RP: YSS Miharu Prologue, Day 3

"I hope you won't be very harsh on Amagasaki. The poor girl has about as much social finesse as I do, but at least she tries!" He chuckled to himself. In reality he was overjoyed she was here, as having another absent-minded person on the ship would take some pressure off him. Not to mention the bonus of having another technician to help out when things got messy. "Still, don't you think she's just the most adorable thing ever? When I have kids, I hope they grow up to be something like her."

"I get very little satisfaction out of giving rebukes, Veressis-san," Kotori said good-naturedly as she brushed a lock of hair behind her shoulder. "But, even if I don't like it, there are three good reasons for me to insist on proper demeanor for a Star Army crewmember:"

"The first is merely for educational purposes. If someone under my command learns how to be respectful, organized and effective, it helps that person perform better in our working environment. These habits would not only serve that person well on the Miharu, but it would be knowledge that would be of use to her for the rest of her career serving the Star Army of Yamatai on other vessels than the one I command."

"The second reason is for the overall image of the crew itself. A crew lacking professionalism is a crew that gives no insurances that it will perform in an orderly fashion while in a crisis. In the case of an inspection made by an officer of superior rank; a mere eyebrow raised in scorn and disapproval is all is takes to paint the rest of the crew in a bad light - all it takes is one or two crewmembers displaying disgraceful demeanor to achieve this." Kotori chuckled slightly. "Call it a selfish desire on my part, but I'd like the people under my command to leave a good impression on others. Earned respect and afforded credibility are valuable commodities."

"Finally, the third reason is for the overall safety of the crew. If I know that an individual is going to be capable of working professionally in an orderly, organized fashion with his coworkers and that he or she is capable of responding quickly and well to his supervisors, it gives me faith that when a crisis comes by that my crew is going to be able to perform under pressure intelligently and with grace instead of outright panicking. If every link that bind us is strong, we should have all we need to fare well. If there is but one weak link, however, it could turn out as a liability for all of the others whom are doing their jobs well."

Leutre nodded thoughtfully as he rubbed his chin. "Life skills and appearance are all well and good, so I'll concede those points. Not exactly priorities for one such as myself, but everyone has their own preferences."

"However, on the third point I'd like to respectfully point out that you're completely wrong. You don't need to respect or manners to keep a level head in battle! Just the opposite: Some of the most cunning and fearless people I've ever met were mercenaries and pirates, both of which have far less social grace than anyone I've met in the Star Army. And unlike you lot they aren't held back by either regulations or morality, nor are their perceptions warped by love or friendship. You can always trust them to make the most logical decision, no matter how many laws they need to break or companions they need to sacrifice. We may not be the most loyal of crew, mind you, but that's an entirely different issue."

"Proficiency at combat and being capable of efficient teamwork are two very different things." Kotori countered. "In a warship that will see harsh combats and many life-and-death situations, how do you think people without proper discipline will operate compared to a trained crew with properly established communication channels?" Kotori set her elbow against the table and cradled one side of her face in her hand. "If people fail to be able to communicate efficiently within the bounds of their work environment, can you really say that if they can't do this little that you can dare have much faith in them when things will grow truly hectic?"

"Well, you know that Vampire crewed by just my Da and I, the Bloody Mayhem? We had both spent so many years aboard that ship that we understood it and one another perfectly. We both knew the ship's design off by heart, we knew what needed to be done in a given situation and we did it. No questions needed asking, no orders needed barking. Other than reporting which systems were damaged over the intercom, there was no need for communication between us when the heat was on.

"All we had in the universe was each other and Bloody Mayhem, so we would always work to protect both regardless of circumstances. There was no doubt between us, no hesitation, no lack of faith. We were family." He smiled warmly as his mind began to wander back home. Realizing he was beginning to daydream, he cleared his throat and continued. "But now I think I see your point. The Miharu is a much more advanced ship with a larger crew, who are from very diverse backgrounds. They also lack the lifetime of experience, the understanding of the ship, and the intimate trust we had." He nodded slowly. "I suppose having a command hierarchy and communications isn't such a redundant idea once the poor coordination and doubt between crew members is considered. I think I now understand, Taii."

After Nyton followed Mizuho to her room he approached the door carefully and rang the doorbell as it were to let her know he was there. "Mizuho-san, this is Nyton. May I come in?" he asked politely in a rather vain hope that his voice would be able to cut through the miasma of misery she was in. In a quieter voice he then spoke to the Miharu. "Miharu, can you tell me what Mizuho is doing currently? I'd rather not have her mistake me for some imagined enemy and shoot me." he asked.

Miyoko turned to Masako, "Oh, right. I was going to ask before I got distracted by the outburst and requests for me to hold up a shooting target in enclosed quarters... Kurohoshi-juni, would you be willing to give me some power armor training in the simulator some time over the next couple of days? I'm a bit out of practice with them."

