2024-02-16: High-Energy Negotiations
- Log: High-Energy Negotiations
- Cast: Sayaka Yumi, Eight Orlodhari, Naoko Suzuki
- Where: Photon Power Labs, Fujinomiya City
- OOC - IC Date: Late July, 0098
- Summary: Eight visits the Photon Power Labs to discuss the facilitation of Magallanica's growing power needs with Sayaka. Accompanying her is Naoko, who has a more personal request to make.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
It is close to the end of July - in many areas of Japan, it's absolutely blistering right now. The close proximity to Mt. Fuji tempers the heat a bit, but the humidity means many of the employees staffing the Photon Power Labs are dressed lighter for the season. Not Sayaka though - the cool science labcoat is not optional!
Regardless, she's expecting guests today. While the new Photon Power-based therapy treatment isn't yet refined for widespread use, even now, there's a large group of scientists working to perfect it while Sayaka waits in her office.
Today's order of business is with Magallanica's defense force, but it's headed by an actually pretty familiar face - the newly instated Admiral Eight Orlodhari. It sounded like the things they'd want would be of mutual interest... but it doesn't hurt to be prepared for negotiation, anyways. She knew that her husband, at least, paid a visit, and so Sayaka made sure the proper hospitalities were in order.
When Eight and Naoko arrive, Hiro Inoue, an unassuming, yet sharp looking secretary greets them. "You're the ones from Magallanica, yeah? Welcome to the Photon Power Labs. Director Yumi's office is right over there - she said she was ready any time, so head on in whenever you like."
Indeed, Sayaka is prepared - formal as ever, but she can never be too stiff when she considers Eight and Naoko both friends. "Take a seat, if you will. Tea's prepared so help yourself to it. Then... we can get started right away." She starts, standing up from her office chair for the first time in hours.
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Eight doesn't know much about Yuliana's treatment so far; she hasn't asked. But she does have interest. ...She has business first, though.
She's in uniform, because it is official business, white coat and teal pants and Admiral's rank insignia. She has brought Naoko, for reasons she hasn't shared yet. "That's right," she says to Hiro. "Thank you."
Lavhi's here too, but he's watching over the twins while she attends to her meeting; she can't be too far from them just yet, certainly not a planet away.
So Eight leads the way inside. "Certainly," Eight says. "Thank you." She does in fact get some tea! And the matter of getting started, well--
Eight will start with a handshake. "I appreciate you meeting with us like this, Dr. Yumi. Since it is more than just a social call."
"I wanted to discuss the possibility of exporting Photon Power to Magallanica."
She then looks to Naoko, to prompt her to mention her business, too.
<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.
To end up visiting the Photon Power Labs on business... even if 'Nova Stellar' has assisted the League on multiple occasions, she never would have expected being in this position. Mostly because she hates to be bother, and asking for stuff definitely makes you a bother. It took a long time for her to feel even remotely comfortable about asking Eight and other Ra Mari II crew members she knows well for more help than they already offered without needing to ask, even now she's not entirely there yet. She wouldn't have dreamed to ask anyone aside from them for any big favors.
But Naoko got wind of Eight's business discussions, and when she asked if she could make a request as well... Eight said she should do it herself. She did not see that coming. Having to do her own negotiations is... well, she has no idea how these things are even supposed to go. Sure, Eight will be around to hopefully handle what she can't, but she just can't see how her presence here will be in any way helpful, to anybody.
She has, of course, entirely failed to consider that the one this kind of experience is most helpful for would be herself. Asserting herself while piloting a robot is one thing, doing so outside of one is quite another.
None of this is readily apparent, of course. Naoko was with the Three Ships Alliance and still lives on the Ra Mari II, so it's not exceptionally odd for her to be here in the company of Eight. But for a business talk...
Whatever the case may be, she is not nearly as formally dressed as Eight is, though she did come sporting a bit of a new look. The roomy denim jeans that she's fond of have been joined by a matching, equally roomy-sleeved jacket, fully buttoned up and cinched at the waist. She stays silent at first, letting Eight do the talking, while she follows to the office and helps herself to some tea. She's putting an awful lot of sugar in it. But that's normal.
When silence falls, and she realizes Eight is looking at her, she drops the spoon into her cup in surprise. "H-huh? Oh. Uh, um, yes, I am here too, to, ask for a thing, if that's alright? B-but it's really not as important, it's just, a personal thing, for a personal project, so I really don't need a lot. I was just wondering, um..."
