YSS Yukika II Aside - Small Ship and Big Business

[Andrew]

RP Date

YE 46.8

RP Location

YSS Yukika II

YSS Yukika II​

4 Months After the Battle of Becurn​

The YSS Sapporo NX-X5-10, the lead ship of the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet's Sapporo Expeditionary Strike Group, slowed as it's parallel course brought it up along side of the YSS Yukika II. A single teleport was made between the two ships, and the Sapporo immediately peeled away and zipped back into hyperspace. When Chujo Miho Hanabusa materialized she was greeted by Katsuko. The pink-haired Nekovalkyrja, stepped off the teleportation pad and bowed respectfully to the Taisho, "Taisho, thank you for the invitation, I appreciate you seeing me and the Yukika diverting to rendezvous with us, they will head back to Becurn until I am ready to leave," she said, taking in the interior of the ship, there were definite signs of Tachiko's command, the modified passageways were a nice touch, she noted to herself to put the same style into consideration the next time the Sapporo went in for upgrades.

"Hanabusa-Chujo, thank you for coming," Katsuko said as she took a look around briefly and gave Miho a short hug while there were not a lot of eyes on her. It had been a while since they had seen each other, but the meeting was for fleet business and she slipped right back into form. "Anymore trouble since your last report?" Katsuko asked as they descended on the port-midsection stairway.

Miho said in reply to Katsuko, "Well, we've yet to find the actual world the Cemlae and Mocaidins are from. They're not all too happy about us dismantling their "Pearl and Engine', and they both seem almost helpless without those Illionite AI abominations telling them what to do. At least they haven't fired any thermonuclear weapons at least, their ecosystem will take a while to recover," she reported, then said off-topic, "They put you down in the guts? I told you I have plenty of room on the Sapporo." Miho knew just how picky Katsuko could be, she still at times was in disbelief that Katsuko had brought her back into the fold.

Katsuko listed as the Chujo gave her report and commented as they moved into her suite, "You've done good work. Hopefully a strong Star Army presence will continue to deter the SMX and Illionites from making another try for the system." She hesitated briefly at Miho's other comment, "I'm fine, I like it just how it is. I get the work done and I'm not stuck on Port Jiyuu until the new flagship is outfitted. I try to keep out of the way, a small ship like this isn't accustomed to housing an Taisho like this." She then sat down at her traditional curved customized desk with the flag of Yamatai on one side, and the Hinomaru on the wall behind it. A small fish tank gurgled nearby with the usual array of fish from Jiyuu swimming around within it.

Akira, Katsuko's Otar jumped up onto the desk and proceeded to strut across it and Katsuko grabbed her and set her into her lap. Miho couldn't help but to laugh lightly at the interaction between the two. "As long as you're happy, Kat." Miho then returned to the business at hand as well and said, "They occasionally try to test our resolve, sending their ships to the fringes of the system and then rushing back into hyperspace, I think the beating they got the last time they pushed their luck has deterred them, at least for now."

"You mentioned the planet's ecosystem, just how bad is it?" Katsuko asked curious as to what had been discovered.

Miho said with a sigh, "About what you would expect when two species have been played against each other. There are places that won't be inhabitable anytime soon." She leaned back comfortably in the chair across from Katsuko, "It is a shame, the planet is an ocean paradise otherwise - you'd love it."

"What about taking a page out of Yaichiro's playbook? You can have the special sunflowers he planted on Jiyuu to clean up the planet after the war brought to Becurn. We would probably have to figure out a solution for the ocean, but I'm sure Yugumo can come up with something, get Arisu's R&D people on it. It is a good opportunity to put Yamatai's name on another good deed," Katsuko suggested, as she got more comfortable in her own chair as Akira purred contently under the loving pets she gave her. "The Yukika has another mission coming up, but perhaps after I will suggest we help find those people their actual home world. I just hope we don't find the Illionites and SMX when we do."

Miho nodded, "I will put in the request when I get back to the Sapporo for the sunflowers and to look into what other solutions they suggest. I never considered the possibility, of actually fixing Becurn. I'm sure some of them will want to stay there even if we find their homeworlds, they don't really know anything else."

Katsuko seemed satisfied with the Chujo and took a break from the official discussion, "Can I get you a cup of tea?" she asked, as she got up to make one for herself.

"Absolutely, thank you Taisho." Miho replied politely.

