Shimizu furrowed her brow together in mid-bite, halfway through her plate already. She finished it and set down her fork for a moment, taking a few sips of her wine before calling up the bravo shift commander on her link.
Set course for Taiie III orbital insertion, inform the command group to return after they escort us to the planet's gravity well. Proceed at 1/4 power, directly to mooring SA-Nav 6548 under the station's control. the woman smiled, unable to keep how pleased she was in check.
Aye captain, changing course as specified. came the curt response.
"Well, it seems as if our refit will happen sooner than planned. The reassignments alone will just about kill the personnel center, but I'm sure Freya can handle most of it."
Jatsu blinked. "Refit? Reassignments?" He picked up another slice of salmon and started to eat it, waiting for some elaboration.
"Mmmn, yes. The Akuro is due for an overhaul. Motoyoshi Taisho is in charge of the uniform Chiharu refit program, the others will get the same refit, just our turn." Akina noted, picking up her fork again to spear some bits of crab with more noodles. "Virtually the entire crew is going on temporary assignment, which is easier with how many wings we have. The real trouble is the other personnel, but personnel assures me we'll be ready to ship you all off by the time we arrive to our mooring near the star base."
Jatsu grinned. "Seems like my accommodations are constantly changing. Got moved out of my first room after it was exposed to space, this morning my roommate suddenly left...now I have to move somewhere else for a bit, then come back?" He quickly ate a slice of tuna. "Ah well, I guess it's a small price to pay for an upgrade."
"Welcome to the army, soldier." Akina replied plainly. "Anyway, I'm having us crawl there so we can finish our dinner in peace. After all, the rest of the command group is trying to eat too."
Jatsu nodded and went back to eating.
Shit, it's going to be harder to find Aoiko now that everyone's being shuffled around. I hope I can find her before we get shipped out, just in case we're assigned to different places. Damnit, I need to get out of here, he thought, starting to eat faster.
Akina listened idly to the chatter of the other officers as they buzzed about what they'd be doing, comparing assignments as they were relayed to them privately. When she finished, the redheaded Yamataian sat back in her seat, nursing her second glass of wine. "Well, at least Freya will stay the same."
Jatsu shoveled the last pieces of sashimi into his mouth, then quickly finished off the last of his tea. "Gochisousamadeshita." A window with his reassignment information popped up in front of him when he finished, which he quickly read and dismissed.
Yukika? Where have I heard that befo...goddamnit, I still need to read that message, too. He quickly looked toward the Taisa, then back at his empty plate.
Damnit, damnit, damnit...need to think of a way out of here without being offensive.
"I finished that translation a long time ago dear, you can thank me later." an additional line of text read with the soldier's orders. "Well, I suppose we all have some packing to do? Mr. Kimura, perhaps you will join us again when the Akuro is not as you remember it." she offered, setting down her wine glass with only a bit left. "Good evening, captain." a few of the officers offered as she got up.
Damnit, how the hell can I...huh? Jatsu looked up at the Taisa. "Ah, yes, ma'am. I'd be honored. Thank you." He bowed, then walked out and sped up his pace as he headed toward his room. "Freya, please...can you tell me the current location of Murasaki Aoiko?"
"Your little girlfriend is on a little Nozomi, the Yukika, my dear Mr. Kimura." the KAMI replied quickly and evenly. Other officers were beginning to shuffle to and from the galley before the massive flagship were to be moored. Akina was already smiling, so her reaction to the ship's humor was well masked. "You're all dismissed of course." she added, looking in high spirits.
Jatsu stopped dead in his tracks, his face turned completely red and his mouth hung open. "Fr...Freya! You bitch! When I get back from the Yukika, I'm going to...wait, what?" As he realized she was on the ship that sent him the message, the ship he had just been temporarily assigned to, he immediately started running to his room again with a quick, "Thanks, Freya." As he entered his room, out of breath, he panted, "Freya...translated message...window..."
Dear Jatsu,
Please accept my sincerest apologies, and I hope that I did not cause you any worry with my sudden absence. I was not given much warning; promoted, and I was transferred away from the Akuro. However, I will try to find the strength to bare your children properly when we next meet.
On that note, I would like to invite you to dinner on the Hikari. If this is of interest to you, please write back to me.
Yours always,
Aoi.
"I said you could thank me later. The captain has increased the group's speed into orbit. We should be arriving at Taii III within the half hour, crewman."
Jatsu sat on his bed and held the window with both his hands as he read it. His face quickly jerked back in shock as he finished the first paragraph.
Children? Woah, that's a bit...wait, she's a neko, though...how... He shook off the surprise, then finished reading.
She loves me... He stood up, covering his mouth with his hand. "She loves me..." He fell to his knees, looked up at the ceiling, and shouted, "She loves me!" He got back to his feet, completely elated.
Okay, time to pack! Don't want to waste any time!
