The flight is short, only about thirty minutes, and when it finally ends they are once again met by Captain Ishiyama and his squad. Upon leaving the helicopter they can discern no laandmarks, other than the mammoth base and dense forrest surrounding it. "Welcome to Shamballa Base. Come along, we are not so improper as to immediately debrief you. Our staff will show you to your quarters for your stay, where you can get cleaned up, eat a meal and rest. Your Pilot friends will be along once the repairs are underway."

It was then they noticed the four women in maid outfits standing by the main doorway.

The blonde one at the end walks up to Amaya. "I am Estelle, I will be your caretaker while you stay here, please follow me and I will show you to your room."

The second maid, a brunette, walks to Valerie and smiles. "I am Rin, let me help you to the medbay where we can get your leg fixed up. Then I'll show you to your room."

The Third, A young woman with long straight raven-black hair walked up to Lily. "I am Kiriko, if you would please follow me I will show you to your quarters."

The final maid, By far the eldest looking of the collection, wore her platinum hair short and approached Georgi. "I am Amane, If you would please follow me I will show you to your quarters." Where as the others had seemed happy and emotional, Amane's voice totally lacked emotion, it was cold and dead.

--------------------------------

Meanwhile in the Mecha hangar Kongou and Saito had exited their machines and techs had begun to swarm over the machines. On the ground the head mechanic came up next to the two Captains. He didn't look like your standard mechanic. hwe wore his hair short and there was actually a bright red patch at the front while the rest was dark brown. He was easily six and a half feet tall and in perfect health. "God the armor on this blue and grey one is trashed, what the hell was the pilot doing, standing still? And this arm, It's gonna be an all nighter just to get this behemoth reattached and the ammo feed rebuilt."

He looked over at the Meteor. "Now that's definitely a Circinus tech machine. Sloped armor, Beam rifle, hell it probably transforms or some such nonsense. Real maneuverable, and would you look at that shield? Archaic flying Kinght class. I'd wager it's a Gundam class, but I won't know till I check its CPU."

He looked over to the pilots and smiled. "Don't worry boys, my team will have your machines in perfect shape in a couple days. Reattaching the arms is gonna take some doing, but we can manage. Even with the trashed armor and all it's still nothing compared to what I've seen after CRT Twelve took on That big Dalaraan ship in lunar orbit a few months back. Even Captain Tenkawa was heavily damaged, but we got that big monster."

He looks back. "You two must be tired after the battle." he speaks softly into his headpiece and two women appear in maid outfits.

He indicates Saito to the younger girl with long blue hair. "Kaname, show this young man to his quarters where he can get a good meal, cleaned up and some rest." Kaname looked at Saito and then at the Mechanic. "Why do I get stuck with the runty little kid? I swear Pops you always give me the little boys to babysit." "That's because you can't handle the grown men Ka-chan." The use of her pet name caused her to blush and she grabbed ahold of Saito's arm. "Come on mechjock, it's off to the showers with you, you reek of dried sweat." She began leading him out of the hangar.

The Mechanic turned back to Kongou. He called up the second older caretaker. "Excellen, take care of this gentleman. Get him some clean clothes and and show him to his quarters. If he has any other needs accomodate him as we would all our guests." Excellen looked Kongou up and down and smiled. "Of Course Pops, I'll see to his every need." She leaned in to whisper to Kongou and tapped him playfully on the nose. "Every need..." Her voice was a husky purr as she took him by the arm and began leading him to his quarters.

Captain Bordeaux laughed once they were gone. "Well "Pops", you are such a dirty old man." He looked back to her and smiled. "Even my Fellow Captains are getting in on this now. I have a name you know?!?!?"

She started walking off. "Later Pops."

((OOC the Maids look to be between 16 and in Amane's and Excellen's cases 24. Feel free to post how your character spends the evening. There is no escape from Shamballa base and your caretakers will be with you where ever you go. There is a large indoor gym and pool. If you want to help in the Mechbay that's also cool.))

