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  • 📅 February and March 2024 are YE 46.2 in the RP.

RP [Yamatai] Star Army Recruiting Center (YE 43)

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Soon it was Calendri's turn to get interviewed. After her number was called she ended up in a room with a blond-haired clerk dressed in a mint-paneled uniform.

"Hey there! I'm Jôtô Hei Stella Glass, one of the recruiters here. I'll ask you some questions about you that help me determine your eligibility to join the Star Army and what your occupation will be. Please note the interview is recorded. Do you have any questions?"
 
Calandri slowly walked into the room and looked at the clerk that had talked to them as she nodded and smiled kindly "Kalistari... pleasant greetings, I am glad you allowed me to even get this far.." She bowed in appreciation to the person "I am excited to find out if I am allowed to join you, I would say that my only question would be, that if I do get through and become part of the star army, would I still be able to celebrate my people's festivals since I believe I am last of my species?" She thinks for a moment and realized something else "Also would I be able to stay as I am?"
 
"The Star Army has a wide variety of careers available and some of them are still be suited to you," Stella explained. "If you're not willing to transfer to a body that's compatible with our combat equipment, your options are limited. That said, there's several occupational classes the Star Army needs to fill and if you apply to once of those the Star Army will likely accept you, as long as you meet the basic eligibility criteria I'm about to ask, okay? Alright, grab a seat and let's get going! What's your date of birth and where were you born? Are you a legal citizen of the Yamatai Star Empire?" Stella asked, followed by, "Are you or have you been employed by any foreign government or military? Do you have a criminal record in any nation or are under investigation or accused of any crimes? Have you been a member of any religious or political group or any gang in the last ten years?"
 
Calandri nodded "I was a hunter for my tribe, I know how to kill and fight, so other options may need to be learned for me." She paused at the questions that she was asked as she sat down as she started to tap her fingers on the chair "um okay I can do this, um I was born 27 full cycles ago, in the growing season, um sorry I learned this, um it would be the ninth day of May, um your Years YE 16..." She smiled like a child as she had remembered the date. "um I was born under the chief of my people, on a planet that we just called home, so I don't know where exactly I was born and no, I don't think I a citizen, I don't think I have been employed by military or government, but I was a mercenary, so maybe..." She gulped at the last question "well um I am not a hundred percent sure of criminal records, I was enslaved, then helped a rebellion, kinda one of the reasons I am here with you today, I just want to belong to something again, tired of being the weird alien that people hire to look menacing and evil.."
 
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"Okay," Stella nodded. "Where do you currently live? Is it in the Yamatai Star Empire?" she asked Calandri. "Would you like to apply to be a citizen of Yamatai? You can apply for Yamataian citizenship right here in the building, and your military service will earn it," Stella told Calandri. "Have you ever been diagnosed with or had reason to believe that you had a physical, mental, or other disability, mental illness...for example: memory loss...behavioral issue, or substance addiction? If so please explain. "Do you have over a million KS in net worth including real estate, non-liquid assets, and stocks? Do you have any outstanding debts totaling over ten thousand KS?"
 
"Yes right living, it is that big station, um, just a moment.." Calandri checked the documents she brought with her to make sure she knew some things, it was a helpful tip some of her neighbors helped her with "Ah yes Anisa, I live at Anisa, I would love to be a citizen, everyone when I moved there, were so friendly and helpful, made it feel like home." She thinks about the issues and looked back up to the person opposite her "um no, I have been offered as you would call them substances, but the only thing probably akin to that, that I would have had is the old fermented berry drinks from my home, haven't had one of them them in over ten years now, I was only fourteen full cycles when I was removed from my planet, but that is all I have had in that context."

She breathed a sigh of relief as she managed to remember stuff in trade without messing up or stumbling "okay no, I don't have that much money, I just have what I bought with money from jobs and I don't think I have debt, no one has told me I do, I normally spent the money on necessary stuff like food and picked up, um.." she goes back through her documents "ah here it is, um the most expensive things I own are my apartment, my armor, and my weapons, the armor and weapons I am guessing wouldn't be allowed to be taken with me in the Star Army?"
 
