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RP: 5th XF [Joint] Hot to Hotaru, (The Asamoya arrives at Hotaru)

Kim

スター軍の司書
ON: YSS Asamoya

The Asamoya continued on its journey towards the Yūgumo cluster with Hanako's Star waining in the distance, hiding, and staying clear as they could of enemy territory; using the ship's stealth systems. All was going well so far, not an enemy in sight. And hopefully it'll stay that way. Yuriko though as she sat on the bridge, the burst rifle right beside her seat. The Asamoya only stopped momentarily to deploy a Chibi MEGAMI probe in close proximity to the Bard Cluster, though thankfully far enough away to remain out of harm's way. Yuriko deployed the probe for both surveillance, and as a communications booster should things get too bad as they made their way towards the Yūgumo Cluster.

Unfortunately, Murphy's Law was just as commonplace as it was in times lost to history, and a distress signal was received. It was shown as being from the YSS Akina, Taii Mina Inafune commanding...

"Ahh! This...This is the YSS Akina...Have...have taken boarders...Ahh...Att...Attacking the ship! Please hurry! We need assistance....AHHHHHHH!!!!! <3

Kessah stood calmly in the engineering bay, watching the various power systems carefully. It was a boring job for some, but there was a light pang of excitement for her. Naturally she didn't hear the message, being in engineering. Damn this things needs a little tune up... Oh well...

Tsukade Eilae was still present in her room, relaxing on her bed. She wasn't exactly sure what the other crew members were doing or had been doing while she had taken her small nap, but she doubted it mattered. Sitting up and stretching briefly, she made her way to her door and began her walk towards the wardroom.


Nana sauntered out of the kitchen, but not before grabbing herself a glass of milk. Hand resting on her hip, she polished it off and then rinsed it out, the entire act taking no more than a minute or so before the pink-haired techie went back to work. She'd step outside, waving to Eilae with a small smile. "Back to work, I guess." She decided to do her usual scan of the systems to make sure everything was in one piece, which it usually was. If anything was really wrong, MEGAMI would have known.

Yuriko went a little wide eyed when she received the distress signal from the YSS Akina. "MEGAMI, sound battle stations, and get me a fix on that distress signal now!" The Shoi ordered, and MEGAMI obeyed, an alert was sounded throughout the ship, and Yuriko's voice came over the internal comm. "Everyone to your stations, we have a distress signal from the YSS Akina, and they've been boarded. I want the power armor wing suited up, and ready." Yuriko asked MEGAMI if she had located the source of the distress signal, and finally the computer answered with a set of coordinates. "Koharu, set a course, remain at maximum range until we can get a better look at what we're dealing with, also keep the stealth systems activated."

Kessah sent Yuriko a message after a few seconds passed so that Yuriko wouldn't be in any clutter. Hopefully. "Energized armor up, Shoi? And the other two, or no?" She did, however, begin to set power to the weapons.

The Akina seemed to have been overwhelmed by a pod assault which exceeded its Power Armor compliment. The fighting had spilled into the ship itself...and the crew wasn't doing so well. A lifeless Mishhu vessel was adrift nearby, mostly destroyed...the Mishhu had no CHOICE but to win, and seemed to be desperate.

Eilae raised her hand awkwardly after a few seconds in response to Nana's wave before suddenly hearing the alarms go off on the ship. She froze on the spot, listening to Yuriko's commands before heading off at a run towards the armor bay.

"No! keep the energized armor offline!" Yuriko yelled back worried, they wouldn't be using that yet. "Unless told otherwise do not activate any of those systems, besides you're still locked out of the others.Keep your weapon at the ready, and your eyes sharp Kessah, if you see anything out of the ordinary down there, report it."

Sumaru on the other hand was just about to reach the ward room after his morning exercises when the alert sounded off. "Finally..." he said as his eyes drifted up to the intercom system. He turned in his spot and rushed as fast as he could to the port side armor bay, full tilt.

Kessah rolled her eyes a little at the 'locked out' part. I'm a brilliant little girl... I can power them by forcing them to take the power, damn it. She let out a huff to herself after the thought and shook her head a little to herself.

"Aye Aye!" Koharu quickly responded and complied, setting the quickest course to the coordinates, with the stealth systems activated. She watched the scanning systems for any other possible hostile targets in the area.

Nana looked up and blinked several times, twitching an ear as the alarms went off. She snapped her fingers and then took off towards Engineering. It was a bit of a run, though, and she did make a few stops along the way to make sure everything was in proper working order, so it would take her a bit to reach it.

Eilae came to an abrupt halt once she reached her destination, utterly lost. She wasn't sure which power armor was hers since she hadn't been exactly given one. She glanced around quickly, trying to find any other crew members that may have been nearby, hoping one of them could give the new pilot directions.

Luckily for Kerr, he was still in the bay that held his Ryusei II and still mostly undressed. "Alright!" he screamed when he heard the alarms. "Finally, some real combat." He had the canopy of his fighter slide open while he got completely naked and slipped into his cockpit. After powering up the Ryusei, Kerr used the communication systems of the fighter to ask, "Okay, Shoi, I'm almost ready to launch. What are we up against here?"

A acknowledgement message came from Datenshi as she slid into her suit, a shiver running up her spine. She had the hornet nest package built into her suit, so she was ready. Along side her, two sprites had suited up, Haru and Aki. With a nod they both checked over their systems, Haru had gotten her suit equipped with a Hornet's nest just like Datenshi, and it seemed that Aki had gone with a Death Blossom system.. Since it was to be a ship battle, it would be best served for the group. Datenshi had strapped a flame thrower to her suit on the empty spot, with Haru grabbing a beam rifle. "Hey! Eilae just jump in a armor I got them all set up!" Datenshi called out, seeing Eilae coming into the bay.

Saya in the mean time looked up as she heard the alarms, giving the two sprites in the medical bay a nod. "Be ready to aid any we need to. Remember we may need to head to their ship, so let us make sure we are ready with a field kit." Fuyu nodded to the doctor as she began to assemble her own field kit.

The real combat was closer than they realized. The enemy had set up a perimeter of Ghost Mishhu to keep an eye open for support, and one such unit spotted the prototype vessel. After alerting its allies with its telepathic abilities, it attempted to phase through the hull of the ship...

Sumaru was already in the armor bay when Eilae stepped in, the half naked young pilot waved a girlish hand way up to greet her as he was getting ready to board his own armor which was hanging up right beside him, it was the Hornet Nest configured Mindy with pink optional color panels. "Good luck out there!" He offered to the pilot before finishing up and hopping into his mechanical ally; 'Wish.'

Kyuuka muttered under her breath, the SMG at the ready.

Kessah continued her work at the console, giving minor edits to the power variables to give the ship its maximum (Well, as close as she was able) efficiency. "If we lose this ship, I'll be severely disappointed..." She mumbled to herself.

Yuriko eyed the sensor readings, noting the ship they were facing was a Mishhu Ooghlrashithagg Carrier. The Shoi cursed under her breath, and notified Josef. "It's a carrier Josef." She replied, ordering the particle cannons out of their hatches.

Nana stepped into Engineering, knuckles cracking, "Backup's here!" She glanced around and then headed over to the console, nodding briefly to Kessah. "Just make sure we don't prematurely blow up."

Eilae nodded to Datenshi's words, heading for one of the Mindys quickly. She glanced briefly at Sumaru, her face flushing in embarrassment as she quickly turned her head away. Hesitating only for a moment, Eilae began to strip out of her clothing, pulling the boots and bodysuit off, nervous that someone might catch a glimpse of her. She stepped up to the Mindy, entering the power armor as the fleshy insides engulfed her body.

"... Now its tempting. It'd take me only... Eh... eight seconds, too. Oh well. Nana... Uh... Make sure... Make sure nothing is blocked up power wise, and be ready to... Uh... Hop into a environmental suit to go repair anything." Kessah really wasn't good at taking the lead.

The Ghost Mishhu managed to enter the ship, and began to scout it out...the enemy began to move through the ship, looking for an enemy to kill...or impregnate.

"Right, I'll be loading up with aether missiles and subspace-collapsing rockets then," Kerr told Yuriko. Once the fighter's payload had been filled, Kerr notified the bridge again, "Ready to launch."

"Shoi, the armor wing is ready to deploy on your word." Datenshi informed Yuriko, her tone and expression both completely professional.

Eilae mentally shivered as she felt the fleshy insides of the Mindy. It wasn't like she was new to power armors, its just that it always felt odd to enter them. As if they were alive. Eilae's voice however was completely under control as she contacted the other two members. "Ready."

"Launch Datenshi, and watch your back." Yuriko said as the armor bay door opened, and the atmospheric field glimmered into place.

"Josef, scout out that carrier, if you see any signs of activity, hit it, and hit it hard." Yuriko ordered.

"Done, and done." The pink-haired techie spun on her heels and then began her scan of the systems, pulling her gloves tighter on her hands. Nana was silent for a long while, hand resting at her holster. But after a while, she spoke, "...So, you think we're gonna die again?" Just an offhanded question as she took note of everything, hoping not to hear any big explosions any time soon.

"Understood Shoi, you all heard the woman launch!" Datenshi spoke into the comm channel she had opened for the fight as she shot out first. Automatically her armor began to charge it's teleportation module, ready for a quick jump. She was going to save her NSBs for the ship.

Kessah waved a hand in a half assed shooing motion to Nana, giving her a eyeroll in the process, "Of course not you idiot. We have the uber ship."

"Kessah, check the stealth systems, I'm reading fluctuations." Yuriko's voice came over the internal comm.

"Right, that's what I've got the fireworks for," Kerr replied to Yuriko with a touch of excitement. "Here we go!" Kerr fired up his gravimetric drive and left the protection of the Asamoya.

"Alright Wish... you take care of me and I'll take care of you..." Sumaru whispered to the armor, with communications off. Then a quick long drawn out sigh followed by a quick breath to gain composure before he followed the `Tenshi out, keeping in a close tight formation on her wing, making sure to launch his NSBs and NSDs to set up around him because the Hornet's nest configuration was without a teleportation unit like the normal balanced set, the small drones' fire was currently set off until switched otherwise but he was not going to be caught off guard out here.

Kessah tweaked a brow and doubled checked the system in question, "... Power is okay to it, there might be something not connected right. We really can't fix that mid battle, though..."

The Mishhu zoomed toward Nana, tentacles ready for fabric ripping and other lewd acts on its enemy...

Meanwhile, several Mishhu pods started toward the ship, detecting the Power Armors it released...the dozen or so Pods formed into two wings as they moved to intercept.

The Asamoya's cloak dropped suddenly, and MEGAMI detected Mishhu pods inbound. The Shoi cursed, and brought the ship's regenerative shielding online as the weapon pods began to launch. The Asamoya's particle cannons fired as the weapon pods began to fixate their orbit about the ship, and configued, ready to do combat.

Eilae followed suit, keeping to Datenshi's opposite wing. She, however, did not begin charging her teleportation unit, keeping Sumaru's lack of a teleportation unit into account. Taking a deep breath as the adrenaline began to pump through her body, she awaited signs of enemy contact.

Nana smirked faintly, head lowering a bit, eyes roaming over the window before her. She then nodded and went about to manually check on things, unaware of the Mishhu that was presently stalking her. "Uber ship, huh..?"

Kerr deployed the Ryusei's mobile weapon pods and activated both shield pods. "Alright, I'm going to make sure that squid ship is dead. Keep the pods off me for a bit, Tenshi."

Kessah swore under her breath as she cried out in a message to Yuriko, "Ghost Mishhu! NIWS to Engineering NOW!" It certainly had a panicy tone to it, and with a quick flick of the wrist she drew her pistol out of it's holster and began to shoot at the damn thing.

"Alright then Kerr, Armor wing engage the enemy and take them out quickly!" Datenshi said as she lit up her forearm projectors, grinning as she winked out of existence for a moment, only to appear in the middle of one of the groups of Mishhu. With a growl she expended her energy out into the nearest enemies, hoping to lance them through the face and continue onwards to close by allies as she lit up her projectors yet again, spinning to slice two more near by pods apart. She was in her element now as she began to duck and shoot to the side, ramming herself into another nearby pod to give herself a little room as her teleportation module began to charge up again.

The Mishhu successfully manages to lash out and rip off the fabric covering Nana's breasts. It tries to wrap firmly around her upper body and squeeze the soldier...

The Mishhu didn't fall in the numbers she'd hoped, but she did take down three, leaving three in that group. The others moved to attack the ship directly, trying to fire positron weapons on the ship herself.

Kerr unleashed a swarm of ten micro missiles upon one of the pod wings before he made his race for the damaged Mishhu ship. If any bothered to pursue him, he at least had the weapon pods and the shield pods to hold them off while he did his scouting.

A soft squee came from underneath the Mishhu attacking Nana as Ame, with a SMG, fired upwards into the Mishhu's soft underbelly. Seemed the small sprite had been wandering around down in engineering under orders from Haru to help the two.

It took several seconds for Nana to register Kessah's words, but she quickly turned, eyes going wide, "...Oshi-!" Fumbling for her own pistol, she was caught surprisingly off guard, the busty Neko found her top torn off. Just as she tried to leap away, she was grabbed in a constricting embrace, "Kess--!!" A small wince and Nana recoiled, hearing and somewhat seeing the shots fired from the Sprite.

Eilae continued forward with her power armor, just now launching her NSDs as she slowed down considerably, noticing where the pods' destination was. Her gauss cannon flipped over into position, immediately targeting one of the pods as she fired. She then immediately began charging her forearm weapons, planning on unleashing a long range blast.

The Asamoya's shields took the brunt of the attack before dropping, and another shield popped up into it's place, the regenerative shielding doing it's work as the Mishhu fired at her. Meanwhile the escort vessel's weapon pods began to open fire on the Mishhuvurthyar attack pods, transphasic beams brightening the depths of space with their fire.

Kessah placed the pistol down on the console now, sending her fingers in a flurry of movement as she realized the flashing report on the screen about the stealth failure. Karma is a bitch.

Thankfully as Ame fired, the phase disruptor came online, making the Ghost Mishhuvurthyar solid, and closing of it's route of escape by phasing out.

The Mishhu spun around with its prisoner turned hostage, in an effort to get Nana's back against a wall...another tentacle, a larger one, slid down her back and started to move under the lower part of the uniform...

Mishhu pods lit up like fireworks as they were blown up, but a few managed to let loose a few more rounds before falling back from the fray. Five left...

Datenshi growled as she ripped into two more, her entire body twisting as she brought her foot around to crack one of the pods in the face with her toes, her neko strength along with her suit's augmentation to hopefully crack the beast's face inwards. Her hands, free from the one Mishhu, turned to fire on the last Mishhu of the group she was fighting, hoping to destroy the last one.

Datenshi's show of violence and power paid off, quickly thinning the force from five to two...

"Tsukade-hei, teleport to the Nito Heisho's side and move on those targets. I'll take care of these tangos out here; I'm going to launch grenades. Clear!" Sumaru shouted out as he bolted backwards and began firing off into the crowds of enemies, with priority on the ones that kept a tight formation. One, two, three were launched as his NSBs and NDSs came alive in fire to pull attention to his armor as his forearms lit up in a pair of bright blue energy blades.

It seemed the pods had not bothered to pursue Kerr as he flew his Ryusei toward the damaged carrier. This had bothered him and, once he reached the vessel, he knew why. "Shoi," he broadcasted to Yuriko, "this ship is dead. I'll unload my aether missiles into the remains just to make sure there aren't any surprises." He did just that, firing four missiles at the ship. "Anything else?"

Blasting off her charged beam at one of the two remaining pods in Datenshi's group, she immediately began charging up her teleportation module. She continued to fire off her gauss cannon towards any other enemy pods, backpedaling a little to get out of Sumaru's way. She needed to wait about a minute before she'd be able to teleport to the Nito Heisho's side.

Ame whimpered a little as she saw Nana carried off before she hopped up and closed the distance, making a beeline for the Mishhu. "Kess-nii! I need help!" she called out as she tried to get close.

"Wait!" Yuriko yelled to Josef, but it was already too late, the man had fired the missiles at the ship. MEGAMI had detected life signs aboard, and now the Asamoya's weapon pods began firing at Kerr's aether missiles, causing them to explode before impacting on the Mishhuvurthyar Carrier. "Josef, return to the ship, I repeat, return to the ship, friendlies are aboard the carrier, get suited up for boarding actions once the Akina is cleared."

Nana went dead silent for a few seconds, paling and shivering visibly at the rather unpleasant touch of the tentacle as it moved down her back and further still. Gritting her teeth, the techie clenched her hands tightly, balling them into fists as she began to harshly kick out against her 'assailant', "Kessah..!" She hissed through tightened jaws, her face lighting up red. That was the only person she could think to call at the time.

Kerr growled as he saw his missiles blow up just short of the Mishhu carrier. "damn it," he cursed. "Alright, returning to ship." Spinning the Ryusei around, he flew back to the Asamoya.

Kessah growled in a completely annoyed fashion as her attempts to get things to... well... work were failing. Things were going steadily down hill rather fast. She however didn't let that daunt her, she has been through hell and back before after all. Once more into the breach. Bitches. Gripping the SMG that Datenshi had handed out prior, she steadied her aim for a quick second before sending out a burst of fire to help the sprite and Nana.

The Mishhu kept Nana between it and its foes as best it could, the tentacle slipping under her panties...if she is wearing any...

"HUHUHUHUHUHUHUHU...I MAKES THE RAPES WITH YOU NOW." It said, its knowledge of Yamataian language obviously lacking.

Meanwhile, 'Tenshi and the armor wing continued their work, firing at the remaining pods, knowing full well they needed to get aboard the Akina and fast.

Nana calmed down long enough to be shot at, but she wouldn't hate Kessah for it, it was the Mishhu's fault after all. She just about passed out as Kessah fired, though, "We're trying NOT to kill me...! Nnngh.." Looking over her shoulder, she wined, giving a grunt while kicking and squirming as the tentacle slid easily into her plain black panties. She'd squeeze her thighs tight together to try to keep it from getting any further, "No, no, no! Don't make with the rape! KESSAH!"

"MEGAMI, take over fire control, Koharu, keep us steady and let the armor wing, and the Asamoya's weapon pods handle the Mishhu attack pods." Yuriko ordered as she rose from her seat, burst rifle in hand Both Koharu, and MEGAMI complied as they went about their assigned tasks. The Shoi however exited the bridge, NSP at her, side the burst rifle in her hands. Sadly she had to leave the SMG behind, giving it to Koharu. "Fuyu, Kyuuka, Saya, prepare for wounded." She sent, as she new began to make her way to engineering.

"Well you stop whining and be less of a damsel?!" Kessah yelled, sending another burst of fire into the damn evil beastie who was attacking her friend. After her burst was shot she yelled up at the top of her voice, "MEGAMI! HOW THE FUCK DO YOU KILL THESE THINGS?!" She then proceeded to send more bullets into the Mishhu in question's body mass.


Eilae's teleportation unit finally finished charging, immediately withdrawing her NSDs as she teleported herself to Datenshi's side, her gauss rifle firing rapidly at any pods still heading for the Asamoya.

Again, it was still being shielded by the wall and Nana...it would take more than firing at it to kill it, with its hostage...especially as it wrapped a tentacle around Nana's neck. Suddenly, it tightened its grip around her breasts, and thrust HARSHLY into her vagina, the squeezing only making the sensation more defined for her. It began to secrete the love toxin, in an effort to lessen her struggling.

"Mishhuvurthyar are quite durable Inonori-Hei fire at their undersides, however, assistance is arriving." MEGAMI replied through a encrypted message directly to Kessah's mind.

The pods retreat to the main ship, to regroup and plan a new strategy, the ship's damaged weapons attempting to provide cover fire...though they missed terribly.

The Asamoya replied in kind, firing its particle cannons in an attempt to further disable the Ooghlrashithagg Carrier's weapons.

Yuriko had finally arrived on the sub deck, her burst rifle at the ready, finger a hair's breadth from the trigger as she entered engineering.

Nana threw back her head and gave a pained scream as the Mishhu's tentacle tore into her sex, biting her tongue soon after and bristling up. She panted heavily for several seconds, twitching faintly, "Shit..not.. not quite how I imagined my first.." Her head lowered as she fumbled for her weapon, though her present position made it nigh impossible. After a bit, she found her vision growing vaguely cloudy and her head swimming as her fierce writhing all but ceased, heat building up in the pit of her abdomen.

Eilae began to charge up the teleportation unit again, glancing to Datenshi as she spoke into the com. "What're our orders?" She stopped firing the gauss cannon, simply deploying her NSDs again as she concentrated on avoiding any incoming fire.

"Damn it!" 'Tenshi growled as she pulled back, and ordered the armors to do so, and now ducked, and dodged fire as the Asamoya, and Carrier began to exchange weapons fire. "Head to the Akina, we need to secure the ship." She ordered, and shot off for it, the sprites, and Sumaru close behind.

Kessah growled angrily at both MEGAMI's response and the lack of reaction from the Mishhu. And so she did the most... Well.. Ballsy thing she could think of. She ran up to the Mishhu and tackle dived at it, shooting her SMG in it's direction if she managed to get around the Neko-shield.

It still hadn't been a full minute as of yet, so Eilae withdrew her NSDs again and blasted after Datenshi, acknowledging the command. Her cannon came back to life, firing in quick succession at the armaments still intact on the opposing ship.

The Mishhu moved itself and its prisoner laterally, and quickly , into a corner...now it was protected by two walls and its hostage...this was not looking good at all, only one of its tentacles getting shot off. The enemy pumped more vigorously and harshly into the girl, squeezing her breasts and neck harder...

The enemy ship's weapons were quickly disabled, but the foes had escaped to the other side of the vessel...

"Kess.." Nana whimpered softly, her hand resting inches above her holster, but she felt all of her willpower fading, replaced by heated arousal at the hands..er, tentacles of her assailant. Breathing heavily, she tilted her head back, her stance becoming a bit more relaxed as she let her thighs part somewhat, though she did tense up as the Mishhu squeezed, especially at her neck. She softly panted, knees shaking and hands quivering as her eyes darted from left to right. Her fingers brushed over the top of her pistol, but she couldn't, and was beginning to no longer want to, grab it.

Kessah growled once more, mimicking a cat for a moment. This Mishhu was annoying, to say the least. She wasn't about to let her friend be raped, oh no. Instead she trained the sights of the SMG right to the tentacle of the Mishhu, the one it was using to rape her friend. She let out a burst of fire, hoping that she wouldn't hit Nana to bad if at all.

Yuriko fired a shot directly above the Ghost Mishhuvurthyar, and Nana, the Shoi finally arrived. "Kessah! Stand aside." She ordered through telepathy, seeing the situation for herself as she kept the rifle trained in the Mishhuvurthyar's direction. "Hey you ugly sack of floating shit, I'm talking to you!" She yelled, and fired above it's head again, the loud report for the rifle echoing as the rifle's beam scorched a wall.

The shot missed, the tentacle not actually visible due to Nana's skirt. The Mishhu kept thrusting, going as deep as it could, beginning to squeeze Nana's breasts and Neck further.

"WHAT YOU WANT, EGGSACK? YOU NO SEE ME BUSY?"

The armor wing finally arrived to one of the hatches of the Nozomi, and with a quick interface with the ship, the airlock opened, and 'Tenshi and one of the sprites stepped through, weapons at the ready as the next set were waiting.

What they saw shocked them...several Mishhu pods standing guard as the females were being violated by Multiple Mishhu....several were already implanted with eggs, while others were still trying to fight, or were in mid-coitus...the group had not yet been noticed.

"Funny how you call me an Eggsack considering you're the one carrying eggs you mentally handicapped Mishhu." Yuriko retorted as she kept her finger right on the trigger, ready to fire. She tsked a little. "So tell me, are you idiots still pissed about your precious Dark One's being blown to hell?" She asked sweetly, she wasn't exactly acting like herself it seemed as she asked the question, though in truth, she was stalling for time.

Tsukade Eilae followed in after Datenshi, uncharging her teleportation unit since it wasn't needed any longer. When she entered, her eyes immediately widdened, taking in the gruesome scene laid before her. Her lips tightened immediately as she brought her arms to bare, cold sapphire eyes narrowing on the still oblivious mishhu.

Kessah followed Yuriko's orders and stepped aside, way aside actually. Back to the console the techie went, and she quickly began to run her fingers over the console in question after setting the SMG down on the console and holstering the pistol that was where the SMG was now.

Once the armor team had made it aboard, the sprite's readied their weapons, and 'Tenshi did the same, giving the silent order for half the team to take out the pods, and the other to engage the Mishhuvurthyar violating the crew.

Nana tilted her head back, panting a little, her fingertips digging into her palms. Had she possessed nails, her hands would have probably been bleeding. Biting down on her lower lip, any words of protest had faded away into pleasured and somewhat stifled moans as she rolled her hips, squeezing tight around the Mishhu's tentacle. "Mmh..ahh.." Breathing shallow, her chest heaved, vision going blurry. Short of breath, no doubt, and feeling the pressure of the Mishhu's tentacle around her slender neck, her eyes rolled back into her head, seemingly oblivious to anything else.

Kessah rolled her eyes a little at the noises Nana made and sent her a telepathic message, a encrypted one mind. "Think about old people having sex. Or something."

With the comm off, Eilae began breathing heavily, her vision somewhat blurring as a feeling of deep hatred began to fill her. With one arm, she charged the power blade, the other bringing up the defensive shield as she immediately charged one of the nearby mishhu, attempting to slice it in half.

The Mishhu responded by trying to push the tentacle past her cervix, directly into her womb. It was now intentionally cutting off the woman's air, to see how long she could last...
"EGGSACKS BORN TO CARRY OUR EGGS. AS FOR DARK ONES...WE NO LIKE, BUT WE REPAY MANY TIMES. SILENCE EGGSACK. I AM FILLING OTHER EGGSACK."

The Mishhu turned just in time to be sliced in two, the Neko it was mating with cheering, in spite of being covered in Mishhu blood...apparently she didn't have the toxin injected into her just yet. The pods responded with force, firing missiles at the enemies. They tried not to damage the ship they were in, and avoided Positron use...they needed to take Akina intact to escape.

Realizing that the aether blade could be a potential hazard once she had calmed down, she switched to the forearm projectors, immediately firing at another pre-occupied mishhu while she hoped the other part of the armor wing was covering her back against the pods.

'Tenshi growled, and fired her forearm projectors beam mode at one of the pods before ducking back into the airlock for cover as a sprite fired her LASR at one of the other Mishhu, now the whole armor team began to fire, and exchange fire as the scrambled for cover, and with 'Tenshi yelling to the crew of the Akina to find cover as best they could.

Kerr had returned to the ship and begrudgingly left his Ryusei behind in favor of a M6 Daisy with a heavy fusion thruster pack. He found himself a LASR and launched from the Asamoya to join Tenshi and the others on the Akina.

Nana opened her mouth to scream, but all that came out was a hoarse squeak. Her tolerance for pain was usually a bit high -- we might even say she liked it. But, there were limits, and the tentacle had just bypassed them. Gasping for air, shaking and quivering, she tried to breathe, but was being slowly choked. There was no air left! Her eyes turned, resting on Yuriko in panicked fashion, "Yu..ri...k....ko..!"

Eilae continued blasting at each mishhu she saw, yet at a slower and more careful pace, making sure she didn't accidentally kill any. She bit down on her lip, visions of her mother popping into her head now and again, driving her further into a rage as she dodged out of the way of an incoming attack.

Yuriko tsked as she received a message. The Shoi continued on, keeping the Ghost Mishhuvurthyar unaware. "You're talking to the one who helped kill them stupid.." She gave a small wave, before going back to holding the gun, as a silver haired neko appeared, wearing armor, and a cold look in her eyes. A set of blades materialized in her hands as she stalked past Kessah.


Kessah didn't notice the sudden new ally, instead she tried to keep everything working. The malfunction of the Stealth made a few other systems lower in efficiency as more power was put into it to get it working again, a task done automatically that was failing. damn it this ship needs a fucking tune up. She kept Nana out of her thoughts.

The Mishhu, finally having all it could take from the now squeaking Neko, released, beginning to pump several eggs into the girl's womb, directly...

"YOU...WILL DIE. YOU ABOVE ALL WILL DIE. YOUR CREW WILL DIE..."

Done with Nana, it began to choke her harder, its intent now murderous rather than reproductive in nature.

Meanwhile, the Akina's crew scurried, though several Mishhu held the impaled women they'd captured as shields against the new enemies. The Pods continued their assault, regardless of how many fell...

Kerr reached the Nozomi-class ship as quickly as his fusion pack would allow him. He found an airlock and, after ejecting the fusion pack from his armor, gained entry into the ship. He used his AIES to find his wingmates and started to fire his LASR at the pods engaging them.

The NIWS lunged at the Ghost Mishhuvurthyar, taking the opportunity of it focusing its wrath on Nana as it landed on the Ghost Mishhu's back, and slammed a saber home, ripping through the Mishhuvurthyar's face plate as the other sliced off the tentacle that was impregnating Nana.

'Tenshi yelled for everyone to take more careful shots now as the Mishhuvurthyar were now using the crew as shields. The other members of the armor team continued firing at the pods as the fire fight between attack pods, and power armors continued to blaze.

Her head hung, Nana staring down with cloudy eyes, visibly quivering from head to toe as the Mishhu's eggs were forced into her womb. Her hands twitched and then balled into tight, white-knuckled fists, teeth gritting. She felt like her throat was being crushed, which it probably was, and the only thing she could do was ... well, nothing, but hope for help, which seemed to be right there, but she couldn't quite see it.

Kessah murmured angrily to herself once more, cutting the the automatic attempt to restore power to the stealth systems entirely. It was harder to ignore Nana's noises and the conflict in general, but she managed to do so still.

Yuriko meanwhile ordered Kyuuka, and Fuyu to get down to engineering with a medical kit double time as the NIWS engaged the Ghost Msihhuvurthyar.


The Ghost Mishhu never knew what killed it, several eggs managing to fill Nana before its appendage was severed. In its last moments, the dying Mishuu released two more eggs from its severed tentacle, having been killed in mid-impregnation...

The Pods and Mishhu advanced, attacking harshly and trying to destroy the enemy. They aimed at the legs of the Daisys specifically, trying to take out the missile launchers and get under their three foot shields...

With a mutter 'Tenshi let her NSDs go, letting them check around the side of the airlock and take a few pop-shots at any advancing Mishhu.

Eilae backpedaled, bringing both arms to bear as she fired repeatedly into the advancing mishhu and pods, taking more time on the mishhu that possessed any still captive crewmembers.

The NIWS withdrew it's saber from the now dead Ghost Mishhuvurthyar, as it hefted the thing up, and tossed it aside. Blood flecks dotted its pale cheeks, and more gore and blood covered its torso, the coldly beautiful NH-28 turned its silver eyes to Yuriko now, as it stood perfectly still.

Kyuuka raced down to engineering, a medical kit in hand as she finally skidded to a halt, going wide-eyed as she saw MEGAMI's avatar standing before, her with the Shoi, a Ghost Mishhuvurthyar, Nana, and Kessah. Not to mention a couple of Mishhuvurthyar eggs now on the floor. "Fuyu, gather those eggs up, and get them into stasis now, I'll help with Mitsui-Hei!" The blond sprite ran past Yuriko, and the NIWS as she knelt down beside Nana, grimacing as she sent a telepathic message to Saya to ready herself on possibly removing Mishhuvurthyar eggs from the poor technician.


"Right, Just be gentle with her." Fuyu nodded to her sister as she scooped up the eggs quickly, placing them in the small containers she had brought along with her.

Kessah murmured loud enough to be heard, but still a definite mummer, hiding the emotion in her voice as she continued to work, "... Took you long enough, Yuriko... Will she be okay?"

Nana fell to the ground on her hands and knees, shaking from head to toe. She made no sound, eyes wide and blank as she stared forward and down, slowly bringing a hand up against her lower abdomen, "Nngh.."

Saya already had the area set up for the girl, ready to quickly take the eggs out of her.

Kerr felt a burning heat at his feet and his balance was lost. Looking down, he saw that there was little left of his right leg from his calf down save for blood and some metal. One of the shots from the pods slipped under his shield and taken out his leg. Screaming in agony, he activated the Daisy's stealth systems before he started hop for some cover.

"You're going to be alright now Mitsui-hei, the Mishhuvurthyar has been killed, but we need to get you to the medbay." Kyuuka said in a comforting tone as she looked over to Yuriko who was looking at the dead Mishhu's corpse. "Shoi, forgive me for asking, but could you carry her?"

Yuriko blinked as she was called, and heard Kyuuka's request, nodding as she walked over to them, and handed Kyuuka the rifle. "Alright Nana, up you go..." She grunted as the Shoi lifted Nana up, and began heading towards the main deck, with Kyuuka right behind them. The NIWS however remained stationary a moment longer before looking over to Kessah, assessing the girl for injuries before following after Yuriko, Nana, and Kyuuka.

Kessah glanced up from her console as everyone began to leave engineering once again, leaving her alone with a corpse. ... Thanks a fucking bunch. Assholes. With a inward sigh she shook her head and got back to work.

Nana stared blankly forward, softly panting, her hair falling messily in front of her face. She gave a somewhat pained groan as Yuriko hefted her, but did not protest, only lying limp and closing her eyes with a small mutter of recognition.

Kyuuka led Yuriko into the elevator, and up into the main deck before they quickly got to the medbay. Kyuuka deposited the medkit back where she had taken it from, as Yuriko gently laid Nana down on a bed. "Saya, Kyuuka, we will be receiving more wounded I believe so be at the ready." She stated before giving Nana's hand a soft squeeze and left, the NIWS behind her as her escort so to speak as she went down to the power armor bay.

"Onee-sama?" Ame said aloud, tugging on Kessah's elbow. "I can help..."

Kessah glanced over to the dead Mishhu for a moment before looking back to the console, and decided to take a short break. Everything she could do was done, after all. She could take a quick pause. So the techie wandered over to the corpse in question and gave it a light kick with her foot, a brow tweaked at the bloody mess which oddly didn't phase her in the least. "... You fail at life! Ah... I that was lame... Shame you aren't... You know... Peaceful..." She shook her head a little and made her way back to the console.

Datenshi grunted a little as she gritted her teeth and activated her teleport system. With a laugh she saw where she came up at, just as she had planned, in behind the Mishhu group. With a short soft thanks to the Scorpio base scientists, Tenshi lit up her forearm projectors and sliced into the group of Mishhu from behind. Remembering what it felt like to be raped and how she had felt afterwards, she really didn't pull her punches...


"Mm? I don't need anything at the moment... All is well, Ame." Kessah said with a light smile.

Eilae stared in disbelief as the shockwave hit the entire area, gritting her teeth. She practically yelled into the intercom as she saw Datenshi suddenly begin to slice at the mishhu and pods with her blades. "What are you doing?! The aether blades could end up killing the crew!"

Nana had squeezed down on Yuriko's hand in turn before she left, only releasing then, and even reluctantly. Her eyes watered a little, the pink-haired techie squirming faintly in place as she lay atop the the bed.

In the midst of a battle, a single Mishhu was pushing what appeared to be a broom. It made no move to fight or rape, focused on its task...to clean the hallway of blood and guts. It looked to have a large patch from a surgery on its skull....it likely had no psionic power, as that part of its brain seemed to have been affected.

"Me clean ship, me clean ship. New ship so sparkly, sparkly..."

Datenshi didn't respond much further then a growl that soon rose in pitch. All the memories of her being raped began to flood into her,remembering how she had felt like it was her fault, how she felt so low and pathetic. She didn't really care if she was killing the crew or not at that moment, figuring she was doing them a small bit of a favor instead.

"'Tenshi status?' Yuriko's voice came over in Datenshi's helmet as the Shoi began to configure a power armor.

Yuriko would get the same response as Eilae, a loud growling noise.

Yuriko repeated what she had said as she began to suit up, though this time she made it louder.

Tsukade Eilae stood in disbelief for a few moments, only vaguely aware of the fighting going around her. She didn't know this woman that well at, and knew that she could get into deep trouble by acting out against a senior officer... yet she couldn't just watch the firey haired woman continue to kill innocent people. Eilae raised her voice, only slightly lower in volume than yelling. "Miss Datenshi, please get ahold of yourself!" She fired a briefly in front of the crazed woman, trying to get her attention.

Saya nodded a little as she looked to Nana. "Please just relax, I will make it as quick as possible..." The doctor said, her necessary tools prepped as she made sure her gloves were in place. She began to help Nana out of the remnants of the clothing and began to open her up so she could get to the eggs. Pulling one out already, she seemed effective at what she did.

Datenshi growled a reply of "Busy" before she went back to her near rampage through the closely knit group of Mishhu.

Relaxing was difficult, Nana sickened by the thought of the eggs inside of her. Once she was in the nude, she would merely stare up at seemingly nothing with blank eyes, barely twitching as Saya began extracting the eggs. Her toes curled, hands balling into fists, breathing growing shallow. She was clearly a bit disturbed by what had happened.

Breathing heavily, Kerr slumped against a wall and tried to gather enough of his concentration to rejoin the fight however he could. While trying to recover, Kerr saw the "janitor" Mishhuvyrthar and thought to himself, What the hell is that squid doing? Shaking his head and figuring the vision was a hallucination caused by blood loss, he launched the tactical drones on his right shoulder and sent them to attack the unarmored Mishhu with their pulse lasers.

Yuriko pulled the helmet over her head, and booted the Mindy's systems before stepping to the shimmering atmospheric shield. "Koharu, you're in charge until I come back"

Koharu acknowledges as Yuriko turned her attention to the NIWS. "Remain on standby, and patrol the ship." The NIWS nodded, and walked away, holding its weapons in its hands as the Shoi launched herself out into space, and towards the Nozomi.

Mishhu in pods and unarmed fell left and right, but the janitor was fast, moving back and forth across the crossfire...

"Me clean! Me clean! Excuse Me, Enemy-person....Me clean!"

Muttering to herself angrily, Eilae launched one of her 10 counter measure pods, sending it directly towards Datenshi in the hopes that it would wake her up from her psychotic state, or at least stun her for a moment. "Miss Datenshi, stop!" Eilae turned her attention back on the invading pods and mishhu, taking careful shots at them in hopes of saving any remaining crew members.


Yuriko's Mindy soon arrived outside of the Akina, and she quickly entered the airlock, as the outer hatch sealed, pressurized, and the inner hatch unsealed and opened, Yuriko blinked at what she saw, before ducking for cover, her LASR in her hand as she began to make her way towards Tenshi, firing here and there at both un-armored Mishhuvurthyar, and pods alike, taking special care to not hit any of the Akina's crew as she yelled over the comms at 'Tenshi.

Datenshi spun effortlessly, slicing through the countermeasure which helped her in all honesty, the explosion drawing the attention away from herself and to the explosion. With that distraction, she was able to slip her blades in without hurting the Nekos past a nasty burn that would heal.

