(( continued..shore leave  after  'Battle of the funnel"

 Meari smiled at Dusk and left to let her get some rest and recover. Meari looked at Frakas and said," Oh yes they where, the LC is going to make them pay dearly, there must be retribution for what happened to Dusk and Grandmod Lilit. "

 Meari then sent a comm message to Shadow," LC Sir if you need my assistance just call understood, and make them pay for what they did to Dusk Sir."

 Meari then looked at Frakas and said," I think the LC has this for now but he might need is later, shall we go to the Mountain beach and then head back to our beach?"

  Shadow COMed  back,... Thanks  SGT,  we should  not be long... but time is differant   for everyone?..for us..it might be an hour...for a  few others, it  will be a life time.

........

 Frakas   waited until she was  finished  and said,..yes..I want to see the mountain, they say the  has snow near the  top... I haven't seen  snow.. Everest, they  say, has a lot more, then most stations..but i never got to go to the Uppers there..... once we see the   Mountain, we can look at the  beach, But.. i must assume we will be  more welcome at out  beach, then in the  Uppers.

Mila trotted into the condos and sniffed the air. Behind her, that all-important family Her Human had gathered around him exited the lift and headed for their room.

Mila had other ideas. the 'Dog Spending Area' was calling. OK on the beach, but wanding around the shops there had been few opportunities to attend to business. She trotted over to the designated area to do what had to be done.

  Henry  and family notice the SEC  folks cleanign up,  they had to use the other  elevator, because  the hotel  crews  were  washing done  one of the cars.

  on the Rooftop, they Saw meari and frakas  talking, a few of the HERMES SEC trooper    keeping  and   eye , both on the  two elevators, and one using a Bino to watch the beach.

 Meari smiled after she got done with Shadow's call, Meari looked at Frakas and said," The LC has things in hand he will call if he needs me." Meari smiled at Frakas and replied, "Yes lets go see the Mountain and snow and then next time we get to Everest we will go see the snow there as well." Meari chuckled and replied," Well lets see the Mountain , check out the beach if we are not welcome then we go where we are welcome how does that sound Frakas?"

 With the Dusk situation under control Meari decided it was time she enjoyed herself and she really liked Frakas. Meari then began to head downstairs when she saw Henry and his family, she smiled and said," Good Day Doctor Christie, Val and Can are you enjoying Etna so far, Frakas and I are heading too see the Mountain he has never seen snow."

"Hello Meari. Yes, we've been having a pleasant time, thank you. Have you had any off-duty time yet?"

Dropping his voice, Henry moved closer.

"Is there any word on Dusk? I heard she'd been injured."

 Meari smiled and replied," Yes we just came from the beach, we beat the Paradise Angels 15-0 in a volley ball game." When Henry moved closer and dropped his voice, Meari did the same and replied," That is why I am here, I just came from my cousin's room. She was very lucky but she will recover, my Grandmod Lilit and Dusk where attacked by EDT assassins. My Cousin pushed Grandmod out of the way and got shot, Grandmod took care of him ripping him apart, the other escaped. The LC just went too even the score Doctor Christie."

"Is she well enough to receive visitors yet?" Henry asked quietly. He'd look in later if possible. Whilst he'd spent far more time with Shade, Dusk's egg had also been in his care for a while.

 Meari smiled and replied," Lt. Simmons let me in, you can ask her if she can go see her."

Henry nodded and went to find his family. Can was playing in their room with his new toys, making the most of the time before they went to the beach seeing as he'd been told to leave them here. Val was taking a shower. Mila was nowhere to be ... oh, there she was!

The dog came bounding in from the rooftop garden and came over to have a fuss made.

  Stefi came  out onto the roof she had a tumbler of some expensive  stuff  from the Admiral's bar.. she sat down one of the benches outside the door, and was lokign up at the darkening sky of the station...as the  sun 'revolved' away.. more  shiny dots of cap  ships could be seen, as  well as the  forms  of   fighters  on patrol.

a cluster of  dots to the top left hand   corner  , slolwy came into view, The Angel fleet, parked .

 Meari nodded at Doctor Christie and then turned to Frakas," Let us go tot he mountain and then check out their beach if we are not accepted we will come back to the Hermes beach." Meari then headed down and out of the Condo and they will get a cab to take them to the Mountain in the Uppers.

Mila curled up on an armchair and watched Can playing with his toys. One appeared to be a miniature her, which she found strangely fascinating, especially when Can addressed it as 'Mila'. Strange things these humans did. Why have a model of a dog when you had the real thing?

  Can  had  'conversations' between the   figures, all sound very  'Captain Lighting".. he  made doggie  noises  for   Mila.

  Val came out   with a  fresh one piece on, saying,Now..are we  ready for nightime beach foods  and   watching Glow fish?
..............

  Meari and  Frakas   road up in a cab, high above  the  'streets' of  The Stem.   15 minutes  the entered the Uppers the darkness closing in  there as  well.. but  Mount Etna had  Lights on for  Night skiers, even the  the  snow was only  1/3  down, as compared to Mount Everest that  was 3/4  snow.

The Can  driver  who was an Occui that didn't stop talking the whole time they drove. let them out and gave  meari a Chip to use  at a taxi stand, to call his  cab again. His ride  was 20 creds.

Henry..beach?

 Meari  Uppers  ( use  1003)

Henry got up from where he'd been playing with Can.

"Pack your toys away now, Can, and we can go to the beach for the evening."

He found himself a rather loud Hawaiian shirt and some shorts.

"Let's go..."

-> Beach

  Can  took care putting his  'people' away.. Shadow was in a fighter everyone had thier  weapons  , helmets  and   even the  'mila' had her vest on.. then he   put them all in a coupled  boxes, and the boxes in the back,  folding up the   unused  boxes to  toss away.

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

{slightly earlier...]

Henry went to check in on Dusk and see how she was.

  Stefi  waved  henry  in, Dusk  gave  Henry a  awkward  smile,,,I think...i do not take   after my father  enough..I see  to find  more   bullets then he does.

  she   smiled again,..How do you like being married?

"It's wonderful, thank you... but how are you? Do you expect to be laid up for long?"

Henry smiled at Dusk.

   The  was a tilt back and forth of her head,..Lt Simmons  seems to think  I will be fine in a day or two...she said this was the  second  time, being a 'halfbreed' saved one of us...somethign about   Shade being mangled on the Hanger Dec once....

 I  am going to make  them pay for this, from here on out,,,,we shoudl never   trust the  Paardsise  people,,and we cannot trust  Earth's  SSN...and we know, we cannot  trust the EDT!