Lily shrugs and gestures.

"Sure thing, Kiriko. After you. I could really use a change of clothes anyway."

She looks at the others and waves. "I'm gonna check out my room for a bit. We should meet up again though! Where and when?"

(OOC - what would we/I know of Satoshi and what is it's relationship to the other factions involved on Earth at the moment? Trying to decide what Lil's attitude would be right now. :))

((OOC generally Satoshi is thought of as a benevolent corporation with the best interests of the planet in mind. Their company has produced countless innovations to improve the general quality of life. They fund a huge array of charities. That's all public knowledge. The players who run Kage Characters know there's a dark side to Satoshi and that Some Kage have turned their back on the Clans to join with Satoshi. The Dalaraan players know Satoshi fields some of the most advanced technology ever concieved. Satoshi has accounted for the destruction of 99% of the Dalaraan who have made it past the Circinus blockade. However they rarely pursue any Dalaraan once they make it to the ground. Some see Satoshi as the way the humans defend their home, others see them as an evil organization hellbent on controlling the world, and both are partially correct))

(ah! That does help! Thankee)

The accomodations were nice, and his escort was cute, yet not very personable. Georgi knew little about this Satoshi group, other than they were a Mega-Corporation with well armed and outfitted military units. In many ways, Georgi felt at home, with the rigid militaristic struture. But of course, all of it could also be an illusio.

If you don't mind Amane, but I would like to shower, shave, and get into some clean clothes." He was pleasant, yet curt. "Then I would like something to eat."

He was not sure how to address her, other than in a military fashion. From Georgi Illiyev's perspective, he has ben a soldier his entire life. He didn't even know if he had a childhood. Sometimes in his dreams, he would get flashes of things he never remembered happening. Sadly, the dreams always ended with him screaming, and clutching at his body.

Amane nods. and goes into the bathroom to turn on the shower for him. She comes out and nods. There is a small shaving kit by the sink for your shaving needs, please leave your clothes outside the bathroom and I will have them cleaned for you. While you shower I will go and procure you something clean to wear for the time being." She looks him over appraisingly once and turns to leave. "Please do not try to wander, I will not be gone long." With that she leaves and goes to get him some fresh clothing. Behind her, the door locks and seals with a magnetic hiss.

Amaya followed Estelle docilely enough, smiling softly at everyone as they passed. When they got to her room, Amaya looked around, nodding. "So, if I can go places, I'd like to go to the hospital, to see my boyfriend," she said. She vaguely felt like she was painting a target on herself, but if it got her close to Kai it'd be worth it. "I'm really worried about him."

Valerie walked up to Rin. "Don't worry, I got much better by now." Valerie flexed her leg to show it off, her self-repair was good, and she was sure as hell not letting anybody examine her.

"But tell me, do you think I could take a shower? I really do need one after all this." Valerie made sure of something, everything she looked at that was or could be important, was being recorded or having a snapshot taken.

Val followed Rin as she lead on to a shower and probably a room. "So Rin, what are the chances I will be able to see my friends after I shower?"

Haruki was curious. He'd heard a rumor of several new people around Shamballa, and students none-to-less. After a quick round of questioning, and nearly no results, Haruki decided it would be best to go check out the new recruits.

He'd heard from his girlfriend that the school was going into a series of curfews and lockdowns due to recent events, but Haruki had no idea how serious it was. He wanted to hang out with his friends, but what he was doing now was much, much more important. Either way, with luck the students might be from his, and he might know them.

After walking down several hallways, and taking many turns, he came to an open door. While looking inside, he saw a familiar face near a blond in a maids uniform. Haruki leaned up against the door frame, waiting for Amaya to finish speaking. He'd spoken to her before, but nothing really in depth. "I'm surprised, Amaya." He said, getting her attention and offering a friendly smile while brushing the long, black hair out of his face. "I didn't know you worked for Satoshi too." He was curious if she might know the arts as he did, but decided it would be best to leave out his gifts.

