The Terramoto

[Miranda Frost]

((Solo for TP!))

A soldier's scars run deep, each one a memory that cannot be shaken free. These old wounds make the soldier, providing them skills, experience, and knowledge to overcome challenge after challenge. These challenges would only add to the number of marks upon the soldier's soul and psyche, further morphing them from where they started. Miranda herself was a shy, frail lass in her humblest beginnings. She obeyed her father and assisted her mother on the farm. It was a happy, content life, but was this all life had to offer the girl? Surely there were unknown horizons to be explored.

What was her parents hiding her from? Her first scars would be thrust upon her in her living days, witnessing the brutal murder of her family and friends by the giant hollows that tormented her dreams. Seeing their mangled, crushed bodies taught her that nothing is what it seems, that anything could happen at anytime. She'd run but be caught. No matter how much screaming and struggle could stop what was to come. This would teach the young woman that there is no outrunning destiny. Like her father, mother, siblings, friends, and fellow villagers, death would come in one shape or form.

Miranda recalled being left to hollowfy alone in a ruined village, with chains wrapped tightly around her soul's form and her chest. The pain was dull, everlasting, but otherwise tolerable. The weakness that wracked her from was not however. The cold Russian winter would set in and she'd be forced to endure, lying prone as the snow buried her beneath. Perhaps it was possible that she lasted years, but even her will would give out. She'd accept the fate destined for her, but it wouldn't happen as she had perhaps hoped. A man in black robes would save her, and her journey into the soul society would commence.

She'd learn that the darkest clouds have the most brilliant linings. Renewed in soul and hope she'd live amongst the impoverished of the outer rukongai districts with glee, for even the mundane life here was preferable to the fate she almost experienced. She took every opportunity to seek out new friends and family, and would be drawn into a corrupt cult. Donned in clean white robes she'd be taught the mythology of her home district and the reverence of the beastclan warriors of eld. It was fascinating, at first, but she would come to see the dagger hidden behind the priest's back.

After her indoctrination, the imprisonment would begin and she would see the cult's true colors. She'd be beaten and cut, defiled and made to beg for even the simplest act of kindness. She was made to bare the witness of her fellow sisters' torture, and in many cases, brutal sacrifices to their false god. At the time she didn't know what it all meant, why they were treated and slain in such a manner, but it didn't matter. This hope of hers gave her a burning desire to escape, and the first chance she got she would do just that.

She would come to learn later in her shinigami career that there will be times were sacrifices will have to be made for the better of all, and this moment would help her along that lesson. She'd learn that sometimes it was better to save oneself to fight another day than to let oneself be slaughtered needlessly. Miranda would never forget what she witnessed there in that cursed chapel, and this memory lit a fire within her heart. She'd become a shinigami and return to burn that whole district to the ground, and save whatever maidens like herself remained there.

The academy was difficult for her, but she was toughened through years of torture and horror to prepare herself. The physical aspect wasn't hard. She'd find herself besting many of her fellow academy students in tests of strength and endurance. Academically , she suffered. Shinigami schooling isn't the best place to start learning to read and write when many of the trials did have a knowledge portion to its curriculum. She'd persevere and rely on her developing stubborn nature to push her through to the end. This taught her that dedication would produce results if given enough time.

Joining the 13 court guard squads was perhaps her easiest time. No longer was the challenges externally generated, but internally. Bonding with her zanpakuto had become problematic and a premature release of her blade on the first day of joining Squad 10 had nearly killed her until she was saved by the Kawada Noble, Arantima. Her blade took on a new shape and her powers had strengthened upon healing up to full. She'd learn that action built experience and strength, but would come to build a twisted sense of honor.

This honor would get her into trouble more times than she could count. The hollow Jyuria had nearly turned her into one of her pawns upon overpowering her. Mariposa Serrato would kidnap her and whisk her away to the forest of a menos, keeping her in a cave as a mere plaything for the moth woman. The constant moans and screams of hollows while forced to watch this moth girl toy with herself for days would provide a new phobia and helplessness to the growing shinigami. Once again she'd be saved again like a stereotypical damsel in distress. Her trust and honor would be later crushed again by the Vandenreich scout Alexander.

All these lessons and memories allowed her to win the battle with her darker half, the spirit within that'd use her zanpakuto's power to destroy her soul's core. She'd shed this sense of honor, hope, and blind trust. She had become a colder woman, able to control her emotions to an unnerving degree if she chose to. Her new subordinates in the 1st division weren't as inspired as those in the 10th, who uplifted her at every chance. No, these soldiers were more wary around her, careful in action and word.

Their obedience served the new Lieutenant well.

[Miranda Frost]

Miranda hovered over the yellowed pages of her memoirs in thought, her tired, steel eyes glancing over her felt-tip pin. It was one of many gifts provided to her upon being accepted among the Kawada family. It was among one of her favorites due to it being adorned with golden feathers and a light blue jewel placed near the tip of the pen. it reminded her much of her own crystal creations and shown just as brilliantly if not more so than anything she could create. She'd smile and place the pen in its ink pot and rested her head atop her arms.

Her eyes gazed out over her office, its size and decoration not unlike a captain's. The job as lieutenant here often made her guilty of being afforded such privilege. A fire burned brightly in its fireplace, flanked by a secondary desk for an assistant to occupy or perhaps herself should the winter months prove too cold for her to bare. Above the fireplace was a painting of Arantima-sama, the rightful head of the Kawada house. The painting's expression seemed more intense than the warm look he often gave her, not unlike the fireplace the painting rested above.

Rugs made of various animal skins lined the floor and a repurposed coat rack behind her hung many of her most prized possessions. The silver medallion given to her by that scoundrel Alexander hung heavily in front. Apparently it burned hotly in the presence of demons, though Miranda was never able to confirm this feat. The sapphire necklace given to her by Ajraka hung beside it, often gaining snickers and scoffs from other nobles as even jewelry such as this can come cheaply to many of them. Finally, taking the third hook, was a shard of the Stone Blade, weapon of her district's priest. Such an item often set a feeling of uneasiness to those around it, though it seemed Miranda was numbed to the feeling.

