Meari nodded to Shadow and was going to say more when Dana came by after that was all done and Shadow went to deal with this Lt. Lag. Meari watches Shadow as he leaves she says," If you need assistance LC I will be more than happy to rip his spine out for you, then play it as what do you humans say a fiddle. " She actually laughs and it almost looks natural.

 Meari will stay with Dana but she wanted to go kick some assholes ass badly though. She would say to Dana," Hello I am sorry that Lt. Lag did that to you Dana, pleasure meeting you I am Meari I just transferred here from the Uden's Promise, I was a member of SEC there. Come you can show me how this Shadow thing works." Meari knew that humans where emotional and they needed to talk sometimes, Meari was trying her best to be a good shipmate and try and help Dana as best as she could.

  Dana nods,I'm Dana.. I work the Rec Dec.. i am a reciever on the football team with Shadow...he's a good friend and teammate...
 She Nods  to shadow who is sitting at the    ramp door  waiting  for the  the last minute folks  before launch.

 Frans  was  smiling. but it was a dark smile. she  wiped old  makeup  away and  reapplied    Dana's eyes and  cheeks...Kray can't  do anything now?... we have to show up  all nice  and clean...some time during the night... Lag is going to take a walk with Shadow...Voluntary or not...

 Dana  shook her head,I don't understand  way? I was being nice to him.. then  he leads me on like that?.. I'm  not a stupid girl..i know better!

Frans   shushed her gently ,.. there is a reason for this..right?.. I mean.. he and Pike  came on the ship together... it wasn't like anyone  else would have asked her...anyone follows  the Fleet football, Knows  you play and  you are Shadow's  teammate?...  The  Guy had to get stabbed with his own damn knife, 5 minutes  after  stepping onb the Dec?...there are stupid people in this galaxy...but no one is this stupid.

 Sam found Howe and said," Well Lt. don't you look handsome today, I hope you like my dress and I would have never worn anything like this without you Lt.. So which shuttle are we going in Lt. lead the way to our chariot my knight in shining armor." Sam smiles gives him a hug and a kiss.

  Howe  steps back from the Kiss  and gets Sam to   move  around  and he grins.well?  don't know  what gods  i made happy, but i'm gonna have  one of the best  Ladies on my arm tonight!

  ..Shadow's  Shuttle, i should think.... i'm not Brassy  enough  for the Admiral's  Shuttle... and   its  alot of  fun getting out of   a giant Limo while  Reporters  fall  all over themselves to get  pics   of  whom ever  come out!

 Meari looks at Dana and says," It is a pleasure to meet you Dana. Football yes I know of this sport my Grandmod use to watch it, War lord Dusk and Ambassador Shade are my cousins. Hey I wonder if I am allowed to play football with you is there a position I could fill on the team?"

 Meari listened to Frans, she liked Frans as she redid Dana's makeup. Meari smiled and said," Oh please I need to talk to LC Shadow I would love to help with that 'walk', no one should treat a beautiful woman like he did and still have his equipment." Meari smiles a evil smile and looks at Frans that she was serious about helping out. Meari liked Dana, she seemed very nice why would that black dot asshole do that to her.

 Meari listened to the rest and then when they where both done she added," Well Dana it is his loss because you are a lovely woman and you seem very nice, if I was a man I would be your escort Dana." She tried to smile and it came off half way decent. Then she said," That is one thing you can not train stupidity you just let nature take it's course on people like that, but I would love to help nature along and teach that bastard a lesson he would never forget."

 Meari nodded and smiled at Frans and Dana and said," Shall we enter the shuttle and wait for LC Shadow now ladies."

 from thier  seat in the shuttle, frans  nodded to Meari, we'll just  sit tight. Shadow is making sure  everyone  one is getting on who is supposed to go

 As she  says this . Lucky  was   walking   towards the third  shuttle. that ramp  came up  already.. and so was  the Admiral's  Shuttle.

   Shadow  whistled  loud... Lucky looked up  Confused ..Get aboard Seaman!

