this will be a Flex  thread.. for right now..used  for  those in Bura  to  Finish the  tail end of  some RP.. You can use this, Until Flex is shut  down

 BURA...ONLY ( right now)

Roy nodded with a low grunt...and a hint of approval in his eyes, as though Izzy had just passed some kind of test.  "Did some time over there, as well...I had twenty years in the Corps before Hack selected my file out of the heap to serve on the Hermes, there weren't many conflict zones on Earth that I didn't see for at least a little while."  His tone wasn't boastful, neither was it condescending...just statement of fact.

"I'm not gonna sugar-coat it...most, if not all of the veterans on the Hermes, and throughout the Fleet, are gonna be wary around you for a while...the newcomers will welcome you, because they're going through a different version of the same thing.  The best thing you can do to win people over is be a good soldier.  I gave her the same advice...when these people know they can rely on you, they'll move mountains for you...but until then, they're going to tolerate you, at best.  You'll find that in any outfit full of veterans...they've lost too many friends to open up easily, and they've seen too many hotshots come in and die quickly.  If you can endure that trial period, they'll watch your back in any situation."

He looked in the eyes for a moment, then broke into a slight grin.  "From what I hear, you're off to a good start.  Hang in there."

With her seemingly passing the SM's test concerning her combat experience, she would find herself feeling kind of relieved that the veteran had seemingly accepted her, if only on a provisional basis, making her uphill struggle just a little less steep.

As Roy explained the situation with the veterans she would nod her head in understanding having experienced some of the same feelings amongst her last squad, remembering how by the end of her tour in Afghanistan that most of them treated her like their baby sister and how she had come to suspect that a certain sergeant had become rather sweet on her. The same sergeant that had called her a parasite and a hindrance on her first day "I understand...it just sucks knowing that I'm not going to have anyone to talk to for a while...in a non-professional manner that is" she said with a sigh before smiling as Ry told her to hang in there, "thank you...I...um...may have a present for you when we get back to the Hermes, also we should probably discuss the Admiral's decision to make Delta night public at some point in the future" she said, clearly sceptical as to how well the latter would go "Right, well I'd better let you find that Burian military book you're after though...um...if you don't find it you're welcome to watch kung-fu movies with me" she offered with a friendly smile before returning to her seat and making herself comfy.

Nikki made her way to where Spencer was.  He was chatting with one of the media people.  She moved so he could see her and how slightly stressed she was.  Still kept a distance as a courtesy.

Roy chuckled when Izzy commented on plans to publicize Delta Nights, especially her unspoken reaction.  "Hell, after the last two or three, I figured they were already public knowledge.  EDT definitely seems to have puzzled out that any time the Fleet comes into port,they lose a bunch of people...guess the Admiral wants everyone else to be aware of it, as well..."  He shrugged as she walked away, and started to turn to the shelves when he noticed Nikki.

"Ens. Rutledge...what's the word?" he asked, informally.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Sat 09 Nov 2019.

"Brought her here with Roll and Sneak.  She's got Doc Henry watching her and checking on a creature she found at the lake, and Mitch" she said quietly.  "As far as I know he is still near there wanting 'out'.  He won't leave with out her.  Wants me to go with him" she sounded a bit exasperated.  "Thinking If he really has any remorse or humanity in him...hell even plain descency, I'll try and talk him into giving up to see her.  Trust him though...no.  Right now looks like he sold his soul and his kids.  He may be the biological father but he sure as hell is not a dad or papaw." she calmed a little bit getting that out  "Gonna call him...tell him if he wants to see her then he'll shed his weapons and the duster with sighting any one of our people he'll surrender to them.  put him in custody and lets find out what we can.  Giving her up or going with him...not an option" she looked to see if he might have other plans or options.

Roy nodded as Nikki laid out her intentions.  "You've got more faith in him than I do," he answered bluntly.  "Given where we found his daughter, I'd already have written him off, unless maybe I thought I could lure him into interrogate.  But I suspect he's new enough to their organization that he has no productive intel to offer."

He gave Nikki an appraising look.  " So, why are you so interested in getting him to surrender?"

"I remember him being a good man" she said wistfully "He once loved his wife and family.  But bad crops and little to no money I think broke him.  he started drinking.  and of course that spiral it took him down.  I believe, but can't prove, that Beaudrift had him sellout his family and they got another recruit.  and he saw it as a chance to start over.  I'm just not going to let him complete that cycle by just handing his daughter to him to sell for food, rank, or anything else" she looked at Roy "And I believe intel we had, was that that Angel that he is so keen on was there when all of it went down back home.  Stuck Haley and her sister on a pig truck to go be slaughtered like a market hog.  Her, I'd like to see bleed like a pig in a Chicago slaughterhouse" her voice dropped a couple of octaves in seriousness.  "I'm gonna comm him now.  If you want to listen in and tell him his choices.  see how he want to play it.  and you can try and locate him"

Roy snorted softly.  "You need Beth, or someone similar to locate him, that's way outside my training...unless we're out on open terrain and I'm tracking him.  But via a comm call?  I'm not going to be any help there."  He gave a humorless laugh.

"If you really want me to listen in, I'll oblige.  But we've already got interceptors in the air waiting for escaping shuttles and we've got ground forces closing the nets...I don't expect you to get far with him on the comms, if he hasn't already decided to surrender.  But you're welcome to try."  He was clearly skeptical of the idea.

She understood and commed Beth first.  "Lt Morrow?  This is Ens. Rutledge.  This is in reguards to a situation we talked about earlier on the Hermes.  Can you triangulate  or do any voodoo you do to locate someone I am going to call?   I think this Duster needs to be caught alive."  She would wait for a response of yes or no before trying to contact McGaha.

  Beth's COM  coems  back  after a Moment...we  are still  clearing up   donw here in the  tower, thatw as  used as a war room. I can get ..probably get a 'ball park' area... unless  he is using a Military device.., then it wil take  a bit longer to nail down.

"I know he mentioned 'the cat's', and an airfield other side of the lake.
 Give us a bit of a start.  Gonna call in 1minute, give you a bit of time."
Nikki waited then began to recall the comm link signal.  "Nathan McGaha.  Nathan, Nikki..."

  There  was a   beep  and  odd beep... Then the Voice  said,..Nikki?..look..tell youyr friends to  stay off me..Just brink Galey... and yorself if you want to come... if not..Drop HAley off on the far side of the Village, that is past the airfield . I ...I don't have  much time...see you there...

 The   COM  went Dead.. Beth's  voice   growled,..I didn't think they were that smart.. they had a Sniffer..but   it was sent to  one of the dead guy's  COMs  in the cave, Doc Henry was  at..that means two things....  1...someone has a decent Omni-COm... and 2... someone's watching  him..

"Great" she said tiredly "Wonder why someone ..other than us would be watching him?" She thought a moment as her comm flicked off.  She looked at Roy "I'm gonna go get him.  Sneak is with Haley and Roll in my room here, Lt. Regal is there too.  I'll leave her here.  I'm gonna go and get him.  Shoot him if I have too.  Do we have extra equipment?  I had to come down in a ball gown...body armor is a bit tough to wear under that" except for a pistol and her screwdriver she was rather unarmed.

Roy grimaced slightly and shrugged.  "We brought down gear in anticipation of a Delta Night...there should be something in your size, if you can catch up with the QM people to get it from them now that things have been wrapped up."  He shook his head and added, "I'm not gonna sugar-coat this...going after him is a bad idea.  If he's ready to come in, he can surrender...if he's so heavily guarded that he can't surrender safely, you going to get him is just going to get the both of you killed.  I can understand feeling like you've got history...but you don't owe him anything.  It's true that there's a few working for EDT and Lady V who just made some bad choices...but for every one we find who legitimately wants out, we find about three dozen who are just trying to play on someone's sympathies to get past our guard and try to knife us in the back.  I don't trust him, and going out there after him is painting a bullseye on your forehead, at best...at worst, it's you getting abducted and interrogated for information.  That's a helluva lot to put on the line for a bastard who sold his kids."

He sighed, and continued, "But I'm not going to tell you that you can't go.  I've been wrong before...not often, but it's happened.  But here's what I foresee happening...best case scenario, the minute he sees that you're there without Haley, he's gone.  Or else whoever's looking over his shoulder decides you're the first step in an ambush and decides to shoot you before the trap closes, if it turns out that he's actually just a sucker caught in the middle.  He's picked a spot that we can't scout without tipping them off.  The best you could hope for is to catch Captain Nilsson before he parks his bird for the night and ask him to do an aerial overwatch for you, because that's the only way we can get any element of surprise on anyone there.  The most practical thing is to tell the Burians exactly where he said to meet him and let them envelope the whole area and bring him in with anyone who's holding his leash."

"And I agree with you.  Right now though don't see much of a choice" she hated these catch-22 situations.  "I'll take a look at what you got and I also agree about Nilsson.  I'll comm enroute to the QM you got going"  She began making her way to the stores Spencer had set up.  Walking quickly she commed Nilsson, who hopefully was still up and about "Ens Rutledge to Capt. Nilsson.  Karl , you still looking for action...I need a favor"  It was not too long before she arrived to begin seeing what fit and what worked with the stores brought down.  Atleast she would not get killed in some frou-frou angel silk gown.

