As the Resurgence and the cargo transport got closer to Valaad, the pirate ships joined the Yamataian ships and provided them with a safe escort to the planet, making sure the Kuvexian pirates didn't close on the transports. Resurgence, under the disguise of a transport, was able to reach Valaad after a short while, and they were cleared to land at the starport in Gate City.
Zanven received his credentials from the ships that came near and after a few minutes of talking it seemed like everything was clear. Zanven reached out to the bridge.
"Everything seems clear out here captain, on standbye for now." Zanven said as he felt some of the earlier tension leave his joints. As he watched the ships get their passes and head for the star port he was given the proper clearance as well, but chose to hang back in the air. His fuel and other reserves were still looking just fine.
As the cargo ship landed, Resurgence stayed nearby.
YSS Resurgence - Bridge
"At least someone knows how to greet us," Aoba smiled. "These people know better than to bite the hand that feeds," he added. He called Koyama, "This would be a good time to do one of those survey missions for the Empress," he suggested. "Put together a small away team and have our guys look around and see how this place is doing."
Koyama had helped repair and rearm the power armor strike team in short order. Having listened to Frank's tale, she had thanked him, and cocked her head as she heard Aoba's 'voice' in her head. Nodding to herself, the Neko first officer ticked off several people. "Pink-hei, Hoshi-hei, Yayoi-hei, and Frank-hei." was her recommendation, then added with an additional query, "Power Armor, Shosa?"
"I wouldn't want to give the wrong impression," Aoba said. "We're here to help, not to invade. A pretty face is more memorable than the MINDY's face-plate."
Koyama gave off the vague impression of a raised eyebrow at the mentions of a pretty face. "Of course, sir. Also, the armors have been repaired and rearmed as per your orders." she hastened to add before sending notice to each of those the woman had suggested in turn.
Mochi, having returned to the Bridge's science position, perked up at the mention of an away team opportunity. Especially one that would be more of a diplomatic endeavor than a combat one. "Hime, if you need additional hands, I'd be happy to join you."
YSS Resurgence - Armor Bay
"Gracias a Dios!" Sanda said as she took off her Mindy suit. She was very relieved to hear that she didn't have to wear the that suit and could put on some honest to goodness clothes. She quickly got dressed and then headed back to her quarters to quickly grab a few other items she might need for a planet-side mission.
"I take it we don't have to suit up, if that's that case I'm going to go find Mia and my clothes." Delmira said and worked on stashing her armor she was working on in its locker.
Koyama promptly poked one of Del's cheeks, "You are welcome to join if you wish." and then to Mochi, she sent, "Please, you are most welcome to join."
The neko's cheeks are soft and full of squish when Koyama pokes Delmira. "i will have to get clothes from my room since Mia isnt responding to my calls before we head out."
Koyama had stared flatly at Demira, shaking her head. "You are Nekovalkyrja." she countered, then gestured to her own body. She wore the bodysuit uniform, "You may project clothing as needed. However, if you wish, go gather your clothing. We will be in the shuttle bay."
Mochi sent a quick message back to Koyama, "What uniform and equipment would you like us to bring? This seems to be quite an interesting opportunity."
Koyama's response to the Elysian as simple: "The Shosa suggested a survey mission for the Empress." she had trusted the man thus far and his judgement, "But I would suggest a sidearm all the same."
"Thats is true but where am i going to conceal one of my pistols?" Delmira asked projecting some clothes.
Elsewhere on the ship
Yayoi walked the halls of the ship, as she thought about the system they were now located at. She heard that they were on a humanitarian mission so the chances of power armor use, was probably low.
YSS Resurgence - Shuttle Bay
Poppy reported to the shuttle bay for the away team, wearing a duty uniform with cargo pants, carrying a backpack full of medical gear, and carrying her pistol on a utility belt. She clipped a plastic bracelet around her wrist that would provide an indicator of radiation exposure.
Sanda soon reported to the shuttle bay as well. She had quickly changed into a fresh uniform and had taken a moment to wash the blood off her face. She also grabbed her camo-cloak had it draped over her shoulders in the off chance she might need to sneak away and do some scouting undetected. She also had her usual assortments of sidearms and blades. She nooded to Poppy and asked how Cassie was doing?
"Cassie is going to be okay, she just took a lot of bad knocks to the head," Poppy told Sanda. "I hate to leave her alone right now, and she hates not going on the away team. It's been 14 years since this planet was nuked by the Mishhu so most of the radioactive fallout is hopefully cleared up."
