CMO 4/2024 ー名前を呼んでくれー

[kajimatakeshi]

「The destination... I'll leave that up to you.」

Comments

New Jersey

[infinitejustice]

[It was supposed to just be a routine exercise. New Jersey had been entrusted with a small group of shipgirls to take out on maneuvers today, and no one had any reason to believe anything unusual would happen. There were no reports of Siren activity anywhere within at least a thousand nautical miles, and the sky was clear.

Until it wasn't.

Some new kind of threat had seemed to descend upon them from above. No one could track where they came from, except for one factor -- they appeared to have dropped down to the surface from orbit. The sky soon filled with hostiles, in greater numbers than the hapless group of shipgirls could manage themselves.

Fortunately, help soon arrived. A beam of energy lanced forth from the horizon, catching several enemy fliers in its line of fire. Tracing the beam back to its source reveals a red-violet mech flying at high speed toward the fight. At the same time, the girls' communications came to life, with Athrun's voice coming through crystal clear and issuing them orders. Once at closer range, the machine put away its rifle and pulled out a pair of beam sabers, which it quickly linked together, and began to tear through the new enemies as if they were made of tissue paper. Its strength was able to tip the scales in their favor.

Once the fighting ends, the machine lands on a nearby island, and Athrun tells the girls to meet him there. When it lands, the cockpit opens, and Athrun, wearing his flight suit for the first time since arriving at the Azur Lane HQ, rides the cable lift down to ground level and approaches New Jersey.]

Are you all right?

apho mei! also starsand continuity, but let's say this is in mei's world?

[dereban]

[ Some days, you just wind up waking up somewhere unfamiliar and that's just fine.

Well, no. That's not entirely correct.

It isn't 'fine', no matter how much she'd like to play it up or pretend that it is. Obviously, she's terrified, right down to her very core. Instinctively, she reaches right at her chest--where her soul is.

She can still feel the darkness that's settled there, a murky goo that's almost wrapped around her heart even as she takes in the unfamiliar scenery. In any case, she's wary of where she is, checking to see if there is anything that she could possibly see; any places to go, any familiar faces, anything at all...

After all, who's to say that where she is isn't some sort of illusion or trap? ]

oh BOY

[everpromisedthunder]

[Time marches on, as the fates would have it.

After the whirlwind that was getting stuck in another walled off city, Mei had gotten herself entangled in one of her messiest battles yet. It had ended in her being dragged to the brink, and she had to be brought back home for treatment. It wouldn't be until the remainder of her squad had linked up with Bronya's group and gotten significant work done that she'd come back -- and in that time, so much had changed. They now actually had a more proper foothold within St. Fountain, however temporary, something that would work in their favor for the operations to come.

It would also be needed to shelter someone -- not that they knew what was going on right away.

There was an "unusual Honkai reaction near the center of St. Fountain", Bronya had told her that morning. But from the look of it, there weren't any rifts like the one from the joint squad's report, ones that drew them into another space entirely. It could have meant anything, so she opted to detach from the rest of the group to assess the situation.

...she only hoped it wasn't anything major.

The first thing Inaba will find as her eyes open is that she's in the midst of an abandoned city. Strange sinkholes that look like they came out of an old sci-fi movie, equally unusual crystals that dot the roads, even overtaking the dry fountain at the center, scaffolding that looks like it was scattered about in the wake of an intense typhoon... whatever happened here, it has definitely seen better days.

There are also monsters dotting the area. Thankfully, some of them are far, but it's not safe to be out in the open, not with how some of them seem to be drawing closer...]

[dereban]

[ The worst thing about being Inaba Himeko: being someone who doesn't like dealing with monsters. Actually, she probably should check what's on her person... aha. Okay, yeah, she should consider herself lucky that she has her Foundation-regulated gun in the off chance that she needs to shoot something, but she'd rather not have to resort to that, because there's a nagging feeling at the back of her head that even dares to wonder if a normal gun would even work on these things.

