The  Clerk was  still a bit  dumbfounded  as he nodded  to Zob...we'll have them packed  and delivered in..2 hours or less, since  The Hermes is  on a docking arm.

...........

 Cora, Bought a  'will' GMH figure.

 You think they'll ever make   figures  for us? Scarlet has one?

  I think they will, Scarlet was here longer, we came from the SSN...

  The clerk that handled Cora's sale  said.....You might be right..they rushed  these out to get the  Will Call GMH  out....  They try to follow the  fleet?  Fuji always gets  the releases first, then they ship  the  next shipment to the  Station the fleet is  headed for...so?  whenh you Hit Matterhorn, you might see yourself...the Toy Company makes sure  you keep the  sets  secret..
.........

 the  clerk scanned  Lizzy's  wrist and Bagged her items

 Lizzy smiled and got her stuff, she was very excited and happy that her  Mom now had a action figure. Once they where all done Lizzy said," Lets hit the Condo drop this all off and then hit the Beach?"

Zob was pleased with how things were and he then turned to Lizzy, "If you would of said that a few years back id of thought you were completely touched in the head but still its appreciated... now lets get back to the beach" when they were ready he would set out with them back to the beach.

 Lizzy waved at CVora and Ellen when they where done and said, "Ok lets head too the beach for some fun." Lizzy smiled, she was having a blast, she got earrings made new friends, got her Mom's action figure. Lizzy wasn't sure what Izzy was up too, but she sent a comm," Hi Izzy wish you where here, I had some earrings made you will love them, and Izzy I bought my Mom's action figure. Love you see you soon XOXOXOXOXO Lizzy."

 Lizzy then headed for the condo to drop off her new figures and ships and then head for the beach.

--->>>> To Beach via Condo
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 03:40, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

(( Meeting, Last day of  Delta shore leave))

   the   tables  were arranged  in a square, in the  Ballroom.  Enta officials  and Ambassadors   at the stairs that led to the next level .

 Paradise people were  at the table to the east Wall.. ESN  folks to the west..and  APF ambassadors   a few yards  from the stairs that lead to the main doors. lid  screens were set up in the middle 4  large screens that each table would be able to see.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:41, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

  Admiral Richards and her  people entered the Building. The ETNA SEC  troops  , lined up around the  balcony. They had the normal load outs of pulse rifles and  sidearms.

  waiters brought  cold water out  to the tables, Hot  Coffee, and tea and  hot drinks  from other alien worlds.

APF  people moved in  by bits  and pieces, finding thier  assigned seats.

 tus far, the ESN and Paradise  groups   had  yet to show.

<<<<<<  from condo

 The Limo Pulled up, the attendants opened the  doors, with  Captain Si getting out  first  followed  by the board    Lilit   exited with  Dusk, who was having a bit of  trouble  as it hurt when she  moved  her   shoulders  too much.

 The  Body HERMES SEC  guards  stepped  out  , one on each side  of    Admiral Hack and  Hennings.

 CE-VA  jockeyed with Media  folks from the ships  and Paradise   CAMs, More then once  she  shoved her   way between Paradise   CAM  folks  to  get a  shot ( or  ruin  thiers? )   The Admirals group reached the  doors, the cheering began  for  Shadow  and those  with Him, Many of the younger   kids  waving action  figures, while some Adults  waved  'boxed' figures for them to sign.

 Larry  Snorted  a few times  ifsome one tried to cross the  tape... Shadow did move over  and autograph   a few  Boxes or Magazines...beth did , just because she was there.

 Lyri kept  sayinggotta keep moving..lets go..keep  moving...

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

 The Paradise    reps, moved in from the side door, closer to the area where they would sit.. All the people wore Paradise Colors, save  for one human,olive skinned,  General  wearing  Vicrock colors, and His  aid. Lt Fran Sics

.........

 the main doors  opened ( all of them) , The delta  Fleet  Command  entered  along with the   few others  , such as Lilit... With Sam offering the Voice  for Bura.

 coming in from the  far end of the  main doors, was Shadow's group, with  Lyri looking a bit annoyed at al the stopping.. Larry walked down the stairs towards the  Delta   Tables as if he owned the place...

ZU-IS  Shouted into his  Mic...why is that animal in here!

