Field  Fight!

 Gen Higgins  shouts  out some orders, the    trooper  split up.. two the   the  side of the  left Hash MArk... two in the middle of the field , and  2  past the right Hash Mark...

  they start moving   forward  spreading out a bit, to cover each other and make thier way towards   Roll

 Jax  yells,Move around   Roll  don't  let them   have a good idea.. like  running from building to building.

 Roll moved  from the Middle to the right a  bit.. holding his  blade..little   legs moving, then he would stop  and mover to his right...  and  stop.. watching the   Trooper s  with wide   eyes.

………………

In the 'Huddle' Jug asked All we gotta do is tag the general...right? not put him out or anything...just tag him with the business end of the vibroblade?" she wanted to make sure she understood the rules  "tagged and he is captured?"

She looked at Garrat "Ever throw ...what was it they called it?  Oh a dwarf?  Gots no problem bein' thrown" she grinned almost evilly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:54, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

   Garrat raises an eyebrow, “funny you should mention it but I’m actually quite proficient at throwing Dwarves, first however I suggest we whittle down their numbers by playing defensively.”

Roy nodded quietly.  "We'll keep that in mind.  Right now, I'm more interested in taking them all down a peg, not just making the General look stupid.  For now, I'm staying put here, anyone coming to get Roll has to get through me.  Garrat, you and Jug go up our right side.  I want them down and needing a medic.  Lirg, you and Hirr go up the left...same orders.  I don't care how dirty you have to fight...the only thing off the table is outright killing them.  We'll stay here and hold the center."

"Good hand to hand.  This be good test" she said moving over towards Garrat and the left...er right side.

  General Higgins, as Your Commanding Offcier  I fee I should warn you....

  Begging the Admiral's pardon, Sir. The General. Much Like his  son, seems to know everything there  is to know...surely he  does not need  warnigns  from , mere Combat Officers...

  Higgins looked to  Shadow  ,I* serve on the  front, just as you  do, LC...

 Our waitresses serve on the front.. some of them, right  on the ground  a few yards  from the enemy...so... 'not  like us'
 Hack shrugged  and  stood  to watch   his 'back line'

  The Troopers  moved as  did the  rest of the  Group...

 Shade  was in the middle , in front of  Roy, like a sweeper in front of a goalie..  Rolls  had to stop moving to rest..he wasn't sued to this  much running!.

   "They will be focused on our heavies, Lirg, you and I can act aggressive distracting them while Jug and Hirr hamstring them with slashes of the daggers.  Then while they are distracted Lirg and I close and break bones.  They volunteered to stab a little boy.  I don't want any of them walking this month."


   No one had called him on the armor he was still wearing but Garrat had unbuckled his torso and shoulder armor leaving himself bare of anything but a tanktop just before .  Oh, if he hadn't just happened to leave it near Rolls.  The boy was a stemmer, any addition to his environment was something he could use.

   Garrat jogged down the right side conserving his strength and speed and assessing the first target.

Roy just nodded as Garrat summed up his notion on how to handle them.  "Hey, Roll?  Just try and keep me between you and any of them.  Save your energy...I'm pretty sure none of them will make it this far, but if they do, it's better they don't see how fast you can move until they're here.  But as long as any of us are still standing, they aren't touching you...and I don't think a single one of these pansy-asses has seen actual field combat in years."

He kept his eyes up the field, assessing who was squaring off against whom, and whether their opposition was thinking in terms of taking out the Hermes troopers or just in terms of trying to get to the end zone.  His money was on them thinking they could power through and rush the end zone...and they were going to be painfully surprised when they found out the Hermes people weren't going to give...

Shade drifted left, countering one of the others coming down the field...Roy saw the other one go right, and angled accordingly.  When the man got about to the twenty yard line, Roy beckoned him.  "Come get me, tough guy...I don't want to keep the kid up past his bedtime so some desk monkey can work up his courage..."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:56, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

 Shade Moved to  cut the  fellow off who came down the 'left' middle (#3) The Guard  stopped in surprise  as he  readied his Blade, Shade's  hed  shifted  right and  left quickly , as if he was  covering a kick, looking for the  blindside block.

 The Little verian Grinned   as he  waved his  Blade to taunt the  fellow.

 The Other   Trooper(#4), sneered at Roy  and Bowed  in towards him, but  his   eyes shifted  to roll for a second to 'keep track of him'.

……………………………………….

 Lirg and   Hirr   Moved   right towards the troopers  #1 and #2 as they  came at  them. Hirr Leaped in the  air  about  6  feet and  came down.. causing  both  troopers   to  slow.. as they watched her....

  they  set thier feet   to meet them.

………………………..

 Garrat and Jug  saw smiles on  #6 and #5  as they figured the  little one  wouldn't be much trouble, and the Bigger one they'll just  go around...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

Jug grinned and eyed the one in front of her.  She heard about hamstringing them, If she had her way the leg was gonna come clean off.  Let them run on stumps She bounced a little side to side  as if getting prepared to run.  Another good thing about Gava….They are agile.  stunning vibro blade in hand she would wait until her time shined.


The Gava on the sidelines whooped and Hollered for their team, and Jug.

"He's not going anywhere, dumbass..." Roy taunted 'his' trooper.  He stood casually, blade gripped easily in his right hand, taking a couple of steps to further isolate the point-of-contact away from the center of the field.  Inwardly, he grinned...the field wasn't wide enough to outflank the Hermes group, the attackers had yielded the center of the field effectively without contest.  It was a small thing, especially in this context...but it was a tactical mistake.

He continued standing as though he dismissed the man as a threat...until the distance closed to five yards separating them.  He burst forward with an explosive leap, accustomed to being burdened with full combat gear for such maneuvers and currently in a casual duty uniform, closing the distance in a couple of strides.  He led with his left hand, aiming to bat aside the man's blade or at the very least, force him to strike a non-fatal target in order to get his blade to anything crucial, and Roy didn't stop running until he had slammed into the trooper in a full body-check that would have been more in place at a hockey rink than a football field, his right arm coming around the man's body to repeatedly stab with the training blade in a hail of blows.

One of the troopers coming towards Garrat and Jug tried to go around Jug not expecting her to be as fast as she was given she was 'Just a Gava'.  Jug however was fast enough.  With a tumble roll she was right in his path and caught him with her vibro blade.  Not as deep as she wanted, but it did hit him in the knee area.  Made him stumble a bit.  He tried hobbling run, she chased after him.  When close she'd get him again.  She made drooling hunkered sounds to aggitate him.
"First blood Hermes!" she called.  The other Gava cheered louder.  One even spun like he was dancing.  A couple of spears went up.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

   Unfortunately they were right about Garrat, like the Hyrian shadow fought he had a lot of weight to shift and the earlier run had taken it's toll.  He had sheathed his knife so he could focus on the intercept preferring to grapple over focusing on his blade but a last minute dodge by the trooper Jug didn't catch put the soldier just out of Garrat's reach.

   Garrat pounded after the trooper like a runaway train, his long legs giving him more straight speed.  Despite the jinks in his aponents run Garrat knew where the man was going and stayed the course.

  Roy slammed  into the Trooper, the  Trooper  tried  a  Backhanded  Slash. Roy could  fill the   vibration hum past  his neck.. The fellow    bounced   back  a bit, he was a bit bent over, but he had the 'angry  calm' look'' his eyes shifted from Roy to   Roll..as if gauging His chances,

 Shade   hi the his  Guy Low, the  trooper#3  slashed at Shade   and Hot his shoudler.. Shade Balred in pain.., but it was only  a slash

………………...…...………………………..

 Jug slashed  #5  He screamed as she stumbled..Jug  chased to try and wrap him up..

 Garrat's  Guy Broke around him to the outside, he would have  a wider path to Roll who was  where the goalposts  were.

…………………………………...


 Lirg  and  Trooper  1  Fought both slashed  each other..  Hirr   Jumped over her  trooper, she Missed  her sut, but was now behind the Trooper!

 ……………

 Roll  cluctched his   Blade..looking worried  , his  feet shifting a bit.

Roy stayed on his man, not giving him room to get a decent swing in, continuing a flurry of elbows, knees, and jabs with his empty hand to keep the man focused on avoiding the very real physical damage those blows could cause, gauging his opportunity...when he felt the man was more focused on either avoiding the blows or calculating a rush toward Roll, Roy lashed out again with the blade.

The trooper he was squared off against had similar plans...and Roy found his left arm smarting with a slash that left his arm burning and his hand barely functional as anything more than a bludgeon.  He continued the pressure on the man, gritting his teeth against the pain from the 'wound', striking strategically at points intended to impair the trooper's mobility, vision, or ability to breathe, fist jabs lancing in at eyes, nose, and throat, daring the trooper to take another swing at his arm, and ready to follow up the moment he did.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

Salivating like a wild Gava she continued to chase her target down.  In one leap she had tried to catch his bad leg and trip him and missed, but still let him know how close she was.  she meant to put her self between the kid and this trooper.

Lirg was  Slashed  again, these  troopers   have  had  some skill... Lirg lashed out and punched him in the chest... this staggered  the  trooper.# 1

 Hirr     Grinned at   Higgins   as she Hunched to  Jumped   and  the  Trooper #2 she Jumped   over    wheeled to attach her,   She   let out a   meow of angry as the trooper managed  to slash her  right thigh.

……………………………………..

   The  trooper  tangled  with  Shade   slashed him again... the intense  pain of the blades, causing the little   verian   the blare out  a Bleep.. His own Blade  drove it  the man's Belly... he left it  there, and  picked up the trooper's  blade…

 Trooper  # 4 layed on the file d  twitching  his  hands  trying to remove the blade. but  couldn't  as he screamed and screamed  endlessly.. Shade's eyes   were pitch Black  as he looked  towards  the  rest...then to the General.

Roy  set himself on a course to head off  Trooper  #3 ..they would meet at the hashmark on the  10 yard line, away from the   side of the  'onlookers'.

……………………………………….

 Roll  moved towards  the   'people' side of the end  Zone. but only  to that hashmark..

…………………………….

   Jug was  running  down   Trooper #5..he  was limping  but  pushing to  try to get to the Endzone...

  Garrat's  long strides   were  bringing him close to Trooper  #6.... These   men were  trained, that was  for certain...

 What he did  see, was roll move a bit to the other  side of the 'middle ' of the  field... he also  saw  Trooper #5  didn't see him chasing  the other  trooper..

 …………………………….
Sneak  shouted to Roll to  'not get trapped"..Jax  looked very angry  as he cast dark looks at the General

 Shadow  was grim as he watched.. a slight  smile   as the trooper went  down to the   'wounded' Shade

 through it all.. the troopers screamed and screamed

 The General  shouted  ay  Hack...we cannot let him suffer!

 Hack pointed at Chief Post. ya have no Rank her  , General.. this is my field.. I am god.... anyone  tried to help  him from the sideliens..ends  the match... Hermes is  winnign  by   the tie  breaker of  'one man down'.... the blades  are  set 'per team'..although  you can use  any blade.. only a team a member   of the  trooper's team can remove it...

Roy did some mental calculations, sorting through options.  One he rejected because they were still too far from the edge of the field...the man would have too much time to recover.  Another was too reliant on getting a hold on the mech of his shirt.  Instead, Roy opted for another body-check...this time intending to go to the ground with the man and keep him down, if the initial knife attack didn't get him.

At the hash mark, as their courses converged, Roy thrust hard with both arms, hoping to land a hit with the blade, and if not, to at least send the man stumbling and off balance, intending to pull him down.

The blade went wide of its mark, leaving Roy barreling into the man,  and trying to entangle arms and legs to keep him from turning, so that Roy would end up on top with the trooper underneath him, on his belly and unable to strike effectively.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

Jugs running the trooper down paid off.  Just as she contemplated whacking in the head with the blade she was close enough to pounce.  Literally using his body as a ladder she kicked his good leg hard sending him into a sliding face plant with Jug hanging on like she was surfing.  Coming to a stop she held his weapon arm tight, then painfully popped it out of joint at the shoulder.  Then in a very low menacing tone she spoke and drooled in his ear "Think of even touching him. I eat your ears off" she made sure he saw her teeth and snapped at him, only an inch or so from his eyes, and could smell her breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:28, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

Melia slipped into the Field Gym area shortly after the match started. It was a grim duel and she was disappointed she'd not been able to participate. Despite everything a big part of her enjoyed the thrill of a good bloody fight. Though as she sorted the rules and the stakes the excited fire in her eyes dimmed and her look became much more grim. She slipped down the stands close to the "enemy" side lines on the off chance that someone tried to influence the game or change the stakes.

Roy tried again with the blade, failing 5o get any sort of satisfactory hit...and they were getting close to the endzone.  Remembering what the Chief had laid out as rules for the match, and disgusted that he'd apparently forgotten how to fight with a knife, he opted for a different strategy...

He set himself on an angle from his man, and drove into him as hard as he could, legs churning in an effort to throw the man off balance and out the back of the endzone.

  The General watched..he looked at Hirr as she   decided the trooper    she   jumpe dover   wasn't worth her  time... she Bounded   to wards  the    left  sid eof the Endzone,  , the  General ran to the Gola posts  and  called for  Help..The trooper#2 chased   Hirr  with an angle that would  put him between the Cat  and his General..

 Lirg  Droved his Balde   into   trooper #1 one's  thigh... as  Shade had  done..he two left the Blade in the Man's thigh, and picked  up that fellow's Blade . then began   loping  towards   The general

………………………………...

 Shade   Took a Look back at  Roll  and Roy  then to the General.., he  Pivoted  and   ran towards  the  Endzone   his head  turned to watch.

 Roy had  his   Guy on the Ground.. it would be  a simple Roy  to drive his  blade into the Man.

……………………………………

 Jug was  on top her  trooper # 5 she was in the same postion.. a Stab and he was  done..

 Trooper  #6  had  about a yard lead on Garrat  as he neared the   5  yard  line...

 Roll moves  passed the  'people' side Hashmark   as he wathed  the  Three  Herminite   with thier Troopers  and, Shade   dropping  Back  so he   could   try to   placehimself  between  the  trooper on the toehr side of the field...and Roll.. the difference  was.. Shadw  was on the  25 , on his side of the   field... the trooper  was on the  5 with Garrt crossing  the 7.

Jug needed to be quick.  Others needed her help including the boy.  To teach this one a further lesson she stabbed him, in his butt cheek!  He began screaming.  It was gonna be hard for him to pull out with his one good hand and arm, since the other now also in pain and probably swelling from being dislocated.  That was gonna be a hard pop back in, if she had left it in.  She pulled it out since she still needed to use it.  Moving she stepped on his back she grabbed trooper #5's vibroblade to use as well and began to run and cover the boy from attack.

The Gava cheered louder.  Even jumping up and down that Jug took out that trooper.  Goji even gave a snickering laugh.  It was obvious he was not going to move anywhere quickly.  A useless arm, useless leg, drool over his ear and face, plus now no weapon!  He probably could not even roll off the field on his own accord.

  General Higgins now  moved   more to the  right of the field  ( looking from Roll's  endzone)...   Hirr had  reached his Goal Line, Trooper #2   was crossing trhe Goal line between  Hirr and  Lirg..Lirg  was  at the  10 yard line on an angle to   meet the General

……………………….

   Jug was  running  toward  the   endzone  as   the trooper  Garrat was  chasing  neared the goal line, at   the far hashmark.

  Roy had his guy down..

 Shade  was  about  at the 8

 Rolls took another step to the   left of his  endzone.

 Two men screamed in pain with the Vibrablade  humming away.. the third   was crippled  on the  field.

 The General  called out to Hack,..HACK....  We'll Concede!

 ADMIRAL...Hack.... and  you can concede  if you wish.. but the    contest doesn't  end  until the   flag has been stabbed.. I spent  over 5 years  teaching my  people, that we  don't ease up.... i won't set a bad example now.

Roy put his blade into the back of the man he had down, and pushed off the man's body in a full sprint, no thought about a blade, aiming a crushing body block at the trooper Garrat was chasing, counting on the Asgardian's heavy footfalls just behind the man to keep him distracted from something like two additional oncoming Hermes personnel.  Even if the trooper managed to get a good shot in on Roy, it would slow him down...and Garrat would be all over him at that point.  If he tried to evade Roy and Garrat, he'd be running right into Jug.

But Roy was planning on putting the man on the turf.  HARD.

  The   General was  backpedaling to the  far side of his  endzone.. he had his blade ready, but it  showed he might  have  had a little bit of training All that stood  between him and a Grinning  CAt  and a stern looking  Hyrian was one Lone  trooper  (#2).

  Shade  veered from his  Angel as Roy  got up from his  screaming trooper  to put himself  in the same postion with  Roll, as Trooper #2  was  with Higgins.

 It may have  been a had  full of seconds... when Roy slammed Into the  trooper.. The  Fellow  was brought  down, to the Back of the endzone, Just past the far hashmark..

 a heart beat Later Garrat was there... and a breath later.. as printing   Jug..

  across the  field  3 men were screaming with  Vibra Blades  in them..while and other  was failing with one arm to try and move in some way.

 Shadow  Saw Melia  and COMed her  softly..when this is over,  look to the one with the real injuires  first..no hurry on the blades... Then he COMed  Med tech.

 Higgins Shouted  at  The Admiral...HACK!.. this has Gone to Far.. we Yield!

  The Admiral  moved  down the    40 yardline, his  hands  clasped behind his back.. he said  loud, and Calmly ,ADMIRAL.... Hack.   Relax , Higgins? you aren't the  first to fluff up thier feathers only to get your neck wrung ...We didn't start this.. well? Shadow might have..

 ..HEY!..

 at any rate, General. You came up with this game..My people  play to win.. there is no stopping this , until a flag gets  stabbed...

(Assuming a man body checked in front of him gives Garrat the ability to take initiative)  If Spencer didn’t knock the man On his back, Garrat would have grabbed him by the scruff of his uniform and thrown him on his back, either way the Einherjar would’ve dropped on the man before he even hit the ground driving his elbow into the soldiers sternum crushing his rib cage and injuring his internal organs.  The medical deck would be able too save him but he probably wouldn’t be able too do much soldiering after this.

    Once the man was crippled the blade went into his gut...and stayed.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Thu 02 Jan 2020.

"our 'Flag safe?" she wanted a check.  She stood between the young boy and opposing troopers still up.  Both blades ready in case they got past Roy and Garrat.  She could see Shade moving towards the General.  The cat people stalking him.  She smiled broadly.

Roy looked around, assessing the situation.  The Hermes people were favoring a few limbs, as a result of slashing injuries...but they were all up.  The General had one trooper left, with Lirg and Hirr closing in on him.

"Pretty sure we've got this...but if you hurry, you might get to land the final blow on the General, while Lirg and Hirr take down his guard.  If not, you still did damned fine work out there."

He turned a scowl to Garrat.  "We were supposed to HURT them, not break them.  They may be a bunch of arrogant dickheads, but they're still our allies."  He shook his head.  "You couldn't have satisfied yourself with dislocating a hip or something?"

Without waiting for a response, he got up and walked over to Roll.  "You did good, Roll.  I'm proud of you."  He knelt down beside the boy, one hand on his shoulder.  "Kept your wits, listened to Jax and me, and showed faith in us.  Remember this...you're part of the Hermes family now, and anyone that wants to hurt you has to get past us.  He gave Roll's shoulder a gentle squeeze and a pat, then turned to watch how the end of the General's distressing choice of tests would play out.

She smiles and heads off to deal with the general.

    “Do you really trust a man who will take a vibrablade to a small child Just for sport?  I feel dirty just being part of this competition.  Mark my words, anyone who survives this has an 85% chance of becoming EDT, and a 100% chance of getting good men killed for their own glory.  If I had killed Shade’s step mom when I suspected her of being a spy, if I had killed Lady V’s nephew when I learned he only wanted a command at any cost down in the tunnels, if I had found a way to crack a lot of bad eggs I’ve seen since starting here, a lot of good people would still be here.”

   Shade stopped at the 50... The general couldn't leave the  'box' with out losing... he wasn't Goignt to make it  in time so he stood  to watch.

 The Chorus of   4 suffering  troopers  echoed  through the field, and the other  Just gave up and laid there.

  Rolls  held his blade  and Looked  at  Roy, his eyes  shifted to the    screaming men,..they were gonna  hurt me like that...

 Chief  post, with nothing else to look at, went  down to the  General's  45 yardline to watch he didn't step out on the chief's  side of the   field.

 The trooper   looked  left and   Right.. a  slinking Felrite and a Lumbering Hyrian.. Hirr  Jumped in the  Air  again, The trooper  was  expecting this.. Hirr...expected him to  expect it.. he  slashed   and   caught her  Calf.. She let out a loud , Cat-cream.. But the  plan had  work   Lirg Picked the Trooper    up and Tossed him out of   the  40 yard line  to land  on  the General's  30...

 Chief Post shouted..he's off the field.. he cannot be attacked or attack!...he's  done... he  fiddle  with  somethign  in the box in his hand  and that trooper's blade shut down..

   Hirr was limping..a slight  mewling from time to time..Lirg  was taking strides to  The general...

 Jug was  at the 'Roll's  25  as she  scampered  forward.

 Garrat  by  the last trooper

 Alright , Higgins? you are on your Bridge.. your   SEC has been defeated.. and the enemy is closing in on your Command..what do you do...

 I said I yield!!! I Yield!!!

 Post spoke up...doesn't work that way.. a Flag  has to fall..and you can even leave you 'box' to try to take the other one out...

Roy gave Roll a sad smile.  "They wanted to hurt us, by hurting you...but they wouldn't have hurt you like that.  They just needed to get you with a blade to win.  But because they chose to pick on a child to be their target, we decided to hurt them a lot worse than they were going 5o hurt you.  The General thought he was being funny...but we aren't laughing, and now, none of them are, either."

He gave a little hint of a grin, and added, "I don't think any of them has been in actual combat in a long time...they've forgotten how much we sacrifice to fight, and a lot of the time, we're fighting for people we don't even know.  The General would have been smarter to pick one of his own people to take your spot, though.  We would have still protected him...but he picked on family, and made it about something a lot more than just showing him that his men aren't as good as they think they are.  When he picked you, Roll, he made sure that his men were going to suffer, because we're dangerous when we're fighting...but we're just plain old mean and vengeful when you try and hurt family.  And you're part of the Hermes family, Roll.  Every one of us would have fought all of them, alone, to protect you.  Even everyone up in the stands would have done it.  And if we thought for a moment that they actually meant to really hurt you?  Those men wouldn't be screaming, they'd be dead.  Because we protect our family."

In reply to Admiral Hack (msg # 25):

Melia glanced at Shadow and gave him a slow imperceptible nod.

She watched the final moments of the match playing out as the clearly victorious Hermes crew descended towards to the General who was looking increasingly out of place. Waiting for the match to end and the triage to begin.

  Lirg  stopped  about  1 yard from  Higgins.... Lt Hirr  was limping, but she   was coming  down  the 'back line' of his box...

   Jug was  not  at the    50.. on the  far Hashmark.

  The General  Looked around   his hands  shaking  with his  Blade... the screams of the men with the Vibra Blades in them  making him even more worried.

Hack smiled  at Him.. and Nodded  to the Three  who were there..  Lt   Hirr  Leaped on more time  to  stop  the general from  escaping out the back... Lirhg charged   in  with  Jug....and three Blades  Flashed Into the General  as  she dropped to his   knees  Screaming  as if he fell into the  9 Hells  itself..

 HAck  called out  to Melia...Melia!.... Tend to him first.. i need him for a Meeting.. the rest of you..Well  done.....

 Hack   jogged   down the field  as  Chief   post shut off the blades.. the  handles  falling to the  turf.The Admiral stopped  By  Roll and  Roll as    thier blades  died...Roll.... You did   good.... you stood  your  ground, held your  place... You Get  Trooper  Jax  and   Sneak to take you  to the rec Dec... anything you want...on me..

  Shadow  snorted  as he  helped retrieve  some blades for Post. Coulda  used  the  reporter on this.... bet no one ever  saw  training like this...

 Jax  and  Sneak  came down to   check Roll

"That ...felt good." She picked up the vibroblades from the others right there to take to the Post.  She looked to her fellow Gavans and gave a victory arm up.  In collective whoops they cheered and then began to rush the field.  She walked by Garrat "That was good learning.  Learned a new trick of two."

Roy grinned at Jax.  "Thanks for being his tactical advisor," he quipped lightly.  "You two did a good job of preparing him for life...let's hope he never has to rely much on that training.  Admiral Hack promised him a treat on the Rec Deck...whatever he wants."

He gave Roll a pat on the shoulder, wincing slightly with the lingering aftereffects of the vibroblade slashes on his left forearm.  The blades were deactivated almost immediately afterward, but there was still a little tenderness from the overexcited nerve endings.  "You did good, Roll.  A few more years and we'll have Jax training you how to be a Marine, if you want, or maybe Shadow teaching you how to fly.  But you did us all proud today."  One more shoulder squeeze, and he stood up, looking around as med techs began to arrive to take care of the wounded (all Marines from Higgins' detachment...the only wounds the Hermes folk suffered were simulated knife slashes).  He waved Lirg and Hirr over, then gestured to Garrat and Jug.

