Roll was cleaned up, he had a Hermes T-shirt on and  a pair of   older jeans.

  Thatnk you... Mr Shadow  says its good for me to be independant, but i'm not ssupposed to be afraid to ask for help.

  Gregor had stayed with the Largs this time. so  Roll didn't  seem to mind  ruzzy up a snitten now  and then.

  As they played a  Game called  'catch the   Largran'. where you drew cards until someone got a Joker. he said off handedly.. One of the older guys in school, who always picks on me. Told me i would never see my new Mommy  again? He said  she was a Vampic  and was drinking people's  blood or maybe  some  one blew her  up...

his eyebrow  furrowed.I Blame  that  guy Vampic. he acted  real nice,,,but he wasn';t nice..and   my new Mommy went out   to find him...why?  why didn't she stay with me and gregor?.. is it because  we were Vampics?  or maybe she  didn't really want a stem Kid...

he looked at them both,You Guys,  Me   SM  and Mr Shadow, and  Mr Zob are real nice to me an' helped when school people picked on me, including teachers.

 now i am a real larg Master..and they can't pick on me as much. Miss Val   teaches  me things  as she teaches    Can.. Can doesn't go to the school.

Haley chimed in "some are buttheads... but not all.  Toni is nice.  If one of the civie kids is being mean she gets on them"
"as you get older Roll, you'll find some adults have to do things for different reasons." she smiled gently at him "When he got here he may have been genuinely a good person.... you mother is.  She just had her heart broke.  Adults have that happen sometimes.  Viktor may have been blackmailed or a number of things could have happened to cause what he did.  If we don't know for sure do not worry what others say.  They talk from being ignorant." Nikki stopped a moment as she almost blabbed about Haleys dad.  "when I've talked to your mother, she talked of how smart and kind you are.  That she is proud of you and she went out of her way to keep you because she loves you.  Don't let any one tell you different." she said tis in present tense not past tense.  she wanted Roll to know she believed Lt. Mortica was alive and well, not forgotten. "she left you here because she knew your friends will keep you safe and Hermes will protect you.  You matter to us"
"Yourn my bestus best friend Roll.  I remember telling your Momma I would be there for you no matter what" Haley hugged Roll tightly.
"For now if you ever feel you need a 'momma' to help you...you have me.  a sister you have Haley, a dad you have Shadow and Roy.  You have the biggest family on Hermes.  You're not just a stem kid.  Roll you are this ships soul.  Hack and Si are the heart an Shadow might be the ships strength.... but you are its soul." she beeped his nose "I'd say the brains would be Beth." she laughed as Haley won that hand of cards

 Roll smiled a bit,Thank you.. I mean, besides  Haley  , all the Stem kids who came here  with  me are  nice to me, some got in fights  for me, because i was littler.. Jax  and Sneak  watch out for me when they  are able... I think Can likes  me. and he's a Stem kid. Mr  Zob scared some mean parents..sso he likes me.. I like  being on The Hermes. I get to do important  stuff..I don't havta  Hide No More.. i can fight. and all of Largs like me so far/ I think  after the war? I might  take  some Largs  and go to Etna, and   go through the stem and  let them eat all the bad guys.

well, If My new Mommy  doesn't come back...well...she  won't be the first Mommy who left me behind. At least I have  lots of people here who know me.

"Roll, you have a lot of people who care and love you.  I'd like to think even your momma, as well as your adoptive momma love you.  I don't know how young you were or how you came to be with the others on Etna, but I know both love you because your here.  So never think bad of the,.,, ever." she smiled "remember, I said some adults do things for different reasons.  Perhaps you true momma was in dire straits and to give you a better shot at life had to give you to bad men.  she may not have been happy but to give you a chance.... I don't know, Roll.  If we ever find her we can ask her. I can only guess, and that means I'm ignorant... but I can use what I know to try and guess and be kind enough to care" she wanted Roll to have hope and know nothing in his situation was his fault.  Wanted him to know she'd always be there for him as would Haley.  "You know I have a lot of sisters and brothers and a dad on Earth.  we grew up on a farm... we are not rich.  my momma died just after I was borned.  My papaw found another lady he loved and they married she became my new momma.  my birth momma I don't really remember.  All I know is my papaw said is my momma died and went to Heaven.  All I knew was that we were called poor....but some people were poorer than us.  some didn't have food even... my family shared and times got a bit better.  still a few really strapped poor sold their kids to give them a better shot at life. To another family sometimes. Just so they might not starve." kind of like Haleys family but she avoided that response.  She hoped Roll was old enough to understand.

