Roy made a face of disgust when he got the announcement of the Angel volunteers joining the Hermes, but remained silent for the time being.  When Sam brought up the possibility of infiltrators, he shrugged.  "We're already getting infiltrators from among our own people.  If the Angels are dumb enough to try and send in volunteers as infiltrators, they're going to find it's not going to go any better for them than it has for anyone else."  He snorted softly, and added, "We're already on guard against them, so they're going to find that infiltration is going to be a pretty limited gateway...trying to get your foot in the door with someone already holding the door barely cracked open."

He listened as Hennings brought up the question of what to do with the Angels.  "Well, our first priority should be forcing a decision as to whether or not they're going to maintain relations with Vicrock, the Sol System, or any other Empire allies.  If they're for us, they're against them, and vice versa.  If they won't cut ties to Vicrock, they don't fly with the Fleet, no matter what they volunteer for.  Anything else is academic until that's resolved."

Eventually natural urges asserted themselves (no, other ones...) and Henry got up to use the bathroom and get dressed.

"Do you want to come for breakfast, my love? We have to go and fetch your latest piece of jewellry this morning. Can and Mila have gone ahead to get their breakfasts."

He was soon following the heavenly smells and joined the line to get some breakfast.

   Val was a bit slow in getting up, the  time on the  beach and the 'fresh air' wore her out a bit.

   She stood  behind   Henry, Taling  to  Ellen  who was  sitting at the  far end of the massive couch, with  Cora  and Lippin.

   Henry   could  see  Larry  and , now and then  a   White nose, pop up as   Shadow  'accidently' dropped   some egg or bacon into  the empty  bx that had held  some of  the bacon packets.

 There was an exasperated Folkes who came in  , loking at the  Bacon, before saluting all the Brass.Admiral Hack....we have a  Vicrock LT  and  an Angel Captain..they want to see you, and they refuse to go away?

 Shadow   shrugged as he cracked more eggs...so?..shoot them...

Admirla hennings laughed, Admiral  Face  gave Shadow  a sidelong Glance,noooo...don't shoot them, Bring them in, and  we'll see what they want... if the  cause problems  we should be able to handle them.

Shadow rolled his  eyes,Folkes?..grab a  plate  for yourself  and Maygin...sheesh, you look like   LArry. Larry's  eyes rose  above the counter  like black periscopes.

  Folkes grinned  as  The Admiral Helped him load up,leaving with two paper plates  of food..

 Shortly after, the  Angel Captain with the Vicrock  LT   shouldered thier  way through the  crowds that was now making its way to eat on the roof.

  The Captain ( who didn't  bother to salute, seeing only a few people wore  unifroms).Admiral Hack, I am Captain VI-DE, This  is LT Fran Sics..she is  a member of out Marine  boarding teams...

 Hack never stopped  working on the bacon, to him, his people came first...I'll be frank with you, Captain. There isn't one of my people  here who don't want to through the good LT off the roof, nor you for that matter?.. I am inclined to agree..say what you wish to say , and move on, before someone  takes action, i may 'not see'...

There was Distaste on the Angel Male's  face..Shadow pointed the whisk at him...nice collection of bling you have?.. tells  me two things?  you're gonna be at  the meeting, and....Angels  give out alot of  'good conduct' medals..


 The  Vicrock LT only  had two awards..The Captain howere  had enought to rival Shadow's. The CAptain Gave   Shadow  a sneer.I have been fighting ifor  the Paradise System, before your kind could fly...

  Shadow gave a comic  look  of being impressed...then  said in a cold  voice...Listen, Cupid..you might have been fighting longer?... But i have been winning...

 enough......, speak your mind Captain...

 I have been sent to  discuss  , what  happened to Colonel Maris and his Son....

 you have to be  more specific  CAptain...and faster...

 We received  some  COMs  from the Colonel that his  Son had been  captured by some  one, and  The Colonel was to meet with them for his  Son's  release.

  The Admiral laid  more strips on the   griddle,..you'll find  my concern about   Vicrock traitors to be in very short supply, Captain..please continue..

 Beth entered the  Condo, she had  on a 2 pieces and was wrapped in a  towel, from being on the beach.

 The COMs  we received  , showed the Colonel's  son in some distress...

 ....might you show me some of these COMs....

 the two officers looked at  each other,  the Vicrock officer  said...we...um...seem to have trouble pulling them up? They seemed to have ....um...scrubbed themselevs....

 I warned the  Colonel?  Etna is a ...very..rough  place to take shore leave?  I, Myself  had an altercation with some , rather unpleasant Angels  and Vicrock lackeys...