"Well she needs to recover. She'd be no good to us in her current state. I'm glad she's not in serious condition." Sanda said. She listend to Poppy telling the history of the planet. "Who lives here now?"
"Reds. independents, pirates. People with rough-skinned hands and rap sheets who can't get Yamataian or Nepleslian citizenship," Poppy replied.
"Reds?" Sanda perked up at the mention of Reds.
"Reds are an old Nepleslian faction that used terrorism and war to try to change the regime and unseat the Uesureyan Empire from power in Nepleslia. Their enemies were the greens, who collaborated with the Uesureyans. Eventually the greens led a genocidal war to wipe out the red faction and the survivors fled to Yamataian space where they have the protection of their old enemies, us. Now they mostly do mining jobs no one else will. Rough dudes. Think of a typical Nepleslian, but without all the progress made in the last 40 years," Poppy explained.
"Interesting." Sanda said. In truth, she knew all about the Reds. Her parents had been Red supporters. She and her sister had been sent to Yamatai to be out of the way of the fighting. She had never learned what had happened to her parents. She had always hoped that one day she would find them, or at the very least, find out what happened to them.
"They're into cloning," Poppy added. "They have a roster of people and when one dies, they bring them back. But their ST isn't updated so they don't have their memories. They come back as newbies ready to be recruited."
Sanda nodded her head but said nothing else. Not all the Red faction had been like that. Some just wanted to be left alone to govern themselves how they saw fit. She pushed the thoughts aside and moved to where the others were gathering.
Yayoi silently listened to the conversation around her. She’d heard of the Red Faction, though thought they were disbanded. She knew they should be careful here due to the situation.
Having got an idea of what the mission parameters were from Koyama, Mochi tapped into his experience with similar missions in the past, once to a place where the trees bled red. This, however, seemed far more habitable. The science officer opted for his working uniform, his SiZi and knife on his belt. A backpack filled with goodies and survey equipment was secured to his back. A remote drone circled tightly over the Elysian's head as he reported in. "Good to see you all."
Koyama had adjusted her belt as she approached Sanda, Poppy, and the others. "Cassie needs time. Pushing herself does no one any favors least of all her." her tone mild, "However, Pink-hei, if you wish to remain behind to tend to her, you are released. The choice is yours."
Delmira waked to the shuttle. "Man turns out i should have put some pants on after all." The neko had on a belt with both her pistols holstered she however looked to be in her regular uniform.
"Be mindful of sand then," was Koyama's wry response to Del. "And stray hands."
"All the jokes and comments i can make but your my commanding officer so i wont saying anything at the moment." Delmira said with a smirk
Thad just popped out of nowhere to add to the conversation. "If it helps, I can always be the stand in for Cassie. A little R&R mission would do me some good I think."
Mochi had been following the conversation about the Reds, although it was a bit of a faux pas in his opinion to do so where Nepleslians may hear or be involved in that conversation. It would be like if someone talked about the Elysian wars around him. Uncomfortable. With the surprise arrival of Thad, the science officer would blink incredulously but nod to the other man.
"¡Oh, Dios, no! ¡Por favor no!" Sanda moaned as Thad approached. She looked over at Koyama, hoping that the XO would not let him join.
Yayoi sighed and then placed her right hand gently on Sanda's shoulders in comfort. She knew how Sanda felt about Thad and she thought that Thad's presence might actually cause problems.
Koyama waved a hand imperiously at Delmira, "Be my guest. The situation is not serious." she countered the other Neko's comment with her own. And then to the Elysian offered a smile, raised an eyebrow at his equipment. "Good that you came, we can always use a science officer's take on the situation. I would like to include some analysis of Valaad's atmospheric readings, radiological levels whatever her Majesty may find useful."
As for Thad, the woman tilted her head, "The Shosa has ordered you to join? Or are you offering?" was her question as Yayoi worked on Sanda.
Mochi smiled pleasantly to Koyama, "Of course, I'm glad to be here, XO. I'll keep quiet and run my instruments unless you'd prefer otherwise." The Elysian winked, his multi-colored wings rustling against the backpack. It would be nice to see how Koyama fared as away team leader and he didn't want to accidentally butt in. However, Mochi would be happy to lend mentorship if she wanted it.
