The Admiral nodded,I hear  from the fleet, a few people..maybe ..20?..in the whole of the fleet,  took a transfer to 'help out' on Earth....but we know  what they are really goign for... Either to see if they can 'save ' someone personal, or flat out join up with GE-FI.. We  let them go  when  we sailed from The Nest-station... GE-FI's  selling out to the Empire...again... will be a good stick to measure folks  by, when the time comes   to visit Earth....but for us?  That time is  well off in the distance...GE-FI and Qer La Cal? they  are thinking that will draw us in?.... But it won't..2, maybe three years ago, it might have... But we have the whole damn Black to worry about, and we have people on Earth now, fighting  the good fight.... won't be long though, until  vids and pics pop up with  ;loved ones' faces on, to try and  cause discord..it might be a good thing, we haven't been getting  replacements directly  from Earth for the last couple  years.

 Shadow watched the Ladies  dancing.Doesn't matter?... Humans have spread to the stars. I sure wanted to play in the NFL  though?

 Angel food  has made us able to come back and do things we couldn't have done 200 years ago.... you might  get your chance. Playing Fleet football?  There's alot of Competition there, you won't  find on Earth.

 Shade  came over  and Bleeped  and whirled, Scarlett and Ellen were watching from the floor, after the dance was over.

 First off?... you have..um..grown, enough you can make yourown  decisions..... 2nd?...DON'T  drink any  hard stuff... we're goign to need you the next  2 days..

 Shade gave a thumbs up , Saluted  The Admiral and took off with Ellen and Scarlett grinning as they headed towards The Pulse.

 ,,Growing Up?

 I guess?  I just hope they  really  like him being around, and  don't treat him as a Novelity...

 Dusk was on the floor  as Hemsly picked out another   'line type, fast moving dance'...

 he motioned to Dusk as he looked at  The  Admiral  but  included   Roy,..and for Dusk, I hope  we... he motioned to   Roy and himself,..don't have to   take apart any  Verian or Udenses officers.

The Admiral smiled

She enjoyed the slow dances with Arnie, inwardly thanking Beta once again for letting them get some time together. She gave him a kiss when he had to go back but stayed on the dance floor, letting the music take over. When the Ladies moved up to dance, Billie took a step back, watching, making note of the moves and storing them into her own. When she was sure of the steps, Billie jump in towards the back, matching the steps but adding in her own as well. That joy of dancing and having fun was clearly seen on her fair features.

She would softly snort at his observation about keeping thing’s from the captain as she took his hand and carefully got to her feet ” The only thing telling her the truth would get me is a lecture, it’s not like she’d do anything about it, besides at least she can’t say I lied to her” Harry pointed out before placing her one good hand on his back and slowly began to move to the music, with her having offered her friends a weary smile as they had passed her. Oblivious to those around her Harry would dance with Nic until Eckles grabbed the mic and the music started to speed up at which point she remove her hand and say ”I think I’d like to call it a night now…maybe say goodnight to Lizzy and Izzy before go?” she said, uncertain as to where exactly Nikki was but having seen the others at the table. Besides which she still wanted to ask them something.

Nic arched a brow at that and shrugged a little. "Because apparently the rest have been lecturing you about how bad you are and you are worthless?" There was no hint of insult, it was said evenly. "You're not worthless. Don't think I don't see how everyone treats you Harry. Yes you made mistakes. We all do even if yours could have cost someone their life. Owning up to that helps even if these people don't see it. Means you have to work twice as hard."

A sigh followed that. "I know you want to be back in a fighter, Harry," he added softly.

They danced till Eckles decided to spice things up and he backed out with her. "Sure," he looked around for the pair to see if he could spot them. It wasn't hard to spot Lizzy's hair in this crowd. He wasn't as familiar with Nikki as the other two. A few slow steps at a time was what it would take to get Harry in a better place mentally. Now if they rest of them would act like adults instead of high school cliques, things would be better all around.

 The party was heating up, even as the time was runnign down, as if everyone tried to hang  on to  every minute  they  could.

 Frans  Waved to  Shadow  to come up...Shadow said to The Admiral...Once more, into the breech...

 Dusk loked at  Roy in question and  watched...

 Ok..One last chance to embarrass the LC before the Ball..there's a good bet we  won't  Get a chance then! there were  Cheers - She Talks to Hemsly  and Shadow, they look at the Vid, and  Shadow's  shoulders  Slump  and  Frans gave him a  Quick hug and went  to stand by Eckles.

