Blades

... has been done. Innactive Orion Fleet Commanders/Cadets have been removed from the Fleet Database. You know the reasons why, and if you dont, you should have been paying attention. If you think you have been booted accidently, or believe the descision to remove you from the Fleet is unfair, send me a whiney email and I'll hear what you have to say. IT IS THE ORION FLEETS POLICY TO REMOVE ANY INNACTIVE COMMANDERS FROM THE FLEET DATABASE. Call it unfair if you want. Point out to me that all the other fleets have legions of innactive commanders and they dont get booted. This kind of inactivity might be ok elsewhere, but not in my fleet.

Back .... and now to business.

You'll find that Foss sent them to me an age ago darling. Oh, Im back home by the way. And it's raining. *grunt*

The B5 TC for Homeworld is pretty cool. The Modders at Firstones.com did an exceptional job with it. Theres nothing quite like watching a fleet of Shadow Battle Crabs taking on a mixed bunch of Minbari and EA cruisers. Sweet.

C'mon Akuma, them pics are ages old. You sent them to me (sorry Foss) over a year ago! Wheres the bikini I asked for, huh? You got your command didnt you?

Now thats what I like to see. Very, very nice site Karl. It's got a lot of features in there I'm currently developing for the new Orion Fleet Website. Am gonna have to revamp a few things at my end. I cant have Earthcom have a more attractive site than Orion, now can I? Good deal with the domain name. I think all us serious FC's need to go and register ones for our respective fleets.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaah! After a rather eventful 20 odd hours of traveling, im now back in the sunny US of A and gettin ready for a whistlestop tour of everything fun in Florida. This trip out, Im dragging dear old Becka with me and am gonna make her ooow n ahhh at all the good stuff. Once we've done that, we might get around to doin some sight seeing. So far I havent had a lot of work emails (85 in less than 2 days) so I might actually be able to relax for a wee bit. Tac, I know you're a local boy, so what would you reccomend mea gain thats new? Im watchin you guys ...

Placeholder. This will be my last post in this thread and will give you guys enough to do to keep you going while Im in the states. When it's here, read it, read it again, then read it a third time. Make absolutely sure you know where you are going next and only post in the appropriate thread. You'll understand soon enough. Edit : Sorry gang, Im a bit behind with my packing and havent had time to get things posted. I'll make sure I get a few moments to do so once Im in the USA, so just hang tight a little bit longer. [ 05-07-2001: Message edited by: Blades ]

As from 05:00 May 8th (GMT) I shall be handing control of the Orion Fleet over to Executive Officer Greg Miller for a period of 8 days while I vacation in sunny Florida. During that time, Gman is the Orion Fleet and eI expect everyone to follow his orders to the letter. I shall be monitoring things from the states when I have the chance, but I wont be available for the most part. If Greg needs to get in touch with me for some reason (Or anyone else for that matter) you can always mail me at my Orionfleet address, but dont expect a swift answer. Upon my return, things are going to change around here. Inactive fleet members will be removed from the fleet database. Existing commanders who have assignments and are not living up to expectations will be replaced with officers that can devote the time neccesary to these tasks. If during my abscence, these tardy members manage through some miricle to become more active, they may yet be spared the cull. You got one week people, dont waste it. Greg, she's all yours.

Uh, ok ... LIVERPOOL FOR THE FA CUP!!!

Uh ... ? Did I miss somthing here?

Sheesh, you make it sound as if it's my fault or somthing? S'not my fault women find me irresistible. I keep tellin them 'Ladies, theres enough Blades love to go around!' and for some reason, whoever Im with at the time takes exception to that. Hrumph. Theres a lesson to be learnt in here somwhere .....

Awwwwwww, my poor little darling. I haven't gone yet. I will post before I do so. Big post. Im not leaving till tuesday morning, so theres still lots of time for you to try and convince me to go to Calgary instead. I'd like to, honest, but my madam of the moment (Who is also gonna kick Micky Mouse in the knackers while we out there) is comming with me, and probably wouldnt approve of a nubile 19 year old leaping all over me. I would, of course, but you gotta do the right thing .... at least this trip out. Cheer up schnookums! [ 05-03-2001: Message edited by: Blades ]

Im due to skip off on my hols from the 8th May and wont be back in the good old UK until the 16th. As a result, I probably wont have any net access (Deliberate) since all I do at work all day is sit online and fix some damned fools problem and dont really wanna be doin that when I should be relaxing. Just for the curious, Im gonna be back in Florida during that week, stayin at our family retreat in Davenport. Much Disney related shenanigans are expected, and If I get the time, I might even do some sight seeing down in Ft. Laud if I get the time. I hear they have some right weirdos around them parts ...

Thanks for the praise BC. That aint gonna get you rescued from your ship, however. We got an appointment to keep. Maybe the Leo can help you out? Heh. Sorry.