  Before anyone  could answer, Shadow shouted back....I DON'T KNOW, ADMIRAL?  YOU BROUGHT HIM...  The LC pointed to  The General who seemed thoroughly shocked  at  Shadow's answer.

  Hack said  to those around  him, as they walked down the stairs,...and that's the kickoff...

 Hennings  said  to the others,General Ven Ben-Kali...great  Oil Lord captain at one time Kill lots of people, when the Angels were  trying to unite the Earth... Major
 battles   at Tobruk, Cairo and the Battle   for the Aswan Dam... He is credited with Bringing the Oil Lord   under one banner, after  we  killed  the  Oil lords  and took thier ships when they turned Coat...

 They never  'turned coat'..they were against us from the start, someone, My father , i should think, had an idea  they   could  hurt us from within.., Instead, it  brought us a few ships, and  send alot of  abused  women to the colonies for better lives....

 Captain Morris asked,..Do we need to  keep a leach on  The LC....

 Hack  looked at the  Paradise  folks....Not today... i need them angry  and flustered.... can't think of  anyone who does that more  then The LC...

 Everyone laughed,

 then?  it happened....

 an  Paradise  Angel came over to  grab, what appeared to be an Extra  chair from the  Delta Table... Shade was  putting his Vid board  down  next to it, Orria was to sit there... Shade   Bleep  whirled  and Blared  waving His    Hands...  Lyri went to  Move, But Shadow stopped her....

 Orria  snapped...That is  my Chari... I am the Abassadors's  Aid, and he says to put it back...

 Two Enta  SEc troopes   came  down, the Angel pushed   the one away.....don't touch me, you human  parasite!

 Shade Blared  and   started to  stomp towards the Offending Angel...

 HEY!!! HALO HEAD...you better  put the damn chair back..or you're gonna miss the meeting...

 I am a Paradise Fleet Captain..i do not  take orders  from human glory  hounds....

 Last warning there, Harp Master..The Ambassador  Just came off    fighting on , what used to be  the '9th planet' in the Sol System...he has since had to deal with Paradise assassins... I wouldn't  fuck him off, anymore then you already have...

Admiral  Richards  Shouted,LC  Shadow, we will have no such  Language  here today!

 Right  Admiral Richards.... I beg your  Pardon....he cleared his throat  and said in a voice that sounded rather effete...Please , dear Sir,  do not   use  a carnal sense in toppling the Ambassador...

The Captain Tilted His head, Shade grabbed the chair, The Captain  Kicked Shade in the   chest.. Shade  hit the ground  with Eyes black as coal...

 Shadow waved a limp wrist and used the Voice again,..oh!...Goodness sakes...they toppled him...

 Shade  didn't just  Get Up, he launched himself  into the   Captain the  chair  spun away. to be gathered in my a SEC trooper.. Shadow  Pounded the   captain in the  face twice...That's all he needed.. med techs  ran  down to  get to him.. Shade  took the  chair, bowing to the   Trooper who had caught it...He Bleeped.

 The Ambassador  said thank you...

 Hack   said , calmly into his Mic...I think everyone here learned a lesson?... 1...don't mess with the delta Fleet when you are out of your League and 2?.. it appears  The Paradise   contingent  will not need that extra chair now.


 all the ranking  folks  sat. Shadow stood  behind  Shade  and Orria. Lyir  was up a few steps, not hiding the  fact that her   Angel Steel pulse  rifle was powered up.  Shoey stood at the 'main door  end' of the  table  Maria   was  on the steps behind the Admiral,  she  and Lyri had  a clean view of each other, and all the tables.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

----->>>> From Condo

 Meari escorted Dusk and she would help her if she had any problems getting to her seat, but she would try to hide the help as much as she could. Meari took her place behind Dusk and Lilit.  Meari got her pulse rifle at the ready when the quick altercation with the Paradise Captain and her cousin Shade. She would have gone to his aide of course but she knew her cousin could take that pompous scumbag easily.

 Meari did keep her eyes open for any real threats though, she kept her eyes on the Vicrock General and his aid. She knew Vicrock people attacked her Cousin and Grandmod so she was on her toes wondering if they or the Angels would pull anything serious.

---->>>>> From Condo

 Sam walked into the meeting room with the Board and she took her seat and got her vidboard set up. Sam watched Shade kick the Angel's stupid ass and just glared at Zu-Is, she really thought he was a traitor and should be executed on the spot. Sam just shook her head at the Angel's reactions they didnt deserve to enter the APF they where horrible stuck up people.

