Having retrieved her food, Alison made her way out amongst the other diners.  The send-off had her in a pensive mood, as did the final fate of Lynch.  She was yet waffling on whether to try a last ditch intervention, or no.

Part of her initial work aboard the Hermes entailed a study of the crew's general profiles.  She was some sixty percent of the way through now, which meant the other forty were faces she wouldn't yet recognize.

The blonde in her field of view was one of them.  Although she did recognize the Flight-B insignia.

And she noted the expression.  Often, it didn't hurt to try and improve someone's mood.   She was well able to discern when that wasn't wanted, and didn't press where it wasn't.

So, in Madison's case, she made the attempt:  "Hey there. How're the eggs? Did they do a good job?"      She seated herself across from the pilot, but not directly across.

  Shadow  Looked  up as   Flores stopped at the table.  Beth  had  just sat  down and was  eating  a pasta salad.

 Hye?  You gonna sit?

  No?.. I'm  going to hang with Maddy,  she gonna be my wing again?

  Don't see why  not... I think we're  all out of  malcontents. Though  Vosts?   I hope she can handle the  next  Jump off...

 Beth  looked,you'd  send her out?

 Shadow    touched the wings on his chest...she has these  feather  things on her chest.. lots of creds  went into training her... so yeah?... she's going out... we have alot  of  folks out here  who  been carrying the load  for  5  years..Plus!.. She has  to  pick up her shovel and help   dig... Unless a Doc  has   a paper signed by them  and   Captain Morris... she's going out.

 hey.. , yesterday.. I'm sorry  I bailed so fast...  Beth raised her  hand  and Nodded   as she tried to  ta;lk with a mouth full of greens and pasta.

 no? Comon guys?  You have a chance  at some  enjoyment..escape, whatever.. you do it. You know it won't bother me?  well. Unless  i hear he hit you, or treated  you like  crap... then  there will be a 'man overboard' alert

  Thanks  Kray.... she Moved   off pointing at  Beth's food, then to herself, then to the table...

  Candy  sat down, nodded to the  Doc...what's up, Doc? she grinned,am i  the first one to say that?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:05, Tue 05 July 2022.

 Meari was having a great time talking with Lirg, Nugest and of course Frakas. She ate her food and kept a watchful eye on Frakas to see how he was doing; she was pretty good at med tech so she tried to make sure he wasn't hurting his injuries and helping promote healing.

 Meari then added," Frakas I know you can't run are you going to go watch or are you going to stay in Med Tech and rest up?"

"Silly wabbit," she answered Candy, while spearing some banana and strawberry slices onto her fork, "Yes, you're the first.  At least, the first aboard the Hermes to say it."

 Candy   chuckled   as her   food  came, she had  a large  sports drink...gotta get  hydrated... 3 miles with my armor and  gear...stuffed into the tunnels  with  a couple hundred peoploe  and   a Unit of largs.... doesn't get any beter then that... good thing those  tunels are  20 yards  wide..

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

 I do not think the chair  can get up the  stairs... The Largs have to  be  Pushed up..I wil wait..i will  start  running when  LT Stefi says i am able.

Madison sat leaning with and elbow on the table and her hand supporting her head. Her eyes were half closed as she picked at her food, pushing it around with her fork before eating little bits at a time. The food was helping to settle her stomach and some energy was returning but her head was still pounding and everything still ached. She was pondering how miserable she felt when someone dropped into a seat across from her asking about the eggs.

Looking up, Madison saw a woman she didn't recognize had joined her. The newcomer's posture, discerning expression, and poise gave her an air of authority. Madison was suddenly very conscious of how her own demeanor probably appeared and made an effort to sit up straight and look presentable.

"Hi." Madison smiled "Yeah the eggs are great. Though it probably doesn't look like it by the way I'm picking at them. I'm Ens. Madison Perry." She reached across to offer her hand. "I don't think you and I have met yet. Which isn't surprising since I've only been here a few days."

Before the woman answered, Candy rejoined calling the woman Doc. Even in Madison's condition, she caught the reference and concluded the woman was a doctor of some kind. The Doc was good natured about the joke and came back with the appropriate Bugs Bunny reference. The whole thing made Madison smile until Candy went on to remind her of the pending tunnel run.

"Ugh." Madison groaned. "Thanks for the reminder."

