Morgan  Nodded at  the woman, Captain Rivets   will be  back on deck withint the hour..Recall is goign to be sounded  and   The LC wil be  picking the Hopefuls before its   time to Cast off. Bit of  facny thing. Haven't  had  a porper   Hopeful in  years..and?  If the gods   are kind, Maybe  we  won't  have to do it again...for a long..long time

Surely there were some others... I recall reading something about a Lt Besserman who was a hopeful. Before he ran afoul of some of the Crew and ended up going rogue... Then again there's reference that classified him as a rotten apple from the start. One never can tell about people. Its like that line from R & J 'A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.' Imagine if it were called Skunk Cabbage, do you think people would want to have something called than in the front yard, and would it smell as sweet or would people have a different idea about what's sweet or sour smelling.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Sat 18 May 2019.

  Morgan  shrugged,.. don't  know too much about Pilot's   rankings and all.. But I Know Besserman was never  a  Hopeful.. he was just a transferr..  a Fast track... that's what happens  when  you're hurting  for   pilots... The   guy thatw as  suppsoed to check him out.. well... it didn't go well.. in the end?..Besserman is dead..  coulda  saved a couple lives if it had been sooner.

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

  Anothe r Shuttle   came  on board. close  to  2 Dozen Piltos  and trooper s  came off the   aircraft, in various states  of   drunkeness .

 Flores   Was trying to Get  Kat to   walk straight.. Mara  and   The  Krauss  cousins .

   a line of people  waiting to board were   civies and crew who were  transferring to Fuji.

 Among the Mi-Ta and  another  Angel who were goign to train Angels  on   the PG..

Anita's nose for a story tingled, Morgan's comment had more to it than just that. Chief sounds like it's something worth looking into. Mind if I quote you about that, or would you prefer to be cited as an anonymous source? she asked before continuing with some other questions the first being. Who was this guy who was supposed to check Lt Besserman out?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:43, Sat 18 May 2019.

  Morgan shrugged  at the question,..I suppose you  can quote me? Nothing there  to  hide. If The Brass doesn't like it you'll ve  in for it, as much as me...

 ..younger Pilot..in his  20's..bit of  an odd  bird... rumors have it , he has the wind up?... Ensign Kase.. is his name... was   supposed to take   That traitor out  for a  patrol to see  how  he worked with  a partner? Not sure on the details.. you'd  HAve to Ask   Captain Morris  or The LC..anyway..this    went sideways... KAse   hasn't been up since

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

   COMs  lit  up all over the  fleet.. Announcements all over   the Ship's COMs  and The Station..

..RECALL  IS SOUNDED.... THIS  IS  THE LAST WARNING...2 HOUR  CLOCK  STARTS NOW..... FAILURE TO REACH YOUR SHIP  AT CAST OF, IS  CONSIDERED , ABSENT  WITHOUT LEAVE.

In reply to hanger (msg # 837):

Sarah sat back watching silently. She noted the hopefuls that had noticed her and her two pilots but didn't react letting them stew a bit.

Next to Sarah, Allison sees Kat being helped back aboard looking. She took a half step then shifted a bit. Sarah sighed softly, "try to be back in time for the selection."

Allison grins like a kid that's been released upon a candy store, and heads over towards the inebriated Kat. She she moves to assist Flores, "may I?" she asks with one arm gently behind Kats back with a mischievous grin on her face.

  Flores  smiles  at  Allison, she taps   Kat on the top of the head,..Hey?...  Kat?  Someone here  to see you?  She gonna  take you to your Quarters, maybe you can get cleaned up... I'm  Goona  come  back down  to watch the Hopefull get picked..

 ..Da... Da is  good... ..  Should  have  punched that Marine, instead of   drink game... I do not who  won..

 Behind them Waggles  grins,..No one  won.. you passed out.. he threw  up, and  we   had to carry you  both out  be fore  FUJI SEC could name   you for   drunk and disorderly..