But at the very least, this is most likely not Starsand, or something that the Facility built; monsters just didn't really seem to be their style, not entirely.

Not with what they were doing. And it'd be pointless, especially since she's...

She shakes it off. She just needs to play the stealth game and not get noticed by said monsters, which means it's time to get moving, and get moving quick. She's out of here, off to find the closest hint of civilization or at least other people. Lest she ends up dealing with the monsters first. ]

[everpromisedthunder]

[Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the buildings are an option for hiding until someone comes; the doors are locked. It's at least clear that people would have lived here at some point with how relatively intact everything is, but... if anything drove them out, they shouldn't have had time to lock everything down, right?

Past the buildings themselves, though, there's a few roads open to Inaba. One has a sizable pothole right at entry, along with a car stuck inside. It's also far enough from the monsters, but... getting out might be a problem if she falls in while making an escape. There's an odd glowing circle inside the pothole if she squints enough, but this place is already an unknown as it is.

She could also chance it and move along the sidewalk, but the closer she gets to the wider road further ahead, the more concentrated the monsters' presence is. At least it'll be easier to run away from them, any obstructions she finds aside...]

Ruan Mei

[lakan]

[ Midgard had become part of the galactic neighborhood. Although they are quite stubborn in the eyes of the opportunistic IPC and seem to worship no Aeon, Midgard has a uniqueness they bring to the table. They're an advanced civilization but only occupying a fraction of the entire planet - a small continent called Silvis tucked away on the southern hemisphere of the globe. What makes Midgard unique is that it's already occupied by locals of the planet who are still technologically primitive, long before people from space arrived and settled on their little corner of the world.

Silvis is even stranger. It was largely uninhabited by any civilization and was seen as a dark continent full of monsters and evil spirits. The arrival of the Terrans was an eye-opening experience for them in more ways than one, for not only do people come from the stars, they are also powerful enough to make the monsters they feared into mere fodder. Relationships are tense, but that doesn't stop the Terrans from bringing in more people from other planets. Researchers, tourists, traders... They all want to see the mysterious island continent of Silvis and it's legendary access to an underground world, easily accessible now with Terran technology.

Deep beneath the earth is where Ruan Mei of the Genius Society is brought. Expansive nature with inverted plains and mountains in the roof of this world. A big-shot according to the Terrans who advised Troy after he was assigned the mission to be her guard. Given his rank and status among the Terran military, he can only imagine how important this genius must be for interplanetary public relations. Someone in the higher rungs of Midgardian politics must want to cozy up with more galactic factions, like the Genius Society. There's a basecamp of elevated shelters and equipment set up for her, giving Ruan Mei whatever she specified.

Even snacks of sweets and pastries which Troy found a little odd at first. But he had some delivered earlier before his arrival. A spread of familiar sweets and pastries of his youth from yema, pandecocos, leche flan. He's not really sure what to give her, so he just went with what he knows. The basecamp is quiet with only robots keeping Ruan Mei company, so Troy knocks at the shelter's door: ]

Doctor. Can I come in?

[ He asks, standing outside of the door in his power armor covering him from the neck down. Troy glances around, as a vague memory of his past tries to creep up at his mind's eye. A secret that he keeps closely guarded. A secret he brought to this world. He may look like a regular augmented soldier to everyone, and carries himself like a man. But Troy is actually a god. Not that Ruan Mei here will ever find out. ]

[dereban]

[ Well, that's fine and cool and all that.

The fact that the buildings are on lock down is not the greatest sign of things, and she doesn't want to call out in case the monsters hear her cries and then...

Nope, not risking that today. No thank you.

Looks like the best bet is just to continue moving along the sidewalk and pray. ]

Throwing in a little bonus!

[dontchajustlovethis]

[One does not simply give New Jersey trouble, either. Massed numbers weren't something she'd have issue with ordinarily; being pushed back was a rarity, for her. Against unknowns that seemed hell-bent on swarming them until their reserves gave out, though, that was something that forced her to consider a full on retreat before any losses were taken.

