RP: YSS Resurgence Resurgence of Yamatai - Mission 2: Lost But Never Forgotten

Beryl piloted the shuttlecraft across the ocean, cruising fast but very low. If they had a window to the back, they would have seen a spray shooting out of the ocean behind them. Eventually they reached Dragon Island and Beryl slowed down. They were much closer to the planet's North Pole now and the weather was cool and foggy with occasional patches of snow.

Euikoshi's voice came over the speaker. "Shuttle this is Resurgence, One of the drones has picked up a tent on the island if you want to check it out," she told them.

"Good idea, let's take a look," replied Beryl. She got the coordinates from the science specialist and headed there.

The tent was ragged and patched up but impressively large, and they could see supplies gathered around it.

"I'm going to land nearby," Beryl said, looking for a flat spot. "Hmm. Maybe I can just hover and you can jump out the back."

Shuttle

Sanda looked at the reading the drone had sent about the camp and nodded her agreement. It was a good place to start looking. She smiled at Beryl's suggestion. "We'll jump. Find clear area about 2 klicks away from the site. We're going to play this cautiously."

As she turned to move to the back of the shuttle Sanda noticed Thaddeus's pet. She had another palm-to-face movement as she looked at this neon.... Thing around Thadd's neck. Maybe it'll strangle him.... She briefly thought. "Thaddeus. That thing is not coming with us. We don't need a glowing.... thing giving away our position. Understand? That thing stays on the shuttle because if I see it on the ground I will blow it's head off." As she moved passed him, Sanda could be heard speaking very fast in another dialect. "Santo relámpago! ¡Mi sobrina de cuatro años requiere menos cuidado de niños que tú!"

At the back of the ship Sanda set up two fast ropes to repel out of the back of the ship as soon as Beryl gave the all clear. She had her rifle cinched up in a one point sling so that it dangled by the strap just under her armpit but out of the way. She also made sure that all of her gear was securely fastened to her. She didn't want anything falling out during the jump or worse, something getting tangled up on the way down. You had to be quick on these fast repels and get out of the way so the next person could get down.

Dragon Island, Hanako's World

The back of the shuttle opened and Beryl was giving the green light to go. Sanda clipped her fastener to the rope and jumped. It was a text book jump. Sanda's feet hit the ground and already she was unhooked and moving to the nearest cover, her rifle up and scanning the surroundings. She made it to a bank and knelt down. She needed a moment to calibrate herself. That was how she descripted it. The Ranger closed her eyes and just listened for several heartbeats. She was able to distinguish separate sounds overtop of the shuttle's hovering and her teammates sliding down the rope. Her eyes still closed, she took several deep breaths through her nose, taking in the smells of the area around her. Salt water, obviously for such a wet planet, but fresh water as well. Spores off the grass and vegetation around her. Finally she opened her eyes again and carefully examined her surroundings, taking special note of places that could offer cover for herself or an unknown enemy.

Totally not Bleakrock Isle

Koyama let forth a small sigh of exasperation. More from the simple fact it seemed 'pets' were rapidly becoming a common fixture on the Resurgence. First one of her engineers. And now this... Thad. For she did not exactly know how to categorize him beyond a mish-mash of insanity and some stereotypical Nepleslian stereotypes. Although she did nod her head in agreement with the ranger. Whatever that thing was could very well become a liability. And while she would've gladly taken the time to examine it out of naught but simple curiosity at the moment such a thing was simply not possible.

With a level look to the Nepleslian male, Koyama's gear was secure as Sanda began to repel down her rope. One final look to the man was accompanied by a: "It stays on the shuttle." terse, she let it settle even while walking to the edge of the shuttle's ramp with an eyebrow arched. And just like that, the XO walked off the edge without a second thought, rifle in hand in a low carry the jet-haired Neko floated down gracefully on a small pack of snow. It neither gave a crunch nor even left an imprint as she stood on its surface. Likely some application of her body's gravity manipulation technique, it was still a handy trick as she moved from it making naught a sound or leaving a print and on to more firm, cold, and relatively bare ground.

