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Task Force Phantom Interviews
- Thread starter SSharp
- Start date
SSharp
Inactive Member
Re: Interviews
ON
Location: YSS Phantom, in Orbit above Daichi
The shuttle that had brought Juno had finally docked after a two-hour delay. The access ramp was lowered, and the new soldier was ushered out by an anxious-looking Santô-Hei. The Docking Bay was devoid of any other life, and as soon as Juno was off, the access ramp closed and the shuttle quickly departed again. It took only a moment for a holographic image to appear in the form of a rather large house cat. It had gray-and-black stripes going along the length of its body, and ending at a white-tipped tail. It's ear hair was frayed in a wild fashion, and its claws are large and sharp, poking through the hair on its paws that were meant to cover such weapons.
Bringing a paw up to groom one such paw, a voice echoed in the bay.
"My name is WILD. How may I assist you aboard the Phantom?"
"Santô-Hei JUN-0-81bX922g7 reporting for duty." came Juno's response in a neutral voice.
As the Nekovalkyrja soldier brought out a datapad containing her orders, a full 75% of her computerized mind was dedicated to analyzing the holographic feline on the polished black hanger floor before her. Non-standard sized domestic cat, unkempt fur, unsheathe claws. Possible attack: holographic construct, threat level low. Even if the cat were to strike, Juno was certain that she had sufficient training to either subdue or escape it, although she couldn't help but wonder why they never taught her how to efficiently deal with holographic assaults.
The cat inclined its head, and after a moment of silence the cat flicked its tail. “You have an appointment with Tachibana-Taii. Please follow me – You may leave any luggage or equipment here, someone will arrive shortly to take them to your assigned cabin.”
With that, the cat began to walk, down empty corridors and past intersections. The Cruiser seemed almost abandoned – Juno could have counted on one hand how many people she saw within. For the most part, the handful she saw were technicians, working on the insides of open panels that had been built into the walls.
The cat led her up a deck, and finally stopped in front of a door at the end of a uniform hall that could have been anywhere else on the ship.
“I have notified the Taii. Enter when ready.” The cat said, and then vanished.
"Acknowledged, Wild. Proceeding with operation." said Juno to the empty air as she strode through the door.
Upon entering, she again automatically started analyzing the area for possible threats, visible exits and entryways. It didn't matter than she was aboard a friendly ship nor that she was to meet who is probably her commanding officer, no one ever told Juno when to stop scanning for danger. Besides, the commanding officer, besides what could be found over the networks, was mostly still an unknown element.
The desk at which the Officer sat had two things on it – a sheathed Katana and a data pad. The man’s eyes met Juno’s the moment the Neko stepped through the door. The two separate colors in his irises were easily distinguished among his features, and the focused intent of them made clear where his attention was.
There were no other entrances other than where Juno had come from, and the only thing between him and her was a desk. In the far corner was a cot, which to Juno’s analytical mind meant he spent a lot of time in his office, and rarely left for actual sleep. Possibly he only napped when he felt like it, as well.
He was calculating, just like Juno, and he was obviously a soldier, just like Juno. But the similarities ended there. What Juno would make of him would be decided over time. But even as the door closed behind her, the Officer before Juno seemed to be waiting for something. The seconds continued on.
The office was quiet like a Mexican standoff before the shooting began. And as Yamataian and Nekovalkyrja sized each other up, only the soft sound of breathing could be heard. One had access to the only exit to the room, while the other had a weapon close at hand. Finally, a soft alto voice cut through the silence, "Santô-Hei JUN-0-81bX922g7 reporting for duty."
Juno's hands came together in front of her thighs and she gave an, if not graceful, exactly executed bow from the hips. Returning to upright position, she tried to give a friendly smile, but all that seemed to happen was a small twitch of her lips and a slight narrowing of icy-blue eyes.
With a nod, Tachibana Hayate gestured to a seat in front of his desk. “Please, sit.”
Pulling the data pad on the desk to be in front of him, he read a few lines from an unseen document being showed to him.
