In the Shuttles

The Spade:

 Larry Looked up at the speakers   and began thumping his  tail..Rigg looked  like he was sleeping.

 The Younger   troopers, the two stem guys, Giles and Jumping  Lion were grinning  as  they checked thier  weapons

 Maygin worked  with her OminCOm  while  Karsons mad  some  'cricket Balls'.

 Moss  looked on   and shook her  head.  Oscar seemed  relaxed.. Zia  and Tenya looked nervous.

The Burians   were smiling, their teeth 'whiter' agains their green skin, no matter what race they may have been, they were Burians now. Three transfers  were more then a little nervous. Supe had his  arms   crossed  as he   seemed to be sleeping. Hodden checked out her head   gear, bobbing her head to the  music.. Tucker  sat near The Largs.

 Shade  and Cora  were standing,  dancing, Cora;s  hair   flippign back and  forth, Shade's  eyes were green..Will sat and smiled as he watched

 Ffokes  was  poainting his   pace with greens and Browns... as he sat near   HArry.

 Krason said...hey?  You know  they can't see that when your  head gear is on?..

 Ffokes  looked  around as  Supe   Chuckled, Hodden looked up and  shook her  head with a smile

 Kira  rode on the outside.

 Freddie  and  Hool  were  sitting , looking around    they titled their heads at the Music Disna    leaned against the Hull  near them.

  Lyri sat next to LT  Hirr..  the  Cats were   flickign tails  nervously, but  didn't look to unsettled.

  The Gava  were    sitting around the   port side  near the   ramp

 Ms  Vassaer,   was checking her  Rifle.. she was  taping her  foot...

  Hey?  Vassar?  You been around that weapon long?

 Vasser said I have a  whole wall of trophies   in my home...I wanted to be a sniper..My father  wanted  me to be Rich..he won... she smiled   sweetly   at  Lyri, causing  the   fur    that one  could see on Ly Hirr's   face to raise.

 ..Good choice?  But  I bet he wish he  had a few more snipers  and less creds  right now...

 Fred  broke in...what's with the Muisc...

 You ever  run of  of a Tunnel  with the Music and  the fans?..... Nothing like it..no where...

Aideen smiles,I rather Like it....

 Lirg  sat there  with his sniper  rifle, Nugest  was  smilign as he loked  around, getting excited with the shaking of the shuttle and the Music

Morgan was on the Outside.

  Puskie  sat  with  Tess and GLa.. he   petted them   both, but they didn't look  to worked up.

 Shoey   sat near the   cockpit  he was grinning his gum chewing grin.  The Angels  seemed relaxed as well a few of them sang along, others  attended thier weapons

 Stee and Nok  sat  near  Mila and Henry

 Robbins taked  with LT  Cross about deployment , once the ramp went  down

 Luke   and Bety   bobbed thier heads to the Music. Vaka sat  by Meari... frakas  was checking his  'extra' weapons he would use  with this  4  arms. The two Nivarians  rifle men , Wuke and  Hunrr sat near  TI-JO

Andre was  on the outside.

 brooks  and hemsly  were sitting on the  dec, rolling 'cricket balls:  and  making 'biskets"

 McCloud  studied the Photo that  Stoly had  shown before the  mounted up.

Arching to Port as directed the 25's canopy lit up by the atmospheric friction. Relying on sensors to indicate direction and positioning while the Squadron dove towards the pending target. Surprise he thought to himself; grinning at the image of an sensor tech watching their scree the instant the Fleets dots appeared on it.

 as the fighters   dove, Shadow  would make  corrections on their descent ..  keeping the  LZ  and their Mountain straight in their Paths.

  LC Shadow  of the   ESN 352 Hermes to Hole Diggers....  Give us  some sign...  Red  smokeif you are in active  contact... Blue  smoke if   its  clear to land...

 Right, we  heard  y0ur Bloody catawalling ..didn't even need the bleedin' COms.....Its  clear  for now... there  was  some  fire  fights  going up north a  bit

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

Waggles  COMs    Justin...I'll wing with you..you wanna  take lead? its  been a while for you, out here.

