We , have a Playbook, Ambassador Robertson... we will sail into thier  space.  if we are approached  we wil give them due warning   as what we are going to do..it will be  up to them, what choice they make. We  will Hack into their Planetary COMs..if  Beth  cannot...

 beth   snorted...not bloody likely...

 Hack gave  her a side eye  and continued,we  will address the people of  Paradise, and see what they  do in reply as well...if  the answers  are unsatisfactory, we  will  engage, whatever vessels  they send against us. If  we can capture a few, that would be great, but our  people come first, so , when it  doubt, blow them up...scrap comes in handy too.

After  we deal with the  Navy,,,we will shell the 9 hells our of the planet from orbit, we will concentrate on bases  and the  Capitol.... we wil then  have a  second wave  of  shelling...before the air corps  go in cleansing up AA  installations <Red>  and    finishing off  any 'easy to see' bases..... Capt Nilson will have a large  part of that... we have  3?

Morris held up  4 fingers...4 Morningstars left out  of the 200  we had  before Aqra... they will get their day in the  sun..After wards.. we put troops  on the ground with  Air support..to  take the Capitol , while other  groups   land  at any Military  installations and   take them over

 we will go over  all the beachhead areas before Jump off.

The Occui raised his  handAmbassador   Divik?

The Male Occui said.what time frame are we looking at.

it comes down to resistance.. Paradise  system hasn't  fired a shot in anger, inside thier  system, since  people on my planet were  fighting  with chariots and  swords.. They will face the hard truth of war. The  people on the surface will see  many of thier most prized structures  destroyed, and..yes..there will be  millions of   non combatants  killed

Captain Morris  made a face of distaste,it is easy enough to look the other way, when friends and neighbors  are taken away. You tell yourself  its for the betterment of your species . That is why a few of  our operitives.,take, no small pleasure, in the deaths of folk like that

 Sam listened and the plan seemed very good, but Paradise was going to pay dearly, and Sam saw it as payment to all those years of feeding the Empire with lesser Angels, even amongst themselves there was superiority among the Angels themselves.

"Admiral Sir what about Angels who want to join our fight if there are any will we give them a chance or would we think they were all spies Admiral Sir?"

  The  Admiral waited until he   finished  his latest bite.... When we address the Paradise people. There will , indeed, be a message to those who did not  agree with the  feeding of their own to the Empire. And yes..there will be   spies  seeded in those  people who take our offer....Just like  we have people  blowing up ships and   bases  in the Sol System... what the Empire and her  friends do not have...is naragrans.

 he looked over the Table,  on the screen the NAragran Ambassador  raised  both spindle claws.

 They will have their Minds  Read, those who are  spies, will be eliminated on the spot....those who are adamant  of   freeing Paradise from the Empire, will continue  on to form  troops   who will join us  in freeing their    planet, and...if they wish, help us as  we  eliminate other  Empire  Holdings.

AZ-EL says,The  Moon Angels will help integrate them. But  we will not  allow them to act superior towards us.

 Captain Morris   looked  down the way at Roy,when the time  comes. you will need to pick  your assault forces... we must be ready to board, and be boarded... then we will sort out the   ground objectives, after the Shelling...

 are you saving anything for reserves?

 One  Third of the ships in each  section will be held back, along with the  transportbases. as we capture ships, the transport bases  will be called up to crew any thing we capture... when the Shelling starts,   all ships  will take part... of course,  as I see your worry, and  Ambassador Robertson pointed out... should  we  need  re-enforced we will call them up, . Bura's   fleet is   cleaning up the  space  in the  two nearest  Funnels, making sure  there aren't any   fool hearty , or  'brave' Sol System  squadrons around.  The Udenese  and Hyrians   may be used  for flanking the Empire fleets , if they dare to approach..The Felrites  won't be far away, at the Moons. There maybe  be  only a squadron or two from the Cats. But that  outweighs a whole fleet of Empire troops.

