Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM): Nexus Earth - Chapter 9: The Voyage Home

[Valerie]

Valerie listened quietly to the talk, the military squads that received them were being strangely stoic with the reception of their Princess, isn't it a big deal? She has been away for a long long time, they been at civil war among themselves, morale should be boosted by something like this, did they really got that offended by Satoshi sending protection for Lily?

Quote:

"In The name of the Dalaraan Republic, I welcome you to the occupation zone, princess Aksaniolily, and your allies. It is good to see that you're on the right side of things already. Satoshi has proven to be substantial allies in our war against the Empire. Their leaders are masters in battle, and already the former emperor has been slain by all reports. That's why we could not put you in contact with him."

Valerie reeled with shock, her eyes must have widened when the news were received, was this why the rebel captains where not heard from on the long fight against the devils and the Federation? She had an urge to scream something, to ask for explanations, but anything that would make them look suspicious would endanger Lily, her family and the ships. Hizashi alone could probably still wipe all of them, Takashi too, this would have to be handled very carefully, but for now she did the only thing she could, she walked up to Lily as she spoke to the other Daalaranites and simply put one hand on her shoulder.

[Justin OOC]

Yukutsa nodded as one of Eiji's squad escorted them to the briefing room and seated them taking care of any refreshment needs as Lily and the others were in the bay.

Kai spoke first. "Ruri, I need a very discreet and secure vidcom to Klan and Ryoma, they need to hear this."

The youngest captain nodded and windows appeared showing bothe the Combat CRT commanders getting ready. "Ryoman ackowledged them with a grunt. "We're a bit busy getting ready to sortie. What do you need?" He looked and saw both Lily and Kai. "My apologies. What's going on?"

Klan was already Macronized and in her power armor. Even though the order hadn't been given, they were getting ready anticipating things weren't right.

"Kai nodded grimmly. "Looks like we know where Takashi and Hizashi went."

[Sakura]

She followed along behind Kai and the others, as requested, listening to what they were being told. However, it had no meaning to her, she didn't have any context to shape it around. She looked between Kai and Lily, then to the others, and when they were finally in a briefing room, she looked around the room and allowed her confusion to show. "I have no idea what all of this means, could someone please clarify for me?"

[Valerie]

"It´s...sligthly long. When Satoshi found our group originally, the Captain Commander was a man called Hizashi, a man so terribly powerful that he alone fought dozens of grand battles by himself, and another captain Takashi a madman who thirsted only for blood on every fight he ever had, those two betrayed Satoshi and attacked Kai and the rest of the rest of the earth forces, with most of the captains in space or in orbit they were not fast enough to stop them and left, the problem with this is that Takashi possessed the same ancient power that Kai does, he is a Skeleton Key." Valerie turned to look at Kai before continuing the tale.

[Justin OOC]

Kai nodded. "Who betrayed who is a matter of opinion Valerie. Hizashi and Takashi were Head and Second Captains. It wasn't their leaving that was so horrible, it was their vicious attacks that slew half the officer corps and took much of Satoshi's strength into exile. That's why we say they are the betrayers."

[SalmonMax]

"That's only part of the story though," Lily said. "The rest of it has to do with the Dalaraan Empire, of which my father is ruler. I came to Earth to extend an offer of peace and alliance. But shortly after I arrived a rebel faction in the Empire started a civil war. Now it looks like the rebels from Satoshi have joined my father's enemies. While we were holding the Federation off, they went and tried to aid a coup that would have given them control of the Dalaraan Empire...which which they could then come and conquer Earth whenever they chose."

She sighs. "So now we're surrounded by rebel forces, who think that I'm on their side and we're here to help them. It won't take long for them to realize the truth. All they have to do is try to confirm our identity with their Satoshi friends. We need a way to get out of here so we can meet up with my father's loyalists at the moons."

"Make more sense now?" Lily smiles wanly. "I know it's confusing."

[Columbian]

"No. Unfortunately, it's rather clear." Francis broke in, looking rather displeased at this twist of fate. "We need to get out, preferably preventing any chance of pursuit as well. If we could disable or shut those ships down in close order, we could break out fast and escape in the confusion. Which also involves keeping our 'friends' in in the dark just long enough."