Eilae stared as Datenshi easily destroyed the missile, anger filling her momentarily. Another person that cared nothing for life. It certainly wasn't a new phenomenon. She turned away from Datenshi, taking a small breath as she retreated a few steps, finally giving up on the woman as she concentrated on firing precisely, sure that the red haired female was attracting all the notice.

Yuriko, spotting what 'Tenshi was doing, and figuring the girl wasn't herself, after all, she hadn't replied to Yuriko's multiple hails. The Shoi surged forward, slamming her Mindy's shoulder into 'Tenshi's armor's mid-rif taking the armorer down, and pinning said armorer to the deck as she yelled to Eilae to continue fighting the Mishhuvurthyar.

Datenshi felt herself rammed, letting out a clipped screech of rage as she fought for a moment. "GET OFF ME damn it NOW!"

Saya just kept whispering words of reassurance. "Oh your doing so good...Almost done...See it wasn't that bad getting that one out.." She would say in a almost motherly tone.

"Calm down now or I'll make you calm down!" Yuriko yelling now, her voice loud in 'Tenshi's helmet, the Shoi didn't sound none too pleased at this point.

Datenshi did indeed calm down, her chest heaving as she growled. Datenshi wasn't all to happy either at the moment.

Nana was silent, though Saya could see she was hiding something, her eyes constantly watering. Pain, frustration, sadness, perhaps all three. She breathed softly, only tensing up as each egg was removed, and giving a small whimper.

Eilae slipped quickly in front of the two, one arm forming a defensive shield while she continued to fire at any remaining Mishhu and pods. Eilae remained silent, feeling detached from the combat as she realized her comrades were all doing their own thing instead of supporting each other. She remained weary however, realizing she wouldn't be able to step out of the way of any incoming attacks, instead having to rely on the shield and her countermeasure pods.

The Mishhu numbers were thinned quickly, leaving them fleeing...except the Janitor, who seemed unphased.

"Excuse me, enemy person. You're dripping lady fluids where I just mopped..."

The hemosynthetic innards of the Daisy closed off the bleeding end of Kerr's right leg and he felt a little better now that blood wasn't gushing out of him any longer. While his drones pelted various Mishhu with light pulse fire, Kerr, with his stealth activated, used his Daisy's anti-gravity drive to carefully fly himself toward the Mishhuvyrthar raping the captive nekos and shooting at them at close range with his LASR.

Yuriko punched the side of 'Tenshi's helmet, not too hard, nor too gentle. "When I ask for a fucking status report, I expect one!" She yelled, shaking 'Tenshi for a moment. "And if I ever see you fighting the way you were again, with no disregard to the safety of our sisters, and fellow Yamataian's, so help me 'Tenshi..."She muttered darkly, letting it hang there as she got up off of the woman.

The NIWS entered the medbay, sabers in its hands, the Ghost Mishhuvurthyar's blood from before had dried onto the blades as the NH-28 scanned the room for threats. Kyuuka stared, mouth agape at it, shivering a little at its cold silver eyes before she went to go busy herself with depositing the eggs Saya was extracting into stasis.

"Ma'am, you only have one more to go." The blond sprite called from a short distance off as she kept monitoring how many eggs were left to be extracted as the NIWS strode out of the room, back on patrol.

Datenshi grunted from the punch, her voice hollow as she responded. "Sorry Shoi, Yes Shoi I will remember, forgive me Shoi for what I have done, I will remember next time Shoi." With the rage and adrenaline died down, she felt cold and tired, her own memories again surging through her to battle with her mind.


"Good, we have a ship to clear, and then on to the carrier, there are Nekovalkyrja, and Yamataians aboard it." Yuriko muttered as she fired at the retreating Mishhuvurthyar. The Janitor however she left alone, the thing didn't seem to be a threat as it held a simple broom in its tentacles.

The enemies were now in full retreat and the Nekos in this area freed....and staring at the janitor Mishhu curiously.

"So messy! No one appreciates what I do here...I need cuddlies..."

Saya withdrew the final egg, holding it up for Kyuuka to take as she nodded. "All finished Nana-sama."

Aki, in her Sylph came up to one of the freed nekos, and coughed, her audio speakers coming on. "So yeah....where is your Taisa? We need to locate her, our ship commander is here personally to assist."

One of the nude Neko bowed before replying... "Our Taii is on the bridge, still fighting...we were one of the first areas taken...they didn't bother with Kaserine Gas, even. The men, they're all..."

"Not everyday we see big sister in the flesh." Kyuuka remarked to Fuyu as she deposited the egg Saya had just handed her into stasis.

Eilae sighed tiredly in her suit, the initial adrenaline wearing off as she fired blast after blast into the retreating forms of the Mishhu. She glanced briefly over to the Shoi and Datenshi, messaging something over the comm. "Is everything alright, Yuriko-Shoi? Miss Datenshi?" Her voice was rather quite, though it held a small hint of worry.

Nana gave something of a relieved sigh, finally moving as she learned that was the last egg. She slowly rolled over into her side, curling up into a ball and hugging her knees to her chest. "...thank you." The pink-haired Neko murmured softly, taking in a deep breath, which was released in a second, heavy sigh.

Aki sighed, the audio emitting it."As long as your SS pod is intact all will be well. Our Shoi has our medical team on standby, and we will begin lending aid once the ship is cleared, though you're Fifth Expeditionary Fleet right? Why hasn't Hotaru sent reinforcements?"

"I am fine Eilae, I just wish for this mission to end, we have more of the ship to clear, and the enemy is retreating." Yuriko pointed out as she slammed home another clip into her LASR as Aki gave her a heads up on the situation. The Shoi opened a channel to the bridge. "This is Shoi Yuriko Kakutama to the bridge, we're coming to assist, I repeat, we are coming to assist, and are in pursuit of retreating enemy forces. Acknowledge."

Saya frowned a little at the girl on the bed. With a small sigh she deposited her gloves and climbed up onto the bed and rubbed Nana's shoulders.

Datenshi got to her feet slowly, hanging her head a little as she made sure everything was charged up and okay with her suit.

"Our communications were knocked out very quickly in the fight...and the SS Pod is actually secure. We...already fired it toward Hotaru." The Officer said, with a sigh...

There was nothing but static for a moment...but she saw a brief glimpse of A Mishhu in the Captain's Chair...and the CO on top of him...

"Hold on, Shoi," Kerr broadcasted as he leaned against a wall for support, his stealth still active. "I'll... send these drones to scout ahead... and find the rest of the enemies."

Nana stared forward silently for several seconds before letting her eyes close. She then dropped a hand between her legs and began to rub at herself, seemingly oblivious to Saya's touch, though she could be heard making low, weak rumble in the depths of her throat.

The two tactical drones operated by Kerr's Daisy flew off toward the bridge to detect any Mishhu or pods along the way.

Yuriko's eyes went a little wide as she say the brief image, and the sound of Josef's voice. "Josef, are you alright? Your voice...it sounds strained."

Aki nodded. " Then you're set, we'll notify Hotaru of the situation. We've also picked up life signs on the Mishhu carrier, after we're done here, and getting you medical aid, we're going to attempt to take it. But we'll notify Hotaru before hand."

"The lower part of my right leg's pretty much gone, Shoi," reported Kerr bluntly. "Not a big deal. The armor's sealed up the stump... So, I'm good to go."

"Uh...Nana-sama?" Saya asked, a little shocked at what the girl was doing.

"If you are sure Josef, once this is over I want you in a hemosynth tank though." Yuriko added as she continued onward, LASR held in front of her.

Datenshi was a few steps behind Yuriko, surveying the area around her idly as she made sure her NSD's were still active.

Several Mishhu attacked again, in an effort at an ambush, but were pasted by the NSDs almost instantly...

"Oh boy..." Kyuuka groaned as she saw Nana, and did a more in depth scan. She detected traces of Mishhuvurthyar toxins in her system. "Fujiwara-hei, take a look at this."

"'Tenshi, I contacted the bridge moments ago...I got static...but a brief picture. A Mishhuvurthyar had the ship's captain. We need to get there now." Yuriko replied as she deployed her own NSDs.

Eilae launched her NSDs, following silently behind Datenshi, idly wondering if she'd get hit or a worse punishment for trying to immobilize the woman previously. Her NSDs scanned the area around her, her arms up and ready to fire.

Nana groaned softly, tilting her head back, "I'm s-sorry.." She apologized in advance, lifting up one leg slightly. Rubbing ceased, replaced by the pink-haired techie sliding a finger, then two, inside of herself, "S...sorry..." Biting down on her opposite hand's knuckle at the same time, she seemed to be crying despite her actions, still under the toxin's effects.

The Mishhu attacked again, but seemed to fall quickly to the NSDs, the horde blindly attacking now. The Akina's PSC seemed to remain active, a godsend to the team in all likelyhood.

"Bleh, hemosynth," Kerr grumbled as he used the anti-gravity drive to propel his armor again. Readying his LASR and his shield, he hovered after his teammates

Yuriko began firing her LASR at the Mishhu horde, muzzle flashes lighting the bridge accompanied by loud reports, and the smells of gunpowder, and blood filled the room as she continued firing.

Kyuuka sighed, and went to one of the cupboards, and got a vial, and needle. She quickly filled it, checked the dosage, and held onto one of Nana's arms, administering the drug. "It's a tranquilizer, don't worry, you'll be out for a few hours, that'll give the toxins enough time to be flushed out of your system." The nurse explained as she pushed down on the plunger.

Datenshi nodded weakly, her own voice not acting now as she made sure to press ahead, taking the careful calculated shots she was better known for.

Saya sighed a little, rubbing Nana's arm after the injection as she tried to help the poor Neko best she could. "Nothing to be sorry about...."

The Mishhu fell as the team advanced toward the bridge, their pods having already been damaged it seems...and the Mishhu drained of energy from the non-stop sex...the Janitor followed the flank of the attacking force, but wasn't sneaking or ambushing...it was merely cleaning the tech and gore of its brethren which the Asamoya Team left in its wake.

"Clean, clean, clean..."

Nana went wide-eyed, looking towards Kyuuka and biting down on her bottom lip softly, "B..but.. I don't wan--" She seemed to shy away from the needle, hating the idea of a shot more so than riding out the effects of the Mishhu toxin, but didn't really fight it as the sprite administered the injection. For the next few seconds, the pink-haired technician would continue to finger herself, until everything began to turn black. Her leg dropped, arm tucked beneath it, fingers slipping out as Nana drifted into unconsciousness.

"Mina-Taii?" Yuriko asked, her voice coming over the audio as she peeled the dead Mishhuvurthyar off of both her, and the CO's chair. She waved to 'Tenshi to take up guard position, and removed her helmet, trying to get a better look at the woman. "Taii, are you well?" She asked, kneeling down, as she gently shook the woman.

Eilae slipped into the room, taking a guard position near Datenshi, her eyes kept forward down the area they'd just come through.

Datenshi did as told, taking her place where needed.

Mina-Taii sighed, and pulled the Mishhu tentacle out of herself...luckily she had escaped the eggs. "D...Domo...ugh..." She lost consciousness, exhausted...as the Janitor continued to clean, blissfully.

Yuriko sighed, and shook her head as she hefted the Taii up. "Yuriko to Asamoya, prepare for incoming injured, with the possibility of Mishhuvurthyar impregnation." The Shoi responded, Kyuuka acknowledging. "MEGAMI," The Shoi called to her ship's computer. "Get me a communications line to Hotaru Star Fortress, priority one, with quantum level encryption."

PAUSE
 
ON: YSS Asamoya

With the Akina's liberation, and the crew's release, Yuriko ordered the armor wing to withdraw back to the Asamoya, and re-supply, and re-arm. The Shoi however had the Asamoya's only Fox T4 Shuttle arrive, and dock in the Akina's shuttle bay. The Shoi began to have the Nozomi's crew load themselves up, with the Taii going in first, the poor woman still unconscious from the whole ordeal.

"MEGAMI, status on the communications line to Hotaru?" Yuriko asked via her suit's internal comm systems.

"Connection is still being established, correcting errors in coordinates now Shoi." The computer replied as the shuttle took off finally, with Yuriko right behind it.

Koharu sat still hooked into the pilot's seat, keeping an eye on the ship's systems. She frowned a little as she looked over the updated crew status report but overall, it wasn't as bad as it could've been.

Cherry settled the shuttle carefully in the bay and opened up the doors, sending Yuriko a telepathic message. "I'm here, honey-Shoi."

Kerr left the Nozomi-class ship as Yuriko commanded, tracing his steps back to the original airlock he had used to enter the ship. He found his fusion thruster pack and re-attached it to his armor's back and started to fly his way back to the Asamoya.

"Orders received, but I wish to request permission to escort the shuttle back to the Asamoya. I don't like the thought of our Shoi not having support if we run into any more surprises." Sumaru was in formation with the rest of the armor wing but could easily close the distance from him to the shuttle. And with this, it'd show that he still cared for the crew.

"Sumaru, I'm not inside of the shuttle, we needed to save room for the Akina's crew so I'm flying outside of it in my armor. Permission is granted to help escort the shuttle back, and I do thank you for the sentiment." Yuriko sounded sincere as her armor stayed along side the shuttle. "I nearly forgot you could pilot one of these things you know." The Shoi teased her fiancee' as she kept an even pace with the shuttle.

The NIWS meanwhile had made its way to the bridge, silvery eyes scanning, as it was still on patrol. The armored neko held her swords in her hands, gripped tightly, ready to lunge at a moments notice if a Mishhuvurthyar were to rear its ugly head.

Cherry's progress was relatively quick in the shuttle and sent her fiance a playful telepathic message back, "Oh you know me, I can ride all sorts of things~."

"Oh my yes." Yuriko sent back, feigning a sense of playful shock as she went over her remaining ammunition. The Asamoya announced they were ready to receive the shuttle, and the armor wing with the medbays preped and ready.

The red eyed bridge officer looked over at the NIWS appreciatively for a moment before returning her attention to her own scans. "Are the other areas clear now?


Sumaru turned in his spot with a flipping corkscrew to change his facing, and then he rushed off towards the other ship at full tilt. His eyes still readily scanning the endless horizon for more weapon pods or any other targets that may spring up on him or at his destination, he was still surging with battle adrenaline and was not going to be caught off guard if he had the choice.

The shuttle slowly guided it's way into the bay, landing down on the metal of the soft bounce, the doors opening. "We've landed."

"I have done a deck by deck search, no Mishhuvurthyar life forms detected Shoi."The NIWS replied, her voice a stark contrast to the look on her face, her voice was a light and lyrical. " Orders?"

"Please, run a check of the shuttle Shoi Kakutama is escorting in to make sure that nothing has stowed away with the crew of the Akina," Koharu asked politely in a serious quiet tone of voice. "Then proceed to the med bay to stand by in case anything should happen if any of those crew are infected."

"Hai, Shoi." The NIWS complying as she spun on a heel, and exited the bridge.

Kyuuka, and Shii were waiting for the Akina's crew to disembark, medical kits in hand should anyone need immediate assistance.

Yuriko took off her helmet, holding it in her hand as she gave her LASR to Aki before heading towards the bridge, only to see the NIWS along the way.

"Well, that was...eventful." Aki commented, receiving a shake of the head from Haru, still wearing her Sylph's helmet.

Kerr and his batterred Daisy landed in the armor bay relatively gracefully considering he was missing part of a leg. However, that grace was lost when he powered down his armor. With the loss of the Daisy's anti-gravity drive, Kerr and his armor fell over on to his side with a noisy series of clanging noise. While lying on his side, Kerr managed to worm his way out of his armor and, for the first time, saw the true extent of his amputation. From the upper part of his calf and below had been completely blasted off. Thankfully, skin had covered the severed remains, a result of his Daisy's regenerative abilities. Wiggling his partial leg a little, Kerr grumbled, "Next time, I'm getting a leg made out of Zesuanium that has an aether cannon built inside of it."

"Kerr-Hei!" Kyuuka exclaimed, seeing, (not to mention hearing) him. The blond nurse trotted over to him, and dropped down next to him. As the Akina's battered crew began to disembark, some chepling prop up others, one of the less injured, a warrant officer, determined by her tattered uniform held onto the Taii as Shii made her way forward.

Sumaru was the last one in, and during his path to the equipment racks to get re-equipped for the next sortie, he had to stop a moment to stair at the pilot wiggling his way out of the Daisy, the girlish Sumaru only gawked for a moment though before kneeling down to offer the guy some help. "Here, let me carry you to the med bay." The pilot of the female looking armor said as he joined the group.


Kyuuka was examining Josef as Sumaru came over, and could only nod in agreement as she saw Shiii being overwhelmed.

"Jeez," Kerr mumbled at the blonde sprite rushed to his side and began to treat him. "Don't get all excited. It's just a flesh wound." When Sumaru arrived, Kerr was about to take him up on his offer, mistaking him initially as a woman. However, the fighter pilot noticed the distinct lack of breasts and grimaced, replying, "I'll pass on that offer, thanks. The last thing I want when I'm naked is some other naked guy carrying me around."

"Flesh wound, seriously, your leg was blown off!" Kyuuka protested.

Yuriko arrived on the bridge, still clad in her Mindy, helmet in hand. Her suit had a some Mishhuvurthyar blood on it from the fight on the Akina's bridge.

"Ano...the medbay is this way, follow me please!" Shii called to the Akina's crew as the small sprite began to lead them from the multi-function bay to the main medbay, and from there to the others should they need it.

"Nonsense, I'm in armor. You’re the only naked one here, and your leg is clearly not going to carry you there." Sumaru said as he shifted in place. "Besides, if you want to get back out there sooner, you’re going to need a new leg." He insisted as he held out an armored hand to the downed crew mate.

"Welcome back, Yuriko-Shoi. How are you holding up?" Koharu spun around to look at her captain with a concerned smile.

"It sounds severe when you say it like that," Kerr complained to the sprite. Sighing a little, he tried to reason with Kyuuka and Sumaru. "Look, we still have a whole squid carrier to go investigate so we can't afford to lose any bodies, right? I'm not bleeding out anymore so just let me get a new suit. When the mission's done, I'll get my leg fixed, okay?"

Cherry sighed a little after she fully powered down the shuttle, the doors closing after the very last person, save her, disembarked. She was oddly pleased with herself, she made a difference in her own little way. With that happy smile on her lips she exited the shuttle and followed behind the injuried to the medbay.

"I am holding up fine, a little drained from the fighting, but fine. Forgive me for having not changed, and coming to the bridge. I have something important to carry out." Yuriko apologized, wearing a soft smile. "MEGAMI, status?"

"Connection established, Hotaru's PANT-IES has answered the line." The Asamoya's computer chimed in.

Koharu nodded to Yuriko with a nod as she stopped talking, watching the woman in an appreciative silence for her work.

"It is foolish to go like that Kerr-hei, you'd be a hinderence." Kyuuka warned."If your CFS fails, you'd be crawling around, or hopping on your remaining leg."

"Alright alright, but I'm not taking responcibility." Sumaru said as he lifted the man and helped him over to the suits. He turned to Kyuuka and shook his head gravely, "If his CFS fails in combat his as good as toast in the cross fire anyhow..." Then he'd hobble the man up to one of the spare Mindys.

Kyuuka grumbled, something under her breath about men, and them being completely pigheaded, before she sniffed, nose upturned in the air, and walked off.

Aki walked over, and tsked. "Allow me to translate what Kyuuka just said." The caretaker took her helmet off. "You'd be a hinderence, would likely slow us down, and get yourself further injured, or killed, with the likelyhood of one of the armor wing too. Plus, the Shoi would worry, and already is worrying about you. Big sister just told me she's asking about your status."

"It's alright. I'm getting paid to be in danger, right?" Kerr said brazenly. He glanced at the Mindies and informed Sumaru, "I can't fit in one of those. I can only fly the Daisies and the Harpies."

"Oh... alright then, let's get you into another Daisy then." Sumaru said as he helped the man a few more steps and then into the suit he was better fitted into.

The Hotaru's PANT-IES spoke before Yuriko had a chance to. "You have sent a Priority one, Quantum Level Encrypted transmission, what is the emergency?" The voice asked as it was pipped through the internal comms of the bridge. The voice was female, and her question sounded more along the lines of a command, then an actual polite question.

"I am Shoi Yuriko Kakutama, Commanding Officer of the First Expeditionary Fleet vessel, YSS Asamoya, ship registry number, NJ-X1-10. We encountered a Nozomi-Class Scout ship that is registered to the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet, ship name is the YSS Akina, we received her distress signal, and came to her aid, it was apparent they entered battle with a Mishhuvurthyar Carrier heavily damaging it, but were boarded in the process. We arrived, and retook the vessel, however, we have detected Yamataian and Nekovalkyrja lifesigns on board the Mishhuvurthyar Carrier, and are in the process of boarding it. We request assitance as we will be outnumbered, and with the posibility of large quantities of freed prisoners, we would need transport."

Kerr felt significantly relieved once he was back inside of a functional Daisy armor. "Thanks, man," Kerr said once the Daisy's hemosynthetic core molded around his body. He took a tentative step forward with his severed leg. He wobbled a bit but he could at least stand. The armor was acting as a peg of sorts. Kerr wasn't going to be running any until he got his leg replaced but at least he could stand and hobble if needed.

"Status of the carrier?" PANT-IES asked, her tone of voice not changing.

"Mostly dead, we have disabled its weapon systems, when I launched our power armor wing, we encountered light resistance from attack pods, but were able to send them in retreat." Yuriko said promptly.

The Akina's crew were seated, or sat on the floor as, Saya, Kyuuka, and Fuyu went to work, assessing injuries, and treating them. The Taii however was in the process of being treated first, now in a hemosynth tank.

"Too bad you guys can't hear this." Aki remarked as she tilted her head to the side, listening in on Yuriko's and the Hotaru Star Fortresses conversation.

Cherry tapped Fuyu lightly on the shoulder as the sprite-woman passed, whispering softly to her, "Can I help or should I just go?"

Sumaru stepped back and watched as Kerr got situated and set up, the once he sat the other male pilot was mobile and good enough to fight, Sumaru himself turned and made way towards the weapons rack. "No problem, just try not to get killed out there in your condition. Else I'll have your death on my conscious too." Sumaru said in return as he re-armed his armor and waited for his next orders. Though, while standing there Sumaru was still unsure what sort of ammo to load up onto his LASR, so for the moment he just grabbed a few regular magazines and loaded up.

The PANT-IES took a moment to respond, as if it were considering. "The Saesei II Carrier Group has been diverted and is now enroute to your coordinates. They will assist you in boarding actions once they arrive, and provide transport for freed prisoners, and will escort your ship, the Akina, and the Mishhuvurthyar Carrier back. Good Hunting." The communications dropped, and Yuriko sighed, her shoulders slumped a little.

"It's alright," Kerr responded as he started to re-arm himself. "If I get killed, I can always be revived, right?"

"Depends, when was you last save?" Sumaru asked, finally finishing up his re-arming. "Hasegawa Sumaru, re-supply complete, awaiting orders command." He announced.

"Good Sumaru-kun...we will be departing shortly, the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet is sending reinforcements to help us in taking the carrier." Yuriko's voice came through the ship's internal comm.

Kyuuka tsked at the injuries of the Akina's crew. "Well, here we are, our first stint as nurses, Sister." She remarked to Fuyu, nudging her a little as she began to examine a neko.

Koharu stretched her arms and returned her attention to the helm, addressing her captain in a concerned tone of voice, "Yuriko-san, you might want to eat an apple or something real quick to get some of your energy back up."

Kerr donned his helmet, attached a heavy fusion thruster pack to his Mindy's back and reclaimed his reloaded LASR. "Alright, I'm set for a second outing, Shoi," Kerr broadcasted with his communications system.

Fuyu simiply nodded, looking at the injured neko below her as she tended to her wounds best she could. "I just wish it could have been physicals..." Fuyu said aloud.

Datenshi was quiet still as she reloaded her suit, making sure everything was in perfect condition.

Yuriko merely nodded. "Care to join me in the galley then for a quick bite?" She asked.

Kyuuka arched an eyebrow. "I do not know if I shoudl take that as a perverted comment, or simply at face value." She commented slyly.

A telepathic message greeted Yuriko suddenly, from Kessah. "Yuriko, I think I got the stealth online again, although I am not certain."

Koharu nodded with a smile as she disengaged herself from the pilot's seat and stood up. "Absolutely, Yuriko-san."

"I must not appear very...cuddly in this armor." Yuriko commented airly as she tucked the helmet under an arm, and lowered the suit's physical strength to her norm.

"Good, do not engage it however please. We've got friends coming."Yuriko replied to Kessah as she waited for Koharu.

"Nah, our armor is quite cuddly in a warm, metallic sort of way," the crimson eyed neko responded as she walked beside Yuriko.

"Take it for face..." Fuyu said to her sister, a small glare on her face as she sighed. How could she be thinking like that at a time like this...?

Kessah responded quickly. "Righto. And, on a off the record note... I hate you now, Yuriko. You left me with a corpse. Its a little disturbing." She was being notably sarcastic with the hate part, naturally.

Kyuuka tsked, and shook her head. "A little doctor humor is beyond you it seems." She replied sweetly before going to attend the next patient.

Kerr noticed that Datenshi was being awfully quiet. Taking off his helmet, he asked the redheaded neko, "Hey, wing leader, something wrong or are ya just getting psyched up?"

Yuriko chuckled a little. "I would not wish to give someone a hug in this armor, that is for sure." She commented as the two neared the wardroom after taking an elevator up to the upper deck. "It is funny, this is how I started out, a simple Santo Hei, Combat Arms, but after literally going through hell, parasitic Mishhuvuthyar, zombies, Dark Ones, boarding battleships, re-taking ships, fighting rogue SAINT cells, it never changes. The same mild nervousness, and fear, laced with excitement. They say you only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you stare death in the face." She hmmphed at the quote as she turned to the kitchen. "You know...I know so very little about you Koharu-chan. Yuriko remarked, doing just as the Shoi suggested, and had a red, shiney apple in her hand now.

"I think, that's partially true. Sometmes though, you get another chance all together." Koharu smiled as she picked up an apple as well, taking a good sized bite out of it. She chewed on the piece for a few moments trying to figure out what to say. "Well, what would you like to know, since we have a little time?"

"Well, likes, dislikes, so on and so on." Yuriko replied and bit into her own apple, and chewing on a piece appreciatively.


"Hmm.. technically, I think this is my offical second lease on life but, I'd feel better if I thought it was really mine. I'm kind of still running on someone else's life so I'm not sure how I'm really different. I hope I can stop feeling so... displaced," Koharu commented softly turning her apple over in her hands before taking another much smaller bite.

Yuriko smiled a little as she took another large bit of her own apple, chewed, and then swallowed. "You are you, and who ever elses life you were 'running' on is them. Be it for good or ill, what sets us apart are thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are all unique in our own way. I do not know you as someone else, only as Koharu, a nice woman who actually gets my sense of humor, and who is wiser then many people I have known. Nothing could take that away, even if you were Empress Yuumi in disguise."

Koharu smiled brightly, "Thank you, I.think it'll pass whenever I start to actually discover who I really am. It's hard but I think I'm going to be okay. How did the kids do today?" She asked in a soft tone of voice as she took another bite of her apple. "The Mishhu-whatsits kinda remind me of how the Seraphs fought."

"They did fine...though I worry for 'Tenshi, she seemed to be enraged to the point of not caring whom she shot. I had to tackle her to the deck, and yell at her, and quite literally knock some sense into her." Yuriko replied, a pensive look on her face as she bit into the apple again, licking at her lips. "Mishhuvurthyar fight like Seraphs? As in the Elysians? I have only ever read about Seraphs."

"At least the ghost ones do. But yes, as in the Elysians. The Seraphs liked to sneak aboard completely cloaked and slowly kill off crewmembers one by one or torture them," Koharu commented grimly. "You might want to consider accessing 'Tenshi's memory and figuring out what triggered her berserker instincts. You can place some controls on it... it's part of what they used to do.."she seemed to drift off in her train of thought for a moment as she nibbled on her apple again.

Datenshi sneezed once down in the armor bay, rubbing her nose with her gloved hand as she shivered. Was someone talking about her?

Kerr glanced over at Tenshi again when she sneezed. "You alright over there? You've been kinda quiet."

Yuriko shook her head. "No, I refuse to do that to anyone, expecially a friend whom I care about Koharu-chan."Yuriko replied a little adamantly before looking thoughtfully at her half eaten apple. "We have countermeasures against Ghost types... I am just a little disgusted with myself, I was unable to aid Nana, and used her as a focusing point for the Mishhvurthyar, stalling him until the NIWS arrived." The Shoi frowned now, and closed her eyes as she sighed. "He did not seem happy with what I said to him, guess my saying I killed the Dark Ones is a sore point for them."

"Sorry," Koharu offered a soft apology. "There's only so much we can do sometimes to help those we care about. How's Nana's condition?"

"She will be fine, Kyuuka sedated her until the Mishhuvurthyar arousal toxin wears off." Yuriko replied before snorting softly. "Sometimes I wonder why I was born into such a physically weak body, when NH-17's, or NH-27's have such amazing abilities, and yet all I have is my intelligence." She sighed, looking a little guilty.

"It's really how we use those bodies that makes them strong, Yuriko-san. No matter how strong the body might be, if our wills are weak, there's nothing we can do to win. We make do with what we have and fight our hardest against unimaginable, numerous foes. Wars do end," Koharu offered. "I' missed the last one ending and I hope to see this one end."

Yuriko nodded, before taking the final bite of her apple. "I once gave a very dear friend of mine, a samurai oddly enough a piece of advice I hope she still remembers. 'Even the strongest man tires after awhile' I've been in this war for a year now, have lost friends, loved ones...and even my child. Everytime I feel myself beginning to weaken, I keep repeating that single line, and it keeps me going. We may sometimes be weak of will Koharu, but what is will without determination?" She asked, throwing the apple core away. "'Tenshi, please have a fresh weapons compliment ready for me. You know what I like." She sent to the armorer.

"IT's the desire to start over. Things have changed but you're still alive. Saviour the time you have," Koharu responded quietly. "You have the ability to change how things go this time around."

The NIWS, following orders from one of the two people it would take said orders from soon arrived in the medbay, swords now attached to her back. The silver haired, and eyed neko walked in at a smooth pace, and watched the Akina's crew intently, and silently. They however just stared back, those that could at the moment any ways.

"Your equipment is already ready Shoi..." Datenshi quickly replied, obviously still a little out there at the moment.

Fuyu stared a little wide-eyes at the NIWS, waving to her meekly. "He-...hey sis..."

Kyuuka peered around from behind Fuyu's back, and gulped. "Erm....heya...big sis." She squeaked.

The NIWS or, Asamoya rather looked to the two sprites, her cold piercing silvery gaze on the two now. Her face was a stoney, emotionless mask as she sized the two up. Then...the barest of twitches curved her delicate lips upwards before the mask was replaced as she acknowledged the two with that, before staring back at the crew. "I have been ordered to stand watch over the YSS Akina's crew, should anything occur during removal of the Mishhuvurthyar eggs inside of them, if there are any." Her light, and lyrical voice a stark contrast to the look she was wearing.

Fuyu nodded weakly as she heard what Asamoya was up to, before she shuffled back to her duties, across the room from the NIWS.

"Determination, will, hope, and my friends are what keep me going Koharu-chan. I sorely wish I could say family, but mine is gone now. My father killed at Nataria, and the Nepleslian side tend to shy away from us Nekos, and have already expressed a distinct dislike for me. It is alright though, this ship, and its crew are my family now anyways." She nodded a little before walking up to Koharu. "I wish we could discuss things further, but the armor wing is ready to be deployed again." The Shoi gently placed a gauntleted finger to her lips, and then touched Koharu's cheek with it before walking away. "Good, I will be down very shortly, we will leave then. Should things get too bad before the Saesei II carrier group arrives, I will deploy the NIWS to supplement our forces."

Shii just stared up at the NIWS, standing directly in front of it, mouth agape. "Ano....so this is what big sister looks like." She exclaimed in a voice loud enough, and excited enough for the surrounding people in the medbay to hear.

Koharu watched Yuriko walk away and commented quietly, "No, you;re wrong. You're family is always with you. So long as you remember them they live on in you. And.. your present family is counting on you to pull through this."

Cold silvery eyes stared down now, at the large, and warm golden ones of Shii.

"Shii come over here please..." Fuyu called out, waving a hand over for the smaller sprite to help with a injured Neko who had just had the eggs removed from her.

Yuriko placed the helmet over her head as she left the wardroom, the HUD coming back up in front of her vision as she entered the elevator, and down to the main deck.

Shii had latched herself to Asamoya, hugging the NIWS' mid-rif as her name was called. The small sprite blinked, and hopped down, trotting over to Fuyu. "Ano...big sister is very pretty, but she has such a mean look on her face, different from you big sis." Shii commented, giving Fuyu a little hug before she placed both hands on the bed, and pried herself up, large eyes peering at the neko, who looked back, offering a weak smile.

"Shii's either the bravest of us, or the most foolish to get so close to big sister like that." Kyuuka remarked to Fuyu as she helped the Taii out of the hemosynth tank, and to a bed before helping another into it.

"I think a little of both..." Fuyu said in reply to Kyuuka as she nodded to Shii. "Big sister looks like that because she is stressed Shii-chan. Do not worry though, she likes to be stressed, it gives her a cause." Fuyu patted Shii's head before picking the small sprite up and placing her in the Neko's lap, who feebly clutched to the small girl before dissolving into tears.

Yuriko arrived into the bay, armor crusted with Mishhuvurthyar blood, and gore, the once grey armor tented crimson. "'Tenshi, will you be alright for this? If not, then remain on board, we will be in heavy combat, and likely be outnumbered."

"Ano...pretty lady is crying, she should cry." Shii replied matter of factly, hugging the crying neko, and snuggling into her. "Pretty lady is okay now, Shii does not want to see the pretty lady cry, Yuriko-sama made it all better, she hurt the bad tentacle monsters and made them go away." It was a child's attempt to comfort in all likely hood.

"I will be fine..." Datenshi said, giving Yuriko a small nod as she crossed her arms under her chest.

The woman couldn't stop crying, hugging Shii a little tighter now as she broke down sobbing.

Shii could only return the hug, and kept snuggling into the woman.

"Good,"Yuriko replied, as she got her equipment into place, and loaded a fresh magazine into her LASR. "Well then, we have work to do, prisoners to free, and a carrier full of Mishhuvurthyar as opposition." She remarked, suddenly feeling like this was an ordinary day back aboard the Sakura. She sighed audibly. "Armor wing, prepare to board the carrier." Yuriko ordered, as she jumped out of the atmospheric shield, and into the vast, cold expanse of space.

Koharu found herself back in the pilot's seat again and restablished her connections. Her head was swimming with half formed memories of a time when she was bodily connected to her ship and when she didn't have to fear ruining the memory of her own deeds.

Datenshi slipped out behind Yuriko, her teleportation pod charged up and ready to jump at a moment's notice.

Kerr donned his Daisy's helmet again and readied his LASR. He used the anti-gravity drive of his new armor to float out of the armor bay and then engaged his fusion thruster pack to follow after Yuriko and Datenshi.

The remainder of the armor wing soon followed suit, Aki, Haru, Eilae, and Sumaru, already for combat once more as the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet's Carrier Group continued on its course to rendezvous with the Asamoya, and assist in their taking of the carrier, and rescuing of those enslaved aboard.

END
 
With the armor wing re-armed, and re-supplied, they now made their way for the battered and seemingly dead Mishhuvurthyar Carrier. A carrier that still had live prisoners on board that needed to be freed. The armor wing neared the large hulk of a ship, slowing to a more cautious, and conservative speed, weapons at the ready. "Everyone, please be on your guard, I do not know if we will encounter hostiles or not within, but our primary concern should be the prisoners. If you run into hostiles, eliminate them."

In one of the areas was a very odd sight...it seems that a Mishhu and a victim were trapped outside in the vacuum of space...the Mishhu, knowing it might not survive, had given up trying to re-enter the sealed up ship, and was busy trying to pump its Neko prisoner full of eggs, in hopes they would survive...needless to say, this was wreaking havoc on the Neko's remaining air supply, as the expression on her face began to show...

Tsukade Eilae followed closely behind Yuriko, her lips drawn thin as they approached the rather frightening carrier. She hadn't ever fought Mishhu in the past, and this sudden encounter with them had certainly frightened her. She however kept alert, prepared to take any countermeasures should they be fired upon.

Sumaru was in uniform formation, he was quiet and anxious with heavy breaths flowing in and out of his lungs as the young armor pilot kept his eyes open for any hostiles. Both frost blue eyes shifting from one side to the other, always keeping attention on his HUD. In behind his armor were his floating NSBs, currently set to non fire but on full update mode to keep him from being caught prone. Over his left shoulder, his LASR was fixed forward for hostile and hostage separation firing and one arm with blade ignited and the other ready to pulse fire, as he had it raised in point. Then the tango up ahead impregnating the neko came into view, he knew it was useless but he'd fire an aimed and calculated shot for the creature's head with a regular shot in his LASR in an attempt to separate it.

"Datenshi," Yuriko called, pointing to the neko, and Mishhuvurthyar. "I'll cut her loose, you teleport her back to the ship." The Shoi ordered as she slung the LASR over a shoulder, and activated an aether forearm projector, a white blade of pure aetheric energy being emitted from it. Yuriko's Mindy shot forward, the blade leaving a trail of light in its wake as Sumaru fired at the Mishhuvurthyar.

Datenshi was behind the two others, simply watching the suits from their backsides. As she heard the command, Tenshi simply nodded and shot ahead as well to catch up with Yuriko, her teleporter charging up to get ready and jump.

The Neko was freed, and drifted away from the obviously screeching Mishhu, air supply nearly gone...

"Get her now 'Tenshi!" Yuriko yelled.

The Mishhu, its skin ruptured, began to swell as its internal pressures began to drop, the creature expanding out of its wounds like a popped balloon...

Sumaru winced a moment, his entire frame tensing in his spot. It was a much different feeling then that of battle; Sumaru had her life on his conscious for that few seconds. 'Did I shoot too soon?' He thought internally, waiting and hoping she'd be okay as he watched Datenshi rush to the free floating Neko.

'Tenshi shot forward, her Mindy going at its maximum STL speed as her teleportation module finished charging. The armorer caught the neko in her arms, and in a flash of light, disappeared, only to reappeared a short while later on the main deck, in the main passage way. "Kyuuka, Fuyu, somebody, get out here now! We've got a neko who's been in space, and she needs immediate medical attention!"

'Tenshi's call was answered as Kyuuka floated out, holding a blanket, and a small tank of oxygen a short while later. The blonde nurse first placed the oxygen mask over the neko's face, the distinct 'hiss' of air being pumped into the mask could be heard as Kyuuka took the neko, and wrapped her in a blanket while floating in the zero-g corridor. Nodding, 'Tenshi exited the ship via a bay again.

The Neko seemed to be alright, and could recover, though the Mishhu was not. Its own body no longer able to manage the strain, the swollen mass exploded dramatically in a fireworks display of gore and vaporizing fluids....

"Sister, we need to get her into a hemo tank now." Kyuuka called as she suddenly burst into the med bay, holding a neko wrapped in a blanket with an oxygen tank on her stomach. The smaller nurse hefted the neko up a little.