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

  Roy got a COM  text  from  Roles through Beth...Roy...as soon as you land,  get in touch with SGT  Arthur  Church/...let me   talk to him, when you snag him..

In reply to Justin Kase (msg # 6):

Justin grinned Roger that 93  will do. Thanks for your consideration. I'll try not to mess up too badly. punching through the atmosphere the fighters reached their respective controlled entry & descent vectors and deployed as directed.

Madison listened to the ground report. They said it was clear, how could that be?

"Sorry to pipe in, LC, but this feels wrong. They could take their time picking at the bones of a downed ship, but killing a large scale rescue and salvage op would be a big win. They have to know we're coming." Using both instruments and her own eyes she scanned the area, especially around any terrain features that could hide a ready fighter wing. "I have to say, LC, this feels like an ambush."

"Copy that, Admiral...Sgt. Church.  We'll find him."

He glanced around, snorting softly at Shade and Cora dancing but otherwise showing no sign that any of this was, in any way, out of the ordinary.  "Something eating at you, Moss?" he asked.  Inwardly, he was amused at the look she had...this was obviously not what she'd been expecting.  Frankly, he didn't care what her expectations were...

In their shuttle the gava checked and rechecked their weapons.  They understood they would be out first, they had to keep the others safe to get out as well.  Uvuvu and Liig to window watch to call any opponents they spotted before ramp opened.

  SHadow answered Maddy.There are two things we know...There are bad Guys down there, and there arch-techs  down there.... if there's  an ambush, we'll find out, even if  we have to hit the hive with a stick,,,,

 frans   added,Not sure  if you are up to day  on 'Morrow  Buoys'. Beth developed  Bouy's  we seed   through the black as we go... they  hide  are SIGs  from any think but ESN scanners. Our transponders are of the same Ilk... They  can look up in the sky  and see  us when we get close enough...but no damn Arch-techs have  that kind of  device

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

  Moss   just frowned and sat back.I was hoping , what's left of my people  would have   linked up with the mercs...

 Giles shook his head,I never  wanted to be a Merc.... I mean, there are nice Mercs Like  Admiral Roles..even  that LT  Raven  seems ok?...but those other  guys?..

 be  quiet kid, those  Mercs have to  do things on a shore string..

 Giles shurgs,they wouldn't need that shoestring, if they were ESN regulars..

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

 Over  all COMs  Shadow said,damn big planet...... we don't have the screams  all the other  fighters  used to make, so , if  anyone looks up... if they see us..its  too late.

 Foster  chimed in,is that why you took us  a bit east..to come in out of the sun?

 very old   Trick Foster.... anyone, wantign to kill ESN types?  they can look east and  west and see   streak   burning through the Atmo.... they look up...all they see is the sun..

 Steele  asked,Did   Hack  have that figured out? to  come down at  Mid day?

 what do you think, Steele...now? everyone, check your screens from time to time,  nobody  down there can pick us  up...BUT...we can pick  everyone  up Red  means  Empire types.. Blue  or green is our  guys..Yelow  is the dumbasses we have to rescue.... be smart...

Roy grunted.  "Having to do things on a shoestring isn't license to be a dickhead," he added in, with a hint of a grin in Giles' direction.  He focused on Moss, and continued, "When I have confidence that being with the mercs won't get you killed, I'll let you run together.  Right now, all we have is their word that they're any good...and based on how they flailed through the tunnel run, I'm not inclined to trust their word on the matter.  I'd rather have you come back to the Hermes, alive and pissed off, than have you die happy about the company you were in."

He shifted slightly, his eyes never leaving Moss'.  "My job is to accomplish the mission and bring back as many of you alive as I can.  Whether or not you like how I do that is entirely secondary."

He glanced over at Zia and Tenya.  "Take a deep breath.  Odds are good nobody's gonna be shooting at us for a while after we hit the ground.  Get yourself too wound up, your muscles get tight...slows down your reaction time."  He gave a nod in the direction of Shade and Cora, adding, "That's why those lunatics are dancing right now...keeps 'em relaxed and moving freely.  It can be a bad thing to sit and stew in your own thoughts too much."  He looked at Zia.

