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

"Unfortunately, the femtomachines in the blood have made an active effort to break them down. However, mishhuvurthyar neurotoxins are recorded in our database - we simply haven't found an effective way to counter them so far. Also, I will have one of the sprites fetch another garment for Yukisato," Miharu assured Miyoko.

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"If my plan fails, the rest of us die along with Todd Mazu," Kotori grimly answered Tsutomu, guessing what possibly happened to the Sheridan's commander. She wasn't going to sugarcoat things, especially not now.

"Not great assurance," the Chusa replied, her face and body tightening again. "Who am I speaking to?"

Yukari realized she hadn't allowed the Sheridan to access the Miharu's transponder codes. She also had withheld a standard procedure — the subspace link normally came with basic crew information for the -IES to access, so names could be displayed above individuals as they had with the Chusa and the comm officer.

At the same moment, a transmission was quietly bounced from the Sheridan to other vessels in the group using older 5th XF encryption. It was official — Mazu was dead; Tsutomu was being promoted to Taisa effective immediately. Yukari put a small text window close to Kotori's vision, but not in her face, to confirm it for the Taii.

"Is there anything that would prevent either the HSCS or nodal system from synthesizing the toxin, then?" Miyoko's mind was buzzing now. The chemist in her wanted to study the poison to see how it worked, the medic in her wanted to take her own crack at making an antidote, and the soldier in her... she couldn't help but consider the usefulness of a toxin that could quickly incapacitate a neko, particularly when it was likely that they'd fight a few in the battles to come against Black Spiral.

Unfortunately, she already had enough on her plate... but it was still something to save for further consideration.

"Odds are PNUgen knew how to, but that secret was never disclosed, along with how to manufacture the NH-19 type that eventually led to the mishhuvurthyar race, or the NH-25," The Miharu's computer replied to the science specialist.

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"This is one of those cases where 'ignorance is bliss' would apply nicely," Kotori told the Sheridan's newly promoted CO. "Suffice to say I'm here to help. The question now is if you will allow me to help, or not."

"That would depend on what you want us to do ... Yukata-san." The Neko let out a small sigh.

Yukari looked down at her screens ... the Irim was attempting to have a ship with operable sensors scan the Miharu and find out what it was. Yukari updated the text window near Kotori to reflect this.

Another message appeared near Nyton and Mara: "We might be forced to stealth. Please be ready."

"Tow your ships in the null-sensor zone, stay put and concentrate on your repairs. The sensor net will be your IES eyes - you'd be wise to use your own probes to add to it. Yukata-san out."

Rather than leaving it to Yukari to close the channel, Kotori did it from her console and then said, "Navigation, bring us about and make best speed to the null-sensor region." That would hide them to Tsumotu's eyes well enough.

"Operations, have the probes transmit sensor telemetry to the Sheridan and allied ships once they get in their vicinity. Please notify us if they do interface with one or more of that small flotilla's IES unit."

Though going in the null-sensor area would make the Miharu as blind to them as they would be to it, their presence would be obvious soon enough when they'd head in and make contact with the probes inside... provided they did to go inside. If Tsumotu decided against it, that part of Kotori's plan would be ruined and she would be forced to have the Miharu withdraw from the area - odds of successfully baiting the Black Spiral ship would become close to nil and she'd be forced to leave the Kinkou group and the refugee vessels fend for themselves (and thus leave them and the refugees at the mercy of the Mishhuvurthyar).

Asher gave a mean look at Leutre for those last words, he was beginning to think that this gear head disliked him. He looked to Ryszard, who hadn't seem to be saying much, and then snapped forward when Masako began to speak again.

Hrm... The Wardroom... The Galley on Shikaku was on the Upper Deck, I think that applies for most ships. He was certain that this was not the upper deck area since a Wardroom would more likely be on a deck that had Quaters and not places like the Power Armor room he was in.

"Hey Rys, you think you can lead the way to the Wardroom? I'd likely get lost..." Asher said, looking at the nearest door.

"Roger that, Taii. Interface protocols being configured now." Nyton replied as he typed away. He also tried to gather as much 'hard' data of the area the null-space consisted of so even if they could not use their sensors they would at least have a somewhat decent idea of the area. Nyton also received an update from the repair pods that over fifty percent of the damaged areas had been restored, not including system operations.

