The Line in the Stars (IC) [PG/14]

[Azlan]

Headquarters ISF Military Command, Al'shor City

A new day dawned on Riallphen and marked the last many would see for a long time to come, possibly for some, never again.

A new expedition had been formed and on the day before final departure, the Commander of Military Operations called a meeting of all officers and senior NCOs of the embarking fleet.

The assembled personnel talked among themselves as they waited for the meeting to start.  The right entrance to the auditorium opened and the guards came to immediate attention.  The designated guard called for immediate attention from all assembled and following with military decorum, all assembled stood and came to attention.

The Commander of Military Operations was the highest ranking officer in the ISF, a 5-star general.  She was a feline pushing at least 60 standard years in age and easily the senior of anyone attending, her name Patricia Kaneowe (can-o-way).  Following her were the expedition's command staff, General Aren Zaccarri (human), Vice Admiral Rebecca Urocyon (some type of hybrid fox) and a small handful of other senior staff: Brigadier General Robert Bashiri (Red Panda), Commodore Michael Lyzari (civet), Brigadier General Alicia Lawson (human), Fleet Captain Thomas Duran (Coatimundi), Brigadier General Simon M'Iver (swift fox) and Captain Ian Winter (Peregrine Falcon).  They took their seats and everyone else followed suit.

General Kaneowe gave a speech about the last hope of the ISF resting on your shoulders.  How you are all embarking on both a great adventure to save all beings from destruction by a shadowy enemy who regards other life forms as toys for their amusement.  Eventually the meeting winds down and everyone is dismissed, except for the officers.  General Zaccarri calls a staff meeting back at his ready room at his fleet headquarters.

Utilizing whatever ground or air transportation is available; the staff make their way to the fleet headquarters readyroom.  When all are finally assembled, his staff secretary activates a holographic display unit.  The image resolves into a spherical object.

"This gentleman and ladies, this is what we are facing, the first wave at least.  This thing is called a Dyson Sphere*, a megastructure approximately 1 astronomical unit in radius that encapsulates an entire sun."

*For lack of a better term.

[Azlan]

The general paused to allow the chatter among the officers to die down before continuing, "worse then this is two things, it is likely very well armed and it is fully capable of faster then light travel."

More alarmed comments ring out from the assembled officers, but the general merely raises his hand, "my concern is not the technology behind this thing, my job... our job is to kill it... that is all.  I apologize if I sound barbaric, but that is the truth, we kill it before it kills us."

"I wanted you all to understand the scope of this operation.  We are to intercept it in route to our home system, beyond the borders of our known space.  We have certain 'experts' that are aware of the planned routes that it may take.  A object of this mass can only jump short distances and even so, the drain on power is tremendous.  If we can catch it after a jump, we will have an advantage."

The general paused, "thank you for coming everyone, I need to speak with the senior fleet officers, everyone else, please have a good evening, we will be departing at 0600 hours.  We have a few stops to make before we breach the unknown.  Dissmissed."

OOC

Everyone please post a situational awareness post, i.e. what is your character doing on the lead up to the departure at 0600.  When everyone posts, I will move the timeline up.  Thanks!

[Magic]

Inari Class Cruiser 'Revelation', ISF Shipyard

The communications network came to life, and that harsh voice boomed;

"Engineering and maintenance personnel to stations. Begin preliminary diagnostics and initialization of all systems."

Some would say his species is apt; a heartless dingo who eats babies. Still others seriously entertain the notion. Yet he knows, listens to all of them, and always witholds his wrath. He listens to everything everyone would ever say, and knows everything everyone would ever do, yet never rouses to anger. His is the voice of resolute command. He is not truly brave, he only follows orders to the letter; never failing.

Despite the fact that the path it will take is the one that is most tactically sound with respect to it's constraints on it's jump drives, it would still be relatively unpredictable. Perhaps they're expecting this--dividing our forces while they concentrate for a push on the command fleet. The dingo massaged his forehead, as he sat upon his chair, his throne; observing everything everyone is doing--

--and will ever do.

