[Map Room, Moon 8 - Afternoon] Charting the course (Open)

[Akodo Jishaku]

Looking like he was supposed to be there, Akodo Jishaku casually sauntered into the map room taking in the decorations with a quick glance before focusing on the good stuff. Maps and charts and books about naval warfare, as well as the tactical area. This is where the real action would be taking place, navigation and strategy, what Lion could resist?

Making sure he didn't get in the way on anyone more important, the Akodo tried to get a feel for the place and paid close attention to what was going on. He was particularly pleased to note that he didn't feel queasy reading the maps and notes as the ship moves back and forth. In fact he barely noticed the rocking anymore.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"... no, we'll stay the course. We'll clip the edge of the storm and it should be enough to rattle th-" he stops as the Akodo enters without knocking. A brow arches as the Captain straightens and fixes the Lion with a considering look. He doesn't say anything and lifts a hand to stall one of the two ashigaru who starts to move towards Jishaku.

Uminushi waits.

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion offers a deep bow when he realises the Captain is staring at him. "Akodo Jishaku reporting for duty Captain. Apologies if I am interrupting, familiarising myself with the ship seemed prudent and thought I should certainly inspect the map room. Sir."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Oh...? And why might that be?" he asks with a curious tilt of his head. The question was casual as the Mantis absently pops his back and nods when he's handed a cup of tea. It certainly wasn't unfriendly.

[Akodo Jishaku]

Standing to attention on a rolling ship might not be the easiest thing but the Lion didn't seem to find it troublesome. "I studied Naval tactics and navigation, sir. Always more to learn. Also I've never been on a ship large enough to warrant an actual map room. Sir."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Mm. I see. So, have enemy ships been spotted in the waters...?" he asks with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. At the question the two ashigaru at the table tense, looking between the Mantis and Lion. Once more, Uminushi lifts his hand to stop one of them from running out the door to check.

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Not to my knowledge sir, but I'm just a new recruit. Though I expect the place would be a touch busier if they had. Still, my uncle Tetsuo-sama always said 'preparation is half the battle'." He pauses pondering. "He never did say what the rest of the battle was. I always assumed that was the bit with the killing things. Sir."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"You listen here you sonnavabi-" one of the ashigaru starts, anger written in the lines of his face.

"Dageki-san, you finish that sentence and by Suintengu's beard, I'll have you on latrine duty for the next fortnight," the Captain interrupts calmly, his eyes never leaving the Lion. Dageki grumbles but shuts his mouth, twitching a map straight sullenly. Once Uminushi was satisfied with his underlings silence, he asks, "Is this your first time in a formal military unit?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion seems confused by the ashigaru's outburst. "No sir. I have served with the small Lion naval units, nothing so great as the Half Moon. Seamanship is somewhat new to my Clan and as such we are encouraged to speak more freely than our brothers. If I have given offense it was not intended and I offer you my sincere apologies Captain." He bows respectfully and holds it awaiting the Captain's response.

No, the Lion hasn't realised that the map room is part of the Captain's quarters, but at least he is finding out in an entertaining manner

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"Alright, Akodo-san, think of the maproom as a command tent," he offers as he personally moves to pour another cup of tea, holding it out to Jishaku. "Everything set out so the commander can find it at a moments notice because decisions need to be made. Decisions that effect a lot of people. Everyone that comes in either has new information or a particular set of expertise to offer."

Uminushi smiles, holding the cup steady despite the sway of the ship, "Do you understand...?"

Not a drop falls from the cup as he waits.

[Akodo Jishaku]

To his credit the Lion hardly pales at all as he rises to reply. The command tent? Stupid cub move Jishaku, stupid cub. "Hai, Captain. Completely. Thank you for setting me to rights, I will not make the same mistake twice. Thank you also for the tea." He bows again and gracefully accepts the offered cup, managing to demonstrate an equally steady hand.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"You're welcome," he glances over his shoulder at the ashigaru and jerks his head towards, "Go on then, you two know what needs to be done."

