RP: YSS Asamoya Mission Two: First Orders

[Soresu]

ON: YSS Asamoya

With the battle won, and the ships of the Fifth needing repairs, as did the Asamoya. Yuriko told Fifth Logistics to attend to their own first before repairing her vessel. Days dragged on into weeks, nearly three to be exact before they finally received their repairs. During that time Yuriko had been able to begin optimizing the power systems of the Asamoya, to be able to squeeze just a little more power out of them. And even developed a prototype for an energy enhancement, and collector for the auxiliary ship's gravimetric engines. With a little sigh as she finished her work down in engineering, a volumetric window popped up, with automated orders for her. Glancing over them, Yuriko couldn't help but smile just a little bit.

Kessah sighed boredly from the other side of engineering, looking over to her Shoi with a tired look. "... That window doesn't mean more of me crawling around fiddling with things, right? Right?"

Koharu had been keeping herself entertained by reviewing the flight logs of the Asamoya's performance in the previous battle in an attempt to become better acquainted with the Himiko's classes piloting controls.

"No...it seems we have orders." Yuriko replied. Since the battle, and subsequent breakfast with Misato, she'd also been spending sometime with the Shosho, to get to know her better. "It seems we have orders. And I am having Fifth Logistics send over supplies, and torpedoes to refill those used during the battle."

"Koharu-chan, this is Yuriko, could you please have MEGAMI pull up any information on the star systems in the area please? And have it ready for me?" Yuriko added.

At the moment, Saito was sitting in the Wardroom reading over the same data Koharu was to learn and pick apart the tactics used during it. It had been chaotic to watch from the bridge and he could only imagine how stressful it had to have been. Hmm... He purred to himself, thinking about all the events that had gone on. He didn't quite really know what to do with his time now other than read and study, with Yuriko in engineering working on her tech stuff. He really didn't understand most of that though.

Kessah nodded a little, "... Oh good... That mean... I can go take a nap or somethin'?" She sighed almost lazily, although it was well earned for her, stretching her arms up in the air. 'Super' body or no, it was still a little tiring.

Nana was practically crying with joy. Things became so smashed up and beaten that she was on the clock for almost twenty-four hours straight. It took no time for the pink-haired techie to rush from station to station, checking diagnostics and damage, as well as doing manual inspections which then tended to lead to ripping out broken pieces of machinery and replacing them with shiny new ones. In short, she was in heaven.

"Aye aye," Koharu responded as she opened another volumetric window to retrieve the data that Yuriko requested, and minimized the video data from the battle. "We're doing some exploring or are we supply running?"

Cherry remained where she was the entire time after the battle, when Yuriko didn't have orders for her obviously; her room, on the bed. In thought. What kind of thoughts? By her slight depressed attitude of late, not to swell thoughts.

"Nana-chan, how are the repairs looking on the auxiliary ship's engines?" Yuriko asked the technician over a private channel. "We will need to have a mission briefing shortly Kessah, a short nap. Around thirty minutes sadly." She said to the other techie before going back to the window with Koharu. "Actually a little bit of exploring and perhaps preliminary colonization."

"Ah, so you're fishing to get an Asamoya Nebula on our charts? Oh maybe a misty passage," Koharu mused as she glanced over the astrogation charts. "We'll have to be careful though, they're down but the Mishhu are not completely out. There might just MAY BE pirates out here somewhere in the middle of no where doing... piratey things."

Kessah groaned a little, and nodded. Unlike Nana's fetish for her job, Kessah liked rigging things. Getting things to work. Playing with shoddy things till they worked. Mid-battle repairs, maybe. Repairs when you don't have parts. However, Yamatai ships were so self automated and so easy to restock that it felt more of a chore for her sometimes. Sure, she still had a good time sometimes, but not like she wanted. Oh well.

"Actually no Koharu-chan... we are to explore a planetary system.It has already been named. Though I am not too good with them myself." Yuriko admitted as she looked over to Kessah. "If there are pirates we should be fine. It also seems we will be having some company for this trip."

Saito would come over to Yuriko after a few moments, just asking a minor question. Yuriko, do you mind if I go down the PA bay to study the armors we have on board? After that last battle I'd at least like a chance to examine one and its weapons in person.

By all means. Just be careful, 'Tenshi can be protective. Yuriko replied.

Don't worry I know how to handle her... Saito came back with the impression of a smile as he got up and started to head out of the wardroom to start toward the bay. "Hmm..."

Kessah probably really shouldn't have perked up in such a attentive, yet pleased way. Especially followed by a couple of vocal noises forming the word, in a more of a surprised, happy squeak, "Pirates?!" She paused for a moment, "... Where exactly are we going?"

"Alrighty, I have the charts ready for you. Would you like them now, Yuriko-san?" Koharu replied again looking at the charts curiously. It should be interesting, she knew it would. Plus, she was looking forward to something aside from a war detail for once.

"They haven't exploded yet." Nana happily responded as she fished through broken pieces, "I don't think anything's been lost that can't be patched up... they're looking a bit banged up." She only served to bang them up further, though it was for good cause this time! Goggles in place, the overjoyed Nana went back to work without a second thought. If something did manage to blow up, she'd probably be just as giddy if she didn't die first.

"A solar system about fifteen to twenty light years away Kess." Yuriko explained as she turned her attention back to Koharu. "Yes please." She held her stomach a moment and cleared her throat, sighing just a tad. "We will need them online soon Nana-chan, the damage shouldn't be too extensive, we just had severe overheating."

Kessah fell to the floor cross legged suddenly, drawing a few circles in the air with her finger tip, various words mouthing off her lips but not being said. This continued for a moment before her shoulders slumped a little, "Dang, not James."

"Here you go, Yuriko." Koharu grinned as she had MEGAMI send the charts to the Captain. "This looks like a fun system to explore."

"There have also been reports of Mishhuvurthyar activity in the area, and we've been ordered to eliminate them." Yuriko added to Koharu as she got the charts.

"...oh, is that all?" So the banging up was her fault. She did tend to get a bit overexcited, after all. That little bit was not relayed to Yuriko, Nana instead quickly enough reversing her own damage and curbing her enthusiasm, lest she cause the Asamoya to fall apart due to her exuberance. A gloved fist wound pound against the engine a few times between repairs, before she heard them beginning to charge, or warm up, or rev or whatever the word was. "Awesome. I think I did it."

"Even more fun when there are bugs to squash," Koharu pouted as she closed the window and re-examined the Asamoya's logs again.

Kessah spoke up again, "'ey, Yuriko... How long exactly till we are leaving? After briefing?"

Saito would head to the PA bay where the Mindies were housed and looked around a bit. "Hmm. I never really learned how to use these things. I'd love to learn sometime.." he mused as he did.

"Well it also seems we will be having escorts for this too Koharu, plus it also seems Tange-Shosho," Yuriko stopped a moment and cleared her throat."Has sent us ten M7 Sarah power armors as a guard as well as two Sakura-Class Light Gunships."

"Yes Kess, after the briefing. Maybe before then since we have a long distance to cover. Who knows, maybe no briefing at all." The Shoi added airly as she walked out of engineering.

A small hover sprite came up behind Saito, peering over his shoulder. Big golden eyes blinking as she stared at what he was looking at.

Saito blinked and turned halfway to see Shii again, the light catching his hair and making it shine. "Oh Hi Shii-chan." he smiled at her.

Kessah yelped in joy at a idea and scurried right past Yuriko with a tight squeeze, her chest brushing up against Yuriko's leg before running off. Toward the starboard lounge.

"Woo! We have power!" Her triumphant cackling echoed through the engine room.. or rather, engine dungeon, as Nana quickly climbed back out to safety. She'd have rather not gotten flash fried, so she was quick to wiggle her way back outside. Once in the hallway, she'd begin the grueling process of stripping out of her environmental suit, goggles hanging loosely around her neck. "I really do underestimate myself, sometimes.. I gotta give myself more credit."

Yuriko just blinked as she saw Kessah leave, and the Shoi heading up towards the bridge. Once there, she sighed, wiping at her brow, a hand on her stomach.

Unfortunately for Saito, Shii was now staring at his hair, her hands together in front of her, her eyes large, round and sparkly as she was seemingly amazed by it.

Saito blinked and couldn't help but laugh softly as she did, and knelt downto her level to let her touch and play with it if she wanted. He found her to be adorably cute and really couldn't say no to her, just like he couldnt' say no to Yuriko's innocent face.

"Shiney..."Shii squeaked as she began patting him on the head.

He laughed and let her play with it. "Yes very shiny." he said and watched her out of the corner of his eye.


The suit would be placed away neatly inside of one of the compartments before Nana began to wander on down the corridor. She wished to return to her crewmates and gloat about her amazing achievement, despite the fact that this was not the first time she'd fixed a ship's engines. Her arms swung absently from side to side, her step seeming like more of a victory march than anything else. She could be heard humming cheerfully to herself, much as she often did after doing something she'd been proud of.

At that time, Aki left a room nearby Nana, a data pad in her hand, her eyes roving over it.

Kessah sat down in the middle of the room crosslegged, adjusting herself so her legs were tight together and she was still comfortable. No small feat for some, but it helped that she kicked off her boots prior. Clapping her hands twice, a window appeared in front of her. MEGAMI had learned this small ritual. "Please wait." Came the voice above.

"I bet you are ready to get out of here no?" Yuriko asked Koharu as she patted the woman on the shoulder, wearing a friendly smile.

Shii then lunged at Saito's head, scrambling up it, until she was literally laying flat on his head.

Saito acked and laughed as she bowled him over and laid on his head like that. "Shii!" he laughed and reached up to tickle the little sprite along her sides gently.

Shii, feeling herself being tickled squealed and began to thrash around as she was now giggling madly.

Saito laughed and shifted to get out from under her and kept tickling her. "I gotcha now Shii." he chuckled playfully and kept going for a little bit.

Pausing briefly, Nana waved to Aki, seeming to be in a surprisingly good mood as she ambled along, with a huge, dopey grin splashed across her face. She actually looked rather cute at the moment, her goggles dangling around her neck, her gloves on, looking ready to tear up the first piece of machinery that came her way.

"Have fun fixing the engines?" Aki asked lazily.

Kessah rocked a little back and forth on her tail bone. A little painful, yes, but the slight dull pain kept her mind off of the flashing words 'Please wait' on the large window in front of her. Sometimes she thought MEGAMI was just teasing her, getting her antsy in impatience. Which was true, actually. And the person on the other side waited a moment, too. The words disappeared and instead flat black screen appeared for a moment, and Kessah beamed as the image popped up on screen. Her smile was met with another.

And that was it. Nana exploded. "Oh, man.. ohhh, you have no idea! At first I looked in there and I thought, 'these things are dead', but then I was all, 'wait a minute... you're Nana!' and, well, even though I nearly seared my hands off, I triumphed and conquered those.. damnable.. engines. Haaaa..." A heavy sigh, and the pink-haired Neko slumped over in an almost comedic fashion, "..I need a drink."

Aki just waved lazily, and walked away. "Next time try not to damage them instead of fixing them, and then trying to cover it up ok?" The caretaker's voice drifting along as she soon disappeared down a corridor. She WAS connected to MEGAMI after all, and knew the goings on of the ship.

Nana froze, dead in her tracks. Turning around, she eyed Aki as she stalked off, and called out, "Awww.. it was an accident! I fixed them on purpose! Sort of." Mumbling something to herself, Nana continued to creep off, now paranoid of having eyes all around the ship who were going to expose her for breaking things in her overexcited moments.

"Just don't blow us up, and all will be well." Aki's distant voice sounded a little echoed as she then entered a room to turn over the beds, and clean.

"Yeah, I'm ready to go, Yuriko, are you sure you're up for this?" Koharu asked quietly as she turned in her chair to face Yuriko. She had noticed she was continuously touching her stomach. "If you'd like to wait, I don't think any one would mind."

"I'm fine Koharu-chan, the twins are just a little active today." Yuriko said good naturedly as she now wore a reassuring smile.

"So that's what's going on. Now, are you sure that you don't want to kick your heels up here until the twins are ready to come out? I think we could wait a another few weeks to start this, you and Cherry could take some leave time as well," Koharu suggested with a soft, concerned smile.

Shii now hung in the air, shifting positions wildly as she continued to giggle, writhing just a little as the samurai continued.

Of course, with MEGAMI access the sprites would know of Kessah's ways. Not... that they didn't pretty much have incestuous lovin' either, but thats not the point. "About time, sis. So what, want the end result to be me pretending to pole dance for ya or something?" Kerigan grinned evilly, teasing her poor little sister.

"Hey! I'm in the lounge, damnit. Stay clean." Kessah smirked a little, although gave her equally loving sister a wink.

"... I think your mates are probably watching you, recording this conversation. Its the post-Sakura, after all. Its got that reputation." Kerigan chuckled lightly and leaned back in her bed, resting her back against a propped up pillow.

Saito chuckled a bit and eventually stopped to let her breathe and turned his back to her, his hair put up in a ponytail that day. "if you want, Shii you can ride on my back while I take a look at these armors."

Yuriko pursed her lips, and looked away a moment. "Me and Cherry....I don't think we will be together for much longer...things have gone downhill steadily...and well..." She sighed, and went over to her command chair and sat. "Besides...the twins will be born any day now, and they are not Cherry's, they are mine and Midori's...she was a crewmember aboard my first posting, and a Ketsurui Samurai. I asked her to be my contributor."

Shii took a few moments to catch her breath before Saito now had her attached to his back, her little arms about his neck.

Saito blushed a bit and smiled when he felt her weight as he roamed the armor bay, reading the information on the varous armors there. "Hey Shii. have you ever piloted one of these things?" he asked her

"I'm sorry to hear that it's not working out for you and Cherry, Yuriko," Koharu frowned a little. "But it seems you are collecting Samurai. Two more and we'll have a full set."

Yuriko cleared her throat. "We were assigned ten."

Kerr stepped into the engine room. "Hey Nana, MEGAMI told me you're in here." He looked around and spotted the neko. "Oh, hey. I need a favor. What do you know about the Ryusei II?"

"Are we keeping them as a regular crew compliment? If so, we'll have to find cute, asainine nicknames for them all," Koharu retorted back without missing a beat.

"I think they would cut us down..." Yuriko sighed as she heard that.

Kessah and Kerigan shared a fruitful conversation as the others did various other things, and for anyone watching now or later it was actually cleaner then... something extremely clean. They were just talking like sisters, saying what each other was doing, what sucked, teasing each other every chance they got, and so on.

"Nah, they have a sense of humor sometimes. They need to lighten up, I can't imagine someone of my family watching over me and being miserable all the time," Koharu reconnected herself to the ship's piloting controls through her SPINE. "Ready to begin launch sequence, do I need to get clearance to launch from Hotaru?"

"Ah-huh." Nana brushed her bottom off, peeled her gloves off, and adjusted the goggles around her neck, smiling sweetly towards Josef, "That's a...." There'd be a dramatic pause, Nana only smiling, "...thing, right? No, I kid. I know a bit. What's up?"

"I am waiting for the supply loading to finish. About five to ten more minutes." Yuriko replied, and crossed her legs. "Do you think Tai is a good name for a little girl Koharu-chan?"

A message came to Yuriko. It was Midori, come to say her farewell. Oddly enough she wasn't in her normal Samurai uniform.

"Shii was in one during the battle with the mean squid people. Shii finds them scary." Shii huddled up a little closer to Saito, squirming just a little.

Yuriko blinked, and gave Midori permission to board. The Shoi got up from her seat. "Excuse me Koharu-chan... Midori is here so I will be back in a few minutes." She then exited the bridge to go and meet with the samurai.

"Aww well don't worry Shii. I'll protect you against the mean squid people." He smiled back to her and continued to look around. "I actually can't pilot one of these, is it hard for Shii to use them?"

"Are you sure about this?" Reiko asked airly, she however was in her samurai uniform.

"It's cute, it'll be interesting if she becomes a Taii," Koharu replied with a smile as she waited.

"Shii was born with how to pilot them." Shii said wtih a little nod.

"I need to speak with her...So yes." Midori nodded a little, her stoney face in place as she picked at her uniform a little. She still wasn't used to it, the grey panels covering her body, the fabric clinging to her to tightly for her liking. Even with her chest wrapped, it was obvious she was rather well off.

"Well, I was wonderin' if," Kerr's voice trailed off for a minute as his gaze lowered for a minute. "Hey, cute goggles. Anyways, I was wondering if you could modify the Ryusei II to carry the W2903 Anti-Shield Missiles. They're meant for the Athena but the Ryusei II and the Athena are basically the same, right?"

"Hehe lucky Shii then." Saito said and reached back and ruffled her hair gently. "These mindy's are versatile...but not quite my taste.." He mused and looked around a bit and move on to check out the other armors

"Go easy on her, she is the mother of your children after all." Reiko reminded her teacher.

Yuriko soon arrived at the airlock, and it opened for her. The Shoi standing on the other side, in the Asamoya.

"Yuriko-sama picked them all out." Shii explained.

"She should know better then to danger herself as such then..." Midori said with a soft grumble. Seemed the samurai was already defensive. Looking to Yuriko as the airlock opened, Midori gave her a soft scowl. For the Shoi, the uniformed samurai would seem a little odd. "I saw your fight..."

Yuriko just blinked as she saw the scowl. "...Fight?" She asked, pure innocence on her face, honestly having no clue as to what Midori was referring.

Nana perked a brow. Was he really looking at the goggles? She doubted it, and that made her smirk. Shrugging her shoulders a little, she rubbed at her chin gently, "Thanks. Wouldn't we need Yuriko's permission to do that? I mean. I could probably do it, but.. you oughtta get clearance for a fix like that. If she says it's okay, I'll gladly do it. Always love the chance to rip the fighters a new one." Honestly, she was most used to working on the Mindy power armor that Sumaru used, but, she was open-minded and willing to try breaking into new pieces of equipment. And breaking the new pieces of equipment.

"RWAR!" Came a shout from behind Saito, a pair of arms latching onto his back as Tenshi pounced Saito from behind. "And whooo said you could come in here? I never said it!"