<- from Condos

Henry led the way to the jewellry store to collect and pay for Val's necklace. He walked hand in hand with Val, Can and Mila scampering around beside them.

  Admiral Richards  ran the  show, there was no  doubt  about that, recognizing people to speak, asking for those  who wished input. Then the  tension Grew as she announced...

 I personally contacted  each and every  member of the Voting Representatives, that were not  'Delta Fleet'... to make sure the votes they turned in, were no  out of fear, but out of  choice. They all concluded , that their Votes were their own....Having said this, The ruling of the APF...which Includes the delta Fleet as a Member, and  all areas  under thier  authority , have  ruled, unanimously , to bar  The Paradise System from entering into  The APF, until such time that they Prove trustworthy The Skith send their Vote  by secure COM Vid and Text....

 The   hall erupted in cheers, while the Paradise  system protested in anger... ZU-IS  stood,  shouting,were  are one of the oldest Races in The Black, How dare ..ANY  of you deny us entry into the APF.

 Admiral Hack stood  up, even through  people shouting  back and forth.You Cowered in your won system, fed your own people to the  Empire, and  sacrificed the red  and Blue  Moons as a Buffet for the Empire.... to add to that? We..The ESN and that includes the APF ships  under my command, had to liberate  the Moons, and Thus liberate the System, after you took the chance to stick your noses out of your hidey hole!

 YOU...you should have  say in this matter...with out the Angels, you would be nothing m,ore the Gava with  tech!

 Hack snapped back,..you gave  us  weapons and training to fight a war, you were too scared to fight!...And Comparing us to Gava?  I should think that is  an Honor. The Gava  have show increased abilities  to grow, rapidly in the   Universal community . and they were even permitted a Vote  with Aqra being recognized   as their  region of vote...I have never seen a Gava  forsake and Allie... I have never seen a Gava  flee from a fight, nor  have i seen a Gava  give up their own...so, To the Ambassadors  here  who represent the Gava... I want it known, that  ZU-IS may have tried to insult  Humans...but instead, praised us  more then we are worthy!...

 The Two Gava  raised thier heads  Proudly.

Hack Pointed  at  General Ben-Kali...We, as Humans, are not as noble  as the Gava, as we have people, who not only have sold out our people, but have taken part in Loyalty  feasts!

 angry shouts   echoed back and  forth, the general  stood up  shouting at Hack, the Paradise  Group stood  as  one shouting back and forth.

 There was a a Harsh Blare , as  Admiral Richards used  an airhorn into her Mic...This meeting  we try to resemble   what it is to be...or  it ends  now, with the  votes in place  as they are...

   you cannot  assume that those who work with the Empire   have   taken part in those   feasts!...

 Hack  nodded to beth, the  screens lit  up, The Admiral walked to the screens...scenes  from Delta Nights, that have made thier  way to the  New nets, showed various   feasts, with children, while  Empire folks,  Humans  and other species  took part...

 the Sol System  vids from The New York, where, perhaps, the worst of the lot, with  the Captain 'preparing' the  dinner, while two other kids were locked in a box  waiting their turn.

 The APF  people  howled in anger...I will not lie, to any one here...friend or foe... My people.... The same people  who  ride 'the Tip Of The Spear' into battle, have  stooped  many of these feasts.... They have saved the  two children in the box... it is easy to understand that the  poor child on the  table, did not survive..Now? Its not all Humans , we have gunned down Angels, Sanri, Occui, as well as every race  in the Empire, at these..feasts...many times  with  an  Empire Official, over watching, to make sure they see who took part...

 Pointing to  The LC, Hack said, LC Shadow, had a  novel way of  dealing with this, when he made the Command  officers we captured  from  the  '9th planet'...have such a  'meal'  with the Wing Commander of the Sol System Fleet there.... The ending was not near as happy from those  who took part in the meal, as they all were made to walk home, after the Wing Commander   butchered by them..

 The  vids  showed  the  ordeal.

 ZU-IS pointed at Shadow......you enjoyed that...

 LC shrugged, I did..I loved it!..it was my idea! I mean, they did  this to poor little kids who didn't even get to have  homes, or were taken from their families..i thought it was damn hilarious  to see that son of a bitch  screaming as his own people cut slices off  and at him. while they stood there naked....Its my opinion, that you treat the evil folks as badly as they treat others, because , when you try to 'be nice'...too many people die...so you deal out   harsh justice, until the bad  guys  come around to our way of thinking.