The two men salute crisply and leave the room, though the one known as Dageki pointedly ignores the Lion. Uminushi waits until the door is closed and runs a hand through his hair with a sigh. He moves back to the map table and rolls up what he was working on. "Alright, since you're here, I have time for a few lessons before I get to go spit in the eye of a storm."

Swiftly the map is put away and another is retrieved from its cubby hole and set out. A box of miniature ships are produced and set out in formation. Uminushi points at the small force of three light battle ships. They look to be Imperial.

"This is your fleet... are you familiar with their armaments and combat capabilities?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

Expecting to be dismissed the Lion hides his surprise, his face taking on a sharper focus as the tactical map comes out.

"Hai Captain. These appear to represent Imperial light battle ships, which would indicate a fleet with the following capabilities..." Jishaku reels off the standard crew compliment, capabilities, armaments and maneuverability of three such ships.

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

He listens and nods, shifting the ships across the map. The map itself was of a small archipelago off the coast of Crane lands. It was a set of islands infamous as a pirate's den. The islands were riddled with hidden coves and close enough to trade routes for the pirates to make quick sorties, but far enough away to evade pursuit from ships more suited to shallow waters.

"Very good. Now, these are your resources and the conditions of your crew and ship..."

Uminushi rattles off the information, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he watches the Lion. It seemed Jishaku's had one shugenja each on two ships. One was mainly a healer while the other had a collection of offensive spells. Unfortunately, in pursuing the pirates, the fire shugenja had used about half his arsenal for the day. Luckily, the ships didn't take too much damage and still had two thirds of their ammo for the ballistas between them, though the ship without a shugenja had less than half. They were, of course, still in pursuit of the pirates who had lost a quarter of their 'force' and had last been seen heading to the archipelago.

"Now, what do you do?"

[Akodo Jishaku]

He ponders the situation for a few moments. "Once the pirates reach the archipelago they can hide from our forces. The ship with no shugenja has the least ammunition remaining, meaning it is the lightest of the three. I would send it ahead of the other two and pick out a single pirate vessel to focus fire on with the ballistas. As the target slows, our other ships catch up. If any of the other pirate vessels attempt to support, our fire shugenja targets their sails. With three vessels we overwhelm the pirates, take their ship and question the crew until they give us the location of their base of operations. We might even have the option of using their ship as a decoy." He looks back at the Captain. "Of course our shugenja healer might also be able to help on the intel side of things and provide other options. That would be my initial assessment though Captain."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

Uminushi casually plucks a few ships from the box of miniatures, setting them on the board. He silently nudges one of the Imperial ships into range, ahead of its brothers. "The Captain picks the weakest. But, unfortunately, the enemy is willing to make that sacrifice and concentrate their fire on the lone ship."

Gently, he tips the ship over and sets out a few more pirate boats, having them 'round' the archipelago and come in to view. "Your ships don't catch up quite as quickly as the ought, the wind blows differently closer to the islands and the currents are strong. Of course, they knew this and they were waiting. Now what?"

The Yoritomo looks up and takes a sip from his cup of tea, watching the Lion curiously.

[Akodo Jishaku]

The Lion nods, face serious. "Move our ships up together, Fire shugenja targets enemy sails, ballista crews focus fire. Recover our men, then reassess our position and decide whether to withdraw for now or continue the fight."

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"I find your concern for your men commendable," he murmurs as he moves to refill their cups. "However, the pirates also have a shugenja of their own. Not a good one, but good enough."

[Akodo Jishaku]

"Can our healer neutralise the opponent's fire spells with water magic?"

[Yoritomo Uminushi]

"To a degree," he replies as he slowly nudges the new, unharmed ships around the original pirates to 'flank' the beleaguered Imperials. Uminushi's voice was calm and even, "You've run out of ammunition on your flag ship, by the way."