Naoko is having a lot of problems keeping her eyes on Sayaka as she speaks, and at this moment falters entirely. She presses the tips of her fingers together, looking for all the world like she might be about to confess her feelings, or something. But this is Naoko we're talking about, no need to worry about it being that sort of thing. Instead, she eventually manages...
"What would I have to do to get access to Japanium...?"
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"Thanks for coming all this way, Admiral Orlodhari," Sayaka accepts that handshake. "Sounds like you've had quite the personal shakeup, with your new promotion. Congratulations!" Sayaka smiles - she's been no stranger to personal shakeups herself, lately. "Did you bring Mr. Orlodhari and the kids along? How have they been?" She asks, as a bit of small talk - even if it isn't just a social call, as Eight says.
As well, Eight isn't the only one who showed up - Naoko, who served as an ally on several missions and helped defeat Mazinger Infinity and stop Dr. Hell for good - is a familiar face, too. "It's good to see you, too, Ms. Suzuki. And thanks for all your help at the end of last year, of course." A beat. "So..."
Eight makes her request first - and it is quite the lofty one. "Exporting Photon Power to Magallanica..." Sayaka repeats, brow furrowing. "Personally speaking, being able to provide power to space's underprivileged colonies has always been a dream of ours." Sayaka and Koji, after all, had been strongly shaped by fighting in the brutal Gryps War first hand.
"On paper, it isn't so simple... our mandate doesn't extend past OCU territory. But the recent balance of power within the Earth Sphere has changed a lot. I think we're far more likely to come to a deal now than in the days of the Federation." It sounds hopeful enough, doesn't it?
"The catch is that the most fruitful source of Japanium has always been Mt. Fuji." Sayaka continues, placing some papers in her hand down, before going for some tea herself. "I don't think either of us want Magallanica to be beholden to the area, so it's more realistic that Photon Power would just be one of the colony's available power sources. But if it can lighten your load just a bit... I'd be happy to help." She concludes.
There's a brief silence that falls upon the room, before Naoko makes a request of her own. It's hardly as lofty, but Sayaka's expression doesn't look to be dismissive towards the personal request. "Don't worry, I'm listening. Go on..." Sayaka encourages. "Japanium, huh? Well... Ichinana models come with a Japanium reactor... but it's capped." Sayaka starts. "Or do you need raw Japanium for some reason? They've been more careful since the Infinity incident, but they still mine it over at Mt. Fuji." She looks to Naoko, who has the nerves of someone confessing to a crime or something. "Can I ask what you might need it for? Maybe you're looking for Super Alloy Z for that Arm Slave of yours... I do recall it was somewhat of a lightweight."
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Eight is trying to encourage Naoko. It's a hard job, but she can't just let her coast on her old habits if she wants her to grow. ...She might've taken a more forceful approach than before she had the twins...
"It's good to be here." A pause, and a smile. "Thank you. I hope that I can do good in this position." She then nods again, and more warmly, "I did. If you'd like to see them later, when we're less busy, I'd be happy to have a visit. The twins were acting up a little on the trip over, but Lavnadim has them calm by now, I think."
So, the request. Hmm. "Our colony has a lot of energy needs, especially with refugees continuing to pour in." But on paper... Hmmm. "A deal is what I hope for. But you're right--that's what I'd want. Magallanica's independence depends on relationships with many others. So 'one option' would be more than helpful."
That silence, that other request--
Eight won't interfere there, though she smiles at Naoko. She's doing great!
<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.
Naoko is far too uncomfortable to do much but smile awkwardly and nod slightly at Sayaka's opening greeting. There's a lot she thinks of saying, varying between a boastful 'it was nothing' and a polite 'you're very welcome', but it's just... nothing's coming out. And it's just never not going to feel weird to be called 'miss', let alone when attached to her actual last name, rather than that other name she's more commonly known by. She wanted people she trusts to know her real name, but... it still feels weird, sometimes, to be without that safety blanket.
She's already eighteen, now, but still a very awkward conversationalist. Eight's approach may be forceful, but it may be what she needs to develop some more self-assurance in social situations. Naoko does seem to respond well to it, given that she hardly protested and basically defused her own protest before agreeing to come. All it takes is a nudge.
Which doesn't make the actual experience any easier. She has no idea how these sorts of talks even work, so of course she's uncomfortable to be in one. Even if her part in it is a minor, personal one, she's still asking for something unusual, that isn't widely available. It's enough to fret about without getting involved in the other conversation, even if she can follow along with what Eight and Sayaka are talking about just fine.
