Waiting on us or do you have more to post?

The Madagascar quickly docks with your mailship and you are greeted by the familiar face of Commander Ramba Ral.

"It seems that you're up to your neck in trouble like before Commander" You remark as he steps on board.

"Son. You don't know the half of it."

It's only after you find a secure room that he seems willing to talk about what's going on here.

"David, we have a massive problem. Roughly 1 week ago, Loyalist forces managed to steal a prototype from Space Fortress Solomon."

"How the hell did they manage that?"

"It appears that they had help on the inside, but that's not important. What's important is what they stole: A High Speed Payload Delivery Mobile Suit... the Jupiter Ghost."

"That doesn't sound good."

>>12701371
>Jupiter Ghost

....fuck.

>>12701371
"....what's the payload that it delivers? Just normal explosives, or are they looking to break the Antarctic Treaty again?"

Oh cool, I was expecting you to cancle again. Either day are fine for me just the sooner it`s decided the better.

How do the GMS-15 and MS-15Kg compare in reactor output to the YMS-15? Some of us had speculated the Kreiger was more powerful and have been discussing beam weapon options for the Gyan series.

>Armament: large nuclear missile x5
>mfw

>>12701371
>Jupiter Ghost
>http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/solomonexpress/jupiterghost.htm

>large nuclear missile x 5
WHAT.THE.FUCK.
Why would you even BUILD that!??! That's an antarctic treaty violation just waiting to happen! Seems to be similar in concept to the Dom Bein Nichts.

>>12701338
Give me a minute.

"The Jupiter Ghost is a long range high speed Mobile Suit, intended for space warfare and based on the Rick-Dom II frame. It was built to penetrate heavy defence lines, like Luna II or A Boa Qu and deliver is ballistic payload at close range before escaping the blastwave.
You have to understand, it was PRIMARILY supposed to carry ordinance such as heavy bunker busters, cluster bomblets and heavy rockets. But..."

"But?"

"Armament options that were in breach of the Antarctica Treaty WERE considered, more as a theoretical exercise in a scenario where either the Loyalists or Feds went back to nukes and nerve gas. Which is why the Loyalists have fitted the ballistic payload with 4 Nuclear Warheads."

"... I'm getting tired of describing Gihren's actions as 'Insane', are you?"

"Yes. Very much so."

>>12701371

Fuck me on a stick. We are in trouble.

When we have a chance to calm down, give him a short brief on the situation earth-side, including the demise of the Black Tri Star.

>>12701448
>>12701421
Yeah. You kinda have to wonder why we were even building this in the first place, since only Gihren wants to break the treaty. I'm guessing he was having it built himself.... but then, if it's HIS project, he wouldn't have to STEAL it....

itsamystery.jpg

>>12701449
Ah. Well that explains it.

But damnit, what have we been telling them about building any more prototypes?

>>12701462

You ask further about why the fuck this was even built.

"Well, as an anti-fortress option, it IS highly effective, it'd be a good way of taking back A-Boa-Qu with minimal casualties on either side if we did it right, which is what we need right now. Well, that was how Ghineas Sahalin sold it anyway. Of course, given that it turned out that he'd been a Loyalist Mole this whole time, you have got to wonder."

"So what does this have to do with Von Braun?"

"Gihren plans to take complete control over the Lunarium mining facilities on the moon by nuking Von Braun, blaming us for the atrocity, and then moving in with his own corporate interests to take complete control over all Luna Mining operations. We have to stop this."

YOUR IDEAS?

>>12701529
>Ghineas Sahalin

WHY ARE WE STILL LISTENING TO THIS GUY?

What is the situation at Von Braun right now?
Who else knows about this plot?
Do we have an estimated time frame of when the attack might happen?
Are we getting any support from anyone else on this?
Do we know were the attack might be staged from?

>>12701563
To be fair, he did kinda help save our asses during the first attack on Jaburo.

>>12701529

We need a timeframe. Any ideas when this operation is likely to be carried out? Where was the MS last headed for?

Also, is he suspecting infiltration of Grenada by loyalist forces? That would explain why hes so hesitant about calling for help openly.

>>12701529
Find out where the Jupiter ghost is and destroy it. Without setting off its nuclear arsenal.

Step one. Get the schematics for this thing so we know exactly what it's armed with, the specs for the long cannon, what its speed and maneuverability is, the fact hat it apparently has an I-field, etc. Then try to find any possible weaknesses.

rolled 14842 = 14842

>>12701529

Well, I can see us striking at Loyalist bases nearby.

Or we try for a holding action, we can set up in likely places that the Jupiter Ghost needs to be at in order to fire the nukes and intercept it?

The first option is not guaranteed to work, and the second has its risks.

Ohhh, heres an insane idea that just might work.

We need as many of these as we can borrow or steal from the Flangan Institute.

We then proceed to go CCA on those missiles when they start firing.

>>12701595
>>12701587
>>12701571

>What is the situation at Von Braun right now?
They don't seem to suspect a thing.

>Who else knows about this plot?
"Just Myself my crew, a couple of spies and you. If Gihren realises that we know what he's planning then he'll move immiediately. We need to find the Jupiter Ghost BEFORE it's deployed, I can't take the risk of alerting anyone if our comm lines are compromised in any way...."

>Do we have an estimated time frame of when the attack might happen?
Next monday, when the mine workers have all left for their mining holdings outside Von Braun. But he could go at any time if he suspects we know what he's up against.

>Are we getting any support from anyone else on this?
"Nope. It's just you and me Commander."

>Do we know were the attack might be staged from?
"We've got a list of possible staging areas, but it's a long list, and we don't have much time, I've got my spies trying to narrow it down, but it's going to be close..."

>Also, is he suspecting infiltration of Grenada by loyalist forces? That would explain why hes so hesitant about calling for help openly.

Just their comm lines really.

We'll need to work on some sort of layered defense of the city, OR, we go full offensive mode and try to hunt the thing down before it gets anywhere near launch range.

For the defensive route, I propose a 3 or 4 layer defensive screen composed of MS units and space mines. The outer most layer will be made up of fast, agile MS units that can intercept the Jupiter before it can launch. The two middle layers will be a combination of mines and/or MS units who's job it to harass the Jupiter from a distance or intercept the missiles if they are launched. The mines would be set with a proximity IFF fuse, to allow friendly forces free mobility within the field, but will detonate if anything else, like a nuclear missile, gets close. The finale line of defense would be long range sniper MSs/defensive emplacements and a heavy flak screen as a last ditch attempt to shoot down the missiles.

