Psychie
Princess Psychie
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Robotech: Army of the Southern Cross - IC Thread
- Thread starter Psychie
- Start date
We will start once everyone is ready.
Psychie
Princess Psychie
It is early springtime here at Monument City, with the snowdrifts slowly melting as temperatures start to rise. It has been a long time coming, but as of yesterday, you are all official graduates of the first class of Hover Tank pilots! The awards ceremony had taken place mid-morning, and once the presentation was complete, you were all given some free time to go out and celebrate. You all know that your duty assignments will be coming soon, and there is much speculation in the company as to where the various graduates will be stationed.
It is still morning when messages start to go out from the command office of the training company for everyone to assemble in the auditorium to receive your orders. All eighty members of the company are here, sitting in your seats quietly talking to your neighbors when the company's First Sergeant, an older man named Bailey Cooper, comes into the room to a loud call of, "AT EASE!" All conversation comes to a stop as everyone leaps to their feet, showing the senior NCO the respect that the old man is due. He steps to the front of the room and simply says, "Take your seats."
From all the time you have been a part of the training company, First Sergeant Cooper has been a familiar face to all of you, and he has made a point to know all of your names and remembers personal details about each and every one of you. It was rare for Cooper to raise his voice (leaving the yelling to the Drill Sergeants), but in some way, that made him seem more intimidating. The old man silently stands and looks out at the room with a slight smile of pride on his face for a moment, making sure that he has the attention of everyone here.
He says, "Ladies and gentlemen, I spoke at length yesterday at the graduation ceremony, so I'll keep this brief. I am extremely proud of each and every one of you for coming through your training to be able to sit here as members of the Army of the Southern Cross. Some of you have come to us from the RDF, having elected to stay here on Earth while so many of your fellow soldiers have left the planet, but others are new to the service, and this has been your introduction to the life of a soldier. All of you can hold your heads high as you walk out of here today. Before you leave this room, you will have been sent electronic copies of your orders. Look to your datapads for your deployment assignments, and check in with your squad leaders. Some of you are going to be shipped out to your new duty stations by the end of the week, so don't waste any time. Let me just say that it will not be a good thing to miss your flight out."
A light chuckle from the assembled soldiers can be heard, and First Sergeant Cooper continues to talk for a minute before dismissing everyone to go and examine your assignments as directed.
At this point, when you look to your tablets, you can see that you are assigned to the 3rd Joint Special Operations Group under the command of your squad leader Sergeant Douglas Dorsey. The 3rd JSOG has a total of four (five once
WlfSamurai
returns) tankers in it, all of which are familiar names from your time here in training together, and it looks like you are scheduled to fly out to Brazilia Base in South America in two days.
Purr
Sherwood
It is still morning when messages start to go out from the command office of the training company for everyone to assemble in the auditorium to receive your orders. All eighty members of the company are here, sitting in your seats quietly talking to your neighbors when the company's First Sergeant, an older man named Bailey Cooper, comes into the room to a loud call of, "AT EASE!" All conversation comes to a stop as everyone leaps to their feet, showing the senior NCO the respect that the old man is due. He steps to the front of the room and simply says, "Take your seats."
From all the time you have been a part of the training company, First Sergeant Cooper has been a familiar face to all of you, and he has made a point to know all of your names and remembers personal details about each and every one of you. It was rare for Cooper to raise his voice (leaving the yelling to the Drill Sergeants), but in some way, that made him seem more intimidating. The old man silently stands and looks out at the room with a slight smile of pride on his face for a moment, making sure that he has the attention of everyone here.
He says, "Ladies and gentlemen, I spoke at length yesterday at the graduation ceremony, so I'll keep this brief. I am extremely proud of each and every one of you for coming through your training to be able to sit here as members of the Army of the Southern Cross. Some of you have come to us from the RDF, having elected to stay here on Earth while so many of your fellow soldiers have left the planet, but others are new to the service, and this has been your introduction to the life of a soldier. All of you can hold your heads high as you walk out of here today. Before you leave this room, you will have been sent electronic copies of your orders. Look to your datapads for your deployment assignments, and check in with your squad leaders. Some of you are going to be shipped out to your new duty stations by the end of the week, so don't waste any time. Let me just say that it will not be a good thing to miss your flight out."
A light chuckle from the assembled soldiers can be heard, and First Sergeant Cooper continues to talk for a minute before dismissing everyone to go and examine your assignments as directed.
At this point, when you look to your tablets, you can see that you are assigned to the 3rd Joint Special Operations Group under the command of your squad leader Sergeant Douglas Dorsey. The 3rd JSOG has a total of four (five once
WlfSamurai
returns) tankers in it, all of which are familiar names from your time here in training together, and it looks like you are scheduled to fly out to Brazilia Base in South America in two days.
Purr
Sherwood
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Miyazaki cannot help but bounce in place, her face full of clear joy at this long-awaited and grand achievement - her graduation!
Unlike perhaps every one of her fellow graduates, two years ago, Miyazaki did not exist. She was Kes. She was simply programmed body floating in suspended animation - an instrument of death lost in an endless dream of military lessons, orders, etiquette, history, tactical data, and most of all, purpose! To do as the Robotech Masters, her masters, every bidding. Her life's purpose was simple - to serve Commander Cassra as part of her new special team to find, hunt down, outthink, outlast, and finally kill whatever prey were put before Miyazaki and the five Meltrandi she had been grown alongside.