"This probably goes without saying, Admiral, but experience has taught me it's best to say it anyway.  If and when bombardment of Paradise begins, we should really have a priority list of targets.  Hit military installations first, ship and weapon production facilities next...we can bomb them into submission, I'm quite sure, but we should make it plain from the start that our dispute is with the Angels who lured us into this war and then turned coat on us and aligned with the Empire, rather than the general populace.  Angel leaders are no doubt going to try and paint us as mad-dog killers, ready to terrorize the entire planet...it's in our best interest to show them to be the liars we've all learned that they are.  Obliterate their ability to wage war, if they decide they want to try...but unless there's a general uprising against us, we should spare civilian targets.  They already think of us as barely-trained savages...we should really try to prove them wrong, and give them a chance to realize that."

Anticipating protests, he held up one hand.  "I know, "Total War..."  But there's an old saying on Earth..."You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."  We don't lay siege to the system, agreed.  We DO go in there and make sure that they no longer have the option of fighting...they can either ally with us, or they can be left crippled and defenseless, and we won't shed a single tear of regret if their Demon allies swoop in after we leave them and scoop them all up as feasting fodder...but we should make sure they understand that it is the Demons, and not us, that will erase them from existence if they choose to fight against us."  He grinned and shrugged.

"Don't let them know that we intend to extend any degree of mercy, of course.  Let them know that we're...well, "annoyed" is a little too mellow, but something along those lines, that we were brought into this fight BY THEM and they're now siding with the beings they wanted us to fight.  Gut their fleet, destroy their defensive capability...and then let them know that we're not here to kill them, just to make sure they can no longer stab us in the back.  The smart ones will realize really quickly that if they can't stab us, they also can't stab the Demons when THEY come sniffing around.  They can decide who they want to take their chances with from there."  He shrugged again, looking at Admiral Hack.

"That's my recommendation, sir.  We'll go anywhere you need us to go, but I think we'll get more mileage over the long haul if we don't shell the entire planet back to their Stone Age.  Extending the olive branch at strategic moments has won us some pretty solid allies, sir...the Ape-Folk and Hyrians have both weighed in at key moments in several battles and had a massive impact of the outcome.  And, in spite of recent events, we have had a lot of solid help from the Nivarians, as well.  Despite the fact that they've spent the last millennium sitting on their collective ass, we all know that the Angels have some pretty impressive tech that could lend itself well to our cause, so it would be prudent to give them a chance to hoist the white flag before we turn them into nomads on their own world."

 Sam listened to Roy and then responded," Yes SM I say we hit military targets, blow up or capture their ships, but stay away from civilian targets. I love the idea of destroying their military and then saying ok have a nice day and good luck with your new Empire allies. I do have one slight problem with that though, what if we leave the Angels for the Empire, then THEY get all their tech and resources, and we don't. I have to add if we can't secure Paradise Prime, we don't let anyone have their resources to use against us, I know this sounds cruel but like the SM said if we give them a chance at first maybe they will surrender but we can't let the Demons get their tech, more than they already have."

 Admiral  Henning and Bale  where the last of the people to arrive. They sat in  the back  next to Hennings, as Roy was giving his  take on the matter.

 Hennings said from his spot.Its hard to tell if the computer model will be accurate? But the studies  show  , Paradsise  won;t  surrender  until 2 things happen..One? is they get thier asses kicked  and be afraid they will 'lose everything'...the  second part, is they call for  help from the  Empire... Should they do that, we will see  one of the fleets  from  the other two planets, and, most likley, , The Sol System, for them to 'prover  how worthy of the Empire they are...

he looks at his vidboard and  add,The Qarl can send a few ships, much like the Skith as done for us.. Jump drives on a handful of ship, can make a big difference

 Bale  speaks,This   hurts me to Bring up, but it is  something  we may need to do...The LC is not here.?

Lilit  snapped...NO, he is not!

Bale looked at her a bit confused  and continued we will have to face thier Navy,  I am sure the  are holding out hope that navy can keep us at Bay.  There must be Angel people saddened  by   seeing  transport after transport, take  loved ones  away, knowing the very best they can hope  for, is hard labor..the very worset, of course, is  the dinning room table..but there are all kinds of  horrors in between.

we may need to incite Angels to  bring down their own leaders, or  at least, enough to cause  confusion in the ranks of those who are serving on the front lines...if indeed, they have ever  served on an honest front line...