 Lucky  nodded  and  hurried up  the ramp and took a   seat, his eyes  wide  at all the     'hot ' looking ladies in dresses  .

 Shadow got on his COM, Dammit  Stoly?  Did the  Admiral give lift off  yet?

 ..No Sir, LC.. we  butoned up..all the Brass  is aboard.. why?

 ..The  third  shuttle buttoned up.. there are a coupl folks  not  on board yet...

 ..Hang on , LC......

 in a  few seconds  later  Stoly  said,..LC?..I bitched  the pilot out..  an LT  told  them to  shut  the  ramp and he did.....

 ..Lag?

 ..He didn't  say, LC....

  Shadow looked around  and   checked   anyone  near the   shuttles, to make  sure  no one  was being left behind....when no one was left  he told Stoly  they were ready... Stoly gave the orders  to  button up, and the shuttles took off.

 Sam smiled at Howe and said," Aww Lt. thank you I am not all that, but thank you very much. Sounds good to me, LC Shadow is a hero of mine I have all his action figures, so that would be nice getting out of Shadow's limo with you on my arm Lt."

 When they get to Shadow's shuttle she smiles at everyone, she nods to Meari, and the other ladies.

 Meari looked at Frans and said," Very well Frans we will wait here." Meari will see the Seaman, and then Shadow tells him to join their shuttle, Meari looks at the Seaman she nods and says," Please Seaman welcome aboard I am new to the Hermes, Sgt Meari I am a member of SEC." She holds out her hand for Lucky to shake.

 Howe  greeted   alot of the people  and   made sure  he introduced  Sam to those who did not know her  yet.

 Lucky smiles  a bit nervous ,..they call me Lucky?  I don';t know why... I got on board from Anzio?..sorta all happened  real fast...I work  in the Hanger  dec..loading stuff and fixing stuff...I have alot to learn yet though

 Meari smiled at Lucky and said," Well if people call you that then you must be Lucky than Lucky. We all always have a lot to learn Lucky , we will learn what we need to defeat our enemies, I am honored to be serving on the Hermes. You work on the Hanger Deck that is hard work, and have you ever had to fight to protect the Deck Lucky?" Meari is warming up to Lucky,

Harry would eventually spot Will standing with Shadow, Hawkes and the new Udenese woman; Meari  near the shuttle ramp. Smiling she would walk up to him, nervously checking her short, ash blonde hair as she went "Hey baby, so what do you think? Will I pass muster?" she asked with a nervous laugh "...I see you're looking dashing as always" she then said, brushing some imaginary lint from off of the shoulders of his jacket before looking up at him adoringly.

  Lucky   shrugged. ... I was in some fights on the Hanger....

  Beth spoke up.....he saved  Captain Si who was in a   fighter , shooting  at  boarders on the HAnger Dec.. he  Jumped on the wing with a   6 foot Pry  bar and  killed a pair of Vampics.... I Know, because  i was  about  10 yards  away manning the COMs

 She pointed  at Jax.....that one blew part of the Vampic's  commander's   face off  with a 'popper.'... they might not have  rank Yet... but they are damn well heroes..

...........

 Will smiled  and   have his head a  shake,everytime we do this... you seem to get better  at it...., he went up the ramp  with Harry

Upon learning that, just as she'd expected, that the footage Roy had given her was real and that the media ship was going to run with it straight after the footage of the ball, Izzy would give a sigh of relief. Although she'd been pretty confident that it was real hearing someone else saying as much set her mind at ease "I thought as much sir, I just thought it best to double check where something this big is concerned" she said deciding that she would see what she could do about getting some follow up interviews from a couple of people.

Upon learning that Wendy would also be at the ball, Izzy would groan in frustration knowing that the woman would most likely be a pain in the arse with the only saving grace being that she would be even less popular with the crew than she was.