"Tell me about your combat experience, Private.  What have you done, where have you been...if any of it's classified, just give some vague hints and leave it at that."  He had clearance to look any of it up, if he wanted to...but not everyone on the shuttle did.

---->Hangar Dec

Sat with her eyes closed and her shotgun safely pointing at the ceiling, it would appear that Harry was asleep right up until the derisive snort at the mention of the Mercs "They're not doing it right if they're on a shoestring...the private sector is where the real money is you just need loose enough morals to work in it, not to mention genuine talent...trust me the SM is right, those guys aren't any good else they wouldn't be working with us for pennies" she quietly said, her eyes never once opening throughout.

Wishing he had three hands, Henry stroked Mila, Stee, and Nok.

  Tucker  Looked at Ffokes as the grenadier shook hos head. Then he said to  Harry,what makes you think they are working for Pennies.


Supe  , still having his eyes closed  and leaning back says,..theymight not  be 'doing it right"...But i bet none them used to be a pilot...you know...if you wanna take that tact...

  Cora  sat down , smiling  trying to catch her breath. will gave her a  one armed  Hug.

 Shade  gave her  a thumbs up,  then sat on the  Dec  By Larry and Rigg.

 Moss    just gave a frustrated  sigh,

Zia  gave her head a shake,Only the Jump Offs  with The  Hermes. Otherwise , Just Hanger Dec  duty, most times only one or two shuttles  hit us? they seemed after the  Hermes, Athena and Achilies ..we haven't did  any running since boot  Camp, Frost said...

 shut up..doesn't matter  what Frost said...he's  dead.

”They’ve got no chrome, no gadgets, they’re using pretty standard gear and they’re having to bum a ride from us rather than having a shiny new shuttle of their own, doesn’t exactly scream we’re getting paid fat stacks now does it?” Harry explained as she listed off her points with her fingers with her eyes still firmly closed. Almost like she was relaxing in the back of a bus on the way to the beach rather than an assault shuttle on its way to a hot zone.

Upon hearing Shoey’s comment she would crack open a single icy blue eye and give him a look that looked like it would burn its way through his skull ”I didn’t stop being a pilot because I was bad at it, check the board I still have more kills than most on there and more importantly I’m still alive…bad pilots don’t live long, especially on the tip of the spear” Harry calmly replied as she lazily closed her eye and went back to seemingly dozing.

 Supe  chuckled,..The LC granted  you transfer, for a reason...Kills look good, and that's a fact. But how you got those  kills, leaving folks  behind?.. You didn't have the stuff? I mean who goes through the motions  to kill themself... twice...  But...that   fly boy liked it...easy kill for him to chalk  up before he stole a fighter and ran..

  You're with Troopers now? We know the score. and depending on how   quick you  get the idea, will say how many more Jump offs you get to see,

 Hodden shook her head with a  brief  snort. It was plain to see, glaring at Troopers   doesn't  effect them much

   The Largs   and Mila  seemed to  enjoy the  attention from Henry. Robbins  says to  Henry,... when we get  to the LZ,,,, we'll see how  secure it is? Then we'll see  what  the SM says  about going into the tress to get specimens ...if  there is a shooting  war starting up, then  you'll have to wait  until we kill all the bad  guys.

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

  Sonny   waved to the Gava, as he looked to Lyri...so , what to they   do? Stab people in the Angles.... why are they assalt troops.

  Listen, dumbass.... I asked the same question on why you  people  were  goign down.... If you live through this, check the   Battles Logs.... Most Gava  go to war with  one or two Naragrans with them...  We can't have Naragrans on our ship, it would be too much like putting them in prison, there are  only a couple places they  could go.  There are two Transport Bases , dedicated  to Gava/Naragrans...


  She jerks her head to   LT Hirr... The Admiral  and SM  thought it would be god  fore them to team up with Felrites, since they are both ...fast , agile , and  aggressive....having said  all this. I'll be very impressed if one of you make it back to the Hermes.