Saito looks over at his fellow pilot and thinks to himself.

"You and I have alot to talk about Mr. Kongou".

He then looks over at Kaname.

"Well, if you would lead the way, I would like to take this advantage of your group's hospitality and get cleaned up first".

Amaya turned to look at the origin of the semi-familiar voice. "Haruki?" she managed to ask after a coupld of moments of pawing through her memory to come up with a name. She barely knew him, and she hadn't been aware that he worked here.

And then she heard his question. Anger crossed her features, and for a second, she didn't look like Amaya at all. Then her face slipped back into its innocent smile, and she said, "Silly! I'm still in school. And they keep me too busy to have another job."

A thought crossed her face, the process of it brightening her features as easily seen as the sun through a window. "I don't suppose you could get me down to the infirmary to see Kai? He was hurt, and I'm so worried about him!"

After he showers, he dries off and looks at himself in the mirror. His heavily muscled, and lean body showed no evidence from the earlier altercations. No holes, scrapes, or scars. Nothing.

He sat down on what was a comfortable bed and saw that she had left a clean change of clothes for him. The white and blue cotton was comfortable and soft. After putting on the clothes, he made a thorough scan of the room, looking for any cameras, or eavesdropping devices. He also made a mental note of any strategic vulnerabilites and strengths, as well as possible ways of exit, manual or electronic.

After his investigation of the room, he lay on the bed and waited for Amane to return with food.

Estelle shook her head. "I'm affraid we will be unable see him for at least the night as the Medical corps tends to him and observes him. It's all standard procedure."

She regards Haruki with a nod. "Mr. Takahashi, it is a pleasure to see you. I see you know some of our new arrivals. If you would please try and help them enjoy their stay at Shaballa. Sometimes a familiar face can help more than any amount of courtesy on the part of a stranger."

------

Rin lead Valierie to her room and smiled. I'll return with some food for you, what would you like?" She frowns at the menton of her friends. "At the moment I believe the Captains are deciding which of them will debrief you all on what happened. I imagine you won't be allowed to intermingle until then. Though I'm sure if you wanted to go to the athletics complex and you happened to meet you friends I don't think it would be too bad?" It was said innocently enough, but the gleam in her eye was pure mischief.

---------------

Amane returned with a few trays of what looked to be gourmet sushi and offered it to Georgi. "Here, I had Chef Kimura whip up some her special sushi, it's one of the best sellers here at Shamballa, and she kinda owes me a few favors.

She actually sits down at the small table and uncovers one of the other trays. Evidently she planned to eat with him.

------------

Kaname looked to Saito and sighed. "Ok come on." She quickly brought him to his room and smiled. "Here you are. I'll get you some clean clothes out while you shower and a quick meal. I should have it all done by the time you finish." She left the room and the door sealed behind her, Saito easily recognized the sound of a magnetic seal.

It was nice to have company, even if it seemed as if Amani had ulterior motives. I don't trust her. He was keeping his weapons close. Will she let me out of here to excercize? Is she a willing participant in this scheme? He tried to make intermittent eye contact with her, as he ate.

As the meal got near its end, he spoke.

"So, what made you decide to work for Satoshi?"

On reaching her suite, Lily pokes her head into each room to get an idea of its layout, then enters the bedroom to rummage in the closet.

"Huh," she says, "even the right size. Your bosses did their homework." She picks out a Satoshi Industries branded T-shirt and a pair of knee-length shorts, then turns to give her guide a pointed look.

"D'ya mind? I'm getting changed here. In fact...might as well shower too. Don't want blood on my new things, would I? That'd be bad. Excuse me."

In the bathroom she strips off her savaged clothing and stands thinking as she turns on the water and tests it with a hand.

