Groups of  Troopers   huddled together talking, checking  each others   equipment, and   having a  sandwich or  drink or  both. There was a  'lighter ' Atmosphere, then a hard  core  Combat  jump off.... this was  almost beign  seen as    a bit  more higher in Danger then a survival Run, but less then a  full combat op.

 Disna  and Puskie  Lead the largs donw  to the  Hanger , with  Roll and Gregor , bringing up the rear  as he    steered the Hover Cart with the Larg's armor...The armor had been pained to resemble  thier  scale patterns. Disna  thought this  would be a good trick to pull on enemies  who  had  rounds  defected  by the armor. thinking it was the  Larg's scale, of course... that would  go away as they got a closer view of the Largs..but then it  would be too late.

  Beth   hit a Horn.... when the Hanger   quieted , somewhat down, she pointed to a Momitor in front of the 'war room'..

  Shuttle Sticks  are getting sorted  now... a little bit after the Ready Light  goes on, I show have them posted...

 then the Hanger started to  Buzz  again

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

 After  Beth finished her  announcement, Stoly went to   Tulliun...Right    Now.. you're bringing   Doc Henry and some troopers down, he's going to try to collect specimens  to bring  back and stuff, who knows we night get some new  meat or fruits from down there, that the outposts  haven't  tagged yet

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

  Flores   gave an amused, and  understanding smile... she waved  a  hand  dismissively...Reg..something or  other... sidearms and Boot knives  at all times..... That doesn't aways  help though we had a pair of traitor Pilots  drying to poison the  crew with homemade hooch?  Had a waitress  in on it as well.a few people were gunned   down in The Pulse, the pilots  escaped, but the were killed a bit later  when they flew  with the Sol System pilots against us...anyway..its the   'safe the sorry  ' thing...if  some idiot pulls his  weapon , there are dozens of others  who will make sure it never goes off. The backhand side of that? You are allowed only one Long arm in y9our quarters, and No explosives..

 Now? we'll be  finding out shortly..but  make sure you crash kit is  ready.... dependig on what goes on  down there, we may stay over night, always nice to be in Atmo, even if you're on guard  duty.

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

 Kira had the  three mechs  ready, each going down in a Gremlin, they just need to  find out  which shuttle they would be locked  in on.


 Will and Cora along with    'the new  guys' came trooping past, Coara stopped  by  Harry, , Will just  gave  Harry a look and  kept  going to  take the troops  to the tables  and await  assignments. Cora  smiled  as she said,Great!..You're  Jumping  off!..Good  to get back on that horse,,right?..see you down there!...

 and she   went to catch up to the   rookies  and Will.

Tulliun looked up as Stoly approached, Hey there, Stoly. he said with a wave. He listened as he was informed of the mission.

Ok, cool. Does that mean we don't go down until after the fighting then? I know we'll have troopers and he's got that dog for protection, but, he's still... special cargo. he looked for the right word, then shrugged.

When Cora and the others made their way by, TI-JO began to follow them, they would be able to lead him to where the rosters were posted.

<=== Officers Quarters

Nikki and Haley arrived to the hubbub of the flight deck.  Mechs, techs, ground crew, guardians, pilots, and more were hustling about.  Nikki lead Haley to where Dana and Sneak were.  Haley waved and sat her pack off to the side to join the ladies handing out water and sandwiches.  First thing Haley did was hand Nikki 2 waters and a sandwich.  Then began handing others some and taking a plastic wrapped case of water, opening it and placing them on the table for one lady to put on ice.  Nikki gave her a hug and kiss as she went to work.

Nikki began to approach her 'Skeeter' and did a walk around and check.  Armament count and check.  Both Lizzy and her had theirs loaded last night.  Fuel check and Iff, guidance systems, all checked.  She placed her weapons and her water and sandwich in their secured places.  She knew there was a pilots meeting coming up and she moved to get ready.  She spotted Fitzsimmons and gave him a thumbs up.  She looked around for Lizzy, did spot Madison.  "Good luck Madison.  Remember half the battle is getting out of the hangar. she commed to her.