 Flores  walks  with them  to the Officer's Quarters.

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

 Shortly after  a Shuttle    lands  again.,   Shadow and    those  with Him get off.. Dana  and  Sneak take   Haley and Roll with  Gregor to the Rec Dec.

 Larry follows  Shadow to   the   Hanger Bay door, He  is dressed in an Off duty  Uniform, and Hermes Ball cap.  Beth  has   a dress on and heels, and  her  BAckpack, she is Pulling out    her Vid boards.

 Morris  waved to the Hopefuls  and they lined up , 3  rows  of 6..Abby was in the front Frans had a Duty Uniform on ,as she arrived from the    Elevator  .

 Shadow studied the   people in line, his eyes   staring hard  at t=each and everyone, as if he  could glean from them, thier thoughts.

 ..Stand  A tease...  I am going to wait  for the  Admiral to return... while we  wait..is there  any questions..on or off  record, you want to ask...

 One of the  guys in the BAck asked,..why are  we   all dressed up.. and some of you don't even have Uniforms on?

 The Half smile appears,most of us  , have just returned from Shore leave.. some  a bit sooner then others... though you had  your  own rigors of training and scouting.. we have  been fighting a war... while  you all, no doubt, saw people  die... we saw many of our friends and comrades Die... so, You will forgive us if we aren't as strict  on the Dress code, as you might like, Ensign.

 The   Ensign looked a bit   flustered  and nodded.

 A woman raised her hand, Shadow nodded to her,... Captain Morris told  us   a bit of what is going on?..  But why   did we all have to report?  you saw us  fly on PG..why  bring us all here  to the ship.. we could have been on , whatever other  ship took us, if   we don't...'make your grade" the last words  were harsh, tinged  with  nerves .

 A slight  chuckle escaped  as he  walked    up the Lin where the  woman stood. We lost   six  pilots the last time out.... One of those   Pilots is   from the Felrite win.. they are replacing    that pilot  with another Cat...Now?.. we have 5  openings from Deaths.... I also transferred a Pilot because he....demanded...an action be taken by me...and?  I did.... so?.. 6 of you are goign to get a ride.. 4 of you are going into our pool..that means 8 of yu are goign elsewhere..... now..why did  we bring you all here?.... out of the 100 of Hopefuls, yo were chosen as possible  fits for the Hermes. If....you don't make the final cut... the very fact that you are  standing on this  Dec...right now... will make the other ships  want to grab the 8 who don't  make it....we could have  went  by grades..log hours  and all that other  crap... But?.. I have never  seen  a demon destroyed  by a report  card..Log hours?   that's  a bit diffrent..there  are 20 pilots  who aren't here,  because they had less them  20   Log hours....That's a Joke, when i know for  a Fact, you can ask  to take a ride  , when you are off duty...StClair-Carmicheal ?  How Many Hours?

 ..Um.. 73,,Sir....

 he Nodded,anyone here  with  more the 73?

 a lone hand  went up in the back..76..LC...

 another  thing  I know.... One arm Pointed to Beth, the other  to   Morris,..none of yo have lest the 40.. 40 is  great... but you can improve on that here.... and?.. if you wind up somewhere else.. you make   DAMN sure.. you  request  flight time...SIMs   could only help so much

  the woman next to Abby raised her hand, if  we don't  gets elected here?.. how will the other ships know?

   Captain Morris  and the Admiral have  made thier selections... I get  mine... any  that all three of us  picked.. is in.. .. any that 2 of us  picked  is in until our quota  if filled..once   we have the 10.... Beth will release the Names to the Fleet... you won't have to wait long to   get picked... I will also add this... there will be a 'surprise selection , after  we  pick out  10... I won't say who... but that means of the  8 who will be leaving.. one of them will have a place to go  for  they leave this dec..

 Morris speaks up,..The Admiral's on his way  with the Commander...

