RP (18+): ISS Asagiri Mission 002: Fang of the Wolf

[Andrew]

RP Date

YE 46

RP Location

ISS Asagiri at Kumo no Kagayaki Station in the Jiyuu System

ISS Asagiri​

Kumo no Kagayaki Station
Holding Position - External Construction Frame 08

Cargo Area - Port Side​

Auda was grateful for the new work that came her way. She had killed the last of the Tange they could locate on Jiyuu almost a year before. It was a long disposed of issue that like all the others was a necessary evil in the name of stability. Since the war started, her "little" ship had underwent many changes, and it was more than just the fresh paint on the exterior and the changes of internal modules to modernize the Mersina-Class PNUgen Variant that had now been in her possession since YE 43. The ship's crew had been replaced entirely with Motoyoshi Keibi. There was even Orchid Gear tents set up in the port-side cargo bay for the twenty-eight that were over the ship's accommodations. The Katana that Katsuko had given her was in sheath on her left hip, the decorative embellishments matched the Motoyoshi purple and black livery on her RHI Type 43 "Megumi" Combat Suit. The omnihue coating on the combat suit included the logo of the Yugumo Merchant Spacy, Katsuko's Evening Orchid and the brilliant banner of the humming bird and phoenix rising from the flames.

Shigeho-Senchō emerged from the command-style tent in the center of the bay as her team watched Auda stroll into the bay. She shouted to her team to fall in behind her as Auda approached her. "Good Morning Kaieda-Daishō!" she greeted her with a deep respectful bow. Those behind her immediately followed in suit, it was obvious a good many of them were former Star Army, and the majority discharged-Nekovalkyrja.

When Auda approached, she dismissed them back to what they had been doing prior to her arrival, all it took was that usual cold stare and slight nod. "Auda is fine Asaka, you know as well as I do that the rank is about as real as my listing as an executive secretary. We should be getting underway shortly, however I have been informed that the Director of the Yugumo Worker's Federation has requested an inspection prior to our departure with the cargo fleet for the Kosuke Sector. She's likely all wound up about the project so let's humor her and have everything in shape when she arrives. "

Asaka laughed quietly, "I like it when you talk all professional, here you are saying the rank don't fit. " She looked both ways and then leaned in and whispered, "I like it when you tell me what to do. Just I think the setting I have in mind don't involve a tent in a cargo bay." She said as her forehead almost touched Auda's. "I will have the place cleaned up before Namika arrives, but I better get a dinner invitation tonight. The rations get a little tiring, even if they are gourmet in comparison to the Star Army," she added with a smile as she backed away.

The smirk on Auda's face was priceless, "You talk like I have a Takeda House in my damn quarters." She turned and started to walk away, then said loud enough to cause a few whispers, "My quarters nineteen hundred... If Motoyoshi-sama is pleased with us. If she's not I will probably be eating a Komorebi pack too."

Two Hours Later​

The YCS Fuyutsuki, A heavily modified Yūgure-class Merchant Destroyer approached from the starboard side and moved into a parallel position before it initiated docking with the Asagiri, which was still within the clutch of the external construction frame deployed by the station. The Fuyutsuki varied strongly from the normal livery of Yugumo vessels. The Yūzuki color scheme was starkly reversed which made it standout, along with the logo of the Yugumo Workers Federation. The ship was also extremely heavily armed for a vessel of its class. Namika had changed a lot since she had retired from service, oddly for the opposite that should have been expected.

When the airlock cycled and the doors hissed opened, Namika's Motoyoshi Keibi emerged ahead of her. He wore the more polished business-suit attire that was common in the more corporate sections of the company, but it was obvious he was well trained just from how he moved, strategically positioning himself between them and Namika until she had stepped fully onto the ship. When he moved they were greeted by the black hair and blue eyed adopted daughter of Katsuko. She wore a blank reverse colored yugumo uniform without any badges or insignia. Asaka and her senior officers formed up and stiffened their stance as Namika approached Auda. Namika held back a moment and gave Auda a strange, almost concerned look before Asaka said, "Welcome aboard Motoyoshi-sama, We are ready for your inspection."

