Opening channels...

Implementing authentication layers...

Initiating volumetric matrix...


"Welcome to the server," a soft voice greeted the admirals as they joined the virtual conference room. It was a scenic place, modeled after a banquet hall of a resort on Hanako's World, with white walls, teal carpet, and large windows facing a beach. In front of them, at the end of a large table, sat Taisho Ketsurui Yui.

Soon, Kessaku Irim, Tamahagane Mai, Kawahara Opal, Ketsurui-Chinomai Minori, Shinja Fujita, Shinja Noriko, Fensalir Kelrina, and Eikan Minato joined the conference room as well.

As they waited for others to join, Yui apologized for the conference being virtual instead of actually sending them to beach, and there was a little laughter.

But this conference couldn't be more serious.

An image of a Nepleslian man flashed into existence, the lines running up and down it and the slightly bluish tinge showing that it was being made by an older hologram recorder, which was being broadcast into the room. The Taisho Johnathan Whitmoor had arrived, and he bowed cordially to the other 'occupants' of this virtual meeting room.

"I apologize for taking so long to arrive, Mistress Taisho," Whitmoor began, referring to Ketsurui Yui with a bow, "It took a while to get this machine working, and our usual interface is having problems." The image of the Taisho remained bowed just long enough, before straightening up, the form of him 'moving' to join the others at the virtual conference table.

// Authentication complete... Initiating virtual interface//

//Security measures activated//

The image of a blue eyed, sandy brown haired Nekovalkyrja in a working uniform appeared in the virtual conference room. Her tresses were pulled back in a bun and she wore a katana on her left him. In the background a view port could be seen with a star field in it. This was Mikasa Sorano-Taisho, commander of the Second Expeditionary Fleet. Even in a working uniform her appearance was almost immaculate except for a small smudge of soot on her left cheekbone.

Sorano bowed towards the image of Yui. "Greeting Ketsurui Yui-Sama. Sorry for my choice of uniform. We just concluded an operational exercise at Fort Shotou and I did not have time to change."

"Good evening." she said looking at the other officers. She then took a seat at the table in the room were she was on the Yamato and had the AI program her image taking a seat at the table.

-----------------------------------------------

// Authentication complete... Initiating virtual interface//

//Security measures activated//

The image of a Yamataian standing in an office with the Star Army flag behind her appeared. She had pale green almond shaped eyes and raven black hair. Her hair was pulled back into a bun with a Kanzashi hold her hair in place. Shinja Fujita-Taisho was wearing a Type 30 uniform.

Her image turned to face Yui. "Ketsurui-Taisho it has been too long since we have had the opportunity to speak." she said and bowed appropriately. She held it for a brief moment and rose up. "Greeting from Taurus Star Fortress. " She said looking at the other occupants and gave a brief head nod to her virtual fellow clan members.

She took a seat and her simulacrum did the same next to Sorano.

"We have a number of things to talk about. Our victory at Yamatai has put us in a position to strike back with a deathblow at the NMX in this brief time when they are recovering. I have three fleets attacking the hub of their military operations at Rabaal. But a single strike is not going to solve our problems. The NMX are scattered all over known space. Our first priority is to take back our worlds. So what systems would you like to see at the top our list? And would you like your fleet to retake those worlds or take on the NMX homeworlds?"

Shosho Morioka Naoko appeared, slightly late perhaps, with her hair somewhat disheveled - she had bound it back with several ties that looked as if they were leather, twined from the base of her neck in a criss-crossed pattern that was nothing short of archaic - and with the air of someone who had just washed. There was no accompanying image of her surroundings - her digital duplicate simply walked into existence without any preempting theatrics. Their absence was actually kind of surprising.

She was wearing a sash that Ketsurui Hanako would have easily recognized; cobalt blue, spread over one shoulder and cinched at her waist, opposite. It was one of the few remaining symbols of a knight protector of Xiuluria and the Vice-Admiral's braid lay over the dark blue material like a bolt of sunlight over the deep ocean. Otherwise, the dark skinned, regularly beautiful Nekovalkyrja was wearing the reinstated bodysuit uniform, with white panels, as it suited her form exceptionally well.

Upon appearance she bowed, formally, but without speaking; the Taisho was busy addressing the other admirals, and would not have appreciated the interruption, Morioka thought.

Then, she took her place a respectful distance away from Yui, since the other admirals - the actual fleet admirals, as opposed to just the scuzzy little task force admirals, naturally - had the right of rank.

Rika took a moment and then stood up, "Mistress Taisho. The Fourth Fleet is in the final stages of preparation for an assault. After three long years our recent foray into the UOC space with the 1XF Seventh Squadron has paid off.

Our Intelligence team located a prisoner facility about 100 ly south of our position. However, there is a passage to it in the Yugumo Cluster. We have ascertained that Shimizu Akina and a number of other high profile prisoners are behind held there. Operation Liberation will deploy in two weeks time with Task Force One Three and my Command group.

That will leave Task Force Two my Rapid Response Group to remain in the Bard Cluster to deal with any incursion in a protected system."

She took her seat.

The Chujo Kasami Erika, of the 9th SF, appeared in the virtual world in her own stretchsuit uniform. She had little time, but was updated on the subject Yui wanted to discuss.

"The 9th SF has targeted Xyainbor, and will be engaging in an operation to clear the planet of NMX units within the next four hours. Afterward, the 9th SF could be utilized to drive down toward the KMS, stopping at the edge of the NMX territory in that direction."

Once the others had spoken, Whitmoor made himself apparent, and explained the situation his own fleet was in.
"The Fifth fleet is currently undergoing a complete reorganization and resupply, as we found ourselves rather ill-equipped for the assault on Nataria, despite its success. However, once we have been properly re-equipped, I will be sending the Fifth fleet to retake Tami. After that, I am as yet unsure what our next target is." Finishing his report, the admiral's image sat back down at the chair it had occupied.

A male Yamataian appeared in his duty uniform. "Daikantaitaisho-kakka," Taisho Kurita Shunsaku bowed to Yui. He repeated this formal greeting to all of the Taisho present, modifying their title as needed. Then he realized that the leader of the 9th Fleet was a Chujo, which threw him off. He had thought the 9th was commanded by Taisho Hokusai. As the most junior Taisho, it was easy enough to know his place amongst the fleet admirals. But a Chujo whom he didn't know? Where did that fit into the formal protocol?

After a brief hesitation, he bowed, "Chujo-kakka," before taking his place. As the most junior Taisho and the newest Fleet commander, it would be inappropriate of him to speak before the higher, more senior commanders.

"I intend to neutralize or capture NMX assets in the NMX home cluster and create blockade around their capital system, Aetherus Haven, until it surrenders. This will be handled by the 1st Expeditionary Fleet and Third First along with Taisho Minato's Sixth Fleet. I want every other Star Army fleet to be engaged in taking NMX-controlled star systems back, with the goal of taking all NMX-controlled systems by YE 35," Yui explained. "After the war, the next major likely conflict is with the Lorath. Their intrusion into the former United Outer Colonies is an invasion of our space and cannot be tolerated. We need to start thinking about how best to eject the Lorath from our space. The goal would be restoration of our territory, not genocide of the Lorath people; however we would want to devastate their ability to produce military equipment. We need to figure out how big a force would be needed and what targets to hit. In the meantime, I will begin a military buildup to support our eventual operations there, which will likely begin by YE 36. We will also begin moving more assets towards peaceful exploration and helping the department of colonization. Any admirals that which to volunteer for exploration, or any of the above missions, please say so."