Shii squeaked loudly, and shot up into the air, clinging to one of the power armors on the racks.

Saito stumbled a bit and laughed and looked at Tenshi. "Oh you didn't did you?" he purred to her. "I'm actually just here to take al ook at the armors." the silver maned neko said. "Actually Yuriko said I could come down here and harass you for a bit." he joked.

Kerigan meeped suddenly as there was a loud noise from her side of the transmistion, and the two sisters groaned as Kerigan's Taisa burst into her cadet's room. "We're launching, so stop flirting with your sister and get on the bridge with me!" She didn't sound amused, that was for certain, although the two knew the Taisa didn't know of their relationship. Not that it mattered any, but it was more of a personal giggle over the subject now and then. The screen flicked out as the Taisa's ordering before the two could even wave to each other, much to Kessah's disappointment. Oh well, five minutes was better then nothing.

"Yeah, prolly," Kerr agreed. "But let me worry about that. I just wanna see if it could be done."

"Of course it can be done. Look who you're talking to!" Nana pounded her chest gently with a fist for emphasis, a wry grin spreading across her face. She bounced on her heels in an excited fashion, already revved up to tear soe things apart, neglecting to mention that she had no in-depth idea as to how a Ryusei II was built ... but, that could be resolved through trial, error, and getting yelled at for breaking expensive equipment.

Midori nodded some. "During the battle...Your little move?" Midori said in a half ask, half statement tone.

"What about it?" Yuriko asked, pushing her two index fingers together, looking at them. Quite frankly she was embarrassed by such a move. But it seemed to have been effective.

Midori's hand came down softly on the back of Yuriko's head. "It was stupid, reckless, unneeded, and dangerous! You should know better then that!"

"Ano..."Yuriko winced slightly. "I avoided most of their fire...the Asamoya wasn't even scratched."

"And? What if they had had a smart officer, what if one had turned a legacy cannon your way and opened fire?" Midori said, her face fully scowling now.

"We would've been able to withstand it. The Asamoya has six layers of shielding..."Yuriko pointed out.

"Be that as it may, what happens when one shot knocks out the shielding for the battle, then what?" Midori asked aloud.

"We have a backup shield system, and battleship thickness armor. Plus there is one alternative. The Interphasic Drive." Yuriko mumbled, looking away. "Besides, I could've thrown an Interdiction field up at the slightest hint of a Legacy Cannon firing, and stopped it cold."

"Hell yeah!" Kerr shouted. Nana's enthusiasm was infectious. "Gotta love a motivated woman." That had pretty much sold the brown-haired man on the idea among other things. "Ya know what? We should celebrate."


Midori boped Yuriko again, glaring still. "That is beside the point! The point is the move was reckless and unneeded."

"What kinda harrassment? The kind Shii-chan or can't see?" Datenshi asked, the can't see part whispered in a low purr into Saito's ear.

"SMX carriers lack Legacy Cannons, and no other ships equipped with them were in the area. Plus the SMX battleship was in pieces, and the Fifth couldn't get to the carriers. We were the only ones who could" Yuriko pouted, eyes closed as she was bopped.

"Heheh. Motivation's my last name." Nana Motivation. She kind of liked that. Had a nice ring to it. She clasped her hands together and smiled brightly, nodding her head, "We should! How are we celebrating? 'Cuz, I am pumped! Yeah!" The silly techie even gave a righteous leap in the air, complete with fist-pumping action to emphasize her enthusiasm.

"Shii is scared of the mean lady..." Shii squeaked from high up in the power armor racks. The small sprite's head poking up from behind a Harpy's helmet.

Saito purred back to her and chuckled a bit. "That depends how frisky you feel" He pointed out and winked and glanced up at Shii for a moment. "Maybe we can sneak off to a private room if you want that kind of harassment." Saito smirked and looked up at Shii. "Aww then you want me to punish her?" Saito said with a mischiveious grin.

"Hey! I'm not mean! Come here Shii I didn't mean to scare you..." Tenshi raised a brow at Saito's mention of punishment.

"The Arashi escorts from the FCG Decimated the carriers, the Sakura class gunships can punch holes in the defense, you even have torpedos which would have worked better..." Midori said, sounding a little exasperated.

"AS-7 torpedoes don't function inside of Interdiction Fields well. And the Arashi only got to the carriers after we finished off two, and damaged a third." Yuriko mumbled.

"How about a private get-together?

" Kerr suggested. "Your place or mine?"

Midori boped Yuriko again. "That is not the point!" She said.

"Then what is?" Yuriko snapped. "If we hadn't done something more lives would've been at risk!"

Shii just ducked behind the Harpy.

"...So, we're..celebrating..by.." It took a little while for the lightbulb to go on in Nana's head. Machinery was a breeze. Everything else? Not so much. With a little giggle, the pink-haired techie eased closer to Kerr, eyeing him closely, "Are you suggesting what I believe you're suggesting, Mr. Kerr~?" Her voice faded off into a soft purr, a brow lifting curiously.

Saito glanced up at Shii and sighed softly and looked to Tenshi. "Maybe we should give her a little time to calm down some." He said. "I know you didn't mean to startle her like that but it'd be nice of us at least."

"The point is your attack was a reckless jump that only netted a few rewards, but would've costed the lives of your crew! You don't need to be reckless and showy every time you go into battle god damnit!" Midori nearly shouted, her wording and language would be more of a shock then anything.

"From the sound of your voice, yeah," Kerr confirmed. Though she seemed a little on the bubbly and airy side, in his opinion, her thoughts were in all the right places. "I'm not hearing a no, either."

"Yea I suppose so..." Tenshi frowned a litle as she spotted Shii, waving the small sprite over some.

Saito looked at her and watched Shii for a moment. "She'll be ok." he said and floated back a bit and glanced at her. "Where would you like to go?" he watched her for a moment.

"Well, that's because.. I.. didn't say no?" Nana mused quietly, a cute smile on her lips as she rocked idly on her heels, "So, as long as we're picking rooms.. I'd like to see yours.." A sing-song tone of voice, the voices in the perky techie's head cheering her on all the while.

"Showey? Showey?!" Yuriko shrieked, her mood had been decidedly erratic since becoming pregnant. "Is that all everyone thinks I am in this for? Honor, prestige, glory? No! My god Midori, I am a captain, and a soldier. Battle is about risk, without it battle wouldn't be battle. I Couldn't sit back and watch them fight while I did nothing! I do not want to see a repeat of Taiie, I lost too many friends there, and ended up fleeing for my life, nearly being left behind!" She pointed out, back then the Sakura's armor wing had been fleeing for their lives, with a struggling Yuriko trying to catch up, and out run a supernova.

Midori's ears tilted back at the shriek, shaking her head a little. She knew what was going on, though she knew she too had been a little out of line...So much for a farewell and a good luck... Automatically he had MEGAMI create a message, placing it on Yuriko's pillow for her before she simply shook her head. "There are other ways to accomplish the same goal..." Was all the samurai said as she turned and strode away, head down as she left back towards her shuttle which was to soon leave for the college. Turning to Reiko as she passed, she sent her a message. "You are off the YC-28, try to transfer into Yuriko's crew, keep a eye on her until I can return." Midori said to the samurai in training.

It was a pretty big effort on Kerr's part to restrain himself from tossing Nana over his shoulder and carry her back to his room. "Sounds like a plan," he spoke with a smug smirk. "Lets get outta here then." With that, Kerr turned around and led the way toward his quarters. "How do you like card games?"

Nana pranced alongside Josef on the way to his room, her hips swaying as she ambled along. Her mood skyrocketted in an instant, hands smoothing up and down from hips to thighs in an excited manner, her smile never fading, "I've.. never played. You could show me though, yes?"

Midori'd hear the sound of Yuriko slumping down to the deck, and now crying as Reiko rounded on her teacher, arms crossed. "You'd do the same given the situation, and you know it." She scolded Midori before going over to Yuriko, and stalled for a moment before patting her on the back slightly.

Midori let out a sigh, hearing Yuriko slump to the floor. Wilting her ears down she turned around and walked back to Yuriko. Standing above her for a moment, she soon squatted down, wrapping her arms around her knees. "I am sorry for shouting Yuriko..."

"Of course," Kerr assured Nana after he turned around and began to backpedal toward his quarters. His eyes were drawn to the swaying of her hips. "Poker's an easy game to learn. It's a gambling game but we won't be playing for money. Just clothes."

"Nya? Clothes?" A startled sound as she eyed Kerr, placing a hand to her mouth and blinking rapidly. How exciting! "I've seen people play poker before, but.. mmh.. don't you need more than two people?" From what she'd seen, it wasn't a two-man game, "..so, if I win, I get your pants and stuff? Cool."

Yuriko was sniffling when Midori returned. Her face red, and her cheeks puffed up slightly as she pawed at her eyes. The Shoi had honestly tried to take the best course of action during the fight. Having chosen that maneuver to surprise the enemy, and avoid the main bulk of their weaponry. She said something, though it was so crumpled up it was un-intelligable.

"..." Midori let out a small sigh and dropped to her knees, leaning in to hug the girl to herself. "Calm down Yuriko, no need to cry. I just worry for you and the children is all..."

"You have a funny way of showing it considering she'd very likely wouldn't have endangered herself or your children unless the risk was warranted. If those carriers had survived, it could have been devistating to the Fifth's power armor wings." Reiko explained as she got to her feet, hands inside of the sleeves of her uniform as she brought them together.

"I...t...tr...t..try...to..b..b.e.. a good captain..."Yuriko sniffled."B...b....u..b.ut you don't think I am..."She mewled a little at that thought, and cried still, not returing the embrace.

"Yeah, you're right on all counts." Nana and Kerr were on the same train of thought. Either that or she had the ability to read his mind. "Hey MEGAMI, send an invite to anyone on the ship that there's gonna be a friendly game of strip poker at my place, please." Kerr stopped shortly after that. "Well, this is me. Picked the quarters closest to the armor bays and my Ryusei in case something came up."

"We will be launching shortly to begin our mission Kerr-hei, do you believe that wise?" MEGAMI asked.

"EVen good captains make mistakes. It is not the move I would have made..." Midori shrugged a little, shooting Reiko a little glare before rubbing Yuriko's back.

"Woo! I'm there!" Datenshi called out, pouncing off of Saito's back as she hovered out of the bay and twoards Kerr's room.

"Trust me, MEGAMI," Kerr replied to the disembodied voice. "This isn't going to take long."

Saito blinked a bit, hearing the invitation and sighed some. He remembered those games from the past too and watched Tenshi just hover off and glanced up at Shii, concerned about her. "She's gone now Shii, you can come down." Saito said up to her, pondering if he shoudl go or not.

"I...i..If I didn't...more people would've died..."Yuriko's voice broke a little as she kept crying. Though now she buried her face into Midori's chest, and was racking with sobs.

It is hard to realize the truth it seems. Reiko thought to herself seeing the glare.

"Then it shall be done." MEGAMI said, and sent the invitations.

"I suppose i'll go try it out too." Saito said and walked from the bay toward the quarters. "Hey wait up!" he said to Tenshi. "I'll join ya."

Midori simply nodded a little. "You did what you saw you needed to do..." She replied.

Nana leaned against the wall closest to Kerr's door, smiling absently all the while, her head cocked to one side as she watched him, "Mmh, so we've got more players now..? Sweet." Her first ever game of.. poker! Poker, where you got naked! She could live with that.

Yuriko took her head away from Midori, looking off to the side. She sniffled, and tried to dry her eyes.
hiro_seishin: Oh hi Nana. Saito projected to the pink haired tech as he caught sight of her in the hallway.

"Holy shit Nanners is gonna play?" Datenshi asked tilting her head to the side.

Midori turned Yuriko to face her with a hand to the chin. Rubbing her eyes with a thumb, she smiled a little for her. "Cheer up, it was certainly a bold move..."

"Nothing wrong with that." Saito said to Tenshi, and just shook his head with a laugh. "I suppose this is your idea Kerr?"

"....Is that bad?" Nana blinked a few times, looking back and forth between 'Tenshi, Saito, and Josef, "...Should I go back to playing with the engines or somethin'?"

"Oh no it's not a bad thing!" The silver mane laughed. "Poker's fun, specially when you win."

"Hey 'Tenshi, hey Saito. I'll teach y'all the rules inside," Kerr greeted the pair before entering his room. Without delay, he found his deck of cards and sat down in the middle of the floor. "I don't have enough chairs for y'all so we're playing on the floor."

"No no no! It's great Naners! Promise!" Tenshi smiled and waved her arms back and forth with a smile. Just dont be pissed when I walk off with your panties on my head...

Yuriko merely ignored the invitation, and just shook her head at Midori. "No it wasn't...it was stupid." She muttered, eyes downcast. Yuriko just sniffed again, and got to her feet. She then smoothed the skirt to her uniform out, and turned on her heel, facing away from Midori, and Reiko. She still pawed at her eyes as she did so, but spoke anyways." Thank you for the visit...it was...enlightening." She muttered, and began to walk away.

"Smooth." Reiko said so only Midori could hear as Yuriko walked away. The girl still had her arms folded beneath her chest.

Midori shot the girl a withering glare before she turned on her heel an left as well, her head hung a little as she sighed. How was it that almost every time she came to see Yuriko, something went wrong?

"Hmm. Okay." Nana'd wander into Kerr's room, dropping down onto the ground to start the circle. Her uniform, dress type as usual, would give Tenshi more than a clear view of the plain white panties that she'd probably be using as a trophy later in the day.

Tenshi took the seat directly across from Nana, grinning a little as she indeed looked down, not bashful about it at all, though she did let her grin fade.

Saito just crossed rested one arm on the space between a saya and the sash belt he had on and brushed the other through his hair and went to go take a seat on tenshi's right and nana's left giving just enough space for the game to be played, leaning the swords up against his shoulder as he say crosslegged. "You're both going to lose here, you do know that.." he grinned maliciously at them both with a wink.

"Pft! I have never lost a game of strip poker in my life!" Now that was a blatant lie, seeing as how half the time Tenshi lost on purpose, just to get naked.

Reiko just shrugged, and watched Midori exit, and the airlock closing behind her. Unfortunately for Reiko the ship then began to move away from Hotaru once Midori was safely on the otherside. Soon the Asamoya's escorts, two Sakura-class Light Gunships fell into step, and they engaged their CDD's, now ready to begin their mission. Reiko just stood there, stunned. The girl hung her head, and sighed. She couldn't have waited for me to leave? She wailed to herself, but was now stuck on board.


ON:YSS Asamoya

The phasing scout one of the Sakura's was attacking with her positron cannons buckled under the pressure, its hull unable to cope from the massive barrage of anti-matter. It let out a resounding shriek that could only be heard from inside of the ship itself as the frame began to twist, and rip away as the scout's main generator went critical and exploded, taking half of the attack pods it launched with it.

Once suited up, Reiko ran a test of her Mindy's systems, finding them all nominal. "Reiko to bridge, I hope you do not mind, but I will be joining you in this battle." Her calm and cool reply came, to which Yuriko agreed to.

"Sumaru-kun, where are you? The armor wing is about to be deployed." The Shoi's voice coming over the ship's internal comms.

"En route as we speak ma'm!" Sumaru responded with a new sort of renewed confidence. He had yet to have that chat with the 'Tenshi, so for now his spirits remained high, the memories of the space station adventures still vibrant in his mind. He rushed onto scene, passing through the last door into the portside armor bay. He quickly got him self ready and began to rush the process of getting into his pink paneled Mindy, which was currently still equipped with the Anti-Starship module that he had grabbed before his rookie departure into the battle at the station.

The Asamoya was rocked by enemy fire from the SMX gunship, it's SEPCs raking along the Asamoya's shields as the ship came at it head on before diving below, firing its own SEPCs in retaliation. The ventral side of the gunship took damage, the Zesuaium plated hull being bored into right down to the Yamataium layer until they got into the inner hull, causing fires to erupt in those sections. Once the Asamoya passed, she launched two AS-5 Transphasic Aether Torpedoes, at the gunship to which turned on its axis, managing to take one of the torpedoes down as the other connected with its starboard side. Blossoms of aetheric fire erupted as the hull took the full withering hit, rocking the gunship.

"Armor team ready to launch ma'am!" 'Tenshi called to the bridge.

"Good, launch!"

Saito floated up to avoid being thrown again and continued to watch the battle from the console on Yuriko's right hand side, thinking about it. He'd get on the com to dispatch repair crews to the damaged sections to put out the fires and contain the damage. "Damn those SEPC's..." he grumbled.

The remaining phasing scout, seeing it was outnumbered, and now being stalked by not one, but TWO Sakura-Class Light Gunships tried to flee, only to find it couldn't while inside of the Interdiction Field of the Asamoya. The small scout then began to be put under a hail of transphasic polaron fire, as it returned fire wildly trying to fight its way out before it too shattered, but not without severely weaking the shields of one of the Sakura's, the scouts SEPCs began to lick the hull of the ship, blackening a section of it.

Sumaru waited and then followed the rest of the wing out of the bay door, falling into formation on Detenshi's left wing. With his entire Sylph pods locked in, he ignited the extra shielding and gripped both fists tight as both forearm weapons began to charge, illuminating in bright blue orbs of energy.

The attack pods formed up instead of being scattered about from the ship to ship battle going on, decided a few power armors would be by far easier pickings. Little over one hundred and fifty of them came flying at the Asamoya's power armor wing. Plumes of exhaust was all the power armor wing would see as SMX flash missiles were suddenly launched.

"I remember these!" Sumaru managed to think aloud as he tried his best to counter the flurry of missiles by first launching his half charged forearm blasts and trying his best to make himself a smaller target with both arms rapidly bringing their shield function to life. His eyes the whole time were shut tight as he let his AIES keep him self steady on Datenshi's wing.

The damaged Xianthrafruglu Gunship limped as it fired at the Asamoya again, the ship now slowed significantly due to the damage. Flames wafted out of a crater of a wound in its side, showing the internal frame of the ship. One of the heavy SEPC's raked across the Asamoya's shields at the wrong angle and grazed them, sending the ship rocking.

