Phase Twelve: ...And Back Again

[emorangerpink]

[The Chalice is still moving west across the Pacific when a few familiar faces arrive in the hangar, hot on the heels of a familiar ship heaving in to range over the horizon. The Nirvana's back to supplement the Chalice's mini-fleet again, and it doesn't take long for a shuttle to bring the three tourists back aboard, along with the supplies and souvenirs they've brought with them. The three are as refreshed as you might expect after a couple of weeks' vacation in a place like Meijire, but Laura's also looking concerned at what she could see of the ship on the way across, and what she sees in the hangar.]

So - what happened while we were gone? We didn't get much news after leaving London... and it looks like the Chalice has been through a lot...

((OOC: Laura, Lily and Dita have arrived back on the returned Nirvana! This thread is for people wanting responses from Laura alone, or for more than one of the trio. Dita and Lily will both have individual posts up shortly.))

Comments

[minorbeat]

(Laura! You hear silent and fast footsteps! You turn around just in time to get a flying glomp for Momo! She looks tired from all that has happened recently but right now she has one of the brightest smiles she has had in months! She gives you a big hug before backing off.)

LAURA! You're back! I missed you! I'm glad you're okay.

[emorangerpink]

Oof! [Laura's reflexes don't let her dodge the hug, even though she doesn't quite realize what it is before it connects, but they do at least let her remain standing. After a moment's surprise, she returns it.]

I missed you too! We're fine, no trouble on the trip. What about you? The Nirvana picked up talk of some sort of big attack - and it looks like the Chalice hasn't exactly been keeping out of trouble, either...?

[minorbeat]

(Momo gives Laura a big, happy smile with a bit of a blush. However, once the subject of the Chalice and trouble comes up, Momo sighs heavily and rubs her neck.)

The Chalice is a magnet for problems. You know that as well as I do...I don't want to drop bad news on you, especially since you just got back, but it is important that you know a few things...Just to be safe.

Yes, there was a rather nasty attack. We barely got out in one piece. The Chalice couldn't even move after it. It was only thanks to two old enemies that are now apparently no longer enemies that we survived. Specifically, it was two former Adventus generals who saved us, Jeremy and DJ RGNK.

Truthfully though...that pales in comparison to our recent problem...It's about Mad. She apparently had suppressed traumatic memories that have come to light and she is very unstable, especially around me and the other Desus. We...We think she might be Hana's little sister who we thought died.

[space-mcgyver.livejournal.com]

Welcome back! How was your trip?

[emorangerpink]

It was pretty great! We saw sights, had fun, I got to sort out a lot of things that needed sorting out...

And I'm officially registered as an apprentice mechanic, now! This might mean you need to sign things now and then.

[space-mcgyver.livejournal.com]

Congrats! You'll have to tell me more about it, you know that.

White Chalice's a madhouse as usual. Couldn't have rejoined at a better time, really.

[an-alpha-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Laura Ericks!" Resnick looks happy to see her. "We disabled a naval class cannon Richard Hawke set up and were witness to him declaring war on Fuso. Then we engaged raiders at a village and were almost destroyed by a concealed pocket of explosive gas. There was an engagement against the Titans that I could not attend, probably disposing Zeon to like us more. Oh and the Watch discovered that the Word Of Blake had gotten involved in the Siberia campaign. Despite that, our settlement is a success."

[emorangerpink]

Resnick! [The mechwarrior gets a hug, because this once he'll have to put up with it.]

That's... a lot. But at least it... mostly sounds like good news...

How's Natasha?

[an-alpha-wolf.livejournal.com]

He accepts the hug with good grace, as if indulging an enthusiastic younger sibling.

"Larger than ever. We expect no problems with releasing her. Did you enjoy your leave?"

The concept of voluntarily taking an extended period away from the battlefield not prompted by being recalled or promotion to high rank was new to him but he knew it was something that was supposed to be fun.

[chozo_girl]

[Samus looks at Laura as she goes around the hangar. She seems as stoic as ever as she approaches the smaller girl]

How did it go? [Yep, still every bit as direct as ever, seems]

[emorangerpink]

[Laura looks serious as Samus approaches. She knows the standard what-a-lovely-time-we-had recital isn't relevant here. She doesn't quite look sad, but there's a certain... wistfulness to her expression.]

A lot better than it could have. They accepted everything I had to tell them. I think it mostly just... bewildered them.

I didn't expect it all to feel so... distant. I'm just not that person any more, I suppose.

[chozo_girl]

[Nod]

You have changed much. And you did not think of it for years. It is only normal it will be different.

Whether it will be for good or ill, it is only for you to decide.

[not-genki-desu.livejournal.com]

Well for one...

... Some dickbag from the Federation stole one of Celestial Being's GN Drives.

[emorangerpink]

Those things they're as careful with as Colonel Jin is about the Getter machines? [Speaking from a mechanic's eye view.] I take it that's not good at all.

Were any of the Meisters hurt...?

[If Kei wants to go right in to shop talk, Laura can indulge her.]

[not-genki-desu.livejournal.com]

Yeah... those are the things. And we're following up a lead on them right now.

And fortunately... at least Setsuna and co. are okay. We're just trying to get it back before the Federation can reverse-engineer it or anything.

Though from what I've heard it took Celestial Being like... forty years to make those things. If we don't drag our ass we should be good.

[amber-damsel.livejournal.com]

Ah Laura!

[Have a Chris waving at you with a wrench.]

[emorangerpink]

Hi, Chris! You're helping out down here now?

How have things been?

[latelybloomed.livejournal.com]

Laura... welcome back.

[And there's Hana, acting a little on guard as she approached Laura. She'd notice the bruises and bandages on her face.]

Did you enjoy yourself?

[emorangerpink]

Hana? [Looking concerned, but she reins in the alarm, figuring Hana's gotten plenty of it already.]

I did, yes. Are - are you all right?

[sunshine_maiden]

[Laura, you'll find Sora relatively nearby. She opens her mouth to speak... then frowns and closes it almost immediately. After a moment:]

Welcome back, Laura. We missed you.

...I don't think you want to hear about what happened with me while you were gone, really. Um, how was your trip?

[emorangerpink]

Beautiful. Relaxing. Refreshing. [Bittersweet and cathartic, too, but it doesn't look like Sora needs details on those aspects.]

I want to hear all about what I missed... but you don't have to rush to tell me anything you don't want to. I've heard a few things already.

[gudbye_despair]

Miss Laura. You're back.

[emorangerpink]

Hello, Elena!

[Smiling politely. Keeping her in view.]

[gamenojikan.livejournal.com]

(http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn32/Arachnion/?action=view&current=Yuiicon3.jpg)

Ah, Laura! Good to see you again!

Things are going great.

[emorangerpink]

Yui!

[It's not hard to tell Laura's relieved to see the other girl looking so cheerful.]

I'm glad to hear it! It sounds like it's been pretty rough here, so it's good you've been able to settle in.