"Nope, its attached to the swing arm, that will take the recoil. All you need to do is pull the trigger. Unless you prefer the technical part of the actual space walking and prepping the buoys?"

   Joseph snorts.  "Don't tempt me."  and heads down to the loading bay.

Zipping through the black at top speed Spartan kept watching the dots, seeing the green prevail more and more.
He figured it was time to let his passenger know what was going on, so he flicked the comm to just Joseph.
"Mac, we did it my friend. Congratulations from the admiral. Now, there is one thing we need to discuss. Or rather, you need to decide. Scarecrow will not be returning to Hermes just yet. I can drop you off if you want, or you can stay for the ride. I must however inform you that my next actions are neither condoned, nor legal. It is your call."

   "We'll pretend we didn't have this conversation so I can be appropriately surprised.  Just don't get me sent to the delta colonies."

"No promises there."

Gordan looked up at Spartan, a bit shocked.
"We are going back to Everest? Don't you want me anymore? Please don't give me back to Dell."
Thomas shook his head.
"Don't worry buddy. I told you, you are safe with me. You are my kid now, and my navigator. I would never want to lose a good navigator. But yes, we are going to Everest. We are just going there to do some trading, and as a matter of fact I am going to need your help doing so. Just remember, if we meet anyone you know, act like you don't know them. You are now Gordan Spartan, navigator, not Gordan the streetrat. You are a man of importance, and a citizen."
Seeing the kid had difficulty understanding Thomas sat back in his chair, lighting a sigaret. "We are going to visit Dell. But I want you not to be scared. We are going to offer him some business. I want to buy your friends from him. Far as  I can tell Dell lives for money, and he will not hesitate to sell them if the price is right. As soon as the actual deal is done, he will be reported to proper authorities for slave trading. Rodney here is currently writing a program to allow my eye to stream what it sees live."
"Your eye? It can film?"
"Not this one. This is a real eye. No, this one," Spartan lifted his eyepatch a moment, showing Gordan the bionic eye. The little boy veered back in shock, before coming back for a closer look. "It has several functions, but it needed one more. So thats what Rodney is now doing."
"Was doing," the data-wizard stated, "Its done."
"Good. We will stream the encounter with Dell directly to the fleet. Beth can store it for later use as evidence. I plan on having that guy sent to prison properly. He deserves to feel what he did to others. We will reach Everest in little over an hour. So all of you take some rest."

After a long day brooding on his plans Spartan wakes up refreshed and with purpose. He sends a message to admiral Hack before getting some breakfast.

Admiral, could you update me on the intelligence we have at the moment concerning this Lady V. also, if its no trouble, what the next action will be for me and the Scarecrow. Thanx. S

  The COM  came  back. it is clear the text was edited  from a report.

  Lady V.... Lady Victoria... one of the  3 main Leasers of the   Earth/Human sympathizers who work with  Empire  forces.

  Opt to  kill the  'big three' failed  as two were slain, But LAdy V escaped.

  Now, seems  more focused on the  destruction and Hinderence of the Delta  Fleet.

  whereabouts are unknown at this  time, but sources have put her in the Beta Triangle, with agents on all three stations, as  well as   Triad planets.

  Ladies of Virtue  have been tagged as sympathizers to LAdy V and her' new' organization. Further actions against her organization have  been set forth, but must not slow the Delta Fleet's  progress.

 It is  quite possible, the Empire is  using her  to slow, or even stop the Delta Fleet advance. This  will not happen.

 Note: Oil Lords have a Ship sailing under ESN Colors....developments forthcoming....

Spartan quickly replies:
'have possible plan to infiltrate her organisation. Would require 10.000 Credits and some capable muscle. Request meeting to explain further. Would also require either death or defection of Kray Shadow and 'betrayel' of delta fleet by scarecrow and crew.'

  the COM comes  Back.

  "..seems  my night is ruined anyway...meet me  on the Hanger  dec....we'll talk about it....though?  Shadow is off the board...."

'on my way. S.'

Spartan to hangar deck

  On the top of the Hermes, The Scarecrow  was being loaded  with some items ,  A Hermes MArine  handed Spartan a Packet, and saluted.

  Thomas  entered his craft, complete with ESN transponder . His crew, Including his newly found  young Navigator. Once Buttoned up, She  rose  off the VIP lock and  shot off  towards   the Fuji-Everest Corridor...in minutes    it was a tiny light in the  night, like so many others....