I also think a good thing to do would be to go public with this, or at least let the higher ups at Von Braun know about it. That way if we completely screw the pooch and the city gets nuked, it will be harder for Gihren to pin the whole mess on us. It could also net us some additional support.

>>12701703
Oh, errrr. In that case, I guess screw the elaborate defensive plans. Unless we have some way of sneaking in a sizable force and equipment, and rapidly setting up, we'd probably get caught with our pants down.

In that case, I guess the only real option is the hunt this thing down before it sorties.

>>12701703
>Monday

Apologised, what day would it be now?

How long before we reach the moon?

>>12701724
I agree on talking to someone high up in Von Braun. Find out if they shelters capable of withstanding nuclear bombardment that they could evacuate the populace to if they have 20 minutes warning.

The defensive thing i'm against for 2 reasons.
1) this vehicle was designed to attack through just such a defensive screen and
2) it would tip off Girhen and leave us exposed to attack by either the Feds or Girhen's forces if we brought in more units.

We sets things in place at Von Braun then try to find the launch site. If we cant find in within a day of it's supposed launch date we pull back and try to screen the city in an attempt to intercept.
We can do all of this while droping off our charge at Grenada and perhaps contacting the Flanagain institute.

I have a bad feeling in my gut that Von Braun authorities are still sore about us infiltrating their city the last time. They might not want to let us setup shop with their city. They might even suspect a ploy by us.

Well there is a way to get both us AND any defence forces Von Braun has on a war footing quickly.

Do need to know though, how long does it take to travel from Grenada Base to Von Braun at flank speed?

>>12701789

By that, I mean by conventional forces stationed there.

Not by our current vessel though that info would be useful too.

>>12701761

Today is thursday evening.
You'll reach the moon friday morning. Earlier if you go in the Zanzibar.

>>12701703
Getting schematics of the Jupiter Ghost would be helpful in finding weaknesses, and knowing if there are any support or infrastructure requirements; the former to help us fight it and the latter to narrow down where it could be staged from.

>>12701806
Would there be enough room aboard the Madagascar for all of our MS? Ramba Ral should have his Gelgoog +2 other wingmen right?

>>12701806
Let Ral go on back without us. Have him gather up any information he has on the Jupiter and put the whip to his intelligence people. There is no sense in us rushing there, leaving Nell all by herself and then having a huge list of possible targets. In the time it takes us to get there, Ral should have the information we need and his people should have been able to narrow down the list of targets a bit. Besides, if we come rushing back in it might set off some flags and alert Loyalist forces that something might be up.

>>12701851
Wait, have Zol go with him since he's from Von Braun.

>>12701851
I agree with this. It's the safer option, and we can't do much delicate intel work anyway.

>>12701817

Schematics are easy enough.

They show it to be a long range attack use mobile suit with a prototype I-field barrier generator that supposed to stop beam weaponry cold, however it's energy intensive, the Jupiter Ghost can only use it for 60 seconds total. With each second needing 1 minutes full recharge time.
Armament: long cannon x 1, a long range mega-particle cannon, power roughly equal to the Bigro's beam cannon. 5 Large Missiles, 4 with Nukes, 1 without.

Ramba Ral isn't sure what the one without is armed with. He doesn't THINK it's something illeagal, probably just a decoy.

"Also, the Nukes are the real smoking gun here, they're from the A-Boa-Qu armoury, and we can prove that this is the case as well. If we can capture these nukes, then we can prove to Von-Braun what he was attempting to do. When that happens, Von-Braun at the very least will stop trading with the Loyalists, possibly Side 6 as well. If that happens, Gihren will be basically bereft of resources, and he'll HAVE to come to the negotiating table."

>>12701843

You could carry all of his team and yours. One guy would have to hold on, on the the hull outside though...

>>12701889
Excellent. Let's just hope that whoever's piloting it doesn't set them off in a suicide attack on us if it looks like we're winning. I'm guessing that we can't prove where they came from after the nukes have exploded?

>>12701889
"A cornered rat is more dangerous than the cat that has it cornered. With his track record, I wouldn't be too sure that Gihren would give up so easily. If we cut off his supplies, he could get desperate and do something REALLY stupid, try and take us down with him as it were. We need to be really fucking careful with this, things could get ugly either way."

>>12701851

Nell could always come with us. We won't be seen as rushing back. All it would appear as another vessel docking at Grenada base.

We still need more info first before we put any plan into action.

Reading back on our previous adventure to the moon, it didn't take us long to get to Grenada from Von Braun when we bugged out.

Heres a side plan the conventional forces can stage while we try to hunt the enemy:

The mail ship docks at Greneda, transporting mail. We load some MSs, including sniper types onto it and send it on its way to Von Braun.

Once it's near there, It CRASHES. With a military vessel down, our conventional forces stationed at Grenada will have an excuse to rush units to secure the area and begin 'search and rescue' operations.

Such activity will alarm Von Braun authorities. They will likely put what forces they have on a war footing just-in-case.

Timing is crucial, we need the ship to fake it's crash by late sunday but if we pull this off, we can have lots of units just sitting there, ready to put up AA fire.

>>12701938

"It's true Gihren's got no respect for human life... except his own. He's many things, but the type to go out in a blaze of glory? I don't see it, and that's what would happen if he went nuclear, the ONLY way out for him then is in a coffin, and he knows it."

rolled 5049 = 5049

How is the Zeonic relationship with Von Braun?

If we let them know this attack is happening, it could leak to the Federation.

... that said, us teamed up with Feddies vs Ghiren would be AMAAAAAZING.

>>12701948
It's already been decided that a more proactive solution is better than a static defense. We need to find and eliminate the Jupiter BEFORE it sorties. An elaborate plan such as yours would eat up valuable time and resources and still might make them launch early, we would be a target of opportunity in the nuke attack.

>>12701984

We don't need to pull this off.

The conventional forces can stage this while we hunt. No where did I mention that we'll be carrying out this plan personally.

