2024-11-25: Basic Exercise
- Log: 2024-11-25- Basic Exercise
- Cast: Akane Shinjo, Rikka Takarada
- Where: Japanese Coastline
- OOC - IC Date: 0099-11-25
- Summary: Rikka and Akane do an underwater search-and-rescue drill and talk a little bit about their lives during the slower parts of the exercise. They make some birthday plans for this year, and discuss travel plans for January.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
It's true that between Akane's hijacking of Galactron and Rikka's refit of the Mu Gundam, the pressing need for 3G to have them using the Neuronoids is... significantly lessened. However, not every problem is a Galactron problem, and the Mu Gundam...
... well, they're working on it.
So it is, then, that Akane and Rikka find themselves off the artificial shore of Nouvelle Tokyo, both in the (now-somewhat-aging) Kakuseijin V2 drilling on aquatic and subterranean rescue. It's particularly important to spend some time on aquatics, because... well, even with some minor refitting specifically for that purpose, Kakuseijin V2 doesn't cope with the water particularly well.
Akane, hands on the control orbs, carefully moves the machine through the shallows. The goal of this exercise is simple -- find a (simulated) distress beacon, grab the attached escape pod, and get back to shore, all in a fairly tight time limit.
"Are you picking it up yet?" Akane asks -- with the machine currently in Accept Mode, it's Akane's job to drive. "We know it's in this area..."
... given how slow this thing moves underwater and the fact that she's not the sensor monitor anymore, Akane may be paying more attention to the woman on her comm screen in the other cockpit than what's ahead of her right now. Even if the Dive Suit has mostly become 'thing worn for work,' well, that's still Akane's incredibly attractive girlfriend and she's not above taking a little time while her side of the exercise is on the 'slower' and 'be directed, rather than direct' side.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
It feels good to be back in the cockpit of the Kakuseijin V2 again. The Mu Gundam has been great, of course, but the experience isn't the same as a Neuronoid - that feeling of connection, tethered to each other... She likes this more than piloting to fight, she thinks - but there's need for both, at different times.
The Kakuseijin V2 maneuvers through the waters at Akane's direction in Accept Mode, which means it's Rikka's turn to pay attention to the monitors. This may just be a drill, but her expression is as focused as ever as she studies the readouts from the data they're picking up.
Akane asks her question and Rikka makes a few adjustments, before...
"...Filtering out the background signals, and... there, I think that's it." Rikka says. "I'm transmitting it to you, now - follow this heading, and we should get there soon."
Even with their course set she has to keep an eye on everything, so she can't focus on her own incredibly attractive girlfriend as much as she'd like... but that's fine. There's something nice about doing a job together, too.
And nothing says she can't still steal a glance over to the comm screen every now and then.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Thanks," Akane says, nodding. "It's kinda interesting how there's a completely different set of signal concerns underwater... you'd think it'd be easier because Minovsky pollution's not a problem, but there's stuff to keep in mind here too." She brings the Neuronoid around, letting it wheel forward slowly and evenly.
There's a fair bit of time to chat, as they wheel forward, at least. "How's the rest of the job going lately?" she asks, eyes tilting up just slightly in thought. "It's been kinda heavy, but some of our workload got moved to other parts of the OCU's intelligence assets so I should have a lot more time starting soon." A smile cuts through her face as she adds, "And because of that...!"
The Kakuseijin goes a little deeper into the water as Akane finishes, "I have your birthday off!"
A warning beeps on Rikka's console -- there's some old sea mines from the One Year War a little bit ahead. They could go around... or they could switch to Active Mode and let Rikka handle it...
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Yeah. People who specialise in this really have a lot to keep track of... The ones who make it work are pretty impressive." Rikka replies. Even now, working underwater is something that takes a lot of training.
As the Neuronoid proceeds slowly through the water they have time to talk, and Rikka listens as Akane asks her question - and as she mentions how her own work's been.
And, of course, the good news!
"That's great!" Rikka enthuses. "I have the day off of work, too... I still have class that day, but it should be a short one. I'm looking forward to it."
That'll pick up her mood for a while.
"I'm glad your workload's lightening... Mine's still, well, the same as ever. We've just adjusted what we're watching out for." Rikka explains.
And then, warning beeps. She frowns, looking over the console.
"We've got mines up ahead." Rikka warns, and thinks it over. They could go around... but if they're putting the Kakuseijin V2 and themselves through their paces, it might be a good idea to... "If you hand me control, I should be able to get us through no problem."
They're on a time limit, after all - even seconds saved will be a big help.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"I can't imagine this kinda problem comes up that often... but I guess when you need it, you really need it." The seas have become... probably safer than they were when Akane was a child, at least. Still, totally mundane issues like container ships getting beached happen too...
"Oh, great! We should try to get people together maybe, unless you wanna keep it lower-key." She knows that how intimate a birthday celebration Rikka wants has varied from year to year, so she doesn't want to overplan without actually talking to her about it first.
... They gotta focus, though. Akane nods, affirming, "You have control!" and initiating the transition from Accept Mode to the slightly more draconic Active Mode. It's slower underwater -- it might have been more of a time-saver to do this earlier... but they didn't exactly know they'd need to, either.