Broken from her dismal-feasting upon her dinner, the young neko turned her head when the violet-haired enlisted woman spoke to her. "Oh," she said before smiling at the Yamataian. "Of course, Saito-Hei. In fact, I was pondering that very thought." she replied as she held up her datapad. "Though I wasn't sure who would need some remedial work, I was planning on running some one-on-one training simulations to help anyone who wasn't familiar with the new armors. But if you say your rusty in power armor operation as a whole," she began as she pulled the pad to her eyes and brought up Miyoko's military records, briefly skimming it. "Then I'll see what I can do to make sure you'll have the skills necessary," she said.

"Because of your position on the ship and your Yamataian body, you'll probably be in one of the new M5 Harpies. They aren't very capable in open space combat, but I wouldn't want you in space combat anyway." she explained as she looked up from her datapad and smiled. "Even though it states in your file that you used to be a combat-capable Nekovalkyrja, you chose to switch to a Yamataian body and transfer to a science position. It may not be correct, but I have to assume that you don't either have the capable skills to be a frontline soldier or don't have the will for combat," she said...although she couldn't help but ponder what type of person really had the will for combat. "Because of this, it would probably be best to train you for self-defense within an armor rather than actual combat. This would be I'll have to run you through a lot of close quarter scenarios such as enemy boarding." she went on explaining before flushing a light pink slightly.

"S...sumimasen," she suddenly said quickly. "I think I got a bit carried away, speaking of business while this wonderful meal gets cold."

"It's my fault for bringing up business at dinner... I think that's a faux pas in some culture or another. Smart people." Polishing off the last few bites on her plate, Miyoko- self-consciously making sure not to repeat Chigusa's earlier mistake- turned to face Tom. "Gochisousama deshita."

Rising from the table, she glanced to the Taii. "So, did you have any time in mind for this very tasteful get-to-know-one-another activity? I wouldn't want to be in the middle of getting my simulated butt kicked and miss the announcement."

Kotori smiled at Leutre. She wasn't sure if he was sucking up to her or not (spending any amount of time with Miles left an impression) but she hoped that he did, at least, understand where she stood. The camaraderie Leutre spoke of was something that came with long association and couldn't immediately just blossom because it was convenient. There was also the matter of the discipline and professionalism that came along with the uniform... but Leutre didn't seem like the sort of person whom would put much stock in that.

Oh well, one victory at a time.

Miyoko's question came next. "Not today." Kotori made a small dismissive wave. "You can go and cover that armor training. It would be useful practice for you." The Taii's golden eyes shifted to Leutre and then went to Masako. "I'd try and get both Veressis-Hei and Amagasaki-Hei when time would allow, Kurohoshi-Juni. Both missed out and could probably use the practice - but it doesn't need to be right away: I'd rather put getting familiar with the ship' as a priority for the both of them. The same goes with our cook."

"Veressis-Hei as well?" Masako asked as she quickly pulled up his military record and frowned slightly. "Sou ka," she mumbled as she looked up and pondered. "I was hoping to go over the basics with one person at a time, but I'm not comfortable with two of our crewmates needing remedial work," she commented as she scratched the tip of her ear.

"I may only have a year and a half of experience away from Yamatai," she stated before looking towards the Taii. "But I've seen enough to realize that sometimes, waiting til the next day can end in trouble." the raven-haired neko replied before frowning again and pondering again. "But being unable to know your way around a ship can't end well either, so I'll have to ask the both of you to please join me at the Rec Room simulators tomorrow at 0700 hours." the young neko asked both enlisted

"Armor?" Leutre groaned. "Those armor suits are fecking death traps! You couldn't even begin to imagine how many splattered pilots I've had to clean out of those cursed suits we'd loot on salvage runs." He unconsciously shuddered as he remembered hacking apart the mauled corpses of pilots in order to pull them out of ruined suits. They were so riddled with twisted metal and armor shards that the pilots were practically fused with the armor. The worst part was if the killing blow caused the armor to collapse in on itself, crushing the pilot into a bloody pulp that took hours to clean out of the ruined suit. No, it wasn't a pretty thing, getting killed inside power armor.

"I'll do simulator work... But please..." He swallowed nervously as he stood up from the table. "Just don't make me actually fly inside one of those death traps. I'd rather take my chances with something safer, like unguided orbital re-entry in a shuttle without stabilizers. Heck, I'd even consent to fighting inside in a plain old spacesuit over power armor."

"Veressis-Hei, I don't think you understand the situation here," Masako replied calmly. "If you don't learn to at least defend yourself while in a power armor, you won't be able to survive." she spoke with a more serious tone, probably the first time she had ever used one in front of her new crew. "Those people you've said to have seen during salvage operations, were unlucky, yes. But their chances of survival increase the moment they stepped into their armors," she explained as she looked directly into his eyes.

"You may say you want to fight in a normal spacesuit, but with the firepower you'd be up against...you would be dead in moments." she stated before she decided to soften her tone. "So please, refrain from calling them 'death traps'."

"Err, I'm sorry Masako. Poor choice of words on my part." He gave her an apologetic look and paused for a moment before continuing. "It's just... I'm still much more comfortable aboard a ship, with a nice thick slab of armor plating between me and the enemy. Or at least behind a sturdy shuttle hull. But not power armor. I've pried too many lost souls out of ruined suits to have any faith in those dinky little defensive systems."