 ..Thank you Sir.... Now?...a Tip for you all, and  especially for those who are selected... The Commander  and  The Admiral are both fighter Pilots.. The Commander has  been in the air  with us a few times... The Admiral sneaks out when he can, though, the board  keeps a tight leash on him...

 there are  chuckles

 ,,The Admiral expects...respect. He does not  hold to   , most strict  regulations..but you dare not cross him or the Commander..make him thing you are   talking him  for a fool?.. YOu'll wind Up flying Cap over a colony somewhere... You flat out  , disobey.. you'll be  a prisoner, in that very same colony.. relax...  when he gets here.. it will only take a few minutes...

----> From Fuji Beach

Zob came in with Shadows group and watched for a bit as he went over to address the hopefuls he took the opportunity to head over to the QM to claim his packages from Fuji and have them delivered to his room.

In reply to hanger (msg # 841):

Allison smiles and bends scooping Kat up into her arms. "Alright where's her quarters. Also coffee and water, leta see if we can't decant her" she says following Flores princess carrying the inebriated Kat.

As Shadow talked Sarah began walking around the edge of the formation reading expressions mentally noting those who asked questions seeing who was afraid, who maintained professionalism despite the relaxed atmosphere

  The  Elevtors  Opened , Shadow's eyes  shifted  to the m as    Hennings, Si and  The Admiral exited , Followed  by  Shade  and General Bale.

   Shadow steped closer to the lines, he spoke  so they could hear him.....Just about show time....remember where you are... and  Know..That if you aren't selected here.. you'll be  on your way to  another ship  within minutes...Regardless  of   who you fly for.... You  Fly for the  ESN.... for the APF...

 he  took two backward steps   as    the group rounded the flight lines,  comign  down between the lines  that separated    A and B  flight.  They  came  around the   Flight leader's   aircraft, Hack giving    Shadow's LAdy   a  whack   as the   nose  art held the Bloody sword.

  Flores  came  runnign  down the  ramp way   trying to   zip her  Tunic, not  the least Concerned that she flashed a  few grounds  crew on the way...

  She worked her  way around to  Sarah, she whispered,Ma'am?... Lt Losky  is   a bit..um... Ill right now... Allison  is   making sure  she  is  in Bed.. i mean.. resting... she  should be here...um..sometime?

 Morris   snapped out  OFFICER ON DEC!

 the Hopefuls  snapped  to with a  single  sound  of  booted  feet.. the Hermes  Folks stood  at Attention , Hack returned thw Salutes  and turned to Face   The Hopefuls.

 Welcome to the Hermes..for  some of you. It will become your Home, for others?  A place you visited on your  way  down the path of life you have chosen....

 Hw walked   slowly  up the  line  looking at the faces,..I was a Hopeful... Back when they first started to use  that term.. I wanted to get on the  USS  Dragon.. the  newest Aircraft carrier in the Sea Going Navy.. it was in the Middle east.. and   they Flew HAmmers, instea dof   Tom CAt  67s... I didn't make it.... But was Tagged to  be part of MArs Colony scout flights... 'seek and destroy',, was our  Motto...and boy, did  we ever... that elad  me to  Moon Base  Fleet.. which lead  me  to  battles..that lead  me to the Hermes....

 ..Commander Si..She was never a Hopeful.. she was assigned... The LC?.. he was hand Picked, as Was  Lt Frans..after our first 24...everyone esle  were Hopefuls..this is the  fist group , we  were able to bring  altogether..it may be a long  while before  we get to do it again.

 ..My point, that you are all hoping  i get to.. some chuckles  around.....is , You end up being, where you are supposed to be..Now?.. As I look over  the lists.. The LC will give you  the  'welcome speech.'

 He dropped back, Si, Morris  and   Hack looked over the lists  pointing to  Names.. Beth  Waved Sarah over  to see the lists...

