Nik gave Harry a wry look, amused a little as she totally avoided the subject and returned to the Ball. "Can't say i've been to one out here. I didn't even know they had them till they spoke about it. Seems like its going to be chaotic and I wouldn't mind a front seat to that." He grinned briefly before eating more of his scrambled eggs then following it with a sip of coffee. "I have to think that from what the LC said, its going to be a wild ride. And the Angels...," he shook his head slowly. "Act more like what we've seen from others, turning and running, than standing to face everything. At least the Paradise ones do. Its a shame they rather do an ostrich than stand up."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:15, Sat 03 July 2021.

Roy barely altered his already leisurely pace when Billie approached, grimacing slightly at her question.  "Med Tech...I want to find out how close to 100% I'm going to be by the time we hit the ball tomorrow."

He grunted slightly as a different grimace crossed his face.  "I can just envision how Shadow's going to deal with the Paradise contingent...and I think it will be better if he's not doing it alone.  Not that he can't handle himself--far from that, in fact...but it's less likely to get twisted in the media if there's a unified front against them."  His grimace turned to a scowl as he continued, "But I also don't want to create a false impression of how capable the Paradise lot are by floundering because my arm's still impaired.  Need to know just how brash I can afford to be.  It's one thing if they actually beat me because they're better than me...although I doubt that, after a millenium of hunkering down and doing everything they can to avoid fire.  But it's another thing altogether to get beat because I'm fighting wounded.  I'll still do it, of course...but knowing it's an issue gives me the option to adapt what I'm doing to compensate for it."

His voice left no doubt whatsoever that he fully expected things to come to blows with the Paradise Angels.

"Well I suppose I will accompany you there...heading there to see how Machins is doing..." she said softly, going quiet when he began to speak. "You...really think it's going to come to that?" Arnie had kind of suggested that such a thing could happen but with the SM confirming said suspicions brought a frown to her lips. "If there's anything I can do to help you guys out...let me know..."

Roy grinned...not a derisive grin, but genuine amusement.  "Oh...it's probably best that you stand back from it.  The tricky thing is going to be putting up enough of a show that Paradise...and the rest of the APF...realizes that we're not tolerating their bullshit, without making it look like we hate the Angels.  They're a good resource...but they surrendered any claim they had on leading the war effort centuries ago.  They can't even claim dominance over their own star system, at this point...the Paradise Moons became APF members years ago, while Paradise was still handing over their lunch money so the Demons wouldn't beat them up.  Wasn't until we chased the Demons clean out of the schoolyard that they put their hands down and their money back in their pockets.  Ego dies hard, though, and especially in people who are still living on the glories of a past millennium."

He shrugged.  "So, Shadow, Hack, and I--representing the leadership of the APF fighter wings, battle fleet, and ground forces--have to be the stubborn assholes that adjust those egos...forcefully, if necessary.  But it shouldn't look like the whole damned APF just wants them to piss off and go hide at home again."

He grinned, glancing over at Billie as they hit the ramp to the Med Tech level.  "That said, don't hesitate to call them on any bullshit they choose to spread.  If this lot are anything like the other Paradise Angels I've had occasion to deal with, they're gonna be full of it.  And if you see one of them draw down on one of us unawares, well...kneecaps make really good targets on Angels, too."

"Well now...standing back from it is a little hard to do...it's not like I am not going to the Ball so it's going to be right there in my face," she chuckled. "I am not going to start something though...not my MO." Billie was pretty laid back in that sense, even despite being picked on at the Academy. "You need to stop...being...broken so you can start training me." There was a hint of a smirk on her lips. Both him and Shadow have said they would give her additional training yet it hasn't happened yet.

Henry smiled shyly as he showed the text to Val.

"How about tonight, this evening, then? Before all the excitement of Etna. I don't want not to be yours for a moment longer than necessary."

He stroked Thor's head absently as he waited for her reply.

 Val Looked shocked..what?..I mean...Yes?.... will we be able to get things together?.. I do not even know who i should ask to attend  me?...but...if we The Admiral is willing..we should get this done...

 a Pouty  Thor   slowly thumped his  tail and gave a  sigh, as sounds  of playing  kids , and the absence of the pack were his concerns.

