Roy heard the yip and cries from Thor, and immediately shook his head, recognizing that something wasn't right and having a pretty good guess what.  As the howls from the largs echoed through the tunnel (practically a physical presence in their own right, he turned, following Shadow back.  He got there as White threatened to shoot Shadow...and in one practiced move, he produced a loaded magazine, sliding it home and clambering a round as he brought the rifle to his shoulder.  "Try me!" he warned in a voice that cut through the noise like a whip-crack.

He figured he might...MIGHT...have a chance at preventing the largs from littering the deck with body parts.  It would be, perhaps, the ultimate test of his theories about the largs' level of cooperation...

The howls seemed to form a cold hand that gripped the young merchant to his core. When Lizzy and the others started telling everyone to run, he poured every last thing he could into pushing himself forward. His legs and lungs burned as he kept not but one step behind the more well conditioned fighter pilot. He just prayed that the largs were far enough back.

TI-JO didn't have to be told once to get the hell away. He near the back of the pack, so the situation was controlled by the LC and SM by the time he was passing it. He chose instead to "help" those immediately in front of him to keep moving. He would push anyone who fell back within reach of his arms, even to the point of zig-zagging across the tunnel. All the while barking out motivation. Keep moving! You wanna be a chew toy? Get your sorry hide up there! He would chance a glance behind, to see how far back the largs were. He saw the big red Sgt struggling with the exhausted Zia, he ran back the distance, You need a break Sgt? Better me than you. Or maybe I can just give you a push? while waiting for Zob to decide, he put his hand on the small of the laden man's back and pushed just a bit, to give a bit more length in his stride.

Zob kept pushing forward but the ton of extra weight was starting to slowly take its toll and it showed in his steps but he was close to safety, "Just a push we are almost there" when Ti-Jo gave him the push he picked up the pace a bit more until he was out of the way in a area safely out of the way.

Hearing Gunny yelling, the yips from Thor and Roll, Nikki immediately ran towards both. She ran to get them to safety.  Her being nearly on empty didn't matter.  Once she got them in hand she'd be running like hell.  That Gunny and his mate were on their own.  Nikki had Roll put at least one arm around her neck as she supported his rump.  Roll had his legs around her waist.  Thor between them as she ran.

Haley stayed by Sneak who shoved her up the ladder out of danger.  Waiting for Nikki she stayed by a wall telling the others to move so others could get out of the tunnel.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:51, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

Henry ran over to Roll and Thor, surveying the both of them to check that there was no more than injured pride and the odd bruise. Then he took a knee, arms around the pair of them, waiting for the larg pack to arrive.

Mila heard Thor's yelp and felt the concern in Her Human's mind as the entire larg pack turned and flooded towards the incident. She ran with them, growling deep in her throat. Ready to sink her teeth into whoever had made Thor yelp.

  Fred Looked  surprised  and scared  as   Roy  arrived .....You..you..have to let us  pass!

 When Nikki  ran for Roll and Thor, and Henry   Huddled  around them...Shadow snapped..NIKKI....DOC..... ITS  TOO LATE  NOW , FOR YOU TO RUN...JUST....SIT THERE...AND   WHATEVER YOU DO....DON'T  HURT ANOTHER LARG..

 The LC Nodded to   TI-JO and he    help Zoe  with the terrified  and exhausted Zia...Charging down the Tunnel, Larry ...slightly  in the Lead..all of them flattened out  in the  'Larg Run attack'.. save for Tess...  who  was running hard, but her head  was  Up looking  and searching.. Mila  was  right there  near Larry, as the    Beasties closed in on the scene.

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

   Down at Sam's ,  table  Orria   was holding her breath as she saw Zob carrying Zia... some people moved towards the   hatchway, Stefi grabbed  Giles  and  handed him a med tch pouch  as  she   swung  another over her shoulder, ...and waited.  Hack    stood near the table and Ordered  every one  to leave..slolwy..orderly.. Hennings  opened the Hatch  that  Halry was in..pointing to a Guardian to take Haley down.

