Aberrant: Infinite Earth - Cosmos Nova - [FIN] [CN Japan] The Cat and the Mecha

[Naomi Minami]

Note this story takes place a week before Under.

Tokyo, Japan

Morning

Naomi dressed as best she could. This was a formal occasion, and The Great Cat Detective had to deliver the appearance of Department 0's premiere Nova.

Already her action figures were selling like hotcakes, the proceeds for her "S&R Gear Naomi" going to disaster relief and towards improving Japan's Search and Rescue efforts. And the first Manga about her exploits was being penned. She was still considering a call from the BBC, seems that they want her to star in a episode of Doctor Who as one of the cat people they introduced during the 10th Doctor's Run. She looked puzzled as she tried to decide on wearing a navy blazer or a simple brown waistcoat with her signature light tan raincoat with a brown epaulet-like collar and trim on the cuffs.

She decides to stick with the vest.

"Okay Naomi... calm down... it is just one of the greatest stars of one of the legendary Mecha franchises ever... some days I wish I was a kid again... I would be just... squealing."

She meowed in delight as she stepped out of her apartment in Jinbocho down to her electric car plugged into a recharging stand. The stand itself powered by some solar panels on the roof of the converted office building she purchased.

When she pulled up to the Hotel, she stood outside her car, waiting for Connor to step out of his Hotel.

"Remember, he's American... think American..." She thought as her tail flicked nervously.

[Mech]

Connor Felt the presence of another nova, even as he exited the elevator. Leaving by the window through flight was frowned upon. He came out dressed in a cream collored buttondown with light khaki pants, with his standard loafers. He exited his hotel, and easily spotted the real Catgirl waiting by a car. Kitty just had the tail, but this woman, Naomi Minami, one of Department Zero's premier novas.

"Miss Minami, it is quite a pleasure to meet you this morning." His Japanese was perfectly flawless. He even bowed propperly and smiled to her. "I trust there's no problem this morning?"

[Naomi Minami]

Naomi's pressure seemed to escape like a opened valve. She bowed. "It is my honor, Fontenot-San. My students before my Eruption hung on your every adventure. We still meet to watch old episodes at the temporary shelters built for those from my hometown... whoever decided to stay..."

She looks up to Connor. Composing herself from the bad memory, but her tail lingered about low as well as her ears. "I was sent by Department 0... more like I volunteered, to be your assistant while you were here. Also since I am the most trained in diplomatic efforts, I was actually the best trained to be a representative of my organization and my country."

She opens the passenger door to her car. "I am sure you know a few places for breakfast but I thought... I could show you mine. Sometimes it takes more than one visit to Tokyo to find everything."

[Mech]

"Connor will work fine between us, it's what I'm most accustomed to answering to."

He smiled. "I bow to native tastes in this regard. By all means lead the way. I just hope they're prepared for a nova level appetite. Once there we can discuss some of why I'm here, before the meetings this afternoon." He took a seat in the passenger side, used to doing it himself, but at the same time, allowing her to feel comfortable.

[Naomi Minami]

Connor sees the Sherlock Holmes bobblehead on the dashboard... the classic look with the coat and hat and the pipe, not the modern version portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch on the BBC that recently started becoming a global phenomenon, or the re-envisioned classic portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. She also had a picture of her beloved Shiro, kept on with a beckoning cat magnet. In fact the markings of Shiro's calico fur matched the fur patterns on Naomi exactly.

She steps into the car and smiles. "Actually, I know just the place. It serves actually a good selection of American foods. I tend to go there when I feel the need to pig out. I noticed my appetite after the eruption was, in fact, quite amplified after eruption, and the amount of meat in their meals satisfied me greatly. And the salmon... ohhhh... and the tuna."

She meows in glee. "Pure heaven!"

Paused. "I... meowed again didn't I? Happens from time to time. I've been trying not to do that when in polite company. It sometimes... makes people a little uneasy as to how to deal with me. That and my dietary needs did change... found that out when I ate a chocolate bar... if it wasn't for the medical personnel at the special hospital Department 0 set up for their meta-physicians, I would be dead."

