In reply to Commander Hack (msg # 127):

Justing took the offered document instinctivley pocketting it. Aye Aye Sir two days to complete this assignment. He responded, slightly concerned by the Admirials brief.

  I know ..its a lot  , Son. But I didn't  save these folks  , to have the Lot of them turned to space junk. One  Day  You'er going to  be an Officer, and have to make tough choices...I'm thinking it starts now...CArry On Ensign, and contact us when you find the target...

In reply to Commander Hack (msg # 129):

Aye, aye Sir he responded knowing full well what the decision and consequences were once the brief was over he delivered a smart salute about faced and marched from the bridge. Once outside he moved down the passage turning the corner. Once out of visual he leaned against the bulkhead. Wondering what the dickens was everyone up to. Rubbing his temple he considered the situation, Ok then he mentally roused himself Calhoun. Tapping out a 'What’s your ten' text sending it to him. Slipping by his billet Justin packed what he'd need for the two days then made for the docking point.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<< from Hanger Dec

 The orderly nodded tot eh MArines  who guarded the  door to the bridge, the doors slid open  , on the bridge many people were  walking about  , or fussing over screens. The Admiral watched from the window, as Modules  we being placed into the port and starboard sides of the ship.

 Excuse me, Admiral Hack....Sgt Lanceheart....

 The Admiral Turned and looked at the fellow, and Held out his hand  for  his career
Logbook.

Stood at attention waiting to be addressed after reaching the bridge.  He did take a moment to look around the bridge, seeing who he would be serving with.  He did pause to look over the captain.  He seemed a lot less threatening in person then he had heard.

He knew the ship was getting refitted and wondered if the bridge was at only half compliment, how many people were meant to run this ship.

 Admiral Hack, his hand still waiting for the logbook,Well Son?..You have your Logbook? he had a halfsmile as he waited, his eyes  studied Lanceheart as if he could read his thoughts .

  A door  to the  starboard Opened, an Angel woman in a Commander's Uniform  came out, She was heading to the Command Chai but  stopped at the Admiral, She too, looked at  Justice.

 ..Commander Si?  This  is  a transfer...SGT Lanceheart...This  is Commander SI, the  Captain of the Hermes.

  The ..very..goodlooking Angel smiled,..The Admiral is kind, But when he is one the Bridge, the Hermes will always be his

Handing over the datapad he nodded.  “Sorry, Sir”  He looked up at the Angel and nodded.  He had seen them before, around the ships he worked on, but he had never served under any.  “You will see everything is in order.  Your code will be needed for my more classified operations and clearance.”

There was a soft nod given to Si.  “Commander or Captain.”  He tried not to stare, turning his head to look at the captain and tried to focus there.

  Admiral Hack  plugged the  pad into  a nearby Terminal and  his fingers Mobed  across the  keys, stopping everynow and then as his eyes moved over the information, pictures  and notices.

 without Looking he says,Well Son?...MSGT Spencer is the ehad of SEC on the Hermes...he is also the second man to Captain Bols...when we send in assault shuttles for Boarding or incursions

  He adds the Hermes to the man's Log and signed out, returning the  pad to  Justice.our  refits are changing the Barracks and Noncom quarters, we are  taking out some of our torpedo bays and adding  , old  earch Cannon..seems the aliens don't know  how to deal with  non-powered weapons...Spencer is on shore leave  right now..You can take this time to hit Fuji, or  walk around the ship..you are free for the  next day or too..however..we will be sounding recall, as soon as our refit is finished, we have some other ships to refit, before  we take our next action.

 Commander Si asks...You have any questions?

He nodded.  “So I guess I am waiting to stow my gear then, Admiral?”  He said, assuming his room was part of this refit.  “What is the ETA on the refit, sir, at least until I can get a place to keep my stuff?”  He asked looking between the two, Captain and Commander.

He took back the datapad and slipped it into a pocket on his uniform.  He took the duffle bag he had and slung it over one shoulder.  “As for me, is there a place I could go to read up on things?  I think I should get used to the procedures on the ship.  I suspect I will want to read up on your boarding protocol as well as your past missions.  I want to be ready for the first encounter we have, sirs.”