 Hack nodded slowly,we may, indeed have to do that.. we will start that with Beth sending out  propaganda and  Vids, that i am sure , most people in their system have not seen or heard. . This is a Race, that  has  Ruled The Black  alongside the Demons, to pick and choose what they wanted,, and what they would do with them. They don't need  us  to frighten them, they need us to  crush them

 Captain Si speaks,..Angels respect  power  and  Intellect. Demons  respect power  and strength... The demons are back on their heels, perhaps  trying to rally for an attack on us, or  setting up thier own 'paradise' wall of ships

 Lix  raises his hand,there is a  chance, a few Qarl ships  could make their way through... but the problem with Jump Drives, is the  power down when you appear again... That is whenall such  ships  are helpless for  1 second..maybe  2, for a Cap ship..they cannot sail the whole  way  to  Paradise sysetm  in jump drive...and the more youuse it, the longr it  takes to power up..so? be ready for one or two ships, I would not fret about more then  that, Our People will bring them down, and also warn the Feltites  who have very fast vessels.

Roy nodded at General Bales' commentary, but said nothing until the others had responded (although he did spare a scornful look at Lilit for her outburst.)  "Inciting them is precisely what I had in mind, General.  Ask the general populace why the leaders that sent people to Earth to bring Humans into the battle are now siding with the same forces that those leaders wanted us to fight against...the same forces that have been collecting tribute from Paradise for centuries, taking Angels in the prime of their youth and promise.  The leaders who once shielded half the galaxy from the Demons...now calling those same Demons to come rescue them.  What price will the Demons demand this time?"

His voice warmed to the topic as he spoke, and he continued fluidly, "You can be damned sure that the leaders of the Paradise System are not the ones paying the price...that falls on the rank and file, the artisans, craftsmen, and foot soldiers, and there is no reason they should be forced to continue paying for the cowardice of their leadership."

He looked around the room for a moment as he stated that last line with finality.  "We give the leaders the message of gloom and doom, sure..."Give up now if you want to live.  But we're perfectly fine with killing you, so we won't be too fussed if you reject the offer."  But the rest of the populace?  Show them what their leaders' allies have been doing, remind them exactly who's been paying the price for Paradise being unmolested for the last thousand years, and remind them that they, too, are Angels, and should be worthy of better than they've been getting."

He shrugged.  "Maybe even remind them what the truly intelligent move would be...become equals in the APF, or remain pawns in the Empire.  It's a pretty simple choice, to me.  Angels and Demons aren't meant to be together...their very genetic makeup is hostile to each other."

He glanced over at Sam.  "And, in the event that they decide they don't want to join the APF and want to stay with the Empire, we reduce their technology level a few millennia.  Paradise isn't the only source of Angel Tech...we can get what we need from the Moons, if it comes to that."

He shifted his gaze to Hennings, nodding as he added, "And I suggest we go in there expecting Demons and SSN to try and ambush us.  Paradise probably doesn't have very accurate intel on just how large the Fleet has become...if we take the first section in to confront Paradise, and keep the other three sections just outside sensor range of their system, ready to swoop in, we're still taking a pretty formidable fighting force in against the Paradise home fleet.  Remember, they've been pretty much bottled up in their own system for the past thousand years...and have been held there by the Demons.  Their fleet can't be THAT large, in the first place, or they could have fought their way out.  Second, it's been hundreds of years since most of them have been involved in any sort of significant combat action.  Those of us who've been with the Fleet long enough remember just how quickly their Elites that visited the Hermes were put down...those were supposed to be the best of their best, and their captain was sent home on life support while Shadow suffered little more than a dislocated knee, if I remember correctly.  We've had four years of hard fighting since then, while they've been pondering how to keep feeding the Demons without losing their own families.  We're ready for a fight, and they only dimly remember what a fight is.  That means any technological edge they have in that fight is dubious, at best.  Doesn't matter how good your weapons are if you don't know how to use them under fire.  Earth history is full of examples of so-called superior forces who got fought to a standstill by smaller, less developed enemies.  We're not smaller...and I'm pretty sure we're not that much less developed, no matter what the Angels may think of us.  So I don't think our first section is actually going to need to call in reinforcements, but if we do, they're there.  And if we hit hard and fast, we can have the Angel fleet decimated before any help arrives for them.  That's going to be the key to it...put them out of commission before we find ourselves facing a second force.  I'm guessing the Demons won't honor a call for help...we've blitzed them too many times in the past and they'll almost certainly know that by the time they arrive, even from nearby, they'll be too late to try and put us in a crossfire, and I'm guessing they aren't real eager to face us in a stand-up fight, given the way we've manhandled several of their allies recently."

