<<<<<<<<<<<  New Posts  start here.

"There's no need for fear, Mila. I never force the issue upon anyone. I ask if they are willing to accept what approaches immortality. The things your Doctor could accomplish with centuries to do so. The thought staggers the mind. The things he could learn, the papers he could publish. It seems an awful waste to lose him to old age."

She turned her white eyes back to Henry. "I could even give your beloved Mila centuries of life so the two of you would never have to part. Would you like that, Mila?"

  Mila  whines    a bite  more through her nose.. backing  up a bit.

  Nagy    says   with a  gruff snarl,..Picking on a Dog now?... what the  9 hells?.. we  got  smoe Stem Rats hiding in the Bilge if you wanna eat them?

"Please." The Vampic said as she look at the guards. "I merely extend to her the same one I offer to the Doctor. The one I offer freely to any on board this ship or in the fleet."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Tue 23 Oct 2018.

  ..yeah.. well.. we got  a Hungarian Badass on this boat that will stake the  9  hells out of you....If the SM  don't get you first.

  Nagy was a bit uncomfortable..   as he held his side arm ready.

 Vickie was  at the door, staring  hard   at what was going on.

"Stake me? Have I done anything to deserve such a fate? I merely wish to preserve my people, just as you do but somehow I'm the villain. What an interesting worldview you have, Nagy." She smile at him, her fangs glistening in the light and her white eyes seeming to look right through him.

"What have I done to the Sgt. Major? Please do tell."

  Nagy  snorted.. Lippen spoke up.

  ..I was  at the   BAll... as  a Guard... You... your  people.. went about trying to seduce.. entice... That LC of yours.. he best hope  our LC dont' catch him, if he's still alive.....That crap they pulled with that song  was meant to   get Shadow to  fight...  she smiled....4 or your peopel paid for that out right... then the 9 hells broke loose  a bit later  with teh Angel   blew away  your   leader?


 ...  we found slaves   on your ships... in cages.... every demon, Lizard and Bug  out there  can say the same thing... But you know what  the SM  would say?.... he'd  say ".. you are a threat to my people.."  and the delta  Fleet  removes threats..

"I know nothing of any song and have no idea how one could provoke Shadow so much. Yes, I was there to seduce Shadow but his Will was far stronger than expected. I tried to leave before the fighting as I wanted no part in the bloodshed. As for the people in the cages what they would find with us is certainly preferable to what the Demons would do but I shall tell you this--I do not, and have never, countenanced the taking of slaves or the unwilling. I want people to come to us of their own accord. I was only there to entice Shadow since I was ordered to by that bastard, Brother Forest."

She snarled his name and her fangs descended more when she did. It is obvious there was no love lost between the two."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

 Vickie   spoke from the Doorway,you wear the  Uniform of the IPF... The Vampic   system's  war fleet.... They  TAKE people  , we have reports.... there  are people  ..our people  rescued that tell  of being kidnapped... we had a Unit     pipe the vids of   your troops   trying to execute  the people in cages..including  Young...so?.. spare  me 'not taking the Unwillling'.. YOu were on the Void?..what did you do..when those  people were taken?... we know you didn't  stand up to your leaders… because they would have  ended you...

 Nagy   nods,..you got off  lucky.. The Master  Chief and CAptain  Karl intercpeted you...

Henry watched and listened with interest, sending reassurances to Mila that he had no intention of joining the Vampics, nor of letting them anywhere near her.

"We have different outlooks, you and I, Mortica. In a nutshell, I don't seek power. I don't even want it. As a species, we are spreading the word of decent behaviour. Behaviour that recognises, respects and cherishes every sentient species that is prepared to do the same. We don't believe that any sentient species should be preyed upon, and any species that does that - and will not forsake it - becomes our enemy."

He paused.

"And as for Avian ships, a crew of normal humans - including myself - dealt with one quite easily. We don't need what you're peddling."

"And he paid the price for that order to execute those people which is something I would never have done!" She said, losing her calm demeanour for the first time. The red in her eyes seemed to expand as the blood rushed to the irises. "There were children there and they opened fire on them and I wasn't there to stop them!" She stopped and took a deep breath but the blood-red of her eyes remained and her fangs were fully extended.

"I said I, myself, have never believed in taking slaves or the unwilling but it happens and no, I have never spoken out. To do so would have meant my ruin and the punishment of my father so I remained quiet because I've let myself believe what we do is for the good of my people, a necessary evil." She lapsed into silence.

Henry was quite fascinated by the anatomical and physiological expressions of her anger.

"Mortica, do you have conscious control over your fangs or do they extend and retract without you actually intending for that to happen?"

There was hope for her yet, perhaps, given what she was saying.

“I have control over them and can extend them as weapons or to feed. In cases of extreme agitation they may, as you have seen, descend on their own,” she responded, once again cool and controlled.

“I could hear the pulse rates of everyone in the room increase, the sound of blood rushing through their bodies like a waterfall. Some of my people find that fear delicious but I do not.”
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Tue 23 Oct 2018.

"Hmmm..."

Henry was scribbling notes about testing her hearing and getting scans of her head to see how the fangs worked.

She sat perfectly, preternaturally still. A creature of alabaster and silver beauty as the doctor examined her but though her body remained still, her thoughts did not as the germ of a plan found fertile soil and began to grow.

    Garrat dropped in from morris' shed and rather than interupt had stood quietly in the back ground listening to the conversation with interest.  He will wait until acknowledged to speak.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Tue 23 Oct 2018.

  Vickie  Looks up at   Garrat,.. we  could  learn  as much  from here on a slab.. and she  couldn't  hurt any of us , while  we did!

 Lippan    just gave a Nod...  Nagy watched    Henry  and Mila   to make sure they were ok.

Mortica turned her head to Vickie very slowly. "So you would murder me as I sit here? What have I done to warrant you being my executioner? My hands are free and still I sit here quietly despite having every chance to rip that pulse rifle in half and pull your head off in less time it takes for me to say it. So short-sighted. You are a child out here in the black, Vickie."

  Lippen  looked at her pusle rifle,.. if you get this pulse rilfe off me, you won't be in anyshape to attack a  Bio Tech....

 ..You would have to get  By me , to get to Vickie.. and inbetween us, Is Doc henry and Mlia?  so?.. yeah.. Good luck...

 Vickie  sneered,  a bit  more  seething comign from her, then Henry may have heard  before.....you... your kind.. are parasites... Teh Demons?  at elast they are upfront   about thier Breedogn and  eating habits...  those Kids in the    cages?.. the    others  we     Found on the other VAmpic  Cap ship?... they weren't allowed a choice.. thier  gods  be damned kids!!!

 she  reached in the bag  and  Tossed   Lippen and   Nagy a  clove of Garlic..... The gods  smiled on you, that  you didn't  try and  take the LC away..... you'd  be in the  incinderators  withthe rest of your dead...um..more dead?

  Garrat laughs "But I however am not a child in the void Mortica.  You know the soul of war: know thy enemy.  You were there when I warned how Delta fleet works and your people have proven themselves enemies of humanity and what the AP believes in.  If you wish for your people to live you need to prove several things.

   1: the state of being a Vampic is a symbiosis, not a parasitic infection.
   2: the values of the vampic nation are a result of choice and not part of the infection.
   3: there are others who count themselves vampics and would prefer not to encourage slavery, forced conversion, or treatment of sentient beings as food."

   He turns to Vickie "Play nice.  You are right of course about dissection but there are plenty of dead vamps for that.  However she admitted to being able to turn animals.  Dr. Christy can use her to turn labratory specimens and then measure physiological and psychological changes, then we would really know if to become a vampic is to alter ones brain and change who you are or if you simply get the physical boost.  Don't let her piss you off.  Super human ability often makes one think they are superior to the regulars. Oddly.. Her arrogance suggests she still has humanity left in her.

   He looks back at the vampire. "It is good to see you survived the culling Mortica.  Having lived around seven earth centuries I know something of what longevity does to the human mind.  With your increased reflexes and speed of thought time must seem soo much longer.  We are not built for this sort of thing so in order to adapt we have to change what we are.  How old are you Mortica?"

She recoiled in disgust as the garlic came out, nose wrinkled at the stench.

"I have already told you my thoughts on slavery and my anger that there were children on board those ships. I would vastly prefer people come to us of their own accord than have it forced upon them but our leaders never asked my permission or what my opinion was."

She looked at Garrat. "It's not polite to ask a lady her age but I have seen centuries pass whilst I remain. I find longevity and immortality a blessing and not a burden, Asgardian but then again for you perhaps it is a burden knowing what your kind knows."

She looked back at the humans and sneered. "Easy to threaten me when you stand there pointing weapons and all I've done is sit but do you think I didn't hear your heart skip a beat when I made my statement, Vickie? You were terrified despite those who stand around you. Terrified at the thought of what a Vampic warrior could do and not some ship's crew who was ambushed but one who was coming at you with knowledge and intent so I suggest you be careful with the ease of your threats. I'll play nice if you do," she said and blew her a kiss.

 Vickie  screwed up her anger a notch,..yes..  we   may fear what  parasites  and alien scum might  do.... and it is well yo are  covered, who knows what would have happened , ahd not  you been captured...I feared the same when Hyrians  carshed through  the door to this office  and tried to Attack Shade and  Orria... I felt the  same when the  UEs invaded  out Hander dec and  Punched Holes in out ship..but.. those  creatures  are dead... a whole Colony Vessel of the Creshian..complete  with Breedrs  and thier queen, snuffed out in a matter of  hours... You may see fear as a weakness.. but for us , its a tool, to help us  fight  or flee.... the stronger  among us.. The fear turns them  into  weapons.. such as you witnessed at the dance... 

 she all but spit the next words,..playing nice  with   a talking Leech... is not  in the best inetrests , fo the ESN!

Mortica stood, hands at her side. "Alien scum? Has the truth been revealed at last? Do we see how you feel about aliens, Vickie? Are they all scum? I suppose you feel that way about the Asgardian then, yes? You're alien scum, Garrat. I wonder how many others feel the same way? How many others revel in the massacres you do? I tire of speaking to you, child."

She turned to Henry. "He's an adult and an intelligent, if short-sided man. All of you look at me as something to be destroyed when you're missing the real value I bring before you. I tire of speaking to all of you. Bring me another adult. I wish to speak to Admiral Hack."

 Lippen checked  to make sure  her  safety is off, Then looked  at   the Vampic,..she's not wrong... I'm up for  the 'destroy thing".

  Nagy busted out laughing,Admiral Hack?... sure..lemmie   just holler  for him, I'm sure he ...run  right  down to  talk to a prisoner of   the RAce.....HE.. leveled the 'shoot on sight" order on?.. Yeah.. he'll be  here  any second...

 Vickie Looked at Garrat, then back  at Mortica.. if Vickie  didn't like her  before.. she was  seething  hate  right now..

Garrat roles his eyes “If you two really want to get in a pissing contest we can find you some directional spouts somewhere but until then Vickie, you’re out of order, Mortica if Vickie put a bunch of holes in you right now she’d probably get a bronze star for it and Dr. Christy and I are probably the only ones on this ship that would actually care.  You are no longer a human female and I was never an earth male so to claim my question rude is another manipulation on your part.  I don’t like being manipulated.  Don’t do it.  I’m sorry Dr Christy I did not come here for this.

"I wasn't serious when I answered, Garrat but I'm not feeling in a divulging mood when it comes to my age. I shall say that we are almost, but not quite, contemporaries and leave it there with an apology if I came across as serious. I am feeling rather hemmed in right now by the hostility on the part of your shipmates.  I shall also tell you that I was born Vampic and was never human."

She turned to Nagy. "Yes, please do call him. He will want to hear what I have to say as my proposal can only benefit both of our people." She held out her hands, wrist together. "You can even tie me up again," she said with mischievous smile.

   Nagy looks at  Mortica, then to Vickie.. Vickie shakes her head no.

   Nagy looks at  Henry,..Doc?  what do you think.. cause if    The Admiral comes here.. all bets  are off, and if we  think she's a treat.. we'll shoot her so  full of  holes she'll  you'll nned   spackling to   see what she looked like  before we shot her..

"Please, I'm not stupid or suicidal enough to attack the Admiral, not when I truly have something to offer him that can help all of us against the Demons. I would think that important enough to make a little call to him." She held her hands out again with a smile.

 Lippen frowned.. ..i've  seen this movie... she takes over the   Admiral  and the Hermes  goes  rogue?..

 Nagy nods.. he    has His COM out buy hasn't  opened it  as he looks to Henry

Mortica's laugh was like the lovely pealing of silver bells. "Really? Yes, that would be subtle of me. I'm sure no one would think of the Vampic first if the Admiral starting to act in ways unlike himself. I think you've seen too many of your ridiculous movies if you think the entire fleet would follow the Hermes gone rogue." She shook her head and continued to laugh quietly.

 Lippen smiled,..I would... let's face it.. he hasn't lead  us  wrongly yet... if he tells  me  to shoot something.. its  dead

 Nagy    shakes hsi ehad  and Opens his COM,..Admiral? Countess Chocula  want's  to talk to you.. we have her   under guard, and  Doc Henry is  speaking her...

 ..does she now?.. Well tell her  she'll have to enjoy your company for a bit.. I am busy with something in SEC... and?.. she may not  want me there as bad  as she thinks. Hack Out.

  Nagy shrugs,..he'll be here when he can...

"Such hostility from all of you. Yes I tried to seduce Shadow but I knew nothing about the infamous song and still don't. I don't know who ordered it played or why it would affect him as it did. He's a good looking man so can you blame me? Countess Chocula?" She asked Nagy.

Garrat shrugs.  “Don’t look at me.  Midgardians tend to think themselves horribly clever when they belittle a person with a reference to something from the past, now I suggest you be quiet and listen to what I say.  This might save your people.”

 Garrat sighs, “Hack has one purpose, win the war.  To do so, everything is either a tool to get the job done or a liability.  You are not a woman. You are not a person.  You aren’t even a Vampic. Your a liability until such time as you prove yourself otherwise.  He’s not here to do what is fair, what is right or what is logical . Absolute war has no trust for these things because it cannot rely on them.  He will do what he says for his allies.  For his enemies if he says he’ll do something bad.  He’ll do it.  If he says he’s going to hurt you or your people, count on it.  If he tells you what his tactics are going to be...well, Hack never shows his hand before he plays it.  Most times he doesn’t lie either but it’s easy to let arrogance mislead his enemies.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

Henry listened to the conversation.

"What do you know about vampics, Garrat? Have you any insights to offer? What is the reference to symbiote rather than parasite?"

He shut up by main force. So many questions, and there were many more fighting to get out.

“You make it sound like we make some kind of organism grows within you when we turn you which is simply ludicrous. There are physiological changes which lead to changes in cognition. You realise you are no longer prey which leads to a certain change in outlook. Learning you are stronger, faster, harder to hurt and immortal would make any frail being realise their new superiority.” She said with a small smile.

"Does everyone upon whom you prey gain these so-called advantages? What happens to those who are not 'turned'?" asked Henry, who understood what Garrat had meant with his parasite/sybiote reference just fine.

   Garrat responds to Dr Christy "While I have not laid eyes on Vampics till the party on this station, I have observed thousands of species of creature, and have learned to catagorize them in order to fight with or against them or survive in an environment they inhabited.

   At first glance the Vampics would seem to to be a micro parisite that inhabits it's host changing the genetic make up and installing a sense of superiority allowing a simple organism to access complex thought patterns in the process of dominating other sentient beings.  This genetic facism is inherent in a certain amount in most humanoid species.  It is th demons who often utilize it in their conquest fanning it into a social diseaseso they can manipulate other species into their plans by encouraging hate.

   However the ability to procreate through conventional means would argue against parisitic infection thoughit could also be because the original host species became completely infected so none are born without the parisite.

   It is possible and maybe more likely that the ability to take over a body through blood transfusion is simply caused by a high matabolism and regenerative ability.  The blood sees the genetic difference as and injury and starts correcting the issue.  This results in the transformation of the new body.  Such metabolisms of course need extreme nutrients.  In most cases they are both ecto thermic and voracious eaters drawing strength from external radiation as well as ingested nutrients. Naturally this was not an option for them so they let other species do the processing for them.  Maybe the ability to turn through blood and need to injest it is because they couldn't spare the energy to make their own and remain an apex hunter in their own environment  Iether way, the internal changes need to be documented before we know how much to trust her veiw on the matter.  Even her own genetics may be lying to her so she cannot be trusted even if she is honest."

    Looking at Mortica, "We are all organisms my dear.  To change from one species to another would, by definition, require growing into another organism from the inside.  Forgive me for speaking as if you weren't here but what you are is grounded in sience, not some mystical wonderful transformation.  You are weak against light and other simple things comprimising your strengths.  An altered sensory scan can mimic the affect of sunlight on your people toasting them in your ships and we wouldn't even have to board.  For all your strengths you'll find humans are still the apex hunters when it comes to war because they are by nature the scavangers of the cosmos.  They will adapt to any challenge to find their nich.  That is why the rever creatures such as the ravens, and the coyotes in their traditional societies."