Now? Here? Today? A whole new life, a whole new ikigai if one enjoyed the important Okinawan idea, stood before her - one born mostly of her own choosing! No longer was she Kes of Terror Team Six, but instead Miyazaki. She was known as the "Cat Lady" to some, "Miya" to few others (like her squadmates), or "that brainy cute chick who serves GMP/ESWAT so be careful what you say around her" to yet more. She liked all of the names and titles, but now she had a new title to add to her own - Tanker!
After her success in joining the GMP as a combat analyst/information specialist, Miya had made it her sole focus in life to become an ESWAT Tanker and today, that dream had come true! Oh, how she could not wait for the days when she and her squadmates would stand as a unit together against the foes of humanity! The challenges of gathering the facts, making sense of the evidence, tracking down the responsible, and either by jail cell or by a 105mm silver bullet, bring to justice those targets!
She lifts up her personal tablet which is filled with the grinning, smiling faces of the only thing close to family she currently has - her fellow Meltrandi, her "tank-sisters" with whom she was cloned alongside with and for the same purpose - learn, study, kill, and if ordered to, retrieve. But those days were over before they began. Each of them was today their own person. Today, Miya is her own person. And today, she is a Tanker. She celebrates with her sisters before signing off with them, heartily thanking them for joining her - even from a distance - at this, her one and only tanker graduation in the Army of the Southern Cross!
Miyazaki warmly holds the tablet close to her chest. For one long moment, she feels the satisfaction, the relief, the total contentment, and the fear of a job well done along with the strong possibility of a very dangerous, life-changing future ahead for Miyazaki and her team. But... who was her team to be?
She reads he words, "REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO ATAC SGT. D. DORSEY FOR INDUCTION TO 3RD JSOG."
Sergeant Douglas Dorsey! The strong male human who holds belief in his unseen power! Dorsey was to be her superior in a joint special operations group bound for Brazilia Base on the South American continent of this planet? That meant direct involvement in the Malcontent situation down there! How very challenging! Miyazaki silently grins at the idea. For months, the introverted computer hacker secretly feared that perhaps because of her Meltrandi heritage, the GMP would shackle her to jobs like traffic control, garrison duty, or even worse, the dungeon-like drudgery of low-level promotionless data insertion! Or known by its better name, "gopher" (because the superiors were always sending them to run errands for menial nonsense and so you "go fer" this and "go fer" that, delivering information without having any part in solving the crimes against humanity themselves. A useless existence no better than that of a floor-sucking Roomba.
Miyazaki sighs in relief and looks about to all of the humans who are celebrating with their friends and families. Perhaps one day she thinks, she might wind up like them, smiling and hugging with some delightful and intriguing mate to share her life like most of her sisters had wound up with. But not today. She dismisses the thought as if it were confetti in the wind.
Miyazaki approaches Sgt. Dorsey, examining without admiring his large-bodied musculature. Dorsey's body was a hard one, used to long hours of physical labor. He looked as if he could carry the armory with him if need be. Remembering their training time together as one of my faces, Miyazaki feels Sgt. Dorsey was pious, cool-headed, and dependable. And now he was in charge of her very young and very precious life. She didn't know if she trusted him with that yet, but orders were orders.
"Sergeant Dorsey!" She articulates every word in a voice that is genuinely pleasing to listen to. "Hello again, sir! I have been instructed to serve under your command in 3rd JSOG. Will this be your first time deployed to the South American continent too?"
Unlike perhaps every one of her fellow graduates, two years ago, Miyazaki did not exist. She was Kes. She was simply programmed body floating in suspended animation - an instrument of death lost in an endless dream of military lessons, orders, etiquette, history, tactical data, and most of all, purpose! To do as the Robotech Masters, her masters, every bidding. Her life's purpose was simple - to serve Commander Cassra as part of her new special team to find, hunt down, outthink, outlast, and finally kill whatever prey were put before Miyazaki and the five Meltrandi she had been grown alongside.
Now? Here? Today? A whole new life, a whole new ikigai if one enjoyed the important Okinawan idea, stood before her - one born mostly of her own choosing! No longer was she Kes of Terror Team Six, but instead Miyazaki. She was known as the "Cat Lady" to some, "Miya" to few others (like her squadmates), or "that brainy cute chick who serves GMP/ESWAT so be careful what you say around her" to yet more. She liked all of the names and titles, but now she had a new title to add to her own - Tanker!
After her success in joining the GMP as a combat analyst/information specialist, Miya had made it her sole focus in life to become an ESWAT Tanker and today, that dream had come true! Oh, how she could not wait for the days when she and her squadmates would stand as a unit together against the foes of humanity! The challenges of gathering the facts, making sense of the evidence, tracking down the responsible, and either by jail cell or by a 105mm silver bullet, bring to justice those targets!
She lifts up her personal tablet which is filled with the grinning, smiling faces of the only thing close to family she currently has - her fellow Meltrandi, her "tank-sisters" with whom she was cloned alongside with and for the same purpose - learn, study, kill, and if ordered to, retrieve. But those days were over before they began. Each of them was today their own person. Today, Miya is her own person. And today, she is a Tanker. She celebrates with her sisters before signing off with them, heartily thanking them for joining her - even from a distance - at this, her one and only tanker graduation in the Army of the Southern Cross!
Miyazaki warmly holds the tablet close to her chest. For one long moment, she feels the satisfaction, the relief, the total contentment, and the fear of a job well done along with the strong possibility of a very dangerous, life-changing future ahead for Miyazaki and her team. But... who was her team to be?
She reads he words, "REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO ATAC SGT. D. DORSEY FOR INDUCTION TO 3RD JSOG."
