Jax  did not hide ( what he thought was)  a Shadow-like smile.  Nifty grinned.

 I..i... I will take this  Up  the  my Captaain   ..Good day...

 ..Thanks SM.. those  kids need a break... he signed off.

 Nifty  called Out, he had a toothpick  in a   tooth  that he was chewing as he   held  his rifle...

 Hey!..LT?... you ever been poor... I mean..not a gods be damned cred to your name? and you  have rags that you have to wear into  the surf to wash?... you hide in pipes so   Gangers  don't get you.. they like little kids... and kids  fetch alot of creds  on the slaver market..and who no one will miss right...   he starts   walking towards the LT..his voice getting  louder...

 ..RIGHT...?  As stem kid  getting eaten by a demon ain't much differant then one  being eaten by a stem rat.. the kids  still scream,, they are still scared,, and they still cry... they cry  for a Mom who is there, or  a dad they never met.. and finally.. they cry for thier friends ... but..it  done.. if they are lucky..it was fast..but we know demons   don't like  thier  desserts  dead..right...

 ..you are pushing your  luck? No?

 Tell you what, LT?.. you take those  bars off  and  we'll go a bit deeper  into the tunnel...in a short  few minutes, I'll be comign abck out... and people will be wondering how  you died like that...

 Jax  called  Nifty  back.. the LT  was a little concerned  as he watched them.. and he  went to  his men  and began his COM call to  Everest SEC
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:52, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

  The Limo pulled up to the main r=entrance of the stadium..  The board, Wil and others Like Beth and Lyri got out, Shoey and Nagy were  dressed   in civies..Lyri gave them casual hand  signals that sent them off through the  gates

 they  we escorted to the ramp that lead up to the  club level of the stadium , so they could  reach the owners  Box  without too much hassle.

 St Gual was in her Unifrom and she frowned  at  the way the hermes  folks were dressed...Ok   St Gaul?.. don';t start about  the way we are dressed.. we came to enjoy a football  game, not puff out our chests

 Admiral St Gaul didn't know what to  say , except to sweep her   arms towards the  food and drinks.

 ..your LC..he is starting  with the mouth badding?.. and..his  offspring is playing?.. you must  have lost many people?.. we would have played the  Athena  and Let your team Play the Lowers  team..

 Hack  smiled   as he looked to the field, the arms up were done and they were  going in..

 Hennings  nodded,..yes, poor Shade, he  only has  one  game under his belt.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:27, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

  there  were food lined up on the   tables  with  paper plates and  drinks..the Stem kids looked,  Miller  waved them forward to get food, even helpign the littlest one fill his plate.

 The sat   and   eat on the    bench by the door, but the caoches  told them  to come sit every one  esle..

 The    Girl with the hurt eye said,..this is more  food then we have seen =in our life!

 The older Boy smiled, he ate a bit more slowly  then the young ones who gobbled  like they never  saw food before..nice  and clean.. a shot or two for some   things the  med tech found, new clothes and hot  food.

 Jax and    Nifty were told to eat as well..but they sat on the bench by the door  sine they were 'on guard'

 The  coaches  set up the Kick cover teams.. Billie, machins  and   melia    would be one them

 they went over   where  Tucker was to kick the ball.. and how they had to  stay in thier lanes  to make sure there wasn't a big return

 The stem kids  watched   and took everything in , eating  drinking  and  listening,   the younger ones had water eyes, as they couldn't believe these people were treating them so nice.

Roy's tone was a bit acerbic as he commented, "I hear you still have that wonderfully nuanced approach to dealing with stem kids trying to scavenge a living..."  He had hoped, after their last visit, that the elitism that seemed to be part of Everest's foundation might have been shaken up a bit, but the experience so far was not impressing him...

  St Gaul looked at  Roy, as if she was shocked,Mon SM?... It is their lot in life, is it not? We cannot    take charge of every waif  that   is left on out doorstep...

 captain Si looked at Roy was she poured some  french tea.. the  aroma filling the  Box.Tell me,  Admiral St Gaul... people who lost thier parents, because SEC failed to stop thier  deaths or  capture... what are they to do?... children who did not ask to be in this world, left to die because of parents  who did not care?.... what are they to do?  We have Stem Kids on The Hermes, and we have  a few kids  we recused for being meals... how is it, that a Station that spends  money like  water, cannot   have a system set up for the children...

