- RP Date
- YE 45.6
- RP Location
- Central Fleet Depot
YSS Resurgence
YE 45.6
Glistening with fresh paint in the colors of the Yamataian flag, the Resurgence was ready to launch once more from its dock in Central Uesureya, Yamatai. The massive and stuffy hangar echoed with the determined grinding sounds and a deep hum from the systems of the ship which was already running. In front of the ship, captain Aoba Kuranosuke stood with a steely, wizened look in his narrow and thoughtful eyes.
Right on time, a last-minute pack of self-powered train cars, crossing sunscorched tarmac, seemed to shrug off the summer heat as they lumbered to a halt. Neatly wrapped pallets brimming with rations and vital supplies settled in their shadow. Trailer-sized vacuum-sealed starship containers followed suit, awaiting their turn to be stored away. The formidable, though not unfamiliar, form of Hachirobei Sakuko disembarked, eyeing the ship's contours while Beryl Leyton began the task of loading the supplies with a forklift whose rumbles intertwined with the humid air's whispers.
From the periphery, another ramp beckoned, leading to the shuttle bay — an invitation to the heart of the ship. As the specialists toiled with a sense of urgency only deep space veterans knew, the hangar began to fill with the hum of activity. Crewmembers, fresh from their rides on military trucks and LSTVs, began to drift in. There was a palpable sense of homecoming as they eyed their cabins. They began the age-old dance of settling in to their cabins, with the air thick with anticipation for the journey ahead.
A series of announcments played on intercom speakers as the crew arrived, giving a list of cabin assignments. "All crew without an assigned cabin or needing reassignment, see Santo Hei Fujikawa Okimi," the voice of MEGAMI said.
There was a pep to Mineko’s step as she carried two to-go coffee cups and nearly skipped up to Captain Aoba. She still hadn’t gotten over seeing what a Mishhuvurthyar had done to him, but she had reviewed the revenge the captain had gotten on them the next battle when she was off of the bridge and her respect for the captain had only grown.
“Nice to be back, Captain,” Mineko said and offered one of the cups to Aoba. “Some tea for you, sir! It’s the best I could find for the best that I know!”
"Thank you," Taisa Aoba nodded, accepting the tea and taking a sip. "Welcome back aboard the Resurgence. We launch in ten minutes."
"Happy to be back," Mineko said. With one of her hands free, she was able to offer a crisp salute.
Okimi blinked, having not expected to be put to work before dropping her duffel off in her cabin. Regardless, the word had been given and it was time for the caretaker to jump and worry about how high it needed to be later on. She quickly saluted and nodded to the Captain before moving over next to the shuttle bay ramp, so as to be more visible, and placed her duffle on the ground beside her.
"Okay, Santo Hei Fujikawa Okimi, Cabin Finder Extraordinaire, is now open for business!" She waved energetically at the crew, waiting to see if anyone would need to avail themselves of her services.
Among the first to approach the caretaker was Erika. Dressed in a jacket over her jump suit, she’d already deposited her bag in the room. Instead, she carried a small paper bag and neutral expression. “Hey, Okimi.” the tall silver haired Neko called out.
Okimi blinked, before offering Erika a beaming smile. "Heya Erika! Glad to see you! I hope you enjoyed your leave! Come find me once we're settled in, or I'll find you, and we can see if there's anything I can do to help improve your time with the Resurgence family!" The caretaker nodded decisevely. "Now, I guess you need a cabin assignment? Any preferences?"
"No actually." Erika said with a sigh, instead she presented the bag in her hand to her."I heard you enjoy tea, so when I picked this up from the city I thought of you." The bag was made from a delecate cotton weave, fine enough so when held up to the light the mosaic of tea leaves inside could be seen. Around the top was a red satin ribbon which bound the openting closed. She offered it without any further comment.
The caretaker blinked, having not expected a gift from the white-haired neko. "Wow." She blinked again before a megawatt smile lit up her face and she lunged forward to give Erika a quick hug. "Thank you so much, Erika!"
Erika's eyes went wide as she nearly fell over from the impact, quickly plating a foot back to stop her from toppling over. She planted a hand atop Okimi's head and smiled softly. "Don't mention it." She said, giving the caretaker a moment before attempting to peel her off. "You're busy so I'll leave you to it. But we'll catch up later alright?"
"Oh, you betcha!" Okimi nodded, before quickly sliding the gifted bag of tea into her duffle. Now that her future treat was properly stowed, she returned her attention to her crewmates, looking to see if anyone else was seeking cabin reassignment.
Yuri stepped towards the ship and smiled as she heard the announcement. Okimi was a sweet kind girl, probably the best person for the job. She hurried up to greet her roommate, and noticed the other new person there. "aww! thats so sweet!" Yuri said with a smile on her face as she watched.
Engineer Pidole Henitot gave the captain a salute as she passed by him, followed by her flying blue beetle buddy, and Euikoshi and a crowd of engineering staff (Azumi, Plum, Tomoko, Caihong, Taro, and Norita). Next, Gabriela arrived with Poppy and Kalena. The crew was mostly the same with just a few subtractions.
Yoshiro had just gotten back from visiting with his family. His brother had been keeping up with his big brother. He knew that he was fighting for them and others like them.
Sanda arrived with Trowa and his family. Well, it was her family as well since Trowa's wife was Sanda's sister. Trowa had Elanor Aeon on his shoulders. The little girl was nearly choking him. She really didn't want her papa to leave again. Estrella, Trowa's wife was putting on a brave face, but she didn't want to lose her husband again. But such was the life of an officer's wife.
Estrella and Sanda embraced as sisters do then Trowa kissed his wife lovinly before giving his son and daughter one last hug. Then the two were headed up the cargo ramp, stopping at the top to wave back at the family. Trying to hide the tears that were fighting to come.
Once everyone had boarded and the last of the cargo was loaded, the crew closed and sealed the ramps, doors, and hatches and the ship began to slowly hover a couple of meters off the ground, drifting out of the old hangar and out from under its stained windows into the sunlight and out into the starport's main area. Soon the ship was rocketing up into space, passing Amatsu Yamatai and other space stations along the way and heading for the edge of the Yamatai Star System.
Cabin 5
Yayoi was silent as she unpacked her bag, her focus on the task at hand. She'd learned that Chiasa had left the ship, but didnt know how to feel about that. but knew she'd had to expect it. "yuri better be ready for duty" she muttered to herself as her thoughts went to her daughter, unaware that her daughter was being her usual friendly self to meeting new people.