Saito looked at Yuriko seriously. "What can I do to help you?" He asked her, seriously.

'Tenshi launched her NSB's having them on point defense, the small nodal support bits began firing at the incoming missiles little puffs of explosions all that marked their passing as Sumaru's and 'Tenshi's efforts fell more then half. But still they came. That was until Reiko launched countermeasure missiles, sending the flash missiles spiralling off into the distance as they followed the deseptive missile.

"If you two have countermeasure launchers. use them." Reiko said as she blurred past the power armor wing going head on at the incoming SMX attack pods before dipping below them, a charged pulse from her fore arm aether projector impaling one of the pods from below.
FluidJin: "Saito-kun, please take the weapons station, I need to concentrate." Yuriko asked as the ship was rocked from the gunship's fire. The Asamoya suddenly went vertical.

The two Sakura-Class gunships turned about, ready to aid the one they were sent to protect. That was before one of their MEGAMI's picked up more incoming hostiles. The computer calculated the estemated time until arrival to only a few short minutes. It seemed that their battle had attracted some attention.

Saito nodded and quickly manned the weapons station, and began to take count of all the action going on from the displays. The ASamoya being vertical made it slightly disconcerting for a moment but he quickly adjusted to it. When the injured Gunship attacked and damaged the hull of the ship, Saito fired 3 of the 6 SEPCs at it in counterattack.

"Actually..." Sumaru started as his eyes traced each of the green indicators coming alive on his HUD, "I have these!" He shouted as his AIES finished locking on a full volley of twenty MSAP mini-missiles from each of Wish's leg missile pods, making the grand total of forty mini-missiles bursting out from the Mindy to fill the gap with speeding and twisting missiles, one for each locked on pod ten per leg.

As Saito manned the weapon station, and fired the Asamoya's SEPCs at the SMX gunship, two of the three shots bore into the ship's hull, igniting more fires from within, but still it came, seemingly intent on a kamikaze.

"Saito! Fire the main cannon!" Yuriko ordered, seeing the intent for what it was.

Saito nodded and fired the main cannon in it's pulse mode, firing two shot bursts.


As the SMX pods, and Asamoya power armor wing met in battle, positron tunneling cannon fire met Sumaru's MSAP missiles, and the aetheric energy discharges of the remainder of the power armor wing. Albet 'Tenshi was intent on showing up the samurai in training, determined to prove that they were just as good.

Reiko on the other hand only wanted to kill these monsters and be done with it. One pod came at her, positron tunneling cannons blazing until she ducked and weaved, coming up and smashing a fist right into the main bulk, and igniting a forearm projector, impaling it before leaping out of the way of the explosion.

By now Sumaru's missiles had closed the distance,flusters of them taking a few pods here and there, until more fell, evening the odds out somewhat.

The Xianthrafruglu took the first blast right into the bow, the hull armor melting and shrivling away as the second one came, literally as a finishing blow, ripping through the already weak armor, and causing the fron half of the gunship to explode until the remaining sections followed, and the Asamoya swurved out of the way of the resulting blast.

Yuriko slumped in her seat, relieved they had survived, however the feeling was short lived as she was informed of more incoming hostiles. To which now appeared. A force larger then the last, and certainly carrying more fire power, not one Xianthrafruglu gunship, but four.

A trio of SMX pods however banded together to take on the Yamatain armor pilot, their tunneling cannons firing with presicion as they closed in on their new found prey.

Sumaru had become a little better at dodging these things, he'd watch where the pods firing at him were pointing and moved before the shot and dodge that, because they were precise it'd be a much easer target to predict. Now that they were under fire, he finally got to break formation and with a body barrel rolling twist, he released his Ke-M4-W2903 Assault Drones from his Sylph pack and his NSDs from his upper leg hangars all at once. Each of his drones floated outwards to float and fire in a twisting cluster tangle of death.

The Asamoya swung on the new enemy, dropping her interdiction field. The two Sakura gunships formed up on the Shoi's ship, intent on protecting the vessel. They were out numbered, and possibly even in fire power, but with it being four against three it tilted the odds more into the Mishhvurthyars favor.

"This is bad." Saito said to Yuriko. His good sense told him they should tactically withdraw from this but he knew the military's pride wouldn't allow such a thing. He grumbled.

Maintain course but keep us in stealth. Misato issued from behind a cloud of volumetric screens. Hai ShoSho... The navigator returned. Misato watched as her readout switched over to the new incoming hostiles. Misato straightened leading her head back and said "Joutai Sensou...." the bridge lighting dimmed slightly and MEGAMI announced over the PA on all decks. "Joutai Sensou....All hands be advised." The Asamoya would then detect the YSS Adlich, The Sakura Gunship emerged partially from stealth as MEGAMI switched the targetting system over to active. The Adlich passed right over top of the Asamoya, two shots panged from her Aether Shock Array exactly at fifteen seconds apart at the nearest of the SMX Gunships, All eighteen of her Variable Weapons Pods fired from their launchers forming up around the Adlich. Bursts of positron fire rocketed from her nacelles blasting as warnings across the bows of the incoming ships. Over the comm, directed at the SMX was Misato. "Hands off Squid..."

Yuriko just blinked as a new ship suddenly came up on sensors, MEGAMI confirmed it as the YSS Adlich, a Sakura-class gunship. The Shoi didn't have time to respond to the aid as one of the enemy gunships suddenly exploded from the aether shock cannon and positron cannon fire it was put under. The remaining three gunships drifted apart, all of the Yamataian warship's MEGAMI's warning them of massive energy buildups as the Xianthrafruglu Gunships broke off, and were readying their Legacy Cannons for firing.

Although the answer Misato received was fire from one of the enemy gunships fired its Heavy SEPCs at this new found foe.

The Asamoya went from stationary, into action a moment later, her escorts following suit. "Saito, ready all weapons to fire."

"Looks like we got backup from the Adlich group, which means Misato's responsible for this. You certainly know how to make friends mi'lady." Saito chuckled at her. He nodded to her and began to prepare the alpha strike and when it was ready to go he'd nod an affirmative to her.

The remaining SMX pods continued their battle against the Asamoya's power armor wing. One of the oncoming pods that was harassing Sumaru fell from his fire, but the remaining two broke off in either direction, splitting the fire, and making their own fire harder to dodge as they fired their tunneling cannons at the Yamataian pilot.

MEGAMI jerked the ship violently setting the Adlich into a rolling spiral manuvers at near maximum STL, the SEPC missing then with another sudden burst the Adlich changed her orientation tipping back upwards, another shot from her Aether Shock Array towards the underbelly of the SMX ship that had fired at her, joined by converging bursts of her Positiron Accelerator cannons. The Adlich's pods moved on Misato's order, moving in to assist the Asamoya with point defense against the pods.

Yuriko just blushed, and was distracted a moment as incoming fire threatend her ship. Once Saito nodded to her, she automatically had the Asamoya literally fire everything it had at one of the enemy gunships, a barrage from the aether beam cannon, the SEPCs, torpedoes, and even the weapon pods. Literally enough ordinance to crack a planet in two easily was fired at one of the gunships just as its Legacy Cannon began to fire, unfortunately for it the entirety of the Asamoya's withering assault connected, anit-matter and aetheric explosioons obliteration the ship and causing the Legacy Cannon to discharge right into the port side of one of its comrades as the gunship was literally reeling before it vaporized into nothingness from its own generator explodiong, and the Asamoya's attack.

"Whoo fireworks." Saito laughed a bit. "But we'll need some time to recover the energy to attack in a few moments." He said, noticing the warnings coming up on the console.

Sumaru's armor took a hit as he did his best to follow them both but ended up only being able to keep his eyes on one, his shielding flickering from the contact. He cursed himself for not having the ability to see through the armor's skin. As they passed by, Sumaru busted a short distance with a quick boost from his backpack and did a 180 rotation forward so he could be facing those pods and let loose a four missile volley, two for each pod. Wish on the other hand continued it's assault on the passing pods with a array of fire from the armor's deployed drones.

Hand them their ass baby....Misato uttered as the Adlich hauled ass to cover the Asamoya after the powerful Alpha Strike. Misato watched her readouts nevously as she actively scanned the Asamoya, ensuring that all was intact. She opened a high priority communication to Yukiro, launching her Aether pods to provide even more support to the anti-pod measures and the power armor pilots the Asamoya had deployed. "Well, looks like you got into some trouble out here babe..." Misato said to Yuriko with a cheery voice.

"MEGAMI, have aether generator two rebuild the capacitior's power sup--" Yuriko just stared, squeaked, and turned red as she saw Misato on screen. She brought a hand up, coughed, and tried to compose herself. "Trouble just seems to always fall into my lap." The Shoi replied, giving Misato a little wink despite her cheeks being red.

The SMX gunship that had suffered fire from its own comrade was reeling, its shields ripped away, its hull melted in certain places. And...its main computer offline, the ship was in complete chaos.

Saito chipped in. "Trouble follows her like a monkey on the back I'm thinking" he teased her gently and waited for the energy to rebuild so they could continue the assault.
FluidJin: Yuriko held her stomach, and winced a little. "'Tenshi, report." She asked before composing herself.

"Most of the pods are destroyed." Came the reply, followed by a growl.

"Hold on hunny...." Misato muted the communication, using her connection to the Adlich, she waited the two seconds remaining for the charge to build back on the Aether Shock Cannon, then in a total overkill The Adlich fired a 30 degree arch with her main cannon, the remaining SMX Gunship already crippled fell under the power of a weapon designed to eliminate an entire fleet.
FluidJin: Now with the addition of fire from Sumaru's missiles, the weapon pods, and the Asamoya's power armor wing, the SMX attack pods were no match, and began to drop like flies. Tiny explosions, and puffs of debris were all that marked their passing as all of the fire blasted them to slag.

"Mark one up for the Shoki wing!" Sumaru exclaimed with an air pumping fist and a hand making V for victory in Yamataian fashion. Then once he moved back onto Datenshi's wing, he awaited his HUD or his wing commander for their next orders.

"All enemies have been eliminated Shoi." MEGAMI promptly replied to which Yuriko sighed.

"Alright, let's get back home." 'Tenshi sighed, suddenly feeling the need to shower. Reiko on the other hand was already heading for the Asamoya, and soon closed the distance, and boarded, passing through the atmospheric shield and landing on the power armor bay deck.

Misato stood up, the SPINE connection with the Adlich terminated, she turned to her former XO " Well Taisa...Thanks for the ride. I will run and get my stuff and I will be out of your hair. Get back to Hotaru once I am clear." Misato headed down the ladder and onto the main deck, unmutting the communication as she went. "Yuriko with your permission I would like to come aboard...Adlich is standingby for coupling" she smiled, the visual returning as she headed into the Capitans Suite to get the bags she had packed and ready.

With a short message from MEGAMI, Kessah sighed a little, and patted the engineering console. "Good girl, Asamoya... good girl." She smirked a little to the bit of metal, fondly, before bringing up a window to Yuriko. "Ma'am, Shields weren't broken during battle, no damage to the ship's hull. There was some werid power flucuations through out the ship during combat, but thats something to be delt with later I think. Otheriwse... thats it. Kudos, you gave me nothing to do."

"Permission granted, please use the dorsal airlock." Yuriko replied, looking a little worn out from the skrimish. "MEGAMI, lower the shields, and prepare the dorsal mounting ports. Shosho Tange is granted permission to board, also continue scans, and launch a Chibi-MEGAMI probe, target the outskirts of the system."

"Hai Shoi." MEGAMI said kindly, a probe was loaded, and launched, speeding towards the outer Kupier Belt-like field of the Yuukan system.

Saito relaxed back in the chair he was sitting in and studied it carefully, listening to wha twas going on. "So she's coming here? Won't that cause a conflict of interest in terms of command?" he asked Yuriko

Cherry sighed a little from along side Kessah, having stayed in engineering. No damage, nothing to do. After giving her fellow engineer a non-playful swat on the shoulder, truthfully for the 'kudos' remark, she made her way out of engineering and to her room.

Kessah sent in a quick message to go with the damage report, "... Uh... What do you want us to do, then? Set up for the victory-party?"

Degan clipped the communicator off his belt and took a deep breath. His transfer to the front lines had came it, he was finally going to see some action! "Kakutama-Shoi, this is Degan, Santo Hai, Combat arms, transferred to the YSS Asamoya under orders of fleet command."

Misato grabbed her luggage, a backpack with a change of uniform, a bunch of datapads. Adlich launch my Mindy, and have it enter the Asamoya with their other Armor. The Adlich powered up the ShoSho's black and purple Mindy 2-2A in "Death Blossom" configuration and had it remotely flown to the Asamoya. Meanwhile the two ships docked Misato headed towards the airlock.

"I don't believe so Saito-kun." Yuriko said as she got up from her seat. She looked a little puzzled by the sudden communications, but none the less replied. She'd known a Degan Veran was going to be transfered, but that was supposed to be after the mission... "Please board Santo-Hei. I will have a sprite show you to me. Use the dorsal airlock along with Tange-Shosho."

"Thank you Kakutama-Shoi, I look forward to serving with you." He waited for the ranking officer to end the communication.

Once back aboard, 'Tenshi peeled herself out of her Mindy, and headed towards the showers, though Reiko put her uniform back on, and proceeded towards the bridge and Yuriko.

"Would you like me to go meet them instead of a sprite mi'lady?" Saito asked her politely, figuring it'd be nice to do at least.

Sumaru floated in behind the rest of the Shoki wing, taking his time to hop out of his Mindy as well and smile up to the face of the machine. "Thanks again Wish, I owe you a good polishing when I get the time." He then bowed to the hanging pink paneled armor and went off to shower, unclipping the two hair clips he wore every time going into battle for luck and functionality, keeping those white blonde bangs from his only pair of eyes.

"Yes please." Yuriko said, and stretched a little, zipping up the back of her uniform. "MEGAMI, have our escorts conduct repairs, and tend to any wounded please." She said as she walked out of the bridge, waiting for Saito near an elevator to the upper deck to meet Misato, and Deran. "Hai Shoi."

Degan gathered up his things which consisted of standard equipment, the only personel effect was a picture of him from when he was still a partial ID SOL. He stood with his shirt off, his tanned skin taught over his frame. On his chest was a C.C., the only evidence and clue he had to who created him, and why. He slung the bag over his back and walked towards the dorsal air lock.

Saito stood up and adjusted his jacket and went to go meet Yuriko outside the elevator. He pulled his silvered hair back to put it up in a ponytail and closed the furr lined jacket a bit to cover up some as he walked over to her.

Misato headed through the Airlock and onto the Asamoya, her backpack on with only one strap. She issued a final order as she looked back breifly to the Adlich. Adlich transfer command back to Kira please...The Sakura Gunship was then restored to the control of its new commander. Misato adjusted her black paneled uniform, and pulled something small into the palm of her left hand, clutching it so nothing but a tiny glint of metal could be seen that she was indeed holding something. She waited immediately outside of the airlock to meet Yuriko.

Kessah sighed softly at the lack of anything from Yuriko, but didn't really care about it. Instead, she followed the now long gone former-sprite, Cherry's, path out of the engineer bay, although instead just kind of wandered the ship.

Degan walked down the metalic passages, making his way to the air lock as ordered with only his one bag and a smile on his face. As he reached the airlock he saw Misato, Vice Admiral of the fleet and a well decorated war hero. He stopped, dropped his bag and bowed his head to the floor

"Tange Shosho-sama, you did well above even your performance records in this battle. Its an honor to serve you."

"MEGAMI, also run a sweep of the ship for anything out of the ordinary. I do not one want to take any chances." Yuriko ordered as the doors to the elevator opened on the upper deck. Once there, Yuriko headed towards the main corridor. "Kess,Would you like to see to our new crew member?" She asked over a personal comm line.

Kessah jumped a little, but nodded. And then realized it was a comm line. Fucking hell. "... We have another newbie? Damn mate... Alrighty. Where too?"

Saito was following behind Yuriko quietly, an arm resting in the crook between the saya and his sash-like belt. His mind going through the tactics of battle once again but focused on where he was going.

Misato raised a brow, looking at Degan as bowed and looked at the floor. Wow...Should I just leave him there staring at the floor, worshiping me? she questioned herself, providing answer; No but the groveling can continue later...She said to Degan. Please Santo Hei, I know you were brain washed into not looking at your superior, but kindly do not make the mistake of not keeping eye contact with me again, or they will find you in peices an your ST copy in one-byte peices scattered across PANTHEON like confetti.

Degan evilly smiled to himself. He bowed low as a sign of respect, not subservency. However, let her think he was weak. "Im sorry, Tange Shosho-sama, I did not mean to offend."

"Once I meet with him, have MEGAMI assign him a enlisted crew member's quarters, and show him to it." Yuriko replied to Kessah. Reiko soon found her way to the upper deck as well. She had her head bowed down, eyes closed, and a hand lazily on the hilt of her sword as she came up from the otherside of the main corridor. The girl suddenly stopped in front of the dorsal airlock. She opened her eyes, and stared right at Degan, and Misato, her emotionless mask in place, and her light jade hued eyes boring holes into the two.

Yuriko soon arrived as well, seeing Reiko staring right at Misato and Degan the Shoi smiled warmly to the three of them.

Sumaru quickly finished up his shower and did his best to avoid Datenshi for the time being, he was in a good mood for some reason. Actually, he had been in a better mood since the shopping trip with the Shoi. It had been the first time in a while he felt part of the crew, so for now he'd try to keep this more pleasant outlook. So once he exited the armor bay, the Nitô Hei pilot continued to his room to pick up his music then his destination would be the ward room to see if the sprite in the kitchen would like to cook with him again, or something else to take his mind off the comming Tenshi storm.

Oh look a smarty pants, a few encounters with the SMX will wipe that shit eating grin off his face. She remarked to herself, waiting for Yuriko to arrive. She decided to continue the discorse however, "Your about to meet your commander, straighten those wrinkles out of that uniform soldier...." Misato cut off by the opening of the doors, her usual icy look faded into a smile as she looked into Yuriko's eyes, her own sparkling with happiness. I couldnt stay away....

