Henry was still sitting there with Mila to one side and Larry to the other. He observed Larry's behaviour with his tongue with interest, it wasn't something he'd seen a larg do before.

 Meari smiled and nodded when the camera came to her again, Meari would then smile and nod to Supe and the others as she quietly readies herself for the upcoming battle, the look in her eyes and on her face was cold, and calculated she was ready for battle and to win the day, her look could frighten non vets for sure.

  Closing   the distance between the  Planet-station, the  fleet got to see how massive the  constuct was Two carrier stations   could  be  put  end to end to ..almost   cover from east to west. and it  was  as  large  as  one  and  a half  carrier stations  from north to south.

  on the scans  now, 24 vessels  could be  seen  with an additional  2 at each pole, Lined up  around the   equator  the   24 ships   had  broadsides  facing out as the    as there in stagger lines, some  ships in the middle  some a little   further North, some a  little  further South..

........

 Shadow  called into the  COMs...They are  protecting the  Docks around the equator.... lets  see home many of thier   hornets  we can drive away... Stay together until after  first contact, then   split it you  smaller groups,,Good Luck..no heroes, you get shot up , go home..get your ride fixed,Rivets will let you back out if its  safe.

 Tally Ho..eh Wot!... he tried

 Flores   just said,LC?  we love you..but..don't.... laughter  could be heard.
  he   turned on his   own music  as  back round.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44fT9-7kL8

   4  Elipsians  came out to  Mean Shadow's Flight, with out  even waiting  for them  T o Move, Shadow   went into the screw to test their intel... The two Middle  fighters    were blown to Bits   as  the  Pulse  weapons, made a  lovely  'twirl' artr the ship spun, But the 37 MM made the kills.. Flore   Veered Up   and Shot the Belly out of the climber... the Diver  went to peel back towards the Cap ships.

    Raven  Red Water and Kat    hit the  Next  4   that came out..sadly  Raven and Kat did the screw..red  had  no idea what ws going on.

  Raven torched one.. Kat  Got   One, and red Fot the Climber..again the Diver     ppeeled  back to the    Cap ships..

 what the  9 hells  you doing!.. we  both can't  do the Shadow  screw!..it  doesn't work like that!

 ..I am being the Lead!.. I am being  in the middle!.. I am the  one who screws...

 Flores came across....last night for sure!

 Red Water   said,..am i supposed to be hearing this...

  all around the  equator   there were   blossoms   fighter craft dying... it was noted,  enemy aircraft died  with a bit of a Blue  fire..where  APF  forces  seemed to be more   red-yellow...

 the wall of   fighters  started to rise from the Docks and  enemy cap ship hangers.

 Higgins  looked  out is  cockpit...Mother f..............
 the  Black became  alit with Pulse   weapons  and   streams of  redhot  hardammo..
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:59, Sun 31 May 2020.

  Hack  looked at the screens .. Peopel   on the hanger dec  were still getting into place.. a few  Ground techs  were loading 37 MM belts... another  4 had a  torpedo  ready to be loaded   after Mitch  would   use the one he carried.

  Hack, Calmly  , yet  sternly began  to Give  Orders   as he    checked his    Pulse rifle.

   Shuttles  from  Delta  #1, head  for  the  Northern Hemisphere of this thing....  Shuttles  from  Delta #2.. go for the south..Colonel  Cummings,  have your   drops ship troops  designated for   dirtside, split   between the two.....

Delta  3  and delta 4... use your assault teams   at your own  discretion , I can't  see those  sides from here... but we  want  LZ's  for the drop ships...

  Sarah?.. Hirg?.. there has to be a reason there are only two ships at the Poles..be careful..but  we need   those LZs...

  delta   Fleet.. they  are inviting us to  go broadsides  with them....  they are  sitting there like  gun emplacements........ we'll have to take some rounds..but  full flak  speed. and  steer  for   for and aft of their ships..  when you cross thier T.. fire....they proceed  to  bombard the  egg... Assault  shuttles  be  ready for the word...

 Hennings called into the COMs....going by standard  Empire  weapons, we  will be in range of thier  Guns in  3 Minutes...


 Hack announced...On my mark...  all ships , flank speed and steer  as  commanded...

