Henry was a bit restless. He wasn't quite sure as to the significance of the information about the heritage of the Verians that he'd discovered. Maybe he'd better run it by Beth...

-> SEC

Roy nodded.  "It's mandatory for the fighter pilots...I don't know about the shuttle pilots but they usually turn out for these runs about half the time.  Security and boarding troopers are invited to participate...I encourage them to participate.  But a lot of them already do tunnel runs on their own initiative on a regular basis, as part of their regular PT regimen.  If you want to take a shot at it, be my guest...be a good ways to get a solid assessment of where you stand, relative to the norm for the crew."

 Meari smiled and replied," That sounds like something I would like to do, I will do this tunnel run. I will see you there, and thank you Sgt. Major." Meari will bow to Roy and then head to the QM Lockers to get her uniforms.

------>>>>>>>>>> To QM Lockers

    Garrat has returned from pilot duties.  Working with other pilots, the engineers on site, and the suppliers, he has been helpful in effecting repairs on the Harvester That could normally  only be done in dry dock.  Massive welding equipment Mounted on the repair Mechs Contributed but not as much as the effort of all the forge ships To fabricate all sections of superstructure to shore up the massive gap’s in the ships hull.  But most of all the harvester was being repaired With the hearts in the hopes of the entire fleet.

    Tired and still in his chest and leg armor, Garrett had missed the initiation of the pilots, but have been present when Spencer dressed down the Larg handlers.  He stood back quietly but finally spoke up: “I’m beginning to see a pattern here and how Largs have been trained in the past.”

    He looks over the new unit.  "Perhaps I need to discuss with the admiral how the rights of soldiers apply to service animals."

   He retires to check on his Angel before getting some rest.  He'll be running in the tunnels to support and encourage the pilots.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Mon 10 Feb 2020.

Given the option to observe the Hermes training program Sarah took a moment to defer and slipped away to Hanger Deck for a chance to see Rivets. She was confident in her own training program, and needed a moment away from the politics anyways.

  the hanger  Dec  was   preety stable  right  now..  a hand ful of  crews painting new  numbers  on  fighters

 Captain Morris  setting up the flights, and double  checking   quarters.

 Rivets  was  talking  to two POs  to make sure  any of the   'old fighters'  were repaired, beacuse  they weren't   replacing the whole wing of the Hermes.

(( Morning of Ball on Uden))

 Morgan arrived  on the  Dec   and looked  at the Clock... he  walked over to Kira...Don't know if you  saw it.. But it  appears that  all of the   Harvester  Crew.... The Hermes   crew , and the Bridge officers  of  the other  ships in the fleet  are  invited to the  Ball?... There is a   stipulation, that we have to stay  at least 2  hours... then..we're  allowed to  go off to the Cit  or outlying towns to party..or?  stay as long   as we are permitted at the BAll....so?.. If no  officer  has asked you yet...do you want to go to the  Ball?...

 he   leaned a bit closer,if you do?  you need to get to  the Captain's  quarters....

Kira let out a small yawn as she set down the hydrospanner, "although i prefer to wear a big metal suit with a ton of firepower though i suppose a dress will have to do" she chuckled before accepting Morgan's offer to go to the ball, "Of course I'll go to the ball with you, now go and look fancy ill see you after while"

With that she gave Morgan a smile and headed up to Captain si quarters to get a dress.

----> To captain si quarter

  The Three shuttles  were Readt.. The Board and Officers  Like   Rivets , Morris  and Stefi would be going down.

 Rivets   would have Sarah with him. Morris was escorting Lilly  McCloud  would have  CAt with him AZ-el and Stefi were on thier own.Shade and OPrria  would have to n  be in that  craft as well

 Stoly would be thier pilot.

.......

 Shadow's  group would be in the 2nd Shuttle ..   Beth   would be going with that group   along with many others.

 Jax  and   Sneak would be in the shuttle as well as  Roll and  Haley

LT  Violet  Liss  would be thier  Pilot

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

 The third shuttle  would be  for all others going in the 'first wave'

LT Viah would be thier pilot.

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

 In addition, about an hour  after the three shuttles left, a Big Ugly would be bringing  civies  and other  Crew man to  enjoy the   cities  and parties  around the countryside.

