RP: 5th XF Mission 004-03: Early Arrivals (YSS-Yukika)

The Nozomi-class scout ship, the YSS Yukika, was fresh out of the reserves, and it looked the part. Despite the presence of a skeleton crew over the last few weeks, the passageway carpets remained virtually untramped, the walls polished, and the sterile smell still vaguely detectable. Murasaki Aoiko paused just outside the airlock as she disembarked, wheeling two stacked trunks before her, and took a deep breath of the vaguely pungent air.

"It is rather fresh, still," she said, turning round. "Are you looking forward to breaking her in, Joto Hei?"


Roger nearly choked on his sandwich when he heard Aoiko. Okay Roger, get your mind out of the gutter, you're being assigned as chief engineer to a new ship. "I suppose so, Aoiko, er, pardon, sir. I hope she's been well taken care of, though if I recall, these things tend to get put in mothballs while waiting assignment, so I have a feeling we'll be
experiencing at least a few of her personality quirks before the day is up."


Aoiko nodded slightly at this. "Well, then it shall be our job to have everything worked out before the Shoi returns from his game. Shall we drop our things off at our rooms and then proceed to the bridge?" She turned back to her trunks and began pushing them down the hall towards the staterooms. "If I recall," she called back, "I am in Stateroom One, and you are in Stateroom Two."


"Heh, actually, I never got a room assignment, I was supposed to be assigned 'as per the commanding officer's discretion.' which..." he thought in silence for a moment. "... oh. Guess I'm assigned to stateroom two after all." He chuckled. "It's good to be king, huh? In that case, sure, sounds like a plan, but I should eventually drop off all my tools in the engineering bay at some point."


Do not let on that you do not know what you are doing! Aoiko thought to herself as she turned round again, guiding her things to a stop with one hand. "I suppose. Now, let me see..." She gestured to the staircase just around the bend in the passage. "I believe that leads to all the places you will be interested in. Drop off your things, and contact the bridge as soon as you can. We will run through some brief diagnostics."


"Aye, sir." Just as I thought. She's as bewildered by the change to a new ship as I am. Well, she's still the XO. Roger gave as best of a salute as possible while carting two hundred pounds of equipment in various conveyances. He then began the task of clanking down to the bottom deck of the ship. "Okay, assuming nothing's been changed in this place since they last drew up schematics... ah!" The main bulkhead to the engineering bay way half open, indicating occupants inside. He swung the door open and gave a whistle. "Chief on deck; if you want a good karma, gimme a hand with the sack of toys I've brought with me."


Quite content with her first foray into Commanding, Aoiko trundled her belongings the rest of the way to her stateroom. She left the trunks just inside the door, resolving to not unpack fully, as recent days have given her enough bouncing around rooms to last quite a while. She paused in the washroom to adjust her new white-panelled uniform, and proceeded to present herself upon the bridge.

Meanwhile, belowdecks, the Yukika's engineering crew dutifully assisted Roger with his equipment and saluted crisply when it was all set aside. "Good to have you aboard, sir!" one said cheerfully, clearly happy to be relieved of the previous ennui.


"Damn straight. All right, it looks like you folks are pretty sharp, so I'll skip the normal wardroom menusha. Let's get one thing straight; I have one priority; to keep this ship running at tip-top condition day in and day out, and may the Empress herself help you if you think otherwise. Well, all right, I've actually got two goals, but you're just going to have to wait to hear the second one. Now then," he said, flipping through the engineering roster, then giving up and tossing it onto a bench, "Who are you bunch? And don't just repeat what was on your papers, if I wanted to hear that, I'd have gone into recruiting."


"Santo Hei Edgar Stronach, sir," said the self-appointed leader, then indicated the two Yamataians behind him. "And Santo Heis Minako and Haruo. Everything should be running up to specs already. There's not a lot that can break while we're sitting still."

On the bridge, Aoiko settled herself into the captain's chair, folding her hands in her lap and taking a second to glance around the bridge. Thus satisfied, she flipped open the intercom. "Engineering, this is the bridge. Is everything ready down there?" Before waiting for a reply, she signalled the neko at the Communications station. "Ready a message for the Akuro, informing them that command has been established and asking for orders. Send it once we get our response."


