RP: YSS Miharu Mission 1 "REAR GUARD", Day 4

[Nyton]

I hope I made them feel welcome enough. Nyton thought as he returned to the bridge. When he entered he gave Kotori a quick bow and returned to his console. "Kurohoshi-Juni is now seeing to our new crew members. I explained the situation to them regarding their stay and ensured Kurohoshi understood the matter regarding our mission. I figured the 'experimental ship' story would suffice." he reported. A slight itch on his face due to stubble caused Nyton to scratch a bit before he continued. "So what's next Taii?"

 

[Fred]

"I need you to come back as soon as possible Yukari," Kotori returned. "We don't have much time to spare before the mishhuvurthyar come back and we must be ready."

Kotori frowned. It wasn't like she was enjoying depriving everyone of their breakfast and sitting on her chair while she was still in her bathrobe and caked with blood.

"We now need to deal with the refugee vessels and the ships remaining in the Kinkou carrier group," Kotori said for Nyton's benefit "Mara, status of the 5th XF ships?"

"They've all regrouped 11 AU out of the asteroid belt. Some of the Irims are trying to expand their CFS field bubble to include other ships in order to tow them," the sprite answered.

"What sort of speed would they be able to muster, dragging those ships like the massive Noujou and staying in formation?" The Taii asked.

"If we're optimistic... 90 000c would be their best bet if they slowed down to accommodate their slower vessels." Mara shrugged. "The Xianthrafruglus go to 250 000c and the Mishhu don't seem to have folding troubles. If they want to catch up, they could anytime."

Kotori fisted her hands. "What I plan to do, Nyton, is to have them all get in the null-sensor zone, in which I inserted probes to help with navigation and communication. If we can hide there and buy the time we'd need to restore the fold drive systems, it would improve our chances of escaping considerably. We can't survive another wave of enemies without taking unacceptable losses."

 

[Rabbit Eclair]

Miyoko paled as she saw her patient for the first time. While she'd seen enough blood in her training, the sheer amount of wounds Mizuho had, each one the source of a dose of poison, was a bit overwhelming. She quickly ran through the files on Mishhu anatomy and the Miharu's observations on her condition. Most likely paralytic poison, which would mean she's out partially due to not getting enough oxygen to her brain, either because of a paralyzed diaphragm or the poison interfering with the contractions of her blood vessels... Fortunately, that's not too hard to take care of.

Carefully, she peeled the wet, tattered clothes off of the unconscious tactician and eased her into a hemosynth tube. Crossing back to the front, she leaned over and gave the machine its instructions- to re-oxygenate Mizuho's blood until it was back at normal levels, at which point it was to give her a complete blood exchange to remove the unbound toxins. Under no circumstances was she to be released from the tube until her cardiopulmonary system was showing normal activity.

And then... it was time to wait for the machine to do its thing. As she watched the tank get to work patching Mizuho's injuries, she absently told the air, "Miharu, please tell Suzuka-chui that I'd like to meet with her sometime today, at her convenience."

 

[Kokuten]

"Westwood-Hei. Nishimura-Hei. I thank you again for your help with the salvage of those torpedoes. These weapons will help return our ship to full combat readiness a lot sooner. At the same time I offer my condolences for your crew mates passing. Their deaths will not be in vain, I assure you. However because of our situation you will not soon be reassigned to a new ship. As such the Taii has given authority so that you two can remain on our ship until such a reassignment can be made. Until then I would like you two to consider the Miharu your new home for however long as needed. Kurohoshi-Juni will be in charge of helping you two get acquainted with the ship." he announced.

Asher scratched his brown-haired head again, that answered most of the questions that floated around in his head. The fact that all of his crewmates were gone finely sunk into his mind. He was slowly slipping back into a more sensible state of mind, he began to think more clearly about what had transpired. The amount of bodies just lying around on the Shikaku had stunned him at first, but he quickly got used to it as the situation progressed. Looking back, he didn't know how he could just shrug it off. Thoughts of the Shikaku were filling his mind, he shook his head, and decided to focus on something different, like food...

"Westwood-Hei, Nishimura-Hei, are you hungry at all? Many of us haven't eaten at all I'm afraid, so I hope you won't mind us stoping by the galley before I show you around the ship," the warrant officer said with a smile on her face.

Asher turned to Masako's direction, things were getting better and better.

