Chapter Six: All Hands on Deck

[Sherwood]

Mario grins wide as he watches the expanding cloud of dust that used to be the outpost of Chessel Corporation. He says, "Damn! That is a mighty fine thing to see! Almost as nice as watching a pair of nukes go off inside a Zentraedi Assault Scout! Nice indeed. Thank you for that, guys. Now, lets get these supplies back to the Broadsword and see what goodies we were able to snag."

 

[Psychie]

Toph chuckles. "You will never let us forget that your tank was the one that fired those nukes in the ship, are you, Mario? But yes, I fully agree that the blast is quite entertaining, especially since it is happening to the AUL assholes. Couldn't be targeting a nicer bunch, don't you think?" She can still vividly remember the first time she ever learned that she was a Traverser, that day with Hitomi at the dojo when the AUL made a move on her. Using the promise of a message from her mother to try and lure her into a trap? Not cool.

 

[Kaerri]

Elinor cackles gleefully. "Now there's a beeeyoutiful sight!" she crows, both over the nexus and echoed out loud where the Sams and Captain Piper could hear. It was an odd kind of effort, like focusing extra hard on the lyrics of a hymn you weren't too sure of. "Take that, jerk-faces!" Another thought crossed her mind, this one only spoken out loud. "Say, is this bein' recorded? Mack oughta have the chance to watch, too, when she's able."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag!

Elinor found that she could both give voice to and think of what she was saying simultaneously, thereby communicating both vocally and through Iris's polyphonic nexus in the same time it took just to say the words!

"Say, is this bein' recorded? Mack oughta have the chance to watch, too, when she's able."

Everyone heard Toph's voice give reply to Elinor's question as a Samantha turned to Elinor. "All vocal and radio-based transmissions are electronically recorded. If you are communication via technopathy, this is not being recorded as far as we know. Unless Dr. Yashida is recording the line via her technopathic transceiver."

 

[Psychie]

Toph looks over at one of the nearby Sams and asks, "How is it that you are speaking with my voice? Not that I mind, but I am curious."

 

[Purr]

Psychie

The Sam turns to Toph and explains about as cheerfully as an animated suit can. The voice "he" uses sounds exactly like someone doing a perfect impression of Hiroshi Kirin without making any attempt at including the words he would actually use. Toph notes now that even some of the body language her father used to use is occasionally mimicked by the Sams, but never the female-bodied Samanthas.

"We are glad to answer this question, Lt. Kirin! Since the rescue of the Esper, we have been able to fix the software issue preventing the Broadsword Sam units from engaging in vocal conversations. This is why we were mute until very recently." The Sam bows in apology then resumes. "Sometime after her rise to 2nd in command of the SCL-107 Broadsword, Commander Kirin, your mother, requested we alter our vocal registries to echo those of her long-dead husband and her child. You.

"When asked by Captain Drake why she wanted this, Commander Kirin replied, 'I miss them.' Captain Drake then approved her request and our voices were changed. Our voices can be altered with the permission of Acting-Captain Piper. Shall we put in said request on your behalf, Lt. Kirin?" The Sam puts his hands together as if ready and willing to do your bidding.

 

[Psychie]

With a glance over at the other members of the Wild Cards, Toph says, "Um, that might be a good thing to do, especially since if I am not in the midst of a neural network with the team to communicate, it could lead to confusion as to which one of us is talking. Is it Toph, or is it a Sam? Besides, Mom will be able to hear my voice plenty once I figure out how to heal her up enough to bring her safely out of the stasis pod she is in." It sounds like she missed me as much as I missed her. I can't wait to get Mom out of the pod so I can give her the biggest hug of her life!

 

[Purr]

"Ice-9," Cera returns Toph's glance. "Is that not the name of the required isotope to return Commander Kirin to healthy status?"