Namika shook her head dismissively, then looked directly to Auda and said, "I'm just here to stress the importance of those cargo ships getting through to the Sharie System. The Kosuke Sector has been crawling with the SMX, NMX and some fucking bug thing called an Illionite, they look like something you'd find a rock and crush with something in the Yamada Sanctuary on Jiyuu. I have no doubt your crew is in the best of shape, " she gave another brief look toward Asaka and then motioned her and Auda to walk with her, she obviously had no intention of speaking freely in front of the others. Once they had cleared the range of earshot, she said, "Arisu will be coming with me on the Fuyutsuki, I just wanted you to know. A lot is happening all at once, from the pull of that cursed ship out of mothball, to this entire project. It is likely Katsuko is going to want to talk about the plans her and the KFY guys on Port Jiyuu have in mind to turn the BACC into a space station in the system for that battle for the water planet happened." She finally stopped walking and turned around to face them, "This is not going to be a vacation, suddenly it seems like everything has come alive after a long sleep, speaking of sleep I doubt any of us will get much of it. The presence of the enemy in that sector is a lot more than anyone ever predicted. So we all need to have our eyes open."

Auda didn't expect this kind of talk from Namika, yet for some reason it didn't seem out of place. Since the Battle of Becurn and Tsukimi there had been a tension in the air when it came to the clan. "I expected this trip would be a bit more than a cargo run, and I always have my eyes open." she said as she could not help but wonder if this intensity was because of the former crew of her ship, it seemed she had went out of her way to try and explain that they were different - not that anyone listened. Some in the company even believed the ship itself was some kind of omen and she held to the fact that such things were ridiculous. "No one here is afraid of a little work, but I appreciate you coming in person to talk with us."

"Look, I am not questioning either of your resolve. Just this is the second try to get this cargo there. The last convoy was completely obliterated, those automated transport ships aren't exactly equipped to take on anything new that the SMX has fielded in that sector. The Fifth has their hands full. The Merchant Spacy was created for this very type of job, to protect corporate shipments to the new expansion zones in the new sector. Now, I will leave you to it, alright?" Namika said, her schedule was full and this was an extra stop, her ship had preparations of its own to undergo for the trip, including a CDD coil swap.

"We got this, Motoyoshi-sama. We will see you with the cargo in the Sharie System in a couple of days," Auda said in a reassuring tone. Asaka stayed quiet as Namika walked back toward the airlock with a quick pace, by the time they caught up with her, the door to the airlock was shut behind both her and her guard.

"Hmm..." Asaka hummed to herself.

"What?" Auda questioned as the Fuyutsuki released the docking mechanism and pulled away from the ship.

Asaka said with a roll of her eyes, "I was just wondering how much of her job is worker safety and relations like it says on the box,"

Auda couldn't help but to laugh out loud at what Asaka said, "About as much secretary work that I do." She knew exactly what Asaka had on her mind, she then put her armored arm over her shoulder and said "Don't even say it or I'm not cooking you anything..."

 

[Andrew]

Two Days Later​

ISS Asagiri
Sharie System, Kosuke Sector
On approach to Restricted Construction Frame A3 - Sharie Belt

Thirty Shuryoku-Class Super Freighters maneuvered with the ISS Asagiri as it pushed into the Sharie Belt, passing massive asteroids along with thousands of small ones that formed a very obvious navigation hazard. It was obvious why both Yugumo and Ketsurui Fleet Yards would hide something within the belt, it was only being mined in another section and the various metals within the asteroids themselves caused sensor problems which made it very hard to transit without adequate instruction. Normally external construction frames were open to space, this one was different and fully enclosed with the logo of KFY on one side and Yugumo Corporation on the other. On the port side of the enclosed structure was a massive cargo terminal, there were already several separated Shuryoku-Class Super Freighter Cargo Pods in holding outside of it.

"ISS Asagiri, this is Fifth Expeditionary Dock Control for Suzutsuki Frame A3, please transmit authorization codes and wait for exterior door retraction,"

A few moments later the colossal external doors of the frame began to open revealing the extremely busy shipyard interior. Various KFY and Fleetworks shuttles and construction mecha zipped from one position to another as the cranes hung over the massive form of the partially deconstructed ship below. The "Evil Wolf" or Akuro III as she had originally been named had a lot of its hull plating, old CDD nacelles, and main gun removed and disassembled. The UOC, SMX, and Kuvexians had all made additions and modifications to the ship, and it had been relatively mothballed since Akina and Katsuko had visited during YE 44 when it was in storage in the Jiyuu System. Many had reservations about the ship, due to the fact that Motoyoshi Kiyoko had allowed enemy factions to modify and occupy it. Now finally years later, nearly back when she had started, half disassembled and looking completely different than when it was commissioned the Ascendancy-Class Starship had returned to its rightful ownership, and had the hinomaru on its hull once again.