"Heh, you'd be surprised, Stronach. But I'll trust you for the moment." Cutting him off at the end, the engineering intercom flared into sound. Roger calmly walked over to the comm unit closest to him and punched the talk button. "Yep, we're good here; feel free to stretch her legs at any time. I'll be up in a few to check with the helm." He let go of the button and turned to his crew. "All right fellows, I'm going to meander up to the bridge and make sure the helmsman doesn't get nervous and try to go 200% right from the get go. Stronach, you're in charge until I get back. All of you, don't break anything, and call me if ANYTHING starts flashing. About your duties, men." With that, he stepped back out of the bulkhead and began to head up to the bridge.

Murasaki Aoiko sank down into the leather command chair. She would make the most of her time here - it would be short, and the seat was rather comfortable. She had just picked up her coffee mug when Roger returned to the bridge. "Everything is working acceptably, now?" she asked. "We do want the Shoi to have an easy time of taking command, after all."


"Yep, temperature's back down, and the 'synth fluid's moving through smoothly. Thank goodness too," Rog said, glancing about the bridge. "You know, they really ought to put more windows on these things... oh, speaking of the Shoi, you mentioned the ol' K-wing blowing something up?"


Aoiko gestured to the viewscreen. "Apparently things were not interesting enough. Several charges just detonated, and they seem to be making things a little more interesting." She paused to take a long sip of her coffee. "It seems, though, as though Red Squadron is falling behind..."


"Explosive charges, eh? I'm going to take credit for giving the Shoi the inspiration for that then. I had to detonate a gator that was bothering us on our last deployment. Clearly he must have been dazzled by the sheer brilliance of my work." He posed for dramatic effect. "Anyway, what's the order of the day, now that we've got things settled?"


Akira came onto the bridge and approached Roger. Saluting, he said, "Akira reporting for duty as ordered, sir." Holding his salute, he seemed to come onto the bridge without notice.


"The order of the day, I believe, will very shortly be to find something to eat. I have yet to have breakfast." She took another long sip from her coffee, finishing off the dregs, and pulled herself reluctantly to her feet. "Oh! There could also be new crew members," she said, again opening a window to consult Akira's orders.


What the... the shifts are just going NUTS around me. Okay fine, deal with it. "Breakfast sounds good, you go ahead, I'll try and get 'Akira' here up to speed." The engineer then turned to the other man. "Akira, huh? Akiraaaaa...?" Roger stated, stretching out the last syllable to indicate the lack of anything after it, motioning the soldier to reply his name and rank fully.


"Akira Aganata, Rank: Santô Hei." He said as he still held his salute.


"Mmm... Yes, he does seem to be yours," Aoiko mused, then bowed to the Santo Hei. "Welcome to the Yukika. I am sure Kard-san can help you settle in." She turned the holographic display around with a gesture to allow Roger to read it. "Now, if you will pardon me..." She bowed again and slipped out the bridge door.


"Kard 'san'?" Rog muttered. "I suppose while it is technically correct, it just sounds weird. Yamataian honorifics should be left to Yamataian names... ANYWAY, let's see just what exacty you're supposed to be doing, Santo Hei." Roger leaned over to the display and began to read through Aganata's orders. "... well raise my rent... you ARE mine. Heh heh heh... ahem. Very well then, as you better bloody know, I am Joto Hei Roger Kard, chief engineer aboard the Yukika. Your background says you have the skills to be a shipboard engineer, but backgrounds alone aren't good enough to convince me. Let's start with the basics. How much do you know about the Nozomi class?"


Akira responded in a even toned voice, "Other than what the text books and training time I have had, my experience was more towards the maintenance of Power armor." Looking a little uncomfortable, "May I put my arm down sir?"


Well at least he's disciplined... "Very well then, soldier." Rog gave a quick salute to the Santo Hei, such that he could lower his arm. "Right, barring that nonsense, in that case I'm going to have to bring you up to speed quickly. Come with me to the engineering bay." (I'm going to go ahead and say that Haruo is being replaced by Aganata, so he's not there anymore. Maybe he's serving tea at breakfast.)


Having now put his arm down he followed Roger silently and at attention.


Meanwhile, the XO was settling herself in the galley. "Rice, please," she typed into the panel on the table. "Lots of rice." A moment later, Haruo, who was rapidly growing familar, set two bowls of steamed white rice and a set of chopsticks before her. She bowed shallowly to him before busying herself.