He scowled slightly, and added, "I'm also equally convinced that the SSN WILL rush forces to try and aid Paradise, if they have enough left to muster a task force.  If Ge-Fi loses Paradise, he's literally alone and stuck between us and the Empire, so he's pretty much got to gamble on rescuing Paradise...plus, if he saves Paradise from the Delta Fleet, he gains political clout, maybe even enough to overturn his exile to Earth.  That's a pretty big carrot to dangle in front of his nose.  But we've also seen that the SSN isn't up to a fight with the Delta Fleet.  We've handily mopped them up every time we've encountered them, even when they had help, so if they send help, they'll be sending a LOT of help...and that's when the other three sections pounce and we cripple THEIR fleet, too."

He shrugged.  "Granted, that's a lot of speculation on my part.  The Demons could come running.  The SSN might actually show up with officers who know their own ass from a hole in the ground and present a real threat.  The Angels might have some superweapon that makes the Nivarian orbital defenses look like a pop gun.  But absolutely nothing we've seen so far makes any of that seem likely, or even plausible."  He paused half a beat, then said, "We take a bare-bones task force to Paradise, we kick in the door and belt 'em in the teeth, and if and when any resistance tries to push back, we bring in the rest of the Fleet and rain hell."

  People were silent for a bit. For  those  not   ESN Delta  Fleet..the wieght of  the upcoming Jump off was massive. This wasn't  Russsa, or even Vera. This was Paradise . The home  of the Angels.

  Sten, the Sanri Ambassador   rose his  hand and spoke.Humans have  been actively fighting  this was fo  almost 6 years..in that time, planets  were freed, or  conquoered , even when the Delta Fleet  was hit hard, they  managed to beat our enemies . The Battle of The Black, when the Hades  lead the enemy? The Delta Fleet  survived. That was  with The Hades Captain, privey to all the training that was put into the ESN at the time... The worse  that could hapen, is  we get repelled. I will be on this   Vessel    with My wife... I will not fear of our lives...

Hennings  speaks up. General Bale, Captain Morris  and Myself, have looked through  any Vids we  could get, on past  Conflicts the Angels  fought without aid....whether they were  propaganda, or real combat footage...

Bale hands him a  clicker  and  another  screen comes to life... There aren't any...... This is  a battle..say> 400 years ago?.... Paradise  ships  with Sanri and Occui... this one...around the same era... Paradise  with  Felrites.....

The Felrite on the screens  spoke up...That was the first, and only time, Paradise  gave  aid against the Qarl... they with drew near the end of the battle,  but we managed to eek out  a stand off, ...that lead to some  talks over the century..and  let the door open
 to  the  EVOLs decades  later, as  more humans  spilled into The Black... The turning point
 was most of those EVOLs assassinated By  the ESN, and the   fight with the Qarl vessels that were still in our space.   They chased the Qarl away . They even   proved to be as
 good  as Felrites  in some trials  we had... Our Popel have  no problem with following them into Paradise

 Lilit said,If that is the  case, Ambassador Kelo..perhaps your  flag ship, can take the place of Mine, and we will protect Zolth  and you can  'enjoy beating' the Angels.

 Kelo  smiled a   fanged  filed   cat-smile.we would  enjoy nothing more. But i cannot understand your  wiliness , not to take part in this  endevor?..If this is the Case..My flag ship  can  meet The Fleet at  Astra... I will bring a  ship or two extra..but... you will forgive me if i leave enough ships  behind, In case  Uden wants to retreat?

 Lilit  stands...You Dare!

 Kelo's  ears  twitch, her smiles  stays as she laughs a cat laugh.

Litit was  Pulled  down, not gently, By  Sade, who whirled  and grinded, loudly.

The Ambassador   says   Granmod  shames  us.... fear oif  failure is  good, it keeps you focused...but to give into the fear and   run away, is  inexcusable.

to that  end... Admiral Hack.  I tender my  transfere  request to The hermes, or  whichever Vessel you think i may aid... I will not  run from this fight, that  the  Fleet, My brother  and  my father  are  diving head long into!

