RP Fall of Himiko Ch.1: Desperation

[demibear]

YSS Dawn Hammer
Engineering Bay

For a brief moment, Hiroshiko allowed herself to feel relieved as she listened to the rushing coolant within the pipes. The satisfying sound of steam being created gave her further relief as she floated up to check the consoles. But then she turned around when she thought she heard something ominous. It took a few seconds due to her limited experience to figure out what was the cause of it.

"Command, Engineering Bay. The risk of the non-authorized explosion has been greatly reduced. But we will have other issues if there isn't a high demand system making use of what was being generated. I recommend the use of the shields or diverting it might restart the main drive." Hiroshiko said wirelessly as she did before. At this point, she was largely guessing. Logical guessing, but still guessing.

She looked at the console to figure out why the coolant system was not properly working. She had to make the decision on if the sabotage also damaged the usual procedure to shutdown an aether reactor. If it hadn't, then she needed to know if the sabotage could be fixed without shutting down the reactor. Considering the current situation, she was going to need another mind to help her.

"Megami, I require your assistance here. Based on the flow of the emergency coolant system, how long can the aether reactor be maintained in its current state? I am looking into what sabotage was done here." She mentally asked the ship computer.

 

[Firebrand]

Planet Himiko, Back on the Road

The hover car handled poorly the higher it went, a faint hissing sound could be heard from somewhere under the car. From behind it was obvious from the collection of scalar holes that the problem was related to scalar fire.

As they flew over the main road leading to the base mile the third car reappeared, parked sideways on the ground nearly a klick away as the two infiltrators fired from behind it, using it for cover.

“Menelik, 4 o’clock!” Masumi called at the driver, tucking low and grabbing the seat in front of her.

"Aw, Hell!" Menelik cursed as he yanked the car to the right, then left, zig zagging at first to try to break any kind of leading they were doing on the moving and sluggish car. As he did, he cursed inwardly to himself- if it had just been him in the vehicle then sure, no problem, he would've rushed the makeshift checkpoint at full speed. Unfortunately it wasn't just him, so he couldn't go with that scheme.

Instead he pushed the pedal to the metal and aimed for a line of buildings nearby, with the clear goal of riding over them and then hugging the aircar as close to their far sides as he could manage to get as close to the base as he could.

 

[Arbitrated]

YSS Dawn Hammer
Bridge

Kaede wasted no time in his response to the Chujo: "Our primary thrusters are damaged and cannot restart, but we still have maneuvering thrusters available. We will control our descent as much as we can." He seemed... unusually calm about the prospect of crashing a capital-scale vessel into a planet's surface while it had an unstable reactor and no legitimate control over its position or vectors His face had hardened, though, into a stony mask - impenetrable and indifferent. Araena's voice quickly filled the gap of silence:

"Taii Davion, route the energy through the ship at your discretion. We need to remove the stress from the reactor's built-up energy reserves," the tall Elysian commanded, the chief engineer already a blur of movement as she did as she was told. Soon enough, the Dawn Hammer started glowing on its exterior, as the Combined Field System was pushed over its generally-accepted limits. The emitters would burn out if put up with this presure for too long, but... That'd be a problem after the ship had crashed into the planet.

Then the nekovalkyria had a brilliant idea: "Taisa, Chusa. I can harden our fields to resist airflow. It should give us more control over our descent once we hit the atmosphere." She quickly started to make her changes, linking the CFS controls with the helmswoman's mind to keep the movement of the Dawn Hammer in the hands of a capable, the most capable person here.

 

[Soresu]

Planet Himiko
Imperial Princess Resort, Penthouse
1200 Hours, Noon

The night before had been a blur. Alcohol, women, men, the thump of dense, atmospheric music. She had cut loose. Her job had been simple, fly to Himiko, set up a meeting with the Planetary Governor and act as an intermediary between themselves and certain commercial corporate elements situated on the planet Maekardan. The Iromakuanhe had been making inroads on expanding their businesses across the sector including Yamatai. From the humble, yet obnoxiously loud BEST KEBAB vendors on the streets of Kyoto's downtown, to the trendy fashion wares of the Commonwealth, brought to upscale Riverside district of the megacity.

