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>>33361504
Nina Purpleton has come to officially see you off onto the Albion, and she comes bearing gifts apparently. It's a series of new pilot suits, which have Haman visibly excited seeing as there's one for her as well.

“So, you had fun last night?” Nina asks a little too loudly for your comfort.

You groan. “Yeah, too much maybe.”

“Good,” she replies at a more reasonable volume. “See? Knowing someone around here unlocks all kinds of doors, doesn't it?”

You examine the new suits closely: the torso, shoulders, and knees seem to have been up-armored with a dense but flexible material. Nina notices you eying them.

“We prepared these at the request of Admiral Kowen - the plates are made from a lightweight composite, and the whole thing is self-sealing. It should be able to handle shrapnel and small-caliber rounds, and will help against rifle rounds. Not sure what sort of combat your team's expecting to see, but these should see you through it.”

>Try and make some last-minute arrangements with Nina
>Say goodbye and board the Albion
>Other?

Pic related: the new pilot suits aren't exactly identical, but close.

>>33361556
>Say goodbye and thank her for the suits and her help
Don't want to keep her along, but don't want to leave on a sour note.

>>33361556
>>Try and make some last-minute arrangements with Nina

>Try and make some last-minute arrangements with Nina

Don't see the harm in this, as this seems like one of those extra moments. What arrangements I have no idea, but since there is no [write-in] I guess its something I missed?

>>33361556
Ask if she has any updated security protocols for the gundams. Like I get that this is a secure facility and all, but so was the Side 3 R&D facility, supposedly. And Amuro just walked up and hijacked the gundam anyway.

>>33361626
That and it also gets away from her, which is also a plus.

>Say goodbye and board the Albion
Anything that involves less time around Nina is a plus, in my book.

>>33361666
Hmmm... just before we leave can we pull an Amuro? I mean one more gundam can't hurt!

>>33361707
>can we pull an Amuro?
We're going to have Johnny Ridden attack the place, and then read an instruction manual before taking one of the Gundams?

>>33361556
>>Say goodbye and board the Albion
>>Other?
When we get out of sight of Nina and the AE Engineers, take the Pilot Suits and check them for trackers, data spikes, hidden microphones or recorders, ect.

>>33361556
>>Say goodbye and board the Albion

We're hungover, get on our ship and drink some coffee.

>>33361556
>>Try and make some last-minute arrangements with Nina
Did Nina ever fabricate some actual security systems for the Gundams?
Ask her about it.

Also tell her to keep in touch.

>>33361556
"One last thing," you tell her. "Be careful with these Gundams. I think we both know something's seriously wrong here."

Nina nods. "I've got a few plans in the works, but in the mean time I've doubled up the guard shifts. It's the best I can do overnight I'm afraid."

"Good. Well, until next time, I guess."

"Sure," Nina tells you. "Come back any time. And Audrey?"

"Yes?" Ensign April replies.

"I'll have the projects we're carrying out for you sent along when we're done. Shouldn't take more than a week or two for the rifles, but it may be longer for the missiles."

Audrey nods politely. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I look forward to working with you again some time."

And with that, your team boards the carrier Albion, where you are immediately greeted by Captain Synapse: a stern-looking man with a shot shock of gray hair and bushy gray eyebrows.

"Captain Joshua," he offers with a salute. "Commander O'Hara. Welcome aboard."

You return the salute.

"I'm afraid we're several hours behind schedule already," the Captain tells you as you walk towards the bridge with him. "So if you've got anything you need to tell me, or anything you want to ask about the Albion's operations, now's the time. Otherwise, I can have an orderly show you to your quarters."
>Say something? (what?)
>Nothing else to say here, just get settled in for the short trip to Oakland

>>33362044
>>Nothing else to say here, just get settled in for the short trip to Oakland

>>33362044
>>Nothing else to say here, just get settled in for the short trip to Oakland
Exit, pursued by a Char!

>>33362044
>Nothing else to say here, just get settled in for the short trip to Oakland

>>33362044
"No, sir," you reply. "I can't think of anything aside from asking where the coffee's at. Karen, you have anything?"

"No. Our mobile suits are aboard, and that's the only potential hangup I can think of."

"Good," Captain Synapse replies. "I'll have a second orderly bring you some coffee... you look like you could use it, Commander."

"Much obliged, sir."

It takes only a few minutes for you to reach your quarters and settle in for the 24-hour flight to Oakland, and the blessed, deliciously caffeiney coffee arrives not a minute too soon. It's instant, which sucks, but it does the job.

"So, this is going to be your first time seeing Earth, isn't it Haman?" Audrey asks.

"Mhm. I'm pretty excited." She's not lying: you can tell Haman is thrilled to finally be seeing the birthplace of humanity up close.

"Don't be too excited," you tease. "It's Oakland, after all."

"We should be going to San Francisco at some point, though, right?" Catrina asks. "So Audrey can visit her family?"

"That's right," you say, remembering that your chief analyst hails from the Bay. "We're still invited, right?"

Audrey laughs. "Of course you are! I've told them you're coming after all, so it'd be rude not to show up."

Reiko, on the other hand, passes a dataslate to Haman. "Here," she says. "I checked out a few schools, you can take the exit exams at any one of these. One is fairly close to Audrey's parents."

"What's that?" Karen asks. "High school exit exams, huh?"

"Never got a chance to take mine," Haman explains.

"Sounds like someone else we all know," Carya adds, grinning at you. "What do you say, Dom? Want to go back and tie off that loose end?"

>Sure, it couldn't be that hard.
>I doubt I have the time.
>We all know I'm clever, why don't we try the Graduate Readiness Exam too while we're at it?

>>33362663
>>We all know I'm clever, why don't we try the Graduate Readiness Exam too while we're at it?

All he need is the willingness to wast six hours of his life.

>>33362663

>Sure, how hard can it be?
>I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

>>33362720
>>I doubt I have the time.
I kind of like the idea of him leading the AEUG or something and having no real qualifications.

>>33362663
>Sure, it couldn't be that hard
Bracing for horrible test rolls.

>>33362663
>Sure, it couldn't be that hard.
If we have the time, sure.

>>33362663
"Sure," you reply as you nurse your coffee. "I mean, it can't be that hard."

Your teammates exchange a series of looks, and the prevailing sentiment in the room is that you've just doomed yourself to failure.

Surprisingly, though, you hear a knock on the hatch to your quarters.

"Enter," Karen replies. After taking a second to open the hatch, you're greeted by an oddly familiar face...

"Hang on," you say to the older-looking Lieutenant who faces you. "You were at the O-Club in Miramar, weren't you?"

After a moment of staring at the man, the sisters and Audrey seem to come to the same conclusion.

"What's going on here?" Carya demands. "Last we saw you, you were a Lieutenant Colonel, weren't you?"

The man chuckles to himself. "So it seems you remember my face... that's good. The name's Landry. Lieutenant Colonel Landry, Earth Federation Forces Intelligence Directorate, Investigations Branch. I'm here to debrief you, and ask you and your team a few questions."

Staring at him long and hard, you can tell he's not lying... probably.
>Not interested
>Fine, let's get it over with
>Sure thing

>>33363114
>>Sure thing
Not much we can do here, other than answer his questions.

>>33363114
And I've made a fuckup. The date advanced to May 30th during thread #7, but I failed to update my OP to reflect the timeskip. The current date is May 2nd, UC 0083, not April 19th.

I feel pretty foolish, but hey, at least I caught it even if it is two threads late.

>>33363114
>Sure thing
Let's do this. Time to justify Noin. I take it that this is the Lieutenant Colonel that chewed out those drunks for brawling, and if we had gotten involved in that fight he'd be substantially less friendly to us now?

>>33363247
WHAT! Oh no, all my choices have been on the assumption it's the 19th!

But seriously, no biggie.

>>33363261
The same, and yes. He would have proceeded much differently had his opinion of you been worse.