"Yes mam! I haven't eaten since the previous night, I'm pratically starving!" Asher said, instinctively pulling up a salute as he talked to the higher ranked Warrant Officer.

 

[Nyton]

Nyton realized that he was being crass at scratching his face and ceased. He would simply have to wait it out until he could shave off his daily stubble. Damn lousy face hairs. Oh it grows fast enough to give me a shadow by midday but even a week of growth won't give me anything beyond that other than an itchy face. he thought. That thought aside he focused on Kotori's next move.

"Hide and seek then. Gotcha. Very well then, we should communicate with the other ships and give them the coordinates of your arranged null zone. Given the amount of damage many ships seem to have suffered we may have to coordinate repair efforts to get all the fold systems operational, as well as establish some sort of line of defense in case the SMX do return and actually find our field." Nyton replied.

He turned back to his console and began to look up fleet ship status, distances from the null field, and star systems they could use for a possible retreat. "Of course the question still remains as to just where do we go after we get our fold systems up and running." Nyton mused.

 

[Fred]

"Let's deal with the situation at hand before speculating on what might not happen. We'll have plenty of time to think on it once we get ourselves hidden. However..." Kotori crossed her arms thoughtfully, though doing so made her skin rub unpleasantly against the dry blood on her garment.

Refraining from shuddering it distate at the unpleasant texture, she asked the Miharu: "MEGAMI, how effective would our sensors be inside the null-sensor zone?"

"Linking up to AIES unit." MEGAMI replied, paused, and then: "Navigation and communication should remain functional - though hardly optimal - with the help of the probes. Additional probes would help increase resolution and overall effectiveness. Fire Control Systems will, however, be heavily impeded; positive targeting solutions will only be available within visual range."

"What about outside the zone? What will they see?"

"Hardly any signs of any ships within aside from the engine trails," The computer again replied.

"Gravimetric engines and Combined Field Systems at low speed ought to leave us with little wake if we are careful." Kotori nodded - Yukari would probably be able to deal with that handily enough and guide the other navigators properly. That left only one other thing. "What about the probes?"

"The probes are sending out encrypted signals. They should not be received by any mishhuvurthyar ship outside the zone."

"What about other Star Army vessels - a Nozomi-class scoutship, for example." The Taii continued. "Would they be able to pick up that signal even if not included in that network?"

"A Nozomi-class scout could in close proximity," Miharu again replied.

"I suppose that in the state of our Fire Control System, we'd be hard pressed to spot them, let alone target them, if they'd come in silent running to check it out." Kotori was grinning.

"That is correct," was the MEGAMI's answer.

Mara turned around. "Taii, are you deliberatingly trying to goad whatever Black Spiral ship is out there to come and mess with our probes?"

"If they hack into our probes, they'll possibly be able to feed the targeting data to any mishhuvurthyar ships in the vicinity," Kotori replied. "They'd have a lot to gain from it - we'd have no way of shooting back and they'll finish us off with hyperspace torpedoes."

"Then how do we avoid that?!" Mara didn't see what advantage it gave the Miharu and the other 5th XF ships to be blind and paint themselves as targets.

"We have plenty of power armors which can act as spotters," Kotori explained. "With power armors in place keeping a lookout on each of the probes, they should be able to spot the Black Spiral ship when it'd come for the probes. With that advantage, we should be able to have the Miharu and other combat capable ships by our side provide support fire. However, I'd much rather deliver a boarding party and capture the ship. If we gain control of the ship, we should be able to gain access to whatever means they have of jamming our communications." Kotori gave Nyton a sly smile. "For a good while now, the Mishhu have been enjoying a certain advantage on the intelligence side of this campaign. I, for one, am eager to make that advantage become a double-edged sword."

 

[Doshii Jun]

Yukari returned to the bridge in full uniform, gave a short bow to Kotori, and took her position. The Miharu had been kind enough to give her a listen into its exchange with Kotori and Mara, so she was abreast of the situation.

 

[Fred]

Kotori turned her head to Yukari when she entered. "Navigation, please bring us up next to the Kinkou carrier group and try to pick out the leading ship in that bunch. I'm going to have to talk with the person in charge."

 

[Nyton]

Nyton's eyebrow was raised at Kotori's suggestion to capture a snooping Black Spiral ship. Very slick. Specially scented bait to draw out the intended predator. he thought. "I'll begin analyzing a possible set up Armor cover on the probes. No telling how many Armors we'll have but I'll try to figure an estimate." he said. "Also, would you perhaps like to borrow my shirt for the time being? At the rate you're going you'll have out done Rufus's record for commanding a ship underdressed."