"Hey, want you all to come meet the young man who anchored our team!" he called out.  He'd been, effectively, an orphan as a child, himself...his father was present, physically, but pretty much just a vacant body in terms of Roy's life...so he understood the value of having friends.  And while a bunch of Hermes officers and non-coms were not peers, they could still be a form of moral support.  He waited for those who were coming to get there, before introducing Roll to them, and them to Roll.

   Hirr was  limping a bit.. Lirg held out a  well muscled arm for her to leab on.

   I  am being here...The  Cub stood  firm.. did not break and  run... Hirr  said.

 Lirg smiled a  toothy  Hyrian  smile,..it is   a shame  rule   did not let the  Young  one attack..he may have won the  contest  himself.

 Shade   was standing there  Green eyed  and gave Roll a Thumbs  up.

 Shadow  smiled as he stood a few paces  behind Jax  and Sneak.

Roy grinned.  "Roll, this is Sergeant Lirg.  He was one of the first Hyrians to agree to fight under the APF banner, and decided he wanted to serve on the Hermes to get to know Humans better.  Lieutenant Hirr leads the Felrite ground troops aboard the Hermes, and was one of the first Felrites to sign on."

He looked at the pair, and grinned a little.  "It took a little doing to get them to not threaten to kill each other on sight, initially...but it's amazing what a little mutual respect accomplishes."

He gestured at Shade.  "I think you've already met Shade, I'm pretty sure I saw him coaching you on programming your vidboard a time or two.  His grandma is the leader of the Blue Verians, also called the Udenese, and his sister is captain of their flagship in the Delta Fleet."

He dropped an arm over Roll's shoulder, standing next to him and looking at the rest.  "This is Roll. He is one of the orphans that Sergeant Wolfrim rescued from the Stem on Etna.  Jax and Sneak taught him what he needed to know to survive, there, and they did a good job, because he did everything he was supposed to do here, despite never being part of a formal military organization.  But he's part of our Hermes family, now, and we're glad to have him."

  Lirg's  tail swishes  a bit as he reaches into his Belt Pouch...You take this , Little one it is my Clan Token...'Moon Hunters".. you show it to a Hyrian, and they will portect you, as one of thier Pups..

  Hirr  Grins, her tail  twitching.

  Roll nodded   rapidly, as he put the  token into is  pocket..he was looking up at  all the tall people.

 Chief post was shouting, General first.. and make sure he gets to the meeting, even if he has to  go strapped to a hover Cart!

 Shadow  Chuckled,well, Folks, I'm going  to bed..gonna  have  soemthign going on tomorrow.... Roll?  Great Job buddy..

 Sneak  spoke up,..let's go get your  treat, when you are ready, then we'll get  you home...

In reply to field (msg # 34):

Already Done." Melia replied grabbing a med bag from one of the hover carts on the sidelines. She pulls the medtech and guardian on the cart with her. "You two on me. The rest of you see to it that any non-vibra blade injuries are treated first. As far as I care get our people stable and to medlab first. These morons can wait unless they have life threatening injuries."

She runs out onto the field towards the general, and begins treating his injuries.

 The General moan   and Groaned, the 'healthy  trooper' made his way over to them from the spot Lirg had thrown him.

  I have to get him to the Admiral's meeting as soon  as  you can get him to walk, Ma'am

You'll get him in time for your meeting, trooper. And its Petty Officer, I work for my pay. She bites at the impatient trooper as she works on the vibra-knife wounds. It'd be easier to treat in the medlab but for the time being the medkit was what she had. She began with a very mild local pain killer. Hoping at the very least to get the General to stop squirming long enough to stabilize the injuries.

  The trooper  shrugs,..Right PO...but it was your  Admiral that  said he had to be there..not me..

 The Parde of hover  carts began to make its  way up the   stadium steps to the RecDec and the lifts.

 The Battered  trooper  was the first with his  'real wounds.. the  Vibra  Cases  were  sat on  hover carts  in pairs  as they held the  throbbing areas   where the   Blades made there home for the last 15 minutes.

"Aye and I'd told him the General would be ready for the meeting, and he will be but if you rush me he might be attending as wet noodle instead of his usual cranky self."  She says measuring out a small amount of muscle relaxant. The General's nerves and muscles were spasm-ing around the stab points, that said too much of the relaxant would render the man catatonic. Deciding on a 5th of the normal dosage, she carefully administers about a third of the measured amount into the skin around the stab points. It should be enough to relax the muscles and nerves and dull a large amount of the pain.

"General this should allow you to regain use of your muscles, try not to exert yourself too much for a few hours. The sting and pain will fade, unfortunately we don't carry anything in our medkit to treat deflated egos so try not to trip over it at the meeting."

She says nodding to the Marine, "He should be able to walk on his own but might be a bit wobbly see that he makes it to the meeting safely."

Grabbing the bag and remaining medical equipment she checks around for any other wounded.

Garrat hunkers down next to the boy, “Good job Rolls, you’re a real trooper.”

"You small and sneaky like Gava.  Hermes Gava treat like family." she said to Roll before they left several Gava gave a chant of 'Roll, Roll!'.  Turning over the stun blades she collected she turned to the soft fluffy Felrite that was limping "You need help, Jug will help" she offered to help an injured teammate.  She did not know if this Felrite wanted to go to the MedDec or not.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Sat 04 Jan 2020.

  Lirg  smiled his  Hyrian  doggy smile...i.. will eb alright... Lt  Hirr.. she  took a longer  slash on her leg

 Hirr   growls,he was making the lucky hit..that is all..

It was late morning and a few persons were on the field.  The Gava arrived after eating some breakfast at the non-comm messhall.  Jug had lined the Gava up and ran them through a version of a 'warm up' with much leg stretching and a few laps about the field.  Others watched as it was rather humorous for them to watch, Jug and the Gava didn't care.  They practiced some old moves they did back on Bura, in groups of 2 and 3's.  Then having them in a semi circle she explained her actions in the flag game.  She said they would practice incase they might use it in a hand to hand fight.  To improvise with their knives and spears, but not really injure each other.  She showed them how to climb on bigger people and how to kick knees to take them down.  She told them to not to be afraid to try something new or different.  If it worked, to share.  They would continue even as many Hermiters headed for the lifts in the late morning to go run in the tunnel.

After an aggressive workout and team building exercises Jug allowed her squad to break and get food.


===> RecDec

Jug and the others arrived at the field and went under the bleachers to the gun range.  There they found the man in charge.  "We came to practice with pistols and long arms.  SM give us okay.  practice for battle." she said.  And seeing the set up grouped the squad accordingly.

 Chief POst nodded, and  waved  for them to  follow him to the  hatchway that lead under the Bleachers..

  a very large  are a with   moving   targets ( on cables) and  7 booths  were available

 Extra  platers handle been welded or M<elder  to  the  starboard Wall to  help diminish any damage, not that sidearms    and such could hurt a Cap ship.

   Getting out a Vid Board , he looked at Jug... ok? no we got  ammo here for Mags... you'll have to laod the MAgs yourself.. this also stands  as  the emergency Ammo  cache  for the ship... You are   permitted  two mags per  person, per   weapon.. the indea  here,,is  elarning to  aim, and not 'spray and pray.'... YOu're  in charge of them?  so you'll have to sign...just a warning.. some one  shoots some one? they get gunned  down....

Jug nodded she understood and stressed that importance to the others.  They would each take turns, just to be safe.  She watched to see who would need more practice.  each went through loading their weapons and on safety.  Only so many gava in the squad..she reminded them, cannot hurt each other.

The practicing actually went rather smoothly though far from being great marksmen.  They carefully loaded and went through their shots.  When done they reviewed with the chief of the range.  They cleaned up any mess they did make and listened if he had advice.

Before heading back to SEC they moved to the QM.  If going into battle best see if armor was available for them.

===> QM Locker

 Chief Post watched them.. he told them  to concentrate on the chest  area   as longer range... but when they got close  to  aim at thighs  and Knees,..you have to muse  your strenghts..yuou are  small and Fast.. yhou cripple your  enemy, they'll fall or  be slowed  down, then you can finish them, they way you know how....after  this  battle.. you  can  get more range time in..Maybe  Have the SM  or  one of the SEC people teach yhou more  about marksman ship.
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:59, Thu 16 Jan 2020.

(( briefing with fleet ehads after   battle of Uden )

  The tables  were laid  out  with the names of the people  to sit  , so there would be no  controversy .   Tha  Admiral  at one end of the tables.. Lilit  at the other  end , with people sprinkled in between.

 they had  'bars'  set up at either 20 yard line.. the tables   reached  from the 30 to the other   30

 some of the  Civies who play in the OC set up a band  in the stands to play  'soft eating ' music.

  The Admiral  Appeared  witht eh last of the  VIPs, and made his way to the BAr., The People  Mingled  aroudn a Bit as  Hack stalled  for  Beth to  have her people set up  4 screens  one at each end facing in  and  one at  the 50 hardline, on each side. facing in.. she had a Table  where she set up.. she got Orria to come with her, and  they put food for themselves on a side table to eat while they worked.

------------>>>>> From Hanger Dec

 Sam walked into the meeting she was fine she was use to having meetings with big wigs, and since Howe opened up her shell she has been even better at it. She went to the bar and asked if they had some of that yellowish yummy Burian wine she loved. She will also find where her seat was so she knew where to go when they where told to take their seats. She will go over to Beth and say," Lt. Morrow do you need any help setting up, i do not mind helping out?"

  Beth  smiled  at  Sam,..no..I'm fine, and i can use this   for  Orria  to get some more reps  setting up and tearing down..Its not  all Glamorous , Feedback bombs!

  Hack  moved arounbd , takign a Head Count. Bale   asked  a server for a  small table to set his briefcase on. He then sipped from a beer.

 Sam smiled and laughed, and said," Oh yes it is not just the fun stuff and killing bad guys, you have the tech part as well, it will be good for her, it took me many hours to set up the Cold Stone comm systems the way I wanted them.

 Sam would move closer with a huge smile on her face and add," Lt. thank you very much for all your training and help, it made it so much easier in combat yesterday, you are the best at what you do that I have ever seen."

   Beth Nods to Shade  sitting by himself  near the area where Lilit and  Dusk would sit..Orria  will be going to the table soon..but , no reason she can't  practcie until then.

  There was a soft chuckle,one of the many 'Shadowisms' i have learned, since i Met Shadow and Roles,,,,, " there is always someone better then you..act like you want to pass them"

 she nodded,he was right.. i got caught  after torching   an apratment building  full on a crime famly's..Famlies…One of the Cops told me they could  smell Pizza  sauce for blocks!..a shrug as  she flicks  toggles  and  smiles at Orria and sends her on her way..

but the  Feds  found me...and so did the Admiral..i was lucky..Admiral  Hack, even as  LT HAck..can  be very persuasive... she giggles  and says in a Low  Voice,..peopel say  Teh Captain lured hin in?.. I'd bet a Months pay it was the other way around!

 Sam smiled at Beth," She is a good kid and she is getting very good." Sam chuckles and says," Yes there is always someone better and I definitely want to pass everyone Beth even you." She smiles at Beth then added," Well we are all glad Lt. Hack found you and was so persuasive. Well I wont take you up on that bet because I think you are right and I have only met them both briefly, but I have seen how the Admiral works."

 She smiles and after Beth responds, if she does, she will then walk up to Orria and say," Hello Orria how are you doing it is so good to see you again, how are your studies coming along?"

   The   Chief Steward  rang a  beel to have the   Fellt folk  take thier  seats.. beth sent  Orria  down to sit next to  Shade.

   Will and the rest of the Honor  guard had been allowed   some  food  while they waited  for the dinner to start, ocne the  dinner  started thje  positioned them selves in teh Bleachers , around the   Filed  With  Shoey and Lyri standing at  either  bar.


  The  waiters   made the offer  of   Bura steak,  Aqra  Fish, or Nivar  shell fish.

 there  were potatoes  of  3  types, and  several Vegetable to  be chose.. as well as fresh salads  made  from Bura   greens and Hermes   Vegetables.

 While  we  eat, we shall  talk, first..  I want to hear the numbers... after  we get through that, we  will move on to more pleasant things

 Admiral Hirle of  the  Hyrian fleet  spoke up,,,..we had it much easier  then most... The Vampic  viewed  our ships  as  either transports, or Home defense.. they never  even  had a destroyer  watching for us..it was  like runnign down a pack of Jump deer..... we lost one ship..one of the   Aqra  destroyers  we were given... we  destroyed  7 Vampic vessels  and Captaured   4..

The Niviarian, Belga,we came in  low  on  The Roussians , the  Fuji ships   came in High.... we accoutned  for  3  destroyed  Roussians and captured  4

 Admiral Collen of the Fuji Home defesne bowed his ehad to  the Nivairan, we  caught them as they  trie to rsie  and flee.  We destroyed   6...captured  3... there were  3 More   faily well damaged that  headed off to the deep space.. the   few  Hillite Blackade ships  we had,  pursed them... they  didn't want to extend ..and  we  recalled them..

Captain Ed Bruce . commander of Delta  3...we  penned the  Roussians  against  the  Nivar and Fuji's people.. we  destroyed  3.. captured one.... Verians.. we  destroyed  5  caputed 4... they... didn't seem to havbe too many peopel on board  when the transport troops  hit them

 CAptsin Caroline Spikes of  the Zeus and Delta  4...Much like the  others.. we  trapped the Vampic  against the Hyrians and Burians.. we destroyed  9 of thier Vessels, captured   2... we believe  4 escaped. two were very badly damaged.. as  for Verians.. they didn't seem to care much for us.. we managed to  destroy 3.. and capture 1

 Captain Bornberry of Delta  2.. we , as did Delta  One.. went into the middle of the Verians... its was , e3asier  for us to get kills, I shoudl say... we destroyed   8.. and captured   4 Verians

 Hack was nodding  as he  was doing  some writing on a vidboard as the reports were Given

 As for Delta   1 .. we  , at last report, took out  12  Verians..and captued  3.. the Verian Flag ship, of course, was out main Target

 He looked over the   screen as he took a bite of steak, then looks  down the table  at  everyone..We.. as a fleet..where damned lucky... The Verians , it appears, had little concept  of   close  fighting...and thier ..focus on  Teh Hermes  Made our  Job a bit easier. I see thw Delta Fleet did not lsoe and  ships..yet. The Sif and The HArvester are limping to the Docs..and  i think the numbers are  around  20 ships that  hare beaten up  enough they need  dock time..The  Hermes  among them... Now...  he stood  and  raised his glass, I would like to toast  all of our  people who did not come back from this fight....but..a personal note..I toast The Harvester..her sacrifice..has allowed The Hermes  to continue on...we will not  waste that.... THE HARVESTER...

 the name was repeated  as the  people took thier   drink..Shade standing along with  Orria.

  Hack...looked over  the   Vidboard as he sat  downAdmiral Hirle.. nYou are to keep the  4  Vampic vessels  you captured to add to your fleet...

 Commodore McKeon. you will keep  the  2  you have  captured...

 Nivar  will keep the  3  they have  capturd

 Fuji take your three back with you as well

 he studies the    Vidboard... That gives us 2 Vampic.. 1 Roussina, and 12   verians  ships left...

  each of the   Delta  Fleet sections will take  2 Verians  vessels to add to thier  section..That leave 7 vessels left... Uden will receives  the  4  Verian vessels to add to their  fleet, including the  Flag Ship vera #1

 Bura  will take a  Vampiv ship.. as will Hyria.. The Roussian vessel will go to Nivar... Fuji?  You have  2  new  Cap ships in your dock?.. Keep them at  fuji.. this  should help every  one  out a bit.

 General Bale..what have we in trhe way of numbers..

 Using LT Lilly and  the fleet's  cams... the ball part..and i mean to say it will be 2000 one way or the other.... we lost 230,000 troops, crewman and some Civies, throughout the  fleet and  the  support fleets..

 he shook his head  as he laid that paper  down, then picked up another, The  Verians   were hammered  rather soundly... 4 of thier ships pulled back to Vera after the   EMS finished thier bombadment ..one of thsoe  vessesl had  been severely damaged  and    crashed into the   the planet.. it would be hard to estimate the  death toll... we, of course, have no ide  what the toll is   at the Palace,   but enducated guess  say clsoe to 1 million people on   vera  died..., you add to that those who are geting sick as we speak, and whatever the  number   that were killed when a  Cap ship crash landed.... The Vera Fllet is destoryed , save  for the 3  ships in orbit... if they have another fleet out there? they  haven't...or couldn't  contact them..the numbers of people, weren't 'right' on thier ships,we have to assume they sent every avaibale   verians  to be sued  as boarding parties... only a few ships were boarded.. none of the Verians survived...the death tol in the fleet..and this  is guessing at the low ball.....500,000  to 750,000  dead.. to be fair?.. we did not kill alot of them..alot of them crashed into   our ships..

——> Hangar Dec

slight flex

With Tali buzzing around her Izzy would step onto the field and head over to where Beth and Sam were currently stood, slowing her pace so as not to stumble as she walked across the uneven playing field in her high heels ”morning ladies, I trust we’re all ok...all things considered “ she said in a cheerful voice, the good night’s sleep and the time she’d spent with Lizzy putting her in a good mood. And so it was with a cheerful smile on her face that she would turn to address Beth ”thank you for inviting me along Beth, I know I didn’t make the best of first impressions so it really is appreciated...are there any protocols I need to follow or anything in particular you’d like me to do?” she asked as the assembled heads of the fleet started taking their seats.

  Beth pointed to Vid Boards,for the most part, I am  monitoring   COMs  , recording the meeting  and  making sure the Feeds  from  the  Hillite Blockade , Everest and Etna folks  get to 'sit in' on the meeting  and   get informed.

 ..For you, You get to tape  what you want..The Admiral will tell me what is allowed to  be sent out... Like? If the Hyrian Officer  would eat the Nivarian?.. we won't show that...

 She  gives her a steady look and adds,This is you chance...handle this well..and that information you got from the SM? And you'll be trusted  more..try and get  cute but  hiding links and such, will get you stepped on..and depending  on who i ask ..or who tells me? Things   could get very  unpleasant....

 She looked  back at her Vid boards, then Back to  Izzy,..we've been out here, too long.. we have been betrayed  by our  own, and those who were  sent to 'help us'..every one  seems  to have an Agenda...we end agenda's.  For whatever  reason, The Admiral wanted a 'fresh look' from some one who hasn't been in the war very long, he doesn't expect you to agree  with everything here.... Me.... I expect you not  to hurt the Hermes...I will decide if you hurt the Hermes ..

 I have  the  bits   they are talkign about, , sort of dividing the spoils.. later you can pull what you want form that.. Right now?..Just go do your job, i suppose..We are allowed   food  and drink, there some stuff here, you can help yourself... on my table.. Bars are  at either end.

In reply to dinner (msg # 54):

---From Space--->

Sarah joined with Sam and milled about exchanging in general small talk about the action the operation of the Burian fleet and other such things while enjoying the food that was set out.  She took a glass of wine to sip on while she conversed, but nursed it rather than drinking it quickly.  Including greeting the cordial Izzy.

Finding her seat when the bell rang Sarah rolled out her vid board to take notes as needed. Setting it next to her plate for reference while she ate.

When her turn came. "The Burian Fleet noted the Delta Four group in a tight spot and moved in to assist with the elimination of the Vampic forces arrayed against them accomplishing near complete surprise in our assault and minimal casualties, with two Vampic ships taken as prizes. Currently we are rotating about 25% of our man power through the Harvester aiding the EMS fleet in sustaining her, and we've taken aboard nearly 80% of the Harvester wounded and are treating them. As it stands we are starting to run critically low on resources but can sustain current operations until we reach Uden."

As the Admiral went through the additional prizes awarding an additional Vampic ship to the Burians Sarah made a note to dispatch a prize crew to take over the ship and make manning assessments so they could recover the vessel once they reached Uden.

In reply to diner (msg # 56):

Orria rushed around helping Beth as needed and staying close to Shade as well trying to bounce between the two as needed to fulfill both roles she held.

When the bell rang she scurried over to Shade taking her seat next to him waiting to translate as needed.

In reply to Isobel Sakura (msg # 61):

( Semi Flex)

 When Izzy walked in before the meeting started, Sam smiled Izzy gave her a hug and said quietly," We will set something up after the meeting and I can't wait to meet Lizzy." Then Izzy went to talk to Beth and she was happy Izzy and Beth where getting along somewhat.

--------------

 Sam then went and stood with Sarah until the meeting started, Sam took notes, started to get everything ready for the new ships in the Burian fleet now, she would also show Sarah that helping the Harvester has dwindled the supplies of the Fleet but it was for a great cause. After Sarah spoke Sam sat there waiting for the rest of the meeting and for the food to be served, she slowly sipped her wine to make sure she kept her wits about herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Thu 06 Feb 2020.

   there was  quiet for a space. People ate   and when they were about half  finished  with the main Course,  Admiral  Hack   said  in a clear tone...Warlord  Lilit? ...what is the Nex  step....

   The warlord  finished her  wine  and smiled at the attendant to  refill it.I was hoping it would not come to this....and  as  Fleet Admiral, you have   the say, on whether it should be done or not...But  we have heard Rumors  of Adam , and maybe Evert getting out of the  Capitol  Alive... I do not  see how... The  Ion Dust. even floating in the  air  should  cause them, savage breathing problems  that lead to death... I am sure they will fins a way to clean out thier  systems... but it is  , not, like a human Virus...the dust is  a dead  thing..it lies  there, and its properties  cause reactions   to the systems of  the Verians....Even Udenese  will be taking a  very big chance, to  dare to  walk into that bombardment  zone... Rains  will help   get rid of it, in time, but  the winds   and water  are spreading it...The water..will indeed, thin out the   Ion dust, and make it no worse then your leaded water on earth.

 Calimite   is all but clean of Verians... Calimite has also  officially sent  letters   to  be part of the Unden Government  and the APF... there will be troops  comign, in short order  to help replenish  those   lost in the battle. she   turns to Dusk  who stands  and   walks  over to the   Screen that  suits right below  Beth , Beth  begins to   hit the slid show as Dusk   gives her the signal.

 ..This  is  Vera, as you all know. These  are the Plains of   Corga... They are  considered Lush, to Verians ..The fruits  and   farmlands  are a big part of the Verian  economy  and  they even  export   some of the  odd  fruits and such to other worlds..

 There is an Estate...humans  would call it a castle... built half way up the  Vidda Mountians...roads  go there from the plains.. there are several  landing areas on the  way up..The estate  is called, 'The Estate  of The Apple'.. Adem named it that, no one knows  why..I was there  went they took me to  'get fixed'.. there is a Tunnel system through the Mountains, they  round  about 1000 miles, more or less, to reach the  Capitol ..Adem   doesn't know, I know of those, but  my Cousins  showed me, as they tried to  win me over to  Adem and Evert's  side...This is where they are... to the North  is  another plain.. the  Plain of Suntra…as you see  , it is fairly flat, and though there are  farm houses there... there are no farms... the reason for this, id the    Mountains to the  north side of this plain is nothing but a MAssive , Natural Hanger.. there   are..or was  at my last Visit, over  2000  Verian fighter craft in there..it is also connected to  the estate by a  hover  car tunnel, under the plain...

 another nod to Beth  she points to  area  high lighted  by circles  to the east  and west of  the Plains of  Suntra There  are   bases  for  troops , also hidden  under the  Hills or goign into    'mines' that have never mined anything.... I will assume this?... Adem  was prepping  Vera  for a siege..not an invasion... If he does not surrender... we need to go and get him... she  stood there  bay the screen, all four screens  had showed the slide show.

  Lilit  spoke up....Ideally, Capturing   Adem and Evert would be the best outcome, we  will be able to show them  on the Vids  as we  take over Vera, thus, setting free the Verians  who oppose   Adem, and  we can hunt  pro- Adem  Verians at our leisure... Killing  either , or both would be  just as  good, as long as we have the heads  or  bodies to show...The pro-Adem, Verians  may use this as a spring board to mount resistance... but   we can deal with that more easily, then Adem  leading them..what we want.. is with in the next 3 says, for the  Delta fleet and the Undenese to invade  Vera... with the   main attack coming  at the estate and the   military complex in the North...

  Shade  stands Up, looks down to   The Admiral who waves his   hand to him.. Shade bleeps, whirls  and  grinds  as he speaks . One fist hitting his  open hand  as his red eyes   look over the table  at those who are listening..when He is done.. he leans on the table and looks , once more, at every one.

 Hack looked at Orria....

Orria listens closely and when Shade is done she begins her translation.

"Ambassador Shade says, we should approach the planet as one big fleet, and tell Adem that he gets one hour to turn himself in. Until then no one can leave or come to the planet, if they try to we kill them. If he does not give up, then we attack like we are fighting the demons home. He also say's he is not Verian. Only Udenese, and a Shadow. The Verian's have to be beaten not only to show the Verians but so we can show the Demons how easy it is for us to kill their friends and clean our homes."

