2023-10-07: Arrival at a Distant Star

From Super Robot Wiki
Revision as of 07:33, 8 October 2023 by Stormreign (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search


<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.


The various ships of the Expedition Fleet have been in fold space for almost a
 week now. Even for those who are used to such travel, it's still a tiring
 affair. Unless of course you chose the option of light stasis. In which case
 you've been asleep for about that long. Restful!

        Thankfully, the journey is almost over. The ships haven't yet reached
 their destination, but for preparation's sake people are already being woken
 from their stasis. Probably no worse for wear, other than a serious case of
 bed hair. Probably some grogginess. There's enough time to wake from it though
 as the ship crews go through system checks and pilots go on standby. The
 Expedition doesn't know what they'll find at Gallia IV... And with a hostile
 Vajra force being one possibility, it's wise to be ready.

        There's a brief flash of light.

        As people's eyes refocus, the strange light show that had been going on
 within the vessels is gone. Everything appears to be back to normal. Looking
 outside the ships, unfamiliar star formations dot the black of space. More
 noticeable is the planet looming in front of the fleet, backed by a single
 moon and a pair of suns in the distance. The planet is somewhat Earth-like,
 though with more landmass and fewer massive oceans.

        On the bridge of the Macross Quarter, Captain Wilder stands from his
 chair. He takes a few steps forward towards the bridge windows, staring out at
 the planet in the distance. He then turns his head to ask, "Sensors?"

        Monica Lang quickly replies, "No power signatures in orbit. No signs of
 hostiles. However... I am detecting a debris field in orbit. Some of the
 larger pieces resemble ship designs used by the 117th Research Fleet. The
 distribution of debris suggests the ships were destroyed attempting to leave
 the planet."

        Captain Wilder adjusts his cap as he hmmms thoughtfully, "It seems we
 are in the right place then..." He walks back to his chair and sits, asking,
 "Fleet status?"

        Mina Roshan replies, "The Quarter's systems are all functioning. Fold
 drive compartment is reporting some strain on the experimental drive that will
 require minor repairs. But it's still in good condition to get us home."

        Ram Hoa then speaks up, "All fleet ships are reporting green status
 across the bo-wait... The Shakuyaku is reporting abnormal fluctuations in
 their power grid. They are recommending they remain in orbit to affect
 repairs."

        Captain Wilder raises his hand to stroke his beard, before nodding,
 "Acceptable. Monica, trace the orbital paths of the debris field and
 triangulate a potential launch site on the planet." Captain Wilder then
 reaches for a button on his chair, pressing it to open fleet-wide comms.

        <"Attention fleet. We have successfully completed the fold jump to
 Gallia IV. Initial signs seem to confirm that the 117th Research Fleet was
 engaged in combat here. We are currently searching for a suitable landing site
 on the planet. Once we do, the expedition fleet will descend to land and set
 up a camp. Except for the Nergal vessel Shakuyaku, which will be remaining in
 orbit to conduct repairs and investigate an orbital debris field potentially
 belonging to the research fleet. All vessels, prepare for orbital descent.">

        The Quarter's bridge crew begin preparing to take the ship down into
 the planet's orbit. But as they're doing so, Captain Wilder gives one more
 order, "Monica. Notify the Nadesico that now is the time to attempt their
 experiment with Miss Lee." If it works, it'll provide an invaluable strategic
 advantage.

        The lounge of the Macross Quarter is one of the places on the ship
 where people are waiting for it to land. Alto is amongst them, in his flight
 suit sans helmet. A large screen spreads out across one wall of the lounge,
 revealing a stunning view of the planet outside and the space around it.

        But Alto's eyes are focused on the holographic display of the sleek
 looking phone wrapped around his wrist. He taps his fingers on the equally
 holographic keyboard, typing in a simple message to send across to Ranka on
 the other fleet vessel:

        'You've got this!'

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        As far as Sheryl's concerned, light stasis is obviously the way to go.
 Fold travel is too normal to her for her to be impressed by it, and so she'd
 rather spend that time dreaming away. When the expedition fleet nears Gallia
 IV, Sheryl is roused, giving her time to brush her hair and tie it back, do
 her make-up up in a light, natural look that'll keep her from looking tired,
 and change out of her robe into a sleek, personalized pink flight suit with
 the winged heart emblem of the Galactic Fairy on the chest. She's not
 expecting to fly, but she wants to be ready for it anyway--and besides,
 this flight suit is brand-new for this trip, so why not show off~?
        
        When she emerges, the light flashes. She folds an arm over her face
 reflexively; the next moment, the fleet exits fold space, and there Gallia IV
 awaits. With a breath of wonder, Sheryl leans in to get a better look at the
 view.
        
        "Grace really is missing out," she murmurs to herself. Her manager
 opted to stay behind on Earth; with the political situation crumbling, Grace
 had thought it best that she monitor the situation up close and ensure the
 Galactic Fairy stays fresh on people's minds. Deculture and all. Sheryl hadn't
 been a huge fan, but she understood the logic, and she'd like to think
 she's matured enough to not need her manager to take care of her all the
 time.
        
        (This hadn't stopped Grace from giving Sheryl instructions on certain
 things, and several pre-prepared pill cases. They both know Sheryl hates
 taking medicine.)
        
        As for Brera, well... Sheryl and Ranka both have tons of soldiers
 around to protect them. If things did go south on Earth, Grace would need
 someone to protect her, and who better than Brera? Too bad for Ranka...
 Too bad for her.
        
        The comms come to life then with Captain Wilder's announcement. Sheryl
 looks up unnecessarily to listen. "Hmmm..." she murmurs at the news.
        
        It is sad. But she has something else she's interested in.
        
        A short time later, Sheryl arrives at the Nadesico's recreation deck.
 Alto isn't on this ship, she knows--he's over on the Macross Quarter, which is
 likelier to see actual combat--but the view of Gallia IV is spectacular with
 or without him.
        
        All the same, after the conversation she had with Yurika last week (to
 Sheryl's perspective, last night), she can't help but think of him as she
 gazes up at the Earth-like planet.
        
        Strange. It's a lot less blue than the Earth is. It has its own charms
 too, but... the view of the Earth really was a spectacular one.
        
        Softly, to herself, Sheryl hums to compose an earnest, yearning melody.
 She already knows she doesn't have anything to write with or on, so she
 doesn't scramble to find something to write it down on. She'll simply have to
 remember what she creates, as she creates it.
        
        Until today's star arrives.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        Ruri Hoshino traditionally wakes up for these things. She still
 remembers being on the Nadesico, quiet to stillness or death, as everyone
 slumbered. The Chulip trip... was strange. This was strange, too. But she was
 okay. This time, Minato stayed awake with her.

        Now she is at her post, as she has been this whole time; she observes
 Omoikane's efforts, but doesn't interfere. If she wears a small smile at any
 point as she sorts through the data he's using...

        Well, never mind that.

<Pose Tracker> Rin Naujakaite has posed.


PREVIOUSLY, ON MACROSS S EPISODE 26:

A group of technical support staff from an electronics contractor dashed onto
 the Macross Quarter to administer firmware updates. Due to a cataclysmic screw
 up (UTC is NOT Area 11 time) by the team leader, LOUIS LIONCOURT, the group
 did not finish in time to get on the last boat out.

The group approached someone they recognized - RIIKA SHEDER - and revealed
 themselves rather than try to hide out for two months on an interstellar
 expedition. One of them, SAMANTHA CROWLEY, volunteered to assist as a sensors
 technician thanks to her background in radio-astronomy.

Another of them, RIN STARKING, revealed she was the secret child of a
 Coordinator with one (1) combat operation against the Vajra and (by her count)
 seven in her previous career as a member of, uh, an unlisted private military
 group that shall remain nameless and is absolutely not the Black Knights. She
 volunteered for combat duty! Louis did too, a moment later, but you can't just
 stuff people in the flight line overnight.

THAT'S WHY

There are three people in work overalls, apparently of recent vintage, sitting
 on one of the couches.

Rin, whose overall nametag reads the somewhat cryptic word NAUJAKAITE instead
 of STARKING, is not wearing her glasses. "Wow! We finally made it!" she says,
 turning her head to look upwards. "Look at it... that's beautiful. Wow."

"Thrilled," says Louis, who is seated on the same couch but distinctly closer
 to Samantha. Samantha, despite always looking irritable, seems wonder-struck
 by the planetary view.

"It really doesn't look like Earth, huh," Rin observes aloud. "I guess if you
 were looking just, dead-on at Central Asia, but... it's not the same shade of
 dusty brown either, is it? I wonder if that's because the star isn't quite the
 same as the one we all grew up around..."

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Yurika...has NOT had the option of week-long stasis. No, as one of the
 lead vessel's captains, as much of a sort of formality as the position is, she
 IS required to stay on regular duty within the Nadesico's bridge. And boy,
 were they...not lying about how odd it feels going through the first time.

        All throughout the voyage, Yurika is acting strangely muted and distant
 and almost a little - on autopilot? If one worried that Yurika's
 shenanigan-inducing nature would mess something up in a tender trip, then, uh,
 maybe one should worry more about how absolutely averse to a lot of
 self-expression she's been this past week. Slow paced and sluggish, careful
 and direct. All the while, she can't help but think she is seeing her own
 ghost flicker outside her- which she was WARNED about but it's...it's still
 something!

        When it finally ENDS, Yurika's sputtering and gasping like she's just
 been out of one hell of a workout, doubled over her console.
 "...Uah...uuuuuu...that really...I was totally screwing that up...like in my
 entire mindset there...I can't believe Ruri-chan and Minato were keeping it
 together as well as they were..."

        And it's true! Minato Haruka de-folded with a carefree little 'oh!' and
 went right back to business as usual. And the business of the hour is roughly
 patting the poor disoriented captain on the back! "You did good! It's totally
 fine~"

        "It's so NOT fine! Ugh! If an actual emergency happened I'd be so foggy
 and thrown off that...that...!"

        "Silly. It's because no emergencies happened in an unusual situation
 that you were so tense. You would've been fiiiine~ Ehehe." Unfortunately, the
 captain is Very Very Whiny for a while, even after Minato gets her and Ruri a
 celebratory cup of tea. (Ruri's has plenty of honey mixed in. Yurika's is
 unflavored.)

        "Ugh...we're doing an experiment already...mouuuu, I hope it's
 nothing...too extreme...buaaaaah..." Give Yurika a bit. She'll be fine!
 Hopefully.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Maya had been one of the ones that had volunteered to stay awake
 during the journey, and honestly, despite the initial excitement, it has
 started to take its toll on her. Who would've thought it had such an effect on
 people? It got better as you got used to it, but still, it was quite
 surprising. She was placed on active standby during the actual foldout,
 however, as it was unknown if she would be needed for battle immediately upon
 arriving. As such, Maya was in her pilot suit, but at the rec room rather than
 in her cockpit. According to Uribatake, she should be able to see the new
 planet from here quite nicely on foldout.

         And indeed, when they arrived at last, it was quite breathtaking.
 Earth-like, yet not Earth. It was a lot browner than she expected! "Untouched
 by war, at least until now..." Maya murmured to herself as Captain Wilder
 reported that the 117th Research Fleet had indeed been engaged in battle. She
 didn't know how bad it had been, but it was never good.

         She then spotted Sheryl in the room with her, dressed in what could
 only be described as a pilot outfit of her own! It was very feminine and
 flashy, much like the Fairy herself. Maya was about to go and greet her, when
 she realised that it looked like she was focused on the view. So instead of
 saying anything to disturb her, she walked over and stood nearby, quietly
 continuing to enjoy the view herself. It wasn't Earth, but it was
 Earth-like... she couldn't wait to see it up close!

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         "A deep space expedition?"

         It was approximately two weeks prior, and Dr. Franziska Edelweiss had
 been approached by the head of the Janus Research Concern. A laid back, jovial
 man, with a face mostly obscured by a white beard, he and Dr. Edelweiss did
 not always see eye to eye, but he was probably the man whose judgement she
 most respected outside of her own.

         "Yes! Helping the Macross fleets with this problem they've been
 having, the...Virginia? Something like that. Anyway, they requested that we
 assign one of our researchers as a scientific advisor. I thought with your
 expertise in both biology and physics that you'd be the perfect candidate. And
 between you and me, I've noticed that you've been a bit restless lately. The
 change of scenery might do good for you."

         Edelweiss hrmed. He was correct in that she had hit a wall lately,
 both in her professional and...extracurricular pursuits. The Invisible Burst
 had also not helped in making her feel any less in a rut. As usual, this man
 seemed to know her better at times than she knew herself.

         "I will need a number of research assistants. Have the interns draw
 straws."



         As Edelweiss emerges from her stasis pod, she rubs at her head,
 muttering and grumbling as if it was any other morning. "Mrg. Coffee." As the
 two Janus Concern interns who had drawn the short straws also emerge from
 their pods and marvel at the flash of light and the appearance of Gallia IV,
 their boss was more concerned with finding where the nearest source of
 caffeine on the Macross Quarter was. "Ein! Zwei! With me!"

         "Er, Doctor, we have na--"

         "And I do not recall asking!" Edelweiss does not even look back at
 them as she continues on, slightly slouched. She would tell you it was from
 the cramped pods. Most others would say she just had naturally bad posture to
 begin with.

         The two hapless grad students give each other a mutually sympathetic
 look, as if to say "Well, at least we're getting tuition credit," and follow
 behind.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

Perhaps it was a bit of a strange decision for Hikaru to opt out of the easy in
 the form of the stasis nap -- when she's not even particularly necessary on
 the bridge. But she did want to see the process for herself -- and the
 amount of commission work that was about to pile up on this trip was also
 definitely a factor. There really isn't a better time to knock those out than
 in that state of total peace and quiet, even if things got a little funky
 around her. She had afterimages just like Umiganger's!

You can tell the whole affair - artistically inspiring as it might've been -
 took a little bit of a toll, because her hair is very slightly matted and
 she has eye bags. But she seems her usual chipper self, so it's probably
 fine!"

The sight of the previously unseen planet - Gallia IV itself, also inspires
 some thought in her. There was really fighting here...? She tilts her head,
 when Maya makes her comment. "Uh-huh... it looks way different from the
 Earth, and even the colonies. Is the water supposed to be brown or is there
 just not much water? I kinda want to put together a sketch while we're up
 here..." As if their arrival might change things for the permanent.

"Hey, Yurika-chan!" Hikaru greets the disheveled Captain all too casually, as
 they gather in celebration of their arrival. She barely got to see her she was
 so busy with Captainy things! "Good work out there~"

Sheryl's arrival also turns heads as she always does - but it seems they're
 already getting to work on an experiment. "Ahaha... yeah, I guess we're not
 just here to sightsee!" She laughs nervously, because she totally forgot what
 they were supposed to do. "So uh, what are we testing again?

<Pose Tracker> Trevor Teach has posed.