Sergeant Douglas Dorsey! The strong male human who holds belief in his unseen power! Dorsey was to be her superior in a joint special operations group bound for Brazilia Base on the South American continent of this planet? That meant direct involvement in the Malcontent situation down there! How very challenging! Miyazaki silently grins at the idea. For months, the introverted computer hacker secretly feared that perhaps because of her Meltrandi heritage, the GMP would shackle her to jobs like traffic control, garrison duty, or even worse, the dungeon-like drudgery of low-level promotionless data insertion! Or known by its better name, "gopher" (because the superiors were always sending them to run errands for menial nonsense and so you "go fer" this and "go fer" that, delivering information without having any part in solving the crimes against humanity themselves. A useless existence no better than that of a floor-sucking Roomba.
Miyazaki sighs in relief and looks about to all of the humans who are celebrating with their friends and families. Perhaps one day she thinks, she might wind up like them, smiling and hugging with some delightful and intriguing mate to share her life like most of her sisters had wound up with. But not today. She dismisses the thought as if it were confetti in the wind.
Miyazaki approaches Sgt. Dorsey, examining without admiring his large-bodied musculature. Dorsey's body was a hard one, used to long hours of physical labor. He looked as if he could carry the armory with him if need be. Remembering their training time together as one of my faces, Miyazaki feels Sgt. Dorsey was pious, cool-headed, and dependable. And now he was in charge of her very young and very precious life. She didn't know if she trusted him with that yet, but orders were orders.
"Sergeant Dorsey!" She articulates every word in a voice that is genuinely pleasing to listen to. "Hello again, sir! I have been instructed to serve under your command in 3rd JSOG. Will this be your first time deployed to the South American continent too?"
Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Steven is not feeling his best, thanks to too much celebrating the night before. Jameson Whisky, the lifeblood of a good Scotsman. Despite the amount that he had drunk the night before, he was doing much better than some that tried to match him shot for shot. I may only be twenty-one, but I've been enjoying my whiskey for years. He checks his watch, rising quickly to shower and shave despite the pounding in his head. After cleaning up, he slips into his uniform and takes a pair of Tylenol tablets with a large glass of water.
Putting on a brave face, he heads out to the auditorium to see what his fate will be. Where will he be assigned? Who will he be serving with? He liked just about everyone in the training company, everyone except for Tyler Youngkin. That guy was a serious kiss-ass and brown noser, and just got on his nerves something fierce. That annoying shit thinks he knows everything. <snort> He will get one hell of a wake-up call once he hits the real world and is no longer in a 'safe' training environment. Probably will end up getting his ass handed to him by the damn Zentraedi. Shame.
When the First Sergeant enters, Steven snaps to Parade Rest and waits until they are told to take their seats. He is only halfway listening to the speech, and is instead glancing around the room, wondering who he was going to be rubbing elbows with and where he was going to be assigned. Putting his attention back to the speech, Steven listens to the end of the comments being made by First Sergeant Cooper. Finally wrapping it up, he once more goes to Parade Rest as the NCO leaves the room, and then he reaches for his pocket datapad and logs in.
Huh. A hover tank squad, but not ATAC. The 3rd Joint Special Operations Group? Interesting. Sergeant Dorsey's in charge of it, and . . . Nova and Miyazaki. Mmmm. Could be worse. At least its not that damn idiot Tyler. He looks around the room, trying to spot the other three members of the team. Shouldn't be too hard; Nova and Miya were both pretty easy to spot, and Dorsey is a real mountain of a man, standing almost a full head taller than most in the company. Ah, there's the sergeant, and he's talking to Miya. Nova should be around here, too. Time to go check in.
Steven heads over, moving slowly through the crowd until he is standing nearby the two. Giving Miya a nod, he looks to Doug and says, "Sergeant Dorsey? I'm here to check in with you."
Putting on a brave face, he heads out to the auditorium to see what his fate will be. Where will he be assigned? Who will he be serving with? He liked just about everyone in the training company, everyone except for Tyler Youngkin. That guy was a serious kiss-ass and brown noser, and just got on his nerves something fierce. That annoying shit thinks he knows everything. <snort> He will get one hell of a wake-up call once he hits the real world and is no longer in a 'safe' training environment. Probably will end up getting his ass handed to him by the damn Zentraedi. Shame.
When the First Sergeant enters, Steven snaps to Parade Rest and waits until they are told to take their seats. He is only halfway listening to the speech, and is instead glancing around the room, wondering who he was going to be rubbing elbows with and where he was going to be assigned. Putting his attention back to the speech, Steven listens to the end of the comments being made by First Sergeant Cooper. Finally wrapping it up, he once more goes to Parade Rest as the NCO leaves the room, and then he reaches for his pocket datapad and logs in.
Huh. A hover tank squad, but not ATAC. The 3rd Joint Special Operations Group? Interesting. Sergeant Dorsey's in charge of it, and . . . Nova and Miyazaki. Mmmm. Could be worse. At least its not that damn idiot Tyler. He looks around the room, trying to spot the other three members of the team. Shouldn't be too hard; Nova and Miya were both pretty easy to spot, and Dorsey is a real mountain of a man, standing almost a full head taller than most in the company. Ah, there's the sergeant, and he's talking to Miya. Nova should be around here, too. Time to go check in.
Steven heads over, moving slowly through the crowd until he is standing nearby the two. Giving Miya a nod, he looks to Doug and says, "Sergeant Dorsey? I'm here to check in with you."
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Dorsey smiles down at the two of you, then says to Miya, "Don't call me 'sir', I work for a living. Seriously, its Sergeant Dorsey when we are being official, Doug when we are off duty. No need to be so . . . formal all the time. Now, I see two of you, but according to my pad, we have a fourth member of the team in this crowd somewhere."
