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"There's nothing wrong in suffering, if you suffer for a purpose. Our revolution didn't abolish danger or death. It simply made danger and death worthwhile."
- H.G. Wells
CS ABDICANT SERAPHINE
OUTSIDE DERELICT BASE KLAKSVIK
WEST AVELMORE CLOUD
INVERNESS, AUXESIAN SPACE
MAY 26TH, 825 AS
2219Z
ROLEX +0003 TO EVENT
The Seraphine's presence in the West Avelmore was nothing unusual, but the ceremony preparing to take place there within the hour certainly was. The Aquilon-class Carrier rests adjacent to Klaksvik, the bridge somewhat quiet as they await for the last guests. Today, Nodoka would take the final steps of no return. Today, Nodoka would become a revolutionary, dedicated to the overthrow of the Kusari government, and the utter crippling of the Keiretsu that have used her people and government as pawns in their cold war for centuries.
Nodoka overlooks the bridge, turning to Honya, whose choice of attire is drastically different from what she usually wears, being a military uniform shared by the female half of the crew of the Seraphine. The outfit consists of a dark teal and silver ensemble, A Blazer covering her entire upper body, with a skirt covering her crotch and upper legs, and a belt holding the outfit together, along with two-tone stockings and silver heels. Her chest is adorned with a five-star insignia and a name tag, designating her with the rank of Supreme Commander Adjutant, along with five stars on each shoulder, signifying her rank. Alexei, on the other side of the bridge, was adorned in a near facsimile, replacing the skirt, stockings and heels with pants and black combat boots. His rank shown as Commander on his nametag, adorned with four stars on each shoulder.
Nodoka herself is in her usual attire, with some changes. Her nanosuit now carries six stars on each shoulder, attached by some solvent to her shoulders. She looks to Honya, before standing up and moving to her station.
"Anything to report? Are the Harpies on station yet?" Nodoka declares, leaning over Honya and observing the FCS Radar monitor and readings adjacent to the helm controls.
Honya moves slightly to let Nodoka monitor the Radar, only to respond as she pulls away. "Nai. No contacts on radar as of.. There. Contact on Sunrider, 13kSU away, callsign Doechajgi. Permission to hail?" Honya says to her, declaring the contact to her superior.
"Granted."
Honya responds with a simple nod, accessing the comms panel on her display, and transmitting to the approaching ship. "Doechajgi, Abdicant Seraphine, Submit countersign. Sign is currently Pyeongyang." She says, awaiting a response.
The ship responds almost instantaneously. "Seoul. Do we really need this?" Bride responds, approaching the ship on impulse.
"Hanamura-sensei wishes to maintain utmost secrecy until she feels the time is right for us to reveal ourselves to the world. As such, she has requested we utilize security protocols to ensure identity validity." Honya replies, Bride finally appearing on screen.
"What, were you expecting me to be infected? If that's the case-" Bride responds, before Nodoka chimes in.
"Bride, we know. I just want to have the upper hand for once. That and God knows what will happen if Auxesia finds out before they know the bigger details. I don't want to take any chances on ruining a positive relationship. You checked that thing before you launched, right?"
"Yes, I did. I have it defaulting back to the old IDC Operating System that it came with, rather than the patched Auxesian one. The Harpies should be trailing behind me, I had Mark with me here a minute ago before I pulled out of cruise." Bride says, before continuing. "Striker, Mugunghwa, you copy?" She says, looking around on radar and in her immediate area for her partner.
"Right behind you babe, don't worry." Mark responds as his Lich speeds close to her, tilting side to side in a playful gesture. "And the others are on their way, They opted to pile into Birdie's ship and move here that way. But it's gonna take a bit, since they're all at the base."