"There are certainly some dishonourable individuals out there, Dusk. It's never wise to dismiss a whole subgroup just because we have found that some of them lack hnour, though."

Henry looked sad.

"It certainly can guide us in deciding whom we trust initially, though."

  Dusk nodded  slowly,one  could  hope? but here  will always be those  who wish to wield power over others...and people , such  as  us, who must  wield   the sword  over them.

..........

 some time after...

  Shadow, Shade, and the others   headed into  The Admiral's Condo to see  Dusk... Stefi tried to stop them all, from going in, but  Shadow said,she got  shot from  what?..1 yard or two away....that  didn't kill her, friendly  faces  sure the 9 hells  won't..

 Hensly  took off his hat and held it crumpled in both hands    on his chest as he  nodded  an awkward hello.

Lyri stood bhinmd Roy

 Shade was bleeping up a  storm as Larry thumped  his tail enough that Stoly   tripped over it  and landed in a stuffed chair.

 Roy  and Shadow  flanked the bed.there is  an old famous  war quote 'sighted
 Sub, Sank Same ".... we  um.."sighed  Scum, Sank same"

 Dusk  smiled  ,anyone hurt?

 none of us...lots of them....

 Granmod  will be  , so very pleased.

 Shadow leaned  and gave her a  Kiss on the   head,gotta get changed  and make some noise on the beach, make sure everyone knows where I was.

 Beth is waiting in your Condo with Orria..they said they would come down with you for  cover as well...

 See You in the Morning...

 Shade  Hugged her legs again  and left.. Larry stayed,,looking around, until Shadow  shouted something about 'food", then he was  Gone.

  Dusky thanked Stoy and Hemsly  and they left  as well

 Lyri gave her a gentle hug..

leaving Roy and Dusk Alone while Stefi  made a show  of chasing away, an already, running Larg.

 Once Shadow  was   ready, he had his trunks   on and a  Hermes  Tee-shirt over his shoulder, to add to 'the look'.

  As  each  were ready, they headed towards the beach.

 Shadow Ect>>>>>>>>>>>>> beach

<<<<<<<  from beach.

   arriving,  the  Hermes  folk  went to the master bed Room and began suiting up.  Shadow got the  SMG  with the silencer . added 4  mags  to the  pouch  and his  blades.

 I'm Going to the Uppers... anyone   coming with us, we  spread out, we should get some High profile targets there..

  people hitting the lowers, spread out...make sure of your  hits...

 Stem Hunters? you'll have all kinds of targets... if you  find Stem kids who will talk to you , ask them if they want to  go to Bura...

 Shade  was  ready.

 you sure you want to go?

 a  few Bleeps...

 yeah..Dusk, Lilit..Gregor...it al adds up, they owe us a few more dead people...

-----> From beach

First thing Zob did when he got back was walk to the kitchen and set a pot of coffee before heading back to the rooms to get his gear in order and once set he went out to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy that while he still could given that this was looking to be a long night ahead.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Mon 13 Sept 2021.

   all the Volunteers  were sorted  out   in the garage. Shadow  addressed them.what we are about to do, isn't  an ESN  OP... it will carry the endorsement of Lights Out..but that's  as far  as it goes.... This  is nothing more, then a glorified  Hit mission...we'll , most likely  gun down some people who didn't really need to be...but..if they wear the Black of the  EDT, they have no one  to blame but themsleves...Again?.. if you find it distasteful, turn around, go back to the party, I...and no one  else, will think any lesser of you...Mount up, good  hunting, and  don't over do it...no one should be late getting back...if you're in trouble..You COM   Beth's war room and they co-ordinate  help..

 Shadow   , Zob  and  any one else   entered  the Vans  going to the Uppers.

 Meari   , Frakas, Vaka showed up, al were getting in Vans  to head to the  Stem.

 Will , Cora  and  Ellen were among the ones  who would take hover  cars   and spread out through the lowers.

 Beth, with a sigh, set up her   laptops and Vidboards... To Orria , she  said for her to  follow SEC  CAMs, and be prepared to try  and black out the shots as best she was able, Sam and   Beth would  work the  COMs  and  check  the   Hotels and such  to see where  EDT folks  were coming from...

 Beth COMed  Shadow...Kray?  there are a damn sight more EDT then i thought?

 Most Likely, every damn Paradise  Vessel has    a company, just like we  pick up people to help  with boarding and such..some might even me pilots, to help teach the Paradise  Angels  how   they ....think...we fly...the bad  news  for them? none of them flew against us, and they'll have to  rely , mostly on  Vids


>>>>>>>>>> groups to thier ops.

 Lizzy got into the Van to drive the LC ,Zob and anyone else going with them. Lizzy had on her armor, and carried her sidearm, combat knife ( one eye jack's), her Thompson, one extra drum and 2 grenades. She had the van ready to take off, when everyone showed up.
--->>>>> To Etna Ops
This message was last edited by the player at 17:04, Mon 13 Sept 2021.

----.>>>> From Beaches

 Sam didnt need to get changed she took her spot at the comms station in her bikini with a beach covering over her which did not hide her scars. Sam then went to work looking for targets on the screens.

Roy had been chatting with Dusk when the alert went out...as soon as he heard what it was, his face went dark.  "Guess we're not done making them pay the piper," he said, in tightly controlled tones.  "Rest up.  Things are going to get noisy across the roof for a little bit...and then noisy a whole bunch of places around the station, a little after that, I'm pretty sure."

He headed over to Shadow's condo, arriving in time to get in on the extremely unofficial briefing.  He corralled Lyri, and found Beth as she was getting her war-room setup back online.  "Where are the Paradise Angels accessing the station?  Which docks are their shuttles using?"  To him, it seemed kind of pointless to chase around the station and hope to find EDT...but if everyone else was doing that, it seemed pretty clear to him that some of them were going to run for cover...and the Paradise fleet was their best bet for it.

He looked at Lyri.  "You game to sit overwatch and wait for the EDT bigwigs who try and clear out of the station when things get hot?  We might even get a clear shot at Zu-Is, if we're really lucky.  I've never been good at the 'run around and shoot lots of people and hope I get the right ones' approach...they came in one way, they're gonna try and leave that same way, and the ones that are going to run first are the policy-makers.  We get them, we're gonna shake up their organization a whole lot more than if we gun down a bunch of boots."