as they ate and played a bit she noticed Roll beginning to nod off.  he worked hard today, he deserved to sleep well.
"You're about to fall asleep at the table, Roll.  Comm'on, I'll tuck you in.  Then clean up.  We'll lock up for you.  want a story to help sleep?" she got up and helped herd him to bed.  she then tucked him in.  didn't take long and Roll was asleep.  He was awake long enough to feel Nikki give him a kiss on his temple.  "Sleep tight"
Haley yawned as wrll. the snittens were in a bundled ball having frenzied out, Friday was awake watching over them.
Nikki quietly cleaned up, with Haley helping.  she wanted her moving so she would not sleep and her have to carry Haley, Friday, and 2 sleeping snittens all at once.  once cleaned up she helped Haley by having her just carry Khan.  Friday an her shoulders she carried Katerina.  when they left they secured the door to Mortica's place.  Glancing about she made sure things were safe.  then they made thier way back home and sleep themselves.


===> Officers quarters

<=== from quarters on officers dec

Nikki walked Haley to school and let her play with her friends there.  Some of the regular kids and the stem kids, to Nikki both were good just influenced by a few bad elements.  She knew Haley would know right from wrong.  When the bell rang kids headed in, Nikki would take a long walk through the civie section and go check on Roll.  seeing if things were good she
d head to the red dec for a strong iced tea then work.

------>>>>>>> From Tunnels

 Sam and Zob headed to his place she was all smiles and let Zob lead the way.

<=== Officers Quarters

Nikki and Haley walked to school together.  She let Haley, growing braver since she first came to Hermes, skip off to class.  Nikki smiled and waved her off to classes.
she then went to check on Roll after Haley went inside with others.  Running into a few of the former stem kids, she said hi.  Knocking she checked if Roll was up or even home.  If he was with the Largs she'd walk him on up since she was going to the hangar dec.  "Roll?  You in?"

    The   apartment  was   quiet and  neat. no clothes  tossed   about,  there was  a dish and a cup in the strainer.  She  did  notice, the  stand  next to the  Vid  screen was different.

  it  took her a Moment, the pic of  Mortica  and  him  was down. in its place  was   Roll with   a bunch of largs around  him ( on Bura).. and  Picture  Of  Zo and Roy with him .
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:51, Wed 17 Jan.

Nikki looked a bit more intently around. carefully wondering if things were suspicious or not.  The photovid of Mortica she also looked for. She'd of hated if he tossed it away.  "Roll?  You about?" she cautiously asked out "It's Nikki".  She searched the place carefully.  After all, it could be someone did a B&E. If they hurt Roll.... She'd make them know what true hell would be.

Looking about everything seemed normal. she commed the larg hold "Hey, is cadet Larg Master Roll there? This is Ensign Rutledge" She found the picture of Roll, Gregor, and Mortica in the garbage, hooked up within an easy reach.  It was rather crumpled though.  Looked a bit spotty as well, as if there were tears that fell on it.  She smoothed it out as best she could. she spoke low to herself "Ah Roll.  Wish I could take the pain you feel.  You deserve better and to just be a little boy" She thought about it a moment then pocketed the picture.  She did not see Roll anywhere in the house, she prepared to leave.  She would leave when she got a call back. For the moment she sat on the stoop, thinking.

  Niki's COM  beeped, Ensign   Rutledge.  This  is  PFC  Vorse  , I'm..i guess..the r  personal Giard  for  Doc henry's  family . The young larg Master  , along with  Disna and Puskie are int eh tunnels  letting the  largs  and bear thing   run.. I believe   Ms  Mila  is with them as well..

 There was  something Nikki found  in  Rolls  bed room. on the little  night stand was an older COM . Roll was awarded  an ESN grade  COM after his actions on the hanger  Dec  with the largs.... the old  come was still hooked  into   the  charger.