Once done she looks at Shade to see if he has anything else to add.

As she's talking she accepts the figures on her board and forwards them to the Admiral and the board.

"Currently as we are we could fight an engagement, but would have little outside spare bullets to sustain ourselves and conduct repairs unless we manage to salvage a hulk for spare parts. Amb Shade, are you suggesting the Delta and all supporting fleets or Delta fleet with the other fleets sitting back in support pulling a rear guard?"

She asks

  Shade nodded  to  Orria and gave her  a Thumbs up.

  When Sarah aske her question,  Shade looked to Lilit, it was plain Lilit  has some to  to say, but nodded  to Shade.

 Shades  Bleeps and  whirls  and  arms   spreading around as he  'moved things' in the air with his hands..

 Dusk giggled  a bit  as she looked up at Beth, who smield and shrugged.

Orria listened again before translating.

"Delta fleet should make those not sure give up, by being there. If they don't they know that the Delta fleet is coming for them.

The fleet will have to invade. Because if they say they will and don't it'll look bad, plus if Adem and Evert dont give up Mr. SGT MAJ Roy and the boarding parties with Ambassador Shade and his dad will have to go get them.

Amb Shade says there's going to be no ship to ship fighting because the Verians only have 3 ships left."

Again she looked to Shade to verify

  Hack  smiled a Bit, lookign from  Hennings  to  Si  both hide thier smiles, as Orria  translated.

 The most power naval leaders in the Black, hanging on the words of a  girl who could understand a halfbreed Undenese.

 Lilit  smiled a bit as well..Aide  Orria  summed it  up well... A show of force, for those on the surface to see... and  the invasion, should Adem and Evert not surrender, or    be turned over...Vera cannot  win this battle, though it might be costly for  both sides...In the end, Vera  will be occupied  if not taken, and the APF will have another Jump off  point to the  deeper  regions ...

 Bronberry   swirls her  wine,I have no problem with crushing the  Verians

She would intently listen as Beth explained that she was here to film what she wanted, within reason, whilst Beth herself dealt with the technical side of things, with Izzy opening her mouth in order to protest against her comment about her editing links out only to quickly shut it again before she got herself in trouble again. At the mention of the recovered footage a slight smile would appear on her face as she replied "My boss is currently authenticating it, if it's as real as we all think it is then it will be on the evening news...I mean my name won't next to it but I'll at least get some brownie points for passing it along" she said in an excited voice "...Also I like what you've done with your hair, it's really cute...maybe I can do something with mine now that mums not around..." she said, though the last part seemed more for her own benefit than for Beth's.

With Beth manning her station and Sam moving to sit beside her commanding officer, Izzy would stand unobtrusively to one side with a glass of orange juice in her hand as Tali filmed the meeting. She suspected that there wouldn't be anything of any real use that she could broadcast, considering what was being discussed, with her best bet being an interview with the Admiral once the meeting was finished and saving the footage for a later date, a documentary perhaps?

When the subject turned to that of Adem, she would listen as they discussed how they would go about dealing with the leader of the Verian people, frowning ever so slightly at the suggestion of delivering an ultimatum for his surrender or the destruction of his planet. Raising her hand so as to get the attention of the Admiral, Izzy would wait until she was noticed before speaking "Admiral, I know I'm not a "military officer" but I feel that from a propaganda point of view that taking Adem alive and trying him in a Udenese court and imprisoning him in a Udeneses jail would be the best course of action, anything else and you risk turning him into a martyr and the destruction of Vera and the inevitable civilian casualties into a rallying cry for every pro-Empire news outlet in the galaxy...but if you can get Adem confessing to war crimes in court then there is nothing the Empire can do to say otherwise"

 Sam watched and listened, she was too keen on destroying the whole planet just to get Adem, but they had to get them one way or the other. Taking him alive would be the best way so he could stand trial Izzy had a great point there. She took notes and also still kept her ears, eyes, and spyware on Vera trying to get any and all information she could. She had her laptop linked to her equipment on the Cold Stone.

  Beth  have a  sly half smile,..wore it this  way   since ..like..8th grade... it was to show i wasn't  a 'gang chick'..at elast that was the  thing..right?.. but i did it mostly so Roles and Shadow would notcie me at football games and track meets.. our schools  practiced together...I wante dot  run with them..but they were tight..no more then three..4  people...Then , i found out  what they did  'after  school'... that's when i got really interested.. I can tel you some stories... and they all  end up  with gangers,  our  meatballs  in the river, or in the junkyard.


The Officers  at the Table  looked at her, most with amused  face...except  for  Dusk ( who was still by the screen)  to the 'home side' of the  50 yards line.. Shade  and  Lilit.

  Hack  smiled  slightly it was a quick smile,that went away, just as quick, there was no anger  or condescending  lilt in his voice.

 ( beth had  Covered her   head with one hand shaking it )

 Marty's   are good.. they are dead... then some other..'less  strong willed' person steps up to try to take their place and gets even more of our enemies  killed.  This isn't Earth..when the  war is over, we do not need to have trade with anyone we do not want to..there are Goodly folks in the APF who will trade  cleanly and fairly with everyone esle...

 Adam has been around. much too long  and the Ultimatum  of handing him over  serves us thrice...One... We  get him and deal with him..and  it does not include prison....two...he stays  we  fight  and  diminish the population who would fight  for him, Giving the Udenese mless  people to worry about, when they take over..I am sure the Calimaite what thier pound of flesh as well...The third thing is...Like Hyrian.. and Nivar and the Hillite system,  the same hammer  used by the   Empire feels  alot harder when it hits back...

 Captain Si took a  sip of her  wine, we did not  write the rules of  engagement.. Miss  Sakura. But we are defining them... Total war wasn't fought back by the angels   and the  AP..as it was know  at the time....but  we gladly accepted it.

 Hennings  smiled, his was , as if he was giving a lecture at the academy,..The empire  , as we learne..maybe..2-3 eyars  after  we  left the Sol System... would blockade   systems  and   demand  tribute from those who  were 'safe from attack'..yes..they were safe, as long as the lottery   kept the  tribute ships  full and were delivered on time... on earth.. the tribute ships are still moving.. and the lottery  never seems to contain  1% children or  women...unless..those   members  of  the 1% fail to  donate the right  amount of creds.

 look through your  files..you will see  SOL System Officers... and thier Bonding Meals... see cages   and ships tacked  with bodies   in 'semi-frozen conditions, so they will still be, very much alive, when the meal starts.

 Hack nodded to  Izzy,you are  right to ask questions..and you will recieve answers, perhaps, not the answers  you wish, but the answers that are there... We are the Fire, that fights the Fire... as a certain member of  a crew might say.." do unto others....First!"

 Vera  will fall.. and  if the price gets  too steep.. the planet will be  bombarded like we did on Astra..and the Hillite   worlds ..the people on the rgound will understand... the choices  are very limited...and a very real possibility of not leaving too many behind to continue on...

 Lilit stared  at   Izzy as the talkign was going on, when the others  Finished  she said,maybe..when this is over..you will read some of you  books of Myths from your world..and see them in a  new light... 'babes in the woods' trying to  make things  understandable , but tagging  things  with  'gods' or  supernatural ...Adem... the Empires.. even some of  our  allies, who were once our Enemies ,have influenced  your  world   as well as  countess others... that last thing we are worried about  are 'martyrs'...

 The Hyrian  Admiral spoke up... his voice   had a bit of sorrow in it,since the days. my great, great grand Sire was a pup...  Hyrian  aided the  Empire.. we too, found earth..and  those of us who were careless, found our way into myths and legends.....we were self-important.. we relished being  'gods'  and being feared... we kept the Vampic away. even to the point of  some Legends   havign us  as enemies , vying  for the same  food sources.. and..that was not far from wrong..... The Verians  feared us, because we did not fear them..

 He  Nodded, pointed at Hack,,Then he came.. tricks... plans  and savage fighting... we ost most of our  Main battle  fleet  in the BAttle of the Line...The humans in this fleet. were not the same type of humans we  fought   from Everest... Then.. the Admiral's  trick that changed  Hyrian  lives forever

 Deadly  Nuclear weapons, that were set off in the air, and the  water....we did not know what that meant.. we laughed at the  poor  functioning weapons... Until the Admirals   message  of what had happened.. suddenly, it was no longer  about the Glory of war..but whether our pups would live   the next 6 months.... then the Admiral  sent  scientists  to  help , undo, what has been done.. nearly 2 million people killed the first day.. and some 500,000 a  day after that for a week..we gave in... accepted the help. knowing  full and well, what we, or the  Empire  would have done, if the roles had be  reversed....but the  Honor  of the ESN and APF showed... as medicines , clean up  tools..not just from  the earthers, but  from other   APF worlds..it is said, that some places on Hyria will take another  3  years to 'mend'... but  our water  is clean again.. and  our pups  will live... and they will  be  the 1st generation   of the APF Hyrians...

 so.. Ensign? You see? If   Adem becomes a Martyr .. he will create  new  martyrs.. its  easier to  play 'whack a mole'  when they pop up for you.

Unsurprisingly her suggestion was greeted with no small measure of resistance from the assembled officers. She would politely listen to their arguments along with the patronising undertones employed by some of them no doubt assuming that because she was small and pretty that she must be a child and therefore ignorant of the ways of the world. She would wait until the Admiral had finished making his Whack-A-Mole metaphor before replying with an impish smile "I never much liked playing Whack-A-Mole, it always seemed to involve a lot of time and energy for very little gain, Chess was more my game...I always found it was far more satisfying to crush an opponent with a well thought out strategy" she said before proceeding to speak in a clear and eloquent voice "You have just finished recounting the losses sustained from yesterdays battle I believe? Now imagine how much worse they would have been had the Hyrian fleet, for example, not been able to attend because they were tied up fighting rebellions on their home world...don't get me wrong I have no doubts that you have the resources to put down rebellions and battle insurgents indefinitely, but could those resources not be better employed elsewhere? The Demon Home world perhaps?" she said, gazing across at the assembled officers as paused long enough for them to consider the question she had posed to them.

They were all far greater warriors and military strategists than she was and ever would be, but they were currently in the presence someone who talked for a living, Someone that was capable of swaying public opinion with a few well chosen words "Lilit, you speak of our stories, our mythology but have you ever read our history? Have you ever heard of the Alamo? A crushing defeat that resulted in the deaths of all those inside but I can guarantee that the Admiral can name the commanding officers that were in that fort, not to mention the fact that that crushing defeat at the hands of a far larger army resulted in an uprising that would eventually win the war, a wise man once said that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it now imagine what would have happened if those men had simply laid down their weapons and melted away, now for you Admiral I have a hypothetical question...you are surrounded by your enemies and defeat is inevitable, how would you prefer to go? Would you prefer to be paraded before the entire galaxy in rags and forced to confess to every crime you have ever been accused of, have your name and the reputation of everyone that has ever served under you dragged through the mud, to be branded traitors and cowards before being left to rot in some forgotten corner of the world with nothing to look forward to but the day you are quietly taken outside, shot, and buried in an unmarked grave...or would you prefer to go down fighting with a gun in your hand and a courageous speech on your lips in the hope that your heroic death would inspire others to keep on fighting?" once again she would pause so that the Admiral could consider her question and perhaps even answer it before beginning her closing argument "...that is the decision that you are going to force upon Adem when the fleet arrives...no one is going to fight and die for a coward that wasn't worth the bullet required to execute him, martyrs on the other hand live forever"

  There  were smiles  on  most of the  peoples  faces. The Hyrians , Nivarians  and Lilit did not seems very impressed.

   The Admiral Looked  to Bale, then to   Beth, Beth have him   an 'I told you so'  motions with outstretched  arms.

    The  admiral  dipped a bit of steak into the sauce, he  bite it off the  fork as he  seemed to muse  for a Moment.

 ..we have been playig chess, insome from another.. even as Jetten , when we   found old achrives on MArs...

 The Hyrian Admiral   frowned,..Hyria  would have been there.. rebellions on  the surface, have little impact on a Cap, and rebels  will be there when we get back...not there are many left to start with.

 hack Raised a hand...Your Questions is well taken.. anbd. perhaps may yet come to pass. But  i will go down fighting should it come to that..I am Counting  on Adem to  do the same...

 some of the Delta  Commanders  looked  surprised, Bornberry just smiled as she  asked for a refil.

 In Chess. Ms  Sakura.. you have  time to think... and  need to be  2 or 3..or moves ahead... I have done my thinking...and Adem will get his chocie to make. Now?  will he cower   in a bedroom like some of the 'heroes' of the alamo.. or will he ride out, like 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'.. i care not, as long as we have him. or his body... and take as many as his followers  as we can,and send them to the 9 hells.. If he dies  in some heroic  fashion..all the better for him and his people, to ease the sting of defeat, and come to terms  with being part of the  Udenese government ..no more 'fixing'  broken  Verians..no more stealing  other   races to augment thier own race.. They will have to evolve , or perish...

 he motions to beth,We have means  to send out   footage of encounters... those with an once of  Vid-Tech in them, will see that they haven't been doctored..people have seen  thousands  of   ESN'AP  folks  die.. they have seen Millions of enemies  die... that had   Far   off Gun Cam views , from CAp ships , showing  the massive   battles in space, from the time it starts...until it ends..... from earth?  all we hear  is good thing, for what we do, from the people.. the Bad Things  come through Ge-FI as he tries to denounce us, even as he hands  ship after ship of men , women and children to the Empire.

 ..If I may?.. we also get the 'bad' feeds... the anti-Angel, pro EDT attacks...animals use in killings  like the LC's famliy?  and the  Anti ESN  riots in texas  and CAlifornia, where battles  range, almost house to house..while  homeless  are grabbed  by EDT to send to the Larderships?

 So yes...Ensign, Your point is taken, but it is not of much use out here.... Total war, is just that. And if you are lucky.. you make a few martyrs, so they draw out thier people for you to cut  down..and   as the3y say, History is written by the victors , so? there may be no martyrs  to mention?

 Captain Si    stands  for a Moment,I think  our meeting time has  ended, Please.. help yourselves  to drinks and the desert  sideboard, feel  free to talk among yourselves  or.if you feel the Need..return to your ships?... But... i see no hurry as  we will be docking in the morning..

 I will take  this Moment  to offer  invitations to all officers  of   all the fleet to come to the Palace Of  the  One tree.. enlisted  people   are allowed anywhere in the tri city..., if they wish to  see the country side, that is   up to them..but  be warned of   Hunting creatures ..

  People got up and started Milling around.  Lyri leaned   at the  far  end of the 'north endzone' bar, drinking  some kind of jusice.

 Shoey was   doing much the  same.. The Zeus's  XO was talkign to him and they were laughing.

 Beth  watched  the people her EUs   shifting slowly, but seemingly missing nothing as she   changed  some of her  CAm Views.. the  4  screens  now showed slide  shows  of   ground battles,  Ship boarding action  and  battles in space.

 Sam got up, closed down her laptop for now and then put it back in her bag. Sam then said to Sarah," Ma'am what are we doing now, are we heading back to the Cold Stone or staying here for a bit longer, I would like to say hi to a few people Ma'am if that is okay."

 Sam wanted to spend some time with Izzy of course and then definitely fine Howe and spend some time with him.

 Will led  the  Zeus's  Commander  and his  XO  up the  stairs tot eh recdec, waiting  for  the lift to empty out as more crew man came on board  to take the  brunch.

 well, Corpral , your   crew  seems to  get along  rather  well.

 Wills smiled a bit ,aye sir.. sometimes   we get some bad apples  we need to sort out..But the LC and SM seem to handle that right enough.

 The CAptain nodded thoughfully,I might have to adopt that... seems like a few  fights break out, and it takes a bit  to settle folks down.

 Will  held the  door  for them,well?  it does generally involve a fight or two..but it doesn't last long..and points are made  across the board..

 he then followed the   XO into the lift and they went  down to the HAnger Dec.

 .............

 others  moved  arounbd  chatting.. Shade  would   talk and Orria  would explain  Shades  words the best  she  could

 Beth was giving a signal to her  people  to  take down the screens, then  go ahead up and get something to  eat, they could take the stuff down to SEC when they were done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:52, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

She would hold out her hands in a conciliatory manner towards the Hyrian leader as she addressed him in an apologetic voice "I apologise, I meant no disrespect to you or your people, I simply used your fleet as an example to get my point across" she said before turning her attention to the Admiral as he answered her question. Unsurprisingly he would opt to go out in a blaze of glory if given the option but what was surprising was that he wanted for Adem to do so also. She wasn't sure whether or not she agreed with his logic but there was logic in what he said none the less. However she was more impressed by the fact that he was actually taking her questions seriously and answering them in a serious manner earning him no small measure of respect in her eyes. Had he simply silenced her and had her removed from the meeting she would have started to seriously question whether she was on the right side and whether or not Hack was simply a different flavour of tyrant.

As he moved on to that of propaganda and the footage they were sending out with her waiting until both her and Beth had finished speaking before making her reply "But alas the vast majority of people don't have that ounce of knowledge and will simply believe whatever sensationalist headline is put under their nose, history has proved time and again that the masses will sooner believe a single well told lie by a charismatic leader than all the experts and naysayers in the world"

With the meeting coming to a close, along with an invite to the Palace of the Tree on Uden for all officers, Izzy would slowly meander over to the Admiral "That was a well thought out argument, I can't say that I agree with all of it but I can at least respect it...perhaps I can give you that chess match sometime? I get the feeling that you would make for an interesting opponent"

   There were nods  to  the  thought of propaganda  that some one   might send out to sway the  People.

  I am a student of History..Military, for the most part. I wanted to be a History teacher , before i was informed by my Step father, that was  was Joining the  ESN....  I was sent to the academy by a well meaning   football coach... the rest is history, i suppose.. he smiled slightly at the small joke.

  That  has influenced  me  greatly.. as you can see by  some of the crewman i have signed, or sent through the academy myself...

 there is  one thing  about the Masses  who will follow the  darker leaders,  because of a 'well crafted' story..I find they are no better then the evil they follow...we have seen it in our histroy..even in the United States?

 That is the purpose   of Beth  sending live , raw  vids through the system..Telling some one about  birthing chambers is one thing..people seeing it..is  quite another... If you have a chance? Ask  Med tech Kristensen  about that....Talkign about Bonding Meals , or 'loyality meals'... is one thing... people seeing  a Human Captain preparing  a child for that dinner is quite another...Telling tales of glorious  battles, if differant  from seei8ng  Fighter  vanish in a ball of  fire, or troopers  falling like wheat in real time.....sometimes you have to show the truth, and toss idealism  to the side, and let the gods of luck roll the dice.

 afterwards  she  spoke to  The Admiral,  Hennings was there, the other Admiral sipped  from his  drink as  Hack smiled  slightlyyou would have to  play speed  chess. I'm a fighter Pilot at heart  staring a  board while my gear grows is not something i am suited for.

 Lilit Asked Teh captain to Call Roy and Shadow   down to the Field, she had some questions she  wished to pose to them.

 Captain Si sent out a message to  Shadow and and Roy to  attend the 'social' part of the dinner.

 Dusk, Shade and Orria  were talkign, Dusk  was smiling   As she asked  Orria to  tell her what Shade was saying and   giggled   as the   translations were pretty close to 'spot on' with a little girl's  versions  of the meaning of thsoe  words.

 That is very good!..You must practice!

 Beth came  down  goign to the bar  where Shoey  stood and got  a  rum and coke. Shoey and her  watched the  folks  walking around.. The Hyrian was talkign  to  Bornberry, neither seemed  like they were angry, but the   faces showed  a sterness.

  <<< shado from  rec dec

 walking  down the steps  his eyes    shifted to cover the field, as if he was on a opt. noting thsoe who were  here.

 beth  finger  waved,  Shoey griined his chewing gun grin. Shadow smiled at them... a Stern  Female Voice called his Name,LC Shadow..a Moment Please..

  Turning as  he  stepped on the field to Bornberry and Hirle...Aye, Captain,  what do you need, CAptain Si called me down to the field?

 Hirle  nodded to Shadow,..you killed  my Brother a the BAttle of the Line, he was a flight leader.

  Shadow  nodded,I may have ?  I do not know the names of thsoe i kill, just that they are on the wrong side... he said  with no anger or amusement.

 Hirle  have a  wolfish smile,Spoken  like  a Hyrian!.. I mention it, only that it was a good death., The War Hound..our chief  god, welcomes those  who face might warriors , and fall... it shows  they had no fear... he offered  a Paw and they each gripped each other  wrists.

 .. It is  High praise , indeed. But  i am not a  Might  warrior..i am a damn good pilot.. if you want to talk to  a might warrior , talk to   SM Spencer, and   Master Chief  Mulllins..or..for that matter, any of  out   Assault  Troops...

  The  Hound  smiles again,somewhere in your linage is Hyrian... you talk much like   our best  officers.

 Bornberry swirled her  wine and Looked at Shadow,You forget. LC.... alot of us know  of the tales of your...night life...and we have seen  your..'dances' at the various  balls and  such, like that with the Vampic..or..not long ago, the two Sanri who took offense  to  one such tale ?

  Shadow's eyebrow  went up  as  Bornberry bit her lip as she looked at him...lets  just say..some  stories   might be..'bigger' then the   action?....Now..please Excuse me..CAptain Sin is not in a habit of waiting for those she summons...

 The Hyrian looked at Bornberry,Imagine...1000s  of   humans like him  facing the  Empire...

 you do not have to imagine.. we have 100s  now.. and those  100s are training 100s  more..The Empire is on borrowed time..and it knows it.

 Shadow   Greeted    other   Captains, including, getting a Hand shake from the Nivarian who send along greeting  from the Cavet  to him. The  reported  to the CAptain.

 ..you had some issues  with the Balck Dots... she said with out preamble

 Aye  Ma'am ..i wanted to get it out of the way. I'm sure, after  the 'Dixie' thing, you might   agree with that..

 ..indeed...well, there are some offcicers  that wanted to meet and talk with you..Make  yourself available... and.. Kray.. Bornberry  is staying aboard  tonight, she wants to watch your  ..tunnel run'..DO NOT..end up in her bed...

 Shadow's eyes   opened wide,..WTF..um..Ma'am?

 she  is still working through her grief   at the lost of  The Thor.. she does not need to bed a Hotshot Pilot..'just because'

 Shadow   shrugged,..I..don't  bed   offciers   higher ranking them me , Ma'am...

 ..you forget, I was  at the Academy in San diego as well?

 ..yeah, well.. that was a bit different..right? I eman..it happened to alot of the female pilots...it didn't seem a big thing  if it happened to a Guy pilots.. 9 hells.. i normally got the blame for it!

 She nodded,..get your meet and greet   over with...and..make sure you thin out the ranks of the Black Dots who are 'hermes'

 Aye , Ma'am..already done... He gave a crisp salute and  moved to the bar  by Lyri  to get a drink.. Lyri handed him a  cola  and smiled.how much  of that did you catch...

 ..almost all of it.. you don'[t  get to be a sniper as long as i have been without  being able to read lips, and the CAptain's annunciation's, leave little  to the imagination

 Shadow  snorted as he   sipped from his cola.I guess Captain even want to wrack up a score..huh?

In reply to Samantha Robertson (msg # 77):

Sarah smiled at Sam, "Go have some fun. I'll comm if I need anything." she says re-entering the fray and joining the socializing that was going on.

In reply to field (msg # 80):

Orria smiled, "I talk to Shade every day to get better, when I get older an know more words I will be able do better and tell more meanings." She explained to Dusk.

   Dusk smiled,..yu do yourself  proud...learnign   something no one esle knows?  is not an easy thing..maybe someday you will be teaching  people how to talk, though youy will always have the human accent ..

Orria shrugged, "its cause I'm a human, we like to learn, and talk." she said as if that explained everything.

 Sam smiled at Sarah and said," Thank you Ma'am, I will have my Comms on and also I believe I saw Captain Rivets stay on the Hanger Dec Commodore."
Sam smiled at Sarah and gave her a wink.

 Sam then headed over towards Izzy, when Izzy was done with the Admiral, Sam smiles at the Admiral and says," Good to see you again Sir, what the Harvester did was the bravest thing I have ever seen Sir. The Burian Fleet is aiding the Harvester as much as they can Sir, I do have access to updates, if I get any I will inform you right away Sir." Sam then quickly check her pad and checked for Harvester updates, as she waits for the updates to upload.

 Sam gave her friend Izzy a big hug and said," So good to see you Izzy, and you look different you have a glow about you." Sam lowered her voice and added," So having fun with that gorgeous redhead pilot Lizzy?"

   The Admiral smiled a bit,  yes... the Harvester did one of the most unselfish  moves of this war......there were no PODs used.. one would assume they didn't have time to launch any..but i have  a  feeling, no one would leave.. we won't know until we get information from the crew...what's left...anyway.

 he looked at her  Vidboard..It doesn't even look like a vessel any longer..cobbled together with scraps ..at elast the  Verians can't claim they destroyed her.. though she might have to be written off...

