Yuuki
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- RP Date
- YE 46.2
- RP Location
- YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City and YSS Yukika II
In the cavernous port-dorsal large craft bay of the YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City, the sleek, new vessel rested on her landing struts like a bird of prey surveying from a high perch. The YSS Yukika II, one of the first new Nozomi II-class Scout ships, and the first delivered to the Fifth Expeditionary Fleet was surrounded by velvet rope, creating a ceremonial standoff between her and the other, older ships in the hangar. Gangway ramps extended from the airlocks on either side, down to their own velvet-delineated pathways. The ship was already loaded and supplied– no more ground crew swarmed about her as they had only a mere hour before. Now the ship stood as quiet and stately as a monument that none dared approach out of due reverence. The buzz and bustle that was there before had echoed into the past, and the colossal scale of the hangar easily swallowed the sounds of maintenance, loading, and conversation around the other ships. Deliberately spaced from their new sister, it was if the Yukika II were alone with the bay all to herself.
The Yukika II's new commander wore her full dress– the Type 35 uniform had crisp, white panels and sported several rows of awards ribbons, earned over a neary two-decade career. Taii Motoyoshi Tachiko, up until her assignment to command, had been the acting first officer of the leviathan mothership hosting the hangar bay, the largest in the Star Army's service, and was now preparing to embark as captain of one of the smallest– indeed the smallest in current production, if not in the entire inventory. Only the Midori and the earlier iterations of the Nozomi II, the Nozomi/Yui-6 and the even smaller Yui-7 were smaller, and it had been nearly a decade since a new instance of either one rolled out of a shipyard.
Quietly, Tachiko reviewed pre-flight checks, cargo manifests, itineraries, and the myriad other documents that preceded launching a new warship for the first time. Scrolling through a Type 33 Datapad, flicking through pages of the paperwork to ensure every box was checked and every blank filled, her expression, as usual, was somewhat impenetrable; a soft, nearly blank, thoughtful mien rested ever-so-gently on her pretty countenance, giving no clue whether she was deep in thought or an empty vessel.
Circling the ship just outside the velvet-rope perimeter, only occasionally looking up from the datapad to ensure her path was collision-free, Tachiko eventually stopped, looking up the gangway, and smiled to herself before handing the pad off to a supply clerk with a nod. It was nearly time to start the ceremony. She let her fingers play over the soft, black velvet, feeling it crush ever so slightly under the lightness of the delicate touch of her slender fingers. Tachiko had to push down the giddy, heady rush of finally having her own command, using every bit of her discipline to lock it up into a proper display of decorum. It wasn't just pride or anticipation she lined up and put in their places, but also the briefest moment of reflection on the original Yukika, lost with nearly all hands almost two decades prior, in a prior war with the same enemy they were now fighting. Among that crew, she was nearly the only survivor, and its captain, Corro Adlich, a personal hero. Only the briefest flicker of nostalgia and grief was all she allowed herself, before those feelings too were standing in line at attention alongside the excitement and nervousness of anticipation.
Removing her hand from the velvet rope and clasping it with its fellow at the small of her back, Tachiko rocked back and forth heel-toe for a moment, taking a deep breath, and awaited the arrival of her crew, with their duffels, for the final inspection before the launch ceremony. Tachiko's gaze swept the vast hangar, seeking anything out of place or lacking, to satisfy her implacable desire for perfection: the beginning, of course, as she knew, was the most important part of a journey, for all else followed from it. Anticipating what would be expected of her when they arrived to meet her, for, as she also knew, the Captain was always both first and last, she silently rehearsed her words until they arrived.
The newly-promoted Chui, Karasu Ryuu, strode the long walk down the hangar, his pace focused and deliberate despite the weight of the duffel bag slung around his shoulder. Like his soon-to-be Captain, he was dressed in the Type 35 duty uniform, its sleeve indicating his rank of Chui, and its occupational color a bright, bold white. He’d kept to himself in his quarters aboard the colossal YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City. He’d served on an Izanagi-class once before, and their tremendous size and scale never failed to impress him. He was damned proud of the Empire, and the Izanagi was the largest starship the Ketsurui Fleet Yards had yet produced. But she wasn’t the newest starship… No, that was an honor now held by the Nozomi II… And Ryuu himself had managed to earn a position aboard one.
And it wasn’t just any such Nozomi II either, but one captained by a member of the Motoyoshi Clan; the notable Motoyoshi Tachiko. Ryuu, in his efforts to prepare for his new assignment, had done his best to research the achievements of his soon-to-be Captain. She was well-awarded, having served in the very first declared war with the SMX two decades ago. She had answered the call to aid the Norians when their people had been in desperate need of aid. She had fought Kuvexians as well, earning a service ribbon from the war that had taken Ryuu’s own wife four years ago. Ryuu had no clues as to Captain Tachiko’s personality, however; though he likely could have asked bridge officers of the YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City how they felt about her, considering she was the First Officer of the ship, Ryuu felt that would somehow be ‘cheating’. He also worried that his asking would make it back to her, and make him look as though he was trying to glean information about her. Which he was… It was a conundrum, so he avoided asking.
Luckily, he had had the opportunity to meet her briefly in her office aboard the Dreadnought, reporting to her as he had been ordered. She remained a bit of a mystery, just the same, and as he spotted her in the hangar, his heart began to race with a sense of anticipation. He'd remembered talking to Renho about becoming a First Officer someday, about the challenges and trials he'd need to overcome. Here, now, those challenges were rising up before him, and Renho wouldn't be there to talk to, to listen... Ryuu's pace slowed just slightly has he tried to dispel those thoughts, focusing on the present rather than the past.
Like Tachiko, Chui Ryuu had a datapad, though his was attached to his belt. His had been pre-loaded with crew information so that he could assist his Captain with the duties of checking in their crew and verifying the ship. He approached his Captain, and as they were both wearing their hats, a bow would've been improper. He saluted, bringing his right hand up crisp and flat to the edge of his Type 36 Officer's Cap. "Captain." he said simply, feeling no re-introductions were needed, given their earlier interaction in her office not terribly long ago.
Returning the salute with the fingers to the brim of her own officer's cap, Tachiko– Captain Motoyoshi actually– nodded, quietly, hoping the tension behind her eyes was as invisible as she normally was before being assigned a command. Without a word, she gestured for Ryuu to take his place to her left and a step behind, and at her duffel, facing right and perfectly-perpindicular a half-step in front of her toes. Notable she may be, hardened, even, a first command still is what it is and the weight of the award ribbons above her heart didn't do anything to hold those feelings down. She turned her gaze back, trying to relax as she watched everyone else file in, each moment it took them to get in line seeming to strech on as dilated as they are in the heat of a firefight.
The Lieutenant wordlessly assumed the position the Captain indicated, setting his duffel in the proper place. He’d packed it well; the harder bits didn’t clink on the deck thanks to the outer lining he’d run around the edges of the thing. He found himself just as curious about the crew as he was about his Captain, and he surprised himself by feeling just the slightest hint of a smile creep onto his face that he couldn’t quite defeat.
This was going to be Nakamitsu Hiro's first official tactical assignment as a Shoi aboard the YSS Yukika II. It was going to be interesting, especially since the captain was Motoyoshi Tachiko, in Hiro's eyes she was something of a big damn hero. Like both his Captain and First Officer, he was dressed in the Type 35 Dress Uniform, however the coloring was Starship Operator Grey.
Hiro honestly wasn't sure what exactly to expect once the ceremony was complete. Unlike many of the others already here, the medals which he wore were not nearly as impressive, being as he was simply an Ensign. He did however wish to make a good impression upon his commanding officers. He knew that he would be working 2nd shift as the Tactical Officer, so he was looking for his other Operators to meet them as well as render honor to both Taii Motoyoshi and Chui Ryuu.
Stepping forward to stand before Taii Motoyoshi and Chui Ryuu, he placed his duffel bag behind him. He salutely smartly to his commanding officers. "Shoi Nakamitsu Hiro, reporting as ordered."
