>>32781646
was the new MS ever revealed?

>>32781646
“So have you heard anything about these new machines, or are you as in the dark as we are?” Carya asks you as your group finds an out-of-the-way spot in the terminal to talk.

You look briefly at Sergeant Hollinger, who shakes her head. Apparently, that wasn't in the briefing you slept through. “Nope, they haven't told us anything either,” you reply.

“Figures,” Catrina mutters mutinously as the sisters' eyes seem to you to glint red for a moment. “the Federation just loves its secrets, donnit?”

Out of the corner of your eye, you see a stern, gray-haired officer in full uniform heading in your direction. The man struck you as amazingly old-school: a real master of his assigned domain. You could practically sense his crew-cut from across the room before you saw him.

“Uh-oh,” Catrina whispers. “Brassholes at 10 o'clock...”

“Welcome to EFAS Miramar,” the man offers as he nears your group. “I'm Colonel Holcomb, base commander. It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander O'Hara.” Finally within arm's reach, Colonel Holcomb offers a firm handshake... to Carya and Catrina, whose jacket is currently covering their rank insignia.

How do you want to handle this? Seems the man has got his lines crossed somewhere.
>Sarcastic, this guy could probably stand to have a little air let out of his ego
>Professionally, it was a harmless misunderstanding
>Let Carya or Catrina handle it, this might be interesting
>Other
As always, write-in dialogue is welcomed.

>>32781760
>Let Carya or Catrina handle it, this might be interesting

it will be funny

>>32781760
> Professionally, it was a harmless misunderstanding

>>32781760
>Let Carya or Catrina handle it, this might be interesting

I wanna see where this goes.

>>32781760
>>Let Carya or Catrina handle it, this might be interesting
curious how they will act.

Can I get some clarification here:

Are the sisters two souls in one body? Or two souls in two bodies who are linked together through newtype shit?

>>32781760
>Professionally, it was a harmless misunderstanding
This is not a man who has a sense of humor.

>>32781964
Two souls one body.

>>32781760
>Let Carya or Catrina handle it, this might be interesting

>>32781760
>>Professionally, it was a harmless misunderstanding

Going out of our way to embarrass people with no sense of humor?

You guys are just trying o make life hard for us.

>Apologies, shit internet
>Writing

>>32782133
Stop being a faggot and let us have our fun.

>>32782142
>Let Carya or Catrina handle it
Carya simply stares at the officer's hand disinterestedly.

"I'm Lieutenant Marseille," she corrects him in an equally disinterested tone, all the while struggling to keep Catrina from saying something rude on impulse. Then, she points to you.

"THAT is Lieutenant Commander O'Hara, sir."

The Colonel looks at you with some obvious surprise as he tries to recover from his mistake. "I'm sorry, son," he starts, and you get the sense he's decided to try and blow the whole thing off. "They told us you were coming, just not what any of you looked like. I was just expecting..."

"A woman?" Carya offers with a raise of her eyebrow.

"Anyway," you interject, sensing the Colonel's frustration, "we were told to report here, but not precisely what we were meant to report for."

>Get him to clarify your orders (write-in)
>Ask him what his orders are
>Tell him you'll be on your way, and figure things out on your own

>>32782337
> Get him to clarify your orders (write-in)
What do they need us for, and what's the situation here?
Considering how we're getting a new suit, it's either that they have a mission for us, or they have a new toy they need field-tested.

>>32782337
>Get him to clarify your orders (write-in)
"But since we're test pilots and you guys called us, I figure you have something that needs a test drive?"

>>32782337
"So what am I supposed to do here?"

>>32782337
“Since we're test pilots, and you guys called us, I'd assume you have something on-base in need of a test drive?”

The Colonel shakes his head. “No, son, I'm afraid all we have here is a couple of old GMs fitted for base defense. We're mainly an airbase, after all.”

“So, if you don't mind me asking, sir... what are we supposed to do here?”

“Don't know that either. Actually, I was about to ask you the same thing.”

Right on cue, an adjutant officer you hadn't seen before passes Holcomb a dataslate with a salute, which he scrolls down for a moment. “All my orders say are that I should expect a bunch of hot-shot mobile suit pilots through here on some official business, and that I need to take delivery of a large shipment later tonight. Bastards up the chain of command won't even tell me what the damn shipment IS, though I'd hazard a guess it's the reason you're here. They also tell me I should be hush-hush about the whole thing.”

He looks up at you. “So congratulations, son. I think that means you've got a few hours of unofficial leave. We've got an Officer's Club on base, or you could head downtown. San Diego's only ten miles south of here. I'll have our motor pool sign you a jeep.”

Seems like the old man's washing his hands of you.

>Head to the O-Club: forward, drink!
>Head downtown, see the sights, try not to cause TOO much trouble

>>32782729
Club

>>32782729
>Head downtown, see the sights, try not to cause TOO much trouble

Let's go meet some plot relevant characters through weird New-Type happenstance.

>>32782729
> Head to the O-Club: forward, drink!
Invite the sisters and the Sergeant as well.

>>32782785
>>32782814
>>32782823
You nod at Colonel Holcomb.

"I think I'll save you the trouble of signing us out and check out the O-Club. After two days in a series of shuttles I could use a stiff belt."

The older man grins at you and chuckles to himself. "I can sure sympathize with that. You may look for an Ensign by the name of April. Short brown hair, little on the skinny side. She's also through here on "official business", so odds are good she's meant to be with you."

Just then, you notice that Sergeant Hollinger is fidgeting a little. "It's for commissioned officers only, right sirs?" she asks quietly.

