In reply to dining (msg # 120):

Sarah gives Si a wry smile when she kick Shadow, and made a mental note of the awkwardness of Hennings response to Shadow's comment about Emmie, the woman takes it well enough.

Sarah nodded in understanding, "Will that be a big culture shock for your people, and do you suspect there will be firm resistance to the the dietary changes?" While not the best choice of topics Sarah wasn't well known for her skills in diplomacy, and at the academy had been known for her blunt approach to social situations when she was forced to participate. "I couldn't agree more, regarding steak Sergeant Major." Sarah said quietly across the table to Roy catching the gist of what he was muttering.

As the Admiral began, she quieted and listened to the plan begin to unfold keeping an eye on Karl watching his reaction. She suspected he'd played a role in the planning based on his apparent prior knowledge though she supposed it wasn't too far of a stretch to assume as a flier he would be in the air, still. She grimaced at the analogy of scrambling eggs to make omelettes. "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." she muttered much at the same time as Roy. Though she had a distaste for diplomacy she wasn't one to eschew out right it's merits. Granted this was a war, but history hadn't been kind to those running wars of attrition purely for political reasons. In this case it was about holding ground and not leaving a live weapon at your back. This whole mess was convoluted. In her mind Roy' assessment was sound. The plan would cost lives, but no plan was without flaws.

The Cavet begins speaking offering a slight towards both the Human's and the allies Shadow had made during his crash landing, she frowns a little deciding perhaps the Cavet left out an obvious third option of questioning the IQ of the nivarians. The talks turn to the colonists and she works on finishing her meal ordering another glass of wine, this one a little more sweet than the last, and suitable for pairing with a wide variety of deserts.

 the  meal went on, mostly  small talk..Emmie was  asking  the Cavet, if she  could  produce  dresses like that , that  her company to   export..they would both make a lot of  Creds!

 The Cavet Looks at around as the  servers take Plates  away... chocies   are Cheesecake... Chocolate Cake..or Blueberry pir....

 there were topping s on the carts as well.. ( Shadow took Chessecake with strewberry glaze )

The  Cavet tried the Chocolate Cake.. and  found she loved it!.. Admiral Hack...  Nivar? I mean.. no matter what you end up doing?.. you cannot draw them into a war?... you can  beat them up... blockade them..but they will not , mindlessly send  troops after yours... you almost have to expend  a lot of forces, in aground war that could last decades?

 ..It will not come to that, Cavet..  if all else  fails, we will spend a day or two  pounding  Nivar  to box wood  from Orbit...now?..we do not know what all we will hit, from this distance..but if we knock out the guns.. we can take out Military and Government area....

 ..you do n ot understand Nivarians , Admiral? she looks   around with her  arms out..( this time  Shadow didn't look away, and got  another Nudge  from Si)... yo'll still have people on the ground, looking for ways to  subvert your ...rule? The only way to stop that, is to  ..'win the war' against them..anything else...would be considered...  a bother?

 ...and  if  we  turn Nivar into a  Glowing ball , as we did Hyria?

 she shook her head,..Then you lose one of the most fertile Planets in the Black...our moon is a desert, compared to Nivar!

  The Admiral Looked  down the table,...Shadow?  can you start a war for me?

 he  frowned as he had  just taken a mouthful of cheesecake  he  nodded   until he swallowed,..don't  see  why Not  Admiral... i'm sorta good  at that..

 ..That's a good fellow... now? lets  enjoy the desert.....if anyone has  anything else?..please bring it up now.

Roy shrugged dismissively at the Cavet's point.  "You're assuming we feel some need to have Nivar supporting us.  All we need is to make certain that Nivar doesn't have the capability to attack us.  If we have to wipe out their entire navy and destroy their entire space industry, it can be done.  In pretty short order."

He scowled slightly.  "Judging by their defensive efforts on the Black Moon, and the carnage we made with a squad of troops...who weren't even on a combat mission, they were there scouting...on the Green Moon, I honestly don't see where the presence of Nivarian troops in the Delta Fleet would actually provide any kind of tactical advantage."

He speared the last bite of his steak, using it on the end of his fork to punctuate his words. "That's one of the key ways that we differ from the Demons...we offer everyone the chance to make peace with us, first...we don't reserve our peace offers to only those that we think will benefit us in some significant fashion."  He bit the steak off the fork, tucking it into one cheek before he added, as an afterthought, "But if someone's determined that they're going to be our adversary, we're quite willing to show them what that means...in full measure."

  as the desert  cart left, shadow managed to lift one  more piece of chessecake from the cart, the  server   gave him a smile  and continued on...