Saito walked beside Yuriko on the other side than Reiko and bowed to Misato. "A pleasure to see you again Tange-Shosho." He said politely. He straightened again, his lavender eyes keeping contact with hers for a moment before glancing to the new guy and nodded to him as well.

Degan slowly ran his hand over his uniform. He didnt see any wrinkles but it was better to feign fear the outwardly defy her.At that moment the airlock opened as three people stood in front of him. QUickly he recognized his new CO. He bowed halfway. It is an honor to meet you.”

"Who is the male?" Reiko asked Saito, uncaring of who heard.

Kessah pouted a little, and glanced across deck. She had a idea where the ship was docked, and thus where the newbie was due to the very faint gravitational difference. It certainly wasn't anything tellable unless you knew what to look for, and if you were a Yamatan. Lets go see. And to the air lock she voyaged.

Reiko. Please try and be nice..don't scare him too badly. Saito telepathically admonished and shrugged. "I do not know" He replied.

“Hello, my name is Degan Veran, Santo Hei, Combat arms, stationed here as a power arms pilot. Permission to come aboard.”

You came all the way out here just to keep an eye on me?Yuriko asked Misato, her telepathic voice kindly sounding as she looked to Degan. The Shoi just blinked as he introduced himself. She arched an eyebrow as he forgot to bow, but let it slide. She nodded to him none the less. "Permission granted Veran-Hei."

Degan bowed toward two of the people, one he recognized as his commander. The last was a bodyguard and technically a civilian which made Degan give him a shorter bow, just in case.

Reiko just glared at Degan. He doesn't even know how to bow to show respect to a superior officer.Reiko hissed at Saito over thier telepathic link.

Kessah snuck up around the corner, peaking her head around to see the four. Ugh... Bitch Samurai. And... someone else... Two newbies? Wait... No, thats no Santo-Hei. Huh. Oh well. She didn't move from her spot, though.

He's just green Reiko, remember; compared to Midori-nee-chan and myself you are a greenhorn as well in terms of being a samurai. Saito said to her in a calm, level tone over the link. He looked at Degan and projected the message to him telepathically, reminding him not to forget to bow again.

The same could be said if you were in my prior line of work. Reiko retorted before bowing to everyone, and excusing herself.

Stop Reiko, you're being both immature and rude now. Saito came back to her with a quiet sharpness. You have a point there but it's no reason to get rude to everyone else.

Kessah eyed Reiko with... one eye, as only one was peaking around the corner. But it was a evil eye, to be sure, although her head retreated again so she wouldn't be detected just yet.

Degan stood ramrod straight at attention, his eyes looking parallel to the ground as his bag rested on the floor. He stood patiently, waiting to be given permission to be let on board and then issued quarters.

Misato, rather than speaking telepathically decided to answer Yuriko verbally. "No, despite my love for watching you...I came here to congratulate you Chui...." She uncurled the metal pin she had been clutching. Asamoya please update your commander's access accordingly and enter her promotion into your system under the authority of Star Army Command proxy for joint-fleet mission you have open mission profiles on. Her access code followed; she said "Kakutama Shoi, under the authority of Star Army Command; you are hereby offically promoted to the rank of Chui." The rank pin had two insigna and was far from standard, both the 1st XF and the 5th XF logos were on it.

Saito smiled at Yuriko and gently put a hand on her shoulder in an older-brother kind of fashion. "Congratulations Chui." he said to her quietly.

Kessah smirked a little, and sent Yuriko a telepathic message, "Congrats. You keep skipping ranks, how sly of you." She was kidding, of course, and didn't care that her secretcy (For Yuriko) was blown.

"Eh?!" Yuriko looked startled, and just stared at the pin for a few moments. Her cheeks tinged pink again, and she reached out for the pin, taking off her old one. When she'd gotten the new one, she put it on, and bowed to Misato. "Thank you... you certainly know how to surprise a girl." She teased lightly. "I also have something for you, and Taisho Katsuko. I had forgotten about it due to everything that has recently gone on..." The Shoi looked to Degan and sighed. "You can board you know Santo-hei. I also have someone coming to show you to your quarters."

It suddenly dawned on him, mid stride while the armor pilot and samurai aspiring Sumaru was on his way to the wardroom. "Wasn't that neko in that armor, a Samurai?!" He busted aloud, then after coming to a halt he pondered his actions. "Should I just contact her myself, errr..." He paused to contemplate how to go about this, "hummm." So far all he could think up would be something along the lines of sending her a message for her to pick up on her own time, so he wouldn’t be interrupting her. Or maybe it'd be better if he was direct? Poor Sumaru weighted his options for quite some time, he had nothing better to do at the moment anyhow.

Reiko on the other hand didn't reply to Saito. She wasn't a full samurai yet after all." Silence was his answer as she disappeared down a corridor.

Degan picked up his bag, moved five feet past the air lock and set his bag down, once agains standing at attention.

Kessah took that as a hint, and emerged from the corner, walking toward the now trio was a wave of her fingers, "Hiyo mates, various high rankers and a newbie."

Misato smiled, her finger tips on Yuriko's chin as she raised from her bow, she stepped forwards leaning in planting a deep kiss on Yuriko's lips parting them a second later with her tounge. The backpack slid off the ShoSho's shoulder and onto the deck, only to have Misato wrap her arms around Yuriko lovingly. Indeed congratulations love...she purred within Yuriko's thoughts.

Degan once again bowed at the newcomer.

"Reiko..." Saito thought for a moment, watching her go. "She's probably lonely..." He thought, but was disrupted by Kessah and blinked. "Oh hello." he said to her politely, glancing over his shoulder at her.

Yuriko made a surprised sound, but accepted the kiss none the less, returning it as she too wrapped her arms around Misato. Her cheeks were on fire. Thank you... She managed, getting over the surprise enough to break the kiss, though she dragged Misato's lower lip out lightly with her teeth. "What I have to show you is...important..."She said again.

Kessah smirked a little at the two lovers, completely unphased. She was part of the crew of the post-Sakura for fucks sake! "... Dun make a mess you two, I'm not cleaning anythin' up. Newbie! Center up, follow me." Once again the very unfamilar and not really wanted sense of command came to her, but she ignored it and went back the way she came. "... MEGAMI, where is the newbie bunkin' at?"

Although Degan was at attention he made sure to not pay attention to the spectacle that was occuring to his right among his new commander and the vice admiral. His eyes stayed straight as he pondered how this new transition was going to go. Oddly enough, for being social artist he sure thought about girls sexually very little.

Yuriko frowned a little at Kessah.

“Aye aye, ma’am.” Degan picked up his bag and followed Kessah.

"Yuriko, do you mind if I go after Reiko? I think I may know what's wrong with her." Saito sent to Yuriko on a private link as he leaned up against the wall.

"You don't have to rush actually...You have an indefinate period of time to show me what you need to" Misato pulled back letting out a sigh, "My advisors said that it might be wise for me to work remotely for a while...Just incase Miho had any contingancy plans." Misato leaned down and grabbed her fallen backpack. "But please, while I am here do not let my rank get in the way of you running your ship. You are her CO and I would prefer to just do what I need to do and stay out of everyone's way."

"Tea... I'll just invite her to join me for tea and conversation, that's it." Sumaru said to himself as he floated here by the wardroom entrance, his chin in his hand as he continued to contemplate his option. With a confidant nod the young Yamataian turned and entered the wardroom and took a seat at one of the tables and called up a display. "Itto Juni Inaba-san, I am Hasegawa Sumaru. A Nitô Hei armor pilot that fought along side you during the battle only minutes ago. I hope you excuse my use in a message instead of contacting you directly, I was hoping this way you could listen to it on your own time and I wouldn’t be interrupting your duties. I was hoping that maybe, we could meet sometime so we could discuss the Ketsurui Samurai. I am very interested in them and have a few questions that maybe you could answer for me, that is of course if it's not any trouble. I would like to prehaps meet you for tea in our ship's ward room. Thanks for listing." And then with that saved the message and sent it to Reiko's message box. Then sighed and waited for a reply anxiously.

"This can't wait..."Yuriko urged, taking Misato's hand softly. "It concerns the Bard Cluster..."

Misato's fingers entwined with Yuriko's, she smiled, her tone lowered at the mention of the Bard Cluster. "Oh...? Well then lead the way."

Kessah nodded a little, continueing on as MEGAMI replied, "Starboard Enlisted Quarters Four." With a nod her movement tweaked and she lead her newbie toward his bunk, "Right... Honestly, this is a very sexual crew. Expect to be hit on by at least two people."


“Onlu two? I'm sort of disappointed.” Degan wanted to ask if she would be one of them but decided to play it safe until he got to know them better. He followed her contently, his eyes not straying to her butt like most guys would.

Yuriko nodded, and looked to Saito before she lead them to her suite. She chose it since it was private, and the closest room she felt comfortable sharing this with in. Once inside, the soft glow of the lamps attached to the wall illuminated the room. For a light cruiser the room was quite lovely, soft carpeting, a leather sofa, chairs, a table, and even a large work desk with a work terminal. Yuriko soon called up a volumetric display, that had nearly three weeks worth of telemetry, and sensor scans and readings. "When we first began our jounrey to the Yugumo cluster I thought it prudent to launch a probe, and I had it stationed near Talori. What you are seeing, "She forwarded the display to Misato. "Is the data it has collected up to this point."

Saito headed off to go find Reiko. "Asamoya, where is Reiko?" he asked the computer as he followed the path he'd seen her leave along.

"Reiko is currently heading to the wardroom." The Asamoya's computer responded.

Kessah was a little short for the butt gazing without heads noticably craning downward, anyway. A perk, if you will. "Well, two are definite. Nana and 'Tenshi, who will be fucking you like bunnies if given the chance. Probably. Yuriko has her harem, I have my sis-- Someone. And so on. Don't doubt there will be more, as but just two difinites." She stopped infront of the door to the room after the small voyage, "And here we are, newbie. Names Kessah, by the way. Oh, and you can pride yourself on being the fourth male on board, with one being void of sex, the other pretty much staying in his room doing work, and then the 'hunk' who will be your competition." She grinned a little to him, speaking of Saito, Dagsuz, and Joe respectively.

Reiko had gotten Sumaru's message, and told him she'd be there momentairly. When she arrived, the girl had a sprite in her arms, it was Shii. The small sprite latched onto her torso, and Reiko carried her.

"Arigato." Saito said and headed for the wardroom at a brisk pace, his mind going through everything and would reach there soon enough. But not after a moment of travel through the hallway.

Misato looked around, very impressed with the level of comfort the designers had put into the suite. She set down her backpack on one of the chairs and looks at the volumetric readouts. She folded her arms, the look n her face turned serious. "You realize...This is the first trickle of information we have got out of that region since the exodus...They should have made you a damn Taisa not a Chui..." Misato was near breathless...

“Competition huh?” Degan put down his bag and stepped closer to Kessah. “Just how hot of a competition?”
Star Paul: Sumaru got up from his seat to greet her, a bow of his head would be offered first then he'd gesture to the seat across from him for her to join him. On the table were already two tall cups of tea, Sumaru's drink was already sweetened with a large amount of sugar and strawberry extract.

"He's a fighter jock, you know how they are. Now get in there and drop your stuff off, I think Imma go take a nap. Try to avoid being forced down to the ground and... well, semi-raped until you know everyone's name first." She smirked and turned on her heel, walking away with a brisk pace. Well, her normal pace, but brisk for most.

"Ano..."Yuriko pressed her index fingers together, looking sheepishly up at Misato. "I was just trying to cover our backs while in route since I was more concerned with what was ahead, not behind. Juding from your reaction...I did good by having this probe stationed there...though I now think it a fluke of it being so important." She smiled weakly and sat down on the couch.

“Hrm.” Degan digested the information and quickly peaked at her butt as she walked away. “I think Im going to like it here.” he remarked, more to himself then anyone else. He picked up his bag and entered the assigned room.

Reiko seated her self smoothly after nodding to Sumaru, and Shii still clung to her, napping. The little sprite had been running all over the ship assisting her sisters during the battle.

Saito walked to the wardroom and looked over. "Hello Reiko. I see you've got little Shii again." he smiled and looked to Sumaru and nodded to him. "Hello sumaru."

Yeah... He'll fit in real nice. Thought Kessah was a playful smile. Maybe things will pick up again, stop being so... bland.

Misato covered her mouth, stepping forwards towards the desk and tapped the control panel afew times. Talori IV enlarged into view, the probe's sensor systems honed on coordinates he inputted. A large black scarred creator appeared on the surface of the planet. Misato choked as her throat tightened trying to hold back, tears seeped from what seemed to be seemless eyes her hand still covering her mouth as she dropped to her knees staring at the image.

"She clings to me..."Reiko mumbled, picking up the cup of tea.

"Do you mind if I take her off you?" Saito asked, sitting down next to her and ruffled Shii's hair gently. Reiko, I'm sorry for what I said back there. You must be so lonely on this ship without Midori around to spend time with." He sent to her quietly.

Degan worked on putting away his meager possesions in the varying storage compartments, keeping the top one empty save the picture. It was a ritual for him to keep the top drawer open to keep odds and ends and lose items in. You would be amazed what trinkets one accumulates over a year.

Yuriko looked surprised as she saw the expression on Misato's face. She rose from her seat, and walked over to her, a hand outstretched, considering. "Misato...are you ok? Whats wrong?" She asked, sounding very concerned as she laid the hand on her shoulder, looking at the screen. She saw what Misato had been staring at, and could only frown, not knowing the meaning.

Reiko didn't answer the telepathic message from Saito, instead she laid a hand on Shii's back as an answer to his verbal one. "She is fine where she is."
Star Paul: Sumaru remained quiet while the two talked and only offered a nod of hello to Saito, not really knowing him.

Saito reached over and gently put a hand on Reiko's shoulder and rubbed it for a moment and glanced to Sumaru. "forgive me. My name's Anzai Saito, I"m a former Ketsurui Samurai in the service of Yuriko-chan as her bodyguard." he said.

Degan finished up and left. Now was not the time to stay inside his room, bored, it was the time to explore. “MEGAMI, is there anywhere on the ship where a bunch of members are meeting there for social reasons?”

Sumaru's eyes opened a little wider, and then he bowed his head a little farther. "I know this may be a little sudden, but were you always male?" Sumaru was taken back by his own suddenness as he opened his mouth to try and correct him self.

""Please clarify your question Veran-hei. Would that be the main crew, or the sprites?" MEGAMI replied.

Reiko just continued to sip her tea in silence.

“Ani, Megami. I want to get to know some of the crew and I want to do it at optimal efficiency which would require many in one places for a social reason.”

Misato whispered weakly..."My first big command...I was given command of the military command dome on the Talori IV Colony." tears streamed down her face. "When the fleet began their operation in the system we were over confident...the SMX infestation was low and we cleared the colonists from Taiie..." She clung to Yuriko's hand her eyes on the charred creator. "I was at Akina no Iori for a Conference when the SMX began their invasion on the Cluster..." She shook her head, growing angry with herself. "The damn PANTHEON recalled all ships to help defend Taiie...because it was what they calc..." she sobbed. "calculated to be the best use of the fleet's resources." She watched the volumetric image..."They left them all alone...."

"Yes I have been male the entirety of my existence." Saito chuckled a bit. "I was originally made by PNUgen, then later upgraded by Ketsurui Zaibatsu." he explained. "Yui liked my male form so...well you can guess."

"So sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I just..." He paused and scratched the back of his head nervously, "I actually didn't think there was male Samurai." His frost blue gaze fell to his mug a moment as he tried to hide his embarrassment. "Well yes, um... please would you join us as well? I have a few questions about the Ketsurui samurai and hope the both of you could possibly answer them." Sumaru smiled slightly to the both of them pleasantly.

Saito waved a hand gently. "It's ok, I'm the only one who's fully male. The others can holo-generate a male appearance but I'm the only one with a natural male base." he said and looked. "Feel free to ask but if you want to become one I tell you right now." Saito said, leaning in and looked at him seriously with those piercing lavender eyes. "You better be ready to train your ass off."
FluidJin: Yuriko's features softened, knowing the reasoning of PANTHEON just from what Misato had said. "I'm so sorry...I know it must be hard to be reminded of such things...and to see them again. I've had to deal with things like that too.." She crouched, and sat on the floor, drawing Misato into a comforting hug. "PANTHEON had its reasons...there is an old saying. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." When large scale wars are waged...things like this take place...scarifices are made...often times hard and painful ones...I lost my father at Nataria due to being too slow in stopping the Mishhvurthyar Flagship-class vessel from firing." Yuriko stroked Misato's hair and kissed it. "If I had been at Talori IV...and had this ship...even if it had been a loosing battle...and the odds not in my favor I would have defended it, or tried to evacuate it. Unfortunately I was only a Santo Hei then...but it was things like Taiie that prompted me to try my best when protecting what I care for."

"Then try the wardroom. There are currently three people within it." MEGAMI replied to Degan.

Sumaru's own gaze shifted up to meet his, and something in those young eyes burned with a inner passion as if he was possessed with a drive fitting the generic shonen anime hero. "I'd fight Melison her self if it was deemed part of my training." Sumaru said, not rudely but with a tone of seriousness that you would not expect from such a shy person.

"Then you would die a foolish death." Reiko said suddenly inbetween sips.

Saito watched him seriously for a moment. "I hope you mean that wholeheatedly. While it's unlikely to happen it's possible, when you pick up a sword in the name of protecting someone. Keep in mind that if you fail, not only will you die, but so will the one you're protecting." He said seriously. "While that may not hold true in this day and age, it's important to remember." he said in a quiet, but intelligent way. Saito glanced to Reiko and nodded in agreement with her statement. "She's right, if you try to fight her when you're green, you will die. And for what?"

His demeanor returned as his gaze fell back to his mug at her words. "I was only trying to explain how willing I am to follow through with this..." He said, his voice slowly dying off.

Misato just cried, sobbing into Yuriko's chest to which the Chui softly patted the Shosho's back, trying to comfort her. Yuriko took the image of Talori IV off the screen, and continued to try to comfort Misato, genuinely concerned.

