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>>37906472
“California,” Catrina replies, her good eye glinting red in the dim as she seems to realize something. “Probably at the Oakland Newtype Institute, based on the ORX-prefix.”

Audrey seems to understand where Catrina's mind has gone. “Oakland's not the only newtype lab they have.”

“Right,” Haman confirms. “From the other newtype labs, most notably Augusta and Murasame, we've seen nothing. Not a single new design since their alignment with Titans.”

“They're holding back?” Reiko muses aloud. “Why? Shouldn't they have already fielded something specifically to counter... oh.”

“That's what Miss Fanning asked me last month,” Haman nods. “They haven't fielded a machine to properly match the threat we present. Not even at Dakar, where it really would have counted for something... which suggests they don't have one ready yet.”

>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?
>Then they can't stop us, in other words? We can strike wherever we like?
>If we finished the fight in a single decisive attack, any designs they're working on would be irrelevant...
>Other?

>>37906540
>>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?

>>37906540
>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?
>If we finished the fight in a single decisive attack, any designs they're working on would be irrelevant...

They may have prepared for our Tri-core suits, but they could not have predicted the Psycoframes...

>>37906540
>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?

I sense an incoming possible Gundamjack mission.

>>37906540
>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?
We need to take them out, then, before they can deploy something really nasty. Too bad we can't use meta-knowledge to know it's Murasame we really need to eliminate, though.

>>37906637
Psycoframe isn't anywhere near finished yet, going by the flash forward it won't be operational until next year.

>>37906709
The flash-forward only shows what's LIKELY at this point, and it doesn't show exactly when the psychoframe will come into play.

>>37906745
Fair enough, but my point stands that we don't have it yet.

>>37906540
"I don't like this. It almost seems too easy. We waltz in, trash the place, and free the cyber newtypes? You would assume they have contingencies for just that sort of thing."

"We haft to consider those facilities have weapons designed specifically to target Newtypes as well, they are housing god only knows how many crazy psychics. If we go in, we'll haft to take measures to protect ourselves."

>>37906709
>Too bad we can't use meta-knowledge to know it's Murasame we really need to eliminate, though.
If it's not our crew that's gonna do it, I guess we'll just have to bank on either Amuro and Char, or maybe even South Burning stumbling upon that at some point.

>>37906540
>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?

>>37906540

>So you think they're testing that hypothetical machine in Augusta?

It's a good thing the Asshimar can't be deployed in space. And as long as Papsmear hasn't decided to go out of his way to mass-produce the Messala, they'll be stuck to the expensive Gaplants if they're rotating the GM line out. Between the rather significant change in how viable it becomes for them to field anything in space and the fact that most of Zeon are space combat experts, I don't think moving up and beyond the reaches of the atmosphere is something the Titans plan on doing for a very long time.

>>37907100
That just reminded me. If the Titans are facing out their GM lineup, does that mean we'll have a massive headstart on the GM-III when we eventually simplify the Liliums for mass production? Man, I'm seriously regretting not pushing for spending our downtime on one Super Lilium and the rest on researching/producing GM-III's now.

>>37907171
>facing
>fazing

God damnit autocorrect

>>37907100
There actually is a space-use version of the Asshimar, the Keharr. It's different enough from the normal version that they can't just refit them for operation in space, but they share enough parts that the same factories could be producing both of them. So they may have a cheaper space force than we think.

>>37906540
“So you're saying they could be testing this hypothetical counter in Augusta?” you ask. “We were kind of just in the neighborhood, kinda seems like a missed opportunity.”

Haman merely shrugs. “Augusta is on the short list, yes. But there are seven possibilities that we know about: Augusta, Oakland, Kilimanjaro, Leipzig, Murasame, Pyongyang, and the rumored in-house Titans lab operated at Gryps.”

“Leipzig and Pyongyang are newer,” Rossweisse observes.

Catrina nods. “Yeah, they just aligned themselves with the Titans faction recently, right?”

“Three weeks ago for Pyongyang, one month before that for Leipzig,” Catharine replies, once again disturbing you with her ability to rattle off numbers like that.

You take a few moments to ponder the question in your mind, and something just doesn't quite feel “right” about the situation. “So it seems we can strike freely,” you mutter. “But if you were running Titans, wouldn't you set it up so that the facilities could be easily defended?”

Haman nods in agreement before having ALICE bring up photos of each Titans-aligned facility. “Kilimanjaro is deep underground with limited access. Murasame is defended by several nearby airbases and its own security contingent. Same with Augusta Base. Oakland is in the middle of California... and you remember what that place is like.”

“One big military garrison,” Karen sighs. “Oakland's the toughest nut to crack, that's for sure.”

“Then you have Pyongyang and Leipzig, which are smaller and lightly defended,” Haman continues. “Last there's the Gryps facility, which is on Gryps. Therein lies the problem.”

“Right in the heart of Titans' home turf,” Audrey mutters darkly.

(1/2)

>>37907234
“Anything we may not be able to see from the satellite overheads and shipping patterns?” Emma presses.

Rossweisse frowns at her. “They brainwashed us. Some cyber-newtypes would resist us without question.”

Then she looks at you, and her frown softens. She's clearly thinking about the day you and your team met her, and took her from the custody of the head scientist at Oakland Lab. In her cool blue eyes you can see the guilt plainly: guilt over having been the one cyber-newtype at Oakland to have a chance at leaving the Labs.

"Sorry, Lieutenant," Emma apologizes. "I forgot this must be personal for you."

"It is," Rosse admits. "Deeply so... for all of us, I think."

>If we can't kill them, we'll just have to work around them.
>We may have no choice but to kill them, though I'd rather avoid it.
>Shutting down the facilities takes top priority.
>Other?

>>37907299
>If we can't kill them, we'll just have to work around them.

>>37907299
>>We may have no choice but to kill them, though I'd rather avoid it.