There was a brief pause, before Karl responded.  "Whatcha need?  I was just about to put my bird down for the night..."  While he didn't sound particularly enthusiastic, he also didn't sound disappointed to get a call to help with something.

"I need some air cover and hopefully not...But maybe a hot extraction.  Looking to go talk to a Duster.  He might have friends" by this time she was gearing up.

  Her  COM beeped......window is closing   you have 8 minutes.. or...or... i ahve to leave with  out her.. that won't be  good...

Nikki looked at it and texted back.  "She won't be there." he'd either talk or surrender.  After what he'd done.  That was it.

  But.... alright then.... goodbye...  the COM  went  dead.

"Like I would take a 5 year old into a combat area....dumbass" she said into her comm, not sure if he could hear her or not.  Then flicking channels she picked up Karl "Belay that request Karl.  Duster does not want to play but may be taking off in less than 8 minutes" she missed an opportunity, but she was not going to put Haleys life at risk for her father or anyone. she began to give back most of the equipment but  just in case held onto a few.  "Sm Spencer...target decided to take a powder.  May still be about though.  Is it possible to get an extra man to do foot patrol, just in case?"

Sarah picks a glass of wine that looks to go well with the cheese and the meat snacks. As mostly a beer and occasional liquor drinker she knew little of wine. That said the smells paired well so she rolled with it.

She poured Rivets a glass and chuckled at his comment about the seclusion. "Yeah you think its too secluded" she says leaning in close with a chuckle taking a bite of cheese in her mouth, but leaving it between her teeth.

  Rivets   took a sip on  whine,well.. depends.. ya know?...who could be out there..an'...

 a fuzzy eyebrow  rose   as  he  tried to lean in and get  a Nip of cheese...he  wasn't very smooth at it..

 Traffic  was  rather  light in the air. shuttle s took off  from time to time..fighters  in pairs  or threes  would hand  or patraol across the  sky.

  The town was   10 miles to the  south, an APV wouldn't get there.. and if he was bugging out on foot, well...Bura  was a big palce, with lots  of forest.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:29, Thu 14 Nov 2019.

Sarah chuckled at his lack of smoothness. But enjoyed the make out with the cheese.

She didn't press things as they continued to snack and sip the wine.

After finishing her glass she chuckled again giggling. Rolling over to straddle Rivets legs using a hand to brace herself next to his hip. She leans in again kissing him to hide what her other hand is up to.

"You know what sounds fun." she says mischievously, slowly sitting back.

"Going for a swim." she says with a full giggle, rising to her feet taking a few steps back and turning dropping her pants giving Rivets a full view of her bare backside as she ran to the lake  stripping off her top and bra as well not quite giving Rivets the full show before her bare body slipped beneath the water.

"You coming or not?" she asks

 Rivets  looked a bit shocked, to say the least... pulling off his shirt,, his   sailing shorts  to follow..

  he followed  he rin. a bit mor e 'iffy'.....I..um.. we dunna  know what  night beasties   might be int eh water.. eh?

 he looked  across the  lake, and only saw a couple  splashes  far off.. most likely, more   Fleet folks.

Karl's responsecame readily.  "Just as well...I can do aircover, but the Morningstar doesn't have rumble seats...you'd need someone else for the extraction, and I'm pretty sure Stoly's gone to bed for the night."  Laughter threatened to creep into his words.

"He may be taking off...but I don't think he's getting anywhere.  The Bura Fleet has pretty much the whole planet covered, and anyone who sneak past them has the Delta Fleet waiting.  Unless he's taking off in a Qarl ship, he's got half a snowball's chance of breaking orbit, much less running."  In the background, things got quiet as Karl set down his bird and shut down the engines.

Sarah slid up to him, "I guess we'll have to take our chances." she says coyly sliding around behind him. Pressing her chest against his back, "What do you say sailor?" She whispers in his ears her lips brushing his ears enticingly. "A woman in the port of your dreams. A night to remember..." Her hands rove over his chest.... teasingly...

  he  reached his  arms   arm the back ack.. you're  a right Minx ye are, an' that's me sayin'... I ... suppose  a  wee bit of  dally won't hurt the either of us...

   ..still gotta  worry ,'bout the besties... he said a bit  quiet..

Sarah allows herself to be pulled around in front of him, "I trust your strength, if you wanna move to dry land." She says wrapping her legs around his waist so she doesn't fall if he carries her out, but also positioning herself to tease Rivets with her body.

When they make it to land, she kisses him deeply as all thoughts of the picnic, beasties, and booze lost in the heat of their bodies.

 Rivets  was ... a bit  awkward  at first.. it is very clear he is rusty... But soon.. he  begins to  get his  'sealegs'  , as they get lost in the night's activities.

"Well...he can surrender at his discretion.  right now that looks slim."  she sighed.  right now all she wanted was sleep, without paranoia.  she then began making her way back up through the palace to her room.  There she found Sneak asleep with Roll and Haley in the bed, and Mitch...he pulled some pillows out and formed a bed on Haleys side.  with a few extra pillows on the floor.  Rather reminded her of home  She just grabbed what passed as a bathrobe and joined Mitch on the pillows and threw the robe over them both.  Her gear she put to the side and hid a knife under the pillow.  Next thing she knew Gregor was scooting up next to her.  She roughly drifted to sleep.

<end flex>

Roy weighed the request in his mind.  It was, to him, needless...anyone on Bura who didn't have green skin and didn't have Delta Fleet or Bura Fleet credentials was a target for Burean forces, he was pretty sure nobody from the Dusters was going to push their luck for a suicide run on the Palace...

Although they had decided to hire on with the EDT, knowing that they were working with the Demons, so he acknowledged to himself that he shouldn't give them too much credit for making the smart decision in any given situation.  And it really wouldn't put anyone out all that much...

He made arrangements for an additional security patrol, of Hermes personnel, to guard the wing that had the Hermes contingent staying in it.  It was a milk run, but he had enough personnel around who had adapted to the night shift that they'd have little trouble with the idea, especially if he gave them extra leave time next time they were on Fuji, where there was actually some kind of night-life that didn't involve firefights and high explosives...

He found a book that looked promising and sat down to read, finding himself engrossed in the finer points of Burean small-unit tactics and how they compared with the norms he'd brought with him from Earth.  He kept reading until Abby woke up, then roused Larry and headed to his own room for a few hours.

(due to power outage)

Nikki had found Jax asleep outside her door as she opened it.  She decided to let him sleep.  she moved to the breakfast area and with a cart she gathered a lot of various foods and drinks.  She nodded to the others there and even to the Gava.  On her way back she ran into Doc Henry who explained about the bizarre creature Haley found.  She did not think it very interesting to keep as a pet and possible it could be a danger if it got larger.  After all where would they keep it? she merely told Doc Henry she would talk about it with Haley.
Returning she found Jax now awake, or at least more awake.  "Morning Jax.  why not come in and join us for breakfast?" she pointed out to him.  Returning she found the others beginning to wake.  Since she had showered she suggested if they wanted the others could too.  and she let them all eat, and ate her meal as well.  Haley was intrigued with some fluffy pink stuff.  Nikki told her that it was close to eggs.  Haley didn't understand why they were not yellow.  After a bit of coaxing she ate them.  they were good, but a bit odd flavored.  Haley thought they tasted more like goose eggs.  There was also some 'Earth foods' too, Avocado, toast, and even coffee and tea.  Several juices too.  Nikki brushed Haleys hair as everyone ate and dressed.  Even Gregor got some food.  As for what to do today.  Finally it was decided to go shopping.  For Haley it would be new clothes and maybe some toys.  Roll could get some things too, or see if his mom and dad were about.

By the end of the day they all had atleast a new outfit.  Roll and Haley each got new toys, and each a new box of crayons and a coloring book each.  Even Gregor got a toy.  Nikki also bought a few new strings for her guitar.  One score Nikki made for herself was a small humidor box with 1 dozen individually wrapped cigars, one extra cigar and a small refillable lighter (a 'zippo' style).  It surprised the hell out of Mitch that the extra one she took to light up then and smoke.  "I don't smoke often...but I come from tobacco country.  It's a requirement"she gave him a smirk "Of course I could have been like one of the cuban girls of old and hand rolled my own cigar along my thigh" she gave him a rather sexy stare.  After a moment she explained a bit of Earth history to Jax and Sneak. How Cuban girls were reputed to roll the tacky tobacco along their thighs and legs.  How it removed hair and wound up in the cigars and cigarettes, and men seeing the dehaired legs of the Spanish ladies thought them sexy.  So a woman who rolled her own tobacco was thought to be attractive.  Some how that conversation morphed into the Bizet opera 'Carmen'.  All the while she kept an eye on Haley.  She didn't know if her father was about or not.  She figured when the time was right she would talk to her about it.  As they shopped Nikki did tell Haley of the creature she found, and of what Doc Henry said.  Haley decided it was probably best for it to be returned.  They also got to see many of the exotic flowers and plants and even what would be equal to a 'squirrel' on Bura and a few other common creatures too.