[Paladin Sheppard]

Inari Class Cruiser 'Revelation', ISF Shipyard

"So what do you think of that sphere Major?" Kal said to his room mate and wing lead, a green skined draconaian. "If I know anything Cool Hand, it'll come down the marines doing what we do best, leading the way! Hoorah." Major Domnic 'Viper' Hadem replied with Kal joining in with the last.

Kal returned to writing a letter to his girlfriend, Tanya who was serving on one of the support ships of the fleet...

[bill]

What the hell?
Conrad Tomczyk shook his head in disbelief, walking back to his dorm.
How the HELL are we supposed to kill something that big?
He was experienced in small scale operations, nothing of this scale. Evidently, someone high up was getting pretty damn desprate.

He waved his tag to the lock, and entered his room. After turning on some light music, he sat at his desk silently, thankful that he wasn't the poor bastard that had to plan this farce of an operation.

[Poofyspikes]

Inari Class Cruiser 'Revelation', ISF Shipyard

Upon his return from the briefing, Lee headed straight for his room and collapsed onto his bed. After a muffled grunt or two into his pillow, he commented to nobody in particular. "That was, quite possibly, the most demoralizing meeting in all of history. The fact that I can't get the image of an ant going up against a human with a flamethrower isn't making me feel much better, either."

After a couple of minutes of no activity whatsoever, Lee rolled off the bed and decided to head to the mess hall. Perhaps some coffee would calm his nerves.

[Supercheese]

Command Carrier Vigilance

The fighter wing deployed in a defensive screen, and tried to shoot down the incoming warheads. However, the sheer number of projectiles was such that the maneuver only destroyed 10% of them, leaving the rest free to impact the carrier the fighters were attempting to protect. Numerous explosions tore through the hull, and the carrier blossomed into an enormous explosion fed by destabilizing fusion reactors.

The red text "Failure" blinked across the screen, with the remnants of the carrier in the background. Commander MacDuff looked up from his pad with a sigh. Not even the simplest strategies seemed to be working...

The cardinal's head jerked around, and he realized that he was so absorbed in his simulation that he overshot his destination. Cursing himself, he stuck the pad in his back pocket and took to flight. The corridor was just large enough to allow very, very careful flying, but it was far from easy navigating the deck. MacDuff clipped a crewman approaching from a side corridor, and earned himself an earful of expletives. The cardinal grimaced and yelled a quick apology as he set down in front of a door that opened automatically.

He walked into the immense room and was greeted by a raccoon. "Sir, the group simulations are ready. If you would please follow me..." MacDuff looked around as he walked towards the command module. The faces of the fighter pilots were grim but determined. Despite the fact that their previous simulations – as well as their commanding officers' – were almost entirely unsuccessful, there was no lack of fortitude in this group.

"Everybody synchronized & ready to go?"

"Yes, sir."

Commander MacDuff took his seat and moved his control panel into position. "Then let's begin."

"Aye, sir. Activating first scenario."

Let's hope something works. And that our estimates and intel are correct.

[Lushin]

ISF Ship Yard
Romulus walked into through the gates of the shipyard ready his new orders. He stopped where he had to show clearance and such but other than that he never took his eyes off his new orders.
"I'm going on a space mission? Well damn that will be different"
Romulus still found it odd that he was being sent on a mission with the Navy and Marines. Romulus remembers back to the briefing and only seeing a few Army men here and there.  Romulus talked to himself as he walked holding his father's dogtag.
"If you weren't dead I would have swore you had something to do with this. I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of your friends, more than likely wanted me out of their hair and cause problems for someone else"
Romulus made his way through the shipyard with his dufflebag and favorite rifle. It was a standard field rifle that he did some upgrading to. He added a high powered scope, better firing pin to increase the gun's range, and a longer clip to hold more bullets. He rarely went anywhere without it.  He stopped a maintenance person to ask directions.
"Hey buddy wheres the Revelation?"
The maintenance person raised an eyebrow at Romulus "You mean the Navy's Inari Class Cruiser Revelation? Why would an Ar..."
Romulus cut them off. "Yes that Revelation. No stupid questions or jokes, just tell me where the bloody ship is!"
The maintenance person flinched at Romulus and quietly pointed him in the right direction. Romulus waved his hand and headed off in the direction he was pointed. Romulus reread his orders as he walked to his new home away from home. When he found the ship he stood for a second taking the ship in and then boarding. Romulus spoke to himself as he walked up to the Security officer on Duty.
(To himself) "And the soldier spoke to God as he entered the gates of Heaven. 'One more soldier reporting for duty sir. I've served my time in Hell'...... Ahem men brother." (Aloud to the Security Officer) "Romulus Darkcloud reporting for duty sir. Where am I sleeping?"