Henry, Val, and Mila (who had had a good brushing and was wearing her formal coat) arrived in good time.

"You look wonderful, darling, said Henry, as they waited to be directed to a shuttle. He felt rather drab in comparison, in a tuxedo. Maybe he should get a midnight blue Angelsilk jacket or something.

  The  Chief onm Dec  looked  though his Vidboard...Hey? Doc Herny. The Admiral sdays  you  may choose between Shadow's  Shuttle and the  Shuttle  with the Board...... LArry is goign with the SM? I am unsure which shuttle he will go on.

 Jax stood  smiling with his uniform  and   rifle. Sneak was  Blushing as he  whispered to her  how good she looked.

 Roll stood in his little uniform with his 'sword'. his arm patch had him rated as a "LArg MAster'..only with  an ESN  style patch

----> From Si quarters

Kira had opted for a Emerald green angel silk dress it was a rather odd feeling for her as she was so used to the feel of a light boarding suit, she then looked for Morgan, "Well Morgan I will say i prefer a light boarding suit and a suit of steel then a dress but I think it looks pretty good regardless don't you think?"

Zob was almost late as he rushed down to the shuttles he was dressed in his black angel silk dress suit the same one he wore to the last ball, needless to say he looked like a million credits as he made his way down to look for Melia.

  Morgan smiled, Think it  looks Damn good?..Maybe you might  want to go in alone and snag an officer ?.. They have more  money in their Death Benefits!

 He was in his  Dress whites and  smiled.

 Andre  waved to them, He  was in a dress unifrom and  was goign in the Third   shuttle.

For all the abuse it got, Roy managed to keep his dress uniform looking sharp.  Every pin, ribbon, and medal was exactly in place as he approached the first shuttle.  Larry was right beside him, managing to look both proud and unhappy with the harness he wore...the harness was sporting its own assortment of ribbons and medals.

Roy gave a nod to Henry and Val, shot a grin in Zob's direction (although with Zob appearing distracted as he searched for someone/something, it was questionable whether he saw it, and gave a crisp salute to the Deck Chief, before he boarded the shuttle, giving salutes and nods to the Board members and others already aboard.

    The shuttles  were  warming up.   Flores   and Kat  walked over  to Shadow  with Beth in tow.

  Wow!!..Very Nice  Ladies!

 Flores   just waves  him off   as she settles her  Blue Max...its the dresses.....

 Naw?>.. Its  what's in the dresses!.... I mean.. if  i have a  flower part..  The rose  makes the pot look better.. it i'd  stick a  paintbrush in that same flower pot? it wouldn't look good?

 Beth  Giggle and Gave Shadow a whap on the  Arm... Kat just shook her head  as she walked   past.. Flores  gave him a peck on the  cheek......That as  sort...sort of....

 as they   walked up into his shuttle , Hawkes  said,You don't mind me sayin' sir?..That  sucked pretty badly.... he said as he leaned towards Shadow.

 ..Did it?  they all smiled?  they didn't think i was laying it on  'thick'.. so? I have three happy LAdies   ...

 wait?.. You said..something ..stupidly nice..on purpose..so they  would think you  were being  honest?   Shadow looked at him.....um..Sir?

 No No?  its not that.. They Looked Hot..they know they look  hot? They spent   half the day on simmer..trying to be hot..

 Hawkes RAised  an Eyebrow...

 so? if i go overboard. it makes it look like i'm  trying to  cover them  with Honey.. then? they   think somethings  wrong... If    I Just  say..'you look hot'..that's nothing... that's like saying you are a good shot.. of i fly a fighter good?.. you have
 to say it   with the right  amount  of  polish.. to make it  worthwhile, without making them  feel like they wasted  thier time...

 Hawkes   rubbed the back of his head,..so  how the hell  did you learn all this stuff?...

  Shadow winked at him,..The Academy..you see,,,ladies there   want to be LAdies  and its  easy to get a handle  on what they  want... You guys?  Ladies in Boot  camp.. want to be MArines.. damn hard   to get a read on them... I might have  been knifed to death in my sleep  in bootcamp...

 Hawkes shook his head...wow.... Maybe  i'll just ...stay away from the ladies?