Now it's Akane's turn to focus primarily on the instruments. "Okay, it looks like we've got four mines total. What's your plan for this one?" She's not actually sure this was an intended part of the test, so she sounds a little cautious...
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Yeah, definitely." Rikka agrees. You can never be too careful when it comes to the sea. Better to have the skills and not need to use them.
"That sounds good. I don't want anything too big... but it'd be nice to spend some time with people." Rikka replies. This year feels like a year to surround herself with her friends.
But for now, focusing.
"I have control!" Rikka confirms, taking hold of the control orbs. The Kakuseijin transforms, flexing briefly as it finishes and Rikka refamiliarizes herself with Active Mode.
"Can you tell what model we're dealing with?" Rikka asks. "If you can track their readings, I think we might be able to thread the needle here and slip right through them... but if they're particularly volatile, we might be better off neutralizing them with a Synapse Attack. Either way, we'll probably want to report this when we get back..."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
... they have more pressing concerns than birthday plans, so Akane starts with practicals. "Let's see... Looks like OCU Australian, Impact Wars era? Kinda surprised it's that late..." That takes a second. Flicking through the onboard database, she says, "They should be inactive by now. Drifting mines self-disable after a while... if you tap one with the chain knuckle, we can see if they're actually disabled and decide how to deal with the rest of them from there."
The good news is that: they are, in fact, disabled. Akane lets her attention drift a little.
The ways people die in water have always held a bit of a fascination for Akane, as... messy as she'd feel about thinking about it. Drowning, crushing, asphyxiation in a sunk craft... they're all uniquely scary in a way she'd have a hard time articulating.
(Akane's always been a little on the morbid side.)
Now she can loop back, though. "Hmmm, yeah... it'd be nice to do something in a bigger group," Akane agrees. "I feel like it's been hard to snag a lot of people at once lately, but you have a real knack for bringing people together!"
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
OCU Australian, Impact Wars... Rikka 'hm's to herself thoughtfully, listening as Akane looks up the details and lists them out.
"Alright, in that case..." She says. She directs the Kakuseijin V2 accordingly - it hauls an arm back before launching it forward toward one of the mines in a chain punch. At the last second Rikka pulls back on it to minimize the force of the direct impact. It taps the mine - and from there, they get their answer.
"...Looks like you're right. We should be safe to proceed from here - I don't think they'll give us any further trouble." Rikka replies, and urges the Kakuseijin V2 forward through the now confirmed to be inactive minefield. With that bit of excitement behind them, they're back to more casually drifting toward their destination.
"Yeah... I think it'll be fun. We haven't done anything like that in a while." Rikka agrees - and laughs, just a bit. "You think so? Well... I guess I should count myself lucky."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"We can report that when we get back," Akane says, making a note of their current coordinates on her console. "I think we might even be legally obligated to, ahaha..." Rikka seems content to 'take point' with driving, which gives Akane time to make a few more notes about the mines.
She checks the time limit. "Hrrmmm... I'm getting a way stronger signal from the beacon now. I think I can pinpoint it, or at least give us a way smaller search area," she reports. "It should be pretty smooth from here, unless something goes wrong..."
And indeed -- so far, so good. This is primarily maneuvers training rather than something more complicated and difficult; the minefield may well be the only curveball.
"Oh, right! I booked our flight up to Tsutsujidai in January. My studio art professor is a little annoyed that I'll be going remote for a week... I need to put in my other project early, so January might be a little tight." Her eyes track over the console, but she adds casually, "Is there anything I can do to make that stretch easier for you?"
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"I'm pretty sure we are, yeah..." Rikka agrees. "Well, at least we can say we made the seas a little safer today."
Even if they're now inactive, it's still good for them to be made aware of it. Rikka listens, then, as Akane reports on the beacons.
"I see... That's a good start. Keep me updated - I'll follow your lead." Rikka replies. She pushes the Kakuseijin V2 forward a little faster, keeping an ear out for Akane's direction. She isn't anticipating any other surprises, either - and between the two of them, they should be able to spot any before a surprise becomes a problem.
And, with things going smoothly, they have more time to talk.
"Oh good, thanks!" Rikka replies. "I've been so busy, I haven't had a whole lot of time to look into it..."
It's a weight off her shoulders - a brief hint of gratitude and relaxation relayed, as one of her primary worries is dealt with.
"That sounds like it'll be rough..." Rikka winces sympathetically, then shakes her head. "That was my biggest worry, so after that, I should be fine - we might want to make sure we get our shopping taking care of ahead of time, and plan for quick and easy meals..."
She thinks on it for a moment longer - and decides to turn the question back around.
"How about you? Is there anything I can do?" She asks.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Yeah! Even if they won't go off at just a touch, it's still kinda dangerous to have that stuff floating around..." Akane smiles, pleased with a job well done that wasn't even the one they intended.