In the mean time the enlisted crew were lining up in the rear. The medic and security officer, both freshly pinned Nitō Heishō, stood the to farthest right, with the support personnel in rank beside the latter in the rear, and the technicians to the Medic's left in front of them. She returned Hiro's salute, and followed it with a nodding, shallow head-bow, then went back to gazing at absolutely nothing in particular far behind the enlisted columns, into the distance on the opposite side of the bay where some technicians were hard at work performing biannual checks on a Chiaki-class. Despite their use of power tools and lively banter, it was only visible– the true breadth across the abyss that was merely one of the Izanagi's bays was too far for anything but the hint of a whisper over the distance. It was just as well Nakamitsu-Shōi was at the head of the officer's column, as only the Chief Medical Officer outranked any of the, with little exception, newly-pinned Shōi who were more or less even. The exception could stand at the head of the next row, when she arrived. Hiro could cover down for the Chūi when he got there, as well. All was well. Tachiko even knew what she was going to say.
She let a smile as faint as the sound of the technicians across the bay cross her lips. Professionalism prevailed. That in and of itself was further comforting to Tachiko. Tachiko, who was blissfully unaware of the status with which the others attributed her, any more than as their commanding officer, allowed herself to crunch a YTP Entertainment accounting sheet in the back of her digital-organic mind, and send it off wirelessly to the headquarters. Nothing wasted, not even thoughts.
"The bravery you showed on Hanako's World will continue to serve you well in the Star Army." Those were the words on his official orders assigning him to this sparkling new ship that stood tall right before him. Roy never imagined himself to be part of a nation's army, let alone a nation that wasn't Nepleslian. But there he was, wearing their colors and just about to board their ship as its crew.
The Type 35 that he wore was in grey, denoting his role as part of the bridge crew, Communications Officer specifically. Why he got this position over a grunt meant to fight on the ground, he wouldn't know, but he supposed that his experience in that position would let others benefit from his know-how. And perhaps it was for the best. The way he's used to fighting differed from how Yamatai soldiers fought and could cause some undue confusion and problems with coordination.
Whatever the outcome might be, there was no use dreaming up a world he wasn't going to experience. Life's always about making due with the cards you were dealt, and just like always, he was going to make the best of this new chapter. At the very least, it might be a lot more entertaining than standing guard all day.
Roy looked down at his watch. It was almost time for assembly. In an hour or two he'd be on that ship and off to the sea of stars. Who knows how long it would be until they get to step off the ship.
It sure is a good thing that he isn't claustrophobic, that's for sure.
Baggage in hand, and one foot after the other, Roy joined the rest of the crew. Without moving his head, his eyes darted between the people who were in front of him. They were going to be sharing this ship as their home for the foreseeable future. The concept wasn't foreign, but the people may see him to be. But that was alright. He'll be in their ears soon enough.
If he wasn't already in the presence of his commanding officer, he would have chuckled to himself at the thought. He gave her a snappy salute, "Shoi Roy Savage, reporting for duty."
Another salute. Surely, Tachiko must be thanking her past self for being a gym addict– that arm was going to get a workout in this ceremony. She'd rather bow, of course, but every one so far had saluted her, and sometimes that's just how command goes. And she was still wearing her hat when her first officer arrived, and so was he. A rock rounded in a river, or something like that, went the Koan she reached for in her mind. She gave another nod as Savage-Shōi took his place beside Nakamitsu-Shōi. Still no words. They were very unnecessary, and for that Tachiko was thankful.
Black heels clicked softly on the deckplates of the hangar, only just audible to announce the arrival of a shoi new enough that her rank pin seemingly squeaked. In one sense she cut an unremarkable figure; after all, junior operators in their gray and blue uniforms were a common sight, and her miniskirt and tights weren't unusual either. Nor was it the simple duffel bag slung over her left shoulder; she liked to travel light, and a dreadnought the size of Battle of Ayenee Capital City always had people passing through, transferring to new commands or from old ones.
It was the eyes, probably. The eyes that held hints of both blue and green, depending on just the angle and the light. Bright eyes, set in a pale, rounded Nekovalkyrja face framed by straight, dark green hair. Eyes which now took in her first real posting, and were filled with both excitement at the opportunity and the lingering worry that she might not be equal to the task. Eyes that even now checked, and checked again, just to make sure she was where she was supposed to be.
Shinono Yuki took a moment and squared her shoulders, and spared a quick moment to look herself over. She'd done it over a dozen times that day, but she was damned if she was going to let her new commanding officer see anything on her Type 35 Class A a millimeter out of place as she arrived. First impressions were important. Satisfied with her self inspection, she took a last moment to reach up and brush her fingers through her hair, looking up at the ship which would be her new home, taking in its lines as if to memorize them, before she finally swallowed and took the few necessary steps forward, presenting herself to her new captain and officers with a smart salute which she prayed didn't betray the nervousness in her heart.
The first genuine smile Tachiko let show on her face, albeit perhaps semi-voluntarily, coincided with the first fellow Nekovalkyrja officer to present herself. Tachiko saluted crisply. "Forever Forwards, Shōi." Her first words were next, the firsts happening in a neat three. The relaxation it brought may not have been obvious, but still subtly visible. Perhaps most in the acutening of the angle between the tips of the large, pointed, black-and-tawny-furred ears projecting from the sides of her black, chin-length bob.
It was short-lived. She soon went back to worrying she'd relaxed too much in front of them, and the angle flattened ever so slightly to the horizontal once Yuki had turned away to take her place.
The hurried echoes of another pair of legs shuffled along down into the hallway. Another fresh faced Shoi had arrived into the fold- ableit fresh faced only metaphorically. The Nepleslian Scientist seemed to hold back a yawn with her jaw only temporarily open, her rather tired looking eyes scanning the hangar bay until she found the assembling group of the people who were to be her crewmates for the foreseeable future.
Calliope Cardinal had pulled another all nighter obsessing over the scientific equipment of the Nozomi II, holed up in a virtual simulator programm she had assembled. Seemingly a rather normal occurence for the rather exhausted looking science officer, she was only being kept alive by the most wonderful of chemical, energy providing concoctions: coffee. Regardless of her tired looking state, the officers uniform and hair were exceptionally kept, likely painstakingly prepared for the YSS Yukika-II's launching ceremony. She fell into attention, standing next to one of the other new Shois- the scientist not bothering to really check which one. Callie let go of her stuffed dufflebag, allowing it to fall next to her feet as her arm raised up into a firm salute.
"Calliope Cardinal. . ." Her voice had a hint of tiredness in it, as if she was constantly attempting to hold back a gaping yawn. "Reporting for duty, Taii"
"We get enough sleep on this ship, Shōi," was Tachiko's second time speaking, once she had returned the salute. "Welcome aboard. In my time on the original Yukika, the medical and science occupations were one and the same. Chief Medical Officer was also the Chief Science Officer. Acuity and presence are important for both." The words flowed forth from Tachiko, softly as the others, as she was, of course, a soft spoken Nekovalkyrja. Reporting in less than perfect state was, of course, license to lecture. "It's good to have you."
The soft spoken words contrasted the nearly imperceptible twitch of her left ear as her eyes fell squarely on how squarely the duffel was placed. Tachiko looked back up and into the distance once more, however, without further remark or even notice.
Ryuu observed each approaching officer and enlisted crewmember, making brief mental notes on each as he strove to mimic his Captain’s impassivity. This was difficult; most Nekovalkyrja were professional impassives. He did, at least, feel a bit of sympathy for this science officer. She may have seemed a little tired, but her uniform was well-put together, and not a hair seemed out of place. Ryuu felt he would have to see if the Captain’s brief words hurt the young officer’s spirits, or if she would take them in stride.
At the edge of the docking bay, and almost out of sight pauses a rather large man talking to his pad, finishing a last minute comm that reached him just before he wouldn't have been able to take it.. He points it's camera lens towards the new ship for about 10 seconds.. Then finishes the last words up quickly with his father, quietly enough only enhanced hearing could make out at that distance..
"Yes father, that is the ship I shall journey upon, and bring honor to our family name.. I must go now before I'm late.. Will talk to you again soon.." A head bow and the comm ends. His pad quickly moved to his belt and he straightens up more formally to fully enter the bay.
Dressed formally in uniform as the other officers are, but with the color of Teal to represent Medical. The newly appointed Shoi - Chief Medical Officer - Dr. Toson Ushiba made long solid strides to his awaiting Captain and crew. A bit of smile actually coming to his face upon seeing Captain Motoyoshi Tachiko.. again. Thanks to a fortunate and.. memorable meeting here aboard the YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City.. He had landed himself a sudden and unexpected promotion, from what would likely have been infantry support, to the ranks of the new YSS Yukika II.