 Naw?.. once you get out  here.... they are just like us.... they are looking for people  to make it through the war with... You just got to treat them right is all?...be honest.. and they'll flock to you.. try to be  a jerk?  You'll have to
 date a Mull or something..

 Lyri   walked  by.. Hawkes  smiles,Lookin' Good  Master Chief!

 She stopped  and turned,..What's that  supposed to  mean!

 Hawkes Mouth  moved  but no words  came out...

 hawkes.. was caught off guard  by how  great you look, and said the first thing that came into his head....

 Lyri smiled  and   reached over to Hawkes ( who flinched  a bit) and she  touched his cheek......why..Thank you   Hawkes!... That was very sweet of you..maybe  we can get a dance   tonight...  she  swayed her  way to the Admiral's  shuttle.

 Hawkes  looked at Shadow....how the  9 hells  did you...

 ..Fighter Pilot  , Hawkey. have to change Vectors  and  be ready to roll out....

 ..Look? LC? you have to start up classes or something...

 ....just, relax...this is special..right?... they put alot of work into this... tomorrow, they will be   our crewmates again.. tonight?. they are extra spiecal..just treat them like that..

 The QM   stood behind them for the Last bit,words ta live by..and  that's me sayin'.... That?.. an' if any one mistreats a Hermes Lady..  they gets  thier   jaw broke...

 Aubrey Pike  came over . Here  pastel purple dress  and hair up  high... The QM Bowed to her,well ..lookit   'ere... we're  supposed ta go on the Admiral's shuttle..but.. i dunno?   The Captain might  be outshone by yerself!

 Aubry giggled and    The QM  took her arm as they made thier  way to the shuttle...


 Hawkes  shook his head.....now he didn't  go to the Academy...

 ..nope?.. but he's older  then both of us?.. and he didn't get that  way  by saying stupid stuff...

 Hawkes  shrugged  and Nodded  as he stood next to  Shadow watching   folks   come along.

Henry opted to travel in the Board's shuttle.

When Roy arrived he patted Larry on the head.

"Your two friends are sleeping peacefully, they have settled in well. But I don't think they are quite ready for formal occasions yet. If we get some shore leave tomorrow, would you like to come and practice some field work with them? You too, Roy, if you are free."

--------->>>>>>>>>>>>>> From Captain Si's Quarters

 Meari walked onto the Hanger Deck, her makeup looked amazing with her shifting skin tones, her eyes right now where green, her purple dress, was low cut and flattering of her more physical build. She has her sidearm on one hip and her combat knife on her other hip. She had no clue where she was going and what she was suppose to do, she heard the girls say if you didn't have a escort to go with Shadow.

 Meari saw LC Shadow standing next to a few people, she walks over and says," Excuse LC Shadow Sir, I do not have an escort and some of the Ladies said I could go in with you, I do not know what that means Sir. Also Sir how do I look in my first dress I hope War Lord Lilit approves."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Sun 23 Feb 2020.

---> Captain Si's Quarters

Stepping out of the elevator a quick glance would tell her that she'd arrived ahead of Lizzy. With her wanting to wait for her escort before boarding Izzy and a very excitable Tali, perhaps it was time to take a look at her programming as this couldn't be normal, would approach the shuttles before stopping to wait for Lizzy to arrive.

Pulling her comms unit out she would put a call through to the Captain of her media ship "Hi Captain it's Ensign Sakura, I'm about to board a shuttle to Uden, I take it you'd like the standard package of footage and interviews at the ball as usual?" she asked wanting to make sure that not only did they did want her to work tonight but that they had nothing special they wanted her to do "...Also while I've got you, that footage of Maris and Ge-Fi I sent you, did it check out as being legit? and if so when will it air only I can do a follow up if you like?" she asked figuring that there would be more than a few people willing to express their opinions about the pair of traitors.

---------------->>>>>>>>>>>> From Captain Si's Quarters

 Sam walked onto the Hanger Deck in her beautiful backless green dress. Sam saw Izzy talking on her Comms so Sam would walk around and look for her dashing escort Lt. Howe.