>>37907299
"If the Cybers are brainwashed and put up resistance, then we'll cross that bridge when the time comes. I'd prefer not to kill them, but there is some things one can't avoid. If you do not think you can pull the trigger, Rosse, then sit this one out."

>>37907299
>If we can't kill them, we'll just have to work around them.

If we capture the Project lead, could we Hijack the CNT project and see if Artesia and Rebecca can work on undoing the brainwashing and conditioning? or at least making them people again...

>>37907299
>If we can't kill them, we'll just have to work around them.

Knock out gas?

>>37907299
>We may have no choice but to kill them, though I'd rather avoid it.
>Other?
"We'll save who we can, Rossweisse. It's likely we'll have to kill some of them, but we'll at least attempt a non-lethal incapacitation. They deserve that much, at least."

>>37907503
Only if we can get to them before they board their mobile suits. If that happens, well, the kid gloves will haft to come off or they'll mob our ass and both Audrey's and Haman's delicious ass.

>>37907511
This.

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Also, to get it out of the way...
Haman-sama Banzai!

>>37907299
>>We may have no choice but to kill them, though I'd rather avoid it.

"We'll do what we can to prevent casualties, Rosse, but if it comes down to it, your lives are more important to me."

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>>37907299
"They aren't our enemies," you admit quietly, attracting curious looks from the rest of the room. "I'd hate to kill any of them, so incapacitation should be our first choice... after all, we're doing this for them. But we may not be given the choice to save all of them."

You lock eyes with Rossweisse, who meets your gaze just as resolutely. "I hope you understand that for all our skills and power, we can't save everyone. Never have, never will."

After a moment, she nods quietly. "I understand."

"So we agree that we should make this a priority?" Karen asks the assembled officers and crew.

Marida nods silently. Emma exchanges a series of glances at her team, then flashes a thumbs-up on their behalf. Finally, it's Defrah who seems to put words to what people are feeling.

"It's sound strategy... and it's the right thing. I think we've got no choice," she declares, stretching her mismatched legs. "And I don't think we've ever had a choice but to do this at some point."

"Then all that remains is our plan of attack," Haman concludes.

"We could hit one at a time, or split team one off with teams two and three to hit two at once," Carya observes.

Audrey raises an eyebrow. "Why not strike three? We have two ships and three teams."

"I'm not sure that a frontal assault is the right call," Emma admits. "As easy as it would be, we may need to scout the locations out and come up with a plan.

>Hit one location at a time
>Hit two locations at once
>Hit three: go big or go home
>Do some scouting work first
>Other?

>>37907980
>Do some scouting work first
Is our team formally cooperating with Karaba at this point? We can try to gain intel on the labs via their networks, if so.

>>37907980
>Do some scouting work first

>>37907980
>>Do some scouting work first
>Hit two locations at once

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>>37907980
>>Do some scouting work first
DATA! DATA! I CANNOT MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT CLAY!

>>37907980
>>Hit two locations at once

>>37907980
>>Do some scouting work first

Going in blind would be a bad idea. Let's see if ALICE or Karaba can net any intel.

>>37907980
"How long do we have until the Titans repair that wrecked M-Particle Radar or jury rig a new one? That'll give us a general time table to work with."

"For possible scouting options, look into recent reports of fired or laid off scientists and technicians. Specifically for the two facilities that just came under Titans control. They would still be undergoing purges to eliminate moles or silence information leaks. A couple disgruntled personal that were let loose could give us all the information we need."

>>37908131
karaba doesnt exist yet

>>37907980
>Do some scouting work first
We've crippled the Titans' long-range scanners for the time being. Use that opportunity to gather information while we can. Get Karaba on the line if we can for help with this. Maybe see if Artesia can get in contact with Kai and his resources, too. Which reminds me, if we can we need to document everything in those labs. Expose the horrors of Cyber-Newtype research, turn public opinion against the Titans even more. By the time we're done the entire Earth Sphere should be calling for Jamitov's head.

>>37907980
>Do some scouting work first

perhaps we could buy off some interns or low level tecnicians with either a way out of Titans or just basic bribery...
Getting another group to do the digging for us would be another good way to get the info without a direct line back to us...

Are the Titans using many Ex-Zeonic and Zimmad scientists? we might be able to bluff comms from Axis to get intel from their infiltration teams...

>>37908160
Technically it does, it's just not well-established. We've moved the schedule up on the timeline a bit with by doing the Dakar speech three years early.

>>37908160
It does, as of Artesia and Haman's Dakar speech. Ridden and Amuro are even going in with the bandwagon.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36887369/#p36888388
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36887369/#p36888812

>>37908247
i thought it was the AEUG being estblished early

>>37908351
AEUG and Karaba are two branches of the same organization. In this timeline they're all under the mantle of Karaba, presumably because "Anti-Earth Union Group" is actually a pretty dumb name if you're trying to convince people you're the good guys.

>>37907980
"Scouting sounds like a necessity," Karen immediately agrees with Emma. "In any event."

"Didn't Artesia have a friend who was a reporter or something?" you ask. "Maybe we could get some actual investigators on the job."

"We've also got that woman's spy network," Carya admits, clearly referring to Cima. "Or we could contact that new anti-Titans faction Forer and Kowen were forming."

"There's no substitute for firsthand knowledge," Haman counters. "I think regardless of who else we know that could investigate we need to go ourselves. After all, who would know better than us what we're looking for?"

>Let's visit Titans in person
>Let's ask Cima first
>Let's go through Kowen's new organization
>This investigative reporter person sounds like a fine and upstanding gentleman who will no doubt help us attain our goals
>Other

And no, they're not mutually exclusive. I'd like to see some sort of plan agreed upon by the time I get back, which should be ~30 minutes.