 Roles had made it  down to the Hanger, he had on chest armor  and a helmet  and carried an SMG.....you are Going to give them a   free shot?

 Hack nodded,they are  guarantied  to get off one..if thier Gunners  are good, they'll get off  two..then.. its payback...

 Roles  left out a breath,..all these years, I wondered why Shadow was a nut case... now i see where he gets it...

  the minutes that followed , Shadow  began to attack, and  Hennings   said  'MARK"

 All Delta ships..Flank speed  now!


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

 the    enemy ships opened  up,  the   increased speed  through off  some of the guns.. Delta Ships  too  some  Rounds,   plates   flying off on  impact.

 The Hermes  took  a  hit    between the bridhe  and the   OB  windows, the impact  made a dent, but  she showed no  damage..on the outside.

 The Sif  took  two Big Hits    and    her  nose    went up a Little, the  ship soon  righted itself, continuing on  trail black smoke and  sprats from the startboard Bow.. Only a few  enemy ships  got off the second  Broadside, and even though  there were plenty of targets    as the delta ships   sorted out thier  courses..the sheer  speed and  numbers had the commanders  of the defenders  at a loss.... then..it was the  ESN's turn..

 Lizzy stayed with Nikki and Egger, as their flight engaged the enemy, she would fly on Egger's left wing leaving Nikki on the other he was the most senior of the three. Lizzy opened up on the incoming fighters trying to take out as many as she could before they went into their trio group. Lizzy would keep firing at the bad guys testing their flying skills and also always keeping her eyes on the wing mates and other ESN fighters. Oce they went through the first wave of engagement Lizzy would wait to follow Egger's lead, but she was always watch out for Nikki, she was a good friend and a hell of a wing mate.

"Roger that Harry," Billie said as she looked around, enjoying the brief moment of quiet in the Black. The time was short lived though and she let out a sigh. Time to get to work so that she could ensure that she was able to go on that date. "Everything alright Higgins?" she asked calmly as she opened fire on the enemy, doing her best to take out at least one.

  Bilie  torched    the   far wing. Higgins amanged to  take one out,  it  spiraled away  with bluish white smoke    'downwards"

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

 Lizzy    shot the  tail fin off  one, causing    dark smoke and the  a fire...

 Egger    shot up one that  climbed  away...

 Nikki  hit  a cockpit, splattering the broken galss with what wa s left of the pilot ,, flames  burned inside   as the   aircraft  flew  forward  with no one   controlling it.


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

 Cap ships  auto AAs  were takign their toll on the thick clouds   for   fighters..

Athena  Blow  a cap ship in half

 ...............

 Morris came on the COMs,Capt Nilsson.. accompany the shuttles.... Lt  Mitch?   you are given leave to  find a  tagre  for your   torpedo... then return to reload..


 'already dones    followed Morris's COM.

Harry had waggled her wings back more out of habit than anything else, with her otherwise ignoring Lizzy as she lead her Little flight into combat. With Billie and Higgins targeting the enemy fighters on the flanks, Harry would line up a shot on one of the central fighters before firing off a sharp burst from her cannons. With her shot made she would quickly pull her fighter into a climb so as to avoid any potential return fire before turning it into a loop that would hopefully bring her round onto another fighter and allow her to fire upon it. Failing that she might distract it enough for one of the others to finish the job.

   The Elipsians   must have been taken  aback... Hack's   movement show he was Afraid to  trade broadsides!

 The reality hit  them  as   the   ships funneled   pas  the   stationary vessels,  crossing the  T's.... the cold  grip of panic hit them, as the first tow  ships  went  past after thier    broadsides   fired, and began of   point the  Northern hemisphere of the  Planet-station... meanwhile, every  3rd ship    turned to  engage the  ships that were  trying to power up the   engines...

 The Slayer  split  a largran Cap ship in half  as it   hit the   engines.. the Captain could be heard  yelling  '  FOR THE HARVESTER! "

 the PitBull of Delta  4   was crippled , and begin to Peel  back towards the  Support ships that were  at least 20 minutes away...,  with two of her   four  thrusters out , she  tilted slowly to the  left

.......

 Fighters  zipped  around, at any one second, a  fighter   flew over, under or   past the pilots, some on thier side..some Not...

