Preparation

[Hibiki Shimizu]

Hibiki remained in his meditative state until he felt an awkward presence about him, the room around gradually beginning to fill with the various officers of the Seireitei. When he exited his trance-like state, he noticed that a few more officers had indeed arrived in the meeting hall, and he began to slowly rise. To his surprise, the sleeping form of the squad 9 captain laid, drooling, on him, as Hibiki let out one of his rare chuckles. Just then, the captain commander had entered the meeting hall, all of the officers giving their superior their undivided attention.

Hibiki listened to the captain commander's words carefully, as the squad 8 captain began to devise a few contingency plans of his own. When the captain commander had finally finished speaking, there was need for a volunteer for the espionage mission into Hueco Mundo. Would his superiors or fellows ask him of it, Hibiki would have complied with the mission wholeheartedly, though he believed that his foremost duty was to protect the Soul Society's interests from a more direct position - its defense.

Simultaneously, Hibiki realized that the captain of squad 10 silently entered the room, muttering an apology, and that the captain of squad 2 in company of the lieutenant of squad 3, had volunteered for the outlandish mission. Hibiki internally sighed, confident that the captain of the stealth forces would be more than competent and skillful enough to complete the mission successfully, in addition to the lieutenant of squad 3. Nextly, the captain commander gave a few reassuring words to the captain of squad 6, something that the squad 8 captain felt would give all of the officers high spirits. With that, the commander issued his final order, appointing Kai Inazuma as the strategist for the operation. Hibiki let out another inward sigh of relief.

"Hahahaha," a malicious voice cackled in the back of Hibiki's consciousness. "What a blatant act of cowardice, honestly. I thought that you would have volunteered," the voice began to speak softly. "I thought you would do ANYTHING to protect that precious Soul Society of yours," the voice continued in the captain's mind. "I guess not," the voice mocked. "But honestly, do you think jinzen will keep me contained?! You know I've been itching for a good fight for months now," the disembodied voice ended ominously.

The squad 8 captain cringed a bit, and then heard a request from the squad 1 lieutenant, pleading to contact the Vizards. Hibiki held his comments for the duration of the meeting, until the squad 9 captain spoke, suggesting that any officer willing to discuss strategy meet the 9th division captain in his barracks. Hibiki considered the option for a short while, concluding that knowing the base plan for the operation would be in his best interest.

[Captain Stelevein]

Stelevein listens intently to his vice captain after he gave out his orders. Captain Inazuma also reassures Stelevein that the strategy will perform just as planned, while lending Captain Nakamura an amount of advice before nodding at Stelevein. Stelevein paces back and forward a little bit, taking in the things he had just heard. "You want to travel to the living world? Hmm... The Vizards, we have no idea which side they're on, I guess it would be a good idea to ask them. Cooperate with Captain Inazuma in regards to that, I think you'll get to meet some familiar faces soon enough if it falls according to his plan."

Stelevein bows, and then waves his hand, signifying that the meeting is adjourned. He then returns to his quarters and takes a seat in order to mull things over to himself. Why would the Arrancar be making moves now, after having been dormant for so long? There has to be a piece to the puzzle that's missing, and Stelevein aims to discover it in order to accomplish his goal of peace and stability. "Things are going to get interesting, it seems.

[Akiyamasan]

Hitomi feels an amount of relief, as soon after she volunteers for the mission, Kiba Nakamura decides to go as well. With someone of his calibur around, Hitomi need not worry about being detected. Her squad itself is famous for being fairly tricky and disorienting in combat, using strange tactics and stealth to win battles. Hitomi knows she won't hold Captain Nakamura back too much, but quietly mutters to herself about how she'll do her best to keep up with the famed Nakamura brothers.

At that moment, Captain Akisame gives her opinion that the better thing to do is to keep all the personnel here, so that they'd have more people available for the defense. Hitomi understands what the captain is saying, but believes that if the weapon the Arrancar may have is indeed as powerful as it could be, the best way to defend themselves is to disable that weapon so that it may not be used against them to begin with, Stelevein voices his opinion, which seems to fall in line with Hitomi's, and continues his briefing, also placing Captain Inazuma in charge of the defense strategies. From what she remembers, Hitomi knows that Captain Inazuma is perhaps on par with her own captain Sairou in terms of tactical prowess, it is unfortunate that Captain Sairou was not found this morning, perhaps avoiding his work again.

Suddenly Lieutenant Rayvnl speaks out, saying that he feels it is best to also meet with the Vizard and ask for their assistance in formulating a battle strategy in defense against the Arrancar. Hitomi feels this is quite solid thinking indeed, as she has heard many tales of the heroism that several of the Vizard have accomplished, in the texts back at school, Hitomi recalls one of the possible Vizard being Kasai Asashin, a man who managed to slay an 11th squad captain a long time ago. She remembers stories about Hatora Moeru as well, who served as a famed captain of the 13th squad. There was another, known as Yondaime who was a powerful warrior, but ended up leaving soul society in his never-ending quest for a superior opponent. With such splendid potential in the Vizards, Hitomi cannot help but smile a little in admiration of these powerful people.