"I'm right here, Sgt. Dorsey." That came from behind the large man, and he steps aside to reveal Nova. "Reporting in as ordered." Her eyes dart over to Miya and Steven, then back to Doug.
"Excellent! Well, its now time for me to officially welcome you to the 3rd JSOG. We'll have to come up with a spiffy team name to add to that, but it can wait. Lets step out of here so we can speak in some semblance of quiet and privacy." He leads you out of the auditorium and over to a small outdoors break area where he takes a seat on a bench with a smile. "Now that's better. Ok, a few things are in order. First, my door is going to be always open to all of you if there is ever a problem. I can't fix it if I don't know its broke. Unless you have a problem with me, but then you are just plum crazy, 'cause I'm an awesome guy to be around. Just ask anyone." He grins at that.
"Second, while we may be assigned to work together, we are not yet a team. I want to have us spend a lot of time together, training, exercising, eating, what have you, until we all know how the other people in the squad think, to be able to know that your squad has your six, and we can all rely upon you for the same. Obviously, it will take some time to hammer that out, but we can't get that done until we get started."
He glances down at his datapad for a moment, reading quickly. "Now, I see that we are shipping out for Brazilia Base in two days to report in to a feller named Capt. Emilio Cruz. We will all get assigned our mecha and field gear, get it all loaded on the Tunny air transports, and spend a very long time in the air flying down south. Now are there any questions for me that I have answers for? As I said, my door will always be open."
He looks to each of you expectantly.
"I'm right here, Sgt. Dorsey." That came from behind the large man, and he steps aside to reveal Nova. "Reporting in as ordered." Her eyes dart over to Miya and Steven, then back to Doug.
"Excellent! Well, its now time for me to officially welcome you to the 3rd JSOG. We'll have to come up with a spiffy team name to add to that, but it can wait. Lets step out of here so we can speak in some semblance of quiet and privacy." He leads you out of the auditorium and over to a small outdoors break area where he takes a seat on a bench with a smile. "Now that's better. Ok, a few things are in order. First, my door is going to be always open to all of you if there is ever a problem. I can't fix it if I don't know its broke. Unless you have a problem with me, but then you are just plum crazy, 'cause I'm an awesome guy to be around. Just ask anyone." He grins at that.
"Second, while we may be assigned to work together, we are not yet a team. I want to have us spend a lot of time together, training, exercising, eating, what have you, until we all know how the other people in the squad think, to be able to know that your squad has your six, and we can all rely upon you for the same. Obviously, it will take some time to hammer that out, but we can't get that done until we get started."
He glances down at his datapad for a moment, reading quickly. "Now, I see that we are shipping out for Brazilia Base in two days to report in to a feller named Capt. Emilio Cruz. We will all get assigned our mecha and field gear, get it all loaded on the Tunny air transports, and spend a very long time in the air flying down south. Now are there any questions for me that I have answers for? As I said, my door will always be open."
He looks to each of you expectantly.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"Yes, Sergeant Dorsey." Her soft smooth voice sounds pleased, almost Japanese in its courtesy. She may as well have said, "Hai, Dorsey-sama." Upon being corrected, Miyazaki bows in the obedient and civil manner of the Japanese. The Meltrandi immediately deletes the use of the word "sir" from her mind when dealing with him from now forward. There is no sense of shame or dismay in her manner here, but instead a small and warm, almost feline smile at being corrected by a superior she hopes to trust more than she does now.
Miya's eyes widen in pleased surprise at the arrival of Corporal Nova. "Corporal Nova! How fortuitous that you should be part of our team!" Miya does not know many Meltrandi beside her clone-sisters, for most of those loyal to Earth left before she had any chance to meet them. Miyazaki looks up to Corporal Nova, a touch of wonder and admiration in her gaze.
"Corporal Bishop! Our prowess only increases at your presence." The petite Meltrandi returns his nod, her bob of white hair fluffing about in the springtime air. Then she clenches her little fists in excitement. "Did you hear? We are to away to Brazil! That means I shall have the opportunity to practice my Spanish and meet the Portuguese too! How exciting! What do you think they like to eat? Should we pack along some wares from here in Monument City? Some items might be valuable in trade!" By "trade," anyone who knows Miyazaki and what she does for a living can easily make the link that she's not talking about trading toys for toys, but toys for the grand ultimate of all currencies - information!
Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Steven shakes his head at Dorsey's question. "No, Sergeant, I've got no questions for you yet. I don't know enough about our assignment to ask the right ones, if that makes any sense. I will say that I've never been south of the Equator before, so this will be a bit of an experience. Depending on how long we are there, I may have to start to cram in some Spanish language training. Join the military and see the world, right? Well, the recruiters have kept their word so far."
After a moment of thought, he says, "Actually, I take back my no questions comment. What is the plan for the next two days? I've heard that Brazilia Base is one of the largest in South America, so we shouldn't have to worry too much about not having any supplies we will want with us, unless there are things specific from Monument City that we need. Are we going to start our squad bonding here, and if so, by doing what? We will have to pack our personal effects, but that shouldn't take too long, right? That gives us the rest of today and all of tomorrow to be able to relax. Hey, I know! We can start out by going out to Flynn's Arcade. They have the latest VR technology in the place, and I for one enjoy dropping tokens in to test my hand-eye coordination. Besides, I think it's a lot of fun. After, we can snag a bite to eat somewhere."
