NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Wasn't the admiral, I was thinking some random Lieutenant.

IC: Lieutenant Bradley blushed.
"My, that is swift promotion. I was only a Lieutenant when I woke, Professor Yukiko.

I shall be happy to call back...probably in about two hours.

And adventure is easily arranged."

"thank you for your help Lieutenant and I will be ready for dinner" Yukiko replies flashing him a smile as she reaches for her laptop and plugs it in to the network and the mains.

Bradley bobbed back to his station. Or possibly floated. He was quite taken with this Kirisuban professor.
ALL HANDS! ALL HANDS! PREPARE FOR FIRST TUBE JUMP! SAY AGAIN, PREPARE FOR FIRST TUBE JUMP!

So they were taking the tube...speed over ease of travel; must mean a 'fin was piloting.
A moment later there was a sort of disconnect; and then the ship was in the tube. A hyperspatial pathway, harder to find than normal hyperspace, more inconvenient in finding entry points, but far, far faster. If they came out right, they could be home in a couple of days.

Yukiko got used to the new computer system that she'd be using for a while and looked over some of the information that had been downloaded from the Kirisuban archives.

there was certainly a lot of it. she sighed and worked for a while before she took of her suit jacket, unpacked her clothes away into the drawers before getting a shower and a change for dinner.

a simple sleeveless white vest top and a black knee length skirt was her choice tonight along with a little touch of makeup. she had tied her long dark hair into a simple pony tail and put on her little pair of glasses which she needed for most things being slightly short sighted.

After a while a soft knock came on the door.
"Yukiko, we are about to have some drinks in the wardroom before going through to dinner, would you like to join us?"

Yukiko opens the door and replies to the officer greeting her "I'd be honoured to join you"

Lieutenant Bradley turned to walk to the wardroom
"Just this way then.
I hope your cabin is satisfactory."

Yukiko bows and follows Lt Bradley as she slings a little handbag over a free shoulder.

"the cabin is very satisfactory" she replies "and it looks like I'll have a lot to do. Admiral Nomara certainly didn't miss anything in the archives"

"When the Admiral does something, he does it pretty comprehensively. I think he is expecting it to take centuries, in all honesty, to complete the process."

"Now, would you like a drink" as they walked into the bar of the wardroom.

"a glass of white wine would be lovely" Yukiko replies "and I can see the task taking a long time"

The wine soon arrived, along with a glass of red for Bradley.
"Ah yes, mustn't forget, these are the rest of our merry band; well, the ones joining us tonight, anyway.
Sparks, Bones, Guns, Number One, and the Captain will be along later.

Sorry, to the layman that would be the Engineering officer, the Medical Officer, the Gunnery officer, and the Executive Officer. I'm sure they have names, but in the wardroom that's what they're usually called, and outside it I call them all sir."

Yukiko smiles and replies "I do have have experience with military forces. I did my two years in the Kirisuban defence forces when I was 16 years old.

I think they quickly realised I wasn't a warrior so they let me loose in the catering branch"

She sips at her wine and says "it was after that I got my degree in pre-warp history and ended up being a professor"

"When did your people develop warp technology? Ours, as we know, developed hyperdrive only recently, and warp is an entirely different technology.
It seems pre-warp history must be an incredibly broad field."

"Pre-warp history for us only ends about 300 years ago" Yukiko replies "thats when the first warp capible colony ships left the Empire of Kirisubo on Earth.

its still going but its not as strong as it was.

Our history really starts about 1300 AD with the formation of the Kirisuban Federation but that only lasted until 1450.

Then Katsushiro Miromuta won the battle of Sekigahara and became the first Shogun. That is the military ruler of the country"

"Our present historians and you will have little if any overlap with you in that case; our records go back to roughly three and a half centuries ago, and though a few study the stories from before then, they are little more than that. I would imagine many historians would dive with both feet into a new specialism focussing on times before then; you will have plenty who wish to collaborate with you."

"i'm sure i'll be busy in that case. it might also be a while till I get home" Yukiko says smiling as she drinks her wine.

"maybe your historians may find clues to the stories of their past in our records. after all we did have links with Terror Incognitia for nearly 500 years"

"That is, I think, the prime aim, and what made Admiral Nomara ask for the records in the first place."
He paused to drink a little wine.
"I understand that it was a throwaway line from the maid looking after them that made them realise your people knew ours before."

"Dinner is served."

"Ah, I think your seat is just this way."
Bradley showed her to her seat, and took the adjacent one to her right. Her other neighbour was the ship's Medical Officer.

Yukiko introduces herself to the medical officer and settles into her chair making herself comfortable.

"Lt Bradley, sometimes the smallest thing can set you on a journey" she says to him

The first course was a dish of smoked salmon, alongside brown, granary bread.
"I myself know as much. I decided to join the Navy - much to my parents' dismay - due to one isolated incident."
He stopped talking for a moment to tuck in.

Yukiko cuts a little of salmon and samples it finding its not too different from the fish she eats at home.

she also cuts up the granary bread into little strips and then starts on the salmon also cutting that up into strips.

picking up a piece of bread and salmon, eats some of it and says "seeing a suit of great armour in a museum got me started"

"Great armour...sounds interesting. Is this from the ancient times of metal armour? There are many tales of that time, most of them doubtless false.

I was set on the road to my career by hearing a story, based around one of the few objects to survive the exodus. It's an old naval telescope - maybe your archives will help us place it - but the story...well, no-one knows if it is true. It's rumoured to have belonged to a woman, Elara Silk, who was the first Incognitian to sail around the world, and did it on a ship from Angermanland, at the age of just 17."

this piques Yukiko's interest and she asks "how old is the telescope supposed to be? once I know that i could place the story in its historical context.

and it was real metal armour, iron in fact. a combination of leather, chain mail and iron"

"I think it was supposed to be mid-fifteenth century."

"if that dates right it would place it around the beginning of the Kirisuban Empire" Yukiko said "and around the period of the first contact with Kirisubo and Terror Incognitia give or take 20 years"

She eats more salmon and bread before addding "i'm sure there'll be something in the records about this"

As the first course was cleared away Bradley said
"Of course the real success would be to find the Archives."

Seeing her look of puzzlement he went on
"When we left Earth, one ship was carrying the archives of our civilisation. Inevitably, it was lost; but it was never confirmed as destroyed, and it may well still be out there somewhere.
Some amongst us want to try and find it."

"I suppose its possible that the ship is still out there but its a big galaxy" Yukiko replies "do your records have information of the course and the star system the ship vanished in?"

"We know their course. It was between star systems, however; though they may have managed to end up safely in a system we don't know entirely which.

It is a nearly impossible task, but I think it's one our people will wish to carry out."

The next course arrived, roast beef with battered puddings and potatoes, with plenty of gravy alongside.

"Especially as we have now had a hint, an inkling of what there is to be known."

"I might be able to figure out a star system if you can show me a map of that part of the galaxy" Yukiko replies

she eats most of the dinner leaving some beef and one battered pudding saying "I didn't realise I was so hungry"

"We have tried to work it out, many times. It narrows down to a region of space of some hundred star systems.
Until recently, we were unable to go there."
"Travel really takes it out of you. We all eat a lot. By the way, do you mind"
gesturing that he'd like to relieve her of the leftover food on her plate.

"sure Lt Bradley" Yukiko replies smiling.