"I'd like to think that we are all fighting to protect someone or something right now, not just the samurai," Koharu chimed in plesantly as she appeared from seemingly out of nowhere with a light yawn. "Don't foll yourself into some sort of deluded sense of arrogance on what we are doing here."

“Thank you MEGAMI.” Degan looked at a map of the ship on his communicatior and made his way towards the wardroom.

Saito glanced up at Koharu and nodded. "Most samurai may not show emotions but they worry about people just as much as anyone else." he said and glanced to Reiko then to to Sumaru. "Is there someone you would want to protect if you became one?" he asked

"Being overeager is both admiral, and dangerous. Often the overeager overstep themselves, and end up dying. Watch, learn, grow, become strong." Reiko said, waving a hand over and over in a little dismissive circle before sipping her tea again.

"See? Reiko cares too." Saito snickered a bit and smiled at her. "This is just her way of showing it"

"I think that by not showing emotions to those you protect; you cause them more pain. But just because you bear the name that was baptised in blood and death, does not mean you should ever wallow in it. Ketsurui does mean 'bitter tears' after all, just do not let those be of regret," Koharu said with a shrug as she patted Sumaru gently on the top f his head, tusseling his hair.

"Care? Maybe in time. I am stating the obvious." Reiko retorted.

Degan walked down the hall until he found the wardroom and walked in. “Hello everyone, I am combat arms Santo Hei Degan Veran. I was recently assigned to this ship.”

Saito made a bold move and gently put and arm around Reiko's shoulders and pulled her into a gentle side-hug. And nodded to Koharu, agreeing with what she said before glancing to Degan. "Nice to see you again Veran."

Degan Veran: “Saito, how is my favorite Samurai?”

Yuriko winced a little, and grunted lightly feeling wetness between her legs. Misato just looked up, cheeks stained with tears and asked what was wrong. Yuriko just shook her head, and put on a weak smile, informing the med bay her water had just broken.

Sumaru simply nodded to Saito's question, his mind flooding with memories and segments of thought involving the Ketsurui her self. He felt less inferior now that Koharu was there, inwardly sighing some relief.

Saito smirked at Veran. "You don't even know me that well kiddo. But you got the right attitude." He said and still gently held reiko

"Release me." Reiko warned, voice calm, though she ment everyword.

"I want to talk to you in private later Reiko." he said after leaning in close to her and nuzzled her affectionately, and released her. But then reclined back and sighed a bit, looking at the others. "Being a samurai is still serious business, even when you're as laid back as I am." he said to Sumaru.

Koharu sat down beside Sumaru and politely nodded to the new crewmate. "Oh, you must be the new transfer, Veran-Hei?"

Degan’s well trained mind instantly sized up the situation. From approaching hundreds and hundreds of groups of people and starting a conversation he had a knack for understanding how thing worked, who the cock block was, who needed to won over and how, and if the person with some was a boyfriend or not. He quickly saw that even thought Saito was holding the woman she was not reciprocating, meaning they weren;t together or that they were having a fight. She looked violent, however, he would need to stick to his less risque game to not piss her off. Percentage chance of him attracting her this second? 10%

"Sweet Chiharu!" Kyuuka said suddenly as she got the message from Yuriko, looking to Fuyu a little panicky. The blonde sprite scrambled about the med bay, unsure of what to just do exactly. Battle wounds she could do, but birth?

Good odds, but then again Degan saw anything above not trying (0% in his mind) good odds. He quickly decided on his approach. He turned to leave, stopped and looked back, his body sideways as he talked over his shoulder. “Hey, can I get a quick female perspective on something? I can only stay for a second because I need to meet some more people but, real quick, would you date someone who isnt of your race or class?” Degan said with a smile on his face

"Perhaps later, and do not nuzzle me." Reiko responded, then suddenly got up from her seat. She stared down the hall a moment. "You should go to the medbay Saito." Reiko warned.

"Yes I understand that, and for the person I wish to protect. I will do anything, becoming a Samurai is step one. Getting back to her is the next part, but I can't die yet I don't have that leisure." Sumaru said as he looked back up to meet eyes with Saito.

Saito acked and got up, he'd gotten it as well. "You're right!" He said and headed for the door and bowed to them. "pardon me" he said and floated of in a hurry, heading for the medbay.

Yuriko got to her feet, Misato, composing herself enough helped. Wiping her eyes clean, she helped Yuriko out of her suite, and towards the med bay, having to ask Yuriko just where to go.

Koharu's ears pricked at the sound of the name "Chiharu" for a moment before she looked at Dergan odly, not sure if he was addressing her or someone else. "Looks like Yuriko is having her children?"

"Sumaru, you don't hav eto be a samurai to protect someone." Saito had said telepathically to him.

Datenshi sighed a she layed out int he shower, relaxing a little as she shut her eyes. Why couldn't she relax? There was a torrent of thoughts rushing through her head, from the previous battle, to the twisting feeling she had felt when she had watched Nana and Kerr fooling around, to how she felt over the whole Samurai aboard and Yuriko pregnant with a samurai's child. The alarm she had set finally went off as she jerked off the floor. "Shit shit shit shit!" Tossing on atleast a towel, Datenshi went running through the hallways to find Yuriko.

Saya smiled a little, patting Kyuuka on the shoulder. Fuyu seemed nervous as well, shaking somewhat as she tried to calm down.

"When a princess is in the question, there can be no other way." Sumaru returned as he gathered his composure with a long drink of the strawberry tea.

"Yuriko-sama is having her babies." Shii said suddenly her voice groggy from sleep. She shifted her head around, and looked at Reiko who had yet to leave the wardroom.

"..Yeah...." Saito replied to Sumaru, sounding distant but cut the line as he reached the medbay soon enough to meet Yuriko there outside the door.

Yuriko was biting her bottomlip as Misato supported her.

"Yuri-chan you ok? Need any help?" Not really carrying about Miato being there, Datenshi slipped a arm under Yuriko's arm to help support her as well.

"Don't worry girls, it's nothing to fret over. It will be simple enough to take care of, much easier then removing Mishhu eggs." Saya said easily as she ordered for the two to start warming water an gathering up a few towels

Degan was confused. “Whats going on?” Degan said. He addressed a random guy in the room as he hadn’t learned their names yet.

"Yuriko-sama is having her child is what." Haru said as she came out of the kitchen with some tea for herself.

Misato muttered a curse under her breath, and gave Yuriko to 'Tenshi, the Bakufu suddenly calling her. Not wanting anyone there to listen in or see what was going on, the Shosho retreated back to Yuriko's suite, though she was still filled with concern.

Yuriko just nodded to 'Tenshi, now standing outside of the med bay. "Help me inside?"

"Not child. Children." Aki corrected as she suddenly appeared, having over heard Haru.

"Well then, what a joyous occasion. Perhaps we should hold off on our conversation for another day then Inaba-san?" Sumaru asked as he sighed and offered her a slightly more calm and collected smile.

Saito went to help her out as well. "you're in good hands Yuriko. don't worry." he said to her reassuringly.

"If that is your wish." Reiko said calmly as she seated herself once more.

“Wow.” Degan said, reeling back. “I didn’t even know she was pregnant. Quick, wheres med bay?” He was addressing a random guy he had yet to introduce himseld too.

"The captain is having her twins. I think, we can save the celebrations for later. And not go rush to visit the poor woman until she's ready to see us all, I am the ship's XO, Shoi Wasuremono Koharu, Vegan-Hei."

Koharu said rather calmly. "If you rush in there to greet her, I'll shoot you."

Degan put his hands up in an act of submission. “Just checking to make sure she was well taken care of. I’d look like a bad luck charm if, on my first day here, something happens to an officer on board.” Degan said.

"Well, if you’re up to it. I'd like to request formal training from you. I am willing to do anything it takes. I even have made plans with the Shoi to get me into a fitting neko body." Sumaru then bowed his head as he waited her answer, ignoring the conversation beside him for the moment being.

"Oh quiet Aki." Haru said aloud, frowning a little before she took a seat. She gave Degan the directions, along with a roster of the crew members.

Datenshi was quick to help her, tugging her into the room softly.

Saya spoke aloud and nodded to the two entering women. "We're ready!"

FluidJin: "Give me a reason." Reiko stated plainly.

"Don't worry, we are quite capable of handling this. Just give the woman some privacy and let the medical personnel do their jobs in peace," Koharu replied with a smile.

Degan sat down. “Wow, I know things are kinda wierd right now but can I get a quick female perspective on something?” Degan sat down on the couch, next to her and leaned back.”

Yuriko made her way into the med bay under Saito, and 'Tenshi's care until Kyuuka took over, and began to shoo them out.

"Sure, what's the question?" Koharu looked at Degan curiously as she cracked her knuckles idly.

Saito nodded and headed out and glanced to Tenshi and just smiled a bit. "She's blessed...children are always a wonderful gift." he said, musing. "wouldn't you agree?"

"So I can protect Ketsurui Sora-sama, and not be helpless and have to see her die again." He answered truthfully and seriously, his gaze meeting hers.

“If a girl has a boyfriend and kisses another guy, is that cheating?” Degan said, his head facing over her as he talked over his shoulders, leaning back with a confident grin on his face.

"Shoo me out my ass!" Datenshi said, glaring a little at the sprite.

"If you don't leave I'll put you under the most horrific medical examination the Star Army of Yamatai has! And your rank wouldn't even be able to save you!" Kyuuka retorted, glaring back. "Are you so thick headed to not notice things like this require privacy?"

Saito just sighed and went back in and went to grab Tenshi around the waist and pull her out of the medbay. "Pardon her Kyuuka, she was dropped on her head a lot as a child."He chuckled as he tried to pull Tenshi out.

"No." Reiko said simply. And sipped at the remainders of her tea idly.

"It depends on the relationship between the couple and what that kiss led into, traditionally most nekos do not have strictly monogamous relationships. But it's really a matter of the kiss," Koharu's crimson eyes stared into Degan's face, appraisingly. She looked unhased by such an odd question. "And it depends on who you kiss, otherwise you might find yourself genderless."

"Privacy my ass again! Not like I haven't seen eve-...On second thought I think I will leave." Datenshi said with a shiver, before smacking Saito in the shoulder. "Quiet you!"
Star Paul: "May I ask, why?" Sumaru raised a brow, outside he'd be frozen but inside it was tearing him up. Like the steps he took to get here were stolen out from underhim.

Saito chuckled and hauled Tenshi out and just pulled her against his chesta nd whispered to her. "Just give her the time. Giving birth is very stressful and she wont' appreciate having a bunch of people in there like some cheerleading squad." He said and removed her from the room finally.

“Ok, I understand that. How about if a girl has a boyfriend and kisses another girl? Is that cheating?”

He said, addressing Koharu

"Again, it depends on the couple and if she's bisexual," Koharu raised an eyebrow, this was certainly an odd question. "Look, if you are looking to try getting away with kissing someone else's girl, I doubt Kaserine is a good enough reason."

“Ok cool because I have this friend named Aria who went to this party and began to make out with a friend of hers. My friend John is dating her and he is not sure if he should be mad and accuse her of cheating or not.” Degan said, addressing Koharu again.
Semira Fallen: "Most normal guys would be more upset that he wasn't included. But who are you fishing to kiss, exactly? I'm allergic to bullshit, so please enlighten me to who might be possibly kicking you in the balls soon," Koharu commented non-chalantly.

“Whoa whoa whoa, someones moving rather quick. I was just asking a question

"Your intentions while noble, are greedy." Reiko explained, and asked Haru for more tea, this time preferable mint before she continued. "You want to protect her, [/i]You[/i] do not want to see her die again. Did she ask for your protection? Does she want it? I would think you haven't even asked her. That within itself is inheritantly greedy, and self absorbed. Samurai do not fight to solely protect one person. We fight to protect those around us. Saito would do the same for anyone on this ship I imagine, and Yuriko above all others. And you know why? Not because she needs his protection. Far from it. She could likely stand toe to toe with a samurai, but she asked for his protection and felt a kinship with him. Rethink your reasons, and look within yourself."

for a friends of mines and you immediately think I’m trying something. Its cool you don’t have a double standard thought.” Degan said. He put his hand out to high five Koharu.

"Uh huh, in my experience when people ask these sort of questions it is more for personal reasons than for someone else's benefit," Koharu looked at Degan's hand oddly. "I am a neko, it is rare that a relationship is strictly monogamous."

Sumaru bowed his head. "I understand..." With those words he then rose up from his seat. "If you'd excuse me, I have some other things that need to be done." The youth then continued out the door without waiting for a word from anyone. Sumaru didn't understand. He didn't get it... with tear-filled eyes he rushed off to his quarters.

Degan held his hand out for a high five. “Hrm, thats intresting. Smile for me real quick?” Degan said, still leaning back and adressing Koharu

Koharu saw Sumaru run out of the room through her skin vision and turned her attention to Reiko real quick with an icey glare. "Was that truely neccessary? She sent the wman telepathically before looked back at Degan with a predatory smile, there was a flash of anger in her eyes for a moment that gave way back to neutrality.

Degan put his hand down, taking the hint. “Oh, I see, you have a C shaped smile.” Degan said, pointing to Koharu.

Reiko just returned the stare with one that revealed more then it should in her eyes before getting up. "Sometimes the truth is ment to hurt." Was her reply as she left, still craddling Shii in her arms.

"There are better ways to enlighten than to grind your heel into his testicles. I understand the point but, you don't need to be cruel,"Koharu retorted to Reiko telepathically again. She looked at Degan oddly again, "O..kay... that's an interesting observation. How are you enjoying our ship so far?"

“Its cool. The people here are awesone and I am seeing some of the sexiest girls I ever have.” Degan paused to let what he said sink in so she would assume he was hitting on her. “Too bad looks don’t matter.” Degan said, replying to Koharu.

"Oh bite me, I'm sure she would have enjoyed a hand to crush..." Datenshi said with a small grumble.

Saito shrugged. "She's got the sprites." He said and released her but not before giving her a little bite on the neck/shoulder area before turning to head off. "I need to handle something I've been meaning to do for a while." Saito said and waved as he headed back to the ward room to pick up a datapad to use and a quiet spot to write a letter.

"I thought that usually was a good thing for most guys," Koharu responded cooly with a friendly grin. Her tone was softer than it was before, she was only reasing.

Sumaru quickly got into his room, a fist flying hard into the wall first. Sadness turned to sorrow and quickly turned into rage which led to confusion as he took one of his bags and thrashed it against the opposite wall before breaking down and sliding against the bed and falling to the floor to pull his pink star pillow that he replaced from his bed and sobbed into it, his thoughts became grim and again he felt him self shrink back into a single speck of dust in this large universe. "Why... all I wanted, was to protect someone... is, there no reason I'm here? Why did I even... join?" Sumaru's mind clashed and flurried a torrent of memories and feelings as he sat alone.

There was a small chirping in Sumaru's room on his communicator.

"I wouldn't coddle him when it comes to something like this. It had to be said and done, and I chose to do it. I didn't want to, but it was better then watching him go die needlessly and for greedy reasons then ones worth something. And you seem to forget. I was SAINT cruelty was part of the criculum. And has its uses, even if I crushed his hopes now, do you think that'll stop him? I made him rethink his goals, nothing more." Reiko explained, ending, and blocking further communications from Koharu. She didn't want to argue, she had a bellyfull of it already.

“To most guys, yeah. But well, I come from a place where the hottest girls in the universe go to make it. If you spend enough time there you find that beauty is common. Its something your either born with or buy. Its common. What is rare is a positive outlook on life and having something that makes them different and attractive from every other girl. So what makes you so different and intresting Koharu?”

Inwardly, Koharu half wanted to hug and slap Reiko. THe former SAINT was right of course, but she felt that her timing sucked. It further agrievated her that she had been blocked but understood the desire to not have to explain herself further.

His eyes glared at the communicator, despising everything and everyone right now. He reached for it, and brought it close looking over the display to see who was trying to contact him before he'd even think of opening the com.

Saito would just continue on in and nodded to Koharu and Veran before going to get a seat off to the side, getting a datapad to do some work on. "Hmm..." he said and sent a communication to Koharu after a moment privately. Koharu-san, I'm about ot write a letter to MIchi-chan but I can't think of how to start off. got any suggestions?" He asked quietly.

Reiko soon arrived outside of the med bay, and opened the door, She detatched herself from Shii, and the small sprite trotted inside. If 'Tenshi remained there, she'd see the sprites rushing about, attending Yuriko, and the sillouete of the Chui behind the examination room curtains before the door slid closed again.

Koharu smirked, "If I have to spoon feed you information about me, it makes the discovery of that information all the less interesting. I don't have to sell myself, I'm not on the market." She pursed her lips together for a moment in consideration for the newest voice in her head, " How about, 'Dear Michi, I miss you'?"

"KETSURUI, S" scrolled across the little window on Hasegawa's communicator.

Datenshi sighed a little as she slumped to the side of the Medbay. After a few moments she decided to get up and head off to the wardroom. With a yawn she muttered as she passed Reiko before she got to the wardroom. Stretching as she walked in, she plopped in a seat near Koharu and Degan. "Hey Koha-chan, hi newbie. What's your name?" The red headed armorer tilted her head a little.

Saito's telepathic voice would come through to her as a clear soft chuckle. "You're right, simple is better. And that's good... Thanks." He sent back and went to work, sitting nearby with a leg crossed over the other, ankle ofver knee style.

Reiko leaned her back against the wall outside of the medbay, took her sword, still sheathed out and held it propped against her shoulder as she sat, crosslegged, hands intertwined inside of the sleves of her uniform, head bowed, eyes closed.

"Hey 'Tenshi," Koharu offered the armorer a friendly smile and a short wave. She nodded to Saito.

His face flushed, Sumaru blinked and rubbed his tears away quickly against his pillow and then tossed it aside. A few quick breaths and rushed finger comb through his white locks. "Deep breath Sumaru..." He whispered to him self, trying his best to force some composure to him self. Then he clicked accept, still sitting there on the floor against his bed with a fake smile.

Aki sat in silence beside Haru, drinking her own tea. She'd snuck into the kitchen, and made it herself. The sprite held the mug in both hands and sipped, eyes closed. "Hmm...the birthing is going well it seems, no complications thus far. Though it seems Yuriko-sama took a swing at Kyuuka, though she apologized afterwards."

