RP: United Outer Colonies [Kasairyuu] From the ashes, the Kasairyuu return.

[Andrew]

Hotaru Star Fortress: From the ashes, the Kasairyuu Wing returns.

Hotaru’s income alerted Ionoche-Chui as he strode through the concourse of the Iori;

“Ionoche Caine-Chui, please report to the Motoyoshi-Taisho’s quarters.”

Inside Katsuko’s suite she sat on the plush white couch, the classical draw of a recorded symphonic reproduction played quietly on the intercom. She exhaled deeply in a sigh of relief as she slipped her feet from her boots and placed them on the footstool.

She brought the steaming cup of green tea to her lips, several volumetric windows open and active in front of her, as she reviewed the latest logistics reports and changed allocations to accommodate the return of the infamous Kasairyuu Wing.

 

[Soresu]

Rina soon stood outside of the Taisho's suite, dismissing the aides, as she alerted Katsuko to her presence outside, and requested permission to enter. The Shosho had her own meeting with Caine a little earlier, a simple bite to eat in the Kyoto Steakhouse. It had been a pleasant enough experience. Though he seemed to only see the Shosho, and not the person named Rina during their conversation.

"Taisho, it is me, Rina, may I enter?" She asked, her voice mildly pleasant, and even more polite sounding as it was pipped into Katsuko's suite.

 

[Tyler]

After a while Caine would arrive at Katsuko's Quarters, having taken the time to adjust his appearance to look nice at the very least. He paused, having just come off the lift to the floor to her quarters and adjusted the rank pin on the collar before heading off. His long, golden blonde hair was still pulled back into a ponytail which made some of it spike up slightly on top and the jacket actually fully zipped closed this time.

Soon he'd spot Rina waiting in front of Katsuko's suite as well. "Why hello again Rina-san." He said politely as he approached from her side. "The Taisho request your presence too?"

 

[Andrew]

“Enter….” Katsuko said, Hotaru opening the door for Caine and Rina. The volumetric windows she had called closed on her command.

The newly arrived Kusonoki Umeka descended the stairs into the living area of the suit, having just been up cleaning the Taisho’s bathhouse. She had been the caretaker of Motoyoshi-jō, Katsuko’s Yamatai Estate, for nearly two years-she had been surprised to say the least that Katsuko would request her personally to come serve as her caretaker. The black haired Yamataian welcomed the guests, bowing to both Caine and Rina. “Good Evening…Would you like some lemonade or something else perhaps?”

Katsuko remained seated casually, still in uniform but her boots sitting beside the couch and her feet propped up on the footstool. She waited for Rina and Caine, listening to Umeka’s cheerful greeting.

 

[Soresu]

Rina just nodded to Caine as the door opened, and she saw a Yamataian woman standing there, and then greeting them. Rina returned the bow, and wore a soft smile. Something not usually done when she was still on the clock. Though, away from the prying eyes of NECTAR, and of Misato, she could afford some mild relaxation in her posture.

"Lemonade sounds...quite refreshing actually." The Shosho nodded, and looked to Caine for a moment, and then to the Taisho.

"Long day ma'am?" She asked noting she had her boots off and her feet propped up, giving another short bow to Umeka before looking to Katsuko. The Shosho soon made her way over to the Taisho, wearing a small, friendly smile.

 

[Tyler]

Caine nodded back to Rina as they were admitted into Katsuko's quarters and perked a brow when they were greeted by a yamataian like himself. He nodded in return to her and grinned slightly, he wasn't really too bad at the moment but since she was offering... "Please." he said to her. Glancing to Rina for a moment then to Katsuko he quietly walked over, noticing the relaxed tone the taisho herself had and relaxed.

For a few minutes he'd been wary this might've been terribly formal. "You look like you just got in." he said quietly, then spoke up. "You wanted to see me Motoyoshi-Taisho?" Caine asked, maintaining an air of politeness.

 

[Andrew]

Umeka smiled and said to Caine telepathically, just in from Yamatai…But this place was a mess and needed my immediate attention. Umeka went back upstairs to get the lemonade.

Katsuko motioned to the two arm chairs for Caine and Rina. She said stretching, “Very long day…” She sat up a bit, and said to Caine, “I am glad you could come, I know it is a little late in the day to be calling meetings. I just wanted to make sure that you were set to take on the task at hand with the seventeenth.”