   "Because of the behavior of your people Hack will probably visit your planet next, and your government will be destroyed.  All your freinds and family will be killed simply because your countrymen have made you a liability to humanity and we cannot leave a liability at our back.  Hack does take care of his tools.  And if you can give hime information that will ellivate some of your people from liability to tool, then they will be spared to continue you your species in an image that is acceptable to the AP. Do not expect to argue with him.  He doesn't argue.  He simply decides and executes a plan.  Argueing makes you a liability.  Rather than defending your position to us you need to be using what precious little time you have left to make a case for the saving of your people."

Mortica clapped whilst smiling gleefully. “Bravo, the big man is smarter than he looks but wrong. There are no parasites that transfer from Vampic to one we wish to turn. There are, however, enzymes in my saliva that are extremely complex containing, in part RNA-specific ribonucleotidyl transferases which are also found in my blood. When I bite someone my saliva enters via the bite. If I choose to simply drink from them nothing happens but if I drink deeply and then give them my blood which has mixed with their own, well then the magic happens.”

She turned to look at Garrat. “Humans think they are the apex predators but there are things in the Void beyond the wildest nightmares of human or any species in your alliance. Such arrogance to think the AP gets to decide how other races live. What he finds acceptable? Such hubris especially since he hasn’t even heard my offer. I will tell you this-a fleet engagement with us or action against my people will not go as you think.”

  The others  watched , most of it goign over  NAgy and Lippan's  head. Al they knew   is  what they saw... They saw an Enemy  as  dark as any Demon.. as repulsive as  any  Creshian.

 Vickie, didn't like have    the Doctor or Mila    this close to Danger, though having Garrat   there, mollified  her  a bit.

 ..nightmares?.. Like    Vampoires?.. were wolves.. gods be named talking Lizards...  Giant Chickens,  and   humanoid , bug ehaded  abominations?... yeah.. I'm thinking   we're   good ...

 Nagy   smiled,..The delta Fllet  was    cleared the  skies  of  Demon  fleets, and Hyrian.. .. when get cose   enough, we'll  just shine a flash ight on you, and watch you crawl under  a rock, like  a space cockroach.

"Cockroaches are the ultimate survivors, Nagy," Henry pointed out gently.

"OK, I'd better look at a sample of your saliva, Mortica. In this jar, not my bloodstream if you don't mind."

"Heard those exact words nearly a dozen of times in this fleet alone.  We have already wiped your people off the station and they were not strong enough, fast enough, or smart enough to resist us or avoid us. You can kill off the first wave but the second adapts or it doesn't come until it does."

   I have warned you not to talk this way to Hack.  No one ho has has lived.  I have told you what you should be doing.

   Your words don't mean anything to me but I choose to believe that diversity is important so I'm trying to help you.  Whinning about our adittude will not help you.  I have seen creatures that eat planets and drink up suns.  We are defeating them.  I have seen creatures with voices so sweet my comrades tear out their own hearts to offer hem as gifts.  I have seen monsters so hidden that they seem like stones until theyburst forth and chew through your armor in one bite.  Do not tlak to me of  what is in the void.  You have no affect on my fears.  I have died seven times and grow tired of it.  But if you talk to me about how to make your people needed I will help you.

   Work with the doctor and we may even find a way to strengthen those who join us against their own weakness.

The Vampic considered Garrat for a moment and slowly nodded. “These humans have proven to be remarkably resilient. Perhaps they can face things that make Demons scream and not go mad at the sight. Very well, I will heed your words as I believe we need each other to deal with the Demon threat and the Qarl who will not remain quiescent forever. But I’m going to do it in my own, indefatigable style.” She said, look of pure mischief on her face as she smiled and reached out for the cup the Doctor had set down. She daintily gave him the desired sample and sat back in the chair.

------> From Foundry

Zob decided to drop by Henry's office and announce he was back on board for what that was worth but as he got closer, Zob noticed the group gathered along with Garrat, "9 hells Garrat what you do this time?" he jested as he took a look inside and saw the new girl, "Was i interrupting happy time?" he said in a more hushed tone of voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

"Thank you," said Henry, whisking the sample off and putting it in the analyser.

"Oh, hello Zobaich. Haven't seen you for a while. How have you been keeping?"

   "You know me Zob, been off saving species.  First the hyrians, then the Largans [I might even have some success with them if I can get more mind readers] now the Vampics.  Mortica has given us some hope for them so I'm trying to prep her so Hack doesn't put their entire home world to the torch, or at least we can get sympathetic factions off planet before hand."


    "Hows things in the foundry?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

Zob responded to Henry first, "It's been better but not to bad" Having heard mention of a vampic he took a closer glance and noted her features, "Shes pretty" he said casually before leaning up against the wall, "Foundry is going alright... needs more people" he said offhandedly as he played with a unlit cigar in his hand.

  The SEC Trooper   outside the main door stood to.....OFFICER ON DEC!

   Hack Nodded  and  said at  Ease    as soon  as  his Foot entered the  door.    he stopped    , only long enough  for  Vickie to step in the  room  and Let him through.  His  hands on the towel he  hardly got to use, one hand on each end  as it  lay across his neck.

 his last step was next to Mila  who wagged her  tail slowly.

 Nagy  and Lippen stood Up.

 ..your  the  Vampic that   what?.. tried to   turn Shadow?  or..Maybe  kill him outright.. how did that work out  for you and your Crypt Comrades?... Right.. I'm here now..  I will admit  I am  not  a very good... 'diplomatic  mood" ..but that may be a good thing....so?..  Someone here  wanna  Tell me why I am here?

"Turn him, not kill him and it didn't work out well. I asked you here, Admiral," she said, standing up slowly, hands visible, before coming to attention and saluting him.

"I have a proposition for you sir. I'll lay out my terms and then tell you what I'm offering in response. Call off your kill on sight order of my people, return the Void and the Tomb to our control. In return you'll get the beloved and connected daughter of a very powerful and influential General in the IPF, who will swear loyalty to the ESN and the APF, take off this uniform and put on ESN blue. I will do everything I can to fold the Vampic people into the Alliance against the Empire and to cease the practice of taking slaves for food and breeding. I will serve with honour, distinction, and loyalty." She finished, remaining at attention.

  Hack  was  dumbfounded... his  face  went  from a  sneer  to  an amused  smile. First.. no... The  Void and Tomb are prizes they have been paid  for and allocated to  help  with Home defesne   for Aqra and Anzio..... Second...  you are the first Vampic that ever  pretended  to be ....less-then  Superior...

 ..yeah?.. shoulda  been her  an hour  ago.... Lippen   Mumbled. Hack turned    and gave her  a stare.. she lowered her  head  and  studied her boots.


 .. I can  cite. perhaps   3  times. My people have tried to get your people to surrender... the results  were not good.. I don't expect that to change anytime soon... so the shoot on sight stands... Until something  Happens.. that makes  me feel like the VAmpic  are nothing more the   Demons who have been locked in a closet too long...

 ..as  far  as switching  sides?.. it has been done by both sides.. its  almost a gods be damned hobby out here!... Tell  me  why the F....
 he calmed himself   ,..9 hells i would want to trust yu in ESN Blue?

"Do you have a 1MC that can be used to make an announcement across Anzio?" She asked, her expression and voice neutral.

   There is an audible smack as Garrat facepalms.  His shoulders shake just a little bit as he surpresses his mirth but his expression is hidden beneath his hands so one can't be certain,

Zob continued leaning against the wall still as he moved the unlit cigar to his mouth, he then took a quick sniff as he thought to himself, 'The smell of fear...' he noted Garrat's reaction before turning his attention back to Hack.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

    sure?..   I can  ask Beth to do , just about anything?... But... eb   form  i do that.. let me  tell you a story..small..story..

 he  rubs his chin,   and     jerks head to wards  Zob,Oddly enough.. in involves that   orange fellow  back there...

 ..a Young Fighter Pilot... Stevens  was his name.. the first ..Living recipient of the Galactic Medal of Honor...  he  shot  down the   Demon's  Red  Baron....or.. so  Shadow claims.. Vids  make it a bit sketchy..but Shadow  Confirmed it as   Steven's  Kill ….now?  the Lad   got a lot of Creds  from that.. speaking  engagements  But.. he   had this  deep  wish in his ehart.. to save   The Balck form  this  Gods  be damned war.

 he paced a  few steps towards  Lippen  Nagy now visible  to  Mortica,..so.. in the  heat of Battle.. I offered   a   '1 time' surrender to the Demons on board  a battleship ..that now   floats outside of Fuji as  a Home defense weapons... Steven  turned on his surrender Lights, and Landed on that ships   Hanger Dec.. The  Captain of that vessel, listen to hi pleas  for them to surrender... for them to go back to thier system, and leave  the othe races  alone....well.. that CAptain  Ripped his ehart it  with His bear claws.. right through his flight suit...  he pointed at Mortica,..that was before  enviro suits  and   light boarding armor...

  we  were shocked.. we shouldn't have been... but we were.. he  held out both hands  as he explained.....the Demon was  brought   on board, after  we took his vessel.. a hand full of them were sent to Delta colonies.. the others.. were killed outright.. i must admit.. i gave  ..very..very vague orders  on how to handle them...

 ..Mr Zobiach.. in front of a Live feed to the Demonic  Homeworld, Ripped out the   Captain's  heart.. and that's.. when i saw it... Fear, in the  Demonic ruler's eyes... and  I have seen that.. in every  single fool, who thought  i was  Bluffing.. or merely pounding   my chest?.. so.. ebfore  we have Beth go through the trouble.... do you think you  announcement  will help.. anyone, who stands  against us?... he hcukled and shook his head,..because?.. we have Humans who  don't  believe, so.. you'll  pardon, if  a doubt  space faring Parasites?

 he looked at her.. there was a smile   on his face.. but not in his eyes

"Then let them believe the results of my announcement when they see them with their own eyes. A war between our people would devastate both and if the Demons didn't take out the remnants the Qarl would so I will do what I must to preserve my people - from you and/or the Stars-be-Damned Demons. I think you and I can agree on that, yes?" She looked him in the eyes, her white on white unblinking.

 Hack  smiled    a dark smile,.the Qarl  have thier hands  full witht eh Skith..  if they  weaken thier   stance, they could lose thier  homeworld... we have told the  Skith  to protect thier own.. and strive to   destroy the Qarl... The  Qarl are..indeed.. spotted  from  time to time... but they do not last very long

 ..and I will tell you this, as The Leader of the Delta Fleet. I have never lied to  an enemy.. so..trust me when i say.. nothing you, or  your  people   can do, can save your  Homeworld.. should    we decide  to move against it...

 ..Beth?

 ..aye  Sir...

 set up an   feed to Anzio that will come through the Squak  and station feeds.... our pale  friend is going to make an announcement.

 ..aye  Sir.. aleady  done...        Hack Looked a round. he  petted Mila, looked at Nagy,..wound is better?

 ..aye Sir.. thank you sir.. Stefi said I can start runnign   in about  28 more hours?

 ..Good..good.. runnign Comes in handy.. not that i would know...

 ..Admiral.. all set sir...... I also took all  normal safegaudrs  so nothing can  backslide through out  feed... They her...  whenever she is  read to hit the 'outgoing on  her COM..

 ..Thanks You  Beth.. well done...   he holds his Hand out to Nagy, Nagy gives him, his COM....there you go.... You don't know how much i look forward to this...

The Vampic woman was about to reply to Hack's assurance that his people could destroy her world when she remembered what Garrat had said. She cut him a look and bit back the retort and took the COM unit. "Attention all IPF forces, this is Lt. Mortica Blackthorne, daughter of First General Radu Blackthorne. In the name of my father and under my authority I am ordering all IPF forces to stand down immediately. Cease and desist all combat and surrender right now to the nearest Anzio, ESN, or APF forces you see. You will not be harmed. I repeat, surrender immediately and cease and desist all hostilities. Failure to do so will be met with lethal force and any taken as prisoners of war who ignored my order to stand down will be turned over to my father. My authority to do this is listed in the IPF Code of Military Conduct and my authorisation code is Alpha-Onyx-1-2-5-7-6-8-Opaline. This is Lt. Mortica Blackthorne repeating one final time to all IPF forces - stand down immediately and surrender. Over and out." She handed the COM back to the Admiral.

      Hack took back  Nagy's Com and Handed  it to  him... Nagy held the  COM between two  finger  and wrinkled his nose.

   He said to   Mortica, That outta  do , that's  very much Ray...

  Lippen  smiled,

 ..lets pretend..  for   one minute, that  you get a  couple 100   troops to surrender?.. what the 9 hells  am I going to do with them?

In reply to Admiral Hack (msg # 58):
I don’t think you have to worry much sir .  I don’t think there’ are that many of them left alive on the station .

"If I can formalise relations between our two people then perhaps a prisoner exchange. That's why I asked for our ships back, in part as a sign of good faith on your part and also to have every one of my people that remain depart peacefully. I can also send them back to our home system with a proposal for my father for he sits high in our command structure."

She looked at Nagy and cocked a brow. "Really?"

She turned back to Hack. "Besides those ships are needed for us to join the offensive against the Demons if Command agrees which I imagine they will. We have nothing to gain by going to war with your people, Admiral. The return of our ships strengthens us against the Demon threat and will be removed as an obstacle from the bargaining table. If you accept my offer to join the ESN I will even have recording of the process sent to him so he knows I was under no duress. I don't want to see Spectre Class Super-Dreadnoughts jumping in here for him to affect a rescue."

    “ Um Mortica?”  Garrat says gently “I’m not sure what your daddy told ya but what was found on those ships and others tied to your people were pretty atrocious.  Delta fleet represents multiple species and the way people from many of those species were being treated on those ships was more than enough to declare war against your entire species.  You don’t take a knife away from a criminal then hand it back in good faith hoping that he will use it nicely.  Now at this point you are either nieve to the actions of your people or your pissing on the admiral and telling him it is raining.  He’s much smarter than he looks.  We can’t trust your people or their policy just because you say it is not your policy.  You have only yourself to bargain with unless you can prove there is a faction of your people who don’t follow the general policy of your military.”

  The Admiral turns to  Garrat,,,smarter then I... then he turns  back to  Mortica.


  I will be the first to admit, that  i know, very...very little of what is out  pass  Aqra.. But I  do know this?.. The Now one, who isn't qarl or Skith..is 'jumping in here'

 ..and?.. I almost hope   they send ships... The silver   in spoils  alone, would be a damn big boost to our manufacturing...

  He held up  a hand  with one  finger in the air,..The Hyrians  got their waggily asses kicked... we cut them  a break, only because of Lirg.. so?.. there planet is slowly being turned back..with aid from the APF.. the same bastards  who almost nuked them to the stone age..of.. fur  age.. or what ever they  had.... Blue Hyrians  were sent to the Deltas   to help Colonies, and to start life  as APF citizens.... in tuen..   More Blue Hyrians have joined the fleet... we tried to help the Lizards.. but they  keep going bad on us.... we won't  trust  an Avain or a  Bug as far as i can throw a caps ship.. the rest of the races  settle  in..Nivar... joined.. there will always be resistance...but it will slowly fade... Teh Hillites.. well.. they were   bullies  a bit too long, so.. handfuls of them join up.. but    the Hillite  system is  blockaded.. and with  each  runner   we catch or destroy we   extend the blockade a few Months.. ..yes.. people are dying there... But at elast  they aren't beign breeded   or   cooked..

 Then he  turns    and  walks  back to  Nagy and Gives him his towel... Nagy    begins to Rub the  COM  ferociously . He  turns  and leans on the  wall  between  Nagy and   Lippen,..so?.. why am I telling you this? I'm telling you this   one a few reasons.... One?.. Your  ships are    be 'given back'..they are ours.. we'll sue them.. we'll study them.. as far as your people are  concerned, they were lost in battle.....  two? There is  no 'Good Will ' between my people and Yours... it started out  with a few  glares and stares... but whomever played that song.. whomever ordered  you to try and turn Shadow.. well.. they got what they wanted... Some one... In your own race.. wanted to start a war with us... and by all the damn gods?  it worked...

  We'll ships  your people back... but it won't be  in  one of your cap ships   He   holds  up a   hand  as he hits his  COM...Beth.. I need two things  from You... Bring Mortica's  COM  down to her.... and also I want Numbers   of How  many Vampics  surrendered.

 .. I'm thinking, there won't  be a couple hundred....

   Garrat shrugs “never said you didn’t look smart, just said you were smarter than you looked.”

  Nagy  checked his  COM and    wiped it down  some more,..I'd  quit  while you are ahead..?

 Lippen  nodded sagely to Garrat

“Either way, the admiral has an evening to finish.  Zob, wanna come over to the LG with me?  They have a bigger forge, and this is the night the junk rats play low gravity football.  It’s a blast to watch.”