It wasn't until the emerald light punched through the new opposition that she immediately reneged and rushed back, rallying the girls -- including a certain Miss Heroine -- into a tide turning counterattack. Calling it a sight to behold would have understated it some, given how many new marks they would have to their tally with the machine's support.

Once the fleet is ashore, New Jersey opts to take a skip and hop over to their commander with her usual aplomb, leaving Enterprise to assess their supplies and what would be needed for the trip back.]

Fitter than even the fittest fiddle~ Ahaha! Thanks for bailing us out back there. You'd think we'd stop running into these out of nowhere incidents by now...

[everpromisedthunder]

[The good news is the strange monsters seem to not have the best vision; they don't seem to notice Inaba right away. The smaller ones seem to lumber about, too -- only moving swiftly in bursts, at least for now.

The bad news: what she'll find as she draws closer to the wider road -- it's got two more of the creatures covering it. The one floating in the air with its hands raised appears to be calling down bolts of energy from the sky, and appears to be somewhat oblivious to its surroundings. The grounded one at least looks easy to sneak past, but the floating one... there doesn't seem to be a pattern to where its bolts land. Not unlike thunder, really...

If she sticks around to watch, though, she'll find there's gaps in when it calls down each bolt that she can slip through and into the alleyway.

...

Mei, on the other hand, hadn't counted on being delayed here and there as she made her way over. Tulip Alley, at least, wasn't too far off, but there were still more of the constructs that needed dealing with. It looks like she'll have to put her katana to work for a bit longer before she can get answers...]

[dereban]

[ That's not great!

She doesn't want to risk getting hit by those bolts, even if there's a possibility that her nullification - she can still feel it active - could potentially work on those creatures. But that's not a risk that she's willing to take, right now. Better safe, than sorry.

Inaba's definitely going to watch for a pattern and thankfully time things correctly, running when there's a good gap, keeping as quiet as possible as to not draw too much attention to herself, although she does have her hands on her gun holster. ]

[everpromisedthunder]

[Sound, mercifully, proves to not be an issue. Being seen, on the other hand...

The primate-like creature turns around at the worst possible moment; while it doesn't seem to have immediately picked up on a living being in its purview, it's not going to be long before it does.

Think fast, Inaba.]

[dereban]

[ To be fair, she doesn't have a lot of options here.

Guess she'll have to see if maybe shooting her shot is the best option, especially since she knows that her athleticism isn't exactly what people would consider... good.

So a distraction would be better.

And if she's lucky, maybe someone will hear the abnormality. But she's not aiming towards the monsters; she's aiming as far away from where she needs to run in hopes that it'll work as a distraction. ]

[everpromisedthunder]

[Inaba's choice to prepare a signal pays off -- there's a car window she can shoot while slipping into the alley.

Though the fact there's a car just sitting here right next to a gaping chasm dividing the road...]

[dereban]

[ Well, hope that person has car insurance, because she's going to shoot the window before going to run away from said car. ]

[everpromisedthunder]

[This being a relatively ordinary car, Inaba's gun is more than enough to make a decent hole in the glass; not a moment too soon, as the primate-looking monster finally comes alive enough to recognize there was a person in the vicinity. The sound of its claws scraping across the ground is all the warning one would need -- it's begun a pursuit.

For her part, Mei had already cleared out the monsters that covered the path she took -- the relative silence that settled over her path was quickly broken, not just by the gunshot, but the bullet's impact. In fact, it startled her -- as far as she knew, the only guns she would hear were that of her colleagues...

...

If nothing else, the old hideout should still be safe. She'll just have to bring whoever showed up there for the time being. Mei moves in -- not quite expecting that a familiar face would be able to see her as she enters the other end of the alleyway...]

[dereban]

...!

[ The familiar face might be both relieving and worrying. Nevertheless, she isn't going to compromise putting other people in any potential danger, so there's no calling out verbally, but as she tries to, at the very least scramble the hell out of dodge.