After a moment of thought, he says, "Actually, I take back my no questions comment. What is the plan for the next two days? I've heard that Brazilia Base is one of the largest in South America, so we shouldn't have to worry too much about not having any supplies we will want with us, unless there are things specific from Monument City that we need. Are we going to start our squad bonding here, and if so, by doing what? We will have to pack our personal effects, but that shouldn't take too long, right? That gives us the rest of today and all of tomorrow to be able to relax. Hey, I know! We can start out by going out to Flynn's Arcade. They have the latest VR technology in the place, and I for one enjoy dropping tokens in to test my hand-eye coordination. Besides, I think it's a lot of fun. After, we can snag a bite to eat somewhere."
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"Oh," Miyazaki reaches an internal consensus on her own queries. Miyazaki's voice is lower than one might think from one her size. "Steven," she offers with an air of unobtrusive confidence, "the Brazilians are Portuguese-speaking people. My own many levels of Spanish will only get me so far. But Spanish is spoken in many more countries than Portuguese. If you would like, perhaps I could teach you enough to take part in casual conversation? It would make us even for the time you spent teaching me about our Spartas machines and allow me to return my appreciation!"
Without using the word, "sir," she then reaches a separate conclusion and shares it with Sgt. Dorsey. "Dorsey-sama," she adds using her fondness of the Japanese culture, "-sama" being used here in the sense of "honored superior," "Following in your spirit of unit cohesion, what your requirements," she pauses and corrects herself from using the Meltrandi term, "pardon, what are your expectations of each of us? Furthermore, Brazilia Base very likely has its own GMP information network - if it would please you, I could begin looking for realms of medieval worship closest to the one you practice when you pray for us? Yours is a form of Christianity, but not Catholicism, correct? If we are lucky, we may find one that even speaks English!"
These are the kinds of challenges Miyazaki enjoys, especially if they benefit others.
Miya rubs her nose. "Forgive my ignorance, Steven, but what is an arcade and is this Flynn perhaps a friend of yours? I would hate to impede upon his hospitality without at least bringing some gift of appreciation."
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Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Steven looks over at Miya. "So, the Brazilians speak Portuguese, and not Spanish? Shows how much I know about the place. I would love to spend some time learning the lingo with you, so we can work with the locals and not stumble over the need to have a translator with us. Maybe I can help by getting a language learning software package on my tablet so on our off time, I can study. With your help, I'm sure I'll pick it up quickly. Thank you."
Now, how to describe an arcade to someone that has never heard of one before? "An arcade is a place of business where people can go to play specialized video games for entertainment purposes. The older arcade games were all two-dimensional, but for the time, they were state-of-the-art. Newer ones are three-dimensional, and the graphics look like you are in the middle of the game for real. Some are racing games, either in some kind of ground or air vehicle, or you can have a strategy game. Or a combat simulator of some sort. Lots of options."
"Flynn's in particular is a popular arcade with many different games, and it is owned and run by a fellow named Kevin Flynn. I think he lives in a flat just above his shop, but that's not important to this. What is important is that Flynn's is a business, so you don't have to worry about bringing anything as a guest gift except for some credits that you are willing to spend. I can show you around. You guys, too, Nova and Sgt. Dorsey, if you haven't been there before."
Now, how to describe an arcade to someone that has never heard of one before? "An arcade is a place of business where people can go to play specialized video games for entertainment purposes. The older arcade games were all two-dimensional, but for the time, they were state-of-the-art. Newer ones are three-dimensional, and the graphics look like you are in the middle of the game for real. Some are racing games, either in some kind of ground or air vehicle, or you can have a strategy game. Or a combat simulator of some sort. Lots of options."
"Flynn's in particular is a popular arcade with many different games, and it is owned and run by a fellow named Kevin Flynn. I think he lives in a flat just above his shop, but that's not important to this. What is important is that Flynn's is a business, so you don't have to worry about bringing anything as a guest gift except for some credits that you are willing to spend. I can show you around. You guys, too, Nova and Sgt. Dorsey, if you haven't been there before."
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Miyazaki's eyes brighten and she clasps her fingers together under her chin. "Three-dimensional lifelike games for entertainment and combat simulation? Oh, I would be delighted!" She immediately looks to Sgt. Dorsey for his consent. "What do you think, sergeant? Could we go? As the least proficient in combat among us, I could really use the help!"
"Have you been to Flynn's Arcade, Corporal Nova? " Miyazaki continues to use Nova's rank when addressing her as she knows the older Meltrandi is a warrior who values her privacy.
"Have you been to Flynn's Arcade, Corporal Nova? " Miyazaki continues to use Nova's rank when addressing her as she knows the older Meltrandi is a warrior who values her privacy.
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Nova nods, saying, "I've been there a few times, and I found the place to be an interesting diversion from the rigors of training. I have no objections to going there again, and yes, after I would enjoy getting some food."
Doug smiles, saying, "Well, it will be my first time there, but now I'm really looking forward to it. Lets go ahead and get going to Flynn's, then we can decide on where to go for lunch." He rises and looks around, then asks, "Is Flynn's close enough to walk there, or do we need a ride?"
Nova says, "Yes, we should get a taxi. Otherwise it will be quite a hike."
He pulls out his datapad and taps the screen a few times then looks up. "Ok, a taxi is on its way, and will be here soon."
Sure enough, after a few minutes go by, a cab comes pulling up with a civilian driver at the wheel. After everyone piles in, the driver sets out and takes you to the arcade. Heading inside, you see a dimly lit room filled with dozens of arcade consoles, some of them are rather old classic games like Pac Man and Joust, while there are some newer ones using VR headsets and more immersive technology. There are probably a dozen people in here right now, with four of the patrons wearing their ASC uniforms showing that they are solders from the local base. A few heads turn and look at you as you come in, but otherwise you draw no special attention.