A memory of what his mother had said to him when he was much younger came to mind.. "Sometimes my son, a single meeting of chance, can change the path of your life for the better."
Taking a moment to get first glances of those he'll soon be with for an extended time, he notes all the similar ranks and their colors of stations. He'll have plenty of time later to learn fully who is who when he reviews medical records of each to be prepared for taking care of them all. He is the type who always wants to be prepared after all.
Finally he gets his turn, as he steps up with a trained precision in step in jet black boots, he halts before his new captain with a crisp strong salute! "Shoi Dr. Ushiba, reporting in as ordered Taii!" Holding the salute until acknowledged, but still that faint hint of a smile.. if one looked very closely.
Tachiko's salute was accompanied by her second smile. The doctor wore the same patches on his left sleeve: Star Army Medical, and the Giretsu Triple Sakura. Two of the hardest-earned patches in the entire Star Army of Yamatai: the first, unparalleled in its breadth and depth with nearly any soldier able to perform anything from combat lifesaving to impromptu trauma surgery, and emblematic of Tachiko's original occupation. The latter was the grueling School for Advanced Infantry. Having both was an elite and rarefied club.
Of course, there was a hint of something else in her smile, betrayed by the still-subtle rising of her ears towards verticality. Tachiko seemed, in a very restrained way, happy to see him, beyond the fellowship of their qualifications.
"Welcome aboard, Doctor." Tachiko motioned for the junior officers to move over a bit, covering down to allow him to take his place at the right-hand head of the file.
Hiro followed the directions of his commanding officers and moved with his fellow officers to allow the newly arrived doctor his rightful position. Funnily enough, in his head he was already concocting a new song which he hoped to introduce to his fellow members of Divine Despair, though he was unsure when that next meeting would be. It seemed being the 2nd bridge officer to arrive, behind the XO, had got him thinking on a bit of advice his father once gave him.
First impressions were everything to a lasting friendship, one must lead by example if they wish to teach a person anything. As more officer's of the crew arrived, Hiro watched quietly as each arrived. This was an interesting assortment of individuals, several Neko to include Motoyoshi-taii herself, a Nepleslian, Type 42 and several Minkan. Meanwhile, Hiro remained at parade rest.
Another green-paneled Nepleslian woman walked up to the entrance of the YSS Yukika II. The diminutive woman, a 1cm under the minimum requirements of the Star Army of Yamatai, walked with a purpose. Every moment she was away from a lab was a wasted moment in her mind despite her bubbly personality, it was the primary reason she was never heard of or from while on the YSS Mazu. The discovery of a new form of sapient life had made that tendency 10x worse.
When she got close enough, the woman clicked the heels of her meticulously polished shoes loudly in a Rikugun-like fashion and snapped a salute towards Tachiko. "Radcliffe-shoi, reporting as ordered!" Yingzi projected (but not shouting) loudly. She had clearly been around Chusa Mikael Harris long enough, the only individual in the fleet she really talked to. And he was gone now.
Returning the salute, Tachiko motioned for Yingi to take her place at the head of a new, second column of officers. Yingzi was the senior Shōi, of course. "It's good to have you Radcliffe-Shōi. Your experience assisting us after the first contact was invaluable aboard the Mazu." She nodded, as if for emphasis, after the fact. Yingzi is the only one of the crew Tachiko had actually worked with: the science team on the Mazu, with its extensive labs, was central to the Fifth's mission exploring the new sector and its life.
"It's an honor to have this opportunity to serve under you, ma'am" Yingzi briefly said with a humble bow of the head before she made her way towards the indicated position. Once she was in position, she assumed the proper drill and ceremony position for the moment. A smug voice within her came to her mind in a deep masculine voice as she thought about her short training with Harris-chusa. "Now that is what being a true Red is about, brisk military marching movements. Builds character!"
Ulla stood in her temporary lodgings her palms resting flat on the cabinet. Her carefully manicured nails, honed exactly to regulation length, lifted and drummed against the smooth polished surface. Her garnet eyes flicked left and right behind the misted lenses of her digital pince-nez an array of data danced across their HUD, names, personnel files of the crew, ship schematics. She carefully flagged those she deemed important and filed them into the organized chaos of her short term memory.
She exhaled slowly as an alarm pinged across the glasses. With a blink all the images and words slid away leaving Ulla with only her reflection to stare at, straightening her black and blue uniform her fingers traced the solid stripe around its cuff admiring the gleam of the golden embroidery. She lifted her hands to ensure her bun was tightly fastened beneath her cap before stepping back giving herself one last look in the mirror to ensure her pale blue trousers were still crisply pressed into her closest approximation of perfection. She retrieved her bag where it rested, waiting on her cot, and left the room
The corridors seemed to blur as the intelligence officer walked, her focus remained fixed on the cache of data she had freshly turned over in her mind. She could scarcely believe it was real. Before today all of her mental exercises, her goals, the tasks she had been set they were theoretical at best, but today she would take her first step towards doing something truly valuable for the Star Army. She didn’t doubt that the faith in her had been well placed, but it made her head spin with possibilities all the same.
It wasn’t long before she found herself in the shipyard, arriving precisely when she had meant to. She lifted her chin, the optics of her glasses amplifying her already perfect vision to begin scrutinizing the crew that was slowly assembling near the ship that would become their home, their vessel into the unknown. A vital arm of Yamatai itself reaching into a fresh sector of the galaxy.
Ulla cut an imposing figure, she was already on the tall side for a 33-A, and the dress shoes she wore added inches she did not require, leaving her towering over many of her cohorts. Her footsteps were nearly silent as she glided near. She tossed her bag in a calculated manner, so it landed neatly next to the accumulated luggage, not bothering to stoop down.
She approached to greet her commanding officers Snapping a sharp salute, her arm froze in position as she gave a curt introduction in a low professional tone. " Shoi Vester, It will be a honour serving under you Taii Motoyoshi, " Her gaze snapped to the first officer breifly. "and you as well Shoi Karasu."
The Captain was barely collarbone-high on the infantry-model Nekovalkyrja, but those three sakura flowers across her shoulder meant she'd dealt with enough of them to have long since got over it. Unfazed, she returned the salute yet again, then indicated for her to take the place in the newly-begun second row, beside Radcliffe Yingzi. It was the rich depth of Ulla's voice, not her height, that earned the smallest shiver and dip of Tachiko's ears, and the moment of crooked asymmetry in her thin, professional smile.
"We will be gathering a lot of data on this mission, Analyst. You'll be earning your seat, if you've got any doubts still. You'll be spending a lot of quality time with our science and sensors team, I am sure." Another of Tachko's small nods, the vestige of her desire to bow allowed through her rigorous professionality, indicated she was finished.
"That's nearly everyone," she mused aloud, semi-directed at her first officer, and at least one in the back row, as well. For, as she said it, she made eye contact with the supply clerk and caretaker in the rear, in sequence. The slight nod afterwards was their signal to silently fall out of formation and rapidly scuttle away with a keen and obvious sense of purpose.
Ulla nodded The minute shifts in expression of her captain did not go unnoticed by her keen eyes. "I imagine I shall." She stepped back falling into line next to Yingzi.
Ryuu, noting his Captain's musings, crisply retrieved his datapad, checking the time. "Still several minutes remaining in the time allotted for crewmembers to arrive and present themselves before the hit-time." he reported. "No late-comers yet, ma'am." The datapad returned to its spot on his belt with a bit of a flourish, as though he were a gunfighter holstering a pistol. He shared this information not because Captain Tachiko couldn't tell the time (she could, at any time, in her brain), but instead for the benefit of the crewmembers present, and for those who had not yet arrived. Like Shinono Yuki, Ryuu believed in the impact of first impressions. If the crew believed that those who had not yet arrived were delinquents already, it could color their impressions of them negatively.
Cytari’s turnover with her replacement had taken a little longer than intended due to some last minute questions. It was a few minor things, but she would rather the person taking over feel competent in their duties than to cause damage to her baby. Well that was what she had come to consider the first Star Army vessel she had served on anyhow. The YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City had been her first home away from home after she took to military service in Yamatai. All of the crew had been super helpful making her transition from Minatu Empire Royal Navy to Star Army of Yamatai as smooth as possible. There was a brief somber moment as she ran her hands over her Type 35 full dress uniform ensuring there were no wrinkles in sight. Her long black locks were secured firmly in a french braid whose end was tucked back in on itself and secured in place. She picked up her duffel bag with one hand, taking a brief moment to look over the red paneling of her uniform and Shoi rank insignia. With her other hand she picked up her Star Army Officer’s Cap and exited her quarters.