 

[Fred]

Kotori laughed; it came spontaneously, bell-like. "I am really looking forward to a bath," She admitted. "I'll be fine though. Talking to that group commander in a bloodied bathrobe actually had impacts I planned to take advantage of."

Not only was her garment caked with blood, but Kotori was also going without the rank pin - she hadn't had the time to unpin it from her clothing before she had made her way to the bridge even before the 'crack of dawn'.

 

[Tom]

Far away / This ship is taking me far away / Far away from the memories / Of the people who care if I live or die...

Tom toiled in the engineering bay of the Miharu, working on the fold engine and the countless layers of complexity that device entailed. It wracked his mind to an extent, the snail's pace at which the Yamataian worked, he knowing full well that there simply wasn't an easier way to fix this.

His environmental suit was smeared with grease and oil and his body caked with grime and sweat. The stench of body odor drifted into his nostrils, despite the best efforts of the suit. He itched in places and his stomach growled.

Being alone with only Chigusa for help as the Miharu coldly displayed the mounting list of tasks on a display to his side didn't help either.

Still, it was better than drones, and the personal jukebox in his head was doing a fine job of keeping him focused.

I'll never let you go / If you promise not to fade away / Never fade away...

Tom wondered what Yukari was doing, if she was as deep in work as he was. Hell, would he ever be able to see her again?

The sarcastic thought held a painful, ringing truth to it.

Our hopes and expectations / Black holes and revelations...

He saw her face in the reflective sheen of a metal panel for the briefest of moments before his wrenched hand continued socketing it in place.

Hold you in my arms / I just wanted to hold / You in my arms

 

[I'm Only Dancing]

A shuddering motion. As her physiology was painstakingly repaired by the hemosynth pod, Mizuho's dreams took a turn for the outright delirious. Spattered with truisms and fractured memories, she found herself lost in a mind where she couldn't sort truth from delusion, fate from chance.

"Don't speak." Minato curled her hands cruelly. "I'll kill you. And we know you don't take death lightly!"
"The only death I take lightly is my own, Minato..."

The image faded. Mizuho was lying face-up on a hard mattress, eyes glazing as they centered too long on the overhead light fixtures. "If I can kill Yui, then I will be queen of the universe, and noone will stand in my way!" She sat up, waving her arm at a small terrier. "Ender! Fetch me my killing gloves!"

The little dog gave a deep, growling bark, performed a pair of backflips, and dashed away.

Light. There was light, and... wetness.

Or perhaps that was just some semblance of consciousness returning.

 

[Doshii Jun]

Yukari responded with a simple "Yes Taii-san" and flew the ship through the sensory hole they had created to be within range of the ship designated the leader.

The Sheridan, she thought. Todd Mazu. It was certainly the most battered of the real warships still operating, but already repair crews were busy. The hail she sent to the ship was returned without much delay -- the comm officer on board the Irim gunship must not have been too busy; Yukari was sure her call would have been filtered otherwise.

The generally bland face of Todd Mazu was not what she saw on the other end, once a subspace link had been established. It was of a Neko, as bland as Mazu was, with straight black hair and brown eyes. She did not appear to be very happy, possibly because she was missing her left arm. The Neko was leaning over the comm officer's shoulder as crew milled in the background of the bridge. Some were injured, limping; others were carrying gear back and forth.

The comm officer got up and the Neko sat down. Miharu identified her immediately -- Tsutomu Chinatsu-Chusa, the Sheridan's XO.

"Connection established. When you are ready, Taii-san."

 

[Fred]

Kotori's eyes went to the label identifying the ship hailed, the rank pin of the maimed neko and quickly got to business. "Sheridan, it is my understanding that you are going to lead the assembled ships out of the system at distorsion speeds. Do you seriously expect you can drag that Noujou and escort the rest of the refugee vessels into friendly territory before the Mishhuvurthyar catch up with you?"