"i've never been off my world before so its all new to me" she adds

"Thanks. I can never seem to get enough. They cook plenty, but take away the serving dishes before I'm finished.
I'd spent plenty of time travelling, but all within the region of our home system before now. Hyperdrive shakedown was the furthest I'd travelled, and that was only 2 parsecs, before we came to your world."

Yukiko looks at him and says "post warp history isn't my speciality but i do know a bit of it. our first warp ships weren't especially fast or well armed but they did the job.

we've improved over the years and i'm sure you'll do the same. Hyperspace is totally unknown to us so that will limit us i'm sure until we figure out the technology"

"Our ships are plenty well armed, though I don't know about speed unless they take the tube, which is only possible at tube points.

We believe the ships which took us from Earth to Incognitia to have been warp ships, though all were lost, and we were unable to replicate the technology.
I could see there being potential for technology transfer between our nations, though obviously something like that is way over my head."

Yukiko smiled and replied "its well over my head as well. I'm just a historian.

How long will it take us to reach your homeworld?"

"About two more days. Normal hyperspace would take a couple of months, but there is a convenient tube, and we have a 'fin pilot, so we can be confident to travel it."
The main course - even Bradley had finished now - was cleared away, and now there was a light fruit salad with cream on offer. Bradley, of course, accepted.

"thank you" Yukiko says accepting the dessert and enjoying the fruit salad.

by this stage she felt quite full and was only able to eat half of it.

"We'll be sweeping straight through the outer system, though there are some major settlements and fascinating sights on all the major moons.
The ship will be setting you down in Nescia, the capital, which is on Incognitia, the main inhabited planet in-system, though I'm sure you'll have the chance to go elsewhere if you wish."

"I really doubt I'll have much free time but I'll see what happens" Yukiko replies smiling as she's content with life and full up after dinner.

"You're probably right. I think some people will push you to take time off occasionally though; to get to know our country, and simply take advantage of being in another nation, another society."

"then I'll have to take some time off to see your planet properly" Yuikiko replies smiling.

"Always a plan; might take longer than you think though, especially if you visit the outer settlements out in the system."

As he spoke dinner was being cleared.
"I think we're about to move back to the bar; do you want to join us?"

"off course" Yukiko replies "i think I've worked enough for one day and it was quite a busy day as well"

she follows Lt Bradley to the bar.

It was in the bar that the serious drinking began. Swapping stories, largely of the Refusenik War, the last time Incognitian ships had seen combat, in which most of those present had fought.
Bradley was less involved in the conversation, as he had been too young to fight in the war.
"The Refusenik War was the closest we've been to a civil war in centuries." he said, quietly to Yukiko.

Yukiko sipped at a glass of wine for now as she listened to the stories being swapped

After all history went both ways and she was as much here to learn about others as she was to help in the Incognitians search for knowledge.

"Lt Bradley how long ago was this?" she asked

"Ten years ago it finished. It was a bunch of human chauvinists who wanted to stop Uplift. They called on many of the old religions as supporters, and fought a short but bitter war, trying to exterminate all the 'pans and 'fins.
They lost so swiftly largely because of the talents of the very people they wanted to destroy."

Yukiko shook her head in disbelief and asked "uplift is a good thing. why would anyone feel threatened by it?

at least these malcontents are stopped for good"

"They felt that only humans had souls, and that any thinking being without a soul was an abomination.
Their destruction was a major factor in the general move to Ifni, for those who have a religion at all, though there are minorities following every religion we know."

"in our past we've been a lot more through with malcontents. their heresy dosen't survive once its dealt with. I'm glad that the uplift programme continued despite this.

the 'fins, 'pans and people of Incognita need each other and united they can achieve a lot"

"They were tolerated until they began killing; and encouraging murder. We are very tolerant of difference 'I abhor your opinion, but I would die for your right to express it'. The man who said that could almost have been an Incognitian.
Anyway, they were easily defeated, but kept pulling back, towards the edge of the system, until they ran out of system to run to. There was a lot of fighting out on the outskirts, but their support was never broad, it was always deep; they died in battle to the last man."

Yukiko nods, sips more wine and replies "in our past our warriors have fought to the last man. even today we regard surrendering as dishonourable. we have a policy of self destructing our ships rather than see them captured. death is preferable to dishonour.

We may not be as tolerant but we are getting there slowly but surely. Anything that harms the people as a whole is dealt with swiftly before the disease gets a chance to spread and ideas can be as deadly as any disease"

"Ideas can be dangerous, but their greatest danger is that to be beaten they must be faced openly and defeated by other ideas.
We generally find it best to engage in argument. If once they have lost the argument they then persist, the public is behind any action against them. It conveniently strips the misguided from the dangerous."

Yukiko nods.

"we are quite democratic even although there are no political parties in New Kirisubo. our people elect a parliment and power lies with them. The Tairo has to answer to her parliment otherwise she'll be out of a job.

This way no one individual gets overall power and power comes from the people with our system. any member of the parliment can propose a bill with the potential of it being law and most ideas come from the grass roots.

Still harmful ideas are faced down, exposed and defeated. thats why we have unity"

"Many of our people would deny that unity is desirable, let alone possible."
He sighed heavily
"Well, I'm for bed. You can stay here if you want, but the bar will be closed soon in any case. Can you find the way back to your cabin?"

"I'll follow you back. I still haven't found my way round the ship and I'll need help tonight" Yukiko replies.

she drains her glass of wine and gets up from her seat ready to leave the bar.

Bradley stood, reasonably steadily, and offered his arm to Yukiko
"Shall we go?"

Yukiko took his arm and let herself be guided back to her cabin.

"how do you find your way round here when the corridors and doors all look the same?" she asks

"Homing instinct." He laughed. "Well, you learn your way around gradually."

"And this is your cabin."

"thank you" Yukiko replies smiling and adds "I'll need to write something on the door to find it again.

I suppose it'll be an early start tomorrow"

she opens the door, smiles some more and says "do you want to stay for a coffee or something?"

"Ummm, yes please. If it isn't any bother. I mean...I haven't actually got any coffee-makings in my cabin."

"I'm sure we could arrange for something to be written on the door." he said, stepping through it and closing it behind him.
"What would you want it to say?"

"my name would do" Yukiko replies softly and activates the lights.

"my cabin has a drinks dispenser" she adds and hits the required buttons to produce two cups of dispensed coffee.

"by the way Lt, I don't even know your first name" she says as she gives him a cup

"Thank you" taking the coffee
"Name on the door? Someone will be along to do it in the morning. Talking of names, mine is John. Can't believe I haven't told you before."

Yukiko takes of her glasses and leaves them on the desk alongside her computer.

"John is easier to say for starters" she says as she sits down and rubs the bridge of her nose.

"it's been a long long day"

John stands, wondering where he should sit.

"Aye, it has that. We started it in Kirisubo, after all. And you've been shutting yourself away with the archives..."

"true. i'll do more in the morning after a good nights sleep" Yukiko says relaxing in the chair and kicking of her shoes.

she pats a chair a few feet away from her noticing that John's not sure where to sit.

"true. i'll do more in the morning after a good nights sleep" Yukiko says relaxing in the chair and kicking of her shoes.

she pats a chair a few feet away from her noticing that John's not sure where to sit.

Sitting on the chair, he replies "Even starting now, I'm not sure you'll have enough for a good night's sleep. Unless you're one of those who only needs four hours?"
After a quick look at his watch, and with a wry grin "Well, five, if you want breakfast at all."