She didn't exactly go into much detail about her request, so it stands to reason that one could only guess what she's actually after. It doesn't really make her any less nervous, but it does make for some easy responses. She can just shake her head to the matter of a Japanium reactor. Then nod, at the mention of raw Japanium. She doesn't actually speak again until Super Alloy Z comes into it, and she's suddenly more animated than before.
"Oh, no, I could never-- I mean, I could use it, in theory, but I don't mean to improve Sukeban's armor. At least, that's not the primary goal. I'm just, having trouble with energy distribution, for this... thing I'm working on. I need very high efficiency to make it work, and I just can't get that out of the materials I have. The conductive properties of Japanium would be ideal for what I'm thinking of, so, I just, figured I should ask."
She scratches her cheek. "Sorry, it's kind of... I can't really talk about it in too much detail, I was told to keep it top secret." That's close enough to what Leina told her, anyway.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"I'd love to," Sayaka nods and smiles, at the idea of visiting Lavhi and the children. "I heard you both stopped by this past month or so. I only regret I couldn't make time for you then... but we can always change that." She adds.
The twins were acting up, though... "Aww. Well, I can't blame them. It must've been quite the long trip. I'm sure he does, though!" Lisa is one thing but Sayaka does wonder how it must be handling actual babies. At the same time, she notices Naoko's silence, or perhaps social awkwardness... it doesn't seem to bother Sayaka, though.
So back to business, Eight points out the energy needs of Magallanica. "Right. And would you say those needs aren't quite being met right now?" Sayaka asks. "With the amount of refugees that see the colony as a new hope... I think it's important that people have needs as basic as power met." She agrees. "Then I'm confident we'll be able to come to an agreement both parties are happy with. A hybrid power approach sounds more than workable. Lots of colonies already use solar power, and it doesn't disrupt Photon Power, so..."
Naoko finally speaks up then when Sayaka brings up Super Alloy Z... "Got it," Sayaka nods, that this isn't about Sukeban's armour. "Energy distribution... I see. So you're basically looking at the same problem as Admiral Orlodhari but on a smaller scale." She guesses - though what 'this thing' could be is very vague, indeed. "There are few sources of power in the world more efficient than Japanium, so I can understand why'd you ask." But it's top secret, huh... "Hmm. You sure it's not something I could help you out with?" She puts forth - though she's not unwilling to provide a small portion of Japanium, anyways.
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
"I did! I've been stopping by mostly to see your guest." Yuliana. "I'm aware that she's here... and even if I can't seem to stop from making it worse, I am interested in her recovery. She's just... hard to deal with," Eight admits. "...How is she doing?" Eight wonders. "Lavnadim had a run-in with her last time we were here..."
She smiles. Babies! It's fine though. Because, "But regardless, we can make time now. I don't have to be back immediately."
The twins act up sometimes; it's just life! But Eight doesn't seem to mind that too much.
"Right," Eight agrees in turn. "We'd be much more comfortable with an additional power source; our limits right now are definitely being tested." An agreement... yes. "Then I'll have my people contact yours, since we agree that an agreement is possible. And of course, I'll be happy to negotiate with you directly."
She does try to encourage Naoko when she speaks up, at least. And indeed, this time she says, "Miss Suzuki is keeping it confidential on my approval," Eight explains. "It could be something very important... But we have to keep it quiet until it's ready, at the least. I'll personally vouch for her."
A pause. "Though if she does want help from such a respected lab..."
<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.
Even Naoko has... stopped by to see that guest, sort of. She's not mentioned her visit with Yuliana though, and isn't planning to say anything that might give cause to suspect that is a thing she did. For all she knows she might have set back that therapy months through her clumsy attempts at understanding. It does have a lot to do with why she wasn't eager to come back to the Labs, but in Eight's company, for a specific purpose, with an official appointment... she figured that would be fine. As long as she could manage the struggle of, well, speaking.
No, definitely sticking to where at least the subject of conversation is something she's comfortable with. And in which Eight once again manages to take her entirely by surprise with the show of support. Even if it's been constant, every single instance of it seems to be met with a widening of her eyes. That was pretty overt, the way she suddenly jerked her head in Eight's direction, but she's quick to refocus on Sayaka to affirm it.
"Ah, yes, I do have Eight-- er, the Admiral's approval for this. But, I can say that it's something only I can do... and, something I really want to do. I promise you though, it's gonna be a big help to everybody, and you're gonna love it. That's... that's my guarantee, as a Miracle Worker!"
She seems to have hit her stride a little, by leaning into the Miracle Worker role. Enough so that she works up the nerve to finally say, "Just... Naoko is fine, though, really. I'm never gonna get used to getting called 'Miss'..."