"I know I know, let's get her there." Fuyu said aloud as she had the tank waiting and ready for the Neko.

The NIWS whipped her head around, hand on the hilt of one of her swords as she heard the loud 'bang' of the teleport. When Kyuuka burst through the door of the med bay, and upon seeing it was her, Asamoya lowered her hand, and returned to her vigilant watch.

Kyuuka gulped a little, seeing the NIWS with her hand on the sword, but relaxed a little as she side stepped it as the neko dropped her hand back to her side. The blond nurse soon came up to Fuyu, and removed the mask, and blanket, ready to put her into the tank.

Fuyu had to do her best to ignore her big sister, shaking a little as she began to work at recovering the neko before her. "I know she is our sister and all...but she still scares the shit out of me..." Fuyu said to her sister.

The armor team soon boarded the Mishhuvurthyar carrier, Yuriko herself holding her LASR at the ready. "Cherry, have the shuttle ready to launch, and to pick up prisoners at a moments notice. you should have a medical kit in there so if they're injured, treat them if they need it."

Nana slowly awoke, her eyes adjusting to the now active med bay’s light. She shook her head, removing her hand from between her legs and sitting up slowly. As her mind traced back over what happened, she grimaced and then slid from the bed, bare feet landing with a quiet 'pat' against the floor. She slowly looked around, remaining close to the bed, sleepy blue eyes wandering.

Cherry rolled her eyes a little from her seat and nodded to her, "Already ready, honey."

Shii was floating nearby the NIWS again, hovering in the air as she giggled.

Kyuuka nodded, and sighed. "Big sis is built for this sort of thing Fuyu. Though Shii has taken a shine to her it seems." She jabbed a thumb backwards, pointing to her youngest sibling as they hauled the neko into the tank, and Kyuuka began the filling sequence.

The Janitor could be heard sweeping outside, though it steered away from the med bay... "Sweep sweep make cat lady happy!"

Meanwhile, the Power Armor force met immediate resistance, the corridor they'd selected erupting in missile fire. Again, using positrons was far too risky, especially since their vessel was ALREADY critically damaged...

Asamoya remained motionless as Shii continued to float near her, eyes locked on the Akina's recovering crew.

Kerr stepped forward, his shield covering his front, and fired countermeasure missiles from his Daisy's legs to distract the incoming missiles.

"I am sure Shii would make a friend of a Mishhu..." Fuyu replied, not realizing the irony that it may very well happen.

Datenshi grumbled, letting her NSD's take shots at the missiles that were fired, destroying what Kerr's missiles missed as she waited for Yuriko's command.

"Ano...what is the big thing with the tentacles?" Shii asked, pointing at the Janitor as she now rested her chin on Asamoya's shoulder.

Asamoya meanwhile turned her cold, silvery gaze to the Mishhuvurthyar Janitor. "Mishhuvurthyar life sign detected." It warned, hand going for the hilt of a blade.

"Shot to kill!" Yuriko ordered, slamming home a clip of Armor Piercing Ammunition. "If prisoners are used as shields and they're alive, try not to harm them." The Shoi ordered as she fired one of the hardened slugs from her LASR, letting AIES do the targeting.

Suddenly, a large blast ripped through the Mishhu ranks, and their attention was distracted for a moment...an opening.

Eilae deployed her NSD's, the things shooting quickly at the incoming missiles. Bringing her gauss cannon and forearms to bear, she began returning fire upon the enemy Mishhu, a determined look in her eyes. She kept close to Yuriko however, worried that their captain may be harmed during combat.

Sumaru was in behind, making sure the new recruit wouldn’t be stuck in the back incase they had to deal with sneaking hostiles. That was what his 12 NSBs were for; now set to react on targets that stalked on him. Sumaru was still not to be caught off guard though because all of his SNDs were in back and his 6 NSD’s set up around his side and front to keep him updated all around. The first reaction to the missiles from Subaru’s Mindy was not his own action but his speedy AIES', as 'Wish' fired off counter measure mini missiles to intercept those that it could. Sumaru would then break from formation to dodge any that wouldn’t be caught in the counter as he made his advance on the Mishhu in his way to getting in, his shoulder mounted LASR picking targets one by one and his arm blades taking care of the rest.

Kerr began to open fire with his LASR upon the enemy while hiding behind his shield. At the same time, the small pulse turrets on his Daisy's arms rose up and began to pelt the enemy as well.

There was a scramble of static over Yuriko's comm as MEGAMI soon piped through. "A Mishhuvurthyar has boarded the vessel."

Yuriko continued firing, brief blue muzzle blasts coming from her rifle as she erected a barrier shield from the module. "We took on a Mishhuvurthyar." She grunted, the LASR having a very small kick to it from inside of the Mindy. "He is classified as non-hostile. Let him go about his business MEGAMI."

"Hay, Shoi, it shall be done, also, you are being requested by the Commander of the Sansei II Carrier Group, Shall I put her through?"

"By all means" Yuriko replied as she began to push forward.

Yet another large blast ripped through the Mishhu ranks...a lone pod could be seen flipping out of the way of a few Mishhu pods, but the others had not realized the traitor in their midst, and were in a state of panic and disorder.

The pink-haired technician stumbled out of the med bay slowly, beginning to haul her bare naked self down the hallway to her room to change. Her uniform had been halfway torn off during her unfortunate encounter, the other half cut off so the Mishhu's eggs could be removed properly. She rested a hand on her abdomen and stared down at the ground with a soft sigh.

"Mop Mop Mop Mop Mop...Mop up the bodily fluids and the egg shells..."

Nana runs into the Janitor...

Datenshi nodded lightly to the command, grumbling a little at her lack of non-energy weaponry, Datenshi decided to get a little more intimate with the Mishhu. Growling aloud she shot forward, her hands curled into ball as she gained ground quickly. Slamming two fists into the back of the Mishhu, she ignited the forearm projectors long enough to burn a nice nasty hole in the backs of their heads, trying to get another two kills in if time allowed her.

Asamoya lowered her hand again as the Janitor was suddenly deemed 'Non-Hostile' by Yuriko. Shii giggled happily once more, and clapped her hands together.

"Things just seem to get weirder and weirder, Yuriko-sama saying a Mishhuvurthyar is safe?" Kyuuka asked as she left the neko in the tank to heal.

Nana stopped dead in her tracks, staring silently at the tentacled janitor for several seconds. Her eyes went wide and she balled her hands into fists, gritting her teeth. "..What...the hell...is this thing... doing... here..?" She spoke through clenched jaws, placing a hand against the nearby wall to support herself.

"I is the Janitor! I cleans the floors and cares for the eggies not in incubators." The Janitor replied...Meanwhile, Tenshi's assault went largely unchallenged, as the Mishhu troops were quickly being mowed down from within...

Kerr continued to advance, his LASR and forearm-mounted pulse turrets firing away into the pods and his shield held in front of him for cover.

"Figures..." Fuyu said aloud, shaking her head with a sigh as she continued to help the others, making sure that others were comfortable or if they needed the help.

Datenshi kept up her tactics for as long as possible, slamming her fists into the skulls to break the bone before igniting the projectors enough to kill the Mishhu.

Soon, the pods were all destroyed, save for one...but it did the oddest thing...it bowed, and blew a door open for them. "I was wondering when the hell help would arrive! Good timing! I'd just finished jury-rigging this pod!"

"This is the Saesei II Carrier Group's Commanding Officer aboard the Kyoto Class Carrier, Saesei II, to Shoi Yuriko Kakutama of the First Expeditionary Fleet vessel, YSS Asamoya, please respond." A distinct female voice soon sounded in Yuriko's ears as she continued to fight, her shield absorbing damage.

"This is Shoi Yuriko; I am pleased to hear your voice. ETA on your arrival?" Yuriko asked as she continued forward.

"Five minutes, your MEGAMI should be picking us up on her sensors soon. Status on boarded the carrier?" The ranking CO asked.

"We have encountered resistance, and are gradually pushing them back, so far we've run into attack pods, but they're holding positron fire. We will need your support to clear the rest of the ship, and to free the prisoners." The Shoi replied

"Roger that."

Eilae continued to fire from a rather safe distance away, not to keen on getting so close and personal with the Mishhu as Datenshi was. A small sigh escaped her, only being able to imagine what had happened to the woman to instigate so much anger. She was about to target the pod when she heard a voice, immediately, hesitating as she glanced over to Yuriko, wondering what the order would be.

Nana's voice grew a bit louder, as though she were demanding an answer from... anyone, "What...the hell... is this thing doing here?!" Her wide, blue eyes stared at the 'janitor', lower lip quivering. Despite a seemingly harmless appearance, it still had her nearly frozen in place with anger.

"Wha-...What?" Datenshi had her fists in a ball, waiting for an explanation as she crouched down. "Who are you?"

Sumaru cut apart those that challenged him, quickly rushing by at high speeds with the forearm blades' light bleeding in his wake from the speedy movement. He left it up to his AIES to keep him from slamming into anything unnecessarily. The Mishhu that were left behind that were no threat to being missed and damaging a ship, his NSBs fired at viciously. Then the pod bowed, Sumaru paused as he stayed in floating, waiting for orders on what to do with the pod.

Yuriko just blinked as she saw the pod bow, and heard someone's voice." Identify yourself." She replied sternly, holding her rifle up. " 'Tenshi, reinforcements will be here in under five minutes."

Yuriko kept her LASR leveled, the barrier shield still up as she still wore the look of mild surprise at a Mishhuvurthyar attack pod bowing to them. The Shoi was a little thankful her helmet hid the look too as she awaited an answer to her question.

'Tenshi meanwhile shifted from foot to foot, a little wary of a talking Mishhu pod.

Sumaru was still in a dead stop and surging with battle adrenaline, floating a few meters back from the rest of the wing at the spot he destroyed his last target. For now he just waited on the Shoi's orders on how to deal with the pod as his machine was scanning all around, making sure that if there was anything else out here that it wouldn’t sneak up on them.


Kerr remained hidden behind his shield while the apparently friendly pod spoke with Yuriko. The last thing he wanted was to lose another limb or worse.

Sumaru's scanners would be picking up a flurry of activity, their entrance into the carrier, and subsequent battle had attracted quite a bit of attention. Though due to the shape the ship was in, the enemy were slow moving in trying to get to them. All in all, there were a number of attack pods, and Mishhuvurthyar armed with armor plating, and heavy weaponry in bound.

"I will ask again, state your intentions, and identify yourself." Yuriko warned, her finger a hare's bredth from the trigger of her LASR.


The pod then opened, revealing a mostly nude Yamataian woman, wearing the tatters of a Star Army Officer's uniform...

"Don't fire! I'm from the Akina! Sayuri Miyami, Chief Engineer!"

'Tenshi just gawked a little seeing the woman pop up, and out of the pod, shaking her head.

"I escaped and rigged this pod to work for a Neko...It's all I could do, since they took away my weapons...but at least it turned out useful, right? Um...how is the Akina? Was she destroyed? is everyone okay?"

Yuriko had kept her LASR trained on the pod, that was until the Yamataian woman showed herself. She used her helmet's zoom, and light enhancing functions to get a better look at the uniform before lowering her rifle. "Ah...forgive us, we must be wary after all, we are on board an enemy carrier." She looked to Sumaru, asking for a status report, before returning her attention to the woman again. "We receieved her distress signal, boarded her, and re-took her. The crew are fine, and recovering on my vessel. As for the Akina itself, it is in serviceable shape."

Sumaru turned his attention back to the large number of pods moving on the ship, his armor twist flipping in spot to face the on coming enemy unit. "Alright, she's friendly. I don't mean to be rude, but we have a bigger problem closing in on our position ." Sumaru said as he transferred his current scan data to the Shoi and the rest of the wing. "Request to break formation and engage." He was not liking the growing situation they had on hand and was best outfitted for that sort of combat over the hostage rescue.

"I still say we should have just bombed this squid boat," Kerr grumbled as his Daisy received the scans that Sumaru sent him. He reloaded his LASR and prepared for the new wave of enemies.

Yuriko didn't like what Sumaru had said, and ran a scan as well, using her suits AIES, in conjunction with MEGAMI. The Shoi blinked, and gripped the handle of her LASR at the numbers heading their way. "Sumaru-kun, how much ammunition do you have left?" The Shoi asked.

"We would have murdered innocent people Josef." Yuriko's voice stern as she caught what he said.

The Pod closed again, and stood with the Asamoya's crew, prepared to fight as best it could... "I want some payback for what these slimy bastards did to the Akina! Count me in!"

Sumaru blinked a moment, and then responded. "Ma'am, I am fully loaded, aside from two counter missiles." Which was true, and aside from that he was in a Mindy so his primary weapons weren’t able to run out.

The enemy it seemed had finally arrived, the distinct ringing of metal being beaten upon could be heard near a collapsed passageway. Though after a few moments there was a soft orange glow to the wall of debris. It grew in intensity, turning to bright red until positron fire erupted from it, flying past the armor team, and melting a nearby wall panel. More spots began to glow on the wall of debris, many more.

In the Hotaru-Himitsu Staging area the YSS Mazu , the newest of the Fifth's Takumi ECC's was in process of taking on supplies when they intercepted the call from the Asamoya. Two NH-29 sprites at the Operations table worked as a discussion ensued between two Nekos on the central platform. "Taisa I think we should respond, I know we are running on a skeleton crew but I think we have the strength to show our stuff here." The dark purple haired sprite spouted, "Time to goto work huh Poma?" The other one laughed, "You never work Plum-unless you count horizontal belly dancing." A commanding yet quieter voice emerged into the scene. "Issue the orders, wake the crew..." Mazu all systems green. Signal Hotaru and prepare for fold. The Taisa rose from the command chair, saying to her XO.

"Wake the crew, All pilots scramble." The XO responded, "As you wish Motoyoshi Taisa." Kiyoko sat back down in her chair, reengaging her SPINE interface, alerts began to sound throughout the ship as general quarters was called. The Mazu pulled away from the command group and headed towards the boundary of the staging area. Kiyoko sighed, running her fingers through her newly dyed pink strands. "Into the rat's nest..."

Growling, the Chief Engineer responded with positron fire of her own, trying to lead the enemy away form the Asamoya's forces as a distraction. "DIE, YOU TENTACLED BASTARDS!"

"Damn!" Kerr cursed as positron fire started to corridor. He activated his Daisy's energy cloak for protection against the new Mishhu assault. He used the gravitic drive to fly his Daisy out of the line of fire.

Yuriko checked her armor status, and reset the barrier shield module on her armor to ready status. "Find cover, don't be out in the open wh---" She was cut off as the Akina's seemingly hot blooded Chief Engineer opened fire. Cursing her luck, Yuriko ordered the team to find cover as they fired.

The Engineer seemed to be moving sideways, away from the Asamoya's personnel as she fired...she was angry, but she didn't want to risk them more than necessary...hopefully the Mishhu would follow the trail of fire, as she moved quickly as the pod could react in an effort to dodge fire.


The hail of fire pouring through the hole was a little staggering at first, a mix of heavy chain gun, and positron fire as the Mishhu literally lit up the room, raising the temperature of the place significantly. There were however a few hisses of pain admist the smokey haze as one of the Akina's Cheif Engineer's positron shells struck home.

"Sumaru cover her!" Yuriko yelled, the bright blue muzzle flashes of her LASR coming in full swing now as she fired hardened armor piercing rounds into the haze which seemed to be dissipating, revealing a sizeable force of attack pods, and armor clad Mishhuvurthyar. They too were using cover, firing into the armor team's side of the hall, laying down a significant amount of fire.

The pod tried to roll, though a shot cut through the side of the Mishhu's armor, and it fell to the ground... "I...I'm okay...it's just a graze...."

Sumaru waited a moment while in cover while the enemy fired through to their position, then it came to him. The young armor pilot turned to the wall on his side and used his ignited arm blades to cut a hole in the side of the ship, then he'd speed out and rush to the side of the hall they were attacking. Friendly unit signatures were able to be seen through the hull because of computer uplinks, so with that in mind. He fired through the hall with bright blue forearm blasts on the estimated Mishhu position.

The Mazu blinked from sight as she folded, seconds passed as armors were lined up on the launch platforms, and the full compliment of Hyuga Fighters were prepped for launch. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1...." The Mazu emerged onto the battlefield. One entire wing (1000) of Sylphs poured from the rapid launch bays, forming a cloud around the Mazu to provide cover as the four Hyuga Fighters launched behind them immediately engaging the incoming fury of pods. "Alpha and Hyuga Wing away..." Kiyoko brought up the volumetric tactical overlay.

"Launch Mindy Wings one through three.." Kiyoko transferred helm control to herself, the Mazu began to close on the SMX Carrier. Mobil Variable pods launching from their ports on the lateral sections of the hull. "Transmit to friendlies that we are here to let us concentrate on the carrier."

"Shoi, I am picking up a Star Army vessel, Takumi-class, she is launching power armors, and fighters." The Asamoya's computer system relayed as her sensors had detected the ship upon its exit. "Shall I establish a direct link to the ship for you?"

Kerr began to fire his LASR into the hole that the Mishhu had made, trying to take down some of the enemy before they could annihilate them. Secretly, he wished he had brought the Daisy's plasma rifle.

Two Mishhuvurthyar destroyers immediately dropped out of hyperfold, twin bright flashes of light, and energy alerting both the Asamoya, and Mazu of their presence. The two destroyers began to launch their attack pods as they now arrived to their fallen comrade's aid,and now were closing into weapons range. It seemed the carrier had managed to get a distress signal off while the armor team had boarded her.

Unfortunately for Sumaru, the pods that had retreated earlier while the armor team had engaged them in space had been laying in wait. The quartet of pods, emerged from the darkside of the carrier, their tunneling cannons firing full force at the Yamataian.

Fortunately, the Saesai II Carrier Group arrived at just that time to assist. The Kyoto and her twenty Arashi escorts responded within seconds, releasing their Power Armor and drone compliments which had been on standby since the receipt of the Asamoya's transmission.

"This is the Saesai II Carrier Group of the 5th Expeditionary Fleet, here to assist. I apologize for the wait...we'll be making up for this. Our Medical facilities are prepared for injured and our Power Armors are ready to assist!"


"Yes MEGAMI, that'd be very helpful." Yuriko replied as she fired a barrage of missiles from her leg pods. The missiles flew, and several Mishhuvrthyar exploded as the link was established. "This is Shoi Yuriko Kakutama to the Takumi-class vessel, I would like to say you arrived in the nick of time." She remarked, her voice strained, the sounds of explosions, hissing, and weapons fire could be heard in the background of the transmission.

The two Mishhuvurthyar destroyers closed in, their medium tunneling cannons firing first as they entered weapons range. The destroyer's attack pods had been launched, and were now in the process of firing Quintessent Torpedoes. A grand total of eighteen of them being launched as both destroyers now came into the fray, firing on the Saesei II Carrier group.

"Incoming destroyers..." The Mazu's XO seethed, then added "The Saesai II group has arrived." Kiyoko rolled her eyes " A little late..." she was cut off by the communications officer patching through the Shoi from the other ship. Kiyoko replied, "Motoyoshi Kiyoko Taisa responding, get your people away from that carrier so we can take it out." A swarm of pods moved into position, engaging the Mazu's defensive armor wings-seeking to break through. The Mazu dipped and began to roll, her striker array beginning to fire compressed positiron rounds into the field of incoming pods. The Mazu still pushing forwards towards the SMX Carrier.

The red warm light of the light was all that he saw, as the Yamataian was caught flat footed by the hidden pods all he could mutter was "Oh shi--." The saving grace in this moment was his pre-programmed AIES option to avoid crashing into anything, the computer took such objects like the shots and did it's best to remove the armor from the path of contact.

"Negative, there are prisoners on board." Yuriko's reply was a little clipped, and stern despite herself. She grunted as a series of missiles impacted on her barrier shield, sending her back a few feet. "We need to extract them, and do so quickly, we've already detected that the ship is leaking atmosphere.

The Saesei II Carrier Group was prompt to obey, moving as best it could out of the path of enemy fire. The Arashi were unable to safely fire the Transposition Cannons in such close proximity, firing their own Positron Accelerator Cannons. The Saesai II narrowly avoided a shot right across the bridge.

"Hai, Motoyoshi-Taisa! Moving back to provide cover fire!"

The quartet of attack pods continued to hound Sumaru, their shots barely missing their marks. One had come dangerously close to the helmet of the young combat arms.

The damaged SMX battle pod, damaged and leaking air in itself, shakily rose again, firing its cannons at its foes... "...I've patched the hole as best I can from in here...I figure I have ten minutes of air..." The Engineer said, shaken. "I'll help as much as I can in that time!"

The opening fire of the two Mishhuvurthyar destroyers hit home, tunneling cannons cutting into the armor of two of the Arashi escorts while their torpedoes continued on. The attack pods however split up, a quarter of their number going to reinforce their beleaguered comrades on the carrier, while the others went to engage the Carrier group. As the Saesei II group returned fire, the destroyer's split up, most of the shots coming fairly close, and a few impacting on the hull, opening gaping wounds.

His eyes were wide, his breathing quickening with his increased pulse. His body a trained to react to the attack, though this was the first time in combat he had experienced being caught off guard, and his mind blank for everything but his training. The AIES turned all 18 support drones and fired back in a array to give the pilot the cover to close the ground with his right arm blade to cut through the first one and move through to avoid being caught in their fire once more, his left arm was raised and with the AIES to take care of fire control he let loose a series of pulse fire at the second nearest one.

Kiyoko slammed her fist down on the arm of her chair, saking her head. "Well then, Mazu standing by for your armor team's all clear." Kiyoko muted the transmission. " The remaining wings of Sylphs and Mindy's launched from their bays. Kiyoko watched as they wiped out the first group of pods, her attentions closing on the two Destroyers. "While their armor team plays hero, lets see what we can do about these two destroyers." Poma said, "Heavy and Medium SEPCs ready, Torpedos loaded, Taisa. Grumpy isn't she... Poma commented to Plum. I don't know what the hell has gotten into her--they got people over there-it just means we get to squish more squid while we wait. The Mazu jumped to FTL coming directly starboard of one of the destroyers, firing her Projected Energy Rakers dragging them down the side of the destroyer right from dorsal to ventral tearing down its side. Two AS-5a Transphasic Aether Torpedos leaving her mid line bow dual port.

The first of the pods wise sliced cleanly in two, exploding as its comrades continued on, fighting Sumaru. As he neared the second pod, its light tunneling cannons, three of the six swiveled around, and began to fire.

Even the numbers of pods being sent paled in comparison to the number of Power Armor released by the twenty-one ships in the Saesai II Carrier Group. The faster Power Armor began to unleash their fury on the pods en masse, skillfully dodging weapons fire form the ships. The Kyoto activated its Interdiction field, in an effort to slow the inbound missiles, and numerous several drones and weapon pods opened fire in an effort to shoot them down...

Kerr launched his Mindy's tactical drones and sent them into the hole in the wall that the Mishhu and the pods were firing through. He used the information they sent back to his armor to more accurately target the enemy with his LASR. "What's the plan here, Shoi?" he asked as he hid behind the protection of his elliptical shield. "I hate being fish in a barrel."

The Engineer's Pod continued to fire, trying to do as much damage as possible before she asphyxiated...she was getting a bit light headed, and wishing she was a Neko. Nekos could last longer on less air, but her lungs were beginning to ache in protest...

She unleashed another barrage of Positron fire upon the enemy pods, trying to add to the chaos...

With the addition of the Mazu to worry about, and their spliting up. One of the destroyers was caught off guard as the Mazu came up, literally broadsiding her. As the ship's hull began to buckle, the destroyer, now in her death throws fired a final barrage from their remaining medium tunneling cannons, a modest four in total before the AS-5's hit their mark.

As the Saesei II carrier group began to pick off the attack pods, and having thrown an interdiciton field up, and was now destroying their torpedoes, it charged its own heavy tunneling cannon, right intoport side of the carrier group's formation as the remaining seventeen medium tunneling cannons fired, raking more of the Arashi escorts with their fire.

Sumaru moved vertical five meters in a side twist that turned his machine upside down from his previous position, all while firing back at one of the pods with his left arm, still AIES fire controlled. His drones changed firing from all targets to concentrate on a single one, with this all going on Sumaru put his own concentration on aiming the shoulder mounted LASR on the other target with a sudden burst of fire.

The Arashi seemed unable to react in time to fully dodge the enemy's shots, and were beginning to take notable damage. The damaged Arashi folded out, as the Kyoto's main weapon came to bear. The Kyoto fired a spectacular beam of energy at the remaining destroyer, having waited for the Power Armors to clear its cone of damage.

"We could use some help here ma'am, we're being over run!" Yuriko snapped, not having time to be polite as the enemy seemed to be reinforced from the Mishhu destroyers. To Josef she could only shake her head, and give a short reply. "Continue fighting and picking them off. But keep yourself covered." She ordered, a tunneling cannon blast piercing her barrier shield at that moment, and slamming into the armor of her shoulder. The Shoi went flying back, slamming into a bulkhead, her head lolling there a moment before she slowly got to her feet.

The remaining pods ducked, and dodged Sumaru's fire, one being clipped by the LASR's fire and went spiraling out of control, the remaining two fully functional pods fired their flash missiles, a grand total of twenty two of them launching, and speeding towards him.

The Mazu's AI responded, the ship engaged its fold drive slipping into hyperspace the destroyer's SEPC's sweeping empty space. Milliseconds later the Mazu returned to real space, directly 90 degrees to the destroyer's ventral side her Heavy SEPC firing in a single blast directly upwards through the belly of the ship. Kiyoko uttered to herself "From the Yūgumo, you bastards!!!" The Destroyer literally cracked in half, sparks and explosions rocketed the parts through space, vaporizing them as they moved outwards. The Mazu tore through the debris cloud its CFS channeling the debris away and back as they emerged victorious. The Mazu's XO said over the open comm. "One Squid Boat sunk...."

The Engineer, finally starting to get light headed, decided to retreat...raising a makeshift white flag, the stolen Pod left the battle and headed toward the Mazu, in an effort to get air...as this happened, a few the Carrier Groups Power Armors began to break through the Mishhu assault to assist the Asamoya's pilots. Streaks of fire erupted, speeding toward the enemy Mishhu from the fresh forces.

The remaining Mishhuvurthyar destroyer began to list off to the starboard side, in an attempt to avoid the Kyoto carrier's main weapon fire, but was unable to react in time. The damaged destroyer was fully half caught in the beam's blast, leaving one solid half of the ship for a split second, and then it too exploded in a bright fireball of destruction.

An abrupt "F**K YEAH!" Was heard from one of the Arashi, but was quickly silenced, likely by a glare from its CO... "YSS Saesai II prepared to take injured, prisoners, and survivors."

"That's what I was afraid you'd say," confessed Kerr as chain gun fire ripped across his shield, severely denting it and shaking it. He reloaded his LASR once more and returned fire on the enemy.

Yuriko attached the LASR to her back, and disengaged the barrier shield. She did however engage the forearm blades of her power armor, and shot forward, blowing past Josef, a attack pod having crossed the line of fire. The Shoi's Mindy impaled it dead center before leaping back from the explosion as some of the Carrier Group's power armors began to emerge. The number of Mishhuvurthyar left was quickly begining to thin, now finally outnumbered.

"We need to get the prisoners out of here now, request shuttles to be launched." Yuriko's voice a little haggard as she winced in pain. Her shoulder had nearly been dislocated from the tunneling cannon.

With Hotaru so close to the battle, there was a fury of activity in the staging area. Kiyoko overseen it through the PANTHEON, knowing that soon others would come to steal her glory, or at least what she considered her glory. It helped sooth the pain she felt, bringing her momentary relief. "There is a SMX pod, transmitting white flag, Taisa..." Kiyoko perked up, her XO offering "A escaping prisoner, maybe?" Kiyoko grumbled. "Unlikely...but we cant risk it." She said to her communications officer, "Get that pod on the comm, tell its pilot to power down and prepare to be picked up." A group of Sylphs broke off from the rest of their wing heading towards the pod.

"Acknowledged. Shuttles launching for transport of prisoners and wounded."

Not knowing how many prisoners there were, a good half of the shuttle compliment of the Carrier Group was sent out, protected by Power Armor...


"Can't fully power down...The pod is leaking air...and I don't have much left...none without the ventilation system. This is Sayuri Miyami, Cheif Engineer of the Akina...please confirm my identity...with the Asamoya's Power Armor group...if necessary..." She was breathing deeply and heavily now, trying to get every last bit of air she could.

Sumaru was down to eighteen counter missiles in each pod, the AIES acted first before he could even think and fired off one for one mini-missile to counter the incoming volley. But this didn't stop the young pilot’s advance, he just shifted the right forearm up with shield engaged to take any surviving missiles head on. His left arm firing the whole time with out any targeting direction from the pilot, because as he awaited a blast to connect with his forearm shield, his eyes were adverted.

Yuriko sighed in relief as she ordered the armor team to push forward, towards the slave cells.

"It's about damn time," said Kerr as reinforcements drove the enemy back. He began to advance finally, taking shots with his LASR to any pods or Mishhu remaining.

As the remaining three missiles impacted on Sumaru's forearm shield, the detonated in a seriers of incredibly bright flashes. And sprayed his shield, and the area around it with incendiary flak. With the flashes, the pods took the offensive, and fired their tunneling cannons, using the bright flashes of light for cover for their fire as one of the pods exploded, with only one left.

The Munin II, Lorrheim ISFC, Shikotama ISFC, and the Fujin Carrier Group left the staging area, folding into hyperspace and heading towards the battlefield. No doubt their impending arrival to totally turn the tables on the SMX-their mistake for pursing the Asamoya so close to the 5th's Headquarters.

The slave cells had ten Akina personnel in them, but high numbers of other Nako and Yamataian prisoners, with even some Lorath and Helashio prisoners. A few stray Nepleslian females were present, making about ninety to a hundred prisoners with need of evacuation.

More Power Armors broke through, with shuttles, providing even more fire support for the Asamoya forces, destroying the damaged and battle-weary Pods. The SMX were critically losing at this point...

Yuriko counted the prisoners, nodded, and relayed it back. "We have about a hundred prisoners in need of evac, they're from various races, and may need different levels of medical attention." She replied, going over to the cells, and begun to open them.

The shuttles began to dock, the Power Armors attacking remaining enemies, and attempted to set up a safe route for moving the prisoners from the ships...they moved at a high speed, trying to get done as soon as possible to minimize losses.

The bright flashes were more then he expected, he was surprised to still be alive as the pilot thought with such a bright flash that maybe the explosion meant a very powerful missile, and since there was a small amount of it, the flak was dissolved with contact on his shields. The next shot was taken while he was looking away and in the flash, so Sumaru had no way of dodging, it connected with the right leg of his armor and was soaked by the armor's shielding. This left him with a little under half shields from the one hit, but that was way too much for his liking. "...one more, come on let’s do this WISH!" He shouted as the armor burst out full speed after the pod in a barrel rolling erratic out turning spiral towards the unit with left arm charging a concentrated beam, the right arm charging a concentrated beam, the right arm shield protecting the young pilot’s rapid advance, then as soon as he cleared a moment for a shot, he’d let loose a calculated shot.

The Lorrheim ISFC, Shikotama ISFC, and the Fujin Carrier Group emerged from hyperspace each one of the ISFC components broke away from their Ayame Cruisers and into formation, moving to cover the Asamoya's position. The Munin II however did not emerge as planned. The Mazu held position near the SMX carrier, awaiting the all clear. Their armor wings engaging many of the remaining enemy pods, wiping the remnants of much of the SMX group from the tactical overlay Kiyoko watched.

Yuriko linked up with MEGAMI, doing a scan of the carrier once more. She noted the number of Mishhu had decreased to only a handful now, and it seemd they were either engaged in fighting, or in the process of dying. "Taisa Motoyoshi, there are only a handful of Mishhuvurthyar left aboard the carrier, and the prisoners are being evaced." She reported, before biting her bottom lip, an idea coming to mind. "Instead of destroying the carrier...I propose it be taken. It is intact after all, and could be strategically valuable."

Surprised, the YSS Saesei II's CO quickly opened a channel. "Detecting a missing vessel. Where is the Munin II? Is she damaged or in for repairs?"

Kiyoko tapped her chin lightly, responding back to the Shoi..."Alright, I am sure our researchers could find use of it. We will let the reinforcements that just arrived handle the clean up. Why don't you get your people to safety? We will escort you to Hotaru." She muted her end of the comm again, her XO saying..."Priority one from Hotaru, Misato...." Kiyoko took the message, Well Motoyoshi Taisa, seems your finally stepping up and doing the right thing. See you when you get back. Kiyoko frowned but again was interrupted by the CO from the Saesai..."Not sure...Where the hell is it?" She checked through her ship's connection to Hotaru. "Hotaru says that the Munin II left the staging area with the other ships and should be here...Our sensors confirm that she is not."

"Initiating long range scans...nothing yet, Motoyoshi-Taisa-Sama!" The YSS Saesai II sent...

One of the Saesai II's armor wings now at the edge of the battlefield reported in. "Beta Wing checking in...Something is not right out here. We keep reading unidentified signals, but there is no sign of anything. Passive and active scans show nothing..." a momment passed, "Nothing now, whatever it was its gone."

"...store all records and send them to the Mazu. We HAVE to know what happened...if we can't solve it, maybe the scientists at Hotaru can....is this an enemy Mishhu weapon?" The CO asked...

The pod, taken aback by Sumaru's tactics fired subspace detonator missiles, saturating the area. His fore arm shield would flicker, and go out as the pod fired all six of its tunneling cannons, four of them missed, one grazed his fore arm projector, the one that had the shield engaged, though now it was gone. The remaining blast hit his countermeasure missile pod, detonating it.

Yuriko ordered her armor wing to pull back, and they did so. The battered, tired, and brused armor team exited the Mishhu Carrier, Yuriko however scanned the area for Sumaru.

Kiyoko said, "Relaying information to Hotaru...Maybe the Munin had some sort of malfunction. I will make sure we get some scouts out to look for her, in the meantime we have to finish our mission."

Kerr followed Yuriko out of the Mishhu carrier, thoroughly the fighting was done for the moment. The large man was itching to get out of the Daisy by that point.

The blast would send the sheildless Sumaru sideways and stop his chase a moment, only a few meters before the armor stabilized it self and he fired again from a more fixed position allowing him a better shot, his left arm weapon and the shoulder mounted LASR simultaneously fired at the escaping pod. The right arm was badly injured from the shot; the armor was scorched and no doubt inside so was that half of his arm.

The pod began to speed off, trying to get a better angle of fire, but was caught by the combined fire. The last of the attack pods finally detonated in a firey explosion.

Yuriko, upon seeing the results of her scans, broad casted a message to Sumaru. "Sumaru-kun, are you alright?" The Shoi asked, sounding obviously concerned.

The Mishhu Janitor inside the Asamoya idly and blissfully mopped, unaware of the war outside...he only looked at his reflection in the floor of the enemy ship, completely innocent.

Sumaru's NSDs and NSBs shifted from a clumped position to hover all around the stopped armor, to keep him from being flat footed again. Sumaru paused a moment to breath in heavy labored breaths, regaining some stamina. He lowered his head a moment letting him self free float while leaning forward, and smiled slightly as he heard Yuriko's voice come over the com. "Minor damage to my right hand, but else wise I'm okay. How are the prisoners?" He asked, more concerned with the lives of the others they were bravely fighting to free.

"They...are...fine." Yuriko replied, her voice a little strained. "We are returning to the ship....I will have...Saya attend you."

"I'm glad," Sumaru paused as he stood up and turned towards the ship then broadcasted, "Alright, returning now." Then once the communications closed, he bolted towards the Asamoya.

Yuriko followed suit, her shoulder throbbing in pain from both the impact, and burns on it. Not to mention the amounts of bruises she'd likely have." The Asamoya's bays awaited them, the two nurse sprites standing their, ready to give aid if they needed it. Yuriko's armor landed, and she disengaged the CFS, dropping to the deck, and going to her knees as she took the helmet off.

The Prisoners' shuttles sped quickly, protected by Power Armors, to the Saesai. Several Arashi began to tow the now cleared ship, only manned by Power Armor from the Saesai II Carrier Group...

Kerr grumbled as he ignited his fusion thrusters, "Damn, I can't believe I spent this whole time stuck in that squid boat when I could have been out here in the real fight. Well, at least I can get my leg back now." He landed last inside of the Asamoya, his Daisy no match for the Mindies as far as speed was concerned. Removing his helmet, he slumped onto the armor bay's floor once the antigravity drives were disengaged.

Motoyoshi-Taisa prepared to move the YSS Akina, and contacted the Asamoya.

"We are preparing to fold for Jiyuu and Hotaru. We will go in a spherical pattern with the enemy ship, Asamoya, Akina, Masu, and the YSS Saesei II Carrier Group forming the protected center. Please let us know when you are ready to depart, Asamoya."


Yuriko began to get out of her armor as the communique' came through. "Yuriko to the bridge, you heard the Taisa, form up." She sounded weary as the Asamoya fell into formation. "We are ready to depart at anytime Taisa."

Sumaru would arrive probably the same time as Kerr, seeing how the pods he was chasing would have led him quite a deal away from the original ship they were outside of. But on arrival Sumaru would land and turn towards the armor hanger for his armor and dock it first, with the suit being hung he'd hop out and assess the damage to his arm first, the burns and open wounds running all down the lower half of his right arm were not a pleasant sight. He turned his face away and then turned towards his machine bowing to it before he'd even think of going to get the medical treatment. "Thank you Wish, I'm sorry you got hurt. I'll try harder next time." He thanked the armor once more with a bow before grabbing his clothes with his one good arm and at least putting on the pants to his uniform before hurrying towards the rest of the crew.

"Understood..." As soon as they were in formation, they folded, heading back toward Jiyuu...and Hotaru. In the back of her mind, Motoyoshi-Taisho felt as though she was abandoning the Munin II, that she'd failed in the objectives set forth by Misato...and that she'd lost a ship and a crew all over again.
 
Yuriko, now fully clothed disembarked the Asamoya, and waited patiently for the rest of the crew as she stood near by. The Shoi was wearing her dress variant of the standard uniform, and her hands were clasped behind her back as she looked around the cavernous hangar. All around her people buzzed, and looked at her ship, and to her. All in all, it made the Shoi blush a little.

Datenshi soon caught up with Yuriko, all the right parts swaying and the tattoos flashing as she ran, wearing the dress variant of her uniform as well "Hey Yuri-chan! You weren't gonna leave without me were ya?"

Kessah came up behind Datenshi, following the woman. Although with the buzz of the crowd she meeped rather loudly in shyness and fled back into the safety of the ship.

Datenshi blinked, hearing the eep as she turned around. "What the hell...?"

Yuriko's blush deepened as she saw a few of the technician's eyeing her ship, wide eyed, and seemed to...sparkle? She blinked, and saw a few Yamataian's wearing looks of disdain, and suspicion, staring dead at her. The Shoi looked away from them, and bit her lower lip.

