RP: YSS Miharu [restart point] Mission 2, Day 1

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"It is fine," Kotori assured Nyton, sitting a little straighter to look at him as she deposited the knifesheath next to her weapon's belt. "Please come in."

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Nyton entered and bowed slightly. He allowed his eyes to glance around the room a bit to see just how Kotori preferred to set up her quarters. "How did your trip to Yamatai go? Was your time at the war college enjoyable?" he asked casually.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Kotori dwelled in one of Miharu's two passenger suites, which were by far the roomiest living quarters on the ship.

Kotori had her personal laptop computer resting over her workdesk. Her workchair wasn't neatly tucked in partly under the desk and was somewhat askew and a small volumetric window was still active from Kotori's previous work session (whom had likely been restored the moment she had opened her door) - though the text and image were reversed from Nyton's point of view, it seemed to cover some of the new equipment which had be made for the Mindy II and more specifically covered the addition of the 'Bobcat' configuration to the default configuration setups the loading arms of the power armor bay could automate.

The only ornamentation which set itself out was the wall hangers whom supported Kotori's swords: a katana and a wakizashi in black-lacquered sheaths. Nyton had never really seen the blade used, drawn or even worn by Kotori; she seemed to prefer the two T-14 diamond-edged survival knives she usually strapped to the sides of her lower legs.

From his current vantage point, Nyton could get enough of a peek in Kotori's room to see that despite Miharu's time in spacedock, she had never opted to change the bed in favor of the nests most nekovalkyrja favored.

All in all, her quarters had few decorations apart from the few personal possessions she had. Kotori, despite being their captain, was still only a two-years old nekovalkyrja.

"It was a relief to be able to devote the time needed to complete my officer studies," Kotori answered as she bent back down to work to remove the second knifesheath. "While the opportunity to learn was good, I think it's the confidence of not feeling uninformed or inadequate to the task which is actually the greatest benefit from it."

Kotori looked up to him, her fingers still undoing the strap. "Can you please close the door?"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"It's just a sparring match," Yoroko replied to Asher, "besides I can a handle a little challenge." she finished

There was a beeping noise from Yoroko's communicator. Yoroko looked down and noticed a new message had arrived, Wonder who it's from. she thought to herself as she checked the sender.

Sender: Noboru Akuro

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Noboru huh? Haven't seen him in a while, I will send him a message tonight. Yoroko thought. Which reminds me

"Miharu, how do I get permission for a sparring match?" Yoroko asked the ship's computer. As she questioned Miharu about sparring permissions Yoroko turned to Kai and Asher, "Well, let's get going I guess." she said to them.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"If it is power armor combat, just find whomever you wish to spar with or against, get yourself in one of the virtual reality rooms and set up the simulation. As long as you have no other duties pending, there should be no problem," Miharu's computer answered. "If on the other hand you intend to spar against someone else going hand-to-hand or with practice weapons, you should notify either the senior officer in charge of you or the executive officer; notifying the medical staff would also be a good idea, as they will understand the context if one of the participants get hurt."

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Masako has listened quietly to the entire debriefing and conversations as she sat in the wardroom. She had mixed feelings about the entire scenario really. Though she did believe in winning, she didn't necessarily believe they should when at any cost. It all just reminded her of how terrible she felt during the Meng Po Assault. She understood the logic behind it all and would probably follow through with it if it were to protect those under her command, but it still didn't mean she had to like or enjoy it all.

Westwood's 'blood lust' worried her. It was almost as if Asher was a leashed, rabid dog only waiting for the chance to break his chain and attack any enemy in his way. Should his habits transfer to any impressionable recruits they may have, it could probably be difficult to hold them back when necessary. Masako shook her head and sighed. No, she shouldn't think that way. Asher may have a bit of blood lust, but he was still a soldier and knew how to follow orders.

The young warrant officer looked up from her thoughts and soon saw herself almost alone in the wardroom. A few people had left for other parts of the ship while some were merely talking to themselves. Standing up quietly, she looked towards the small group of individuals who seemed to be preparing to head to the medical facilities. Spotting Asher, she pursed her lips in thought before sending a telepathic message to the Yamataian. "Westwood-Hei, I'd like a word with you in private."