Spoiler: OOC

Yukika crew feel free to poke in, Katsuko still has her open door policy.

 

[Yuuki]

Ghost-like, the spectral projection of Yukika Futaba appeared among the two. "Taishō," she softly announced, "The commander is on her way to see you and the Chūjo." The yuki-onna yokai inclined her head, "Shall I assist with the tea, or summon the caretaker, Taishō?"

Thankfully, Tachiko had Futaba to look out for her. She had the weight on her shoulders of a commanding admiral and parent who did not share, beforehand, their plans and intentions. Not even when it involved Tachiko's own ship, or those embarking and dismebarking. Tachiko didn't bother walking on her brand-new legs from the onsen, where she'd been mindlessly sorting Yugumo paperwork and unwinding after one of the lengthy, brutal sessions of volumetric "calisthenics" to which she subjected herself and her crew. She'd doubled down on them, even, to get fully acquainted to the newness of her form, no matter that it was crafted to exacting specifications to match the old. Mortal combat against solid volumetric foes, alongside her subordinates, after lengthy cardio and resistance sets, was apparently how she thought best to address it.

In the time it took Tachiko to float from the onsen to her room, then back to Katsuko's new suite, the visiting admiral had been there far too long without her present in her own estimation, and she resolved aloud, as she put on her formal dress uniform, to correct such a lapse herself later. An extra check of her hair and accessories and the gig lines of her skirt versus top, and Tachiko was flying down the corridor back.

"She's here," Futaba announced, just before the tone of Tachiko requesting entry chimed out in the Taishō's Suite.

 

[Andrew]

Katsuko had just set the teabags in the pot when Yukika-Taii’s image appeared. “That’s fine, we’re almost done with the official part of the visit anyway,” she said. Katsuko suppressed an eye roll when she was asked if she wanted assistance with the tea. “I can manage a pot of tea; no need to summon anyone,” she replied, her tone laced with polite defiance. She understood this was standard protocol on any ship, but one of her reasons for choosing the Yukika was the chance to work without the daily procession of “the usual.”

Carrying the tray to the table, she had brewed extra, just in case others joined her daughter. “Funny, back when I actually needed someone to make me a pot of tea, I felt like I was stranded on an island,” she said with a light-hearted chuckle to Miho. “Now, if I so much as mention tea, I’ve got a line of people ready to make it for me.”

The Chujo didn’t respond; she only shook her head, knowing this was yet another display of Katsuko’s boundless stubbornness. They had been through life, death, and betrayal together. She suspected Katsuko had more in mind for this meeting than just a report on her progress at Becurn; that could have easily been covered in a simple communication. She was about to ask the Taisho a question when Yukika-Taii interrupted with news of Tachiko’s arrival.

“Let her in,” Katsuko said. “No need to gatekeep the door today.” She settled into her chair and poured Miho’s tea. The Chujo tapped her fingers on the desk, signaling for her to pause. Katsuko stopped pouring briefly, then resumed, filling her own cup as she waited for her daughter to join them.

 

[Yuuki]

Futaba bowed and vanished as the door slid open. Tachiko stood at attention in the doorway, her officer's cap tucked under one arm, and saluted crisply with the other. "Taishō!"

Even in the most relaxed, familial circumstances Tachiko was, somewhat akwardly, still a bit stiff and formal, especially with Katsuko. In front of a visiting Admiral, it was turned all the way up.

"Motoyoshi-Shōsa, reporting!"

 

[GingerGlitch]

Alina arrived on the Yukika II wearing her Type 35 uniform in Class A formal configuration over top her norian undersuit, with her Type 32 cap upon her head. Her uniform was spotless, each white hair tucked neatly into a french braid that folded underneath itself as her enlisted cap sat neatly atop. Alina's piercing violet eyes looked around the air lock as she coldly inspected her surroundings after exiting the docking port. Her sthibon symbiote interfaced with SPINE, allowing her seamless connection to figure out where exactly it was she had to go. After she exited the airlock and entered the passageway containing the, "Taiie Lost Memorial." Alina swiftly removed her cover, taking it in her left hand which then rested by her side.

