RP: YSS Eucharis [Mission 7.2] Sorting It Out

Shizu regarded both of the enlisted with a patiently blank expression.

She checked the datapad off to the side - didn't touch the screen, just checked what was already written. Then she looked back to the other two at the table. She lingered on them again, considering, as if what they had just said may have conflicted with something she had already written. Finally, she sighed, but she noticed Tasuku approaching and acknowledged him with a nod before continuing.

"Good morning. The city is treating you well, I hope?"

"Its treating me pretty well, I was born here after all... but things are going too well actually, I mean I seem to have received a significant amount of money from an anonymous source" Tasuku said as he showed Shizu his personal KS account ledger listed on his datapad's display. Sure enough there was a recent anonymous deposit for 5,000KS; which had more than doubled his modest account balance.

"I wasn't expecting any payments... in fact most anyone I ever knew probably thinks I'm dead by now, so I thought I should report it." Tasuku continued to explain, hoping the Taii could help shed some light into the mystery.

She checked her datapad. It took a few moments to process, the screen flashing a little bit as the pages shifted and changed beneath her fingers. Shizu eventually rubbed her forehead. Then she sipped her tea and pushed the datapad away, again.

"Well, you were not promoted recently, so I would guess it is a bonus or backpay, but I do not have the authority to access your financial records. Perhaps you could submit an inquiry with Star Army personnel support?"

One moment Mikael was caught up in his thoughts and the next thing he noticed was his soon to be Captain staring at him and her voice. His thought process snapped in two when he realized who it was, he almost knocked his chair over and the table while he scrambled to stand at attention and perform the required bow.

He stayed like for a few moments while his brain just processed what happened and he slowly rose back up. He remained at attention. "To be honest ma'am...I have no plans. Do not even know what this city has to offer." Mikael said doing his awkward stare from last night again. "Man I hate towering over these people...." he thought to himself.

While the rest of the crew were chatting, Kim was still in her room. After a night of fitful sleep, the soldier hadn't been feeling well. Her home-remedy for that, was of course to soak in the tub with a glass or two of rum.

Later, once she felt moderately better, the redheaded nekovalkyrja dried off, and then set about her private training regiment in a futile attempt to metabolize the alcohol faster, as well as shut the rest of the world out of her head.

Sune looked at the equations that Darnell had supplied. As he expected neither of them were in the areas of his knowledge. But that did not matter; he had already explained that he would do his best to review them. Using his communicator he accessed the PANTHEON and ran a query on Schroedinger's equation. Following the equations as best as he could at least could discern what Darnell was trying to figure out.

The magnetic field formulae were familiar to Sune from his fundamentals. Magnetic fields were still used in some non-invasive diagnostic equipment. But without more information as to what the equations where trying to resolve, he could not make an accurate assessment.

After completing his review of Darnell’s work, he stood up and walked over to Darnell. “Quantum physics is not my area of specialty, but from what I could research and discern it appears that you are attempting to resolve the Copenhagen interpretation. As for the magnetic field equations you did not provide a context for their usage.” He placed the data padd on the table before Darnell. “I would suggest that you consider sending your Schroedinger's equation to the Scientific Studies Service and have one of their experts review it. Might I inquire as to the purpose of these endeavors? How will they help the Eucharis protect the Empire? Or help us to develop a defense against the Misshu parasites? Because right now those are priorities.”

Darnell looked up at Sune from what he had been writing. He said, "The first one was an exercise, really. Just something to improve my skills, keep them sharp. I found something unusual so now I'm checking it out. It has no relation to the war, and I started working it before the war, though if there isn't a mistake, and I'm convinced there is, it would be a scientific revolution." He shrugged. "Still, I'd just say I messed up."

"The second one is part of something I used to use to..." He paused a moment, as if considering whether to continue and choosing not to went in another direction, "It's a device which can turn microphones into speakers and transmit messages, speakers into microphones and record what they pick up. The damage would be easy enough to repair, but the reason it isn't working wouldn't be apparent. Even useless little contributions like this have to be worth something."