>>33363261
Just to be clear, we're NOT revealing Haman's true idenetiy, right? I mean going to all that trouble to create a fake identity is kinda worthless if we reveal it to the first perosn who asks.

Sorry if I completely misread your statement, but I felt the line 'time to justify Noin' seems rather vague to me.

>>33363344
No, it's fine. I meant justify her presence, not her using a false identity. It's time to give the "oh yeah, she stowed away in cargo, what kind of kid does that?" story.

>>33363114
"I guess we don't have much choice now, do we? If it's a conversation the Directorate wants, it's a conversation you'll get."

"Good," Landry muses. "Very good. You always struck me as a level-headed young man, so I'd hoped we could do this like gentlemen. So, Dominic, why don'tcha start by trying to explain to me why you've got the Black Star of Zeon and the daughter of Admiral Karn following you around?”

Your teammates exchange a series of nervous looks... you've never heard anyone call out any of your supposed secrets that quickly before.

“I... well, shit.” You scratch your head. The sisters are wary, but haven't lost their nerve just yet. They're waiting on you to see how you'll handle the predicament. Haman, on the other hand, is visibly panicking at the fact that someone she's just met seems to have already learned her identity. Karen, meanwhile, discretely waved to Reiko to lock the door, and Audrey is even fingering her sidearm absent-mindedly.

>How do you respond to a man who seems to know everything?

>>33363470
"The Black Star of Zeon joined the Federation of her own free will at the end of the One Year War. If others declared her dead, that is their prerogative. And one I have had no influence on. As for the daughter of Admiral Karn, I have no idea what you are talking about."

We tow the line, he already knows it's bullshit, but I have a feeling he won't push it too much because he has something he needs us to do.

As for the story, I don't think we ever had a hand in CC's story, so we shouldn't make shit up, however we are responsible for Haman, so we need to keep that story on track.

>>33363475 one defected and i think both are cute

>>33363470
You know, I was kinda half expecting this exact thing to happen.

>>33363575
.....whelp thats not what i wanted to happen

>>33363470
Newtype stuff, it's difficult to explain without the other person being a Newtype and the whole Naked Mind Space thing happening.

Something tells me from all my time playing RPGs that we should put a hole in him and throw him out the airlock before he gets us involved in some genocidal scheme (whether to start or stop it).

>>33363621
I dunno want to give the higher ups any more reason to be suspicious of newtypes.

"Contrary to popular belief sir, many people from Zeon just want peace, it's not the majorities fault a small minoirity want to keep the war going."
Would be a better spin, paints Zeon as less 'complete fanatics' and more willing to give peace a chance.

>>33363470
"You mean you don't already know? I thought Lieutenant Marseille's identity was an open secret. Certainly this is the first time anyone's given us trouble about it. If her serving in the Federation was going to be a problem, you had three years to address it. At the very least I would have expected someone to bring it up before they put her into special task force and handed her a prototype Gundam. Given that no such interrogation had occurred, I assumed it was not a matter the Directorate was interested in investigating. Why the interest now?

"As for Miss Noin Balzac, we were counting on her name sounding so silly that people would be too embarrassed to investigate her identity. I'm disappointed, I was looking forward to some funny conversations. Yes, she is Admiral Maharajah Karn's daughter, though we did not know this at the time of capture. During our departure from Axis space the Admiral contacted us via laser comm. At his request we took efforts to protect her identity. Given her father's position, and the fact that she was a civilian test pilot rather than military, we deemed it appropriate to keep her from facing the intensity of interrogations that could be expected of a captured enemy Newtype. Clearly, our efforts have failed."

>>33363573
>>33363757
Seems fairly split.

5 minute vote: link back to this post. Only text allowed is a 1 or a 2: any posts not fitting this format will be ignored.

>1 Disclosure
>2 Denial

>>33363797
1

>>33363797
1

Am I the only one who's suspicious as fuck he knows who Haman is? I mean it's not like the CC, who was widely known and been in the EFF for 4 years. Haman's joined us only very recently, and IIRC, most people who saw her only know her as 'that Zeon test pilot.'

So that means we've got a leak that specifically overheard the conversation with us and the Admiral.

>>33363757
Veto, we don't really need to state most of this, and I don't want anything to be confirmed as coming directly out of our mouth. If he has all of this already, saying what he already knows does nothing for us, not to mention he probably already knows the answer.

Lets try out best to deny that until we know what he wants. Then if it isn't something we want we shoot him and he disappears.

>>33363470
Marseille's a certified pilot who has a contract with the Earth Federation, just like the rest of us. And I guess Karn's sort of a exchange student?

>>33363680
You need to play less shitty RPG's

>>33363797
2

>>33363797
You suck, I want to vote to confirm without spilling our guts to him.

>>33363810
It is, yes. In theory someone could have overheard something on the Kyongjiyu, and the rest put together from the available evidence, but it's worrying.

>>33363797
2

>>33363849
Yeah, if he said "Zeon test pilot" I'd be a lot less suspicious, but the fact he specifically said "Admiral Karn's daughter" makes me wary as shit.

>>33363824
Hey tell me how many times a hero starts an innocent looking quest and gets dragged into something that may or may not change the world.

>>33363846
Well, seeing as the runoff was split...
>Writing

>>33363936
Flawless Victory.

Well if this jagoff fucks everything up, I guess we can always flee to Side Six.

>>33363936
"Didn't you hear, Colonel? The Black Star died at A Baoa Qu. I killed her myself."

"I have heard that, yes," the Colonel replies.

"Lieutenant Marseille," you continue, "joined the EFSF of her own free will near the end of the War, and has been serving at my side ever since. And I wouldn't have it any other way." Carya blushes slightly.

"As for Miss Balzac, we took her into protective custody at Axis. After a probationary period, we managed to turn her and recruit her into our unit," you explain.

"Hm," the man pauses thoughtfully. "And how can you know they're not a threat to the Federation?"

"I know. Newtypes may not always see eye to eye with each other, but at the very least it's difficult to lie to us."

"I see," Landry replies quietly. "I suppose you're an expert on that point, ain't you? Fine, my report on them'll be positive. And if a guy like you's looking out for them, I suppose there's a fair chance it's worth giving them the benefit of the doubt."

"And how many people will be reading that report?" Karen asks. Sensing the mood shifting in the room, Audrey takes her hand off her pistol.

"There's only myself, Admiral Kowen, and the Chief of Intelligence Operations. So that's three people who've pieced together your secrets so far, and none of us are inclined to blab."

>Response?
>Wait for the next question?

Uh... I forgot/don't know who Admiral Kowen is but isn't the Earth Federation Intelligence Operation something that even if they report us nobody will believe? I mean they literally missed everything in the Pre-OYW period, and I've never heard about them...

>>33364182
>>Wait for the next question?

>>33364236
Admiral Kowen oversees the GDP, and the Intelligence organization doesn't exist in canon, but logically must exist in some capacity based on how real military services operate.

Oh yes, ask how they pieced everything together when it should have been un-piecable.

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>>33364182
>Indeed.

>>33364182
>Wait for the next question?
Anything else you'd like to know, Lieutenant Colonel?

>>33364310
Telc is awesome

>>33364294
Does that mean they are really incompetent and/or working for Zeon or are you going to change some things?

>>33364236
It's fairly suspicious, but Kowen did try to stop a colony drop, so he can't be too bad. However the Intelligence organization isn't mentioned, and also can't be too good. Seeing as they never stop any Zeon uprisings.

Although I assume in later UC ECOAS fills a similar role, them having spies on Palau, and their Spec Ops Lotos.

>>33364182
>Wait for the next question?

>>33364356
They're mainly understaffed is one problem. The other problem is that they operate mainly independently and in secret, so operatives don't share information.

>>33364382
I'd also consider the fact that Minovsky particles would fuck up all communications, meaning intellegence ops would be a nightmare to organize and run. And even if they did get information it'd probably take as long to get to give it to commanders, as attacks would take to mobilize.