Yukiko smiles and says "i don't need much sleep. 4 hours should be enough"

a little though was growing at the back of her mind. she hadn't met a man who'd lit her fire back home but John seemed different to the men back home.

Most Kirisuban women had the same problem.

sipping more coffee she smiles and knows she dosen't have much time.

with the signals being sent out she hoped John could pick them up..

"Well, that leaves an hour spare. Whatever can we do in that time?"
Emphasis on the we...Bradley had taken a shine to Yukiko from the first, and he got the idea she wasn't exactly against the idea...

taping a button on her watch to get her up at the required time she moves closer to John and kisses him gently on his lips.

Too taken aback to respond for a moment, he soon gathered what little of his wits he needed in this situation.
Whether he got turfed out to his room or remained for the night was a question for Yukiko - and a question for later at that.

Yukiko soon gave him the answer and the coffees were ignored as she led him to bed and dimmed the lights..

next day

the alarm went off and Yukiko woke up stretching finding John were she had left him before they both fell asleep after their time of passion.

..."Wha?"

"Gah, time to move. Not much time for me this morning - I'm on watch in an hour. No rest for the wicked."
Dragging his clothes back on, he gave her a quick kiss and dashed out.
"I'll come back and see you this afternoon."

"I'll look forward to that" Yukiko says smiling.

she rolls out of bed just as she is and walks to the shower to get ready.

within 10 minutes she's showered, dressed in a sensible red top and black skirt and drying of her hair ready for breakfast.

able to find her way back to the mess hall she selects some scrambled eggs, toast and coffee finding a free table.

she takes the time to think while she eats breakfast wondering how long she'll have with John..

Skipping breakfast in favour of a coffee on watch, Bradley accepted the mockery of his comrades as what it was - a form of congratulation, mixed with jealousy....after all, no secret kept more than two minutes on board ship.

He knew it was likely he would be deployed again with Redoubtable, leaving Yukiko behind, unless he was reposted to a ground-side job, including "liaison duties". The Admiralty had been known to show that form of consideration/cunning.
<It'll probably need Yukiko to ask for it though> he thought to himself.
Incognitia was 24 hours away.

after breakfast Yukiko gets back to work spending most of the day on her laptop while playing some music discs on it to help her concentrate.

The classical Samisen music soothed her as she worked, it playing in the background while she looked over archieve material from the early 16th century AD. she knew there was a lot in this 10 year batch.

she took her lunch break at her desk working hard.

After his four hour watch, Bradley had a few other duties to do, but then returned to Yukiko's cabin, to see how she was getting on.
He knocked gently on the door.

"come in" she calls out her head still buried in the laptop and the music playing gently in the background.

she also had a mug of coffee in one hand and was using a mouse with the other hand.

"Afternoon Yukiko, how are you getting on? And what IS that music? It's beautiful."

"John, things are busy" she says looking up and smiling "and that is Samisen music. its a Kirisuban stringed instrument thats been around in our culture for a very long time. our historians think its been around for around 2000 years give or take a few centuries"

bump

"Most things about your people seem to be both ancient and beautiful. Apart from you, of course; you aren't ancient.
Maybe that's why your people seem to have retained so much tradition, I suppose; what you had in ages past was so beautiful."

"a nation that knows where they came from also knows where they are going" Yukiko replies looking up briefly from her screen and taking of her glasses.

she sips at her coffee and adds "I really need a break. this period of history is from 1500 to 1510 and frankly its a bit dull since it was a very stable period of time for our nations"

"Then again stable times are the best for the ordinary people; the farmers, the merchants, the tradesmen. They were probably happy years in Incognitia.

If you're taking a break, I could show you the training room if you want? It's set up to give officers and ratings practice in tactical situations, without running ship-wide drills."

Yukiko smiles and says "i'd like to see that" as she slips on a pair of shoes onto her bare feet

He led her through part of the ship, to an area filled with computer terminals, looking very like those to be found on the bridge.
"Basically there is a series of programmes, coming up with situations to be dealt with; you can have anything from one crewmember, with everything else done by the computer; to most of a bridge crew. And they can be given any situation imaginable."
He activated one terminal, and swiftly programmed it to show a demonstration piece.
The screen lit up, with the information that would be shown to the Captain; overall status of the ship, in various sub-sections, and a tactical overview summating sensor information.
"You can also run it for different ship types; that way you can prepare for a posting elsewhere."

"I see" Yukiko replies impressed by what she sees.

"John, would there be a gym on board?" she asks "I haven't had a workout in a few days and don't want to break my routine if I can help it"

"Of course! Large numbers of military personnel cooped up for long periods...we couldn't do without a gym.
Do you want me to show you there now? It'll be open for you to go whenever you want."

Yukiko nods and replies "that would be nice. i'll pop back to my cabin and get changed into my gym gear first"

they return to her cabin first and Yukiko gets changed into tight shorts, a tankini type sports bra and a baggy rugby shirt with the legend 'New Kyoto RFC' on it. there was also an embroidered image of a fox kicking a rugby ball on the shirt.

she grabs a towel and heads to the gym as John leads her to it.

"Just this way.
Do you play rugby then? Is it a popular sport in Kirisubo?"
They came to the gym; not spacious, as it was in a warship, competing with many other demands for room; however compact and well-designed, allowing for most forms of physical training.
Running machines, exercise bikes, rowing machines, weights training of most forms, and open space for anything not requiring specific equipment.

"I used to play rugby in school and New Kyoto is my favourite team to watch. it is a popular game back home" Yukiko replies.

she starts on a running machine and wonders how many women are on board.

"would my prescence be disruptive to the crew?" she asks as she starts on a running machine jogging along on a low setting for now.

"Well, women are still a minority on our ships, but a large enough one that simply being a women won't cause any problems.
In all honesty, however, given the long isolation of our nation, there will be a lot of curiosity about you, as the representative of another nation."

Bradley had swiftly changed before returning to Yukiko's cabin to take her down to the gym, and now began rowing on a machine not far from where she was running, so they could talk easily.

Yukiko smiles as she cranks up the pace and replies "I didn't think of that. We're so used to being open to others we can handle differences very easily"

"Oh, they can handle the difference. You're closer to the mainstream of our society than some parts of our own nation.
It's just the shock to the system of knowing when they speak to you that you're from somewhere else.
They'll soon get over it, I did."

Yukiko's smile broadens and she replies "I know you did. I'm not sure that as a man you'd have as easy a time in Kirisuban society. the female view reigns supreme with my people"

Intensifying his pace, Bradley replied
"Why? Is your society not equal between the two sexes? Or is it simply the factor of numbers?"

"its mainly down to the gender ratio. in the military the vast majority of the officers are women since only the best candidates are selected. Women usually think more clearly, are more cunning and know how to get the best out of people.

In the civilian world although men can compete more easily" Yukiko replies

"Interesting. Our armed forces have selected purely on merit for a long time now; and apart from the Marine Infantry, womens' physical disadvantage plays very little role; and yet women make up a minority of the Fleet; and form about the same proportion of the High Command.

Thus on the evidence of our Fleet, the difference is not so great."

"i suppose not then" Yukiko replies and takes of her rugby shirt now she's warmed up picking up where she left off.

Bradley ups his pace; to get a proper workout, and avoid getting embarrassingly distracted.