He made a few last scribbles and looked up "I don't know if it will work on the Mish, I would think so because I'm not sure of another way to make a speaker other than how we do, but if not, it will work for most everyone else." He paused a moment, "Besides, it isn't like I had anything better to do. They haven't let me see the reports on the dissection of those Mish... things, and they've certainly not let me anywhere near them. Between you and me, rumor says these look completely different from the last batch. If they can be changed that easily, though, it makes me wonder if they're an artificial species like the Nekovalkyrja and Yamataians."

Sune took a seat opposite Darnell. "The only Mishhu that we saw in person were some new kind of parasite. A silicon creature that based on its method of reproduction had to be artifically constructed. I conducted an dissection on a few, and found some aspects of its physiology that I could not explain. There were clusters of cells that seemed to be able to generate an electric charge. I considered it was defensive, but I doubt the charge would be enough to hurt a Yamataian or Nekovalkyrja. If you like we could go to the Campus and see the specimens that we sent there. It would be useful to have a second set of eyes look at them, and perhaps you can take a crack at their DNA."

Darnell smiled slightly when Sune said it was probably artificial. He liked being proved right, like everyone else in the world. He said, "Cells that generate an electric charge? There are a lot of those. Your heart beats because of an electric charge and it is a large part of how your brain works. Did you have any reason to believe it wasn't something as mundane as this? And you said parasite, do you know what its host is then?"

He stood up, "Well, I thought they would leave it to the SSS or someone with a college degree, but I am not going to complain if I get a crack at it. I'll do a DNA analysis, but do you have any reason in particular? I don't mind, we might find out what species the Mish modified it from, but it is an oddly specific request. Do you want to clone them, or something?" He made a motion to the effect of, go and I'll follow.

The looks, the sighing; Junko was worried about what she had done to upset the Taii. Staring down at her plate, she chased some eggs about with her fork while the officer chatted with one of the new additions to the crew. Her mind was in overdrive, trying to intuit what had warranted such a cold reception for their input. Saying we only got through by luck? Himeya's criticism of the bridge team? She glanced over at Himeya; if either of those comments had upset the Taii she would be much surprised. Looking back down at her food again, Junko decided to wait. In her estimation, the Taii was the sort that wouldn't stay quiet if she wanted to hear more... or if she wanted to dress them down. Dreading the latter, Junko abandoned the eggs and began chasing about a sausage.

Letting Ramiro follow her to welcome up Mikael, she stopped mid-skip to bow to the Taisa. "G-good morning, Taisa." she said energetically, but politely.
Turning to her potential-new-friend Mikael, she said, "I'd just thought I'd come over here to say: Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Eucharis! I really do help you're both healthy and happy, and that you make lots of new friends here....like me! I'm Konoka Miyazawa, the medical specialist. Really, welcome. What's your name? How old are you? Are you enjoying your breakfast? Yay! I'm so happy to meet a new person, because everyone in the world has the possibility to become a great new friend! I think I'm lucky to live in a world where I have so many friends just waiting to be made. So I hear you're an infantryman....I do hope you enjoy that. Have you met the rest of the crew? Over there, that's Ramiro Valencia, a grey-panel. Are you doing anything today? There's so many things in this world just waiting to make you smile....Yay!"

She offered a hand to shake, smiling in the glow of her own happy-go-lucky, outgoing attitude. She really did have more fun being cheerful. It just made the SAoY more of a happy place. Konoka, anyways, was determined to be remembered as someone who made others happy. That was why she enjoyed helping people, after all. There was just so much to 'yay' about.
Yay.

"Good morning, Konoka" the Taisa replied to the clumsy medical specialist.

To Mikael, she said, "If you have no plans, hook up with someone who does have some and tag along. If we travel in groups, we will be safer. Even in a high-security place like Kyoto, there is still danger. I know--I found out the hard way a while back. As for me, if no one needs me, I think I may head over to the Empress' Palace for old time's sake."