 Shadow cleared his  throat....how many of you  have  seen  Vids of  the Fleet in action...

 they all raised thier hands...one thing..i bet you all didn't notcie... was in those  Vids... there  are Flashes  of  Light in the back round..those  flashes of light... are  fighter  aircraft Vanishing from a hit to   the hard Ammo  or   a shattered power cell.. almost every flash means the Pilot  didn't get to POD out... they are  just...gone...

 out where we are going?.. New Pilots last about  2   engagements.. if you make it past two.. you're  doing good..and it ups your chances  to make   it through  3....then 4...

 when I was in San Diego... we hit a bar, on the weekend... that  month's class  was  graduating, getting ready to either  fight  anti-angels, slavers  and all that.. or  head out to the Colonies... we ended up  in a bar  fight.. a big one...when it was over and  we were being  carted back to the Academy  by  Shore Partol.. I asked  the two guys  who started it..what the 9 hells  happened?

 ..Turns out?... they had a fight over who had it worse?.. Ground folks..or pilots.... Ground folks  complained  about  Mud, ehat, swamps dying  in Hand to hand..or even getting eaten....... Pilots.. complained about  being stuck in your  cockpit never  tasting   water  or fresh air....

 ..Ground folks?.. they  see thier friends    die  right  next to them.. some times..maybe only small parts?..... But..when  the battle is ended.. if we  win, they egt to bury thier  dead..or  have them Join the send off.... Us?... it doesn't matter if  we  win or lose... the only thing that  joined the  send off..is your spare  Helmet, attached to the bag your body would have been in..if there was a body... The old saying, 'we  fly our own coffins'..is  quite   right... 'we fly our won  cramatories'..would be better...so... keep al that in mind... no matter where you go..here..or somewhere else... You listen to your flight leaders...load your own hard ammo..and treat your ground crew like they are gods..

 Hack Cleared  his   throat. Shadow stepped  back to  stand beside   Morris

 ..These  Hopefuls were selected.. they were tough choices...To save  some time?.. All are ensigns.... when  I  say  you name , Step forward, line up  infront of General Bale...

 Abby  St Clair-Carmichael ... Doran La Coste...Toni Roger..Art Moore...Lona  Lake...Betty Fress... NO-CA...Andrus Vicos...Zull Stens  and.....Chatty Smith... The  Hermes  folks looked at the last woman.. she  shrugged,..Long Story, Sirs, Ma'ams

 Hack Looked at  Sarah...

After having his stuff arranged to move to his chambers he moved back over to where the hopefuls were being selected, he found a crate off to the side out of the way and sat down on it and looked over the group that would be joining the Hermes directly one name in particular caught his attention as he looked at the one named NO-CA.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Sun 19 May 2019.

 NO-Ca  was  short for a Angel. She  had   black hair that   shimmered in the  Lights of the Hanger  Dec.  in her  ESN  Dress Unifrom, her side  arm of choice  was  an Angel Steel  pistol, with  a 'house' marking on the grip.

   bootknife   was  angel steels with a  hilt that matched the  Pistol. Her sword   was the same.

 when her name was called  a faint smile  tried to break free  as she stepped up.

Justin had returned in the shuttle that carried the Hopeful's to the Hermes. Remaining in the seat until they had filed out and arranged themselves on the Hangar deck. Thanking the Shuttle Pilot, Justin disembarked and made his way across to his Kite. Pausing to exchange pleasantries with any Flight Crew before he clambered onto the Wing to watch the proceedings. Once Hack finished his spiel and the Hopeful's were dismissed Justin slipped off the 25's wing and headed over to greet the Newbies.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Sun 19 May 2019.

In reply to hopefuls (msg # 844):

Sarah nodded to Flores, "Thank you." she snapped too smartly when the announcement came for the Admiral and listened as Hack gave his speech. When the time came she stepped over to Beth looking at the lists. Going over the names she marks the two of interest to her. She highlights two and sends the names to Ben.