>>12701998
It still might spook the Loyalist into action, not to mention we would need to bring a lot more people in on the operation, which greatly increases the chance that our plans will be leaked to the enemy.

>>12701889
> He doesn't THINK it's something illeagal, probably just a decoy.

Watch it's a long range Plasma Leader.

Pic is the modified Dra-C concept I was working on.

>>12701998

Furthermore, if we get the JG before the mission goes off, no harm done, S&R completed, they return home.

Also, according to ZQ Pt 62,

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/10270891/

We travelled from Von Braun to Grenada within several hours. By the time this happens, it'll be too late for them to postpone the attack.

Else if things do go ploin-shaped, we have a AA buffer.

rolled 28377 = 28377

>>12702016

Thats pretty badass.

>>12702020
Well, if you only plan for this to occur 12 or so hours before the scheduled attack, then it might be worth considering.

>>12702012

Granted, keeping the operation under a tight lid is essential.

However, we can limit it to just the crew of the mailship.

We pull rank on the cap and tell him that the ship needs to crash at Von Braun at a specified time. We can choose not to load MSs as well.

When we get to Grenada, we just need to drop a message to the base commander that important war materiel is being carried incognito.

SHOULD anything happen to the vessel, he should move to secure the vessel with all haste.

>>12702064
If we're going to do this, (and I'm against it) fake crash a Zanzibar since it'd be able to take off again easily.

>>12702016
Whatever this thing is Arty, it has almost enough dakka.

>>12701851
>>12701872
These.

>>12702104

Okay, so, the plan is that you're going to travel back on the mailship with the rest, so as to not alert anyone anything is wrong. Once you reach Grenada (and have offloaded Nel?) you'll go onto standby, ready to on the offensive when Ramba Ral discovers the location of the Ghost, or if it makes it's move early.

Zolomon will go with Ramba Ral to help him in his inquiries.
Will he take his mobile suit with him?

>>12702154

Okay. Well, I'm off to dinner. You guys keep thinking whilst I'm away.

BRB Dinner.

>>12702154
Yes

As an aside, I think we might want to not stay at Granada too long. Once we do what we need to do then we suit up and go for a walk, that way we cut down the time for us to get on station in case Ral finds something.

>>12702036
Thanks.
>>12702104
It's a modified MS-21 Dra-C. http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/0083/ms-21c.htm
apologised wanted a fighter capable of AMBAC and the moveable 'wing' engines on my custom MA-12 design didnt seem like they'd be enough. The Dra-C was the closest fit but I didnt really care for the fact that the 0083 one only had a single 40mm.
Those are optional weapons on that list btw, it wouldnt carry all of them at once. And since I'm still determined to counter the Core Booster's beam weapons I gave it the option of carrying another backpack on it's backpack. That's right: it can cary TWO BACKPACKS. That doesnt mean it would though, they'd be expensive as hell to produce if everybody got one.

Hey, is Girhen's faction going to be using the Zakrello?

>>12702154
Yes, Zolomon is a Von Braun native, and might have some contacts, especially since his family is former miners.
We need to get ourselves to Grenada in order to deliver Garma's letter, and to take Nell back to the Institute.

>>12702187
>optional weapons
>won't carry them all at once

Awww....

So Yea / Nay on the crash deception?

I put it forward as a backup plan since Von Braun is such an impt target.

Of course if Zolomon's contacts can help us place some units in the city, we don't need to use it.

>>12702249
I say keep it only as a backup plan.

>>12702187

I'm pretty sure the Gattle fighter had wing binders, you could always rip those off, or use something like it, for your own fighter rather than making an upgrade Dra-C.

Not that I don't like the Dra-C. :3

The Dra-C was built in a desperate attempt to get more suits in the field and probably shouldn't be emulated.

>>12702316
Never said I liked it and apologised said that any new space fighter would likely have to be AMBAC equipped to make up for the lack of time available to train pilots. I guess I could always rip out the current external tanks on the Zakraider and replace them with the moveable Jaeger tanks I've given the Dra-C. Other than that I'm comepletely out of ideas.

>>12702403
Those Stingraider designs you cooked up a while back seemed like they were pretty good. This looks like another good design that builds off that. Sorta their big brother.

Okay, now what?

Should contact the feds. Tell them a terrorist is planning a nuclear attack.

>>12702542
I like it. Though, without guidance systems, missile pods should really only be used against immobile or slow moving targets, such as any remaining Federation tanks and Land Battleships, as well as buildings and other structures. I remember that there were a few other loadouts that had beam weaponry, which would likely be better suited for MS combat and against other fighters.

>>12702609
We're talking about the space fighter version today Sam. You dont need to give an atmospheric fighter AMBAC.

Woo, ZeonQuest.

> "Also, the Nukes are the real smoking gun here, they're from the A-Boa-Qu armoury, and we can prove that this is the case as well.
Can Intelligence trace it from this direction as well as from the stolen Jupiter Ghost? With a two-directional probability mapping, it is possible to narrow the staging areas to be assaulted.

>>12701724
AA and anti-missile systems around Von Braun need to be tightened, at the least. But how do you do it without alerting the Loyalist?

>>12702713
Okay. Again, I don't think that missiles, without guidance systems, would be nearly as effective against mobile suits as beam weaponry, in space or otherwise. Especially since beam weapons are much faster and harder to dodge than (relatively) slow missiles.

>>12702802
I'm back. Sorry about the long wait, but were entertaining downstairs. We had a full course roast dinner, complete with pudding and then the cheese board came out OH GOD.

Uh, on the wole tracking them from that angle. The only reason we can prove they're from the A-Boa-Qu arsenal is because none of OUR Nukes are missing, and if the Feds lost a nuke they'd be going ape.

>>12702841
I just threw that partular weapon system on as an example. Besides the Zaku Bazooka is unguided and that doesnt stop people from using it does it? It's cheap and easy to use some of the huge stockpiles of existing bazooka ammo.
As people have been quick to point out time after time with these designs beam weapins are expensive. Yes it can still carry them, no I didnt happen to post the pic of it with a beam weapon this time.

Alright, so we're heading to Grenada to drop of mail and Nell, while Zol (with his suit) goes with Ramba Ral back to Von Braun.

>>12702917
I think the general consensus now is to go ahead to Grenada, with Zol going with Ramba Ral to help, since he's a Von Braun native.