 Handing the Vid board back with a nod of thanks.

 Sam nods and says," Of course Sir you have the right to know, if anything changes Sir I will let you know." Sam nodded again and then went to Izzy.

"Ah so what you are saying is that I should deliberately play slow in the hope that you will make a mistake?" she said with a giggle "It's been a while since I last played, so I will look forward to pitting my wits against you sometime" she said with a friendly smile before moving to meet up with Sam once she had finished speaking to him.

Throwing her arms around her, Izzy would enthusiastically return her friends hug despite the assembled high ranking officers "Thank you, you look great yourself, let's head up to the rec dec and I'll fill you in on everything that's happened whilst we have a bite to eat"

Roy hadn't had a chance to change out of his dress uniform, between dealing with the incoming Black Dots and answering questions...his comm had pinged with the request for his presence as he'd started back to his quarters.  Given the nature of the group he was supposed to go mingle with, he decided, both in the interests of time and making the strongest impression for the Fleet and Admiral Hack, to stick with the dress blues.

As it had been Captain Si who sent the message, he sought her out first after arriving.  "Apologies, Captain...your message caught me at an awkward moment and I was delayed a little bit.  I take it the initial talks went well?"

 Sam smiled and said," That would be great the Commodore told me to go have fun, lead the way this is your ship Izzy."
Sam would follow Izzy too the rec Dec.

--------------->>>>>>>>> To Rec Dec

  The Admiral  gave Izzy a smile, That might  work .. i hate  waiting!

 ....

 Shadow  Gave  Lyirt   an nod, she gave him a gentle push , back into the fray. The Nivarian  came across the field .

  ....LC..what is your  Professional opinion  of our Sunray and Sundrop fighters.

 As  a Professional..and no  diplomatic  crap?... you need  to have something as fast as your  Sundrop, but armored  as much as one of  our Mantis... .. we're gonna be going against  heavier   opposition as the  Emoire tries to  whittle us down?

 Admiral Belga  thought for a Moment, I wills end this  along, the  designers were  more worried  about  speed.

 ..speed..is important.. but you have  to  be able to take a shot, and live?

 The  Admiral nodded again and shook his hand, once more. ..if you get to   Nivar, Stop in see the Cavet..she follows your actions closely.., then Beluga. moved off

……………………..

 Si greeted   Roy with a smile,  the Commanders  are now making  small talk, servral  ask  about you and the LC..so..try to be  avaibale  and walk around a bit, it should not be , much longer.

Roy nodded, his reluctance masked fairly well, although the Captain would have seen it enough times to recognize it.  "Nothing quite like schmoozing the brass," he muttered, in a voice low enough to be intended just for him and Captain Si.

He glanced around, spying some familiar faces in the group, and begging the Captain's pardon, made his way over to Dusk.  "Good to see Uden's star captain weathered the battle well," he said, with a chuckle threatening to burst out.

  Dusk turned and Smiled Brightly at Roy,..yes.. i have  founbd, if you talk sternly enough, and act like you know what you are doing...some people will belive it!

 Shade  Blleped  a laugh.

 ..You and Father  were not here.... there is to be an invasion  of Vera.  Unless Adem and Evert surrender..or.. thier bodies  are brought o us..vera is  in a bad  way, they have , but  3 ships left... and thier allies  were scattered to the solar winds, if not, outright destroyed... Teh Calimite are having a draft for    troops...not.. to see who will go... but to see who will stray on Calimite.. they are eager to strik back against Vera... the  short human woman made some questions doubting this policy... the  Admiral countered her... in the end.. Vera  is going to pay, a very stiff  price, for  joining the Empire

With Sam happily agreeing to her suggestion of having a catch up on the rec dec, Izzy would put her arm about Sam's shoulders in a friendly manner as she lead her towards the rec dec, with her enjoying the novelty having someone to talk to that didn't tower over her "Cool, the rec dec is this way...I'm not sure where Lizzy is at the moment but if I see her I'll be sure bring you over to say hi" Izzy said with a cheerful smile as she left the field.

---> Rec Dec

Roy looked puzzled for a moment.  "Short...?"  He caught a glimpse of Izzy in the crowd of people around, and grimaced slightly as understanding dawned.

"The reporter.  Yeah, she's new to the war...her combat experience was limited to a regional conflict back on Earth, prior to getting out here.  She worries a lot about how actions are going to look...sometimes I think she should have gone into marketing or Public Relations, rather than news.  But I think her heart's in the right place."  He gave an apologetic shrug.

"I took it as a given that we were going after Adem.  We didn't survive this long in the war by walking away from people who stabbed us in the back, and Vera's too strategically located to leave a foothold for the Empire.  I'm sure Uden could deal with them eventually, but we've got the forces here to do it quickly, with finality, rather than leaving Uden and Calimite with a war of attrition."

He nodded.  "It's an ethical question that's come up repeatedly in human history...is it better to appear benevolent now, with the cost of more troops lost over time, or risk appearing ruthless and bloodthirsty in actions that have a high body count, but end up with fewer casualties than an extended conflict would bring.  Good arguments for both sides, although my preference is quick and clean and then help the survivors pick up the pieces.  We're seeing the benefits of that with Hyria."

 Dusk  looks around   then said to Roy,..you know, there is a BAll at the Palace of  the One Tree...It will be  a Dress ball...

 Shade tookj this  time to leave  gently pulling Orria along.. they Stooped  by  Captain Si who had  just  Finished  talking to the  Apollo XO.

  Shade began to Bleep and  Whirl, Si Looekd towards  Shadow who was moving towards  Roy and  Dusk... Shadow grinned, shook his head and Pointed to Orria... The Captain Gave  Shadow a 'Mom Look'.. but  the LC went on his  Merry  way' leaving  The Captain to Have Orria  translate

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

 Lilit  talked at  length, with  The Hyrian, Nivarian  and Hennings , about   the up comign invasion , mostly  tossign about   'ifs' and 'maybes'

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

 Beth and Shoey  stood by the bar at their end  ( closest to the rec dec )  so?  Big show on Unden?.. the whole  camera's and stuff?

 beth nods,Got to?... have to  let the  folks back how see all us  heroes  in our glory..right?...

 Shoey laughs,you ever get  fan mail?

 Beth nods, 4 kinds....  I get  Nerds who want to bed me....Girls  who want to know if me and Shadow mess around.....people who ask if i have ever been in a real fight... and Guys who want me to send them nude pics...

 Shoey nods,Let me know  about that last one?.. I should get  dibbs!

 She  walked him on the shoulder.

Orria listened closely and then translated.

"Um Mrs. Captain Si. Shade asks if you can make..." she suddenly get shy. a dress for me that's fancy for the ball, but I don't need one. My mommy gets me lots of nice dresses. she explains both nervous, excited, and humbly

 Captain Si looked at Shade..Shade gave her a Thumbs up.

  She cast another  Glance at Shadow  who  grinned   as he was  talking to the XO  of  The Athena.

  well? Orria?.. You ask your  Mother.. if she   thinks its  alright  for your  to wear and  Angel  silk dress, it is  easily done, the fabric adjusts  its  self   if  we have to cut it  down. I am Sure the Ambassador wants you to look like  all the other Important  Ladies  who will be dressed up...But?  If your  Mother  feels one of her dresses is  good  enough, I will no argue?.....I will announce  when the LAdies  are to come get fitted ... you can tell your  Mother as soon as you see her.

  Hennings  closed his COMs...14 Vessels have  tried to escape Vera.. none of them heeded the   order to heave to and were destroyed..no Pods  form any of them..the ranged from  shuttles  to a  few  Corvette  sized  cutters...

 hack nodded and  laughed,..They are   either testing   the  blockade  with empty ships... or  with Volunteers..or even  with vessels with Adem's political  enemies... it doesn't matter...this is going to  be  a bloody day for Vera.. if  Adem and Evert do not
 surrender...and?  they won't.

 Lilit  nods,He has  hidden on  his planet most of the time, coming out, only when  he thought there was something he could effect..like  Dusk and Shade...it must have been a shock, when Shadow  would not   bow to them.

 Hack laughs a good laugh,..Shadow  doesn't bow to anyone...The man's view on people is , more often  then not, good enough for me to trust  them..or not...In the end  two days from now, we'll not  need  deal with him  again.

Roy grinned, a little awkwardly.  "Guess that means I better get my dress blues pressed before we land, then."  He continued, his voice dropping a little lower as he leaned in, "I hope you don't expect a lot of dances with me.  I'm almost as bad as your father...and a lot less willing to look like a fool showing off how bad I am.  But we can certainly dance."

He straightened up, giving her a grin and bringing one finger to his lips to make a shushing motion, before adding, "While I don't think rank really plays into the decision on this, it would be poor form for a gentleman to refuse a lady's request for him to escort her."  He chuckled softly, and added, "And, I suppose, even sergeants should be expected to act like gentlemen from time to time..."

<- SEC

Mila was capering around Her Human as the pair of them arrived from SEC. She was tired of all this talk. A spot of running around and playing seemed like a good idea.

  Shadow  worked his  way over  to Roy and Dusk, he had a bit of a smile on his  face  as he said,form what i caught, after  leaving the CAptain to her own devices, Shade is  trying to score  an Angel Silk  dress for  Orria to wear  at the ball

 Dusk smiled  at  Shadow then shifted her  eyes  back and forth to Roy and the LC, Granmod and  I are here for the same reason, we will be staying over Night so we  may get fitted  in the morning , and then return  to our ship as  we dock.

 Henry  got to the  filled  and  saw, the track was  clear but the field was dotted with Officers  and   tables.

........

 Bornberry approached    The LC , Roy and Dusk.LC? i hear you are having a  'tunnel run'..I am goign to observe, I thing a few of the officers  will be there.. she smiled a bit shaky.

 With a Motion to the bar pointing at a coffee cup on the nearest table, he nodded.aye ma'am..i ask my piltos  to do it on their own...most do not..so i have  mandatory runs... keeps them in shape, in case they have to POD out  in atmo, and have to make a run..

 She looked him up and down,Yes..I  have heard you made some  runs yourself..  she went to  drink from a fresh Rum and Coke, But Shadow's hand took it  Gently from her's, then motioned to the BAr Keep to give the Captain a coffee...

 ..how DAre..

 Ma'am?... I have pilots who  drink to keep from falling apart... i have pilots who felt apart because they drink...if you are going to  be in the tunnels? I cannot have your drunk.. it  would send them the wrong message, and would do your  image...no bit of good

 Shadow Motined to Beth with the Rum and Coke, and she made her  way over and took it.

 NONE!...not one of  my officers has ever  questioned my drinking!

 Shadow  held up  is cola,..Then , Ma'am..you have the  wrong officers  around you..if you gave the order to sail The Athena into  a sun?.. do you have an officer
 who would step  up and defy the order, or would  they all nod and smile as the ship died...

 so what are you saying..... her eyes narrowed.

 I am saying , Ma'am, That  a commanding Officer who openly shows a weakness...will lose thier ship.... The Captain of  The Thor was said to HAve...

 She slapped him, Dusk Jerked.. Beth's eyes narrowed..

 The LC, didn't even give her the satisfaction of  touching his  reddening  cheek. He sipped from his soda as she looked at him..but her fury  was  slipping away fast  as her XO was on his way in a hurry and a few other officers turned to look.

 His eyes  shifted slightly at the XO  and the other officers,Then said in  a staged voice,I am sorry Ma'am.... I was out of Line. I  do thin you will look very good in Angel Silk , I should not  have worded it the way i did, especally infront of  my SM and  my Daughter.. I will excuse myself... he smiled slighlty and moved off.

 Al Nithen , her XO   gave Shadow a Push  as he went  By..Shadow merely raised his hands  over his head and  kept walking..Ma'am.are you alright?

  Bronberry looked at Dusk and Roy, then at her cup of coffee..Yes..I am  fine...go see the EX of the Apollo, Mike said he  walked to talk to you...

 The XO  Nodded, he looked at Dusk and Roy, Dusk looked
away  as if she was looking for someone.. beth  stared hard at Bornberry.. and  Her XO left.

 MNa'am...Unlike the LC..I am on duty right now..so i would  repectfully suggest. you apologize to the LC, before you leave this boat...  she stormed off  towards the other  end of the Field where  Lyri was making  no secrect of the fact she was  ready to runs  down the field.

Roy waited until all the other officers had cleared away, then leaned forward to speak to Bornberry in a quiet, but urgent tone.  "LC Shadow may lack subtlety, but he's acting in the best interests of the Fleet...indeed, of the entire APF.  I am obligated to report observed failures of good judgment to Admiral Hack and the Board, which will almost certainly result in much closer scrutiny.  Right now, all I'd be reporting is that the Captain got a little carried away at the meeting...I sincerely hope I won't have to report that the Captain was displaying clear signs of intoxication in front of the crew of the Hermes, and as a result, was detained by Security."  He shrugged as he straightened, looking her squarely in the eye with a look that said, unlike Shadow, he wouldn't make up a story to protect her reputation if she made a scene.

 Bornberry took a sip of the  coffee, more from reflex then anything eles   as she  took furtive glances around them.

 This ..caught me off guard...and  The Thor is still a sore point for me..The LC is Right....of course...I think I shall retire until the run..mayhaps  get  some more coffee into me..

  Shadow  stood   to one side looking over the gathered   people, he didn't  feel the need to  approach anyone, he was there  for 'show', if not, he wanted to  go  get dressed for the run as well.

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

 General Bale  waved Henry over  to the area  where Lilit and  The Admiral  talked.  The Hyrian Admiral was there as  well.

  Hack   motioned to a server  and  asked Henry  if he wanted a drink.

 Doctor  Christie,  You  are coming to the BAll, i assume... there  will be some time for chatting i assume, do you have an escort, or shall i  recurit  an Udenese  Female?

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

  Dusk looked  around she licked her  lips once in agitation  after Bornberry  moved off,I understand, the CAptain is  a very favored   member of the Fleet. But Father let her  hit him. It is not possible  for her to have slapped him so  hard, he  could have stopped that hand easily!..there was  a bit of anger that was   coloring her , normally  clear, vid-box  voice, with some 'static, one might here  when Shade  was angry.

Henry spotted that they were serving coffee and went off to get some. Then he began to wander around talking to people that he knew.

Shade was first.

"Hi Shade, how are you doing?"

  Shade  Bleeped and whirled , Captain Si watched henry  as  this  happened to see if Henry had  any insight on what he was saying.


m Ila   had  found some stray bits of steak that  some of the  workers  'lost' when she came over, as they cleaned the table.

   Garrat was grabbing something from the deck oberved the strike.  He watched closely.  Shadow seemed to back down after taking a blow he definitely could have avoided.  which meant he had probably planned it all out.

  He overheard Dusk, "Your father is playing what we like to call "The general's game".  Like in the human game of chess, you sometimes sacrifice a piece to gain greater control of the board.  Whatever game he's playing, I think he's protecting her as a key piece, and accepting the strike was a message to her about how important to the fleet she was.  Watch her behavior and see if it changes before you pass judgement."

   Garrat looks to see if he can grab a moment of the Admirals time without disrupting his schedule or image.

In reply to field (msg # 99):

Orria nods excitedly, "Thank you Mrs. Captain Si" she says remembering her manners.

As they continued around the room they stopped to talk to Dr. Christie.

"Shade is doing good. He is going to bring me to the ball to help translate, and had just asked Mrs. Captain Si if she can make me an angel dress to wear." Orria says explaining and embellishing just a little with the extra details.

"Dr. Christie and you going to come to the ball with Mila and your friend?" Orria asks on her own behalf.

As Garrat walked away to find the Admiral, Roy added, in slow voice, "You're right...he let her hit him.  And Garrat is right...but only partly right, I think.  Shadow needed Bornberry to see just how much the alcohol had compromised her.  It is considered very poor form for an officer to strike a subordinate, even one that is outside the chain of command.  When the captain hit him, over such a small thing, it gave her a moment to realize the it was the alcohol, and not her, that was in control in that moment."

He watched Bornberry's slowly retreating form.  "Your father has an unusually forgiving nature, for that particular weakness, as he faced and overcame it, himself.  It is perfectly within protocols to report drunken behavior when it is observed in officers, especially when it results in physical altercations or insubordination...and if it is reported, it is a permanent scar on a service record.  More than once, I've seen your father choose to ignore that and give the officer a chance to solve the problem themselves, rather than stain their career.  He only makes that offer once...if the officer isn't wise enough to deal with their alcohol issues, he'll pursue every option available to make sure they can't endanger anyone else with their impaired judgment."

He turned and looked Dusk in the eyes.  "Your anger is understandable...but as you pointed out, your father chose to let it happen.  He's trying to save the career of an exceptional command officer, someone who has been one of Admiral Hack's most trusted captains and has taken on and accomplished some of the most difficult operations of the war.  Salvaging that was, to him, well worth the indignity of being hit, and even making it appear to be a warranted blow.  He could have stopped her, yes...but he also knew that her blow wasn't going to hurt anything but his pride, and it might prevent the loss of a brilliant captain.  It's a small price to pay for such a great reward...but he'll only pay it once.  Ifshedoesn't get herself squared away, he has eyewitnesses...which he may not even need, if I'm the one who files the report.  So, we wait, and see if he indeed managed to wake her up to the danger she's placed herself in, or if this was just a momentary delay in her ultimate fate."

   Garrat talks to Hack if he is available:
          “Sir, may I have a moment of your time?”

  The Admiral waves  Lilit and the others     as he steps aside,what do you need   SGT?

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

  Shadow moved towards  the steps  after handing his glass to one of the workers.

   “Forgive the intrusion sir, I was wondering about the rights of soldiers in the AP, and what capacity we are granted to insure fellow soldiers are given the proper type of training rather than say being regularly disciplined with pulse rods, and prevented from becoming an active member of a team.”

 Hack   titled his head a bit,..I'm sorry , SGT?   I do not quite follow... if you have something to say? please  say it.

    "I know the new Largs on board aren't ours but they are being disciplined in such a way as to make them a danger to anyone they fight alongside.  I understand you view all resources whether they be mechanical human or animal as tools to win the war but you also believe in maintaining your tools whether it be through compassion or regular maintenance."

    "These poor creatures are being disciplined without reason or consistency.  They are pack animals who are not even allowed to bond to eachother, let alone their handler's.  If they walk through the recdec as they are; I fear for sneaks wellbeing.  Ironic as her ability to work with and organize human little ones and problem solve during emergency situations would make her an excellent handler."

    "They will be running the tunnels.  Please look in on them and make your own assessment.  Spencer is already unhappy about it and Dr. Christy will probably have some observations for you too.  Having worked with sentient canines in the past, I will be happy to share recommendations myself after a more complete assessment."

  Hack  nodded a moment as he looked on  the 'grass' field...In the end?... They are not  our Largs.. even the ones  we have are . more or less...spoils of war.

 If you remember , The LC was  going to Drop LArry off on the Green Moon, but  he  howled like a werewolf , every time  Shadow mentioned it? We shall havce to see what happens in the Tunnels...but they are not..'our  largs'.

   Garrat nods, "As you wish sir.  In the end however they ARE AP soldiers which is why I phrased it that way in the beginning."

..Indeed... well, SGT?  we'll see what happens   at the Tunnel run....APF or not.. 90% of the   fleet will see them a animals..once there are offically signed on..if they are,  we may take a greater  hand  in  what is done... the  very large thing here?... we  do not have any certified   LArg Handlers.

Henry nodded to Shade.

"That's great. You've come a long way since you hatched in my lab. I'm proud of you."

He looked round and saw Garratt chatting to Hack. In the back of his mind, Mila was enjoying something... ah, food. Again? She was picking up bad habits from Larry!

"Mila! We had best do the tunnel run or you will get fat."

She emanated pleasure. Dratted dog. Now he'd have to run as well.

He wandered over to Hack adnd Garratt.

"Good day, gentlemen."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

Mila enjoyed the steak scraps she'd been given, keeping half an eye on Her Human.

When he suggested joining in the tunnel run, she wagged her tail, gulping down the last mouthful of her meal and bounded over. This should be fun! As Her Human went over to a couple others whom she recognised she ran around the three of them yipping and wagging.

In reply to Admiral Hack (msg # 117):

Garrat muttered Something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like “neither do they”. But nodded respectfully to the Admiral “Thank you Sir.”

======> Tunels

   Garrat stripped down to his cargo pants and got to work.  He wasn't so secure that he would do the full Monty around these critters and being self concious would change his level of dominance for the worst.  He tried to make sure the wounds were clean but not to rub soap in them, but it was hard to identify sore spots on wet scaley hide.  He would rely on Dr Christy's help for that.

   When they were clean Garrat would rely on Larry and others to Get the new largs to the rec deck while Garrat squelched off to change.  Predators got nippy when they were feeding, and desensitization would need to start before they started to gain confidence in themselves.  So Garrat kept a bit of armor on when he went to get some food.

 ======> after inreractions are finished....rec deck by the way of the civi section.

Henry led the largs over to the showers and got them hosed down. By the time he was done, he was soaked as well, and Mila (who'd watched from a distance) was radiating amusement so hard that most everyone could pick that up even without implants!

"Next up, food! Come on."

Leaving several trails of damp pawprints the new pack headed off for the Rec Dec. As they went, Henry talked calmly about good behaviour, trusting Larry to pass this on.

As they walked to the showers, Roy took care of proper introductions.  "This one is Freddy..."  He paused, and added guiltily, "I hadn't originally intended that name to stick, as it was part of an unflattering nickname I picked up using in boot camp...but he's answering to it, so I don't see the value in changing it."

He then gestured to the female larg.  "This is Tess.  First name that came to mind when I heard they'd been calling her by some alphanumeric designation that started with 'twenty'."  He shrugged and chuckled.

He continued, while they walked, "I think Tess was interested in Larry before everything went down with the trainers and the race...of the three, she was the one who didn't bristle and growl at him.  Freddy was the subordinate male, the alpha is the dead one.  I'm not sure if Tess is more stubborn than Freddy, or if she was hurt worse...but she decided she was done running after Larry tangled with them all after the alpha tried to kill Gregor.  They got Freddy up and running again, but Tess just sat there and let them beat her, for whatever reason.  But she also responded quickly to kind treatment...Freddy took a while to calm down.  And they both seemed almost ready to bolt and run until Larry accepted them."

By then, they were approaching the showers.  Roy peeled down to a tank top and his uniform pants and helped scrub down the largs.  If he was at all bothered by either the blood or getting his uniform wet, it didn't show at all, and he kept up a conversation with the largs as they worked, trying to help them stay accustomed to human voices around them...it would only get louder and more chaotic on the Rec Deck...

 between the  Fuss the peopel were making over them,  and  the Fact that Larry took, 'getting blood  washed off' was part of his  habits. The other  two Largs     Sat  relatively still as they were  cleaned off. they did move a bit  if some of the Demra plast  was  runned  , but   didn't  growel


  Gregor  stood    by  Roll , outside the showers... Gregor  didn't like the showers..and he really didn't have    any   blood on him.

 Chief  Post was just shaking his head.... for all the gods...what the 9 hells are we gonna  do with  4 of them!

 Nagy  frowned as well  as he stood  by 'just in case'..well?  we had  two..right?...  we only have  2  more...

  Post    chuckled  as he said,any one ever think of ..NOT...letting  dangerous  beasties on our ship?

 Larry snorted.

Garrat continued conversation with Spencer, talking about past battles and comparing tactics between the two militaries.  He was gentle but efficiant where hw was in contact with the laegs, watching and learning what they responded to as far as physical contact.  they could easily sense he was aware of them, and he took time to speak to the one he was working on "You like that there?  "  "This might hurt a bit."  "There now, let's rinse you off."  He uased words to describe transitions so they would get used to them.

Roy gave a sharp bark of laughter.  "What are we gonna do with four?  Are you kidding, Chief?" he answered, obviously amused.

"Same thing we did with one, only times four.  You ever see Larry on the battlefield, Chief?  Once Gregor's big enough to join the fun, having four largs running amok through the enemy ranks is enough to sway just about any infantry situation.  If we'd had four largs back when the UEs marched on us back on Astra, we might not have lost anyone once the UEs got to the mountain...four large could have torn them apart as fast as they could get into the mountain.  Would've saved us a helluva lot of ammo..."

  "I seem to remember dropping a good piece of that mountain on some of them.  Yeah they would have torn the UEs up, but we would have lost some unless they used hit and fade tactics.  That's why I'm pushing for the chips.  Larry does great, but he does it his way,  We could be a lot more effective if we know what his way is going to be."

   Garrat snorts at Post, "We have a demon, a vampic, a winged angel, an Asgard Einherjar, a whole unit of Gava beserkers, and the one and only shadow and your worried about some lizard dogs being dangerous animals?"

Roy snorted softly.  "Larry's way is usually removing a large chunk of anatomy while running past, and we've optimized for that on several occasions."

He shrugged as he finished scrubbing Tess clean.  "Larry's had a chip since we adopted him into the ESN and gave him rank.  You've gotta have a spoken language before the chip can translate it...they don't function telepathically.  If Tess and Freddy work out, they'll get chipped, too, if the Nivarians didn't do it...but most of their communication is non-verbal...chips don't translate body language, that's something we have to learn."