Heh, gee, thanks for that Zeke. You been reading up on Origins Of A Galcom Commander by any chance? If not, have a look see. Theres a clue in that story thats gonna answer a few questions people might have about Savage in the very near future. Anyway, I'll post on the morrow. Gallion : Thanks for that can of worms. Just what I needed. Not!

Dont pay too much attention to the turncoat bunny. He has a special grudge against the Orion Fleet, much like the rest of the Insurgent rabble do. But thats ok. MP be here soon, and when it is, Elma Fudd commin out or retirement to go a huntin wabbits. Bwaha haha haha

[RP] 00:20 hrs, 20th May, 3008 GCV-McKendrick Officer Stateroom 3 Savage took a deep breath and paused outside the allocated quaters to his wayward young commander. He hesitated before ringing the door chime when two of the recruited Insurgents turned around the corridor and headed past him. Savage politely nodded to them as they approached, and they returned the gesture with a similar, if not outwardly friendly tilt of the head. When they had passed, Savage again tried to bring himself to sound the door chime. Take it easy Karl, this wont be as difficult as you're making it. He took in a deep breath then pressed the chime. A minute or more passed before the door slid open. Standing before him was young Akuma Minako, a short, thin and very damp bath robe barley covering her nakedness. Oh boy. "Ah, im sorry. I didnt realise you were in the shower." Akuma looked glumly at him. "I was just getting out anyway. Is there somthing I can do for you, sir?" Savage barley registered her words. He heard them, of course, but her standing there in the bathrobe, intoxicatingly beautiful, vulnerable, innocent - all these things and more were of more urgent notice now than anything she could say. Cool it Savage, this wasnt what you came here for ... "Akuma," he started, wrestling control of his hormones, "we need to talk." Immediately, she stepped back and tilted her head to the side, inviting him in. "Thank you." he said, brushing past her and into her room. Akuma stepped after him once he was almost in the centre of the room. The door closed behind her, and she stepped over to a dressing table adjoining the staterooms ensuite bathroom. Savage watched her as she perched herself down on the seat, picked up a tangled hairbrush and began drawing it through her long, black hair. Like Savage, Akuma watched him as a reflection in the mirror. He stood there with folded arms, looking both embarresed and concerned. He didnt have the same air of authority he had previously on the bridge of the Vulture, nor did he seem as imposing now as when they had first met, some time ago in the GalCom lounge. To Akuma, he now looked tired, almost old, despite his relatively young 43 years. "You look tired." she said. Savage squinted and brought up a hand to massage his tired eyes. "I am. Im so very damned tired." Akuma pondered his choice of words. A simple statement of fact, or somthing more relevant burried in those words? Was he simply talking about his current physical condition, or perhaps their relationship, such as it was? Regardless of how it was meant, a cold shiver descended down her spine the moment he finished uttering those words. "What do you want, Karl?" Savage pulled his hand away from his face and looked directly at her reflection in the mirror. A simple question, he mused, and one that needs to be answered. *sigh* Here goes ... "Things have been, well, confused of late. The outbreak of the war with the Gammulans, Akiras abduction, Rattler and this damned mission, your involvement, Neena, me ..." Savage paused for a moment, trying to summarise what he wanted, needed to say. "Akuma," he started, quickly seating himself on the edge of her bed. "whats going on with us? I mean, is there an us at all? I know, Im involved with Neena, but for a long time now, even before that night back at HQ I've been feeling ... well, feeling things." Savage paused again, not quite sure how to procede. Akuma sat there, brushing her hair, her eyes never off his in the mirrors reflection. "Listen, Im sorry about what happened in the cargo bay. I've known that you've had feelings for me for a while now, but I never really knew if it was real or jsut, well, a crush or somthing. I dunno, maybe just some sexual attraction and nothing deeper." Savage threw his hands in the air. "I just dont know. I dont understand women. I mean, I understand women, dont get me wrong. I've had more than my fair share of understandings in the last few years. There was this one time, ah, about two years ago - this ensign from the GCV Valient and this tech from deck three maintenance-" Savage noticed Akumas previously expressionless features were now contorted into anger. Shut up shut up shut up shut up you *******! What the hells the matter with you? You're here, trying to establish if theres somthing betweent he two of you, and your bragging about that night to her? Hold god! You need to get help man! "Sorry." he said. "I have a habbit of babbling incoherant garbage when Im off ballance. And believe me, Im off bllance now." Still Akuma remained silent. Savage decided it was time he heard her side of the story. "Just tell me Akuma, whats really going on with you. I need to know what it is we're doing." Savage sat back and allowed Akuma to explain. [/RP] Sorry sweetheart, but we all need to know this. [RP] 22:40 hrs, 20th May, 3008 GCV-McKendrick Bridge Savage returned to the bridge to find it virtually vacant. Only Reynolds, Ailsa and a junior officer stood watch on the bridge. He quickly learnt that Rattler and Gallion had left the bridge with Neena a few minutes previously to get some food, and perhaps a little rest. He didnt blame them - the next 12 hours we're going to be very busy, not to mention dangerous. "Anything new?" he asked Reynolds. Reynolds turned to his commanding officer and shook his head. "No, sir. We're right on schedule." Still on schedule. Almost makes it sound as if this is routine. "Although there is this one thing .." Savage stepped up to him and looked over his shoulder. He frowned when he noticed what Reynolds was refering to. "Have you had TacOps confirm this?" "Yes sir. The Tacops officer examined it just before he left the bridge. He was of the opinion that it wasnt anything out of the ordinary." Savage regarded his Station Communications officer. "So why are you bringing it up?" Reynolds explained. "Well, I had a hunch, sir, so I began modifying the ships external sensor array and tied them into the comms array to test my thoery. It's not conclusive, but it does suggest that we're being, ah, tailed, sir." More than suggests it, especially considering how many Insurgents we have onboard. Savage thought for a moment, his initial expression one of confusion. Then somthing clicked, and his expression changed to one of astonishment. Oh