 Be that as it May, LC  Shadow... none of you look the worse  for wear?

 Beth  stood up  and  lowered the   towel to show her  shoulder...Really?..Look at this..sunburn!

there was laughter.

 I was told you might be able to provide  some COMs, so we may continue our investigation...

 Beth held  up her  hand, went  into the back, returning a few , uncomfortable moments  with a Vidboard... ,..how 'bout these?

 The Vidboard showed the  Eric   Maris  with  women who looked abused, with little or no clothing on. while he  drank, and his friends laughed......or this?

 the next scene  showed  young Maris's  buddy shoot  a girl  in the head, before  weapons fire broke out and the screen went blank...

 ..how did you....where   did you...

 beth looked at the  Vicrock LT, the lighting Bolt  on her  Vicrock patch , counter her as a COM tech...you'd be surprised who will give us  vids.....

 Let's cut to the chase there, Captain....what is this  about.

 Colonel Maris and his son were killed when the Skimmer they were in , blew up next to the hanger  Dec of  one of  our Corvettes..the  corvette is   being worked on, and lost, almost half its  crew on the Hanger dec. We were hoping, one of two things...You would
 help us find  who killed them...or give us a reason why  they would have been killed.

 Shadow laughed,  scooping eggs ito the serving  bowls  while cracking fresh  eggs.well Gee Whiz , Mr   'I served  for centuries'.. its not hard to figure out... seems to me like the little bastard was a slaver, or at least used slaves...and  The Father is a scum Ball  Vicrock traitor?... seems to me , that  way more then enough reasons for them to get dead?..Your Angel Buddies? well, they are like that poor  Girl in the vid?... wrong place wrong time...

 you condone these actions!!!

 Oh? I Never sue them  they're...

 Captain Si leaned  into Shadow and Gave  a whisper, and smiled, , Shadow held  a hand to his mouth in mock embarrassment. People laughed.My Mistake... yeah..yeah..I condone it...

 so..that is it?  we will get no help from you?

 ..Help eliminating Vicrock traitors, and anyone who deals with the  EDT?  You bet we'll help....being worried  about a traitor and his spoiled assed , scumball kid?...not so much.

  The Captain eyed  everyone there, then saluted, turning on his Heel...The Vicrock LT looked  straight at Shadow......Eric and I were to me Married ... I....loved  him...

 Beth Played the  Vid  were the younger Maris  abused  some of the  Girls  well laughing and pouring  drinks on them...

 Shadow offered her  a strip of  Bacon...seems like  someone did you a favor then....You want to check on something, check on how many ladies  he's 'engaged' to.... you dodged a  pulse blast..be happy...

 the woman slapped the bacon strip out of his hand  where it landed behind him, before Mila gobbled it up. Then  she stormed out.

 Captain Morris   cleared his  throat after the laughter passed,..this is a good , teaching Moment. When you with someone who is ...less-then-proper..you should  leave
 that relationship...bad  for your Morale and all that..eh?

 Flores shook her head,..no one feels  bad for her?

 Hemsley came in  and Got in  line,Bloody Vicrock LT cryin' her eyes  out, followin' a sstick-up-his -ass  Caotain..can't be bloody good..aye?

 everyone looked at   Hemsley who held out his arms cluelessly.

 The answer is...no. She   hitched her  wagon to  what she thought was a horse, and  ended up being a Jackass...There isn't one of us , who went to the academy  who didn't know  guys like that..

Steele  spoke up......like you?

 Machins had to step in,..Shadow had his share of Ladies, more then his share, if you Count Captain  Si's sister  at the  graduation Ball... but i can honestly say i have never heard him treat a woman badly...

frans  piped up...or strung anyone alone..

Shadow  waved  it off.....forget it...no matter what folks think about my life style... i never used slaves, never lied to a chick to get her in bed..

 Admiral Hennings  laughs... This is going to be one spirited meeting...

 Speaking of...everyone eat up, we only have an hour or so...

Mila was happy, she was doing well on the bacon front. She wasn't too sure about talk of meetings, though. She hadn't enjoyed yesterday's one, so hoped that Her Human wouldn't be asked along to this one.

Zob continued sipping his coffee as he watched the angel and the Virock woman closely from his corner of the wall his fingers hovering closely to his sidearm the whole time but when they turned and left he eased up, "Anybody need me for anything today?" he asked off handely if not he may pack up early and prepare to head back to the Hermes.

Once Henry had eaten his breakfast he offered to take over cooking duties so that the Admiral and Shadow could get ready for their meeting (he didn't know if he was expected to attend this time).

