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RP: YSS Miharu Mission 3 Prelude: Rise; you better shine

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Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

"Roger that Kotori-sama. I'll see you again before mission kick off." Nyton said with an almost barely checked sense of excitement in his voice. He quickly bowed, gave Kotori a smile, then turned and departed. Light but steadily he maintained an even pace on his way to the Armor bay. Truth be told, he really was excited. His first official command of an actual ship since the debacle on the Mikomi. Along with that there would be a ground engagement with the Power Armors. True he would not be able to go up front with the Assault team he was planning but that did not mean he would not be in the action. Nyton was planning on being in command of the Support team. The two team commanders would be in the C model to retain command and control as well as reliable communications.

Already in Nyton's mind the lineups for the two teams were taking shape.

Assault Team:

Leader: Kosuka - C model
Kei - A model
Yuri - A model
Takuma - A model
Nimura - A model
Kai - A model
Yoroko - A model

Support Team:

Leader: Nyton - C model
Sumaru - Mindy
Mara - A model
Tom - A model
Rin - A model
Ichigo - A model
Sanjuro - A model
Aoiko - A model
Click to expand...

The names and numbers seemed about right to Nyton as he clicked them all off. The Assault team would consist of combat specialists mainly with the exception of Takuma. If the Support team were to focus on the rescue and extrication of the Sekkou crew then the Assault team would protect Takuma while he seized control of the base's computer system.

There was a priority to what Takuma should extract if he hacked the base's computer system successfully. He needed to shut down the Aether Canceller, along with any other base defenses immediately first. Then all intelligence files on Eve's purpose along with Amaya's Gate. Finally any information on the Aether Canceller itself would be another good item. He should be able to perform all those tasks simultaneously but if not then that was a good priority order. The Assault team would protect him as well to allow him to perform this crucial piece of the mission as well.

Then of course there was the Support team's mission of extracting the survivors of the Sekkou crew. They would need a quick medical exam by one of their medical crew to ensure everyone was in good enough shape to be moved and did not have some sort of trap set up. Nyton knew a lot about traps and the people who set them. One of the tricks was always to place them where people would be least likely to expect them. Sanjuro would be the better choice while keeping Sora behind in the Hoshi. She could act as a secondary commander and Sumaru would be free to battle.

Another possibility was seeing if the Sekkou itself was still functional. If the crew was generally unharmed they, along with the technical crew of Tom and Ichigo would see about getting the ship up and running. A second ship might help increase their chances of getting out of there alive. That would of course make shutting off the Aether Canceller a lot more crucial to allow the ship to even take off in the first place. There were so many possibilities to the battle that it was enough to keep Nyton's mind quite occupied before, during, and after.

Soon enough Nyton was in the Armor bay. There he could see Kai, Yoroko, Sumaru, and Takuma already working on their Mindy and DAISY Armors. With a quick nod to each of them he walked over to one of the DAISY C Models and got to work configuring it for atmospheric conditions. He removed the Tachyon Ear Unit since that was mainly for space communications. Then he began work on installing the VAW to give it it's first real combat test. He preferred it left handed style and was forced to install a version that was made of the Xiulurium coated variant than the regular ones used by the B models. It wouldn't do to go stealth mode and still have his arm be visible. Miharu warned him that the Yamataium laced hemosynth would be visible should he fire it in stealth mode. Nyton just accepted that and pressed on with his work. He chose a Ke-M4-W2901 LASR-SLAG, added the eliptoid shield to the right forearm, four extra magazines (two standard, one armor piercing, one HE) for the LASR as well as two five round magazines (one Airburst, one HE incindiery) for the SLAG, and two Offensive Augmentation Pods, one for each leg. The LASR and SLAG were each loaded with standard magazines. The drones were doublechecked, charged and ready for deployment.

It was good to work because it let Nyton clear his mind rather then occupy it. Before a battle he needed to keep himself crisp and focused. There were already too many things threatening to overrun his thinking. The NH-23 Kotori in the storage room for one thing. Hopefully Yukari could handle that. Plus the danger of the fact that she existed meant that they could all get wiped out by SAINT as convicted criminals. Would his own family be killed for that as well even being on Nepleslia? SAINT was pretty thorough regardless of the planetary borders. Then there was Kotori herself. They had gone back and forth last night about various things and part of him still wanted to know what had been intended by that moment in the baths where they almost kissed.

The memory of the moment flashed back so strongly that Nyton was almost reliving it. He was there again, looking down at Kotori while she looked up with some sort of look. What did it mean? Should he go forward or fall back? Did he want to? Did she want to? Seizing control of his mind again he was able to return to the present and shake off the sensation. Damn biological memory feedback. They're always stronger for the first few months after getting the new Memory unit installed they said. Didn't think it would be that strong. he thought to himself.

Then Nyton thought even further, slowing down his work on the weapons payload as he did so. I should have broached this subject when I still had the chance earlier. I'm such a fool for not having done so. he thought before analyzing further all of their discussions and moments. It is obvious that Kotori will not give me any answers herself. This test of wills has to be resolved. If she will not make a move then I shall have to. he concluded.

This made him stop and for a second he almost stood up to go back. What if I am wrong? No guts no glory. Does this compromise my principles? The battle's rhythm changes and forces us to adapt. Is this truly something I want? It would not weigh so heavily if it were not worth something to me. The internal analysis resolved itself until Nyton finally decided that his conclusion was indeed legit.

Then by all means I should go back... I should go back.... AFTER I have finished preparing our Armors. Nyton decided. There was still a tug inside that doubted himself. His lack of experience in these matters was especially dubious and gave him more to be concerned about. Another part called himself a coward. No, I am not going to be ruled by the box. The box was once my ruler but I overcame that fear. Cautiously but with sureness my walk is driven forward. he thought, mind going back to the small boxy expended claymore mine that had claimed his original arm long ago. Then the memory and it was as vivid as the bath scene. He was back home on Nepleslia in one of the slums of Roger Wilco City. The ringing in his ears drowned out the screaming from his mouth as he stared at the bloody stump that had at one time been his left forearm. Ironically the claymore that had gone off was being held by his right hand, almost as though a vice grip secured it. The pain was real and he was in a haze before he realized others grabbing him, trying to staunch the bleeding, and carrying him out of there. His father was there, shooting, running, and cursing while other men did the same.