The walk down to the hangar went by a little faster than it usually had. Cytari paused briefly before entering what was considered outside and affixed her headgear appropriately. She then adjusted her grip on her duffel and made her way over to where her new Commanding Officer and crew gathered by the YSS Yukika II. The Norian’s violet eyes momentarily marveled at its beauty, becoming quite eager to get on board and have a thorough look at her. As she approached Taii Motoyoshi Tachiko and Chui Karasu Ryuu she rendered a very crisp, sharp salute. “Akhai-shoi reporting for duty as ordered Captain!” she said in a professionally proud manner to the highest ranking officer first. She had been selected to serve as the Yukika II’s first Chief Engineering Officer, she would do her damndest to make sure whoever came after her would have a reputation to live up to.
Tachiko returned the Norian officer's salute. "She's relying on you to take care of her, Chief. Your experience in the MERN will also be invaluable. Welcome aboard."
Tachiko's words came more freely now and she was a bit more relaxed. She'd never been in front of the formation like this except as a placeholder before. Being the one running the show was every bit as new as the ship behind her, with its bunks still wrapped for shipping. Her gaze drifted off to the side once Cytari had taken her place, to where the armorer had joined the supply clerk and caretaker who were rolling a pair of covered handcarts back towards the formation.
Roy took his spot indicated after his bag was offloaded. And being one of the first to take his place, he had a good vantage point to take in the faces of the crew following his wake. Why was it important? Well, one could make the argument that it was important to know the faces of your crewmates. But for him, he just wanted a little bit of assurance that he'd find someone he might be able to relate to. Already a big ask, to be sure.
He'd spent some time deployed, but the camaraderie built up slowly. Something he'd have to work on now that he'll be relaying orders. He'd have to build that trust fast, get involved, but maybe leave out the more troubling days. He knew how Nepleslians were seen by the greater majority. But to their credit, the squads he'd been with up to that point were a little more open minded. Let's hope its the same with this crew.
As the crew filtered in, he attempted to memorize the names with the faces as he overheard them. Something he wished he could do with as much ease as his Neko counterparts. This crew looked to be quite stacked, with quite of few of them having some visible achievements. It kind of made him feel a little underdressed. But those concerns would have to be shoved to the back burner as he took interest in the handcarts being rolled towards them. Cargo perhaps? Not likely, they wouldn't have covered them if that were the case.
The Chief Engineering Officer's arm dropped to her side only after the Commanding Officer's had also dropped. It touched her emotionally that Tachiko had thought her service in the MERN would be invaluable. Tachiko might not have known it at the time, but that honor to Cytari's past endeared the Motoyoshi to her even further than she already was. "Thank you Captain. I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is cared for," she bowed her head slightly and slipped off to take her place.
As she slipped off to take her place her gaze fell to the side where there was a few crew rolling over some carts. The black haired male struck her as particularly attractive and it was not just because of his pointed ears either. "That could be dangerous," she thought.
Someone with the capacity to feel genuine human embarrassment could have taken Chui Karasu Ryuu's vocal comment as criticism, but the officer cadet that strode past next was nothing but whipcord animation. A blood red oni of a catgirl, she marched to the exact, measured point shown in propaganda videos, before turning on heel, and giving her new captain a most robust, energized salute.
"Shoi Kohosei Tsuguka Tei, reporting for duty, my Taii." No embellishments to the phrase, a cadence even and rounded. "It is my honored task to perform direct control operations at your command."
Carried themselves like career infantry, but a uniform clad in the sky blue of a pilot. Sure, their file had fantastically high test scores, but that somehow felt mismatched with the physical person that paperwork manifested...
Void black hime cut- A sword hilt rattled at their flank- So young? A disowned samurai maybe? No, that cheap golden pressed durandium on the circular handguard- That was an NMX officer sword…
Eyes narrowed, the red lynx seemed to solidify and become even more statuesque on inspection... They were also still saluting, completely unwilling to progress without meeting the correct protocol.
Tachiko's return salute was instant and crisp, and a smile crossed her face once more at another Nekovalkyrja, though it differed from the two that preceded it just as they had one another. "Welcome, Cadet. I hope I am a fitting finish to your officer education. Your first captain is her first time being one. We will learn together."
"Karasu-Chūi," she motioned for her first officer behind her to move to the right and begin a row. "Go stand by your first officer up front here. We've got one more cadet but it's possible she won't be here for the ceremony."
"That leaves only one more. I think we'll be starting on time."
The support personnel have staged the two carts, each still covered by a velvet drape that obscured their payloads. At this distance, it's apparent they bear the Star Army Hinomaru against their Star Army Regal Blue backgrounds.
Hiyori had spent over an hour cleaning and preparing his grey-blue bridge officer uniform for this event - so much so that he ended up arriving several minutes later than he had planned. A critical error, in his mind, but he showed no outward sign of being bothered by it. He most certainly couldn't, lest he be seen as anything less than a diligent subordinate, and especially when his new CO was a Motoyoshi clan member.
Seeing the assembled crew, he adjusted his bag on his back and picked up his pace, keeping eyes front and avoiding eye contact. Approaching the captain and first officer, he stopped, turned, and raised his hand into a salute in a single motion.
"Kitamura-Shoi, as ordered."
Delivered with practiced perfection, it was anyone's guess what the young navigator might be feeling about his Captain, but the prospect of his first real deployment filled him with determination.
"I knew we would be beginning on time," Tachiko mused aloud after returning Kitamura's salute. She'd looked him over, always one to appreciate time spent on professional appearance, and nodded for Hiyori to take his place.
The captain waited a few moments, even once everyone was in place, before beginning: just a few moments of reverent silence and stillness before the ceremony began.
"This is the first time your captain has been a captain, the first time your first officer has been a first officer, most of the rest you are newly commissioned and on your first ship, we have cadets aboard, and the ship is one of the first of a new class that has never flown before." Tachiko began, breaking the silence.
"It's my second time aboard a Yukika, the second to bear the name. The first was lost with almost all hands at Taiie, and here, nearly seventeen years later, it's finally been long enough mourning to honor her, and their, memory with another in her name. My captain, C-"
Tachiko paused only for the briefest of moments while her ears first drooped sadly, then flapped to snap her out of it, "Corro Adlich, who gave his life for Yamatai at Murf, was her first captain, and mine. We came from the same armor infantry unit, and learned shipboard life with me as his chief medical officer, at far, far too young and tender a rank, but those were the needs of the day. It was the first time fighting against the same enemy that we now face for the third time that these victories and tragedies unfolded."
She took a moment, swallowing, though her expressive ears revealed nothing of it, "The Yukika name sat out the second time, but now has been called on again, as have all of you. Some of you are fresh, and some of you have already shed blood, your own and comrades', as well as the enemy's, for this Empire. Some of you without even ever having taken a sacred oath to defend her."
Looking about, scanning left and right the faces of her crew, "Just as the Yukika explored what was then the frontier of Yamatai, facing threats to her that she found there, so we are in this new sector, in the unknown, and we will be so very far from friendly port. I will depend on your bravery and competence, just as you will depend on my wisdom and experience, for we only have each other."
Tachiko gestured to the trio gathered with the carts who solemnly marched, the caretaker and supply clerk pushing them next to her.
"Heishōs Carmine and Eijiri, front and center!"
While the NCOs fell out of formation, the Caretaker withdrew the velvet cover from the first cart, revealing its contents to be a rack bearing a pair of Type 39 NCO sabers, the first of which was handed to Tachiko by the Armorer.
Assisted by the caretaker, Santō Hei Yumia Mitsuko, Tachiko belted on each saber as the armorer, Santō Hei Obara Keizo, handed each to her in turn. After exchanging snappy salutes with their captain, the Heishōs marched back to the rear of formation before taking their places once more at the heads of the columns.