Kegs of her favorite drinks lined the wall to her left, free for the higher seated members of 1st division and even the Captain Commander to partake in. It was a slightly disheartening to not see her comrades partake in her offer of drink, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The soldiers in this squad were quite disciplined and focused. Due to the position of the squad among the other 13, it would be troublesome to the order of things to be drunk or hungover when dealing with the organization's routing of paperwork.

Miranda looked back at the rack behind her, eyes fixated on the stone necklace hanging there. Miranda was sure she killed that man and the work of stealth force volunteers ensured the cult's forces were all but wiped out, but still she had a certain feeling of doubt cloud her heart. Something told her that it wasn't the end, not yet. Often she'd feel this way, but nothing ever came from this gut feeling. It was an illusion, a scar left behind by that priest's treatment of her. In time, all wounds heal. This one would just take a bit longer than most.

The lieutenant closed her memoirs and rest her gloved hand atop its simple leather binding. She found that committing her memories to paper helped her reflect on those said memories. Through those words she'd relive them and find answers to questions never thought before. It helped put her at ease but spending these long evening hours in this manner after a day of paperwork and drilling put a different toll on the new senior officer. She was working herself into an early grave at this point.

Miranda sighed and slid the book to the side of her desk and opened a drawer beneath it. within it was a simple ivory flask and a pair of porcelain cups. She'd pull one of the pair and the flask free and opened the container, pouring a small shot of the clear drink within. Although her drink of choice was a dry vodka, she often returned to the local sake for warmth during these rather lonely nights. She took the cup into her hand, breathing deep the fumes that ebbed from the fluid's surface.

"Don't you think that's a bit unbecoming of a lieutenant of squad 1?", a voice nearby spoke out to her before she could take a drink. Miranda, as if caught in some nefarious act set the cup down and glanced in the voice's direction, to the dark corner of her office. From the shadows on of the stealth squad's shinobi emerged, the very same that carried her out of the cult's church. Miranda smiled and gestured to one of the pair of chairs in front of her desk. "Old habits die hard, I suppose. Please, have a seat".

The shinobi nodded her head and took a seat, practically melting in the comfy materials lining it. Miranda laughed and placed a cup in front of her, pouring her a shot. "Good drink is best taken in good company, wouldn't you agree?", the Lieutenant urged, pushing the cup into the small, precise hands of the shinobi. The stealth corps soldier sighed and took a sip of the sweet, yet strong drink, answered by Miranda mirroring the action. Miranda owed her more than just a drink for pulling her out of that sticky situation. Perhaps the shinobi felt responsible, but whatever the reason she'd visit Miranda often, keeping tabs on her in her new position.

"Now then, what can I do for you friend?", she'd ask, folding her gloved hands before her. The shinobi avoided Miranda's steely gaze, the drink doing little to mitigate the feeling of unease she no doubt felt. "I have information that you'd have a personal interest in", she'd answer, causing Frost to raise a brow. "Oh? Is it Arantima? He's stern, but I'm sure you all will adjust to him in time." The shinobi shook her head in frustration, her balled hands pressing against the slick wood of the desk.

"No, we have reason to believe the cult we fought isn't completely disbanded, but is building up a small rebel cell in the outer rukongai districts"

[Miranda Frost]

MIranda swallowed the mouthful of sake and let the cup rest before her, letting the words sink in. Immediately her mind put itself to work. In their previous engagement, Miranda had taken the fight to the cult leader and liberated the inhabitants of that district to include the maidens that hadn't gone through the rituals that the district guards did to turn them into what they were. Miranda scowled and trailed the rim over her cup with her claw. They didnt have the manpower to screen every last citizen, to ensure that this threat had been extenquished.

"How foolish could I have been to spark a rebellion. What was the size of it, pray tell?", Miranda enquired, taking another sip of her warming drink. The rukongai was massive in scale, with each district containing a sizable population. With her small token force of only a hundred or so shinigami, with some supporting units from squad 4 and 2, they were able to infiltrate and topple the cult's church, however a token force such as this was not enough to weed out any potential threats hiding among the populous. In her passion she had rushed the operation, and sparked something new entirely.

"It is a small cell, of less than a thousand strong, but have world traveling capabilities. We have on our reports unauthorized usage of senkaimon gates and a few sightings of gargantas near the outer districts." the shinobi sighed and removed her mask and doffed her hood. "This could be mere hollows praying at our weaker points, but I find that incredibly unlikely. They all share consistant patterns with each other, accessed at ground level." The shinobi took her cup and downed the contents in a single gulp without as much as a flinch. This surprised Miranda, but she'd keep her focus on her report.

"Well then, it would seem you have a lead of sorts? A location, outpost, or a safehouse? You do seem to harbor a decent amount of information about these people, give me something to bite onto.", Miranda subtly pleaded, resting her elbows upon the desk and leaning in close. The shinobi leaned in and slipped a photo from her dark garb, placing it before the lieutenant. It was a bunker of decent size mostly covered in foilage among the densely packed trees. Miranda had almost missed it by first glance but the longer she looked, the more wrong with the foilage she found.

In places, pieces of concrete would would reveal themeselves and the shape of the fortification would be known. "I see, they have a small base of operations in the wilderness outside the soul society. Still, doesn't seem necessary to bring a whole squad down upon them, perhaps a small strike force of a few hundred would do?", she'd think aloud, glancing up at the shinobi for concurrance on her idea. The shinobi thought and nodded. "This would be more than enough for the intel we have on its occupants"

She'd reach into her garb and pull out another document, a formal report detailing estimated and known assets located here. "Its just an outpost, a place previously used by smugglers and pirates to utilize the senkaimon or garganta to access the human or hollow worlds. It is fortified, but such fortifications are crumbling and in disrepair. This isn't a base, but quiet transportation hub offworld.", she'd explain with a certain level of interest in her voice. Miranda stood and stretched and walked to the right of her, her hand catching a scorched helmet the hung on a wall mount there.