"Yeah! I was kinda bored at lunch and figured I might as well get everything handled... Marusan had some offers built up that she didn't need to use 'cuz of the Yumi Foundation's travel allowance so she kicked those my way, too. We might be able to get a nice dinner out with Mama." ... she has really gotten comfortable calling Orie 'Mama' at this point.
"Oh, uh -- I think we're basically on top of the beacon at this point," she says, looking around -- first with her eyes, then following up with a sonar pulse. "Do you see it? It should be a dummy MULS-P ejection cockpit..." It is there -- about 30 meters ahead. The ground looks a little unstable, though.
"... Do you mind kicking us back to Accept Mode? I think it's better if we go on treads here..." she pitches.
She adds, "Oh, that's a good idea. Normally I think those box meal services are kinda expensive, but maybe it's worth getting one for the first half of January..."
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Definitely. It'd be bad if something ran into them... and it can't be great for the sea life, either." Rikka agrees.
Akane explains how things went and Rikka nods thoughtfully.
"I'll have to thank her... that's a big help." Rikka replies, and then smiles. "I'm sure she'll enjoy that. It's been a while."
She looks quietly pleased at the way Akane so casually has slipped into referring to Orie as 'Mama' - but her attention is soon turned back to the task at hand.
"Let me - yes, there it is. Right there." Rikka says. She reorients the Kakuseijin V2, putting the target right in view. But the ground... Akane makes a suggestion, and Rikka nods. "Right. I was thinking the same thing."
Rikka initiates the return to Accept Mode, command soon switching back over to Akane's station.
"You have control!" Rikka announces.
...And nods, as Akane continues.
"They kind of are." Rikka admits. "But if it means a little less stress for us, then I think it's worth it until things ease up."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane brings the Kakuseijin around slowly. The ground feels unstable here -- best to stay cautious and move at an even pace. "She's got a serious knack for, like... managing time and resources that I'm kinda jealous of. I can handle some of that, but she makes it look effortless. ... well, as long as you don't look at the bags under her eyes."
It's a little mean for that to crack one up, but that's exactly what happens nevertheless. She almost loses her grip on the escape pod, but then there's a sharp 'clank' of metal onto metal. "Okay, I've got it. I think I can get us home from here... I'll take us back around the mines instead of through. We've got enough time, I think."
Akane locks in a course; it's a pretty uneventful, well-mapped course, at that. "... When we get home after this, do you mind if we check our budget for the next couple months again? I know we're usually on top of that, but..."
... well, they're looking at houses. It's natural to be a little anxious about money.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
With Akane back in control, Rikka returns to focusing on the monitors. Still, she has it handled for the most part - the most she needs to give her is a few notes where the terrain might be a little deceptive.
Rikka listens as Akane talks about Marusan's knack for time and resource management and cracks just a hint of a smile.
"Don't let her hear you say that." Rikka says teasingly. "...But, you're right. She's incredible."
Akane - after a brief moment of concern - secures the practice escape pod, and Rikka feels like she can let herself relax a little. They're still not off the clock yet, but at this point, things are pretty well handled.
"Good work." Rikka says, and then nods. "Sounds like a good plan. I'll leave the rest to you, then."
And she nods, too, at Akane's request.
"It never hurts, especially right now." Rikka agrees with a nod. It's clear that it's on her mind, too. "We can do that."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Oh -- good catch," Akane says, as Rikka points out some rough terrain.
"Ahahaha... yeah, no, I definitely know better than that," comes Akane's laughing rejoinder. "I think she kinda just likes having something going on that'll keep her from thinking that hard about things..." ... a coping mechanism that Akane's sometimes a little envious of.
The trip back proves uneventful -- save a couple of places where they lose a little time getting pushed around by the current. Still, they manage to come in a little under time -- the sort of result that's worth improving on, but by no means a failure.
/////
Akane stretches out a little as at last they're done with debriefing and out of the Kakuseijin. "Whooo... that's always way more exhausting than I think it is. We should get something to eat on the way home... great job today."
Akane rubs at the back of her head a little, adding, "... I barely even want to change out of this thing, to be honest. I might just throw my coat on over it so we can go straight home..."
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Akane laughs, and Rikka laughs along with her - though her expression soon enough becomes more thoughtful, and she nods.
"I can understand that." Rikka replies.
And so, their drill begins to draw to a close. They're a little under time - but that's fine. They're a little out of practice, and it gives them some ideas on how to improve. Rikka's mind is already going over some of the possibilities.
/////
And now, finally, they're done with work for today.
"It does kind of sneak up you..." Rikka agrees, and nods. "Good idea. I could definitely use a bite to eat."
She laughs a bit, then.
"That's pretty bold... I think I'd prefer changing, myself." Rikka replies. "I want something a little cozier after spending so long in the cockpit."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Yeah... I'm thinking maybe MacDaniel's? It doesn't need to be big... I hear they have a new hand-pie kind of thing and I kinda want to try it." Akane's been good about her sodium intake for a while. She can afford one trashy fast food item.
Nodding, Akane adds, "... Yeah, you're probably right. My legs would probably get really cold, anyway."
Giving Rikka's hand a squeeze, she says, "Lead the way home... Chief~."