>>37908436
>>Let's visit Titans in person
>Let's go through Kowen's new organization

>>37908436
>The plan is to win. If we didn't win you didn't follow the plan

>>37908436
>>Let's ask Cima first
>>Let's go through Kowen's new organization
>>This investigative reporter person sounds like a fine and upstanding gentleman who will no doubt help us attain our goals

I think we're better off talking to multiple groups if possible. Each group has their own resources and perspectives. They could find bits and pieces of info that the others can't. Taking those different reports and putting them all together will give Dom's group a better look at the picture than just asking one of them.

>>37908436
>This investigative reporter person sounds like a fine and upstanding gentleman who will no doubt help us attain our goals
Especially if promised exclusive info on Titan actions. Probably.

>>37908436
>visiting Titans in person
>VISITING TITANS IN FUCKING PERSON AFTER GOING ROGUE

No. Hell no. We're already on the Titans vaporize-on-sight list. Don't expose ourselves to any danger we can avoid.

Conference call. We send off laser comms to Gael-chan, Cima, Kowen, Ridden, and motherfucking Langley; the ex-Zeon spook. Designate a time that everyone should be online and we engage in dialogue.

>>37908617
This is good

>>37908617
I'll support this.

>>37908617
Kowen will want something in return. Probably "a favor" that we can't refuse.

Cima will just enjoy fucking over Titans. Tech exchange for Kampfer Kais would also assist us as CHRISTINA STILL DOES NOT HAVE A SUIT.

And Langley/Landry(?) would vouch Kai for us.

>>37908436
Alright, Kai has contacts on Earth, he should be investigating the bases groundside. I'd suggest Murasame. In addition to him speaking the local language, there's also the meta-knowledge that Murasame is where Miharu's siblings wound up after she died. Gives him a bit of a personal stake if he finds that out. I'd also advise that we look into getting him a bodyguard just in case, he could use backup. Possibly someone from Karaba, most of his old friends are in that organization. Maybe we could get Hayato to partner up with him, it would be like old times.

Speaking of Karaba, we could have them look into Oakland, they've got ties with the military so they'd be best able to handle dealing with the garrison there. Kowen and Forer might be able to cut through a lot of obstacles that we wouldn't be able to.

>>37908436

If we ask Cima and Kowen's group what intel they already have, we can then send Kai to follow up on the potential leads while we arrange a multi-front operation...
Perhaps we can get Cima and Kowen to 'assault' a couple of bases acting as a cover for our own operation in the area...

example could be that Kowens group assault the Kilimanjaro base. within his assault our Squad bursts through the perimeter leaving Titans to either commit to hunting us or dealing with the large assault force on their doorstep...
bonus points if we can get in quietly...

>>37908436
"We're not the only ones with a proverbial dog in this fight," you observe. "I think we should get everyone we can involved in the intel-gathering process."

"I'll shoot off a message to Kowen," Karen offers. "I think their organization is called "Karaba", or something like that."

'I heard a rumor that the White Unicorn may have joined them as well," Reiko informs you. "I can pursue that lead, with your permission."

"Wait, Amuro Ray?" Noel asks, suddenly deeply interested. "I'll help you."

"That's not..." Reiko begins to reply before Carya quickly shushes her, whispering something into her ear about "fangirls".

"I'll ask Cima," you volunteer. "She likes me for some reason."

"I'll go talk to Artesia," Audrey finishes. "That should give us three avenues for investigation."

"What about going in person?" Rossweisse asks nervously.

"I agree it's a bad idea," you reassure her. "At least, I wouldn't lead with that. We're wanted men and women now, after all."

>Contact Cima, make her an offer of some kind to get her cooperation? (What, though?)
>Contact Cima, phrase it as giving her an opportunity to fuck Titans over?
>Contact Cima, ask her for a "favor"?
>Contact Cima, present it as an opportunity for her to level the playing field against Titans.
>Something else?

>>37909518
>>Contact Cima, phrase it as giving her an opportunity to fuck Titans over?
>Contact Cima, present it as an opportunity for her to level the playing field against Titans.

>>37909518
>Contact Cima, present it as an opportunity for her to level the playing field against Titans.
>Contact Cima, phrase it as giving her an opportunity to fuck Titans over?

>>37909518
"Cima."
>Dominic
"This is about our relationship. See, I don't think it's working out."
>Oh?
"Yeah, there's not enough explosions and it's getting dull. I was thinking of reinvigorating that spark we shared when you invited me out for drinks."
>How so?
"Why, blowing up even more of Titans important assets of course. All I need is information."

>>37909518
>Contact Cima, phrase it as giving her an opportunity to fuck Titans over?
>Contact Cima, present it as an opportunity for her to level the playing field against Titans.
Appeal to both her vindictiveness and her practicality. If that's not enough, go with
>Contact Cima, make her an offer of some kind to get her cooperation? (What, though?)
Offer her some of our tech, the stuff on the Kampfer Kai would be useful to the Republic. Not too advanced to reproduce, while still a quite effective upgrade to what they have right now. Panoramic cockpits, improved armor material, and the grenade rifle would make a nice and cheap replacement for beam weapons they could put on old OYW mobile suits without the powerplant to run them.

>>37909518
>Contact Cima, present it as an opportunity for her to level the playing field against Titans.
>Contact Cima, phrase it as giving her an opportunity to fuck Titans over?
She must realize that to establish security for all spacenoids (and the RoZ by proxy) the Titans' force stationed in Gryps must be dislodged. That is the end game.
If the intelligence she provides contributes towards our team crippling any further Cyber Newtype pilots from being recruited and MS being developed in the labs on behalf of the Titans, then that would lessen any worries of Gryps being further strengthened.

>>37909518
You have ALICE put through a secure communique to Cima for you, hoping that she's still as vindictive and pragmatic as you remember her.

"Cima," you greet her image with a curt nod.

She smiles back. "Dominic."

Sensing that she's waiting for you to state your business, you continue without further prompting. "I think we need to talk about our relationship. See, I'm not sure things are good between us right now."

