Nodoka smiles to the girl, only seconds later to notice her gaze at Alexei, only for her to depart back to the Garuda. The man is left surprised by the girl's aberrant behavior. As Birdie returns, Alexei eyes the silver case, only to have it hefted before him as some sort of tribute. "Well Babushka.. I have to admit I like the gift. Let's see what's inside." He says, opening up the case on an adjacent hoverbench, Enclosed is what looks like an AK-family assault rifle with a Kobra Collimator sight, however, one of the striking features, its curved magazine, is replaced by a similarly shaped silver battery, with lights signifying its' power status, along with a heat dispensal port on the opposite side. Markings on it designate it as 'VIRGO AR PROTOTYPE 1'. Among other things, the Barrel consists of a single steel pipe that seems to be responsible for carrying energy from the rifle out as a projectile. On the other side of the rifle is a steel silver stock, and the Carrier Spring's ridged end replaced with a digital 'rounds remaining' counter. He looks into the container to see a suppressor, vertical grip, Flashlight, Thermal sight and Sniper scope inside, along with a mounting rail for the gun. He is left speechless as he tears up a little. "... Birdie.. I don't know what to say. It's beautiful. From the looks of it, you did an amazing job converting the AK family to the Virgo system. As a marksman I can't say anything less than that you did a job well done, Babushka."
Elena gives everything a visual check, smile not fading as Alexei examines it. "Thank you, this prototype is unique, the main design is based off of the rifle you gave me. It was something I had pretty much unlimited access to, but with the attachments and kits it proved to be inefficient, so the newer ones have a more modern design. So this baby isn't only the first of her kind, but she's the only one of her kind. Granted with the heavy fire support and beam kits it'll look clunkier and is bit unwieldy compared to the standard, the guts are still the same, so if anything get's slightly wonky just call and I can send you replacement parts. Oh, and if you have any questions on how to install the attachments, just consult the manual I put in there, don't worry, Cass made sure to "De-Birdie" it and make it look like an actual piece of information." Elena steps back, proud of her work. She turns back to the group and giggles. "So, we going to meet up with the others or not?"
Alexei nods, closing the case with the contents inside. "I am definitely trying this out when we're done."
Nodoka turns to Birdie. "Yes. Let's. Knowing Honya, they're probably either yakking it off in the other hangar or at the lunch hall already." Nodoka declares, turning around towards the elevator. Alexei collects the gun case and joins Nodoka again.
The trio arrive before the rest of their group. The Mess Hall on the Seraphine is vast, seating at most 300 people. The walls are white and adorned with the many flags of the Houses, Quasi-houses and factions of Sirius. On each uniform of the crew inside seems to be emblems signifying their origin. Some carrying Dragon badges, others with Emblems of the Roi, among others. On each table seems to be a sealed box containing something, of which a note was left on them, asking that the boxes be left alone until asked by Nodoka. To the front of the mess is the kitchen, where numerous lines exist, consisting of quite a few more than before when Bride and Mark had been there previously. Offering delicacies from throughout Sirius - Kusarian, Gallic, Libertonian, Rheinlandic, Hispanic and even a section dedicated to desserts, the Seraphine's mess hall puts other military vessels, and even factions - to shame. Honya looks to the two of them. "We've expanded a little since your brief departure. Some of new crew decided to join the Mess Hall team - specifically a few gallic men from the Roi that fled to Bretonia a few months back. Hanamura-sensei said they were looking for work since no one would give them work." Honya says, smiling. "The Dessert section offers quite the choice of ice cream and sweets. It's personally my favorite before the food from my homeland. Anywho - I will leave you two to pick. See you at the Commander's table. You all have reserved seats." Honya continues, bowing and walking off into the kitchen.
"Well... Let's get started, huh?" Bride says, heading into the Kitchen, going towards the line for Liberty, and proceeding to collect a tray.