Doug smiles, saying, "Well, it will be my first time there, but now I'm really looking forward to it. Lets go ahead and get going to Flynn's, then we can decide on where to go for lunch." He rises and looks around, then asks, "Is Flynn's close enough to walk there, or do we need a ride?"
Nova says, "Yes, we should get a taxi. Otherwise it will be quite a hike."
He pulls out his datapad and taps the screen a few times then looks up. "Ok, a taxi is on its way, and will be here soon."
Sure enough, after a few minutes go by, a cab comes pulling up with a civilian driver at the wheel. After everyone piles in, the driver sets out and takes you to the arcade. Heading inside, you see a dimly lit room filled with dozens of arcade consoles, some of them are rather old classic games like Pac Man and Joust, while there are some newer ones using VR headsets and more immersive technology. There are probably a dozen people in here right now, with four of the patrons wearing their ASC uniforms showing that they are solders from the local base. A few heads turn and look at you as you come in, but otherwise you draw no special attention.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
Out of habit and prior to entering, Miyazaki casually takes note of the people in the arcade, how they are dressed, and if any of them seem out of the ordinary in any way. She sizes up the tactical qualities of the arcade's layout like where the exits, dead-ends, and stairwells (if any) are, and where to find hard cover. Once she is inside among the noise and the electronic clamoring, she asks anyone aloud with a touch of amusement in her query.
"Is it always so loud in these places? I take it this is all part of the 'immersive effect?'"
Instead of taking the lead in such matters, Miyazaki is content to watch Steven and Corporal Nova to see how they go about being here. All the while, she enjoys the light show each individual machine provides and the strange, exotic atmosphere than only a video game arcade can bring to life. One of her hands slips behind her back and cradles her opposite wrist as she watches in mild fascination the screens upon which the humans play.
"This is fascinating! Each game is like a small universe all its own!" Enchanted, she manages to yell over the din.
"Is it always so loud in these places? I take it this is all part of the 'immersive effect?'"
Instead of taking the lead in such matters, Miyazaki is content to watch Steven and Corporal Nova to see how they go about being here. All the while, she enjoys the light show each individual machine provides and the strange, exotic atmosphere than only a video game arcade can bring to life. One of her hands slips behind her back and cradles her opposite wrist as she watches in mild fascination the screens upon which the humans play.
"This is fascinating! Each game is like a small universe all its own!" Enchanted, she manages to yell over the din.
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Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Steven takes the lead since Dorsey and Miya haven't been here before, pointing out some of his favorite games. "This has been my place to decompress when I've felt really stressed between my various classes. The games allow me to beat the crap out of some virtual bad guys and not lose it and do that in real life. Not quite as satisfying, but it kept me out of the arms of our friendly GMP jailers." He grins at Nova and Miya, knowing that both of them are cross-trained in the tanks from the GMP. "Some of the games are only one player, but there are a few that are multiplayer, and you can choose to work as a team or to combat each other in a free for all."
He looks around, then says, "Anyone in the mood for a fruit smoothie? My treat."
He looks around, then says, "Anyone in the mood for a fruit smoothie? My treat."
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"Grimes - Player of Games (Lyrics)"
Miyazaki's following laugh is as pleasant as it is pretty. "Color me appreciative. That is not the way I imagined spending my graduation day - hauling in a fellow classmate who lost his sanity!"
"Peach, please, if they have it; strawberry if they don't?"
Miyazaki looks from game to game and finds something charming or at least interesting in each of them.
GunMan2
With real interest, she turns to Chris and speaks just loudly enough to be heard over the electronic cacophony only arcades can provide. "Chris? Is this your first time here? Have you any favorite games here you enjoy?"
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GunMan2
Member
Christopher 'Chris' Barnes was usually a very quiet person one that likes to keep to themselves and only talk when necessary. When he woke up this morning he was half expecting to be sent to the front lines right away, but nope he was given the usual ceremony speech by Sargent Cooper. Its not like he heard those same words from other instructors he had over the years. After the ceremony he checked his data pad "Huh, 3rd JSO group. This might be better than expected." He said quietly.
He listened in the groups conversation with Sargent Dorsey, who seemed to be an informal guy as he did not put much emphasis on honorifics. Man, after my own taste i guess. Now how till you do on the field
He followed the group to the arcade keeping silent unless spoken to. He turns to Miyazaki "I did not play many games. But i guess there was one called Burning Crusade. Was a game where you fought in giant robots. Wonder, if its still around." He said as he looked around for that specific machine.
He listened in the groups conversation with Sargent Dorsey, who seemed to be an informal guy as he did not put much emphasis on honorifics. Man, after my own taste i guess. Now how till you do on the field
He followed the group to the arcade keeping silent unless spoken to. He turns to Miyazaki "I did not play many games. But i guess there was one called Burning Crusade. Was a game where you fought in giant robots. Wonder, if its still around." He said as he looked around for that specific machine.
Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Steven comes back in a minute with a handful of Styrofoam cups and passes them out to the others. "Here ya go, guys. Enjoy." He looks around at the crowd in here, seeing the normal mix of kids and servicemen/women that he's come to expect in Flynn's. He gives a friendly nod to a few of the regulars that he's come to know over the months he's been coming here and points over to the corner of the arcade. "Chris, that game you're looking for is back there, right in between Donkey Kong and Wings of Fury. Like I said, Flynn's has a wide variety of new and old-style games that makes it a real blast to come here."