Yukiko cranks up the running machine more and she keeps going for another 20 minutes before she stops and moves onto a rowing machine next to John's.

she starts rowing away to give her arms a workout and looks happy with things planning ahead in her mind about what she'll do after this workout.

barely having broken sweat she rows away contently..

bump

Bradley just keeps going with the rowing. He's doing it in such a way as to exert the muscles in his legs, back and stomach, with the arms only giving an extra little push at the end.
He's prepared to keep going until Yukiko wants to move on.

after another 20 minutes Yukiko decides to take a break and gets off the rowing machine stretching her legs and toweling down.

she gets a drink out off a nearby dispenser and enjoys the water as she leans against the wall.

John keeps going a little longer, upping the pace a bit...then he stops, and stands to do a brief warm down.
"Feeling better?"

Yukiko nods and says "i definately feel better after that workout and it'll probally be the last I get here" softly with a hint of sadness.

"Yes, you will be moving on soon. Possibly even tomorrow. Have you given any thought to whether you'll want a liaison officer from the Navy with you?"
Bradley didn't echo Yukiko's sadness; he knew they didn't have to part just yet.

"I hadn't thought that far ahead but having one might be useful" she replies with a little smile on her face.

"I'll need an incognitian to help me anyway since I don't fully understand your culture or your ways"

"Well...think on it. For me. And now, I think, time for a shower."
He stood to leave.

Yukiko did a mental calculation of how long she would have before dinner time and made her mind up.

"i'm finished here as well" she said finishing of her bottle of water by pouring it over her face and drying it off with the towel.

she eased herself of the wall and said "whatever time we have left we should make the most of it no matter if its one day or a longer period. Shall we go?"

"I thought you'd never ask." was the reply as he took her hand, and began walking back.

reaching Yukiko's cabin she opens the door, waits until John is in, locks it and strips of her gym gear heading to the shower.

OOC: *nuff said*
Dinner time.
Hehe.

fade to black :)


a while later both John and Yukiko emerge from the shower looking happy.

Yukiko slips on a dressing gown and throws him a towel wrapping another towel round her head.

"Well, nearly dinner time. I'll head back to my cabin to change, meet you back here in a few minutes?"
He left, blowing her a kiss.

"I'll see you then ai suru" she gently replies smiling closing the door as she gets dressed for dinner keeping the skirt but changing her top for a red vest top.

after drying of her hair she arranges it into a pony tail and it ready with a hint of perfume finishing the effect.

Bradley gets back into uniform, puzzling over the meaning of 'ai suru'.
A few minutes later he knocks on Yukiko's cabin door.
"Yukiko, are you ready?"

Yukiko opens the door smiling.

"I'm ready ai suru" she says as she grabs her little hand bag.

seeing his puzzlement she says softly to him "that means darling in my language"

she closes the door behind her ready for dinner.

"Ah, I see." he took her arm and led her off to dinner. It would be much the same as the previous night's, in all likelihood, just with a different menu.

Yukiko was sure that the crew knew about them but she didn't care.

she finds a table for them and orders a cup of tea to start her off.

bump

Yukiko was sure that the crew knew about them but she didn't care.

she finds a table for them and orders a cup of tea to start her off.

Bradley decides to try things Kirisuban style and asks for tea as well. Taking his first sip, he mentioned
"You know that they know about us?" pause for a dry chuckle "The whole ship does by now, right down to the lowest level sub-AI routine down on the gun-control."

Yukiko simply replies "I don't care. We're not doing anything wrong and us Kirisubans don't get uptight about things like this. We've been this way since the beginning of our nation. Let the others be jealous"

she drinks more tea and smiles

"Oh, it's not jealousy...it's simply juicy gossip; and ships have been awful for scuttlebutt since they still sailed the ocean."
He grinned.
"No shame here."

Yukiko chuckles and says "I'm sure Kirisuban ships are the same"

she runs over the first course menu and orders the vegetable broth.

"Oh, I'm not surprised, some things never change. Hehe...at least one did though...ships now don't have rats."

"It's claimed that some can be found on in-system freighters, but no-one's definitely seen one in two centuries."

"i hope not" Yukiko replies "they were maligned as plague carriers" enjoying her soup.

"I don't know what you're referring to, but in any case they can be a real nuisance, or that's what I've been told. Damaging cargo, that sort of thing.

Most people think they died out because automated cargo handling passes through a field that rats can't...so they just got stuck."

"maybe thats how it happened" Yukiko comments.

Other people in the dining hall were giving them looks but she didn't care...

"Sorry, that's no conversation for dinner. Have you thought any more about your next move?"

Bradley knew that people were still intrigued by Yukiko, so he ignored their looks.

"John, I have" she replies "and I will ask the admiral in the morning for your help. All he can say at the worst is no.

Maybe we be be togther after tonight if all goes well but I warn you us kirisubans work long hours"

"Well, that would probably work out okay...it's likely the Admiralty would give me a job and a half, so to speak, of something near where you were working, as well as assisting you.
I think they're likely to say yes - I'm approaching the end of my posting here, it's not so strange for them to move me on now, and there is an interest in keeping you happy here, so that you keep working."

"then perhaps it will work out" she says smiling as the soup is taken away and she chooses mushroom stroganoff and rice for the main course.

"we can ask the Admiral together then"

"Nice idea, but I think it still needs to come from you alone, not both of us. The Navy has its little ways...it's perfectly acceptable for us to be together, just as long as we're seen to act separately on things like this..."

Yukiko nods and says "very well. i'll do the asking at the next opportunity i get"

just then Admiral Nomara comes in for his dinner...

OOC: Fair enough I guess...

IC: The Admiral was entitled to sit at his own table; but now and then he sat with others. This time he chose to sit with Yukiko and Bradley; knowing he was losing Yukiko, and suspecting that he was losing Bradley as well.

"Professor, we lose you in a matter of hours. I hope you have enjoyed your brief stay on this vessel" said with a twinkle in his eye "and that you leave in a good state to commence your work" here fixing Bradley with a glance.

Yukiko smiles and replies "I have enjoyed the brief voyage so far but I have a request to ask of you.

I'd like to have Lt Bradleys assistance for when the research starts in earnest. He's got an enquiring mind and his ideas would be useful"

"Of course my dear; I shall tell the Postings Office, and they'll sort out something suitable. This was...not unexpected, even if you have moved with worrisome speed."
The last was said with a smile that took all sting out of it...there was no disapproval in the Admiral's tone, just mild amusement at the antics of young people.

"kirisubans always work quickly if its a matter of import" Yukiko replies "and especially if time is limited as it is here"

"In that case I am left in admiration of your efficiency, young lady. And now I must leave you, I am afraid. I wish you and Lieutenant Bradley all the best, and must say that I will be sorry to see him leave my ship."

The Admiral stood, and departed with a measured pace, leaving the two lovers alone once again.

Yukiko smiled and gently kissed John now knowing they had more time together.

she passed on the dessert course instead drinking some tea and knowing she had an early start, the alarm having already been set.

John sat back...relieved. He had been fairly sure the Admiralty would be supportive; even in wartime they would meet such requests where possible, and this was no war.
But there was always the chance; the answer could easily have been no.
Now he had to think about packing, and moving on from the Redoubtable, to who knew what job in the Admiralty.

after dinner and a drink Yukiko returned to her quarters letting John decide if he wanted to join her later or not.

She laundered some of her clothes and left out what she needed for the next day as well as the jacket of the trouser suit.

the rest after being dried were packed in her bag as well as her other effects.

As she brushed her hair and relaxed in a dressing gown she pondered what the future could hold. a disc of samisen music played quietly in the background as she thought..