[Eibborn]

Absalom chatted and joked with his fellow soldiers in the mess hall after a long sleep. That's all, really. He ate a rather Spartan meal, as well. Hooray for camaraderie between soldiers.

[Azlan]

ISF Shipyard
"Romulus Darkcloud reporting for duty sir. Where am I sleeping?"

The human duty officer examined Romulus with a critical eye, he then turned towards one of the security personnel and motioned them over. 

"Corporal, escort Sergeant Darkcloud to his berthing."

The corporal acknowledged and saluted, "sir!"  He then approached Romulus, "this way sergeant."

The lapine corporal headed into the airlock, the thick transparent 'windows' gave a breathtaking view of the yard and space beyond,  the ship was also visible, though not as clearly as from the spacedock.

The corporal paused before entering the ship and briefly faced towards the rear of the ship before turning to salute to the front of the vessel... marines.

He lead Romulus through the decks of the vessel.  Due to artificial gravity, it was laid out like a surface naval vessel in terms of top down deck construction.  Eventually, the corporal lead Romulus into a small ready room.  Five other special forces types lounged about, they took intent notice of the new entrants as any trained person should.

Romulus knew all but one of the soldiers here, from training or previous posts and all the ones he knew where people he 'got along with' at least professionally.  The unknown one was a smallish mixed breed canine, but also the senior in terms of rank to the others, being a corporal.

"This is your team, the door to the left back of the room is their barracks.  This door here is where you and Corporal Foster bunk."

The security corporal opened the door and revealed the small room with two beds with a partial partition to signify separate areas for each of the two NCOs.

"with that I will be taking my leave sergeant, welcome aboard."  He turned and exited the room, leave Romulus in his new 'room'.

OOC
After valkyn posts, I'll proceed further.  The above seemed like it needed to be done as Daimien's post was open ended.

[lucas marcone]

marco was going over some mech schematics when his room mate looked at him.
"firstly we dont even know what the hell it can do! secondly even with all the ships in the navy how could we ever think to take it down!?"
Marco looked up at him with a martass glare. "we could always send a photon torpedo into an exhaust port."
"god damn it Marco I'm serious! how can we be sure this isn't a suicide mission!?"
"you worry too much! go to the cantena and have a drink or two! geeze you're way to high strung even for the navy." Marco's room mate the big black panther  named iyori(e your e) made her way out of the room.
"alright mister hot shot mech pilot ill cave but remember your probably going to diiiiiieeeeee *giggles*"
"oh yes well so are you since your job is to coooover ooour asssesss!" both broke into laughter.
"you're way to funny too be leader of your own team." 
"lead like a captin joke like a grunt as i always say." iyori disappeared around the corner. Marco couldn't help thinking to himself "GOD i love that woman."

ooc: the long words are said in that mocking simi singing tone edit: bah i missed that "o" in too early morining and late night are not my friends and i made a few line breaks if i have done so improperly please tell or show me the proper way in the OCC thread

[Azlan]

0600 hours at Fleet staging Location

With the expected precision of a true military operation, the ships of the fleet formed into the squadrons and awaited jump orders.

All hands were expected to secure for jump without exception.

On board the battleship Alliance, flagship of the fleet, a solemn vixen turned to regard the stern human who sat in the command chair.

"By all rights this whole operation would look to be little more then a suicide mission..." she began.

Holding up his hand, he relaxed his expression, "Becky, I've been involved in some pretty stupid things in my life.  I've been exceptionally reckless, before we even came here I was known for my unorthodox methods."

He paused to massage his forehead, gazing briefly at the ceiling, "In all my years, I have never been unduly reckless or foolhardy with the lives of anyone under my command.  I would not have proposed this operation if I did not have confident in its success."