Sanda opened the door and looked around. The cabin looked exactly the same as she left it. She tossed her duffles on the floor next to her bunk and smiled at Yayoi. "Bueno hermana, ¿qué crees que nos tiene reservado el Capitán ahora?"
Yayoi turned as she heard someone enter, and actually smiled at Sanda, one of the few who she allowed to see it before she replied "eso es para que lo veamos en el futuro, de cualquier manera lo espero con ansias. Quién sabe, tal vez podamos volver a luchar contra nuestro viejo enemigo." Yayoi replied in Sanda's heart language.
Sanda smiled. She was always glad to know that Yayoi had her back and was excited about the prospect of a fight as the Nep was. "Can't argue with that." Sanda quickly unpacked her duffles, storing her few personal belongings and hanging up her uniforms. Her personal weapons were layed out on the bed. A SiZi model 38, a type 33 black, two straight silver blades, one of which had a dragon engraved on the blade. Her engagment blade from Caffran.
Yayoi finished unpacking and grabed her weapons, her rifle, and her hidden blades. She retracted her blade's out, and frowned. "gotta clean that, disrespectful to kill a enemy with a dirty blade." she said mostly to herself as she fished for her cleaning tools.
Sanda snorted. She agreed with Yayoi. Sanda's own blades were always kept presteen and razer sharp. She enjoyed cleaning and sharpening her weapons. She was about to pull out her own kit when she thought she'd rather get a workout in. "Fancy going to the dojo? Maybe get in a sparing match?" Sanda smirked and teased, "I hope you haven't grown soft during the down time."
Yayoi smirked as she heard Sanda speak of the idea for a sparring match. "hermana, you honestly think, i got soft after handling rude customers?" she asked her "sure, i'm open to that, lets go to the dojo, and you'll see how soft i am" she teased back.
Cabin 7
Okimi secured her duffel in the cabin she shared with Yuri and Yoko, finishing her mental conversation with MEGAMI over the necessary cabin reassignments. It was good to be getting straight back into things, even if she hadn't exactly been idle for the previous month. While she thought about it, she asked the Resurgence's controlling intelligence to see about working her in to the XO's schedule for a meeting about taking on additional duties and the extra training Okimi wanted to undertake.
Yuri followed Okimi quickly to the cabin she shared with Okimi and Yoko, thinking she should get her things secured sooner rather than later, knowing her mother would be displeased if she hadnt.
"Heya Yuri-chan!" Okimi smiled at her friend and gave her a hug. "Did you enjoy your leave? Sorry we didn't get many opportunities to meet up or talk, but its been a manic few weeks!"
Yuri hugged Okimi back tightly as she smiled at her friend. "yup! I went to the parade after we got to meet the empress, and the Yui-sama herself, i saw and got to meet many amazing people, and new friends so i am happy!" She said
The caretaker smiled widely. "Wow, it sounds like you had a grand old time!" She shrugged her shoulders. "Not going to lie, I am kinda regretting not sticking around after the parade now, it sounds like I missed out on an amazing experience." Okimi smiled again. "Oh well, there's always next year!"
Yuri nodded her head. "you should have stayed! but your right, always next year, and i hope you can come with me and Luna-chan for when ocean Day happens, Luna-chan says thats a super fun event! who knows, maybe luna-chan would get us another necklace!" Yuri said remembering the Cherry Blossom Necklace she'd gotten.
Okimi nodded at the mention of Ocean Day, having really been looking forward to that particular festival, it being the first time she would be able to properly visit a beach or the ocean. "Oh yeah, that's a date!" She nodded decisevely. "And yeah... maybe we could even make each other a necklace from small sea-shells we find while there?" Okimi was pretty sure she had read that such was something people did when visiting a beach.
Yuri smiled at Okimi brimming with excitement. "yeah! we could do that, i've been practicing so i am sure i'll make a good necklace! and with the shells it will be pretty!" Yuri said as she practically bounced with joy.
The caretaker nodded, joining Yuri in the excited bouncing. "I'm sure it'll be beautiful, Yuri-chan! After all, it'll be from a dear friend and made with love, so it can't be anything less than awesome no matter how it turns out."
Yuri smiled at her friend and nodded her head. "yes! thats true!" she said to her wise friend.
Dojo
Yoshiro had some nervous energy to work out. "Do I really deserve this award?" He said to himself as he hit a punch bag.
Sanda and Yayoi entered the Dojo. Sanda had changed to her workout clothes, shorts and a black tank top. Yayoi was wearing her standard workout clothes.
Yoshiro was practicing his punches and kicks as he thought about the medal. He swung his foot, all the rage against the NMX for taking his father away coming forth, feeling like he did nothing to protect him and his family at the time. "I will gut all of you NMX bastards for what you have done to me!" He shouted angrily and sat down near his duffle bag.
Yayoi had glanced towards Yoshiro as she heard him shout. It was clear to her he had anger in him. it wasnt lost on her because she was the same way with the Rixikor.
Sanda also looked over at Yoshiro. She had mixed feeling about the man. Sure he was a Joto Heisho, but he acted more like a kid sometimes.
Yayoi turned and approached Yoshiro, her mind thinking what she needed to hear, and what she could say as she did so. "Yoshiro-heisho, your anger is understandable, but do not let it consume you, and focus." She said and glancing towards Sanda, as if to say I know Hermana!
"You're right." Yoshiro responded to Yayoi. Sanda, he knew, was not a big fan. "But I feel like every time someone gives me a compliment on something that I do as a soldier i am really a failure."
"You just need to do your job the best you can. No one is asking for more than that." Sanda said.
Bridge
"Intelligence and science personnel please report to the bridge," Aoba called on the intercom.
Already on her way, Mineko ducked her head when she walked through the threshold of the bridge as if bowing. She stood with her hands behind her back —the to-go coffee cup of her own had been stowed in cabin 5— and her sharp eyes were alert and trained on Aoba underneath her smattering of bangs.
"Reporting, sir," Mineko offered out of habit.
Erika was soon after, using her IC implants to float along the corridor to the bridge, a tactic she used so she wouldn't be out of breath when she arrived. She caught herself on the bulkhead and yeilded to the ships gravity once again before stepping on to the bridge. She gave the captain a silent bow before standing next to Mineko.
"Any idea what's going on?" Erika asked Mineko silently over their link.
