5tar
Active Member
ON: Aries Station
The ceremonies soon closed after and the entire crew was allowed one Yamataian weekend worth of shore leave. At this time, the Pride Wing was gathered in a separate meeting room close to where the auditorium was. Kuriko had all the service awards and new rank pins to hand out and given time to congratulate her own team. But at the bottom of the box was a data pad which had information containing an offered bonus for the members of the Pride Wing – there was reservations made for an expenses-paid vacation to a four-star hot spring resort on Yamatai called Tengoku. Also, they were given a bonus of 1500 KS as spending money for the trip.
As for the incident still left on the agenda, Rin and Shin were both under security watch; Kuriko was relieved for the time being from Shin. At the moment, Rin was being escorted into an office that Nick had procured for the Taisa. Both newly promoted officers were seated; Shizuka had a coffee close by as she eyed the entrance of one of her most promising crew members. With a serious look on her face, she dismissed the guards with a waving gesture so they'd leave the room. "Hoshitomo-hei, before you speak... I must tell you, I expect a very detailed report. I would have suspected this from anyone else, but you..." Shizuka stared long and hard into the Yamataian's eyes, then, once she suspected her pilot understood the gravity of the situation, the Taisa sat straight and gestured with an upturned hand for Rin to start.
Nicholas sat near Shizuka, as he usually did, off to the left side of the desk with his data pad in hand. The Shosa had said what he’d needed to on the matter, so remained silent for the time being. He was mostly there because he was supposed to be rather than any intrinsic need for his presence or input. His thoughts were still on his promotion, even more so than the vacation that they’d all been given, as well as Shizuka’. Every once in a while he would glance directly towards her, eyeing the Taisa insignia pinned to the short-skirted dress uniform that seemed much more comfortable on her than the last time she wore it.
On one hand, Rin was pleased to see the new office... but on the other, the circumstances of the visit were entirely sour in comparison. "Endo-taisa..." She bowed very low, as was procedure, and as her icy blue eyes met the commander's they were definitely different than the usual stare the Lioness would expect from Rin. She was not proud to be here in this position, even though her type B uniform and bearing was impeccable as always, but neither did she flinch in the face of a much less cordial meeting with her superior that had to be done before all could finally relax. The fact that the young soldier had begun to admire Shizuka only made the situation that much harder to explain with a straight face.
"I understand that this is sudden, and an anomaly in my behavior until this point that will not repeat itself," began Hoshitomo-hei, struggling to keep her voice calm and collected and not let any emotion seep into it. That would be the last thing she should do in the face of her commander. "To best summarize the events in question involving Nekki-hei: I had fashioned a get-well gift to present to him to repay his previous kindness when I was similarly wounded. As luck would have it he also came to see me for his own amorous reasons and we met by the central lift in a rather... clumsy manner. As my personal space was then violated, I sought to dismiss him immediately so that nothing untoward would occur – though he then persisted in expressing his feelings to me..."
Rin's gaze hardened a little as she recalled the events vividly. "The MEGAMI footage has the specifics of the exchange; I was trying to be understanding, but his hard-headedness, that is a well-known fact, was at play and he would not back down even as I tried in vain to end the exchange. As we were both clearly on edge from the previous battle, the situation thusly became more heated as we both threatened violence to the other."
Her teal-haired head listed to the side a bit, as her tone lowered. "Nekki-hei then drew a knife upon himself asking for me to hurt him. Seeing the situation escalating out of control and the likelihood that he or myself would sustain injury, I denied his wishes and then discharged a stunning shot from my NSP, only enough that would incapacitate a Yamataian long enough for me to bodily drag him back to the medical bay. Perhaps instinctively in self-defense, his knife was turned upward and grazed my abdomen before his nervous system shut down and he slumped against the lift wall." She folded her arms behind her back and then straightened up as she met Shizuka's eyes again. "And that was when the security team arrived and I was taken into custody without resisting arrest."
"I fully understand that my actions were in violation of the military code; as an enlisted member it is not within my limited jurisdiction to assume the powers to discipline my peers with force, which are only reserved for the commanding officers of the vessel where such acts may have occurred," stated the young woman plainly. "I also recognize the fact that alternate applications of force may have resolved the incident, and the discharging of a firearm following a grave battle created undue stresses to the security situation. In this respect I can only say that I was reacting in the manner I felt was most appropriate under the circumstances."
It was a little strange, but not much different than their first interview... it seemed Hoshitomo Rin always had a well-practiced response to Shizuka's questions. The time in the brig had no doubt been used well to craft a detailed report, though, like her canned responses to the Lioness' first encounter, they also seemed to be saying what the young woman thought the Taisa wanted to hear.
Shizuka weighed the Hei's answers with a few moments, trying to decide her appropriate recourse to these actions. After a little internal debate, the Taisa placed her elbows on the desk and leaned forward with fingers interlaced. "To tell you the truth," the Lioness started, "I would have preferred you just punch the kid in the face and tell him to grow up." Then, with a sigh, she turned a glance down at a data pad on the desk with Rin's profile called up on screen. "I know your goals Rin," Shizuka said, using the Hei's name endearingly as the Neko shifted to look back up at the crew member, "so I'll keep the report on this issue vague and see to it that it's not a harsh mark on your record. I believe that situations like this can be rectified and in this humiliation, you have taken much time to reflect on your mistakes. But the matter at hand is; will you grow from it?" Shizuka leaned back in her chair and crosses her arms and sighed. "I believe that this won’t happen again... not from you. So let’s leave it at that. You will be released back into duty, but first, you need to get rid of that stress. You’re to join your wing mates on vacation; I also want you to patch things up with Shin-hei before you both return to active duty. As long as you’re on the Pride Wing you two are to be civil and work well together. That is all, understood?" Shizuka inched forward with a brow arched as she waited Rin’s reply.
Rin bowed her head again as the bangs fell over her eyes, sincerely a bit surprised at the reaction. "I can't deny that I have been under stress and a respite is welcome. I thank you," stated the pilot in a voice both thankful and dedicated. "I also humbly apologize for causing difficulties for the Senbu in my desire to serve you faithfully, and will redouble my efforts to understand my comrades better as you have asked of me."
"Perfect, then I see no more farther issues here. You’re free to leave, Rin." Shizuka bowed her head in return and dismissed the Hei. Then, mentally, Shizuka updated the information regarding Hoshitomo's profile, doing just as she said and made the report a light mark on the portfolio. Then, as the teal haired Yamataian left the office, Shizuka lowered her head onto the desk. "It's going to be a long day isn't it... Shosa?" she asked Nick, the last bit a little playful, as she was really proud to use his new rank.
And so the dreaded visit to the Taisa's office passed with what was, in all respects, a decidedly light slap on the wrist. Her aspirations were intact, but still she knew this meant she would have to work harder than ever. Pausing outside the door as it closed, she mentally composed a short and to the point message for the CO with what she really wanted to say for her kindness. "I will make up for this, Shizuka-san. I promise." With that, she hurriedly jogged to make the next pass of the lift and get far away from the office for now, as if trying to subconsciously leave anything relating to the event at Shizuka's desk.
“I’m sure that it doesn’t have to be,” Nicholas replied, grinning with his own lightheartedness and pride in being referred to as “shosa.” He was no longer a junior officer, and was extremely honored by the status that came with the promotion itself. Although he was a normally humble person, he allowed himself to ignore the extraordinary pace of his ascension through the ranks and believe, if only for today, that he deserved it all. “Perhaps we should do something to celebrate your own promotion, Taisa,” he said, mirroring Shizuka’s reference to his rank.
"Your right, it really doesn't have to be. I could after all, just kill Shin..." Shizuka said, sounding dead serious. In any normal situation you'd think she was joking but with the recent events, it was very highly probable that she was telling the truth. "But, I suppose that would be too easy..." The Taisa sighed heavily, revealing a little blitheness to what now appeared to be a joke, sorta. "Well, I have a weekends’ worth of gravity to look forward too, so let's get this over with," Shizuka said, bouncing back up in her seat and mentally calling for the delinquent Hei. The guards then gestured for him to follow, and they started to lead him to the office.
“That wasn’t really what I had in mind,” Nicholas said in a deadpan tone with a mock-serious expression on his face. It was better to get everything over and done with as soon as possible, though. Rushing towards relaxation now would only cheapen the entire leave that Shizuka had given them.
Shin yawned, getting awoken from his nap by the guards. "Oh, it's time for my execution already? I thought I would've been tortured a bit first." The Yamataian male stood up, following the guards. "You know, you two really should've handcuffed me."
The door opened for Shin to enter and the guards were ordered to stay at the door. Shizuka eyed him with furious looking lion's orbs; this Hei had stroked the Lioness the wrong way ever since his first day. Since then, she never really grew much too fond of him. But nevertheless, he was a member of her crew and it was her duty as a Star Army Taisa to deal with him fairly. "Nitô Hei Nekki Shin. As your superior officer and ship captain, I am severely disappointed in your actions. After much deliberation and reviews on the issue at hand I have reached a verdict. You are here by sentenced to be weaponless on and off duty aboard my ship, only your superior officers can hereby give you clearance to carry any sort of ordnances, the conditions are while on mission or in defending the ship." The Taisa leaned forward and again she crossed her fingers in front of her face as she continued to intently stare at the Hei. "Mistakes can be forgiven, but if you dare turn a weapon on any members of my crew again, this includes yourself, I will personally see to your execution. You will be allowed your weapons back for standing duty when I see it fit that you are responsible enough to carry them. That is all, you are dismissed." Shizuka then leaned back and crossed her arms.
Shin shrugged, and bowed to the Taisa before walking out. "PANT-IES, where is the rest of pride wing meeting at?"
“Stop where you are, Nekki-hei,” Nicholas said as the soldier exited the chamber. He’d spent a few moments in disbelief after Shin had shrugged at Shizuka’s words to him. The Shosa stood, marching after the Yamataian so that he could address him very directly. “After all you have done,” Nicholas seethed, his voice not particularly loud, “To disrespect what could only be characterized as mercy from the Taisa.” He didn’t speak for a few moments, unable to find words that weren’t inappropriate for his station. “The hold on your promotion stands. You may gather whatever else you earned,” he said at last. “Leave.”
Shin turned around, smiling at the Saiga. "So, what do I have to do to get as decorated as you? There are numerous comments I could make right now concerning your "involvement" with the Taisa, but I still have modesty. I care not about promotions or awards, as long as I get to do my duty and fight." The Hei turned back around, and left the room.