The Colonel frowns at her. "Sure is, kiddo. But if it gets you three out of my hair, you can just tell them Holcomb okayed it." Then he gives her a lopsided grin.

After a few minutes' walk, you arrive at the Miramar Officer's Club: a low, white building with palm trees out font. The Sergeant at the door simply nods at you as you pass, not seeming to care about the NCO in your midst. Inside you find the bar, a reasonably nice room with high wood stools and a few booths. At the bar, officers of various ranks seem to be getting loudly drunk, while a few onlookers sit at the tables or have tucked themselves into the booths.

>Sit at the bar
>Sit at a booth
>Try to find this Ensign

>>32783188
>>Try to find this Ensign
Let's find our wayward compatriot.

>>32783188
> Try to find this Ensign

>>32783188

>>Sit at a booth
I believe the ensign will find us. Im thinking that she may be a spook

>>32783188
>find the ensign.

>>32783188
>Sit at a booth

>>32783188
>Sit at a booth
Privacy is fun

Tie-break? Next vote gets it.

>>32783431
Find April.

>>32783464
After a few minutes of searching, all the while steering clear of the group at the bar, you finally spot a brown-haired ensign sitting by herself in a booth: you didn't notice her at first because she's been peering down at a dataslate the whole time.

“Think I found her,” you inform your companions.

“The one with the dataslate?” Carya asks. “We'll get us a round of beers, you can go introduce yourself and figure out if she's really part of our new unit.”

“She should be,” Hollinger informs you, having pulled out her own notes. “Says here we have a third pilot coming in that we should be meeting some time today.”

“Great,” Catrina adds. “We'll be right back with the booze.”

With that, Carya walks over and leans on the bar counter, trying in vain to get the bartender's attention over the racket and leaving you to address the Ensign.

“Ensign April?” you ask her, tearing her attention from the dataslate.

“Yes, Commander?” she asks, noticing your rank insignia... unlike a certain Colonel you've met today. “What can I do for you?”

“You were sent here to meet with some sort of test unit, right?”

Ensign April looks at you curiously. “With the vaguest orders in the history of the Federation? Yes, sir.”

You sit across from her as she makes room for the Sergeant. “Certainly sounds familiar.”

>Small talk? (Write-in)
>Ask her about your assignment (Write-in)
>Ask her about the dataslate

>>32783509
>Small talk.
Let out a snort. "And I've been assigned the vaguest command in history. Dominic O'Hara, a pleasure to meet you Ensign."

>>32783509
>Small talk? (Write-in)
"So you're a pilot, right? What's your usual work? Besides camping out in bars on mysterious orders I mean."

>>32783188

>>Sit at a booth
so we can booze in peace

>>32783635

Seconding this

>>32783509
> Small talk? (Write-in)
Get to know each other better. Invite her to meet the rest of the crew.

>>32783585
>>32783635
>>32783711
"Dominic O'Hara, commander of the vaguest unit in the EFF. Pleased to meet you, Ensign."

Sergeant Hollinger smiles and offers a handshake. "I'm Reiko Hollinger, secretary and backup operator."

The Ensign shakes her hand warmly before turning her attention back to you. "Audrey April," she tells you both. "I'm honored."

"So you're a pilot, right?" you ask her. "What do you usually do when you're not camping out in bars on mysterious orders?"

"Yes, I'm a pilot, though I'm also interested in evaluations.... actually," she admits, showing you her dataslate, "I was just reading your report on the unmagnetized joint-surfaces of the RGM 79SP. Interesting conclusions you had there about the need for implementing the joint-coating in mainstay production models."

"I never realized anyone actually read that stuff," you tell her. "I figured they'd just stuck me in that posting to keep me out of the way after the war."

The Ensign is about to reply when you hear a loud outburst from the bar. It seems like the officers there are set for a fight of some sort, and Carya and Catrina are having a tough time keeping out of it.

"Damn idiots," the Ensign complains.
>Ignore the commotion
>Go make sure Carya and Catrina are kept out of the mess
>Full involvement, stop this shit right here

>>32783922
>Dropped my name, not used to using one anymore

>>32783922
>>Go make sure Carya and Catrina are kept out of the mess

We're supposed to stay out of the commander's hair, so let's do our minimum involvement.

Are we gonna see the RX-81 series, Slave Wraith and other related MSVs + AoZ stuff in this quest?

>>32783922
>Go make sure Carya and Catrina are kept out of the mess

No need to give old Holcomb more grey hair.

>>32783922
>Stop this shit right here. "Damn, do I need to keep them a leash or something? I'll be right back."
Trying to continue drinking in bar in which a bar fight is happening sucks. I've tried, once, and it ended with me in the drunk tank.

>>32783922
>>Go make sure Carya and Catrina are kept out of the mess

must save the waifus

not that they need it

>>32783922
>Go make sure Carya and Catrina are kept out of the mess

we don't want to cause any trouble ourselves

>>32783993
>RX-81
In a manner of speaking.
>Slave Wraith
Not so much
>MSVs
Fair game.
>AoZ
If you live that long. Whether that's as allies or enemies is up to you.

>>32783922
> Go make sure Carya and Catrina are kept out of the mess

As tempted as you are to put your big boot down, you figure that these officers aren't in your chain of command, so it looks a lot less like a "you" problem and a lot more like a "Holcomb" problem.

"And I'M SAYING YOU'RE WRONG!" one of the drunken officers, who looks like an EFSF Lieutenant, shouts at one of his opponents.

"And HOW am I wrong?" an EFF Major retorts. "ZEON started the war, and they were ALL spacenoids. ERGO, it was the DAMNED SPACENOIDS who started the war!"