With Sanda's eyes closed, the woman silent for the moment she respected that look of concentration on taking in her surroundings. Eyes open and protected behind the glasses she wore, her ears did however swivel about taking in the sounds of nature differentiating the natural from the unnatural of the shuttle's stationary hover. Rifle still low, Koyama eased herself down to the ground in a squat to run a finger along the hard packed dirt. Wiping it from her finger, the glasses overlay an image in infra-red to the HD image being produced for her viewing pleasure.

The biome was rather reminiscent of tundra. Close at least. Not quite to the arctic line then. About as close as they could get it would seem given the nature of the world. Trees would probably still grow here. Vegetation. Likely less than that of the more equatorial islands and larger landmasses where it was warmer. But enough perhaps for fauna to live off of including more advanced forms of life if they took the time to learn the lay of the land and had the stones to give it a go.

Her enhanced sense of smell took note much of the same as Sanda but with the underlying and somewhat unfamiliar scents of native flora. Even if the first colonists transported Yamataian flora to the planet they very well couldn't be rid of the native vegetation lest they upset the delicate balance of the world.

Her head slowly cocked itself to the side much like a bird in some fashion as she took the scene in. The bracelet, hidden as it was on her wrist was one of the 1B variants she'd worn for years. Much like its less restricted cousin, this one included a couple of sensor packages of its own. Short ranged however.

But what worried her most however... had yet to repel down one of the ropes even as she gave Sanda a signal. Her non-firing hand open palmed and coming to ear level. She was doing what the Nepleslian turned Star Army Ranger had been doing. Letting it drop again, one of her short furred ears had angled itself toward the sound of the shuttle. More or less waiting for Thaddeaus and while she was not a strictly religious person, she did offer a silent prayer for once to Chiharu that the man was quiet.

Shuttle

Thad chilled for a moment while everyone else gears up to jump. He felt things between his crew were going great. He knew the Nepleslian stereotypes and felt he was doing a great job of dispelling them. Show the crew he was reliable, stead fast and above all a person you know has your back. He stood and was confronted by Koyama and his uninvited guest. Though when instructed it would stay behind, Thad felt if Lulu could hiss like a cat that it would. None the less he respected his XO and told Lulu to stay behind for now. He gave her a wave letting her know it had been done.

He made his way over to the now open door. He looked out over the land, filled with all kinds of wonderful sights. It would make one forget that this land is littered with enemies around every corner. He let out a sigh as he looked down at his weapons. Shame might just have to soil this beautiful land with more blood shed. He thought to himself as he reached for the rope.

Once more he was going back into the thick of things. He stood for a moment, his hair blowing in the cool air. After years of fighting it would seem he had started to take in more of the beauty around him. He wondered if in his later years he would find a world like this to settle down and have a normal life. He let this thought fill his very being as a grin slowly appeared on his face. I do not hate my enemies, why would I hate those who are weaker than myself. The ideals I hold true are above those of my enemies.

Dragon Island, Hanako's World

Then Thad vanished out the back of the shuttle. The howling wind buffered the sound of the gear as he dropped to the land below. Moments before his feet touched the ground he stopped his decent completely. With a light step he put his first mark on this world. He released the gear and took up post near the team. Even the good hearing of the resident Neko would find it hard to hear his steps. Honed after years in the woods he had learned to move as stealthy as a cat.

Dragon Island, Hanako's World

As she scanned her surroundings Sanda was also watching her teammates. Analyzing how they moved and watching their combat discipline. Koyama, being a Neko, had floated down without a harness and hadn't even left a print in the snow. To Sanda it felt a little like cheating but she couldn't argue with the results or the way Koyama's ears seemed to twitch, picking up the sounds of her environment. Whatever else their XO was, she moved like a veteran and that was comforting to Sanda.

The Ranger was more interested in Thaddaeus. After all his brash talk and silly ideas... Delivering pizzas indeed! she would have bet money he was going to come jumping out of the shuttle with shooting at anything that looked funny and screaming a war cry. She would have lost that bet. Thad came out of the shuttle, descended and moved into a covering position was textbook. He was 10 feet away from her before she picked up the sound of his footsteps. Maybe his was more of a professional than she had given him credit for.

