Heartbreaker, Bridge
"Funabashi-Hei, damage report. Get me Engineering. Linn-Heisho?" There was nothing for Tsukisaki to say about what had just transpired. Her jaw was set, eyes as cold as any of the crew had seen before, as she observed the destruction displayed on the main screen. "What do our sensors say? What type of weapon is this?" The Captain was pulled away from the data as Sally spoke up. "Remove yourself from Officer Sivaro's person and contact your kin. They plan to rush directly into the path of that weapon and attack."
Suddenly, Ochiko appeared, the MEGAMI seated upon enough cushions to reach Edtoto's head. Her projection appeared to be wearing a beekeeper's suit, complete with the big, screened hat. She plucked the I'ee down, cushions rapidly disappearing to lower them towards the ground. "Now is not the time to charge in blindly, yes? Convince them to delay their attack, yes?" She smiled through the screening, settling the creature in her lap before opening her gloved hands to unfurl a scroll. Yamataigo writing shifted into a projected screen and console, to let the Ambassador contact the other I'ee.
Engineering
"That's gotta be the biggest boom I've ever seen. Must be a proper cannon. I know a few Neps that'd be tickled pink." Sunny grinned at Skade while stuffing herself into her own AMES. "I'm good here, grab your kit and get to the Bay. I've got a feelin' they'll need a Tech soon enough." She turned back to her console, responding to the Captain's call for reports, reassuring her that the Heartbreaker was fine.
Shuttle Bay
Veronika and Bettie arrived together, as crew members began rushing through the Shuttle Bay to the smaller Power Armor Bay. Kayoko went straight to her Kawarime, beginning to warm up the
Heat of Fire. As their resident android questioned Hasewega, they heard the alarms change tone as the Captain's voice spoke throughout the ship.
"Readiness Condition 1. All away team members, report to the Shuttle Bay and prepare for assignment. Do not deploy until ordered. The extent of the threat is still unknown. Wait for further instructions."
Outer Graveyard
The I'ee ships had rushed ahead, already catching up to Jason and Alex, while the two paused to plan their approach. The Heartbreaker was following more cautiously, with the Queen's Slave lagging even further behind. Although communications had been cut once the attack had been detected, soon the Star Army ship was hailing the USO vessel again.
"We are attempting to discourage the I'ee from blindly attacking the unknown weapon. Your assistance in this effort would be appreciated. I believe none of us wish them to suffer further unnecessary losses." There was a pause, as the Taii was obviously considering exactly what she could or should say. "...this particular vessel does not appear to be combat focused. Returning to assist the I'ee on Ee'ee may be a wiser choice of action. However, if your...scouts...already deployed could relay their findings to us, that would be...helpful...in assisting the I'ee."
The I'ee ships continued to close on Jason and Alex as the two began to circle wide to the side of the alien craft, mainly attempting to stay out the line of fire of that massive beam. It was easy enough to locate the danger zone, as it was completely empty of debris, compared to the rest of the area. More details became clear as they closed the distance...mainly that the strange craft appeared to be alone. No NMX ships escorting it, no Battlepods zipping about it. Simply the one huge asteroid that seemed to be sheltering it almost protectively, nearly wedged against the 'top' of the craft. As if something was holding it there....and, a few moments later, closer, it was easy to tell what that something was.
It was the biggest damn squid they had ever seen.
The bizarre creature was pressed tight to the alien weapon, rear tendrils wound all around the forward section of the craft, the massive creature almost fused to the oversized gun. And while the weapon's business end seemed inactive for now, the giant business end of the Megamishhu was quite busy. Tentacles that weren't holding fast to the structure were pulling the asteroid close, shoving it up against that gaping mouth. Chunks of rock hungrily consumed, disappearing inside of the living starship.
While the weapon had seemed almost dead after that huge burst of energy, a few signs of life were beginning to reappear. Faint at first, recharging at a trickling pace. But, the readings would jump a few hundredths or tenths of a percentile as each chunk of asteroid disappeared into that hungry maw of the beast attached to it.