A few steps away, you can tell that Carya and Catrina are having a tough time not dropping the beers and sucker-punching the loudmouthed Major.

"It's not worth it, you two," you tell them quietly, placing yourself between Carya and the argument.

"Come on, let's just go get to work on those beers, okay?"

For a moment you feel some indecision, before Carya finally responds. "Sure, Dom. You're right, they're not worth it." Though she says it, you can tell that Catrina in particular is still itching for a fight.

>roll d20 for awareness

>>32784287
Also, taking the fourth roll only

Rolled 4

>>32784287
Rolling.

Rolled 17

>>32784287
>>32784315
>fourth roll only
The fuck? Why?

Rolled 13

>>32784287

>>32784348
Because. For shit like this, or luck or something, I prefer it to be one roll that counts rather than having three chances to do well. Little more dynamic that way.

Personal preference, though if people really don't like it I could do best of three.

Rolled 16

>>32784287
Lets see what happens.

>>32784424
Best of three is bullshit.

>>32784424

I understand, trying to balance rolls on tg is hell so just do what you think works then if its fucking us over or is being way to forgiving adjust it. It's still too early to tell what's going to work well.

>>32784449
>16
>pretty good
"And I'M a goddamn spacenoid!" the first officer shouts back. "And I fought for the EFF same as YOU did!"

"Good for YOU!" the Major shouts as he takes a swing at the junior officer, misses completely due to how sauced he is, and...

>16
... hits the table next to you and Carya/Catrina as you slink away to your booth, spilling his beer all over a Lieutenant Colonel who had just taken a seat. More importantly, the Major spills beer on the other officer's wife and her nice white sundress.

It only takes a few moments for the MPs to arrest both the drunken Lieutenant and the Major, while the Lieutenant Colonel chews on both their hides the whole time and follows them out the door. You can still hear him shouting obscenities outside for a bit.

"Thanks, Dom," Carya tells you as she sits next to you at the booth and passes out the beers: some red ale made by a local brewery.

"I was five seconds short of doing something stupid, I owe you."

"So," Ensign April speaks up as Carya passes her a beer. "You two were in the war, right? Even though you both seem a bit young?"

Seems the Ensign wants to hear a story. Marseille looks at you nervously.

>Tell her about A Baoa Qu (write in)
>Tell her the short version of your war experience
>Tell her everything: you were a 16 year old ace and Carya was a Zeon ace
>Dodge the subject (give a reason?)

>>32784668
>15 minutes for this one, btw. Longer write-ins are fine as well.

>>32784668
"We've killed people, if that's what you mean." DRINK OUR FUCKING BEER. WE'RE A SOLEMN BADASS.

>>32784668
> Tell her about A Baoa Qu (write in)
Keep it short. You were at A Baoa Qu, it was hell, your machine was busted, and she happened to be around in a working MS.
If it wasn't for the sisters, you wouldn't be at that table today. Don't mention how you awakened as a Newtype or that they were Zeon.

>>32784668
>Tell her about A Baoa Qu (write in)
>Tell her everything: you were a 16 year old ace and Carya was a Zeon ace

>>32784668
Though you're almost as uncomfortable as Carya and Catrina, you feel that simply dodging the question would be the worst response.

"We were both in the war, yes. I shot down fifty-six mobile suits and several Musais, so I've killed more than my share of people." You take a sip from your beer and let that thought sink in for a moment... really, when it comes right down to it you have no idea how many deaths you're actually responsible for.

"Same here, though the numbers were different," Carya adds. "We actually met at A Baoa Qu."

"Really?" Ensign April asks, suddenly interested. "I can't imagine those were good circumstances."

"They weren't," you confirm. "My GM Sniper got wrecked pretty badly, and Lieutenant Marseille was in the neighborhood. If it weren't for her I might not have survived."

"That was where you earned that nickname, right?"

So she knows about that? You suppose it's not surprising, actually. You take another sip of your beer as you ponder how you want to handle that name... at least when it comes to your own unit.

>Please don't use that name
>Call me whatever, it's in my past
>It's fine to use it, it's something I should learn to live with

>>32785202
> It's fine to use it, it's something I should learn to live with
Not that we like it, but whatever.

>>32785202
>>It's fine to use it, it's something I should learn to live with

The fewer berserk buttons we have the better.

>>32785240
>>32785248
Calling it, last post before shit starts happening again.

I sense things are starting to drag.

>>32785202
>>It's fine to use it, it's something I should learn to live with
good way to scare newbie pilots against me.

>>32785202

>other

"The name has its uses but I'd prefer that my friends and comrades don't use it"

>>32785448
"Go ahead and use it if you want," you tell her. "'Devil's Jester'... it actually has an okay ring to it, even if I'm not a fan of how I got it."

"Okay, sir," April replies. "I might just call you by your older name if you don't like "Devil's Jester'. The "Red Wolf of Odessa" has a ring to it, too."

The next few hours are passed pleasantly enough, now that the drunks at the bar are gone. You learn that Audrey has never been in combat, but that her proficiency exams are nearly as high as yours were, and that Reiko has a keen interest in philosophy: specifically ethics. You also reveal to your team that due to the war, you never actually graduated high school.

After a while, and several beers, you head out again as a group to see what else is going on around base. You've tied off the top half of your uniform at the waist to get some honest-to-God sunlight on your arms when you notice a trio of large trucks by one of the hangars just off runway 3. Standing there, apparently directing traffic, is an officer with tanned skin, dark red hair, and a strong jaw.

"Come on," she tells a passing mechanic, "get those damned weapons squared away already."

Then, she sees your group: specifically, she sees you.

"I wasn't aware it was bring your kid to work day," she muses at your team. "So whose is he?"

