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

Main Corridor

Skade breathed a sigh of relief as another Vekimen officer stood their soldiers down. “No, this is Edtoto Nar’ Sivaro,” she said in Vekimenese, after waiting a moment for Edtoto to speak up for herself. “She’s the reason we’re here in the first place.”

“So,” the Technician said over the comms, to the rest of her crew mates. “How are you guys? You will never know how much I’m happy to speak Yamatigo.”

Edtoto sighed, turning to the soldiers. Noticably, she had more gold bands than those present, and she started "yelling" at them in Vekimen. The soldiers seemed confused, but any hostilities they had previously had dissolved into nothing but one of the Vekimen walking from soldier to soldier looking them over.

"He is a Medic, do not mind him. He has to check you all, but we haven't suffered any injury. I have been ordered to help assist my people in clearing out as much of the infestation as I can, but none of you are held to that. Just if you do go, please don't leave... I want to go back with you. I just can't bring myself to refuse after seeing all..." She said, trailing off. "They were my family once, this part of the station my home. I would appreciate it if the Taii allowed me to borrow this until that point. It would be a hard job without it" Edtoto sighed, sounding a little distant the whole time she spoke.

Main Corridor

Hasewega took this moment as another chance to recollect herself and breath as the medic looked her over. She tried not to pay too much attention to Edtoto as she starting yelling at her old crewmates. "I'm just glad that you actually jumped in the way for this." Hasewega replied over comms to Skade.

The minkan straighten herself out as Edtoto spoke to the group. "I'd be more than willing to assist in reclaiming the station with you, Ambassador Edtoto." Hasewega replied without much hesitation. She still had quite a bit of fight left in her from the previous encounter.

Main Corridor

Skade shrugged at the Vekimen medic, then turned to look at Sara. Huh. She usually doesn’t talk to me much, she thought. “Glad I was here,” she replied over comms, before turning to Edtoto.

“What’s the Vekimenese word for duh?” the Neko asked, keeping her amusement to herself in the abattoir that was the corridor behind them. “Of course we’ll help. It’s what we’re here for. Though,” she continued, “I do need to contact the Heartbreaker for the Sraralumee. Is there a communications array that we can access down here or do we have to just head back until the rock doesn’t block our comms?”

With Ingrid's assistance, the Vekimen medic was able to examine the other soldiers, ensuring they were free from both injury and infection. With some time to explain, it wasn't hard to teach the Vekimen how to check for the infection themselves. Soon Edtoto and the others were integrated into the group, Star Army soldiers spread out among the Vekimen to assist them in securing a larger percentage of the station. Skade improved communications, eventually, allowing them to contact the Heartbreaker, and send the I'ee rear guard home safely. Veronika, Bettie and others from the Heartbreaker were soon joining them on the station, reinforcing their defenses and stabilizing the station until the Logistics fleet could arrive.

The Seisenkyo beat them there, of course, allowing another wave of fresh soldiers to arrive and take over for the Heartbreaker crew. By the time they had left, Edtoto had helped them ingratiate themselves to the Vekimen, who steadily relaxed and softened their hostile attitude. While Alexis was still in custody (although Cosima had briefly attended to her), Ed and the others had been cleared to come and go as they pleased. They'd also been granted access to logs and other information related to the parasite infestation. Much like they'd thought, another Vekimen had been sent out in a scout ship just like Edtoto, although this one had returned earlier. And with less friendly acquaintances.

The alien substances in the returned ship had been studied, but the Vekimen had simply had no idea what they were dealing with, and no way to detect the hidden parasite. And soon, parasites. Spreading throughout the station, through the clans and families, the infected Vekimen had finally acted as one in an attempt to overthrow the station and open it up to further NMX infestation. While several sections had been saved, things had begun looking grim before the I'ee and then Heartbreaker arrived, due more to damage to the station than the infected themselves.

Interestingly, the Vekimen reported a large number of the infected had fled in several more scout ships, between the time of the distress call and the arrival of the I'ee. The weakening enemy forces had allowed the Vekimen to hold out while attempting repairs, until their unexpected rescue had arrived.