"Normally there's some research to be done before a mission can really get going." Mineko replied as she turned to look out for the other SAINT member of the ship. The analyst treasured the more cerebral duties she often undertook aboard the Resurgence and was looking forward to sharing them.
Aoba told his intelligence officers, "Essentially, despite the risks that there's Mishhuvurthyar waiting on the other side, we need to go back to system with the wormhole. When we were there launching probes, the data we got suggested that not only did we find the wormhole leading to the Wakaba's crash site, but also other wormholes, forming some sort of network. It's possible the network was deliberately set up some time in the past," he told them. "I will need you to be taking notes and asking questions as we proceed so we can get a good look at it."
Trowa had also reported to the bridge to examine how the repairs had gone. He couldn't help overhearing Aoba as he briefed the intelligence officers. The idea of going back through the wormwhole where they had engaged that Mishhu fleet wasn't very apealing but if that was where they were to go then they needed to be ready.
"Captain, was the 2nd fleet able to remove all the Mishhu forces out of the area after we rescued the Wakaba? Have they done any scouting through the wormhole?" Trowa asked.
"The Second Fleet has not ventured onto the other side of the wormhole and the system, which we're referring to as the Gateway System for the time being, has been secured while salvage operations take place. In the months since the battle most of the wreckage has been hauled back to Nataria for processing and any leftover enemies there have been mopped up. But there's been a new discovery: One of the wormholes actually has an exit inside the Kikyo Sector itself. So, as a shortcut, I am bringing the Resurgence to its secret location."
"Sounds like a defense planning nightmare." Erika commented dryly, her chin cupped in her hand.
"What data suggests the wormholes have been artificially created?" Mineko asked, not knowing how to scan a wormhole for indicators of assembly, but wanting to know how to.
"We're not sure yet, but it seems too good to be a coincidence that there are hub systems for wormholes. It's not usual to find them close to star systems, let alone in dozens in one place," Aoba explained.
"Can we get telemetry from probes we send to the other side?" Erika asked "It would be nice not to go in completely blind."
"Only if the probes come back through to the origin side. Some of the wormholes exit in extraordinarily far-away locations, though we're still figuring out where those are," Aoba said.
"Which means if the Mushuu have their own defense perimeter set on the other side the only warning we might get is a failure to return." Erika sighed heavily. "All the same, I suggest we launch a few programmed to return before we make the transit, sir."
As the ship's crew discussed the situation, the Resurgence arrived in a little known corner of space where the aforementioned wormhole was located. There was a field of debris around a nearby planet that appeared to be composed of ancient wreckage pre-dating the rise of the Yamatai Star Empire.
"Picking up energy and radiation from weapons fire...long ago," Kalena said. "The planet is covered in old starship parts," Kalena said, scoping out the area with the ship's scanners. "The signatures are hard to read from their age...no known matches, not Mishhuvurthyar. Whoever they were, they died violently though."
"Here's the console I use for intelligence," Mineko said with a guiding hand from Erika to her own usual work station. There was room enough for one to sit and Mineko set herself up next to it to stand. She didn't want to talk over Kalena and used their telepathic link to add, "You connect with SPINE and I'll use the volumetric screen to interface."
Erika nodded, sliding around the chair and and sinking into it. Her body jolted slightly as the SPINE port on her back linked with the ship.
"Space is a graveyard," Gabriela quoted.
"Launch a probe to go inspect the wreckage," Aoba ordered. "We'll check on it later. In the meantime, I want to see where the wormholes go."
"Aye sir. Probe is programmed and away." Erika said from her chair.
"Do you want me to have an away team standby Captain?" Trowa asked.
"Yes, and set condition two, in case we run into trouble on the other side."
"Aye, aye Captain." Trowa activated the ships comms. "Attention. Attention. We are now set to Condition Two. I repeat. Condition Two. All personel report to your assigned areas."
Eirka looked at Mineko with a weak smile and let out a soft chuckle. "Thanks for letting me have a go interfacing with the ship. I think I better go suit up though. Good to tag in?" She said, pulling her self out of the chair.
"Tag me in" Mineko said assuredly. "Might follow you later. Good hunting!"
Erika gave Mineko a thumbs up before floating up and kicking off the deck.
Cabin 1
"Well, that was fast," Cassie laughed, hopping out of her bed and grabbing her AMES suit from her cabin's locker and pulling it over her Type 42 duty uniform. She double checked the seals and grabbed her personal sidearm and reported to the armor bay and then switched to her MINDY armor. As she got ready, so did the others, with Poppy heading to the medical lab and Pidole heading to main engineering in her armored combat engineer suit.
Dojo
Sanda heard the ship being set to condition two. "Time to earn our pay." She said and ran towards the Power Armor Bay.
Yayoi said nothing as she ran to the Power Armor bay, right beside Sanda.
Cabin 7
With the call over the ships comms, Okimi immediately retrieved her AMES suit. There was no way she was going to risk exposure to hard vacuum again by forgetting to don the environmental suit before the ship went into a combat situation.
Yuri watched and moved to help Okimi into her suit if she needed it. ok, off to the Med Bay i go, to help Poppy-Sempai! so see you soon, Okimi-chan!" Yuri said and goes Yuri speed mode as she shoots towards the medical bay.
"Later, Yuri-chan! Tell Poppy I said hi and I'll come see her later about organising and scheduling some first aid lessons!" She called out after her departing friend. Chuckling at Yuri's ever-present energy, the caretaker finished strapping her holstered NSP to her AMES suit before leaving the cabin and heading for her duty station.
Power Armor Bay
It didn't take long for the caretaker to follow the overly familiar route from her cabin to the power armor bay. With a nod towards Armourer Norita, Okimi crossed to the damage control station and took a quick inventory to make sure everything was present. Once satisfied, the Santo Hei settled in to hurry up and wait.
Yayoi walked into the Power Armor Bay, and immediately went to her Armor. Completely disrobed she climbed into her Power Armor, and activated its systems.
Things had shifted around with the repairs, but Erika's XL MINDY stood out amdist the sea fo suits sized for the regular 33 Nekos. Still with the set up from their last operation. She removed her clothes down to her underware and slid in. Once suited up she asked for one of the techs to remove a shoulder capacitor and replace it with missile pod. She wasn't going to get caught out with insufficent firepower this time. Aether SMG slung around her neck and a pistol on her hip, she took a deep breath before donning the helmet. It sealed with a hiss.
