- RP Date
- YE 46.2
- RP Location
- Âmuarpoku Star System
YE 46.2
YSS Resurgence
Âmuarpoku Star System
After emerging from the wormhole and doing some patrol missions, the Resurgence received a special assignment from Taisho Kessaku Irim. Captain Aoba called a meeting in the ship's dojo were everyone could hear the news during their morning exercise sessions. As the crew gathered, mostly dressed in white ringer T-shirts and regal blue shorts, and sneakers, Captain Aoba stood on an an antique-looking wooden vaulting block so everyone could see him.
"Good morning," Taisa Aoba greeted the Resurgence crew. "We are heading into the territory of our ally, the Hidden Sun Clan, which is also, called the Poku Saeruo Degonjo in their language. We will be picking up a guest who is preparing for the upcoming International Relations Conference of YE 46. This is a rare opportunity and I'd like to make a good impression, so I expect everyone to be at their best and represent the Empire well. Additionally, please make sure to meet and welcome our newest crew members."
“Will do, sir!” the SAINT analyst aboard the ship said. Mineko’s dark purple hair was tied up in her characteristic pair of buns with one loping segment of hair above the crown of her head and another at the nape of her neck, separated by a simple crimson cloth. The red tie flopped against her back as she continued to stretch as Aoba spoke and she smiled as she bent into a lunge then out of it. She had spent the last few weeks in and out of SAINT missions and training alongside working on making her property something along the lines of liveable. It had been difficult but rewarding work that made a smile pick up the edges of her mouth even when there was little reason for a smile from her.
WAMP! Someone hit the mat hard. There was a moments pause before the woman got back to her feet and reached for a towel. The tall woman had lightning bolt tattoos running down her arms and legs and a single bolt over her left eye. She eyed Yayoi, her sparing partner a moment as she wiped her face off then grabbed a bottle of water. Sanda, one of the ships Rangers, was about as tough as they came, but had almost suffered a mental breakdown after their last mission. She had requested some leave to get her head on straight and had spend a week with her sister, neice and nephew. Then she was able to arrange some time with her husband. That went a very long way to getting the Ranger back in the right headspace. She also had a couple of much needed sessions with a Star Army counsoler and although still had a few sessions to go had been cleared to return to duty. Sanda had cut her hair while on leave as well. Her normally long wavy dark brown hair tied up into a ponytail had been cut short. It dangled just above the tops of her shoulders. It also had sevearl bright blue highlights streaking through it that were the same colors as her tattoos.
Yayoi glanced to Sanda, especially as she heard about the guest, curiousity filled her. She wiped sweat off her brow.
Erika knelt near the front of the assembly, dressed in a white gi with a green belt. She had to make her way from the VR room where she practiced lethal and debilitating strikes on holograms. Neko regeneration factors made it possible to practice on living targets, but they tend not to op back in after their eye's have been gouged out. Like Mineko she'd been deployed on SAINT missions, some of them even along side her crew mate, but a good portion of them had her walking off grid to an outpost, drop off a resupply and become courier to some middle importance intelligence package.
Cheilith was sitting on the wall, waiting for her chance to spar. Her dark hair contrasted with her white gi.
Chiheisen leaned against a wall as she listened in to the briefing being presented. The Elysian was clad in some simple, standard issue excersize clothing, silently chugging on a water bottle. Thanks to the time off in between missions, her body had gotten to fully heal from having been rather unceremoniously broken repeatedly.
Kawa Euikoshi, the green-haired science officer, ran a hand through her hair and told everyone, "This system, Âmuarpoku, meaning "clan dream" in Takavonai language, is a Star Army battle site. Prior to the Hidden Sun Clan's colonization in YE 35, this was the capital system of the NMX, and was known as Aetherus Haven. The SMN government was based here, and its destruction marked the end of the Second Mishhuvurthyar War. So we're in what was once Mishhuvurthyar space."
"We will be arriving soon at YSS Kyōryoku, YK-C1-0007, a Kisaki-class Starbase operated by the Scientific Studies Service, to welcome our guest aboard," Aoba added, looking over everyone. "That's all for now. Enjoy your exercise," he said, floating back down to the floor.
"Captain." Sanda called out. "Do you need us to form an honor guard to welcome our guest aboard?"
