Smiled kindly while waving her hand dismissively "Mind it not, sister. I was merely curious so, in a worst case scenario, it'd be my fault. But that is not the case here. Besides, I was once into weapons myself. Still am to a certain extent."
She then proceeded to take another sip of her sake, her gaze fixed upon Msyu.
"Now then, I must ask. Would you be kind enough to describe your mentioned alien encounter from a while back ? With as many details as possible, please."
Msyu takes another sip from the Tea. Taking her time to put memories back together. Her expression changing in a heartbeat. From cheerful and carefree when she was explaining her hobby to very serious with a hint of nervousness.
"That day started completely ordinary, you know? It was actually on my day off. My personal reserves of Cardamine were almost gone so i went to get some. I buy it directly from Malta because i don't believe the middlemen on stations around Alpha. Everybody wants to make a bit extra so the stuff if often "watered down" if you know what i mean.
Anyway, i made it to Alpha from Beta jump hole. I felt something being amiss. You know the feeling when you catch something weird on the edge of your view but when you actually look there, you can't pin down what was the thing that caught your attention.
Well, i turned on the cruise engines and set heading to Malta. About 10 Klicks off Malta, i was approached by a patrol. It took them a few seconds to actually respond but when they did they didn't seem to address me. They broadcasted on all free frequencies so i could hear them. They went on something about Spirits and how they are welcome there. To be blunt i never cared about Outcasts as whole beside them being allies of The Chrysanthemums and being the source of Cardamine production so i only heard rumors about their... uhm... cultural quirks.
I found that the are acting weird but they were only members of the secondary fleet so i just thought that they overdid the dosage. I can imagine that it can happen even in the military. Stress and all. Nevertheless, i decided to fly the rest of the way on regular thrust. At least i wanted to..."
Msyu takes another sip, finishing her Tea. Setting the empty cup aside, she takes another moment to recollect what happened back then once again.
"...and then...
*sighs*
... then i saw the thing. Nomad, Spirit, K'hara. I don't care how they call it. It as roughly as big as your standard fighter but it didn't look like entirely solid. It kept a constant shape but... Nevermind.
People say... well, the Outcasts said that they can hear voices around the "Spirits". That it is their way of communication. I didn't hear anything though.
I think i spaced out for about a minute or so. The thing was still there, just outside and it was not moving.
I... You know the feeling when something really bad comes on your mind out of nothing but you push the thought back immediately, refusing to think about something like that. I couldn't. I don't know what it make me think about.
When the thing flew away after next five minutes of following by vessel and giving me a head ache, i just turned around and returned home. I couldn't get any sleep for next three days because of nightmares. I was waking up nearly every hour, screaming. I still have bad dreams of that encounter but they just fade away as they come."
Liara made herself comfortable as she leaned further into her seat. She took a final sip from her sake before placing the empty cup on the table, listening to Msyu's story intently.
As it all progressed, another figure appears for a few brief moments at the booth entrance. He signals Liara about somethink, not issuing a word in the process. As she noticed him, she passed a nod, sign that she acknowledged. A moment later the figure was gone and Liara returned her gaze towards Msyu.
"A rather interesting encounter I'd say. However, I doubt you realise how lucky you are. The night horrors are understandable. However, most people turn to them and are branded traitors, go insane, missing in action, or are outright killed from the first encounter. And that's just about the ones we know so far."
As they were conversing, another pilot seemed to approach the booth. He stepped inside and bowed while next to the entrance "Liara-sama. Lord Hashirama has arrived." he announced before a man in golden-clad armor adorned with ancient ornaments stepped in the room with an escort. The man looked sturdy, a figure who's visibly acquired some years of life experience and wisdom, all the while being made no less intimidating by the attire he was wearing.
Despite it all, the man flashed a warm smile upon glancing at Grey "Aah, Liara! How have you been, dearest ?" he inquired kindly before noticing she had guests "Eh, did I interrupt anything ?" he then inquired after a brief pause, his gaze eyeing the other two Chrysanthemums in the room.
The newly arrived seemed to hold a high posture as Liara stood up to bow humbly, while her agent stood at attention and saluted the man.
"Greetings father. All is good, we were just finishing a meeting." she replied kindly before her gaze would shift towards Msyu.
"Lucky, huh..? Well i dare say that we would be able to at least defend ourselfs against single fighter class in a gunboat but we would risk a lot doing it in front of outcast patrol. We could probably..."
Msyu stops talking as another guest walks in and confronts Liara. Observing Liara's sudden humble behavior, Msyu stands up and bows right as the Elder turns towards her. Caught somewhat off guard, she greets the guest with frantic enthusiasm.
The elderly Dragon patron's piercing gaze was cast at Msyu right after she spoke, a moment before the man flashed a kind smile, bowing his head in reply.
"And it is my pleasure to have the acquaintance-..miss ?" he paused shortly after realising they had not been introduced.
Liara bumps in by standing between them at one side of the table "Msyu, this is Senju Hashirama. The leader and elder member of the Hashirama clan, a group mainly focusing on the safeguarding of the Blood Dragon torritories bordering alien space, and last but not least-..my father." she presented the newly arrived figure somewhat surprised by his visit herself as she then turns towards the elder "Dad, this is Msyu, of the Chrisanthemum Sisterhood. We were just finishing our meeting." she added.
Hashirama quirked an eyebrow as Liara adressed him "Oh ? I sincerely hope I did not interrupt anything of note." he replied while stepping to the side, clearing the way out should anyone decide to leave.
Liara shook her head "Ofcourse not." and then turned towards Msyu "Well, I'm grateful we were able to conversate regarding this matter. We shall speak again another time. For now, you are free to go by your business. Cobalt here will escort you to your ship."
That being said, Liara's agent was already by the door awaiting Msyu.