"Sub-Deck it is," she thought briefly before immediately setting off towards the Taisho's suite. A few minutes later she arrived to the Taisho's suite. As the door slid open she overheard Tachiko reporting in, her slender ears twitched slightly as she stepped in quietly and waited a moment. After Tachiko reported in Alina stepped forward, but not in front of or next to Shosa Motoyoshi. Alina stood at attention, "Shanui-Hei reporting as ordered." she said in a very professional military tone and volume.

 

[iaincarter]

Daisuke, after checking his internal chronometer, finished reviewing the last entry in a long list of after-action, refit, repair and readiness reports that had been recorded since the Yukika's involvement with the Battle of Becurn. Nearly the entirety of his time since reporting aboard had been spent getting up to speed. By comparison, settling in had been easy: uniforms and clothing put away, the small display case with portraits of Taro and Katsuko placed on his desk, important certificates displayed on the wall beside his desk, duffel stowed. Given his new position as First Officer, Daisuke had elected not to bring his hoverboard with him, electing instead to send it home, with the rest of his belongings, to Asagumo-jo.

The minkan stood, stretching out as he connected mentally to his type 42 communicator and began navigating through its command pathways. Selecting Cytari Akhai, Ulla Vester and Kishikibe Taiga from the available contacts, Daisuke sent a message to the Yukika's senior staff, inviting them to attend this meeting in the Taisho's Suite, located in the former port-side expansion space on the sub-deck. He had no particular notion as to why Tachiko wanted them at the meeting, but the Captain gave the orders and the First Officer carried them out. Given the ship's current situation though, Daisuke would be willing to lay currency on this being some kind of briefing. Or, given that Katsuko had only recently transferred aboard, maybe it really was just a meet-and-greet for the crew.

After taking a moment to ensure his Type 42 uniform was in order and deciding against wearing the officer's cap, Daisuke exited his quarters. The minkan began strolling along the main deck after turning left towards the bow of the ship, returning the salute of the Santô Hei he passed by, recognising the blonde minkan as one of the ship's clerks, Maita Satoko. Passing the bridge on his right and then the port passageway, the first officer reached the 'ladder' to the sub-deck. He wasn't sure where the tradition of calling stairs on a ship ladders had come from, but it was a thing and there was only so long you could go hearing that sort of thing before you started thinking it too. It wouldn't surprise him to find that someone had written a paper called something like 'The Absorption and Adoption of Naval Traditions via Military-Cultural Osmosis' that explained the phenomena in nauseating detail. Deciding it might make for an interesting read, Daisuke made a mental note to search for it when he had a free moment.

Arriving on the sub-deck, it took mere moments to reach the port expansion space that had since been converted over to the Taisho's Suite. Daisuke paused before entering, wanting to give the Chief Engineer, Chief Medic and Intelligence Officer a chance to assemble before heading in. After all, they wouldn't all necessarily be as comfortable as Daisuke in braving Katsuko in her lair and supporting your crew was one of those things in his job description now.

 

[GingerGlitch]

Engineer's Office

Cytari was in a work trance ensuring that everything had been taken care of from their battle months before. While the crew on the bridge had done an excellent job sending the enemy to whatever afterlife they subscribed to, they had run her poor baby through the wringer. A very sudden communication ripped her out of her workflow. "Who in all the sectors of," she muttered trailing off to realize that it had been the First Officer that had communicated with her. A sudden meeting with the Taisho? What could the Taisho possibly want with the Chief Engineer? Was her toilet broken or something?

Either way the norian knew that an invitation extended to her by the First Officer was in fact, an order. She secured her desk while sending a communication to Rae, Koko, Obara, and Uehara that she would be out of office for a meeting with the Taisho. Cytari quickly took a moment to smooth over her Type 42 duty uniform that she always wore utilizing the cargo pants option. After checking over her uniform she waived her hands over her black hair that had been secured into a bun to make sure there were no stray strands. Thank heavens she had not been tits deep in engineering spaces yet that day.

As the chief engineer exited her office she spotted Daisuke at the end of the long passageway. From a distance her eyes threw a gaze that bored through him, almost as if she were looking right through him to the wall behind him. Whatever this little shindig was that he had to notify her so last minute had better be good. She was not exactly in ample supply of relaxation methods and he had just ripped her away from work. As soon as she took a step away from her office to walk down the passage her gaze shifted to an entirely professional one with just a hint of fire in her eyes.

