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Plans and Agendas

Nashoba

Nashoba

SARPaholic & Admin
Convention Veteran
Retired Staff
Location: Fort Shotou
Time: One week after the NMX attack on Daichi.

The 2XF Logistics group dropped out of hyperspace and approached the planet. When they learned of the attack on their Headquarters the mission commander had canceled all shore leaves. All hands were tasked with loading the Origin equipment that was purchased. Shifts working round the clock got all of the purchased equipment, the Origin personnel and their support equipment loaded in record time.

Once the SAoY vessels were loaded, they got underway with a flotilla of Origin crafts. For security and safety the group took a circuitous path through Elysian space and then descending to SX-04.

Now the ships were in orbit, and descending to Fort Shotou. As the first ships touched down at the forts starbase, a message came through from the aid to the Taisho.

From: Onikisu Hide-Shosa
To: Logistic Group Commanders, and Origin Starship Commanders
Mikasa Sorano-Taisho requests the presence of all SAoY ship commanders, and the senior delegation of Origin personnel in her conference room, tomorrow morning at 0800 hours.

This meeting is to discuss changes to the planned itinerary for the Origin Equipment and Training of SAoY.

Sincerely,
Onikisu-Shosa.
Click to expand...

Sumai Awai-Shosa the commander of the 2XF Logistics read the message. What has the Taisho got in store for us that she needs an urgent meeting. Guess we'll find out in the morning. she thought.
 
Sierra looked over the note that the 2XF Shosa had sent to the Origin ships who were ferrying personnel and some of the training supplies. She knew that at the very least she would have to be there, being the representative, but Javier would probably also like to go, being technically her boss. The redhead adjusted her Durandium glasses, her fingers hovering over a keyboard as she decided whether or not to respond immediately.
"Javier. Do you want to go to a meeting tomorrow? Something seems to have come up."

"Well, It would be rude for us to not speak with our hosts. We are guests, after all. Just as long as I don't have to wear that suit again." Javier spoke up, peaking his head over the befreckled girl's shoulder to look at the message.

"It says "senior delegation". I would guess that specifies us."

"That it seems." Sierra responded, nodding her head in agreement with Javier. "What do you think this could mean? I hope they aren't changing our training agreement or something silly like that." the redhead mused. "What if something bad happened?"

"Well, I don't see what could happen to make them renege on the deal. They won't do that. And since we're here anyway with our own gear, I have the feeling we'll be seeing some real combat soon, courtesy of the NMX."

Sierra froze. She didn't like the sound of that. Actual Combat? "I sincerely hope the 2XF will protect us... I don't want any of our people getting hurt. ESPECIALLY you" she said, turning around in her chair to give Javier a stern look.

"I know you were a soldier or something at one point but you aren't anymore! You're important to Origin! To Kensuke.. To... To Me.."

The Origin Manager smiled at Sierra, his hand finding its way to hers, squeezing it. "I have no intention of dying and leaving you alone. But at the same time, It isn't right, where I come from, to refuse to assist your host is dishonorable." Javier leaned closer to Sierra, the pale skin of his cheeks lightly red from embarrassment. "I want to protect you too, Sierra. If that's okay with you, I mean."

Sierra blushed as well, the skin between her freckles changing color to be closer to that of her hair. "I know you want to protect me, and I want you to protect me too... But... Can you protect me from somewhere safer than the front lines? That's the Military's Job, not ours. we're only here to test and train."

She seemed concerned at Javier's willingness to fight, and turned back to the message. "Anyways, It could mean something else. it doesn't Have to be the NMX, you know..." She said, somewhat weakly, knowing full well it probably was those horrible beasts.


"Sierra..." Javier began, his voice starting to trail off as he spoke. "I can't sit back and do nothing, especially if I have the opportunity to keep innocent people from getting hurt. I promise that I won't fight, not unless I absolutely have to, not unless the NMX send more of their frames to attack us."

"Then I'll just have to make sure you don't leave my sight. And I don't mean that we should go in a Kirin together." The redhead crossed her arms, almost huffing. "This stupid war may be the center of our business for now, but I don't like it one bit. Especially if our people get hurt and killed because of it."

