Orria worked on turning on the feeds so the Admiral and the board could look at things.

Meanwhile Melia sipped her coffee and applied a final bit of lubricant to the receiver and bolt of her carbine to protect the moving parts during the battle

slight flex (ooc: was gonna do this last night)

Nikki brought Haley to the dec, letting her skip and run over to Roll while she went to check and recheck her mantis.  Near by was Lucky,  she gave him a thumbs up walking around and in general making sure the craft would hold up to her crazy antics and stress she would put on it.  As well as making sure all her ammo was compliant.  Knowing Vera had a bit better armorments than fighters before she took Harrys advice and had some stronger armor piercing ammo in, her thought was it could not hurt.
Eventually Nikki wandered over to where Harry, Will, Lizzy and the rest were to hear of any announcements and such.  She moved closer to Lizzy "Ready to burn a few fighters there Phoenix?" using her nose art name.  "Did you hear about Melia and Zob?  He proposed to her and she said yes"

 Lizzy just drank her coffee and was getting her nerves under control, but she would be fine, it was Izzy she was worried about but she saw her name with the SM, Zob and Meari and she hoped they would help keep Izzy alive. Lizzy would love to bring Izzy into her jump seat and show Izzy why she loved flying in the black so much.

 Then Nikki came onto the deck and Lizzy smiled at Haley, and when Nikki spoke to her she replied," Oh yes I am ready to bring the fire as always Banshee, ready to make some noise?" When Nikki told her that Melia and Zob where engaged she looked at Nikki and said," Holy shit really that is awesome, no i didn't know. Now we can invite her to the Spa day I owe you and Harry, I have to say something, be right back Nikki."

 Lizzy had a determined look on her face, she ran up to Melia as she was working on her weapon and drinking a coffee, she said in a very excited voice," You didnt Comm me right away, Congratulations Melia, did he give you a ring, I am so happy for you, now we need to start planning the wedding." Lizzy was in maximum bubbly overdrive, she was so excited Melia and Zob where going to get married, she knew they belonged together.

---> Officers Quarters

With a grumbling Abby in tow Harry would enter the Hangar Dec and make her way over to the flight lines though not before watching as she apologised to Will, something that was only slightly spoiled by the smug look on her face Roy informed Will that he would be on the hangar dec again. She felt sorry for Will, with him having gone through all that pain only to be side lined once again, but unfortunately there was nothing she could do about that Abby on the other hand "Hey Foster! If my baby sister steps out of line feel free to punish her anyway you see fit...then tell me so I can punish her as well!" Harry called across to where Lt Foster was standing as she made her way over to her fighter.

Like the moments preceding any battle the time was filled with checks and yet more checks as she made sure her ride was ready for the coming fight. Once she was certain that she had done everything that she could possibly do she would meander over to where Lizzy and Nikki were. It was as she was standing there that Nikki would break the news about Melia's engagement to Zob "No shit? And they said romance was dead!" Harry said with a grin, happy to hear that the couple had managed to find a little piece of happiness together. Needless to say Lizzy's reaction was a touch more excitable as she rushed up to congratulate Melia, with Harry leaning in to whisper to Nikki, keeping ehr voice low so as to keep it between the two of them

She glanced at Harry "Sucker bet" she smiled.  She did not think she was breaking any trust since both announced it on the rec dec last night, and noone said to keep her mouth shut.  "You know If Abby is still being a handful, I'd still suggest shuttle pilot.  I mean you still get kill cred towards a Blue Max.  Teach her a bit about teamwork" she suggested "It's still dangerous...but what around here ain't"

——> Officers Quarters

With her carbine slung over her shoulder and her helmet under her arm would would move to join the Admiral by the static field with Wendy who had arrived before her. She would listen to the Admiral’s warning that they weren’t to either jeopardise the fleet or the lives of those they were with by doing anything stupid, with Izzy briefly opening her mouth in order to protest that she had never tried to make the fleet look bad, only to quickly close it as she decided that this was one of those moments where it was better to stay quiet and just take it.