Henry enjoyed his meal, and then looked over the largs.

"Make sure you get plenty to eat, tunnel run this evening. Larry, you may run but don't push it or I'll pull you out, clear?"

 Meari smiled and replied," Yes I think this chair is too big to make it, that is good, if you wish i can come visit you after the run to tell you how it went?"

Taking an occasional mouthful of food Justin listened the others chatting.

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

 Lizzy and Izzy walked out of the lifts, Lizzy replied to Izzy, " Izzy I dont know why you hate him so much, remember if it wasnt for him I wouldnt be here. Just try and be civil with him please, and it was him taht said my fighter needed 'fixing' when it was fine so I could spend time with you." Lizzy took Izzy's hand and added as Lizzy looked for Sam and headed for a open table.

 Replying to Izzy's last comment, Lizzy said," Just open up to people and just be happy like me, you can catch a lot more bees with honey than vinegar my love. Just show you care and honestly you need to prove to people you are in this war to win it, not like Harry here for all the wrong reasons, thats why she didnt make it she wasnt committed to winning the war."

 Lizzy stopped kissed Izzy on the cheek and said," Just open up and show you care and people will have a better chance to get the know the Izzy I love. There are plenty on board who think I am an over emotional wreck who loves to flaunt her body and have sex. I dont let that bother me, you have to start showing everyone what Izzy is all about and just have a go get them attitude." 

 Lizzy spotted Sam sitting with Howe, Green Angel pilots and other pilots. Lizzy smiled then said," Ok Izzy we will work on all that ok, I see Sam do you want to get food and then go see her or go sit with her?"

 entering the Rec Dec, Stefi  approached   Shadow's   Table... As she  neared  Shadow's table,,, Shade  and Giles  hurried over to  talk with her as well.

   Stefi stopped by  the table , her arms  folded   and a hip lean..Beth loked up from taking a  fork full of salad, her eyes  darting between the  two.

 Now what?

 she   pulled out her  Vid board, Unrolled it   and tossed it on the Table..Shadow   looked..Beth  peered as she shewed.. then  covered her mouth  as she tried  not to laugh.

 Ok. Stefi..help me out here..i don't see anything wrong...

 You don't see anything  Wrong???.. Cat  COMed me from the Swallow.... she pointed that out..she was laughing... but wanted to make sure it was real.. I signed the damn thing!..  I can't say iI didn't notice!

 still not seeing anything wrong   here...

  She put a  finger nail on the screen Tapping it like  a sub machine gun. Shadow read,,

 ..for  use  as  a Dekta  Colony Guard... Delta Colony worker...or  Pleasure tech  in the fleet.....

  How!..How  did you do this...

 Shadow  furrowed his  brow.what?  You kidding me... i wouldn't touch Med tech records...well..not unless it was Delta Night..but..

 beth stood Up...hey!..Look!  Sam is here.. I'm gonna talk with her... she went off with her bowl and drink

 Shadow pushed the Vidboard  back to  Stefi....

 Then Stefi's eyes   got Big as she turned to watch  Beth scurry away, she turned to   Shadow...you told her to hack it!

 Me?  You're  losing it!.. I wanted her to take the long walk home..I was demanding that..but i was refused at every step!..the  whole , 'pleasure tech' thing was  Just what i figure she was good for..and? lets face it..the clients would have to have certain tastes.

 all the gods be damned , Shadow.. I'm gonna corner Beth when no one else is around... she'll tell me what the 9 hells happened..


  Stefi grabbed the Vidboard, and Turned to see Giles  and Shade  standing there... they Both Smiled,, Giles  went to say something and she said ,,NO!.. your insides   aren't  settled yet.. no Run today for you...

 Your  stressed, go see Arnie on the OB dec...

 The  watched her   stride   in anger  towards the   Lifts.. and sat  down  by Shadow...Shade bleeped a few times...

 no , Buddy,  I can't help Gile this time..she's  right.. Rather have  Giles  miss  one run , then miss the next jump off.

 They looked at each other, then Both looked at Shadow..Shadow put down his fork and looked at them...lets go..get it over  with....

 well?  LC?  my...my passcode  is still good  in  Med tech...... and...