***

A small window displaying a map appeared before Westwood and Nishimura. The map showed the most direct route to the wardroom and a small arrow appeared in front of them. "Please follow the arrow. I will guide you to the wardroom." the Miharu informed them.

Rys glanced over at his friend and nodded his head slightly, "Sure." he then looked at the screen, "Thank you muchly." he said with a faint smile upon his lips. His steps began in the direction indicated by the map.

He glanced over at Westwood and spoke quietly, "What do you think?" he asked him.

Asher grinned widely at Rys, and was happy just to finally be on his way to some food.

"Fine, Fine, let's get going." Asher said following the the arrows direction.

"Man, check out this ship, this thing is fuckin' shooty!" He looked around at all the details as they past them, "I mean, this puts the Shikaku to shame..."

Yukari nodded and did as instructed, plotting a course for the sensor net. No other ship scanned them, and communication between them was routine. As the ship slipped into the net, it all went dead.

Kotori took a deep breath and waited. Five minutes. I'm giving them five minutes to make up their minds.

It seems he had unintentionally said something to anger another crewmember, Masako. Was he destined to anger the entire crew before the trip was over? Leutre sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "We have a word back home... Alwaid, meaning 'who is to be destroyed,' roughly translated as Deadman. I, myself, am a Alwaid thrice: Once when my right arm was mauled by machinery, once from depressurization, once from a shuttle racing accident. My own experiences with death have taught me to hold life to be a sacred thing. Even you may have noticed my... dislike for both armor and arms, even against Mishhu. These experiences changed my life for the better... Otherwise I would likely be a hot-headed gunner still out fighting pirates and picking fights in the starport taverns."

"To be an Alwaid, a Deadman, is not an insult but the exact opposite. A brush with Death himself endows one with clarity, wisdom, and life experience. It usually causes one to both comprehend and appreciate the true value of life. Not to mention Alwaid is a sign of 'sacd as-sucud,' or 'luck of lucks.' After all, you rarely escape a brush with Death unless you have the Lady's favor." Leutre explained to her.

"So, you see, it is not intended as an insult but an honorific title. Wisdom beyond years, divine favor, and if its not too bold of me to say so, good stories to tell friends. But regardless, I apologize, as I had no idea such a title was so offensive here." He bowed Masako slightly, and straightened once again. "Please forgive my lack of cultural comprehension."

Nyton just continued to focus on what work he could do. Whether the others joined them or not could not be helped now. Come on now you fools. Don't be stupid. A small chance is better than no chance, he thought. Surely they must have realized this.

Giving one more cursory glance to make sure that Mizuho was recovering, Miyoko turned and left the medical laboratory. Her recovery would be more of a matter of time than anything else, and sitting around watching it wasn't going to do anything for anybody.

But what now? Her stomach was protesting for a hot meal, but there would have been an announcement if one was being served, and she was kinda still on-duty and couldn't just run off and grab a snack. She knew of a nice long list of things that needed done, but she'd need to talk to Yukari before most of them were options. And that left... asking for orders. Suppressing a sigh- it always felt like she was interrupting when she called the bridge during situations- she requested a communications window to the highest-ranking unoccupied officer other than the Taii. No need to get her face clawed off just yet.

Yukari set the Miharu on a fairly easy course, and let the ship do the piloting so she could take the call from Miyoko.

"This is Suzuka-Chui," she responded. "Is there something you need, Saito-Hei?"

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"Are we sure?" Tsutomu absently rubbed her slowly growing stump as she chewed on a nutrition bar.

"I'm positive, Taisa." The comm officer was.

Tsutomu seemed to chew for a moment longer, then slowly nodded. "Kessaku Electronics deserves praise -- but so do you, Heisho."

"It was nothing, Taisa," the comm officer said.

"The voice print was a complete match?"

"Yes Taisa. WIES had a record of Suzuka's voice print from her time in the 5th XF. The encryption of her armor was from a SAINT set, we are fairly sure, but it was simple enough when pieced between all of our vessels. The print was very clear; the probes had not been activated."