The young Ketsurui's bright and cheerful face appeared on Sumaru's screen. "Hi Sumaru-kun!" Sora's voice was full of her usual energy as she spoke. "I heard you guys have seen a bit of action since we parted!"

Reiko accessed the Asamoya's communications systems, and sent a communication to Midori back on Hotaru, making sure it was quite secure and of the top most priority for Midori to answer.

"Heh, you bet..." Sumaru said, his voice still trying to gain some stability. "How about on your end, is everything okay?" He asked, sounding a little more concerned then he wanted to.

"We've joined the crew old crew here in the midst of a boot drop, so things have been been going pretty slowly. I'm a little nervous about our new mission but I think we'll be all right. We have a ton of really talented and good people here, so we'll be fine. How are you holding up? You okay, you seem stressed?" Sora's voice sounded concerned.

"No, I'm okay! Everything's fine, just a little argument with one of our new crewmembers. Nothing to be concerned about." Sumaru was a horrible liar, in this condition, it showed. "But I'm glad to see your okay, and I'm glad to know your in good hands... truthfully, I've been worried a lot about you lately. I've been looking into something, if it works out... then I'll be able to be your knight again, but it's not going so well. But don't worry, I haven't given up yet... you mean a lot to me, and I... I will be there, to fight away your monsters remember? I promised, and you said you'd fix me up if anything happened! It was a promise with Sora-chan..." Sumaru trailed off, he seemed to be muttering it all, with a growing sadness in his voice. His eyes fell back to his hands, which were now bruised from the violence before when he was getting out his frustration.

"Hey you are a complex person and Im just trying to figure out whats different about you." Degans body language shifted to face Koharu a little more.

Sora tilted her head to oe side, "I did promise, I haven't forgotten," she replied sftly with a light blush appearing on her cheeks. "Just don't go tilting at all the windmills when there are real monsters lurking around you. Please be careful."

The connection went through, the top of Midori's head shown as she had her face buried in a book, "Hello my love, what is the matter?"

"She is in labor even as we speak."Reiko said simply, fighting the urge to blush.

"Hmm, from a first meeting, that's what you'll just have to find out," Koharu grinned as she leaned back in her seat, cracking her knuckles again. "But don't get too excited, the truth might not be as exciting as the expectation," she grinned. "I'd prefer being the mysterious ship's executive officer that devotes all of her time working than my crew's newest conquest."
harrikke paolino: "I know, how is she doing?" Midori asked as she looked up, a small blush on her face.

"Then... you accept me, as your knight? You want me... to protect you?" Sumaru's eyes came up, through his words were a little confusing to even him, it was all he managed to get out. His eyes were hopeful as he hung on her answer.

In a few minutes Saito would finish his letter to Michiko and put the datapad in the belt off to the side as well and looked over. And sighed a bit and leaned back, he was again kind of distancing himself from everyone, it was automatic now but it was hard on him. In a few minutes he'd get up and approach Koharu and Degan. "What're you guys talking about?" he asked with a smile.

"You are sexy, but you aren't mu type." Degan smiled. "But hey, you would make an awesome friend." Degan said, referring to Koharu.

Datenshi cackled a little, shaking her head as she patted Koharu on the shoulder. "Poor girl, weren't even looking for someone and you still got shot down, poor gal."

"Oh lay off Tenshi." Saito chuckled, stretched a bit, arching his back some as he did. "mmmm"

"The new guy is giving a heavy handed compliment," Koharu grinned at Saito. "Glad to hear. I doubt you're mine either." She retorted to Degan.

"She swung at one of the medical sprites." Reiko responded dryly.

"They are the strong type I hear." Midori said, a hitch in her breathing.

"Haha nice you caught that, most girls hear sexy and take it as a compliment." Degan said, to Koharu

"He sucks at them." Saito said dryly and smiled a bit looked at them. "mind if I join you guys?" he asked.

"Hey Saito, sit down man!" Degan cleared an area on the couch for him inbetween him and Koharu.
harrikke paolino: "Not at all handsome." Datenshi nodded a little and patted the spot beside her.

Reiko cocked her head to the side. It had been near enough two hours since Yuriko'd gone into labor. "It seems she's finally given birth to both. Though she came close to ripping a support rail off the medical bed. Do mood swings get like this while women are pregnant and giving birth?" Reiko asked, she knew the act of birthing was in fact pleasurable for the Nekovalkyrja bt the mood swings was another story.

The silver maned neko perked a brow and shrugged and accepted the seat, across from them. "I wouldn't want to sit between you two, it's funner to watch you from here." he said and sat next to Tenshi.

Sora blinked a little at the question, "As my knight? If you truely want to be a knight then nothing can stop you, it's what you do, how you act that makes it happen. It's a mindset as well as a position. You are my friend and you fight nobly and fiercely for our home, our nation, our kingdom. As one of the.. princesses, whatever you do in the name of the kingdom in also for me."

Aki poured more tea, eyes closed still. "She's given birth by the way. Two girls. Both healthy. It also seems she nearly decked Kyuuka, and ripped apart the medical bed.I thought birthing was supposed to be pleasurable for us nekos...guess with Yuriko-sama the mood swings got worse during the birthing process."

Koharu grinned. "Just want this to get more awkward, eh, Saito-kun? I've only threatened to shoot him once already. I'll bet I'll get to make another attempt at least another time tonight at this rate."

Degan shrugged, turning his back on Koharu. "Hey Saito, tell me something, how do you get to be a samurai?" Degan said, talking to Saito

Datenshi didn't seem content to stay on the couch. Grinning she hopped right up into Saito's lap and giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Cut the poor boy some slack...And jesus why does everyone wana be a samurai? Not that great really..."

Midori shivered and nodded a little. "Yes, the hormones peak during pregnancy."

He laughed at that and shrugged. "Yo could always come over and sit next to me on the other side Koharu-chan." Saito purred at her as he put an arm around Tenshi to support her on his lap. "Me? I was created to be one a long time ago." He said. " I was bought by a young woman in a small village outside Kyoto from PNUgen..." he said. "Just recently I got upgraded to the -27.."

"Well, don't just sit there shivering. Pop in, and see your kids." Reiko said sternly.

I'm glad Yuriko had the children alright, but I bet she's a little tired from the process. In my experience, it's best to give a little time immediately afterward. Saito thought after hearing the news.

Koharu's posture relaxed considerably as Degan lost interest in her. She hopped up from the couch and walked over to a drink counter. "The mystic, the dramatic family name, the SARAHs... it could be any number of things, Tenshi." The former Ketsurui replied with a grin as she walked over to the stairs leading up into the galley. "Be back shortly, play nice."

Yuriko had the railing of the medical bed in her hand, panting as the metal groaned in protest.

"Yuri-sama...you need to let up on the railing your going to break it..." Fuyu said, petting Yuriko's head as she rubbed Yuriko's forehead with a nice damp cloth.

"You were created to be a samurai? What about free will? What if you were created and did not want to become a samurai?" Degan asdked Satoi. He always struggled with questions of free will since his old days on Nepelisia as a partial ID SOL.

"And Tenshi, I enjoy being a samurai." Saito said and flintingly nipped at her ear lightly. He flexed the muscles visible in his torso to tease her a little more as he did. "I didn't know anything else when I woke up the first time." he said, looking over at Degan. "And I do enjoy what I do, just like I mentioned." he continued. "I've met a lot of interesting people and even have a young woman I consider my little daughter because of it..." he said.

Yuriko growled, her right hand coming up, and hitting Fuyu square across the cheek. It seems the sprites hadn't checked Yuriko's medical records. Mood altering drugs, alcohols, and bodily chemicals tended to elevate the effect in her sometimes.

"I understand, truly... you gave me a reason Sora, you inspired me to become something greater then what I am. Not only do I want to protect you, for what you've done for me. But your honor, and the kingdom of which you are princess of. So not only am I your champion, but forever in service to your ideals and hopes. As your sword and as your close... friend. Above all though, I really would prefer never have to deal with that helplessness of not being able to save the ship that day, to save... you and your memories. Even now, you don't even remember the conversation that I hold so dear, which inspired me to do all this. I don't want that to happen to you Sora-chan, ever again..." Sumaru's downward spiral mood rocked back up with that same burning passion of youth and determination in his eyes.

"But have you ever stopped to wonder why you enjoy being a samurai? If you were born, not created, do you think you would have chosen the same path? I mean, what if wanting to be a samurai is what they implanted in you at birth, but, in reality, without messing with free wil you would have been neutral to it or even hated it. Imagine how different your life would have been had you had a choice. You could have had a family or kids or be in the military or maybe even be evil. ver think about what your life would be like if you were born isntead of created?" Degan said, his eyes showing the passion of the questions he had asked himself for so long as he motioned to Saito.

Midori shivered again, going silent for a moment as she closed her eyes. With a sigh her hand which had been missing for the time being returned as a moment. Midori took the time to lick her fingers clean before she nodded. "Very well." Midori's face popped in just as she Yuriko clocked Fuyu across the cheek. "You know it's not nice to hit the help..."

Fuyu caught the fist with her chin which seemed to lift her into the air a little and toss her to the floor. Lifting her head once she let it slump back to the floor with a soft groan.

Saya eeped a little as she saw the sprite go down, rushing to the girl's side to see if she was ok. "Kyuuka, take over for a second!"

A message for Saito chirped brightly on his communicator.

Yuriko just had an 'oops I can't believe I just did that' sort of look on her face, her cheeks still red from the effort of birth, and from embarrassment of what she had done. The Chui hung her head, released the railing, and pushed her two index fingers together. "You know how I get sometimes..."

Saito looked a little distant at mention of family. "I'd still do it." he said. "born or created matters not Degan. I've got my own views on things and my own personality and soul. Birth doesn't make a person who they are, it's the choices they make. I chose to do what I do after my term of service was up to the Ketsurui clan, I do it because I want to help people. And I'm here because I respect Yuriko-chan and I feel a sense of kinship with her; I can tell that I can trust and believe in her." He said in a quiet, but deep way. "I'd like to have a family...to be a father one day. I can't do what the other nekos can and that makes me a bit sad sometimes...." he blinked and caught the chirping and pickedit up to see who it was first.

"Yes I do...How are you feeling?" Midori asked aloud, watching Yuriko with what seemed like a smile.

Sora seemed taken back by Sumaru's commitment to her, "I'm flattered that you feel so passionately. I just..." she turned as she heard a voice call her name off screen. The voice was hard to make out. The young Ketsurui blsuhed brightly as she smiled sheepishly into the screen. "Shot, something just came up. Nothing bad, just work. I'll have to call you bak, Sumaru-kun. Please, please be careful. I've rather see you as a rising star rather than as a martyr for the kingdom. I miss you.. guys."

The name that scrolled across Saito's screen was simply listed as "RESTRICTED- KYOTO".

"Nervous...I want to see our younglings..."Yuriko mumbled.

Saito perked a brow and gently put Tenshi off his lap. "I have to take this in private, I hope you understand." he said and stood up and stepped out of the wardroom and got out in the quiet of the hallway and flicked it open. "Hello?"

"A-alright, take care... don't get hurt. Just give me some time and I'll be there, I promise Sora... -chan." He then blushed deeply and waited for the communicator to close.

Degan pondered his answer. Had he been an ID SOL would he have ever had a choice? Would he be able to break through the bonds and circumstances of his birth? Would he even want too? All this, life, was just a game of lucky, a five card draw. Sometimes you can't change your cards. Sometimes all you could do was make the best with what you have. All Degan knew was that he was who he was, he lived, truly lived, according to his own rules. Was there any higher freedom in this speck of dust we called the universe? The freedom to make your own rules, the freedom to make your own destiny, the freedom to do as you please merely because its what you chose to do. There was a difference bewteen awareness and consiousness. So many were merely consious, exsisting on some deep level inside them, but thats all it was, existence. Could one who never truly lived ever truly die? They lived in their own minds, afraid to get out of their comfort zones, letting them always define them. Degan was a seducer, he had taught himself how to be analytically by seeing what works and breaking attraction down into steps. Sadly, the thing he realized was that analytics have nothing to do with emotions. Emotions, by definition, are irrational. Degan was stuck in a paradox. He wanted, even longer for a long term relationship, however that would mean he would have to give up attraction and his seducer ways, the only reason he ever tried to better himself for. The true path of a seducer was not lines or tricks, it was becoming your best self and then showing girls that. He was woken out of his revelry with a question. "Whats your name newbie?" "My name is Degan Veran, Santo Hei, Combat arms. And you are?" He said, replying to the girl who had not introduced herself yet.

"H..hello?" A very soft, gentle familiar voice responded back to Saito's inquiry."Saito?"

Datenshi pouted a little as she was set off to the side before she crossed her legs. "So, whats your name newbie?" Datenshi asked, looking to Degan as he seemed to be thinking to himeself.

Saito smiled softly as he heard the voice. "Michi-chan. I'm glad to hear from you again." He said.

"I'll do my best to keep myself out of trouble, you try to do the same," Sora offered Sumaru a quick apologetic smile as the projection from her multi-fnction bracelet fadedout with her turning around to hurriedly talk to someone else in the room.

"I was so surprised to hear from you. I thought you had forgotten about me," Michiko said very gently in a slow even tone of voice. "But I know you didn't mean to lose touch, I... could tell even from your message. I'm just so glad to hear from you and to know that you are still out there somewhere."

"I could never forget about you Michi-chan. I've been doing a lot of travelling for a little while, I'm on the Asamoya currently, but I was on Hotaru station before that." He said. "How have you been doing? I've been wondering that everyday since the last time I saw you." He asked in a calm, reassuring tone he always had with her.

"Akamaru Datenshi, Armor wing leader, Armorer and on the side a techy." Datenshi said aloud, smirking a little as the busty redhead stretched a little again.

"And here they are." Kyuuka said afectionately, looking down at Fuyu and shaking her head. She'd warned her sister not to get too close to Yuriko... In her arms was a small bundled blanket, and two small eight inch tall nekos were inside.

"Oh, so you are the armor wing leader? Nice to meet you. Im looking forward to ST'ing into a smaller body to be able to pilot a Mindy." Degan said, looking at the attractive girl.

"They are born yes?" Midori asked, looking not only to Yuriko, but to the others as well. Fuyu was just then coming around.

"Heh poor you. Such a shame really, I do hope you keep some things the same size..." Datenshi said with a grin, winking a little to him.

"Oh, I've been trying to find something to do. I find it slightly ironic that it took my mom's spirit that guided me to the temple to act as a counselor. She told me that she was going to the Asamoya. Are you there protecting her?" Michiko asked, politely. She twirled the phone cord in her left hand nervously, she was excited and terrified all at once to be talking to her old protector again.

"Well I was planning on having a smaller arms too to work the mindy." Degan grinned. "So how does combat usually play out around here?" Degan said, talking to Datenshi.

Datenshi let out a small sigh, rolling her eyes some as she shrugged. "We usually just protect the ship, or go ahead and attack the other ships, boarding and destroying, basic stuff." Tenshi said with a shrug

"Haha, you know, on the outside you seem really calm and collected but you seem the type to get all into combat, destorying anything that gets in your way." Degan said, talking to Datenshi.

Yuriko took the bundle nervously, and folded back the corner of the blanket hiding the tiny faces from view. One she could see had Midori's white hair, but it had a violet hue to it the little girl opened her little eyes, revealing them to be red like Midori's, though she had pale skin in contrast to Midori's skin tone. The little girl then moved her head a little, and looked towards the display of Midori, and Yuriko's face.

"Koharu-san?" Saito asked. "She's here too yes, in fact I was talking to her a moment ago." He said. Saito could detect the excitment and apprehension in her voice. "I'm here protecting Yuriko-chan though. But yes I'm acting as the ship's samurai." he said thinking for a moment. "A counselor is a good thing to be, that way you can help people without having to be out fighting all the time. By the way, do you still have those silver bracelets I made for you?" he asked, sounding a little excited himself.

"Of course," Michiko responded shyly. "I don't have very many things of my very own but I dohave that. And... that Mr. Bear we got at the plushie shop. How is it out there? I... almost wish I wasn't living in this gilded cage but I know I can't handle hearing them all. I've been having a hard time controlling it all again."

Midori couldn't help but break out into a genuine smile as she saw the two children. Looking to the other child, the girl was tan, almost as tan as Datensh, with ice blue hair. The hair blended down at the tips to a purple color, matching Yuriko's. The girl also seemed to copy Yuriko's eyes, a violet hue shown as she opened her eyes and immediatly began looking around.

Datenshi smirked a little. "Calm and collected? Hun you'll get to know me better pretty soon." Datenshi said aloud. She was in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt now, so the twin dragon tattoos were plainly evident.

"Cute aren't they?" Yuriko asked, sounding very proud. "We should name them Midori."

Degan noticed the tatoos. "Wow, those are some cool tatoos, show them to me."

"That...makes me really happy to hear..." Saito said in a soft tone. "Where are you at currently?" he asked, curious. "back int he palace in Kyoto?"

Sumaru was pleased; he now had a much more solid reason to present to Reiko. Sora had told him she wanted him, she cleared his vision and Reiko's reasoning became answered and he now understood. "No matter what, I'll be your knight..." Sumaru then cleaned up his room and made his way to the simulators, from then on... he'd be training.

Datenshi shrugged a little as she stood and tugged down her shorts, which showed her lack of panties. Smirking a little, 'Tenshi twisted her left leg a little to show the spiraling dragon tattoo that started from her foot and ended with the mouth aimed directly at her crotch, opened wide as if to bite.

Midori couldn't help but nod, smiling all the more as she saw the two. "She has you eyes an face..." She said, pointing to the ice blue haired child.

"It's large out here, and strange." Saito said. "Takes some getting used to in a way, like a giant floating cage in itself. Perhaps I can send you a few small things from the stations we have to resupply on." He chuckled. "Maybe one day, you'll be able to venture out; you're talented young woman, you can do it."