Eventually their day began to wind down and they would have to head back home

(end flex)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:17, Wed 20 Nov 2019.

(  catching the last shuttle ) Roy    and  a  slightly happier  LArry   stood by the ramp, the last few   troopers  Including a   'hungover' MAria  entered the   shuttle.

   Rivets     reached into  his pack  and  pulled out  a  package  and  gave it to Sarah...ain't much..in the way  of remembrance ..but  i got one of them little green ladies  ta make it... sorta  combines    me Tradition an' the new ways out  here... Them's the O'reilly   colors on that  tartan...  ye  kin  always  many it up..like a   wall coverin' or somethin'...

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

 Howe     walked to the    shuttle   and   turned to Sam, he shucked off his Back pack and    pulled   the two  bottles of a bright red wine out.. he took one out, handed it to her, slipped the other back in his pack.

 ..This?.. HAs a  Strong Cherry-like   flavor... but  ,  every time  we have a Mission, and  I come back, I'll  COM you.. You can  VID COM  me   back when you  have the Time, and  we'll share  a glass over the  COMs...

 Sam walked with Howe fighting the tears, her was wearing her locket. Hire took the two bottles she smiled took one and placed it in her bag. She then respondedLt. that sounds great and I can't wait to hear from you and share this with you.. umm Lt.  I. .. l... have had a great time and come back to Bura soon I will be waiting.

 Sam then gave Howe a huge hug and kissed him like it was their last kiss ever, she made sure other pilots and crew members saw this and than said,Steve be safe, hear from you soon and kick ass.

---> Bura

"She's not my girlfriend! I don't even know for sure she likes me!" Izzy replied in a startled squeak as Sam tapped her on the shoulder and pointed out Lizzy sitting a short distance away. However her friend would continue teasing her as she then suggested that Izzy should try and get her alone and ask her out on a date "Sam! I...I can't do that, she's the one that fancies me, remember?...besides what if we're wrong and she's not into girl's? I look a right idiot!" she continued in a low voice as the colour of her cheeks slowly changed to match her dress. Although she fully intended to take Lizzy up on her offer of an interview she would leave anything else firmly up to the redhead to pursue.

Izzy had barely asked Howe how long they had when her comm went off with the one hour mark, with the tiny reporter seeming to physically deflate upon learning that they were out of time.

After finishing the last of their meal the three of them would head back to the airfield where they would find several shuttles waiting to people up to the various ships currently in orbit. After locating one that would take them up to the Hermes Izzy would watch as Sam and Howe said their goodbyes before then approaching Izzy, with her barely keeping her own tears in check "Thank you for being such a good friend to me Sam, I'm going to miss not having you around to talk to" she softly said, pausing to rub her eyes with the back of her hand before continuing to speak "...and I meant what I said, I will message you and tell you how things are going" she said before throwing her arms around her in a quick hug and heading towards the shuttle, knowing that if she didn't go now that she start crying her eyes out.

After boarding the shuttle she would find herself a seat and buckle up in preparation for her new life on the Hermes and the challenges it would bring.

---> Hangar Dec

 Sma smiled at her friend and gave her a hug, " Thank you Izzy for being my friend and I will comm you as well, and when you come up we will have a great time I will know Bura a lot better then I will be your host." Sam spoke quietly into her ear," If something does happen to Steve I doubt they will inform me could you please let me know I would rather hear that type of information from a good friend, and Izzy just be open to anything. Also just be yourself, open and honest and you will do great. Be safe my friend." Sam kissed her on the cheek and watched them leave.

 end Flex for Sam

    Thara came in from the dance and stopped cold when she saw Garrat.  She was dressed to dance with a flowing skirt and loose blouse joined together and held in place with a broad belt that hugged her waist yet flexed with her breathing.  Her bare feet thmade the image of purity and youth complete an judging by the garb of the others, this code of dress was almost ceremonial to the women dancing around the bonfire.

    "Amos?"  the name barely escaped her mouth.

    Garrat only shook his head.

    Her legs gave out, and she fell to the groundstricken as a small bird would fall from the sky if injured: lightly, but with the gravity of something that should never fall.  The tear poured down her face, without looking up she asked "How?"

    "We were betrayed.  Large enemy numbers of troops were waiting in the woods for the purpose of catching our forces.  after dealing much damage the three mechs one free but his was brought down as they retreated into the woods.  The impact left him unconcious but the snake hounds had ended him by the time I got there.  They didn't live beyond that."

    she nodded and cried, her heart broken.  The camp had fallen silent.  Then as her sobs ebbed a little,  slowly, there was a rumble as of distant thunder as the young men manning the massive drums built into the back of the traditional wagon trailers seemed to prompt her her gently.

    She nodded and started to speak, her voice broken and weak but growing stronger...

I've seen dark before
But not like this
This is cold
This is empty
This is numb
The life I knew is over
The lights are out
Hello, darkness
I'm ready to succumb

her voice struggles to bring the lyrics into a song

I followed you around
I knew were "him"
But now you've gone to a place I cannot find

her voice breaks back into anguished words

This grief has a gravity
It pulls me down

Attempts to regain the notes

But a tiny voice whispers in my mind

her voice gains a purity as she reveals her inner words

"You are lost, hope is gone
But you must go on
And do the next right thing"

she is stronger now, but her voce still carries her ragged edge.

Can there be a day beyond this night?
I don't know anymore what is true
I can't find my direction, I'm all alone
The new star that guided me was you

she starts to gain the power to chase the edge away.  Gathering it the pushes her self from the ground to rise unsteadily but gracefully.

How to rise from the floor
When I don't have you to rise for?
Just do the next right thing
Take a step, step again
It is all that I can to do
The next right thing

She finds the song in the bridge, and while not labored she sings with heartbreaking emotion, even as her body seems to go through the moves of a delicate dance, gliding on the balls of her feet in poignant simple movements.

I won't look too far ahead
It's too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath
This next step
This next choice is one that I can make

So I'll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing
And with the dawn, what comes then
When it's clear that everything will never be the same again?
Then I'll make the choice
To hear that voice
And do the next right thing

    She finishes with iron conviction.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Tue 26 Nov 2019.

(( Flex..OB Dec aday  before  the battle of the Funnel))

Flexed months back in the sol system.

Garrat had finished a shift on the Immigrants Song and seas letting others pilot it while he checked in with friends on the Hermes.  As often was the case, he found his way to the observation deck.

    The Hermes hadn’t turned back towards deep space and Sol glimmered brightly.  Garrat shaded his eyes and gazed into Midgard system looking for the telltale colored dots that would be planets.

    “You know Arnie, earth was closed off from us when I was in…well you’d probably call it college. I was able to talk to people who were born there, and Dad had visited several times.  He used to say earth was different.  Anywhere else had places that were beautiful but earth, earth was almost all beautiful…except for the occasional place where man had screwed it up.”

 Arnie  frowned  as he wiped  down glasses and stuck them in the holders..can't tell by me.... from what i have seen and heard, there are as  many  bad folks on earth as there is in the Empire...People selling out   cities and countries  for  a stack of creds..or power..or? Maybe even to be kept off the menu?

 Time  might come, when we have to treat Earth Like Russa or vera.The APF  will expect it....and if  we  twitch..The APF  will lose  faith.

    Garrat looked at Arnie oddly then his eyes glimpsed again the broken bulb on his wrist, “A that’s right.  You see the planet for its people, not for it’s self.”  Garrat’s eyes grow sad as he looks out the window. “Evil sees no evil, only power, and those they see as too weak to take it.  A man on that planet sits in jail for the murder of his family while his daughter is sold into slavery to be rescued by us.  Others fight undetected against an air of poison  that those in charge use to lie to the good people just trying to make a living.  I’ve seen it in the worlds of Asgard and even in worlds of the Empire.”

    “If it can rot from within perhaps it can be strengthened from within.”  He shakes his head, alas, look at me, still thinking like an idealistic general who got the post through his daddy.  Then ends up busted down to Captain for shooting an arrogant prick who saw thousands of men die just to further his career.”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

  Arnie poured himself a  drink..but it looked like a soda...That's the thing..right? The planet didn't do  anything  to anyone?..neither  did Russa, Vera, Nivar and Aqra.... but?  there has to be a price to be paid..right?..if and when it comes down to it...The Admiral  will have to make a damn hard choice.... id he lets earth slide?... the APF   will loose  faith in him...if he pounds Earth Like everyone else?..the APF  will support him all the more..but?  we'll have no home to go to, regardless? I mean..there are folks down there  who are good folks...twice that many who are innocent...but..you could say that about  everything  we ever pasted.

    Garrat took one last look out the window and walked up to the bar.  "Well this conversation has taken a turn I didn't expect but..." He puts his elbows tiredly on the polished surface. "I've never hesitated to chase the boar into the brush."

    He ordered a nutrient drink looked Arnie in the eye, "We have lights out, but do we have a lights on, or in, or whatever?"  .