 Sliding that piece onto his 'used plate', so to take advantage of  the strawberry glace that was 'left over' from the last piece, Kray looks  down the table  at the Cavet...Answer me  this, Cavet... What does the High Council hold  dearest to them?

  Looking a bit taken back, she had to sit back and  take a drink,..well?.. i do not know?  They have  everythign they need.... The High Council's  families  are well provided for... they have  everything they could want... they never have to worry about losing family, because all council families never  fight...they are deemed too important to die...

   Shadow  Nodded  and wolfed down the last bit of cheesecake. washing it  down with the last of  His wine  he  dabbed his Mouth and Stood....Admiral?  If I may....

    Hack sat back himself   and Looked,..Of Course , LC..we were about to show  the Cavet Some  Vids of  earth and the APF colonies and such? Is there something  important that you have to do?

 He Bowed  to Si,  Then to  Sarach, he gave Emmie a wink ( she giggled) and a nod to The Cavet...I am going to see what i can do about that little war..you ordered...

  he took a  step  back, SAluted the  Group as a whole, then pivoted to head out the door.

  Bale , who was on the end of his Blueberry pie,... something odd  about that Lad....

 Hennings   smiled a  bit,..he is a bit  odd , even for a Fighter Pilot...

 ..So..Admiral?... You Think  Oliver and I are.....odd?

 Hack grinned at this , and Hennings  face got a tad  red,...what  do you think..., Commander?... SGT Maj? Are   us  fighter pilots...odd?

  The Admiral Rises  and Motions to the  , rather large, living area,...let us adjourn to the Living Area so the   Cavet  may see the good, and bad of APF Life...

 The Cavet stands and looks surprised,..ytou would show  me  ...bad things?

   Si Chuckles in her melodic way,..Juil?  You have seen the broadcasts of  any confrontation the ESN has had... you have seen losses,  and you have seen  Victories. It is  Oliver's way of dealing  with those   we meet in  The Black. We show them the truth , no matter how its paints us. Because.. he wants   those we encounter, to take  us at our words...

  Admiral Hennings  nodded,..Oilver was  never  very good at cards... but he was a damn good Safety  when he played  football...Hewill not Bluff you...but he will damn well, make good on his promises!

   As Si lead them to the  Livign Area , Hack stops  Sarah, Karl and Roy.....SGT MAJ?... I am afraid you will be detained a bit...  I do not what the Cavet runnign about the ship on her own, nor can we have her use   either Si's  Quarters   or mine..... So You will stay here  for the  Vids of the  colonies... then you'll escort her to one of the empty officer's quarters...say.... the one across  from the LC's  quarters?  Hmmm? Then you will be free to go...

 ..Karl?  Sarah? I have a feeling   what Shadow  might have in mind... but ..well..his mind is a scarey place....so... you will both report to the mini pregame , before  Karl sets out for the HArvester... if Shadow manages to come up with something, then we may very well, kill two birds  with one stone.... if not?... we'll have to hope  those  guns can get knocked  out..or we are goign to waste alot of  ammo..and alot of Nivarians Civies...To that end?..You two  can be spared to see to your  ships.

In reply to dining (msg # 122):

Sarah listened patiently to the conversation the subtle and and not-so-subtle play of politics. The Cavet talking about Nivarians and their leadership.  She accepts a piece of chocolate cake which pairs very well with the semisweet red wine she's drinking.  She watches the Admiral and Shadow interact regarding Shadow starting a war. It reminded her of the old Ian Fleming novels she had paper copies of in her office. The main character had been similar to Shadow, specifically fix one problem buy creating a more serious problem. It could work, and she had a pretty good idea of what Shadow would do.

Sarah paused at the door with Hack, Karl, and Roy. She listens carefully nodding in understanding, "I suspect it may make early 20th century mobsters proud sir." She says in a circumspect manner not wanting the Cavet to overhear. "I have thoughts that could be useful, but they involve a serious amount of risk to our ground forces." She finishes quietly. "I'll just need to step out and comm my XO. Gods only know he's well on his way to earning his first command." She says excusing herself.

Stepping out into the hall for a moment she coms LC Harrington giving him load out and prep instructions trusting him to carry out the rest of the prep work.

"Fighter pilots, odd?  I'd damned well say so," Roy answered, before digging ito his dessert.  He grinned as he spoke, however...the grin that those who knew him would recognize as teasing.  After all, they were all 'odd'.  What sane being hurled itself into space, with little thought of returning home, to fight an enemy with unknown assets and resources?  Worse yet, what kind of lunatic considered that to be all the life he wanted?

