The sun felt warm and soothing on Madison's skin. As her muscles relaxed, all her recent anxieties played briefly in her head, then faded. Steele's walking in on her in the shower room. Having to take several passes to land. The entire ride back from the fight. The random encounter with the enemy craft. The really violent reaction from her skeeter when she was hit by the anti-aircraft guns -  that was a big one. And then, the fray itself. It all just evaporated, drifting away like steam off the surface of a tranquil lake. The calm melted into her and she felt herself drifting way until the voices called her back.

At the sound of Frans and Shadow's conversation, Madison opened her eyes and propped herself up on her elbows to see what was going on. It started with the light -  but not at all subtle - flirting. Madison was used to flirting between two people, but this wasn't that. Both here and when they were laying out earlier, it was between Shadow and the group. Whatever each lady said for herself felt like it was taken to be from all of them, and whatever Shadow said back sounded like it was directed to everyone. Whether that was true or not, that's the way it felt. Examining her own feelings on the matter, Madison was never once indignant or ever felt the need to make a disclaimer, or even to cover up.

Once past the flirting, they went on to business. From the sound of it, one fighter was having a hard time. Madison never met Vosts. She wondered whether she was new or if she was just war weary and coming apart at the seams. One thing was clear, Shadow was of a mind to use her until there was nothing left; even in spite of the real risks brought up by Frans. Madison had a hard time reconciling that against the rationale judgement Shadow used to send Madison back to base. With an escort, no less. Was a damaged fighter any worse than a damaged pilot? Maybe he just expected Vosts to suck it up, or maybe it was like he said. They really needed every pilot. Madison was relieved to hear Shadow eventually leave it to Frans.

The conversation ended with the flirting. It was going to be a consistent thing, Madison concluded. A cycle of fighting and playing, like a pride of lions. Letting the lesson churn, she laid back and closed her eyes.

Taking the collection of journals, Izzy would flick through the pages of the first one in order to gauge exactly how much was written inside before looking up at Cora "you know this is going to take me ages right?" she said without a hint of complaint in her voice, with her simply pointing out that they shouldn't expect anything back from her anytime soon, especially without any form of guidance of what she was looking for.

With the stack of journals in her arms she would find somewhere relatively well lit to sit down before removing her headgear and beginning to read, with her vidboard sat beside her so she could take note of anything she found "Is there anything in particular I'm looking for or just general intel?" she asked just in case Zob or the SM had asked for anything in particular.

Nikki walked with Vosts and Lizzy into the mess and began grabbing some chow.  "Want to eat outside in some sunshine?  does a body good" she asked.  "We can talk about getting into and out of tight spaces?" she suggested.

I trust my attempted accent wasn't too off the mark. Justin prompted.

  Shade  Bleeped  Loudly    after the  Mechs   took a few more slams at the door. He  Bleeped  and   whirls.. he  made a sign  with  two fingers on each hand   sliding together.. then   pointes   at the  center,  that was  dented  and Bowed,, but  creased..

 walking  over to the left side  of the  door, he  made a motion with his hands  as Flat.. and  spaced the  wide  apart.. then tapped the   ended of the doors  again.

Zob shouted to hold when Shade went off on his whirling and beeping and pointing at the door, although he didn't understand what he was saying he took a guess worse case he would call Orria to translate, "You want us to pull the door open from the left and right side?" he asked Shade.

Kira held off on pounding the door as she listened in on what they had to say, "It's worth a shot Morgan ill get the right hand side you can get the left" she then moved into place put her hands on the door and when Morgan was ready would pull with all the servos would allow so the doors could try and come together.

  Waggles  laughed as he stood...You sould like the LC, trying to talk like  Hemsly

 I'm gonna rest a bit.. see you when the Balloon goes up...

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

 Shadow was  almost asleep  when Steele   put a  Hand on his   chest to wake Him Up, Shadow'sarm    Grabbed his  throat, the other hand , had a  throwing  dagger Inches   away from his throat..

 God's be damned Steele..you want to die! Shadow relaxed,  Steele's eyes were wide..

 where the  9 hells  did you learn that!

 New York.. Now?  what the hell is so important, that you had to almost die to tell me..