"I wish that this war could, for all that has happened in the last half century, be the last war. And I wish I was naive enough to believe that to be true." Javier trailed off again, his eyes glinting as he smiled at Sierra. "And what do you mean 'Don't leave my sight', Sierra?"

"I mean I'll have to keep track of you so you don't do something stupid and get yourself killed!" The Nepleslian woman responded, in a mildly vehement manner. "If I could I would send you back home to Dawn where you're safe from all the crap that's going on." Sierra took off her glasses and set them down on the Desk, rubbing her eyes wearily.

Javier wrapped his arms around Sierra, hugging her as he smiled. "Sierra, I promise that I won't do anything stupid and get myself killed. I'm far too smart for that." The manager loosened his hug, a warm and comforting smile on his lips. "And staying on Dawn station is far too boring for me. Out here, on a new colony like this, I can get some inspiration."

"I don't know. Dawn feels like old Nepleslia without the crime, to me. I like it there." Sierra answered, smooshing into Javier's hug, enjoying its warmth. "I'm not a danger-loving thrill-seeker or anything, so a safe, steady place to work is like heaven to me, though I do enjoy our occasional adventure" the woman mused.

"Safe and steady? Is that why you enjoy working for Origin so much, or is there another reason. Perhaps a handsome, intelligent, blond Kennewesian?" Javier joked, chuckling a bit as he kissed one of Sierra's freckled cheeks. "I prefer the countryside, Sierra. I'll have to take you to Kennewes, once this war is over."

"I went to the countryside once." Sierra said, chuckling at Javier's joke and accepting his kiss in kind. "I liked the city better, but I guess I'll have to take you up on the offer. And yes, No War." the Freckled Nepleslian leaned back in her seat and stretched, Yawning a bit. "There's no sense worrying about that now though.... It's starting to get pretty late by Nepleslian time, and probably Yamatai time, too. I think we should turn in..."

"Right, Sierra." Javier let go of Sierra, offering her his hand to help her get up from the seat, smiling at her, his hand still holding hers. The Kennewesian blushed, pulling Sierra into a hug out of reflex, his hands holding her close.

Sierra blushed madly, her cheeks matching her hair, as Javier pulled her up and held her close. She stood there, somewhat dumbfounded at his forwardness for a moment, before leaning into the Kennewesian. "Javier... Could you grab my glasses for me..?" She asked, meekly, from within his embrace.

Javier reached with his left hand, taking a hold of Sierra's glasses. "Close your eyes, Sierra." Breaking the embrace, Javier stepped back, placing the ginger's durandium glasses squarely on her face, the bridge of the specs resting on her cute button nose, the Durandium-T lenses framing her beautiful blue eyes, accentuated by her freckled complexion. Almost absentmindedly, the manager spoke up. "You're beautiful, Sierra."

Sierra simply continued to blush, but pretended to be unaffected by the man's compliments. "Of course I am. who in their right mind would think I'm not?" she teased, in a deadpan tone, as if she was being serious. "Now escort me to my room so I can get enough rest to be ready for tomorrow."

Javier took Sierra's hand, leaning down and kissing the back of it, smiling at the girl who was, for all intents and purposes, his girlfriend. "As you wish, Sierra Merkur." Standing up straight, Javier took hold of Sierra's hand, and lead her to her assigned quarters.
 
Location: Fort Shotou, Headquarters Building, Command and Control Center
07:30 hrs

Sorano walked into the control center, several of her staff had already arrived and were talking with their subordinates. Onikisu-Shosa approached her and bowed, "Miksas-Taisho, it is good to see you this morning. As you can see we are working on the logistical aspects of your proposed project. We should be more than ready when the others arrive."

"Good Morning to you as well. Has Arita Chie - Taii selected a ship and crew to gather the intelligence we need?" she inquired.

"Yes, the Suterusu under the command of Mae Shig-Taii. It is one of the new Rikei-Class ships. Mae-Taii says they will be underway by 18:00hrs, the YSS Wraith will be assisting them." Hide replied. "Arita-Taii estimates it will take 60-90 days to gather the tactical data for the mission. "

"That fits with our timeline for production of soldiers, the question that remains before us is the Origin Personnel and their equipment. So I guess there is time for a cup of coffee. Care to join me?" Sorano offered as she made her way to the lounge to get a cup of coffee.