"If I am to put a stop to this meaningless rebellion, then I should divide whatever force they have been able to acquire. Cutting this point here will limit where they can safely travel to and from this side of the soul society, and given how they are based in this sector, they'll be hardpressed to do this unnoticed.", Miranda slipped the visored barbuta on and turned to the shinobi. "Not too long ago I tried to erase a blight on the soul society. Today I learn that I had missed a spot, made critical errors in my methods, if you will".

The blackened steel contrasted with the pale locks of her hair spilling beneath it, all meshing well with the black shinigami uniform she wore. Her heart burned with resolve as she moved behind the shinobi, letting her hands rest gently on her shoulders. "I intend to wipe them all out, one by one if I need to, but I cannot do it alone. Like all commanders I'll need support from the men and women fighting at my side. WIll you help me one last time, Lara?", She'd ask sincerily. What she envisioned wasn't for the light of heart. If the shinobi couldnt stomach what Miranda would do for ultimate victory, then Miranda would let her be.

Such a path required a choice, and those walking the path unwillingly only brought suffering to themselves. Miranda needed allies now more than ever to help her fight the battles to come whether they be on the field or at home. Her men were no exception. If they would desire to forsake this personal crusade, then let them. There is not much to gain in this venture other than experience and a small glimmer of glory in the fight. "You will have my support. Who else will carry you out of there when you tucker yourself out?"

Miranda let free a hearty laugh, her gloved hand patting the girl's back before turning to exit her office. "Well said, Friend. I'll be counting on you for my personal safety then.", Miranda bantered, her hands gripping the door, sliding it open with ease. "I must muster the division and collect volunteers. We will storm this bunker of theirs and capture their leaders. We will climb the back of this serpant to its head and crush our enemies in one fell swoop. I will bring Victory and Glory to 1st squad"


Road to class 2 tracker 150/535 

[Miranda Frost]

Miranda emerged from the captain commander's office with what she needed, the boss's blessing. Her steel eye gazed down into the slits of her scorched greathelm as if looking to the ghosts of the past. The beginning of the end of this chapter of her life had finally come. At long last she could see the precipice of this mountain she had been climbing for so long. Her brow furrowed and she'd twist the helm in her grasp, placing it upon her head.

Miranda wrapped a long, rather plain scarf around her neck, a mark of her recent ascension to nobility. Though usually made of fine silk, this one was made of more common material, symbolizing her lowborn background. Many would see this as something to be ashamed of, but Miranda wore it with pride. This pride swelled in her chest as she stepped out to the large staircase leading down to the mustering grounds, her eyes taking in the site of her volunteer force in perfect formation. Among their ranks were two formations of 500 squad one personnel, an mixed detachment of 500 volunteers split between squad 2 and 7, and another dvision of 500 volunteers from squad 10. All of which gladly answered her call to arms.

She'd descend the steps to them, with all of their eyes locked upon her. The moment her feet touched the bottom, the order to salute was given. Slowly she'd return the gesture, resulting in booming warcry from all 2000 of them, shaking the ground beneath her feet. She'd walk between the formations and they'd preform an about face. One by one, each detachment would follow behind her. "It is time we reveal ourselves to the enemy. At long last I will have my revenge.", she'd mutter under her breath. Never before had she said such things, but there was an anger starting to burn in her heart. The wrath of her task force *will* yield results.

---

A mobilized force was anything but stealthy, Miranda knew this well. However, there was nothing stealthy about her as well. As the command squad, she and her men would primarily be regulated to mundane guard duties for the central 46, janitorial services, or boring administration. A small rebellion was perfect to give her personnel the proficiency in battle they needed as well as relieve them of the more boring aspects of their job. The reasonable force of 2000 shinigami volunteers were motivated, their morale bustling with every step of their march.

Miranda led from the front, charred greathelm donned and flanked by a small personal retinue three seated members: 5th seat Liam Decker, 6th seat Vice, and 7th seat Versa. Vice and Versa were gifted twins skilled with swordplay and have recently achieved shikai, an impressive developement for their small amount of experience. Liam on the otherhand was a bit more experience, though it would appear by his mannerisms this experience came from his time in life rather than a shinigami. Previously in 3rd squad, he was transferred to to the first after a grievous encounter took his left arm. The man was on track to become a high seated officer before then. What a shame it was.

Liam since then had taken the role of guardian to the mute twins. There wasn't a time where one was without the other two nearby. Such comraderie was inspiring to Miranda and so she chose to keep them by her side for this engagement. The twins were estatic for the mission, though Liam was much less so. Still, the scruffy, revolver strapped cowboy of a shinigami. He kept quiet about the mission, choosing silence rather than annoy Frost with his complaints. There was a solemn determination between them. Miranda had laid her expectations to them prior to briefing the Captain Commander. Once they had reach the fringe districts, she would allow a moment of rest. Until then they'd march on.

 The silence wouldn't last long. While Miranda was lost to her thoughts, the twins would reveal a bit of their true selves. They'd glance at each other and snicker before drawing their short zanpakuto. While it is true under normal circumstances they are mute, it is under abnormal circumstances they obtain their voice. Vice would scratch her nails along the flat and spine of her blade, causing it to spark in crimson electricity. A small flash and it'd burst into its true form, a steel violin with strings of scarlet lightning. Versa would tap along the edge of his own, the sparking of power identical to his twin. He'd obtain a drum with a pair of drumsticks tethered by a bolt of red lightning.

  To both the red power would travel up from their hands to their lips, entering their bodies. Their eyes flashed a mischievious scarlet and in unison they'd let their voices be known. "Steel!", their voices boom, yet seemingly projecting in the opposite direction they faced, clearly making it known to every soldier marching on. Versa would begin rapping his drumsticks upon the surface of his drum. Drumming a cadence to march to. Miranda glanced back at the two, brow raised beneath the helmet. Liam, a bit startled, immediately answered whatever question was about to form between her lips. "Lieutenant. When released, they can speak. It seems they are going to perform for your task force. I reccomend joining in when the words form in your head, lass."