You can tell that Catrina is trying her damnedest not to laugh.

>Excuse me, but I'm a fuckmothering Ace. I killed a LOT of people to earn that title, I deserve to be addressed as such.
>I'm the goddamned Devil's Jester
>Lieutenant Commander O'Hara, just in from Luna
>I'm her son (point at someone)
>Other (write in)

Rolled 20

>>32785684
>>I'm her son (point at someone)
Catrina

>>32785684
>Lieutenant Commander O'Hara, just in from Luna

we are professionals

>>32785684
>an officer with tanned skin, dark red hair, and a strong jaw.

Karen Joshua?

>>32785779
Dice gods have spoken.
>>32785684
>>I'm her son (point at Carya/Catrina)

>>32785819
God I hope so.

>>32785684
"I'm her son, ma'am," you tell the officer, pointing at Carya and Catrina. The two keep right on laughing.

"Wow, Commander, you jumped to that pretty quickly," Catrina teases. "Freud would be pretty interested in that, I'd imagine," Carya adds.

"Commander?" the red-haired officer muses. "You wouldn't happen to go by the name of "the Devil's Jester", would you?"

You give her a relaxed salute. "Lieutenant Commander Dominic O'Hara, just in from Luna."

"And just out of the O-Club," the stranger responds with her own salute. "Commander Karen Joshua, I'll be your tactical officer." Well, shit. Seems like she's technically your superior.

"Sorry, ma'am," you apologize quickly. "All in good fun... and I'm not really her son."

"No problem," Joshua waves her hand dismissively. "You may be a kid, but I'm used to working with kids. At least this time it's an honest to God veteran rather than some Ensign with no combat experience."

Ensign April clears her throat nervously, drawing a confused look from the Commander.

"I'm Lieutenant Carya Marseille, ma'am. Pleased to meet you."

"Ah, our Zeon guest," Joshua says as she returns Carya's salute. "Oh, she wasn't supposed to know?"

You turn and see that Ensign April is staring slack-jawed at Carya and Catrina. "So you're the "Black Star of Zeon?" The hell are you doing here?"

>Let Carya handle it
>Step in (write-in)
>Get Commander Joshua to step in, it's technically her job now

Rolled 4

>>32786109
>>Let Carya handle it

>>32786109
>>Let Carya handle it

Really hope this doesn't blow up in our face.

Also, YAY Karen's here!

>>32786109
> Let Carya handle it
She's a grown girl with two personalities, they can handle themselves.
Though you should be ready to step in and explain just in case shit goes down.

>>32786109
We wouldn't be so lucky that Karen would still have her GM headed Ground Gundam, would we?

>>32786149
>>32786248
>>32786284
Carya simply stares back at Ensign April. Hollinger looks at you, but you simply shake your head. You know the sisters prefer to deal with this sort of shit themselves. To them, it's part of the price they have to pay for the lives they've taken.

"Yes," Carya replies. "I'm a former Zeon ace. I fought against the EFF during the One Year War. All of my victories were against Federation units."

"And?" April presses. "Why are you here? HOW are you here? Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"

"I did what I thought was right," she explains slowly. "I truly believed in our cause. By the time we pilots at the front heard about the sorts of decisions the Zabis were making, it was already too late. We wanted to survive... we all did. On both sides."

You can feel that for a moment, both sisters turn their full attention to Ensign April. "We did what we did not out of hatred, or for Zeon, or even because we all believed we were doing the right thing. We fought because we had to, because we saw no other choice. We fought to keep ourselves and our comrades alive long enough to see the day the war finally ended, regardless of who won."

Ensign April's body, which was poised to strike at the sisters in an instant, starts to relax.

"And you surrendered to the Commander?" she asks. "Why? Why then?"

The sisters, still together, turn to face you. Their eyes look violet to you as they give you a grin. "Because it felt right. Something in that moment made us trust him enough to see where he'd lead us. The verdict is still out, but we haven't been disappointed so far."

>Say something?
>Time to move on?

>>32786624
> Say something?
We wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. They're a great friend, and we trust them with our life.
And we'll vouch for them anyplace, anytime.

>>32786624
>>Time to move on?

And is the Carya/Catrina a secret of not? Since the sisters referring to themselves in the plural is weird as hell if you don't know what's up.

Rolled 6

>>32786624
>>Say something?
"I won't."

>>32786702
Seconding

>>32786624
>Time to move on?

time to steer the conversation in a different direction

>>32786702
Seconding

>>32786702
>>32786745
>>32786750
"And I don't plan to disappoint. I kind of owe you still," you add.

Audrey finally seems to have relented. "Fine," she growls. "I'll work with you, but don't expect me to like it."

Carya nods, finally having taken full control of her body back. "That's all I'd ask." Strange, she looks a little tired.

Karen clears her throat loudly. "So, if we're done with that, you may be wondering why you're here."

"Yeah."

"Kinda."

"Yup."

"Uh-huh."

Somewhat surprised at your immediate responses, the Commander gestures at the hangar. "They're in there. The Doctor will see you now."

Inside the hangar, you see three familiar-looking mobile suits: they look like the RGM 79SP you lost at A Baoa Qu. At a desk in front of them sits an old man with sunglasses, a long gray goateee, and a labcoat.

"Ah, I see the pilots have arrived. Splendid." The man rises from his seat and approaches you. He offers his hand, which you shake: he has a firm grip, seeing as he looks to be about ninety.

"You must be Mr. O'Hara. I've read your reports, and those of your colleague, Ms. Marseille. I'm a fan of both of your work." He extends a hand to Carya, who accepts it with some uncertainty. "So, my boy, care to tell me what you're all looking at, hm?" Something about his grin tells you that you're not looking at three run-of-the-mill machines.