Cima raises a questioning eyebrow. "Oh? It's too bad you feel that way. Mind if I ask what the problem is?"

You shrug. "Not enough explosions. Sorry baby, but the spark's gone out of it all."

"I'm sure we can find a way to reinvigorate things between us," she intones, clearly playing along with you. "Come now, there must be something we can do?"

"Well," you mutter, letting the word hang for a moment as you scratch your chin. "There IS one thing I can think of... the Titans newtype labs, maybe?"

"Oh my, how bold of you!" she gasps in mock surprise. "You really are too much sometimes!"

"All I need to know is which ones to hit, and how to do it," you confirm. "And my team will do the rest."

"Now, I hope you don't mind me asking," she presses, a devious smile on her face, "but how precisely will this work for the Republic? My so-called "superiors" will want to know."

>You get to fuck Titans over. I know that for you, that should be enough.
>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
>Because it's the right thing to do... and the Republic can share credit.
>Because you know they're working on a psychoframe, same as you and I are.

>>37910311.
>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
>Because you know they're working on a psychoframe, same as you and I are.
Can't resist.

>>37910311
>>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
>Because you know they're working on a psychoframe, same as you are.

No I on the last one.

>>37910311
>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
>Because it's the right thing to do... and the Republic can share credit.
Don't drop the psycoframe reveal yet. Stick to realpolitik.

>>37910311
>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
>Because it's the right thing to do... and the Republic can share credit.

>>37910311
"It's your birthday soon, right? I can't tell you now or it will ruin the surprise, dear! I can give you a hint, though. It starts with Jamitov and ends with Head. Plus I have a psychoframe and your favorite dark chocolate."

>>37910311
Well, for one you get to fuck Titans over. But your "Superiors" will probably want more than that...
So, We believe that since Titans haven't deployed any high-end newtype technology, that they have all their facilities working on one big surprise. And that toy is likely going to be a doozy... so neutrulizing the facilities will help cripple it's full potential, not to mention the possible research we can acquire from them, both related to their project and general tech advances..
Then there is the likely-hood of crippling their production potential on high end experimental equipment, so less unexpected surprises in future battles...
And if that wasn't enough, Titans are generally anti-spacenoid now, so they'd probably want to see the Republic fall, or more likely die. So why let them cast the stone first?

>>37910370
SHINY RED BUTTON.
But remove the 'I'.

>>37910466
>>37910426
Distributing the psychoframe tech would be a good idea honestly. Sure it puts the blueprints for it OUT THERE where every multi trillion credit company can build it, but it insures that everybody has the tech advantage.

And if the Eldar chick who is into us is not being cryptic, we're gonna need all of those suits we can produce.

>>37910311
>>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
>>Because it's the right thing to do... and the Republic can share credit.

Increased safety for the Republic and a good propaganda mission all in one.

>>37910311
>Because they have a numerical advantage against you, and their newtype research would give them a qualitative advantage as well.
Gaplants with Cyber Newtypes behind the pilot seat would be a struggle to match conventionally as it is in a space engagement. Who knows what else they may be cooking up for future engagements?

>Because it's the right thing to do... and the Republic can share credit.
As for this, it might be a gateway opportunity for fellow moderates on the RoZ and the Federation factions to come to the table together, so to speak. A unified voice decrying the Titans for adding another violation to their already substantial blood tally. Admittedly, it's not as shocking as the colony gassing on Libot, but every little bit helps to gain support against the Titans.

>>37910311
"I take it just doing the right thing and getting credit for it isn't good enough?"

Cima shrugs. "They're career politicians, so if any of them had a working moral compass it's gone by now."

"So you can tell them this," you reply coolly. "Remind them that if Titans finishes their psychoframes before you finish yours, you'll have lost both the numerical and technical superiority. You can also remind them that if they can't stop Titans, they'll be the first against the wall."

Cima's laughter has a cruel ring to it, as if she's at this very moment enjoying the mental image of her political minders and superiors panicking at the notion of a Titans victory. Truly, this woman is dangerous... and you're lucky she sees you as someone who's on her side.

You think.

"Very well, dear," she replies after her laughter subsides. "I will do what I can for you, but in return I will ask a favor, to be delivered when this is all through."

"Now, what facility do you want intelligence on?"

>Pick a Newtype lab for Cima to focus her attentions on?
>Ask her what the "favor" will be?
>Other?

>>37910904
"Favor? Is this another date which involves giant robots and us copulating our love in the cockpit? Or a coup d'etat which involves giant robots and us copulating in the cockpit? Because, I'm not picky where or how."

>>37910904
Oh. OH. Voight. She's found him and wants us to reinforce her exterminatus fleet. Clever girl.

>>37910904
>Pick a Newtype lab for Cima to focus her attentions on?
>Other?
Ask Rossweisse if there's one particular lab in her mind.

I'm guessing the "favor" is proportional to how difficult it would be to gather intel on whichever lab we pick.

>>37911202
THis.

>>37911202
It would be best to check with Kowen first. Don't want our investigative teams doubling up on one facility.

>>37911202
>>37911252
These sound sensible. Tell her we need to confirm with our other sources first, and will get back to her when we know.

>>37910904
"I'll have to get back to you. I know a nice young woman who's got a very personal interest in this I should consult first."

Cima's smile fades a little. "Ah, yes. The young cyber-newtype friend of yours. I suppose you would be doing it as much for her as anything else."

"I have to ask, though, what's your favor?" You can't help but cock an eyebrow at her, your curiosity having been piqued.

Cima smiles again, but much more softly this time. You get the impression it's a genuine smile for once.

"I would like you to take me out for a drink again."

Your other eyebrow joins the first in surprise: you were half expecting it to do with killing off Voight, or bringing her Jamitov's head on a platter. "Really? Why?"

"Because I'm a bitter old woman, Commander," she admits with a sigh. "You may find it silly, but when I get to banter with a young man like you, it makes me feel a bit less old and bitter."