And it was her job to bring those offerings and more to the masses of Himiko. All properly taxed, documented and approved by the Yamataian's bureaucracy which handled foreign commercial entities operating in their space.

She still lay abed even with the curtains of her penthouse drawn allowing in the bright afternoon sunshine. Sunlight kissed her olive-toned skin. It wasn't wanted, the light of the day was bright and lit up behind her eyelids. The Sund Wakir woman groaned, head throbbing as a dull droning whine whirred in the air. Surely just her horns abuzz with the after-effects of last night's delightfully sinful escapades. And oh how she regretted taking the enzyme with which allowed alcohol to affect her. But, it hadn't been all bad. A towering part ID-SOL, his name escaping her along with a beautiful, statuesque Elysian woman with almost diaphanous wings had been the cherry on top. It hurt to think. Especially with the ever-increasing droning noise vibrating within her horns.

Muttering a curse, Anju was her name, yes, Anju, it seemed so close to forgetting her name as she groped for the alarm clock. Squinting as much against the sunlight as she dared, the corporate employee, assassin, and saboteur allowed her hazy gaze to read the time.

12:01pm, damn. Her eyes went from squinting to slowly opening as much as was feasible as her limbs slowly worked her up into a seated position. Slowly, ever so slowly, Anju looked around. Her clothes from the night before lay strewed over a glass coffee table. She did not see any of her previous night's partners' anywhere. Would explain why she had the comfy bed to herself. Clearly, it had been a one night stand.

She raised a tattooed hand to the side of her head, the droning sound refusing to leave as it picked up in pitch. Another muttered curse passed between darkly pink lips. The volumetric projector's screen had remained on throughout the night. With her senses finally coming back to her, Anju wore an all too pissed expression on her face as she looked. There was a logo, one the Star Army wore with pride on the display. As she listened, strength returned to her limbs, her belly tightened and her mind sharpened as glandular stimulants began flooding her system. She had released them on reflex, the broadcast on a loop. That blasted whine wasn't her hangover, it was a Dreamers be damned warning siren!

All she thought was Danger! as the broadcast looped again and again the whining blast of the siren's call continued as if to drive the point home. The Kuvexians had come to Himiko. Leaping to her feet, the Sund Wakir woman prowled to her closet. Inside she had bags of clothes, a black helmet, and a moderately large secured case. She only spared the time to make herself halfway decent in putting on undergarments before pulling forth the case. She placed a thumb on the reader, it scanned it and felt a prick as a drop of blood was taken. The case slid open to reveal a dull, but deep black one-piece suit 'catsuit'.

Beneath it sat a compact roughly rectangular shape. Sparing no more time, Anju wiggled her slender frame into the suit and its boots. Pulling the collapsed bundle free, the woman checked it over, pressing a release. The thing clicked and whirred as it expanded into a sniper rifle. The thing had cost a bundle to bring through customs, along with the companion weapon just underneath where the rifle had been. Pressing the button again caused the rifle to collapse in on itself once more.

She lifted the tool of her trade over her head and pressed it to her back. It adhered to the suit's material as she pulled the other weapon free. Brightly brushed metal greeted her as the weighty item fit comfortably in her hand. A long-barreled revolver. With a snap of the wrist, the cylinder snicked free, showing it to be loaded before snapping it back into place. Setting it aside, Anju pulled forth a long strip of cloth that looked suspiciously like a scarf. The thing was anything but. It was a Hlarian Clothblade, just big enough to meld and harden itself into a number of useful melee configurations.

That had been overlooked as nothing but its fabric made cousin by customs.

Now armed, Anju made toward the door of the penthouse she had paid for with a lingering of regret. She had only been on this planet for two days, two. days and it had already turned to shit. Her last night's entertainment's safety didn't cross her mind. All that mattered to her right now was her own safety and survival. The star port wasn't too far from the hotel. Hustling out of the room, the black-clad assassin kept her helmet under her arm as she found an elevator to the ground floor and from there the parking garage.

By the time she pulled out of the garage, she took notice at how much of a ghost town it was around the hotel and nearby streets. As she drove, more and more people began to appear, all running, floating or driving toward the star port. It was packed. Cars honked, people yelled in fear, anger, and pure exasperation.

Damn again!