"I seen the call but was not given a direct order. So I guess I am voluntold kind of." Thad replied back. {which character is speaking for those not in the jp?}
Delmira looked at Thad as he walked in and frowned a bit. "Well lets just say i would rather you touch me rather than someone like Thad."
Sanda glanced at behind her at Yayoi and sighed. She nodded to her fellow Ranger, grateful for the support. Having Maximus anywhere near her got her dander up.
The princess rolled her eyes at Delmira, then to Thad she nodded curtly, "If you are volunteering, then you may come. However, you will be watched." with a glance to Mochi she gestured, "Taii, will you be my second in command?"
The only other officer on the away team glanced to its other members, just to check who was participating. By the looks of things, he was the obvious choice for Koyama, unless it would be more beneficial to see how one of their enlisted crew acted in the 2IC position. In fact, that might be quite interesting. Rubbing his chin for a moment, Mochi replied. "I think it might be interesting to have a potential NCO volunteer. I can always step in if the situation requires, Koyama-chui?"
"That sounds like a plan to me. So should I lead in the front so you can check my rear or should I bring up the rear and you look over your shoulder?" Thad asked with a big smirk on his face.
"¡Seriamente! ¿¡Cómo es que este tipo sigue siendo parte del Ejército Estelar!?" Sanda spat out. She turned to Koyama. "Ma'am, I don't think that Maximus-hei has any business being on this mission. He has yet to show any professionalism in as a soldier of the Star Army. Quite frankly, he's a disgrace to the uniform."
"You know what? I think I'm going to wear something, i think the power armor bay has spare bodysuits." Delmira said and turned around.
"Why would she think that?" Poppy scratched her head. CFWEP cans or something?"
Frank joined the others in the shuttle bay wearing a new infantry uniform and gear. With standard rifle on his back. His face was covered with a full-faced helmet. "Sorry, im late team needed to clean up."
"I trust one of my rangers to take the lead," Koyama said in response to Thad's offer. But to Mochi she inclined her head, "Very well," and to Sanda, her look became harder, "Then you are now volunteered as my NCO." and back to Thad she looked up at him, a hand on one of her hips, "You're protection detail. For me." she was giving him a chance, and putting him in the hot seat at the same time by having Sanda act as her second.
Yayoi winced at Sanda’s outburst, but it was what Koyama said next that had her grinning to now end. “Happy Yule’ she whispered into Sanda’s ears. She thought Sanda was capable of being an NCO so she didn’t contest it. She wanted to let Sanda have her change.
Thad looked at the crew fighting over him joining or not. He was a little confuse by his question if they were going to watch his back or the other way around. It didn't matter to him either way. Though being on protection duty seemed like a nice change of pace. "You got it."
Sanda's mouth kept opening and closing for a moment, as if her mouth still worked but her brain wasn't. Finally she got traction again and she just stared at Koyama, waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it didn't Sanda stood up straighter. "Yes Ma'am. Thank you Ma'am." She was shocked really. Her outburst should have gotten her a reprimand. She would make sure that Koyama's faith in her was justified.
Delmira returned to the hanger soon after tugging at a bodysuit she put before overlaying a set of casual clothes over it. The neko looked at Sanda and then the others. "What happened while i was gone?"
Koyama sent a brief text to Mochi, 'Well?' was the question. Of which it was clear. She had just set Thad up for redemption and put him at the mercy of Sanda, while also giving Sanda the chance to prove herself.
Mochi sent a return message to Koyama. "Good choice putting Thad somewhere he can regain trust from the others. I think Sanda was out of line - Thad already paid his penance and we all need to move on. She's not an SNCO yet, staffing and discipline isn't to comment on."
Zanven hovered near the hangar bay, wanting to be sure to escort the away team to the LZ, he was not expecting opposition here and there were now orders for the away team to go down and survey the area for the Empire. He might get to land if he had orders to do so, he did patch the comms to the hangar as he decided to ask how the away team was.
"Hey you guys, I promise not to blow up any ships this time around, how are we all feeling?" He said as he was just at this point...bored.
"Doing okay," Poppy replied to Zanven. "Everything look okay out there?"
"So far everything looks fine since we received another escort party. The other cargo ships have landed and so far I am just thinking about how I may have been able to disable that ship with a little more precision...how many POW's did we take on?" He replied back in a calm tone.
Thad reached up and rubbed the back of his head. "Welp, looks like your the boss Sanda. Congrats and may you lead us well."
