"Hold up, Shade - you'll make that leg worse dragging it like that."

He wriggled up beside the little guy and gently felt his leg.

"Think you've broken it. Hold still. They're getting a Verian med-tech sent over for you. I'll get Orria, OK? You get outta here."

Henry squirmed a bit further.

"I'm here, Orria. Are you hurt? Is Mommy awake?"

  Shade  rattled off   a series  of Blurts and bleeps...

  Shadow Yelled,..SHADE!!.. none of that.... crawl Back out...

  There  are harsher Bleeps...

  NO!... you go, now.. we'll  try to get Orria and Melia...

 Shade   just shakes his head  'no' rapidly.

 Orria.. is still sobbing.. ...Mommy won't wake up..Mommy hurt...mommy hurt!

 Shadow is swearing in several different alien languages ..Some one   get Shade  out of here!... and see if  we  can  get those  damn sheets from over out heads.. or   slip in a make ship roof... we  got to move some things  around them.. and we  don't want them getting choped up or crushed!

Roy looked over at the situation Shadow was explaining...though distance blocked him from getting a clear idea of the situation.  He looked around, then spotted an option...

"Chief Morgan, could you assist the LC?  Not the most elegant solution, I know, but you'll be faster than anything else we could set up..."

   "Yep"  Garrat works to pull the sheeting over a place where it won't do any harm with Lirgs help.  "SGT Soencer, do you think you can shoot the tethers free so this fals in the right place?

  Chief  Morgan and Clark start  heading towards the Stage Debris,.. See waht we can do here...SM?...

 Shade tires to get a bit  Closer, a Pipe shifts from Shadow's  levering  and  Falls  between him and Henry.

 Shade Bleeps out a sharp noise.

 ..hey?.. I don't  know what's loose  up there.. You'er supposed to be On your  way out....

 Lirg  makes sure his  Gloves  are on as they Grab one of the sheets, trying to pull it back.. there is  creaking  sounds  from the  2 legs that are still holding a section up.

 .. we must be careful.. this is liked  digging though a bogger nest...

 In the meantime..  Supe  had  picked up Hodden in his arms ( no mean feat!) and was headed to Med tech.. Lyri  Handed Tucker off  to  an Angel As She  stopped by Beth....you ok?

 ..some  cuts  and bruises.... was Lucky the console  took almost all the shrapnel or   we would have been shredded..


 Hennings  and Bale  limped  up to Hack, Hennings threw his  help  away in disgust... The ( hells are shaking after this fight....

 Hack  chuckled  as they  followed   the Mechs to the stage area...not over yet... but clean up should  go alot faster  without those parasites  being  refilled.

  the ground crew and  SEC troopers  that weren't standing  guard  we piling up weapons of  both Races..

  Karson call out, Hey!.... This  Bug is still alive...sorta.. he was   trying to take  the Black armor off the one that Shadow  stabbed from behind  at the base of the neck.

  Shadow's Voice  came from  the  debris,..if its  had Bla armor?... I did i think from Bio Class?.. Pithing?.. i figured, no matter how  good the armor is.. if   your brain isn't  working right..it  don't matter...

 Karson  calls  Back,well.. that's  kinda  gross , LC..either way.. it  ain't gonna need the  armor  any longer... we'll see what this stuff is about...

   A ground Crewman near the Queen shouted,..Hey?.. this  Big one has some life too..

 Shadow's crew  chief, who had a nasty gash across  his  chest was  removing the   Queens  weapon belt.. she had  a Sword, that had a blade, at least as  tall as the  chef, not  counting   the  Hilt that  was fashioned like some type of beast...

  The   Queen  was hissing some words out...

 Admiral?  It is asking for you?

 Hack  and the  two board Members headed towards the Queen, Argie, Shadow's Chief  had her sidearms  and weapons  belt off to the side.. bot he and the grnds  crewman had  sidearms out and pointed at the creature

"Yeah,"  Garrat said,  shifting some plates out of the mess, "Thought you might have some questions for her.  I know I do." He stops for a breath, "There's a lot of things that don't make sense."  Garrat goes on with his work.