Mark looks at the the new members of the crew and chuckles softly. "If we could fight as well as the staff could cook, I'm pretty sure that the Order wouldn't stand a chance." He moves to the Kusarian area, looking over the various Curries offered, choosing a plate with a piece of fried pork on top of the rice. After thanking the cook he takes his seat next to Bride, looking at the box in front of him. Leaning over to her and saying."Any idea what this is about?"
Once the main group arrives, Seline looks around and whistles "Damn Hanamura, give you a Carrier and you turn it into a resort. This is good work you and your men have been doing, I'm happy you haven't gone to crap after what we did." She says to Nodoka, still slightly embarrassed about their lack of communication.
Bride shrugs. "I know just as much as you do, Mark. Square root of **** and all." She says, biting into one of two large cheeseburgers. She looks to the group arriving, clearing her mouth. "About time they showed up.. What's that thing Alexei's carrying. Never seen it before." She resumes, curious about the case carrying the Virgo Assault Rifle Prototype.
Honya proceeds to sit down adjacent to Nodoka's seat. To the left of her is a placard for Elena, and to the right of Nodoka's seat, one for Cassiopeia. Her tray consists of a simple, yet large, burrito, and a bowl of vanilla ice cream. The girl, unlike most people, uses a knife and fork to cut open and consume the Hispanic morsel. "I don't know.. It does look nice, though." She suggests, before collecting a pin on her seat's placard, and placing it upon her chest. It seems to be a symbol of the House of Kusari. A similar one is seen on Nodoka's, that, of Kusari, but with a familiar planet behind it - that of Earth. It seems to symbolize herself as a first generation Kusarian.
"Thank you. A well tended to army is one that fights well. And with what I have planned, I will not accept anything more or less than the best for my men." Nodoka declares. "Feel free to consume as much food as you wish. Although we use a NFC system for collecting payment for food, I've disabled it for all of you as our guests. Consider it a token of appreciation, after making up for your mistake in the past." She continues, before looking to Seline again. "All is forgiven. You made a mistake, and you owned up to it. You and Mark both. I would expect nothing more, nothing less, in the same situation if I were to leave you hanging like that -- Now, feel free to eat your hearts out. Not literally of course, but still, enjoy yourselves. You have seats arranged for you at my table." Nodoka comforts, before departing into the kitchen. Alexei chimes in briefly. "I have to give my thanks to you as well, to be honest. I.. worry myself about Song quite a bit. Her leaving for Auxesia had me concerned when Hanamura started talking about her condition. She.. she may get on my nerves, but I do care about her. So.. Thank you. Thank you for helping her."He says, seconds later, heading into the kitchen behind Nodoka.
Mark looks up after getting a few bites in him, tilting his head at the case. "No idea. Looks like Birdie brought it, whatever it is."
The group separates grabbing food from the various selections and moving to their designated seats. Cass looks a bit nervous, being so close to the center of attention and worried that she'll attract more since she's the only one without food. But is comforted by the other Harpies. Seline looks over to Honya. "It's good to see you all again, I missed seeing the group all together."
Honya obliges with a smile, as Nodoka returns with some Hispanic fare, a large burrito with some guacamole and tortilla chips on the other side of the tray. A plastic canister contains a blend of mochi and vanilla ice cream, slightly larger than Honya's cup.
"It's good to see you too, Seline-san." Honya proclaims to Seline, only for Jae-un to interject. "Yeah. I've missed seeing mister grumpy over there yelling at me every day." She says, pointing her little finger at Alexei, sitting down with some Rheinlandic fare on his tray. "Da, da, laugh it up. Remember, I have control of the access systems to the ship." he retorts, poking fun at her.
"And I know the access systems in and out, your point?" Jae-un rebukes, returning the favor.
"We're here to enjoy each other's company, not murder each other." Nodoka interrupts, wanting to keep things civil.
"Relax, relax, Hanamura. I'm just messing with him." Jae-un responds, trying to get her friend to calm down.