Since  we will no longer have this ship as a focus point... I am converting this  thread to the Ironwood, so she  can have her own thread. for actions/interactions on board....

   As Sarah sat  looking over  reports and  Such... the COM  Call came through  from The Admiral. Not surprisingly , The Admiral  made the COM call himself.

 Commander  McKeon... I should like for you and  your first officer  to   land on the ebach... and take part in the treaty signing.. . you may bring SEC if you wish?..but not  more then 4..there is  already a transport Shuttle laod  of  MArines  down there.. and the Hermes Recon Teams  will be busy down there as well.

Sarah looked up from her report at the command screen and accepted the call. "Hello Admiral," She greets Admiral Hack, she listens to the orders nodding in acknowledgement.  "Understood sir,  already done." She says.

Once the com connection is cut she begins preparations for an away team. 4 troopers,  including SSG Morin, LC Harrington,  and herself.  She alerts PO Volkov to prepare the shuttle for another operation. For herself and her XO the uniform will be dress with light armor vest under the tunic,  for the name's she decides to let SSG Morin make a decision.

-Player Reentry-

Sarah stood aboard the bridge looking over the should of LT Termaine, watching as he shifted Tactical Systems around working with LT Greene in the Engine Bay.  LT Greene was coordinating repair work on her end, while Scotty shifting resources to maintain maximum possible combat readiness. They could take systems offline which would speed repair efforts however in the hostile region of operations it made better sense to be prepared. The other advantage was it gave the crew an opportunity to practice for cases where they may not have cover and support from the fleet. Both fighters had reloaded and were currently running a close in defensive patrol pattern for the moment. Sooner rather than later Sarah knew she needed to get the two out of their cockpits. It wasn't good form to unnecessarily leave pilots in the cockpit for prolonged periods as it risked fatigue in the case of another skirmish or battle.  She watched as LT Volkov and her gunners provided cover to a small team of engineers working on an external array that had been damaged in the mission. Nodding to herself she drifted around the room observing her people work. Some Captains took a more hands off approach letting their XO's do the observations, not wanting to stress the crew while the knowledge their captain looked over their shoulders. Sarah however thought the opposite, by walking about it let her directly interact with her people and build a more positive and professional relationship.

Satisfied that the work was coming along quickly and smoothly Sarah looked at LC McKeon, "I'll be in my office if you need me. Mr. Exec you have the bridge." She says formally handing off control to her second in command and leaving the bridge to begin working the after action reports, and casualty reports. Knowing her XO she wouldn't be surprised if his damage reports and supply reports weren't submitted to her before she'd finished her performance and casualty reports. The man was efficient, and as perfect an executive officer as a commander could ask for. Sitting at her desk she pulls up her terminal and sets out working. Thanking all that was good that as far as casualties were concerned there wouldn't be any letters home this time.

The paperwork flowed smoothly and she watched the repair work take place as little red dots on her ship status window blinked from red to amber and then to green indicating the system had been repaired. One or two systems stayed amber, but she didn't pry knowing her staff would updater her on the status of those systems. In all likelihood they were just short on the necessary parts to do a complete repair or couldn't do a full calibration on the system in the hostile environment. The medical bay reports coming in were promising, the team that she'd brought on were working well together, and SSG Morin's marines were being useful assisting in any area they could. She made a note to release them for a ground op the next opportunity she got, a kind of reward for in a good effort doing the non-specialty related tasks. A reward that really only the Marines she suspected truly enjoyed. It was kind of a "good job, go get into a fight somewhere kind of deal."

Seeing the external repair team had returned and the shuttle was back Sarah sent a comm to PO Volkov, and SSG Morin to prepare to return to the beach. In addition to the standard shuttle crew she detailed only two marines to escort her. Stepping over to her closet, a luxury on such as small warship, she removed a lightweight vacuum sealed skin suit, that was similar to a pilot's but a little lighter and a little less impact, and puncture resistant along with a duty uniform, cut in the same manner and fashion as a ships Captain's uniform but with padding sewn into the tunic and other areas. This uniform was a little more stiff than standard materials but provided minimal protection against knives, projectiles, and pulse. It wouldn't stop a round but it would reduce the damage from it. A helmet and gloves could be worn to seal the skin suit though these she would leave aboard the shuttle. Minimal protection for flying in an active warzone, but it was better than nothing and as the saying went better safe than sorry.