Zob just shook his head, "Bleh im a demon this shit don't concern me" he said as he glanced over to Garrat, "Ill likely meet up with you later if that's alright?"

Henry was surprised and not surprised at the same time at what transpired. Somehow it felt right. He patted Mila as he listened.

Mortica sat down, visibly deflating as Hack spoke. She stared at her hands a moment before she said anything and when she finally spoke she did so in a voice that sounded lost. "It was Forrest under orders from someone in the Admiralty. I do not know who. I was ordered to try and convince Shadow to join us but I know nothing of any song or the effect it was to have on him. He simply told me to try and seduce him. When I failed I attempted to leave."

She continued to stare at the hands now resting in her lap. "I knew what was in the ships and found it abhorrent but as I told Garrat and the Doctor before I said nothing because I allowed myself to believe it was for the good of my people but...it's not. It makes us the monsters you believe us to be." She looked up and her eyes were red but not from anger. "There are those of us who believe that taking people for food or breeding is a foul thing. My father is one and there are others. We, the Vampic people, are not as unified as we may appear because of this division and I fear it may lead to civil war as one side will feel what happened here is emboldened and takes steps to strengthen their position. I never supported it but I allowed it to happen."

She stood and came to attention. "Do what you will with the Tomb and the Void. I never wish to step foot on them again. Those who surrender are the ones loyal to me and to my father. The ones who do not are the ones loyal to Forrest and his faction in our leadership. I renounce the practice and will support those who do so as well, publicly. I will no longer be afraid to speak out and will contact my father and bring to you those amongst my people who believe as he does, as I do that the taking of people must end, that there must never be another cargo hold that has cages. That is what I will bring to the ESN and APF, Admiral, if you will have me."

  Beth    entered the  Offcie after  clip clopping her  way at double time  , down the  P-way.

   when she   entered  she  caught   Mortica's  Eye and   Flipped her , her own COM. She handed the  sheet to The Admiral and stepped  abck.. then  bent her kness a bit to  Pet Mila.


 Well  Lt Blackthorne.. seems  we have 35 Poeple to send  back  in the general direction of your  home worlds... he looked back to   Beth...All these numbers  right?

 As of when i left... they aren't as good  as  'Lily' Numbers, but hey... APF?

 According to thsi sheet.. some 500..503.. to be excact , Vampic surrendered..Sadly.. in the words of the reports.".. Hostile actions resulted in deaths of those who came out"....

 Hack shrugged,..guess  maybe  i should have had   Cummings   send his folks in..huh?   beth reached  arounf   The Admiral  and Points near the Bottom of the page.

 well...well..well.. sems .. another  300 or so  remained hidden.. But  COM traffic  was intercepted  between them and those  who were in firefights out side thier Hidey holes.. Flame throwers  and C-10  took care of them... so.. it seems you did help us  out  abit?..803 lest Vampics on the station..one  way or the other... is a good thing...

 Contact  Cummings, Please  , Beth?

 She   unrolled her  Vid board   and  tapped  something in, a Voice  was heard,Yes?.. Admiral?  Col Cummings here.. Thank you for the message, by the By.. I passed it on  to my people.. Jolly good  for Morale  and all.. How can I be of service...

  Good  Afternoon Colonel ... Here's what I want from you?.. Study the Vid  feed from the  Transport  that was near the Void?.. I want a Cage.. Just like that, on a big Ugly... I want all the Vampics, stripped and Jammed in that cage.. and  I don't care what  you  need to do to make them  fit.... then?.. Ask for   a Flight of Volunteers  from the Athena.. to escort  the  Big Ugly   past Aqra.. You will then have them Tag it.. and  send it  in the general dircetion of..'away from us".. The Vampics  will find them..or they won't..

 Cummings  laughed  a cultured  laugh,..Aye  Admiral.. Already done.. please to pass  My thanks on to the SM too.. Thank You...Cummings..Out.

 ..Beth?  You'll pass that on to the SM?

 she smiled,..you bet i will, Admiral Sir.

 ..There... LT Blackthorne...  we seem to have  fulfilled  our bargin... we are sending your people home... in much the same manner as they were taking our people to your Home..... he had a short LAugh,..pity some of your people decided  not to listen.. but..Vampics..right? Now... You will have to decide  what you are going to do..Because..I'm leaving you  here... The Good doctor  can decide if you  may walk about  under your own  guidance?... I have no clue, what is going to come of this... But.. you'll either be sueful alive.. or useful  for the Good Doctor...

 ..Doctor  Christie?.. Nagy and Lippan will stay thier shift here, Unless you   do not  feel the need for them... keep in mind, Your people come first... We owe the Vampics  alot of things.. But   living..is not one of them...

 ..now?... what  has  happened..might seem overly Harsh, But you ask any one on this boat... how  we deal with Humans who have turned coat? You will see.. that we  don't treat them any better, then out  alien  enemies... Keep that in Mind... if/when Doc henry decides   you should be able to walk about.. You may report to the SEC and  retrieve  your weapons..

  Now?.. My  Wife  has  Dinner  ready and   I am already..

 1 hour and  20 Minutes late  He  Nodded to everyone  and Left  Beth gave Mortica a finger  wave  and  giggled..

 Nagy looked at  Lippen  she frowned back.

Henry knew there was no swaying of Admiral Hack when he'd made his mind up.

"Yes, Admiral. Mortica may remain here for the time being. Are you willing to accept her enlistment if she proves genuine about it?"

“No, Admiral, it doesn’t sound harsh. It sounds just.” Mortica said as a single pink tear spilled down her cheek at the realisation that she may very well have begun the civil war that had been brewing for decades.

In reply to Mortica (msg # 71):

    Garrat isn’t entirely happy but this was to be expected “Humans who turn get the long walk home.  A far cry from a Clean death or temporary humiliation.  If they have information Hack will get it out of them in the foundry as he dips them in molten metal

Henry fishes out a handkerchief and hands it to Mortica.

“Thank you, Doctor.” Mortica said as she wiped away the tears. “.i don’t remember the last time I cried.”

She turned to Garrat.  “What do you mean? Dip who in molten metal?”

   "Humans who infiltrate our ship as traitors, assassins and spies.  It tends to give us the information we need to hunt their organizations to their roots.  This is absolute war Mortica, we need to be the apex predator at all costs.  A little boost in reflexes and strength isn't enough to make that happen as your people are beginning to learn.  We have no tolerance for any who stand in our way.  We must remove them in such a way that none will want to tread where they have trodden or we reveal a weakness.  This militia as you say is new in the void.  There is no room for failure."

    Garrat voice softens, "Now you begin to understand my previous words.  Your people rely on you for survival.  We are not above Genocide to take ourselves off another's menu."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Thu 25 Oct 2018.

Zob took a step forward a bit near Henry and looked at Mortica, "Take some comfort in knowing your people will survive even if it is a handful of them.... while I at the end of this war may very well be the last of my species"

It was one of those rare moments where the humanity in him showed it was a strange feeling for Zob, "Keep your chin up girl and people will come to accept you in time... if you work hard at it and prove you are the asset you claim to be"

She looked at both of them,, more than a bit dazed at the fact that she may very well decide the fate of her entire race. Never in her wildest imagininings had such a thing come up and the thought struck her silent momentaoly. It took a moment for the Demon’s words to pierce the fog that had settled over her like a shroud. “I...I’m sorry, Zob.” She took a deep breath and nodded to Garrat. “I will do as you both suggest. What would you have of me now, Doctor?”

   Garrat nods. "I'll be off ship for a bit, but I'm a coms call away."  He heads out.

Mortica checked her COM before activating it and saying one word. "Chrysalis." She put it on her belt and looked at the Doctor. "And so it begins. My life is in your hands so what next?"

Zob moved back over to the wall and leaned against it with his arms crossed, "Don't be they brought this upon themselves when they waged war against all races" what the demons did was stupid knowing now they can no longer rule the black through fear.

"If I may, Mortica, I'd like to do some scans of your head. Those retractile fangs are fascinating. How much do you know of how they developed in your species?"

To start with, Henry wanted to do as he'd normally do with a new species, sentient or not - find out how it's put together and how it works. With a live sentient, of course, he'd not be chopping it up. There were some dead ones for that, anyway. Meanwhile he'd continue talking to her, finding out more about their society and attitudes.

"We went from being prey to being the Apex predator on a hostile planet. The fangs were part of that evolutionary process, one that is apparently unknown amongst other races. Many of our other evolutionary attributes remain a mystery to us such as our longevity and alternate means of reproduction. Perhaps that arose concurrent with the fangs as we became more predatory but our children were still at great risk from the fauna on our home world." She shrugged. "I'm not a scientist but I remember the things I was taught of our history."

"That's wonderful. Do any other animals on your homeworld have the ability to extend and retract their fangs?" asked Henry.

As far as he knew it was a unique ability: at least, he'd not heard of any other creature that could do it. Claws, yes... but not teeth/fangs.

“Oh yes. Our world is a hostile place. One is predator or prey there and there are several animal species that have retractable fangs. There’s a reptilian animal that has fangs on the roof of the mouth, facing the rear. The fangs are hinged so it dislocated its jaw to open its mouth wide enough to bring the fangs to bear. DNA testing suggests my own people descended from a now extinct creature that had reptilian and mammalian characteristics. One of those was retractable fangs.”

"That's interesting. On Earth, there are a few fishes with retractable jaws and some snakes have hinged fangs, but nothing like your retractable ones."

Henry scanned, photographed, sketched and measured furiously.

"So they are in the fossil record? As well as some animals..."

“They are. Believe it or not we have a number of similarities. We have museums and research centers, people who work in fields that study fossil records and evolution. We’ve done extensive research on ourselves and had mapped our genome centuries ago. We’ve mapped our evolution, migration across our home world, and the different haploids of regional variations. Like you we are a diverse people who vary in eye colour, hair colour, and small variations in skin colour but we are uniformly pale due to our local Suns.” She seemed to be warming to the conversation, her attitude changing to that of two colleagues having a chat.

Henry looked interested.

"I'll have to get in touch with your academics, open up a dialogue."

“I hope there can be peace between our people and that can happen. Maybe you could one day visit my world and see some of our flora and fauna. The evolutionary process of a world that sustained life under the influence of a pair of Class B Binary stars is vastly different from other worlds and is why we are sensitive to heat and bright light. Our world is cold and dark but has a beauty all its own.” She said with what looked like a fond smile.

  Nagy    snorted  and  said to Lippen,..damn goo   chance  we  end  up in a visit.... Like  we visited  Aqra....

 Lipen smiled.

 Vickie    was  brining in refreshments... she   put a covered   dish that was  warm by  Mortica.

  she  said  with  a barely restrained  contempt,..they chief  said you ate  this  down in the Bring.. and.. drank...this...

 she put  a  hot  cup of    red Liquid   down  by her  as well.

 Henry had  a  club sandwich  and  some  Tea... Lippen and   Nagy got a Burger  abd fries.

Henry looked at the troopers.

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but if things don't work out it may. Thanks, Vickie."

He'd forgotten about food.

"Mila, do you want to go eat?"

 Mila  was   tore    between leaving  to get food  and   not wanting to leave  Henry with  Mortica /

 iamges of   Mlie   pulling him  by the pant leg  enetred his mind.

“Thank you,” Mortica said sincerely. She looked at the group of people around her. “I understand your contempt and anger for me. I can’t fault you for it but I am trying to make amends. I hope you can see that, in time.” She took the cover off to see what they had brought in for her.

 there was  meat ( not scrsaps )..lightly  cooked  to   warm it, but  still leave   blood.. and   Cup has   Mammal Blood, Judging by the meat, it  must be  beef blood.

Zob reached into his pack and produced a vial of red liquid and drank it down fast, "Its gonna take some time but i think you can manage... should get something to eat as well" Zob contemplated getting a big steak ordered up here.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Fri 26 Oct 2018.

She took a bite of the meat and stopped to savour the taste of warm blood. She was rather a dainty eater and quite correct in her manners. She kept her elbows off the table and didn't make a mess. The cup of blood was wonderful and she could feel it moving through her body, making her feel stronger and faster and gloriously alive. She cleaned up and stacked the dishes for easy removal and looked at Vickie. "Thank you, Vickie." The light tone of contempt and mocking she had used previously was gone.

She turned to look at Mila and bowed her head. "Forgive me for scaring you, Mila. That was unconscionable of me. May we start over? I'm Mortica." She held her hand out for Mila to sniff and shake a paw if she had the inclination.

  Mila's   eyebrows  wher e    up.. she  backed  up a few steps   and her  head turned left  and  right as she looked away from  Mortica... Henry   could  feel the cold  fear  in  Mila.

 Vickie     nodded  and   said,..you are welcome... i suppsoe.... her voice trailed  as she  gathered  the    dishes  and such.

 Nagy watched  Mila  and Looked at Mortica,..She's  Gotta warm up to you... right now?..  the smell of Your race..means only  death, anger  and  fear?...It may take a bit.. depdnign on your actions..


 he handed Vickie his  pate with a nod of thanks.

 Lippen   dis as well as she  said,..Amen...

Henry took a knee beside Mila and hugged her.

"Not to worry, girl. Take your time."

“It seems I made things worse attempting to make them better. My apologies, Mila”  She told the frightened dog.

  Beth COMed  down  over, the Over Head,,..Feeding this to You  Doc.. Might  be  of interest.

 The COM started  with the Felrite  CAptain acknowledging Orders   in pursuit of the Vampic  Cap Ship... and Besserman  with  Justin Just about to Mix  with  2  Fighters...

Zob glanced up at the intercom, "That don't sound good..." after a bit his meal arrived and Zob sat down to enjoy it.

Mortifa’s eyes bled red at the sounds of combat but the look on her face was one of sheer horror. No! Call off your attack or you’ll doom all of our efforts before they come to pass, please! That ship is full of loyalists to my father! My betrothed is on that ship!”  She pulled out her COM with blinding speed and yelled into it, “IPF forces break off, cease fire now! I repeat cease fire and break off!”

Henry lifted his own com to call the Admiral.

"Admiral, please stand down the attack on the Vampic capital ship. Mortica says it's full of people loyal to her father, ones who will respond to her plea for peace with us."

     It took a Moment  for  The Admiral's COM to  answer.  Her Voice  sounded   tired, and maybe a bit HArsh.


  Commander   Si  Here... The Admiral has  fianlly fallen  alseep, I will not   wake him for this...The standing orders  are.. to shoot on sight..  it sounded like  she took a sip of something,


 ..with no formal agreement.. and none  seen , forthcoming.. we  will hold  to those orders.  The People out past our  Quads, need to realize, the delta   Flight isn't Ge-Fi....  I am sorry for  whomever the 9 hells  might    feel  bad, if that ship is destroyed.  In the End.. we all know what we  signed up for.. so  should  they.. Captain Morris  Has  Command for Now ,  LT  Hock is   on the Bridge... Commander Si..Out...

  Nagy   Just shrugs,..I image, you're  feelign  what  some  colonists  and such felt, when taken aboard  your  ships, while their Loves   ones   watched them do..or  worse...

 ..didn't even  live to see it..or?  that might  have been a gift. Lippen Offered.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:36, Sun 28 Oct 2018.

“Which is what I am trying to stop; efforts which will be put at risk if  we keep shooting at each other. Commander, please, it has to start somewhere, peace, trust, and change. Let it be now.” She  said. Her voice rang true to any listening and the passion she had for this attempt at peace was obvious.

  Again, the Commander's  Angel voice  held   the sting of cold steel,..the wheels were set in motion at the  Ball. Lt Mortica...many  civilazations  were ended   with    a foolish move, or  poorly chosen words. I will not even think about  reversing  Oliver's  orders on this.  I do not even  feel the  'want' to do so..

 ..you see?   LT.   Just meetign yur  peopel, put our  proplr on edge all actions  commited   from the time  we  entered  and  intercated.. was a dance on the razor's end... that... changed  witht eh song.. with teh Attack on teh LC,  and the death of the first 4 Vampic...  It is true,, Hyrians  and others.. have  done   things  as  bad, and  have been.. given some form of  mercy.. but none, have attacked us pesonally ..and  That... LT.. may be the downfall of your race....  YOu may have reigned  supreme out here  this long...but that.. is about to change.. and it will be  your race.. that is about to know fear...and wondering, if they will see then next dawn...

  Nagy shifted  uncomfortably , he had  seen the Commander    when she was 'displeased' even to the  point  of almost Decking Shadow with one slap.

 Lippen   smiled.

Zob at this point looked rather uncomfortable he glanced over to Nagy and had one of those *This isn't gonna end well looks* if they weren't gonna listen to reason then they will likely have to be destroyed and pissing off the commander was a quick way to ensure that... Zob was a asshole but not stupid but enough was enough he showed himself out.

-----> To field Gym
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Mon 29 Oct 2018.