John went back to his own cabin. He had a lot of packing to do, arrangements to make....
He hadn't expected to be leaving for several months, now he had all of a week while Redoubtable awaited the rest of a task force for redeployment.
He would try to get together with Yukiko...but might well not manage it.
He cursed as he thrust more kit into bags.

Yukiko settled into her bed but still had some time to work before sleep overtook her. she would have a lot to do once the Redoubtable let her off.

She was however unfocused and hit the comm panel on the wall saying "Lt Bradley are you there?"

Luckily the sub-AI system was smart enough to work that one out, and patched her through to Bradley.
"Yep. Still packing, I'm afraid. Amaaazing how much stuff I've got."

Yukiko smiles and replies "I'm ready but i don't even know where i'll be going after I disembark and meet the Incognitian researchers"

"Last plan I heard was that you'd be going to the National Archive in Nescia. It has what little record we have - mostly half remembered histories, written down in the first years after our loss - of times before the Exodus."

"I suppose that makes sense" Yukiko replies mentally kicking herself for not finding out in advance where she would be going next.

"i'll probally have to the copies of the Kirisuban records as well as translating them" she adds.

"have you found out where you're going yet?"

"No, I might have a few weeks on leave while they sort something out...this is so short notice after all. Probably end up in Nescia though.

As for the archives, I'm sure they'll be downloaded without you needing to do much. They'll be sending computer translations everywhere, just asking you about the most important or interesting stuff...some things need a human touch."

"our script will need human translation. its not really a fixed alphabet as you would know it and most of isn't even in romanji. I'll have my hands full in Nescia and at least you'll be around for a while before your next assignment" Yukiko replies

"Well, yes. There is that.

Nonetheless, our AIs appear reasonably confident, having used the agreement the Admiral signed as a key, that they've been able to translate a lot."

"I'm impressed" Yukiko replies softly "but i really should be getting to bed. We can talk more in the morning darling.

night night"

she blows him a kiss and closes down the channel returning to bed and shedding the dressing gown.

she settles down to sleep after making sure the door is locked and has sweet dreams.

"g'nite."
Bradley spent another hour packing before he settled back for his last night on Redoubtable.
He'd miss the old girl...she'd been a good home to him. But maybe one day he'd return to command - if not Redoubtable then a sister ship. The fast cruisers might be the best commands in the fleet, but you had to go somewhere afterwards...
His last thought before slipping into sleep was of Yukiko.

the next morning

Yukiko's alarm went off and she rolled out off bed.

after a shower and some coffee she felt awake enough to get dressed and head to the mess hall.

she arrived there wearing a white vest top and a black knee length skirt, her hair hanging in a pony tail.

after grabbing some toast and more coffee she found a free table and enjoyed breakfast on her last day on the Redoubtable.

"Eurghh...wha!?!"
John Bradley was NOT a morning person. Rolling out of bed and slapping his alarm-tab, he staggered into the shower.
He headed down to the mess hall, taking a full fried breakfast...a specialty of the Redoubtable galley, and the envy of the fleet.
He saw Yukiko, but he felt he had to bid farewell to some of his comrades from the Wardroom and Gunroom. He caught her eye and blew a kiss before heading over to sit with some of the Chiefs.

Yukiko smilied knowing she had to share John from time to time. she gets more toast still feeling hungry.

"All hands going ashore! All hands going ashore! Report to Main Shuttle Bay at 1100 hours PROMPT.
Kirisuban professor and escort, report to Main Shuttle Bay at 1030 hours PROMPT, if you please. Got a schedule to stick to here."
Came over the tannoy. Glancing at his wrist, Bradley saw it was already 0945. And getting to the MSB would take...ten. Collecting kit, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything...it was time to go.
Standing, he parted from his companions, and headed off for his cabin. Finished there, he was outside Yukiko's at 1015...plenty of time to get down there, if she was ready.

Yukiko opened the door and she was ready wearing the red jacket of her trouser suit as well as the vest top and black skirt.

She smiled and carried her shoulder bag and a small case as she exited the cabin.

"lead the way" she says softy

Bradley walked on in silence. Leaving a ship was never easy.

When they reached the shuttle bay, they loaded onto the little delta-wing, and as soon as they were strapped in, it jetted gently out into space.
It's course offered a great view of the Western Elevator, spiking all the way into geostationary orbit; sunlight could be seen striking it about halfway up; most of the Western Hemisphere they were facing was in night, showing the fragile beauty of city lights, with strands connecting them of maglev tracks and roads.
Bradley pointed out the major cities as they descended.
"Nescia; Menzerte; Dunkennen..."

Yukiko never having been off her own world before was intrieged to see a world from space. she had seen pictures but seeing one up close in person was another matter.

"i've never seen anything like this before" she tells John "and its beautiful as well"

"The saddest thing to say is that you get used to it. It's only when you look with fresh eyes that you really appreciate the view.
There are two billion people living their lives on that patchwork down there - and most of them will never go to another world, even in-system."

"I hadn't left my home world before now and not many people get the chance to" Yukiko replies "but I took the chance when it came up"

she smiled and said gently "we both found something else as well"

"Some people get all the luck" he grinned.

Landing in 5 minutes

The landing was smooth. As they descended the stairs to Nescia, it was sunny, in an almost cloudless sky.
"Don't get too used to this weather, it's usually raining."
They were met by an efficient young woman from the university, who whisked them away to Yukiko's accommodation; this was a fairly well appointed flat in down-town Nescia. Because of the time of day - early afternoon - there was very little traffic, and they had an easy journey.

Yukiko watches from her window as they drive to her flat. Nescia seemed to be a busy city even at that time of day. she would find out soon enough what else she could do in the city and she knew once she was settled in her flat that she would have a lot to do.

"John, whats the nightlife like here?" she asks

"Whatever you want, whatever time you want it. A cocktail bar with a jazz band; a club with the latest beat-heavy whatever, and most of the crowd chemical-surfing; a classical concert. There are things going on literally ALL the time.
I'm not sure how it compares with your worlds' cities, but this is the biggest most lively city in the system."

"Edo and Kyoto are quite large cosmopolitian cities as well" Yukiko replies "and ever since the Federal Union based a fleet there its got even busier after dark.

I doubt there'll be a tea house to relax in but a jazz club sounds like fun"

"I've never been looking, but there might be something almost like a tea house...it would probably be a poor shadow of what you're used to, however.

But I know some nice jazz clubs - we could go to one later."

Yukiko smiles and says "you've got a deal once I get sorted out at the archives.

On my world both men and women use tea houses and its not just about courtesans and Ai-jin.

you can have a nice relaxing bath and a massage, listen and watch the Geisha dance and play or even drink tea and relax if you want to"

"Sounds like an interesting experience; but I'm sure we don't have any close equivalent here."

"Well, here we are; I must report to Admiralty House, which is nearer the city centre. I've got the number for the flat, I'll call you later."

He kissed her and departed, leaving her in the flat. It was fairly big for one person, comprising a kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom; and equipped with all the modern conveniences.

Yukiko unpacked her case and settled into her new home.

Soaking in the bath she pondered things and afterwards looked through the kitchen cupboards.

Settling for pasta and some tinned tuna she plays a samisen music disc while her dinner cooks. still she would have to get some shopping in soon enough.

*Ring*
"Professor, I am Jane O'Neill, from the National Archive. I'm here to take you there and give you a tour."