He looked over at Larry and grinned.  "Wonder if anyone on the Rec Deck has a whole ham available...it's not steak, but it's pretty damned tasty..."

  Larry thumped   Tail. Gregor  was up on his   4 hind  legs, ( though one   was  kept off the ground)

 Freddy  and Tess   were  cleaned , they looked   aroudn  , wondering what was  Next.

  Chief Post  said,we  ever  have a Game on this boat again,  I shoudl   have the large in the shower   room, that will shake up the other team!

     "Oh, I gotta be there for that"  He puts on an apologetic grimace. "Well I'm sorry boys, but this is where we usually shower and I don't know about you but I'm not going to be the one that tells this brute he has to go somewhere else.  Now can you help me here?  I have to brush his teeth and he never likes that."  Waves a prosthetic arm.

     Garrat chuckles a little.  He seems to be in an odd humor tonight. "Seriously.  Is it me or are these guys under feed and under exercised?  Larry was a runt and he was more powerfull than this when he was smaller.  We need to get these critters caught up.  Still, I'm going to need a hover bike when we exercise them."

Once they were clean, Henry made a fuss of Tess and Freddie, rubbing their heads and ears and finding out just where they liked to be scritched.

Mila watched Her Human making a fuss of the new largs. Those should be HER ears getting rubbed!

"Yip!" she reminded him of her presence and where his duties lay, pushing her head under his hand to get her share of the attention.

  Gregor  watched the fusssing,  he  stopped    standing  and  sat  Down  By Larry  who was  making longing  glaces  between Roy and the Rec Dec.

 the other  two  Largs  seemed  a   more relaxed Judgign from the change in the smell, they hadn't  been  'showered' too often..may just hosued   down , now  and then

 a COM  call came  from Maintenance  to Henry,Hey Doc.. we got this  Big  Larg  body up here... don't know  what to do with it... the farm  might be able to rgind it up for  fertilizer?.. Or  may some of the   animals in you zoo might want to eat it... Not sure we have any one on the   Ship that would eat Larg meat..well...accept the LArgs?

Henry responded Take it to Bio-Tech please, I'm going to dissect it..

He fondled Mila's ear, sending feelings of love to her. You're special.

He patted Gregor for good measure then got up.

"Shall we get these fellows down to the Rec Dec and feed them?"

  Watching them  as the Largs   stood under the ehated blowers to  dry.....this should be good... people used to seeing   1 and a half Largs..  are going to have a herd of them?....

  Henry got a COM  back,..got it  Doc..already done... we'll get it there with in the hour.

Henry responded Thank you.

---MEDLAB--->

Melia entered the field gym in a huff, and stripped off her overshirt leaving her in pants with her undershirt. Pulling down one of the punching bags she lays into it. Her fists slamming home, time and again alternating between imagining Ge-Fi and the Demon Empresses face as her targets. After several minutes of simply beating on the bag, she drops into a rhythm and starts to maintain form and goes through several sets of punching drills as she works off the frustration.

-----> From rec dec

Zob peaked his head in the doorway as he watched her slam her fists into the punching bag,  "You always had good form" he commented as he made his way inside the gym, "How you holding up?" He asked with a rather soft tone.

Melia took a few more shots at the bag before responding, "they make me so mad, earth was my home. Until Ge-Fi got a hold of it. While I was a slave, until I broke I dreamed of home, as inglorious as it was it was my little spot in the nine-hells. My grandparents were wonderful, my parents I could've done without, but it was home. Now Ge-Fi wants to sell it up river to that demon bitch who eats humans and acts like its her gods given right to treat others like livestock. That same bitch who hurt you, it just... watching that feed made me so mad. They've hurt so many and they're just running free unmolested right now hurting more people. We weren't the last people they hurt and they won't stop until we stop them." Accenting her statements with several particularly hard shots at the bag, several drops of sweat slide down her face running along her chin.

Zob sighed a bit sadly, "Its why I have decided I won't lead what's left of the demons when the war is over... it would be for the best if they were just all gone" he said sadly although she was a demon hybrid she wasent a true demon like he was and it was just seeming like trying to change eons of mentality would be impossible at this point and or not worth the effort.

Zob moved closer to the bag she was punching and took a seat, "We will stop them together the war is just gonna get worse and worse sadly but your planet earth will not go without a fight... Ge-Fi also knows if he gives up earth to the demons then his life will be forfeit as if it wasent already it will only hasten his demise when his usefulness to her comes to a end"

Melia threw a few more punches at the bag and added a couple kicks for good measure.

"Aye, and that's your choice. What if there are more out there like you? We've seen a lot, but several hundred don't represent the will of millions or billions. What if there are half demons out there products of the massive breeding projects who have some humanity, or decency. Or people like me, at first glance many used to just assume I was some other demon walking around. Being on the Hermes has in some ways made all of us minorly famous so we're recognized, but what about those who are captives, experiments, can't escape. Do we just kill them all. Is it only the purebreds and indoctrinated that see other species this way while others hide their views in fear? If we thought like that, neither one of us would be here. That soldier that found me as I escaped the wastes of Russia... If he'd thought that way I'd be dead. He thought I was a demon. If we thought that way the team that found you would have just killed you on the spot. Damn its all so complicated."

She punches the bag one last time before leaning against the wall.

"I'm not saying you have to lead them you choose your path, but to exterminate them all would be... too much. I want to see all those who perpetuate the evil put down like animals in a slaughter house. Their soldiers who fight for them sure. Some random guy and his family struggling to scratch out an existence hoping for a better future I'd rather not see them dead."

She sighs, "I know earth is gonna be more heavily involved. It wasn't a matter of if, but when. It still made me angry, it makes me angry when people who can't fight are dragged into the violence. I know its stupid of me to be this angry..."

Zob sighed and turned away once upon a time he wouldent of cared about any of that he was a self centered piece of shit no better then Qer, "I don't want... to exterminate them all I just wanna kill the ones that wanna enslave all life in the black... I want my revenge... i wanna see what's left of the empire burn and Qers head mounted on a pike!" He said in frustration as he lashed out hard at the pu ching bag the sound of his fist made the impact sound like somebody was hitting with a hydrohammer.

"The real reason I don't wish to lead is because..." there was a long pause and for the first time Zob was hesitating but he eventually found the courage to continue speaking, "Its because... I love you and I want to spend the rest of my days with you by your side to no matter what end" Zob reached into his pocket and extended his hand to her for her to take the item he held in his closed fist.

Melia listened to Zob talk resolving to be the one to stick her knife in Qer's throat so she could watch the evil demon empress die. "I love you too..." She started to reply before gingerly reaches out  to take the item a little confused as to what's going on.

Zob released his grip and from his grip the amber gold engagement ring fell into her hands, "Would you do me the honor of standing by my side until the end of days Melia?" It was a awkward way to put a proposal but he felt the time was right to do this.

The ring fell into Melia's hand and she stood there stunned for a moment, her mouth open, eyes big. Probably not her finest moment as far as reaction went, more like a gasping fish out of water. She didn't move in that moment, just staring at the ring... the beautiful ring in her hand seeming to fix her in time and space. It didn't seem real, but there it was in her hand as her pulse raced through her veins... SAY SOMETHING YOU IDIOT! her mind railed at her stuck body. "yes." the word came out as something between a gasp and a barely audible whisper as a few fat tears suddenly found their way free and raced down her face like warning drops of rain before a deluge ..."Yes, I will..." She said more clearly, and then the brewing storm of happy tears washed over her like a squall line across the plains. "Yes." She kept repeating nodding at Zob as she cried harder, holding out the ring and her hand allowing Zob to put it on her. Once it was on, the sobs broke loose as the full might of the storm washed over her, and she fell into his arms in a passionate, tear-filled joyous embrace.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:50, Wed 25 Mar 2020.

Zob happily embraced her and for the first time in thousands of years he began to cry a small tear rolling down his cheek as he savored the happy moment after a long while he wiped the tears from her face, "We should get Orria and head on home, it's getting rather late" he suggested given the time.

Melia nodded, "She's on the rec deck with Roll, and the other kids." She says managing to reel in the tears to happy sniffles instead. She takes his hand, and heads for the rec deck to pick up Orria.

---REC DECK--->

---> Hangar Dec

After a brief stop over at her quarters to change out of her god awful dress uniform and into her gym kit, as well as picking up a towel and bottle of water, Harry would walk out onto the field where after a quick glance she would find that Nikki was yet to arrive. With her opponent yet to arrive she would do a couple of stretches before taking a gentle run around the track. She wasn't out to win any medals or anything, just a nice 800m run to get her heart rate and to focus her mind on the task at hand.

Nikki arrived not too soon after Harry.  She too had switched to workout clothes.  A tee that had 'Hermes' in big letters and what looked like bike shorts and appropriate footwear.  She sat a towel down along with hand tape, and then went to stretch a bit."Apologies I stopped by to check on Haley and Tess.  Gross execution, wasn't it" she said calmly.  Then she went and checked the gloves.  Selecting a pair she went and sat and began wrapping her hands.

When Nikki finally decided to make an appearance Harry would move over to join her once she’d finished her lap, waving off her apology for being late, after all was said and done she had a kid so Harry wasn’t going to hold that against her although she did ask ”who’s Tess?” with her wondering if Nikki had taken on another sprog to look after. At her mention of the execution Harry would snort derisively as she started wrapping her hands ”Shooting him in the back of the head at midnight on a construction site and concreting his body into the foundations is an execution...I didn’t stick around to see what they did to him but I bet was a fucking circus! At times I feel our bosses are a little too concerned with playing stupid games rather than getting the job at hand done properly” Harry replied as finished off the hand she was doing and started heading towards the ring with it clear that she had no intention of putting the gloves on ”come on let’s get this over with, I want to spray paint my armour”

"Tess is the pregnant larg, about to give birth.  kids are watching.  knowing Haley...she'll want to help." Nikki said getting into the ring.  They were rather waiting for the referee.  "Just so you know....no matter who wins, we are still good.  not gonna look at you glaring, flipping you a rude hand gesture, or some such crap.  I will be abiding what happens as is, so you either apologize to Lizzy or I buy you the bottle of booze you want" she restated the prize for winning.

  Chief  Post came in... he looked at each of them...

  ..Right?..you're supposed to be grown ups... you get hurt bad enough to miss  duty?.. you'll be  in SEC,... when you'er  ready, you can start...

"Oh...great...another fucking lizard-dog" Harry responded in a world weary voice as she wondered whether the Hermes was being sponsored by Twycross or something as she stepped into the ring. With Nikki trying to convince herself that they would still be friends after this no matter what the outcome was, Harry would quirk an eyebrow that seemed to say that she would believe that when she saw it before glowering at her as the terms of the bet were laid out "What the fuck do I want with a bottle? I can't drink the stuff anymore! Why don't you throw in some E's and Whizz while you're at it and show me how little fun I'm allowed these days" she said with a contemptuous look as she started to circle around Nikki, looking for an opening.

With the arrival of Chief Post to act as a referee or something, Harry would nod her head as it was made clear that a trip to SEC would be awaiting anyone that missed duty because of this, not that she could do her duty without a fighter anyway.

With the signal for them to begin given, Harry would quickly dart in to deliver a feint to the left before sending a right hook towards Nikki's temple so as to test her opponents reflexes...or knock her out. Both was good with her.

Nikki bounced a bit as the post walked in and put her mouthpiece in.  She nodded a greeting and then rolled her neck a bit.  With that  she touched gloves with Harry and made for her corner.  When the first of the 3 scheduled rounds started  she came out for bear.  Still moving she watched Harry's hands and footwork.  She returned Harrys right with combo set, the first atleast landing very solidly, then adding in a right jab.  She then sprang back giving any swing Harry had nothing but air to catch.  The only thing she was happy about on this was she did hit her in the boob.

It would transpire that Testing her had been a mistake, with Nikki not only seeing through her initial feint and dodging her right hook but delivering a series of solid blows that more than amply showed her that Nikki knew how to fight. With her struggling to avoid being torn apart in the initial onslaught let alone deliver any blows of her own.

Thankfully however Nikki seemed to be under the impression that they were in a boxing match meaning that when an opening finally presented itself, Harry didn’t hesitate in grabbing Nikki’s arm and after delivering an elbow to her nose would throw the other woman over her shoulder to come crashing down onto the mat. Somehow she suspected that Angel martial arts were not usually allowed but that wasn’t going to stop her.

Quietly reminding herself to thank An’Teela when she next saw her, Harry would execute a kind of pirouette that would bring her foot crashing down onto Nikki’s left wrist unless she quickly moved it out of the way.

Nikki cursed herself silently as she found herself on mat.  "It's 'boxing' not wrestling.  but if you wanna go that route" she moved, but not away from Harry, but into her to put her off keel.  Shorten her blows and such.  She then tried a kick of her own to the knee.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:55, Thu 23 July 2020.

"No love, it's a scrap...no rules here" Harry responded grin as she just about managed to dance out of the way of the kick directed at her knee. With Nikki now realising that the rules had suddenly changed and with Harry having only learned about four of the ninety odd steps involved in the Angel martial art neither of them were able to gain the upper hand and land anything but the most superficial of blows. Unfortunately as effective as the elegant, dance like steps were of keeping her out of harms way they were also very tiring to keep up for such a long length of time and Harry had already stumbled twice as she started to tire, with the initial beating she'd taken also having taken it's toll on her "Are you gonna call uncle or what?" she called across to Nikki knowing that one way or another that this fight was about to come to an abrupt end, with Harry gearing up for one final move.

"Actually it's boxing.  That is what the challenge was issued at.  You decided to make it a survival.  Up to the umpire to determine win." No even if she lost or going to lose.....no surrender...no uncle.  Good thing though..she learned a few of Harrys tells and tactics.  Bloody noseand all she just looked at Harry.  She would dodge Her shot if she could.

”Do I look like someone that knows how to box?” Harry retorted with a roll of her eyes that was far more painful than it usually was. With it becoming increasingly apparent that Nikki wasn’t going to back down and call it a day Harry decided to gamble it all on one final strike. And so, dropping the fancy footwork and martial arts entirely Harry simply launched herself at Nikki and swing left hook that would see one them on the floor.

"Then you should have declined.  too bad about your pride" she still was not about to surrender.  About then Harry's glove hit and solidly.  She was out.  Guess she was going to clean her own nosebleed.

 Chief Post  came in ..Right now , its over... get her up and see if she needs Med tech.... what ever happened, happened while you were shopping...now.. get outta here, i got to get the field ready for football practice.  , he had a bit of a disgusted look on his face,

”Shit...I didn’t think that would actually work” Harry said to herself as she tried to shake some life back into her hand as she looked down at Nikki sprawled upon the mat. Hearing chief Post’s instructions to essentially get your friend and get the hell out of my gym so that I can have real athletes in here, Harry would offer a cocky look in response before retrieving her water bottle and taking a drink before then tipping a fair portion of it out onto Nikki’s face in order to wake her up ”Wakey wakey sweetheart, us mere oiks need to leave...now can you walk or do I need to find some nice men in scrubs to come and pick your ass up?” she asked with a grin.

Happy not seeing relative that have gone before her as she was suddenly rousted she grinned at Harry
  "Nice shot." she gave Harry her due.  "would you hand me my towel please, don't think he wants blood leaking all over here" as she wiped just below her nose to see how bad.  She then checked her nose a bit.  After a gentle touch she realized it was not broker or dislocated, but did pop a few vessels, hence the blood. That and a lump right behind her left ear was about the worstdamage.  Good news, Harry sported a few bruises as well.

Not really caring whether Nikki left any blood on the floor of the chief's precious gym, Harry would rather unceremoniously toss Nikki's towel at her before retrieving her own in order to carefully wipe the sweat from her own face with her suspecting that she had a couple of nice bruises judging by the stinging sensation "So...what was that we were saying about pride?" Harry asked with a cocky grin, holding out her hand in order to help Nikki up only to quickly switch it to her other hand when she came to the conclusion that she'd probably broken a finger or two as a result of that final blow.

Once Nikki was safely back on her feet, Harry would sling her towel about her neck and slowly begin to meander towards the exit so that the chief could have his football practice, or whatever it was he had planned "Well, I'm going to get changed then see about getting something to eat, though gods knows what I'll be doing afterwards...probably paint my armour" she said clearly at a loss as to what to do now that she no longer had a bird to look after.

"Haven't figured it out yet, hmmm?" she said after catching her towel and getting on her feet.  "You lately have been so ...pissy at people lately.  People who for some odd fathomable reason like you, worry about you.  Not just Will or Shadow.  A lot of people." she wiped the water and sweat off of her face along with the blood.  "Problem I saw was you were stuck in a frustrating spot.   Can't go back, didn't know how to go forward, making you frustrated you could not find your way but to lash out, and drink to numb that pain" She was not yelling at Harry, just talking to her. "Lizzy thought to help you her way, you didn't like it.  You don't like people holding your hand so to help you release that pent up frustration I called you out on it.  Not because I really wanted to, but because I felt you really needed it" she explained herself even if Harry would or would not understand it.  It was rather esoteric.  "You get so tied up you just run in circles and you just become...lost."  To herself and everyone else.  "So...Since I lost I owe you a bottle..of what, your choice.  What you do with it is also your choice.  Maybe give it to Lizzy as an apology for snapping at her when she thought she was helping you.  Me I came up and if you were not in SEC I was going dump you in your quarters and hide you til I coulda gotten you sober.  So you wouldn't have gotten in trouble" What she told Harry was heartfelt and honest.  "I still see you as a good friend Harry, no matter what you think of me.  I just could not leave you there running about in the weeds with no direction to go."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:18, Sun 26 July 2020.

   Chief  post  moved  stuff out of the   way  and  set  up Dummies    at certain parts of the field.

   everytime a Player showed  up he said, Helmet  pads  and shorts... light contact today..

   jogging down the steps  from the red dec area, Shade  and  Shadow   nodded to Chief Post Miller  was standing    near the far sideline throwing   the ball to Dana.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:16, Sat 25 July 2020.

"Well I hate to break it to you love but nothing much has changed on that front, I'm still angry, frustrated and bored...I can count the number of people I consider to be my friends on one hand and I can't even fully rely on them to have my back, and I feel like I'm barely treading water where Will is concerned" she said with a hurt look flashing across her eyes before disappearing once again as she continued speaking in a voice dripping with attitude problems and distrust "...and I've been betrayed by people that supposedly care about more times that I care to think about, so yeah I'm a little pissy"

With Nikki bringing up the bet and the bottle she'd won, Harry would wave it off in an irritable manner "Keep it, I never shook on that bet...I just wanted to hit someone" she said finishing with an apologetic shrug as she eyed Nikki's bruises and bloody nose with her not even sure that she would have held up her end of the bet had she lost "...and as for Lizzy, she should have known better, she knows my past and she knew what kind of shit I was dealing with at the time, I mean do you even know what happens to gang chicks in cells!? England has been slowly turning into the EDT capital of the world and they're fucking everywhere including the London Met! she couldn't have made things any worse even if she'd tried"

<<<<<<<<<<From the Officers' Quarters

She came in with Arnie, looking around, a little unsure of herself. Having both Shadow and Arnie telling her to not isolate herself...maybe football would be a good way to not only build friendships but give her something to do instead of giving her the opportunity to just hide away...and maybe with time, she'd learn to like it. "Hey Harry!" she called out with a smile and a wave when she noticed them still there. "Who do I report to?" she looked at Arnie.

pointing to the  two men in khaki's ,Chief Post and Cheif  walker  run the   Team..Chief  Post  aslo runs the SIMs... Chief  Walker  runs the   football field and Gym

  other  members of the team  were showing up.. soem strollign in as if in thought, others   rushing with smiles on thier faces.

With a nod and giving Arnie a kiss on the cheek, she walked up to the the two men. "Um...Hey...Ensign Billie Morrisson. I was looking to join the football team. I've never played before but I am willing to learn and put in the extra work..." She shifted a bit, feeling a bit nervous in all honesty.

   Chief Walker  and Chief post looked at her...well? We're  gonna  be working on some stuff  we have been doing. we  have only  had a few practcies  squeezed  in... Everest has been have  regular practices ...  they have a team for the Uppers  and the Lowers  so they can even scrimmage Post said

 Walker   whistles  to   Dana... waves her   over,  Dana  has a Heres   tee shirt on  with her  pads  over   top and  a 'half-cut' practice   jersey and she  carries her head gear and  wears shorts  and her cleats.

 take her Into the Locker  room, get the  trainers   to set  her up as a DB  or   wideout... well run her through some drills..no matter what, we  can send her down under  kickoffs   until she gets settled in..

 Dana  Nods,Let's go...

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

 The   locker  rooms  for the Hoome team   are sotr  split in half  with Men on  on side of a  wall and women on the other  witht he showers to the back, however, when one  walks  un they see the  whole locker  room  until they move to 'thier side'

 Dana   calls  for a trainer  who comes   running over   , she  calls into the  storage area  and soon  a  Guy pushes  out  three  sets of shoudler pads.. 4  helmets  and  two  Hermes football t-shirts...  The trainer pointed to  Dana, and said..Its  Pads   and shorts  today. limited hitting, but some of the players  get carried  away...... wear your   hermes T... then your shoudler Pads.. practice  Jersey on top.....You'll need to pick a number... Gets  this shorts on as well, and these  socks... and  we'll get you fitted for   spikes.... the helmets,,  you can have   3 bars  like Dana that come  down with 2  across.. a Full cage?.. but that's more  for Lineman.. or you can have the  1 bar coming  down  with  a  3 bar across Like the LC uses... for your  body type  and  probable  position  i'd  say go  with   medium pads.

"I knew you needed to hit someone" she smiled and nudged her sore body to shoulder her a bit as they sat on the bench "Been there too.  I know you need to work it out on your own, but you just seemed at a loss because of the pent up anger.  That is why I challenged you.  But if I told you why it would not of worked" She looked at her a moment ".....And 'a little pissy'.  Really?" she gave her a big smile and a small laugh.  "Come on....Let's go back to officer country and get cleaned up.  As far as anyone knows we were practising and I stepped wrong.  Right into a glove at the wrong moment.  An accident and my own damn fault.  Got it?" she nudged her again.  The time spent talking allowed Nikki to gain more clarity and focus to stand up and walk a bit.  "I don't really know how to box either....but my brothers liked watching it on vids.  And I had to fight them....sooo" She turned and held a hand out to Harry to help her up, knowing she had to be sore as her as well.

In reply to field (msg # 169):

---rec deck--->

Melia walks in wearing her workout gear, hey I heard the team was a bit light due to injuries I'm fast enough to keep Shadow honest on the distance courses and scrappy. I've been watching football since i was a kid but never played more than street ball. If you need people I'd like to give it a try. she says not sure where to go what to do or who to talk too

"Alright, Fine, Very pissy" Harry conceded with a bit of a smile from where she sat on the bench, raising her hand to wave at Billie who was seemingly here to try out for the football team "you know I'm not an alcoholic right? I'm just fucking nuts...a few hours of oblivion so I don't have to think is all I ever wanted, I can't do that now...they won't let me...so I just end up working myself into a state where all I want to do is fuck or fight, and I'm not getting the former so I end up doing the latter" she said, accepting the hand up and wincing painfully as she got up to her feet, with one of her hands moving up to her chest "Yeah...sounds like a plan, not that I really know what to do with myself...also for the record that really hurt!"

In reply to field (msg # 171):

Zob arrived not more then a minute or two after Billie was taken into the locker room area, as they approached the locker room he had to split from Melia's side to go change.

Once inside the locker room he approached his locker and attempted to unlock it but for some odd reason the lock wasn't wanting to open, "Hells..." he said out loud as he put both hands on the locker door and forcefully ripped the door off before setting it off to the side he would pay for the repairs later if need be but for now he needed his gear.

Once getting suited up in appropriate gear, number 77 of the Hermes team walked out of locker room and onto the field to Walker and Post to check in, "I might need to get a bigger set of pads I have bulked up a lot since the slaughter at Etna"

Nikki smiled and waved as she got Harry to her feet "Lets get cleaned up and let them  work up some chicken sweat" She helped guide her out of the gym.  "I said I was gonna punch you in the tits you know." she laughed, put her arm about Harrys shoulder.  She'd lead Harry out happy as a clam.  She thought to herself, her plan worked.  Not perfectly, but it worked.  "How about a bottle of tea or water?  I don't like welching on bets"


===> to officers country

 Walker  Looked at Post  and shrugged,..go into the Locker  room... the trainers  will get you  measured up and  equipped ...

   Shadow   came out in his shorts, pads  , carriyng his head gear Walker  looked at him,  we got us  some brand new folks... While Miller  gets  everyone   warmed up, take them down to the far  end, work them out.. Tell them where they will play..

 ..if  if they don't like it?

 ..too bad.. they  can  back back and  try something esle after  we  beat Everest

   Supe  hollered into the Locker  Room,any 1st timers.. go donw to the Far end of the Field to work with the  LC,,, he'll get you settled into a spot., at least for this game..