The insubordinate Nitô Hei wouldn’t get far. As soon as he turned, Nicholas would grab him by the shoulder, spinning the Yamataian’s body around as the Shosa thrust a leg in front of Shin’s. Nicholas wasn’t a particularly strong man considering how his species compared to the others that inhabited the galaxy, but remembered enough from his days in basic training to force the Hei to his knees, where the Geshrin would deliver a solid backhand across his right cheekbone. “Your only duty is to serve the Empire with honor as you are ordered to,” Nicholas spat, wrathfully scolding the Yamataian as he stood firmly above Shin. “That you have none is a disgrace to this vessel and the Taisa.”
It took every ounce of willpower in Shin's body to not land a fierce haymaker on Nick's lower jaw. "Shifuda-heisho, I want to punch Saiga-shosa in the jaw right now. I want to do it so badly. I want security to kill me and not bring me back so I can spend eternity with my parents. I've dishonored them in life, so possibly my death could redeem them. Please, talk me through this." The Hei's internal conflict didn’t really show, instead he smiled. "Hai, Saiga-shosa."
Elsewhere, after everyone arrived in the side room provided for Pride Wing, Kuriko began to pass out the awards. "Thank you, everyone, for a job well done," Kuriko said as she gave each member of the wing their respective rank insignia and ribbons. When Kuriko reached the bottom of the box she noticed the data pad and quickly looked over it. "It looks like we are getting a couple of days break, all expenses paid at a nice hotel, it looks like," Kuriko said as she forwarded the information to the members of the wing. Kuriko thought it odd, at first, when she received the memo from Shizuka, but decided to take it in step. "It looks like we're going to have someone else join us soon as well," Kuriko said.
Sakaki held up her new rank pin with her left hand, it almost was yesterday she was a first rank, and now with the new rank felt like a competent warrior more so than before. She was distracted and restated, "break?" We are hardly worthy of a reward, the enemy is still out at hand, she thought to herself. Ushimo-hei then looked toward the entrance, momentarily, when she heard the announcement.
Hiroko looked down at the award thinking, just... thinking. So this is what the signs of accomplishment were. The medal, the ribbon, the award. She shook her head, thinking. This... helped prestige. But prestige was not the original purpose of this. It was to survive, to live as one best should... She glanced at the others, wondering how they were thinking.
The newest addition to the Senbu’s crew, Nanjo Ageha, was under orders to join the Pride Wing and get to know them better. If they were going to work well together in the future, they would have to know each other intimately. So, the Taisa's ingenious plan was simple – send her along on the trip, only she wasn't given the bonus, mind you. Kuriko was given information on the addition, as well, and told that the new communications specialist would be joining them in a few moments.
Nanjo-hei hurried down the hall at a brisk pace. She had been going over the details on the Senbu's most recent mission when she got the order to meet with the Pride Wing. Data pad still at her side, she had rushed over to the station where the Taisa's special unit had gathered after their promotions ceremony. Ageha buzzed the door telepathically as she arrived, clutching the data pad close like a security blanket, and quite nervous to meet the people that she'd soon be working with.
Kuriko telepathically opened the door, allowing Ageha to enter. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet our new communications technician," Kuriko said as she glanced over to Ageha. The assignment of a different comms tech had surprised Kuriko, but she was interested in just who it would be nonetheless.
As the door opened, the new communications technician took a deep breath and then two steps into the room. She smiled and bowed deeply. "Pleased to meet you all. I am Santô Hei Nanjo Ageha, and I hope that I will be able to help you in any way that I can."
Kuriko smiled at Ageha. This feels way too formal, Kuriko thought as she bowed to the Hei. "Nanjo-hei, it is good to meet you. We were just discussing our vacation plans. It would appear that we have some nice accommodations available to us." Kuriko forwarded the information to Ageha while moving to include her in the discussion.
Usimo-hei almost surprised herself when she saw the newcomer enter right when she looked at the door. Sakaki then bowed and introduced herself, "Ushimo Sakaki, Nitô Hei; Power Armor pilot."
Kuriko watched and waited for an opening to introduce herself as well. "Shifuda Kuriko, nice to meet you." Kuriko bowed again to the Hei before standing back up. This is stressing me out, the Heisho thought before finally sighing audibly. "What are you girls’ opinions?" Kuriko asked the group. "On all of it – not just the vacation."
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you all." Ageha quickly took a seat near the door and began reviewing the information being discussed. I'm to accompany them on their trip? she wondered as she read through the data. I guess this is how I'm supposed to get to know them better. She looked around the room and silently counted their numbers. Two members were missing. She looked over the squad's roster and noted the names. Where could they be?
"It appears so Ageha-Hei," replied Sakaki in a polite manner, then turned toward her commander and replied, "My opinion would to skip the vacation for further combat training, as now the enemies we face thus far have been far more equipped than expected and we should be prepared in case the Senbu came to any such combat again."
Using MEGAMI to navigate, it wasn't long before Rin found her way to the entrance of the room the pride Wing was gathering in, hopeful that she had not missed too much. Also, in the rush to clear up the incident, she hadn't received any details about this vacation and was simultaneous curious and also at a bit of a loss about how to actually handle one. "Forgive me for my tardiness, Heisho," began the Yamataian to Kuriko, with a respectful nod and glance around the chamber. Her eyes held on a face she did not recognize.
Ageha blushed a bit at Sakaki already being so familiar with her. "Please Ushimo-hei, Nanjo-hei is fine," she said softly. She turned as the door opened to see one half of the missing squad members. Ah, that must be Hoshitomo Rin, she surmised. Seeing that she had been noticed, Ageha stood back up and politely bowed again. "Pleased to meet you, Hoshitomo-hei. I am Santô Hei Nanjo Ageha, Pride Wing's new Communications Technician."
"Ah, my apologies, Nanjo-hei," Sakaki replied reluctantly and a little embarrassed. She shook her head a little but remained firm while Rin joined the group, whom she bowed to upon entry.
"Ah, Hoshitomo-hei. You're not tardy at all," Kuriko said as she walked over to Rin. "How did it go?" Kuriko asked Rin telepathically. "Sakaki, I've been fighting since before the day I officially joined the Senbu," Kuriko said as she turned her head to Sakaki. "I think this is something that not only I need, but something we all need. There will always be an enemy to fight, but if we don't occasionally rest then we won't be in any shape to fight the enemy." The minute the last word left her mouth the, Heisho felt guilty. I thought you were done with psychology, a voice in her mind reprimanded her.
"I… see," replied Rin to the newcomer with a blink and a quick nod, "I did not know there was to be a replacement for Navi-heisho. But it is good to meet you as well, Nanjo-hei." She then flashed a curt smile, as there still was a bit of recent events weighing on her mind. "I do warn you ahead of time... you will have your hands full." Hoshitomo-hei turned her head back to regard her wing commander and sighed a bit. "It went better than expected, and my career is intact – even if my pride will need more time in sickbay. I have also received a direct order to relax."
Hiroko was... leaning against the wall, reading. Thinking. For some reason she had been very distracted, and barely even noticed things. Of course, part of this might have something to do with her still remembering the problems before, the awards ceremony reminding her of what Rin and Shin did, about the battle before that... She looked up again, in the general direction of the newcomer, albeit with unexpressive eyes.
Reaching over to pick up the medals and the new rank pin that was left for her in the collection, she then spied the data pad and the vacation imagery on it, prompting the now official Ittô Hei to pick it up and read about the all-expenses paid trip that awaited them with a good degree of shock.
The newbie returned to her seat and made a made a mental note of Rin's attitude, mistaking her tardiness as someone who didn't care to follow orders. Hands full? Is this what Pride Wing is like? she thought, Are they some group of troublemakers? Is that what was meant by the captain's "special" unit? Ageha started imaging the others in the room as a bunch of rowdy toughs. What have I gotten into here?
"I understand Shifuda-heisho," Sakaki replied to Kuriko and bowed, she was only giving her opinion and did not want to press the issue any further. She was glad that her teammate survived the interrogation, though she could only wonder if the Daisy pilot would remain unscathed.
Kuriko sighed; it was obvious that she was a little stressed. "I'm sorry," Kuriko said, feeling rather defeated. "Either way, the Star Army has made it a point that they want us to relax for a few days. I think it would be good for us to do jus that. As a unit we could use the bonding time, which I don't think anybody argues, has an affect on combat. I think it'd be nice just to get to better know the people I'm flying with, you know?" Kuriko shrugged as she spoke the last sentence. "And of course, we'll want to get to know Nanjo-hei as well since, after all, she's our link to command." Kuriko had noticed how Ageha preferred to be spoken to on a last-name basis, a fact which in it of itself wasn't that unusual considering custom.
Hiroko looked further at her, gaining a low, leading tone as she realized she needed to somehow be involved in this. "..You look lost, even knowing where you are."
"Ara?" Ageha peeped in response to Hiroko. "Excuse me; this is my first assignment, so I'm still settling in," she explained. "So please bear with me for a little while." She considered the aloof Yamataian, even as she stood against the wall there was a certain grace to the way she held herself. Does she have the book to distance herself from her comrades? Or does she see such discussions as beneath her? Ageha tugged at her ear absentmindedly. Surely this is a group of miscreants, she worried.
Hiroko tilted her head at Ageha's response... So she just dismissed it? Hmm... So, with a lingering note of assurance or something like it, she responded. "No, no. I know you're new. It's... more... That you seem to be considering a lot of things." But there was an additional private telepathic note – a rarity for her. "It wasn't long ago that I went through this, if I'm guessing right. They're strange, but they fight well, especially Ushimo-hei, Saiga-shosa, Shifuda-heisho, and of course the Taisa. If you need information on their... strange behavior, just ask."
Of course, after the initial reaction passed, it made perfect sense to Rin why such arrangements were made for their vacation. The onsen was where they had the first sparks of a bond, and Shizuka was now trying to duplicate it on a much grander scale. Would it work, after things that happened between her and Shin? The soldier couldn't be sure, but considering she had been thinking of a return to the homeland to visit her parents, it seemed to dovetail perfectly. "I should have expected this..." murmured Rin audibly to no one in particular.
Before Shin could even leave the room with the Taisa and Shosa, Shin's punishment was sent to Kuriko. Her ears perked when she heard Rin's comment. "Oh?" Kuriko asked questioningly. Interested in what exactly it was Rin should have expected, hoping it wasn't related to her own stress level.
Pointing to the data pad in her hands, she explained a bit further at the deduction. “It's quite obvious why this vacation package was chosen, isn't it, Shifuda-heisho? The onsen onboard the Senbu was where we first had a team spirit. It's obvious that Endo-Taisa is trying to help us do such again on a grander scale."