“It was Forrest and his people and I still don’t know what that song was about! My father and our supporters have been fighting the practice of taking people for a very long time. The Angel that killed him did us a favour and we now stand a very good chance of changing things if we could just stop shooting at each other!” Mortica told the Commander, eyes still red and fangs extended.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Mon 29 Oct 2018.

  The Commander  said in a stone  cold, yet Melodic voice,  ..Indeed....Things  wil be changed, and that..LT.. is a fact..now?.. I must get  back to my reports, so I may  get rest as well.. we cast off in the Morning...

"Enough of self-righteous platitudes!" Henry was in a cold fury.

"Here is someone trying to do the right thing and you just plain don't care."

He stormed out, heading for the Bridge.

“Commander, I am a spy who has been embedded with Forest’s ship trying to gather intel on who his most powerful backers are and trying to convert his crew to our cause. Like most spies and insurgents I have done terrible things in the name of the greater good. I’m asking you to help me change things amongst my people and not consider genocide against another race!” She all but cried into the COM as red tears ran down her face.

  The Commander  said,..things... will indeed..change... and Cut her   COM off.


  as Henry Got up   and left, Nagy  shook his head,..right now Lady?  You folks have  the   Admiral and the Commander  , at the top of  the ' i don'[t like Vampics ' list.. that's not a good thing...

 Lippen nodded,..when Mommy and Daddy are both mad?.. all you can do, is hope you are not thier  focus.

"So mad they are unwilling to listen to reason. They would commit genocide upon another race because of what happened at the Ball? I am trying to work for change but they will not give me time and, indeed, seem predisposed to want to murder my race. Some sound eager at the thought and you, Lippen, even smiled. We have done terrible things but we have never extinguished an entire people." She shook her head.

  Lippen    had  a little half smile,.. Think of what you   are saying. Ma;'am?   We are  fighting ..Total war..  If you saw the Vids  of the  very first Demon ship we  boarded,  you would know   why.. and yet.. the deeper  we get into space?  the worse it gets.. envoys  eaten on  Vids, just  to show us the Empire is almighty?...Then we   see  creatures  who  can't.. wipe  people like us out.. because that would be like  us..Killing  every Cow in existence....WE... don't feed on other  people.. we feed on animals... so?.. if we  wipe  out an evil race?.. we don't miss..one...damn.. thing...


  all you have to do...Ma'am.. is think  back  a day ago?.. and see your people's actions... and there is    a whole, gods-be-damned planet  full of  you out there... not counting colonies.. it would  take  some  damn big   show.. to change the Admiral's course... and ..for me?.. I don't want to..and?  Its not just for us?... Humans were  relatively  safe...until now. But the Sanri, Occui  , all the rest.. they  have been putting up with this for eons?

  Nagy shrugs,..our Bottle is  Full ma'am..there is a Little  Girl who  PO Kristiansen adopted.. who would have  been  food for someone.... Doc Henry , himself  save  the daughter  of  one of  our greatest Bio-weapon scientists , even as she was  about to  get eaten?.. That Shuttle Jock   has  a  Little girl, from  the SSN ship, that was...it appears.. going to offer    a bunch of kids to your people  to, as a gift?


 Lippen   nods,..even  The Larg  joined us  out of Loyality.... Hyrians  Joined  to fight the good fight?.. Verians  ran waway.. while    Blue Verians from Uden  stepped forward... Your  people?..  chose   'lunchmeat' over  survival

"My people have no choice. We are what evolution made us which is something so vastly different from any other race we've ever encountered as to make us wonder how such a thing could possibly have happened. We must drink blood to survive but there are those of us who hate how we go about getting it. There are those of us trying to change things if we would be given the chance." She said before sitting back and lapsing into silence.

  Nagy  nodded,well. Ma'am.. we'll have to see how it all shakes out now...  you have a Boulder  rolling down hill?.. It will be inetrstign to see what happens when it hits the bottom...

"I'm willing to stand at the bottom and let it crush me if I must. I offered to take off this uniform," she indicated her leathers, "and put on ESN blue to show you all how dedicated I am to making peace between our people. What is left of them after the civil war happens - that signal I sent out, Chrysalis? That was letting my father know that the time to move is now."

She pulled her COM out. "Darkness Rising - forward Chrysalis to my father." She changed a setting. "Viktor, my love - are you all right?"

  there  was   a crackle on the COMs..... Mortica?.... are you well?...  Klaus  and  I are about to Land.. I'm afraid  that Klaus is    hanging on my landing gear.. we ran into a pair of  Hermes Piltos.. if that is what we will face, I am not worried...

 Ekker  is badly damaged... Linna was killed...Lookign at  The Darkness Rising?.. she is  in very bad shape.. I have other IPF  ships comign in on mY screns  now.. so we should make it  home....I..I  will try to find a way.. to  get to you...

 the crackle..  Lippen smiled at tehc rackling sound     Nagy nodded to her.

"Don't come for me; Chrysalis is in effect. I will reach out you when I am able. Try not to engage ESN forces whilst I'm trying to get them to aid us. just be safe and know I am thinking of you always." She said, another tear running down her face.

  ..we shall see... right now.. we have to see if  the Darkness Rising  will  make it back.  the crackles    all but  flooded the    feed.

  ..yo're not getting  any more COM trafic  for a bit... Beth's  buoys  are  hunting transmissions  now.. You'll have to wait  until they go cold...

Mortica nodded and put her COM unit away. 'Very well," she said, wiping her face again. The thought of what she had set in motion filled her with something wholly unexpected-fear. She feared for her people and what Forrest's stupidity might cost them. She feared for her fiancé in the Black in a damaged ship. She was unused to this feeling which the coldly rational part of her pulled out and examined from every angle. How the other races lived like this was beyond her.

Henry arrived back.

"OK, Mortica. Here's the deal. There's not much trust at the moment, compounded by the fact that one species - the Nivarians - swore blind they wanted to become our allies, got to the stage of inviting our Board onto their planet to sign the treaty and then ambushed them. As it happened, a rebel faction contacted us and a peace settlement was reached with them rather than the Nivarian government, who got wiped out in classic Hack style. We need to find a way to convince the powers-that-be that you are on the level. To that end, can you get that cap ship that has your father's supporters aboard to come in with their surrender lights on? If they do that, we won't shoot at them. That way, we might be able to prove that there is a viable dissident faction that we can deal with."

Mortica looked at Henry for a moment. “Do I have your word they won’t be fired upon? The last two times I told our forces to stand down they were still attacked and many died. My fiancé is on that ship so I’m placing a great deal of faith in you. If you give me your word I’ll call them in but Beth’s buoys will need to stop blocking our comms.” She told Henry with a level stare though he could see redness in her eyes indicating she had cried whilst he was gone.

"I am not in command, but I believe that surrender lights will be respected. To set your mind at rest, I shall go and ask Admiral Hack outright, would that satisfy you?" asked Henry.

“It will go a very great way towards that trust, Dr. Christie. If he gives his word I will have them come to, surrender lights on but she is not a prize ship. She is my means of passing word on to my father,” She told him.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go find him now. But first, could you repeat that statement while I'm recording..."

Henry held out his COM in 'record' mode.

   Nagy Cleared his throat,..excuse me.. Doc?.. The ship was damaged.. we aren't sure if it   got away or went critical? That was  about..almost two hours ago?.. Do You think  They are going to  Limp back this way?

 Lippen  nodded at Nagy's   words, but didn't  say anything esle.

Mortica repeated herself whilst being recorded as requested then turned to Nagy. “They will at my request. We know the importance in securing allies in this. We have been preparing for this for a very long time and a quick, decisive victory against the hardliners like Forrest and his backers is mutually beneficial.”

 Lippen  just adds solemnly,..I hope you  undestand, Just  what 'our   help 'entails

 Nagy nods,with the Nivarians   it was  cut and  dried.. the  'good' Novarians    had to Evac.. the   bad guys?.. bot  hammered.

“I would much rather we reverse this scenario as I’m not willing to se hundreds of thousands of years of history and our planet wiped out as we uproot the ones who desire the status quo. Unlike the Nivarians we are not simply able to leave our world and settle elsewhere. Do you have any concept of how rare, no, how singularly impossible it is for a planet to evolve life in the light of a blue star?” She asked them.

 Nagy  shrugs,..No..Ma'am..  and I cannot  truthfully say i much care... Your people  seemed to  be able to Travel to The Sol system and  enjoy  the fruits of that travel as  much as  any one else we have met?.. I cannot  say   i give to big of a Damn what happens  to  them

 Lippen looks at Doc Christy   and then to  Mortica,.. the only thing you might have to offer the Fleet and the APF.. is  to fight  the  Empire and thier LAckys.. and?  You folks are considered Lackeys... trust me?.. we'll be fighting Vampics  every where  we go, regardless of what shakes out here?...  and the first time a Vampic   uses  a false  flag, or   a fake  surrender beacon or lights?..  well.. The Admiral is  still looking   for a planet  that will show him the perfect way   to destroy Hel...

Mortica gave an incredulous laugh. “Us, Empire lackeys? Please, the only reason they’ve never gone to war against us is the Angels keep them busy. We would have gone to war with them centuries ago had that not been the case.

  Nagy  smiles  a condescending smile,..I dunno?  You might have  miss a good thing?.. Yo both  eat people... you both  take  people for mating and food?... sounds like you're  Cut from the same cloth.. just a wee bit different style.. and you have to admit... the LArgrans  and  Bugs coming and going  through your  space  at will?.. Well.. that doesn't look , at all, good.

 Lippen adds,..not only do you have to  convince  folks like us?.. but you have to convince  those   whom  we  follow..and they have to convince us.. You get on the  wrong  side of  The Admiral, Commander, and the LC?.. Its hard to  Come back

“They come through our space because we allow it. They are beneath our notice so they pass through and we ignore them. Our feeding and mating habits are biological imperatives which Dr. Christie understands. The Demons have no such need, they simply desire it. I will add that we do not ‘eat’people’. Drinking of their blood is not consuming their flesh whilst they live and, again, we seek to end the practice of raiding and taking slaves.” The Vampic woman said in reply.

 well. Ma'am..way back in the Dat, My Dad had this farm, we  found this any hill.. They used to call the Cow Killers... anyway... they were   chewing up some crops wal out  in the  northern part.. he was going to let that   field fallow  the next year..to  recharge itself.. Well theses  ants.. chewed up some crops.... then.. we  noticed   some of  the barn cays  were missing... Then My dog... it wasn't  until my little sister  was screaming  that we  found out how bad those  ants could be... My Dad.. checked the Ant hill it got  Bigger.. the ants  were spreading,, so he Blew it Up  with  dynamite..  and sprayed    a 100 yard  circle around it... we never made that mistake again.. whether it was  rats in teh barn..Ants...whatever..

 ..your people, are Hack's   Cow Killer  ants.. He'll blow the anthill if he has to... and  noe one's gonna balme him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:40, Sat 16 Feb 2019.

“And whose cow killer ants will you be, I wonder? Your people seem quite matter of fact in your genocide. Finding it easier as you get more practiced until it becomes your first choice in dealing with an enemy. Before you know if the other races are looking at you as you look at me but you lack the biological necessity for such acts and settle on them out of convenience. You’ll stand there in judgement of my people but will you have the courage to turn that gaze inward and, if you do, will you like what you see?” She waved a hand. “I tire of this circular discussion with you. I have extended a hand in alliance which you seem willing to slap instead of take. I have expressed my desire to work together, have proven such by backing words with action but am greeted with more threats. I shall await word from Dr. Christie and Admiral Hack.”

She lapsed back into silence that seemed to contain more than a slight bit of exhaustion.

 Nagy shrugged,.. we make no bones about  wiping  out Hel...  You folks are an enemy we can't afford. The demons  started   'Total war'... we're  gonna  end it?   You see?.. we're not the ones   who came to folks  homes  and   eat them... but  now that we can fight back... we're gonna make sure   no one eats anyone again .. if  its  true what you are saying?.. They best start thier  war now.. because Vampics  killing Vampics.. might  be a good  sight  for  folks to see.

Henry stalked off in search of the Admiral, with a mix of cold fury, disgust, and despair. Sometimes his own species disgusted him even more than others that were empirically far worse.

“Fear not, Nagy. You will soon see your kilo of flesh. My father and our faction knew there would be blood spilled but these reforms are overdue. I regret my intelligence gathering failure that enabled Forrest to provoke Shadow. Could you please explain the significance of the song and why it angered so many.” Mortica requested, truly puzzled at the power it had over the Hermès crew.

  Nagy Cleared his Throat, Lippen  listened , she was  new, she heard the stories  saw the Vids....but.. was never  quite clear on the whole thing.

  I'll tell you the gist..You want  to no more ? You  ahev to ask   The Man himself, or   some one like beth or th SM or Lyri.. You  really wanna  Know.. You ask the Blue Verian  Warlord  , Lilit, she is   Shade  and Dusks,,, Granmod.. they call it?

 ..anyway.. Shadow gets  sent on a scout thing, a bit before the Hermes  sailed, he comes back with this "AI" in his fighter... sold to him by, what he thought was a Balck Market Guy.. Turn out that Guy was Adem.. the leader  of the  Verians, on Vera.

 ..but it wasn't  just an AI..it was a verian that uploaded itself into the Fighter... and.. decided to 'stay'.. from  the little  i saw, and alot  that I heard.. Lady..that was her name... was his best friend... she eben helped   him hook up with a  COM tech, who is now  ..somwhere esle fighting the good fight.

 ..turns out? If a verian goes the machine route.. , if they stay too long... they become that machine.... she knew   Shadow wouldn't let her go..so  she asked him to let her   fight  on Bura, soi he could  have  upgraded   machiness....

 she was Killed by a traitor, first viewd as a mistake, then found to be an assassination?... Every one of thsoe involved  are now  dead... there is a very good Vid, of   the LC beating the  pilot who killed her to death on Bura..

 ..onlu one escaped  the  net   HAck sent out to  find these traitors.. LAdy V.... who, as  it turns out, Is a big deal with the EDT, and works with  the Empires...and Guess who else.... yeh?.. Vampics... under the gusie  of the SSN..

 ..Shade  and Dusk are   Lady and  Shadows   offspring, she got DNA from him as he flew her and   worked on her... there's alot that goes into Shade's 'hatchiong" you can ask teh Doc and that big guy? Garrat? they know more then I do....


  but the song?.. 'Lady".. that was  targeted  for Shadow.. and   the results. you saw first hand?... and?  if you ever  wanted to galvinize  the De;tla fleet against  you.. Hit The LC below the belt like that...but.. don't  expect to land a second punch...

 ..Ive been around this boat for a while.. the SM?...Lyri.. The LC... you get on thier  wrong side.. and there is only one ending.. Lyri?.. the SM?   they  will go  hard core. because its their Job.... The LC....

 ..he likes it... only a couple  folks  were  ever on his list, that are still walkign around today, and that's because they are workign for us?..9 hells?..Look at the Larg ?  It ried to Kill Shadow?.. Shadow saved Him,..he saved Shadow?  now he's  a gds be damned Crewman..crewlarg?.. whatever he  is.. Naragrans.. same thing.. they helped him when he was shotdown over the Green Moon of Nivar.. they, inturn , helped him...now?  we have naragrans in the fleet

 T Nagy held up a hand,..but?..None of them.. tried to  hurt him, through his   'family'.. what ever Gutless reason  your people had  for this... we;;.. it  would be better to eat your own gun... There  are folks on this boat...this  fleet... that flat out  don't like  Shadow..but not many...and there aren't too many folks who won't  put thier lives on the Line  for  Him..or Hack..or the SM?  Your people  may not  fully understand that.. had they did..  they never  do somethign as stupid as that.

Mortica’s eyes had shaded to a deep red, her fangs descended as Nagy told the story of Lady. She was in a cold fury as he finished and paced the room, stalking like a caged tiger. “That was vicious, cruel, and cowardly,” she hissed. “I’m disgusted it was done and ashamed for my part in it. My people are predators, warriors, but that was unnecessary. The only way that intel could have come is through the Empire or their proxies.”

She turned to the Hermès crew members. “I want my people to thrive but sometimes there is only one way for that to happen. Burn it down.”

  There  was a chuckle,.. That..Forrest guy?.. He got off  lucky, If  Shadow  Had  not thought the Admiral needed him alive.   Forrest  would have   died a very messy death... or whatever you guys have, like death..

 ..if  I'm  that Braccus guy.., I'm trying to see  how i can  find a fast transport  to where  ever, Lady V is.. Shadow  won't let this  rest..
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:24, Sun 04 Nov 2018.

“If I knew where she was I would tell you but I will do what else I can to aid in the battle to come. If I can bring ships and soldiers to the side of the APF I shall. I shall provide intel and if I find Braccus I’ll hand him over to the LC personally. I think I needs must speak with the Admiral again and see what he wishes of me.” Her eyes hard, face set she bowed and then saluted the gathered crew.

