"Are there facilities available to support these orbs as they grow? And how do you know what the being inside has decided, so as to know whether to bring a stick for it?"

Henry rather hoped he could see the process through to a conclusion, but was determined to get as much information as possible.

...for the time being, I am to stay on the Hermes, as it is the Flagship of  our alliance.  for right now? the containment pack has enough power for the orb. but in time , we may have to move to the Tech lab, or set something   up elsewhere...

"What are your power and other requirements? Either my lab or the medical facility might be more appropriate," said Henry.

  Evert looks  at Hennry , and then to then egg case.......this  will be most....sensitive...i would rather not it be in either Med Tech Lab.....Your Lab would be the Best, but i understand there are Demon Techs  down there?

"I quite understand. The Demons are confined to one area only, and to be honest I'm not sure how long they will survive. They've riled everybody and it may be only a matter of time before the security detail gets fed up and blows them away. Your orbs can be kept secure well away from them - and everyone else if you wish them kept private."

Henry was delighted. Hopefully, Evert would permit him to document the process. Now that would be a paper!

  ..that would be the best course of action. Lady chose to do this. It is....rather  unheard of, for one who has chosen the path of the machine, to try and pass on an offspring...then...you add to that..the offspring  is  of mixed Alien DNA!

 she  frowns a bit, the facial expressions on the smooth white face seem to stand out more, then they do on a human face,..i could not  chance having the orb in the same place as demons..no matter  how careful your SEC may be...

"By the time the orbs outgrow your containment system that may well not be a problem. Don't worry, you have the final say about what happens even if I have to shuffle everything around to accommodate your requirements."

Henry put his head on one side.

"So, most of the machine-entities do not choose to reproduce at all? Curious. Is that a cultural thing or one of practicality?"

  She looked alittle shaken as she said,..it has never happened before. if it did, no one has seen fit to tell us....this...could be a birth of a whole new race? And..the wonders that would entail..

Henry nodded.

"Decidedly one to watch, and record. Exciting, isn't it?"

 The  Verian nods her  head in smooth, movements,...only if we have the suitable place...I do not  the Orb in the Med tech labs, too many variables...and  the Demons, I fear if  they had  any idea what the Orb case was for?..they would  risk everything to destroy it...

Henry nodded.

"Understood. The safety of the orbs will have to be paramount."

  She   leans  back a bit in her chair , her  head tilts  smoothly, if  not a bit too far,...My Mate Adem? He is worried about this. I sent him word as soon as i got the stick from Shadow...he is.....Concerned at the pairng of  Lady's  DNA and His?  Adem is  afraid that Shadow is...too volatile?

Henry felt a bit uncomfortable, as if he were intruding on personal matters.

"Is it not sufficient that Lady made the choice? She of all people knew him well, after all. I know it's not my place to interefere, but..."

His voice tailed off.

  She  frowns a bit  as her head  tilts  back up...perhaps...but this is  a Big step in both our people's  futures?...with the advent of Angel Food, you could be around  some 100 years from now....you will look back and say..'i saw that race born'...will  you be proud? or will you be sad?

"It's not a matter of pride or sadness... a new race will be just the same as any other: some good, a few bad. But it will have been fascinating to see a new race birthed, that I can tell you now!"

Henry grinned.

"Few people get that privilege. Even fewer know that they are getting it."

  she nods slowly her skyblue  eyes can be unnerving at times, since there are no 'eyeballs' to watch.

 ..Then? Good Doctor...we need to prepare you lab.....

"Do you want to come and review the facilities? I'm open to suggestions as to the best location, as well as whatever other provision you may need."

Henry was just about jumping with excitement.

  ..I am not neededfor anything right now...not until we rech Bura. So? If you wish to go now , that would be fine. I must warn you....Demons and Verians  do not get along...

Henry rose.

"Of course, if that suits you. The demons are in a room to themselves, under guard. We do not need to go near them if that would distress you."

  They  get up to leave, Two  Hermes SEC troopers stand outside the door , Evert locks the panel and follows Henry.

>>>>>>>> Henry, Evert to  Christie's Office

Returning to his cabin Justin took a quick shower changed and relaxed listening to the chatter as he completed the days admin. During which he heard that Fuji Sec were on their way and would be assisting Garrat and Co from the friepan, hopefully not into the fire.

Karl spent the shoreleave as he was accustomed to spending most of his downtime...evaluating performance data on his aircraft and researching options for improvements.  He was painfully aware that there were only two Morningstars left to the Delta Fleet...and replacements certainly weren't coming from Earth anytime soon.  It had been a fluke of luck that the trio he'd been commanding had been on Mars when Ge-Fi had effectively interdicted any Earth-origin assistance to the Delta Fleet.

Replacements would come when someone on Fuji got around to re-tooling their production facilities to make some.  And that would be sometime after new Stoly shuttles started rolling off the production lines, since those were the 'mother airframe'.  So he found himself occupied with the thought of how to make the remaining pair more effective, without increasing the risk to them appreciably.

That meant a lot of time in research...specifically, in researching effective weapons used in ground support.  Cluster bombs were effective...but dangerous for close-air operations.  HARM missiles had been great for late 20th Century and early 21st Century 'Wild Weasel' operations for taking down anti-air assets.  Non-nuclear bunker-busters had fallen out of favor at some point...they became effective enough that people stopped making bunkers, really.

So, he spent hours on end, poring over historical analyses of the weapons, reviewing technical information, trying to come up with effective analogs for them utilizing the upgraded technology of the intervening centuries.

Because every time he closed his eyes, he kept seeing nightmares of that rampaging horde of Bugs...and what was left of the shuttles that they'd swarmed.  There was nothing he could do in the immediate future to prevent a recurrence...but he could try and get the wheels turning to make it a lot more difficult for that to ever happen again.

Waking shortly before his alarm sounded Justin quickly showered dressed. After quickly checking the orders for the day he headed to the Hanger Deck to load the gun-belts on his Dart; snacking on several sandwiches he'd purchased him the night before from the Rec Deck.

To Hanger Deck 3 -->>

  Getting off the elevator, there are two Guards  that acknowledge them. Walking  down the3 carpeted    hall they see , after  about 150 yards or so, it comes to a dead end.

  Shadow's  quarters are on the  left a the end of the hall...another  door on the right is Opened  as  some  SEC troops are loading Zonia's stuff onto a Hover  Jack.

 Hirr's Quarters are  to the right , closer to the  elevator  next to Zonia's

 Thank You  SGT HUnter, I will be seeing you tomorrow?..perhaps you will be going to see the signing of papers?  yes?

Hunter acknowledges the fact, "it is highly likely lt Hirr, if you request it as such."
"I may even be in view of you".
"But I will be there some where"
Hunter steps back  and allows the LT to enter her quarters
"Sleep well Lt"

-----> med bay
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Sat 25 July 2015.