2023-10-20: Interplanetary Friendship
- Cast: Alouette Pommier, Jana Cektru
- Where: Division Train, Hermes
- Date: U.C. 0097 10 20
- Summary: Following Vicious and his cronies' attack on Alba City, Alouette visits the Captain of the Hermes for a chat. Science and politics come up, and they agree to chat and stay in touch after the King of Ruin is defeated.
<Pose Tracker> Jana Cektru has posed.
The Hermes is a fairly ordinary ship to look at; a Salamis Kai, it is painted in blue, and within there are the usual sorts of crew, though in NERV uniforms rather than anything else. Notably, however: there are a lot of scientists.
Jana can be found in an office off the bridge, where she is currently reviewing data on a tablet. She's in her usual blue attire--not a uniform, just a color preference--and she is sitting up in her chair behind her desk.
To look at her, one might not imagine she'd been shot recently, except for a little bulge at her side where the the bandages alter the silhouette of her dress under her jacket.
She is expecting a visitor, but is still working in the meantime.
...The crew, they may comment, is concerned; she's refused to stay in the medical bay despite an injury...
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
A Salamis Kai might not look anything special on the outside, but Alouette is at least aware, there's a lot more going on in the inside, with plenty of STORAGE-specialized laboratories.
Although she finds their research interesting, today, she's here for someone specific: Dr. Jana Cektru. She's had limited contact with the doctor before: she was even her physics teacher when she attended Tsutsujidai High during the Bujack incident! But back then, likely thanks to the kaiju's influence, Alouette found Dr. Cektru's presence... overwhelming for some inexplicable reason, and never stuck around class for very long.
That was a year ago now, though, and Alouette would rather see Jana as a respected colleague. So she's here, to pay her a visit, after reading the report about what happened at the cathedral!
...And is a little surprised to see she's right back to work. "Dr. Cektru," she greets, slowly opening the door to her office, before eyeing the tablet. "It's Alouette Pommier, from GGG Blue. I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time or anything..." She's wearing her uniform, but she didn't particularly intend for this to be official business or anything stiff like that.
Seeing she has her tablet open, she can't help but be curious as she tends to be. "What are you looking at, if I can ask? Honestly, between kaiju and dimensional science I find the kind of research you do here pretty interesting..." She admits, ruffling one of her hair curls.
<Pose Tracker> Jana Cektru has posed.
There are, for those who know to look, a number of little improvements, a number of things in the labs that shouldn't really be there on an ordinary ship.
Jana remembers Alouette from class! But... she sees Alouette as a colleague now, too.
"Miss Pommier," Jana greets her, and smiles once. "Not at all. I was just occupying myself while I waited."
She gestures towards a seat opposite the desk, encouraging Alouette to take it while they talk.
"Forgive me for not standing to greet you; my injury makes standing a little more of a production than I'd like."
There's a cane by her desk.
"I'm looking at the moment at some slides on the effects of interplanetary travel on certain forms of plantlife; we had a unique opportunity to measure the speeds and nature of the Train in its effects on various forms of life."
"Less exciting than kaiju or dimensional science, perhaps, but just as vital."
"How are you?"
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
As gestured, Alouette takes the seat opposite Jana at the desk, stretching her legs out a little as she does. "Oh, that's no problem at all." She reassures, waving her arm slightly. "Honestly, I'm a little surprised you're back to work at all after all that... I was almost expecting to have to visit you in the medbay." She does note the cane. "I just hope you're taking care of yourself, Doctor."
The effects of interplanetary travel on plantlife... Alouette nods with interest. "That is a pretty unique topic of research... and especially important, as space travel becomes more and more commonplace. There's lots of research about plants and colony life... but not much when it comes to fast-travelling. How are the plants?" She asks, wondering about what kind of results Jana's research has shown so far.
As she's asked how she is, then... "It's a little disquieting, I have to admit." Her expression droops just a little. "I had a feeling BioNet might try something while we were here. They're persistent in the absolute worst ways. But the men we faced, and their boss, that Vicious man? The whole situation was just unsettling in the worst way -- so I'm just glad you're safe more than anything. People like them... there's no one worse." There's a certain amount of venom in her tone, as much as she tries to suppress it.
"Other than that... I've been thinking about the situation on Jupiter a lot." She admits. A lot of people are unsettled by the looming King of Ruin itself of course, but she's more concerned about who's waiting behind that projection.
"Talking to the Neon Genesis Junior High Students helped ease those nerves a little... but I thought you might have your own perspective on all this." She explains, serious in tone. "When we broke the news over the radio, it seemed like you had your own insight on the situation. How are you feeling about this, Doctor?"
<Pose Tracker> Jana Cektru has posed.
"The medbay raises... questions, to the crew," Jana says. "And most of them are unaware that I'm not human." Which, if Alouette wasn't aware of, she may be now. "I'm being careful, at least; when I'm not here in the office I'm resting in my quarters--mostly, I'm there. I can monitor experiments without much strain."