 St  Gauk looked a bit embarrassed,..but  what good  will they be?   Will they be of anyuse? They  are Stem  children?   guttersnipes..

 Will was  eating what looked like beef and noodles  with  some  cut potatoes,..I  could rattle off  a few names, of   guttersnipes, that are worth more then Pampered  Pansies...

  Captain LaQua looked shocked at Will and was about to say something when he saw  the EMH... he did not say anything.

 Beth  had  a  multicolored   mixed   drink, Lyri was  nursing a beer.  Lyri  gave a side look to Harry as she saw the reaction of the French Captain to the Medal.

 Hennings and BAle  were  watching, Vids  of   Player's faces   and  an action shot of the  Everest time were  showing on the  screens.

  In the locker  rooms the  team   and the  'sideline Guests '  had  finished  eating. they kids     sat back away  from the center of the locker  room   and the players   finished  putting on thier  pads   and  jerseys.. D-Lineman taped down thier jersey's on thier pads  using double sided  carpet tape.

     Shadow   wrapped  extra   taape over his   shoes  to  cover the laces  , but not interfere  with the  cleats .

   A knock at the door  and the Ref poked his ehad in.. a ref  from  'The Green Death' to be  impartial.10 minutes , Hermes, they are showing  team Vids and  starting Line up... don't be late...

  Walker   motioned with his hand to  Tucker, who gave him  his helmet... ESN  Blue  with the  Hermes foot decal on the sides  351 under the  foot.

 Walker  holds the  smooth , clean  helmet up  for everyone to see.....Football Helmet.. Right?... Like  Millions of others..they  only  Vary by  3 things?   The color.... The insignia  and what esle?

  Keefer ,One of the O-line says...Facemask!

 Giveins , one of the other O-line  Elbowed him..

 Walker  made a twisted lipped smile at him, some people chuckled..

 The people who wear it.... and, that is the  biggest difference ....It feeds on itself?... You put this ehad gear on... you are wearing the Colors  of  the  Hermes... the insignia  of the  Hermes, and   The Hermes is proud...but she is at a disadvantage?.. she cannot help you out there on the Field.. she, like  everyone else, without this helmet? can only watch...hope...cheer...

 There  are lot of people out there, That would like to see us lose? Whether  its because they bet against us... they are chasing us in the standings, or they flat out don't like us...We..can change that.... what advantage  do they have?... fresh players..players who have not lose comrades.... and  experiance....

 we have... first time players?... we are all coming off   almost 2 weeks of getting beat up, some down time, and getting beat up again... while those   folks  across the  filed  ate french bread, drank german beer and watch the Vids.... LC?.. anything to add.

 he hands the Helmet back to Tucker who looked at it a bit differant.

 If anyone in this room, things we're going to walk all over them?  I like that?..but  its unrealistic...we'll have to fight for every damn yard... fight to  stop them fron getting  thier yards... and every  score  could be the last one.....

 ...Miller?...

 ..Do Your  Jobs.... don't worry about any one else's job..and we Got this...

 Knock at the door..Time , Hermes!

 anything else?

 ..don['t treat this as a fooball game.... This is a street fight... hit  anyone  in a  Lgith blue jersey that you can hit Legally... stretch them out..DON'T..help them up..make they use thier energy...make them get mad.. make them thing  about anything , but thier jobs.... But  most of  all..JACK...THEM..UP!

 the Door Opened  to the field..  Supe  pulled on his helmet to lead the  team out.. he ran  through the  doors  yelling.....FUCK THEM ALL UP!!!!!


 machins grinned  and followed..what he said!!

 Jax  and  Nifty walked witht he  4  kids who had the  sideline passed  aroudn thier necks.. clean,  jeans and  T-shirts, some wore thier hoodies.. some had the hoodie  around thier waists..


 >  game time

Zob put on his helmet and pumped his fist into the air and let out a cheerful roar as he followed Supe out to the field he was ready to lay the smack down on these Everest pansies.