my god. Savage turned from Reynolds and took a position at the TacOps station behind Reynolds communications console. He began punching in numbers, accessing library and security functions, as well as a PDA unit he had kept on his person since the beginning of this sorry mess. Over the next few minutes, he corrolated all of the information and began running a search routine through the ships security archives. It took a few minutes for the operation to be concluded, but when it was, what Savage had feared now proved to be correct. We've been infiltrated. "Reynolds, get Neena up here on the double. Also, make sure all external comms and anything else that could possibly be used as a method of smuggling out a signal is locked down tight. Oh, and make sure you lock down engineering control Last thing I want is someone sending a coded message via our engine harmonics or exhaust emmisions. That been soooooo overdone, and I'd be embarrased if the mission got screwed because of that." Reynolds snapped off a hasty salute and went about his orders. Four minutes later, a rather tired and less than pleased looking Neena Polovoski entered the bridge. Savage found it almsot painful to look at her. Not now, now is not the time to think about this. Worry about that later, right now we need to focus on our newest problem. "What have you done now, Karl?" Savage held up his hands. "Wasnt me, I swear. It was somebody else. At least two somebody elses according to these security logs." Neena looked over the data Savage showed her. "What are you showing me, Karl?" Savage explained. "Reynolds here came accross a discrepancy in the sensor readings over the last couple of hours. He showed it to your TacOps officer, who didnt believe it was anything to get excited about. Reynolds decided, based on one of his famouse hunches to tie the ships external sensors into the comms relay and-" "Bottom line please Karl. It's late, and we've got a big day tommorow." Savage glared at her. "Alright. Bottom line is this. By the looks of it, we're being followed and have been since at least a couple of hours into the Vultures flight. Now, whoever is folowing us is under cloak, and looks like in at least one very small vessel." Neena would have been the first to dismiss the idea of a vessel that size being capable of being fitted with a coaking device, but her previous experiences on the GCV-Chikuma reliably informed her otherwise. "Ok, so you think we're being followed. Not good I know, but how can you determine that it's been following us since we picked you up? If you recall, when we pulled you out of there we were under cloak, and a ship tracking the Vulture wouldnt have been able to suddenly switch to tracking a cloaked vessel." Savage smiled. "You're right. Unless of course, the vessel thats been tracking us hasnt been following a ship, but a locator beacon of some sort within the ship." Neena pondered this for a moment. "So what you're telling me is this. Since mid point during your flight on the Vulture, these cloaked vessels have been tracking a member of it's crew that has since been transported onto the McKendrick. Hows that possible?" Savage shrugged. "Im not 100% sure, but Im almost certain that whoever it is either beamed onboard the Vulture during our flight and somehow remained hidden, or smuggled a device on board that the mercs with their sophisticated scanning equipment couldnt pick up on. Either way, we got intruders." Neena frowned. "Intruders? Theres more than one." Savage nodded again. "Yes. Once I'd worked this out, I began doing some visual checks on our compiment. And guess what? I picked up two unknowns in the cargo bay along with the rest of us. Heres the profiles on them." [/RP] Profile one belongs to Mr 'roid, profile two belongs to a certain Mr Chavik. [RP] Neena looked up at Savage when she finished examining them. "So now what?" she asked. Savage side stepped her and moved over to the navigation console. "According to these readings, we're four hours away from entering the earth region. In three hours, we've got a mission brief. Within the next hour, I want those two tracked down and thrown in the bridge. I want them captured, not killed if at all possible. Regardless though, they need to be found, and we need to determine exactly what they are doing here." Neena took in a deep breath and quietly exhailed. "Ok, I'll begin a video search. As soon as I locate our unwanted guests, I'll have them aprehended." 23:59 hrs, 20th May, 3008 GCV-McKendrick Bridge "... and thats contestant number two." reported Neena Polovoski over her wristcom to Savage. "Nice job." replied Savage. "Have you isolated their positions?" "Indeed I have, Karl. Profile two is keeping a low profile amongst the mercs in berths, and profile one is taking a walk on deck three. Not sure where this ones going to, but he doesnt seem to be in so much of a hurry." Savage stopped in his tracks when he realised he was himself on deck three. "Ah, Neena?" "Yes karl?" "Im in section six. Wheres our perp?" Neena paused. "Section four, heading to five." Dammit. Here I am, all alone, walking the corridors with a hostile comming towards me. Not good, yet again. "Neena, pressure doors down on section five. Make it quick. Activate the radiation protocols if neccesary." Neena was quiet for a moment, then returned amidst the sound of bulkhead doors sliding quickly into place. "Locked down. I've taken measures to isolate the mercs berth as well. Surveilance in the berths indicates that our bad guy has just realised somthings up." "Flood both sealed areas with KDY-15. Knock the bastards out cold." "Acknowledged!" said Neena from the bridge. "If it breathes air, it's gonna be unconscious within the next six seconds." Savage bunched his fists and punched the air. Yessssssssssss! Finally a good result for the home team! "Give me some good news, Neena." said Savage into his comlink. Neena remained silent. "Neena? Whats going on?" From a few feet beyond Savages current position, a loud thud echoed outwards. Then another. What the hell? "Karl, profile two is out cold. But we have a problem with perp one." Uh oh. "Ah, problem?" Thud "What kind of a problem?" Thud, thud, THUD! "Looks like perp one doesnt need air." [/RP] We're consolodating everything together now folks so we can get this mission briefing done and get to the serious business of rescuing Akira. Im leaving the current cliff hanger open for a little while just cos Im interested in what our 'roid is gonna do now he's discovered. Feel free to post what y'all did up till this point, but dont directly involve yourself in this little encounter here unless you got a good angle. Remember - most of you should be tucked up in bed or getting some food this close to the briefing. If you wandering the decks like a certain misguided fleet commander I could mention, you might yet wind up in deep trouble.

