Roll and  Larry went over to Haley we are going in the  second   Car... I am looking for Mila too?

  Flores moved over to  Shadow's   Limo.. Beth gave her a questioning look. she  just shrugged, don't ask..

   Shadow looked for   Maddy.

 ........

 Frakas   waved to  Meari, Lirg did as well.

Positioned near a bulkhead Justin watched the crew gathering preparation to boarding the shuttles

Roy grinned at Roll's response, and looked over at Larry.  "Well...they don't do stupid stuff often, at least," he replied.  Larry was pretty smart...but he'd had his leap-before-looking moments, as well as anyone else on the ship.  He was distracted by Bog reporting to him that they were looking for Jug...

"I believe she went to Captain Si's quarters with the other ladies, looking to add a more sophisticated blend to your group.  I'm sure she'll be along in good order with the rest."  He no sooner said it than groups of the ladies began streaming onto the deck, looking for their escorts.  He gave Roll a carefully masked wink when he complimented Haley's appearance, stifling a grin at Shadow's reaction.  It wasn't as if Shadow had never managed to put his foot in it giving compliments, after all...

The crowd kept growing, as people began to sort themselves into groups according to which limo they'd be taking to the Ball.  When the lift arrived with the Admiral, Roy gave a nod (mostly to himself).  "And, duty calls.  See you all at the festivities."  He turned to Dusk, extending an arm in an invitational gesture.

"Shall we, Captain?  Looks like the Big Brass have arrived and we should be loading very shortly..."

Haley smiled. "Thank you. You look handsome yerself" she said swinging a tad at the waist, her hands behind her back. "I haven't seen Val or Docter Henry yet.  Mila might be with them.  I was thinking of Gregor"
about then Nikki heard a loud wolf whistle and a comment about 'Ozark'.  Turning she spotted Mitch and Benny. She turned to Tarja "I'll make introductions" she turned to Haley and Roll "Larg Master Roll I leave Haley in your care.  I hope you two have fun.  I'll be in Limo two as well.  SM, LC, I'll see everyone at the ball" she excused herself from the conversation and led Tarja towards Mitch and Benny.
Once close enough they would not need to shout over everyone in the hangar Nikki began introduction "Mitch Regal, Benny Banks... I'd like to introduce you to Tarja Vanska. She is part of our AI troopers" she gestured with her hands "Tarja, these here are Mitch and Benny." she slip an arm around Mitchs waist. "Benny, I do apologize, I did not mean to put you in a spot. But I do hope you, and you Tarja, have fun tonight"
Haley moved close to Roll. she noticed he did seem taller than before.

  Roll gave a Nod with a smile.  Thank You Haley. Mr Shadow  helped me, he sewed on  my patches. We hadda  sew stuff  in the stem, like  holes  on our  knees  or  cuts from knifes and such. but we hardly ever  had thread, we had to use  Stem Rat Hair... he looked   at his should patches,he made all these  tiny , tight  stuches?..our  were  kinda spread out..Sneak and Jax  can sew like  him though!

  Roll patted  Larry on the head. Larry ius  the  LArge  Leader... thier  NCO...Gergor..is..um..too goofy? He might try to eat a Mull or  jump on those  big food tables. I hope Doc Henry Comes. Mila and  Larry  will have  some one to talk too. Too many people are afraid of Larry, but they like to Fuzz up mila.

...........

  Mitch  gave a smile and a Nod, to  Tarja  as he , himself, slipped his  left  arm around Nikki, Hello, Tarja, and?She  not  just an 'AI', she is  the lead NCO of the ggroup, i think she in charge of  their  expeditionary  force.... Sink or swim time, I think? I have seen you when  me and Benny work on the  torpedo plane...nice to meet you in person. he offered  a hand.

 when/if  Tarja  took Mithc's  Hand , he offered his,  though a bit shyly there was still a bit of 'outgoingness' Yeah?  Benny.. Mitch Lines  us  up  and  I fire the Fish.. Nice to meet you.... I..um..hope you like to dance?  I like dancing, but,,,well..never get much of  a chance, especially  with a Great  looking woman ? I expect alot of  people to  what to 'cut in".