Yukiko lets Jane O'Neill into her flat and checks the pasta again.

"i suppose I can finish this off when I get get back she says" to herself switching of the cooker.

She removes the disc from her laptop and takes her computer with her as she followed the Incognitian woman once the flat was locked up.

Yukiko still in her clothes from earlier looked happy.

"We're going to the main Physical Storage Archive. We have full holographic images of all the objects here, but sometimes you just need to see the thing itself.
You'll have full access to our archives, but to see the physical objects you'll need to ask someone - such as myself - as we are very protective of the objects we retain from our distant past."
She led Yukiko to the Underground, and having bought tickets travelled on it to the imaginatively named Archive station.
She then took Yukiko through the station, to an entrance next to a large service lift to the surface.
Swiping in with a card and PIN number, O'Neill took them into an obviously excavated, very dry tunnel. Nodding to a security guard on duty behind the door, she proceeded deeper into the facility.

the underground archives reminded Yukiko of her own planets setup.

"Ms O'Neill I'll make sure to ask first" she replies gently adding "the archives in New Kirisubo have a very similiar setup.

I've been there before even although you can acess the records remotely"

"Now, this is the main facility." they had reached an observation platform, looking out over a central chamber, with multiple side tunnels going down off it.
"The vast majority of this stuff is from since the Exodus. The right-most tunnel is the oldest, and holds the pre-Exodus artefacts. That is where we will be heading now."

"this should prove interesting" Yukiko replies and follows Jane down the tunnel wondering what she'll find.

They passed several shields, which were keeping insects and the like out, and the climatic conditions wrong for bacteria.
The tunnel had side chambers; a few archivists and researchers were moving between these, occasionally moving opaque, sealed containers that contained the artefacts themselves on trollies.

"We have a very few objects from many centuries back, though we have no context in which to understand them - save legend, of course.

You will find that some historians here hold legend in very high regard as a source. Obviously they don't believe it is literally true, but we fully expect some cherished notions of theirs to be overturned by access to better records."

"legends are powerful" Yukiko replies in agreement "but once the Kirisuban records are downloaded here some may even be proven true"

she was finding this tour extremely interesting and asked "what range of artrifacts do you have here?"

"Well, from post-Exodus times we have some exemplars of everyday objects, and various items of significance.
Items in everyday use at the time of the Exodus are much the same.
Pre-exodus artefacts...we have a strange selection - a magpie's hoard, if you will. Essentially anything that can be confirmed as having come from those times has been brought here. Mostly it's family heirlooms, so everyday objects, a few paintings, old weapons.
One of the better known ones is the 'Silk telescope', which is a little way down here."

"given our nations shared history you may find items of Kirisuban manufacture" Yukiko replies as she follows Jane.

"There may well be, many of them we know too little to be sure."

"Ah, here we are."
She stopped in front of a cradle, manufactured to contain the box. The box was standardised on the outside, excepting only clear coloured bars to show which part of the facility it belonged in, a written description of the contents, and a tag with all the information for a portable reader.
On the inside it was specially shaped to hold the object it contained.

Jane took gloves from a dispenser alongside, and offered a pair to Yukiko
"We're fairly sure our preservation technologies can deal with a little direct handling, but we're not keen to take the risk."
Having put her gloves on, she carefully opened the box, and lifted out the telescope.
It was a fairly weighty object, made of brass, carrying a name-plate "Elara Silk". Extending to about 18 old inches long, it was somewhat weatherbeaten, but in remarkably good condition.

"We believe this to be a very early telescope - remarkable that it has survived at all - but cannot be sure. The grinding patterns suggest it was carefully made by someone with no theoretical knowledge of lenses."

Yukiko puts on the gloves and her glasses so she can examine the telescope in more detail.

she ponders and replies "we know from our own records that Han dynasty China had telescopes during that period of time. our navy aquired them from your people although.

i would date this from 1450 to 1480 AD. the pattern matches telescopes of a simliar age found in our museums"

"You said you might confirm a few legends. Well, legend has it that this was owned by a woman - girl really - named Elara Silk; and that she was the navigator on the first ship to circumnavigate the globe.
We know that the first circumnavigation of the globe was in about the time you mention - so it is plausible."

Yukiko hands back the telescope and gets her laptop out of its case.

she opens it up and speaks some Kirisuban into the voice port.

pictures appear on the screen of typical sailing ships in the region during this time. There a drawing of a Han warjunk, the very similiar Kirisuban warjunk and ships from Incognitia, Angermanland, Aust and an Ostian galley. a large Frozopian ship completes the set.

"these are typical vessels of the period" Yukiko replies showing Jane the screen.

"Well, where the legend slips out of plausibility is in claiming that she went on a vessel from Angermanland; and that she was the only Incognitian aboard.

This at a time when the two nations had only just met one another, and women were rarely permitted to travel alone.

Sadly I doubt such detail would have made it into your nation's archives. Another one for the Archive Ship."

"maybe it is but Angermanland was in the southern pacific region. I'd like to think that its possible although. its a nice legend.

We'll know for sure once we get looking properly although" Yukiko replies

"Oh, the legend isn't impossible, just so unlikely that people only cling to it because it's a nice story."
She carefully replaced the telescope in it's case.
"Well, unless you particularly want to see anything, I can take you back to your flat now. I'll give you my details so you can get in touch if you want to come down here, or ask anything else."

Yukiko smiles at Jane and replied "I may be doing most of my research here anyway but I haven't heard for sure yet"

she accepts Janes number and other details entering it into her cell phone.

"Jane, I'd like to return. Lt Bradley will be wondering where I got to otherwise" she adds "i've figured out the underground way to here at least"

"Yes, I'm afraid you won't be able to get in independently, not just yet anyway. However there is a...more of a library facility...upstairs, with access to all the electronic versions and images - that can be accessed by anyone, from the street above.

And I understand fully; I just suggest" wink "that you retain some of your energies for research, young lady."

"Well, I'll take you out again then."
She began to lead the way to the exit.

Yukiko smiled and replies "I do have my priorities and John knows how hard a worker I am"

she follows Jane out of the archives back to the underground station with her laptop stowed again in its case.

"Oh, I'm quite sure you do; and of course he will have his own job to do. Well" as they reached the platform "are you alright to get back from here?"

"I'll be fine from here Jane" Yukiko replies smiling and after getting out some money from her bank account buys a ticket.

her last months wages had come through and she would be fine as she was on paid leave for as long as this project would take. still it felt odd working on a planet which still used currency. New Kirisubo has eliminated poverty and wants and most people only worked for 'pocket money' although her pay was good.

She sits on the train for the brief journey and walks back to her flat as she gets used to the streets round her.

John had been at the Admiralty; he'd been given a staff job in procurement. This would entail working largely in Main Building in Nescia, with the occasional 'field trip' to labs or into space, to see future weaponry.

He travelled back to Yukiko's flat; he could get his own place, but had nowehere to stay just yet.

Yukiko arrives back with a small bag of shopping. She prefered to cook even although she knew her flat had a replicator.

she was fine with it doing drinks but she was suspicious of food that came out from it.

she finishes cooking the pasta, drains it off and is about to add the tuna flakes when she sees John from her window.

she smiles broadly and finishes making dinner.

The house recognised him and let him in; he followed his nose to the kitchen to find Yukiko
"A little food going spare?"
Kiss
"How was your day?"