 Beth didn't looked too concerned, she was on the other  side of the  ship, watching  the CAMs.  Jax watched  with Sneak coming near him.. Nifty had his rifle shoulder, and Shory was  near them, as he chewed his gum , extra nervously..

   Flores stood near Frans..they looked at   each other     then down range  at  the sight of the two Mercs... Nikki and  Henry.. and  The SM  and LC   standing  in the Middle of the tunnel .

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

  Shadow  said to Roy....There's alot of people behind  us... they'll never all get down the  stairs, if the  Largs feel  threatened... and  we don't know how much  we can  contoll this..without losing  thier  faith in us...

Disna  and Puskie  arrived, one  want to   either side of the two  crew man, Disna  was bent over  trying to catch his breath...Puskie was breathing hard, as he said......we...we... have seen  ..this before.... LArg Masters would...be too harsh..sometimes hurt a Pup  or  a  Juvenial ...and the 'pack' would try to protect them...many Larg Master  die  like that..... and we  must put LArgs  down,,,, or  release them to the wilds...

 Shadow  snorted...we're not  Putting  any Largs down, Unless they attack the  The Admiral and the people behind us.....
.............

 Henry saw a deeper   green-blue welt on Thors  side, and  another on  his head where  he impacted the   tunnel wall.. he was holding  his right  Middle   Leg off the   dec, as he  rested his head on Roll's  legs. The Pitiful  little beastie had, wet eyes  and was breathing heavy   as   an Eye looked to henry  as he checked him over.

 The LArgs    arrived... LArry showing the  Multirows of teeth, his eyes  almost slots   as the   lips curled and  a deep, threatening Burble  came to His Lips... he  circled the    two   Mercs...  the  other  Largs  spread out..with Mila and Tess going to   Henry.

 Tess  Looked  at Roll  and Henry,,her  Head  raised a  bit at Nikki as she  sniffed and snorted... a soft Burble  came from her  throat, in a series  of  sounds... Thor, Looked Up... , the wee Larg  left Roll's Lap, and   limped over to   Gunny.. then looked  back  at  Tess...

 Tess  flattened out.. as she  stalked towards   Gunny..Gunny was  still dazed..but he realized he was surrounded by  a Larg pack...

 Gregory sat between    Nikki and the   Mercs..Thumping his tail and   tilting his head.

 Shadow  looked at Gregor, then to   Puskie...we gotta check his head...

 Puskie, despite  the situation..gave a laugh.

  Fred wanted to pull his weapon....he looked at   Roy, the only person who had a  weapon ready...I have to Pull My weapon..you should all have your weapons!

 Disna stood   , shook his head  with a bit of  sorrow...even at this range?, we  might  wound   one or two...but   we would  all be dead, seconds  have the first round was fired..we have seen it... we have seen it  on the field, we have seen it  on our homeworld

 Roll was  ready to say something..Disnia  Held up a hand and gave his head a shake..Larry   looked to Thor  and  Burgled, a deeper...demanding Burble...  The wee  Larg went Over to  Fred  and Looked up at him..at this.. Fredie    began to  stalk closer to   Fred, Larry   and Stee and  cut  off  all 'escape' as the  were between   the LargMaster, , the SM and LC.. with Nikki   kneeling by Roll  with , what appeared to be a very happy gregor..  Roll wiped  some  blood from his lip were he, himself had  hit the dec,,, he  rubbed  his left leg absently, as he looked at Henry.

 ooc irrelevant post.

Justin leant against a bulkhead watching what was happening.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

Henry rose, slowly, to his feet.

"Largs! Stand down. I shall deal with this."

He waited, watching the largs, waiting until all the heads (but especially Larry's) had turned towards him.

Once they looked at him, he signalled for them to lay down, then walked forwards to the Gunny who'd caused this rukus. He bent and hoisted him by the shirt-front.

"WERE YOU BORN STUPID OR DID YOU WORK AT IT? Firstly, the largs are an integral part of our fighting force. Second, they understand the concept of loyalty to your teammates, something you obviously do not. Third, they're hungry after taking exercise."

His voice dropped to a hiss that somehow filled the tunnels.

"Can you give me one good reason why I don't let them eat you?"

