For the umpteenth time Justin glanced across the controller panel checking everything was registering and in order. Not long now he thought. A slight smile registered at being back at the cutting edge and returning to the effort.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Wed 30 Mar 2022.

Zob checked the duty roster and was slightly surprised to see that he was pulling security detail on the hanger dec instead of going down planet side but he didn't complain if that's where Roy needed him then so be it.

Once everyone started loading up on the shuttles he began to patrol his section of the hanger dec to make sure everyone was in place it wasn't a full blown jump off but it was treated with the same level of severity as he walked he asked Roll and Gregor if he wanted to join him.

"Pleased to meet you, Tulliun. I'm Henry Christie, the resident xenobiologist, and that large white dog wagging her tail at you is Mila. Have you met largs before? You're Hermes so they won't eat you... well not unless you do something extremenly stupid."

His face darkened for a moment.

"Like that idiot in the tunnels who kicked a larg pup and then attacked the Larg Master who came to defend him. Largs are very intelligent, treat them more like fellow troopers than animals and you'll get along fine. Thanks for your help."

Henry grinned and soon had everything sorted.

 Roll and  Gregor  followed Zob. Roll felt like a real trooper  walking  with the ,,,,much taller...Demon. Gregor pranced a bit  with  his  small  bit or armor on, and a Bobbling   larg helmet.

 ..I don't think they can throw any people  at us  up here..Right Mr. Zob?

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

 Ffokes  made sure he had a loaded  grenade drum in his  weapon, and  two more  drums on a sash.  He had two cross ammo belts  with single  grenade rounds, giving him 24 more. Larry and Rigg sat there looking around, their armor on except for their helmets.

 Shade  sat  near the   ramp, looking around  , his  SMG  on its  sling, his  helmet by his  feet

 .................

 Flores  smiled,ease up?  or you'll crash on the way out of the Hanger!.... those  doors  don't look so big going out, and they look even smaller  coming in, especially when you come in too hot?.. its like  trying to hit a postage stamp.... Now.. we'll all be in formation when  we    enter Atmo.... when the LC  calls for 'break'...   Machins  will  break   to Port with Billie...  Farrow and Kat will break to  starboard, we'll Go gig over top the LC..The LC....most likely, will go straight through..after that..its  Kill or be killed, and watching out  for  your flight mates..

---->>>> From QM Locker

 Meari walked back onto the Hanger dec already now. She checked the shuttle assignments, and she was on the Meadowlark, she smiled and headed over to the shuttle.

 Meari walked up to Doctor Christie, and Tulliun and said," If you need something heavy moved I will gladly help out." Meari then said," Good to see you again Doc Christy, and you as well Tulliun, I know you will get us safely there." Meari will then help out if needed and then relax head for her seat on the shuttle.

"Great! That all sounds easy. Got it." Madison took a breath. This was it. She was going into real combat against real enemies that will definitely be there. For the first time she realized she might not come back. That thought stuck for a moment, then she pushed it aside. Nope. She had been in fights before. Yes, they were simulated, or in training against friendly pilots, but it's not like the actual enemies could shoot at her any differently. The simulators were designed to prepare pilots for the real thing and her trainers had all survived real fights. They said she was ready, so she was ready. Even if her gnawing gut didn't have faith in her, the Hermes did.

Before she could say anything else stupid, Madison went straight to her ship. Her inspection was done, her load was verified, her contingencies were accounted for. She settled into the cockpit, just like she did the day before and ran a set of pr-flight diagnostics, just like she did before. All looked ready to go. Gut check? Why did it feel like she was doing her first bay launch like back in training? It didn't matter. She was going and she was going to kick ass. Now all she worried about was getting out of the hangar and looking like she knew what she was doing.

Oh, I was there. That's one brave boy. But, being raised around these heroes will rub off on you I guess. he smiled.

Just then, Meari walked up and addressed them. Tulliun beamed at his first friend on the Hermes. Hello there Meari. I certainly will.

Tulliun returned to the conversation he was having with Henry, So, doctor, I have to ask, how did you come to have a dog as your companion? I know she's intelligent, obviously, but shouldn't a xenobiologist have something more... extraterrestrial? he smiled a little, his tone was light and playful, despite the oncoming battle.

  Canopies  open    pilots  either in their rides    or  Just Getting In, Flight leaders   checked their screens as they checked their flights  'warninglights'. The LC  stopped at  each Flight line , until the flight  leader gave a  thumbs up.

 when he reached  his Flight he walked down the Line ,  Flores  , Kat, the others gave a Thumbs Up, he hopped on  Maddy's  wing. He  had a  'game day grin' ...he looked inside her  cockpit  patted the   cowling a bit and said,This is real.. I know you know that. You're Going   out there with Flores... you can ask Billie  about that  when we're done for the  day..she didn't have it so nice...but she's still here....

 don't think too much,  you have enough flight hours in, everything  will come naturally....

   He  winked  Jumped  down, as he went  for his fighter, Endre  tossed the Helmet to him, as Argie  and the other  Chief did  , scores of times before. The helmet was a bit out  in front, Shadow caught it and Grinned at Endre as she  slide into the .

   He turned on all Comes....LC  Shadow here.... Hermes  Wing ready  for the Word.....

 Captain Si's voice came...The word is ...GO!...good Hunting...

 Shadow , as always, went first,  followed  by his  flight, The Fran's flight...then  each flight in turn...  Karl and  Mitch would go after the Felrites,  then the   Shuttes    would  take off and  Nestle in the Cloud  of  Hermes  Fighters..


 aircadt to  E-1>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:13, Thu 31 Mar 2022.