As Roger entered the bay, the two remaining engineering crewmembers snapped to attention from their positions. "At ease." Roger uttered. "We have a new member of the crew joining us today, I'd like you to meet Santo Hei Akira Aginata. Aginata, these two are Santo Hei Edgar Stronach and Santo Hei Minako... Minako, what the hell is your first name? Anyway, these two are going to be your partners down here, so get to know them and work with them. Stronach is the self-appointed head of the detail, and so far we haven't gotten TOO close to dying, so he's still serving as such; so if I'm not around, run things by him before you do anything. Understand?"


"Yes sir" Draconis said as he semi-bowed to the other two.


"Sasake, sir. My family name is Sasake," the Yamataian said, shooting a dirty look to Stronach before she bowed. He didn't seem to notice as he offered a great wide smile to Akira. "Aganata? Great to have you down here! You just missed our first real crisis, nothing much ever really goes wrong... But still!"


Ugh. One of these days I'm going to beat Stronach about the head and shoulders... Roger said nothing to Stronach's comment, but very loudly cleared his throat. "Aginata, you'll be replacing Santo Hei Haruo, who has transferred to the galley as a ship cook. Turns out he had a hidden culinary talent; I say good for him, I could always use a good sandwich. Now then, let's get down to buisness. The Nozomi class is the newest line of scout ships fielded by the YSA. As such, the most important aspect about her is her engine; and it is thus that I present you... the engine. Love it, respect it, cherish it, do whatever it takes to keep the damn thing running, because our asses depend on the ability to outmanuver and outrun anyone who starts shooting at us. Stronach, get me the first volume of the engine manual."


"Ah, thanks. Here is your first assignment, Santo Hei," Roger said, tossing the thick manual to Aginata. "Read through the first five sections of this manual to get a brief overview of proper maintenance of a starship engine of this caliber. I'm going to test you sometime next week, so don't slack off. Now then, let's get some breakfast and introduce you to the acting CO as of the moment. Men, carry on." Roger said, relieving the crew back to their duty.


Having taken the manual Draconis looked to Roger, "How many volumes are there sir?" As he started to read the book, "Also what is the name of the ship's A.I. rather know who I am to work on rather than it being another piece of equipment."


"Twenty. Some of them are mostly reference though," Roger commented to Aginata as they strode up the stairwell to the galley. "Ah, here we are, food. I see the Cadet is still here; let's grab some slop and get you some room assignments. And we can get you your name while we're at it."


Looking up from his book he snaped to attention realizing he was infront of the XO. Realizing he once again had a bad habit of autopiloting when reading.


Aoiko semi-glanced up from her rice as Roger and Akira stepped into the galley. She tipped the bowl back and finished as quickly as she could, though still making no more noise than the sound of her chopsticks tapping on the bowl. "Gochusousamadeshita," she said quietly, pushing the tray away before looking back to the engineers. "You have concluded your tour, Kard-san?" she said, as she rose to meet them.


Aaaand there it is again, and it still sounds weird. "Hi sir. I've introduced the Santo Hei to the bay crew, and got a little light reading for him. I believe he still needs a bunk assignment, and you had a question about the MEGAMI, Aginta?"


Still at attention Aganata said, "Yes I was wondering the name of the A.I. was, sir."


Aoiko glanced down to the floor, thoughtfully resting her fingers against her chin. "I do not know if our MEGAMI has been assigned a name," she said slowly. "But that is something for the Shoi to decide, when he arrives. You may submit suggestions to him, if you like. As for your room, I believe you should be using the men's bunks." She looked back up. "And you may go at ease, if you like!"


Relaxing and putting his arm down, Akira looked to Aoiko, "I always like knowing the name of the A.I., a habit of mine from being around them when I was younger." After going through the line he went to the enlisted area to sit down and enjoy his rice and meat.

The bulky transport seemed to pop into existence a ways within the Taiie system. It drifted slowly through space as it disgorged a horde of smaller transports and shuttles, each rocketing off to its own destination within the system.

Onboard one of Lion shuttles Suika was sitting in the copilot's chair gazing out at the expanse of space and rapidly dispersing cloud of vessels. While this shuttle was ultimately destined for one the 5ths battleships it would make a stop at the Yukika to drop her and the last of necessary supplies before continuing on.

