Pallas 3 Pallas System. Milky way galaxy.
"Are these terms suitable, Princess?" Ayeka asked Nero Pendragon. Nero studied the documents a bit then nodded to Ayeka.
"Umu. These are fine." Nero answered then sighed. "But I'll have to consult with big sister as well as mama and papa about the issue. They're very wary about things right now in
our kingdom."
"Why?" Tenchi asked.
"Things have been tense between them and Ohtori, one of our colony worlds." Nero frowned. "Dios was killed by his brother Akio and took over. Dios was one of Papa's right hand men."
"So it was a coup." Ryouko nodded.
Before she could say any more, air raid sirens started to howl through out the city.
"What's going on?" Nero blinked.
"I'll radio my ship," Ryouko did so. "Pirates?"
"We've got multiple ships inbound." Sasami replied.
"Intercept them?"
"We're not near enough but we are heading towards them."
"Thats good at least." Ryouko sighed.
Ryouko then asked Nero, "Can your forces...?"
"We'll see..." Nero frowned as they reached the control center.
Macross Altered Destiny
Chapter 3
10:00GST April 14th 2060 Lufen, Prana 4 System
The SDFC-1's fleet defolded in front of a blue green temperate world known as Lufen. There was a small garrison of UGSN ships spreaded around the blue green world behind them. Starfighter squadrons were patrolling the perimeter as the capital ships kept watch.
"Everything okay?" Lisa asked.
"Engines and life support are green ma'am." Gina nodded.
"PLEASE let there be no pirates this time..." Kiyone sighed.
"No pirates detected in the area." Kim Kabriov noted.
"Good." Lisa nodded.
"However the UGSN garrison is being backed up by a privateer fleet." Kim noted. "Shall I mark them as friendly?"
"Who...?"Lisa asked
"Sōsō Mōtoku's Red Ribbon Brigade." Kim noted.
"Not the lech." Claudia groaned.
"I've heard of her. She's not that bad, Claudia," Lisa chastized her second in command.
"Wait till you meet her," Claudia sighed.
"UGSN garrison fleet hailing us, ma'am," Sasami said as she looked over her shoulder.
"Perhaps we should as them now?" Claudia noted.
"Agreed." Lisa nodded. "On screen."
"Yes ma'am," Sasami nodded. Moments later, an image of a raven haired woman with silky black hair appeared on the screen. The attractive woman had absolutely GORGEOUS black hair, Lisa noticed.
"Greetings. I am Kanu Uncho," The beauty nodded then added. I am the Commander of the 35th Garrison Fleet."
"I am Lisa Hayes. Commodore of the third UN SPACY expeditionary fleet." Lisa nodded.
"Your the fleet thats carrying the diplomats yes?" Kanu asked then nodded. "We're ready to receive them, Commodore."
"Understood. " Lisa nodded then smiled gently at Kanu. "We'll have them loaded on to the shuttles soon. We'd also like to re-stock rations, vegetables, fresh meat and other supplies. We're carrying a small city of at least 8000 civilian personnel."
"I see..." Kanu nodded then sighed. "Well, it'll take time to ship the provisions to your ship."
"How long?" Lisa asked.
"At least a week." Kanu nodded then smiled gently. "Care for some rest and relaxation here? We have plenty of room on the ground."
We're still fresh as a daisy," Lisa waved that off
Claudia snorted. "Not been to the enlisted quarters?"
Kanu snickered softly.
Lisa frowned at Claudia but agreed, "Well, if we need to be here for resupply anyway..."
"Yay!" The othe girls cheered.
Two dayss later...
"The buildings are gorgeous, but... why all wood construction?" Nala wondered
"They like to maintain tradition, I understand," Dan noted
"I see..." Nala nodded.
"It is a bit weird seeing guards with guns AND swords on sticks," Dan added wryly
"You know we've never used firearms until United Galactica helped us out with the Zentradi." Nala noted.
"You never needed to, till now," Dan agreed. "You should ask to spar with the lady guards..."