The Vice Admiral sighed, "I know what we must do, but not everyone joining this operation does Aren."

"We'll be able to elaborate more once we get to Eridani.  We are the last , best hope..."

"You can't use that line, we'll get sued Aren."

Aren nodded, "you're right... strike that from the record."

The vixen giggled, "please tell me we aren't going to be making trench runs on that thing..."

The general groaned, "I really regret introducing that old film to this universe." 


On that note, the fleet jumped for Epsilon Eridani.

[Magic]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation; post-jump

The point where hyperspace ended and space began again crackled and flashed bright, making way for an entire fleet. Before them, Epsilon Eridani, their first destination.

"Status, long range scans, waypoint map onscreen." Morgan quickly and promptly ordered, as he immediately stood up from his seat to better oversee the bridge personnel. The Relevation was in the picket line of the fleet, serving primarily as forward reconnaissance and force projection well into the fighter screen. Though at this position she does both jobs effectively, it also makes her very vulnerable. That's what worries him.

"Weapon stations on alert," Morgan ammended, "Load anti-shipping missiles. Maintain formation speed but be ready to push flank on evasive. Let's not give them a chance to surprise us." He sternly stressed.

[Lushin]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation; post-jump

As soon as the jump ended Romulus gather up his squad..

"Allright gents, grabs your guns and get you butts in gear. *Romulus looks at the others and notices the surprised look on the new guy's face* "Don't worry soldier we ain't attacking anyone but now that we can we're gonna training til we have to make ready for the next jump. If there is anywhere on this ship to target practice I want you each to get some practice in. I don't know if these things ever do but I want you also to practice your hand to hand fighting. I want you guys to stay fresh. Don't worry though I'll be training right there with you to make sure nothing gets screwed up. *Romulus gives a slight glance at the new guy* "Alright people lock and load we're moving out"

Romulus grab his rife and waited for the others to do the same. Once they where ready he headed out to see if there was even a training facility. Just before leaving the door Romulus turned back to his squad with a rather sly smile on his face.

"Oh and guys, for the love of God make sure your safeties are on. I don't need any of you discharging any rounds while we're on our way to the practice area" *Once again Romulus cast a look at the new guy* "Now lets go, I don't want anyone getting rusty. Besides I hear some Marines are on board as well. I want to find this place before they get there"

With that Romulus headed out the door with his squad right be hind him.

[lucas marcone]

marco heard romulus with his troops on his way to work on his mech.
"what a lovely leader you make rommy now why dontcha tell em that santas a fake and gettem training for real!"

[Lushin]

Romulus stopped and looked over at Marco.

"Oh you mean like your training? Sit in that walking tank and run around shooting people? Take one of those mechs out with nothing but a field rifle then come talk to me.  Also if you're still even celebrating Christmas then you haven't spent enough time on the battle field in a trench with bullets flying over your head watching your father dying right next to you. Now why don't you go play with your robot and let the real men go train"

Romulus started to walk again with his squad then said over his shoulder as he waved back to Marco.

"See you around the ship Marky"

[lucas marcone]

marco walked slowly away muttering "been through more n you know..."
macro arrived in the mech hanger and looked up at his mech which he had nick named "one ton tommy". the name was more for show than anything else.  outfitted with all manner of heavy weaponry tommy looked like something out of your nightmares, due to the fact marco loved to customize. with a skull shaped cock pit frame and a black and blood red paint job tommy was nothing to laugh at.

all the same marco set to recalibrateing the aiming and speedometer. last thing marco needed was to  be shot headlong into a batallion of canon fire.
"doot doot baaant doot doot baant!"
"wadda ya mean improper command! have the mechanics been messing with you again!? i swear thay do it to piss me off!"
"doot doot badoot"
"there we go! ill get you all spiffy yet tommy."

marco was finished recalibrateing and he turned tommy full on to test the movements after gaining proper clearence.
tommy's ironicly female voice chimed in. "user, state name and rank."
"marcone, lucas E-5"
"welcome....marco! you might want to know, minor hull damage is detected."
"you mean to tell me thay havent fixed it yet but thay have time to fuck with my contols? typical."
marco hopped out of his mech after powering down and testing the feel. "hay nitterhouse!"
nitterhouse piped up "yes sir?"
"there's still some hull damage detected could you do something about it?"
"sure thing sir well get on it as soon as we repair....."
he flipped around on his clip board.
"...cohen's mech sorry we missed yours."
"right then. page me when its done i want to be battle ready asap."
"whare will you be sir?"
"bar."
marco walked away.

ooc: sorry for grammer posted befor i realized to spell check and it wont let me now...