 

[Doshii Jun]

The Neko's eyes narrowed. The bleeding of her left stump, as it were, was just enough to wet the end with red. "Do you, swathed in bloody rags, seriously expect to treat me like a Hei wet behind the ears?" She didn't give Kotori a chance to respond. "I have watched your ship -- between fighting Mishhuvurthyar boarding the Sheridan -- skulk about in the way a kitten toys with a mouse. You destroyed some of the Mishhu attacking us. For that you have my thanks. Beyond that, your strange sensor trick with MEGAMI probes is a gamble at best, one where we are the bet and the payoff is something I can't ascertain. I'll be damned to let you endanger what precious life I have left under my command."

She took a moment to look back at the crew, then back at the screen. "This had better be good."

 

[Fred]

Something inside Kotori recoiled - it became very hard to not snarl at the other. The reason she had kept her yukata was so that she wouldn't have to present a rank pin; she had wanted - hoped - to actually masquerade herself as an officer of higher rank. The lives of the refugees had seemed worth the lie.

But now that other Chusa on screen was actually intimidating her. She was all business and probably more experienced than Kotori was. She couldn't just order her around.

Grace under pressure, she admonished herself.

"Chusa, it's simply a matter of common sense," Kotori pointed out. "You cannot stand and fight against another wave of mishhuvurthyar like that. You can't call for help. You can't run away fast enough for the Mishhu not to catch up with you before you can get those non-combatants to safety; not without abandoning some of the biggest refugee vessels like the Noujou." Kotori turned her eyes to Mara. "How many passengers are on the Noujou anyway?"

"I am detecting 14 424 lifesigns aboard," the sprite replied.

Kotori turned her attention back to the neko on the screen. "My gamble, as you call it, might be the best way you would have to get the time you need to have your repair teams fix those fold drives - fold drives you could use to get everyone out safely."

 

[Doshii Jun]

The Neko's gaze softened some. "I am aware of our tactical situation. And I am aware that I cannot escape without repairing the fold drives of all of our vessels. What I must know is what happens if your plan fails."

The image was suspended for a moment -- Yukari informed Kotori it was on purpose, on the Sheridan's end -- then returned again. The Neko seemed much more sad now than defiant.

 

[Strangelove]

"Why, Masako, you should know better than to feed Freeman!" Leutre laughed quietly. "Everyone knows that a dedicated gearhead, once his or her mind is set to a task, leaves their maintenance tunnels only for food or orders. Poor Freeman won't get a moment of rest and relieve tonight if we don't starve him out of the tunnels. Of course, you're an pilot at heart, not a gearhead, so I guess you wouldn't know that. In any case, a meal sounds grand. I could go for a bowl of stroganoff myself. And the Deadmen certainly look hungry, don't they?"

Leutre glanced over at Asher. "By the way, Deadman," he quietly said, "I think you're supposed to bow, not salute." Leutre gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Stop worrying about protocol and relax a little. As a Deadman you should learn to enjoy life, to chew and eat your fill. Eat every meal like its your last, because one day it will be. Appreciate life's little mercies and be happy."

 

[Abwehran Commander]

"Veressis-Hei," Masako began in a stern tone before turning around and fixing a nearly expressionless face upon him, save for the smoldering eyes. "I know you are trying to be funny and relaxed around others, but using the term 'Deadmen' when they are probably glad at being alive now is thoughtless and rude," the 4'11" tall neko's voice as hard as pure zesuaium.

"Westwood-Hei, Nishimura-Hei, please go on to the wardroom and see if you can fix yourself something to eat," the warrant officer said with a lighter voice, but there was still an edge to it. If there was one thing that set her off, it was rudeness towards others. "Veressis-Hei, we will speak about this without involving our visitors, because obviously...your ill-mannered behavior is a slight upon this crew and Ketsurui-Taii," the neko explained with bridled anger.

 

[Rabbit Eclair]

Mizuho stirred, and sure enough, her lifesigns seemed to be making a slow but steady climb back toward the normal range. Miyoko sighed in relief- while it was generally accepted to be a pain in the butt to kill a neko, she hadn't been too pleased with picturing what could happen if her idea hadn't worked and Mizuho's brain had gone a few more minutes without oxygen. It had been a guess, but apparently a successful enough one.

But, the time for self-congratulation could come later. In a few minutes, she was going to have a naked, sore, more-than-likely confused neko on her hands. First things first. Eyeing the tattered remains of the tactician's clothes, she asked, "Miharu, could you prepare an outfit for Yukisato-san? And..." she looked thoughtfully at the tube, "would it be possible to have the hemosynth tank filter a sample of the toxin out of her blood?"