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RP: YSS Heartbreaker [Mission 4] The Word And Deed Go Hand In Hand

Cargo Bay

The android's eyes lit up blue as he switched out of low power mode. He turned towards Skade quickly. "Greetings Skade-hei." His eyes looked her over from head to toe before he continued. "You appear to be missing some clothing. Do you normally walk around the ship like that? The dress code on this ship must be very relaxed."

Takeshi ran a scan of all his systems. Everything seemed to be in working order, and his arm was fully repaired from the practice session with Edtoto. He flexed the fingers several times, checking for any delay in motion. "My arm is fully functional again. I am ready to report to the Captain for orders." He informed Skade.
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Cargo Bay

Skade looked at the android, then looked down at the Type 35 uniform that she had on before she had jumped into the AMES. “It’s called a skirt, silly. And I’m glad you’re ready to go,” she said, sending a copy of Rin’s orders to Saba, “cause we got a station to save.”

Heading to the Launch Deck, she waved the android on. “I got to suit up, so get a move on, Takeshi.”

Power Armor Bay

While she started up the suit, the Neko thought over her armament. Edtoto said that we’re going to be in tight quarters, and that we aren’t supposed to do any remodeling of the station. Boo, she thought as she stepped into the armor, already changed with its missile launcher being replaced with the Ke-M2-P3001 shield projector. So, no Aether-saber. What we can do, she mused as the Mindy closed up and she walked over to the weapons locker, is either the conventional approach with the LASR or… she smiled at the Ke-M2-W2904 Flamethrower and picked it up, the more interesting option. I’ve always wanted to try this thing out.

Launch Bay

Suited up and ready to go, Skade walked in on the tail end of Edtoto’s remarks. Looking more and more professional all the time, love. She shook her head and made her way to the group. Giving a small salute to her fellow Ittô Hei, the technician stood opposite of the lizard, which placed her next to the new medic. Hopefully she lasts longer than the last couple.
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Launch Bay

Ingrid returned Skade's salute. "Hey, Ittô Hei. I'm glad you're off probation now," she said to her. "You saved our bacon on the last mission. It's good to see it was... uhm." She stared at the weapon that Skade carried with her. "That's a, uh, interesting choice in armaments there. Just watch who you have for the barbecue."
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Bridge

"Understood, Ee'ith Ambassadors. All of you. We're forwarding you a translation of the currently broadcasting Vekimen distress signal, in standard Trade. It may help explain why your landing party was attacked. I regret the loss you suffered from merely attempting to render aid. The Heartbreaker will take over from here, and handle any further entry into the Vekimen Colony Station. I would appreciate your continued coverage of surrounding space, so we can concentrate on infiltrating the station to assist the Vekimen." There was a short pause, as the Captain glanced back at Rin, obviously sending her some sort of message. Rin nodded as she worked at her console, the hatches on top of the Heartbreaker opening to reveal attachments for docking. She then looked Kondo over after the stuttering outburst, raising one eyebrow at how suddenly she had spoken up, to volunteer no less. "Very well. Report to the Armor Bay, Yuko-Hei."

"Sally, Yui, please dock and come on board. Kiwi-Hei will escort you to the Bridge. Ee'ith, I will be asking these two Ambassadors we are already familiar with to handle all communications between the Heartbreaker and your forces, to minimize confusion. I hope you understand." She nodded to the screen, giving them time to respond before the feed from all four I'ee was removed from the screen. One Kuma was already docking, as the second followed in, leading Tsukisaki to focus on Alexis and the trio of Vekimen. "Morwind-Hei, after docking, Pecan-Hei will escort your passengers to Officer Sivaro's cabin, which has already been specially prepared for Vekimen inhabitants. Report to the Armor Bay, where a Mindy has already been assigned to you." Her face disappeared from the screen as well, as the Captain sighed in relief, an image of the station surrounded by I'ee ships all that was now displayed.


