>>18163355
Damndest thing.
These threads just won't bump. It's like they're stuck in autosage from the get-go.

Last time, we hit Earth, plain and simple. It was not a comfy landing. The plot thickened further when the whole crew disappeared, save for us, Lara, and Diez. Further thickening occured when it was discovered that Garma Zabi, thought to be dead, was responsible for kidnapping our missing crew.. The final thickening occurred when it was discovered that we look just like Naliss Zabi.

On top of the frozen molasses that is the plot right now, there's the ongoing mystery of the Daemonball, and a mysterious spirit who seems to be connected to it.

>>18163378
You wake up softly, sitting next to the cell door. Ben has been up all night, keeping watch on Garma.

"He hasn't moved," is the first thing that he says as you wake. "Hasn't slept either. It's... Really fucking creepy, honestly." You peek into the room, where Garma sits, meditating. You have to suppress a shudder as you look at him closely. He's been terribly burned all over. His famous lavender hair mostly is gone now, a few patches lying haphazardly around the only sign he had it at all. His once-flawless face is now a maze of scar tissue, obviously untreated in the time since his supposed demise. His eyes, formerly naive and idealistic, now are cold, the gleam of madness shining in them.

"...Commander Garma... It's time to get up."

"I am aware of what time it is," he says softly, standing. Despite his wounds and scars, his body has become strong and well-built. Clearly he has not been lazing around.

"We shall have to obtain some food before setting out," he says, as you open the cell door.


WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18163388
Go and get some rations from the Supply block.

"So your men are far away, then? You were attempting to get at the last 3 members of the crew yourself?"

Thanks so much, Anon. You're the best. Also, I'm keeping that picture.

>>18163406
Garma nods. "My men did the hard work. I supposed I could be counted on to round up a last few stragglers. Clearly I was wrong. Where are we going?"

"The supply deck," you say. Garma gets a look on his face.

"I'm afraid that may not be an option." You stare at him.

"What do you mean?"

"While I attacked, several of my men used our battle as a diversion to take the supplies on the ship."

Diez starts cursing.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18163606
*rub our head in frustration*
"Commander Garma, I wish you and your men were slightly LESS effective. Your effectiveness is making this prisoner exchange quite a lot more difficult than it has to be.
"Please tell me that your men at least left us something in the Mess Hall."

>>18163653
Garma sighs. "I'm afraid not. However, though this land is barren, food can be found if you know where to look. I will help you, if you desire."

He's being helpful now?

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18163731
Any of the other GM's in the Hangar operational? And what about emergency survival kits?

We need something that Diez can ride in, and I doubt that Garma's Zaku is operational.

Engaging bump test

>>18164099
Test successful

>>18163790
Here's the current status.

NAME: SHANNON O'CLAY
SKILLS: SPIRIT GUIDE (When confused, you may ask Ben for help. He can also cover your back, or at least inform you of enemies behind you.)
UNIT: PROTOTYPE GUNDAM (Improved)
WEAPONS: 60mm VULCAN GUN, BEAM SABER, PROTO BEAM RIFLE, GUNDAM HAMMER (Does 5 damage for every increment of 5 rolled (5 or up does a minimum of 5, 10 and up does 10, up to 20 dealing 20), 15 and up also prevents use of a random weapon for 5 turns.)
MAX ACCELERATION: .94 G
ARMOR LEVEL: 1
OUTPUT: 1380 kW

OTHER UNITS: RGM-79 GM x2, RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam, Work Type Ball, MA-05M Bigro Meir, RB-79 DAEMONBALL

ITEMS: "Zanny" Plans, "GM Ground Type" Plans, "Grabro" Plans, "Desert GM" Plans, "Gouf Flight Test Type" Plans, "Zaku II" Reusable Plans, "E-Cap" Reusable Plans, Sand Filter, Hover Unit, Bit Control Array, Railgun Attachment, 13 tons Scrap Metal, Turn-8 Necklace, Turn-8 Document, 9 Tons of Scrap Metal, Knuckle Shields x2

We do have 2 GMs left.

>>18164261
Put Diez in a GM. Lara can ride with either of us. Garma will ride with the other.

>>18164261
Is Garma's Zaku in repairable condition?