Just over a mere handful of seconds later she stood next to him, on the side closest to the office she had come from. "Sir, Chief Engineer reporting" she said in a professional military tone while briefly standing at attention. Cytari half thought she was just there to fix something that had broken in the Taisho's suite, she had no idea what awaited them inside.

 

[Charmaylarg Dufrain]

Meeting

Kishikibe Taiga; Seven inches of sass and charm in equal parts strode down the halls of the Yukika II admiring the vessel she would be spending her current deployment in. Enjoying a perspective few got to without needing to embarrass themselves to attempt the doll-sized NH-33m enjoyed a slow and casual stroll as she took in the little and easily missed details many who had not been on a series of older vessels would note. The lay of the corridors and layout, the seamless integration and optimization of the layout, the way the crew still seemed to shift into a slight lag that would take years to fade away as they learned its nooks and crannies like second nature.

There was even the new ship smell in a sense despite the vessel not being right off the yard anymore. It was still in the tiles and being closer to them as she was Taiga could more appreciate such things. Her walk was not overly long and neither was she late, Being one to enjoy a good stroll and mindful of her size Kishikibe Taiga was often early to account for such things having only made a few stops to chat up a couple of the security-staff about the kind of gossip one might share openly with their comrades but only elude to an officer.

The crew was young but sturdy and it showed in only the little problems being worth broaching at the moment with only the smallest of calls for a later consultation eluded to that she would follow up on having taken note of a few names and departments to check up on later discreetly or have a casual run-in with and follow up on but was for a later date.

Finding her way it became obvious when Taiga reached where she was going. The subtle and then not so subtle bump in security, the more steady flow of traffic including more officers and flag-staff either summoned or hoping no doubt for a run in or fortuitous encounter as the shinto-types called it. Staying closer to the wall but still not opting to fly being early as she was Taiga did not rush but stayed out of the way until she came about and stood face to ankle with half of her reason for being in the command-section of the Yukika as she looked up and studied the young man that was her evident superior as he stared at the door as though he could see through it.

And maybe he could? Taiga had heard of some restricted NH-variants some claimed had such powers.

Clearing her throat casually Taiga knew it wouldn't be heard but did so anyway. Well aware of how to modulate her voice Taiga shared the same mischievous and roguish-trait all of her kind did who chose the life of the compact NH-33m and played into her size as often as most as she, having made the formal attempt to garner the First-Officers attention but failing could then move onto less formal ones as she leaned in and lightly tugged at Daisukes' pantleg at the seam so as not to mess up the freshly ironed crease before stepping back to avoid the occasional reaction to shake ones foot or kick out.

"Chui Motoyoshi?" Taiga asked with casual concern, modulating her voice to be better heard though did not press any further so to avoid any inclination that the young man had been in her opinion trying to burn a hole through the bulkhead at where she knew Great-Katsuko would be. He was not the first to do so and wouldn't be the last, and Taiga knew that if were security a bit more lax or the ship-mistress less strict half the ship would be trying to bore-holes through the wall had they the chance to see or even meet a former empress and admiral of the Empire let alone speak to her.

With a simply push of her foot and a manipulation of her personal gravity Taiga softly rose into the air with one leg straight and the other curled back as though she was floating upwards underwater until she was about chest-height to the young officer. "You wanted to see me, Did you need something before I go in, Chui?" She chimed, head cocked in question as she looked up at him with the soft eyes of a doting mother, not sure if she needed some pre-brief to be lectured about what to expect when facing a former empress or a long winded speech about decorum and decency and warnings not to speak out or embarrass herself as she was expecting.

 

[Primitive Polygon]

Outside the Meeting

The smell that flowed into Taiga's senses mutated closer to something like sunflowers and pomegranate as she got closer to the officer's lounge, and there was the occasional, wooden creak of something like furniture. There were white bell lilies and choice purple motoyoshi orchids in humble potage at both sides of the door, and all of the brass incense burners seemed to be polished and without ash.

Tae Tsuguka was not beyond the concept that the holy former empress hadn't even noticed her efforts, and assumed them ordinary. A mere glimpse of the treasured lady after docking had brought a rolling paralysis to her body, a crushing twist of self-repression disguising the signs of her neurotic love and affection, to this woman she'd only seen holo-vids of... How could she not, even if her position as a mere officer cadet would make a true meeting improper?