Auda looked at the ship, despite the changes and modification she still remembered what many of her friends, including Blues had went through on that ship under the wicked had of Kiyoko. It was bittersweet to see it once more, even if it was being torn apart and being rebuilt into something completely different. The Asagiri dipped down beneath the ventral surface of the ship as they slowly made their way toward the dockyard facility that was in the dome at the aft section of the dock, other ships were docked there along with several smaller craft that carried personnel back and forth from the dock to Port Jiyuu.

Meanwhile...​

The door chime to Kira Satoko's quarters rang to announce the arrival of Akuro-Chusa and Ayenee-Chusa. The simulated sunrise in Asagumo City had barely peeked above the horizon of the artificial environment and it was only 0500, regardless of the hour it was time for work and both officers were in uniform and ready to go. They were not so sure about Satoko, she after all had only arrived the night before. Ayenee-Chusa held a tray of coffee as she floated just above the deck, there was less of chance of spilling it that way.

"I wonder if she's awake," Ayenee Chusa said as she rang the notification again.

Akuro Chusa shrugged, "I wouldn't be, her transport didn't get here until after midnight and I doubt anyone told her the schedule. Hopefully the shuttle won't leave early again, it is always a pain in the ass to requsition a shuttle in the mornings. with them tasked with asteroid mining and other resource operations. Everyone flocking to work in the outer system, and it is even worse around dinner time." She carefully pulled the cup with her name out of the carrier that Sayuri was holding, She then took a sip, "She probably has no idea what she is doing here."

The Fifth Expeditionary Fleet had a lot of construction projects going, from the restoration of the YSS Akuro III, to the Outfitting of the new YSS Becurn and the conversion of the YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City into a starbase that would eventually return to the system where it fell.

Spoiler: OOC

@GingerGlitch

 

[GingerGlitch]

Kira Satoko's Quarters

Kira had not slept a wink since her arrival, she couldn't. Satoko-Hei had arrived after midnight, with no idea when she would be required to start work that day. So instead of indulging the luxurious idea of eyelid research, she stayed up to unpack. All of the uniform items she brought with her had been carefully put away, minus the one she was wearing. Though her mind rambled about whether or not this was wholly necessary. As the first chime rang at 0500 Kira Satoko had no idea, not even the faintest glimmer of what she had been brought here to do. "Who could that possibly be?" she thought.

The second chime jerked her out of her thoughts, "Oh! The door!" Kira thought while she hovered over towards the entrance. When the door opened to reveal not one, but two chusas, she gently landed a few feet away from them. Kira quickly put her hands at her side and bowed to Akuro-Chusa and Ayenee-Chusa. "Why did they bring beverages on a tray? Perhaps it is going to be that kind of day." she thought to herself while she waited for further direction.

 

[Andrew]

Asagumo-jo​

Guest Quarters

When Kira opened the door, Chusa Ayenee Sayuri and Chusa Akuro Hideyo swept into the suite without so much as waiting for an invitation. The contrast between the two officers and the luxurious accommodations of Asagumo-jo was sharp—especially compared to the utilitarian barracks Kira might have expected. Sayuri immediately launched into her usual brisk energy, carrying a tray in one hand.

"So, how was the trip? Heard you got in a bit late last night—poor Satoko-Hei," Sayuri said, her tone light and teasing. She thrust the tray toward Kira with a faint grin. "We brought you a café mocha. No idea what you actually like, but hey, it’s the thought that counts." Once Kira accepted the cup, Sayuri liberated her own and set the now-empty carrier on a side table, leaving it for the ever-dutiful caretakers to deal with. "Oh, right. Introductions. This is Chusa Akuro Hideyo, the one you'll be reporting to while we’re here." Her words were punctuated with a sip of her drink, her sharp gaze already taking in the room’s details.

Hideyo, with her sleek black hair threaded with violet highlights and eyes like frost-touched sapphires, gave Kira a polite nod. "Welcome to the team, Satoko-Hei," she said, her tone neutral but not unkind. "Let me guess—they didn’t bother to tell you what your actual assignment is?" Without waiting for an answer, she motioned toward the door. "We should probably walk and talk. The shuttle to the belt won’t wait, and we’ve got incoming cargo ships from Jiyuu to deal with." Her voice carried the practiced efficiency of someone who had long ago stopped wasting time on formalities.