>>18164325
Yes. Unique Suit "ZAKU II Fs" is repairable for 10 Scrap.

>>18163731
"I do. This is now a matter of survival.

>>18164261
>>18164346
Put Diez in the other GM. Do we have any kind of transport that we can keep Garma in?

Anyway, I think we should either keep the Turn-8 stuff with us, or leave them in the Daemonball where the ghosts of Side 2 can protect them.

Also, aren't we missing our old Elmeth?

>>18164442
Whoops, forgot the Elmeth. Yes, we do, but it can't be used in gravity.

Anyway, the lab is still functional. You have creations you can make, as well as research you can do.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

>>18164575
Unless we can research a way to make food, we're kind of stuck. Perhaps we could send Diez and Garma out to forage while we stay here?

What research options are available?

Yay, more MAQuest!

>>18164575
>WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Attempt to convert the Hildolfr plans we got (which you forgot in our inventory, just FYI) into those for a Rhino. Also, you say we have both 9 scrap and 13. Which is it? Both?

>>18164645
13. Man, I'm off with these things.

The Hildolfr plans cannot be converted. Only constructed units can make more plans if not found.

Current things that can be done: Desert GM creation, and combo research with the Elmeth and Prototype Gundam.

>>18164950
Is the Elmeth/Gundam combination a space-only unit?

Exactly where did the Trafalgar crash on Earth's surface?

>>18164950
Sure, a Desert GM would probably be useful in these environs.

>>18164987
Maybe, maybe not. I'll have to roll a 3-sided die to see which possible plan we get.

>>18164994
It will cost you a GM, and a Sand Filter.

Are you sure?

>>18165057
Will said GM still be able to function in space if we ever go back? I say we do it, even if the answer's no. It'll help us now, and by the time we get back into space we'll have our Bigro Mier and Elmeth to play with to make up for a lost GM.

>>18165088
You make the Desert GM!

RGM-79F DESERT GM
HP: 25
ARMOR: 60
WEAPONS: 60mm VULCAN GUN, BEAM SABER, RAILCANNON (Roll 18 or higher to deal 30 damage, can only be used every other turn) MISSILE LAUNCHERS (5 or higher for 10 damage, 4 ammo)

WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW?

>>18165436
>needs 18 to hit with primary weapon
>Wat Do?

Find a spare MG for it to use in case its missiles get depleted or we don't want to use the railgun because of its high inaccuracy. Otherwise, check up on Lara, see how she's doing. Also, I vote we repair GARma's Zaku.

>>18165475
You lift the Machine gun off the other GM, giving it the MACHINE GUN weapon.

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO REPAIR THE ZAKU II Fs?

>>18165588
I don't think we should, at this point. With the Desert GM and the Gundam, we've got us and Diez covered. The only reason to repair the Zaku is to have a machine for Garma to use, and we're sure as shit not trusting him with it.

>>18165625
Very well. Would you like to research the Gundam/Elmeth combination?

>>18165787
+1 vote for this.

>>18165625
Fair enough.

>>18165787
Go ahead.

You research possible combinations with the Gundam and the Elmeth.

Guess 1d4 doesn't work.

>>18165863
And neither does 1d12.

>>18165872
No capital letters. "dice" only.

rolled 1 = 1

OK, thanks.

rolled 2 = 2

>>18165918
You look at your plans. You cross-referenced other machines that were known to combine with the Gundam, and think you came up with something nice.

YOU GOT THE "G-Fighter E" PLANS
REQUIREMENTS: MAN-08 ELMETH, 15 TONS SCRAP METAL

>>18166028
Specs?

>>18166028
Interesting.... Can we check up on Lara now?

>>18166028
Let's get ready to move out. There's no food here, and the sooner we find Garma's men, the sooner we exchange prisoners.

>>18166083
You go and check on Lara, who is examining the Zaku II Fs remains.

"So interesting... They managed to beat us to the vulcan creation..."

"Good to see you've still got your priorities straight," you snark, earning a chuckle out of her.

>>18166106
"But seriously," you say, "we're going to move out soon. Getting our crew back, and all that."

She nods, and begins optimizing the mobile suits.