>roll d20 perception, taking the second roll

>>32786745
I think it's supposed to be. Hearts said last time that they didn't talk about it because they didn't want the Federation to lock them up for experimentation. They're genuinely two people, discovering how that works could help Murasame figure out some things. But they only slipped up towards the end. Before then it was plausible they were referring to Zeon pilots in general, not just the pair of them. It should be fine.

Rolled 10

>>32787144
Rolling.

Rolled 12

>>32787144

lesseeee

>>32787166
that didn't go well

>>32787166
>12: not bad
The Doctor waves grandly at the suits behind him, and you start to notice that while they look like the GM Sniper II, some of the details are off.

"The backpacks are different," you begin. "The original RGM 79SP had a two-thruster type with several large verniers on the side. These machines have four thrusters in an X-shape, on a more compact backpack."

"Yes, well-spotted. Care to continue?" the Doctor nods to himself, as if he enjoyed nothing more than seeing you puzzle out the details for yourself.

"Well," you say, struggling to spot a few more outward differences. "It also seems like there are more verniers all across the body. These machines are probably more maneuverable in zero gravity than the original."

"And is that all?"

You give the Doctor a look of frustration. "I'd assume not, based on the way you're asking."

The Doctor chuckles to himself. "Quite right. I was hoping you'd notice for yourself, but don't the armor panels look different to you?"

Now that he mentions it, the panels DO look as if they're in a different arrangement to the original model.

"They look like they've been arranged to be removed and replaced more easily," Audrey concludes. "It could just be for ease of maintenance... but they might be primarily Gundarium?"

The old Doctor snaps his fingers in excitement. "Precisely, Ms. April! Precisely! What you're looking at are three mass-produced Gundam-type machines, nominally built by Anaheim Electronics as part of their 'Gundam Development Project'... and I've chosen the three of you to pilot them."

>Why us?
>'Nominally'?
>"Gundam Development Project"?
>Why all the cloak and dagger?
>Why do they look like old machines?
>Other/combination?

Rolled 18

>>32787459
>>Why us?
>>"Gundam Development Project"?

>>32787459
>"Metal Gea"-I mean, "Gundam Development Project"?

>>32787459
>"Gundam Development Project"?
>>"What do you mean 'Nominally'?

>>32787459
>'Nominally'?

this bit piqued my interest

>>32787459
>>Other/combination?
"So why the secrecy? Seems like you've gone pretty far to hide the fact that these are Gundams and not just enhanced GMs. Does it have to do with them just being 'nominally' built by Anaheim? Who exactly are we trying to keep them hidden from?"

>>32787581

seconding

>>32787581
this works

>>32787459
"What do you mean, "Gundam Development Project?"

The Doctor nods. "Right, I almost forgot that one was secret too. The Federation has been throwing money at Anaheim to develop new Gundam-type machines for them. The 'main' project, or the one with things like actual oversight and accountability, are mainly intended to test new technologies and strategies involving mobile suits. While the Lilium line you see in front of you are an outgrowth of that program, they can be kept off the books."

"So that's what you meant when you said 'nominally'?" Carya asks.

"Not quite."

"So what the hell DID you mean, old man?" Catrina asks impatiently.

"Calm down, my young friend," the Doctor snaps, "I'll get to that. I'm old, don't rush me. Anyway, San Diego is home to a lot of old companies that were involved in electronics and defense contracting: BAE Systems, Kratos, Peregrine, General Atomics, Grumman... all tapped as subcontractors so that Anaheim could keep this extension of the Project a secret. The only thing Anaheim handled was reclamation of the Gundarium from old RX 81 and RX79 Ground-types like Ms. Joshua's old machine."

The Doctor turns to nod at Karen, who simply nods back. "It was old and busted anyway," she admits. "At least some of it got re-used."

"So instead of building an in-between that was a step up from the GM, the Federation is building new Gundams?" you ask. "What can these things do with the upgrades?"

"Well, since the RGM 79SP was a masterpiece of engineering, as you may recall, it was selected as the basis for the Lilium type. The thinner Gundarim armor over a smaller frame allowed for room for more fuel and verniers, so that's precisely what we added. The end result is a lighter machine with better acceleration the J-type Gelgoog and the ability to vector its thrust."

(1/2)

>>32787873
>"Well, since the RGM 79SP was a masterpiece of engineering, as you may recall, it was selected as the basis for the Lilium type. The thinner Gundarim armor over a smaller frame allowed for room for more fuel and verniers, so that's precisely what we added. The end result is a lighter machine with better acceleration the J-type Gelgoog and the ability to vector its thrust."

that sounds pretty bitchin

>>32787873
"Impressive," Carya comments as she eyes the new machines. "Seems like a real step up design-wise."

"And configurable, too," the Doctor replies. "Those arm racks can carry any number of weapons, to suit your choice."

"So why the secrecy?" you ask. "Seems like you've gone pretty far to make these look like enhanced GMs rather than Gundams. Who are we trying to hide them from?"

"The public," the Doctor explains with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Even parts of the EFF that might seek to use new Gundams for political purposes. These ARE after all machines for soldiers, not bureaucrats or politicians."

"Not sure I like it," Carya admits. "But I suppose we'll be allowed a degree of operational freedom?"

"That IS the plan, yes," the Doctor confirms. "These machines were designed for Newtype pilots like you and Mr. O'Hara, to be used against other experimental machines. Likely things you wouldn't want EITHER side to have, in some cases. Even potential threats that haven't emerged yet were accounted for in the design."

"So why did you pick me for this operation?" April asks. "I'm not a Newtype. I don't even have any experience."