 Hemlsy being a little shorter  was grinning , Shadow sighed  the Music  played    and they  began to act the  parts  as the Vid  played.

 People laughed  and Cheered


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2h4PhgobI8

Roy grinned at Dusk's look.  "One of the things people love about your father is also one of the things people hate...just depends on which people.  But he's not the least bit afraid of making a fool of himself if it will help morale.  It doesn't work for everyone...but nothing works for everyone."  He shrugged.

"In my experience, the people who get offended by it are the ones who take themselves too seriously. Why they're so serious varies...often, but not always, it's because they've built up command to some kind of sacred duty that you have to consecrate your life to, and they see it as a personal affront that he doesn't treat it the same way.  Sometimes, they're just so self-absorbed that they can't imagine setting aside personal dignity for others' entertainment...I'm sure there's a bundle of other reasons, and their validity often depends on the honesty of the person in question."

He chuckled as he watched.  "He's got his flaws...but he works when it's time to work, and plays when it's time to play...and I'll take that at my side any day."

 Dusk   smiled softly at  Roy's  words. Her eyes  went to the Vid  and she Giggled  at Hemsly and  Shadow's   head   jerking  , as  well as Frans  and Eckles playing the   Ladies.

 at one Point  Mara   called out,That's not   any differant  then the LC's  regular dance!!

 People layghed     and some even joined in the  song..some of the SEC  guys were jerking thier  heads  .. and thier  dates  were laughing  trying to hide thier eyes  , as if they didn't know them.

 when the Song was over  Frans  and Eckles  gave  them each a Hug,  Shadow  fist Bumped  Hemsly who was grinning away.

 Shadow sat  down , Dana  still giggling, brought him over  a small milkshake.

 When Dana  left, the Admiral got a bit serious,Kray?....tomorrow  night, You'll  have ...no leash..during or after the  Ball

 wait? I had a leash?

 Hack smiled,a Rather Long one.... but yes....Now tomorrow, there is  goign to  be chest puffing contest , like you wouldn't believe.. I don't care how many you knock  down...i don't even care if they get up again...but..They have to start it...and i believe they will.

 Shadow looked at Roy, then back, there was a shrug as he sipped his shake...I can do that?.. I mean...as Likable  as i am, i have been known to have a  few people rather   cross with me... he said the last few words in an foppish  english accent

 Dusk  giggles.

 we going Delta tomorrow?

 Aye...after  the Ball, we'll all be at the Condos, as always,  Hennings and I will make our  way  as if to grace your party with our presence ..Beth will have her boards up..and  we'll get the marks... you have to  be done, by 10:00 am station time, because   we'll be starting that Big meeting witht he APF and  The Paradise  Angels I need you and Roy there for that, Dusk and Shade  are a Given, since thier places  at the  big table are  known, You and  Roy will be the voices  of  the ESN'APF since you were here   the whole time  the ship has been in service.... Rivets    looked over the repair lists,  we'll leave  Etna  for Matterhorn,at midnight  the following day, Give everyone  another bit of shore leave..Matterhorn will be simpler,, we'll top off supplies  and decide where we are going....

 He stood up, Grabbed  Shadow's  shoulder and shook him a bit,I'm Going to bed..might be the last night of  real rest   for a bit.

  Shadow smiled at the  shake he got, The Admiral moved off. Dusk watched  h The Admiral move off, waving at folks  and  giving a smile here and there.

 ..He Likes you...

 He and The Captain were my second Mom and Dad... I'd be  in new York  Knifing  Mobsters, and  druggies...or..at this point, setting up ambushed  for Enemy Angels  and EDT  folks..or?..maybe dead by now?

 Dusk  relaxed as she loked to Roy...After that  sham of a meeting, we need to hit the beach on Etna..i have found out, i am fond of swimming  and sand!

 ..........

 Roll and Can  made thier  way to Roll's house, armed  with a fresh Milkshake, two pieces each of  cake, and a  pizza.

 more  folks streamed out... Dana  called out  Last Call...15 Minutes until curfew...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Sun 18 July 2021.

Nikki call Haley over with her prize of extra cake.  It was time for them to get some sleep.  she had to see if she was going to get out of the chair tomorrow before docking.  And there was a Ball to get ready for and all plus some shopping.  "When going ashore for liberty would you like to join us Mitch?" she asked as they cleaned their things and a bit more to help the RecDec Ladies.  Looking at one she winked and spoke "You and your co-servers as well cooks did a wonderful job.  Thank them for us" she smiled.  They headed for the lift and home

=====> officers quarters.