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

>>18166519
Ask Garma where exactly he plans to get food.

>>18166519
Talk to Garma, what direction we'll have to travel in, and for how long.

"I hope you have a better idea for food than insect larva. This might be a war, but you're foraging for two ladies now."
But seriously, look for emergency kits with rations. There might be a few still in the Hangar.

>>18166614
>>18166592
Garma laughs, a harsh, rattling sound. "I would never force such a thing upon a lady, and definitely not upon 2 such beautiful ones. No, there are several Zeon bases in the area. There's one near here, that should not have been visited. There should be plenty of rations there. Is that suitable?"

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18166718
"Do I have your word of honor that this is not a trap?"

If so, let's get going once the optimizations are done.

>>18166730
Very much this. Hopefully he gives us his word, and we go. If it is a trap... well.... we have a GUNDAM.

>>18166780
>>18166730
Garma gets down on one knee and bows. "Upon my honor, I swear to you that I will aid you and keep you safe." You blush a bit. The burns sure haven't hurt his charm any.

"O-OK, sure. Yeah, let's go."

You get called by Lara. Optimization is done.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18167273
Suit up and go, as previously discussed.

>>18167273
We get into the Gundam with Lara. Diez takes the Desert GM with Garma. This way in case whoever's taking Garma gets overpowered by him somehow, Garma won't have the Gundam. Not saying he'd do that, but I'm paranoid >.>

>>18167273
Suit up.
Do we have any kind of truck or something that Garma can be put in and that we can carry?
I don't relish the thought of letting him ride inside a cockpit, or even carrying him on the palm of our Gundam.

>>18167434
>>18167427
>>18167410
You suit up, and Garma gazes appreciatively. You give him the finger.

"I suppose I will be riding with Mr. Diez, then?" he asks politely, a change from his previous demeanor. You nod. He taps his foot.

"May I ask for a switch? I would not want to be a roadblock between the blossoming romance between Mr. Diez and Ms. Tisiphone."

...The WHAT

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18168528
"You don't just stop there. Tell me what you know."

>>18168528
"Commander Garma, you said that knowing that I am a teenage woman, and as such cannot resist gossip, didn't you?
"Anyway, I think it inappropriate for a man such as you to be in such close proximity to a lady, alone in a Mobile Suit's cockpit.
"The same is doubly true for Mr. Diez."

>>18168649
Garma smiles. "Well, I wouldn't expect you to know about it; you were asleep, after all. During the night, I witnessed Ms. Tisiphone meet Mr. Diez for a rendezvous of... carnal proportions." He puts his hand to his mouth to cover his laugh. "She's quite the screamer." You look to Ben, who is red-faced and furious.

"Did you..."

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP I SAW NOTHING I KNOW NOTHING."

You wince at his volume, and Garma noticed it.

"Don't imagine too much about it," he says jokingly.

OH GOD

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18168877
*rub our temples in frustration*
"Commander Garma, you...
"All I wanted was a professional prisoner exchange. And now you're turning this into a high school teen romance drama. I should know, I'm a teenager."
*screw our palm to our forehead*
"I cannot believe that I have to be the voice of professionalism and reason here."

"Commander Garma, you are riding with Mr. Diez, or you are riding outside, your choice."

>>18169017
There is a flicker of displeasure on Garma's face.

"Very well. I will remain outside." His choice gets a confused reaction out of you.

"May I ask why, Commander Garma?"

When Garma speaks again, his tone is once more different, full of venom.

"I know of Robin Diez. Ask him about his time serving under the Red Comet."

With that, he walks into the desert. You, Lara, and Diez scramble into your mechs to catch up to him.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18169123
Pick up Garma in the palm of our Gundam's hand, so that we can keep going at a MS's pace.

>>18169123
That explains a lot. I kind of feel bad for Garma here. There is not much worse than being betrayed by your best friend and burned alive.
>>18169165
completely agree with this.

>>18169183
>>18169165
And you're obviously beginning to see how that betrayal changed him. You'll see even more as time goes on, if you make certain decisions.

You pick up Garma after a while, depositing him on the Gundam's hand. He seems more satisfied with this arrangement.

After about 30 minutes, you find the base. It is locked, though.