 This only left more questions but she'd go along with it. "One unstoppable soul, reapers all" the twins sang, their voices powerful and booming. It was if an entire formation had joined in, but upon observation, it would appear as if most of the task force was just as confused as she. "We, the wrath of Sereitei, Reapers all." Miranda let her mind tune to the words and the beat and joined the chorus with her own voice. Sparks flew as she stepped to the beat, but she didn't notice. The twins were injecting their words into the minds of all involved this way, their lightning connecting every reaper marching along. Liam's voice would joined the melody, and then the rank and file.
 
 "And steel, sharpened steel! We shall bear its weight together.", they'd continue, vice tuning the crowd's voices into one as she drug its bo along the strands of lightning projecting from her voilin. "Forged into a blade of death, reapers all!" Just as Liam had stated, the words appeared in her mind as if it were her own thoughts, yet it wasn't at the same time. She felt her pride reignited once again from the motivation her men and women in uniform sounded. If they kept this up, they may yet all survive the coming battles. "One undefeated heart, reapers all. We, the guards of heaven, reapers all. And those who stand against us shall burn beneath the light of our vengeance. Every traitorous soul shall kneel! And those who stand against us shall burn beneath the light of our vengeance. Every traitorous soul shall fall! And steel! Everlasting steel!"

"Forged in the fires of death, reapers all!"


tracker: 200/535

[Miranda Frost]

Three days. Three days of marching and singing, but when they arrived at their location to make camp, they were silent once more. They all saw what was left behind when a true war strikes a populated area. Houses were razed to the ground. Roads were shredded and muddied from the blood shed upon it. Families were uprooted and businesses destroyed. It had been weeks since the aftermath of the battle and flames still burned.

It was a solemn sight that took its toll on many of their hearts, but now wasn't the time to dwell on those thoughts. Now was the time to eat, drink and rest. In the morning they would make the last leg of the journey. Those from squad 2 and 10 would continue marching to secure the district ahead prior to the rest of the force's arrival. The remaining soldiers would break off into small groups amid a barren field of grass more than large enough to accomodate them.

 The twins snickered and conversed via hand signals, their demeanor a bit happier than Miranda would expect. They'd look to Liam, who'd nod before pulling a hefty case along depositing it  in his lap. He'd undo a few clasps locking down the hard case and opened it, though Miranda couldn't see. "The twins play their songs to improve not just morale, but the capabilities of others. Their lightning fills the heart and mind and allow others to do things they might not be able to do alone.", He'd chuckle and shut the case. "They never get me to sing along to the songs they play, except for one."

 "Big Iron, by Marty Robbins.", he'd continue, tapping the six-shooter on his hip. "It's a story similar to my own, but from the perspective of the would be law-man. ", he'd look to the cloudless sky, brown eyes tracing the stars twinkling above. "The west in those times were harsh and many had to do what needed to be done to protect themselves and their family. You could say I was a vigilante, stepping in when those weaker could not. I took lives to save others, but the law doesn't see virtue." he'd rub his hand over the case in his lap. "After I lost my arm, the twins commisioned this for me with the money they made performing in various concerts around the soul society. To them I am 'Texas Red'. " He'd laugh and lean upon the case, tipping his wide-brimmed hat over to shield his face. "Its funny how accurate certain songs were. I once thought that law-man would be the 21st notch on my pistol, but to this day my notches remain 1 and 19 more."

Soon Miranda would rest her tired feet, steel grey eyes staring into the core of a fire. The one-armed Liam and the twins Vice and Versa would join her. Each took out a small box of rations and began eating, though Miranda couldn't bring herself to join them in this. She wasn't hungry, just tired. "You know, lass, you'd do well to keep your health up. There's a big battle ahead. You're no good to us if your stomach siezes you up in the middle of it all.", the cowboy of a shinigami stated, tilting his wide brimmed at up to reveal his weathered, middle-aged face.


He'd stare at her then would look up and past her. His brow raised, eyes trained on something behind her. "Um, Lieutenant. We are fairly close to your home district, so we should be able to see it from here right?", he questioned, pointing at something behind Miranda. "If so, take a gander at that over there" Miranda would look behind him. Sure enough, there was something there. Walls of steel stories high. Structures of titanium and vehicles moving too and fro within them, their lights small from the distance, but bright enough to see even here.

From its center a large structure jutted from the ground. A thick, tall tower not unlike a human world skyscraper but cylindrical in nature. Another structure would jut from it, the barrel of a cannon. "I feel like... this should have been approved. I would have been privy to this..." Miranda stood and turned to face the sight before her. Squad 12 waltzed in after she razed that blasted church to the ground. Had they went through the proper channels, they would have known of the danger sitting out in the wilderness.

There was something going on here, something not right. She could feel it in her bones. "It would seem our operation will be put on hold. Halting whatever operation is going on here will be our priority. I must asertain the intentions of this... infuriating design.", she'd huff and shake her head, sitting down heavily down by the fire. The cowboy snickered. "You're getting a little worked up Lieutenant. Remind me never to piss you off."

Miranda looked up at him and sighed. "Disgruntled as you are, you do your job. I can't be upset at you" A small crystal fire poker would materialize in her hand and she'd tend the fire with it, the flames licking and deflecting off of its smooth reflective surface. "I cant say the same for whatever officer is in charge in there. My home district was a dung pit of a place to live, but it was my home. Now its... I dont even know what this is.

"Its good to remember where you come from. It keeps you grounded, help you determine where you're going next. A new door just opened for you. It is your choice and your choice alone to open it" Miranda nodded, not taking her eyes off the core of the flames. The man was right of course, she knew this. It didn't help the growing pit in her stomach or her tensing jaw. At the very least she was irritated, at most livid. "Rebellions and now unsanctioned weapons platforms, both within proximity of each other. I wonder if it is all connected."

"They are going to shit a brick when you walk in there."

