RP: 4th Fleet [Taiie] Breath of Life

Haruto nodded politely as he listened to the Taisho's speech, and perked up a bit at the prospect of impending danger. Making a mental note to read up about the system in question, he sat back in his chair - then realised that everyone around him was doing something curious. "Ah... To the Fourth!" he said, quickly raising his cup.

The speaker squawked above Ryoko’s head, heralding the pilot’s drawled ’Switching to sublight engines in 5 minutes, switching to sublight engines in 5 minutes’. Ryoko listened with half her mind, too busy with her sulking to concentrate on the Yamataian’s announcement.

It was not fair. She had not expected to feel Fumiko’s absence quite as much as she was. Just thinking of her dear friend and lover’s name caused a flood of memories to surface. Fumiko’s smile, the way the silk dress had hung over her hips, the sound of her quiet laughter, the velvety softness of her skin – her mind focused on each sensation in a kaleidoscope of mental imagery. Then the other, more intimate memories surfaced and Ryoko found herself getting excited. Then she remembered why she was sulking.

Three hours. Just three hours and twenty seven light-years earlier, she had exchanged a teary farewell with Fumiko back in Kyoto on Yamatai. They had known that the odds of being stationed near one another were remote, so they had sensibly said they’re goodbyes. Fumiko was even now being shipped out to the stomping grounds of the 3rd Exploratory Fleet even as Ryoko was being carried to the other side of the galaxy from her friend. Despite the astrogation data that her mind called up to disprove her irrational claims as to the topographical nature of the galaxy, Ryoko was determined to sulk. After all, it was something new to experience.

Having been created only six months earlier, Ryoko was still finding new emotional processes and as a general rule, she enjoyed exploring them. If only Fumiko had been there to share the sensation with. But then, if she had, the feeling wouldn’t be there. Of course, she had not sulked for the entirety of the previous three hours.

With their goodbyes and tears over, the two had separately entered the Star Army Personnel Management Administration facility. Having trained for the position, Ryoko had expected some Operations position aboard a starship – nothing too glamorous, but rather as a glorified jack-of-all-trades. She had firmly expected to spend the next few years elbow deep in systems management and maintenance.

Her mind informed her that her jaw had been slack in amazement for three point one five seconds before she got past the shock of being assigned to an Admiral’s Staff and remembered to close her mouth. The administrative officer had not laughed at her reaction, but there had definitely been a smirk there and her eyes had twinkled. Looking back, Ryoko could still not fault her own reaction – only officers and capable specialists were detached for Flag Staff duty. Or so she had been informed in training. The hardcopy of her orders had firmly supported that the administration was more correct than her rapidly disappearing assumption had been.

Within the hour, still slightly numb from her appointment, she had boarded the Racoon and slid into the nearest port outside seat. The other two dozen passengers took their seats and the loading ramp was raised and locked as Ryoko dealt with her surprise and confusion. The rumbling and inertia of launch shook her out of her reverie. With just over an hour before the shuttle would reach the 4th Standard Fleet stationed at the Taiie Nebula, Ryoko turned her attention to the Type-D Chiharu-class vessel’s specifications and service history.

It had been the desire to share the wonders of the ship with Fumiko that had set Ryoko’s sulking off. She missed her friend.

The speaker squawked once more as the pilot announced the hyperspace bubble collapse and conversion to sublight drive. Ryoko idly flicked her communicator over to the channel the pilot had given to receive the visual feed from the shuttle’s sensors.
And sat bolt upright in her chair, as if an electrical charge had grounded itself through her. The schematics in her head for the Chiharu-class vessel just had not done the YSS Nadare justice. Oh, they had been plenty functional and full of the kind of information a starship operator needed to know, but it just hadn’t shown how beautiful the ship was. A smile spreading across her face, she gazed at her new home. A giant silver spear-tip, five kilometres in length, she hung in space, waiting to be thrust into whatever the Empire needed of it. Ryoko could see that someone had decorated the YSS Nadare, but she could not quite make out what had been etched into the hull.

Filled with excitement now and only vaguely recalling that she was supposed to be upset about something, Ryoko let out a cry of victory. Ignoring the strange looks from the other enlisted and officers she could either see, or feel the gaze of, Ryoko began rocking in her chair, almost as if her motion would speed the shuttle on its short journey to the assigned launch bay.

