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RP: YSS Miharu Mission 5, Part 1: Amaya's Gate

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Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Fred said:
The Shlarvasseroth lumbered on a few seconds after the warning shots before it decelerated until it reached a complete stop... and Yukari received a notice on her console displays: Melisson was hailing them.
The one pulling the strings wants to talk to her marionettes? Yukari frowned at the hail.

"Taisa, Shlarvasseroth is hailing us. Channel is unsecure."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

@Bridge:

"The starboard pair of turrets are going to be prone to overheating, but my own cooling lines are intact,"
Hoshi reminded Nyton. "My nose-mounted turrets - those you treat as Miharu's aft turrets most of the time - should be able to function normally and the 12 weapon pods I can launch may prove helpful for point defense or additional firepower depending on how you chose to use them."

"Of course, given how our opponent outclasses us by a much larger margin than Takumi, I am unsure of how much good our weaponry will do for us," Hoshi's AI then confided to Nyton. "The ship we faced savaged its way through the 5th Expeditionary Fleet's strongest vessels back in the Battle of Taiie, taking down the Akuro while mowing down the Yuumis and Irims escorting the flagship almost as an afterthought."

Kotori, for her part, seemed to have other concerns on her mind than mentally debating thier odds of success in a confrontation. She acknowledged Yukari's report with a "Stand by," and turned to Miyoko.

"Miyoko," she said, staring down at the yamataian woman in a fashion Miyoko felt was off. Kotori's eyes were on her but the way the Taisa's eyes failed to make eye contact made it seem like she was not really looking at her. Her voice, however, had a tense tone of urgency. "I need you to pull out the readings we got through our time here since the portal was open, as well as what readings you got from the way Dominion's, Takumi's and the Mishhu flagship's Combined Field Systems got set up along with an estimated of the spatial conditions beyond the portal."

"They had their systems configured to survive going in the null space-time region," the Taisa continued. "I want you to gather that data and give me your best guess on how to configure our CFS units to keep us from being frozen like the rest of the Second Draconian Fleet."

"Our hardware was modified but even so we can't leave that small detail up to chance," Kotori set one hand on Miyoko's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "I'm going to stall for you. Once you have your findings, quietly transmit them to Yukari."

Kotori didn't wait for Miyoko's acknowledgment. She stood up straight and ordered Yukari to connect them with Melisson: "Put her up, Yukari."

@Armor Bay:

"You may want to take it easy with that broken arm if you wish it to be well-enough for combat later on," Nimura pointed out to Asher before standing up and walking to where the ammunition was stored, searching for the psionic grenades Kyou had mentioned.

After a moment she came back and reported: "All of our psionic-type ordonnance seems to have been already used up."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Nyton just closed his eyes and smiled thinly. "I think we are all aware of the situation we are in. I want to hold off on the deployment of the pods. No need to waste them when they may be of better use later. Just keep doing your best like I know you have been." he replied before resuming a neutral expression. This would be it now. All Nyton could do was trust in Kotori's next move.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

"You may want to take it easy with that broken arm if you wish it to be well-enough for combat later on," Nimura pointed out to Asher before standing up and walking to where the ammunition was stored, searching for the psionic grenades Kyou had mentioned.

"Aw! Thanks mom! I 'preciate that." said Asher, plopping down on his rear. The Malifarian scooted back against the rack he had pulled his M10 down from, and rested his arm on the floor, using his shield to prop it up. He pointed at Nimura with his good hand and looked over at Kai and Kyou, "That almost makes tha' buzz-killin' worth it."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Tom felt his breath catch in his lungs as the heat spike registered, then cooled down to safe levels. Miharu held firm, but Tom felt that the ship gave a lot of effort in doing so.

The simplest of operations had to be carefully monitored and compensated for, and Tom would make sure he was ready to do so.

Kotori's orders to Miyoko passed through his ears and the engineer gave it some thought. Tom wasn't an expert with sensors like she was, but the talk of modifying the CFS units peaked his curiosity and he contemplated how to best assist the Juni when the time came.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Miyoko glanced to Kotori uncertainly at being addressed. The tone of the Taisa's voice, plus addressing her by her first name, were both new. But, after a moment's consideration, that seemed reasonable... not many people got to see their own deaths, and commanding a battle like this one had to bring plenty of stress with it. She was certainly getting enough at her own lowly position.

