RP: YSS Kaiyō Mission Fourteen: Uekiya pt. II

YSS Kaiyo II
Bridge

The rounded woman, who had fallen asleep on the bridge, mumbled something sleepily as the sneklady shook her. Her bright eyes sliiiightly cracked open, blinking sleepily in confusion as the iris contracted, focusing light with the lens through the pupil. She mumbled, "Wh-whaaa....? Hmmm?"

Straightening up a bit, one long, paled magenta wing twitching a bit, she yawned and looked at her display. Things looked... A bit different than she remembered. What happened?, she thought to herself. Oh right, Nerai was kinda... staring at her. She said something about comfort? "H-hiii there... What's going on again...?" Even though she still was drunk on the fatigue that had washed over her from seemingly nowhere, Arbles gave a smile to the nice snek-lady.

Spehs around the KAIWO 2

Arete had sighed to herself when everyone got called out to space again. She was really looking forward to a shower and a good hot dinner soon, but as it turns out there were other plans going on. Dammit. At least in open space, her starfire rounds were more helpful. Those things could shred a smaller ship's shields in a couple of seconds if she unloaded them together. They do pretty okay versus exterior armor, too. It's just... On the insode of a ship, with its relatively weaker inner walls and stuff, starfire rounds could gut the whole craft by accident. Which makes it had to take the ship intact.

Seeing as he had very little experience in medicine, there wasn't much Able could do, besides put a gentle pressure on the neck to keep blood from pooling out much too quickly. However, the ragtag group's efforts were in vain. No response from the MEGAMI's brain, and nothing left to do besides wrap this up and report to the... Wait. The power armor bay? Oh no... They had company, it seemed. That was the only reason he could come up with for having to meet in such a place. Without question, he tossed off his apron and gloves, swiftly moving for the door, and down the hall to the lift that would take him there.

Able didn't dwell too much on their failure to revive the MEGAMI's brain. It already seemed like a flawed, less-than-likely scenario, and when they did get absolutely nowhere, and received confirmation of that fact, Able wasn't surprised or disappointed. He was just happy to have been called out of the bay to somewhere more suited to his talents. Sure, he couldn't fly a suit of power armor, but it did mean one thing... Action. And action he could certainly do.

As the plan was laid out for him and everyone else in attendance, Able watched and nodded silently, not needing any further clarification. Ah... The age old military tactic of guerrilla warfare, updated for a modern context. The asteroids would make hitting the ship very difficult for their enemies, and treacherous to traverse. With the ship's away team hiding within the field, the enemy also wouldn't see an attack coming before they were already halfway through punching a hole in the flagship's defenses. A beautifully established plan, indeed. However, from the looks on his crewmates' faces, he could tell they weren't quite confident. In fact, a few looked as if they were mentally preparing for their own funerals.

Upon receiving his orders, Able heaved a sigh before reluctantly nodding. He hated the idea of the away team being out in treacherous waters, while he stood by in waiting. Though, he could understand why. A Mamushi flying around aimlessly, surrounded by enemy scouts was an easy target, and Able couldn't do anyone any good dead. At least not yet. As Eden gave Able his final send-off, he stood up straight, gaze stoic. "I will do what I can to ensure success. I promise that much."

As his comrades all got suited up and began filtering through the bay doors, Able placed a hand on Eden's shoulder. Not the most respectful gesture, but one that was meant to indicate something important. "I... Am but a machine. My life thus far has been short, yet eventful... And I lack the emotional capability to enjoy it. At the end of the day, machines are broken and rebuilt, fixed every single day. My death means little here. But you... This ship needs you. Keep yourself alive. For their sake." He murmured, nodding to those exiting into outer space. With those words, he turned his back, leaving the PA bay behind.

As Able practically sprinted into the hangar, tossing himself into his Mamushi and starting up the engine, he took a deep and thoughtful breath. This wasn't the time to feel fear, he convinced himself, hating the small bits of humanity that broke free every now and then in moments like these. What he said was the truth and nothing but the truth. His well-being meant nothing. He was a machine. A tool of war that could be rebuilt much better, whenever desired. His job was to keep those unfixable alive. At whatever cost. Even if it meant turning his damned fighter into a Kamikaze missile to do so.

Clearing his throat, he hooked up his comms, gripping the control stick hard. "This is Able. On Standby."

YSS Kaiyo II
Fabrication Bay
Well... Guess it didn't work... Was this Kiki's fault? Did she cause them to lose the information, perhaps by failing to maintain an equal amount of chemicals in the MEGAMI's head? Kiki hoped not... she didn't think so anyway... At least she hadn't gotten any of the red hemosynth and whatever else was in the new pool on the floor on her wings, miraculously.