"That sounds nice," Aoba nodded.
Yuri looked over to her captain, mid drink as he arrived with his announcement. A smile played on her lips. guest meant new friend. Yuri hoped she could meet them.
Cheilith jumped up, "All right, let's get it done."
"Captain," Erika started, "Does the delegate have their own security arrangements or are we taking full responsibility?"
"No, we are responsible for their safety," Aoba replied to Erika.
Yuri raised her hand "Captain permission to meet them when they arrive?" Yuri asked with a sweet innocent smile.
"See Sanda," Aoba told Yuri.
Sanda saluted Aoba then called out to the others. "Those who want to be on Honor duty get into your Class A's and meet in the Shuttle bay in 5 mins." To Yuri she added, "Yes, but no hugging till after you've been dismissed."
Yuri saluted Sanda with a smile on her face. She knew she could be patient until after being dismissed for hugging.
"Hai" Chiheisen acknowledged in response to Sandas orders. She scooted off from her wall-corner to go change.
"Hai" Yayoi said, then glanced to her daughter, like of course, Yuri would want to meet and hug them.
"Captain would you like me to form a security detail for our guest?" Yoshiro asked Aoba
"Sanda Hoshi is leading it," Aoba said. "See her for the details."
"Yes sir." Yoshiro said and went to change his uniform.
Shuttle Bay
In the Resurgence's Shuttle Bay, Hachirobei Sakuko's Ke-T7 cargo shuttle came to a rest and the rear door opened to reveal a new face. Sakuko climbed out of the cockpit seat and through the hatch into the passenger/cargo compartment. "Welcome aboard the Resurgence, Hayashi Kokoro," she told the newcomer.
Kokoro jumped awake from a slumped sitting position, the Nekovalrkrja letting out a small 'eep' as she was spooked a bit by Sakuko's words. She got up and out of the seat after unbuckling, giving Sakuko a salute. "Ah! Arigato- Sakuko-Heisho" She smiled, one of her eyes blinking repeatedly as she woke up, strolling out of the shuttle bays as she tried to wake herself up as best she could.
Sakuko checked the time, then started lugging the large pallet with Kokoro's Mindy armor out of the shuttle by a cargo strap. It rolled along the wheels and tracks of the shuttle's cargo area and came sliding down the ramp into the shuttlebay. "Right now, the crew is probably still at PT. Breakfast will be served in the wardroom soon. First, you'll want to report to the captain or XO and then sometimes today you'll need a medical exam from Dr. Poppy. He's a map of the ship," Sakuko said, transmitting one via wireless telepathy.
"Oh! Alright- Arigato gozaimazu!" Kokoro repeated once again towards Sakuko as the latter hauled away the newcomers Mindy aboard. She stood around the shuttle bay for a bit, a bit taken aback by all the equipment and stuff being moved about. This was her first time aboard a Fuji Class after all...
Four minutes and 45 seconds later Sanda was in her class A's with a her rows of ribbons across her chest. As the others made it into the shuttle bay she had them line up in formation, spaced exactly and walked down the line making sure each one's uniform was exactly to form. She smiled to herself, she had always wanted to be SEA. Too bad they were being fazed out.
Cheilith was just behind Sanda in her type 35 class A duty uniform. Lining up at Sanda's direction to greet their guest.
Yoshiro was in the shuttle bay in his class A uniform and went to talk to Sanda about his job. "Sanda-heisho, did you need me to do anything, like security or whatever?" Yoshiro asked.
Chiheisen snapped into the lineup as easily as a well placed lego piece, the Elysian fully dressed in her immaculate Type-35 Class A uniform. The Elysian stood at attention, her wings neatly folded behind.
Sanda looked Yoshiro up and down a moment then said, "Straighten your collar a bit." She then smiled. "No just line up. We're just welcoming our guest aboard. Security will come later."
Yayoi lined with the others, and beside her was her daughter looking excited.
Yoshiro straightened up his collar and nodded. "All right." Yoshiro said and then made sure his uniform was straightend up as well.
As the honor guard lined up outside the shuttle, it quickly became apparent that the "guest" coming out of the shuttle was a random looking Santo Hei.
"We'll be docking with the station in about two minutes," Gabriela's voice called over the intercom. "Hint: I'm extending the port side docking port airlock on deck 2."