It's too much to hope that they don't know what I am, which means I'm in trouble. All I can do now is hope they don't know WHO I am. And that they don't use telepaths or something to interrogate prisoners. She stops adding hot water and steps into the shower. I hope the others are okay.

Blood, both demon and her own strange blue blood, wash off in torrents, along with a nasty grey paste made from pulverized concrete and stucco and her own blood. The last bruises had long since faded, leaving her looking just as she had to begin with.

She took her time showering, figuring this was one of the few moments of privacy she might get...besides, she was rather proud of her looks. She had the kind of body even her own people had to work hard for...sleek and powerful, but soft and feminine at the same time. It was a shame for it to be all messy.

Finally she dresses in the new clothes and pads out barefoot into the bedroom again.

With a big smile for her handler, she says, "Say, I'm hungry. Anything to eat around here?"

Haruki listened to Amaya, trying to figure out what she was doing here. "So you don't work here, yet you are here." A grim thought ran through Haruki's mind, one of pain and destruction. He was suddenly terrified for his girlfriend, but the emotion was working for Amaya's request. But, of course, he was kind of holding the cards and he had more questions than he really wanted to have.

"Estelle, is it? We're feeling a little hungry. Think you could do us the favor of getting some food?" He smiled at Amaya. "Why are you here, and why is Kai in the medical bay?"

Amane looked up at Georgi. "My parents worked for them as engineers my whole life, My dad was even good enough to win a spot on the CRT's. One day when I was fourteen, they didn't come home. Captain Hayami himself came to my house and told be there'd been an incident. He offered me a choice. I could go on with my life and Do what I wanted and Satoshi would pay for it, Or I could come and see what my parents were really a part of."

She looks at him, and he can see various emotions war across her face. "I've been here ten years and I serve in what ever capacity I'm asked to. Sometimes I am a pilot, sometimes an engineer, and other times, like now, I am a caretaker for a guest here on Shamballa base."

-------------

Kiriko nodded and allowed Lily her privacy. She smiled when Lily emerged and nodded. "Of course. What would you like? I can go get it for you, or I can show you to the cafeteria."

--------------

Estelle regards Haruki again. "Of course. Ican get it for you, or I can bring you to the cafeteria where you can select what you want. As to why Kai Morisato is in the medical bay, I was told it was do to extreme SN Fatigue. The Hiroga male was dead by the time we arrived, and the female is comatose, we've done all we can but she is unresponsive to all forms of treatment."

"Lets go to the cafeteria then," Lily decides.

"Don't want to stay holed up in here all the time...nice as it is."

Saito finished his shower and put on the grey jogging suit that Kaname had obviously laid out for him.

Saito then thought to himself. "Well this seems like we might be in some trouble, id like to find Mr. Kongou and discuss our situation but this base isnt the right place for that so ill just play along for now."

Saito left the bathroom and returned to the room that Satoshi had provided, Kaname had been true to her word and provided him with some food.

"Hmmmm, this smells good. Would you like to join me Miss Kaname? Someone to talk to would be nice. After we speak and have our meal then we can return to the mech bay as I am anxious to see what is done to my machine."

Georgi listened to Amane's story. He didn't know whether to believe her but the emotions at play, on her face, told him that he was most likely teling the truth. She might still be hiding something however.

"How do you like it here?" He replied with a smile. "Have you found out what happened to your parents, since coming here? Why don't you tell me all about it while you give me a tour. I saw very little when I was brought here."

This was so aggrevating; the only bright point was that she knew Kongou was alright. Now, to get to Kai, somehow. Amaya really didn't want to resort to this, but there was one last option left to her. Slowly, tears rose in her eyes. "Oh, god... extreme SN Fatigue? What is that? How bad is it? Will he recover?" she asked rapidly, stopping only when the first shuddering sob shook her frame.

Kiriko nodded and led Lily to the cafeteria. There was no one else ther other than the cooks, but the food line was full of dozens of dishes. "Please help yourself to what ever you'd like."