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Moving farther into the arcade, everyone makes their way towards the game that Chris was looking for. Sure enough, there it is, but it is currently being played by fellow with a trio of buddies watching his every move. Despite them being in civilian clothes, from the buzz cuts of their hair and the general level of fitness, you'd have to guess that the four are military. The guy at the console is focused on his game, but the three observers look up at the group coming over. One takes a look at Nova and Miyazaki and frowns, saying in a voice meant to carry, "Man, this place must be going downhill if they are letting a couple of fuckin' Zeeks into the place."
This brings a chuckle from the other two, and a chill can be felt falling over the place.
Nova doesn't look offended; in fact, she barely seems to notice them. She finally looks up and sniffs with a disgusted look on her face. "Steven? Did you just fart? Because I think I just heard an asshole."
The one man that was speaking flushes in anger while his buddies laugh again. "Oooooh, burn! From a freakin' Zeek, no less!"
"Yeah, you gonna take that from her?" From the tone and body language, they are winding themselves up. This has the potential of becoming a nasty fight.
This brings a chuckle from the other two, and a chill can be felt falling over the place.
Nova doesn't look offended; in fact, she barely seems to notice them. She finally looks up and sniffs with a disgusted look on her face. "Steven? Did you just fart? Because I think I just heard an asshole."
The one man that was speaking flushes in anger while his buddies laugh again. "Oooooh, burn! From a freakin' Zeek, no less!"
"Yeah, you gonna take that from her?" From the tone and body language, they are winding themselves up. This has the potential of becoming a nasty fight.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"Muchas gracias, amigo. That means, 'thank you very much, male-friend." Miyazaki thanks Steven but then after a single sip, she puts the fruity smoothie aside somewhere where it is not likely to be knocked over.
"Boys, boys," Miyazaki chides the bigots with a wave of her hand while her eyes discreetly examine them for weapons, radios, or anything else of interest upon their personages. "If it is competition you want, why, we have any number of platforms for you to publicly embarrass yourselves on. Why not a fighting game? Losers buys a round drinks?"
"Boys, boys," Miyazaki chides the bigots with a wave of her hand while her eyes discreetly examine them for weapons, radios, or anything else of interest upon their personages. "If it is competition you want, why, we have any number of platforms for you to publicly embarrass yourselves on. Why not a fighting game? Losers buys a round drinks?"
GunMan2
Member
Chris sighed as he looked to who it was the kiss-ass himself. Really here too, today of all days.
He lets out a frustrated sigh as he was sure it was about to be a fight but with with Miyazki's intervention it gave him an idea. "How about we play Burning Crusade, best of 3. Winner like Kitty said will be payed by the losers. Or we could do it the old fashioned way of the fist fight but then we be reprimanded by base and might lose our outdoors privileges" Chris said as he tensed his muscles in case one of them became hostile and attacked them.
He looked at Nova then back at them "And how about a 2v2 mode or you prefer squad?"
He lets out a frustrated sigh as he was sure it was about to be a fight but with with Miyazki's intervention it gave him an idea. "How about we play Burning Crusade, best of 3. Winner like Kitty said will be payed by the losers. Or we could do it the old fashioned way of the fist fight but then we be reprimanded by base and might lose our outdoors privileges" Chris said as he tensed his muscles in case one of them became hostile and attacked them.
He looked at Nova then back at them "And how about a 2v2 mode or you prefer squad?"
Psychie
Princess Psychie
The guys around the game are still acting rather belligerent, but when they see the odds of five-on-four and with the sheer size of Dorsey towering over them, they are now looking for ways to back down from a physical fight and still save face. The suggestion of a combat match on the game where the loser buys drinks seems to be just the thing. [OOC I am not familiar with that video game at all, so please bear with me as I post.]
Since Chris has the most practice in Burning Crusade, it is natural for him to take the lead for the team. The four guys are at least willing to give your newbies a practice run before the real match, giving your players a chance to learn the controls. Even so, Chris can only do so much to carry the less experienced members, and sadly, the match comes to a close with a win for the other team. They just had much more practice in the game than you guys, and it is quite likely that the loss is just enough of an ego salve to keep the four from getting nastier than they already have and it avoids a full-on fist fight.
With the game now over, the belligerent bunch take their drinks and head for the door, tossing a few snide looks and unpleasant comments over their shoulders about the 'stupid Zeeks' and other, less flattering comments. Once they are gone, Doug lets out a deep breath that he was holding onto. "Ah. I was worried for a few minutes there. Nova, Miya, I am sure you've had other moments of prejudice, but I am sorry that you had to experience this on our time out. I'm just glad that your idea of playing for drinks worked, or else we could very well be in a tussle with those boys."
Nova shrugs. "As you said, I've dealt with worse. As buzzed as they were, no matter who would have won the fight it would have ended badly for all of us."
The large man nods, saying, "True. It would have been a bit awkward to have to explain ourselves to the MPs if things went south on us." His face darkens a bit, then he says, "Just make sure that none of us get caught outside by ourselves. I can see these punks hiding out, looking to jump one or two of us and deliver a beat-down. Lets not give them that chance, just in case."
Some time later, everyone's spirits have come back up as you move through the arcade and enjoy the challenging games, dropping credits as you play. Nova seems to really take to Air Hockey and really likes that game, with her exceptional reflexes and hand-eye coordination, while Doug enjoys playing Foosball with whomever he can cajole into playing with him. All in all, a good time is had by all.
