”You were expecting to do something different?” Tarja would reply to Andruss’ query from where she sat at Kira’s desk ”until ground landings happen we are stuck with taking ships and stopping them from taking ours” she continued with a bit of shrug, with there only being limited options for ground troops in this kind of warfare.

Stavros fully agreed.
In atmo the guns will be fine as is, but I noticed they kept on going even with holes in em the size of my head while in a vac. Thats why I wanna see what the shrapnel of frag rounds does to em in the black. If I am correct it will cause a lot less spiralling and a lot more boom!
Then he turned to find the mechanic again so he could get frag rounds.

Kira stood from her desk, "Well you best go settle any accounts you may have before we are called back into battle, i need to see how the repairs are going on my mech so will speak later" she then turned and made her way over to her mech to see how the repairs were going and to hasten along as needed.

" Yes Sir this one will change everything if we are successful, I was captured very young used for DNA experiments, then I lived in space I have never been to Earth. I know earth history and being out in space I didnt grow up in awe of the Angels. Sir I recently found out I am part Burian Green Angel, and yes Sir I didn't inherit their height but got extra helpings of Intelligence, I hope." Sam replied smiling and watching the screens and listening to the comms going in and around Paradise.

 Sam will also try and catch any secret coded signal the Angels might have.

 Orria  heard the announcement.do you think it would be  wrong,  If we asked   Doc henry and Val, if  Cookie could stay with them when we have jump off's i feel bad for him in the house  while all this is going on, and he doesn't have anyone with him

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

 Nkki   found  Benny and Mitch  swearing at the Torpedo plane.. Rivets  was there  with then and  two   techs.

 Ahh.. don't you  worry None, Mitch, Me lads  and Lassie  will get that   pin working... Bloody 2 million Cread  machine, and a 20 cred  piece of steel is making it   a paperweight.  Rivets shook his head.

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

 Shadow sent  COMs out to the Pilots...be on the hanger   dec in 3 hours  30 minutes.. I will be in my quarters. or  in the hanger Dec

after signing off, he  looked at Shade,Lets go, I'll make  us something, Red Dec is still down, save  for sandwiches... Larry looked  at  Shadow, then towards Roy  near the shuttles

 Go Ahead larry.. you  can hang with Roy or where ever...

 Roll was sitting on the  dec  by the tables, the  red dec  grills  left the  cooler up as they went to get a rest, and  get ready to bring  fresh  sandwiches  and drinks for the Jump off.

 Shadow  whistled for him as he walked  through the scattered fighters.Hey? Roll? you want to come up to my quarters  with Shade..Gregor  can come too ?..

 Disna   nodded,go along Roll.. You know the LC  will be back before Jump off and you can help us get the Largs ready.

 Gregor    went and  sat by Freddie and thumped his tail.Aright..but don't get  inta  trouble.

 Shadow headed  past the  mech section, Giving them a wave,  with  Shade  and Roll following.

Shadow to quarters>>>>>>>>>

Her heart began slowly thumping again.  She then realized she really cared about Mitch.  A real deep caring, not just a flippant flirtation.  She smacked herself in the forehead knowing what it meant.  she stood watching for a few moments, then when she got control of herself she approached Mitch, Benny, and Rivets.  "Mitch...did you break your hoop-dee?" she gave him her best crooked grin.

about then alarms and Hack came on the overhead comms with an announcement.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Fri 17 Mar 2023.

  Mitch   frowned  as he looked at  Nikki.Don't knoe  , what the  9 hells  happened,,  we got a  hit  on that #47's  trusters and  as i truned to  come back for another  fish?  some  went  there the fuselage ..   Just Missed  Benny.. and  hit the Launch trigger... damn thine is a solid   steel  pit   as long as a pencil... with out if. all we have is the slowest fighter in the bllack

  a  woman who had  Blonde hair   with  a blue  strip in it looked up..we Got this. Mitch, they're  turing  down a  dowl that  will  fit there.. and she' be as good as  new.

she thought about it "Maybe it's that white ghost from a few battles ago?" She moved closer and put a hand on his shoulder, close to his neck. a finger gently rubbed against his jawline where Rivets could not see or make a fuss about "At least you...and Benny made it back.  I am glad for that" again she smiled "Haley in taking a nap in Christie's lab.  we had a few sandwiches for lunch.  care to get something hot before returning.  I think Rivets amazing crews can handle at least some of the repairs for a bit" she glanced to Rivets as her hand returned from his shoulder "Is that alright with you sir?  I think both could use a break from sitting"

After a break for a quick rest and change Justin made his way to the hangar deck so he could assist with the preflight preparations. Joining the deck crew Justin greeted them asking what he could do.