"There is a lot of Shiro-chan in me." She says, her ears drooping a little as she strokes a picture of her cat. "I have his memories... all of them. Right to the moment we became one."

She sighed. "Sorry... enough about my problems. I'm actually here because... well... I wanted to meet you too. Department 0 was only mildly interested in making sure your stay this time is a pleasant one. That, and I am here to help make sure that those you deal with in my country are operating on the level. I was actually hired by your agent to help make sure the deals you make are sound by ferreting out anything as a PI."

She adjusted her raincoat before they start to drive off. "Do you have a preference of music?"

[Mech]

He chuckled "You did, it's cute."

He nodded. As far as chocolate goes I wouldn't let that out so much." Of course he'd read her file, and her erruption was quite different from his own. Her followup revelation wasn't unexpected, he'd had to deal with it before. "I'm sorry if it inconveniences you. You likely have things you'd rather do than show a glorified Actor and PR man around while he's here. "I prefer mostly older Rock, but I'll listen to anything save Rap."

[Naomi Minami]

"Actually I enjoy helping others by making sure the playing field is level."

She turns on her MP3 player function on her radio and starts playing her Classical collection. Well, she would but accidentally landed on her J-Pop collection. "Oops... sorry... I haven't removed that folder. I had that set up for when I took students home from after-school activities... I... Liked keeping up with popular culture to at least form a understanding between I and my young charges."

"It is... sort of hard to return to that life now that I'm a Nova... And to be honest... this life has become far more interesting."

"If, you would let me, I would like to accompany you as your day progresses."

"In fact... I was going to ask something... Are you familiar with the Zoids series?"

[Mech]

"I've seen the original and the Zero series yes. There's been talks of a new one, but that's all they are so far. Several names are on the short list."

He smiled, his was clearly among them. "I'd be happy to have you come along, this is your home after all."

[Naomi Minami]

"I'd like that."

She smiled as they sat at a Red Light. "In fact, I was thinking... I know of a spot in my hometown that needed some extra cleanup. Perhaps it would be good PR if you showed up over there in a mecha mode. That would be quite a suprise to see that. I figure that would also garner you a few more fans."

She smiled as the light turned green. "And I would love riding along for that. I... wasn't born super strong, or fly... but that's my home town. We lost everything... at least we deserve a chance to rebuild from nothing."

She sighed. Even Google Maps when it was recently updating the area showed the completely scoured former layout of the town that was once her home. Not a building was left except for her school and the docks. It was as if the town was scoured off the face of the earth.

"If you're up for some heavy lifting while I talk to the town mayor to see how the rebuild process is coming along."

"This is... more of a request form me than some sort of Department 0 order... they're already full up on earthquake recovery efforts. This is more personal."

[Mech]

"Far be it from me to refuse the polite request of a lady. I don't have any meetings for about seven hours that should be plenty of time to help."

"My work kept me away but I did alot of benefits, and charity events to help raise money for the relief efforts." there was some sadness there, as he'd not been able to help directly, the powers that be running his schedule hard at home."

[Naomi Minami]

She adjusts the vest of her outfit. "Alright... let's eat first though. We can't be civic-minded on empty stomachs." She says as she pulls up into the small parking spot designed for electric vehicles... something becoming more of a sight in the area. She switches off her vehicle and steps out. "Welcome to Chez Taka's. Best American and Japanese fusion meals you'll ever find."

She speaks up in English. Her English sounding more British than American. "He's a American Ex-Pat... one hell of a cook who makes some solid breakfast."

She smiled. "I have a good sized budget for hospitality, and he loves it when a Nova shows up because we tip real good. At least the Native ones."

She steps over to Connor's side of the car, but notices Connor made his way out. Naomi, instead of being disappointed, lets off a satisfied meow. "So... don't feel you're required to hold back."

[Mech]

He smiled. "Of course. This is my treat though, if you want I'll let you catch lunch though." He allowed her to lead them inside, and nodded as he was recognized, he signed a few autographs, before they sat in a corner booth together. he'd already seen the pictures being taken and knew it would if nothing else give the paper's something happier to write about.