"A Chui ... " Tsutomu shook her head. "SAINT wouldn't put a Chui in command of a prototype ... we're not that desperate for officers yet. Her last assignment was aboard the 1st XF Sakura?"

"Yes Taisa. Starship operator."

Tsutomu seemed to mull it for a moment. "A Taii went into the same hole she did, yes?"

"Yes Taisa. Ketsurui Kotori. Adopted into the Ketsurui family, we believe, though her file does not suggest it."

"We have a visual?"

"No Taisa. We only have the basic information ... "

Tsutomu shook her head gently. "No matter. Anything on this 'Miharu?'"

"Nothing, Taisa. SAINT must have buried anything on it."

"Nonsense. A ship like that ... data on it quite possibly doesn't exist. We won't know for some time ... but ... "

The comm officer, a red-haired Neko, looked at her commander inquisitively. Tsutomu brushed the look off with a wave of her hand.

"The tactic is sound. We are dead out here. Dispense the order -- all ships are to enter the field. We'll tow the Noujou and the Hummingbirds. The Yuis can dispatch their MEGAMI probes and network them with the Miharu's." She paused. "And begin building a file on that vessel. I want you personally on it. Understood?"

The Neko beamed with a straight face. "Hauh!" She left, heading for her station.

The ships, with the order received, began to enter the field.

Kotori's gamble had paid off.

Scene: YSS Miharu medical laboratory
Miyoko dipped a brief bow to the image. "Yukisato-san is recovering, but she won't be fully healed for a while... and may not be fit for duty for quite some time, depending on how long the toxins linger. Is there anything else I should get a start on?"

Yukari thought a moment, but then shook her head visibly.

"Well then, I suppose I'll go stop my stomach from imploding, then, if I'm not needed."

The Chui nodded. "Oh! ... Soul Transfer back-ups. Have you completed those?"

"That was the main reason I requested a meeting with you. Too many people need them for me to just call everyone down to the medical lab in a situation like this, so I was hoping to take care of them when we're a bit safer." The medic paused, frowning. "Not that that seems very likely to happen in our near future."

"Ah -- " Yukari hadn't even acknowledged the small message in her lower right vision that, upon reading, indeed requested a meeting. "My apologies ... I will be down shortly." Yukari closed the window, explained the situation to Kotori briefly, then went down to the medical lab. When she arrived, Miyoko could see Yukari looked slightly worn.

Miyoko motioned to the cushioned chair in the small examination alcove, taking up position herself on one of the examination tables. "You're, er, sure you can spare the time for this? I don't have anything truly pressing to discuss other than the backups."

"It is fine," Yukari said politely, taking a seat in the chair. Her hair was mussed some, and her uniform wasn't on just so.

The Yamataian shrugged. "Well then, I was hoping to arrange to have people come down when they're off-duty, or at least cycle them down here one at a time if we can't spare anybody. I don't particularly like us seeing this much combat with almost half the crew still needing backups."

"Some things cannot be helped," Yukari replied simply. "But we will have time soon, I am sure."

Miyoko hesitated and shrugged again in defeat, dropping the point. "I would certainly hope so. But moving on... I notice that we have two Nepleslians in the crew. With as much danger as we're running into, I'd like to suggest that they upgrade to Yamataian bodies. Particularly Claymere-juni, though, since he seems more likely to be used in armor combat. ... though I predict some... friction... over the point with Veressis-hei."

Yukari nodded. "I agree, Saito-Hei ... but Claymere-Juni could be as difficult. They are more attached to their bodies than we are." The hypocritical nature of her words wasn't lost on her, but she didn't show it.

The medic sighed. "So I predicted... I'm hoping that the whole threat of their imminent demise might make them realize the value of having some regenerative capabilities. Either way, I'd like to have talks with them both within the next few days, if possible."

"I will ensure they at least see you when you ask, Saito-Hei." As medical officer, Miyoko seemed to have all the power she needed despite her rank, Yukari thought. But prodding didn't hurt.