Frank would watch the crew for a bit before asking. "Look I know I'm the new guy but can someone tell me why you all have a hatred for Thad?"
"Lets just say he was really stupid on multiple accounts and some of us even are in a relationship with him which also makes it worse." She will look at Thad "Wait wait you mean to say that Sanda is our official squad lead?"
"Really? the guy has a face only a mother could love." Frank said leaning back in his seat.
Koyama then looked to Sanda again, gesturing, "Well?" while she was in command, this as Sanda's chance to shine, and it was clear the Neko wanted to get on with it. And to forestall the Ranger from blurting anything out on the android's question.
Sanda ignored Thad's congrats. If she had really been in charge she would have ordered Thad to remain behind. But Koyama had already give him an assignment. As long as she didn't have to deal with him. She nodded to Koyama. "Yes Ma'am."
Mochi quietly observed the others, supporting Koyama as she required. Flexing his telepathy was good practice. The only input he gave outside of that was a withering look to Sanda, whom he saw potential in but at times like this was too hot headed for her own good. Perhaps his expression towards her might pep her in the right direction.
Koyama returned a text to the Elysian, 'I see potential in her. By putting Thaddeaus as my guard, it gives him a chance to prove himself. Not only to me but to his peers. Sanda-hei included. I wish to see how she handles the power given to her.'
The XO wanted to see if the Nepleslian Ranger would abuse her power or not. The implications were there. Thad was her guard, Sanda was her NCO, but she was in command. It was a test.
Mochi sent a quick telepathic reply, "I agree entirely with the choices. I'd do the same in your position. A good NCO pulls the team together, it'll be interesting to see how Sanda does with NCO duties with a team she may have personal issues with."
"Hey Frank, your mother did say I had a pretty face!" Thad yelled out.
"So your over a hundred years and somehow can talk to dead people now too? classy Thad." frank said with a mildly board tone. "scratch that i see now why he can get on your alls nerves."
Sanda turned to the rest of the team. "Let's stow the ideal talk for now and get these crates unloaded!" Sanda glanced at Yayoi and nodded to her. "Blade," Calling her by her callsign in the field. "Take a casual look around the area." Yayoi would understand the implications. To the rest of them. "The rest of you will start unloading the crates. After we have them unloaded we'll take a look around the area."
Yayoi saluted Sanda and nodded her head. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied as Sanda gave her her orders. She indeed understood the implications. She felt proud of Sanda and excited to see how she performed her duties. She glanced to the others before proceeding with what she was asked to do.
Blade? That was a fancy callsign. Mochi been stuck with the name of a dessert, but it had grown on him since Eden had first coined it during his first posting. The Elysian caught Yayoi saluting Sanda and swiftly shook his head so that she could see it, his eyes wide. Hopefully she would catch his meaning. Wrong move.
Yayoi caught the look Mochi gave her, and quickly lowered her hands as she tried to keep the embarrassment from her face.
Zanven did leave the comm channel open as he communicated with the bridge. "Brax to Bridge, the Away team has still not come out yet, and my legs are feeling a little tired, it is all the same to you, may I go ahead and take that permission to land and help with the unloading...they may need it." He asked as he was looking for a place at the spaceport to land the gunship.
"Zanven, this is the captain, you are welcome to land and join the others but I doubt the logistics people need help uploading," Aoba replied over the channel.
"Aye- Aye, captain. I will land and get my legs stretched out and take a look around...never mind..." He says as he caught sight of the rather brash action a local was taking...When you gotta go..."I will just make sure I don't uh...let the locals mistake my ship for a urinal." He said as he landed at a pad that was unoccupied. Once on the landing pad and everything decompressed, he shut the motor functions of the Nodachi down before stepping out as some of the locals eyed the ship he kept his helmet on for the time being. The A.I. of the Nodachi was giving him live readouts as he stepped away and locked the damn thing.
As Zanven circled the starport he caught a glimpse of a mutant dude taking a dump on the edges of it. This place wasn't the classiest...
"Yes Ma'am." Delmira headed over and start to help unload crates.
Thad also followed the order to help unload the crates. And in perfect fashion which Thad always did, removed his shirt so it would not get it dirty.
"Please go back," one of the cargo ship's NCOs told Delmira and Thad. Forklift after forklift went by behind him, moving dozens and dozens of the mystery containers into a warehouse nearby. "We don't need any assistance." From the looks of it, the cargo ship's crew had quite a few orange panels.