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"Hmm," Stella said. "We'll get your citizenship worked out soon, then. And generally one only gets to take on ships what they can get in a duffel bag or two and a foot locker, and the equipment used is all supplied by the military. I've got just a few more questions on my list here. Have you ever spoken to a Mishhuvurthyar, Kuvexian, or their known allies?" Stella asked Calandri. "How loyal do you consider yourself towards Yamatai, and what drives and earns your loyalty? How long do you plan to stay in the Star Army and what do you plan to do afterwards?" Stella glanced down at her data pad, where she would be able to put in recommendations for occupation and training, and also asked, "what sort of skills and education do you have?"
 
She tried to think through her contacts "mostly Neplisians I dealt with, have no idea what a Mishur, Mishiu, um the first one you said was." She tapped the chair arm as she thought about it and then smiled a little "I owe Yamatai my life, the person who started the rebellion as the slave camp, was Yamataian. most people that have helped me are also part of Yamatai, I would probably be dead if it wasn't for you all." After being asked about her plans with the army and what to do after she paused as she never actually thought about this and she blinked a couple of times pondering the question.

After a few moments of time passed, Calandri answered calmly "well I would want to stay as long as I can, but afterwards, I would most likely try and find some more of my species, I know there probably isn't a chance any of them are still alive or like me, but maybe that extremely low percent can be something that helps my people come back...." She smiled a bit more with the last question and tapped her notes "okay this is easy, I can speak trade, I have martial training, probably not to the standard of your army, but it was my people's fighting style, mostly I know, close-quarter fighting, been learning these guns which everyone seems to use in the universe." Her ear and nose twitched as she looked over the notes more "um I know how to cook and have been learning more, then um what is it called, um the clearing and repairing things, I um know a little of how to do that stuff, but not as good as some other things." She tilted her head "um no education, well to the level you would probably want, the tribes education was hunting, cooking, oral history I think you would call it, reading and writing wasn't a thing for us, um painting, making weapons. As the chief's daughter, I also learned how to lead my people."

She looked down "sorry I am just so nervous with this, um, but I think that is everything. I am glad you didn't just kick me out right away, but I do hope I can repay the kindness of the Yamataian people that have helped me survive and keep living." Her nose twitched again as she smiled kindly, she hoped her answers were good.
 
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By all external signs the young Yamataian woman, with her hime-cut hair pulled into a ponytail was perfectly human. Or Minkan. A scan would reveal she was indeed an android, and broadcasted a recently-registered sentience identification- very recently registered. She wore a purple Yugumo Corporation dress uniform, sans gloves or the ubiquitous E2 in thigh holster. Or, more precisely, she left both of them in the Yugumo-liveried Classico that brought her over. The woman walked up to the entrance, looking up, as most do, at the imposing edifice before her. Perhaps most didn't quite see it the way she did, with her advanced sensor suite, newly released only a few months before, but they still looked, as did she. A few more moments of taking in the architecture and she filed into the queue for being screened by security. She brought up on volumetric display her brief introduction from Shoi Motoyoshi Tachiko and a detailed recommendation from Taisho (Retired) Motoyoshi Katsuko, (Former) Empress of Yamatai as she stepped behind the last person waiting.
 
Stella nodded. "Alright, that concludes the questions for determining if you're qualified. We have immediate openings for communication specialists, caretakers, cooks, science specialists, enlisted medics, journalists, do any of those sound appealing to you?" she asked Calandri.

(OOC: @BloodyScarlet)

With all the recommendations, the Motoyoshi woman made it through the checkpoints in record time and found herself in the aged lobby of the Uesureyan Fortress, with its musky carpets, old chairs from starships of yesteryear, displays playing loops about Star Army occupations, and numerous vending machines. The amount of people waiting wasn't that bad.

On one of the walls, a few red-shirted personnel installed a large backlit sign shaped like the base's triangular emblem, which featured a scorpion in the middle.