....

 Shadow looked  down at the Limos.from the top of the loading  Ramp there were guards  at the top and Bottom of the loading  ramps  as well as guards on the outward edge of the   docking arm, making sure trucks and Vans  kept  moving, none were permitted  to stop by the  vans..two auto  AAS  and two  Human operated AAS, swept    the  area  above the   Hanger Dec bays.  He watched   Roy  and Dusk going  down the ramp, as the Brass made their  way through the  crowd, everyone looked  happy and relaxed..Single guys and Ladies looked  excited, maybe hopeful, depending  on what  the chances  are of them having a date.

 Stopping  By Shadow   after   short  talks  and compliments  thrown  around . Captain Si asked  Shadow,you  watching ?

 Shadow nodded...Lots of  things... Dusk? I mean.. I've not been like a real Dad..she went off to  Vera, but something changed in her..and she became someone  any person would be proud  to have as a daughter...Pointing the Shade  with  Maria  and Magin  Shade  has done alright,  I Think you , The Captain, Roy, Doc henry, even Garrat, when he was here, helped. he has confidence.The fact that some of the ladies  seek him out, that's a good thing...i think.. he leaned towards  Captain Si who was a couple inches taller, his  eyes  shifting to the tob of his head  as he added,I hope it isn't  too good!..I mean.. I didn['t have a  'birds  and Bees ' talk, or..nuts  and bolts..what ever...but i most certain he has access to enough info that he knows more  about Ladies  then I do.

Captain Si  giggled,well... I suppose  you'll find out , in the yars to follow. what else  are you watching?

The guards? making sure they are ours... making  sure i don't see 'someone out of place"...

 we are on Fuji..Gresh is  in charge of the SEC, for the most part..This is a night off, more or leass, isn't it?

 I'm Lights Out? There is no 'off  duty'...we were attacked that one time on the damn docking arm, was it Everest or Etna...any strikes
 against us  here, would need to be   a one or two person job...anymore then that, we would notice the co-ordination . Lets  face it , Ma'am.
 These  people  here.. Its all the Family i have. if some one takes a shot.. i want to stop  that, or end them...

  Hack came  up on the other  side. giving  Shadow a whack on the Back.people say you need your own ship?  And if you wanted one, I'd make damn sure you got it. But. I'll never send you somewhere, you have to ask...mostly, for the reason you just pointed out.. I'd hate to see you go to another ship, then request replacements, because you killed or injured  1/3 of  your crew  for  'non-compliance '  all three laughed.

 Try to have  fun....we had  gear  shipped to you condo as always, just in case...and? Tomorrow  is the toy show on the PG..who knows , you might be  flying a new Breed of  fighter..

Shadow gave a  nod,we'll see. nothing is coming on board   Until me  and My people beat the hell out of those  things on the PG.. when we leave here, how many days  until Jump off..

 we will be sending  fake COMs out  to Everest, saying our  Intent is to dock there before  going on to  visit Vampic  Space  but  we  will swing in and  Hit the  Roussians...I hate that we have to waste that time, but the Roussians  seemed to think i was  bluffing, and their   gearing up with Vera and the  empire  folks who are swinging  around 'deep space'..well.. it needs tended to

 Aye, Sir, and we'll tend the 9 hells out of them.

Hearing Shadows compliment about her hair, a slight flush would appear on Tarja’s cheeks in response, proving that she was no different to any other woman and enjoyed being told she looked pretty ”oh!…thank you…I like to let hair down every now and again…um…you scrub up pretty nicely too LC” she replied, managing to recover some of her cool as she ran a critical eye over him and deciding that he wasn’t the worst looking guy she’d ever seen.

Meari would choose this moment to go in search of Frakas ”Frakas is seven foot tall and blue, he should stand out!” Tarja called after her with a chuckle before wishing her friend a good evening and following Nikki so she could make the introductions, with Tarja finger waving to Shadow as they left.

Nervously standing next to Nikki, Tarja would listen as the introductions were made before speaking ”Hi Benny, is nice to meet you, do you go to many of these?”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Fri 19 Apr.