>>12702917
Eh, in the end, it is all up to the Intelligence and the Nachtmaren has to stay ready in/near to Von Braun.

Nachtmaren tactics to fight against this high-speed thing then. Is it mobile, or simply a diver-type?
We might even have to deploy Nell...

Crashing doesn't sound too good a trick. How about having too much a problem that it didn't have time to steer towards Granada, and has to settle with docking into Von Braun? An experimental drive damage or something so that it cannot be readily repaired nor allowing VB engineers to take a look at the ship.

Unpaint Nachtmaren for the time being, they are too conspicuous in their Mexican skeleton motif.

>>12702943
Well, yeah. Except that people AREN'T using it as much anymore. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like these days, with more advanced suits and weapons becoming available, people are using them less and less, either using Sturmfausts for their high-explosive needs, or using the 90mm MG. Yeah, we used the Zaku Bazooka against the Val Varo in the test run, but that was for anti-MA work, which are easier targets than most MS.

It really shows how Beam weaponry is changing the battlefield. A weapon that renders armor non-effective means that speed and mobility becomes the primary concern, which in turn means that slower moving weaponry is less effective, causing such weapons to fall out of favor. To keep up and not be rendered totally obsolete, ballistic weapons need to be either used an mass, or get the highest muzzle velocity possible. Preferably both. It's really amazing to see the changes that beam weaponry has forced the battlefield to enact.

But yeah, I understand that it was just a random pic meant to show the design, not necessarily the weapon of choice.

>>12703000

Doesn't need to be an explody crash. Just to make a furrow on the moon. Besides the main point was an excuse to let our forces be near Von Braun when the attack came.

Unpainting our rides seem like a good idea.

>>12703015
Thus, in turn, against low-armor high-mobility or beam-coated MS/MA, a low-damage dumb missile spam is something to be considered, too.

Of course, against the more experienced Oldtype aces, speed-type Newtypes, or very mobile machines, the tactic won't work as easily. But then again...

>>12703054
Right. Then again, to get a real missile spam going, you need more than a single 8-missile salvo. You need to cover a significant area in a wall of ordinance of pure explosive death, heading straight for them so that no matter which direction they go, death will hit them from at least a few of the missiles, all speeding towards them, screaming their death, screaming for blood!

Uh, I seem to have gotten sidetracked.

>>12703029
We need to station the Nachtmaren inside Von Braun, that at least is agreed? Or do we split forces, sniper or speed pilots on Von Braun, while the rest in Grenada to stage assaults to probable bases where JG might be stashed?

>>12702983

Okay then.

YOU ARE NOW ZOLOMON RINGO

You mount up in your Gyan Kreiger and ransfer it to the Madagascar as quietly as possible. With you aboard, the ship detatches and pulls ahead of the Mail Ship and the rest of your team.

David suggested that informing the higher ups in Von Braun might be in order. You're not so sure, you seem to recall them being little more than corrupt plutocrats back in the day. You might still have a few contacts from your families old mining days though.
You'd have to return home though...

In any casy, Ramba Ral and the rest of his team is here to answer any questions about the investigation however.

WHAT NOW?

Unpaint the suits, and we'll need to think of some way around the anti-beam shield on the Jupiter Ghost.

Is it possible to jury-rig a beam imitator, so it looks like we're shooting beam weapons at the Ghost to force the pilot to use the shield, but it's really just a low-power lightshow? Then, once the batteries are drained, our beam weapons go back up to full power.
Or we use ballistics only.

>>12703094
I don't remember; was Zol not on good terms with his family?

>>12703094
GO SEE OUR SISTER. CONVINCE HER HOW AWESOME A THREEWAY WITH HER, DAVID LISTER, AND JOLYNE BRAND WOULD BE. ZOLOMON OF COURSE WOULD BE NO WHERE NEAR THAT.

>>12703079
Low-yield missile spam, so it's more than just 8 in a pack, or even a rack of cluster-missiles so it is more like a net or a wall rather than several pronged thrusts.

This is just an idea to go against low-armor high-mobility MA/MS that is made to go against beam weapons. Against lunar titanium armor, low-yield missiles is not going to do much damage, I suppose.

rolled 27154 = 27154

>>12703101

This, we need to paint our suits to not be so... skeletony.

>>12703101
Heat-based and ballistic weapons, on agile suits. If we can intercept the JG carrying the nukes, it's done. Of course, I don't believe it will be just the two JGs coming in. There will be lots and lots of distractions...

In fact, if it weren't for the idea of nuclear explosions, AA emplacements seemed to be a hotbed of Loyalist saboteurs.

>>12703101
>Is it possible to jury-rig a beam imitator, so it looks like we're shooting beam weapons at the Ghost to force the pilot to use the shield, but it's really just a low-power lightshow? Then, once the batteries are drained, our beam weapons go back up to full power.
Or we use ballistics only.

Yes, easily, this is how the Beam Sprays on the Dom worked after all. But you have no way of knowing if he's using the I-Field or not.

>>12703117
That's highly creepy.

>>12703094
Mmmm, how would a Super Robot pilot would handle this mission... :D

>>12703101
>unpaint the suits
Seconding this for Zol anyways.

>>12703113
I dont think that's been fully mentioned. All we know is that he contacted his sister the last time we passed through.

>>12703218
Or we get David within heatrod range of it.

Technically speaking, it's next to impossible to set off a nuclear weapon by shooting/blowing it up. The conditions needed for a fission/fusion reaction to take place are extremely tight. Unless the detonation around the nuclear material is perfectly balanced, you only get a small boom and a whole bunch of radioactive dust. Granted that's not exactly a good thing, but a cruise missile sized explosion and a few kilograms of powdered plutonium in hard vacuum is a hell of a lot better than full on nuclear reaction.

So contact Zol's family then, or at least his sister?

We all seem to be agree on repainting Zol's suit so that it's easier to hide.

>>12703244
For now, what is Ramba Ral and his ship going to say when they head... Where are they heading anyway? Von Braun straight away?

>>12703287
Oh, well that's a relief. I was worried that a stray explosion would set them off.

>>12703302

They're heading for Von Braun at best speed, they've managed to fiddle with their patrol route to claim that they're stopping over for some R&R. Once there they're going to get back in contact with the spies who are currently trying to detirmine the location of the Staging Area.