"You just want to see two scantly clad women fighting."
"Well, YEAH. So?"
"Perv." Nala teased him.
"Hey." Dan pouted.
"It WOULD be fun though," Nala conceded. She glanced down a sidestreet and saw in the distance a beach. She grinned grabbed Dan by the shoulder and dragged him off in that direction. "Ooh I see a beach. Lets go there."
"Eeep!" Dan yelped.
She dragged him down the sidestreet and towards the beach grinning ear to ear as she got closer. "You know, the village that I used to live in was totally locked. We didn't have a lake nearby so this is the first time I've seen one personally."
"Is that so?" Dan blinked.
"Its true..." Nala nodded
Along the way, the pair ran into Nanoha, Fate and Dustine walking from another side street.
"Ma'am!" Dan saluted on reflex
"We're off duty. At ease," Dustine laughed
"Ah. Okay." Dan nodded.
Nala smiled at them politely, "Nice to see you, ma'ams."
"Where are you two headed?" Nanoha asked.
"The beach!" Nala grinned as she pulled Dan in close.
Dan eeped.
"We were headed there too for just a stroll." Nanoha noted.
Dustine murmured, "They might be on a date you know..."
"Hm. True. But we wanted to see the beach too." Fate noted
"How about we go the opposite way they're going once when we get to the beach." Nanoha suggested.
"Fair..." Dustine nodded.
"Fair..." Fate nodded.
They walked together for a bit, then split up.
With that the coupled soon made their way to the beach. They both went their seperate ways. With Dan and Nala going south while Nanoha, Dustine and Fate walked the opposite direction.
"Nala and Dan are kinda cute," Fate noted
"I ship it!" Nanoha agreed
"Mmm they are kinda cute." Dustine noted.
"Yep." Nanoha nodded then smiled. "You know I hear they have hot spring inns here."
"We've got some special wear for that too." Fate noted.
"I could use a hotspring," Dustine agreed
"I think we all do." Nanoha nodded
"Indeed." Dustine nodded.
Nanoha and Fate giggled.
Meanwhile Dan who was watching them off in the distance. He blushed at how close the three women got close to each other only to have Nala pinch him on the cheek.
"Ow."
"Pay attention to me." Nala pouted.
"Ah sorry." Dan apologized.
Nala tugged him close to her and lead him over to a large rock which was nearby. It was 12 feet tall in height and it looked worn to Dan's eyes. "Why are we going here?"
"Just to sit." Nala grinned and tugged him to the sea facing side of the rock. They both sat and Nala pressed against him. Dan blushed a bit.
"It's a nice view," he noted, "if a bit odd."
"I forgot, you Earthers just have one moon," she pointed to several in the sky
"Yeh we do." Dan nodded.
"With such a boring sky, I wonder why you ever went into space.." Nala teased
"We had a lot of reasons." Dan pouted.
"Teasing." Nala gently poked him. They enjoyed their time chatting about this and that while watching the sun go down.
Meanwhile, Nanoha, Fate and Dustine walked around the villa until nightfall. Then, they retired to the old fashioned japanese inn that they were staying. They quickly changed from their casual clothes into bathrobes and quickly went to the outdoor bath for a nice soak.
"Ah, that's nice," Dustine sighed contentedly.
"It is..." Nanoha nodded.
"I have to admit running around and fighting pirates wasn't a thing I thought I'd be doing." Dustine noted.
"The exciting world of space piloting...travel to new worlds, meet interesting people and shoot them," Fate quipped.
"I don't want to shoot all of them." Dustine sighed.
"Or any, really." Nanoha admitted.
"We do try to be peaceful, but...," Dustine shrugged.
"Did we eat anything after lunch?" Fate changed the subject
"I say we get dinner here later," Dustine nodded
"I hear the food is really good here," Nanoha agreed. "Are we on call still?"
"As of now...nah." Dustine grinned.
"I hear they have good drinks too then." Fate noted.
"I don't wanna get too tipsy." Dustine noted then grinned. "...you..well...you just pass out."