It was at this point that Lizzy arrive, flaunting herself in front of Izzy, and making it very difficult for the young reporter to concentrate on what she was doing, as her eyes roved across Lizzy's barely covered body "I...um...yes...of course, I'll be sure to do that" she stammered before deciding that she needed to end this call as soon as possible before she made a fool of herself "ok, well...I...um...I've got to board a shuttle so I... I'll contact you when I have the footage sir" she said moments before ending the call "you, Ensign O'Conner are seriously distracting!" she exclaimed as she stepped into the other woman's arms.

 Lizzy smiled at Izzy and said," Well thank you very much my sexy girlfriend I was definitely going for distracting, hey remember you picked out this dress and I love it. It isn't too much is it, I love to turn heads especially yours my love." Lizzy held her close and gave her a kiss. Then she said," Well we better get on a shuttle before we miss them."

 Lizzy looked the third shuttle was closing their doors, the first shuttle was already closed. Lizzy took Izzy's hand and says," You will do fine come with me and just be happy and enjoy okay, we are going on LC's shuttle lets go it is the last one open. You will be fine just stay with me, or you can get some pre-interviews."

 Lizzy got on board with Izzy, she looked at harry and Will and waved, she saw Sam and Howe she waved at them, she waved at Meari, Frans, Dana, and everyone else she knew. Once they got on board the shuttle she would say," Okay there is another reason I picked this shuttle, I don't know if your okay going into the Ball as each other's escort, a lot of people will see us exit. I figured if you where not ready we could just come out with Shadow and then dance later whatever you are ready for my love." She will give Izzy another kiss.

 Meari smiles and says," Oh you where in a few battles on the Hanger Deck, sounds like you where a hero to me Lucky. If I am stationed on the Hanger Deck for Security I will stick with you Lucky. Crowbar huh, never used one of those as weapon, I have many weapons but not that one yet." Meari smiles and gives Lucky a slap on the back, Meari will try to control her strength but she is used to tough Udenese she slaps so it might be a little hard for Lucky, but she isn't trying to hurt him.

 Meari turns to Beth and says," Nice to meet you Ma'am Sgt Meari will be a new member of SEC. Are you the infamous Lt. Morrow I know you because of the hair Lt.."

 Sam mingled with Howe as he introduced her to people she didn't know yet, she smiled and watched and listened information was power after all. Sam did smile and was enjoying meeting everyone and she had a wonderful smile.

Nearly late the arrived.  "Okay Haley, time to smile and go to the ball" she felt Haley get a bit nervous.  "It's okay to be nervous....Even scared.  You can do this though.  Me and the other gals gotcher back.  Oh, there's Roll.  He looks so handsome" she pointed him out, as she looked for Mitch.  She walked Haley over to Shadow and Roll and the others there.  "Princess Haley has arrived" she smiled.

  (( slight  Flex))

   Shadow  smiled, he  nodded to Mitch who was  by the   Mech area.....don't think he   wore those  whites  but once?.. I think he might  cut himself on the  crease....

 Mitch   , by this   time  had  Notcied  and   was making his way over.

   Crouching  down, his   sword  making a  bit of noise on the  Dec.well., well well.... You  look  as great as   the rest of the LAdies!....... Right Roll?..... Roll?....

 Roll was looking at  Haley..his   eyes   were  Big.

 Shadow  gave him a bit of  an Elbow...  Roll  looked    scared for a moment, then remembered...he  took off his  Hat  and  Bowed,... You look  really neat Haley!.... I'm supposed to have you take my arm up into the shuttle.... he  Held  u=out  his  arm  for her, Shadow stood up and gave  Nikki a helpless shrug...we had to cram on the hnager Dec...

Haley smiled "I was hoping you would like my princess dress.  I think you look all growed up in your uniform" she blushed a bit.  Haley was trying to remember what Nikki said and after a rough curtsy she put her hand on his arm, then realized it was the wrong hand and switched.  Roll helped her into the shuttle.
Nikki grinned watching them "It's a good thing they like each other.  We had a bit of a cram session on the lift.  I am sure with all of us helping here and there they should do fine." Then turned to her own Prince Charming "I do like a man in uniform.  Shall we?"

