[2011-03-06 22:54:55] <@Haruka_Emmerich> = =
[22:55:17] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Just past lunch. JUNKER Dispatch and Intelligence Wing.
[22:56:51] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka was already at one of the open database terminals, punching in keywords. "Let's see what we can turn up...Ayakashi. Sanzu River. Shinkenger." Fingers fly across keys as she glances at the door, anticipating Ake and Kouta's arrival.

[23:00:56] <CouchAlmark> The latter was allowing Ake to lead him at present, carrying a bag of leftovers.

[23:15:39] <Axel_Wildfire> "Sorry we're late, I just couldn't seem to eat enough." Ake apologises as she enters - said 'leftovers' are practically a meal for three on their own. "Got anything?" she asks Haruka, settling in beside her CO and offering her the bagful of plastic-container Chinese food. Even at that range, Haruka can tell that Ake is unusually hot - she practically radiates warmth.

[23:17:19] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Running the numbers right now, actually - and my, is it warm in here..." She begins sifting through the search results. "Could just be the food, though..."

[23:20:57] <Axel_Wildfire> She blinks, apparently not noticing herself, and seems to be lining up one of the containers of lemon chicken - as if she hasn't already packed enough food for four of her. "Well, help yourself."

[23:27:19] <CouchAlmark> "It -is- a little hot...you sure you're alright, Ake?"  Kouta takes the nearest open seat.

[23:27:38] <Axel_Wildfire> "Hm? Yeah, I'm fine, just *hungry*."

[23:35:28] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka's already idly picking at a Sweet & Sour Pork box. "Well, hel-LO...what have we here?"

[23:37:19] <Axel_Wildfire> "Do tell?" In contrast to Haruka's 'idly picking', Ake is basically wolfing down her selected container.

[23:40:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Well, I've got three tabs open as we speak...one is a record of a samurai clan known as the Shiba and their interactions with and sealing of the Ayakashi. But the other two..."

[23:41:31] <Axel_Wildfire> "The other two...?" Somehow her table manners manage to stay impeccable in spite of the speed with which she eats.

[23:42:34] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "The other two are the Shiba clan's exploits, only a record of them as fictional events. I believe we've somehow stumbled upon some kind of Rider War-era world-fusing backlash."

[23:42:55] <CouchAlmark> Kouta's already eaten - instead he pops a fortune cookie.  "Let's see here...  "That wasn't chicken."  Huh."

[23:43:23] <Axel_Wildfire> "More Decade bullshit?" Ake lays the spent container aside, plucks out a second box of the sweet-and-sour pork, and starts digging into that, too.

[23:43:55] <CouchAlmark> He then glances over at Haruka's screen.  "-Two- fictions?"

[23:47:17] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "On the dot, actually. Luckily Kadoya's." As for Kouta's query, the Fangire simply flips between the two 'fiction' tabs. "OK, apparently we've got whatever world these Ayakashi and the other Gedoushu come from, along with a world that saw the Shinkengers' conflict with them as a fictional work. And then the THIRD one throws EVERYTHING out the window: it's from one mutually off from both the worlds of Shinkenger and Kamen Rider."

[23:48:16] <Axel_Wildfire> Om nom nom. "Makes sense, I guess. So what do you we know?"

[23:51:31] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Gimme a bit to cross-check..." Haruka starts throwing open more and more tabs.

[23:51:33] <CouchAlmark> "What happened to the Shiba clan, then?  Shouldn't they be around too if these Ayakashi are?"

[23:54:48] <@Haruka_Emmerich> This gets yet another tab opened, this time on the 'real world' side of the browser. "Depending on how the timelines mesh here, we could be looking at it being anywhere from seventy to ninety years since the 18th and 19th Shiba heads opposed the Gedoushuu, with Decade poking in to assist. We could be looking at anything from a vengeful reincarnation to a virgin set that managed to read ahead like we are now."

[23:56:18] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake dumps that box aside as well, this time retrieving plain rice and commencing to digging in. "On the other hand, they die easily. As Kouta proved." she winks at him. "Nice work, newbie."

[23:57:12] <CouchAlmark> "Ah..." Kouta gives a faint flush at the praise, though he nods.  "Thanks, Ake."

[23:59:29] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka noms a little more pork. "Even so, the one Kouta felled looks pretty low on the totem pole over here-" A click on one of the right-side tabs. "-rather, early in the episode guide. But this is no period piece - they won't be able to steamroll us so easily just by picking up some muskets."