With so many rushing toward perceived safety, there would be little chance of her finding a spot to get off this planet. No. The local military installation? Unlikely. With the Kuvexians either on the ground, in orbit or both, they'd be on high alert and possibly denying civilians entry let alone an alien armed as she was would draw undue attention to herself. A third curse passed between her lips as she backed up, turned, and made her way toward somewhere off the beaten path. Somewhere with a chance of safety until things died down. To hide and survive. The wilderness. Specifically the Elfin Forest, it was said to be sprawling, relatively out of the way of the city and fairly dense. With the Star port and Fort out of the question, it seemed as likely a place as any to try and survive this decidedly shit-tier level of luck.

So she drove, with the top down and a head too full of cares and worries to be carefree and enjoy the sunny afternoon while in orbit thousands died in a losing battle. The world was ending and she planned to outlive it.

 

[Alex Hart]

YSS Nishitama, The shuttle

Matsuvo winced internally. What had initially promised to be a sleepy backwater posting had, by now, turned into a full-blown warzone. The only consolation available to him was that they would soon be well equipped, meaning that they'd at least last a little longer, make a bit more difference before they went down. Of course, the idea was to not die at all, but that was looking more and more like a pipe dream.

He reached across the aisle of the shuttle to clap Candon on the shoulder. "Cheer up Suites, at least we'll all be dying together."

 

[Rizzo]

YSS Dawn Hammer, Bridge

The helmswoman would find the task of maintaining control a difficult and consuming task as the ships MEGAMI made tens of thousands of corrections a second attempting to maintain the stability of the combined field. The altitude was now beginning to drop noticeably as the planets gravity increased its effect on the massive brick of a ship.

From the rear of the bridge came a chime from the locked door, hissing as it slid open. A shapely black Mindy-clad woman passed coolly though the opening, her two similarly armored escorts taking guard by the door and vanishing under the effect of their cloaking systems.

As the door closed behind her the helmet came off, uncovering the face of the Chujo who’d called earlier. “And be careful not to kill everyone in the city,” Emi resumed to Kaede as she approached his seat, “I meant to mention that earlier. I’d like the shields extended to contain as much of blast as possible and keep the collateral down. I presume Engineering is working to resolve the reactor situation?”


YSS Dawn Hammer, Reactor Bay

“At current output the main reactor will meltdown in- 1 minute, 13 seconds and counting.” MEGAMI answered in her robotically calm manner. At least the crackling from the capacitors had quieted.

As if on cue a tall Daisy followed by two Mindys from the ships complement hurried into the Reactor Bay, dropping from the shattered window of the control room. Pausing to look around the Daisy scanned the environment with the supplemental sensor equipment on the sides of his helmet.

“Moriah, open that coolant valve the rest of the way! Magenta, get me as many sub space detonators as you can find,” he ordered, the other troops hurrying to their tasks, despite the higher ranks on their armor, “Engineer, where’s our chief reactor technician? He’s older, gray hair, the only guy on the ship with wrinkles.”


YSS Nishitama, Military Sector

Candon gave Matsuvo a nod as the weighty decision was made. “Looks like we’re your new Fireteam Alpha, Rohan.”

“We made it,” the pilot on PA called, “here’s your stop, gonna have to jump.” The ramp opened, they were only about 3 meters off the ground. “Alright, Alpha. Let’s get armed. This next parts gonna suck,” Candon announced as he stepped off the ramp, hovering gently to the ground.
The base was abuzz with Mindy and Daisy-clad troops preparing for exactly something. Any soldier could tell that this unit was about to deploy into action. Candon waved his hand in the direction of the armory and telepathically instructed, “get your orders in.”


Planet Himiko, Under Fire

The car protested under the strain of what used to be normal handling before the car had been shot apart. Shots whizzed by, some added new holes across the belly of the car. With a rough buzzing the grav drives began to lose power, leaving trails of smoke.

“Hang on naw!” Menelik yelled as he deftly maneuvered back behind the cover of buildings, still determined to reach the military base. “Forget it,” Masumi yelled, pointing at the prow of a Kuvexian cruiser coming through the clouds. As if on queue Corona gunships took off as defense guns opened fire on the invading forces. Pointing to a small storage facility Masumi yelled again over the gunfire, “there! Get us as close as you can. Unit 3A!”