Medical Bay
Like a whirlwind of excited neko, Yuri appeared at the doors of the medical bay, calmed down, if that was even possible, and stepped through. "Asakura-hei, reporting for duty, Poppy-Sempai!" Yuri said into the room, thinking she was there.
Bridge
The swirling maw of spacetime lay before the ship. The vast expanse of space, so often painted with starry pinpricks against the velvet curtain of nothingness, was suddenly ruptured. A swirling maelstrom of light and dark appeared, its epicenter emanating an otherworldly glow that could not be compared to the simple luminosity of stars or nebulae. The fabric of space-time seemed to warp, twist, and contort, as if an unseen hand was wringing out the very universe.
This was no simple astral phenomenon. The wormhole was a grandiose doorway, an interstellar bridge crafted by either the cosmos itself or perhaps some ancient and advanced civilization lost to the annals of time. Its outer edges pulsed with iridescent hues of blues, purples, and fiery oranges, painting an aurora that seemed to defy the very laws of physics.
Within its core was an almost hypnotic dance of luminescence. Threads of shimmering light wove in and out, intertwining with shadows that seemed deeper than the void of space itself. The brilliance of the display contrasted starkly against the void, reminiscent of the Northern Lights but on an incomprehensible, galactic scale.
To the ships that dared to approach, the sensation was overwhelming. Not just a visual spectacle, the very gravitation around the wormhole tugged and teased at their hulls, a siren's call to the brave or perhaps the foolhardy. For beyond this magnificent cosmic vortex lay the unknown; realms uncharted and stars untouched, awaiting those with the spirit of adventure.
Aoba, confident in his ship's ability to safely enter, gave Gabriela the word. "Proceed into it."
Gabriela's fingers danced across the ship's control panel, her eyes darting between the display screen and the majestic wormhole outside. She had piloted through uncharted territories before, but this... this was a new frontier.
"We're entering on a vector that'll keep us stable, Aoba," Gabriela's voice was calm, but there was a spark of excitement that even she couldn't conceal.
The vessel's exterior shields shimmered, adapting to the gravitational tug of the wormhole. A strange hum filled the air, the very sound of the universe being bent and stretched. Inside the ship, every light dimmed for a moment, only to flare back, illuminating the cabin in an ethereal glow.
Aoba watched intently, the muscles in his jaw tightened. Every fiber of his being was alive with anticipation. The ship was quickly engulfed by the swirling vortex, making the stars outside streak and blur into lines of white against the obsidian canvas of space.
For a few breathless moments, there was an eerie stillness, like the quiet in the eye of a storm. It felt as if they were floating in a vast, endless ocean of energy. Colors, shapes, and sensations bombarded their senses. It was an otherworldly experience, like a dream where the boundaries of reality were blurred.
And then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped. The ship emerged from the wormhole, now in an entirely different region of space. Before them, instead of the space they expected to see, was a colossal space station, of a design none on board had ever seen before. It was massive, easily dwarfing the Resurgence and even some of the larger starships in the Star Army's fleet. The station seemed to be constructed of a dark metallic material that reflected the surrounding starlight in an eerily beautiful display.
"Get me a full scan on that structure. I want to know what we're dealing with here," Captain Aoba ordered immediately, his voice steady despite the shock.
"Beginning scans of the structure Captain." Trowa annonced as he brought up the ships scanners. He was also scanning the surrounding area to see what else might be in the system.
"Should we engage active scans?" Mineko asked worriedly. "Let's keep them passive until we know if anyone's still on there."
"That is probably a good idea." Trowa agreed and turned the active scanners away from the massive structure.
"Seeing what comes up on unified field energy sensors in just a moment," Mineko muttered.
"Well, it's...rather large," Euikoshi said. "Sir, permission for full scans?"
"Do it."
"You are certain, sir?" Koyama added her voice to the conversation on the bridge. She had her own reservations at prodding things she did not understand. And this station was suffice of to say entirely out of what she defined in her understanding.
Aoba just gave Koyama a nod.
Even before Koyama had spoken, Mineko had tapped the MEGAMI to begin the more intensive scans. Though they could give away the position of the Resurgence, the high powered sweeps would tell them more about what they were looking at than visuals and low intensity mass scans alone could muster.
The station was constructed with technology far beyond the current knowledge of the Star Army. It was powered by a form of energy unknown to them, its readings unlike anything their sensors were designed to recognize. The station's structure was riddled with compartments and corridors, some large enough to accommodate whole starships.
But the most concerning thing was the complete lack of life signs. The entire station seemed to be abandoned, with no indications of inhabitants. Not a single blip on the radar, no signs of energy usage indicative of life support systems. The station was massive, technologically advanced, and completely deserted.
"Captain Aoba, we're not picking up any life signs. The station appears to be deserted," reported Euikoshi, a tone of incredulity in her voice.
"Interesting..." Captain Aoba muttered, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the colossal structure. "Keep an eye out for any changes. We need to understand what we're dealing with here."
"Sir, I have one ship on sensors approaching the station," Euikoshi said. "It is in rather poor condition."
"Send the armor team to the station immediately. We're not losing salvage rights to some space hobos," Aoba said with a chuckle.
Trowa agreeded with Koyama. It would probably be better to take things slowly. Especially since they had no idea what in the galaxy they were dealing with but he said, "Aye Captain. I'll prep the Away team."
"Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to further analyze the station with the away team." Mineko said, basically asking to be excused from the bridge.
"Of course," Aoba replied, granting permission for Mineko to join the team.
The more scans they did, the more it was obvious that Mishhuvurthyar ships had been through the area, though there was no sign of them presently.
Koyama, meanwhile had begun to check their astrogation charts to plot points of reference to their current location.
The station was so far away from known space that the ship's computer was still running calculations trying to find any familiar stars at all. They were obviously in a vastly different part of the Kagami Galaxy.
"Picking up Rixxikor chatter on the comms from that ship...something about your mom..." Kalena said, then blushed.
"We're so far off the galactic beaten path. But the Rixxikor are still near?" Koyama wanted to swear but instead settled for disgust.
"I guess that's what happens when you have exceptional reproduction and millions of years to spread," Gabriela shrugged.
"Literal galactic pests." Koyama responded.
"Let's beat them to the station," Aoba encouraged the crew. "Them being on our turf is much better than us being on their turf."