Trevor was informed of the option to snooze the week away in anticipation of a
 new journey in an entirely different star system. There are a number of
 benefits to doing so, he was told. Minimum chance of warpsickness, for
 instance! And when else do you get the excuse to straight up just sleep an
 entire week away?

Trevor entertained the possibility of spending his first fold jump asleep for
 about half a second before immediately bursting out laughing.

Besides, 'seeing ghost duplicates of yourself and others around' isn't too
 strange and new, so like. Yeah! Let's get this warp journey underway! Sally
 forth and tally ho and all that fun stuff!

He also did not adequately predict how terrible fold sickness could be, and
 spent the first day or so worshipping at the Nadesico's porcelein throne.

BUT: He at least had good company! Ruri was awake and about, and so was the
 captain, and of course, Rita was always there to talk to, and...

...And his machine, Isadore, which Trevor spent an uncommon amount of time with
 during the trip. But now that it's over, and Trevor has finally found the One
 Good Picture Of Warp that's going to forever be on cycle as one of his phone's
 backgrounds, he waits with many of the others on the Nadesico's bridge,
 marveling at the unfamiliar blue marble growing before his eyes. "I can't
 believe we're actually here," he says with none of the fatigue he's feeling.
 "Like. I know humanity's been to other worlds before, but... Just, wow,
 you know?"

<Pose Tracker> Sagiri Sakurai has posed.

Nergal isn't the only megacorp that's thrown their hat into the ring of
 supporting the Gallia IV expedition: the VTX Union, a long-running
 multinational corporation based out of Japan, had also decided to lend
 assistance to the Macross Quarter, as something of a joint venture with
 Nergal. It isn't ships they provide, though, but manpower in the form of their
 Special Section 3, a team that came complete with a new, experimental mobile
 weapon known as the Tyranado.

The implication was clear enough: there's very few situations less politically
 fraught than an anti-Vajra mission to showcase the viability of VTX's new
 product for mass-production.

That they also get to help save the world is, of course, a bonus!

It's why the team of Special Section 3 - Chief Hirosuke Amasaki, Manager and
 Tyranado pilot Sagiri Sakurai, engineer and mechanic Meryl Spanna, resident
 accountant Amies Ernest, and principal hapless rookie Rami Amasaki - have all
 been stationed aboard the Nadesico for the jump to Gallia IV. The week-long
 transition through Fold Space saw most of them - all save one - enjoying a
 peaceful nap in light stasis. And now...

Sagiri Sakurai was the first to wake up. She's on her phone already by the time
 Rami reenters their shared stasis quarters and the other three slowly begin to
 stir, her face scrunched up in mild consternation as she fidgets with the
 gadget in her hand. Hearing the hiss of the door, Sagiri blinks, looks up, and
 offers Rami a winning smile.

"Hey there, rookie," she greets as easy-going as ever, before returning to her
 phone. "Have a good rest? -- Why isn't this... ugh!"

Meryl, mid-stretch, pauses to peer at Sagiri. It's an action echoed by Rami,
 and Amies soon enough after. Hirosuke seems content to be left to his own
 devices, yawning amiably.

"Ma'am..." Meryl begins, slowly. "... is something the matter?"

"Huh? Oh. I can't get a signal. I've been trying to get onto the web, but..."

"..."

The shared look of vexation grows between the trio. Hirosuke checks his watch.

"... There was no way you were going to be able to do that here..." Amies
 offers slowly, at a complete loss. "Service providers don't have deep space
 coverage."

"W-was there something you needed to do, ma'am?" Rami ventures.

"Damn. Guess that makes sense." Sagiri just sighs, shrugging easily. "I figured
 since we were gonna have a lull in work for once, I'd take the opportunity
 when I got out of stasis to update my EBPP."

"... your..."

"... electronic..."

"... bill payment..."

"Yeah! I've been so busy I couldn't even double check lately. Now seemed like
 the perfect time, especially since I've got payments on my residence coming
 up. But now..." Sagiri scratches the back of her chestnut head of hair.
 Ultimately, the conclusion she comes to is a shrug, easy as can be.

"Eh! I probably updated 'em."

For the longest time, Amies, Meryl and Rami stare at Sagiri as if they are
 beholding a real, actual alien in the flesh. Simultaneously wide-eyed,
 slack-jawed, and disbelieving, they are at a loss for words. Hirosuke seems
 completely unperturbed as he finally gets out of his seat, as if this were
 simply par for course.

It's Amies who finally reacts first: she rears up, her expression overshadowed;
 behind the glint of glasses the cold stare of brown eyes can be seen, deadened
 with disapproval.

"Ma'am," she begins, the telltale flatness of her tone foreshadowing impending,
 verbal annihilation, "you are--"

An arm hooks around Amies before she can finish her thought, and with a
 startled blink, she finds herself being tugged out of the room by Meryl.

"Amies, come with me," says Meryl, wisely averting catastrophe, "I want to take
 a look around and see if they'll let me have access to the engine room. I've
 been dreaming of the chance to get a good look at the Nadesico for ages now!"

"but-- my criticisms--"

And they're gone, leaving Rami Amasaki to stare on in bewildered wonder before
 Sagiri loops a companionable arm around her shoulders.

"C'mon, rookie dearest. Let's go check in with the clientele."

"but-- your bills--"

And -they're- gone, leaving Hirosuke Amasaki in their stasis room, scratching
 the back of his head.

"... Hm. Guess I'll take a walk."

There is no one to drag off Hirosuke. He just wanders away leisurely on his own
 two feet, as is his wont.

                        ~$$$~

Anyway if Rami Amasaki looks slightly pale-faced and bewildered as her acting
 supervisor Sagiri Sakurai drags her into the Nadesico's recreational deck it's
 probably just because she's been working too hard when everyone else was
 enjoying a stasis nap. See?

Just more evidence that stasis was the way to go, clearly!

It's a flummoxed, dizzied weariness that fades from Rami's expression as she
 takes in the sight of Gallia IV, finally visible in the distance. It isn't
 surprise or wonder that seizes the brunette's expression, though -- it's
 something different, something harder to quantify. Something vaguely nostalgic.

Sagiri, meanwhile, looks on in naked wonder at the planet beyond; she gives
 Rami's shoulder a single, encouraging pat before she moves closer towards the
 view, eyes wide as she leans in close.

"So that's what an alien planet looks like, huh?" she wonders. She knows -- a
 planet can look like anything, alien or not. There's no distinguishing the
 too. But that's not the point. It's about knowing in that moment - truly
 knowing - you are impossibly, IMPOSSIBLY far away from home.

"Wow. Haha. That's amazing!"

It's about the experience.

<Pose Tracker> Rita Bernal has posed.

Contrary to popular belief, the dead don't sleep. Not really, anyway. You can't
 exactly sleep if you're never really awake, right? While the Phenex was still
 through all the journey, Rita Bernal's spirit was quite active, fluttering
 from window to window. She always knew she'd take a journey into deep space,
 but all her visions had shown she and the Phenex would be alone.

Fate sure is funny sometimes.

Of course, Rita has spent much of her time with Trevor, as well. Thankfully the
 handsome pirate also stayed awake during the journey, giving the pair quality
 time to really get to know each other.

Do you think I should use the projector? Now that everyone's awake. I don't
 want to startle anyone, suddenly appearing, but...

She hasn't quite gotten over Sheryl not being able to see her. Rita raises a
 hand, bringing a large, circular machine floating up behind her. It trails a
 long, long, long cable, winding its way all the way back to the Phenex,
 resting in the hangar. How does it stay connected all that way? Well, Miracles
 are known to pop up around the Heart of the Firebird...

As the planet rises before them, Rita hovers next to Trevor, eyes wide with
 delight. It's beautiful -- not as much as the Earth, of course, but still.
 Clasping her hands together, she spins, beaming to her romantic partner.

Let's go. Right now, let's go fly! I want to see it closer!

Though it's only been a week of waiting, Rita practically aches to stretch
 her wings. The seriousness of their mission is promptly discarded in the face
 of the promise of somewhere new to explore.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Even if Ranka was informed before the trip began what was going to happen,
 stasis tended to make one groggy. She woke up on the Nadesico with the
 feeling like she'd been on a nineteen hour shuttle across the Earthsphere, her
 green hair all messed up, a sleepy look upon her face and a fleck of drool on
 her bottom lip. A half-snort of a snore became a yawn as she brought herself
 out of the pod.

It didn't take her too long to orient, which is when she felt a brush descend
 across her hair from Nanase Matsuura. "Mmm... Nanase... it's okay." She
 drowsed, "Can do it myself." Nanase adjusted her glasses and smiled at her,
 "You could use the help, we're in a rush, after all you're on in just a few
 minutes."

"Hmmm. Ah." Ranka said, then her hair abruptly leapt as her red eyes flared
 open in a panic, "Wait I am!?" Ai-kun groggily began to peek out from her
 blouse, where she'd hid him as she stuffed his head back down, "I'm not even
 dressed for it! Where's my luggage!?" And with no luggage in sight, just a
 carry on bag stowed by a stasis pod, she frantically began to go through it,
 using the time to dump Ai-kun inside, where he promptly began to take another
 nap, "Ahhhhhh why didn't they wake me up sooner!?"

Nanase just pats her on the shoulder, "Don't worry about that - just I'm
 getting you presentable. It's not for a concert, just an experiment." Ranka
 still didn't seem convinced, "And!? I'm still performing! Everyone's going
 to hear me right?!"

A member of the Quarter's crew had approached the two, smiling, "I'm here from
 the Quarter as the SMS' liaison to make certain the experiment goes smoothly.
 And I'd like to say, we really appreciate you doing us for this Miss Lee!"
 Nanase suddenly stared at SMS member's uniform, and its like a light bulb went
 on, "I have an idea!" As she then went raced over to the crew member and began
 whispering, whose expression looked puzzled, then. "Hmm! Hm? Oh!"

-=-=-

When Ranka Lee stands ready on the recreation deck of the Nadesico, she does so
 in an SMS uniform, Scarlet with a collar, accented in white and dark grey, a
 top which descended into a half skirt that opened in the front to a separate
 sleek military pencil skirt, long dark stalkings and a pair of grey boots. On
 her head was cap that looked identical to the bridge crew of the Macross. It
 had no signatures of rank anywhere of course.

"I'm not really sure about this-!" She confides to Nanase, who flaps a hand at
 her, "Don't worry~Don't worry~! They're all relying on you right? So lean
 into it! Think of yourself as an honorary member of the crew! You were
 already doing that here on the Nadesico!"

"As an intern!" "Well congratulations! You've been promoted. Honorary SMS
 Songstress!" "Is that even a real thing?!" "Don't worry about that! There's a
 long tradition of things like this just happening!"

And then Monica Lang's face came on screen, "Miss Lee we're ready whenever you
 are- Oh! Looking sharp! Now I feel obligated to salute!" And as she did so
 Bobby leaned over to look at the monitor, "Ooooohhhh, that's a choice." Soon
 enough Ram and Mina were leaning in too. "Well I'll be..." As the other then
 tittered, "I wonder what our Skull-4 will think when he sees you in that.
 Guess we're about to find out!"

Seemingly on time, a message showed up, a notification which states 'You've got
 this!' which Nanase held up to her.

As Ranka flushed with a smile, her hair subtly lifting on each side, she then
 straightened up, clutching her mic, "It's not about that!" It is definitely at
 least partially about that, "Even if this is some experiment, let's set the
 right tone for this trip!"

After all... she wants everyone to remember the ideals that set off Macross to
 deep space exploration in the first place, and perhaps this is how.

-=-=-

All at once, a broadcast plays on all of the ships involved in the expedition.
 However, thanks to the experiment, it goes much further than that.

BGM OST - Seikan Hikou ~ Interstellar Flight -
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9epz5DIENg

And indeed, the Nadesico's recreation deck sets the right tone, with a
 sparkling backdrop of stars shaped like a Macross which is likely Omoikane's
 doing. As a familiar instrumental melody starts to play as Ranka salutes, the
 choice of song perhaps taking this as more than just a potential way to detect
 Vajra, but to celebrate the Macross' return to...

"EVERYONE! EMBRACE EACH OTHER! TO THE ENDS OF THE GALAXY!"

... Interstellar Flight!

Starting with a playful extension of her leg, and a spread of her hands, she
 places her hands to her hips and shimmies to one side, and then the other,
 swinging the mic up to her lips as she begins to sing at the moment the
 instrumentals have finished building, broadcasting the song to the galaxy.

        "The water's surface quivers
        "A ring of wind spreads
        "Where our fingertips meet,
        "There comes the blue spark."

Her hands move in a well-practiced routine, and at a moment when two fingers
 come, there's a clap of blue electricity thanks to Super AI special effects.
 With a flounce of her hips she dances in a shuffle one way and then the other
 smiling as she sings her heart out to the new world.

        "Once we gaze at each other,
        "My accelerating solitude
        "Dissipates in an single instant
        "'cause I love you so."

As she stops in place, beneath the spotlight, a hand moves up underneath an
 eye, as if to dry tears, before tracing them in the air with a fingertip and a
 smile, as if acknowledging the possibility of sadness or tragedy, but meeting
 it with resolve.

        "As clear as real pearls,
        "There float my tears in mid-air,
        "I don't care if tragedy lies ahead
        "I just want to be with you."

Then drawing her hand up, she places her fingers up to frame the side of her
 face, with a jaunty little tilt and a toothy smile, she winks.

        "Sparkle!"

Behind her, the backdrop lights up like a supernova of fireworks, before she
 swings around bouncing her weight from side to side in those floppy SMS boots.

        "Riding a shooting star
        "I swoop down to you (ah ah)
        "Under the dark blue starlit sky
        "Our hearts are fireworks,
        "Shot through by arrows of light."

And indeed, a heart gleams behind them as a comet strikes into it, causing it
 to burst apart as Ranka dances back to center stage.

        "With no need for words,
        "I dive deep into you,
        "And read your mind,
        "What an amazing night!"
        
As stars zip down her like a meteor shower, on a dark night, Ranka raises a
 hand up to his microphone hand, tracing an extended fingertip to the back of
 her palm, before spreading it out, and in seeming moment of fixation, clinches
 her fist beck at her side.

        "Your name is like a spell
        "Put on endless repeat
        "It drives me crazy as I dig my nails,
        "Into the palm of my hand."

Putting her wrist against her opposite hip, she moves in an dynamic back and
 forth, hands gliding up again at the moment to do what's becoming her almost
 trademark pose, with that same toothy grin and wink.

        "Sparkle!"

Several more spotlights come at that moment, setting her aglow as the backdrop
 takes on a bright, twinkling cast of upon the obsidian sea of light behind her.

        "It permeates my body,
        "And haunts me with splendor
        "Even if our lives are small as dust,
        "Look how bright we shine!
        "In the galaxy of our souls, snow falls."

The stars fall slower now, more in a drift, flurrying and twisting in all of
 their unique transient brilliance, as Ranka sweeps an arm overhead to marvel
 at the wonder of it all.

