Chapter Eight Chance Encounter
June 21st 2125AD
Dustine's variable fighter rocketed down the deck of the fortress class carrier, flew on a bit then banked to the right towards her first waypoint. Kyousuke's squad shot past her, taking point as usual, as the rest of her squad formed up along side her. Eila's squad caught with them shortly there after, as the combined unit charged after its target. The Katiyusha was not far, and the combined squadron caught up to it quickly.
Erica wagged her wings at the Katiyusha's compliment of Guardian Angel fighters, then frowned when they didn't wag their wings back. She keyed in a private channel then called out to her wing mate. "Looks like they're still unhappy with us, ma'am."
"Cut the chatter and keep your eyes open for any attacks," Dustine sighed, cut the private link then flipped a few switches. "Hammer lead to the Katiyusha. Do you read. Over."
There was a brief pause before the ship in question returned her call. "This is the Katiyusha. Over."
"Katiyusha, we've been assigned to escort you to your destination," Dustine spoke crisply over the commline. "Where do you want us? On point? Or do you want us off your portside or starboard side?"
There was another brief pause before the officer spoke up again. "Take point, please. Also...don't throw your life away like you did in the simulation. That is all. Over."
Dustine sighed, 'Guess I'm gonna have to just live that down.' Aloud she said, " 's move out."
"Yes ma'am!" The combined squadron harmonized, surged ahead a bit then took point in front of the Katiyusha's bow. They cruised on for a while, continuing to make reports to each other and the flagship. It was...not tense, exactly, but everone was on edge. There was a inner-system territorial war brewing, and they didn't know when things would flare up.
Dustine frowned then hummed when one of the ATX team members spoke up.
"Hey Boss," Excellen Browning called out to her.
"Yes?" Dustine replied back.
"If we're guarding them, who are we gonna trade them off too when we get to Ares's defensive fleet in area 16?" Excellen asked.
"Ares is sending their best." Dustine mused.
"Oh no, those girls are DOOMED."
"No joking, please..." Dustine sighed.
"Sorry, Sorry," Excellen laughed nervously. Dustine rolled her eyes then gazed back at the fleet looming ahead of them.
"Well, you KNOW Ares has a bad reputation when it comes to their pilots," Luchinni noted.
"No, no, no," Erica countered. "Your mixing them up with the Duchy of Artai's pilots. THEY are the ones that SUCK. Ares? One of the best."
"Ohhhhh!" Luchinni nodded.
"Knock it off the both of you," Dustine grumbled.
"Sorry, ma'am," The girls replied with grins on their faces.
Dustine did her best not to facepalm...then blinked when a boastful augh resounded in their ears. Dustine blinked, then nearly paled. "Eh...that voice...it can't be."
"I'm glad you're subbordinates think so highly of us, Ageni," A woman wearing a brown and white flightsuit noted impishly. She then grinned at the pilot as she sat in the cockpit of her Palladin class battlesuit. "Long time no see, by the way."
"R-RISTY!?" Dustine blushed a bit at the tanned skinned and red haired battlesuit pilot "I thought they locked away in jail and threw away the key."
"Eh, you know me," Risty winked at Dustine, grinning a bit more at the copper skinned variable fighter pilot. "I always know a way out tight situations."
"I know that all to well," Dustine sighed. Long long ago, Dustine and Risty served in the same squadron. Shy and uncertain, she nontheless fell head over heals for well toned and tanned skinned woman. However the relationship was a rocky one; Risty was always getting in trouble and sometimes dragging her into that trouble. "Everyone this is Risty. She's a former member of Wolf Squadron."
"Ma'am," several pilots said warily as they cruised on towards the forces amassed at area 16.
"So...how are we going to do this?" Risty asked.
"Trade the Katiyusha off at a certain waypoint then head back to base, I suppose," Dustine shrugged.
"Very well, which waypoint?" Risty asked.
"Waypoint Delta," Dustine said as she reviewed the Katiyusha's projected course. "Is that good for you."
"Yeah, that's good for us," Risty nodded.
"Good," The copper skinned pilot nodded. Dustine studied her tactical map, noting that the unidentified ships were not moving then switched to a tight-beam communication line to Risty. "Hey, Risty?"
"Confessing your love at last?" Risty grinned.
"Shut up!" Dustine growled.
"You wound me," Risty grinned. "What's up?"
"WE picked up unidentified vessels in the region. Did you guys get that too?"
"Yeah, dunno who they are though," Risty frowned.
"Yeah, we think their transponders might be damaged," Dustine mused
"Or they're pirates." Risty noted.
"WEll, yeah." Dustine conceded. "But why would pirates just be sitting there."
"Maybe they're waiting for the right moment?" Risty asked.
"Maybe," Dustine noted then sighed. "I suggest we keep an eye on them."
"I'll bump it up to Haruka," Risty promised then purred. "Maybe we can discuss the details later...in a more private setting?"
"Maybe when hell freezes over. Mind on business, lady."
"Party pooper," Risty half pouted, half grinned. "Hey. Remember that time on maneuvers when you fell in that gorge and I nursed you back to health."