"So, I'll let you order for us, though I'd prefer no sushi this early in the day."

[Naomi Minami]

"Okay... I'll eat your share."

She shifted a little in her seat, making sure she had some tail-room. She had dislocated her tail a couple times and if it wasn't for her recuperative ability she would have ended up having a parylised tail. "With a supreme omlette, of course. With lots of milk and orange juice."

She does a quick, lilting meow, smiling. A couple of patrons see her and liked seeing her, seeing her and Connor together got people talking.

The Chef walked up seeing his favorite patron. "So, Naomi? A new friend?" He said in a Minnesotan accent of American English. He was a older asian gentleman of 50 years of age.

"Nah, just someone I will eventually know as a colleague. Bring the best, he's known to have a bottomless stomach." She says, jokingly.

"Well, as long as he doesn't drink rocket fuel, we should be fine." He says. "It is a honor, by the way, Mr. Fontenot." He says politely bowing. "So what will you have, I already know what The Great Cat Detective likes to order for breakfast."

[Mech]

"I'll trust the chef, my pallet is fairly wideranging, though I'm not one for sushi in the morning. I don't drink rocketfuel, but I do drink very strong coffee." He smiled. "She's going to be showing me around abit while I'm here in Japan, working on some things between the DSA and Department Zero."

He smiled wondering what would be reccomended, and resolved to leave nothing behind.

[Naomi Minami]

"Well, I can recommend the fusion omelet. It's what I'm having, it's eggs, Italian sausage, rice, peppers, some cheese, nicely diced Canadian bacon and some wicked jalapenos on request. I'm not effected, of course, but the spices still deliver the pain. I order mine without."

She smiled. "I personally will also have the typical sushi plate. Tuna if you got any in today." She asked as her tail playfully swayed.

[Mech]

Connor nodded.. "The Breakfast platter then scrambled egs, grits, bacon and biscuits, with one of those fusion omlettes as well. And you may as bring the pot of coffee." He smiled as the chef left, leaving the two of them to themselves.

"So Naomi, tell me about yourself? I've not met any novas that were educators before."

[Naomi Minami]

Naomi smiled. Of course with her hybrid face it punctuated her cuteness. "Indeed? I thought you got around. I can't be unique..."

She thought again. "Then again with about 80 to 100 native novas planet-wide, most of them just Epsilon or Delta grade. We're two of the rare Alpha grade Novas."

She smiles. "I guess I am a rare breed."

"I am from Ukedo, Japan. A former fishing town no more than a few kilometers from the Fukushima plant. Lived there all my Human life. I taught at the same school I grew up in. Math Teacher. 6th Grade, to convert to the typical US system."

She adjusts herself in her chair. "Taught there for 10 years since I got my teacher's licence. My Mother and Father were both teachers as well. Still are, actually. My mother, Kyoko, teaches as a Professor of Physics at Tokyo University, and my father, Joseph, teaches at a private school in Tokyo as well. They took me in while I found a new place to live after the Earthquake and Tsunami. And... my eruption. When I merged with Shiro, I took on his memories and many of his instincts."

She adjusts her vest. "I also lost a lot there... When I found out my lover died in the tsunami when it hit his fishing supply warehouse. He was hurt in the initial Earthquake and no one knew he was pinned under wreckage when the tsunami hit. I..."

She sighs, her ears becoming crestfallen. "...I'm sorry... this is a fairly recent situation... it's fresh in my mind."

"Everything after my becoming, has been in the press here. First I was just the one living Catgirl. Then I became "The Great Cat Detective" when I solved three unsolved cases in the Tokyo area in succession, and found 3 people assumed lost after the disaster."

[Mech]

"All novas are unique, Naomi, in at least one way, regardless of what powers we possess. Our abilities can accomplish the same thing, yet do so a different way."

He smiled. "I know someone else who while not quite like you, does have a few feline traits, one major one in fact..." He gestured to her tail. "Kitty Price has a tail, and it's not hurt her career at all."

