Meari would finished her rounds of the Hanger Dec, she watched, looked and made sure everything was on the level. Meari then noticed the time and the dress fitting had started. Meari double checks everything and then heads for SEC to drop off her weapons and then to the dress fitting.

--->>> To Captain Si's Quarters Via SEC.

   Shadow  had  finished  his  coffee, He looked  down the  ramp way that lead up  to the  hanger dec. Hover   jacks and opened top  hover  trucks  were comign and Going. The Hermes Rookie  SEC , checking and double checking items.

 Civies  waiting on the Dec to get supplies  for the shops and such. Some   longshoreman waved  at Shadow, he waved  back. a smile  was given as  he thought back to  the East  River Docks and the   guys  who worked there.

Zob stepped out from around a pillar and slowly made his way over next to Shadow to see what he was looking at, "It's nice to see so much hustle and bustle here on the dec and the arrival of new blood, this is gonna be an interesting evening, know i got your back through this Shadow" he then gave Shadow a very gentle pat on the shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Wed 21 July 2021.

 Shadow gave a look to  Zob and chuckled in his chest...there is almost...always..some idiot that needs stepped  on when you go to a station, and that doesn't  includ delta  night...I sorta  don't know what to do, now i have free rein?... But..Its good to Know you'll be there.. Roy said the same thing...SEC folks, most of them..I'm worried  about how the Angels  are setting up for all this?  I mean.. we slapped  them in the face when they answered the door, what's goign to happen when they walk into the house..

Zob grumbled a bit, "They were slapped for a reason Shadow and a good one at that... they spent 1000's of years sending their own people as tribute to my people cause they were afraid of our might, it wasn't until the humans got in the war that things shifted back in their favor and they think they can come back and take over the reigns like they have any gods be damned idea how to do that when they couldn't for the last couple millennia... that's the biggest weakness of Angels and Demons we don't adapt like you humans I however am a special case"

Zob then looked back out the dec, "What do you normally do when someone comes into your house and causes you problems, you *show them the exit* how you accomplish that depends on how... cooperative they are" as he said the last words he gave Shadow a small nod.

   Shadow  chuckled  some more, Argie  brought  both he and Zob some coffee and Fixings for them, should they want..

  You still want  your Tail Fin Pained  white...

 white  with the Big Blue  19..let all the bad giys  , not  only know  who i am, but  where i am

 alright?... Dojn't like it too much though... you're a big target.

 part of the job?  either scare them away, or  drawn them in close..either way..they'll die.

 turning to Zob..you know?  if we would go to war with Paradise...the  Skith will jump on them like a felrite on Avain...

Zob took the coffee and thanked Argie, "Thank you Argie" he said taking a sip of the coffee, "The biggest issue is that would be a costly path to pursue and would be a big boon for the empire, hope it won't come to it but will just have to see... but if push comes to shove they won't live to regret their mistake" he then took another sip of the coffee.

  There was a look and  another wave  at some Lady  dockworkers,as one of the Guys pointed out Zob and Shadow...

 a couple   guys getting out of a Hover  Van to Unload crates  waved up yelling  " YO!  ZOB!!... or  LC!!

  Shadow  gave  them a salute  with  his coffee  cup, using his  'press smile'...These folks don't know  who the real heroes  are... I get to fly a fighters... go on Dark Opts... its like christmas every day for me... You got  guys like Argie, or Cora or That kid..what's his  name.. Giles?  they are there..people see them..but  don't knwo that they  carry as much weight   on the ship as anyone.

in a somewhat darker voice he adds.....nor do they know the ones who don't...

 A  foerman came down, one of the Lady stevedores pointed up at  Shadow and Zob... the  Forman looked  bummed  but shrugged  and waved, and  8  workers ran up the  ramp, pulling note books and Pens out of there  Coveralls  to  egt Zob  and  Shadow to sign.