Deciding which fleet to join is nobodys descision but your own. Take a look at all of the fleet websites and information within and see if their goals match your own. Should you find somthing to your liking, approach either the fleet commander or the authorised fleet recruitment officer for more details. They will be able to answer any additional questions you may have and let you know what will be expected of you if you are accepted.

Chav, Im going to assume that the shuttles still have a lock on the McKendrick, since they are homing in on you. Since they can move a lot faster than a carrier, there will be no trouble with them keeping pace. However, sooner or later someone is going to notice them, so it might be an idea to bring them into play pretty soon before events beyond your control (By that, I mean under mine ) remove them from the plot. Anyway, I've got the BIG post comin up by this time tomoz, including the full briefing (Thats right, you finally get to know whats really going on) and the thread division - which will be explained after my post. We're moving into the end zone now people.

When composing those emails, make sure you send them to either [email protected] or [email protected] Oh, and Orion Commanders? Consider this an order. [ 04-26-2001: Message edited by: Blades ]

I wasnt taking it personally, Nova, so dont worry. The idea is say and do what you think you're character would do in any given situation. If you dont like Blades, thats fine. Not many people really do. Most people think he's a bumbling buffoon, and to an extent, thats correct. But not always. He has his moments. One of which is coming up .... Onwards troops!

Ok, whats with all the Blades bashing? Havent I been good to you guys until now? [RP] 22:10 hrs, 19th May, 3008 GCV-McKendrick Bridge Savage broke from his operations meeting with both Rattler and Gallion and stretched his weary arms about his head. She stepped away from the the cute couple and made his way over to the centre of the bridge where Neena Polovoski sat in her command chair. She looked up at him as he approached, and made no effort to stand. "Going well?" Savage shook his head. "Does it ever? Things are going from bad to worse all the time. We've gone over the original mission plans and tried to restructure it to accomodate our recent losses, but we cant agree on anything. Well, Gallion wont agree on anything." "You probably shouldnt have asked for his opinion then." Savage shrugged. "Perhaps not, but at least he has a point." Neena frowned. "What point would that be?" Savage crouched down beside her and spoke softly. "That we're outnumbered, outgunned, basically way in over our heads. Not to mention that even in a best case scenario, our losses are likely to be 50% our total number." Neena leaned closer to him. "Theres still time to abort, you know. We're not commited yet." Savage sighed. "Yes we are. I know it, Rattler knows it, hell, even Gallion reluctantly knows it. Problem is, the rest of the rabble dont. The biggest battle we're facing here is the doubt over the mission. The GalCom camp will follow my orders, well, most of them at any rate, and the Insurgent lot will do anything that Rattler tells them, but they still dont have any faith in the mission." "It's not surprising really, considering the way they have been treated so far." Savage looked hurt. "I havent misstreated them." "Thats not what I mean. You've kept them in the dark, virtually stripped them of their identity, asked them to do things that are contrary to their training, even contrary to their morals. It's no wonder that most of them have lost faith in you." "I didnt want it to be like this, you know. It's like this because it has to be. The last thing I want is to keep everyone in the dark about the mission specifics, but we cant risk a leak here. Why dont they understand that?" Neena pondered for a moment. "It's not that they cant see that, it's the fact that you are showing such little faith in their loyalty. If you havent already noticed, you've got a bigger problem with our own people than the Insurgents. They expect more from you, not less." Savage shook his head. "I cant be seen to be favoring our own people against the Insurgents. Or vice versa. It would be fatal." "Thats not exactly what I mean. I know you cant play favorites, but you have to understand, our people have trained long and hard to get where they are. They deserve your respect, and deserve to know that they are important." "They are important!" said Savage as he stood. "They know that!" "No," said Neena, standing to face him. "they dont. As far as they are concerned, your dragging them into a situation where they are likely to get killed, and for what? An Insurgent commander thats responsible for a higher percentage of dead officers than any other? They dont want to fight this battle, Karl. They have no