Several weeks past, devoid of any unusual activity or notable figures upon the station untill recently.
The atmosphere on Ryuku stirred lightly as things would soon be set in motion, without a single individual oblivious to the upcoming events.
At the bar, the notorious pair of Dragons, Yasuo and Ibisu, take a few hours of R&R after their shift, each of them sipping from their warm sake while exchanging words, their gaze focused on the Shogi board between them.
Yasuo stared at the pieces, uneasy, his gaze darting towards his partner for brief moments ever so often. Upon a single moment while Ibisu looked the other way, Yasuo moved to cheat by switching the position of two pieces upon the board, all while pretending to make a move "Your turn."he mumbled with fake confidence.
Ibisu looked back at the board after a few brief moments. He analised his position and made a move, his pawns still in a strong position despite his partner's trick. "Heard the rumours, lately ?"the man inquired in a low tone.
"Yeah, I've heard a few things. Word has it, there's going to be a meeting here. Senju-sama is attending personally. Guess that's why he's been on the station for the past few days."Yasuo replied casually, yet striving to keep the facade as he felt the strain of his partner within the game. He made a move, what seemed to be his best choice, hoping for the best.
"It's been a while since the clans came together for a council. This isn't just another meesly discussion. The Dragons will be on the move again, and word has it, there'll be some distant friends attending the meeting to follow."Ibisu continued. He then paused after making another move on the board, going for his cup and taking a sip of his drink.
Yasuo scratches his face with his fingers gently as he notices he's being crushed in the game. He sighed deeply while taking a gulp of sake. Once more, he noticed his partner look away, and immediately moved to switch a few pieces on the board, this time thinking he ensured his victory."Oh, a new face joins the scene ? Who is it this time ? Also, check the board. I think we're done here."he smirked afterwards.
Ibisu quirked an eyebrow as he inspected the pieces on the board. After a quick, unnoticed glance at Yasuo, the Dragon took a few long moments to analise the game and made one last move."Nobody new. But word has it The Order is starting to get involved. For real this time. Also, you were right. Shogi, I win."
Yasuo nearly choked on his drink as he noticed he lost again"Oh come on! How'd you get me this time..?"he started whimpering as his partner, calmly replied before sipping from his drink"Your trickery has short legs, easily outrunned by truth and strategy."
Admiral Golanski roamed familiar corridors of Ryuku towards a bar, where as he was informed meeting would take place. Shortly before his arrival, he notified Blood Dragons of imminent guest, leaving himself bit of time to relax in a bar of their choice. All faces encountered seemed mostly unaware of him, most likely recruits or people too busy with their duties to care. Two warriors that noticed entering admiral were oblivious to his importance. It seemed as if good share of local garrison did not remembered struggle of their alliance. Perhaps it was just his perception as Michal expected at least hint of recognition among his allies. Nevertheless, he has heard of Hashirama. A thought passed through his mind that current state of affairs may not be caused by flawed memories but morale of less than unified clans of Blood Dragons. Perhaps these people would change it.
As those he was meant to meet with have not assembled yet, he took a seat next to a free table. Such moments of relative quiet were rare to catch these days. Admiral knew little of what to expect from these people, except his current host. Thorough intelligence was yet to be gathered and upstarting council is likely to lack clear direction for all involved yet.
After a while, a shady figure strolled through the crowd with its pressence barely noticed. Within moments, the person made its way to Michal's table directly. The figure approached and flashed a salute before taking the liberty of having a seat.
"Admiral, it's an honor to see you in person. Agent Cobalt, I run affairs for Commander Grey within house space." he introduced himself, the enthusiasm in his words contradicting his emotionless visage.
"We should get moving, sir. Hashirama is expecting your arrival and, we shouldn't keep the clan head waiting." he politely suggests shortly after, yet still seated, allowing for Golanski to take his time.
Within the fortified Ryuku Outpost, the docks worked tirelessly nowadays in deploying, receiving and generally maintaining a constant, alarmingly busy flow of scout fighters both of Dragon and Order design as the situation seemed to calm down to a more acceptable normality within the Hydra's Nest. The two ever-present figures of the locale, Yasuo and Ibisu, sat and enjoyed some R&R at a cup of sake and a good game of Shogi.
"Hey, Ibisu-kun. Hear the latest rumour ? People around here've been saying we'll have a strange visitor these days. Apparently, Lord Hashirama's meeting some shaddy fellow from some sort of group associated with the Hogosha."Yasuo mumbled after taking a sip of his sake, his subject of discussion, as always, a futile attempt to distract his partner's attention from the game.
Ibisu quirked an eyebrow in sheer curiosity as he too sipped from his beverage"You ought to stop listening to everything everyone says. Even if that were to be true, I'm sure Senju-sama's doing this for an opportunity to use his katana up-close once more."the man replied coldly as his focus from the Shogi board was untouched, making his move as he spoke.
Yasuo began scratching the back of his head, his common reaction towards being clueless about how to not get stomped in the game again."Well, believe it or not, that might not be the case. Everyone's been asked to stay put unless instructed otherwise. The boss is starting to move, you know ? Seems to me like this fellow that's supposed to arrive means business."
Ibisu was set back at the game as he fell into contemplation, trying to rationalise the upcoming event and its consequences according to each outcome. Yasuo was never too bright at strategy, but he knew the game well. Due to Ibisu's spacing out during the last move, he immediately took advantage to sieze the game with one swift move.
"AH-HA! I got you! I finally got you!"the man would burst with joy and pride as he poured himself another cup of sake and chugged it down victoriously.
Only then did Ibisu notice he had lost for the first time in a long period. He picked up his cup and smiled faintly.
"I guess times are indeed changing afterall.."he mumbled and then sipped his drink.