  Lippen   snorted,..Lady V?.. she's  getting her  ass kicked   all around  The Black..  we have cut down, Money men, information brokers  and slavers... Sooner or later,  someone's goign to ask, her  where all the Creds  are going, If the Delta  Fleet  is   ship sweeping  like a  Massive Blue Wave... She's a Loose end.. we have her   penned up, wherever she is..but she's  still puling strings.

 ..pulling strings..Like  teling Forrest or who they 9 hells set up  that  song.. The  thing is, you can plan all you want?.. but you always have to plan   for 'what if  we fail?'

“Then I’ll show the Admiral where to put the explosives for the ant farm.” She replied. “Because it will mean that things are too rotten to be saved any other way.”

 Nagy Hear the Over ehad  and Stood Up, making sure his Pulse  Pistol was powered up... Lippen's rifle was never powered  down.

 ..well?.. Ma'am.. You heard the Man.... Let's  go visit the  Brass...

 Lippen Doesn't say  anything, she   just Follows   behind   Mortica, as Nagy leads her forward.

She nodded. “I am ready.” She said with finality, no hesitation in her face, eyes set with grim determination.

When Henry got back, he turned to Mortica.

"You have your chance. I hope it works. I have put my own reputation on the line for you, don't let me down. Now, would you prefer to stay here tonight or return to the brig?"

"I won't forget what you've done, Dr. nor will I let you down or do anything to tarnish your reputation. I give you my word if you will have it. I'd like to return to the brig, if you don't mind. I'm sure you could use the rest as could I and the brig does have a bed of somewhat dubious but undeniable comfort." She said as they left the room.

"Very well, I'll see you in the morning."

Henry asked the SEC troopers to take Mortica to the brig. He was only just realising how tired he was. Mila wandered off to attend to dog matters in her place, and he fell into bed.

 Hawkes and    Aspen arrived  with   Moriica  at  Henry's  Offcie.

 Cora    presented herself to   Henry,..Doctor Christie ? The Admiral sends his compliments... He  says  it is your   choice  as to whether you wihs to come up and  watch  the  Vampic's  Braodcast?... and...or... if You want to  be in the broadcast  with her...  we are  heading to  SEC  now for the  Broadcast... she checked her COM....about . 35 minutes   Sir?

  Mortica..( and Henry if he chooses) to SEC...…………...

"Yes, I'll come along," said Henry, and did so forthwith.

after Enta   , delta Nights....

 the LAb is  about half  full now.

all chipped..

(1) dead  Chipped  Wort

(1) Nivarian Flying  Snake

(1) Nivarian Bat-bear thing

(1) Burian Crabhopper.. crab like shell and claws..4  Hoppng  legs.

(1) Burian Treehanger  … a Leather skinned   Bird with Jaws  instead of a beak

not chipped, but signs of  testing ( shaved heads... sample  wounds  ect )

(1)   earth  Dog... mutt type

(1)  Earth Cat..very bad   disposition

(1) Hyrian Grabber... a caterpillar - like  body   with two  tentacles   and  a pair of claws, with  6 sets of legs....large round  Maw, with  teeth the in a circle around the maw.

Chipped  but in Humanoid room..with Med Tech oversight

(1) 'control' chip girl ( about  14?)

(1) boy chipped  about 6

(1) girl chipped same age?

<- Etna.

Henry arrived home, Mila trotting at his heels and looking far more rested. He looked over the specimens.

"Right, we'll start with the dead wort. We can remove his chip without doing harm, find out more about it. Can someone bring up whatever records were retrieved about him, please?"

-> Rec Dec

Henry came home and was ready for bed. The whole place was quiet. One tech 'minding the store' but no work was going on.

Mila trotted off to attend to doggie business, then came back and curled up on Henry's bed. He finished washing up and was soon in there with her, fast asleep.

It felt like he had only just closed his eyes when all hell broke loose.

ALL HEAR THIS....ALL HEAR THIS... BATTLES STATIONS ...BATTLESTTONS...THIS IS NOT  A DRIL...THIS IS  NOT A DRILL

Mila sat bold upright and barked, adding to Henry's confusion.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:13, Thu 28 Feb 2019.

Henry got out of bed and dressed, adding his armour and shotgun to his usual attire. Mila had dragged her harness out and was dancing around.

"Stand still, girl," said Henry, buckling it up for her.

He checked that the BioLab was secure, then headed for the Hanger Dec. Most likely place to find out what was going on and if anyone needed him.

-> Hanger dec

  Henry's  Lab was a  Mess. One intern Tech had Died  when the  ship was hit but   the shuttles and  the  'bug thing' had   Jumped her  and   stabbed her  in the  neck with its  , needle syphons .

 Vic  shot the  thing off the  Tech with a .45  hard   Ammo,  but the Tech     convulsed, from the poison  the  thing  used to 'make her   docile'

   Vic   was     giving stern orde3rs   on where to put  what.. she  say Henry and Pushed the hair from her eyes,.

  ..Doc  Henry?... Intern Quist  died from a  speciman  attack when we were hit... The Zoo  too  a Hit..  The Tree Climbing Bear from The green  Moon and  two of the  crab-stings from there   were Killed.. The   woman that  cleabs the    glass and such  broke her  left  arm on the Impact..may have saved her  life  as the    Vampics   piled out of the  shuttle  and a Fire  fight with teh  Civies Hold workers and  SEC guards   started.... some    Civie  throwe  an 02  tank  at them    and a SEC trooper   shot it,  set  the Vampics  on  fire, then they  used  the   forklift to   push them out   into the Black... The woman is in Med Tech now.

"Oh dear," was all Henry was able to manage. He set to assisting to clean up the mess.

   Vickie  approached   Doc  Henry,  she  looked  around at the others  who all seemed to be waiting for her to say something.

  ..Doctor?.. if I may..... The team seems  to be a bit puzzled.... we have   tested on  bodies  of   every   alien we have encounter?.. but..we have  not tested  a VAmpic  yet?... All we have to go on is  some  tsaped  conversation  and   reports  that  our people send  down to us, when they  fight  them?... should we not be  snagging a Vampic body or two..

"It would probably be a good idea. The Vampics seem pretty divided as to whether they will join us or not. Do you think you can source one or do we need to wait til the next fight? Good thinking!"

Henry smiled and rubbed his nose. He must be more tired than he thought to have missed that.

  Vickie  unrolls  her  Vid Board,..Yes, Doctor?  they stockpiled some  in cargo  ship  that is  carrying other Specimens  to Fuji...They could  have one or  two of them here...The...specimens  were slected  as to having the elast damage  down to them in combat.. I will  send  word , directly...

 The  rest of the staff looked   satisfied as they  Moved off to    attene3d to tests , or  clean up  messes

  With the  specimens  'ordered'...they  hear  the orver head of the   Vampic Vessels being destroyered .

  Some  disgits   taints  Vickei Voice  as she says , offhandedly.....Doesn't  seem  very smart of them.. all that trouble   for  one of thie rpeople, who already  cost the   a few hundred thousand  lives.... and YOu know  we're not  done yet..outside of the Demons, The Hyrians were  our biggest threat, and them  came over, rather  quickly.... I do not think  The Admiral  will be  as 'nice' to them , as he was  the Hyrians.... I kiind of wonder  if the Admiral , didn't have a puppy when he was little.. and that's why he let them slide!

 ..Oh?... and    when we get to  Fuji.. YOu and I  are invited to the Admrial's  Condo for his party... they have some   Bio-Tech  companies there  that want to  work with teh ESN    on   healign Compnads  for our  allies...They seem to think we  can make  better  stuff for them, with the sue of  some of the  Nivar and   Aqra  flora   we  found.

"It will be great to do something positive. Thee's a lot of potential in investigating plants for potential medicinal compounds," observed Henry.

He wndered into his office and started scanning through his records, looking for likely plants to bring to their attention.

Henry was busy working in his office, getting notes in order and drafting his first paper on implant technology.

Mila was curled up in her space, dreaming of something, her paws twitching occasionally.

<- from Hanger Dec.

"Here we are," said Henry.

"What are your feathered serpent's needs?"

  Nina looks around,..Much Nicer then I expected...Warship  and all?... Gorgo  likes   Meat of course... raw... Fish  is good  too... maybe once a week somethign Live..Like a Rat or rabbit...

 He'll  sleep on the head of  My Bed?..please  tell any stff  to knock before they  come in..he….attacks  if  startled.

"Meat and fish we can do... I'll see what can be arranged about live prey. Does Gordo like to be introduced to people? So he knows who are friends... or does he prefer to observe and work stuff out for himself?"

Mila yipped and scampered off to her area.

"And that reminds me. What does he need in the way of, uh, facilities? Mila has a designated area to use as a restroom."

      There is a little bit of thinking on Nina's  Part, As she says...It  might be  good to have  him see  alot of people..I  sure  he will take to some, and dislike  others.. I might even  be able to tell you  why...

 ..as  far  as   a 'cat' box  or the  like..that will be   fine, once  I  inform him... Is there a  Place the   Fly?   and train him.. the bigger the space, the better.


  Gorgo   looked  at Mila   and    left out an Odd  hiss..

 Nina   shushed him.....Hush now.... He's  such a   show off.... Also?  we should stop by the  Med tech , so they can draw  some venom, so  the anti-venomn  wil be on hand in case of  an accident, or misunderstanding.

"We have a big farm area below. Provided Gordo doesn't bother the cattle, he can fly there. If that's a problem, we also have a football field, but that's a bit more cramped. Mila's area is set up to auto-clean after her, he's welcome to share... or would he prefer one of his own?"

Henry dug out a container and put a thin film of soft plastic across the top.

"If Gordo would be so kind as to bit down on this and release venom... the MedTechs generally ask me to make their antivenoms anyway, so the sooner I get started the sooner they can have a supply. So, what are his particular capabilities anyway?"

Mila put her ears back and watched the hissing serpent very carefully.

   Gorgo  stopped   suddenly  as his  eyes   got a  Bit Bigger.  the creatire  who looked to be  3  feet long, extended  its self, to a good   5 feet, with  a foot of  'tail'  still wrapped  around  Nina.

 It   Bit into the    Cup.. and   it  stayed there  as Nina  stared  at Gorgo… the  Cup ended up , half  full.

   Nina a shook her head  a Bit  and Gorgo  recoiled   to her shoulders...It depends.. Nivairans  say  that  when it  hits  prey it  injects  the posion that   causes it to loose  control  and it  falls.. then the   Snake   can land  and eat at its  liesure ... we have seen, that they  will   Pump more  venom in something, if it is protecting its  Nests   those  doses  will kill...

"Thank you, Gordo."

Henry set to running an analysis of Gordo's venom.

"Apart from being venomous, what can Gordo do working in harmony with you, Nina?"

..he is  an excellant spy... at Night most of all..he has  Night sight, and   flys  with little noise  at all... he  can attack and Kill guards.. and  his   two  claws can cary a message... or an explosive..or a med tech kit?... nothing more the   10 pounds though

 Gorgo  Flapped his wings,..he did not   get his exercise  today..

"Then shall we go down to the farm and see if they'll let him fly there? Otherwise, there's a corridor - the tunnels - that runs right around the ship. Lots of people use it for exercise, Gordo could as well, it's high enough for him to fly. Come on, Mila, walkies!"

Mila wagged her tail enthusiastically.

  Nina  nods  as she tries to think,.. well?  You  could show   me  these  places   and we  can see what  they look like?

  ..My contemporaires  do not think  this was a wise  choice  for me..but  we are both looking  forward to comabt..

"Come on then,"

And Henry led the way down to the farm...

<- Rec Dec

Returning, Henry got Mila settled, then led the way into the kitchen area.

"Do you fancy something to eat, Nina? Once Gorgo settles down a bit, you can enjoy the delights of the Rec Dec, but for now, is there anything you fancy?"

 she   settled  Gorgo in . The Beastie    nestled on the ehad  board of her bed.

 ..I wouldn't  Mind  Coffee if you have it?.. with cream..maybe a bit of sugar?

 she   walks   into the   kitchen  and shakes her  head,..hard to believe this is a warship.

"It's more of a city that fights, I think. Plenty of civilians, as well as the families of some of the military crew. I didn't get any supper so I'm going to make something. A quick curry, perhaps. Coffee I can certainly do."

Henry had a bean-to-cup machine, so coffee was easy to fix.

She smiled  a bit... haven't  had  Curry  since i was on Etna.... never  tried to fine  any  on Fuji... there something I can help with?

Henry was already busy with spices.

"Can you cut the lamb into cubes please - Mila and Gorgo may have one each, the rest goes in the pot."

   The  woman   used the  knofe  expertly  as she cut the Cube....Gorgo was sleeping on the headboard   and didn't  stir.

 She Gave a   Cube to Mila  as   she  then   set  the  bowl to the side  , waiting for Henry  to tell her  when to scrape it in.

The air filled with the scent of the sopices as Henry heated them to release the flavour before beginning to work on the gravy.

Mila, who had been sitting watching the proceedings, caught her cube of meat and wagged her tail in acknowledgement before trotting off to curl up on a pile of chusions. She kenw she got just the one treat during preparation, but then often got a sample of the finished dish. Probably not this time, she wasn't so fond of curry.

Henry indicated that it was time to add the meat to the bubbling sauce.

  Nina  scraped  the  chucks  out of the  bowl  with the  Knife.      making  sure to  get each bit.

  Looking to Henry    onwhat he needed her to do  nect as she put the Bowl and  Knife into the sink., and began to run the water to wash the prep  dishes
This message was last updated by the GM at 14:17, Mon 01 July 2019.

"OK, that sits a while. Cook the meat and get the spices in. In maybe 20 minutes, I add the yoghurt and start the rice going. Time for that coffee..."

He served up a couple of mugs and settled at the kitchen table.

"So, how did you get into the animal-implant game?"

   She Nodded   as  Henry said  about   the next steps min the Curry. The took a grateful drink of the  coffee, before  addign a  bit of sugar.

 .... Well  My  family and I were researchers... we  started  doing  some..'out of the box' research on  ruins and such, in Egypt. Not  as   easy task  with the Oil Lords  holding sway  and lashing out  as Power cells  turned them into    3rd world  robber  barons....

   we started to see , that the Egyptian gods   were really..what we are fighting today.. The   odd heads on some give us the theory , they may have been Roussians  or another Race , such as them...but  we have  yet to see others  with the heads the  'eggplants'  have.

  The  real breakthrough came, when we started  to  figure out.. the  animal heads on the  'gods' were  really , just thier  depiction  of  what  Avains  and Hyrians  and all that looked like... it would seem Angels  were more confined to the Greeks  and Romans...

 as  we began to  get deeper into this  Idea.. we broke through a wall..which..we weren't supposed to break through and  found the  first Mummified  Avain.... The Oil Lords   found out , of  course, because  no matter   how well you pay people, there  are  traitors  who will turn  on thier own..

The hyena  came first... they hit  our Baggage  people  first, our Mercenaries  fought well.. the  end in command of the  group had  wounded  one   and  c=dragged it  towards the   Helicopter... we had  room enough   for  6 people and the animal     My Father  was  torn to shreds  well another  Mercenary    threw me On Board... My  Mother  took off  witht eh   two mercenaries  with  us,  shooting people   as  we went up.. what was left of  them  grabbed what research , jumped in the APVs  and  Drove off  deeper into the desert.. to a spot  they had set up for  such an  event... Then?...the  Birds  came.. big ones..they looked like Condors .. some followed the APVs   some  chased us .. the mercs  finally shot the ones   down as they chased us... but  they followed  the  rest , so the  Oil Lords   could find them.

  some 10 Hours later, we landed in  Jungle on the  east coast..and  the Mercenary leader  called    our People In England..while we  waited , the Oil Lords  had   news  vids of   My sister , 3 Mercs  and  6 baggage people..get beheaded for  violating  the tombs... Then.. I took a look at  the hyena  and its head  we saw a Chip  we  put  tape over  its  eyes  and  over its   ears...  as i studied it ..i realized they were  controlled .

 ..7 hours later..  the  dog thing  , the merc Captain and me..were on our  way to  England in a sub... the  Captain was  an agent  for some  underground  ESN  group.... and  now  I am here...

   Garrat had a little time before he was to meet Teela after her training, so he swung by to talk to Dr. Christie.

   Garrat knocks on the door.

Henry listened.

"So you were more into archaeology and anthropology then. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, to lose nearly all you familily at once in such a way... Wait. There's someone at the door. I'll go and see who it is. Watch Gorgo."

Henry got up and went over to the door.

"Ah, hello Garrat. How are you? I've just made coffee if you want some, and there's curry making if you would like to stay for something to eat."

Mila trotted up wagging her tail.

  "Thank you for the invite Dr. I'm afraid I don't have time for the curry but I have a hard time saying no to coffee.  I had a question about the Largs on the ship and was wondering if you could look into such things."

   Garrat saw [Nina?] and stopped.  "I apologise sir.  I didn't know you had company."