[Paladin Sheppard]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation; post-jump

Figher/LAM launch catapult B

Sitting in his figher mode Raptor Kal awaits a launch alert, he was not part of the fighter CAP of the fleet but was waiting in case anything surprised them, and they needed extra fighters out in the void.

[Eibborn]

Absalom proceeds to the launch catapult at a casual pace, quickening noticeably whenever he sees an officer approaching. He doesn't yet feel that there is a rush. After all, they're in the middle of friendly space.

[Poofyspikes]

Quickly downing his coffee as he ran, Lee made his way to the launch catapult. He thought the commands a bit odd, but one could never be too safe. He simply assumed (and hoped) that this was just a precautionary measure and not an indication of what was to come in the next few minutes. At the conclusion of the short reverie, Lee found himself in front of his mecha. He proceeded to strap himself in while awaitng further orders.

[Azlan]

Bridge: INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation

The communications technician turned towards the captain, "Sir, we have received the all clear message, we are safe to stand down from Battle Stations."


Bridge: Battleship Alliance

"Sir, all ships are standing down.  We are receiving a message from the station.  All teams are assembled and ready to go."  The communications officer reported.

The General nodded and nodded to the helm, "bring us in to dock."

Standing he motioned for the Admiral to follow him, "Captain Zhan you have the bridge."

Both of them made their way to the central airlock and arrived just as the Military Intelligence group boarded.  Following them was the diplomatic group.

"Owen Marik, you are part of the diplomatic corps now?"  General Zaccarri remarked upon seeing a familiar face.

This Owen Marik appeared nearly half the age of the General, well groomed white hair and blue eyes made this human stand out from the rest.  The fact that he was of an Asian decent*, Japanese to be precise, made his features, eye and hair color give him a look found only in manga.

"Quite so, Aren... Aren is what you are going by now, correct?  Diplomacy and Intelligence are virtually one and the same."

"Oh look Reiya, the old man has come down to greet us personally."

Aren switched his gaze to where the voice originated.  The scientific cadre was boarding and at center of a cluster of scientists, guarded by a squad of extremely heavily armed and armored soldiers, stood a trio of odd individuals.  Two of them, which included the one who was speaking, were anthro foxes.  The other was a strange creature which hovered above the ground by some unknown force; it is an insect-like organism with a spiky, gray-violet carapace.  It possess two forelimbs with articulate hands, shoulder plates and a triangular mobile head with diamond shaped eyes which burn fiery red.  On the back are a pair of luminescent wings.  Despite its insect like appearance, it has only two hind limbs making it a bipedal creature.

The pair of foxes appears normal, except for their color and manner of dress.  The speaking one appears to be male and is blue in fur color with a white front side and tail tip.  He is dressed in a rather bizarre outfit consisting of little more then armored shoulder, chest plates and a similar armored waist and thighs (complete with royally decorative cape and loincloth).  He wears wrist and shin guards, fingerless gloves, but is otherwise bare pawed.  He wears a silver circlet with a purple gem.  It is an improvement, because he wasn't in the habit of wearing anything before, except the circlet.  Around his neck is a choker collar with a bell, his restraining device.

The female is quite different, quiet and seemingly shy, she is pink furred and garbed in arcane finery, royally appointed as well.  She is armored in a somewhat more protective fashion.  Her attire is reminiscent of an opposite (i.e. blue and white) version of Rina Inbaasu (Lina Inverse).  She too is wearing a belled choker collar and a golden circlet with a red gem.

Aren raised an eyebrow, "What atrocious outfit did you manage to find Ixiah?"

