Post by Chan on Nov 23, 2009 23:33:32 GMT -5
Transiting 3 Days from Earth to 2 Days from Earth,
Erinyes, Musai-class
Bridge level
The door to the bridge level hisses open just as Captain Jeanne Schwert reaches it. To her surprise, an engineering team files out of the bridge carrying power tools and assorted equipment. They salute her as they made their way back to engineering. The captain curiously returns the salute as she steps onto the bridge.
Schwert was surprised to find 2nd Lieutenant Wu Jinyuan on there. The reactivated officer is flipping through a clipboard of paperwork which he signs off on and hands to a yeoman. Schwert approaches him as Jinyuan takes a sip of his coffee.
“I’m amazed to find you doing some actual work,” says the captain sarcastically.
“Looks like someone is perky this morning,” retorts Jinyuan as he hands the clipboard over to Schwert,” and you should stick to egg whites or something. Your diet is showing through your composure.”
“My what-?”
Jinyuan taps a particular paragraph on the report in Schwert’s hands. “Read this. Remember that Salamis from about a month ago?”
“Yeah the Salamis that got away-.”
“Well it’s back with some friends.”
“Federal reinforcements? But the MAF intelligence branch hasn’t-“
“Turn the page,” said Jinyuan in between sips of his coffee,” those are the cargo manifest summaries for civilian contractors at the base on Luna II. Compare the two invoices. Two months ago it was at a certain level, and then it peaks briefly.”
“So?”
“The peak is big enough to supply the crews of two Salamis-class ships. On the next page is the photocopy of gross weight supply distribution for the EFSF. The difference is subtle and slight but it shows that the supply capability of one Columbus-class ship is spread over the rest of their logistical fleet.”
Jinyuan makes a spinning motion with his finger, prompting Schwert to turn to the next page.
“This page is an air traffic and meteorological support over the South American continent. We know the Federal headquarters known as Jaburo is there somewhere. While hidden, Jaburo like all military bases controls the airspace over it. We also know that civilian airlines are still operating on Earth. It is standard procedure for Earth bureaucracies to issue warnings to airline companies about military operations no matter how redundant or unnecessary it is. We also know that to launch something from Earth into orbit, it needs to be done under certain conditions.”
The 2nd Lieutenant reaches over the clipboard. For a moment, Schwert thought he was going to grope her bosom like the pervert she knew he is. Her hand drops down to her service pistol, but all Jinyuan does is flip another page on the clipboard.
“Next, we have a report from Cima Galahau. The Musai-class Cleopatra attacked a federal fleet entering Earth Orbit and was promptly by that same fleet the following day. The report goes on to describe what she believes to be two unique prototypes. One of which matches the same type described by Char Arznable at Side 7 but with distinct differences. The second one appears to be the beginning of an attempt by the EFSF to use newtype weapons.”
That last remark caught everyone on the bridge off guard. Schwert looks Jinyuan in the eye only to find him as smug as usual.
“What?” asks Jinyuan,” It is only logical. The EF is large and they are bound to find newtypes eventually.”
“But the Flanagan Agency-“
“Does not hold a monopoly. It may have a majority on the whole Newtype business, but that is all. Now go to the final page.”
“This looks familiar,” comments Schwert.
“Right but it’s different. It’s another civilian contractor invoice along with a dock manifest from Luna II. Now it took me a while to figure it out but the amount of supplies loaded onto the Federal Fleet accounts for all three ships PLUS an anomaly. The dock manifest reports a single Salamis-class ship departing Luna II with no destination. But most importantly, there has been no requisition of armor plating or welding materials.”
Jinyuan crumples the empty coffee container. “In conclusion, we now have a federal space force… most likely built around the Salamis cruiser we ambushed a month ago… composed of three Salamis-class ships or ships of that type… one Columbus-class... one ship sent up from Jaburo… and prototype mobile suits that include a newtype.”
“You figured all of this out, how?” asked Schwert.
“Elementary, my dear Jeanne-“ says Jinyuan in a mock british accent.
“For the last time, do not call me that.”
“Ack, oh well, anyway… The whole Earth Sphere is a collection of bureaucracies. Bureaucracies generate paperwork. Paperwork is copied. Paperwork is filed and sent out. Then more copies are made. All you need is one clever businessman with a nose for logistics to figure it out.”
The elated 2nd Lieutenant did a spin. “And best of all: they’re headed this way!”
The captain of the Erinyes nearly drops the clipboard. “You’re pitting us against a Federal fleet with prototype newtype weapons?!”