 Nina  smiled  and held  up her  Cup, I am Ninia.. I have been brought  aboard  to Help  with  My partner, Gorgo...

[does garrat see Gorgo?]

he's  down the hall in obe of the guest bedrooms

   Garrat looks around the room, "Gorgo?  That doesn't sound like a human name."  He pauses, "My apologies, I' Sgt Wolfrim.  It is a pleasure to make your aquantance."

  She smiles and sits  back down, a leg  under her. Gorgo is a  Nivarian Flying Snake.... i was...um surprised that there is a rather  Hungry LArg walking about... Largs..Worts, The  winged  Snakes  and  the  Tree Bears.. they normally attack each othe ron sight, unless under control.

In reply to Offcie (msg # 192):

   “Larry is something beyond a  Larg. He understands orders with a clarity most soldiers are incapable of.  That’s why I’m here.  Dr. Christy, If Shadow still agrees with it, I would like to see Larry receive a standard currency chip to see if he can establish coherent Comunications with us.”

"Don't worry, Garrat, you are not interrupting anything," said Henry, putting a mug of coffee in front of Garrat.

"How do you reckon a currency chip would help Larry communicate? Or do you think he deserves to be paid and to be able to spend his own money?"

In reply to Garrat Wolfrim (msg # 193):

   Garrat sits down and wraps his hand arround the mug.  "As you know, the currency chip also acts as a translation chip.  It takes a while but it draws energy straight off the hostes nervous system to operated and seems to use the brainwave patterns or something like that to comunicate what is transmitted to it by other chips.  Sometimes dielects and slang confuses the chip, some times it translates the style to a more familiar dialect which is why mine will sometimes translate me as having what Americans call a Texas accent."

   "As he seems to  understand us, In time Larry should be able to comunicate simple words and concepts, and yes.  He holds rank, gives us suport on and off the feild, involves himself in a very complex social structure without making almost any mistakes...I think with comunication he will be able to understand the concept of limited currency and cetainly deserves compensation."

"It's certainly an interesting idea. I wonder if Larry would be amenable."

Henry wasn't sure quite how to get the concept across, but thought it might be worth a try.

    "I think Shadow might be a help there.  He would be asleep for the instalation and he has healed wounds before."

    Having it on his leg might not be the best location as he walk on them.   Maybe the scruff of his neck?"

Henry nodded.

"That's probably right, a good place. Have you spoken to Kray yet about the idea?"

   "I mentioned it to him at least once on the recdeck and he agreed to it then, otherwise I wouldn't mention it to you."

    "I'll go run it by him again and see how that goes."  Garrat had finished the coffee.  He stood nodded to each of them in turn saying his goodbyes and left for the flight deck.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:38, Thu 04 July 2019.

"OK. Great to see you."

Henry went to check on the curry.

  standing to wacth  Henry   as she sipped from her Coffee,..so?...The oversized  human wants to  Chip a LArg?..because.... he thinks you can talk to it?.....Those things have eaten as many  of thier trainers  , as they have    those  who they were supposed to attack!

Henry didn't look round from the pot he was stirring.

"You're going to have to drop that prejudice against largs - or indeed any species - if you're going to work here. We work with any creature that respons to what we are doing, just as any sentient is welcome in our ranks if they want to fight on our side. We judge each being by what they do or say rather than by their species."

 She shrugged,..I suppose.. there are alot of people who don't  like  Gorgo..but  the worst he  can do is take a fist sized  chuck out of you..and?..MAybe a Little Poison...

"Dead is dead," said Henry flatly.

"Some people's prejudices are based on a bad experience, some just an atavistic expression of the lizard brain. Lots of people just plain don't like snakes. Just about any creature can be dangerous if it wants... or if it feels threatened; and they can be very friendly if they feel cherished. Up to us to treat them right, whatever we might have thought before."

Henry recieves a comm text from Melia (forgot to hit post apparently)

Dr. Christie would you be available to tutor Orria today?

  In  Henry's     lab.. ornage  lights  flashed   for the 'rig for action'

 then the Admiral's   PA  announcement .

Henry replied to Melia's text.

Of course, send her round when you are ready.

Then the lights started flashing. He checked on Nina and explained what they meant, then went round the labs to make sure everything was secure... not that he expected anything else, Val was very efficient.

---Civie Section-->

Melia, Orria, and the Lonnox all arrived in short order. Orria is a little put out that she'd not heard anything from Shade yet. As his assistant and in an emergency she wanted to be close to him. Orria herself is sporting her side arm, and knife on her belt wear pants and a shirt in a similar theme to the combat uniforms of the ESN, on her back is her backpack with her vidboard, comm, and school stuff. The Lonnox excitedly greets Henry, Melia for what is worth is decked out in her full kit ready to go.

"So as far as tutoring goes, I was hoping you could work a little some Math, Science and general history. If you can help connect those things to her interest it may be useful, her teach seems to think her programming and vidoboard work could really jump with some math work.

Granted things seem to be popping off. She's trying to contact Shade so she can help him, but I don't know what Shade is doing, or where he is currently." She explains quickly, "Thank you so much Dr. Christie. I need to get down to SEC to report in. If you need anything or have any questions I'll have my comm."

With that Melia heads off to the SEC office

---SEC-->

"All right, milk and cookies first, then some maths fun," said Henry, giving the lonnox a hug. He hadn't seen the beastie for a while.

"Orria, this is Nina. She has a feathered flying snake called Gorgo, who works with her like Mila does with me. Gorgo's a bit shy around new people though, so don't rush up to hug him... let him come to you in his own time."

He settled Orria at the table with milk and cookies, passing some more to the lonnox and Mila, then started enquiring of Orria how advanced her mathematics was. Once he had an idea of what she knew, he could devise a lesson around the next stage.

Orria shyly smiles at Nina, and extends her hand like she'd seen adults do who were meeting new people. "Hello, I'm Orria." She says happily, when the cookies and milk are brought out she thanks Dr. Christie, and the turns around asking "Why do I have to practice math? I don't like it. Its hard."

  Nina    Nodded,..I am Nina... Gorgo is  sleepign  in   my   quarters..  amybe later  you can take a peek... I see you have weapons?

 her   eyes  move  to Henry ,..do all children walk around armed?

"It depends on age and inclination. Orria serves as Shade's aide, so is required to go armed. Indeed, everyone is supposed to carry at least a sidearm and a boot knife... but I keep forgetting!"

He sat down and looked firmly at Orria.

"Mathematics isn't difficult. You just need to be shown - or find out - how to do a thing, then it's easy. What do you find hard? Let's see if we can figure out how to make it easy and entertaining."

Orria shrugs. "<Lavender> It doesn't make sense I don't know where to use what rules and where." She says not really knowing how to describe what she doesn't know.

[From Sec]

Mortica came in at speed with Gregor cradled in one arm. "Do you mind watching him whilst I go kill some of my people who just refuse to listen to reason?" She asked Henry.

She nuzzled Gregor's little face and gave him a kiss. "You stay here with Henry and Mila whilst I go take care of people who want to hurt our friends. Behave and I'll have a big steak for you when I get home. I love you, my wee beast."

She set him down. "Thank you Henry!" She shouted before running out of the office.

[To the Hangar]

  Nine  looked  a bit horrified...another  one!.... do you breed them on this ship?

 Lonnox    ran behind   Henry

Henry grinned, gathering Gregor up for a hug.

"No, we just... acquire them. They all seem to end up here, though, so you'd better get used to them."

He turned round to coax the lonnox out.

"Cookie, this is Gregor."

Mila came over to sniff at both animals, then wagged her tail.

"Right, Orria. Do you know how to calculate an orbit around a planet?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:07, Sat 13 July 2019.

  Gregor   titled his  head   as he  stood up on his back  4 legs.  When Cookie  came   Close  he    reared  his head  back a  Bit, the head  titled   to 90 degrees..

   You  seem to have a Zoo!.. Not  counting the  creatures  in  Lab!

In reply to Henry Christie (msg # 216):

Orria shrugs and nods, teacher made me do that module last. But I want to learn how to talk to people, and use a vid board like Beth not fly a spaceship. Why is knowing about orbits important to that?" she asks, clearly not connecting the dots.

"OK, then. Can you actually do the orbits?" said Henry.

"Point is learning how to make the numbers do your bidding. Doesn't matter if it's orbits or the algorithms that make the vidboard go, it's all numbers."

Orria shrugged and pulls up a problem and works through it with a little trouble. The work is sloppy, and rather rough but after several attempts she gets the orbit correct. "Algory-ithmns make the vidboards work I just made up numbers until it worked. Ifn I use math I can find the right numbers faster? Dr. Christie can you show me?" She asks her interest rising.

"Yes, of course..." Henry sat down beside the little girl.

"See here, if you start by making an estimate - a guess - as to what would be a reasonable number to put in there, you'd not have to make half a dozen attempts before you come up with something reasonable."

Henry settled to showing her how to make realistic guesses based on the information available, and not do the full calculation until she was confident with her estimate.

  the ship  shook now  and them as the  Guns  fired.. COMs  were Miffled abit  as they  studied.

  Nina  was washing   dishes  and such that weren't in use, for somehting to do...so?  a  Battle   rages  out there.. you... you do homework?

Henry looked up.

"This time, yes. Sometimes I have been invited on boarding missions, more often I'm called upon when we go planetside. This seems to be mostly a space battle, I don't have any particular talents in that direction."

  Nina  shooke rher   head as she placed   the items in the strainer, then  sat  down to  finish her  Meal...

 Orria?  Do you want some Curry?

 throught erh   COMs   the Sound... 'STAND BY TP REPELL BOARDERS"

 Red  Lights  flashed... and soon the   Impact  of   shuttles  Hitting the ship

  Vickie  came In...  we  are Hit, Doctor... we have   2 impacted in the Civie  area... 2  on the bridge... and three on the hanger Dec...

 Nina   went to he r room to het he r weapon's  belt   and  wake  Gorgo.

Henry went into his office to find his sidearm. As usual it was buried under notes and pictures.

"OK, Vickie... is everything in the lab secured. Lock the place down. Nina, I recommend you and Gorgo stay here... not enough people on the Hermes know you two yet and might think you're hostiles... Orria, boarding parties are no excuse to skimp on your maths, but keep your weapons handy."

Henry eyed the main door warily. Mila ran up and pawed at him.

"What? Oh yes, your harness..."

He got it out and helped her dress.

Orria continued working on the assignments. She had accepted the curry and continued working trying to apply Henry's method. "Can I find the number without having to guess? she asks.

When the alert comes she removes her side arm and checks the power cell and clicks it to ready.  She sets it back into its holster but leaves the retraining strap unclipped.

"When you are secure in the method, having a rough estimate isn't so necessary - it's when you are learning and want to ensure that your worked answer is sensible that making guesses is really useful," said Henry.

Mila sat at his feet, upright with ears pricked.

 beth's  voice  came on Henry's COMs......Vampics  have been ended on the  Hanger Dec.... there are a few left  in the Civie  section..so stay put for a bit...

 Mina looked at Henry,who would want to board the Hermes?

Henry looked grim.

"Plenty of people who wish us ill. They never get very far, but make a nuisance of themselves when here. Then they die."

 ninba looked   a Bit taken aback.

 Orria looked up  and nodded, we killed two dogmen..who came in here...

"Yes, you did," said Henry.

"I had been sent on a boarding party, but Orria and Shade stood up and defended the bio-lab."

 Nina  looked at Orria  then  Henry..The Little LArg  was  sitting   on a  chair  sniffing around for   food...tthen it spied  Gorgo..nad  tiled his  ehad 90 degrees..

 Gorgo   fluttered a bit   as his eha d lowered , lookign  at  Gregor.

Henry went over to distract Gregor with some meat.

"It's all right, Gregor. That's Gorgo. He's a friend... or will be, once he gets used to us."

  Gregor hissed  a  tiny  bit, his   rotated   all teh  way over to  the   other-90 degreee.

 Gorgo  Hissed  and Flpped.. Mina  reache dup, grabbed his  snout  and   shushed him.

"Stop that at once!"

Henry tapped Gregor's nose.

"Behave yourself! Gorgo is a guest on this ship. Be polite."

He picked the larg pup up and cuddled him.

 Cookie     scurried  about, back  and forth then sat  by  Orria.

 Gregor      fussed a bit , but  settled  down..his  head  and   neck going  back and  forth.

 Grogo   wrapped  his    tail around Nina's  leff   shoulder  as he  tried to   release the grip on his  snout..

Henry shook his head at the animals' antics.

 The  Lonnox ws  tryign his best to look 'mean'  as he   ran around Orria's  chair,  Yapping now  and again.

 Then stnad up to Paw  at Orria's leg.

  Gregor peered  around   Henry's head at the   Snake-thing..

 Gorgo  fluttered  some more  but it s tail stil held onto Nina's  shoulder.

 Val   Stuck her head in, Doctor Christie?..The All-Clear  has been sounded... there will be an after   party in  2 hours.... and Send off  is at 1000  tomorrow..
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:06, Tue 13 Aug 2019.

Orria looked down at Cookie, "COOKIE STOP. BE NICE. she said in response to the Lonnox trying to look mean. She kept trying at her figures "Ok I guessed this. It feels right, but when I do the numbers I get this other number." she says pointing to the two numbers. "When I run the program it kinda works with my number, but not the other numbers." she says showing Henry after Gregor, Gorgo and Cookie had all calmed down.

"Thanks, Val." said Henry.

He looked at Orria's work.

"Yes, your estimate is good. Where you went wrong with the calculation is here. You should have subtracted rather than divided... see. Then the numbers come out correct. That's why it's important to estimate your answer. It helps you find mistakes in your calculations. Try again, and then we're done for the day. Good work, Orria!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:07, Tue 13 Aug 2019.

Orria follows along as Henry points out what she'd done wrong. She sets out again trying to work out the problem. While she works she unconsciously sticks her tongue out in concentration.

This time as she works the number comes out a lot closer to her estimate as she follows Henry's guidance. She shows Henry the numbers so he can watch the program run both with the estimate and the new calculation

Flex

Mortica walked in with Roll and Viktor, still well armed and armoured. "Hello Henry. I'm here to pick up my little beast. Did he behave whilst he was a guest in your space?"

 nina  stood   dumbfounded as a VAmpic  , of all things, came  to get a larg Puppy....My partner  and he , do not seem  fond of  each other.... nor is  Gorgo   fond of the  bigger   dog-thing..... on Nivar.. they are the utmost enemies....The  Lonnox  seesm caught in the middle..

 the  furball on the floor Looked up and arffed a few times.

"He's had a hard life so far so he tends to misbehave when given the chance. We rescued him from a lab that had cruelly treated him but with plenty of love he is getting better."

Mortica reached out and picked him up, scratching around his ears and nuzzling his face. "I missed you."

She smiled at Mila. "Hello pretty girl." She looked at the ball of fur that barked and cocked her head. "I've never actually seen one in the flesh before. What is your name, fuzzy?"

Orria smiles shyly at Morticia, "Um he's a Lonnox. His name is Cookie. He's my friend, and helps fight against bad guys, but I protect him most of the time she says patting her side arm. My name is Orria, and I am Ambassador Shade's aide. I'm not as good as Mr. Shadow at knowing what Shade says but I know a lot. I sometimes see you with Roll, are you his new mommy?" she asks having never been formally introduced.

Mortica held a hand out to the young girl. "It's very nice to meet you, Orria. My name is Mortica and I am Roll's new mommy. It's nice to meet you as well, Cookie. That's quite a job you have as aide to the Ambassador. He's lucky to have you."

Henry smiled.

"Hello Mortica. Viktor. Gregor was a bit startled when he saw the feathered serpent, but settled down and behaved himself. He's welcome back whenever you can spare him."

He turned to Orria.

"Well done, you have the hang of that now. Enough maths for one day I think. Do you want to wait for Melia or go off and find Shade? Or call him down here and you all can have milkshakes?"

  Val  smiles  as she stuck her ehad in, though  it may have been a  bit strained witht eh Vampic there.

  ..I double checked the  specimens ..thier are locke d down and fed.. I'm  headed up to the afterparty  with  the staff.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:06, Tue 13 Aug 2019.

In reply to Mortica (msg # 247):

"Thank you, Miss Morticia. It's nice to meet you too." she replies to Morticia.

Then to Henry, "we should go find Shade if the battle is over I have to tell him not to get hurt or he will. Bad people came on the Hermes, and Shade might have tried to fight without me. " she explains, not quite grasping that Verians even half Verian's grow up much quicker than Humans do.

Henry grinned at Vickie and waved.

"Off you go. I shall be along shortly. Orria, do you think he'll be at the party? If so, we can go together."

He called Mila over and helped her out of her harness.

Orria nods vigorously, "Shade always goes to the after parties. He wants to fight the bad guys like Mr. Shadow does." She explains while putting her things away and getting the Lonnox ready to go as well.

    Nina   looks at Gorgo.... Should I take  Gorgo?