The sensor specialist listened attentively through Kotori's explanation. When she mentioned pulling up the sensor readings for the battle, Miyoko didn't waste any time, starting to pull them up as Kotori continued explaining what she wanted. "I can do that," she said at the end, a bit uncertainly. The sensor parts were well within her expertise... determining a ship's CFS configuration based on its sensor reading, that would be a bit trickier. "Freeman-Juni might be able to help interpret the CFS readings, if possible."

It was a fairly trivial matter to pull up the Miharu's sensor readings throughout the battle. A volumetric projection of them unfolded in front of Miyoko--false-color streaks swirling through the air, the paths of the starships as they danced around each other... and occasionally terminating in a small blotch when the ship in question exploded. This was all superimposed on the mottled background radiation of the rift itself. The colors then started dulling as she begin subtracting sensor feeds that didn't matter in the situation, leaving the subspace mass sensors, particle, scalar field, and energy sensors. She then pulled this apart into two separate sets of sensor readings, one covering the rift itself, one displaying the ships' CFS bubbles.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Rin had zoned out after the previous foe had been finally vanquished. It had been a lull in combat and it had allowed Rin a bit of a breather, though she probably shouldn't have done so. It was only the call to return to battle stations that had, slowly, brought her back to reality, with a mental wince at the realization that she had been doing nothing productive. It also brought out the feeling of dread.

Her home was already in shambles and now they had to fight more. Yes, it was their duty and Rin understood that. But, she did not want the small slice of the universe that she had known so well to become mere debris in space. Of course, she had to do what she could to prevent that.

"Nee-chan, what are our orders? What do I need to do?" the lavender-haired sprite sent to Yuzuki.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

@Bridge:

Melisson replaced the largest volumetric tactical display, rendered in full three-dimensions with the inclusion of an almost throne-like organic seat that looked more like a green-dyed column of wax which had melted to have its petite occupant nestle comfortably into it.

The representation was life-sized so Melisson appeared as a barely five-foot tall yamataian maiden that might have been mistaken as being sixteen/seventeen years old. Her skin was a rich pink, her ears pointed like a nekovalkyrja but furless, her eyes boasted blood red irises and her waist-long frizzy hair was a glossier crimson. Her garb was the familiar dove-gray sundress that seemed better suited to be worn by the beach rather than donned while commanding one of the most powerful warships in known space.

It was immediately obvious that Melisson was in a good mood, and also quite amused. When she spoke, the woman-child's voice was pleasant: "You missed! Are your targeting systems damaged, Kotori?"

Kotori returned a smooth, nonchalant: "Those were warning shots."

"Warning shots!" Melisson quickly lifted one fine-boned hand to giggle behind it. She then turned her head to look at someone beyond the volumetric projection, gloating: "See? I was right! Those were warning shots!"

The interpreter then returned her attention to Kotori, still smiling. "Well then, what did you wish to warn us about?"

Nonpulsed, Kotori returned: "You're approaching an installation that's mine. I don't want you to get closer."

"Where? I only see Amaya's Gate," Melisson commented, clearly humoring Kotori for the moment.

"I took it. It's Kotori's Gate now," the nekovalkyrja Taisa simply answered.

"Mm," Melisson made a bit of an exagerated nod, then spontaneously leaned on one side of her seat, then quickly leaned on the other side all the while she suspiciously peered at Kotori before she changed subject and bluntly asked: "Are you blind?"

"Yes, I am."

"Ah," smugly, Melisson reclined back against the backing of her seat and added: "That explains much. If using your abilities burst capillaries in your body, it would make sense that your retinas would suffer for it. It's a wonder you're still standing and lucid: a human brain suffering that much damage to its circulatory system would've have long died. You must have one very nasty headache."

"It is as you say," Kotori nodded, paused and then said: "May we return to the subject of my claim for the Gate?"

"Oh?" The matter suddenly seemed tedious to Melisson. "What of it?"

"It's my prize," Kotori asserted. "I do not want you to come anywhere near it."

Melisson returned a silent, very flat look. After a moment Kotori demured and proposed: "Perhaps if you could invite us aboard your vessel, we could discuss it."

* * *

In the meantime, Miyoko finished compiling her information and devised a rough estimate of how the conditions would be beyond the portal, tweaking her estimates to take into account that the current CFS settings were supposed to be able to cope with it and that the conditions would be sufficient to established that frozen space-time hazard.