"I need someone with high aptitude and technical knowledge," the old Doctor explains. "I can't very well follow you around performing repairs and upgrades. You'll serve a dual role as pilot and head analyst."

"Now, are there any questions, or can I tempt you with some weapons?

>Ask the Doctor a question?
>Let the ladies pick their weapons first
>Fuck that noise, bigass guns!

Rolled 6

>>32788090
>>Let the ladies pick their weapons first

>>32788090
>>Let the ladies pick their weapons first

>>32788090
>Fuck that noise, bigass guns!

let's see some dakka!

>>32788143
No! You'll jinx us and suddenly we'll have to face Pale Rider!

>>32788090
>Ask the Doctor a question?
Can he get us any of the intelligence reports that influenced their design considerations? It sounds like they have at least some idea of what new technology is proliferating. Would be nice to go into this with as much forewarning as we can have.

>>32788090
> Ask the Doctor a question?
He said something about "potential threats that haven't emerged yet". What does he mean? Is there some intelligence about a new Zeon offensive or something?

>>32788090
"Wow, machines that go FASTER than a Gelgoog-J," you comment, drawing your team's attention. "I'm pretty sure we had nightmares about the Black Star getting hold of one of THOSE. I know it kept me up at night. I almost feel sorry for whoever has to deal with us now..."

"Aw, how cute," Catrina taunts you. "You used to have dreams about us. I'm flattered."

"If you're QUITE done," the Doctor continues, the Lilium, Iris, and Viola come standard with a pair of 60mm vulcans in the heads and 110mm cannons on the shoulders. You also have a slot on the back of each arm for melee weapons or grenades that won't interfere with your shield, and two racks on the back skirt for beam sabers or a second ranged weapon. All the beam weapons you see here use new replaceable e-pacs, so they won't be useless when you use them too much."

Carya and Catrina have already gravitated towards a rack full of weapons, many of which seem to be derived from old Zeon designs.

The Doctor seems to hover by her with a child-like anxiety. "I see you're a fan of Zeon's old weapons. I will admit, Zeonic and Zimmad had some clever...”

“I'll take that beam machine gun," Carya interrupts, pointing at a weapon that looks suspiciously like a J-type's weapon. "Put a stick of grenades in the left arm, a heat rod in the right, and sabers on the skirt armor. I also want the secondary color to be black.” Weird, you couldn't even tell which one of the sisters that was... seems they both know exactly what they want.

The old doctor laughs to himself before waving at a nearby group of technicians. “'Give the lady what she wants' it is, then. I suppose there are worse strategies in life.” Then he turns towards Audrey, who seems to be contemplating a rather large cannon.

“That's an accurized 180mm cannon, isn't it?” she asks.

The Doctor smiles and nods proudly. “Sure is, Miss April. You have quite the discerning taste...”
(1/2)

>>32788448
“Put grenades in the arm racks and beam sabers on the skirt and I think we'll be good,” Audrey interrupts, seemingly satisfied with her choices.

The old man sighs, though you can tell he's quietly pleased with their weapons loadouts himself. “And like that, any chance of showing off my work is gone. Don't you young ladies know that's all I've got left anymore?”

Then he turns to you. “I don't suppose you'd be willing to humor an old man, would you Commander?”

"Depends on what you meant by "future threats"."

"Ah," he exclaims. "The primary concern at the moment is the I-field generator, which renders ranged beam weapons useless. But your companions chose a big solid gun, grenades, and decent melee weapons, which are the main counters to that particular technology, so not to worry. The other consideration was that there had to be room for certain... "upgrades". Mainly revolving around technologies for Newtype-specific weapons like those developed by Zeon during the war."

>Ask about some weapon ideas you have?
>Ask him for his opinion on the available options?

>>32788556
>Ask about some weapon ideas you have?

Rolled 6

>>32788556
>>Ask him for his opinion on the available options?

>>32788556
> Ask him for his opinion on the available options?

>>32788556
>Ask him for his opinion on the available options?
I've got some ideas for weapons that could probably have been made with as early as OYW-era tech. But we can run those by him later. Right now let's let him show off his own work.

>>32788556

>Ask him for his opinion on the available options?

>>32788556
>Ask about some weapon ideas you have?

>>32788556
>Ask him for his opinion on the available options?

>Newtype-specific weapons
Bits? Hell yes!

>>32788660
Probably not. The Federation isn't going to have any remote weapons for ages. Not even INCOMS, really. The best we've got right now are basic wire-guided drones, without anywhere near the coordination needed for proper all-range attacks. More likely they're going to be miniaturized psycommu systems for improved control of the suit.

>>32788556
We should go with a Whip. Whips are neat.

>>32788753
... ABOUT THAT...

>writing

>>32788789
That's basically what the heat rod that Carya/Catrina (we really need a name to call them as an aggregate) is mounting is. Superheated flexible rod, extendable out to a hundred meters or so, has myomer systems so it can bend like a tentacle, also delivers electrical attacks if it grapples you. They're pretty damn cool.

>>32788804
"So what are my options, Herr Doktor?" you ask, the Doctor's enthusiasm becoming contagious.

“Whatever you want, young man. Today, Christmas has come early, and I'm Saint Nicholas.”

“Well, Dominic, the heat rod is a pain in the ass to use if you've never used one before, and you have a strong track record with beam sabers. Grenades, at least in my mind, are too useful to pass up, so I'd suggest a beam saber in your right arm rack and grenades in the left.”