Shade bleeped a  few times, pointing at   Giles  injury, and then Both sat stock still as they stared  at Shadow... only Shadow's eyes  moved , from  Giles to Shade  and back.

 so?  you got in, giving  Shade the  full run of  the Hermes Med tech files... do you know  how big of a breech that is?

 Giles Nodded...yes  sir...

shade bleeped up a storm..pointing once more to Giles.

 alright..Both of you.... he leaned forward  and pointed a finger   at each one, it seemed like the 'point' was  enough   to push them back into their seats.

 starting  5 minutes ago.... you don't tell anyone about this, who doesn't have  more  shiny things  on thier collar then me..Understood?

 two emphatic nods...

 now.. as funny as this is.. we can't go in and change crap like that , unless its  for  a Delta Night... and , Yes Shade, you are absolute  right.. there are people who are  injured and died , because we had to take the round  about way  to  clear out that wreck..by , all the gods be damned..DON'T  do it again, unless someone orders you to.

 he snorted,who knows? she   might end up a captain of her own  'Bunk and Body' ship.....Now get out of here, before i remember  i'm supposed to be an Officer....

 they stood up  Both Saluted  as they went to walk back to the 'young guns',Shadow said,and ..Guys?... good job....

 the two grinned and Hurried  off.

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

 Beth came over, didn't ask as she sat  between Foster's Wife  and Steele..

Steele  said,wow? Beth..You and Shadow have a fight, You'd  never  sit this close to me  without..

 Shut Up Steele...Stefi is on the warpath..someone added something to Lynch's  Med tech  recommendations..

 Fitz   almost choked on his beer,so? You hid here?

 I didn't  do it!...I mean..I wish i did, its funny as  the whole of the 9 hells... 'pleasure tech' was  added to her  recommendations.


 Howe , Foster  and steele  laughed   Fitz watched   Stefi storm off the Red Dec.

 Foster's  wife  asked,a Pleasure Tech..is that a...

 yes  dear...only its  an actual service rank on the Pleasure   Ships.. Gambling, drinking... finding Partners..all kinds of weird  stuff...  we had to   bring back two
 tropers   to the Mica who ..um..'overstayed' and that was before the pleasure ships
 were added to the fleet...now they have Regs, officers and SEC like every other  support vessel.

"Dr. Verault, but Alison works just fine," she said, introducing herself to the new acquaintance.

She nodded in sympathy, once Madison groaned.  "Though I do have training as a field medic, I couldn't say I'm sorry that my work keeps me nice & comfy, inside an office."     

She took a bite of the fruit, from her fork, then partially reconsidered "Although, I have to say those planets are quite the gems, from the Obs-deck.  And, the geography sounds breathtaking, from what I've heard.  That would be enough to bring me down there, as long as I could stay out of any tunnels."   

——> Officers Quarters

”I have plenty of reasons to hate him, and it’s going to take more than an hour of alone time to make up for it” Izzy replied with her voice once again going tight with barely suppressed anger making it clear that it would take a miracle for them to become friends.

With Lizzy going on to make suggestions on how to make friends Izzy would give her a dubious look that said she wasn’t convinced that what she’d suggested would work, especially seeing as she didn’t know what Izzy was about as Lizzy had put it. She wasn’t even all that sure what it was that Lizzy liked about her, because it sure as hell wasn’t her looks. It was then that Lizzy would point out Sam, who was currently deep in conversation with Howe and a couple of angels, with her asking whether she wanted to join them ”oh no, she looks to be in the middle of something I wouldn’t want to interrupt…let’s just get something to eat and then we can see about speaking to Doc Henry about visiting Can and his fish” she said, still not really feeling in the mood to be socialising.

 Lizzy nodded at Izzy and replied," Ok that is your business but just remember he is my Superior Officer and my WC. Maybe not friends but to too where you can tolerate each other, for me Izzy." Lizzy gave her a kiss and batted her eyelashes at Izzy, as she smiled and giggled, and decided to move on from the subject.

 Lizzy smiled at Izzy and replied," Om that sounds good, lets sit over here so when Sam gets up she can see us and we are close to Doc Henry and the Largs." Lizzy was all smiles when Izzy mentioned Can and the fish.