As he waited for Lyri's reply, he turned back to Beth, to see what her answer was.  He'd go in alone, if necessary...but if he could get Lyri and another two or three good snipers, they'd see what they could do about cutting the head off the snake, instead of chopping bits and pieces off its tail...

  Beth was ready to reply  after  punching  some buttons, But Elge  said..Docking arm 20 in the Uppers.. One of Miss  Emmies  transports left there   to go to  The Pit 'The Frosted feather'..docked thier... They have been having shuttles   doc  with them, and  they  go down that Ange ship's ramp..

 Lyri  smiled...catwalks, cranesstacks of  container.... sounds like  fun..

 Sam keeps comm's up with the three teams, and scans the vids for potential targets. Sam did not like the Paradise Angels too start with, now they are working with the EDT and Lady V.

Roy nodded and keyed his comm.  "Nifty, Lirg...if you're not already occupied with something, I could use your help with a project..."  He looked around at those still present.

"We'll give them a couple of minutes to respond...then we'll go see whose morning we can ruin."

  Lirg answered,I will bethere shortly, Spencer SM....Nugest wants to know if he can come.

  Nifty's voice  was ragged as he  ran...On my way!

Roy grinned darkly as he answered Lirg.  "How's his sniping.  I need sharpshooters more than muscle, but if his aim is up to par, I can use him."

He glanced at Lyri as he listened to Nifty's response.  "Unless you think we're going to need some extra muscle on the ground...but I'm looking to make this surgical and let the EDT know that hiding in the crowd isn't necessarily going to do them any good...I figure a dozen or so of them splattered across the docking ramp by shooters they never even saw should send a pretty clear message..."

  Lirg  gave a  'wolf like  ' chuckle...Nugest  only has good  ain if he is punching someone... I am on my way up...

 not Long After, Nifty  entered by the hotel lobby lift, Lirg, came up  from the garage on the freight lift.

 Nifty  smiled,..you need  some one shot..or   do you just need a wingman for the ladies?

 Lyri snorted and shook her  head as she  longed the 5  round  mags  for her  sniper  rifle.

Lirg   Strode in a few moments  after  Nifty.

  Beth  split the Information  with Orria  and Sam, to have them send 'warning' to the EDT, to leave the resort.

   Elge was  shaking his head  as he watched the screens, very sternly   he  said,this is a nightmare!... How did Shadow get in SEC!!

 Captain Morris  had  come up to  give folks a hand, and check on  Dusk. His answer was  quite  short,..The LC  is 'Attached' to the SEC, because of his    Lights Out designation ..it is not  in his make up, to keep the peace  and such?..He is an Assassin, first  and formost..and..well..he rather likes his  job.

 Gresh  chuckled...going to  be a memorable  night

"Nobody needs a wingman...but we might need cover fire, depending on how things go."  As Lirg walked in, he nodded, and said, "We are going to go bottleneck the primary exit route the EDT has for getting off the station and into safe territory.  The rat-bastards tried to abduct and torture Gregor, with plans to dissect him on-camera.  Zob apparently found out about it and put a quick end to that effort, but right now, there are at least two teams of personnel moving through the station with plans to hit anyone in EDT uniform--and, likely, anyone with them.  No matter how fast they move, word is going to get back to the EDT brass..."

He shrugged, and gestured at a basic map of the station with the Angels' docking position highlighted.  "They'll either go to ground and hope we don't have any idea where they're hiding, or they're going to run for safety.  Right now, their best bet for safety is off the station and aboard any of the Paradise fleet ships, which are all shuttling through this docking port.  So, we're going to take up positions, scattered around the port...and when we see someone in black, we shoot them.  If we see someone in black with Paradise brass, we shoot them both.  Unless I say otherwise, nobody takes two consecutive shots...we don't want them to zero in on our positions and the best way to prevent that is to keep them looking for someone else after someone fires.  If you have the option to relocate somewhere after you shoot without being observed, do it.  If we get cut off, there isn't going to be a cavalry charge to rescue us...we're going in alone and if we get exposed, Admiral Hack will disavow any knowledge of our activity.  Right now, Shadow doesn't even know we're planning this.  It's just the four of us and the people in this room with us."

He was pretty sure he knew the answer, but he continued, "If those odds are a little too long for your comfort, you can back out now.  This op is completely off the books and choosing to walk away will not be held against you.  But it's a chance for us to clip the EDT brass before they even realize we're looking at them.  In or out?"  He looked at Nifty and Lirg, waiting for their response.

 Nifty was grinning as he put   a sniper weapon together, almost without looking.....wow!..gunning  down EDT for free!... you bet, I haven't killed  an EDT on a station since  Olympus!

 Lirg  hung his head,My people would have done such a thing as well, to push  fear... the  vid that the LC  did with the  SSN  captain would have made my people afraid....But...This EDT...they are unclean warriors..

 Lyri stepped in between them all  and  opened up  a  vid of the docking arm......lots of  beams and catwalks..they need them for  working on the cranes   and  access the power units.

Roy nodded as he looked at the 'map'.  "Lyri, you and Nifty are slightly smaller...easier to hide.  You take this area...Nifty, you set up opposite her.  Lirg and I will take positions a little further out, since we're not quite as compact.  Should give us four different fields of fire that all converge on the docking ramp.  I'll call the shooter and the target, that should keep them guessing.  After you shoot, you move...don't worry about whether or not you got the target, one of the rest of us will see it...it's more important that they don't find you than it is that you confirm your own kill, especially where this is entirely off the books."

He looked at them all, and added, "Don't try and get fancy.  If the best you can get is a basic torso shot, take it.  EtnaSEC is going to be slow to respond, so they're going to be reliant on their own people or the Paradise Angels for any medical help.  If they bleed out on the ramp, squirming in pain, it will just make the message that much clearer, and if any of their own try to help them, put them down, too...I'm normally opposed to shooting medical personnel, but I'm willing to set that aside for now.  Get an envirosuit, it'll help hide you from any IR scoping they might try and minimize your visibility in normal sweeps, and bring plenty of ammo.  We're probably not going to stay long, but I'd rather leave because we've killed enough of them to stir up a hornet's nest, rather than because we don't have anything left to send downrange.  Suit up, we leave in five."

Marching orders given, he headed to Shadow's room, digging out his envirosuit and the Largran rifle, along with four loaded magazines for it, then returned to the 'war room'.

   in a few moments Nifty came out of the war  room  with a grin, Lyri was shaking her head,..look..kid?.. the sports  bra and  pants cover more then my Bikini  did!