  The Admiral Look at Lanceheart,..Your  Belongings  are being stowed on the Inner section of the HAnger Dec. If you are on board when you seek sleep, You'll have to use  a sleeping bag, or Blankets. Once the refits  are done, everyone will have their own Quarters...big enough for 2..but slotted for one...we'll double up  if we need to pick up survivors  and such.


 The Commander  added,I'm sure  if you check the Library , in the Civie section, or  ask the SEC for some logs, you will be able to track down some accounts of  our sorties.

 Until the Recall sounds, or you are called?..You may consider yourself on shore leave...

Justice nodded.  “I will consider myself on leave until I am called then.”  He told the Admiral and then nodded to the Commander.  “I will locate the library, and thank you for the advice.”  He gave a final salute to them both before departing.

He headed for the lift considering what had happened.  He had his choice of places to go.  He slung his bag over his shoulder considering if he might need to leave the ship and find a place to rent for sleeping.  He stepped to the lift and departed the bridge, heading for the civilian areas of the ship.

  As  Hack walked out of the SEC room Followed By the Commander, Miller hit the  Coms,..Admiral...Commander?  we have...two Alien ships  closing in on us, They are hailing us?....


  Put them on the Vid Screens down here...don'[t have time  to head to the Office...  his stride gained  speed, The Commander had no trouble keeping up with him. They Stopped By Morris's Office, and the  Vids were  mostly hooked up for the upcoming  Briefing... on Two Vids , the FAce of  a Sanri Ship's CAptain , on the Other  , an Occui Ship's Captain.

  The Feed was piped through the ship, incase of emergency, Hack didn't have time for filters..

  Hello, Gentlemen..I believe this is the first time I have seen an Occui , or Sanri warship in our  space....to what do we owe the honor...I will tell you this....if you are from the AP Admiraty  Board, you can turn back now...we are not  stopping out  intended attack..

 The Sanri Captain  nodded his hello, then said, I am Captain Klos...the commander of the  Empire's Cruiser Vilt...we...had a disagreement with the Board...I left the fleet....aboard my ship is a Mix of crews who wanted to Aid  earth in this  strike against the  Demons....i..also have 1000 Sanri Marine Volunteers aboard....however..my choice has  left me without a fleet...I ask to Join the Delta Fleet?

  The Occui spoke  up..his skin was  dull purple, his  fangs dull , but sharp looking,I am Captain Zal or  the Occui  Frigate Feez...i too...spoke out  about the LAck of AP help in this region...i was...um...givien leave....to aid you if  i wished....The Frez has lost her standing in the  40th Occui Fleet...we too..seek to enter the Delta Fleet?...My Frigate is designed  for  hit nand run, and for  protecting  larger Cap ships...I have  30 Occui Rangers, that would love to be involved...

 Hack thought  for a Moment, the Commander just smiled  slightly...you will be  getting  instrauctions  on how to  link up with our Com network...we will be having a breifing with teh CAptains, and the  Admirality as soon as we reach Tortuga Space...I am certain your actions will cause you some greif..but...the Delta Fleet welcomes you.

 Until then , Admiral..The  Klas is  yours to use.... he saluted and the image winked out.

 The  Occui saluted as wellAs is the Frez...until Tortuga, Admiral

  The Commander smiled, a pleasant surprise, is it not , Oliver?

 ..Perhaps....or..they could be watch dogs to see  how  we fare at this...either way..they will be getting their hands  dirty.

Post Astra Attack from Hanger Dec 2---->

The doors opened and Justice stepped onto the bridge and saluted.  His head was still aching, and the information tumbled around in it, he had to focus to keep it all safe and locked up.  “Requesting some of the Commander Si’s time.”  He said to the duty officer on the bridge, as was customary.

He was sweating, and his focus was being taxed, he was already tired from the fight, and the rush of adrenalin was fading.  The taunting and the mental punishment the bio computer had put him through was still clawing at him, fraying at his nerves.

 Lt Miller was sitting in the Command chair, an ensign was at her normal Nav station.

  Commander Si has left the Bridge...to find  LC Shadow, and to  go to the   Debrief area...If you wish i can Log you into her list? or you can contact her  after the Debrief?

He looked around the deck, and nodded.  “Could you contact her, let her know I have need of her.  I have some information I think she needs to review personally.”  He let out a long breath out and smiled at Miller.  “The nature of the information is sensitive and time is something of urgency.”