Nyton shook his head again, cursing out loud this time at the memory feedback. The record of the pain had gone far in increasing his own tolerance. But the fear afterwards had been a challenge in of itself. For several months he was 'ruled by the box' as his grandfather put it. Nyton had become deathly afraid of any kind of explosive device. Even after the cybernetic arm was replaced he had cold sweats whenever he was near explosives. It took several hard lessons with his family supporting him the whole time before he finally regained control of his life and stopped being afraid of the box. But he perservered and after that there wasn't much that he was afraid of.

And that is how I will meet this; unafraid. I hadn't even realized there was a fear to begin with. I face it with the will of steel like grandfather trained me. Now as soon as I am done here I am going to give Kotori the answer to our question. Nyton thought with determination. If anything this would go towards clearing his mind for the coming battle. Standing up, Nyton then looked to the others already present.

"Alright, Nakamura, Mizuno, and Takuma. Lets see your Armor layout and payload. I want everyone's Armor prepped and ready. Not everyone will have time to prepare their Armor so I need you to get theirs ready as well." Nyton announced to the others present. "Afterwards I'll give you all your assigned posts for this mission." he said before he walked over and began inspecting how they had set up their DAISY Armors.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

As Sora entered the medical bay, it was immediately apparent that Sanjuro must have disregarded her suggestion of sleep; much of the former mess of boxes, bottles and tools had vanished, placed neatly in the many nooks and crannies of the room no doubt. The room was also, not surprisingly, spotless...Sanjuro had also taken the time to sanitize and clean the area after the rearrangement had finished.

The solemn doctor himself was standing near the hemosynthesis tanks, fiddling away expertly with the control console. He did not hear Sora call out his name, nor was he aware of Sora's entrance behind him...the fatigue, no doubt, to blame. Sanjuro just simply continued to work away at the numerous keys on the tank panels, ever vigilant in his work even in the dour mood the debriefing had left the ship in.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

ON: YSS Miharu, Starboard Cargo Hold

"What could he be implicated in?" Yukari decided to keep her questioning simple — she knew too little to narrow in on specifics.

"I am not certain," the capsule's NH-23 occupant replied telepathically, "Karl Sylvester is dutiful and honorable. He did not earn my love and that of my mother without deserving it. I truly believe the misdeeds considered to have been commited by him would have been done for a good reason... just like you might believe in Tom Freeman, even if he would do something questionable."

"You would have faith in his integrity and his desire to achieve something good, even despite strained circumstances, would you not?" She questioned, her question an answer in itself.

Yukari would, and she would stand by him. But that did not relieve him of responsibility. "Can you provide any further defense against Eve and her telepathic powers?"

"My counterpart is much better equipped to do so than I am," The original Kotori answered. "There is something you are not considering, though. What if Eve has a NH-23 body of her own?"

" ... " A cold knot bolted into Yukari's spine. "What if she does?"

Miyoko cringed at the very idea. "That would raise a lot of questions and a lot of problems..."

"Eve has already benefitted from having unprecedented PANTHEON access in YE 28, around the time Hanako-Taisa and I were captured by Black Spiral. The Second Standard Fleet headquarter's at Urghlaflu had its defense network collapse after tampering of that level, allowing Melisson's fleet to defeat our forces" The NH-23 Kotori asserted.

"It was said that much of her access came courtesy of former-empress Yuumi's access priviledges, would would it have been only that? With Yuumi recovered, is it really over? With Eve's unprecedented access to ST data, would she really not have access to such means?"

The Kotori inside the tank closed her eyes as her hair billowed around her gently. "If Eve has a NH-23 body and her own private PANTHEON network, even killing her with the capabilities of a NH-29 Signaler may prove insufficient."

The skin on Yukari's back tingled. "If that is the situation, our efforts are but a distraction. Our mission is to stop Eve. Even if we succeed in stopping Amaya's Gate, we will have not completed our mission." Her hand clenched. "What should we do, if that is the case?"

"That depends," The amber eyes cracked open again. "The act of 'stopping' Amaya's gate, regardless of what it is, may still stall Eve's plans and so keep her from doing harm to the citizenry of the Empire."

"If you follow the orders Taisho-Yui gave my other self - 'Fight hard to protect the Empire' - then working on a defense against Eve's schemes is not a waste of time. Is it not what the Star Army stands for in the first place?"

"However, if your aims are to stop Eve for good, then this becomes a steeper mountain to climb," the NH-23 continued, her amber eyes fixed on Yukari's. "There might be ways to stop her, but as it stands, Eve has the luxury of rebuilding and hatching other plots at will, as long as she can come back."

"If she has backed herself up to PANTHEON, is there anybody capable of finding that and erasing it?" Miyoko looked up at the floating NH-23 thoughtfully. "Destroying a bipedal superweapon once is one thing, but having to hunt it down and do so several times would get... complicated."

Yukari knew Kotori was right, that all they could do was continue fighting, to counter the threat posed at the moment, no matter its form. But it reduced Yukari's bolstered morale, to know that true success was not within their grasp. "You infer that our mission now takes priority," Yukari said to Kotori.

"I infer a great many things, none of them futility. I was thinking that Karl might have considered this." Kotori returned a half-lidded stare from the capsule. "If my mother dreads the threat I could represent to the Empire, and that the Empire has Taisho-Yui that I could undermine... might it not be the same for Eve as well?"

"Be direct then," Yukari asked, a hint of irritation bleeding into her tone. "We are not politicians or ambitious officers ... we are soldiers. We require orders, and tools to complete them. Now you cast doubt over your own purposes, as well as those of Eve and the Taisho-sama."