“Oh we won’t be alone my dear-.”
“For the last time don’t call me that.”
Jinyuan gestures out the windows. “Fortunately we have the mighty Tivvay-class Lucifier’s Fury with us as well as a dedicated Pazock to supply and repair us. As for the newtype, I’m sure you are aware of my connections. You’ve done background checks on me and the activity at Side 2, 4, and 5….”
He turns and gave Schwert that ever so confident but smug smile. “We can counter or at least make the odds even against the Federal fleet. Our key to victory particularly involves one fact or the lack thereof…”
Jinyuan jabs a finger on the clipboard in Schwert’s hands. “None of the ships that fought at Earth’s Orbit stayed long enough for repairs. Cima is also confident that the ships she fought took direct hits from the Cleopatra. So we’re looking at an enemy who is wounded, enraged by our first encounter, and is operating under an improvised command.”
Captain Schwert was about to remark about Jinyuan’s assumption when she finally took a good look around her bridge.
“What the hell did you do to my bridge, lieutenant?!” she demands.
Wu Jinyuan only smiled as he hoists himself up to his new seat. “I took the liberty of making my own station on the bridge. Afterall, Lady Kycillia appoint me with the responsibility of aiding the Zeon war effort, so I might as well do my work on the bridge.”
Indeed, it was quite an impressive workstation, lined with monitors and control panels surrounding Jinyuan’s chair. Then something odd about the seat caught the captain’s eye.
“Why is there a harness on your seat?” she asks.
“Oh, this is a sports-grade race car seat I appropriated a while ago. I fully expect someone of your stature and dedication to bring us into pitched battle with the EFSF and I don’t want to have to be worried about being flung out of my seat.”
“You’re THIS close to me flinging you out the airlock!”
“But you can’t, can you?” reminds Jinyuan as he leans back in his chair.
Schwert grabs Jinyuan’s chair until they were face to face. “You are a GUEST onboard my ship,” she hisses,” and you will begin to act like a proper Zeon officer instead of a million-dollar playboy!”
He meets her gaze. “But no matter what I am, so long as we win in the long run, that’s all that matters. Right?”
Her teeth clenches tight as her mind cycles through the now familiar visions of how to kill this man. Then with a huff, Schwert sat down at her captain’s chair and scared the perpelexed yeoman when she barked for the morning status report.
Erinyes, Musai-class
Bridge level
The door to the bridge level hisses open just as Captain Jeanne Schwert reaches it. To her surprise, an engineering team files out of the bridge carrying power tools and assorted equipment. They salute her as they made their way back to engineering. The captain curiously returns the salute as she steps onto the bridge.
Schwert was surprised to find 2nd Lieutenant Wu Jinyuan on there. The reactivated officer is flipping through a clipboard of paperwork which he signs off on and hands to a yeoman. Schwert approaches him as Jinyuan takes a sip of his coffee.
“I’m amazed to find you doing some actual work,” says the captain sarcastically.
“Looks like someone is perky this morning,” retorts Jinyuan as he hands the clipboard over to Schwert,” and you should stick to egg whites or something. Your diet is showing through your composure.”
“My what-?”
Jinyuan taps a particular paragraph on the report in Schwert’s hands. “Read this. Remember that Salamis from about a month ago?”
“Yeah the Salamis that got away-.”
“Well it’s back with some friends.”
“Federal reinforcements? But the MAF intelligence branch hasn’t-“
“Turn the page,” said Jinyuan in between sips of his coffee,” those are the cargo manifest summaries for civilian contractors at the base on Luna II. Compare the two invoices. Two months ago it was at a certain level, and then it peaks briefly.”
“So?”
“The peak is big enough to supply the crews of two Salamis-class ships. On the next page is the photocopy of gross weight supply distribution for the EFSF. The difference is subtle and slight but it shows that the supply capability of one Columbus-class ship is spread over the rest of their logistical fleet.”
Jinyuan makes a spinning motion with his finger, prompting Schwert to turn to the next page.
“This page is an air traffic and meteorological support over the South American continent. We know the Federal headquarters known as Jaburo is there somewhere. While hidden, Jaburo like all military bases controls the airspace over it. We also know that civilian airlines are still operating on Earth. It is standard procedure for Earth bureaucracies to issue warnings to airline companies about military operations no matter how redundant or unnecessary it is. We also know that to launch something from Earth into orbit, it needs to be done under certain conditions.”