After doing a standard pre-action inspection, Madison was checking her crash kit to make sure it was all in order. Weapon, powercells, rations, water, a small survival pack... all there. The diagnostic for her POD checked out. It was all as expected. It was a new ship after all. The interior even smelled like a new car.

She buttoned it all up and climbed out. As soon as her feet hit the Dec, she heard Nikki on Comms wishing her luck. She looked around until she spotted her. "Thanks Nikki," she waved. "Good luck to you too. Which half is getting back into the hangar?" She laughed.

------>>> From SEC yesterday to Officer's Quarters

Sam entered the Hanger Dec early to get all set up and get her screens and comms ready.

Slipping off the Skeeter Justin meandered along C Flight the line joining the flight clump, giving a smile or hand slap to the others as they wait to hear Steele's brief.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Tue 29 Mar 2022.

--->>>> From Rec Dec (yesterday)

 Meari walked onto the Hanger Dec she was fully geared out except for her 30-cal., she headed for the QM to get belts are her machinegun. She wasnt sure how this was going to go down, so she figured the added firepower was good, plus she loved blowing bad guys away with it.

--->>> To QM lockers.

 The time was nearing 11:00,  The Admiral , Captain Si, and general  Bale  walked  down the ramps.. calls  of 'Admiral On  Dec, and SEC troopers   'snapping to' were waved off  by the   Admiral who wore light boarding armor.

 Pointing to The SM  and The LC  He waved   them over to the Mobile  ladder  as he   explained to them what he wanted for the   Jump off... The Hrons Blew  and   ornage Lights  flashed, the countdown  clocks started  at 60....59:58... and  so on.

 The Admiral   ascended the  ladder  and  talked  over the hanger  Dec.

 Sam had gotten everything together, and she had on brand new light boarding armor, it looked like it would fit a child. Sam was busy and worked hard to get everything ready for this unique jump off.

After the briefing Justin slipped into the Skeeter, buckled up and switched on the controller. Running through the panel & HUD check while listing to inflight chatter of the others.

  after the ready horn Blew... The Admiral started

 as he started. Ms Vassar  was running towards the  crowd, with  kneehigh poots, a  side arm , a hunting  rifle with a Bandoleer of   rounds, and  a backpack, she carried  a  Helmet  with   her father's company's logo.. and   stopped  by Shadow  and Roy  with a Big  Grin  as she  finished Buckling her chest plate.

Shadow just shook his head.

 In Less then  an Hour , we  will be Jumping off to E-1..there is a  crashed ship..a bit  bigger then the Hermes, that is  believed to be one of the Asian Bloc  ships that left before the ESN launched..I'm sure the Arch-Techs  down there think its a great find...but they are  trapped  by Empire troops that have   hidden  outposts on the planet....out outposts report  eliminating  some of the Empire assets. but   whatever  groups remain, seem to want  what is inside that ship..

 our  nission is  3  fold

1.... get the arch techs into a big ugly and  get the  the 9 hells out of there...they are permitted to take anything they can carry

2...eliminate  any and all  Empire types  we  encounter

3...use this  as a  'live fire' exercise to  put our  people through thier paces.


 LC Shadow?

 Shadow stepped   forward and said... A, B  and C  flight  will lead  the way down... we  will take out  any  batteries, or  aircraft, or armor we see...if  any... The rest of the Wing  will cover the Shuttles down... once that is  done, Captain Nilsson  and  Mitch  will  cover the  area   above.. and I'll split the Hermes  will to top cover and  Ground cover...

 If..You get  shot  down, POD Out and make your way to the smoke... These  aircraft have a  'pull grip' inside the  crash compartment.... Pull it  and  run like the  9 hells..it sets off a detonator , for the power cells, so now enemy folks  can get the tech from your machine...

 SM?