 Shadow smiled  writing   'Kray Shadow  #19, Delta Fleet"..figuring it covered his football number  and Fighter  Number

Zob noticed his name called and when he identified the source he relaxed a bit and chuckled as he gave them a small wave, "Sometimes its for the best Shadow, makes doing some of the dirty work easier" he then turned his attention to the small crowd that was coming up the ramp he took the note book and signed it for each one of them.

Zobaich #77 Delta Fleet

 Two of ther newer  Trooper, Barlet and Hipper showed up...

 Excuse me, LC?... Barlet gave a sharp salute.we  are  relieving  you..we have  the rest of the watch..

 Shadow  returned the salute,are you guys  getting shore leave. ?

 Hipper  smiled,Aye, Sir.  we took the double shift to day, until 0600 tomorrow, then we get the rest of the day on the Station.. we spend  time toegther..this was the easiest way to  get  us the same time.

  Shadow smiled,well?.. I don't know if you are hitting bars, museumns  or   Vidhouse, or shopping?.. but the Etna Star us  our home base, as is the ebach in front.. you just have to  let then scan you for  The hermes  and you can   use  my Condo, or hit the beach..dining rom..whatever.

 Thank you Sir, we have some things planned out..but the beach sounds good...

 Carry on then.. I might see you on the beach...

 they both grinned  and Saluted  as  Shadow whacked the larger  Zob on the Back...guess we better  get ready as well....  If you COM the QM, he'll have the  crates  delivered , they be staged in my room again... The  Party  ends  at  0200... we'll be going hunting   with in an hour of that.

Zob-Shadow..getting ready>>>>>>

  the guards  moved  down, and  cleared  the  workers away, they would  have to  go to the  bow end of the  hanger  dec to load. The  Stern most bay was closest to the  entry way for normal 'people' traffic.

 The  Limos  would be  arriving there..long and wide. along with several  Hovervan-like  buses.

Shortly before the limos were due to arrive, Roy arrived on the Hangar Deck, in full dress uniform (including what was a very functional saber, despite the decorative embellishments that had been made to make it 'dress worthy', in a scabbard that clipped onto his uniform belt).  He'd sent a crate ahead with Shoemaker and the 'advance team' that had gone to the condo to take care of preliminary set-up...his last few Delta outings had been hampered by not having the proper tools of the trade, in some cases, so he'd sent down what was basically a grab-bag assortment of firearms and other expendables that he felt might potentially prove useful.

For now, however, he was intent on what was going to happen in the next couple of hours, rather than worrying about whatever Delta Night targets had been singled out by Elge as needing Fleet assets to deal with them, rather than handling it locally.  He wasn't tense, necessarily...'ready', would be a better term to describe it, the careful balance of being keyed for action without anticipating it so much that muscles tightened up and impaired responses.

For the time being, he kept himself focused on checking in with the Sec personnel on duty, reminding those who'd been around not to take anything for granted and telling the newer personnel about the attempt at bombing the Hermes with a loaded media van so that they understood more clearly what he meant when he told them to take nothing for granted and not to cut any slack to anyone who was not obviously supposed to be on the Hermes.

Zob arrived about 5 minutes after Roy did he was wearing full dress it was the first time he bothered to take the hand cannon with him on any outing but hopefully it would deter any potential trouble makers if not he didn't mind giving the weapon a work out, even still he kept his mind on the upcoming ball and the potential Angel trouble that was sure to happen later on.

While the Limo's were on the way he hung off to the side and glanced around the Hanger dec as he usually did spotting Roy he gave him a small wave and a nod of his head.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Fri 23 July 2021.

 Shadow and Shade  , appeared  as they drew near the  Middle ramp way..Both had  Dress uniforms on. Shade sporting a Purple   hear with  some extra pips.

 Larry looked disgruntled  in his 'Dress vest'..he followed  Roll who had a nice version of  a
 Cadet Larg Master . His  'sword" Shadow made him was polished , the hilt  had been refurbished by the QM.

 Disna and Puskie took the LArgs  to the Hotel.. i should think we won't need too much  more  SEC there.