>>33364182
>Wait for the next question?

Kowen's actually a pretty cool dude and I guess Landry's alright.

I'd love to know who the hell could manage to run the EF's Intelligence Operations and not conveniently die after two weeks on the job though..

>>33364182
The atmosphere in your quarters has gotten much less tense, as Haman and the sisters can all tell that Landry is honest about his intentions and Karen, Audrey, and Reiko are clever enough to take their reactions as cues.

"So, I assume that's not your only question?" you ask the Colonel.

"That's correct," he replies. "I'd also like to ask about the machine you captured: there was a bit of damage to the machine that wasn't directly tied to the battle or to the salvage work your team did. Is there something else you might want to share with me about that?"

>Response? I assume you're probably going to lie, but how do you lie?

>>33364541
"A certain someone wiped portions of the operating system before capture."

>>33364609
Go with this. Maybe roll our eyes at Haman for authenticity.

>>33364541
"It seemed to be some kind of remote weapon, but the MS appears to have been scuttled before capture.

As it stands, it's of questionable value, preformance-wise, the suit was rather unimpressive, sadly on par with a Rick Dom in fact, and the drones themselves had control issues, likely from whatever stray M-Particles that were being emitted from Axis.

All in all, it seemed to be decent enough against stock GM's, but quickly folded against High-preformance EFF hardware."

Should align with the report by the GM pilots (remember, Haman kept crashing her bits everywhere,) while at the same time hopefully avoiding putting more Newtypes on an operating table.

>>33364609
>>33364674
this

>>33364541
I'm not sure what he's talking about. All the parts are still there. Is he talking about the psycommu system? Because we never actually wiped that, we just made backups in case we wanted to. We didn't actually get around to it.

>>33364757
Remember that while WE know that bits and funnels are rather brutal, Haman's showing left a rather meidocre impression.

While it DID manage to kill off some GM's lead by some no-name guys, the same could've easily been accomplished by an Ace in a Gelgoog.

I mean between the fact that all three of our RX suits came out pretty much intact, coupled with the fact that Haman had a tendency to crash her bits into random crap, it seems less of a superweapon and more of a gimmicky suit.

I mean, since the only Newtypes that were there at the battle with Haman were us and CC, the fact that the usefulness of the bits were pretty much solely due to Haman's inexperience, rather than a flaw with the machine itself can't've been observed.

>>33364541
Come again? We broke some stuff during capture and salvage but if that's not it I'm not sure what you're talking about."

>>33364541
"A certain 'someone'," you reply, rolling your eyes at Haman for emphasis, "MIGHT have wiped part of the operating system before capture."

"I see. And what seems to have been missing?"

"Probably something to do with the remote weapons. Whatever it was, it folded against high spec hardware, and it folded hard. My guess? We probably won't miss it." A bold-faced lie, but a lie with a grain of truth at least. And that made it believable.

"Alright, that checks out with your reports," Landry replies. "I still think you're lying, but I trust you have a reason for it. The issue'll be closed as of now."

"Why are you doing this?" Haman asks suspiciously. "What's your angle?"

"Angle?" Landry asks. "Alright, I suppose at least one of us should come clean."

The Lieutenant Colonel reaches up and unfastens several buttons on his shirt, and reveals his chest: over his sternum is a scar where a tattoo has clearly been removed. The pattern looks suspiciously like...

"... a Zeon crest?" Catrina asks incredulously. Karen uncrosses her leg and leans forward, and Reiko leans away from the door to get a better look.

"We all have to deal with our pasts," Landry explains as he buttons his shirt once more. "I'm dealing with it my way, and you're dealing with it your way."

Landry salutes and turns to leave the room, but stops in the hatchway. "Oh yeah, the reason for our sudden interest? Doctor Ward was killed a few days ago in an apparent accident, so we wanted to 'touch base' with the rest of the project, as it were. Make sure there were no other problems."

>Reaction?

>>33365069
>>Reaction?
Can you make immense guilt show on a persons face?
Because that's totally our fault and we know it.

>>33365069
Punch a wall.

>>33365069
Well we fucked up.

>>33365069
Yeah, we got him killed. We all knew it would happen. We hit him with the death flag hard.

>Reaction?
"Well, shit. Yeah, that's not an accident. You know what he was investigating, right?"

>>33365069
>>Reaction?
Oh shit mixed with sad

>>33365220
It's only a fuck up if we don't know it's going to happen. We all knew it would.

If we do say something, I'm rather conflicted if we should say he was investigating AE or the cirumstances behind the mission.

>>33365307
IC we did, OOC we didn't. I really shouldn't be making accusations about playing in character, what with all the Nina-hate, but I think we would've found her to be a right cunt, even if we didn't know what she'll do in the future.

>>33365307
>>33365220
>>33365261
We only know this because of tropes. There's no way ICly with the amount of info we've been given, that we've been involved with it. Also this happened DAYS ago, which means it wasn't as a result of our hacking expedition.

>>33365399
In character Dom should have had a suspicion that when he asked the Doctor to research something shady that it could get him killed. He was going to look into how Zeon remnants were getting materiel, remember?

>>33365399
It isn't from our hacking its from when we asked him to look into the cloak and dagger going on

>>33365399
But we hadn't been given any information when we made that request and we still called he was going to die.

It's entirely reasonable for Dom to assume that people who investigate unusual military development organizations get killed and for him to feel bad because he set the doctor up for it.

>>33365476
Yeah, and our knowledge that we knew he was going to die was from tripping 'death flags.'

Now unless this is a quest from playing dating sims or whatever, that's most assuredly going meta.

>>33365502
Wouldn't it be funny if it turns out the Doctor's death was genuinely an accident? It had nothing to do with what we asked him to look into, and he just had the bad luck of slipping on the stairs?

>>33365069
"... he did?" you ask quietly, struggling to keep from shouting.

"Something along the lines of a miniaturized e-pac transfer conduit he built in his garage. Blew his whole house to ashes and cracked the foundation... it was such an unusual event that at first I was sure it was foul play."

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news," he offers as he leaves and closes the door behind him.

Not ten seconds later your fist slams into the bulkhead, hard enough to peel the paint off and leave blood in its place. You're sure your entire team can feel your rage and guilt, in your absolute certainty that you were the one who got Doctor Ward killed by someone.

Audrey is at a loss for words, and Karen is too lost in her own thoughts to say anything. Haman never knew Ward, and her only hint that something has gone deeply wrong is the overwhelming feeling of anger she can no doubt feel in you.

You look down to find Carya's hand on yours, pulling it away from the wall as the sisters embrace you. "You're wrong," they tell you. "You couldn't have known, and you didn't kill him yourself. You're not to blame... if anything, blame the bastards who got to him. Find them, and hold them accountable for it. Don't let his death be meaningless."

The date is June 11, UC 0083. The mood among your team is still sombre even as the upgraded Twin Hyper Rifle arrives in California for testing. The arrival of the hat your mum made you was some small consolation, though.

"Hey," Audrey asks you as she approaches your workstation. "We're going to visit my family tonight, you want to come?"

She seems concerned about you.
>Yeah, it's time I stopped moping
>Sure, I guess
>I have work to do, sorry

>>33365551
Would Hearts really be that devious though? I can him making us squirm and panic.

>>33365463
>>33365476
>>33365502
Except no? He asked the doctor to look into supply lines. That shouldn't require assassins unless there's a clear sign of treachery. Yes, we know OOC that it would get him killed because PLOT. But ICly without prior knowledge we wouldn't know something was up.

>>33365612
>Yeah, it's time I stopped moping

Let's not have our soul weighed down by gravity, the doctor wouldn't like that.

>>33365612
>>Yeah, it's time I stopped moping
No more sad

>>33365612
>Sure I guess.

>>33365612
>Yeah, it's time I stopped moping
We've been grumpy for long enough. Let's refresh with a visit to the April family and get the calm we need to do our job.

