Point of View: The Ts'usugi

Posted on Fri Sep 9th, 2022 @ 6:46am by Lieutenant Commander Cor Cordale
Edited on on Fri Sep 9th, 2022 @ 7:01am

Mission: Episode 07: “The Koldaran Encounter”
Location: IDS Western Dawn - Primary Fighter Hangar
Timeline: Day 32 at 1130

The fighterbay was a flurry of activity. Technicians were running final checks on their assigned craft, while the pilots had suited up and were simply waiting for the call. All eyes glanced at the yellow light over the main hangar doors, and the countdown that was ticking away. Time until arrival. Time until action. Time until launch.

Drop troop soldiers, dressed in armor and uniform. Drop ship pilots. Fighter pilots, some two to a craft others flew solo. Pilots. Soldiers. Troopers. They all stood ready. They all waited.

"Officer on deck!" came a call as a figure entered the deck, and like thunder everyone snapped to attention. The figure in question had two decorative full circles on their lapel, with half of a third next in line. Black fur, a cap on his head which forced his long ears back, and heavy boots hitting the deck as he made his way in. This was Igashi Nomoto, the Master of Security aboard the ship. The lives and well being of everyone on this ship was his responsibility, and that meant ending the lives of those who threaten that safety was also his responsibility. Today, he'd test both.

"I'll keep this brief." he started. "If this is your first deployment, or if you're on your Three, step forward." and a few stepped forward. Young, he thought as he looked them over. Too young, maybe. Was he that young when he first tasted war? He let the moment settle before he continued. "Today we rush to the aid of the innocent. They are not our allies. They are not our friends. Before one hundred hours ago we did not know they existed. We rush to their aid not to help them, but to stop the Koldaran." he paused to give that name the weight it needed.

"There are apparently others engaged in battle with the Koldaran. They are new to these skies, simple in the ways of war but effective. They are fast, they are clever, but they are new." he chuckled, "Some wear red, watch your targets." and the murmur of other chuckles echoed.

"Pilots, you fly with the Emperor. It is your duty to ensure we never need to look over our shoulders. Troopers, your ancestors go with you. Come back alive and intact, that's an order." and the assembled soldiers snapped back, "Sir, yes sir!"

"Today you fight the Koldaran. They are brutal and savage, they worship their commanders and will give their lives to their leaders. Today it is your responsibility to give them ample opportunity to do so. The Dalacari will be present with us, and there are reports that there are already Dalacari on the field of war before us. This will not do." he seemed amused, rallying the soldiers here. "Those of you who are new. Those of you on your Three. Tell me, who are the Koldaran?"

A technician near one of the Blink Craft stepped up, "Sir, technician special Gibasa. The Koldaran are a species from spinward, outside of protected space who..." but he was cut off. "Wrong." he moved to the next, "Who are the Koldaran?"

One of the ground troops stepped up next, "Sir, ground assault troop Fu. The Koldaran are a military threat, lead by..." and again, Igashi cut her off. "Wrong." and he called to the deck, "Who are the Koldaran?" and the response came back like thunder.

Karera wa tekidesu!

A hundred voices in unison, a hundred hearts as one.

Karera wa tekidesu!

Karera wa tekidesu!

KARERA WA TEKIDESU!

KARERA WA TEKIDESU!

Igashi turned to the newest, the freshest, who never knew the truth of the matter. Removing his hat to let his full ears perk up, showing that one of his ears was missing the top half. Blown clean off by, presumably, an engagement with the Koldaran. "Who are the Koldaran? It's simple." he started.

"They are the enemy."