((OOC: JP by Wes, Charaa, Ame, Cowboy, iaincarter, Sunny D, Yoshiro, Soban, Soresu))
YE 45.6
Glistening with fresh paint in the colors of the Yamataian flag, the Resurgence was ready to launch once more from its dock in Central Uesureya, Yamatai. The massive and stuffy hangar echoed with the determined grinding sounds and a deep hum from the systems of the ship which was already running. In front of the ship, captain Aoba Kuranosuke stood with a steely, wizened look in his narrow and thoughtful eyes.
Right on time, a last-minute pack of self-powered train cars, crossing sunscorched tarmac, seemed to shrug off the summer heat as they lumbered to a halt. Neatly wrapped pallets brimming with rations and vital supplies settled in their shadow. Trailer-sized vacuum-sealed starship containers followed suit, awaiting their turn to be stored away. The formidable, though not unfamiliar, form of Hachirobei Sakuko disembarked, eyeing the ship's contours while Beryl Leyton began the task of loading the supplies with a forklift whose rumbles intertwined with the humid air's whispers.
From the periphery, another ramp beckoned, leading to the shuttle bay — an invitation to the heart of the ship. As the specialists toiled with a sense of urgency only deep space veterans knew, the hangar began to fill with the hum of activity. Crewmembers, fresh from their rides on military trucks and LSTVs, began to drift in. There was a palpable sense of homecoming as they eyed their cabins. They began the age-old dance of settling in to their cabins, with the air thick with anticipation for the journey ahead.
A series of announcments played on intercom speakers as the crew arrived, giving a list of cabin assignments. "All crew without an assigned cabin or needing reassignment, see Santo Hei Fujikawa Okimi," the voice of MEGAMI said.
There was a pep to Mineko’s step as she carried two to-go coffee cups and nearly skipped up to Captain Aoba. She still hadn’t gotten over seeing what a Mishhuvurthyar had done to him, but she had reviewed the revenge the captain had gotten on them the next battle when she was off of the bridge and her respect for the captain had only grown.
“Nice to be back, Captain,” Mineko said and offered one of the cups to Aoba. “Some tea for you, sir! It’s the best I could find for the best that I know!”
"Thank you," Taisa Aoba nodded, accepting the tea and taking a sip. "Welcome back aboard the Resurgence. We launch in ten minutes."
"Happy to be back," Mineko said. With one of her hands free, she was able to offer a crisp salute.
Okimi blinked, having not expected to be put to work before dropping her duffel off in her cabin. Regardless, the word had been given and it was time for the caretaker to jump and worry about how high it needed to be later on. She quickly saluted and nodded to the Captain before moving over next to the shuttle bay ramp, so as to be more visible, and placed her duffle on the ground beside her.
"Okay, Santo Hei Fujikawa Okimi, Cabin Finder Extraordinaire, is now open for business!" She waved energetically at the crew, waiting to see if anyone would need to avail themselves of her services.
Among the first to approach the caretaker was Erika. Dressed in a jacket over her jump suit, she’d already deposited her bag in the room. Instead, she carried a small paper bag and neutral expression. “Hey, Okimi.” the tall silver haired Neko called out.
Okimi blinked, before offering Erika a beaming smile. "Heya Erika! Glad to see you! I hope you enjoyed your leave! Come find me once we're settled in, or I'll find you, and we can see if there's anything I can do to help improve your time with the Resurgence family!" The caretaker nodded decisevely. "Now, I guess you need a cabin assignment? Any preferences?"
"No actually." Erika said with a sigh, instead she presented the bag in her hand to her."I heard you enjoy tea, so when I picked this up from the city I thought of you." The bag was made from a delecate cotton weave, fine enough so when held up to the light the mosaic of tea leaves inside could be seen. Around the top was a red satin ribbon which bound the openting closed. She offered it without any further comment.
The caretaker blinked, having not expected a gift from the white-haired neko. "Wow." She blinked again before a megawatt smile lit up her face and she lunged forward to give Erika a quick hug. "Thank you so much, Erika!"
Erika's eyes went wide as she nearly fell over from the impact, quickly plating a foot back to stop her from toppling over. She planted a hand atop Okimi's head and smiled softly. "Don't mention it." She said, giving the caretaker a moment before attempting to peel her off. "You're busy so I'll leave you to it. But we'll catch up later alright?"
"Oh, you betcha!" Okimi nodded, before quickly sliding the gifted bag of tea into her duffle. Now that her future treat was properly stowed, she returned her attention to her crewmates, looking to see if anyone else was seeking cabin reassignment.
Yuri stepped towards the ship and smiled as she heard the announcement. Okimi was a sweet kind girl, probably the best person for the job. She hurried up to greet her roommate, and noticed the other new person there. "aww! thats so sweet!" Yuri said with a smile on her face as she watched.
Engineer Pidole Henitot gave the captain a salute as she passed by him, followed by her flying blue beetle buddy, and Euikoshi and a crowd of engineering staff (Azumi, Plum, Tomoko, Caihong, Taro, and Norita). Next, Gabriela arrived with Poppy and Kalena. The crew was mostly the same with just a few subtractions.
Yoshiro had just gotten back from visiting with his family. His brother had been keeping up with his big brother. He knew that he was fighting for them and others like them.
Sanda arrived with Trowa and his family. Well, it was her family as well since Trowa's wife was Sanda's sister. Trowa had Elanor Aeon on his shoulders. The little girl was nearly choking him. She really didn't want her papa to leave again. Estrella, Trowa's wife was putting on a brave face, but she didn't want to lose her husband again. But such was the life of an officer's wife.
Estrella and Sanda embraced as sisters do then Trowa kissed his wife lovinly before giving his son and daughter one last hug. Then the two were headed up the cargo ramp, stopping at the top to wave back at the family. Trying to hide the tears that were fighting to come.
Once everyone had boarded and the last of the cargo was loaded, the crew closed and sealed the ramps, doors, and hatches and the ship began to slowly hover a couple of meters off the ground, drifting out of the old hangar and out from under its stained windows into the sunlight and out into the starport's main area. Soon the ship was rocketing up into space, passing Amatsu Yamatai and other space stations along the way and heading for the edge of the Yamatai Star System.
Cabin 5
Yayoi was silent as she unpacked her bag, her focus on the task at hand. She'd learned that Chiasa had left the ship, but didnt know how to feel about that. but knew she'd had to expect it. "yuri better be ready for duty" she muttered to herself as her thoughts went to her daughter, unaware that her daughter was being her usual friendly self to meeting new people.