"Mmm, the other looks like us both. But more you then me." Yuriko stated, nodding a little a triumphant smile on her face. "I think I'll name her..."She thought for a moment. "How about Tai."

Degan got up and gently put his hand on her leg, gauigin her reaction as he looked at the tatoo. "Ow, looks painful." Degan said, his hand on Datenshi's ankle.

"Yep, each one was after a death, so it was a little painful." Datenshi said as she twisted her leg a little more, watching as the tattoo squirmed a little on her skin.

Midori nodded somewhat to Yuriko. "Sounds fine. The other will be Rikun then, ok?"

"That's fine too."Yuriko said after a few moments, stroking both of the tiny figures softly with a finger and smiling. "Once my mission is concluded, will you have time to see us?" The Chui asked Midori as she continued to stroke her daughter's heads gently, smiling.

"You died twice huh?" Degan pulled her ankle out a little to see more of her leg. He then let it go and sat down, next to her on the couch but a few feet away, making it a point to not sit right next to her

Datenshi nodded before she tugged back up her shorts, though she sat closer to Degan. "Yep, both in tough battles."

"I will make time Yuriko." Midori said aloud, smiling warmly now as she watched Yuriko and the children.

"I'd like that! It's a little lonely here but I remember that we all have to do what we can for the war effort. This is really all I can do to contribute," Michiko spoke a little regretfully as she softly chewed on her lower lip. "Sorry! I don't mean to be depressing, I just kinda miss you and having mom, dad and Hinosami here with me."

"I hear you. Ive had my share of tough battles." A image of complete destruction flashed in his eyes as his body involuntarily shook. He put his hand on her hand and shot her a warm smile. "Hopefully me being here will help you with not having to get another tatoo." He let go of her hand and looked into some far distant past.

"Aww Michi-chan..." Saito said. "It's ok you're not depressing. Actually hearing you doing ok gives me even more resolve to do my best out here to keep the enemies away from you..." He said, blushing a silvery color. "In a way I'm protecting you still from where I am." He added. "How is Yui-sama doin anyway is she even there anymore?"

"If we die and we are loved enough, we just come back." Datenshi shrugged a little and yawned, rolling her fingers little as her hand was let go.

"We've already encountered a large enemy force, seven ships total...thankfully we managed to fight them off and destroy them." Yuriko said as she kissed each little girl on their heads and continued holding them. "I may send them back before continuing the mission...the Adlich should still be in the area. But I don't think I could part with them right now." She just closed her eyes, wearing that helpless sort of smile.

Degan winced a little at the statement. "Well then I better make my one life worth it." Degan said, putting his head lower. In his mind he was fighting a battle. His seducer side was yelling at him for talking about a negative topic, therefore making a girl feel negative in your presence which will kill any attraction she has for you. However the memories and lonliness were just too much. Maybe thats why Degan went out with the intent of talking to random people, because during that time he wasen't alone.

Datenshi seemed to shuffle into his lap after a moment. She was a rather affectionate woman. With a giggle, she nuzzled her nose into his neck. "You know, why worry about death when we come back? Why not worry about living, and what you do while your living?"

"..Mom... is off some where, I haven't seen her in a few months. She's just so busy with the fleet and running Yamatai as well. You know how it is, with keeping the Mishhu at bay and keeping everyone safe she just...is gone," Michiko's voice got softer as she sighed. "So many people come here to pray these days, it's pretty in the spring time. I'm looking forward to seeing it in winter, maybe when you get a chance, you should come visit the temple, it's really pretty."

For this second Degan knew he was happy and ran his fingers through her hair. "Your right. How can we talk of death when we know so little about life?" He smiled. Degan was going to like it here.

"Then how bout we go discover a little more hmm?" Datenshi asked, nipping at the skin of his neck as she purred.

Saito smiled at the thought. "I'll do my best to get back there to see it in winter and see you again. I miss you Michi." he said. "I promise I'll get back there someday, hopefully soon to see you." he said.

"Lead the way, my'lady." Degan said, getting up. "Nice meeting you guys." He said, addressing the rest of the room as he took Datenshi's hand.

"Your kisses are wet." Tai stated gruffly, though she didn't move to wipe at where Yuriko had kissed her small head. Though the boy cut hair on her head was ruffled. Yuriko just smiled at her. "That is because I just love you so much I want to smother you in hugs and kisses." She said affectionately, her maternal instincts already in full effect.

"Who's she and where are we?" Rikun asked, pointing at the picture of Midori as she looked back at Yuriko.

Datenshi grinned a little, nodding as she hopped off of Degan's lap and tugged him by the hand. "Already got the newbie..." Datenshi sent to Yuriko.

"I'd better let you get back to work. I just wanted to talk to you a little again since you messaged me," Michiko's voice brightened, a smile could be sensed in her voice. she was happy to hear Saito's voice again, it had been a couple of years, after all.

"That's your other mother. The one who contributed her DNA to make you two cuties." Yuriko explained. When 'Tenshi sent her the telepathic communication, she'd feel a lot of warmth, and maternal love eminating from what she sent back. My daughters are born, and already speaking. She sent back proudly.

Saito chuckled a bit. "I'll contact you again soon alright Michi-chan? either it be via letter or communicator." he said. Thinking for a moment about something he could do for her if she didn't already have one.

"I'd really like that. I like getting to hear from you again," Michiko was rather pleased by this prospect.

Degan followed her, squeezing her hand to see if she would squeeze back. It was a small thing, however to Degan that was one of the best feelings in the world.
hiro_seishin: "It makes me very happy to hear from you too Michi-chan. but I've got to go check on my captain, she just recently gave birth." he said, giving Michi a feeling of joy over the com

"And you are on my ship little one, the Asamoya." Yuriko patted Rikun softly on her head.

"Smart ones eh?" Datenshi sent back as she opened her door after arriving at her room.

Rikun turned to look at Midori again and tilted her head. "Why are her eyes red?"

Midori laughed a little and smiled again. "Because I was special."

Rikun blinked a little. "Was? Did they make someone more special?"

Midori blinked a little and sighed. "That one is your child..."

Degan strode into her room, taking off his shoes as he entered.

Michiko smiled brightly, "Okay! Send her my love and may Chiharu's spirit guide you all. Please, just... don't say that last part around Koharu... I think it makes her feel awkward. Mom's not quite used to being as she is now," Michiko added thoghtfully.

"Want me to give her a hug for you?" Saito asked with a chuckle. "I will."

"Why, because I like to ask questions?" Yuriko asked, pouting a little as she looked to Tai who had a somewhat dour expression on her face.

"Why is it I get stuck with the sister who asks all the questions?" Little Tai asked pointing at Rikun with her thumb.

"Because, perhaps you two were ment to be sisters?" Yuriko asked, and explained at the sametime as she still smiled.

"I see..."Tai's expression didn't change for a lack of a better word. In fact she just pursed her little lips together.

"Oh my...this one is your daughter..."Yuriko pointed out giggling slightly.

Midori let out a small sigh, though still smiled. "As soon as I can, I will try to help raise them, I can see they will be a handful..."

"Mommy? Can I go run around in the ducts?" Rikun asked of Yuriko, already ready to be out and around the ship, exploring.

"Sure, she might hit you for it, but you can try," Michiko grinned. "But go see to your captain, sempai."

"I will. Take care of yourself Michi-chan. and I love you. remmeber that ok? you're like my little daughter too. as silly as that sounds." He said, starting to head toward the medbay, giving her a feeling of embarassment by his words.

"Only if you get some clothes on." Yuriko said with finality. Tai just looked at Yuriko still, and shrugged the blanket off her, and floated up, and sat perched on her shoulder, not a stitch on her.

"I need clothes too..."Tai said, not giving a wit about being in the buff in front of her mothers and sister. Yuriko just sighed.

Degan sat leaned agains the wall, waiting for Dateinshi to walk in the door and the festivities to begin

Kyuuka soon arrived with tiny sets of clothes for them both, two non-descript bodysuits with underwear, socks, and boots. Even gloves.

Michiko didn't say anything but simply imparted a strong feeling of warmth, relief and love that almost felt like a telepathic hug before she hung up the phone.

Saito hung it up and smiled and pocketed the communicator and would soon arrive at the medbay and peeked in. "Is is safe to visit yet?" He asked Yuriko or the sprites from the door.

Datenshi stepped into her room, twisting around to face him as she held her arms out. There was a rather nice looking bedspread on her bed, along with a amp and a guitar sitting in the corner of the room. The bed seemed to be covered about a third of the way with pillows, including a full body pillow. "How do ya like it?"

Rikun snagged the clothing and was already running off before her body suit had even been zipped up.

"Yuriko-sama cold cocked Fuyu..."Kyuuka was saying as she saw Rikun zoom by. She just blinked and shook her head.

Tai on the other hand took her time, and made sure everything was in order before still being perched on Yuriko's shoulder.

"I see." Saito said, stepping in and letting the door swish open for him. "Well well Yuriko-chan. congratulations on your newfound motherhood." he said, smiling brightly. He noticed Rikun as well and perked a brow then looked to Tai and watched them softly.

"It looks awesome. Do you play?" Degan said, pointing to the guitar. He sat on the edge of the bed, taking off his hat and putting it next to his shoes.
FluidJin: Tai, after a few moments sighed, and got up, and floated off after Rikun, but not before telling Yuriko'd she'd better keep her sister out of trouble.

Yuriko just smiled alittle, and sighed, shaking her head. "Thank you Saito-kun. I only get five minutes with them and they're already going off on their own." She chuckled helplessly.

Saito chuckled a bit and nodded. "They're certainly cute." he said and walked over to her. "And Michiko sends her love." Saito said to her and grinned, seeming happier than before.

Datenshi nodded a little and looked to the guitar. "Yea I play. I really wanna play in a band after my service."

Rikun cackled, pulling dow her eyelid and sticking out her tounge before dissapearing into a matinence pathway.

Fuyu was still a little groggy as she sat away from Yuriko, watching her closely.

"That is awesome. Do you think you can play me something?" Degan said. "Im the easiest audience to please."

On the Observation deck, Koharu sat with a cup of steaming tea as she watching the nothingness behind the windows with a soft smile. "All and all, not entirely a bad day."

Datenshi grinned a little and nodded, walking over to her guitar and picking it up. After a quick tune, Datenshi began to play a simple few chords, strumming them out before she soon became faster and faster. Before long she was playing some difficult pieces, her fingers running up and down the fret board.

Tai just sighed, and shook her head. "Oy...Rikun...try not to get sucked out into space!" She called to her sister as she followed after.

Yuriko on the other hand looked over to Fuyu, and wore a somewhat sheepish expression. "I am sorry for doing that Fuyu...sometimes I can be overly emotional and it gets the better of me...it should be in my medical history..." She did sound sorry, and looked down at the blanket covering her.

Fuyu nodded a little, pouting somewhat. "It just stings a little Chui..."

Yuriko held her arms out, beckoning for Fuyu to come over to her.

Degan put his hand on her arm, stopping it. "You play beautifully, Im fully confident you can get that gig after this is all over." Degan gently took the guitar out of her hand, placed it back in its corner. He then put his finger at the top of her forehead and traced a half circles down her face, his finger ending under her chin as he gently pushed it up and kissed her.

Datenshi returned the kiss, giggling a little. "My my the romantic type huh?"

Fuyu stood and came closer to Yuriko, wrapping her arms around her. "They are both beautiful, Yuriko-sama."

"At times, at others times Im the throw you against the wall and make you moan type. I guess I just go with what I feel during the moment." Degan said.

Yuriko hugged Fuyu, and kissed the spot she'd struck. "I am sorry for doing that to you...And thank you Fuyu, believe it or not...I consider you, and the other sprites as my children most of the time too." She smiled andpatted the girl on the back as she gave her an affectionate hug and sighed. "Now, I've still got work to do...but I know you, you'll want me to rest, so I will do some here until I can leave."

END

 

[Soresu]

ON: YSS Asamoya

It was now around noon as the three ships continued on their journey of exploration, and quite possibly establishing a outpost for the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet. As the ships were more then halfway there by now, the dropped back into normal space, and continued on STL propulsion. Unawares of what the crew had been doing, the Shoi remained on the bridge, chin propped up by a hand. Elsewhere, a samurai in-training stranded aboard the experimental ship sat mostly alone in the wardroom, a cup of green tea in both her hands, and a green haired sprite in her lap. The sprites knew she was there, and had taken to her, though doubtless they had seen her distress at the situation, and Yuriko's current mood. So they chose to simply tell Yuriko after they found her in a better one.

With a small sigh Saya made her way into the wardroom as well, yawning a little as she thumbed through her files on the crew members. "I hope she keeps her reproduction drive off...If not she will be a pain." Saya said, looking at Datenshi's file with a shake of her head. Looking up she blinked a few times before realizing it was a samurai in the wardroom. Fearlessly she went and sat across from her. "Greetings Reiko-sama."

"Mmm... Hello." Reiko replied quietly, eyes closed and sipping her tea. Shii sat in Reiko's lap, obviously comfortable as she seemed to be napping, using Reiko's chest as a pillow. The samurai seemed at ease right now despite her situation, though on the inside she was panicking, and fuming.

Saito would have left the little game and was heading for the wardroom himself just wearing a pair of slightly baggy pants and sandals with a sword on either hip as he walked. "Well that game was fun at the very least." He mused as he continued down the hallway toward there to get something to drink, feeling a little on the parched side. I wonder how everyone else is doing...I get a feeling of a general anticipation floating around this ship...

"How are you feeling?" Saya asked with the tilt of her head as she smiled. A order was placed silently for herself for some tea. Flipping to a new file, she tried to find Reiko's. "Ano...Your file does not seam to be here. Are you supposed to be here Reiko-sama?"

"Of course my file is not there. Before I could disembark, your Shoi set off to begin her mission." Reiko explained as she continued to sip at her tea in a calm, cool, and composed manner.

Shii mumbled something and snuggled into Reiko's chest as the samurai continued to drink. The little sprite clinging to the slightly taller woman. Reiko wasn't exactly the epitome of height, standing at a mere 4'9", boarding on 4'10".

"Um...Gomensai Reiko-sama." Saya muttered, looking down with a deep blush as she seemed to take on the mistake as if it were her fault.

"It is alright." Reiko said with a little wave of her hand. "Haru, please bring me some more tea...and possibly something sweet?" The samurai said, raising her voice enough to be heard in the kitchen.

Making his way through the ship, Kerr found his way into the bridge. He quickly spotted Yuriko and bowed deeply to her. "Hello, Shoi. Are you feeling as well as you look?" he greeted her.

Haru was quick to bring her tea and a small slice of carrot cake. sweetened a touch more then usual. "I have been experimenting, please be gentle." Haru giggled a little and bowed before handing Saya a piece of cake as well.

Nibbling on the cake a little Saya nodded. "Tasty!"

Saito would get to the wardroom in a few minutes and yawned a bit and glanced over. "Hello there Shii, Reiko and...young woman I don't know." He chuckled, looking to Saya on the last one and reached back to fix his hair into a ponytail again. He noticed Haru when she came in and nodded politely to her too.

"Unfortunately no. Being pregnant means I have mood swings." Yuriko blandly replied as she got to her feet, feeling the sudden urge for food.

"Shii is asleep, don't wake her. Reiko warned, patting the small sprite on the head as she poured more tea for herself, and sipped some more.

the silver hair chuckled and walked over to her and gently stroked shii's soft hair gently. "She's cute when she's asleep." he said quietly and went to get something to drink from the kitchen.

Kerr frowned a little at the response, figuring his work was cut out for him. "Are you leaving?" he asked. "Do you mind if I walk with you?"

Saya jumped at the new person and waved. "Greetings Saito-sama, I need to do a physical on you later."

"Oh? And why is that?" Saito asked, glancing over at Saya. "And you are...?"

"No, I do not mind." Yuriko said as she moved to the bridge exit, half a dozen volumetric displays opening up as she wanted to keep track of the sensor readouts, and communications with her escorts.

"I am Fujiwara Saya. A pleasure to meet you." Saya replied after standing, dropping into a bow after introducing herself.

Nana walked out of engineering after running a rather routine diagnostic of some of the systems, stretching her arms over her head and giving a wide yawn. She scratched gently at the back of her thigh as she crept out and down the hallway, smacking her lips. For whatever reason, probably involving some deep-rooted psychological reason, the pink-haired techie was craving milk. Badly.

"Nice to meet you as well." Saito said, returning her bow with a small one of his own. "Pleasure to meet you as well but why a physical?"

"She is the doctor." Reiko pointed out. The girl then picked up her fork, and sliced off a small end of the piece of cake, and ate it slowly.

Saya jumped again and quickly nodded. "Ha-hai! I am the new ship's doctor."

He laughed softly. "Well that makes sense." Saito said. "If you want we can schedule one for as soon as possible." He said and went to get a seat of his own and sat back.

"How about after a bite to eat?" Saya asked.

"Thank you, Shoi," Kerr spoke as he moved to Yuriko's left and started to walk along with her. "I'd like to ask your permission for an idea I had."

"If you so desire." He said and relaxed a bit, being shirtless still. "Pardon my lack of a uniform, I'm not exactly a military neko."

"It is fine..." But it wasn't really as Saya kept her eyes to the floor, then to the table after she sat down.

"What's wrong? You embarassed to look up?" Saito send to Saya telepathically.

Nana scratched at her belly as she walked, an unusual spring in her step. She was making her way towards the wardroom and was only a hair's breadth away from beginning to skip. For now, however, the surprisingly energetic neko kept her enthusiasm in check.

Saya simply nodded in reply, eyes still down. She was still a innocent girl afterall.

"Idea?" Yuriko asked, a puzzled expression on her face as they walked..

Saito dropped the communication, respecting her desire to protect her seeming innocence and closed his eyes, thinking. .


Kerr nodded. "Yes, I've spoken with Nana about it and I believe that it would be possible to modify my Ryusei II to carry the anti-shield missiles that the Athena can be loaded with. It will enable me to disable enemy shields from a distance with a payload better suited to squid ships."