Ben-_Kali shouted..Like  Maris.....

Shadow  smiled....all three of them.

More shouts from the Paradise  system... more shouts  from the APF , shouting back at them.

  Hack Nodded  to  Captain Si...Captain Si turned to Roy......you are to say something...you say what ever you wish... The Paradise people were getting whipped into a frenzy, that is what Oliver wants...but..you speak your  Mind as you will...

 Meari was very happy when she heard the unanimously voted to bar Paradise from the APF. Meari watched and listened waiting too see if anyone was stupid enough to attack Lilit or Dusk while she was ready and waiting.  At the talk of the Loyalty Feasts and such she just spit towards the Vicrock General.

 Meari didnt want to speak she was a guard so she held her tongue. She watched the Paradise Angels and the Vicrock general close.

 Sam was extremely pleased it was a unanimous vote. Sam watched the vids and the reactions and then replied to Zu-Is," Why should we trust any race who has so many enemy troops on their ships, and yes General, Vicrock is an Enemy of the APF. From all our research Vicrock Officers must partake in this Loyalty Feast. May I suggest oh great and mighty Grand Admiral Zu-Is take your ships full of Empire troops and go back home and keep feeding the Empire you fucking coward. There is no place in this war for cowards like you." Sam smiled and took her seat.

Roy nodded to the captain, and shifted to a microphone, clearing his throat very audibly, before he looked over at Richard's.  "Admiral, if I may...?" he asked...but in a tone that cut through the shouting and outrage.

With Richards' okay, he began.  "Paradise would have you think they've been singled out and treated unfairly.  But I ask this, in response...what group in the APF has been allowed to join while maintaining friendly relations with ANY Empire allies?  Even the Delta Fleet has cut ties with the Sol System.  The Nivarians and Hyrians have rejected their Empire connections, outright.  The Felrites readily gave up their neutral status.  There's no room for those trying to keep a foot on both sides...the sides are growing further apart and sooner or later, sides have to be taken or you get lost in the chasm between them."

He gave Zu-Is an icy stare, and continued, "The APF has chosen its side.  The fact that you have a shitcrock General in your delegation speaks volumes about the fact that you're unable to be trusted.  You either lack commitment and want to hedge your bets, or else you're intending to stab us in the back.  There isn't a single argument you can make to explain showing up with EDT officers in your entourage that will be acceptable.  If you're with us, you're against them...and if you're for them, you're not for us."

He gestured at the delegates in the room.  "These individuals all represent planets that have taken a stand.  They said, "We're sick of being Demon lunch platters and breeding experiments, we're sick of the Demons sending us out to die for their Empire and getting nothing in return."  They have all proven in battle, at no small expense of lives, that they reject the Empire.  And you have the gall to show up with the current Empire stooge of the day,  and not only ask to be included, but demand to lead?"  He gave a bark of incredulous laughter.

"Even if we overlooked you screwing the rest of your system and leaving the Sanri, Occui, and others stuck fighting alone for ten centuries--and that's a helluva lot to overlook--but if we did, the fact that you come here claiming to want an alliance while cozying up to avowed enemies of the APF is not only laughable, it's insulting to the collective dignity and intelligence of the members of the APF."

He leveled an accusatory finger pointing at the Vicrock general.  "Bringing ANYONE in that uniform to this council as anything other than a prisoner is, at best, a brazen display of bad judgment.  Bringing HIM here as a trusted advisor is practically a declaration of war."  He gave that a moment to sink in, before continuing, "Any good will and faith you'd accrued was spent about nine centuries ago.  If you don't want to end up fighting a very bloody war, you'd best scuttle back to Paradise and find whatever rock you've been hiding under for the last millennium, and get back under it until the shooting is done.  If you're lucky, the APF will accept you as neutrals...but with...them..." and he filled the word with contempt and disgust as he gestured at the black-clad general, "your neutrality is fading fast.  So make your choice, Zu-Is...but right now, joining the APF is off the table, until you demonstrate that you're not going to turn tail the first time things go bad and hide out for another thousand years.  We need allies, not hollow threats or promises, and you've got a thousand years of cowardice to over-write before any of us will trust you."