Roy grinned and nodded.  "Some beach time sounds good, but we'll have to see how things unfold."  He reached over, giving Shadow a whap on the arm.

"Just because you've been given free run, don't take it upon yourself to knock down every Paradise Angel at the Ball.  It'll look better if someone else gets involved first...that way you don't look like you came in spoiling for a fight, you just look really ready to finish what someone else started.  And don't even try and play innocent on that one, because I've known you too long for that to fly."  He grinned, but there was a serious look in his eye.

"It's important for it to look like the whole ESN and APF are resolved against Paradise control, and not just that it looks like LC Shadow's got an ego too big to take orders from Angels.  Well, from OTHER Angels..."

When the dancing was done, Billie headed back over to where Arnie was to help him and Beta pack things up and such.

the gava headed to their quarters.  A large slice of wedding cake for Onnu.  Jug brought home her bouquet, they smell good.


===> non comm quarters

For a little while at least Harry had been able to forget herself and simply enjoy being with someone that cared about her. However feeling both emotionally and physically drained from the party it was time to call it a night with Nic kindly walking her over to Lizzy's table where the two women were currently enjoying a slice of wedding cake and a glass of wine, with both of them looking to be having far more fun than she was "Hey guys, I'm going to call it a night but...um...Nic has asked me to be his date to the ball could...could I go to the dress fitting with you guys?" she nervously asked. She didn't like the Captain's dress fittings at the best of times as she felt like she was in over her head when it came to dresses and makeup, but this time around she was clearly terrified about even setting foot within the room full of women and wanted if nothing else a little moral support to get her through what she suspected would be a rather unpleasant morning.

”I wouldn’t be so quick to jump on the cowards bandwagon, a millennium is a long time even for them, and we don’t know what they’ve been up to, it’s still possible that they’ll turn up with tactics and tech that will make us look like kids playing with sticks…not that I think that’s going to happen!” Izzy quietly cautioned as Lizzy’s mood suddenly flipped and her temper threatened to bubble over, although even she had to admit that the angel’s sitting on their hands all this time didn’t look good especially with them sending tributes to the enemy ”…besides if they were sympathisers, why join up with us? They could have just signed up with GE-FI and the SSN and paint us as terrorists….they may be arrogant pricks and timidly led but they are on our side” Izzy continued before offering Lizzy a kindly smile as she gently caressed her cheek ”don’t let them wind you up babe, they’re not worth it and I can think of far more enjoyable things we could do instead” she said with an impish grin as her eyes dropped to admire the low cut neckline of Lizzy’s dress.

It wasn’t long afterwards that Harry and Nic would arrive to bid them both goodnight with Harry then going on to nervously ask if she could meet up them tomorrow for the dress fitting ”sure, I’ve no problem with that, but are really going home soon? she asked wondering why Harry was so nervous about everything as they tended to hang out with one another at these things anyway so wasn’t sure why she felt she needed to ask.

 Lizzy smiled and replied to Izzy," Well Izzy you sit on your asses for 1000 years then they are released and come right out to take over, maybe they have made a deal with the Demons to under mind the APF from the inside. I just dont trust anyone who will allow their people to be taken as food and slaves cant do it sorry. If they want to help add resources to the fight hell yes join us but they havent bled enough to be in charge."  Lizzy was wound up but not out of control yet, but she was done with the Paradise angels for now. " Yes Izzy so can I, shall we have one more dance and then head to our quarters I need to ravish my sexy girlfriend." Lizzy smiled looked at Izzy gave her a seductive wink.

 Then Harry came over and asked if she could be with them for Captain Si's dress fitting. Lizzy smiled even more and she replied," Of course Harry you can hang with us I will help get you an amazing dress and help with everything else, Izzy and I are both very good at makeup. Lizzy knew Harry didnt like any event that had a lot of people in it, plus there would be a lot of females that didnt like her there. Harry to change that, Lizzy couldnt help her with that, but she could help with a dress and makeup for sure.

 Sam had an amazing time with Howe they danced , ate, had a great time but it was getting late and he still needed rest. Sam replied," Steve this was amazing I am so happy I was able to enjoy this with the Hermes crew. I will see you for the Ball tomorrow, if you need me I am staying in Beth's spare room."

  Shadow  grins a Bit  at Roy,..I'm Sure   some Press  folks  will slant  the  articles that way. But..The Bottom line, They'll Have started it..and  we'll damn well finish it!