  Rivets  Nods...Ye lands  go get rest. if  we  can't get your bird  working,  Then  you'll help  fill out the  dec  detail when folks jump off. Either way..you'll be  needin' your  rest

 Mitch  nods.... Benny  shrugs...No rec dec.. i'm goign to the OB dec. dec  somehting to drink, and nibble on there.

 Get some  rest too.

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

 Most of the pilots   had   belts  loaded... racks of them between the  flight line, and Morris's  shed   hung, waiting for reloads  if/when aircraft came back after the jump off starts

   Shadow    Crew  chief  greeted   Justin...we have almost all the fighters  ready.. we have people loading on relaods for when you guys run dry

 Vosts was  sitting near the ramp way loadign belts,  dressed rather  warmy , even to the poitn of  wearing glaoves.

"We can do that.  Nothing Alcoholic...If I'm gonna get shot at I want to be wide awake and see it coming" she smiled as they made way to the Obs Dec.  "Let me grab Haley and take her with us."
Picking up the napping Haley from Christies lab area they headed for the Observation Dec.  Once there Haley began to wake from her nap, at a table Mitch and Benny ate a hot meal and enjoyed their drink.  Nikki enjoyed a nice, iced tea with orange and honey in it.  Haley, having such a stressed day enjoyed a double chocolate milk with a vanilla ice cream scoop in it.  Nikki told Haley that soon they were going to have to go back and back out.  She talked to Capt. Morris that she was allowed in the hangar, but not onto the bridge area and flight dec without her.  But if she remained in the side area where Doc Christies area was or by the Rec Dec ladies serve their sandwiches and lift was, was okay.  If the QM or Morris, Rivets or such tells her to go with Sneak to the Black Hangar was okay.  Mitch and Benny helped some as they ate.  Benny even gave Haley a nose beep as they sat.  A few others like lizzy, Izzy were there and gave a wave.

soon their meal break was altogether too short and they need to return to complete repairs and reloads. Still, at least here they could leave soldiering and piloting elsewhere.  Standing, Nikki reached up and kissed Mitch softly. "When this is done, I think you and I need to talk." her voice soft.  Benny hoisted Haley to carry.  Both looked at Mitch and Nikki and wrankled their noses and playfully in unison went "Eeewww!" then both sort of giggled.

It did not take long for them to return to the hangar Dec.  Mitch and Benny went back to their torpedo bomber.  Nikki let the Red Dec ladies know about Haley.  If they did not mind letting Haley stay near them, Haley would help as she could.  other than that she would stay out of their way.  Then once settled again with her backpack Nikki suggested she do her homework.  For now she needed to check her Skeeter and loadings.  They would be relaunching soon.  Nikki gave Haley a strong hug and kiss before heading to the dec proper "You are such a brave and smart girl.  My little Unicorn princess" she smiled.

Thanks Chief; if there's no objections I'm grateful to help make up more belts. he states gathering a box of loose links he sits near the others and starts making up a belt.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Sat 18 Mar 2023.

”Well you heard announcement, we have three hours go rest” Tarja called to the rest of her team, or at least those that were still within the compound, as she got to her feet. She would wander over to where Andruss was working on the backup mech and ask ”so how is she looking? You all set?” in a conversational tone of voice as she ran her eyes over the mech ”…it looks like we have more downtime than expected, I was thinking I would go and relax for a bit, maybe watch film? You could join me if you like?”

Nikki could see a few small patch repairs on her ride.  Not primed or painted, but it would work. she rechecked her systems that were red lit or yellow lit to make sure they were good for the next part of this battle.  Checking ammo levels and fuel.  She had noticed Vosts but she just decided to let her do her thing over where she was.  She was still angry as Vosts and did not want to talk to her or stir a pot that did not need stirring.  Especially just before a fight.  rechecking her pod out kit and back ups.  She noticed Lucky with a crate of ammo coming down the line between Skeeters.  "Hey Lucky!  what ammo besides standard 37mm is available?" She was hoping to get something with extra punch to it.

Haley sat near a bulkhead behind the RecDec and sat and did some of her homework.  She did stop for a bit as she let Dana know she was going to the bathroom and then return.

Spartan made sure he had half his 37 ammo replaced by frag. Then he took a seat in the cockpit of the Mosquito and closed his  eyes. Getting some sleep was a smart idea, but he made this this way that he would be on time when launchtime came.
He didnt feel like socializing anyway.

   Lucky looked at Nikki...... all we have  is  AP.. HE.. and frag.. he gave a shrug..Now  much  we  can to mith  37 MM, Ma'am..