------------------

Kaname smiles and sits across from Saito and digs into one of the tray's she'd brought. "So what's it like to pilot an enemy machine?"

-----------------

Amane smiled. "I love working for SHI. I get to make an actual difference here. As for my parents, I really can't discuss that part with you. Suffice it to say I'm proud to be a part of the same company they were."

She chuckles. "Yes I suppose a tour can be easily arranged. I can show you where the cafeteria and Athletic complex are, and possibly I might be able to show you the hangar as well."

------------------

"SuperNatural Fatigue. Simply put Mr. Morisato is not a normal human and through use of his special abilities he has been left extremely exhausted. It's worse now because his abilities are at least A-rank, and he's argueably ery unsused to using them. In all honesty he and all of your are very lucky. When an A-rank ability is used by a novice it tends to backfire in spectacular ways, often injuring the user and his surroundings. It is for this reason that we're keeping him isolated for now until he regains cosciousness."

She looks to Amaya. "He'll be fine. He just pushed himself to far. Captain Ishiyama said as much, that even laying on the ground he could feel his potential. It isn't the same as either of yours, but then again similar potentials are rare to begin with. I just hope Captain Hayami returns. This base is always so hectic when he isn't here to run things."

Kongou followed Excellen to the room assigned to him, "Excuse me, but I must ask for a bit of privacy. I wish to take a shower." Not waiting for Excellen's response, he walked into the bathroom, rolls up one sleeve and turned on the shower at steaming hot temperature.
He then looked out into the bedroom, seeing if Excellen was still there.

Lily helps herself to a plate full of food, then sits down at one of the long tables in the middle of the room, gesturing for her guide to follow suit. She eats in silence for a little while, hoping someone will show up.

After a few minutes she asks, "So what do you guys know about what happened at the school? Anything yet?"

Excellen allowed Kongou to shower in peace, and meanwhile laid out a fresh Satoshi jogging suit for him. She took a seat and waited for him to finish. When he emerged from the shower she closed her eyes. "I can close my eyes, but due to just who you are, I'm affraid I cannot leave you completely alone Mr. Kongou."

----------------

"We Know that at least one A-ranked Supernatural was involved and from the energy readings I've accessed, I would say a dimensional gate was opened. "I know that you aren't human, though you aren't Circinus or Hiroga. Humans simply don't have blue blood." It's said so casually, almost as if Kiriko doesn't care. "You were all obviously in a battle, those tears in your clothing aren't something falling debris could really do."

She smiles. "So are my hunches correct?"

"Maybe it wasn't -my- blood," Lily posits. "Or maybe it wasn't blood at all."

She shrugs. "Anyway, you're a decent huncher as far as that goes. Lets say, just for the sake of conversation, that I wasn't human. How bad would it be for me? Are we talking a long speech and customs routine? Weird experiments? Vivisection? What does Satoshi do with their little green men when it gets them?"

Kiriko chuckles. "Recruit them if they can. Satoshi's primary duty is to protect the citizenry of this planet. If an ET wants to live here and is willing to help defend the planet, they're taken into the organization. They train us, provide steady jobs and generally a fairly good life. There have been times where we have to fight out people, and those occassions are unfortunate, but for some of us, Earth is home, and it's a battle we must fight."

"If they don't join then they are placed under surveilance, and asked politely to try to avoid disrupting the lives of humans."

She looks insightful for a moment. "Several of the officers in the CRT's are members of the various races. We have Dalaraan and Circinus working side by side with Aerin and even a number of former Kage. Everyone has seen something in this world worth protecting, that's why they ccan fight their former colleagues. The Empire and the Federation see this world as a new colony or acquisition, but to those of us here, it's more important, it's home." There's no small amount of bitterness in her voice as she speaks.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble."

Lily stares at Kiriko, horrified for more than one reason.