Stelevein soon dismisses the meeting after giving Lieutenant Rayvnl his orders, and retreats into his quarters. Hitomi then immediately faces Captain Nakamura and bows in respect to him before addressing him. We have never had the pleasure of undergoing a mission together, Captain Nakamura. I'm sure you've had a lot more things to do than remember low-calibur warriors such as myself, I am Hitomi Akiyama, the vice-captain of Squad 3. As you know, our squad is considered the striker brigade of soul society. I am well-versed in the art of stealth, and I hope to be of use to you and Lieutenant Nakamura during your mission. You may direct me as you will, my life is in your hands. She bows deeply again in respect, and awaits his response.

[Shintaro Takayama]

Shintaro laid back into his chair and wondered what was going, since he was the last to enter.He didnt know what was going on, until Captain Nakamura and Lieutenant Akiyama had volunteered to enter the world of the living. Shintaro had no emotion on his face, realizing that could be a very serious thing that they are doing right now. But Shin was never one to be serious about anything, as least thats what he thought and continued to lay back in his chair. He know figured out what was happening, and only smirked at the thought.

"So it seems that theres some trouble brewing in the world of the living. It could be a lot of fun to go." He had already counted how many were going, including those who were assisting and had thought about Captain Rin's concern. "She's right, with so many high ranking officers away, it would be easy for anyone to take advantage of that situation." But he quietly disagreed about asking the vizards for help, since he thought that they were a bit reckless, even more than him. Shintaro then listened to the explanation that Captain Stelevein gave to Rin, saying that it was okay to send them there, which was okay with him.

The rest of the meeting, Shintaro kind of dulled over, but was still listening for anything interesting or something that he needed to know. Suddenly the captain of squad 9 said something about meeting about strategy of the alleged invasion. Shin figured that he had nothing to do in the mean time, except maybe to inform of his squad about what had happened. Shin sat up straight and looked towards Captain Kai with a lazy smirk. "Ill take you up on that offer." Shin got up after the Captain Commander and trailed off with his words. "Just expect me at your barracks in a little while, i have some stuff to do first." He exited the barracks with his same smirk on his face.

[Rin Akisame]

Rin looked at Stelevien and sighed, nodding. He was right, and she was glad she wasn't the only one who thought of such things.. of course, she never suspected she was the only one. Sitting back down, the captain of squad six began to listen. Closing her eyes, she still listened. The vice captain of the captain commander spoke of talking to the vizards as well and she nodded in agreement. Then the captain commander said that they had no idea on which side.

At this, Rin frowned. Going back to deep thinking. They didn't.... did they? For all they know the vizards could be against them... or.. at least some of them.... Rin knew at least one person who wouldn't betray them unless her brother wanted her to... Aiko.. a sweet young girl that had made training so much fun. She didn't know any one else that used the drunken style, and Aiko had been the one to learn from Rin... Perhaps Rin could go along with the vice captain to see aiko.. Rin bowed her head and gave a very faint smile. Perhaps even a fight with Aiko might be arranged....

Opening her eyes and wiping her face of any lingering smiles, the captain stood up after the meeting was dismissed and sighed. She looked over at Kai. "I'll be at your barracks in a bit, you can start with out me if i take to long. I need to go... wake up more... I'm still not quite.. awake.." she shrugged and left to go to her barracks think things over and to try to actually wake up and get any grumpiness out of her... even if she had to go and drink some sake in which she saved right before a battle or during...

[Kiba Nakamura]

Kiba nods in approval at Stelevein's decision, beginning to turn towards the door when Lieutenant Akiyama approaches him with flattering words. With a slight shake of his head, Kiba speaks.

"Lieutenant, i would like to point out that only one position differs in our strengths. Respect and Flattery can have its limitations, there is no need to attempt to flatter me." He says with a light nod, changing the subject, "Either way, i believe you will be a useful help in Hueco Mundo, i do suggest you come by my Barracks later for battle strategy, come anytime you wish, i will alert my office guards to expect you." Kiba says as he steps passed the Lieutenant, walking out the door as the meeting has concluded.

Kiba slowly takes his time walking down each path as he makes his way to his barracks. Wherever Kenji was, when he was next seen he would be best to expect regretting ditching the meeting his presence was requested at. As he enters his barracks, he notes most of his squad has gone to do their daily assignments and schedules. He turns to face his office guards as they salute him, "Welcome back Captain Nakamura!" They say in unison as he nods to them, walking between them and into his office, he shuts the door behind him.