"I can open it," Garma says.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18169183
After thinking more about it can I add "ask Garma about what happened." to my vote. Either he has no way to communicate with zeon forces about what has happened to him or people high up in the chain of command would prefer if he appeared to be dead. At the very least helping him might be beneficial to us; at best he could be a potential ally.

>>18169531
"If you please."

>>18169617
and offer to allow him to ride with you for the rest of the way.

>>18169531
"If you would, Commander."

I agree that we should ask why he hasn't attempted to make contact with Zeon Command. Was he really that hung out to dry by Gihren? And technically, this would be the first we would be hearing of any problems between Char and Garma; no one knows that Char was the one who backstabbed Garma.

>>18169539
>>18169617
>>18169668
>>18169689

"Commander Garma?"

"What is it, Ms. O'Clay?"

"...You will be permitted to come inside under one condition."

"And that is?"

"Tell me everything that has happened. Where you went? How you "died"."

"...Very well. Let me inside and I shall do so."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18169911
"I am going to trust you and your word, Commander Garma, against my better judgement. Please do not abuse my trust; I've had it broken by Zeon too many times already, please do not break it again."

Open the cockpit door.

>>18169940
Gotta get to sleep; been an awful day. Big audition coming up. I'll post the story tomorrow.

Let him open it. I doubt he thinks highly of trickery at this point anyway.

>>18170003
You want us to keep the thread warm till tomorrow?

>>18170122
That'd be great. Hell, I'll even answer story questions you guys have in the morning if you write them while I'm gone.

Let him in.
>>18170153
Sure thing. Plus, thank you Ori. I only got to read the first two parts live and ended up reading the rest in the archive after I saw this thread. I really like were this is going.

If I may ask how would our situation have changed if we killed Wiseman instead of capturing him

>>18171252
Woke up for a sec so I'll answer this.

Let me put it this way: We still would have crashed. It just wouldn't have been Bernie as the prime suspect.

I know we have been really, really lucky so far, but have we really missed out on anything so far.

Bump

Early morning bump.

bump

>>18172279
We have missed a few small opportunities, but one or two of them can still be completed at this juncture.

Now, I believe you kind folks have been waiting for a story.

-------
>>18170047
>>18169940

Garma climbs in, sitting below you.

"I suppose I should tell you; I am not entirely unbiased in this story. But I will be as honest with you as I have been with myself." He turns around and looks up at you.
"Char Aznable is a skilled pilot, I will give him that. We were once great friends; growing up, we rose to the top of our class at the Zeon Military Academy. At least, I thought we were friends. Therefore, you can obviously understand my delight upon meeting up with him on the field. He assured me that we would attain great glory for Zeon by destroying the Trojan Horse, which had landed near us and was travelling to Jaburo. We lay siege to it, our forces taking on both it, and its terrifying warrior, the White Devil.” He stops for a moment, to laugh. “How ironic it is, now, for me to be sitting in this prototype, the Devil’s Shadow, if you will."

(Continued)


"Anyway, during the battle, I was informed by Char that we were behind the Trojan Horse, and moved to chase it.” His face darkens again. “I was tricked. The Trojan Horse had hidden right behind us, and barraged us endlessly. We had no chance. To add insult to injury, I was contacted by Char, and told to “blame the misfortune of my birth” for this. In that moment, I knew the truth. Char Aznable was a traitorous demon of a man, who had manipulated me for years. Blinded by rage and betrayal, I attempted to pilot my GAW into the Trojan Horse, in a kamikaze attack. I failed, and the GAW was destroyed before I could make it there. Amazingly, the whole cockpit section stayed in one pieces in the explosion. I assume it was fused together by the heat. It crashed hard, but I survived. I met up with my surviving men, and we have been eking out an existence here ever sinces.”

He turns around. “Is that sufficient?”

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18175179
"But why not attempt to make contact with Zeon High Command? You could have linked up with other forces, you know the codes to access Zeon bases and their communication equipment. Why hide yourself?"

>>18175194
Seconded.

>>18175194
this is what I've been wondering.