"Thank you Vorst" Nikki replied.  still she sat for a moment, happy Roll was not hurt or anything.  still... she wondered and if she should pry. Finally, she decided it was best and again went in Mortica apt. to have another look. This time she noticed Rolls Comm.  It looked like it had a message. she played it to listen, she hoped to gain insight.

 when she opened the que. there  were 100's  of  outgoing Coms. to Mortica. None  had  been opened, according to the  COM.

scanning through  them randomly..she could see the 'growth' of Roll. " Mommie...are you ok"..scores of those... " Mommy, let me know if you got this"

"Mommy.. can you  ping me..."the  last 10 or so were different. " did  'sert me?"...." are you coming back".."Call  Mr Spencer or Mr  Shadow".. the last one.."..i will be  ok... My Hermes  family   will care for me.. I will leave this open...in case you can COM..."

Sam and Zob spent a great few days together, Sam got her uniform on and said," I have to go to SEC, I will see you later ok." Sam gave Zob a kiss and headed for SEC.

----->>>>> To SEC

Nikki could not help but be human. Her heart broke for Roll. She was not real tight with Mortica, but thought she understood her, but perhaps the heart and mind set of Vampics were different.  She didn't know.  It did tell her that Roll was kind of giving up in a way.  She had a plan, if one could call it that.  She'd have to talk with Shadow and a few others. For now she needed to go to her shift, she'd think about this a bit more.  Plus who knows they may hit Vampic space, a chance to find her or avenge her.
She headed out, a bit more seriousness on her face.


===> to the Hangar Dec

<=== From the RecDec

Nikki led Angela through part of the civie quarters towards Joes coffee shop.  Tucked away Nikki finally unlocked the door where the still and equipment was. She turned the lights on "There we go" as she walked in.  A very large home still, or a rather small commercial still was the immediate focus of the room. It was currently down, and from what Nikki said would be until more Burian herbs were available. She moved over to some shelves that held spare parts, including the fuel regulator Angela needed.  After a few minutes Nikki located the box she needed "Here we are. JX14/FR44-M fuel flow regulators" she read the side of the box. Nikki pulled it out and placed it on a table. Opening it she pulled about 3 out.  she tossed 2 into another cabinet and handed 1 to Angela.  It was in a plastic safety wrap plastic bubble as were the others "Need another?..." she reached in the box for another, then looked in "...got another 4 in the box" the box said it held 10 when full. "For now I'll keep 2 extra for the still.  If I need to trade or have another use I'll leave the rest in here"
Over in a corner were 2 crates with empty bottles and a case of bottling caps.

Angela followed quietly into the room and instantly went over to the still to study it while Nikki found the part then smiled looking up as she asked if she needed another. Angela made her way over to Nikki and shook her head as she picked the part up. "Nah, this should be fine for now." she looked the part over a bit through its wrapping "Brand new or home made?" she asked. "Either way I think I can swing a shipment of Burian your way if you don't mind how it was obtained."

Nikki smiled "kludged. Homemade... based off my Papaws..." she stopped a moment "Sorry... my fathers design, Keep forgetting not many speak hillbilly" she laughed "The observation lounge and the night club have 3-4 cases right now of the gin Hawkeye and I made.  Even made a cocktail with it 'the Moon Shadow'. Plus, I have the first bottle made. The fuel flow is new as it has never seen an engine.  The fighters we had before the skeeters didn't use them.  Had a glut so grabbed a box and traded a few bottles for them.  Got them off the Ares so we would not be short" she winked "Hawkeye has a trade for the grain we need, just not here right now.  Might be due to growing season or something" she shrugged a bit.

Angela nodded then waved her hand dismissively, "Be as hillbilly as you'd like, If I don't understand something you say, I'll ask, but the way you say papaw sounds adorable." she smiled looking back at the part in her hand. "As for offering the ingredients for the still, I meant the offer as a trade for the part, and the people that I'm sure have it, they probably have it in cold storage waiting for a buyer, but they owe me one so I could get it to you as a favor."

"So back to the hanger then to the sim?" she asked, she needed to go to her ship anyway for an item to help with the simulation. "I can drop the regulator off at the tech station so its less time to the sims."

she smiled "Everyone usually asks what a 'papaw' is.  but for grain ...if you get the stuff, it's fine.  I'm not in any rush though. I look at it as getting the part helps me and others anyhow. You're helping knock out the enemy so I can get back to Haley safe and sound." she was honest about it and not worried, plus it helped make friends. "Getting this to help your bird sounds good.... Then we'll see if I can break the SIMS again" she giggled a bit "That was sooooo embarrassing" as she let Angela out and she dimmed the light and locked up behind her.