[Justin OOC]

"Ryoma could take them down, but his launch is noticeable half a starsystem away."

Kai forwns. "We learn what we can from the Admiral, then maroon them and their fleet here. "Captain Hoshino, I know you're occupied, but could you hack their systems and shut them down except for lifesupport for a few hours?"

For a moment there was no response. Then a vid window appeared, They heard Ruri's voice but her mouth didn't move. "Yes I can do so. However I will not be available to guide the ship and direct CWISwhile I do so."

"Very well Captain, do what you must and let us know when you are ready to proceed."

He looks to the rest of the people gathered there. "We won't kill them, we didn't come here to kill Dalaraan fighters. We'll make our way to the moonbase and go from there. Right now though we need to go pump these guys for information, agreed?"

[Sakura]

She considered the information that she had been provided for a few moments, then she nodded. "Much clearer, in other words, we've fallen into a situation that's in a state of civil war." She sighed. "It doesn't sound good at all."

[Justin OOC]

Kai frowned. "It isn't, but at least the side we support is clear." He looked to Lily. "If Takashi and the others support the rebellion then We'll support her Father and the Empire."

[SalmonMax]

Lily gave Kai a grateful look, then nodded.

"All right, if we're all clear on the situation, lets see what we can make of it."

She looked at the Macross' captain. "Make sure the room he's in is isolated. No signals coming in or out. And have a heavy security detail waiting outside in case things get ugly."

With that Lily turned back to the others. "As long as he thinks we're on his side, we may as well get what information we can about his fleets and plans. He'll figure out the game eventually, but that'll happen no matter what. This way at least we might get something useful out of the deal. Also, if he tries to fight, don't kill him whatever you do. We need him captured."

She took a deep breath and gathered herself. "All right...whoever's coming with me, lets go."

[Justin OOC]

Kai nodded and they made their way into the briefing room that had been prepared. Before too long they had the complete situation. The emperor had been injured and forced to flee the Ascendant Victory after a battle with Takashi. He was believed to have died from his wounds because the Victory had ceased all functions.

Even with Takashi's forces, the defense system of the lunar bases were impossible to penetrate. A quick plan was developed, and without anone even noticing, Kai shifted them to another dimensional plane. Ruri simulated appropriate contacts with the fleet, and all was well.

They left the officers there, saying their shuttle would be ready and giving them a moment to rest before returning. When Kai and Lily stepped from the room he smiled. "They'll only escape that dimension if a Key lets them out. none of those Hiroga are at the level needed to break through."

A quick discussion later, The shuttle was sent back by remote, equipped with a masked EMP bomb, and a some small biocore emitters, tuned to the Rebels they'd captured.

They maneuvered into their negotiated place, as the six ships moved for theirs. At the edge of Focused Sensor range, The Satoshi IFF Tagged The Dominon, one of the stolen warships, Enganged with an Imperial Fleet. Takashi's E-Shadow and Sergei's Verde buster were tagged.

"5 seconds to EMP burst. All pilots standing by."

"Go!!"

The bomb went off inside the Rebel battleship, quickly engulfing the 5 ships nearby. There was a moment of confusion as the Allied Fleet Surged forward, the Macross ships and their escorts, swooping in at full speed. A special communique, devised by Lily, something only she could know was transmitted as the ships neared the defense grid.

In the Distance and over the comms They heard Takashi roar as the E-Shadow disappeared. "Hizashi, They're Here It's the Princess!" All across the threat board beacons lit up as every enemy ship opened up towards them. Explosions shook the ship, and near-misses flensed armor from the superstructure. The secorts were being mauled bad, the starlight in particular. Lifeboats were launched, and all mecha were slaved to the main control for the fleet. Takaishi reappeared off their Starboard side, and Captain Kitamurra of the Starlight could be heard as the damaged warship moved to intercept the enraged captain.

Alarms blared as Ruri Called out. "Admiral! detecting Hyperspace Fold field forming, it's the Starlight, she's jumping out!"

An intra system fold was dangerous without preparation. In a ship with no crew, and severe damage it was suicide. "Captain Kitamura Abort Now!"

"Ruri!"

"I am locked out they are disconnected from CI only com circuits online."