Kuriko thought about what Rin had said. "Hmm, that would not be unlike the Shosa, err Taisa. Perhaps that is indeed her plan, if so I am certainly not able to argue nor would I want to. Nanjo-hei, have you ever been to an onsen before?" Kuriko asked the Hei. She was aware of the telepathic message that had passed in between Hiroko and Ageha, but did her best to not read it. She was on duty after all, psychology was forbidden and she had already broken that rule once. That was about the time that Kuriko received Shin's message. Suddenly Kuriko's eyes went wide as her body locked up. This is not good, Kuriko thought as her heart rate shot through the roof, tears already forming in the Neko’s eyes. Kuriko wasn't quite sure what to do; normally it'd be her job to have calmed down Nekki-hei, but this wasn't normal. She wasn't a caretaker anymore, and it wasn't a normal situation that Shin was in. The Heisho merely stood there, incapacitated by Shin's message.
Sakaki was observing the newcomer and began to take in the girl's habits and motions, as there were plenty of. If she is communication, does that mean she will not be entering combat with us? What am I saying, it does not matter if one is in the Pride Wing as each does their part, warriors and technicians. "What happened Heisho?" asked Sakaki suddenly as her commander displayed changing emotions.
”I understand,” Ageha responded to Ishida-hei in kind. “I'll ask if I have any questions.” Focusing on the telepathic communications, she almost missed Kuriko's question. "I have," she replied matter-of-factly. As everyone else had, she noticed the wing's leader's sharp change in emotion. Swiftly, she looked around at the other's reactions. What is going on?
Rin was still re-reading the details of the leave once more, trying to think how she would exactly spend all this sudden free time. It was maddening in a way... she really did not ever have such a vacation in what seemed like ages, her duties being all she could think about. But when she listened to the Heisho and felt the change of presence, she immediately directed her attention to the source. It couldn't be what she feared, could it? His appointment was right behind hers, and Hoshitomo wished that he understand his position and did not do anything further to ruin it. "Is it Shin?" came across her message to Kuriko, the text laced with all sorts of mixed feelings about the worst-case scenarios immediately running through her head.
Hiroko, for whatever reason, had actually failed to notice the shift in Kuriko's emotions... though that may have been because she herself was focusing too much on Ageha. But... everyone's reactions began to cause her to take note. ...Wait. What? I'm... I'm missing something? Again, she cursed her lack of social experience...
Sakaki picked up the telepathic signal and frowned in frustration. I do not understand Shin; Shin is a soldier of Star Army and yet he pulls a knife, now he may have done worse than that! She then turned to Hiroko, "Ishida-hei, could you come with me? If possible we could salvage a soldier from a broken wreck." After sending the message, she turned and quickly left the room in search for a man who she thought was a soldier like herself when they first met. He has skill, he has ability, yet he wastes it on himself! He is no solider nor will he be a man at this rate!
Hiroko blinked, receiving the message... and just slowly nodded. She used telepathy – hell, speech – sparingly, for reasons too unilluminated for her to even begin to understand, so a nod was enough. A polite bow and she was off, following Sakaki with a brisk, flowing pace that made her hair whip around slightly. As if she were in a rush, or at least trailing very softly someone who was. And all this? Without a word.
Kuriko forced her mind to work, slowly overturning bit by bit the information necessary. How do I handle this?! Kuriko wondered as her mind clumsily pulled itself back together. The Heisho forced her muscles to relax a little. First, tell them there isn't a problem. Make something up, anything. Kuriko's mind wandered for a little bit, trying to find a suitable reason. "It's nothing," Kuriko spoke as her mind finally seemed satisfied. "I just got word that Akira-shoi hurt himself pretty badly. That's all," Kuriko said as she forced herself to feign relief, not even registering Akira's new rank. Now, focus on the problem, Kuriko told herself.
Ageha was quite confused at all the new goings-on. With Sakaki and Hiroko rushing out the door and Kuriko in some obvious distress, quickly she arose and headed over to where Shifuda-heisho was standing. If there was a problem going on, that's where her orders were going to come from. Dutifully, she stood aside and awaited any sign of how she could help the situation.
"Nekki-Hei, I don't think you should do that," Kuriko said through encrypted telepathy hoping to stall they Hei until she could find a reason for him not to go through with his plan. Meanwhile, the Heisho wondered who she should contact, Shin was already in front of the Taisa, and if she found out it could get worse for him. Nonetheless, she had to try. "Endo-shosa," Kuriko sent again in encrypted telepathy, "I need to talk with you privately in person, it's an emergency." Kuriko's message conveyed urgency and distress.
Shizuka telepathically ordered the guards that were outside in the hall to stand by the Hei. She didn't let her digital uplink to PANT-IES go just yet, allowing her total knowledge on digital trafficking and visuals in the whole of the station which allowed her clearance. As such was the issue outside the office, she was just standing up to deal farther with the issue when she was contacted by Kuriko. "It's Taisa now, and this communication is encrypted. Speak fast Heisho, I'm moments away from dealing with a problem," Shizuka's digital voice was both serious and curt.
Rin put down the data pad with a heavy stare that she tried not to direct at anyone in particular, keeping her bearing. She knew Kuriko was trying to lie to save face in front of the newcomer, and shouldn't fall into the trap of emotions. Still, she was almost positive if this was Shin's doing somehow, even if she did not receive the message, it was in her nature to always assume the worse. In a rare moment, she let her mental firewall drop and sent a terse message to Shin, phrased like a directive. "Whatever you are about to do, Nekki-hei, don't."
Shin was starting to get a bit worried now. "Shifuda-heisho, it looks like I'm about to be executed. When I get ST'd. If, I get ST'd, could you please not tell me why I was executed? Thank you. Since I'm about to die, I have to say – I wish you get to be with the guy you like. And tell Rin I'm sorry for me, okay?"
"Sumimasen, Taisa," Kuriko responded as she darted out the door, running as fast as she could. "Promise you won't be mad?" Kuriko asked as she ran. "Nekki-hei just messaged me; he is trying to commit suicide again. Taisa, he needs help. Executing him will not solve the issue; it will only fulfill his desire," Kuriko said to the Taisa. "Please don't, please." Remembering Ageha, Kuriko slipped a telepathic order to the Hei. "Sumimasen, Nanjo-hei, we have some problems going on right now. If you'd like, maybe we could meet up again in about 20 minutes – near the shuttle to the hotel or something."
"Ara, do you think that was an order, Hoshitomo-hei?" the newcomer asked. It sounded like a suggestion to her, but Ageha was still quite unfamiliar with the squad and the way it worked. Her eyes held a determined look. If she could help, she wanted to.
"Actually, yes, it was," replied the pilot with enforced calmness as she tried to put the worries in their box for now. Shin would have to grow up sooner than later; if the captain was going to discipline him for misconduct at least she had the proper authority to do so under the law. "How about I take you on a short tour of the ship while the Heisho attends to pressing matters? Since you are coming on vacation with us, Nanjo-hei, it would be good to first familiarize yourself with the Senbu."
"Alright, then. Please do," the Santô Hei responded with a nod. She didn't like being kept in the dark when she was supposed to be learning about the Pride Wing, but then she reconsidered. Perhaps they're involved in some illegal activity. In which case it's probably better that I don't know. Perhaps later she'd see if she could talk to the XO. He seemed like a nice enough person. Though, there was the nagging feeling in the back of her head that the whole ship could be in on it. Best to stay silent.
Sakaki, with the help of the guidance system she would normally not use and thus get lost in, would be arriving at the destination, "Please allow us to enter! We have a comrade to disarm!" Sakaki stated and decidedly to push past the security, praying that there would be no confrontation and would even drop her sword if it would let her smack Shin once before he did something stupid again.
And behind her, Hiroko, who moved right with the directions, simply moving with the flow. She readied herself for... trouble. Knowing what she did about conduct between soldiers, she still realized (in her ignorance of the situation) that if it was important to Sakaki, it was worth at least staying around to make sure it went... smoothly.
Shizuka grinned widely at Kuriko's words and then stepped with an ordered air to her strides. She walked right up to where Shin was and picked him up, using all of her limited super strength, and then swung a fist hard to connect to his face. She didn't hold back, it was strong enough to shatter bones, or in this case at least break his jaw. Shizuka threw the Hei to the wall at this time and unfastened her uniform coat top revealing her exercise top underneath, the molded breastplate was cast aside to the floor. "I won’t kill you Hei, but I’m going to make you regret talking that way to your superiors." Shizuka then brought up both of her fists and punched one into the other, standing ready for a fight.
Nicholas stood aside as Shizuka took the situation back into her control. At first, he was somewhat miffed that she was stepping in; he had everything under control. However, the Geshrin Shosa quickly realized that she wanted to do this and deserved being able to finish it herself far more than he did. He would still get to enjoy it, anyway.
Shin stood up, holding his jaw and still smiling, chuckling. "What? Is that all the famed Lion of the First Expeditionary Fleet can do?" The insubordinate Hei cracked his knuckles, ready to fight. "If striking a superior officer is a crime, then I’m a major felon!" Shin dropped into his stance, ready to fight to the death if need be. Shin grinned, sending off a multitude of telepathic messages. "Kuriko, your company in these short few weeks has been really enjoyable. I wish I could've talked to you more." He sent another one to Rin, "Hoshitomo-hei, I'm sorry for everything. I hope you won't hold a grudge against my next self."
Kuriko rounded the corner just in time to see Shin drop into his fighting stance. It took her only a scant few milliseconds to discover what was going on. "THAT'S ENOUGH SHIN!" Kuriko yelled both telepathically and audibly at the Hei. "Stand down, Nekki-hei, that's an order!" Kuriko was exasperated by this point. The Neko was breathing heavily and noticed both Hiroko and Sakaki close by.
Hiroko... couldn't believe what she w– no. She could. She actually could see the Taisa doing this. She CERTAINLY could see Shin doing this. But... she didn't want to interfere now, not with this severe a density of superior officers, least she get reprimanded too. But she did stare straight forward, making no effort to hide, and in fact hoping that she was achieving some kind of glare of death... at all involved. Still a bit too gutsy for her liking, but this was insanity.
Sakaki finally arrived at location, but the security staff wouldn't budge. "A duel has started, we are too late, she informed her companion. The Neko could instinctively feel a crowd forming at the doorway to see the newly-ranked Neko punch out someone. Hearing what he sent she yelled very angrily, "SHIN YOU BAKANE! If you die this way, I shall treat you lower than a dog in your next life, and wish you never were reborn!" Then telepathically sent only to Shin, "Be a Soldier and not a weakling! Take your punishment and reconsider your actions! This is no way to impress Rin-san!"
"You talk too much," Shizuka said darkly as the next blow came fast and hard, the Neko used her superior gravity manipulation to lighten her swift form to move faster, but quadrupled the G-force behind the punch into his chest just before it connected. She managed to avoid his heart but she easily broke his lower ribs and hit hard against his diaphragm to force his lungs to release all of his air. "I won't gratify you with death; you don't deserve that quite yet. Instead, I'll make you wish for hell," Shizuka said she was in close quarters to the soldier.