As the dressing down came to an end with the instruction that she wasn’t to die, Izzy would offer a cautious smile as she replied ”Yes sir, also I don’t think my girlfriend would like that either sir...also I wouldn’t be able to get that chess game you promised me if I did that”

 Hack  gave a   wry smile,..make   sure you  come  back, and  we'll try to set  a  time for that..

 Shadow   was passing Izzy  as   she  finished  talking to Roy and Shade.... Don't  know what he said, But i have been on the   wrong side of that  look more times  then i care to say... Just...keep in MInd ..I get  a bit  on edge   and I only have to worry  about Pilots   and  ground troops..he  has a who fleet...counting  Noncombant ships, he has to worry  about..good  luck.. don't get a paper  cut...

   The Admiral  took  the steps    with the others   gathered  around...

  Foster  waved  at   Harry, then turned to Abby who was shocked...  we're not goign to have a problem..right?.. because    if  you cost me a pilot, I'll come back 2 pilots  short...

In reply to Nicole Rutledge (msg # 59):

Melia nodded, "He did give me a ring, it's under my armor right now to keep it safe. I thought of it, and then realized it was late so decided to let you rest and was going to tell you this morning just hadn't a chance in the bustle. We do! We should rope Val into planning as well, might as well work together even if we do our own separate things." She says with an excited grin.

She sat on the wing to her fighter, listening to the music playing through her earbud. Watching the processions below her, Billie continued to just mentally prepare herself for what would occur. Eating didn’t interest her at the moment, instead drinking from a water bottle.

In reply to Melia Kristensen (msg # 65):

 Lizzy was so excited and replied," On my after you need to show me, I bet it is amazing, I am so happy for you Melia. Yes we can get Val as well, we will all help you both get ready for two amazing weddings." Lizzy was so excited, then she saw Izzy talking with the Admiral and Wendy and from the looks she was getting a earful, she hoped Izzy could kick butt, do the Hermes proud get great footage, make the troops look great and everyone will respect her more hopefully.

Roy shrugged dismissively at Shadow's offered condolences.  "Hey, mine has at least seen combat.  Granted, it was with an Army unit...but she's not likely to lose her head or piss herself in the shuttle the first time we take a near-miss.  Have fun with that..." he replied, with a dark grin.

He knelt down by Roll.  "Hey, I've got a specific job for you and Gregor, okay?" he began.  "I want you to keep an eye on Beth and Orria.  If bad guys get onto the ship, everyone else can fight, but they're busy trying to keep us all aware of what's going on...they might be too busy to fight until it's too late.  So you and Gregor make sure nobody hurts them, okay?"  He really hoped things would be isolated from the Hermes...but he also wanted Roll to understand that if he was going to keep Gregor, there was an expectation that they help protect the ship.

  Roll nods ,..you bet   Mr   SM... Gregor and  me will keep them safe!  he  tried to look  impressive. Gregor Titled his head, thumping  his tail.

   The  Admiral   was atop the Stairs   and Called  for  everyone's attention  as screens   flickered  on tot eh Fleet...

  ..This   is the next...and maybe, final.. step in securing  the Udenese Space, and  the protection  of Calimate...  Vera his  backed  to the wall... every one of us out there know how we would feel, if our  home world  would be invaded..... Nivar..was more of a Civil war.... Astra  was  a colonization  with us  fighting those  who  got there first, and didn't accept us .. Bura,  was  a attack-in-aid.  Aqra, was flat out removal of Empire assets .
 This  is what we are doing here... I have no doubt, that Verians  will settle with Uden. But
 not  until we remove  the   Evil of the  Empire, and those who take....