"We promised never to bring that up again!" Dustine blushed.
"Aw, admit it, you liked being tended too," Risty teased. Dustine blushed. Hard. The red head grinned. "Ah I see you did."
"We will talk about this LATER. Captain." Dustine growled then cut the line.
"Gah. She really needs to loosen up." Risty sighed, then her team moved up to take their spots as Dustine pulled out. She watched the combined squadron bank away from bank away and cruise on the their next waypoint. "Queen's Blades to Katiyusha, we've taken over Hammer Squadron's position, over."
There was a pause before Tsubasa spoke up. "Roger that. Are you as dangerous as people say?"
"More." Risty smiled winking at her. "Especially to pretty girls."
"Remind me not to let you on the ship." Tsubasa deadpanned. "Katiyusha out."
"Awww!" Risty whined.
Dustine shook her head as she listened until they got out of range.
'Idiots,' she decided.
"Lt. Colonel, that woman was...so so...so lewd and disrespectful of you." Perrine stammered then grumbled. "How could you even work with a woman like her?!"
"Other cultures, Perrine. Gotta make some allowances."
"Besides, you haven't met Kanan yet." Excellen added.
"Kanan?" Perrine blinked.
"One of the former servants of Baral," Kusuha noted then blushed. "She's very...flirty with women."
"Worse than Risty?" Dustine asked skeptically.
"Oh yeah," Excellen said "She even flirted with me."
"Maybe she just liked you?"
"She flirts with anything vagurly girl shapped..."
"Someone I'm sure I'd want to meet," Dustine noted wryly then glanced over her tactical screen "Can the chatter, folks, we're nearly on our target."
"Yes ma'am," The combined squadron harmonized as they surged towards the un-identified ships.
Dustine frowned thoughtfully, never seeing ships like these before. She guessed it would be about 2/3 long as a Fortress Class, but it was a strange, slightly off balance design. While Dustine didn't have a encyclopedic knowledge of ships, she GENERALLY knew the designs of the major alien races. And this didn't match any of them. Still there wasn't a singal from the silvery ships and it looked like they had took some damage.
Dustine recorded the mages of the ships then sent a tight beam message to the Wolfram. "Hayate, we have uninvited guests. Orders?"
Holy crap," Hayate breathed out. "Use first contact protocols, and keep us connected," she said, "I want to see what happens. Good luck."
She then opened a channel and hailed the damaged flotilla of ships.
"Attention unidentified ships, This is Lt Colonel Ageni assigned to the 146th UN SPACY expiditonary fleet," Dustine spoke up crisply over the open channel. "Please state your emergency so we can assist you. I repeat this is Lt Colonel Ageni...please state your emergency so we can assist you."
There was a bit of static then a woman spoke politely over the comm line "Lt. Colonel Ageni...is it?"
"Er...yes?" Dustine blinked.
"Oh thank goodess, it's been ages since I've seen you, dear," The polite woman spoke.
"Er..." Dustine blinked.
"Dusty chan...is there something your not telling us?" Excellen Browning asked.
"Dusty?" The polite woman gasped in surprise. "Then your not Erika Ageni?"
"Er...no...I'm her younger sister," Dustine made an odd face trying to hide her blush. "Who is this? Identify yourself...and can you please state your emergency."
There was a pause before an image of a woman with royal purple hair appeared on her main screen. "I am Ayeka Masaki Jurai, Princess of Jurai and envoy of the Galactic Republic. Our ship has been damaged during combat with the Grel and are in need of repairs."
"The Grel?" Dustine frowned then blinked when Hayate's image appeared on her screen. "Commodore?"
"Welcome to Unity government territory Princess, I'm Commodore Hayate Yagami," Hayate nodded to the princess. "My readings show we have similar technology. Would you like some assistance?"
"THank you, yes," Ayeka smiled in relief.
"Who are the Grel, by the way?" Dustine HAD to ask.
"Vicious beasts who hate all forms of culture," Ayeka frowned.
"That sounds like..." Erica Hartmann frowned.
"Do you have an image of these Grel, your highness," Dustine asked.
"One moment," Ayeka nodded and an image of what appeared to be a zentradi with red skinn color appeared on her monitor. Dustine frowned. He looked very angry and was about to punch whomever was taking the image.
"Damn," Dustine scowled and sent over the image to Hayate in a tight beam.
Hayate scowled as well then spoke up over the commline. "Very well. We'll send technicians over to your flotilla. Do you have any fighters or other mecha to defend your ships?"
"Unfortunately the Grel destroyed most of them, the remainder have been damaged," A new voice spoke up, the image switching over to a woman who had long light blue hair.
"Who?" Dustine blinked.
"This is twin sister, Tsunami," Ayeka nodded.
'Pretty,' Dustine noted.
"Very well," Hayate nodded then flipped a few switches. "Hammer squadron...Scepter squadron...you are to guard the Galactic Republic Ships. Do you copy."
HOw far behind you are the Grel?" Dustine asked intently.