  Gregor     just titled his head  at the winged  beastie.

“I shall let you ready yourselves for the party. I’m going to gather the rest of the family and make my way there. Thank you all for watching Gregor whilst I was away.” She nuzzled his head again. “See you soon.”

Mortica waved and walked out to join Roll and Viktor for the walk to the RecDec.

[End Flex]

"My pleasure, Mortica. He's always welcome here."

Henry turned to Nina.

"Up to you. It gets a bit rowdy and there will be all manner of sentient species there... and Larry... so he might find it a bit upsetting. On the other hand, he has to get used to us all, sometime."

  She goes to her   he r room and    Comed  hack  with a Collar   for    the  beastie  that fits    at the  base of his neck, but, had   litle  chains  that  slipped over the  small  shoulder  where to   front ..er.. only  arms   were.

  ..I am ready..if he gets  unruly.. i will simply come backl.

"It is not so much him misbehaving, I don't want him scared or upset," said Henry.

"If he's going to be of use to us, he needs to be comfortable around us."

Mila stood wagging by the door as Henry led the way out.

-> Rec Dec

Henry and Mila returned home. The dog lapped up a bowl of water after all her exertions, but was soon curled up asleep. Henry, too, was soon in his bed.

Henry came back from the Send Off and settled down to get some work done. Mila wandered off to doze - watching humans - even her Human - pounding a computer keyboard wasn't her idea of fun.

First thing he looked for was that invitation.

..Doctor Christie?.. I'm heading to Bed Now.... I am supposed to remind you of  some party at the Football field , that some Captain is having for one of our  New  Pilots.. his  kid..i think?

 she smiles  and  leaves,

  Nina  looks at Henry from another chair  as she works on some of her  own  papers,..very....attentive..is  she  not?

 Gorgo was back in Nina's  room sleeping on the  head board..   Cookie       had Looked up at VAl, then nestled back to  sleep.. Mila opened an eye, then closed it.

"Goodnight Val."

Henry waited until the door was closed.

"Between you and me, Nina, I've come to the conclusion she fancies me. Has for some time, but I'm too much of a clod to have noticed it until now. So I have invited her to be my escort for the festivities on Bura. We'll see what happens..."

He got up and stretched.

"How is Gorgo settling in? You'll need to start working with some of the troops. He might be useful in a boarding party, what do you think? Or will he be at too much risk from a loss of pressure. I doubt they've managed to make him a spacesuit yet."

  Nina nodded,..indeed.. we are out here  to Test Gorgo. There are at least 6 more on Fuji  trying to bond  with a handler... Thus  far, we know they can be  used  for scouting, even more so with a  rifle CAM on them.. they could be  of use in battle.... I see them better  at night  and  in atmo... I am unsure of how they would be  in passage ways and such..

 ..I must ask about getting an escort to the  Palace...I do not know much about   what you people out here, normally do.

"If you want to see how Gorgo handles passages, go down to the Farm. Round the edge there are several miles of passage, called the Tunnels, where people who like running go to get distance work in. He could flap around in there to his heart's content..." said Henry.

Arrival at Bura

Henry called Val over.

"Look, here is our invitation to the ball. Take the rest of the day off to get ready. Commander Si helps all the female officers to look their best, she will help you as well."

To make sure, he sent a note to Commander Si requesting her assistance with Val's dress.

Then he gave Mila a bath. She wasn't impressed, but once dried and given a good brushing even she realised how good she looked.

 Val  held up a  finger.....Captain Si... Doctor.... I  will do that.. i never had  an Angel silk dress!

  she leaves  with the notes  , trying  not  to look too excited.

  Nina  comes out  of  her room with a towel  on....what should I wear?  I understand its  formal?... But i have no such dress..and..I  do not have  a Uniform, since i an technically  a Civie?

"Ah Nina. You'd best chase after Val, it's customary that all the ladies going to formal events get kitted out in 'angel silk dresses' - Commander Si seemingly has a room-full and matches every one to a nice dress. Gorgo can stay here if you like, I'll see he's not disturbed. Somehow I cannot see a feathered snake at a dress fitting! All mkes me feel quite drab in a tux."

Henry was always tempted to haul out his doctoral gown - scarlet with blue silk facings and sleeves - but didn't want to detract from the ladies.

  Nina   thinks  for a bit  until she hears ' Angel Silk"..then she  runs  back to her   room.

  a minute so  so later she   comes    haustling up  ,gives   Henry a Hug.....There's  a container of   meat in your  fridge for Gorgo?... he'll flap around  and  start perching on things, if he's hungry.

 and then she was gone....

Henry sent a com message to Commander Si, requesting that she take care of Nina. He enclosed a picture of Gorgo, perhaps she'd find something that matched!

Then he went and took a shower before putting on his own evening clothes. Mila was looking a bit bemused at all the fuss.

When Gorgo appeared, Henry fished out the container of meat and set about feeding him.

  Val    cam into the  Office.. a  Dark Yellow   dress on.... Nina  had a  Peach  colored dress.

 Gorgo loked at  Nina   with dsome confusion.

 well, Doc?  we're  really... I ..um..understand  the animal partners are to go away well?... something the Burians  want to look into, if they feel its  safe.

"You look wonderful, ladies," said Henry.

"Mila always accompanies me. I guess people will kind of expect Gorgo to be there, but that's up to your judgement."

Henry had a third attempt at his bow tie. It didn't want to cooperate this evening.

  Val   shook her  head....here?   Let Me....  she deftly  tied the  tie   with a  few  , well practiced  moves , centering it  and   makeing the   ends  even.

 ..there..... used to have to  do My father's  and  Older Brother's  ties....Fatjer  isn't  around any longer..but my  Brother  is  on Fuji..he works  with teh Farm folks  getting more  yield from crops  and   animals... he has  been published on   Beef yields  and  Corn growth...

 Nina raised  an Eyebrow  at her as she said this.

  Val  just shrugged,..it may not be as exciting   as havign a flying snake... but youy can obly eat that snake once.. the  corn  will grow every   few months.

 Gorgo hissed.

"Thank you. Yes, I've read your brother's work, especially the corn growth stuff. Some innovative ideas there."

He looked round.

"Settle down, Gorgo. Nobody's going to eat you, at least not tonight. Come on Mila, time to go."

He turned and in an old-style courtly manner, proffered an arm to Val.

(( after leaving  bura and the    'awards' night))

  Val came into   Henry's   office  with  some   Earl Grey  and  a stack of   rolls with jelly..honey  and Butter..

 she smiles  a bit,I got the others   a few dozen doughnuts..... how do yuo feel? i heard the pilots  are being run to death, or some such nonsense..

 Mila  has a  bowl  of steak bits   from the  rec Dec... she  gestures to her    bowel.

Henry looked up and smiled.

"That smells great. Almost as good as you look."

He cleared a corner of the desk so that she could put the food down.

"Sit down and we can take a break together."

He got up to find a chair, tipping some books off of it, and saw her seated, stealing a kiss in the process.

Mila jumped up wagging her tail.

She could feel the pleasure emanting from Her Human, and the rolls smelled good!

  Val  smiled   and   have a short.pleasded  laugh  as Henry  kissed her and  sat down.

  ..I was   next to   Enisign  Holly Hock? She  uns the Bring  when  Commander  Miller is  there.. anyway.. there is   some  rumor  of a new race?.. well..new to use.. CAlimites?... I haven't heard of them.. but thier planet is in Uden space?... I think  we might get to meet them, when  we visit  Uden!

"That should be interesting. It's fascinating to meet the different species of sentients and see where they are alike and where they differ. Calimites, you say? Don't think I've heard of them."

He set a database search running then turned his attention to the food and to Val.

  Val  seemed  happy as she    took a part a roll to eat it   and  sipped her   tea,..so , Doctor?  Did  you ever thing.. I eman?  you go on these missions. what if yu got hurt?.. you wouldn't be  able to carry on  with your work?..or..other things?

Henry took a roll and tossed one to Mila. A serious look crossed his face.

"I don't really want to fight. I would rather we could all get along in the galaxy, and I could concentrate on my studies. Sometimes the powers-that-be think that my talents are needed in the field, though, or they want Mila there. I cannot refuse."

 Val  gave him a warm  look,well? I will help as  much as I can... i barely passed   trainign with sidearms... I think my  maincontribution is in the lab...or..in the office? she smiled  at him.

Mila wagged her tail and caught the roll Her Human threw to her, and retired to a corner to eat it.

"You, my love, give meaning to all things... and a very good reason to make sure I come back from any missions!"

Henry's voice was quiet and intense.

  Val's  light brown skin , got a tad  darke r as she  smiled  , looke d down at her tea, then shifted her  eyes up to Henry.

 ..you know... this  could go along way to helpign   us   with your   findings?..I mean? I would be next to worthless in a gun battle?... but   doing research in the field  with two of us there... that could  double what we  would find

 I also read   somethign the Admiral wrote  for one of  our trade Magazines,  right before  the Hermes left the Sol System... something like ".... it seems   to be  ..That Aliens   adopt   weapons that  are dangerous  to them, then improve  upon them to make them dangerous  to others..... however.. some races  go the other way and shy away from  weapons that can harm them, more then others...we need.. as a Race..and  as a Federation, to find out which is which.."

 she waved her had  with he r rill in it  after  takign a little bite.so?  we  see  Occui and Sanri use the same  weapons we  do..though, Sanri do not seem overly   eager to use  hard ammo? ...the same goes  for Nivarians..except.. those golden lazars  seems to   cut  through them , more easy then most.... Apefolk.. they  seem to be   afraid of Hard Ammo... the feeling there is, the prisoners  would be given one round of hard  ammo when they went to harvest Mellons?... the guards  were the only ones with   Pusle guns...and?  The PVS   had   hard  Ammo MGs on?..Gava?  no one knows yet... and the Nargrans  don't seem to use    any weapons....but racial  memory, causes them to shy from the Nivarian Golden Lazars..

  Demons? are afraid  of    the hard ammo..its like being poisoned and shot!..Largrans use  hard ammo.. but  have shields to protect themselves  from power  weapons, that seem to burn through thier  skin?.. The Avains..dislike  power weapons... I supposed   for them, its  like being cooked?  I don't know?.. and Bugs..well.. to me they are just mindless  aberrations.. the humanoid  ones  are disgusting, when they are one that have been Bred!.. and the    Pure   Creshians   aren't much better!..now?  Vampics...  the silver?  it is  deadly to them, as hard ammo  is to Demons.. it gets intothier system, they way thier  .sponge like..bodies  are.. and   causes it to  eta away at itself from  a reaction?.. I did  a study from   Vampic bodies , fesh and   overly dead.. the fresher the bodies.. the more  quickly   they  decline! ... a Stem gid  with a  silver  dagger, could poison a Vmpic  to death..it would be long..and painful?.. the only sure is to cut  out that  who section of   corrupted flesh..and hope they could  heal?... That same   kid   could walk through a  crowd of demons and stab them with a  irondagger…and posion them all, unless   a Med tech  was there with the right antibodies... since, they have a real  blood  system, the   'poison'  would flow  faster...

 she  smiles  as she pops  a piece of roll inher mouth after  adding  some honey....that's things    i got to work on, while you were at fancy balls!

Henry laughed.

"You won't be getting out of attending fancy balls any time soon!"

  after they ate, and began work in the Labs about new   creatures  they   documented on Bura. A COM would come over  the   PA in the Lab...

 ..Doc Henry?  We had a boarding  instance on the Commande  Dec... there are  some Verian Bodies  in the   Passage way. If you wish any of them for study, you have  30 Minutes  to   collect  what you need,  after that..SEC is going to ejected  them from the  Landing Pad   exit.

"On my way..."

He turned to Val.

"Coming? A remarkably quiet boarding action, didn't hear a thing. Get one of those hover-jacks and we'll see what is interesting."

-> Command Dec

 it is shortly after  the shuttle left Beth COMs  Henry.

 ..Doc christie?    there is  to be a meeting , in an hour on the hanger  Dec  of the Fleet's leaders... it  wil concern the  Vera  invasion of Calimite?.. The Admiral requests  you presence ,  Mila  as well, adn you may bring, whom ever is your  2nd in command over there... it isn't formal.... beth out..

"We'll be there, Beth, if the Admiral wants us."

Henry turned to Val.

"Fancy a stroll down to the Hanger Dec, Val. The Admiral wanst Mila and I to attend a meeting, and says to bring my second-in-command. That's you!"

 Val  nods...I guess i should then? I will bring a Vid Board  for  notes

"Great. Shall we go, then?"

Henry got up and headed out.

-> Hanger Dec

(( after war room meeting))

 Val is  in the offcie.  she is setting up  Henry's boarding armor, and a  shoudler  bag of     packaged  food and treats... she   is checking the charges on two portable  scanners  for  reading life signs and recording  such things.

 she has a Pensive  look on her  face.

Mila ran in yipping in excitement and butted up against Val's legs. She looked over what Val was packing and sent some images to Her Human's mind.

Henry followed the excited dog in. When she had finished capering he came over and put his arms around Val.

"Mila says to please remember her portable bowl and some water... I see you've heard they want us on the boarding action. Thank you for getting my stuff ready. Don't worry, they always take good care of me."

  Val   reached down  and  Fuzzed  Mila's ears  and  top of her head... its  a hazard , what we  do...even on an ordenary expedition...This  will be going  against Pure Blood verians...I am certain, the demons themselves woudl worry for that?

 ..which reminds me... here is a report  the others  and I put together, from the Bodies  and  equipment  that were captured... Yech Labs  say the  Armor will recharge itself through the  bodies  of  the  Verians  themselves... but   2 or 3  heavy Plus e rounds   will 'wash away' the  protective  field and allow  Pulse to hit the armor  as  normal..so? Heavy pulse  can break through and  do damage...regular service  Pusle, will need to hit it many more time to wear it  down, to the point   pulse  rounds  take effect...The tech in charge, said, encapsulated  Pulse round, may be best, as the  capsule will break through the   shield and impact the armor,,thus , trapping the   Pulse power against the armor, and  compacted  by its own shield...the effect would be luck a shotgun, at close range..

 she   opens  to the second  part of the report that  as the  Symbol of a silhouette , of a Man  standing with a dog, on the letter head.out report shows  somehting...interesting... The  Pureblood  Verians  cannot  mate  with  anythign but Human-types... this would include, Nivarians, Burians, Angels  ect ect... But Demons, Avains,Largrans,Creshians , things like that..cannot.. so.. The Empire can use them for breeding....but the  Verians ...could use them to Breed, in thier  fashion, Much like  the LC with his fighter?

Henry scanned the report.

"Interesting. It's strange, how virtually every sentient species in the galaxy is determined to breed with other sentient species..."

  Val  shrugs,..it happened on Earth..every  time some  one  'discovered'  anothe rland, they ended up  Breeding, rapings  or amrrying   the natives?... same thing out here, only the Empire  doesn't look down on it, they look on it  as a way  of making  thier race  stronger.

 ..now?  YOu should get some rest?...um.... you need help with that?

Henry frowned.

"But that was with other humans, even if they came from a strange new land and maybe had different colouration. This is completely different species..."

He'd heard many of the arguments from students. He'd had one who rated every creature he learned about on a) how good it was to eat, and b) how good it was in bed.

He brightened up at Val's next comment.

"Yes, I think I would..."

Seeing what was in Her Human's mind - he was broadcasting rather loudly - Mila sneezed and trotted off to her own part of the living area where she used her facilities then curled up in her bed.

Some time later...

Henry emerged greatly refreshed.

"Thank you, Val. Now I definitely have something to come back to!" He kissed her then went to gather up his stuff.

"Mila! Wake up you old slowbones... time to go. It was you that wanted to join the boarding party, after all."

He got the dog's harness and held it out for her.

 Val was   getting   her sidearm belted up , then gathered a pair of Vidboards...I am goign to  the  Hanger Dec  to..I will see you off, then  work with Beths  team  so i can help porvide   feedback form  any actions or suggesstion you might make over the COMs..

 The rest of the group  will  have the LAb secured, and  any of our live  speimens  locked  down as well...

Henry grinned at Val.

"Fantastic, you stay safe now, hear?"

He got into his armour and gathered his stuff, then helped Mila into her harness, feeling the dog's excitement in his mind.

-> Hanger Dec

-> Rec Dec

Mila followed Her Human and his mate back from the Rec Dec, feeling contented and well-fed. The humans vanished into Her Human's sleeping quarters: judging from the mental images broadcasting from Her Human's mind he didn't have sleeping in mind.

She decided to sleep in her own bed, so made use of the doggie facilities then curled up until morning. Her Human was in safe hands, she'd always liked Val.

Next morning, Henry was up feeling refreshed and loved. He looked around for Mila, but she was in canine quarters rather than on the foot of his bed as usual. Discreet animal, he hadn't noticed her at all last night.