 Two fighters  collided,  and the mix of  explosions , none  could tell whose  side they were on, or  one of   each...

Shadow to all Fighters....  we're in a fur  ball take  care of yourselves..look for    any ESN folks  who need help... when the Admiral gives the word.. we  dive   down  and start chewing up real-estate

 ..how did you stay alive all this time!... Red Said  as his  wing collected   some stiches from a Demon fighter

 ..good friends, and good luck... keep your head in the game..

Nikki continued on, waxing one on Eggers tail.  Peeling off right out of the explosive path.  She spotted another starting to jump on to Lizzys' tail. "Phoenix...got one on your 5.  Emmelmann bear left, now. " if she did it she could get him clean.  If she continued Lizzy would lead him past her and she'd toast him.

 Lizzy went up with Egger, she was looking for bad guys and looking out for the others, it was a nasty furball for sure. When Nikki told of the boggie on her 6 she said," Stay right there I will loop up and around and head left should bring this asshole right into your guns, and I see a bag guy on you, after you fire hard right meet you on Egger's wings."

 Lizzy flies up and begins her loop hoping Nikki toasts him, as she loops up avoiding bad guys, she targets the asshole on Nikki's ass, and she will open up and keep looking for ESN to help and bad guys to blow up, she will keep an eye out for Harry as she heads to Egger's wing again and keep the bad guys off the good guys.

"Got it... 2 less problems to deal with. Eggers ya good?" Nikki called as she opened up on the one that was on Lizzy.  "If they are in groups of 4 then there is another 1-2 about, keep an eye out" she reminded both Lizzy and Eggers, as well as herself.

  The Black was full of Motion,  fighters from both sides  zipping around like angry hornets. Swearing , screams and  warnings    echoed through the COMs.

    Eckles first cheered , as she torched  a largran, then swore  as she was hit  by an Elipsian  Heavy  fighter.

 Nikki saw    some  holes  appear , as if by magis   on her  cowling, hoping   it didn't effect her  Cannons.

  Lizzy say the    fighter that hit  Nikki    zoom up   and away,  juast as she, herself   felt her   aircraft shake  as   Pulse  rounds  hit her  undercarriage.

  Harry and Billie  saw  Higgins   take a beating  from  two elipsian fighters  , he  BArrel rolled  away streaming   white and  Black Vapor...  Harry saw  2 creases  form on her cowling as hard  ammo zipped  across  her aircraft...

  Billie  felt her  aircraft shake  as something was on her tail.  Shadow and  Flores  split  to   try and  Hunt  down  enemies  who were  getting on  wounded aircraft

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

 Meanwhile   The Hermes and the  here   broke  throught he Maelstrom  and  began to slaow their  speed  and Pound  a n area on the Elipsian Planet-station.. Dirt flew and  plants caught  fire, showing a high oxygen content in the    structure's  atmosphere.

,,   some  30 miles away, Athena and Artemis  were doing the  same  thing

  The Scratch 's  Captain Came on the COMs.... we are in peril!!!  pulling out  to Abandon ship!.. Send  Tenders.. Shuttles   will proceed to the nearest ....

 The COM  ended,   Far back of the Hermes  a bright light  showed as The Scratch met its  fate.

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

 Stoly   COMed  all the Hermes   assault shuttles...we are hanging   behind The Hermes.. be  ready to go as soon as the Admiral gives  the orders.

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

  Mitch had  taken Off   heading mack through the  Maelstrom  to  fine the Cps ship he hit before, ot..the next closes  one... Drop ship troopers   were on two ot   the  Cap ship, beacons lighting up as they cut thier  way into the  vessels...

 Over the COMs   the Commander of The Atom  yelled.....GOT ONE!! as  an Elispian Blew apart like  dropped  egg.

Henry packad away the portable bowls and checked Mila's and Larry's harnesses.

Aboard the shuttle Melia sat calmly in her medium boarding armor. If the shuttle went up during the ride down there was little she could do to change that. She thinks about the upcoming fight, but also thinks about planning her wedding. Not much time had passed but she wasn't sure she wanted to wait an exceptionally long time. She'd have to talk to Zob about that.  Filing that away she goes through yet another check of her gear. They were muscle memory at this point and somewhat unnecessary to check as frequently as she did, but still old habits died hard and this one wasn't particularly a bad one.