Shin coughed up some of his blood as the captain broke his ribs again, and then he sent a telepathic message to Fuse-Hei. "Mai, don't get mad at me, but my ribs just got broken again.” The Yamataian smiled as he brought his fist up, using his weaker in comparison gravitic manipulation to punch the captain in the gut as hard as he could manage, bringing his arguably dense and hard head down against Shizuka's, smashing both of their skulls together.
"What the hell is happening, Ushimo-hei? This is not punishment, this is sadism... And if I stop her she might..." But Hiroko stopped the message there, backing up to the wall, her bluster and glare popped like a balloon pierced by an aether beam. For the first time Pride Wing might remember, the quiet indigo-haired pilot was actually scared and even remotely showing it. And... idly, a thought occurred, an encrypted message was sent to Ageha. "...I will need to explain things. I... am having trouble believing... no. This is not what you should think is normal. I cannot... I cannot in good faith explain now. But it will come. Don't be alarmed, you're probably unaware anyway..."
Back in the small room that Pride Wing had been using, Rin nodded and escorted Ageha politely into the hallway and tried to move in a direction opposite to where the ruckus was occurring. Despite her professional and icy demeanor, she apparently easily made small talk with the new member. "Sorry for the rough first impression," began the Hei as she walked in the mid length skirt. "I did say we were a handful. But on the battlefield, at least, things come together more smoothly."
Ageha blanched at the communication she received from Hiroko. Perhaps I can trust her, she thought, she's definitely in some sort of trouble and doesn't seem like she's a part of what's going on. She sent a short reply to Ishida-Hei, Let's talk later. Outside of her thoughts, she nodded in response to Rin and tapped on her data pad which was showing the details of the last battle the Senbu was in. Reacting to her command, it focused the information on the Pride Wings activities during the conflict. "I've been reading on the Senbu's recent activities. Perhaps you can give me some personal insight on your squad mates?"
Rin's polished boots clacked methodically and rhythmically as they wandered and conversed, white gloved hands folded behind her back in a posture of the thoughtful commander she hoped to one day be. Perhaps she was trying to stand tall and put on a good, superior face for the newcomer, to fight the first impressions that were largely out of her control. "Insights?" questioned Rin, looking aside to the communications operator briefly, "There are a few of these I could share, if you wish for me to speak as a member of the Pride Wing."
"Please," the junior Hei insisted. "I like to know more about you, too, but perhaps it's easier to understand people through others," she explained. Ageha still carried the data pad close to her chest, like a shield. Hoshitomo-hei seemed pleasant enough, perhaps her initial evaluation wasn't quite accurate.
Hoshitomo-hei smiled again in that curt manner, the expression there though she kept the full extent of any feeling shown to herself. In some ways she was distant, but in a different way than say the cryptic Hiroko. "Well then. Best to start with the core of any group. Shifuda-heisho seems to be a reluctant leader, forced into her role and learning everyday on the battlefield. She may be short of stature, but I feel Endo-taisa is right to have her over us as her concerns for us despite our shortcomings are large. That is the most important quality for any wing commander to posses." A short pause. "Ishida-hei.. She is cryptic and distant at times, much like the role of sniper and artillery she plays so well. I respect her sometimes ingenious ploys in battle, though her true intentions elude the logical mind. The similarly quiet Ushimo-hei is fulfills her duties with vigor; the perfect example of the serene warrior performing her mission with honor and grace."
Ageha nodded in response as she kept pace with Rin. Knowing not only Hoshitomo-hei's feelings about her comrades but also how she viewed them on the battlefield was extremely helpful. For some reason, listening to Rin eased her tensions a bit. Perhaps it was the more military-like attitude she was showing now that made Ageha feel more comfortable.
Seeing her nod, the Ittô Hei continued, as it turned more and more into a sort of impromptu report for the soon-to-be communications coordinator. "Now, Sakiyurai-hei... her combat style is definitely direct and high powered, giving no ground. Though how she fights at such a level with a... well endowed... figure is quite the mystery. But it also has its perks to motivate the male pilots, as can be expected. She's also very affectionate at times and cold at others."
Saruwatari-hei is a crack Daisy pilot and seems to have a good relationship with Nekki-hei as the both of them are self-styled martial artists... the two of them fought well against enemy armor in the Chiharu boarding action and sabotage, at least. Though he does share some childish fantasies about being a larger-than-life hero."
"Yoshihara-hei I am not too familiar with, other than she has a fondness for liquor as much as for fighting... she was once the most senior pilot here in rank before this engagement with the Chiharus, and her abilities, in my experience, matched what would be expected."
"Her comrade Kisaragi-heisho, once the second in command of the Pride Wing and Shifuda-heisho’s confidante in tactics, has also been missing as of late and I heard rumors of her dismissal to planetside duties murmured in the cafeteria today." Then, as she segued into the final person, the woman's face drained a bit of color. "As for Nekki-hei... I will respectfully withhold my comments."
An interesting and varied crew, if nothing else, Ageha thought as she listened to Rin. She's confident in their abilities, which is good. Hopefully they return the confidence in hers. Well, except for this Nekki guy. He was the one missing from the meeting today. It's silly, but I half-expected the two of them to be tardy for the same reason. "Thank you, Hoshitomo-hei," she said, bowing to her superior. "Your comments are very helpful. Perhaps we should go meet with Shifuda-heisho at the shuttle now," she suggested.
Rin nodded to Ageha, a neutral expression showing her seriousness about her feelings and dedication to getting the job done right if nothing else. "It is part of my duty. After all, if you will be our coordinator, you need only the best information concerning the abilities and dispositions of the pilots you will soon be working with. I hope I have at least given you a firm base to build upon with your own experiences in the battles that will undoubtedly come." Adjusting course to the shuttle bay, she added with a half smile and cracked a rare joke. "But now we have been ordered to take a vacation... this will surely be our toughest challenge yet."
In the melee taking place at the office, Shin’s punch was taken hard into Shizuka’s firm, muscular body, causing a bit of damage to the Taisa, but his sloppy actions were quickly avoided when he attempted to head-butt her, she moved swiftly and gracefully even in such a dire situation. Instead of worrying about anything else, she took his momentum and forced his head into the ground. She wasn't an amateur, three and a half years his elder in real combat made even his trained combat abilities moot against his superior. It was over in that single move, his action was his own downfall; the Hei was a bloody mess at this time but still alive and that was the point. "Take him away, put him in holding and make sure he's only repaired enough to remain alive. Keep him on suicide watch at all times. I don't want him taking the easy way out of this." Shizuka went over to her top and picked it back up, the guards did as she commanded and carried him off to the Senbu’s holding cells. "You want him alive Kuriko, he’s your issue now," Shizuka said very dryly as she glared down at the disrespectful Hei being dragged away. This meant Kuriko was the only one allowed access to him at this time besides medical and administrative staff.
Kuriko watched as Shin hopelessly fought against Shizuka. He's still trying to kill himself! Kuriko's mind reeled at the insanity of Shin's actions. After Shizuka was finished with Shin, Kuriko moved to the opposite wall that Sakaki had just taken up residence on, her breathing was shallow and fast. Need more air, have to breathe deeper, Kuriko told herself as her vision filled with spots due to a combination of intense stress and having run without restraint. The Heisho didn't know how to feel once she had caught her breath. She wanted to be both angry and relieved at the same time. Kuriko let herself slide down the wall, and pressed her face against its cool surface. "Ushimo-Hei, Ishida-Hei, you're both dismissed to take care of whatever it is you need to do." Kuriko sent to the pair as she felt the cool embrace of the wall. What am I going to do? Kuriko wondered in confusion.
"This is a duel Ishida-hei, Shin blindly is fighting, not realizing the lost battle," Sakaki replied to Hiroko. Then, as the final blow was made, she just closed her eyes and moved out of the way for them to drag him away. From the limited motions I could tell the Taisa was obviously superior; Shin was just too direct and could not keep with the actions of his opponent. This is something he should have known and surrendered honorably! She then nodded toward the Heisho and suggested to Hiroko, "We should get back."
Kuriko glanced sidelong up the wall toward one of the guards. "Take him to wherever it is he needs to go please," Kuriko asked the guard before looking back at Shin's slumped body. "You guys go ahead without me, I'll catch-up sometime," Kuriko replied to Hiroko and Sakaki, the Neko needed to be alone for a little bit. Kuriko sat there for a little while with a blank stare on her face; nothing was going through her mind, just emptiness and the cold feeling of the wall.
Nicholas ran a hand through his hair and patted down his uniform, his anger at Shin only subsiding after the Taisa had disciplined him. He approached the Lioness as she put her uniform’s top back on, unaware of the sly, sadistic grin marking his face. “You were amazing, Shizuka-denka,” he said to her with a quiet, amused coldness to his tone. “It was delightfully unnecessary; an exemplary show of force…” he marveled. “I don’t believe he will be a problem for some time.”
Shizuka pushed out the wrinkles in her uniform and glanced over at Nick as he approached, his smirk invoking one on her own feline lips. "Why thank you, Koibito," she said as she then pushed the hem of the short skirt down a little and approached him. Being left alone now, she took the time to enjoy the calm air that came after a stress reliving fight like that. "I guess I half did what I said I would," she started with a smug sort of sigh, "I only half killed him..."
“I suppose it is good that you didn’t, however insubstantially gratifying that it was,” Nicholas replied, his voice normalizing somewhat as he spoke. “He wouldn’t have learned anything if we’d had to load a memory backup. It is better for the ship this way, I think.” He stepped closer to her as she fiddled with her uniform, slowly running a finger up and along the edge of the slit in her skirt. “You have proven that you are more than deserving of your new rank. You are compassionate towards your subordinates when you need to be and harsh when it is required – in battle you are unmatched. The title and station becomes what you are capable of, Shizuka,” he told her.
"Oh Nick, you know just the right words to make me feel better..." the Lioness said as she turned around to lean up against his bigger Geshrin’s frame, pulling his arm over her torso to wrap around her as she snuggled up close. "Now, how about you make the rest of me feel better, Koi-bi-to?" Shizuka asked suggestively as she bent her head back to glance up into his eyes, that grin from before only growing more and more devious.
Nicholas allowed the Taisa to move him without resistance as she invested herself in his embrace. “As you order, Shizuka-denka. I will endeavor to fulfill this duty,” he said before he lifted her light mass from her feet and then moved closer to the room’s desk. “PANT-IES, all communications and activity in this compartment, until further notice, is to be considered classified and restricted from normal review,” the Geshrin stated, “Our conference is not to be interrupted unless under the most dire of circumstances.”
