Private A Royal Encounter

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

Sun activated her own seeker drone, sending off on a tangent course from Iwata's drone, to gather more information. "You two look good together." Sun added after a silent pause, her keen gaze scanning the terrain around them. "Though I don't see what such a gorgeous, popular princess sees in you." The corporal teased boldly, grinning behind the sergeant's back.

Iwata turned again in her saddle. "Well, one night cuddling a Mandalorian and you suddenly become a little thermal detonator." She turned back around, checking the drone's data on her wrist band. "I like it. People should see what you are inside. A mightly Jade Screamer warrior. Just remember to respect those of higher rank." She teased, darting a glare back at the petite soldier. "Besides, maybe you and Barca can teach each other things. In the field, and in the bed." Iwata looked back one more time, waggling her eyebrows at her friend.

"And snuggling with a Princess as made you a a sassy smartass, with all due respect, sergeant." Sun replied with a laugh. "But its good to see you with some spunk."

Iwata held her hand up, halting her Longma. Sun immediately stopped behind her. The sergeant was looking at a holo of the ground ahead, around a bend that the drone was inspecting. "I don't like the looks of that." She said. Dismounting, Iwata slid the crescent blade from its holder on the saddle, hiking a bit ahead and around a rocky outcropping on the path Miyoung's map indicated. She saw the seeker drone hovering over a stretch of what looked like flat dirt. Carefully, Iwata inched forward, holding the weapon in both hands, prodding the ground with the but of the shaft. It was soft. Setting the weapon aside, she picked up a large rock in two hands and tossed it onto the open ground. It settled, but soon sank.

"Sinkhole."

She touched her comm. "Sun, there is a sink hole taking up much of the path up here. Use your drone to scout around the other side of outcropping for a route around." She returned to her Longma, touching her come again on a different frequency. "Miyoung, if you ping our location, I marked a part of the path that contains a sinkhole, we are looking for a way around. If you see one, let us know also."

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

Miyoung was listened as she heard the message. "Acknowledged." SHe said it and as they were going she didn't halt they were still further out from their location. She was looking at the chart and marking it with their location while sending out their drones to look. The caravan was moving and the other scouts going upriver were finding nothing different so far. It helped that when the princess was scaling the side of the rocks by the river her soldiers had their drones observing and reporting. She showed Junko and spoke. "There is a smaller path used for farmers. We wouldn't be able to use it but for moving around you should be able to." SHe sat there and looked at the map trying to determine what they could do. "We are checking your drone data which is helping."

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

Junko stood next to her mount, listening to Miyoung's reply. Sun sat nearby, still on her Longma, at the ready. When the corporal heard the girl's comment about the farmers' path, she checked again on her drone. "Sarge, I found the path, I can lead us to it, that will get us around the sink hole so we can continue to scout."

Iwata looked up and nodded at Sun. She opened the comm channel to Miyoung again. "We have located the path, we will use that as a route around, let us know if you find any alternate paths for the expedition." With that, Iwata vaulted into her saddle and let Sun lead the way to the left, towards the spot where her drone found the intersection with the farmer's path. Iwata recalled her own drone, which returned quickly, mounting itself again to the back of her armor.

"Are you going to kiss her?" Sun asked out of the blue. Iwata looked around at the corporal in surprise. "What? I don't know..." She said almost defensively, before turning around. "I hope so...." She murmured to herself.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

Junko nodded from her spot as she was listening and they continued forward.. Miyoung was looking over the data they were getting and marking the paths for moving slightly quicker in smaller numbers and overlaying them for Iwata and Sun while she was updating. Mostly the paths going for various farms that used to be around and some of them still were but herds of wild longma, kappa and other creatures were roaming around as she watched a few of them. Xifang on the side of the skiff moving and looking but remaining close. Barca was checking things on her scanner as she looked at a few of the things. "My wardroids scanners are running, no weapon emplacements which isn't a surprise but it is reading us, the scouting parties and several gatherings of animals." She was looking at more of it and overlaying. "Topography is looking different, that isn't the only sinkhole." She was using the marker to input the new data with Miyoung to scan the ground for those properties. Miyoung nodded. "Sergeant we are sending new information, scans show several sinkhole on the path but it looks like the river floods and sends it. Likely to smaller caves. We are plotting alternate paths"

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

Iwata listened to Miyoung's transmission with a scowl on her face. Sinkholes were not unheard of, but she had only encountered a rare one or two on patrol. They seemed to be a feature of this mountain range. Her gaze lifted up to the peaks around them, and down into several smaller valleys where the wild herds wandered. She could see the river out in the distance as well.