"Aaaand next on the list..." Miyoko counted off a three on her left hand, "while I know this isn't exactly a priority- the wreckage from those phasing ships that I was asked to analyze. When that comes up, I'd like to have one of the technicians up here. I'm not exactly an engineer."

"Do you have a preference?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I get the feeling that Veressis might have a bit more experience with this sort of thing than the others, but I'll take whomever I can get."

"Veressis-Hei can help you," Yukari said with some finality. "The other engineers are trying to repair other portions of the ship."

"Does that mean I can just pull him out any time? I was considering getting a start on that after this, unless something else comes up." Miyoko glanced at the floating form of Mizuho. "Or at least to occupy me until my patient needs tending to."

Yukari had to think about that. "It might be best to wait, just until we are sure we are safe."

"Ehh... after being woken up on the first day by an entire solar system blowing up around me, I'm going to need to re-evaluate my definition of safe." She paused, looking almost guilty at the admission and snapping back into formality. "That about covers it, really. I need to pull Veressis-hei away from his duties tomorrow to make sure that he's recovering from his concussion, and I'd like to give the crew basic examinations, but those are both fairly trivial."

Yukari nodded. She understood. "We are on an important mission, Saito-Hei. But we will prevail."

"Or starve to death in the attempt, it would seem." She stretched and rose from the table. "Well then, unless you had any orders you wanted to give me, that's really all I had. I wouldn't want to needlessly occupy the one in charge of flying my butt out of here if we happen to get ambushed."

Yukari thought just a moment. "No, I suppose there is nothing. Thank you, Saito-Hei." The Chui stood and bowed slightly.

"Very well, then." Miyoko returned the bow. "I suppose I'll be getting what research I can done if I'm not immediately needed, so don't hesitate to call me if you need anything actually pressing done."

Yukari smiled, nodded, and left to return to the bridge.

On Yukari's way back to the bridge, there was a tone that warned of a ship-wide intercom message before the brown-haired woman heard Kotori's voice sound out:

"This is your commander speaking. This morning, Taiie was attacked by a Mishhuvurthyar armada whom fielded a new anti-star superweapon which laid waste to the system. The 5th XF, or what remains of it, have fled away with what refugees they could carry to the nearby Tsuyosa system, but fold engine failures throughout all the ships present when the Anti-star weapon used an anti-FTL field caused side-effects in their fold drives - this includes our own. We are currently stranded, with no decent way of making our escape without leaving some of the most populated refugee transports."

"After a skirmish against pursuing Mishhuvurthyar vessels, including some of their newer gunships and scoutships types, we've managed to temporarely fend them off and used this opportunity to hide within an area of great sensor interference inside Tsuyosa's large asteroid belt. Though we might be susceptible to some electrical malfunctions while being in here, it should render us more or less undetectable to mishhuvurthyar sensors."

"This gives us valuable time to recuperate and restore our fold drives. Other 5th XF ships will most likely be doing the same so that we can arrange an escape later."

"I would like to extend my appreciation to you all. In big or small ways, you have all helped our ship survive this series of unfortunate events. I give particular mention to the ones doing the dirty work down in the subdeck - I understand the malfunctions you had to cope with could have made all the difference between continued survival and a premature death. I extend to you my sincerest thanks."

"There is much yet to do, but there was also much left undone. I would ask you all to pry yourselves off work and take an hour to recuperate. I'm sure most of you did not have the time to freshen up - from here, I can also hear your stomachs growling in complaint. Use this time to your advantage - what the future has in stored for us remains uncertain and we must be ready to face it."

"That will be all. Ketsurui-Taii out."

Once the broadcast was over Nyton stretched his arms over his head and flexed his cybernetics. There was a slight bit of tightness to his wrist tendons which would require some routine calibration maintenance soon but nothing out of the ordinary. It could wait. Once he was done though he turned to look back at Kotori.

"A little break should do everyone some good. I know missed meal times have a tendency to make for cranky soldiers." Nyton said. "Someone should probaby remain on the bridge to keep watch though. I don't mind keeping an eye on things while you go clean up and get some food."

Yukari stepped onto the bridge just as Nyton was speaking. She had thought the same thing; she smiled a little. "Are you sure you do not wish to rest some, Claymere-Juni?"