RP: YSS Eucharis [Mission 27, Part 4] The Sleeping Giant (YE 39)

Power Armor Bay

One thing Noriko didn't understand was why Junko was talking about and showing her all these things.

Yes, she was trying to deliberate what loadout and power armor was best. Yes, she had an ample selection to choose from. But it was all covered in basic training, and now boiled down to personal preference and mission criteria. Personal preference which she was still working on. Thinking about it, was she perhaps being treated like one of those inferior Nepleslians? The ones that had analog brains, and tended to forget things if some neurons misfired? The sensation that the young, white haired Neko felt when she came to this thought was something that was difficult to describe. It was the same feeling when one of the other Neko during basic kept going on. And on. And on. And on and on and on about dresses she wanted to wear, interfering with other - more important - tasks, such as processing Star Army Field Manuals.

Of course, Noriko did her best to feign attention by quietly nodding every so often when a feature was pointed out. It wasn't until all that was over, and others began entering and speaking in the armor bay that they finally got to the important bits.

"I am unaware if I have the authority to both produce and retrofit the Mindy with older-model forearm projectors, Junko-hei," the snow Neko replied during a pause. In the back of her mind, she wondered why the blue one - Freyja - brushed against Junko, but thought little of it.

Armor Bay

Junko didn't hear Freyja's quiet approach, still stuck on getting the new kid kitted up.

"You can send in a request to Jax-san fine, thats no prob-"

And about then came the brush-by.

"Ablabablaalaba." Junko stammered over the last half of the sentence as her brain momentarily hit a brick wall and shorted out spectacularly. Noriko probably had an amazing front row view of the other soldier going momentarily cross eyed and weak in the knees. And she hadn't even processed that message just yet, either.

She felt stretched between two extremes. Yes, she wanted her back so hard she might put dents in the hull but she was so scared. Because she knew she was the same flawed, stupid creature that turned her back on her. And she just wasn't worthy, wasn't good enough, couldn't give back what she got, it wasn't fair-

"Flurgen." Oh wait. Speech. She needed to get that back under control. She coughed, clearing the metaphorical knot her tongue was in. She could panic-slash-fantasize about Freyja later. Privately.

Ahem.

Her face was red when she managed to address Noriko using actual words.

"Do you require help settling on an armor loadout?" She finally managed.

Power Armor Bay

Watching the other Neko's peculiar...reaction, the tip of Noriko's feline tail twitched. It was very 'interesting' to see another person get so easily disturbed or bothered or whatever it was. She was at a bit of a loss, but simply tucked that away in her mind for later. Right now, she had an objective in mind, and was going to stay focused.

"No, but I think you'll have to introduce me to this 'Jax-san' first - I don't recall meeting this person yet," she replied, her voice husky and deep.

Takumi was pondering Saiga's words while the almost adorable digital presence conferred with the Chusa. He also made a mental note that if this SAINT officer chose to trust the crimson Neko, then she probably was fairly competent indeed. It certainly seemed like this mission could get extremely complicated very quickly. These Rixxikor did seem to be more so some sort of nuisance rather than standard soldiers for the Kuvexians.

The Shoi was still gathering everything today in his head when the Shosho walked into the wardroom. Snapping to attention following Saiga's announcement, he mirrored the other officer's all too Nepleslian salute. It still felt a bit awkward compared to the more natural bow that used to be preferred among Yamatai's rank and file what seemed like not too long ago for Takumi. When in Yamatai, do as the Yamataians do as his father used to say.

Wardroom

"Carry on," Hanako ordered. "I have decided to join you and observe the situation firsthand. Has the briefing started? If so, there seems to be some team members missing."

Wardroom

Saiga brought his arm down and relaxed his posture a bit, but took a double take when he realized the shosho was wearing her exercise gear — little more than a white Hinomaru-bearing t-shirt plus some blue bikini-cut bottoms — rather than her usual duty uniform. He'd been too caught up with procedure and jetting up from his seat to notice at first, but took a few long moments to examine her up and down. Sure, he'd seen her topless during the beach party months ago, but he was drunk then. And he preferred a Neko's legs, anyway.

The distraction was momentary, though, and whatever pinkness had flushed across his face faded quickly as he sat down again.

"No, Shosho," Saiga answered, closing all but one of the volumetric screens he'd been working on until then. Using a virtual keyboard, he began inputting a message for the armor team to assemble for briefing as he spoke. "Higashi-shoi and I were just finalizing a few minor details. I believe Tsuguka-heisho has most of the team with her in the power armor bay as we speak, so we can proceed there now, but I can summon them here if you'd prefer."

He left his text to the team incomplete while he awaited Hanako's answer.