Cherry blinked a little in confusion as a small redheaded woman she knew and humped ran past her, but she didn't pay it any mind, instead she walked briskly up to where Yuriko was standing and stood behind her, giving her a quick butt-pinch.

Seeing the group staring at Yuriko, Datenshi growled and flipped them off after placing her forearm in the crook of her elbow. Standing in front of the girl now, she planted her hands on her hips.

Nana wandered out of the ship, hands placed against her hips, boots softly thumping against the ground. She wiggled her way up near the gathered crew and slid her hands behind her back, quietly watching, nibbling at her bottom lip as she did so, "Hrm."

Yuriko jumped slightly at the pinch, and rubbed her rear a moment as 'Tenshi stood in front of her. "Why do they look at me like that?" She asked, voice low. The Shoi did however hear someone make a curt-call as she jumped at the pinch which embarrassed her.

"Cause they are jealous, thats all hun. And you know what? They can go fuck themselves." Datenshi said aloud, flicking off the nekos again before she turned to Yuriko.

Cherry nodded with 'Tenshi's statement, "Probably all jealous, too. Best ship, and the best crew. We have a reputation, you know." She then gave Yuriko another bum-pinch, and then gave the same treatment to Datenshi.

Nearby a very tall and very muscular Lorath male would pass by, helping a few techs by carrying a heavy looking item toward one of the other ships in dock for repairs. The man was shirtless wearing only a heavy belt with leather pants with vestigial wings protruding from his back, the man's skin a sunkissed golden color with a main of thick dark brown hair.

Yuriko merely nodded as she slipped a hand into 'Tenshi's the other into Cherry's as she spotted Nana. "Ah...Nana...we were about to go explore the station, care to join us?" She asked, peering at a neko engineer who inched her way near one of the Asamoya's massive 'wings'.

Behind the man came a woman of similar build, her hair the same color as she to held something which looked rather heavy on her shoulders. Oddly enough she was smiling and carrying on a conversation with the neko beside her, laughing a little at a joke the girl made. Her eyes shone a beautiful golden yellow color.

"I suppose. It isn't like I have much else to do, and it could prove... interesting." Nana murmered, reaching up and drawing a hand through her candy pink hair, hips cocked slightly to one side, free hand hanging at her side. She lacked her usual working gloves, which left her feeling a bit naked, though she was comfortable as ever in the dress uniform, with its hem that rode a wee bit too short on the colorful techie's curves.

The male Lmanel glanced back at the woman, hearing the laughter and sighed some, his eyes were a kind of muddy brown color. But the odd pink colored hair would catch his eye and make him glance over at Nana and the group for a moment, the red hair Tenshi's hair and the Pink of Nana's standing out the most. As most animals vision was attracted to the color red, specially predators. But he'd shrug his massive shoulders and continue on with the piece of equipment

Yuriko jumped a little again, and shook her head. "Please Cherry...don't...I am feeling very uncomfortable right now." She replied as she watched the pair of Lorath. The Shoi blinked, and suddenly something clicked. "I remember now...I was watching a news report from SANDRA, they said the Fifth were evacuating the Lorath, and Helashio populations." She remarked, and looked to Nana, nodding. "Well then, lets go, I feel uncomfortable here..." Yuriko muttered, and began to lead 'Tenshi, and Cherry away.

A group of Nekovalkyrja technician's walked behind Nana, and past, though one pinched her rear, unfortunately for the girl, she'd never know which one it was as they all went about debating.

His counterpart would be a little more attracted them him, eyes locking on the hair of Tenshi first, then to Nana. With a predatorial look in her eye she just seemed to stare, her gaze intensifying now as she simply stood still, a muzzle forming almost with a soft growl reverberating from her throat.

Cherry nodded a bit and followed behind Yuriko, squeezing her fiance's hand tightly for a moment. The other hand, on the other... hand, roamed around and gave the occasional grope or at least love tap, which got mostly quiet positive responses.

Datenshi took Yuriko's hand as she felt herself tugged off, flicking off the group of staring techies again as she followed along. "Fuck them Yuriko, come on cheer up okay?"

Nana's reaction to the pinch was quiet, but still noticeable -- a jump, and a small moan, before her face matched the color of her hair, "Ohh.." A hand placed against her face, drawing it up and through her hair before a shaky sigh passed her lips. She was okay! But damned if she wasn't still feeling a little iffy.

The male lmanel would come back having shed the load from the shoulders and lightly put a hand on his mate's shoulder and gave her a kind of sidelong glance and shook his head mutely. "it's unusual to see hair colored like that outside of the Fynnuen house. I wonder if it's common among them?" he said to her quietly in Lorath language.

"It is just awkward...this is the first time my own kind have ever looked at me like this." Yuriko mumbled as she led the two out of the hangar, looking back for Nana. "I mean..." She lowered her voice to a whisper, and leaned over to 'Tenshi. "I helped defend Taiie."

Cherry lightly hit Yuriko with her hip before giving her a quick peck on the kiss, "Oh cheer up honey. The worst you'll get from these people is a angry glare for having the cool stuff and then a drool from being so damn sexy." She giggled playfully.

Up on the concourse and on a bench a figure sat, leaning back with his head tilted down so the silvery hair concealed most of his face. Sitting on the bench crosslegged with a pair of swords leaning up against his shoulder and a satchel of things next to him on the bench. Saito was napping, having been tired from travelling all the way here and negotiating with various clients but never finding someone he could serve honorably. So at the moment he was just out of it and taking a break. Wearing a pair of dark blue uniform pants with an open chested black vest showing off the defined torso and 6-pack abs he had, his hair hiding his cat ears (adding it onto the end of my post^)

Nana rubbed gently at her bottom with half-lidded eyes, lips pursing as she skipped a few steps to catch up with Cherry and Yuriko, a curious glance given over her shoulder before she shook her head and dismissed the issue entirely, straightening up and folding her arms beneath her breasts while quietly following behind.

The woman with the load on her shoulder shook her head, blinking a little as she took a calming breath, her face contorting back to the original state. "Who knows...?" She replied in english, nudging her mate. "Remember, master Rain said we have to speak their language now."

He nodded in response to his mate. "I know, just it's hard not to slip into Lorath." He said and offered to take the load off her shoulder for her. "If you want to continue with your conversation I'll take that for you." he smiled.

"Taiie was my first battle...my second was Kimithro." Yuriko said more to herself then anyone as she led the three women into an elevator, and selected the concourse level. "We just saved a Fifth XF, ship...her crew, and boarded, and took a Mishhuvurthyar carrier, and even rescued prisoners of Yamataian, Nekovalkyrja, Lorath, Helashio, and Nepleslian origins, we even saved the remained of the Akina's crew." She sighed a little, and closed her eyes. "I only wished they would be a little more grateful."

"They are just jealous hun like I said." Datenshi said aloud, her mood visably fouled now as she gritted her teeth. Hugging Yuriko tightly to herself she seemed defensive now, glaring around the area.

Yuriko just blinked as she was suddenly wrapped up into a hug, and a tight one at that. "'Tenshi..." Her voice a little muffled. "My head...it is in your chest...can't breathe..."She squeaked.

Cherry giggled a little at Yuriko's plight and shoved her chest along side of 'Tenshi's, rubbing their breasts together smack into Yuriko's face while hugging her tightly, too.

Saito shifted a bit, hearing them from a distance off and tried to shift so it was a bit quieter but was already half awake and just trying to stay that way at least.

Yuriko flailed as Cherry's own chest was suddenly added. Her arms flying about.

Nana would pause several feet behind the three, brow furrowing and her head tilting to one side. Lifting a hand to her mouth, she began to gently nibble on the tip of her index finger, possibly to hide the envious quivering of her bottom lip. A squeak-like whimper did manage to escape, however, one which would be covered up by a coincidental clearing of her throat.

"Nanaaaaaaa.......help meeeeeee....." Yuriko's telepathic voice sounding whiney as she continued to flail about.

"ERk! Yuri-chan sorry sorry!" Datenshi hoped back, shocked at how she was holding Yuriko to her.

Yuriko sucked in a huge gulp of air, and bit down on one of Cherry's nipples, her fiance's cleavage still in her face.

Nana took one step forward, but quickly reversed it as 'Tenshi released Yuriko. A tiny smile made its way onto the pink-haired techie's face as she watched, "..But, you seem to have it co......vered..." The telepathic response came to a pause as Nana witnessed Yuriko's bold, bitey move, giving a little wince and subconsciously adjusting her arms beneath her own breasts, as if silently relating, "...ooh."

This only furthered Cherry on, she letting out a moan and continuing to rub her cleavage against her fiance's face, "... Hey guys, join in. Give our Shoi a good job gift~."
Datenshi rolled her eyes and shook her head, keeping herself back from the group now as she crossed her arms. "You know you ever bit my tit like that Yuri-chan."

Saito at this point would wake up witha grumble and glanced over in that direction, annoyed. "grr..." he said and got up and moved a bit further away to sit down and rest again. At least now the sounds were muffled by a bit of plantlife growing nearby.

Yuriko pushed herself away from Cherry, panting a little. "I have before 'Tenshi, to great effect." She remarked, before walking over to the armorer' and poking at her chest a little. "I played with these in the shower earlier." The Shoi said, sounding slightly amused, as she walked past, waving for them to follow.

Nana would continue to stare in disbelief before taking another few steps backward, tugging gently at the collar of her dress with a nervous giggle. She had no intentions of getting in on the 'action', not trusting herself to keep it to simple playfulness anymore. No longer under a poison's effect or being forcibly molested, she found herself feeling way more needy than she liked, "...Silly." The pink-haired techie murmured before falling in step behind Yuriko, eyes downcast.

Cherry pouted a little when Yuriko pulled away, but then gave out a whine, "... Hey! You played without me? Hmph." She quickly, however, followed along side her fiance.

Yuriko's ears twitched a little, and she turned about, seeing Nana behind her. Frowning a little, the Shoi moved over to Nana's side, and grabbed one of her hands. "There is no reason you should be walking behind me Nana-chan." The Shoi pointed out, slipping her fingers between the technician's, and giving a gentle squeeze as she looked to Cherry. "I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you lately missy. "Yuriko remarked to Cherry, as she led Nana along.

"I meant in public!" Datenshi said aloud as she wrapped her arm around Nana's shoulder, holding onto the girl now.

Cherry mummered playfully to Yuriko, leaning over to give her another cheek peck, "Don't make me pin you down somewhere and force you to go down on me." She giggled a little and continued on.

"I seem to remember someone sticking their hand up my skirt, and lifting it up when we went to go retrieve Sumaru-kun, and Nana-chan for the first time." Yuriko retorted, looking to 'Tenshi as she shook her head at Cherry. She loved her dearly, but sometimes wished her fiance had a little more...retraint, and subtly.

"..I did not wish to get in the way of your fun." Nana lowered her head a bit, eyes darting from left to right before she took in a deep breath, eyes focused forward. Her hand tightened slightly, but noticeably around Yuriko's, the pink-haired Neko biting her bottom lip softly. A glance to 'Tenshi, and Nana was not at all hesitant to rest her head against the taller woman. "..mmh.."

Cherry whined out in a little whine before she looked over to Nana, grinning a bit, "... Hey, Maybe I will sneak off with Nana." She had a slight twinkle in her eye when saying that, and it was more of a promise then anything else.

"I asked you to come along, to include you in our fun." Yuriko replied, as she smiled to Nana, seeing her lean her head against 'Tenshi. "We are not monogamist's Cherry, I would not mind if you did so."

Datenshi smiled a little as she snuggled with Nana some. "Your being cuddly tonight..."

Just as Tenshi spoke, a pair of Lorath came rushing past the group, two Llamnel with shaggy hair all a deep black along with the leather they wore. Seemed they were two kids, playing tag.

As they got closer, a glimmer would soon reflect off the silvery spikes in Saito's hair as it caught the light. His hair was naturally a silver-white color but seemed to have actual metallic silver in it, and this was true. it was a result of his blood having too much metal in it and often got into his hair and hardened into a glossy sheen. Contrasting sharply with his own dark, desert-dweller skintone.

Yuriko glanced towards the Lorath children as she saw a small glimmer close by. The Shoi, curious looked around for what had made it. What she saw was a man, with a dark skin tone, and silvery white hair, and was apparently napping. "Ano..." She mumbled, looking over to him, taking notice of his two swords.

Nana cast Cherry a curious look, blinking her wide, blue eyes several times before managing a small, almost timid smile. She then looked toward Yuriko and took in a deep breath, "..I know, and I am grateful. I do not often have... fun." Not that she was a miserable creature or anything, she just rarely did anything that didn't involve spending time around mechanical structures. Nuzzling gently against Datenshi, the pink-haired technician murmered, "....Yes, well. There aren't many cuddles in my life."

A third Lorath kid came rushing by, obviously in pursuit of the two. Of course he hadn't been ready for Yuriko to simply stop, and ran head first into the shoi, plowing her over in a tumbling ball of hair.

In a bit A tall Green haired Lmanel wearing a full, rather nice looking outfit of furs, namely bear with a bit of tiger fur wearing a heavy belt with a few things on it. Notan sighed, walking over and reached down and hefted the kid up off her and offered Yuriko a hand up. "Apologize to the nice woman." He instructed to the child calmly.

Yuriko squeaked, taken by surprise as she fell, tumbling to the floor, something impacting on her. She lay there, eyes closed wincing a little. "Auchi, auchi." She mumbled, and opened her eyes a little, feeling a knot forming on her head. She saw the hand, and gently took it.

The boy seemed to flail and squirm, trying to get away from the hand before he finally sniffed the air. Blinking he went rigid, his response quick. "Sorry...I didn't mean to hit you."

Nana's eyes widened as Yuriko went down. A slight wince and she took a single step forward, watching her fallen captain for a time before glancing toward her 'assailant'. "..oh, my." The pink-haired techie murmured, sliding her hands behind her back and just watching, as it seemed Yuriko had it taken care of. .. Sort of.

Notan chuckled and gently set the boy down. "Now go ahead and catch your friends, just watch where you're going next time." He said, as a bouncing young berog took off after them, looking likea young, powerfully built husky dog. It was actually a hybrid of a bear and a wolf with a pleasant disposition. But Notan would grab the little tyke and held the animal carefully. "Please forgive them, they're but children and have yet to learn to watch where they're going." He said diplomatically that as the animal yipped happily at her and wagged it's little tail.

"Man Yuriko your are just gettin no breaks today eh?" Datenshi turned to look to Notan, eyeing him for a moment as she tried to recall his face. With a sigh she shook her head and looked to the berog. Croching down a little she held her hand out in front of his face, letting him smell it first to get used to her.

~"It is...okay."~ Yuriko replied, in somewhat accented Lorath. She brushed at her uniform a moment, and looked at the animal curiously.~"I am Yuriko, may I ask your name?"~ She asked, looking over to 'Tenshi and wearing a sheepish look.

The little animal sniffed at her and yipped and licked her fingers. Notan looked at her and nodded, pleased she knew a bit of Lorath. "You can speak your tongue, but I am impressed and pleased by your accented attempt on my language. "My name's Rain." he said using the offworlder name.

Rain...Rain...The Shaman leader?" Datenshi asked as she looked up from the Berog, watching Rain now. Seemed that Tenshi knew a little bit about the Lorath.
Nana stood back, but still relatively close by 'Tenshi, going quiet once more. Her arms folded and she curiously eyed the stranger, apparently being the only one who was entirely out of the loop, so to speak.
"Oh? Does that mean he is a healer?" Yuriko asked giving him a polite smile and bow before looking to 'Tenshi. "Then he would know about the Mishhuvurthyar carrier, and the prisoners we rescued."

He nodded to Datenshi with a chuckle. "Indeed I am. And who might you two be?" he asked, letting Tenshi pet the little friendly animal. He turned to Yuriko with a raised brow. "We're more like........uhm....what's the word...'druids' you could say" Rain said, and raised his brow. "I haven't heard about that yet. I was on my way to take care of business having to do with that."

Yuriko blinked, and nodded to him. "There were both Lorath, and Helashio prisoners on board. Thankfully we rescued all of the prisoners before the atmosphere leaked out of the ship entirely."

"I'm Tenshi, shocked you didn't hear about my little parade through your house when we visited last time on the Sakura. Speaking of which! I lost my collar, any chance you got some more?" Datenshi asked with a smile and a bat of her eyelashes.

Notan subconsciously touched the scarring on his cheek, reminders from various fights with the warrior caste leader for "fun". "I see, well thank you for helping them. I'll have to visit them as soon as I can." He said. Notan turned to Tenshi and sighed. "I remember. Sorry I couldn't see that, I've been busy." he said with a shrug. "And I'm not sure you want one of our collars." He smiled at her, his highyl defined arms shifting to support the animal that was squirming to try and get free to run after the kids.

Nana's mouth opened briefly, but she went quiet before saying anything. Slipping her hands behind her back, she breathed out heavily and took several long strides backward, hips wiggling slightly as she went. For some reason, she felt out of place, choosing to figuratively fade into the background.

"You are quite welcome...Rain." Yuriko replied with a friendly smile as she looked back over towards the silver haired man again. "Umm...excuse me...but do you know who he is?" She asked Rain, pointing to the silver haired, sleeping man.

He glanced over and shook his head, his mane of green hair swishing. "I'm afraid not." he said and looked over her shoulder. "I hate to break this off so short but I do have to take care of a few things, take care." He said and started to head past them again giving a small wave with one of his wings.

"But I had one from High preist Velor, and it was fine." Datenshi shrugged a little and sighed. "I really liked that collar too..." She seemed down abou t it.

"He seemed very nice." Yuriko remarked as she continued to stare at the man sitting on the bench. The Shoi however, slowly began to inch her way towards him.

Saito could hear them but didn't think anything of it and continued to relax. Shifting a bit and adjusting the swords on his shoulder but stayed mostly asleep.

Nana watched Yuriko for a while, but remained silent but for a soft grunt of agreement before she clasped her hands before herself, eyes on the ground, "Mmh.."

Yuriko continued to edge closer, and closer now. Seemed she had forgotten about 'Tenshi, Nana, and Cherry as she looked from the swords, to Saito, curious.

"Careful Yuri-chan..." Datenshi warned.

He just kept still wondering silently what she was up to, there had been no sudden moves on her part that would provoke a reflex arc that would probably have her bore to the ground with a blade pointed at her throat. Saito just thought she was curious and that was okay by him, he shifted a bit, the hair sliding aside to show the swept back neko ears.

"..What is she doing..?" Nana murmered softly, taking a step towards Datenshi while watching Yuriko and.. the man.

"Being a idiot I suppose..." Datenshi said in reply.

Yuriko blinked, her own ears twitching as she came right up to him now. She slowly raised a hand, her index finger coming up. Her ears twitched again, and her finger poked him in one of his cheeks.

"..Why do you say that?" Nana tilted her head to one side as she inched closer to the redhead, deciding that 'Tenshi would be her 'comfort zone' for the moment as she observed Yuriko.

"Cause she is poking a sleeping guy with two swords..." Datenshi replied again as she eyed the sleeping man, painfully trying to remember where she saw him at before.

Yuriko pinched one of his cheeks next, violet eyes blinking, and full of curiosity. She'd never seen a male neko in person.

Saito shifted a bit and opened his eyes and glanced at her out of the corner of them, brushing his hair out of the way, looking at her with a lavender eye. "Need something?" he asked with a slight yawn. Might as well just get up, no sleep to be had here anymore afterall. He thought to himself and turned to looked at her fully.

Placing a hand against her hip, the pink-haired techie nodded a bit in understanding, squinting some, "..Well, he hasn't stabbed her. ..hee-eey." Nana would give Tenshi a gentle nudge, "...ears.."

"Ano...."Yuriko said simply, as she let his cheek go. "I did not know there were male Nekovalkyrja."

Saito chuckled a bit. "there aren't, I'm the only one." He said in a slightly lonely way and looked up at the others around him and perked a brow at Tenshi for a second, remembering her. "Name's Saito." he introduced himself to her. "Former Ketsurui samurai turned wandering sellsword."

"I thought you might have been samurai..." Yuriko replied, holding a finger to her lip as she noted the swords. "One of them is a Ketsurui sword...and why former?"

Saito shrugged. "I decided to leave when I wasn't needed anymore when Michiko went to private school. Not even Lady Yui could arrange for me to go with her." he said. "And I keep the sword to rememebr those times."

"Samurai are always needed," Yuriko replied nodding firmly. "They are protectors, and have great skill." She blinked as she looked up, a few Nekos from the Fifth having noticed her. They just gave her a few disdainful looks, sniffed, and moved on, causing her to blush.

Just ignore them." Saito said, noticing the fifth personnel. "They're always a little suspicious of newcomers that aren't from their fleet. They did the same thing to me" He said and looked at her. "You're cute when you blush but what's your name? And who are your companions?"

"The hell there isn't!" Datenshi said aloud as she eyed Saito. After a moment she jumped a little and pointed at Saito. "Hey! It was you!" Datenshi nearly shouted as she came closer to Saito. "It was you in the club!"

Saito chuckled slightly. "Nice to see you again to." He winked. "I remember your red hair and the way you squeal...." he smirked at her, teasing her a bit.

"Good! So it won't be a shock when I get higher this time." Datenshi was grinning from ear to ear. "Oh Yuriko can we keep him pleaseee?" Datenshi begged, turning to Yuriko now.
"They do not care for me overly much...I think it is because I am from the First XF." Yuriko blushed deeper as he complimented her. "My name is Yuriko...I think you already know 'Tenshi though." She replied looking over her shoulder. "The others are Nana." She pointed to the girl, and to Cherry who waved, wearing a small smirk. "And that is Cherry."

Saito would slowly rise from the bench and stretched out, his muscular torso exposed to see thanks to the lack of an undershirt and bowed to them respectful of their status as military vs his as a civilian. "it's a pleasure to meet you, I am Anzai Saito." he said

Nana blinked several times in surprise, quickly walking to catch up and approach the strange male. A hand would lift in a small wave, free hand clutched behind her back as she stood up straight, nibbling faintly at her bottom lip, managing to avoid introducing herself in favor of Yuriko doing it for her. Her eyes roamed over Saito's body, and she drew in a deep breath, a tinge of color rising to her face, "...Hello."

A Yamataian woman bumped into Yuriko, wore a somewhat cocky smile, and moved on. Yuriko frowned a little when this happened. "I save one of their ships, and take a Mishhu carrier, saving prisoners, and was outnumbered and they still treat me thusly." She sounded a little sad as she pursed her lips. "I begin to think I am maybe hated here."

He looked at her. "Don't let them push you around. many of them don't know you did that." Saito said. "Or if you'd rather, I can chase them off for you, they tend to avoid me too."

Growling a little, Datenshi glared at those around them that had been bugging Yuriko. "Hey fifth fuckers!" she called out, hoping to get their attention.

Yuriko just shook her head. "No...they are entitled to their own beliefs. If they choose to see me in such a way, I will not complain. You could say I will grin and bear it." She smiled a little weakly at the kind gesture, before looking to 'Tenshi. "Let them be, please?"

Nana tilted her head to one side, glancing at Tenshi, and then those who she suspected she'd soon be getting into trouble with. "...oh, my." And the techie would shuffle backwards a few feet, looking off in no particular direction, allowing herself to seem distracted.

Saito looked at her, noting her reactions in terms of body language. But he'd walk over and take Tenshi's arm gently. "Leave them for now, challenging them so boldly is only asking for trouble because they're likely to gang up on you.." he said and turned to Yuriko. "If you want, we can go somewhere more private if you want to speak more."

"I fought to protect them at Taiie, putting my life on the line, and I still get this. It is their choice..." Yuriko mumbled softly as she turned around, and hiccuped a little.

Datenshi tugged her arm away from the man, growling a little as she glared around at the others. "It would be worth it to shut the fuckers up and get them to back the hell off!"

"They're still a little sore about Taiie." A neko remarked, having heard 'Tenshi. She wore a Fifth warrant officer's uniform, and the green panels of a scientist.

Saito looked at Yuriko and put a hand on her shoulder gently. "Sometimes it's a thankless job but sa long as you know you're doing what you believe is right then damn the critics." He said, rubbing her shoulder in a kind of big-brother fashion. He glanced over to the scientist and sighed a bit, at lesat she wasn't being mean. "But taking it out on such a cute girl isn't right. They just need to keep their mouths shut."

Silent, and keeping her opinion to herself, Nana's eyes wandered about as she began to grow antsy, rocking on her heels. Her tongue darted out and across her lips, eyes settling on Saito for the time, as he seemed the most pleasant thing to watch at the moment.

"Yea and we fought along side of them. The first fleet helped out and lost our own share, and then after the fight we went after Melisson and all fucking died trying to get revenge. So rather then being pissy little cunts, they can shut the fuck up and stop trying to pick a fight. Otherwise I'll fight back." Datenshi said with something akin to a snarl on her lips now.

Saito looked at Tenshi. "No, you'd risk your status as an officer, allow me to do the fighting, I'm a civilian so it won't tarnish your reputations." he said. "We should find somewhere else to go to simply avoid them for the time being. I've noticed things are rather tense here, I think they're busy with something of their own doing."

The woman merely shrugged. "Since we're cut off from the other fleets, things have been...iffy with us and them sadly." She replied, her sky blue hair styled into a bob. "I know she was at Taiie, from what I heard she boarded a Mishhvurthyar battleship alone and caused chaos, until her team cut their way in. After that she literally out ran the supernova of Taiie's sun exploding." The woman summoned a volumetric display. "She's got quite the record to boot."

Saito whistled lowly. "That is impressive." He said, looking at Yuriko.

Yuriko meanwhile seemed to shrink, blushing as the unknown neko recited her first tour of duty.

With a clipped growl Datenshi stormed away from the group and away from the general area, her first fleet pin would leave her standing out around the mass of fifth fleet people.

Nana turned and stalked off quietly, finding a bench to sit upon, resting her hands in her lap wordlessly. She had no intentions of bothering Tenshi when she was in such a mood, and Yuriko seemed a bit.. busy, so the young technician merely leaned back and tried to relax, bringing one leg to cross over the other and idly bounce on its calf as she watched the people come and go, though she never managed to let her eyes lift from the general 'waist' area.

As she did, a few fifth people stared at Tenshi as she stormed past them. A few whispering about her as she passed by but very few saying anything about it but gave her a few dirty looks. But just as many were leaving her be, thinking it may be better to just avoid a confrontation.

"She even had a hand in the destruction of the Dark One's, and was even at Kimithro, and commanded her own ship at Nataria taking out seven escorts, two gunships, and a battleship with just a heavy gunship that was under supplied, and in less then ideal shape." The neko nodded in respect, her data pad tapping against a thigh. "She's also received just about every reward the Star Army gives too. I'm surprised the Taisho didn't meet her down in the hangar." With a little sigh, the neko bowed, her comrades coming in from an elevator, and waving to her. "If you'll excuse me." She thusly departed.

Saito chuckled a bit and looked at Yuriko. "You are an impressive officer." He said and smiled at her. "but if you're having such trouble with dealing with people, how about I come with you as your own bodyguard?" he asked.

The tattoos on the neko's legs seemed to writhe with her anger at the same time as she grol her teeth rather loudly. How could people be so ignorant as to who people were. For lord's sake they had a powerful computer system that could pull up records in the blink of a eye.

But most didn't want to bother pulling up records at they were busy with their own lives and careers, or simply didn't care. "Wow look at those legs.." a random male yamataian said to his buddies and gestured to Tenshi.

“Eh?" Yuriko sounded a little surprised by the notion, and jumped a little. "But...don't you have someone you have to protect?" She asked, looking up at him, her eyes large, a little watery and innocent.

Saito shook his head at her. "No, that' swhy I'm still just wandering the cosmos, still looking for my place in life."

One of the tattoo's opened it's maw towards the male Yamataian, stretching it's mouth wide to flick it's tongue out, the effect disorienting. Otherwise Datenshi ignored them, trying to find a gym or a VR room or a music store or something.

Nana idly pondered slinking back to the ship to take care of a little.. personal business as she began to rub hand across her collarbone, tongue licking faintly at her lips, "...mmh." The technician drew a hand through her hair with a wistful sigh, letting both hands fall into her lap soon after, gaze lowered.

"Oh wow look at those tattooes too, I bet that neko's good." one said and smirked as the gang of three began to advance on her. "Hey wait up babe we have some.........questions for you." the other side with a lecherous smirk.

Yuriko blinked, a little frown forming on her face. "But...you protect people. Isn't that your place in life?"

"What!?" Datenshi snapped, growling as her ponytail whipped around to follow her face falling on them, her teeth showing to show off a pair of fangs she seemed to have gained.

Saito sighed. "That’s what I was made for but being a free agent I have the liberty of choosing who I want to serve." He said. "I haven't found anyone up til now"

The guys whistled a bit. "That’s sexy" one said as they surrounded her. "Come on babe we jsut wann have a little fun" he said as another swatted her ass.

"Ano..." Yuriko's ears twitched a little. "Why me?"

Saito smiled. "You're a sweet person and you care about other people, that kind of kindness deserves it I think"

"Oh yea, and a few minutes ago all you fifth fuckers wanted to do was sneer, glare and bump into my Shoi, yet now you wanna fuck? As if!" Datenshi said with a growl as she tried to push past them.

"Are you sure you want to be my bodyguard?...I have never had one before...let alone a samurai." Yuriko remarked, sounding, and looking totally innocent.

The guys just grabbed her and tired to tug her back. "We never started anything on your little shoi." one said as they tried to haul her off.

Saito smiled again at her and chuckled."You remind me of Michiko when you look and sound innocent like that."

It was a bad move not to secure her better as Tenshi's elbow came up, catching the guy from behind square on in the jaw. "Get your fuckin hands off me!"

Slowly, Nana sat up and looked around, realizing she'd drifted off. In the distance, she spotted Tenshi and some .. men? A scowl crossed the pink-haired Neko's face and she cocked her head, uncrossing and then recrossing her legs, "....my, my. She has all the luck." And then she quickly shook her head. What in the world was wrong with her? Lately, all she could think about was.. that. "...mmm..." Her brow furrowed and she leaned forward, resting her chin in her palms, oblivious to Tenshi's sudden violent surge.

Yuriko blinked, and looked down. "Ano...if you wish to be my bodyguard...I have no qualms about it."

The guy jerked back as the others grabbed knives from their belts and threatened her with them. "stupid neko" one said and tried to stab her in the shoulder
Saito smiled at her and stroked his fingers in her hair gently. "Then that's what I'll do." he said

'Tenshi palmed the one knife to the side, growling as she slipped her hand around and grabbed the wrist. With a solid lock on the wrist, she slammed the heel of her hand out to strike with a rather nasty shot to the elbow with enough force to crack and separate the bone.

Yuriko blushed a little, at her peach scented hair being stroked. "...'Where did 'Tenshi go?" The Shoi asked, suddenly looking around.

Saito got up perking his ears as he heard the fight starting up as the guys began to get reinforced from their friend sin the area as they tried to grab Tenshi to punch her in the gut. "this is goign to be nasty if it gets too much further..."

All right, Nana could hear that sickening sound. She was quick to spring to her feet, with a little bounce, and began to look around for the redheaded Neko, "..'Tenshi..?" Nibbling softly at her bottom lip, the young techie turned and began to head in the direction she last saw Datenshi go, hands sliding behind her back.

Eh?!" Yuriko exclaimed, sounding startled as she saw 'Tenshi through PANTHEON''S eyes." Why hasn't security been alerted?" She bit her bottom lip, looking worried. "...We need to help her." She replied, looking up at Saito.

Datenshi wouldn't be that easy to hold onto. She lost the use of her arms as she was locked up, but her feet were still just as nasty as she began to kick one shot-landing square between a male's legs as two Fyunnen spotted the fight. Spreading out their wings, they closed the gap slowly, each wearing their dress armor. A skirt that was pulled to the side showed leather leggings that had metal plates sewn into the fabric. Their tops were much the same, skintight blood red with plates sewn into important areas needing protection. Each had a pair of short swords strapped behind their backs in a long x formation, right at their hips. "Now now brothers, this isn't a very fair fight now is it?" Both had metal gauntlets on with a nice size ruby in the back of each one. Seemed these two were somewhat high ranking women in the army.

Security had been alerted and was on it's way but they were still a few moments away. And things were escalating quickly, Saito got up and nodded before heading over toward them. "You load of cowards." He said with a sigh but the arrival of a couple warriors made the guys back off a bit. "stupid 1st whore." one said and turned to leave. "can't even fight on your own." another said and left as the people began to disperse, to avoid being caught. But eventually they would be and it wouldn't be nice.

Yuriko trotted along until she caught up. Wearing a stony look.

"Fucking fifth bastards get back here and fight!" Datenshi said, going after the one that had held her just as the taller of the two women, looking like nothing more then a walking tank, placed a stopping hand on her shoulder. "Calm sister, a fight not fought is better then a hard won fight."

Saito nodded, agreeing with the fyunnen. "What she says is true. Are you okay Ms?" He asked.

Nana blinked several times as she caught the tail end of the disagreement, brow furrowing, her head lowering slightly, "...Maybe it would be a good idea to go back to the Asamoya." While she didn't want to seem antisocial, she was certainly a bit on the shy side.

Yuriko stiffend as one of the men walked past her. He had the audacity to pinch her side. The Shoi's eye twitched, and she slugged him hard on the chin with a nasty right hook, dropping him to the floor. "I do not mind sneering, or name calling, but to lay a hand on me, and it being unwelcome, or from those I do not care about..." She muttered as he groaned.

With that Saito had a blade in the guy's face before he could retaliate. "I advise you to just crawl off." He said coldly. "I have no problems killing you here and now, I'm pretty sure even with your healing abilities you can't survive being beheaded." he said in the same icy tone. It was more meant to be intimidating then a promise.

The shorter Fyunnen snickered a little and nodded her approval. "Nice hook, eh Gauntlet?" The taller woman, now designated Gauntlet, nodded a little. "Indeed Boot, it was a nice shot."

The man nodded quickly, and indeed did crawl away as Yuriko folded her arms under her chest, blushing furiously. "Honestly...they remind me of Nepleslians." She remarked, before looking to Saito, her expression softening.

With that they'd hear yelps of pain as the security force arrived and began restraining the offenders in various ways including twisting arms behind backs, smashing them against the walls. One of them a young man with dark brown hair and matching tint blue eyes. "What happened here?" he asked. "for the record, we have to get your side of this too."

"I got huffy, and stormed off from my friends, then three guys came up and wanted to fuck me, I told them to fuck off and they tried to carry me off. I broke a jaw and a elbow, more came and held me down, then these two came and scared them off." Datenshi said, thumbing to the two Lorath as she stared at the officer. "That’s it in a nut shell."

"Ever sense we've gotten to Hotaru I have been getting a few nasty looks, I tolerated it, and tolerated it. When my friend 'Tenshi." Yuriko pointed to the armorer." Left us, apparently those men harassed her. And just now when one of them were walking past me, he pinched my side, so I punched him." She muttered, her face as if chiseled from rock, a gift from Midori it seemed, some of the samurai's little tricks having been passed on to her. "I cannot believe we would be treated in such a way after coming to the Akina, one of your own ship's aid, going out of our way to help them."

Nana turned quickly and began to stalk back towards the ship, hands sliding behind her back and lowering her head. Her pace was slow, in case she was needed, but she was quite intent on vacating the area, a mix of frustration and anxiousness driving her.

The officer wrote it down on a data pad and sighed. "Please forgive them, we've been having trouble with this particular gang of men for a few weeks now." he said. "Since the destruction of Taiie we've been a little suspicious of outsiders." He said as he pulled up hr record and whistled. "Pardon us Shoi Kakutama." the young man said.

"We aren't outsiders we are your sisters damn it! We are all fighting for the same damn thing okay?!" Datenshi growled aloud.

"I know Ms. Please just bear with us." The young policeman said. "We'll deal with these guys and report this in to the command, I'm sure you'll be compensated as our way of apologizing." he said.

Yuriko frowned a little, but inclined her head before looking to 'Tenshi. "'Tenshi...calm down, relax, don't let them rile you up. You'll only degrade yourself to those men's level." Her telepathic voice gentle. "I hope you can keep them under control from now on."

Datenshi's hands kept clenching and unclenching now, as she had to take a special effort to calm down.

Saito had put the blade away and looked over at them. "We should go soon. Allow yourselves time to relax. There's a nice place to soak up a hot spring somewhere on this level I've heard." he said.

"No doubt we've been noticed by now." Yuriko sighed helplessly,her shoulders slumped. "With our luck, the Taisho herself will be coming down here, and giving me an ear full."

Nana paused, glancing over her shoulder sheepishly, "...I was going to head back to Asamoya." She murmured softly, but audibly to the rest of the group. Something was obviously bothering her, but it was nothing she was willing to discuss.

"I'm sure she'll understand the situation." Saito said, trying to soothe Yuriko. "I've heard she's quite the nice woman."

"Ohhh a hot springs?" Datenshi asked as she looked to Saito, smiling a little. "Come on Nana-chan! Let's hit the springs!"

"I'd be honored to show you how to get there if you wish." Saito smiled to Tenshi and brought up a volumetric display of where it should be, apparently being a part of a teahouse and hotel fo rpeople that were just passing through. "Seems like a small cafe as well, should be nice."

Yuriko's eye twitched a little, remembering the last time they had gone to a hot springs. "Not again..." She mumbled, shoulders slumping more. "You two can go...I am hungry," She replied seeing the display. "Hopefully I can get something to eat there.

"Why don't you wanna go to the springs Yuri-chan?" Datenshi tilted her head a little.

“Remember the hot springs resort?" Yuriko asked dully, oh she remembered it quite vividly.

Datenshi shook her head slightly. "Not really why?"

"..Well, I.. think.. it could be a nice experience. I've never been to one.. so.." Nana murmered softly, rubbing the back of her neck before slowly turning and shuffling over towards Tenshi. She was having a difficult time figuring out if it was a good idea or not, due to her current ... state. "Mmh..oh, well.."

Saito blinked a bit, perking a slight brow. Once the display vanished he just tried to smile a bit. "We should all go, I'm sure it'll be fine." He said. "Not all of us have to go into the springs itself.

"There was kinkiness the likes of which Hanako's World had not seen there, plus...I had the resort manager yelling at me afterwards for some people being too loud in their rooms." Yuriko replied, eyeing 'Tenshi.

Datenshi jumped and laughed a little, waving her hand back and forth. "I promise to be good thistime, really!"

The silver haired neko chuckled softly, brushing his hair behind his ear as he just adjusted the bag over his shoulder. "It seems like you've cheered up Ms Datenshi." he said to her politely and turned to Yuriko. "if you want Lady Yuriko, I can give you a relaxing massage if you wish."

Nana looked suspicious -- more than suspicious, at Tenshi. A 'bullshit' sort of look crossed her face, arms folding beneath her breasts a she watched the gathered group. She had a hard time looking away from Saito, as he was the only male present, and was thankful that his attention was mostly on Yuriko.

“Hey don't you give me that look!" Datenshi said aloud.