  Now  I'm gonna  hit the sack.. we're gonna have a long day tomorrow, and it will be  tougher  during the end..

 Dusk looks  at   Roy and  Shadow,how do you think the  Etna  Press  will  treat this all?

 don't trust  reporters too much, and I haven't been wrong... but you can bet there is  still some old  guard  hacks  , that will try to turn their  reports thier  way... so?  you see  Enta  Media, be careful what you say.

 He gives them a wave , leaving a  20 cred bill on the table.

Nic rubbed his hand up and down Harry's back supportingly as she spoke to the women then he nodded to Izzy and Lizzy. "Thank you for helping her. She needs her friends at least." Someone that wasn't him actually showing a friendly face because he suspected that she got scowls all the time otherwise. He waited for them to finish before heading to the lift to take it back up to the Officer's Quarters with Harry.

  Dusk st9ood   after  Shadow made his   way towards the lifts.would you care to  escort me to Granmod's  quarters....It  will be a busy day for Me as well.

 The Horn sounded  and people  groaned  as then began to move to the  Lifts

Roy nodded.  "Gladly," he answered, offering his arm to her.  As they walked, he spoke, addressing her earlier question.
t"I don't know that the media based out of Etna will be a big problem...I suppose it depends on how popular Admiral Richards is with the locals, but their past leadership was very much into buying and selling influence and that tends to not sit well with a lot of media places, unless they can afford to buy into the right circles.  But there will likely be media from other locations there, as well...the Paradise Angels are coming out of the woodwork for the first time in a millenium, and they want to meet with the leadership of the APF?  EVERYONE is going to want to get their first-hand shot at reporting that story.  So, there will be plenty of media there that isn't from Etna, as well."

He sighed as he considered the prospect, and continued, "Some of those are very definitely going to be in Lady V's sphere of influence, and they're going to be looking for any excuse for a story that casts the Delta Fleet, and especially the Hermes, in a bad light...and that's if we're lucky and they're not particularly ambitious.  If they're ambitious, they're going to try and leverage their media access into some kind of attack.  It's been tried before...on Etna, no less."  He grinned a little sadly and shook his head.

"So, when media is around, watch more than just what you say.  If something feels wrong, it probably is, and don't talk yourself out of those suspicions just because it's a reporter.  Reporters can be bought...and media credentials can be forged."

 Sam said good night to Howe and then Headed for Beth's Quarters and sleep.

---->>>> To Officer quarters.

There was a relieved look when both Izzy and Lizzy said it was as alright for her to tag along with them to the fitting tomorrow ”Thanks guys, I really appreciate that…I’m not too worried about the dress and makeup, I just need someone to watch my back while I’m in there” Harry said making it sound like she was going behind enemy lines or into a particularly dodgy part of town. After briefly looking up at Nic to show him that she was ready to go she would turn her attention back to her friends to say ”ok in which case I’ll meet you at yours tomorrow morning then” before allowing Nic to take her back her quarters.

——> Officers Quarters

Faced with the choice of either a long conversation discussing the merits and demerits of the Angel fleet and their past and present involvement in the war effort or a night of passionate sex with a busty redhead Izzy was more than happy to agree to disagree and let the whole thing drop.

With Harry heading off to bed after saying she would meet them at their quarters Izzy would offer the poor girl a kind smile “Ok Harry, have a nice night, we’ll see you tomorrow” she said giving her and Nic a wave as they left. She would then lead Lizzy out onto the dance floor for one last dance before heading back to their own quarters for what should prove an enjoyable evening.

 Lizzy smiled at Harry and then went onto the dance floor for one more dance. Lizzy then kissed Izzy and without a word bit with a seductive look on her face headed for the lift,and their quarters for a fun night.

---->>> to Officer Quarters

 Meari danced and enjoyed Frakas's and the other tall warriors company, she had a great time. It was getting late and she wasnt sure what her duty would be during this stop but she hoped she could go to the Ball with Frakas. She said good night to Frakas and told him she would be at the Ball hopefully on one of his 4 arms. Meari said goodnight to everyone she knew as she left the Rec Dec and headed for her Quarters.


--->>>> To Non-Com Quarters

[From OQ]

Nic made his way to the Rec dec and sat down to have a quiet meal and coffee. Once he was done he would pay and leave, heading back up to the Officer's quarters and sit and relax, reading some technical manual.

[Back to OQ]