Lanus, lounging on the beach. (Bad Luck)

On any sunny day like this, Lanus, the most relaxed of the tower's defenders, could be found lazing about on the beach, his bell-ended cloak spread out on the beach beneath him as he laid in a curled posture wearing only his green-striped white undershorts. It was an easy way to fall asleep, but a poor choice for a tan... and yet, as if he'd intended it, he would shift in his sleep until a perfect even distribution was achieved. Fortunately, he'd run into the princess before heading out, who'd been kind enough to sunscreen him down.

In a rare event of questionable luck, the cat-man's sun was temporarily replaced by the shadow of an enormous figure in the sky... It was incredibly shiny, reflecting sunlight off its silver surface in a way that was impossible to ignore (or tolerate, without squinting). It was interrupting a great nap... that said, something like this wasn't something Lanus could ignore. As a challenger, it was his job to take care of it.

And so, he perched on the sand, on all fours, his tail swishing back and forth as he worked the leaf in his mouth, waiting for the new arrival to make the first move.

"You're positive it wasn't a false reading?" Rebecca stood with Haruka on the bridge of the Figurehead V. As Haruka tried to use the ship's scanners to pick up the signature she'd tracked earlier that had led them to this planet, she found it on the fritz. In fact... a great deal of the equipment on the ship appeared to be malfunctioning. The captain had made the decision not to get the Figurehead any closer to the surface, lest some mechanical malfunction leave them stranded at the tail end of their journey.

"I'm certain. Missing Memory is down there, somewhere... Captain, I recommend you allow me to take the Figurewatch down and search for energy signatures."

"Negative, Ensign. It's too dangerous." The captain crossed her arms and considered the flickering static of the screen in front of her. "How would we retrieve you if Figurewatch malfunctioned? Or, even worse, if you did? I think the best thing is for us to stay put. FV, please report that our journey has been halted and begin diagnostics." The captain sighed and unzipped her ready suit, revealing the same sweat-stained tank she hadn't had time to change out of. "Aw, geez... FV, don't tell me... Is the air conditioning malfunctioning, too?"

"I won't tell you, Captain," the AI responded with unintentional humor. "I will alert you, Captain, that there is a transmission from command. Would you like me to put you through?" Rebecca had earned the rare privilege of denying transmissions on her own judgment during times of war. Technically, that war-time wasn't officially ended, so she still had the option.

Still, she had nothing to do besides sit here sweating if she didn't, so she brought it up on the main monitor. It appeared to be a one-way visual... That meant that while the person on the other end was seeing her, she was stuck looking at a "SOUND ONLY" display message. "Captain Astara! You're looking hot."

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, waiting for the older man to catch his unintentional innuendo. At least, she hoped it was unintentional. When he said nothing further, the captain sighed and made a mental note to bring it up with Human Survival Resources. "Yes, well, this is a rather sunny planet, and it appears the atmosphere doesn't agree with my ship. Have you ever been in a hot car when the AC broke down before, Sir? If so, picture that, but your car's engine is burning with the heat of a star, and that's us." The Captain reached up to her forehead and reached beneath her lilac colored bangs to wipe sweat off her forehead, a sigh escaping her pretty lips.

"Yes, well... You do look quite hot."

"... I am," Rebecca repeated, lowering her eyebrows. "Is there something I can help you with, Sir?"

"Oh, I just wanted to congratulate you. I'm sure I'm not the first-"

"Would it surprise you to know you are? I'm beginning to think command isn't reading the logs I'm transmitting."

"Oh, no, Captain, of course we are. I'm very familiar with your body."

"Excuse me...?"

"Your body of writing, I mean. In any case, are you available for an assignment?"

"An assignment...?" Rebecca couldn't stop her eyebrow from twitching in irritation. Had she not just explained the ship was malfunctioning? Didn't she just save the galaxy from an evil empire? "Give me a break."

"I'll transmit the details to that Ensign of yours. Androids are pretty handy, huh? How is Ensign Goshin holding up? I bet she's really cooking, too."

"She's fine, and she's here, sir," the Captain answered with a **** smile. "Anyways, please do. For now, Haruka seems to be the most reliable computer we have on board."

"Very well. Breast- uh- best of luck-"

"For Pete's sake!!" Rebecca shouted, leaning forward with her hands at her hips and unintentionally treating her superior to a brief bounce of her impressive chest. "I knew those double entendres were intentional! What century do you think this is? Expect this to come up in my next log, Sir!"

"No, I, uh... Ah, in any case, allow me to again congratulate you on your making peace with the bug-people of Vazrzall Twelve. Truly a feat of diplomac-" The voice began to garble with static.

"... Huh? W-wait a minute. I'm losing you Sir, but... that was a month ago. Why are you... Wait just a minute! You all really haven't been reading my reports, have you?! Sir, we won! The Empire is destroyed-!"

"I apologize, Captain," the calm voice of her on-board AI interrupted her. "Command's feed is lost. I'm afraid we've lost two-way communication. However, Haruka should have received his mission briefing."

"Affirmative," Haruka answered, her fair skin still nice and dry as her captain continued to sweat buckets. Her built-in cooling systems came in handy sometimes. "Shall I read you the details?"