PRE-GAME
HAck waited to make sure the other feeds were secure, and stepped back a bit, so those on the Flight Dec and the screens could see him clearly.
..Ladies and Gentlemen of the Hermes and the delta Fleet.. We are about to enter in, to the most hopeless action, In ESN History.....
Some of the ship Commander's ehad jerked up mat this.. many of the folks on the Dec stopped talking and looked up.
We have One chance.. and really, only one chane to save the MAtterhorn, and what people may still live on her. The only way we can save Matterhorn Space is By surprise....
One of the Coammnders..Captain Will O'Kennal from the ESN Freya asked..Sir?.. how can there be a surprise, with the Alpha Fleet going in ahead of us?
Hack's Voice was tense,..because.. in 30 minutes The signal buoys are going to come on line..... But? the Delta fleet and her aircraft are the only ones tuned into those buoys...So? The Bugs and Lizards can only see the Alpha Fleet coming.... and the GAmma fleet that is already there...
There was silence as Hack let that sink in.
Rivets, spoke up from the Floor,..But..Admiral?.. won't that make Sevente.. the main target? I mean.. if then don't see anyone but his fleet shooting through.. they'll be swarmed....
Hack Nodded,.. They should.. try to eliminate the threat.... They should... indeed..swarm Sevente.. models show 50% loss of the Alpha Fleet... less, if they are better then we give the credit for...
people looked around, some shocked.. some listening intently.
..This...was the only thing i could come up with, that gave us the slightest chance at saving Matterhorn. My only excuse is this.... Had the Alpha Fleet and GAmma fleet worked together...We would have only had to make our normal shore leave stops..but this...gods only know what would have happened, had we went after the Roussians first....
Sevente and Richards will not know we are hidden from scans. We can only hope , that anything that sees the forward Elements of the Delta Fleet, will think we are really tail end Charlies for the Alpha fleet..... IF.... this works... we can destroy or Cripple a good portion of the enemy fleet... and set up rescuing whatever CAp ships have been taken by the Bugs.
Morris takes a sip from his tea,...and if it doesn't work?
..Then?.. we will fight the ebst we can.... try to save as many people from MAtterhorn as we can get...but we'll have to destroy her... then Limp back to Etna, to make a stand.
people were quiet.. the Commanders on the screens looked worried, perhaps even shaken... a smaller fleet, was about to be fed to the enemy, so a carrier station and its people could be saved... the other choice was unthinkable... pulling out of Matterhorn space after destroying the Station , and everyone on it.
In the quiet, there was a slow bit Of Laughter.. it started to get a bit louder Until Shadow stood up...Ok?... so..this is what i understand?... we got bugs and lizards out there.. but? the Bugs are sorta in charge, cause we don't have reports of lizards trying to take The station.. The BUgs want this place.. the lizards are just thier bodyguards?
Urns speaks up,..I'm waiting for the Joke, that has you laughing...
The LC sends a dark sidelong look at Urns, before turning back to the stage,... if we look over the course of our tour of duty?.. we should have been Demon food, or puppy chow a few times over... yet?.. here we are?....And this Matterhorn thing? Yeah..sure..its bad.. heck.. there's folks being eaten, and breeding as we talk?... but ask yourself why?.....
Captain Lilly Van Ros of the Athena,..LC SHadow. You have the respect of most....if..not all of the delta Fleet... but what is your point?
many heads nodded on screens or around him...Yeah?..sure this is a giant hairball?... but why?.. because Etna didn't give a good goddamn and Matterhorn was too afraid to say they needed help...
Van Ross looked at bit angry,..your Point? LC?
Shadow laughed,..they got this far, because two fleets couldn't get the crap together?.... now?.. there will be three fleets fighting towards the same cause? And.. well.. the whole screen cloaking thing...
Hack looked at Shadow a slow smile on his face , grew with the nod of his head.
Shadow took a few steps up the mobile ladder as he looked around at the screens and his shipmates,..folks are gonna die.. that's a fact... just like it was a fact on Bura..Astra... The Battle of the Black.. the nest ships... and the Damn Black fleet of the hounds?.. we buzz sawed through the Hillites and Bananas like they weren't even there.....
..now? you can worry.. and sweat it out....but that ain't gonna change anything... instead?.. load your ammo.. check your suits, and get ready to lick some bug asses....because.. the only reason we have to do this, is because of two big gods be damned mistakes.... and?.. The delta Fleet don't make mistakes...
He looked up at the screens.....DO THEY!!!
the captains began to smiles, and shouted ... NO!!!
Then he rose his hands and looked at his shipmates......DO THEY????
Those who were Caught up shouted... "....NO!!!!!.."
Hack Chuckled and said,..Thank you for that LC... THis breifing is Over..everyone get with your section leaders and Prepare...... LC will see the Pilots and there will be a Feed to the WCs of each ship.... Thank you all... rig for action,. and have anti-boarding teams ready.
the crew started to break up and go to their leaders...
HAck Grabbed Shadow's Collar, and he grinned,..nice save?.. how much of that you believe?
All of it, Admiral?
..you'er a very poor Liar , Shadow...
..Now ya know i don't lie , Admiral...
Si smiled.. Hack patted his back,..go get the pilots sorted.
Shade was bleeping with green eyes and gave Shadow a thumbs up, before going back to help Beth set up her end of the operations.