Uesureyan_Fortress.png
 
As she heard what Stella said would be fitting for her, she understood why it would be a more combat role because of what she was compared to the Minkans and Neko she had met. She nodded for a moment and smiled "The science specialist sounds interesting, I have wondered about the technology and biology, my people didn't have these means or tools of finding out about things like Yamatai does, how does it work, would I choose a science or will the one I preform best in be my job?" She was happy with this choice knowing that the learning it could give her would be so invaluable to her."

She thought for a moment and looked at Stella "So now it would be the citizenship stuff right?" She paused and quickly looked around "um I just realized what would happen if more of my species was found then?"
 
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Sayako was a bit nervous going through, given she had integral weapons systems, albeit nonlethal ones, that she could not leave behind. It's widely known that Yugumo-built androids, such as Consorts, have programming to obey Star Army personnel out of the box, but also known that such programming deletes itself on detecting fully sentient and fully sapient operation. Thankfully, her hefty recommendations minimized any scrutiny after she went through the security scanner. She was, as typical, exceedingly polite, bowing and thanking the screeners on her way inside.

Once in the lobby, she sat and waited patiently to be called. Though she noted the vending, her android physiology left her no need for consumption- that part of her body was for analyzing food safety and ensuring what she (or her former owner, the restauranteur Motoyoshi Tachiko) cooked. What was interesting, beyond the recruiting footage, was the sign. Something new for the data banks she hadn't seen before. "A W, hmm..." she thought to herself, tilting her head a bit.
 
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Donghua Tower and Kyoto, Yamatai - YE 43.9 (AM)

Lane nervously assembled dress clothes washed the night before. This was it. He was about to walk into an official building and get a job. No second guessing, no beating around the bush, and no hoping for an impossibility. If what Sanda said was true from the evening before, he had to believe her. At this point, her offer at joining was his only hope of getting what he'd always wanted. This was his chance.

Attaining this, however, cost something. Arriving home the night before had a worried Gemma look him over to ensure he wasn't hurt. Lane reassured her he was fine, how he was gone for so long because of a job opportunity. At first, Gemma's color drained, surprised he actually received a job offer. But in the darkness it was hard to tell a difference in shade, and she used the chance to feign delight. Further inquiries had Lane divulging the nights events. He was honest with her, explaining how a rejection from the original interviewer resulted in a conversation with another interested party. But as far as who this mystery person was he remained secretive. Gemma didn't like that. An argument broke out, again. Lane went to bed upset, as usual, and wondered how he was going to get out of this one. It took him nearly all night to come up with a plan, resulting in four hours of sleep.

Gemma asked him where he was going when he tried to slip out the door the next morning. He wore his nicest pair of jeans with a casual hoodie, which wasn't unusual for him when he took morning stroll. What grabbed Gemma's attention was how he wore his nice leather shoes, the same ones from the night before. He hoped she wouldn't notice. He gave a flimsy explanation. She ordered him to not go to that interview, wherever it was and whoever it was with. Lane's eyebrows dropped down onto a darkened gaze. He promised he wouldn't with a stiff voice, slipping out the door rigidly. As he walked by the mailbox station catty-corner from the stairs, sudden inspiration had him opening their biometrical mailbox, shoving his comms device into the compartment, and slamming it shut. For once, he didn't want any outside interference. Cosmos be damned; this time, he was getting his way.

The Public Transport trembled and shuttered at it rolled along the paved roads. Lane stood alongside many others, nervousness returning as he adjusted his hoodie. The collar of his button-down shirt peeked out through the top, with a splash of faded brown daring to appear underneath. He adjusted the hood to sit higher on his neck, red eyes meeting the old, wrinkled gaze of a seated elderly woman. She smiled knowingly, looking away afterward. A sheepish smile emerged on Lane's face, fading away when she dropped eye contact. A small gulp slipped down his throat. Then the Transport lumbered to a stop and the double-doors opened. They were at the entrance of the Uesureyan Fortress.