Roy looked up at where the metal plates causing the danger were anchored.  "Don't think shooting them loose is a good idea.  It's one thing to open fire in a metal-walled box when you're going to die, for sure, if you don't...it's another thing altogether to fire at a metal ceiling over helpless wounded.  Ricochets happen, even with pulse rounds."  He looked over at Morgan's mech.

"Chief, see if you can get those plates down safely...maybe have the other mech hunched over the wounded as a failsafe if things come loose..."

He turned.  "Karson, once you get that bug stripped, get it restrained.  Pithed or not, reflexes are still a thing if it's alive, and I don't want someone getting hurt because we bumped its funny bone or whatever...we'll see if we can keep it on ice for Largerson..."  He cast a wary eye over to the Queen.  She was well-covered, as far as weapons go...but that hadn't stopped the suicide bomber back on Etna, and the shuttles blowing up left him wondering what other surprises they had.

"Don't get too close, Admiral...we've got one man who's still in Med Tech from the suicide bomber on Etna.  Granted, he was human...but they may have been comparing notes..."

   Hack stops  as Garrat makes  his comment, then Looks at  Hennings  and Bale.

  ..Bind Her... treat her  with... a little  respect... take her to   a hold cell in SEC... put the Foreman In  with  the Guy she came in  with.  Then he  turns back around,..I want that Girl and Melia  out of then..10 minutes ago...

 Shadow  can as some sheeting in front of him( he is at Orria's 6:00 )  I can see them.. can't  reach them yet.. about 5 yards  away... Melia looks to have been shot.... there's  some piles on her  too.. orria's  bleeding from the head  and  Crying....

 Shade  Blurts  some sounds   and tries to scramble a bit  more..  two piles  shift  fall and Hit him, he grabs the last one  and sends it flying  ( just over the ehad of Hack, to clang on the hanger Dec..

 ..Ok , Buddy?.. we're gonna have a talk  bout the  phrases you use...

 Henry  can see Orria's ehad  and Melia's leg ( theya re at Orria's  9:00 )

Garrat and Lirg at  towards  SEC ( orria's 12:00  ).. they are  trying to  pulls some of the sheeting to fall towards them.. but the  two supports  keep swaying..

 the  Queen was lifted on pipes  from the  busted  berths  of  A flight and B Flight and   4 people were  taking  her to  SEC. with MAnn following , his  weapon ready

After a brief pause in which an explosion went off relatively close by, Harry would turn her attention back to Sergeant Shoemaker's injuries, continuing to speak to him in a friendly manner as she began applying the Derma foam "well Shoey you did the right thing, we'll get the Captain up to med tech as soon as we can, but at least now he shouldn't bleed to death" she said in what she hoped was a calm and professional voice as she was still feeling more than a little giddy with the excitement.

With more and more people gathering around the remains of the stage, it was clear that something serious was happening; the little girl's cries that her mommy was hurt adding to the urgency of the situation "wish there was something I could do to help..." Harry quietly started only to cut it off mid-sentence. Half the Hangar Dec were already involved in clearing the wreckage meaning that there would be little she could do to help that wasn't already being done by someone more qualified than her.

Hearing the call for all of the pilots within the bay to collect their fighters from off of the Hermes spine a guilty look would appear on the young Ensign’s face, much like that of a school girl caught skipping school “Sir, recovering my bird might prove…um…problematic…I…um…had to use the emergency release on my canopy” Harry confessed in an embarrassed voice. If it wasn’t for all the debris floating out there she might consider trying to pilot the wounded bird in without a canopy but as it was she didn’t fancy her chances “is…is there anything else you need me to do?”

  Rivets looked at her for a cold Second,..Right then?... You go up and  bring the LC's  ride  back...

  URNS!

 The Pilot  Pivoted  and Looked at  Rivets,..aye , Sir?

 .. You go out in the Big  Ugly, and  get that Bee into the  that shuttle.. when she comes  back around, You jump her into the  hanger Bay...

   Urns  Nods...

  ..what's that?.. ye  expect me  ta hear yer head rattle?

 aye  Sir..already Done...  Urns   salutes  and   runs  towards the  hanger Bay to  get ready to Join the Big Ugly that was swinging  around looking for  Fighters  and Pods..