===> to Hangar then SIMS

<===from SIMS

Mikki went to the park across from the school and sat on the bench there waiting for Haley. A few older kids were released earlier and were wandering out including Toni and a few older Stem kids.  Nikki smiled at them and waved. there was a soft bell ring and then a few kids cheering. some rowdy boys came out first at high speed, followed by more kids that it looked like a circus. few climbed on the playground before heading off.  soon Haley and Casey came out.  'two peas in a pod' Nikki thought, then waved.  saying bye Haley headed over. "Hey Punk'n" Nikki gave her a hug standing up from the bench.
"Hey Nikki.  Yer off early"
"Yep just had to work on my skeeter and then practice at the SIMS. Guess what?"
"What?" she asked as her brow scrunched a bit.
"We have another ball to go to, so we get some new fancy clothes"
"cool... do I get to go with Roll?"
"I think so.  You are kind of the Hermes's Princess... now we just have to find you a Unicorn" Nikki teased a bit. as they began walking "We'll head home and peruse some looks for you make you gorgeous"
"Maybe Roll and me can ride in on Largs" she laughed
"we'll see" she smiled "For now lets get some snacks, and feed the Briss" they began wandering home.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Thu 21 Mar.

<<<<<<<<< Shadow  and   Roll from  Field
  reaching   Roll'd  House the   went  up the small stairs ,  Roll unlocked the door , Shadow 's eyes    shifted  with out looking, like he was looking, to see if there were any Bullies  , in sight. A pair of older boys  watched them, but other  did  that, did not react to two.

 Ok?   Since you are an Offical  ESN  Larg master..You need to have your   Uniform  right..you have the patches  on?

 no sir?  I can sew  patches  over  holes , but i can seems to get the patches right

 Go take  a shower, I'll sew you patches one, One of these  days  when I  and   on Hanger Dec  Dity, you can come  down and i'll show you how  to sew them on..

    Roll  brought    three  shoulder patches  over..One  was the ESN patch, One was  The Hermes Patch. and the last one  was  ESN Larg Master  Patch,  it showed was  an 'Earth' with  black out line   one a pouncing  Larg.

 I got theses?..  I guess they go on... its not as many as   You are the SM have?

 well? these Purple hearts? I only have one more then you have..You have to be hurt  while fighting to get that..The  Gold stars, you got  for when you took command of the Largs  and   helped stop the boarders from taking over...now?  when i was your age? I didn't have  any medals..when I was Jax  age, I didn't have any medals..so you  erned  more, and Faster  then  I did.... Now this  little  bar  here, goes  under that  Purple  heart, to show you earned  it  more then once.... when You get to the Ball and Pople  are talking to you and  someone  decides  makign  fun of a Junior Grade  Larg Mster is a good thing?  You check thier chests...and if they don't have a purpe  heart, ask them why they don't have one....go get ready , I'll start sewing.

 Roll came   down he  had  'dress pants' that were made from Marnie  Dress pants altered  to Rolls size.. his 'real sword in a scabbard. and his sidearm he 'earned ' on Bura  when he  fought along  side    The Admiral, against the 'mean largs".

 wow! Mr  Shadow?  That looks like a real Uniform!

   Shadow waggled a finger at him..It is a  real unifrom. You are a Junior   Larg Master... they created  that rank  for you..One   Day  you'll be  a Largmaster.. then Senior Larg Master..and  anytime you see some one with the  'Junior  Largmaster' patch... you know  that is because of you,, Now..somewhere down the Line, Roy is gonna get you some training. There's  alot you don't know  abut the ESN...but you know  more  about Largs them most Humans..except...maybe?  Doc Henry?

 would be ok if i came with you while you get ready?

 Sure..lets go...

as they  left the Building  and Roll locked up.. there were  4  kids in the grass of the  shelter.

Score  and Dice  called over...Hey , Roll!!.. real neat..you're going to the Ball thing?   I guess we'll see you down there  after!

Rolls  smiled. and  waved.

 the other  two kids. they  laughed..you're just pretend... you got a toy sword.. and..

 all the gods  be damned!..You two   come over here right now...

 you're not  the bodss of us!