Roy stepped up.  "I see a lot of you are treating this as something less than what we normally do.  STOP RIGHT NOW.  Yes, it's probably true that what we'll be facing is far from the cream of the crop of Empire forces.  But we don't know that for sure and if it turns out that there's some ringers in the crowd, going in there with a half-assed approach to things is going to get a lot of us killed."  His eyes flashed as he delivered the warning, looking around at the pilots, as well as the ground troops.

"The Meadowlark has its own tasking for this jump-off, and Dr. Christie will be lead for it.  Just because you aren't headed into the hot zone with the rest of us, don't relax...one thing we DO know about the enemy forces on-planet is, they're really good at not being spotted, or else they'd have been eliminated a long time ago.  Assume they could be lurking in any tree-line or over any hill you encounter...if they pop up, I want THEM to be the ones surprised at how intense the fighting gets."

A look of distaste crossed his face as he continued, "The EMS troopers going with us were hired for a specific task, which their employer has not bothered to discuss with anyone else...so they'll be executing that mission--WITH THE FOLLOWING CAVEAT: Master Chief Mullins and a small detachment of Hermes personnel will be coordinating with them.  If--AT ANY TIME--Chief Mullins feels the risk factor is too high, she will be pulling the Hermes group out, and the EMS forces will have to decide whether to continue their mission unsupported or follow the Master Chief."  He glanced over at Vasser as he added, "The only reason I'm allowing that much is because they already had a contract when they came aboard, and I would want to honor that contract were I in their position.  But I'm not going to put Hermes troops at undue risk for a secret op.  As for you, Miss Vasser...you're going to help secure the LZ for the Big Ugly, with some Hermes personnel.  You are, to the best of my knowledge, completely unqualified for combat operations, but I respect your desire to get your people out safely.  So, I'll let you be a part of what should be the least combat intensive part of operations."

He turned to Stoly as he continued.  "The Spade crew, led by myself, will spearhead the main force trying to get the Arch Tech team out.  The situation down there is extremely unclear...so even though this is the current plan, be prepared for it to evolve rapidly once we're boots on the ground and gathering some real-time intel on the actual threat level."  He gave a curt nod as he looked around the assembled troopers and pilots, then looked back to Admiral Hack.

--->>>>> From Officer's Quarters

 Lizzy came onto the Hanger dec earlier, she gave Izzy a kiss and headed for her fighter. Lizzy checked and double checked everything and then she got something to eat and drink before the Admiral spoke up.

 She listened and then the LC spoke, and she would be on Shuttle protection, she was good with that to get a feel for the new Skeeter. Lizzy stood by her fighter waiting to be told to get into her fighter and head on out.

Seated in the 25 Justin listened to the fortcomming Action's directives. Once completed he waited for the signal to Power up and ready to launch.

In the Meadowlark Henry got all his stuff stowed, then gave Mila and the assigned largs a drink of water from the portable bowls he carried. He got the largs into their armour. Mila already had her 'combat coat' on, with the pockets, and booties to protect her feet.

There would be no reaction from Harry when Will and Cora stopped by though it was obvious that she could indeed hear her speaking. Instead Harry would continue loading cartridges into her bandolier until they had left at which point Harry would slowly extend her right arm and point a pair of fingers at Cora's back and mouth the word "Bang" before quietly chuckling to herself as she went back to what she was doing.

When the briefing came she would stay where she was on the crate checking through her equipment only looking up when Roy started speaking. She would listen to the briefing he delivered before patiently waiting to see what would come next.

Tulliun saw the man they called Doc Henry loading collapsed crates into the back of the Meadowlark. He trotted over, Here, Doctor, let me help you with that. he smiled politely as he reached for the stack of items. He saw the great white dog that was Mila nearby, he smiled at her too, Hey there. he greeted her warmly. The young man's dirty blonde hair was held out of his eyes by his flight goggles, My name's Tulliun by the way. Nice to meet you. I came aboard a few days ago. Just before the battle of the Matterhorn. he carried on while he spoke.

When Doc went to dress the largs and Mila, Tulliun kept a respectful distance, these animals didn't know him, he thought it best to keep distance in this situation until then.

The angel corporal huffed a bit as he saw that he would be stuck in a shuttle as part of a babysitting detail. But, those were the orders.