motivation for it." Savage was begining to lose his temper now. "What more motivation could they possibly want? Renegades within Earthcom abducting the most dangerous man in the Insurgency so they can steal his secrets and spark a war that would doom us all? Isnt that motivation enough?" "Maybe they dont believe it will come to that? Maybe they think that Rattler has preyed on your fears of an all out war to help liberate his no.2? Maybe they believe the rumors about you, your appointment as fleet commander, you ability as an officer in general. Hell, the last two days havent exactly given them much in the way of inspiration. Over half of your strike force wiped out by the Gamms, a full third of your own people injured on the way to the rendevous, dissention in the ranks, emotional outbursts. Need I go on?" Savage held his tongue for a moment before responding. "I didnt want to do this like this, you know? I didnt have the luxuary of time to prepare. We're on a very tight schedule here, and are prone to incidents like this and mistakes. Im sorry if people have lost their faith in me, the mission - everything - but it's not because I doubt their abilities or dont respect them - it's because this needs to be done, for the sake of all our futures. I know I havent made any friends on this trip, and providing we get out of here by some miricle, Im expecting some payback from the survivors, and if it comes, i'll deal with it. But until that point, this is still my mission, and we have a job to do. Im not going to apologise for the things I've said and done." Neena sighed. "I dont think you need to offer them an apology. But you do need to offer them somthing." Savage thought for a moment. "You're right. That is, I think you're right. Maybe." Neena smiled. "Dont do anything stupid though. I'd rather not have to wade in and drag your ass out of a brawl if I can help it." Savage scowled at her. "You want to take a pop at me too?" She shook her head. "No, I know the pressure you're under. I know how serious this is to you. It's just a pity the others dont is all." Savage nodded. "Yeah well, I'll make it up to them, somehow." "Good plan, boss. And if you'll take a another quick suggestion? You'll talk to that attractive junior commander of yours before she gets you both into some serious trouble." Savage blinked. "Akuma?" Neena nodded. "Yes. She's not exactly a fan of yours just now." Savage was confused. "Ah, what do you mean?" Neena explained. "Her an another commander, Ben Somerset I think, went for a drink in the galley. According to the galley droid's survelence sensors-" Savage looked puzzled at her. "Ah, our last flag waving stint we entertained a number of civillian officials. Some of them started getting rowdy with the droid, so we had a few security enhancements installed to monitor unweildly behaviour. Well, we kinda left them in place afterwards. The droids sensors kick in when certain logic conditions are met, and begin recording. I get an alert up here on the bridge whenever somthing untoward happens, and can observe." Savage just nodded. "Anyway, Commander Somerset began but getting a bottle of the good stuff to help Akuma calm herself down. From what I've seen, it looks like she's got a thing for you, Karl. Quite a big thing as it turns out. Anyway, she probably wasnt too impressed with your little display of affection in the cargo bay, so I think you should go and set her straight." Savage swallowed hard. "Um, now's not really a good time. Ah, what else was said?" Neena cringed. "Nothing you really want to know about, sir." Savage gave Neena the look. "Ok, most of my observations of the crews moral come from his conversation with Nova. They didnt really say a lot, well, Ben didnt really say a lot, but I could tell from his manerism he was thinking it." Savage glared at her. "Said what?" Neena sighed. "Well, the short of it is this. Ben doesnt have a very high opinion of you. However, Nova has an even lower opinion of you." Savage interupted her at that point. "Show me the recording." Neena obliged without argument. A few minutes later, Savage finally concluded that everything Neena had previously told him was accurate. Just to be sure, he confered with Rattler and Reynolds, and got the same general response. Painful to admit as it was, he was not well liked aboard ship. Sure, he had some of his friends here. People he had served with for a number of years. They at least would be loyal, and those that knew him well would admit he had his faults, but the general conscensous was that he was a good officer, and not shitty as Commander had described him. He didnt like that. Not one bit. Savage pondered. "Reynolds, I got a job for you. I need you to find someone and get them on the bridge." Pete Reynolds turned to face his commander and nodded. "Who do you need, sir?" Savage frowned. "Get me Leiv." [/RP]