“Juno-Hei, I’ve read the report your training officers forwarded me.” Tachibana said, bringing his eyes up to examine her reaction.
From her sitting position, opposite to Tachibana, Juno's only reaction was a blink. She didn't seem to care one way or another. Although with those sleepy looking eyes, it was hard to tell.
Holding his gaze on Juno, Tachibana asked his first question. “It says that you’re an exemplary soldier. You receive and execute orders efficiently, and you’re a quick learner. But it says here you also have trouble socializing, and trouble relaxing. Can you tell me why your training officers would say this on the report?”
For the first time during the meeting, Juno showed signs of emotion. Her arched brows came together in a mild frown and indicated a state of confusion or deep thought or maybe even both.
"I-" she paused, waiting for her jumbled thoughts to work out an appropriate response, "I was not given socialization training nor relaxation training, and am therefore unqualified for those types of operations. I was not informed of the reason why."
Tachibana gave a kind smile. “That’s something you learn on your own, Juno-Hei. Talk to people, and find a hobby that you enjoy. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your orders, this is something you need to… practice.”
“Next question for you: Why do you fight?”
"To complete the objective." came the reply.
"What is the objective?"
"The current objective is not known. Past objectives have been asset removal, asset retrieval, threat elimination. Unit JUN-0-81bX922g7 ready to receive orders."
"You fight to complete an objective that doesn't exist?"
Again, the question seemed to really confuse the pale cat-girl and the answer came slowly, "My... my objectives match the objectives of the current operation. I fight... when fighting is required to complete the objective. If an objective is unknown, this unit does not have the potential to complete it."
Tachibana seemed almost disappointed. “You fight to complete the objective. But you don’t know your objective.”
Tachibana sighed. “Juno-Hei… You need an ‘objective’. I will give you orders, and I will tell you where to go and what to do, and I expect you to do them. But you are of no use to the Star Army of Yamatai – of no use to the Empire without an objective of your choosing. You will be used and discarded, and you will mean nothing. Do you want to be crushed like an ant? Or do you want to be the fist that crushes the Empire’s enemies?”
"I am- I am massed produced infantry unit number JUN-0-81bC922g7." answered Juno as if it explained everything. In a lot ways, it did. "What objective does Tachibana-taii wish me to choose?"
"I think... we are done here. Think on what I've said, Juno-Hei. Welcome to Task Force Phantom." Tachibana said.
"Wild..." Tachibana called quietly.
The cat's hologram appeared on the desk, uncurling from a sleeping position. "Yes, Tachibana-Taii?" It asked.
"Escort Juno-Hei to her quarters."
"Yes, Taii."
The cat turned her head to Juno. "Follow me, please."
She jumped down from the desk, and walked through the opening door.
"Acknowledged, Tachibana-Taii. Proceeding to assigned quarters." Juno stood up from the desk and sketched the same exacting bow before following her holographic guide out the door
--------
When the Santo Hei was long gone down the twisting, maze-like corridors of the YSS Phantom, Tachibana Hayate had yet another young soldier before him.
“What did you think?” He asked cold-looking man in front of him.
“I think she needs some work – very little emotion to deal with, and very, very dangerous when she decides to have some.” The man said.
“Habits are hard to break. I think she will be the easiest to deal with out of the entire Task Force.” Tachibana gave a pointed look at the man.
“Did you take me from Kyoto just for this, or is there some point?” The man quickly added “Sir.”
“You’re already a nicely decorated soldier, Arkase Oshiro-Hei. You’re a leader – I reviewed the report from Shin Kiyoshi about South Gate. You directed the defense of that ship and won. If you had failed, the NMX would be on the footsteps of the Palace by now.” Tachibana said. “So I want you. Here, leading these men and women to victory. I will command the ships. I will tell you when and where to fight. But you will be the one who makes sure they get out alive.” Tachibana laid it all out before the man.
“So will you do it?”
Arkase’s thoughts were scattered and chaotic. Was he up to leading these people? Would he end up killing them like he had so many others? What should he do?
“Yes. I will do it.”