Roy gave St. Gaul a measured look.  "I would have thought that any command officer would understand that you get out of your people what you put into them.  Two of my most reliable Sec troopers were Stem kids.  One of them saved Admiral Hack's life.  They're people, like anyone else...the ones that survive have great reflexes and sharp waits, and after a few months in the Stem, they're better survivors than some stuffed shirt with two decades of life."  His tone wasn't angry...if anything, it was disappointed, in an almost paternal fashion.

"Maybe you've had it too easy for too long, here...but out on the lines, we don't waste potential resources.  Those Stem kids could potentially be the captains and admirals of the ESN in another fifty years...if someone's smart enough to not keep 'em stuffed away in the Stem."

His comm went off, and he listened to the explanation, then shook his head.  "This is the second time today I've had to explain something to your people," he said archly to St. Gaul.  He keyed his comm.

"You mean to tell me that there's a soon-to-be-Corporal standing there telling you that a Hermes crew member is not allowed to engage in a perfectly legal shoreleave activity?" he asked.  "Larry IS in uniform, I hope?  With his rank clearly visible?  What regulation is this lieutenant calling on to stop a uniformed crew member from attending the game?  Maybe he'd like to come up to Admiral St. Gaul's box and explain his rationale to me...and Admiral Hack...and the ESN Board.  Or he can get out of the way and let Larry into the game."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

    Frans  smiled  as she   looked at the  LT, and Pointed  at Larry's  collar..

  thees...is outrageous!  ..Alright.. zee   SM,, he is fuull of himself, No? So.. You take  zee beastie to the  Hermes Sidelines.. eh?..Qui...qui!.. let your people get eaten!

 Roll looks  and Sneak ... Sneak holds her hand out to Haley  after looking at Niki.. and the three  walk Of f   with a  smug lookign Larry.

  once they  were inside the tunneled headed to the locker room... Frans looked at the LT......Nice   job EverSEC.... you just let the  LC's   Favorite  animal friend.. and  3 of his  youngest friends into the game, with a free sideline pass...

 she walked  passed to the gate   chuckling.

 Eckles  smiled  as she   went past...

 Mara looked  at him and said... if you come to the Ball?

 he smiled at her  and leaned a bit closer...

  Don't ask any of us to dance...most of us like  men... and she  walked past  shacking her head, the LT   clearing his thought  trying no to look  embarrassed  as Flores  and Kat laughed ay him.

Stepping out of the limousine Harry would wait for Will to get out and join her, making it very clear by the way that she stood that she had no intention of posing for the cameras, leaving that to the prettier girls in the entourage. Instead she would take Will’s hand with a fond smile and after giving him a quick kiss on the cheek would follow him into StGaul’s private box.

They hadn’t been there long before the French admiral started to rub everyone up the wrong way with her opinions on stem kids and how they should be treated, with Harry quietly adding to Will’s comment ”Some of us still are guttersnipes” chuckling darkly as she settled herself down next to Will with a plate of food and a cup of tea.

 The teams  were on the field, the   ESN song , followed  by the   Everest song, and finally the APF song were played..

 The captains  went out.. Supe, Miller  and Shadow...Pascal, Nivit  and a Sanri # 77  Higgst

  the hermes  crowd    becane to roar, while the   Everest side    gasped  and  screamed in  shock...

 CE-VA's Camera  caught Sneak and Haley  with Roll holding a   thin  leash  for an almost 8 footlong Larg...

 Hley waved to a Guy in the stands   after  seeing the  other kids there,  the   hawker   gave  Sneak 6  basball 'Hermes  football" hats that she scanned for.. and  handed   one to each of the  4 kids  as well as   Roll and  Haley, then slipped on on herself.

 The little gril smiled at her  and Sneak said over the cheers for LArry.....I am one of you... you'll be  fine now...  the little girl hugged   Sneak and stayed by herside.

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

  the refs  introduced  the captains to each other..Miller made the Call..it was heads... she said..we want the Ball....

 the  Everest  team took the north endzone,  but  it wouldn't matter isdie  the  station unless it rained.