As they sat within the rear compartment of the shuttle waiting for the signal for them to make their final approach on the planet and then disembark, Izzy would nervously fidget within her seat. Being in combat didn’t bother her, or at least no more than was sensible, but simply sitting within a shuttle with nothing to occupy her mind other than quietly hoping that they wouldn’t get attacked by a passing fighter and subsequently sucked out into space was starting to wear on her nerves. Drawing her sidearm for third time in so many minutes she would once again start checking it over just incase it had developed a fault since she’d last checked it before once again checking her makeup in the tiny compact mirror she carried and finding it just as immaculate as it had been the last time she’d checked all of two minutes ago. Needless to say she hoped they’d receive the signal to make their landing soon.

”Stop shooting my fucking fighter!” Harry shouted as she watched the pair of hard ammo rounds glancing off of her cowling and completely wrecking the paintwork, before swinging round to engage one of the fighters currently gunning for Higgins ”Hold in there Higgins I’ve got ya” Harry said as she squeezed off a burst that neatly removed the canopy from one of the Ellipsian fighters with the Black quickly killing the pilot inside, assuming of course he’d survived the initial attack ”Higgins you’re trailing a shit load of smoke, if you’ve got any red lights on your dash you need to go home now!” she shouted as she moved to attack the other enemy fighter that had been chasing him, with her quietly hoping that Billie would be able to look after herself just a little bit longer.

" Mother fuckers getting my undercarriage what the fuck." Lizzy quickly tried to fire back at the asshole that got her or the one that shot at Nikki. She would check her indicators and see how she handled but would lock on the first enemy target and keep firing to get as many of the bastards she could. She would still watch Nikki's and Egger's backs and keep herself alive. She would still keep an eye out for any ESN pilot in danger, especially if she saw Harry in trouble.

 After checking her fighter she sent to Nikki," Hey you ok Fury, still trying too see how bad I am hit not sure yet."

 Meari sat there watching the others, she was nervous about the shuttle exploding but why worry about it, she had no control over it, so if it was her time it was their time. She smiled at looked at Izzy and said," Remember stay down, and if you want to record a message let me know and I will give you cover if I am still near you. You are calm under fire Ens that is good, and you do fight well, keep up the good work Ens." She then began to twilr her comabt knife in her hand like a professional as her way of calming down and focusing on the job to come.

   Beth broke Into the COMs......LC!..All Pilots  in the Fleet ..Listen up.... I Snagged this on one of Orria's  sniffers....

( Maris's Voice...)   ..Launch the red  Fighters.....

(an raspy Elipsian voice) we have  1000s  of  fighters out there, human fool!

 ..you don't have enough for the Delta Fleet..send the red  Fighters....

 ..the High Command  will not be happy....

we are gettign shelled!..Troops  will be  droppign soon.. send the red Fighters to shoot  Down shuttles and drop ships...

 As you would have it... Launch the Red Fighters....

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

  shortly after   beth Cut  the   signal.. another Voice  was heard on the  COMs...

 well now?....  here we are Gettin'  ta mix it up  with  the Delta godsdamn Fleet... I wanna  Know where  the Honcho is?.. seems like he  waxed  my Honey on  Aqra.... and  , let's face it, Sin was a whore an' a bitch..but   that was all good    once  we hit the sheets...

Shadow  laughed  an honest laugh,..hey red neck?.... Not surprised you guys  are red , since that seems  to  be Earth's  Color  for Traitors?... let me guess.. you're name is Billy Bob?

 well, well..Kray fuckin' Shadow.. I sure hope i get you in my sights...be damn nice to end your  prissy ass...

 yeah, yeah dickwad.... , Hey? How many babies did you have to eat to get command there?

 why?  you thinkin' of joinin'? 

 Red's Not  my  Color ,traitor Boy... I've killed lots of  folks in my day..some  folks were innocent, colleterial  damage?... But i never  killed  the good  guys on purpose..... I doubt if  I'll see you out here.. Cause..i'm busy killing your masters.. bit.. I won't pass up sending   a Red Bird to the 9 hells....

   best of Luck, Pretty boy....