Uesureyan Fortress, Kyoto

Lane wove through the passengers towards the door. He thanked the driver as he stepped down onto the main walkway. He watched the Transport as the doors shut and the vehicle rolled away. When it was out of sight, Lane faced the fortress, forced down a large inhale, and sighed out loud as he made himself walk forward. He was fully committed now, and as he approached the building he scanned his surroundings. Unfortunately, the longer he looked he couldn't find Sanda. Maybe he arrived too early. And then a pit caved in his stomach. Maybe she was trying to communicate with him, and she couldn't because he shoved his comms device into the mailbox. Lane stopped walking, regretting giving into his brief anger. Eyebrows cinched together and turned upward. What was he going to do?

He looked around, spotting some outdoor seating nearby. Maybe if he sat down at the bench, Sanda would get some sort of metaphysical notification and come looking for him. It worked last night, when he didn't expect it to. What did he have to lose? All he knew was, he didn't want to walk through those doors until Sanda walked alongside him.


@Cowboy for Sanda.
 
Uesureyan Fortress, Kyoto

Despite the festivities of the night before Sanda was up very early, almost before most of the rest of the ship. Being planet side, she had opted for a run instead of using the ship's facilities. She did a 10K loop in just over an hour. Normally she would have pushed herself to do it in under an hour, but as she was on leave she didn't beat herself up too much for it. A quick shower back at the ship and then Sanda got dressed. She was just going to wear her duty uniform but thought that maybe she should wear her dress uniform. It might make a better impression, and besides, Trowa had worn his dress uniform when he had gone with her to enlist years ago so the least she could do was do the same. She couldn't bring herself to wear the dress skirt though, pants were way more her style. Besides, she had already worn a dress last night. Once a year was more than enough.

Sanda examined herself in the mirror and smiled at what she saw. A strong, independent woman. A Nito Hei Ranger in the Star Army. Her colorful award ribbons stood out on her cornflower blue uniform. She was proud of what she had accomplished and looked forward seeing what future missions brought. Before leaving the ship she holstered her plasma revolver and her Straight Silver. She left her backup blade and pistol in her room. This was Yamatai after all and even she could justify needing that much fire power here.

Sanda arrived at the big recruitment center before it had even opened. This allowed her to grab a quick bite to eat. She found a spot a little out of the way where she could still see anyone who arrived. She soon saw Lane walk by and smiled to herself. He had actually came, although he looked a little overwhelmed. He appeared to be searching for her but had looked past her twice. Sanda could excuse that. Nerves would do that. She also looked a lot different than she had last night. The black eye paint and even the black hair dye was gone. Sanda's natural dark brown hair was tied up in it's traditional pony tail.

She waited until he had taken a seat on a bench before walking over to him. She smiled as she walked up and said, "Good morning Lane. I'm very happy to see you. I take it things went ok with Gemma last night?"
 
Lane didn't have to sit around for long. Only a couple minutes passed before he saw a tall woman approach him. He observed closely, confused as to why she looked familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. But when Lane saw the telltale lightning blue face tattoo, a small smile brightened his features. He didn't realize Sanda's hair was brown, and wondered if his perception of her was a trick of the lights or a misconception. Either way, she greeted him with a smile long before she spoke to him. Lane rose eagerly to give a small bow.

"Good morning, Sanda. I'm really glad you're here. I didn't want to walk in there without you."

As he straightened Sanda wasted no time asking the question. The elephant in the room which always made him nervous. The pause before his reply was damning, and his eyes shifted nervously before daring to meet her gaze.

"Oh, uh, yeah, yeah. It's good, it's all good. Come on, let's go."

Lane turned and briskly walked towards the entrance of the fortress. Sanda would recognize that walk: the same one he utilized when he unceremoniously departed the evening prior. When he sensed a gap growing between himself and Sanda, he turned to the ranger and slowed to a stop.

"You're coming, right?"


@Cowboy
 
Sanda folder her arms and raised a tattooed eyebrow. She hadn't know Lane very long, but she was quick at reading people. And what she was reading right now was that Lane had not had a very good conversation with Gemma last night. She wasn't sure how that would effect Lane once he got in the recruiting center but she did know that their came a point in a person's life when they had to leave the nest. Lanes time had come.