"One of my attending scientists is an avid fan of something called manga.  Of all the outfits she dressed me in within her mind, this was the one that I liked best, not so very restrictive."

Somewhere in the back, a young scientist blushed heavily and nervously adjusted her glasses.

"It's not very modest 'Lord' Ixiah." 

Ixiah looked perplexed, "what does modest mean?"

Everyone paused for a moment and quickly shook themselves out of the momentary shock.  The general motioned to the guards, "take our guests to their quarters.  Behave now you two."

The pink vixen spoke in a quiet voice, "yes sir."

The general nodded to the insectile being, "Captain Xexx, I shall need your tactical services, but you might wish to assume an alternate form, so as to be slightly less disturbing to my crew."

"As you wish, I am your prisoner.  Unlike those others, I am mindful of my place here.  It comes from being lower in the hierarchy of 'thralls' then the Acadians."

The insect settled unto his hind limbs and shimmered, appearing to all those around to be whatever species they desired to see him as the most, usually a member of their own specific type.

The various groups disbursed to whatever duties they needed to attend to.

OOC
*The humans are not from this dimension, an unknown accident deposited an exploratory vessel, as well as a large warship in Riallphen space over 600 years ago.  After a first contact situation, they integrated into society. 

The alien monitors of the sector, Ixiah and Reiya found the humans to be curious and failed to report their appearance to their masters.  As a result, a human wildcard was thrown into the mix that has lead to the current situation for the aliens.

A jump accident caused the loss of the warship and destroyed the exploration ship.  The warship reappeared around the time of the last alien attack and aided in that battle. 

[lucas marcone]

one of nitterhouse's underlings appeared in the doorway of the cantena. marco was enjoying a few light drinks with iyori. neither were drunk marco wasnt even tipsy yet, but the energy drinks used to make the mix drink he just had was takeing effect and made him jittery. marvin (the underling) approached marco. "sir, your mech is done, though you wont be needing it."
"ah thank you. i trust you treated tommy well?"
"oh yes sir we even touched up your paint a little bit."
"thats good to know, ill go take a look, iyori, have fun but dont get drunk id rather not see you "punished" again."
"dont worry marco i know how to restrain myself"
"good then."
and with that marco walked off the the mech hanger.

marco looked at tommy and saw that not only had the hull damage been fixed but some new leg actuateors had been installed. nitterhouse walked to marco. "like them? we just got a shipment, and needed to see if that are infact better than what the rest of you have and since yours seemed to be in the best condition we decided to use you as our lab monkey."
"good to know, but if these bog me down or break in battle. ill haunt your ass!"
"fair enough."
marco spent an hour checking out the new spiffyness of the mech. and couldnt help but thinking thay only were that nice to his baby because thay we useing him as a lab monkey.

[bill]

A well rested Tomczyk went down to the canteen for a well deserved drink. Since this was likely to be the final mission of his life, he had no qualms to let loose a bit. He thought his situation through. Then he decided that he was not going to depress himself, and took his shot.

[Lushin]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romulus had his squad practice with their rifles for three hours. Being the leader he was, he practice with them. Granted he was making more head shots then the others. After the three hours of rifle practice Romulus lead them right into physical training. He had them do the usual push-up, sit-ups, pull-ups and weight training. He sat there training along with everyone else. He may specially sure to push the new guy. Making him do more reps than the others. At one point he got down and did the push-ups right along with the new guy. After an hour of physical training he had them  partner up and practice sparring.
"Alright you guys, you know the drill. Use just enough force to hurt but don't injury each other. Anyone who puts their parnter in the sick bay will have to deal with me. *Romulus looked at the new guy going to partner with someone else* Oh no dude, you're with me. I want to make sure you belong with these others. They've all sparred with me, you haven't. Ok spar with your partner for an hour then you can either get something to eat or go back to your room and shower"
Romulus takes a Martial Arts stance and looks at the new guy. He lets out a sly smile and gestures for the new guy to attack.