>>18175532
>>18175450
>>18175194
"How could I?" Garma mutters, face downset. "I am nothing but a disgrace to my family, as well as Zeon. I deserve only a firing squad. However, I cannot be allowed to die until I can guarantee the safety of my men. When that happens, I will welcome death." You look at him, and can feel the shame and sadness oozing from him. He's being sincere.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18175609
Roll our eyes. "You can't truly believe that, can you? Anyone can gain a person's trust if given years to do so, it's not your fault that Char managed to do it to you. And while it was foolish of you to try to kill yourself with a suicide attack, I don't see how that deserves the firing squad. Your dedication to your men if nothing else proves you are a man of great principles."

>>18175609
"If you wanted to guarantee the safety of your men, you could have still given them your codes and ordered them to make contact with Zeon.
"Your men, seeing as they've followed you this far, would have objected, of course. Then you could have told them that you wish to hide your identity so that you can gather the evidence you need to bring down Char for his treachery.
"Your only disgrace was to be fooled by a man that is outwardly a hero of Zeon. Something that no person could have predicted.
"However, you continue to hide from Zeon, your men cut off from support and resupply. Is that really in the best interests of your men?"

>>18175609
No person deserves death, Commander Garma, you included. Your family still cares for you and the men under your command look to your leadership. Only a fool throws away their life for nothing. You still have much to live for.

>>18175757
(pt 2)
I have dedicated myself to try to end the killing on both sides. Commander Garma, you of all people should know the horrors that war draws out of people. If you truly feel that you have no purpose left help me end the bloodshed. Together we might be able to bring the monsters on both our sides to justice and end this war peacefully.

>>18175819
>>18175757
Garma looks at you incredulously for a moment, before cracking a wide grin.

"Dear lord, Lister will LOVE you." You raise an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing. I agree with your sentiment, with your idea. I'm not sure how it would be done, but it's a refreshing viewpoint. I suppose we could give it a shot, if your crew can stand my men after all this."

Well, that went incredibly well.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18176211
I suppose we should unlock the Zeon base, get the supplies we need, and then make best speed to where Garma's men are hiding.

>>18176211

>>"Dear lord, Lister will LOVE you."

You sly dog.

>>18176431
go inside the base and get supplies. Ask Garma more about his men's situation and how both sides could help each other out. Ask about how we resemble Naliss; are we really that much like her. Figure out how to show Garma's men that we are not a threat, so they do not try and engage us. After this head out to his Garma's men.

>>18176211

>Lister exists
>Garma still didn't make it out of there

What.

>>18176718
Clearly, this is an AU to Zeonquest's AU, in which Garma still tried a suicide charge on the White Base but managed to survive this time.

>>18176718
It was probably only because of Lister that Garma survived his suicide attack.

rolled 21 = 21

>>18176554
>>18176412
You make it to the base, and exit, as Garma opens the door, allowing you to look for supplies.

(Rolling 4 times for getting stuff.)

------
>>18176859
>>18176820
>>18176718
Lister is definitely one of the reasons why Garma survived. However, there's a reason he couldn't keep Garma from charging, which we will see very soon.

rolled 15, 5, 14, 8 = 42

>>18177102
Bleh, wrong die.

rolled 11, 2, 2, 11 = 26

>>18177174

(All rolls over 5 get you something)

8: You find the supply bay, and pig out on rations. You feel much better.

14: Coming across a scrapyard, you manage to grab 4 tons of scrap to take back.

15: Coming to what looks like a hangar, you find it open, but covered in sand and dirt. There is a pristine Zaku Bazooka on the side.

YOU GOT A ZAKU BAZOOKA!

Strangely, a silhouette of a mobile suit is visible, much cleaner than the rest of the dust-covered hangar...

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18177464
Take a look to see what it is.

>>18177464
Examine the Mobile Suit.

>>18177672
>>18177583
The mobile suit is gone, but its near-dustless silhouette makes it clear that it was a Zaku of some sort.

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

>>18177729
???
Ask Garma if anyone has been sent to this base recently.

>>18177760
Garma shakes his head. "My brother had it constructed, but it was deserted after a month or so. It's surprisingly pristine for one that has been unused for so long... That is, if it HAS been deserted."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18177790
Check the mobile suits.
(hopefully we have not been gundamjacked)

>>18177843
You check on your suits, and are happy to discover that they are just as you left them.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

>>18177940
Let's go get our people back.