"Bless you Gabriela." Sanda sent to the ship's pilot. She would have felt like such a fool if she had set up an honor guard and then had them line up on the wrong side of the ship.
"So...uh, who's this, then?" Cassie asked, scratching her head with her claws. She looked at Kokoro in confusion. "Uh, are we still at attention?" she added in a whisper.
"..." Kokoro was still looking around, before she was distracted by Cassie looking at her. Listening in, she tilted her head in confusion, before realizing the Heisho was reffering to her. "...Eh? Uhm... koooonichiwaaa?" She said, dragging it out a little bit as she seemed to shrug a bit.
"No, at ease." Sanda said as she looked around to see if any officer was coming to welcome their real guest when it was time. She hardly even noticed the new girl.
Cheilith relaxed, trying to figure out what they were going to do next.
Yoshiro looked at the Santo hei. "Welcome to the Resurgence Santo Hei." Yoshiro said to the Santo hei.
Chiheisen simply blinked into a deadpan as the newcomer akwardly laughed, a bit confused by the whole situation.
Yayoi and Yuri had different reactions to the newcomer. Yuri simply smiled, while Yayoi looked deadpaned.
Deck 2 - Port Airlock
After a few laughs and a quick two flights of stairs, the team made it with time to set up as the YSS Resurgence extended its flexible docking tube to an airlock on the SSS's slender, 4-armed space station. Captain Aoba was waiting there in his Class A uniform.
Sanda, having finally gotten people to the correct spot took a deep breath. She would have probably died of shame if she had messed this up. She reached up to retie her pony tail and paused. She kept forgetting that she had cut her hair and wasn't wearing it in a pony tail at the moment. Nervous habit.
Yoshiro made a final check on his uniform and combed his hair quickly. He put his comb in his pocket and stood at ease.
Yuri was really trying not to giggle as it was apparent that they'd made a mistake. Yayoi's eye was twitching.
The Resurgence's only Elysian remained in attention, idling as the crew awaited the arrival of their actual guest.
Cheilith lined up with everyone else waiting eagerly for the representative to arrive.
"Attention on deck!" Sanda called out coming to attention herself.
Yoshiro snapped to attention when Sanda called the honor guard to attention and stood at attention for the guest.
Yayoi and Yuri snapped to attention. Remember Yuri, behave yourself Yayoi telepathically sent to yuri.
The tube door opened, permitting the entry of one of the People of the Clan. He is a Qaktoro, the tallest and most numerous of the different interrelated species that makes up the Hidden Sun Clan. He was a little over six and a half feet tall, standing on a pair of sandaled digitigrade legs. His dress was form-fitting, and a bold maroon color bordered by rich gold trim. A cloth sash in an even bloodier color of red encircled his waist, and a sleeveless white tunic and trousers completed the uniform. Crests and insignias identified his Sect, House and Family, as well as his achievements. His feline face was relaxed but watchful, and his expression was interrupted only by a trio of scars which very well may have been made by the claws of another of his own species. His eyes were heterochromatic; his left was ocean blue, the right was jade green. The hilts of a pair of blades could be seen buried in scabbards attached to the sash on his left hip, and on his right hip, a firearm was holstered.
He blinked his differently-colored eyes, and looked at those assembled with careful study. He was trying to spot the various rank insignias present, indicated by his eyes squinting in those directions. He brought both of his arms up to his chest, the hands closed, and he bowed to Captain Aoba. For those who knew, this was a formal ‘salute’ for their military system, indicating deference to the Captain’s higher rank.
He spoke with a deep baritone voice, and his command of the language was decent, but not impeccable. His words were slow, and his tone was serious and formal, though cultural differences could make that impression unreliable. “I am Senior Journeyman Toidorno Sejgui. The rank and res...pon...sibility I hold is... similar to your supervisory Officer positions immediately beneath the position of Captain. I believe ‘Officer Toidorno’ would be an appropriate... way to address I. To address me.” He nodded with finality; apparently, clarifying his rank, position and form of address is important enough to work out immediately.
"Welcome aboard the YSS Resurgence, Officer Toidorno," Captain Aoba said, offering a handshake. "We are pleased to transport you to planet Yamatai. Let me show to your guest cabin. We will be serving breakfast soon. Would you care to join us?"