Also, you have the automated systems get to work repainting your Mobile Suit something less... Halloween?

>>12703370
Go for something unassuming that will let us blend in easy, traditional Zeonic green.

>>12703404

Standard colours for the Krieger is more of a lilac blue, but I get the idea.

>>12703404
Isnt green used as colony attack colours on space MS?
>Implying in green

>>12703527

No. I don't think there was ever a specific colour for those.

Anyway, with the Kreiger being repainted you don't seem to have much else to do. The Madagascar will probably arrive in Von Braun at some point in the night, you'll probably get woken up then. You should probably get some sleep...
On the other hand, you could also give your sister a call ahead of time, but that might alert suspicions... also you could talk further with Ramba Ral about the investigation.

YOUR ORDERS?

>>12703527
Only on that Rick Dom II lineart. That might have been the team colors even.

>>12703641
Talk with Ramba Ral a little and get a feel for what he knows and what direction he's taking the investigation/any promising looking leads that you might be able to use contacts to look into further.

>>12703641
Talk with Ral about the investigation, possible staging areas and the kinds of resources that the Jupiter Ghost would require. Maybe Zol can provide some information on possible attack vectors for Von Braun, which might help to narrow down where the attack will come from.

>>12703641
How would it alert suspicions? I mean, assuming that the lines are tapped, what are they going to hear? Some guy calling his sister and saying that he'll be in town soon and plans to stop by. What's suspicious about that?

>>12703641
Talk to Ramba Ral and/or look over those vehicle specs again. Which bases would be within range if it had to launch without support?

>>12703686

You talk to Ramba Ral to get a feel for which direction the investigation is going.

"One thing we know for certain, is that Gihren is going to attempt to take over the lunar mining operations on the eastern luna hemisphere using a collecting of Corporate holdings he possesses. Which he likely made using his fathers web of contacts back from HIS mining days. We've been tracking those mining companies down and investigating them, they MUST have a contact with the Attack Team so they can tell the companies when NOT to be in Von Braun. It would also make sense that it's through these companies that the team is being supplied with food, fuel and parts."

ANYTHING ELSE?

>>12703711

Probably because hes a Natchmaren.

And Amigos don't go anywhere without backup.

>>12703770
"Do you the attack to be made by the Jupiter Ghost alone, or is it possible that it will have support?"

>>12703788
How will they know it's a member of Nachmaren squadron? I'm pretty sure Zol's not the only black guy in Zeon. And yeah, they could look up who he was calling, and then realize who he is from that, but... jesus, it's so convoluted, and considering that they'd be looking for signs that they'd been discovered, I doubt they'd even go that far. And even if they DO go that far, so what? Zeon just suffered a crushing loss. Makes sense that some people are going to take a few days of R&R with their family.

>>12703770
Is there any way their inquiries could tip off the infiltrators?

>>12703770

So we need a hacker...


...Or we need to find the highly-focused-on-the-job cop whom Zolomon once worked with as a kid when he was investigation the murder case. The one who is likely to be able to give unofficial assistance and speak with the right people of Von Braun.

:D

>>12703810
Do you English?

With a little bit of spy work, it shouldn't be too hard to find out if any organizations have suddenly pulled out of the city, or if there has been a sudden spike in the number of shipments going somewhere.

Obviously whoever Gihren has backing him up on this must be pretty big players, and big players don't just let others take over. Look for any mining companies who have gotten quite recently and aren't stirring up a fuss over anything or trying to muscle their way into a claim. Then check to see if these companies have any connections with the Zabi family. If we find any strong connected, track down any remote/close by installations they own that could be used as a staging ground. Check to see if they have suddenly started sending/receiving a lot of shipments at one of their sites.

>>12703855
Meh, I messed up.

"Do you think that the attack will be made solely by the Jupiter Ghost, or is there a possibility of it having support?"

>>12703810
"Alone most likely, it's speed and fuel endurance probably mean that little else could keep up with it. Plus, as long as they think they have the element of suprise, they probably won't even think they need any more suits.

>>12703844

No way of truly knowing for sure, but it's really the only way to do this.

>>12703868
Seconding this line of investigation, with trying to look up any old police contacts from Zolomon's kid crimefighting days.

>>12703910

That really was just a one time thing. Plus it was less of a Poirot and more of a Hardy Boys sort of thing.

In any case you opt to get some sleep before arriving.

You get woken up a few hours later, as you expected. The Madagascar has begun docking with Von Braun Spacedocks. You're given a false passport, claiming you to be some guy called Quattro Bageena.
You're pretty sure somebody is having a joke with you.

In any case, the dock authorities seem to buy your coverstory, and you enter into Von Braun city late into it's night cycle. A bag full of spare clothes handily hiding a false bottom containing a Sub-Machinegun, side-arm and a pair of grenades.

All a guy needs for a busmans holiday. Ramba Ral moves to a payphone, saying he's going to try and get in touch with his contacts. There are two other phones free alongside him, if you wish to use them

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
IF INDEED YOU WANT TO CALL ANYONE.

Call our family, but make it quick. Be as vague and unspecific as we can over the phone, but try to convey the message that we're here on business and could use some help. Then flag down a cab and head over.

>>12704063
Shit, we should have asked Ramba Ral if we should hold off contacting family members. They arent spies or terrorists like Davids, then again they arent nearly as likely to be watched.

Screw it, phone the sister and pretend it's long distance or something.

>>12704080

You ring your sister up, it rings for a fairly long time before being answered.

"Whoever the hell this is, it had better be good"

"Uh, hey."

"... the fuck time do you call this Zolomon? It's half one in the morning, I only just went to bed ten minutes ago, and it's been a real fucking long day."

"So, you still got that spare bed free? I'm in town and I kind of need a place to crash."

"Fine. You still with your old crew?"

"Uh not at the moment, they're getting her tom... well I'll tell you when I get there."

You find a transport pod ready. Ramba Ral finishes is phone call.
"I've got my rendezvous set for tommorow morning at 6 in an early morning truckers cafe called the Dustball, it's down by heavy vehicle airlock fi"

"I know where it is. I'm going to try and look up some old friends, see if I can get any information from them. I'll meet you there if you want me."

"That would good."