 Lilit was  shocked to her core..here eyes  flickering from white to grey.

 several of the alien  ambassador ( even those  on CAM) stood and  clapped  for   Dusk's  proclamation

  Captain Si finished a bite of her  food , followed that with a sip of water.What say you to that, Warlord. Shadow was left out of this meeting on your  behalf...

 Lix. was the first of many to  spout a word of surprise... they all looked at Lilit.

 ...  Shadow, is nothing more the  a weapon that can talk.... he would eagerly fly into Paradsie   alone.  without thinking  of   what could go wrong, when he fails... I wanted my granmods to make their choices on Thier won...with our  a crazed  killer's input.

 Shade   grinded   and bleeped loudly. Lilit looked shocked.

Ambassador Shade, says , he has never been more proud to be part Human... I am also of that  thought. Vera  fell, because Adem and Evert, tried to  stay out of the way, and ...how  do humans say it? grab the low hanging fruit? They feared, what  became, My brother  and I.To not, follow My Father into battle, is something i could not live with...The shame would kill me, as easy as  a Draconian  Pulse round.


 Captain Si looked  around the table, she  saw the looks, and the smiles, whether they  were large, or just a hint.Id that is your  Wish, Captain Shadow, speak with Captain Morris after the meeting and your transfer to The Hermes wil be written out   today. Once on board here  with your belonging, we will see if you wish to stay, or find a ship  That you may command on your own.

 Lilit  looks at  Dusk...you would leave me?

No Granmod, you are leaving me... I am staying  with Father.

 lilit's eyes  grow a bit darker as she looks at Roy.That is not the only reason you want to stay.

 No...it is not... Dusk smiled a bit  at Roy

 Admiral Hack interrupted,Then? this is what will be.. Lilit  will break off from the  fleet in her flag ship. The Felrites  will send thier  flagship, and any, if  any? Ships that want to take  Part.  Once the Warlord leaves,  Captain Shadow and I will have talks  with the Undenese vessels, if  none are comfortable  swithc  Captains at this moment in time, Captain Shadow  will stay on the Hermes , until a vessel needs a captain.... Ambassadoe  Kelo? You will have    someone in commanded of the 'backdoor support, to  protect Astra, Zolth and  the Moons.. Lilit  will be there  to help Co-Ordinate... we will give any Undesne ships  the  choice of  following   Lilit, or staying the course...

 Lilit seemed dumbfounded, at what just occurred...

 Rivets looked down the table...see that , Warlord..didn't make no never mind, that me Boyo wasn't here... His kids   have  the same backbone....maybe twice that, considering  who their mum was...

Captain Morris sipped his  tea, he  gave Dusk a bit of a smile and wink.

 Sam listened and when Warlord Lilit chickened out she added," Admiral Bura is behind this 100 percent, I will contact Burs to see if we can spare any ships to help in protecting the Delta fleet sir." Sam turns to Warlord Lilit, " I thought the Udenese were supposed to be protectors of the black not the biggest cowards of the black except the Paradise Angels of course."

 Lilit stood.Then.. I will take my leave. You may send  my orders  for   the  Protection fleet... Dusk... Listen to your Commanders  well... she looked at  Shade, but didn't  say a  thing, turning her back on him as she left the  Admiral's.

 Shade  watched her  leave...then took the  rolls from her  butter plate,  and began to eat it.

  Hack looked around.Well?  At least the  LC can't be blamed for that?

 Washington?  You'll get the    best guess  at the  Paradise  vessels    when  the Blue Moon reps get here. You can  go over  them with the LC.... Captain Si  will take to the section flags...

 SM? You will selcet   3 shuttles  full  for  boarding. , I would like us to do the normal... Engine room, Brighe and  amidships, but that will be your  call , once we are in that situation....

 Captain Shadow? you will  think this  over, and either   return to your ship,  or have your things  sent over. You will  be with the Command , until  we find you a ship.

 any questions?

"Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out," Roy muttered, when Lilit announced her departure.  It wasn't loud enough to be heard throughout the room...but Dusk, for certain, and a few others at the table could likely have understood what he said.