"Certainly Taisho." Hide answered and followed her.

-----------------------------

08:00 hrs

Sorano sat at the head of the conference table. Sitting on either side of her along the length of the table were her staff. In front of each of them a sealed folder with the 2XF logo emblazoned on it, and Classified Eyes Only at the bottom. There was a group of seats at the far end of the table that had folders, but their occupants had not yet arrived, and been vetted.

--------

Outside the door to the conference room, Hide was seated at a desk. She had a number of documents in folders and was awaiting the arrival of the contingent from Origin.
 
The head of the Origin delegation, Javier Feyete,walked past the secretary sitting at the desk, knowing that Sierra would take care of it. As the blonde manager stepped into the conference room, he smiled, reaching up to give his well groomed hair a toss. Quickly moving to the seat opposite Mikasa Sorano, Javier Feyete, Origin Manager, de-facto inventor of the powered frame, sat down, holding his hands in his lap and giving the Taisho a smile.
 
As Javier made his way in, Sierra stopped by the secretary, and Smiled. "Hello, I'm Sierra Merkur, I've been the Origin representative handling your account. Is there any information I may need for now?" she introduced and asked, eying the folders of Documents. A couple of less important employees walked past, before an Origin secretary stopped behind Sierra, waiting to take care of things for her superior.
 
Hide stood up as Origin personnel entered the office. Hide's eyes narrowed a bit when Javier walked by her.

When Sierra approached, she said "Hello Miss Merkur, I am Onikisu Hide-Shosa, Mikasa-Taisho's Aid. These documents need to be signed by yourself, Mr Feyete, and all other Senior Origin personnel. The information to be discussed in this briefing is Classified, and this is the Star Army of Yamatai Confidentiality Agreement. It basically states that they understand that any and all information regarding Operation Shikaeshi, is Top Secret. That they will not discuss any part of this Operation with anyone not cleared for this level of information. And that doing so is a criminal offense and could be considered treason. They need to be signed before the meeting can begin. So if you would be so kind as to take them to Mr Feyete and the others and get them signed so that we may begin. Anyone refusing to sign the agreements will be asked to leave the room." She handed the folder with the documents to Sierra and walked into the room to take her place beside the Taisho. She whispered something to Sorano before sitting.

-----------------------------------------

Sorano smiled back at Javier, "Good Morning Mr Feyete, and the rest of you folks from Origin Industries. Welcome to Daichi. There are a few formalities that must be attended to before we can begin the briefing." she said.
 
"That is perfectly fine, Hide-Shosa." Sierra responded, taking the papers and signing them. The Secretary took the papers next, signing them as well and then walking the packet into the meeting room, where the others of the Delegation signed it.

Last of all, the Secretary handed the papers to Javier. "Please sign these, Sir. They are confidentiality agreements and you will have to leave the room if you do not." she added.

Sierra had followed the secretary into the room and was now seated next to Javier, waiting for him to sign.
 
Javier smiled with a nod as he took the papers, finding the line where to sign and writing his signature. Letting the secretary take the non-disclosure agreement, Javier cleared his throat, the smile gone from his face as he looked down the table at Mikasa Sorano.

"Well then, now that we've dealt with all that messy legalese, What exactly is so important that involves us and you want to keep secret?"
 
Sorano nodded to the Security contingent, who then secured the room, and activated privacy screens.

"As you have no doubt heard, the NMX paid us a visit here in Daichi the other day. We were lucky and our casualties were light. But the fact that they struck here at our Headquarters does not sit well with me." Sorano said will the same smile she had when Javier came in.

"As you know we purchased this batch of Origin Mecha for evaluation to determine the most effective use for them. Well, that has changed. Effective immediately, every one of the OI-M1-1b Advanced Ashigaru Asura and OI-M1-2A Enhanced Ashigaru Kirin. We purchased are going to be committed instead to Operation Shikaeshi. Instead of training our soldiers to use them for evaluation, you will be training them for a strike attack at a yet to be determined target. For this reason, the change in training and the actual objective is currently on a strict need to know basis. The soldiers who will be training will not be briefed as to our plans until we are prepared to load them onto ships. The officers and Senior Enlisted personnel will know the ultimate goal." Sorano paused and nodded to Shin Kiyoshi the head of 2XF Command.

