YSS Heartbreaker, Bridge
The Captain's attention was caught by something Yui said. "Oh? You've had dealings with the NMX in this area? We drove them away from Yamatai controlled space, but it seems they withdrew most of their forces into this region we have yet to explore. We've been dealing with the leftovers from their skirmishes with Uesu's Fleet years ago." She shook her head, obviously having built up plenty of ill will for them over years of fighting. "The Mishhuvurthyar are a mockery of everything Yamatai and her Star Army stand for. If they are your enemies as well, we may have more in common than I originally believed."
Trying not to focus too long on past battles, Tsukisaki took stock of the guards the I'ee had provided, nodding to herself. She seemed somewhat impressed with their preparations, opening her mouth to thank the two ambassadors before the scream filled the Bridge. "Captain, we've lost all sign of Okami-Hei's Mindy. She's...just gone." Usagi reported quickly, trying to ignore the two aliens while she focused on her work, chewing her lip. Rin moved closer to try to calm the pair, although she was careful to avoid any flailing limbs or clacking jaws. "Please calm down, we're all safe here. It seems the away team was attacked...I believe your relatives moved inside to assist..."
Shuttle Bay, Jodan
The airlock cycled open to admit the I'ee guards assigned to the inside of the Shuttle Bay, with the infected vessel, arriving just in time to witness Ingrid hurriedly extracting herself. Everyone was rushing towards the dark opening, with the Vekimen in the lead. Edtoto passed the first two bodies Okami had examined, stomping and clawing at the third, which the Medic had been hunched over just moments before. Unlike the others, she could see just fine in the darkness. Where the corridor turned, she could see the bright, warm splatter of a gush of fresh blood, the hemosynth leaving a messy trail down the hallway. There was no sight of Okami or the rest of her armor...although she did see something slipping around the next corner, further away. Before she could investigate any further, Sara latched onto her, using the Mindy's impressive strength to drag her along as she zipped back into the relative safety of the main Shuttle Bay.
Ingrid and Kiko had their LASRs trained on the door, while Yuko retreated behind them (and the still-gushing helmet). Soon enough Sara and Ed had rejoined the group, treated to the odd sight of the confused I'ee guards spraying down the infected shuttle with their strange weapons. The shuttle practically melted under the assault, the particles tearing through it easily enough, leaving holes scattered about like some sort of imported cheese. It didn't seem to react in any interesting way, so the troops would likely realize the dark corridor the humanoids had their weapons pointed at was the real problem.
"Understood, Blesi-Hei. All contact with Okami-Hei has been lost. Considering the level of technology the Vekimen possess, Mishhuvurthyar involvement in her death is almost certain. Your mission remains the same. Proceed with caution. And try to compose yourself while communicating on open channels." The Taii was as warm and understanding as ever.
Laderen Corridor, Chudan
Skade managed to adjust the drone's power supply on the fly, disabling its firepower to provide a longer charge life. Still, it wouldn't last forever, although it let their team communicate with the others for just a bit longer. "Chudan, this is Heartbreaker. Okami wandered off from the group and...well...not all of her made it back. Jodan is pushing forward, but we're definitely dealing with something worse than rabid Vekimen. Keep an eye out for squids." Usagi responded, much less formally than the Captain would have, as the trio crept closer to their targets.
Alexis led the way, with Skade slightly behind and Takeshi watching their backs. As they drew closer to the door, they could catch more snippets of conversation the translation software struggled to decipher. The voices were different from the few they had on file, and were obviously in more distress than Edtoto usually was on board the Heartbreaker.
"...Sivaro...mad...how they...got in...disease...the children..."
Peeking inside, Alexis saw a small room, practically a closet. It was likely used for storage of some sort, as containers were stacked up along the edges and back of the room. However, there were now several bodies piled in on top of the containers. At this range, even in IR it was easy to recognize them as Vekimen after her close contact with the ones she'd helped rescue. Another pair were standing, still alive, chattering to each other as they gestured at the corpses. Thankfully their backs were to the doorway, for now. The SAINT Operative noticed the pair were a bit taller than she expected.
"...dispose...keep safe...who...must decide...must lead...keep safe...the children..."