[2011-03-07 00:00:33] <Axel_Wildfire> "Naturally. I think Senpai can withstand tank shells, so muskets aren't really an issue." Ake nods.

[00:04:20] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "That giant-size trick might be a hassle in the future, especially if their underlings get a whiff of it. We may have to designate a J in the near-future as special-ops - we keep using the Liners to combat them, the TSPD might get antsy about misuse of loaner equipment."

[00:08:06] <Axel_Wildfire> "I bet Jack'd love to do that."

[00:09:04] <CouchAlmark> "Are there any other Riders who can take on giant things like that?"

[00:09:59] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Hmm, we'll see. I think ZO might be of too much sentimental value, though..." Haruka keeps clicking. "Let's see, other large-scale ringers...Kiva's Castle Doran, IXA's Powered Ixer, some of the bigger Hibiki guns if THI can be arsed..."

[00:12:41] <Axel_Wildfire> "Let's *not* rely on outside help." Ake gives Haruka a look. "Remember what we talked about..."
[00:13:08] <Axel_Wildfire> "... anyway, I believe OOOs' GataKiriBa combo is also something of a giant-killer."

[00:15:52] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Hmm, could get Royce in on the fun, indeed." More clickery. "And of course, everything Blade seems to have some record of giant-killing. Could get Kaoru some practice for her new toy once it comes out of beta..."

[00:22:58] <Axel_Wildfire> "Remind me again why we're needed when there's you three?" Ake queries drily, putting the now-spent box of rice aside.

[00:29:11] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Because back in the day, we thought it'd be selfish for us to keep our peace to ourselves." This starts making Haruka's tone dour. "Then frickin' Neo-Fangires decide we can't have a world without danger 'cause we don't think Fangires need to eat people's souls, or 'cause we won't let 'em have a unicameral legislature, or whatever bullshit these days passes for 'we hate you for wanting Yukari to be her own person and/or a better Kiva than Kurenai'."

[00:30:32] <Axel_Wildfire> She puts her too-hot hand over Haruka's. "Sorry. I was joking."

[00:31:37] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Even so, Ake, you DO put in good work, and it's necessary work."

[00:33:47] <Axel_Wildfire> "Haruka. I was joking. I have that kind of sense of humour." Ake sighs.

[00:37:32] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "And I have wolves at the door that have been held back for decades only because we have the sense to take aim before hitting them with any of six to ten somethings that could destroy the world."

[00:38:01] <CouchAlmark> Kouta listens, though not quite sure what to say.

[00:38:20] <Axel_Wildfire> She squeezes Haruka's hand. "Stop."

[00:38:30] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Hm?"

[00:42:15] <Axel_Wildfire> "Just stop. I'm sorry that the joke missed the mark, but this isn't helping us with our current problem." Ake reminds her softly.

[00:43:13] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Heh, which one? The Gedoushuu, or Tenpai?"

[00:43:55] <Axel_Wildfire> "I said *our* current problem, which would be these growing kaijin."

[00:46:06] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Even in her downer, Haruka's been busy clicking and highlighting and making still more tabs. "...and we may very well have some options that can be deployed at street-level. The research effort will be enormous - moreso than the OsuTrooper program, even - but we may very well be able to replicate some of these puppies."
[00:46:24] <@Haruka_Emmerich> The white-haired woman is visibly salivating at the Mogyuu Bazooka.

[00:49:06] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'd like to help with that." The girlish voice isn't Ake's, and she turns to look back at the door - to find the bluehaired Leksi peeking in Three Stooges style, small hands wrapped around the doorframe.

[00:50:10] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...Leksi?"

[00:50:43] <Axel_Wildfire> She steps out into the doorway and curtsies, dressed as usual in her all-blacks-and-whites EGL outfit. "Good day."

[00:54:49] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "And a good day to you, too...but how'd you get this far past security on your own?"

[00:56:10] <CouchAlmark> Kouta turns, curious.  "Who are you?"

[00:56:53] <Axel_Wildfire> Leksi blinks her big red eye (the other being hidden behind her bangs as usual). "Security? I simply walked in, as I said I'd be coming. As I had a purpose, nobody saw fit to stop me." she turns to Kouta and curtsies again. "My name is Leksi Verto - and you, sir?"

[00:58:23] <CouchAlmark> "Kouta Tsukamoto, Kamen Rider Kuuga."  Kouta gives a polite nod.

[01:02:19] <Axel_Wildfire> She smiles at him and turns back to Haruka. "If it's research, I'd like to help out."