Airlocks, Zero G Corridors

"Watch that first step, it's a doozy!" Kiwi's smiling face greeted the I'ee as they entered the ship, the Neko well aware of Sally's dislike of the zero gravity corridors from her earlier time on the ship. The cook had gotten on well enough with the aliens, especially compared to her sister. It was no wonder Pecan was busy greeting Alexis and the three Vekimen instead of the insects. She'd become comfortable with Edtoto during her stay in the Cargo Bay, even if they hadn't exactly gotten along. Alexis noted that the corridor was rather dimly lit, and far warmer than she had expected. The crew, and Ochiko, really had gotten used to handling the Vekimen. Pecan seemed a bit frazzled, but she still dutifully herded the curious Vekimen towards the cabins, leaving Alexis to report as ordered. It only took a few minutes for Kiwi to usher the two I'ee onto the Bridge as well.


Armor Bay

Kayoko entered, followed by Veronika and Bettie - chattering to each other as usual - shortly before the new SAINT operative. Alexis was greeted by several crew members already in their Mindys, along with what seemed to be a large, metal Vekimen. Kayoko was already warming up the Kawarime as the others continued to prepare. The image Ochiko had been projecting changed to show the bridge again as Tsukisaki spoke. Edtoto spotted Sally and Yui, while they could see the armored Vekimen in return.

"As Officer Sivaro has given us three possible points of entry, you shall be split into three teams. Jodan will include Sivaro, Blesi, Hasewega, Okami and Yuko, who will be your pilot. You will approach from the landing pad where Officer Sivaro will attempt to identify herself. Hopefully you will be able to proceed without incident and render aid. Chudan will be our new SAINT agent, Alexis Morwind-Hei, Masahiga, and her android. If Jodan is met with hostility, you will covertly enter the mid-level airlock in the Laderen section of the station. While the mainly Sivaro-controlled area near the landing seems to be the main point of interest, there may still be resistance from hostile Vekimen affected by this...madness. From her reports, the Laderen would be easier to negotiate with than the Kiraten. Gedan will be watching that air lock, with Kayoko in her fighter and the two Uesuno as infiltrators, if need be."

She simply nodded to the crew, now that they had their orders. "Gedan has already begun deploying. Jodan, ready the Kourui for launch. Chudan, follow them out, then head to your objective."
 
I'ee Fleet

"We understand, Yamatai. We shall do as you say.", the Ee'ith ship responded before turning and scooting away from the Heartbreaker, back to its fleet. Soon after, the golden Ee'ith patrol craft, as meagerly armed as they were, began moving to surround the Vekimen station in an even spread. The smaller ambassador spheres began patrolling around in loose, elliptical paths around the station, using their more sophisticated sensors to keep an eye (or ear) out for anything unexpected.

YSS Heartbreaker Airlock, Zero-G Corridors

"O-oh!", Sally squeaked as she stepped out of the comforting gravity she was used to and into the Zero-G, already floating upward with a nervous flutter of her wings. "Um, hello, Miss!" Yui huffed, helping her sister navigate the corridor towards the neko greeting them.

Bridge

"Hello, Taii!", Sally squeaked as the two I'ee were led onto the bridge, waving to the captain as if she were a classmate passing by in a hallway. "It's so wonderful to meet you again!" Yui offered a curt, little bow to the captain instead, appearing more sombre. "We have reviewed the translated distress signal you forwarded to us.", she spoke. "It is concerning. Do you have any idea what has caused such hysteria to take hold?"
Sally dropped her happy facade as well as Yui went straight to business, lowering her head slightly. "Will Edtoto be ok?", she asked, obviously uncomfortable about her Vekimen friend being exposed to danger. "I-I'm not sure about her going inside..."
 
Edtoto awaited orders seeing Sally and Yui appear on the hologram. When she was told the team makeup, she really couldn't blame the captain for her decision. She was conflicted to if Yuko would get in the way or not. Hadn't know her long, but she seemed to be a nervous wreck who couldn't stand up to much. Adorable, but on a combat mission? Adorable wouldn't help. Still, she didn't make the teams. She was just on them.