Yukiko returned the kiss and replies "i've some tuna and pasta cooking and theres enough for the both of us"

she adds a touch of mayonnaise to the pasta and as she stirs it in she adds "I got the tour of the archives today as well as finding out how your underground system works"

"As for me, I've been given a job in Naval Procurement, so I'll be mostly working here in Nescia, with occasional trips to labs and into space to see new weapons. Quite a good job actually.

The Archive is always interesting, I've only been there a couple of times myself. Did they show you the telescope?"

"I got touching it and dated it for them based on similiar telescopes that are in New Kirisubo" Yukiko replies "i have the feeling that that will be the first project thats researched once the download is complete"

She dishes out the meal and brings two plates of freshly cooked food to the table.

"I'm glad you're going to be around and i'm sure you'll enjoy it as well"

"Ooh, thank you. That's good." as he tucked in to the pasta "And I'm sure we'll have a great time."

"I'm not surprised you were shown the telescope. The story behind it is an enduring one; not least because it is set on the high seas."

Yukiko looks at John and replies softly "do you really think i'd give you replicated food. my mother always cooked food properly as i do even if i need the occasional shortcut like a powdered sauce.

i also brought a cheesecake back with me as well for afters"

she takes a seat at the table and eats the pasta slowly.

she adds "the telescope has a nice legend attached to it but i think it could be true"

"I admit...I sometimes use the replicator. Nutritionally it's no different, even though it never gets the taste quite right. As for cheesecake....you spoil me" he grinned.
"And for the legend to be true...that is truly amazing. For a girl of just eighteen to have been the navigator on the first ship to go around the world...and what is more, to have founded a trading dynasty in both Angermanland and Incognitia - that is what is claimed, in any case. She must have been quite some woman."

"I'll need more evidence to prove my case but dating the telescope was a starting point.

there is also a reference in the logs of a Captain Rokichi who guided the first Incognitian traders to Kirisubo.

one of the merchant captains was called Rose so it looks like there was always women on the old ships.

It was standard practice for most Kirisuban translators to be female samurai as well"

Yukiko finishes off her pasta and goes into the kitchen to cut up the cheesecake.

Finishing off the pasta, John looked shocked.
"The master of a merchantman was a woman!? I don't know much about those times - none of our people do - but I wouldn't have expected that. The clear impression from Elara's tale, when told in full, was that she was an exception as a woman on a ship."

Yukiko returns with two plates of cheesecake and replies "I can show you on my laptop if you want to see the log in question but in brief they ran into a Han blockade while they were trying to invade Kirisubo.

their escape alerted the allies to the Han plans.

they got to Kirisubo eventually and thats where the log ends. Information is a bit sketchy on other trading missions but that one is well documented and Rokichi's log also covered the time he spent in Nesicia while his vessel was impounded.

he got swept into Incognition waters before they joined the northern alliance"

"His vessel was impounded? Surely he would have known the situation and steered well clear?"

"MMmmm. You can't have known how much I looove cheesecake."

Yukiko smiles and says "darling I didn't know but i'll get it for you from now on.

anyway Captain Rokichi's ship was caught by a two typhoons and his ship the Hakodate Maiden was carried into your waters. only 4 of his crew survived including himself.

He wasn't planning to go south but the storms caught him"

"Oh, don't. It loses all attraction as more than an occasional treat; I appreciate the thought, but I'd soon stop appreciating the cheesecake.

And I suppose Rokichi was lucky that it didn't end up being a lengthy war between our nations, he could have ended up quite stuck."

The cheesecake had already disappeared.

Yukiko brought the rest of the cheesecake in for John and smiled.

"it was Rokichi that quite accidently changed the course of the war. Incognitian merchants seen the trading posibilities in Kirisubo and they changed the governments mind over time.

after his return trip he came back rich but seems to have vanished from history after that"

"Wow...we always were more interested in trade than in war" with a slightly self-deprecating smile.
"It's actually a wonder that right now we have more FTL warships than traders - the first time ever the Navy has outstripped the merchant marine."

"maybe you'll find out the answer to that question in the archives" Yukiko replies softly "but it is a hostile universe".

she heads to the replicator and asks "what do you want to drink?"

"Ooohh, I don't know. Anything that suits you, methinks.

And one of the few things of which we are certain is that we have always had a strong naval tradition, but an even stronger mercantile one. Just because we've lost the records to back that up...we still know."

Yukiko returns with two cups of tea and gives one to John.

she rubs the ridge of her nose removing her glasses.

"I think today took a lot out of me" she says softly.

He replied gently..."There will be many more like it. Don't suppose I can help in any way?"

Yukiko manages a little smile before sipping her tea.

"I think a night in may be better but we can both enjoy ourselves without going out" she says softly

"Oh, but of course" John replied while drinking a little tea "in the oldest tradition we'll make our own entertainment."

Yukiko removes her suit jacket hanging it on the chair and replies "I'm sure we can"

she kisses John and waits on what he does next.

John begins removing his uniform; but that's too boring, so he soon moves to Yukiko and starts taking off her clothing instead.
A swift move to the bedroom ensues, and all too soon it's morning once again.

the alarm on Yukiko's watch goes off at 0600 hours as normal for her and she stretches out a bare arm to fumble at it.

it stopped and she stretches with a broad smile on her face. John was in her bed and she was happy with life.

...0600? He was going to have to get used to that...somehow. John wasn't really a morning person; at least, not this early he wasn't.

He rolled over and nuzzled at Yukiko, and somehow that made the earliness of the time more bearable.

"good morning darling" she said gently to him as she kissed him and rolled out of bed as she was. she located a dressing gown and put that on before heading to the kitchen.

she seen her clothes scattered round that area and resolved to tidy the flat up later on but first they needed breakfast and it woud have to come from the replicator today.

"two coffees hot and white. also a large plate of hot buttered toast" she tells the replicator.

the food appears and she carries the tray back to the bedroom smiling.

"breakfast is ready John" she says smiling.

Taking his breakfast with a kiss and a smile, John downed it and hit the shower...he was up, he might as well.

As Yukiko waited her turn she picked up her scattered clothes and had breakfast.

What needed laundered went into the washing basket and the others were hung up.

she wasn't quite sure what time to start so she would need to ring the archives to find out. 9am was the norm in most places although.

Showered and dressed, John left for work.
Shortly afterwards Yukiko's phone range
"Good morning Yukiko, it's Jane. Just got into work, and realised I hadn't said anything to you yesterday about when we're open.
The upper research and archive facility is open and accessible at all times; the lower archive has ordinary office hours, or whenever you can persuade an archivist to let you in.
Well, look forward to seeing you when you're down here."

Yukiko listens and replies "Jane, I'll be there in an hour" as she dries herself off.

"I'll meet you and the team then. whats the first job going to be?"

"Well, you aren't really going to be set jobs, more shown some of the puzzles and then given a free rein in solving whichever you like.
And most of the team are simply on call with their specific expertise when needed. Only one or two of us will be working with you continually, at least to start with.
Look forward to seeing you when you get here. I'll expect you in about an hour and a quarter, I doubt you've allowed enough time for commuters on the tube."

"I'll see you then Jane" Yukiko replies smiling and then gets dressed for work. she picked out a red vest top to go with her red and black skirt suit which was suitable workwear most places you went.

after a long and slightly squashed journey on the tube train which reminded her of the morning commute back home she arrived at the archives looking for Jane.