"Massage?" Yuriko blinked, looking surprised, not to mention taken aback. "...okay, that would be nice actually." The Shoi looked over to 'Tenshi and sighed. "I'll allow you to go, if you can be a good little girl and behave yourself. Once I am done talking to who I need to talk to later on, you can roam Hotaru freely, but in the meantime, be good, deal?"

"...nya..?" Nana glanced innocently towards Tenshi, bottom lip faintly poking out.

Saito nodded to her and hung back a bit, he knew that Nana was checking him out, using his skin sight to look over at her from time to time. But smirked when she was talking about letting Tenshi roam freely, connecting to the PANTHEON in his mind and checking out Datenshi's personality file and closed it. "Shall we go then?" he asked and glanced to Nana for a second. "And dont' be so Shy Nana-san." he said. "I don’t bite. Unless you want me to" He winked, teasing her a bit.

"Deal!" Datenshi said, grabbing Nana by the arm as she tugged her off towards the springs.

"Shy? I'm n--nngh! 'Tenshi!" The pink-haired technician gave a little squeak as she was dragged along, her eyes remaining locked on Saito for a good, long while, face going bright pink, "..mm.." Turning towards Datenshi again, Nana sighed softly, quickening her pace to keep up.

Yuriko sighed, and shook her head as she followed after Nana, and 'Tenshi.

"You’re shy and we will get our own spring okay?" Datenshi said aloud, nodding to herself as she dragged Nana along.

Saito chuckled and walked beside Yuriko and followed behind the others. "They're certainly full of life."

"...Yes, and they're my crew, and my family I guess you could say." Yuriko replied, appearing thoughtful as she nudged Saito slightly. "You're family now too you know."

He blinked at her, blushing faint silver. "That's surprisingly nice to hear, I haven't heard that in a long time" He smiled softly at her.

Yuriko returned the smile. "Well...I maybe new to commanding a ship, but that does not mean I do not care deeply for those who serve with me. I treat them like my family because we are close. And I hope you will be like that with us someday."

"Uh.. uhm.. I am? We will...nyaaaa?" Making one of her rarely-heard nervous sounds, Nana blinked rapidly as she followed along near 'Tenshi, blushing quite furiously.

He sighed softly. "I hope so, I've always tended to be..on my own I guess you could say." Saito said, his bangs shadowing his eyes for a moment. When he heard Nana's nervous "nyah" she chuckeld a bit. "That's cute."

"If you think that's cute, wait until you see Shii. She is like cuteness incarnate." Yuriko chuckled.

Saito blinked. "Shii? what's shii like?" he smirked.

"About three feet tall, long green hair, big golden eyes, and pale skin." Yuriko explained as she walked. "She even hugged our NIWS."

"NIWS?" He asked with a blink. "I suppose I'll just meet her a bit later."

"The NIWS is our Nodal Intergrated Weapons system. Think an NH-27 built solely for war, with their abilities enhanced many fold. She does not need to eat, and runs on her own internal aether generator. She's quite pretty...and the ship's avatar. Though she remains in her stasis pod until needed. The NIWS is titled the NH-28." Yuriko replied.

"Oh I see." He said and walked with them and when they got the the place in question he'd step ahead and politely opened the door for the trio of pretty women. "Ladies first"

Yuriko inclined her head, and followed after 'Tenshi, and Nana to whom was still being dragged.

With Nana and 'Tenshi off in the springs themselves, Yuriko allowed herself to be led by Saito, who seemed to know the station better then she. Or at least a little better than she.

Saito was just going on what he knew about it really, with the help of a few days of exploration and teh volumetic displays. The other two would be accorded a spring to what they'd want, giving them white towels and the whole wash kit. the nekos behind hte counter would eye the male for a moment abefore snapping out of it and pointing them toward the massage rooms. "Are you sure you want this before getting something eat?" he asked as he walked with her

"Ever since I've come back from that carrier my muscles do not want to relax." Yuriko smiled a little, and closed her eyes as she did so. "Taking a series of repeated SMX flash missiles, and tunneling cannon hits kind of does that I believe."

He nodded to her and let her go into the room first where a massage table was prepared with the space for the face to lay in to keep from being uncomfortable. "Please, get up on the table and lay down and open your uniform to expose your back at the very least it." Saito said in a kind of professional way.

The spring Nana was in was nice and warm, being enhanced with minerals to cleanse and help make the skin healthy. It seemed to be unisex but nobody was in it at the moment and seemed quite private on its own.

'Tenshi sighed loudly, and sunk beneath the water, bubbles issuing forth before she came up again. "Pretty nice neh?"

Yuriko simply nodded, and went into the room, opening up her uniform as she went. Since she was wearing the dress variant, she took that off, but kept her panties on but removed her bra to allow him to better work. The Shoi climbed onto the massage table, and put her face into the space, careful of her chest as she did so.

"It's warm." Nana remarked, stating the obvious as she leaned back, head tilting backwards with a soft sigh, "..and it is quiet. I like that." The technician nodded her head some, shifting about in place, "...though I am a bit jealous of Yuriko."

Saito heated his hands slightly and used a bit of aromatic massage oil and began to rub her shoulders firmly to get into the tissue but went carefully around where the bruise was still showing on her injured shoulder. "this from your last fight/"he asked as he continued. His fingers getting into the muscle tissue and working out the knots.

'Tenshi hmphed, and folded her arms over her bare chest. "She gets all the fun." The armorer muttered.

"Yes...A Mishhuvurthyar tunneling cannon penetrated my barrier shield, and struck me in the shoulder, sending me flying backwards." Yuriko replied, sighing a little as he worked.

The light glimmered off his silver tips as he worked. "That had to suck, it looks like it's healing quite nicely though. I'd help you but I'm not sure if I can, my blood has a higher than average metallic content." Saito said and continued to massage her shoulders, feeling a bunch of knots in it

"...Everyone seems to have more fun than I do." Nana eyed 'Tenshi suspiciously as she sank down, hugging her knees to her chest, ear twitching slightly, "Hmmmph.."

'Tenshi stared at the girl, giving her the same look as before. "Don't give me that look Nana-chan. Just because Yuriko gets the guys doesn't mean we can't have our own fun. Besides...truth be told, she may have guys clambering to her, but she's never been with one." She cackled a little after saying this.

"...I don't get -either-." Nana would pout, lowering her head some and shifting about in place, "...I have never been with a man, myself. I tend to get ignored, or..overshadowed." The pink-haired Neko made a somewhat annoyed face, rubbing at the back of her head.

"Mmmmm....."Yuriko purred, actually purred, something she had never done as he began working the knots out of her shoulders. "It is okay Saito...I've had worse. I used my self as a shield and protected my taisa from a grenade, been impaled through the chest, been shot multiple times, and was even hit from an aether rifle blast. Getting a few bruises is nothing at all..." She mumbled, her ears twitching. "As long as I keep my ship, and my crew safe I would do what I did over and over again."

Saito chuckled and continued what he was doing, moving slowly down her back, using his palms and circular motions along her spine. Again being firm but not too harshly. "You're one tough shoi then" the silver hair said with a smirk.

"Tch, that's because you let it happen." Datenshi retorted, flicking Nana on the nose. "Look at how I get men, and women, and look how Yuriko does it." The armorer shrugged. "We have our own ways, you just need to find yours. Besides, Yuriko wouldn't have taken your hand like that when we first came to Hotaru if she wasn't at least a little interested in you."

Yuriko heard her back pop a few times, the muscles fighting against Saito's motions. "I've even gotten up the courage to talk to Emperor Uesu himself, face to face, we kind of...argued, though I was not offensive."

"...You do everything and Yuriko doesn't do anything. Do I need to find a middle ground?" Truth be told, she often found herself overshadowed by people like... well.. 'Tenshi, but she didn't say that. Not yet. "...but, I just.. I'm awake all night, and.. the urges.. and there's no relief. I wish I had the courage to just go up to some Yamataian guy and drag him off for a wild night, but.."

Saito continued what he was doing, feeling her trying to resist the motion but that was to be expected. "I've never met him too long, fromwhat I've seen I don't like him that much" he sighed. "Yui's pretty nice though"

'Tenshi wrapped an arm about Nana, and pulled her in close. "Shush, you just gotta go up to a guy, and do it. Don't get scared, just do it. The difference I think with how me and Yuriko work are that while she does nothing, she just has that personality. Where as I am well...me." She smirked. "Don't get discouraged hun, you'll find your own way."

Yuriko let out a little moan of pleasure as a large knot seemed to melt away from her back, and she slumped further into the table. "Mmm....I never worked up the courage to ever speak to Taisho Yui. It's funny...I can speak to the Emperor, and even save the Empress Yuumi from Eve's clutches, but I can't work up the courage to speak to Yui."

Saito continued to melt out the larger knots, slowly going down her back along the sides of her backbone to the small of it then back up moving away from it slightly. "Yui's always in the news and is always doing everything. I think it's the prestige that's cowing you a bit." he said. "just talk to her though when you get a chance. She is really nice though."

Looking up at 'Tenshi, Nana nodded a bit, scooting closer and snuggling up against her, "Yeah. You're right. .. maybe my way is to go and covertly crash other peoples' parties.." A sly expression began to cross her face as ideas worked their way into her head.

'Tenshi smirked a little, her ears twitching as they caught the moan. "Sounds like someone is having fun."


Yuriko just smiled happily. "She is indeed quite famous...though everything I've done pales in comparison I bet." She laughed a little, not a wit of jealousy in her. "I am not in it for the fame, or prestige though."

"I'm going to go check it out. It is time, after all, for me to find my niche.." Slowly rising up, the busty techie brushed off, making her way out of the water to dry herself off a bit, and then peek in on Yuriko and the delicious Saito.

He nodded and continued, moving his hands along her sides and raked his finger tips along her skin lightly, causing a cascade reaction in the form of an endorphin rush. Then he'd move them in small circles moving along the sides of her back muscles. "You're in it to help people."

Yuriko shivered a little, but nodded all the same. "Yes...I am in it to help people, and to end this war. I thought after the Dark One's were destroyed, that it would end...but it didn't it only intensified." She sighed, and sounded slightly saddened by that fact. "That was the first time I died, though details aren't clear, my friend Sora said I stayed behind with the aether bomb as a squadron of Rippers found us. Once she teleported, she said the bomb went off, causing a massive explosion."
Saito listened to what she was saying and continued half searching for where she was tightest in terms of muscle knots and after a while would even move down to massage he rrear and back of her thighs. "that sucks." he said. "You deserve to have nice things happen to you"

"At Nataria...I commanded my own ship." Yuriko muttered, feeling his hands slip to her thighs. "A Mishhuvurthyar flagship began to charge its main cannon, and I was ordered to fire Subspace Detonator torpedoes to to drop its shields, so the fleets could disable the cannon. I was...I was too late it seemed they disabled the cannon, but the fleet depot was destroyed as the cannon still managed a partial discharge. My father was there..." She sounded saddened further. "He was the only true family I had...my other mother, and contributor is no where to be found, I lost contact with her."

Nana hummed softly, as to announce her presence as she came upon the room in which she heard their voices, standing just outside in a towel, held up by.. her hands. "Nana here.." Murmured in a sing-song tone, trying to interrupt their conversation too much, "Hello, you two.." Came the usual, timid voice.

Saito glanced over at the newcomer and smiled at her. "Hello there Nana." he said, continuing his work to try and make Yuriko feel better with his masseur ability, moving back up to her shoulders where he'd found the biggest knots.
"And well then Yuriko. If you want, I'll be a big brother to you then" he said to her telepathically.

Yuriko simply continued to lay there as he still worked on her tense muscles. "Hello Nana" She replied waving an arm lazily now wearing a blush on her face as Saito suggested being her big brother. ...I never had one before

And I've never been one, only a father figure. But it seems like having someone to lean on or a shoulder to cry on when you're sad would help. He said in her mind and smiled over at Nana "When I'm finished with her, would you like one too?"

"..Am I... interrupting? Because I can go..." Nana thumbed over her shoulder as she stepped further into view, biting down softly on her bottom lip, head tilting to one side.

Saito glanced at Nana. "Of course not." he smiled in that charming way he had. "You can stay if you want. I don't mind"

"Neither do I." Yuriko replied, sounding relaxed. I would be happy if you were then.

Nana nodded a bit before edging into the room, dropping down and sitting -- on the floor. She smiled up at the two, leaning forward a bit and resting her chin in her palm, glancing back and forth between them.

He'd finish up with Yuriko in a few moments, wanting to make sure she was as relaxed as she could be. Once he was done he smiled a bit and examined her bruise for a moment. when he was satisfied with its' healing progress he spoke up again. "How do you feel Yuriko?" he asked

Saito was answered by a yawn.

"I guess that's a sign she liked it. huh Nana?" he smiled at the pink-haired neko. "Do you want a massage too?"

Yuriko soon sat up after a moment or two, and placed her bra back on, and sat there rubbing at her eyes and yawning.

"..Me?" Nana piped up, eyes going somewhat wide as she hugged her towel tightly around her small frame, "Ahh... well, I don't know. I'm not tense!" Which was a total lie, of course, the young technician was probably one of the Asamoya's more uptight and tense crewmembers.

"Please Nana, it'll be good for you." Saito smiled at her again. "It feels great doesn't it Yuriko?"

"Live a little Nana-chan, that isn't an order, but a suggestion." Yuriko replied as she got to her feet, and wandered over to her uniform, slipping it back on before going to sit down next to Nana.

"..I would hope it was not an order, as 'living a little' would be fairly difficult to do on a whim.." Slow to rise to her feet, the pink-haired Neko sighed softly before she slowly inched over to the table, glancing timidly up at Saito, "...if.. you say so.."

Yuriko swatted Nana lightly on her rear, and smiled lazily. "You'll like it."

The handsome male neko nodded to her and patted the table. "Lay on the table and remove your towel, to at least expose your back okay." he said.

Nana climbed up onto the table, glancing over at Yuriko and biting her lip softly from the swat, "..mm..". Taking in a deep breath, she slowly unwrapped the towel from around herself, well aware of being exposed, before she turned, lying down on her stomach with a small wince. Being one of the more topheavy Nekos had a bit of a disadvantage.

Saito nodded to her and would begin at her shoulders but not pushing down, as hard, keeping in mind that squishing her breasts too much would be painful to her. It'd take a few moments before he'd find a happy medium to use to get into her muscles to work the knots out, using his fingers to find the knots nd work them out.

Yuriko yawned a little, and continued watching.

Nana's eyes began to close and she stared forward, biting her lower lip softly, "...mmm.." She nuzzled into folded arms, pink and blue strands falling in front of her face as a pleased smile formed on her lips. One eye opened to watch Yuriko's sleepy-looking self, the techie managing a chuckle.

"How's the feel?" he asked Nana to make sure he was getting the right muscles, there were many of tight ones around her shoulders and neck specially.

Yuriko got to her feet, and walked over to Nana, stooping down so as to find her face. Once found, the Shoi planted a kiss onto the technician's lips before getting up, and wandering over to a bench. "I think I will take a short nap." She replied as she laid down, and closed her eyes.

"It's....ahh....good.." Nana spoke quietly, beginning to lightly purr, deep, deep in her throat. She'd glance towards Yuriko, eyes widening a bit at the kiss, which caused Nana's cheeks to turn bright pink "Mm..okay, Yuriko-Shoi.. have a good one.." The dazed and quickly relaxing pink-haired Neko smiled a bit, her own eyes closing as she felt like melting.

Saito blushed a slight silver color and continued to massage her back moving down slowly, wanting to get all of her tense spots.

Nana arched her back slightly, hiking her butt into the air for a second or two before realizing what she was doing and sinking back down, toes curling and one eye opening, "Erhm..sorry. I guess I am a bit more...tense than I thought..nnh.."

He chuckled at that noticing she was hiking her rump up. "It's okay it happens sometimes" he said and continued along her back and back up it. "You are tense." he said and continued. "anything bothering you?" he asked.

"No.. no, I am fine.. I .. just.. I have never been this close to a.. a man.. and I have never met.. a male Neko before.. not even a .fake one..." Nana bit down on her bottom lip softly, squirming a bit. She could already feel herself loosening up, and growing very relaxed under the silver-haired male's touch.

"Oh I see." he said and continued. "Well if it helps you feel better, I think you're very cute." Saito said with a smile at her and kept going, "So what do you do on the ship?" he asked.

Her blush only deepened and she quickly looked away from him, shivering slightly, "C..Cute...? Thank you.." Her ears twitched and she exhaled a sharp, nervous breath, eyes closing, "I am a technical sentry.. I, ah.. specialize in repairs, but the MEGAMI is so efficient that I rarely need to do anything unless we are in battle.."

Aw I see bet the leaves you a bit bored." He asked and paused for a moment. "hang on I can't quite get the right position." He said and got up on the bed with her and straddled over her thighs. His weight wasn't on her but his mounting arousal was beginning to prod her rear slightly and he's get back to massaging her back. "And yes you are very cute"

"A.. little. Sometimes.. but it gives me time to get to know the rest of the crew.. an--oh?" Turning her head slightly, Nana blinked several times in confusion, eyes going wide as the male climbed up onto her. She said nothing, though the bright pink color never left her face. Giving a little wiggle to adjust herself, she could feel him poke against her bare bottom, squeezing her eyes shut and taking in a sharp breath, "...You are too kind, Saito-sama..." Her voice little more than a whimper at that point.

Saito chuckled just a bit and continued to rub her back firmly. "I'm just concerned for your wellbeing is all" He smiled. "I bet you could use the affection." he continued and leaned down and kissed the back of her shoulders lightly.

"..A..affection... I don't.. I do not receive much affection.." Nana sighed softly, letting her eyes close as she shifted beneath him, fists clenching tightly. She was a bit tense, still, in.. other ways, shivering under his touch, "Ooh..."

"Aww you can tell me what's wrong Nana." he said andpaused for a moment

"Nothing is.. is wrong..!" The young technician shook her head, propping herself up on her elbows and glancing over her shoulder at him, "This treatment is just.. it is new, that's all. Please understand."

"I see." Saito said and smiled at her. " Though I can detect rising amounts o fheat emanating from your body. And you can tell me. I don't mind" He said and got off her and sat down on the table so he wasn'y on her still rubbing her body with one hand. "you look like you need a hug too"

"...Nothing is wrong.. honestly. If you are sensing something, it.. it's news to me.." She shifted a bit, arms sliding to cover her breasts as she watched him, biting her lip softly, "..a hug...? Why do you say that...?"

"Because it helps everyone" he smiled and nodded to her. "come on sit up and I'll giv eyou one" he said trying to ignore the fact his body was showing itself.

Without thinking, Nana sat up, essentially exposing herself to him, her head tilting to one side, "..Okay.." She smiled a bit as she watched him; she liked hugs, really!

Saito blushed a bit when she did and scooted closer ot her and wrapped his arms around her from the side and pulled her in close. "See isn't that nice?"

"Mm.." Nana leaned into Saito a bit, nodding her head some, giving him a little nuzzle and beginning to softly purr, "..It is nice, Saito-sama.."

"You don't have to call me -sama" he blushed adn nuzzled her neck gently and smiled at her and purred back. Automatically and quite gently pulling her onto his lap for a better hug angle.

"...mmh, yes I do.." She murmered softly as she nuzzled against him, eyes opening wide as she was pulled into his lap and giving a little squeak. For a moment, Nana wiggled a bit atop his lap to get comfortable, taking in a deep breath, "Mmm.. you are.. comfortable."

Saito blushed as she squirmed, and squirmed himself to try and hide his physical arousal. "thank you. so are you" he smiled and nuzzled her again and nipped at her neck lightly.

Purring, the pink-haired Neko leaned against him, licking her lips and tilting her head back some, sliding her arms around him, "..Saito-sama..." Her eyes closed and she shuddered, "I can.. feel you.."
 
ON: YSS Asamoya, Hotaru Star Fortress

With everyone on board the star fortress, Yuriko yawned, and awoke after sleeping for a small amount of time. The Shoi blinked, rubbed at her eyes, and yawned, wondering where everyone was.

Kerr woke up with a splitting headache. It seemed like everything hurt, even the light when he opened his eyes. Showering didn't help relieve the agony. Drinking some water helped though as Kerr had found out. Drinking down his second glass of water in the wardroom, the fighter pilot, in a fresh uniform, planned out the rest of his day- bar, gambling and bar again.

Yuriko yawned again, and pawed at her eyes once more, bringing the world into focus.

Datenshi was in the springs, leaning back against the back wall. While she hadn't been able to get a actual private spring, she had found a empty one.

Leaving the Asamoya, Kerr was on his way to whatever watering hole he happened to run into first. However, what he ran into first was Yuriko. "Hey Shoi!," he called out with a wave, "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

Yuriko yawned again as Kerr showed up at the indoor spring. "Mmm...was napping."

Yuriko would wake up to a slight surprise, her new bodyguard with her technician firmly planted on his lap and leaning up against his chest with her head on his shoulder purring. Luckily for her the towel provided had been wrapped around to provide discretion. When he noticed Yuriko waking up he glanced over. "How was your nap?" he asked with a kind of tired smile at her. But was surprised when Kerr walked in on them without warning on them. Saito had had no time to disengage and lift Nana off him when he did. At least the girl's back was pointed at the door and the towel over her hips. "er..."

Yuriko smiled a little and shook her head. "Saito-kun wastes no time." She remarked, nodding thoughtfully and seemingly not bothered by the strange turn of events. "I enjoyed it, I needed some sleep."

"Napping?!" Kerr exclaimed in disbelief. "Jeez, I was at least sober enough to make it back to the ship. Wait, they serve liquor in here?"..

"Ano...this is a spring...I do not think they do." Yuriko replied as she looked over to Josef, still looking half asleep, her violet eyes heavy lidded at the moment. "And what do you mean you were at least sober enough to make it back to the ship?" She asked, arching an eyebrow.

"They got Sake now get your ass in here!" A window popped up, showing a picture of Tenshi as she raised her jug. "Come onnnn I'm getting bored here!"

Saito would chuckle a bit and looked between them for a second. "they probably serve more..civil type beverages." the silver haired neko said and blinked. "Well there goes that idea."

"You promised to behave 'Tenshi." Yuriko mumbled, and stiffled a yawn with her hand.

"And I am behaving! But it's no fun drinking on your own." Datenshi said in reply, sticking out her tounge as a door opened behind her to reveal two long pairs of legs. "Ohhhh Got some company okay never mind you gu-..Hello legs!" Datenshi said with a laugh as the comm channel shut down.

Yuriko sighed, and sat up, her legs crossed as she sat on the bench. "I sometimes wonder if it was a good idea to allow her to come onto Hotaru."

"Ahem, nothing at all, Shoi," Kerr quickly recanted his poor choice of words. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll join 'Tenshi." Kerr quickly shuffled off toward the springs before Yuriko had a chance to scold him. Seeing the scene between Nana and her male companion, Kerr said in passing, "Have fun you two."

"You're as crazy as always Tenshi." Saito said through the screen to her and shifted a bit, making Nana purr in pleasure and squirm a bit. "Already did." Saito chuckled.

When Kerr entered the room, there would be two Lorath sitting in the tub, both with the tops of their nipples just barely covered, with red hair. One with hair cut just above the ears, and the other with her hair down to her shoulders. They both raised their glasses to Kerr. "Hello there cutie, your friend here says your quite the playful one..?" The way she trailed off seemed to leave it open to interpretation.

Kerr had quickly removed his uniform in the changing room and wrapped a towel around his waist. He grinned as the two women greeted them upon his entry. "That's right, ladies," he replied. "I love all sorts of games. Anything in specific you had in mind?"

"Mmmm..."Yuriko stretched, and looked over to Saito, and Nana." Saito-kun, didn't you say there was a cafe around here?".

"Oh we have many games we enjoy to play, though maybe if your good you will get to see some of the better ones." The one with the short cut hair explained.

Saito nodded. "I believe this place has a small cafe attached to it, you'd have to ask at the front desk." He said and gently removed Nana from himself and let her settle off to his side as he went to redress quickly, using holograms to conceal himself for the moment until he did.

"I'll be on my best behavior then," Kerr said as he left his towel on a rock near the spring. He quickly stepped into the water, submerging himself up to his waist. "So, where's the rice wine?"

Yuriko nodded, got up, and wandered over to the springs, looking for 'Tenshi. Once there, she poked her head inside, her eyes still heavy lidded from sleep. "'Tenshi, we're going to go look for a cafe'...need tea..." She mumbled, and yawned again. "So, play nice." The Shoi added, seeing the two Lorath.

Of course Saito would be up and dressed, following behind Yuriko as her yojimbo and glanced at the Lorath then to Tenshi and bowed to them politely. He was surprised at how beautiful yet how muscular the lorath females were, but didn't write it off.

"Awww come on Yuri-chan join us!" Datenshi said patting the water. "We can have the tea brought to us."

Yuriko blinked. "Ano...I'm too groggy..." She replied, looking to the Lorath females again. "I would not provide much of a challenge right now."

Kerr glanced at 'Tenshi incredulously and said, "Yuri-chan?"

"Yes Josef?" Yuriko asked, looking to him.

"Hai, Yuri-chan!" Datenshi said as she looked to Kerr. "It's her nickname."

The long haired Lorath shrugged a little. "No need to be a challenge, my sister and I are here to simply relax."

The pilot grimaced when Yuriko addressed him. "Sorry, Shoi," Kerr apologized quickly. "Never mind." He shot an annoyed stare at 'Tenshi, partially blaming her for making him say Yuriko's name in a informal way.

"Oh lighten up." Datenshi said, splashing him with water.

The spiked haired Neko just watched the Lorath, curious abou tthem having never seen them before. "Relaxation is always a good thing, specially in times like this." He said and looked to the others. "I don't think she's offended by it Kerr, we're all family here right?" he smirked, the light gleaming on the silver points of his hair.

Kerr turned away from the splash to keep the water from hitting him in the face. "I'm just trying avoid having to do push-ups in the middle of my free time."

"But you already do, just not normal push-ups." Datenshi said with a wicked grin on her face.

Yuriko inclined her head to the Lorath, and smiled faintly. "Ano...but I heard Fyuunen Warriors like to play rough." She replied, sticking a finger up to her lower lip in a curious gesture.

"Well, I could live with those kinds of push-ups," Kerr laughed.

"But you can't outdo Tenshi." the male neko smirked at Kerr. "she'll pound your hips to calcium carbonate powder."

Yuriko oddly nodded to this.

"At times our sisters do, but myself and Cheif here enjoy it a little more slower." The long haired woman said, the designated Cheif giving a small nod. On her shoulder there was three slashes in her shoulder where scars had healed over. The other woman had only two. "Hawk is right, we tend to take it a little slower."

Datenshi smirked and shrugged. "I only do that from time to time!"

Saito perked a brow at that and chuckled a bit. "so you two are the romantic type huh? I bet that's nice."

Yuriko smiled, and bowed. "Gentle warriors then." She remarked, a touch of respect in her voice as she turned about, and poked Saito. "Having fun teasing 'Tenshi-chan?" She asked.

"When sisters go through battle after battle together, they can not help but be drawn to a deeper realtionship." Hawk said aloud, looking to her lover with what seemed like a deep appreciating gaze of love.

"I always have fun teasing her, I haven't done it in a long time. But I'm ready to go if you are mi'lady." he said with a nod to her.

"If I have to die," began Kerr while gazing upward wistfully, "I would like to die with a woman on top of me."

Yuriko smiled to Saito, and looked to the Lorath again. "I feel the same, me, and my love were drawn together after awhile, and in being in many battles, we finally came together on your homeworld of Lor, so it holds a special place in my heart." She bowed again, and turned to leave.

"Wait that was you?!" Hawk jumped a little, eyes wide now as she stood up, giving Kerr a look at her perfectly toned body.

"Eh?" Yuriko stopped, and looked over her shoulder at the Lorath female, puzzled.

Kerr enjoyed the view of the nude Lorath woman, merely nodding happily and not saying anything that might have her submerge herself again.

Saito too was enjoying the sight of the woman and kept his mouth quiet on the subject, just looking between the two. Seems like Yuriko-chan's very popular or at least well-known, if a little under appreciated by the 5th members at times. He thought.

"You and your lover were messing with the Helashio that worked at my shop. It took us two hours to calm her down you know, though it was a rather fun experience. Negaleshna have rather good tongues you know." Hawk nodded lightly.

Yuriko blinked, and scratched her chin with her index finger. "I never messed with a Helashio...I stopped Cherry from doing so though...it wasn't fair since the Helashio didn't fight back. So I evened the odds for her, by going after Cherry...though afterwards..." She cleared her throat, turned a very slight pink, and sighed. "If she, or we both caused any disruptions, I apologize for it." The Shoi replied, bowing to the woman. "Cherry can get...too excited sometimes."

"Nah like I said, it was fun. Kinda tore us away from being bored that day." Hawk shrugged and sighed, thinking back on the day now as she slowly sunk back underwater.

Datenshi, like the boys, had been mesmerized by the body. As she saw it submerge yet again, she let out a little "awww"

"As I recall you did not speak Japanese back then." Yuriko replied, smiling a little. "Nor did I speak Lorath back then."

Saito just blushed a light silver and looked away, resting his forearm between the hilt of a sword and his belt and the other brushing his fingers through his hair. "You certainyl do seem to get into many of strange situations Yuriko-chan." he said.

Yuriko laughed a little. "Oh my yes, I tend to do so."

"This isn't Japanese, it is English. I have picked a little bit of Japanese up but it is tough to pronounce." Hawk said with a small shrug.

"I thought the same for your language at first too. You will get the hang of mine, once you figure out the pronunciations it will make it all the more easy to master." Yuriko replied, nodding.

"I do hope so, we are candidates for the emissary team after all." Chief said with a sigh, leaning her head back.

"I see..." Yuriko nodded, and looked up to Saito. "We must be going...I still need that tea..."

He nodded to her. "Indeed." he said and began to move toward the exit again. leading her out. "Is that the only strange event you've been involved in?" he asked as they exited the Evening Star.

"Well...I was once in a play on board Taisho Yui's flagship, was once present at the diplomatic negotiations of the Lorath, before they split up, umm...back on Lor in the boutique my fiance' once apparently sexually aroused a Helashio...Ano..." Yuriko pondered on what else happened. "'Tenshi once caught me, and my Taisa's samurai... I once sparred with her too...I was knocked out, but lasted fifty six seconds, considering I only had basic Star Army training."

"Hmm..sounds like you've had fun along the way at least." He said and chuckled. "I bet the sexually aroused helashio was a trip to see." Saito said.

"I avenged her by arousing Cherry. She hid amidst a clothes rack." Yuriko nodded.

The silver haired man laughed at that. "Oh dear."

Yuriko just nodded. "My life has been...interesting. I've been in nearly every major battle of the year YE 29, and have talked to Emperors, rescued Empresses, boarded battleships, and fought against rogue SAINT agents, and even infiltrated Nepleslia."

He shook his head and laughed at that softly. "And I bet you've still got a lot more than that planned too don't you?"Saito asked with a smirked as they got out and looked for the teahouse

"Actually...I have only told you a fraction of what I have seen, or done." Yuriko smiled as she continued along.

Kerr sloshed about in the spring after Yuriko and Saito left. "Well, it has certainly calmed down a bit."

He perked a brow at her. "Oh boy well there's plenty of time to learn more about each other." he said.

Yuriko nodded along. "My first mission I ended up out running a supernova. Plus...once I was kidnapped, along with some of my fellow crew and placed on a water facility on an icy moon. That wasn't fun. We faced everything from automated defenses, to zombie shotas."

Saito sighed a bit and just smiled at her. "Sounds like you've done much more than I have." he said and found the small teahouse that was just across from the Evening Star as it was. "There we go" he said.

Yuriko chuckled lightly, but nodded. "Lead the way." She replied, snaking her arm about one of his as she pointed.

PAUSE
 
ON: YSS Asamoya, Hotaru Star Fortress

Saito leaned back in the chair and watched her for a few moments as she spoke. "It's because adrenaline runs high and stress is at a peak." He said. "News is that the fleets are on the defensive and being pushed back." Saito said. "At least that's what I've heard."

"I should know, I was at the Battle of Nataria on the front lines." Yuriko replied thoughtfully as she toyed with a volumetric window.

He laughed softly and nodded to her. "You must take pride in that, you mention it quite a bit." he said. "Something wrong?"

"I take no pride in that battle, I use it as a reminder to not hesitate again as I did." Yuriko replied calmly as a diagram of the Transuniversal Teleportation Drive came up on the display. The Shoi looked over it, her facial features taking on a pensive look.

"Oh I see." he said and nodded. " I can understand that, we've all done things we regret in the past." the silver haired neko said and glanced at the window she was toying with. "What're you doing?"

Yuriko seemed a little absorbed at the moment before blinking. "Oh! I am studying the design blueprints, and statistics of the TTD, I have an idea for it." She replied, a scroll of text, and numbers coming down the side of the screen. "I tend to tinker with technology...and even invented a piece myself."

Saito chuckled a bit and waited, watching the people go by in silence for a moment. "I'm not that technologically inclined, all I can operate is a surveillance system." He said candidly. "So what idea did you have/"

"Do you know what they were originally used for?" Yuriko asked.

"The TTD?" he asked and thought for a moment. "I think they were used before the combined field systems." Saito said. "I'm not sure though." he said. "Possibly long range FTL travel."

"They were used to travel to other universes." Yuriko explained, sounding rather excited by the prospect. "The NDI for example hail from another universe."

"Oh Well I don't know anything about that." Saito shrugged a bit. "it's dangerous if you ask me" he said just as the little neko came back with the tray with their tea and cakes on it. "Here you go" she said in a girlish tone and set the mint tea down in front of Yuriko and the cakes next to it and the green tea in front of the male. "Are you two here on business?" the neko asked, trying to be friendly


Yuriko looked up, blinked, and tilted her head a little to the side. "I suppose you could say that...we are here after all to see the Director of the Starship Improvement Project.."

The girl smiled. "Really? I hear he's something of an eccentric...." she started by a loud barking tone of an old Japanese man rang out, saying something in it. The girl jumped up and tucked teh tray under her arm and bowed to them. "Sorry, but the boss is yelling at me again. pardon me" she said and scuttled off back to the counter.


Yuriko merely smiled, and shook her head.

Saito chuckled and watched the girl go and sipped his tea, watching her operate to try and figure out more about her.

Yuriko hummed a little, continuing with her studying. She picked her cup of tea up, and blew on it briefly before placing her ruby red lips to it, and sipping, the taste of spearmint assaulting her sense of smell, and taste. "Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself Saito-kun?"

"Hmm?" he blinked in slight surprise. "Uhm sure. What do you want to know?" Saito asked, not knowing whre to start.


"Well, anything you would wish to tell me." Yuriko replied, bringing up another display she did a brief, but quick check through PANT-IES, this time the word 'connecting' blinked and blinked on the screen. A communications line trying to be established.

"Well I was originally born..I guess you could say. In a PNUgen lab and shipped out to a small city on Yamatai called Tatiana. (sp?)" Saito said. "Originally I was created to simply be a guardian to a wealthy young woman of a noble family." he said and sighed, trying to remember.

"I see..."Yuriko murmured, as she made the screen hover in front of her, but high enough to still be able to see Saito.

He blushed a bright silver fora moment, not wanting to share it but felt the need to be honest. "That and I was made as a .....ahem...sextoy..." he admitted, sounding ashamed of it as well. "But after a while I got hired by the Ketsurui clan after I was dismissed from there."

Suddenly the window connected... "Priority Communication detected. Patching through immediately to Kage-Taii...Done."

What Yuriko saw was Yaichiro relaxing, chest deep in a bath, with a duckie....he seemed quite surprised, face turning red, before he QUICKLY submerged himself to neck level.

"I se...Eh?" Yuriko blinked, seeing the man, and then him submerging. Her eyes grew wide, and her face flushed a furious red. She inhaled, and then yelled. "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~"Before ducking under the table, heart hammering in her chest. She had clearly been surprised by what she'd seen, and the situation.

Saito perked a brown wondering just what the hell she'd seen. When she did the waitress ran back over. "Please ma'am. keep it down.." she said in a cute little pout as her blue hair fell over one eye.

Koharu had found herself in front of the teahouse wearing a conservative and elegant dark blue knee length Chinese style dress and her hair tied into two mini pigtails on the top of her head. She had hesitated for a moment and then ran in hearing her captain yell. "Kakutama-Shoi!" Her eyes quickly searched for her friend.

"Suh...switching to audio-only..." The picture faded, but Yaichiro's flustered voice remained...

"Gomen...you caught me relaxing after our mission...normally I have my calls audio only when in here, but CO to CO and Admiralty calls are harder to manipulate...W...What is it you needed miss? I didn't see your pin before reacting...I apologize."

Yuriko's face was beet red, her breathing heavy, and her eyes wide as she shakily fumbled to get back up in her seat. Her ears twitched furiously, and she kept her gaze averted until she finally sat back up in her seat, hands on her lap, and sitting rigidly straight, face still red until the communication was switched to audio.

The crimson eyed neko located Yuriko and was placiga concerned hand on the woman's shoulder. "Yuriko-san? You okay?"

The blue haired neko smiled at Yuriko and put a hand on her shoulder and rubbed it for a moment before going to greet Koharu. "Welcome ma'am, can I seat you?" she smiled cutely at her. Sure it was moot but it was her job

Saito blinked and stared at Koharu for a moment, surprised.

"Sumimasen..." Yuriko apologized to the waitress, before Koharu arrived. "....I...ahhh...erm...eheh..." She looked down at the table, thoroughly embarrassed.

Yaichiro waited patiently on the other end of the line, likely just as flustered as Yuriko...

The Ketsurui had a worried looked on her face and she shook her head politely at the blue haired neko. "I am with them, onee-san, thank you." She lightly tugged on her right ear as she spoke quietly.

Yuriko began to trace a circle with her index finger on the table, eyes locked onto it.


Yaichiro cleared his throat, trying again, slightly more calm in his voice... "The fact you contacted me using priority while in the bath means this must be important...what do you need...the communication header says you're the Asamoya's CO, who I am due to meet with upon our return...has there been a change of plans or something?

The occasional squeak of the rubber duckie could be heard in the background...

"Ah...ehem...erm...I had...a few...ideas...perhaps...we could go over?"Yuriko fumbled over the words, she'd never seen a man like that before...and there was...squeaking? She blinked at this, her ears twitched again. "If you are not too busy." Her own voice very small, and still sounding fairly embarrassed.

Koharu's dark furred ears switched hearing the strange man's voice and she calmly sat herself across from Saito. she nodded politely to the silver haired man and had an inquisitive look on her as she tilted her head to one side looking at him. She tried to place how he seemed familiar.

Saito cleared his head as the girl nodded and bowed to Koharu. "then may I get you something?" she asked politely. The silver haired neko would let out a small question in teh form of a name. "Michiko? wait...it isn't..but it is........" he said, confused

"Well, I'll be having dinner on the Asuka once I'm done and dinner is complete. Maybe...hmm....We're in the process of docking...I guess we'll be able to meet after dinner, or you can come and join us...I hope you don't mind if I eat onion.