When they adjourned to show Juil the vids, Roy scowled sourly.  "Aye aye, Admiral...but for the record, I'm doing this under protest.  Something about her just doesn't sit right with me, and the sooner she's someone else's baby to sit, the happier I'll be."

   Hack nods  with a slight  smile...Very  well , SGT MAj.. i must warn you..I am keeping the lights on..so you can try anything....

 The Vids  go on for a bout an hour, broke down into  4  sections... The delta Colonies  ( both the prison and the normal colony)... she sees the  difference between the Untamed  Ape-folk and the  ones  who have  joined the APF under the Banner  of 'Apefolk'.

   The next showed Astra   before the attack...after the attack..and the 'rebuilding

   a Vid showed the   two  moons of Paradise ( mostly the blue moon) and they difference between the way they were, before and after driving out the Demons and their allies.

  saving the best for last,  it showed Bura, with its great  forests that reminded many a Earthman of the  great northern forests of  earth..

   'modern' cities  springing up down the road  from the  Native Burian Villages.. one thing that was shown, perhaps as a  backround thing... where  APF  Cap ships cruising  around the planets like watchdogs.

 ..so?.... This is what we have to look forward to?... trading one prison planet for another...

 ..That, Good Cavet..is where you misundertand the vids?...The  places i have show you are  ESN/APF  members.... we leave a presence to protect them. In time, between    the work done by your people and the Colonists, you will be able to export things... perhaps  animals  for pets?.. some seeds from your plants, that will do well on other  planets..clothing  jewelry ..art?... whatever you have, that others do not? you can sell...or trade, for items you want from elsewhere? You can bet, that  the merchants  will be moving in  , with in hours  are the fall of Nivar.

 Admiral Hack?.. you must forgive  this question?..But  do you have so little  faith in the Nivarians that you think you can just...crush Nivar...

The Hillites have  3 planets... all three   are having , more then a little problems. On top that... we are blockading the place intercepting ships going in and out.... people who were trying to come in... we  make them land on the  Hillite planets...since, they were so eager to  run the blockade... we keep the ships and goods, spreading them out through the  fleet..adding merchant ships and  freighters  to our own lines....

 .. Hyria is just short of a death sentence...but..if they work hard enough...a few decades down the road, they may be able to think about  spacefaring again....The bloackades  are in effect there as well...

 This is the thig, Cavet... we would like, for the peoples of the Black to come together... to not only help fight the Empire..but grow.. because..this is just one Galaxy...the gods  only know, what threats await us   outside...

 the others stood  as they made their way  to the Door.well... I hope your  way works, For Nivar's sake.... as for me and mine?.. I think we shall be content... This place they meant as exile..will now  be a place of growth?

 ..You will be staying  in one of the unused officer's quarters..... Roy will show you to those quarters, but he has some things to do, and some rest to get.... if you need anything, you will use the COM... if you are caught, walking abut, without an escort..we will have to provide one...at all times... there was a thin smile at the last part.

At Hack's comment about leaving the lights on, Roy snorted softly.  "Like what?  Dislocating her arm so I can use it to strangle her for hitting on me again?" he muttered quietly, as he walked into the room.

He sat as casually as he could manage through the videos, although he paid special attention to the footage from the Delta colonies, since he was one of the ones to broker the deal for the Hyrian refugees that had renounced their government to go there...he was curious to see how the place had changed since he'd been there.  A couple of years and an awful lot of incoming personnel, of varying racial lineage, had put a different face on it...but he nodded with some satisfaction.  They'd do well, there, provided they didn't try and make trouble.  He had no doubt the Ape-folk would be able to contend with the Hyrians, if that happened.

For the others...he had little reaction to them.  With the exception of Bura, they were all just stops on the journey...the footage from Bura set his face in an even more stony mask, as he thought about personnel lost there.  When the vids were over, and the Cavet began asking her questions, he carefully kept his mouth shut.  He'd tried to explain, repeatedly, that the fate of the Green Moon, and Nivar, as well, were largely in the hands of the Nivarians...they'd only become prisoners on their own worlds if they pushed the issue of defying the APF and maintaining their ties to the Demons.  He'd put it bluntly, in the terms of a battlefield briefing, because he didn't have the patience for the nuanced commentary of the diplomats.

But, apparently, the Cavet only understood 'diplomat', and couldn't understand 'soldier'.  Which left him with one more reason to inherently distrust her...

At Hack's explanation of her accommodations, he rose.  "I did mention that, several times, in the tour...if your quarters aren't to your liking, and it's so bad that you feel the need to wander about unescorted, we can easily arrange space for you in one of the holding cells."  His tone and expression were deadpan, and he gestured in the direction of the door.  "Shall we?  I do have duties to attend to..."