---> Captain Si's Quarters

With the unfamiliar click of high heels shoes Harry would walk across the hangar dec towards the waiting shuttles. From where she was she could see Izzy, accompanied by her drone, making a comms call to someone and Sam, resplendent in a backless green dress that reveal a maze of scar tissue seemingly looking for her escort, or so Harry assumed.

Needless to say Harry would search the collection of people gathered around the trio of shuttles for any sign of Will, her stomach fluttering nervously in anticipation of him seeing her all dressed up and anxious to see his reaction to her. It was at times like this that she wished she had a more feminine figure like Lizzy, or Flores, or any of the Hermes ladies that seemed to make looking glamorous look so easy as opposed to feeling like an impostor.

   Will was  waiting with   Shadow and HAwkes.. Meari was near them as well. Will carried  a weapon, Like Jax  that they , would   not need once they got to the airfield...  Sneak looked  about  5 years older  and her bearing  seemed to  be that one  a woman who was used to  this time  of thing... only the excitement in her eyes, as she looked at Jax, broke that Imagine.

 Roll stood  by them  with his little    Uniform and  'sword"  waitig for Haley.


  People  began to board thier respective  shuttles.... Roy and Henry were  entering  the   Admiral's  shuttle. SToly's Gunners   were testing the    swing of thier  MGs . There  wasn't much of a chance of  any enemy  aircraft   getting  close enough to shoot down  a shuttle.

..........

    For Izzy, the  Edit-Captain got back to her...of course the  footage is real? There's only   2 or  3 people  in the Black who  could fudge this..and one of them is on The Hermes.... If you can get a follow up..  we'll need it   done  but  1:00AM..ships  time.. we are  going to release the footage   after the   live feed of the Fleet arriving at the BAll....

 he is  quiet for a Space  then says,..APF  is  sending Wendy  Maxxie  down She is going to try of   fill thier network  with shits  and interviews of the Fleet's  hotshots..Don't  let her  beat us to any punches...

 ...........

  Shadow  Nodded  with a smile to  Meari...looks  great...does  alot  for   Morale to see  dresses like  that...even for the guys...  he winks.

 As for..... he held  up a finger  to wait  as  The Admiral came out of his shuttle Cap Under his  arm, sword on his hip,

 ..Alright!..Uden is  a Friend... they may be come as close to us  as Bura..maybe closer, as we have  family ties to the  leadership....

 he held  up a Hand  and looked over  all  those  who were  about to board the shuttles, and trusted those   on board  would hear.

 ..We do this  by the Numbers...   Board shuttle goes  first.. we get pics, take  some short questions.. keep  moving to the palace.... Shadow's shuttle  Comes in.. .. we all know that is  'supposed to be' the party shuttle.. Single ladies, make it look good... and  couples on board, are 'just happy to  catch the ride... with Luck the Press  follows  Shadow's  group  in as the third  shuttle lands with the rest of our people..

 ..LC?.. I trust you'll handle the Press in your  normal Fashion..

 Shadow grinned and there  were some laughs,Aye Sir...shouldn't be a problem...

 Right then!.. mount up... and have  fun..Also.. Captain Si  says there might be a bit of a  competition  when we first get there.. I am looking Forward to it

  he stopped  a moment  and looked back over  the  crew.....There  aree  OPure Blood Verians  on Uden....be careful around them, those who have reason..make sure you keep your  cover....Now lets go.. I hear the food  is  great!

 Shadow  waved  people  forward, He looked at  Meari,Ok?... though  it might not be  as soild  as a cover  as it was   4 years  ago.... I ampainted  as the Party boy hot shot pilot..which?  I am ..to a point......when we  get out  at the airfiedl there is going to  be a massive  party Limo for  us  to get in....when we get there... I'll have  an ';order' of how we get out of the lImo for the press.. all the single LAdies will get out  with me, because?... that's  what people expect... once we hit the  Palace  everyone is free to go?... funny?.. all the   scandel sheets  and   gargabe  press? no one  mentions what happens  after we hit the BAll?... they just focus  who came  with me..