Tachiko gestured once more, and the supply clerk, Santō Hei Maita Satoko, unveiled the contents of the second cart once Mitsuko the caretaker wheeled the first out of the way. The rack of Type 40 Officer's Swords bore more than the two that the other had- one for each commissioned officer on the crew. This time, Tachiko stepped forward, and Satoko the supply clerk followed her with the cart as she went down the lines of officers. Mitsuko returned to assist with each of them, as Tachiko gave a salute each time before taking a sideways step and receiving the next from Keizo.
The Yukika II's new commander wore her full dress– the Type 35 uniform had crisp, white panels and sported several rows of awards ribbons, earned over a neary two-decade career. Taii Motoyoshi Tachiko, up until her assignment to command, had been the acting first officer of the leviathan mothership hosting the hangar bay, the largest in the Star Army's service, and was now preparing to embark as captain of one of the smallest– indeed the smallest in current production, if not in the entire inventory. Only the Midori and the earlier iterations of the Nozomi II, the Nozomi/Yui-6 and the even smaller Yui-7 were smaller, and it had been nearly a decade since a new instance of either one rolled out of a shipyard.
Quietly, Tachiko reviewed pre-flight checks, cargo manifests, itineraries, and the myriad other documents that preceded launching a new warship for the first time. Scrolling through a Type 33 Datapad, flicking through pages of the paperwork to ensure every box was checked and every blank filled, her expression, as usual, was somewhat impenetrable; a soft, nearly blank, thoughtful mien rested ever-so-gently on her pretty countenance, giving no clue whether she was deep in thought or an empty vessel.
Circling the ship just outside the velvet-rope perimeter, only occasionally looking up from the datapad to ensure her path was collision-free, Tachiko eventually stopped, looking up the gangway, and smiled to herself before handing the pad off to a supply clerk with a nod. It was nearly time to start the ceremony. She let her fingers play over the soft, black velvet, feeling it crush ever so slightly under the lightness of the delicate touch of her slender fingers. Tachiko had to push down the giddy, heady rush of finally having her own command, using every bit of her discipline to lock it up into a proper display of decorum. It wasn't just pride or anticipation she lined up and put in their places, but also the briefest moment of reflection on the original Yukika, lost with nearly all hands almost two decades prior, in a prior war with the same enemy they were now fighting. Among that crew, she was nearly the only survivor, and its captain, Corro Adlich, a personal hero. Only the briefest flicker of nostalgia and grief was all she allowed herself, before those feelings too were standing in line at attention alongside the excitement and nervousness of anticipation.
Removing her hand from the velvet rope and clasping it with its fellow at the small of her back, Tachiko rocked back and forth heel-toe for a moment, taking a deep breath, and awaited the arrival of her crew, with their duffels, for the final inspection before the launch ceremony. Tachiko's gaze swept the vast hangar, seeking anything out of place or lacking, to satisfy her implacable desire for perfection: the beginning, of course, as she knew, was the most important part of a journey, for all else followed from it. Anticipating what would be expected of her when they arrived to meet her, for, as she also knew, the Captain was always both first and last, she silently rehearsed her words until they arrived.
The newly-promoted Chui, Karasu Ryuu, strode the long walk down the hangar, his pace focused and deliberate despite the weight of the duffel bag slung around his shoulder. Like his soon-to-be Captain, he was dressed in the Type 35 duty uniform, its sleeve indicating his rank of Chui, and its occupational color a bright, bold white. He’d kept to himself in his quarters aboard the colossal YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City. He’d served on an Izanagi-class once before, and their tremendous size and scale never failed to impress him. He was damned proud of the Empire, and the Izanagi was the largest starship the Ketsurui Fleet Yards had yet produced. But she wasn’t the newest starship… No, that was an honor now held by the Nozomi II… And Ryuu himself had managed to earn a position aboard one.
And it wasn’t just any such Nozomi II either, but one captained by a member of the Motoyoshi Clan; the notable Motoyoshi Tachiko. Ryuu, in his efforts to prepare for his new assignment, had done his best to research the achievements of his soon-to-be Captain. She was well-awarded, having served in the very first declared war with the SMX two decades ago. She had answered the call to aid the Norians when their people had been in desperate need of aid. She had fought Kuvexians as well, earning a service ribbon from the war that had taken Ryuu’s own wife four years ago. Ryuu had no clues as to Captain Tachiko’s personality, however; though he likely could have asked bridge officers of the YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City how they felt about her, considering she was the First Officer of the ship, Ryuu felt that would somehow be ‘cheating’. He also worried that his asking would make it back to her, and make him look as though he was trying to glean information about her. Which he was… It was a conundrum, so he avoided asking.
Luckily, he had had the opportunity to meet her briefly in her office aboard the Dreadnought, reporting to her as he had been ordered. She remained a bit of a mystery, just the same, and as he spotted her in the hangar, his heart began to race with a sense of anticipation. He'd remembered talking to Renho about becoming a First Officer someday, about the challenges and trials he'd need to overcome. Here, now, those challenges were rising up before him, and Renho wouldn't be there to talk to, to listen... Ryuu's pace slowed just slightly has he tried to dispel those thoughts, focusing on the present rather than the past.
Like Tachiko, Chui Ryuu had a datapad, though his was attached to his belt. His had been pre-loaded with crew information so that he could assist his Captain with the duties of checking in their crew and verifying the ship. He approached his Captain, and as they were both wearing their hats, a bow would've been improper. He saluted, bringing his right hand up crisp and flat to the edge of his Type 36 Officer's Cap. "Captain." he said simply, feeling no re-introductions were needed, given their earlier interaction in her office not terribly long ago.
Returning the salute with the fingers to the brim of her own officer's cap, Tachiko– Captain Motoyoshi actually– nodded, quietly, hoping the tension behind her eyes was as invisible as she normally was before being assigned a command. Without a word, she gestured for Ryuu to take his place to her left and a step behind, and at her duffel, facing right and perfectly-perpindicular a half-step in front of her toes. Notable she may be, hardened, even, a first command still is what it is and the weight of the award ribbons above her heart didn't do anything to hold those feelings down. She turned her gaze back, trying to relax as she watched everyone else file in, each moment it took them to get in line seeming to strech on as dilated as they are in the heat of a firefight.
The Lieutenant wordlessly assumed the position the Captain indicated, setting his duffel in the proper place. He’d packed it well; the harder bits didn’t clink on the deck thanks to the outer lining he’d run around the edges of the thing. He found himself just as curious about the crew as he was about his Captain, and he surprised himself by feeling just the slightest hint of a smile creep onto his face that he couldn’t quite defeat.
This was going to be Nakamitsu Hiro's first official tactical assignment as a Shoi aboard the YSS Yukika II. It was going to be interesting, especially since the captain was Motoyoshi Tachiko, in Hiro's eyes she was something of a big damn hero. Like both his Captain and First Officer, he was dressed in the Type 35 Dress Uniform, however the coloring was Starship Operator Grey.
Hiro honestly wasn't sure what exactly to expect once the ceremony was complete. Unlike many of the others already here, the medals which he wore were not nearly as impressive, being as he was simply an Ensign. He did however wish to make a good impression upon his commanding officers. He knew that he would be working 2nd shift as the Tactical Officer, so he was looking for his other Operators to meet them as well as render honor to both Taii Motoyoshi and Chui Ryuu.
Stepping forward to stand before Taii Motoyoshi and Chui Ryuu, he placed his duffel bag behind him. He salutely smartly to his commanding officers. "Shoi Nakamitsu Hiro, reporting as ordered."
In the mean time the enlisted crew were lining up in the rear. The medic and security officer, both freshly pinned Nitō Heishō, stood the to farthest right, with the support personnel in rank beside the latter in the rear, and the technicians to the Medic's left in front of them. She returned Hiro's salute, and followed it with a nodding, shallow head-bow, then went back to gazing at absolutely nothing in particular far behind the enlisted columns, into the distance on the opposite side of the bay where some technicians were hard at work performing biannual checks on a Chiaki-class. Despite their use of power tools and lively banter, it was only visible– the true breadth across the abyss that was merely one of the Izanagi's bays was too far for anything but the hint of a whisper over the distance. It was just as well Nakamitsu-Shōi was at the head of the officer's column, as only the Chief Medical Officer outranked any of the, with little exception, newly-pinned Shōi who were more or less even. The exception could stand at the head of the next row, when she arrived. Hiro could cover down for the Chūi when he got there, as well. All was well. Tachiko even knew what she was going to say.