Upon hearing the blood curdling howls coming from behind her, Harry would slow to a stop before turning to look in the direction those howls came from ”I fucking told you so” she said as she unshouldered her shotgun and worked the pump before continuing on her way towards the hatch along with everyone else.

Upon her arrival at the hatch she would single out a pair of troopers that didn’t look as tired as the rest and addressed them in her best officers voice ”You two with me! If those Largs come charging our way we’re going to buy everyone enough time to get through that hatch…let’s pray we don’t have to”

   Gunny   tried  to shake off  Henry,  Tess     stood  her  Ground, about a  Foot  away  from
Henry..  Larry  Looked his  head still flattened at The Mercs.. Disna  was  walking  slowly towards Thor ,softly calling His  Name..the   limping   Pup,  went   towards  him with  little tail thumps.

 Fred  was  getting over  worked up, his   hand inching to the trigger...Don't  do it?... you draw that weapon? If the largs  don't kill you..I will...  Pushkie  was talking to  Stee...  Petting the larg  the LArg's head  was slowly rising.....Freddie  was  still near   Fred..the teeth Bared , much like   Larry's

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

 Sgt Giles  LaCour and Nettle Pouline   went  with   HArry... LaCour  said... as they stopped.Not a Chance  in the 9 Hells  I'm shooting at Largs..I saw  what happens, to people who do that..

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

  Gunny tried to talk as he said... Both the Little bastards  were in me way....

 Roll got up    and tried to stand on his hurt leg...you threw me done the Tunnel! he  yelled  at  Fred White.

 You were beating  up My  SGT! he winceds   As Shadow and the    Larg Masters laughed..

 ..your  Gunny was getting  beat up.....by a 7or 8..or whatever   year old he is...Larg Master  Cadet??? do you know  how stupid  that sounds...

 OK..Henry...Unless someone else  has  ideas...  we should let the  Largs   mete out thier  Justice...

Knowing he'd regret the loss of control for the rest of his life, Henry stepped back and kicked Gunny squarely in the balls.

"Larry..." he waved the pack leader over and pointed at Gunny.

"Get this... thing off my deck!"

He turned.

"Thor, do you want to help Larry? The rest of you, hold fast. We don't take vengeance, this is a police action."

 Meari was right there with Harry they would have finished close together. Meari took up position with her 30-cal., she fed a belt in and said to Harry," Get everyone out of here, if they come I will hold them off as long as I can, now go everyone get to safety." Meari had the look of a warrior knowing she could die if the Largs attacked full force. She cocked her 30-cal. and said to Harry, " Harry your with me tell them to get the people out, I hope this doesnt turn out bad for us but if the Largs attack we have to protect the people." Meari aimed her 30-cal. towards where the Largs could be coming, she held her position and waited.

This whole thing merc thing nothing but a cluster.. As Justin wasn't directed to undertake additional laps he'd had enough, for the moment 6 miles was sufficient.

Roy's weapon never wavered from Fred's chest.  "You even TOUCH that sidearm and the largs will be licking your blood off the deck.  You're already looking at time in the brig for assault, but I will gladly send you to the morgue if you give me half a reason."  His tone was ice-cold.

He'd been quite certain that the largs would respond to orders from the Hermes personnel...but he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, to be proven correct.  "Break him all you want, Larry...but don't kill him.  He'll suffer more if you leave him alive."

He focused on Fred again.  "I'm still trying to decide whether I should let you walk away or have the largs dragon out, too..."