"Yes, auxiliary specialist," the Sam Toph is speaking with replies with an eager nod. "To date, the Broadsword crew has only encountered Isotope-9 by way of Zeki-Zentraedi interactions. It was this very rare isotope that saved Commander Kirin's life and enabled her to successfully enter hypersleep. Without it, her Meltrandi immune system would have likely failed resulting in her death."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario looks over at Cera and asks, "Tell me, Cera, if you would, what do you know of this isotope? Is it possible for us to acquire some to restore Commander Kirin to health?"

 

[Purr]

Cera looks back at Mario in a way that does not seem so annoyed with his male presence as when they had first met. "Not much. Biology and self-transformation is the way of the Zeki-Zentreadi. In certain stages of their lives, they mold themselves to become one with their machines. That is why there are Beastmasters and Abolishers. Isotope-9 is a human nickname for Kezurl-kazak which is its name in Zentraedi. While we Ura-Meltrandi have stolen some back in our time, I do not believe we can manufacture it.

"In other words, if you want some, you have to go to the Zeki and get it."

Cera leaned back in her Cyclone and frowned. Just talking about the Zeki was enough to darken her mood a touch.

 

[Sherwood]

Mario idly asks, "Aren't there some Zeki-Zentraedi here, on Earth, from the future, having come through time like the Broadsword did? I'm not saying that we drop everything and hunt them down, but if we do happen to come across them, would it be possible to get some of this Ice-9 from them?"

 

[Psychie]

Toph is barely able to breathe as she waits for the answer. This may be just the thing to save her mother's life.

 

[Purr]

Cera grins, her deep red eyes glinting mischievously. "I would like nothing more. Except Kezurl-kazak is rare. No typical Beastmaster is going to be carrying it, I think. We would likely have to raid one of their bases for any chance at some. They guard it... jealously." Then without missing a beat, she adds with a smile that reminds you of Taniya. "Can we run such a raid past Leader Mack? Sometime? Anytime?"

The Sams and Samanthas exchange what appear to be unsure glances among each other. It was odd enough to be allied with the Ura-Meltrandi, any Ura-Meltrandi, given the relationship humanity had with this race in their time, but now to be on the same side and possibly forming a strike against the Zeki? It boggled the minds of even the Sams.

 

[Sherwood]

Mario rubs his chin, already contemplating some very evil thoughts. "It would require that there actually be a base for us to raid, us to know its location, and, most importantly, have the firepower sufficient to be able to do a successful raid. We barely got through the fight against that one Beastmaster, and God only knows how many we would have to face."

 

[Psychie]

Toph can feel the level of excitement fade from her as she hears the details of just how hard it would be to get some of this isotope. Perhaps . . . I can work a miracle of my own doing and heal her myself. I could not face the idea of risking the lives of everyone here just to grasp at straws. "Not a good idea, Sergeant. I don't doubt for a moment that you would go storm the very gates of Hell if it were asked of you, but I cannot make that request of you, just for my sake. If it is needed for the greater mission of saving the Earth? Then yes, I'd be happy to do so, too."

 

[Kaerri]

Everyone heard Toph's voice give reply to Elinor's question as a Samantha turned to Elinor. "All vocal and radio-based transmissions are electronically recorded. If you are communication via technopathy, this is not being recorded as far as we know. Unless Dr. Yashida is recording the line via her technopathic transceiver."

"I meant a video of the explosion, but that's good to know too."

Elinor listens as the others talk about this Isotope-9 that could help Toph's mother. "Yeah, but if we can pull it off, I'd sure like to." She offers Toph a compassionate smile. "Maybe we can call it a team-building exercise or something. Or find something else on that base we need. It'll still need to wait until we get the right intel, but by then we may have more reasons to go, too. In any case, yeah, let's run it by Mack as soon as we can. It's definitely something I think we ought to keep on the back burner, and not forget about."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario nods. "Especially considering that the Professor seems to have found a couple more Traversers. We may actually have the needed edge with that to make the raid a reality."

 

[Psychie]

Toph turns to Mario and pulls the man into a quick hug. "Thank you, Mario, for thinking of me and my mother." She gives the Italian a quick peck on the cheek, then lets him go.