I know you will Liz, I mean you could wear a bin bag and look amazing! It’s bloody infuriating how good you look with so little effort!” she laughed, with it going take quite some time and skill to make herself look good with all of the scarring on her face and neck ”…and obviously low cut or plunging neckline!” she then added cheekily, unafraid to express her desire for the female form with her feeling a little more relaxed about her sexuality and how she expressed it. With the fact that the crew had been accepting of her relationship with Lizzy, with some even being supportive of her, going along way to help calm her initial fears over coming out. Now if only she could find a way of getting people to believe that she was not a twelve year old…

When asked what her plans were for the rest of the day Izzy would shrug her shoulders as she continued to eat her fruit salad ”Not sure…I should probably check in with SEC and see what’s going on, maybe get a little work done on my project with Tali?…though I’m also going to have to find Captain Morris because I think he sent me this by mistake” she said removing a small box from out of her pocket and opening it to reveal the Purple Heart inside to those sat at the table to see.

Using the edge of her fork to cut up her omelette Harry would nod her head as spoke “yeah they’re a fairly regular occurrence; a evening of expensive food and drinks, dancing and the inevitable scrap…which I may give a miss this time around” she said glancing up in time to catch the wry look on his face. There was a sigh and a rolling of her eyes before giving him an equally amused look ”go on then, you clearly have questions you want to ask…I just figured you wouldn’t want to hear about my past girlfriends” she explained figuring that their discussion about the paradise angels could wait.

 Lizzy giggled at Izzy's comment she would look good in anything. Lizzy replied," Blame my Mother I got my looks from her." She smiled at Izzy and giggled again with Izzy's low cut, plunging neckline.

 Lizzy looked at Izzy and replied," Ok Izzy yes check in with SEC, and yeah what are you going to do with Tali?" Then Izzy showed her the purple heart she got, she said," You got wounded in combat Izzy that is what the award is for, you earned that the hard way Izzy." Lizzy was proud of Izzy she volunteered to go too the Nest ship, and she did good. Lizzy then added," Ok I will be at the Sims comm me Izzy after you figure things out ok my love."

Gently biting her lower lip as Lizzy assured her that she had indeed earned the medal by getting wounded in combat it would be clear that Izzy wasn't convinced "but...it's only a scratch, it's not like I got hurt like Nikki, Harry or Lt Howe...I mean they patched it up in the waiting room" with her final comment going a long way in explaining how minor her injury was, or at least in her opinion. Closing the lid on the box she would return it to her pocket with an uncertain look on her face as she finished the last of her breakfast. On the subject of what she was going to do with Tali she was a little more enthusiastic as she spoke "I plan on turning her into a recon or possibly even a combat drone though I need to do further testing and a whole load of alterations but for now a new paint job is in order" she explained wanting to exchange the bright white paintwork on her casing for an olive drab or battleship grey that would make her a little less noticeable.

 Lizzy smiled, and added," Well they deemed it was enough to qualify Izzy, I am glad your Ok and enjoying SEC. Wow cool Izzy that would really help out on the field, I am so proud of you." Lizzy then kisses Izzy, she leaves a 20 cred chip for the servers.

 Lizzy then says," Ok Izzy keep me posted I need to hit the Sims, love you." Lizzy waits for Izzy's response.

As Lizzy gave her a quick kiss as she got up to leave, Izzy would give her concerned look as she said "Ok Liz, just don't push yourself too hard, something tells me you're better than you give yourself credit for" with the fact that she'd got through that last battle unscathed telling her that perhaps Lizzy was being a little too hard on herself "I'll see you later, love you" she said as Lizzy then got up and headed towards the SIMs.

With both Lizzy and Nikki leaving, Izzy would finish the last mouthful of coffee before getting up and heading for SEC to see if she was required.

---> SEC

He chuckled at her and shook his head. "I was more amused how you avoided the topic." He studied her then smiled. "You tend to do that a lot when you don't want to talk about certain subjects. Either way it doesn't matter to me Harry. If you want to tell me you will on your own without me asking. And I won't think any less of you. Anyone that does, well they can suck the Hermes' thrusters, enthusiastically."

Nik finished off his eggs and then chewed contently on the last of the bacon. "Doc said you should be resting, right? Do you want me to come over? I can even make dinner again," he added with a short laugh. Harry might have hit the jackpot with a guy that knew how to cook. Or maybe Nik just knew a few things to make and that was all.

 Lizzy smiled and said," I never saw the attack the first time out, and I barely made it back, Nikki almost didnt. Well Yeah the second part I did great, the trap they set was weak we got all 20 without loosing one of us. Izzy I need to push a little too be the best pilot I can be." Lizzy smiled and said, " I will comm yo when I am done with the Sims ok, see you soon, love you."