"We successfully defeated the group tailing us, but their main fleet is traveling in this direction."
"Crap." Dustine swore.
"You have... possibly a few weeks." Ayeka noted gravely.
Dustine frowned then glanced at Hayate's image. "Commodore..."
"I'll contact commend," Hayate nodded then sighed. "Stay with them for now, all right."
"Yes ma'am," Dustine nodded.
"We do have space in the hangar now if you need to refuel, Lt Colonel," Tsunami nodded.
"Thank you," Dustine nodded then sighed.
"Good luck and keep me posted," Hayate said as she cut the connection.
"Shit," she sighed, then swiftly composed a message to command. She sent it away then sagged in her seat. "Things are about to get complicated."
Meanwhile, Dustine chewed at her lip, wondering what to tell her elder sister. She frowned, continuing to chew on it in the back of her mind then made a decision when they were finishing the last leg of their patrol around the damaged ships. She switched to an encrypted tight beam channel. "Hammer lead to Commodore Yagami."
"What is it, Dustine," Hayate asked.
"Give me a second," Dustine said crisply as she quickly composed a message then sent it off to Hayate. "Can you send this off for me, its a message to Erika. Standard encryption."
"You're informing her that Ayeka's here?" Hayate blinked. "Is that wise?"
"She needs to know," Dustine noted.
"Very well," Hayate nodded. "But considering your history with your sister..."
"I think she can put that aside in a crisis," Dustine answered. 'Or at leat I hope so,' she thought. "Besides, I want to hear about their meeting from her side."
"I'm sure you do," Hayate nodded. "Keep in touch. Wolfram out."
Dustine nodded and puffed out a breath, fogging up her face shield briefly.
Later...
Dustine noticed that her fuel was low then hailed the republic ship in front of her. "Hammer lead to Galactic Republic flagship. Over."
"This is the Ryu-Oh. How can I assist you Hammer Lead?"
"I'm low on fuel...may I borrow your hangar bay to refuel?" Dustine asked.
There was a pause then an answer. "Of course. Come right on in."
"Thanks." Dustine nodded then switched channels.
Dustine connected to Erica Hartmann, "Erica, I'm taking half to squad in to refuel, while we wait for the repair ships."
"Is that wise?"
"Probably not, but we have to give them a chance."
"Okay..."
"You're my insurance. If I signal you, assume things have gone to hell and act on your own discrecion."
"Roger that," Erica smiled grimly. "Good luck."
"Hopefully we won't need it," Dustine sighed as she signed off. Dustine nodded. "Perrine, Aqua, Hugo, your with me."
"Yes ma'am," The small group harmonized and followed her towards the flotilla of alien ships.
THey approached the flagship, watching as the hanger deck folded open gracefully...or a bit like a open mouth, if you thought of it that way. Dustine frowned thoughtly, noting that this was a mechanism used in early UN SPACY battleships. Even odder was the landing lights and signals, all resembling UN Spacy procedures from years back.
'Copied them from when they met Erica?' Dustine wondered as she went to gerwalk mode and landed gracefully onto the deck, then glided into the interior. Perrine did the same while the humanoid machines piloted by hugo and aqua touched down onto their own two feet. Dustine's variable fighter touched down in Ryo-Oh's hangar bay, and was immediately surrounded by familiar machinery and what appeared to be servo-droids and other robots. The bay closed and air pumped in as the machines went to work. Dustine cycled her canopy open and checked the atmosphere on a wrist computer.
"Oxygen. Artifical gravity." Dustine noted looking at the readings. "Huh. Guess I can pull my helmet off."
Dustine stepped out of the cockpit and hopped down off the last rung, landing solidly on her feet with a resounding thud. Servo droids and other machines went to work as technicians directed them to their jobs. The servo droids, which looked like painted, animated blocks of wood glided across the floor then sprouted powered tools from several panels.
"What the hell...?" Dustine grunted.
"We like our designs to be as close to nature as possible. A voice called out from behind. Dustine blinked, turned to see a whirlwind of blue plow into her. "Welcome back,
Onee-sama!"
"Wha?!" Dustine grunted as a whirlwind of light blue plowed into her. She regained her composure then blushed when the girls hands wandered innocently up and down her front.
"Wait a minute," the little girl noted seriously, "Erika-onee-sama wasn't that big."
Dustine flushed as she realized she was talking about her bust. "I'm Dustine Ageni, her little sister."
"Oh..." The young woman blushed then smiled at her. "I'm Sasami Jurai. Captain of the guard. Nice to meet you...and I'm really sorry for mistaking you for your sister.
You looked just like her back them."
"It happens at home too," Dustine reassured her.
"You mean your sisters glomp you too?" Sasami blinked.
"Sometimes..." Dustine nodded blushing at the memory of her step sisters 'attacking' her.
"Follow me, please," Sasami said, "I'll tak you up to the bridge."
"Thank you..." Dustine nodded and followed the young woman wearing long flowing robes. She walked down the corridor, humming thoughtfully as she walked past a group of what appeared to be non combat officers. They were dressed in dark grey pants, a blue jacket, white shirt and what appeared to be a tie. However, the uniforms were also color coded. The corridor was a lot like one on their own ships.. b\ut Dustine blinked at what looked like a piece of vine, also running along the roof with the usaual conduits.
