2023-11-09: Captain's Call
- Cast: Koji Kabuto, Sayaka Yumi, Enba Rezza
- Where: Orb, Ra Mari II
- Date: U.C. 0097 11 09
- Summary: With the final battle against Dr. Hell and Mazinger Infinity looming, the heads of the Photon Power labs make a gambit, bidding for the support of the Ra Mari II and its acting Captain, Enba Rezza.
<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.
The Ra Mari II is a very large ship. It takes up a chunk of Orb's shoreline while it's here, resting above the water. And once aboard, there's the matter of getting around...
But for a scheduled meeting, it's not so bad; a crew member appears to show Sayaka and Koji to the meeting room. It's not far from the bridge, which means it's an elevator trip up and a bit by internal tram from the hangar entryway.
It's a large room, but enclosed by prefab walls to be smaller than it would be--Zentradi architecture is melded with human sensibilities. "The Captain will be along momentarily," the crew member says, and they are left in a room with a desk and a few chairs.
After they've had a chance to settle in, and without much wait, Enba Rezza arrives. They have green hair and the familiar cyan, white, and pink-accented uniform of the 3SA, with Captain's pips and hat. Their eyes are sharp.
"Good day," Enba says. "And welcome to the Ra Mari II." They step along towards the desk, and take a seat after shaking hands.
"I understand that you wanted to meet with us. With Orlodhari on leave, that falls to me. So please, let's get started."
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
Orb is a rather nice place. Rather corporate, but its island locale makes it perfect for tourism, too. Sayaka Yumi is not here for tourism today.
As she's learned from her father, Prime Minister Yumi, the OCU is currently negotiating with the Five Families of Orb following its withdrawal from the Federation. Sayaka isn't here for that, either.
It's not hard to spot the massive Zentradi carrier above the waters of Orb... and its crew is helpful for getting her and Koji where they need to be.
After the convenient elevator trip and tram ride, it's not long before they are face-to-face with the sharp Acting Captain of the Ra Mari II. "Captain Rezza," Sayaka says, taking their hand for a firm shake. "This is Sayaka Yumi, director of the Photon Power Labs. I'm here with Koji Kabuto." She takes a seat, when she is prompted.
"Yes," she nods, at getting started. Enba Rezza seems like a straightforward person... Sayaka doesn't entirely mind that in the slightest. "So... as you're well aware, Doctor Hell is alive. But it's not just that. He is in the process of possessing a power that would shake this world at its very foundation. Power that would consolidate Possibility into his hands alone." She places suitable emphasis on the word - they all know what Laplace's Box means for the world, and the Ra Mari II was present at the center of that revelation.
"To explain what that power is... we're going to need to tell you about what we found buried under Mount Fuji. Something that should not have been there." She looks to Koji. "Would you like to do the honours?"
<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.
"Acting Captain," Koji says with a nod as Enba enters, taking a seat across from them with Sayaka. She explains the reason they're here, and then looks to him to explain the nature of the problem.
He clears his throat.
"On January 15th 0096, an anomaly appeared under Mt. Fuji." He slides a datapad featuring documentation on their discovery across the desk to Enba - a gigantic Mazinger, large enough to require Mazinger Z or Great as its control vehicle. "It wasn't there on the 14th. Since its appearance under the Fuji Power Management Facility, the Research Institute has been devoting a lot of time trying to figure out its construction, purpose, and abilities, but it's remained dormant the whole time. After Brocken and Ashura attacked Fujinomiya City, though... it seems to have disappeared. Our working hypothesis is that Doctor Hell has managed to figure out how it operates and is preparing to utilise its power, the nature of which we have recently learned."
He frowns. "This Mazin, which we codenamed 'Infinity' for what its construction represented for advancing Photon Power development and material construction, is apparently the key to a system named 'Goragon' which, if sufficiently powered, is capable of rewriting reality itself according to its user's whims. With Hell in charge of it..." He shakes his head. "He cannot be allowed to use it."
<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.
"Dr. Yumi, Dr. Kabuto," Enba confirms and greets once they're introduced properly. Then...