    "The largans are told lies about their strength and their leaders suppresses those.  The angels spread lies amongst their own, and sacrifice their moons.  Those Bananas were sacrificing anyone who challenged the government.  Many of theses "enemies" we've faced would have fought battles from the inside if they new what was going on and had just a little push." 

    Garrat shakes his head, "Not our job, I know.  No extra resources to do that, I know.  They are the enemy, I know." 

    "But we do have to keep the ball rolling.  That little girls Daddy is still down there in prison if he is still alive.  My friend hunter is still fighting down there.  A unit of Scotsmen came from their land to fight for the Hermes and their home land.  Shadow fought for the poor and the weak on the streets.  People who still live there and who's lives are better because of him.    And they are all in the dark because an angel overseer isn't allowing information through."

    "It's going to be a long time before we get back here, and there's likely to be a fight.  Maybe if they can smuggle people off planet we can smuggle enough info on planet to help the remaining people weaken our enemies."

  Arnie  sips  from the soda, ice  clinking about. I've only been out here....i dunno?...3 1/2..maybe 4 years... The fleet's  been buzzing around  , over  5..and started out  with 2  ships... One of them EMS?... everything  we get in a scrap, we have to refit... and fill out  crews  for Cap ships  we captured..and  we don't even get all those, 'cause the Admiral  spreads them around to shore up  folks  we need at our  backs... now? I have no damn clue  how this is going to end, But Earth  is going to have to step up....

 The Last time i heard from Earth..our people  were recruiting fighters  and Techs, and  doing all kinds of mischief  to the Angels and EDT, and  spreading the word.... now?  you can spread the word...but getting people to listen? or getting them to do somehting about it..well.... that's a whole 'nother thing....look at our  crew..you got  guys  like  Will Call who is   gung whole.. you  got  guys like   The LC and SM, who pave our way to the Hel system with Empire  bodies... you got  kids, Like  Jax fighting, because that's what he  did all his  life, and , now, he's fighting  for a chance to have a life?....but we have folks? they don't give too many Damns...LC and SM sort them out when they come  aboard..but its  getting harder to do that, the more we need bodies.

Garrat  snorts, “wish I can pull in help from Asgard.  Our  war was progressing towards purely naval and we had ground troops to spare.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Tue 30 Nov 2021.

  Arnie   gives a chuckle,You know  Sarge?.. I don't  know nothing about this Asgard  stuff.. Just the books and Myths  we studied in school and how they portrayed  to  the Aliens we have been meeting.... but i'll tell you what?  some of that stuff is more scary the   the  Myths!

 Sol System is a mess.  I can't see us doing  much about it...we have a whole Galxay  here to  worry about, and Billions and Billions  of   people... Don't know how that's going work out in the end..but Earth is going to have to show they can step up..Nivar got pounded...'selectively'. The Roussians  and Nivar council..they did a number on our trust , threshold... Empire folks  using  med tech  ship... Ambassador Frans blowing up his own wife on that med tech ship...

 he shakes his head , refiling his glass,and?  my pay grade tells people, it doesn't matter what i think! he  winked  and took a big sip.

Garrat smiled faintly “Soldiers bigger than me in power armor, wolves the size of draft horses, Valkyrie with the wings of light…you’d like it.”  His face becomes suddenly serious, “actually, I might be able to help.  I know where one Asgard base is on your earth but if they were stretching it I’d get tried for treason.”

 Arnie  holds up his hands in mock defense...hey?  Only a petty Officer here... you got to talk to  some on  with more  shiny stuff on thier collars

Garrat snorts, “Something tells me You are right behind Stephanie for having Hacks ear…and no one else can know the information I’m going to tell him.”

    Garrat gives him a straight look, “this is literally the survival of my people.”

   Arnie  smiles,well?  Take  a look out  that  Window , Sarge?..pick  a dot of light  and you have a  50-50 chance of some people  being there... and  anywhere there is people, they are at risk..whether from the Empire, or  Empire  Toadies.....Look at those Gava  folks?  They still don't have a real homeworld?... but they  are settling  in  the delta's , Aqra, Bura  and  even Astra.. some have went to  Nivar to  work  and live with Naragrans...but i got to believe , somewhere out there , is   a world that used to be thier home world.

 Garrat cocks his head, “Not sure what you mean by that, but in the end we all have our responsibilities.”

 the  dor  Hissed open and a  stern looking Hennings   entered.....Hello , PO.. i need a cold  bear, and some of those Pizza bite things...

 he sat at the counter, Nodding to Garrat...SGT?   How is your ship...

  “Coming along sir.  The mixed crew isn’t the melting pot of talent I’d hoped for but it’s far from the bickering salad bowl I had feared.  I know it was unpopular but   That Largran engineer is a real help.  We’re working on repurposing the old energy shield to reduce our sensory cross section.  It hasn’t improved much but the results are promising.”

 Hennings  nodded, as the beer was put infront of him, and the gamma wave oven dinged..

 well..Promising is good...we  just lost a bit  bit a leverage, not being able to use that gas on the UEs?    Gonna be a damn knife   fight...

    Garrat winces, “I remember the first time we had to face them.  I used explosives to drop half a hillside on the bastards and they were still everywhere.  Captured the first one by shooting off all of its legs while It was swallowing a shuttle gunner.”

    Garrat touches the mechanism at the base of his skull.  “Bugs are hard to take down with gas.  They literally breath through little holes in their butt bulb or. “Abdomen” as the Dr. Christy’s call it.  Much tougher system than ours but it’s kinda like wearing your lungs on the outside of your body, so if you spray them down with soap, it coats their lungs and any fillers in the mix go straight into their bloodstream.”

    He shrugs “Asgard basic training, We got bugs out our way too.”

    “But They’re  probably already on that.  I was talking to Arnie here.  I think earth needs a better pipeline of information to help them stand up to the Angels and the oil lords.”  He shakes his head “as long as the angels can send ships ol’ Hunter has to stay in the shadows, but he can build support so when we distract the angels in space they can stomp the Barons planet side.”

  Hennings  pushed the  bowl of Pizza nuggets  to  motioned of Arnie and Garret to partake.

  I had  damn good grade in Bio-tech? But better  grades in Ship to Ship combat...even i don't know  much about the  gas, You'd have to  ask a real  Bio-Tech egg head?  But,,the simple version is,  the  Gas was alot like the  demon Gas,  it would  soak in through, whatever openings, and change thier Mindset..to where, ANY...food was  food.. the closest food to them, would be  each other, and the    Humanoid  Creshians.... in short, the Bugs would get to see what its like to  fight ...the bugs...

  shrugging as he talked around a Pizza  bite...people have been COMing  The Admiral ever  since  that  meeting... we'll have to hope  some one back doors a away to kill the  damn things.

 he took a  deep drink of his beer,  smacking his lips with a bit of a grin.  we have some good  people on Earth...with some good  teams.. but   the rest of the place is filled with enemies, traitors and  innocent folks who  don't know what the  9 hells is going on?.... In the  end? Earth has to do something, no other enemy planet has done...and that's show   us, that  they can turn the tide , against the enemy

Garrat snorts, “they have to know they are under enemy rule first.  Me?  I don’t have the resources to do anything but follow existing policy. Ge-Fi was supposed to be a good guy.

  Hennings   sipped  again, Arnie   leaned against a self listening. only one  couple was on the OB dec at this time and the were well to the starboard side.

 According to  Nil? GE-FI has deep ties in the Angel Council. One of the reason he was in charge of three mother ships , send to....how can we say this ?  Get Humans ready for the war, and make sure we were on the right side?

 he snorted,The Admiral, after hooking up with Nil, learned alot of Angel Policy. They were, at one time, the  people who led the fight against the Empire. When suddenly, they  withdrew, leaving the ..at that time...AP  races , to their own devices.  Oliver  things, GE-FI had what he wanted with  Him, and the   Russian Captain?... turns out, he didn't know one damn thing about Oliver...somewhere, in my offcie  in Sandiego is a stack of  COM discs, that detail GE-FI unhappiness with Hack,  Nil  and Shadow..just the  Lights out operations alone, drove  him up the wall, but there wasn't a damn think he could do, because    70 % of the world was on the 'let's help win this war" bandwagon. 

Arnie sang a Jingle,we got us Lizards  and  Demons, we got us  Bugs for sure..... we got us enemy agents , that we had to endure.... But Now its  time for Earth to fight and spread  across the Black, Its  time  to send out  Heroes  to push the empire back he grinned to the  song  , roughly  based on 'sink the bismark'

 Hennings  nodded  with a laugh and pointed at Arnie  as he  sang in a soft baritone....The story goes of  The  Hermes , she sailed  off for flight. she met  a  Demon Cap ship, but was ready for a Fight... People  fought and people died, as  She   sailed into the fray... in the  end the Demons  died, and no one ran away...

 Arnie  chuckled.