'Bio-tech?' she wondered.
"Ah you noticed the vines," Sasami smiled then nodded. "They lead all the way to the junction up a head. Just think of them as conduits, okay?"
"Okay," Dustine nodded, studying the ships interior thoughtfully then gasped when they walked into the junction area. It was a bit like a forest area...and there was even a waterfall. In a SPACESHIP. Dustine blinked then pointed at the waterfall. "How..."
"We believe in making our ships as habitable as possible." Shje extended a hand and a small bird alighted on it.
"I see..." Dustine noted then reaches out to pet the bird. The bird bristled a bit at the unfamiliar hand then pecked at it hard. "Ow!"
"You scared the bird away..." Sasami pouted a bit when the bird flew away. "Be more gentle, you thrust your arm out to fast." She continued, "Come on, we don't want to disturb the mikos."
"Mikos?" Dustine blinked then realized there were two women quietly meditating under the waterfall.
"Yes...they're a part of our security force." Sasami noted
"Ah. I see." Dustine nodded, noting that their robes were almost see through at this point. One of women opened her eyes, noticing Dustine looking. She grinned and winked saucily, then went back to what she was doing.
"One of your Miko's winked at me." Dustine sweatdropped.
"That...would be Amane," Sasami sighed, shaking her head. "Don't mind her she's just a little strange."
"I see..." Dustine nodded as they walked out of the junction, continuing on to their destination. They walked through smaller intersections and junctions, passing by non-combat officers and combat security teams wearing full body armor. Dustine eyed the armor thoughtfully.
"Whats wrong?" Sasami asked.
"Isn't that uncomfortable?" Dustine wondered.
"They block laser fire AND have on board oxygen, in case of decompression." Sasami noted. "Sometimes even the Mikos have to wear them."
"Huh, not bad..." Dustine noted, her flight suit only carrying emergency oxygen. "We have similiar armor but its only for our marine corps and spec ops pilots."
"Erika!" Tennyo smiled then pulled her into a hug. "It's been so long!"
'Why is everyone mistaking me for Erika,' Dustine thought.
"Tennyo, this is DUSTINE Ageni."
"You mean you're little Dusty..." Tennyo blinked stepped back then noted thoughtfully. "...hmmm. You're more impressive in the chest than Erika ever was."
"Tennyo!" Sasami squeaked.
"What? They're right there." Tennyo waved.
"Hey!" Dustine covering up her chest.
Sasami sighed, shaking her head. "Pardon my cousin. She was raised on a backwater planet and lacks social skills."
"That's...quite all right," Dustine sighed.
Tennyo snorted. "Sorry, I started out as a grunt, unlike the princess here."
"I've been trained in combat too you know," The princess noted back.
"Yes yes we all know your the captain of the guards and leader of the miko's on this ship," Tennyo sighed.
"Could you please stop embarassing us in front of our guest?" a amused voice asked as she approached the trio.
"Sorry, Ayeka," Tennyo and Sasami sighed.
"Now then..." Ayeka murmured then turned to Dustine with a smile. "I am Ayeka, The first Princess of Jurai and commander of this flotilla. Its an honor to meet Erika Ageni's younger sister."
"Bow slightly, that's the usual response," Sasami stage whispered to Dustine
"Its a pleasure," Dustine bowed a bit, then straightened.
"Dustine Ageni, be welcomed aboard our ship, and know that we hold you in the same affection we do your sister." Ayeka nodded, sighed then smiled gently at Dustine. "Well, that takes care of the formal meeting...shall we continue the informal portion right away or do you need to rest a bit."
Dustine considered that, frowning.
"Carry on, please," she decided, wanting to know more about what was going on.
"Very well," Ayeka nodded then smiled contritely at her."Would you mind if I changed into something more cmfortable?"
Dustine wondered if she knew what that sounded like...
"...might I suggest that Dustine changes too?" Sasami offered then noted. "It must be hot in that flight suit."
"I'm fine," Dustine waved that off, "there's a very efficient cooling system built in."
Perceptively Ayeka noted, "And you don't fully trust us yet."
"Yup," Dustine shrugged.
"Your very wise," Ayeka nodded, respecting that.
Sasami sighed, "Erika-sama was like that too."
"I guess it runs in the family?" Dustine shrugged.
"It would seem so," Ayeka nodded then thought. 'She did warm up to us though. Hopefully this one will do the same.' She thought a bit then nodded. "I can brief you on thesituation in my ready room."
"Of course," Dustine agreed.
"Good," Ayeka nodded then glanced at the bridge officers. "Noike, Sasami, Tennyo, you're with Dustine and I. The rest of you stay on the bridge. Erma report any new developements as needed."
"Yes ma'am," The others nodded and followed Dustine and she out of the bridge. The quartet walked through the corridor, even as the copper skinned pilot kept a casual eye out for traps etc.