250/535

[Miranda Frost]

 Morning would come and her forces would mobilize and march the final stretch to her home district. So far, her men and women would speculate on how far they have come and how far they would need to go to reach the destination. Now it was plain to see. The steel walls surrounding the district could be seen for miles and that tower jutting out from its center could be seen for miles more. Miranda dared not look at it, should she lose herself to the anger boiling within her chest. She need only focus on the task at hand and march foreward.

 They'd reach the gates to the district, manned by two shinigami as its guards. Miranda raised her brow at this. Whatever it was that they were doing, they had done much to keep people out and keep eyes from whatever project they were building. Luckily, a lieutenant had arrived to put a hold on things for a while. The detachment of soldiers stopped before the gate and Miranda walked forward to confront the guards. One of the pair nodded to the other and walked out to meet her. "Good morning, but this area is off limits. You will have to turn around."

 Miranda scowled, but the man wouldn't see this beneath her helmeted face. "I will do no such thing. My mission is within these walls and beyond. You *will* open these gates for me and my men.", she declared as calmly as she could, but her balled fists betrayed her attempt to stay cool. "Before you protest, know that this mission has been approved by the Captain Commander himself, which is more than I can say about this operation here. Open the gates and stand aside." Miranda kept walking forward but the guard stepped in front of her, stopping her advance.

 "This operation was *approved* by the Captain Commander! You have to tu-" Miranda would cut in, momentarily losing her composure. "No approval goes to him before going through me, his *Lieutenant*. A project such as this would have been fed directly to him by me if this was routed properly. If it was truly approved, then we will correct your paperwork and you shall experience only a minor delay. ", she'd take in a deep breath before continuing. "By the authority granted to me by the head of the Gotei 13, open these damned gates!"


 The man's eyes widened, realizing that he truely had no choice. If he didn't act in accordance with her instruction, she'd force her way in. She felt no significant power here that didn't appear to come from the structure itself, so she assumed no significant squad 12 seated officer was present. He'd be dead before he'd be able to call for help. He'd  run back to his fellow guard, telling him frantically to open the gate. they'd argue for a moment before moving inside the guard shack and actuating the controls to the gate. An alarm sounded, likely to warn people nearby that it was opening. 



 Miranda motions to her personnel and they'd enter the gates. Her eyes beheld the sheer size of the steel tower, seeing for the first time another structure attached to it. Like a cylinder, it reminded her much like a cannon, yet it was pointed down at its base. Perhaps this was its deactivated state? It appeared to be a weapons platform of somesort, but what could power such a weapon, and for what purpose was it made? Surely this wasn't to combat threats to the sereitei. It has been proven time and time again that their enemies had no problem getting to the center of the soul society. The beast clans also didn't pose an outwardly threatening posture to the soul society.

 The ordeal puzzled her greatly. She turned to her men at the base of the tower's entrance and addressed them all. "Before we continue on our mission to quell these... rebels, it would seem we have to put a stop to unsanctioned activities here. Spread out and ensure all squad 12 personnel stop work and set up a defensive perimeter around the district. Once I have resolved this issue, we will continue on our mission. Fall out and conduct my instruction. Use my name and station if you need to.", she'd wave her hand at her personnel. Liam, Vice, and Versa would split her forces and lead them in this endeavor. 

 Meanwhile, Mirand would enter the tower alone. Those who saw the lieutenant's badge wrapped around her arm wouldn't challenge her in the slightest. Those who stood in her way would be crushed to the ground by the weight of her spiritual pressure. Miranda wasn't made lieutenant to play games with these fools, nor did she need them to throw their lives away trying to swing a blade at her. The receptionist at the desk directed her to an elevator that would take her to the observation deck and control room. That's where their commander would be.

 The elevator was fast, and soon the doors before her slid open, revealing a large room with two sub-levels lined with computers and men operating them. Between these levels was a catwalk tiled by polished slate, leading up to another raised platform that overlooked the courtyard. Miranda approached the man standing there, his arms folding loosely behind his back. "I've come to have a word about your operations here. Where are your approval documents? I require to see them." The man turned to face her, revealing his aged, tired face. 

 "I am afraid that is impossible. This was a verbal order, with verbal instruction." Miranda nearly lunged at him right then and there but composed herself. "From your captain? Foolishness. Such projects are documented and approved. I've seen no such order come across my desk. You are either lying or an idiot." Miranda turned and walked to the edge of the platform, looking down at the chaos erupting in the courtyard. She'd witness her men in action. Some would resolve this peacefully, while the others had no problem with using force to uphold her order. "If there truly is no documentation, then all operations here will cease until they can be drafted and routed properly to me and the Captain Commander."

300/535

[Miranda Frost]

 The alarms were blaring, waking Miranda from her deep slumber.  Miranda slipped from the bunk given to her  and grasped her helmet, slipping it on. How generous of the commander here to afford her and her men and women a place to sleep. The underground barracks portion to the Terremoto was quite useful, giving her force a much needed rest before the upcoming fight. It would appear that the complex had been infiltrated anywho. 

 The ground shook and she paused, glancing up at the flickering lights. Through the steel walls she could hear muffled signs of combat. She'd need to assist immediately and get this under control. She'd hurry through the crew's quarters, ensuring all were up and ready to fight. She'd stand in the doorway of the last room, arms crossed before her. "You ten, come with me. They have infiltrated the facility. We must repel the enemy."

 A nod of recognition from the shocked soldiers and they sprung into action, grabbing their swords and following Miranda through the white, winding corridors. She'd reach a door, but before she could enter, a hologram of sorts would spark to life in front of it, the Terramoto's commander. "I dont need to tell you that the Terremoto is under attack, but there is something more alarming at foot here. They have stolen the technical readouts of the fortress. We must get them back, or we are all doomed".

 Miranda couldn't even get a word in before the hologram cut out. She sighed and turned back to her men. "You heard him. Aim to incapacitate these rebels. We must find these plans.", she'd order before attempting to open the door, only it wouldn't open. It had been jammed shut to keep her troops inside the barracks area. Miranda gritted her teeth and materialized her goto construct for this situation, a pair of saw blades. They'd form at herside and begin spinning, applying themselves to the edges of the door. 