He listened, nodding as orders were laid out.  When the call for questions was given, he hoisted a hand for a moment.  "Admiral, does that three shuttles include the mechs and armored infantry unit, or are they intended to be used as a separate force?"  He clarified, with the barest moment of hesitation before he spoke, "I know the mechs have always piggybacked on the assault shuttles.  I don't think Corporal Vanska's unit is equipped to clamp on in similar fashion for the ride through the battle to the boarding site.  Will they have their own shuttle, or do I need to include them in figuring the shuttle load-out rosters?"

  Hack  nodded at   Roy's  question...

 The  Mechs  will be  on the outside... you should be  able to   squeeze in  2 , to 4  AI into the  shuttles.....we have already sent  word to Astra    to try to get us  an extra shuttle or  two.. we'll have to park them in the Hold though. we can't   take more the  2 , unless  we  put the rest up one the spine.

 we'll have to see if the  AIs work out?, if they do, we'll send a  message to Fuji  to help   get  as  slightly bigger shuttles....but we won't see them this Jump off.

 People  stood  up  and Moved  around the  Admiral's   quarters.

 Lix  approached  Roy  , Dusk and Shade.The  young  ambassador   is very assertive  with   Warlord Lilit..it is no small feat. I am also very   surprised  at the Way she defers to The Admiral will.. That has not  happen in The Balck, for  centuries.

Shade   whirled and Bleeped., Lix  looked to  Dusk.

..My Brother saays, Admiral hack put  him in the Ambassador's spot  to help foil Adme and Evert. He is not Ambassador, to make sure the ESN and APF can thrive.. Granmod is not happy with the way things  have unfolded..she....tend to blame..My Father.

 Lix  laughs,I would  have liked to meet the LC. I hear he can be  entertaining. SM Spencer... you have been on the Hermes  from the start. Does the though of  facing the Angels cause you concern?

Roy grinned cautiously.  "The thought of facing anyone gives me concern, Ambassador.  Even a squad of crippled Mulls can potentially get off a lucky shot and cost a life.  But I thought I made my thoughts on facing the Angels pretty clear, already.  We've faced a few of them...we're here and they're not.  Some of them went back home for extensive medical treatment...and some of them just never made it off the Hermes alive.  The Angels who had much will to fight went to the Moons, or have mostly left Paradise already to work with the EDT.  We're going to be facing the ones who gave up the fight a long time ago, and the only reason they're looking to fight now is because they've realized that their vaunted reputation doesn't cut it anymore...if they want to be taken seriously by anybody at this point, they've got to put up or shut up.  That might make them desperate, sure...but they haven't faced combat in centuries, and no matter how good you were, muscle memory fades and instincts get clouded if you don't keep them in practice."

He gave Lix an even gaze and answered, "This fight might cost us some...but I have no doubt about the outcome, and if their allies are dumb enough to answer the call for help, this will gain us some massive strategic wins that will tie up the Sol System and Vicrock for a long time, trying to recover."  There were potential gains against the Demons to be had, as well...but he was fairly certain that the Demons would stand back and watch, rather than come to the Angels' aid.

 Lix  offered  his  arm  to shake. I intende to be on The Hermes when this starts. Its been too long snice the ESN and Skitch killed ebenies at the same time. I want to  tell our  hatchlings, I was there.. even if its  just holding a Pulse  rifle on your Hanger Dec.I am Sure to see you again...

 He Bowed to  Dusk and went off.

 Dusk   smiled as  she said,well?  we had  food? I wil have   t send  for my things, From Lady's Revenge are there  things for  you to take care of. If  so? I will go to the Lady's revenge  and say good bye to the crew and bring my things back. otherwsie? I will stay  and
 ask them to send them over.

 Sam mingled with the others, getting to know the other ambassadors. She would try to meet all of them, she saw Lix talking to Dusk and the SM, she walked over to Lix and introduced herself." Hello Lix, it is a honor and a pleasure to meet you I am Lt. Sam Robertson the new Burian Ambassador."

 Lix  stopped  and   smiled  the wide toothy smile,Hello..i have seen you before...at the other  meeting on your planet...yes..this will be  a grand turn of  events, one way or the other.

 it is god to see Bura  rise from subjugation, and then help fight for others.

 Sam smiled and replied," Yes that is true one way or the other after this the Black will be very different. Yes the APF and Delta fleet help liberate Bura. Now Bura wants to stand up with the other races and help liberate other planets and destroy the Empire. Burians are thankful for their liberation and will fight with all our heart to free the black. We have a good fleet but our determination, loyalty and heart will do us well in this fight."