[Magic]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge

Morgan kept standing even as he had commanded the rest of the ship to stand down. Three concerns, the first was that the fleet was merely picking up personnel, and most likely would not be delayed significantly, barring any other reasons that the fleet officers had in mind. The second, was putting himself at ease. Despite the fact that the sensors found the immediate area to be clear, he could not resolve to peace. His thoughts revolved on both the lack of significant military intelligence and the unpredictability of the alien forces.

The last concern, no smoking on the bridge. At this point, he really needed his fix.

[Supercheese]

Command Carrier Vigilance

Commander MacDuff was seated in front of the computer terminal in his quarters. He queried the military intelligence database.

Any new intelligence, general information, or updates on the situation?

Processing request...

He tapped his red feathered wings on the desktop while waiting.

There are no new entries listed in the general folder, and no new information is available from this source.

Robert sighed. "Typical..." he muttered. He wondered if he should postpone the simulations until more intel was available... but dismissed the idea as impractical. They needed those training scenarios to prepare, even if the situations presented to the pilots and crewmembers may be flawed. Besides, he had orders.

The cardinal rubbed his head. He also had a headache – and it appeared to be intensifying. Glancing at the time displayed on the computer screen, he decided he had enough time to hop down to the medical facilities and get something to treat it.

*Besides, there's a real cute nurse down in sickbay...* he thought as he strode out of his room.

[Paladin Sheppard]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Catapult B

Kal waited as the catapult crew removed his Raptor from the launch tube. Keying his radio he chatted with his fellow marines as they also waited. As the LAM cleared the inner bulkhead Kal unstrapped and climbed from the cockpit and did a walkaround inspection taking care to check the vibro sword the marine's Raptors had been issued with was still in its retrofitted housing.

Satisfied, he joined the rest of the ISF marine pilots as the gattered around before they headed back to the deck they were asigned to.

[Azlan]

Command Carrier Vigilance

As MacDuff exited his quarters, he nearly ran straight into a familiar Peregrine Falcon.

"Robert, just who I was looking for!" Captain Ian Winter chirped in a jovial sort of tone.  "I'm going to be reassigning you once we Reach Delta Vulpecula.  I'm making you the first officer, with approval from the Vice Admiral, of the command ship of our first scout fleet.  Your fighter tactical experience will be invaluable, as they are going to be fighter heavy in comparison to the other scout fleet."

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge

The ship's computer suddenly chimes in, Captain, I am registering an elevated heart rate, temperature and an increase in anxiety.  You need to relax sir, and can I please remind you that smoking is not permitted on any ISF vessel.  New mandated law.  I suppose you could smoke in hard vacuum, but that has other drawbacks that makes this option fatal for organic life forms.


INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room

The canine smiles as Romulus beckons him on, "The name is Benjamin Foster, mate.  A name you will remember as the first guy on the Revelation that kicked your rear, sergeant."

The corporal dashed forward leading in what appeared to be a preparation that would lead to a roundhouse kick to Romulus's head, but instead he dropped down and attempted to sweep the legs out from under the wolverine.

[Lushin]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romuls does a backflip nearly missing Benjamin's chin with his right foot and lands just passed Ben's sweep. As soon as he lands Romulus drives a punch straight for Ben's face. At the last second he lowers his hand a few inches and goes for an open palm hit to the chest.
Romulus spoke as he faught.
"Wow, wow, wow. I never said any of these guys haven't beaten me in a fight. Everyone of them is pretty much even to my fighting skill. It's just I know that they can fight but I know nothing about you. So I plan to make sure you belong with us"

[Azlan]

INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room

Ben took the hit, which pushed him back a bit.  He stopped for a second and focused.

The canine swept his arms about him as he adjusted his foot positions in classic kung fu fashion.  His eyes were clear and his aim was focused.

Ben burst into a flurry of movement, he moved in quickly right, then suddenly broke to the left leading with a rapid flurry of hand strikes, seemingly aimed to distract. 

In the midst of these strikes, he snapped his leg up into a kick aimed at Romulus's chin.  Even if this strike misses, it shows his masterful flexibility (i.e. the perfect splits).  This position looks exceptionally vulnerable, but looks are generally deceiving.

OOC
Normally I allow others to respond before I break in with more posts, but action must be addressed