 ..Ye Lads  and Lasses, Go.. How?.. yer in Command of this bunch..

 ..Aye  Sir.. . Already Done... lets  go  folks... he and foster   start jogging towards the  elevator. He-La looks,..why are humans..running everywhere?

.....

 Morgan and Clark  move rather well in the machines.. Steel feet crushing  sheet metal and pipes  as they picked their way through.

 Clark used his  weapon hand to  hold up the structures he was at, while the 'human hand'  grabs sheet metal and tossed them towards SEC... Morgan came around  Garrat and Lirg.. His  hand   grabbed the  support and told  the  two big fellas  to pulls hard.

Henry hauled himself forward until he reached Orria.

"S'OK, Orria, I'm here now. Let's have a look at Mom... Mila, stop that!" as the dog's tongue swiped his face.

"Yes, I'm glad to see you too. Let's get Melia sorted first."

He wrapped an arm around Orria giving her a hug as he looked over Melia. OK, so he wasn't a med-tech, but he could still see if she was leaking or out of shape.

  Orria    hugged  Henry tight.. her  body wracked  by sobbing.. she said in a sad Voice... " ....Mommy Hurt.."

 Mila  whined  as she  did  some circles, making noiser on a piece of shrrt metal

 The Presence of the Mech made it seem a bit safer but there were the groans from the metal.

 Shade  made a moaning sound, like an Oboe .. he stopped his crawling a few feet from Henry.

 Melia looked bad... she  was hit  one in the abdomen, and had some cuts on her  arms.. The fall didn't  do much good.

 Whatcha got...Doc?  Shadow said  from behind the mess he  was blocked  in.

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

 In the elevator  Howe  counted  Heads he said with a wry grin,...now you folks know, why the LC has  us  running in the mornings  and hitting the range and the field... you never know when we'll have to face the enemy...OUT.. of our Machines..

"Orria's OK," called Henry in reply to Shadow's hail, "But Melia's injured - get her out as fast as you can, please. She's just to the right of my voice."

Still being in his armour, he had the standard first aid pouch and fumbled out a wound dressing which he tried to apply to Melia's abdomen.

  The Mechs  continued to Move slowly,, trying to shift  the  Supports, while Clark Also shifted his torso to help shield Melia.

 Morgan  said,.. we  get the Hound and the Big guy to pull as hard  as they can, I can pull this  support back as well..should have everything fall towards SEC?

 ..Yeah.... that one  piece of sheet metal is dangling.. if should Hit Clark and fall  towards the Mech Shop....When Garrat and Lirg  are  ready?... do it!

...........

 The Shuttle from the Charon entered the  Dec the Ramp came  down and a Tall verian, dress in Med Tech  colord was  followed by a shorter, Human looking woman.. the normal Greyish of white  cast of skin was, more light cream color with traces of Verian grey. The Woman , herself, looked to be  about 20-25.

 Running towards the wreckage , The woman  called out,..SHADE.... SHADE!

 ..he's in here... towards  the  Hanger Bay side....Shade.. get out there now  and let  them take you to Med Tech.

  Shade began to rattle off   sounds   and Shadow snapped,..NO!...NOW!

 there was a sad bllepign sound and the battered little Verian began to crawl out..

"Go on, Shade. I've got Orria, she's safe now," said Henry.

   Crawling back through the debris, The   Verian Med Tech and Dusk wait for him... Dusk  gasps  as the way his  left leg moves as he moves.. and the  odd sounds that come from him.

  .... We must get him to Your Med tech Lab...now.... The  Verian Med tech  said.

 Dusk looks  around for some one to help carry  Shade.

Garrat looks at the last to suport helplessly "Do we have a loading mech that can get over here and help us move this?  Does one of the combat mechs have hand servos that can help with this?"  Garrat sees his freind Shade crawl out of the debris and moves to his side.  "Hey there  my freind."  Across to Dusk "I've got him but we have to make this fast."

   Garrat gingerly picks Shade up and carries him to med tech [making sure to suport his leg] before returning to his work.

  Morgan chuckles,we each only got  on hand... the other is a weapon  hand... we'll wait, but  we have to hurry...