"It's good to have you all here. Today is going to be a turning of the page in all of our lives. Although I look at it with some regret that I could have done more beforehand.. I feel it is finally time." Nodoka comments, before looking to the group, and taking a deep breath and standing up. "I will be with you all in a moment." She continues, before moving to a small elevated stage at the end of the mess hall, and standing before a podium. She taps the microphone upon the podium gently, gathering the attention of the crew of the Seraphine, broadcasting to the mess hall, as well as to the bridge and all other areas of the ship.
"Attention to all hands and guests aboard the Abdicant Seraphine. Today begins the day where we march forth to fufill the purpose I have called you all forth for."
"Some of you are greenhorns, nuggets who can barely fly or fight. Some of you are war-torn veterans. Your blood bled by causes new and old."
"From the many houses, quasi-houses and factions of Sirius you have come here. You have come seeing fame, seeking fortune, seeking hope for a brighter future."
"As for me.. I come from terra. From mother earth, lightyears away."
"I am a first generation Kusarian. I long ago abandoned my jus soli, after their ideals betrayed mine. After the Keiretsu, Kishiro, used me as some damn dog, and experimented on me, by keeping me cooped up in a cryopod for centuries."
"I was torn from my family. My loved ones. Who lived on without me, and hopefully, those who in my family's past, those who fought.. and died.. Hopefully did so in my name. To make attempts to set right the wrongs that this hallowed civil war in my homeland has caused."
"Upward mobility, in Kusari, is a nightmare. And much like in the other houses, prisoners are seen as slaves for the houses' dirty work. Women are seen as inferior to men, even though the state puts on a facade of giving a damn. The Keisatsu, Kempeitai and Kaigun, let alone the militaries of Sirius do nothing to curb the threat of the Slomon K'hara and their thralls knocking at mankind's door with a battering ram the size of a house!"
"All the while, the Blood Dragons have corrupted themselves into Royalists, no longer those pushing a more progressive and free future for the people of Kusari, and the Chrysanthemums, corrupted by Cardamine, believing falsely the words of Yuyu Matsuda were laced by her in the Orange devil that plagues Sirius, pushing a Misandristic future where the men of society are crushed under the boot of a matriarch! All the while, the Farmers Alliance wanes into Irrelevance, when it needs help the most, against the pathetic excuse for food provided by the Libertonian Synth Foods corporation, which has flooded not just Kusari, but the houses at large, Ruining Native markets and corrupting the culture of the houses!"
"This leaves only the Hogosha, who, although closely tied with Samura, Care truly for the state of Kusari, and wish her only the best - they too, like the Farmers, are bleeding out, their numbers dwindling."
"All the while, outside of my jus soli.. Gallia tears apart the houses in the name of the Roi's lies and deceit. They believe that my father and his fellow commanders in the Alliance - BETRAYED THEM. What reason would we, those seeking freedom and prosperity away from the Coalition, seek to harm the Gauls? I ask you, my brothers and sisters in arms, why? Why would we do such a vile thing?"
Nodoka halts for a second, the mess hall silently staring at her. She looks around, seeing the faces of the men and women of the crew looking back at her. Honya and Alexei look on in amazement at the speech so far, whilst Bride looks on, capitvated by the speech.
"There also lies within the Omicrons, demons just as vile as the Slomon K'hara. These demons, whether you believe or not - are the Order. This once proud organization, the beating heart of the fight against the Nomads, once led by the great Casper Orillion, who, alongside Edison Trent, Jun'ko Zane, and Michael King, Fought valiantly against the Nomads outside Toledo nearly 25 years ago, taking the battle to their doorstep, and driving them away!"