She remained standing where she was as he turned and began walking towards the fortress. Arms folded with an amused smile on her face. Only when he stopped and asked if she was coming did she uncross her arms and walk over to stand where he had stopped. "Take a breath Lane. We've got plenty of time. This is will be a huge step for you, I think. Your life will never be the same." She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But I think you've got what it takes. And I'll be with you every step that they'll let me." She smiled as she removed her hand. "Now, if you're ready, lets go in together."
 
When Sanda calmly approached Lane and instructed him to relax, he consciously followed her advice. His nerves tingled with worry and excitement as he stared down the door. He nodded at her words, knowing she spoke from experience. But when she placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes were automatically drawn to her reassuring gesture. And then the words she said to him the night before echoed in his mind: 'I've got your back.'

He silently thanked her for support by bringing his hand up to pat hers twice. He nodded once more when Sanda was ready to walk into the building with him. It inspired him to step forward, not losing the nervousness he displayed, but subduing it with a newfound eagerness. She was right; this was a brand new experience for him, and he wouldn't come out of it the same as before. Something within him desperately wished to experience that.

When they approached the doors of the fortress, Lane paused to take off his hoodie and fix his hair once it slipped over his head. He grew hot from wearing heavy layers, and he didn't want his dress shirt to become damp with sweat. He stuffed the hoodie between his legs as he adjusted his shirt and tie, fixed rogue strands of platinum hair, and bent down to brush off dirt clinging to his shoes. He stood up carefully so he wouldn't make himself dizzy, and as he continued to fidget he shot a glance up to Sanda. She probably thought he was overthinking it. He wouldn't deny it if she said anything.

"It helps me feel put together, is all." Lane thought he had to explain his neurotic behavior. Once he believed his outfit looked presentable, he grabbed his hoodie and shook it out, folding it quickly to lay it over his arm. Then he sent a more confident gaze Sanda's way. "I'm ready now."

He willingly took the first step to push through the door. The cool, conditioned air welcomed him, and a sigh of relief hummed through closed lips. That was a nice feeling. Not too cold, but not ineffectual either. Just the right temperature to relax his features and let him observe his surroundings casually.

Lane would honestly tell someone he didn't believe Sanda at first. People who looked more outlandish than him? Than her? Creatures of unimaginable form, in bone and flesh, walking and talking casually like anyone else? It blew his mind and, with a couple of unique characters present in the lobby, he couldn't stop staring. Wings. Horns. Multiple arms? Skin of various colors and saturations? It was all here, unashamedly existing in physical space. The stuff he'd only read in fiction and saw on the screen, 100% real. He suddenly forgot why he came to the Uesureyan Fortress. Fortunately, he wouldn't forget for long. A face he easily recognized caught his attention, and his bewildered gaze lit up with surprise.

"Uncle Richard!"

The muscular, six-foot-eight Santō-Hei whipped his gaze towards the voice. He adjusted his big, circular glasses as he focused on the familiar face. When he recognized who it was, he turned back to the two young men he was helping.

"Hey, guys, I need a quick moment. You keep looking over those job listings and get back to me, ok?"

With their understanding dismissal, he thanked them and made his way over to the new arrivals. An excited grin took up Richard's whole face as he brought the porcelain man in for a hug.

"Lane, my guy! What are you doing here? Gemma finally lost her mind?"

"No way," Lane protested as they separated. He answered with total confidence, "I did."

A hearty laugh shook the dark-skinned man as he brought Lane in for another side hug, ruffling his hair at the same time. For once, Lane looked so relaxed and calm that his messed up hair didn't bother him. He simply smoothed it back in place as he introduced Richard to Sanda. Or tried to.

"Uncle, this is-"

"Nitō-Hei Hoshi," Richard bowed before her respectfully. Lane's eyes widened with surprise as Richard addressed his superior. "It's an honor to be in your presence."

"You know her?"

"Course I do, kiddo. Hoshi-Hei is one of the most effective Rangers Star Army's seen to date. Her reputation precedes her."

Lane couldn't help but marvel as they both stood before him. How much respect Richard held for his superior.
 