Sanda opened the door and looked around. The cabin looked exactly the same as she left it. She tossed her duffles on the floor next to her bunk and smiled at Yayoi. "Bueno hermana, ¿qué crees que nos tiene reservado el Capitán ahora?"
Yayoi turned as she heard someone enter, and actually smiled at Sanda, one of the few who she allowed to see it before she replied "eso es para que lo veamos en el futuro, de cualquier manera lo espero con ansias. Quién sabe, tal vez podamos volver a luchar contra nuestro viejo enemigo." Yayoi replied in Sanda's heart language.
Sanda smiled. She was always glad to know that Yayoi had her back and was excited about the prospect of a fight as the Nep was. "Can't argue with that." Sanda quickly unpacked her duffles, storing her few personal belongings and hanging up her uniforms. Her personal weapons were layed out on the bed. A SiZi model 38, a type 33 black, two straight silver blades, one of which had a dragon engraved on the blade. Her engagment blade from Caffran.
Yayoi finished unpacking and grabed her weapons, her rifle, and her hidden blades. She retracted her blade's out, and frowned. "gotta clean that, disrespectful to kill a enemy with a dirty blade." she said mostly to herself as she fished for her cleaning tools.
Sanda snorted. She agreed with Yayoi. Sanda's own blades were always kept presteen and razer sharp. She enjoyed cleaning and sharpening her weapons. She was about to pull out her own kit when she thought she'd rather get a workout in. "Fancy going to the dojo? Maybe get in a sparing match?" Sanda smirked and teased, "I hope you haven't grown soft during the down time."
Yayoi smirked as she heard Sanda speak of the idea for a sparring match. "hermana, you honestly think, i got soft after handling rude customers?" she asked her "sure, i'm open to that, lets go to the dojo, and you'll see how soft i am" she teased back.
Cabin 7
Okimi secured her duffel in the cabin she shared with Yuri and Yoko, finishing her mental conversation with MEGAMI over the necessary cabin reassignments. It was good to be getting straight back into things, even if she hadn't exactly been idle for the previous month. While she thought about it, she asked the Resurgence's controlling intelligence to see about working her in to the XO's schedule for a meeting about taking on additional duties and the extra training Okimi wanted to undertake.
Yuri followed Okimi quickly to the cabin she shared with Okimi and Yoko, thinking she should get her things secured sooner rather than later, knowing her mother would be displeased if she hadnt.
"Heya Yuri-chan!" Okimi smiled at her friend and gave her a hug. "Did you enjoy your leave? Sorry we didn't get many opportunities to meet up or talk, but its been a manic few weeks!"
Yuri hugged Okimi back tightly as she smiled at her friend. "yup! I went to the parade after we got to meet the empress, and the Yui-sama herself, i saw and got to meet many amazing people, and new friends so i am happy!" She said
The caretaker smiled widely. "Wow, it sounds like you had a grand old time!" She shrugged her shoulders. "Not going to lie, I am kinda regretting not sticking around after the parade now, it sounds like I missed out on an amazing experience." Okimi smiled again. "Oh well, there's always next year!"
Yuri nodded her head. "you should have stayed! but your right, always next year, and i hope you can come with me and Luna-chan for when ocean Day happens, Luna-chan says thats a super fun event! who knows, maybe luna-chan would get us another necklace!" Yuri said remembering the Cherry Blossom Necklace she'd gotten.
Okimi nodded at the mention of Ocean Day, having really been looking forward to that particular festival, it being the first time she would be able to properly visit a beach or the ocean. "Oh yeah, that's a date!" She nodded decisevely. "And yeah... maybe we could even make each other a necklace from small sea-shells we find while there?" Okimi was pretty sure she had read that such was something people did when visiting a beach.
Yuri smiled at Okimi brimming with excitement. "yeah! we could do that, i've been practicing so i am sure i'll make a good necklace! and with the shells it will be pretty!" Yuri said as she practically bounced with joy.
The caretaker nodded, joining Yuri in the excited bouncing. "I'm sure it'll be beautiful, Yuri-chan! After all, it'll be from a dear friend and made with love, so it can't be anything less than awesome no matter how it turns out."
Yuri smiled at her friend and nodded her head. "yes! thats true!" she said to her wise friend.
Dojo
Yoshiro had some nervous energy to work out. "Do I really deserve this award?" He said to himself as he hit a punch bag.
Sanda and Yayoi entered the Dojo. Sanda had changed to her workout clothes, shorts and a black tank top. Yayoi was wearing her standard workout clothes.
Yoshiro was practicing his punches and kicks as he thought about the medal. He swung his foot, all the rage against the NMX for taking his father away coming forth, feeling like he did nothing to protect him and his family at the time. "I will gut all of you NMX bastards for what you have done to me!" He shouted angrily and sat down near his duffle bag.
Yayoi had glanced towards Yoshiro as she heard him shout. It was clear to her he had anger in him. it wasnt lost on her because she was the same way with the Rixikor.
Sanda also looked over at Yoshiro. She had mixed feeling about the man. Sure he was a Joto Heisho, but he acted more like a kid sometimes.
Yayoi turned and approached Yoshiro, her mind thinking what she needed to hear, and what she could say as she did so. "Yoshiro-heisho, your anger is understandable, but do not let it consume you, and focus." She said and glancing towards Sanda, as if to say I know Hermana!
"You're right." Yoshiro responded to Yayoi. Sanda, he knew, was not a big fan. "But I feel like every time someone gives me a compliment on something that I do as a soldier i am really a failure."
"You just need to do your job the best you can. No one is asking for more than that." Sanda said.
Bridge
"Intelligence and science personnel please report to the bridge," Aoba called on the intercom.
Already on her way, Mineko ducked her head when she walked through the threshold of the bridge as if bowing. She stood with her hands behind her back —the to-go coffee cup of her own had been stowed in cabin 5— and her sharp eyes were alert and trained on Aoba underneath her smattering of bangs.
"Reporting, sir," Mineko offered out of habit.
Erika was soon after, using her IC implants to float along the corridor to the bridge, a tactic she used so she wouldn't be out of breath when she arrived. She caught herself on the bulkhead and yeilded to the ships gravity once again before stepping on to the bridge. She gave the captain a silent bow before standing next to Mineko.
"Any idea what's going on?" Erika asked Mineko silently over their link.