Power Armor Bay
Kiki had proceeded to the power armor bay to put on her Mindy. This would be the first time she used it in a combat scenario, so in that respect she had never used it before, at least not for real. Actually it was debatable whether or not she had been in any combat scenario before considering she had stayed in the Engineering bay for almost every mission prior to this one. Playing doctor and now soldier, this was certainly an interesting day for her. She couldn't deny that she was afraid, for she most certainly was, since she hadn't been directly in the action of the combat before, added on to the fact that she would get her first taste of the battlefield kicking off with notoriously tough enemies.

Her Mindy was certainly as unusual as her hairstyle, its loadout consisting of a variety of armaments. She had Leg NSB Launchers on the leg hardpoints, a Missile Pod on her right shoulder, a Scalar Machine Gun on her left shoulder, and the wings of the Elysian variant of the Mindy 4 on her back. But the wings weren't the only thing on her back, oh no, for her Mindy's dorsal hardpoint held the most unusual attachment of all- a "Kalamari" Manipulator Arm System. Kiki entered the Mindy- and speaking of her hairstyle, so did her crest, which was pressed down into a messy, unorganized puff on top of her head, only obscured from the vision of others by the helmet. The cockatoo had already seen that coming, but that didn't mean she liked it. Lastly, she went and grabbed her handheld weapon, an Aether Beam Saber Rifle.

At least she was ready. When Eden had told them to depart, Kiki flew out of the armor bay with her peculiar monstrosity of a Mindy, going slowly through the doors since she couldn't say she was eager to get into combat. Perhaps the most comforting feeling was the fact that she would get to try out her new Mindy, but was that really a comfort if she didn't know how good her loadout would be?

WE'RE IN SPAAAAAAACE
The parrot-octopus proceeded to her coordinates marked amongst the space objects. She quickened her pace a bit once she was in the open asteroid field, because she wanted to get to cover as soon as possible. After all, of all her Mindy's modifications, a shield module was not included, so how much damage would she be able to take?

Kaiwo Bridge

As the Arble slowly came to, Nerai's icy white slitted eyes narrowed a bit in delight. "Chlo-chan will take over from here honey, you better get some proper rest, alright~?"

Taking the birds hand, the snakeaunt helped her out of the big padded chair.
"Hoshi wants you to take a nap in her suite, doesn't that sound nice~?"

The scene makes her think of many times in the past, when Abart and his siblings reslly werent much bigger than Arble was righ now, some times those were....

Power Armor Bay

Iemochi sent a message to Eden, "I can't go out there. If I die and Arbs gives birth that'd would end me. There's no way I can go out there and be of use rather than detriment. You promised us we would be together no matter what on this mission."

It was a blunt message but he knew Eden didn't appreciate requests of emotion but was sure as a mother she'd be able to understand.

YSS Kaiyō II
Power Armor Bay

Eden replied back, telepathically, to Mochi. "What are you asking to do?"

YSS Kaiyo II
Power Armor Bay

Seinosuke paused for a fraction, then responded swiftly. "Kyoi had an idea for meteors. I could run the calculations and pass location data to her. Battle data analysis and formation prediction from a wide-angle would also assist more than a reluctant presence with a rifle he hasn't fired in months."

YSS Kaiyō II
Power Armor Bay

"How would you pass data to any of us without giving away our locations and presence within the field?" Eden asked.

Power Armor Bay

Another short pause, the scientist realising how much time this conversation was taking up. "Telepathy originally. Once you engage I can light up. I'm sure you'd like to know the predicted layout of the ship, which I've always given on demand since our first mission. Eden, do you want to explain to Arbs why I wasn't there to hold her hand? Able-hei could use some info about where not to shoot the ship so he doesn't hit you guys or ammo near you."

YSS Kaiyō II
Power Armor Bay

"I don't believe those are good enough excuses for leaving the battlefield. Your job has already been defined for you. If you don't want to do it, don't do it, but don't tell me you'd be more useful elsewhere when I need you working with the team on the field. Hold your wife's hand, but don't get upset when there are consequences to that action." Eden said it rather bluntly in a fraction of a second over telepathy.

YSS Kaiyō II
Power Armor Bay

Mochi froze at that, taking a moment to register that now this was an order. They may have been asked here on request but refusal here would spell bad news. Possible death or definite punishment, it was time to choose. "Alright. Let's go." Seinosuke lowered his head a fraction in submission, though he respected his friend and superior's decision.

Hefting the MAW he held, Mochi noted that it was a sniper rifle and he could stay at the very rear of the formation. With STs down, perhaps he could even save some lives too from the rearguard. In his Mindy, the father-to-be stepped to his position ready for launch.

YSS Kaiyō II
Power Armor Bay

Eden was surprised by he wave of emotions that came over her as she found herself thinking of Arble alone and her husband far from her, in the face of danger. Consequences were only applicable if Hoshi agreed Mochi backing out of the battle was worthy of something like a demotion, as well as Teien Eden's own decision not wavering when it came down to it after returning to Yamatai and being away from the heat of battle.