There was a burst of static and they could hear the sounds of struts warping and fire crackling. There were alarms, and then one proud voice. "Amaha Save The Princess." In an instant there was a violet-red explosion as the ship tore open a hole in spacetime and went through. That's not accurate. what happened was the damaged stardrive was pulled through the ship like someone deboned it like a fish, pulling the unshielded E-Shadow with it. The mecha disapeared from all sensors, just as the remains of the Starlight exploded in a Caphacony of light.

A hole opened in the defense grid even as it began to pour fire into the ships following them. Kai stood watching as more people who answered to him died. "Admiral, Captain Klang just returned with 2 dozen survivors of the Starlight. She awaits disciplinary action for sortieing without authorization." He looked to Kai and Lily. Kai looked at him. "I will handle it Admiral, she's one of my Captains after all."

Imperical forces were fighting off the ships behind them now, forcing back the rebel ships.

A single message came from outside the grid. "He will be back Princess, and I won't restrain him this time." There was no mistaking Hizashi's voice, or the threat in his tone.

As he finished, they recieved a communique from the Lunar base. "Satoshi Ship Macross and escorts, please Land at these coordinates and debark for a meeting with Imperial Loyalist command." There was a short silence. "Good to Have you home, Cousin."

It was Ryoko, Lily's elder Cousin, the one she'd fought on Ikaris. Last time they'd fought, at least this time started with a greeting.

[Sakura]

For her, the situation seemed to be a bit more involved then she expected, but for an instant she had sensed a very powerful demonic presence, one that vanished after a moment, taken out by the escort, and her eyes narrowed. Something more then just a rebellion appeared to be going on here. She looked around to the others, then spoke up. "So, what next?"

[SalmonMax]

"Next...we work out what's going on, then what our next move is."

Slumped in one of the bridge seats after having been sitting on the edge of it through most of the proceedings, Lily replied to Ryoko, "I wish I could say it was good to be home...but things have really gotten out of hand back here. We'll need landing clearance for a shuttle from each of our ships. And..."

Some of the weariness on Lily's face eased, to show a stark worry underneath. "...what about my father? The rebels think he's dead, but I got a message from him. Do you know where he is?"

[Justin OOC]

Ryoko shook her head. "When you get to the command room, not over the open waves." The Comm went dead and the ship was given priority clearance and landed on an open field. Several Dalaraan Purebloods, and two Madara Envoys awited the Lily-Satoshi delegation.

Kai had left after the message, pausing a moment to make his request. "Lily, I'll go speak with Klan. She and I will catch up with you. If you wouldn't take Masane along when you go, that way I can find my way." From the way Master and servant looked at each other it was clear Masane wasn't very happy.

The Admiral turned to Lily. "Obviously they are expecting you. My crew and I stand ready to do what you ask, I would advise taking your friends.." he gestured to the others on the bridge "And meeting her. I'll be sure to send Kai along when he's finished doing his job."

-------------------------

Kai made his way to the hangar, managing to put on his angry face. He kne he was expected to give Klan a thourough dressing down for sortieing like she did. He couldn't really be too mad, she'd lost no one, and recovered 24 people who otherwise would have died. She had just finished removing her armor and the escape pods were all ropened and Medical teams were escorting the survivors out. Someone turned and saw Kai, and snapped off "Head Captain On DECK!"

Everyone snapped to attention even the survivors. "Carry on, I have buisness with Captain Klang."

The aquamarine haired giantess came over to him and she could look him in the eye while he was on the catwalk. "Captain"

"I offer no excuse for my actions, and accept full responsibility."

Kai couldn't keep it together anymore. He started laughing. "You think I'm mad that you saved lives of people under our command, and that you did so without losing a single soldier?"

"But I left without orders. I should be punished."

"You did, and if you insist, then I will do so. For the remainder of the mission, provided it does not interfere with your health, you will have to stay in your micronized form. After seeing Mercury's reaction, I know being that way isn't pleasant for your kind, and for you in particular."

He smiles. "That said, you should go to the sizing chamber and hurry up, we'll have to catch up to the others if we're to meet the loyalist command as a unified front."

"That's all?"

"Klan, I'd have done the same, had you not beaten me to it. As it stands you saved lives, that's hat I look at. Far from home with no knowledge of our allies and minimal of our enemies, we're all we have here. We all need to trust each other. Just as I fully trust in you, as those men, some of whom lost family to Circinus ships, now trust in you."