   I?  Am not a  'kind  man'.... I have  ..NEVER.. turned the other cheek. You hurt me and mine... you will pay of it..in Spades... he looked   around, Found Roles  next to Shadow  and  Nodded to him,..we  are in Total  War... it has been such, since before  we  stepped into The Black.... but..we are showing the Empire, that such a  type of war is a two edged sword....The  Suicide  attack on The Hermes, sacrificed  lives   of those , who...had little choice    but to follow the directive.... and we   were saved  by a ship that  ...CHOSE... to do about the  same  thing to save us....

 ..for that act alone... Vera  will pay... In a Moment....Beth will open the link , one last time, to  see what Vera  will do.. After  that... Vera  will become  a practice ground, for  what we will do   to Hel when we get there....

 He waved to   Beth... and the screen  flickered to  Life..Adem  was  dressed in Verian Heavy Armor..Evert  could be  seen     talking to , what appeared  to be' officers in the back round.

 Hack?.. I am to  take it, this is   my 'last chance?"

 Hack nodded,aye, it is..... I  will not fault  any choice you make....should you give yourself  up for your people..would be noble... to  allow us to continue  this   invasion,  might get you  some form of  satisfaction..but.... You will end up the same  way... I would fight .. and that is a fact.. to say anything else would be a lie.... I do not know how deep a verian  ruler  feels for His Planet  and people

 Adem   nodded  slowly, his face  seemed  Calm, yet sad...  we   found   some infestation on Vera... Occui?... Dirty little creatures... hiding in the   forests and Mountains..  They like to use  these on Us...  he  held out a  Metal Disc   that had  a small red   ball on it. ..this attaches  to a Verian, and  goes off..almost like Your Disc... Shadow?

 Shadow  grinned darkly at him.

  He points  to Shadow  and  nods  as Shadow's good humor.yea?..it seems   funny, does it not... well?  when it goes off.. it  Burns hotter  the  a  Cap ships  thrusters.. it    will Burn a verian  to molten flesh and   bone in a few seconds.., there is. no 'save'... the Verian  burns  until they are  dead.. all others  can do is watch...

 Supe  yells out,..where can i get some!

 the  Dec LAughed ..Morris  gave  Supe  a shake of his head.

   Adem smiled slightly, but it was plain to see he was, deeply troubled...Shadow?... Anyone ever  tell you what happens   to a Verian when  they choose  the path of  'download'?

    Folks  looked  confused..  Shadow  said,Lady said, if  they resided too long in one machine, they could never  be removed

  ..That is correct.... But..The Body is stored, in case that Verian wishes  to come back....  Lady... did not.... we...Evert  and Myself.... wanted to  bring  LAdy's  Body back...we  wanted to transfer   Dusk into her...but we couldn't, and ..by then Dusk wanted to leave..and Go back to you  and the Fleet....  We wanted to Try to Put   Shade into her   body, but you would not allow us  to even try.... instead... you keep him in his broken form..

 There are blares  and    sounds  from Shade that sounded  like  train wheels  locking up on the tracks.

 ..I assume he learned that lanaguage  from being around you....Shadow...

  Can we speed this up?... I ahve pilots  here  waiting to   chew up your   excuse  for a air wing...

 Indeed...  we   can see the  stars  vanishing as the  fleet...  You will find  Vera..not an easy planet to  take.... but.. For Shadow..and Litlit...and  your  two mongral  Offspring  I have  this  to show you....

 Evert  and two Generals    pull something  forward, and  swing it up,  There is the    'resting' Body Of Lady...

 ..This... is what she looked like  Shadow..... I do not  know if you knew , or not...

 Adem smiled, the smile was dark, full of  as much hate  as  any one being  could muster...

 Shade  ran up to Shadow  ans looked up at the screens...bo one knows  if you can take this  world, or... kil me in the taking...

 I do....we will....

 He  Nodded,..Then watch...  Shadow, and  your Spawn...  because  we will never let you have her!