Since Chris has the most practice in Burning Crusade, it is natural for him to take the lead for the team. The four guys are at least willing to give your newbies a practice run before the real match, giving your players a chance to learn the controls. Even so, Chris can only do so much to carry the less experienced members, and sadly, the match comes to a close with a win for the other team. They just had much more practice in the game than you guys, and it is quite likely that the loss is just enough of an ego salve to keep the four from getting nastier than they already have and it avoids a full-on fist fight.
With the game now over, the belligerent bunch take their drinks and head for the door, tossing a few snide looks and unpleasant comments over their shoulders about the 'stupid Zeeks' and other, less flattering comments. Once they are gone, Doug lets out a deep breath that he was holding onto. "Ah. I was worried for a few minutes there. Nova, Miya, I am sure you've had other moments of prejudice, but I am sorry that you had to experience this on our time out. I'm just glad that your idea of playing for drinks worked, or else we could very well be in a tussle with those boys."
Nova shrugs. "As you said, I've dealt with worse. As buzzed as they were, no matter who would have won the fight it would have ended badly for all of us."
The large man nods, saying, "True. It would have been a bit awkward to have to explain ourselves to the MPs if things went south on us." His face darkens a bit, then he says, "Just make sure that none of us get caught outside by ourselves. I can see these punks hiding out, looking to jump one or two of us and deliver a beat-down. Lets not give them that chance, just in case."
Some time later, everyone's spirits have come back up as you move through the arcade and enjoy the challenging games, dropping credits as you play. Nova seems to really take to Air Hockey and really likes that game, with her exceptional reflexes and hand-eye coordination, while Doug enjoys playing Foosball with whomever he can cajole into playing with him. All in all, a good time is had by all.
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Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Throughout all their time in Flynn's, Steven is splitting his attention between having fun blowing the pixels out of some virtual bad guys and the rest of the time he's talking to the others, trying to get to know them all a bit better and let them get to know him. All the better to be able to do the mission (whatever that mission turns out to be) and come back home alive.
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"I am too," Miyazaki folds her hands in thought. "While I can see their point, I cannot bring myself to surrender to it, but nor can I ignore it. How would I feel if a race of alien giants destroyed most of my world and people? How might I carry on in the aftermath toward those who said they were now on my side and willing to fight their own? Especially when, unlike my people, the human race has only known itself and no other intelligent species anywhere." Miyazaki finishes her peach smoothie and discards it properly. "'To thine own self be true.' William Shakespeare. I choose not to make their problems my own. Speaking as a GMP officer, I think I will have enough problems of my own to worry about when I am putting my life on the line for their continued survival, don't you think?" She giggles, her blue eyes dancing in humor.
Miyazaki militarily reassesses the arcade and everyone in it before speaking. "A marvelous idea, Doug! Until then, let us enjoy what down-time we have left, shall we?"
Miyazaki plays all of the games, especially the ones she turns out to be lousy at. Her lively shrieks of laughter and surprise can be heard throughout the arcade as she plays and plays, losing far more often than winning. The winning or losing does not appear to matter to her but instead the time spent enjoying herself with comrades. This is being alive! She adapts as quickly as she can while making the most of her reflexes, mind, and inability to take anything that takes place here personally. This young lady has left her ego at the door and in doing so has left herself open to play in the spirit of the game.
It is then that she unexpectedly finds it! Her game! The one game that she realizes she can just go and go at and probably never get bored of its fun and incredible challenge!
...Dance Dance Revolution!
"Dance dance revolution insanity"
And if you think that guy is great (which he sure is), check this fellow out! Wow!
"Beethoven Virus DDR Level Asian"
"Dance dance revolution insanity"
And if you think that guy is great (which he sure is), check this fellow out! Wow!
"Beethoven Virus DDR Level Asian"
By the time Miyazaki is done emptying her purse of credits, she is happily worn down to her toes and smiling from ear to ear. Staggering from the stage after what is, for her, an epic routine, she raises two fingers into a "peace" sign and says, "Now... that... is what I call... a challenge! Whoo!"
Sherwood
Luna's Concubine
Steven makes the mistake of challenging Miya once in Dance Dance Revolution, and while he is able to do a respectable job, he is just no match for the nimble Meltrandi. Once catches his breath, he gives her a grin. "You are a natural at this! What about you, Nova? Care to try and knock Kitty off of her throne?"
Psychie
Princess Psychie
Nova gives Steven a laugh, saying, "Sure, why not? What's the worst that will happen?" She pulls out a few tokens and puts them in the game and soon the beat is thumping and the dance competition is on!
It is a close match between Miya and Nova, but in the end, Miya has just enough of an edge over Nova to barely scrape out another win, but it wasn't easy. After the game, Nova gives a playful slap to Miya's shoulder, saying, "A well earned victory. I'm impressed. Just be ready for our rematch!"
It is a close match between Miya and Nova, but in the end, Miya has just enough of an edge over Nova to barely scrape out another win, but it wasn't easy. After the game, Nova gives a playful slap to Miya's shoulder, saying, "A well earned victory. I'm impressed. Just be ready for our rematch!"
Purr
Kaerri's Man. =)
"Not today, but another! It is beginner's luck on my part if you ask me!" Miya concedes, her time clicking on keyboards and gleaning information off of computers catching up to her. Miya steps off the machine before she hurts herself!
GunMan2
"How about you, Chris?" She indicates their so-far-quietest squadmate. "Care to give it a go? I'll give you my last token!" She produces the chip and offers it to him with a light grin.
GunMan2
"How about you, Chris?" She indicates their so-far-quietest squadmate. "Care to give it a go? I'll give you my last token!" She produces the chip and offers it to him with a light grin.
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