 Lizzy took a seat and ordered a huge meal something you would see a much larger person have trouble with like Zob, Lirg or Meari. Lizzy ordered, steak, eggs, bacon, salad, and fruit, and of course she asked for just a pot of black coffee and she added a glass of mixed Burian fruit juices. After she ordered she looked at Izzy and said," I am starving and need my energy for the tunnel run at 2000 hours. "

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 965):

"So, you are a doctor, or you have the title doctor but do something else? I'm confused... or maybe too hungover to follow. What exactly is your job?"

  Howe   grinned at Sam and shook his head..well? turning green  will be a good start..see how you look...
..........

  They listened to beth  try not to laugh until  Stefi went away.. When  Izzy and Lizzy came over..  Beth   smile shortened a bit.,..I gotta  go back over to see what she said...here, Guys, more room for you... and beth went off to the LC's   table , as she    brushed her  'megaphone' pin.

......  about half way , inboard across the Rec dec,  they say the edge table with Doc   and the largs and his family.

 Sam giggled, and replied to Steve," Yeah I wonder if I will look good green." Sam smiled at Beth as she left and then saw Lizzy and Izzy, they took a table close but between them ad Doc Henry and the Largs.

 Sam finished her smaller meal and said," I am going to tell Izzy and Lizzy the good news, I will see you later Steve, and definitely at the tunnel run I get too watch all of you run it is so tiring." Sam giggled again, gave Howe a kiss on the cheek and headed over to the table Izzy and Lizzy were at.

 Sam excused herself from the table nodding at her new kin, and then walking over towards Izzy and Lizzy smiling. When she got to their table she took a seat next Izzy and said," Hi Izzy how are you doing, are you feeling any better. I hope you like my news I think it is amazing."

In reply to Madison Rae Perry (msg # 968):

"I am, in fact, a doctor, just not the sort you might except to find on the ship. I'm a psychologist.  Specifically, a trauma therapist, so that explains it a little better, hey?  They're trying something new.  But, after the manner of many folk in the medical division, I'm also a commissioned officer in the ESN," she indicated her lieutenant's bar.

"Thus, I'm trained to do other things too, to support that division, as the need arises." She had another bite of her breakfast.

"If it's bad enough, I can do something for your hangover, I'm sure.   I mean, like top of the line aspirin, not trauma therapy," she smiled.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Wed 06 July 2022.

In reply to Dr. Alison Verault (msg # 971):

Madison reached over and put hand on the Doc's. "I would love top of the line aspirin. Will it help with the soreness too? It was a really rough night. Fun. But rough and I didn't get enough sleep. And I have a tunnel run in less than ten hours. Fix me up and we'll be friends for life."

Alison nodded, enthusiastically, like a co-conspirator, "Oh trust me, I've got the stuff. I'll set you up. It'll for sure help with the soreness.  And it comes in gel tabs, shaped like little largs, in bright colors." Her expression and tone were deadpan, though the latter part was almost surely in jest.

 Meari smiled at Frakas and the other assault troopers and said," I am going to try and meet a few of the new people, I will be back to bring you to Med Tech Frakas ok. " Meari smiled at Frakas and gave a warriors bow to the table. She cleaned up her mess and then headed over towards the new pilot and a new Psychologist Med Tech she could tell by her slightly different insignia, which being a pretty good field medic she had to know those things, Stefi made sure.

 Meari approached the Officers and said," Good morning, Lt., Ens I dont think I have met either of you officially yet, I am Sgt Meari Udenese Special Commando, Grandmod of Warlord Lilit and member of Hermes SEC, it is a pleasure to meet you Lt. Doc, I see you wear the Med Tech Psyche insignia it is slightly different from regular med tech." She also had a Field Medic patch on her duty uniform as well as the Udenese patch. The 6'8" solid muscle alien female then turned to Madison and said, " I see you are a pilot how did you like your first jump off? Oh, do you mind if I have a seat, I don't want you to have stiff necks looking up so far?" Meari turned to Flores and smiled, she had met her before and said," Good to see you again Lt. Flores." Meari gave her a nod of respect.

 Meari's voice seemed rather cold she showed some emotion but it wasn't natural like she has been working on trying to talk more human like. Meari was very muscular but also feminine, her long purple hair was in a ponytail, and she walked and moved liked a highly trained warrior and killer. Her eyes where a bluish green which meant she was in a very good, and her skin shifted it's colors all on it's own.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Thu 07 July 2022.

Alison had read the ship's profile on this one, and recognized her as she made her approach.