It took an impossibly long time for the shuttle to close with the massive flagship, enter the launch bay and set down. Each second it took for the Warrant Officer to unseal the shuttle and lower the boarding ramp felt like an hour to Ryoko who was actually now bouncing from one foot to the other in excitement. She practically ran to the cargo stack and retrieved her duffel, the additional mass swinging her around. A couple of hazardous steps later she was halfway down the ramp, at which point her sense of decorum took control of her wayward body and slowed her pace to an appropriate march.

In a few seconds, she marched to where the ship personnel were stood, aware of others from the shuttle following her. Coming to a halt, she smoothly placed her duffel on the floor, straightened into attention and bowed her upper body so that she had a nice view of the deck, her duffel and her feet.

“Santô Hei Takasugi Ryoko reporting for duty! Permission to come aboard ma’am?”

An auburn haired woman in a grey-paneled bodysuit uniform looked up from something, and walked over to the new arrival. "It's about time, why didn't you take an earlier shuttle? Never mind, look follow those." She pointed to a volumetric projection that led out of the cavernous launch bay. "The Taisho is expecting you at dinner, so follow those to your quarters to drop off your gear, then get to the officer's galley." Really, the officer wasn't aware that the operations soldier was on time and was more worried that she would get blamed somehow for transfers being less than smooth.

Straightening from her genuflection, Ryoko compared the projection to the deck plan in her memory and stored the route. She began to panic - assignment to an Admiral's Staff and she was already in trouble for arriving late. Damage control then. "My apologies for my tardiness ma'am."

With a quick bow, Ryoko grabbed her duffel and marched in double time to the exit from the launch bay and into the ship proper. Deciding that keeping an expectant Taisho waiting for any longer than possible was not the smartest move she could make on her first day, Ryoko dropped all pretense at decorum and lengthened her stride.

Running as fast as possible and ignoring the other crew in the palatial corridors, she made it to her quarters. Dumping her duffel on the generous bed, Ryoko paused long enough to retrieve the location of the galley from the deck plan and to calculate the swiftest route from her quarters. Then she set off once more, running through the corridors, turning her head only to offer a fleeting apology to those she startled or bumped.

Outside the Officer's Galley, she stopped, took two deep breaths and marched inside, foolishly hoping that no-one would notice her flushed skin and heaving chest.

Honoka raised her glass with the others. "To the Fourth!!" she exclaimed with a 'D-shaped' smile, already losing a tuny bit of inhibition due to the alcohol.

With that over with, Honoka looked back to Setsuko and it became incredibly obvious that she was forgotten. She sweatdropped. The aide returned to the files in her head as she waited for food.

Faye mentally noted the flushed and tired Santo Hei entering the room. She didn't really pay attention, though, as she was in the middle of her drink. The Neko smiled as her drink began to slowly vanish.

The sprite that had been helping the staff table noticed the out of place enlisted woman, and walked over after accessing her file. "Oh, Shimizu Taisho has a new one. Just go over an-.." The Neko stopped, "Did you have fun on the shuttle or something? Please go introduce yourself and sit down she's been expecting you. Dinner is just coming out."

Back at the table, dinner was being served by the actual chefs, it wasn't typically restaurant style after all and they only had one sprite to help, and she was trying to tell Ryoko where to go. The meal consisted of a rice bowl, each with two different strips of meat inside in the Taisho's case it was two different sorts of tropical fish, and what looked to be some extra chicken. Every rice bowl had a mix of vegetables in to bring some more taste to the dish. Some of the others contained chicken and beef, and there were two sauce racks settled down some that had been heated. For a side there was a pot of wanton soup (with a bowl of fried wanton noodles nearby), the other miso. Even with that little, there was a lot of food to go around between the soup and the rice bowls.

When the sprite returned, she bowed after setting out bowls for everyone, including the new arrival whom had yet to sit down. "If anyone would like something else, please let me know."

Akina smiled, and picked up her bowl. "I'm quite ready. Please go right ahead. So, Faye-san..." She started the conversation while getting some wanton, "...what was it like being over there when they seceded? I want to make an mixed official and personal visit as soon as they open the borders again."

"Yes, Faye-Faye? How was it like in the UOC?" Setsuko asked, her curiosity bubbling up again as she peered at the newly restored Neko as she leaned over to the woman, examining her body with her eyes to make sure her own handiwork was good enough.