Could the Trafalgar be made spaceworthy again, or is it a write-off?

>>18177940
Alright, we've all gotten food, that's what's important. Now we should head for Garma's men's base. Maybe it would be a good idea to repair his Zaku? It'd let his men know he's alright, and if he's seen leading us into the base it might make things go smoother for us.

>>18178095
No, I don't think we should, not yet.

He's still a Zeon commander, and a Zabi at that, and we're a Federation soldier, even if we were an emergency commission.

>>18177940
Stock up on supplies, ask Garma if there are any signs or countersigns we should have ready to indicate to his men not to fire on us, and then get moving to where Garma's men are located.

>>18177975
The Trafalgar is not beyond repair, but you'll need to find a functional Federation base to get it fixed, and then bring the ship over.

With that, you, guided by Garma, go towards what he identifies as the base. About halfway there, you begin to see wreckage from a Gaw all around you.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18178192
"Was this yours?"

>>18178157
You've already done that.
>>18178095
>>18178130
We HAVE already allied with Garma, remember?

>>18178219
>We HAVE already allied with Garma, remember?
Really? I was under the impression that we were working with him temporarily in order to facilitate a prisoner exchange of him for our crew.

Joining a Zeon guerrilla band was NOT my intention at all in any of the previous actions.

>>18178248
Allied with him to the extent that he agrees with our ideology, but is still considering it. Right now, we're much closer to friends than enemies.

>>18178274
Alright.
Not sure if we should trust any Zeon soldiers, even if they're not under Zeon Command control anymore, but we'll see how this goes.

And ask Garma about the Gaw wreckage.

>>18178274
Inspect GAW WRECKAGE for possible TONS of SCRAP METAL and BLUEPRINTS.

>>18178408
YOU GOT BURNT HAIR (VIOLET)

rolled 18, 2, 6, 12, 4 = 42

>>18178350
Diez was Zeon. Kelly was Zeon. We were Zeon.

What's wrong with Zeon.

----
>>18178408
You inspect the wreckage. There are 5 areas you can search.

>>18178483
Let's search each area for ~10 minutes then. We don't have all day.

>>18178483
Technically we were Federation before Da decided to go Zeon and drag us with him. And then there's the whole Flanagan Institute and being a "volunteer" test pilot.

rolled 17, 5, 11, 11, 15 = 59

>>18178483

After searching for a while...

18: You come across plans for a GAW of your own!

YOU GOT GAW PLANS

12: You find 7 TONS OF SCRAP METAL

6: You find 1 TON OF SCRAP METAL

4 and 2: Nothing...

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

>>18178714
Continue to the base.

rolled 17, 20, 20, 9, 9 = 75

>>18178734
You keep going, eventually coming across more complete GAW wreckage. Before you can continue, however, several men with guns run out.

"Come out with your hands up!" a man with one arm yells.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18178757
>several men with guns
>threatening people in mobile suits

Pff. Now would be the time for Garma to let them know we can pass.

>>18178757
Also, if you were rolling for what that other GAW contains,

>two twenties

>>18178761
"Stand down, men," Garma's voice rings out. "She's with me." Almost all of the men bring out their guns as you and Garma walk out. The one-armed man, however, keeps his weapon up. Garma rolls his eyes. "Lister, put the gun DOWN." The man, Lister, puts his gun down.

"Yessir..."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

((Be back later, Friday Night Magic. Still gonna try to post.))

>>18178819
Ask Garma why his men set up an ambush around the GAW, and with infantry instead of something more substantial.

>>18178757

>Man with one arm

BANDIT IS THAT YOU?

>>18178886 here

Disregard, forgot to refresh for OP's post.

>>18178886
I know, right?! But then >>18178819 and holy shit Lister!

bump

bump

Sorry, folks. FNM took a good while, but I won, so OK!

>>18178787
We'll find what it has later.

>>18178864
Garma sighs. "It's all we have. The Federation forces destroyed all of our suits save one, which you had the privilege of blowing up."

Lister ushers you down with his good arm, looking at both you and Garma suspiciously, as well as Diez and Lara, who are standing close together as they walk up.