"Ah, there you are. Made it here in one piece...marvellous."
Jane swept Yukiko up in her wake, and along to an office, with several desks, each holding a computer, and the walls lined with shelves holding papers...they'd been talking about the paperless office for some centuries, but never seemed to get there.

"This is yours" a desk, empty but for a computer terminal.
"And these are the immediate team. Professor David Clark, and Professor Ridhi Kalaria. Professor Clark is a specialist in pre-Exodus legend, while Professor Kalaria works mainly with artefacts. They have 'constructive disagreements', well, frequently - but I'm sure you'll get along just fine."
The two professors, both looking to be in their mid forties, bowed in welcome.
"Please, call us David and Ridhi, anything else would be most awkward."

"Professor Yukiko Omura" she says bowing in welcome "and David and Ridhi, i'm happy to meet you"

she slips on her little pair of glasses and gets her laptop out of its case as well as a 'notepad' and stylus.

the notepad was the latest mobile computer from New Kirisubo and worked like its ancient paperbased counterpart only it could store and even translate writing.

"whats the first mystery we have to solve?" she asks

"There are so many. We were hoping to begin with our earliest legends, and work on from there, picking your brains - and archives - all the way.

The first tale we tell is of the foundation of our nation. It is told that a merchant fled a great republic when it became an Empire, believing no one man should rule - and founded our first city.
We don't know what was the empire, or where the city was, or even if this is just a founding myth or a real historical event."

"the beginning is generally a good place to start" Yukiko comments and turns on her terminal as well as activating her laptop.

with both computers up and running she sits at the desk and after checking that the Kirisuban archives are accessable she enters a request for the earliest mentions of Terror Incognitia.

a page of links comes up and the first one is entitled "the Philipine sea battle".

the others concern the creation of the Northern Alliance, the invasion of Aust and the logs of Captain Rokichi, the first Kirisuban to set foot in Incognitia.

She smiles and asks "which one do you want to see first?"

"The log of Captain Rokichi? As the first Kirisuban on our soil, he would most likely have asked many questions about our nation - and maybe recorded the answers. So we could at least find the answers then current." David suggested.

Yukiko clicks the link on the terminal screen to access information on Pilot-Captain Rokichi.

A picture of him is displayed on the screen. the drawing shows a middle aged man in a dark kimono, the picture being signed in old Incognitian. there is also a drawing of his wooden ship.

His bio is brief but dates the period quite well.

Born in 1420AD to a merchant family he became an Anjin (a ships pilot) before taking command of the Hakodate Maiden, a coastal junk that did trading runs from Nagasaki to the northern islands of Hokkaido province.

in 1450 he made a routine run before getting trapped in a typhoon and was evetually swept south into Incognitan waters with most of his crew dead or dying.

while his ship was briefly inpounded he had discussions with a professor and while he told stories of Kirisubo he also learned about Incognitia.

there was a link to what he recorded in the bio.

"Fascinating...so how did a battle in the Philippines and the impounding of a merchant vessel lead to an alliance?"

Ridhi and David were reading intently...things they had puzzled over for years were, if not contained here, at least hinted at. And how much more was there, that they had never suspected?

Yukiko opens the link on the sea battle where two Kirisuban warjunks that were establishing a supply base were attacked by an Incognitian fleet.

All the Kirisubans including their commander Admiral Ishido and his female interpreter had fought to the death depite being outnumbered and badly outgunned. The Kirisuban ships hadn't any cannon.

"I believe this played a part because it showed your navy what we could do in battle. we lost but they made their enemy pay in blood. We have no records of the Incognitian losses but we believe they were heavy.

We also believe it was pressure from the Incognitian merchant class that stopped the war once they realised the market Captain Rokichi had shown them"

"Oh, if we could only have the Incognitian records of this battle...that would be a story."

The discussion and discovery would continue. Both Ridhi and David were taking notes, and would be comparing this with the already known, to match it up.

Yukiko plugged her laptop into the wall and accessed the Incognitian archives on it using '1450 AD, Kirisubo, naval battle in Philipines'.

she gets one hit and opens it up. the first page of several appears with a transcribed version of the legend.

She looks at Ridhi, smiles and says "i believe this is what you are looking for even although its a bit vague"

OOC: Just to skip to bigger picture - we can get back to smaller scale later on...
IC: As time marched on, from both academia and - after successful publication of popular accounts of Incognitia's early history - the people in general, pressure began to mount.
The tipping point was when the biggest news journal had as the headline
"WE WANT OUR HISTORY BACK!"

The nation had decided...no matter the expense...no matter the time taken..no matter that it was possibly long destroyed - they would find the Archives.
The debate in the Consilium was merely a rubber-stamp. The people could not, would not be denied this. An expedition would be fitted out to attempt to find the Archive Ship.

OOC: I'll post a link to the thread when I've got it up.
The Quest for History (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=11161896#post11161896)

ooc: theres two kirisuban ships enroute to join the Incognitian fleet and yes they both have an all female crew each :)

"It is vague, but every little helps. Then again, this is the written memories of history learnt by those pre-Exodus...only a few would have known of this battle...so detail is sketchy, and there's nothing to build into a paper."

Yukiko notice a link thats almost tucked away. it had been picked up by the archive computers when the Kirisuban records were transfered over.

she looked up the page and it was an account of the battle as told by a Kirisuban engineer who watched the battle from the shore before his team escaped into the jungle near the shore.

"this looks detailed enough" Yukiko suggests "and the engineer knew what he was talking about"

the account was quite detailed...

"That is interesting. We can read from that, at the very least, that Incognitia had a strong, organised navy, capable of mounting patrols some distance from their shores.

So then when our nations sorted out their difficulties they invaded this 'Aust' together?"

By this time Ridhi had found and brought up a map of political boundaries from the Kirisuban archives.

"Looks ambitious."

"it was" Yukiko replied "and the Northern Alliance succeeded.

From what we can tell Aust came under their control and they lost some of their land.

We got some Austian ships and this is what helped modernise the Kirisuban navy.

the records are incomplete although since not everything survived the centuries before the Kirisuban archive was founded."

"So, did anything then occur of note between Incognitia and Kirisubo?"

working from memory Yukiko answers "we kept very successful trading and military links for a long time.

Culture and the arts flourished in Kirisubo and some of those arts were Incognitian.

Then in the early 20th century we had an isolationist government who undid everything their forebears did apart from the trade links."

"And then at some later stage...the world took a turn for the worse, and our government took the fateful decision to leave Earth.
Do you know which of our nations was first to depart?"

"i'm not sure" Yukiko replies "New Kirisubo was established 300 years ago. we know that for a fact"

"Interesting. Our settlement here was established around then...in fact the tercentenary is coming up in a couple of years time, there's going to be a whole series of celebrations."

Yukiko nods and replies "we should be able to clear up plenty of mysteries before then. Being able to conduct the celebrations with a complete history would be helpful"

"And you never know, they may have found the Archive Ship by then."
David rolled his eyes.
"Come on David. They might!"
"The ship was clearly lost to the depths of hyperspace, three hundred years ago. It isn't there to be found."
"You don't know that! It could very well have survived! And we wouldn't have heard from them, because...well you know how long it took us to get back into space! If they even survived it would take them much longer to have the industrial base."

Yukiko looked at the man and woman arguing. she had been warned about this beforehand.

"We'll see" she simply says "and since Admiral Nomara took a copy of at least half the Kirisuban archives I'll probally still be here when the celebrations take place.

You'll be able to pick my brains for a while yet"