  Nifty could not  shake his  grin as  he tightened  the ammo pack  that went across his chest, he had  5 pouches of  one mag each,  one in his  rifle, and two on his belt.

 Lirg, sorta looked  funny  if any one dared to laugh  with the cowl of the envirosuit  over his head , making his   Hyrian snout  seem to stick out more. his tail strapped  on the  inside of the  suit.

 of Course Beth , looked up...you look like Little red Riding Hood's assassin...

 Lair  looked at  Roy....I do not know this  assassin, did he do well, putting   This Hood  person down?

 Lets go, shoey has a van ready, we;ll have to park  at the end of the  docking arm, near the entraance.... Supe   , Hodden, Minnet  and Tucker  are goign to draw the guar'd  attention so we can enter the access way and use the stairs...we'll have to either go out the same  way, or steal a vehicle that is working on the dock.

(( when ready...>>>>>>>> ops))

   Beth  finished her report of  'escapees'....  she wrote something  down a scrap of paper,  as she said.keep sending out   the warnings.....sound like you're scared...

 to give them a demonstration,  ..Beth  COMed..OH GODS!!!..beware... you have to escape!!!..watch out!!!... (( she  made a Sob -like sound)...they are looking like  our own EDT!!!..becareful!..anyone  could be an assassin...Everyone!!!  escape to the Docks!

 the COM chatter  was  full of..'om the gods!'  and sounds of struggles   as everyone accused  everyone else of  being  Assassins...

 Sam sent out warnings in a very scared voice trying to get the EDT to panic and scramble as she watched the vids and kept track of their teams. " Oh shit they are everywhere they are hunting us down in our own uniforms dont trust anyone, get to the docks get off Etna now." Sam was crying and and screaming through the whole message.

Elge watched the layers of an operation that hadn't even been planned, take shape. gresh  had a  drink  and was   chuckling.

  The Russian got on his  COM, This  is  Major  Elge. All ETNA  SEC... do not interfere  with anything going on between  the ESN and   Vicrock  uniformed   People...make sure you do your best to  protect   Civies  and ESN  people.... do not put yourself  in Danger... this fire is too big  for us, we must let it  burn itself out...

 Elge took a deep breath.....Shadow is a madman....

 ..you , what?.. didn't know that when he killed half the people in your  house  while  you chatted over some wine?

 Elge  waved his had.....he was  on a mission then..this...this  is wanton killing for the sake of it.

 Orria looked up.....They Hurt Dusk  and gregor....and now Roll is hurt 'cause of that...

 Elge  ran a hand through his hair.

 Gresh chuckled,it was alot  easier when  you just had to pull a trigger..eh?

Admiral Richards COMed Elge,..what the 9 hells is happening to my Station!

 Elge    simply  went around the counter, poured a very large glass of Vodka, and sipped as he laid his COM on the counter...it appears, that  the Hermes people too exception to being attacked.... and the  Vicrock  people , took  exception to being attacked back... I will send you a  vid  from The Hermes  Med Tech...the actions that resulted in this Vid, it appears  our  favorite LC, took grand exception... I called off the Etna SEC..i don't want my people  caught in the cross fire...

 dammit! He isn't  doign this all himself!

 there was a sigh as he  took a deeper  drink,..no  , Admiral...it  appears a great many people were,,, eager to  get revenge... It will all burn out...but there  will be some....very hard feelings  at the meeting tomorrow.

 Richards  snpped,I should say so... I will confront  Admiral  Hack at the meeting...Richards out...

 gresh  gives hima  bit of a smile,..heavy is the ehad, that holds the   crown..or?  in your case... the Badge..

 Elge  held  the glass towards   gresh   gave a jerk of his head and down the rest in one gulp.

   When the  Vans arrive, Flores  and   Brivet are sitting  on a bench as they waited to see if there was going to be a need for  evac and such.

  all over the station FC sirens were going off.... Get your   gear packed away, stow your suits in the cleaning  crate...then get rest, I'm going to make   my way to the beach  after i get ready

   Lizzy Got a COM text from Beth...Admiral needed  people to listen in on Paradise  ships.... Izzy, Harry and two of the newer recruits  we sent to one of  Emmie's transports..we can only  get info to them, or from them, from a secured line...don't  expect to hear from them, until the Admiral is satisfied  with  the mission...

 Shade  pulled back his cowl as he punched the  button for the elevator.

---->>> From Etna Ops.

 Lizzy pulled in and got unloaded, and headed into the Condo. She saw her comm message and figured thats why Izzy hadn't contacted her yet.  Lizzy then went and got changed and looked at the time,before deciding what she was doing next.

 Meari gets out of the van and thanks Vaka, and Rolfe for their help and she thanks Howe for the ride.  Meari will quickly get changed and head to see if Beth and the others where still on the comms, Meari went to Beth and asked," Lt. is the any word about Sgt. Frakas's condition?" Meari will also look at the time and decide what she will do next.

  The  time  is  close to 10:00PM... the party is still going strong. The  final meetign is  set  for  8:00AM, with the fleet casting off  at 6:00PM

  Beth held Up  a hand  as meari asked , as they were  watching Will and his team  leaving the   house party, and   Roy's  team on the Docks.

 Sam?  pay attention to the SM  while i check on Med tech...Orria, keep an eye on  SGt  Call's team until the get home..

 after checking with   Hermes Med tech.....he is  in  recovery, ...it appears  that Sanri have one massive hear in the niddle of thier chest, where the nexus bones for thier   4 arms proctect them... the  round he  took were , just below  his upper  shoudlers, he lost Blood,but he should be fine...he might even make the next  Jump off, or?  That's what Stefi says...

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

 5 minutes later, Will's team arrived at the  garage, takign the lifts to the Condo.

 Sam smiled and replied to Beth," You got it." Sam watches the SM's group and looks for any possible problems for them.

 Meari smiled at Beth and replied,' Thank you very much Lt." Meari looked very happy that Frakas was going to be alright.  Meari looked atthe time it wasnt that late and decided to head back down too the beach. Meari goes and gets her beach stuff and heads too the beach for Frakas.

-------->>>>>>>>> to Beaches

Zob headed on back up the lift and checked in his extra gear before stepping back out with the trench coat he bought earlier in the day and headed on over to the kitchen to get the last of the coffee he made earlier, "So whats on the agenda for the rest of the night eh Lizzy?" he asked taking a sip of the coffee as he leaned his back towards the wall.