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"Certainly." Nyton replied before turning around to touch the door pad. After closing the door he turned to face Kotori. The room gave Nyton a sense of sparseness. Like that of a plant which was still growing into it's pot while there was still room to spare. While the two swords were not familiar in their sheathes, Nyton wondered if they were the same pair she had used in her sparring duel with Hanako and Midori back on the Sakura.

"I'm glad to hear your trip to Yamatai was productive in that sense. The war college has a very aesthetic atmosphere for learning. You definately appear to be much more sure of yourself." he said while watching her remove the second knife sheath. "Perhaps a little too much. I wonder if you might not have scared the new crew members a little with your tirade. I know it is critical they know what we are facing but I wonder whether they are more afraid and uncertain of themselves now than before." Nyton said with a neutral tone in his voice. His face reflected the same tone as he looked at her with eyes that spared judgement but rather waited for rationale.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Yukari smiled and took the arm of her lover in hers, turning and began to walk toward the main corridor so they could reach engineering. When the others were out of earshot, she spoke quietly.

" ... How would you feel, if I died for you in battle, Tom?"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"You think?" Kotori replied softly to Nyton, though it was more an acknowledgement than a question. "According to Tom, those out of basics have pink-tinted lenses which will in time be shattered - his fear is that they might break along with them as well. I see it as more than fair for them to know what they are getting into. With the way the war is going, I do not intend to half-ass anything. They must commit to giving their best effort: it is not so much the success of our mission but also their very lives which depends on it."

Kotori took the second knifesheath and set it next to its counterpart on the couch. She gave Nyton a bitter smile. "Ignorance is bliss, but more often death. I will not have their blood on my hands if I can at all help it. If they scare and find themselves unable to commit, then, perhaps it is better for some to leave. I cannot help those whom will not help themselves and will certainly not ask them to help protect others if they cannot adequately protect themselves."

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

To say the question shocked the Yamataian would be putting it lightly. Tom's mouth hung slightly agape as the thought ran through his mind.

"Uh...mm... devastated," he forced out before needing a moment's pause to blink and regain his composure. "B-but that's nothing an ST backup can't take care of, right?"

He tried to smile, but found the effort hollow.

"I would be proud... but it would be a painful pride that I would carry for many many years."

He slid his glove off and held up his ribbon, the blue one Yukari had made with her own hands and that he had tied to his wrist ever since then.

"I would live with the memory of our time together and carry that with me until we could meet once more... when all things come to be."

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Yukari looked into Tom's eyes for a moment, then at the ribbon. She smiled wide, kissed the ribbon, then kept walking with him, until they started to float down the central passageway.

"You will not have to carry that pride. We will not die, I believe." She squeezed his arm close to her. "Now tell me what I will be making for dinner. You have work to do, and I plan on fortifying you for what we must do later."

Talking about the war was not on Yukari's mind. There would be time for that after what had to be done later.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"Anything is ok, really, I mean, if that's ok with you to be cooking and all because you are the XO...meat? Protein is good for physical activity if that's what you mean about later but if it's going to be a long time then complex carbohydrates are important so bread or rice is a good thing to make too but there's a lot of options at your disposal in the kitchen..."

The blushing Yamataian had to take a long gasp after that.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Their feet closed in on the ground. "Meat and grains, mm ... sou. Steak, then? Do Ralteans eat steak? I hear steak is very powerful. And I will add rolls to it. How is that?"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

With the meeting ended, Takuma got up to resume what he set out to do earlier; fall asleep in his room. He reached the door and stepped out into the hallway. Alright, home fr-

Freeman-Juni said:

"Given that your duties at least partially have to deal with the operations of the Miharu, before you settle down for the evening, I request that you come to the subdeck to familiarize yourself with the layout of the Miharu. I or one of the sprites will be available to answer any questions you may have."

-Freeman-Juni

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-ee. He nearly tripped and fell when the message came in during his escape. So close... Ah... He gave a stretch and a yawn, which did little to wake him up. He reached into his pocket and flipped out his datapad. "Yes sir, will arrive in a few minutes," he replied. Slowly, Takuma sauntered off down the hallway.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

The young Ketsurui walked silently through the Miharu's corridors towards the main Medical bay. Her thoughts were troubled by how horribly she felt she had done during the simulation. If it had gone on any longer both her and Sanjuro would've died.