 

[Purr]

Cera raises a finger. "Beastmasters are just one component of the Zeki-Zentraedi, Mario Zuko. Wait until you see what the Zeki's Abolishers can do. And if we run into one of their juggernauts, with this technology," she examined the hands of her Cyclone, "with Valkyries and Army of Southern Cross mecha... Hmph. We will lose and lose badly. We still do not know the Zeki's force size or intentions. And of all the ships in the UEEF's armada, only one - the Broadsword - made it back. At this moment in time, I believe the odds are against us.

Cera sighs. "Hmm. I recommend we see about making more Mjolnirs to stand a chance against the Zeki's mightiest."

* * *​

If it is needed for the greater mission of saving the Earth? Then yes, I'd be happy to do so, too."

Cera folds her fingers. "Commander Zyorna Kirin was one of the few commanders we Ura-Meltrandi respected back in our time. Reviving her for the sake of saving your Earth... might become a necessity now that Captain Drake has died."

* * *​

"I meant a video of the explosion, but that's good to know too."

"This has been recorded, Lt. Hall," one of the Esper Sams informs.

* * *​

Mario nods. "Especially considering that the Professor seems to have found a couple more Traversers. We may actually have the needed edge with that to make the raid a reality."

Cera seems to examine the ceiling of the Esper's cockpit. She closes her eyes. Inside your minds, you hear Cera's request. "Doctor Yashida?"

"Hey, Cera. Call me Hitomi. What's up?"

"Yes, Hitomi. The new Traversers Professor Stein has rescued. Do you think they have any information on the Zeki-Zentraedi?"

There was a brief pause, then Hitomi's tone sounded doubtful. "I would be surprised if they knew anything good. One rescued the other from a secret attack on a Malcontent base and lost his entire squadron in the process, all apparently because the one being rescued saw something she shouldn't have. Maybe you could ask her when you meet?"

"Acknowledged. Gratitude."

"Anytime."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario's face goes a bit red with this, but he doesn't fight against the hug or the kiss on the cheek. "Um, you're welcome, Li- uh, Toph. We are a team, and by God I will always have the backs of each and every one of you, no matter what."

 

[Sherwood]

Cera sighs. "Hmm. I recommend we see about making more Mjolnirs to stand a chance against the Zeki's mightiest."

Mario looks over at Cera and says, "If more Mjolnirs are to be built, may I make a suggestion? Add a spot for a Cyclone to be tucked into it, if not two, one for each operator. And Cera? Since you designed the tanks, could you help me to optimize my combat skill in them when we get back to the Broadsword? I want to be the very best tanker I can be in them."

 

[Purr]

Sherwood

Cera grins at Mario, an engineer to a tanker, Ura-Meltrandi to human. Mario has succeeded in riling up Cera's volatile imagination. "A fine suggestion," she says, "but only if you want to carry the main gun's ammunition in your lap." Cera held out her hands in a way that showed helplessness. "In order to house even a single Cyclone, a major revision of the Mjolnir's insides would have to take place from the entry hatches all the way to the engine housing. Now... mounting them on the outside, preferably rear of the Mjolnir is certainly possible with no loss of speed, but for what purpose? If you get very cozy, you can fit a third person inside, provided they don't flail their limbs about and activate the controls by accident.

"Do you mean to say you would prefer three people to a tank and, outside mecha combat, two could pilot the Cyclones leaving a single person preferably a Traverser alone in the Mjolnir?"

 

[Purr]

( Captain Hesperus Tag! Kaerri Psychie )

( Sherwood , you're welcome to post Mario's reply to Cera prior to what happens in this scene.)

As your chat continues, you see the Gulf of Mexico getting closer and closer as you leave Chessel Corporation's Outpost #5 in burning flames and spewing foul black plumes of smoke. You are cruising over the port city of Veracruz and it seems as desolate as any wasteland on the Earth here in the year 2025. Cities bare and standing yet without a single spark of activity. Ghost towns the size of cities. It is a stark reminder of all of the billions of people who lost their lives during the Rain of Death and afterward. Their ambitions, their hopes, their desires - all gone.