   Adem slammed the  Disc  on   'lady's'  belly, and the    white  hot fire  started  instanly..... Blue-green   flame s  Flowed over the passive female body ..  as Evert and  Adfem looked on in glee...

 Shade  screamed  out  a Long sound. and  Shadow  hugged him...but he stared  PAssively.. only the darkening of his eyes betrayed his   anger.. as  a tear from each eye...

  Lady Died on  Bura... killed by a coward and a traitor.. you?.. are even less of an organizm ... you  destroy the  body of your Daughter?... and take pleasure in  it..  My..kids?.. their  Mother   was a fighter... in form..and in spirit.. She got that from Lilit's side.... she is gone... you destroyed, nothing but a husk...and empty container.

  Shade Looked up A Shadow's  words, he straightened hismslf  and glared back at the screens.

 ..I won't get to kill you.. you and Evert  will be hiding , until  troopers   corner you and kill you.... maybe and  Occui  will find you?..But if  one of you wanna
 come up and try to  knock me out of the sky...be  my  guest..Light blue/bark Blur
 Mantis  with a  White tail fin and   a #19..no one else has a  white  tail fin...I'm goign to kill alot of Verians today, be damn nice   if  at least one of you were there..

 ..Vern  nice , Adem..great, last  act of defiance ... but if you think things were goign to be bad  before.... wait....

 Evert  asks,..there is a demonic    Med tech ship  coming, will you let it have safe passage..to aid  our  Non-combatants?

  Hack smiled darkly.....ask LAdy.. if she tell me to show some mercy.. maybe i'll take it into consideration... goodbye..Adem....

  Shade  glowered at the Black  screen..  he  gave Shadow one more  Hug , then stomped  towards his shuttle...

 ..LC?

 Shadow turned to the   Deck...... nothing  that happened..changes  anything, except this..... do not  honor any surrender Lights... The beach heads   will be at   the southern end of   both plains.. and North of the   Mountain estate... if you have to POD out.. head to the Yellow  smoke the  beach heads  will keep going  until this is over.... when in doubt..make sure of a Kill when you can..but make sure you protect your    flight mates... Saddle Up.....  form Up  above the Hermes... we'll   head  down when the  Admiral orders us  down..Good Hunting....

 the pilots  ran to thier aircraft.. whoops  and   shouts  as the Mounted up

  Maxie  looked  even more scared as Shadow jumped on his wing and  caught the head  gear Argie threw at him.

  Shadow     gave the Dec Boss a salute,  sliiping out into the Balck  before  hitting hsi thrusters... One by  one B- flight left..then A  flight, then each in order  after...

 the Shuttles Launched ... with   Mitch   following after...

 Meari listens to the Admiral and she agreed with everything he said, Vera wasted lives while others freely sacrificed theirs. Vera had no honor and the Admiral at least had some honor but probably not anymore, to beat someone of no honor unfortunately you will loose yours defeating them, and Meari was okay with that.

 The Adem was brought up on the Vid screens, her eyes turned dark grey she wanted to kill him with her own bare hands. She wanted to yell out and say so many Udenese swear words at Adem. Meari did like the weapon that melted the Verians, she also wanted a few herself. When Adem had Lady's body brought out Meari looked at the body of her Aunt, anyone near her could she her powerful muscles clinch. Meari knew better that was just an empty shell who Lady was died with her on Bura, Meari wanted to do so much to Adem, but she heard and saw Shade freaking out when Adem put the weapon on her body and activated it. Meari teared up as she watched the body of her Aunt get eaten away, she would look towards Shade and bow towards him. Meari looks over to Lilit to see how she reacted to watching her daughter's body be destroyed. Meari wanted to protest say more but she will let the Hermes, her guns, fighters and troops, including her speak for her when they head down to kick Vera's ass. Meari really hoped she would be part of the team going after Adem himself, she would love to end that monsters life.

