RP: YSS Kaiyō Mission 32: Uchū Kaubōi

[Ametheliana]

Unknown Planet
Daybreak Ridge
12日 8月 YE 46

The far distant blue sun of this world was especially old, but still rose every morning. Its affect could be seen in the light that topped the wide smattering of clouds and in the pale, icy cast of light on the dusty pink and purple grasses below. As if spurned on by daybreak, birds had started the morning vociferations, ruminating to one another with shrill chirps. A few of them swam through the sky and their black forms were dark stains against the brightening sky. All the creatures of this planet were melanistic, inky black creatures evolved to avoid soaking up the excess UV rays from their blue sun that would otherwise cause damage. The smaller birds darted out of the tree line at Hoshi and Aiko's back as they looked down at the caldera below. There was a bundle of cows down there that were their responsibility. William was waking and saddling up somewhere amongst them, though the captain and her XO were already mounted, having set off early to survey their destination.

With curious eyes the color of deep ocean, Hoshi watched a bird dart from behind her and around before her horse haphazardly. Yamatai didn't have birds—it didn't have much wildlife at all. The Kaiyō's captain had beheld the small creatures on this planet for the fortnight since arriving. The bay mare she rode didn't interest her as much as she preferred larger drafts like her yaks back on Tami. Even now in the calm of morning, she could feel underneath her seat the tumult of the horse as it took a step forward and then two back as Hoshi flicked her finger and tugged at her reins almost imperceptibly.

The Kaiyo had been sent to this previously unexplored and uncharted system after the former NMX Neko on the planet of Nebel had reported unusual activity to the North of them. In truth, the NMX Neko had their hackles raised, worried the Mishhuvurthyar were coming to collect them after the Kaiyo had made a deal for their lives and let them live independently. It seemed, though, that the Mishhu had hastily built a secret base on a nearby planet to the Neko of Nebel instead of going to them directly. What's more, the base was deep underground and couldn't be bombarded or attacked by conventional means. Two weeks ago, the Kaiyō had sent in a team to pose as NMX long enough to gain the enemy's trust. It all culminated today. And the day was starting with a beautiful sunrise.

"No movement at the base. I believe we can move forward with the operation today," Hoshi said much later. The clouds had turned white, clumped into tightly packed puffs separated by rivers of the cornflower-colored sky. The horse under her had grown steady, perhaps dozing as its rider had kept a vigilant watch over the lifeless cauldron-like hollow far below them.

"Assuming our people are okay, "Hoshi said, her words reflecting the danger Molli, Sif, and Rio were in. "Assuming they're still alive."

 

[raz]

Daybreak Ridge

"They are good soldiers," Aiko replied, arms crossed under her bust as she looked out to survey the old volcanic crater and morning landscape that stretched out before them. "If you believe the operation can commence then you must trust in their success, so your concern is unfounded."

For her part today, the princess wore a rugged outfit of brown leather so dark it was almost black. Simple, tight five-pocket work pants fashioned of the tough material and a dark lilac colored crop top blouse with its sleeves rolled up—supported by a leather underbust harness—provided some measure of basic protection from the elements and scuffs. A similarly deep umber hip harness held an old model SiZi six-shooter at her side, and another belt with a large brass buckle stamped with Yamatai's national Kikyo flower hung loosely around her waist to host a collection of spare shells for the pistol. Matching her shadowy attire, she had a pair of brass-tipped cowboy boots at her feet and a big felt wide-brimmed hat holding a bundle of purple flowers in its band. A waxcloth poncho stained in the same dark lilac as her linen shirt hung back over her shoulders, ready to shield the princess from the sun and elements as the day wore on toward high noon.

"As always, I am prepared to go on your word," Aiko said from atop her own dappled grey steed. "Shall I handle the talking or will your expertise as a rancher carry our story?"

 

[Ametheliana]

Daybreak Ridge

“Always one to bring me back from my doubts,” Hoshi said as her dark blue eyes squinted under the strain of the smile below. "We'll see which of us they trrust more. Let's get a move on." Juxtaposing Aiko’s optimism with a bit of pessimism had become a running theme when the two shared words alone, but the captain also wore a contrasting outfit. Denim blues were splashed with color, like the handkerchief tied around her neck that was white paisley pattern on red and the dusty mustard collared shirt that had been tucked into her jean vest. She of course wore the hundred gallon cowboy hat that was a staple on her ranch on Tami and some simple paddock boots of the same tawny brown leather. Lifting the reins off her saddle, Hoshi pressed the heels of those boots into the horse, squeezing with her shins as she did. The horse backed up slightly, then followed Hoshi’s lead as she steered her down the ridge and back to the bunching of cattle far below.

The Kaiyō crew had been on planet for fourteen days but had separated soon therein. The trio of fresher recruits were being dunked into the deep end by being placed in the NMX base surreptiously. With new NMX bodies and no connection to SACN, Yamatai, or the Kaiyō, the trio had to perfectly intermingle with the NMX enemy. To Molli, Hoshi had given her a more clandestine mission to find any sympathizers or NMX whose views aligned more with those they had overheard at the Mishhuvurthyar Warlord meeting much earlier in the year. But the mission that took precedence was to destroy the subterranean base from the inside by allowing William, Aiko, and Hoshi in to the NMX compound when they arrived to deliver cattle. Since the base within the caldera was deep below and invulnerable to an airstrike, such would have to be done from within. The NMX usually got a hundred heads of cattle a month to use as fresh meat, but they had never gotten a shipment quite like the one being brought today. And though Hoshi, William, and Aiko looked enough like the locals of the planet, the safeguard that Molli, Sif, or Rio would be able to pass them through into the NMX base was the extra insurance they needed for this mission to be fully realized.