"I'm sorry for the loss of the one you loved, even with all the power we novas have, we are still at the whims of nature." He reached out to squeeze her hand reassuringly. "i'm not keeping you from any casework with you being my escort for today am I?"

[Naomi Minami]

"Not at all, Connor. Outside of a missing Cat case... which I always take up for free and recently brought to a happy conclusion... I am actually working right now. Department 0 wanted me to be there in case you needed someone with a PI's talents and diplomatic skill."

She adjusts her vest. A manga peeks out from a lower pocket, she probably forgot it was in there when she was choosing outfits earlier.

"Also... It has been hard to socialize with people that one, don't have a odd fetish for anthropomorphic cats, or two, don't have an obsession with Nekojin. I... I just wanted to feel... sort of normal."

There wasn't longing in her cat-like eyes that shined slightly with the lighting with a greenish-gold sheen. "I am... the only one of my kind. I can hope you understand how much of a island I feel I am on."

[Mech]

Connor nodded. "Perhaps i can help you with that." His features changed, and in mere moments, he looked like a male version of her, adapting a similar pattern, yet slightly different. "As you can see you're not alone." His tone was the same friendly tone that had earned him a reputation for playing what decades before would have been called a "White hat" in the old westerns.

He wanted her to feel better, it was nothing more or less than that.

[Naomi Minami]

Naomi blinked, a soft purr arose from her as she smiled. "I guess... I guess that is true... I am me. That is all I can be, Connor."

She placed her hand on his. "But for now... let's keep this professional. Besides... I like you Human. Or a giant robot." She says with a giggle.

"Thank you. I guess compared to you Novas who have been around since The Event, I'm still growing accustomed to the fact I have changed. Changed into something impossible yet... here I am, you know? Combine that with what my counselors at D0 call "Survivor's Guilt" and well... yeah..."

She looks down at the table. "I... hope you understand and this won't effect our future endeavors."

[Mech]

Connor returned to his normal immacculate form and nodded. "I just simply wished to illustrate you're never as alone as you think."

"You may not have been a nova as long as I have, but you have already made a real positive difference in the lives of your countrymen. Something I've learned, with time and effort, Nothing is impossible to novas, Improbable perhaps, but One day, once we've come into our own, I imagine where we will truly better the lives of all mankind."

"I don't see this as having a negative effect Naomi, it speaks quite well of you in truth, i acted without thinking. Miy apologies."

[Naomi Minami]

"No, no, that is quite alright, Connor."

She looks like she indeed didn't intend him to feel guilty.

"Please... I actually... I actually liked that. It's just that in person... well you're better than real life. I have to admit when you became your cat-self I was... intrigued."

She looks back down at the table. "Thank you."

Chef Taka brings everyone's food to the table. "Here you go, everyone. Everything you ordered, and let me know when you need more."

Naomi looks up, letting loose a kind meow. "Thank you! It is telling when the Chef himself supports his food so much he brings it out himself."

"Indeed." He said before leaving back to his kitchen.

She clasps her hands, and sits in quiet contemplation, and whispers grace.

[Mech]

Connor waited for her to finish, before digging in. "No need for thanks, especially between friends Naomi." His hands moved qucikly eating the food expertly with chopsticks, bowing to local custom, as he added salt to the eggs, and syrup for the biscuit. in three draughts, he drained his first glass of coffe pouring another and working on it.

[Naomi Minami]

"It's not for us, Connor..." Naomi said, focussing on her Sushi first. "It was in general... for being thankful for what we have here. How it could so easily be taken away."

She starts with the Tuna. "I... wasn't too sure how you'd receive my saying Grace. I was raised Catholic by my Father, although I was never christened."

"I don't prescribe mostly to the Shinto and Bhuddist faiths more commonly associated with this country."

"I'm... just a Theist, to be honest."

She continues to enjoy her meal.