Nic had gone to get ready, showering and then putting on the dress blues before heading down to the Hanger dec. And like Roy, he wore the full dress uniform which included the scimitar like sword in a scabbard hanging from the dark colored Sam Browne belt. Once there, he moved out of the way of the moving personnel and took his cover off, running his hands over his hair after he tucked the white cap under his arm. This would be the first time he would be going to a event like this and to boot, just from what had been said, it would prove to be either the worst night or the most entertaining night for him from the standpoint of watching a few of the Paradise Angels get their proverbial wings torn off.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Fri 23 July 2021.

Roy grinned slightly, a thoughtful look on his face as he stepped up to Roll and gave his uniform a critical examination.  "We should really get you a new dress jacket soon," he commented to Roll.  "All that carrying around tired larg pups has this one fitting you tight through the shoulders.  This will work well enough for tonight, but if you get another half-inch in the shoulders, you're going to be straining seams...and you won't be as readily able to back us up as you have in the past if you have to fight your uniform to get your sword clear of its scabbard."

He crouched down, adjusting the position of one of Roll's pins so it was well and truly square with the rest.  "By the time you're old enough to actually enlist in the Marines, you're going to be so accustomed to this kind of thing that everyone else in your training unit will be coming to you for pointers on how to take care of their uniforms."  He grinned a little as he said it...because the thought created conflicting emotions for him.  Roll already had more practical combat experience than most of the new Marine recruits they'd been getting, but he was still close to a decade away from being legal age to enlist.  And proud as Roy would be of seeing Roll as a young man sporting the eagle, globe, and anchor of the Corps, he really hoped by that time, there would be more constructive things for young Marines to do than try and shoot enemy troops before they were, themselves shot (or worse).

He glanced over at Larry, his expression turning into a thoughtful scowl.  "Suck it up, Larry.  It's just a vest...more of a harness, even.  It's not like it's going to slice your throat if you slouch in it."  He couldn't help but echo the words of his own drill instructor, a couple of decades earlier, when warning them about the importance of proper posture in the dress uniform.  Centuries of advancements in garment technology, and the Corps still used an antiquated metal hook and bar closure at the throat of the jacket which...if one didn't keep their head up...pressed uncomfortably on the adam's apple when you swallowed...

"Besides, half the purpose of this shindig is to show the Paradise Angels the fighting prowess of the Delta Fleet...preferably without inflicting too much of a body count.  That means showing off all the costume jewelry, and you long since passed the point where we could display all of yours on a collar...not that you wouldn't gripe about that, either..."  He snorted softly, amused at the larg's apparent attitude.  They still hadn't come up with a conclusive test for his theory about the ability of largs to interpret language...or, more specifically, to discern meaning regardless of language, although he'd seen enough in his field test on Uden to feel confident speaking to just about any larg the way he would to any other sentient being.  That included teasing the one that he considered to be a close friend...

Henry showed up in the civilian evening suit he'd worn at his wedding, this time adorned at his wife's behest with what he considered a ridiculous display of medals.

Mila was at his heels, washed and brushed and wearing her dress coat, also bemedalled. She seemed far happier than Her Human with all the finery!

  Roll smiled at  Roy. yep! Someday, I'll be on the boarding party and we'll show them Empire  Guys!..I'll have a whole bunch of Largs then!


 Shadow  watched  Roy with  Larry   and Roll.  Larry Gave   , first Roy, then Shadow a Baleful look.  Shadow  grinned,Don't Look at me.. I'm wearing  more  fancy stuff then you are..

 There was a huff of air from  Larry's nose, as he was  resigned to not gettign any help from any one.

  The Admiral  with all of the male members of the board walked down the  ramp way, easy to see across the hanger Dec white the Bright Whites and Dark Blues of thier  service. General Bale's cords  signaling that he was  Provost.

 Shadow smiled at Henry,well you made it through yesterday?... and even the wedding! he teased  as some of the Pilots who  showed up chuckled at that. Then Shadow spied  Nic, and Moved over to talk with him. His Voice as well low , his eyes shifting to Roy as a bunch of troopers  and pilots  were streaming off the  elevator.