 Lizzy smiled at Zob and said," I am too wound up too go to bed, Izzy is on a mission for Admiral Hack, I was thinking of going back to the beach want to come with?" Lizzy smiled, she was sad about Izzy being away, but she was happy as well being on the beach, killing baby killers, spending time with kids all it missed was more time with Izzy.

Zob nodded and downed the cup of coffee rather quickly before putting the cup in the sink, "Sounds like a plan to me... i didn't get my chance when we got back earlier, its been non stop action" when she was ready he would follow her out to the beach.

over her comm as she headed to transport back to Hermes she contacted Lizzy "Hey Lizzy, heading back to Hermes with Haley and check in on Roll and Gregor.  Not too comfortable having Haley on station with possibilities of attacks"

 Lizzy smiled at Zob and said," That is great let me get changed real quick into beach wear and we will be off." Lizzy quickly went to change and when she did she got a comm message.

 Lizzy checked it and responded to Nikki," That is good Nikki, I hope Roll and Gregor are ok, kiss Haley for me as well. See you all soon."

 Lizzy then came out and said," Ok ready to go my friend." Lizzy will walk with Zob to the Beach.

---->>>> to Beach

 Sam will carefully watch the vids for the SM's group making sure no one found them or if they where in danger. Sam was working hard everyone was safely back, they had a few wounded but Frakas would be ok, she hadn't heard the condition of the hurt Gava. " Should we send a van for them or let them make it back on their one Beth?"

   Beth looked at the Vid,..the Gava is on the way to the hertmes...better  treatment there, and we can hide out wounded...

  Its the SM's  call if he needs  a ride, Shadow  had to make sure he popped up on the beach....we have Flores in  the Garage, if we need another Van

 Sam smiled and replied," Yes that is good, much better treatment and more secure, well lets keep an eye on them if there is anything we can do to make their exit easier."

 Sam watches the vids and tries to see where everyone is in the SM's group.

  Beth  answered,alright   SM..see you here... beth leaned back in her chair,..That's it Ladies... you're free to go, i close  everything up...

 Orria   shut  down her own vidboard  and the Lap top they used  to  work the  Stations CAMs..

  Elge  poured another  drink,  are you quite done  abusing  my station..

  Beth  smiled a  bit,shouldn't have left those   Vicrock bastards on the  station?... but..the good   thing is , there a hell of alot of dead ones  now.

 Sam smiled and began to close up her screens and after Elge spoke and Beth answered Sam also added," Yeah we wouldnt have to abuse the station if those traitors where not allowed to come onto the station and honestly they started it we just finished it. I really think the Paradise Angels should be considered enemies right now for harboring Vicrock troops and it seems there are more Vicrock on those ships then Angels and that is bad in my book."

 Elge  looked  a bit insulted,we were not  aware  of the Vicrock  people being on the ships,  Admiral Richards  has  sent a  strongly worded , Official  question to  Admiral ZU-IS as to the make up, of the ships  in his fleet...ZU-IS must  reply  at the meeting tomorrow, and   it will effect the outcome  of what is  about to pass..

 ... They will find it hard to work with out people.... Vicrock  should be sent back to where they came from....

Elge  nods,I agree...this was  as close to a smuggling operations as you can get, and  still be military..

 Flores  walked  by to change out of envirosuit to some  kind of beach wear.

 Sam was finished packing up and said, "Oh I will make sure that the lying piece of shit Admiral answers for a lot. I hope he can handle the tough questions, I still believe we should just blow them all to the 9 hells, especially if the ships are full of Vicrock troops."

 Sam then looked at the time, she also looked for Steve once she was out of the 'war room'.

Henry arrived with Thor in his arms and the rest of the larg pack trotting along beside him. He got them all settled in a corner, then went to find his wife and son.

 Most of the Largs  settled  around  tess and Thor,  Larry  settles   down along the  inner wall of  Shadow's Condo, facing the   main entrance and the  Freight elevator.

 Freddie   steeled  in  byt the Admiral's  main Entrance.


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

 Henry  found   Val hand  gone to sleep, Can, presumably  tried to stay up and play with his new  figures, but was lying on the floor, with the Henry  and Mila  Figures in his hands

...........

 Lyri touched the Van down inside of garage, The team jumping out... Nagy   smiled at Roy,Don't know  what's  worse....the slime ball we normally cap, or these Vicrock bastards...

 Nifty  just  laughed , as he walked by,..They all get shot  pretty good  though...

Henry picked Can up and put him to bed, standing his toys on the bedside table. Then he climbed into bed himself... it had been a long day!

 Sam went around the Condo too look for Howe.

    The Board came In , Flores  snapped a salute  while in  her Bikini  holding a  cover up.

   Hack  waved to Elge , ERlge  poured  some Burian Rum. The Captain took Astra   'gin'.. Hennings   went for a beer, for  he and  Bale.

 Beth looked  up as she finished  putting   the  Vidboards  and Lap tops into a special lined case.Anything Wrong  , Admiral...

 there's a how lot that's  wrong, I need to see what  The SM thinks  about all the  Black Uniforms on Paradise Cap ship

<<<<<<<<  Shadow from beach.

  entering the  the  condo, The Admiral  and others  sat around counter.. Elge looked at him, giving him a shake of his ehad  and a wry smile,I have  , no fear of this station falling any longer, she  has survived  two Delta Ops and she still stands....

 Just one Delta Night.. the other one, was a Shadow night...

 FC Captain on the site says, there  are close  to 100  dead  , in and  around the resort...

[7 blank lines suppressed]

Shadow   Takes a glass of  chocolate Milk from Captain Si.....guess  that happens when you have a Building  stuffed  full of Black Unifroms...

 alot of them were killed  otside the  Building, Including Civies...

 sipping the  chocolate  milk,..yeah?  too bad they hung around with  enemy troops.... too bad , i guess..

 My friends?.. You do not care?

 Not one bit. there is what?..a Million people on this giant  tin can? lots of them are alive, because they weren't with bad guys...

 ..you cannot   kil people  , ebcause they are Bad Guys...

 Shadow snapped, cauing alot of the people , except  for Admiral Hack to jump..DON"T!.... it wasn't long ago  you would have  been in a bag outside this station....someone has to kill bad  guys..that's what i do....if a few good guys  get caught in the wash... I'll feel a little bad...but?  someone workign with Bad guys?.. that makes them bad guys....Now?.. I'll see you all  at breakfast, if you want..  he down the rest of the Milk nad  went back towards the4  spare rom, in the masterbedroom-staging area.