        "Riding a shooting star
        "You swoop all the way up (oh oh)
        "Under the dark blue starlit sky
        "Our hearts are fireworks,
        "Shot through by arrows of light."

The music begins to wind down, the idol's motions becoming a match for the new
 tempo, as the deck glows brighter still to offer the reality of a warm
 universe.

        "Even if our lives are as small as dust
        "Look how bright we shine!
        "In the galaxy of our souls, snow falls
        "In the galaxy of our souls, snow falls."

As the song's outro plays, her dance become a more languid celebration until
 she draws a hand down to mark the conclusion of the song, and finishes singing
 her song that resonates on more levels than just sound.

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         As Ranka sings her song, the still half-awake Edelweiss growls and
 covers her ears. "Gaaah, what is that incessant racket?!" Each note prodded at
 her slightly aching head, exacerbated by a week of deep slumber. She was not a
 fan of "poppylar" music on a good day, and Edelweiss found herself getting
 more and more annoyed as she made her way to the main observation deck.

         "Hey, it's Ranka!" "Aw, I was hoping for a Sheryl song..." Her two
 younger assistants were in contrast quite excited for the performance, clearly
 more in the target audience for such a thing. Their peppy attitude only served
 to irritate Edelweiss more. But, she supposed, they were young. A few more
 semesters and perhaps a year of residency would crush those spirits in time.

         "Must get an ETA on touchdown. We--that is, you--will need to examine
 the equipment we brought with us to ensure that none of our instruments were
 damaged or miscalibrated in the Fold."

         "Doctor, is that really necessary? The stuff we came with was top of
 the line."

         "First lesson, Ein! A quarter of a gram can mean the difference
 between life and death! I will not be working with inaccurate equipment!"

<Pose Tracker> Trevor Teach has posed.

Honestly it's Sheryl's loss that she can't see the Heart of the Phoenix with
 her own two eyes. Sure, the projector helps a LOT, but Sheryl was asleep all
 trip! They didn't even get a chance to properly hang out! That is: absolutely
 tragic.

Oh well, more Rita for Trevor to monopolize.

"I think it's probably fine," Trevor tells her with a warm smile. "Besides, I
 think by now most of them know you're aboard. Maybe the ones waking up don't,
 but whatever, that's a Them Problem," so many things are just a Them Problem.
 One must simply learn to recognize what those are and then plunge on ahead to
 do what one wants to do in spite of it.

Sure, some hurt feelings might happen, but those can be smoothed over. Seeing
 Rita pursue her desires earnestly is worth so much more.

To him, at least.

But again, that's another 'Them Problem.'

Rita wants to go fly. Trevor looks at her askance, almost like she'd grown a
 second head. And then--

And then mischief ignites in his eye(s) and goes all the way down to the
 devilish curl of his lips. "Yeah. Let's go."

What?

What??

Before anyone can stop him, Trevor is gone, dashing toward the Nadesico's
 hangars. Already, Isadore is responding to its pilot's approach, startup
 commands firing, gantries shifting away and cockpit door opening. He's serious
 about this?

---A FEW MINUTES LATER--

HE'S SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

"How often do you get to be the first one to make landfall on an alien world?!"
 Trevor grins from within Isadore's cockpit, the mobile suit racing into the
 void at frankly unreasonable speeds. And in its grasp...

...Is a sheet of spare armor plating from the Nadesico's store room. How did he
 get it? Don't worry about it. Pirate things! He's had a week to prepare for
 shenanigans, and damnit he's going to put it all to use!

"Rita, let's spread our wings!" Trevor chirps, Isadore turning and bracing
 themself against the inside face of the armor plate just as the red glow of
 atmospheric reentry blazes around it. "For the first time on Gallia IV...
 Let's start this adventure off right!"

(To the tune of Ranka's upbeat, poppy song, no less. Little else could be more
 appropriate.)

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        'EVERYONE! EMBRACE EACH OTHER! TO THE ENDS OF THE GALAXY!'

        As Ranka starts up on her song, the ships of the expedition fleet, sans
 the Shakuyaku, fly towards the planet. The view of Gallia IV grows in the
 various windows and screens showing it.

        On other screens, a video feed of the 'experiment' pops up, turning
 this into an impromptu concert after all. Apparently SOMEONE thought it would
 help improve morale after a long trip to transmit the song.

        Alto's sight is drawn to the screen now showing Ranka, his eyes going a
 little wide at the sight of her in that SMS uniform.

        'Once we gaze at each other, my accelerating solitude'
                'Dissipates in an single instant, 'cause I love you so.'

        On the bridge of the Macross Quarter, things are in motion for the
 ship's descent while Ranka's song plays in the background.

        "Artificial gravity generators realigned."
        "Hangar reports all equipment stored and locked."
        "Landing site identified, sending to helm."
        "Pinpoint Barrier is focused on the ventral hull."
        "All landing gear status green."
        "The fleet is reporting ready for descent."
        "C-Captain! Two mobile weapons are launching!"
        "Which pilots?"
        "Rita Bernal and Trevor Teach."
        "Mmm... They're not ours. They have the freedom to depart if they wish.
 Let them go."
        "Aye, sir."
        "Bobby, take us down."

        'Riding a shooting star, I swoop down to you (ah ah)'
                'Under the dark blue starlit sky, our hearts are fireworks,'
                        'Shot through by arrows of light.'

        The ships of the expedition fleet begin to descend, soon reaching the
 outer edges of the atmosphere. Flames begin to fill the screens showing the
 planet below, mild shaking occurring throughout the ships as they start to hit
 air friction. Not enough to be worrying, or throw off the balance of a certain
 singing idol.

         'Even if our lives are small as dust, look how bright we shine!'
                'In the galaxy of our souls, snow falls.'

        As the ships descend, the twin suns rapidly shift towards the horizon of
 the planet, causing the sky around the vessels to rapidly change to the warm
 colours of an early dusk. Soon enough, the shaking stops as the ships finish
 entering the atmosphere proper. They continue their descent downwards, heading
 towards the designated landing point.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        Sheryl stops humming to chuckle and smile over at Trevor and Sagiri as
 they gaze in wonder at Gallia IV before them. Trevor runs off for some reason,
 though, so Sheryl focuses on Sagiri. "I had that same reaction when the
 Frontier fleet came to Earth," she comments. "It's an inspiring view."
        
        Even if the inspiration isn't quite Gallia IV itself.
        
        Broken from her composing, Sheryl spots Maya nearby. "Oh, we meet
 again," she teases, voice lilting as she winks. It's a joke; they're on the
 same mission on the same ship, so of course they'd meet again!
        
        Her smile dims as she half-turns towards Hikaru, wondering about the
 experiment, and Yurika, who doesn't look at all like a week awake has done
 her any favors. Ruri... is as stoic as always, but that's just how she is.
 There's no need to explain, though, because Ranka soon appears on her own.
 (And with a liaison or two. That's just common sense for a songstress of any
 notable level.)
        
        Interstellar Flight is a hit song for a reason. It's just a bop.
 Ranka's dance, Ranka's special effects, and especially Ranka's voice bring the
 performance together. Sheryl watches it with the stream of fireworks and
 shooting stars as much as she watches the view of the planet below. For all
 her mixed feelings about this experiment, she can't help herself:
        
        "Riding a shooting star, you swoop all the way up, oh oh..." she sings
 softly, almost under her breath.
        
        The ships descend (quite smoothly at that), incandescent from the
 atmosphere, and perspective suddenly shifts into a sunset. Sheryl might have
 snoozed through the fold travel, but this, she doesn't tear her eyes away from.

<Pose Tracker> Rin Naujakaite has posed.


Others come into the lounge, drawing the attention of Rin and eventually her
 cronies as well. These are, by and large, not people any of them know, so it's
 mostly people watching.

Until the song starts.

"Heh," Louis laughs, followed by Rin. The seated technican-suited-people relax.
 "I guess she's made the big time, hasn't she?" Rin remarks.

They begin the descent... and someone complains.

"That's Ranka Lee, she's not RACKET," Rin defends towards the good doctor, even
 as she continues onwards, but then she looks back to the screen in time to see
 --

"That moron's going to get himself killed," Rin says as someone streaks off.

No response from her the other two with her. As such, Rin gets up - a little
 carefully, given the non-trivial rumblings as the Macross Quarter descends
 into the atmosphere. Walking forwards, Rin ends up not far from Alto, and he's
 the one who gets a curious question: "Have you seen this kind of view a lot?"

"Even on Earth," Rin continues, "most people just take the orbital elevators if
 you're not on one of the ultra-premium direct liners. You see this stuff in
 movies, but..."

<Pose Tracker> Rita Bernal has posed.

Trevor's reassurance settles Rita's heart, and she hovers a bit more closely to
 him. With an illusory hand, she reaches out to brush her fingers with her own.
 While Trevor cannot feel her physical touch, the warmth of Rita's soul is
 clear and bright to a Newtype as powerful as he is.

Them problem. That's an easy way to think about it. Rita accepts this
 concept into her belief systems immediately, smoothing over any remaining
 ruffled featheres.

Though her face falls slightly at Trevor's initial reaction to Rita's wild
 request, once she sees that fire of mischief appear, she grins. Despite
 asking, she didn't really think he'd agree..! With a joyous laugh, Rita glows
 a more luminous shade of gold and soars behind him. She spins, waving to
 Yurika and Ruri, just before they leave the room.

With an outstretched hand, she opens any doors in their way, the other
 pulling the projector behind her. They make for an odd little parade -- a
 pirate, a spirit, and a mysterious device, all racing through the hallways of
 the Nadesico. While Trevor prepares the Isadore, the Phenex seems ready for
 Rita by the time they arrive -- cockpit opening to accept the projector.

Rita, of course, settles in to her Gundam immediately. She exists to Rita
 Bernal as the most intimate of partners and companions -- somewhere between
 her soulmate and physical form. And the Phenex, much to Rita's delight, shares
 in her Heart's enthusiasm to fly.

Sacred blue flame surrounds the Phenex, haloing the golden Gundam in its
 spiritual embrace. Turning her head to the Isadore, the Phenex raises a hand,
 almost as if to ask Trevor if he's ready. Rita's laughter echoes softly, an
 expression of the thrilled joy in her heart.

You'll be the first human being to touch this new world! Do you think there'll
 be birds here, Trevor? Oh, I hope there are! Maybe we can bring some home!

Lifting into the air, the Phenex twirls in place, as if dancing to Ranka's
 accompanying music. She isn't as good as Sheryl, of course, but Rita likes the
 sound a lot. Music is still such a new experience, she wants to hear every
 single song the world has ever created. This one promises to stick in her
 memory.

Neck-and-neck with the Isadore, twirling and dancing through the sea of stars,
 the Phenex soars into the atmosphere of the planet. With an outstretched hand,
 she touches the Isadore's shoulder, spreading the miraculous blue fire's
 protection from her own body to her companion's. Trevor's armor is clever, and
 perhaps would be enough, but Rita isn't taking any chances.

Nothing can stop us. Beyond the stars, beyond what anyone's ever seen... Let's
 experience all of it together!

The Phenex echoes her Beloved's sentiment with a psychic manifestation, the
 call of a great bird echoing around the two descending machines. Brilliant,
 shimmering joy shines from the spirit within the Gundam, radiant enough to
 eclipse the setting suns.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Hikaru was another of the people who had stayed awake during transit,
 and it had been nice to have another of the pilots around, even if she mostly
 kept to her room. "It's that there's not that much water, definitely. It looks
 like it's in an assortment of small lakes." Maya wasn't a biologist or a
 geologist or anything similar, but she was still curious about how that might
 affect any sort of biosphere on the planet.

         It definitely looked like the recreation room was filling up, as more
 people poured in, including one particularly striking woman who looked
 familiar somehow. Might have been in a brief somewhere. Sheryl's words drew
 her attention back, however, and Maya beamed. "Haha, what were the odds? Nice
 to see you as always!" At least this time she wasn't so hopelessly starstruck,
 though she was definitely delighted to be in the presence of one of the
 greatest stars of all time.

         Of course, that's when the show started. Technically 'experiment', but
 no-one present for to see Ranka perform would call this an experiment. The
 room took on a new light as the idol took stage, dressed as a pilot, and
 performed. Maya cheered enthusiastically, and lamented that she didn't have
 her glow sticks with her for this. Still, she could make up for that with
 GUTS! The only way this could be better was if Sheryl were on stage as well.
 Every 'Sparkle!' was like a shot of adrenaline to the heart. When it finally
 ended, she collapsed into a chair in bliss, happy to have witness such a
 small, yet important performance.

         "Wait, when did we start descending?" Maya suddenly exclaimed as she
 looked at the screens, now depicting what looked to be atmosphere. She hadn't
 even noticed the ship vibrating during descent, having thought it was just
 part of the performance. "I guess that song doesn't exactly have THAT much
 bass..."

<Pose Tracker> Sagiri Sakurai has posed.

I had that same reaction when the Frontier fleet came to Earth. It's an
 inspiring view.

Sagiri blinks. Head tilting, she looks Sheryl's way -- before a bright grin
 flashes across her lips, enthused enough to squint her eyes shut.

"Right?" wonders Sagiri. "I never really thought about going into space when I
 was a kid, let alone leaving the solar system. But this..."

Sagiri's sentence trails. There's no real way to describe the feeling.

"... I guess it's something we all share regardless of where we come from,
 huh?" That experience of seeing something wholly new. She can't quantify it.
 But--

"The fact that I'm getting bonus time for this just sweetens the pot!" -- at
 least, Sagiri has her anchors.

Somewhere in the distance, Rami grimaces with secondhand embarassment even as
 Sagiri offers a small smile Sheryl's way. "Sagiri Sakurai, with VTX Union. And
 you're--"

She begins -- but that's when Ranka appears, ready to conduct her grand
 experiment. There's momentary confusion on Sagiri's part - she's new to all
 this in particular, after all - but as Ranka begins to sing, complete with
 dazzling special effects and a voice that could lift just about anyone's
 spirits, realization settles in quickly enough, and confusion and surprise
 smoothly settle in towards something easier: appreciation.

Hands crossing behind her chestnut mane of hair, Sagiri allows herself a
 lopsided smile, simply indulging in the moment as flames and heat buffet the
 visuals of the outside world.

"Hah," she chuckles warmly, head cant. "I guess the Macross fleets really do
 have their own way of doing things."

It's not a bad thing; not at all.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Hikaru being awake so suddenly and presently is a sign to Yurika that
 she hadn't gone into stasis either - which only makes her a more groany
 grousey mess. "A-am I the only one who felt distressed about all that!? Am I
 the sole person here who hasn't pulled all nighters???" A whisper aside to
 Hikaru, as she shakily asks, "...am I the only one who's never...uh...tried
 something...super intoxicating..."