You're plans set, you and his team head off in different directions.

Well I'd love to stick around and play, but I'm getting kicked off the computer. Before I do I'd like to make a plug for my own quest: Merc Quest. Fun game with lots of potential, but needs a little more active players.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12635259/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12692125/

Next game is tomorrow, 1800 4chan time.

Things to do when David eventually gets here: use a torch to cut a strip of luna titanium off of his Gundam shield and sell it to one of the local companies.

>>12704231
To see if they can do a metallurgical analysis on it and replicate it?

>>12704281
Yep. They got the raw ore, but not how to make the alloy.

. . . +evil cackle+

>>12704293
Except that Zeon has had samples of the alloy for several weeks now. Ever since we captured that Pegasus carrier, which had a full supply of LT shields on board. They still can't find a way to replicate it yet, iirc.

>>12704347
They -can-, we just lack the same steady influx of lunarium the Feds do. Von Braun is really the only place that mines it.

Another reason to keep it from being nuked.

>>12704281
>>12704293

It's something to consider at least.

You reach your old home about 20 minutes later. The spare key is where you remember it to be, and the kitchen lights have been left on for you. There's no sign of your sister Namaah, but she has left a note on the kitchen table.

"Zol. I've gone to bed, but there's some cold meat in the fridge, and if you help yourself to the taps make sure you make a note of how much you take. Also make any noise and I will end you. - Nam"

You help yourself to a late night snack, and then quietly sneak upstairs, you open the door to dads old work-office. Things are mostly as you remember it, although after the accident, you doubted the rooms even been entered since.

You quietly open up some of the files, you have a fairly good idea of which of these old contact details will still be valid, but you're still going to have research them to find out.
Luckily, dads old computer still has internet access. It's cranky and slow however.

After about an hour of cross referencing, you think you've found couple of good contacts you might be able to use. You take note of them, and make a mental note to call them tommorow when you get up at five.
Which should be... about four hours from now. You're sleep patterns are going to be wrecked.

>>12704347
>>12704408
Von Braun is neutral third party, not Zeon. It produces lunar titanium ores, but has no alloying technique. If we can offer them a sample, they might give us discount on buying lunar titanium alloys...

>>12704455
I believe for now we do not have input for Zol, unless we are going to do this... THE SUPER ROBOT WAY!

+coughs+
Is Zol willing to... Shave his 'fro? And change his distinctive shades? At least tie back his 'fro into a ponytail or something.

>>12704455
>You're sleep patterns are going to be wrecked.
Oh Zol, your sleep patterns are always wrecked. It's because you keep hanging around David so much. Maybe you should get a transfer to some quiet post if you want a vacation. Like Solomon. I mean the Feddies would have to be crazy to attack that place.

Your alarm has to wake you up the following morning, you're so tired. As you get up you notice the bathroom door has been locked, and you guess that Namaah is inside.
You use the time to call up the numbers you find. The first three are useless, dads old contacts having either retired or whatever. The fourth one garners success.
Kline Grickory was just a transport head for OzSec Haulage, now however he's managed to claw his way up to VP.

"Well sure I remember you Zolomon! You used to be this tiny kid with this massive afro, you looked like a black stick of broccoli! I'm always glad to help David's kids!"

You tell him you'd like to talk to him about some things later, around 7. He say's he's probably going to be free around 8, after he's finished sorting through the Night Shift. You say that's fine, and secretly wonder if the man needs to sleep.

>>12704634

Are we packing heat?

Are we also packing those lovely tomahawks we last had when we were in town?

Luckily your sister is out of the Bathroom by now, you exchange tired greetings and you get yourself ready.

She's already prepping the bar for opening when you get downstairs. As you grab a bite to eat before leaving you tell her that you're off to meet with the rest of your team at the Dustball.

"What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now boy?" She asks archly.

"Nothing!" you protest.

"But you MIGHT want to leave town for a couple of days, like until Tuesday. Just a thought."

"Fine. I don't want to know. You don't get yourself killed trying to be heroic though you hear?"

You give her your best "who? Me?" face. IT IS WOEFULLY LACKING.

>>12704681
Something smaller I hope. If Zol uses something loose, like a duster, you can shove a sub and a tomahawk somewhere.

Bother sister. Prepare to be ended.

Going off. Don't destroy the city by your lonesome, Zol.

>>12704700

>>12704700
Alright, so first we meet up with Ral, then meet with Kline.
Maybe Ral's been more successful than us in finding stuff out.

>>12704681
You are indeed packing heat. You never bothered to unpack your duffel bag after all.

You reach the Dustball around about the same time as Ramba Ral and his team do. You were contemplating whether or not you had enough time for a proper fried breakfast when they arrived. Which answered that question.

They guesture to a table and you all take your seats.
"This is Telemachus, one our agents here on Von Braun." He introduces a young blond man with curled hair.
"So, how goes it?" Ramba Ral asks, it doesn't need to be said what "It" is.

"We've narrowed it down somewhat since we last met. We've isolated the staging area to be a resourcing sattellite somewhere in Rickenbaker Expanse."

"That hardly norrows it down, the Expanse is basically the moons warehouse. They're must be thousands of resource pods and material installations up there." you point out.

"True. But we've also managed to narrow it down to three possible companies who are complicit with this. Arclight Mining, the FoDonScray Conglomerate and Lowe Salvage. ALL of these are either shell corporations owned by Gihren directly, or have been near completely suborned by Loyalist Intelligence Assets."

"Do we have enough proof to go to the Von Braun authorities? Calling for an immiediate security increase and an evacuation of the city?" Ramba Ral asks.

"Possibly, if we show the proof we've gotten about Gihren's business dealings, as well as the capabilities of the Ghost. That said, they're still going to have trouble swallowing that this is a Loyalist plot and not a Legitimacy one given that it's a Legitimacy design. But the copies of the outline of Operation: Houndstooth complete with Loyalist security codes and verification would go a long way. We might have trouble making them take it seriously. Plus we can't be sure Von Braun hasn't been penetrated at the higher levels..."

WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST ZOLOMON?

>>12704949

Is there anyone highly placed whom we can be sure is not a gihren supporter?

What of the defences forces of Von Braun?

>>12704995
No.

Von Braun is protected by a ring of high powered Mass Drivers which will fill the airspace overhead with a shower of super-sonic debris.

