The First Stain

[srwu_mods]

[1 - default]
[Something really weird and worrying happened over the town of Shin Tanoura. Almost the whole town, and its surrounding area, is covered by a large, opaque black dome of some kind of energy, which appeared almost instantly overnight. The contact with the several thousand people inside has been completely cut off, and the initial search team sent into the dome didn't return...
This situation reached the news, and it reached Unity Group's ears even earlier. ESUN has established a research camp near the place, to figure out what the hell is going on - the camp is guarded by a bunch of mecha, just in case. The near Saotome Labs sent several researchers to help, but not too many, as Dr Saotome seems to be busy with other matters. What exactly, he doesn't specify.
Are you just reacting to the news about this? Or maybe you're at the camp, evaluating the situation? Just don't get close to the dome! A guard would stop you if you tried, anyway.]

[2 - frontdated to just before the mission, locked to Ryouma and Hayato]
[Some kind of commotion is going on at Saotome Labs. What could it be? Perhaps it has something to do with the reports from a nearby research camp. Regardless, the whole place is more chaotic than usual, and the security laxer... A perfect opportunity for a group of terrorist students to make their move.]

Comments

[ugyuuya]

Well this is a bit hush hush but some of the higher ups thought this may be an aftereffect of the use of G-Bombs to stem the tide a Yokohama when it was attacked but the scanner comes up negative on that one.

Right now I'd have to agree with you in that I don't like this but this is also what we're meant to deal with isn't it ladies? We let the brains tell us if it's safe to move or not and then we follow up with the unique skills and abilities we have to fix it. As for right now I got called up on my down shift for this, any place around here to get some coffee?

[star_of_sad]

Wait for the higher ups' decision, you say...

[Setsuko doesn't like it. There must be something they can do! But what? It's the same as with her own abilities. Nothing to do but wait.]

Umm, yes. I think there is a mess area set up somewhere around here...

[ugyuuya]

[VG puts a hand on Setsuko's shoulder and smiles at her.]

Oi oi, such a look doesn't suit a woman as pretty as you are, you should smile. It's an odd situation but we've already lost contact with one team, if we go rushing in who knows what will happen, we're here to stop it if things get out of hand but if you're too wound up you'll be useless when the time comes.

As for the coffee, that makes for the wisdom of Athena with the beauty of Aphrodite. Truly an example for other women to attest to.

[star_of_sad]

Is this really a situation for smiling or taking it easy?

[Setsuko doesn't feel comfortable with this guy's attitude. Not now at least.]

[ugyuuya]

There's always plenty of time to worry when you can actually do something about what's happening. In situations like this where there isn't anything you can do then you just need to relax and be ready for when they need you. The best way to do that is to enjoy the peace you have because once the real battle starts pretty much anything can happen and something can kill you before you even know it.

[VG shrugs before continuing.] People have been saying it in various ways for hundreds of years. Carpe Diem, you only live once, enjoy the time you're given and so on. Mourning the dead is one thing but if you fall into the trap of doing nothing else then you'll wear out and their sacrifices to protect others will be cheapened. I've lost more friends than I care to count on the front lines but I still smile and laugh when I can to live at least a bit more for their sakes.

[star_of_sad]

Hmm...

[Setsuko understands this feeling. There is truth to VG's words.]

I know what you are saying. And yet... I'm sorry. I cannot help but feel worried.

Too much has happened recently. My apologies, Lieutenant.

[ugyuuya]

[VG pauses and his posture droops a little before he speaks again.]

That's alright and you don't need to call me Lieutenant, just call me VG like I mentioned in the introduction since I dislike standing on ceremony. I'll tell you a secret though, we worry a lot about what happens as well so you don't have to apologize. I was really just trying to cheer you up since you looked a little down.

Whatever this is though I'm sure we'll figure it out and push it back one way or another. In the mean time you just need to keep calm and really just focus on what you can do and when you can do it.

[star_of_sad]

I suppose you are right, Lie... VG.

Did you talk to others from my team? It seems like you would get along with them.

[ugyuuya]

I haven't really had much of an opportunity to talk with the rest of your team yet but I have had a chat with Willis who spoke fondly of Toby and I think Yuuya and Denzel were up to something or another given that I saw them exchanging data disks by the Yuuya's TSF.

You seem to make a good team and I'm glad to see that the Unity Group is fostering that type of interaction.