Planet Himiko, Storage Facility

Anju’s car braked hard, grav drives clawing the pavement for an emergency stop for no apparent reason as the street was clear. In that moment the smoking red sports car slammed onto the street, sliding and grinding to a halt in front of the stopped car. Yet another close save by the automotive industry.

The four occupants disembarked the broken sled as they made a dash for the storage unit, Masumi leading the way to their unit and entering the gate code as they entered the property.

They would finally arrive, building 3, unit A. Just a small garage door. Masumi drew her NSP, set to stun, and popped the padlock with a minor bolt. With their Neko strength the door quickly rolled up, squeaking and scraping the whole way to reveal the emergency stockpile.

Taking three units in total, there were weapons, medical supplies, food, and even a Type 30 Tankette.
Masumi made herself at home, finding her FMS Powered Suit. “We only have one PA, it’s a Zytone over in the corner. Menelik, you know what to do. Everyone else, step into the scanner so the assembler can spin you a powered suit,” Masumi instructed as she poured hemosynth over her wound.

 

[HarperMadi]

"Lovely," Rohan commented, looking up before seeming to be thrown from the craft, his innate control of gravity ripping him out the door to turn and land on his feet in a casual step. "Need two fireteams to break into three man squads, search and recovery operations on disabled Star Army vessels. Teleport in if they have to. everybody else, four man fireteams, I need shuttles with sealed crew compartments leaving the deck in ten minutes. We will jump in groups of four into the atmosphere with full medical and combat capability. Neutralize as many Kuvexian targets as neccessary to finish evacuation. Then go party."

His plan wasn't complicated In fact, it left a lot open to interpretation. He kept it that way on purpose. But he quietly requested the power armor systems that had been acquired by Candon for such a mission, and he kept moving forward to assist in the preparation and movement of people and supplies. "The Uchugan are on search and destroy. Clean out Kuvexian presence aboard the Nishitama and give us a clean LZ for bringing back survivors."

 

[demibear]

YSS Dawn Hammer, Reactor Bay

Hiroshiko slammed the console, everything related to the aether core was completely beyond her training. Already in total "fight or flight, she pulled her NSP towards the Daisy clad soldier. The only reason she didn't pull the trigger is that she managed to recognize the Mindies. Not like the NSP would do anything.

After a burst of frantic laughter, she drops the pistol and points towards the Engineering control room. "An angel of death slaughtered all of them! I would have joined them if I didn't dive for cover." She says as she does her best to mimic the sound of an aether blade at the end. She tried to be as respectful towards the person outranking her, but it might be difficult to tell. "I would guess it teleported away with the burnt bodies, shattered windows, and blood splattered everywhere. I didn't wait to figure it out though, I moved as quick as I could to open the emergency coolant valve. As much as I could."

She then looks back to the console control. "The aether core has been sabotaged somehow, but I cannot figure what was done to overload it. I handle secondary power systems as a Starship Systems Technician, but this is way beyond me. Perhaps he was why I was able to do as little as I could." She says as she continues going over what system outputs and logs she can access from the console. "There has to be something here to give even me a clue!"

She partially notices the capacitors aren't sparking all over the place, small miracles.

 

[Arbitrated]

YSS Dawn Hammer
Bridge

The new arrivals had been immediately greeted with nearly a dozen NSPs aimed directly at them as the entire bridge crew, tense from the mentioning of intruders, reacted with precise, trained movements - ready to shoot the first thing that threatened them. The only saving grace, in this case, was the clearly-a-Mindy shape of the Chujo's armor - followed by her taking her helmet off. The various Nekos, Minkans, and birb went back to their tasks - leaving her to talk with the captain and exec directly.

"Yes, though our main shift has been wiped out by the intruder who called himself "The Reaper". There is at least once technician down there who is working on stabilizing the reactor to the best degree she is capable of." Kaede mentally noted to Megami to add this information to Hiroshiko's personnel file. Even if she died here, her assistance and effort wouldn't go unnoticed once the dust settled.

The overworking emitters stressed themselves even more as a rigid bubble of energy surrounded the Dawn Hammer's battered bulk, sparks starting to decorate the exterior as it pushed against the gases of Himiko's atmosphere in its rapid descent. Creaks, groans, and the noises of physical stress sent haunting thoughts through the vessel's crew as many, many forces battled to either tear the ship apart, or hold it together. So far, the "keeping things together" side was winning.