“As for main weapons, you could use the G05-type gatling cannon. It's a beast of a weapon, but its ammunition would take up your back skirt slots. You could also opt for this hyper beam rifle I designed myself: twice the power of a standard beam weapon, but only 8 shots. Your side skirts would be for the spare ammo, and you could put either more ammo or spare beam sabers on the back skirt. Or even another mission-specific weapon, if the need arises.”

“Of course I could give you both, but we'd need to either outfit the rifle or the cannon as your “standard” option.

>Accept arm suggestions Y/N?
also
>You want the cannon as your primary loadout, because BRRRRRTT
>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility

Rolled 13

>>32788857

>Carya/Catrina

C.C.

>>32788912
accept arm suggestions

>You want the cannon as your primary loadout, because BRRRRRTT

>>32788912
>>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility

Rolled 19

>>32788912
Y

>>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility

>>32788912
>Accept arm suggestions Y/N?
Sounds reasonable. What kind of grenades does he have? I've always been fond of Zeon's "cracker grenade" concept.

>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility
Our experience is with a GM Sniper II. We'd do better with precision blasts than rate of fire.

>>32788912
>>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility

>>32788912
> Yes
> You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility

>>32788912
what sort of backup could we carry with the beam rifle?

>>32788912
>Yes
>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility

>>32789061
Current options include:

A 100mm submachine gun, for fighting inside colonies.

A physical shotgun, for close engagements.

A disassembled clay bazooka.

A multi-tube rocket launcher, like the kind issued to the RX-78[g].

>>32788912
>>You want the big scary beam rifle as your primary loadout, because flexibility


I have a thing for large beam cannons

>>32788912
>Beam Cannon

>>32789113
>Shotguns are useful as hell

>>32789113
what about a couple of beam spray guns?

>>32789113

Shotgun sounds boss, all I can think of is the Kampfers 187mm assault shotguns

>>32788912
"Thanks for the input, Doc. I'll take the saber, grenades, and the hyper beam rifle."

The Doctor smiles. "I was hoping you'd pick the beam rifle. Applied Minovsky physics are my specialty. I'll also see to it that the gatling cannon and secondary weapons are loaded along with the Lilium itself."

"Loaded?"

For the first time in several minutes, Sergeant Hollinger speaks up.

"Yes sir. The SCV-107 Kyongju will put into port here tomorrow morning, and will serve as our carrier for the time being. Nelson-class, sir. Seems solid."

>Seems like the activities for the day are over
>Any actions before the day closes?

>>32789230
>Seems like the activities for the day are over

I can't think of anything else

>>32789230
>>Any actions before the day closes?
Chat up Karen, we know shit all about her.

>>32789230
Wait, I'm confused. The Nelson class don't have atmospheric capability. We're on Earth. Did they ship us to Earth from von Braun just to send us back into space?

>>32789230
> Any actions before the day closes?
Lets hang out with out team, get to know them better.

Might as well ask the doc if he has any clues where the brass will deploy us next, or if he's coming along for the ride.

>>32789303

Maybe its special? or maybe its different in the UC universe.

>>32789303
Not entirely. The Kyongju put down in the Pacific for repairs, and will need to be re-launched using a booster system. And like in 0083, the Lilium, Iris, and Viola are on Earth for testing under full gravity and Earth-normal conditions. I just didn't get around to that yet.

Seems like briefly chatting with Karen then calling it a day is our option, writing.

File: Nelson-class.jpg (564 KB, 1200x779)

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>>32789230
aw, I was hoping for a Pegasus-class

An hour or so later, you found yourselves back in the Officer's Club of all places, with another round of beers: this time, each went in for their own brew of choice. Except for Karen, who is on her third.

"So, Commander Joshua..."

"Karen's fine, kid."

"Karen, then. You said something about "serving with kids" before?"

The older officer sighs. "Yeah, I did, didn't I? Well, my old CO in the 08th MS was a starry-eyed little novice who ran off with some Zeon aristocrat. Working under him was... interesting. Good man, terrible soldier."

"He ran off with a Zeon aristocrat?" Carya asks. "How'd that happen?"

"Long story involving a series of superweapons and bizarre circumstances. But hey, should you be so surprised at soldiers from opposite sides falling for each other?"

Carya nearly chokes on her beer, and Reiko needs to smack her on the back to get the sisters breathing again.

"Yup," Karen mutters. "In the end, he ran off. though. Just like the rest of them." Something about that last statement strikes you as a bit sad... and also personal, like she really doesn't want to talk about it any further. So you decide to change the topic.

"So, any ideas where we're sleeping tonight, Karen?"

"Well, I checked, and the hotel rooms we have assigned aren't singles. They're doubles, meaning we'll have to share rooms... except for me. I've been staying at this hotel for a few days already and I've got my own room. It's the US Grant Hotel, though, so it's pretty damn ritzy."

She frowns at you suddenly, leaning in a bit too close and staring you down. "Pick your roommate carefully, and you better behave yourself young man."

"It's fine," you insist. "I'm too beat to try anything anyway."
>Room with Ensign April
>Room with Sgt Hollinger
>Room with Lieutenant Marseille

>>32789693
>Room with Lieutenant Marseille

better to impose upon someone we are more familiar with

>>32789693
>Room with Ensign April
Short hair is my fetish. Her description put her fairly far into my magical realm.

Rolled 12

>>32789693
>>Room with Lieutenant Marseille

Probably not the first time

>>32789693
>>Room with Lieutenant Marseille
Rooming with the sisters is the obvious choice. We don't really know the others all that well.

>>32789760
>Room with Marseille

>>32789693

>Room with Lieutenant Marseille

>>32789693
>Room with Lieutenant Marseille
Come on, Karen, what do you take us for? Do you really think that we would have survived four years partnered with C.C if we were the sort to fraternize? You don't fool around when you bunk with the Black Star.