"Put a lid on it, Supe.  We've got better things to focus on than trying to piss each other off, or analyze the mercs.  Shoestring or not, they were hired to do something that Vasser didn't want to discuss with the Fleet, even though she felt that it was crucial that the Fleet undertake the rescue.  Doesn't matter what they're getting paid for it..."

He focused on Zia again.  "This is not going to be like Hangar defense.  If there are bad guys down there, they aren't going to be coming at us from one easily-identified chokepoint.  You're not going to be able to dig in and sit tight.  Your two best defenses down here are accurate firepower, and mobility.  Make them dead before they make you dead, and move to attack them from where they aren't expecting you, or to set them up for someone else to blindside."  His eyes flicked over to Moss as he added, "This is why troopers who participate in the tunnel runs tend to get assigned to the shuttle teams...and why there are sometimes even more troopers, running as volunteers, than pilots running under orders.  This is why Frost washed out."

That was technically true.  Frost had already bombed any fitness considerations, before they found out about his Vicrock connections.  So, he'd washed out, before getting tossed out...

"Listen to the veterans, and do what they tell you, when they tell you.  We shouldn't be doing much sustained running, but when it's time to move, you've gotta move.  Do your best to keep a level head...your marksmanship is better if you can keep your jitters under control.  Force yourself to take long, slow breaths...sounds weird, I know, but if you keep your breathing calm, it helps keep the rest of you calm."  This was all stuff that any decent CO should have told his troops, going into action...but seeing as their CO had been Frost, Roy had no illusions about the quality of their preparations.

In reply to diving (msg # 12):

Justin had been checking his screens for possible threat so far nothing showed to identify as such.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:10, Thu 31 Mar 2022.

In reply to diving (msg # 12):

Madison still checking and scanning for enemies

---->>>> from Hanger Dec

 Lizzy flew out and took position over the Hermes with Nikki and the rest of E flight. Once the Shuttles came out Lizzy smiled and moved into position to flank the Meadowlark with Nikki. " Hey Meadowlark fancy seeing you out here, this is Phoenix Nikki and I will be covering you again and with more help this time. lets get our troops on the ground safely shall we."

 Meari smiled at Vaka when he sat next to her and she said," Hello Vaka good to see you, how are you doing?" Meari also saw Frakas and smiled at him, he seemed to have made a full recovery and she was very happy.

 Vaka  Looked up...I am Fine.. I am hoping   we meet, at least a little bit of Lizards..I need to kill more..I do not like them.

 Frakas  Laughs,They may be  saying the same thing about us..... Like , or dislike. Right, or wrong.... we have to  kill them... it is simple...I like  simple

 Vinnie Esposito looked at TI-JO...so? I know   why the Iron Giard  are on the Hermes... why didn't you transfer to an Angel vessel?

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

 On the Diamond. Lyri says to Vassar.. , when we hit the dirt, you'er staying close to me, You  Cred Gunners can move  along with the others..but you aren't Going  in that  wreck unless the  SM  says so..

 WHAT!...Don't be a fool!.. i have to go in to tell people what to take out...

 Lyri stands  and , holding onto the  roof.. as she hisses through her  teeth...There are  4 people you don't  fuck with on an Op...The SM...The LC...Shoey..or me.....

 Vassar  narrowed  her  eyes.

 Nugest  said...I can break Lady's  leg a  tiny bit, so she cannot move>

 Lyri smiled a bit, I'll keep that in Mind, Nugest....

 Nugest smiled, he was helpful!

 Meari smiled at Vaka and Frakas and replied, " I don't like any Empire scum, let's kill them all shall we. Yes kill them before they kill you very simple and yes Frakas simple is very good. Well Vaka I heard there were Lizards reported near here so hopefully we all get to kill Lizards."
 Meari noticed the new Angel trooper talking to one of the Iron Guard. Meari was very happy they made it through the LC's tests, she had great respect and admiration for the Iron Guard. Meari would try to get eye contact with Lt. Cross, and when she did she would smile and nod and then she gave him a lets go kick ass look.