As the Angels and Demons, the Udenese were a culture she'd studied. With an eye toward understanding their psychology, and the ways in which it differed from that of human beings.  She was less versed in it than those other two, but she knew more than the gist.

"When we're both finished here, we can walk over to Med-Tech and get those, if you want to," she finished saying to Madison, meaning the aspirin.

And then greeted the new arrival: "I'm pleased to meet you, Sgt. Meari.  Of course, have a seat with us, this is no private gathering. And none of us are eager for neck issues."

She noted the eye color, and knew what it signified.  As well as recognizing the effort she was making with her vocal tones.

Madison sighed in relief. Just hearing that Alison could alleviate her misery already made her feel better. "Oh thank Goodness. I'm ready right now." She wasn't sure if the doctor was joking about the colors and shapes, but if the tabs would help, she didn't care if they tasted like Largs.

A moment later a tall Udanese woman approached, introducing herself as Meari. Madison had seen her around. At almost 7 feet tall and with color shifting skin, she was hard to miss in any room. Her tone sounded very formal, and almost devoid of any emotion. Though she tried to add some personality to her lilt it still came across as cold and mechanical. Meari took a seat across from Madison.

"Hi Meari. Nice to meet you. I've seen you around, but havent had the occasions to greet you. The Jump off. It was intense, and frightening, but it was also exhilarating. I can't say I'm eager for the next one, but I'll be there ready to go when it happens."

 Meari took a seat she bowed to them both before she sat, respect to them being officers. Meari then said in as much of a human tone as she could," Lt. Doctor you being a Psychologist maybe you could help me try and act more human, I am considered what you humans call cold as ice even for a Udenese, I have been trying to relax and be more human, but from a very early age I have been training to fight the larger stronger true Verians in hand to hand combat and I have done exceptionally well. My Grandmod Warlord Lilit assigned me to the Hermes to help me find my non-combat side so to speak. I apologize now if I say anything not correct, I have only been studying your customs for about a year now, and I find humans extremely interesting, complex and very illogical, one fellow trooper called me a female Spock I had too look up in the old archives to figure that one out." Meari tried to laugh like a human but it was pretty horrible and very mechanical sounding.

 Meari then turned to Madison and replied," Yes, it is hard to miss me even in a crowd, it is my hair that gives me away isn't it." This time instead of a human laugh she did a more natural sounding and not bad chuckle. " Yes jump offs can been intense and frightening but fear is just a state of mind, if you control and harness that fear you will have an edge over your enemy. Yes none of us wish too jump into harms way as you humans say but that is our job and calling to rid the Galaxy of the Empire and it's lackies."

 Meari seemed to relax more she didn't have all her weapons on her, others had told her she didn't have to be fully armed and armored at all times. She did have her Udenese sidearm, another 45 ESN hard ammo sidearm on the opposite side of her belt, two kukris across her back and the purple handled Udenese paired fighting knives in her specially made Udenese boot sheeves. Meari then tried to smile and it looked completely unnatural but she was trying, this was all still so new to her trying to understand humans.

 Meari got the attention of one of the waitresses and said," May I have a pitcher of beer please no glass I will use the pitcher." Meari then smiled at the officers and awaited their reaction to her and her comments watching their reactions closely to try to understand humans as best she can, they were just so emotional and illogical.  Meari slipped a 50 credit chip to the waitress as she ordered her pitcher.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Thu 07 July 2022.

With Lizzy fluttering her eyelashes at her and smiling sweetly, Izzy would give her a look that said she knew exactly what Lizzy was doing and that it was partially working as her anger abated, though it was clear that asking her and Shadow to tolerate one another was still a big ask. With a theatrical sigh Izzy would cave and offer the only thing she could safely promise ”ok how about this? I promise I won’t start anything with him…good enough?” she said before the conversation moved into safer waters.

After taking a seat Izzy would order a fruit salad with a honey and yoghurt topping that would look puny in comparison to Lizzy’s monster breakfast ”uh-huh for the run is it?” she said with an impish smile that said she wasn’t buying that particular excuse, with Sam’s arrival preventing any further teasing.

With a weary sigh and a vague hand gesture Izzy would signal that she wasn’t feeling any better but was dealing with it ”so what’s this good news then? Did you find someone cute to hook up with?” she asked with a teasing smile as Sam took a seat beside her.