“Good.” Tachibana said. “Dismissed.”
ON
Location: YSS Phantom, in Orbit above Daichi
The shuttle that had brought Juno had finally docked after a two-hour delay. The access ramp was lowered, and the new soldier was ushered out by an anxious-looking Santô-Hei. The Docking Bay was devoid of any other life, and as soon as Juno was off, the access ramp closed and the shuttle quickly departed again. It took only a moment for a holographic image to appear in the form of a rather large house cat. It had gray-and-black stripes going along the length of its body, and ending at a white-tipped tail. It's ear hair was frayed in a wild fashion, and its claws are large and sharp, poking through the hair on its paws that were meant to cover such weapons.
Bringing a paw up to groom one such paw, a voice echoed in the bay.
"My name is WILD. How may I assist you aboard the Phantom?"
"Santô-Hei JUN-0-81bX922g7 reporting for duty." came Juno's response in a neutral voice.
As the Nekovalkyrja soldier brought out a datapad containing her orders, a full 75% of her computerized mind was dedicated to analyzing the holographic feline on the polished black hanger floor before her. Non-standard sized domestic cat, unkempt fur, unsheathe claws. Possible attack: holographic construct, threat level low. Even if the cat were to strike, Juno was certain that she had sufficient training to either subdue or escape it, although she couldn't help but wonder why they never taught her how to efficiently deal with holographic assaults.
The cat inclined its head, and after a moment of silence the cat flicked its tail. “You have an appointment with Tachibana-Taii. Please follow me – You may leave any luggage or equipment here, someone will arrive shortly to take them to your assigned cabin.”
With that, the cat began to walk, down empty corridors and past intersections. The Cruiser seemed almost abandoned – Juno could have counted on one hand how many people she saw within. For the most part, the handful she saw were technicians, working on the insides of open panels that had been built into the walls.
The cat led her up a deck, and finally stopped in front of a door at the end of a uniform hall that could have been anywhere else on the ship.
“I have notified the Taii. Enter when ready.” The cat said, and then vanished.
"Acknowledged, Wild. Proceeding with operation." said Juno to the empty air as she strode through the door.
Upon entering, she again automatically started analyzing the area for possible threats, visible exits and entryways. It didn't matter than she was aboard a friendly ship nor that she was to meet who is probably her commanding officer, no one ever told Juno when to stop scanning for danger. Besides, the commanding officer, besides what could be found over the networks, was mostly still an unknown element.
The desk at which the Officer sat had two things on it – a sheathed Katana and a data pad. The man’s eyes met Juno’s the moment the Neko stepped through the door. The two separate colors in his irises were easily distinguished among his features, and the focused intent of them made clear where his attention was.
There were no other entrances other than where Juno had come from, and the only thing between him and her was a desk. In the far corner was a cot, which to Juno’s analytical mind meant he spent a lot of time in his office, and rarely left for actual sleep. Possibly he only napped when he felt like it, as well.
He was calculating, just like Juno, and he was obviously a soldier, just like Juno. But the similarities ended there. What Juno would make of him would be decided over time. But even as the door closed behind her, the Officer before Juno seemed to be waiting for something. The seconds continued on.
The office was quiet like a Mexican standoff before the shooting began. And as Yamataian and Nekovalkyrja sized each other up, only the soft sound of breathing could be heard. One had access to the only exit to the room, while the other had a weapon close at hand. Finally, a soft alto voice cut through the silence, "Santô-Hei JUN-0-81bX922g7 reporting for duty."
Juno's hands came together in front of her thighs and she gave an, if not graceful, exactly executed bow from the hips. Returning to upright position, she tried to give a friendly smile, but all that seemed to happen was a small twitch of her lips and a slight narrowing of icy-blue eyes.
With a nod, Tachibana Hayate gestured to a seat in front of his desk. “Please, sit.”
Pulling the data pad on the desk to be in front of him, he read a few lines from an unseen document being showed to him.
“Juno-Hei, I’ve read the report your training officers forwarded me.” Tachibana said, bringing his eyes up to examine her reaction.