"Truth be told, I only thought of it recently, after my mother tried to dispose of me," came the return reply.

"Your mother ... " Yukari stopped. She did not know why Kotori's mother did what she did. "Your mother must be talked to." She lifted up from the capsule, turning away from it, frustrated. "We are being beaten with vagueness and inconclusive evidence." She looked to Miyoko. "I do not know what more I can do."

Miyoko nodded in agreement. "Although I do have one more question before we leave, if you are done."

Yukari nodded, standing aside.

Miyoko looked up to the floating Kotori, a bit timidly. "If we can resolve all of this... what do you want to happen to you? To... you you."

NH-23 Kotori's eyes shifted to Miyoko. "I wish I knew," she replied simply. "Even being what I am does not make my future look like it has any certainty to it."

"Fair enough..." Miyoko took a step back from the tank, taking a moment to gather her resolve. "Whatever you decide... I will help you should the execution prove difficult. It is wrong enough that we are created to serve; to put you in this position..." She trailed off, letting the implications hang.

The capsule's occupant remained silent for a bit before asking: "Is there anything more you need to talk to me about?"

Miyoko shook her head, glancing to Yukari. "Not at the moment..."

"Then there is something I would like to ask Yukari," the original Kotori replied.

Yukari blinked; she had not been watching. She turned around and approached Kotori. "Yes, Kotori?"

"Why did you and I come together? Do you remember?"

" — We — " Yukari looked back at Miyoko, then back at Kotori, blushing. Her arms were straight at her sides; she did not want to want to reach for the capsule, but she did. "We came together because we were lonely and in pain... and we comforted each other, as friends and lovers. It is something the Taisa and I no longer share." "Though... I miss it," she added telepathically.

"Have you ever understood why?" The amber eyes narrowed. "If my other self would have had clung to you, not given you space, do you think your relationship with Tom Freeman would have had blossomed as it did? Had she not given you that space, would you have had shoved her away to have your 'man of integrity'? Have you ever considered that while you had him, she was left back to being hurt and alone?"

"Did you not think that she would have had been happy for you, yet distance might have been the only thing protecting her from being envious or even jealous? That she didn't want to feel those things in regard to you? That she was left ambivalent between being glad you had found something to be happy about, to mend your pain, to make you whole... while she was left behind?"

Miyoko politely turned away and very intently found something else to look at.

Yukari brought her hand to her forehead, and looked down and away, wincing. She wanted to respond, to defend herself. Kotori was right; she had known that for some time, but what was she supposed to say? Her cheeks were hot; fast-forming tears were locked behind closed eyelids. "I ... am sorry. Nothing I say will repair the Taisa's pain." She bowed, deeply. "Please excuse my behavior," she said in formal Yamataian.

"To every memory after she was created, I was a spectator. I do not share her pain, but I know of it," the Taisa's original replied. "I am not the one you must deal with - but I am pointing it out. While you left to find happiness, you left her behind... with from her point of view little regard to what you had left behind."

"Did you think that she would easily replace you? That her complicity with Nyton Claymere would make it all well again? That you hadn't been precious enough to care about, even if she didn't really dare really love you because she was afraid she would get hurt again?"

"I have wondered if you even grew to hate her in some way." Even if Yukari had closed her eyes, the other's amber eyes still fixed her. "In a way, she represents everything you hate to be as a nekovalkyrja. Everything Tom dislikes of a nekovalkyrja soldier as well. What do you really think you saw was harshness and reserve and what was just her bottling things up inside so that she would not trouble you with her own problems? Did you even really care anymore? Now that you had your Tom?"

" ... " Yukari's mouth quivered; she took deep breaths, still not looking. The words slashed at her. She felt deserving of the injuries. "I do not hate her," she said slowly, careful not to sob. "I do not judge her, and she does not judge me."

She was not convinced of that, but she had believed it. "I — I love Tom ... and I love Kotori. And I have shown my love in poor ways, to both." She took a couple more slow, measured breaths, then opened her reddened eyes.

"She is not what I hate in Nekovalkyrja ... she is not what I hate in me. She gives me hope, but I still fear for me! I fear for what I could be, what I was! How — " She stopped, lowered her voice, breathed again.

She blinked tears away. "Look at me. I love. I cry. I shiver and whine! I am not worthy of being Nekovalkyrja! I love Tom, and he makes me feel as if I am doing what I should be ... he makes me feel I am who I should be." She breathed again. "I love her. I want her. I miss her. But I am weak, and afraid to lose my humanity, and live life as a broken war machine. Kotori ... reminds me of that. For she is not broken."

"Lose your humanity?" Incredulity bled through the telepathy. "Being more like her would be to lose of that? What it is what we desire the most? To have that and the simplest of priviledges the humans have; to raise their children and build their own families? You would condemn the drive to survive to reach that?"

"Not broken? Can she even allow herself to look broken?" Was what came next, scathingly. "How much more terrible would you feel if she looked broken? She was and when you found what you wanted, she suddenly became unworthy of even the merest sympathy?"

"This distance you feel between you and her, it is of your own make. You taught its necessity to her. Can you really blame her for giving you the flat, mirror-like gaze of a samurai when you showed her that not even she could afford being broken and then supported? Not shown that it was alright to be weak and to have a shoulder to cry on?"

"I am weary of seeing memories with her not opening up, not being as friendly and loving as I know she could be, not being as benevolent and open with her heart because she feels she must be cruel and feared or else she would end up hurt." NH-23 Kotori paused and finally said: "I cannot help any of that. But you can."

" ... " Yukari said nothing for a moment. But after that moment, she let her defenses down, and nodded. She hurt too much to fight. "I will close the gap, between us."

Kotori's original curled up into a fetal posture in the tank, her iridescent eyes peering over her knees at Yukari. She did not have any immediate reply.

"I love Tom," Yukari said again. There was conviction in her voice for it. "I do not want to lose him."