------------------->>>>>>>>>>>> From Captain Si's Quarters

 Lizzy walked onto the Hanger Deck strutting her stuff and feeling very confident she will get several heads to turn. Lizzy smiled at everyone as she walks by them in her 5" heels and her dress that doesn't leave much to the imagination but looks so damn good one her and her figure. Lizzy makes sure her sidearm and boot knife are in her garters and secured. Lizzy will shake what her Mother gave her and head slowly towards her fighter. She checks it out and then she will see Harry looking amazing in her dress, she will see Sam in her backless dress looking for Lt. Howe,she will see Meari talking to Shadow, damn she was fucking tall and sexy as hell in her dress, but she would break Lizzy.

 Lizzy strutted her stuff long enough she then decided to strut her stuff over to her girlfriend as she was talking on her Comms, Lizzy will walk up, smile at Izzy and wait till she is off her Comms before she says anything but she will stand before Izzy and show off her new dress, Lizzy loved looking sexy and knew how to flaunt it very well.

 Meari nods to Shadow, and waits for the rest of his response after the Admiral talks, Meari knew she had to talk to him in person soon, maybe they could get a dance later, but Meari didn't know how to dance well. She was more into combat training and working out than dancing.

 When the Admiral was done, Meari nodded to the Admiral when he was finished. Then Shadow spoke again, when he was done Meari responded," Thank you LC Shadow I do appreciate the compliment and I do think this dress actually looks good on me as well. So I will go with you since I am very single, and I think a Udenese coming out with you as a member of the Hermes girls will look great going to a party on Uden don't you think Sir. It will be a honor to be a part of that Sir, and possibly later we could have a dance, you are the Father to my cousins, also Sir I have not met Ambassador Shade yet and I can not wait to meet him officially Sir."

  As they walk on to the Shuttle ,  Shadow  chuckles  a bit,well..whatever looks  god to the folks at Home...where ever Home is  anymore?.. I guess its  Fuji now?

  Troopers   and  crew  are headed to the  third  Shuttle. Shadow looks around  around as he sees   Howe  snag  Sam and waits to see  where they are Going  he looks  Down and Dana  is  standing there, looking a bit  bummed.

   what's up?

 Dana  shook her   head  real   quick, she had a Brillant Green Dress on...Shadow  took a few  steps back down the ramp.....Dana?

 she looked away...one of those  new guys  said he was going to take me?... I switched shifts  and everything.. then he  told me 'he  found some one better..."

 which.....new....guy.....

 ..the  guy you  punched out? That  LT  Lag?.... I was talking to him, trying  to get him to  understand   how things are on  The Hermes... and he  bought me a couple drinks..took me to the OC and asked if i wanted to go to the  Ball.... But that Pike  Woman showed up
 with her  dress and he told  me to hit the road...

 Pike?.. she doesn't have anything on you!!!.. and to  top it off your the 2nd best reciever in the  league!

 she whacked him.....first best!

look? this is  stupid.... You've  come with me  before.. You're going down now...

 She Nodded  and   gently wiped her  Eyes..I know... it would have been nice to have a real..one -on-one  date ...

 He Held out his hand  , she took it   as she walked up the ramp.Naw>,, you kidding?... You get all this lime light when we arrive... then you get to   hunt down  the prey of your choice  when we get to the BAll?... and?... if you  are really looks   to dance, and can;'t  find anyone  good  enough... I can step up?... Now Come on.. we got Pilots who don't have  dates  that will  hang around you  until you punch them out...

 She Giggled  and   step  up.. Shadow got Frans's attention and pointed  to  his eyes  and then  Dana... Frans  moved back to   see about touching up the makeup...it wouldn't be long before the  shuttle  know what happened.... Lt  Lag and Ensign Pike were on the third  shuttle.

 //Shadow?  are....you going to do something?

 ..yep....

 what?

 Gonna  talk to him.....

 ..your  kind of talk...or a real Talk....

  My Kind....

 ..good.....

 ..you best!..If you don't ..I will.... frans  growled

 Supe and Hodden  sat there,, Hodden  looked uncomfortable in her dress..but? loked really great!..you don't wann get your hands Dirty?  I'll do it?

  MAria  Laughed,..you make   big  joke , Si!... Our LC  , not  wanting to get his  hands   dirty.. that is  not   our Muchaco's way!

 Beth shook her  head,WTF is it  with this guy? he can't be a plant..he was in the   gods be damned stockade!

 Steele  Grinned...don't matter now..right? You cross the line... there is no going  back.