As they got close, she knew she would not make the ladder.  Then Doc Christie showed up they all held balled up on the floor next to a wall.  Nikki and Doc both covering Roll and Thor with limbs and head covered as much as they could.  Eventually Larry and Tess, as well as Gregor figuring that they were friends.  In a low soothing voice, she spoke "He is okay.  Both are okay." She kissed Roll on the head as they relaxed slightly.  True the largs pretty much all had their teeth ready to rip them all apart as Roy and Shadow got to the group.  Nikki made a slow palm up gesture to Larry and Tess hoping they remembered her as a friendly.  It also let Tess see Roll and Thor, that they were okay "Your boy is safe Tess.  Larry, Thor and Roll are safe." her voice staying soft and kind in tone.  Thor made his way to his mom.  Nikki showed no emotion as she stared at the Gunny and his companion.  What they did was as close to monstrous, they were monstrous.  They brought it upon themselves.  "Give him a crawling head start and let Tess make the Gunny kill.  Maybe in his final breathes he'll learn how much he has been in the way.  Nice shot Doc." As Henry gave him the nut shot.  "Gunny you are gonna go out exactly as you came in. A huge waste of everyone's time, a failed attempt of your parents' effort to make you into a somewhat decent person, and a cruelly deformed antique mayo stain of any living thing.  Noone will miss you" only then did her brow furrow and her voice deepen. She moved with the help of the wall to her feet.  she glistened with sweat from her run.  Gregor by her leg she gently scratched his head. She picked up Roll "We need to get your leg looked at.  Doc and Tess, as well as Disna can take care of Thor for the moment" She wanted to make sure his leg did not get hurt further.  Looking at white a moment, she started to move past him. "Congratulations...You beat up a child...Jackass!", then clocked him in the throat with her free fisted hand.  as he started chocking to the tunnel floor.  She moved closer to the exit but did not go up yet, she'd watch with a nod to Shadow and Roy.

”Taking on Largs with a knife! Good on you man, that’s the spirit! Give me a squad of men with an attitude like yours and I can win this war in a week!” Harry exclaimed with manic grin, purposely misunderstanding what LacCour had meant by his comment before dropping him a quick wink to show she was joking and adding in a more serious tone ”Sergeant if those Largs come charging down that tunnel towards us we won’t have much choice in the matter, the best we can do is make sure everyone else gets the hell out of here” she said, fully realising that they probably wouldn’t survive the encounter.

With Meari coming to join the makeshift firing line, Harry would raise an eyebrow in response to her giving orders before replying ”Yeah I’m not going anywhere, it things go south we’re going to need all the guns we can get”

Zob placed Zia down and had a few of the crew help her out of the tunnel he then moved over to Orria to protect her as needed, as he kept the rifle close at hand he understood the rage the largs felt if somebody attacked his family he would of done the same thing.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

Once Zob and Zia made it to the hatch, TI-JO took up a spot on the line of guns. He loaded a magazine, but left the bolt locked back, in case nothing happened, he wouldn't have to deal with clearing the chamber. He looked down the tunnel in anticipation, waiting for something to happen.

  Larry  Looked  at Henry...  His head turned to tess, there were deep Burbling   sounds.

  Tess  Snorted..her  Head raised  to wards the  ceiling as she  Howled  a   Chilling Howl..Joined by the others..even Thor   added his  little voice...

 The Last Thin Gunny saw,  was   Tess's  Titled head   Jut at him with the speed of  a  Cobra, a flash of  pain...and darkness..

 Gunny's head and Torso  Vanished . and arm fell to the ground, Thor  took a bite and Munched, looking  around as if he was  at a condo party and some one gave them cuttings.

  The other Largs came over, taking nibbles of  legs  and  waist, parceling  it out   so they all got a bit Gregor  had  a Hand in his mouth Lokign up at Shadow  thumping his tail.

  Shadow  chuckled...Gregor  got  finger  food!

White was  trying  not  to throw up as  entrails   were licked up  like  pasta.A man was Just Killed  while you watched! How can you make a joke!

 Shadow laughed a bit harder, his  smile was genuine,I have watched alot of people  Die....There's a good  bet they would be munching on you, because of what you did  to Roll....

 He  waved  the LArgs  along...Right then?    Mercs and heimdal  folks...and Largs... lets lipe up for that thrid   lap?  we all should be rested by now...

Aideen Carter's thick irish accen   echoed from the   back   as  Shadow and the most of the Largs followed   Nikki and Roll..Disna and Puskie stayed with the LArgs who were eating.

 ye canna be serious..our   bleedin' Gunny just got eaten, an; you expect us to run???