 Lizzy listened to everything and then climbed into her fighter and powered her new fighter up and got her ready for the first time. Once her fighter was ready to go she lined up with E-Flight and when it was her turn, she launched out into the black.

----->>>>> To E-1

When C Flights turn to launch arrived Justin held off to allow the others to leave before him. A slight squeeze on the thruster propelled the Skeeter from the Hangar. Once in the Black Justin trailed
The others taking up the third left slot. S25 Com check, Over he declared then waited for Steele's responce.

Suited up and having all their gear the Gava were instructed to board the Diamond.  To strap in and get ready.

She looked at Lizzy as others began powering up to begin the mission, she yelled "Time to kick butt Fire" as she began her power up and strapping in, finally closing her hatch to move into formation behind Fitzsimmons.  "Hey Fitz!  Can we get an ammo test fire after launch?" she asked him.  Not fully trusting her craft yet.  For all she knew the barrels were full of grease.  Yet, there was the surprise factor too to think of.

===> E-1
This message was last edited by the player at 03:30, Fri 01 Apr 2022.

In reply to hanger Dec (msg # 907):

Zob glanced down to Roll and let out a small chuckle, "Not likely but its our job to be prepared in the off chance that happens" as he reached the end of the flight line he turned around and began making his way back. "Will have to keep updated with whats going on from Beth and them as the situation develops"

When the time came to board the shuttles, Harry would shoulder her weapon and casually stroll over to the shuttle; not dragging her feet like someone that didn't want to go but not rushing off like some over excited puppy either.

Once inside she would find herself a seat as close to Roy, and as far away from Cora as possible and strap herself in before leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes.

----> E-1

----> Officers Quarters

After stepping onto the hangar dec, Izzy would lean up to give Lizzy a kiss, softly whispering "come back in one piece Liz" before they parted ways; Lizzy to her fighter, and Izzy to join Sam at the war room "This is going to be a bit different...don't think I've seen an ESN operation that didn't involve the fleet and minimal input from the air wing" Izzy said to Sam as she helped her set up "though it's good to see you took my advice anyway" she said giving Sam's boarding armour an approving look.

Henry smiled at Maeri and Tullian.

"Mila comes from an experimental programme establishing mental links between a dog and handler, primarily for spy work. She'd been partnered with a former student of mine, who was killed when his ship was shot up... near enough to the Hermes that we picked it up. Mila survived and I adopted her."

Henry didn't let on that they were linked. He normally did not refer to it.

 Sam smiled at Izzy and replied," Yes it will be a lot different more like a Delta night than a fleet operation almost." Sam was just about done, and then added to Izzy," Yes if the Admiral wears armor I guess I should as well. I had to order a child size." Sam giggled and laughed. Sam then made sure everything was ready for the jump off and took her seat and fired up her consoles.

  Beth had  Orria  watching the  area's  around  the LZ....Beth was watching , to the North, where there had  been talks of  Fire fights.

   The Admiral   climbed up the stairs to the top of the  scaffold. He Looked at the   Three  woman COms, and said.....Beth..contact the Outpost to the West..Use  the Hermes SIG..... Sam...Contact the outpost to the North..use   your Burian SIG...,,,


  tapping a  tiny outpost to the south, rather then the bigger outpost to the East, he  tells  Izzy...Contact this one...we have  three Hiendall SIGs, one we stole from that  AWOL Pilot.... use one of those SIGs.. I want to hear the answers when   you open up dialogue .. You simplely say this....'The Fleet  is  coming in.."

 Hennings  Listened to  The Admiral as he stood at the bottom of the   'war room'...SGT   Zob... make ready a group of people , that you may need to take  down for  re enforcements

 Roll got excited.

 Morris  chuckled,not  you Laddie..you and gregor  got to help protect the dec.

The young man's face saddened a bit, I'm sorry to hear that. he looked down at Mila, offering her a remorseful smile.

The order came to depart the Hermes, and the light turned on. I'm sorry, doctor, looks like it's time to go. he moved to the panel, and punched in the command to shut the ramp and headed up to the cockpit.

Alright LU-NM! Here we go, head on a swivel. he called as he passed under the bubble. He climbed into the pilot's seat and took off to the planet.

 Sam replied," Already done Sir." Sam then contacts the outpost to the North using her Burian Signature.

  Hack Held up his  Vid  Board...the  lines were... " I am Burian support... are there  any  enemies about"

 hack  rolled his wrist  , to signal Sam to "take it from there'

In reply to hanger Dec (msg # 921):

Zob gave a sad look to Roll before turning and stepping away gathering a small team should they be needed he decided on Hoke,Maria,Rolfe,Mann,Scarlett,Simms as his team of choice before heading back over to Roll, "Guarding the hanger dec is just as important as being on the ground if anything i think its the most important job"

 Roll nodded,  even gregor looked   bummed out.yeah? me and gregor  are the only Larg  Unti guys left...so i guess we gotta stay

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

 Hack Wacthed  as beth Contacted the western  Outpost...LT   Beth Morrow ESN 351  Hermes ..The Fleet is  comign in....

  Outpost 36N ....Right... Got you   ESN 351  Hermes.... you have to watch to the  west..there has been more activity..Bugs , by the look...our   scouts  are dropping  5 or 6 a day...

  Hack Nodded  and frowned...

 Thank you  Outpost 36N... you should see us  soon...

Zob took a moment to listen to the report before frowning as he got himself a coffee and whatever Roll wanted, "Well that's never a good sign bugs... if there is bugs more then likely a hive isn't to far away probably be better off shelling the planet but that's just me, i don't give the orders"

 Sam nodded at the Admiral and then went to work. " I am Burian support are there any enemies in the area?"