Hopefully, Tom would be able to use those readings. There were many variables that could be refined to make sure they had a stable field, managed smooth entry and did not use too much excess power to make their energy reserves last as long as possible once inside the spacetime event.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Nyton listened as he watched the exchange between commanders. He maintained a stoic appearance, not wanting to draw attention seeing as this was not his realm. He simply waited for orders from his princess.

Keeping the enemy ship in his sights the man scanned for any signs of attack. Not that he expected any but his paranoid nature compelled him. Melisson was obviously aware of her position of strength and she seemed to be having more fun with their parley then attacking. She was apparently behaving in accordance with her typical nature. They were her plaything now.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

A marionette mistress who enjoys her strings too much. Yukari soothed the desire to draw her revolver and blast the projector to oblivion.

Kotori was blind. That was impossible to overcome, but it would require modification to the Akuma armor, if that was even possible. More likely Miharu and crew would have to face Melisson inside the Gate, or board the vessel. Neither possibility raised much confidence in Yukari's soul. As long as the "mistress" is happy, perhaps she will not notice her puppets and their poisoned pins.

Yukari focused on Melisson instead. She saw only the back of the demon's column-like throne. The bemusement in the demon's voice grated her. Was it a psionic effect? Melisson was unquestionably stronger than Eve, as the Bowhordia data files stated, but to what end? After all, Melisson occupied an entire space-faring monster of a vessel. There were limits to her power, but where? Yukari saw no lines in the sand, just dust.

Untrusting of Melisson's power, she used text to ask Hoshi a question.

Code:
Is it possible for the Akuma armor to compensate for a blind pilot?
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

As soon as Miyoko had gotten the readings of the enemies' CFS bubbles through the battle, she transmitted the information to Tom's station, along with a quick note.
Code:
Freeman-Juni - Please see what you can determine about these ships' CFS configurations based on their outputs if you have the time.  I'll be transmitting more data shortly.

She then started to work backward, determining just how strong the scalar fields were at the points of emission--data that would probably be much more useful to Tom in determining how they were configured. While she knew the basics of scalar field theory, she still had to let the MEGAMI handle a decent amount of the calculations. Left to her own devices, she'd prefer to be doing them by hand, but there was no time for that now. Once Miyoko had a rough estimate put together, she added that to the data package she'd sent Tom.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Hoshi returned a text message reply to Yukari.

Code:
The Akumas lack a SPINE interface and both functioned using mental link devices very similar to the technology used in Kylie and Daisy helmets.

Also, it's doubtful both units would function inside the portal, seeing they run on aether power. Sprite technicians have actually already begun cutting apart and scavenging raw materials from Vermillion. I believed it wise to recycle those materials to help refresh our ammunitions.

Tangent: Miharu is being very quiet.

In the meantime, the conversation Melisson and Kotori were having continued.

A smile spread on Melisson's face, her expression sly. "On another day, Kotori, I might have been open to this kind of ploy." The interpreter gave a brief chuckle. "But I know too much. There would be only one reason why you would desire to get close and I have too much riding on my safety to risk such a direct confrontation."

Then, as if to make it more official, Melisson straightened on her seat and spoke firmly: "No, you are not invited. You are free to try, of course, but I will respond in kind to such bold discourtesy."

Kotori's shoulder stiffened. "There's just no way I can let you waltz by and take control of the Second Draconian Fleet."

"The Second Draconian Fleet was mine for the taking from the very beginning of your quest, my impetuous nekovalkyrja captain," the mishhuvurthyar woman shot back. "I schemed for it even before you applied for frontline duty and made that fateful first step on the Mikomi."

"This quest for retribution against Eve was one I generously indulged you with," Melisson continued. "At Taiie, I set you on your way to track down Eve and unravel her plans. Eve had exhausted her usefulness for me and I could have disposed of her at any time, but then, I would have robbed you of that victory, and the credit you could have obtained through the effort of successfully doing so."

"Look at you now," Melisson made a sweeping gesture, hinting that she meant not only Kotori, but the Miharu's crew. "You stand battered but unbowed with the bones of your enemies littered around you. You squared off against an opponent even the legendary firstborn of your species - Yui - could never herself defeat. Through the merit of your actions, you yourselves could become legends amongst your people."

"It may be hard for you to fathom, but I've reveled in your success," their red haired opponent assured them. "I am happy that you have succeeded. You've richly deserved it, as well as whatever laurels this may earn you back home."

Melisson then sobered and in a more solicitous fashion told Kotori: "Do not let pride or convictions you cannot back up squander your victory. Your ship may survive if you return it home for repairs. Your people can heal and return to that long promised home to finally enjoy the rewards due to them."