 Lizzy then headed for the Sims.

---->>>>> To Sims

Roy gave a chuckle and glanced down at his wounded arm.  "This?  This isn't broken...this is just mildly impaired.  I've had to keep fighting with worse."

--->to Med Tech.

She laughed. "I stand by my statement. Hurry and get better so I can start training." With a shake of her head, she followed him into the med tech.

>>>>> To Med Tech

With a kiss Nikki left Mitch to catch upon his duties.  She let Haley play, as she went back to her quarters to rest.

===> officers quarters

Henry looked at the remains of brunch.

"Are you done? We can take Thor over to play with the youngsters. The Admiral said he'd show up when told, as for the rest... here on the Rec Dec with the rest of the Hermes crew will be sufficient."

He stood up holding Thor, whispering something in his ear as he called Mila over.

Hearing Nic pointing out that she had a habit of dodging certain topics of conversation Harry’s fork would pause in mid air as she gave him a concerned frown ”Do I really do that a lot?…I honestly didn’t think you’d want to know” there were also certain topics she avoided because she knew it would achieve nothing but to open the door for the black dog to come on in and make itself comfortable again. Also as much as she knew that walling off certain memories and emotions was unhealthy she didn’t think she had a lot of choice right now.

Her look of concern however would quickly turn to that of delight when he asked if could come over to hers and keep her company again. She had been starting to worry that he would grow tired of her constantly begging for him to come over and stay the night with her like a child that was scared of the dark, so hearing him making the offer was a bit of a relief ”sure, I’d really like that…I’ll even let you pick the film” she said giggling at how she had blindsided him with Bridget Jones’ Diary last night ”…I just wish I was in better shape to enjoy it more” she said, sighing in obvious disappointment as she finished the last of her omelette and placed her fork on the now empty plate.

Nic nodded softly in answer. "I know. I haven't pushed you at all Harry. Just know, I am here when you are ready to talk." She didn't have to speak of her past with him till she was ready. He wasn't going to ask too much because if she wasn't ready to talk about it then pushing her wasn't going to do more than earn him her ire. Nope, not something he cared to do.

The change to delight didn't go unnoticed by him and he grinned at her response. "Ok. And don't worry about it. I happen to like you cuddling up to me," he said with laughter in his eyes. He wasn't looking for more than simple things like what they were doing now. With his breakfast done and the coffee drank, he paid for both their meals and left a good tip for the waitress. "Come on, lets get you back and get you in more comfortable clothing."

”You do realise I may never be ready to talk about certain things right?” Harry softly replied, though she did appreciate him making the offer to listen and provide a shoulder to cry on if she ever felt she was.

With the conversation turning to the rather more enjoyable topic of him staying over at hers, she would smile as he told her that he enjoyed having her cuddling up against him, with a night of chick flicks seemingly having no adverse effect on him either. It was as she was cautiously getting back on her feet and retrieving her soft cover that he would offer to escort her back to her quarters and help her change into some comfier clothes ”you just want to see my tits again!” she laughed before taking his hand and allowing him to lead her back to her quarters.

——> Officers Quarters

Nic shrugged about her reluctance to speak of things. She would or wouldn't and he would not urge her to do so. At her teasing he arched a brow. "You are the one that said there was nothing to see," he teased back with a chuckle and then found her hand in his as they left the Rec Dec and headed back to the Officer's Quarters.

[To Officer's Quarters]

<<<<<<<  from tunnels

   Shadow stepped out of the  Lift that was  like a LArg Clown  car, with the   beasties  pouring out like a green flod , heading towards  'the Large  Area...

 Amy met  Shadow  he asked  for 'larg Tins  and water, and a milkshake for himself., then he went over  to the  Larg area  to watch over them

<<<<<<<<<<<<  from Med tech after Etna shore  leave

   Lift doors opened, Shadow stepped out in his   off duty uniform of   tunic, pants   boots and, of  course, weapons  belt., he had his  flight Jacket on as well as a  Hermes Bal cap.

  Waving Dana over he explained to her  about who was getting a  meal and drink on him. The ordered  a Large Pizza for his table and a Soda.

Shade  was making his way among the  Tables  'talking' to some SEC people , some who had no  idea , what Shade was saying, other  puzzled out  what he said  and answered, which made the   Little  Undense happy.

 Larry was the Only Larg on the rec dec, the rest where   resting in Bio-Tech.

 A Tired looking beth  entered the rec Dec, heading  for  Shadow's table, she had a few Vidboards with her