  Hennings looked at Garrat,I was still on the Board  in Sandiego... you'd  walk into a bar, or  even the OC club and you'd here this song.....GE-FI  told us not  to bring the   Demon ship back to earth, so we took it to Olympus... Oliver still feels, if we had taken it  to Earth, peole there would have  been sold, to say?..maybe 90%... you still have the  Rich folks trying to  earn creds from the other side, and cowards who sided  with the Empire...and..of  course the Anti angels..but all the people on the fence, seeing the hermes  bring in a Demon Cap ship?.. that would have changed alot of things.

   “My gun cams alone could get the point across.”  He shakes his head,  “But even if I got the trip sponsored I don’t have the knowledge or ability to sneak over to earth.  I’d need a guide and a mission to make it worthwhile.”

  Hennings  looked at Harrat as he popped another pizza  bite,A Aguide?... Earth isn't hard to find  once you get into the Sol System? there are tons of colonies.. Mars. Moonbase..at least 12  moons  between Saturn and  Jupiter, not to mention outposts  in the asteroid Blet  and the  Kyper  belt..A Mission?  Missions are what the are at the time, and they change  as people Adapt and overcome.... Killing  that fat bastard Frans  should be one of the first Missions   on Olympus , alone...he's turned his back on the whole system, just to set himself up... Taking out GE-FI  would  be a damn close  2nd?  Over all... getting people on the same  page on Earth? those people  killed each other for years  over one book or myths  or another...Greed.. power of  oil and  drugs ..power over  others  to use them as slaves..and now?  power over others  to be sent to larder ships..Lots of Missions to be Had in the  Sol System.

   Garrat snorts, "Finding earth is the least of my worries.  Getting my size eighteen feet on the damn surface is the hard part.  The IS can pass as an empire type, I even still have the Large communication system, but I only have one Large to operate it. I'm going to need someone who is experienced as a smuggler to get me where I need to go."

    "Killing Frans and Ge-Fi?  Hah, I always pegged you for having a sense of hummer but that's a good one.  No way I can find that type of talent or pack my little long boat with enough party favors to get the job down."

     As far as uniting the people? Mid....dammit I did it again, Earthers have a historic strength.  They'll beat the hell out of each other till you give them a common enemy, then a lot of old sores heal up awful fast.  The Bigger and more "glorious" the war the more of a unifying factor it becomes."
    Give them a chance to revolt against repressors and they will go crazy.  us some old war music and give them the promise joining an elite underground in defense of home and family and suddenly a lot of human trafficking rings are going to be having a bad day.  Me, if I were headed in that direction I'd just pack in every bit of fleet footage about how we are fighting and why we a fighting into every bit of crawl space I have.  Other than that I'll haul anything you think can help Delta fleet achieve it's goals.

    I have a bad history with striking out to do things on my own.  It doesn't work out well that way.  Best bet in this area Im still getting used to is to get orders and proper support.  Send along a secure means of communicating with you guys so if I run into any opportunities, I have access to a team that can give me an idea of how the dominoes will fall around here.
    I also have crew that might not be the best for this mission pending on requirements.  I'd need replacements if I am to swap any out.

    There is also an Asgard connection on earth but sorry my friend Hack is the only one I trust to discuss that with."

  Hennings  studied   Garrat...we aren't goign to to be  in the Sol System for a while.... and hwen we do come...some folks will see us a liberators..others as invaders...but..it doesn't matter  one damn?.. when we come in..it is going to be to clean house.

 ..you're going to have to be upfront and to the point on this.. we can  give you what you want if we don't know.

         Garrat thinks a moment, "Okay,  again I want Hack in on part of this.  First I need a smuggler type to help me navigate around patrols and bluff my way through Sol system security.  Also once planetside the IS can stay out of sight in the seas but navigational charts for European waterways could be helpful to get us where we need to go to regroup."

         "Second I need every non classified second of fleet footage that shows what we are up against, how we are kicking it's ass and Damming evidence of Ge-Fi, the oil barons, the E-vols, The EDT and Lady-V.  This needs to be in a format that people can prove wasn't cut or tampered with.  I'll leave it to existing resistance movements to figure out how to best use them.  Maybe Joe can come up with a plan for them."

         "Third, I need a narrow beam communications array with an unhackable scrambling system capable of communicating with the fleet from the planets surface as well as space.  I need to be able to remove it and leave it with Hunter so we can continue to send inspirational footage from space and maybe get some back in return.  It may be that when the fleet has a victory it might create a distraction in the leadership that allows the earth units to gain some ground.  One could hope the opposite will eventually be true too.  When the fleet returns, having planned.a coordinated assault should keep casualties down."

         "Fourth...well, that's up to you. I can carry an aquatic unit and four meduim sized Naragrans.   Missy has been buying every piece of Aqua mech frame she can get her hands on.  I'm not sure how many she has managed to restore.  We had one aqua transport and three Mechs to begin with, but I can swap out my boarding bays for vehicle bays to carry twice that many aquatic support vehicles.  Two of my bays are set up to support the needs of one large Naragran a piece or two small ones a piece.  Their psychic ability though limited could be the difference between life and death in covert planet operations that need high security."
         The boarding bays can also be changed out for fighter bays holding one fighter a piece.  A shuttle can be parked in the main bay as well.  we can temporarily billet a couple of platoons if they don't mind really cramped quarters.  I'll have to toss up a hammock in the crawl space and some of them might have to roll out sleeping pads on the machine deck clank plating but anything to get the job done.

        "Fifth is more what my position in the Asgard military can do for you.  I can tell you I know the location of an Asgard base in Norway.". Garrat taps his occipital interface, "I'm hardwired for it's location.  We tried not to get involved with your angels.  They seemed a little territorial, so our bases were natural cave systems accessible from bodies of water.  this one happens to be near Flam Norway.  And no, it is not a coincidence that this is where the legendary poet's mead is said to reside."

        Garrat shrugs "Other than that, all we can do is be prepared and deal with what comes whether it be good or bad."

  Henings listened there were frowns, and he began slowly.

  As you said?  Alot of this  , the Admiral  will have to deal with, and alot of it  will have to come through the Board... If we go outside the Fleet  for  something, the other APF Races, are going to  want  thier hand  in the mix? Some of those who would ...how shall i say this?..Wish to take The Admiral's place in leading  this 'Glorious  Fight',and  will want to test Human's resolve in this  war... in other words.. will we pound the 9 hells out of Earth like  we did everyone else...

  holding his   empty  Mug to Arnie, it was filled with another Cold beer.There isn't a race out there, that doesn't have its form of EDT...what's  worse? Some of those Races have people who..JOINED..the EDT..That makes Humans a leader in this  war on both  sides

  He  thinks  as he sips...  The Informations   should be no problem, even if the enemy  would find out we have it, that would cause alot  problems  with their internal works, trying to figure out how or why? Trying to  figure out  how to stop it...

 needless to say there isn't  anyone out in The Black that doesn't have a Narrow  beam of some type... The trick is, to have some one  who can break in  extract and   decode  the  information.... Hey... we are still picking  up COMs  from when Earth first set  a person into The Black  your ship already has a delta transponder ... don't know what else
 we  might  do/

 he sips  again,Not sure what you want from us for the  4th part

 standing a bit straighter as his eyes go to The Black,The Thing in Norway?,  we have suspected,  over the last..3 or  4  years  , that i was still on Earth.. there are  places in South America, South Afriac... In the Congo..in China.. both Poles  and..if
 it is to belives,  Under the whole of the  United states... None of these areas  have helped thus far,  and thereare rumors of , at least some of them, Ties to Largrans
 and  other such races..but None of that matters, Unless you reach Earth first.. we have clumps of people down there... each clump is  being huntered down..some are  known, and
 safe from outright attack...but that does   stop and 'EDT Night' happening..I stopped checking on Earth  for the last year,,, i read reports,  we'll amswer COMs  when we can. Its a damnable mess over there.

  Garrat sat down next to him.  Negotiations were reaching a point he understood.  "Let's start with number four, I'm willing to take anything you want me to take to earth or anything you feel would be needed on this mission.  I have the capacity and the equipment to do things other ships cannot, but that is exchanged for a mostly civilian and somewhat green crew.  Figuring out how to use the racial diversity has slowed me down, having the racial diversity has given me advantages.  But if you want me to take a couple of ships, an aquatic strike team, a group of Naragran, several units of soldiers, that is your choice.  My point is that I can.  I just want to know what you would prefer."

    "Speaking about bringing potentially alien assets to Earth.  I'm not personally apposed to having other races involved if we can trust the individuals.  I learned that the Skith as a race are probably excellent operators of the Fishy mechs if you want to send them.  Again the Naragran can help in unique ways and I'm set up to bring them, any other units who don't mind fighting by Human units could give the appearance of the APF supporting earths sovereignty though we need to be concerned about the xenophobic attitude of some Humans."