 Meari than nodded to Shade, she then looked and nodded to Lilit and Dusk and headed for her shuttle the Spade.

--------------->>>>>>>>>> To Vera Ground
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Tue 31 Mar 2020.

Jug and her squad were joined on the hangar by 4 new gava, also dressed in the occuli armor.  Jug moved over quickly and assigned each to an older squad member.  Reminded them this was a unit, do what the older member said for now, later on they'd train for better cohesiveness.  Uvuvu was sent back to their quarters to make sure each had needed weapons for this mission.

  Hack reached  the 'war room' set up, along  with the rest of the Board... Rivets and Morris watched over the hanger Dec, getting   fresh torpedoes ready and   loaded  were loading Belts, for whatever  fighters might land.

 Ut was  always  goof to 'go home' for ammo, but  sometimes  you needed it faster.

Brant   sat  by the   spare aircraft.. looking like he didn't have a friend in the world

 Sneak Dana  and  two other    waitresses  were   keeping the sandwiched   fresh with covers..offering    drinks to the loaders as they worked.

 Roll, Haley and Gregor    stayed near the Mech tables   and  the  warroom ( because the  drinks  and eats were there!)

 Captain Si relayed the Message from  Sarah..Hack nodded  to   Beth who nodded to Orria, to get a feed to the Cold Stone...

 ..Sarah?....  I'm going to be  real busy in  about  20  more minutes  went the  invasion starts..... I don't want Demon ship in my corner of the Black.. ... Med tech ship or no....BUT.. i'm not there, you are... I'll stand by your  call... keep me informed.

 Lucky helped  with the torpedoes

After speeches and directives done.  Nikki gave Mitch a hand blown kiss as he launched.  The squad batted down hatches and began their sequences to move and launch.  Nikki did no different, having just a moment of time to give Haley a hug and big kiss, Roll too.  Running then she locked in her gear and strapped in, went through her checklist and joined the flow of mantises out into the black.  There to align with her flight and wingmen.

After hugs and being told where to stay Haley stuck with Roll and Gregor.  While waiting  she looked at Roll "Wanna play Rummy?  I can show you how"  she brought out her deck of cards to play.

  Roll looked around.  I guess we can?..but lets go behind the Mech tables, so we aren't in anyone's way..but if bad Guys  come. me and  Gregor  gotta help!

 Gregor    thumped his tail, but sat near them watching  all the   people move  around..it  was 90% more  quiet now.. Orders shouted.. even the Admiral  calling out to the screens  could be heard , more easily.

 Sneak would  cruise  by to check on them   then  go about her 'job' It was inetresting to note, that all 4 waitresses  had a  side  arm and chest armor.

 Lizzy listened and watched the whole thing with Adem play out, after he destroyed Lady's body she knew there where certain people who saw that, that would not rest until Adem was dead. Lizzy then followed the others to her fighter, she looked over and waved to Izzy as she headed for her fighter, she was with Admiral Hack she gave him a nod as well as she climbed her fighter and got in. Once she was ready she got in line with Nikki. " Nikki ready to shoot some Verians." When it was their time to launceh Lizzy saluted and headed out of the Hanger dec for the Black.

-------->>>>>> To Vera Air
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Tue 31 Mar 2020.

When Nikki informed her that it was a suckers bet Harry would burst out laughing before shrugging her shoulders in response to Nikki's suggestion of making her a shuttle jock "Well after she bitched and whined about being put in Fosters flight I threatened to have her put into the pool...that shut her up" Harry responded with an evil grin as she turned to listen to the briefing.

Forcing herself to eat a sandwich as the Admiral had his discussion with Adem, with her quietly wondering what it was Adem was trying to prove, Harry would quietly listen to the briefing before dashing towards her fighter and scrambling inside. After jamming her bright yellow flight helmet onto her head she would position Hamlet within the cockpit before firing up her engines and taxiing out into the Black with the rest of her flight.

