Sakura/Yggdrasill JP:
https://stararmy.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=55147#55147
JP part III:
ON: Ravisher, Yggdrasill
Elisa was quick to arrive on the bridge, fully dressed and armed. "Hanako."
Hanako gave Elisa a warm hug, holding on for a few moments before finally releasing the Shoi. She sighed. "You frightened me, Elisa."
Elisa smiled in an enigmatic way and stroked the Taisa's hair teasingly. "I don't suppose you have a plan..."
"If the ship is truly sentient, I believe I must let it go freely, whereever it wishes. I have yet to recieve directions to capture it, only to scan it heavily while the chance is available," the Taisa said.
Toshiro sighed in relief when he saw the shuttle return its very...impulsive passenger to the Ravisher... "...Right...I guess next we ask it how its technology works and the other things? Maybe if it knows what happened to the other unit...this 'X'?"
Get on with it. the voice told Elisa.
"...things are slightly more complicated, Hanako," Elisa replied. "However, that seems the right course of action."
There is something I have to do, first.
The Lorath ship sat by idly. The others seemed to be busy with eachother, and not to seem rude...the commander opted to wait for a few moments.
"It's a sentient ship, Toshiro. I'm sure just like any being if you poke and prod to much you won't get much in return," Remi replied idly. "Besides, do you believe it would tell us how its technology works?" She raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"MEGAMI found some star charts on the Yggdrasill's computer," Hanako noted."Perhaps I can find more puzzle pieces at the marked systems." She sat down in a rolling chair by the table.
Toshiro thought a moment, before nodding in agreement. "True...I guess if it wants to tell us anything else, it will...but this X may be hurt or damaged...I still think we should ask about him/her/it..."
Not soon after, MEGAMI silently informed the Taisa of a message piggybacked through the EIES system currently on the Yggdrasill and transmitted to the Ravisher. It had come from the doctor onboard who Hanako knew as Remi. Apparantly the message was addressed to Yuriko, and was awaiting approval from the Taisa before being sent to her.
Hanako skimmed the message briefly.
"It was possibly Maras' enemy," The doctor implied.
I take it that wasn't part of your plan. Elisa coughed slightly before responding again. "Where are these systems?"
Toshiro shook his head. "No...it was in the list with this Rebeka, who turned out to be its Commander...I think that was a crew or passenger manifest...it can't hurt to ask, right?"
The EIES mysteriously disengaged as Toshiro asked of the missing unit. A simple image was displayed, portrayed next to an image of himself. It was easily larger than an armor and appeared quite imposing.
"They are quite far away," Hanako said.
Contained on the message were a few personal things. Introducing herself, commending her for her career to date. Seemed the doctor knew of it even though she was a civilian. Though she hinted at knowing Yuriko's father Ichigo. Near the tail end of the message Remi apologised for not being there for her which would most certainly confuse the pilot. If Hanako kept reading the mail got more personal on a note of it reveling in a way Remi was her mother. It looked like the doctor was trying to find Yuriko to tell her these things in person but a lot had happened in the short time since her arrival near Lor.
Hanako approved the message and refocused on Elisa.
"I see..." Elisa looked to the side. "Have you communicated with the other ships, yet?"
Toshiro was quite surprised by the response... "...I believe I'll save that, too..." He saved the data to disk, and continued to stare at the image... "You can obviously hear me, Maras-san...Will you tell me where X was lost? Is X an ally of yours as I assume?"
"Not yet. We should update them," she said. She pulled up a video chat window and opened channels with Yggdrasil and the Zahl. "The alien vessel is sentient - because of that, no one can claim it as property. Please allow it to travel unmolested."
Remi remained silent as she kept her stationary position next to Toshiro. The boy had to learn on his own sometime.
What was once a male voice to the psionic aboard was now a female voice. It seemed to shift, depending on who it was talking to. "He went missing." It was strange to hear such a thing directly and not see it plastered across every display on the bridge.
Toshiro was quite surprised, but nodded. "...Do you wish us to look for him? Perhaps if he is in safe space, within our range, we can keep an eye open for him..." As he did this, he began to type a text message to Hanako... Yggdrasill has no contest to the ruling. It is exactly what we'd hoped for, Taisa Ketsurui-Hime-Sama.
"He was last with the commander," the voice spoke, referring to Rebeka.
The exaggerated titles made Hanako blush a little. "Thank you." She closed the window and looked to Elisa. "But, what will you do? I can tell you wish to go back."
"I do the same thing I've always done - just what I have to," Elisa simply said. "I don't think you can hold that against me."