While the rest of the team moved into position, Sanda took a moment to remove her cloak where it had been tied like a bed roll to her butt pack. Taking a handful of snow and soil she mixed it around until the soil became damp enough to stick. She carefully pressed the cloak into the soil so that it discolored her cloak. She repeated this process with skill and without hardly taking her eyes off of her surroundings. After about a minute she tied the cloak around her shoulders. The material had absorbed the color of the soil and now the cloak blended in almost perfectly with the background.

Dragon Island

He looked out over the land for a moment. The sightseeing would have to wait till after the mission. He reached over to his arm and flipped up a screen. He had prepared a few different stories depending on where they landed. For this area it would be the winter wonderland story. He looked up and moved closer to the crew.

"Alright, listen up. I have a story to share we can use as a cover. I will be going as Maximus, mountain man and lover of nature. You two can decide names, though I have picked Amaranth and Daikon. Two common items found on this world so thought something nature and simple would be most convincing. So the back story is that we have lived off the grid in the wilderness all our lives. Sadly our mother who is not with us died in a tragic snow avalanche when you both were young. As such I had to raise you as a single dad. Being the father figure it was not easy and did poorly to teach emotional values. As such I seen it was time for my young naive virgin daughters to see more of this world."

He looked over at the two of them with a smile on his face. "Figured the kuvvies would be all over this like a cheap suit."

Some Foggy Island

Koyama's ear twitched as the man known as Thad repeled down the rope. With a frown forming on her lips, the Neko watched Sanda go about her business all the while continuing to listen. Yet that frown creased into a thinning of her lips as Thaddaeus began speaking. And as he continued one of her eyebrows twitched ever so slightly as an intrusive thought bubbled in the back of her mind. Shooting him would be a waste of the charge in her weapons. Instead, the XO looked to the man over her shoulder.

She hissed at Thad before looking away and toward their destination far off in the distance.

"I suppose that is what it means to be a giant. Thundering along over the land. Watch for deadfall, Jötunn lest the land crack beneath your feet as you stumble." with a sour look, her whispering criticism and voicing her displeasure ceased. And a look for him to be quiet for now.

'Don't forget to tan the hide.' the look she gave the woman seemed to imply before slowly rising to her feet with ears angled forward. She'd only bothered to lightly dust her attire with dirt to assist with the digital patterning. Koyama wanted it all to slide off the eye, the foggy weather would help with that. And being the smallest, and thinnest of the three her silhouette and profile would be less defined overall.

She wondered if giving the Nepleslian female the honor of skinning him alive was a bad thing. Rolling her eyes she nodded toward a less open area. Seemed she wanted to stay off the beaten path and keep to some measure of cover and safety while traveling. Being exposed was not necessarily something she enjoyed considering they were now officially on a Kuvexian occupied world. It was not without its risks, however. Potential enemies could be hiding anywhere. Even in the intended cover. Her weapon still in a low carry, Koyama let her sling do some of the heavy lifting even as she gripped it a little more tightly.

Glowering then his mentions of being the father had struck a nerve. And had cut too close to home for her liking.

Dragon Island

Sanda wanted to scream. Thad's pizza delivery idea had be hair brained enough. This was just plain insulting. It went against everything she'd been taught as a Ranger. Her number one goal was not to be seen by friend or foe. And if for some reason she did have to reveal herself, she wasn't about to stand around and come up with some dumb story. She was going to kill, as quickly and silently as she could. If that wasn't an option she'd open up with an all out war.

Sanda taped her mic once so that all eyes were on her. She then used hand signals to silently give instructions. Move that way.... Keep to cover....Eyes open... mouth closed... That last one with a hard glare at Thaddaeus. I'll take point... Thad, the rear... She tapped her ear indicating their coms. One click danger... two clicks clear.... Sanda then smiled and kissed her fist. A sign for good hunting.

The tall Nepleslian woman took point. She headed for the an area that offered more cover. In Ranger school her old instructor had described how different Rangers had different approaches to stealth work. Each had their own flavor or style. Her instructor had been a ghost, she would literally disappear before your eyes and reappear elsewhere. Another girl she had trained with was like a mist. Just when you thought you saw her she'd disappear again. Sanda's own style was like water. It was as if she would pour herself out from one spot of cover to the next. Fluid and graceful like water which was impressive for one so tall.