Roy walked in, just in time to catch the tail-end of the exchange.  He watched in silence as Shadow sounded off and walked away, then stepped forward.  "You sure as shit CAN kill people because they're bad guys.  There's no better reason for it.  Yeah, there's stealing-credits-from-banks bad guys, and they maybe don't deserve to die.  But selling-your-own-people-as-as-literal-fodder bad guys?"  He shook his head.

"I can't think of a single good reason they should be left alive.  And anyone who associates with them, knowing that's what they do?  As the old saying goes, they made that bed, they can die in it."

  Elge  frowns......this is not  the job i thought it would be... we have  put  down  some...very bad..people..but you people are laying waste to the station

  Not your problem , Elge. Your job is to protect  the people of the Station.... Admiral Richards  job is  to make sure the  station stays clean.... These Paradise  ship are  full of scum, we just helped you clean some of that up.... We are asking some heavy questions tomorrow...we'll see  what answers ZU-IS  has.

 standing, The Admiral  waved as he walked to the main door,see  you folks at Breakfast.

Elge  finished his   drink,  with a shake of his head...it was much better shooting people...  he followed out

Roy snorted softly at Elge's final comment.  "Sounds like Elge didn't realize that, when he got tapped for the position, we needed Elge the Assassin, rather than for Elge to straighten up and become a bureaucrat.  I mean, I wasn't that acquainted with his reputation...but when I learned about him and Shadow suggested him to be Security Chief here, I thought Etna would be cleaned up "The Elge Way", and Delta Night wouldn't be an uncommon event because those targets would routinely be disappearing.  I certainly didn't expect him to turn out to be squeamish about bad guys dying..."

He shook his head, and proceeded down the hall to drop off his rifle and gear in Shadow's 'ready room'.

  Gresh gave a  wave  with his , lone lower  arm,..we have  many stories  of  great war leaders, who were not great civie leaders. Perhaps, he will  find his  way back to being the
 'shooting' elge

  Beth  waved to everyone as she went out the door to  visit the beach for a bit, see you guys in a few hours.

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

 Shadow  sat on one of the high backed chairs he had a  tee shirt and sweats on, his  enviro suit  on the  floor. The  Greasegun , looked brand  new , as he   laid it on the floor, holding a , lightly oiled rag, in his left hand/

 looking up at Roy, he said,so?... GE-FI....right? He was the   Military governor  of Earth and the Sol System.  But it was his call, not  to help the  Moons when they fought back at the Empire?...... It was his  choice for the Sol System, to join the Empire?.... Vicrock gets  recognized  by The Paradise system, with   the Angels  having ambassadors swapped out?.... who made that choice?... GE-FI?  but he's only  in charge of  The Sol System..does that  mean  the big boss in Paradise, is as bad as GE-FI..?

The crates  and chests were mostly open. places  for  certain weapons empty, the  grenade crate only and 4 grenades left on the  4th row  of the  container.

 we got around  2 days, maybe a bit more, before we get in a shooting war again... Bugs  and Lizards for the most part I wish Doc, would have went along with the  Bug Drug The APF  would come back with  alot more troopers, and those troopers  would come back with more body parts , still attached.

 a Voice from   the stack of closed containers came as Nifty  stuck his head out,why don't  we just  go to the Sol System  and   kill this GE-FI guy...

 Shadow waved the  rag in a tired hand,...can't...anyone we send there , that would be good  enough to do the job, is needed  here....we need to go as a fleet, but then  we are invading the  Sol System.  I mean?  we're gonna have to do it sooner or later, By the Sol System, is a tiny bump in the  road, Lizards, Bugs, vampics and the rest..they have to go first.

 Then he looks at Nifty,what are you doing  back there...

 ..sleeping between the   trunks?.. pretty comfy with the  pillows  from the main bed here...

Roy shook his head at Nifty's question...and again at the explanation of why he was there.  "Ge-Fi is a distraction.  The real enemy is the Demons, and turning back to Earth would only prolong the war...and could be turned into propaganda to convince other systems that the Delta Fleet can't be trusted, that we turned on our own so how can we be trusted to respect and protect those who aren't ours."

He glanced over at Shadow, and added, "And anyone we sent to get Ge-Fi would be going in on a suicide mission with little chance of success.  Ge-Fi seems to spend most of his time on that Angel station in near-Earth orbit, so it's not like we can just kick in the door of his favorite restaurant and shoot him at dinner.  Someone would have to infiltrate a station with tightly-controlled access, probably only possible for either an Angel or someone who could pass for one.  If anyone like Shadow, Mullins, myself...people familiar enough with Earth to get around but skilled enough to get the job done...went back, we'd be killed as soon as we were spotted, and if we were absent from the Fleet for long, Ge-Fi's spies would notice the absence and they'd be on alert.  So, we can't go in big...and going in small has a slim fraction of a percentage point of a chance for success.  We're better off cutting off Ge-Fi's support network, going in after the Empire is defeated, and dragging him out when there's nowhere left for him to run."

He looked over at Shadow and commented, "And I don't think Ge-Fi's actually in control of Paradise...doesn't make any sense for him to have gone to Earth.  More likely, he was estranged from Paradise leadership...maybe ousted by another faction.  Earth was his chance to regain control...if he could manipulate us into fighting for him.  He underestimated how independent we are...he's got SOME Earth forces fighting for him, but his initial plan blew up in his face.  He even tried to saddle you with his other daughter to rein us in...probably would have used her to kill you, if she couldn't control you, but you didn't blindly give in to her looks, or her political connections.  As soon as he realized we were beyond his grasp, he sounded the alarm to Paradise...probably got a skeptical response until we liberated the Moons, and then he became very plausible to them."

He shrugged, and added, "Funny thing is, Paradise knows jack-shit about Humans...so they have to rely on Ge-Fi's advice on how to deal with 7s, because he's the only one with any real history of interaction and any degree of knowledge of our background and psychology.  They don't realize that he's full of shit, himself...so it's the blind leading the blind.  That's the only reason I can imagine an Angel admiral staffing his ship with a bunch of Humans...and others.  I mean, we took down a Largran in an Angel uniform, so Zu-Is is scraping the barrel to man his Fleet, in his eyes.  Pretty sure Lady V didn't buy him off, and it's for sure that it wasn't any of those Shitcrock officers that talked him into it.  Something like that could only happen under the advice of another Angel...Ge-Fi telling them that the Humans would be puppets and cannon-fodder until the Angel's were securely in control and then they could get rid of all of us."

He shrugged, and added, "But, then I thought Elge would do a better-than-adequate job of riding herd on the station and Etna would be one place where we wouldn't need to worry about Delta Nights, so maybe I'm the one full of shit..."