The Jade Screamer halted, looking back at Sun. "Looks like there are more sinkholes, beware." She admonished. Then she had a thought. Hailing Miyoung on the comm, Iwata asked. "Miyoung, can the sensors on our seeker droids beremotely modified to detect sinkholes?" With the seekers moving ahead of them, low to the ground, they could help identify the holes and prevent the scouts from stepping into them.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

"THey can, their network allows them to be upgraded and modified as needed for updates." SHe said it more matter-of-factly but then gasped. "Oh I get it, one moment." She was moving on it and going over the information as she started to update. "It should be working now." She said it and Junko nodded. "Good luck we are seeing some of the older farms are there." She smiled though and they were looking at a few things they had. THe mounted atrisians could use the paths and the skiffs they had for movement had repulsors if needed just need a little adjustment to the group. "We are looking at plans and if need be we can divide into three groups. The skiffs have repulsors and the mounted riders could follow along the paths... might take longer but we are not on a time table."

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

Junko Ike

Iwata again listened to the young woman. It made sense to break up the group further. The repulsor craft would not be affected by sinkholes. Also, separating the repulsor vehicles from the foot traffic would mean less bottlenecks in the tighter spots between rock outcroppings. "We will continue to plot the paths and keep the drones feeding info to you. We may check out some of the old farms, if the Princess agrees." The Jade Screamer replied.

"The drones have been modified. I will send mine out just ahead, low to the ground to detect sinkholes. Send yours higher and further out for more general scouting." Iwata instructed Sun. The drones released from their armor and whirred away with their commands. The riders urged their mounts forward, noting the suspected sinkholes and skirting around them, the drones automatically feeding data to Miyoung.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

"Permission given." THere was a smile on her face though and they were breaking up more as some of the foot and riders were using smaller paths to not bottleneck it and could follow the overlay. THey didn't bring a massive amount but it would be enough while the repulsor craft were moving ahead and Nari was checking on some of the security. "Those old farm haven't been inhabited in centuries... they could be good places for thieves to camp out here be careful." Atrisia had went a long way towards improving but there was always crime and criminal elements.. just having the bulk of it organized offworld and happy with their own means and profit without authorities leaning on them... well it helped.

Junko was looking at some of it and sent their escort around while one skiff went in front of them and one behind them with the supplies following and the rearguard. She was setting up more and Miyoung was going over the charts and data while she continued to give updates among the information coming from Sun and Iwata's drones. She was using Barca's wardroids data and their own drones as the soldiers could send theirs into the sky above and check on it. Spreading out in a coordinated effort to map the area in better information that they would need. She motioned with a hand and her own drone shooting into the air as the large mountain gleamed white with blue lines from the massive dam."We can see the dam in the distance, it looks like the it was built more into the mountain."

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

The well organized plan was well underway, the larger group shifting to smaller ones to follow the well-laid overlay's Miyoung created with the myriad of drone data she received from the Jade Screamers and other scouts. Iwata could not keep the wide smile from her face as she heard the Princess' voice on the comm, and Junko Ike admonishing them to be careful if exploring the abandoned farms. It was good to hear the Princess' feminine but strong voice.

"Understood." Iwata replied. "I just want to inspect the closest farms, to make sure they don't harbor anything dangerous that could surprise us from the rear." As the pair of Jade Screamers turned around another corner, they too could see the dam in the distance, built high into the mountain. "Sarge, over there." Sun called out. Iwata turned to see opposite them was an old farm settled into a small valley. Iwata turned her longma towards it and rode down the slope to the valley floor, approaching the abandoned buildings with Sun at her side.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

Junko looked at the scan data and images that Miyoung was showing.. the dam was massive in some ways and it looked like afeat of engineering... the mountain had it to fall down but it extended to the side of the mountain making it more of the center for it. A massive wall of water that came down and was still standing. "Why am I looking at this and thinking they destroyed an entire mountain to turn it into a dam.... the onyx empress was many things but subtle was not one of them." That got a few chuckles at it but they were inputting the data and Miyoung spoke. "Acknowledged sergeant." SHe showed some of the images and scans that were from a distance but the dam was massive and the lake behind it gleamed from aerial with water shimmering and more mountains to enclose it and protect it. "We are seeing a few things on the edge of our scans." She said it while bringing it up and the Aerial was showing a few of the airships, slower moving with flags they could not see yet.

Meanwhile the airships were commanded by the self claimed pirate lord Uyuki Kahoshi leading her team to glory and fortune and all of the riches in the vaults of the wealthy lords who had homes this far in the mountains.