 As the announcing of Hermes pilots begins Allison comes back, her hair and tunic is a bit disheveled and what looks to a bit a bit water soaked, but she has a victorious look in her eyes as she stops next to Ben and he shows her the message handing her a little packet.

When Hack looked at her Sarah stepped up, "I am Captain McKeon of the ESN Ironwood. Admiral Hack has bestowed the great honor of allowing myself and my crew the honor of selecting second from you. As a member of a Corvette flight you wont have the same support as you do with a full wing. Our ship and crew are smaller, and we often find ourselves pulling double duty, but it is worth it. Today I will be announcing two names. One for our pool, and one to join as the third pilot in our flight. She looks at the names, pausing briefly and then announces ENS Longwei Bai she pauses as LT Mayhew steps into the ranks and presents a thin young Asian man of Chinese descent with an Alpha Fleet insignia and Ironwood pin. Once pinned he salutes the new pilot. Once Ben has step back out of the ranks Sarah announces, joining as our first ever pool pilot, ENS Le Ji. Allison repeats the process this time with a tall lithe Angel female. Once completed Sarah looks over to Hack and the board, thank you Admiral. and steps back for any other announcements and selections.

  Hack smiled  with a nod. Commander  Si stepped  forward,..LT  Morrow  is   send  the  named  of  the  6 who haven't been selected  here...  the instructions  are  to COM the  shuttle as  it leaves, and you will be taken to the ship that has claimed you.

 ..say your  farewells.. Then General BAle   will swear  you  in... The LC  will take you to the   Rec Dec  for a drink, but that time your quarters  will be ready.

  a few Minute s passed  and the  6  who did not  get selected  moved to  the shuttle  two   stood   By  the Ironwood's pilots.. while the  rest lined up

   Bale   nodded.....Repeat  after  me..... I.... state  your name... swear on my life, to protect the ESN  and APF  Holdings, people and ideals..I will not  fail in this  As long   as i wear the Unifrom...

 when they were Done... BAle  smiled ..Welcome to the Hermes

  ..alright.. you are  mine now!.. First order is.. head up to the Rec Dec.. I'll be  thier shortly...

 ALREADY DONE!.. and they  started to  run  for the elevators..

 the Officers  watched them scamper away... Morris  asked,..i wonder  how many of them  wil make though the first jump off...

 Shadow looked at the Captain, then  gave a shake of his head,.... Comeon , Flores,  , Kase?   lets  get them thier frist Rec Dec Drink

In reply to sworn in (msg # 849):

Justin gave a nod and jogged after the newly assigned Pilots. Catching up he slipped into the Elevator with them. Welcome aboard I'm the ESN Hermes's, apprentice under assistant to the token peasant. he declared giving a broad grin and extended his hand in greetings for any who wished to shake.

Henry arrived back on board in time to catch the end of the ceremonial, Mila at his side. She looked meaningully as the new recruits running off towards the Rec Dec.

"Oh, you want your dinner, do you? Come on then."

   Mila  wagged her  tail and followed with  Henry. With Henry was a pack of  Discs for Masude Ehulria  the assistant to Gloria  Vollen. The discs were to   be fore  , recording    elements of Mila's efforts  in the  field, and..any such  vids he  could get on  Larry, the  Naragrans   and   other such creatures. The Disc  were given to Henry before he left, with none others  around.

…………………………………..

 Another  shuttle  appeared  this on from the  Braille , when  the ramp came   down.. 13   ESN  troopers  came  down the  ramp. A LT  and the  rest  Non Coms.. they had a Germany  flag on the should  under the ESN flag

 The LT   saluted  Rivets  who  ha d returned  towards the tail end of the sign in...I am LT  Von Straff  these are the members  of  the  6th German Mountaineers..Ve  haf  come to  take our  Place mitt der assault troops...

  Morris  came over to greet them,.. .  Lt Straff?.. I am Captain Morris... the Orderly will  lead your  Unit to it  quarters... will  you be staying with them, or on the officers'  dec?