"Dr. Hell... My father fought in the Mycenae wars," Enba reflects. "But all I've seen personally of Dr. Hell is his transparent attempt at a PR campaign."
Possessing power. Koji explains what it is.
Enba examines the datapad, looking it over and considering it. "That's a very large Mazinger," they note. Obvious, but important. "So, if it simply 'appeared' there... that suggests this power has already been used at least once."
"So, you have my interest. This is outside our usual remit, but not that far; we've fought Angels before, why not Dr. Hell?"
"What is your proposal for what we do? The Converging Spinal Beam Cannon is no longer operational," Enba cautions, which means the Ra Mari II's firepower is 'merely' that of an ordinary battleship. Strong, but not capable of planetary bombardment.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"They were dark times," Sayaka nods, about the Mycenae Wars. As for his PR campaign... "It was a flimsy attempt... I don't think he was really convincing anyone. But in the end, it did get him exactly what he wanted. Or rather... proved exactly what he wanted."
"It's possible," Sayaka agrees, that the power of Goragon was already used. "Hell's sudden re-emergence also suggests so. I don't think he's capable of harnessing Goragon to its full extent just yet. But for a man of his genius? Like Koji said, he's probably already figured it out. It's a race against time."
That Enba is willing to devote their support even in spite of that... "I'm glad to hear it. And honestly? With a threat on this scale, we need all the help we can get. The only reason we kept Infinity a secret in the first place was to avoid seeing it fall into the wrong hands... but now that it has, we can no longer do so."
So what can the Ra Mari II do? "I believe the Ra Mari II's greatest asset is its size." Sayaka starts. "With Fujinomiya locked down by the kikaiju, we're really in desperate need of supplies, resources, and a place to keep them safe. The Macross 13 is there, and Asciel is... if nothing else, an exceptionally crafty one. But like I said, we're going to need all the help we can get."
"Not just that... but your ship and its crew have seen through a lot. Even without that massive beam cannon, we've seen you pull out victory after victory. I'm not sure we could trust any other battleship team with this."
"But I understand it's going to be dangerous... it's something you're going to need to have a serious discussion with your crew about." She admits. "And we're willing to compensate you in return."
<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.
"Right now, we don't really know how to match Infinity in a conventional battle - but every Mazin," Koji begins to explain, "shares a significant weakness - the cranial dock control vehicle. There's an emergency override system built-in to forcibly eject the vehicle if the pilot can't hit the manual override in the cockpit, and during the battle with the Neo II Zeong we prototyped a virus to activate that automatic override. I'm hoping that a similar system exists in Infinity, and we've been refining the development of the worm - if we can force it to eject whatever control vehicle Hell is using, that will significantly hinder his plans.
The problem there, of course, is whoever's uploading the worm is going to be vulnerable and will require support. I'm planning on assembling a strike team to attack once Infinity re-emerges, following this indicated attack route - at point-blank range, mobile weapons should have the mobility to outmaneuver its thermal radiator weapon, which is its most obvious threat. We would... appreciate it if the Ra Mari II assisted us, when the moment comes. I understand this is a request that puts your piloting team at extreme risk, even over conventional operations."
The depicted basic attack route relies on outmaneuvering the Kikaiju Legion occupying the land outside the city and mountain and reaching Infinity's feet, then ascending up its body. "Obviously I plan on updating this once Infinity actually reappears, to take the site of the battle into account."
<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.
"So it seems," Enba says of the PR campaign's results.
"If he were capable, it'd already be over--so we should capitalize on the fact that it isn't," Rezza agrees too. "Acting quickly... yes."
"Right," the acting Captain says of secrecy. Then, "...Good. That's very much within our capability. We're on track to build up the medbay further--with the ambition to make it a proper hospital, eventually. And we do have space for many people. We can stock up on supplies here and Orb, as well."
Victory after victory... Enba nods. "Much of that was Orlodhari's leadership," Enba admits. "But she trusted me to watch over the ship in her absence, and I don't aim to disappoint her."