 Shade  came out  his eyes   were bright  green as he  headed  to the End of the Field where Miller  was yelling at folks to get lined up to loosen  up.

 Shadow had a Bag of  footballs  and was  throwing with one of the older kids from the Civie section. The Kid got   a job heling   take care of the field  and equipment

Finding the idea of tea in a bottle truly horrifying Harry would quickly shake her head before saying ”Look if you’re really determined to buy me a drink, then I’ll take a Coke, though you really don’t have to” she said as walked with Nikki back to officer country for a shower and a change of clothes.

——> Officers Quarters

Zob came over and gave Shadow a *gentle* pat on the the back as he passed him and got into position on the field and began practicing shedding black and getting his footwork in order it had been a bit since he was on the field but he quickly began to pick it back up again.

At the direction of Walker and other Melia ended up in the locker room suited out. The pads fit well enough but were much more bulky than the armor she typically wore. She trotted down to the end of the field to work with Shaodw and the others.

  There  was Billie, Melia and a couple  bigger  Guys... Jax  came  down to the first Row of Bleachers..Vaka followed him to watch

  Right... This is a Football.... he held it up   and the two big guys  groaned.

 what i need to do..right now.. is get you guy into some kind of postion, so you can practice.. So... any idea  what you want to play?

 the one Civie , chubby guy said.....I wanna be a running back...

 Shadow looked at him and  blinked a few times..

 what?... Your Kids is a Full back... why can't  i be a  running back..

 ..first off?.. you would suck... unless there is some kinda  surprise..we  would  suck.... Now?.. 'my kid' has to eat drink and sleep football right long with me...when i'm not  watching guncam Films, I'm watching game films.. either, of myself  to 'self scout'  or of other players to see how i can beat them... 'My Kid' takes it all in..he asks   questions   and  we throw the ball around..alot.... here... Catch...

 from 15  yards  away  Shadow snapped off  a hard  pass that hit the fellow like a Javelin.. it   went  through his  HAnd, into his  face, the  guy fell to the ground Clutching a broken nose...

 ..you also need to keep your Helmet on, unless  Coach says  to take them off..

..Good  see the trainer.... but.. watch this.....SHADE!  Shade  turned    as the ball was over  half  way to him, he dropped his  helmet and snapped  the  ball.. the threw  it  back but it was a lob...

 the  chubby guy picked up his ehad  gear  and  went to the trainer.

..ok..you three  head gear on, lets  warm up with some static  passes... Shadow took turns   throwing to  each one of the.. the  other Big fellow had some issues  catching it. but managed to bring them in...

 ...LV.. I played a little in highschool.. but i was a Lineman?

 well  , unless you want to be a hero like  Rudolph Red Nose over there... you should go  work with Supe and Zob. we lost some Line men..

 The Fellow nodded  and  ran down  field to where the Big guys  were.

 OK?  you two?..if you want to ctach and run with the ball  we'll run some  routes see if you can ctach the Ball, the route  runnign takes  time.. there are pros who can't  run routes, because they thing they are too fast for routes....me and Dana.. we love routes, because there isn't  any thing  , more deadly then  a fast person who can
 run routes.....

 ..you want to hit people who have the ball... then you be a DB... any  ideas what you want..or do you want to work out a bit more.

 ,,,,,,,,,

  the Backs  went through drills  with  Millers... Post  hade  Dana  and Shade  running Routes,, Shade was precise, but slower coming out of the breaks then Dana

 the Line   worked   with 'shield  dummies'  hitting the Defense,, then havign the Defesne  practice  rushing.

Billie had suited up as instructed though picking a similar style helmet as Dana since she had no idea what she was doing. She was nervous but wasn’t going to let it deter her…if anything, she was stubborn to a T. When they were down on the field, she listened to Shadow unsure on positions and what each one did…it was almost like a flashback to not knowing the buttons in her fighter. Maybe if she could get this stuff down…she could tackle that problem later. When given the opportunity, she approached the LC. “So…I know nothing of the sport…hell I remember telling you this wasn’t my thing but here I am. I am not sure which position would suit me or what I would be good at…but I will give it my damnedest. Just give me the guidance.” While she was nervous, she wasn’t afraid of getting hurt. She enjoyed sparring back at the Academy so this was no different in her mind.

  he waved  melia over  to  as  well he    crouched  down  in between them....See what Shade is doing..he's  fullback.. the  guy who is supposed to get tough yards in side..and block for the faster  back..he  also sees  time at TE, since  we shift  stuff around alot..

 ..now..what Dana,, she's gonna  run down about  5 yards  and  cut a slant inside.. the ball should already be on the  way as she makes her  cut... if everything works  right, she catches the ball, we puck up  yards.... if  things go  bad.. Dana gets jacked up..or worse?  the Bad guys  pick off the pass..  the  Ball was  let go as Dana's   foot planted and she  caught the ball as her and the ball met  5 yards from the spot she cut.

 ..now those  guys are DBs... safeties and corners... their job it  to  knock down passes, or intercept them..and/or..punish the reciver  for catching it..

  One of the newer Guys  and   Jumping Lions were paired up.. Jumpign Lion   Hitting the   guy as   one of the trainers threw the ball..

 so?  comes down to this.. you want to run with the ball... or hit people who have the ball?  he looks up at the two of them

Billie considered Shadow's words for a few moments before answering. "I want to hit people who have the ball honestly...I enjoyed those contact martials arts at the Academy.." she gave a shrug.

  Shadow  nodded..i played both in highschool. played WR  most of the time  at the academy. but subbed in on Defesne when we  went to  5 or 6 DBs... Its  fun?.. Just keep your eyes  open when you hit..and?...Listen to the Coaches and older players..older.. i mean , who have played... I rather  see you wrap  up a big guy and get dragged  for a few yards before  your buddies can help you... then see you  whif and fall on your face  because you did 'see what you hit"..and didn't  wrap the Guy up..

 expect to get yelled at today.... Everest hates us, for beating the crap out of them... so...Coaches  are  going to be bitchy

 Melia?

Zob continued to practice pass rushing keeping low as he dodged against the trainers hand as he worked back and forth his timing improving with each and every attempt even though Zob was a big guy he was doing his best to get *Skinny* to take away surface area so the OL trainer had nothing to hit.

---->>>>> From QM Lockers

 Meari walked onto the Field she saw them practicing and watched and tried to figure out how this game worked. She saw Jax and Vaka sitting and watching, she heads over to them and sits next to them. She then says," Hello Jax, Vaka so this is football if I knew more about it I would join. Looks like they could use more bigger people. How are you doing Vaka getting all settled in?"

 Vaka was   watching the  players go through 'skill drills and  run routes.. Shadow   was finishign up talking to  Billie and Melia..

 ..I do not think i would want to play..but it is interesting..

 I saw some games a few times  by lookign in windows of bars and  such... I would like to catch the ball like the LC...but hitting people would be fun too!

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

 After Melia  made her  chocie   Shadow grabbed his ehad gear  so he could  run some routes, looking like he was  gliding , then accelerating as he caught the ball . Jax  grinned,..that's alot  faster   then he runs the Tunnels

 Meari watched and replied," Well Vaka it is interesting, I will watch, and possibly join them after this game,not sure if Stefi would let me play with my wound."  Meari will watch what the big guys are doing, watching Zob closely.

In reply to Melia Kristensen (msg # 173):

Melia rolled her eyes at Shadow's attempt at humor introducing the football. She thinks about it for a minute, being smaller she wasn't sure she'd be able to get at high passes as a corner or wide receiver, she being smaller quick and tough was a good package for a running back, but not really a lineman, or a linebacker.

"Well I'm in better shape than him and you've seen how quick I am, so I wouldn't be opposed to halfback, or wide receiver, and option in as an extra DB when needed.  I know the routes it might help me read a wide out better." She replies watching the routes.

  ..Right now..Go with the  Running Backs... , no matter how  this shakes out    this  game, there  might be changes for the next..but right now..we have  holes to fill

  Then they went into the  drills . pass  catching  drills, blocking,  taking Hand offs  running  drills   and  then the hard party.. defense  working on where they  were lined  Up... Billie  got  shuffled  back and forth a few times.. some of the players who have been around explaining teh jargon as the  went.

  Machins came in to take her place, giving her  Hermes  shorts  a pat on the Butt...Thought  sure you would  go to offesne with  the big dog over there...

 after  an Hour  of that... Post  got the team together  and Walker said..Alright!... now...Light  hitting...we're not in full pads...Lets  see the Offense
 move the ball... Backs!,, you get hit  by someone, stop..you're  down

 The forge  Guys   had the O-line... They let  Melia  take HB and   Shade  FB.... shadow  went  wide left... Dana  wide  right..

 Machins pointed at Shadow,..hey  LC? this  ain't going to be like the old days...

 ..Yeah?  You'll be  on the  winning side  for a change...

 Miller  saw them talking, called something   that made no sense.. when the  Ball was snapped   Shadow cut  out, Miller faked the  pass  , The LC took off  down field, Miller  reloaded and let the ball go deep,, Shadow caught up to it, pulled it in  and coasted the last 10 yards  for a Touchdown.

 I dunno, Mackins..looks the same to me?... could  you read the name on the back of  my jeresy? 

 Chief post  was in  Captain Machins face...what the fuck was that?....  I sure hope you are goign to say, that you wanted to show the rookies  ,  HOW A DUMBASS LOOKS, when they try to play football... cause you looked like the biggest dumbass i have ever  seen

 Post  waved his arms  around,gods be damned!!! why didn't you fall down, or  grab you leg?  geez!..you looked  like a dick!.... MF...

 Machins was angry  as he took the  fire being   laid  on him..

 Shadow stood  by the sidelines laughing , Miller  beamed him a smile...  Shadow truned to look at Billie...don't  jump a route... tackle the fuck out of the guy..he might drop it...but  if  you try and Jump one..and they know it...6 points happen

“Why would you think that I would go offense?” she asked, as Machins gave her backside a pat, a brow raised.

.  .  .

She gave Shadow a nod, breathing a little heavily as she removed her helmet to wipe a bead of sweat that threatened to fall into her eyes before replacing it, watching Chief Post yelling at Machins. It all somewhat made sense to her though the jargon sometimes confused her...but with time and practice, it would all click. Maybe it was the physicality of the sport that was helping with the memory whereas trying to learn the buttons in her fighter was...boring really.

In reply to field (msg # 191):

Uncertain of the play being called Melia moved up to block as the play started, uncontested by a rusher on her side she swung out to the side as an option receiver though it didn't matter with Miller reloading and finding Shadow deep on blown coverage.

Trotting back to the line she waiting on feedback or the next play

 While  the two coaches looked over  some Sheets , Shadow called  Billie, Jumping Lion  and a coupel others  of..Machins   stood there, with his head hear slightly back on his head.

  Dana  lined up  in front, Shadow said,Our D-line  can put  pressure..but we lost  alot of  secondary folks to the war....    Give the reciver the sidelines  on the way up... the ball will have to be  perfect, unless its  just speed and they hope they catch it.. , they  try to go inside, Hit the  once  and run with them..

 So..you're a big Time DB now  too?

 ..fuck you Machins..I play the postion.. and..for the  record. i never go beat for  a 95 yard  TD pass in or out of practice.

  Shadow looked at him and Walker  came over...Machins? there's  a reason this is you  5  ship in  3 years... don't you think its  about  time  you wisened up..

 Listen machins.. Fighters.. football and Hand to Hande.. you can't  beat me.. you can't even dream about , cause you head  will be laughing that you let that thought pop up

 ..look..so we can get some work down here....   Shadow..  you will  use from the far   side line to the Near Hash.. machins.. you cover him.. Miller has to throw the Ball in 3  seconds  after Post starts the clock... she waits to long.. you get a point.. Shadow  drops a pass ( shadow  Laughed)..I said..Shadow drops a pass.. you get a Point.. You Pick off a pass,, you get   6..Shadow gets a Point  for   each  catch, and  6 for a touchdown.. you get   5  routes..

 The   Chief  pulled both officers  over to him by tugging on the 'V' of thier  jersey, he said through clenched teeth.....then..no matter who wins..its over... gods be damned... I'm not losing to Everest ebcause of you two head butting.

 he lets them Go.. Dana  stood near  billie,They are using  2/3s  of the field.. that's too much.  they couldn't double cover him and stop him with that much  room

    Miller  and Shadow looed at each other...Dana  says,this will be a slant inside.. Machins   inside  foot is too far forward....

 Shadow  took a step   Fast the line , gave a shoulder   fake  and cut   a slant. Miler had the ball off in two seconds,  Shadow  snatched it  and machins didn't have a hop in the 9 hells of catching him.

 Post Moved the cones  down the has mark.....alright LC Captain.... from sideline  to hashmark...so if this helps the Captain Out.

 Miller gave   Shadow a sign   by wiping her forehead  with  her wrist..

 Dana giggle,they are doing the  out and up again... see  if machins learned  not to jump the route?

 He  didn't.. at One  second   shadow  cut out, two seconds  Miller pumped and reloaded.. three seconds the  Ball arced  deep..deep  down field...  machins , fell on his face, trying to hit a reciver that was no longer there... Shadow   had to work for this one but  hauled it in.

  Post when crazy, he threw  his hat down..and managed  a whole sentence  at Machins that contained all swear words.

 Walker  nodded to everyone  as  Shadow   Jogged  back and gave a  high five  to Miller...

 That's enough I think... the lesson here is this... Thes is the Gods be damned ESN 351 Hermes... you are on this boat now... you do things our way.... when we start getting  our asses  kicked on or off the battlefield..then we'll look for 'fresh ideas.. Right Machins?

 machins shook his  head but   said,..yeah Coach...

 now  the   practice broke  down into DBs   covering WRs... RBs   and Linebackers  racing  each other to the  sidelines  and O-line and D-line  beating each other up

Melia set to work, getting physical and practicing the routes and learning to read the defensive players.  She worked hard relying on her speed and agility rather than raw power to do the work. She wasn't however weak, and her legs were powerful from the running in full combat gear. She took more than a few licks as she practiced, and a few bruises for her effort, but she continued to work hard all the same.

 Meari watched all the practicing, asking questions to Jax when she didn't understand something. She watched the defensive line and Zob closely, but Meari was very athletic and quiet fast for her size and strength. If she was to join she was not sure what position she would be great at, she was thinking Defensive line rushing the passer or a Tight End catching passes and not just using her speed but her size and strength to gain extra yards.

 She smiled at Vaka and said," Are you enjoying the practice Vaka, do Occui have a game similar to this? On Uden we have games , and team sports but nothing like this it is very interesting."

  Post and Walker  called the team in...    Post handed out  2 pages   play sheets.

  Coach post  is  handing out Play sheets..... we don't have time for a whole book, those of you  who have Played for the Hermes  Before  have your Old book, and  we will integrate these plays into what we have.

 ..our Defesne?  The Everest offesne is  all  about thier QB # 12, Pascal. He  likes to   roll  and run, or  roll and throw.. he things he's good, and it  doesn't help that  Everest treats him like a god.... we want to  keep him in the pocket, and hit him every chance you get.. when he  runs  witht eh Ball , cut the sidlines  off so he has to take the Hit....


 ..also... his prime   target is   Nivit..#80..he's a damn  fast Nivarian, who bought into  human ways of life... Jack him up every chance you get too..make him think more about the hit, then the ball.

 ..for Offesne..  we're Gonna    shew at the edges  witht eh Backs  and   send  Shadow  and Dana   deep or on Deep crosses.... Shadow?  there  are three guys there  from last time who  are going on the Vids saying they'll take you out..

 ..not  me  Coach..  I like girls... people laughed..

 that's it... Shadow has a Tunnel run 0600 tomorrow..  we'll have  a short walk through  practice at 2000 hours... GAme time is the next day..1200 hours, then the Everest  is having parties  all over the place......Go... get some  food...and rest..

 Shadow  calls out.....I have a spare  hour?... any one want to run routes   and work on skills , I'll help.

 Shade  and Jumping Lion stepped up.

She listened quietly, removing her helmet and looking at the sheets. When everything was all said and done and Shadow offered to run through things with them, Billie took a step forward. "I'd like some help." She was determined to get this down and be of some minor value to the team.

  ..right?  well all you new  folks?... will be running down  under kicks  for sure...  the Coaches  will want to keep the Vets  fresh  since  we are whittled  down a bit.. but  we'll  work on some  skill stuff now.. some of this stuff  you can practice on your own,  some,,you need the  field...


 Waggles came  over and looked  around with a nod. ..I'll help some , LC...

 jumping Lion?  show me your Back  peddle  drop...

     Jumping Lion   went back wards  abiut  10 yards, Shadow waved him back...Now.. i want you to drop back, and when i point the ball you turn your   hips  and   run backs wards to that side, and switch, every time  i switch the ball..


 Shadow  said 'hut.. The  young Indian    dropped  back,  Shadow    kept pointing  until  Jumping Lion  fell.. some of the folks laughed...

 nnot back, most time the QB has to get rid of the ball before then..Now?.. watch Waggles...

  Waggles   dropped  back   his hips  shifted   smoothly  with each  cut , he seemed to 'gain a step' when he turned.  Shadow threw the Ball Waggles  leaped and caught in,  yelling  'FIRE"  as he    returned it...

 Shadow  pointed to the  DBs...You get a interception or scoop up a fumble..you yell 'FIRE" let your buddies  know  you  are returning it.

 ..somethign else.. it may seem small, but when you are on the sidleines   and the bad guys have the ball.. when they throw it.. you yell 'BALL".. that way, if the DB isn't looking, he'll know the ball is on the way..

 Now?    Dana  will pairwith  Billie.. waggles with  Jumping Lion...its the same drill, but.. Dana  and  Waggles  will be the  wide outs.. and Bilie and  Jumping Lion are the DBs.. you  move with them..use that hip turn and keep your  feet moving, the first time you  stop your feet.. the reciver is gone..Ask Machins!

 more chuckles...

 after  3   times  through that drill for about 50 yards  each...

 Shadow  had them all line up,Now?.. this back peddle drill..you can do  on your own... come down to the field..use the track if the field is  busy.. the more you do it, the more muscle Memory you build up..that's  what will make  the difference in a few plays of the game...whether your body can react, with out you telling it to....Ready?..GO!

 the whole line  back peddled   shifting as  Shadow pointed the ball.he yelled at them to  push for speed.. to the point they fall down, because  that will set the bar for them to break.. they  ran it  6 times,  of  50 yards.

  Vaka  thought for a moment, we have combat games, but this is very odd... I will want to see a real  game when we reach Everest

 Jax watched some of the hitting,..I think they hit harder  when they play fro real and have thier Uniforms on

In reply to field (msg # 197):

Zob looked over the play sheets then back to the coach, "They never played against a demon so we got that going in our favor somewhat and ill be more then happy to show this *god* how mortal he is"

Zob decided to stick around and practice more into his position wanting to master his footwork for the upcoming game he knew there were gonna be guys faster then him but he had to learn to compensate and that's what he was gonna work on.

She worked hard, pushing herself as hard as she was able, that determination clear in her eyes as they went through the drills. It was intense and she knew that she would have more than a few bruises but it was worth it in the end.

 Meari nodded to Vaka and said," Yes most of our games are more combat orientated as well. Yes I can't wait to see a real game, excuse Vaka , Jax, I need to talk to them."

 Meari got up her side feeling better but wasn't fully healed. She walks over to the one who seemed to be the Coach, Chief Post. " Excuse me Chief Post this seems like a interesting game, I will do research and watch the game, I think I might like to try out after this game, I was thinking defensive lineman pass rusher I think Jax called it, so what did he say, the large blocker pass catcher, oh Tight End I think, I do have speed and I am pretty strong Chief."

 Shadow looked at the Clock on the scoreboard . They  kept the clock on  , just for  'homefeel'

  Now..Dana  her  is  biled  as  the    #2  Wideout on the team behind me?... Why?.. because she's a woman... we are both fast..  we can both   cut..  I have about  a  foot  on her  when i jump....and we both love to block.... so?..Jumping Lion..   Dana  is going to   run and Out, at  10 yards... I bet you can't  knock the ball down...

 Calling hut, dropped back and let the ball   go , just as   she broke.. the ball was on her , just as her  head turned, her hands grabbed the   ball,  as  Jumpimg Lion's  hand   whiffed at hitting it.

 It was your htrow,  White Shadow...

 ..no?..no  it  wasn't... Waggles.. you cover her... the   same thing, Waggles  hand  hit the ball, but  Dana's hands   grabbed it  anyway...

 Waggles  grinned,

 ..now? Muscle Memory  for a reciever.... your hands  can catch the ball , just by touch.. your eyes..'catch the ball' your hands hold it..

 Shade  was  standing a  few yards away.....SHADE! he fires   a Ball  at   the HalfUdenese.. and He   caught it..his eyes  green..

 so?  how  do you stop the reciver on a Contested  ball?... your   Outside   hand  has to go for the ball, your inside  hand   should be comign up to grab the reciver if you miss..or the recivers is good enough to haul it in.. the  arm  away from the reciver   can reach  over the   reciver..maybe if  cause a distraction.. and your iside   had  won't draw a flag... so?.. Lets  do this..Waggles,  JL and   NBillie   take  turns covering  Shade and  Dana.

 Shadow didn't  make it   easy..hard    throws , right on the break, making the   DBs  work hard to  , just get a hand on it.

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

 Post looked at Meari...well?  we  try to have a couple practcies   a week..   watch the Game, pull up vids  of some of our other  games, and get the feel... its  not  a hard game to learn..but its  damn hard to master.

 Meari nodded to Chief Post and then replied," Thank you I will do all of that, is there a position you think I would be good at or do you need me to do a workout to see the right position for me Chief Post. I did a lot of Athletics when I was younger, I just hope I can help the team Chief Post if I am accepted as part of the team Chief."

Several colorful curses spilled from her lips as she ran through the drill, knowing that she needed some work but confident that she would be able to get it. Building up the muscle memory was tiring...she knew that from sparring and the other martial arts she participated in but with practice, she would get better.

  Post  turned to look at the far end of the field where  Shadow was holding  court.well  you size, I would put you on the line?... you're a bit too tall to play DB..i should think. If your footwork  is good, you might be  an LB?.. but  none of that matters  until we see you work out Lots of folks find out  the game is bigger then they think...

 his hand  Motioned to the chubby fellow who was leaving the filed with a broken nose, after practicing for  just 10 minutes.

 Shadow  sent the  players  down  filed with thier backs  truned and Lobbed passes in the  air   while   the others  would Yell 'Ball".. even Machins and Jumping Lion failed to track the ball a few time, but  after the   4th or 5th 30  yard sprint, most were able  to find the  Ball and  Get close to it before it hit the ground.

 Meari smiled and nodded, she then said," That sounds fair enough Chief, thank you." Once she is done talking with Chief Post she will head back to Vaka and Jax to keep watching the people practice.

In reply to field (msg # 207):

Melia stuck around and practiced taking reps on both side of the ball, drilling the quick feet and hip work while dropping back, then flipping sides and practicing routes out knowing as halfback depending on the play she could get tagged for a route.  She was sweating buckets by the end and breathing heavily, but still felt good. As long as she stayed patient with herself and focused on the fundamentals they got easier each rep, and slowly she was starting to see more things developing around her on the field as each drill ran.

Having been given directions on where to find Vaka, Roy walked up behind him and Jax.  "Contemplating a career change?" he asked, with a low chuckle in his voice.

He held out the box to Vaka.  "Special delivery for you, Private...compliments of the Occui Provost General's office."  His grin never wavered, as he considered...then rejected...his relationship to Xyran.  Vaka had gone to pains to avoid mentioning it...and Roy would respect that for now.  The Occui wanted to make his own name, and not ride on his uncle's reputation, and Roy was willing to give him that chance.

Didn't take long to get to the field. She waved to all Ann's gestured when it was safe for them to get closer.  Haley just skipped about.  Larry was about to take off when Nikki spoke "Larry...can you come here a moment." and she'd  wait for the big beast to get close.  She crouched a bit so the convo would be just for them.  "Okay, Good lookin', I think you understand me.  if you understand human speech would you nod you head?"

  Larry's head  Tilted. His eyes looked at here.. and he gave a snort.

  Roll  saw Jax   and   went  fast.. well..as  fast  as Roll could  go... down the bleachers  to stand  By him.

  ......................

 Vaka  looked up at Roy , reaching for the Box,..Jax  was telling me of the game. he  said this  was just practice and  I would see a real game , in about a day  and  one half?...

 he   added,Jax  and the  overly tall female  said they wish to play...but it is  too close because of wounds.

 he oepned the Box slowly.. he saw the  books  and the   cloth sack of  creds.. but he almost dropped it when he  saw the  locket.

 ..they had them..didn't  they.. some of  my books are gone..and my  picture?... But this item, is all i have left of my family.

 Jax   smiled   and Roll looked on...even Vaka  had more ties to his family, then they ever  did.


