So much for just being a test pilot...

[whats_a_good_end]

[1]

[In the wake of the massacre at the Yukon base and the theft of... pretty much everything of value associated with the Breaker program, Ana's just trying to piece everything together.  There's debriefing and internal affairs people asking why she hadn't been with the others and a lot of exhausting things to go through after a day that was already plenty exhausting.

[And then someone finally let her look at the death toll.]

Mechanics, pilots... project heads and even the top eggheads...

[Of course the death toll would be like that.  Legato's men and women had just slaughtered everyone in-person at their little performance.  One that had specifically been arranged to celebrate the completion of the Breaker program...]

We went through all of that, buried so many of our own, finished our jobs... and then this!

[2] (frontdated a few days)

[There's a new pilot being transferred to the Unity Group.  She's not thrilled about this -she's a test pilot, not a combat one- but the theft of the Breakers has sorta convinced some of the upper brass she'd do more good here than helping try to salvage the whole program.  But, as she comes in to Fort Alhambra, wheeling a cart behind her with her clothes, guitar, and a few other things... she's got something else on her preoccupying her.]

-And that white-haired girl at the Yukon's a monster too?  And it's not just the Autobots... but there's a Wulgaru princess helping us?  And we might share some genetic ancestor with them?

... And that blue-haired girl from before is ANOTHER princess?!?

[In short: being just a member of the vanilla ESUN locks you out of the loop about some things.]

-And this person's "kin" want to eat them to become immortal?!?

[A lot of things.]

-And Shu Shirakawa was somehow ALIVE?  And he had some talking pet bird?!?

[A whole lot of things.]

... And the cat thing just has to be someone messing with me!

[It's gonna be one hell of an adjusting period.]

Comments

2

[63rd_shockwave]

You'll get used to it.

1)

[not_a_prize]

...

[Peola wasn't too sure what to say... how do you help someone who's just had something like this happen to her?]

I know its bad but...

Maybe there's a way we can make it right?

2)

[sang_av_helten]

And what exactly do you mean by 'Cat thing'?

[Hocrap that voice came from the cart!]

If you shall refer to Archibald and myself you shall refer to us as Proud Cat Warriors!

[whats_a_good_end]

I'm going to have to. With the lost of most of the models and technical materials, the ESUN's decided the best way to salvage the lost test data for the Brekaers is to put it in real combat situations.

[whats_a_good_end]

It would start with killing that girl and everyone involved with the theft.

[whats_a_good_end]

I mean-

[... Hocrap indeed. Ana just... stares.]

... yes...

... I guess that's... what you are...

[not_a_prize]

...I agree with you there... though...

[Something about that girl was disturbingly similar to her own sister. Part of her suddenly felt unsure.]

Its nothing... Anyway...

We'd have to find her first... and we don't even know what she's up to either.

2

[tiger_ken]

[Ken has been rattling off some exposition regarding the various members about.]

...there's also a kid named Volya who's prophesised by some weirdos to be the destroyer of the world, a would-have-been empress of evil, oh, and Peola isn't just a princess, but she's an alien princess...

[He should have Ana caught up after a while.]

[sang_av_helten]

[The cat seems to puff up and look proud at her expression.]

Indeed! And I can see that you are in awe of my mighty appearance, is this not the image of a great warrior?

[whats_a_good_end]

If you were about ten times that size I'd agree, but like-

[But wait.]

... No. I suppose that works.

[After all, all her friends and coworkers had gotten massacred by a girl in a frilly dress with bunny ears.]

[whats_a_good_end]

Peola's an alien too?!?

[tiger_ken]

Yes. She fled to Earth to escape her father's obsession with marrying her off, but unfortunately her sister found her and now we're expecting stupid suitors to turn up hunting.

[Ken shrugs.]

I thought I had it bad being the heir to rival ninja clans, but this place throws a lot of things into perspective.

[sang_av_helten]

Of course it works! Size is clearly not a measure of strength on its own! My own ancestors after all had scaled cliffs with their claws and were renowned as the chariot bearers of Freya after all.

Of course I cannot simply speak of my ancestors without introducing myself. I am Skald Skogkattson. Who are you and from what lineage do you hail?

[whats_a_good_end]

So when you say "princess" you're... really meaning it. Complete with with metaphorical glass slippers and all that jazz.

[whats_a_good_end]

... The lineage I 'hail' from is one that's disowned me. The feeling's mutual.

They felt risking your life as a test pilot was somehow a less noble calling than risking your life on the frontlines... and I'm just sure they're thrilled at recent events with me.

[whats_a_good_end]

It's worse than that.

The Shatterhand was designed as a "first response" kind of ship. It doesn't require much of a crew and, like a lot of people saw... it can reach tremendously high burst speeds. It's called the "RARE" Drive. 'Rapid Ascent/Re-entry Engine' to be exact.

... Catching it is no guarantee it wouldn't just slip away.

[tiger_ken]

As in if anything happened to her siblings, she would actually stand a chance of inheriting a Kingdom. Yes, alien royalty. Though I think she'd kick the glass slipper into the face of whoever offered...

[sang_av_helten]

BAH! Then your fore-bearers clearly must have taken one too many blows to the head. Bravery is bravery and I can smell that you have had your share of scars and battle!

[not_a_prize]

That bad?

[Holy crap technology here is a lot more complicated and scary than she thought.]

Can't we just smash its engines or something before it tries to leave?

[63rd_shockwave]

I mean, you didn't even get to how me and the jellyfish-eating demon are on the same side now.

[whats_a_good_end]

Well, I guess sooner or later we'll be able to see that theory get tested.

[whats_a_good_end]

One fight... and I'm not looking to the ones that are going to follow.

But as for scars... your nose isn't far off.

[Off go the gloves. Prosthetic right hand and two fingers on her left.]

Got the lesser of these two before helping with the Breaker program, got the second during.

... Probably saved my life too back there by having me away from the concert.

[whats_a_good_end]

Difficult, but possible. But we'd need to blitz it for sure.

[whats_a_good_end]

Seta eats jellyfish too?

[sang_av_helten]

If one should die it should be in the fires of glorious combat, or at the end of a life well lived after numerous glories of victory. Dying through subterfuge or simple slaughter...

[The cat makes a hacking noise like he's about to cough up a hairball.]

In any case I welcome you to our number and praise you for your courage under fire! I look forward to battling alongside you against all odds.