Toshiro continued to think...but where was the ship's commander until now? He then sent a text message to the Ambassador, hoping it would get through. With the turning on and off of lines, it was hard to tell. Ambassador...We are curious...how and where did you get separated from Maras?
The ambassador was not on the line.
"But does that mean...leaving me? Even leaving the Star Army?" Hanako asked, her big, wet golden eyes searching for answers.
It does.
...you are right, of course. But she's like a child. I'm not sure I can hold her actions against her like you can. Elisa didn't answer.
Toshiro sighed again, and again tried to contact Maras... "Where did you lose contact with the two then? I need to know the area if at all possible. If not, I guess I'll just keep my eyes open in general."
Toshiro received no response.
"Please speak," Hanako ordered.
"...it may."
He shrugged and looked to Remi. "...I'll show all Senior Crewmen the image then. Given what happened here...I hope you'll forgive me if I don't disclose this data to the Star Army." Toshiro said this with a bit of disappointment, slumping in his chair. "..."
Remi arched an eyebrow. "Don't worry about it, Captain. I'm no longer in the Star Army." She shrugged and patted his shoulder. "You know, you seem to be getting the hang of this despite it being your first time at it," The doctor remarked.
Hanako wanted to scream out in frustration. Instead, she hid it inside like a polite little servant girl should. "The Sakura's repairs and upgrades should be complete. As soon as MEGAMI finishes with Yggdrasill, we will return to Ketsurui Star Fortress."
Toshiro smiled slightly. "Thank you...I'm just a bit disappointed...from what Onii-san told me about the Army, I...expected better from their officers."
"Yes, Hanako." Elisa bowed and left the bridge. She knew she was breaking Hanako's heart...but so too did she know that heartbreak made one stronger in the end. And if there were only two things that Ketsurui Hanako needed more than anything else, they would be pain and strength.
Remi nodded slowly. "Officers vary from branch to branch and fleet to fleet. I know of quite a few good ones," She replied quietly.
A figure in the corner of Elisa's eyes followed her out, walking alongside her. She seemed to be some manner of blend between Sana and Rebeka. She spoke in a manner closer to Miles and it became increasingly harder to remember that this person was not real. "Ah, so you came through afterall, Elisa?"
Toshiro seemed to take comfort in this... "I wasn't meant to be Captain of the Yggdrasill...I was meant to be my brother's Apprentice, and maybe his XO...but he was a pilot for the SA like her, and...died. He left me the ship and I rebuilt it into this...seeing that woman having such a disregard for her own actions, and others' lives, when Onii-san died protecting such things...made me lose my temper."
Elisa said only this: "I suppose I've sold my soul now, and you're the devil."
OFF: Ravisher
Remi sighed a little. "I think you happen to be a decent captain from what I've seen of my brief stay," She commented, "You rescued me, showed concern, and in a situation like this, you held it delicately and showed concern for all parties involved." The hand she had placed on his shoulder remained and gave a little reassuring squeeze.
Toshiro gave a small blush with the praise... "It's one of the key missions of the Yggdrasill...Rescue. Besides...who knows what may happen because of what we've seen and done today? Frankly, I'm glad it ended at least peacefully with the vessel's right acknowledged."
"So you should." Remi took the hand away. "Tell me, what do you think makes a good captain?"
Toshiro seemed to think for a moment before answering...he thought for at least 30 seconds, actually... "...Well...concern for life and well-being is a big thing for me personally...staying true to the mission, whatever it may be...having a bit of flexibility...and not getting a god complex, I suppose. Also, sharing in the spoils...I'm sorry if that's not super insightful, but I am still learning."
Remi just listened politely until he finished. "Is that so..." She spoke quietly. "Learning is a good thing when you captain a vessel. You hold the lives of your crew in your hands. And someday what you learn maybe used to save their lives or the lives of others." The doctor tapped the side of her nose briefly. "You're still naive in some areas...." She smirked a little, remembering what Elisa had said. She wondered how she could tell him what the pilot had ment. "You'll grow into the role, don't worry."
Toshiro nodded, glad to at least have the approval of a former soldier...she wasn't that far higher than his brother in rank, really...
"So, do you still require me here on the bridge?" Remi asked remembering she had left Serenity alone in the medical area.
"Well...If you want to go back you can...it's up to you, Miyoshi-hakase. I'll manage up here, as things seem to be winding down," Toshiro said, his eyes on the screen.
Remi nodded briefly, and brought a finger up to her lips and kissed it. As she began to walk away the doctor placed it gently on his cheek letting it trail off as she neared the bridge exit. "If you require my assistance again just give me a ring." The doctor called casually dissappearing around a corner.
Toshiro's blush remained but before he could respond, she was gone...he kept monitoring frequencies, half in thought, have in wait.
END