"Could I have a cup of oolong tea and some mooncake please, Miss?" Koharu requested politely. She blinked at Saito and stiffened.The situation felt awkward for her at the revelation that this... man knew Michiko. "How do you know Michi, sir?" She did want to inquire more but was hestitant to proceed until she knew just how he knew her daughter.

Yuriko hadn't relaxed at all yet, her back remaining stiff as a board, as was her posture. "...I can wait..." She squeaked.

"Pity, but I'm sure you have your own responsibilities to your crew, and that everyone wants to pick your brain for details on your mission...So would I, given the SMX Carrier in my Hangar."

The waitress smiled and nodded to her. "yes ma'am" she chirped and wrote it down. "anything else?" she asked to be sure. Saito politely nodded to her, "Forgive me." He said in the same tone. "I was Michi's guardian until she went to school." he smiled.

"That'd be fine for now, thank you Miss," Koharu replied politely again. she focused her crimson colored eyes on Saito's face appraisingly. "At least, you seem to remember her. She was afraid she had been forgotten," she replied in a polite, restrained tone of voice.

The girl smiled happily and bounded away. Saito nodded. "I could never forget Michiko." he said, his lavender eyes going soft. "Heh I guess..." he said, glancing out the window wistfully. "I still love her as my own child you could say."

"N...N..No one has 'picked my brain' yet...I have not seen anyone even remotely interested in me since I have come aboard the station." Yuriko pointed out.

"I see...that won't do...you should be treated with a bit more hospitality than such things. I WOULD invite your whole crew over for dinner, but I suspect that our caretaker doing the cooking wouldn't appreciate the last minute order. Please look for a member of the Bakufu or wait until I arrive, okay? You'll be taken care of either way...besides, I'm surprised Tange-Shosho hasn't gone APE over an SMX ship being brought into Hotaru..."

"If you felt that way, why not write her or keep in contact? Why keep her in the dark? She could've used someone to talk to that she felt would listen. I'm just sorry it took me four years to get to her," Koharu replied very quietly with a soft frown on her lips. "It's disheartening for a young girl to spend four years feeling like a caged bird."

Saito sighed a bit, "I tried to but for some reason they kept being sent back to me." He said sadly. "I don't know why."

"Make sure an eye is kept on them while they are here..." Misato entered the teahouse mid conversation over the comm. Her features were perhaps misleading, short and rather youthful-short blue strands framing her face which glittered from the makeup she had applied in the lift on the way there. One of the waitresses' approached her. "Welcome Tange-ShoSho-sama." A hint of fear within the girls' voice as the woman, the nightmare stood before her. Misato smirked, "My usual table?" The girl answer... "Uh...ummm." She looked, to the table where Yuriko and Saito were seated. "P-perhaps you would like to sit near the fountain today.." the girl adding in quickly "Tange-sama?" Misato frowned. "Is it hard to manage a simple thing...never mind; I will sit in the table next to it then."

"I was more concerned for the prisoners on board then the ship itself Taii." Yuriko explained as she tried to regain some composure. "The SMX carrier was merely a bonus."

"...Prisoners...I am not aware of the full situation on your mission, as it's an...unexpected one. If you have prisoners who need treatment or processing, than seek out a Bakufu representative and/or a member of the admiralty immediately. If you have any problems, let me know what they are, and I will personally contact someone as an intermediary, okay?"

"I wish I could truly believe that. Michiko in a sense is..." Koharu's voice trailed off as her frown deepened. The situation was truly complicated and she wasn't sure how to really proceed. "Saito, was it? I know that in your own way you might've been thinking you were doing what was best for her but you just.. no, that isn't fair to place the results solely on you. It's not entirely your fault."

Saito jumped slightly without getting up, turning to her a bit more. "Is ther something wrong with her?" He asked in a serious tone, unlike the one he usually had then looked a tthe table and into his tea for a moment. His mind was swirling with conflicting emotions and memories that brought back strong feelings of attachment. "Please tell me..."

"I sent a request to the Fifth for assistance after the boarding of the YSS Akina to retake her, and to rescue her crew Taii. We boarded the carrier, and the Saesei II carrier group was dispatched to assist, as was a Takumi-Class Expeditionary cruiser. We managed to save the prisoners, and I arranged for the Saesei II Carrier group to transport the prisoners to their ships for immediate medical attention while my ship attended the Akina's crew. Also...it seemed that half of the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet arrived to assist...I hope they are alright..." The Shoi murmured, sounding a little concerned, as she looked down at the table.

Her black paneled skirt uniform separated her from the other officers in the room, her rank as well. She followed the girl to the table, an alternate table to the one she was used to. Misato sat down, putting the pad down on the table, her eyes drifted to Yuriko and company breifly as she ordered, "Dragonfruit Bubbletea..." the girl said nothing and disappeared to fill the ShoSho's order. Misato's gaze drifted back to Yuriko and company-who appeared to be in conversation with somone. It was not long before her superior PANTHEON access determined that it was Yaichiro they were speaking with. A volumetric window opened up in front of her, adding her as a third party to their communication. "Well well...good evening Kage-san..."

Koharu looked up at Saito and shook her head. "No, Michiko is fine. Lonely, feeling abandoned and lost but aside from that she is in good health."

In the probably the most honest way possible it looked like Koharu's words had the same forced as if he'd had the air knocked out of him by a starship. "......." he said nothing but shifted some so the silver tipped bangs fell over his eyes, feeling ashamed for not trying harder to contact her. "I'm.......sorry.........."

Yaichiro splashed down in the bath again, as the superior spoke to him...his face turned red again...after a moment, he did the best bow he could manage, neck-deep in water. "Gomen...I REALLY have to get permission to assume full video control...the communication did not come at a good time...How may I assist you, Tange-Shosho-shi?"

Yuriko blinked, hearing water splash again, and Yaichiro's voice speaking to someone else. Yuriko, not a fan of eavesdropping muted her window, and assigned a notification to it to alert her to when he was speaking to her once more. She instead took her cup of mint tea, and sipped at it again, eyes closed.

Misato laughed, "Nothing in particular, was just checking in. We need to talk when you get back here..." she looked over towards Yuriko and company, "Tell your friends to say hello-I am sitting next to them." and with that the volumetric window blinked shut. Abrupt, and sweet. Misato seemed satisfied, having caught glimpses of what the young SIP director had to offer. The waitress brought out her bubble tea and sit sipped it, looking over at her soon to be new found friends from the First.

"Life happens. It may seem cruel and unfair but I can't quite judge you, for all I know you could've been restricted access to her. Or you could've been busy with your new job. I cannot really talk, crumstances kept me from her as well," Koharu still spoke in that quiet tone of voice to Saito.


Saito kept his face hidden. I tried to go with her, but they wouldn't allow me to. I don't know who but someone said to just forget about it, claiming it was 'for the best' He said to her telepathically. "At least you told me. I respect the fact you told me the truth..." he said to her, still hiding for a moment.

Yaichiro blinked, and then spoke to Yuriko again... "Gomen, one of my superiors contacted me...in fact, she is sitting right next to you, in the black panels...that is Tange Misato-Shosho-shi...I assume she has been promoted in my absence, and she is the head of security, as well as a member of the Bakufu...and I will have to see her once I am done here...my dinner may have to wait. Duty calls. First though, what ideas did you wish to discuss?"

"Parents do strange things to protect their children. Do you wish to guess who I might be?" Koharu asked Saito politely in a sad, soft tone of voice. She weighed the value of playing her hand straight or to bluff.

Yuriko opened her eyes as a small beep issued from the window, and she un-muted it as Yaichiro began speaking. She continued to drink her tea, until she peered over towards the woman wearing the black panels. SAINT? She thought to herself, her face going to a neutral mask. If there was one thing she'd learned about her past dealings with SAINT, and Black Spiral it was to show no weakness, no signs of vulnerability. Her mind working already. If this woman was a member of SAINT, and as Yaichiro had said, of the Bakufu, she was powerful indeed. Not to mention in charge of security. The Shoi looked away from her, and back to the black window. "Ideas for technology." She said simply, and to the point, her voice not betraying her this time.

Saito glanced up at her and studied her for a moment and began to run through his memories, searching for a match or possibility. He had a educated guess after a few moments and sighed slightly and glanced around, wanting to keep it between them. "You're Chi right?" he asked quietly. "Or a clone of her at the very least." He said. "You are part of Michiko, I can tell from how you're carrying yourself."

Koharu offered a soft smile as lightly tugged on her right ear, feeling awkward. "Wasuremono Koharu. Michiko is very special to me and I hope that her abilities can be better used as a counselor at the temple."

Yaichiro nodded, reclining... "Well, it may have to wait until Tange-Shosho-shi is done speaking with me. That's something we should discuss in person, though I suggest you look at the "Mini Striker" system. You may be familiar with it from the YSS Plumeria. There's also the Electron Countermeasure and a few other devices I've made which may inspire you until that time...unless there's something specific you wished to discuss first. Then I'm all ears..."

Saito chuckled a bit and smiled back at her. "I hope so too. It's a pleasure to meet you. I"m Anzai Saito." he said and glanced to Yuriko.Your tea's getting cold you know. Cheer up, don't let the womans' presence bother you. he said to her telepathically, keeping it to themselves, having noticed the body language.

Yuriko continued to stare at the window, her face a blank mask, just as Midori, her friend, and the samurai bodyguard to her one time Taisa had worn. "I had an idea for your SEM project, a secondary shield system." She explained, speaking to Saito telepathically as she spoke to Yaichiro. Making sure only he would received it, and encrypting it to boot. "She is wearing black panels, that means intelligence branch, and likely SAINT." Her telepathic voice a little hard. "I am wary of them for many reasons."

"Pleasure to meet you as well, Anzai-san. How did you come to meet up with Kakutama-Shoi?" Koharu smiled shyly as she changed the subject from herself and Michiko to something much safer.

I know, but you act tense and stone faced, you'll give away that you're suspicious of her; which gives up any advantage you might have. He replied in a level telepathic tone on the same line. When Koharu changed the subject he blinked at her and smiled a bit. "She kind of found me taking a nap on a bench on this level actually." he chuckled a bit.

"Hmm...that is possible...It will require a fair amount of work though. The SEMs already dedicate space to existing CFS emitters and Aether generation. To make a layered shield system will require some refinement and the compression of components, or some sort of balance....though even if we do the former, maybe layer two weaker shields together, it may still be worth it."

Misato looked over, seemed the communication between Yaichiro and Yuriko continued, she took the opperunity to pull the information from Hotaru on Yuriko, her ship and her crew. It was not long before she connected a few incidents to their arrival on the Iori. Heh, of course, she commented to herself, taking another sip of her bubble tea. Four other blackcoats entered the teahouse, one of which walked immediately to Misato's table. "Tange-sama, IS it true that you have offered up the Yukari to be some kind of guinea pig in some kind of experimentation?!" the look on the Chui's face was priceless. Misato laughed saying. "No, I just approved some initial fielding to be done for one of our new SIP Director's projects." The Chui squinted, "But isn't he from -outside-." saying it quieter noticing Yuriko and crew at the next table. Misato said, "He has checked out so far Mira, settle down. Let me worry about it." The Chui said, "Alright, we have to get back down to the armor bay, see you later." Mira skipped back to the other blackcoats who took their orders to go and returned to their posts-leaving Misato's attention back on the people sitting at her table. Maybe they will even invite me to sit at my own table. Wouldn't that be fun? -she mused to herself.

"I see," Koharu replied politely to Saito as sipped her cup of tea. "Where are you stationed or were you just visiting Hotaru?"

The silver hair sipped his own tea. "I'm a civilian, so I was kind of just visiting, arrived on a civi merchant transport vessel working as a hired hand." He explained. Saito glanced ath the black coats as they entered and spoke with Misato, just following with his eyes then the sight-through-skin function.

"Simple, use shield generators from a lighter class of vessel as a template. The shields maybe weaker, but the overall protection will have increased." Yuriko replied, and sipped her tea again. "I betray no emotion, she does not see any weaknesses, nothing to give her a hint of what can be used against me. SAINT is a dangerous group to be involved with, I have delt with one of their rogue cells many times over, and have sadly developed a reflex." Her mind going over what to do. This reminded her of a simple game of cat and mouse, and she didn't want to be the mouse. She yawned, and her face softend before she began to nibble on the end of a cake. The Shoi placed it on a dish that was set in front of her, and daintily wiped at her mouth before looking over to the woman. If there was a game to be had from this, then she'd make the opening move. "Excuse me," Yuriko began, looking over to her."You are Tange-Shôshô?" She asked politely.

Yaichiro nodded... "I have an even simpler idea...the Sakura has CFS emitters on the main ship which account for 70% of its capabilities...use that as the inner shield. Then we get whatever we can cram into the nacelles in addition to the remaining 15% per nacelle as the outer shield...." He then waited, as she addressed the Shosho.

Misato chewed on one of the tapioca balls from her bubble tea, swallowing a moment before Yuriko spoke-surprised that the Shoi had decided to initiate the exchange. "I am, and you are Kakutama Yuriko, Shoi of the Asamoya" reviewing the Shoi's file was nearly instantaneous, and rather surprising. Misato somehow had found some reason to like this Shoi, a single entry burning within her mind. Battle of Taiie.... She continued, "I heard you ran into some trouble on the way to Hotaru- I take it your ship and crew are all okay?"

"I don't think I can quite imagine myself in the civilian life, this is really all I know." Koharu's attention shifted from Saito to Misato as the black paneled neko addressed her captain. She pursed her lips together as she watched the Shosho wearily.

Yuriko inclined her head, both in thanks for asking of her crew's condition, and in greeting. sitting didn't give one the option to bow after all. "Yes ma'am, we were responding to a distress signal from a Fifth Expeditionary Fleet scoutship, Nozomi-class, her name is the YSS Akina. Thankfully we rescued the crew, and the prisoners on board the SMX carrier, with no casualties. The timely arrival of assistance from the Fifth played a significant role in aiding our efforts." She replied, and wrote in text message form to Yaichiro now as she was now speaking to Misato. 'You would also have to take into consideration power consumption, and generation issues. You maybe able to situate small scale aether generators to supplement the power generation needs unless the SEM can do so automatically.'

"Tange ShoSho, incoming priority one communication coming in from Flight Control--Asuka in space dock with biological samples needing transfer, Ma'am." Misato took up the pad she got up and said to Yuriko. "Stop by my office later, we could use a more extensive introduction." She got up, grabbing her pad and tucking it under her arm, then grabbing the reminats in her cup to take with her. "Oh..." she said turning back as she headed to the door. "Try to pick a different table next time..." the tone uppity, she smiled a selfish grin and headed out of the teahouse.

The crimson eyed neko watched Misato depart. She felt relieved when the woman disappeared out the door. "Interesting friends we're acquiring, Yuriko-san."

Saito watched her go, perking a brow. "Hmph, talk about rude." He muttered. "The waitress showed us to this table, so we didn't take it." He muttered with an annoyed sigh.


"Interesting no, dangerous yes." Yuriko replied calmly, sipping her tea once more. "She no doubt has already read my profile. Which will...complicate things should anything bad happen."

"We'll just have to play it safe as we can then," koharu responded with a half frown as she bitterly thought to herself. I'm more concerned over what she might dig out of my personnel file.

Yaichiro blinked... "Well, Saving 5th XF civilians and bringing us alien technology is nothing to sneeze at, you know...wait...did that communication say she was coming HERE?" Splashing and fumbling was heard as Yaichiro rushed to get out of the bath, dry off, and get dressed in the clean uniform...

The silver hair just glanced between them and blinked just a bit. "Just who was she anyway? I don't recall seeing her before." he said.

"Yuriko-san, may I inquire who might the disabodied voice might be? He sounds rather flustered," Koharu asked smiling softly.


"If there is one thing I have learned about those who wear the black panels, it is to not take things at face value..." Yuriko spoke, her tone a little grim as she muted her side of the communique with Yaichrio before uttering that. "She is Tange-Shôshô and is in charge of security." The Shoi finished her tea, waving to the waitress to have her comeback over. "Oh!...he is Taii Yaichrio Kage, he will be possibly helping me with the Asamoya." The Shoi explained as she un muted the window finally, and her voice once more pipped through. "It would seem so Taii."

"A CO's work is never done...I was looking forward to dinner, but oh well." Yaichiro said, the nodal system helping him dry off more efficiently...

Saito chuckled. "Ten KS says he slips on the way out..." he said

"I offered to take you to dinner in my previous communique Taii." Yuriko pointed out, muting the window long enough to snort a little at Saito's words before unmuting it.

In a moment the girl scrambled over, and smiled. "yes ma'am?"

"Do you serve Pu-erh Tea?" Yuriko asked politely.

the girl blinked "Anooooo...." she said, thinking for a moment, looking at the ceiling fan. 'I'd have to ask... okay?" she smiled at her.

A "whoops" could be heard, but no thud...Saito had forgotten about the Yamataian hovering ability apparently, and Yaichiro could be heard putting on his uniform... "Hopefully this won't take long...but Tange-Shosho is VERY interested in a particular SEM design intended for training purposes...she may be here a little while longer than just securing the enemy prisoner and eggs."

Yuriko nodded. "By all means, take your time." She replied to the girl.

The little neko nodded and went to go ask her boss if they had that kind of tea.

"Taii, would you please do me a favor, and arrange to have the Mishhuvurthyar eggs removed from stasis aboard my ship? We also have a dead Ghost Type Mishhuvurthyar, as well as around five Ghost Mishhu eggs, and a few of different types." Yuriko asked the Taii rather sweetly.

"I will pass this along to the Shosho, no problem. I just hope I get to the bridge before she does...there, I'm ready...phew..."

"Yeah don't want to greet her without your pants on, lord knows what she'd do to you." Saito quipped with a snicker, talking to Yaichiro.


"If it is any consolation, she asked if me and her could meet in her office later." Yuriko spoke, sounding a little...none too happy about it. "But, I hope to see you soon Taii, and I will leave you to your duties now." Yuriko closed the window, and sighed.

Koharu sipped her tea for a few moments as she weighed the situation in her mind before she nibbled on the extremely sweet mooncake she had ordered.

END
 
ON: YSS Asamoya

Once again on board her ship, Yuriko lay in bed, her uniform still on. The Shoi was laying on her stomach, and merely staring at a wall, eyes half closed as she thought. She was silently wondering if it was a mistake to come here...the stares, running into someone from the Bakufu, let alone their intelligence branch, all within the span of a few hours... And the brief scuffle with 'Tenshi and a few of the Fifth's Santo Hei, and now Cherry. She just stared dully at the wall, blinking occasionally, trying to rest her weary mind.

Saito had gently laid her on her bed and stepped out, thinking it best to give her her space for a few minutes. He was outside, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed and idly glancing around.

Tenshi would soon appear in Saito's vision as she came closer to the room. Knowing how the woman was feeling, Tenshi seemed a little subdued, even in the tight fitting clothing she wore. "Hey can I talk to Yuri-chan for a minute?"

Cherry was lying on her very own bed, similar to her fiance. But she wasn't thinking about the similar things, laid out on her stomach, face in the pillow. No, she was thinking of everything.

Saito looked over at Tenshi as she approached, He wondered for a moment what she had in mind but would find out. "I don't mind, just don't upset her anymore than she is. Poor girl has a lot on her mind." he said quietly.

"Course not." Tenshi nodded lightly as she stepped into the suite, before making her way over to the bedroom door. Knocking on the side of the door she poked her head in. "Hey hun, mind if I come in?"

Yuriko shook her head a bit. "I do not mind..." She replied, her voice soft, and a little distant.

Tenshi moved her way over to Yuriko, sitting down on the bed after smoothing out her short black skirt. "Come on hun cheer up ok? Don't let them get to you just remember all you've done today ok? Most of the people here are just resentful cause they haven't done half the stuff you have in the past two months in their entire lives." Datenshi laid a hand on the girl's back, petting her softly. "Now come on out with me. Kerr is gonna take a little while to get ready and I want a good dance partner...A night in the club will do you some good.

"I had a fight with Cherry..." Yuriko mumbled, and inched closer to 'Tenshi until her head rested on the woman's lap.

"I see, what about?" Datenshi asked, petting the girl's head softly now.

"I told her about my meeting someone from both the Bakufu, and Intelligence branch, not to mention head of security. She merely talked about sex." Yuriko muttered, and snuggled into 'Tenshi's lap, much like a cat would as she was being petted.

"Hun, you gotta remember where she was created at, what ship she was a sprite for. After seeing and being in that much sex...Well I would suppose it doesn't something to a person." Datenshi said aloud, still petting the girl softly. "You just have to sit her down and talk with her about it..."

Yuriko snorted a little. "Cherry can be..stubborn sometimes. I don't know...her answer to everything seems to be sex." She said, sounding helpless. "I tried to warn her about the person I met, and that they are likely watching us...but what does she do? Ask if they'd like to have a little fun. I cannot be serious around her, otherwise she just acts like that."

"You need to be firm with her, tell her that she needs to understand you have times when you dont want to always joke around, smack her once or twice even." Datenshi shrugged a little and sighed. "How my teacher kinda got me straight."

Yuriko's cheek rested on 'Tenshi's thigh she she listened. One arm about the girl's legs, the other her waist. "Sometimes it just makes me wonder..."

Datenshi continued to pet the girl as she sighed. With a short call to Shii, the armorer continued. "I've heard love does that to you, make you wonder about if what your doing is right or not." The armorer sounded a little hollow as she spoke.

Yuriko snuggled a little more into 'Tenshi.

At 'Tenshi's call, a short while later a little sprite came up to Saito, tugging on his pants, and peering up at him with big golden eyes that sparkled. She was short, standing at only three feet tall, and had long, straight green hair that fell to the middle of her back and a pale complexion. "Ano... excuse me mister shiney hair. Shii has been called to come to Yuriko-sama's room." Her voice was small, and mirrored that of a child's completely innocent, sweet, curious, and kind.

Saito blinked a bit and looked down at her and blinked his lavender eyes a few times. "She's inside." He said, smiling a little to her. "But she's upset, so please keep that in mind." He said.

"Ano...I don't like seeing Yuriko-sama sad, Yuriko-sama needs to cheer up." Shii nodded, and entered the suite, floating all the while.

Saito watched her go and shook his head, chuckling. "That's a new on me. She seems too child-like to be a soldier."

Datenshi waved the small neko over to her, pointing down at Yuriko as she continued to pet her head.

Yuriko just continued to lay there, being petted it seemed.

Shii floated over, she blinked her large golden eyes at 'Tenshi when she pointed, and looked down to Yuriko. The sprite floated over, and landed right on her back, the smaller sprite giving Yuriko a hug from behind. "Yuriko-sama should'nt be sad, Yuriko-sama should be haaaaaappppppppyyyyyyy!" The little sprite then began to tickle Yuriko, who jerked, snorted, and couldn't help but giggle a little as she's smaller hands began to tickle her.

Datenshi laughed a little as she saw the two playing, joining in now as she helped to tickle Yuriko.

"S...S...S..St..Stop....i..it..ti...ti...t...tickles!" Yuriko let out a shriek of laughter as she struggled agains tthe onslaught.

Shii just kept going, now assuming it was some sort of game.

"It's the point! You know for a shoi your not very smart!" Datenshi laughed aloud as she continued to tickle Yuriko.

Yuriko continued to struggle, fight, and roll around until she squeaked, and fell off the bed, Shii hovering just above.

"Ano..."Shii stuck a finger to her bottom lip, looking down at Yuriko before the Shoi's hands shot up, grabbing Shii, who mirrored the same squeak as Yuriko, except more high pitched, and cute sounding before being pulled down, and was now giggling madly as the Shoi was now tickling her..

What the hell...? Saito wondered, hearing the squeal all the way outside the room. But thought nothing of it as nobody had raised any form of alarm other than what sounded like giggling and just relaxed back against the wall.

Datenshi was laughing loudly, happy that she had been able to cheer Yuriko up, even for a few moments..

Yuriko had Shii around her middile, and was tickling her sides, the small sprite giggling madly until Yuriko let her go, and Shii shot straight back up into the air. Seemed she had not turned off her anti-gravity ability. Once done, Yuriko's hand came up on the bed, followed by the other, violet eyes looking dead at 'Tenshi, the tips of her ears twitching as the rest of her face was hidden by the bed..

Datenshi blinked once, twice, then thrice as she edged back from the edge. "Uh hey...Yuri-chan...whatcha thinkin about...?"

Yuriko's ears slanted back, and her eyes narrowed.

"Yuri-chan..." Datenshi said in a warning tone, a little worried now about retribution.

Yuriko's eyes took on that preditory, flinty stare, the stare of prey being sighted. Her eyes gleemed, and she lept up, and over the bed, landing right on 'Tenshi, straddling her..

"ERK! HELP! RAPE RAPE! DO NOT WANT!" Datenshi, being playful began to shout and whack Yuriko softly with her fists, doing her best not to laugh

Yuriko just arched an eyebrow, and ran her fingers up and down 'Tenshi's sides, and back, and to her neck, tickling her. "Since when do you not want me?" She asked her voice heavy in disbelief.

Datenshi literally twitched as she was tickled, in a almost painful way. "Don't want...ti-it-tickly!" Datenshi couldn't help but laugh, eyes watering up now.

Shii floated out of the room, Saito being able to hear what was going on inside as she did so. The sprite wore a look of complete accomplishment, of pride, and happiness as she floated down the hall.

Saito paused and blinked, looking at her. "Well something good must've happened." he said and blinked, hearing it. Now I'm curious.. He thought and turned to go inside and walked over to her bedroom, and looked through the crack int eh door. "Oh...well. hm." He shrugged and watched for a moment.

Yuriko appeared to be straddling 'Tenshi, her arms running up and down the other woman's sides. The Shoi however was wearing a very wide smile as she was doing so.

Datenshi began to buck and twist now, laughing hysterically as she tried to throw the Shoi from her.

"You know, I don't know if the Shoi would like appreciate a peeping tom." A mellow, and relaxed sounding voice intoned from behind Saito.

Saito didn't have any real interest in it and was bout to just leave the room when he came face to face with the speaker. "I was simply curious and was on my way out." He said without any hint of a blush and speaking in a level tone.

The speaker was another sprite, though taller then Shii by at least two feet. And had reddish orange hair, the same tone of fallen leaves, her hair a mass of thick curls that went down her back. And hazel colored eyes. She looked a little dazed, as she stared at Saito as she held a collection of assorted towels in her hands.

Saito perked a brow and brushed his fingers through his mane of silvered hair and politely stepped out of her way. "Pardon me ma'am." he said. "I'll be on my way." he nodded.

Aki just nodded, yawned, and walked into Yuriko's bedroom, not paying any mind to Yuriko except to bow, and move into the bathroom with the towels.

Yuriko held on firmly, her thighs tightened around 'Tenshi's waist as she continued to tickle the woman.

Saito would simply sit out in the living room for a moment idly and leaned back in a chair, thinking. Privately hoping Yuriko really didn't mind it..


Aki soon exited the bathroom, bowed to Yuriko again, and exited, looking over at Saito momentarily, the spirte just cocked her head to the side, and exited the suite, the door sliding closed behind her.

Saito blinked and watched her go for a moment and shrugged. "Uh..ok?"

And still locked up in episodes of mecha anime fandom, Sumaru kept him self busy with more Gunjam piloting in the virtual reality chamber.

Heh...Cute, someone get me a plushie doll to set on fire.The volumetric window appeared in the air to the left of Yuriko. Misato cleared her throat, her green eyes locked on the Shoi.

Yuriko stopped, her ears twitching as she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. The Shoi looked around until she found the window. Oh goodie...it is her again. She got off of 'Tenshi, and put on a little, polite smile. " 'Tenshi...could you leave us please?" Yuriko asked the armorer.

Danteshi, still holding her sides nodded a little as she straggled out of the room, trying to catch her breath.

Saito blinked, catching Tenshi's motion out the door. "You look like you two had fun" he quipped.

"Ahhh...Shosho, a pleasure to see you again." Yuriko replied politely as 'Tenshi left. The Shoi smoothed her uniform skirt out, and her hair, now sitting on her bed.

"Kakutama Shoi, I cannot identify this as a pleasure." Misato leaned back in her highbacked office chair. "Just what the hell do you think your doing parking that carrier inside of this Iori. Did you lose you fucking sense? Or are you trying to draw them here so they can finish the job they started at Taiie?"

MEGAMI, from now on, notify me of a higher ranking officer sending a communique instead of it just showing up, please. Yuriko asked politely as Misato seemed to take on a whole nother tone, and manner entirely.. She merely crossed one leg over the other, and kept her look level, and calm. "If I may ask, what makes you think it was me who had the carrier parked inside of Hotaru?" The Shoi asked politely, before continuing on. "As for my sense I have not lost it, ma'am."Yuriko stated serenly, keeping her face smooth. Just as I said, never take anything at face value of these people. She thought to herself.

Misato tightened her jaw. "I have rerouted some of our ships back from the Chie site where we are storing the other ship we captured." She seethed a little, things with Yaichiro did not go as planned, and it was having an affect on her. "Listen, I just would appreciate it if in the future, if your going to tow something like that home, that you would contact me directly?.

"Of course Shosho, however, it was my first time here, and I did not know protocol. However, the ship is quite clean, and dead. Though I dare say the Saesei II Carrier Group, and the YSS Mazu took over after my team departed the ship. So I had no control over the matter. Being both outranked, and inside the sphere of influence of another fleet. I am an outsider ma'am, and my word does not carry much weight here I would imagine." She replied, incling her head slightly. "However, in the future, if I come across such things, I will indeed contact you directly." Yuriko replied.

Misato blinked, That little bitch. referring to Kiyoko of course. Misato sighed, remembering that this Shoi had been at the Battle of Taiie, there was some toleration given to that. "I am sorry, I jumped to conclusions---I did not know that Motoyoshi-Taisa took over after your departure."

"There are no need for apologies ma'am. Things happen." Yuriko spoke softly, and rose from her bed. The Shoi straightend her uniform out meticulously. "Ah," She took on the look of someone having just remembered some important detail. "You told me to come to your office later I believe, would now be an appropriate time?" She asked politely, going to the dresser, and taking out a comb, and began to comb out her violet hair that had blue right at the tips. "I of course would understand if you are busy ma'am."


Misato said, "How about I meet you at the Teahouse. I could use a Chai." She had no interest in letting the Shoi into restricted areas on Hotaru, the Bakafu Security and Intelligence Authority HeadQuarters being one of the most fortified of those areas. She had issues enough with them being permitted access to Bay Sixteen.

If Yuriko had any hint of what Misato was thinking, she didn't show it. "Of course," The Shoi said, and turned to face the screen again, wearing a soft smile that barely curved her lips. "I will meet you there shortly."

The volumetric window blinked closed. Misato sighed, This is going to be a treat no doubt.

Yuriko walked out of her room, smoothing out a wrinkle. "Saito-kun," She saw him in her living room, still wearing that expression of utter calm, and neutrality. "We are meeting Tange-Shosho again, at the teahouse."

"Are you sure that's wise 'milady?" he asked her, looking over. "AFter what happened last time..." Saito said, concerned for her wellbeing. "but if you feel up to it I won't complain."

Yuriko merely smiled. "You could say I am not going to let her get to me anymore." The Shoi patted him on the shoulder gently before moving to the door. "'Tenshi?" Yuriko's mental voice coming to the armorer.

He stood up and followed her out. "That's good." Saito said with a small smile. "I wont' go in but I'll escort you there"

"Just stay closeby ok?" Yuriko asked as she lead him off the ship, and back onto the star fortress.

He walked behind her and nodded. "I'll be at a different table but close nonethless."

"Yes Yuri-chan?" Datenshi replied.

Yuriko just nodded. "We're going back to meet her again." She sent to 'Tenshi, she didn't sound down, or out. But rather she sounded calm.

"Mind if I come along?" Datenshi asked.

"If you wish, but do as Saito-kun does." Yuriko said as she went to the hangar exit, now stopping to wait for 'Tenshi.

Saito would wait at her side and looked at her. "What's wrong?"

Datenshi nodded a little as she made her way over to the two, somehow instantly dressed in her uniform. "Understood Shoi." She seemed rather quiet.

"'Tenshi asked if she could come along." Yuriko spoke, nodding to 'Tenshi.

"Oh." he said and looked over at her and eyed her for a moment. Something seemed to be up, but he couldn't figure out what just yet. "Something wrong?"

Sumaru had left the VR room to look over his armor then after a check on the repairs on the left arm, he'd polish his machine top to bottom with his free time.

"Nothing is wrong Saito-sama." Datenshi said with a shrug.

"Do you two think I am dressed appropriately for this meeting?"Yuriko asked, looking down at her uniform.

The male neko glanced t her and nodded. "You look nice." he said. "Though it's a bit wrinkled in places still but it'll be alright"

"You look fine Shoi, no need to worry." Datenshi said with a nod

"I could use a drink right now..." Yuriko sighed, feeling a little stressed out by the whole ordeal."But thank you, you two." She said, giving each a small smile before leading them off towards the elevator to the concourse level.

Saito would follow quietly, heading with them both back toward the teahouse, partially wondering why there.

They soon arrived at the concourse area, the elevator doors closing behind. 'If you both wish to speak privately, or speak to me during this conversation with the Shosho, do so with telepathy, but keep it encrypted... I still do not trust her."

"Understood Shoi." Datenshi replied and nodded.

"Yes ma'am. Saito replied as well as he looked into the shop. "she's not her eyet'

Yuriko just sighed. "I imagine her office is near the command deck." She replied thoughtfully, wondering what Sumaru was up to. She hadn't seen him since the medbay earlier that day. "Sumaru-kun, what are you doing?"

Koharu had been wandering idly by the shops near the teahouse as she tried to get the hang of being out of uniform for the first time in a long while. She seemed like she felt out as place as she glanced around at the shopping crowds.

As the young pilot was just finishing polishing the pink paneled shoulder of Wish, his Mindy armor, he was caught surprised to receive the message from the Shoi. So after the initial shock of his silence being interrupted, he took a few breaths to gain his composure back before returning the message. "I am currently working on keeping my equipment in top shape Shoi, is there anything I can do for you ma'am?" He returned promptly and his telepathic voice carrying such a professional and formal tone. .

Yuriko just stood there, wearing a crooked smile. "Would you care to come clothes shoping with me? I have a little time until I have a meeting with one of the higher ups of the station."

Sumaru went silent for a moment, he wasn't too sure if he heard the words of Yuriko correctly. Unable to believe that she wanted much else to do with him other then their professional relationship as CO and solder, at least... that's how he felt since, well, the first and second day of his assignment to the Asamoya. "Are… you sure Shoi?" He questioned, to see if he heard correctly.

"Yes, I am sure, and who knows, perhaps we can find some outfits for you as well, and have some fun." Yuriko sent back, sounding somewhat amused by the idea.

Perplexed by her offer Sumaru was cautious with his response, it seemed the Shoi had completely shown him a different attitude then he was expecting. It took him another moment before the young feminine armor pilot responded. "Just give me a few minutes to get cleaned up and dressed..." He said, the awkwardness could easily be detected as he wasn't too sure to make of this, but all that aside Sumaru could never turn down a shopping chance.

"Whats the smirk for?" Datenshi asked Yuriko as she kept close by.

"A small personal victory of sorts...until Tange-Shosho shows up at the teahouse, I asked them to notify me thankfully."Yuriko replied airly as she stood there. "I asked Sumaru to go clothes shopping with me, and he accepted." "We will be waiting for you near the elevators, we are on the concourse level."

"Ohhh can I come?" Datenshi asked playfully.

"The last outfit you had me try on involved a pair of shorts so small, you could see everything."Yuriko said as she neared 'Tenshi, and looping an arm about her waist.

Sumaru took some time to wash up and prepare him self, but that was to be expected. He only had a few outfits to choose from at the moment because of his loss of his wardrobe on the Plumeria when it was destroyed, the outfits he had now were bought during their last stay at a space station when they were moved to the Asamoya. But that did not change the effort he put into his getting ready, as it was custom to dress up to go out and get some new fashion. ..

He'd arrive dressed up and looking stylish, head to toe in a very slender ensemble consisting of a long silk blue dress shirt with sleeves a little too long, under a black form fitting woman's dress vest, and a pair of flared black jeans, that had a blue wing like tribal embroidery going up the side of his left leg for a more casual and modern look. The top was unbuttoned a little like most women's fashion and there hung his tiny silver star necklace around his neck and on display for once. He had spared no detail, as his shoes were a pair of what looked like blue glossy mary-janes and his nails were white with a digital blue squares swirl on top, a very trendy thing to do from back home.

"Oh come on Yuri-chan you know you liked the shorts, I still say you need to wear more of the like too." Datenshi nodded a little and waved to Sumaru. "Hey Suma-kun!"

Yuriko merely pinched 'Tenshi's rear as she looked Sumaru over, and smiled. "Wow Sumaru-kun, you look very nice, very trendy." She commented.

Koharu's ears twitched when she heard Yruko's voice somewhere nearby. She glanced around for a moment to see if she could spot her friend in the crowd.

Datenshi giggled and swatted Yuriko, obivously not very phased by the pinch as she nodded in agreement. "Definantly."

Saito, Yuriko's bodyguard stood behind Yuriko, and eyed Sumaru a moment, since 'Tenshi and Yuriko seemed to know him. After that brief moment however, he merely looked away, eyes scanning.

"Do not forget, you agreed to spend a whole day with me." Yuriko reminded the armorer, letting her hand slip a little further down, and now caressed 'Tenshi's backside a moment before stopping, her hand back up on her side. "That is...if you can keep it up for a whole day." The Shoi both challanged, and teased as she smiled to Sumaru.

He nodded his white haired head once in thanks, hiding a blush behind his half face veiling bang. The exposed side of his face was of course, ever flawless in the sense that he was pretty good at his makeup. Years of practice made perfect, as his face was soft looking and almost tantalizing in a strange feminine sense with those glossed lips. Of course cutely accessories by his signature blue gem like star sticker under his exposed eye. Of course another nod of hello was offered to Tenshi as well.


When the crimson eyed neko spotted her friends she quietly made her way through the crowd over to them. She waved a little awkwardly to them once she had a direct line of sight with them.

"Oh of course I can shoi, and I woul have hoped you knew that." Datenshi smiled and wiggled her rear a little at the hand before waving to Koharu. "Hey! Koha-chan come here!"

"Well, I would not want to tire you out...I have not done anything in nearly a week." Yuriko admitted as she spotted Koharu, smiled, and waved for her to come over.

"You won't tire me out hun I promise." Datenshi snickered a little and waved to Koharu to hurry.

"I daresay I am looking forward to it." Yuriko replied, wearing a smile still. "I will even put up a notice for us to not be disturbed."

"Ohhhh really? Goodie for me. A entire uninterrupted day with you? Well we will need Haru to bring us some food won't we?" Datenshi asked playfully.

Koharu's walking pace was relatively fast and she was standing beside them in her blue chinese style dress and her hair tied up in pigtails. She smiled a little shyly as she folded her arms behind her back. "How did your meeting with the blackcoat go, Yuriko-san?"