  There were even more shouts  and  angry, shouts   in sarcasm , and  just plain Shouts.

  Richards pounded  the gavel........ORDER!!...Now, Admiral ZU-IS...what is your  counter to all of this...

  We are Still the Paradise  Angels. We lifted the Humans from thier barbaric  war machines, and put them in the Black, Now...its  time We lead them....

 Hack Turned to face the Paradise Tables ..you gave us...nothing. You TAUGHT us  about  fighters, Capt ships  and med tech....you  trained a hand  full of humans, who9 trained more...who trained more...Then...WE...The HUMANS , took those  ships, and  fighters   and went out into The Black..We  made the Empire take notice.The   we began to kill demons, Largans
 and creshians ...We took plantes, we secured Quads...and  we  joined with the Angel Moons, to free them, as they fought  back....all the while  you sit feeding your people, and allowing
  people who traveled your  system to be  fed to  the  Empire  larders...You will not lead the Delta Fleet..you will follow my orders, or you may sail back to your system..i'm sure you miss it already.

 ZU-IS  was  about to say something, , as Hack took a few steps towards their Table.You will be   called   the Paradise Fleet..you do not deserve  the title  of a Delta Section, or an APF   designation...since you are not in, The APF, it would be an insult to all the  races who have been fighting this war.

 He Looks at  ZU-IS and says, Flatly,..You will be  rear guard when we sail into   Matterhorn space, toy will watch over the  support vessels

 We   want to fight!..you tell us  who to attack, and we will attack, and we will be victoriuos

The Paradise  System table roared with  approval  as they   glared at Hack.

 ..You will do...what ever task i assign you?

 If it is a combat task. Yes...

Hack Held his hand out towards the Table, Belt   runs over , handing him a Vidboard..Hack  looked  through the Vidboard, and he looked up at ZU-IS.

  I am done playing around, ZU-IS,,you accept this Taskl, and  accomplish it, or you go back to the Paradise system....if you turn  down this  task, you will have  16 hours  to  remove your ship , from Delta  Space...you will go home...you will be   treated as an aggressor by any APF   military group...

ZU-IS  snorted.Make your demands, Admiral Hack. Angels  are not  afraid of a task, no matter what creature demands it..

 Hack Held His Vidboard high in the air,You have heard   Admiral ZU-IS.... They will carry out this   task....or they will be considered   an Aggressor  Nation, and treated as such...

 The APF  folks   Nodded  and raised a hand to acknowledge  the moment.

 Hack looked at the Vidboard, he  punched the Button  to send the information to   all the APF and Paradise  officials

 Hack Reads  from  his  Vidboard.As of this Moment, In order  to cause  more distress among our enemies, The Paradise Fleet wil  be sent into  The Sol System, to Retake Earth from the  Empire, and drive out   GE-FI and  the  enemy Angels.

The APF  people stood  and cheered... The Paradise  group looked  shocked

 You wish us..to go into your system....

 we went into yours.... I cannot   Take   or send  any of my Delt Sections into  the Solm System, we have to clean up  the  Empire out here, as he hop our  way closer to the  Hel System..You can  show your worth, attacking  the 'barbaic '  Humans,  and since you know Angels better then I, you should have no problem defeating GE-FI  with your Fleet and  , even calling in more ships  from your  System...but i warn you this, ZU-IS... you  turn, coat... you half-ass your way  through this...you tuck tail and Run?..I have  a contingency  plan to..teach you a lesson...

 You threaten  us....

Yes...yes  I am... I'm done with the Paradise  system's  Angels... The Angels of the Moons? we know as honest , hard working..Paradise ..not  so much...This is it ZU-IS....you now  have  15 yards , 42 minutes to cast off... We will watch, every move you make, every
 conflict you  engage ..i am interested to see , how Angel Vessels , filled with  Vicrock troopers, will fare against The Sol System Humans...

 I protest..I...

 Protest..refuse it?   but there will be a heavy price to Pay, ZU-IS... a Price you didn't want to pay  the Demons, and you won't be able to sell your people to stave it off.

  He Turned to Admiral Richards...She Rose,..The   Decisions  have been Made... The Paradise Fleet has  less then 15 hours to leave this  Quad, and  cruise towards the Sol System , to carry  out their orders... They , May , of course..refuse the orders and be deemed an Aggressor  Nation..This Meeting, Has  Ended...