"Commander Garma, you captured the White Devil? Or rather... Its shadow?" he asks. You get a bit miffed at his tone.

"It's no shadow! It's just as good as the origi-" You shut up as Lister points a gun at you.

"Prisoners should keep their mouths shut," he says, grinning wickedly. Garma, however, stops him with a wave of his hand.

"Enough, Lister. She's no prisoner. I was HER prisoner until she kindly decided to bring me back." The statement gets a look out of Lister.

"Really, now. Interesting..." The way he says interesting worries you slightly.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18182200
"Mr. Lister, I simply wish to reduce casualties on both sides of this conflict as much as I can.
"And I am here for an exchange of prisoners, Commander Garma for my crew. I am not here to fight, Mr. Lister."

>>18182200
"I came here in pursuit of the crew of the good ship Trafalgar. Garma was kind enough to show us the way. I have no interest in fighting any of you. By the way, Garma, I didn't blow up your suit. It's perfectly repairable. The White Devil doesn't tend to leave things so intact."

>>18182304
>>18182295
Garma laughs. "True, true. I may request you to repair it in exchange for repairing your ship."

"That an offer?"

"Sure is."

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

>>18182456
"You have the resources to repair a Federation ship, and you'd trade them for a single mobile suit? You surprise me, Garma."

>>18182456
We could definitely do that. At the same time we could temperately set aside our differences to assure our survival. Neither of our forces would be a match for a well coordinated attack in their present condition and I have grave concerns that Char and whatever forces that may back him in his treachery might return if they caught wind of your survival.

Ask Mr. Lister if he has any siblings. In the event that he has a female sibling, call him "Mr. Lister the Sister Fister" and giggle.

>>18182456
I'd say we might as well fix our stuff.
What would it cost to make a GAW? Probably more resources than we have.
Is it possible to attempt to get Garma's men to join with us, at least until we figure out what we're doing in the long run?
Ask Lister why he's not in his Act-Zaku, and where he left his arm.

>>18182733
Why?

>>18182456
"I am surprised that you would be so free with your resources, Commander. I accept your offer."

>>18182758
This. We also need to find out where he left Jolyene, Elaine, Zolomon, Calvin and Hovis.

>>18182810
>Zolomon
Jacked by a Metaquest looter team shortly before his death, now touring the Meta.
>Hovis
Will be missed. Was a bro.

>>18182828
Except this is a different timeline, earlier too I believe, so they may still be around somewhere.

>>18182456
As several others have mentioned. Accept the deal. Inquire if can temporarily ally our forces. Finally try and find out from Lister and the others more about what happened.

>>18182758
>>18182810
Guys, a lot of that is meta-knowledge that our character...
Hmm...
Well, she's a Newtype and has the ghosts of Side 2 talking to her. Okay, maybe she would know a little bit about that.

Fucking Newtypes, how do they work.

>>18183001
I chuckled.

>>18183001
Every newtype's brain is structured into a magnetic monopole, but each monopole has slightly different qualities. When the magnets interact with the outside world, the Newtypes can do such shit as predict oncoming attacks or greatly increase their accuracy.
When the magnets interact with other magnets, you get newtype naked mindfuck space.

>>18183168
That makes even less sense than the actual explanation.

Bump

bump

bump

>>18182546
>>18182494
Garma laughs. "Well, I'd need some time to gather repair materials, something much easier with a Mobile Suit."
You shrug. "What if we simply ally with each other? You have so far been nothing but helpful after our initial encounter."

To be continued)

Garma smiles. "It's funny. You seem to have a knack for bringing people together. I will accept that proposal."

GARMA JOINED YOUR TEAM!

"I'll take you to your crew, if you'll follow me," Lister says, beginning to walk into the ship. You follow behind, leaving Diez and Lara to speak with Garma. As the two of you walk, a certain question gnaws at you.

“Hey, what happened here, by the way? Did the White Dev-Er, Did the Gundam really do all this?” you ask, earning a sigh out of Lister.

“Well, it definitely contributed,” he mutters, sighing, “but no, it was only partially the “Gundam” that did this. We were attacked on two sides.”

“By who?” you ask, interested. “A second Federation squad?”

