”Maybe…though Angels are different I think…but does make eight years sound trivial” she replied with her deciding that she didn’t know too much about romance especially between those of different species and age groups though she supposed it had to work on some level at least.

After agreeing to another drink Andruss would point out that they still needed to get her some food so she didn’t starve with her not even having a bag of crisps to her name ”not true! What do you think I ate on transport here?” she said with a chuckle before nestling in a little closer to him ”So you like older women then? Aren’t I lucky girl” she quietly said with obvious relief now that the elephant in the room had been addressed. It was then that she would recall his comments about guys not picking up on subtle hints with her smiling as she softly whispered to him ”that is hint to say I want you to say I’m pretty then kiss me…”

  Andruss   smiled,I..I guess  i have alot  to learn? All thought all good Lookign women , knew, they were good looking?

 then he leaned in,the other part . I need  some practice with.... he  kissed her  softly  on the Lips,  his free  hand  holding hes.

Roy shrugged slightly.  "That's a good plan...I just hope that she's actually interested in concentrating on war things.  It seems like she was ready for war when it was leading to a confrontation with Adem...she got what she wanted, he's out, she's in charge, and everyone can see that he wasn't the leader he claimed to be.  But ever since she got all that, she's been fixated on denigrating Shadow and trying to keep her system out of the fighting."

He shook his head.  "It wouldn't bother me...she's only one voice, after all...but because of her reputation, people follow her example without asking why she's doing it.  And that's pretty much how we ended up at the point where we're seriously talking about invading Paradise and wiping out a significant portion of what's left of their navy...people just went along with it, because of their reputation, and didn't ask whether this new plan of the Angels' was any good, or why they were pushing it."

well?  we know , that Granmod cannot  vote on anything, as the  die  has been cast... I  for one, would  Like to   know , so I know  what my ship will be doing. OH..LOOK..

 8 ships  were Out in front.  looking a  big as a  Cigar, but   would be  , at least, half again, as look as the Hermes.. 4 ships  split up , heading towards   the section they were alotted to.. 4 other ships were  more  square, and wider, and taller.. they   stayed together  as the followed  one   Vessel that was    going to pass under the  Hermes  and  take up a spot  in the Delta 1  formation.. the  other   4 were transports

 A voice  from across the   way called out...Those  are Skith!

 the    ESN Blue on  top, and  bright  Skith  Yellow. but the Blue looked like it  dripped  down to offer thier own take of  Camo

Granmod said, The Skith  do not follow the   APF, they Follow  Admiral Hack. Angels  do not like the  Skith..this will be interesting.

A slow grin crossed Roy's face as he recognized the ships, even before the unnamed voice identified them.  It had been a long time...but the impact of the Skith had been indelible, and they stuck in his mind.  "Oh, yes...this will be interesting..."

He thought for a minute, before commenting, "In practical terms, the Skith following Admiral Hack will put them pretty much on the same course as the APF...they're following the Admiral, too, even though they like to argue about it and give the impression that they're somehow directing him.  As long as the war is in process, Admiral Hack is the de facto leader of the APF, for the simple fact that he's going to do what he thinks is best, regardless of what the APF leadership directs.  One thing we've learned, as Humans, is that politicians are terrible at fighting wars."

”Hmm…some do…others not so much, but all like hearing it especially when feeling insecure” she softly replied to Andruss as she leaned in a little closer to him, a smile playing across her lips as he spoke of needing practice ”practice all you want, I’m happy to teach” she whispered moments before he leaned in to kiss her.

Gently squeezing his hand, Tarja would fumble the glass of vodka onto the chairs armrest so she could put her arm around him and fully enjoy the moment with it quickly becoming apparent that this wasn’t her first rodeo. Needless to say she would completely miss the ships flying past the windows with her attention firmly fixed on the young man kissing her.

Eventually she would break off the kiss looking surprisingly flustered for somebody as cool and reserved as she usually was ”ok…so…we make very good start on that”

 Dusk  gave a shrug,nothing i have seen, whether from Mother's  programming, or  being   with  Father, or the Fleet. Shows  that   Anyone in the APF is  'eager' to fight.  If one was to remove the Ape Folk and the Hyrians  from  our  support, the next closest   peoples would be  the Sanri and Occui, who  fight, because   the Fleet has   aided them..all the rest have  joined because it means they are safe, and hope to profit from out Victories?  Even  Unden has  sent  forces, because  we have   'settled' the region...



Shade seems , overly aggressive towards   the Angels. I do not know  why? We were not yet hatched, when the Angels  began to  'thin' their supplies  and aid to The Fleet.

 Her COMs  beeped ...Granmod is wishing  my presence ..I think she  will  wait  another  hour?  she smiled  up  as  Roy , nestled in  as the stars  seemed to  be  gaining speed  as the fleet  moved  forward.


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

 Andruss smiles   as  he  slips and arm  around  Tarja.That was....very nice!... it  is  plain to see, i need, many more practice sessions,,,,

”oh yeah, we definitely need to work on that some more” Tarja replied with something that sounded alarmingly close to a giggle as she nestled up to Andruss and rested her head on his shoulder before then retrieving her drink.