Sune stood and started making his way towards the exit. “That is one of the more troubling things. These creatures seemed design to infest our starships. When we arrived aboard the Irim-Gunship Paradise, that ship was already infested. And the sensor logs of both the Paradise and Eucharis show a direct correlation between the energy levels of the ship and the rate of growth of the infestation. And then for no immediately discernable reason the growth stopped on the Paradise.”

Hopefully we can catch a cab instead of walking to the SSS Campus Sune thought. “As for the cell clusters, they were definitely not ganglia or any other typical neurotransmitter cell. The configuration reminded me of capacitors; neurotransmitter cells are arranged linearly. These were connected in a parallel structure, perhaps to increase the level of energy. But I could not get any of the samples to use it in a defensive manner. So their purpose remains a mystery.” Sune paused and held the door for Darnell. “As for getting access, the Eucharis was the ship that brought the samples to them. I sincerely doubt they would deny Ketsurui Hanako-Taisa’s crew access. As for the DNA analysis cloning them is not what I was thinking. The Taisa has made it clear that she wants a defense against these and whatever parasites the Mishhuvurthyar may create. We know they go dormant if you remove the atmosphere, but that is not truly a defense. Perhaps the analysis will reveal some sort of weakness that we could exploit with a biological countermeasure. At least that is my current hope.”

Darnell said, "They infest ships? Did the paradise make it out? It would be useful to count the number of bugs and compare it to their effect. As well as what the eventual end was. A weapon that just steals power is only useful if it can stop a ship, and it didn't stop you." He felt it was necessary to add, "Not that I wish it did."

Darnell said, "If they reminded you of capacitors, they probably are artificial. But I don't think even we are capable of making a being from scratch. Nekovalkyrja and Yamataians are both based on Nepleslians, for example. So it probably was something before it was modified, even if that thing seems completely unrelated. There might be an answer there. Of course, without live test subjects it might be hard to determine if anything will work for certain."

He nodded in thanks as he held open the door and Darnell held open the second set after going through, and continued, "There are thousands of toxins and diseases I would guarantee could kill these things, but I couldn't guarantee they wouldn't kill you." He paused a moment, "If they need to physically bite through a machine, we could coat what they attach to with poison. It would still kill a Nekovalkyrja, but they'd be fine assuming they didn't chew on the wires. It isn't the most elegant or cost effective solution, but it might work."

"I'll see about doing that, Thank you for your help Hamada-Taii, please excuse me but I must be going now, I've got a long day ahead", Tasuku bowed again, and made his way toward his hotel room. The thought of a hot shower and fresh clothes was more appealing than keeping up a persona around both the officers and the enlisted personnel, after 2 years alone the social event was still somewhat disconcerting.

I really don't think I'll get an answer about this mystery money, ah well I reported it, guess I can't get in trouble for it now at least. Tasuku thought as he walked to his room.

The Taii nodded in acknowledgement of Tasuku's bow before looking back to the two enlisted at the table around her. For a moment it looked as though she were about to say something ominous, but then she leaned forward slightly.

"I appreciate what you are trying to accomplish by being discreet with your criticism, but you are now beyond the rank in which it is required."

The Taii sat back.

"I had hoped to speak to all our new Heisho together. It seems as if this morning is not the time, but this is important, so let me make a few of my expectations clear. First, I do not expect you to be perfect. Making Heisho in a handful of missions is not the way the Star Army promotes and it would be naive of me to expect the performance of a veteran from Heisho with so little experiance. However, I do expect you to share what experiance you do have, because it is more experiance in your profession than I have, and I am not a mindreader."

"Put simply, your job from this point onward is to open your mouth. Yell if you have to. Scream if nobody's listening. And if that doesn't work, come to me. I may not agree with you on all counts, but I will listen to you, because there are certain things you know that I do not."