She almost said something silly, about looking out for him and watching his back. She knew what her role in this was and she couldn't make a promise like that when she was both mentally prepared to watch out for everyone as well as become a martyr for her crew, if necessary.

Able-hei's words registered in her mind at that thought and she resolved to not allow anyone, even herself, die on this mission. The XO's fists clenched and unclenched before she took a running leap from the ship and was out in space. As she left, she turned and took a last look at the Kaiyō II as the last one out. She watched as even Able's Mamushi found a place among the asteroid field's edge and powered down in waiting.

She twisted back around and then was idling on a rock as it listlessly stayed suspended in the dark matter of space.

Bridge

"The away team is off the ship," Boss informed the bridge.

"Deio-heisho, keep an open line of communication with Gravity-hei. Gravity, move away from the away team's varying positions before we light up." Hoshi gripped her hands together over her skirted lap as she spoke.

Asteroid Field

The Kaiyō II moved away from them and, soon, the team was surrounded by the darkness of space and that, alone, was what their visuals would show. A few minutes later, though, the blueish and orangey hues of aether engines could be seen far off in the distance.

Eden almost spoke telepathically, then stopped herself. The crew, too, would know not to use telepathy at this point, because of the possibility that their other selves would begin to be in the vicinity of telepathic communications, as was briefly brought up in the briefing.

Soon, the fighters and scouts were pushing around the asteroid field, not registering the crew at all. Eden was able to make out the larger escorts further off and, given some time, the ship that resembled a Yuumi-class battleship came into view. It was lit up on all sides save for the prow by the aether engines of its escorts. Eden knew it was time for the fighter pilot to do the deed of giving away its position while simultaneously shooting down the shields of the flagship, but she was hesitant to trust in this plan fully. Seeing the girth of the ship, she questioned if the fighter's aether weaponry would be enough to take down the shields of the IYS Empire.

Again, she itched to speak, but was not willing to raise any IYS alarms and held her proverbial telepathic tongue.

YSS Kaiyō II
Bridge

Asuka spoke to Gravity quickly and concisely about what was entering the field and what was at the edge of it and Hoshi trusted the pilot to be wily enough to avoid weapon's fire while also drawing the fleet's attention.

Asteroid Field

Wyatt could taste it as he let another breath of air into his respiratory system, that taste that came from his breath being recycled without scrubbers - the carbon dioxide level continued to slowly but surely rise as the rumble of approaching spacecraft got the marksman's attention. The minkan didn't stick his head out, the information he could gather was enough.

Had he been a man prone to cursing, Wyatt probably would've mutter something about 'a lot of fucking ships' to himself, but he stayed silent and waited for the go-ahead - using biological inertial control to remain hidden behind his assigned space-boulder.

The bow in his hand felt... inadequate for what was about to come, but he had a backup plan.

Three of them in fact, all wrapped in a purple paint job but only one had an actual handle.

Asteroid Field

HOLY FUCK IS THAT A YUUMI-

Hush. Silence will lead us to the success of this operation. True, it could have been an Izanagi. Pessimism will cloud your mind. Stay objective. Fear? Natural. Fear is a good influencer, allowing more conservative decisions to be made. The asteroid strike may have to be used anyways. One fighter will be destroyed by point defense fire. Are the shaped charges here?

Kyoi checked her cargo pouch. Sure enough, explosives pressed into shaped charges. The SAINT smiled, a very different smile than the normal cheerful one she normally had.

Perfect.

Asteroid Field

Ah perfect, a battleship to deal with. Alastair stayed in his position but did stand to look at the ship. He expected them to bring the big guns but its still awe inspiring to see a battleship first hand. He remembered this type of ship from his study at training school and how it was no longer in use back home. He chuckled to himself as he remembered how heavily armed that class of ship was. The crew of the Kaiyo would be like small nats buzzing around that ship. Either way this did not change his plan of action. Should the shields hold he had his own idea.

Alastair moved from his position and vanished on the dark side of the asteroid. Moving to put his plan into action.

Asteroid Field

Ragnar’s eyes widened as he tried to remember any mention of a small flotilla or a battleship. Well that certainly isn’t what I expected, he thought bitterly as he glanced at the bayonet on the scalar smg. It had seemed silly and oversized earlier now he felt silly and small.

The XO’s orders had been clear however and he still felt that fire in his gut. Medics’ jobs were easy anyway; swat the baddies away from our own heavy hitters and keep everyone’s inside on their inside. He risk a nod in the direction of the other medics. Maybe they were watching, hell maybe they could even see the gesture. Better that than to risk a word or slip of the thoughts.

History during and before the empire was filled with unlikely moments of heroism and success like this. Ragnar felt a little proud to be part of one potential such moment.