Yuri quietly looks at their true guest with awe and reverence. She was certain she could hug him once dismissed of course.
Toidorno, having studied the ‘maneuver’, reaches out tentatively and completes the handshake, taking care to keep his claws well retracted. “Yes, Captain Aoba.” He seemed uncertain for a moment, realizing he didn’t know what a ‘breakfast’ was or how to provide service for it. Deciding he will figure it out as he went along, he declared: “I will surrender my weapons if your ship’s laws demand it.” Left unspoken was the fact that he had other weapons built in to his very body; those he could not easily surrender.
"The Hidden Sun Clan is our trusted ally, and this is a Star Army ship. You may arm yourself as you see fit," Aoba replied.
He nodded again, briefly scanning those present to see how many of them, if any, were armed, before following along wordlessly.
With the guest welcomed aboard, Sanda dismissed the honor guard to get changed out of their dress uniforms before heading to breakfast.
Yuri practically squeaked as she was dismissed but she tried to remain calm, as she approached Officer Toidorno.
Wardroom
Once everyone was done exercising, greeting Toidorno, and getting their stuff dropped off in their cabins, the action moved to the wardroom where Chef Ross and Julix had been working hard to produce a huge breakfast spread with waffles, many types of fruits, sausages and bacon, fried and scrambled eggs, french toast, blackened fish, and other goodness. It smelled amazing.
After getting out of her class A's and back into her duty uniform, Sanda hurried to the Wardroom. She piled her plate high with food and grabbed two cups of juice along with a cup of coffee. She sat down and tucked into her food. Not quite with the same ferocity as she usually did, which was to wolf down her food as fast as she could without pausing to even taste it.
Yoshiro changed out of his class A uniform, he went to the ward room for breakfast. He went to get some blackened fish, some eggs and a bowl of rice. "Good job as always Chef Ross" Yoshiro said to the chef. He grabbed a cup of green tea and sat down to eat.
"Thank you!" Rossa told Yoshiro, giving him a little kiss on both cheeks in return.
"Been awhile," Mineko said as she paddled out a simple bowl of rice as she sidled up next to Yoshiro. "But I wanted to say thanks for keeping us all together on that last mission."
"It's my job as a Joto Heisho. That and you are all my crewmates too and I would not leave my crewmates to the "tender" mercies of the Mishhu." Yoshiro said to Mineko with a smile. "Besides I would risk my life for you and the rest of the crew." He took his chopsticks and took a bite of his blackened fish and some rice which he washed down with a sip of green tea.
"I can tell," Mineko said, smiling warmly as she tucked into her own rice. "Just wanted to let you know how I appreciate being able to see that through your leadership, Yoshiro-sama."
"Please just call me Yoshiro. No need for honorifics or anything." Yoshiro said with a smile and took another bite of his food. "At least when we are not on a mission. If you have to refer to me as anything refer to me as Joto Heisho."
"See," Mineko said pointedly. "This is why I like you. Very professional! Keep it up, Joto Heisho!"
"Thank you, Mineko. I really appreciate your compliments" Yoshiro said and took another bite of his food. "You, Mineko are definitely doing a great job too you know. Do you know that?"
Mineko smiled, scrunching up her blue and red eyes. "Don't try to turn this around, now. I was complimenting you and have been meaning to for awhile. Would you really take the wind out of my sails so carelessly?"
"No but what we do is a team effort and you are a part of that team." Yoshiro said and smiled. "Always remember that we work together, Mineko." He took another bite of his food and drank some tea.
"I'm glad I said something," Mineko said. "Have a good rest of your breakfast, Joto Heisho."
"Thank you, Mineko. I hope I did not offend you or anything." Yoshiro said and then sipped
"Not at all!" Mineko said as she walked away, but she stopped short to turn and look Yoshiro straight on and nod her head. "You're good, as always!"
"Ojalá se acordara de dirigirse a mí adecuadamente." Sanda muttered under her breath as she took another bite of food.
Officer Toidorno found a way to sit in the chair without scrunching his tail, and he looked about at the others seated. He put his food plate together haphazardly; a waffle sat atop two sausages on a plate, and he filled a drinking cup with bacon. It didn’t take him long to see how others arranged their foot, so he casually tried to move it around like theirs.