 They started to Shake hands, the Sanri  said to Shadow,..it is a shame i won't be able to hit you....

   Shadow  Pointed  to teh sidelines  and asked  Zob to take off his helmet, letting his  'nextgen' demon looks  be seen...yeah?  Damn shame, its been  a few weeks  since i knocked out a Sanri?..but that Nice man there?.. you guys have to Block him...

 Pascal looked shocked..we did not see him on the  films?

 ..you we'ren't looking..he played the last game, we sent you the last game films..so..'surprize! "

 Then he got a real serious look on his  face,..Gentlemen ... mr  Officals.... i will apologize  now, for  what may seem to be over violent  Hits?.. we just came off two weeks or so , of killing people..so the team might be a bit  jacked up..

 Pascal  says with  sarcasim.....es  that your  way of   saying you might 'accidently ' hit people too hard?

 Shadow laughed,oh no no no, Frenchie?.. when I hit.. it will be on purpose...

 Supe    snarled,gonna be a long   and painful game for you, croissant  boy!

 Miller    started to  turn and she Looks at Pascal,..if they bring me down... its a sack..right?

 everyone else nodded.

 so?.. if you get sacked ... do we call it  a Baguette ?

   walking back tothier  sidelines  larry    launched himself  forward  and   bee-lined to Shadow.. the  beastie      stopped just  sort   standing on his back 4 legs  and  'huuged Shadow   Shadow     warpped  hsi arms ( mostly)  around the  larg and Lifted him off the ground  a foot.. causing  Fams  to..at first Gasp..  and then cheer   .. Shadow waved to  Zob... Larry thumping his tail like a Humming bird...

 ..Lift Larry up... psyche  them out!

  St Gaul looked to  Harry as if she was trying to  figure out what she was saying.. then the  crowd reacted to Larry  .. and  in a few minutes    larry    heading to Shadow    with the   .Larg Hug thing.

 Zat Animal!  it is  so Large!... and you, you have a Mere  child hold the  leash!

 Hennings  laughed,..Those  three kids that just came in? Two of them are Stem kids..one was on her way to be a locality meal...


 Hack, seemingly in his own world  right now said,we get the Ball First... any bets?

 Captain  LaQue  says,<DarkBlue>I have  a ship, at the docks , in the Uppers...

 at That Moment  Captain Messe entered ,  giving  quick salutes  to  her 'flag captain'  and the Admirals   around her.. she  went straight  to Roy Hugging his   tightly as she said,its has been so long!.. I am glad to  find you well!

  she  slipped  a  mini disc into his hand  that was blcoked by thier  hug.

 Beth was  watching as she  ate  a sandwich   on the upper tier   by the  bar, her leg bouncing as she  smiled and Gave  Roy  the  raising  eyebgrows  and    sneaky grin.

 Lyri faked  fanning  herself , at the   display of  affection./

Roy's look of discomfort didn't need to be feigned, but he used the awkward moment to tuck his hands in his pockets (and thus, further hide the disk) before shrugging with an apologetic grin.  "Sorry, Captain...I'm not used to hugs...and definitely not from officers.  Usually, when an officer wants to see me, it's because someone's ass needs kicking...occasionally, it's mine..."  He chuckled, ignoring Lyri and Beth for the moment.  The enthusiastic greeting may or may not have been sincere...but it gave Messe a great cover to pass along information.

He slipped his arm around Messe's waist as he turned to look at the Captain.  "Are you putting your ship up as a wager, Captain?" he asked.  "I mean, we have lost a few in battle, but if you're betting it, I'll take a piece of that action...like I said, we utilize any resource..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

Zob came over with purpose when Shadow called him over, "I'm sorry buddy..." he said quietly to Larry as he wrapped his hands around Larry and with a small grunt hoisted him up over his head just long enough to get the point across before putting him back down and giving him a pat on the head.

In reply to COMS (msg # 14):

Orria had waited in the locker room near the other stem kids, and watched the practice from the sidelines hanging out. She mostly watched Shade, but also glanced at the stem kids from time to time. She'd been on the near side of being one of them, if she'd escaped from her captors years ago, but then Shadow, Dr. Christie, and Melia had rescued her and the other kids.