  " It sounds like the best thing for me to bring however is a unit that can connect and support the different earth factions.  This would require communication and espionage specialists for the technical side, A covert operation unit for making contact and bailing units out of tight spots, a security unit to keep the entire operation safe, guarded and hidden and an engineering unit to look after, work wit, and problem solve with the hardware.  That would cover the communications array.  With that I just wanted something that was hard to detect and nearly impossible to decipher.  There are Probably some other aspects I haven't thought of." Garrat nods, "Yeah, we're not going to figure out the best choice of actions on number four here with Arnie....."  Garrat looks up "Speaking of which, Arnie, I trust your opinion far more than a bunch of brass polishing their egos along with their medals."  he looks to Hennings "Present company accepted of course sir."  Back to Arnie,  "If you were to send earth a care package to make things easier on Delta fleet when they return, what would you choose?"

 Hennings    smile a bit  at Arnie.

 The   Tender  looked at garrat , he laughed a bit...The first pick is Scotland?..but  everyone knows that. Your best  bet would be Anartica , and  find those old bases there... most earth forces, can't  waste the time of effort to bother  anyone there.. and The Angels, they don't like the cold  so  much

      Garrat smiles gently "Arnie, my friend, I asked what to send to earth, not where to send it."

      He asks for another nutrient drink.  "Any old bases in Antarctica weren't from the Asgard.  There's a story there, but I wasn't able to learn it.  only a cryptic warning in the old files of beware what lies underneath.  It's a long ways from civilization so not the first choice for a global Broken Bulb headquarters."
      "Scotland is a given.  Even the Lochs have secrets and I've been Itching to see my old friend hunter.  He'll give me the lay of the land and should send me in the right direction."

 Hennings  Held Up a COM......if you want to try this?  I can COM The Admiral, and see if he has time to see you... But know this?... The Sol System is not ours.... You have idiots  following  GE-FI, and frans  and others Like them Blindly... they see the Poor   as  slaves, or  tokens for the  Empire  Larder ships, not realizing , that soon enough.. they have to  be  fighting  among themselves  to not  end up on a meat hook or birth chamber..... If ....your ship can get into Atmo on earth, you are going to be sorely under manned and Under supplied.

 he wiggled the COM to see if Garrat wanted him to  Call The Admiral

   Garrat nods "Something tells me I'm going to regret this....but yeah.  Make the call.  Anything else I'll have to negotiate directly."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:58, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

  Hennings   COMed  The  Admiral, explaining what was Going on, a few exchanges  and Hennings Clicked the  COM off...

  Head up to the Admiral's  quarters , They'll be expecting you...Now the thing  about your ship?... it will receive  what aid we can give...but....and I cannot stress this enough... once you are in the Sol System, there isn't much we can do....we have  transport lines between the sol system, Nivar  , Bura  and Fuji.. they send  supplies  in, bring volunteers out, that kind of thing... I'm sure creds  can  be  sent into your ships
 account....

 You want me to come up as well?

   Garrat considered it for a moment. "That might be wise.  Like I said there are  lot of things I don't know about in this part of space, the more experienced minds on the mission the better."

  Hennings looks at Garrat.....we can talk to The Admiral...but  you have to know, you're going in with limited resources, and almost no back up, except  for resistance folks..we have a few people who we might be able to spare...but its a narrow path your lookign to go down?

   “Unfortunately that was often my primary mission description back in my home military.  Asgard was pretty good at hiding under mountains so maybe I can get more resources on the table.  If I can get irrefutable backing of delta fleet as to my intentions and identity maybe that will help too.  Right now I have to be able to tell people that they can either help us grind the empire from both sides or they need to find a deep hole when we carpet bomb the planet.”  He scratches his beard, “It may be all I can do is direct them to deep holes but that’s better than they would have previously.  As far as spreading information we might want to bring Joseph into this.  He makes a living off of capturing the hearts of people and that might allow divide and conquer.”

 while Garrat  smoke, Hennings   worked on his  Com.....

  The Admirals , except  for me of course, are  working on the distribution of  captured enemy vessels ..we have about  a Fifteen Minute  window to discuss  this  with The Admiral...

 as he stood up to take Garrat to the  War room, he  chuckled,You know?  alot of this   could have been prevented  had you just  signed up  as an ESN regular...

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

(( they arrive  at the WarvRoom))

  Captain Sir was  walking out   With a vidboard  talking to some other Captains as she made her way to the bridge.

  Roles  looked over  the Holo map of the  Fullen, and   on the  screens  about  a flat make of thier   charted path to Etna...

Bale was going through the paperwork of   giving the ​'pink slips' for the  captured vessel ​to whichever fleet was  beign  gifted with them.

 Hack was  fixing a cup of  coffee as he waved an orderly away  as the  man tried to 'fix it for him".. taking a  Sip, a tired looking Admiral Hack Looked at  Garrat.

 ..Bryce  tells me you have some sort of Mission involved concerning Earth? I am Uncertain how much you can do for them, with the Paradise  fleet, now flying under Empire colors...But..I have agreed to listen to your  prospect.....but know this?  Earth, is Just a little part of the whole damn Black?...Erth is goignto have to chose... The Hillite chsoe wrong. and they  under siege and  blacokaded.... Nivar  chose  wrong..at first, and alot of people loset thier lives  becuse of it...Roussa  chose very wrong, and they lost thier whole system to us...Earth?  has  one  tiny system..one Carrier station and that bal of mud is infested  with Empire folks...Red Angels  and EDT..I hoped   the Paradise  fellt would have proven me  wrong, and sorted things out for us...but..well... you saw the outcome of that.....so? what have you got, Mr Garrat?

When Hennings made the comment about enlisting Garrat rolled hi eyes “Tell me about it.  A lot of things would have been easier, but I couldn’t run the risk of conflicting oaths and let’s face it: ESN needs good little soldiers that will follow whatever orders they are told, not but balls like me who are always trying a different angle.  At least back in Asgard I knew the rules before I broke them.”

 (In response to Hack)
  “Frankly sir, not alot.  I’m uncertain about this too, but dealing with uncertain missions used to be the best place for us broken wings.”

   Garrat is quiet for a bit as he gathers his thoughts, “Earth IS a small piece of the bigger picture but if you don’t remove the arming pin on a torpedo, it can’t do its job.  It may be that all I can do is find a hole deep enough for our friends and family to hide in while you nuke the planet, but in the end earth DOES need to make a decision but a lot of people who can make that decision will never know they had it with the way things are going.  The first part of my plan is to sneak every bit of footage, evidence, and information I can that will support our cause and show people just how dangerous the empire is.  We’ve been dealing with brainwashed fanatics on the other end, it’s time we started our own information war.  I don’t have the training to man the gun on this but my friend Joseph has some experience with media and I’m certain we can find multiple sources planet side to smear the empire across multiple medias if I can just give them munitions.”

    “The rest is mix and match.  If you need mind readers planet side I can ship four Naragrans.  We have enough equipment to outfit and aquatic assault unit though that would be best done with Skith and I don’t know if they are up for it.  I would also like to set up a series of transmitters so the fleet can maintain secure communication with forces on the planet.  Hacking Codes to earth defense systems, weaknesses in enemy technology, anything that can make those who are already there more capable of crippling earths defense when the time comes, all cards that will deal me a better hand to play when I land.  The IS is small but if you know of any units that can be spared and can help, I’ll work to get them in position.  I might be able to tap some remaining Asgard resources.  In the end it comes down to scraping as much as we can together and seeing what we can do with it.  I have fought with Midgard genetic stock even before fighting here.  They are passionate, capable, and effective.  Time on the Hermes has taught me no different.  If we can tap into that then just keeping them informed and on the same page can make a world of difference.”

    Garrat shakes his head, “and however this turns out, we will learn from it and maybe save more lives down the road on another planet.”   Garrat points to the coffee “besides, not even Bura makes coffee as good as earth.  The IS is still registered as a private craft.  I’m volunteering for the mission, not even signed up to the ESN.  The other races of the AP cannot accuse you of showing favoritism to earth.  Any help you provide will simply be an investment in saving lives.  We already convinced  some of the Hyrians and now many fight with Delta fleet.  You stood back to back with the Felrite leadership and daughter factions of his own people.  The banana and angel moons were convinced to side with the AP against the oppressors on their home world. I even have information that sections of Largan society might be turned.  Let’s give Your earth a chance.

 Hack  Looked at his coffee  and  gave a chuckle, then  stood  with his arm behind his back as he looked at the flat screen map.

  Bryce?

 Well, Sir?  I mean.....Its not like we're going into the Sol System Tomorrow. You said yourself you wanted to take out Hel, before going  Home, because you were afraid some  folks  might not  like us pounding our own rock to bits...

 and Now the Paradise  Fleet is in the Sol System..  I don't think the  Fleet can  fight us head to head..but  we'll be hurting after  we wipe them out...

 Still?  we don't have much to lose, Any one  who dies   on earth  fighting from with in, would die anyway?

 Hack  sipped hi cup as he  locked in the map where the two Hive Vessels and  Largen Mother ship sat... There's a Corvette  by the  funnel.. has a crew of 8... as well as  two troopers  and an ex-pilot... take that ship with you...

 turning from the Map.....people you take with you? will have to be Volunteers.. he sipped  again, Looking at   Garrat over the rim of his mug.

   “Acknowledged sir.  Does the whole corvette have to come or can I just bring the people.  The IS can hide in the sea, most ESN can’t unless we bring in another captured blockade runner.”
This message was last edited by the player at 03:25, Tue 01 Feb 2022.