He headed all the way down to the shuttle bay, a blank expression. He saw the old man, and a white dog, who was unsurprisingly disciplined. He stood outside of the shuttle as the scruffy human pilot and the Doc loaded some items into the shuttle.

He looked about at his fellow troopers, he casually checked out their loadouts, both to see what they used, and to check them for correctness, and to see their ranks. All of these troopers, except for the one looking to climb in the top bubble, were his own rank or higher. He waited near the other NCOs for any special instructions.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Wed 30 Mar 2022.

  After Roy's   instructions were  Given.  The Admiral  looked over the Groups.You have  all had the over view of the Op. We go  down , set up the LZ...Troopers will move to the
wreck, eliminate  any and all enemy personnel, and   remove  any and all Arch-techs from  the area....we may, or may not  send out own people in the   structure and the areas around it...we will assess   what we find, and decided whether to  continue the excavation on our own, or destroy it..

 NOOO!...YOU CAN"T DO THAT!

The Admiral pointed  with  one arm towards her,Another Outburst, and you'll spend the  Op in the brig..welcome to the ESN. Ms Vassar.. from this point  forward, we do things our way...

 turning back to the crew, The Admiral says,  The  slow  colonization of E-1 and E-2, has  brought  a window  for Empire   assets  to try and stop us, or take over.... There is a balance where  we have  two carrier stations and one  station as well as Aqra  that are able to  attack or re-enforce the outposts there....The Empire has  their  space close enough to send  assets as well.

 Both planets  are rich in resources, that both sides of this war need...but i have a feeling  , that  this  'wreck' has alot more to do with the Empire  wanting in, then  the resources, after all, they have   their whole systems  Behind their  lines, that we cannot hop to touch.

 everyone, go to your  section leaders . for the final briefing...

there is a look of  disappointment , maybe even disgust,I wanted to go down with you...the board  will not allow that, I will be  coming down later, once the LZ is  set up...with any  luck, we get in and out, and on our way... if things are  more....complicated...then we may have to stay a day or two. he grins,Maybe  Doc henry can find  something of interest  and the LC  can have a  survival run.

 Laughter and Groans

 Alright, Find the SM  and LC...good Hunting, be  smart, come back..

  As Roy  gathered the troops , Stoly gathered  the  other  3  pilots  .... he held out his Vidboard.

 here is  a CAM view taken by a  corvette....  you can see the stern end of the  wreck , sticking out of lower  part of the mountain..the Arch techs  have made a compound of
 sorts, by clearing  trees  and using the   wood  for structures and  defense.. there is a
 road going up from the compound to the  wreck.

 his  finger taps the  Compound,The assault  shuttles  will land  between  each of those   building, our  weapons  will face out towards the forest and  ramps open into the Compound. The Meadowlark  will land   near the road.... this will help facilitate loading  whatever  comes  down from the  wreck.

 looking at   Tullin , Cavi and Fennes.Our Gunners have to be on watch... if you see a Lizard or  Bug,  they drop it....if there is  some  question  as to killing  an enemy , have them call you or the nearest NCO or Officer .We aren't here  to be diplomates. We are ESN...

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

 Ellen   intercepts   Roy, excuse  me, SM? her vocie low  as she looks around.I'm  assigned to the Hanger Dec  with SGT  Zob and  Corp Nagy?.... but..well.. I saw Cora  try and talk with   Lynch?.. Lynch was less the   receptive, and  made a action behind Cora's back, that...quite frankly..has me worried about if she  should be carrying a weapon, and lets face it.. Her  history is less the balanced,,,, I don't want to see Cora, or Will or any of the others  brought  down on some one who would be better saved  as a member of a pleasure Tech unit.

  The LC   gathered his Pilots, Including Mitch, Ben and  KArl...Lets get this started ..I don't like this, not a little bit. If it was up to me, we'd  send a COM down to the Arch techs, give them  2 hours  to get to the nearest outpost, then Pound that wreck from orbit... they can  dig it out later, that's what arch-techs  do...