She let a smile as faint as the sound of the technicians across the bay cross her lips. Professionalism prevailed. That in and of itself was further comforting to Tachiko. Tachiko, who was blissfully unaware of the status with which the others attributed her, any more than as their commanding officer, allowed herself to crunch a YTP Entertainment accounting sheet in the back of her digital-organic mind, and send it off wirelessly to the headquarters. Nothing wasted, not even thoughts.
"The bravery you showed on Hanako's World will continue to serve you well in the Star Army." Those were the words on his official orders assigning him to this sparkling new ship that stood tall right before him. Roy never imagined himself to be part of a nation's army, let alone a nation that wasn't Nepleslian. But there he was, wearing their colors and just about to board their ship as its crew.
The Type 35 that he wore was in grey, denoting his role as part of the bridge crew, Communications Officer specifically. Why he got this position over a grunt meant to fight on the ground, he wouldn't know, but he supposed that his experience in that position would let others benefit from his know-how. And perhaps it was for the best. The way he's used to fighting differed from how Yamatai soldiers fought and could cause some undue confusion and problems with coordination.
Whatever the outcome might be, there was no use dreaming up a world he wasn't going to experience. Life's always about making due with the cards you were dealt, and just like always, he was going to make the best of this new chapter. At the very least, it might be a lot more entertaining than standing guard all day.
Roy looked down at his watch. It was almost time for assembly. In an hour or two he'd be on that ship and off to the sea of stars. Who knows how long it would be until they get to step off the ship.
It sure is a good thing that he isn't claustrophobic, that's for sure.
Baggage in hand, and one foot after the other, Roy joined the rest of the crew. Without moving his head, his eyes darted between the people who were in front of him. They were going to be sharing this ship as their home for the foreseeable future. The concept wasn't foreign, but the people may see him to be. But that was alright. He'll be in their ears soon enough.
If he wasn't already in the presence of his commanding officer, he would have chuckled to himself at the thought. He gave her a snappy salute, "Shoi Roy Savage, reporting for duty."
Another salute. Surely, Tachiko must be thanking her past self for being a gym addict– that arm was going to get a workout in this ceremony. She'd rather bow, of course, but every one so far had saluted her, and sometimes that's just how command goes. And she was still wearing her hat when her first officer arrived, and so was he. A rock rounded in a river, or something like that, went the Koan she reached for in her mind. She gave another nod as Savage-Shōi took his place beside Nakamitsu-Shōi. Still no words. They were very unnecessary, and for that Tachiko was thankful.
Black heels clicked softly on the deckplates of the hangar, only just audible to announce the arrival of a shoi new enough that her rank pin seemingly squeaked. In one sense she cut an unremarkable figure; after all, junior operators in their gray and blue uniforms were a common sight, and her miniskirt and tights weren't unusual either. Nor was it the simple duffel bag slung over her left shoulder; she liked to travel light, and a dreadnought the size of Battle of Ayenee Capital City always had people passing through, transferring to new commands or from old ones.
It was the eyes, probably. The eyes that held hints of both blue and green, depending on just the angle and the light. Bright eyes, set in a pale, rounded Nekovalkyrja face framed by straight, dark green hair. Eyes which now took in her first real posting, and were filled with both excitement at the opportunity and the lingering worry that she might not be equal to the task. Eyes that even now checked, and checked again, just to make sure she was where she was supposed to be.
Shinono Yuki took a moment and squared her shoulders, and spared a quick moment to look herself over. She'd done it over a dozen times that day, but she was damned if she was going to let her new commanding officer see anything on her Type 35 Class A a millimeter out of place as she arrived. First impressions were important. Satisfied with her self inspection, she took a last moment to reach up and brush her fingers through her hair, looking up at the ship which would be her new home, taking in its lines as if to memorize them, before she finally swallowed and took the few necessary steps forward, presenting herself to her new captain and officers with a smart salute which she prayed didn't betray the nervousness in her heart.
The first genuine smile Tachiko let show on her face, albeit perhaps semi-voluntarily, coincided with the first fellow Nekovalkyrja officer to present herself. Tachiko saluted crisply. "Forever Forwards, Shōi." Her first words were next, the firsts happening in a neat three. The relaxation it brought may not have been obvious, but still subtly visible. Perhaps most in the acutening of the angle between the tips of the large, pointed, black-and-tawny-furred ears projecting from the sides of her black, chin-length bob.
It was short-lived. She soon went back to worrying she'd relaxed too much in front of them, and the angle flattened ever so slightly to the horizontal once Yuki had turned away to take her place.
The hurried echoes of another pair of legs shuffled along down into the hallway. Another fresh faced Shoi had arrived into the fold- ableit fresh faced only metaphorically. The Nepleslian Scientist seemed to hold back a yawn with her jaw only temporarily open, her rather tired looking eyes scanning the hangar bay until she found the assembling group of the people who were to be her crewmates for the foreseeable future.
Calliope Cardinal had pulled another all nighter obsessing over the scientific equipment of the Nozomi II, holed up in a virtual simulator programm she had assembled. Seemingly a rather normal occurence for the rather exhausted looking science officer, she was only being kept alive by the most wonderful of chemical, energy providing concoctions: coffee. Regardless of her tired looking state, the officers uniform and hair were exceptionally kept, likely painstakingly prepared for the YSS Yukika-II's launching ceremony. She fell into attention, standing next to one of the other new Shois- the scientist not bothering to really check which one. Callie let go of her stuffed dufflebag, allowing it to fall next to her feet as her arm raised up into a firm salute.
"Calliope Cardinal. . ." Her voice had a hint of tiredness in it, as if she was constantly attempting to hold back a gaping yawn. "Reporting for duty, Taii"
"We get enough sleep on this ship, Shōi," was Tachiko's second time speaking, once she had returned the salute. "Welcome aboard. In my time on the original Yukika, the medical and science occupations were one and the same. Chief Medical Officer was also the Chief Science Officer. Acuity and presence are important for both." The words flowed forth from Tachiko, softly as the others, as she was, of course, a soft spoken Nekovalkyrja. Reporting in less than perfect state was, of course, license to lecture. "It's good to have you."
The soft spoken words contrasted the nearly imperceptible twitch of her left ear as her eyes fell squarely on how squarely the duffel was placed. Tachiko looked back up and into the distance once more, however, without further remark or even notice.
Ryuu observed each approaching officer and enlisted crewmember, making brief mental notes on each as he strove to mimic his Captain’s impassivity. This was difficult; most Nekovalkyrja were professional impassives. He did, at least, feel a bit of sympathy for this science officer. She may have seemed a little tired, but her uniform was well-put together, and not a hair seemed out of place. Ryuu felt he would have to see if the Captain’s brief words hurt the young officer’s spirits, or if she would take them in stride.
At the edge of the docking bay, and almost out of sight pauses a rather large man talking to his pad, finishing a last minute comm that reached him just before he wouldn't have been able to take it.. He points it's camera lens towards the new ship for about 10 seconds.. Then finishes the last words up quickly with his father, quietly enough only enhanced hearing could make out at that distance..
"Yes father, that is the ship I shall journey upon, and bring honor to our family name.. I must go now before I'm late.. Will talk to you again soon.." A head bow and the comm ends. His pad quickly moved to his belt and he straightens up more formally to fully enter the bay.
Dressed formally in uniform as the other officers are, but with the color of Teal to represent Medical. The newly appointed Shoi - Chief Medical Officer - Dr. Toson Ushiba made long solid strides to his awaiting Captain and crew. A bit of smile actually coming to his face upon seeing Captain Motoyoshi Tachiko.. again. Thanks to a fortunate and.. memorable meeting here aboard the YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City.. He had landed himself a sudden and unexpected promotion, from what would likely have been infantry support, to the ranks of the new YSS Yukika II.
A memory of what his mother had said to him when he was much younger came to mind.. "Sometimes my son, a single meeting of chance, can change the path of your life for the better."
Taking a moment to get first glances of those he'll soon be with for an extended time, he notes all the similar ranks and their colors of stations. He'll have plenty of time later to learn fully who is who when he reviews medical records of each to be prepared for taking care of them all. He is the type who always wants to be prepared after all.