She inclines her head, then. "Yes, exactly. The plants are doing well; we're getting some data as to ways we can improve that further."
But disqueiting, "...it was very unsettling," Jana agrees. "I was underprepared. I had assumed that the people we faced would be amenable to reason, but... that man, Vicious--he is as cold a man as I have ever met." She does notice the venom in Alouette's tone. "...I am not fond of such men. Nevertheless, I wish that it could have been resolved peacefully."
Jupiter... Dr. Cektru nods. "Reasonably so; it's the reason we're here." A pause. "They are steadfast as ever, I'm sure. But my perspective..." She considers.
"I do not have as much insight as I would like. I am feeling confident, however, that GGG can accomplish its mission. It will be difficult, and is daunting. I do not know what cost will be paid for our success. But I believe in your courage and in your capability."
"...It's a problem my own people have no solution for; my perspective is simply that, as a citizen of this galaxy, it is right that I help."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Alouette tilts her head as Jana explains her reasoning for avoiding the medbay. "Not human, huh..." She had an inkling that might be the case, just because of the way she carried herself, and those unique techniques she could pull off while piloting an Ichinana. It might mean she knows best how to take care of her injury, too.
"I guess that would be awkward to explain to a lot of people... even if it doesn't really make me see you any differently." Even still, she doesn't press for details. There are many types of people in the galaxy and beyond, she's learned. "Besides... it's not the same, but it's not exactly like I'm similar to most people either."
She nods, and slightly smiles, when Jana explains about the plants. "That's great to hear. We've always kept plants in the Orbit Base's main order room. It makes the atmosphere nicer, of course... but I've read it's healthy to have some form of greenery around even when we're far off from Earth. It's nice to know that the plants can thrive in these environments, too."
Amenable to reason... "It sure would be nice were that the case. Unfortunately, it's not reason that kept their organization alive for so long." She crosses her arms. "And it seemed like Vicious had his own agenda... probably something to do with his history with Spike Spiegel. But taking hostages and controlling kaiju for those purposes... they didn't care about negotiation or a peaceful resolution. in the first place. It's reprehensible." She concludes, firmly.
But her expression softens when she hears Jana's perspective on how things will go on Jupiter. Limited... but confident. Alouette can accept that. "It is pretty daunting. The Ruin Apostles are some of the most powerful and cunning in the entire Earth Sphere. They probably even have a plan of some kind to deal with the Division Train already." She frowns, shuffling her fingers slightly.
"We'll simply have to overcome them with our own courage... and save them from their suffering." She concludes, with a building resolve. "So... your belief is appreciated, Dr. Cektru. We're going to need it. And I know Guy places a lot of trust in your courage, too."
<Pose Tracker> Jana Cektru has posed.
Jana trusts Alouette not to tell her secret to people, clearly; to bring her in on that particular knowledge. She doesn't know her well, but she knows enough. "I appreciate that," she says of not seeing her differently. "You're right that humanity focuses greatly on the divisions within. That surprises me, given how you've accepted even the Zentradi... But I suppose it's the nature of a growing civilization." Dr. Cektru shakes her head. "In any case."
She smiles back. "Yes, plantlife is important. I'm glad that you can appreciate it. It's very different from the plantlife I've had elsewhere, but it's still beautiful."
Unfortunately... "Yes," Jana says. "I'm accustomed to observing civilizations from afar; I was... unprepared, for a man like Vicious." She grimaces. "I will try to be more prepared in the future."
"But I agree. Such barbarity has no place in a civilized sphere."
"Not only in the Earth Sphere," Jana admits. "Even in my home system, we have no countermeasures for the Ruin Apostles that isn't overwhelming force. But that's why I have chosen to believe in all of you."
She nods. To save them... Yes. The darker-haired Jana inclines her head. "That is just so. And I will do my utmost to assist. ...I came here on a mission of observation, but it was one of your own human children who made me realize that I could not simply stand by. She made me think about the distinction between my own actions and those of someone like Alexis Kerib..."
"And I have chosen to stand with the people I hope will join us one day in the greater galaxy."
"...Can I answer any other questions for you, Miss Pommier? If not, I hope that when we're in less danger, I can simply share some tea with you. It's good to be colleagues, but I would be encouraged if I could make friends among this organization, as well. Especially... Well, especially in light of what happened on Earth before we left."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Indeed, Alouette will keep Jana's secret to herself. She has no reason to share it around anyways... not to mention that it would simply be unkind. "I'd like to hope those divisions are thinning, especially as Laplace's Box and Mineva Lao Zabi's speech have come to light." She adds, though. "They say it was the power of Lin Minmay's song, that bridged the gap between the Zentradi and humanity... even now, you see the same thing happening with artists like Lacus Clyne. Did your society place such an emphasis on music?"