END
The ceremonies soon closed after and the entire crew was allowed one Yamataian weekend worth of shore leave. At this time, the Pride Wing was gathered in a separate meeting room close to where the auditorium was. Kuriko had all the service awards and new rank pins to hand out and given time to congratulate her own team. But at the bottom of the box was a data pad which had information containing an offered bonus for the members of the Pride Wing – there was reservations made for an expenses-paid vacation to a four-star hot spring resort on Yamatai called Tengoku. Also, they were given a bonus of 1500 KS as spending money for the trip.
As for the incident still left on the agenda, Rin and Shin were both under security watch; Kuriko was relieved for the time being from Shin. At the moment, Rin was being escorted into an office that Nick had procured for the Taisa. Both newly promoted officers were seated; Shizuka had a coffee close by as she eyed the entrance of one of her most promising crew members. With a serious look on her face, she dismissed the guards with a waving gesture so they'd leave the room. "Hoshitomo-hei, before you speak... I must tell you, I expect a very detailed report. I would have suspected this from anyone else, but you..." Shizuka stared long and hard into the Yamataian's eyes, then, once she suspected her pilot understood the gravity of the situation, the Taisa sat straight and gestured with an upturned hand for Rin to start.
Nicholas sat near Shizuka, as he usually did, off to the left side of the desk with his data pad in hand. The Shosa had said what he’d needed to on the matter, so remained silent for the time being. He was mostly there because he was supposed to be rather than any intrinsic need for his presence or input. His thoughts were still on his promotion, even more so than the vacation that they’d all been given, as well as Shizuka’. Every once in a while he would glance directly towards her, eyeing the Taisa insignia pinned to the short-skirted dress uniform that seemed much more comfortable on her than the last time she wore it.
On one hand, Rin was pleased to see the new office... but on the other, the circumstances of the visit were entirely sour in comparison. "Endo-taisa..." She bowed very low, as was procedure, and as her icy blue eyes met the commander's they were definitely different than the usual stare the Lioness would expect from Rin. She was not proud to be here in this position, even though her type B uniform and bearing was impeccable as always, but neither did she flinch in the face of a much less cordial meeting with her superior that had to be done before all could finally relax. The fact that the young soldier had begun to admire Shizuka only made the situation that much harder to explain with a straight face.
"I understand that this is sudden, and an anomaly in my behavior until this point that will not repeat itself," began Hoshitomo-hei, struggling to keep her voice calm and collected and not let any emotion seep into it. That would be the last thing she should do in the face of her commander. "To best summarize the events in question involving Nekki-hei: I had fashioned a get-well gift to present to him to repay his previous kindness when I was similarly wounded. As luck would have it he also came to see me for his own amorous reasons and we met by the central lift in a rather... clumsy manner. As my personal space was then violated, I sought to dismiss him immediately so that nothing untoward would occur – though he then persisted in expressing his feelings to me..."
Rin's gaze hardened a little as she recalled the events vividly. "The MEGAMI footage has the specifics of the exchange; I was trying to be understanding, but his hard-headedness, that is a well-known fact, was at play and he would not back down even as I tried in vain to end the exchange. As we were both clearly on edge from the previous battle, the situation thusly became more heated as we both threatened violence to the other."
Her teal-haired head listed to the side a bit, as her tone lowered. "Nekki-hei then drew a knife upon himself asking for me to hurt him. Seeing the situation escalating out of control and the likelihood that he or myself would sustain injury, I denied his wishes and then discharged a stunning shot from my NSP, only enough that would incapacitate a Yamataian long enough for me to bodily drag him back to the medical bay. Perhaps instinctively in self-defense, his knife was turned upward and grazed my abdomen before his nervous system shut down and he slumped against the lift wall." She folded her arms behind her back and then straightened up as she met Shizuka's eyes again. "And that was when the security team arrived and I was taken into custody without resisting arrest."
"I fully understand that my actions were in violation of the military code; as an enlisted member it is not within my limited jurisdiction to assume the powers to discipline my peers with force, which are only reserved for the commanding officers of the vessel where such acts may have occurred," stated the young woman plainly. "I also recognize the fact that alternate applications of force may have resolved the incident, and the discharging of a firearm following a grave battle created undue stresses to the security situation. In this respect I can only say that I was reacting in the manner I felt was most appropriate under the circumstances."
It was a little strange, but not much different than their first interview... it seemed Hoshitomo Rin always had a well-practiced response to Shizuka's questions. The time in the brig had no doubt been used well to craft a detailed report, though, like her canned responses to the Lioness' first encounter, they also seemed to be saying what the young woman thought the Taisa wanted to hear.
Shizuka weighed the Hei's answers with a few moments, trying to decide her appropriate recourse to these actions. After a little internal debate, the Taisa placed her elbows on the desk and leaned forward with fingers interlaced. "To tell you the truth," the Lioness started, "I would have preferred you just punch the kid in the face and tell him to grow up." Then, with a sigh, she turned a glance down at a data pad on the desk with Rin's profile called up on screen. "I know your goals Rin," Shizuka said, using the Hei's name endearingly as the Neko shifted to look back up at the crew member, "so I'll keep the report on this issue vague and see to it that it's not a harsh mark on your record. I believe that situations like this can be rectified and in this humiliation, you have taken much time to reflect on your mistakes. But the matter at hand is; will you grow from it?" Shizuka leaned back in her chair and crosses her arms and sighed. "I believe that this won’t happen again... not from you. So let’s leave it at that. You will be released back into duty, but first, you need to get rid of that stress. You’re to join your wing mates on vacation; I also want you to patch things up with Shin-hei before you both return to active duty. As long as you’re on the Pride Wing you two are to be civil and work well together. That is all, understood?" Shizuka inched forward with a brow arched as she waited Rin’s reply.
Rin bowed her head again as the bangs fell over her eyes, sincerely a bit surprised at the reaction. "I can't deny that I have been under stress and a respite is welcome. I thank you," stated the pilot in a voice both thankful and dedicated. "I also humbly apologize for causing difficulties for the Senbu in my desire to serve you faithfully, and will redouble my efforts to understand my comrades better as you have asked of me."
"Perfect, then I see no more farther issues here. You’re free to leave, Rin." Shizuka bowed her head in return and dismissed the Hei. Then, mentally, Shizuka updated the information regarding Hoshitomo's profile, doing just as she said and made the report a light mark on the portfolio. Then, as the teal haired Yamataian left the office, Shizuka lowered her head onto the desk. "It's going to be a long day isn't it... Shosa?" she asked Nick, the last bit a little playful, as she was really proud to use his new rank.
And so the dreaded visit to the Taisa's office passed with what was, in all respects, a decidedly light slap on the wrist. Her aspirations were intact, but still she knew this meant she would have to work harder than ever. Pausing outside the door as it closed, she mentally composed a short and to the point message for the CO with what she really wanted to say for her kindness. "I will make up for this, Shizuka-san. I promise." With that, she hurriedly jogged to make the next pass of the lift and get far away from the office for now, as if trying to subconsciously leave anything relating to the event at Shizuka's desk.
“I’m sure that it doesn’t have to be,” Nicholas replied, grinning with his own lightheartedness and pride in being referred to as “shosa.” He was no longer a junior officer, and was extremely honored by the status that came with the promotion itself. Although he was a normally humble person, he allowed himself to ignore the extraordinary pace of his ascension through the ranks and believe, if only for today, that he deserved it all. “Perhaps we should do something to celebrate your own promotion, Taisa,” he said, mirroring Shizuka’s reference to his rank.
"Your right, it really doesn't have to be. I could after all, just kill Shin..." Shizuka said, sounding dead serious. In any normal situation you'd think she was joking but with the recent events, it was very highly probable that she was telling the truth. "But, I suppose that would be too easy..." The Taisa sighed heavily, revealing a little blitheness to what now appeared to be a joke, sorta. "Well, I have a weekends’ worth of gravity to look forward too, so let's get this over with," Shizuka said, bouncing back up in her seat and mentally calling for the delinquent Hei. The guards then gestured for him to follow, and they started to lead him to the office.
“That wasn’t really what I had in mind,” Nicholas said in a deadpan tone with a mock-serious expression on his face. It was better to get everything over and done with as soon as possible, though. Rushing towards relaxation now would only cheapen the entire leave that Shizuka had given them.
Shin yawned, getting awoken from his nap by the guards. "Oh, it's time for my execution already? I thought I would've been tortured a bit first." The Yamataian male stood up, following the guards. "You know, you two really should've handcuffed me."
The door opened for Shin to enter and the guards were ordered to stay at the door. Shizuka eyed him with furious looking lion's orbs; this Hei had stroked the Lioness the wrong way ever since his first day. Since then, she never really grew much too fond of him. But nevertheless, he was a member of her crew and it was her duty as a Star Army Taisa to deal with him fairly. "Nitô Hei Nekki Shin. As your superior officer and ship captain, I am severely disappointed in your actions. After much deliberation and reviews on the issue at hand I have reached a verdict. You are here by sentenced to be weaponless on and off duty aboard my ship, only your superior officers can hereby give you clearance to carry any sort of ordnances, the conditions are while on mission or in defending the ship." The Taisa leaned forward and again she crossed her fingers in front of her face as she continued to intently stare at the Hei. "Mistakes can be forgiven, but if you dare turn a weapon on any members of my crew again, this includes yourself, I will personally see to your execution. You will be allowed your weapons back for standing duty when I see it fit that you are responsible enough to carry them. That is all, you are dismissed." Shizuka then leaned back and crossed her arms.
Shin shrugged, and bowed to the Taisa before walking out. "PANT-IES, where is the rest of pride wing meeting at?"
“Stop where you are, Nekki-hei,” Nicholas said as the soldier exited the chamber. He’d spent a few moments in disbelief after Shin had shrugged at Shizuka’s words to him. The Shosa stood, marching after the Yamataian so that he could address him very directly. “After all you have done,” Nicholas seethed, his voice not particularly loud, “To disrespect what could only be characterized as mercy from the Taisa.” He didn’t speak for a few moments, unable to find words that weren’t inappropriate for his station. “The hold on your promotion stands. You may gather whatever else you earned,” he said at last. “Leave.”
Shin turned around, smiling at the Saiga. "So, what do I have to do to get as decorated as you? There are numerous comments I could make right now concerning your "involvement" with the Taisa, but I still have modesty. I care not about promotions or awards, as long as I get to do my duty and fight." The Hei turned back around, and left the room.
