A Major Disaster - Kumo no Ami

[Ramke]

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The sight of another Chimaera coming out of the docking ring was motivating for Kurokawa. She had already been waiting at the rendezvous with the Eikyuu, in orbit of New Tokyo. As the new Chimaera got closer and closer, however, motivation started dwindling further and further...
Yamada Shouzou. The Naval Forces lieutenant that Airi could simply not get along with. They had met only yesterday, and that was enough for a lifetime. Fate was cruel enough to pair them together in this suicidal expedition, as if the deities themselves were aligned to make the day inexplicable worse for the intelligence officer.

"You, of all people, are going on this expedition?" Kurokawa blurted out without thinking. The stress from bearing huge responsibility and a long, sleepless preparation was more than enough - she didn't need a sexist as her companion for the ride. "Unbelievable..."

Shortly after, it was nearly time for the next expected jump hole to stabilize - right near the capital itself. An incredibly small purple cloud burped itself into existence close to the rendezvous point. A moment later, more of the omnious purple gas appeared the same way. The process sped up. The gas started orbiting an empty, black point, that was expanding rapidly. It was quite a view, though it only marked a beginning of the turbulent storm for the expedition members - and they could certainly feel the tension rise. They had to wait for the scientists (that observing the phenomena through observatories) to confirm when it was considered stabilized and safe to proceed. A probe was seen deployed from Tokugawa, flying straight into - and through - the anomaly.

Kurokawa's ship computer lights up, being hailed by KNF Command on New Tokyo. It seems that the other ships are receiving the same message:

"This is Kusari Naval Forces Command. The probe our scientists sent through has arrived to the Nomad system successfully - it is confirmed that the jump hole has stabilized and is now safe to pass through.

Remember what you are here to do. Go through, organize yourselves, and put a stop on whatever is the source of these anomalies appearing. Return before they destabilize - we will try to keep this jump hole stable and open for as long as possible.

You have our green light.

Be swift. Be safe. Good luck. KNF Command will wait for your triumphant return."

A wave of goosebumps washes over Airi as the transmission ends. It was time to begin the operation.

"This is Admiral Shima of the Eikyuu. We will take some time to get through the jump hole. Chimaera wing - go through first and make sure the area is clear for our arrival." The expedition comm channel lit up.

Yamada called every Chimaera pilot into formation, and started moving towards the purple jump hole. Kurokawa gulped, and attempted to steel herself mentally for anything that might appear on the other side. She put the spacecraft on forward impulse as the engines began humming louder, and followed suit.