 ..I don't  think the LAdies like me...

 Shadow Blinked....

 No?  I mean..no matter what I do...

 Jeez  Steele... you walk in on two of  your flight mates, take a shower..you waggle  your wienie at them, and you can't  understand ..what?.. why they didn't have a bitch fight over  who gets first?

 when you say it like that? It sounds  Stupid...

 IT IS STUPID!!!..Look? you're  not hitting on one ladie..you're  hitting on them all, what the 9 hells  do you think is going to happen?..Just?  Act like a Normal guy for a change..

 what a bout you?   You  do all kinds of  stuff  with them..  The throwing  dagger vanished in a slight of hand,  Steele's  eyebrows  furrowed as  he wonder where it went..

 and there you have your answer.., My rock headed friend... I do things ..WITH... then, , not..TO..them..if i would have  done   what you did, I have to believe the   reactions would have  been the same...

 ..No it  wouldn't, they like you...

 yeah? your right, I was   just trying to make you feel better

Steele  frowned and Got back up.. rubbing his throat...

 Just relax..right?  don't do any more stupid stuff..wait until next shore leave and spread yourself  around then..

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

  Frans   , Flores and Maddy laid out... Frans said  quietly...Eckles wants to  know  if you , Beth  and Shadow, do a three  way...You Know, at the Condo?
 Flores   starts  to laugh..Frans  giggles... as her head rolled to  look at her.

 Lots of times, one of us    found some fresh game on the beach or  at the  ball.... Sometime  one of us gets  Lucky..or he does? take your pick.... buts  its more just the sleeping..right?.. you got this guy who is larger then life..right here..There are Flag officers  that want him..but there  he  is..  and , most of the time?  all we do is sleep... i mean?...we aren't wearing  much, if anything, but that helps the who'playboy front' Shadow has to keep up.. You said yourself? Eckles  wonders?.. Lots of folks  wonder..Guys, Girls..maybe  even largs? but its  damn nice  to settle into  bed with someone and just feel....comfortable..

 Shade   Gave a Thumb  up  and   backed  away.  Margon      Pounded on the  Door    right next  to where it  came out... The Door Bucked  a  Bit, and the  end  that slid into  the   wall was  starting to show.

Zob gave a thumbs up back to Shade, "Make it so mechs" he then stepped back as he let the two work on getting the door open he took a moment to com Jax back at the check point, "I need a status report Jax hows the situation back at the checkpoint?" They made quite a bit of noise so far and they haven't run into any opposition at all and that didn't sit right with him where was the enemy hiding.

In reply to pilots (msg # 12):

"I still don't get it." Madison sat up, adjusting her bra strap that had fallen down her arm. "Okay, maybe I get some of it. Shadow's a specimen. He's good looking, he's strong, he's in charge... That all makes him very desirable. But everyone talks about him like he's the only guy here. It's like Shadow worship. There are literally hundreds of other guys all around." She waves at all the people in view going about their business. "A few of them have to be worthy of some giggle talk too. Come on. Who else is interesting here?"

  Flores   just smiles  her  eyes  closed  facing the sun.Maybe it is?.. You know the whole..BMOC  thing...   his not the  'white  knight'..heck , he's closer to a Black night, if you were work with him, he's a ruthless  as  any demon you'll meet?..but..he's on our side.. Lady V escaped assassinations by us, Three progged attack... two were successful.. one, not so much.. There are tales   what Shadow , Hemsley and  Hunter  did on thier   leg of the Mission... But?.. he's on ourside....now? the 'personal; side' Yeah... we like that too.

Frans added,Other  Guys?   Foster is the 'married version' of Shadow... so he's a great guy, but boy would  you take  flack if you made a run at him...he and his   new wife, went through some crap..so....

 almost any of the Pilots are good  guys,  You'll see   them coming out of   someone's quarters  now and then, or someone entering his? Almost all of them know the rules, on how to treat the Ladies  SEC Troopers? some of them have  a Lady...others...the Vets? They  know the rules too

 Flores  holds  a hand up  from its  position on the ground,Machins  is a 'smarter'  Steele. He knew  Shadow , back in the day...got  put up against the walk for 'harassing '  waitresses. He knows the score now..and? he's a Captain..so? More creds to  spend on shore leave.