 The  Angels left  Storming off.  APF  Official   flowed from their  table to   talk with  Hack , smiling  and   patting his back , or shaking wrists.

 Shadow  walked down  to stand by  beth , He took the Vidboard  from her, and looked at it.......That is the only  orders on here?

 Beth  smiled,That's  why he said he needed them to get Angry, and used thier  ego against them

 As the APF people moved on, there wasn't  an Paradise  Angel in sight.

 Sam watched and listened and she saw that Admiral hack seemed to be baiting the Angels for something, he was allowing them to get angry and full of themselves. Then Hack made his proposal and the pompous Zu-Is accepted and then she saw the orders pop up on her vid board and Sam began laughing as the Angels fell right into the Admirals trap. Sam smiled at Zu-Is when he stormed off.

 Sam walked up to the Admiral, she smiled and said," Well done Admiral that was very well done."  Sam smiled and added," I will send Commodore McKeon the transfer papers shortly Sir." Sam then looked at the time to see where she was heading to the Hermes or the beach.

 Meari stood with Dusk and Lilit and kept her eyes open for any suspicious movements. Then she listened to the confrontation between Fleet Admiral Hack and Grand Admiral Zu-Is. She was wondering where Hack was leading the the Paradise Angels then the task was revealed and the Paradise Angels would free the Sol System from Ge-Fi and Empire rule. Meari chuckled as she watched the Angels reaction to their task. Meari leaned forward and said to War Lord lilit and Captain Dusk," This is why Admiral Hack should be in charge of the Delta Fleet and the APF that was pretty tricky of him having the Paradise Angels do that."

 The Admiral turned  to those who  were there...10:00..just about. Go have  fun, short leave  ends  at 12:00..recall at  one..we have some  stops  to make , We'll see you on the ship....

    Shadow walks  to the  steps with Larry   following him, Shade  and  Orria a bit behind

 Lilit called  the Limo to Take   her  and Dusk back to the Condo.

 The Admiral and the Board  went   to the  2nd  floor of the HQ to have talks with APF officials

 Shadow walked  back to the Condo, Beth had to go  with the Admiral, Larry followed  Shadow, Along with Orria  and Shade..Shadow  was bleeping up a storm and waving his hands, while orria  just   nodded  and   tried to  answer  with some form of   bleeping herself.

 Lyri followed  with her  weapon, trying to look menacing.

 There was  smoke, still rising from  the 'party house'

  I'm going up, chance, and hit the beach for a couple hours, I think the Delta Fleet has made its statement   these past two day.

 Sam saw the time and headed quickly with the others to the Condo, she changed and rushed to the beach to spend more time with Steve.  Sam did send Sarah her temporary transfer papers to the Hermes as the Burian Liaison to the Delta Fleet. Sam waited for Sarah's response as she changed at the condo.

--->>>> To Beach Via Condo

Meari went with Dusk and Lilit to the Condo, once there Meari would make sure they where alright and say," I am going to be heading up to the Hermes too check on Frakas."

   The Warlord gave  Meari a  wave,...go... there is niot much time, before  the fleet Recalls... We  will be fine.

 Dusk said,I want to spend the last bit of time on the  beach  with my brother, I cannot  swim or  such things, but   i can enjoy the  sun.

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

   For  Sam,a quick Comformation from the Burian Fleet said  "...stay on station with the   Hermes. Recall to the Burian fleet, wil come as needed..."

 Meari nodded too her Grandmod, and said her good byes yo both of them. She was happy Dusk would be ok, but Meari would not be happy until ALL Vicrock troops where destroyed.

 Meari smiled, got her stuff and headed up to the Hermes.

---->>>> To Hanger Dec

If it wasn't too late (that is, if everything hadn't already been returned to the Hermes), Roy would opt to play 'guardian angel' again, and sit overwatch from the rooftop with the Barrett and a couple of different options for rounds by his side.  With Paradise having been maneuvered into a no-win scenario, they had little left to lose by trying for a more overt strike against the Fleet...and he'd relax more, later, for having been vigilant now.

  The  Clock was ticking.. the Horns all over  the station c sounded for recall... Most ships  had  any replacemtns , and supplies  already aboard.. the ships  from the orbiting  docks  where  unclamping and Drifted  away from the  structures as the Awaited  the   4 'flagships' of the delta Sections