Ayeka lead her down a short corridor until she reached a door that appeared to be made of reeds. The reeds parted, letting them into a room which appeared to be a seemingly normal ready room though it was surrounded a canopy of trees. Sasami followed them, smiled at her elder sister who was sitting on the opposite side of her, then smiled contritely as Ayeka moved off to change.
Sasami smiled as she turned to Dustine., "Would you like something to drink? Out tea is compatable with your metabolism."
Dustine thought about it then nodded "Yes please."
"Our captain should be arriving shortly," Sasami added as she poured the tea for her. "You might like her."
"I hope so," Dustine nodded. Tsunami smiled knowingly but said nothing.
Within a few minutes a young woman arrived, her green hair cropped short and wearing one of those ship's uniforms.
"This is Noike," Sasami introduced her politely.
"Sorry I'm late," Noike said briskly, "I was monitoring the fighters around the ship." She addressed Dustine, "Do they HAVE to have weapons targeting the ship?"
"They're very protective of me." Dustine shrugged.
"Ah. Well, makes sense I suppose..." Noike nodded.
"Besides," Sasami added, "you'd do the same if one of us was on a unknown ship."
"Indeed," Noike nodded
"Your fighters are far more advanced than we had thought," Tennyo noted thoughtfully. "Plus you have other mecha that might rival our own bipedal mobile armors."
"I'd definitely like to hear about them, considering they're coming this way," Dustine nodded and sipped her tea some more. IT was a odd kind of tea. It looked like green tea...but it had a minty flavor to it.
"They have an advanced battlegroup off approximately 2,000 capital ships," Noike stated crisply bringing up a diagram. "the main body is comprised roughly of 28,000 capital hips with various scout, attack and strike fleets attached to it."
"Damn," Dustine sighed then murmured. "What about their small craft. Do they use tatical battlepods, battlesuits or fighters."
"They use these," Tennyo brought up another hologram of a crab like mecha that looked like a battlepod. It was sleek and looked very very fast."
"Is that the officers unit?"
"No thats just the normal tactical pod, ma'am," Tennyo shook her head.
"Oh fuck," Dustine swore softly.
"Excuse me?" Ayeka blinked
"Sorry, force of habit," Dustine shook her head then drained her cup of tea. She then looked into the cup then glanced at Sasami. "Can I have another cup of tea. I finished mine off."
"How confirmed are those numbers?" Dustine had to ask
"It's based on ships our officers sighted
"So... they could have ships in reserve you didn't see," Dustine noted thoughtfully
Noike and Ayeka exchanged glances. "Fuck..."
Dustine smirked slightly hearing the both of them swear.
"Well, at least we don't have to worry about that whole fleet coming after you," Dustine reasoned.
"Oh?"
"They would need to keep ships in your sector of space, even if they DO take over."
"To prevent rebellion and so on," Noike nodded grimly.
"Aye," Dustine nodded then noted thoughtfully. "They'll probably just send the advanced force or at least a smaller fleet."
"And there are the other races in our stellar region, too," Ayeka conceded thoughtfuly. Some may surrender to the Grel, but I suspect many will fight."
"Are their ships as strong as yours?" Dustine wondered thoughtfully.
"Depends on the species, but several rivaled our own fleets," Noike said
"So your not unified?" Dustine asked.
"We're more like an...alliance really," Tennyo noted.
"We never really saw of making a republic, really." Tennyo shook her head. "Do you know how much WORK it is running an alliance as big as ours. Multiply that 1000 times fold and the republic would crumble."
"Damn," Dustine sighed.
"We DO have an allied fleet, and we do share equipment, however," Noike noted.
"We did have mutual defense treaties with our nearest neighbors. If the Grel hadn't hit so fast, things would have been different."
"I see," Dustine nodded. "How did they get the jump on you by the way?"
"They've got a variation on Fold technology," Ayeka revealed, "they can synch Fold fields and jump massive numbers of ships in at the same time."
"Damn," Dustine frowned then tapped her chin. "Any weakness to that."
"Yes," Ayeka nodded then smiled grimly. "They would have to send scout fleets first to triangulate the co-ordinates to the main fleet."
"Other wise if they miscuculate they could fall into a fold fault," Noike nodded.
"So if you take out the scouts, no jump..." Dustine stopped. "Can you PLEASE give us a download of their scouts? I'll forward it to command immediately."
"That we can do," Noike nodded and produced an image.
Dustine took out a device from her pocket and scanned the image, then typed a quick messagee. She pressed send then put the device away. She thought abit then smiled wryly. "Can you tell me a bit about your ships? With out violating state secrets of course."
Noike glanced at Ayeka who nodded once.
Noike smiled grimly as she said, "We have several classes of ship, but the majortity of our ships are battleships of roughly 900 meters."
"All of which had similiar weapons to the yamato class." Dustine noted thoughtfully as she studied a diagram that Noike called up. She then pointed to the launchers "What are these?"
"High angle beam cannons," Noike nodded.
"Angle?" Dustine blinked.
Noike showled a simulated beam firing anmd Dustine looked astonished, "They shouldn't DO that..."