Sumaru's light blue eyes shifted from one neko to the next as with their changing facial features, it was obvious they were talking to one another. It worried him a little as he thought it was highly probable they were talking about him, as he turned his gaze away to nod small a hello to Koharu. A passing by group of people stopped once they passed Sumaru to question his gender, "man she's cute." "I think that might be a guy." "No way." And so on, before the group got out of earshot.

Yuriko caressed 'Tenshi's side as Koharu came over and she held out her hand for Sumaru."Mmmmhmm...if you would like, she could even join us for awhile. That is if she would like to." The Shoi replied to 'Tenshi before addressing Koharu. "I am to meet her in the teahouse. Unfortunately she has not arrived yet, but I asked them to notify me when she does. Until then, we're going clothes shopping, care to join?"

"Ohh my my kinky...Though I think Fuyu would be more likely to join us then Haru." Datenshi said with a smirk.

"I do not think Fuyu likes me in that way..." Yuriko responded, sounding a little put out.

"Then you didn't see her the other day drilling a hole in your ass with her eyes did you?" Datenshi asked aloud.

Sumaru looked down at Yuriko's hand a moment; before he clued in she was offering it to him. He blinked once before awkwardly taking her hand and then offering her a slight smile.

Yuriko smiled a little as she saw Sumaru smiling too. "It is good to see you smiling again." She replied happily, and gave his hand a gentle squeezed before jumping a bit, and staring at 'Tenshi, shocked. "Wh...Wha...What?" Her mental voice squeaked.

"I don't see why not. Anything in particular that you are shopping for clothing wise?" The crimson eyed neko asked as she tilted her head to one side looking at Yuriko and Sumaru with a soft smile. "We should find you more suitable garments befitting a knight," Koharu commented casually with a friendly tone in her voice.

"Ano... I do not know...I suppose it is more along the lines of random, impulse clothes shopping." Yuriko commented, with a little nod.

"Oh god yea if it hadn't been for the hostages we just saved im sure that she and Kyuuka would have jumped you right there and had thier way with you." Datenshi could only nod a little with a smirk

Yuriko just stared at 'Tenshi again. "I had no idea..." She sounded a little startled...and...aroused at the sametime by the notion.

Datenshi's lips spread open like a cat's getting ready to get in trouble, her pearly white teeth showing. "Oh my yes." Tenshi nodded a little.

"How can you be sure?"Yuriko asked, looking dead at 'Tenshi, giving her a deep, and searching look.

Sumaru looked at Koharu a moment, an inquisitive look about his face a moment before he went wide eyed. "H- has... Sora talked about me? He asked Kohau discreetly in telepathy, his telepathic voice laced with a shocked sort of hope.

"Yuri-chan I'm telling you the girl was nearly drooling. Come on trust me I know about this stuff." Datenshi nodded with a small smirk on her face now.

Koharu chose to answer Sumaru's question with a shy smile and a wink as she watched the change of expression on his face. It was times like this that she found that words were lacking in the appropriate response.

"And why would you be smirking about Fuyu's wanting to jum me, and have her way with me, if you were not there to enjoy?" Yuriko asked.

"Cause I think it's funny your oblivious to her." Datenshi commented, snuggling up to Yuriko a little. "Should we invite her too later on in the day?"

"She has not made her intentions known..." Yuriko frowned a little at the thought. She knew she was the ship's captain, and Fuyu a sprite, but the girl also knew she could speak her mind to Yuriko. "If she wishes to...I have no problems with it. As long as in the end it is just me and you. We have done nothing together, alone in sometime, and I daresay I miss your touch."

"Oh most definantly we shall finish alone. It's been a while for me too since I have felt the touch of another skilled woman. Most girls I meet just flop over after I get them even only once." Datenshi replied and pecked Yuriko on the cheek.

Sumaru only was more stunned with Koharu reaction, ever so glad that Sora still mentions him to this day. Though sure it had not been long since their parting, he still felt that maybe because of his actions and his failure to be there, that she'd forget him and even farther would stop thinking about his noble devotion. So with that on his mind, he decided to follow Koharu's lead on his new quest for outfits to fit such a title.

"If you want...we could have a precursor to what awaits us tomorrow..." Yuriko offered as they neared a clothing shop, wondering if 'Tenshi would catch on.

"Ohhh? And just where would we do that at?" Datenshi asked, placing her hand around the girl's waist now to tug her closer.

"Changing room stall?" Yuriko asked, feeling herself being brought in closer now as they entered the shop.

Koharu turned her head to one side to look at a window display and paused. She wondered if she was really so out of touch with the world around her as she felt sometimes. Her glanced at her reflection and pursed her lips together in a contenplative pout before she continued on after Yuriko and Tenshi.

It was Tenshi's turn to seem a little shocked, grinning widely all the while as she nodded a little. "Someone is adventerous today..."

"Shush, you know you want to." Yuriko chided, leaning her head on 'Tenshi's shoulder a moment before looking at an outfit on a mannequin. "We should pick somethings out first you know."

"Gotcha! Come on let's go grab somethin." With a laugh, Datenshi wandered over to the chegnosam section, looking through the various designs.

Sumaru's eyes were drawn to the walls, pulling on Yuriko a bit as he made his way to the racks of clothes. It had seemed they had stumbled into what he took as one of the only higher end fashion boutiques on the station and because of that Sumaru was a kid in a candy store, as he used his free hand to shift through the clothes close by.

Yuriko squeaked, and was literally tossed into the air between the two each one trying to pull her. The Shoi nearly fell onto the ground before catching herself with her anti-gravity abilities, hanging in mid air, and giving 'Tenshi a perfect view of inside of her skirt before landing on her feet.

Koharu glanced around the store at the clothing dispassionately. She wasn't one for fashion- ever. She was more interested in how the trio with her were acting. She raised an eyebrow, not sure what exactly was going on, since Tenshi and yuriko had been walking in silence all this time.

Sumaru would be continuing to pull on Yuriko as he moved from one shelf to the next; he already had two complete outfits in the one hand that he wanted to try on and a dress he had picked out that he thought might look good on Yuriko. Now he was looking over the accessories.

Datenshi whistled out a cat-call to Yuriko and grirnned, laughing a little as she found a rather nice looking chegnosam. With a all black fabric, it had red lace and trim, which went along perfectly for her normal clothig and style.

Yuriko just blinked as the little game of 'tugg 'g war' finally ended in Sumaru's favor. "I did not know you liked shopping Sumaru-kun." She remarked, looking at a fetching silver shirt. She felt the material, and noted it to be silk.

With a soft smile, Koharu wandered out of sight from the others. She had decided that they were too wrapped up in their own conversations without her intruding on their fun.

"I like your dress you know. It makes you look very pretty." Yuriko's mental voice would say inside of Koharu's mind, sounding sincere, and kind. She ment it too, since coming on board she'd only ever seen the woman in uniform.

Just as she left though, Sumaru paused in his shopping and noted Koharu's leave. "Koharu-dono, I'm afraid I am still too ashamed to send Sora word my self, but tell her next time you speak to her that... I still plan to be her knight and be by her side, no matter what it takes." Sumaru then turned back and with a moment's pause he then continued to shop, a little calmer now and full of hope and drive now, for you see... he had a plan.

Koharu had once again chosen not to respond verbally and instead projected the image of her smiling gratefully to Yuriko before she sent the image of Sumaru and Tenshi's silent tug of war over her. The images gave the impression of displacement and seemed like they were well meaning.

"Hey Koharu-chan come here! Don't leave yet I wanna see you try somethin on ok?" Datenshi said to Koharu as she thumbed through a few dresses..

The bridge officer had disappeared from the store and was lost somewhere in the crowd. Koharu smiled softly as she just walked on through the causeway, listening to the din of the crowd.

END
 
ON: YSS Asamoya

After her brief meeting with Sumaru, Yuriko left the cafe' a little distressed. The Shoi whiped at her eyes, and kept nodding everytime Saito asked if she was alright. Though she didn't tell him the why of her crying for good reasons. As she walked, the need to have a small drink come to mind. Something to calm her nerves, and to take the edge off. The Shoi asked Saito for the location of a good bar, and he began to direct her to one. As they began to head there, she briefly sent communique's to her crew, asking what they were up to at the current time.

Tenshi had her arm around Yuriko's shoulder, rubbing it a little as she tried to get her to cheer up a little. "Aww come on hun cheer up please? I hate seein ya upset." Datenshi said aloud, pinching her shoulder some.
Star Paul has joined the conference.

Yuriko just nodded absently as she leaned her head on 'Tenshi's shoulder as the three entered the bar. It appeared to be a little classy due to the decorations, and music playing. Some of the Fifth's officer's could be seen sitting there, speaking to each other, or sitting idly, sipping their drinks, off duty.
Nana Mitsui has left the conference.

"I've got a lot on my mind right now..."Yuriko mumbled as she seated herself in a booth, and Saito did the same on the opposite side. The silver haired neko patted one of Yuriko's hand comfortingly, and flagged a waiter down.

Kerr followed the trio of Yuriko, Datenshi and Saito, entering the bar a couple minutes after they did. Yuriko's depressed state unnerved the fighter pilot and certainly dampened his mood. Only really there because 'Tenshi dragged him there, Kerr quickly broke free of his companions, telling them, "I'm going to go ahead and get some drinks at the bar."

Datenshi nodded a little from Kerr's comment as she sat next to Yuriko, rubbing her arm a little before she yawned. "So you wanna dance later on hun? Or just relax here?"

"Teacher, will you come and have a drink with me?" Reiko asked as the YC-28 had finally docked, and the pair had dis-embarked the ship. The samurai in-training wore her samurai uniform, her sword at her side, and her NSP at her hip. Reiko looked back at Midori and wore a 'puppy dog eyed' expression.

"Relax." Yuriko mumbled, and swiped her finger in the air, four volumetric displays popping up in front of her as the waiter came over.

"Welcome, do you know what you wish to drink, or would you rather go over our selections via a menu?" The man asked formally. He held three menus in his hand as a just incase for such a situation.

Midori let a small smile play on her face, just the upturned corners of her mouth as she rolled her eyes. "I suppose...You have worked hard and we could use a day of relaxation." Her teacher said after a moment of thinking over.

Datenshi nodded a little to Yuriko as she sighed a little, wishing Yuriko would cheer up. "Two shots of strong whiskey, a shot of your strongest Nep scotch, and a bottle of sake.

" Datenshi said in reply to the waiter.

Yuriko looked over to 'Tenshi, surprised. "Is that all for you?" She asked as a series of weapon diagrams began popping up on the screen as the waiter jotted down the order.

"I've run a check through Hotaru's AI, and have found a suitable bar. Classy, relaxed atmosphere, good drinks." Reiko explained as she waited for Midori to follow her. Truth be told she had also done a search on where her friend Yuriko was. And had chosen the same bar. She remembered Midori and the girl having had a fight, and wanted them to make up. "Perhaps we should have changed before dis-embarking?" The girl asked.

"What for?" Midori asked oddly. Why would they need to change? Suddenly Midori became a little suspicious of where they were going, but decided against snooping around.

Tenshi looked to Yuriko and shrugged. "Meh, I may have somethin else later hun." She replied. "Would you quit workin and get drunk?!"

"Yuriko-san, where are you guys at right now?" Koharu telepathically asked Yuriko.

"Simple...we have yet to go on a...erm..date." Reiko mumbled as she shuffled off towards the elevators, her cheeks tinged pink just a bit.

"This is my own design, something that I started working on earlier before we first arrived at Hotaru." Yuriko explained as she went over the schematics. It was still only littler more then a theoretical concept, and some concept art. But it appeared to be a new torpedo chassis, and system. "We are in a bar Koharu-chan, do you wish to join us?" The Shoi asked as she placed her own order. "I will take a shot of the Nepleslian Scotch, and a glass of your best plum wine please." She replied, and thw waiter jotted this down too. Saito just asked for a green tea, and then the man was gone to go and get their orders.

Midori's eyebrows went up a little in shock. "A date? You wish to go on a date?" Midori asked as she tilted her head a little. "Well...We could always stop at a clothing shop."

"I see. Still, chill out and let yourself relax!" Datenshi said, waving her hands infront of Yuriko's face to mess with her vision of the windows.

"That'd be lovely. Which bar, Yuriko-san?" Koharu telepathically queried Yuriko again.

Yuriko sent the location, and name of the bar to Koharu as she continued to work. She however did frown a little when 'Tenshi began waving her hands in front of her face though. "You would appreciate this weapon you know." She replied, sounding a little proud of it.

"Perhaps later on. But I am curious about this Nepleslian whiskey they have. I have never tried it. Besides, you owe me a drink as you did not have one with me at new years." Reiko replied, sounding a little hurt as she entered the elevator, waiting for Midori.

Dagsuz stumbled by, glass in hand, mumbling something about 'nuclear wessels', a dazed look of forced concentration on his face. After he'd passed, a shady looking woman followed.

"You never asked to. I simply sat there, all alone while you were having fun with the others. If anyone should be hurt, it should be me." Midori replied, crossing her arms as she stepped into the elevator, standing infront of her as she waited for the elevator to go.

"I'm sure I will and I will be glad that you made it, but what I would appreciate even more is if you were to relax and simply drink with me tonight."

Kerr, drinking a beer by himself at the bar, spotted Dagsuz mumbling to himself and apparently being trailed by a weird woman. "I swear they must be spiking our drinks," he said to himself while shaking his head.

"And when I asked if you'd wish to play the game with me on new years you declined. We were supposed to speak to them to gain clues. So I was not having fun with others." Reiko stated, pressing a button for the elevator to head towards the concourse level.

"So, you do not wish to see my Multiple Independantly targetable warhead delivery system?" Yuriko asked, tilting her head to the side as the waiter came back. The Shoi promptly swiped her money card through the reader, and he bowed, leaving their drinks for them.
Gamer ofthegame: "Oh my gosh!" Came up from a table away from a group of seven Neko rather loudly, one of which (A purple haired one) pointed to Yuriko in the process. A ashy black skinned Neko with milky white hair down to her collar bone quickly hopped up from her seat, getting a few quiet cheers from the other Neko, and the neko made her way over to the crew's tables.

The shady woman smirked a little, her blonde spiked hair seeming suspended in air as she followed closely behind Dagsuz. He was supposed to be somewhat smart, and well Hoshiko didn't get to have much fun with the male side all to often. They seemed to be afraid of her...And Lilium had told her to release some tension while on the ship anyway.

Midori rolled her eyes. "If I must walk you through everything then you will never learn." Midori said with a sigh as she waited along side of Reiko.

"Ohhhh seriously? Lemme see lemme see!" She called out, grinning widely as she downed her first shot, the nepleslian whiskey first.

"You think you must walk me through everything. But you ended up winning the game." Reiko retorted as she exited the elevator as the doors swung open, and out into the concourse level. It was quite busy, and filled with shops, restaurants, clubs, bars, hotels, and even a strip club or two. "The bar is down this way." She sounded a little stiff now after having spoken her mind.

Yuriko just blinked, and turned one of the displays toward 'Tenshi. A large diagram of a AS-7 torpedo chassis on it, except it had been modifed to hold at least six to eight small warheads of its own. "Each of the warheads will be capable of independant targeting once launched from the main chassis."

Dagsuz found himself in a corner, and was thusly contemplating the walls creating it. He'd gone silent at this point, his glass very much empty. Noticing this, he attempted to place it in his pocket, but quickly gave up and set it on the floor in front of him. He nodded as if he'd just done something unfathomably wise, then turned to leave the corner.
Gamer ofthegame: The ashy Neko cleared her throat when she reached the table, hands clasped tightly infront of her, "... Um... Kakutama Yuriko...?" She hesitanted to speak, but bowed quickly and deeply (Nearly hitting her table, actually), staying down as she waited for Yuriko to respond.

"Yes?" Yuriko asked before she placed her lips on the glass to look and see who called her name.

Koharu entered the bar after a few minutes of preparing elsewhere on the station. She had changed into a nice dark blue knee length dress with long loosely flared sleeves. She lightly tugged on her right ear as she looked around the bar for the familiar faces of the crew.

"Oh now that is cool..." Datenshi said, looking over the specs some as she downed her shot of whiskey now, leaving the one shot and a bottle of sake left. She never even noticed the girl at thier table.

Midori shook her head a little. "I could not help it if the game came easily to me. It was easy to figure out how to win if one thought on it."

Hoshiko continued to stalk the man, smirking a little as she began to close the distance between herself and the man. She was in the mood for some fun tonight...
Gamer ofthegame: "Um... I am sure you get this a lot but... Could you... Um... Could I get your autograph?" She, in a rather magical way, although in realtiy from her back pocket, produced a piece of paper and a pen and held it out infront of her, her arms trembling a little.

Reiko just kept her mouth shut, but shook her own head in response as she lead Midori into the bar. Light, and relaxing music was playing, and as before there were Fifth XF officers, and a few warrant officers enjoying themselves. The girl ran a quick check, finding her quarry the light and relaxing piano music was inviting and ebbed her mood just a bit.

Yuriko blinked, completely taken aback by the question, and request. "Ano..." She honestly didn't know what to do. She'd never encountered such a thing before, until now. She couldn't be that popular, she was not in it for the honor, prestige, or glory, but to simply help people. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded, hand extended for the pen and paper.

Midori's eyes washed over the bar as eyes turned to them, looking them over. It seemed that Samurai were a rarity on the station, atleast she had yet to see any. Tugging softly at her obi, she simply nodded to Yuriko. "So, where shall we sit?" She asked.

Datenshi almost fell out of her chair with laughter as she saw Yuriko get flustered over the fan. "Looks like you got a fan club now! Hah!"

Upon spotting Yuriko and her fan, Koharu walked over towards her captain curiously. She paused and shook her head before she walked over to where Kerr was standing at the bar. "What's your poison, Kerr?"
Gamer ofthegame: The neko jumped up and down a little on her heels and thrust it closer to the woman, seemily overjoyed.
hiro_seishin has joined the conference.

Reiko walked smoothly towards Yuriko, and her party, thankfully they were obscured from view by plant life. "A secluded table perhaps." She replied as she kept walking, drawing closer to Yuriko.

Dagsuz brushed past his stalker, apparently not noticing her at all. He strode forward, past Yuriko and by the overjoyed neko. Mistaking himself as the target of the Neko's enthusiasm, he smiled, and took the paper and pen, beginning to scribble on it. "Always happy to meet fans... actually, you would be the first..." he said jovially, "And certainly more than happy to give a keepsake. Here you are!" He returned the paper and pen, the signature not so much a signature as a partial schematic that would take a team of technicians to decipher. He bowed his way out, and stepped out of the bar.

"Beer for right now," Kerr replied to the Asamoya's XO. "Thinking about upgrading to bourbon shortly." He pointed a finger toward the booth Yuriko was occupying and said, "Kakutama-Shoi's just over there, Shoi." However, he looked closer at the booth and exclaimed, "What the heck?! She's got fans? I wonder if she's like a pop idol or something."

"Oh my..."Yuriko just blinked, and watched Dagsuz, enter, and hand out his own autograph and then leave. Judging by his posture, and speech he'd been drinking. The Shoi sighed a little, and shook her head.

The neko brushed past the others as well, smirking a little as she waited until he left the bar before following. She began to advance more, her telepathic skills attmepting to tickle at the edges of his brain with faint whispers of promises for more bed oriented activities.

Midori simply nodded. "It would be nice, I do not enjoy the stares." Midori said, her face had a small blush splayed across the surface.

Datenshi couldn't handle Dagsuz's interruption as she fell out of her chair and to the floor, holding her sides as she laughed and rolling away from the spilled whiskey.
Gamer ofthegame: The Neko became suddenly shocked, then depressed rather instantly. Her shoulders drooped and she looked downward, holding the paper to her stomach. Hell, her ears were drooping downwards almost rabbit like, which was some what comical. She turned on her heels rather quickly and walked toward the table where she came from, where only one Neko shared the Ashy neko's expression. The rest gave Dagsuz evil 'I'm going to hunt you down, rape you up the ass, then kill you via choking you with your mother's entrails' look. Not a happy one.

"It's okay, I don't want to bask in the light with Yuriko. It's odd, our idols are our accomplished military officers and our pilots but we don't really have much else as Nekos. Maybe.... whenever we have peace we can have something else to admire besides war," the crimson eyed executive officer commented softly as she gestured for the bartender. "I'd like a bottle of rice beer, please."

Saito, who'd been keeping quiet until now, perked a brow at this bouncy newcomer whom apparently, was asking for a autograph. For what reason, he didn't know and figured that it was just a female being eccentric. But considering Yuriko's reputation around here it partially made sense; of course there'd be some who'd look up or idolize her. When the others came in and the man took the opportunity himself the male neko groaned, brushing a hand through his hair, making it gleam in the lights. "That's...just alittle odd.." When he noticed her going depressed he shook his head, noticing the results. "oi."

Yuriko just shook her head, and asked 'Tenshi to get ahold of herself as she walked over to the neko who'd asked for her autograph, now fishing in one of the pockets of her belt. "I apologize for my crew member...he cannot handle alcohol very well it seems." She replied sounding apologetic as she continued to fish around until she pulled out a scuffed, and used Santo Hei rank pin. It'd had seen better days, having been in many battles, and the like. She however held it out to the neko. "Here, this is my old Santo Hei rank pin...sadly it has seen better days, but I hope you accept it in way of making up for not getting what you wished for."

Kerr frowned a little at Koharu's drink selection. "Rice beer, huh? To each their own, I guess." He drank down a gulp of his own mug of beer before he continued, "To be honest, I'd rather not think about the peace at the end of all this. I don't think I'd adapt very well to a life without people trying to kill me on a regular basis."

Dagsuz stopped suddenly in the corridor, and sat down. He was thinking through a series of equations, the bed-olympic thoughts unoticed.
Gamer ofthegame: The ashy neko smiled a little, her slight depression disapating a little. It was still there, but not as much. She nodded quickly, taking the pin hesitantly before she scurried back to where she sat. The evil stares only intensified on Dagsuz, though.

"Trust me, people trying to kill you gets old. I'm tired of it all," Koharu replied flatly as she took a swig of her beer. "Rice beer is lighter and sweeter than regular beer, so it doesn't taste like piss like other beer."

This is not going to end well for that poor guy... Saito thought to Yuriko, his mental voice calm and somewhat amused. You might want to make sure he isn't left alone with them. He promptly suggested as he just sat, relaxing. He didn't currently have anything to drink though.

Reiko continued on, as Yuriko bowed, and turned about, looking towards the floor until she bumped right into the girl. The Shoi squeaked, and Reiko merely made a little sound as the violet haired neko looked up. Seeing Reiko, Yuriko smiled excitedly, and wrapped her arms about Reiko's neck, hugging her, and even gave her a kiss on the cheek. However, seeing Midori in tow, her expression drained slightly.


Hoshiko made her way and sat down on the bench near Dagsuz, her eyes roaming over his body. She had that grin that seemed to promise more as she pressed up against the engineer now.

Midori watched the two with a blank expression, her hand draped over the grip of her sword as she simply bowed her head. "Greetings Yuriko-Shoi."

Kerr shrugged and replied, "I dunno. I've been living the dangerous life for a while now and I figure that being just a few steps from death will likely get old for me when I'm dead. That's probably the tiring part. All the dying and resurrection would get on my nerves."

"Hello Midori." Yuriko replied, her expression equally as blank as she simply nodded her head slightly. Reiko however...she seemed to be backing away from the pair at a slow pace.

The silver-maned neko glanced over, recognizing both Reiko and Hoshiko but didn't mention anything about it other than a short greeting wave. "My my this is getting interesting, everyone's converging on one place like moths to a flame." he mused. Glancing at Kerr her listened to what he was saying with a twitch of his ear, sure it eas mild eavesdropping but who cared.

"Probably, I'm heavily biased though. The Elysian wars were bad enough but now we have the nice option of tentacle rape or horrible death at the hands of the Mishhu. You get the joy of simply dying because you are a man," Koharu said a little biterly to Kerr as she took another long swig of her beer.

"I hear you have been making a name for yourself lately Shoi. A rescue on the Akina?" The samurai said with a obviously dead voice.

"We also took, a Mishhuvurthyar Carrier, and freed over one hundred prisoners of varying races." Yuriko replied as she stood there. Her hands were clasped behind her back, and she just looked Midori right in the eye.

Reiko on the other hand had made it past Midori, now only a few inches behind her teacher, and lover as she continued to inch away.

Dagsuz looked up, eyes unseeing as his stalker pressed against him. "Vigor." he said suddenly, drawing its chemical formula in the air in front of him, "That's what you used, isn't it?"

"A impressive new list for you." Midori said, still staring at Yuriko. After a moment, Midori said something under her breath, to low for even Saito to hear before she stepped forward, her hands slipping up under her armpits, drawing the girl into a close hug.

"My my your a smart one." Hoshiko nodded and laid her head on the man's shoulder, making a dreamy look as she sighed.

"I suppose I do have it easier when you put it like that," Kerr agreed. "Death is a lot easier to face when you're able to face it on your feet." Not really liking the direction that the conversation was heading, Kerr quickly changed the subject, "That's a nice outfit ya got on there. Is this the kind of thing you like to wear? It's kind of hard for me to imagine you in anything but a Star Army uniform."

The mention of "vigor" made Saito sit up a bit more, being cautious in case this went bad. He perked a brow when Midori hugged Yuriko and smiled slightly at it. Aww isn't that just cute, wish I had a camera. He teased Yuriko with.

Yuriko just made a cute little squeak of surprise. One she used to do whenever Midori happened to surprise her with anything from popping up, or scaring her. After a moments hesitation, Yuriko returned the hug, and let her arms slip about Midori's waist. "I missed you..." She mumbled, sounding apologetic as she buried her face into the samurai's uniform. To Saito, she sent a mental 'sniff' and a since of disaproving.

Midori's arms tightened slightly around Yuriko, drawing her into a protective embrace as she nodded, simply kissing her on the side of the head as her way of apologizing.

"Thank you, I do try my best," Dagsuz said, "Vigour on the most sexually restrained technician to walk the halls of the Yamataian star army facilities. This should be interesting." At this point, Dagsuz's eyes closed, and his head fell forward in a light unconciousness.

Saito shook his head and just sat back and gave a slight shrug. "Was just teasing..." he muttered and looked over at everyone else.

"I.. kinda like it. I feel a little out of place out of my uniform and out of the ship," Koharu replied shyy back with a light blush on her cheeks. "Irim used to tease me about liking to wear pants, but we had the vents on our thighs for such a long time that wearing normal pants was smothering." She chuckled lightly at the memory.

Reiko sighed, relieved she had not needed to escape.

Yuriko kept Midori in the hug, until she finally pulled away enough to get a better look at her. "So...how have you been?"

"I have been...Good I suppose." Midori took a deep breath, relishing the contac between herself and a mentally stable person as she looked to Reiko. "My pupil has been getting better with each passing day."

Reiko stopped dead mid-backstep as she was suddenly spotted, and went red.

I am glad both of you are fine." Yuriko smiled as she hugged Midori once more, then released herself. "I do not doubt you've been keeping tabs on me, and you should know how I have been." She replied, and offered Midori a seat at her table, and even got a chair for Reiko who shuffled over like a child who had been caught.

"It's kinda weird hearing ya talk like this," Kerr confessed, a little surprised that Koharu was acting so shy. "From what I could tell from what little I could about you, I would have figured you for the wooden type who lived for military service. Seeing ya like this gives me a more... human impression of you." His eyes darted about suddenly and he added at the end, "No offense or anything, Shoi."

"Service wise yes, but emtionally no..." Midori said as she sat down with the others, among whom was Datenshi who had recovered. She seemed to eye Midori and Reiko a little coldly now.

Reiko merely waved to 'Tenshi, offering a little smile before looking to Midori again. She figured she was in for it later.

"Well...I have been considering have children again..." Yuriko admitted as she began to close the volumetric displays.
Enigma Rune has joined the conference.

"Oh..?" Midori asked, her eyebrow raised a little now as she heard the girl speak.

Datenshi returned the wave, though she seemed more interested in the bottle of sake and the display of the weaponry.

"None taken. I am meant for military service, I'm just sick of seeing people die needlessly in wars that have no end in sight but 23 years of knowing nothing but death gives me some pause. I would love to do something else but while there is a war going on, trying to pretend nothing's happening is stupid," Koharu replied to Kerr with a sigh. "I guess, I can see how I might be a little stiff. It's hard to stay objective all the time."

"What's wrong Tenshi?" Saito asked, glancing over to her seeing a lonely look about her.

"Yes...I have been pondering on who the contributor should be." Yuriko looked up to Midori, and placed a hand on the samurai's now. She wore a little embarrassed smile. "Would you consent to being the contributor?"

Hoshiko smirked a little as she scooped up Dagsuz, moving them from the bench to a more private place.

With another look to the others, Datenshi sent Saito a message. "Great...miss sword-up-the-ass showed up..."

Reiko's head jerked up, and she looked at the two women, surprised by what Yuriko asked. The girl looked from Midori to Yuriko, and back again.

Keeping a straight face Saito looked over at her. Ahh well. wish I could help you with that. Could always find something else to do perhaps.

"I want to stay with Yuriko." Datenshi said with a small grumble.

And that's fine, but sometimes compromises have to be made. he said to Tenshi. They haven't seen each other in a while so it's nice to her to allow her that moment. Saito said.

Misato walked into the teahouse, Hotaru, begin upload of operation data--I need to know where I stand when it comes to the ships I ordered for my group. Hotaru set to work, meanwhile Misato headed to her usual table, a young Yamataian girl emerged and said "Miss whadda'ya want?!" Misato lowered her gaze--children didnt belong on an Iori. She scoffed, saying sharply "Vanilla Chai--hot, please and hold that crap your mother sprinkles on the top." The kid went wide eyed and said back, unknowing of what she said, "My mom says your a bwit-ch, but your just mean." Misato growled and the kid took off for the kitchen.

Kerr grinned suddenly and state, "Well, all things considered, I think you're doin' alright." He finished off his beer with a couple of dramatic gulps. "Besides, I know the best cure for this condition. A good drink will always help to unwind what's been bindin' ya. Lets get a couple of bourbon shots over here!" he told a bartender.

Yuriko's ears twitched a little as she was suddenly notified of Misato's arrival at the teahouse. The Shoi frowned a little despite herself, and she sighed, closing all of the volumetric windows that had the diagram on them.

Misato, I trust you've gotten the Mishhuvurthyar eggs I extracted from the 1st XF ship? Rina's telepathic voice soon coming full swing into Misato's mind as she was heading towards the Taisho's suite.

Koharu laughed and shook her head. "Thanks, I think." The crimson eyed neko polished off the last of her bottle of beer and set it carefully on the counter. "As long as the game isn't getting me completely smashed and passed out the the floor, I'm up to play for a bit, Josef."

Dagsuz's eyes flickered open a few times as he was carried through the corridors, always quickly falling shut again. When they stopped moving entirely, it was a few moments before they drifted open again.
harrikke paolino has joined the conference.


Seconds later another black coat entered the teahouse, this one however was very odd--bright pink hair, and a black ankle length overcoat. Misato... She murmmured, nearly knocking the child returning from the kitchen with the chair into the corner as she walked to the ShoSho. She then took the seat to Misato's right, So what's the deal? This better not be some kind political ongoing--you know how I feel about that shit. Kiyoko took the Chai meant for Misato and brought it to her lips. Saying to the kid, "Guess you need another, hop to it Boosy!" her slanderous words intended for the known connection of the child's mother to the waning Hanabusa family.


I got them Rina, I put them under your pillow for safe keeping. Misato returned to the other ShoSho. She greeted Kiyoko with a low purr. Some Firsties want to play in my sandbox, I want to know what kind of toys they have and if they are going to play nice. She giggled as Kiyoko took her Chai, That was mine bitch! Hrmph...

"Well, I guess that will depend on you're ability to hold your liquor," Kerr replied with a sly grin. The bartender deposited to shot glasses filled with bourbon. "Keep 'em comin'," Kerr told the bartender as he picked up his shot glass. He looked over at Koharu and declared, "Down the hatch!" as he guzzled down his first shot.

Midori's eyes truely shot up now, a look of surprise washing over her face as she blinked a few times. "You want...me?"

Hoshiko seemed to wind her way back to a room she had prepared before hand, in one of the few hotels on the station. With a smirk she made her way upstairs to her room only to deposit the body on the bed as she went to freshen up.

Someone is in a decidedly dark mood today.Rina replied in her usual tone of voice when she delt with Misato. It being cheery, Misato maybe head of the family, but they were equal in rank, and both were part of the Bakufu. Not enjoying the fact that there is a First Expeditionary Fleet ship in Bay Sixteen, and the fact that some of our Santo Hei have already caused a small scuffle with the First XF ship's crew? She asked and spoke to Mikan, the woman nodding along.


"Yes...yes I do...but...I cannot speak of it now...I have an appointment with a Shosho in a teahouse not to far from here." Yuriko replied, getting to her feet. She looked to Saito. "Time to get going, Saito, 'Tenshi." She then looked to Midori, and Reiko, smiling a little. "You are free top come along, but I ask that you remain with Saito-kun, and 'Tenshi-chan if you decide to come along with me." She bowed, not waiting for an answer, and promptly began to make her way out.

The former Ketsurui chuckled as she grabbed a shot glass and quickly tossed it back with a gulp. Koharu set the glass down on the counter with a grin, "This should be entertaining."

Wow, you seem to be at your best today. Kiyoko commented, leaning back into her chair. I hear Caine is back, you got any idea why my mother-dearest has called him to her quarters? She enquired, knowing Misato knew everything that happened on Hotaru.

Saito silently got off the chair and adjusted the vest he was wearing as well as the fit of the weapons that never left his sides. "Coming Yuriko-chan." he said using the familiar and promptly followed behind the young woman as she started to head out.

Reiko just looked over to a somewhat surprised looking Midori. Wondering what her teacher would do.

Maybe she wants to fuck him? Misato said snatching her Chai from the kid, The kid smiled and hopped off back into the kitchen. Seriously-I don't know why don't you listen in? Head down to the BISA Command and listen?

Kuniko let out a small sigh as she saw Misato and Kiyoko. With a smile she sauntered her way over to the two, waving aside the display screens infront of her face that called for various things within her group. She needed a few moments to herself and decided to be around the few people who she could actually get along with. "Hey there Mistao-chan, Kiyoko-chan, mind if I join you two?" She asked.

Midori composed herself, thinking it over for a few moments before she followed behind Yuriko, motioning for Reiko to follow along.

Kerr replied as the second pair of shots were brought to them, "Of course it will. This is the best kind of game because even when you lose, you still win." He picked up his drank down his second shot, letting out a single, heavy but short breath.

Reiko just shook her head a little, and hopped off her chair, and trotted to catch up. With Saito, Midori, herself, and 'Tenshi in tow, it seemd her friend Yuriko had quite the escort.

Seriously, I dont think she is that desperate..Didn't you say you had some recording of her fucking the new SIP Director on the Conference room table?? Kiyoko nibbled her lip. Looking up as Kuniko came trolling in. Kiyoko kicked a chair out for the ShoSho, "Sure if you don't mind meeting with a few Firsties.."

Datenshi wasn't to far behind Yuriko either, only a step to her left and one behind. She was still looking over the specs of the weapons the shoi had been cooking up.

Dagsuz moaned, and rolled off the bed with a thud. A muffled curse could be heard as he slowly rolled his way across the floor toward the door, almost laborous in his escapade.

I hope I did not upset you Midori-chan Yuriko asked as she kept moving, weaving through the crowd of people as she saw the teahouse in sight. The Shoi wondered if Misato was...still in that mood of hers she had been in when they had spoken last. Not that the Shosho scared her, but she did seem to have quite the mouth on her.

Ya...I sold it to some porn guru on Jiyuu for a few thousand KS. Misato said to Kuniko, "So how is the life of a Carrier Group Commander, you tired of sitting around in the staging area waiting for the rest of our damn ships to get built yet?"

The specs of the weapon Yuriko had been making involved six to ten warheads with independant targeting, and their payloads ranged from densely compressed Transphasic Aether, Anti-Matter, or a Subspace Detonator payload. With the yields shown, it was projected to be the equivalent of six or ten AS-7 style torpedoes fired from just one chassis. Though judging by the varying missing data, it still had a ways to go. But if it worked, it could cause massive damage, or be an effective 'crowd control' weapon in space.

"So long as we don't have to work the early shift, I think we might both win. say weren't you working on seducingTenshi or am I the more interesting target right now?" Koharu asked with a curious expression in her eyes as she knocked back another shot of bourbon. She gently rolled the glass between her palms as she looked at Kerr with her head tilted to one side.

"Uh uh dear, I wanna have a little fun, and I can see you need a little too." Hoshiko said as she planted a foot on Dagsuz's side, stopping him infront of her nude, dripping wet form.

Midori simply shook her head. "A little surprised, but I would be honored..."

Kuniko plopped down in the chair, letting out a loud groan before grunting her agreement. "Ayame be praised yes. For sitting on my ass I have never had this much work to do.." With that little bit, Kuniko let her head fall to the table, thudding hard against the material.

Oh dear, you need an expresso--or a few shots with an NSP on stun! Kiyoko said tapping on the back of Kuniko's head. Careful youll get a toooooma! She made a sour face, knowing well that was an impossibility.

Yuriko smiled as she finally came to the entrance of the teahouse. Then we shall do so soon. But...I must ask Midori...please do not harm the person I am meeting should she become...insulting. She is a Fifth XF Shosho, and is head of Security. And judging by the black panels she was wearing when I first met her, and your SAINT uniforms, intelligence. The Shoi warned as she entered the teahouse, hands behind her back, and a thoughtful look on her face.

Saito walked in shortly behind Yuriko, keeping his arms crossed and silent as he did. Not wanting a lot of attention put on himself.

Midori simply nodded a little, her face expressionless. "You should know I have better control then that Yuriko-chan."

Kuniko looked up to Kiyoko and blinked oddly. "You ok Kiyo-chan?"

Does Reiko? Yuriko asked as she waited for a waiter or waitress.

"I am her teacher, she knows that if she acts out of line, my punishment will be worse then anything this woman could cook up." Midori replied.

Incoming.... Misato warned, watching Yuriko arrive. Here comes the bride, seriously--She gave a wave in Yuriko's direction. Placing a forced smile back onto her lips. Spines straight ladies, the govenor has arrived.. she teased.

Yea, I am fine...My mother is meeting with Caine, I am pissed off about it. She replied to Kuniko, looking towards the newly arrived Yuriko.

Unfortunately she reminds me of the one named Hoshiko on the YC-28, combined with Hakujou. Yuriko remarked as she spotted Misato, a pit of dread, much like a child not wanting to go to school, or visit some relative they dislike, but was forced to welled up. Well, wish me luck that I should survive this den of dragons. Her tone of voice flat as she wore a small smile of her own, and walked towards Misato, Kuniko, and Kiyoko. "Ahhh...Tange-Shosho, forgive me if I am late. I ran into a few old friends and get a little detoured." She bowed, and her tone of voice a tiny bit apologetic.