[RP] 17:59 hrs, 19th May, 3008 GCV-McKendrick Cargobay One Neena removed herself from Savage’s grip when the relief that he was alive and well was fully realised. It was one thing to display relief at having ones lover delivered unharmed amidst fire and destruction, but another to do so within the presence of a dozen or more command officers. She stepped back and allowed Savage a moment to compose himself before continuing. “Looks like you picked up a few strays on the way.” Savage looked back over his shoulder at Caine and his engineers, keeping to themselves away from the main gathering of Galcom and Insurgent officers. “We had a few unforeseen problems, Gammulan attacks and nosey civvies included. Nothing we couldn’t handle.” Neena raised an eyebrow at him. “Nice that you could get here on time all the same. It was touch and go there for a while.” Neena stepped round him and looked over the gathered officers. “What were you doing in a cargo pod?” Savage turned and shrugged. “Not sure to be honest. I was on the bridge as deck one started to buckle. I went for the turbo lift and ran straight into the door. There was an explosion, I got a parting in the middle of my hair where the door skimmed over and then that bunny over threw me over his shoulder. Next thing I knew, we were pulling on vacc suits and diving into a cargo pod.” Neena looked over around where Savage had gestured. “Which ones Wold?” Savage pointed him out, and caught the eye of the Insurgent commander who had saved his life. “That’s him. The one looking pissed at me.” Neena snorted. “They are all looking pissed at you, Karl.” Savage raised an eyebrow and looked amongst them. “Hmm. Never noticed that before. Still, that’s what you get being an authority figure.” Neena chuckled and turned to the side when her wristcom bleeped. “Neena here.” The source of the communication was Ailsa on the bridge. “Sorry to interrupt, commander, but I think we had better think about getting out of here. TacOps has picked up some contacts at long range bearing down on the wreckage of the Vulture. Probably salvage teams.” “Agreed.” Said Neena. “Fire up the engines and get us to back on our patrol route.” “Understood. Bridge, out.” Savage turned to her. “Everything ok?” Neena nodded. “Contacts moving in on the wreckage. We’re returning to our normal patrol route now. Should be there in under an hour.” “Good.” Said Savage. “I don’t like the idea of sitting under cloak for this length of time. I can feel my testicles retreating into my abdomen already.” Neena scrunched her eyes up and shook her head. “So crude.” She said. “When are you going to start acting like a real Fleet Commander?” Savage shrugged. “Whats a real Fleet Commander?” Neena sighed and turned away, walking towards the exit of the cargo bay. “Im sure you’ll work it out someday, Karl.” Savage watched her go, then turned and looked again at the assembled officers from both sides of the garden fence. Now was probably a good time to say something. He searched around for his cohort, and found the Man Behind The Mirrored Glasses at the back of the pack, talking quietly with Gallion once again. This I am not liking very much. He looked for more familiar faces, and noticed Reynolds helping some of the medics with the wounded. Somwhere beyond him, he could just about make out Akuma Minako and Ben Somerset. Uh oh. Akuma. Savage dared not wonder how Akuma would have reacted to his flinging himself at Neena. He knew that she had feelings for him, strong feeling even, and it had been totally forgotten when he had seen Neena standing there. It’s not my problem, thought Savage. I didn’t ask for her to fall in love with me. I didn’t do anything to encourage it. That’s a lie, and you know it! interrupted the antagonistic part of his mind. Shut up brain, I wasn’t asking you. You did encourage it. Remember the party back at HQ? The lounge? The dance. The …. Kiss? Savage failed to silence that part of his mind, despite all his efforts. Ok, so maybe I did encourage it a bit. But hell, I was drunk, weary from all the paperwork and repair schedules, weary of the war, the loss of life, Epsilon 5 goading me …. That’s right, blame Epsilon 5. He made you do it. He forced you to dance with her, get drunk, talk about life … love … the future. Urghh. It had been over two months since that evening in the lounge. Two months of near constant work, worry and war. So much had happened in so little time. The destruction of the Wraith Fleet. The open declaration of war. That night in the lounge. Akuma’s joyride. Akira’s abduction. Rattlers call for help. The mission. This mission. The mission …. Time to focus Karl. We still have a job to do. Savage put the troubled thoughts