"She loves Tom as well, because he makes you happier," the other told Yukari. "She would die to protect him, to spare you the pain of his loss, even though she cannot afford it. She will fly faster than you to protect him, just so you are not put at risk at the same time. She will not be able to help it: you are that precious to her."

"You loving Tom is not what bothers her. It is you leaving her alone that does."

All of it was too much for Yukari to embrace. She turned away some, looking at Kotori sidelong. "And if Tom rejects what I do with Kotori? If he does not accept that I love them both, and is angry with me, and leaves me? She will see me as nothing but pain she caused." Her mind tried to haul her up by her arms to see above the situation, to see how meaningless it was in the face of the coming battle, but she struggled free and looked angrily at Kotori.

"You know love is not what Kotori needs of you. Understanding and support is." The eyes hovering above NH-23 Kotori's knees narrowed to slits. "If Tom does not trust you to have friends and to be there for them when they hurt, then does he deserve you? Would you really have had found the man of integrity you wished for?"

Yukari had known that was the answer before Kotori said it. She turned away. "Why did she not just come to me? Did I really create this space by myself?"

"She respected your choice and did not want to get in the way. She even tried to help, though you never seemed quite grateful for her clumsy attempts to get over her own bitterness to do so."

"I did not even see it... " Yukari shook her pained head. "I will not argue any further. We have a battle to prepare for, and now I must try to ensure my friend will not reject me. My lover, too. We will put you to sleep again."

Suddenly snapping back to the conversation, Miyoko quietly crossed over to the console on the side of the tank, beginning the preparations to send the NH-23 back into hibernation.

The NH-23 closed her eyes. "Thank you, and goodbye." It wasn't long before the surface of the container was marred with a blurr of condensation again, with the stasis reinstated on the occupant.

Miyoko stared stolidly ahead at the console for a few moments, not sure how exactly to pick up the conversation after... that.

"I am a bitch," Yukari said, not looking at Miyoko. "You can repeat it to the others later, if you feel you must. I must see Kotori." She sniffed, swiping at her eyes.

"Sigurd-san, please secure the area. Mara-san, Heisho, please return to your duties."

Miyoko blanched and raised her hands quickly. "I, er, I... don't worry, I wasn't listening. I have no business in your private matters."

"That is kind of you, Saito-Heisho." Yukari bowed her head her way. "I will see you later."

Miyoko returned the bow uncertainly, watching Yukari go. She got the vague feeling that she should... comfort or advise Yukari, or something, but hell if she knew what it was.

Yukari smiled ruefully from her bow, and left the cargo room.

END
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

ON: YSS Miharu, Kotori's quarters

The bell rang at Kotori's quarters. "Suzuka-Shosa reporting," the door message came.

The door opening, with Kotori's eyes catching the light as they peeked at Yukari a moment before opening the door more widely to allow her executive officer entry. "Come in, Yukari."

"Thank you," Yukari said quietly. Her eyes looked a little wet, but the expression on her face was serious. "The Heisho and I have completed our task. The NH-23 is not a threat to us, and we are assured control of Miharu."

"I am glad to hear it." Kotori closed the door and turns to give Yukari a worried look. "Are you... alright?"

" ... No." Yukari looked down. "She ... berated me, properly. About you. About how I left you."

Kotori looked astonished for a moment. Then her eyes hardened. "You have Tom and nothing to regret. You found what you were looking for. We do not need to have this conversation."

"No," Yukari said. "We do." The NH-29H was not an imposing figure, but she tried to be. "The NH-23 told me much. And you will listen to it." She took out her communicator — it had recorded her conversation, as it did any time she used it. "I will not be torn in two by my heart without you knowing how I feel. Then, if you wish, you can send me away."

"Don't spit back my words, words I did not choose to air, back in my face like that!" Kotori snapped, her voice metaphorically close to the crackling fire in her eyes. "Tell me in your own words or at least grant me the pretense of privacy."

Yukari held the communicator aloft in her hand anyway. " ... I love you, you stubborn, stubborn Nekovalkyrja. And I have been cruel to you, on purpose and by accident. If we are to go to battle today and die, I will not die with you so distant from me. I do not know what you truly want from me; perhaps I do not understand any longer what we had. Perhaps I never did."

"No, you no longer understand. Pain is transient, and you healed, found something better, and made it a distant memory," Kotori replied. "It is hard to feel compassionate about things you wish to forget, especially if they were related to what you have not wished to be. You have earned your humanity while I am still struggling for it. You do not have to look back because you earned something you so richly deserved."

"We forget pain, we must, because it is what we need to keep on living and risking enduring more pain. That is how we are." Kotori added, her expression resolute. "You do not have to apologize for being human. Never."

That Kotori was so perceptive did not make Yukari feel better. If anything, it angered her further. "I am not apologizing for what I have done! And I am not judging you, or your thoughts, or my humanity!" She threw the communicator aside. "I am asking you, Koto-san, to rectify what I have now know, whether you wished it or not. I hurt you, and I am cruel for it. I do not want us to be apart anymore."

"You have not played your koto for me, nor made time to be with me so we could brew and drink tea together," Kotori smiled sadly. "But I cannot fault you for being yourself and having your own likes. After all, you have not left my side. You are still on this ship, helping me where I need you the most. The distance is just different. I grew used to it. I cannot expect my life to remain held back on the weak rationale that you left me behind. I cannot forbid you to grow, even if it means growing more apart."

"This is why, Yukari, that there is nothing I need to forgive you for," Kotori finished. "You have done no wrong."

Yukari's confusion grew, and she sat down. "I ... I have not been good with Tom, either" she confessed. "Each day I spend in battle is a day I fail to cherish this 'humanity' I have pursued. Intercourse ... it is not everything. I know that now. And Tom, he does not like you as I do. It is all so complex ... I am sorry I did not make time for you, Kotori."

"Tom and you are on a warship. To fight here is to live," Kotori followed Yukari and sat by her side. "If you were in other circumstances that would not require such things, Yukari, would would be worthy of what you have earned. I have no doubt on it."