 Frans   giggled,The whole thing  in a nut shell..the worst thing that Happened to Shadow , was being  made WC.....he takes his responsibilities   wayyyyy too seriously, But that's good for us.. Its like having a Big Brother  , you can go to bed with...

 a Giggle from Flores,Let's say Step Brother...brother would be weird..

  they used to talk about Aircraft carriers, being floating Cities.. Cap ships  are  Like small countries...  we have all kinds of   people here, even aliens  if you want to give that a try... we have   folks  who are  just trying to get through  the 'next day'.. we have folks  who are burning the candle at both  ends?  You need something? Its probably out there,,,

Giving Waggles a wave Justin headed back to the servery for another three course meal. Weaving his way back to the table and started on the course. From.his seat near the window he heard female laugher, prompting him to glance outside.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Thu 02 June 2022.

Henry was busy taking samples, but did his best to keep up with the others and not get left behind.

In reply to ladies (msg # 16):

It was probably just the vernacular but 'The Rules' came up again. "So what are these rules? I mean aside from the usual rules of human civilization. Is there really a need to put down rules on how to treat a lady? Or is it something else I'm failing to follow?"

She considered the description of the Cap ships. "See I think that's really cool. It's a ship but it's so big that you can get lost in it. Maybe I'll just walk around and see what's here. You know like an adventure. Maybe put on plain clothes so people don't assume too much."

  Flores    smiles  again  with out opening her  eyes,not  much to see..right?   barracks, Officer  country.. The OB  is  nice.... Civie section and the fam, I never been down to the Farm, Rutledge takes  the kids she takes  care of there.. they are  'country folk'... You got the mezzanine  above the football field, that's all  Civie shops  except for  The officer's  Club..The Pulse is the night club

 Frans adds  with a bit of a tinge in her voice... Shadow, and Roles.. You'll see Roles  around when it comes time  for  a major Jump off.... anyway... they were like Vigilantes in new York.. and  i mean in every way you could think of...That's  why Hack   brought them into the Academy...it was not because of what they could become, it was because of what they are,,,, Beth too... she may look little and sweet, but she'd  cut you off  at the Ankles if she though you were  hurting someone..and she can do it in more ways then the boys..

 Shadow only knew HAck and  Captain Si.. they were both LTs  then..but  The Hermes would be his.. he spent time  , overseeing the building, and   going  to the academy...so? imagine  Shadow's surprise when he  found  out, there weren't many officers who were gentlemen.. He could have  just shrugged  and went  along?.. Me and my crew did..but we had money....

 Ladies  were wronged..bodies  started to drop..'accidents'  happened..and Shadow  had to set a record  for going  to the mast. He should have  been shit canned   along with Roles  100 times..but...he had   Hack and Si in his  corner, and you don't  make the eldest daughter of Ge-Fi angry.

 so?  Shadow  and  his 'teachings; can't be everywhere... EVERYTIME..we get a new batch of  people in, there are a always a few dumbasses mixed in..they learn  quick or they get transferred...if they are lucky, they don't have to walk to the next ship

 Flores  sighs,it will happen?  always does... we'll be at the beach and some   Dropship troopers  who want them some fine CAp ship Ladies.... or  Just want to measure dicks, will do something  stupid..people get beat up.. Largs eat some, never stops the party..

Frans Giggles...Had to be a few dozen brown coats  died  as they thought they would  cut  down the SM  and LC, and get a Big Payday..... Rumor has it  one of those  Stem Kid SEC troopers  dropped some from Shadow's  Balcony....

 Flores grins...Nifty!... he's the mellow  side of Steele.. he likes ladies  wayyyyy too much  for  being around  18? give or take a year..but he grew up in the Stem, so his life lessons  make him about 30!...anyway? he's not  shy about   hitting on  Ladies..but he's not a creeper.. He keeps flirting with Lyri... I think Lyri  just wants to lock him in his quarters until jump offs... Kids  a damn good  sniper. According to Beth, he met   the SM on Olympus  when  we were there.. his job was to sit  on some of the  ruined brownstones  and Pick off  enemy Gangers  for  Gresh..her's a good Kid though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:58, Wed 01 June 2022.