   He  Waved Roy over as well,Alright? I don't know how much Trooper Lynch told you about these things...but they are a mixed bag.. almost everywhere  we go, there are small fires to put out, so when we leave, the  rest of the place can keep going. This one is a tad  differant. The Admiral in charge of this  station was  Fleet..so we know she'll have  our back. And the Angels are coming out here  after 1000 years of bending over for the Empire...You Take the Paradise Angels out of the  mix, and this would be a damn fine time...But we're gonna have to set the record  straight, right from the get-go.

 Sighing as he looks over  at   Zob, and watching   Jax walking through the  flight lines to join the gathering  crowd. I know we can't  count on Lynch. She's a write off.... you are her Escort, so you'll have  enough problems dealing with her. So i don't expect much from you either. here is what i do expect. If...in any way, you see any member of the board being threatened or in trouble..you act to save them, or at least Intervene . This is like a jump off with  less  armor and smaller weapons...

 Looking from Roy to  Nic , he adds,once the dust settles, it should be one of the nicer Balls  we have been to, because  , most of the  Station folks should be  on our  side.... so? After the dust up,  have fun.... My Condo is just like the Admirals, it will be  across the roof  from his... Big Wheels   stay there...folks like  us stay at mine...if you want, Save creds on a hotel, and come and go as you please...you'll notcie  some....oddities  when  we go to the Condo, You can  ask Frans  about that  when  that starts, i won't say anymore.

 Lookign down at the Limos, there is another Sigh.Admiral's  Limo is like  an Ice breaker.. it will draw in the press  and such, for  when my Limo arrives... when we get there... its like   a pop star thing, Red carpet thing..a Bunch of  single ladies  and    pairs of folks are come out  as  'my posse'.. its your choice  where you want to be...those  Black Van Buses  are for those who don't want to be part of the cover.

 hey looked back and forth between Roy and  Nic. Hemsly had popped up halfway through and saw grinning away. Dressed in his  8th Highlanders dress unifrom.

...

 Jax reached  the   growing knot of men, as he said...Stiffy COMed..the Ladies  are on the way down!!

Admiral Hack  made his way over to  Shadow, Roy, Hemsly and Nic as he caught  the last half of Shadow's breakdown...he looked at his COM...we'll be a tad Late, LC, should bring more press?

In reply to hanger Dec (msg # 142):

Zob turned his head when he heard about all the largs back at the condo, "That is a good time waiting to happen" aside from that he was quiet for the most part until the end of the breakdown, "One thing i do know is the paradise Angels won't be pleased to see me one bit... i fully expect a angel elite to try and knife me in the bathroom or some nonsense during this evening"

 Rolfe  grins... You Know , Zob... I've  see AZ-EL's  Blue Angels  fighting, they  are  hard core, very good snipers in thier  mix.. I mean, they have to have black ops  folks to..right?.. But  I don't see them being any better  then what we got, considering   we do this  stuff all the time

 Hennings    and Captain Morris   talked  as they watched the Limo  doors  being opened   and  the  on duty SEC halting  traffic  and   making sure there wasn't anyone  around the Limos or  busses.

Zob grinned and let out a small demonic chuckle, "I have been killing them the last three thousand years, whats one more day gonna hurt..." he then patted Rolfe on the shoulder as he turned his attention up the ramp.

    Hennings    answers his  COM, and moves towards Admiral Hack...Hey?  Oliver?  ZU-IS and his  Group  are  about  5 minutes out fromlanding at the  HQ,..there are two more shuttles  from his  Flag ship coming in right behind him.

   Hack truned from Shadow  and the others, Listening , but answering  Hennings,That's good..I want them there first... They'll get a big welcome from alot of people.. its  been alot of years since any one saw  a Paradise  Angel that came straight from the Home World... but i want them to be there to see our  entrance...