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

  Shadow     whisltle  through his teeth to get people   to gather  around... he   tossed a  football to Billie.. then on the Melia...

 carry those  around.. sleep with them.. let your hands get used to the shape and the  feel, so when it comes  time   to snag one, your  hands  already know what to do

 Shade stood  there..Looking up at him with grey eyes... Shadow loked away   and handed him a ball, which he took   happily.

 Right!.. get showers.. Tunnel run tomorrow..Machins.. if you don't   finish in the top  10 for the 1st laps, you'll run again..

   That's   3 miles!

 Shade Bleeped.

 ..Shade says , 3.1...

 as the folks headed to the locker  rooms, Shadow  gathered up the remaining footballs with Shade  helping.

Roy nodded.  "There have been some major shakeups because of this.  The Occui provost who brought these over said the Occui are willing to play it fast and loose with the truth...but they draw the line at stealing from their own.  You're also officially recognized by Occui Military Command as transferred to the Hermes."

His tone got more somber.  "We've only had one other Occui serve on this ship...and he set a high standard.  I expect you'll do his memory justice."  He was sure of it...but he wanted Vaka to understand that eyesbesides his would be watching and rendering judgment.

The moment delivered, he gave a grin and nodded toward the field.  "Not all humans play this sport...and size is usually an asset, if you have any thoughts of playing. But not every player needs to be big.  Fast and elusive have their place, too."  He looked out the side of his eye at Vaka and added, "I don't think the Occui have ever fielded a player in football.  It'd be interesting to see if an Occui had enough heart to offset the lack of size.  It CAN be done...there have been human players who managed to overcome Sanri counterparts.  But it's not something to rush into.  Either way, it's a game you should get familiar with...if you're going to be aboard the Hermes for long, you're going to see a LOT of football.  Easier to make sense of all the stories if you're at least marginally familiar with the game."

Melia catches the tossed ball, and tucks it under her arm. "Sorry Zob, looks like I got a prior snuggle commitment tonight." She says with a silly grin. When Shadow announces the tunnel run she calls out to Machins, "Hey Machins if you beat me on the run I'll give you 100 creds." As she turns and heads for the shower.

 Meari who got back just as Roy showed up, smiled when Vaka had gotten some belongings back, and she finds out they stole from him, this made her mad but it sounded like it was taken care of at least and Meari was very happy when Vaka got his locket back, and a picture Meari assumed is his mother. Then he said the only thing left, Meari knew then she had passed.

 Meari smiled as Vaka looked happy then Rot spoke of another Occui, and maybe he should try out for the football team or at least learned the game. Meari nodded and said," I think at least knowing the game would be important, and why not try out there might be a position perfect for you." She smiles at Roy and says," I would have joined practice but still healing SM."

Roy shrugged.  "If you do or don't play is entirely up to you.  There's only maybe forty or fifty spots on the team, and a few thousand people aboard...not everyone wants to play.  Hell, there's a few aboard who don't even like to watch unless there's a bet on the game."  He waved dismissal of the idea in the air with one hand.

"But good choice to hold off until you're healed up.  Not only are you less likely to wind up on Stefi's shit-list, but if you've got an injury, it's going to impair your performance.  Might miss out on the position that's best for you as a result, if you even make the squad."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Tue 28 July 2020.

  Shadow  and  Shade  went in  took  thier showers  put there practice  stuff in the correct hampers.. Shade carried his football with a smile...

 ..look? wehave like..6 football in my quarters... you are  ready know how to play the game.. why did you want a Ball...

 shade  raised a  Hand  with one finger  and bleeped.

 yeah?  I Gave them out  , to the people who didn't play before///you have a Game  and a Bunch of practices  under your belt...

 more bleeps...

 one of your won?.. You could have  had   any one of mine?

 bleep

 yeah..yeah..ok... that one's  yours...  they stopped  at the   standing   to make thier way up the steps to the rec dec...Gonna be  shaky.. but i think we'll pull it off... he says to those  with Roy.

 Vaka held  up his locket...The SGT Maj  brought some of my stuff.... I got my locket back...

 great!...  and relax,  soon you will have a better  feelign  about the hermes  , then you did  your  ship...

  Vaka nodded,I already do...

  Jax   looked  at Shadow.....LC?... can you throw the Ball with me and  Roll..we.....we..never had  anyone  throw  the ball with us..

 Shadow  spun  around, one  quick  longing look to the rec dec, but said,..lets go!...  Shadow's  throw and  Catch 101....

 Shade  went   to stand   on the  field.. and  Sahadow started  to show them how to grip the ball, and a way for Roll to let the ball 'roll' off his hand to get a spiral.   Shadow would throw to Shade.. shadw would throw  back, bellepign away  as Shadow tolk he  things  the  little Udenese  said..   they would get frustrated... then happy.. then  excited.. Vaka  Looked at Roy  and started to go down on the field  as well... and they worked with him

 Meari nodded to Roy and said," Yes that is why I am waiting and I know it will be hard to make the team, I can see being big doesnt automatically make you a good umm yes Football player."

 When Jax and Roll went down and threw the ball around with Shadow Meari smiled, when Vaka went down with them and played catch with them Meari smiled, she knew Vaka had the spirit of a warrior she watched and smiled at Vaka as he worked with all of them. She thought Vaka may have lost his blood family but now he has a new Family the Hermes crew.

 beth watched  Shadow on the field with an Occui, Shade  and two homelss kids that should have been dead a dozen times over..

 she  smiled  abit,.. Machins  was walkign up the steps  with his gymbag,what's the hero doing?.. trying to get some  photo opts in, witht hat collection he has down there?

 ..hey.... that's a good  idea.. why don't you join then? that way he'll have an asshole down there too?

 He stared hard at her,..you changed, since New York...

 we all did.... you used to  be one of his friends? Guess you just used  that to swing the  transfer.

 he  snorted  and   started walking up the steps again.

Billie was breathing hard by the time they had finished and she could already feel that exhaustion in her body...but it was welcomed...something that she missed. She caught the ball when Shadow tossed it to her. "Thanks Shadow," she smiled and moved to go clean herself up. Once she showered and changed, she grabbed her things and headed for the observation dec first to say goodnight to Arnie.

>>>>>>>>>>To the Observation Dec

"Well...not gonna tell anyone if you do.  But I want to thank you and your pack.  Think you could talk to Gregor though...I think Roll really misses him.  Okay?" she said then let him go play too.  Nikki just watched the little bit of innocence going on before having to run tomorrow.  She went and sat in the bleachers.

 another Hour  went By and Shadow held up his hands...Ok..ok.. I'm  done for a Bit....

 Roll was  having   fun running ,  first  trying to throw, then   catching he  got exciting on his  first real catch, Shadow  working   witht hem all on how to ctach   'goign away' from the QB, how  to ctach  facing the  QB..teaching them to  tuck the ball..Shadow   tried to help, he had to do it more by showing, then talking.

 Vaka    took it all serious for the  first  10 minutes, then started to relax and enjoy himself with the others..

  Shade Bleeped  as Shadow  headed to the stairs,..Shade  says he'll stay and play as long as the rest of you feel like?..I'm  going to get something to eat and drink..when you guys are done, find me  and you can join me..

 Beth   chuckledThey wear you out?

 Hey..i jut went through practcie, some extra practice  and   sometime with them..I need  something cold to drink.

 Larry slinked   along behind them...

Shadow Rec dec>>>>>>>

 Jax   was  tried  and  laughing.. Vaka  was  smiling  and  breathign ahrd.. he had  adpated to catchingthe  ball, throwing needed alot of work.

 Roll had a red mark on his ehad where the ball hit him when Shadow was   thrwoign, Shadow ignored the whack on his ehad  and told him sternly, not to close his eyes... you need you eyes  to catch the ball!

 Roll remembered that and was  having  fun, he was runnign a bit longer then normal, but still getting winded.

 Jax  said ,OK.. Tunnel run to morrow... You runnign  Roll?

 he nodded his head.

 Vaka  said,I will run.. i want to get into shape!

 Shade Bleeped     and  pointed to the red dec   for them to get a drink with Shadow. Shade    whistled to  Chief Post  and held  up a  football and waved to himself//  Post dug through the bags   and   Got  another   older ball out and threw it to Shade, who caught it, that same ball would have been missed a  few months ago..

 Shade  ect  to the Rec dec>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Melia dipped for the showers opting for a quick rinse, changing out of the football uniform into her regular workout attire. It wasn't optimal, but it was cleaner than the sweated out football practice gear. Bringing her ball with her she heads for the rec deck.

---Rec Deck--->

Kicking back and relaxing Nikki just had fun watching.  She watched Roll play and Haley, well was not too much into football but was trying to make up cheers and tumble about.  Nikki clapped and cheered a bit herself, especially when Roll caught the ball.  She noticed both Haley and Rolls clothes were beginning show signs both were growing.  Perhaps at the next station stop she'd have to get them some new clothes.  Not a ton, but enough to have maybe a 10 day rotation she thought.  Perhaps get Roll a good haircut, Haley too.

After a bit and a good rest Nikki gathered the kids to the rec dec as well.  They were probably ready for a good hot meal, she sure as hell was.



====> Rec Dec

----FLEX----

Melia had struggled to sleep that night and was up exceptionally early. She had donned her practice gear and gone down to the fields and set up the pads and such and run through the same drills she'd learned the other day. Practicing transferring ball smoothly, changing direction and the like. Lost in the time and the exercise she glanced down and realized she was late for the tunnel run... Cursing openly she grabbed her gear stripping off the football pads and rapidly donning her armor. Tossing the football uniform in her bag and grabbing her ball and weapons she sets off at a sweaty run pace to the tunnels.

---Tunnels--->

——> Rec Dec

After brief detour to her quarters to retrieve her gym kit, Harry would find herself an out of the way corner of the field where she would neither bother or be bothered by the football team when they arrived for their training session or whatever it was they were doing. With a suitable spot located she would roll out a mat covered in numbered foot and hand prints and after performing a couple of stretches started to run through her exercises.

Out the ninety-nine steps she’d only managed to learn around six of of them, and even they were a little shaky in places, however as she worked her way through them there was no denying that she almost appeared graceful as she performed the dance like steps. Unfortunately there was no disguising the fact that she looked to be more than a little pissed off and would love nothing more than to dish out a beating to anyone stupid enough to tip her over the edge.

    as it neared   8:00PM   if Harry is still there,  Chief post will 'suggest' she take her  dancing  to the Civie   Gym, so she's not in the  way of the players.

 ( if she left.. they  staff will be setting  Dummies   in the   endzone  areas  and   sleds pn the   straightaway , leaving the    field open )

 The players came out  with shoudler pads, practice  jerseys helmets and shorts. Miller  got them  line  up to strech and   loosen up

Hearing the chiefs suggestion, Harry would stop mid step to glower at him with her leg suspended in the air like some kind of wading bird with it very clear that she was resisting the urge to say “make me”. Thankfully however she would instead take a single deep breath before lowering her leg and replying in a waspish voice ”Fine!” with her then rolling up the mat and stalking out of the gym with a murderous look on her face.

——> Officers quarter’s

   The Team  went through  the  stretches ,  went  through footwork drills.. there were a couple Civie..'new folks' who  were trying to keep up...

 Unlike a  league  team on earth or the newest league  on Astra, the team only had   2  coaches,  so the Vets on the team had to help the newer folks.

 machins was   tryign to work harder on his footwork, , his ' turn and go', before  incase a WR  would take off deep.

 Post worked  with   Billie  on using her hands  to  'control' the Receiver's direction without holding...unlike the  early days,  The league had  gone  back to 'Bump and Run', recivers  had to fight  their way off the  line and through the routes.

 Miller threw     routes to the recievers and backs , all of them  runnign the 'route tree' with Backs    runnign routes  down  filed , and recivers    swinging out into the flats.

 Shade was havign a Good  practice, his  deep routes  weren't anywhere near a threat, but catching the Ball in the Zone  or,  in the flat, was  almost money in the bank.

 Walker had   Melia Watch  Shade and Watson.. watson was a Tech from the tech Lab and  had a lot of  speed and moves, but was on the 'thin side'.

  Walker Had Shadow  through  20 or  so routes  as well

 Tucker  was the team's kicker and Punter, and he was off   to the   side  practicing  Punts  and  place  kicks

  Zob and  linemen from both   sides   were  hitting the sleds, but  with a purpose.. the OL  were practisign    hitting on the  Inside   shoudler  of the DL  and  pushing the opposite ways,  to  open a brief  hole for backs...

 the Defense   were doign   three things... Hitting and Pushign the sled  back to  'push the lineman into the  QB's  pocket"...  Hit the    Sled  and  spin one way or the other  ot  'stop' one hole and appear in the next',,,and  finally, just like the O-line,, they hit the Inside shoudlers, to Open holes  for the Line backers   to shoot through..but instead of t runnign the ball, they  walked to get the ball carrier or QB...

The focus on her by the coach was much needed and appreciated as she did her best to follow through with the directions he'd give her. The last thing she wanted was to be a complete embarrassment and cost them the game. She paid attention to the jargon used as well, hoping that the physical aspect of football would help her remember.

Jug led them to an area near the field, but apart from it "This I was told used to be part of something called a volleyball court.  exactly what it was, don't know.  but it gives us a place to work" She said immediately she had her group divide into 3's She let Vaka stay with Uvuvu.  Simple exercises first, mostly stretching style.  From there they practiced in teams of 3, Uvuvu showing Vaka how it went.  Then they would work as an entire group for a bit then off in pairs, then back as a group.  At times  one of the gava made a fist and held it up.  Stopping Jug and the gava would talk.  The one raising a fist pointing something out or talking about something to try.  Listening and either nixing or approving they would try it to see if such worked or how to incorporate it.  Then all would practice it.

 Vaka   watched  and  tried to keep up... he was  trained in Occui ways,  so he had to  buckle  down to try and  keep up with the Gava.

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

   The Offesne ran through its   key plays, many of them evolved   Shade   taking   'wrap around' draws  to gain short  yards,,, or shade  going through the hole  with meila m or watson following him through..

  the recivers   practice thier  routes  and timing with miller on the pass plays, with Tweaks  brought  up by Shadow or Dana  according to what the films  showed of  the  Everest DBs.

 The DBs  were  pushed hard, there wasn't one Vet DB left to the squad, unless you count Machins, who had played for another ship. working on their  bump and  run, most importantly , being drilled into thier heads, that .... if they were 100% they could get to the ball, to make sure they hit the reciver.. a big play that happens because  a DB  'thought' they could get the ball was  unacceptable.

...

 when the walk through was over   The  Chiefs  brought the   team into the Middle of the field.

 Walker  started off...So?.... tomorrow  we play a team of jocks who have got to sit on thier asses  the last 3 or  4 month, with only thier brief  help early on  by some of thier ships..  he crossed his hands   over   his chest lookign down  as he walked, nodding his  head,..fleet bookies  have us losing this game  by 14 points.... we never lost a game..ever..but they have a losing by  14 points.... but?.. here is the reasons ... The  Talk show  folks say, the Hermes doesn't have a secondary  and? they are  right?.. none of our DBs have  played together..some of them have even played?

They look at the LBs... we Have  Supe , let?   and  some new guys there... what is good for us, is the O-line... and QB..and  Wideouts... they look at our Backs  and see Shade?.. and  two new names in the backfield...

Chief post  as a Plan for  the team.. i want you to listen up....

   we  are goign to be hurting  in the  secondary.. there is no way around it.. Morrison, Fletch,  Borden and   Hottle, enevr played together  before... and  Machins is the only one  with   a season or two under his belt... if we get them in 3rd and long.. we'll bring Shadow  in to play free safty for aplay..he played  in highschool  and as a freshman at the academy, until the switched him over to wideout/QB


we get down into the  5 or closer.. we're Gonna  bring in  Zob   to pair with Shade  for a  T formation look, and let  Christenson or Watson follow them throught he line.. when we do this, we'll  pull Shadow or Dana off the  field, to tempt them to Double  cover the wide out

 ..you new  folks?  you'll be covering Kicks, to save wear and tear on the Vets.... when we are returning the ball? just hit the first  'bad guy' jersey you see.... when    we are kicking to them,   you either  wipe out the Blocker, or get around   him to get thereturn man....

 ..this?  will be  the Ugliest  game we  ever played... they have a team full of vets  who ...maybe..got  sunburned on thier beach.. we got  new  guys taking the place of dead guys.... The Fleet will be lookign at this game... Athena;s  came  as well.... to see if it might be time   for a station to have a champ instead of a ship...  One thing.. they  deem to forget?.... The same guys and gals who came back from  the last  Jumpoffs?  are the same Guys and Gals  who will be lined up...... You want to win this game...keep your head on  straight.. and hit   every one, whether you are blockigng them, or tackling them.. as hard  as you ever hit anyone.. they are lookign for us to limp in there ...lets make sure  they are the ones limping out....Go get rest..team leaves  for the stadium at 0800..don't be late!

 The coaches   whistled  and the   trainers  and Civie   kids  hustled to  clear the field  and  pack away the gear.


 Shadow     followed   others into the locker  rooms to change, he looked sullen...

 Dana Grinned  and said,he has  his game face on....   there is going to be some hitting going on tomorrow...


Shadow to  >>>>>ob dec

She listened as the coaches spoke, internalizing as much as she could and vowing that she was going to try her best. When it came time, she went to the locker rooms to shower and change, dressing in a pair of short spandex style shorts that had a watermelon print on them and a loose fitting Hermes t-shirt. With her hair pulled back into a ponytail, she grabbed her gear and gym bag and headed towards her quarters to drop it off before heading to the Observation dec.

>>>>>>>>>>To the Observation Dec

In reply to walktroughs (msg # 230):

Melia settled into the practice after the warmup. Her legs were still a bit jelly and toasted, but she was already starting to recover so, a perk of her manufactured biology. She watched Shade and Watson drill practicing the steps herself, taking a round or two of mobility drills moving purposefully and not pushing herself excessively hard, but enough to do the rep correctly training her muscle memory.

She listened up as the Chiefs went through the game plan. Tomorrow was gonna be a tough first trial, maybe she'd just bet her savings on their win on the odd chance they'd win. I'd cover a lot of the wedding details and other expenses. Pushing the errant thought out of her head she waited until they'd broken up to hit the showers and go about their day she approached Chief Post. "Hey Chief, do you have any film of the Everest defense? I've never watched film before, but I guess if I try and watch some of it I might be able to pick up stuff I'm seeing from their defense and know what to watch for."

  Chief Post nodded,we have to have  Film..on everyone, or  the LC  would  be complaining to  The Admiral.. and the Admiral  is/was  a player too... Go to the Team site, ... there is Game  films  Listed, and just pick everest,, the   pick offesne  or defense... Shadow  can break his down , by  down and distance , all that stuff..but he's been doing it since highschool... you'd be surprised, not only what you see someone doing on film... but  because you picked the film aprat.. you begin to notice it  in live action.

Melia nods, "Thanks Chief, got any other tips for what to watch for on the film, positions or the like?" She asks wiping sweat away with a towel.

   Post  shrugs,watch  how  the LBs   react and try to play off the O-line's blocks, it  may give  you a chance to to  get a half step on a cut, might be worth an extra  two yards or so.

 backs have to block too, so keep you eye on the Outside LBs, they'll be the guys you might have to pick up , on a block.

Jug would show Vaka how the Gava fought using their size and natural skills to their benefit.  She would include any input Vaka had and to work as a team.  Soon it was several hours later.
"We did good work out.  Now we go rest, then clean and eat" She dismissed them to go do so.  She motioned Vaka to walk with her "You do good, you learn quick that is best thing.  Those not smart, get dead real quick"  she gave him a clap on the shoulder area "If we get into combat and you see one of us and not know what to do stick with us, we help.  I say learn from who you can make what they teach into a way you can use"  Soon they had made their way to the lifts "I go to quarters in non-com area.  you there or officer area?"

In reply to field (msg # 233):

Zob gave a big grin, "They wont know what hit them sir" that was a promise Everest never went against a demon on the field so the element of surprise was still on his side in that department.

After the meeting he went back into the locker room with the team and put his gear away before coming back out and taking a seat on the sidelines as he waited for Melia to finish talking with Post.

Melia swings by where Zob is sitting.  "I'm gonna go try watching thhe film we have on Everest to get a better idea of how they play and what to look for. Wanna join or we can meet back up once we link up after I'm finished. " she suggests

 Vaka   shakes his head  an taps his one  stripe...I am in  the enlisted sction..I like how the  ESN has thier  quarters.. they are a bit smaller, but  i don't have to  share it, unless i have a guest, the  orderly told me, that's why there is  a Bunk bed, incase  the hermes had to care more troops... I guess it  is time to   head there...

Zob nods then stands up from the bench, "Ill watch it with you, if it will give us a edge in the game tomorrow im all for it" when she was ready he would follow her out.

"I am officer but stay with my squad in the enlisted area." she smiled a big toothy grin.  "We take up 2 of what they call quad rooms.  You are welcome to stop by.  Sometimes we watch Earth vids and eat what some call pizza rolls and such.  Not many like watching us eat, but we not mind"  She welcomed Vaka into their circle.

----> From Tunnels

Zob opted to hold off on getting food until later instead he wanted to test out the rifle he got to make sure the optics were properly aligned, upon entering onto the range he turned his head and was greeted by the Iron guard coming to share the range, "Well if it isn't the iron guard, good run today by the way" he said placing the rifle case on the table.

(( Zob to  crew gunnery range))

<<<<<<<<<<<<< Roy Ect from Rec dec

   Miles  went  down to the Field  with Roy..Shadow and  the others  sat on the bench on the   'home team' side. Chief Post greeted  them.

  what we got  here, SM?... I assume this is training?... Hands?  Vibra Blades?

 Miles  snorted,..Your  Call SM.. if i use blades  i rather use  real ones...

 Chief  post chuckled.....no you wouldn't. Alright SM.. call it and lets get this 'training' done.

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

 Meari followed the group to the Field she smiled at Chief Post. When Miles said if he used blades he liked using real ones, if he used real ones with the SM he would not survive, she has seen the SM use blades and he was better than her and she thought she was highly skilled and trained. Meari then stood where she should to watch, she would keep an eye on the three Heimdall troopers who came to watch, if any of them where to interfere she would be in a position to stop them.

 The IronGuard walked out of the range .movign around to the bench area , carrying thier weapons

  Lt Cross  said...another dispute?

 Shadow  smiled a bit,..Yeah..Miles  crunched one of the pastries  Shade  bought for us...It was a green one?  I like the green ones...

 The Iron Guard laughed, Froth sat down next to  Shadow...so why aren't you  out there?

  SM's   gig this time... Trooper  on the rec dec..whom we have  had some problems with before..SM , normally, gets  first dibs on troopers...sometimes? he's not  around, so i take the initiative

 Froth  Laughed and betsy  smiled, she added,..wish the SM would have been at the beach ...

 ..No you don't.... when  i fight, i fight  for real...i don't play... the punishment is the reward.... The SM...he takes it sorta personal  when a trooper thinks  he can....'overstep'..

 the Iron  Guard  sat on the bench to watch.

 Meari smiled at the IronGuard when they walked over, she nodded to Lt. Cross. Meari liked the Iron Guard, they where disciplined, well trained and Cross and the others got it very quickly.
After Betsy spoke and LC responded Meari added," Yes the SM doesnt play nice when these things happen just watch this will be interesting to see how good miles really is."

Roy shrugged.  "Why don't you show us just how bad-ass you really are, Miles.  Bare hands really sort the men from the babies...weapons always leave the question of weapon quality open.  So let's just take it out of the equation.  We're the weapons..."

   Miles  smiled  as he took off  his tunic,bare hands it is then.... you know,, the Heimdall was short a couple  officers   after  we had a training bout...

 Chief Post put  Cones in a   square from the  40  to the   40 and  as wide as the harsh marks...

  ..Here's the rules.... first guy  to get his  opponent on the  ground  , 3  times.. wins.. if you step out of the box..it means  you 'ran' and counts as  being taken down.... I blow the whistle ..you stop and  separate.. if you don't.. i'll deal with the  aggressor  myself..

 Miles  snorted  at  Chief Post... Post didn't  even flinch as he  just eyed the SGT  down.

 MSGT Hope  was behind  Shadow.....this shouldn't take long....

 Your're  right..considering  the SM has never missed  a jump off or  a dark op?.. and he's still here?....But it will last long...

 Shade  nodded and Bleeped  a  bunch, Dusk asked, he would do that?.... Shade Bleeped and pointed to Shadow.

 well..yes..I know  Father would...

 what did the Kid  say....

 ..The ..AMBASSADOR...said, Roy won't let him out   quick, he'll punish him, and chief post will let him...Dusk doesn't know  if  Roy will do that... Me?.. yeah..i would break think on him he didn't know could be broken...but?  that Just me..

 wow..you are  really full of yourself...LC...

 yeah?.. I get that alot.

 Chief post walked over to the bench...LC?  anyone tried  to help out..you stop them

 already done  Chief...

