In reply to Morris (msg # 176):
Roger that Captain Morris, giving Ensign An'teela a tour of the ship, subject to ongoing security provisions. doing a left face Justin watched the Captain hobble back the way he came. Well now Ensign do you mind  if I call you An'teela? or would you prefer something else.

"Thank you for your time, Captain." The Angel said, saluting him as he walked off to continue his other duties.

She turned back to look at the Ensign. "Thank you for the offer of a tour and meal, both very generous offers. Please, feel free to call me An'teela."

As much as the idea of sleep and flying appealed to her so too did this human male so she resolved to spend some time with him before begging off to return to her quarters.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 178):

Starting the tour with the deck they were on, being the Bridge Dec. Justin suggests they descended through the Hermes sequentially; moving from bow to stern, then stern to bow on each subsequent deck. Providing her with an overview of the decks they will be on starting with the Observation/OR's Quarters Dec; followed by the Hanger/Medical/Tec Lab Dec; the Rec/Black Hangar/Sports Field Dec; and ending on the Civie/Farm/Foundary Deck.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Sun 18 Mar 2018.

Teela payed very close attention to both the tour and Justin as she found both quite impressive. One thing she found odd was the presence of civilians on the ship, something she voiced during the tour.

"May I ask why there are civilians on a warship? It's extremely risky having them here, I would imagine. What if the ship is boarded by hostiles?"

In reply to An'teela (msg # 180):

Justin grinned broadly, he also wondered about the number of Civilians aboard when he transferred in. That's something the Brass decided to permit. These Civilians are only permitted aboard after a stringent security vetting process, run by SM Spencer. The Civilians that which are cleared are instrumental in providing colonisation facilitation procedures, by rotating through as they feel able or prepared to do so. They also assist in the running of different functions aboard, such as entertainment, farming, animal handling, Hospitality along with internal defence.

"Interesting. Angel vessels hold no civilians aboard so I find this...odd.Dangerous. Are these the families of crew members? As risk-filed as I see this I rather imagine in improves morale."

She stopped and leaned over a ruling. "Do you have family, if I may ask? If that is too intrusive given we've just met let me know." She said, smiling at him.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 182):

From the associations I've had the majority of these aren't tied to Crew. They are generally families hoping to start a new life for themselves in the Colonies or the like. As for me guess you can say I'm one of the multitude of Foundlings of Humanity, so don't have a family. The closest thing it one would be the Pilots on Hermes if they could be classified that way.

She gave a small smile and looked over at him. "I would agree with that. You fight, bleed, and grieve together. What is family if not that? As for myself I have no family beyond my parents, sister, and associated others. No mate or children."

In reply to An'teela (msg # 184):

Guess so... I shipped aboard the 351 after being bounced around the ESN from Fighter Squadron 111, Strategic Fast-bomber, Deep Space Frontier Reconnaissance then to Fuji Lowers. Been here for about 22 months. Its the second closest thing to normality I've had since being offered an Comprehensive Position at ESN Academy. So yeah your right An'teela the ESN is like a family. Mind you it has its fair share of oddballs.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Mon 19 Mar 2018.

"My own people took poorly to my augmentations so they transferred me here. Note the lack of choice. I was...what do Terrans say...voluntold? Is that it? It doesn't bother me as I still get to fight Demons and will one day prove the efficacy of the wings in battle."

This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Mon 19 Mar 2018.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 186):

 Realy... exclaimed Justin They took issue with your augmentation. How singular especially since the limited contact I've had with Angels portray Angles as having Wings. he added hesitantly. The more one learns the more one comes to learn how naïve humans can be. ooc are her wings obvious or still folded?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Tue 20 Mar 2018.

"Terran portrayals of divine beings known as Angels show them with wings but the race you call Angels do not have them. We are a singularly arrogant race who were once worshiped as deities by humanity. Even so the vitriol with which I have been greeted has come as a surprise to me but I ignore it. Let them do as your famous poet once said and fire their slings and arrows at me. I believe I'll prove myself right one day." She said, still leaning over the railing.

(OOC: Her wings are out and obvious)

In reply to An'teela (msg # 188):

Justin nods empathically he's felt the weight of vilification by others. Glancing at An'teel Hopefully my next question won't be impertinent; how fast can you fly and how manoeuvrable are you while flying.

ooc is your wingspan as shown 16" across or is that 16' ie for a 5' tall person each wing folds to 4' length thus 16' plus 1-2' chest span 17-18
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Tue 20 Mar 2018.