[Mech]

Connor looked at her calmly. "I was raised methodist and catholic myself, so I can relate. I try to do good by others, it's all anyone can really do."

he continued eating finishing the first plate and starting the second. "I've noticed you have several fan groups online.."

[Naomi Minami]

"Well, they are... thankfully... either my former students thanking me for being there after the disaster or people who have glommed on to the "Great Cat Detective" image starting to be cultivated by my deeds."

She sits back. "Then there are the Hentai..." Her fur raises on end and she shakes a little. "Not fun. You just can't un-see that stuff, you know?"

She finishes off her sushi, then after enjoying some orange juice she starts attacking her massive omelet, while switching off between that and her milk. A slight purr could be heard from her as she started enjoying it. This in turn seemed to have a bit of a calming effect in the restaurant, since her purr was slightly louder but still in the comfort range for humans.

"And I'm starting to get an international following. Hell I got at least three authors wanting to write stories of my potential adventures as they arise. My life is anything but dull."

[Mech]

"You're telling me. I've seen things I can't unsee, and am told there's far worse out there."

He smiled, her purring was soothing, reminding him of the cats they'd had growing up. "Are you going to let them publish it though? And what of the things you do that are confidential, and matters of state secrecy?"

[Naomi Minami]

"Well... you change enough details and Tom Clancy is behind the wheel... oh man. You don't know how he's trying to bang the doors down at HQ just to start getting stuff to write about."

She smiled. "I did get him to autograph my first printing of "The Hunt for Red October" on his last visit. I even have a picture of us holding the book on my desk back home."

She gets to the half way point and notices her milk was empty. She waves over to Taka and shows the empty bottle. He nods and goes to get another.

"Trust me, I will be deadly careful on making sure facts and names are changed enough to have anything be a work of fiction. I can be just as creative as any writer out there."

"So... what is it like? Being the legend? Being he Myth?"

[Mech]

He smiled. "Fun."

"I was a voice actor before, and well liked for my work in several series, then I errupted and became even better. I did some real movies, and guest appearances on sitcoms, and guest voice work on a number of shows, some even lampooning myself."

"I like to think I'm like Patrick Stewart there, I can have fun even at my own expense, so long as the fans love it. My work with the government isn't anything special in most regards, though I love getting to meet virtually every nova we have in the DSA."

He nodded. "I've done some recruitment, and of course lots of charity work. The DSA seems to love it, as it's good press, and they genuinely support my efforts. They let me do my film projects and voice over work, of course I don't need sleep and can move very fast, so it's not terrible having to commute. Of course there's generally a stir when I emerge."

He chuckled, "Or touch down."

"I still do conventions too, in fact I've got one when I get back actually."

[Naomi Minami]

"You know, I'd like to accompany you to one of these American conventions. Can't be any worse than any convention here."

She smiled. "Luckily I can speak in over 20 languages, including two forms of sign language, and I seem to be a born diplomat at times."

Naomi continues on her breakfast, after Taka brings a second serving of milk. She nods to thank him. "Just a couple things..."

She leans forward and whispers. "You already know of the Chocolate issue, but Lilies are just as lethal to me as well. Just like how they're toxic to cats. I would... rather not be near them. I'm only telling you this because I trust you and my life may depend on you someday."

She pulls back and nods. "Now that that is over with, I think it would be fun showing up riding you. You do have a cockpit I could sit in when you are in mecha mode, correct? You know... if you could be a mecha... you could be a aircraft just as easily!"

She giggles as she moves in her seat. "Always wanted to be in a VF-1A with the Angel Birds demonstration squadron colors."

"I could even get a proper flight-suit to wear when in you. would be a hell of a surprise when not only you, but I show up."

She giggled some more, lilting a happy meow.

[Mech]

He chuckled he was used to women expressing this desire, though with another meaning. It was refreshing to find somone else, aside from Karrie who meant it like this.

"Well I could always scout one out first, and make sure it's taken care of." He looked at her. "I've done pretty much all the various mecha from Robotech and the Macross series. Lots of Gundam, Gurren Laggan, prety much any giant robot you want to think of. One of my projects in fact is one of the most expansive, over three hundred forms for it, and counting."