        Unfortunately our dear captain cannot complain all day! There's tasks
 and duties, especially when the news of the Shakuyaku having reactor
 abnormalities comes to attention. "Aaaah, what an annoying problem..." The
 grumbling gives way a little bit as Ranka's song heralds the Nadesico's
 descent - finally, Yurika can just...appreciate that there's a totally
 unfamiliar world in their path. Excitement and uncertainty bubble up in turn -

        And a little holo-window from Yurika incidentally blares up in Trevor's
 cockpit. "Don't pull surprise stunts like that, mou!!! You scared me half to
 death for a second! Aaaaaa...sorry. Sorry! I'm very stressy and low on sleep.
 Wah..." A little sniffle. This week of intense focus and disassociation is
 so not what Yurika needed so shortly after a breakup. All she has to do is
 land the ship. All she has to do is keep at the wheel at this all-hands
 moment, as the Nadesico follows in the Quarter's wake. Just a little more.
 Just a bit more. Once they make planetfall...

        "Everyone who actually got sleep better not get too excited! ...we're
 going to need to seriously rest up over here. I'm falling asleep at the wheel
 while everyone else is having fun on a new planet...unfaaaaaiiiiiir..."

        Okay it may take longer than expected for Yurika to be alright.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

"Ehh... I mean, I wouldn't say I got the best sleep in this whole new world."
 Hikaru admits to Yurika, rubbing her eyes. "But I think that's probably an
 artist problem, ehehe... you had a lot more important things to be doing than
 me. So! I'll fight with all my heart to make sure you get your beauty sleep
 once we're docked down there!" She vows, dramatically placing a fist over her
 chest. "Ahaha... guess not everyone can be a thrillseeker." She asides back,
 sneaking a glance at Minato, who seems so cheery and relaxed about all this!r
"Huh!" She exclaims at Maya's answer about the properties of this strange new
 planet. "Yeah, it looks like that now that we're getting closer." She nods,
 furiously scribbling... something. "I guess that means we're probably not
 gonna run into much of anyone though... guess it might get a lil' lonely." But
 perhaps it's for the best, if they wish to avoid bringing battle to this
 planet.

And then, with Ranka's awakening, it's time for the experiment to begin!
 Everyone hears the broadcast system, and thanks to Omoikane's hard work, they
 can see it too! "Woo!" Hikaru cheers. "Best experiment I've ever been subject
 to, maybe of all time!" She looks down to her hands, then. "Guess I probably
 shoulda brought a glowy stick."

Trevor and Rita sneak off, prompting a scolding from Yurika, which Hikaru
 follows up with a screen window of her own. "You just can't help yourself can
 you, Mr. Pirate? Plundering even the first sight of such new frontiers...
 stealing away with a being of possibility herself. How scandalous...!"

<Pose Tracker> Trevor Teach has posed.

Is it potentially a problem that the space pirate is teaching an incredibly
 powerful space ghost with access to one of the few Psychoframe machines in the
 galaxy to be just a little bit more selfish?

Mmmmmaybe.

But just like how there are 'Them Problems', there are also 'Tomorrow
 Problems,' and this is absolutely a Tomorrow Problem. For now, it couldn't be
 further from Trevor's mind.

"You mean we'll be the first," Trevor answers the one who stole his heart
 with a laugh. "We can definitely look for some birds! But even if there
 aren't, I'm sure there are all kinds of incredible sights no human has ever
 seen before, down there. And we'll be the first."

The Macross and Nadesico join in the descent, brilliant scarlet light
 enveloping them both. But as the Phenex's fire ensconces Isadore, the two are
 instead wreathed in a cerulean blaze-- that doesn't quite extend to the
 stolen plate of Nadesico-armor, but it doesn't need to. Isadore, and Trevor,
 are protected by the aegis of the Phenex's light and Rita's love.

"Yeah. To new horizons, to lands untouched and sights unseen, I'll be right
 there by your side." Passion surges in the Pirate's own heart; Isadore
 responds, as the atmosphere burns bright all around it, the mobile suit
 stands, one foot and then the next, until--

--It's riding the armor plate down into Gallia IV's gravity well like a
 surfboard. Even if there are no birds on Gallia IV, for this singular moment,
 two firebirds spread cerulean wings in an alien sky.

...Is it a problem that the Power of Love has turned Trevor into an Extra Huge
 Fool?

...Maybe. But that's another Tomorrow Problem.

But... what isn't a Tomorrow Problem is...

...A scolding from Yurika...

"W-wh--" They scared her half to death!? Oh no, is she a Newtype Ghost now
 too?! (No, it's just a turn of phrase). "Ah, but what else am I supposed to
 do? The planet is RIGHT THERE and you can't just not go head first into it
 as fast as possible, right? Right???" Beat. But. This... has all been a lot
 for Yurika, that's true. And he didn't think about how much she's been pushing
 herself when he went and did the impulsive thing. "I-it's alright, Captain.
 Uh, once we get down there... We can take care of things, and you can take a
 nap outside?? You can be the first human to take a weekend nap in the sun on
 Gallia IV!"

Hikaru joins in too, levelling ENTIRELY JUST ACCUSATIONS. This time, Trevor
 doesn't feel even a mote of shame. He even has the gall to HAIR FLIP in his
 holographic panel. "Fufu, that's right. Faced with such treasures... How could
 I not steal them away? When asked by my love so sincerely, how could I not go
 boldly side by side with her?"

And...

...Besides. Isadore wanted to go too. Or rather-- it would be nice, Trevor
 thought, if Isadore could see the planet first-hand too. It's much better than
 always sortieing for... bloodier reasons, isn't it?

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


The expedition descends, to her song, and Omoikane puts up holographic screens
 all over so she can see the descent midsong. There's something about this
 world that's so familiar to her but - no that'd be ridiculous.

It's just because it looks like Earth right?

"Well everyone! I know this was an experiment but I hope everyone enjoyed
 themselves!"

And past a holo window she sees both the Phenex and Trevor's mobile suit glide
 by as her gaze follows them, "Wow some people are maybe enjoying themselves
 too much even! But I get it! I'm excited too! That's why I wanted to kick
 off this Macross expedition with a bang! Anyhow - I'm looking forward to
 seeing you all planetside! Until then, SPARKLE!"

As Monica on the other side of the feed counts down on her fingers, three, two,
 one, and the broadcast to the ship cuts.

"So, how's it looking? Any sign of the Vajra coming?"

"Nothing so far! They're usually pretty quick to fold in after an incident
 like that."

"So we're in the clear! Or - maybe I just can't do what you think I can."

"Well! We haven't gathered enough evidence to be sure of that one yet Miss
 Lee! But at least for now we're alright!"

Ranka bobs her head with a smile, even as the Captain took a more stoic,
 skeptical look with a low thoughtful hum, "Hmmm."

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto turns to look at Rin as she comes over, "A number of times, yes.
 When I was younger, I did a fair bit of travelling with my family... It
 included a few of the colonies, like Eden, and some of the alien cities the
 fleets made contact with." One of the differences between growing up in the
 Earth Sphere and on a colonization fleet.

        "... Though there hasn't been as much lately." Because the Frontier
 Fleet was stuck at Earth. Alto actually smiles as he glances at the screens
 showing the planet's terrain starting to stretch out in more detail, "It's
 nice to actually be out here again." Especially now that he has more people to
 share the experience with...

        Alto's eyes glance back as Ranka finishes her performance.

        The expedition ships make their final descent towards the designated
 landing site. This part of the planet's surface appears to be rife with
 swamps, marshes and flora that looks rather similar to what one might find in
 such biomes on Earth. There's probably some scientific explanation for why
 there are similarities, making this alien world slightly less 'alien'.

        On the bridge of the Quarter, things are going smoothly during the
 descent... Until.

        "Captain! I'm detecting a huge metallic signature in the vicinity of
 the landing site!"
        "Show me."

        The screens on the various ships that are displaying the rapidly rising
 planet outside suddenly switch to show a massive figure eclipsing the suns
 near the horizon. Its large form looms over much of the terrain around it.
 Vaguely humanoid in shape, it appears to be partially sunken into the lake it
 stands in. As the viewing angle changes with the ship's descent, details
 become easier to spot.

        It's a Macross! A full one, not like the Quarter, and one of the
 earlier designs. Though it's damaged and much of its frame is now covered in
 vines which have grown over it through the years.

        ( https://i.imgur.com/7XFaerz.png )

        Soon enough, the ships rapidly slow their descent as they reach the
 landing site. It's a large, relatively flat clearing in the planet's flora,
 roughly fifty kilometers away from the imposing Macross looming nearby. The
 ships settle down in a circular formation around the edges of the clearing,
 leaving a fair bit of space in the middle.

        With a successful landing, a green signal is sent to all ships. Hangars
 and cargo bays begin to open, ramps lowering down to the ground to provide
 access. There is quite a buzz amongst the ships, some starting to perform
 their jobs of unloading the first structural components needed to establish
 the planned camp. While others disembark simply to take in the atmosphere of
 this new planet. Much like during the descent, the twin suns hang just above
 the horizon, bathing the camp site in a beautiful glow.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        "Pretty good, I'd say," Sheryl tells Maya, tapping a manicured nail on
 her chin as she smiles. At this rate, maybe they will end up friends.
 Repeated proximity helps a lot, and Sheryl has a reasonably good impression of
 Maya so far.
        
        Sagiri's enthused to continue that conversation, though, before
 ultimately she introduces herself, and prompts Sheryl to do the same... or
 maybe is about to acknowledge that she knows who she is. It's hard to know for
 sure with Ranka's concert interrupting, but Sheryl is in the habit of people
 knowing her on sight, so her personal assumption is the latter. Once the
 number's over, and the incoming sunset is cut by a pair of enthusiastic mobile
 suits, Sheryl breathes out a little sigh, smiling as she watches Trevor and
 Rita fly. She doesn't know who Trevor's talking about, but it's a delight to
 see a pair of lovebirds enjoying themselves so much. Even if Yurika's mad
 about it, poor woman.
        
        "Deculture~" she lilts at Sagiri, raising one hand in the love symbol
 as she winks. "The fleets sailed out to find a planet to terraform, after all!
 I'm used to a faux sky and the stars in space, not the sight of actual
 planets. It sounds like you aren't that familiar?"
        
        She looks over her shoulder at Ranka; it sounds like the 'experiment'
 is a bust, at least so far. Sheryl has mixed feelings about that, too. "Oh,
 isn't that a good thing, that the Vajra aren't swarming in on us?" Sheryl
 calls to her and Monica. "We'll have plenty of time to tussle with them, I'm
 sure! Until then, why don't you two come over here and enjoy this view?"
        
        After all, now that they're past the atmosphere, they can actually see
 what's on the surface of the planet. It's lush--swampy, even, though that
 makes it sound worse than it is. Though maybe Sheryl can think that because
 she's not actually down there. Once the ships actually land, though...
        
        "Is that a Macross?" Sheryl wonders, raising a hand over her eyes to
 squint at it. It's hard to tell with the dimming (technically just "dim,"
 since the planet is tidally locked) light, but that silhouette looks
 strikingly like one. That'd make sense; they aren't actually the first
 people here, and they came here knowing that. "I'm going to go get a better
 look!"
        
        And with that, Sheryl hurries off to disembark. She simply assumes
 people will come with her, and if they don't, she'll turn and give them an
 impatient, "Hurry up!" before moving on again too.

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         Edelweiss waves off the protest with a scoff as she leaves her interns
 to watch the descent, returning after a few minutes with a paper cup full of
 coffee. "Ach, it's mud. It will do, I suppose." She takes a sip as the surface
 of Gallia IV comes into view, her flat face a complete contrast to the starry
 eyes of her young interns. As the signal begins to unload, the doctor begins
 to head over to the cargo bay. "You two. Head out. I am going to monitor the
 erection of our temporary laboratory. Once it is unloaded, you'll be spending
 the rest of the day doing calibrations, so get your fill of fun in, ja?"

         "Wh...Really? Th-Thanks, Doc!"

         "I have not excused you from using my full name and title, boy. Now
 go."

         The interns go off with the rest of the passengers, as Edelweiss waits
 for the crowd to disperse.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Maya giggled slightly at the blase response of Sheryl. Yes, doing much
 better now that the initial jitters got out of the way. Some said that
 familiarity bred contempt, but Maya was the opposite. Familiarity bred
 understanding and respect. As you get to know something more, you could
 appreciate it all the better. Or her, in this instance. Now that Sheryl was a
 person rather than a distant star, she could calm down and treat her as such.

         After the performance, the striking woman who looked familiar suddenly
 clicked based off of something she'd said just beforehand. "VTX Union? Oh! I
 think we're in competition!" The Tyranado was a bit more flashy than the
 Nivalis was, as her suit was more of a combination of existing tech rather
 than anything revolutionary, but that didn't mean that one was inherently
 better than the other. "Maya Jintek, engineer and pilot for the Nivalis, a
 Nergal/Morgenroete collaboration." Honestly, Maya would love to get a look at
 Sagiri's robot, though that might be a bit forward of her. There could be a
 whole bunch of proprietary stuff she'd need to sign NDAs for. 'But it would be
 cool.'

         Hikaru's mention of glow sticks made her ears perk up. "You too?"
 Perhaps she'd found a comrade. "If there's another performance, I've got a
 spare set of glowsticks if you want them!" Maybe Hikaru had her own,
 admittedly, but if she didn't, sharing was important. Hopefully Yurika would
 be OK, though... it looked like she hadn't managed to get any rest at all
 unfortunately. "Would you like me to take some photos for you?" Maya asked,
 hoping that it'd mollify the Captain a little. It wasn't nice seeing her in
 such a state.

         Sadly, not everyone could pull a Trevor and go space surfing. But as
 they landed, it looked like there was something very interesting before them.
 An entire Macross vessel. It was wrecked, of course, but those ships were awe
 inspiring for Maya. Sheryl immediately ran off to disembark, and in the
 absence of any immediate orders, Maya decided to join her. "I'm sure Yurika
 will want photos of it!" She was 'just' on active standby, after all. If they
 needed her for something specific, they'd call her. The Nivalis did have some
 engineering aids, so maybe she should have volunteered, but on the other hand,
 it was a MACROSS vessel!

<Pose Tracker> Rita Bernal has posed.

Rita laughs brightly.

Maybe I'll be the first spirit? Or, I guess it counts if I use the projector to
 stand on the planet! Feet are feet!

After years of existing as a spirit/Gundam, Rita's definition of bodies has
 loosened quite a bit. Not that it's ever really been important -- a body is
 simply something that holds a soul. That's the part that matters.

The Phenex and the Isadore descend together, surrounded by flame both mundane
 and fantastic. Perhaps, if they are counting firsts, this is the first Miracle
 Gallia IV has ever seen -- or perhaps there is more to the planet than Rita
 knows. Her vision has always directed her forward, and she's certainly never
 had a basic education.

As the Isadore begins to surf, Rita pulls away, letting Trevor have his moment.
 The Phenex soars down in the wake of her companion, one hand carefully
 extended, just in case Trevor needs a rescue...

But it seems he's fine. Rita smiles to herself. Of course such a capable prince
 could handle landing like this! Trevor has done far more impressive things. As
 the Isadore lands, the Phenex stays airborn, simply hovering a few feet above
 the ground. She spins in place, slowly, taking in the sights around them.