A fire was burning, filling the tent with a sweet smelling smoke that drifted out into the fog, and there was a single cauldron of stew bubbling over it. Some of the supplies around the tent looked intact. Sensing something wasn't right, a woman with dog-like features came out of the tent with a handgun to look around. She had white fur and a big bushy tail and was wearing a primitive fur-covered cold-weather outfit.

The fog kept changing. One moment it would seem to clear then the next would thicken up so you could only see a few meters ahead of you. Sanda wasn't sure if it was a good thing or bad. Good it helped keep there little group hidden, bad that it would do the same for any enemies. Sanda suddenly froze and tapped twice on her comm, signaling everyone to freeze. The tall Ranger melted into fog. She had just caught a whiff of something. They must be getting closer to the campsite the Resurgence's drones had picked up.

Sanda moved back towards the XO untill she was crouched beside her. "We're close." She whispered, counting on Koyama to read her lips more than hear her voice. "Less than 100 meters. With this fog it's hard to tell. I'd like to try getting closer alone first to check it out." Sanda let the request hang in the air, wanting to see how much leadway the XO might give her.

The little Elysian woman, Aradia, piped up - she'd been quiet for some time, and trying her best to not get lost. "I'd fly out to scout from above, but this still air... They'd hear me long before they can see me," she borderline-whispered. It took a bit of a conscious effort for the hummingbird to not rustle her wings as a demonstration - which would, of course, only give away her position. That was one advantage of the fog - the bright pink and blue pigmentation didn't stand out, because nobody could even see it in the first place.

Koyama continued to look through the HUD of her SACOS glasses. As the infra-red read the changes of temperature and the thickening of the fog surrounding them the Neko began to frown. Visibility being lower was a double-edged blade she did not particularly enjoy. Beneficial but also a detriment to those with her. While her eyesight was inherently superior as was her hearing and sense of smell, she could not account for everyone. Lacking a traditional 'mic' such as the others wore, she was however equipped with her own form as well as being able to rely on the natural wireless abilities of being born as a Nekovalkyrja.

So when the signal clicked twice, Koyama's ears flitted on reflex before returning to their forward position again. With a nod to herself, the XO crouched, the cutdown GP-12 clutched in her hands and at a ready position as the Ranger melted into a shadowy silhouette. While she could keep an eye on the woman through her heat signature such as it was to a point, technology only went so far. All the while she tried to will Thad to be on better behavior and not try and continue thinking of ridiculous cover stories. But such thoughts were brushed aside as the taller Nepleslian woman returned to her and mouthed words at her. The Neko tilted her head as she listened, golden eyes blinking from behind the lenses.

A moment after Sanda's report and request ended, she gave a small nod. But hastened to add with her own 'words' to only use force as necessary and good fortune in her scouting. All the while screaming inwardly at who she was now saddled with. And just like that and a nod toward the mists, it was a signal for Sanda to go and do what she'd been trained to do.

To Aradia, Koyama merely shook her head. And through her own communications methods 'spoke'. "Let Sanda-hei handle this. With visibility so poor you'd be at risk as well." The Caelisolan simply nodded in response, staying silent this time.

The anthro woman disappeared back into the next and then emerged again after a moment with a balaclava, backpack, and snowshoes added, and then held a telescopic rifle sight up to her eye like a miniature telescope, looking around. She had thought she had heard a shuttle but couldn't be sure. She began to climb the nearby rocks to get a higher vantage point than the tent, which was positioned in a somehat secluded low point.

Sanda smiled. She could see the brief flash of realization that Koyama would be stuck with Thad alone. Hazards of war..She mouthed silently then disappeared again into the fog like a glass of water being poured out into a river.

Sanda moved out, rifle held up and ready to fire at any moment. She had twisted a silencer over her weapon as soon as they had landed. Sanda had her own way of seeing through the fog. She had a cybernetic left eye with infra-red abilities. She had seen the dog woman and the handgun she carried. Her campsite was littered with Star Army crates. Sanda was fairly certain that this was one of the people they were sent to look for. But she wouldn't take anything for granted.

Sanda moved silently around the camp. Making sure there was no one else at the camp or any unwanted surprises. Finally convinced there wasn't anything, she moved in closer.