"Normally there's some research to be done before a mission can really get going." Mineko replied as she turned to look out for the other SAINT member of the ship. The analyst treasured the more cerebral duties she often undertook aboard the Resurgence and was looking forward to sharing them.
Aoba told his intelligence officers, "Essentially, despite the risks that there's Mishhuvurthyar waiting on the other side, we need to go back to system with the wormhole. When we were there launching probes, the data we got suggested that not only did we find the wormhole leading to the Wakaba's crash site, but also other wormholes, forming some sort of network. It's possible the network was deliberately set up some time in the past," he told them. "I will need you to be taking notes and asking questions as we proceed so we can get a good look at it."
Trowa had also reported to the bridge to examine how the repairs had gone. He couldn't help overhearing Aoba as he briefed the intelligence officers. The idea of going back through the wormwhole where they had engaged that Mishhu fleet wasn't very apealing but if that was where they were to go then they needed to be ready.
"Captain, was the 2nd fleet able to remove all the Mishhu forces out of the area after we rescued the Wakaba? Have they done any scouting through the wormhole?" Trowa asked.
"The Second Fleet has not ventured onto the other side of the wormhole and the system, which we're referring to as the Gateway System for the time being, has been secured while salvage operations take place. In the months since the battle most of the wreckage has been hauled back to Nataria for processing and any leftover enemies there have been mopped up. But there's been a new discovery: One of the wormholes actually has an exit inside the Kikyo Sector itself. So, as a shortcut, I am bringing the Resurgence to its secret location."
"Sounds like a defense planning nightmare." Erika commented dryly, her chin cupped in her hand.
"What data suggests the wormholes have been artificially created?" Mineko asked, not knowing how to scan a wormhole for indicators of assembly, but wanting to know how to.
"We're not sure yet, but it seems too good to be a coincidence that there are hub systems for wormholes. It's not usual to find them close to star systems, let alone in dozens in one place," Aoba explained.
"Can we get telemetry from probes we send to the other side?" Erika asked "It would be nice not to go in completely blind."
"Only if the probes come back through to the origin side. Some of the wormholes exit in extraordinarily far-away locations, though we're still figuring out where those are," Aoba said.
"Which means if the Mushuu have their own defense perimeter set on the other side the only warning we might get is a failure to return." Erika sighed heavily. "All the same, I suggest we launch a few programmed to return before we make the transit, sir."
As the ship's crew discussed the situation, the Resurgence arrived in a little known corner of space where the aforementioned wormhole was located. There was a field of debris around a nearby planet that appeared to be composed of ancient wreckage pre-dating the rise of the Yamatai Star Empire.
"Picking up energy and radiation from weapons fire...long ago," Kalena said. "The planet is covered in old starship parts," Kalena said, scoping out the area with the ship's scanners. "The signatures are hard to read from their age...no known matches, not Mishhuvurthyar. Whoever they were, they died violently though."
"Here's the console I use for intelligence," Mineko said with a guiding hand from Erika to her own usual work station. There was room enough for one to sit and Mineko set herself up next to it to stand. She didn't want to talk over Kalena and used their telepathic link to add, "You connect with SPINE and I'll use the volumetric screen to interface."
Erika nodded, sliding around the chair and and sinking into it. Her body jolted slightly as the SPINE port on her back linked with the ship.
"Space is a graveyard," Gabriela quoted.
"Launch a probe to go inspect the wreckage," Aoba ordered. "We'll check on it later. In the meantime, I want to see where the wormholes go."
"Aye sir. Probe is programmed and away." Erika said from her chair.
"Do you want me to have an away team standby Captain?" Trowa asked.
"Yes, and set condition two, in case we run into trouble on the other side."
"Aye, aye Captain." Trowa activated the ships comms. "Attention. Attention. We are now set to Condition Two. I repeat. Condition Two. All personel report to your assigned areas."
Eirka looked at Mineko with a weak smile and let out a soft chuckle. "Thanks for letting me have a go interfacing with the ship. I think I better go suit up though. Good to tag in?" She said, pulling her self out of the chair.
"Tag me in" Mineko said assuredly. "Might follow you later. Good hunting!"
Erika gave Mineko a thumbs up before floating up and kicking off the deck.
Cabin 1
"Well, that was fast," Cassie laughed, hopping out of her bed and grabbing her AMES suit from her cabin's locker and pulling it over her Type 42 duty uniform. She double checked the seals and grabbed her personal sidearm and reported to the armor bay and then switched to her MINDY armor. As she got ready, so did the others, with Poppy heading to the medical lab and Pidole heading to main engineering in her armored combat engineer suit.
Dojo
Sanda heard the ship being set to condition two. "Time to earn our pay." She said and ran towards the Power Armor Bay.
Yayoi said nothing as she ran to the Power Armor bay, right beside Sanda.
Cabin 7
With the call over the ships comms, Okimi immediately retrieved her AMES suit. There was no way she was going to risk exposure to hard vacuum again by forgetting to don the environmental suit before the ship went into a combat situation.
Yuri watched and moved to help Okimi into her suit if she needed it. ok, off to the Med Bay i go, to help Poppy-Sempai! so see you soon, Okimi-chan!" Yuri said and goes Yuri speed mode as she shoots towards the medical bay.
"Later, Yuri-chan! Tell Poppy I said hi and I'll come see her later about organising and scheduling some first aid lessons!" She called out after her departing friend. Chuckling at Yuri's ever-present energy, the caretaker finished strapping her holstered NSP to her AMES suit before leaving the cabin and heading for her duty station.
Power Armor Bay
It didn't take long for the caretaker to follow the overly familiar route from her cabin to the power armor bay. With a nod towards Armourer Norita, Okimi crossed to the damage control station and took a quick inventory to make sure everything was present. Once satisfied, the Santo Hei settled in to hurry up and wait.
Yayoi walked into the Power Armor Bay, and immediately went to her Armor. Completely disrobed she climbed into her Power Armor, and activated its systems.
Things had shifted around with the repairs, but Erika's XL MINDY stood out amdist the sea fo suits sized for the regular 33 Nekos. Still with the set up from their last operation. She removed her clothes down to her underware and slid in. Once suited up she asked for one of the techs to remove a shoulder capacitor and replace it with missile pod. She wasn't going to get caught out with insufficent firepower this time. Aether SMG slung around her neck and a pistol on her hip, she took a deep breath before donning the helmet. It sealed with a hiss.