>>12704949
"I take it Houndstooth is the name Gihren's given this whole fiasco? Well, I say we wait a little. Do we know if they've moved it into the Expanse yet? If they haven't, we can try to keep watch for when they move into position."

>>12704949

I'd rather not tell Von Braun about this, too risky. Zol's contact was with a Hauling Company, so he should know something about the warehouse. Tell Ramba we're going to talk to him.

Also,

>>Lowe Salvage

I see what you did there.

>>12705079
I agree. Going to the Von Braun authorities may be too risky.

We could check in with our contact concerning any strange behavior from the other hauling companies, to try to narrow down the resource pod that the Loyalists are using.

>>12705063

The Ghost is definately somewhere within the Rickenbaker expanse. They were transferring food and supplies to them though. Finding out where they went is going to require pinning down each and every transport to the Expanse that has gone from those selected companies and then physically checking the shuttles in question, as it's a sure bet that they won't have entered in their ACTUAL destination into the office records.

>>12705079
>Zol's contact was with a Hauling Company, so he should know something about the warehouse. Tell Ramba we're going to talk to him

You tell Ramba you have your own contacts that you'd like to check with first. He wishes you good luck. You leave without having a decent breakfast.

>>12705079
Seconding checking out Zol's contact first.

>>12705165
What if.... what if you put the two beam guns next to the beam rifle, one on each side? That way you'd get more beams in the same shield.... The only possible downside would be the power draw, right?

>>12705260
Baseline Gyan has less reactor output than a Gelgoog. The Jelgoog Jaeger has a more powerful reactor and could mannage something like that but I doubt the Krieger could. As it stands we dont know the official power output of the MS-15Kg

Besides, what would be the advantage? Beam guns are short range while beam rifles are long range. If they were fire linked you'd just be soaking up more power with an arrangement like that.

>>12705333
Not necessarily firelinked. Separate triggers for the rifle and the guns.

>>12705373
how about batteries or clips?, the gian could use it then

>>12705400
E-pacs won't be invented until at least the GP series.

>>12705373
>>12705400
Well sure if I wanted the shield to be 40-60% larger and cost more than some MS.

>how about batteries or clips
>batteries or clips
>clips

The meeting spot you picked it a slightly more upmarket cafe. Luckily, you had a couple of hours to spare and at last managed to get a good breakfast.

Mr Grickory seems to be much the same as you remember, perhaps with a few more lines on his face.
"I have to admit, I was suprised to get a call from you out of the blue. Last I heard you were still with the military."

"I still am, what do you know about Lowe, Arclight Mining and FoDonScray?"

"Lowe used to be a full salvage operation. These days they mostly just do work on faulty pods and satellites out in the Rickenbacker Expanse. Arclight have been doing so so, but that's probably because they just moved their offiices out of Von Braun, some sort of trouble with their rent agreement or something. FoDonScray? FoDon-Fucking-Scray used to be the three companies Fouxhall Mining, Donpatchi Mineral Extractions and Scrayberg Limited used to have these massive bidding wars over the price of Lunarium, usually driving the price RIGHT down for the rest of us as well. They did for about three times in ten years and then they just merge like that. It turns out that the fuckers all had the same one man as their CEO, which means he was deliberately fucking with the market, which is illeagal in a big way, except due to the retarded privacy laws here on the Moon, we can't legally show that this was the case, and therefore can't actually prosecute. Fucking Gihren. At least when his daddy did this he had the decency to try and hide it."

"Hold up? FoDonScray is owned by Gihren? Everybody knows this?"

"Yeah. Except the fucking laywers. Now what's this about?"

WHAT DO YOU TELL HIM?

>>12705456

Uh, what are you talking about? E-Pacs are around. They're a fundamental part of how a Mobile Suit is actually able to use a Battleship grade weapon like a Beam Cannon in the first place.

>>12705522

If everybody knows Gihren owns them, then surely Gihren wouldn't be stupid enough to use them... Right?

>>12705522
This guys seems pritty straight. I say we tell him. Dont tell him there's going to be nukes involved just that there's going to be an attack and Girhen is going to remove the competition from the picture. We need his help to prevent the attack.

>>12705522
I say we tell him that we're part of an intel op. That Zeon intercepting intel that Gihren's back up to his usual douchebag self to screw over Von Braun, with some kind of terrorist attack. We don't know the details, but it's supposed to staged from somewhere in the Expanse. We don't have enough evidence yet to go to the civil government though, so we're trying to stop him before the attack starts.

>>12705556
Those are E-caps. E-pacs are the swappable magazine ones used by the GP01 and Mk. II.

>>12705522

That we're conducting a government sanctioned investigation.

Ask if theres been any suspicious activity on the part of those 3 companies. Emphasis on the FoDo since we now know its gihren's.

>>12705625
Right and, oh wait we've been using beam weapons with swapable magazines. Uh... oh shit.

PIME TARADOX!

>>12705725
>>12705625
>>12705556
>>12705513
So.... can we have a triple-beam shield or not?

>>12705725
That came out sounding a bit more negative than I wanted.
Still if MS wernt able to carry more than 20-30 shots total in their beam weapon in the OYW that must have been one bitch logistical challenge.

>>12705611

You don't mention the big N, but you do give a general outline of what's going on. He seems shocked, but manages to keep his cool.

"It won't be FoDonScray, it's too obvious, plus they aren't allowed to keep assets in the Expanse anymore because of the shit they pulled. There was also a full investigation into all of their holdings as well, they can't be sure they aren't still under surveillance. Arclight now seem might suspicious, what with them moving their offices outside of Von Braun, plus I'm pretty sure they still have a few cargo satellites up in the expanse. With all of the supposed confusion going on, it'd be the perfect cover for some food and supplies to go missing without be noticed. Problem is, Arclight don't have any transport shuttles, they've always used third party couriers... No way you'd trust something like that with these kind of stakes... Ah HA! Okay, two days ago, Arclight lost a lunar transport out in the sea, I remember it because Lowe came to salvage it, which Is odd because, like I said, they usually just stick to the Expanse these days. Okay, so, the supplies to the... guys... are in the "broken" transport, which are picked up by the Lowe Salvage vessel, and then transferred from there to the Expanse! Find that transport, and you'll have you're destination!"