She reached out and took Yukari's hands, giving them an encouraging squeeze. "You would be a good wife, and a good mother."

"But a poor friend," Yukari said, looking at Kotori. "I cannot be just those two things. And you ... cannot be just one." She smiled a little at Kotori's hands on hers. "I love Tom, and I love you, Kotori. As a friend, and a lover, even if I no longer understand why."

Kotori opened her mouth to say something, but she clamped it back shut, swallowing hard. The grip of her hand loosened as the points of her furred ears lowered.

"You are ... in need, of a friend, yes? And when I should have been one ... I was not there." Yukari did not notice Kotori's reactions. "I want to be there. If I am to be a mother and a wife, my children will need an aunt, and a role model. Is it too late for that, to be you?"

Kotori took her hand away. "Tom does not like me. For your life to be what you need it to be, you will have to grow farther. You have no place for someone as driven and ambitious as I am in it. You cannot depend on me for this much when we will ultimately part."

"You know that." Kotori's eyes looked into Yukari's. "The next time, I may be the one leaving you behind."

" ... So that is it? You cast me aside?" Yukari reached over and took one of Kotori's hands. "Only if you no longer make time for me," she said. "And Tom ... when he learns to appreciate you more like I should have been doing, he will warm to you more." She smiled. "I need all kinds of people in my life, Kotori."

Kotori's lips were dry. She moistened them with the tip of her tongue and averted her eyes from Yukari's. "Please leave my room," she asked softly.

"Kotori ... "

"Leave."

" ... " Yukari got up and went to the door. She paused only long enough to let it open, then left the Neko behind.

The door, once Yukari tried to close it, bounced off as if the vaccuum seal or the lock hadn't secured it, leaving it open to a crack - a crack wide enough to defeat some of the sound proofing and allow Yukari to hear Kotori start sobbing.

Yukari halted in her steps as her ears caught the sound of sobbing. She stopped and looked back at the door. Briskly she requested it open and stepped inside to Kotori. She almost hesitated, worried she could be too forward or forceful, but her instincts overrode her concerns. She went to Kotori's side, and she embraced her.

Inside, Kotori was facefirst in her couch's cushion. Her skin vision - with her clothed, her hands clenched into fists under her chin and her hair a curtain around what exposed skin she had - picked up too late on Yukari's presence. Kotori raised her head and gasped in surprise as Yukari took hold of her.

"No!" She tried to shy away. "My tears are not for anyone else but me anymore!"

"Shush," Yukari said softly but firmly, not letting go. "I will not hear it any longer. You kill your soul with your pain. Share it or die."

One of Kotori's sobs turned into a painful hiccup, her eyes burning with tears, which finally spilled down her cheeks. With a little wail she buried her face in Yukari's shoulder, trembling and sobbing in earnest.

Behind, Yukari heard the distinctive sound of the door closing shut and being properly secured.

The Shosa did not question it. She held Kotori and let the Nekovalkyrja shed whatever tears needed to shed. She held her with one arm, and stroked her hair with the other.

Perhaps it was there that Kotori's young age, at two years old, was reflected despite the all grown-up guise of a nekovalkyrja forced into an adult world in life-or-death situation... while having even less emotional development than a human toddler even if there was a greater sense of self and comprehension.

Kotori just cried, huddled on Yukari, for several minutes. Hands clutched behind at Yukari's uniform as Kotori maintained what felt like a desperate grip. Tears continued running down her face until there were no more.

The crying winded down to moaning and whimpering... until finally it was just ragged breathing. Kotori just stayed there, her eyes open and a little vacant with her cheeks left clammy as what moisture there still was started drying.

Yukari continued to hold her, and when the Neko could cry no more, she kissed one of her temples. She still did not speak, though, and held her. She felt words would only intrude.

It took a little time for Kotori to register it, but she returned the gesture by nuzzling Yukari's cheek and then resting her head again in the crook between neck and shoulder; the furred ear coming flat on the side of the brown-haired neko's face. The clutching hands loosened and positioned themselves more in a fashion that returned the embrace.

"Mm." Kotori was so small, even to Yukari, in this position. For what seemed like a long time, Yukari had seen Kotori as someone larger than life ... but no longer. She felt a little tickled by the Neko's furry ear, but she smiled at it; how often was she tickled like this?

The black-haired neko made a sigh and loosened the arms she had around Yukari to push herself back enough so she could face Yuka. The ears shook once and Kotori numbly looked back at Yukari. "Well, you've torn me in two as well. What now?"

"Mending," Yukari said. "I do not know how. But we must mend. Together." She smiled some, a warm smile she had not shown Kotori in some time. "And apart."

Kotori whisked one hand back through her hair, half-closing her eyes. Her expression was thoughtful. "Why has she spoken of this?"

" ... She seemed angry at me," Yukari said, looking down toward Kotori's stomach. "She wanted more for you, and seemed to feel I was manufacturing distance for poor reasons."

"I choose to let you go," Kotori closed her eyes, frowning. "Targeting you like that was not fair."

"She was right," Yukari said, looking away. "Everything she said ... she is perceptive, naturally."

Kotori nodded slightly, apparently lacking the heart to contradict. "I have no way of making sure of what to do about her, or us, for the moment. Not with the coming mission being so close. We will need more time for that."

"I know," Yukari replied, pushing a wavy lock of hair back that had fallen from her ponytail. "I did not wish to disturb your concentration ... but, perhaps, you feel better?"

Kotori smiled wanly. "I do not know."

Yukari kept her feeling to herself. She wanted to reach out with telepathy to tell Kotori more ... but she held back, unsure which of her many feelings to project.

"You should go, now. Everyone is working so hard; we cannot really afford this." A light blush came to Kotori's face, turning her pale skin pink. "Nor can you just change how I've hardened my heart in these past few months. I cannot change overnight."