From her higher position up on the rock, peeking out, the survivor spotted Sanda and decided she looked hostile. She kept low to the ground behind cover and watched in horror as the stranger entered her campsite like an assassin. She dared not make a sound.

Sanda froze as she entered the camp. The Dog woman was gone! Sanda had gotten overconfident and must have missed her leaving the camp in the fog. "Miércoles!" Sanda swore under her breath. She was looking around to try to figure out where had the dog woman gone.

Sanda suddenly got that cold sensation you get when someone is watching you. She forced herself not to panic or make a run for it. That might make someone nervous and start shooting. Best to keep your cool. Sanda slowly and almost casually began moving away from the camp back into the cover of the fog. As she did she noticed a rock ledge that offered a good view of the campsite. That would have been the place Sanda would have moved to if someone had intruded upon her camp.

There was no way to approach that position without being seen by whoever was up there. Sanda was fairly certain that the dog woman was an ally. Best to try to coax her out. Sanda moved back into the camp where she could be seen and removed her helmet so she face with the lighting tattoo could be plainly seen. It actually felt good to let her hair out swish it around.

The survivor kept still, feeling worried and confused. She knew she would probably have to leave her camp and disappear if she wanted to stay safe. She had been on the run for so long, trying to lay low from the Kuvexian invaders, but losing her camp would make survival that much harder. She forced herself to stop peeking and slowly crawled back from the rock to position herself to leave. Once she was out of sight of the campsite she just booked it and ran at her fastest sustainable pace off towards the next patch of rock outcrops that would give her a new hiding spot, deliberately choosing a path that wouldn't be visible from the camp.

That cold feeling of being watched had left. Sanda cursed herself for letting someone slip by her. She touched her ear and radioed the others. "Sanda here. Camp secrued. One contact at large. Believed to be friendly. Contact headed North. Permission to track?"

The camp site consisted of a pavilion type tent with oil barrels and various supply crates around it and inside there was a cauldron of stew over a fire and a foam Nekovalkyrja nest mattress covered in a fur pelt. There were two wooden tables and a nice looking Yamataian rug on the floor. Some Star Army gear was inside including standard uniforms like an exercise one.

Koyama chewed the inside of a cheek as she waited with both Aradia and Thad. The former she liked. The latter was still out to the jury. But once Sanda's voice tickled her mind, the Neko tapped the side of her glasses, zooming them in toward the camp. Sanda's thermal image was discernible enough to make out from where she was. Yet with the urge to simply assist in her own fashion mounting, the XO continued to crouch with ears flitting back and forth.

"Granted. Remember, if this is indeed one of the missing personnel, they are liable to be dangerous considering their circumstances. Non-lethal force only if necessary." came the response followed by a hiss not directed toward the Ranger. And likely toward the other Nepleslian.

"Copy. Sanda out." Well Koyama sounded more understanding than Sanda felt. She felt like a feth'n rookie. She tied back on her helmet and took off after the dog woman. Sanda first climbed to the rocky point where her quarry had been hiding. She knelt down and studied the ground. Even though it was mostly rocks and hard ground, Sanda could still get an idea of which way she had moved. She looked around there was another rock outcorp not to far away. Sanda used her cybernetics to magnify and study the area. There was too much open space between the her and the next outcrop. She'd have to take a longer route to not be seen. Fine, if that was what she needed to do to rectify her mistake.

The anthro survivor breathed heavily from behind her new cover and then took a tactical look with her rifle scope to see Sanda up on the rock where she had just been. A chill went up her spine. How did they find her? Was this a mercenary? She didn't know but she knew she had to keep moving. She crawled into another position that blocked Sanda's view and then sprinted to the next group of rocks about a football field further away. There were only so many hiding places and they were all piles of rocks or holes carved by glaciers. She missed the forests of Yamatai right now. But she might never see them again at this rate. Her backpack full of her last survival supplies felt heavy but she knew leaving it might mean not lasting through the next cold season.

OOC: JP by @Soresu @Cowboy @Arbitrated and Wes

Dragon Island

Thaddeaus had decided to hang back and let Sanda take the lead. He figured if a gang of people dropped in on a survivor that it might spook them. After a short while it became clear that they failed to not to spook the survivor. Between the fog and a misunderstanding things could quickly get messy. Thad had remained completely silent and was taking in the land around him. While others used fancy toys, he instead relied on the land to tell him what he needed to know.