Kotori clenched her fists. Despite that, Melisson persisted: "Be reasonable. You've succeeded. The nightmare is over," and then more softly: "There is nothing you can do for the Second Draconian Fleet. Go home."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Nyton let out a breath, disappointed but unsurprised. He knew Melisson would not be foolish enough to allow Kotori to get close no matter how bad her condition. No sense lamenting what he knew would not happen. Still the question remained; what do they do now?

Intuitively Nyton knew that Kotori expected this. There was likely no other choice now. He knew where they would have to face Melisson next. With a bit of defeat to his voice Nyton, spoke. "Melisson speaks logically, your highness. Perhaps another time we could challenge her. This moment simply is not ours to seize."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Tom received the data and began processing it into a configuration that would modify the CFS to best operate with Miyoko's findings. As he did this, he kept Yukari informed of what he was doing via text.

But as Melisson talked, he froze, momentarily overwhelmed by the weight of her words.

A quest for retribution? This was all some little game for Melisson to play?!

It was then he took his first look at the interpreter. She looked normal, if a bit young, but Tom saw all the evil hidden behind her eyes, that condescension that made others feel so insignificant.

He quivered with impotent rage, his tears blurring his vision as he removed his brief glimpse at the SMX interpreter and returned to his work. But, it was as if he was moving underwater, and his movements began to slow.

All this time... all this suffering... away from home... it was...

His fists balled on the console as he blinked away his angry tears. His body wretched forward as if he was about to dry heave, but only streaks of pain shot through his chest as he scraped his injury once more.

Thankfully, it helped pull him back to the present and made him return to his duties.

Melisson wanted them to relish in this victory, to return home as heroes under lavish praise.

But for all the volumes of knowledge Melisson held in her mind, all the schemes that spanned years across galaxies and empires, she didn't know a single thing about Tom Freeman and what he cared about.

The ones who did know how him were those same people he fought with, those crewmates who sacrificed their time, energy and lives for each other, their family. And even if they didn't see eye to eye, even if they sometimes bickered or fought amongst themselves, even if they perceived the universe in ways so different that the distance could be measured in light years, Miharu still held one common bond: trust. A trust that was stained and bent under the weight of the decisions the crew made every day, but one that was ultimately unbreakable.

So it was before the most powerful being in the universe that Tom finally disclosed something that he had been struggling to come to terms with for 4 years. It may not have been the best timing, but it had to be said before the end.

"Kotori... I... I have faith in you."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Kyou rested her second weapon against the leg of her armor, turning to look at Asher. "What do you mean, 'get executed for completing the mission'? Wouldn't us winning out be a good thing?" She cocked her head to the side, not sure how that made any sense at all.
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

"A'course it would!" explained Asher, swirling a hand around for emphasis, before leaning forward onto his knees. "I'm juss' sayin' what might happen when we win this thing. I ain't got no doubt in m'mind that we have this in tha' bag. I mean, c'mon, it ain't like Koto-boss can make a bad decision or nothin', right? Iss' juss' that some a'our destinies might be a lil' shorta' than otha's."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Kyou cocked her eyebrow, almost more confused then before. "But why would you be killed if we win? I mean, we just won, so we'd be heroes if anything, wouldn't we?" Her frown deepened. "Or are you planning on doing something on a completely different level of stupid then usual?"
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Wait. Shit! I wasn't supposed t'say nothin' 'bout that.

If Asher hadn't been wearing his helmet, the others would've been able to see his distressed expression. Which, is an oddity for him, as he rarely ever shows anything, but a grin, or a lecherous or blank expression. He suddenly began tapping the floor with his fingers. Though, luckily, Kyou offered a rather quick escape to his plight.

"Uh... Yeah! I'm gunna do somethin' stupid. Like oh... somethin'... Spankin' tha' Taisa, yeah, I'm gunna' spank tha' Taisa. 'Cause she... needs t'loosen up... or somethin'." explained Asher, before looking at Nimura, deciding to add some believability to his words, "Actually, I'm gunna' spank Nimura too, since she needs t'loosen up too."
 
Re: Mission 5: Amaya's Gate

Kyou's eyebrow rose even higher, strange as that may seem. "Oh, c'mon Asher. Spill it. Even you're not that stupid, so you're trying to cover something." Her armored foot started tapping, a good indication that she was bored, and probably wouldn't drop it.
 
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