She would watch as a group of unfamiliar looking ships manoeuvred around in front of the observation decs oversized window for several minutes as she enjoyed the feel of his arm around her ”so did you think you would be spending time with me when I catch you on hangar dec, or were you looking at other girls?” Tarja would eventually ask out of curiosity, wondering how much them currently being together was down to her catching him peeking and saying something or if he had been working up the courage to make a move himself.

 Andruss  gave a short laugh.I did not? I am a mech rider and out of the three we have, I am the  low guy?  Kira is  in charge, Morgan could be, his was  riding mechs  when  Captain Rivets  was a Master Chief...the storygoes,   the then 'LT  Hack' broke formation with  hsi wingman to say Rib=vets and his Mech riders on the Battle of Olympus Mons... the two fighters took out  most of the Demon and Largran Mechs..and Hack was shot  down, He stood and  fought with the mech riders, the rest of the  Hack's  flight  came back to clean up... Kira  has
 been  boarding ships from the inside and outside  for years...

 TThen there is me.... replacing  a string of  guys  who either Got killed, or made mechs look so bad, they wanted to can the  service.  I mean? I'm a vet? there  guys with more rank, and older, who don't have the Jump offs i have...But that's not real markable to  hot power armor  chicks!

Arnie  set  Billie up with a  Burian Storm. greens  and Purples  swirled  around int he drink.

  Arnie  grabbed a  bowl and filed it  with pretzel things, took them  down  to  Roy and Dusk, clearing his throat as he neared them.

Handing Roy the Bowl  He looked up to see the last of the Skith Transports go below them...Nice  Shore Leave?  Nice an quiet, save for that 'survival games thing... funny thing?  there are Vids  coming out of the EMS ships, making its  way through  the fleet.Seems like there were some Samri and Occui who went of the rails.. some folks  shot them up, and there were rumors  of  some  animals   knocking them off.

he Chuckled a bit  as he turned to go...Admiral Roles  said something in one of the Vids, of  'blade wounds  consistent  with trench knife, Blade Technique... there also
 was a small  Creshian Vessel One day out from Bura.it was captured..22 captives  aboard, either women or children?..seems  as though, those  Bugs were chained together  and
 hung from the back  of  a Burian BU , on its  way back to  Bura  with the Prisoners... EMS claimed the Bug Vessel...Roles said, 'it might come in handy"..

 Just catching you up on rumors.... he winked.

Roy grimaced at the observation that few in the APF were eager to fight.  "Anyone who truly understands war isn't eager to fight, unless they've got a few screws loose in the head.  And I include your father in that...sometimes I wonder about his mental state, even though he's probably the best friend I have in the world and the closest thing to family that I claim. But sometimes he's just a little too happy to make someone else suffer a gruesomely painful death..."  He shrugged, and grinned when Dusk declared that Lilit could wait for another hour.

He gave Arnie a nod, smiling in appreciation at the bowl of pretzel-things.  He managed to look duly concerned at the report about the EMS personnel being taken out on Bura, even though he knew full well what Arnie was talking about.

"Bura's a beautiful planet, but you've gotta respect it, or it will make you pay.  Hopefully, the example's set for other EMS personnel in the future to be more mindful of their activities and surroundings..." He grabbed a pretzel and tossed it whole into his mouth, chewing on it with audible crunches.

"Don't be so sure...Power armour has bad rep too so we have lots to prove, also career isn't what interests me in partner" Tarja replied with her dark eyes flickering up to briefly admire his looks before returning to the view port as she quietly sipped her vodka "but I think it is time for things to turn around for us, no?" she added deciding that the mech riders and Armoured infantry were due some good luck and perhaps the opportunity to knock those pretty flyboys off of their pedestal as the top dogs of the service.

It was extremely comfortable resting up against Andruss with his arm around her and a drink in her hand but unfortunately she had things to attend to and this wasn't getting them done "OK, you best show me to shop, so I can eat tomorrow" she would say with an obvious sigh before she finished the last of her drink and made a move to sit up.

Andruss  smiled, I agr4ee,  our units  are  alot like ...i dunno?  Bipedal  tanks? The mechs  are the  Heavy  tanls,  AI is like the Light tanks..and the troopers  we support, and who support us, are Like  Light Tanks,

 he finished his  drink, and stood,Off to the Civie section.... where you can get your  goodies... . He left his  glass on the holder, I thinhk we  can  left the glasses  for the Nivarian to clean up. Give her something to do, instead of  Bitch about  the ESN  all the time.

Andruss, Tarja Civie section..>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 Dusk snickered a bit as they sat, about 10 minutes  after Arnie  drought the bowl over , she  finished her  drink...It is time to go. Granmod  will be  quite frustrated, because she knows....i know..she must let me spend  time  with family and special  people...