Kiyoshi activated the volumetric display over the table showing the general plan. "While your people are training our people, our staff will need to coordinate with your engineers, to work out our deployment methods and have a firm understanding of what these product can be pushed to do. The plan is to strike deep into enemy occupied territory, take control of the space above the planet, while deploying having the Mecha make a two pronged assault on the planet. One group will be brought down to the surface on board the Justicar Mecha Carriers we have purchased escorted by our Planetary Operations Division 3. While the other group strikes from the air. We are still in the planning stages but you should be able to see our intentions. Any questions Feyete-San."
 
Javier nodded, leaning back in his chair slightly.

"Well, that is perfectly understandable. It would be a bad show of face to not let such an insult go unpunished." The Kennewesian looked over the plans, studying them intently before looking back at Kiyoshi.

"Is there anything you need from me? Any new weapons or mecha that your forces could use? I'm sure you have enough production facilities he-" Javier cleared his throat, then looked around the room, "Could we get some tea, please? Or perhaps some wine?"
 
As Javier had began talking too much about the wrong thing, Sierra had discreetly squeezed his hand to tip him to change the subject.

"Ah, Yes, Something to drink does sound nice, and it might help to wake us up a little better" the redhead agreed, adjusting her glasses for a moment before looking over the papers Javier was going over. It seemed that the rest of the Origin personnel wouldn't even realize they were preparing a group for a battle in the new units. She idly wondered if they could give proper training that way.
 
Kiyoshi was a bit perplexed by Javier's rapid series of seemingly random requests. She looked at Sorano for guidance.

Sorano chose to speak, "At this stage of the operation, it would be..." pausing to think of the best way to phrase her reply. "... premature to start pursuing additional equipment requests. We need to determine what your equipment can do, what it can not. And if we can fill the gaps with our own equipment before we consider additional requisitions."

Sorano paused, "After this meeting, I will need you to supply a list of personnel that you feel need to have access to the the mission goals and timeline. Supply it to Onikisu-Shosa, and we will run a compulsory background screening. If nothing problematic comes up we will add them to the cleared list. I realize we have dropped a lot on you folks at the moment. So perhaps a brief break is in order. We can offer you coffee, teas or other soft drinks. Alas no alcohol in the command area." she said with a grin.
 
Javier nodded, giving the redhead at his side a confident smile.

"Indeed. I'll have to converse with the rest of my team before I make my decision. But yes, I do believe that some nice Yamataian tea would be good right now." As Javier's mind raced, he remembered that there was something important that the 2XF needed to know. Clearing his throat, the Kennewesian placed his hand on the table.

"I apologize, but there is something else that your command staff, and anyone who is going to enter combat piloting a mecha needs to know. Sierra, you have the report on our test team's encounter with the NMX on Kennewes, correct?"
 
Sorano looked through the paperwork before her with regards to the Origin equipment they only had the specifications supplied at the time of the order.

Sorano looked up at Javier, "It would appear that we have not received that information, perhaps after our brief pause for refreshment, you will enlighten us as to the highlights, as well as make arrangements for that information to be provided to my staff. Located out here on the frontier we have limited our contact with Yamatai in an attempt to reduce the enemies ability to find our headquarters." she said as she stood.

She walked over to the bar and got herself a nice cup of tea, and took it back to her place on the table.
 
"Uhh, I believe I have a copy of the report backed up somewhere..." Sierra stated, having forgotten about it. the secretary had anticipated this, and had already found the report, which she showed to the representative on a small datapad so she could read it.

"But first, some tea, yes?" the redhead said, following the Taisa to the bar and getting herself some sweet tea to drink, before returning to the table and reading over the report, while sipping her tea.
 
As Javier got up from his seat to fetch himself a nice cup of black tea, the kennewesian had an epiphany halfway back to his seat. Scrambling into his chair, the head designer cleared his throat, pulling out a notepad and a piece of paper. Smiling up at Kiyoshi, Javier began to speak to her, almost absentmindedly drawing up the designs for a new mecha on the piece of paper.