  The Admiral thanked  Henry, and Sat down to gobble his  food, while the Captain went to get ready.

  Shadow  finished  the  skillet of   eggs he  was  working  on and   turned the  eggs over to   Henry, Shade  was  still buttering   toast, as he  ate  his own  meal.

  I'm not going to lie?... I won't be sad  when this  meeting is over.... and i won't  be  said  if   it ends  with some black uniforms on the grounds

Hennings   smiled, adding......let them  make the  first move...CE-VA  and others  will be there with the CAMs

  others  were going, heading out to the beach , or  shopping...this was a good time to get foods  and drinks  , that  the ship normally didn't have.

  Beth came out  with her   enviro top and Dress pants, he  tunic   laid over a chair, as she  began to eat.

   Pointing a fork at Henry, Shadow asks.Does Doc gotta go?

 Hack shook his  he, trying to talk around a mouth full of  eggs...No, this is   all Military  alignment  and such . We needed  his   Tech input last time

   Can sat eating  watching all the people, some people all dressed up, lots of  people in bathing suits.what are we going to do today?

 Meari got a large plate full of the LC's breakfast, she really enjoyed these breakfasts. She got her plate and headed to the couch to eat. Meari watched the Angel Captain and the Vicrock Lt. closely she wanted to say the Lt. was lucky he was dead he was a scum bag.  Meari ate and then when she was done decided to check on her cousin and Grandmod before she went to the beach.

 Meari headed over to the Admiral's condo she smiled at the security and went to go see Dusk and Lilit.

 Sam watched and listened to the confrontation with the  Angel Captain and Vicrock Lt. She listened carefully that was her job gain information wasnt it. Sam took down their names and did a search on them as she was smiling at others. She will also head to her room in the Admirals quarters to get dressed and check her search.

  Meari  enters the Admirals  Condo, Captain  Si   had  entered a moment  before to finished getting dressed.

   Dusk sat eating , with a few offers  like Bornberry  , Captain Mavis Hines, Captain Bryce and Captain Spikes.

 They tried  not  to seem  interested in the   argument.

  I am Going to the Meeting. I will not be left behind because some  traitor  shot me..it would be a victory for them...

 ..you were  grievously injured... had you not had  your fathers  Barbaric  DNA, you would have perished..

 ..Was it that?, Or  My Mother's  DNA  combined with that of  my father.... I am going..if you will not  allow me to attend as an Undenese  Captain, I will attend as my Father's  daughter....

  ..do you think your  father will allow you to attend?

 YES!!, for the very same  reasons  i have mentioned....

 Meari listened to the argument and when she had a chance she said,"  WarLord Lilit I believe Captain Dusk should be allowed to go if she is medically cleared too, and if you wish I will change into my armor and be her bodyguard and help her in any way I can." She smiled and her cousin Dusk Meari thought she had every right to go and showing that they didnt succeed was good as well. Meari then looked at her Grandmod Lilit waiting for her response to Meari's offer.

 Lilit  looked at Meari. It was  clear the  Warlord  was , less then happy, with how things were  going.

 ..and they see her  wounded?.. that is not a victory?

 Dusk gave Meari a Nod, then  said to Lilit,They know they shot us?..one of them got  away, you know he told them.... I show  up, you show up , we are still alive!! Theirs are scores of them dead... Father  said.." they put one of yours in the hospital, you put one of theirs in the Morgue....he  and his friends ..might have  went a bit over board.

  Lilit  rubbed her  head, with her uninjured  hand.... Then Your Cousin can guard you, they cannot   truned down a Hermes Body Guard  since its the flagship...... This is not  going to be an enjoyable  gathering..

 Dusk sat back and  drank chocolate  Milk ( to the surprise of the other  Captains)

 Meri nods and says," Well Grandmod I am glad I will be there in armor and weapons just in case it gets violent. I will protect you both Grandmod Lilit this meeting is going to get ugly if the Paradise Angels wont break ties with Vicrock."

 Meari then said," I will get ready and meet you when you are ready too go Grandmod Lilit." Meari then heads too her room and gets her armor on, her kukris', her Udenese swords, hidden throwing daggers on her armor, Udenese sidearm, One Eyed Jack knife, shotgun and pulse rifle. Once she was all geared up she headed back tot he Admirals condo to wait to escort her Grandmod and Cousin to the meeting.

Roy watched the Angel and the Vicrock lieutenant, not bothering to veil the disgusted look that appeared on his face when they were announced.  He didn't say anything, beyond adding the occasional derisive snort when they asked for ESN assistance or tried to play 'wounded outrage'.