After a few minutes another ship appears out of the Nebula, a Spatial bearing the marks of Harpy Squadron and Auxesia on it's wings. "This is the Garuda, the party's here so mind giving us our trajectory?" Elena says as she buzzes the Seraphine and circles around, waiting for a response. "Must you harass the the bridge? They are our friends yes, but it doesn't change that doing things like that could get responses in the form of gunfire." "Chill out Noel, I do this all the time... Cass Make sure that the secondary batteries aren't tracking us." "They aren't. And yes Noel, this is common behavior from her. They're used to it by now." Cassiopeia states as the two start poking one another. "That may be, but it's still rude. You keep talking about not being a child Birdie, stop acting like one." "Part of being an adult is being allowed to act childish. So hah!"
Honya acknowledges her sister and Mark, approaching the ship. "Wakarimashita. Clearance to land is granted, make lower hangar bay approach. Vessel Speed is currently null, no hazards on approach." She says to the two of them, Bride responding with a confirmation of the statement. "Landing lower hangar bay, Null speed, no hazards, Mugunghwa."
Moments later, Nodoka hears the ringing out of the young Elena over comms, only to be further greeted by the sound of an engine flying by as the sound is passed through to the ship by the gaseous contents of the cloud. "Careful, Elena.. you were a little close that time. Clear to land, make starboard bay approach. Vessel speed is zero, no hazards on approach, call that you have gear down once less than 5 kilometers from the approach pad. Once docked you'll be greeted by Alexei and I. Honya will move to meet with Mark and Bride. We'll bring you to the Mess Hall where we are having our feast. We have quite a lot to choose from, so I hope you've brought empty stomachs with you." Nodoka says to the group approaching the ship.
"Of course. I've been preparing for the fasting section of the Initiation for a few days now. I could eat a dinner the size of Cromarty right about now, Hanamura." Bride says, laughing, as she enters the ship with her sunrider, touching down.
The ships reach their appointed areas, The bay doors of the Garuda open once the hanger is pressurized, the Harpies save Mark and Bride gather in front of the ship. Elena and Alberts laughing While Seline takes out some cigarettes for herself and Noel.
Mark, after leaving his ship ran over to Bride's fighter, Watching her as she exits it. fiddling with something in his hand, But slipping it into his pocket when she faces him. "Hey Bride, how are you feeling about the Initiation? You ready to be done with this training phase as much as I am?"
Nodoka directs the crew in a orderly fashion, calling out to a long-haired woman on the bridge. "Ikezawa, keep the bridge going in our absence. if you detect anything unwanted, make sure to alert us at once." The woman salutes to her superior as Nodoka and her fellow high ranking officers proceed off of the bridge, taking the elevator behind the bridge to the Hangars. As the elevator lowers them down, Alexei chimes in. "You know.. Hanamura.. When I told you once I wanted to do something with my life.. I didn't really expect being put into a terrorist faction." He declares to Nodoka, somewhat concerned as he crosses his arms.
Nodoka rebukes his statement. "We're not terrorists. We're revolutionaries. Terrorists kill innocents. Revolutionaries fight for them."
"Tell that to the Russian Revolution, the Chinese Revolution - the revolutionaries fought for the people, and then what? They stomp them into the ground if they dissent. This is the same crap I left, Hanamura!" He yells angrily.
"Don't dare compare me to those fools. The difference betwixt me and them, is that I have a conscience and willpower that will prevail beyond such corruption. I have enough power right now to knock that station behind Elgin out of orbit - I have the same power to plow Sera into Golanski's flagship and kill us all in a blaze of suicidal glory - but I won't do those things, because I know better, and I know how to not let power get to my head, like that madman Golanski, or that McIntosh you spoke of when you talked to us about your departure from Jiangxi, who apparently was the Head of the SCRA! Now I want you to get this through your thick skull, Miranov - We. Are not. Terrorists. If we were terrorists, do you think the Harpies would side with us still? Marcus and Seline have told me before, If I were to do something like that, They'd put a round in my head! Do you really think I'd risk that? Do you really, after knowing me for over half a year, think that I would act like Golanski!?" She says, yelling back at him, virulent anger in her voice and body language.