[kaithehawk]

Acknowledging the other captains Kai smiled. The soul society was at a peak in its power and like any civilization it would soon have to fall back into disarray. This was how life was, an endless rise and fall of the powers and only those who were smart enough to rebuild from the ashes would continue to thrive. Brushing the hair out of his eyes he looked around the room thinking that not all of them would make it out of this fight alive and it fell on his shoulders to just how many that would be. Lowering his eyes he smiled and said, "Alright well I will be departing then to set up for the party.. I mean meeting." He then looked towards the captain commander, "If you need anything else of me just let me know," he said making a mental note to tell Athena to handle everything once he got back to the barracks. He then got to his feet, stretched his compressed body to it's full height and then slouched back over walking towards the door and looking back at its entrance. "Hope to see you all there!" He said happily and shuffled his way out the door his smile fading away as they lost view of his face.

[Sieghart Rayvnl]

With the acceptance of captain to his request Sieghart smiled his huge bright smile. It looked like very soon he would get to see his old mentor Hatora Moeru; with his help and the help of the vizards the invading force wouldn't stand a chance. Soon Sieghart's attention was brought back to the room with the farewell from Captain Inazuma. A curious man Inazuma, Sieghart had often wondered how a man such as him became a captain, but then again he also wondered how someone like himself managed to achieve vice captain of squad 1. Putting it towards the back of his mind he remembered his main priority at the moment. "Well i'll be follow Captain Inazuma, If you need me Captain send someone for me." He addressed his captain and then turned back to the gathering continuing, "Farewell all!"

On his way out he stopped by Vice Captain Akiyama, "Hitomi-chan please be careful out there. I won't be there this time to watch your back." He smiled jokingly and then became serious, "Take care." He said giving her a long look and then turned to follow Inazuma out the door, becoming enveloped in the bright light and disappearing all together.

[Akiyamasan]

Captain Nakamura gives Hitomi the response that she expected from him about flattery and how unnecessary it is, but it doesn't deter Hitomi's smile one bit. She nods as he invites her to his barracks to discuss the strategy soon and watches him exit the building as she loses herself in thoughts. (I know that was a bit much, but I can't say I don't feel a lot safer knowing that he's the captain I'll go with. Hopefully Captain Sairou doesn't mind the extra work he's going to have to do without me around...) Her thoughts are interrupted when Vice Captain Rayvnl approaches her with words of concern. He looks jovial for a moment before the expression on his face becomes serious. You sound like you don't have much faith. Hitomi says in a quiet voice with a calm yet gentle look on her face. I assure you, I will return from this mission. There is absolutely no way I can leave Captain Sairou with all the paperwork, it'd never get done!

She smiles as Sieghart tells her to take care and leaves to follow captain Inazuma out the door. She watches him go for a small while before sighing and resuming her thoughts. Well, now that I told someone I'm coming back, I really have to this time. She smiles to herself one last time before changing her expression to one of seriousness. She steels herself for what is to come, and exits the barracks in order to make her way to the Squad 2 Barracks so that she can meet Captain Nakamura once more to discuss his plans.

[Hibiki Shimizu]

The meeting had begun to draw to its conclusion, the captain commander waving his subordinates off after a brief bow, the captains and lieutenants all beginning to return to their respective barracks to provide briefing updates or to attend other chores of pressing matters.

Around the Squad 8 captain, Hibiki noticed the officers beginning to disperse and talk amongst themselves, following in suit shortly after. As the division 8 captain thought to himself about the impending assault, walking down the corridors of the squad one barracks back to his own station, he paused and looked at the sky. Blankly staring for a moment at the clouds, Hibiki focused and continued on his way.

Arriving at his barracks, Hibiki greeted his personnel as he drifted through the halls silently, still wrapped in thought. He entered his private quarters to where he had been before the meeting, taking the same, meditative position of jinzen as he had a short while ago. Beginning to commune with his swords, Hibiki clearly surmised one last notion before he achieved his meditative state. "Hmm, I believe I can attend the strategy meeting later as long as I don't over-do this..." the captain muttered to himself before entering his zanpakutou realm.

[Kimyona Fugawarina]

The meeting had begun and Nathan gave his full attention to the head captain, that is up until the point he talked about sending a stealth squad in Hueco Mundo. After that the meeting no longer served any intrests. He knew what he'd need to do and thats all. He began to focus on battle strategies for himself. He started off by thinking up off the variety of abilites the espada and arrancar's would have and some that do. He started thinking about their characteristics, fighting style, beliefs, temper, power, knowledge, wisdom.
By the end of the meeting he thought up of over 50,000 battle strategies. He was satisfied. As he left the barracks he grinned and thought to himself of his own genious. But stopped. Gloating isn't nice.... He headed to the squad nine barracks.