"Oh and, eeto, good morning," he added.

Power Armor Bay

Junko pointed over Noriko's shoulder. "He's fixing up his suit right there."

Once Noriko turned her attention away, she allowed herself to relax a little. She could just tell her face was still red enough to be used as emergency lighting. Knowing her luck, they'd begin the brief with her still redder faced than Tsuguka. Really wasn't looking forward to explaining to the shosho what was on her mind.

Glanced over to the other end of the bay where Freyja was inspecting her suit. Her eyes narrowed and ears flicked. Even without telepathy the message was plain: You enjoyed doing that, didn't you?

Wardroom

"No, that is fine," Hanako answered. "I will see you down there," Hanako said. So she went down to the power armor bay.

Power Armor Bay

Hanako saw a flurry of activity in the armor bay when she entered and she took a moment to take it all in. Eventually her eyes came to rest on Junko's power armor, and they narrowed in irritation. Did it have the wrong forearms?!

Power Armor Bay
♫Ogre - Negotiation's Over♫

Tsuguka's odd, disturbingly blank look continued for several minutes, frozen. Lost in a minute examination of Masumi's form. Thinking not about intimacy, but the weight of the question she seemed to struggle with almost constantly; What even really was a Nekovalkyrja? Why were they built this way?

Suddenly breaking off, and curling into her snake skin of zesuauium. Blue-silver plates clasped over the red skinned devil in an incredibly fast movement that was half ballet, half extreme utility.

"Okay. We still had forty three minutes left until the agreed time, but you're all here, so I'll get this over with..." Husky voice strained by the still-adjusting organic insert, then clipped off by the digital nature of the loudspeaker. They sounded fired up, irritated... or, really, awake. "I have no assumptions to the superiority of my advice, but I have been ordered to lend you my experience. The task of keeping you alive is also rather intrinsic to pulling off a mission successfully, so... This situation simply is what it is."

A curling of golden particles formed before their hands, shaping themselves into an embossed rectangle; A bump-mapped version of the First Expeditionary Fleet Flag, which they then draped over their left forearm. Solid volumetrics rays, mixing with the armor's natural armor color and sending out glimmers of dull green. It was only when this odd token of formality was constructed that they looked up again, waving Junko, Freyja, Noriko and Masumi over to her in turn.

"Now... We've had a lot of occasions to play our full hand. To really batter an inferior enemy with our truly superior edge. It's true. I want you to know that I realize this. We could crush, squash, and incinerate every last bug in this sector if we so chose. We could do it strolling, whistling a merry tune." The stance was rigid, the voice not just stern, but solid and reserved like hot concrete. "But Nekovalkyrja are not mindless crusading robots, built to kill everything we come across. This is perhaps what Shosho Ketsurui's masters wanted in the time of Yui, but we have the benefit of their guidance, our shared experience with them, to avert such a perverse existence. Though their orders may sometimes come across as... Rather too human, I still think that this is a factor we should not take for granted. The Eucharis is... a place on fire with souls. It difficult to sum up, because it is alive. It is our Captain's vision to use that, and make us strong. That is why we were all chosen."

"The grenadier team, my three sisters, was created because I felt the old system wasn't flexible enough. The fire team role between me and the scientist was implemented to give you a reliable source of backup and technical support. It's also a perfect crossfire to force enemies into, if you should need to retreat. The grenades will facilitate you break away cleanly, avoiding swarms." A finger, pointing towards the retrieved crates. "Take these melee weapons, or don't. You are alive. I wish to see you increase in finesse, but I will not limit you. Getting pinned down by Rixxikor swarms is their entire method of operation. So, hit and run. That is the key..."

"Yes. The fear of lightning lies in it's unpredictability. It strikes from the storm, and leaves nothing to retaliate against. It doesn't matter that our armor can take a beating. A beating is not a ghost. A beating is not respect."

"All Ways Superior. You are dismissed."

And then the flag was gone. Tsuguka marched away, and helped herself to new hand armaments. Classic SMG layout, but with Shiho's shoulder ordinance. A solid-state axe implanted within the shield's storage box. It took something technical-minded to quell the rage once more.

The furious pulse that, Tsuguka purposed, was the only reason that Hanako chose her, after all.

Just in time, the Admiral walked in, and Tsuguka signaled to sound off, whilst bowing herself. Cold and rigid, adherence to duty restored.

Power Armor Bay

Looking over the crew roster, she couldn't find anyone labeled 'Jax' at all, and so, when she was pointed at Jackson, all she could do was say, "Oh." It was so annoying. Why did they do these 'nicknames'? It was unofficial, and confusing. Inefficient. Semi-frustratingly, Tsuguka began informally briefing them, talking about a mix of things both relevant an irrelevant to the mission. The cheese simply flew right over the snowy haired Neko's head as her ears twitched in irritation.