As for plantlife... "I don't think I really got to spend much time around nature growing up... so I can at least treasure it now." She smiles. "I wonder what kind of plants you've seen, though... I bet they were beautiful in their own way."
She nods, when Jana explains she was unprepared for a man as cruel as Vicious. "Really... I'd like to wish you never have to be prepared for someone like that ever again! But there's no denying that they exist, so if we really want to see a kinder world, we need to keep our eyes open. For now, though, I just hope the people of Alba City can catch a break... and Anosillus, too."
"As it happens... we do have a way. The power of purification from the Green Planet can remove the influence of Triple Zero... and Char Aznable's case demonstrates we now have the means to cure it through medical science, too." Her expression warms. "Because of that, I have hope... but it's true that it's going to take overwhelming force to even get them into position to purify them." Thankfully, they'll be able to withstand far more force than they can dream of, she adds, silently to herself.
She's glad too, that Jana agrees that they need to be saved more than anything. From themselves. Although she grimaces slightly, when Alexis Kerib's name comes up. She's glad Jana decided against taking on methods like his.
"The greater galaxy, huh? There's a wide world even beyond Jupiter... you know, it was always Guy's dream to explore it all before he was dragged into the fight." A fact that might be obvious from his distinctly astronaut themed office, of course. "It might be nice to see what's out there."
"I do have one more question..." She starts. "What do you plan on doing after our mission is over?" She receives a partial answer, not long after. "Ahh, tea... That would be nice, wouldn't it? And besides, I agree. I don't know where we stand with NERV, once this is all over. Not only has Gendo Ikari broken our trust, but the OCU broke away from the Federation, leaving our loyalties split. It's really kind of a headache... but I'd like to remain friends with you after all this as well."
<Pose Tracker> Jana Cektru has posed.
"I'd like to hope the same." Jana nods, at that--and then, "No, but we had other things to help bring us together. My people are psionically linked; what your 'Newtypes' have begun to do, we've done for many thousands of years. This, I think, is what's kept us on a peaceful path." A pause. "...But I think I may be bringing some of Earth's music back with me, when I go. It is... pleasant."
She isn't sure; Jana notices that. "All sorts of colors," Jana answers about plantlife. "All sorts of flowers. And yet, there are still more to see in the universe."
"I hope that, as well. Life on Mars is difficult enough."
Dr. Cektru smiles back. "A thing for which I am glad. It is better, to save these people--to do what we can. A world wherein one cannot save one's friends... is a bitter world to accept."
"There is," Jana says. "I will not spoil the surprises; there's much to be seen. Only will I say that there is indeed, much out there to see. I hope that Chief Shishioh has his chance."
But one question? And it's a doozy of a question. "I don't know," Jana admits, "Beyond hoping to make some friends here. I am... reconsidering my relationship with Gendo Ikari's organization. I treasure the colleagues I have in STORAGE, but while I believe that Ikari wants what is best for this world... I cannot abide his methods of seeking it."
"So I suppose I'll have to figure that out."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Psionically linked... it does sound a lot like Newtypes. "If I read his works correctly, I think that was what Zeon Deikun intended when he put the term into writing all those years ago. A future where people could understand each other. It's definitely a nice ideal... but I can't say for sure if humanity will be able to follow the same path as your people." It's complex, for sure.
Her love for music isn't though! "Oh, that's a great idea! If I had to recommend anyone... I'd have to say Sheryl Nome. She's a great songstress, and as it turns out, an even greater friend." She was also even able to see the power of her song first-hand, in the way it helped Akane's recovery.
She nods seriously, at the idea of a world where you can't save your friends being a bitter one. "They're the ones who saved me... so it's only right that I save them in turn, now that they're the ones who need it. Besides, they're all wonderful people... so I hope you can meet them soon, too."
"Hehe, I wouldn't have it any other way," Alouette grins, as Jana elects not to spoil any surprises. "I'm sure he wouldn't, either."
Jana's honest answer to her question is that... she doesn't know. That's fair, Alouette thinks. "I guess it might be a good idea to talk to those colleagues, they might even feel the same way." But as for Gendo Ikari... "I don't know if I can trust him, either. Stopping the Angels is important, but once you start dismissing others as mere 'parts'... it's thinking that can only remind me of BioNet." She shakes her head. "I guess that's a problem for once we return to Earth."
"There's things to look forward to of course, too. I'll be able to see my girlfriend again, I'll be able to graduate in front of Mikoto with my friends... and so much more." She sounds excited - perhaps the most like a regular teenage girl she did this whole conversation. "And I'm looking forward to taking you up on tea, of course. But for now, I think I should let you rest for a while. It looks like they might need me on the Mizuha in a moment, anyways..." Her eyes double over her smartphone. "Take care, okay?"