The insubordinate Nitô Hei wouldn’t get far. As soon as he turned, Nicholas would grab him by the shoulder, spinning the Yamataian’s body around as the Shosa thrust a leg in front of Shin’s. Nicholas wasn’t a particularly strong man considering how his species compared to the others that inhabited the galaxy, but remembered enough from his days in basic training to force the Hei to his knees, where the Geshrin would deliver a solid backhand across his right cheekbone. “Your only duty is to serve the Empire with honor as you are ordered to,” Nicholas spat, wrathfully scolding the Yamataian as he stood firmly above Shin. “That you have none is a disgrace to this vessel and the Taisa.”
It took every ounce of willpower in Shin's body to not land a fierce haymaker on Nick's lower jaw. "Shifuda-heisho, I want to punch Saiga-shosa in the jaw right now. I want to do it so badly. I want security to kill me and not bring me back so I can spend eternity with my parents. I've dishonored them in life, so possibly my death could redeem them. Please, talk me through this." The Hei's internal conflict didn’t really show, instead he smiled. "Hai, Saiga-shosa."
Elsewhere, after everyone arrived in the side room provided for Pride Wing, Kuriko began to pass out the awards. "Thank you, everyone, for a job well done," Kuriko said as she gave each member of the wing their respective rank insignia and ribbons. When Kuriko reached the bottom of the box she noticed the data pad and quickly looked over it. "It looks like we are getting a couple of days break, all expenses paid at a nice hotel, it looks like," Kuriko said as she forwarded the information to the members of the wing. Kuriko thought it odd, at first, when she received the memo from Shizuka, but decided to take it in step. "It looks like we're going to have someone else join us soon as well," Kuriko said.
Sakaki held up her new rank pin with her left hand, it almost was yesterday she was a first rank, and now with the new rank felt like a competent warrior more so than before. She was distracted and restated, "break?" We are hardly worthy of a reward, the enemy is still out at hand, she thought to herself. Ushimo-hei then looked toward the entrance, momentarily, when she heard the announcement.
Hiroko looked down at the award thinking, just... thinking. So this is what the signs of accomplishment were. The medal, the ribbon, the award. She shook her head, thinking. This... helped prestige. But prestige was not the original purpose of this. It was to survive, to live as one best should... She glanced at the others, wondering how they were thinking.
The newest addition to the Senbu’s crew, Nanjo Ageha, was under orders to join the Pride Wing and get to know them better. If they were going to work well together in the future, they would have to know each other intimately. So, the Taisa's ingenious plan was simple – send her along on the trip, only she wasn't given the bonus, mind you. Kuriko was given information on the addition, as well, and told that the new communications specialist would be joining them in a few moments.
Nanjo-hei hurried down the hall at a brisk pace. She had been going over the details on the Senbu's most recent mission when she got the order to meet with the Pride Wing. Data pad still at her side, she had rushed over to the station where the Taisa's special unit had gathered after their promotions ceremony. Ageha buzzed the door telepathically as she arrived, clutching the data pad close like a security blanket, and quite nervous to meet the people that she'd soon be working with.
Kuriko telepathically opened the door, allowing Ageha to enter. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet our new communications technician," Kuriko said as she glanced over to Ageha. The assignment of a different comms tech had surprised Kuriko, but she was interested in just who it would be nonetheless.
As the door opened, the new communications technician took a deep breath and then two steps into the room. She smiled and bowed deeply. "Pleased to meet you all. I am Santô Hei Nanjo Ageha, and I hope that I will be able to help you in any way that I can."
Kuriko smiled at Ageha. This feels way too formal, Kuriko thought as she bowed to the Hei. "Nanjo-hei, it is good to meet you. We were just discussing our vacation plans. It would appear that we have some nice accommodations available to us." Kuriko forwarded the information to Ageha while moving to include her in the discussion.
Usimo-hei almost surprised herself when she saw the newcomer enter right when she looked at the door. Sakaki then bowed and introduced herself, "Ushimo Sakaki, Nitô Hei; Power Armor pilot."
Kuriko watched and waited for an opening to introduce herself as well. "Shifuda Kuriko, nice to meet you." Kuriko bowed again to the Hei before standing back up. This is stressing me out, the Heisho thought before finally sighing audibly. "What are you girls’ opinions?" Kuriko asked the group. "On all of it – not just the vacation."
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you all." Ageha quickly took a seat near the door and began reviewing the information being discussed. I'm to accompany them on their trip? she wondered as she read through the data. I guess this is how I'm supposed to get to know them better. She looked around the room and silently counted their numbers. Two members were missing. She looked over the squad's roster and noted the names. Where could they be?
"It appears so Ageha-Hei," replied Sakaki in a polite manner, then turned toward her commander and replied, "My opinion would to skip the vacation for further combat training, as now the enemies we face thus far have been far more equipped than expected and we should be prepared in case the Senbu came to any such combat again."
Using MEGAMI to navigate, it wasn't long before Rin found her way to the entrance of the room the pride Wing was gathering in, hopeful that she had not missed too much. Also, in the rush to clear up the incident, she hadn't received any details about this vacation and was simultaneous curious and also at a bit of a loss about how to actually handle one. "Forgive me for my tardiness, Heisho," began the Yamataian to Kuriko, with a respectful nod and glance around the chamber. Her eyes held on a face she did not recognize.
Ageha blushed a bit at Sakaki already being so familiar with her. "Please Ushimo-hei, Nanjo-hei is fine," she said softly. She turned as the door opened to see one half of the missing squad members. Ah, that must be Hoshitomo Rin, she surmised. Seeing that she had been noticed, Ageha stood back up and politely bowed again. "Pleased to meet you, Hoshitomo-hei. I am Santô Hei Nanjo Ageha, Pride Wing's new Communications Technician."
"Ah, my apologies, Nanjo-hei," Sakaki replied reluctantly and a little embarrassed. She shook her head a little but remained firm while Rin joined the group, whom she bowed to upon entry.
"Ah, Hoshitomo-hei. You're not tardy at all," Kuriko said as she walked over to Rin. "How did it go?" Kuriko asked Rin telepathically. "Sakaki, I've been fighting since before the day I officially joined the Senbu," Kuriko said as she turned her head to Sakaki. "I think this is something that not only I need, but something we all need. There will always be an enemy to fight, but if we don't occasionally rest then we won't be in any shape to fight the enemy." The minute the last word left her mouth the, Heisho felt guilty. I thought you were done with psychology, a voice in her mind reprimanded her.
"I… see," replied Rin to the newcomer with a blink and a quick nod, "I did not know there was to be a replacement for Navi-heisho. But it is good to meet you as well, Nanjo-hei." She then flashed a curt smile, as there still was a bit of recent events weighing on her mind. "I do warn you ahead of time... you will have your hands full." Hoshitomo-hei turned her head back to regard her wing commander and sighed a bit. "It went better than expected, and my career is intact – even if my pride will need more time in sickbay. I have also received a direct order to relax."
Hiroko was... leaning against the wall, reading. Thinking. For some reason she had been very distracted, and barely even noticed things. Of course, part of this might have something to do with her still remembering the problems before, the awards ceremony reminding her of what Rin and Shin did, about the battle before that... She looked up again, in the general direction of the newcomer, albeit with unexpressive eyes.
Reaching over to pick up the medals and the new rank pin that was left for her in the collection, she then spied the data pad and the vacation imagery on it, prompting the now official Ittô Hei to pick it up and read about the all-expenses paid trip that awaited them with a good degree of shock.
The newbie returned to her seat and made a made a mental note of Rin's attitude, mistaking her tardiness as someone who didn't care to follow orders. Hands full? Is this what Pride Wing is like? she thought, Are they some group of troublemakers? Is that what was meant by the captain's "special" unit? Ageha started imaging the others in the room as a bunch of rowdy toughs. What have I gotten into here?
"I understand Shifuda-heisho," Sakaki replied to Kuriko and bowed, she was only giving her opinion and did not want to press the issue any further. She was glad that her teammate survived the interrogation, though she could only wonder if the Daisy pilot would remain unscathed.
Kuriko sighed; it was obvious that she was a little stressed. "I'm sorry," Kuriko said, feeling rather defeated. "Either way, the Star Army has made it a point that they want us to relax for a few days. I think it would be good for us to do jus that. As a unit we could use the bonding time, which I don't think anybody argues, has an affect on combat. I think it'd be nice just to get to better know the people I'm flying with, you know?" Kuriko shrugged as she spoke the last sentence. "And of course, we'll want to get to know Nanjo-hei as well since, after all, she's our link to command." Kuriko had noticed how Ageha preferred to be spoken to on a last-name basis, a fact which in it of itself wasn't that unusual considering custom.
Hiroko looked further at her, gaining a low, leading tone as she realized she needed to somehow be involved in this. "..You look lost, even knowing where you are."
"Ara?" Ageha peeped in response to Hiroko. "Excuse me; this is my first assignment, so I'm still settling in," she explained. "So please bear with me for a little while." She considered the aloof Yamataian, even as she stood against the wall there was a certain grace to the way she held herself. Does she have the book to distance herself from her comrades? Or does she see such discussions as beneath her? Ageha tugged at her ear absentmindedly. Surely this is a group of miscreants, she worried.
Hiroko tilted her head at Ageha's response... So she just dismissed it? Hmm... So, with a lingering note of assurance or something like it, she responded. "No, no. I know you're new. It's... more... That you seem to be considering a lot of things." But there was an additional private telepathic note – a rarity for her. "It wasn't long ago that I went through this, if I'm guessing right. They're strange, but they fight well, especially Ushimo-hei, Saiga-shosa, Shifuda-heisho, and of course the Taisa. If you need information on their... strange behavior, just ask."
Of course, after the initial reaction passed, it made perfect sense to Rin why such arrangements were made for their vacation. The onsen was where they had the first sparks of a bond, and Shizuka was now trying to duplicate it on a much grander scale. Would it work, after things that happened between her and Shin? The soldier couldn't be sure, but considering she had been thinking of a return to the homeland to visit her parents, it seemed to dovetail perfectly. "I should have expected this..." murmured Rin audibly to no one in particular.
Before Shin could even leave the room with the Taisa and Shosa, Shin's punishment was sent to Kuriko. Her ears perked when she heard Rin's comment. "Oh?" Kuriko asked questioningly. Interested in what exactly it was Rin should have expected, hoping it wasn't related to her own stress level.
Pointing to the data pad in her hands, she explained a bit further at the deduction. “It's quite obvious why this vacation package was chosen, isn't it, Shifuda-heisho? The onsen onboard the Senbu was where we first had a team spirit. It's obvious that Endo-Taisa is trying to help us do such again on a grander scale."