Kokoro Hayashi was in the middle of devouring a waffle as the crew began to pour into the wardroom. She was a pretty fierce eater, and had somehow managed to get the entire god forsaken waffle inside her cheeks, trying to chew on it to the best of her ability.
"I want to warn you about the beetle," Euikoshi told Judah, Toidorno and Kokoro, "Our chief engineer is telepathically bonded to a large blue alien beetle. It will not harm you, but you may have to duck every so often," she told them. "I just didn't want you to think it was a pest. In fact, Bidole has become a valuable crew member and helps with repairs."
Judah took a small sip from his cup as he listened closely to Euikoshi, pausing as he placed his cup down, letting out a sigh. "A beetle, that is very interesting to hear, but understood, stay vigilant and all." Picking up the cup he downed the remaining water as he gently placed it onto the table in front of him.
"MMm!" Koko nodded towards Euikoshi as the latter warned them about Bidole. "Mmphit a dromff or sumthinff?" She asked, rather muffledly for... obvious reasons...
"A whaa?" Euikoshi tilted her head.
"A dromff!" She hesitated, before chewing as much as she could, and eventually swallowing the whole damned thing. "...Gomenasai, I had a mouthfull...-" She giggled, before continuing on. "A drone!"
Toidorno took a moment and cleared his throat, though the act sounded somehow rehearsed, as though he had read about it in a book as a way to gain attention to something he was about to say. “I understand that, among our cultures... We each share an appreciation for mealtime conversation. I… in-vite you to ask questions of me, about me or my Clan, if you would like. It is not rude.”
Cheilith had her own waffles she had gotten. "So I don't know much about the Clans. What does your culture value?" She asked Toidorno before cutting off a piece and eating it.
Toidorno looks carefully at Cheilith. "Itto Hei..." he paused, not yet knowing her name. "We value the welfare of our Clan, and the honor of the same. We value... family. Doing good. A good hunt. We value killing the Defilers." His differently-colored eyes seemed to flash for a moment. "The ones you call by a name which is difficult for me to say."
"So what is honorable and what isn't?" Cheilith asked.
He smiled, showing a little of the sharp teeth filling his maw. He has yet to take a bite of food, so the teeth remain clean and ivory-white. "You invite a very long and..." He struggled to think of the word for 'philosophical' in the language being spoken. "A very good conversation. You ask a thing debated since our ships traveled to the place we call home. I would... try to summarize..." He pauses to think. "Briefly, to represent one's clan well. To fight and hunt when needed, and to... not, when it is not. It is good to use a thing fully, not to waste it. To raise good healthy children." He thinks more. "To lead one's people thoughtfully. With care for their lives. For your own."
Yuri made her approach of their guest. a polite Yuri style smile on her face, hoping to exude friendliness. "Officer Toidorno, sir, Welcome to the YSS Resurgence, and since you have invited questions... would you like to be friends with me, and do you accept hugs?"
"Santo Hei." he says, spotting Yuri's rank. "I... thank you for your welcoming. My study of a 'friend' is limited, and I... know that different cultures mean different things when they say friend. If Allies accept hugs, then I am honorbound to accept one."
Yuri smiles "Friends mean allies to me." She said before she proceeds to give him a hug.
Toidorno stiffened his back, his tail whipping for just a moment, before he realized this was not the beginning of a wrestling match. He recognized it as a rather close embrace, and he attempts to replicate it. "Hug." he says, repeating the word she used.
Euikoshi explained, "For many years, the Hidden Sun Clan were space travelers, facing many challenges to survive. It was only recently, and with Yamatai's help, that they have been able to settle on planets and attain the bounty of terrestrial life. Their journey has made them smart and efficient, and we value their friendship greatly," she said. "The Hidden Sun Clan has also contributed to the efforts to fight the Mishhuvurthyar before, and continue to contribute to the defense of the Kikyo Sector."
Toidorno overhead the science officer, and nodded in agreement. "The Shoi speaks of us well. And of her people, also well." He frowned for a moment. "Of your empire, I mean."
Poppy appeared over Judah's shoulder, her soft pink hair tumbling down onto him. She softly asked him, "Who has dibs on the medical exam for Kokoro? Would you like to do it, or shall I?"