    Miller Looked at Justice  and Gave Him a nod, She said, evenly,..I wil have Lt Ore send a note  to  the Commander...you must understand, they are going over  a Debrief that will encompass the whole of the ESN , and AP?..Not much time for Chatting  Up NCOs...she will contact you, when she gets the chance...

 The Doors to the bridge Opened, Un-Li stpeed on the Bridge, annoyed that she was stopped   by the Guard with a Pulse rifle.Lt. Morrow...where is My sister?

  MIller stood up from the Command chair  and  straightened her Tunic,. Her Voice  was stern as she  said to Un-Li,Commander Si is well busy at the Moment...if you wish, I will add your NAme to the COMs Que....

 Then she Looked at the Guards  By the door,Escort these  fine people  off  my Bridge...the next person that comes through those doors, and asks for the Commander, that is  Under the RAnk of Captain..you have my permission to shoot them...

 The Guard  Nudged them towards the doors, as  another  poweed up his rifle and aimed at them, two guards  across the Bridge did so  as well.

Justice shook his head.  “With all due respect, Lt Miller, there are some things rattling around in my head and I need someone with some talent in getting into someone’s head to help me sort this out.  If it stays up there too long I could lose it.”  He cautioned the Lt.

He looked at the men leveling guns at them.  “Well, I will make full report of this as well, Lt.  I am sure the Captain will want to know how her officers are treating the men.”  He said and turned, his head was still aching, and he was trying to keep his thoughts strait, keep his mind in check.  He nodded to Un-Li and moved to the lift.

  The  Lt Mused,we're Fresh out of Captains , Mister. We have an Admiral and  a Commander..and ahot shot LC ...don't have room for Captains... I am sure they will get to you, when they have the time...Dismissed...

 as the  Guards ushered them  off Un-LI Looked at Justice.  I Might  Ask, SGT? What would be so Important, that  My Sister  would need to speak to you?

He looked at the Commander’s sister.  “Well, I have something in my head, and I need someone who is trained to look through others minds to help me sort it out.”  He leaned against the back of the lift as the door slid shut.  “I do not know what is in there, and if there is something sensitive, I would not want someone without clearance to see it.”  He put a hand to the side of his head as the pain struck through the meds that were wearing off.

“I think at this point I just want to have it sorted out.”  His shoulders sag slightly.  He had given it his all and was too weak to fight off the other mind.  He needed more training, more work.  The sense of disappointment was clear with his posture and expression, a long face, and generally slumped posture.

...would you like me to Aid you. SGT? I can do  everyhting  My sister can do...I am abit ...older... she smiles  slightly.

He nodded.  “You have someplace quiet we can do it?”  he asked.  “If there are any secrets, you can be trusted, I will assume?”  He said and stood up, hitting a button to take the lift to the non-com quarters.

Letting her in would be a big risk, but one he was willing to take.

  Un-Li smiled,I am the Angel's Ambassador here...if you cannot  trust me?  she punched in the  Number to the  Top Deck. Only a few apratments where there...Un-Li's  was one.  a brass plate said,"..Angel Ambassador".

He rode along with her.  “Well, I do not know what level of security you are entrusted with.  I have never had the chance to be part of the embassy.”  He explained to her, holding the side of his head with one and.

He was feeling slightly hazy.  “I suppose I do not have a choice if the Commander is not free.”

  Un-Li giggled  just a little.Really, For a Military Man, you are quite Un-informed? The Admiral runs the Fleet..Nil-Si runs  the Hermes...somewhere in there They have to take of the crew and each other....does not leave alot of  face time for a SGT....does it?

  Now...sit in the recliner there...she walked into the Kitchen and returned with a  small cold Glass of  a wine-line  fluid...This  is  Vul....a wine made on our Home planet...it  relaxes the body..and stems  pain....when your head pain has  Lessened? You will tell me..and I will begin.

He sat back and took the glass.  “Trust me, if there was anyone else in my chain of command who could get inside my head and help me sort this out, I would have gone to them first.”  He told her and took a sip of the wine.

He closed his eyes and focused, the information, the other person, it was a person, and a machine, they were both inside his head.  The nebula, fire and shadow living together.  Stars danced in the distance, stars that would mark the place the ship was being built, the ships.  They were hiding an armada.  “I meet another mind, and let it in.  I was too weak to fight it, and I ruined it, I could not cut it, the mission failed, and likely because of me.”