 

[Soresu]

Planet Himiko
Storage Facility, Outside

Anju's options were minimal, of that she was certain. A frown firmly in place as she drove. With the spaceport now, not an option, the Iromakuanhe woman tapped the steering wheel as she drove. Overhead, a Kuvexian ship loomed in the sky, of what make she was not wholly sure. Off in the distance, the thrum of engines tickled her horns. A quick look was all she had time for as her car slammed on its brakes. There wasn't so much as a screech on the pavement. Just the decreasing hum of the engine as another car burst onto the scene.

The battered vehicle came to a halt in front of her own convertible. Passengers and the driver hopped out leaving her there only to stare gloomily at the pile of shit in front of her rental. With a growl, the Sund Wakir female donned her helmet, the HUD booting as soon as it and the suit formed a seal. There was always something about wearing the Ruah that made her feel safer. Comforted even. Those feelings wrapped around her like an old lover as she exited the vehicle.

After nearly being sideswiped, the assassin, corporate saboteur and employee wanted to have words with the idiot who'd nearly caused the wreck. Hell, perhaps they'd even lead her t-

The thought was half-formed as her HUD bleaped an alert. She barely had time to skip aside as a burly man almost twice her size tried to wrap their arms around her in a crushing squeeze. The attacker growled, and she answered in kind as he made to charge her again. Her response was simple. In a flash, a large revolver snapped up and roared as a large caliber, magnum bullet burst from the barrel in a belch of orange fire. The red-tipped bullet slammed into the man's chest before exploding. There was a dull *whump*! followed by the sickening sound of ripped flesh and viscera that had been her attacker's torso.

The Red round now expended, Anju watched as the man's lower half fell backward in a puddle of blue gore and blood. A foot twitched once. Some of the blood and gobbly bits of flesh had struck her helmet to which she now wiped off with the back of a hand. But it stopped her a split second as she knelt down to examine the corpse. Blue blood? Yamataians, Nepleslians, and ID-SOL bled red, and this man had been about as tall and muscular as a SOL.

Just what in the hell was going on here? Standing up once more, the woman twirled the revolver once, twice, and kept it in hand as she sauntered to where those that had nearly caused a collision had been going.

 

[Miko]

Planet Himiko, Storage Facility

A grin reached across the face of Thaddeaus when his eyes seen the tank. Well technically speaking it was a tankette but a tank none the less. "Dibs on the tank after I get into my armor. I need to drive up close so I can hit them with my sword." He said with a chuckle as he swung his gunblade around. Some may think he was joking but in battle Thad was not one to joke. He had every desire to drive right up to the enemy and hack them to death. There was a certain level of bad ass feel this had too it.

Thad walked over to the assembler and took a step inside. It took only a moment for the scan to complete before the armor started to form around him. Once complete Thad stepped off the pad to take a look at the new outfit. He was a little shocked at first. It has been awhile since he wore anything this tight. Holy crap did it show off his huge bulging arms and chest. He felt that a flex would burst the suit at the seams. "Masumi, check this out." Thad yelled out as he turned around and flexed his butt to show off the new armor. He had a good laugh as he walked over to the tank. He slapped it on the side making a loud metal sound ring out. "Now this bad boy right here is build for some kuvvy smashing." He announced jumping up on top of it to give it a once over.

 

[Firebrand]

Menelik rolled his eyes as he strode past the ID-Sol, stripping off his outer layer of clothing- especially his wallet, as he made his way to the Zytone. Grunting, he walked around the bulky thing, disgust clear on his face as he tapped the manual access button and stepped backwards into it.

'Darn thang is so out awf date- ah maahyt as well be usin' a Demon or a Water.' His thoughts weren't exactly charitable to the unit, but again he was used to Nepleslia's higher end models. 'Still, what was that saying? Beggars can't be choosers?'

A chuckle escaped the man's lips, unheard as the armor started up,Menelik taking his time to get used to it and go over what he had to work with: A shoulder chaingun; a missile pod; a pair of wrist blades; two things called 'bubble blowers' whatever they were; and... oh!

The Zytone hefted the Breachanova in both hands as it stepped forwards, the helmet turning to look at Thaddeus.