Medical Bay
Like a whirlwind of excited neko, Yuri appeared at the doors of the medical bay, calmed down, if that was even possible, and stepped through. "Asakura-hei, reporting for duty, Poppy-Sempai!" Yuri said into the room, thinking she was there.
Bridge
The swirling maw of spacetime lay before the ship. The vast expanse of space, so often painted with starry pinpricks against the velvet curtain of nothingness, was suddenly ruptured. A swirling maelstrom of light and dark appeared, its epicenter emanating an otherworldly glow that could not be compared to the simple luminosity of stars or nebulae. The fabric of space-time seemed to warp, twist, and contort, as if an unseen hand was wringing out the very universe.
This was no simple astral phenomenon. The wormhole was a grandiose doorway, an interstellar bridge crafted by either the cosmos itself or perhaps some ancient and advanced civilization lost to the annals of time. Its outer edges pulsed with iridescent hues of blues, purples, and fiery oranges, painting an aurora that seemed to defy the very laws of physics.
Within its core was an almost hypnotic dance of luminescence. Threads of shimmering light wove in and out, intertwining with shadows that seemed deeper than the void of space itself. The brilliance of the display contrasted starkly against the void, reminiscent of the Northern Lights but on an incomprehensible, galactic scale.
To the ships that dared to approach, the sensation was overwhelming. Not just a visual spectacle, the very gravitation around the wormhole tugged and teased at their hulls, a siren's call to the brave or perhaps the foolhardy. For beyond this magnificent cosmic vortex lay the unknown; realms uncharted and stars untouched, awaiting those with the spirit of adventure.
Aoba, confident in his ship's ability to safely enter, gave Gabriela the word. "Proceed into it."
Gabriela's fingers danced across the ship's control panel, her eyes darting between the display screen and the majestic wormhole outside. She had piloted through uncharted territories before, but this... this was a new frontier.
"We're entering on a vector that'll keep us stable, Aoba," Gabriela's voice was calm, but there was a spark of excitement that even she couldn't conceal.
The vessel's exterior shields shimmered, adapting to the gravitational tug of the wormhole. A strange hum filled the air, the very sound of the universe being bent and stretched. Inside the ship, every light dimmed for a moment, only to flare back, illuminating the cabin in an ethereal glow.
Aoba watched intently, the muscles in his jaw tightened. Every fiber of his being was alive with anticipation. The ship was quickly engulfed by the swirling vortex, making the stars outside streak and blur into lines of white against the obsidian canvas of space.
For a few breathless moments, there was an eerie stillness, like the quiet in the eye of a storm. It felt as if they were floating in a vast, endless ocean of energy. Colors, shapes, and sensations bombarded their senses. It was an otherworldly experience, like a dream where the boundaries of reality were blurred.
And then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped. The ship emerged from the wormhole, now in an entirely different region of space. Before them, instead of the space they expected to see, was a colossal space station, of a design none on board had ever seen before. It was massive, easily dwarfing the Resurgence and even some of the larger starships in the Star Army's fleet. The station seemed to be constructed of a dark metallic material that reflected the surrounding starlight in an eerily beautiful display.
"Get me a full scan on that structure. I want to know what we're dealing with here," Captain Aoba ordered immediately, his voice steady despite the shock.
"Beginning scans of the structure Captain." Trowa annonced as he brought up the ships scanners. He was also scanning the surrounding area to see what else might be in the system.
"Should we engage active scans?" Mineko asked worriedly. "Let's keep them passive until we know if anyone's still on there."
"That is probably a good idea." Trowa agreed and turned the active scanners away from the massive structure.
"Seeing what comes up on unified field energy sensors in just a moment," Mineko muttered.
"Well, it's...rather large," Euikoshi said. "Sir, permission for full scans?"
"Do it."
"You are certain, sir?" Koyama added her voice to the conversation on the bridge. She had her own reservations at prodding things she did not understand. And this station was suffice of to say entirely out of what she defined in her understanding.
Aoba just gave Koyama a nod.
Even before Koyama had spoken, Mineko had tapped the MEGAMI to begin the more intensive scans. Though they could give away the position of the Resurgence, the high powered sweeps would tell them more about what they were looking at than visuals and low intensity mass scans alone could muster.
The station was constructed with technology far beyond the current knowledge of the Star Army. It was powered by a form of energy unknown to them, its readings unlike anything their sensors were designed to recognize. The station's structure was riddled with compartments and corridors, some large enough to accommodate whole starships.
But the most concerning thing was the complete lack of life signs. The entire station seemed to be abandoned, with no indications of inhabitants. Not a single blip on the radar, no signs of energy usage indicative of life support systems. The station was massive, technologically advanced, and completely deserted.
"Captain Aoba, we're not picking up any life signs. The station appears to be deserted," reported Euikoshi, a tone of incredulity in her voice.
"Interesting..." Captain Aoba muttered, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the colossal structure. "Keep an eye out for any changes. We need to understand what we're dealing with here."
"Sir, I have one ship on sensors approaching the station," Euikoshi said. "It is in rather poor condition."
"Send the armor team to the station immediately. We're not losing salvage rights to some space hobos," Aoba said with a chuckle.
Trowa agreeded with Koyama. It would probably be better to take things slowly. Especially since they had no idea what in the galaxy they were dealing with but he said, "Aye Captain. I'll prep the Away team."
"Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to further analyze the station with the away team." Mineko said, basically asking to be excused from the bridge.
"Of course," Aoba replied, granting permission for Mineko to join the team.
The more scans they did, the more it was obvious that Mishhuvurthyar ships had been through the area, though there was no sign of them presently.
Koyama, meanwhile had begun to check their astrogation charts to plot points of reference to their current location.
The station was so far away from known space that the ship's computer was still running calculations trying to find any familiar stars at all. They were obviously in a vastly different part of the Kagami Galaxy.
"Picking up Rixxikor chatter on the comms from that ship...something about your mom..." Kalena said, then blushed.
"We're so far off the galactic beaten path. But the Rixxikor are still near?" Koyama wanted to swear but instead settled for disgust.
"I guess that's what happens when you have exceptional reproduction and millions of years to spread," Gabriela shrugged.
"Literal galactic pests." Koyama responded.
"Let's beat them to the station," Aoba encouraged the crew. "Them being on our turf is much better than us being on their turf."
((OOC: JP by Wes, Charaa, Ame, Cowboy, iaincarter, Sunny D, Yoshiro, Soban, Soresu))