Melia lined up for kick cover team warm up, glad she'd watched some of the vids in the archive on covering kick returns.

Once done she grabbed a quick bite keeping it light, and healthy sticking to protein and carbs that would give her body fuel for the game.

She lined up with the team for the run out. Placing her helmet on. It was lighter and breathed easier than the combat helmets, plus gave her a better field of view. When the time came she ran out on the field hopping and bouncing a little pounding her fists on her chest pads. Waving her arms up in the air at the crowd.

Orria walked along the sideline with the guards and kids cheering for Melia, Zob, and Shade, and the rest of the Hermes team.

Melia got herself all taped up and ready, she opted against turf sleeves leaving the vicious bright yellow and black scars on her arms showing for the world to see, she grinned as she pulled off her helmet as the kickoff and other things were decided, her hair was tightly braided in a way that she used for her combat helmet as well. It kept the hair up and back with out interfering with the pads or straps. Her red eyes flashed across the field ready for action. She'd not been tapped for kick returns or informed of it so she waited until the offense took the field.

  Larry   Looked around  as he was lifted into the Air, he thumped his tail as he was put down.. the Hermes  folks  roared.. the Everest  folks gasped...

 And Shadow grinned  across the  filed to pascal...

 Larry  went  Back to Roll  and   sat   down   his tail still thumping , the stadium   causing him to get that 'battlefield excitement.

  the team got together , Walker  had the O line on the first row of Blockers... Zob and Shade   in the Middle of the second   line.

  we're Going big, right away.. don'tm fuck it up....  we're Going  'Fake Hotshot return"

 Looking at some of the new  folks,..Shadow;s   going  to  to  call  for  Dana to get out of the way of the ball, to look like he wants to return it..Dana  is going to  run to the other side of the formation as  Shadow  picks it  up,,, when the defender  close on him, he tosses it  across the field to dana

 Zob, Shade?.. you have to  fake missing your Blocks to get to the other side,, if  Shadow gets  Dana the Ball.. she should go a long  wahy, if you can  cut down the  Kicker  and the contain man...Go!

     The whistle Blew ..  Shadow was   jumping   up and down waving to the kicker...   The Ball came a bit  short.. Dana  took steps to field it, as Shadow ran towards her  telling her to get the 9 hells away...

 Hermes  fans looked Shocked...  Everest  fans  nodded thier head as  'it figures"..

 Shadow  Barely  caught the  Ball that Dana could have  had easily,  and she ran away , to the other side if the  Filed  as  Shadow tucked the Ball and  turned up field,...

 Everest.. eager to Hit Shadow  came  Pouring  In   as  they got  around the  'slow blockers' in the Middle...

  trapped on the  sidelines  with Only Slate in front. Shadow was dead... Until he stopped Set Up like he was in the pocket  and let the ball go across the field..

 Shadow never  saw   Dana catch it  As he was Buried   By  3 Players who hit him and other one Jumped on Late.... but he heard  the roar of the Hermes  Crowd  as  Dana  took off up the sidelines...

 Just as   Walker  scouted  the Kicker   and  contain man  stayed  Home.. the  Contain man  was the closest  and     Shade   , just ran into him shoudler  First, Both of them a Ball of   white jersey and   Light Blue  jersey.. Dana  didn't mess around, she was goign  full speed  up the sidelines,  Ball tucked in the outside  Arm... Zob would either make the Block..or Not.. but she would get every yard out of this she could....

 St Gaul truned, with some interest to the filed, watching the  antics  with  the Largs and shaking her head.

 ..your LC  would have no place in My  fleet..he is..soo....sooo...crass..

 Hennings  smiles,..looks damn good    flaming Empire bastards

 the Kick off  came.. Shadow, all but  demanding the kicker  send the ball his way..whether on purpose, or a bad Kick, the Ball was short to Dana, on the opposite   hashmark from  Shadow.. even in the booth they could hear Shadow  tell  Dana to get away...

 Si , Hack and Bale tilted thier heads.... St Gaul shook her team.....he is too ...full of himself, is he not  He....