>>33365612
>>Yeah, it's time I stopped moping


>>33365522
'death flags' is just terminology for actions that commonly result in a certain end action and they vary.

Saying it's you last day before retirement is a death flag. So is going on a space walk with questionable equipment.

It's not reasonable to expect death IRL form the first but you can for the second.
Doc's death counts as the second.

>>33365627
Supply lines going to a military force part way across the solar system who shouldn't have access to Nealy anything. There was no above board answer as to how the could have been getting materials.

>>33365612
Stop moping and go live a little. Make a toast to the Good Doctor.

“A toast then, to the dead. We honor their memories and the things for which they bled. A toast to those gone, but remembered well. May they be ready to catch us, on our fall to hell.”

>>33365737
Except it's a self-sufficient military base. Yes, it has a strong military force, but nothing that can't be explained by "Zeeks gotta zeek" or pirates, there's probably a fair few of them after the OYW.

>>33365612

BUT DID HE HAVE ANYTHING FOR US?

He obviously found something. Was there a lottery ticket stuck to the fridge he was found in with "FIND THE BOX."

>>33365895
I really don't see why everyone's so concerned with the Box. It's not actually that significant. I mean, there's a single item missing from the version of the charter the public knows, and said item provides only the most tenuous support for Spacenoid independence.

>>33365804
>Except it's a self-sufficient military base
Barley, Axis obviously can't afford mobile suit development research without some outside assistance. And if it was just random pirates then Doc wouldn't have found anything using institutional contacts. Meaning that by asking him to look into it we were expecting to find someone who was supplying Axis with materials while operating either openly in the Earth Sphere or secretly.

Deductive reasoning, can you do it?

>>33365612
"Yeah, I'd like to. It's about time I got my shit back together, isn't it?"

Audrey smiles, relieved. "Great, Dom. I'm glad you feel that way about it."

The April residence, as it turns out, is in an upscale area on one of the famed "seven hills" of San Francisco... this place must have cost a small fortune.

"It's raining?" Haman asks, staring at the sky as they walk towards the front door. "So this is what that's like... it's so different."

Karen grins. "It happens all the time down here."

"And I love it," Reiko adds. "It's always so refreshing."

As you wait for the doorbell, Haman shakes her head. "I didn't imagine there'd be so many homeless people here, though. We were always taught the people on Earth were all rich."

"Well, some of us are pretty well off, yeah," Audrey admits. "But it's far from the rule."
(1/2)

>>33366049
As it turns out, Audrey's parents are nice enough people. Like your own parents, they seem keen to know what their child is doing in the service. After feeding you all a delicious Wellington with mashed sweet potatoes, gravy, parsnips and carrots, and Yorkshire puddings, washed down with a strong red wine, they turn their focus to you.

"So, what exactly does your team do, Mister O'Hara?" Mister April asks. His eyes glance at his wife from beneath his salt-and-pepper eyebrows: clearly, he's not expecting to get anything out of you, but Mrs. April expects him to ask anyway.

>Sorry, it's classified
>You're all out of uniform, tell him that Karen's actually your CO
>Half-truth? (write in)

>>33365978
Except the existence of the Schnee Weiss disproves this. For that suit to exist means they already had the plans, and the expertise to create the unit during the OYW. For a Newtype suit they'd need intimate data retrieved from the Flanigan institute, which would be top-secret, and was probably destroyed during the OYW or deleted when the war was lost. Also the mobile suit development is done by re-purposing old mobile suits, and civilian worker units, which was done to presumably reduce costs. And the refugees no doubt brought resources back with them.

>>33366049
>Half-truth?
We test and review prototype mobile suits. I assume they probably already know their daughter is a pilot.

There's also the slight problem we have no idea what we are really doing.

>>33366198
>>33366294
Second

>>33366197
>"Pilot a Mobile Suit?"
With our eyebrow raised of course. I figure our identity should be pretty well known as an EFF ace means that saying we pilot a MS shouldn't be that big of a shock.

>>33366197
>You're all out of uniform, tell him that Karen's actually your CO
>Half-truth? (write in)
"Well, first of all, it's not my team. Captain Joshua here is our commanding officer. As for what we do, it's a bit complicated. We're involved in experimental mobile suit development. Since the Federation prefers to conduct testing in the field, we're effectively a special forces group. I can't give you much more detail than that, since most of it is still classified. I can tell you, though, that your daughter is both an excellent pilot and one of the finest engineers I've ever met. I'm glad to have her on the team."

>>33366197
"We test experimental mobile weapons and equipment," you tell him. "Audrey deals with a lot of our data analysis."

He seems genuinely surprised. "Huh, I didn't think that was gonna work. Really, I was more interested in how you managed to end up the only guy in your whole unit, lucky little bastard."

"Dad!" Audrey snaps, tossing her napkin into her laughing father's face.

The rest of your dinner goes nicely. The Aprils seem to take to Haman and Reiko with a special gusto, and Mrs. April is grateful for the sisters' insistence on helping her clean the kitchen.

"You lot are welcome back any time," Mrs. April tells you as you leave their home.

"Thanks," you reply. "I appreciate it."

What a lovely family.

"God, I love it when I can visit them," Audrey sighs as you start walking down to the car park where you dropped off the staff car: the sidewalk parking situation in this part of town is particularly grim.

"They're really nice," Catrina replies. "You're lucky."

"I liked getting home cooking again," Haman adds. "My mom's cooking definitely took a turn for the dreadful out on Axis."

Suddenly, an oddly-dressed and heavily bearded homeless man rounds the corner and nearly bounces off your chest.

"Hey there, slow down young feller," he drawls at you. "Ya can possibly be enjoyin the world properly if yer going through it at a hunderd mile an hour!"

"... sorry?" you offer awkwardly.

"No loss but yer own, 'mafraid. Hey, you got a light, though?"

>Sorry, I don't smoke
>Karen, you got a lighter?
>Ignore him

>>33366646
>Karen, you got a lighter?

>>33366573
Stop throwing Karen under the bus, you know she hates that.

>>33366646
>an oddly-dressed and heavily bearded homeless man rounds the corner

What did he look like?

As a side note, this has got to be the slowest thread I've ever run. Any obvious reason for that I'm just missing, or is it just one of those odd days?

>>33366646
>Karen, you got a lighter?

>>33366765
Big matted beard, a Dodgers cap that looks like it's been through a small war, two coats that look like they came from the garbage, ratty old jeans, and bright yellow Nikes with the toes cut off.

>>33366787

It's the weekend is all I can think of. And I know I've been lurking instead of voting - I'm running a game online, takes most of my actual thought processes.

>>33366646
>Karen, you got a lighter?
This is one of the most polite homeless people I've ever met. I live in Oakland.

>>33366787
I just got off work. I'm usually here for the threads.

>>33366787
I've been waiting for you to post, really.
Also; heat.

>Sorry, I don't smoke

>>33366859
>I live in Oakland
I'm sorry.

Although to be fair, a lot of Oakland doesn't really deserve the reputation it gets sometimes.

>>33366895
Yeah, it goes from absolutely fucking terrible to hipster.

I love living here.

>>33366787
Sorry, I was eating dinner. I'm back now, though.

>>33366646
>Sorry, I don't smoke

>>33366646
"Sorry, buddy, I'm not a smoker."

"An I'm not here ta judge ya ferrit."

"Karen, you smoke, right?" Karen quietly hands her lighter over to the stranger with a cautious glare. The homeless man uses it to light a half-smoked cigarette, before snapping his fingers.

In a brief moment of confusion, you realize that you lost track of the lighter. With a grin and a cackle, the man reaches quickly into your shirt pocket with his other hand, and pulls the lighter out of it before tossing it lightly back to Karen.

"Heheheh..." the old man laughs to himself. "Details, child, look fer the details! Thass why you gotta take things slower, or ya miss the details!"