Finally he gets his turn, as he steps up with a trained precision in step in jet black boots, he halts before his new captain with a crisp strong salute! "Shoi Dr. Ushiba, reporting in as ordered Taii!" Holding the salute until acknowledged, but still that faint hint of a smile.. if one looked very closely.
Tachiko's salute was accompanied by her second smile. The doctor wore the same patches on his left sleeve: Star Army Medical, and the Giretsu Triple Sakura. Two of the hardest-earned patches in the entire Star Army of Yamatai: the first, unparalleled in its breadth and depth with nearly any soldier able to perform anything from combat lifesaving to impromptu trauma surgery, and emblematic of Tachiko's original occupation. The latter was the grueling School for Advanced Infantry. Having both was an elite and rarefied club.
Of course, there was a hint of something else in her smile, betrayed by the still-subtle rising of her ears towards verticality. Tachiko seemed, in a very restrained way, happy to see him, beyond the fellowship of their qualifications.
"Welcome aboard, Doctor." Tachiko motioned for the junior officers to move over a bit, covering down to allow him to take his place at the right-hand head of the file.
Hiro followed the directions of his commanding officers and moved with his fellow officers to allow the newly arrived doctor his rightful position. Funnily enough, in his head he was already concocting a new song which he hoped to introduce to his fellow members of Divine Despair, though he was unsure when that next meeting would be. It seemed being the 2nd bridge officer to arrive, behind the XO, had got him thinking on a bit of advice his father once gave him.
First impressions were everything to a lasting friendship, one must lead by example if they wish to teach a person anything. As more officer's of the crew arrived, Hiro watched quietly as each arrived. This was an interesting assortment of individuals, several Neko to include Motoyoshi-taii herself, a Nepleslian, Type 42 and several Minkan. Meanwhile, Hiro remained at parade rest.
Another green-paneled Nepleslian woman walked up to the entrance of the YSS Yukika II. The diminutive woman, a 1cm under the minimum requirements of the Star Army of Yamatai, walked with a purpose. Every moment she was away from a lab was a wasted moment in her mind despite her bubbly personality, it was the primary reason she was never heard of or from while on the YSS Mazu. The discovery of a new form of sapient life had made that tendency 10x worse.
When she got close enough, the woman clicked the heels of her meticulously polished shoes loudly in a Rikugun-like fashion and snapped a salute towards Tachiko. "Radcliffe-shoi, reporting as ordered!" Yingzi projected (but not shouting) loudly. She had clearly been around Chusa Mikael Harris long enough, the only individual in the fleet she really talked to. And he was gone now.
Returning the salute, Tachiko motioned for Yingi to take her place at the head of a new, second column of officers. Yingzi was the senior Shōi, of course. "It's good to have you Radcliffe-Shōi. Your experience assisting us after the first contact was invaluable aboard the Mazu." She nodded, as if for emphasis, after the fact. Yingzi is the only one of the crew Tachiko had actually worked with: the science team on the Mazu, with its extensive labs, was central to the Fifth's mission exploring the new sector and its life.
"It's an honor to have this opportunity to serve under you, ma'am" Yingzi briefly said with a humble bow of the head before she made her way towards the indicated position. Once she was in position, she assumed the proper drill and ceremony position for the moment. A smug voice within her came to her mind in a deep masculine voice as she thought about her short training with Harris-chusa. "Now that is what being a true Red is about, brisk military marching movements. Builds character!"
Ulla stood in her temporary lodgings her palms resting flat on the cabinet. Her carefully manicured nails, honed exactly to regulation length, lifted and drummed against the smooth polished surface. Her garnet eyes flicked left and right behind the misted lenses of her digital pince-nez an array of data danced across their HUD, names, personnel files of the crew, ship schematics. She carefully flagged those she deemed important and filed them into the organized chaos of her short term memory.
She exhaled slowly as an alarm pinged across the glasses. With a blink all the images and words slid away leaving Ulla with only her reflection to stare at, straightening her black and blue uniform her fingers traced the solid stripe around its cuff admiring the gleam of the golden embroidery. She lifted her hands to ensure her bun was tightly fastened beneath her cap before stepping back giving herself one last look in the mirror to ensure her pale blue trousers were still crisply pressed into her closest approximation of perfection. She retrieved her bag where it rested, waiting on her cot, and left the room
The corridors seemed to blur as the intelligence officer walked, her focus remained fixed on the cache of data she had freshly turned over in her mind. She could scarcely believe it was real. Before today all of her mental exercises, her goals, the tasks she had been set they were theoretical at best, but today she would take her first step towards doing something truly valuable for the Star Army. She didn’t doubt that the faith in her had been well placed, but it made her head spin with possibilities all the same.
It wasn’t long before she found herself in the shipyard, arriving precisely when she had meant to. She lifted her chin, the optics of her glasses amplifying her already perfect vision to begin scrutinizing the crew that was slowly assembling near the ship that would become their home, their vessel into the unknown. A vital arm of Yamatai itself reaching into a fresh sector of the galaxy.
Ulla cut an imposing figure, she was already on the tall side for a 33-A, and the dress shoes she wore added inches she did not require, leaving her towering over many of her cohorts. Her footsteps were nearly silent as she glided near. She tossed her bag in a calculated manner, so it landed neatly next to the accumulated luggage, not bothering to stoop down.
She approached to greet her commanding officers Snapping a sharp salute, her arm froze in position as she gave a curt introduction in a low professional tone. " Shoi Vester, It will be a honour serving under you Taii Motoyoshi, " Her gaze snapped to the first officer breifly. "and you as well Shoi Karasu."
The Captain was barely collarbone-high on the infantry-model Nekovalkyrja, but those three sakura flowers across her shoulder meant she'd dealt with enough of them to have long since got over it. Unfazed, she returned the salute yet again, then indicated for her to take the place in the newly-begun second row, beside Radcliffe Yingzi. It was the rich depth of Ulla's voice, not her height, that earned the smallest shiver and dip of Tachiko's ears, and the moment of crooked asymmetry in her thin, professional smile.
"We will be gathering a lot of data on this mission, Analyst. You'll be earning your seat, if you've got any doubts still. You'll be spending a lot of quality time with our science and sensors team, I am sure." Another of Tachko's small nods, the vestige of her desire to bow allowed through her rigorous professionality, indicated she was finished.
"That's nearly everyone," she mused aloud, semi-directed at her first officer, and at least one in the back row, as well. For, as she said it, she made eye contact with the supply clerk and caretaker in the rear, in sequence. The slight nod afterwards was their signal to silently fall out of formation and rapidly scuttle away with a keen and obvious sense of purpose.
Ulla nodded The minute shifts in expression of her captain did not go unnoticed by her keen eyes. "I imagine I shall." She stepped back falling into line next to Yingzi.
Ryuu, noting his Captain's musings, crisply retrieved his datapad, checking the time. "Still several minutes remaining in the time allotted for crewmembers to arrive and present themselves before the hit-time." he reported. "No late-comers yet, ma'am." The datapad returned to its spot on his belt with a bit of a flourish, as though he were a gunfighter holstering a pistol. He shared this information not because Captain Tachiko couldn't tell the time (she could, at any time, in her brain), but instead for the benefit of the crewmembers present, and for those who had not yet arrived. Like Shinono Yuki, Ryuu believed in the impact of first impressions. If the crew believed that those who had not yet arrived were delinquents already, it could color their impressions of them negatively.
Cytari’s turnover with her replacement had taken a little longer than intended due to some last minute questions. It was a few minor things, but she would rather the person taking over feel competent in their duties than to cause damage to her baby. Well that was what she had come to consider the first Star Army vessel she had served on anyhow. The YSS Battle of Ayenee Capital City had been her first home away from home after she took to military service in Yamatai. All of the crew had been super helpful making her transition from Minatu Empire Royal Navy to Star Army of Yamatai as smooth as possible. There was a brief somber moment as she ran her hands over her Type 35 full dress uniform ensuring there were no wrinkles in sight. Her long black locks were secured firmly in a french braid whose end was tucked back in on itself and secured in place. She picked up her duffel bag with one hand, taking a brief moment to look over the red paneling of her uniform and Shoi rank insignia. With her other hand she picked up her Star Army Officer’s Cap and exited her quarters.