 Howe, and Foster  talked, Foster  would  be goign in  on one of the busses, sincehis wife  was  Camera shy.You know there is no escape..right? There's  going to be  press  and Cams  all over the place.

 Foster smiles slightly,yeah?  But  She likes to try to stay in the backround. you know? She's not  military, and she went through enough, so i can't  argue. We'll be ready though...

 Howe smiles and gives  Foster a   shoudler   hug, and goes off  to stand  bt Steele and red  Water as they wait for  the ladies.

 Foster grins...kinda neat , this  stuff.. don't know how  the brass can handle it though..all those CAMs-

Henry bent to make a fuss of Larry.

"You look just as scary all dressed up," he reassured the larg.

"Mila has her dress coat on too. Indeed we all have. I'd rather not, too."

  Captain Si and Lilit , more or less lead  the  horde  of well dressed Ladies .. On duty guys called  and whistled, some of the ladies  smiled and waved  back

 as they reached the gathering of  Men.  The Captain in herLt Green V-necked  , kneehigh dress, with only the  thinnest of  straps that went  around her neck.. she wore her Blue  max, and a tiny silver pin.

  My Ladies  are ready for Jump Off , Admiral.

 Hack  smiled  and reached his  hand out to her,Lovely ... To the ladies  he Bowed , slightly...You all are bresathtaking... i assume you noticed by  Heners  falling off his ladder... people laughed.

 He got a bit serious.....I expect..even want...some trouble, at the beginning...but, once things  are sorted out, we should have a  damn good party!  LC?

 Shadow    winked at the Ladies,Vets?  you know the drill...help out the newer Ladies.... My Condo  is open for you all to crash, I know some of you have to  return by noon tomorrow, so get some beach time in... There will be a party of sorts  at the Condo roof   tonight after the Ball, and  tomorrow  night  as well... feel free to come and go as you wish..

 beth cleared  her throat,

 yeas... um..there  will be   people comign and goign   through the night from the Condo, if you aren't part of it, be part of the distractions.

 Hennings grinned and  called out...mount up!

 Beth headed towards  Shadow's  Limo... The Admiral and Captain  Si  lead the way to  His  limo

 Dusk  came up to Roy, her  dress  and pin neat and ready...Do you like this? I  figure it ,ight look good with your  Tunic...

 Val  stepped over to Henry, she   moved her   hair  a bit, in her  sleek , sheath purple dress.

 as they walked  down  th Ramp, Tucker and   Supe   looked at thier ladies, Raven and   Redwater  walked towards  Shadow's as well... Those Limo get any wider or  longer, we will have to add them to the fleet as  sloops of  war.

Nic watched Shadow walk over to him with a slightly curious expression. He expected he would learn things about this Ball and it proved to be true as the LC continued to speak. A glance and nod was given to Roy when he came over and then he returned his attention back to what was being said. His head shook because Harry hadn't mentioned what was going to go on but then again he hadn't asked her either. What Shadow said about her had his brows furrowing a little but he listened.

"Sir," he said with a nod and considered the words. He told Harry she'd have to work very hard to get back to things. "If anything, the Paradise Angel's have proven they would rather drop their shields and run than to hold fast. Who can trust them to not look out for their own selfish interest? Believe me, I have no intention of letting them use me as a rug. And if the Board has problems with the canaries, then maybe some feathers need plucking."

A smile curled his lips then at the mention of the Condo. "Yes, she mentioned that to me. I would appreciate that." Shadow got another curious look at the mention of oddities but Nic gave a shrug. He had seen a lot of odd things lately.

"I can take the press. Just wont give them enough to satisfy a cat. And besides, this sword isn't just for show, right SM?" He grinned at Roy briefly before giving a quick salute to the newly arrived. Taking his cover, he settled the white cap back on his head and adjusted it. "I sort of feel sorry for you though, LC. You got to contend with all the lonely women."

He waited for Harry and then offered his arms to her as he followed Shadow and the rest towards that limo. He doubted he would get much attention when the LC was there and he was fine either way.