She looked to Hasewega, well after receiving the message and reestablished the private connection. "I'll be fine the faster we get off this ship and doing something. I'm getting a little itchy I guess?" She sighed before looking to skade. All she did was give Skade a thumbs up. She moved the private connection over and the smile in her voice could be heard. "Awe shucks Miss... Looks like you're on another team" She teased, standing and preparing for the time to come.

She admittedly didn't pay much mind to Sally or Yui. What was the point? They were here to assist with communications between the heartbreaker and I'ee. Not only that but she could hear Sally whimpering about the safety of her friends. She was sorta walking into the firing squad with the auto-turret. "I'm going to be fine..." She said, hopefully, to put Sally to ease but she felt it wouldn't. Edtoto was a mixed up bundle of worries, with a few happy thoughts to go around but not enough to keep her sounding all chipper.
 
Alexis started to gear up. "Understood. If we are to be discovered or unable to reach Jodan what should we do?" Alexis finished putting on her Mindy and ran checks to make sure everything was in order. She then walked over to Skade. "You are the one I'm working with correct? Don't expect me to talk to you much the mission is all that matters to me." Alexis then continued to walk over to where they would be deploying from but stopped so that she could hear any further orders. 'I hope no one dies. I don't think I can handle that especially if it was my squad mate.' She thought to herself.
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Armor Bay

Hey, Sally’s here? Skade nodded in interest at the screen. Cool. Facing Ingrid, she braced the flamethrower on her shoulder. “Oh, yeah. I’ve always wanted an excuse to use this. And yeah, I’ll make sure to only invite the crazy ones.”

Seeing Edtoto’s gesture and hearing her tease, the Neko smiled and returned the thumbs up. “Hopefully my only excitement for today will be keeping the bed warm.” Shrugging, she continued, “Just don’t get yourself killed, love. Won’t be able to hack anything until you’re already shot.” Foreboding subject spoken, she asked another question that was on her mind. “Any pointers about the Laderen? Like, is it a good thing to mention you or not?” You know, being a returning exile and all?

And a new SAINT operative? She thought as Morwind-hei came up to the group. Interesting. Raising a non-visible eye-brow at the other Neko’s remarks, Skade shrugged and said, “I don’t see too much of a problem with that,” she replied, following Alexis. Turning, she waved Takeshi to follow them. “Come on, Saba-hei. We’ve got a station to land on.” And hopefully not blow up? Weird. Catching up to the SAINT operative, the technician broached a possibly thorny topic. “So, I see we’re the same rank. Who is in charge, Morowind-hei?” It’s not like I can really tell if you’re a good leader or not…I just met you.
 
Alexis looked over. "It doesn't matter to me I'm used to working alone but I can lead if you need me to. I led a successful prisoner rebellion aboard an NMX ship before I was reinstated." Alexis went back to her previous position.
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Launch Bay

"Bridge, hai," Ingrid responded. She was starting to feel like a veteran. "Jodan, you know the drill, check your gear and supplies." She was starting to sound like one, too. "Officer Sivaro is our VIP, so make sure she's covered at all times. Unfortunately, she's also our guide and our liaison to any Vekimen station members, so she's going to be right up front. Sara-hei, you stay tight on her tail and get ready to help her to cover if we come under fire. Everyone, prefer to use small arms, keep your shoulder weapons locked down unless we're right up a creek of noteworthy viscosity. You know our objectives. Keep each other covered, and try to minimize damage to the station and its inhabitants until we have a clear picture of what happened here.

"Board the Kourui as soon as you're ready, team."
 
Well, well. Who stuck a stick up your butt? Skade shook her head at both of their attitudes. And if she really was a prisoner of the Squid…yesh. That covers for a lot of sins.