To her left the shuttles pilot reached forward to tap in a series of commands that would cause the craft to make a tiny for a through FTL to reach the Yukika. The trip was very short, the Yukika being just a few light-minutes from the bulk transports arrival point

As soon as the shuttle returned to normal cruising the pilot began to decelerate in preparation to dock with the Yukika. Closing to within a few hundred km the shuttle pilot queried the ship for docking permission and received it in short order*. It spun slowly to align its port airlock with that aboard the Yukika's starboard docking pylon. Shortly after the pilot applied a tiny burst of thrust pushing the shuttle into the docking port, followed by several mechanical clicks as the two vessels docking rings engaged, forming a stable seal between them.

As she stood up from the copilot seat she thanked the shuttles pilot and headed towards the shuttle's cargo compartment past two workers who where unsecureing several crates from their cargo straps. After grabbing her bag from its place nestled in-between several crates just aft of the airlock she swiped her hand across the door mechanism next to the hatch. The heavy metal door cycled open with a soft hiss and Suika stepped through into the airlock proper.

She calmly began addressing the ships AI,â€

Aoiko tilted her head slightly as she watched Akira walk away. Odd young man, she thought. Roger seems to like him, though. Mmm... But I have other things to worry about now. 'Kard-san,' she said, 'I will be returning to the bridge now. Please inform me if anything of note occurs, but I will leave you to your own devices. Pardon me.' She bowed, and turned to leave the hall.

A few minutes later, she walked back into the bridge with a small package wrapped in folded silk. After checking that there was no pressing business to attend to, beyond the usual shuttle dockings, she unfolded the package, revealing a board, a brush, ink, and several sheets of paper. Carefully positioning the board on her lap, she selected a piece of rice paper and began to write.


Roger stretched with a long yawn, and nodded. "Aye sir, we'll keep you posted. Well Akira, what do think think so far? Think you'll be with us for the long haul?" He picked up the sandwich which Haruo had prepped a few moments earlier. "Odd, I don't remember bacon tasting like this..." He thought for a second about the hemosynthetic fluid he'd been working in before, then gave a shudder. Without another thought, he took another bite.


Akira looked up from the book and to Roger, "Looks interesting, and I cannot wait to get to do some hands on maintenance." Having tilted his head he realized he automatically had grabbed rice, a piece of chicken, and mixed vegetables. Having not put the book down he used his other hand to manipulate the chopsticks to feed himself all he had gotten.


Just before entering the bridge she checked herself to make sure she was neat; first impressions were, after all, amongst the most important. Once she was sure everything was in order she waved her hand past the door mechanism and the door slid aside promptly. Stepping briskly into the bridge she snapped to attention when she spotted the acting CO,â€

"Priority message for you, ma'am, from Taiie no Iori," the communications operator on the bridge called out.

"Mmm?" Aoiko looked up from the cargo reports she was glancing over. "Show it to me, please." I wonder what the Taisho wishes from us... Oh. Immediately, she opened the intercom to the entire ship.

"Attention, all crew," she began after a brief pause. "While I expect you to always perform at your very best, I will advise you to, for the time being, do better than that. Taisho Motoyoshi Katsuko will be personally inspecting the Yukika and her crew, and I do not wish to disappoint her. A feeling, I am sure, is mutual among all of us. Make the Shoi and myself proud, please."

She leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply. "Send a reply back," she said to the neko at Communications. "We have recieved the message, and are always ready to recieve her."

"Hrm... don't you hate when the shuttles delays this much..." The geshrin sighed in boredom. His new task at the YSS Yukika has opened a new horizons for him, as a soldier, and he didn't want to lose a second of it. Truly an honor for an Izusuhara.

The shuttle arrived within the moments. Hikomaru leaped inside the docking port, grinning to every corner of his new home.

"Yosha! i just couldn't expect any less from this... inside we go!" - waving his bokken vigorously like a child, he walked through the port.

"AI... well first of all, I am Nitô Heisho Izusuhara Hikomaru, and i have been assigned to this ship. But i am sure you're aware of that. Would you please, kindly, tell me your name first and then where are my quarters to leave all this bulky belongings of mine somewhere. . . ah! and it would be really nice if you could tell me where are the XO or the captain. I need to report in.. ha ha details..."

"Damn. Im so excited."