"Still, I wouldn't at all mind a rousing firefight in the simulators. I'm still a pilot's pilot after all." He flashed Masako a grin, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Just don't expect me to jump eagerly into one of those alloy-clad coffins should the time come."

"Veressis-san, let us say that the Miharu travels through a battlefield and that we find a barely operational Yui-class scout destroyer drifting with crew still alive on board," Kotori exposed. "Someone has to go and help fix the ship in question. But remember - we'd be in a warzone; we could be attacked at any moment."

"I'd bring the Miharu next to the derelict Yui and send two of my technicians out along with our science specialist to care for the wounded and the ship's failing system, while our combat arms personnel would be about the ship watching against further incoming attack. I wouldn't be able to use a shuttle for this, since a shuttle would take too long to dock and the Yui doesn't have much of a launchbay anyways."

The Taii clapped her hands together lightly. "Now, let's say that Mishhu come and attack: three destroyers. The Miharu could possibly face that, but not sitting still hovering by the Yui, whom is still not functional. We wouldn't be able to hover next to you, and odds are we wouldn't be able to disconnect the auxiliary ship in time to cover for you."

Golden eyes narrowed. "Ghost Mishhuvurthyar would appear on board, threatening you and the survivors of the Yui-class - without power armor, you'd be nearly helpless. Seeing that the Miharu wouldn't be able to hold a defensive posture with having to keep all three ships off the scout destroyer, I'd order the boarding party to put the survivors in AMES outfits and get them out - either carrying them or using the ship's shuttle if there was one in the shuttlebay. You'd have to get clear enough so Yukari could risk a pass and Nyton would then quickly collect you all with graviton beams before we either concentrated on our enemy or made our escape."

"But, the destroyers pack a great number of attack pods. The Miharu wouldn't be able to fend them off and your more able power suited guardians outside would already have their hands full defending themselves. You'd be exposed for thirty seconds - maybe more! The pods would come after you like sharks scenting blood, releasing homing missiles and blasts from their positron cannons."

"You are not expected to be action heroes, but knowing how to use your suit's PSC system to make a Ghost Misshuvurthyar momentarily vulnerable to your weapons, how to effectively release your countermeasure mini-missiles to divert a salvo of deadly missiles from destroying your armor and how to lend one of your allies cover fire so he can break away from a precarious situation... all those things are the sort of skills we never really want to resort on, but are damn glad we took the time to hone if the opportunity does rise that they might need to see use. It could make all the difference between ending up having you or your teammates deep fried against the back of their powered armor; or you being able to have a drink with your team at the end of the day knowing that everyone managed to keep their collective bacon safe."

Abwehran Commander said:

"But being unable to know your way around a ship can't end well either, so I'll have to ask the both of you to please join me at the Rec Room simulators tomorrow at 0700 hours." the young neko asked both enlisted.

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"Understood. In that case, then I'll be settling into the med lab. If those of you who still need backups done get the time for them," Miyoko glanced between Kotori and Yukari, "feel free to stop in within the next couple of hours." That being said, she turned and headed off for the lab.

"Oh..." Chigusa responded.

She was a tad bit downcast. "Then produce for me, the most durable metal you are able to."

"Cramming myself in an alloy-clad coffin is not something I'm comfortable with. I need my breathing room, and if at all possible a very thick layer of armor between me and the enemy." Leutre ran his fingers through his messy blonde hair before he continued. "The protection of one's comrades is a very noble and honorable thing, and I fully realize that armored suits are a viable means of warfare. I know it's my duty, and that it part of war, and so on, so I'll pilot one of those things if I ever need to. But that doesn't mean I need to like it."

Kotori gave Leutre a small nod and returned to her meal. Since she had left herself available for discussion, she hadn't really eaten: her dish was cold by then.

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"Durandium is the armor the Mindy II power armor is usually equipped with. The Harpy is Xiulurium while the Daisy is a Yamataium/Durandium alloy. Yamataium is tougher than the two others and can 'regenerate' somewhat from damage but is prohibitively expensive and fairly heavy. Durandium is light, resilient and affordable. Xiulurium is a stealth-oriented alloy which is rather brittle." The Miharu explained to Chigusa and then asked: "Please state size and thickness of the desired material."

"Mizuho is currently cowering on her bed." A curt response from the Miharu.

And Mizuho, at the knocking, rose her head slightly. "N-Nyton-san?" She forced herself to sit up, wishing like hell her face wasn't so broken from sobbing. "...come in... y-you can come in..." She pushed herself back against the wall, legs drawn tightly against her chest in a rather desperate embrace, woeful amethyst eyes watching the door as Claymere-juni made his effort (as a few had before him) to pierce the veil of her mental issues.

And when he entered, he would find Mizuho was less composed than she looked (and she didnt look too composed to begin with), staring at him, or rather through him - merely in his direction - with a blank sort of agony that could rend a heart in pieces.