"Aye Ma'am" Frank stated as he helped unload the crates "Excuse me ma'am I'd like to request that once were done here we have a arm-wrestling contest between me and Thad."
Sanda glanced at Frank and shook her head. "You can do whatever you want when you're off duty but I would recommend staying as far away as Maximus as possible. Right now we have a job to do."
Thad listened to the order of going back and to get a forklift. He had already turned his attention and missed the part about not needing help. Which he felt a little silly since it would be way faster and he could show off his mad driving skills too.
Koyama looked to Mochi, "Did you research Valaad at all?" she asked as Sanda barked out her orders and saw people jumping to see them through. While she herself stepped down the ramp past the forklifts, waiting for the Taii to join her.
Mochi, not exactly finding manual labor fitting for his position at this very moment, was all too happy to join Koyama at her request. His drone buzzed lightly a number of inches above them. "Aye, I did. Quite a storied history. It'll be interesting to do a proper survey." The Elysian cupped his hands together behind his back in an at-ease position as he watched the crates move. "I take it you read the records too?"
Zanven walked over and chuckled as he looked at the away team starting to offload the crates. "Need a hand?" He would ask before grabbing a few of the top load crates to move them over to a support vehicle.
At this point the crew of the cargo ship started physically pushing the Resurgence's crew away from the crates. "I said get lost!" the NCO repeated herself. "Are you fucking deaf?"
Mochi couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the logistics NCOs beating back the overenthusiastic away team. One of the rules you learned quickly after a while was don't mess with people's MOS'. Delegation to experts is usually the easiest path. Even when sometimes it feels easier to get stuck in or command them to step aside.
"Ya know, sometimes in this fucking helmet I can be, but I heard you that time." He said as he walked away after setting the crates he had carried down and with a sigh he would go over to the crew.
Frank pointed at Sanda, and said to the cargo people. "she told us to, sorry bout that." before nodding and walking away from the cargo.
Sanda realized that she might have made a mistake by telling the team to help unload. She had misunderstood what exactly they were suppose to be doing. She moved over to Koyama and asked quietly, "Ma'am, What exactly should we be doing now?" She need some direction if she was going to be an acting NCO.
Aoba's voice came over the communications net. "Away team, this is the captain, I've just got a call from the other ship's captain and she's asked us not to get involved with her ship's unloading operations due to operational secrecy. She also says she, quote, 'doesn't want a bunch of gunship jockeys in her well-oiled logistics machine.' Also...I asked you to do a survey of Valaad. Aoba out."
"I think...I am the only gunship jockey here...none of you all look like the type to fly the Nodachi." Zanven pointed at Thad and jokingly said before giving the burly bastard a well deserved joke of a shove. "Jesus you are built like a brick shit house...What happened after I left." He asked Thad in a quiet tone.
Delmira had backed away the frist time but by the second time she went over to Thad. "Hey if anyone is going to hit him its me." She said and will lead Thad away from the crates as best she could.
Koyama nodded thoughtfully, "Mmm," she tapped the side of her head. She had downloaded them. Her hands were clasped behind her back as the NCOs yelled for the rest of the crew to step the fuck off, the first officer already adding to her checks and balances of the situation.
"Not exactly the place for those like us. But, an order is an order," however difficult. But to Aoba she responded, "We are on it, Shosa." with a brief glance to Sanda, eyes growing large. She was waiting. "Our Science Officer is kitted for survey, one of our rangers is scouting ahead as we speak."
Mochi nodded in understanding to Koyama, then gently added, "I was curious to see how long it took for us to get back on-mission, but it seems the Captain has seen to that."
As the crates got delivered to the warehouse, a lot of heavily armed military-looking dudes crowded around the building to provide security. There were even a few tanks, mostly older models like the BW-6.
Thad took the hint and started to walk away from the crates. He'd find another time to give a look into what cargo they had delivered.
Koyama glanced to Sanda, "We survey. Our Taii has his equipment, you have sent Yayoi-hei ahead. We gather information, criminal elements, demographics, geological, atmospheric samples. Information, information, information."
"This is your chance, Sanda," she dropped the woman's rank.
- - - -
OOC: JP by Wes, Ajax, Charaa, Cowboy, Miko, Soban, Ethereal, ShadowWalker,Zanven