"They used to, according to record," Noike noted.
"Whose record?" Dustine asked.
"Why don't you ask your solnoid friends," Ayeka mused.
"It's been..." Dustine tried to recall how long ago pure Solonoid ships had operated. "...a very long time since the solnoids had that technology...and so far we haven't been able to reproduce it."
"The power use is high," Noike conceded, "but we can fire a beam almost anywhere we want. It's a good trade off for our fleets."
"I see," Dustine frowned then hummed. "Do your carriers and smaller ships have the same weaponry."
"Yes," Noike nodded.
"Very well," dustine nodded then hummed. "Tell me about your small craft."
"Much like UN SPACY, we have starfighters, variable starfighters and variable fighters," Sasami nodded then smiled. "As for weapons we have beam gunpods and high powered beam cannons that put out a lot of power."
"...and how do you know that?" Dustine asked.
"Not only am I the captain of the guard but I'm also an ace pilot," Sasami smiled as she laid a hand on her chest. "I've heard from your people that your a bit of an ace yourself, Lt. Colonel. Care to spar?"
"Uh...in ship or without?" Dustine blinked.
"Oooh," Sasami smirked then grinned. "I heard earthlings are experts in sparring. How about my fighter against yours."
"I AM known for my...skills," Dustine noted.
"No one have ever complained about me," Sasami drawled.
"I'd be interested in seeing you in action," Dustine agreed.
"If you two don't stop flirting I'm dumping water on you," Ayeka rolled her eyes.
"Ah, sorry," Dustine blushed looking away,
"Your a spoilsport big sister," Sasami pouted.
Noike chuckled. She was PRETTY sure Sasami hadn't been serious, but who knew? specially since this Ageni was as much a charmer as her sister Erika. Ayeka made a mental note to tell Dustine about their matchmaking grand mother, just in case. None of them wanted the Devil Princess of Jurai turning up. While she was smart, she was a fiend when it came to matchmaking, mostly because she liked pairing people up to see what kind of trouble they got into. Ayeka supsected that she might be pushing back against the Grel just beyond the Jurain border and she didn't want to distract her grandmother.
Its one of the reasons why she didn't get far with Erika, even though she wanted to at the time. Noike shared a amused glance with Ayeka. "And we are not letting you both out there in your fighters to spar. I suspect both our superiors would get a BIT upset."
"Very well," Sasami sighed.
"Aye, they would," Dustine nodded.
Noike nodded, blinked then touched a concealed ear piece. She listend a bit then turned to Dustine. "The commander on the flight deck reports that you and your wingmates fighter have been refueled and are ready to depart."
"Thanks," Dustine nodded as the others rose to their feet. Dustine stood up then bowed politely to Ayeka and Sasami. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Likewise," Sasami nodded, smiling cheerfully.
"We'll look forward to seeing you again," Ayeka agreed
Dustine returned to her fighter, buttoned up and launched.
"DAMN am I glad to see you. They didn't swap you out with a pod person or something boss?" Erica teased.
"No they didn't," Dustine shook her head then asked. "Alright, who's lowest on fuel?"
"Miyafuji and Lynn are," Elia noted.
"Right. Miyafuji, Lynn, remember to act as if you were the representative of our force." Dustine nodded.
"Yes ma'am," Miyafuji and Lynnette reploied and banked away.
An hour later...
"You're being hailed by Ayeka..."
Dustine groaned. "Oh hell. Put her on."
Ayeka appeared on the screen, along with a fiercely blushing Noike. "We have had a... slight problem."
"What is it?" Dustine asked with a sigh.
"One of your officers groped our captain," Ayeka confided.
'Damn it Miyafuji,' Dustine thought.
"Accidentaly," Ayeka admitted.
"Did she trip?" Dustine asked
"Yes," Noike nodded.
"Very well...I'll have a talk with her about that, okay," Dustine nodded.
"I was showing her around the bridge, and her foot hit a chair leg..."
"I see," Dustine sighed then nodded. "I'll have a talk with her about being less clumsy. Is that all?"
"Yes," Ayeka nodded.
"Uhm..." Noike hesitated.
"Yes?"
"Is she single?"
"As far as I know..." Dustine shrugged. "Is that all?"
"Yes." Ayeka nodded.
"Very well, Hammer lead out," Dustine nodded and cut the line.
**** Later ****
Rear Admiral Hitsugi Amachi, along with her partner and Hayate Yagami, frowned as they glanced over the data. Hitsugi studied the data thoughtfully then looked over at her subbordinate. "This is not good news, do you agree, Yagami."
"Mmm," Hayate nodded then glanced through the data some more. "Well, we can take some comfort in Ageni's analysis."
"Oh?"
"The Grel have to secure the Jurai region before any of that fleet can go after us." Hayate noted. "Though it its quite possible that the Grel may still send their advanced battlegroup after Ayeka's flotilla. So we should remain on guard."
"I'm more worried about this mass fold ability," Hitsuki scowled then shook her head. "It's a massive advantage, if used right. If they do, they could mass an attack fleet right at our doorstep."