Worse, the Admiral was here. She had to make this quick.

"Jackson-hei, can you help me please?" her sultry voice assailed the man's ears. "I would like forearm projectors like Junko-hei's," she added, glancing at Hanako, the woman staring at Junko's armor. Odd. Others saw Hanako too. Standard military procedure was to have the first one who spotted the officer call attention for them. Still, as her blue eyes settled on the Shôshô, Noriko's instincts told her something. Told her to be afraid. Something was wrong, and she didn't understand it, but the way the Admiral simply looked at the armor didn't feel right. The gaze felt hostile. Noriko needed to save those forearm weapons!

"Attention on deck!" the snowy haired Neko shouted, springing to attention.

Power Armor Bay

Masumi's body had gained a rigidity and finesse to it while she used intertial control to spring up off the floor to be able to move as swiftly as possible, nearly clicking her heels together in the process. Her hand had gone up to above her helmeted head. She breathed out a sigh that she and Hanako were meeting on such different terms than when Masumi had seen Hanako last.

She had felt like a different person then. Now, living with the experiences she had gone through these past twelve hours, she didn't want to feel hurt or targeted. She wanted to feel confidant in her ability to hold up the ideals of the Star Army of Yamatai. She was ready to experience a very different mission than their first.

Something bothered her as she looked around the room and thought of the additional officers not present. She wanted to know exactly who they were to listen to, what groups they would be in. Who to rely on for orders was on the forefront of her mind as she was now dead-set on following them to the fullest. But she needed to know what those orders would likely be in the field and from whom they would come from.

YSS Eucharis, PA Bay

Hair still damp from a shower, Candon entered the bay fully ready to focus on the mission... sure, like that was even a remote possibility after the morning's wakeup call. Realistically, it was his fault for sleeping in.

Entering minutes behind Hanako it was a little late to try hiding the tanky black Mindy in the centermost rack of the bay from the Admiral who rarely visits garage of war machines.

His more pressing concern was the reason for her visit. Maybe she just wanted to say hi, but maybe, just maybe she was planning on joining the team. The latter seemed far more likely.

Candon moved on to his armor station and open the telepathic link to the computer to cue an automatic calibration mode, just to make sure there would be no collision by the supplemental armor plating. He knew his math was right and there would be no problem found, but it never hurt to make sure.
While the calibration was running Candon began the last 'adjustment' to his armor, involving the air scrubber.

With a new filter in hand he opened his locker and flipped up the lid on a small mahogany box. Within lay three small spray bottles labeled "Primer", "Calm", and "Mask". The truth was that he had no idea exactly what was inside the bottles or how they worked. It had all been mixed by a retired SAoY riflecat who took up work as a chemist. He would simply follow the chemist's instructions printed on the inside of the box's lid.

He worked within the confines of his locker for privacy as he carefully primed and applied the Calm that would keep his nerves in check and his hands steady for those important long shots. The masking agent would keep the sensors in the helmet from reading the steady stream of Calm vapors as a pathogen.
With the filter ready he removed the helmet from the rack and inserted it into its proper place within.

He was now ready to suit up. He closed the box and began the process of stripping down and suiting up.

In and out Hanako went. Takumi wasn't able to get a word in before she left, but there really was no more to say that Saiga hadn't already. Turning to the intel officer, he posed a simple question, "Well, I guess we should be going down there as well, yes?" It did not feel right to just leave the other officer behind, and it might be good to make an appearance together to show a unified front.

However, he did have some qualms about the Shosho joining the mission. It could cause potential mission command confusion again, and worst case the Eucharis could lose its commander! However, the new Shoi was not about to argue security policy with an admiral. He would just have to roll with it for now.

Crew Lounge

After rubbing his face with open palms and tugging at his uniform, the Kohosei nodded and spoke to himself, "Afterwards, I'll screw with it afterwards." Takao stood up and walked up the stairs to the Wardroom and out into the Zero-G Passageway to head for the bridge. By the time he reached the bridge doors, he was awake enough to not look tired.

Crew Lounge -> Bridge

Takao walked through the doors, saluting Blackberry before stating warmly, yet still somewhat stiff. "Shoi Kohosei Hitoshi Takao requesting permission to take operations watch." He felt he might have overstated himself instead of just taking the ops chair, but had decided that he was going to be a bit more formal today it seemed.