 Shadow  chuckled, and bowed his head  slightly,Thank You Tarja... part of  my job and  all. Have  a god evening, . He  waved to Meari  as she  ran of to the two tall Aliens in ESN  uniform, and lower that waved  to raja  was the  went over

 Benny  smiled  as he  smiled  , Mitch  giving him a high sign, with a slight  nod  to go stand  by  Tarja. Next to Tarja, he did  take a few  extra looks  at the dress and how it  fit. You look  very  good  In that  Angel Silk,  As far  as these Balls  go, I don't go to many, i volunteer for  Dec  Duty so  others  can go. But the   restrains are a bit  less here on Fuji, since its our   Home Base...still bad guys  sneak in and all, but   its understood  that we will 'take  care of  intruders'... I hear we are going to the PG tomorrow, then Shadow has  the beach outside the  White Sands , reserved for an all day /night beach party.  between the next two days,everyone on  board  will get  a good slice of   Shore leave.

 Mitch   pointes to the   massive/long limos...we should head down... its  getting close ton 'jump off'

”Thank you, I had some help from Nikki…uniform looks good on you too” Tarja said returning the compliment as she brushed some imaginary fluff from his shoulder, not really minding the way he was checking her out. After all that was the entire point of the dress ”this will be my first time attending a ball so everything is kind of new for me” she continued with Benny going on to say that they would be getting some beach time after the proving grounds ”that will be nice, I’ll be able to wear my new bikini, get a little sun, maybe play a little volleyball…I think maybe we should find a seat now?”

"Haley is with Roll and Larry.  He got a promotion.  No longer a cadet" she told Mitch and Benny. "I just thought you two would make a nice couple" she gave her famous soft grin.  she gave a head nod towards the limos and began walking with Mitch that way.  nearly to the limo she whispered to Mitch with a smile "'Ozark' my ass" she gave a giggle.

  Mitch  , Nikki, Bennu  and Tarja  reached the Middle  Limo, The brass were  making thier  way down to the   front limo.

 Flores   strutted to Shadow's  she stopped by  Beth, waiting to see who else  was going with them

Beth looked at  Flores,where's Casey?

Flores  gave a twsited  smile and Pointed .. Casey was walking down the Ramp wit   Tawney Casker

isn't he your  wingman?

 Not after i get a chance to talk to Shadow?  Kat  will take him, and me and Maddy  can be  sword maidians...

 I don't see Maddy..I know she got a dress.

Flores sent  Maddy a CON...:: Hey Chickie..you alright, we're going you be leaving soon?

 Dusk  and  Roy stood  by the first...I expect you to dance  a few dances with , me SM.. We  don't get the chance to party at a friendly place  very often

Jug had a rather animated discussion with Bog, if the arm waving was any indication. After a few moments he and Jug got into one of the limos and the last limo the other 2 Gava entered. It seemed to surprise several seeing Jug in angel silk, but many admitted it was nice.

 Meari saw Frakas and Lirg wave and she waved back and walked as feminine as she could towards them in her Angel silk dress. " Hi Frakas and Hi Lirg, you both look very handsome this evening."

Billie walked a ways behind the other women, butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. This wasn't the first Ball she had attended with Arnie but it still incited the same reaction. There was a level of vulnerability for her to be dressed up as such and seeking his approval even though he has never complained about her choice. At times she had wondered if she should branch out and try something more elaborate but it just wasn't in her taste. She found elegance and beauty in the simplicity. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to fight off the butterflies, Billie moved up to Arnie, a smile on her lips. "Hey there," she said softly, admiring him before stepping in to plant a kiss to his lips.

------>>>>> From Captain Si's Quarters.

 NA-CE walked onto the Hanger Dec in her dress, she smiled as she saw everyone meeting their dates or going single. NA-CE walked elegantly across the Hanger Dec looking for Vaka, Frakas, Meari and the other Aliens.

Madison heard her COM beep, but she was already rushing out onto the Hangar Dec. The dress was beautiful, but it was also a pain to get on and off and even more of a pain to run in. The heels didn't help, but she was used to running on the balls of her feet at this point. She was holding up her skirt, so she couldn't wave, but she did see Kray out by the BUs with Candy and Beth.

