[color=DeepPink][u][b]The Mangudai[/b][/u][/color]
[color=OliveDrab]>Orbit around Gliese 581 d[/color]

Mariko stood surveying her surroundings within her command center, snugly placed in the middle of her ship. She wore a dull, pearl white captain's uniform, roughly matching the color of her hair. Those around her were busy tapping away at their screens, yet it was clear that they were all ready to see some action. The ship was brand new, yet by this time, most of the paperwork was completed and sent out to the higher ups. Now began the dull limbo between the excitement of a new ship and the action of the first mission. 

The monotony was broken by a balding man dressed very similarly to Mariko. His faced was worn with the marks of hard work and dedication to his job. Many would have been surprised to realize that this man was only a few years older than the captain. Mariko listened intently as he turned to face her.

[color=AntiqueWhite]"Ma'am, there's an urgent message regarding a new mission, I think you should see it."[/color]

Mariko thumbed through her personal screen and activated the message. [color=Orchid][i]Finally[/i][/color] she thought [color=Orchid][i]something to do.[/i][/color]

[color=Orchid]"Eddie,"[/color] she said to the balding man, [color=Orchid]"check if our FTL drives are ready."[/color] Silence remained over the two while he messaged the engineer presiding over the ship's engine. Luckily for everyone on board, the engine was ready. Eddie nodded silently to Mariko as she reached over to the microphone near her and brought it next to her mouth.

[color=Orchid]"All crew, this is your captain speaking. We will launch our FTL drives in 10 minutes. We are going to be taking part in our first mission, I hope you're all as excited as I am."[/color] Her voice boomed throughout the entire ship. As she put down her microphone, Mariko forwarded the coordinates of their destination to her navigators, who began to furiously check radar for any oncoming bodies. They sent back the flight plan to Mariko, who promptly turned to her first mate.

[color=Orchid]"Eddie, relay to any ships that this stretch of space is to not be entered say . . . for the next 36 hours. This mission is top secret, after all,"[/color] Mariko said, bubbling with excitement at the thought of her first real mission. Eddie furiously began to tap at his screen, much like most of the others within the command center. Mariko herself began to frantically relay information about the mission to the rest of those in the room, noting how this was meant to be a training exercise. She made sure that the weapons operators knew that live weaponry was restricted after they managed to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet. 

The minutes passed like hours as she looked up information regarding the area, her leg bouncing with enthusiasm as her crew readied itself for the journey.

[color=Orchid]"Oh, Eddie?"[/color]

[color=AntiqueWhite]"Yes ma'am?"[/color] Eddie replied, turning away from his screen.

[color=Orchid]"Turn on Albarn's Concerto No.2, will you?"[/color]

[color=AntiqueWhite]"Of course,"[/color] he said, already a step ahead of her. A slow, faint tune began to play throughout the ship. Many crew members groaned, having heard this piece almost a hundred times before, but Mariko did not pay them any mind. By this time, however, the ship was already scheduled to be on its way towards the Scol System, where Mariko could finally meet some other captains. The screen counted down until the jump began.

[color=Lime]5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .[/color]

The jump didn't take long. In fact, there was nothing special about it. Most of the crew began to meander around like nothing had happened, but the command center was still overflowing with energy. Mariko turned to Eddie,

[color=Orchid]"Eddie, pull up the outer camera feed up to the big screen"[/color]

Eddie nodded and began to furiously move through his screen. Soon after, the huge screen surrounding the room lit up with a beautiful view of the surrounding area. Just then, someone within the room looked up from their screen.

[color=MediumSlateBlue]"Ma'am, a communications link has been established between all the ships in this area, awaiting further orders,"[/color]

Without much hesitation, Mariko eagerly picked up her microphone and motioned for the crew member to link her.

[color=Orchid]"This is Captain Mariko Matsumoto of the Mangudai, I look forward to working with you all,"[/color]