  Then he  went  to the  center of the field   and nodded...on the whistle .....  he stepped  out of the 'square' and  blew the  whistle

Roy stepped out to the center of the field as Chief Post prepared to start the match.  On the exterior, he looked casual and relaxed...but Shadow had known him long enough to recognize it as Roy coiled to act, and Roy carefully gauged his distance to Miles...

When the whistle blew, Roy's leg lanced out in a snap-kick that took Miles full in the chest as Miles was still trying to assess what Roy would do.  Miles backpedaled, trying to keep his feet...but there was too much momentum, and he ended up sprawled on the ground as he slid past one of the cones.

"Classic blunder, Sergeant...you picked a fight with inadequate intel.  We have to do it sometimes, sure...but you charged in there willingly to do it.  Impetuous, and stupid, and that sort of thing gets your men killed on the battlefield."  He stood in the center of the 'ring', looking as relaxed as if he hadn't even moved.

"That's one.  On your feet, Sergeant.  We've got two left to go."

  Cheif Post sorta of  smiled   as he  waved  Miles in... once he was   ready, Post  Blew the whistle   to start  again.

   Miles     jabbed stepped  a   few times  towards    Rot, trying to get him into the corner, so he   might steps  ou, going back wards  or..left or right...

 ....

 MSGT Hope shouted...COMON  MILES!

 Shadow  shook his head...I know you're    teammates  and all?... but  what part of teaching a Dumbass  don't you understand?

 ...don't press me  LC...

 Look?.. MSGT?.. I really don't like hitting ladies... but you best rein in your stupidity...

 Betsy  raises a Hand...Listen to him.. 2 of us missed  a Jumpoff because of him...

 Lt Cross was sitting on the turf in front of the bench.....Three of us?/ I missed too.

  Hope snorted....well... i'd have to see that....

 Shadow shook his hed,It wasn't like that?.. I didn't fight all three of them at once...

 froth  nodded as he watched,..Me and Besty at the beach... The LT after a Tunnel run...

 Cross never looked  back,..There is a Time...MSGT..when you take the  rumors  you hear  as gospel , and keep your mouth shut...We missed a whole action because  we didn't...and  were the gods  be damned  Iron Guard....

 Dusk.... sort got a Bur under her Saddle at  the MSGT cheering for  Miles  so  she called out... Punch Him  hard Roy!..That's an Order!

 Shade  just let out a  low whistle.

 Meari watched and listened and when Miles went down the first time so fast she knew this was going to be a very painful lesson for Miles like she though tit would be. Meari smile dat Shadow and said ignoring the fact MSGT Hope was sitting near her," LC Sir if you wish not to hit the lady I will gladly teach the MSGT a lesson lady to lady."  Meari smiled at Hope and then gave her a look of watch and learn how to be a real Hermite or you will be next.

 Meari nodded at Betsy, she really liked her after the altercation at the beach she had seen the light and Meari really had respect for the Iron Guard. Meari smiled at all the Iron Guard, and then adds," Lt. Cross is right MSGT sometimes the rumors and stories are actually watered down, the SM and Shadow are warriors, and will do whatever it takes to keep everyone alive if that means beating a few bad apples, I believe that is the right human way of saying it. I have great respect for Lt. Cross and the Iron Guard they only really had to be taught once and they are on board now and I am very happy they are one of us, now lets see if the Heimdall troopers will follow suit or does the MSGT need training as well?"

Roy moved, controlled and cautious, watching how Miles was moving...the calm before the storm...

Miles jabbed once more, and as he was recovering, that storm broke.  As Miles' weight was on his rear foot, recovering from the jab, Roy's lead foot snapped out, hitting him just above the knee and wrenching his leg into an odd angle.  As Miles started to fall, Roy leaned in, a sharp left cross knocking Miles back the other way.  As the Sergeant started to crumble, Roy grabbed one outstretched arm, wrenching it around behind Miles' body in a move that had the shoulder on the verge of dislocation, then reached down with his other hand and grabbed the back of Miles' pants, proceeding to unceremoniously throw him past the boundary.

"That's two, Sergeant Miles.  If you want to give up the third point, I'll understand...but if you want to fight it out, I'm warning you...it's only going to get worse from here.  You bring that boot camp training stuff in here, you're just gonna get beat down."

 Miles   roared  as he  hit the ground.. in embarrassment  and pain.....fuck you...  I'll win this  like i always win...

 his hand   brushed  against the top of his  right  boot  as he  got up  the lefty  hand seemed to be  testing his    hurt leg.

 as he  stepped  back into the  square...Shadow sat up , for a moment as he watched  Miles..

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

 ...you're about to use your SM..Mile s  doesn't like to lose...

 Fuck you..MSGT....You don't know.... Meari?... after Roy's  done.. You  and  loud bitch here  take a turn...

 what's a matter   LC, afraid to fight a woman?

 i killed a Sanri  female..who was  less then happy with me , for killing her lover....  I have shot  EDT 'nobles' while they  sat at thier  dinner tables   watching Lady V...and  never worry abut   what sex my enemies are..only that they are my enemies...now? right now..you have one of  our  uniforms  on..... But..it would be  more fair  for meari  to beat you up then me..because.. i might not  stop...

 Meari watched Miles boot camp training combat techniques, and those would not get it done in real combat. Meari watched Miles closely did he just grab a weapon, she carefully grabs one of her throwing knives just in case Miles does something foolish and use a weapon.

 Meari still watched Miles and then replied to Shadow," Yes LC I will gladly teach the MSGT a few things about how things work on the Hermes." Meari decided to try and make the MSGT rethink things and she flexes her powerful muscles and cracks her knuckles hoping the MSGT would think she is all strength and power. That was far from the truth for her size she was deceptively quick. Meari smiles at the MSGT," So hand to hand, or blades MSGT, I am fairly well trained in both. I will stop unless you cheat or disgrace yourself in another way then I hope I dont get too carried away and Stefi can put you back together, follow the rules and you will just get training, is that clear MSGT. " Meari was highly trained in both, and has been on a few jump offs already and knows what it takes to survive in combat and she was going to test the MSGT to see if she had what it takes to survive a jump off with Hermes troopers.

 Meari would still watch Miles closely with the throwing knife in her hand hiding it just in case Miles tries something stupid, but she knew Roy could handle himself even if Miles cheated.

   MSGT Hope  said...I heard the Chief  say they have Vibra Blades.. lest use those... you still get the pain,with out all the blood...

 Dusk looked at Shadow, Shadow  still watched  but just shook his head...No damn wonder the heimdall sent you here...

  froth   just said,keep in mind, we tried to warn you.

 Meari smiled when Hope chose Vibra Blades, she had hoped she would that is why she flexed her muscles hoping she wouldnt choose hand to hand, because she was even better with blades. Meari smiled and replied," Yes we have Vibra Blades they are the size of my combat knife, and yes you will be feeling pain MSGT Hope that will be for sure."

 Meari smiled and nodded to Froth, she was getting to really like the Iron Guard.  Meari then says, " There will be no hard feelings this is training MSGT Hope, training to stay alive in combat."

Miles' hand grasping at his boot top didn't escape Roy's notice, and without turning away, he gestured for Shadow (and, hopefully, the others) to hold back.  "I'll give you this much credit, Sergeant...you're at least trying the "adapt, improvise, and overcome" routine.  But you're gonna have to step your game WAY up if you're going to make it past Step Two."

He gave the Chief a nod, indicating he was ready...Post gave Miles a dubious look, then looked back at Roy and shrugged, and raised his whistle.  The sound barely started when Roy launched into Miles with a flying knee that caught the sergeant in the midsection.  As Miles doubled over, he tried to get his boot knife out of a concealed grip into something that might be useful to fend off the attack...but he never got the chance.  Roy grabbed his arm, wrenching it again even harder, until a sickening pop indicated the shoulder had dislocated.  Dropping his hold to Miles' wrist, Roy kept twisting, hyper-extending the elbow, and, as the muscles spasmed in response to the pain of both joints, Miles' grip on the knife failed.

It never made it to the floor.  Roy had it in his grasp almost as fast as Miles' fingers faltered.  "Now, see?" he began to explain, through gritted teeth.  "This is how you adapt and improvise."

Miles began flailing with his other hand, trying to get hold of another knife...but with one arm and one knee essentially useless, and being held off-balance by his twisted arm, every time his hand got close to his boot tops, Roy stepped away, pulling on the wounded arm and forcing Miles to stagger along to keep his balance.  "You think you're the first asshole to try and pull a knife in an unarmed battle on here?  We've got a mechanic's assistant on the hangar deck with better combat instincts...and more personal integrity."

Miles made another grab for another knife, and Roy spun the captured boot knife in his grasp and buried it in Miles' other shoulder, in such a way that trying to move the arm more than a few inches would grind parts of the shoulder joint against the blade.  "Come on, Miles...where's that winning technique?  Fighting dirty is handy sometimes...but you still have to be better than the guy you're fighting, if he's willing to fight dirty, too."

Miles went down on his wounded knee, a renewed edge in his cries of pain and frustration as damaged tendons and ligaments were heavily jarred.  Roy pulled him back up, spinning him out of the grip on his arm, and as Miles staggered round to face him, landed a full-on haymaker in the middle of Miles' face.  "Since you admire your lieutenant so much, you should have the same nose, I guess..."

Miles strained to move forward...but he couldn't raise either arm, his blood was pouring from his nose and both eyes streamed with tears out of reflex from the impact...his face went pale, and his eyes rolled back into his head as he collapsed on the deck.

Roy gave Chief Post a nod.  "Call the med techs.  The injuries, themselves, shouldn't be too serious...enough to keep him out of action for a week or so.  But the shock...if we just leave him here, THAT could kill him."  He turned away for a moment, then turned back.  "Oh, and hang onto that knife.  This was supposed to be an unarmed training exercise, that knife constitutes assault.  If his head's too full of shit to have learned from this, bring him up on charges."

   Chief Post opened his COM and  Called the med techs..

 Shadow  stood up   and was laughing.  He turned   to Hope and said,Still wanna fight  meari?

 She looked at  Miles  and then to meari...yes...let's do this..

 Two Med techs came  running  down the stairs  with the Hover  cart. They  had to shoot Miles up to be able to move him

 The Iron Guard  all stood up and  chuckled,..you people have the  most hard ass classes  ever..

 Meari and Hope  went  over and  Post opned the locker  with the Vibra knives

 Meari stood up smiled at Hope and said," I am ready, well if not hard ass classes it could be death for them and the troopers they command and we cant have that."

 Meari looked at the blades, she took one and got into a Udenese martial arts stance, and replied," I am ready Chief. "

Roy shrugged at the Iron Guard comments.  "Sometimes, the only way to get a dumbass to learn the lesson is to pound it through their skulls..."  He shot a grin at Lt. Cross, and added, "I mean, how many different ways did I try to explain to you exactly what you were walking into?  And no matter what I said or how I said it, you still had to walk up to the larg and grab its tongue...so, we let it chew on you for a little bit and now you know that those teeth aren't ornamental, they really do bite hard, right?"

  Lt  Cross nodded a bit,well,,, they don't teach humility  in the Iron Guard...maybe they should.

   The Guard wanted to Hang around   and  watch Meari and MSGT Hope..

   Oscar was standing at the top of the stairs  lookign at Roy like he wanted to  talk with him.

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

    MSGT Hope  took her  Blade  and Turned the blade on, the  yellow Blade   flickers  as she smiled... meari's  green Blade did as well.

 Chief Post said,Little bit different here ..your blades are set to  this  score board on the table... the first one who scores 10 points  win.. you  get one  point  for a small would...5 points  for a deep wound..10 points for a Kill..also? if you step out of the  square, that counts  as a  1 point wound...


 ..just to remind you?  the pain is very real.. that's what these blades are for.. you will...have to  get med Checked .. Ready....on the whistle..


 with Miles   sedated  and strapped  down , and the  hover cart going up the stairs... Chief Post blew the whistle.

 Meari stood her ground she had reach on Hope and was going to use any advantage she could get. She had the Vibra blade in her right hand she then moved forward, trying to use her speed, she would knock away Hope's Vibra Blade arm with her strength and then score a deep hit on Hope's midsection. Meari then quickly moved back and went defensive, waiting for an attack.
Meari's speed might surprise a few people watching.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:22, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

Roy, always watching his surroundings, spotted Vance standing at the edge of the stairs.  "Keep my spot for me," he said to Shadow.  "I need to go check on something..."

As Chief Post was laying out the rules of engagement, Roy jogged easily up the stairs.  "You look like a man with a problem, Corporal," he said, not-quite-casually.  "Something I can help you with?"

   Meari's  Blade went  deep into MSGT Hope, her Scream was Loud  as she did  not anticipate thje Blade hitting her and backed away holding her  midsection as the  tissue still sent messages to the brain that they were hurt..

  She moved now with a dark look as the score board  glows  with a green 5  and a yellow 0
 She made her  move  to step in and attack..

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

 Oscar loked a bit  worried...Yes...SM... its  about....Pvt La Cossi...Most of the unti was  sent here...I volunteered>...mostly be  cause of Zia..They..made her  Come, SM...its...its  not good..

 Meari didnt smile or anything she was all business right now, she was not happy with her attack it was sloppy she could have gotten a kill on the first attack. Meari did think that the pain for the first attack was better for Hope to experience.

 Then Hope made her move and came in for a really bad attack, Meari uses her Vibra blade to block and knock Hope's attack out of the way. Then Meari went in for the kill, she spins drops down, sweeps the leg and does a vicious Vibra hit across her chest that would be a killing blow on anyone. Meari moved back and waited for the official result before she did anything else.

  The  screens Lit up.. a Green 15  and yellow  had 0  as  MSGT Hop0e  dropped her Blade  and was on her  knees  graspinf  for  breath,,her  eyes  wide at the  pain, as if she  had  been sliced  open...

  Chief Post called  for med tech to  send another  cart.That Pain is going  away on its own MSGT, its one of the reasons Vibra Blades are used...

 he picked up her baldes, and  made the 'gimmie' motion with his hand to Meari for hers.

  ..........

 Shadow  clapped  as  Did  Shade and Dusk

 there was n't any other Heimdall troopers there... As Shadow  called out.....AND THUS ENDTH THE LESSON!....

 Forth grinned and said,..PRAISE BE TO THE GODS OF WAR!

 Meari warrior bowed to Hope and handed her vibra blade to Chief Post. Meari smiled at everyone clapping, and replied,Yes training done for now

 Meari then walked over to the others,  she smiled at Shade, Dusk, and the LC and replied, Her mistake was choosing blades, or more precisely her attitude. Thank you LC for letting me assist in training.

 Meari nodded again at Forth and tge rest of the Iron Guard.  Meari then said, I am also taking Med Tech courses through Stefi, get official Hermes training and I think Stefi is harder on us then you are LC sir. Meari chuckled.

  Shadow chuckled,..if Stefi had been one of  my instructors , I may have transferred to the EDT!

  Shade gave   meari a thumbs  up and bleeped.

  He's right? we still have  some pastry to finish...  and the group  began to mount the stairs  as another Pair of   Med techs came  runnign  down  the stairs  with a hover cart.

 Cross  gave a snort,..no damn wonder  med techs  don't show up for Tunnel runs..they're too damn tired  from picking up after all these 'training' injuries.

Shadow ect  to Rec dec>>>>>>>>>>>

 Meari laughed and it was one of her better human laughs. Meari smiled and gave Shade a thumbs up back.

 Meari looked at Cross and said, Not all training is like this, I have been asked to show a few people some things with blades,  I am pretty good but I must still get better to become the best warrior I can.

 She then followed everyone towards the Rec Dec and then she would decide what to do next.

-------->>>>>>> to Rec Dec

Roy grunted slightly.  "So just what does "not good" mean, Corporal.  That's pretty vague and could be anything from "She's an EDT operative" to "the rest of the unit 'helped' her slip on a bar of soap eighteen times".  What's the issue?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:21, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

  He  saw  the   2nd  set of Med techs  run down the  stairs   For  MSGT  Hope.

   Oscar moved towards the Civie  shops , away from the   field a bit , as others were comign up the stairs towards the ramp .Zia  was supposed to be a COM Tech..she was aiming to be  an OminCom operator..but... the Captain at the time, ..um...'interveiwed' women for the Role?... Zia   would not be  'interviewed '.. The Captain  sent her to Frost's  Unit.  He and  Miles  and Hope.. were realy rought on her... sometimes..when she had night watch...well....they would  get her  and... he looked   at  the ground.

 I tried to stop them once, i ended up in Med tech for a week, unitl my arms  healed... I volunteered to come  over  frost was sent off the ship by the Captain..things were gettign too hot for the Captain..and frost was his scape goat.....They  made  Zia come with them.. and i was signed on right before they left.....SM?.. they aren't  good people?  I mean.. they Fight the   Empire and the EDT..but they are trying to be thier own tribe or something?

Roy nodded.  "Well, get her in touch with Lt. Morrow.  She's in charge of Comms for Security and runs the show when we're in combat situations, and she's no fan of anyone using rank to claim 'privileges'.  She'll get the Private properly trained, and give her a support network to tie into safely.

Roy looked at Vance.  "Anyone tried anything with her since you came on board?" he asked, an edge to his voice.  "I don't take kindly to people messing with anyone aboard my boat...and while it's questionable as to how much action I can take for anything they've done in the past, if it's happened aboard the Hermes, I WILL step in and take action."

 Oscar shook his head... No SM? She across the   p-way from Jenny.. Jenny is  our Omin Com..., Frost is on the officer's  dec.  Miles and  Hope are at either  end of our 'section'...They make sure Zia didn't stay behind..and..well..i had to go..i mean..i didn't do much good on the Heimdall? But  i tries, and that slowed them down a bit...I think nothing is goign to happen under  The Hermes is underway.

 he looked up the ramp and the  'surviving' Heimdall troopers   were lookign Down at them from the top of the ramp way.

 There was this  Chief, on the Heimdall..grounds  crew guy..been around  awhile...he said he  worked witht eh LC on Moon base, when  he was an LT doing   deep space  scouting?...anyway..he used to tell us to transfer here.. That folks get a good shake here?... SM?  Zia?..she  isn't goig to get a good shake..sooner or later there will be a time  when she's  alone..SGT Moss tries to watch out for her  too?..but..Miles  and Hope  out rank her..and ..frost is an officer. Anyway... I took my chances here?  frost and  Miles..they'll get even once they find out..and   Hope will do what they tell her.

Roy nodded grimly.  "Well, it's still uncertain whether Frost will even be returning to duty...and if he does, he's going to be under some tight scrutiny.  Miles has two choices, at this point, when he returns to duty...he can either toe the line, or come up on charges for assault.  And if Sgt. Meari hears that Sgt. Hope was involved in that kind of impropriety, she won't be using practice blades the next time they square off, and Hope will likely die choking on her own ass."

He gave Vance a square look.  "Until such time as you may get returned to the Heimdall, you're my troops, not Lt. Frost's...and if he starts waving his wick in the wind, he's gonna get it cut off, if he doesn't get it ripped out and shoved down his throat.  Our combat medic has an especially dim view of officers taking advantage of their subordinates that way...I've seen some scary shit out here, but I'd rather wade through a Demon breeding facility with nothing but a knife than have her on the warpath against me."  He gave the corporal another nod.

"You have any trouble, with any of them, you comm me.  I don't care where or when.  If I can't address it myself, I've got a whole company of ass-kickers that will gladly take over that job for me.  Frost, Miles, and Hope are already out there on thin ice...they can either come in off that ice, get themselves squared away and run their shit like proper ESN troops, or they can plunge through and drown in the water below.  And if they break through around here, they're more likely to be held under the water than helped out."

  Oscar Nodded...Thank you SM.... I mean.. there isn't one of us that  will be hiding when the  rounds  start flying?... but , we can't really fight  against our own people... and we shouldn't... there were a few accidents on The Heimdall, they happened to people who were goign  to  report Frost or Miles... I'm just hoping for us to be able to do our part... and Zia...she's worried..I've seen her  with  Jeny working on the OminCOM..she's good..but hse's worried.

Roy nodded.  "Right now, stop thinking of yourselves as Heimdall troopers.  Frost, Miles, Hope...they're Heimdall troopers.  You all did the run solidly today...nobody had to get on your ass, you all put in solid times.  You're not full-on Hermes troops yet...that comes with combat...but right now, if the Heimdall sent a request to get you all back, I'd tell them we weren't done with you yet and they can't have you.  Thing about Hermes troops is, we watch out for our own, and once you become part of the Hermes, you've really gotta try before we decide you're not part of the group anymore.  Let Zia know, she's got nothing to fear from any of us...and if any of us are around, she's got nothing to fear from anyone else.  That goes for all of you."

 Oscar  had a small smile,Thank you SM.. I'll tell the  others.... he  stepped  a  step back then  walked up tot he Ramp as the  others Milled  around him and the  headed   for the  rec dec  again.

Roy nodded as Vance turned away, and waved to the group of troopers waiting for the corporal, before he, himself, started on his way back to the Rec Deck.  In some ways, he felt better...and in other ways, he felt even more furious about the situation with Frost and Miles.  All the more reason for the extensive background checks he wanted, he figured, and maybe a little feedback on the rest of the command structure on the Heimdall, if what Frost and Miles had been doing was regarded as business-as-usual.

to Rec Deck...

After her duty watching guard Jug decided to spend a bit of down time her way and was working out in the dojo area of the gym.  a few others went to visit Bura, and a few just decided sleep was more important.
Jug practiced her hand to hand and knife skills with her battle rings.  She tried with spin kicks, and other moves.  She wanted to get some muscle memory that would work in combat with how both would work into a flow.

After a good workout Jug cleaned off so as not to stink and keep her own skin nice (no dry cracking, scaling, or anything unsanitary).  Putting up gear that was not specifically hers.  She changed to more appropriate and comfortable off duty tunic and headed to the rec dec.  there she would meet the other Gava.

==> Rec Dec

There was maybe 12-20 Kids (mostly stem kids) playing.  Haley, Can, and Roll all rolling about, running because they wanted to, not because they had too.  Haley was teaching 2-3 girls about her age some sort of dance.  couple of boys were dancing in another style.  She had already taught some to play 'duck, duck, goose' were playing together. A smile on every face, and a lot of laughter.

(( short stop  between wedding and  reception ))

  CE-VA took vids  and  Pics  of the wedding  party  standing around ( including Mila)

 then had  Henry and Val in many Poses...took pics of the  girls  and Zob and  Can

  she made sure she  took a few shots  with the 'ESN 351 Hermes' on the  Scoreboard , behind them

 when they  finished  and readied  to climb the  steps to the recDec reception.. CE-VA stopped  Zob. Reaching into her pouch she pulled out a   Vid disc  in a plastic  container.

 ...we did not have much  time on Roussa... but i  combined some pictures and Vids  i  had taken with Some   helmet and Gun Cam pics... It may not  be Glamourous ..but it is  the  memory of your own wedding. she  shrugged a bit apologetically

(( back to recpetion )

<=== from Rec Dec
(boy this thread snuck way back)

Down the ramp and over the field they went.  Walking in a fan and 'scented' spray made the room awkward smelling.  But some considered human sweat smell offensive or some such, this was to give it a tolerable more neutral smell.  A lone proprietor was there wiping down a magna- barbell.  They headed to the bench nearby where she sat her guitar down and took off her shoes.  Looking at him "Hey, do you have a fairly large ball?  like one of those they use at the school?" She sat her boots to the side of her guitar

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

 Lizzy came down the ramp and went to the gym area. She smiled and she went to a locker and started to get changed out of her uniform and work out in her tea-shirt duty pants.  She then smiled at Haley as Niki went to see if they had a big ball.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Tue 12 Oct 2021.

She awaited an answer from the man spraying, even as Haley spotted the jump rope.  Nikki glanced at Lizzy "Then we should be about even for sparrin'" she reminded Lizzy that she boxed too. "Figure socks instead of boots be a bit easier on us both" she smiled

  The  Fellow  came went into the store  rom, coming out   with a textured Green ball, He  Bounced  it  on the ground a bit to check the inflation .

 we have some stuff that the  School uses  when they come up for gym?...They kick this around.

 Lizzy smiled and said," Sure that sounds fine Nikki, now that looks like fun Haley kick it around or maybe a few kids could come play." Lizzy finished getting ready and then did some practice punches and then she was ready.

Haley smiled "We all like to play kickball is fun.  May I use it for a while?  There are some others from the skool playing on the field." she asked him.

Nikki found some gloves for practice boxing, not as well padded as the main gloves for proper matches.  After getting the padded head piece on she entered the ring to stretch and warm up.  "This is fun for me.  Me and my brother Titus would get into trouble and we'd wind up fightin'.  Papaw would have us box to be far."She checked her arm and leg that were injured to make sure they were okay "Good, arm and legs okay.  Haley remember don't wander off too far"

The man gave Haley the green ball "I'll be okay.  Stay away from those in black and some of the angels, if in trouble come back here or run to someone I know like a guardian or like Shad, a Gava, or Mr. Zob.  Thank for the use of the ball" and she dashed to the door and out to the field.