After they left, he said simply, "Too bad she wasn't on the docks last night...she'd have had a chance to join her fiance in the afterlife...such as it is..."  He looked down and his half-finished plate of eggs and reached for his fork...but he found his appetite was quite ruined.

"Here, Larry...I think I'm done...always did have a hard time eating downwind from the shit-pile, no matter whether it was someone's farm or the base latrine..."  He set the eggs down where the larg could reach them, knowing they'd be gone pretty much immediately.

Nearing 8:00 station time The Admiral, the board, Lilit  and Dusk ( with Meari ) stepped into a  long  Limo to be taken to the  ESN HQ, that was about  2  Blocks  away.

 Maria  and Shorey went in the  Limo as well as Body guards..Lyri would  either go with the  Limo, or walk with Shadow's group, depending on which one   Roy chose.

 Shadow decided to walk, Beth  walked with him   Shade  and Orria walked as well, Orria  carried  three  Vidbaords for use in the  meeting

 Larry walked  , just to the rear of the group, his   head  swaying from side to side  as he looked for anyone  who needed  eaten.


>>>>>>>>>>  these  folks, to meeting.

Henry stayed cooking until everyone had had their fill, then cleared everything down.

"Val, we need to pick up your jewellry. Do either you or Can have anything you'd like to do today?"

 Can looked at Henry,I would like to play  on the Beach with kids if they are there? I know Roll won't be there, because he was  hurted.

 Val Looks at  Henry, then to Roll,Perhaps  we  might pick up  the order? and stop one place to eat, then  finish up on the beach  before Recall?

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

 Flores  and a bevy of  pilot ladies and  SEC trooper s  were already  going down the lifts to hit the beach and get those 'last few hours' of tan.

  some people  were  already calling   Cabs or  ordering shuttles to go home.

 Some of the SEC  were  packing up the   'luggage ' from Shadow's  room , to be taken down to the vans  and  back to the ship.

 The crowd  would be smaller on the beach today, but it would still be a crowd.

"Sounds good to me," said Henry.

"If Mila can still walk after the amount of bacon she's eaten, she may come as well."

While his initial impulse was to walk with Shadow and the others, his status as a member of the Command Staff for the Marine Corps would be underscored by arriving with the board members and other ranking dignitaries.  So he piled in the limo, his face showing how little he was looking forward to the meeting.

 Meari went with Captain Dusk she followed her every step and stayed right with her. She had made a promise to Grandmod Lilit that she would protect her cousin and Meari was going to do just that and if ETNA SEC or the Paradise Amgels didnt like her there armed they shouldnt have tried to assassinate Lilit and Dusk then.

--->>>> To ETNA 1003 meeting

 Sam finished getting her dress Burian Uniform on and went with the Board to the Limo. She figured being the representative of Bura she should go in the Limo. She had her vidboard with her as well as she took a seat next to Roy. She then said to Roy," Sgt. Major Spencer this could get ugly very fast is it too late to see if I could get a bodyguard for this meeting, I dont Grand Admiral stick up his ass likes me too much." Sam giggled and smiled at Roy who seemed to really need some cheering up right now. Sam was not looking forward to this meeting and if she had her way they would call the Paradise Angels Enemies and kill them all.

---->>>>>> To ETNA 1003 via Limo to Meeting.

Mila marched up bristling indignantly. Eaten too much bacon indeed! Her Human was pushing it a bit there. Anyway, was there such a thing as too much bacon? And once He'd taken over the cooking, He had fed her more!

She stalked out ahead of the Family as they headed out into town.

->Etna.

((after Meeting))

   Shadow  rounded up the  largs  to take down to the beach, for some Long Runs   and  swims.

  Disna  and  Puskie, took turns  watching over gregor  and  Roll on the  Hermes

 Steele had Packed Up, heading back to the Ship with a few others  who were , either  almost out of Creds, or just plain tired.

 for the second time, Roy's  COM  buzzed with a  Joint COM,  LT Hir  talking to him and Shadow.

COMing   Shadow  and Roy,  LT HIrr said,I am sorry to be bothering you, but  we have the transfers on the docking arm... i am  of thinking, that we  should  decide   whom we wish to take, after you look them over..is it being Possible for your to return early/

Roy gave a soft grunt to himself before keying his comm.  "I'll be there shortly...just a last-minute item to pack up..."  As he spoke, he began breaking down the Barrett, removing the barrel so it would fit in a more easily carried bag.

His comm no longer transmitting, he muttered, "Now we get to see who volunteered to join the ESN, and who volunteered to sneak their way aboard..."  Frankly, he loathed this part of the job...