demons,  this is how we do it, we cannot afford to babysit prisoners of war.  You are here because I feel you have been misslead and can be shown that you can have a better life. But if you choose not to  cooperate you will die, and no longer be able to help your people or your family find a place where they can survive .”  Garrat shrugs.  “That is just the way of it.   I cannot afford to invest time and you if you will not be an asset to both us and your own people through these means .” Garrat sets up to throw off the docking clamps. “ I won’t enjoy destroying you, I feel engineering and technology is the universal language, But I will save the human species in culture and spirit through any means necessary.”  Garrat radios his flight plan and pulls away from the docking port. "The funny part is all I'm really asking is that you change what you eat, and help me tell your people about the lies your leaders have been feeding them."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Sat 30 June 2018.

  Div looked  out  as the ship started to move,..I would rather be alive, then dead. But  how much will it serve us, if  we are found  turncoats by our own people?.. we will never  find mates... One does  not  mate  with a weak largran!

 Krits nods,..he has a point..The few  Fenale offciers  we have, wil shoot or  kill those  who try to surrender. It seems only, that those who surrander  while servig with Demons, who surrender, aren't not branded   as  'unwanted"

  "There will be others who surrender, if they understand the lies they have been told.  It is up to you to make sure they understand.  For now, I need to count on you not running into the landscape.  I will work to give you a comfortable and rewarding place here if you work to save your people by standing up to the lies.  There is no greater strength than to denounce what is wrong.   Any fool can die in battle, a true hero lives to make his people stronger," Garrag pops a picture from his helm cam of himself cutting through the ranks of laragran, then another of him standing back to back with his old Largran buddy in the Avian nest ship tearing through wave after wave of Avian as they came from all dirrection. "and you will be stronger with us."

  The  Two largran look to each other after the viewed  the   pic. Krits said,..Then... when yo next go  down with troops...  you need to go the  the swamps tp the  north of the ridge  your  people have   set  artillery on... you will..... find something there.... we may be able to help...we  may not.... but  we  will try.. in order to save   LArgran Lives..

      Missy comes running onto the bridge but stops cold at the door way.  She catches the last exchange and the revelation .  “We’re going to need some back up Garrat.”

In reply to Missy Jagger (msg # 328):

   Garrat raises an eyebrow at her late arrival “Maybe, but these people are quite literally being asked to leap blindly into the unknown.  We need to be sensitive to what we are asking from them.  To how they will respond to what we have to say.  I have strong armed these two a bit but now we need to work carefully.”

   Garrat gets on the com to Spencer “Sgt. Major (will correct if I have the tittle wrong) Spencer, I’m sorry to interrupt your after party but I have the position of Largran forces that might be interested in defecting.  I was wondering if I could work with you to put together a sec team to make contact.  As many different species from the AP as possible, possibly minus the ape men.”  Garrat sends footage of the conversation

    Garrat turns back to the Largrans “would your people generally be more respectful of a show of force or a show of trust.”
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Mon 02 July 2018.

   Div   looks  at Krits,..they are... prisoners.... Sir... that is why they were  kept  there.

  Krits  nodded slowly,..they were sentenced  to be sent to the  Creshian  dung mines to  get elements  for   bombs and the like... They do not lIke Humans.... that is for certain. There   were taken froma vessel  that limped in here   2 weeks  ago..one of the few survivors  from the Battle of The  Field.

 ..They are not going anywhere....

In reply to Garrat (msg # 330):

   Garrat is a little embarrassed as he amends his post, “no rush t, apparently we’ve already captured them.”

   Garrat was crestfallen,  he had noticed a certain intellectual  weakness amongst the warrior class of the Largran species and was hoping to stick with engineers for a better genetic pool.  Maybe the warriors would be stupid and not listen while the techs would us their heads.

   “Still, if I can get volunteers from different races for aSecurity team it would be helpful. At least now I don’t have to worry about a possible ambush.”
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Mon 02 July 2018.

Roy's response was perhaps a little testy.  "Sgt. Wolfrim, I don't have the authority to dispatch a team.  That's a call that Commander Si, or Admiral Hack would have to make.  If they wsnt to send a team down, I'm willing to ask for volunteers...but I don't know how much participation you'll get.  Largrans aren't exactly a favored race in the Fleet, no matter which race you're talking to.  But if you get the okay from the brass, I'll send out a request for volunteers to go down."

In reply to Roy Spencer (msg # 332):

Garrat laughs “I think you have more authority than you think you do, I’ll see what I can do.  I think I have a plan to make this a lot more feasible.”

Goimg up the chain of comand as per Spencer's request, Garrat sends a text mesage to Commander Si explaining the situation and high lighting the advantage of using defecting Largrans to give insight into the Empires plans and technology.  Directly he suggests the use of Naragran to insure the defectors are not plants or are not planning to take the oportunity yo escape.

  The COM   came through to  Garrat.

  ..SGT  Garrat, I do appreciate your  ardor. But our people have  fought  for  4 straight  days,  we have  squadrons  who rotated  in to pound  any suspected  enemy holdings?..Is there a reason   I should  as  people to Volunteer their  time from a well earned  after  party?  For that matter, Yourself?

    Garrat sighs, "I guess not ma'am, I didn't believe it was an immediate need though as far as I know the Naragran weren't the after party types, they were usually prpackaging spare meat for their families at home."  Garrat may have requested volunteers from spencer but he only explained the situation to SI rethinking the volunteer request for those exact reasons.

    "I just needed a go ahead to see if prisoners of war wanted to defect, and was requesting the okay to use a Naragran if one wanted to help.  My time to be independantly planetside is limited."

   Does missy know about this text conversation?

( Missy would only know, if  Garrat let her? )

 ... Largrans, Cannot be trusted, we have failed on more then one occassion?  If you  can get  people to go with you,  That is fine, but they will be  your responsiblities...and? keep in mind..30  hours  from now it will be our turn to patrol