He smiled. "That's a secret project though. Though if things work out and you get a chance to come stateside, well, maybe I can show it to you."

[Naomi Minami]

"Well... I can always take a case in the area. Just by my arrival in a place sometimes my element of suprise is gone, so by coming along people'll think I'm on some good will tour when I might actually be participating in a investigation."

She drinks more milk. "Whatever will work, I suppose."

She sighs. "Sorry, when I was young I somehow got tied up with a couple mecha fans in my youth, and I got interested in Macross. It took a while before I got into Gundam... about when you started doing the project to be honest."

She leaned forward on steepled fingers. Smiling, with one ear slightly down.

[Mech]

"You still have an element of Surprise? Mine disappeared long ago." It was true his presence commanded attention, in a myriad of ways, even when he wasn't trying.

He chuckled. "I did my first voice acting right out of high school, and was good enough to pay for college with it. Then I got work for Gundam. As it stands now, I've got work on several funimation projects. With bandai announcing an end to American releases, that was kinda agitating to me. While I've not said it publiclly, The fact I've not taken any VA work for bandai has been noticed."

"I get to work with alot of great people, I'm just one voice in the mix, usually."

[Naomi Minami]

She got done with her meal. Wiping her mouth politely with a napkin she returns to leaning back in her seat. Her tail moved at her side.

"I'm usually alone. Only those I work with are usually in communication with me." She says, looking towards the door. "Then again I do like the fact I always got my emergency gear ready to go if needed... I'll show it you when we head to my home town. D0 regs require all D0 agents to wear it when in the field. We... suffered some casualties during the relief effort. Accidents and such with blips. Ever since they make sure we're proerly protected."

[Mech]

"There's so few novas, I can understand." He smiled. "So now that we've eaten and I'll handle the check, where shall we go from here? There's still plenty of time before the meetings I need to attend."

He looked at her and waited to see how she'd react.

[Naomi Minami]

"Well, my hometown, as planned." She said. "Won't be much to see, but much to do... sadly."

She sighed. "You up for some surprise humanitarian assistance? I'll have to get my bag out from the car if that is the plan."

She gets up. "I'll have to change here, then we can head off. Taka-san is used to me leaving my car here..."

Taka nods. "I'll be sure to ask for some compensation. Same number and account, right?"

"Yep. Don't hold back."

Taka nods as Naomi runs out at a pretty fast, cat-like speed, returning with a international orange bag with red lettering saying "Department 0 - Operation Nippontai" in Japanese on one side. "I'll be but a moment."

Taka tosses the bathroom keys to her.

[Mech]

Connor stood there and paid the check for the meal himself, after a few moments where Taka seemed to not want to do it, but Connor was insistent. He flexed his hands and made a phone call, just to keep things on the up and up, and waited patiently.

[Naomi Minami]

Naomi walks back out, wearing a body-tight white bodysuit that has some elements of the "Hoshi" spacesuit Mitsubishi developed recently, but it had the look of a more terrestrial purpose garment. It had red detail and trim, and there were what looked like load-bearing harnesses on the suit that seemed to be buckled over a high-visibility construction vest. She carried a helmet adapted to her facial structure under her arm and kept the bag that stored the suit slung over her shoulders. the tail was enclosed in a white sleeve with a reddish with orange tip with reflective tape half-way on the red portion of the enclosed tail sleeve.

"So... whatcha think?" She said, smiling. "Sort of feels like a proper uniform to me."

Some of the patrons turn to look. They don't get to see much of Department 0's Nippontai Fieldsuit. Some even take pictures.

"Ready Connor? Should be interesting to see what you choose."

[Mech]

He nodded, "Looks good on you." He took her outside, and smiled. "Hold this." He handed her his one bag, obviously a set of clothing, and his shoes. He transformed, his clothes shredding as to took the form of the twenty meter height Superior ne knelt down to allow her to climb into his hand, hoping she'd be fast so they don't obstruct traffic too long. He could already hear the cameras and see the flashes.