   Hack  gave a shrug,we can spare corvettes and sloops. Destroyers and Cap ships we can't.. take the corvette..hide it on an asteroid if you have to..right now it  had heavy Pulse  mounted.. one  forward firing..on on each side... its a listening   ship for now?.. you could add  another  10-12  people in it.

 But..no? There isn't an EMS  or ESN vessel that can go in the drink and  not blow up from the  powerCell getting washed.shorting out  anyhtign outboard that  is powered....Aqra only have small ships that  can fly in and out of the water.. thier Cap ships  are space   vessels as well.

 If you don't want to Corvette, you can send it back with some one to pilot it, take the ex-fighter pilot  and  the rest of the crew..

    Garrat nods, “took forever to make alterations and maintain that ability.  This is probably the only case in which it will be a mission advantage.”  He thinks.  The added resources the ship added were unwise to turn down.  “Thank you Admiral, I’ll leave you to your work and be in contact if needed.”

 Carry on  SGT.... I have to say this, more  for me, then for you?.... But you may be better off, just staying witht eh fleet....you're not just chasing a  wild  gose..you're going to  be trying to find all the needles  it hid, in every haystack on the planet...

   “I would have been better off taking a job in the delta colonies, but where’s the fun in that?”  He Asgard salutes and exits.

 (Unlike his player) Garrat wasted no time pulling his units together.  He checked in with SEC for access to raw footage in data packets that could be proven in tampered with and worked to have as many made for distribution as possible on his way to meet an old friend and crew member.

Walked into Joseph’s coffee and hobby.  “Hey Bard, I’ve got some news on an assignment for the IS but much as I could use you, you might want to sit this one out.”

“That’s the first time you’ve ever actually tried to talk me out of a mission.  Are you feeling okay Garrat?  Anyway I am trying to get things set up here so I can leave for awhile anyway.  I will see if I can find a coms replacement for you.”

Garrat raised an eyebrow, “Your leaving the Hermes?  I thought you were trying to expand your shops to support vessels and using the Hermes as your base?”

“Well I am trying to expand my “cup of Joe hobbies “ but I’m still looking for the man who killed my niece and since one of the two suspects is dead signs say the other mAy be part of the inpowerment of empire friendly forces on earth…uh Garrat? Did you just facepalm?”

   Garrat shakes his head, hand still firmly placed on his face, "Um' yeah, so do you need a lift to Earth?"

   This was unexpected but things seemed to be pointing towards a course of action on Midguard that was mostly unconfrontational.

Joseph stopped and looked up at Garrat You’re kidding right?  I mean if you aren’t sneaking in on a transport, Earth is locked up tighter than Commander Si’s heart in combat.”
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:14, Tue 29 Mar 2022.

Garrat shakes his head sadly.    “Unfortunately no, so far we have two ships the immigrant Song and another Corvette. I’m trying to get in propaganda and information to keep earth people supporting the fleet. Right now all the wrong people are in power, and if admiral hack has to fight them when he comes back, millions of innocent people will die.”

“So what’s the plan?” Joseph says with sarcasm, “Take two little ship loads of leaflets and hop that will be enough?  Even if you dodge patrols and make landfall, planetary defense fighters will split you open like a filbert under a hammer.   Besides, your talking about waging a propaganda war against an intrenched foe who has has diplomacy experience than you have experience drawing breath.  Yes, Gi-Fi is way older than you, and he has a head start.  There is nothing in this plan that can succeed. 

    Garrat is quiet for a moment.  “Actually one ship and I’m splashing down, not setting down.  The other will be setting up relay stations and information dumps to make other ways to smuggle information and communications in.  Gi-Fi is slowly closing off outside communications and earth needs some alternate lines in place before it gets any worse.”

    Joseph looks at him closely.  “Your really serious about this aren’t you.”  It wasn’t a question.

   Garrat looks into the distance “ Joseph, someone needs to do something.  I have little love for the avians or the bugs.  Their planets are so ravaged and aspects of their society aren’t even sentient.  They are beyond change.  Others, I would offer them help if insurgent elements reached out, but this is the Midgard home planet we are talking about.  My dad used to tell stories of this place.  Any Einherjar not related to me is only one genetic generation removed from here.  My duty is with Delta fleet but earth needs help.  It should be a constant the humans can rely on.  Not a thorn in the heart of humanity.”

“Your going to need a lot of help, and I mean A LOT.  You said two corvettes so far, what do we have to work with?”  Joseph had family on Earth.  He was in.

In reply to Joseph MacPherson (msg # 96):

Garrat sighs, “ hack didn’t specify what we could ask for, he kind of left it at ask and maybe we can give it to you. He says anyone joining the mission can do so as long as they are volunteering. I don’t think we’re going to get whole ships volunteering and I have no idea how to solicite help or even what to call the unit.  I’m looking into placing multiple transmitters on the twilight sections of the moon so they aren’t always detectable as the moon shimmies In it’s tidal lock making it that much more difficult for enemies to pinpoint where the insurgents get their information from.  Earthside?  We have managed to scrape together four fish Mechs and two fish transports.  If I can find a unit of Skith willing to run it I’ll leave that on earth though I’ll lose a mech rider and my only Largan mechanic.  We can sneak in some hover bikes and C-B Mechs edgewise but other than that, I have to wait to see if anything is volunteered.  Some fighters might get strapped to the haul but that would be more of a liability.”

   “Well lad…”. When Garrat raises an eye brow, “let it pass.  Every guy is a lad to me… anyway there was an old tradition in earths past where private contractors and military intelligence units would run standard businesses that happened to be in areas of conflict where they could effect events, gather intel, recover units, all while making money for their “companies” which became increasingly legitimate.  Very much like the retrofit though they started legitimate and haven’t done much covert support.  They were referred to as the ready reserve fleet.  We can hire and recruit under that name talking about general requirements rather than the specific mission.  Now you can’t just throw holo vids at people and expect them to follow your cause.  You need to capture they’re imaginations.  Create a culture around rebellion.  Around a free Earth, but hardest of all around cooperating with other species because that is exactly where Gi-Fi is going to fight the delta fleet.  He’s going to encourage human xenophobia and then set himself up as the go between with the empire as humanity’s savior.”

In reply to Joseph MacPherson (msg # 98):

Garrat barks a short laugh, “I don’t think I can do that, in fact I’m not sure anyone can.”

“Your right,” Joseph admits “But I can start scraping together a team that might be able to help from mercenary performers.  I’ll get on that right away.  Are you telling the crew soon?”

Garrat nods “I have to.  Hack says everyone down to the crew members need to be volunteers.  After that I need to start roping as many people into this…ready reserv fleet? …as I can.   We’re going to need to work on that name, maybe civilian reserves? I don’t know.  Anyway if you have an “angle” as the “earthers” say, work it.  We are starting a whole new kind of warfare.  Well, new for this conflict.  We are going to need every advantage we can get.

((... coming to  Bura  after  SSN Incursion ))

  State where you are,  and  tie off your RP with a few posts

Making their way to the Crew Deck they exited the elevator, Justin chatted with the Doc as they strolled along the passage past rows of crew cabins to the Observation Deck.

---------->>>>>  From Doc Alison's office

"So how was the meeting?  Anything new or interesting, insofar as Bura goes?" 

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 104):

Justin gave a thumd down It was a no go. Captain Morris didn't have anything that he needed help with in a manner which suggested Justin wouldn't offer to assist the Captain again, unless he was directed to by Command.

Roy stepped back into his office, using his comm to call Henry and ask about plans for the largs when everyone went down to Bura.  He also mentioned that he'd heard about the Nivarians training their largs, and invited Henry to accompany him to observe the Nivarians in action...and maybe show them up...

Henry responded.

Got a call from a Larg Master General Wikiss of the Nivarian Marines, obnoxious fellow, I am sorry to say. Mix of bragging about how much better his largs are and complaining that Larry attacked one of their 'studs', dismissing our training approaches and claiming that Disna and Puskie are defectors. He's organising an exercise with his largs and worts, says he wants Shadow to stay away but will just about tolerate your presence. Apparently he thinks our 'renegade' pack will distract his largs, he cannot control his worts which are natural enemies of largs. He will be conducting his exercises 400 or so miles  from  The Capital, to the south... you and I are welcome to observe but I get the impression he doesn't want our largs there, too much of a threat to the way his packs operate - he doesn't seem to appreciate ideas other than his own. What would you like to do?

In reply to Justin Kase (msg # 105):

"So, he called you together, but had nothing for you?" she asked. "Sure, I can easily see where that'd be vexing."     And added-

"The captain has been through a great deal. And it does seem to affect his disposition.  Which is only normal, of course."     She changed the topic:

"Have you been to Bura, before?   Specifically, this part of Bura?"

----> Rec Dec, day before Bura training

After entering the observation dec, Izzy would offer Arnie and Slavic a friendly smile as she led Lizzy over to a quiet corner where they could not only have a degree of privacy but also not disturb anyone else "Are you even going to be able to do tomorrow's survival run?" Izzy asked, pointedly looking at the brace on her ankle.