"See you, Freya," Jatsu said as he stepped out of the Akuro and onto his shuttle. He quickly got to his seat and put his bag down. Damnit, hurry the hell up, he thought, impatiently tapping his foot. The minutes he had to wait seemed like hours. Finally, the shuttle launched and was on its way to the Yukika.

After what most people would have considered a quick trip, the shuttle docked at its destination. Jatsu picked up his bag and rushed out into his new temporary home. Rather than wasting time on things like familiarizing himself with his surroundings, he immediately said, "Frey...err, MEGAMI? This is Joto Hei Kimura Jatsu. Can you tell me where Murasaki Aoiko currently is?"

In the entryway, a flat, computerised voice responded to the two men.

"I do not yet have a name beyond Yukika. Please consult the executive officer for room assignments. The executive officer is on the bridge." A pause. "Murasaki Aoiko is on the bridge."

"She's not finished... what a shame, a cute AI smile always make this man's day like no other... indeed a shame. I wonder if she's going to be cute"

The soldier raised his bokken to rest on his shoulder, patting it as he was facing down to the floor, while his hand was holding his jaw - "Because, you know... women are always important among the crew. Their warmth is needed in order for a man to keep his way, their smile is like the a ray of light defeating the darkness of a man's heart... indeed an elixir that cures any heart's disease..."

The man stopped his monologue for a second, then kept patting himself with the bokken, but now faster and harder

"There are, however, women that should not exist. Like, my aunt, for example. The most distant she is from civilization, the better for it. Her presence will make any man's path wicked like a road to hell, her foul smile is darkness itself destroying everything in its path... indeed! ... a poison that would make sick even the most valiant heart. And i just hope this AI is the first choice..."

The geshrin hit himself with the bokken, raising his face. "Cut the babbling Hikomaru. Gotta move!"

Not caring if anyone saw him, Hikomaru started to head towards the bridge.

Stepping into the bridge, the soldier saluted towards his officers.

"Greetings. I am Nitô Heisho Izusuhara Hikomaru reporting in as assigned, as Tactics and Weaponry crewmember of this ship. I bow towards you, putting at your disposal my services from now on. Expect nothing but the best from me" he said in a firm tone.

Jatsu dashed out of the docking bay and toward the bridge. He slowed down along the way, thinking, If she's on the bridge, she must be on duty. Damnit...I can't interrupt her while she's working. Although, the captain's also on the bridge, so I have to go there anyway to report in. He arrived at the bridge, and took one step in. He looked around, then quickly backed out and pressed his back against the wall.

Holy shit, why is Aoi in the captain's chair? Shortly after Hikomaru walked past him, he slowly looked into the bridge to see him saluting her, then jerked his head back. Damnit, I was not expecting this. No...no, it doesn't matter. She loves me, I love her...so what if she's the captain? He took another quick peek in. Well, she's busy right now. I can't interrupt her. I'll go in once she dismisses that guy.

A flat, almost monotone voice spoke in Aoiko's ear. "Cadet, two new crew members are boarding at the starboard hatch. Their dossiers will be displayed momentarily."

"Thank you, MEGAMI," Aoiko replied, with a slight sigh. I do wish they would all board at once, she thought to herself as she stood up. This is tiring. But, here comes the first... Her train of thought was derailed as Hikomaru burst onto the bridge. She started slightly at the sight of the bokken, her eyes locked on it as he pronounced his spiel. There was a pause after he finished, then she turned to him, bowed, and drew a deep breath. "Izusuhara-san. Welcome aboard the Yukika. I am, if you did not know, Cadet Murasaki Aoiko, and I will be the executive officer on our missions in the Murf system. Now, let me see..." She called over the holographic window with Hikomaru's documentation. "Weapons and Tactics. I do hope we will not have need of you, but it is good to have you here. Until further notice, let us assign you to the men's bunks. After leaving your things there, return here and I will set you to work." She glanced back up to him. "And I will expect your best. I would prefer to see better, especially as Taisho Motoyoshi will be visiting for an inspection in the near future. Now, dismissed." She bowed again, slightly, and called over the second dossier.

Her skin went a shade paler as she read the name at the top of the window.

Hikomaru saluted back to his officer as soon she finished her orders. Her hazel eyes had some grace on them, but simply Hikomaru couldn't have a better look of them, as it would be most inapropiate. For the moment.