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"...Yeah, I can understand that feeling." Sayaka says, of how Eight only feels like she's making it worse. "But I think she is doing quite well. Sometimes she conflicts with the staff, but they're trained to know what to do when it happens." She nods. "And recently, we've been trialing a new kind of Photon Neuromodulation Therapy. I'd rather not go into detail, about her, but the treatment itself is a refinement of a rather effective existing one." She pauses, when she brings up how Lavhi had a run-in. "...Ah. How did that go?" She asks, with some hesitancy.
"Ah, perfect." She replies then, about making time now. "I'm looking forward to it!"
The limits of Magallanica are being tested... a momentarily frown, and then a nod, to affirm that she is willing to do business with them. "That works, having a team makes it a lot easier to determine how much energy can be provided. But I'll keep in touch, too, of course."
This time, Eight supports Naoko in making her request... something highly confidential. "If she approves, then... I'll just have to trust you." Sayaka folds her hands. "'Something only I can do'... I hear that a whole lot from people your age these days, you know." She can't help but smile. "But I suppose your 'miracles' have never let me down, so far. Why not, let's see what you can do with a little Japanium."
But Sayaka is more serious when Naoko brings up that boundary of sorts - that it's awkward to be called Miss. "Naoko it is. I wanted to give you the due respect of an honorific, but honestly? Being forward is so much easier for me, so I don't mind."
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Eight doesn't ask if Naoko's met Yuliana! She just doesn't even ask.
Instead, "...I'm glad to hear that," of her doing well. "That they're trained, but also that she's doing well." A pause. "Photon Neuromodulation Therapy... A new kind?" she wonders. "If you could get me some more information on that, I'd be interested. I can't take my old medications anymore, so..."
"It went poorly," she says of Lavhi's run-in.
But, they will make time! The twins will be adorable. Possibly also hungry.
"Yes," Eight agrees, for how much. "I'm not an engineer. I can only handle the political aspect."
Eight does approve. She's being formal right now, so she doesn't stop Naoko correcting herself. Her guarantee... Eight smiles.
Then she laughs, faintly. "All right, Naoko. I'm just in formal mode, I suppose."
<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.
At least Naoko wasn't the only one who had a bad run-in with Yuliana, by the sound of things. Does she just flash disturbing pictures at everybody, is that it? Well, at least it seems she doesn't have to assume she personally ruined everything, when that's just a thing that happens.
Not that Eight will ask, of course. Eight asks shockingly few questions. Naoko has been aware of that since the beginning, having expected many more questions about her situation than the handful she got. She basically got a new home handed to her at a time when she was little more than a strange girl on the run from nebulous trouble in an unusual robot she claimed to have built herself. Who does that?? Naoko still doesn't get it. But she's eternally grateful for the trust and help when she needed it most. And so, she tries to do what she can to help in return.
This may be the reason for her holding up a hand somewhat timidly, finally saying something about Eight's part of the conversation. "I... guess you could call me an engineer? I don't have the piece of paper, but, if you need help. Working out energy output calculations is something I do for fun. ...So to speak." She didn't need to add that last part, it's literally fun to her.
And, moreover... it seems her wish will be granted. Her face lights up at Sayaka's approval. "Really, you mean it?! Awesome! You won't regret it, I swear! I'll show you when it's done - I'll show everyone, it'll be amazing!"
She does have every bit of confidence in her engineering skills, already assuming success as long as she has the right materials. In her eyes, nothing can stop her now!
Now she can breathe a sigh of relief, especially once the formality is dropped from her name. "Oh, please, I don't care for honorifics. It's only fair - you have no idea how much effort it takes for me to even say 'Sayaka-san'!" She probably has an idea, given how it was never defaulted to, and still slips sometimes. Never once did she even default to a last name basis, as Eight, too, is well aware.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"Yes." Sayaka says of Photon Neuromodulation Therapy. "In simple terms, what it does is make sure the right neurons are firing at the right rate to avoid under or over-stimulation. It helps a lot with pain reduction, but it's also seen a lot of success with Cyber-Newtypes, so..."
Sayaka looks more directly towards Eight. "If you need a new method, perhaps we can see if it's right for you. Granted, it can affect your mood in ways you might not like, so... it should definitely be a careful consideration."
As for the talk with Yuliana going poorly for Lavhi, Sayaka nods with understanding. "I can't say I'm surprised. I'm sure he did the best he could in the situation... but sometimes her mood just isn't right for it." She says, quietly. She supposes he has a lot more success with hungry twins, though...!