But she was a retainer of that culture, and with her shosho still in a fragile physical state- It was most surely up to the miko, to apply herself to all of the small minutiae and ritual symbolism, and save her commander the fuss?

...And so, as the mini-neko's arrival had gone unannounced in the grandeur of their singular peer- Tae was so stressed out that they genuinely saw some small strain of vermin at first glance- A violet-clad priestess of ancient lore, sliding forwards on the very tips of wooden clogs- and raised their broom with offensive abaddon-

And then paused, narrow eyes arcing with religious balefire for a pace too long, before clarity and understanding finally settled back in. She apologized with praying hands towards the closed door first, and the miniature neko only second.

"...I am... deftly sorry for my offensive stance, my Shoi." A gruff tone of grumbling regret, though possibly just sorry about the break of decorum. "I was not informed we had more new personnel onboard. My nerves are still... inventing their own intruders, ma'am..."

 

[Andrew]

"Motoyoshi-Shōsa, reporting!"

"At ease, Tachiko. Make that everyone," she ordered. She glanced at Miho and whispered into her mind, //"Maybe we should have considered a larger room."//

//"This reminds me of the old days on the Akuro, you giving a briefing out of your office with a line of people outside passing a long what they heard in the meeting to each other."// Miho commented. The Admiral remained relatively quiet, save for a nod to each of the personnel that walked through the door.

Well that one had been expected anyway, slowly as the crew began to arrive in the office of her suite, one after another reporting it appeared that there had either been some kind of miscommunication, or Tachiko had something planned. Maybe she wanted to talk about the mission she had in mind? Katsuko looked at her small teapot, at least there was one problem she could tackle, "Yukika-Taii, I take that back. We're going to need that caretaker and the additional tea...maybe a couple of small cakes or biscuits," she said, it was obvious that although she had made extra, she had not considered that ship's entire crew was going to show up.

Shanui-Hei's arrival was another element she could control, so she greeted Alina, "Welcome to the Yukika II, how was the trip here? Did you get a chance to stop at your bunk?" She was grateful there was enough room to bring the norian clerk along, while she welcome the chance for the smaller private setting of the Yukika for a change, she could not be completely without support staff and she did not wish to constantly be borrowing Tachiko's crew. It was probably stressful to these young officers and enlisted to have a Taisho traveling on board the small scout ship.

//"Did you call for a meeting? I don't have an agenda together. Hanabusa-Chujo and I just finished discussing the ongoing operation in the Becurn System. Perhaps when the other missions I have given you are finished, you can help find the homeworlds of those unfortunate people."// Katsuko questioned Tachiko privately. There was enough of the crew there now that the office door just remained in the open position. The Taisho raised her voice, to let the ones still outside in the corridor, "Come in," she extended the invitation in hope of relieving the tension they likely felt. She could not help but to think of her own early years, serving under Irim and how she felt being in the Taisho's office or presence. Months before the crew of the Yukika had more than proven their effectiveness as a Star Army unit at the Battle of Becurn.

 

[Yuuki]

Futaba's avatar reappeared in response to Katsuko's request, bowed, and vanished once more.

Tachiko was visibly tense. Whatever comfort or tolerance she'd gained over the years since being adopted by Katsuko was largely eroded by the presence of the other admiral, casually chatting with the other in the subdeck bowels of her tiny scout destroyer. There weren't even have Palace-style passageways down here! She took a moment to collect herself while Katsuko was occupied with Alina

//"Ah, Heika-Taishō,"// Even in her thoughts, Tachiko was overly formal, //"I apologize I was finishing up after training and was not available for the guest arriving..."// because no one had told her, of course, as Katsuko was accustomed to a command vessel, where she handled her admiralty business and the captain worried about commanding the ship itself and nothing more.

//"I had intended to present the new Chief Medical Officer for introductions, and the first officer as well,"// the wireless-telepathic transmission was tinged with emotions of embarrassment and fear of losing face, "//Even though he's our Daisuke, Heika-Taishō, and so I suppose he summoned the other section chiefs, and then apparently the cadet is very excited to meet Heika-Taishō."//

Resuming attention once more as the door opened to admit those outside, Tachiko crisply announced, "Motoyoshi Daisuke-Chūi, First Officer. Kishikibe Taiga-Shōi, Chief Medical Officer. Both have just reported." She took just a moment to dare to spare a glance to Cytari and Tae, and anyone else, but only just.