 

[Soresu]

Rina smiled still as Katsuko spoke, and motioned for them to take seats. Rina did so, and crossed her legs, both paying attention to the on going conversation, and keeping tabs on Misato's and the captain of the 1st XF ship's meeting. The Shosho wore a thoughtful expression as she held her silence, letting the two speak freely, and without worry of her as she folded her hands in her lap, and merely contented herself with listening. She was looking at Caine, her dark sapphire blue eyes studying him as she wondered silently on his answer.

 

[Tyler]

Caine smirked slightly as he took a seat after Katsuko had gestured for them to make use of the arm chairs. He'd take a moment to get at least somewhat comfortable in the plush chair and sat back to get there. When she mentioned the 17th, the blonde thought back to the meeting via cyberspace with Eriko little over an hour ago.

"The 17th..." He said, thinking through what he wanted to say. "I've already met with Miyamae about them." Caine said with a nod. "And I decided to accept your gracious offer to lead the Wing." He continued and looked slightly saddened for a moment but straightened up. "In the memory of my friends whom could not be here."

 

[Andrew]

Katsuko said, at Caine’s mention of his fallen comrades. “You may have a chance to avenge them as well.” She looked to Rina and then back to Caine, “As leader of the Kasairyuu Wing, a certain level of prestige is expected. Being the elite fighting force taking orders from the highest of the fleet’s leaders, is something to be proud of, Caine.” She finished her tea, just as Umeka brought them their lemonade.

“Of course…” she continued, “You have served this fleet honorably in the past, so I believe that my expectations are not beyond you. In that, I want you to consider what I am about to offer you as award for those deeds—a seat with the Bakufu, and honorary placement into the Motoyoshi family.” An extension of the family name was rare, usually people joined one of the other pledge families; to date only Yuka, and Mayumi had been extended such honor.

 

[Soresu]

Rina merely arched an eyebrow at the offer, and what was going on in the meeting. Misato being...civil? The Shosho was slightly surprised as she took her lemonade and sipped it, enjoying the tartness, and sweetness. The woman continued to hold her silence however as she contemplated how she had ended up in the Tange family. She took on a thoughtful look as she sipped again at the lemonade, and looked up at the two again.

 

[Tyler]

Caine accepted the lemonade from the Yamataian woman and smiled softly to Katsuko as she spoke. Well the best he could manage while taking a drink of the liquid. But when she spoke of a seat in the Bakufu and honorary position as a Motoyoshi he nearly choked on it and set it on the table between him and Rina. He coughed a bit to clear himself out and eventually looked back up. "Wow... uhm..I don't know how to respond to that..." He said, rubbing the back of his head. "I mean...I'm honored you're offering it to me like this, I just dunno how to respond to it..."

 

[Andrew]

Katsuko said, “I think….” She was then interrupted by the comm.

Motoyoshi Taisho-sama, you are urgently requested by Misato Tange ShoSho –there has been a shooting. Transmitting the location to you now, your security is on its way.

Katsuko grabbed her boots, suggesting to Caine at the same time; “We will have to meet later on this, for now why don’t you get settled in here on Hotaru and start your interviews for the seventeenth.”

A group of Blackcoats waited outside along with two inside Mindy 1Hs, Katsuko said to Rina; “Come with me… Tomori-san we have work to do.” Katsuko obvious was a little upset, having intended on a little rest that night.

Katsuko sent the transmitted coordinates to Eriko as well, requesting that she meet them at the scene.

(To be continued in the A Unfortunate Night thread, Caine can open his own thread to get the 17th rolling)

 

[Cannonball]

Hotaru's voice suddenly went shipwide; reverberating around the small office:

"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."

 

[Cannonball]

>>>>>>>>>>>ON (Hotaru)
Order [Tyler (Caine), CB (Eriko)]

Caine was on his way out of Katsuko's office and heading down the lift to the concourse to head for his quarters on the Asuka; as they were still there currently and no changes had been mentioned to him as of yet. When Eriko's telepathic communication came through and sliced through his own thoughts with her sombre tone. “What's wrong?” He sent back, unaware of what had happened on E deck, just noticing all the security beginning to swarm in that direction. “ I suppose I can, What do you need?” He sent back through an encrypted channel.

Eriko’s face remained unemotional; not betraying her mental conversation with Caine to anyone around her. “Be careful what you agree to, Caine-san. Miho-Chujo is dead, and someone tried for Misato as well. I wish I could say more than that, but I don’t know what’s going on myself. What I’m about to ask you to do may involve going against the Star Army. At least a part of it…though whether that’s a good part or not, I couldn’t tell you. Knowing that, do you still want to hear me out?”