"Yes," Yukari said, looking to the door. "I must ensure everything is operating smoothly, and prepare the Monitor Room some." She looked back at Kotori, and her ears seemed to be full of the noise of blood rushing to and fro around her head. She reacted — a small, chaste kiss on Kotori's cheek, skin brushing skin. It was all she had to say about the hardening of Kotori's heart. Then the XO stood, appearing as serious as she could. "By your leave, Taisa."

Kotori returned a nod, the smile on her face growing strained. "I will see you later."

"Yes ... we will." With that, Yukari exited.

END
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

As Nyton inspected the armors Yoroko put the final touches on her own. She had equipped Offensive Augmentation Pods, mostly for their shield and armor piercing properties, to her legs. On her weapons rack she had equiped an atmospheric variant of the accelerated plasma rifle, and a LASR-SLAG(3 round variant) for her handheld, as well as fully loaded her thigh and shield ammo slots. Yoroko finally sighed, hoping she hadn't forgotten anything. Her loadout was actually quite similar at Ft. Ready. If it works, then don't complain. Yoroko told herself before looking to Nyton. "Now all I have to do is wait for inspection."
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

Seeing Yoroko seemed ready first Nyton quickly walked up to look over her payload. His eyes quickly scanned over each hardpoint and weapon to identify contents. "Good layout, you've finished converting this to the A model as well. Be sure you identify the type of ammo in your magazines so you don't even have to look to see what you are reaching for." he said while checking the tactical drones for functionality.

"Double check your tactical drones and energy cloak. Mizuno-Hei, you're going to be on the Assault Team." Nyton told her while facing her. "You along with Takuma-Heisho and Nakamura-Hei." He then turned to face all of them. "The Assault Team is going to focus on aggressive ground gain as well as control of the base's computer system. Heisho, your priority will be to hack their system and shut off the defenses. If the Aether Canceller is activated you need to shut that down as well. I want you to keep your head down during most of the shooting and carry the Ke-M6-W3000 50mm Gauss Bazooka. If your team encounters structural obstacles or hardened targets you will be responsible for removing those as well. Load up with one magazine of Armor Piercing and High Explosive rounds each. Its bulky even when collapsed so pack light. Carry your LASR and a spare magazine but remember the bazooka magazines will take up more space. The missle pods on your legs shouldn't get in the way so they should be able to give you any immediate extra punch you need. Also if there is any special equipment you need for computer access you need to take that into consideration as well."

Nyton then looked at Kai. "Your payload should be about the same as Mizuno-Hei's. If there are any personal or special weapons you want to bring feel free but don't get too weighed down. At the same time bring enough ammunition to support your weapons as well as enough to handle what we may encounter down there."

Looking up out of habit, Nyton then addressed Miharu. "Miharu can you notify the following people that they need to prepare their Power Armor unless otherwise occupied. Technical crew is exempted due to their current workload but notify them that they will be on the ground assault team: Kosuka-Juni, Kei-Hei, Yuri-Hei, Freeman-Juni, Sanjuro-Heisho, Murasaki-Chui, Mara-san, Rin-san, Ichigo-san, and Nimura-san. If Nimura can be released from her work in engineering I would like to see how she sets up her DAISY. Ground assault team members will meet for a mission brief ninety minutes before mission start." he stated.

Once Nyton was done sending out the notice he looked to Kai. "Alright Nakamura-Hei, let me see how you're set up."
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

Kai listened intently to Nyton as the Nepleslian spoke to the small group. Kai nodded when Nyton mentioned the recommended load out. suddenly being called on, the young Yamataian placed the final panel back onto his armor and checked it's security before answering "I was just finishing some wiring checks, I haven't had time to select my weapons yet, Sir. I see the merits in Miszuno-Hei's load out and agree that I should do something similar." The Hei ran a hand through his hair before continuing "Do you know of any weapons we have that are especially useful for sniping, Claymere-Taii?"
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

MoonMan said:
As Sora entered the medical bay, it was immediately apparent that Sanjuro must have disregarded her suggestion of sleep; much of the former mess of boxes, bottles and tools had vanished, placed neatly in the many nooks and crannies of the room no doubt. The room was also, not surprisingly, spotless...Sanjuro had also taken the time to sanitize and clean the area after the rearrangement had finished.

The solemn doctor himself was standing near the hemosynthesis tanks, fiddling away expertly with the control console. He did not hear Sora call out his name, nor was he aware of Sora's entrance behind him...the fatigue, no doubt, to blame. Sanjuro just simply continued to work away at the numerous keys on the tank panels, ever vigilant in his work even in the dour mood the debriefing had left the ship in.
Click to expand...

Sora took a deep breath and closed her eyes, counting slowly to ten. She was irritated that Sanjuro had disobeyed her and she felt slighted. He deliberately disobeyed her. She was uncertain of how to handle the insubordination without going up the chain of command at the moment and she didn't want to over react and get punished herself. She hoped that when she finished her count and opened her eyes she would be at least 20 seconds calmer to handle the situation.

Mother, please help me be patient...

She opened her eyes again and forced a smile as sje loudly cleared her throat and slowly walked towards Sanjuro. "Ashitaka-Heisho," she said a little more loudly with a tone of forced politeness.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

Sanjuro jumped a little this time, and quickly twisted his upper body around to see who had just addressed him. He relaxed a bit, however, when he saw that it wasn't a Black Spiral Mindy, just his medical officer superior, Sora.

The doctor turned and bowed deeply. "Yes ma'am, what is it?"
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

"Go to bed, now," Sora said very firmly with a very stern expression on her face. "If we get attacked, I don't want anyone dying because one of my medical officers is on the verge of exhaustion and has forgotten some aspect of his training. Go to bed and I don't want to see you in here for at least an hour unless you are BLEEDING, Ashitaka-Heisho." She watched him with her arms folded across her chest,
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

"The LASR can be modified to perform like a sniper rifle. It has an effective range of 13,000 meters within the atmosphere. Attach a scope and a foregrip bipod along while loaded with armor piercing rounds should give you a sniper variant. I expect fairly tight quarters so the ability to snipe may be limited. Just keep that in mind but feel free to adapt the weapon for such." Nyton replied.