The wind would hide the sound of movement so he would need to rely on other odd events. Then he heard the faint sounds of pebbles moving about. That rock pile away from camp, they are on the move...just perfect. His eyes rolled knowing a person on the run was far more dangerous.

He watched as Sanda took post on a rock. Either she were completely confident in her skills or just decided to be a rookie. He was not in the mood to carry Sanda back to the ship because she decided to be a target for a sniper. He gave word over comms that he was heading out and hoped the rest of the team was not too distracted to miss the call. Having to explain to the captain why Thad got shot would not be fun for the XO should that mistake him for a foe.

Thad slipped off into the fog. He'd need to get out into an open spot and hope the survivor would see him. This was not ideal but if they could make out he was Nepleslian and not a kuvvy, they may decide they are friendly. He also made sure his weapons were holstered but not hidden. Lastly he tossed the gun axe over his shoulder in a casual fashion. He did his best to look more like a lost skier than someone out hunting for someone. He had one last thing to do before moving in the direction of the survivor and out into the open.

A loud howling sound punched through the fog in all directions. This would for sure get the attention of everyone. His hope was that the survivor would come to the aid of a lone mountain man that looked lost.

Thaddeus felt the distinctive shape a of a gun barrel poke him in the back. "Talk," Benna growled.

Thaddeaus stopped dead in his tracks. He let out a sign though not loud enough for anyone could hear it. The things I do to keep my crew safe. He thought to himself. He took a deep breath to relax. He was a little upset though that he did not hear this person coming. Seems no matter his skill there are those out there who can get the drop on him still.

"Hello person who I have never met that currently has a weapon pointed at my back. I am Thaddeaus, out on a mission to find lost crew. Though at the moment it seems I am the one in need of saving. How about we chat, had I wanted you dead that would have happen all ready." The end of the barrel of his gun axe reflected in the light, it was pointed right at her. A moment later it lifted towards the sky as he pulled down on the handle. Showing he does not plan to fight.

"You're Star Army?" Benna asked him, still a little suspicious of Thad. "I'm Benna, NIto Hei, communications secretary for Nakajima Star Fortress. Has this planet been retaken by Yamatai? I've been hiding up here for most of two years and I haven't been able to get any news. Is that woman with the rifle with you or is that an enemy? Do you have any food?"

Sanda had picked up Benna's trail more by luck than skill. She was following it when she heard Thad speaking. She couldn't see him at that moment because she was down behind a riven that Benna had obviously used to come up behind Thad unseen. She moved into view, her rifle tucked against her cheek but aimed low. "You can go ahead and shoot him if you want. I won't lose any sleep over it." Sanda lowered her rifle slowly and lifted her cloak to expose her shoulder. On her shoulder was a Star Army Mindy, darken to blend in her camos but unmistakable at close range. "Sanda, Nito Hei, Star Army Rangers." She didn't say any more at that point. Best not to play all her cards if she didn't have to. "Let's head back to your camp and we can compare notes on what's going on here on Hanako's World."

"Agreed," Benna nodded, putting her gun away and following her newfound rescuers.

"According to SA PERSCOM, she outranks you guys, she's a Chui now but doesn't know it yet," Beryl's voice in their ears came from the shuttle, which had taken up position near Benna's camp site. As they approached they could hear its hum and smell the stew Benna had been making when they came. It smelled meaty and kind of gamey.

Thad took note that they had just rescued someone of high importance. Though not that he cared for rank, for him having a new possible comrade was all that mattered to him.

"I am glad to see this worked out just fine and not a very bad misunderstanding." He said with a light chuckle. "So Sanda, I guess this means I owe you one once we get back to the ship huh? Though next time please don't stand in plain site, that is a good way to get taken out. We both know had I had to carry you back to the ship princess style the crew would have never let you hear the end of it." He let out more of a laugh this time around.

"So how are things? Guess you have a lot of questions though I can answer your first. Planet has not been retaken though we technically won the war so have that going for us."