Please don't scold him, Yurika! It was my idea. And besides, it was fun! I've
 never had so much fun, even when I was alive!

Rita projects her voice toward Yurika -- hopefully, the lovely captain will
 hear her at this distance. She can't help but laugh joyfully, twirling in the
 air once more.

I can protect everyone while you rest, if that's what you need to sleep. Please
 rely on me, Yurika!

Accompanying the Nadesico captain's chastisement, Hikaru joins in. Though
 Trevor certainly holds his own, Rita can't help but chime in.

Who says he stole me? Maybe I'm going to take him back to my nest.

Rita giggles, quite pleased with her joke -- then pauses.

Well, I'd need to make one here, first. But after that... Who knows!

Trevor's words bring a few extra flames around the Phenex's radiance -- a sure
 sign Rita heard him. Perhaps this is something similar to blushing, for a
 Gundam.

With a glance back up toward the Nadesico, the Phenex tilts her head. Perhaps...

Thank you for your song, Ranka. It was beautiful. I hope to hear you sing many
 more times.

Sheryl couldn't hear her, so Rita doesn't pin her hopes on Ranka being able to
 hear, either. Even so, someone should say thank you. Nobody has yet -- at
 least that Rita has heard.

With a pleased noise, the Phenex flies in a quick circle around the Isadore,
 her shield's twin-tails trailing behind her in a charming way. Everything is
 still, thus far. For an alien planet, it's pretty much what Rita expected...

Except?

Trevor, what is that?

The Phenex points at the still Macross. She waits, a moment, for Trevor to
 reply -- then decides to investigate for herself. With a rush of psychic
 power, the Phenex soars straight up, breaking the sound barrier as she flies
 to investigate the massive structure.

For a full minute, she floats before the being's face.

...

Nothing happens.

With another tilt of her head, the Phenex approaches, flying in a wide circle
 around the entirety of the Macross. It's so still... Rita can't sense any
 souls within. Ascending and descending, the Phenex investigates for any signs
 of life, and comes up empty.

Another minute has passed. The Firebird returns to the face of the Macross,
 then moves forward and physically lands atop its head.

Are we not the first ones here?

<Pose Tracker> Rin Naujakaite has posed.


"Alien cities...?" Rin asks Alto. But it fades off, and there is the finale
 from Ranka.

Rin smiles, though, of course, she doesn't greet the image of Ranka. Warm
 thoughts will have to suffice.

Soon enough, Rin's wrist-watch buzzes. So too does the ones on the wrists of
 Louis and Samantha. "Hey, nice to chat," she tells Alto, "I'll see you later."
 This may seem out of context, as Rin was not wearing her eyeglasses any more
 and may, under traditional law, be impossible to recognize.

BUT:

"So what did we get?" Rin asks.

"Some sort of perimeter development vehicle, apparently," Louis reports.

"Is this atmosphere even breathable?"

"I guess we'll find out," Rin muses. "But you saw that that Macross landed
 intact, right? If it had unknown microbes they'd have probably flagged 'em. I
 imagine we'll be fine."

"YOU might be," Samantha says sourly, leaving a subtextual remark unsaid.

EVEN SO:

"Sheryl!? Hiii!" shouts Rin from the turret.

The vehicle that the group is in resembles a skeletal pickup truck with
 balloon-like tires and a cramped cabin, which currently contains Samantha
 (driving) and Louis (operator console). The truck bed has been mounted with a
 sort of device best compared to a T-shirt cannon. It had rolled down from the
 Quarter and has been going around the edges of what must be the landing zone,
 shooting some kind of payload on a metal spike into the ground. Said payload,
 once shot, unfolds into a glittering antenna with several integrated, almost
 flower-like solar panels and, more importantly, antennas. *Infrastructure*.

Of a sort.

Rin continues to wave as the vehicle trundles along. She is ignoring her
 targeting computer.

"I ran away from home to join the circus!" Rin continues. "How was the trip!?"

<Pose Tracker> Sagiri Sakurai has posed.

As Ranka's performance concludes, Rami Amasaki stands on the fringes of the
 Nadesico's recreation room, staring on in wonder. It's only then she finally
 looks over at Sagiri; there's a small, fond expression warming her features as
 she takes in the sight of her superior's simple enjoyment. It's heartening, in
 a way.

And then she looks directly off to the side of Sagiri, and gets a good look at
 just -who- said superior has been conversing with now that her secondhand
 embarrassment has started to fade.

Rami's eyes widen as big as dinnerplates.

"Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sher-- F-fairy! Galactic!!" she stumbles out, experiencing a
 momentary lapse in rational thought. She looks starstruck.

And then she realizes Sagiri is there, casually chatting with Sheryl Nome about
 payment rates and-- and-- and--

Rami pales. She looks mortified.

Sagiri, meanwhile, just continues on blithely; whether she knows who Sheryl is
 or is - somehow - completely ignorant of it (both are equally an option,
 honestly), she takes to talking to the Galactic Fairy just as naturally as
 anyone else. She just issues a little snort of amusement at Sheryl's winking
 proclamation; she's even a good enough sport to lift her hand and curl it,
 completing that love symbol with casual aplomb.

"Deculture~!" she proclaims, before she breaks out in a grin again. "Damn,
 that's fun." Her, though? Sagiri considers, looking towards the windows to the
 space beyond as the Nadesico descends.

"Oh, no way," she concedes, simply. "I've been on Earth most of my life, and
 Japan most of that. When I got out of college I figured I'd be making pastries
 somewhere near home, and now I'm here. Kinda puts things in perspective!" A
 fond little smile touches her lips, all the same.

"I used to fantasize about it a bit when I was a kid, though. Joining the crew
 of a Macross. Going into deep space. Being a real explorer. Swimming in the
 sea of stars... It sounds kinda romantic, you know?"

She'd continue -- but as Maya calls out to her, Sagiri's attention turns
 towards the pilot of the Nivalis; her brows lift, green gaze briefly
 widening... and then she eases back into that casual friendliness. "Oh, would
 you look at that? I've heard a bit about your Nivalis!" she declares, a
 sporting lopsided smile. "I guess that means we'll be working together, but
 don't think that means I'm gonna go easy on you." Her competitive streak has
 been triggered now, there's no going back. After all -- it's her paycheck on
 the line!

Which doesn't stop her at all from offering Maya a fingergun and a wink.

"Looking forward to seeing what you can do, Maya Jintek."

And just like that... they arrive. As they do, Sagiri blinks, taking in the
 immense sight of that Macross -- a full Macross -- stretched out on the
 horizon. She puts together the dots quickly enough -- quick enough that
 surprise swiftly tempers into something more impassive. She looks sidelong to
 Rami in the distance, looking at that metal colossus, her hands clenched
 together in front of her so tightly they quiver.

Its with a quiet movement that Sagiri gradually brings herself closer to Rami,
 if only to lay a single hand on her shoulder. She says nothing, merely offers
 that wordless support. Rami blinks. She looks up. And under that quiet
 gesture, she relaxes, even if only fractionally, before the two move to
 disembark.

"C'mon, Rami! Time is money!"

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        A long, exhausted, satisfied sigh of pure relief when the Nadesico
 finally makes landfall. Despite her disheveled, useless state, Yurika's been
 poking the right buttons and making the right commands by a hair's thread of
 sanity! The sight of a Macross looming over the landscape barely even
 registers. Okay cool. Alien planet. Weird alien superstructures. Nice! Cool.

        "I mean...I will wanna...go out there myself, of course," the captain
 murmurs over to Maya. "...but yeees, please, Maya-chan, take lots of them for
 me, aaaaaaugh. I'll cherish you foreeeeeeeveeeeeer..."

        "I'm not...taking a NAP on a MYSTERIOUS UNCHARTED PLANET, Trevooooor!!
 I'm taking a LONG SLEEP in my FAMILIAR AND COMFY BED. J...just as soon as this
 is finished. Just as soon as we're VERY sure we're not about to be shot at by
 some mysterious - " Yurika actually looks at the downed Macross, and
 shivers, "...nooooo PLEASE don't let that thing be hostile somehow. p l e a s
 e, I beg you whatever generous, benevolent, wonderful and adorable god may
 happen to smile upon this beautiful planet of yours. Unless you're a vengeful
 god who hates this planet in which case I'm sorryyyyyyyyy."

        Minato, for her part, just gives a big old stretch upwards like she
 just pulled a teensy bit of overtime. "Aaaaah, looks like everything's good to
 go, captain~ You and Ruri-chan did great. I'll go make sure Mr. Aoi and Mr.
 Hoary are out of stasis and have them get out here to cover the bridge in the
 meantime."

        "Minatooooo, how are you in such good spirits...ughhhh. Huuuuu. ...I
 can't believe Megumi just up and left right before this...I guess it was
 always going to be three-on and three as backup, so like I guess make sure Mr.
 Prospector's also awake, but aaaa..."

        Tapping her console to finally go into sleep mode, Yurika slumps over
 it like she'd just outright slumber then and there, head turned sideways to
 stare groggily at Hikaru. "...uah...I don't think sleep is gonna be enough...I
 can't imagine I'm gonna wake up from the warm sheets and want anything except
 to be in a warm bath and eating warm soup and bundling up in warm clothes and
 aaa." Head tilting perks additionally towards Sheryl over yonder. "Oh. I'm
 sorryyyy you have to see me like this, Sheryyyyyl. I promise...I promiiiise,
 I'm gonna...be tucked in...and...get a good...zzz..." Oh No! she's falling
 asleep right then and there!

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


As Sheryl points it out, Ranka whirls around, "Oh! Sheryl! Gosh I was too
 focused on my performance-!" As she agrees with her to Monica, "I certainly
 think it is! I mean maybe they'll just leave us alone this whole expedition?"

And indeed, as Sheryl points out the view, she calls out, "Coming!" Following
 behind her, as they enter the atmosphere...

Ranka gets a view of it, the Macross a distance from Sheryl...

Her pupils abruptly dilate, and her arms fall limp at her sides.

        Flashes
                A woman's hand holding hers.
        A young boy running alongside her.
                 Indistinct
                          Indistinct
        Indistinct
        The view out of a circular aperture as everything

Pain pain pain PAIN it all fades away to white before being erased into the
 darkness of a young mind

Ranka lets out a subdued sound of distress, as she doubles over, folding her
 arms over her abdomen. It's an active effort as she smiles behind Sheryl, as
 she races to disembark.

"Go on ahead! I'll catch up!"

Ranka keeps a smile on her face. Everyone should be enjoying this, not dealing
 with her 'moments'.

But she's definitely going to sit down for a while before disembarking.

As Rita speaks to her psychically, she startles, after receiving such a shock,
 and her eyes go wide, as she straightens up, sweating.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Please look forward to more of my music in the future!

There's a tinge of anxiety, distress there, but it's slowly starting to fade,
 as she moves elsewhere on the recreation deck and takes a seat, "Five
 minutes." She whispered to herself, trying to breathe to keep her hands from
 getting to the point where they start shaking, "Take five minutes then I'll
 get up and be a professional again." A breath, she takes a breath, counting
 between them, as she buries her face in her hands, "Just like Sheryl."

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         After a bit, Edelweiss disembarks, directing one of the batches of
 unloading cargo, waving her hands and shrilly yelling. "Ja, that way! I will
 need a good amount of sunlight! Und if I see a single broken beaker, you are
 getting an invoice from the Concern!" As her equipment is taken to a proper
 area, she brushes her labcoat and whistles to her interns, who had been
 milling with some of the other passengers and generally admiring the view.
 "Make sure they drop it off properly!" The two interns sigh and go off,
 leaving Edelweiss to look around, getting her first good look at the alien
 landscape. "I suppose it is quite something."

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

Trevor fully bathes in his role as the scoundrel pirate when Hikaru accuses
 him, just as she expected. "I expected nothing less from you, frustratingly
 charming as you are~ you may as well have fun at least!" Rita's fully into it,
 too. "Oh you -- maybe you're the real scoundrel after all! You have way
 more game than I thought, Rita!" She can't help but laugh out loud.

Continuing to chat with Maya, it seems like she's a fan of Ranka Lee herself!
 "I'm more of an anison gal myself," she clarifies, before smiling. "But how
 can I say no to such a fun and heartfelt performance! Of course I have
 respect for the passion artists like Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee put into their
 work. In other words... I think I'll take you up on that!" It just doesn't
 feel right without a glowstick. "Come to think... last concert I showed up to
 was pretty weird though."

It's time to make landing! Hikaru takes in every second of it - eager to see
 what a *whole new planet* has got in store for them. "It's not just different
 from Earth! This is nothing like the colonies either, wow..." She adds, when
 Sagiri reminisces about seeing the stars so far away, making a dramatic
 motion. "I've never seen sights or smelled smells like this!"

But most eye-drawing for her is that massive robot-like form, trapped in the
 lake, grown over by nature. Hikaru's eyes sparkle. This is pretty much how
 they found Gekiganger. "A lost Super Robot found in the ruins of a planet far
 away, averted from human eyes... this is a story in the making!" You have full
 permission to rib her and remind her, no, that's a Macross, dummy.

Yurika then, begins to edge on the incomprehensible, as she loses more and more
 energy, fantasizing about the comforts of life. "I-I mean... I guess that
 can all be arranged?" Hikaru scratches her cheek. "If everything goes well,
 it's not like we're gonna be at battle stations or anything..."

And Yurika falls asleep - the first trial in what's bound to be a very long
 trip for Hikaru. "Alright... that's it! I'm getting you to bed, Captain, even
 if I gotta carry you!" She puffs up her chest, finding a blanket that was
 totally there this whole time, and wrapping the sleeping Yurika like a cocoon.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Yurika's pleas appear to be heard by whatever gods or mysterious forces
 that exists in the universe. For as the Phenex lands on the head of the
 Macross, nothing happens! It doesn't start shooting! Phew. Although the hull
 does creak a little under the Phenex's weight. It's probably a safe perch...
 Probably.

        Alto would go into further details about some of the earlier alien
 cultures encountered by the various Macross fleets, but it's time to
 disembark! Alto himself makes his way off the Quarter and out onto the
 planet's surface. He's still wearing is flight suit, as he's still technically
 on standby. Plus he does have a patrol coming up later...

        Speaking off, a pair of VF-25s blast away off the Quarter's flight
 deck, quickly rising and starting to head outwards to further scout the
 surroundings. Alto watches them fly away, silently jealous that he's not yet
 up there. But for now he settles on walking out to observe as workers from the
 various ships start to set up the camp.

        Trucks roll down ramps carrying large prefabricated module components.
 A few mobile worker mechs follow behind, slated to help construct the modular
 habitats. Others help to clear away the few larger plants that have managed to
 grow in this clearing, providing space for the camp.