After finding a seat she would put a call through to SEC to let them know that she would be putting a call through to her mother on Earth so as not to set off any alarms, before dialling her mothers number and putting the call through.

Nervously tapping her fingers against the table as she waited for the call to be connected, with her holding up her comms unit so that the camera would get both her and Lizzy in shot as her mothers face appeared on the screen as she accepted the call "Hi mom it's me and Lizzy I hope everything is going alright with you, did you get my last payment?" she asked before nervously tapping her fingers again as she waited for her mother to respond, with her feeling slightly frustrated by the lag between the Hermes and Earth, though that was to be expected as there wasn't much in the way of infrastructure in the middle of deep space.

"Oh Isobel it's so lovely to hear from you, and you too Lizzy I hope you are keeping well though you really should dress a little more sensibly dear, I saw the pair of you at some ball or other and you must have been frightfully cold in that dress you were wearing, Oh and Isobel you really don't need to be sending me money I am doing just fine I promise"

Giggling at her mothers comment concerning Lizzy's dress she would give Lizzy chance to respond and say hi before speaking herself "Oh mom don't worry it's fine, honestly sending you a little money is the least I can do after everything you and dad did for me, besides the Navy covers so much of our expenditure anyway, but anyway...um...mom there's something I need to tell you...I...um...kind of asked Lizzy to marry me and...well...she said yes"

It was at this point there would be another agonising wait as they waited for their message to reach Earth and for the returning message to reach them, with Izzy anxiously biting her lip as she waited.

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 108):

I have been, there are some of the places I recall bein, whilst others I could have been but wasn't in a condition to recall; due to the follies of youth.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:34, Sat 03 Sept 2022.

Roy's barely-stifled laugh sounded over the comm.  "Hey, we have orders to participate in the larg training exercise, from someone with far more brass than whatever rank this Wikiss is claiming for himself.  We're going to be there...and so are our largs.  I have faith in them to stick to the task at hand, so if there's any trouble, it's going to be on the Nivarians' part.  And if I see any of those Nivarian handlers abusing their largs...Wikiss might end up wishing he'd requested Shadow, instead."  His voice took on some darker overtones as he spoke the last.

"I'll see you in the morning, Doc.  Pack light...we may end up needing to depart the exercise area in a hurry, if the Nivarians display the same level of decorum and tact that they have in the past.  But they're not calling the shots on this.  We are."

------>>>> From Rec Dec

 Lizzy responded," I had 24 hours they are over now I will wear the brace during the run, yeah I guess Stefi still needs to clear me."


 Lizzy listened as Izzy called her mom, Lizzy responded," Hello Mrs. Sakura nice to see and talk to you again. Yes I will wear something a little warmer next time I promise."

 Then Izzy told her mom they were getting married Lizzy listened waiting for her mom's reaction. She held Izzy's hand tightly.

"Already done," grinned Henry.

"We'll be ready. Disna and Puskie, the largs, Mila... and me. I don't think Mila likes this fellow either. Never heard her growl at someone on the other side of a vidscreen before."

The connection would be made after several agonising minutes with Izzy’s mothers face breaking into a broad smile ”Oh that’s wonderful you two I’m so happy for the both of you, have you picked a date yet? I wish I could attend but I don’t suppose you’ll be having the ceremony on Earth will you?” she said clearly disappointed that she wasn’t able to watch her only daughter getting married ”I’m sorry mom we won’t be able to come to Earth, it isn’t really safe for us…but we are getting married very soon and we think we have a way for you and aunt Rose to watch, maybe we could even look at getting the two of you brought out here so you can meet Lizzy in person” she replied, giving Lizzy a bit of a sheepish look as she sprung the last part on her ”oh that would be lovely if you could, I would so like to meet the lady that has made my little girl so happy and give her a hug, oh and Elizabeth dear no more of this Mrs Sakura rubbish, you either call me Linda or mom, we’re going to be family after all”

"I'll bet," she winked. "What's life without a few follies?  Well, perhaps you'll have another chance to see them, soon.   Hopefully, once things have settled, I'm hoping to go down there myself for a bit, and see Bura firsthand, for the first time."

 Lizzy smiled with Izzy's mom's reaction, and when Izzy asked if they could come out Lizzy was really excited when she said yes she would like to meet Lizzy. Lizzy responded," Thank you Mom and I hope to see you soon."

 Lizzy was excited that she wanted to come out, but did she and Izzy know if they left Earth right now they would not be going back likely.

As Lizzy and her mom spoke Izzy would smile happy in the knowledge that her mom genuinely liked her fiancé with her also quietly hoping that it would help fulfil some of Lizzy’s need for a mother figure in her life ”We’d best be going mom, it’s getting late here and Lizzy has a survival run in the morning, we’ll speak again soon to let you know when the wedding is” Izzy said as she held Lizzy’s hand under the table ”ok, well you two take care and I look forward to hearing from you both soon, I just wish your father was here to see you get married, he would have been very happy to know you had found someone as lovely as Elizabeth”
”…I know mom, speak to you soon”

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 115):

Justin nodded in agreement. If I'm in a reasonable condition after this exercise, I'd be honoured to escort you Doc.

She smiled again; did that a lot in Justin's company, it was true.  "Well, fantastic -- that definitely fits my agenda."   

After Justin departed to join the others for the Load Out, Alison made her way back to her office, both to continue catching up on work, as well as realizing that immersing herself in it was the bast way to make the time pass...

--------->>>>>  Officers Quarters
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Mon 12 Sept 2022.

Missy sends a post to Shadow the night before the run.  “Hello sir, as you may have noticed I work hard to support the Hermes.  We have a new batch of formally trained mechanics coming in.  They are having trouble grasping the commitment and I need their skills even as I don’t need their attitude.  Now, they think you guys have the easy life between battles.  I hear you are doing a run tomorrow morning with seasoned and new recruits.  I think it would be educational if I brought them and some of our older scrapper students who are training to go into flight academy.  It should be educational for both of our fresh units.  I will send the files on everyone I’m bringing for Beth to review.  I understand this is highly irregular and need nothing more than a yes or a no.  Either way it was worth a try before I send some of these boys home.”

  Shadow Looks  at the COM, he chuckles to himself  then  sends  the answer...get them here  by  10:00 ships time, tomorrow.. we'll start the  run, also , sign wavers  incase they   get hurt or eaten...

Already done sir

(( to finish  up  delta night  at Blue Moon  condo ))

 " Yes Captain, you look amazing I am surprised he left your side. I could go and say there is someone important who wishes hos company Captain."

Roy chuckled softly, almost ruefully.  "If I was always my better self, I'd be a lousy Marine," he answered.  "I've got that same darkness in me...I just do a better job of keeping it under control.  Unlike your dad, I don't let it off the leash completely...I use it as another weapon, like choosing a different rifle or my kukri."  He recalled specific events as he spoke,  like the incident where he and Melia had paid a visit to a group of Marines on Fuji who had decided that they were free to sexually assault Fleet members.  The pair had wrought grim vengeance...the Marines had all survived the brutal retribution, but only because Roy wanted them to survive, to explain what had happened, as a warning to others who might be tempted to cross that line.  His less-than-better self had been on prominent display, as far as the punishments meted out...

"I think Beth heard about the rifle, but I'm not sure how closely she was monitoring comms.  Sam was handling most of our comm traffic, but those two are never far apart during operations."

He sighed and added, "And yes...losing that rifle is going to hit her hard...worse than the actual physical injuries.  Even if it got to the point where she had to retire it, there was still so much history involved that she would probably have kept it as a memento, even if it had worn out to the point where its accuracy was no longer reliable."

He sighed and shook his head.  "She sent an awful lot of ammo downrange with that rifle...you get to the point where you hardly even need to aim after a while.  So used to your sight picture that you know where that bullet is going the second you look.  She's going to have a hard time recovering from that one..."

  Captain Si shook her head,the long black hair seemed to shine.we all have out  tasks.. Oliver is no differant.. I am sure I will get  some welcome, once he feels he is free..

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

I hope she will no lose any of her skills. She  seemed  to be . always  cool, even when angered..She was beside her self  when the Pilot  died in the city, and then got more angry, when   the  trooper  got lost?

Roy nodded gently.  "Well, the basics of sharpshooting are the same, regardless of which rifle you're using...it's just adapting to the quirks and the feel of your individual weapon.  You get to the point where you just know where each round is going.  Give her another rifle and some time to practice and she'll be right on top of her game again...marksmanship is about the shooter, more than the weapon.  I mean, a bad weapon can screw up a good shooter...but a bad shooter is going to be bad, no matter how good the weapon is."  He chuckled, and added, "I could give your dad one of my Barrett .50s...I can practically drive nails with those things, at a few hundred meters range.  He'd be lucky to hit an oil drum at one hundred feet..."

He sighed, and continued, "Lyri is eminently competent, and she doesn't like it when good plans get screwed up.  When plans get screwed up by our own people?  Well...she can sometimes take that kinda personally."