The walk down to the hangar went by a little faster than it usually had. Cytari paused briefly before entering what was considered outside and affixed her headgear appropriately. She then adjusted her grip on her duffel and made her way over to where her new Commanding Officer and crew gathered by the YSS Yukika II. The Norian’s violet eyes momentarily marveled at its beauty, becoming quite eager to get on board and have a thorough look at her. As she approached Taii Motoyoshi Tachiko and Chui Karasu Ryuu she rendered a very crisp, sharp salute. “Akhai-shoi reporting for duty as ordered Captain!” she said in a professionally proud manner to the highest ranking officer first. She had been selected to serve as the Yukika II’s first Chief Engineering Officer, she would do her damndest to make sure whoever came after her would have a reputation to live up to.
Tachiko returned the Norian officer's salute. "She's relying on you to take care of her, Chief. Your experience in the MERN will also be invaluable. Welcome aboard."
Tachiko's words came more freely now and she was a bit more relaxed. She'd never been in front of the formation like this except as a placeholder before. Being the one running the show was every bit as new as the ship behind her, with its bunks still wrapped for shipping. Her gaze drifted off to the side once Cytari had taken her place, to where the armorer had joined the supply clerk and caretaker who were rolling a pair of covered handcarts back towards the formation.
Roy took his spot indicated after his bag was offloaded. And being one of the first to take his place, he had a good vantage point to take in the faces of the crew following his wake. Why was it important? Well, one could make the argument that it was important to know the faces of your crewmates. But for him, he just wanted a little bit of assurance that he'd find someone he might be able to relate to. Already a big ask, to be sure.
He'd spent some time deployed, but the camaraderie built up slowly. Something he'd have to work on now that he'll be relaying orders. He'd have to build that trust fast, get involved, but maybe leave out the more troubling days. He knew how Nepleslians were seen by the greater majority. But to their credit, the squads he'd been with up to that point were a little more open minded. Let's hope its the same with this crew.
As the crew filtered in, he attempted to memorize the names with the faces as he overheard them. Something he wished he could do with as much ease as his Neko counterparts. This crew looked to be quite stacked, with quite of few of them having some visible achievements. It kind of made him feel a little underdressed. But those concerns would have to be shoved to the back burner as he took interest in the handcarts being rolled towards them. Cargo perhaps? Not likely, they wouldn't have covered them if that were the case.
The Chief Engineering Officer's arm dropped to her side only after the Commanding Officer's had also dropped. It touched her emotionally that Tachiko had thought her service in the MERN would be invaluable. Tachiko might not have known it at the time, but that honor to Cytari's past endeared the Motoyoshi to her even further than she already was. "Thank you Captain. I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is cared for," she bowed her head slightly and slipped off to take her place.
As she slipped off to take her place her gaze fell to the side where there was a few crew rolling over some carts. The black haired male struck her as particularly attractive and it was not just because of his pointed ears either. "That could be dangerous," she thought.
Someone with the capacity to feel genuine human embarrassment could have taken Chui Karasu Ryuu's vocal comment as criticism, but the officer cadet that strode past next was nothing but whipcord animation. A blood red oni of a catgirl, she marched to the exact, measured point shown in propaganda videos, before turning on heel, and giving her new captain a most robust, energized salute.
"Shoi Kohosei Tsuguka Tei, reporting for duty, my Taii." No embellishments to the phrase, a cadence even and rounded. "It is my honored task to perform direct control operations at your command."
Carried themselves like career infantry, but a uniform clad in the sky blue of a pilot. Sure, their file had fantastically high test scores, but that somehow felt mismatched with the physical person that paperwork manifested...
Void black hime cut- A sword hilt rattled at their flank- So young? A disowned samurai maybe? No, that cheap golden pressed durandium on the circular handguard- That was an NMX officer sword…
Eyes narrowed, the red lynx seemed to solidify and become even more statuesque on inspection... They were also still saluting, completely unwilling to progress without meeting the correct protocol.
Tachiko's return salute was instant and crisp, and a smile crossed her face once more at another Nekovalkyrja, though it differed from the two that preceded it just as they had one another. "Welcome, Cadet. I hope I am a fitting finish to your officer education. Your first captain is her first time being one. We will learn together."
"Karasu-Chūi," she motioned for her first officer behind her to move to the right and begin a row. "Go stand by your first officer up front here. We've got one more cadet but it's possible she won't be here for the ceremony."
"That leaves only one more. I think we'll be starting on time."
The support personnel have staged the two carts, each still covered by a velvet drape that obscured their payloads. At this distance, it's apparent they bear the Star Army Hinomaru against their Star Army Regal Blue backgrounds.
Hiyori had spent over an hour cleaning and preparing his grey-blue bridge officer uniform for this event - so much so that he ended up arriving several minutes later than he had planned. A critical error, in his mind, but he showed no outward sign of being bothered by it. He most certainly couldn't, lest he be seen as anything less than a diligent subordinate, and especially when his new CO was a Motoyoshi clan member.
Seeing the assembled crew, he adjusted his bag on his back and picked up his pace, keeping eyes front and avoiding eye contact. Approaching the captain and first officer, he stopped, turned, and raised his hand into a salute in a single motion.
"Kitamura-Shoi, as ordered."
Delivered with practiced perfection, it was anyone's guess what the young navigator might be feeling about his Captain, but the prospect of his first real deployment filled him with determination.
"I knew we would be beginning on time," Tachiko mused aloud after returning Kitamura's salute. She'd looked him over, always one to appreciate time spent on professional appearance, and nodded for Hiyori to take his place.
The captain waited a few moments, even once everyone was in place, before beginning: just a few moments of reverent silence and stillness before the ceremony began.
"This is the first time your captain has been a captain, the first time your first officer has been a first officer, most of the rest you are newly commissioned and on your first ship, we have cadets aboard, and the ship is one of the first of a new class that has never flown before." Tachiko began, breaking the silence.
"It's my second time aboard a Yukika, the second to bear the name. The first was lost with almost all hands at Taiie, and here, nearly seventeen years later, it's finally been long enough mourning to honor her, and their, memory with another in her name. My captain, C-"
Tachiko paused only for the briefest of moments while her ears first drooped sadly, then flapped to snap her out of it, "Corro Adlich, who gave his life for Yamatai at Murf, was her first captain, and mine. We came from the same armor infantry unit, and learned shipboard life with me as his chief medical officer, at far, far too young and tender a rank, but those were the needs of the day. It was the first time fighting against the same enemy that we now face for the third time that these victories and tragedies unfolded."
She took a moment, swallowing, though her expressive ears revealed nothing of it, "The Yukika name sat out the second time, but now has been called on again, as have all of you. Some of you are fresh, and some of you have already shed blood, your own and comrades', as well as the enemy's, for this Empire. Some of you without even ever having taken a sacred oath to defend her."
Looking about, scanning left and right the faces of her crew, "Just as the Yukika explored what was then the frontier of Yamatai, facing threats to her that she found there, so we are in this new sector, in the unknown, and we will be so very far from friendly port. I will depend on your bravery and competence, just as you will depend on my wisdom and experience, for we only have each other."
Tachiko gestured to the trio gathered with the carts who solemnly marched, the caretaker and supply clerk pushing them next to her.
"Heishōs Carmine and Eijiri, front and center!"
While the NCOs fell out of formation, the Caretaker withdrew the velvet cover from the first cart, revealing its contents to be a rack bearing a pair of Type 39 NCO sabers, the first of which was handed to Tachiko by the Armorer.
Assisted by the caretaker, Santō Hei Yumia Mitsuko, Tachiko belted on each saber as the armorer, Santō Hei Obara Keizo, handed each to her in turn. After exchanging snappy salutes with their captain, the Heishōs marched back to the rear of formation before taking their places once more at the heads of the columns.
Tachiko gestured once more, and the supply clerk, Santō Hei Maita Satoko, unveiled the contents of the second cart once Mitsuko the caretaker wheeled the first out of the way. The rack of Type 40 Officer's Swords bore more than the two that the other had- one for each commissioned officer on the crew. This time, Tachiko stepped forward, and Satoko the supply clerk followed her with the cart as she went down the lines of officers. Mitsuko returned to assist with each of them, as Tachiko gave a salute each time before taking a sideways step and receiving the next from Keizo.
- OOC Notes
- JP by: @Yuuki, @Waffles , @Nameless , @aitoseigi , @Hollander , @demibear , @miss_story , @Lizalopod , @WildCard , @Nakshatra , @Air Admiral , @Primitive Polygon
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