YSS KAIYO II
SPACE

Well, thats...happening, Odo thought as he peered over his asteroid and noticed the ships heading this way. He pushed bad thoughts out as he felt the adrenaline start to surge through his body. If he survived this, he was going to be shaking pretty bad once he got back to the ship. He signed up to serve on a military starship, he knew he was going to see battle eventually.

He sank back down behind his asteroid and calmed his breathing. He waited for orders to be given, knowing that it could start at any moment.

Asteroid Field

Kaori held her position of stealth along with the rest of the crew, thinking to herself only. There were several escorts, flanking the target on all sides save for the very front. Unfortunately, the prow was where the most defensive and offensive systems would be places, and the Yuumi was no different. If it were anything near what Yamatai proper used, this wasn't going to be a fair fight. 28 decks, 3000 feet in length, the monster of a ship could take down fleets on its own accord. On the opposition was a gunship, a crew, and a few chief weapons.

They had the element of surprise and misdirection on their side. The Fuji-class was an entirely new ship, as well as whatever untested, untrusted, amd almost sacrilegious Mishhuvurthyar-stained technology had been brought by these unanticipated allies.

Oh what a day, what a lovely day.

YSS Kaiyo II
Bridge

All was quiet at the engineering station. Anastasia nodded half-solemnly as the away teams departure was announced overhead. For now, there was nothing the veteran could do but wait for orders and ready herself for whatever was about to come.

As Able's Mamushi skidded to a halt directly above the away team, shrouded by the cover of the asteroids, Able kept a very close eye on his HUD, watching as the blips appeared one by one, and there were a lot. All ranging from small to medium in size, and nothing too scary just yet. Then, their objective came into view. Nothing like the fighter pilot, or anyone else for that matter was expecting. He stared in visible horror, and was happy nobody could see. A Yuumi-class Battleship? Him vs. that? It'd rip through him like tissue paper!

Besides fear, there was anger. He remembered well what he had told himself and Eden. He was a machine. A machine that could be rebuilt at any time. His life was meaningless in comparison to hers. But now that he sat here, face-to-face with death itself, he couldn't help but feel a mix of things. For one... How could his superiors put him in a surely failing scenario like this? Was he this disposable? So disposable that he could be flung at whatever danger and soak up enemy fire like his well-being meant nothing to them? Secondly... As much as he hated to admit such a weakness... He didn't want to die.

He couldn't believe what thoughts were running through his mind. Hell, if he could cry, he would.

Despite how contradictory his words from before and these thoughts were, he gritted and bared his teeth as his hands shook with terror and rage, hailing the bridge. "This was your master plan, Taii? Shosa? Send a Mamushi to face a Yuumi-class head-on? Alone?" He asked, tone full of vitriol. "Surely you know there is no chance of my survival? This is a suicide mission. Even if I was to unload my entire payload, there is absolutely no way that they will even scratch the shields of the-" He stopped himself, taking a deep breath. They knew little more than he did about the situation... Nobody expected a vessel of this magnitude. His metaphorical blood just wasn't on their hands.

"Able engaging. It was an honor serving with you all." He said over comms, unable to hide the shakiness in his voice. Untying the bandana from around his arm, he gave it a gentle kiss, eyes closed for a moment as he tried to calm himself long enough to do his part. With that, he laid the cloth in his lap before taking off from his idle position, barreling and maneuvering through thick patches of asteroids on his way to the flagship in a vain attempt to get the drop on his enemies. Even though he was probably firmly on their radar already, he had to do anything to survive. To even have any chance at all of getting his payload anywhere near their shields.

He kept a close eye on his proximity to the target, wanting to start letting loose torpedoes as soon as he knew they'd reach. Just a bit closer... Just a bit closer... NOW! With determination, he pressed the button as hard as he possibly could, letting three aether torpedoes fly in a centralized location on the ship, close to the bridge. If he could take out their control hub, this would be a breeze. Assuming his weaponry could do anything at all. Once he had done that, he skimmed the top of the ship, barreling to the side out of the way in hopes of dodging the many turrets that were for sure locked onto his fighter.

The adrenaline was intense. And this far from the Kaiyo, the entire fleet before them was now trained on knocking Able out of the sky.

YSS Kaiyo II
Bridge

"Roger. Moving." Gravity nearly whispered, giving the engines just a slight push before returning them to their idle to avoid premature detection. That allowed the Kaiyo to gently drift away from the infantry, a shadowy behemoth in the darkness of the void.

Her hands gripped the controls like a vice, and she began to psyche herself up for the fight.

Let them come! Let them feel the wrath of Kara "Gravity" Sifsdottir: Dragon Whisperer and Destroyer of Worlds!

No one would lay a hand on her precious crew! She would leave nothing but their echoing screams and dust particles scattered on the void!