Karen inspects the lighter, then nods as the homeless man ambles past you, shouting about "details". Speaking of details, he seems to have simply dropped the cigarette at your feet.

"Well, that was different," you mutter.

"I have no idea what the hell is happening anymore," Carya moans to herself. "What the fuck?"

>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there
>Stop the man
>Just go home

>>33367064
We've been pickpocketed. Run after him, check pockets and stuff!

>>33367087
Would be possible, if you had anything in that pocket, and if there weren't so many people watching you when it happened.

>>33367064
>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there

>>33367087
You're too untrusting of the homeless. They're typically not that savvy. Also, damn, didn't expect a magic hobo.

>>33367064
>>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there
Gundam spies are weird as shit.

>>33367064
>>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there
"Either this was some sort of excessively complicated information hand-off, or I just got my pocket picked by a magical hobo. Not sure which one would be better, honestly."

File: Bittenfeld trap.png (440 KB, 640x480)

440 KB PNG

>>33367064
>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there
I feel like this is a trap.

>>33367064
>>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there

Old man doctor guy is not dead, he's iNCOGNEETUS

>>33367064
>>Pick up the cigarette. You're not sure, but you feel like you shouldn't just leave it there
heres for secret agent bullshit

>>33367169
this

>>33367169
Seconding

>>33367221
That's actually a possibility. The story is that his house exploded from an E-Cap system he was experimenting with. That wouldn't leave much forensic evidence behind. Could be there was no foul play, and he faked his death to throw off the people who would have genuinely killed him.

>>33367169
>>33367261
if it is a handoff, we're probably worried about being overheard.

>>33367064
"Either that was the weirdest info hand-off ever, or I just got my pocket picked by a magical hobo. Not sure which one would be weirder, honestly."

As a few of your teammates chuckle, you pick up the cigarette and twist it apart. Inside you find a small metallic chip of some sort, which you flash to Audrey.

"I'm all about it," she tells you.

As you head towards the car, you look around again for the magical hobo, who is now nowhere to be found.
(1/2)

>>33367346
cogneeetus.

>>33367346
When you get back to your hangar, Audrey rigs something on her computer to read the tiny data storage device. On it is a single text file:

>Dominic,
>I'm afraid I haven't much in the way of specifics to tell you, my boy. If you and your team are half as clever as I thought you'll already have figured out that Anaheim doesn't work the same way that normal companies do. The unexpected acquisition of Zimmad and Zeonic's resources was strange to be certain, but the no-bid contract to begin work on the Gundam Development Project was absolutely unprecedented. I suspected that there was some sort of back-room dealing going on, so I called in a favor with an old friend of mine, Syam Vist. That turned out to be a... miscalculation.
>Syam's Foundation must have gotten wind that I was sniffing around. Their surveillance teams aren't half as sneaky as they seem to think. But the fact that a civilian company can get away with wire-tapping private citizens' phone lines, bugging windows, and the like suggest to me that a change of scenery is in order.
>After recording this message, I will be blowing up my apartment in a staged 'accident' involving some miniature scale e-pac transfer links I've got cobbled together in my garage. Yes, I suppose they will have told you by the time you hear this, but you can be at ease: word of my death has been greatly exaggerated. Hopefully I can get this recording to you, along with the data I mined before the Vists got wise. It's not much, and it's not conclusive, but it DOES indicate that AE is in good with the Federation. I also suspect that there may be more to it for you and your team to delve into.
(2/3)

>>33367380
He was the one who blew up his house. Called it.

>>33367380
>One final word of caution: be careful, Commander. Nobody at Anaheim or the Vist Foundation is to be trusted. I have also begun to suspect that hardly anyone in the EFSF can be trusted either. The only people you can even consider trusting are your own teammates. Rest assured, I vetted all of you thoroughly enough to ensure none of you would be compromised by something of this nature.
>Good Luck, and put those machines I designed for you to good use.
>Yours in science,
>Dr. Jay Ward
>PS: if I end up trying the homeless man bit, please know that I am terribly sorry. I tend to get a bit excited about my acting.

"That crazy bastard," Karen mutters.

Audrey shakes her head. "He. Blew. Up. His. House. He blew up his house."

Carya smiles at you. "So things went fine after all."

Reiko frowns. "The Vist Foundation, huh? How come I get the feeling this problem's firmly on our shoulders now?"

>We need to put this on hold for now, for our own safety
>We should keep poking around, but keep it discrete
>We can take these bitches

>>33367438
>We need to put this on hold for now, for our own safety
If they think we've hit a dead-end, they'll be more likeley to let mattters drop, which will give the good doctor a head start.

We should at least lie low for a few months minimumn, after all, the best way to make them think you've given up, is to actually give up (for now).

>>33367438
>>We should keep poking around, but keep it discrete
Because it is on our shoulders now

>>33367532
I disagree, these fuckers are on high alert now. We need to lie low for a few months, before we even think about deciding to go back at it.

Going into it rash, just to 'avenge' him, can wind up just putting us in the same situation.

>>33367438
>We need to put this on hold for now, for our own safety
Lie low for a bit. In all likelihood we're going to run into more evidence just doing our mission, there's no need for us to poke the bear.

>>33367438
>>We need to put this on hold for now, for our own safety
No point rushing into things

>>33367438
"For now we lie low," you suggest. "In a few months, once the heat dies down, we can take it slow again."

Karen nods to herself. "As much as I hate waiting, it seems like a sound plan this time. I'm behind it."

"Didn't he say something about other data?" Catrina asks. "Yeah," Carya agrees. "He did, didn't he?"

Haman, however, reaches into your shirt pocket and pulls out a second data storage device... the doctor must have slipped it into your pocket during the "magic trick".

"Oh, he's good," you mutter. "Crazy, but good."

July 2nd, UC 0083. 09:00. The day of High School exit exams for yourself and Haman. The local school is packed with kids... a bunch of little assholes, like you were. Despite the fact that you and Haman are both dressed like high schoolers, the students seem to know you're out of place and avoid you like the plague.

The actual site of the test is a quiet classroom. The test itself will last until 14:30 or so.

>roll 2d100 for knowledge

Rolled 66, 45 = 111

>>33367778
Come on, we can do this!

Rolled 51, 23 = 74

>>33367778

Rolled 93, 64 = 157

>>33367778

>>33367778
We should totally try and naked mind space each other the answers.

Rolled 27, 68 = 95

>>33367778

>>33367438

>We need to put this on hold for now, for our own safety
>We should keep poking around, but keep it discrete

No reason why we can't start poking around after shit has stopped hitting the fan immensely. Or at least until something like Gato comes around to distract them.

Rolled 45, 55 = 100

Time to show all these underage folks our massive, rock hard INTELLIGENCE.

Rolled 31, 10 = 41

>>33367778

>>33367814
64... so close?

>>33367778
>93 on math and science
>64 on history and language
Huh, the first question is just basic applied Minovsky physics. That's not hard at all. Then some basic two-sample t testing, and soe matrix algebra. The physics portion is no more difficult. You absolutely blitz the science and mathematics parts of the exams... is this really supposed to test graduates or put them to sleep?

History and English, though? Yeah, whatever. You're fluent in English, right? How bad can it be... what the fuck? The question formats are so ridiculous! What's this crap about similes? What about this actually assesses your comprehension of English rather than your resistance to being confused?

Haman seems like she's doing quite well for herself too, though her frustration with some of the finer intricacies of biochemistry is obvious.

"So," you ask her as you leave the testing center, "how'd you do?"

"I hate school," she tells you.

You nod. "Why do you think I skipped all the time?"

A week later you get the results: You scored an 800 on mathematics, a 780 on physics, a 700 on English, and a 620 on History. Haman scored 750's across the board, except for biochemistry where she scored a 730.

Damn, she must be pretty smart.
(1/2)

>>33368039
Eh, she only beat our average by twenty points.