 ..look? i know you guys  down in the south  sorta swing that way?.. But   I'm not your type....  then he  said Over all COMs...

 ..I know you're  all Busy..but  if you see a red Bird out there..kill it...Surrender lights  don't mean one damn think if you see them on a Red Bird.... any one has a problem with that..go home now...

 ..That little filly with that  english talk?  She  said you  were a   'right bastard'.... Guessin' she's  right?

 ..Look?  pig Humper? I'm busy.. Come  find me... Big old  19 on my tail fin, two  wing leader lights...course.. might  be a bit to close to the fight for Your traitor folks...


 ..I'll see ifin i can find you Kray...by the  way, This is Jimmy Curzz...

 Shadow laughed again,..godsbe  damned , no wonder you're flyign with them.. you couldn't get out of your desk with out tripping and  falling  down...

 The country  bumpkin's  voice thinned out.....yeah?.. we'll see you son?.. I purely love to add your decal to my  ride...

 ..Yeah?... Big Upgrade over those  Peppa Pig stickers from you library books.
.................

 Higgins  was  swearing  durning this all...  gods be damned!!.. runner is   almost shot..Lube lines  red.. and  Hydros  red... I'm going Home.... bastards..I hope they let me  bring a  pool aircraft out..

 ..get the  9 hells out of here....  Rivets can send  for a spare from the LGs... frans shouted.

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

 people were getting  shots  in and Taking  shots.. it was like a forest, but instead of leaves  and branches you have fighters from both sides

   Raven   Flew  Past Harry's  canopy, skids  just   9nched   above her... the trailing largran's  skids  scraped  the  top leaving a gouge in Harry's   canopy, before red   Blew it to bits..

   Loan Lake  was in a Bad  way, she was separated from her Wing and three   Largrans  were chasing her   she  had to keep  diving away from the cloud of fighter.. with the three intent on her  death.
  As  more  cap ships  parked  above the Planet-station  rounded  rained   down , battering the  landscape..  the  auto AAs  worked over time   as they splashed   enemy  fighters

  Mitch was landing  for , yet another  reload..  reporting his hits,  that were helping in some way... alot of the torpedo craft were hitting  targets... alot ..also were dying.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:11, Wed 03 June 2020.

 Lizzy saw Lona Lake in trouble with three on her tail, she sent private to Nikki and Egger, " Guys Lake is in trouble lets give her a hand and keep watching everyone's ass." Lizzy would head for the lead Fight on Lake's ass and open fire hoping Nikki and Egger would take the other two out. Lizzy would still keep an eye out for others in trouble, kill bad guys and keep her own ass alive.

In reply to Lizzy O'conner (msg # 29):

"Dandy!  Seems I brought my 'Sunday.... Go to meeting Mantis'. It got all holey on me.  Phoenix, you are not leaking anything" her joke insinuated she was hit but okay.  Her observation she sent out for her to know, even as she checked her own crafts instruments.  "These fat little flies need swattin'" she blasted away at one that was on someones ass.  She just knew it was on her side, not sure of which pilot but learned it was Lake.  "Time to start swattin'"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Wed 03 June 2020.

 Stoly called abck through the open cArgo  door.....Check your  COMs.. we have  a target Landing area, at an opening few shuttles  came out of..  One drop ship   will be landing  behind us

 Every one checked thier COMs   a a blinking light  was set on the one Stoly had  Locked in  on..

  The   Shuttles  weapons  were firing now. the  rhythmic thump of the  rounds going out, and the  metallic   ,usic of the  casings   hitting the metal floor.."  Got One!!!"

  "Coming from our 6!!! " "

" Got it!!.. Nicked  him up, he's moving off... "

 Larry's  eha d raises     as he looked  around...   his  growl  growing with anticipation ..

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

 Round  from  The Hermes, Hera  and Echidna  pounded the  area .. Foster and  Howe  went   down to   trim back any weeds...

 Meari got ready, she checked her comms to make sure they we on and working properly. Meari sat calmly as she heard the comms, again there was nothing she could do, she just calmly waited for when it was her turn to have something to say and do about it.

Henry rubbed Larry's head.

"Soon, Larry, soon. Then you can be at them! Good hunting..."

He checked his own gear and Mila's yet again.