From her sitting position, opposite to Tachibana, Juno's only reaction was a blink. She didn't seem to care one way or another. Although with those sleepy looking eyes, it was hard to tell.
Holding his gaze on Juno, Tachibana asked his first question. “It says that you’re an exemplary soldier. You receive and execute orders efficiently, and you’re a quick learner. But it says here you also have trouble socializing, and trouble relaxing. Can you tell me why your training officers would say this on the report?”
For the first time during the meeting, Juno showed signs of emotion. Her arched brows came together in a mild frown and indicated a state of confusion or deep thought or maybe even both.
"I-" she paused, waiting for her jumbled thoughts to work out an appropriate response, "I was not given socialization training nor relaxation training, and am therefore unqualified for those types of operations. I was not informed of the reason why."
Tachibana gave a kind smile. “That’s something you learn on your own, Juno-Hei. Talk to people, and find a hobby that you enjoy. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your orders, this is something you need to… practice.”
“Next question for you: Why do you fight?”
"To complete the objective." came the reply.
"What is the objective?"
"The current objective is not known. Past objectives have been asset removal, asset retrieval, threat elimination. Unit JUN-0-81bX922g7 ready to receive orders."
"You fight to complete an objective that doesn't exist?"
Again, the question seemed to really confuse the pale cat-girl and the answer came slowly, "My... my objectives match the objectives of the current operation. I fight... when fighting is required to complete the objective. If an objective is unknown, this unit does not have the potential to complete it."
Tachibana seemed almost disappointed. “You fight to complete the objective. But you don’t know your objective.”
Tachibana sighed. “Juno-Hei… You need an ‘objective’. I will give you orders, and I will tell you where to go and what to do, and I expect you to do them. But you are of no use to the Star Army of Yamatai – of no use to the Empire without an objective of your choosing. You will be used and discarded, and you will mean nothing. Do you want to be crushed like an ant? Or do you want to be the fist that crushes the Empire’s enemies?”
"I am- I am massed produced infantry unit number JUN-0-81bC922g7." answered Juno as if it explained everything. In a lot ways, it did. "What objective does Tachibana-taii wish me to choose?"
"I think... we are done here. Think on what I've said, Juno-Hei. Welcome to Task Force Phantom." Tachibana said.
"Wild..." Tachibana called quietly.
The cat's hologram appeared on the desk, uncurling from a sleeping position. "Yes, Tachibana-Taii?" It asked.
"Escort Juno-Hei to her quarters."
"Yes, Taii."
The cat turned her head to Juno. "Follow me, please."
She jumped down from the desk, and walked through the opening door.
"Acknowledged, Tachibana-Taii. Proceeding to assigned quarters." Juno stood up from the desk and sketched the same exacting bow before following her holographic guide out the door
--------
When the Santo Hei was long gone down the twisting, maze-like corridors of the YSS Phantom, Tachibana Hayate had yet another young soldier before him.
“What did you think?” He asked cold-looking man in front of him.
“I think she needs some work – very little emotion to deal with, and very, very dangerous when she decides to have some.” The man said.
“Habits are hard to break. I think she will be the easiest to deal with out of the entire Task Force.” Tachibana gave a pointed look at the man.
“Did you take me from Kyoto just for this, or is there some point?” The man quickly added “Sir.”
“You’re already a nicely decorated soldier, Arkase Oshiro-Hei. You’re a leader – I reviewed the report from Shin Kiyoshi about South Gate. You directed the defense of that ship and won. If you had failed, the NMX would be on the footsteps of the Palace by now.” Tachibana said. “So I want you. Here, leading these men and women to victory. I will command the ships. I will tell you when and where to fight. But you will be the one who makes sure they get out alive.” Tachibana laid it all out before the man.
“So will you do it?”
Arkase’s thoughts were scattered and chaotic. Was he up to leading these people? Would he end up killing them like he had so many others? What should he do?
“Yes. I will do it.”
“Good.” Tachibana said. “Dismissed.”