>>33368039
Time passes surprisingly fast when you have so little to do. You test the Lilium machines over and over again in virtual and live fire scenarios. Your new Twin Hyper Rifle is calibrated, and the new weapon Audrey designed for herself seems to work as well: it incorporates a heat blade under the barrel of her 180mm rifle, making it a multi-use weapon. Carya and Catrina managed to get a hold of the schematics for something called a "cold blade": a heat sword that when used properly can also administer a powerful electric shock. It hasn't been tested in combat, but it seems promising.

On July 10, you have to go down to the Oakland labs to retrieve the first of what Miss Purpleton has called "Psycho Mines": psycommu-controlled warheads that can be deployed from a ship and used against enemy shipping.

Haman has refused to come along, wanting nothing to do with the lab. The sisters, though uncomfortable with the idea, have come with you and Karen. Reiko gave you the paperwork you needed and excused herself, and Audrey is doing some test or another.

You arrive at the Oakland Labs: in the lobby there's a bell at the desk to ring for service, and there's a pair of men in labcoats talking to one another. With them are a pale-skinned girl with black hair and blue eyes, and a lightly built young man with sickly green hair.
>Ring the bell and hope for the best
>Talk to the labcoats and their strange
>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

Rolled 87 - 10

>>33368189
>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

Rolled 7 - 10

>>33368142
>(1/2)
Man, wait until he's done, before commenting, otherwise you break up the story posts.

>>33368189
>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

Rolled 80

>>33368189
>>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

>>33368189
>and their strange
And their strange? Really?

That should be "and their companions"

Rolled 52 - 10

>>33368189
>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

>>33368189
>and a lightly built young man with sickly green hair.

Hi Zero.

File: commit sudoku.jpg (648 KB, 819x1157)

648 KB JPG

>>33368219
Goddammit, my only roll in this quest, and it has to be that fucking shitty.

Rolled 19 + 10

>>33368189
>>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

Rolled 65

>>33368189
>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

>>33368253
>>33368222
>>33368269
when you want to roll a negative, just do 1d100+-10

>>33368287
Yeah, I know. I just spaced and forgot to do the constant.

Rolled 7 - 20

>>33368189
>>Newtype moment (d100 - 10)

>>33368189
Oh, we're using solid blades? Good. I was always disappointed how everything switched over entirely to energy weapons in the UC timeline. Let's keep the solid blade and ballistic projectile train rolling for as long as we can.

>Talk to the labcoats and their strange

>>33368189
>>33368215
>77
"Those two," you mutter.

"The coats?" Karen asks quietly.

"No," Carya replies. "This isn't normal... who are they?"

"One way to find out," you tell her, walking over to the group.

"Hi there, I'm here looking for some mines that came in from Anaheim today."

One of the doctors looks at you. "Ah," he croons to himself. "I see, you are one of the ones who will be using the devices, yes? Were you not, I would be offended at your impertinence, but truly it is fortuitous that you are here today."

Jesus this guy likes to talk a lot.

"Lieutenant Commander O'Hara," you offer, extending a hand. The doctors look at it like it's a giant blue spider or something similarly alien.

The black haired girl bows to you politely, but does not speak. Carya returns the gesture quietly, which seems to make the strange young woman happy.

"I see you've noticed my pupil, Rossweisse," the first doctor tells you. That name... the email at Anaheim? It was referring to her? The sisters and Karen seem to notice it as well.

"What do you mean, pupil?" Catrina asks pointedly. "Who is this girl, and why does she feel 'kind of' like a newtype?"

Seems the two scientists are disinclined to answer.
>Press the point (d100)
>Don't press it (write in)

Rolled 17

>>33368423
>>Press the point (d100)

Rolled 36

>>33368423
>>Press the point (d100)

Rolled 75

>>33368423
>Press the point (d100)

Rolled 82

>>33368423
>Press the point (d100)
At least Rossweisse is one of the less traumatized Cyber-Newtypes. She exhibits symptoms of autism, but she doesn't have the instability of the others.

>>33368423
"Sorry about that, but CC is very interested in fledgling newtypes, it's strange, because her power seems quite a bit weaker than a recently awoken newtype. Is her power still dormant perhaps?"

Goad them into revealing more.

>>33368423
>>Don't press it
"It's fine, it's fine. Now about those missiles."

We don't fuck with cyber-newtype shit..

>>33368248
Hope we can grab Zero. He and Leila are pretty bro, and he'd fit right in with our band of newtypes and defected zeon bitches.

Rolled 31

>>33368512
DAMNIT! I'm sorry! Your 82 beat my 75. I should have been slower!

Rolled 3

>>33368423
>Press the point (d100)

Rolled 40

>>33368423
>>Press the point (d100)
Gently.

>>33368512
Zero is THE least traumatized Cyber-Newtype. His only flaw is extreme confidence in his abilities, and if his G Gen showings are any proof, he has reason for that. Dude is an amazing pilot.
Hell, you could say he's the only successful Cyber Newtype.

>>33368507
"Lieutenant Marseille is very much interested in fledgeling newtypes. But something about Rossweisse here seems unusual... her presence is fainter, and it feels off somehow. Like she's something that's not quite a newtype, but not a 'normal' human either."

As you'd hoped, this prompts one of the scientists to try and show off: the first scientist gives a grandiose wave at Rossweisse. "I am Doctor Loki, lead researcher at Oakland Lab in the field of Cyber-newtypes, and this is Rossweisse... a failed candidate, to be sure, but a worthwhile failure at least."

The other doctor stares at him in disbelief as Loki continues. "And this is the esteemed Doctor Murasame."

"That's quite sufficient, Doctor Loki. Come along, Zero." Doctor Murasame turns to leave, and his green-haired companion walks past you. In a moment he glares at you, nodding ever so slightly at Rossweisse before giving you a look that suggests he's putting his trust in you, but only because he sees no alternative. Then he follows the Doctor out the door.

Meanwhile, the sisters' personalities have synchronized almost perfectly in their anger. "A 'Cyber-newtype, you said? Explain. Now."

You know that tone, and the look in her eyes is one of pure hatred. You rarely see her like thus, but you figure you can either back her up and try to keep her in check, or you can try to stop her outright.
>Intimidate (d100)
>Play the 'good cop' for her
>Tell her to ease off

>>33368729
>>Play the 'good cop' for her
We need to try and get information, but we won't learn anything if the sisters scare the Scientist into shutting up.

>>33368729
>Play the 'good cop' for her
It's what we're best at. Being all reasonable and sincere and what not.

>>33368729
>>Play the 'good cop' for her

>>33368729
>Play the 'good cop' for her
She's already got that anger thing down. We can play the reasonable Feddie.

Rolled 20

>>33368729
>>Intimidate (d100)

Rolled 49

>>33368729
>>Intimidate (d100)

>>33368729
>>Play the 'good cop' for her

>>33368729
>Play the 'good cop' for her
Dom and CC, Newtype buddy cops, together they fight crime! (and fuck)

>>33368989
Like all good buddy cops do.

>>33368989
Hey, we voted on that shit. We dont fuck (yet)

>>33368729
You place a hand on the sisters' shoulder. Almost instantly you can feel them relax substantially, just from knowing you have their back. They reassure you that they're back in control again, and you feel a warm feeling of gratitude. You understand that if there have been experiments going on here on Newtype subjects, it's a deeply personal and offensive matter to them.

They quickly shift back to an outward show of fury. "Spill it. Everything you know, you're gonna tell me, or we have a problem. And things that are problems for me tend not to last very long."

"There is no need for you to know such..." the doctor begins, only to be cut off by the sisters' hand gripping his throat.

"Wrong answer, you fucksack. Wrong fucking answer." As they cock back their arm for a punch, you lightly grip her elbow. She acknowledges that it's a good time to trade off, and waits for you to speak.