 Miranda motioned her men to step back as sparks flew, the steel of the door no match for her constructs. Soon it'd be enough to barge open and she'd motion her men closer who took positions on either side of the door, reading to enter and slay the enemies no doubtedly laying in wait. She'd move foreward and send a kick into the door, bursting it open. Immediately bolts of kido flew out at them, catching one of her soldiers in the chest. 

 Miranda took the initiative and formed a moving wall in front of her to catch each bolt as they flew harmlessly against her crystal. She moved quickly, with her men taking out those within range. It was a simple tactic, but it was good enough to clear this hallway. She waited for her men to catch up before winding the bend, following the same tactic.  A few more hallways and this floor would be secured, with quite a few prisoners rounded up and locked in within certain bunkrooms.
  
 One of which was worth Miranda taking a shot at inerrogating, though it was less interrogating and more taking out her pent up anger out on. The captain of this small platoon of rebels stood as miranda burst into the bunkroom he was being kept in, her clawed hands lashing out to grasp at the man's neck, pinning him against the wall. A shinigami would rush to her side. "The readouts are not on any of these rebels."

 Miranda grit her teeth and dug her claws a bit tighter into the fragile flesh of the rebel captain's throat. "Where are those technical drawings you stole? What have you done with those plans?" Anger rose in her voice and she'd begin to lift the man by the neck. he'd grasp a hold of her arms to brace himself and give himself enough space to breath. "We stole no plans... w-we're a mercenary group.. hired to demolish this station.

 Frost wasn't having any of it, not any more. "If you are a demolition team, where are your heavy explosives?", her claws finished burrowing into his throat and with a quick pull, she'd tear it free before he could protest. She'd nudge his body to the ground and turn to her men who stood, watching at a rare occurance of their Lieutenant's brutality. "Men, Tear this station apart until you find those plans. Bring me prisoners, I want them alive!"

 Her men sprang to action and combed the levels above and below. She'd look up at the cieling, feeling clashes of spiritual pressure all over the place. There was a battle raging and she would play the long game. Her priority wasn't the Terremoto, but these foolish rebels. There was something else here now, though, she could feel it. It was something ominous, yet familiar. She sighed and exited the bunkroom, leaving the now dead rebel captain to rot.


350/535

[Miranda Frost]

A lone girl clad in the pure white robes of her church scurried through the halls of the Terramoto, unnoticed and unbothered by the soldiers coming to and fro. Her spiritual presence was so miniscule, so feint that it was nigh undetectible, perfect for a task such as this. She was never a warrior, a fighter. She was a follower of the faith, a believer in a mysterious power that promised to deliver her and all her kin. The pale girl waited patiently for the guards to rotate outside the vault, and it was then she made her play.

 The Flock had told her what to do. They taught her how to crack the codes, what was needed from their computer system and where to meet them. The girl trusted these shadow-clad warriors, these flocks for they have always watched over her with their eyes that seem to see beyond what others see. It was like family, though today those eyes said something different. They were sad, yet resolute. They likely had their doubts, but she could do this! She had to for all of them

"For all of them"

 She slipped into the room without as much as a notice. She quickly located the control console and worked her magic, her slender fingers dancing along the keyboard. She'd reach into her white robes and pulled out a storage drive and inserted it into the machine. Soon she was downloading what she had come her for, the plans of the Terramoto, a weapon powerful enough to wipe an entire district off the map with little effort. In the wrong hands this defensive weapon could slaughter millions in the blink of an eye. It had to go. For her family, for her friends.

 She'd remove the drive once finish, triggering an alarm. Quickly she'd dart out the other exit to the room knowing the guards would be coming in where she entered. She'd run down the white corridor and turn on her heels  into a maintenance corridor, ducking her head and keeping her body low to  avoid bumping her head on the various pipes and machinery. She could hear the reapers scramble and draw their blades, but they didn't think to look out here, not yet.

 Her steel grey eyes looked about, looking for any of the Flock. Her eyes widened as she remembered the isntructions told to her. She'd began whistling a tune, a huanting yet beautiful sound. She hated this sound, this song. Already she could feel the tears begin to well up in her eyes, the reason why was beyond her understanding. She had heard this song once where the flock lived, the Village of Ashes at the base of the Gate of Fire. They were all proficient in playing it. When she stumbled across their village and sung along with it, they cried.
  
 Warriors with the strength of multiple soldiers were mentally reduced the ashes beneath their feet. They would teach her how to play it properly, saying "This sorrow, this quiet rage within you is what marks you as family. We have seen the color of your spirit. You belong with us." And now here they were, thwarting some city destroying monstrocity. It was the right thing to do, yet she couldn't help but feel something was off about all of it. It was against the character of the flock, who specifically guarded that location, the Village of Ashes.

 Soon a shadow walked down the corridor towards her and knelt down with an outstretched hand. In the dark she couldn't see his face, but she knew that this was one of the Flock, Hawk. Brandishing a gun-sword named "Talon", he was proficient in swordplay and mid-range marksmanship. He was balanced in combat and strong enough to take on most reapers. The girl smiled and held up the drive, depositing it in his palm. she'd close his hand over and pushed him away. "Come, M'lady, we must go."

 The girl shook her head. There was a presence here, something, no, someone she must see. It called to her, drawing her in. She couldn't go home, not this time. "Please, I must stay here. Leave. We will meet again." The man seemed to be saddened at his but would nod and walk away, once again melding into the shadows. In the other direction a pair of reapers  would run down the corridor, swords brandished. The girl turned to face them, though exhibiting a non-threatening posture.

 The reapers looked at each other, exchanging confused glances before reaching over grasping her arm. "Lets go, Lieutenant Frost would like to see you.", one stated, the other continuing to stare at her. They saw a familiarity in her, this the girl could see, but what was it? The girl stared vacantly up at them, who would look away, feeling uneease by her staring. "Who is this Frost?", she'd ask curiously, recognizing the name from the Flock. "Is she from the Village of Ashes?"

