Sam smiles at Beta and replied," I have seen a few live but most of mine is on vids as well, maybe you could show up and sit with me for the tunnel run so you can see the LC in action with the new recruits. The LC is fun too watch during footballs games thats for sure."

 Sam then saw Billie and Arnie come in and take a seat. Sam smiled at Beta and added," I will have to say being a part of the Hermes is exciting and there is always something happening on this ship."

  Arnie   gave her a gentle squeeze  as they   watched  the  activity out the window.too many folks go through the motions..but  ... the LC  and SM will know...what they don't catch, Beth will.

 Beta  sighs, yeah..but..its not the  same in a ball game  as a battle

"I know...and I find it to be very...sad really...to just go through the motions. I always try to give it my all in everything I do, even if I am scared..." She hadn't really paid much attention to the others that were there, instead just staring out the window, snuggled up to Arnie.

  what's the catch phrse these last couple years?.. 'in it to win it'...we also have to  stay  tight...respect the offciers, care about  our shipmates, including the Civies, and make sure everyone has each others back  on a jump off.

 Sam smiled at Beta and said," Well like I said come watch the tunnel run I bet you will see something exciting. Well I wouldnt want anyone else besides Hermes folks watching my back in a fight."

 <<<<<<<< shadow from  Pec dec

  Entering the  OB,  , Shadow looked at the folks who were  there., beta  Jumped  up and Moved to the  Bar...what  can i get you, LC?

 ...small shake?... i'm pretty full, just need something to sip on as  I watch  us leave the  Station...

 Coming right Up....

 The LC   moved to a  standing table in the Middle of the lounge to  give 'couples' thier space... he tapped on the table to a melody in his head..about  30 more minutes before Cast off...

  on the OB dec, time went by smoothly..

Arnie  held up  a hand and Pointed to the  glass. the ship had  been 'nose  first, towards the station, as it   glided into the berth. Across  Docking  arm sat the   Hera, whose   hanger  dec  faced the   docking arm, and the Nose of that vessel pointed to The Black.


 Shadow stood by  the  table , sipping his Milkshake, while Beta  tried to have a  chatting session with him. Shadow would answer, laugh and make a Comment, but his mind  was elsewhere  as he watched the  Station.

 Sam was there as well...

 cast off in  4......3.....2.....1..... The Voice of the Station said.

  The  Magna locks   snapped open , all around  the stations  cocking arms, those ship that had  not  uncoupled...did. sparks   flew casting   a rainbow of colors... , the Hermes  began to Rise to  push-off  areas.... the process took about  20 minutes....

  Horns Blew on the station  and on all ships that were departing... the  Station was below  thier  Nose, as the Hermes  , came about to point in the direction of  the Gamma Quad.. the  drives  kicked in, some stars  seem to move  quickly, towards them, othe3rs seemed to stand  still, while others moved very slowly...

 Sam had smiled and waved at the LC when he returned, Sam stayed at the Bar and watched as they got ready too cast off.

As the ship was debarking Sam said to Shadow," LC sir do you think it would be ok if I help Beth at the tunnel run tomorrow?"

 Then it began and they where beginning to cast off and head to their next destination which from what she heard was Matterhorn. Sam watched as they departed the station and then headed off into the black. Sam then asked Beta " That was cool watching that, I think it is time for a desert cake. What kinds do you have?"

   I don't  see wh y not. Maybe you will pick up some tips   for the Burians to have thier own form of  tunnel runs... Orria  will be there  as well, we have one  table at  each side of the  ship   to  watch the  runners  and the  Overhead CAMS...

 Beta moved away form the LC  and  opened the    fridge...we have the single serving  things? chocolate...Vanillia  some kind of red berry, and cheesecake... you can eat it  cold, or  we can gamma wave it.

 Sam smiled and said," Thank you Sir yes Commodore McKeon has already started a tunnel run program some ships are having issues but I think the Commodore will straighten them out, I will send vids too show the Burian Fleet who runs and how the runs are conducted. Sir should we have many med tech TEAMS on scene?" Sam smiled and nodded to the LC.

 Sam turned to Beta and really smiled and answered," Oh please a hot red berry one and do you have any ice cream?"

  Shadow  has a small chuckle,you always need  med tech teams around, people running hard, in full Load out gear..someone always gets hurt...

 He  sipped his  shake.

 Beta smiles and  jerked her head towards the  LC...we have to have ice cream here..we have a dispenser , for milkshakes, but  can pour some on, if you would like?

 the gamma  ray heated the  cahe in 5 seconds.

 Sam smiled then giggled and replied to Shadow," Yes Sir I will make sure they have Paradise Angel med tech experience as well." She giggled quite a bit.

 Sam then turned back to Beta and replied," Yes that would be great any berry flavor would be fine." Sam then looks out into the black where they where headed.

She gave a small nod of her head as Arnie spoke, not disagreeing. With some people, there was a definite lack of respect towards others. When they started to cast off, her mind began to drift as she watched the process, fascinated. Her whole life, she wanted to be among the stars...to be in the Black and now, she had achieved that despite her parents' wishes.