The tea that Himeya had brought the Taii was already half-empty. The Taii checked it, tipping it toward herself. There was something casual about the motion that relaxed the atmosphere slightly. Perhaps it was because it took her peculiar gray eyes away from the two of them.

"Himeya-Hei - I wish that you would extend me that same courtesy. If you want to say something to me, please do it plainly. Does that sound fair?"

Sune replied to Danell’s inquiry. “The Paradise and the other ships in the mothball fleet were destroyed by the Taisa. It was necessary to keep them from falling into the Misshu hands. They didn’t really steal power; they just seemed to operate on the ambient energy. The infestation aboard the Paradise did not appear to affect the ship’s operation. So their purpose remains a mystery.”

Sune listened to Darnell’s proposed methods of dealing with the bugs. “I agree those methods are a bit extreme and are probably more dangerous that would be acceptable for a fleet wide deployment. The SSS has live samples so a proposed method would be able to be tested. I was thinking perhaps some sort of counter life form or maybe a small drone designed to eradicate pests.”

Nika was sure in replying as honest as possible, however, it seemed to her that their Taii was not taking it positively due to the fact that Shizu was sighing while looking back at the report.

The slight tension was released when Tasuku approached the table and had a few words with Shizu regarding a 'bonus' in his accounts. With that distraction, Nika whipped out her communicator and checked...

"So this is the extra..." Nika nodded in surprise at the 'windfall'.

Hamada-Taii then turned back to them, giving her comments and her views, which Nika listened, nodding slightly until the former addressed her directly.

"Himeya-Hei - I wish that you would extend me that same courtesy. If you want to say something to me, please do it plainly. Does that sound fair?"

Click to expand...

"Hai, Hamada-Taii." Nika gave a nod, noting that Shizu's tea was almost finished. "Does anyone still want any drinks? I can go get some."

Ramiro followed Konoka over to where Mikael and the Taisa was. Ramiro started grinning a bit and started slouching once Konoka went on her rant. He knew fully well from his first days that this was going to take a while. He gave a little head nod when his name was mentioned and kinda rolled his eyes again, hoping Konoka wouldn't see. Once Konoka was finished Ramiro stepped forward a bit and offered his hand for a shake, "Don't worry, you don't actually have to answer all those questions, and yes you will get used to it."

Junko was thoroughly taken aback. The Taii was unhappy because we were too restrained? Of all the scenarios she had considered in her fear, that had not even been close to being among them. She seemed ready to sink back into contemplation when Himeya's reply caused her to look back up with a start. "No thank you, Himeya-hei," she said before turning to look back at the officer. "If you will forgive my frankness then, ma'am. Obviously, handling damage control and repairs myself was... stressful. Blueberry-Juni's assistance was, of course, invaluable, and I know that in a wartime setting I can hardly expect that more technicians can be transferred in to alleviate that burden. So dealing purely with issues that can be more readily addressed, I found communication between the Bridge and Engineering lacking."

She looked quickly over at Himeya, hoping she hadn't given offense. "Himeya-hei being the exception, I was hardly ever contacted by the Bridge either to update me on the situation or to consult me on technical subjects. I speak with particular reference to the handling of the infestation of those... bugs," she said with the faintest of shudders. "I was not informed of the decision to release an electrical discharge along our power systems until it had already been made. From my exchange with the Bridge it was clear that a consensus had been reached as all of my input at that time was roundly ignored. That the discharge would have little impact on the bugs not actually on power conduits, even that at the moment of the discharge no actual damage caused by the bugs had been reported; this was available to the Bridge for the decision making process if they had simply consulted me prior to making the decision."

Junko stopped and, out of breath, gulped in air. "I apologize for going on about past issues, ma'am. I'm not trying to be a malcontent; I don't even have that much of a problem with the decision, flawed though it was. But if you want my unreserved opinion about problems aboard the ship, ma'am, it's inter-departmental communication."