TO BE CONTINUED

sorry about today's slow pace. We'll get to blow up more shit next week.

Which brings us neatly onto some other things we need to discuss. Namely, now that my hours are back to normal, should we switch Zeonquest back to Friday, or keep it as is now?

>>12705943
I personally would prefer Friday since I have shit to do on most Saturdays. But I'm flexible.

>>12705922
Best next episode title ever.

>>12705943
I say go back to Fridays.

rolled 27897 = 27897

>>12705943

I enjoyed Friday Zeonquest, but anything is cool with me.

Its your show Apologized.

>designed sithrat

... I now know what to call Sith in KOTOR online.

OMAKE

MEANWHILE

"So there's still no word from Ramba Ral yet?" David checked with the Mail Ships Captain.

"Nothing on either coded or encoded channels. Although given the cloak and dagger games you've been playing on my ship, I wouldn't expect there to be. They'd probably use a personal courier to deliver the message whatever it is."

"So we still don't know where..." Jolyne looks over at the Captain, remembering belatedly that he hadn't been cleared for the full story.

"... the target is." She finishes.

"No. The suits are prepped for a quick launch, and were taking a long way through a debris field to cover that, but eventually were going to reach Grenada Fortress. Then we're going to have to think up an excuse to leave the base at a moments notice."

"Low Gravity combat exercises?" Bernie suggests.

"I mean, we might as well, we might need the practice." he continues.

"That could work..." David muses.

"Couldn't we just ask Nell where they are?"

"Assuming I've gotten the gist of what she can do right, then she'd need to know every facet of the economic and political scene on Von Braun to work out where the target is, and I don't think she does. I also don't think it's appropriate to put the mentally disturbed twelve year old under and any unrequired pressure."

"It's getting pretty fucking required sir." Jolyne comments.

"I'll ask Sara before we reach Grenada. Satisfied?"

>>12706011
>>12705990
I'm seconding these.


Any other helpful tips on directions I should take the fighter designs?

You need to make an Achievement image for next time!

>>12706065
On the incredible off chance that she DOES know it though, we should ask her. If she doesn't, no harm done and we've only wasted a few minutes time walking to see her. If she DOES know, then... yeah.

>>12705990
>>12706007
>>12706011

General gist appears to be friday.

--OMAKE 2--

The cell was dark, and his hands were bound in chains. It was all very traditional and primitive Ghineas thought to himself.
Thank god for legal loopholes he thought to himself. When he was transferred to Solomon in the aftermath of Operation Hunter in June, he'd been stripped of his defacto military rank, thus making him an ordinary civilian again. So when they'd managed to catch him red-handed supplying his contacts with the Jupiter Ghost, a quick trip outside an airlock or a firing squad wasn't immiediately on the cards.

It didn't hurt that like it or not, he was STILL be the best Mobile Armour designer in the Earth Sphere. They still needed him, they're were plenty of projects that needed his attention to get off the ground. Not least Admiral Dozle's own pet project...

The door opened. The sillouette of a man appeared, Ghineas couldn't immiediately identify who.

"Stand." He simply commanded.
'Ah' Ghineas thought to himself 'Matsunaga'. He had nothing personally against Matsunaga, he never really endeared to him either though. Ghineas stood with as much dignity as the shackles would allow.

>>12706305
"You will be allowed to continue working on your current workload. You will never be unattended for any reason when you are outside of this cell. You are not allowed to make any communications with the outside world except through an intermediatary, you will not be allowed to suggest new projects, you will not be allowed to return to your old apartment for any reason. If you need things from your room, they will be transferred to this cell AFTER they have been throroughly checked for security risks. And when this war is over, you will still be trialed, in a civilian court of law, for aiding and abetting a war-criminal."

"You're assuming Gihren won't win?"

"I assume nothing. I'm simply telling you how it is going to be. Now, get moving, and if you try anything. ANYTHING. For the entire time that you are outside this cell, you'll be shot. Am I clear?"

"Completely." Ghineas replied.

>>12706316
>>12706305
No, shoot him now!

>>12706305
>When he was transferred to Solomon in the aftermath of Operation Hunter in June
That was the first Jaburo assault in September right?

Pic is an engine and systems testbed for the later and much larger Neue Ziel. Equipped with a moveable beam cannon on each shoulder intended for use in strafing runs against warships. It has little in the way of defensive weaponry and must rely on it's speed and active chaff launchers to evade enemy weapons fire.

>>12706439
When can we get one?

Aside from work on the aerospace fighter, are there any other projects we're currently looking at? It's looking like space operations are becoming more and more important, so I doubt that artillery amphibious suit I proposed is going to be much help. Anyone know what the feasibility of adapting such a suit to space warfare is?

>>12706664
>artillery amphibious suit
What was this?

>>12706707
Never got past the concept stage, it was basically an amphibious suit with a retractable cannon, similar to the guncannon suits, firing either a beam cannon or a rocket-assisted projectile. This was back when we were looking for something to take down Pegasus-class carriers within the Earth's atmosphere, probably could've served as an artillery platform if used in combination with spotter units. I think at this point we already have units that do basically the same things.

>>12707220
So sort of a cross between the MS-13 Gasshia and the YMS-16M Xamel. or maybe between the Xamel and the MSM-10 Zock. Interesting. Dunno how effective it'd be.
If you fired it from in the water you'd create one hell of a sonar signal lighting you up for everybody.

What I want to know is what happened to the three Apsalus Mk2's that covered the retreat at Beijing. If we could get our hands on those we'd be able to clear the airspace of any Carriers above Jaburo in the next Assault. With them creating a primiter it'd allow an orbital drop to bring in the Big Zam.

>>12707417
You kids and your Big Zams. Will it even be finished in time for the next Jaburo attack?

>>12707803
>>12706575
>When can we get one?
When the war is over.

>You kids and your Big Zams. Will it even be finished in time for the next Jaburo attack?
Well instead of Ghineas drugging his men to work harder on his project, Admiral Dozle will drug Ghineas to work on HIS project. I think they'll end up waiting until the Big Zam prototype is ready.

>>12708092
Yeah, but if we wait too long, then the forces from Odessa will be back at Jaburo, and the whole point is to attack before that happens and they have time to repair the damage we did.