They wouldn't answer, for fear of revealing more, but the girl had already gleamed a lot from them by name and the looks they gave her. This Lieutenant was something familiar, perhaps even lost family. The girl wasn't excited by any means, but rather saddened. The tragedy that cast the village in darkness forced survivors to do things they wouldn't have before. Some picked up the sword, others the chain, and now a shinigami's robe. This madness must end. 

 Mirim Frost will bring it all to an end.

400/535

[Miranda Frost]

 Miranda talked with a few reporting soldiers. So far the lower levels they were trapped in had been secured, with captured rebels stowed away in the barracks rooms, sealed away for future questioning. The next step would be to work their way up and join the command team in the upper portions and evacuate. She'd relay this intention to the remaining shinigami left down here, who would spread out to pass the word along. 

 The lieutenant would be leaving, sawing through doors and climbing up to the ground floor. Most of the fighting was happening outside the tower, she could feel it. Her seated members were engaged with those of similar strength and holding their own at that. She would have to continue on. As she finished climbing to the third floor, the lights would flicker. The door wouldn't open for her, but she'd notice several weak signatures on the otherside. 

 This was going to be messy. Crystal spikes would form into the small gaps in the door and pry it open, allowing her passage. the passageway before her was dark and silent save for the shuffling of nearby rebels. She'd hug the wall and follow it to a bend. She could almost feel the tension the ten or so rebels must be feeling. They knew she was here. They were afraid. Miranda would move slowly around the corner at the mouth of the corridor, seeing a feint light from the door at the end of it.

 A crystal katana would materialize in her right hand, providing a soft blue glow to the darkness. "I am Lieutenant Frost of Gotei 13's First Division", she'd introduce herself, taking a step towards the  rebels who  had raised their ranged weapons at her, those blasted kido guns. "I do not want to hurt you. Put down your weapons, for your sake. Do this and you will live.", she'd warn, keeping up her slow stride. One of the rebels in the middle of the pack would respond in a panicked, "Open fire!"

 In unison bolts of blue and red flashed at her, bouncing off of a small wall of crystal she had formed to protect herself.  Two of the crystal spikes she formed for opening the door would flank her and fling themselves at the first two rebels, drilling through their hearts and returning to her flank. She had hoped that would have been enough of a warning, but apparently not.  The fools would continue to fire, and the cyle of death would continue. 

 The spikes would twirl and  catch the next rebel in the shoulders, lifting him up to pin him to the cieling. Simultaneously, she'd slice her blade up at his gut and  materialize a hook, catching the next nearest rebel  in the neck, brutally pulling him to the ground.  The poor fool pinned to the cieling would be allowed to drop to the ground upon Miranda's passing. Four more were left, cowering in fear. Frustrated, four more hooks would materialize, pulling their weapons out of their hands.

 Even then they wouldn't surrender. One ran for the door, passing a card of sort through it, telling the rebels on the otherside to take it, only it wasn't a rebel. It was a girl clad in familiar white robes with silver hair and eyes much like her own. It was like lookin in a mirror through a lightly obscured window. The rebels would throw themselves at her summoned wall, snapping her out of her daze. In response she sent the wall at maxe speed, crushing the four of them against the door, snapping it off its steel hinges.

 The girl's vacant look turned to shock as Miranda walked through the door, her crystal constructs desummoning, creating a cloud of blue particles that clung to her robes as she walked through it. "What are you doing here. I was led to believe the citizens had been evacuated so this... building could be created", she'd ask, her eyes catching the lil data card in her hand. in a flash of movement, she'd snatch it in her grasp, crushing it in her grip. "That should take care of the plans."

 Miranda leaned down, further inspecting the girl's familiar face. "I'm going to take you somewhere safe until all this is over. Someplace we can talk. I do believe you know quite a bit about why this attack is happening, but you don't seem like a combatent. You will be well treated, I assure you.", she'd nod, but it didn't seem to get a reaction from her. The girl just stood there, staring at her with this cold, blank stare.

 The lieutenant grasped her by the arm and moved towards the nearby elevator that she was surprised was still operational. This elevator would take her to the detention block, a place to temporarily hold prisoners properly. The cells were insulated and relatively private. It'd serve as a perfect place to converse with this strangely familiar girl. Once she was done there, she would keep her there until the enemy forces were thwarted.

 450/535

[Miranda Frost]

Once within the detention block, Miranda would seal the doors behind them and pull up a chair, sitting herself down as Mirim sat on the lone bunk there. The lieutenant  grasped at her charred helmet and lift it free, shaking her long hair as it spilled out over her shoulders and back. Mirim gasped and leaned back instinctively at this. Good, the girl knew her own reflection. "I have to apologize for all of this. I am Miranda Frost, and we are potentially related."

 Mirim shook her head in disbelief, but those eyes spoke a different story. Miranda felt the girl's spiritual signature, noting how similar, howerver feint, to her own. It was likely she felt the same.  She'd ball up her fists over her knees, her gaze breaking with Miranda's to stare at the floor beneath them. "I am Mirim Frost. I used to be a villager here in the district the Terramoto was made.", she'd speak, her eyes drifting closed as she recalled the events of her past.

 "I-I don't remember much prior to my involvement with the church or during. A few months ago, shortly after you evacuated the village, I was approached by a man in ragged robes. He felt different than the reapers, as if there was a piece of himself put in the wrong place. Had odd-eyes and crimson hair. He'd take me to a village, said it was my true home." She'd look up at Miranda curiously. "This village was in ruins, located at the base of semi-active volcano."

 "Only four men were in the village. They called themselves The Flock and wore dark clothing and shrouded their true faces. " , she'd continue, a half sob rising in her chest. "There were bodies everywhere. Demons, dragons, humans, all burnt and preserved. They would sit among the piles of bodies and play their music." She teared up, the recollection of the sight overwhelming for her. Miranda leaned foreward and grasped her shoulders gently. 

 "I have seen things, Mirim, horrors that have scarred me for life. How you deal with it makes you stronger, makes you a better person." , She'd told her sternly, moving a hand before her, letting a crystal flower form in her palm. "The dark tunnel does have an end, even if you cannot see the light. This life is filled with pain and hardship, but those aspects exist only so that life's pleasentries can exist. WIthout pain and loss, you cannot have pleasure and love."