out of his mind and steered himself for the job at hand. Gathering all the authority he could muster, he stepped amongst the masses and cried out for silence. “Ok people, listen up. Despite all the screw ups and our near fatal exit from the Vulture, we have made our rendevous. The mission is still a go and we still have a lot of work ahead of us.” “An hour from now this ship will be back on it’s regular patrol route. Twelve hours later, that patrol route will take us into near earth orbit. At that point, two teams will beam down to the surface and rendevous with their respective contacts. The McKendrick will continue on with it’s patrol and return to earth exactly six hours later. At that point, providing everything goes to plan, both teams will be extracted with Akira.” Savage paused for a moment to allow the assembled officers a short while to consider what he had said. “Exact specifics of the mission assignments will be divulged to you by your mission leaders before we beam down. Assignments will be posted in the briefing room in eight hours. Until then, get yourselves some food and rest. This ship is running on a skeleton crew, and like the Vulture, all external comms have been disabled for security reasons.” There was some murmering from the gathered officers when he said this. Once again, they felt as if they were being treated like criminals. “Look, im sorry it has to be this way. But it is absolutely vital that we keep this locked down. We’re entering the most vital part of the operation now, and we cant offered to have any slip ups.” “Fair point.” Muttered Gallion, stepping through the masses and towards Savage. “But ye still hasn’t told us what we’re doing.” Savage glared at him with cold, hard eyes. You are becoming one helluva pain in my arse, Gallion. “For the sake of security, I want to keep the details under wraps until just prior to launch.” Gallion raised an eyebrow. “We’ve all been very patient with you so far, Savage, but if we don’t start to get some details now, ye gonna find yourself short a few volunteers. Myself included.” Savage glared at Gallion and didn’t bother to hide his distaste for the man. Looking up from him briefly, he saw similar looks from many of the other officers, several of which were GalCom in origin. Most of which directed at him. Are things really that bad? Do they resent me that much? Savage gave in. “Ok, you want details, I’ll give you what I can.” The masses silenced, Savage continued. “Like I said, two teams will be formed and at the appointed time, will beam down to earth. During the last few days, two operatives working on the surface have been able to pinpoint the location of a secret Earthcom facility, deep underground. Don’t ask me how, because I wont tell you. Team one is charged with infiltrating this facility and taking control of the security center. Once this facility has been taken, they are to place explosive charges at several vital operation locations, including a heavily guarded transport scrambling centre. This facility must be neutralised if team two is to have any chance of success.” “Team two is the rescue team. They are charged with retrieving Akira. Once the transport scrambling facility has been neutralised, team two will beam into a quiet corner of what we believe is the interrogation centre and locate Akira. This area is heavily patrolled and guarded with automated defense systems. Our operatives on the surface have equipment that may make you’re job a little easier. Once Akira has been secured, you are to return to the beam in point for immediate extraction. And that’s it.” Insurgent commander Wold was the first to speak up. “That’s it? That’s all the detail you are going into?” Savage nodded. “As I said, you will be briefed on the exact specifics nearer to the mission time. You got a taster of whats to come, and that’s your lot. In truth, there are still some details that need to be ironed out. Certain things that our operatives on the surface are trying to determine at this very moment. There is a high likelihood that things will not go as planned, which means you will have to act on your own inititive to get the job done.” “Now, take my advice and get some food and rest. Just make sure you are in the operation centre when the assignments are posted. If anyone needs to see me before that time, I suggest you get onto the bridge. Until then, dismissed.” Immediately questions were being fired at him from all directions. Savage ignored them, and walked to the exit of the cargo bay and made his way along the hall to the nearest turbo lift. He stepped in, leaned back against the cold, smooth panel and with his eyes closed, ordered the lift to take him to the bridge. [/RP]