>Response?
Also,
>Check in with Rossweisse next?
>Check in with Artesia?
>Check in with Karen and Reiko?

In this case yes, the timing is important. So please pick one "check in with" option.

>>37911547

"You got anywhere in mind? If not, I know this place..."
>Check in with Rossweisse next?

>>37911547
>Response?
Have a particular place in mind? Because if not, I have a few places in mind.

>Check in with Artesia

>>37911547
>"Well, there are some good places I know. Just tell me when you're available and I'll make a reservation"
>Check in with Rossweisse next?

>>37911547
whats with the idea that cima is old? i was under the impression she only looked older than she was beacuse of life constantly punching her in the uterus

>>37911547
Hey, yeah, I know a good bar!
>Check in with Karen and Reiko?

>>37911605
This is good.

>>37911547
"Damn. I wanted to ask you out first.. but yes, I would be happy too. Dinner, drinks, and a hilariously awful movie we can laugh ourselves silly over Be sure to wear your best tiger cape, dear."

Artesia I guess? Karen will be finishing up her meet with Kowen and Rosse can give us info later. We can easily send a missive to Cima detailing our plans anyway.

>>37911547
>Response?
"I think you're being too hard on yourself, Cima, but if that's what you want I'd be happy to go drinking with you. I'll call you back in a bit, see you soon."

>Check in with Artesia?

>>37911547
>Response?
"I'll bring a nice bottle of wine over then. In all likelihood, it'd probably look like I'd be smuggling it over, what with the Titans bearing down on us. It does add to the excitement somewhat though, doesn't it?"

>Check in with Rossweisse next?

>>37911682
She's actually 36 at this point in the story: more than ten years your senior.

>>37911896
Still nowhere near old woman status. We need to build her confidence back up, get her feeling her age.

>>37911896
still hardly an "old woman"

>>37911929
Let's not, its another 4~ years before the biological clock starts screaming that menopause is on the horizon, use it or lose it.

>>37911547
This time, it's your turn to stifle a laugh.

"What... it's not funny," Cima says defensively. "I was being honest."

"I know," you reassure her. "It's just I was expecting you to ask me for Jamitov's head or something."

"The thought crossed my mind," she admits. "Though I don't especially care who kills him."

"I'm sorry I laughed," you apologize. "Is there someplace in particular you had in mind?"

"There is," she replies. "Let me know where you want me to send my men, and I'll let you know where I want you to take me."

"Fair deal," you agree. "I'll send a message when I've sorted it out on my end."

After exchanging the usual pleasantries, you head for your quarters to speak with Rossweisse. You figure you can do that while you're on your way to Artesia.

"So," you begin as you both make your way down the hallway. Rossweisse's face is unreadable, but you can tell she's already worked herself up at the prospect of finally dealing with the Titans newtype labs.

>Ask her where she wants to focus her attentions.
>Ask her if there's anyone she wants to watch out for?
>Ask her what it was like for her in the labs: you've never asked before now, and you're honestly curious.
>Other?

>>37912138
>Ask her if there's anyone she wants to watch out for?

>>37912138
>>Ask her where she wants to focus her attentions.
>>Ask her if there's anyone she wants to watch out for?
I don't think we should ask about her experiences in the lab, I think she should volunteer that herself.

>>37912138
>Ask her where she wants to focus her attentions.
>Ask her if there's anyone she wants to watch out for?

>>37912138
>>Ask her where she wants to focus her attentions.

>>37912138
>Ask her where she wants to focus her attentions.
>Ask her if there's anyone she wants to watch out for?

>>37912138
"So, uh, any preferences on which facility we go for first or suggestions? Do you remember the layout of the labs and the holding facilities locations specifically? Minimize casualties, pump sleeping gas in to prevent the labcoats from sortieing them, you know, little stuff."

>>37912390
>sleeping gas
On a side tangent, would be a real dick move if we mentioned this plan to Cima.

>>37912880
But it would really be sleeping gas this time. Honestly.

>>37912880
I fully expect the sleeping gas canisters we use to be a nerve agent. Even after double-checking the contents of the canisters three times to ensure it is knockout gas, it's still switched out for nerve gas because the universe will not have it any other way.

>>37912938
I wouldn't put it past repentant Zeeks and Titans to blow up every canister of gas marked "poison" or "sleeping".

Heck, I'd see them seeing the oxygen tanks with suspicion, what with PTSD.

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>>37912138
>>37912138
"Any preferences on where to start, Rosse? Anything we should watch out for?"

Rossweisse ponders your question for a few paces, straining to recall all the details she may have overheard that may help you now.

"Murasame has few personnel, and is most advanced in psycommu research," she informs you. "They also make liberal use of brainwashing, much more so than even Oakland. Augusta's machines have a reputation for raw power. I know by far the least about Leipzig. That makes those three the most dangerous, aside from Gryps."

"And Gryps is the most dangerous because it's the Titans' own projects," you conclude.

Rosse nods. "That's what I thought."

As you near Artesia's office, Rossweisse sticks her arm out in front of you, and looks into your eyes. Hers are filled with a quiet determination you rarely see in them, as if she's resolved a long-held debate in her own mind.

"If you want to ask about Oakland," she offers quietly, "I'm ready. Please don't be concerned on my account."

>Response?

>Sorry that took a while. My internet connection is busy being shit.
>Have a tangentially related image from Advance of Zeta as an apology

>>37913158
"Okay. I wanted to leave it up to you when to talk about it, but if you're comfortable with that I do have some questions I'd like to ask. Not now, though. Back in the quarters after all the arrangements are sorted out work for you?"

>>37913158
"After the mission and only over a bottle of Karen's most expensive booze. We'll probably both need it by the end of this."

>>37913158
What can you tell me about Oakland?

>>37913158
As happy as you are that Rossweisse finally seems ready to tell you about her past, and as much as you need to know everything you can about the labs you and your teams are going to be raiding some time in the near future, now isn't really the time for it. Not out in the hallway like this, and not without some good, strong booze at hand.