"Git yo-wr shit together boot- it don't make a differr-ta me ifin' ya git yourself keeled tryin' t' show awk with that super-y chromosome ya 'ave, but ya darn well beder not git ary awf 'em-" he motioned with a nod of his helmet, towards Masumi and Alena- "keeled. Ahr we culear?"

 

[Rizzo]

YSS Dawn Hammer, Bridge

Occasional flames could be seen glancing off of the shields surrounding the ships bow. The vessel was entering the atmosphere.

“At this rate it should take between ten and fifteen minutes to reach the ground, Taisa we should plot a course. I’d prefer we give our ground forces as much assistance as we can,” said the Chujo to the captain, “at this altitude we have some options and the enemy has two cruisers descending. Perhaps we could assist one of them in landing on our trip... Whoever manages this can join me for dinner. I’m hardly above incentivizing another ship cushioning our landing.”


YSS Dawn Hammer, Reactor Bay

Dirjon was taken aback by the seemingly hysterical response of the engineer. He could relate. Years as a combat engineer had shown him clearly the effects of deadly situations on a soldiers psyche, and he could relate. The faceplate swiveled open, his face now visible behind the clear metal visor. Putting a hand gently on her shoulder he reassured her, his deep voice soothing, “you did good. Now don’t worry, we’re gonna shut it down with a subspace detonation. It’ll collapse the reactors connection to the Aether and prevent an explosion.”

“Ulvson-hei,” Moriah reported from a catwalk over the reactor, “all coolant valves are fully opened!”

Dirjon was immediately back to work.
“Good work!” he called back, “now find a secondary coolant pump. They’re like the main pump, but half the size!”

Turning back to Hiroshiko he instructed, “I need your help. Find a hull repair kit. Two if you can. We’ll need to make an osmiridium patch after we cut a coolant line to feed the charges in. Please, hurry.”


YSS Nishitama, Military Sector

The team made their way through the base eventually coming to an equally busy hall of soldiers in various stages of suiting up. Catching sight of them an engineer waved them over to a row of armor racks from which hung their telepathically requested suits.

From one of the racks hung a fairly uncommon sight. Fresh out of storage and a little dated hung a blacked out Mindy M2-2, YSS Eucharis markings still on the shoulders and chest. A faint smile crossed Candon’s lips as he pulled his dirty, damaged uniform over his head.

“Hey old buddy.”


Planet Himiko, Storage Facility

Thad’s display was met with an eye roll generally reserved for Candon’s most socially unacceptable comments. “Jus- just get- there’s exoframes and helmets on shelves,” she directed as she began to undress to her her undergarment, folding each garment before setting them on the nearest workbench, “How’s it going, Menelik?”

On the shelf Thad would find not only helmets but also R23 PDWs and belts with a battery charger for recharging magazines.

As he responded Masumi donned the powered suit, one foot at a time she pulled the limp, rubbery material over her bare sienna skin and womanly curves with a coordinated grace lacking even the suggestion of a rush. Scientist or not, all neko were infantry. In only a few moments her suit was on, her hands fishing the spinal sensor module into the slit in the back of the suit. As the magnets sorted themselves into their correct positions the suit constricted and eased into a form fitting state as the sensors synced up to its owner.

As she began tying her hair into a tight ponytail the distinctive sound of gunfire caught her attention, the sigh of a black-suited Iromakuanhe woman in the near distance nearly had an NSP pointed her way had it not been for a spray of blue blood coming from the man in front of her.

“Thad, get the tank running,” she ordered, anxiety in her voice, “we might have company.”

 

[demibear]

YSS Dawn Hammer
Reactor Bay

"Subspace detonation?" She asked. Her tone seemed more out of disappointment she didn't think it was a possibility. Though she was way out of her element and she knew it. The only reason she knew about the emergency coolant valve was because of damage control exerercises back in basic training. "I have a great deal to learn about these accursed reactors it seems."

She phased out for a bit, thinking internally about what had happened and how it was just sheer luck that the dark angel didn't kill her. She would have remained in that state since the immediate issues were being addressed by others if not for the words hull repair. She then just curtly nodded and floated her way to what undamaged damage control stations she could find in the lower deck and emptied them of hull repair kits.