 The girl grasped the little flower and clutched it against her chest. Miranda stood  and slipped the helmet on, turning to leave. "You have my word. When this is over, I will take you somewhere you'll never have to see such hardships again. By our name, I will make this right.", she declared opening the cell's door. "Until then, you'll have to stay here. It is still not safe out there, not for you. Not yet." She'd walk through the door and close it behind her, locking it tight.

 ____

  The lieutenant would fight tooth and nail to reach the command team who locked themselves away in  meeting room. This consisted of the Commander, Sark, and five other lower seated members of squad 12.  When Miranda entered they were already arguing amongst each other on what to do with the current threat. "Until this battlestation is fully operational, we are vulnerable. This rebel incursion is too well equipped. They are more dangerous than you all realize.

  "Dangerous to your detachment, not to this battlestation.", another officer among the group would respond, a scoffing tone eminating with each word. The commander who originally voiced his concerned became irratated. "The rebels will continue to gain ground and---" Sark would cut in here as Miranda walked in, arms crossed in the cold demeanor she had met them originally. They were all put on edge.

 "This rebellion will no longer be of concern to us. I have just recieved word that the stolen plans had just been disposed of. The rebels have nothing. The last remnants of their forces will be swept away by day's end." Sark sat down, leaning forward and  interlocking his fingers. Confident as his words were, the man truly didn't believe what he was saying. "Soon, fear will keep these districts in line, fear of this battlestation."

 Miranda did not like the implication this brought. Tightening a fist around something as fluid as the gargantuan population of the soul society will only result  in more rebellions, more strife. Miranda's arms loosened, her hands balling into tight fists at her side. The concerned officer would speak up. "And what of this current rebellion. You mentioned this Lieutenant had destroyed what they had previously stolen, but data can be copied. They can still find a weakness in this station's design and exploit it. They already have breached our security, after all"

 This did bring up a good point. There's nothing to implicate that the drive Miranda distroyed was the only one made nor was there anything to imply that it was the real drive to begin with. Miranda simply didn't care if this station was destroyed. She was here for the rebels and now this miniature version of herself she's discovered. She had intended on destroying the weapon herself when it was all said and done. Still, for now she'd need to calm this man, despite his very valid concerns. "The plans you refer to will soon be destroyed or back in our hands."

 The man who worsphipped the battlestation so fervently cut in. "Any continued attack against this station would be a useless gesture. No matter what technical data they have obtained. This station is now the ultimate power in the Soul Society, I suggest we use it." Every thing about this officer made Miranda's blood boil. From his smug smirk to the inflections interwoven in his tone, every bit of it called out to her to strangle this man. 

 "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to distroy a district is insignificant next to the power of a captain-class individual." Miranda warned, taking a step towards the combative officer. "Don't try to frighten us with your barbaric ways, Lieutenant Frost. Your sad devotion to those decaying traditions have not helped you conjure up the stolen datadrives, or given you clairvoyance enough to properly stop the reb--"

 Miranda had enough. Those words would be silenced by a crystal chocker materializing around the man's neck and closed, strangling him. "I find your lack of respect disturbing." The choker was a few sizes too small. By the time she would close the object, the man would be dead, and good riddence. The man clutched at his neck, trying to pull the choker free in vain. Sark would step in. "That's enough!  release him." Miranda sighed and let it dematerialize, causing the man to buckle over the table, gasping for air, but otherwise silent.

 "This bickering is pointless. In a couple of hours this battlesation will be ready to fire and we will wipe out the rebel's base of operations, the bunker built in the nearby wilderness." Sark would smirk up at Miranda, who merely glanced down back of him. "If you do this, I will withdraw my forces, and your Terramoto would be destroyed. None among you can contend with their strongest fighters, all at third seat or higher in strength. Surely you all can feel them fighting against my forces."

 "Oh we are more than aware, just as we are aware that you were planning on destroying this station yourself when this is all over. This has been my life's work, I will see at least a single shot from its barrel before it's crushed, regardless of your threats.", Sark responded with a tone which was not of defiance, but rather begging. The man was pleading for them to use the weapon, at least once. Miranda turned to exit the room. "Take your shot and evacuate if you can. I will be doing the same with my forces."

 "Good luck, Commander Sark"
__


"There, you see, men, she can be reasonable", Sark told the group as Miranda exited the meeting room. He'd press a button on the table and lean in , speaking into the microphone. "Continue with the operation, you may fire when ready", Sark commanded recieving a "It will be done, sir" as a response. A screen came online along the wall, showing the target in question. The Terramoto groaned as the tower turned to face the wilderness, its old metal screeching as its barrel rose and levelled itself  slowly, pointed it at the far away bunker.

 Sark stroked his chin in triumph. The tower gained a spiritual pressure of its own as it drew upon the reishi-rich stream that flowed through the district, directly into the weapon's main reactor. The engine would be brought to critical, with the pressure building in mere moments. A bright blue glow brighter than that of the sun would build at the tip of the barrel, condensing in size until it was but the size of a golf ball. Ah, but that's where the destructive power came from. 

 Holding something of that magnitude at such a small size increased its desire to be set free, so that's what they did. when it was ready to fire, the gunner deactivated the safty, allowing it to burst forth in a beam of pure light. The beam of brilliant azure would cross the miles wide gap between it and the enemy bunker in mere moments, the beam melting away the steel and stone that reinforced it. Trees combusted and the ground melted around them.

 When all the energy was released, an explosion would sound, knocking out the power to the Terramoto momentarily. When the power returned and the camera trained on the bunker was restored, nothing was left but a cyclone of fire and smoke. Now the rebellion was stranded, with whatever reserves and infrastructure demolished and melted away. The forces still remainind here will have no choice but to flee now as others would have noticed this unsanctioned burst of power. Either way, Sark had won.

550/535

[Kitai Yoru]

110 paragraphs, 550 TP awarded