Heading down to the hanger bay with her side arm strapped prominently on her hip and knife on the other she tucks her gloves into her belt, and boards the shuttle leaving her captain's beret on her head. It was a bit of an odd touch that alpha fleet had added to their uniform standards. Different job branches wore different color berets instead of the standard headwear while in uniform, with the Captains beret being white in color. In a way wearing on the beach was equal parts bold and a statement as to her trust that the area was secure.

Once the shuttle had boarded and the hatches were secure PO1 Volkov sent a request to land on the beach through the Hermes to allow the beach team to designate a landing location and to alert anyone necessary that she would be arriving.

---Beach/Beta Quad-->

    The COM light  coms on in Sarah's Quarters. Admiral Sevente . His  thin Mustache  well cared  for. He seems to be in the midst of a meal, with a tall glass of  wine.

  ahhhh..Commander. We have  watched the  great Adventures of the Delta Fleet... I have seen the Ironwood has been trading, how then say...punches as well.

 He  drinks  deeply from  his wine glass. he swirls it  as he looks in to the glass, then, only his eyes look up,..The Admiral  has said, they are going to come here, before visiting the Gamma  Quad..... this is..most upsetting? Does he not think we are capable of protecting   the Alpha Quad?

  There is another Long  sip,..The  Admiral also seems to  want to keep The Ironwood, and her crew with the Delta flee, for an ...unspecified...time.... how do you feel about this?

--Matterhorn-->

Sarah sat in her command chair, a determined glint in her eye. ENS Lafollet lock in final course for Fuji Station. ENS Montoya open a channel to Fuji station control.

Murmers of 'already done' echoed around the bridge. Once the channel to Fuji blinked green one her display she addressed the station, ESN Ironwood Captain McKeon requesting berth at Fuji station on order to Delta Fleet." she waits for approval giving the appropriate scripted responses and once approved gives the command to bring the Ironwood into the station.

 ..FUJI SEC Central..please dock at  Orbiting Dock #5... Glad to see you Back Ironwood.

Glad to be back Fuji control, we will be rejoining the delta Fleet. Please adjust our priorities for services accordingly to meet the fleet timeline. shifting focus Comms get me a channel to Hermes flight control. Inform them we will be joining the fleet and if we should expect to receive the new fighter platform." Reaching for her comm she calls to her shuttle pilot, Anya prepare the shuttle we will be joining the beach party. We will take anyone wanting to join the celebration others can take taxis to wherever the wish.

  ..Cast off  for the Fleet  is  2000 hours  tomorrow  with recall at 1800 hours..  CAptain O'Reilly  is on Board the Hemres  , if you want to swap  out  fighter  craft.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:35, Mon 29 Apr 2019.

"Understood Fuji control" Sarah rose from her chair, "Mr. Harrington you have the watch."she said heading for her door, she was going to have ENS Volkov drop her at the Hermes so she could speak with Captain O'Reilly. While any of the other crew who wished could spend time on the beach for the remainder of the party.

---Hanger Deck-->

Aboard the Ironwood the crew rotated shifts through the night. LC Harrington had established a rotation for the different sections and had pulled strings with Fuji control and had managed to get a compliment of various workers to assist in the rapid change out that was happening. Granted none of these temp workers were truly trusted and labored under the watchful eyes of section chiefs and crew members. Things were moving fast, fresh supplies were being brought aboard the old fighters had quickly been stripped of Ironwood equipment painted gray and picked up making space for the Mantis which would be delivered the next day. Currently a crew was repainting the deck of the hanger to denote key tie down points and relabel for the mantis.  In the engine room LT Greene was running a series of diagnostics with the Fuji tech team that had overhauled the engines last making a series adjustments to boost baselines and re-calibrate the system.

Around 2PM both Ben and Allison returned to the Ironwood after test flying the Mantis craft. The ship was all a bustle in the hanger as parts and pieces were stored away, the new third flight crew was getting set up and starting to paint the third mantis with the general colors of the Ironwood and alpha fleet. Nose art would come with the pilot. Ben approached Anya,  "Hey Volkov, why do we have a third we only have two fighter pilots?"

Anya glanced over her shoulder as she rushed around giving directions. "Aye well if you'd check your messages then you'd've seen with the smaller airframe we can fit a third giving us a right proper flight." Ben frowned as he headed over to his new mantis to check out the art being applied, and pulled out his comm unit starting to scroll through the messages on it.