"I'm sorry." She said breathlessly as she finally caught up to them "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. I had to stop at the bathroom, getting in and out of these dresses is not the easiest by yourself. Anyway, I'm here. Are we ready to go?"

 Flores  and Beth  laughed  a bit when Maddy got there.  Shadow   smiled and nodded as he  took in the sight.well..Very nice!.. the  wait was worth the  sight, and...um..you moved  well as she   hustled down the ramp..

Beth  giggled yeah!  every one saw things  moving!  flores   giggled  and   shouldered  Beth.

 we'll get  in the  last set o9f  dors, we have to come out last for the who   media  thing. as they walked  back to the 4th set of  doors, Flores  winked at Maddy,there will be some of us  who want a dance with him..but  i'm sure there will be fellows   who want to dance with you..so ..it will be all fair..right?

Shadow   watched the ramp as the  walked others   where moving , most headed to the l last 2  Limos. The front  limo had  most of the Brass..
As they got in the Back.. Beth , said...sooo? Shade with maria  and Magin..how does that...

 beth? I don't want to know...

beth Giggled.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:26, Sat 20 Apr.

  Arnie   returned the Kiss,very Nice? good thingthey don't hve you wear that in the cockpit. the enmey would aack, just hoping to get a look! Let fget  seated...
.............
 Vaka  was hard to see, as he was on the other side  of Lirg and   Frakas. He had on an ESN Marine   uniform, with  Occui ranger patch. He looked up at NA-CE  and waved  to her. You are very comely!. I hope that not too many males decide they wish  to take you for dancing or mating!

.........

 Val and Henry came Down...worth Mila , where they  joined the Brass in the first limo

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

 Frakas  held out his  two left  arms to  collect Meari in a  snug..While Lirg didn't aper to have a   escort yet, frakas asked  Meari..which Limo do you perfer?

As they approached the 'Brass' Limo, Roy drily commented, "To be perfectly honest, there's nobody at this thing I'd rather dance with.  So, you should get a fair few..."  Not that the ladies didn't all look stunning...but Roy had never been much of a social creature and with the possible exception of Lyri, he didn't feel close enough to any of them to feel comfortable dancing with them.  He would, of course, if protocol demanded it...but he wouldn't be looking for other dance partners to trade out for Dusk.

"Think I should sing tonight?" she asked Mitch as they sat in the limo. She gently caressed a cheek and blew a kiss as she sidled up a bit next to him " maybe something romantic?"

 NA-CE finally found Vaka he was behind Lirg and Frakas, it was hard to see him. NA-CE smiled at Vaka and replied," Thank you very much you are handsome as well. There are only a select few that can pull me away from you for a dance, and you are the only one I wish to mate with." NA-CE gave him a kiss and they headed for the Couples Limo.

 Meari enjoyed the hug and then replied," Oh lets go in the couples one shall we." Meari smiled at Lirg and said," I hope I can get a dance as well Lirg tonight." After that Meari and Frakas headed for the couples limo.

"Thank you, Kray" Madison blushed at the comments, but privately she enjoyed it. She knew she was pretty, but she was always the adventure girl, not the sexy one. Being noticed in that way was a different kind of thrill, and it was one she liked. When Beth added her remarks, Madison flashed her a knowing wink.

"Well, these gowns are designed for that, right?" She smiled, blushing but not at all ashamed.

"Yeah, I don't mind if others borrow him here or there. I've noticed that you really can't wear him out." Feeling more spring in her step, she went along, sliding into the Limo next to Shadow. Her ears perked at the gossip though.

"He may not want to know, but I do."

After leading Lizzy over to the second limo, Izzy would slide inside and find a seat for them both, slipping an arm around her wife's shoulders and leaning in for a kiss ”hmm this is going to be fun, I can hardly wait!” she said as the others started to enter ”…maybe we ought to see if this thing had a mini bar and get this party started!”

