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.”