>>32789693
"I'll room with the Lieutenant tonight," you decide. "It's not like it'd be the first time we've had to share a room."

"Good deal," Karen agrees. "Then it's Reiko and Audrey in the room next to you."

It takes only about twenty minutes to get from EFAS Miramar to downtown San Diego, and the change of scenery is dramatic. The brown grass and freeways give way rapidly to sparkling glass skyscrapers with a view of the bay, and the various naval vessels homeported there. The whole city, water, glass, and sky seems to glow with the light of the setting sun. The hotel you've been billeted at turns out to be one of the nicest buildings you've seen: a historic landmark from before the first World War right in the center of the city's nightlife scene at the Gaslamp Quarter.

The rooms are absolutely palatial, and the beds are so inviting that after brushing your teeth you fall face-first into yours with actually undressing left as an afterthought. Your bag you simply discard to one side.

You catch a glimpse of Carya as she tucks herself in under the comforter and turns out the lights, then settle in for your long-awaited sleep.

After a few minutes, however, you sense Carya and Catrin's personalities merge for the second time today. "Dom?" she asks quietly in the dark. "You still with us?"

"Yeah. Something bothering you?"

"... why are we still fighting the war? Didn't the Federation and Zeon sign a treaty three years ago? Haven't we killed enough already?"

>answer

>>32789999
>answer
sometimes it's not that simple

Rolled 12

>>32789999

"The states have sign but not everyone wants to put down their arms."

>>32789999
>answer
I'm honestly not sure. All the Zabi's are gone, who could be left for us to fight?

>>32789999
people aren't simply going to put aside all that animosity just because the treaty was signed. Some wounds heal slower than others.

>>32789999
>>answer
Honestly, some people just cant let go of there grudges and these people are normally the ones in charge.

>>32789999
"Zeon was fracturing towards the end there, C.C. Half of their forces didn't recognize the legitimacy of the government that signed the treaty. The war never ended, as far as they're concerned, and they have enough personnel and materiel left to still cause a lot of harm. The Federation's paranoid, just waiting for the next big attack to happen. Though that's not what you're really asking, is it? I'm tired of this too, C.C. Someday we'll be in a position where we can just walk away, leave this life and go be...I don't know, some civilian job, I can't think of one right now. But we're not there yet. All I can promise is that I'll be there right beside you until we can. The three of us are partners, right?"

>>32790204
>Newtype
>Civilian job
Best we could hope for is mercenary m8

>>32790231
especially since he never graduated high school

>>32790231
I bet we could become a pretty badass pastry chef.

>>32790231
Kamille became a doctor. Judah an industrialist. Seabrook and Cecily settled down as bakers. It's just Amuro and Char who could never adapt to being civilians. Plenty of other Newtypes managed to leave the war behind.

File: Kai is Amused.jpg (35 KB, 500x333)

35 KB JPG

Rolled 22

>>32790359
What happened to good ol Kai?

>>32790383
Well, he never awakened his Newtype powers (he does have them in latent form though, if you're going by the games), so he doesn't really count. But he became a respected journalist.

>>32790383
he got AIDS

>>32790383
Journalist, smuggler, undercover revolutionary, spy, lover, the works.
>>32790231
Well, do they make colonies by using MS?

>>32789999
"Honestly, CC... huh, that name actually kinda works..."

"Honestly, I don't know. The Zabis are all dead: knocked each other off by the look of it, so we can't blame them anymore. I guess it's just that some former Zeon soldiers refused to accept defeat. The ones with the biggest grudges became the new leaders, and those who were still willing to fight rallied around them."

The sisters roll to face you, listening to you as you work your way through your own thoughts. You may not be able to see them, but you can feel them, and you can tell that they're quite keen to hear where you're going with this.

"They can't let go, CC. And since they can't, the Federation will always be preparing for when the shadow of Zeon falls on them again."

"And so you're just waiting to stop them again? Like in the One Year War?"

"Until they give up," you reply, "neither can I. I can't walk away and let the peace my comrades fought and died for be destroyed, not by Zeon or anyone else. Could you?"

CC settles in, and you can feel Catrina's mind fall into a resting state. Carya, on the other hand, merely closes her eyes, and relaxes.

"You're still so sincere about it... that's what won me over you know. At A Baoa Qu, I mean. You say such ridiculous things about the way things should be, and you mean every word."

"I'm still with you, Dom," she finishes. "Let's put these new Gundams to good use."

>End of Part 2
>Black Star Arc Concluded
>Current Party:
>Cdr Karen Joshua (tactical)
>LtCdr Dominic O'Hara (Lilium)
>Lt Carya/Catrina Marseille (Viola)
>Ens Audrey April (Iris/analysis)
>Sgt Reiko Hollinger (Secretarial/backup operator)

>Next Arc: Snow White

>>32790485
Snow White? I can think of far too many things that could turn out to be. All of them should be fun, though. Thanks for running, Hearts. I'm looking forward to next time.

>>32790485
Next thread is same time, tomorrow afternoon/night. I promise there'll be some actual combat, along with possible political ramifications after your first mission.

Ill be around to answer questions for a while, but it's nearly 5am here, so don't expect me to last.

>>32790582
Go get some sleep, Hearts. See you tomorrow.

>>32790524
>>32790639
Thanks for playing.

>>32790878

That twitter?

>>32791105
@QMKingofHearts, I believe.

>>32791105
>>32791301
Also, the archive page is apparently up, so that's a thing.

>>32790383
James Bond.

No realy

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80 KB JPG

>>32790878

Gotta say I love the quest so far and I hope you keep it up.