Grabbing a backpack containing a premium portable repair kit as well, she floated back to Dirjon. "Now this is well within my skill set." Hiroshiko says, attempting to regain some face.

 

[Soresu]

Planet Himiko
Storage Facility

Anju's sauntering walk continued, the long-barreled revolver held at her side. Her helmet's HUD identified a small number of persons in the immediate vicinity. The mini-ANIOS system in her suit tagged each, taking note of the suits, and more importantly the tankette. The Sund Wakir assassin continued her slow, smooth walk until she was close enough for them to get a good look at her.

The corporate saboteur was slender, yet not exactly without feminine curves. Her suit was matte black and hugged what curves she had. The helmet she wore was black as night, non-reflective but opaque enough to hide her face. 'Horns' along either side were swept back along with the elongated protective helmet. The thing's face-plate brightened a little, the tint lighting enough to show twin pinpricks of violet light, eyes where none had been before. The long-barrel tapped a slender thigh as if she were trying to gauge this small, merry band of would-be survivalists.

"Your shitheap of a car nearly collided with mine," the voice was decidedly feminine, strong, but spoken in Iromakuanhe-accented Yamataigo. Her posture remained unchanged, at ease, though the weapon never left its place.

"If you plan on leaving this pitiful city, I would not go back the way you came. A Kuvexian cruiser is descending and the local fort has just launched gunships. It will be a war zone very soon." Anju's helmet cocked to one side, apparently awaiting whatever the motley group had to say on the matter.

 

[Soban]

Alena was taking inventory while she waited for her tun on the scanner. "So we'll be under occupation, again." She started to fit a cargo net over the tankette. "That means we should make a run to the forest, easier to hide there. We'll want medical supplies, ammunition, and weapons in that order. We can scavenge for food." Alena explained, shifting back to her mindset from Essia. "A lot of people think an insurgency is won on the fights, but it's actually won on goodwill and logistics."

 

[Rizzo]

YSS Dawn Hammer, Reactor Bay

Magenta arrived with 4 countermeasure pods as Hiroshiko also returned. “Good work ladies,” Dirjon coached as his armor’s fabrication module set to work with the osmiridium forming two large rings on the ground, The centers of the rings possessing a helmet shaped opening matching the side profile of the Mindy helmet he was now handing to Hiroshiko, “Miss engineer lady, I need you to put this helmet on, read The serial numbers on these countermeasure pods and assign them to the owner. Then, bind them to the armor. It will only allow you to assign two pods. When you go to enter the third make a telepathic connection to me and I will enter an override code and will open the back door connection to my armor. Make absolutely sure that all four pods are bound to the helmet. Magenta, as soon as she binds the pod I want you to open it up and start putting the subspace missiles into the openings that will form in the sphere I’m making. I’ll call into the bridge to report.”

Stepping away from his comrades Dirjon began an audio transmission to the bridge, “Ulvson-hei to Bridge, we have a runaway reactor situation in engineering. The reactor crew are dead. We’re building a device that will cut the reactors connection to the aether but once we shut it down we won’t be able to restart it. In its current state if it is still online when we crash it will detonate like the Ironhart.”


Planet Himiko, Storage Facility

With the push of a button, Masumi I unfolded her exoframe and backed into it as the black-suited woman approached. The frame instantly locked into place and with the extra strength she hoisted a large box onto the workbench.

She gave the speaking woman a once over as she unboxed a Type 30 SLAM. Whether it was the pressure of a planetary invasion or too much time working with Candon, Masumi’s generally logical response was followed by a twinge of sarcasm.

“Who’s running? Look, the world is ending and you’re concerned about a traffic accident,” she replied quickly in Yamataigo, shouldering the mighty weapon, “Now in a few minutes this whole city is going to be a battleground and If you think you’re getting out before then the odds certainly aren’t in your favor because this kind of an military engagement is going to affect everyone for hundreds of kilometers around and I understand you feel big and bad with your nice shiny guns but they have bombs and cannons... and we have a tank...ette...”

Running out of breath from the run on sentence Masumi opted to retrieve her holstered NSP from the folded stack of clothing, clipping the holster/batteries/gun combo to one of the attachment points on the left thigh of her exoframe.

