Having received no instructions from Tsubei-heisho, both Takamori and Makoto went to the medical center to upgrade to the new NH-31 Minkan bodies. Both had agreed that the addition of the SPINE interface was a definite plus. In addition, both wanted to get ST backups done before the mission anyway so it was best to get two birds with one stone.
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Four hours later.
With their trip to the medical center complete and their new bodies still feeling a little tingly, both Takamori and Makoto then made their way to the power armor bay, reminiscing about days gone by. "You remember how Maki and Daisuke got together?" Takamori asked his friend.
The other shook his head, unable to recall it. "Oh right, you'd graduated! We were walking back from lunch our senior year, me and Dai-kun in front. Maki-chan and Saiko-chan behind. I'd made some comment about Maki's cooking which really upset her and as we were rounding the stairs, Daisuke and I traded places to avoid some juniors going the other way. But Maki didn't realize it and instead of kicking me between the legs from behind, she kicked Dai-kun! You should have heard him, I could almost feel his agony. You know, that girl... when she's mad, she really goes all out. Saiko and I carried the victim to the nurse and left the two of them there. Nurse wasn't back from lunch and we had class. So, Maki stays with Daisuke to wait for the nurse while we told Sakamoto-sensei what had happened. Afterwards, for a week, Maki kept doting on Daisuke. One thing after another, before the month was up, they were officially a couple. Still were, according to Saiko's last message to me. How are Kikumoto-senpai and Sagawa-senpai with their jobs at Ketsurui?"
Makoto found himself laughing at Takamori's anecdote about his younger friends. "You always were the troublemaker. No idea how you graduated. Kikumoto and Sagawa are doing well. Not entirely sure
what they're up to since it's all very hush-hush. But they're getting money so it must be good work."
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They examined the two Mindy 2-3A armors set aside for them. "I don't see the difference. But if it means not having to undress in front of a bunch of sex-crazed Nekos like on the
Hokorimasu, I'm all for it!"
It was Takamori's turn to guffaw. "Pot calling kettle!" he chuckled.
They both got into their respective armors and went to collect the equipment they wanted. It was definitely a new experience for both to control their armors with less movement and more thought. "Very surreal," Makoto commented.
Takamori knew exactly what he needed. The mission parameters were so alike the last one that he knew what was necessary.
He grabbed a duffel bag and started loading it with various explosives. This time, there was no Oshiro-juni to be an arse about equipment. If Tsubei-heisho had made any decisions, Takamori was sure he had not received anything pertaining to him.
Code:
2 x Fragmentation Grenades
2 x Incendiary Grenades
1 x Smokescreen Grenade
1 x Smoke Signal Grenade
1 x Prisoner Handling Kit
4 x 2-blocks of plastic explosives
2 x Remote Detonators
2 x Timed Detonators
2 x Uninterruptable Detonators
5 meters of detonating cord
Takamori felt satisfied that he could cover most situations with that list. Unless they ran into another Render. He ran over his checklist for his armor's loadout to confirm it with Eternity.
Dorsal Hardpoint: Barrier Shield Module
Right Shoulder: 50mm Gauss Cannon
Left Shoulder: Missile Pod
2 Ke-M2-W2902 Forearm Weapons / Forearm Shield Projectors
2 NSD/Drone Hangars (Upper leg)
2 Leg Capacitors
Star Army Butt Pack
1 Ke-M2-W2913 Aether/Scalar Submachine Gun
3 Extra BU-M20 magazines for W2913
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Makoto decided to clarify something beforehand. He sent a message to Eternity.
Code:
Is the new Elysian medical officer joining the Infantry Squad or am I still the only trained medic in the infantry squad? Also, what kind of topography are we likely to encounter?
That answer influenced whether Makoto would have to save room for medical equipment or not. He did, however, grab the Ke-M6-W2921 Atmospheric/Space Plasma Rifle which he had brought from his last assignment, the
Hokorimasu and used on Mayer Station. He liked that specific gun though he knew the M2-W2909 Accelerated Plasma Rifle was essentially the same and came with an optional grenade launcher. The one major difference, which swayed Makoto, besides his sentimentality for having a unique weapon was that the range of the W2921 was a kilometer longer than that of the W2909. A very useful advantage.