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

Even as they trotted closer to the crumbling buildings, Iwata heard on the comms that unidentified airships were approaching. She paused to look up and around them, not the vessels were not yet visible from their location. "Should we return, in case they are hostile?" Sun asked.

"Lets wait a few more minutes. We can explore while they are identified. If they turn out to be trouble, like pirates, we will return." Iwata said, equally anxious with the idea of being away from the Princess if danger drew near. "Please keep us apprised of the incoming airships. Alert us if we need to return." Iwata requested in her comm.

The Jade Screamers continued to ride towards what would have been the farm house. a simple single story building. There seemed to be nothing living on the farm, or signs of recent visitation. Sun joined her, and both readied their officer's blades. With a flip a finger, the compact swords unfolded and locked in place,, becoming deadly Atrisian weapons.

The door was secure and locked. A rusted panel was set into the frame next to it. Iwata pried it open and called her Mackie droid. "See if you can open it." She ordered. The droid inserted one probe into a port to temporarily power the door with its own energy, then plugged another probe into the main lock port, after a moment, the door activated and slid open. Iwata slipped into the abandoned house, Sun close behind.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

The ships continued to move forward and and Miyoung was working on a better way to identify them. THe Airships didn't need transponders like starships... a design flaw maybe but usually they were adorned with crests for houses or flags for regions. Something visual since they could move all over Atrisia. THey didn't see any of those but were moving and prepared as they passed over the sinkhole. "Our forces are divided... granted it makes it harder if they are hostile to cover all of them with three ships but the air advantage can work for a few moments with us exposed." Barca wa slooking at some fo the tactical and there was the path which curved and had both overhangs and open areas in some places so a consistent area was difficult.. for the scouts they had some trees and farmhouses for coverage if need be but all of them had weapons and were trained to use them so... a fight would only go so far for so long. When the lead got close the com channel opened. "Unidentified caravan this is the Devil of Atrisia, we have you surrounded with... ah fifty thousand men. You will surrender your precious belongings and if we are satisfied you shall get to go free." Junko looked around for being surrounded and spoke into the private channel for everyone. 'Does anyone see anyone else aside from the airships?"

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

"Sarge..." Sun said suddenly behind Iwata. The taller Jade Screamer turned to her corporal, who stood in the doorway, looking out and up. Iwata joined her. They could see the airships. A check on the comms with other scouts confirmed what everyone across the scattered groups would learn. It was that crazy cursed Uyuki Kahoshi.

"Dammit." Iwata cursed under her breath. "Come on." She added, moving to her lonmga and mounting up. She opened her comm. "Jade Screamers have seen no hostile force from our position." She reported, the lead Sun as they raced back up to the trail they had been following. Both mounted soldiers sent their seeker drones out to further investigate the claim of surrounding forces. "Jade Screamers returning to support." Iwata informed the Princess' skiff. The eight legged beasts raced with their rides back along the safe path Iwata and Sun had traveled towards the main, splintered group. They monitored their seeker drones for any sign of enemy ground forces. Most likely it was another shameless ploy by the pirate to trick Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

"I am reading the same... no ground forces but our own." Miyoung and Barca were reporting in with the others. Nari confirming it from the other forces. Junko looked at the airships and then at Iwata and Sun as they arrived as she spoke. "All others are reporting no approaching forces on the ground and those ships wouldn't be able to carry more then a few hundred between all of them if they packed them tightly. So I am largely confident she is lying." She said largely because... there always was the room for error... they shoudln't just assume victory but... "We should let her make the first move... it would be a mistake to attack and reveal we know she is lying."

Never stop the enemy and all of that... plus the voice did sound familiar. Junko looked at Iwata and cleared her throat while thinking about what to do.... "Just let me." She flicked the com channel and spoke. "Please please we are just a caravan of diplomats on a peaceful mission to the north... we have no weapons at all." SHe said it and looked to see what the others thought and Barca was snickering the most. Meanwhile Uyuki was laughing hearing the message as she looked out.... "At last we shall... wait that sounded familiar. We'll deal with it later." She said it while dropped lines they could repel down and her raiders were preparing.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

"I am reading the same... no ground forces but our own." Miyoung and Barca were reporting in with the others. Nari confirming it from the other forces. Junko looked at the airships and then at Iwata and Sun as they arrived as she spoke. "All others are reporting no approaching forces on the ground and those ships wouldn't be able to carry more then a few hundred between all of them if they packed them tightly. So I am largely confident she is lying." She said largely because... there always was the room for error... they shoudln't just assume victory but... "We should let her make the first move... it would be a mistake to attack and reveal we know she is lying."