Shadow  laughed  as he passed   the Line or   HArry  and meari, he pointed  at Aideen...see? she  has a sense of humor... 'Bleedin' Gunny' that was pretty good.

her Mouth Opened  wide ,her eyes  narrows , but no words came out as some of the pilots  laughed  and the SEC folks  chuckled.

 Now here this...Gunny is  Dead.. i have no idea why Fred isn't..... but all the mercs and heimdall troopers who were left..are running..Just like i said...and  we keep running, Until I  want to quit..

 Beth's voice  carried over...Dana?... I might  need dinner  sent up!

 more chuckles.

Roy shrugged slightly as the largs pounced.  "Or just put him out of his misery...that works too, I guess..." he said, dismissively.  He lowered his rifle, still with his hands on it and with it still conspicuously pointed at White's chest.  "If one of you dies a gruesome death on the battlefield, are you all gonna just stop and stand there over the remains?" he said in response to White's observation.  "You guys, collectively, have all the brains God gave a grapefruit, don't ya?" he observed.  The concept of one singular God may have faded from Terran society, in general, but the saying had refused to go equally peacefully into linguistic oblivion.

"You wanted to know if he could run longer than any of you, didn't you, Carter?" he called out.  "Here's your chance to find out!  You just lost your senior NCO and the enemy is still pressing...you gonna run, or are you going to die?!" he called out.

"Ready on the line, and stop doing stupid shit!  Maybe your Gunny can be useful posthumously by illustrating the importance of staying on task and not getting caught up in petty grievances--especially not lashing out blindly at someone whose offensive capabilities and allies you know shit-all about!  Make his death mean something, if he really meant that much to you!"

His voice dropped to a dangerous growl as he added, to White, "And don't think I'm forgetting about you.  No matter how this turns out, you're looking at brig time, and I don't have a problem sending you to the freezer, instead of the cooler, if you even touch that weapon..."

Nikki looked at Roll "Let's get you checked out, make sure your legs okay and take a look at that lip" she hugged him and whispered in his ear "Remember girls dig guys with scars" she came out of the tunnels "We need a medic." she said calmly turning him over to Stefi's tender mercy to have his leg looked at.  Haley pushed past a few to see Nikki who put Roll down and picked up Haley for a big hug "I'm okay, couldn't leave Roll alone.  We're all okay" she wiped away a tear off Haleys cheek.  "We're mostly all good" because of course Gunny wasn't.
Seeing Harry and being closer she pulled Harry in for a big hug "Glad your back Harry" she missed her friend.  Though early she was tired and hungry, and happy

Having not been given the authority to order anyone about on this ship yet, TI-JO did what he could, he led by example. He took the magazine out of the rifle and stowed it and re-slung his rifle. He then jogged over to the line that Shadow had indicated. He wasn't done until the exercise was complete.

 Roll   sat on the Dec...I'm glad he got eated! Nio one  else hurt Thor. The poor   Puppu though he was  going to pet him...

 The  largs followed    in  Line..gregor was last.. the   walked with confidence , and perhaps a bit of  Menace, as they  made thier  way to the starting Line.

 Disna  Says,Thor  doesn't  run this  time. we have to look at his leg..I think his rib on that side is hurt. so when the  leg moves  it hurts him..we'llcheck him in Bio-tech  after    the Runs are done and  we take them to eat.

 Shadow   stood facing the starting line..his back to the stern of the ship.here we are... Punishment lap...1... you other folks who are here, leave when  you want..we have about  36 hours  until  we  Jump Off  for that rescue thing..But these  folks...they're  runing....

 somewhere..in the discourse we have  had..and this includes the Heimdall people..i  said 'Tunnel runs can be dangerous'...i mentioned   'people have  died in tunnel runs"..now... we'll run.... there is  only a stop, Until the las punishment  runner reaches us..then
 we start again..and we do that over...and over..and Over..Until I am tired.. so  mark your
 water Bottles. take a good healthy swig..and get ready.  The Captain, and  about Half the troopers and  pilots left...other pilots and tropers stayed to run... Hack and Roles stayed as well.. though  hack  went to stand by  Sam...Hennings  went to stand  by Beth.