Sayaka nods, when Eight says she can only help with the political aspect, but Naoko chimes in that she's an engineer in her own right. "For fun? Geez, you sound just like Koji," Sayaka shakes her head. "But I'm willing to accept the help. We have a young intern who's good at engineering, too, actually... maybe you can work together on it? Her name is Shari Loom." Of course, the two of them are already acquainted, but Sayaka isn't exactly aware.
"You sound pretty confident," Sayaka answers Naoko's excitement with a smile. It's night and day from how she was before. "Whatever it is... good luck. I'll make sure you're all set up with what you need before you leave the Labs."
Naoko admits she doesn't care for honorifics, and Sayaka brushes that off. "It was a little embarrassing when everyone started referring to me with titles like Doctor and Director, honestly, ahaha... I do try to make sure people get the respect they deserve. But sometimes I think they get in the way of really communicating, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Eight Orlodhari has posed.
Eight does that! That's how Eight is.
"I see... If it's all right, then I think I might want to talk to the other doctors about it." She nods, thoughtfully. She is hesitant to go into detail--but... it does sound like it might help. "Right now my main approach these days is mostly 'cope'," she admits. "The medications I used to take would be bad for the babies."
And they weren't great for her, of course.
But, "He's very straightforward, and she's... not."
She smiles as Naoko volunteers herself. "She's very talented," Eight says of Naoko. "But you know that." She even sounds proud of her--she's a friend, after all.
But, "Great."
Then, honorifics and names and such--Eight laughs a little. "I can't say I don't see it," she admits. "The titles and pleasantries we all use just to make sure everyone feels respected... they can be pretty stiff."
<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.
Therapy and medicine... Naoko wouldn't know anything about those. As we all know, the first step is admitting you have a problem. Naoko has never once acknowledged that, so there are no problems. That's definitely how mental health works.
Now, comparing Naoko to Koji in any way... that's an easy way to make her smile. "Hehe, you think so?" That really made her day, of course she'd think that can only mean she's doing something right. And the name of that intern... that only makes her smile brighter.
"Oh yeah, I know Shari, we're good friends!" The smile fades just a tiny bit. "Well... we're friends. I'm a little bad at staying in contact." The initiative tends to have to come from Shari, what with Naoko's hangups about being a bother and not being very good at small talk. But, no time to get hung up about that. "Anyway, she did let me know she works here now. It'd be great to work with her again!"
Eight then calls her talented, which causes a mild blush. "Oh, stop..." She doesn't really want the compliments to stop, but it is embarrassing, especially in front of others. And so she quickly hooks into Sayaka's well-wishes. "A-anyway, thank you! I won't let you down!"
Now comfortable enough, she elaborates, "Right, right, you get it. You've got to be on the same level to talk on the same level!" Not her words, but words that helped her in the past, even if they've also gotten her into some trouble. Evidently, a net positive enough for them to have become words to live by, all the same.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"That's a smart idea," Sayaka nods, about speaking to the other doctors. She frowns, that the previous medications were harmful to the babies, and comes to the same conclusion that it means they weren't exactly the best for Eight's health, either. As for Lavhi... "Yeah. Really nice guy, and sometimes there's nothing wrong with the straightforward approach... but even my style of thinking can clash with hers sometimes."
"I've seen her in action," Sayaka nods, of Eight's praise for Naoko. And she absolutely doesn't take back her comparison to Koji. "Certainly. You know... he's probably all wrapped up in one of his own pet projects right now. Plus, you're both simultaneously smart, and absolutely reckless in battle." She laughs.
But it turns out that Naoko does know Shari! They are the same age after all... "Oh, you're already friends? That's great - maybe she'll be around next time you stop by and you can both catch up or work together on something." Sayaka suggests - it sounds like Naoko's open to it.
Honorifics... "Yeah... people sure do like feeling like they're a big deal in the worlds of business and politics," Sayaka nods in agreement with Eight. But Naoko brings up the benefits of taking things on the same level. "Right! I mean... I didn't maneuver these Labs around politically by being unmovably stiff. A certain amount of flexibility is important... and seeing your allies and opponents alike as equals is just another part of that."
There's a quick glance to the clock, as Sayaka finishes her tea. "Well... it looks like we took care of business quite fast," She says, with a smile. Once their meeting times out, Sayaka will happily join Eight to meet Lavhi and the twins, but... "Once we're done here, I'll finish up all the appropriate paperwork for you, Naoko. Feel free to stay and ask around for any materials you might need for your little project, okay?" The teacup is set down. "Again... thanks for coming. I'm looking forward to working with you, Magallanica Defense Forces."