The 2nd Lieutenant reaches over the clipboard. For a moment, Schwert thought he was going to grope her bosom like the pervert she knew he is. Her hand drops down to her service pistol, but all Jinyuan does is flip another page on the clipboard.
“Next, we have a report from Cima Galahau. The Musai-class Cleopatra attacked a federal fleet entering Earth Orbit and was promptly by that same fleet the following day. The report goes on to describe what she believes to be two unique prototypes. One of which matches the same type described by Char Arznable at Side 7 but with distinct differences. The second one appears to be the beginning of an attempt by the EFSF to use newtype weapons.”
That last remark caught everyone on the bridge off guard. Schwert looks Jinyuan in the eye only to find him as smug as usual.
“What?” asks Jinyuan,” It is only logical. The EF is large and they are bound to find newtypes eventually.”
“But the Flanagan Agency-“
“Does not hold a monopoly. It may have a majority on the whole Newtype business, but that is all. Now go to the final page.”
“This looks familiar,” comments Schwert.
“Right but it’s different. It’s another civilian contractor invoice along with a dock manifest from Luna II. Now it took me a while to figure it out but the amount of supplies loaded onto the Federal Fleet accounts for all three ships PLUS an anomaly. The dock manifest reports a single Salamis-class ship departing Luna II with no destination. But most importantly, there has been no requisition of armor plating or welding materials.”
Jinyuan crumples the empty coffee container. “In conclusion, we now have a federal space force… most likely built around the Salamis cruiser we ambushed a month ago… composed of three Salamis-class ships or ships of that type… one Columbus-class... one ship sent up from Jaburo… and prototype mobile suits that include a newtype.”
“You figured all of this out, how?” asked Schwert.
“Elementary, my dear Jeanne-“ says Jinyuan in a mock british accent.
“For the last time, do not call me that.”
“Ack, oh well, anyway… The whole Earth Sphere is a collection of bureaucracies. Bureaucracies generate paperwork. Paperwork is copied. Paperwork is filed and sent out. Then more copies are made. All you need is one clever businessman with a nose for logistics to figure it out.”
The elated 2nd Lieutenant did a spin. “And best of all: they’re headed this way!”
The captain of the Erinyes nearly drops the clipboard. “You’re pitting us against a Federal fleet with prototype newtype weapons?!”
“Oh we won’t be alone my dear-.”
“For the last time don’t call me that.”
Jinyuan gestures out the windows. “Fortunately we have the mighty Tivvay-class Lucifier’s Fury with us as well as a dedicated Pazock to supply and repair us. As for the newtype, I’m sure you are aware of my connections. You’ve done background checks on me and the activity at Side 2, 4, and 5….”
He turns and gave Schwert that ever so confident but smug smile. “We can counter or at least make the odds even against the Federal fleet. Our key to victory particularly involves one fact or the lack thereof…”
Jinyuan jabs a finger on the clipboard in Schwert’s hands. “None of the ships that fought at Earth’s Orbit stayed long enough for repairs. Cima is also confident that the ships she fought took direct hits from the Cleopatra. So we’re looking at an enemy who is wounded, enraged by our first encounter, and is operating under an improvised command.”
Captain Schwert was about to remark about Jinyuan’s assumption when she finally took a good look around her bridge.
“What the hell did you do to my bridge, lieutenant?!” she demands.
Wu Jinyuan only smiled as he hoists himself up to his new seat. “I took the liberty of making my own station on the bridge. Afterall, Lady Kycillia appoint me with the responsibility of aiding the Zeon war effort, so I might as well do my work on the bridge.”
Indeed, it was quite an impressive workstation, lined with monitors and control panels surrounding Jinyuan’s chair. Then something odd about the seat caught the captain’s eye.
“Why is there a harness on your seat?” she asks.
“Oh, this is a sports-grade race car seat I appropriated a while ago. I fully expect someone of your stature and dedication to bring us into pitched battle with the EFSF and I don’t want to have to be worried about being flung out of my seat.”
“You’re THIS close to me flinging you out the airlock!”
“But you can’t, can you?” reminds Jinyuan as he leans back in his chair.
Schwert grabs Jinyuan’s chair until they were face to face. “You are a GUEST onboard my ship,” she hisses,” and you will begin to act like a proper Zeon officer instead of a million-dollar playboy!”
He meets her gaze. “But no matter what I am, so long as we win in the long run, that’s all that matters. Right?”
Her teeth clenches tight as her mind cycles through the now familiar visions of how to kill this man. Then with a huff, Schwert sat down at her captain’s chair and scared the perpelexed yeoman when she barked for the morning status report.