"Takuma-Heisho, I just want to be sure you remember that the bazooka has to be fabricated. I figure by the time you have finished configuring your Armor it should be complete. We need two along with necessary rounds since I want to have one member of each squad carrying one." the Nepleslian then said before Miharu interjected.

"Ashitaka-Heisho has been ordered by Ketsurui Chui to get some sleep. Apparently he had stayed awake all night and disobeyed her previously. Do you wish to countermand her?" Miharu asked.

With a shake of his head Nyton looked up. "Negative, have him follow through on that. Add my authority to her order if necessary and go ahead and inform him of him being on the ground assault support team. We need him well rested if he is going to be ready for combat."

Looking over at the rest of the Armors in need of refit though Nyton could only shrug. "Guess that means one more for us to do. Well we won't be alone in this for long. We should have a few more sprites who can be pulled to assist." he said, remembering that he needed to go over personnel lists with Yukari in regards to fulfilling their personnel requirements.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

ON:

Yukari had left Kotori's with the song of her blood still loud in her ears. It felt good, even if she might have gone too far, to have started to make up with Kotori ... but the realization — no, the remembering — that she had been, and still was, in love with Kotori required explanation.

She had to tell Tom.

That meant seeking him out. She had left her communicator back with Kotori, but Miharu guided her to him — he was still working on the main gun, deep inside the veins of the ship near its front. She found the access way he was using and climbed into it. Her uniform was already messy from Kotori's crying; she would replace it later. "Tom-san?"

Tom was busy reading the figures regarding Miharu's torpedo launchers and calculating how to outfit them to match the Taisa's specifications: one third each of anti-matter, transphasic and subspace detonator. This task wouldn't take too long--maybe 1 or 2 hours at most if he did it manually. Then there was the modifications of the remaining torpedoes into mines. That would require at least a few hours. But... according to his calculations, Tom figured that there may be enough time to work on the main canon.

He heard a familiar voice, which knocked him out of his thoughts. "Yukari," he asked with surprise, turning around and dodging an overhanging cable. "What are you doing here?"

Yukari nearly froze up. It almost felt accusatory, him asking that, even if he legitimately had no idea. She smiled a little, hoping he didn't see her messy uniform. "I ... wanted to talk. About Kotori."

"Is something the matter?" Tom asked as he stepped towards her. He had to crouch a bit to get out of the way of the cables. "It's not everyday that I see the higher ups stick themselves in the guts of Miharu."

"It is not rank-related," Yukari said, looking down as she stepped a little toward him. A cable hung down between them. "Kotori and I ... " How to phrase it all? There was so much ... "Kotori and I were lovers. Did you know that?"

Tom blinked a few times, as if he wasn't actually registering the question. "Huh? You said you were close."

Yukari nodded. "We were. As lovers ... our first true lovers." She was sure of that; little had happened with Rufus, to her knowledge. "We were the only ones the other could count on."

The Yamataian looked down and shook his head with a small laugh. "Are we confessing our secrets before the start of the mission?" He looked at her with a grin. "Look, as long as you're not still making love, I don't have a problem with that bit of information..." he moved back a step and looked at the main gun. "But what an odd time to tell me."

"What if I still wanted to?" She said the words before she could stop them, halt them, jail them until the time was indeed better. She was afraid of the answer; she had to say more. "I do not love her as I love you ... she and I have been so cold to each other lately. She wants me to be happy with you, and I love only you that way. But ... " She shook her head. "It is all so complex and dramatic." The last word she nearly spat upon.

Tom's figure stiffened. He turned around to face Yukari; his smile had vanished. "What are you saying, exactly? Exactly."

"I ... I do not know." Yukari looked down, ashamed. She was not speaking very clearly, or perhaps too clearly. "I miss her, Tom. I ran from her to you for my humanity ... to stop feeling like Nekovalkyrja. And I fell in love with you, without ever coming back for Kotori. Now we have started to heal ... and I still love her, too." She felt defeated somehow, a traitor to him. "It is not the same love you and I share ... but it is a love. I do not know what I am saying."

"What?" Tom said softly. "WHAT?" This time, much louder, incredulously. "I fail to understand how this is making me feel comfortable right now, before a big mission."

He stomped towards the XO, freezing a few paces from her. "What you HAD with Kotori was a deep friendship, right? A friendship that obviously spilled over into a physical romance, which is now over, right?"

Yukari cowered a little, but she nodded. "Yes. It is over. I ... I want to be friends with her again, though, and I do not want you to hate that!"

"Why would I hate you two being friends? Kotori needs more of those anyway." He crossed his arms and glared. "But you're just telling me what I want to hear now, aren't you? Look at me and tell me what's really going on here."

"I ... " Yukari looked up at him, stinging tears in her eyes. "I ... " She could not tell him about the NH-23 Kotori. "I cannot stand to see her in pain. When she showed me that pain today, I wanted to heal it, as I healed yours and mine. Physically. I thought of you, in my mind, and wondered if you would understand why, but I knew you would not." She was not judging ... if anything, she seemed to affirm that he should not understand. "I do not want to leave my friend without humanity, only to have it all for myself."

"So our relationship is only about sex? Is that what you think?" Tom let his hands up in the air with a loud sigh. He wanted to punch the wall. "Or do you think that sex is something to be passed around like a cheap glass of vodka?"

"No!" she shouted back, as if the vodka had spilled into an open wound. "Intercourse ... I know I like it, and I have seen how it heals you, us! I wanted to do that for her, as well! But our relationship is now about surviving long enough to have a real relationship!" Her hands were balled together. "It is about keeping each other alive and of sound mind. We do not have time for anything else ... " She suddenly remembered something Kotori said, and tacked. "There are other ways for me to heal her. I know that now. But ... I want you to know. I do not want to hide things from you."

"Let Nyton 'heal' her that way," Tom snapped back angrily. "He's practically a match made in hell for Kotori, the way he's always at her side."