  Roy and the Cavet leave the Admiral quarters. Walking down towards the stern , they would pass through the elevator Car to get to the   'second half' of the Officer's  dec

 Two SEC troopers where on the 'bridge side' of the elevator..and  two on the stern side... wayyyy down the  passage, two more could be seen by the  doors to the  Top section of the engine rooms.

 Most of the officer's  on this side were Pilots. While  most of the officers on the Bridge side  were  MArines and Navy.

  As they Apporached Shadow's  quarters,  the doors hissed open across the hall and some crewman stepped out with a cart and  cleaning  supplies... Hellow SGT  Maj, Ma'am... just finished up... there is  some clothign  in the closet , Ma'am  and   a fresh robe.. towels in the bath.. you should be good...

 The woman also said,..the Vid screen has a menu you, yuou can  call up genres of vids or shows  you would  like to see.. and the   fridge is  stocked...

  Then they were off to the gather    linens and such from  others  quarters.

 The Cavet smiled,..so?..I have all this room?... Maybe, SGT  MAj..you would wish to...come back and show me how the vid  screen works?

 There was a bit of a sound  behind them... Shade was  trying, valiantly  to jump up and hit the   palm pad  for  Shadow's  quarters..  sharp bleeps were heard  , each time he   fell short... One of the guards from the engineering door was going to  help him, but the other guard    grabbed him and shook his head.

Karl nodded, a crooked grin on his face.  "Frankly, Admiral, I think the more chaos he can cause down there, the better it will work for the overall mission.  The Sergeant Major has a pretty good handle on what the intended results are...shake up the Council so they can't keep selling their brave face to their own people.  I suspect his ideas will work pretty well with what I've got in mind.  Should definitely keep their planes busy and looking somewhere other than at me..."

He snapped a quick salute and headed for his quarters.  He had time for a little shut-eye before the pregame...and he suspected he would need it.  They were looking at a very long day...

Roy gave her a look that was devoid of any warmth or humor.  "I have duties to attend to, Cavet.  If you find that the vid-screen is too complex for you to understand, let one of the guards in the hall know, and we'll get a tech sent here to talk you through it."

Without further word, he stepped back into the hall.  He glanced down at Shade.  "Have you got that, Ambassador?  Or would you like a boost?" he asked...and in contrast to his tone in the Cavet's room, there was genuine fondness and possibly even concern in his voice as he spoke.

   There was a dark grin on  The Admiral's face.,..The LC  has no love  for ..'the Elite'... it is almost an addiction, for him to ..how shall i say it..'put them in there place'.... he got card blanche on this...he'll take it and run...

    The Cavet  gave a pouty frown and stepped into the   quarters, giving Roy a last glance  before the  door hissed shut.

  Shade , was buzzing  and  bleeping, his  hand was just  about 3 inches  from hitting the palm  of the  door pad.

   then he looked   at Roy and   gave a half hearted  thumbs up.

Roy dropped to one knee, patting the other one.  "Here's a step up, then."  He knew, Shade being Shadow's son, that the drive to do it himself was a strong one...so, Roy wouldn't open the door for him.  Just, make it easier for him to do it himself.

"We should talk to some of the maintenance techs...see if they can't install some kind of fold-out step you can use until you grow a few more inches and can get to that button without needing assistance."  He offered a hand to help Shade climb up and balance on his leg while the half-Verian triggered the door.

  With a  small Bleep, the little   guy  puts  one  foot on his hand   and  jumps.. his palm hits the   pad  and it opens the Door.

   The Bleps a few times  and  tries to make a 'thank you' sign ( with his  3 fingered hands ).. then holds a thumbs up.

 He  Beeps a few more times  and points to the  fridge..

"Need something from the fridge?" Roy asked.  The sounds were mostly just noise to him, he was doing his best to interpret tone and body language, with a little deductive reasoning.  After all, if Shade wanted something to go in the fridge, he'd have held it up or in some way pointed it out.

Still, even as he stepped toward the fridge, Roy paused, giving Shard the chance to confirm or refuse, rather than presume to act too far on his own speculations.

  Shade  tilted his head and Poitned to the fridge, then pointed to Roy. he hopped up on a shair bu the  counter  and grabbed   a glass   and held it out.

 the bleeps  were soft toned, his  eyes  grey.

   For  the  Signing Dinner..

  The  Dinning   room is  set  in a  round Table.. a small  gap that faces the  doors, for the servers  to bring food  in without   reaching over  the  guests.