The Young Captain waited for her to be rezized and smiled when she emerged wearing the robes of a Satoshi Captain.

----------------

(OOC you guys can feel free to make your way down to the Envoys, or I can just get you all to the Command staff, you're choice.)

[Justin OOC]

(OK nobody's posted, So I'll take it that we can just move ahead some If you all have any problems with this let me know and I'll remove the post.)

The group assembled and met the Envoys, Georgi remaining with the ship along with Ruri, should anything happen. The Envoys took them in and and just as they were to be introduced into the main chamber, One of the doors nearby began to glow and Kai emerged with the Micronized Klan, infinity symbol and lines that showed his identity blazing. The guards looked hesitant, but the Envoy shook their heads, evidently having seen such a thing before.

The great doors were opened just as Kai took his place just behind Lily's right, allowing the crown princess to lead them in as was propper.

"Returning from Earth at the Behest of the Emeperor, Crown Princess Aksaniolilly, her Consort, Head Captain of Satoshi Heavy Industries CRT's Kai Morisato and the Captains and Satoshi personnel who support them." There were a fair number of military generals present, many were of the Madara, the race of healers and diplomats, but a pair of Hiroga and handful of purebloods also waited. At their head was Ryoko, clad in the Uniform of a Dalaraan General, The pendant around her neck signifying her status as both Regent and General of the Armies.

"It is good to see you again Princess, I wiss it were in better circumstances." She notices the others. "Your Consort.. Oh my is that Really Valerie there too, and "She looked at Masane "No way that's Ibis."

"Who are all these people you brought with you Lily?"

Several of the generals shifted uncomfortably. This was a royal reception, and Ryoko clearly wasn't being as respectful as they'd like. "Lady Ryoko.." "What?" She'd wheeled on the Madara so fast. "Show a litle more respect to the crown princess."

Ryoko frowns but draws herself up. "As Regent I formally welcome you back to Dalaraan, and am happy to see you've cemented your alliance with Earth. We here are what remains of the High Command Loyal to the Emipre. The Republic and THEIR Satoshi Allies have slain the rest."

[SalmonMax]

"Ryoko..." Lily said softly, her voice full of sorrow. The magnitude of the disaster was almost impossible to grasp. The Empire might take centuries to recover from this, if it recovered at all. She thought of the Federation fleet that had been defeated, and shivered at the thought that those ships might have headed for Dalaraan itself if they'd known how bad things were. The Imperial navy, divided as it was, could have been crushed.

And it might still be.

"There's a lot to talk about," Lily said, "but before I do, I just need to know...where's the Emperor, my father?"

[Justin OOC]

"He's not Dead. If that's what you're asking. If they knew that they'd send everything they had." Ryoko's tone wasn't reassuring.

"He's safe, with and we've made him comfortable, but there's no real way to..." She looked away.

She looks around, "Generals, I call for a break, we'll meet back here in half an hour to discuss our new allies, but Our Crown Princess deserves to see the truth."

They mumbled but no one outright dissented. Ryoko motioned for them to follow and The troop was led deep within the base, To a round Chamber glowing faintly with blue light.

The Emperor was on the bed, and from the sillouhette, his legs were gone below the knee, and his left arm was completely gone.

His eyes opened and he beheld his daughter for the first time in many months. "Daughter..." He coughed, blood mixed within it, and his eyes opened again. It... Is.. good.. to have... you.. home.."

The words were a labor for him. "You... Succeeded."

[SalmonMax]

Lily's face fell at the sight of her father, and in a heartbeat she was on her knees by his bedside and hugging him...gently.

"I was so worried," she confessed tearfully after a moment, looking up from where she'd buried her face in his chest. "But you'll be all right. You'll heal...you'll be stronger than before."

With shaking fingers she pushed a lock of deep indigo hair out of her father's eyes. "I brought some ships...but I don't know if it's enough to help against this. But it's all right, I'll get word to Earth. There's more ships there. This won't stand...you're a good leader...you don't deserve anything like this and it won't succeed. I promise."