Lister shakes his head. “I don’t think so. We were holding our own against your “Trojan Horse, and your Gundam, when another Mobile Suit showed up, a weird-looking Zaku. We welcomed it, thinking it was help- That was the first mistake. The pilot took out Calvin with a single hack, and went after Jolyne. I got the others to retreat, and tried to fight it myself, but I didn’t exactly do too well, as you can guess.” He points to his arm.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18186481
"Strange-looking Zaku?
"On the way here, there was an abandoned Zeon base that had signs of a non-standard Zaku having been deployed there. Perhaps the same one you fought? If we go back to it and acces the base computer it might show what it was and who was piloting it."

>>18186481
this >>18186850 plus "Can you tell me any more about the suit? Did it have any non-standard armaments or equipment? Were there any distinctive markings? The suit had to come from somewhere. Somebody had to transport the suit and its supplies here, access a Zeon base to store it, and provide a skilled pilot for the suit. This probably means a military unit of some sort was involved. Does Garma have any enemies inside the ranks of the Zeonic military? Especially someone with the pull to make something like this happen."

>>18186850
Lister turns, interested. "Really..." Before he can press any further, however, Burning interrupts you.

"Not you too, kid..." he mutters, rubbing his temples.

"Actually," Lister says, grinning, "This kid got you guys out." With that, he opens the door, letting the rest of the crew out. Burning walks up to you, impressed.

"The captain must be quite proud," he says, grinning.

"I thought she was with you," you say, confused.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18187673
Are you sure she's not here. Burning what do you remember of the crash? If the Captain was at the bridge the whole time...I'm afraid she might have died upon impact. If not, I don't know where she could be maybe the saboteur got to her.

>>18187490
As Kelly is brought out, his arm properly dressed, Lister turns back to you. “Yeah, you could say it was distinctive. You usually don’t encounter a glowing blue Zaku.”

>>18187855
Burning thinks. "The captain was gone that whole day, come to think of it. She had gone to bed after staying up for several nights, and I didn't see her before or after the crash."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18188313
Glowing blue zaku eh? Hmm.... the coloring makes me think of the midnight pixy death squad.But I thought those were GMs, not Zakus....Well, regardless, we're short one captain. I vote we have someone sent back to the carrier and search her quarters to see if there's any sign of her or if she left any hints as to where she went.

>>18188313
Consult with the officers about the logistics of moving our forces to a more secure location, possibly our ship. With all the strange stuff afoot it would be beneficial to at least be prepared for a possible attack. I

>>18188709
"But yeah," continues Lister, "glowing, as in luminescent. The thing was almost blinding."
>>18188790
Digesting Lister's odd tale, you notice the open-air environment of the base.

"You know..." you mutter, "Maybe it's a good idea to relocate back to the Trafalgar. This place isn't really all that secure." Lister shrugs.

"Go talk to Commander Garma about that. We haven't had any problems so far." You and Burning walk back towards Garma, passing a few soldiers, all of which are scarred or burned in some way.

"So... You beat Garma Zabi," Burning says, a small smile on his face. "Guess that makes you an ace, doesn't it. What was it back in the air force; 6, 7 shootdowns? Think you've got that by now." You don't get a chance to respond, as Garma is in front of you now.

"Yes, Miss O'Clay?" he asks.

"Commander Garma, I was wondering if we could relocate forces back to the Trafalgar. Even while crashed, we're still more secure than this place. Also, Captain Vismenda is missing- we don't know if she is still on the ship somewhere. We could find her, and your men would have a more comfortable place to stay."

Garma nods. "Sounds like a plan. We'll move out in half an hour."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>>18188313
Several red flags here. The Captain was up to something, and may have even been involved in the crash.

I think maybe we should mull this over in private with Burning. Pulling several all-nighters and then disappearing the same day of the crash is mighty suspicious, even if she wasn't involved. And if she was involved, it'd explain how a "regular guy" like Hamburger managed to pull off such a dramatic escape.

>>18189456
I agree. Something weird is going on here. We should also investigate the Captain's quarters.

Sorry folks, gotta end the thread here tonight. Problems at home. Let's try for tomorrow, OK?

No problem take care.