"The Athena, created by the Xenedine Corperation." Yuriko mumbled toherself as the specifications came up for the fighter. She studied it a moment, and closed the window as they neared the halfway mark of their short trip. "They are buitl along the same lines, unfortunately we do not have any of the anti-shield missiles for the Athena in stock."

The pink-haired Neko idly hummed to herself as she pranced along, arms swinging in time with each step. She'd eventually reach the wardroom, swinging inside and edging backwards to lean against the nearby wall. Rolling her shoulders, she sighed heavily, speaking out loud to no one in particular, "I want milk.."

"Hello Nana." Reiko's familiar, quiet voice greeted as she sat there still, back to the techie as she continued to sip her tea.

Saya waved lightly to Nana as she entered the room. "I need to do a physical for you Nana-sama. A little later if you do not mind?"

Haru quickly brought out the milk, smiling as she handled the ice cold beverage. "Here ya go! Compliments of the ship!" the comment would be true in more then one way.

"That's a problem but I think it can be worked around," Kerr replied. "If the modifications can be done safely, then the next time we resupply, we'll be able carry few more weapons."

"You are forgetting the Ryusei also has Light Subspace Collapsing Rockets, which we have a number of for your fighter." Yuriko pointed out as she walked into the wardroom, a volumetric display in front of her.

Reiko would be given a brief glance, Nana recognizing the voice but not putting it to a face just yet -- obviously. "Hi..." And she was soon returning to her hollow demands, "I want milk. And.. well, I'm not producing." The last bit was murmered a bit more quietly, in a slightly more bitter tone... a single step would be taken forward, "Physical? Oh. Sure thing." A smile to Saya, before the techie would take the cup from Haru, "Thanks, Haru-san..." Nana would tilt her head back and proceed to chugging the refreshing, cold drink, "..mmmh..."

Saito simply kept quiet and to himself, thinking some.

Reiko looked over her shoulder at the vague greeting. "Do not remember me Nana?" She asked cooly eye brow arched a moment before she turned back around, Shii had shifted her position, now clutching Reiko.

"Yeah but they're just rockets. I have to get close-up to use those suckers." Kerr entered the wardroom just a second after Yuriko did, only to notice Reiko with Shii in her lap. "Who the hell is the new neko?" he asked bluntly.

"She's Inaba Reiko." Saito said. "keep the tone down or she'll gut you without a second thought."

Yumiko had been spending much of her time since the attack strangely out of the spotlight of most. Despite this being a new ship to her, with a new crew, who she was expected to support, she found herself in her quarters, reviewing mini-files on the crew members. Nothing personal, just a broad profile for the people she was expected to assist and 'be there for'. Surely, she felt she'd read every single one of them a dozen times at least, mostly out of nervous anticipation, but it was time to get -out- of that room. This brought her outside, into the corridor, and on her way toward the Wardroom. A glass of orange juice would -surely- perk her up again, and get her in the mood to meet everyone.

"Nyaaa...." Squinting, Nana turned to look at Reiko, swiping a drop of milk from her lips with her tongue. Her eyes widened -- now she remembered, "....R..Re..Rei.." The pink-haired techie stammered for several seconds, a bright blush rising to her cheeks.

Reiko's eyebrow twitched slightly, both from Kerr's blunt question, and lackluster manners, and Nana's coming close to calling her a spacific name she sorely disliked.

Yuriko just blinked as she saw Reiko sitting there. The Shoi made a little face that had 'whoops' written all over it. I forgot to give her time to get off the ship didn't I? She thought to herself.

Kerr looked at Saito to Yuriko and back to Saito before asking again, "Okay, I think. Well, at least we've got another great-looking addition to the crew."

"...Hi! Long time no see! What are you doing here?" The words were forced, rushed, Nana quickly averting her eyes and edging in Kerr's direction. The blush never left her face -- in fact, it deepened, the technician practically glowing a pink that all but matched her hair. "..Hiya Josef."

Saya seemed to try to melt into her seat, a blush forming on her face. She didn't seem to wish to be noticed.

Haru did though as she came into the room. Waving to everyone she held up a small pad. "Taking food orders, whatcha guys want?"

Reiko then laid a hand on the hilt of her sword, and thumbed out about a centimeter of the blade as her eyebrow continued to twitch because of Kerr.

"Just don't piss Reiko off." Saito warned him. "You won't live long enough to regret it." He glanced up at Haru and waved her on. "nothing for me."

He calmly got up and walked over to Reiko and put a hand on hers to keep her from getting it out. "Save your blade for something more worthy of it's keen edge." He said, leaning over to whisper into her ear.

"Howdy, Nana," Kerr greeted the pink-haired girl with a wave and a toothy grin. "Lookin' good today." He then gazed back at Saito and Reiko, "Nothin' to worry about. I'm a likeable guy. And if you didn't catch my name, it's Josef Kerr."

"Eheheh...be careful Kerr...she is samurai...and SAINT." Yuriko warned, the look on her face still firmly in place before her stomach growled loudly, and she just slumped her shoulders, and head.

She hadn't even realized it, but there was a certain eagerness in her step that brought her tot he Wardroom a bit quicker than she intended. Her mind had been a bit muddled with thoughts of what she was going to do, once she met everyone. Meetings, first? Perhaps one-on-one conversations in private, first? Maybe just a broad introduction, first? Those thoughts were cast aside once she stepped through the door into the Wardroom and saw the people gathered. There was even a face she didn't recognise, and that made her -almost- panic. Did she miss a profile?

"I'm not even supposed to be here." Reiko hissed as the sword went back into its sheath, with a small trail of blood.

"I know Reiko." Saito said. "But we can always use someone of your skill with us here." He said to her. "Besides, you can keep an eye on Yuriko for Midori too." Saito said, wanting to soothe her feelings. "If you want, later on I'll help you burn off steam with a spar if you so desire. And you can keep this insult in your back pocket to use on him later too."

"Meh." Reiko muttered, going back to her tea.

"Thank Chiharu..." Saya said to herself as she saw the small catastrophe averted.

Some where on the ship, Koharu sneezed.

"Well, I'm going to head out. Got some work to do on the ole Ryusei," Kerr declared as he prepared to make his exit. However, he paused as he saw another unfamiliar person. "Okay, where are all these new people coming from?"

"Foooood...."Yuriko mewled, feeling weak, and hungry. Eating for herself, and two others kind of just took it out of you.

Saito looked relieved and lightly kissed reiko on the cheek before pulling away and went to go take a seat for himself and went to relax a bit. His eye on Yuriko, watching her carefully.

"Ha-Hai! What do you wish Yuriko-sama?" Haru asked.

After a few moments, Datenshi came strolling into the wardroom with a small smile on her face. She seemed to be walking a little oddly, but otherwise she seemed normal, well till she saw the samurai. Her mood seemed to change as she spotted the girl, a small glare crossing her face beore she looked off to the side, muttering something under her breath.

"A pleasure to see you again too Datenshi." Reiko greeted airly as she sipped at her tea again. Shii muttered something along the lines of 'Marshmellows, and fluffy' as she cuddled into Reiko.

"Something filling...I don't like this wanting to eat every few hours..." Yuriko pouted a little as she shuffled over to a table, and laid her head down on it.

Nana's eyes were pulled away from Reiko and back towards Kerr, a frown touching the pink-haired techie's face, "Aw. Leaving already?" She placed her hands on her hips, but not before waving to 'Tenshi with a bit of a smug smirk.

"Hai! I will make you something filling Yuriko-sama!" Haru dissapeared back into the kitchen to quickly make some food for Yuriko.

Datenshi only seemed to hmph a little at Reiko's call, but called out her own little "Hey..." in reply.

Koharu sat in the pilot's chair of the Asamoya, vigilantly watching the ship's sensors as they travelled when she felt her stomach rumbling. She pursed her lips together as her eyes danced across the screens. I'm feeling a little hungry, I should eat... but.. I have stuff to do! Food can wait for later. But, I don't know what'll be happen when we get to where we're heading. She frowned as she engaged the auto-pilot as disconnected from the ship. It took a few moments for her eyes to readjust to being on her own again. She stretched her armsand gently rubbed her eyes. "MEGAMI, is there anything on the lunch menu today?"

Saito watched Tenshi come in and offered her a wave and smiled a bit, but looked with soft eyes at Shii. He couldn't help but smile at her in that 'older brother' kind of way, she was just so adorable! Thinking about something, he'd shift and watch the others. "Hey Tenshi don't let it bother you, if you want you can sit over here with me." he called to her with a grin.

"Wanted to check out the Ryusei and make sure that it's ready before anything hairy comes our way," Kerr told Nana while eying Yumiko's unfamiliar face. "Well, I guess I can stick around a bit longer seeing as everyone's here."

"Haru is preparing meals according to the crew's wishes Shoi." MEGAMI replied.

The caretaker -finally- stopped simply 'watching' everyone, and made her way immediately toward the kitchen. There was OJ to be had! "Orange juice... orange juice..." Naturally, a nod and smile would be given to Haru, immediately upon being noticed. "Hi, there! I... Well, is there any orange juice?"

"Thank you, Meg-chan.I'll be right down," Koharu said with a soft sigh as she exited the bridge with a quick stride and headed down to the wardroom.

Nana giggled faintly before she turned and wandered out of the wardroom in turn, making sure to give Kerr's bottom a playful tap on the way out. Her hands clasped behind her back, and, instead of walking off to begin a routine manual inspection, she merely paused outside and leaned against the wall with a heavy sigh, ".....mmmh." A frustrated whimper soon followed.

For the smile and intrusion, Yumiko would get a leek to the forehead, perfectly centered as if she were a sniper. "No intruders! Make the order!" Another leet wized at her head now.

"Not even a goodbye?" Reiko asked Nana via telepathy as she continued to sit there cradling Shii.

"So, what's the problem?" Kerr asked Nana as he leaned against the wall next to her. He had followed her out, figuring wrongly that the love tap was an invite for something.

Nana's ears perked a bit, lips pursing a bit as Reiko's voice entered her mind. A wistful sigh, and she rubbed lightly at the back of her neck, "Oh, I'm coming back... I was definitely not expecting to see you here.." Casting her eyes up towards Kerr, she went quiet for a brief moment before speaking, "Nothing. I was.. just being friendly. Um..." Her gaze was quickly lowered, the same blush still on her cheeks. She felt so repressed.

Yumiko's eyed widened, and she gave a startled yelp. "Green!" Her body jerked, attempting to get out of the way, but the first leek hit her square in the forehead. She managed to catch it before it hit the floor though, and backpedaled toward the door as the second one was thrown. "I'm sorry! I just want some orange juice!" And out the door she went, -narrowly- avoiding the second ninja-thrown vegetable. Now back in the wardroom, she let out a slow steadying breath, while looking down at the.. onion.. vegetable.. -thing-, in her hand.

"Okay, if you say so," Kerr replied with a shrug. "I think things get complicated when we think to much. When my head gets jumbled, I do somethin' that I really have to focus on and things kinda clear up on their own." With that somewhat random statement, Kerr bounced himself off of the wall and started for the bay that held his fighter. "See ya later."

Koharu strode into the wardroom smoothing out her slightly wrinkled pants torso variant uniform. She had a weary, slightly haggard look of someone who had been driving for a long duration of time. She yawned softly , covering her mouth with her right hand.

Yuriko groaned again from the table, and suddenly shot up, eyes wide. "Raise shields!" The Shoi yelled, ordering all three ships to engage their shield systems. Just as she spoke, and the Asamoya's shields activated the ship was rocked by an impact.

Haru quickly brought out a cup of orange juice, her face all smiles now as she placed it infront of the girl. "See? That wasn't so hard now was it?" Nodding a little she trotted back to the kitchen to finish Yuriko's dish. After a few more moments, the sprite brought Yuriko out her dish. A nice and simple dish of chicken, which was lost as Haru lost her balance, falling over now, the dish flying through the air. Seeing her creation lost, she sniffled and teared up.

Koharu cursed, loudly. "GOD DAMN IT, I JUST LEFT THE BRIDGE!" She spun quickly about and made a mad dash back to the bridge.

"..Yes. I will.. see you later.." More of a promise than anything, the heavily pent-up Nana sighed to herself, slapping a hand against her forehead and dragging it down her face. The hell's wrong with me? She was knocked out of her thoughts suddenly, stumbling backwards and then glaring into the wardroom, gripping at the wall, "..I'm going to assume that's not a good thing... I know, I know. 'Nana, get to engineering', right?"

A The blast had come from a medium SEPC from a Mishhuvurthyar phasing scout. There were two of them, but they suddenly disappeared from the sensors as they phased again. In the center however...was a Xianthrafruglu Gunship. The gunship charged its Heavy SEPCS and fired, the Asamoya's MEGAMI took evasive maneuvers, diving out of the way of the blast as the two Sakura's broke off as the gunship began to launch its battle pods.

Kerr stumbled when the Asamoya rocked but quickly recovered his balance. Without having to think about it, he ran for the multi-function bay, undressing frantically at the same time.

Yuriko was thrown from her seat but quickly got back up, hand on the table to steady herself. "The gunship is launching pods!" She looked over to 'Tenshi. "Get the armor wing together!" She ordered before running out of the wardroom, heading for the bridge.

Saito slowly got up and floated off the ground to avoid being pitched and caught Haru to steady her before going to follow Yuriko. "not more of these pathetic squids." he sighed to himself, jogging after her. "This is perfect, jsut what we need right now..." he mused.

By the time he reached his Ryusei, he was already half-undressed. It only took a moment for him to completely discard his uniform and slide into the open cockpit of his fighter. "What's going on?" Kerr radioed as soon as the Ryusei's systems came online.

Datenshi was off and running as well, her top coming off already as she called for Aki to prep a suit for her.

Yumiko was sort of lost in a daze of bewilderment when the ship suddenly moved in a way that she was, regretably, deciding she had to get used to. She stumbled, but managed to catch herself againast a wall. A frantic look around, and she dashed for Haru, stuffing the leek in her mouth to free her hand. She moved to help her up, since she was the -immediately- noticed. Orders were being thrown about. Stupid squids and their apparent -need- to destroy a peaceful day.

Koharu slid to a stop on the bridge, hopping onto the tactical station's chair in case Yuriko was planning on hoppin into the pilot's seat. She pulled up the screens quickly. "Meg! What the hell was that?"

"My meal..." Whimpering a little the poor sprite tried to clean up the mess.

Datenshi was in the bay, nude, and half way into her suit by the time she asked Yuriko, "Orders and who can I take?"

"Ah, yes. 'Nana, to engineering'. Got'cha." Snapping a finger, Nana turned tail and took off towards Engineering as a preemptive measure, glee lighting up her face at the prospect of a whole new batch of smashed up ship parts to fix. Or break worse.

Aki began prepping a suit for 'Tenshi, and Reiko ran after her.

"We're under attack, what the hell does it look like?!" Kyuuka yelled as she ran by on her way to the medbay.

Yuriko soon arrived on the bridge, out in space she saw the Sakura's firing at invisible opponents. A blast struck one, penetrating the ship's CFS, and blackening the hull near a pylon. "Scouts! Yuriko to Sakura escorts, deploy weapon pods, and twitch to transphased polaron mode." She ordered, her ship's own weapon pods coming out as the Sakura's did so. The scouts continued to pepper the Sakura's, phasing in and out until one of them got a lucky hit in on the scout knocing out a SEPC.

"What's waiting for us out there?" Kerr broadcasted to the bridge from inside of his Ryusei. "I'm getting ready to setup my payload."

"I am going with you." Reiko said adamantly as she began to disrobe, and walking towards a Mindy 2A in responce to 'Tenshi's question.

"Take any of the sprites minus the nurses, we may need them. I am holding off on the Sakura's from launching their power armors. I do not want to reveal my hand too early." Yuriko replied vageuly as another impact rocked the ship as a phasing scout hammered through one layer of shielding to only be stopped by a second. "Load Interphasic Torpedoes, and activate the Interdiction Field! Warn the Sakura's of our intent!" She ordered MEGAMI.

Seeing the sprite more or less okay, she lets out a sigh. "Don't worry. After the battle she'll -really- want one. Just think of what you'll have time to prepare..." she reasoned, and started her own mad dash to the med-bay. Surely she was expected to do the same as she'd done in the last battle.

Saito stayed on the bridge, watching what was going on, since he didn't have PA experience; he'd have to serve as ship security for these battles. This was just like at the Hotaru Station weeks ago. How many are there out there is the question. Probably about at least half a dozen or more scouts, probably a handful of gunships, a carrier and maybe others. Saito thought, watching the readouts on a console, monitoring the to see if there was a pattern to how the scouts phased.

"Koharu, keep us out of firing range of the gunship until the Interdiction Field activates." Yuriko ordered

"Just hurry up and get dressed then!" Datenshi said aloud as she looked around. With a grumble she saw that no other sprites were coming, apparently needed in other capacities.

Reaching Engineering, Nana gave a quick look around and then grumbled to herself as she came to a hault before the console, watching the ships statistics as she pulled up various windows, her eyes flicking between them and keeping an eye on all of the readouts.

"Aye aye," Koharu quickly reconfigured her station to flight control and quickly manuevered the ship backwards away from the invisible enemy. She wanted to keep the ship facing forward as long as she could to not turn their backs on the enemy vessel.

Datenshi let out a small relieved sigh as she saw Aki and Ame join them, along with Shii. "Ok so we got five now...We should be ok." Datenshi said as she began to look around the bay. She had equipped herself with the anti-starship pack, hoping the other sprites would be smart enough to compensate.

Reiko snorted. "Save your anger for the battle field." She pointed out, stepping into a Mindy, and putting the helmet into place.

One of the phasing scouts began to take heavy damage as one of the Sakura's nailed it in a series of blasts from their weapon pods, the armor buckling as a section of the ship blew away, revealing the ugly vessel, now unable to phase. The Sakura-class gunship danced about it, and fired her positron cannons, impacting the hull as little over a hundred attack pods launched.

The second phasing scout began to chase after the Asamoya, firing its medium SEPCs at the ship, rocking it again from a glancing blow. Yuriko meanwhile had the interdiction field activated, cutting off the gunships chance to fire its Legacy Cannon, and tilting the battle more into their favor..

PAUSE