  Getting up  she  picked up her Glass and the Bowl , to drop off at the  Bar.I think you should walk  me to   the  quarters....so i do not get lost?

 Roy-Dusk offcier  country>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Roy stood up, a mischievous glitter in his eye.  "Will Lilit be waiting for you there?  In that case, it would be my honor.  I mean, what kind of Security Chief would I be, leaving the flag captain of an allied force on her own in our unfamiliar craft?"  The droll tone he used was as effective as any snicker in conveying the fact that he was joking about needing to escort her, as she was definitely familiar with that section of the Hermes, if not the whole ship's layout.

But another chance to irritate Lilit was not to be passed over, especially when he could turn her own favorite harping note on Shadow--that he took his responsibilities lightly--against her by underscoring that he was doing his duty.

To Officers Quarters

”hmm perhaps…though I have always seen us as being in space between tank and infantry” Tarja replied as she got up to follow Andruss off of the observation dec, frowning at the suggestion that they leave the glasses ”don’t be mean, just because she is being the bitch doesn’t give you excuse” she said picking up the glasses and dropping them off at the bar as they went, not that it would stop her from punching her in the throat if she was dumb enough to slag them off to her face.

——> Civie section

<<<<<From the Officers' Quarters

Billie stepped onto the OB Dec as she was pulling her wet hair back into a ponytail, green eyes turned purple looking about for Arnie. Her gaze paused at the view the large windows offered, a sigh escaping her lips.

    Arnie  was  working, it wasn't  too busy.  People were  gearing down now and settling back into   work and  duty.

  being the lead  ship, the  Delta #2  ships were  on their starboard,, Delta #3  on their left. Arnie carried  some glasses back to the bar. Slavic  was  setting  mugs down by a  pair on the far staboard tables.

----->>>>> From Med Tech

 NA-CE walked onto the Observation Dec and looked around, it was nice and quaint, she went to the glass to take a look out at the black to see if she could recognize where they were and where they were going.

 Slavic  Greeted NA-CE, as she saw  Billie  sit at the   portside  bar  where Arnie stood,

 The nivarian saidI do not know,  where we are going..That  yellow-Green  dot, is Zolth..that would mean Astra  is there  some where,

That eaves  the   'moons' ahead.. and past them, the  boarders of Skith and Qarl

 NA-CE smiled at the Nivarian and then replied," Ah yeah this is my home sector we are heading towards the Blue Moon, I haven't seen home in a few years, I wonder if we are going to stop at the Moons, I wonder what the Admiral has planned, there are not to many targets past the moons."

 NA-CE then went to the bar and said," Do you have any Blue Angel drinks you can make, and may I ask how I Nivarian gets posted as a bar tender on the 'Tip' of the Spear?"

  Slavic  made a disdainful frown,I came here  after  the Last  bartender was killed  during  a Battle . a Parasite  shuttle  broke though and she was killed helping fight the  creshains and largrans.

 I am not totaly  happy here. I am one the flagship that battered my home world, and ...yes... i am not the Only Nivarian here, but the others like it. I see many of the faces  of those  I thought of as enemies. But i realize  the real enemy was the Empire.

 NA-CE also had a look of disdain and replied in he Angel cold manner," Well honestly your race has been known for great treachery, to Captain Si, and recently on Bura I heard. Yes the Empire is the Enemy not the APF. It does seem some Nivarians think differently, I dont think Nivarians can be trusted." NA-Ce was cold and showed no facial expressions.

  Slavic   frowned  harder, The  Fleet   was ready to destroy our  whole planest, for trhe   small reason of  our  connections to the Empire!, the attack on the  Board was  well Justified , because  , once we  would be APF, it would be no differant then being with the Empire.

 She snorted,So? Captain Si lost a child? how many Nivarian children  dies in the shellign of my Homewordl  The Humans  would not  even be in The Balck, had not your  people raised them much faster.. They would still be worshipping us, and  llokign to us  in other forms of Myth.. Now...now they believe that   are greater then thier lot!, Humans  are nothignmore the Tall Gava, with  weapons.

 NA-CE laughed and replied," Justifying treachery now that is a true Nivarian, you were lucky The Admiral didnt wipe out your whole race. If you think being part of the APF is the same as part of the Empire, just look at Roussa, they were attacked and where was the Empire to protect them. That is the true difference Nivarian, the APF protects it's members as the Empire uses theirs as cannon fodder. Think about that for minute, if your race embraces the APF like the Angel Moons you would be much better off. Now could I have a drink now or are you just here to defend a treacherous and deceiving race that doesnt understand change." NA-CE still had that Angel cold stare she has perfected over the last 315 years.

  Slavic picked some empties off the rail ,I will return... she walked to the starboard side of the Dec, that was  short a bartender, to get  NA-CE's drink
 several people approached her and she made drinks for them first, before  returning  abut  8 Minutes later   with a green-Blue drink with  ice  and some Bura Berries in.

 This is  one of your people's 'paradsie Plains' i had to use Bura  berries instead of the  Vista  Berries from yur  homeworld.