 ..I vill of  course, be  on the officer's  dec..Mien people vill have thier place...

  He  bowed stiff  to   Morris.....lead on. orderly.. vonce  ve are steeled in.. we  will  visit the rec Dec..

 Az-el wandered over, her arms crossed,..what is  going to happen to the  5th?

 Morris  watched the  Germans    troop down through the    area  passed the mechs  heading to the elevator.....it would seem the  5th is not sending any more replacements  from EArth.. they are keeping their people to help Hunter  and his people  try to   eliminate the  Threat in Scotland, Ireland  and the UK..The  5th is  being Absorbed into the  SEC.

……………………………..

 The Pilotss Greeted   Justin, as they were  ready  see the Rec Dec!

Zob took note of the angel woman bring sworn in and made a point to keep an eye out for that one, he then approched Morris coming up along side Az-el, "It seems we got a pretty interesting group of people joining us on this adventure"

 Morris nods , we lost alot of people  this last year... got  a few to fill in here and there...be nice to have the pantry full again..wot?

    Shade   walked  with   Shadow , Flores  and  Larry..

 Another   shuttle  came in from  the  Angel Flagship, with   6 Angel Troopers   and  6 Felrites  LT  Hirr  And  Lt AZ-EL greeted the troopers   to  lead  them to thier  quarters.

Across the fleet, the same thing was  Happening , Fresh troops from 'home'..to be fair, they weren't  any more seasoned the   troops   picked up elsewhere, but these  didn't have to get fe3d through the   Transport/Bases.

 ..Beth...  send  My Compliments  to the newly arrived  officers ,The SM, The LC and Doc Henry  they will be having Dinner with us   after   Cast off in  My Mess   30 Minutes  after Cast off...

 ..Aye, Admiral, Already Done

Zob thought about it for a bit, "I suppose it would lets just hope it isn't rotten" he said as he glanced around wondering what to do with his time before shrugging, "I really should go find something to occupy my time, sitting around all day is making me quite restless"

---> Fuji Beach

With them both safely back on the Hermes, Harry would hold Will's hand as they walked down the shuttle's ramp and onto the hangar dec, with a bag of clothes slung across her shoulder "I still keeping sand everywhere! It's like I've been buried in the stuff!" Harry quietly exclaimed as they made their way towards the lifts with it clear that they'd missed the ceremony entirely "I'm going to have to grab a shower before we hit the Rec Dec babe, this stuff is itchy as hell!" she said wondering how Will had managed to get away with not having his clothes full of sand.

Stepping into the lift she'd hit the button for the officers quarters so that she could take a much needed shower and drop off her dirty laundry before heading for the Rec Dec for a bite to eat and to see how Abby was doing...She's probably busy trying to chat up Shadow again! she wryly thought to herself oh well she'll figure it out eventually

---> Rec Dec 

  Rivets  walked over to  Zob,..Ye Know  Lad. If ya want  somethin' ta do.. I could  put  you to wortk  heftin' stuff for the lads an' lasses.  But I'm think the QM  could use  ya  too, fixin' weapons  and armor?.. not  exciting , ta be sure.. but he lost folks  the last time were were boarded too.

Zob turned to Rivets when he addressed him, "I'm not really a tech but i guess i could give it a shot... don't sound to difficult" Zob then looked towards to QM's quarters and started on his way then he remembered something and went back over to Rivets, "I got something for you Rivets picked it up the other night" Zob then reached into his pocket and handed him a freshly wrapped authentic Cuban cigar.

 Rivets looked at the Cigar, Bloody  9  'ells!..   where dja get this!.. I looked  around  fer them on Fuji in the lowers..ain't not  to be found.. what few they had  they sold  ta  some ship's  captain somewhere

  he  ahakes   Zob's  hand.....no  chewin' this one..   next shore  leave.. me.. this  cigar and a Bottle of  rum are gonna pass a few quiet hours!