There was a slight look of awkward embarrassment on Tarja’s face when Nikki stated that she thought that she and Benny would make such a cute couple, after all she had only just met the guy and knew nothing about him other than his name ”hey so…um…what do you do for fun seeing as you don’t normally attend the balls?” she would ask Benny as they walked up to the couple’s limousine and got inside.

  People mounted up.. Orria  and  Score came together. He  had  on a suit  that looked brand new. She came   as Shade interpreter , By Magin was there, so Orria got to come ,'just in case'.

 Score's  Adopted  Mother came hustling down calling his name,, she handed him an envelope  with some creds..Score  looked around  at some of the Pilots  and Trooper  who were Chuckling.Thanks  Mom...i..um..don't think we have to pay for stuff there.

The Woman Pointed to Shadow...you there!..Mr Shadow...does Score need Creds to get in or for  food or anything..

some of the Pilots just lost it..other  just hide their snickers,,Score  looked a Bit  Unnerved..Orria  held his  hand  with a tiny smile..

 No Ma'am..this is   all on Fuji..its there way to welcome us back... all the food  and drinks  are free, and when we go to the condo  the food and drinks are on The Admiral and I...

 Ok..i just didn't  want him to be embarrassed... more chuckles,  she   Brush Score's hairhave a good Time! with her  hand..have a good time  when she  was   well into the Hanger  bay  the  tropers  and  Pilots  began to Laugh.. Steels  said,OMG  Kid!... I'd hate to have bbeen embarrassed like that, by My mom! more chuckles.

  Shadow glared at Steele..but score  just said,,,quietly...sternly...I'm not embarrassed... If you go back a year or so.. you would have  seen me wiling to Kill, to have some one care aabout me like that...You all think its  funny?  Maybe it is..I dunno..i never had this before..But that owman ran the  whole way from the civi section to give me  credits  so i could have  fun and treat my date right?....again?  I year ago, I coulodn't have had an adult  give me a cred to by a soda...

  Shadow   put and arm around   the  kid...You're a good  kid  Score... orria..go in the  second  car with Zob and Sam?

 can we  go with you?  Beth is there.

OK head down that way.....they hustled to the Last  Limp , Shadow  took two steps  and  Slammed  Steele against the car..he glared  at every one he saw , no matter   sex, rank or   position...

 all the gods  be damned!.. WE ARE... the ESN 351 Hermes!..and what the  9 hells  do you do? laugh at some kid..who has  a Mother, for the  first time in his life..a woman,  who is so eager  to be that mother, that she risked  embarrassment for her self.... But Hey?... How was she to know  that the 'great Hermes" crew  would find this , to be  something to make fun of...Gods  Be damn, you all better  remember  what ship your
 on , and how  we treat out people...

 LC..I'M sorry I...

 Fuck you Steele, don't give me another reason for the rest of shore to want to beat the gods be damned hells of  you

.....

 Getting  into his Limo he sat  in the  back  with Maddy, Flores  and   beth..Flores   smiled at Orria and Score.

 wow Orria? you look  very nice... is that your first Angel silk?

 no? I have another  one, this is  my first ball with a Date..normally  I go as Shades Interpreter

 Score Looked a  but  shy as he  tucked the creds into his suit. My...um..new mom?  she..um..thought  i might need creds..she  shrugged.

Frans  smiled  at  hin , reaching over  and patting his leg..That was nice of her. Most Civies  don't get to go to the Ball, so they don't know..I think it was very smart of her!

Eckles nodded.My Mom did  that all the time when i went to dances, making sure I had  Money , incase my date  didn't, that way we  could do stuff..

Score  smiled at the two Ladies, feeling Much  better Orria smiling too,

 The  Limos    began to Move...

 <DarkGreen>Ok?   everyone knows the  program, right?, those of you with Escorts   get out First,,, then   all  the single folks go out  and   then

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

  Lyri  got  settled in near    Roy and Dusk, Shade with Maria  and Magin...Admiral?  anything we have to work on at the Ball?

 not much.. you may be approached  by arms dealers  , armor  moguls  and  such. they are here  for the showcase  tomorrow, so they will be trying to  get their names in our heads

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ESN Fuji 6