"Later," you tell her. "Somewhere more comfortable, over a bottle of Karen's finest stuff. Sound okay to you?"

Rossweisse nods. "Yes. That will be fine."

Inside Artesia's office you find her sitting patiently behind her desk with a stack of papers sitting in front of her.

"I trust you got a message through to this reporter friend of yours?" you ask.

Artesia sighs, running a hand through her perfectly combed blonde hair and messing it up. "Yeah, I did. Kai says he'll be investigating the one in Japan cause he's already got some leads... or something like that."

>1d100, best of four

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>37913696

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>37913696
inb4 1

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>37913696
I hope he can rescue Jill.

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>37913696

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>37913696

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>>37913926
For what purpose.

>>37913926
Hey five...

>>37913926
Well then.

>Writing up the 76

>>37913696
There's something about Artesia that strikes you as off... she doesn't seem like she's just had a happy conversation with an old friend. Instead, she seems nervous about something.

"What's wrong?" you press. "Are you concerned about this "Kai" guy?"

"Kai Shiden," Artesia tells you, "fell in love with a Zeon spy aboard the White Base. Her name was Miharu Ratokie, and she died during the war."

"It happens," you reply. "But that's not what has you worked up."

Artesia shakes her head. "He's been trying to track down Miharu's younger siblings since the end of the war, and he thinks he found a lead... and that lead took him to the Murasame Lab."

"How's that? What sort of lead could he possibly follow there of all places?"

Rossweisse, however, seems unsurprised by this turn of events: in fact, she looks more disgusted than shocked. "The Labs recruit orphans for testing: especially young ones. They learned from me that older subjects reject more of the conditioning."

"I'm concerned Kai's going to end up over his head..."

Artesia pauses, before amending herself.

"... again, that is."

>I'm sure he'll be fine.
>He's a grown man. If he feels he needs to do this, then it's his call.
>Maybe we should let someone else handle it?
>Write-in?

>>37914298
>He's a grown man. If he feels he needs to do this, then it's his call.

>>37914298
>>He's a grown man. If he feels he needs to do this, then it's his call.

>>37914298
"And you want us to make sure he does not 'get in over his head' again."

>>37914298
>>He's a grown man. If he feels he needs to do this, then it's his call.

>>37914298
>Write-in?
"Think we can convince him to take backup? We could assign a bodyguard, make sure he has someone watching his back. I don't know the guy, is he the sort to act recklessly instead of call for help? I wouldn't want him to get something solid and then blow it because he couldn't wait for assistance to arrive."

>>37914298
>Maybe we should let someone else handle it?

>>37914298
>Write-in?
"You think he'll need some back-up?"

>>37914298
>>He's a grown man. If he feels he needs to do this, then it's his call.

>>37914298

Perhaps he could use a bit of back-up then?

>>37914298
"He's a grown-ass man, right?" you ask. "How he spends his life is his own decision. You wouldn't stop me from going out and risking my neck if I felt I had to, right?"

Artesia looks away from you. "Less that I wouldn't, more like I couldn't."

That... wasn't the answer you were expecting from her.

"That said, even grown-ass men need help sometimes," you add. "Maybe we should have someone look out for him, for when he gets himself into trouble."

"Who would you send?" Artesia asks, somewhat relieved to hear the offer.

>Someone from our security teams
>Roberto or Appoly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before.
>Cima can spare one or two guys, and she's already agreed to help. She may want to wring "concessions" out of me, though...
>Other?

>>37914933
>Roberto or Appoly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before.
Plus I can see the three of them getting into some wacky adventures. I feel that their personalities would complement each other well.

>>37914933
>>Roberto or Appoly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before.

>>37914933
>>Roberto or Appoly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before.

>>37914933
>>Roberto or Appoly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before.

>>37914933
>>Roberto or Appoly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before
We're either setting up the weirdest supporting character buddy comedy, or some kind of supporting character holocaust.

>>37914933
>Roberto or Apolly could go. They wouldn't stand out too much, and they've done this sort of hush-hush work before.
The snark off would be the stuff of legends. A shame we'll never hear it.

>Other?
Just in case, I'll propose an alternative. If we get Kowen on the comms later, ask if he's familiar with a man named "Landry."

>>37914933
>Someone from our security teams

>>37914933
"We could send Roberto or Apolly along," you offer. "They've been doing this sort of subtle work for a while, unless I'm mistaken."

"You sure?" Artesia asks, surprised that you'd offer one of your frontline pilots for the mission.

You merely shrug. "It's not like we need them terribly here, ans I think both of them need the chance to stretch their legs a bit. I'll run it by Karen."

Artesia barely lets you finish the thought before throwing her arms around you.

"Thanks," she tells you. "I'd have hated losing that idiot after all we survived together."

"Don't mention it," you reply.

Last, but not least, you find Karen and Reiko on the bridge. It seems they just got finished discussing the issues at hand with Karaba's leadership.

"Ah, great timing," Karen greets you. "Kowen's offered to look into Augusta for us. How're things going elsewhere?"

"Artesia's friend is looking into Murasame, and I have an open offer from Cima," you explain.

"How'd you manage that?" Reiko asks curiously. "Miss Garahau always struck me as kinda scary."

"The Commander has a way with scary women," Defrah laughs. "Best not to ask what he had to promise her, eh?"

You shake your head as Reiko blushes fiercely at the thought.

"I'll be assigning Apolly Bay to watch Kai Shiden's progress," you tell Karen. "He may have a personal beef with Murasame that Artesia was afraid could make him reckless."

Karen nods. "I'm sending two of our MPs with him, just in case. They'll have orders to lay low until they're needed or they're recalled. Both of them are Japanese, so they should blend right in."

"I'll work on a cover story" Reiko announces.

"So, where are you sending Cima's men?" Karen presses.