Kuriko thought about what Rin had said. "Hmm, that would not be unlike the Shosa, err Taisa. Perhaps that is indeed her plan, if so I am certainly not able to argue nor would I want to. Nanjo-hei, have you ever been to an onsen before?" Kuriko asked the Hei. She was aware of the telepathic message that had passed in between Hiroko and Ageha, but did her best to not read it. She was on duty after all, psychology was forbidden and she had already broken that rule once. That was about the time that Kuriko received Shin's message. Suddenly Kuriko's eyes went wide as her body locked up. This is not good, Kuriko thought as her heart rate shot through the roof, tears already forming in the Neko’s eyes. Kuriko wasn't quite sure what to do; normally it'd be her job to have calmed down Nekki-hei, but this wasn't normal. She wasn't a caretaker anymore, and it wasn't a normal situation that Shin was in. The Heisho merely stood there, incapacitated by Shin's message.
Sakaki was observing the newcomer and began to take in the girl's habits and motions, as there were plenty of. If she is communication, does that mean she will not be entering combat with us? What am I saying, it does not matter if one is in the Pride Wing as each does their part, warriors and technicians. "What happened Heisho?" asked Sakaki suddenly as her commander displayed changing emotions.
”I understand,” Ageha responded to Ishida-hei in kind. “I'll ask if I have any questions.” Focusing on the telepathic communications, she almost missed Kuriko's question. "I have," she replied matter-of-factly. As everyone else had, she noticed the wing's leader's sharp change in emotion. Swiftly, she looked around at the other's reactions. What is going on?
Rin was still re-reading the details of the leave once more, trying to think how she would exactly spend all this sudden free time. It was maddening in a way... she really did not ever have such a vacation in what seemed like ages, her duties being all she could think about. But when she listened to the Heisho and felt the change of presence, she immediately directed her attention to the source. It couldn't be what she feared, could it? His appointment was right behind hers, and Hoshitomo wished that he understand his position and did not do anything further to ruin it. "Is it Shin?" came across her message to Kuriko, the text laced with all sorts of mixed feelings about the worst-case scenarios immediately running through her head.
Hiroko, for whatever reason, had actually failed to notice the shift in Kuriko's emotions... though that may have been because she herself was focusing too much on Ageha. But... everyone's reactions began to cause her to take note. ...Wait. What? I'm... I'm missing something? Again, she cursed her lack of social experience...
Sakaki picked up the telepathic signal and frowned in frustration. I do not understand Shin; Shin is a soldier of Star Army and yet he pulls a knife, now he may have done worse than that! She then turned to Hiroko, "Ishida-hei, could you come with me? If possible we could salvage a soldier from a broken wreck." After sending the message, she turned and quickly left the room in search for a man who she thought was a soldier like herself when they first met. He has skill, he has ability, yet he wastes it on himself! He is no solider nor will he be a man at this rate!
Hiroko blinked, receiving the message... and just slowly nodded. She used telepathy – hell, speech – sparingly, for reasons too unilluminated for her to even begin to understand, so a nod was enough. A polite bow and she was off, following Sakaki with a brisk, flowing pace that made her hair whip around slightly. As if she were in a rush, or at least trailing very softly someone who was. And all this? Without a word.
Kuriko forced her mind to work, slowly overturning bit by bit the information necessary. How do I handle this?! Kuriko wondered as her mind clumsily pulled itself back together. The Heisho forced her muscles to relax a little. First, tell them there isn't a problem. Make something up, anything. Kuriko's mind wandered for a little bit, trying to find a suitable reason. "It's nothing," Kuriko spoke as her mind finally seemed satisfied. "I just got word that Akira-shoi hurt himself pretty badly. That's all," Kuriko said as she forced herself to feign relief, not even registering Akira's new rank. Now, focus on the problem, Kuriko told herself.
Ageha was quite confused at all the new goings-on. With Sakaki and Hiroko rushing out the door and Kuriko in some obvious distress, quickly she arose and headed over to where Shifuda-heisho was standing. If there was a problem going on, that's where her orders were going to come from. Dutifully, she stood aside and awaited any sign of how she could help the situation.
"Nekki-Hei, I don't think you should do that," Kuriko said through encrypted telepathy hoping to stall they Hei until she could find a reason for him not to go through with his plan. Meanwhile, the Heisho wondered who she should contact, Shin was already in front of the Taisa, and if she found out it could get worse for him. Nonetheless, she had to try. "Endo-shosa," Kuriko sent again in encrypted telepathy, "I need to talk with you privately in person, it's an emergency." Kuriko's message conveyed urgency and distress.
Shizuka telepathically ordered the guards that were outside in the hall to stand by the Hei. She didn't let her digital uplink to PANT-IES go just yet, allowing her total knowledge on digital trafficking and visuals in the whole of the station which allowed her clearance. As such was the issue outside the office, she was just standing up to deal farther with the issue when she was contacted by Kuriko. "It's Taisa now, and this communication is encrypted. Speak fast Heisho, I'm moments away from dealing with a problem," Shizuka's digital voice was both serious and curt.
Rin put down the data pad with a heavy stare that she tried not to direct at anyone in particular, keeping her bearing. She knew Kuriko was trying to lie to save face in front of the newcomer, and shouldn't fall into the trap of emotions. Still, she was almost positive if this was Shin's doing somehow, even if she did not receive the message, it was in her nature to always assume the worse. In a rare moment, she let her mental firewall drop and sent a terse message to Shin, phrased like a directive. "Whatever you are about to do, Nekki-hei, don't."
Shin was starting to get a bit worried now. "Shifuda-heisho, it looks like I'm about to be executed. When I get ST'd. If, I get ST'd, could you please not tell me why I was executed? Thank you. Since I'm about to die, I have to say – I wish you get to be with the guy you like. And tell Rin I'm sorry for me, okay?"
"Sumimasen, Taisa," Kuriko responded as she darted out the door, running as fast as she could. "Promise you won't be mad?" Kuriko asked as she ran. "Nekki-hei just messaged me; he is trying to commit suicide again. Taisa, he needs help. Executing him will not solve the issue; it will only fulfill his desire," Kuriko said to the Taisa. "Please don't, please." Remembering Ageha, Kuriko slipped a telepathic order to the Hei. "Sumimasen, Nanjo-hei, we have some problems going on right now. If you'd like, maybe we could meet up again in about 20 minutes – near the shuttle to the hotel or something."
"Ara, do you think that was an order, Hoshitomo-hei?" the newcomer asked. It sounded like a suggestion to her, but Ageha was still quite unfamiliar with the squad and the way it worked. Her eyes held a determined look. If she could help, she wanted to.
"Actually, yes, it was," replied the pilot with enforced calmness as she tried to put the worries in their box for now. Shin would have to grow up sooner than later; if the captain was going to discipline him for misconduct at least she had the proper authority to do so under the law. "How about I take you on a short tour of the ship while the Heisho attends to pressing matters? Since you are coming on vacation with us, Nanjo-hei, it would be good to first familiarize yourself with the Senbu."
"Alright, then. Please do," the Santô Hei responded with a nod. She didn't like being kept in the dark when she was supposed to be learning about the Pride Wing, but then she reconsidered. Perhaps they're involved in some illegal activity. In which case it's probably better that I don't know. Perhaps later she'd see if she could talk to the XO. He seemed like a nice enough person. Though, there was the nagging feeling in the back of her head that the whole ship could be in on it. Best to stay silent.
Sakaki, with the help of the guidance system she would normally not use and thus get lost in, would be arriving at the destination, "Please allow us to enter! We have a comrade to disarm!" Sakaki stated and decidedly to push past the security, praying that there would be no confrontation and would even drop her sword if it would let her smack Shin once before he did something stupid again.
And behind her, Hiroko, who moved right with the directions, simply moving with the flow. She readied herself for... trouble. Knowing what she did about conduct between soldiers, she still realized (in her ignorance of the situation) that if it was important to Sakaki, it was worth at least staying around to make sure it went... smoothly.
Shizuka grinned widely at Kuriko's words and then stepped with an ordered air to her strides. She walked right up to where Shin was and picked him up, using all of her limited super strength, and then swung a fist hard to connect to his face. She didn't hold back, it was strong enough to shatter bones, or in this case at least break his jaw. Shizuka threw the Hei to the wall at this time and unfastened her uniform coat top revealing her exercise top underneath, the molded breastplate was cast aside to the floor. "I won’t kill you Hei, but I’m going to make you regret talking that way to your superiors." Shizuka then brought up both of her fists and punched one into the other, standing ready for a fight.
Nicholas stood aside as Shizuka took the situation back into her control. At first, he was somewhat miffed that she was stepping in; he had everything under control. However, the Geshrin Shosa quickly realized that she wanted to do this and deserved being able to finish it herself far more than he did. He would still get to enjoy it, anyway.
Shin stood up, holding his jaw and still smiling, chuckling. "What? Is that all the famed Lion of the First Expeditionary Fleet can do?" The insubordinate Hei cracked his knuckles, ready to fight. "If striking a superior officer is a crime, then I’m a major felon!" Shin dropped into his stance, ready to fight to the death if need be. Shin grinned, sending off a multitude of telepathic messages. "Kuriko, your company in these short few weeks has been really enjoyable. I wish I could've talked to you more." He sent another one to Rin, "Hoshitomo-hei, I'm sorry for everything. I hope you won't hold a grudge against my next self."
Kuriko rounded the corner just in time to see Shin drop into his fighting stance. It took her only a scant few milliseconds to discover what was going on. "THAT'S ENOUGH SHIN!" Kuriko yelled both telepathically and audibly at the Hei. "Stand down, Nekki-hei, that's an order!" Kuriko was exasperated by this point. The Neko was breathing heavily and noticed both Hiroko and Sakaki close by.
Hiroko... couldn't believe what she w– no. She could. She actually could see the Taisa doing this. She CERTAINLY could see Shin doing this. But... she didn't want to interfere now, not with this severe a density of superior officers, least she get reprimanded too. But she did stare straight forward, making no effort to hide, and in fact hoping that she was achieving some kind of glare of death... at all involved. Still a bit too gutsy for her liking, but this was insanity.
Sakaki finally arrived at location, but the security staff wouldn't budge. "A duel has started, we are too late, she informed her companion. The Neko could instinctively feel a crowd forming at the doorway to see the newly-ranked Neko punch out someone. Hearing what he sent she yelled very angrily, "SHIN YOU BAKANE! If you die this way, I shall treat you lower than a dog in your next life, and wish you never were reborn!" Then telepathically sent only to Shin, "Be a Soldier and not a weakling! Take your punishment and reconsider your actions! This is no way to impress Rin-san!"
"You talk too much," Shizuka said darkly as the next blow came fast and hard, the Neko used her superior gravity manipulation to lighten her swift form to move faster, but quadrupled the G-force behind the punch into his chest just before it connected. She managed to avoid his heart but she easily broke his lower ribs and hit hard against his diaphragm to force his lungs to release all of his air. "I won't gratify you with death; you don't deserve that quite yet. Instead, I'll make you wish for hell," Shizuka said she was in close quarters to the soldier.