"Was it like Yamatai? Nepleslia? The Mishhu?" Again Mishima asked, acting like an overly excited child as she peered over at Faye and pressed too close to the woman as their faces practically touched.

Bemusement at being sniped at by a sprite sparked Ryoko's usual temperament. "No, i just felt the need to stretch my legs after being sat down for so long. Besides, there was no one that interesting on the shuttle."

She followed the sprite to the Taisho's table, concealing a wince at the sprite's reminder of her late arrival, but paused as her new commanding officer spoke and began serving herself. Before she could introduce herself, one of the Nekovalkyrja at the table jumped in. As soon as it became apparant that the enthusiastic individual had finished speaking, Ryoko took her chance.

"SantoHeiTakasugiRyoko, reportingfordutyasorderedma'am. Iamsorryformy tardiness, ihavenoexcuse." She bowed deeply. She had not quite meant to speak that fast, but she did not want the Taisho mad at her for being late as well as for interrupting her meal and conversation.

Faye again ignored the new recruit, but it wasn't technically her fault. With Setsuko almost touching nose-to-nose with her and probing Faye's new body with those eyes, it was fairly difficult for her to notice anything else. "Uh.. Um.. It was alright... The UOC was once part of Yamatai, so it is pretty much the same except different rank names and a few minor differences in culture. That is to be expected since 5XF and the rest of Yamatai were pretty seperate anyways.." The aide fidgeted a bit as her thoughts went to Rina. I'll have to send her a letter later.. she decided to herself.

"I still can't believe they're calling that big phallus ship the Akuro...it's such an eyesore." Akina frowned, taking a sip from her tea. What's the matter, Faye-chan? She thought to the aide at her side. You're squirming. We haven't even found you a replacement yet. The Taisho's eyes flicked back to Ryoko as she cleared her throat, suppressing a smirk.

"Everyone, that is the operations floater, in other words she'll fill in where needed for the rest of you and act in a general support role if something falls through the cracks. Takasugi Ryoko-hei is a certified operations expert, so putting her most places on a bridge or if you need another person for something I'm sure she'll volunteer." The redhead smiled at the late addition to their meal, and went back to eating some of hers while waiting to hear from the rest of her newly assembled staff. Katsuko is going to laugh at me...

Ryoko straightened as the Taisho introduced her to the rest of the table, not sure whether to be pleased or worried. The Taisho did not seem displeased with her for being late, but she must be, or the officer who had welcomed her aboard would not have said anything. Then again, the comment about her being 'sure to volunteer' sounded like trouble being made for her. On the bright side, at least she would not have the opportunity to get either bored or idle. As for the Taisho's disapproval, Ryoko would just have to prove how valuable a junior she could be.

She quickly rotated on the spot, walked to the open place at the table and seated herself with the minimum of flambuoyancy. Once seated, she turned to the sprite and in response to the query, requested the most outlandish drink she could think of that was non-alcoholic. Losing even her few remaining controls would be a bad idea and somehow, she suspected, inviting the entire flag staff to come back to her quarters and get naked would probably not create the best second impression...

Much to her surprise, the sprite accepted the request. As the sprite moved away, Ryoko smiled and took the time to look at each of the other diners at the table, cataloguing them in her mind as she went: Gorgeous and dangerous; cute but reserved; amazing eyes and a ponytail to bat around!; kinda cute, for a guy, but, wait, is that a TAIL?! Oh my gosh!; and, several fixated seconds later, Very pretty and excitable, but no tail. Pity.

"What's phallus shaped?" Setsuko asked as she cocked her head to the side and eyed Akina curiously, glancing at her big belly in between moments as the medical officer STILL wondered how Akina could be pregnant with triplets. "...Taisho?" The black-haired Neko added, about ten seconds later, having forgotten the honourific.

As the CO introduced the newcommer, Setsuko turned, smiled, and then resumed peering at Akina while she spoke, and from her words, it was clear she was speaking at Ryoko while waiting for the Taisho's explanation.

"Ryo-Ryo-Ko-chaan, you will come to the medical bay later, for your examination-temptation-desecration!" Setsuko said, her mind again working in curious hyper-drive that ground her common sense and manners into space dust.

Her eyes unfocussed for a couple of seconds as Ryoko telepathically interacted with the KAMI computer network and both located and downloaded the basic personnel files of her table companions. She closed the connection and with a happy smile, focussed her eyes upon Setsuko. At least she now knew the names to go with the rank pins.