It scared her to think that if the simulation were real- that they would've been cornered and then butchered, it simply wasn't the way she wanted to fight this war. It was unavoidable for her to not fight, she understood that but if she had to die in battle, she wanted it to be something more dignified than backed into corner.

What can I really do to do better next time? Maybe, I can start reading up on tactics or talk to Grandma about different war tactics from when she was on the front line?

Oh! Practicing in the VR simulation suits should really help too! I do need to get better acquainted with the new Mindys and the Daisies. Sora paused at this epiphany and her expression brightened. It didn't seem like such a lost cause now.

I can do this, I can get better so I can better defend myself, my friends and my ship. I don't want to be a rabbit hiding in its warren that gets eaten. With the vote of self-confidence, Sora happily hurried the rest of the way to the med bay with a confident smile on her face.

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

"Well yeah, but you see, I'm a bit of a no-holds fighter. When I get into it, I really get into it. Asher tried to correct Yoroko. The Hei cringed, however, as Masako sent him a telepathic message.

D'aw, fuck me. Asher thought as he turned his head towards Masako.

"Hey, I'll catch you guys at the Medbay, I'm going to take a little 'detour'." Asher said to Yoroko and Kai, then walking off to Masako. He examined the cute little Neko as he walked, she was rather well off in the chest and bottom areas for someone her size. He began to grin thoughtfully to himself.

When he found himself at an acceptable distance from her, he put his hands behind his back. "You wish to see me, Kurohoshi-Juni?"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Masako crossed her arms under her breasts at this point and looked up at her 'second' with a frown. "You seemed to have been enjoying yourself during the simulator," she commented to start off as she ran through her memory of the mission. "And I don't mind you enjoying yourself," she honestly said, though left out the part that she found it disturbing...even if it was a simulator.

"But there gets to be a point where you need to concentrate more on your team than on your own enjoyment, Westwood-Hei," she said with a noticeable edge in her tone. "Though it was definitely a difficult situation, there are more ways to protect your team than firing faster at the enemy."

At that moment, she allowed herself to sigh. "Listen...if we get into that type of situation, I need you to be at your best and going into a 'blood lust' will make you a liability more than someone I can count on when the aether fills the hallways," she said in a more exhausted tone. "Can I count on you?"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Asher's face curled into more of a scowl as Masako went on into her explanation, his standing position remained, however. He lifted his head a bit, and looked down at the Juni.

"So, you expect me to be a leader on my first mission as 'Knight Two'." He said, placing a bit of dramatic emphasis on 'Knight Two'. "You expect me to place my 'bloodlust' aside for 'leadership' instead."

"Kurohoshi-Juni, you must understand that most of all I've ever done was fight since I was six. Not once in my life have I ever been in a 'leadership' position. I am a fighter, a warrior, and apparently a bloodlusting mad man. But, you know, that's exactly what you need as a 'soldier' not a 'leader'." Asher's voice came up with agitation. He leaned in towards her, his face coming in closer.

"With all due respect, I recommend you bust me down, and find someone better. I'm not a leader, I'm a fighter, a front-line killin' machine." Asher's words came through with frustration. He stopped for a moment after that, as possibly considering something. His lips curled into a bit of a smile as he focused on Masako again.

"Though, on the other hand, if you really do see any bit of a leader in me, perhaps you could help me learn how to be one. One-on-one stuff, eh?"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

Tom laughed. Yukari's innocent curiosity was so cute.

"Yes, we Ralteans love a good steak," he said through his laughter. "We'll eat just about anything, though. You can't be too picky in the winter, you know."

The two reached the door to the subdeck. The noise of the room was loud even through the door.

"Home sweet home, huh? Good thing Ralteans have strong ears too!"

Re: [restart point] Mission 2

The neko had largely remained quiet during the whole debrief, taking note of all what was said. It helped give her a clearer view on some of her crewmates as well, namely Asher-Hei.

After it was all said and done, Yuril quietly slipped off to go get the ST taken care of, an important thing. Although it really did un-nerve her slightly, at least the ideal that she was pretty much worthless when you could be replaced so easily.

It's like a video game... Just re-load from the previous save in a way I suppose.