>Gryps. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
>Leipzig. Rossweisse admitted she knew the least about it.
>Oakland, because reasons.
>Pyongyang, because North Korea has always been kinda shifty.
>Other?

>>37915664
>>Leipzig. Rossweisse admitted she knew the least about it.

>>37915664
>>Leipzig. Rossweisse admitted she knew the least about it
"I was kinda leaning toward North Korea, but they have a track record of having military programs that end up total duds, so I doubt we really have to worry about it."

>>37915664
>>Oakland, because reasons.

>>37915664
>Leipzig. Rossweisse admitted she knew the least about it.

Oakland is something that we need to do with Rosse and the gang...

>>37915664
>>Leipzig. Rossweisse admitted she knew the least about it.

>>37915664
>Leipzig. Rossweisse admitted she knew the least about it.
I'm worried by the thought of the Titans starting a new project so recently. What changed in their priorities that required opening an entire new lab?

>>37915923

Us?

>>37915664
>Oakland, because reasons.
Reasons which Rossweisse will probably clarify later.

On the other hand, there's Kilimanjaro too. Having a base/lab hunkered down inside a mountain (a volcano at that) doing God knows what sorts of research reminds me too much of a stereotypical villain's lair.
And that it might house an entire Mobile Armor inside or something. That'll surely bug Karen for a while.

>>37916098
Well yes, probably, but what specifically did we do to inspire a need for a new project? What particular thing are they building to fuck us over?

>>37916149
>what specifically did we do to inspire a need for a new project?
Everything?

>>37916149

our creation of two Tri-Newtype MS?

>>37915664
"Rossweisse admitted she knows next to nothing about Leipzig," you tell her as you begin a text-only message to send to Cima. "I figure that makes it the biggest unknown."

"Fair reasoning," Karen replies.

"There. I've sent Cima a message telling her to check out Leipzig for us, and to keep an eye on our team at Murasame as well. We'll have to pre-arrange contact when it's closer to go time."

Karen nods. "Right. Sounds like things are well in order, but what about Gryps?"

"What about it?" you reply. "It's the most secure of all of the locations, as well as the most out-of-the-way. It'd be a huge gamble."

"And you don't want to commit to it until we know more about the overall situation," Karen finishes your sentence. "Right. I was thinking the same."

"Let me know if there are any messages for me," you tell Reiko and Catharine as you leave the bridge, headed for your quarters with Rossweisse.

Inside you find Carya sitting on the bed, reading a book of some sort. She seems to take little notice of you at first, but you quickly realize that she knows something is about to happen.

"What's going on?" she asks. "Rosse? Something on your mind?"

>Ask Carya and Catrina to leave.
>They can stay, they should hear this too.
>Ask Rosse if she's comfortable with others being around for this.

Also,

>Ask Rossweisse a question to get things started
>Let her speak in due time.

>>37916226
>>Ask Rosse if she's comfortable with others being around for this.
>Let her speak in due time.

>>37916226
>Ask Rosse if she's comfortable with others being around for this.
>Let her speak in due time.

>>37916226
>Ask Rosse if she's comfortable with others being around for this.
>Let her speak in due time.
Given that we're going to be talking about an intensely dehumanizing experience, emphasizing her freedom of choice and autonomy is the polite thing to do.

>>37916226
>Ask Rosse if she's comfortable with others being around for this.
>Let her speak in due time.

>>37916294
This guy's got it.

>>37916226
"You okay with Carya and Catrina being here?" you ask quietly.

Carrina narrows her eye. "Dom... what's going on here?"

Rossweisse responds with a confident smile. "If anything, I'm more comfortable. They know better than most what I went through at Oakland."

"You don't have to..." Carrina begins, before suddenly halting mid sentence. "No. That's not right, is it?"

"I have to. For myself as much as for the missions ahead."

You put your hand on Rosse's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "Sit. Take your time, we're not going anywhere."

The three of you take a seat on the couch, with Rossweisse sitting between yourself and Carrina. It takes her a minute or two to collect her thoughts.

And then, she speaks.
(1/?)

>>37916635
"I don't remember much from before I was 'recruited' by Doctor Loki. Vague fragments at best. I was maybe ten or eleven when I was taken, but I know I was living on the streets after the war. Who my parents were I may never know, but I know they were dead by that time... the first thing the scientists at Oakland did was mess up my memory. Either they repressed it or removed it. I can't be sure."

Rossweisse takes several long seconds to breathe, and eases into a detailed description of her childhood at Oakland. Every detail seems to make the violet flames behind Carrina's eye burn that much brighter.

"They never beat me. Some of the other children were more poorly behaved at first, and their handlers would hit them sometimes. But I knew better. Maybe the process was too successful on them, and they forgot their situation as well as their past lives. In my case, all they had to do was threaten to throw me back out onto the streets where they found me, and that was enough."

"Of course, it didn't stop them from hitting me if I spoke out of turn, or disobeyed an order. Usually, it was during our sparring matches that the latter happened."

"They made you fight each other? At that age?" you ask, horrified at the implications.

"They wanted to remove any hesitance to kill. We sparred without protective equipment, and accidents were common. Out of the twelve children who came in around the same time as I did, three died in that manner. One of them... at my hands."

Tears form in the corners of Rossweisse's eyes as she presses on. "It was like that for the first two years. I thought it could only get better, but I was wrong. It was at the beginning of the third year that the training regimen ramped up: they told us only one would pass. As the oldest subject, I was immediately targeted. The children who had been my friends turned against me. Their numbers dwindled as the next phase of testing began to take a toll."
(2/?)

>>37916904
Ouch. And this is all BEFORE the traumatizing surgical procedures needed to induce Newtype ability? Damn.

>>37916904
"The next phase was with rudimentary psycommus," Carrina guesses quietly. "That must have been horrifying."