"Do you need to grab anything before we head out?" Hideyo added, her calm demeanor making it clear she expected Kira to fall into step without hesitation. Sayuri, now leaning casually against the edge of a chair, flashed a knowing smile over the rim of her cup, her unspoken challenge hanging in the air: Ready to keep up, rookie?

 

[GingerGlitch]

Asagumo-jo​

Guest Quarters

"Any trip where I arrive alive is a good one Sayuri-Chusa," she responded in a similar light teasing tone. Kira's brown eyes lit up when Sayuri thrust the tray towards her. "Ooooo, that smells like my favorite! Thank you so much." she said while her hands caressed the cup of café mocha like it was a precious treasure. After taking a sip Kira wiggled a bit with excitement, "It's my favorite! Thanks for thinking of me." She was very happy to be here, whatever it is she was here to do. The quarters were much better than any she had dreamed of, a luxury she did not intend to take for granted. It could have been much different.

Kira savored the warm beverage as its flavor lingered on her tongue after she gulped down a swallow. Her brown eyes looked over towards Hideyo-Chusa, the person she would be reporting to. Though she still had no idea what she would be doing here, an issue she expected to be resolved when they were ready for her to get started. When Hideyo motioned towards the door Kira immediately walked towards the door without hesitation. "They did not. I am ready to go." she said as she broached the precipice of the door and stepped out into the hall.

She waited in the hall, ready to follow suit in wherever the Chusas led her. There was no time to waste asking questions, she knew they would tell her what they wanted her to do. She would obey with out a fuss. It was not in her to waste time and it seemed to her that the two women with her were of a like mind. It brought a smile to her face as she took another sip of her mocha an spoken answer to the challenge posed: Ready.

 

[Andrew]

"Arriving alive is sometimes the only blessing we get," Ayenee-Chusa said as they walked down the corridor toward the tram station. Hideyo made sure they got a tram that didn't have anyone else in it so they could talk. The two Chusa and Kira would board the tram, which zipped through the guts of the massive space station.

Hideyo sat with Kira as they headed toward Blue Sector where the shuttles departed and arrived everyday. Hideyo said once they were out of the station, "You've been assigned to the YSS Akuro III. A ship that has a relatively long history that is not all good. It was used by Motoyoshi Kiyoko as a weapon against her mother and the Motoyoshi that remained in Yamatai. " Akuro-Chusa explained, "The ship was the Taisho's most coveted creation, and mostly built for the Star Army, it ended up being finished by the UOC traitors and Kiyoko. Over the years Kiyoko allowed the ship to be modified by the SMX and then the Kuvexians." It was obvious that the ship had a history, and obviously one that some were likely superstitious about.

"The ship barely is recognizable with the number of changes that were made to it. During the Battle of Glimmergold, it was spotted with the Kuvexians and Motoyoshi Kaoru Taisa and Datenshi went after it. They killed Kiyoko and the YSS Mazu dragged it back to Jiyuu." The Chusa explained further as the tram switched tracks and zipped through another tunnel under the Green Zone. "Shimizu-Taisho and Motoyoshi- Taisho had plans to rebuild it at Jiyuu but the plans changed when we began to look at the Kosuke Sector. They didn't want the ship to fall back in the wrong hands in or outside of the Empire. I'm sure there are a few people that would love to dismantle it and see what they can rip off it. So they moved it here and we've begun to outfit her for the Star Army again. Motoyoshi-Taisho intends to give command of it to another member of the clan."

 

[GingerGlitch]

Kira's eyes looked around the shuttle that held just the three women. Her interest quietly piqued as to what exactly she now found herself involved with. It was an interest akin to that of finding an exciting puzzle or new mystery to solve. She listened intently as Hideyo gave her the run down about her new assignment. Kira was honored to have been selected for such a duty. A brief horrified expression washed over Satoko-Hei's face when UOC traitors were mention. It was almost immediately accompanied by a very determined look, she would do whatever was necessary to aid with remedying the atrocities that happened to YSS Akuro III.

For a few silent moments Kira carefully thought about a response. She looked between both women then back to Hideyo-Chusa. "Whatever it is that will be required of me, I will do the best that I can to help." she said respectfully before taking a sip of her beverage. From the sounds of things she might need to invest in some more coffee supplies.