[01:04:24] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Well, long as you're here...just mind that it's not exactly Rider Gear research like you said you wanted to do." She gestures to a terminal next to her own. "Ake brought enough food for half the dispatch wing; you're welcome to a share if you'd like."

[01:05:24] <Axel_Wildfire> "That's okay. With everyone running around, it's been somewhat lonely, so..." Leksi takes the fortune cookie that Ake offers her and nibbles at it, seating herself on Haruka's other side - and then shifting; she actually has to kneel up in the chair to see.

[01:18:04] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Yeah, Tenpai kinda threw us all for a loop - we've actually got people investigating a kidnapped Rider case as we speak."

[01:20:42] <Axel_Wildfire> Leksi's eyes narrow but she doesn't say anything.

[01:21:15] <CouchAlmark> Kouta's reaction is more one of shock - this is the first he's hearing of it.  "Who was kidnapped?"

[01:21:36] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'm sure Becca will be fine, Haruka." Ake chimes in, seemingly debating whether to start on a *fourth* box. "- oh, didn't I mention? Our BLACK got nabbed last night, and whoever did it put Senpai in the sickbay something fierce."

[01:22:32] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "No reports of any craters yet. That's a good sign; means mind control wasn't involved." Haruka yawns.

[01:24:31] <Axel_Wildfire> "Looks like even evil has standards." she glances at Haruka. "Are you okay?"

[01:25:52] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Mmm, all these rough nights I've been pulling lately are starting to stack up. Would take a day off, but we're in the middle of a manhunt."

[01:26:15] <Axel_Wildfire> "No you don't. Come on, Yukari's on it." Ake stands and starts pulling Haruka up.

[01:27:24] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Alright, alright..." Closing her box, Haruka lets Ake drag her out of her seat.

[01:28:39] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'm taking you home. Leksi -" Ake starts to speak to the girl, who has occupied Haruka's seat; her visible eye is a blur as she reads what's onscreen and then onto the next tab... and the next... and the next. It's almost eerie. Ake just shrugs and looks at Kouta. "Do me a favour and keep an eye on her, please."

[01:44:28] <CouchAlmark> "Sure thing..."  Kouta watches Leksi with more than a bit of awe.

[01:46:08] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "If you stumble upon anything really good, hit my voice mail with it." Haruka waves at the duo as she and Ake depart.

[01:47:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "Don't be a nuisance, Leksi."

[01:47:07] <Axel_Wildfire> "Yes, Akebara. Now then..." she bites the end off the fortune cookie properly, holding it between her teeth as she scans just about anything that could be deemed even *partially* relevant.

[01:47:08] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake, on the other hand, is busy being concerned over Haruka. "Don't push yourself so much."

[01:48:16] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "I know. Need *yawn* at least four hours of sleep..."

[01:49:32] <Axel_Wildfire> "Eight to ten is better." she bites her lip. "Remember, you're in charge. You have to look after your body."

[01:51:48] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Look after...my body..." Exhaustion begins to properly color Haruka's words. That or last-second innuendo.

[01:53:10] <CouchAlmark> "What exactly are you doing...?" Kouta manages to get out after a bit of watching Leksi fly through page after page of information.

[01:53:15] <Axel_Wildfire> "Whoa." Ake half-turns and wraps an arm around Haruka's waist to help keep her upright. "Christ..."

[01:55:05] <Axel_Wildfire> Leksi doesn't look at him as she responds. "Reading and analyzing." she swallows the last of the fortune cookie - including the note inside, like she isn't aware it exists - and rounds on Kouta. "Are there more?"

[01:55:45] <CouchAlmark> He blinks.  "More of the cookies or more of the pages?"

[01:59:33] <Axel_Wildfire> "Cookies."

[02:00:16] <CouchAlmark> He fishes for and provides Leksi with another cookie, then turns at the noise of Haruka nearly falling over.  "Are you alright?"

[02:03:34] <Axel_Wildfire> Leksi simply starts nibbling at it again and goes back to browsing.

[02:11:34] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Fine, fine..." She manages to pick herself up with Ake's assistance. "Call Kaoru if you need anything...c'mon, Ake."

[02:13:17] <CouchAlmark> "Alright..."  Kouta can't help but frown a little with concern as he watches them go, before returning his attention to Leksi.

[02:14:42] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake leads her off slowly. "Come on, you can sleep in the car."

[02:14:44] <Axel_Wildfire> Leksi shrugs this off, completely absorbed in reading... well, everything she can find that's related to the new kaijin type, even if it's only tangentially.
[02:36:15] <Axel_Wildfire> = =