        One of those disembarking from the Quarter would be known amongst most
 of the expedition: Lieutenant Catherine Glass. The one generally all round
 responsible for the expedition's organization, with support from the Quarter's
 bridge operators. Lieutenant Glass is already shouting orders out loud and
 across comms, helping to organize the setup, "Grid 1 has been designated the
 location for command and medical facilities! Grid 2 for quarters and
 recreational structures! Grid 3 is the research labs and Grid 4 is storage.
 Ensure you are delivering the marked modules to their appropriate locations!"

<Pose Tracker> Trevor Teach has posed.

Feet are, indeed, feet. "Hmhmhm, one small step for Rita, one great leap for
 humankind. I know you must've seen a lot of incredible things aboard the
 Phenex, but... this really is something else, isn't it?"

Isadore surfs down into the atmosphere, their velocity dragging slowly toward
 something a little more reasonable as the crimson glow of reentry fades into
 the blue of the Phenex's embrace. Managing something like this... Well, he
 has done pretty impressive things, but 'safely reentering into the
 atmosphere of an alien world' is really something novel, even for him! Still,
 nobody's shooting at him, so it's still easier than that.

"Aww, but there's really nothing better when you're tired than taking a nap in
 the nice warm sun, is there?" Trevor laughs disarmingly; does he sincerely
 believe it himself? There's no deception or disingenuity at all in his tone,
 almost as if...

...For someone who spent his entire life so far from the Earth, and even
 further from the sun, the idea of a nap in the grass under warm rays and a
 cool breeze really is something worth treasuring.

But hey, he's not Yurika, and he has no idea how cozy her bed is. So!!

"Oh no, is it true? All this time, was it me who was actually stolen...?"
 Trevor feigns dramatically, you can almost taste the overracting, "Taken by
 a greedy goddess to warm her nest, what a fate...!"

And then--

A shadow falls across it all. Isadore voices an alert, and Trevor suddenly goes
 quiet. "That..." he murmurs-- he's seen pictures before. The Captain had one
 on his desk, back home on Vesta. A silhouette almost identical to the SDF-1 in
 battle mode. "...That's... a Macross-class. One of the old ones. I've only
 seen them in records before, but... Why is it standing up like that? I know
 the SDF-1 rested upright in a lake on Earth, but that was all to preserve the
 joints. Standing like this on a planet... They only do that for battle, don't
 they?"

...It's eerie, seeing it so absolutely quiet. Trevor guides Isadore close,
 following cautiously after Rita. They startle when the Phenex just-- perches
 on the Macross' head, but it doesn't do much of anything in response. "I...
 guess not. Be careful, Rita. This is tickling my Something Weird Happened Here
 senses pretty bad."

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        "Hmmm... It is romantic. After all, you made your dream come true,"
 Sheryl tells Sagiri with a smile.
        
        That smile broadens as Ranka comes over to join them. Then she gazes
 out again with her at the planet on descent. Because of that--because she has
 no particular psychic sensitivity--she doesn't notice the change in Ranka's
 expression. She's off to race off the Nadesico when she turns back--her sharp
 ears catch that little sound--but Ranka smiles and tells her she'll catch up.
        
        "..." So Sheryl smiles back. She knows better than anyone that
 sometimes, having someone put a spotlight on your pain makes it worse. If
 Ranka needs a moment, she'll pretend she didn't notice. "See you later, then~"
 she lilts, and moves on.
        
        Yurika, by comparison, is someone who just can't be ignored. Sheryl
 huffs at her and shakes her head a bit as she oozes off to sleep as she
 watches. "Silly woman," she says without reproach. To Hikaru, when she
 declares she's taking Yurika to bed, she nods. "I'll leave you to that, then.
 She seems like she really needs the rest. Gallia IV isn't going anywhere!"
        
        As she hurries out of the Nadesico, she catches Rami's eye and gives
 her a wink.
        
        Seems like she noticed her starstruck moment after all.
        
        Outside, in the open air of the eternal twilight, Sheryl brightens to
 see Rin approach on her pick-up truck. "Rin! Hiii~" she calls back, raising an
 arm over her head to wave. She sets her fists on her hips, shifting her
 weight, and sizes her up. "Did you actually run away?" she wonders.
 Considering what she knows of her background, honestly, Sheryl would believe
 it.
        
        There's lots of trucks disembarking--lots of unpacking to do on a scale
 that Sheryl isn't personally going to be a help with. Maya's suggestion about
 taking photos is a good one, though, and she retrieves her taiyaki phone from her
 cleavage--because where else would she keep it--and raises it to snap shots of
 the ships, the trucks, the planes... and, of course, the Macross. As she scans
 the area, she spots Alto, and with a smile, hurries on over to him.
        
        "Alto~ Did you miss me?" she jokes, getting close enough to bump a
 shoulder into his if he lets her. "We're already here! Though for you, it's
 more like 'finally,' huh?" She hesitates for a moment, glancing over her
 shoulder at the Nadesico. Then she leans in to whisper. "Alto, could you hop
 onto the Nadesico and see if Ranka's all right? Discreetly."
        
        She doesn't explain why she makes this request, but her blue eyes,
 usually so mischievous, are serious.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Now THAT was definitely what she wanted to hear! "Likewise! May the
 best machine and pilot win!" Maya called to Sagiri, giving her a little casual
 salute in response to the fingerguns. While she wouldn't call herself a
 competitive person at heart... she still got fired up about working together
 on machines like this. Even if 'together' meant 'against' in this context. She
 wanted to see the Nivalis and Tyranado go head to head, learn from it, go back
 to the drawing board and refine things. She'd already learned a lot from her
 first mock battle with Alto, but more data was always good. Though one on one
 wasn't the only measure of a good design, it was also a lot of fun. Her heart
 was already racing at the idea of being able to go up against Sagiri.

         Yurika was still out of it, but she'd given her... enthusiastic
 approval to go sightseeing? "I'm sure the photos will be able to amp you up
 for your own adventure when you're feeling better." Maya reassured the
 Captain, hoping that she'll do the sensible thing and sleep now that they were
 out of Fold Space. It also looked like she was almost right about Hikaru, too.
 "Anison?" She had to think for a little bit before it clicked, and she slapped
 the front of her palm in realisation. "Oh, anime songs? I haven't really
 watched a lot, although I do know they have some great soundtracks. Maybe you
 could give me some recommendations? And no problem, I'll have some glowsticks
 for you later and we can cheer on both of our ship's idols!" She had no idea
 what she was getting herself into with her innocent question. Her last remark
 couldn't go by without comment, however. "That's a Macross, not a Super Robot.
 Maybe you need to update your glasses prescription, silly." The woman ribbed
 her gently as she left her to deal with the Captain.

         As per Yurika's request, she was taking as many photos as possible,
 whether of people at work or of the surroundings. The first time on an alien
 planet... it really was something to behold. As she was doing so, a car pulled
 up and a friend of Sheryl's greeted her. Maya figured that was worthy of a
 snap - she wasn't the sort of upload things publicly for everyone, but it'd be
 nice for herself, and she could share it with Sheryl later perhaps. Suddenly
 she's got another phone in her hands - an unfamiliar but cute design that
 Sheryl had been hiding in a secret space - and was asked to take photos for
 her as well. "Oh, ah, sure!" Maya said, taking on this additional duty as she
 saw who she was going to speak with. 'Oh, Alto!' She'd gotten into an
 engagement with him earlier, and he seemed like a reliable sort. It looked
 like he was another friend of Sheryl's. She immediately went to go and take a
 photo of Sheryl and Alto talking, and then realised. 'Hang on. How do I work
 this thing?!' "Um, is it OK if I remotely connect with this?" Maya called out
 to Sheryl and she held up her hands to show off her IFS implants.

<Pose Tracker> Rita Bernal has posed.

Ranka can hear Rita. The Newtype Spirit brightens, pleasantly surprised (a
 very rare sensation for her.)

You can hear me! My name is Rita Bernal. I am the Phenex. I can't wait to meet
 you! I'm definitely looking forward to it.

It's not much of an explanation, but hopefully it's enough until Ranka and Rita
 can meet face-to-face. Rita pauses. As her excitement over being heard
 passes, she gets a glimpse into Ranka's feelings, and frowns.

Are you alright, Ranka? You feel upset.

Her worry momentarily sidelined, Rita turns her attention back to Hikaru's
 voice. Rita smiles to hear her laughter -- the Phenex twirling in a sweet,
 bashful gesture. Rita never knew she had game... She's got to remember
 what she did, if it's getting this much positive feedback!

I'll watch over you while you take a nap in the sun later, Trevor. I want to
 try it too, someday. When it's my turn, you can watch over me!

It's the sort of promise the Heart of the Firebird could never make before --
 one looking to the future and seeing kindness and hope, for all its mystery.
 Rita takes a moment to think about what she's done, smiling as she brings both
 illusory hands over her heart.

Maybe things really can get better.

Yes! Watch out! You're far too handsome a prize to let out of my grasp!

Rita teases Trevor, with a giggle. This is game, right? This sort of
 playful-threatening? She resolves to spend time thinking of more
 game-sentences when everyone is sleeping.

As the pirate identifies the ancient Macross, and the machine groans beneath
 the Phenex's feet, Rita lifts herself back into the air. She doesn't want to
 be responsible for breaking it. Maybe the other Macrosses know it, or perhaps
 the human beings want something with it. Either way, it seems unimportant for
 the time being, now that she's explored the entirety of its outside.

I don't really know much about Macrosses. They were never important to the
 path. I guess we saw one in Full Frontal's vision, though, right? This can't
 be the same one...

If Trevor thinks it's Weird, Rita will definitely leave it alone. Turning her
 back on the standing giant, the Phenex faces the Isadore again. It looks like
 the others are beginning to set up camp -- something she could probably help
 with... But Rita doesn't particularly want to. It's far more fun playing with
 Trevor like this.

Scanning the horizon for something else interesting to explore with her pirate,
 Rita feels something familiar. Familiar in a way that sends a chill through
 her incandescent heart.

Scientist.

She doesn't know who this person is, or what their intentions are. Some small
 part of Rita reminds her of Koji Kabuto -- a proclaimed Scientist who does no
 harm to others. But is that one example really enough to counter twenty years
 of suffering?

The Phenex hesitates, though the fire around her leaps up, scorching the air
 with new brilliance. If these people brought a Scientist with them, there must
 be a reason. It must be a good one, like Koji.

Rita almost convinces herself, until she realizes the Scientist is down there
 with Sheryl Nome. The Phenex jolts in midair, then darts up and around the
 Isadore, rocketing toward the ground. Heedless of those around Edelweiss, the
 golden Gundam comes to a halt just before the Scientist, both her wing-like
 shields rising from her back to float menacingly above her shoulders.

whatWHATwhat are YOU DOING HERE?

It's an echoed, furious demand from the Heart of the Phenex, a shouted warning.
 Rita shows remarkable restraint, in her mind, not immediately destroying the
 Scientist or lifting her with her psychic strength.

The threat must be clear even to those with hearts unable to hear Rita's voice.

I feel your heart, I know what you are. Why are you here?! What are you
 planning?

<Pose Tracker> Rin Naujakaite has posed.


Rin looks at Sheryl and there's a meditative moment on Rin's part. One of the
 people in the truck bed bang on the roof a couple of times. Rin takes a moment
 to tend to her targeting reticule and

FOOMPH!

shoots another antenna module into the ground. As it unfolds, she hops out of
 the gun station, walking towards Sheryl and giving her a finger-gun. "Kind of.
 It's complicated! I'll tell you the whole thing later. See, I told you," she
 tells Alto, before she turns her head to look around.

Immediately, she gravitates onto Maya. "Huuuuuhhh what year you got there?" Rin
 asks. "What are you trying to do? Is it going nuts trying to connect to a cell
 network? I had to deal with that with my Gamestater the other day, since it
 was trying to call home in fold space. Ha!"

A beat. (In the background, the two people still in the truck seem to be taking
 a break.)

Rin asks Maya, pointing at her hands, "So what are those exactly?" ("Try
 tickling it.")

Rin then comes to a sudden halt, turning her head, at the manifestation of the
 golden Gundam. "... uh..." (In the background, the truck goes into reverse and
 accelerates back towards the Quarter.)

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         Dr. Franziska Edelweiss, a Woman of Science, jumps at the appearance
 of the Phenex, looking up at the mobile suit, then around her to anybody else
 the thing might be threatening, and then back up. Edelweiss' heart is by no
 means open, but even she can feel the immense pressure of the golden suit's
 presence.

         She coughs into her gloved hand, attempting to regain her composure
 before letting out a chuckle. "Haha, you must be part of the defense force,
 then? Dr. Franziska Edelweiss, Janus Research Concern. I am here as a
 scientific advisor, no more." Her eyes narrow and her mouth curls into a
 smirk. "Why don't you...come out of that mobile suit and we can come to a
 better first impression, ja?"

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Ranka BELIEVES at least that Sheryl didn't catch that. Which she's grateful
 for, collapsing after a performance? What would Sheryl think???

Ranka at least knows it's unprofessional behavior...

With her face rubbing across her hands, she takes some time, trying her best to
 feel out Rita, she's not used to communicating like this. Not really, usually
 it comes only through a connection while she's singing with Sheryl.

I can hear you. I'm alright. I just get these spells.

Her breathing is finally slowing down, as she clasps her hands together anyway.

They're not worth being concerned about. There's nothing to be done about them.

Ranka finally trusts herself to get up, as she starts to walk towards the
 viewport.

It's all in my head.

A glance again, as she tries to make certain she can look at it, tolerate it.
 After a moment, she feels nauseous, and tears her eyes away.

Eventually, she slowly walks to disembark. Her pace is slow, measured towards
 the ramp, as she wears a smile on her face.

At the moment she's really trying to put on the appearance like nothing is
 wrong, because - nothing should be wrong. There's nothing in her mind that
 ought to be triggered by a world like this.

But the harder she tries to act like nothing is wrong, perhaps the more
 inevitable it is that she should bump into precisely the person that Sheryl
 sent to her.

<Pose Tracker> Sagiri Sakurai has posed.

Poor Yurika. Sagiri knows that look. That's the look of a sleepless zombie.
 That's the 'overworked by a factor of infinity and teetering on the brink of
 sleep deprivation delirium.' It's too real; they might belong to dread
 Corporate Rivals, but Sagiri can't help but wince in sympathy as she catches
 sight of the slumping Yurika seconds before she departs from the Nadesico. She
 pauses, snapping off a salute.

"Get some sleep, cap'n," she offers, just before she drags Rami off.

"U-um!" Rami stutters as she stumbles. "I appreciate all your hard work getting
 us heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere--!"

And then they're gone.

"You mean you don't have any idea who that was at ALL?"

"Huh? Why should I? I mean, she was very pretty. Oh! Is she an actress?"

"She's Sheryl Nome! Sheryl! Nome! The Galactic Fairy!!"

"Oh!"