“Look, Alexis,” the technician replied. “I don’t need leading, but it does sound like you have more practice in that realm of expertise. How about we split responsibilities? I get in front and do any of the talking,” she said, pointing at her head, “since I got a half completed Vekimen-Yamataigo dictionary in my head, and you can tell me and Takeshi where to go if everything hits the fan.” Hopefully Edtoto put the translation for ‘Don’t shoot!’ in this thing…let’s see…
 
"Sounds good to me." Alexis replied starting to become more relaxed as she got used to Skade. Taking on a slightly friendlier tone she said. "Do you have the cloak on your power armor if not I can handle the hostiles who are still on the station without blowing our cover." Alexis held out her hand for a handshake. "It's nice to meet you Skade-hei."
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Launch Bay

"Roger that, Blesi-hei." Hasewega replied with a nod. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the orders as she double-checked her loadout. Being assigned to protection detail again and with Edtoto? Sure she was one of the few infantry soldiers on the ship but something felt a little implied here... Still, orders were orders regardless of any relationships. Hopefully what happened on the derelict vessel last time won't happen again if the situation gets hostile aboard the station.

Everything seemed to check out with her equipment. She didn't want to compromise the station's integrity with the Saber-Rifle but she couldn't bring her self to use the flamethrower. The Service Rifle will do for now. She boarded the Kourui and sent another message over private comms to Edtoto. "I won't fail you again on this."
 
YSS Heartbreaker, Bridge

The Captain stood to greet their guests, nodding at the two I'ee. "Ambassadors, welcome to the Bridge. I am sure your time aboard the Soyokaze has further familiarized you both with the workings of the Star Army. Hopefully you understand the trust I am putting in you, the Ee'ith, and the I'ee, by giving you this type of access. Similarly, Officer Sivaro has been granted the use of very formidable armor, that will ensure her safety. The only limitations were the removal of any CFS or other long-range travel ability and several additional safety features. There is always the chance she may become a danger to the other crew members or herself, due to her race's psychological difficulties or falling victim to this madness." Tsukisaki returned to her seat, shaking her head, as Rin moved in to assist the I'ee. "It is unknown what caused the Vekimen to turn on each other. Hopefully we shall learn more once the away team enters the Colony Station."

Rin seemed happy enough to show the two I'ee to the Communications station, where they could already see connections to the away team members (including feeds from Mindy cameras) and the Ee'ith fleet. "Please, alert us to any disturbances your sisters detect. And convey our sincere thanks for their assistance in this matter. I'm sure the Vekimen will want to thank them as well, and apologize, once this is all over. I'm guessing you're comfortable with these controls, if you piloted a Kuma all this way. I'll be guiding the away teams, but feel free to speak up if you think you can help." She departed for the Spaceship Operations station with a final nod.


Kourui, Jodan

Yuko was surprised to find another crew member in a Mindy already inside the cockpit of the shuttle. She recognized Kiko as one of the crew members that had transferred from the Seisenkyo to the Heartbreaker recently. The Cook seemed to be an odd choice for this mission, but they needed as much help as they could get. Kiko was excited enough that she'd gotten there ahead of all the others, watching the conversations on the communications screen in the Kuma. The first few steps of the startup had already been taken, enough to get the power running, although it seemed like the Cook had left the more complicated tasks for a pilot with more experience.

While Yuko was left to ready the shuttle, the others piled in and took their spots. Edtoto could feel some of the nervousness and agitation from her last trip in the shuttle returning, although this time she had the extra thick layer of protection her new suit offered to reassure her. The airlock sealed shut behind them, as the two in the cockpit could see the large Colony Station looming in view before them, right outside of the Shuttle Bay's forcefield. Sensors identified a few blips as Kayoko, Veronika and Bettie, hovering outside their assigned airlock.


Armor Bay, Chudan

Alexis, Skade and the android watched as the Kourui came to life, lifting off the floor of the nearby Shuttle Bay and moving across the Launch Deck to exit into space. Their smaller group was up next, the relevant airlock marked for them on their HUDs. As they prepared to follow, they could see the Kuma shuttle slowly, cautiously approaching the fairly large target of the Colony Station's landing pad.
 
Chudan, Launching Bay
As soon as the kuma landed Alexis headed out choosing to start the mission without a word.
 