  Clark looked    down the line towards the bow,..Hover Jacks  won't help.. they can't get through... that's one of the reasosn the Admirla sets the stage up here.. to choke off boarders...

 Shade is   Bleeping  and blurting  loudly...

  Dusk  Looked in the direction Shadow is...... you let him talk like that!

 ..part of the Sailor's life... besides.. we'll give him a pass.. he's hurting a bit ...

 The Verian Med tech and Shade  follow  Garrat to Med tech.

...

 Urns   has to wait as  6 Pods  are Unloaded... then he   hops the boarding tunnign to the Big Ugly, for them to  get  The Bee and look for More.

  The Felrite  Fighters land  first... a few are Missing.

"Yes Sir, right away" Harry responded with a salute before turning to Shoemaker "well Shoey it's been nice meeting you, but I've got to go...all the best" she said with a smile before jogging to catch up with the other pilots as they got into the lift that would take them back up to the where they'd left their fighters.

Once again finding herself crammed into a lift with a large group of pilots; Harry would listen as Howe made his comment about why the LC insisted they spent so much time training to fight outside of their machines "it doesn't hurt to see the enemy up close every now and again...it kind of reminds you what you're fighting" she said, knowing that it would be far too easy for them to forget that they weren't simply fighting machines out there in the black and that there was actually something intelligent lurking within that was far more dangerous than any Sim could and that sort of thinking could get you killed.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Thu 30 Nov 2017.

  Garrat returns from getting Shade to med tech.  He would checkin latter but there were still lives in jeapordy on the hanger deck.

  "Hey, if you can use your mech hands ti swing this out of the way, I can see if Rivets has something to cut it down with so it falls where crew members aren't."

  Garrat returns from getting Shade to med tech.  He would checkin latter but there were still lives in jeapordy on the hanger deck.

  "Hey, if you can use your mech hands ti swing this out of the way, I can see if Rivets has something to cut it down with so it falls where crew members aren't."

   Morgan   just says,...you and the Hound  Just Pull back towards' SEC.. let it  fall there..  we can  push the supports, but  we have to make sure Nothing Fall on the ones in the rubble

  Shadow  calls out,..we gotta  lot of stuff to do guys?... Lets get it that stauff outta here.

 Orria  is clinging to  Henry Sobbing, bringing back memories of when he first saw her on Fuji.


  Hack watched  with a critical eye...Henning   and Bale on thier way...Beth.... go to Med tech... Lilly can handle  whatever COMs  are going to  be coming in going for a bit...

 As if he summoned a demon, by use of name, Lilly came on the all COMs, only the    natural Hanger Screens  were still working, since the  'warroom' stage was destroyed

  Hack Turned to the nearest one and  saw  Lilly  biting her lip,..um... Admiral...Hack..um... The Largran Commander, wants a word?

 ..Sure?.. why not?.. I  don't have anything else to do...

 The Screen was replaced by a snarling LargranAdmirla Hack... I  don't know how you get things accomplished with that Angel Bitch  on your Bridge, and  that Brain wipe you have as a COMs Officer..

 Beth snapped,..keep talking carrion breath, i need a new pair of shoes...

  The Largran's  'eyebrow  ridges  went up and down a few times, then  his  eyes  have shifted to Hack..... That was  quite a show you put on.... Killing a whole Creshian Colony is no small thing.... The Hive  Mothers on Cresh will, most likely , seek revenge.  he teeth gleamed.

 ..Then?  Commander, they better do it soon.. because, i am a bit  angry  right now.. with the whole  bug and lizard infestiaon  on my Station  and?..  whatever your Name is...

 The  Largran's Nose  wringed,Vexis

 . Ok, Vexis... this...attack on my Carrier station and its  people.. have more or less been  traded the death of the Hive for the death of  any and all my people.

 ..do not be absurd... the colony had Millions... the  station..might have.. 500,000?... plus whatever   warriors  you lost on ships... that is not a trade!

 ..you are right.... so?.. I will destroy , each and every Hive i come across.. so?.. if the  Creshians  are smart, they will stay a few Quads  away from any of mine..