Never stop the enemy and all of that... plus the voice did sound familiar. Junko looked at Iwata and cleared her throat while thinking about what to do.... "Just let me." She flicked the com channel and spoke. "Please please we are just a caravan of diplomats on a peaceful mission to the north... we have no weapons at all." SHe said it and looked to see what the others thought and Barca was snickering the most. Meanwhile Uyuki was laughing hearing the message as she looked out.... "At last we shall... wait that sounded familiar. We'll deal with it later." She said it while dropped lines they could repel down and her raiders were preparing.

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

It really was amazing that Uyuki had remained uncaptured for so long, let alone still alive. The pirate queen's tactics were transparently predictable, and her confidence had obviously lead her to take the caravan she threatened lightly. While there were no major military units with the expedition, they were far from helpless. They all watched as the long cords unfurled and dropped from the airships, ready for the pirates to descend and fall upon the 'caravan.'

Iwata looked from Junko Ike to Sun and then to Barca. Those three women alone were more formidable than a whole platoon of raiders. Add in herself, Nari and Kirano, and the danger they posed was truly impressive. The Jade Warrior was not sure who was responsible for directing the strategy for defending against the raiders, but Iwata always deferred to the Princess. "The Jade Screamers are yours to command, my Princess." Iwata offered with the bow of her head. "We will do whatever you see fit."

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

Junko nodded to Iwata when she was listening and watching. "I don't want to have violence break out but if they attack then we have to respond but... lets see how they react." She said it and moved with the others as she didn't display any weapons with the others. THey were all standing there looking at the descencion cables when they were coming. "Don't show any weapons." She said it and all nodded putting their hoods up while she watched and the other soldiers with them followed obscuring their weapons but not getting rid of them while they stood around. Uyuki came down and stood on a small overhang looking down so she was above the rest and had her sword. "Ah ha I accept your defeat and surrender. This is the..." SHe paused and looked at them. "No no no, why is it you." She started to stomp her foot looking at Junko who stood there.

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

According to the Princess' instructions, the two Jade Screamers donned cloaks and hoods that covered their armor, keeping only their officer's swords concealed at their sides. The longma, with the rest of their weapons, were hidden. Then, Iwata and Sun joined Junko and the others as the pirates descended.

Uyuki stood over them, a rather beautiful woman, but Iwata knew what the pirate was capable of. In her arrogance, the brigand blindly assumed the 'commoners' were surrendering. But it was clear when the pirate recognized Junko Ike , for the outlaw's prideful swagger was suddenly replaced by amalmost childish tantrum aimed at the now recognized Atrisian Jedi princess.

Iwata waited, curious as to what would come next. There was a tension among the secretly armed men and woman, ready and waiting to defend against attack. Would the Princess deny her identity or declare it? Would she try to avoid violence, or demand the pirate be taken? Iwata waited to see what the Princess, or Uyuki, would do next.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Jo-Kin

Junko looked up at the pirate and spoke as she put her hands on her hips and the other pirates were there looking as they realized their commander was ah... she was having a little fit. The soldiers revealing themselves as they surrendered quickly enough. Junko nodded. "Avast thee pirate fiend tis I princess Junko here to stop your evil deeds." She said it with a smile on her face and uyuki seemed to be looking at her as she sat on the rock and frowned. "Now you are making fun of me... pirates don't actually talk like that." She stomped again this time with her hands. "I just want to be the pirate queen, let me be the devil of Atrisia mean lady." Junko stood there and motioned for the soldiers to handle the piraates mostly disarming them. "We don't have the means to detain all of them but if they want mercy they can return anything stolen or weapons and run."

 

[Iwata Jo-Kin]

With the identity of the Princess and her party revealed, those with @Junk Ike, including the Jade Screamers, uncovered their arms and armor. Iwata was greatly disappointed with her first encounter with Uyuki. She was neither terrifying or menacing. She was a spoiled brat that needed spanked as much as anything. A simple shot with a light bow would put the Princess and Atrisia out of their misery when it came to the annoying "Devil of Atrisia". But, that was not how the leadership, or military, of Atrisia operated. Junko displayed that nobility when she gave the pirates a reprieve, but only after being disarmed and returning any stolen items.

"Well, that was rather disappointing. All she did was disrupt our work with her ridiculous antics." Iwata muttered, perturbed that everyone's efforts were interrupted by the silly pirate woman. "You are a compassionate and patient leader, my Princess. She does not deserve it, yet you offer her mercy. You are as wise as you are beautiful." Iwata dared to share quietly with Junko as the pirates were dealt with.