They look to Koji, next. "A solid plan, then. Better than 'shoot it and hope it dies', in any case. ...We have expert pilots. I'll have Lancaster assemble the right people."
"The risks... So be it. I'll take volunteers for the piloting side of this mission, for that reason. But the Ra Mari II herself will be there."
They look over the map, considering it. "Logistics are something I consider myself particularly good at. So if you can put me in touch with your suppliers and the resources you'll be needing..."
They say, "Compensation is well and good--and we'll take it. I'll be glad to negotiate that. We do have mouths to feed and people to pay."
"But we'd help without it. The Earth Sphere is in danger. The Federation can't be counted on to take care of it, now..."
"So it's up to all of us. Assuming that we can arrange the details together, we're with you."
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"Right... before it's too late." Sayaka agrees, with acting quickly. "Captain Orlodhari's leadership is brilliant, to say the least." She also agrees on that point. "But a brilliant plan can only be executed by a crew working in perfect tandem. I know she picked you to lead in her place for a reason."
As for supplies and space for people... "That would mean a lot. The attacks meant a lot of people were temporarily displaced their homes.
While Koji lays out their plan that uses Infinity's weakness as a Mazin to its full advantage. "The virus isn't perfect yet... because we're going from working with a simple Pilder mechanism to the entire Mazin chassis." She adds. "...But it has to work."
It may be dangerous... but Sayaka can see that Enba accepts out of absolute faith in the Ra Mari II's pilots. "We've worked with Lancaster before... it wouldn't be the first time she's flown to our defense." Sayaka hasn't seen her since Denver... it might be nice to pay a visit while she's in Orb.
"I can handle helping you with the logistics," Sayaka nods. "And the compensation as well." Even if they would be willing to help without it... it's important for the crew who will be risking their lives.
"Normally, we would probably go to Londo Bell. But even now, the Federation has a tight grasp on them... and a lot of its people moved here, in any case."
"Thank you for your help, Captain Rezza." She formally bows, Japanese-style, as is polite after requesting aid. "We'll do it together... and show Doctor Hell he has no right to be judge, jury, and executioner of this world."
<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.
"Most of my pull in Londo Bell's been, well, scrutinized heavily since the OCU seceded from the Federation, on top of that," Koji admits. "We're at least lucky we were able to offer the Paralus crew some steady employment."
"I'll make sure your volunteers are fully apprised of the operation plan as I make changes to it," he says to Enba. "Thank you so much for your support, Acting Captain." It looks like there's a weight off his shoulders, to have this agreement reached. "How is Captain Orlodhari doing, anyway?"
<Pose Tracker> Enba Rezza has posed.
"True. We have a very reliable crew as well." Enba doesn't argue with their being chosen for a reason, though. They nod, and accept it. They're polite, not overly humble.
"Then they'll be welcome on our ship while it's necessary," Enba says of the people in question. And Sayaka is willing to handle the logistics with Rezza, sot hat's taken care of, too.
"We all signed up for Londo Bell for our own reasons... and we left for our own reasons, too. I'd work with many of them again, if not all. But we have who we have."
Enba inclines their head deeply in response to the bow, and then says, "Yes. No one man has that right."
"Noted," Reza says of Koji's statement, and then, "You're welcome. Part of my duty is to act in accordance with what I believe our Captain's wishes would be. And I believe that's this."
A pause. "She's quite well. Habitually tired, of course, but she and the twins are all healthy, last I heard--and that was today. She's on Magallanica. If you have a chance to drop by sometime, I'm certain she'd be glad to see either or both of you. Commander Orlodhari is also well. We expect him back sooner than her, of course."
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
Their planning seems to be all wrapped up, with the logistics set to be handled, and the pilots to be briefed. But it's good to know how Eight's doing, too.
"That's great news." Sayaka smiles. "And twins, too... I can only imagine how tired she must be. It's good she has him by her side for now."
"You probably get this question a lot, but what are their names?" She can't help but ask. "But I would love to see her and the twins sometime, too. Maybe soon!"