 ....which brings  me to why i COMed.... We can several damaged  ESN Vessels... if you have some gone dark.. we  will find them as we get nearer..... I have a fleet of  20  Largan Cap Ships and  6 Creshian vessels.. we  got the word to late to return.. but we are about an hour away.....

 ..I'm sure there's a point....

 ..The Point, Admiral Hack? I can come there,.. finish off your ravaged  fleet..and destroy the MAtterhorn... we both know i do not have enough troops to  retake it again

 ..Tell You want...Vexis?.. Come on over.... we lost some ships.. but  we captured  a  few empire ships..including the flag ship.... we have the  Queen locked up.... so?.. you come here.. you might ..and   it is a very small 'might'..be able to destroy one or two more  of out Cap ships... but we'll delight in replacing them with most of yours as  we  board  them, or simple  blow them out of the Black..

 The largan has a grating  chuckle,..You  are a fool... we can see some....

 ..some..yes....Gletis  thought she knew how many ships we had as well... that's  why she sent you away....so?  you keep coming  Vexis....and we'll see how many ships you have, when i board your ship, and sit  in your  Command   chair..

 The Largran looked at hack from the screen above,... you cannot be victorious  .. none of my ships  are  damaged ..  we have a full fighter wing  ready to attack?  what have you got left Admiral...

  ..Most of the Delta Fleet... bits of the Aplhs and GAmma Fleet... and afew hundred fighters  waiting to be launched  from the Matterhorn..... I have transport troops  who  are hunting down bugs  on the Matterhorn now..but  i have 10 times that many who haven't got to kill anything yet.. they would love to board a largran vessel... My Pilots  a drunk with the kills they got... but i bet they would early, love to blow away a few lizard  craft....

 ..now?.. as you can see.. I have a bit of a mess to clean up..and  a queen to ....interigate....so ask yourself  Vexis.... what's the Empire going to say  when  you'er the secound   Commander to lose  in fleet in the same day... to the same  Fleet?..But i don't want to talk you out of this... You come.... we'll be here... the only running we'll do, is right down your throat..

 The Largran sat back , cupping the forward  part of his  muzzle,..what about  prisoners... The Creshian home world would trade alot for  any  Birthing  queens you have Captured and...

 ..There are no ...prisoners!.... we blew the Hive up.. the whole thing...on the matterhorn, its shot  to kill..including Birthers..

 ..no prisoners?

 ..handful... we have a couple..i'm sure  my other ships have some idiots locked up, who tried to board them....but you'er not getting them back

  ..Then... we shall have to see Admiral.. i look forward to pitting my Fleet against yours...

 ..I admire your bravery, Vexis...

 The LArgran smiled, ..why is that?

..not  many  folks look forward to their  death... and being remebered as  the Commander who could have saved his fleet.... See you , when you get her..  Vexis...

  The screens  went   Blank.....Beth.. set me up with Voice..ALL COMs..

 ..already done.....when you'er  Ready, Admiral Hack.

  HAck cleared his  throat and began slowly.....Attention al ships   of the ESN/APF... The resevere Fleet of the  Empire fleet is on its  way here..all told, some 30 ships, mostly Largran.. I wnat all  Cap ships to Join me at my position.. I want all damaged ships to pull back to the  Matterhorn... and I  want fresh fighters for the Hermes...

 All Destroyers  and sloops that are healthy.. split up on either flank... We'll see the ships come in... you can  hit and run from the flanks... then return to  the Matterhorn.. the rest of us will meet them as the   continue...

Roy sighed.  "Well, this should be fun..." he muttered, to no one in particular, and set about retrieving all his weapons and chasing down the loose magazines he'd ejected in the heat of battle.  He had an hour to re-arm...

Henry held Orria close, with Mila's nose pushing in as the dog got in on the act.

  Even with the   Clearing of the  Dec, the fighters slowly started to return, frans  sending them in by flights.

   No sooner  did they Land  Rivets  was pointing the pilots to  The Club and the Spade were they would   mount up0 to head to The Matterhorn.

   Rivets  was On  his COM with the MAtter horn,  while lilly worked her rear end off , on the bridge to  try to create  something like a ' Bethian '  COM feed  for HAck to talk to  the Fleet, rather  then using  'all COMs'

  Hack  stood there watching as the  Stage was pulled down with a Loud Clash., Clark covered  Melia as some stray Pipes  bounced of  his Metal  back..Shadow waved the Med Techs over to  get Melia on a stretcher .