  Shadow shook his head,..Elge didn't  even try to kill me , when i went to mark him...he's people  were idiots. But he talked.... he lost his edge...I think he wants to die respectable like....

 ..What about you LC...

  well? if i go up in a ball of flames, that might be respected... I get  gunned down in  the street, I might have some problems with that.... Hey?.....You're not  sleeping there,  'cause  you think you'll get  to see the Ladies  change   ...right?

Nifty looked  at Shadow, then at Roy, Shadow tilted his head a bit......you....think..I should  go in the  TV area?

 Look? They ladies we have...most of them....will do one of two things. They'll either tease you..or  Knock your teeth out... me?..I'm thinking its  better  to keep all my teeth, Regrown takes a bit..

 check the  rooms, there might be an empty one?

 Nifty looked a bit embarrassed as he went  past   Roy, to see if he had a room, or would sleep on the floor.

 when Nifty was  near the kitchen, Shadow chuckled, reminds me of the  song ' He had   High  nopes , he had  High hopes..."

Roy shook his head.  "That kid needs someone to keep him busy, before his hormones leave him staring at some EDT assassin who flashes a little cleavage before she guts him..."

He tucked his gear away with the meticulous care of someone who relied on the equipment to protect his life, taking time to reload the empty magazine.  As he worked, he said, "So, what do you expect to find at Matterhorn?  I'm guessing with them still chasing down Creshians inside the station itself, it's probably a bit hot for EDT sympathizers to have started setting up shop...anyone on the station that's been there since before the infestation is gonna be watching for any sign of suspicious activity and they're gonna be pissed as hell at anyone they think might be even peripherally responsible for the Creshians hitting the station..."

  Shadow snickered a bit at Roy's take on Nifty...something tells  me is was exposed to that  early , and now that he understands more...is  trying to get more   experience..


 As  far as  Matterhorn goes.. its  sort of our Bredbasket , out here...or, at least it was, until we  annexed Astra and Aqra...and   Bura  signed up? E-1 and E2 are garden spots...but, accroding to what i read, anyway?  Matterhorm's Uppers still has a Mountain, buty the land around is is mostly grain fields and  such, and orchards... i think it goes
 down several decs like that..The Uppers  people live below  the   farms?....The Lowers
 is a flip flop, with   Industry based on Food tech, and weapons for  fighters  and Shuttles...The humans on that base are mostly  American, Germans and Japanese, The germans
 have  had folks  lean towards the Browncoats  and EDT..Japanese folks , not so much..though, i'm sure there are  those  who might  take a chance a quick creds..

 ..anyway.. those  EUs, that got  flooded into the  station,must have thought
 they were in bug heaven with all that food  tech. Naragrans,gava and apefolk, got to freast on them?we'll have to see  what  Admiral Van Ros has done there, I understand  she and
 Admiral Richards are pretty close, so we don't have to worry about one station, letting the
 other one 'die"

   Shadow   gave  Roy a  pat on the shoulder  , as he put his cleaned   SMG  away...Get some rest...gonna have breakfast as always for  people who want.. I guess,  we get  to  be  at the meeting again....See you in the morning..

  The LC   walked to  the   'spareroom', to  get sleep.


  >>>>>>>>>>>>> Next day

 last day of   leave.....

   Those who were still asleep were wakened by bacon, eggs and  toast. Shade sat on a  stool behind the  counter , buttering toast, There was 'grape" Jelly  in large jars  for those who wanted to add that to thier toast.

 Flores  came  around the  courner, a new  one piece on , she was pushing   disheveled hiar  out of her  face as a guy with Diomedes jacket on...the Guy looked at  Shadow, who gave him a half smile, and the  fellow  almost ran out of the   building, nearly tripping over an incoming Larry..

 Flores  shakes her head as she poured  coffee...did you have to do that?...

 I didn't  do anything?

Flores   giggled and shook her head, drinking the coffee like it was some magic healing potion.

  Etna sec called up Shadow,  They heard  the LC say, yeah?.. make sure there is breakfast stuff for the Civies and crew who are staying on the beach, just have them add it to my  Condo bill... Thanks...

 Steele got  a dish of scrambled eggs, toast and bacon,  waiting for Flores to pour him a coffee. ..why you doing that? Stalls  are free , right?

 No..the stall guys get paid for their  time and their supplies...for this  breakfast, i want to make sure the people, especially the civies, get something good, for their last , what?  12 hours on the beach...we might get shore leave on Matterhorn, but we don't  know how nuts it is over there..or?..how many of us will be around to see it.

 ..your  such a boy scout....

 Larry stood up and  got a bacon strip from Shade, for his  trouble...Yeah, I'm a Larg scout...that's my pack.  steele  gave a shiort laugh and  sat  down on the couch.

 where's beth?

 Dunno?

 Thought she would have been with you?  Shade  bleeped   and looked at Shadow.

 You ladies  are free to  come and go, right?..She might have  found  a nicer guy somewhere..

 Frans  came out with a smile,Not  Bloody likely....Morning all...

 wow? cat-Canary much?

 Cross  followed her out   and nodded to the others  as he grabbed  a plate, Flores  leaned back and Looked at Frans, who raised her eyebrows a few times.

  Captain Morris  entered,I say!, Good  Morning  all... LC, You have  tea?

 Shade pointed to the  'extra coffee pot" that had nothign in m,ut hot steaming water,  with  dozens of  packets of tea.

 ahhh!..Bloody good show, couldn't face those  Paradise Blokes  without a stout  cup of tea... wot?

Mila smelled the bacon and was up and scratching at the door and whining. For once, she didn't mind if she woke Her Human. She wanted some bacon!

  Maria  and Scarlett entered, Scarlett turned on the TV   to see the Morning news.... Ellen  came in with  the ETNA SEC troopers, she looked at Shadow, pointing to  the trooper, Shadow smiled and waved the guy in...

 Ellen and  Will came in, both looking rather  relaxed and  smiling, she  broke off from him to  Go chat with the Ladies  as they waited in one  Line,  Will got in another line.

 The Admiral and Captain  entered, both wearing their dress pants, and  Hermes Eviro top. leaving their  dress  shirts and Tunics  at their   condo.

  The Admiral went behind the  counter again to help with the bacon,he looked around  form the SM  and said, more to everyone, but focused on  the LC, SM  and Captain  Morris.