(OOC: 16 feet from tip to tip when fully extended)

"My normal cruising speed is approximately 120kph. In vertical flight when hunting I've achieved speeds as high as 190kph but diving is when things get really exciting. I've been measured at 320kph. If I perform a wingover I can make a complete change in direction in two body lengths."

She sighs and her eyes unfocus. "There really is nothing that compares to being able to fly. The feel of my wings beating the air, keeping me aloft, the wind in my hair. My eyes were augmented as well to give me superior vision, similar to hunting Vornskarl on my home world. I can see and track movement from many kilometers away and since I ping back a low imaging signal in flight it's difficult for foes to find me, let along track."

In reply to An'teela (msg # 190):

Justin stares at An'tella at the vehicle equivalent speeds she is able to reach. Goodness that fast, and your people take umbrage at those capabilities. They must be out of their minds, don't they realise what they are saying. At best humans can run is about 12 MPH.

"It's not the abilities but what I did to achieve them. Angels are, and have been, a technologically advanced species for many millennia but there are certain things we don't care for and augmenting myself as I did is one of them. People stare at me with revulsion in the streets when, in my opinion, we should seek any benefit we can in the war against the Demons. We are advanced, ancient, and close-minded. Foolish is how I view it but I enjoy what I can do far too much to give it up for those who look at me over their noses.

"Besides, I think they're lovely as well as extremely functional and have proven themselves in combat more than once."

She stops and looks over at him. "Would you like to see my in flight? I hear the Red Deck is large enough to allow it though not at top speeds."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Tue 20 Mar 2018.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 192):

That's an interesting outlook. Do you hold that the ends justify the means regardless of personal cost. For example if you hand an sure opportunity to infiltrate the Demon High command so that you could bring their war effort to their knees, the only catch would be you had to have yourself surgically altered to take on the appearance of a Demon. Would you?

"I believe that in certain circumstances the ends justify the means. If someone handed me a weapon and told me that this could eradicate the entire Demon race and end the war I'd hand it right back to them. I'm not committing genocide on an entire people to end the war. Civilians, non-combatants? How different are they from our own people who don't fight in the War?"

She shook her head. "Take the fight to the enemy combatants. Destroy their fleets, end their armies and take away their ability to wage war. So in answer to your question - I would, without a second thought. End the war and bring peace between our peoples. Their High Command make the decisions that lead to the death of Terrans and Angels alike so I would take them out even if it meant I had to look like one. I want peace in our lifetime, Justin. I want my children to never have to worry about war or watch their mother deploy. But there are limits to how far I would go."

She turned around on the railing so he was facing him. "Allow me to ask you the same question."

In reply to An'teela (msg # 194):

Being nothing much more than a fighter Jock, that level of determination is not in something I'd consider. Flying is one of two things I do well enough to be able to provide a small part in this War effort. Thankfully I'll not be in a position to even be considered for that type of assignment.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:10, Tue 20 Mar 2018.

An'teela laughed, the sound like the ringing of bells. "I'm a fighter pilot and  Scout-Sniper on the ground so I think we're both safe from ever having someone knock on our doors to make such am offer.

"So what's the other thing you do well for the war effort?" She asked with a slightly mischievous gleam in her eyes.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 196):

Justin smiled at her clear laughter.  Cut Code...Currently this is in the area of designing Flight Training Applications. considering her Fighter-Sniper combination Your Space Surface mix are extremes of the spectrum of Navy-Marine aspects. Was this a personal choice or by Military assignment?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:02, Tue 20 Mar 2018.

"Based on my aptitude scores when I was in the Academy. I was fast-tracked for the Blue Angels based on my testing results and flying and shooting were where they decided I was best utilised so that's where they put me. Angel Elite aren't kept to one strict training and operational path but are trained for multi-theatre operation. Add a series of first-of-their-kind augmentations that disgusted my people and here I am."

She gave an oddly human-like shrug.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 198):

Sounds like you were definitely volunteered for the whole kit and caboodle. Looks like you've adjusted well to the modified you and there aren't any lingering side effects...

"I've wanted to fly since I was a child so this was not only wanted from a military standpoint but from a personal one as well. I feel so free when I'm up there. It's impossible to describe, Justin. I wish I could share it with you. Perhaps, one day when we have leave on a world and open space I could take you up with me."

She stopped and her golden skin flushed. "If you, if you wanted to, that is. I mean, entirely up to you..." She trailed off and looked down, her face practically glowing.

In reply to An'teela (msg # 200):

Justin noticed the way she was glowing and took this an expression of her feelings about being able to fly, it sounded like she'd achieved her hearts desire. I've been hang gliding and flying in ultra lights a couple of times, I've even gone parachuting so I've got a reasonable idea what you mean. This is also why I became a Fighter Pilot.