Kerr flinched a little at Koharu's deduction though he still retained his grin. "So, ya figured that out, huh? I must be starting to let my tells slip." Picking up his third shot, he admitted, "Yeah, the latter was the plan but you made a little slip. If you'd forgive my boldness, I'd say you were always an interesting target." Just seconds after he stopped talking, his third shot was consumed.

Kuniko quickly sat up, her face somehow looking professional from the before look of exasperation. "A cute one isn't she?" Kuniko asked out loud to her two friends, before sending a more private message to Kiyoko. "Maybe later we could work off a little bit of your annyance?"

We'll be close by if it goes sour. Saito said to her and went to go get a table close by as things began to come together. Sitting down at it, he sighed a bit and leaned up against the back of the booth.

"We are right here, do not worry." Datenshi said to Yuriko, Midori simply nodding as she crossed her arms.

Dagsuz merfed, and slooowly began rolling the other way. It was about then that he apparently realized that he actually had use of his arms and legs. He stopped, stood up, and gave his captor a thorough looking over. "Very well. But I must insist on knowing your name."

Saito waved the other escorts over to the table discreetly.

"But that would take the fun out of the night. I keep myself secret, you keep yourself secret. After tonight we never see eachother again..." Hoshiko said aloud. With a smirk she tilted her hips to the side, waiting to see if he would bite or not.

"Save your apologies for some political beaurcrat that hasen't left a cushy office on Yamatai. I don't write your payroll--or your time card for that matter." Misato smiled, motioning beside her " This is Taru Kuniko-Shosho, Commander of the Fujin Carrier Group." she then pointed at Kiyoko, "This is some Taisa that just wondered in here and stole my Chai." She laughed, pausing a minute. "Motoyoshi Kiyoko-Taisa of the YSS Mazu."

Koharu shook her head with a chuckle as she set the shot glass on the counter and lifted the new shot glass of bourbon up to her lips, "I'll give you fair warning now, I might be an interesting target but you'll just end up with a drinking buddy and some help home later on. If you're looking for a conquest, you have some more work to do than a little booze, Josef." She downed the shot with a wry grin and a deepening blush on her cheeks.

Yuriko nodded to each of them, and bowed. "Taisa Kiyoko, nice to finally meet you in the flesh. And not over a comm." She greeted before asking one of them if she could squeeze in at the table.

"Lies and blasphemy!" Dagsuz declared, waving his hand in a dramatic manner, "Whose name, then, shall I call out in the heat of passion? What name shall I attatch to such a face, who do I think back to when I think, 'That was the very best sex I've ever had'?"

Kiyoko flashed a smile, Cute isn't she? So cute I want to drag my finger nails across that pretty little face and .... Misato said to Kiyoko but included Kuniko in the message, Enough, she did fight at Taiie. Misato pointed at the empty chair beside Kuniko. "Crew settling in?" she inquired to Yuriko.

"Just call me Star then, ok?" Hoshiko sighed and shook her head. "I thought it was the men that enjoyed the no strings sex..."

"Greetings Yuriko-Shoi, a pleasure to meet you finally. You've been making a name for yourself." Kuniko said as she silently ordered herself a cup of tea. "Come now, such beauty has it's uses. Why mar such a girl? I'm sure you can find other uses for her..."

"C'mon," Kerr mock complained, "I'm not that simple. The drinks are to help lighten the mood. I'd rather sleep with women that are sober. If anything, the drinks are for me. They don't call it liquid courage for nothing." A fourth shot was consumed and Kerr began to feel the familiar sensation of a fuzzy warmth in his stomach.

Sure, plenty of uses after Caine gets tired. Kiyoko nodded. Taking a sip of her Chai.

"Beyond the minor scuffle with a few Fifth Santo Hei, yes. I hope the Akina's crew are well?" Yuriko asked as she seated herself beside Kuniko. "I've just had a series of bad run ins with the Mishhuvurthyar and they ended up dead is all ma'am." The Shoi relented as she waved the little kid that the others had been picking on over. "Though after being at everything from Taiie, to Nataria it can't be helped I suppose. Even if I do not want it."

"So dark dear, have you been corrupting her Misato-chan?" Kuniko asked as she sipped at her tea that had been placed infront of her rather quickly.

"I, ma'm, am not so much a man as a throughly drunken scientist, as my body is dealing with what you've slipped me on top of the various chemicals I've ingested," Dagsuz said, "And with that comes certain... This uniform. I cannot remove it efficiently. Why did they design it like this?" At that, Dagsuz began to remove his undershirt with his uniform jacket still on.

"I guess. I thought you were rather confident without the alcohol. I personally wouldn't do anything drunk that I wouldn't do sober. Either way, cheers," Koharu lifted up the new shot glass in a toast for a moment before polishing off another mouthful of the cool fluid. She felt the warmth from the alcohol spread through her body, trickling down her throat to her stomach. She chuckled again.

Reiko was observing the conversation Yuriko and the others were having, the distinct 'buzz' of telepathic activity flying about the air. "They certainly seem to be putting up the facade'." She murmured, and sipped her mint tea.

Saito just laid back, watching what was going on and glanced to Reiko. "It's their business though. It'd be insulting to them and their rank if we were to eavesdrop on it, besides they're more than likely encrypted to be private." He said, sipping a bit of the green tea he'd been brought in the intervening time.

"Let me help a little?" Hoshiko asked, grinning a little as she pressed up against the man. With a soft purr she began to help him undress, her soft small body dwarfed somewhat by the larger man. On her back rested a tattoo that seemed to be made of metal that had been laid into the skin.

"I heard about the little tiff with your crew--surely such things can be avoided in the future." Misato said, leaning back in her chair a little more relaxed, "You'll have to excuse a lot of people here Yuriko--The track record of other fleets screwing up on the behalf of the fifth has come nearly uncontested. But I have sensed since you arrived, that you are a very capable commander." Misato took a sip of her chai, closing her eyes a momment, letting out a sigh, "Of course, From what I have been hearing through a lot of channels even that won't get you and your ship back to the rest of your fleet. Have you considered talking to the Taisho about it? Misato inquired, opening her eyes once she ws done.

"They are circling her like a pack of lions, and her being the prey. I am surprised she has lasted this long." Reiko remarked, now watchign through her skin vision.

"There are powergames going on that would hurt just to think about Reiko. Do not try to understand until you feel you are ready to become part of the game." Midori explained, sipping at her cup of tea as well.

"Just be wary if something starts to happen. If it gets too bad we might have to intervene and stop them from coming to a catfight." Saito said quietly to Reiko.

I didn't corrupt her, you did with all that porn. Misato joked in return to Kuniko. Kiyoko smirked, observing the compliment to Yuriko. Damn Misato I thought we were here to give her a shake down, not stroke her ego till she egoasams in her chair.

Kuniko coughed a little, masking the laugh at the jokes being tossed around telepathically. "I am here to serve, and if it means showing a little porn to help a stressed officer, then so be it." The Shosho replied.

"I AM confident," Kerr told the Shoi. "Just thing about my situation. Here I am, a lil ole Santo Hei, and I'm trying to get into a Shoi's bed, a pretty one at that. Anybody in my position would need a lil help." His fifth shot passed through his lips.

"Possibly Tange-Shosho, the thought had occured to me to speak to the Taisho." Yuriko replied as the child came over, and Yuriko kindly asked for a cup of white tea. She patted the child lightly on the shoulder, smiled, and watched the girl run off to fill the order.

"Would it make you feel better to know that I was a Taisho?" Koharu's blush deepened at the admission. She lightly bit her lower lip, she had not wanted to say that at all. She stared down at her now empty shot glass. "But.. rank has nothing to do with it."

"I think Yuriko-Shoi could handle one or two of them." Reiko muttered gruffly, and sipped at her tea. Though the only there that knew Yuriko's prowess was Midori.

"But not all three at once if it goes that way." Saito muttered back, running his finger around the rim of the cup.

Oh fuck, Isn't that sweet ...she even gives charity to the Hanabusa lovers. Gag! Kiyoko said in obserance of Yuriko's interaction with the child. A KS or two in the cup, means another day they can sit on their ass while the rest of us work.

Dagsuz gratefully accepted the help, his upper clothing being quickly removed. At the pants, however, he stopped, apparently baffled by their fastner. He opened his mouth to comment on it, but they were quite suddenly gone by star's dexterous hands.

"You do not know how right you are." Midori said aloud as she looked to Reiko, siping at her tea.

"Oh give her a break, she wants to feel good about herself an think she is doing something to better thier lives." Kuniko replied as she finished her tea and now ordered a cup of Chai as well.

"It may be wise, I hardly doubt a return trip would be as lucky as your trip here. Plus, I must admit I am anxious to see what that ship of yours can do." Misato said, "We had a few ships that returned from a run with another of its class, the Miharu, I believe. One of our Taisa was commenting that it was quite the little pisser."

"A Taisho?!" Kerr blurted out, nearly spilling his newest shot of bourbon. "No, it probably wouldn't help." Before anymore shockers came, Kerr drank down the shot. He could feel his teeth start to feel soft and fuzzy as the nerves in his teeth dulled. "So, why wouldn't rank matter? We are in the military, after all."

"Taisa Kotori Ketsurui commands it. While at Gemini we me" Yuriko took the cup of tea gratefully as the girl returned, and said her thanks before sipping it. "Perhaps you may see us in action Shosho, though anything short of battle and you will not know unfortunately." The Shoi spoke politely, though not a hint of apology, or kindness seeped into the last of her words. It was true to. Only Yuriko herself could currently access the systems aside from Koharu, and someone of Taisho rank. Most of the systems were dangerous after all.

(met^)

"Do you think she'll make it out of that meeting intact, teacher?" Reiko asked, her ears twitching as she listened.

"Maybe." Midori replied.

"Hopefully." Saito said.

"Neither of you sound convensing." Reiko pointed out.

"Because you should never make assumptions on a situation until it actually happens." Saito advised.

"...I gave up my former rank and name. I had been dead for four years. But in an informal setting it shouldn't matter. But the views on fraternization are different for the Yamataian military- it's Captain's preference. Even I allowed it so long as it didn't impede anyone's ability to work. If it happened, it had to happen during off hours, never on duty," Koharu looked up from her shot glass and did another shot. Her crimson eyes closed for a moment as she felt the burn starting to crawl up the backof her neck. She opened them again and looked at Kerr's face, she had a soft frown on her face. "Sorry, I keep letting my memory slip."

Misato smiled slightly, "We have some fairly important operations coming up here in the future. I could talk Motoyoshi-Taisho into maybe letting you in on the action." Perhaps this Shoi, could become...an exception to our rules like Yaichrio. she telepathically whispered to Kuniko and Kiyoko.

"My my already trying to bag the new meat hm?" Came a reply from Kuniko, smirking a little at the message.

Misato did that kid slip something into your Chai? Kiyoko eyed the ShoSho out of the corner of her eye. She paused a momment, then examining Yurikoi; "Well, as long as an eye were to remain on her...Let us not forget Pisces so quickly.."

"I think speaking to the Taisho myself on such details would be better then someone speaking on my behalf." Yuriko explained as she inclined her head, and sipped at the tea again. "But thank you for the offer." Her voice just conveyed the barest hint of flatness to it, but she kept up her smile, and appearance. She wouldn't let Misato speak to the Taisho for her, chances are she'd be spearheading every dangerous ops from here to Ether. "Besides, with thye comotion we stirred by our mere arrival I doubt the Taisho has not taken notice, and once she is not busy will see to us."
Gamer ofthegame has left the conference.

That was the First Standard Fleet...Shes First Expeditionary Fleet. Misato commented, replying to Kuniko. Maybe... Misato truely had not bagged anything, she remained untouched-perhaps it had something to do with her lack of love for useless exchanges. "I am sure she will find the time...between babysitting the Nepleslian Grand Admiral, and the Lorath Xiaah."

"Last time we saw her, she had just gotten out of a tank, and was very sad due to loosing her child. Now she's juggling Fifth brass." Reiko said idly as she poured a little sugar in her tea and stirred. "I hate to say it, but she would have made a decent agent."

Saito just grinned slightly, but seemed sad. That's sad... he relayed to Reiko and watched the exhanges going on and sipped his tea, referring to the part about her child

"She is needed as a captain..." Midori said in reply to Reiko, but nodded regardless.

"Well, with the xiaah's current condition, I don't think that will be to much of a problem. Seems the woman has finally given birth." Kuniko said aloud as she shrugged a little.

"Oh my..." Yuriko quickly sipped her tea, suddenly remember an ops in which they had infiltrated Nepleslia, and had started a minor war it seemed. Then the mentions of the Xiaah made her cough a little, remembering more.

"Well, I don't know what happened in your past so I can't be one to judge," Kerr said after drinking another shot down, "but I can say that it's better to look to the future than to get bogged down remembering the past. I think you're still stuck in your old life. Try to think of this as a brand new life with a clean slate and start all over agan."

Misato said to Yuriko, "Welcome to our little corner of the galaxy...You'll quickly learn your training did not prepare you for anything it has to offer you." Misato commented to Kiyoko and Kuniko; Seems she has some experience with either Nepleslia and the Lorath.

Or both...Or she could just have a hairball. Kiyoko sent back with a pointed glare.

"I've seen her records, various operations on Nepleslia, and she was there just before the split in the Lorath goverment. A sneaky little tease isn't she?" Kuniko sent to the two others.

I would describe it more as a hissy fit, than a split in their goverment. Misato chimed back to Kuniko. Course Yui knows, I cant stand them.

Yuriko just wore the same smile Hoshiko usually wore. SOmething that irked Reiko to no end. She always figured it was to disarm, and creep out those Hoshiko was going to kill. "I learned that when I was at Taiie Tange-Shosho, boarding enemy battleships, and then out running the supernova that had been Taiie's star. I lost many friends who were in the Fifth that day, and over the past year. I've done more then most of my rank can even boast, or lie about, and have seen things that would do so as well." She drained her cup of tea, and sat it down.

Koharu laughed. "Oh, it's easier said than done. I have been trying but it's hard to let go of 23 years of memory. But I think, I've killed my own buzz. I thinkI'll talk a walk back to the Asamoya. But look up Ketsurui Chiharu some time and you might see whyI am the way I am," she said very quietly as she leaned in towards Kerr and kissed him softly on the lips before making her retreat towards the door in a swish of dark blue skirt.

Reiko choked a little seeing Yuriko wearing that smile of Hoshiko's. Coughing a little she quickly recovered.

"Meh call it what you want, I still think it was one big cluster fuck that caused us more problems then needed." Kuniko growled telepathically as she sipped at her chai. "Something amusing dear?" Kuniko asked of Yuriko.

Midori spotted the look and sighed. "Seems that look spreads..."

Saito shrugged. "I"m not even going to ask.."

"More along the lines she is trying to disarm them." Reiko pointed out. Yuriko had expressed a mild concern with Hoshiko's mental health, but had otherwise gotten on quite well with the unstable NH-27.

"Oh my no, the tea was just good. It is not often I get to drink fresh white tea anymore." Yuriko said as she stared into her empty cup, and then up.

Misato examined Yuriko, she didn't say a word for a minute. The Shoi's words were loaded, and the final proof that Misato needed. "Shoi..." she stated, "If you need anything drop by my office, the Bakufu Security and Intelligence Authority...Ask Hotaru-she will lead you there." She said draining her own cup, "Excuse me ladies, we will have to do this again sometime..." standing up, she set her hand on Yuriko's shoulder. really we will.

"I don't see how that expression would do that. Perhaps I've been out of the loop too long." Saito mused with a shrug.

"Awww don't go Misa-chan! I wanna help you relieve some tension!" Kuniko sent out to both Misato and Kiyoko, hoping the other girl would pick up on the hint.

Well that seemed to go well enough. How're you doing Yuriko-chan? Saito said through an encrypted channel to Yuriko in a quiet mental tone.

Yuriko placed her own hand on Misato's and patted it a moment before letting her own hand go back to the cup. "As always Tange-Shosho, a pleasure. And I will be sure to stop by should I require anything."

Where you going? Have a hot date with that flagpole in your office? Kiyoko said. Misato stopped feeling Yuriko's hand and looking at Kiyoko Fuck you... Kiyoko responded back, I'll pass, I hear your sister is still single though! Misato managed to keep herself a bay-despite wanting to feed her knuckles to Kiyoko.

"Yeouch! that was harsh Kio-chan..Though now I am intreaged. Mind if I stop by to try out the flagpole later Misato?" Kuniko asked.

Kerr could only watch as Koharu left the bar, a little stunned that she had kissed him. He could only surmise that he did have a chance with Koharu, albeit a very slim one. A smug grin spread across his face as he looked about the bar. "Dammit, where did everyone go?" he cursed. "Well, I guess I'll go find a place I can play some cards." As he got up, all the alcohol he had consumed hit him all at once, a dizziness rushing toward his head that made his whole frame teeter. He barely made it back to his stool and mumbled, "Or I can stay here and drink some more."

Yuriko just smiled politely to the group of women. "I hope what I said did not upset any of you. I know Taiie can be a very touchy subject. I know it can be for me." She replied and toyed with her cup.

To Saito, she sent a little message. I do believe I have survived this round, and have come out on top. She replied, making sure he, and only he got it.

"Seems like she survived." Reiko remarked, eyes closed, and sipping her tea.

The Silver haire smirked to her and nodded. "Indeed she did. Makes you proud doesn't it?" He asked and finished off his own.

Misato was not used to being touched in anyway, it was an enigma to her. The warmth, the tingle. She was taken back form it. Suddenly she wished she had not announced her leave, for she longed for it again. She needed it again...There must be some excuse. "Good then, I will see you later..." she smiled, a hand falling onto Yuriko's shoulder a momment, and then Misato rushed from the teahouse.

Kuniko smirked a little as she made sure make a note to herself to stop by Misato's place later tonight. "Mind if I come by later? I need to speak with you.

"She is a strong girl." Midori nodded a little.

"I think I've had too much to drink. I'll be on the Asamoya if you need me, Yuriko-san," The crimson eyed neko sent her captain a short telepathic message as she exited the teahouse. Koharu smiled softly to herself as she walked through the corridors of the Hotaru.
Semira Fallen has left the conference.

Kiyoko raised a brow, watching this little subtle exchange. Interesting...She commented, to herself. Catch you later Kuniko. She looked to Yuriko, "Nice to meet you Shoi." Heh, gag me with a spoon. She took her cup with her, despite the protest that the little girl breifly gave, but Kiyoko left the teahouse as well.

"Such nice girls aren't they?" Kuniko said, waving to the two officers as they left.

Yuriko sighed, and got up from her seat."Hmm, yes ma'am they are. Please excuse me, but I see my friends are waiting for me." She bowed to Kuniko, and took her leave, walking over to Saito's, Reiko's, and Midori's table. The Shoi sat down, and lowered her head down on the table, and groaned.

Ok... Misato said terminating the conversation with Kuniko when the lift doors shut. She found herself in a sea of questions, wondering why she had strayed so far from her plan. She closed her eyes, she tried everything to forget the feeling of being touched even so basically by Yuriko. There was only one way she could recover. Hotaru, have flight control prep my armor for flight. The AI returned, with an awknowlegement Hai, ShoSho. Misato leaned in the back of the lift all the way to her destination. I need to blow something up. She assured herself, of a likely unsuccessful way to purge her thoughts.

"Welcome back Yuriko-chan." Saito smiled at her and moved to accomodate her on his side of the table. He gently rubbed her back when she did, trying to help her relax some.

"I'd rather face down the Dark Ones again then that." Yuriko mumbled as she felt Saito's hand on her back.

"Well at least it's over." He said to her gently. "Hopefully you won't have to deal with that woman again." He said.

Kuniko let out a small sigh as sat back in her chair, tempted to relax herself right there, though she pushed the naughty little thought aside. With a small sigh she stood and made her way to the group. Stopping at the table she waved to the small crew. "Seems I missed out on some of your friends. Hello Saito-Kun, Midori-chan. Such a shame little Yuri-chan never brought you two over. And a shame you never stuck around Tenshi-chan, I could have really used you on my ship. Oh well I suppose..." Her voice was a little mocking, though not overtly. The tone went right over Datenshi's head whom only half paid attention, though Midori heard it loud and clear. "Yes a shame...Though now I can only wish you had kept moving." Came a reply from the Samurai, catching the Shosho a little off balance.

Saito glanced up and nodded to her politely probably the only one there with no uniform nor rank pin in an dopen chested vest.

Yuriko's mental groan could be felt by her friends, though thankfully not Kuniko. Reiko merely crooked an eye open as she looked at Kuniko. The small samurai observing her as she drank her tea.
Enigma Rune has left the conference.


Kuniko smirked a little again and simply shook her head before looking back to Yuriko. "A smart bunch you have here, it suits you Shoi." And with that, the Shosho walked off briskly, pulling up a display to find out where Misato was. She wanted to toy with someone now.
Ichi Serizawa has left the conference.


"I would like to punch her teacher." Reiko blurted out, only loud enough for the small group to hear.

Saito just chuckled a bit. "Not on their turf Reiko." he quipped. "They'd jump you like a pack of horny nepleslians on a prostitute."

Pressing her form against Dag's body yet again, she purred still in that sweetly seductive way as her warmth spread out from her an into his body, wiggling herself against him a little.

"My my restrained for the current company Reiko?" Midori asked.

"Do you think I did well?" Yuriko asked Midori, a somewhat tired expression on her face. "We still have business to conduct to don't we?"

"Only stating how I felt about the situation teacher." Reiko sipped her tea again.

"Buisness?" Midori asked as she turned to look at Reiko, nodding lightly.

"Your being my contributor?" Yuriko reminded her.

Saito simply rested back in his seat and watched and listened to what was going on, feeling it was not his right to speak up to it. His opinion didn't matter anyway, or so he knew.

Midori's ears twitched a little as she swallowed a rather large gulp of tea. Nodding a little she set her cup down. "Yea about that..." She replied.

Datenshi's head perked up as she heard Yuriko.

"Hmm?" Yuriko asked, looking at Midori. The moniker of Shoi gone, and just plain, old Yuriko sat there now.

I think you two would make lovely younglings. Reiko spoke, both to Yuriko, and to Midori. Yuriko however blushed.

"Heh, one difference between us." He mused. "Just like in the yamataians, I can't do that despite being a neko myself."

"Are you sure you wish to have me as the contributor?" Midori asked, looking to the girl.

Datenshi seemed to bristle at the thought, carefully controlling her face now.

Dagsuz smiled, bringing his hand up to run through his captor's hair, dipping his head to take a breath of her scent.

"Yes...I am sure."Yuriko nodded, and smiled as she spoke.

Hoshi smelled sweetly of plums now as she smirked, sinking her hands down to toy with his erection. "So? Shall we move this to the bed?" She asked, tugging him along a little.

"Then I have no objections..." Midori said aloud, nodding slightly.

"Would you care to do so now?" Yuriko asked, tracing circles on the table as she looked down at it. "My medical staff could perform the procedure."

"Isn't that nice." Saito said and smirked a bit, he'd noticed Tenshi's bristling and wondered for a moment what was with her but wouldn't ask.

Midori nodded again and slowly stood, a little hazy at the moment as she looked around. "It would be best that we went ahead."

Datenshi seemed to grit her teeth slightly as she watched the two, a glare slowly forming on her face before she stood. "Imma go find Kerr...See ya later Yuriko." And with that, the Red head dissapeared.

Yuriko just blinked, and watched 'Tenshi go. The Shoi looked over to Saito, and wore a somewhat shy look. "Saito-kun..."

"Hmm?" he glanced up at her from his thoughts but smiled softly at her. "Yes?"

"...Do you mind?" Yuriko asked, giving him a weak, if not sheepish smile. "I do not think I can make it back to the ship, I am so mentally, and physically drained from today."

Saito laughed softly and would slide from the seat, having let Yuriko in earlier and knelt down with his back to her. "Go ahead I dont' mind." he smiled at her.
venomier has left the conference.


Yuriko climbed on, and clung to him. The same look of embarrassment as before sweeping over her features.

Midori smirked a little as she watched the two, ready to follow after when they left.


Saito would support Yuriko and would stand up slowly and head out back toward the ship.
hiro_seishin has left the conference.

After returning to the ship, Yuriko, Midori, Saito, and Reiko went to the medbay, and the procedure was performed. A happy Yuriko smiled, and yawned before she drifted asleep, and was carried back to her suite to where she slept for the remainder of the day.

END
 
The Hotaru relayed its message through the Asamoya's comm system:

"All personnel, all personnel: the Hotaru station is now under lockdown. All crew are to remain in their designated areas. If you are not in your designated area, return to your quarters immidately. To all ships, you may not leave the station at this time. Remain where you are. I repeat, the station is now in lock down; all crew remain in your designated areas or make your way to your quarters. Ships may not leave."
 
Misato had invited Yuriko to Jiyuu to meet. A remote island without a name awaited them. Untouched by anyone until the few Blackcoats Misato had put up to preparing things had arrived. The white sand beach glistened as the sun began to rise, a table overlooked the rising tide which splashed upon the polished opal rocks covering the tidepools and soaking the shore sands again. The breeze was brisk, the white table cloth fluttered in the wind-held down by a spread of pastries and a single crystal vase holding a purple rose. Her shuttle hidden from view around the bend of the island, Misato made her way towards breakfast-awaiting Yuriko. She wore a beach skirt with blue and pink swirls, tied at her left hip exposing her bikini beneath.

A smile upon her face seemed foreign , but none were here to see it. As she gazed out at the waves, her fingers playing with the shell beads of the carefully selected necklace around her neck.

Koharu piloted the small shuttle towards the island on Jiyuu where Yuriko was meeting the Shosho. She scanned the area looking for a place to land. "Nice scenery," she whistled softly. "Kind of a romantic place for a meeting, are you and Cherry still fighting, Yuriko-san?" She glanced over her shoulder at Yuriko for a moment, sounding a little concerned.

"According to MEGAMI she flipped off the air when I asked for the technicians to be ready to make any repairs during the battle. We haven't even spoken, or seen each other since we arrived on Hotaru." Yuriko sighed as she fidgeted with her sky blue sundress a moment before readjusting her sandals. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate you're doing this Koharu-chan, I really do need to learn how to pilot a shuttle. A two hundred and eighteen meter long ship I can pilot but one of these not so much." She laughed a little helplessly, hands in her lap as she waited for them to land.


"Just be mindful of what you want out of this meeting, Yuriko. last thing you want is to be in one of those epic love....polygons, I keep hearing about. But you're welcome, we'll be landing in a minute or so. Just found a good spot to land," Koharu commented with a grin and a shrug as she gently eased the shuttle down to land on a large patch of beach that she found from her scans to be empty of blackcoats and other personnel.

Misato watched as the shuttle came into view; her nerves were not their usual steel, she could handle the Mishhu, the Taishio, even a meeting with Yui would have seen her stronger. Yuriko had left her thinking, considering situations beyond that of what had been a simple world-her vs everything else. She took a deep breath of the salt tainted air, trying to calm herself only making the butterflies even worse.


Yuriko just shook her head, and smiled a little. The Shoi patted Koharu on the shoulder, and looked to Saito. She gave him a innocent, if not childish smile. She figured he'd be mad about the whole assassination attempt she was involved in. "I will radio for you when we are ready to leave Koharu, in the mean time, why not go and have some fun? You've got a whole planet to see." Yuriko stepped off the shuttle, her sandals digging into the sand a little as she waited for Saito.

"Play nice with the other children," Koharu retorted as she watched Yuriko exit the shuttle. "Have fun you crazy kids, Saito, out. Go work on your tan." She made a shooing motion at Saito as she waited for the bodyguard to exit her shuttle.

Misato gulped, watching as Yuriko disembarked from the shuttle. It was not too late to run? It was she had already committed. She hated being so unsure. She stood next to the table, the wind blowing her skirt back a smile replacing the nervous worried look that she knew would give her away.

Saito hd remained silent the whole ride there but nodded to Koharu in thanks as he rose and stepped off the shuttle as well, looking around at the surroundings. Since the assassination attempt he'd been, perhaps a little overzealous about making sure to take note of any possible hiding spots one could snipe from. He was wearing his usual outfit, this time with red hakama pants that was cuffed and tied around his ankles wearing a pair of sandals. He was wearing a dark blue sleeveless haori jacket over it with a sword slid into either side of the belt he wore. Probably the only person on board the Asamoya without a uniform and tended to go bare chested. His hair was pulled up in a ponytail, gleaming in the sun. "Koharu-san I already have a dark enough skintone, a tan wouldn't help." He smirked.

"I dunno, you look a little pallid. Go for golden tan, I'll be back whenever you give me a ring." Koharu teased, the shuttle door closed behind Saito once Koharu prepped to take off again. She did want to do some exploring of this new planet while she had the chance.

"Nice to see you getting along with the crew Saito-kun." Yuriko remarked, her hands behind her back, and clasped together as she began to walk away. Her ears twitched momentarily as she caught Koharu's teasing remark to Saito, and giggled slightly."Perhaps one day we can have a beach day."

"I dunno about that..." Saito said, sweatdropping a bit. He didn't get Koharu's meaning though as he never tanned right as he already seemed to have one. "it's easy to get along with them" He smirked at Yuriko.

"See, only the second day, and you are already fitting in well with the crew." Yuriko remarked, and elbowed him in the side slightly as she waved to a waiting Misato. The Shoi noticed what the woman was wearing, and she smiled. "Before you ask Saito-kun, I will be fine with her. I know you'll stay closeby." She said sweetly, and gave him that same innocent look as she did on the shuttle before she smoothed out her sky blue sundress.

Misato smiled ran up to meet Yuriko, "Thanks for coming, I was worried you wouldn't show...considering the last invite you received from me."

"Well the last one I do believe ended up being someone trying to kill one, or both of us. Unless you mean the teahouse, I actually liked speaking to you all." Yuriko said as she kept her smile in place, and looked at Misato's outfit. "You look pretty in that you know." She remarked.

Saito just grinned sheepishly at what she said about fitting in well with the rest of the crew and rubbed the back of his head. "Well...." he said. "If you say so.." Saito said and sweatdropped when she gave him that little innocent look. It was one of those things you really couldn't say no to, even if you wanted to. When Misato approached, he nodded a greeting to her, but jolted back a step when he saw that she was SMILING of all things. From what he saw last of her that must mean somewhere...god was killing mishhu babies.

Misato blushed, turning away she looked at the ocean. "I figured a break from the stale air of ships and star fortresses would do us good. This island has yet to even be explored by our planetary exploration group." Misato eyed Saito and granted him a nod. Cute...He come with assesories and a manual? she joked in private. You look beautiful today, hope you brought something for swimming...

"Well, unfortunately I am no good with names." Yuriko just laughed a little and shook her head. He is my samurai, and bodyguard, and wouldn't let me come alone...again like last time unfortunately. And thank you, seeing you smile though makes you all the more pretty to you know. She commented in private, and laid a hand on Misato's shoulder a moment as she came up beside her. "This is a beautiful world...it isn't often I get to come to beaches." And yes, I am wearing a bathing suit underneath my dress right now.

Saito just kept back watching the waves lapping at the shore and smiled a bit. He'd only seen something like this once before back on Yamatai and was almost mesmerized by the beautiful tranquility of it. He knew to give the two their time and would simply make himself invisible like usual and eventually just sat down in the sand, leaning the swords against his shoulder as he though. About the past and everything associated with it, possibilities of the future and such. But was watching the other two out of the corner of his eye,keenly aware of what was going on.

A shame...I was hoping you forgot it. Misato motioned towards the table. "I had the Taisho's chef prepare something for you..." he paused. "I heard about what you and your ship did out there. I think anything I could say would fall short of expressing our gratitude...beyond the obvious of course. Thank you..."

"It was my pleasure to assist. Though I must thank you as well for sending so many M7's. I have not seen so many since my going to the Empress' Palace." Yuriko smiled, and looked over to the table now, moving slowly towards it. It does have strings you know, perhaps you could remove it? She teased a little, sashaying slightly as she moved further away from Misato towards the table.

"Tokens of my appreciation...those who are deserving extract reward." Misato picked iup a peice of starfruit and held it at Yuriko's lips. When Yuriko was present Misato was conscious of changes in herself. A feeling swept her, changed her, melting away at the chill that encased her. Yet she mourned it, know it too had its uses.

That was impressive to see really, that many samurai concentrated in one place like that. Saito thought in response to what he had heard from Yuriko. He could tell the flirting going on by how they were acting and reacting to each other. It was rather nice to see as both of them seemed to be geniunely happy.

"Was the kiss aswell?" Yuriko asked, batting her violet hued eyes a little before she nipped the piece of starfruit from Misato's fingers her teeth tickling Misato's fingertips slightly, and licked her lips a little. "Sending such a force somewhat...shocked me...I must admit. But it was in a good way to know that perhaps in your eyes at least I am more then a mere First Expeditionary Fleet officer." Yes, it made me feel...safe, if not a little important. I doubt the SMX pods knew what was coming Saito-kun. She replied to her yojimbo.

In some ways, Saito would knock the wind out of her sails with the right response but decided against it, the sun gleaming off the silvered parts and tips of his hair. Indeed, there was no way for them to know... He replied to her, turning slightly and offered her a little wink. In a moment, he turned back to the ocean, wondering what was across it and what may be there. "The depths of the ocean are often compared to the stretches of space, but unlike space; the ocean has a variety of specialized life contained within it's liquid space." he mused.

"Your fleet number is not what I see....And yes, you have had an effect on me." One that I am afraid of...she thought to herself, as she pulled out one of the chairs at the table. She blushed at the mention of their kiss, a kiss she had daydreamed about ever since.

"Oh? What sort of an effect?" Yuriko asked as she seated herself in the chair. The Shoi crossed her legs at the ankle as she sat. "Because I see more then the Head of Intelligence, and Security, and a Shosho before me." She said as she smoothed her skirt out a little, and smiled despite herself. "You chose quite the beautiful setting for this Misato." She said, using the woman's name for the first time, and not the rank.

Misato lost for words, smiled and blushed picking up a pastry she took a bite, jam sprayed out of the pastry and into her face. Normally she would of scoffed, all she could do is start laughing...

Hearing the laugh, the silver haired samurai glanced up to see Misato laughing and was surprised. I think the world might be ending here soon if she keeps that up... Saito thought to himself, being careful not to share it and chuckled at his own thought.

Yuriko stifled a small bit of laughter, and picked up a napkin. The Shoi then began to clean off the jam covered face of Misato. Though she wiped a finger across the woman's lips, and then sucked it off, making a small sound of appreciation at the flavor of the jam. "I don't think I have ever seen a pastry dothat before..."

"I can command a ship, but it seems eating pastry is beyond me." Misato giggled. "I noticed some sea caves on my way to the island. I was wondering what you would think about exploring them?"

"You'll get it. They can be quite dangerous." Yuriko nodded, and then smiled softly. "I would be delighted to go exploring them with you." The Shoi put down the napkin, and then intertwined her warm fingers with Misato's. "Would you prefer to go now, or would you prefer to finish breakfast?"

"They're very dangerous, the pastry that can bring down a Shosho is something to be feared indeed." Saito chuckled from nearby. He knew he'd have to go with them to explore the sea caves and it'd probably be a good idea in and of itself.


Misato entwined her fingers with Yuriko's, she shrugged, "You need to eat something, after all I wouldn't want my Blackcoats enjoying all this good food instead of doing their jobs."

"You're right...and speaking of your Blackcoats...I had an idea for something..." Yuriko said as she looked to her seat, and to Misato, and to them holding hands, an eyebrow arched. "Would you care to sit with me, or beside?" She asked, in a small teasing fashion as she sat. "You could say I was...inspired by what happened yesterday."

Misato smiled, she looked around a moment and sat in Yuriko's lap, she smiled tucking a few misplaced strands back out of her face. "Inspired by what exactly?" Misato sighed in relief her petite form at rest, relaxing for the first time in months.

Yuriko's right arm suddenly came about, and held Misato in place, her hand resting on the smaller neko's stomach. Idly one of her fingers stroked it. Her left hand came up to be in front of them both, the bejeweled brace let she wore, and invented suddenly produced a volumetric display."You work in intelligence, and therefore stealth is key. As what our would be assassin thought...though it would appear she failed miserably." Yuriko held Misato close as the display changed to show a bodysuit, and statistical information, properties, and components and many other forms of data. "It is only partially complete... but this...this is a stealth suit. I figured your Blackcoats would like this, not to mention you since you are the person I wanted to design it for." She smiled a little. The suit's design was simplistic, yet mildly complex and innovative at the same time. Including sensor baffling technology, and thermoptic camoflage. It was also skintight, and allowed a great deal of freedom of movement, and was very durable despite the thickness of the cloth, having been woven out of Synthetic Arachnid Silk. Yet the only remaining pieces it seemed to be missing was a power source, one was in fact displayed, as was a possible beam dispersive coating.

"So...what do you think?" Yuriko asked as she continued to subconciously stroke Misato's exposed stomach, enjoying the simple contact.

Interesting... So she designed a stealth suit specifically for the Tange's blackcoats... I wonder what she she could create given a proper stimulus. Saito wondered, glancing over at them and blinked at the closeness they had. Deep inside he felt a pang of jealousy almost, not of either one of them but of what they were sharing; it further impressed upon his mind the fact he may never experience that because of his position and job.

Misato's jaw dropped, no one had ever designed anything for her. The design impressed her--she was having to learn the hard way that their current situation ment no longer having access to the design minds back home. "Ahh...Mhmmmm" she blushed profusely, she couldn't respond so she decided to kiss Yuriko instead, her warm lips pecking up against hers begging for union. No one has ever made something for me...It is perfect.

Yuriko was taken a little by surprised, but she accepted the kiss none the less. Next time I will make, or give you something even better. I feel you deserve it... She replied, eyes closed as she continued before breaking the kiss off at a small beeping coming from her bracelet. The display changed, now the logo of Kessaku Electronics replaced it. It hung there only a moment before a short letter was shown, signed by one, Anri Kessaku, and a sum of money had been transfered to Yuriko's personal account for the design of the Multi-Function Bracelet. When her eyes found the amount, she squeaked in surprise at the tidy sum, and inadvertently leaned backwards, her chair tipped over, and both herself and Misato were thrown backwards. It was now Yuriko's turn to blush it seemed...


Saito turned and perked a brow at the squeak, blinking again and chuckled softly and got up and walked over and offered them both a hand up. "You ok?"

Misato let out a yelp as they fell to the ground, she curled her arms around Yuriko and held on, somewhat cushioning their fall. She smiled, her eyes glittering as she looked to Yuriko.

"I..I..I'm fine Saito-kun." Yuriko said weakly as she suddenly found herself in a very different position. She lean forward, and placed her soft lips to Misato's a moment, blushing a little before she broke the contact. "Forgive me...I was startled by what I saw from Kessaku...it seems my design was liked." The Shoi explained as she tore her eyes slowly away from Misato's her cheeks tinged pink.

It was rather unfortunate, but Misato was suddenly called. With a sigh, and a regret filled apology, the Shosho took her leave, as did Yuriko and Saito after calling Koharu to return.
 
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