 BET ME!... all it takes is one  call that says  i caught two l=kids vandalizing  homes... SEC  comes.. I point at you two, and its out the static field you go...

They Looked at  each other, Score and Dice  laughed.. the two  walked over to  the  LC  and Roll..Shadow asked  for   Rolls  blade  and he  showed it to the  two bullies...This isn't the blade he uses  when hes  in action..bit its sharpe and can cut you arm off, if Roll would decide he had to defend himself, or someone else?...now the sowrd he uses in Combat?  he  killed  some people with it..including a Demon , face to face....cause?  that how you kill people  with a sword..face....to....face.

 he held up a  finger  as he handed  Rolle the  sword, both hands  flat open, Hit  for  Roll to  grab.. The COM  rang, and Shadow  said..SGTNagy..LC here.. could you read the last COM file for  Junior Largmaster   Roll

 Nagy  said..You bet , LC..give me a sec

 alright..bunch of flowery stuff.. The meat of the COM says... For heroic  action, in defense of  the Hermes Hanger dec...personally , ignore threats to help self, Save    COM Tower  team members. captain Morris. and  Dec  Troopers..use of largs to  extend  protection and  secure  the area  around the COM Tower... personally  slew  Enemy Boarding Officer  with sword.. recived  injuries  under fire  that  account  for his second  Purle  heart , in action. was  hereby raised to Level/rank of Junior largmaster, with all right , pay and privileges  due to that station..signedAdmiral hack..ect ect ect.

 Thanks  , Nags...... The LC turned to the two older boys...you gys have it nice.. parents, a home, chol//food , water.. You didn't  grow up like Roll and the other Stem kids...so you better watch yourself...because  not  only are they wired diffrnt then you gys, but if you set them off, you'll understand  howthey stayed alive in the Stem..and? I'll tell you this ...right now...if Roll would ever have reason to hurt or kill you?..There isn't one person, wearing frass, on their collars, or stripes  one their arms, that won't stand up for Roll..if he was wrong, we'll take care of it..but it won't make you any less dead...

The two kids  looked  shaken..

shadow added..so?  My advice, stop  being jealous   and acting like  dumbassess...

 Jealous? Of Him!

 Aye, There is a kid  who was left with out adoption. until a Vampic took him in..they she had to go?..Now..he's a ward of the Hermes.. he's a hero, he has  over  a dozen largs  that will do anyhting he says....ANYTHING...because those Largs knowshe loves them and takes  care of the,..he is part of thier  pack...but let me warn you about  letting that jealousy  make stupid assed decisons  for you..You see? Score, Dice,,all the others.. They are Rills pack too..but they are all way smarter then you...

 how's that?

 becaue...in The Stem, they have to flat out kill, ANYONE..who makes thier life  harder...whether it was  Gangers, Salvers  or dumbassed  people...I can tell  the Stem kids on the Hermes  are smart..because all of you are still alive...but? every string, has  an  end?..what it the  dumbassed thing you will do..to be holding  that end of the string, when they decide  to come for you...

The Two  kids lked at the LC, then Roll the Score and Dice..and they ran off..

 Score  said,ya know they are gonna tell there  buddies...

 good, that  should  add to your street cred.. he  fisted  Bummed the  two stem  kids  n, Roll waved  and they were on thier way.

Shadow, Roll Shadow's  quarters>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

----> From Hanger Dec

Zob with not much time to get ready hustled back home where he stripped down quickly and hopped in the shower and got cleaned up, after a few minutes he emerged and wrapped in a towel made his way into the bedroom where he got removed his formal wear from the closet and started suiting up.

The black trench coat is made from a very fine Burian wool with angel silk lining on the inside, with it features a double breasted button closure, broad lapels, four external pockets and a textured design, the buttons are made from a very fine astra silver that glistens in the light like moonlight.

The black dress suit itself is made of the finest Astra silk which forms very well over his physique, with this he sports a pair of gold rimmed luxury men sunglasses tying the look together in one impressive display of badassery.

after suiting up he did up his hair real nice and gave a slight smile things were looking good on the horizon, with Sam and a future home for Orria and it felt like it had been ages since Melia left but time moves on and with how short life is here in the black you gotta take every opportunity to be happy.