  Shadow finished  his  shake, took one more long look at The Black...well..Time for all good litle LCs  to go to bed..... See you folks in the Morining.... He   dropped his cup off at the bar, beta   made a  fake pout and waved.

 Then the LC was gone..

Shadow to  Officer's dec

 Sam ate her cake and watched the LC leave she waved as he left. Sam smiled at beta and said," Well I think good little comm officers should get some sleep as well it has been a long shore leave." Sam gave a good tip then headed to her quarters.

----->>>> To Officer Quarters

---->>>>> from Rec Dec

 Meari walked onto the OB Dec she looked around too see who was hear and then said too Tulliun,This is the OB Dec do you want too sit or go up close too the Metaglass?

 Arnie and Beta  were busy,  whipping up drinks and  pouring  Beers, an Occui woman  was   carrying around  pizza  rolls  and  chicken fingers  for    people  as they   sat in the front  rows, or  stood at the standing tables  to watch  the   ...ever growing.. Matterhorn

Definitely to the glass. I didn't get a chance to really take in the fleet on my way in. He headed toward an open spot on the glass.

As he got closer to the glass, he slowed his pace, stopping within inches of it. His eyes wide in his reflection. He really hadn't appreciated the view before. He knew he probably looked like a schoolboy at a toy shop to the seasoned veteran behind him, but he couldn't help himself. The shining, magnificent ships that spanned miles each, reflecting starlight. And the escort fighters darting around in their formations, like tiny jewels against panes of glass and black velvet. He was awestruck.

It's so beautiful. He said, just above a whisper.

 Arnie    came  around Picking up empty, or half  empty glasses, He  gave  Tullian  a look.there are almost  100 Cap Ships in the Detla  fleet...plus  destroyers,  , sloops and corvettes... Behind  us  are3 times that ,many  support ships, with  Transport bases,  argo ships  pleasure ships, Supply  transports  and  Med tech vessesl... we blot out the stars, when people   look  towards us

 ..That dot out there, that looks like a grain of Rice?.. That's Matterhorn, we'll be stopping there for shore leave..well... if we're still around...after the Jump off. You two need anything?

 Meari nodded and joined Tulliun up to the glass, Meari looked and then said," There is my old ship the Uden's Promise and there is my Cousin's Dusk ship, Lady's Revenge the Burian ship given to the Udenese fleet."

 Meari stood at the glass and looked out at all the ships, ESN, Udenese, Burian, Nivarian, and then the captured vessels used by these fleets as well. It was a sight too see and then Arnie spoke, when he was done Meari replied," Yes the Fleet is impressive but we are tangling with 2 Hive ships and a Largan Mothership this will be a tough battle and not everyone will be coming back from this one. I sure hope you do Tulliun, you do your job and get back to the Hermes you will be fine." Meari was nervous about this jumpoff the Admiral seemed worried that they might not win this one. meari would do her best to ensure they win. Then Meari responded to Arnie's question," I wouldnt mind something fruity and non alcoholic, do you know any Udenese drinks? " Meari would also look at Tulliun too see if he wished anything.

Tulliun pondered a moment, his mind thinking at everything. Hmm...Since this may be my last delivery, how about a little indulgence. Meari, good lady, he looked up at her reflection peevishly what would you suggest I get to mark the occasion of my first real combat flight?

  Arnie  chuckled,A  can of Derma Foam, and a can of Derma Plast!

    Calling over to  Beta he says,Two Nivarian Rainbows  as the walked over  to the  counter, beta  , expertly,  poured   two different colored  Nivarian liquors, one  Red  One  Blue, down the  sides   of  two..'tube  shaped  ice  cubes'.. in the middle   of the ice she pour a Purple   drink... the ice started to  Melt, and   rainbow  colors chased  each other  around the glass.

Arnie  shrugged,..its  a bit  sweet, but its hard... don't drink more  then 2 of them

 Beta   dropped in  a clear straw for  the glasses,  the  colors  woudl swirl up the  straws  as they  drank them.

 Meari listened to Tulliun and she was about to respond when Arnie said Derma Foam and Derma Plast, Meari chuckled and replied," A Med Tech would be even better, I am taking human Med Tech courses now."

 Meari took the strong drink too toast with Tulliun," Too your first real combat Tulliun, may you kill many Empire scum, help your friends, and come back alive." Meari takes a sip of the drink Beta gave her.

Tulliun eyed the pretty drink they'd received with some delight as he watched the colors move.

He raised his glass to Meari, To another glorious battle for you Meari, may your rounds fly straight and you blade cut true and may we meet again with the fallen enemy at our feet. Tulliun takes a more generous sip then may have been wise.

 Meari smiled at Tulliun, she could tell he was a good man tying to do the right thing. Meari liked Tulliun, he cared about to hers, will do what he can to help and save others.

 Meari then responded," I wont carry many blades in this fight, going hand to hand with UE's is suicidal for any length of time even for me. I will get a big ass gun if we have too repel boarders." Meari sees the sup he takes and wonders if that was wise, Meari sipped slowly.

 Then Meari looked out into the black and looked out towards the place for the next battle that could be a very rough one for the Delta fleet if things go badly.