Hey guys, sorry about the inconsistency, as I mentioned before, I am new to this. I also recently found that the head notes and foot notes that I posted for the first two chapters didn't show completely, so I apologize for that. I will try to post a new chapter within three days of the last one, if possible. Also, the length of these chapters will probably vary a bit, but they will always be between 1100-1850 words. I hope you enjoy!
The Hermera, early morning
A shuttle touches down on the flight deck, its rear facing the hangar in which the VFs reside. Captain Arad and Captain Ernest are standing behind the shuttle as it touches down. Mirage is with them as well. After the shuttle's engines power off, the rear doors open to reveal a masculine figure. The shadows that cover his face dissipate as he steps forward. His face and his hair are almost identical to his profile image. However, his shoulders are broader, slightly more so than Captain Arad's, his arms visibly toned, his legs equally so. He looks like a soldier, but even Captain Ernest had seen dedicated close combat specialists with less bulk. The most notable feature is that there are two scabbards on his back, presumably swords, and rather large ones at that, as the blades run down to the mid section of his upper legs. Mirage couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the notion of someone using swords in this day and age, but she quickly remembered the Aerial Knights that they'd fought with used swords in close combat as well, and efficiently at that. He glances between the three members of the trio standing before him, before focusing his gaze upon Captain Ernest's.
"I assume you are Captain Ernest Johnson?" His voice is smooth and his tone somewhat resembles Hayate's, although sounding noticeably older.
"That is correct. These are my closest subordinates, Captain Arad, and First Lieutenant Jenius. You are Shiro Okumura, yes?" Ernest responds.
"Then I also understand that by traveling here, you accepted the contract that was sent to you?" Ernest asks.
"Yes. I understand you are in need of an individual who is capable of intense close quarters combat, while also being able to protect a certain high-value individual?"
"Correct, although it would probably be preferable to discuss these things in somewhere more private." Ernest notes, seeing as how they were still on the open flight deck of the Hermera.
"I agree, it is a pleasure to meet you both, Captain Arad, Lieutenant Jenius." Shiro responds, his tone polite but his expression stoic.
"Likewise." they both respond at almost the same time.
"I feel it would be beneficial to you to take a brief tour of the Elysion, so that you may at least familiarize yourself with the layout of the Elysion. You will have to pardon all of the noise and construction, as we are still undergoing repairs." Ernest states.
"Not a problem." Shiro says, "Is there a place that I may place my belongings while we explore the ship?" Shiro asks.
"You mean your blades?" Arad asks.
"No, I am comfortable holding both of my blades on back, I was referring to the rest of my equipment." Shiro says as he motions to a large, strange, floating box that hovered behind him at a small, but sizable distance.
"What is that object?" Mirage asks, curious about the large floating box-like object. It took up 2/3 of the aisle in the shuttle, she noticed.
"This, for all intents and purposes, is my mobile armory, in which I store my armaments and belongings." Shiro explains. "I have no problems with leaving it anywhere, as it only opens to me and those that I authorize, it's just I think it would be somewhat obstructive sitting on a flight deck, which is still active."
"If it is capable of moving on its own, then I do not mind if it follows us around." Ernest states.
With the matter settled, the group proceeded to move into the Hermera's hangar. However, just before Ernest could begin, a young girl with long, green hair and what appeared to be a squid ornament on her head walked up to the Captain and handed him a data pad. He look annoyed for a moment, but after a minute or so of glaring at the data pad, he simply sighed and spoke in discernibly to Arad, who simply nodded and walked up to Shiro.
"It looks like the Captain has an important visitor, and one that he can't afford to ignore. I also have to be present with the Captain, so Lt. Jenius will be escorting you through the ship, along with one of the members of Walkure."
"Walkure?"
"Lt. Jenius will cover all that, we should be done in about four hours, which will probably bet the time it takes you to explore this ship."
And just like that, Arad hurried off with the Captain and the girl, presumably his secretary, or something.
Mirage walked up to Shiro, and explained, "I guess you haven't really heard about all of the stuff that's been happening around here lately, have you?"
"It would appear that way," Shiro noted, his expression as blank as when he first arrived.
"Well don't worry about it," Mirage smiles a bit as she talks "Makina and I will ensure that you know all that you need to know."
"Makina? Is she one of the pilots?" Shiro asks, somewhat confused by the informality of the way people were addressed.
"No, she's a mechanic, and one of the singers in the tactical sound unit, Walkure."
"Well, that explains a lot of things," Shiro states, mentally combining the recent information with past information about an all girls band jumping from planes and singing to ultra-violent individuals who, more often than not, were piloting some sort of Variable Fighter or were a Zentradi soldier gone berserk.
"Oh, speaking of which, here she comes." Mirage says, breaking Shiro's mental train of thought.
The first thing that stuck out to him, unlike most men upon seeing Makina, was that she didn't look like a mechanic at all, although he could believe that she was a singer, as her bubbly personality and her rather curvaceous body figure made it obvious. What Shiro thought, although he never let it show, is that it should be literally impossible to properly work on any machinery with her body and her choice outfit. He didn't show any reaction in regards to that thought, even when Makina obviously teased him when she "tripped" on an object that he missed and landed with her rear in the air, much to the disdain of his other guide.
After he made it blatantly clear that such behavior would not yield a reaction from him, she stopped, but not before giving him a playful pout, and they promptly resumed the tour. Half an hour in, Makina's cell rang, and she said she had to get back to work on the Hermera's hangar bay, leaving Shiro alone with Mirage.
One and half hours later
"Well, that's about all you need to know, for now at least, Mr. Okumura."
"Thank you, Lt. I certainly appreciate the help."
"Are you sure you don't have any questions? You only asked where your quarters were, and the fastest way to the bridge and the hangar bays."
"I am certain that I am familiar enough with the ship to be able to navigate it. Please do not let me concern you."
"OK. If you have any complaints, please report them to my superior." Mirage states before she walks off.
Shiro looks at his watch, noting the time before glancing back at the floating box that followed him around. No one had asked about it, although it had attracted some attention from some of the crew members. Shiro couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen, as every time he had that gut feeling, something always happened. He rested for an hour, before he heard an alarm go off. Against better judgement, he decided to grab a high caliber sidearm from it and stowed it in his jacket, along with three extreme density magazines for it, in addition to his swords. As he ran to the bridge of the Elysion, he heard shouts and two high pitched screams, both distinctly different. He doubled his pace and rushed towards the door.
He was not expecting to find what he saw in the bridge.
So, tell me what you guys think of the story so far, and leave a review! Also, I don't do next chapter previews, unless I get a specific request for one, so if you want, you must ask!