"Wait up, Lieutenant. If you break his jaw he can't tell us anything." You look the Doctor in the eye. "All we want to know is what you've been doing here. Try and understand, for us it's rather personal."

"Artificial Newtypes," the doctor explains. "Created through a series of medical procedures."

The sisters' anger flares again, and they pull their arm back for a backhand before they manage to restrain themselves. "You did WHAT!?" they demand.

"The procedures are designed to replicate natural newtype abilities," the doctor continues. "That's the key to good science, you know. If you can't replicate results, it's not really even science." Strangely, as the sisters pin Loki to the wall one of his eyes rolls lazily around inside its socket.

You nod at him. "I don't like it, Doctor Loki. I don't like it at all. And what did you say about Rossweisse being a failure?"

Rossweisse, who has been silently observing you, perks up slightly at your tone of voice. You have to admit, hearing the Doctor talk about her like that right in front of her struck you as fucked up.
(1/2)

File: 1404856327554.png (636 KB, 2500x2641)

636 KB PNG

>>33368989

>>33369167
"I should think that would be obvious," Loki replies. "She has severe communication and emotional problems, and her prowess as a newtype is nowhere near what a natural newtype should be capable of. She's classified as "unfinished", but she is still quite a capable pilot despite it."

"I've heard enough," Carya sighs as Catrina separates her mind to save energy. "This is exactly the sort of shit I was afraid would happen."

How to handle this...
>Ask the Sisters what they think you should do
>You'll be taking Rossweisse in for now, it would probably be good for her
>You'll be taking Rossweisse, and you expect Oakland to stop creating new Cyber Newtypes... or else you'll be back, and you'll be mad
>You'll take Rossweisse, Oakland will cease Cyber Newtype research, but you'll supply them with data in return
>Rossweisse isn't your responsibility, but Oakland will stop experimenting on Cyber Newtypes
>Other

>>33369295
Oh SHIT! THis is some big stuff we're tampering with, I suggest we All Decide with some Brainstorming before Deciding.

>>33369295
>Ask the Sisters what they think you should do
Two Newtypes advice for the price of one!

>>33369295
>>You'll be taking Rossweisse in for now, it would probably be good for her
>>You'll be taking Rossweisse, and you expect Oakland to stop creating new Cyber Newtypes... or else you'll be back, and you'll be mad
>>You'll take Rossweisse, Oakland will cease Cyber Newtype research, but you'll supply them with data in return
We have the authority/clearance to make these kinds of demands?

>You'll be taking Rossweisse, and you expect Oakland to stop creating new Cyber Newtypes... or else you'll be back, and you'll be mad

>>33369295
>Ask the Sisters what they think you should do

>>33369295
>Ask Karen what she thinks we should do.

Let's get someone who's not in a rage and actually knows how to register consequences.

>>33369334
Exactly! What repercussions could we expect? And the most Important Question.

How do we get Zero on our Roster.

>>33369295

>You'll be taking Rossweisse in for now, it would probably be good for her

One step at a time, we don't need to pull attention to ourselves so soon after the whole Vist/Anaheim reveal. We'll save them one at a time if need be, and we'll create the impression that we're perfectly willing to cooperate with the Feds, loyal soldiers, etc.

>>33369347
I'd support this. We need her opinion on how much we can get away with. Let's discuss this reasonably instead of immediately taking action. We can't be impulsive about this, when we could possibly make a LOT of enemies doing this.

>>33369295
This
>>33369347
>Ask Karen

Let;'s get someone responsible in the loop.

>>33369295
>Other
"This can't possibly be legal. How on Earth did you get the authorization to do this?"

>>33369295
>>You'll be taking Rossweisse, and you expect Oakland to stop creating new Cyber Newtypes... or else you'll be back, and you'll be mad
"Your straying dangerously close to gods territory"

>>33369295
>Other
We need to bring in some human rights organizations to deal with this. Maybe we should demand Dr. Loki's research so we can expose the program?

>>33369295
"So, Karen, Carya."

"Yes, Dominic?" Karen asks you in a low growl.

"What I'm thinking is we get Rossweisse the hell out of here. Anything has got to be better for her than this. The real question is whether we can do anything else."

"As much as I hate to admit it," Carya responds slowly, "I doubt we can shut this operation down outright. But we CAN gather evidence, and when we see the opportunity, we can make our move. Make supporting this whole thing so toxic that whatever son of a bitch in the Federation is funding it doesn't want to touch it anymore."

"Sounds fine to me," Karen mutters. "Now let's get the hell out of here before I kill that son of a bitch myself."

"How can you claim to understand anything if you cannot understand yourselves, Newtypes?" Loki asks. Karen, however, is having none of it.

"You disgust me," she hisses, having crossed the room suddenly to tower over him. "Everything about you is obscene... you're a fucking doctor, you shithead. You have no business carving up a girl like this and experimenting on her. And if we ever cross ways a second time, it'll be the last."

Wow. Something was making you think Karen would have been more even-keeled than the sisters... you suppose you forgot that she's got a history of a hot temper and that she used to be a medical student.

"Very well," the doctor relents. "The girl was of no further use to us anyway. Now please, if you don't mind, collect your mines and leave."

(1/2)

>>33369295
>>You'll be taking Rossweisse in for now, it would probably be good for her
>Other
We should see about taking her in, but give them data in return. Stopping Cyber Newtype research would be nice, but baby steps. We can't look like we just barged into a Secret Research Facility, beat up a scientist, and stole Feddie Secrets. That'll get us a one way trip to the dissection table.

>>33369638
The date is August 9th, UC 0083. Rossweisse still rarely speaks, and seems less than comfortable around most of your team. Not adversarial or antagonistic, mind you: more like extremely shy. She does, however, seem to have taken a liking to the sisters, Haman, and yourself. It's entirely possible that being around natural Newtypes is soothing to her, perhaps because she feels she can understand you better, or that you're more sensitive to her own peculiar sensitivities. True to Loki's conclusions, she struggles with a psycommu, but has an apparent aptitude for other tasks such as piloting.

Today is a quiet day, where most of your team is relaxing around the television in your hangar's common area. The news is pretty mundane stuff: a few anti-government rallies here and there, the weather report. That sort of thing. Haman and Rossweisse are sitting together, and Reiko has stopped even pretending to pay attention: she's got her face pressed into an old copy of the Origins of Totalitarianism. The peace is shattered, however, when Audrey steps into the hangar, along with the sisters and Karen.

You can immediately tell that something has happened. You don't need to be a newtype to sense it.

"... Haman?" Audrey starts nervously.

Haman mutes the news, Audrey's tone having put her ill at ease. "What is it, Audrey?"

"I don't know how to put this... but we received an intelligence report this morning. Your father... there's been a lot of radio traffic at Axis saying he's... that... well..."

Haman's eyes widen slowly in shock, and she begins to tear up: she knows what Audrey can't bring herself to say. Deep inside, she simply knows.

And the tears begin to fall freely.

>What do?

>>33369915
>Apply hugs, lots of hugs

>>33369638
>Karen being the reasonable one

What the hell were we thinking?

>>33369915
hug?

>>33369915
Damn it. I was hoping disrupting the timeline would prevent this. Okay, we hug her now. Tell her that we're here for her. We're all here for her. And ask Aubrey what happened.

>>33369915
Hug and just be there for her

>>33369915
>>What do?
HUGS!

>>33370096
She's probably going to be mad at us, though. We're the reason we weren't there with her father. Though considering that he was almost certainly murdered, we probably saved her from the fallout. Yeah, I know that's not what happened in canon. Dominic doesn't know that, though.

>>33370150
If someone's going to try to assassinate the ruler of an entire colony, they're not going to be terribly scared off by a 16 year old girl, Newtype or not.

Having her removed from people willing to assassinate her and the inevitable power struggle that'll ensure from this is better from her, you don't need OOC knowledge to get that.

>>33370150
I doubt it, we've been nothing but nice to her, AND her dad told her it was a good thing she was leaving. Hell this just might just get her pissed at the future leader of Axis.