The is the argument that Sagiri Sakurai and Rami Amasaki are currently
 engrossed in as they wander out into the vast expanse of Gallia IV. Rami, for
 her part, manages to keep it a hushed thing, until they reach this point:
 where Sagiri, scratching her cheek in lackadaisical bemusement, remarks,

"I mean, I'm more of a Fire Bomber gal..."

Whereupon Rami just stares at her, expression blanched, for five solid seconds
 of uninterrupted, horrified silence. Sagiri pauses. Blinks.

"Uh. I mean. Do you have some of her music? I'll give it a listen--"

"FIRE BOMBER?! WHO LIKES FIRE BOMBER MORE THAN THE GALACTIC FAIRY!"

And this is the sound of Rami Amasaki at her wits end, shouting a primal
 frustration that has been with all intelligent lifeforms since the dawn of
 civilization: MUSIC WARS.

A second passes. And slowly, it sinks in for Rami just how loud she shouted,
 how close Sheryl - and Ranka, RANKA LEE! - are. She pales. For two seconds,
 she looks like a stray breeze might shatter her. Sagiri is staring at her.
 -Staring-. Oh god. Is that a sympathy wince--?! NO

And so it ought to be understandable, how she shoves her phone into Sagiri's
 hands with an abrupt, "HER MUSIC IS ON HERE OKAY" and starts stomping off
 very quickly oh god get her out of this planet now.

"But this is your phone--" Sagiri starts to call.

"KEEPITI'MGOINGTOHELPMAKECAMP."

"... Huh. Okay. Well, I can probably figure out her password."

Pocketing that phone, Sagiri takes a moment before she looks around her. She
 flashes a grin and a thumbs up Hikaru's way. "We've got to make sure to get
 plenty of memories here!" A second passes. "And photos! Amies will probably
 want some video footage. Hm..."

Another second passes. Sagiri looks in the direction Rami stormed off.

"... She'll probably be fine," she murmurs, half to herself. At the very
 least... whatever was worrying her is probably far from her thoughts, now.

And that's good. Right?

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        "A preliminary planning session is scheduled for fifteen hundred,
 expedition time. Remember! This planet is tidally locked, meaning the suns
 will always be in the same position. This can make it far easier to lose track
 of time. Make sure to always have a clock on you in some form!"

        With that announcement, Alto instinctively glances down at his phone on
 his wrist... A gift from Ranka. It makes him smile for a moment, before
 focusing on the time displayed. Still a few hours away.

        Alto is still looking at his phone when Sheryl walks up. Her arrival is
 a bit of a surprise to him, which shows on his face. Though when she asks if
 he missed her, there's a tinge to his face for a moment. Apparently he did?
 After all, he wasn't one of those who went into stasis. So he had the whole
 journey to not run into Sheryl at all. However, he does joke back, "Things
 were certainly quieter."

        As Sheryl mentions their arrival and more particularly it being
 'finally' for him, he nods, "Wasn't much to do except sit around on standby...
 But now..." He looks up to the sky tinged with the orange of dusk, "A new sky
 to fly in..."

        As Sheryl asks a favor of him, he looks back at her and blinks. He's
 not sure if something's up, after all Ranka seemed fine during her
 performance. But he obviously replies, "Uh... Sure." Maya's call out to Sheryl
 does grab Alto's attention for a moment and he gives her a nod in greeting,
 before turning and starting to head towards the Nadesico.

        Meanwhile, as the Phenex flies down to confront the good Doctor, a
 number of workers setting up camp in the area are shocked by the Gundam's
 sudden appearance. It also doesn't go unnoticed by Lieutenant Glass, who
 shouts over comms, "Hey, you! The camp airspace is a no fly zone! We can't
 have engine thrust damaging the structures or kicking up dirt. Land at the
 clearing outskirts and walk in if you must!" Whoops, Rita got in trouble!

        With Ranka a little distracted by her current state... And Alto briefly
 distracted by the shenanningans of the Phenex... Bumping into precisely the
 person that Sheryl sent becomes literal, as Alto accidentally walks into Ranka!

        The resulting collision is hardly painful, given neither one was in a
 particular rush. But nonetheless it is a surprise! Thankfully though Alto
 reacts quickly to hold Ranka to keep her from falling, quickly saying, "Ah!
 Sorry... Are you alright?" At this point he could be asking about either the
 collision or what apparently happened earlier.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        A shivery salute from Yurika to Sagiri, from one fellow cog in the
 machine to another. Minato may somehow thrive here, Ruri may be a strange fey
 creature who can do anything, but even if they have rivaling companies, Yurika
 sees like in like. "...H...have fun out theeeere, Sagiriiiiiiin, fwah-"

        Consumed by blanketeering, a totally teary-eyed Yurika bundled into a
 convenient and portable package beneath Hikaru's arm, head poking out from the
 chrysalis. Somehow she seems to have shrunk a few sizes or two, considering
 how well she compacts beneath the shorter pilot's arm, like a rolled up yoga
 mat.

        "...Hikaruuuu I owe you my life I don't think I could've made it to bed
 on my own..." she mopes, half-complaining and half-snoring. She's entered a
 true twilight zone between wakefulness and snooziness. Disaster would've been
 imminent without intervention (falling asleep at your desk is disaster).

                < ~hidden route points +3! >

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


The collison is hardly painful of course, but Ranka startles backwards, as she
 rubs her head, "Hachacha-" Before she looks upwards, "Oh! Alto!"

She smiles at him warmly, though the smile grows more subdued as she murmurs
 quietly, "I just - you know, one of my spells? It's already passed. I don't
 know what brought it on."

As she tries to just, pep up some at that, "Y-You know I think I'm getting
 stronger actually." As she tries to take the positive out of it, "I haven't
 passed out in forever. And I just - I bring myself out of them more often
 than not."

As she then asks more quietly, "That's... good right? Maybe I'll just, get
 over them, the further I go."

At Rami's shout, Ranka's hair leaps, as the now interstellar superstar idol
 looks right at the woman away from Alto. "Uh! My older brother prefers Fire
 Bomber most of all!" She rubs the back of her neck, "And a really good friend
 of mine is a huge Basara Nekki fan!"

Ranka Lee, apparently caught in the music war, balls up her fists, looking a
 touch lost, before she takes a deep breath, "I think it's... that's- that's
 valid..."

Nope she's gone.

<Pose Tracker> Rita Bernal has posed.

The things in your head are just as real as the things outside of it.

Rita offers this advice simply. No judgment is passed on Ranka's denial of her
 distress, the Heart of the Phenex would be a hypocrite to do so.

Nothing happens without meaning, Ranka.

Rita does not heed the trucks screeching away, or the fear radiating from the
 people around her. The illusory flames licking at the Phenex have all the
 appearance of true fire, though they do not actually burn the Gundam's armor,
 nor catch the ground aflame.

It takes her a moment to realize Edelweiss cannot actually hear her. Naturally.
 Scientists' hearts are cut off from Miracles by way of their crimes against
 their fellow human beings.

A part of Rita wildly wishes for Zoltan's presence, so she could demand he
 translate for her.

A military man scolds her, but Rita ignores him. That type is always shouting
 something. The Phenex merely glows a more brilliant blue in response, a threat
 for a threat. Somehow, there is no blowback from engines or thrusters, and no
 noise from either. It's as though the Phenex simply flies on its own merit,
 rather than being propelled by any mechanical means.

Leave the suit, they both ask of her. Here in the open, she won't be able
 to use the hard-light projector -- it cannot broadcast anywhere but enclosed
 spaces. At least, that's how Koji explained it.

Rita does have one other option. The Gundam's massive, armored hands come
 forward and begin to move.

<No. I am P H E N E X.> Rita fingerspells. Her signing is a mixture of several
 different sign languages, dialect chosen on its ability to be performed with a
 Gundam's inflexible hands. <I do not trust. Leave. I will not allow.>

One hand balls into a fist, rotates, and points a single, accusing finger at
 Edelweiss.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         As she tried to work the Taiyaki phone - making sure to take a photo
 with her own to make sure that there was at least SOMETHING she could give to
 Sheryl by the end if she couldn't work through this, Sheryl's friend in the
 car approached. With a scattershot of questions. "Oh, ah, well, I've got
 Nergal Daybreak III - work phone that works great while in range of the
 Nadesico. And these," Maya said, pointing at the symbols on her hands, "are my
 IFS implants! Nanomachines for linking up with machines. I don't want to-"

         She about to say that she didn't want to use them to access Sheryl's
 phone without permission as it was quite a bit more invasive than knowing
 someone's password, when a golden robot flew down from above to loom above
 them all, its attention focused on someone else. That was... the one that was
 with Trevor, right? The one that the ghost was supposed to inhabit! While she
 couldn't see or hear Rita, the longer she was on the ship the more confident
 she was that it- SHE was real. But this time... THIS time she heard something.
 It was more than just a chilly aura or anything; she heard a voice. A divine
 voice that echoed in her head, capable of smiting that which crawled on the
 Earth. Or Gallia IV in this case. "R... Rita?" Maya called out weakly, too
 shocked and confused to do anything else. She didn't understand the hand
 signs, but she understood the voice and the body language. She was mad for
 some reason.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        Sheryl raises an eyebrow at Rin's answer as she gets out of her vehicle
 and walks over. "Sounds like a hell of a story! You'll definitely have to dish
 later." She's about to say more when suddenly there is some LOUD YELLING
 nearby about WHO WOULD EVER LIKE FIRE BOMBER MORE THAN THE GALACTIC FAIRY.
 Sheryl's eyebrows rise higher at Rami and Sagiri, and she smirks with a
 distinct 'ufu~.' She might not have her microphone on hand right now, but even
 so, she raises her voice in a capella to sing one of Fire Bomber's iconic
 songs:
        
        "You've got a love heart in your chest too
        "Don't mess around, just accept your destiny
        "To the furthest reaches, billions of light years away,
        "Charge! Love heart~"
        
        She winks at Rami as she escapes her own embarrassment. "Consider that
 a free sample, from one fan to another," she calls to Sagiri. "And consider
 yourself lucky! I hardly ever do this kind of fan service. <3"
        
        (But not the other kind of fan service, as her phone storage space
 amply demonstrated.)
        
        "Without the dulcet tones of my mellifluous voice? I'm sure they were!"
 Sheryl shoots back to Alto, flipping her hair back with one hand. She softens
 as she gazes up at the sky with him. "I bet you're happy now you can get to
 the good part." She raises a hand through her hair again, but the gesture's
 more demure this time. "...I'm looking forward to flying with you."
        
        That's her concession to herself. She's worried about Ranka, and she
 cares about her very much--enough to send Alto into her arms--but that hardly
 means she's given up.
        
        Still, it's good that Maya can supply a distraction for her. As Alto
 leaves and Maya asks if she can connect with her IFSS implants, Sheryl purses
 her lips. "I think my manager would be really annoyed with me if I let you
 do that," she admits, then jogs back over to her. "Never mind! We can--"
        
        The rest of what she has to say is cut off when the Phenex blasts back
 to camp, descending near Franziska to--Sheryl claps her hands over her ears,
 but this isn't a voice heard by the body. It's almost like those times where
 she could hear Ranka's voice singing with her... is this--?

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

"Yep! Anime songs!" Hikaru nods enthusiastically. "Well since you asked~ you
 can't go wrong with Gekiganger's OP or any of its many insert songs! Classics
 every last one of them~ each filled with passion and emotion for the desperate
 situations our heroes find themselves in!" Brushing her hair back, she brings
 herself back to reality next to Maya. "Ahaha... isn't a shame we don't have
 Internet this far out? It's a good thing I own the entire series on VHS!"
 One of Gai Daigouji's greatest contributions before his untimely demise was
 making sure Uribatake had all that ancient tech set up in the Nadesico.

"Anyways, what were you saying?" She adjusts her glasses really quick, making
 the imposing form of the Macross a lot more clear. "Ahh... so it is. Totally
 wrong genre! Transformation does not a Super Robot make, I guess?" She slumps
 and giggles, as Maya ribs her. Truly, she's already fitting right into the
 Nadesico's pilot wing!

With that, Hikaru musters all of her strength and muscles she got from Ryoko's
 absolutely BRUTAL and CRUEL training - hey, it actually paid off for this bit!
 And she makes off with the wrapped up Yurika-roll to the Captain's Quarters,
 releasing her with... well, a questionable amount of grace, but it might look
 cool to Yurika anyways! "Hehe... you always look so cool and gallant when
 you're up there in charge, all Captain-like. But it turns out this side of you
 is pretty cute too~" Hey, is that VN UI text above her head? Omoikane, what
 are you doing??..

It's not like Hikaru ever really thought she was the type to be good at caring
 for others like this, but from the sound of Yurika's voice, seems she did a
 pretty good job! "A-Anyways! Guess I better let you get that rest, huh? Sleep
 well and -- call me if you need something, 'kay? I'm probably waaaay too tired
 to go too out far with Maya, Sheryl, and the rest, anyways, ahaha..."

<Pose Tracker> Rin Naujakaite has posed.


"Definitely, if you can find the time. It's a pretty good story," Rin tells
 Sheryl in a slightly-too-fast way with the shrug of one shoulder as Sheryl is
 drawn away by passionate argumentation, free of the peril of Gundams.

("Oh that's really awesome, I never heard about stuff like that. I guess it's
 more common in space, right?" Rin asks Maya. Before...)

Rin is relatively calm about the Gundam. She continues WATCHING it but it isn't
 activating a weapon. This is one of the things Rin has learned. And besides, a
 great machine like that...

Well, on some level she sympathizes with it.

Rin sees the Gundam is making hand signs. Rin doesn't know what they mean but
 they're hand signs.

"I think the Gundam's mad at you, ma'am," Rin says to Dr. Edelweiss,
 "helpfully." "You aren't like an evil scientific advisor, are you?" Her
 hands stay folded behind her head as she asks this.

"I think this is one of the mechs that did orbital entry, too," Rin observes in
 passing. "Is it a Super-AI...?"

Rin cups her hands and shouts up at the Phenex. "Hey! Goldygundam! Did you
 blast out your speakers on the way down!?" Rin lowers her hands as she
 observes, "I actually have no idea if they can hear what I just said." At this
 Rin looks back to Fransizka, then at the ground, then backs away about eight
 or nine paces, very deliberately.

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         Edelweiss, for her part, keeps her cool, holding her hands behind her
 back and looking up at the Gundam. "And where, do you think, shall I go? It is
 not as if I can simply turn around and go back home." One hand comes out to
 sweep across the horizon of Gallia IV. "Would you cast me out into the
 wilderness, to die further than any man has ever lived? How utterly cruel of
 you." Her voice playfully lilts at this half-serious accusation, fully aware
 that she is getting under this pilot's skin and fully aware that there is
 realistically nothing poor Rita can do about it.

         "I am here on official business to conduct research on behalf of the
 Macross Fleet. I research Gallia IV, I research the Vajra, I help save lives.
 It is not too much different from what you do in your fancy machine, if you
 think about it."

         She throws both hands out to her sides, smiling up at Rita. "My
 intentions and actions are, always have been, and always will be, with the
 betterment of mankind's future at heart."