  Admiral Hack and Commander Sir ( at 9:00 )..The  Hennigns  and  Emmie... Bale and Stefi...  Juil and  Roles... SPencer  and.. jesse   Shadow and Beth.. The  three  Roussians.. The Two Sanri.. the two Occui... and Shade and Orria...Morris and  MIller.... Henry and...cookie

   Lyri would be Near Hack... Melia on the other side of the door near Orria

 Shoemaker and  Robbins  against the   Bow  wall...since no guards  were permitted,  MC-1 was permitted  his   weapons belt and a rifle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:55, Mon 17 July 2017.

  Time  was closing in for the   Signing Dinner.  Hennings and Emmie  arrived ...Emmie  had a fantastic   dress and Heels.

 Hack  greeted them  along  with  Commander Si...in this  instance , The Commander wore one of her  Many  Angel Silk  dress , in Light   blue.

 Bale  and Stefi arrived, both in dress uniforms.

 The Sanri came next Naon, stunning   in an Angel silk  dress of her  own...modified  for   , 4  arms. Ersi wore  the  Uniform of a Sanri Navy Captain.

 The Occui  came in.. both wore dress uniforms of the  Occui Ranger groups..

 The Roussians arrived in their Dress Uniform... Niether Lyri of  Shoemaker even pretended  to hide their mistrust of an Armed  alien who had  not served time  in the fleet.

  Shade  and Orria  arrived...  they both had 'tailored' uniforms, of  sorts Shade  had the  Verian sash.. Orria  had a  lIttle  round metal  that Lyri had   contructed for " aide ". on her  uniform.

   a bit LAter Came  Morris  and Miller... Miller wearing one of Si's  Angel silk dresses...

Henry turned up wearing a midnight blue tuxedo.

   Captain Roles  Arrived on Board, and was escorted to   the Cavet's  quarters... and he.. escorted  her into the dinner... His Dressed  EMS Uniform with the Detla fleet patch  , proudly on his  shoulder....

 The Cavet wore a   dress that was deemed ' Formal " by her people...but... aroused a lot of  eyes   when she walked into the Dining area...  As   People mingled   Hack waved   Kray and Beth  over to  the Roussians...

   NC-37, TX-5  and MC-1... this is   LC   Shadow..he is the Hermes  WC  and the WC of the delta Fleet

 The two women  offered their  hands  and he took  them lightly, Bowing slightly... MC-1 did not offer his  hand to Kray.

  Shadow Just smiled at him and winked...

  ..Is there a problem, MC-1 ?

 The    Roussian drew himself up to his  full height  m which was about  6 inches taller then Shadow.... I do not shake  hands  with Killers...Admiral  Hack. There is a reason he is  high on the Galactic  Bounty list...

 Neat!...High!..How High?.. I'd like to see if i moved up!

 beth Giggled

 ..it may surprise you...but  almost all of us here...are on the  Galactic  bounty list!

 ..This one is differant... I will not  offer  him any respect, due a true warrior!

 ...beccause... you   have  found   alot of  people?  Right.. face to face?... Blade to Blade.... Beth snapped

 Lyri  had  shifted a bit.

  ..That's   Fine MC-1... I'm not  fond of egg Plant... so? not  touching you is  alright  By me...

 ENOUGH!...  LC..Please... get Beth a  drink.....

 Understood, Sorry Admiral  and they moved off..

  MC-1 Looked at the others,..Egg Plant?

 Hack  just Put his head in his  hand while NC-37 and Tx-5 tried to  figure it out.

Roy arrived shortly thereafter, in his full dress uniform with all his various commendations pinned on the chest of the jacket.  He took a look around the room, reading the body language of the Admiral and of Shadow, and made an assessment of the situation, walking up slowly.

"I take it our Wing Commander has demonstrated his normal delicate sense of tact and diplomacy...?" he asked, with a low chuckle in his voice, directing his question to Commander Si.

  She  smiled her normal dazzling  smile,..Indeed... It seemsThat MC-1....does not like Killars, such as  our   LC?... Our  LC, seems to have  spoken his  distatse...for egg plants?

Jesse had made her way to Hack and Si's quarters and gotten the gown that Si had put on reserve for her.  Mind you, she was not as slender or as tall as Si, but most of Si's things fit her any ways.

Having got dressed and pinned back some strands of hair, she made her way, quite uncomfortably, to the signing party was at.  She entered in and looked around.  Having been guided to where everyone else was at, she sees where everyone was seated and nods.

Hello, she said as she enters.  This would be a first in a long time that she attended a party without any one. She felt a bit out of place.