Try being the key word, because she is tripping over herself after a bit.

Nobody ever said she was athletic. ]

1/2

[everpromisedthunder]

[--No. It can't be--!

Her instincts flare the second she spots Inaba taking a fall, and as soon as she sees the construct that's pursuing the younger girl preparing to pounce, Mei takes swift, decisive action -- jumping and lashing out at the primate. No more than three thunder-charged, dashing slices and a sharp lightning-powered kick to the monster's midsection later, the creature is slammed into the wall behind it, falling to pieces in the wake of Mei's attack.]

[everpromisedthunder]

[...any later and there would have been serious trouble. With outside assistance cut off, there was no way they would have gotten her out in time for treatment. If nothing else, they should be able to scavenge some more supplies...

...she puts away the what-ifs and turns, offering a hand to the girl she'd found herself watching over in that cordoned, star-dotted city.]

I have to say... this wasn't quite how I imagined our reunion going.

Are you alright, Inaba?

[dereban]

Ahaha...

[ She laughs a little sheepishly as she makes sure that her gun won't accidentally go off before placing it back into its proper holster, grabbing Mei's hand as she pulls herself up. Gratefully, she's not too hurt. ]

I didn't expect to get transported to yet another world that isn't my own for the third time. I'm fine, though. Mostly.

[everpromisedthunder]

I wasn't expecting anyone to wind up here to begin with, but... I suppose life finds ways to keep surprising us both.

[Mei gives Inaba a once over after making sure she's on her feet, before nodding -- good, she should at least be able to get around... now to plan the route back to the safehouse her squad used prior to things going downhill.

She takes the time to check her comms before turning back to Inaba.]

Regrettably, any catching up will have to wait; right now, our first priority is getting you to safety. Just from earlier, I think you've already got an idea of what the situation is here...

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun casts a quick glance over in Enterprise's direction to see what she's doing and if she needs any help. When it looks like she's fine, he returns his full attention to New Jersey.]

It was nothing. Seeing everyone return to base alive is thanks enough for me.

[He can't help but offer a little smile as he says that, though.]

Anything you need my assistance with, or shall I just keep you company?

[dereban]

It happens, I suppose.

[ She lets out a bit of a sigh before smiling a little awkwardly. ]

Getting to safety would probably be for the best. I don't even know if I can handle monsters.

[ Even if she is technically part monster herself. ]

[everpromisedthunder]

Let's not stick around and find out the hard way...

[The last thing she wants to do is pressure Inaba into fighting. Especially with how much more threatening the constructs have become...

Right. Back to the matter of safe spaces.]

There's a safehouse near here that we can still use. I'll take you there. [She turns to the way she came from.] I cleared the path on the way to finding you, so we shouldn't have any issues.

[And if there are any stragglers she missed, she'll make sure they stop being issues.]

[dereban]

[ Inaba nods her head in understanding. She doesn't know how fast, how how long she can run, but if it's not too far... ]

Alright. Hopefully you didn't jinx that just now, though.

[everpromisedthunder]

At the very least, I can do something about it this time.

[Too many times, she has found herself on the wrong end of misfortune, be it in years past or even in recent memory. As used to it as she is... she hates, loathes repeats.

Mei leads the way through the streets, lent their eerie red glow by the unusual construct that stands in the distance; as she does, she opens her comms again, this time to make a proper call. Though getting anything outside St. Fountain would be an issue as things are, it should be possible to get to anyone within the barrier--

Ah.]

This is Bronya.

[...what a relief. It gets her to slow a bit, though not so much that she hamstrings the brisk pace.]

Sorry for calling out of the blue. I found a friend near where the Honkai anomaly was picked up.

A friend...? St. Fountain was supposed to be...

I'll explain later. Right now, we're on the way to the safehouse; can you meet us halfway?

I shouldn't be far off from your location. Just be careful until then.

Mm. See you soon.

[Mei hangs up not long after, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she held in.]

That was more than I really expected...