   There was a  series  of 'slams. folowed by clicks. As rivets went down the lines, checked  belts  and the   cowlings where  slammed  shut and the  latches  clicked.

"Just curious.  most everyone has the standard 37MM" she nodded. Lucky continued his route and duties.  She made notes on what might be a problem in combat.  She noticed the Hangar getting busier.  She made sure her Skeeter and she would be ready for go time.

Roy chuckled, as the announcement came starting the next countdown.  "Well, looks like we have to get you out of here soon, just to clear the space.  Let me see what I can do..."  He keyed a comm to one of the Rec Dec personnel...a couple of cases of beer should do it, plus a case of soda for those whose tastes didn't run to beer.

Larry came up as he was finishing the order, and he looked down at the beast.  "Three hours and change, and we're back in it.  You ready to go?" he asked the larg, like he was checking in with any other trooper in his command.  Hopefully, by then, his request to shift the standard boarding protocol would have been routed to the dropships via Captain Morris, and they'd get a chance to find out if the changes would have the effect he was hoping for.  Thus far, his read on the Angels had been accurate...outdated equipment, ancient battle doctrine, and lack of readiness and practice had made them fairly easy targets.  Now, it became a question of whether they had the caution to resist biting on the traps he was planning to use for them...

  Lary Thumped his  tail  as  he nudged Roy with his  snout.

 the troopers watched  with odd  looks, and a smile or two are  the   larg, isn ..'larg boarding armor. but no head gear ,acted like a  Friendly pup.

a  few Moments later  two   young  Civies    had a hover  cart  with two Crates  Of  Fuji 'Starclass' beer and a crate of   Fuji cola.

Jug and the other Gava (save for the 2 on civie bunker watch) would clean and reload their weapons as needed.  Jug and Uvuvu, who had long hair, even resecured their hair spikes.  If they were grabbed they would get a surprise, Jug had also set hers up as to hit like a cat-o-nine tails.  The rechecked their armor.  Bog went to the QM to get 4 extra frag grenades and 2 flash-bangs as well.  He gave 2 of the frags to Liig.  They sat and stood near an empty crate that was close to their ride.  Jug recounted a few words of advice and listened to their fears as well.  In her mind Jug thought she failed her last mission, she did not want to fail this one.  she rechecked her coms and the others.  Then she mentioned before boarding to stretch for the fight.

Once Rivets passed through the lines undertaking his all too familiar pre-launch process. Justin finished making up the belt he was working on, handing it to a PO, he gave them a friendly smile then headed off to clean up and change for the next pre-launch brief.

Mila lay with her nose on her crossed forepaws watching Her Human tend to the largs, making sure all were fed, watered, had the opportunity for a comfort break, and rested; then sat with His mate and Can (when he was around) talking quietly.

 Andruss looked at the  backup mech and sighed.. Morgan chuckled.Look...kid?  Go. I'll try to get your mech ready...

Andruss shook his head   , the decision was wearing on him...No?   This  is goign to be  my ride , until Creeper is  ready. I can't  passed this off . because  i want to do something esle.

 There was a bit of respect  in the  cocked   head  and smile of   Morgan.Spoken Like a Rider.., you need  help.let me know i;m  stick a  new control wire in  my mini gun arm

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

  the lift doors  Opened  it was  40 minutes before the pilots   were  supposed to report. Roll, Shade  and Shadow stepped off , walking  down the ramp way  to the flight  lines. There was about an hour  left before the Count down  Clock  buzzed.

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

 Admiral Hack and captain Si  were a minute or so behind the LC

After going and getting some rest, Madison came back to the Hangar Dec and did her usual inspection of her fighter. As far as she knew there was no damaged from the last jump off, but it was better to double check everything and make sure her ammo was topped off.

Roy noticed the grins, but decided to ignore them, for the time being.  "Good.  The others all in good shape?  You probably carried the day for us, especially with that midsection boarding team, and we'd have had more than just Vaka medevac'd without you and Freddie.  You let me know if anyone's hurting, okay?  I've got enough trouble with the troopers who CAN speak up and choose not to, I'm counting on you to keep me aware if any of the largs can't perform, okay?"

All spoken with the same intonation and frankness as if he'd been addressing a junior non-com of any of the other APF species, and his tone made it clear that he knew he was being understood by the larg.  The dropship troopers could chuckle and nudge each other, but he knew enough to have long since ceased treating Larry like some kind of pet.

As he finished addressing the larg, a delivery arrived...two cases of beer and a case of assorted sodas, and he turned back to the sergeant.  "Pass these on to your men, Sergeant, with my compliments on a job well done."