Departure
YSS Mazu
The fleet confirmed the navigation solutions that were sent out, all ships reported ready for FTL.
"This is Gemini Actual, Colony Fleet you are clear for departure from the outer staging area. We will be right here if you need us. We have resupply ships and personnel transports at the ready for you once you're out there. Just remember to deploy those buoys,"
"Port Jiyuu and Port Siren, ready!"
The crew was at their stations and the stage was set. The massive HUBs of Port Jiyuu and Port Siren, the so-called unmovable made movable with their experimental drives powered up for that first historic jump. The mission counter neared zero, and the final preparations were completed. Katsuko didn't delegate the next communication, which she sent personally fleet-wide, "Time to make history, It is time to go make a new mark on the universe in the name of Yamatai Star Empire. A new Sector, a clean slate - an uncertain but promising future lays ahead of us all. All ships...Let's go." she gave the order. The staging area came alive as ship after ship blinked into hyperspace to head toward their first destination just outside of the Kikyo Sector, System YC-05C.
The months of preparation, the struggles both professional and personal seemed to melt away as the Mazu's pilots engaged the hyperspace drive. Within a moment, the screen was filled with a colorful display of superheated plasma strings and clouds that drifted through hyperspace around them.
"First waypoint is approximately twenty-four hours out," Minato reported, then turned to respond to Ladrielle-Shoi,
"For now, just monitor the other ships in the fleet, make sure no one is dropping back, especially the two Ports," she suggested. She took a moment to give a remote check on each bridge station and officer, she wanted to make sure that everyone had executed everything perfectly so she could include it in the duty report.
"Shimizu-Taii and Motoyoshi-Taii, you two should head down to the cargo bay and make sure the two Field Laboratories we have on board are stocked and ready, I will have Mazu-Hei forward your drinks down to you," the Shosa ordered, as she felt it was important to keep everyone on task. She knew the Taisho would take care of their clerks, so she was not worried about them.
"Mikratos-Hei can join you as well," she added.
Katsuko smiled at Akina and said quietly,
"I don't know about you, but I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders." She felt much more relaxed now that the fleet was away, barreling towards their first destination outside of the Kikyo Sector. She looked over at their clerks on the comm,
"Shanui-Hei, you can stay on communications for now, Ayenee-Hei please accompany the Taisho and me into the ready room," she issued, then continued as she turned,
"Motoyoshi-Chui, you have the bridge. I'm sure the Shosa don't mind if you start your training while we're here until Kaoru gets up here," she said as she adjusted her posture and looked to Akina, she hoped she had not stepped on toes, and gave a gesture towards the office off the bridge. Surely it was unconventional for an officer from another fleet to preform such a duty on a ship of a different fleet, then again unconventional was the Motoyoshi way.
Kurahashi Chikafusa sent a message to all members of the Alpha Team,
Invitation to the Flag Officers Ward Room, All members of Alpha Team are to report for dinner at 1800 following the end of duty shift.
Soggy Hole
"Mazu-Hei, you got those drinks ready yet?" Kaoru asked, "The Taisho are waiting," she reminded. The only reason she had remained in the Soggy hole was to give the caretaker a hand with the trays that were destined to reach the bridge.
Kaoru turned around and raised a brow, "Yue, I thought you would be on Port Jiyuu? I guess Sorin isn't the only 'stowaway'," she joked.