"I do not." Fate pouted.
"Yes you do," Nanoha agreed, "it's cute tho."
"Meanies," Fate sighed
Dustine giggled and enjoyed the warm air a bit.
"Ok, I'm turning into a prune." Nanoha finally said
"Lets get out of the water then."
Dustine got out, then helped the others.
"Lets get a bottle of milk each," Nanoha said
"Milk?" Dustine blinked
"It's a Japanese thing," Fate noted
"All right." Dustine nodded. They purchased the milk, gulped it down then sighed happily before returning to their rooms.
"I'm glad we packed the nice dresses," Nanoha noted
"Aye...but I don't mind wearing these complimentary yukatas here." Dustine noted.
"That DOES look nice," Fate agreed.
"I can show you how to wear them," and Nanoha carefully wrapped Fate in hers.
Fate giggled. "I think I can dress myself."
"Are you sure?" Nanoha teased.
"I'm sure." Fate nodded and wrapped the robe around herself but had some trouble with the obi. "Erm..."
"Here I'll help." Nanoha smiled.
Dustine, who had cousins from asia, was able to do hers on her own.
"All done?" Dustine asked then smiled. "Let's head to the Inn's dining room."
"Right." Both agreed. They padded out of their room and walked down the hall. Dustine noted that it was mostly made of wood even though she could see some metallic support beams to here and there.
"It's a nice feel compared to all the metal and plastics on thew ship," Nanoha noted
"Yeah," Dustine nodded.
They walked down the hall only to blink when Ayeka and Ryouko exitted a room.
"Oh." All five blinked.
"Hey," Ryoko casually waved.
"Good evening..." Nanoha nodded then blinked "I didn't think the UG diplomats would be here."
"We have a security spook tailing us. SO annoying," Ryoko pouted
"Oi I'm not a security spook." Vita frowned as she exited the same door.
Ayeka snickered.
"Hello, everyone," she said.
"Thank you for helping out with our security," Ayeka added politely.
"Just doing our jobs," Dustine waved it off
"Heading to dinner?" Nanoha asked.
"Yes." Ayeka nodded.
"Yep." Ryouko nodded.
"What about Lord Tenchi?" Nanoha asked.
"Well..." Ayeka blushed.
"Sasami wanted some me time with Tenchi." Ryouko winked.
"I see," Fate snickered softly
"Hey! It's just us girls here...let's drink together!" Ryoko suggested
"RYOKO. They may have plans," Ayeka scolded
"We were planning on having dinner in the inn's dining room." Dustine note.
"Us too," Ayeka admitted
"I wouldn't mind the company." Dustine mused.
"I guess this is okay." Nanoha nodded.
All look at Vita.
"Hey I'm on duty today." Vita frowned.
"You still have to eat," Nanoha said
"Well, point..."
"Alright girls let go..." Ryouko grinned and grabbed Nanoha and Fate by the arms and flew away.
"Awwwk." Both yelped.
"Ah..." Dustine held up a finger.
Runs after them...
"RYOKO!" Ayeka scolded
"Hurry up, slow pokes!" Ryouko called out.
"Sorry about this." Ayeka smiled contritely.
"I've heard tales about her. I'm not surprised that she would do something like this." Dustine shrugged.
"Let's catch up with them," Vita sighed then muttered. "I KNEW there was gonna be trouble."
They trotted down the hall to the dining room where they found Ryouko and the others already at a table.
"Sake! And keep it coming!" Ryouko ordered
"Of all the..." Ayeka sighed.
Dustine chuckled and sat next to Nanoha and Fate. Vita and Ayeka sat by Ryouko, even as a waitress delivered drinks.
"May I take your order?" the harried woman addressed the newcomers. Dustine looked at Nanoha and Fate
"Three dinner specials," Nanoha decided
"Of course." The waitress nodded.
"Everything that's meat on the menu," Ryouko said
"RYOUKO." Ayeka scolded
"What? I'm hungry"
"Three dinner specials for us too please." Ayeka nodded.