Judah jumped a little as he wasn't expecting anyone to pop up over his shoulder, he'd take a few seconds to calm down, thinking for a few seconds as he was still very new to his job he tilted his head to the side as he spoke to Poppy. "I mean, if it would be no trouble I could watch you do Kokoro's exam and assist you if possible."
"Alright," Poppy nodded.
"Muffdical Exhffam?" Kokoro asked from near Judah, the Technician trainee, leaning over a little bit. Evidently, she had taken another bite out of another waffle she had on her plate, munching on it rather aggressively.
"We'll take your bio-metric data, DNA, and a full brain scan and memory backup of you to establish a baseline and to give us the opportunity to recreate you if something happens to you," Poppy explained to Kokoro. "Space can be a dangerous place, so it's good to be prepared for anything. Even overcoming death itself."
The Neko made a muffled "Oh", before nodding repeatedly as she continued to chew.
Yayoi enters silently, and blinks her eyes as she spots Yuri, hugging their guest. How long did it take her to hold back?
"Sir?" Sanda address Toidorno. "I noticed you have several blades about your person. May I see one of them? I have a strong interest in blades." She drew her own by way of trade, a long straight blade with a dragon engraved on the blade.
The officer does not hesitate. He scooted the chair back from the table, withdrawing the two scabbarded blades. They are each under a foot in length, perhaps nine inches or so. The scabbards are functional and unadorned, and the hilts of each seem well-formed to be held in hands with rough skin. "Itto Heisho." he says. "This is... Not truly a blade. It has lightning in it. To stop a person without bleeding them." he said. "I will show you how to NOT activate it when you... withdraw it." The other weapon he gestures to. "That one has teeth."
"Lightning you say." The lightning tattooed woman's eyes lighted up and she eyed the blades with even more interest.
"You could experience the lightning, if you wished. It is not... it should not kill you."
Sanda smiled. "My name is Sanda, it means lighting." She rolled up her sleaves to reaveal the lightning tattoos down her arms. "I would love to feel what kind of bite these things have. Please."
The Qaktoro's expression was difficult to read as he observed the tattoos. But it was quickly replaced with a look of... mischief? "You ask me for a bite. I must give you what you ask for." He withdrew the weapon, and it appeared to be a long rectangle of metal with two prongs at the end. He held it aloft, ready to give the Itto Heisho a modest 'zap'.
Sanda flet a jolt of electricity enter her body on her left arm where the Hidden Sun Clan guest zapped her. It was a bit of a shock, but not quite the shock she was expecting. Still her tattoo changed color as it took the shock up her arm and down the other. Sanda's new highlights in her hair even seemed to flash. She had an ear to ear grin on her face. "I've got to get me one of those."
"I will review whether I can provide one for you. Allies may trade gifts, but our Treaty does have certain restrictions. Your laws may also prevent you from receiving gifts."
Pidole and some of the engineering crew arrived, dressed in worker coveralls. Her bright blue beetle was buzzing over the room with loud wing flaps and divebombed a fruit tray, grabbing a huge strawberry as its prize, and then hefted it back towards Pidole's spot at the table.
Deep in his thoughts, which no one could read, Toidorno wondered what the insect tasted like.
Yayoi turned her focus to Sanda and Toidorno and approached.
"Joto Heisho." Toidorno said carefully in greeting. He must have spent a great deal of time memorizing ranks and titles.
Yayoi bowed in respect to their honored guest of the Hidden Sun Clan.
The bow was returned, but not as deeply as Yayoi's. Toidorno had assessed that he was of a higher rank than the enlisted infantry soldier.
"As your medical officer, I advise against riding the lightning," Poppy laughed at Sanda getting zapped. Since she was still in her exercise outfit she pointed at the big tribal cat tattoo on her right thigh. She opened her mouth to say something, but then she stopped herself from making an appropriate joke in front of the guest and did a spin and headed for the buffet.
As everyone ate, the ship went into a space-fold and raced in the general direction of Yamatai.
Yayoi blinked as Sanda got zapped, and found herself stuck between typical Yayoi and a child-like curiosity she never knew she had.
= = =
OOC: JP by Wes, Ame, Cowboy, Charaa, Sunny D, Yoshiro, Liza, Soban, Zanven
Hollander as guest character Toidorno Sejgui
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