Sanda watched in silent amusement as Lane adjusted his clothes yet again before entering the building. Me pregunto cómo le irá en el entrenamiento básico. Sanda wondered to herself as they entered the building. As soon as she walked through the door Sanda was already mentality assessing every person in the room. All points of entry and exits and where the best cover was near at hand. She hardly realized she was even doing it, it was so second nature now.

Sanda was very surprised that there was someone here that Lane knew here. Ah, the infamous Uncle Richard. Sanda's brow furrowed slightly as she looked up at this giant Santo Hei. ¿Qué es este tipo? ¿Un ID-SOL? She was also quite surprised when the man knew who she was. She shook her head and laughed. "If that were true I'd have red chevrons on my sleeves than this green bar. But thank you none the less. I am here returning a favored that someone did for me years ago. I'm here to help Lane enlist."
 
Richard gave Sanda his undivided attention when she responded. He admired her humility, shrugging at the mention of the required sleeve patches.

"Sometimes it takes a while for higher ups to figure it out."

His relaxed grin fell into a smile when she mentioned assisting Lane. The men exchanged brief glances as she spoke, as if Richard needed further confirmation. Lane continued to smooth out his hair as he nodded in agreement. There was excitement in the kid's eyes for once, a hint of reckless abandon. He didn't get Gemma's permission or blessing.

Richard's smile fell into a line, not pleased with the suspected outcome. He couldn't fault Lane for having enough of his current life; Gemma held on too tightly. There were many factors affecting this decision. But there was something Lane needed in order to get enrolled. Something Gemma would never let Lane have access to. So Richard knew how he came into the picture. But first, formalities.

"Hoshi-Hei, I'm really grateful you're helping Lane with all this. It's a big step, but Lane knows it. I think he's ready; he's got a bit of crazy in his eyes." Richard grinned big when Lane reddened at the comment. He was easy to tease. He reflected a mode of seriousness in his next comments. "He's gonna need some additional paperwork to get him in the door, I imagine. I needed a lot myself when I first enlisted. Cost of immigration, I guess." Another shrug, "I know where I can find all that stuff. You go on, Little Man, and get that ticket. I'll be back soon."

With that, Richard departed respectfully as he turned and made his was to the front desk. The Santô-Hei braced on the countertop as he got his superior's attention. With the man's permission, Richard could temporarily leave his station to retrieve Lane's paperwork, but not without a good explanation. His honesty rewarded him with the brief break. Richard thanked his superior, giving a quick salute to Sanda as he jogged out the door.

As Lane watched the scene play out before him, his curious features shifted in realization. Uncle Richard's uniform panel was a minty green today, and not the typical purple his uniform normally wore. He wondered why his outfit looked strange. Richard's departure had the man at the desk focus on the young Ruskin. No better cue than that to walk up and start the process.

Lane looked behind him as he began walking forward, to make sure she followed. He moved slowly until she caught up with him. Once they were next to each other Lane's steps emboldened. They approached the desk shortly after, and Lane rested his hands against the rounded countertop corner.

"Hello," his voice squeaked out. He gulped before continuing. "Um. My name is Lane Ruskin, and I'm here to enlist in the Star Army."
 
After going through the usual set of security checkpoints, the group arrives at the reception desk of the recruiting center. As anyone stationed there would tell you, normally there is an older augmented Nepleslian man that handed out the waiting ticket. But the man seriously needed a break. Joto Heisho Takeda managed to finally convince him to at least take one day off.

So instead of the man, the group is greeted by a raven haired human (though is she really human?) wearing a minty green panel with the three chevrons of a Joto Heisho. Upon getting closer, you realize she is wearing a maternity uniform.

She looks up from a volumetric display she has opaque from the group's perspective. Seeing the ranger and the clerk, her violet eyes quickly rest on Lane. She resist her urge to check their uniforms for discrepancies. The two were not under her command and she was technically not on duty.

"Welcome to the Recruiting Center. Seeing how you two are already enlisted, I can assume you are here to enlist in the Star Army of Yamatai?" Joto Heisho Takeda asks Lane.
 
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