”Is that your way of saying I look pretty?” Harry softly asked as she took Will’s hand and walked up the ramp. Once on board they would find a pair of seats so that Harry could hold Will’s hand whilst they waited for the shuttle to finish loading and then take off.

——> Uden

”I know I did, I just wish I could have more time to enjoy it” she said with a disappointed sigh, resting her head on Lizzy’s shoulder before going on to elaborate a little more ”...Wendy Maxxie is going to be at the ball so I’ve no choice but to work...I’m sorry baby, hopefully we’ll get at least one dance together” she continued, returning Lizzy’s kiss before walking hand in hand with her to only remaining shuttle, smiling politely at Shadow as they passed him.

It was as they were looking for somewhere to sit that Lizzy would bring up whether or not she wanted for them to leave the shuttle as a couple ”oh crap... I didn’t think of that!” Izzy softly cursed, torn between being with her girlfriend and having the entire world learning that she was a lesbian, or more accurately her mother. With an anguished look on her face she would wrestle with the problem for several minutes before sagging in defeat ”I...I don’t know what to do...I don’t want to ignore you, I want to be your date and dance with you but... I don’t want my mother learning that we’re together by seeing us together on the news!” with her knowing that having her mother finding out about them that way would make things so much worse.

 Lizzy smiled and said,I know but you will see me and hopefully we can have a dance or two. I understand and I dont like that bitch she was always a bitch. Oh I hope she tries to interview me. lol. Also I get to keep the dress Izzy so you can see it on me again.

 Lizzy took her hand and also smiled and nodded at Shadow as they walked by him.

 Then Izzy reacted to her comment Lizzy took her hand and said, Okay we have three choices and I am okay with any of the choices okay, whatever you choose I am good with remember that my love.  One we could go out separately as single woman and you can get candid pics and interviews as we arrive. Second we could go out as a couple and everyone will see us as a couple, and lastly we could Comm your Mom right now and tell her about us. It is your call okay Izzy, and I am fine with whatever you choose.  Since you have to work the single woman would be the best bet but that also means if we dance or kiss we might be on the Vids doing so. I know it sucks KS but I love you no matter what but also the Hermes knows we are a couple so it might get out anyways. I am so sorry for this Izzy. She did feel bad they didn't have the time to talk to her Mom before hand, but Lizzy was fine with whatever she chose, she loved her and was willing to do anything for Izzy even just being friends for the Ball, it would hurt but love was about sacrifice and protecting the one you love.
Lizzy held her hand as Izzy thought about their options.

>>>>>>>>  Back from Uden..Victory  leave

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

  people walked    through the tunnel from the Big Ugly..  a pair  of   troopers scanning in chip to make  sure  every one is accounted  for  ..RECALL..horns were blasting   on the planet..on the ship  and on  COMs.

 Shadow walked off  with the Others.. gregor  was  waiting  with Roll, Jax  and Sneak.. Shadow frowned at them.

  ..Sorry , LC?.. but  Roll wanted to be on the Dec  when Haley came  back.. and  he wasn't let go of  Gregor...

 the little LArg thumped his tail...

In due course Henry, Val, and Mila arrived back. Checking his com, Henry saw that a mass of data had arrived from Nicky, who had been off looking at Udenese animals. He was looking forwards to see what she'd found.

  Walking towards his Fighter, He notes  Ravens  Fighter is parked  by the Shuttles.He orders her  fighter to be  moved over near his flight...She's here..alone, don't make her  feel  any less connected..

  springing into action, the ground crews began to  move the   fighter   while the  Big Ugly emptied, and other one waited its turn.

 Orria  Sat with   Jax  and the others  waiting  for Melia. As Shade  went with Shadow to  check on his fighter. There wasn't any  action going on, Argie and his crew were just coming up from the surface.

 Magin sat  down as well, she would need to see  Captain Morris when he  arrived.. he was on the first  Big Ugly as well..but taking his time getting off.

 The QM was being helped to his quarters  behind the  QM  Cage..he seemed to have been enjoying the local drinking establishments.