He kissed Val, and asked if she wished to attend the send-off. If not, he'd be back afterwards to catch up with work. That material about Verian ancestry needed reviewing. Was it just of historical interest, or did it have direct relevance? Maybe Beth could offer some insight. It might also be worth raising with Shade, he was mature enough by now to discuss such matters.

-> Hanger Dec.

(next day..the BAll for the 1st  battle of Uden)

   The  Lab techs   opened  the   back end of the LAb where they would normally store creatures they have worked on and  just had 'filed' . With some work,  certain  creatures  were  moved to some space in the Tech LAbs.. while others  were sent down to the  farm to be  ground up for  fertilizer..

   looking at some file  footage  of the Larg  Kennels on Etna, the  LAb  folks  'redesigned' the  area  so that  Tess  and   Freddy had    thier choie of   5 'nests'..the  6th one would be   for Larry, even though there  was very little chance  he would be staying there..

 water trough flowed like a small stream  and would enter the system to be  recycled  witht eh rest of the ships  water.

 Near the  door  were  two large bins  with the  fronts  cut  down for   food.  There were no chains, But there were rings on the wall if  the time  came, they would need the chains.

Sleepy and full, Mila padded home from the Rec Dec with Her Human followed by a pack of largs led by Larry.

She licked his hand, swished her tail at the largs and went off to her own corner where she curled up and continued the nap that had be interrupted by the move.

<<<<< from Hanger Dec

  As the   when  down the hall from the SEC area, Val  smiled,Children would be nice... Thanks to Angel food   we have time to worry about that.  I am uncertain if i like the idea of  having  a child on a warship!...I do not know how those  Civie   women  cope?...I am a Civie. But i have connections to the military machine here....  I don;t have to  get locked in a Vault, and hope  we don't  Blow  up...

Henry smiled.

"I know what you mean. In a situation like ours, children as something else to worry about. It's bad enough worrying about you here in the lab, especially when I have to be someplace else. Let's see how the largs are settling in after their exercise."

Henry had barely seen that both largs were fast asleep before his comm signalled an incoming message.

"It appears my presence is requested in the War Room. Yours too, Mila. Requests from Admirals count as direct orders round here..."

He kissed Val and headed out, typing in an 'on my way' response as they left.

-> War Room

-> War Room

Henry came back from the War Room with a sleepy Mila padding beside him.

"We need to find two handlers for Freddie and Tess. Roy recommends someone who can handle themselves in combat, does anyone here feel competent? Or do we have to get some ground-pounders and teach them animal handling?"

He went to make a fuss of the largs, who were still a bit dopey in their pen.

Realising they were going home, Mila ran ahead of Her Human and the largs. She came into Bio-Tech yipping excitedly and nearly knocked Val flying.

 Val  fuzzy up Mila  and    saw henry  as she hugged him tight, she whispered,I stayed with Beth until  the airfield, then  i came back here...it was so hard watching all the flshing and explosions  without knowing who was being hit

 the Lrgs  waited   to see  where they were to go...also, henry and Val had the hall blocked..

Henry followed the excited dog.

As soon as he got in he was calling for the techs to come help patch the largs up, but paused long enough to hug Val.

"Come on, Larry, show them how it's done." He invited the big larg to scramble up onto a table and stretch out so that his wounds could be cleaned, foamed, and bandaged.

Once Larry was dealt with, he turned to see how Freddie and Tess were getting on. Hopefully some of the techs would be brave enough to work on them rather than wait for him.

"Val, do you want to come to the Send-Off with me? I think all 3 largs should go. Freddie and Tess aquitted themselves well, I'm proud of them."

 ..of  Course, herny... are we going to the After  Party as well?... I heard the announcment..

 larry went into the labby then into  Freddie  and tesses    living area , two    techs   came in with    warm warters  and   rags to  clean the  Largs off  before    seeing to the  injuries, making sire there were no hidden  slices.

Henry nodded.

"Yes, that sounds good. I'd love to have your company. We'll try taking Freddie and Tess along, they've earned it. Larry, will you help keep them in line?"

When all three largs were cleaned up, and patched up, Henry told Larry that he could go if he wished, and settled Freddie and Tess in their quarters.

Then he went to get cleaned up himself.

"How long have we got, Val?"

 Gregor  looked at round  at the other Largs.. he  went  from one to the   other , Burbling.. They would Burble back.

  When  Larry   was told he   Could  leave, he thumped his tail and Gave Henry a 'snout  Bump'  Gregor  followed  Larry out the  door.

 Val  looked at the Clock...According to the Clock we have   Just a bit under an Hour.

"Good boy Larry, you performed excellently today. We'll have to put you in for a promotion now that you are running your own squad. See you on the Rec Dec."

He patted the prodding snout, and gave Gregor a fuss in passing, then turned back to Val.

"It's almost like having children... Anyway, I suppose I'd better get cleaned up. Shall we...?" he gestutred towards his private quarters.

"Mila, get some rest. You're invited to the Rec Dec as well."

  Val walks past henry and Looks over her shoulder, I   could   use  a shower.....

 Mila   ays  down and  covers her   snout  with  both front paws.

Some time later...

Feeling clean and refreshed, Henry got up to dress for the evening. He'd acquired a midnight blue Angel silk jacket which he matched with a white shirt and black pants.

"Might as well show that we clean up nice, Val."

He called Mila over, waving a dog brush.

"Do you want to look good, girl?"

Mila sat up at Her Human's call. She got up and trotted over, wagging her tail, and let him brush out her coat.

Henry went over to the largs. He had got a couple of wide leather collars made up for them, with metal tags bearing their names.

"Here, I have something for you. As you continue with us, your bravery will earn you awards and we can hang them on your collars for 'dress' occasions. Wear them with pride.... and now, come along. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. Best behaviour now. No grabbing for food. Plenty will be brought specially for you."

Offering an arm to Val, he called Freddie and Tess to follow. He knew Mila would.

Mila stretched and took her place at the rear of the odd little procession. Here she could keep an eye on the largs and warn Her Human if they stepped out of line.

-> Rec Dec

<- Rec Dec

Back home, Henry headed for the kitchen in his quarters and opened the fridge. The largs and Mila lined up, looking hopeful.

"I know Mila likes it, but have you two ever had ice cream?" he asked the largs as he pulled out 3 bowls and lined them up.

"Careful, it's cold."

He stood back watching the animals. One hand reached out to Val.

"There's some left if you would like some... but you may have a spoon!"

Mila wagged her tail and stuck her nose into the bowl Her Human put down in front of her.

YUM!, she thought (so hard poor Henry nearly took a step back)

She began to eat, glancing round at the largs, part encouragement and part "eat your own, this is mine!"

Next morning

Henry was up bright and early to get ready for the Send-Off. He slipped out of bed quietly so as not to disturb Val and dressed in the bathroom. He liked to show a measure of formality, so he got his medal bar out and pinned it on... then saw the mail light was on and found a box with 3 more medals in it! Two were repeats, so it was a matter of adding emblems to the ribbons, but he'd never seen the Order of the Tree before. Quite pretty, though.

He got Mila and the largs up, and brushed the dog. You don't really brush largs, but at least Tess and Freddie looked smart in their collars.

"Right you two. Mila's used to this but you are not. Just stand or sit quietly beside me. You may howl when everyone says 'Don't wait for us' if you wish, or when the bodies are consigned to the deep. Remember, it's a solemn occasion... and as Hermes crew, you'll be sent off the same way if we lose any of you. Hope not, though."

He rubbed heads, then led all three animals down to the Hanger Dec.

->Hanger Dec

after calimate leave<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 Tess and freddie respoded  well to Roy's  praises. They both had   some water  and  went to thier   'section' to curl up in   sleep.

  hen Henry and Val got there, they  saw to  snoring  Largs, curled around like dogs or  cats.

"Don't they look adorable," said Henry, pointing at the sleeping largs. He yawned.

"Think it's time to follow their example."

He smiled at Val and gestured towards their quarters...

Mila sighed and trotted off to her corner.

She was glad Her Human was happy, but missed curling up on his bed at night.

Next morning

Mila was woken by the yellow light flashing and a message about largs being broadcast. She looked over at Freddie and Tess, who were still asleep, and trotted over to wake Her Human, scratching at the bedroom door and whining.

Henry didn't want to wake up, and even once awake didn't really want to move. He disentangled himself from Val and went over to the door.

"What is it, Mila?" he asked, taking a knee to fuss the dog. She trotted over to the communications system and yipped.

"Ah, a message you think I should hear? Is that why we're at yellow alert?"

He accessed the system and found the message from the Sergeant-Major.

"Interesting. Those Nivarians..."

He shook his head, what a way to treat any animal, especially one with as much potential as a larg.

Henry had been pottering around, a regular day in BioTech, Val working on her own stuff, the animals dozing or taking an interest in what was going on around them...

Then the alert about enemies in the vicinity came.

Henry looked up from his desk.

"Guess I'd better go find out if anyone needs me, or Mila and the largs. Get the labs locked down ready for battle stations. I'll call or come back once I know. Coming, Mila?"

-> Hanger Dec

It wasn't long before Henry was back.

"They aren't sure yet... maybe a big ship, maybe a station, there's something out there. There may be a boarding action, but even if not they'd like me and the largs help defend the hanger dec."

He caught Val up in a hug.

"You stay safe here, my love."

He went off to put on his armour and get his trusty shotgun. Then he got the 2 largs ready.

Mila got her harness and went around the lab techs until she could persuade someone to help her on with it. Her Human seemed absorbed with his own armour and getting the largs ready.

Soon she was all buckled up and stood in front of Her Human, tail wagging.

"Yip!" I'm all ready to go... she was almost bouncing with excitement.

<<<from Hanger dec

 The larg master    and  5 of the 6 largs followed  Henry, their largs, Looked   around, they might  be  a year or two younger the Freddie  and Tess..but a good deal older then Gregor.

   We  were  Given Younger Largs to  work with... Neither of us  wanted to work with Worts.. they would   as soon attack you as   the enemy... though it  can't be  proven, the old  saying on the   training grounds were  " Half of the Wortd in Battle , are killed by thier Masters".....Largs  tend to be easier  to control.. the   8 we had,  boned like a pack?.. But  we  started to follow mandates  beign sent down.... I don't  think i ever used  my Pulse  wand?.. Most Larg Master carry them, as it is a Symbol of thier  office.. Mine is on the wall in my quarters.

 Pointing to the shorter  Nivarian,..he was there  when  'Running Death', Get the  Head larg Master's  Prize  stud on Aqra...

 the shorter  fellow  nodded,..I was a  feed handler.... I  could not have been more the   10 feet away from the Pilot  when he   Told  'Running Death' how to   kill the Stud?... There  were only 4  studs that size in the fleet..most  are kept on Nivar for breeding...  he shrugged,..Many changes in Larg training.....The old Guard   will not give in too easy

"They're going to have to change if they want to work with us," said Henry.

"If only because when their largs see what is going on, it's likely they will want the same for themselves. Anyway... here's the shower area, with some long hoses so you can get all the fiddly bits. When they are clean, you can inspect them for injuries over there, and I'll help you patch anyone up who needs it. Meanwhile..."

He bent to check Mila over, and looked around for Val.

"Oh, what are your largs called? Easier to address them by name."

Mila had trotted along behind the bunch of largs Her Human had invited down to their home. She hoped there would still be room for her!

Then Her Human bent down to her and all was right in the world again. She licked his nose in contentment.

  The  Two Nivarians Looked  at each other....... we are not supposed to Name them, save  for  odd names, like 'Running Death'

 The door opens  as the SEC troop  admits  Larry, Freddie tess  and the  missing   new Larg.

 The  shorter  Nivarian  says,They have Numbered Collars... and we named them  anyway...Mine is  #209...Gla  , female... #316..Hool  The male.. and  #447  Rigg the other  Female...

 the taller  Nivarian  pointed to his,#147 Stee  a  Female.... #24 Gren, the other Female... and that one... is  #16 Nok, the Male... I lost a MAle to the  Stud... he lost a female  to  the elipsians

 the 6  new Largs  thumped thier tails a Bit... Eddie and tess  looked less-then-impressed.   Larry  Nudged the forward   to get cleaned up and treated.

"It's easier for both you and them to assign names. 'Hey you!' isn't very precise... OK, Larry, you're first. Show everyone how it's done, and that there's nothing to be scared about."

He hosed Larry down, and gave him a good scrub, then invited him up onto an examination table which had been rigged with a couple of steps so that a larg could climb up unaided. He then went over him, checking for injuries, treating them, and making a fuss of the animal at the same time.

"OK, who's next? Tess - how about you?"

He made a particular fuss of her, having noticed that both she and Freddie looked a bit disconcerted about the influx of largs.

After Tess and Freddie, he called each of the Nivarians' largs by name and subjected them to the same process.

He invited the Larg Masters to join in.

"It's a good way of bonding with your largs as well as being good for their health and wellbeing."

  The Tall Nivarian  pointed at Tess.....another think that is odd..and I have never seen  happen in the  30 some years  since i entered Larg training..  You Stud, seemed  preoccupied  with his..'pack' as it were? That is uncommon..now? Our Largs were raised together  and   traded off from   trainer to trainer to  spread the gene pool?... Your ...Tess...  she  has  signs  of  ..'laying  down' and not moving,  The Fact she goes into Combat, is a testament to your  training ad the loyalty  towards your  pack leader?.... But it is highly rare...i mean...almost never.. that a female who is expecting, to charge into battle like that..Most just sit  down and  won't move..even to the point of taking Pulse   wand charges.

 The Younger  one  reached out  to  pet her  underside..Tess Brubled   in anger...he with drew his hand.. I'd  say?..a week..maybe two?..Dependign on her health, and how many litters she has hand..you might end up with 1 to 3  puppies.

"We don't know much about her background, so I cannot say how many litters she has had. You see, we acquired Larry first, and he was with us for quite a while. Then we got Gregor, the pup, who was pretty much adopted as a pet by Rolli, the youngster who wears 'larg master' patches on an ESN uniform. Then we found Freddie and Tess together. That's when we realised we had to be a bit more organised. Everyone had got used to Larry wandering around the ship, and got over being nervous when they saw how well he behaved. So I organised a place here for them, and we started training the boarding party troopers to work alongside them. Despite being a xenobiologist, not a soldier, I'd already been going along, working with Mila who is trained to scout, so taking the largs was a sort of extension to that."

Henry paused, realising he'd slipped into 'lecturer mode' without thinking.

"Anyway, I like largs. It's interesting watching how they interact. Larry has only recently started to howl. I think it may be a response to the growing number of largs around here, he's adopting the 'alpha male' role, the pack leader."

 The LArgs were clean  and patched. they   eagerly looked  aroudn at  any person who was talking.  Larry  Just sat  near the hall that lead to the main door.

 They were ready to go!

Mila was ready too. She put her front paws up on Her Human and licked him, then ran over to the door and wagged her tail.

"Yip"

She was thinking of a nice, juicy steak.

Henry suddenly felt hungry. Mila. It must be her.

"Right then, we'll go to the Rec Dec. You all must be hungry. Remember: best behaviour. Look to Larry for a lead if you don't know what you should be doing."

He looked round for Val and invited her along, as well as the Nivarian Larg Masters.

-> Rec Dec

<- rec dec

Henry came down, got Tess settled, Mila into her harness and himself into his armour. He grabbed and checked his shotgun and headed out again, Mila at his heels.

-> Hanger dec

<=== From the Hangar Dec

Haleys light brown hair bounced as she skipped.  She came to a door that some one pointed was Dr. Christies work place.  She saw some letters and thought it said Christie "Duz that say 'Doctor Christie'?" Her reading wasn't perfect so she asked Roll, he knew more big words than she did.  She also tried to see through a window of what was inside it, looking for Tess.

  Roll looked up and shrugged,I think that is his name?  most folks just call him Doc henry?...anyway.. this is the right  corridor... i'm used  ta directions like that, since we  did it in the stem all the time..

 The Giard that was normally outside, was inside.. Val was at her  desk doing  research  when the Guard  announced the kids..

 Val got up a look of concern.....is  somethign  wrong?

Setting her feet back down Haley looked a bit sheepish. "Docter Henry said we could come see if Tess had her yungun's yet.  May we see her?" she asked politely.

  Val  motioned for them to Come in, the Guard  reseated himself  with his weapon on his lap...Come on in  and  we'll see how she  feels..make sure gregor  doesn't make a fuss , we have other creatures in there  for testing and study

  Walking into  the lab, there were several people going about thier Jobs, since it was only a yellow alert for the ship.  Gregor was nervous  about the  lab and   the CAges. Though the animals  and incests  in there  didn't look happy, they weren't  calling out.

 The section with the  bodies of  Empire  races was closed  of from this section., the door opened  , Tess  rested on a foam pad, there were several in the  area.. she loked up with her  eyes, her  tail thumping weakly.

 She has been listless... i don't know if that means its   closer to  her time..or if she misses her pack...

  Gregor  padded  over to her and  curled up  beside her.