Alexei is left speechless. "... Nyet, Komandir. It's just I was concerned about your motives. You've been quite hush about your plans in Kusari, and the fact you have us all now wearing uniforms, and pledging a war against not just Kusari, but Gallia and the Order.. Given the odds, I was expecting you to be outright reckless and cause as much disruption for them all as possible, regardless of the costs." He says to her, concern still in his voice, but his anger swept from his presence.
"I'm not a fool Alexei, you know that. Right now we're just making it known to the crew what our plans are. I've had a few words with each head of the ship's divisions, and had them probe around. most of them seem onboard with it. Some are even willing to donate part or even their entire paychecks to the cause. All in all, I have a rousing speech prepared to rally the troops. There were many things my father taught me. One of them was how to get people on your side - and that is appeal to emotion. Not that I will lie to them, I'm going to tell them the unadulterated truth, but I will tell them in a way that gets them motivated to serve." Nodoka responds, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. The door opens, revealing a hallway to the Front Hangar. Honya proceeds to nod to her partner. "I will see you at the Mess Hall, Hanamura-sensei." She says, before moving out the door, and heading into the hangar a few feet away from the Elevator.
"Yeah. I'm honestly sick of seeing my DI, that Jaji needs a good kick in the face sometime." She says to mark, before noticing Honya enter the Hangar.
Once inside she moves to greet the group in her uniform. "Konnichiwa, Minna-san. Welcome to the Abdicant Seraphine. It's good to have you back." She says, greeting Bride and Mark. "Bride-nee-san, I hope your day was not too strenuous. Same goes for you, Mark-kun." She proffered, asking about their wellbeing.
"Stressful as usual, but I've been seeing more of my honey lately, so.. Not too bad." Bride responds, smiling to her sister.
Nodoka and Alexei are quiet as the elevator moves lower, Honya absent.
"Sorry about... the backlash, Komandir. I just had to speak my mind." Alexei says to her, somewhat nervous.
Nodoka sighs and nods to him. "It's okay, Alexei. Contrary to what most believe, A military should take in opinion from its lower ranking officers for it to operate efficiently. Not always do COs have the best things in mind for their subordinates.. Just look at Vex. She left because of the psychopath in charge of the Order. Just - hear me out. The day I actually - honest to god, kill innocents, and not feel guilty about it or cannot in the slightest justify it - I'll let you put me down. No matter what I say, if I go mad, I want you to do it." She declares to Alexei, her eyes and voice piercing his very soul.
He is barely able to come to terms with it, but he obliges. "Vas ponyal, Supreme Commander." He says with a nod.
Nodoka proceeds to move her arm around him, consoling the concerned man. "There's no need to worry now, my friend. Today is a day of celebration - a day of rebirth. Today we tread a new path for Kusari and Sirius at large. One made with a single step, which eventually will consume vast swaths of space. And I want you to be here with us. Same with the Harpies, even though they're with Auxesia right now." Nodoka says, before pulling off him, and hearing the ding of the elevator.
"It's Showtime." Nodoka proclaims to Alexei, before stepping out to the Rear hangar to greet the rest of the Harpies. "Greetings everyone. Good to see you got here well." Nodoka declares to the group, greeting them with open arms. "It's been a short while since we had the gang back together, huh?" she continues, before looking to Seline. "Good to see you, Seline - Anything new in the world of the Harpy of Dublin?" She asks with a smile.
"Ho~? I'm surprised you know about my origins Hanamura." Seline chuckles at her old name being referenced. "Eh, I still haven't caught the attention of the Phalanx yet. So Alberts and Conway are still my commanding officers somehow, but hopefully the command structure will be normalized once things are sorted out and we're our own unit again." "Well if you manage to beat Keeper Leviathan like I beat Firmitas and I'm sure you'll go far." Alberts says, with his normal dry humor. "I'm sorry, Ah like having mah damn bones in one piece Alberts. Going up against someone and a tin can like is suicide." "You know I wonder what he'd think of you calling his body a tin can." "Do that and death is nicest thing Ah'll give you." "Eh, after getting blasted by my own invention I'm really not phased by threats like that." Noel steps between the two, putting a hand on Seline's chest. "Now now, no need to try and attack the girl... You know you'd just end up on the floor again. And while I would get a lot of enjoyment in watching it, this isn't why we're here." "Aye... I know dear, it's just a way of venting."