[Justin OOC]

"They won't get here fast enough Lily." Ryoko shook her head. "Something about the white haired man's attack, The most powerful of Madaran healing methods has done nothing. He wasn't initially this bad but it's eaten away where he was struck."

"Ryoko."

"my Emperor." She bowed down.

"Bring him here." Ryoko nodded and motioned for Kai to come forward. Without being told he bowed. "Come closer Son, my Eyes are not what they once were." He looked at Kai, resplendant in his Captain' attire. It was as though he was looking into his very soul. "Everyone in this room trusts you. I had wished to talk to you longer, but My time is short. Swear to me you will protect her."

It was so like her father, thinking she needed protecting. "I will do all I can."

He looked to Lily. "And You my daughter ,swear to me that you will defend this Empire, and always Do what is best for our people."

[Valerie]

Valerie bit her lip at the scene, her heart sunk when she heard the situation from outside the room, she sympathized with Lily in a way, but realistically she had no way of actually knowing how it felt to see your parents dying slowly in front of you.

Walking forward she came behind Kai, trying to remain silent. "Kai, we used the flowers we brought back from Ikaris to treat similar wounds when Takashi went all out on us. Would they be of any help on this situation? Even if it´s to decrease any pain he might be feeling?" Valerie looked down when speaking with Kai, she truly didn´t want to be here, she knew in her gut that this whole moment was unnecessary pain caused by Hizashi and Takashi, they had to be stopped from senseless acts of violence like this, they only fight for the sake of being in a fight.

"Gai mentioned how he was on stasis for thousands of years, if at all, maybe we could use that to prevent his death and study a way to truly heal his wounds?"

[Justin OOC]

Kai nodded. He'd forgotten about the flowers, and could only hope they had some on the ship. "Captain Hoshino?"

"Yes Head Captain?"

"Do we have any of the Ikaran Flowers?"

"We anticipated interaction with Captain Satoshi, so yes we did bring a supply with us, though not a very large one."

Kai practically beamed. "I want you to make a dosage ready immediately, The Emperor was hit by his attack, and will die if he is not treated."

"IT will require significant spiritual power to use properly without Lady Nanamura here, but I can make the arrangements It will be ready ssoon."

Kai waited, and then there was a tone. "Captain, the treatment is ready, I have opened the door to the medical room."

Kai nodded and the markings of the Skeleton Key appeared.

He returned a moment later, Ruri with him.

She quickly set to work, treating the plac splotches that wwere the representation of Takashis attack eating away at the Dalaraan Emperor.

"Now we need a massive infusion of Spiritual energy, More than any one of you has. Because we are doing this fast, and it is so far along without extreme regenerative capabilities, The amount of energy needed is Extreme."

She looks to Kai, Sakura, Lily, Valerie, and Masane. "You five should have sufficient Mana to awaken the flowers." She looked over to Klan, and Francis. "You two will have to defend them. if they go too far."

She looks at Ryoko, then to the Emperor. "Let us hope this works."

"Focus your Mana and will it into the Emperor, as it spreads through his body, it will activate the flowers which should then heal him. Now, Begin."

Masane started first , laying her hand on the stump of The Emperor's left leg. All Ten seals she owed to Kai began to glow, and for a moment the Emperor's eyes grew wide in recognition. Then Mana flowed into him. The ointment made of the flower began to glow, albeit dimly.

(OOC Lily, Valerie, Sakura, you may give as much or as little mana as you choose to make this work. The more given the better the chance of success.)

[Valerie]

Valerie dropped to her knees besides the Emperor as she held her hands in front of her, she had never attempted to draw magical power without the Stock except when casting the Dragonslave, and that one didn´t really need much control it was more akin to opening a floodgate.

Valerie focused her mind, whatever Takashi attack´s did it requiered a tremenedous amount of magic to get rid of, it felt like trying to peel a soldered piece of steel with only your bare fingers, pouring more juice into it made it easier for a moment, Valerie wanted to get this done with, who knew how much the emperor can withstand on his condition.