 Shadow stopped  and fired the Ball across the field..  The crowed on the Hermes side  Gasped.. then cheered as   Dana, who was about  4 uards  deeper then Shadow  , caught the ball and  sprinted up the sidelines..

 St  Gaul and   La Qua  just stared....

Roy grinned maliciously.  "Y'know...were it not for a few people taking an interest, Shadow could've been pretty much like those Stem kids.  Lucky someone looked past where he lived and what he looked like to actually see some potential in there."

Speaking up a little bit, he added, "We like 'em crass, Admiral.  That's why Delta Fleet is out chasing Demons and leaving you to do wargames and fleet formation drills back here..."

Zob done slipped up as he missed the block and watched as Dana went down at the 25 yard marker, 'Son of a bitch...' he cursed to himself this was not off to a good start but still they got to the 25 yard marker so it wasn't all that bad just hoped his luck would turn next play.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

Hawkeye arrived at the stadium with her case in hand dressed for the game wearing Hermes team apparel and her cowboy hat. At the gate she talks to one of the attendants. "Hey, I'm with the Hermes. Dr. Price, call me Hawkeye. I gotta a little delivery for the VIP box. Trying to make this quick so I can get started on my leave. Ya know she says putting on the charm.

--->>> From Hanger Dec

 Sam entered the stadium and watched the play end, she headed for North 40, she found it quickly and then found row 40 and looked for Howe.

---->>>> From Hanger Dec

 Meari headed for their seats she didnt know where they where she followed the others and listened to directions, she walked with Vaka and they finally got to their seats as the first play ended.

   The Gate Person looked at her , she COMed Up to  the Box.....I have a  DR
 Price that has a delivery  to the  Box?

 there is some   talk and the   gate person says,..follow the troper up to the Box...

 Cat to Box>>>>>>>>>

   Dana   cut inside the   kicker    After  Zob tried to hit  the kicker... a   desperate DB     brought her  down  at the Everest 25.

 The  Hermes  crowd screamed thier cheers.. the Everest   team Booed the play.

   Dana    Patted Zob on the back    as  she , the O-line, Shadow  and Shade  waited  for  Watson to  an Miller   as well as thier TE  to come on the field.

  Shade Got off the   Man he Blocked the Man  held his hand up  for Shade to help him , up Shade just walked passed him.

1-10 E25   14:36s  1 Q

 ..Next  two Plays    quick slants.. Watson Shade, give me  time...

 at the Snap, she didn't even bother  to read the defesne, she fired the ball into Shadow as he cut his Slant, The  MLB   Blasted Him they  both flew in tow differant  directions.. As the MLB  struggled to get up, he went to say something to Shadow, But the  Wide out was already  lining up   the Ball was placed  and Miller  called the snap.

 2-3  E18 14:01 r 1Q

  the MLB   just  got off the ground when the Ball was snapped, This   time  Dana caught the Ball, , but the MLB wasn't in postion,  and the  safety  had to bring her   down at the  5

1-5 E5 13 :29 r  1Q

  THis   Time   Shade   went through the   Hole Slate and Givens Opened.. he slammed into the  MLB  , Knee high   the  MLB  flee  over  top of Shade and Watson  took the BAll for  a   5 yard Touch down Run..
 The Hermes   people  screamed , Jumping up and Down  Roll  Jumped up   and down   with the Kids ( who really didn't have a clue)  Larry    stood on his Hind 4s and pawed at the air.

 Score H-7  E-0 13:11 1st Quarter.

   The Offesne  came  Off Shade     gave Dana  a Hug and  High fived the rest of the offesne.

 Walker   talked to them  Team..

 ..great start!...  Melia!.. next series  you'll be  at half  Back, we   alternate you and Watson.. Shade we'll keep you at Fullback...

  Tucker?  High Kick down the Middle , make the have to return it.. EVERYONE  hits..

 Tucker got his cover team to go with.. Billie and  melia among them..Machins   was  sent to go out down the Middle  since he was  a 'rookie-vet'

  The  Ball was  Kicked  high, the  return man was a  back up runnign abck  , he fielded the ball on the 3, and   tried to   Run towards the (his) left