They had dreams too. You have dreams now. Even if your dream is just to survive another day, it's a hell of a lot more than they've got. You are among those who survived or were born afterward - you are humanity's hope. The Sams and Cera seem oblivious as the Esper makes its way past the lonely docks and over the ruins of Veracruz toward the inviting waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Somewhere out there, you know the Broadsword is waiting for you and your dreams.

But sometimes things try to get in the way of your dreams. Try to blow them out of the skies. Such a time is right now!

Your conversations come to a sudden halt as the Sam unit in the copilot's chair shouts out in Hiroshi Kirin's voice. "Alert! Missiles in the air! We are under attack!"

Without thinking, Cera shouts right back. "Shields up! Evasive action! Who is it?"

"Aye aye, ma'am! Identifying!"

Then a shiver of surprise and fright take over her as she realizes she has spoken out of turn and out of place. With cheeks flushed pink from embarrassment, Cera turns to Elinor with a guilty look that seems to expect punishment in return - and not the human variety.

As the Esper slides and cruises as well as a cargo ship can, you hear a tremendous explosion, then another and another. As mecha pilots, you know what those sounds are - several salvos of missiles hitting something, but not you. The Esper continues on without harm - for the moment.

"Shields at 50%!" Sam reports. "A flight of four Griffon-class attack drones are on our tail, ma'am. The only weapons we have are the ones you brought on board." Sam turns to look at you. In his helmet, you see only your fishbowl-reflections, but if ever a Sam appeared worried, it was now.

There was fear, a long-lived fear, that started in the hearts of combat pilots and tankers waaay back before any of you were born. It was the fear of dying in a situation where you could not fire back. Dying helplessly. Like Marshal Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the celebrated Japanese leader in World War II who was shot down in flames without the means to fight back, his sorry corpse recovered in a jungle, dying with his katana in hand, a fear born of historical training crept up each of your spines - the fear of dying inside an unarmed cargo ship from the future at the hands of the Chessel Corporation whom you were just fighting hours ago in the air in your own veritechs.

The discussion had already been covered - you knew the Broadsword could not rise from the Gulf of Mexico and blast them out of the sky for what a drone saw, the Anti-Unification League saw too. A strange cargo ship like the Esper? Perhaps that could be explained. A heavily armed Space Destroyer like SCL-107 Broadsword? Not bloody likely. There was also the chilling knowledge that the Broadsword's own air group, Flight Nine, died in combat before the Broadsword left the future to come here to the Earth you know. With Mack in the infirmary suffering from brain-burn and no other able pilots on the Broadsword, it was the Wild Cards... and these drones in the sky.

Would your fate be like that of Admiral Yamamoto's?

What do the Wild Cards do?

(Image credit: BillyKnight33.com)

STATUS

Location: Leaving Veracruz and entering the Gulf of Mexico
Exciting Mood Music (click to play): "Dreams" by Van Halen! R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen!

 

[Sherwood]

Before the missile attack, Mario is still chatting with Cera. "I am not saying to remove an operator, nor adding another person to the tank. I was just wondering if it would be possible to stick a Cyclone on the tank in storage for the event that one of the crew needs to dismount and do some work on foot. It might be helpful to . . ."

The the alarm goes off, and the Italian grabs onto the seat and holds tight, expecting that the ship will be rattled by some explosion or impact. His mind is racing as he considers the options available to them. "A few questions. We have Sams on the Broadsword that can fly the Super Logans, right? Why can't we scramble them to come and engage the drones behind us? Their programming won't let them fire on people, but those are automated, and shouldn't pose a conflict. There was also the mention of other Traversers that the Professor and Trouble found. Are they pilots, and if so, do we have mecha for them to use that could be sent out to aid us? In the meantime, can we get access to the outside of the ship using the Cyclones? As missiles come in, Herc and I can use the Thundercrackers to try and shoot them down and buy us enough time for support fighters to get to us."

 

[Psychie]

Toph wonders, "Is the Esper capable of going underwater, just like the Broadsword? It could be the easiest way to evade the drones up here!"