While listening, Madison propped on her elbows and just watched the people around the compound moving about from one place to another. Some doing their jobs, while others were just just taking some down time before the next thing came. Every one of them trying to live their best lives in a rush because it could all just end at any moment. She didn't love that her thoughts were so gloomy. She wondered if they were really gloomy in the first place. Laying near naked on a hostile world, amid savage enemies and equally intense allies was her reality. The specter of death loomed. Was it morose to recognize that?

"I'm way too young to be thinking about dying." She put spoken words to her thoughts, but mostly to herself. "I know it can happen at any time, but it just feels so weird. If a big ole bomb fell on us right now, I just think about all the stuff I haven't done yet, and wouldn't get a chance to do. War sucks."

"So, how old are you guys? Is there anything you regret not having done yet? Nothing comes to mind when I ask that of myself, but if I get specific, like, Madison, do you regret not competing in the rodeo riding competition? I do wish that I had."

She looked over at Candy and Carole. "Am I being ridiculous?"

   Frans  says I'm closing in on 27 'earth years'..Angel food makes that  almost  worthless as  a age, except towards your pension!

 I bailed a year  early, Shadow's   around 27 , I'm 26...I think beth is 25..but  we will look  like this when we're 100, if  they are right about  Angel food.

  I got to do everything i wanted... i had  money... i had pull... but i wish i wouldn't have been such a Bitch  to the LC when we got here... I don't know why he didn't 'friendly fire' me.

 I wish i would have went to  the EMS  and Flown for Roles, instead of the EVOLs..that was a waste of creds and time.

Madison let out a rare laugh. "Forever young? I definitely want in on that. Might as well die pretty. I'm 22. High school, College, Academy, War. I may regret not slowing down one day, but not yet." She thought about that some more. "I guess there's no real point in regretting anything. We make choices and get the experiences we asked for. Maybe one day I can go back and do the things I didn't choose the first time. Maybe I won't care later either."

"What I see now is that there are so many new and weird things I want to experience. Other worlds, alien cultures.... so much wonder out there..."

Frans   smiled a bit,high school 18... Academy 22... five years out here 27... no Angel food?  I bet i would look like i was 60!

 I had  1 less  year of Academy... Captain Morris  credited   me with 1 year  since i was flying   for the EVOLs... so?  My  pension will reflect that of an academy grad.

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

 Hack was   with  Larry. Maria  had  wondered over to  , climbed up   the Lookout post.can you see  anything of  our Amigos , Admiral?

 Hack frowned  as he lowered his Bino, then looked to MAria..No one is running to shuttles.. Drop ship troopers  are  combing the other  Holes and setting boobie traps on the top holes....most of the shooting is  coming from below... I do see Vassar walking around up there., SM didn't let her in  yet.

 she is no good..Si? She is.sanguijuela.

 I would  have to agreed, Mia  Amiga...

 Larry snorted.

  The mechs   Banged  on the   doors , as close to the edges  are they were able,  and  were now  Gripping the   metal, and   pulling on Kicking   to  break it  further from the seam they rested in.

 Jax  here... all Intersections have  three  of is  facing   left , right and forward..nothing happening yet

Zob commed back, "If you spot anything let us know asap" he then turned his attention back to the door and frowned slightly it was taking way longer then it should to get through the door and he felt like a sitting duck... whatever was on the other side wanted to be sure they weren't gonna get in easily but if they didn't get through very quick here he was just gonna C10 the rest of it open.

Justin gave a shrug finished his meal then headed over to the flight line to chat with the Techs.

After a bit of waiting and making very little headway Zob had enough they needed to get inside right now, "Mech's hold... Demo techs front and center get C10 on that door we been sitting here long enough" he then approached the door and added his 3 3/4 lbs of C-10 to the door on the already weakened parts of the door fixing it all in place to blow with the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Wed 01 June 2022.

In reply to Admiral Hack (msg # 24):

"So tell me about the Angel food. Is that standard in all the meals or is it something you have to consume separately? And where do I get some?" She grinned.