         Rita can probably tell that Edelweiss believes every single word of
 what she is saying.

                  But that's what makes a Scientist dangerous.

         "Now, meine Huttensanger, please heed the good Lieutenant's request.
 We must be getting to work, after all."

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Maya nodded as she listened seriously to Hikaru's recommendations. She
 had no idea what Geckoganger was, but it was clear her comrade was passionate
 about it. "VHS, huh? Wow. I mean, if you aren't worried about breaking it, I'd
 be up for watching it with you some time." She was also admittedly intrigued
 by the old entertainment medium as well, but also it was good to spend time
 with your colleagues, especially on a long voyage like this. And... Hikaru was
 right. Not having the internet was definitely rough.

         Meanwhile, back in the present, tensions were high as the golden Rita
 faced off against this other woman, who was apparently a scientist. "I don't
 think she's a Super AI - she's the ghost girlfriend of the space pirate guy.
 Err, you are his girlfriend, right? Sorry, I don't want to assume and I
 haven't been able to hear you until now. She can definitely hear us, however!"
 Why couldn't they go back to talking about cybernetics and photographs?

<Pose Tracker> Rita Bernal has posed.

Though her cold fear is powerful, the feelings of those around her begin to
 creep into Rita's open heart. The fear and distress she's causing this way...
 She doesn't want to scare these people. Rita came here to protect them, and
 learn about how they live.

Maya calls out Rita's name. The Phenex's head turns to look at her, shields
 slowly lowering back into their spots at the Gundam's shoulders. Sheryl could
 hear this level of volume, it seems, though it hurts her.

Rin translates, somewhat, for the Phenex, though she chastises Rita for her
 volume. Again, the Gundam's head swivels to look at the speaker.

I can hear you. I am a Spirit. I'm Trevor's... I love Trevor.

They haven't exactly defined their relationship.

Wrath and fear slowly ebb away. The Phenex's flames lower, slowly, until the
 golden Gundam is merely outlined with the blue radiance she soars with.

Edelweiss choses this moment to speak up. Would Rita condemn an "innocent"
 Scientist to die in the wilderness?

<Yes.>

The Scientist woman has an excuse prepared for her presence. Research and
 saving lives. This calms the Firebird, until--

betterment of mankind--

How many times have these words been invoked to excuse atrocities? The Phenex's
 eyes glow brilliant blue. Without moving, she carefully passes her strength
 over Edelweiss, lifting the Scientist a few feet into the air. It's gentle.
 There is no pressure exerted, no heat or force. She simply floats.

<Never give me orders.> Rita signs, slowly. <I will watch you. I will not give
 you a second chance.>

With that, Edelweiss is carefully lowered to the ground and released. The
 Phenex lifts herself into the air, slowly and gently, so as not to disturb the
 camp supplies.

Once she's a safe distance away from the others, she accelerates rapidly into
 the air. Near-immediately, she's vanished from sight -- flown into the horizon.

I will come back.

Rita's voice echoes as she leaves. These feelings are too powerful to risk
 around fragile human beings. She may as well explore the planet as she
 re-asserts control over herself.

<Pose Tracker> Sagiri Sakurai has posed.

For a while, Sagiri Sakurai watches the departing Rami, debating whether to
 follow her; ultimately, the chestnut-haired test pilot of VTX just tucks that
 phone away into the interior pocket of her jacket and places her hands on her
 hips, gaze drifting towards the Macross in the distance. She loses herself in
 thought...

... but it's a short-lived thing, as the sounds of a familiar song sung by an
 unfamiliar voice reaches her ears. Pastel green eyes flutter out a blink. She
 looks sidelong, gaze seeking out the source of that voice --

And not once, but twice today, is Sagiri treated to an unexpected performance,
 her surprise a muted thing as she turns; she offers Sheryl her full attention,
 arms crossing under her chest, elbows resting in her palms and head cocking to
 the right.

By the time it's over, she's smiling -- a smile that only grows as Sheryl
 offers that wink to the fleeing Rami, and Ranka offers her own words of
 encouragement, futile as they may be in the moment*.

"Heh," she grins, eyes squinting shut in her delight. "Well, now I feel like
 I'm in your debt! How could I not appreciate someone who can sing a classic
 like that?"

Sheryl says it's a free sample. Sagiri appreciates that. But all the same...

"I owe you one, Ms. Galactic Fairy."

And Sagiri takes her debts very seriously. This may be a good thing or a bad
 thing. Only time will tell--

As it stands, Sagiri is about to make her way campwards when the distinctive,
 golden form of the Phenex makes landfall once again. She's at least aware of
 the Unicorns - it's hard not to be, in her line of work, with the people her
 company has started to associate with - but this one in particular...

Sagiri watches for a moment, brows furrowed as she observes the exchange
 between the seeming mobile suit and the ones scolding her. Her gaze tracks
 towards Edelweiss, as that accusing finger is jabbed. Her brows furrow. ... Is
 that mobile suit...?

She falls into silent thought for a few minutes; to her credit, it doesn't take
 her long to digest and accept the situation as it seems to be presented to
 her. And so, she simply smiles a sharp little smile, locks her hands behind
 the back of her head, and starts walking towards the camp anew as Rita takes
 off.

"I don't think she likes you much," she offers Edelweiss-wards helpfully, as
 she goes.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto looks a little concerned... But he's also realised what this is
 about. Since he actually knows more about Ranka's past than she seems to. At
 least, what she can remember. Alto nods a little in agreement to Ranka
 suggesting she's getting better at handling the episodes. Nonetheless he asks,
 "Don't push yourself too hard, okay? There's a lot of people here to support
 you." Like him, obviously, "And we'd all hate to see you get sick." He smiles
 at Ranka

        The conversation in the general area soon switches over to some talk
 about favourite music. Complete with a short verse from Sheryl. Alto doesn't
 actually say anything throughout it all, though he silently hopes that no one
 tries to ask about his favourite music preferences. Obviously he's in a
 situation where choosing just one would be... Problematic.

<Pose Tracker> Franziska Edelweiss has posed.

         Edelweiss gasps as she is lifted into the air, her facade of composure
 cracking as she flails a bit before being let down. She glares daggers into
 the Phenex's face.

         Newtype is it, then?

         She should have thought.

         She says nothing as the Gundam threatens her and flies off, even as
 her interns rush over and check on her.

         Even when she was trying to get away from the world, the world comes
 back to her. Nobody gets the better of Franziska Edelweiss.

         Rita Bernal would live to regret her actions. If she could call what
 she does living to begin with.

         She turns to point at the nearest SMS member and explodes. "I want
 your men to make sure that damned thing does not approach me again! Do you
 understand me?! And you two! I do not see you calibrating!" The interns
 apologize and rush back over to the mobile laboratory in the process of being
 set up. Edelweiss takes a few breaths and, still fuming, walks back to the
 Quarter, feeling safer inside the Macross for now than out in the open.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Ranka doesn't respond to Rita any longer, disquieted, because-

Trying to figure out the meaning of what goes on her head has never turned out
 well.

So what's the point if she can't DO ANYTHING about it?

Better to just hope she gets strong enough that it just goes away.

And indeed as Alto gives her his words of support, she nods, with a sort of
 intermingled sorrow and joy, "Well - I had to push myself pretty hard to get
 where I am now right? It's - how I've gotten better. Honestly I owe so much
 of that to you. If I hadn't stepped outside of my comfort zone back then -
 well, they used to be much worse."

As she tries to pep up, as she gives him a small wave, "Anyhow - I promise I'm
 full of energy! There's no way I'm gonna collapse or anything out here. In
 fact-" She salutes him with a smile, "-Ranka Lee, honorary SMS Songstress,
 reporting for duty!"

It's all mainly her trying to just, take her mind off things in the end, as
 Sheryl breaks out into Fire Bomber right there, as she just laughs once.

"Nice cover!"

As Ranka then watches Sagiri go, and Ranka smiles at her, "Hoping to convert
 her?" She teases lightly, "Seems you're well on your way."

Sheryl does indicate she'd like to go flying with Alto, which is something she
 catches but, there's more to it there, and Ranka smiles at her.

"Even if you're ahead right now, I'm not giving up - I still think I stand a
 good chance."

There's a sorta, good natured competitive feel for it. Certainly, it's about
 Sagiri as a fan - certainly it's about someone else's feelings too.

Maybe more than that, as well...

<Pose Tracker> Rin Naujakaite has posed.


Oh yeah, Rin thinks: That doctor is SUPER evil.

Maya tells her it's not a super AI, but rather something else. Rin looks at
 Maya.

"Are you shitting me?"

A moment later, Dr. Edelweiss begins to float into the air. Rin's mouth opens
 slightly as she observes this. To Maya, she says quietly, "I think she's gonna
 blow her up." Rin reaches into a pocket, pulling out her own phone, which
 appears to have been subjected to some hasty surgery. Even so it lights up as
 Rin orients it towards the floating Doctor.

...

Rin is honestly kind of relieved when instead Edelweiss is set back down. She
 pockets her phone again.

"Anyway," Rin tells Maya, "that sounds like bullshit but I think that was ghost
 power right there. Did you ever play Haunting of Springer Castle? That was
 like an M2 tier three move there, it's why I expected her to blow up. I'm Rin,
 by the way," Rin tells her, offering a hand. "I ought to get back to work."

A pause as she leans over and waves a hand at her from a distance. (Rin can
 recognize the hair, after all, and for at least a few instants, there wasn't
 anyone between her and Ranka.) "HI RANKA!! GREAT SONG!!" A big thumbs up
 before she turns to go catch up with the truck that is, tentatively, returning
 to the general area of its previous labors.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        Sheryl stares at Maya when she declares this Gundam is Trevor's ghost
 girlfriend. "That--" was a prank they were playing, she stops herself from
 saying. Someone should tell Maya, but she's not going to do that and embarrass
 her in front of everyone. (Which is ultimately good for Sheryl, since she's
 just plain wrong.) "Is good to know," she concludes graciously.
        
        But whether the pilot of that golden Gundam is a 'ghost' or not, it's
 clear from the way it makes that Edelweiss woman FLOAT that it has some
 serious powers. A shiver courses down Sheryl's spine as she watches in
 silence. "Oh my god, I hope not," she murmurs to Rin, even if Rin had been
 talking to Maya. They're all right there, it's the same thing.
        
        Thankfully, it doesn't go that far. Franziska is lowered safely to the
 ground and the Gundam instead flies off, and Sheryl's left with the memory of
 Mineva's announcement. That Newtypes are real...
        
        She glances over at Ranka. That wasn't any surprise to her. But she
 didn't realize they could do things like this too.
        
        Maybe that's where the 'ghost girlfriend' 'joke' really came from.
        
        So she shakes the incident off with a smile. It helps that Sagiri over
 there enjoyed her brief solo. "Become my number one fan and you can consider
 your debt paid," she jokes to Sagiri. "Until then, you'll just have to do your
 best to adore me with all your heart. <3"
        
        Couldn't it be a good thing and a bad thing? Fortunately, she
 doesn't try to ask Alto who his favorite artist is, and nor does anyone
 else so far.
        
        Ranka gets in her own teasing, and Sheryl giggles. "You can't be the
 best if you don't put yourself out there! Every single fan counts. <3" They
 share that smile, and the conversation turns the slightest bit--but not
 necessarily in a bad way. For all the mixed feelings she's had so far...
 "After how far you've come? You'd better not give up!" she teases back.
        
        But she's also completely serious.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        As Ranka 'reports for duty', Alto takes a moment to step back and
 admire her in that uniform a little more closely. He then smiles, saying, "It
 suits you."

        The competitive talk between Ranka and Sheryl then gets Alto a little
 confused, looking between the two with a blank stare as he doesn't clue into
 to what they're talking about.

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Yep, she could DEFINITELY hear her. Maya wasn't sure if she could when
 she was in possession of something like this, but the way the machine was
 behaving showed otherwise. The booming voice in her head was quieter now, but
 that was definitely a response. "Ah... I see..." Lover, but not girlfriend.
 Not wife. Hopefully she hadn't made things awkward. The scientist, meanwhile,
 was attempting to defend herself, though she seemed to be responding to
 something else. She sounded quite angry, as if she were being accused of
 something, which did sound unfair. Though Rita had said that she 'saw'
 something in the scientist's heart. What could that be? What is it that ghosts
 saw that people didn't?

         However, something the scientist said - whether content or tone -
 seemed to anger Rita as she suddenly was lifted from the ground. Not by the
 robot, but in thin air. "Yeah, not shitting you..." Maya was very new to this
 herself so she didn't blame Sheryl's friend for that reaction. She was on
 photo duty, so she quickly snapped a photo of the doctor floating in midair so
 she'd be able to remind herself that yes, the supernatural was VERY real. 'I
 wonder if Yurika will like that? Nah, she seems more like the sort to like a
 hill covered in flowers...' The remark about the scientist blowing up made
 Maya suddenly worried she was about to take a photo of a cloud of blood and
 gore, but thankfully, no, it was just a lady flailing around in midair. "I'm
 glad she didn't explode..."

         It turned out her bystander in arms was named Rin. She shook her hand.
 "Maya, and no, I've not played that one. Horror games are a bit much for me."
 Rin had to go back to work, and as the other woman yelled out to Ranka, Maya
 was reminded that she still had Sheryl's phone and had her own tasks to do!
 THIS one was definitely important. She rushed over to Sheryl, Ranka, and Alto,
 two phones in hand. "Heeeeey! Great performance Ranka! Would I be able to take
 a photo of all of you to remember this occasion?" After that, it'd be time to
 take some pictures of the Macross itself and find a hill with flowers on it.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


"Really?" Ranka grins cheerily at Alto's comment, as she'd been on the fence
 about wearing it, "I do kinda enjoy it."

Whereas when Sheryl teases back, perhaps - she realizes this time, it's not
 quite a tease, as her expression grows more serious, "I won't. There's
 absolutely no way I'd ever give up." She says, resolved, before she then
 smiles, "I'll remember that."

Every. Single. Fan.

But then Maya comes over and Ranka's eyes go a little wide, before she
 brightens up, "Oh sure! I'd be happy to-! Though afterwards, you've gotta
 tell me your name."

She asks her with a slight smile, "Because as a part of this expedition, and
 the Nadesico crew, I'm sure we're gonna run into each other again and again.
 Part of the reason I got my big break was signing up to be their intern, after
 all."

<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.

         Maya beamed at Ranka's response as she took photos both with her own
 phone and Sheryl's, after being shown how to do so. She also offers to take
 photos for anyone else, should they want their own. "Haha, of course! It's
 Maya Jintek. I look forward to working with you as well, and seeing you
 around! Honestly, I'm really happy to have been hired as well. I might have to
 ask you to show me around some time." She'd only been with the Nadesico itself
 for a few weeks now, and all of that was chaos in the preparation for the
 expedition itself. But now she had a photo of herself with both Sheryl and
 Ranka. That one was becoming her home screen pic immediately.