"Indeed," Hitsuki's partner nodded then hummed thoughtfully. "We should be prepared for such an event."
"Aye," Hitsuki nodded then glanced over at Hayate. "Send Acting Lt. Colonel Ageni with the data to the Kaguya. Vice Admiral Chase and our allies should know about the Grel."
Can you send the data to the Kaguya. Vice Admiral Chase and our allies should know about the Grel."
"I'll have her on a fast transport in 10 minutes," Hayate nodded.
**** Thirty Minutes later. ****
"This is the data we got from the Sakura-Hime," Misato Katsuragi said as images appeared on a flatscreen in Helena Chase's ready room. Helena, Cornelia, Homura and Commadant Riker, who was micronized for the meeting, frowned at the images while Lynn Minmay and Utena Tenjou, Husband to the Fleet's Governess Usagi Tsukino, looked concerned. "From what we can tell the Grel are very, very agressive."
"I'm certain they're just misunderstood." Usagi mused gently lacing her fingers as she looked at Helena. "If we negotiate, we could..."
"Sorry, but as far as we can tell they attack first then subjugate worlds second upon meeting a race," Misato shook her head.
"Poor things," Usagi murmured, "someone must have hurt them greatly, once."
Utena smiled softly a Usagi then turned to the others. "Can we hold them here if they make it to this world?"
"Without reinforcements?" Riker grumbled then shook his head. "Highly unlikely."
"THe force estimates I got were.. well, very worrying," Dustine said in agreement as she sat in on the meeting.
"THAT bad?" UTena asked
"I can't go into exact numbers, but... " Dustune hesitated, "If they hit us here, in force, we lose. I think anyway."
"Very well," Utena nodded.
"Like the Rear Admiral, I'm very concerned about this mass fold ability," Cornelia noted.
"That would probably be my greatest concern as well," Riker agreed, "If they can drop masses of ships into our defences..."
"Aye, very bad," Eluza Harrington, Rear Admiral of the 21st battlefleet, nodded then hummed. "Our once age old enemy, the Paranoid used to use a similar tactic against our larger fleets."
"We might have a edge against that," Dustine noted then handed out some file folders. "According to the Jurai, the Grel need these scout ships to plot locations of their folds. We destroy them, no mass jump."
"Then we'll have to hit their scout ships and their escorts hard and fast," Cornelia noted.
out ships and their escorts hard and fast," Cornelia noted.
"Right," Helena nodded.
"Would singing help?" Minmay asked.
"Possibly," Utena said, "the Jurai never attempred it, so..."
"They have warned me that they're against anything that has to do with culture, though," Dustine noted then frowned. "I guess we'll have the ships carrying the performers heavily guarded if and when they come."
"Don't push yourself, Ageni," Helena gave her a warning glance.
Dustine blushed at that then looked away.
Helena smiled sympathetically at Dustine then glanced at her subbordinate before speaking to the rest of the table again. "Misato, send the data to the rest of the fleet. Also, We've already alerted command. They're aware of the situation."
"So now we have to wait for orders," Utena grumped
"More or less," Helena nodded.
"In the meantime we should continue our peace keeping duties within the Earl system, agreed?" Helen nodded.
"Agreed," The others nodded.
**** The Next Day ****
"So how'd it go?" Nanoha smiled as Fate and she settled into a seat next to Dustine in a tastefully decorated room. Other pilots mingled about and chatted about this or that while looking out glass steel observation windows or sitting in comfortable chairs.
"Which?" Dustine asked as she sat in the 501st's lounge. "The first contact mission, the debriefing with Hayate or speaking with my sister?"
"All of the above," Fate said impatiently.
"Well," Dustine hummed then glanced at her friends. "There's another alliance on the other side of the galactic center, we're hosed due to a probable invasion, Hayate made jokes and my sister drives me nuts."
"What do you mean by 'we're hosed'," Fate frowned.
"Yeah, elaborate please," Nanoha made a face.
"YOu two are cleared for this, thank god. Or I'd have to clam up." Dustine sighed.
"THAT bad?" Fate blinked
"Yeah," Dustine nodded, pulled out a datapadd then called up an image. "Theres an alliance of planets on the other side of the Galactic center. I should say WAS, because one of their members got pasted by an attacker called the called the Grel."
"Charming looking," Nanoha noted.
"They're quite frightening," Fate muttered.
"They appear to be similar to Zentradi..." Dustine noted and called up a few images of their ships. "...and their fleet outnumbers our combined forces in the Earl system."
"Do you think they would outnumber all of our fleets?" Nanoha asked.
"Don't know, but it's certainly possible," Dustine answered.
"...and they're heading our way now?" Nanoha asked.
"We think only the advanced fleet of 2000 is coming our way," Dustine sighed. "The rest of them are tied up subduing Jurai and friends."
"It doesn't sound to good, on the other side of the galaxy," Fate noted somberly.
"There's strong warriors on other side of the galaxy from what I hear," Dustine noted calling up images of the wau , elfen and dragon like races. "Plus it seems as though the Grel are just taking over the planets not annihilating them."