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YSS Heartbreaker, Bridge:

Sally seemed comforted by the news that Edtoto would be wearing a set of power armour into the station, giving the Taii an awkward, but well-meaning salute with an arm. "Thank you, Taii. We will do as you say.", she said, a cheery, red smile lit up on her LED mask, while Yui simply bowed again silently to indicate her compliance. The two I'ee tottered over the comms station with Rin's guidance, Sally recognising the Minkan with delight from their first contact with the Heartbreaker. "We shall do as you say.", the two insectoids spoke almost perfectly in unison, before snorting softly to each other with amusement. Once they had been settled in and Rin had left to attend to her duties, the two I'ee set to work: Sally contacted the Ee'ith fleet and relayed Tsukisaki's orders and thanks, to which the Ee'ith family were delighted; both to see their siblings working aboard a Yamataian vessel, and to be able to help said vessel in its mission.
 
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Kourui, Jodan

Kiko was definitely one excited Neko, there was no doubt about that. Being the first one in the shuttle may not quite of been her plan, but it was certainly an excellent beginning! When Yuko arrived Kiko perked up and turned about to waggle her fingers in greetings, a small, but very warm smile on her lips “Got her warmed up for you, figured I ought to help a bit!” Kiko wasn't entirely sure who Yuko was, but she was certainly prepared to find out..eventually. She didn't think this was the proper time to properly acquaint herself, there would be plenty of time for that later on. There were more important things to focus on, like her first mission! It caught her by surprise that she'd be going on a mission soon -especially given her job- , she hadn't even had time to take a look around the kitchen.
 
Yuko looked up at Kiko as she entered the cockpit. "Um...h-h-hello..." Yuko nervously said, her body trembling. "Um....I-I'm Kondo Yuko, if you were wondering..." Yuko stuttered "T-thanks....for um...getting it all ready for me..." she thanked Kiko, walking over to her pilots seat. She slowly sat down and got her seat adjusted. "T-this is your first mission too...right?" Yuko asked, adjusting her hair a bit. She probably thinks I'm an idiot...she's probably done hundreds of these things before, and unlike me, she probably knows what shes doing. She seems nice though...so she probably won't be too mean to me... Yuko thought to herself.
 
Armor Bay, Chudan

Takeshi was waiting for Skade silently. When she finally showed up, he started to follow her around like a lost puppy. He watched them choose their weapons with morbid fascination. The android didn't even seem to notice Alexis's presence until Skade started talking to her. For some reason the android happened to have taken a liking to Skade, but seemed to pay no attention to anyone else except the Captain. He didn't bother speaking to Alexis, as it would serve no purpose.

When he noticed the wasps on screen, the android's attention instantly shifted. He seemed to be surprised by their presence on board the ship. He relaxed when he noticed that Skade seemed to recognize the aliens. The captain was unfazed by their presence as well, so they must be friendly.

After the encounter with Edtoto on the last mission and their duel in the cargo bay, he was curious to meet more of these strange creatures, if only to test his prowess. Skade had provided him with a dictionary of the Vekimen language, and he had spent the past few days perfecting his knowledge. He could speak the language well enough to mimic a native speaker. The fact that his brain was a quantum computer made this possible.

It would be a good opportunity to test his flamethrower, which was not required in the last mission. The vibroblades in his arms had proven themselves to be highly effective against the lizardlike species. Takeshi waited for Skade to head out before following close behind.
 
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Kiko nodded her head, smile unwavering “It's a pleasure to meet you!- I'm Kiko Ki, and yes! It is my first mission. Here I was thinking I was the only new girl around.” She nodded her head and her smile grew in intensity “You are most welcome, she's all yours.” Kiko waves her hands over the ship's consoles, in a way comparable to a magician’s assistant, with a friendly wink “I figured I'd leave the more complex bits to someone that was better suited to the task. So you do your thing and I'll be here to help out.” Kiko found the nervousness troubling, she'd have to make an effort to get Yuko a little more comfortable around her!
 
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