---> Vera Air

Once the Admiral was done with her and Wendy, Izzy would stand at the back of the group of troopers and watch with avid interest as the Admiral spoke with Adem, with the latter burning what appeared to be the corpse of somebody called Lady in front of them. Although she was aware of who Lady was, or rather had been, the act of defiance meant nothing to her and so she would calmly walk towards the shuttle with the rest of the team without even a twinge of vengeful glee, in fact she was more interested in waving to Lizzy than she was about racking up a body count or anything.

After taking a seat at the back of the transport so that she would be one of the last ones out, Izzy would calmly strap herself in and quickly start working on one of her vid boards as the transport slowly took off and left the Hermes.

---> Vera Ground

Billie pulled out her ear bud and turned off her music as the briefing began. She watched with an impassive look upon her face, not really have much emotion tied to what happened. Of course, she also knew that she was probably one of the only ones who felt that way. Once everything was said and done, Billie climbed into the cockpit, that adrenaline beginning to pump through her veins. This is what she wanted…to fly…to be out in the Black. With a grin, the engines came to life, excitement beginning to course through her. Following suit of the others, Billie taxied her fighter into position before taking off, letting out an exuberant “Wooohoooo!” as she entered the black.

>>>>>>>>>>>Vera Air

  Hack  watched  and Listened...  Colonel  Cumming , send , at least a stick...if not  a who transport of  troopers to the green smoke... our assault  teams  will be in front of  them.

 Already  Done , Admiral Hack.... all is going well..Hmmm?

 ..its going well because they don't know what hit them yet. There will be a counter  attack of some sort... if not.. then we   just exterminate  Vermin

....

 From her  Flag ship  Lilit  sent out  an all COMs.....Adem.... Though the Admiral has given you a deadline, that you have missed... If you and evert  surrender, and are brought to my flagship.. I will  ask the Admiral to  stand  down....

 Adam laughed   as he  Cam on.. the view  was shaking with lights   flickeringEvert went to find Shadow....    I will Kill as  many of the APF who dare try to take me......

  Beth Broke in  on the pretext of information...early reports.... the east  hemisphere has lost  17 major  cities.....  the western Hemisphere   has   12    destroyed  with  troops  moving through the rubble now...

 Delta  2 is   going over the North pole   to  pound the middle on the opposite side  of us... Delta  one  is staying here to  hammer the   Estate and the two plains...... Warlord Lilit?.. it will be easy for you to turn this into farm land... the ground is  already turned down..and  the fertiziler  mixed in..

Orria was working hard for Beth, moving things around watching her boards send the different programs along their way to infiltrate, trace and disrupt the Verian efforts.

Hawkeye slipped out from the Medlab to watch, if it looked like they were about to be boarded she'd head to the medlab, but for now it was less stressful to be outside the lab.

  Hack stepped  down from the    warroon set up  went over to the   tables , Dana  fixed him up with a Box, and he climbed the stairs  again..  motioning   for Beth , Orria  Hennings  and BAle  to help themselves to sandwiched and a sold  drink.

 ..you think it was  wise, letting  our   wing meet Every's  who damn airforce?

  Bornberry said there was between 2000  and 3000 fighters?... the  space cap for Delta  one   is  dame  close to  800..not  counting    Achilles  wing and our  wing  in Atmo... Lilit  freed op our  wing.. Bornberry  set  a got 25% of her's  after them  as they notice them.so? that's  another 200 or so... They lose   those aircraft.. I can't think of how many more they'll be able to send up... keeping in mind the  other   sections  are pounding the whole damn world  from orbit.

 ..its  early... our fighter losses  are light.. their   is  damn close  to  butchering... If Evert Dies in the air.. she'll save some face..but she;ll have died   facing , mostly..'humans'.. and  Adem  might get  dug out of his  hole like a crippled ground hog..

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

 Roll was trying to learn the   rummy game.. gregor  was curled up behind the table with them