They have -Dalaraan- here?! Fighting their own kind?!

She swallows that though, in favor of addressing the more diplomatic problem...

"You've got the Dalaraan Empire all wrong!" she asserts. "We...they...oh hell. All we're after is an alliance with Earth! I mean, you'd be welcome to join formally too, but that's not something that would be expected right away...or even at all, if need be! We're not conquerors like the Circini!"

Lily slaps her forehead. "I was afraid of something like this when I first learned Satoshi was firing at our ships. It's all a big misunderstanding though, I assure you."

Then something else occurs to her.

"Wait, you said 'we'. Who's we? If you're not human, what are you?"

"I'm what's known as an Aerin. The world I come from lacks much of the technology of this one, but people there can use the Mana, or spiritual power, within themselves to achieve wonderful things."

She looks sad and frowns. "The gateway to my world was destroyed four hundred years ago, leaving my parents and any other Aerin stranded here on this version of Earth."

"You say the Dalaraan aren't conquerors? if that's so then why have they brought such a massive warfleet into Earthspace? They're just like the Circinus, they want something from this world. Captain Hayami tried to Sue for peace early on, and nearly all of CRT One was decimated while fighting them. Since then Satoshi has done all it can to prevent Empire forces from landing on Earthspace."

"You're Dalaraan aren't you?" She looks at her, not with expected shock or horro, just curiosity.

"Well...yes. But the fleet's only here because Circinus is here!" Lily insists hotly. "If it wasn't for us, even Satoshi wouldn't be enough to hold them off. They have a LOT more resources than just one planet. And the same's true for us. If Dalaraan REALLY wanted to conquer Earth, do you think this is the most ships we could bring?"

She sighs and runs her fingers through her hair, combing it back from her face.

"I should probably be talking to someone in charge...but I guess there's no harm in it now. First of all, of course we want something from Earth. But we're not going to just TAKE it. That's not how the Empire works. If, in the end, you tell us to take a hike, we will go...though we still have to make sure Circinus can't just march in when we leave and grab Earth to use against us. See...Earth's special. It's a huge nexus of portals...like the one you came through. What we want is an alliance of mutual benefit with Earth, to use those portals to help foster trade and contact with other worlds."

She waves a hand. "The specifics of a treaty would come later...right now my job is just to try to bring the hostilities to an end! I don't know the whole story of what happened at first contact. We should probably start with that. Unfortunately, my ship was shot down coming in, so I don't have access to any of my data or...or anything."

"I would like that." Georgi responds, smiling when she mentions the hangar. "I would like to see what sort of aircraft you have in your hangar. I have been known to fly on occasion. In fact, it has been some time since I have been behind the stick."

"But first, I need to know what Satoshi wants with me. I feel like a prisoner. Besides, Satoshi wouldn't hold me here for the rest of my life, just for defending a school and its students."

"You sound so sure of yourself and you called it your ship, you must have been an officer before you arrived here." Kiriko bristled at the mention of if they truly wished to conquer. "I wouldn't say that, it can lead to further misunderstandings. As it sits now, The circinus are blockaded by the Dalaraan, and the Dalaraan are blockaded by SHI. Thus far it's worked out so that the normal man on the street has been unaffected. This incident in Tokyo can change that. seeing Circinus machines on Earth, things might have to be tightened even more."

---------

"Okay then. As to what Satoshi wants from you, I really don't know. They probably want to talk to you about the incident at that school. The preliminary information I was given is that your clothes were slicked in blood, but you seemed fine. They'll likely want an explanation of that."

She wheels around on him. "Look if Satoshi was truly going to imprison you, any of you, they would not have assigned you the caretakers they have. They'd have already done it. Much of the measures that have been taken are simply to protect you. We have some let's just say "different" folks running around here and we don't want any further incidents."

She chuckles. "I mean come on, I'm the Lieutenant of CRT seven, I wouldn't be here if they meant to harm you."