  So... we go down... clear the air  of  any  enemy aircraft, and if we can, any enemy Ground  troops...every   Empire bastard  we kill, means  at least one of us, on the ground has a good day.

 Karl?  Needless to say, you have full rein   with your aircraft..Mitch,  you use  your  torpedo to eliminate  something worth  the ordinance..it will be your call Unless Karl or   someone else with  more  brass tells you to knock somehting down...

 Mitch  nods ..already done , LC...

  walking  in front of the Pilots  he stops at each and every rookie...some have  eager looks, some  looked scared..some..are ;just there"

 sooner or later, regardless of how many days  we spend down there. We will have an after party... the chance   for  awards for 'first kill'...'ace  status' and maybe even a  Blue max....

 pilots grinned  and chattered..

 HOWEVER!  this snapped them back,we  will aslo have  a 'non-formal' send off. for people we lost....and a formal send off the following  day.... for you rookies? The SM   and  his troopers  try to bring  as many fallen tropers back as they can safely gather..... for pilots? well.... if  you  get turned into a fireball... your send off  will be an empty bag with your spare head gear wire to it.

 Some of the vets lowered their heads, having   seen too much of that.Had a Damn good instructor, who did our   'end of semester' war games  from Moon base... the  tag cannons we  have, on our fighters,  we used  for rounds......anyway, you all know that..... but  he was in the OC  on Luna and  i sat down to have a soda  and  sandwich while he was drinking beer...he told be he had  signed up to fly against the  Demons and  this was his last semester instructing...

 I can could   on one hand, the instructors I had respect for..and have a finger or two left over... he was one i would have counted...... His last words to me as he pounded me on the back was, " Remember Shadow , Old Boy, Pilots are the most ready to die, since  we  fly in our own coffins..."

 ..he was killed   2 weeks later, out near Saturn, by the   fighters of the same  Cap ship the Hermes captured   a month after that.. his voice trailed off   as he was thinking, Frans  was wiping her eyes..

 snapping back , his eyes looked over  the Pilots.Wingmen?  follow your lead, if  you break off to help some one, make damn sure you Lead knows, and get your ass  back on thier tail... if you're the Lead,,  you looks for  which enemies need to be dead,,,and make then Dead, and don't lose track of your  wing...

 Now?  One last time.... if you have to POD out, try to aim towards  the Compound where  the shuttles will land.... There  will be smoke set up by our people so you know where to go....and , i hope none of you need to do that, but...if you do, the Tunnel  runs should   raise your odds of making it...go check your machines, and  Mount Up,, we have  abut  15 minutes.

  As the Pilots  Made  ready, Howe and Foster m stood on thier  wings   while Fitz strummed on  one of the ground crews  instruments,

 we might not  ride  Horse...But this song  sorta suits us..

 and they began to sing with some of the academy people Joining  In, Shadow standing by the  hanger Bay doors   smiling as he listened.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1V3JW4HeBs

Roy glanced over in Harry's direction, his expression inscrutable.  "Thanks for the heads-up, Ellen.  I don't generally believe in punishing someone until they've actually done something worth punishing...but I'll keep an eye on the situation.  I know there's a history there, and bad blood...but if I benched everyone who ever made a threatening gesture or statement to one of their crewmates, there wouldn't be enough of us left to fill the load-out for a single shuttle."

He focused on Ellen, and continued, "She'll either pull her weight when we're actually on the ground, or she won't.  If she doesn't, she's done.  If she costs us a life down there...either by inaction or "friendly fire", she's gonna have about five seconds to question her life choices and wonder whether the pain she's enduring was worth whatever revenge she thought she was getting."

He sent Ellen on her way, and busied himself with directing people to the various shuttles they were assigned to, and shutting down the complaints of those who were staying behind with an annoyed scowl.

Madison cast her eyes until she found Candy Flores, then ran up to her. "Your the lead, what's the plan? Is there a plan other than just follow alongside you until you identify the targets? I feel like this is not going to be like my training runs."