 Just so everyone isn't surprised?  we are Getting & Pilots  and  12 Troopers from the Paradise Tranports... They are all Volunteers.... i have no idea  what they will be like.

 Captain Morris looked a bit upset,I say, rather  bad dealing? No one contact me?

 I got the COM an hour ago. I called AZ-EL first... she will be the  immediate  command  of those tropers as we intergrade them with what is left  from the Moon troops  we had...The LC , of course, will ride herd on the Angels.... SM Spencer   will  have  'CO' responsibilities  with the troopers  as  AZ-EL's  commander of both SEC  and   Ground trop operations.

 Captain Si refused the offers for her to go to the  front of the line, merely 'shooing the others  to continue with one hand, she added to the information,

  There will be no Vicrock Humans coming over...and  any Vicrock trooper, no matter what race, that  steps on any ship, is to be asked to leave...ONCE.... she held  up a finger...If they do not comply, then you make them walk back to their ordinal vessel

  Shadow   was cracking more  eggs as he said...Mother F.... I mean....this isn't good,  we have  pilots  now  and...

 How Many pilots  will we have  after the first Jump off in the Gamma Quad?... This is frontier  Fighting  now, The Bugs and Lizards  right across the fence with the Vampics
 just down the road

Captain Morris  took a  rather  dainty  bite of  buttered  toast with  Jelly after he watched Scarlett  spread some on her own...I should think there will be  fisticuffs..The Paradise Angels think they are cock-of-the walk...

Shadow snorted,...they got the 1st part  right

Henry sat up in bed wondering what the racket was, then caught Mila's mental images. He was delighted to see Can get up to open the door for her. The boy looked round.

"Yes Can, you may go too... are you dressed?"

He reached for Val. Bacon could wait a few minutes when he had his beloved beside him.

 Can came out  with a shirt and  beach shorts on, he looked slightly awake  and he brought  Mila over the the Counter.

 Comearound  back her Mila. You and  Larry can help me get rid of  'odd ones'

 Can  looked up , Eckles  got him a plate, and waved him over  by her.   Shoey passed a  glass of  Orange  juice to him/

  Nagy got in line,How Much sleep did you get LC?   5 Minutes> he chuckled.

  Got  about  4  hours, that's good enough... if  i need more  , i can fall asleep while ZU-IS tells us how great the Angels were back in the day, when they made guys with spears and shields think they were gods..

Sam walked in with her dress Burian pants and a Burian Lady Memorial T-shirt. Her Tunic was left in her room in the Admirals condo.  She walks over and gets in line for the amazing smelling breakfast, she smiled at Howe and says," This meeting is not going too be fun if there is time I will head down to the beach after the meeting ok Steve."

 Sam then smiled at Admiral Hack, Captain Si and the others and she heard most of the conversations and said," Well I dont think any Paradise Angel should be allowed near any APF vessel, if their ships are full of Vicrock troops doesnt that make the Paradise Angels Empire sympathizers and shouldnt we just blow them the fuck up Sirs, Ma'am?"

  Steve   followed her  in from Sam's room, he  looked a bit tired, yeah?  I'll be heading up at 12, so i miss the rush for Recall, but i'll be on the beach until then..

 The  Admiral chuckled  as  he used tongs  to lay  fresh bacon on the tray for people to take, even as he  started  another set. we have to watch?... there are some Angels  who were trapped there...i don't mean the planet, i mean the ships... I have heard   several  Angels talking with ESN  folks  about transfers and the like.... still..the ones  with thier noses  in the air  can;t be trusted...


 AZ-EL  sat down by  The Captain,we have  a few angels on the Moons, that lean towards the Homeworld, because they are fools.... I would imagine there are Homeworld Angels , who would rather be on the moons, but cannot , because of family ties  and the like.

 Sam smiled at Steve, gave him a kiss and said," Great if I get out before then I head too the beach if not I will meet you back on the Hermes Steve."

 Sam got eggs, bacon, homefries, toast, it smelled great. As Sam got her food she said to Admiral Hack," Admiral Sir I understand that but dont think they bad guys wont try to send infiltrators as well though. Also Admiral Sir after we eat and before we leave may I discuss with you a possible temporary transfer to the Hermes Sir as the Burian Liaison?"

 The Admiral looked concerned,..is  everything alright?.... I mean?  If  Sarah does not mind, we'll bring you over, anything  you can learn  during a Jump off. can only help the Burian Navy.

 Sam smiled and replied," Yes Sir everything is fine, Commodore McKeon is really busy with the Fleet and building it up. She wanted me to represent Bura here at these meetings. I will send her a message to make me the official Burian Liaison to the Hermes Sir. Yes Sir working with Beth will help me and in the long run the Burian Navy." Sam was smiling and she felt honored Sarah had chosen her.

Zob woke up fairly early and took a shower and got dressed opting to put on his coat with his usual loadout before stepping out into the kitchen area to get himself a cup of coffee, "Morning" he greeted everyone as he caught the news on the vid screen of last nights events, "goodness shore leave is just getting more and more dangerous it seems" he wanted to chuckle at that comment but managed to suppress it for the time being.

------>>>>> From beach

 Meari got back from the beach, she peeked and checked on Dusk, and then headed for her room and some much needed sleep.

 Meari woke up, took a shower and then in her beach clothes headed out for breakfast, she walked in as Zob began talking. When Zob was done Meari smiled and replied," Well yes if you are aligned with the Empire of course Shore leave should be dangerous."

 Meari then made her way too the food line as she smiled at everyone there.

  Shadow was   making mounds of  scrambled  eggs that were going  down almost as  g=fast  as  the bowls  filled.

    Funny.... he said  as  he sipped  a coffee,..not  one mention of a certain corvette , that had  a run in with a private  skimmer?

 Hack  gave a sidelong glance at that,it will be  something   for ZU-IS to explain, that his  human handler isn't around.

 Hemmings came in  giving a  few whacks on shoulders, as he  grabbed  a coffee...so?  how  do we  handle the Angels  when it comes time for them  to suit up and fight?... I sure  wouldn't want them on my Flank.... if  we send them in first, they'll claim some kind of glory, even if they get thier  godly asses  kicked...

 Hack shrugged,..i'm going to wait, see if ZU-IS  volunteers something, no matter  what he comes  with, i'll counter...we can't tell whose  idea  it  will be.

 Shade Bleeped.

 ..he wants to know if  Dusk is going, so do i for that matter,haven't seen her since  she got tagged... i'm going to head over   after i get dressed.

 I know she wants to be there... Lilit  is eating  breakfast  with her now...

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...