Shin coughed up some of his blood as the captain broke his ribs again, and then he sent a telepathic message to Fuse-Hei. "Mai, don't get mad at me, but my ribs just got broken again.” The Yamataian smiled as he brought his fist up, using his weaker in comparison gravitic manipulation to punch the captain in the gut as hard as he could manage, bringing his arguably dense and hard head down against Shizuka's, smashing both of their skulls together.
"What the hell is happening, Ushimo-hei? This is not punishment, this is sadism... And if I stop her she might..." But Hiroko stopped the message there, backing up to the wall, her bluster and glare popped like a balloon pierced by an aether beam. For the first time Pride Wing might remember, the quiet indigo-haired pilot was actually scared and even remotely showing it. And... idly, a thought occurred, an encrypted message was sent to Ageha. "...I will need to explain things. I... am having trouble believing... no. This is not what you should think is normal. I cannot... I cannot in good faith explain now. But it will come. Don't be alarmed, you're probably unaware anyway..."
Back in the small room that Pride Wing had been using, Rin nodded and escorted Ageha politely into the hallway and tried to move in a direction opposite to where the ruckus was occurring. Despite her professional and icy demeanor, she apparently easily made small talk with the new member. "Sorry for the rough first impression," began the Hei as she walked in the mid length skirt. "I did say we were a handful. But on the battlefield, at least, things come together more smoothly."
Ageha blanched at the communication she received from Hiroko. Perhaps I can trust her, she thought, she's definitely in some sort of trouble and doesn't seem like she's a part of what's going on. She sent a short reply to Ishida-Hei, Let's talk later. Outside of her thoughts, she nodded in response to Rin and tapped on her data pad which was showing the details of the last battle the Senbu was in. Reacting to her command, it focused the information on the Pride Wings activities during the conflict. "I've been reading on the Senbu's recent activities. Perhaps you can give me some personal insight on your squad mates?"
Rin's polished boots clacked methodically and rhythmically as they wandered and conversed, white gloved hands folded behind her back in a posture of the thoughtful commander she hoped to one day be. Perhaps she was trying to stand tall and put on a good, superior face for the newcomer, to fight the first impressions that were largely out of her control. "Insights?" questioned Rin, looking aside to the communications operator briefly, "There are a few of these I could share, if you wish for me to speak as a member of the Pride Wing."
"Please," the junior Hei insisted. "I like to know more about you, too, but perhaps it's easier to understand people through others," she explained. Ageha still carried the data pad close to her chest, like a shield. Hoshitomo-hei seemed pleasant enough, perhaps her initial evaluation wasn't quite accurate.
Hoshitomo-hei smiled again in that curt manner, the expression there though she kept the full extent of any feeling shown to herself. In some ways she was distant, but in a different way than say the cryptic Hiroko. "Well then. Best to start with the core of any group. Shifuda-heisho seems to be a reluctant leader, forced into her role and learning everyday on the battlefield. She may be short of stature, but I feel Endo-taisa is right to have her over us as her concerns for us despite our shortcomings are large. That is the most important quality for any wing commander to posses." A short pause. "Ishida-hei.. She is cryptic and distant at times, much like the role of sniper and artillery she plays so well. I respect her sometimes ingenious ploys in battle, though her true intentions elude the logical mind. The similarly quiet Ushimo-hei is fulfills her duties with vigor; the perfect example of the serene warrior performing her mission with honor and grace."
Ageha nodded in response as she kept pace with Rin. Knowing not only Hoshitomo-hei's feelings about her comrades but also how she viewed them on the battlefield was extremely helpful. For some reason, listening to Rin eased her tensions a bit. Perhaps it was the more military-like attitude she was showing now that made Ageha feel more comfortable.
Seeing her nod, the Ittô Hei continued, as it turned more and more into a sort of impromptu report for the soon-to-be communications coordinator. "Now, Sakiyurai-hei... her combat style is definitely direct and high powered, giving no ground. Though how she fights at such a level with a... well endowed... figure is quite the mystery. But it also has its perks to motivate the male pilots, as can be expected. She's also very affectionate at times and cold at others."
Saruwatari-hei is a crack Daisy pilot and seems to have a good relationship with Nekki-hei as the both of them are self-styled martial artists... the two of them fought well against enemy armor in the Chiharu boarding action and sabotage, at least. Though he does share some childish fantasies about being a larger-than-life hero."
"Yoshihara-hei I am not too familiar with, other than she has a fondness for liquor as much as for fighting... she was once the most senior pilot here in rank before this engagement with the Chiharus, and her abilities, in my experience, matched what would be expected."
"Her comrade Kisaragi-heisho, once the second in command of the Pride Wing and Shifuda-heisho’s confidante in tactics, has also been missing as of late and I heard rumors of her dismissal to planetside duties murmured in the cafeteria today." Then, as she segued into the final person, the woman's face drained a bit of color. "As for Nekki-hei... I will respectfully withhold my comments."
An interesting and varied crew, if nothing else, Ageha thought as she listened to Rin. She's confident in their abilities, which is good. Hopefully they return the confidence in hers. Well, except for this Nekki guy. He was the one missing from the meeting today. It's silly, but I half-expected the two of them to be tardy for the same reason. "Thank you, Hoshitomo-hei," she said, bowing to her superior. "Your comments are very helpful. Perhaps we should go meet with Shifuda-heisho at the shuttle now," she suggested.
Rin nodded to Ageha, a neutral expression showing her seriousness about her feelings and dedication to getting the job done right if nothing else. "It is part of my duty. After all, if you will be our coordinator, you need only the best information concerning the abilities and dispositions of the pilots you will soon be working with. I hope I have at least given you a firm base to build upon with your own experiences in the battles that will undoubtedly come." Adjusting course to the shuttle bay, she added with a half smile and cracked a rare joke. "But now we have been ordered to take a vacation... this will surely be our toughest challenge yet."
In the melee taking place at the office, Shin’s punch was taken hard into Shizuka’s firm, muscular body, causing a bit of damage to the Taisa, but his sloppy actions were quickly avoided when he attempted to head-butt her, she moved swiftly and gracefully even in such a dire situation. Instead of worrying about anything else, she took his momentum and forced his head into the ground. She wasn't an amateur, three and a half years his elder in real combat made even his trained combat abilities moot against his superior. It was over in that single move, his action was his own downfall; the Hei was a bloody mess at this time but still alive and that was the point. "Take him away, put him in holding and make sure he's only repaired enough to remain alive. Keep him on suicide watch at all times. I don't want him taking the easy way out of this." Shizuka went over to her top and picked it back up, the guards did as she commanded and carried him off to the Senbu’s holding cells. "You want him alive Kuriko, he’s your issue now," Shizuka said very dryly as she glared down at the disrespectful Hei being dragged away. This meant Kuriko was the only one allowed access to him at this time besides medical and administrative staff.
Kuriko watched as Shin hopelessly fought against Shizuka. He's still trying to kill himself! Kuriko's mind reeled at the insanity of Shin's actions. After Shizuka was finished with Shin, Kuriko moved to the opposite wall that Sakaki had just taken up residence on, her breathing was shallow and fast. Need more air, have to breathe deeper, Kuriko told herself as her vision filled with spots due to a combination of intense stress and having run without restraint. The Heisho didn't know how to feel once she had caught her breath. She wanted to be both angry and relieved at the same time. Kuriko let herself slide down the wall, and pressed her face against its cool surface. "Ushimo-Hei, Ishida-Hei, you're both dismissed to take care of whatever it is you need to do." Kuriko sent to the pair as she felt the cool embrace of the wall. What am I going to do? Kuriko wondered in confusion.
"This is a duel Ishida-hei, Shin blindly is fighting, not realizing the lost battle," Sakaki replied to Hiroko. Then, as the final blow was made, she just closed her eyes and moved out of the way for them to drag him away. From the limited motions I could tell the Taisa was obviously superior; Shin was just too direct and could not keep with the actions of his opponent. This is something he should have known and surrendered honorably! She then nodded toward the Heisho and suggested to Hiroko, "We should get back."
Kuriko glanced sidelong up the wall toward one of the guards. "Take him to wherever it is he needs to go please," Kuriko asked the guard before looking back at Shin's slumped body. "You guys go ahead without me, I'll catch-up sometime," Kuriko replied to Hiroko and Sakaki, the Neko needed to be alone for a little bit. Kuriko sat there for a little while with a blank stare on her face; nothing was going through her mind, just emptiness and the cold feeling of the wall.
Nicholas ran a hand through his hair and patted down his uniform, his anger at Shin only subsiding after the Taisa had disciplined him. He approached the Lioness as she put her uniform’s top back on, unaware of the sly, sadistic grin marking his face. “You were amazing, Shizuka-denka,” he said to her with a quiet, amused coldness to his tone. “It was delightfully unnecessary; an exemplary show of force…” he marveled. “I don’t believe he will be a problem for some time.”
Shizuka pushed out the wrinkles in her uniform and glanced over at Nick as he approached, his smirk invoking one on her own feline lips. "Why thank you, Koibito," she said as she then pushed the hem of the short skirt down a little and approached him. Being left alone now, she took the time to enjoy the calm air that came after a stress reliving fight like that. "I guess I half did what I said I would," she started with a smug sort of sigh, "I only half killed him..."
“I suppose it is good that you didn’t, however insubstantially gratifying that it was,” Nicholas replied, his voice normalizing somewhat as he spoke. “He wouldn’t have learned anything if we’d had to load a memory backup. It is better for the ship this way, I think.” He stepped closer to her as she fiddled with her uniform, slowly running a finger up and along the edge of the slit in her skirt. “You have proven that you are more than deserving of your new rank. You are compassionate towards your subordinates when you need to be and harsh when it is required – in battle you are unmatched. The title and station becomes what you are capable of, Shizuka,” he told her.
"Oh Nick, you know just the right words to make me feel better..." the Lioness said as she turned around to lean up against his bigger Geshrin’s frame, pulling his arm over her torso to wrap around her as she snuggled up close. "Now, how about you make the rest of me feel better, Koi-bi-to?" Shizuka asked suggestively as she bent her head back to glance up into his eyes, that grin from before only growing more and more devious.
Nicholas allowed the Taisa to move him without resistance as she invested herself in his embrace. “As you order, Shizuka-denka. I will endeavor to fulfill this duty,” he said before he lifted her light mass from her feet and then moved closer to the room’s desk. “PANT-IES, all communications and activity in this compartment, until further notice, is to be considered classified and restricted from normal review,” the Geshrin stated, “Our conference is not to be interrupted unless under the most dire of circumstances.”
END
