Continued From Mission 7...


Uriel did not answer the minuscule Neko, at least not immediately. He strode from the room and guided them to his small space in the cargo bay. There in his "room" on the bed was his uniform's case, unlatched and open. He gave a quick glance toward the doorway before he began speaking, his eyes on the uniform of a navigation officer.

"I was in the Fourth War between Yamatai and Elysium. I lost my father to that war, as well. Needless to say, the events that transpired those years are very important to me. So I must ask, were you involved in that war?" The Patrician had little understanding of how the Nekovalkyrja functioned, but was certain of a possibility that Naoko had been present during, despite her unusual form.




Ah...

Placing a hand on the Elysian's neck, to steady herself, Naoko leaned forward and examined the uniform. Taking a little while to consider it, the small nekovalkyrja sat back. "What answer would satisfy you, Duplicarii?" the small, demure woman offered quietly, throwing Uriel a sideways glance and considering him speculatively.

"The truth is; I was born because of the battle at Geshrin-kichi. My first combat action was defending it."

He thought about this long and hard- which turned out to be only half a minute. "And... do you consider your actions then with the mind of a soldier or the mind of a mercenary?" With loyalty to Yamatai or with loyalty to the employer?

Uriel was pacing as he contemplated and conversed. This was... unusual. He never thought he'd actually have the time or opportunity to quiz a Nekovalkyrja about the war. Frankly it was... rattling. He knew ultimately it boiled down to Naoko's alignment that would decide whether or not there were disputes in their future. She had obviously proven her worth and skill, and it served only as more reason for him to worry then and there.

For a brief moment the idea of crushing her in one hand flitted through his mind until he shut it out. I'm making myself paranoid.

"At that time I was a soldier, nothing more and nothing less. The number on my Mindy mattered more than my name, and was used more often, but I still loved the Empire and I hated your people for attacking us. I lived, and died, and lived on soully for that. Even now, there is probably already another 'me', still serving."

Instead of keeping her hand settled on Uriel's neck, the little Naoko shifted so that the crook of the Patrician's shoulder supported her back, and reclined with her hands folded, one leg dangling. Then, she continued in a much softer, almost ashamed tone.

"You are asking me this, because you want to know if I am going to kill you, for being a Duplicarii, and that answer is no. Not really. I don't feel you are an enemy of mine."

He took upon himself a wry smile that was hardly more than a tweak in his right cheek. "No. I asked because I had to know if I must kill you.

"The Elysians- politically speaking- have forgiven your kind and are once more part of Yamatai; I still have yet to sort out all of my baggage, however."

Now he smiled softly, a sincere expression. "But I am... comforted. There will be no trouble aboard this ship- not betwixt you and I at the least. Though I don't think I can ever live by such a philosophy, I can... respect your point of view then and now." He waved his hand aside, as though to dismiss the topic.

"But with the serious business concluded, my curiosity is unbridled: what does one of your size do for recreation?"