He noticed the soldier waiting outside the bridge, with a face that, for Hikomaru, was very funny. Trying to not laugh, he finished the quick glance to him with a big grin, holding his breath very deeply. Then continued his path to the men's bulk in a faster pace, just to not make a jester of himself in front of the bridge.

Quickly leaping into the adressed room, he let out a big outburst of laughter, covering his mouth with his hands.

Throwing his backpack away and holstering his bokken on his belt, he preprared himself to further orders at the bridge, then suddendly stopped "Whoa, hold yer' horses Hiko... what about if the XO is making a butchering of that poor man in the bridge, ripping apart..."

He stared the floor for a second then almost yelled "Gotta train a bit, gotta train a bit! ... Gedan no kamae. Yosh!. Nanami giri. Yosh!. Ichi... ni... san...!"

Roger whistled to get the attention of the two underlings, and spoke. "All right chums, I'm heading back up yet again to go make that report. Like I say everytime, don't blow anything up. And be good to the nice lady who just gave us all the treats; if she needs anything, get it for her. Now then, I'll see you all later." He worried slightly that the instant he was gone Stronach was going to become completely incompetant and slag one of the nacelles in some whacked up attempt to optimize power flow, but there was little he could do about it except for hope that Minako had the common sense to clobber him before he did such. The senior soldier strode over to the hatch and hopped over the threshold, making his way up to the rapidly filling bridge.

Ahead of him, another new soldier was exiting the bridge and back the way Roger came. But there was something different about this one. Wait a tic, the engineer thought, I know that guy. What's he doing here from the 17th? Rog opened his mouth to inquire about the sudden appearance of Hikomaru, but before Roger could say anything, Hiko appeared to notice something which took all of his willpower not to laugh at. He then dashed past Roger, giving small titterings until he turned a corner and was gone. What the hell was that about? Roger wondered, turning to look back towards Hiko and very nearly running into the bridge bulkheads due to his lack of attention. Triggering the door, he casually ambled over to the acting CO of the Yukika, who appeared to be intently staring at a dossier. "Someone interesting coming on board, Cadet Murasaki?"

Aoiko blinked twice to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Clearly something interesting was in that dossier. She appeared to scrutinize Roger's figure, eventually settling down enough to recognize him. "Oh, sorry Kard-san; I've just received the new crew dossiers-"

"Oh good lord, more incoming crewmembers?" Roger lamented.

Aoiko stared at his interruption, but continued anyway. "We are receiving two new members; both bridge thankfully. One is Nitô Heisho Izusuhara Hikomaru, whom I believe you're familiar with?"

"Yeah, I just saw him walk by. This ship is literally being staffed by ex-17th wing people. But whatever; I guess that's the Taisho's will. Who's the other guy?"

"He's not a former member of the 17th-"

"-there's a change of pace-"

"-but I believe you are familiar with him." She turned the monitor enough to allow him to read the second newcomer's name.

"Eh? Who would I be... oh. Oh. OH."

Jatsu took a deep breath as Hiko walked out of the bridge, and was preparing to walk in until Roger walked in ahead of him. Damnit, I'm getting sick of these delays. I need to...wait a second, Rog?! He peeked his head in again to check. Well I'll be damned, so this is where he disappeared to. Well...good. He's seen us together, I think. So, I guess I can go in...

He ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to make it look nice, readjusted his rank pin, and smoothed out his uniform. He peeked in yet again, and after a deep breath the rest of his body followed. He slowly walked over to the two, lifting his right hand up to his shoulder for a faint wave. "Hey, Rog." He looked at Aoiko with an apprehensive smile. His heart was pounding as he moistened his lips. "Hey, Aoi..."

Aoiko turned as Jatsu came in. She did not return his smile - not that that was unusual - and just stared at him for a few moments. "Jatsu," she said, flatly. "Does this mean you have accepted my invitation? Anyhow, welcome to the Yukika. I am the executive officer here." For some reason. She glanced down to the window bearing Jatsu's dossier. "Mmm... I suppose the Shoi will have you working on MEGAMI. She is a little new. But I am afraid I do not have the authorisation to let you get started, so drop your things off in Stateroom... Four, and come back here." She looked back up to him, and bowed. "It is good to see you here."

"...Curses. Why had that memory came to my mind out of the blue." The soldier mumbled while lying on the floor, with a fast pace breathing.