Mark hugs Bride tightly, and kisses her cheek. "Glad you see that as a good thing." Right after saying this he takes out the item he was playing with. A small black shard, one side of it is flat, baring a strange glyph. "It's k'vosh, an old memento that I keep it around as a good luck charm." He places it in her hand, closing it gently. "I hope it brings you some more Babe. Here's hoping for the best."
"I've heard whispers from your coworkers." Nodoka says to Seline, before observing the situation, and laughing at Birdie's retort. "I didn't expect you to be able to take out Seline. Sounds like she should spar with me or Honya sometime." Nodoka adds, only to turn to Alberts. "You? Take out him? So what Bride was writing home about wasn't exaggeration. Impressive to see that One of Auxesia's finest was beaten by his subordinate." She says to Alberts, impressed with his actions against Firmitas. She moves closer to Noel. "We.. never got to know each other better. It's something I want to change with both you and Seline someday. A day out in Gran Canaria sometime when I have free time to do things. Have Honya join us. A girls day out as it were, if you're up for it." Nodoka asks Noel, hoping for a positive response.
Jae-un responds to the hug in kind, returning a kiss on the lips. She steps away momentarily to look to the small shard he reveals to her, left in awe by its beauty. With her mind focused less on logical conclusions and more on Mark's words, left endeared, but all the while concerned. "Mark.. I.. I don't know what to say. Thank you.. but.. Aren't you concerned that with out it you might have some bad luck?" Bride warned, fearing for her loved one's wellbeing and safety.
Seline scoffs at the comment about Birdie beating her, followed by a giggle. "I've been dealing with Noel and Conway handing me my ass, I'd rather not have more doing so. Also, if you wanted to know about my life, just ask. I can give you better accounts then second and third hand sources." Noel, in response to Nodoka's proximity hugs her. "That sounds nice, it's been too long since I've seen that planet. But I'd suggest waiting for Cass to get her body before that, have her join the fun." "Thank you for your consideration, it's... Touching Noel." Cassiopeia responds with a smile.
"Hey, don't worry about me. I want you to have as much going with you as possible, I'll manage on my own power." He hugs her tightly, then goes to leave the hanger. "Come on, let's go join the others and get something to eat.
Nodoka nods her head gently at Seline's statement. "I'd love that, yes. There's always been a strong veneer of mystery about you, I must admit." Nodoka declares to Seline, before turning to Noel and Cassiopeia. "Yeah. I don't see why not - Cassiopeia has yet to experience the fun of shopping." She says, smiling at the AI. "I just wish I had your body prepared in time for the event. As such, Feel free anytime to come by for something to eat. It's on me. If Mark and Bride have anything to say about the food, they've said it's better than what you all have been eating for the past few weeks in basic." She turns to Birdie, and moves to hug her. "How are you doing, honey?" She asks her. "I hope all's been well with you." Nodoka continues, moving to kiss her. "Honya has missed you as well." she finishes, smiling at her.
Bride responds with a gentle nod, still somewhat concerned about him, only to turn to Honya. "Yeah. Coming bookworm?" She proclaims as she follows Mark, only to leave Honya somewhat flustered. "Eeeh! Chotto matte! It's my job to escort you there, not the other way around!" She says, moving quickly to keep up with Bride and Mark.
Elena in response to the affection blushes, before her eyes light back up, staring at Alexei "Oh right! I completely forgot to bring that out!" She says right before running back into the Garuda, almost a minute later she comes out with a long silver briefcase, coming up to Alexei and hefting it up. "I know, you said I didn't have to repay you for what you gave me. But I had a stroke of insperation so I made this new design, figured I'd give you the prototype template that the others will be based on, attachments and all." Elena offers him to open the case, resisting the urge to bounce up and down.