"You know, it could be YEARS until we see them," Fate noted, "if the Grel are bogged down fighting ground wars."
"True," Nanoha noted then mused. "I assume Hayate came to the same conclusion?"
"Yeah," Dustine nodded.
"...and how did you act when you met our new guests?" Nanoha smiled.
"I acted professionally as possible," Dustine nodded then sighed. "Even though they did mistake me for my sister a few times."
"We heard the first one," Nanoha noted, smiling.
"And you said you called your sister?" Fate asked curiously.
"Yeah, Hayate contacted her office, sent the news and she left a message for me to call her back," Dustine mused.
"..and?"
"Well..." Dustine mused wistfully.
Yesterday late evening...
"You need to know why the Jurai are here, big sis." Dustine stated crisply as she sat within her office.
"Eh?" Erika blinked then leaned in. "They've returned? Seriously?"
"Seriously," Dustine nodded then frowned at her. "Did you know that they have paternity tests on Jurai just like we do. Princess Ayeka Jurai is very cross with you."
"Wha..." Erika blinked. "Well, we had a fling but I never realized..."
Dustine snickered over the commline. Erika blinked then frowned, realizing that she's been had. "You...Little...one of these days, little sister, your going to pay for that prank."
Present day.
"Y-you trolled your sister?" Fate stammered, gaping at her long time friend and once team mate. "I never knew you had that in you, Dustine."
Nanoha chuckled, shaking her head. "You are bad, Dustine."
Dustine laughed heartilly a little bit, causing Fate and Nanoha to smile in return. Nanoha nodded, smiling somewhat sadly at her. "Your laughing again. That's good."
"Did something happen last night?" Fate asked.
"Maybe," Dustine blushed a bit, looking away. Both shared a knowing smile, knowing full well that Dustine went to Sasameki Koto again. "I told Shamal about my day and she suggested that I blow off some steam. Escorting the Katiyusha, facing Ares elites, meeting with the Stellar Alliance ships and meeting with the brass stressed me out a bit."
"Are you still seeing Sae, your therapist?" Nanoha asked.
"Yes," Dustine nodded.
"Good," Nanoha nodded smiling then reached out and grasped a hand. "We don't want to loose you, alright?"
Dustine blushed at the touch of Nanoha's hand then looked away. Fate smiled warmly at the pair and laid her hand on Dustines shoulder. Dustine smiled as her hand and her shoulder was touched. It always felt...nice when they did that.
"Nanoha, Fate..." Dustine murmured to her friends. "THanks for worrying about me."
"Its what friends are for," Nanoha nodded.
"Friends do such things," Fate said loyally.
"My such a lovey dovey scene," Excellen cooed as a few members of the ATX, Lotus teams and her wandered over to the couch.
"Don't get any ideas, Excellen," Dustine told her.
"Aww," Excellen pouted as Miki and Eri sat next to the trio, followed by the rest of the teams.
"Are you feeling better, half sister," Eri asked.
"A bit.." Dustine nodded. Dustine sighed, hatring losing the time with her close friends. It really annoyed her, but she couldn'r exactly say why.
"Good," Miki nodded and gave Dustine a snug.
"Arrgh, get off," Dustine mock shoved her.
"Dogpile on Dustine!" Excellen cried out.
"Excellen, no!" Dustine yelped then acked when Excellen glomped her. Miki and Eri followed suit as did a few other members of the Lotus team. Nanoha and Fate laughed while the other members of the LOTUS and ATX teams watched on with various degrees of amusement.
"Does Excellen remind anyone lse of a overgrown puppy?" Nanoha joked.
"Woof woof!" Excellen joked, nosing Dustine playfully. The copper skinned pilot wondered if Excellen was flirting with her again. Then again, 'subtle' for Excellen had been sticking a hand in her shirt.
Fate wondered how long Dustine was going to let this continue
"Excellen," she murmured, "back off or I'll hurt you."
"Aww," Excellen pouted But wisely let her go. "So whats the scoop, boss?"
"New allies, probably," Dustine nodded then sighed. "...but a new enemy too...I think."
"Can you go into it?" Miki asked.
"Not until the brass says I can, really," Dustine sighed.
"So its need to know until now," Kyousuke hummed.
"All I suggest is keep training, we may need it," Dustine noted. "I think Hayate will decide pretty soon n what to release," she added, "just hold on til then."
"Very well," Kyousuke and Lamia nodded.
"Now for this weeks schedule..." Dustine mused then spoke intently with her subbordinates, still taking charge even though her mind was churning. Excellen watched intently, as Fate and Nanoha looked at Dustine. She might be flightly, but she was NOT stupid. There was something going on there...
Miki and Eri noticed it too and shared quiet glances with each other.
Dusty, on the other hand, IS clueless. The trio noticed this and each decided to let it be.
For now...
EOF.
(Ayeka, Sasami and Tsunami are from Tenchi Muyo: Ryo-Ohki. We don't own the rights to these characters we're just borrowing them for a while.)