Caine leaned up against the wall of the lift, eyes closed to listen to what she was saying. ....I see. Going against the Star Army sounds a little too dangerous considering both of our positions within it. And you’re a Bakufu member, if it pans out that that you're wrong in what you're thinking you have a long way to fall. He thought to her, seeing fit to offer that at least. I'm not going to make a decision until I hear the options anyway. So I'm at least open to what you have to ask.

Eriko’s avatar nodded gravely. “Thank you for listening, Caine. I’m aware of my position; but someone used PANTHEON to cover up this attempt. Whether what I’m doing is wrong or not doesn’t matter at the moment – I need to know what’s going on. There’s one person who might have seen the whole incident, a drunk Nepleslian, and he’s on his way to medbay as we speak…or at least he thinks he is. Intercept him – his medical escort knows what’s going on – and take him to the Asuka. You need to return to your quarters anyway, don’t you?” She added the last bit with a thin smile.

Caine chuckled a bit, being alone in the lift. You're a clever one. Indeed I do anyway, I can cover it by saying I'm just keeping him out of trouble til this over and done with. He replied over the encrypted channel, sensing that secrecy might be important.I don't yet know where the medbay is on this massive ship and asking Hotaru might be risky, what level is it on? He sent.

A route flashed across Caine’s vision. “That should get you where you need to go. Not that you can take any other route – Hotaru won’t let you. It’s back to the Asuka or back to the Asuka via the medical level from here on out. If you want to skip out at any time, do so. I’m not ordering you to do this and I won’t fault you for refusing.

Caine thought for a moment. If you believe it's the right thing to do then I'll trust your judgment on it, Eriko. He said. After all, you said you'd help my sister find a good job, so consider this my way of repaying you for it. He said, his virtual avatar winking at her and giving her a thumbs up. I imagine you want to question the drunk for what he saw. I'll see what I can do, the Asuka should be safe enough for a time. Do you have any contingencies in case this goes sour though?

Eriko hesitated. “…thank you, Caine. Thanks for helping me.” Her serious tone returned again. “Yes, I’ll need to question him but, really, I just want to get to him first. Contingency-wise, I do have a couple things in mind, yes. Pick up the Nep first, and I’ll fill you in.”

In a few moments the lift would take him to the floor he needed to be on to get to the Asuka anyway and would get off. "Hmm now where..." he muttered to himself and followed the HUD display and would soon meet up with the greenshirt and the drunk. "Excuse me.." he said politely to the greenshirt, hoping Eriko informed her of the situation here. The Greenshirt bowed. “Here you go, Chui. Keep him safe.” Caine nodded to her and then to the "drunk" who seemed quite sober, at the moment at least. "You take care of yourself too." He smiled to the girl and put a hand on Kanon's shoulder. "Huh?" he slurred slightly and hiccupped, maintaining his "drunkenness" In short order the two of them would start heading toward the Asuka, Caine acting like he was guiding the Nepleslian as an escort.

Eriko’s voice cut in again. “Got him? Good. As for contingencies…well, I thought I’d have you shoot your way out. You know, mix things up a little. Your suit’s ready, Caine. I even had it painted in the 17th's colours. To be honest, I wanted to give it to you a bit more formally, but you might actually need to use it. Your Sarah is equipped with a teleport module; here’s the activation code. You should be able to call it remotely anytime. A word to the wise though: Caine, keep it disconnected from PANTHEON if you can. You don’t want your armour locking up in a fire fight. Really, I hope neither of us has to use our suits but you can have the present early just in case.”[/i]

Caine chuckled a bit as they headed for the Asuka at a brisk pace, both of them knowing what was going on, the Nepleslian somewhat afraid for his life and Caine knowing that as well. Well well, Why thank you Eriko. I hope we don't have to use them either, and I just got the request I made a while ago so if things go bad...let's just say the Reaper's back... He replied to her as they got to the ramp to the Asuka in short order. "Hurry. get inside." he said to the Nep, who wasted no time running up the ramp and into the ship with Caine in tow. "Asuka, this man is to be protected by any means until Eriko-sama gets there." He said. "I want you to 'forget' he was onboard, turn a blind eye to it if anyone outside of myself or Eriko asks." Caine said as he escorted the man.

Eriko opened a channel to the Asuka. “I’m afraid, Caine-chui is right, Asuka. My orders; keep that man secret, keep him safe. Don’t tell Hotaru and make sure you especially don’t tell Misato-ShoSho. But…but, if Yaichiro-Taii asks you, don’t keep it from him. Give him this message…” Eriko transferred a small file to the Asuka’s databanks. “…I don’t want to break his trust, so on this matter he has the authority to overrule me. Make sure he gets the message first though.”