Koyama had long since resigned herself to methodically beating Thad to death if he returned. The GALL of him! The Neko positively simmered as much as the bubbling cauldron that rested within the camp. The woman drummed her fingers across the weapon's grip once she heard the odious male's voice cracking at Sanda. And immediately her ears flattened to her skull, the glasses had come off and secreted away. Aradia she'd left to the small birdwoman's own devices within the camp. And instead, Koyama stalked toward the three her face schooled to the flat stare so many of her sisters wore while guarding baby Ketsurui fresh from boot, or earlier before the reformation VIPs.

Yet the smoldering gold eyes flashed as she laid them upon the taller of the two Nepleslians. Standing before the trio and stopping them dead, the Neko struck viper quick and grabbed a fist full of Thad's uniform, and forcefully yanked him down to eye level with her. Just from the slant of her ears, the look in her eyes, and the otherwise schooled expression she appeared calm save those two indicators. In actuality the woman was furious.

"You left two valuable assets behind to tromp off into unknown territory after our Ranger whose profession it is to provide recon and intelligence and more. Had either Sivins-hei or myself been captured any enemy personnel would have learned not only recent intel but had access to an assortment of other sensitive information."

Not to be outdone, she continued to cut the man off. "You were worried about your fellow soldier. This, I understand and find it commendable. However, you did. not. wait. for confirmation from me to do so. We are not in the mountains on Yamatai, hei. Safety is paramount here and three sets of eyes are better than one!" her voice was still low, yet she punctuated the end with another hiss.

Freeing him, the glowering expression she had adopted told him she'd had enough. And raised a hand to forestall him. Turning from Thaddaeus, Koyama leveled her gaze on Sanda, "It is good you're alright, Sanda-hei." she offered before looking to Benna.

With an inclination of her head in way of apology, she introduced herself: "I am Chui Koyama, First Fleet. I must apologize for what you just saw. As for our method, we did not mean to cause you any fright. However, given the circumstance I am grateful you chose the better part of discretion and not shot my people." with a look at the camp once more, the Neko walked to where she'd left her pack and pulled a ration pack from her own gear. The olive pouch was one of the 38's as the Star Army had yet to manufacture a more current iteration. And for added measure, the shorter woman added a bit of a more substantial dessert on the top of it.

"I wish we had something more substantial on hand... however this is the best I've currently carried with me." but with a nod toward the simmering food already on hand she smiled wanly. But she did not retract the offered ration kit.

"It would seem Star Army SERE training has proven quite useful."

Thaddeaus had prepared himself before bolting off for the lashing that awaited him. This just came as part of the deal with being a hero, you stood proud and take it like a man. He stood firm as Koyama grabbed and pulled him towards her. He was impressed by how much strength this neko had. It was not easy moving Thad around given his ID-SOL strength and overall good fitness. Though he was only half so maybe that was the difference.

His expression was lifeless, knowing not to make the wrong move else he might anger the bear. Though he was a little sad that he did not even get a nudge of thank you. He felt bad for Koyama knowing how hard it must to always be this stern but it comes with the rank. Unlike his normal self he become completely formal.

"Chui Koyama, my apologizes for not waiting to be given an order and acting out of haste for what I seen as a life and death situation. Your wisdom reaches far past mine and should have known you had this all figured out and a plan in mind." He gave a quick solute towards her. "I shall report myself to the highest officer for disciplinary action." A smirk crossed his face. "I have been informed that Chui Brenna would be the highest ranked officer here. May she show leniency given the circumstances and fact we rescued her without incident."

Benna took the ration pack. "I've kept count of the days. It's been around two years. I think that's enough time that anyone bad at survival and evasion is probably dead or captured by now. As for me, I went way out of the way, up North, because there's no one to run into up here. And, actually if this planet isn't secured by Yamatai, I think I'd like to just pack my stuff in your shuttle and get out of here," the anthro survivor said. "Um, did you just call me a Chui?" she scratched her head.

"Aye" He said with the biggest of smiles. "Would seem Star Army had confidence you would be returned and kept moving your rank forward." He shared with her. "The shuttle is near by so we can for sure grant your wish of getting out of this area." He took a moment to look over the land. "Beautiful, though unforgiving if unprepared. You did well to survive this long,"