“At this point you have only two viable options. I’d recommend either hiding somewhere away from us or following us to the nearest refuge. Both will most likely require you to shoot someone but either way, your odds would be better than heading for the forest.”

Masumi now addressed Alena.
“The forests are probably going to be up in flames by the end of this,” she countered, “but there’s a bigger concern. The SAoY is pulling out so within 24 hours military support will be gone. Our primary objective is to get as many civilians off the planet as possible. Until I hear differently from my mission commanders we need to regroup with our forces. And don’t worry, Alena. We have plans for an insurgency that’ll make the Kuvies regret even looking at Himiko.”

 

[Soresu]

Planet Himiko
Dingy Storage Facility

Anju felt herself smile at this Yamataian's spunk. So much so that she raised her head and let forth a bark of a laugh. She could, of course, evade the Kuvexians on her own. That was what the suit was for. But, having people that could act as shields, and provide necessary supplies was another. She admitted to herself that she was on unfamiliar terrain. The Sund Wakir female had planned on making more of an effort on studying the planet, in and out but that had been on the back burner for today. Last night... Ahem! had caused her to become distracted.

Her helmet darkened once more, the two points of violet disappearing. She lacked a holster for the hand cannon, but she affixed it to a thigh where it stuck sure as glue. Ready for its master's beck and call if needed. Anju rolled her shoulders, flexing her fingers before walking closer.

"How fortunate that my car still runs. Some of your people can pile in with me if necessary while the others use your tank...ette." she let a hand sweep back toward the dark green convertible. It could comfortably seat four in relative comfort if needed.

"That is if that is acceptable?"

 

[demibear]

YSS Dawn Hammer
Reactor Bay

Hiroshiko undid the helmet of her environmental suit. "Santo Hei Mizumitsu Hiroshiko, I am no engineer." She said before she took the Mindy helmet and donned it. Wishing she had taken the 33A option when she had the chance, she waits for the helmet's internal computer and power source to activate.

She proceeded to do as was instructed to her by kneeling at the nearest countermeasure pod next to her. It was a bit odd, she had training on the use of these during basic training. In addition to the 10 subspace detonation mini-missiles in each pod, they also had two other sets of 10 in each one as well. Not relevant to the current situation since aetheric distortions and electro-magneto-gravitic spikes would likely make things worse.

"Pod 2, 5178-524-987-6661-7, locked." She said as she finished with the 2nd countermeasure pod. She was too busy having a subroutine think about the pods themselves, she didn't realize she was already done. The status readout clearly showed the first pod with the serial number 5178-245-996-7872-1 was locked to the helmet.

Curious... Hiroshiko thought to herself before she began to reach her mind and securely establish a telepathic connection with Dirjon. Once that was completed, she proceeded to continue locking the remaining countermeasure pods.

"Pod 3, 2452-342-113-9572-0, locked." Hiroshiko said as she finished. Hearing the report made, she just telepathically sent a simple secure message. "Backup generators are available, but do not know if they are sabotaged as well." She then finally locked the last pod to the helmet she was wearing.

"All pods have been locked to this helmet. Where did you learn to do this?" Hiroshiko would ask after making the official report to him.

 

[SageShooter]

YSS Nishitama, Military Sector

Rikun sighed as she rested in the transport with the others. She rubbed the bridge of her nose as every instinct told her to flee. To take the shuttle and get out and keep her promise to her sister, yet part of her couldn't. The part that was both her mothers, who would fight tooth and nail until they bled their last drop on the ground. She growled a little and slugged herself in the side of the head before her hand gripped the small necklace hidden under her SAINT uniform and she connected to it mentally.

Connection being established....
Connection Established
Recipient: Sis.

Hey... Sis... I need you to do something for me. Get me a connection with SA if you can, anything, I need to talk to them. Shit went six ways sideways to Sunday and back and I need to talk to someone...

Sorry...

Rikun kept her eyes forward for the moment but she spoke to Candon and those around her.

"If she doesn't try to virtually stab me for this... I might have a way to get a connection. I need some time though..."

Rikun had followed the others through the base to the armory, eyes scanning over the armors and what was available as she began to look over another suit for herself. Hopefully, this one didn't get scrapped as quickly. She found herself a fairly standard Mindy, added a few more ammo packs, and made sure she had a good compliment of countermeasures before she suited up and rejoined the others.