"A few months ago, an Origin Industries Test Team, based off one of out Justicars, was attacked by NMX forces on Kennewes. The test team was there to see how well a bipedal machine performed in swampy conditions, but they found themselves engaging in a short engagement with the NMX, followed by a swift retreat on the Justicar. During the early part of the engagement, they destroyed a number of NMX armored vehicles, infantry, and powered armor, but that isn't the important part. We received conformation, and a small physical sample of the existent of at least two differing types of NMX Mecha, rivaling Origin's mass produced designs."
 
Sorano was not surprised by the revelation made by Javier. Annoyed that they were hearing about this new weapon system from a civilian channel. She sent a message Hokamo-Chusa head of special operations.
Hokamo-Chusa,
Contact the other fleets, get as much information you can on this or any other recently encountered enemy weapon.
Mikasa-Taisho
Click to expand...

She looked over at Kiyoshi and gave a slight nod for her to continue.

"Feyete-San, with regards to these NMX mecha, you said they rivaled your Origin designes, could you be more precise, would you say they are comparable to those that we have purchased or inferior. And do your people believe they were production models or some sort of prototype?" Kiyoshi inquired. Mecha should not be surprised, the NMX have been rather creative, new ships, new tactics. she thought.
 
Sierra takked away at the datapad for a few moments, looking over the data from the battle on Kennewes. She compared it to what she knew of the first generation OAW designs, and how the Ashigarus themselves handled the situation.

"Overall, we believe them to be about equal, as one frame was quite inferior in design and very basic in technology, but had anti-starship grade power generation, and what appeared to be an anti-starship cannon mounted on its back." the Datapad displayed a volumetric image of a yellowish, 4-legged Mecha, "We've decided to call this one the Render as it has Zesuaium claws that can rend things apart." the redhead moved onto the next mecha they encountered, showing a grainy image of slightly larger, more imposing Mecha "This one has been codenamed the Ravager, because it appears to have a variety of weapons to be effective in many situations, though we're only guessing, as most of them weren't used in our encounter. The Generation 1 OAW frames, the Ashigaru, were able to go toe-to-toe with the two Render frames we encountered, and the Generation 1.5 Frame, the Asura, was able to keep damage from the Ravager to a minimum, but that was also in part to the skill of the pilot. From what our sensors show, the Renders are much simpler and easier to manufacture, while the Ravager is very complicated and probably a command unit."

Sierra closed the Volumetric view and then nodded to Javier, giving him a chance to tell his interpretation of the Information.
 
Javier nodded back at Sierra, then faced Sorano. "As far as I can surmise, the NMX probably created their mecha for psychological warfare and only produced them in limited numbers. If what we saw on Kennewes is any indication, the ratio of Renders to Ravagers will only be 2-1. However, there is a high likelihood that once knowledge filters up the NMX chain of command, if there is one, that the squids will take one of two options." Taking the datapad from Sierra, he nodded to her before opening up a new file.

"The most likely option is that they will begin producing existing mecha in far greater numbers, in accordance with their preferred tactic of overwhelming the enemy with larger numbers of units. The second option is that they'll throw another surprise at us, but I've made preparations just in case." The blonde kennewesian straightened his collar, giving a confident smile to the table, before giving a Sorano a firm look.

"Mikasa Sorano, Before I go any further, you must promise me that the information I am about to tell you will not leave this room; and even more-so that this information will NEVER fall into DION hands unless you can guarantee my absolute safety. I have not been entirely truthful to the origins of the Ashigaru design."
 
I am not sure I like where this is heading. Sorano thought to herself. We definitely do not to become embroiled in an international incident.

She leaned forward as she spoke, "Feyete-San, the personnel seated at the table in this room have all been hand chosen by me to be on my staff. Most if not all of them are people I have fought and bled with in the defense of the Empire. If I did not implicitly trust the other soldiers in this room. They would not be present for this briefing. Due to the classified nature of this meeting all recording devices have been disabled in this room. So yes, I can vouch that whatever it is you intend to share will not leave my command by any of my people."

She leaned back in her chair. "However, I would be remiss if I did not give you this warning. I can give you no immunity. If what you are about to divulge is a matter that endangers the safety of the Empire or its relations with one of allies in this war. I will have no choice but to deal with the matter properly...." she paused, and then a wry grin appeared, "... after conducting an in-depth investigation, which given our current location, and resources, it could be some time before I could convene an official inquiry."
 
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