 Lix have a  salamander-like frown...The Angels  lost thier way. They were once  a power of good,  Colonies like EArth..Qusa..and Entor we set to  not only  use   the  crimminals  to a higher  Purpose, but to raise  lesser  beings  to enter The Black as  citizens...of Course, all the races had  access to these colonies, and  those who were in charge fell to the darker side, to become 'gods'...both good and Evil. but in the end> when you have  people praise you, just because  you did not kill them? That is not a goodly person...

Roy gave Dusk a smile, but there was a tightness to it.  "You should go say your farewells to your crew...not just because it's the good thing to do, but also to make sure that they understand that this is YOUR choice, and why you chose it.  If it's left to Lilit to pass the word along, there's no knowing what might be said by way of explanation of your absence."

He grimaced slightly, and added, "And I have a Security detachment to oversee.  Yes, I have competent people...but I'm the one in charge, and seeing me there, sharing the duty with them, helps stifle resentment and sharpens the execution of their duties.  Most are unlikely to complain about processing collected intel if I'm there, sifting through all the materials with them, facing the same questions about what may or may not be relevant.  And if they do complain about it, I want to be there to know about it first-hand...such things can easily be misrepresented in second-hand accounts, and either made more serious or more trivial than they really were."  He chuckled and shrugged, adding, "I know I can't be there ALL the time, but I like to be there when I can."

  Dusk nodded   as   they headed to the door...then let us go to the   Hanger Dec. Granmod is  staying on board, until we get  to  Fuji, if i understand it,  II will be able  to  bring my gear.....and your   People can see you.

Roy, Dusk, Hanger dec>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 Sam shook her head and replied to Lix," Yes they did, their superiority complex is really kicking their ass now, they will soon find out they are not the 'GODS' they thought they were. It has been a pleasure talking with you Ambassador Lix, we will speak again, good day." Sam smiled shook his hand and then mingled a little more then decided it was time to go to work,

----->>>>>>> To SEC
 

(( After  Send off  of Paradise  Invasion))

 The  Board  was there ,,,  And  TR-DE a Female  Blue moon angle was the ambassador.. Her  escort was  a Male Captain CO-NS.

   As   Shadow and  Roy  walked in,  The Captain Motioned to  seta near  General Bale  and  Admiral Hennings,, Shade  and Dusk were across  the  table  from them, with other s filling in, The Admiral was  at the  far end, with Si at his Right, Morris on His left and Rivets  next to Moriis.  Sam  could choose   where to .. Commander Miller   was   also there

  As  we start, y9u have  yiour choice between Steak.. of  some Burian Fish. Something like  Salmon , on earth all the sides  are the same, this will be a working  brunch, As  Nil has Ladies to get dressed for the ball.

 TR-DE  asked,Nil? I do not understand this  fascination you have with  dressing these people up?.. frankly, some are Not  fit  to  wear  Angel  silk.

 Captain Si's eyes  darken  just a bit, but she kept her smile.Early on, I saw how   some of our ladies marveled  at those dresses.. how the few who got to wore  them were thrilled.. so i began to Invite more of  our people.. Many of them are troopers  and Pilots, There are even some Special  civis.  These people, even the Civis, may never get to wear Angel silk, much less own it.. I make it possible for both, One never  knows  when  , the next  send off, has you on the  wrong end of a black bag.

 Shadow didn't  like either choice  but  settled on a steak  heavy of  the mashed potatoes  and gravy. so> since  The SM  and I  are here, I assume this is  about a  detla night?

------->>>>>> From Hanger Dec

 Sam walked in and took a seat next to Rivets smiling, she was moving a lot better but everyone could tell she was still nursing a injury. Sam got the Burian fish, rice and mixed Burian veggies. She just sat and listened for now.

 Admiral Hack  took a bite of steak.Let's start off  with what you will need...TR-DE

  she nods to her  Captain who had  taken the fish.As you knw, there are always problems  for Locla  SEC, ebcause of the pepoe involved   have ties to the local people. We can only arrange, so many accidents. My SEC  offcie   will back    4-6 Marks  we need taken out.. There  may be  a spot ot two outside the  city..I am tiold yoiur  people have no problems with that