Rossweisse nods in agreement. "The first time I saw one of my peers bleeding from his eyes and nose, shivering like a wet dog left out in the rain, yes. It was horrifying. But soon enough it was me strapped into the test chamber, and it lost some of the emotional impact once I'd experienced it for myself."

"Of course they knew that would happen. They were counting on it, in fact: the four of us who survived that stage of the testing were deemed fit to move on. They said we had 'stronger minds' than the others, who either ended up permanently crippled or dead. I have no idea what happened to survived to be "washed out" of the program, but I doubt they went on to live happy, normal, productive lives."

"Four of you survived?" you ask.

Rosse nods sadly. "They lied about only one of us passing. They wanted the weakest to team up and be killed off fighting the toughest. They probably figured the ones with the highest potential would be the ones to survive."

"And then the surgeries started."

"They drugged us: enough heavy sedation and painkillers to put a horse under. Our bodies were sliced open, and subjected to all sorts of procedures. It took me twelve months to recover fully from whatever it is they did to me. One of the four of us... well, I never saw him again, so I assume he died on the operating table."

You quickly banish the mental image of Rossweisse and Carya flayed open on a table, slowly bleeding to death with vacant, glassy eyes...

"That recovery period was when the mental conditioning began. Out of the three of us, I... think I felt the worst about the whole process. What I'd seen, what I'd been made to do: it weighed heavily on me. So heavily I stopped speaking to my handlers, and rarely slept. They had to put me on a feeding tube, because I'd even stopped eating for a while."
(3/?)

>>37917197
"But the therapies continued. I was forced to learn basic piloting skills, physics, mathematics. I was indoctrinated to follow orders without question. The other two children who survived took the indoctrination much better than I did, and were eventually "graduated". That was the month before we met."

"As for me, my history of mental breakdown left me in the Unfinished category. They saw little progress in my control over remote weapons, and my brainwave output lagged behind the other two. So I was basically discarded in favor of them. Instead, I would be shuffled around to evaluations roles until a suitable combat deployment could be arranged: likely with Titans."

"If you hadn't shown up on the day you did and taken me out of that... that HELLHOLE..." Rossweisse finishes. "I'd probably have been expended by Titans by now. I'd be dead: a nameless soldier in an unmarked grave, forgotten and alone."

"You saved me. It's as simple as that."

>Response?

>>37917357
Hugs.

>>37917357
Besides the obvious, much needed hug, give Ross a moment to collect herself. If she wants to cry amd mourn, whether for herself or for her fellow recruits lost, that's fine too.

>>37917357
Hugs. All the hugs. And then promise her that we'll get the people responsible for Cyber-Newtype research and make sure they can't hurt anyone else. We might not be able to save those Cyber-Newtypes that have already been put through this. But we'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

>>37917482
This.

>>37917482
Anon's got the right idea here.

>>37917357
You say nothing at first. How could you, after hearing all that? What words of comfort could you offer Rossweisse that would carry any meaning, and what promises could you make that could fix all the things that have happened to her? This girl, whose very *name* has been taken from her?

She cries into your shoulder for a while as you hold her, not with loud sobs but in complete silence. Even Carrina remains remarkably quiet until the younger newtype's tears stop on their own.

"I don't even know their names," Rossweisse admits. "Not even the one I killed. But still... I want to avenge them. I want to stand up for the others they're continuing to harm even now, and I want to stop them being used to kill for Titans."

"We may not be able to save them all," you tell her gently, "and we've already failed to save a lot of them. But we'll put an end to it, once and for all, by our own hands."

Carrina rests a hand firmly on Rosse's back. "It's like he says. We'll be the ones to put an end to it... and the whole world will see our justice done, and they'll know *exactly* what drives us."

>>37917898
And that's going to be it for tonight. I know I'm leaving on a bit of a downer, but next weekend you'll have an opportunity to THRASH Titans.

Archive is up, and I'll post on twitter some time next week with details on when the next thread will be.

>>37917942
Nah, this was a good end for a thread, don't worry. Though that reassurance does fill me with joy. Thanks for running, Hearts. See you next time.

>>37917942
Thanks for running, KoH.

>>37917942
Thanks for running.

>>37917942
Thanks for running, KoH. See you next week.

>>37917942
>THRASH Titans
...And everybody's smashing things now...!

Okay, so what Titans suits would people most like to fight against? For me, it's definitely the Psyco Gundam, though that's kind of cheating seeing how the Liliums are sort of a hard counter to it. But it's just so cool, how can you not want to fight a giant evil Gundam covered in beam weapons?

>>37918106
MRX-011 Mass Production Type Psyco Gundam

Once the Psyco Gundam is mass produced!

>>37918106
>>37918177
Reminder that the Leipzig Institute is canon in this quest.

>>37918106
MP Hambarbis and Byarlants.

What I want to see are upgraded Elmeths.

>>37918262
>Leipzig Institute is canon in this quest.
LRX-066 Tera-S'ono and LRX-088 Dezpada than.

>>37918262
Oh, right, I had forgotten which suits Leipzig made. Yeah, that's not going to be fun. Direct psychic attacks are going to be a big weakness for an all Newtype crew. Let's hope that being backed by an additional five Newtypes is enough for the Devil's Laughter to overpower it.

>>37918391
>tfw Rossweisse with Biosensor equipped MS is empowered and shielded by the spirits of her fallen cyber newtype comrades

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>>37918741

>>37917942
As a final note: I don't plan on this going much past #60. At that point the Kancolle thing will also have long since come to a conclusion, so I'll be free to move on to the next thing.

Hope what readers I've got left will stick through to the end.

>>37919387
Really? We'll have wrapped up within just eight more threads? We're going to have to move fast, then. Well, okay. I'll be sad to see it go, but I look forward to whatever you've got planned for after it.

>>37919549
Eight is a bit ambitious. Ten to twelve is more likely.

>>37919589
Either way, it's going to be a busy final arc for the Grim Guard. Should be a hell of a ride.