"Although they have returned once more, the Order is now a bumbling, insane joke of an organization, led by one Michal Golanski - Grand Admiral - if you can even call a monster like him Grand, of the Order Overwatch! This.. "human being" as he seems to think himself, threatened to declare war on Zoner Society, glassing Gran Canaria, the sacred Jewel of the Zoners, and of personal opinion, the closest damn thing to my home in Sirius, As well as obliterating every Freeport within range of the primary fleet! Why? Because the Zoners dared to make peace with The Core! God forbid, after the death and destruction caused by Erik Nodtivet, That the people of Freeport 11, under then-Administrator Kyu Akibara, take the olive branch from then-guildmistress Enma Loyola for the sake of ensuring their mutual safety, and even then, have the Zoners establish an annex, Carthage, as a token of peace! Yes, the Core are another kind of devil entirely, but still - These people wanted peace after months if not years of bloodshed! Not to mention the various other evil acts they have committed, all the while ignoring, or in the case of the battle for Freeport 11 in October of 824, siding with the Nomads!"
Nodoka's booming and charismatic voice has an effect on the audience, the whole group staring at her, men and women throughout the ship doing vital work, stopping what they are doing to listen to the speech.
"Do you see now, why Michal Golanski is a demon? He is no hero. He is not even human. He is a mere demon, that must be slain, to avenge the wrongdoings he has done, and to set right the Order Overwatch, and unite as one, to fight against the Nomads, and end this nightmare mankind has been dealing with for the past 25 goddamn years!"
"Our goal.. our duty, is to Kusari. To mold her into a shining beacon of hope for mankind. A force, albeit to be lambasted as demons ourselves, by the media - eventually to be seen as heroes of the cause that befits our fate. All the while, slaying the demons in the Order and the Roi, who dare threaten mankind with their greed, incompetence and lust for power."
Nodoka looks to the pin on her chest, tugging at it softly.
"Now. As part of this ceremony. I ask of you to collect the items from the boxes on your tables. In them.. contains a pin of the ouroboros, the symbol of endless death and rebirth. Just like many have been born and died for causes like ours, we too rebirth ourselves, but not without relinquishing our origins. If you wish to go forward.. and join me. Place the pin upon your chest. If you feel unfit.. or unworthy of this cause... place the pin down.. and depart to the Hangar. You will be sent to Invergordon, and allowed go where you wish from there. I will not think lesser of you if you do so now."
Nodoka looks around, looking for deserters.
No one has departed. The entire crew, moving to don the badge of the ouroboros, remains faithful to Nodoka and her cause. The crew around the ship as well, don the badges, left in smaller boxes that were given to them prior to the speech by their commanders.
She takes a moment to wait for everyone.
"I thank you for your momentous decision. Today.. we unite as one. We unite in a cause for Kusari and Mankind at large!"
Nodoka stops for a second, only to have a flag fall from below, bearing the emblems of two snakes.
"Today.. we are Ouroboros!" Nodoka declares to the ship, before raising her fist into the air.
Nodoka proclaims as loud as she can, with Honya joining in, Chanting, with Alexei and the crew of the Seraphine rapidly joining in.
"Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!" Can be heard, Echoing throughout the ship, Singing the birth of a new faction in glorious harmony.
Nodoka looks over the mess hall, seeing the men chanting in unison. After a half minute, she declares again to the ship. "At ease, everyone. I love your vivaciousness, but I believe you all deserve to resume your celebrations. Another round of food and drinks, Courtesy of High Command, for crew and guests alike! Thank you!" Nodoka says, stepping away from the podium, and moving down, back to her seat.
"Hanamura-sensei! That was.... that was.. Amazing! I can't think of anything better to define it!" Honya proclaims in a ecstatic fashion, only for Bride to interject. "I have to say this much. Makes me wish I was with you lot still and not with Auxesia. But still, Nothing will take me away from being with Mark and the little bird over here." Jae-un says, looking briefly at Elena.