[RP] 17:43 hrs, 19th May, 3008 GCV-McKendrick Bridge "Time to intercept?" Ailsa glazed her eyes over her nav terminal and repeated what the digital readout told her to the McKendricks commander. "45 seconds till maximum safe transporter range. Cloak control routed to my terminal. I'll drop the cloak to coincide with the trans-" "Negative!" bellowed Neena Polovoski. "Maintain the cloak. Do NOT disengage." Ailsa turned in her chair and looked at her commander. "Sir, if we dont drop our cloak we're not going to be able to start beaming them at this range." Neena folded her arms. "I know that, Leutenant Commander. Our orders are to maintain our cloak until we are back in established patrol regions." Ailsa stood from her chair. "Sir, if we dont start pulling them off the second we get in range, we're going to lose them." "Our orders we're t-" Ailsa seemed to snap. "Sir! Our orders we're to rendevous with the Vulture and sit on top of them while we pull them off a few at a time. That operation would have taken minutes, not seconds to do so." "We're going to make one pass of them and pull them out at point blank range." Ailsa shook her head. "It cant be done, sir. We'd never get them all." Neena frowned. "Maybe. Take your station." Ailsa hurredly resumed her position at the navigation terminal. "Recomputing our approach .... at point blank range, we will overshoot the Vulture in 50 seconds .... mark." Neena resumed her position at the commanders chair and flipped an internal comms switch. "Engineering, are we ready?" Ailsa tilted her head a touch to listen into Neenas conversation with Chief Engineer Donaldson. "Chief here, sir. Yes sir. We're boosting power emiters and widening the confinement beam." Neena did a mental leap in the air. "Excellent, chief. Can you boost the beam to encompass a wider area?" The chief was silent for a moment. "Ah, it's possible commander, but I wouldnt recomend it. If we push it any more than we've already done, we risk blowing the emmiter and losing transporter capability altogether. If that happens, well, their all dead." Neena didnt want to hear that. "I dont want if's and but's, chief. Can you do it?" Again, the chief engineer was silent. "Chief, we've got one shot at this and that oppurtunity expires in about 30 seconds." More silence. "Chief?!?" Angrily, the chief of engineering spat back. "I can either talk or work, whats you're pleasure, boss?" Neena grinned and snapped off the internal comms. "Time Mister Strang?" said Neena. Ailsa, without looking back read out the numbers on the display again. "26 seconds and counting ...... 25 ...... 24 ...... 23 ......" "Sir!" It was Crane, the Tacops officer. "Vulture just lost structual integrity on deck one. She's holed, sir!" No! thought Neena. Not now, not when we're this close. "Damage? How bad is it?" " ..... 21 ...... 20 ......" "It's bad. Deck one is gone. Anyone on the bridge or surrounding compartments has just become pate." "Rest of the ship?" "Deck three is about to buckle. Too much interference to determine life signs. Deck two's SIF is weaker than a newborn ..... SIF field collapsing on three ... internal explosions!" On the viewscreen, a significant portion of the lower deck of the Vulture opened itself to space. The magnified image on the viewscreen made out a brutalised body being further violated by shrapnel from the ships torn deck plating. Neena glanced at Ailsa and found her pulling back in horror at the image on screen. Need you to focus now, Ailsa. No time to get squeamish. As if reading her mind, Ailsa pulled away from the image on the viewscreen and returned to counting down. "...... 9 ...... 8 ...... 7 seconds ....." "Engineering!" belowed Neena. "We need that transported, NOW!" "...... 4 ...... 3 ...... 2 ......" From a small viewport within a cramped cargo pod, both Savage and the Insurgent Commander Wold watched space engulf them as the rear portion of cargo bay one blew out. Somehow their small cargo pod bounced between the debris and razor like shrapnel and found saftey in the spinning void, clear of the dieing Vulture and held in captive awe as the remainder of the ship tore itself apart. Savage didnt have the words to describe what he was feeling. From somwhere deep inside of him, his heart stopped beating and the cold dread of fear and sorrow sweapt over him like a smothering blanket. He sat there and watched people he knew, people he even cared about die in the cruelest environment known to man. The grief that began to well up in him was not just for those aboard he called friend - he grieved for those he called foe. Greg, Foss, Akuma - friends and comrades. Gone in an instant. Snuffed out. And for what? A chance to save a despised enemy? A man who had sent people he had know to their deaths. A criminal, a man more than most who deserved the punishment being forced on him by his Earthcom captors. Wold said nothing. He just sat there, as quiet as Savage and looked down at his feet. Some minutes passed before either of them spoke. When they did, it was just to remind eachother that in a little under fifteen minutes time, their oxygen would run out, and they too would die in the cold wastes of space. "Was there a reason why you didnt bother to pick up a couple of replacement oxypacks when you threw us in here?" asked Savage. Wold blinked. "You think I had time to consider that while dragging your fat ass in here?" "It would have been prudent." offered Savage. "Prudent?" Savage nodded. "A good idea." "I know what prudent means!" shoted Wold. Savage grinned, and didnt bother to hide it from his Insurgent room mate. Well, if it's time for me to die, at least I get to go out with one last quip. Somehow, Savage found peace in that thought. Unfortunately for him, reality kicked in again, and just as he was getting used to the idea of going out smiling, a weird tingling sensation pulsed through his body, and before he could react - found himself amongst dead comrades. He stood, pulled the vacc shits helmet from his head and glanced around the familiar surroundings of a Battlecruiser Mk II's primary cargobay. "Commander on deck!" shouted an ensign from somwhere behind him. Savage turned, offering a slightly beamused glance at Wold as he did so and faced the voice. Ahead of him stodd a young ensign, six extreemly well armed GalCom crewmen and the one and only, Commander Neena Polovoski. "Glad you could join us, Karl." said Neena with a smile. "Glad to be joined." replied Savage. "Any chance you're boys could drop the firepower? I think you'll find we're all on friendly terms these days." Neena cocked her head at him, as if asking if he was serious. The returned smile from Savage gave her the impression he was. Nodding from side to side, the crewmen lowered their weapons and a hurried mass of medics came from knowhere behind them and began attending to the Vultures wounded. Savage held back for only a few moments before moving towards her, and without hesitation embraced her tightly and kissed her deep. They parted only after a long moment, and looking into eachothers eyes, Neena once more broke the silence. "Welcome aboard, sir." Behind them at the back of the pack, Akuma Minako turned away from what she saw and drew in a deep, heartfelt breath.