YSS Eucharis, PA Bay

Freyja finished checking her armor, glanced at Junko and smirked. She winked at her. The red Neko's husky voice reached her ears, drawing her attention. She walked over to Tsuguka to listen to what she wanted to say. It started out good but Tsuguka started to lose her in the middle. Her cheeks darkened in embarrassment at the part about Nekovalkyrja not being killing machines. I know that damn you, she thought indignantly.

As the short speech continued she could see that Tsuguka wasn't just talking about her freaking out about the Rixxikor in the last mission. It was directed at all of them. She calmed down and focused on what Tsuguka was trying to say. At the end, she nodded. "Hai, Tsuguka-heisho," Freyja said respectfully. She walked back over to her armor and stripped down to change into a bodysuit.

Before she started to put her bodysuit on, a voice she didn't immediately recognize announced the presence of the Shosho. Freyja dropped the bodysuit and spun around, standing at attention.

PA Bay

Junko blushed brighter and almost squeaked out some more babble. Yes, she remembered how much Freyja liked to poke and tease to see her reactions. A slight smile broke on her face as a warmth rose in her chest. It made her feel wanted, that she Mattered to someone, despite... everything.

Again, she just raised a brow at the strange notion that the armor team hadn't been flexible enough. Maybe it was her relative lack of experience to the Red Oni, but the problem had been a break of discipline and the CO willfully diving in front of discharging weapons. More flexible squad structure couldn't hurt, but it wouldn't have stopped either point from happening. Just what the hell was Tsuguka even talking about?

With the power of a digital brain, she re-wound the conversation mentally and re-examined. Maybe Tsuguka wasn't talking to them, not really. She might have intended it that way, but thats not what came out. If she knew anything about the red soldier, it was that she sucked at being personable.

Instead, it made more sense that she was... suffering from guilt, perhaps. Tsuguka seemed to understand terms in the sharp, clearly defined structures and terms of a soldier. Only, now she was in the real world and it didn't all quite line up to her expectations, to her internalized Things I Know To Be Fact. She took any one of their failures as a personal failure, and took it to be a larger, more systemic fault than it might have been.

It was why she contrasted the "human" reality with the reality of what they had been built for. Violence was still the goal of the Nekovalkyrja. The people who made them simply realized they were too human for a fully mechanical solution to work. If they'd found constant shock therapy made them better soldiers, the KZ would have probably handed out cattle prods.

It was... a crisis of faith, perhaps?

"Hai, Tsuguka-Heisho." Junko responded to the dismissal by muscle memory. Turned toward her Mindy and... froze in place as she saw Freyja strip. Bit her lip and tried to remain as still as possible. Anything to keep from ruining this moment.

Snapped around, sounded off and bowed as Tsuguka announced the Shosho being present. Stood at attention, waiting for Hanako to tell them to be at ease. And desperately tried not to glance at the blue shape just at the edge of her peripheral vision.

Armor Bay

Jax stood at attention as well.

<Uh, about that,> he began, noticing the way Hanako stared at Junko's armor. That probably wasn't a good thing. <I can't actually modify an armor without the Shosho's permission. Aaaaaand judging by the murderous expression on her face, she probably does NOT approve of Junko's work.>

The fact that Junko was about to get smoked aside, Jax himself flattened his ears indignantly. Why didn't people ever ask him for help on these kinds of things? And where the hell were they doing it? Surely not in his fabrication bay!

Hello! He didn't want to toot his own horn, but he was kind of a technical genius- ugh, nevermind...

Armor Bay

"Carry on," Hanako ordered. She went over to her armors over in the corner of the bay and stopped a moment to consider whether to use her familiar old M2-1H, which had more firepower, or her new Mindy M2-4, which was better in several other ways such as mobility.

The best way to win a battle is, of course, being victorious before it starts, and Hanako had her ideas.

Power Armor Bay

Masumi lost some of the finer points of her rigidity but remained on alert for any necessity should it arise, such as courtesies to the Admiral present. She began the process of cycling through her systems, creating a little sprite that denoted her status to other crew, then sending her sprite to Tsuguka accidentally. She added a little text box halfway through sending it to Tugs that said, Test.

Power Armor Bay

Standing down from attention, what Jackson said defined her fear.

'I see. Thank you Jackson Howard-heisho,' the snowy haired Neko replied, trying not to let her awkwardness with his Nepleslian sounding name show. Turning back to her own armor, Noriko stared at it in thought. So she was scared that Junko was going to be given an order to discontinue usage of the older model forearm weapon. This, of course, implied that she herself would not get to use them. A shame, really. For all the advantages that came with the Mindy 4, this was certainly one of the weaknesses that it gained in return. The snowy haired Neko shook her head. It was so odd. Being fearful of...that of all things.

Stripping down to her underwear, the Neko neatly folded her uniform before slipping into her Mindy.