He moved on quickly. "Sex is a special, precious thing, Yukari! We made a commitment to each other! Sex is what differentiates a friendship from a romance or a marriage! I thought you knew that!"

"What would I know!" she snapped back just as fast. "I am Nekovalkyrja! Sex has never carried the meaning it does for real people ... " She held herself. She felt Kotori's words in her head about relationships and where sex fit into them, and how those words clashed with what Tom spoke of. "I know that she is in pain ... and that I made a commitment to you no one could ever destroy. I — I do not want to heal her only to hurt you! I will not ... "

"Then don't. It's that simple." Tom turned around and walked to the main cannon. He wanted to get away from Yukari right now. Far away.

He picked up a wrench and angrily went about unscrewing a panel.

Timidly, Yukari spoke, just loud enough for him to hear. "So if I play my koto for her ... and have tea with her ... you will not be angry?"

Clang. The loud sound of a panel being torn off rang through the corridor. "With all due respect, Shosa, I have work to do," he replied. "If you'd like to continue discussing this topic, please contact me later."

So be it! Plunge your head in the snow then! " ... Of course, Juni. Carry on." Yukari turned slowly and left Tom to his work, emotions boiling inside of her. She had hurt him ... and healed her. Was this a zero-sum game? Did she only have so much love to give, or was she only allowed so much? Was that a fact of the universe no one spoke of? As she climbed out of the access panel and down, she breathed deeply.

END
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

Sanjuro looked a bit startled. Although it was obvious he was still staving away his fatigue, he coughed shortly and cleared his throat as he motioned wavering towards the small desk in the corner of the room. Upon that desk was a small blanket...folded neatly upon the top surface, of course.

"B-but, ma'am, I did take a short 25-minute rest before I began sorting the pain relievers and psuedosophimates," He tried to explain nervously. "And it is imperative that we get the new sprites ready to fill in the crew roles we are splitting up for the mission. That's what I was doing here, at the hemosynthesis tanks."
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

Not long after the message was sent, Aoiko stepped into the armour bay, looking even more awkward than she usually did. She silently queried the computer as to which armour she could use, walked over to it, and promptly began staring intently at the suit, her chin cupped in one hand.

What the Hell do I do now? she thought to herself, before requesting a manual download from the Miharu.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

MoonMan said:
Sanjuro looked a bit startled. Although it was obvious he was still staving away his fatigue, he coughed shortly and cleared his throat as he motioned wavering towards the small desk in the corner of the room. Upon that desk was a small blanket...folded neatly upon the top surface, of course.

"B-but, ma'am, I did take a short 25-minute rest before I began sorting the pain relievers and psuedosophimates," He tried to explain nervously. "And it is imperative that we get the new sprites ready to fill in the crew roles we are splitting up for the mission. That's what I was doing here, at the hemosynthesis tanks."
Click to expand...

"Absolutely, but that needs to be done when one isn't about to fall over. To your quarters now, Ashitaka-Heisho. Go there on your own or I'll drag you there and tie you to your bunk," Sora replied sharply as she looked at Sanjuro critically, waiting for the medic to start moving.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

"For starters you need to configure your DAISY Armor for atmospheric conditions. Please direct further questions to Claymere Taii. He is in charge of the ground mission." Miharu answered Aoiko's inquiry along with bringing up a manual on DAISY operations and maintenance.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

It was not in Sanjuro to argue against a superior...let alone Imperial royalty. The nervous doctor swallowed hard, keeping his tired eyes as level as he could as he scrambled to make an excuse for himself. How could he tell her, or anyone for that matter, that he was far too worried to even sleep so much as a wink, for fear of being cut down mercilessly by their impending enemies?

"B-but...I-I..."

When he realized that he had no real answer to give, Sanjuro paused his rambling and drew in a deep breath, letting the oxygen fill his chest and clear his thoughts as it slowly heaved out from between his lips. He firmly decided to count his blessings; he had heard it was not uncommon to be ceremoniously executed for disregarding the Ketsurui clan, and the medical officer could not bear to part with his head after many steady years of service it had given him.

"Y-yes, Ketsurui-Shoi...I am deeply sorry for any trouble I have caused," Sanjuro spoke as he bowed deeply again. Not long after that he gathered his belongings from the desk and ventured out of the medical facility.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

"Claymere-Juni, perhaps I could carry a spare LASR-SLAG on my second equipment rack for Takuma-Heisho." Yoroko suggested as she started to run diagnostics on her shield projectors and drones. Pulses of energy emitted from the projectors and slid around her armor in brief bursts, conforming to it's curves and twists. The drones dropped from their hangars and performed quick maneuvers as well as charged but did not fire their energy weapons.

Yoroko went invisible for a few as her active camo activated. Seconds later she emerged from her hidden state and was again covered by her shield cloak. Then her drones began to fire at her, starting at the lowest power setting and going up to the highest. Once that was complete her energy cloak deactivated and the drones re-docked into the armor.

"Diagnostic complete, all systems are operating at acceptable levels." the AIES reported. There's one less problem. Yoroko thought with a sigh of relief.
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

"Well I already suggested he bring a LASR with minimum ammunition. It may be better if you simply carry his extra ammo. Each magazine carries one hundred rounds and given that he has higher priorities the magazine in his LASR plus one extra should suffice so long as he conserves and allows the rest of his team to cover him." Nyton said.

"Don't forget to review the manual on rank pins now that you've finished up in there." he added.

Seeing Aoiko's arrival and her puzzled expression Nyton motioned her over. "Murasaki-Chui, you look a little lost configuring a DAISY Armor for atmospheric conditions."
 
Re: Mission 3: The sound of machina

'I must confess that I am,' Aoiko said as she walked over to Nyton, offering an appropriate bow. 'I keep in practice with the use of power armour, but the maintainance thereof is not something that I have done for quite a few years now.' She flicked her eyes to the ceiling. 'I do have the manual. I should be able to figure it out from here. I do not wish to impose upon your time, certainly.'
 
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