Cipher said:
"Vinross-Yu Cranker." Noboru said out loud, more of a thought than an actual statement. He had heard the name on the newsreels around the stations (well, the ones that weren't emblazoned with Montreal's beaming, creepy face) about a man with the name "Laj Vinross-Yu" (It was a hard name to forget) running for... Some sort of political office.
"Wasn't he in the running for a governor's seat at one point? I heard some stuff on him when I was watching the NNN a few weeks ago."
"Why yes!" Mimi chimed in from behind Noboru, clasping her hands together in delight. "Recently, Mr. Laj was voted to representative for the Delsauria system on the Nepleslian Senate. I believe he actually replaced Mr. Dick's brother, actually..." Mimi said thoughtfully, daintily putting a finger on her chin and looking up towards the ceiling in a contemplative manner. "Mr. Edward Vanderhuge. It was in the news a month or two ago! Oh dear, I hope Mr. Dick isn't upset with Mr. Laj..."
---
The small observation room overlooking the dock had a door off to the side that connected directly to a set of stairs leading down to the floor area. It would seem that the glass walls of the observation room were one-way; looking up in hopes of catching one last look at Administrator Vanderhuge would be met with disappointment and a series of highly reflective chrome windows.
By the time Squad 35 had arrived at the Vinross Yu-Cranker transport ship, the rear end was bustling with activity as Cirrus Station loading crews hefted large cargo crates out of the hold, hauling them off to designated areas on a floating trolley using fancy-looking forklifts and a few Wolverine utility vehicles. They loading crew looked far too busy to be bothered; apparently they were also well aware of their guests and we doing their best not to screw it up. Not that it mattered...it was only Laj Vinross Yu and Marrisa Cranker on the VIP list, after all.
Before the team could get too close to them, however, several of the figures surrounding the two Vinross Yu-Cranker CEOs snapped to attention and turned to meet the squad. At such a distance, though, Squad 35 could now clearly see just whom these figures were.
Uniques...
Or rather, a squad of Vinross Yu-Cranker Materials' personal security force, much like the CSS squads aboard the Cirrus. However, there were several important differences...the most obvious being that each and every one of them were women, easily deduced from their figures and equipment. The Uniques were donned in unpowered armorsuits, however these seemed to be engineered at a much higher quality. Curvaceous plates of silvery alloy fitted closely on their contours, breaking only a few times into black, leathery bodysuit underneath the plates around the joints. The feet of the suit were propped up in a sharp stiletto heel fashion protruding from the soles. The armorsuit followed up all the way to the neck, which cut away to the ergonomic form-fitted helmet with a hazy dark-yellow full-face visor covering their features.
Whereas the CSS suit left much room for improvement with the large backpack housing all of their utilities, the Uniques had two short, cylindrical containers laid across their shoulderblades, large enough to house necessities while leaving plenty of room for movement. Even their weapons looked more menacing...and judging from the rest of their design aesthetic probably performed much better than the standard CSS Variable Weapon.
Perhaps the most startling part of the squad of Uniques, however, was what they wore
over their security suits. Each of the Uniques had what appeared to be
frilly, lacy, pink camisoles worn over their suits. News reports and general word of mouth about the 'elite Vinross Yu-Cranker Materials security force' would have already revealed this information to those who would prefer to remain informed, but to see a fully armed woman in a state-of-the-art security armorsuit wearing a loose-fitting sleeveless undergarment over it...was an experience, to say the least. Coincidentally, the camisole itself was very well made and surprisingly tasteful.
There were a few differences between some of the suits. Nine out of ten Uniques were clad in the lovely pink camisoles, but the one closest to Squad 35 (and approaching fast, her heeled suit clacking against the metal dock floor plating) had on a slightly longer, deep red camisole of a different, more elaborate design. Her helmet was also somewhat different, with two small, sharp-looking fins pointing backwards along the temples. Perhaps these small differences in attire were what the Uniques used as their ranking structure. This would seem to be the case when the Unique in red shouldered her rifle and stood before Squad 35's leader, Kokuten, and removed her helmet revealing a rather attractive woman with sharp features, cunning eyes and blonde hair done up in a tight bun.
"Nice suits boys, very...
classic," the woman said with a sly smirk. Several of the Uniques behind her raised and lowered their shoulders and made motions as though there were laughing...but seeing as all of their visors were down and no sound traveled out it was hard to be absolutely certain.
"I guess you all are the extra security the Head Administrator assigned us then?"