  Once she was  being Taken away. Shadow  asked   Henry to take Orria  with  them....I'll try to check in, on them...and Shade.. I have to see where the Admiral needs me...Dusk is in there  too...

 Shadow Looks at  His  grease Gun and shrugs, one round left in his last Mag.

 Hennings   left BAle to be helped to Med tech as he , himself Limped over To Hack  who was waving Roy over....Admiral?.. his voice  was tense  with want he was about to say.....I ... think you should, transfer your  Flag to the  Athena.. she's in a ot better shape... or MAybe the Nemesis ... she's has been taking names and Kicking ass....

 There was a chuckle  from Hack, who had a few bleeding scratches on his face, and one sleeve missing from his light   armor. Hennings  didn't look much  better, plus his limp.... no?   I'll stay with the Hermes... she took her punches, that's for Damn sure.. but  i won't  leave  her to limp back to  Matterhorn. If  Vexis breaks through.. he'll be in no shape to take  the MAtterhorn... he'll have to destroy it...I don't know if he has the firepower for that. But  I do know, that every ship we  stop is less  guns they can use to pound the Matterhorn....

  Sitting down on a barrel of  fighter  weapon coolant,Hack takes  Cold  water from a  brave waitress  that was holding up in SEC  with the others who volunteered to serve  drinks  and  'finger food' to the troops before the action started.  This is what we know?... any Creshians on MAtterhorn, have no were to go?... UEs.. they'll just be eliminated.. thank the gods they can'[t reproduce, or we would have to leave this galaxy , because we'd never  be able to kill them fast enough...... So?  every minute  that goes By..Matterhorn his regaining  its  station control..inch by inch...With Luck  they might be able to open up the Lowers' Hanger  and put those fighters into play.. or?..  the fleet can take them for replacements.

 Shadow    let his  grease gun hang from his shoulder  as he watched the fighters  land  and  Pilots    get onto the  Duces...So?.. we   try to hurt them  enough to make them turn around?

 Hack  nodded as he  took a deep drink from the water. That's about it..really?.... If  we draw back to protect Matter horn.. vexis will have us under siege.. he cam Pound the  station from range and swarm  any one who attacks... meanwhile, they can pulls ships out of Anzio space to help them....

 If  we rush to meet him head on... we might be able to turn them away... but if he breaks away.. they'll have a free run at the Matterhorn, with only crippled ships  to defend her....

 Hennnings  takes a sip of water after  popping some painkiller, med techs  were handing out as they made their way through the Hanger Bay... so?  we let them run at us... fire down thier throats and Hope we can engage  when they close?

 ...Aye... and hope that some of Matterhron's  Big  guns  can come to bear on any that break through..... the transportbases  will take some of them out... if nothing  else, just  by the fighting inside.. the destroyers  and sloops should be able to kill or cripple a few from the Flanks... In the end?... whatever ships  we  Muster up front?.. will take the brunt.

 Shadow  looks around again sipping on some water and says, No matter how we look at it?.. this is bad. They back doored us because  two...'good' officers  had ego's that make the Matterhorn look like a touring shuttle... if the Matterhorn dies...., for  all intent and purpose.. Etaa  will be the edge of the frontier... and we'll lose a whole Quad.. the same if its  captured... Three fleets are pretty damn beat up.. and we got  fresh lizards on the way...

 There is a snort from HAck,That's about the size of it...

 so?.. the best case here... is be   beat the 9 hells out of that reserve Fleet.. so we can lick out own  wounds....before going off to kill more Empire folks?

 Hennings looks at Shadow,..a bit simplistic, for an Officer?..eh' Shadow?

 ..I like simple.. kill bad guys..win war?...I'm gonna check on Shade, Orria and Melia.... I'll be back shortly...

  He  waves a grounds crew man down,..I know your busy?.. but run this over to QM.. Tell him its  mine and i need  two fresh Mags... thank you... he hands the fellow his greas giun and starts off on a trot to Med tech.