The Harpies look on, joining the applause then turning their attention to the pins. All staring at it, feeling the weight of the decision that is put in front of them. Seline stands up, looking to Hanamura and then the crowd that has taken notice of their lack of action on the choice. "An incredible speech Nodoka, seeing you come this far makes me proud to know have known you. Even if it has only been a short time... But the actions of Nodtivet and Golanski can't be excused, can't be simplified by calling them demons. They are human, just like you, just like me... While we cannot take your banner, due to our already bearing the standard of Auxesia. I can promise you, and all here one thing. For every push, there is pull. For every light there is a darkness. If we can't be with you in the light, then we will thrive in the darkness, we stand behind you. Unflinching, unwavering. We will be your shadow. Your eyes in the darkness. The beast who watches the rear guard, but doesn't announce itself. It's time that people learn that while we may look harmless, we are still the monsters, the ones who hunt those damned to the pits of hell. We are still the Harpies. While we can't bare your mark, we will stand with you all the same, Nodoka Hanamura. Call on us when the night falls, and when the monsters of Humanity rear their heads again!" With her words said, Seline takes the pin of Ouroboros and sticks it on her jacket, under the collar, out of sight. And the rest of the Harpies follow suit, placing it in spots hidden from those who don't know where to look. She sits down and says quietly to Nodoka. "And that. Is how I repay a debt." then proceeds to return to her food, happy with her decision.
"It's a debt well repaid. Now - Let's eat and be merry, yes? It's time to celebrate the turning of the page, and the future that awaits us all." Nodoka says, before sitting down and digging into her meal. "If there is one thing I love more that Sushi, it's burritos. It's unladylike to eat with your hands, but I can't help it. these things are heavenly when you combine the right ingredients, and a fork can't contain all the flavor that your mouth can." She continues. Honya nods, moments later disregarding her fork and knife and merely digging into the morsel with her hands, biting into it with her mouth open wide.
Bride joins the Harpies in placing the badge within her blazer, hiding it from prying eyes. She then proceeds to resume eating, munching down on the rest of the first burger. "Y'know.. Speaking of little birds.. I wonder.. how all did Elena meet Alberts, anyways?" Bride asks, turning to the eldest of the Harpies, curious about the origins of her 'second sister'.
Alberts looks at Bride and sighs. "I'm surprised you want to hear my account, I'm pretty sure you heard the basics from Birdie." He says with a raised eyebrow. Only for Mark to interject "Oh come on old man, regale her with how you and your buddies saved our gearhead." After a quick glare at Mark, Alberts relents. "It was a standard raid into Sigma-19, me and the rest of the Songbirds along with a Corsair Battlegroup looking for outcast to kill, Crow picks up a distress call near the Donryu cloud, so we go to check it out. Worst case it would be looted before we got there, once we reach Echo four we see the Liner her family owned. Then we saw why the call was sent out, a group of Outcast ships had fallen upon it. Now back then we had no idea what Johnathan Graham had done, we just saw a Gunship and a pair of fighters and we were spoiling for a fight. Me and Sop-..." He catches himself, looking down for a moment before continuing. "Bluejay... We moved in fast and grabbed the Gunship's attention while Tomas and the Corsair bombers made their attack vector. While the rest of the corsairs along with Crow dealt with the fighters. It survived the first volley of Torpedoes, but it lost most of it's weapons to the explosions, It didn't last much longer. Once it started to lose we shifted focus to the two fighters, our added pressure ended up doing them in, but not before taking out around half of the Corsairs.
After they were dealt with the Corsairs docked and moored with the Liner, Once I docked the fight was almost over, most of the Cartel members were dead or dying. Once we made it deeper in we found the crew and the passengers suffering from the effects of the Cardamine, the Imperials made the choice to put them out of their misery, while we made our we away from them... Not wanting to see that be done. We found a little girl crying her eyes out clinging to a body When we were talking about what to do she decided that, we were the ones who saved her. Clinging to me and calling me "Big Birdy" Because of the fact that we only referred to eachother by our callsigns. We were afraid that the Corsairs would dispose of her as well but once they figured out that she wasn't exposed to the gas they allowed us to take her away from that hell, I had planed to to leave her at an foster home but... I couldn't do it. Honestly I'm glad that I was as weak as I was then. Otherwise I wouldn't be as proud of the woman sitting in that chair as I am now." Alberts finishes, gesturing at Elena. "Hey, you aren't supposed to get all sentimental and sappy." she says with a slight blush.