"Tch." Ryouko grumped.
Ayeka drank daintilly, "I apologize for my companion."
"Vita's not that bad," Ryouko drawled
"I wasn't talking about her," Ayeka sighed
"That's all right." Nanoha smiled contritely.
"How are things?" Dustine asked curiously.
"The usual. Meetings and more meetings." Ayeka shrugged.
"I hate diplomacy sometimes," Ryouko mused. "I'd rather blow shit up."
"That'll get you into trouble I think." Dustine noted.
"Ah I'm made for trouble." Ryouko sipped her sake.
"No unnecessary fighting, please," Vita sighed
"Fair enough." Dustine shrugged.
Minutes later, the three dinner specials for Nanoha, Fate and Dustine arrived
"Here you go, three dinner specials," The waitress nodded.
"Thank you!" all three choruse
"Miss Ayeka, Miss Ryouko, yours will be out in a few more minutes," the waitress apologized
"It's fine," Ryouko waved, "just keep the drinks coming."
"Of course..." The waitress nodded.
The next day...
"Thank you for coming." Kanu nodded to the dignitaries.
"Thank you for having us," Tenchi smiled warmly
"I'll get to the point...we have a bit of a pirate and bandit problem here in Lufen." Kanu noted.
"I see. You want military assistance?" Ayeka asked thoughtfully.
"Some assistance would be nice yes..." Kanu nodded. "We have a privateer fleet to help us but even the larger fleets test their limits too."Aa
"I see. Well, we don't have the authority to commit the military in this sector but I can tell my superiors that you do need the help." Ayeka noted.
"I'd be willing to help too," Ryouko added cheerfully.
"No pirate hunting on your own!" Ayeka scolded
"Awww. It'd be fun!" Ryouko grinned
"I said no." Ayeka put her foot down.
Kanu fought back a smile. "You remind me of Sei..."
"Is that a compliment?" Ryouko grinned.
"Yes," Kanu chuckled. "At any rate we'd appreciate the help if you can."
"So what's in it for us?" Ryouko drawled
"Ryouko! Not so blunt!" Tenchi chided her
Kanu grinned, "I like people who get to the point. It's refreshing."
"Sorry," Ayeka sighed
"Well we do have some updated galactic maps of this sector that could be helpful to your navigators in the future. Kanu offered.
"That DOES sound useful," Tenchi admitted
"Indeed." Ayeka nodded.
"I can also toss in updates on aggressive factions we know of, as well as good locations to resupply," Kanu added
"That's equally helpful." Tenchi nodded.
He shared a look with Ayeka then nodded. "We'll see what we can do about increased military support in exchange for this information. Okay?"
"Agreed. Unofficially, of course," Kanu chuckled
D"Of course." Ayeka nodded.
"So other than that, this is a informal, friendship visit?" Kanu asked.
"Pretty much," Tenchi admitted
"Fair enough," Kanu nodded.
"So... let's call it done and have a drink!" Ryouko declared
"I'll drink to that." Kanu grinned.
"Oh dear..." Ayeka sighed
The next day...
"I'm SO sorry Kanu got them all drunk." Sei sighed.
Who do we want her talking to? Claudia maybe?
"That's alright." Lisa sighed.
"I mean, I bet Ryouko didn't help," Claudia added.
"Poor Tenchi. He tried matching Kanu drink for drink," Lisa noted
"How sick is he?" Sei asked
"Still in bed." Claudia noted. "...and Kanu?"
"Hung over. She got a tongue lashing from me." Sei sighed.
"Ayeka is up and about, if very hungover," Lisa mused.
"We shouldn't bother them." Lisa sighed.
"Agreed." Sei nodded. She took a sip of her tea then grunted when klaxons started to warble within the respective bridges as pirate ships began to warp in. "Damn it. Not now. Not when the refugee ships are about to launch."
"Indeed. This is rather problematic." Lisa frowned then gazed at Sei. "We'll sortie our fighters."
"Thank you." Sei nodded.
To be continued