Then stood up, straighting his uniform and picking up the mess he did all over the room.

"Ye´ know, this is going to be hard. The cadet says that she hopes that my services would be better if they´re not used." - The geshrin paused for a second, then continued in a firm, serious tone - "Nonsense. We´re the army, we´re warriors, and we have our enemies. There´s enough reason for me to be here, taking in count that those sneaky, bloody bastards of the mishus, could lurk anywhere. Anytime...."

Opening his backpack, he brought out his wakizashi, then holstered it on his belt. "In any case, i´m always ready to kick anyone or anything sorry arse. Yosha!"

He threw the bokken on the bed, then checked his gun. Nodding to the good shape of everything in his uniform, he started heading back to the bridge for further orders.

"Well," Jatsu said, grinning, "You did make an offer that I couldn't refuse. Although..." He brushed his finger across his lips, then pointed it upward next to his face. "There is one thing that..." He glanced at Roger and at the other officers on the bridge. "Err...well, we'll talk about it later."

He smiled at the mention of MEGAMI. Wow, two AI in one day? Well, maybe two days depending on when I can start. "Stateroom four, got it. I'll be back in no ti-" He temporarily lost the ability to speak when she bowed to him. After all, personal feelings aside she was his XO. "Ah...yeah." He smiled again. "Good to see you, too." He bowed, then started to walk out. Halfway, he turned around and said, "Oh, yeah. Congratulations on your promotion," then with a quick wink added, "Ma'am."

He hurried through the corridors to his room and walked in. He looked around, then sighed. Empty...guess I'm the only one sleeping here. He put his bag on his bed, then thought, Well, she is the XO, after all. She needs to maintain a certain level of decorum. Plus, we just started going out. Then again, she's the one who started talking about children already... He sighed again, then started walking back toward the bridge.

Target's active. You have 45 seconds, Shoi. The Akuro's AI clicked through the Super Phalanx's head communicator. Good Luck.

Corro did not respond. A curt nod was all he needed. The HUD inside his helmet flashed to life, displaying the massive numbers of AI drones that he had used during the previous test on his former squadron.

Instantly several of the drones went from sea green color to angry red and began targeting the lone Super Phalanx. And the dance began.

Buzzing in and out of fire from the drones, Corro continued to evade them. Even more drones were added to the mix. Their combined fire was making it near impossible to maneuver. But he continued to move.

With his face unchanging, Corro pulled the armor to a complete stop and watched as the fire raced past him on his expected course. In that brief moment he took aim at the 4 closest drones to him. The four plasma projectors on the powered armor leapt into action, creating the four balls of energy.

With a single grunt, Corro began his own assault. Launching the 4 energy balls he began dashing to the side. The plasma projectors were creating another set of four. The first 4 shots landed dead on catching the drones unaware. The rest began reacting instantly, blasting the dashing armor with renewed vigor.

Another short stop and a quick boost upward sent Corro away from the pursuing drones' fire. With a double kick and two throws he launched his second set of attacks. Again all finding their marks.

By now all the drones were active and seeking the lone powered armor. But Corro continued evading them, both with skill and tactics. Before long they had picked up his tactic of stopping suddenly, but he reversed that by not stopping whatsoever.

6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... End run. The KAMI finally announced in Corro's earpiece. Instantly all the drones ceased to function and the fire dissipated from around the Super Phalanx. Excellent work, not only were you able to out live the 17th but you took down more-

"That's enough." Corro cut of the AI. "Just set up my flight path to the Yukika and inform the XO of my arrival. I want to go through the ship on an inspection before the Taisho and her entourage are to come aboard."

Yes Shoi. I'll inform them right away. The KAMI sent of a encoded message, pre-written by Corro, to the YSS Yukika immediately.

To the crew of the YSS Yukika:

I am inbound on your current position. I wish to have the top crewmembers onboard meet me in the starboard docking bay when I arrive. I expect to see this ship in top condition when I come aboard. I pray you have been holding her together while I have been out. I will arrive within the next 8 minutes.

SIGNED,
Shoi Corro Adlich
Commander of the YSS Yukika

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Corro's armor bore on through deep space as he made good time towards his ship. His mood seemed to lighten, but he was not going to soften for anything. Especially a fresh ship with a new crew.