"Takashi... is a horrible person, this things almost feel like they hate me for trying to remove them." Valerie's breath started to get labored, the energy this thing was taking out of her was tremendous, she had not felt like this since the fight in the space above mars, it was a good thing she had kneeled because her knees as it was were shaking slightly and felt weak under her, and whatever was keeping the color on her skin was probably turned off due to lack of energy to run on, she could almost feel her job done, just a bit farther and she was going to make it, that was the last thing she managed to think before the light in her eyes dulled considerably and she fell sideways in labored breathing, she tried her best to get up as quietly as possible, everyone was doing their jobs seriously and she could not interrupt them for something as silly as this, she managed to move herself to a chair off to the side of the room, sitting down to try and get back her composture.

[Justin OOC]

Kai put forth his hands and Mana flowed forth in a cascade, the lines and symbols marking him as a Skeleton key becoming visible as the the purity of the mana flowing in purified The Dalaraan Emperor. Kai too looked almost ill, having shunted a massive amount of mana into the Emperor.

Ruri nodded, "Sakura, Lily, add your own please."

[Rorx]

Eiji belatedly entered the room, delayed by the need of changing from his powerarmour and giving standing orders to the contingent of his CRT. Spotting the injured form and recognising the flowers from his home plane Eiji knew what was necessary.

"Captain Ruri, if I may go next I may have regained enough energy to contribute again once the others have given their donation."

At a brief nod from Ruri he stepped forward and poured out the bulk of his mana reserves into the flowers. Unlike Valerie Eiji exercised his control of mana forces everyday and so the precise channelling to the flowers came as second nature to him, as did the breaking of the link just before he drained himself. Pale looking, but slightly more in control of himself he stepped back out of the way and assumed a Zazen posture while he regathered his mana stores.

Click to reveal..

Eiji will give all bar the last 10pts of his mana/EP and then be regenerating his mana at 25pts/t/urn as usual - I assume. Since he normally only has about 300EP it would normally only take him 12 turns to get back up to full again.

By the way, no insult meant to Valerie. Eiji is a mage and enchants hhis own body so he has to maintain a good awareness/control of his mana/chi.

[SalmonMax]

As the others came to her father's side one by one, Lily held his hand between her own with her eyes shut. She didn't make any movement or sign that she'd heard Ruri call on her. To anyone unable to sense movement of the spirit, she might appear to have fainted standing up.

The more sensitive would know better.

Eiji stepped away and Lily tightened her grip on the Emperor's hand slightly. The safeties and controls that training had taught her to use to control her power fell away one by one. The floor under her feet bent slightly and deformed. There was a sensation of pressure expanding through the infirmary room, as if the air were thickening and bearing down on everyone present. To those who had been close to Lily during her bankai training, the sensation was familiar.

Wind began to cycle around Lily and her father, placing them at the eye of a storm as blue light started to bleed from Lily's skin out into a globe around her. From there lines of light sketched out around her slowly, drawing the image of a large humanoid woman hunched over and kneeling by the Emperor's bedside. No sooner had that aura formed though, than it flared even larger, breaking up into a vast swirling vortex of blinding blue-white light that streamed out of Lily's chest and seethed and churned over the Emperor.

And then it reached down into a funnel; a tornado of spiritual essence funneled into the flower, into the man, in a seemingly unquenchable torrent. Long past the point where it seemed like the river of power must slow to a trickle, it continued to flood out of her. Finally though, finally the light dwindled to a pure cerulean hue and lost its white supernova edge. The geyser slowed and finally ceased gushing out.

For a heartbeat Lily stood there, face peaceful as if asleep. Then without a word, she crumpled to the floor.

(OOC - Gave it all...625 mana)

[Justin OOC]

The effects were miraculous, even as Kai and Masane moved to catch Lily and Valerie. The darkness of Takashi's attack faded, and the Emperor's limbs regenerated before their eyes.

Ruri smiled. "The power of Mana, the bonds of friendship. He will live and be strong again, though he must rest, at least three days. The others will all need to do so as well."

Ryoko, awestruck by the display, could only nod. The Emperor would live, and Lily and her friends had saved him. She looked at her younger cousin, held in the arms of her boyfriend, The concern clear on his face, but a smile curlin his lip at the good they'd done.

"If ever it was doubted that Satoshi meant what it said about peace, this proves it." She looked to Ruri. "I will have the ships resupplied, and rooms made available for those who need them. Your are allies and guests of the Royal family, and When everyone's awake again we'll talk more about the future."

(OOC 7CP to everyone)