"Setsu-Setsu-Ko-chan, it would be my pleasure to be tempted and desecrated by you at your earliest convenience. I have been eagerly awaiting such since i heard of your legendary bedside manner from a pair of loud Nitô Heisho who were sat next to me on the shuttle that brought me here." Of course, she had heard no such thing and was not even certain there had been any Nitô Heisho sat anywhere near her on the shuttle, but she had no intention of letting the medical and science attaché have all the fun.

"Huh?" Was all the Medical officer asked as she peered at Ryoko, wondering what in the name of the nameless void between the stars the other Neko was talking about. Peering at the woman, and examining her medical files as she downloaded it directly from KAMI, to see if the woman suffered from any mental illnesses or disorders from hacking or virus attacks.

Honoka munched away at the food, once again entertained by the antics of the others. A couple times she nearly choked herself from giggling quietly while eating. The Taisho certainly has a way of picking a great staff, she thought to herself sarcastically, though partially included the wackier side of herself into the 'great' staff.

She had finished off the first glass of the Yuuko, since they came in pairs, and was working her way into the second.

Akina set her chopsticks down a moment, and the projection behind her changed. "The Akuro III, it's the colonial flagship from they named after my old command. I had access to her schematics before the 5th became part of their defense fleet. My stepdaughter is in command of it, at least that's what their news suggested. I saw a report." A bit of disappointment showed in her voice, "I'm not going to let anything from my company look like that. It's all right though...the flagship won't be made the same way. We're supposed to be rear line but somehow they always, always try to tag the big one first. Might as well not make it worth the while, tactically or strategically."

Akina kept looking at Setsuko then refilled her own tea, not really caring to observe the custom about it. She let the screen linger in there was a question, but while the data was available she didn't really see herself having to take her fleet in to fight them. "That reminds me, you'll all be participating in a little tourney with me when headquarters is established and I won't let anyone become lax in a power armour."

Yes, she really had said tourney. It was something she hadn't even mentioned before. Her eyes slowly drifted to Honoka while she lifted her tea, "Hakumei-juni, I need you to request a private Mindy 1H for me from Nataria. Make it red somehow like my old Kylie."

"Torney?" Haruto asked, after swallowing a mouthful of dinner. He glanced up, querying the computer, and looked back to Akina. He had been interested in the others and the conversation, but now he appeared to be interested. "A tornament? May I ask, what menner of tornament, Teisho?"

Glancing at Akina, and then Haruto, Setsuko fished a medical datapad out of a pocket of her uniform and quickly typed some new information on the device while she mumbled out loud what she was writing.

"Participate in tourney... examine Haruto's tail and vocal system... examine Ryoko's mind... investigate Nekovalkyrja reproductive uppgrade, with Shimizu-Taisho as a base..." The medical officer mumbled, completely oblivious to everything around her as she typed and wrote, her digital mind shutting out everything that was not directly linked to her research.

Being only slightly hungry, having eaten four hours earlier, Ryoko helped herself to a small amount of rice, listening to the Taisho speak. Her pulse picked up a whole 37.3% at the Taisho's mention of a tournament. She blinked in response to the Helashio's query, then quickly stood up, leaned across the table and rapped Haruto on the head with her knuckles before sitting back down.

"Um, hello? I know your mind is probably working slower than usual because you are distracted by all the beautiful women here, but, really? The Taisho said we were having a tournament and that she would not allow us to become lax in power armour. And you seriously need to ask what kind of tournament she is referring to?" She turned to look at Setsuko. "You might want to add Haruto's deduction and reasoning abilities to your list of things to examine..."

She turned back to look at the Taisho. "So what's it gonna be, ma'am. Solo bouts, team games or a glorious battle royale? Zero-G or atmospheric? Do we get standard suits or can we customise our own Mindy's? I only ask because i have a wicked pink and purple design in mind and I have not had a chance to test it yet. Oh, and can you give me at least a few days notice so i can make sure that somebody is giving the correct odds?" Ryoko caught herself too late. "Um, not that i would in any way, shape or form be involved in gambling, or the promotion thereof, on the outcome of any tournament you should so decide to hold, ma'am." The last thing she needed was the Taisho's enmity for gambling on top of arriving late for the start of her tour of duty. She bowed in the Taisho's direction, misjudged the clearances involved and smacked her forhead into the table. "Owww!" She muttered quietly.