>>33369915
Without saying a word, you pull the young newtype into a tight embrace, and let her cry. For nearly a half hour she sobs into your chest, absolutely inconsolable in her grief. Carya and Catrina sit nearby, trying their best to be reassuring for her. Rossweisse seems not to quite understand what has just happened, but you can tell she feels deep sympathy for Haman. The others stay with you as well until Haman seems like she's too tired to keep crying.

"It won't be easy," Karen finally tells her. "I'm still trying to get over losing my husband in the war... but it does get better, Haman. You're strong, and I can promise you that you'll get through it."

"And until you do get through it," you add, "we'll be here for you. All of us."

It will take a long time before she can move on from the loss of her father. But at least for now, Haman can rest reassured that she won't wake up tomorrow and find herself alone. She'll have your team, and she'll have you.

For now, that'll have to be enough.
>Thread #9 End
>Scene change in progress, please stand by

>>33370299
Scene change? Interesting.

>>33370299
You are Char Aznable, the Red Comet, Newtype Ace of the former Principality. The date is August 9, 0083, the location is Axis: this is where it all falls apart.

Admiral Karn, Regent of Axis, is dead. You suspect that bastard Enzo had something to do with it, but you probably will never be able to prove it. What's worse, Haman is no longer here to step in as Regent, meaning Bernini has a clear line to the position. Being a hardliner with a large base of support among the Principality remnants who wish to continue the war, this could be dangerous.

You also are aware that Natalie, your lover, seems to have something she wants to tell you.

>Speak with Natalie
>Begin planning to deal with Enzo

>>33370427
Oh, Sweet Jesus Yes!
>Speak with Natalie

>>33370427
>>Speak with Natalie
>>Begin planning to deal with Enzo
We can do the preliminaries for the latter in our head.

>>33370427
>>Begin planning to deal with Enzo

>>33370299
Nooooooooo, I don't want to wait a week for another thread!

>Speak with Natalie
If Char settles down, does that mean he'll retire or something?

Who am I kidding, he'll probably wind up light Bright, and be stuck trying to catch chickens in ZZ!

>>33370427
>Begin planning to deal with Enzo
Oh no. We're not letting this jackass take over Zeon. We've already murdered one leader of Zeon for despoiling our father's vision, we can do it again.

>>33370427
>>Speak with Natalie

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>>33370427
>Speak with Natalie
>Begin planning to deal with Enzo

In the order you posted.

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I need to post this.

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>>33370638
>>33370589
Shit didn't work.

>>33370638
You want Char to Falcon Punch is girlfriend?
Sadly, knowing Char, I could *easily* see him doing this.

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>>33370671
I was wondering why the guy above didn't post the gif version.

>>33370688
No, it's just one of my Favorite Char Gifs

>>33370427
First, and most importantly, you want to know what's on Natalie's mind.

"Yes, Natalie?" you ask her. "Is there something wrong?"

For a moment, she hesitates. "I... Char, I'm two weeks late. I think I might be pregnant."

Complete surprise. A wonderful surprise, to be sure, but it couldn't come at a worse time. What would Lalah say you should do in a situation like this? What would your sister say? What would that blasted White Devil do in your position? Hell, what would that Gundam pilot whose team captured Haman do?

"Char?"

"I'm sorry, it's just that Admiral Karn just passed away. It's a dangerous time for us here."

Natalie stands close in the dim light of your apartment, and wraps her arms gently around your waist. "Enzo is ruthless," she reminds you. "If Haman were here she'd have a legitimate claim to replace her father, but now Enzo has both the support and the opportunity. I'm not sure you can stop him if you tried... we may not have a lot of options, my love."

>I have to fight him, for the sake of Zeon itself
>We need to leave. Salvage what we can, take anyone who hasn't gone absolutely mad and escape while we can.
>We can't stay here, but I can't leave Enzo in such a strong position

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>>33370697
We need to keep that punk bitch away from Haman.

>>33370783
>We need to leave. Salvage what we can, take anyone who hasn't gone absolutely mad and escape while we can.

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>>33370783
>We can't stay here, but I can't leave Enzo in such a strong position

>>33370783
>>We can't stay here, but I can't leave Enzo in such a strong position

>>33370783
>>We need to leave. Salvage what we can, take anyone who hasn't gone absolutely mad and escape while we can.
Find Haman

>>33370783
>>We need to leave. Salvage what we can, take anyone who hasn't gone absolutely mad and escape while we can.
>>We can't stay here, but I can't leave Enzo in such a strong position

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>>33370783
>>We can't stay here, but I can't leave Enzo in such a strong position

>>33370783
>We need to leave. Salvage what we can, take anyone who hasn't gone absolutely mad and escape while we can.
>We can't stay here, but I can't leave Enzo in such a strong position
We need to get out everyone we can, and sabotage what remains. Axis can not be the foundation of a Neo-Zeon movement. I suggest we seek aid from Jupiter. They have the ships to get our people off Axis, and the resources to pose an opposition to Enzo. I hear they're even experimenting with making their own mobile suits, and have had some pretty successful test runs. We should look into hiring whoever was in charge of that research. What was his name, again? Sukhovey, maybe? Something wind-related, anyway.

Also: Aww, Char's thinking about Amuro to help him figure out the right course of action? That's cute. Try not to commit an elaborate murder-suicide with him this time, okay Char?

>We need to leave. Salvage what we can, take anyone who hasn't gone absolutely mad and escape while we can.

If we wanted to kill off Enzo, all we'd have to do is proclaim him our wingman.

>>33370915
this

>>33370783
"We can't stay here," you tell Natalie. "Not on Axis. Not anymore. And we can't let Enzo have his way entirely either..."

"What are you planning to do?" your lover asks you, concern etched in her face. "Don't go making me a widow before we're even married, now."

"Don't worry about my end," you reassure her. "Appoly, Roberto and I can handle it. You just get yourself to Serrana. She has a list of likely defectors and their families, you can help her organize an escape. We'll make for the Republic, and we'll blend into the civilian population."

"Right," Natalie replies.

After escorting your lover to the safehouse belonging to the last remaining Karn on Axis, you meet up with your wingmen... it's about that time again.

(1/2)

>>33370994
Let's kidnap Mineva!

>>33371019
>Roberto
FUCK YEAH!
Roberto was one of my favourite Zeta characters.

>>33371031
Him and Appoly were the shit.

>>33371019

OH YEA

>>33371019
>it's about that time again.
To get them all shot? "Wingman" is what Char calls ablative armor. That's why they gave him the Hyaku Shiki in Zeta, because having actual ablative armor was the only way to restrain him.

>>33371046
The fact they survived for 8 years after the OYW is testament to their skills.

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>>33371019
Enzo Bernini, Regent of Axis, held the long-range telecom handset tightly to his ear.

"No, Admiral, we'll be fine on this end."

"Yes, Char's escape was a blow, as was the damage to our mobile weapons facilities. He was too late, though, and although he even managed to secure Mineva, that shouldn't be an issue either."

"Oh, I think you know why, Admiral."

"Yes, six hundred soldiers is a lot to defect at once, but we managed to establish a production facility on Mars, so our projects are still on schedule."

"Yes, Admiral. Two units are ready now."

"Right. I'll see to it."

"Eleven, actually. Coming along nicely. They'll be a bit late, though... consider it a trump card."

"Of course, Admiral."

"Sieg Zeon."

Bernini hung up the telecom handset and settled down into the chair behind his new desk.

"Mars is coming," he muttered to himself in the darkened office of the Regent of Axis. "Mars, the Harbinger of War... it's almost poetic."
>Scene shift complete

The stage is set. Next weekend, the Ghost of Ghiren Zabi makes his move.

Thanks for playing, and see you this Friday. Same time, same channel.

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>>33371252

>oldmobiles army

>>33371252
So there's exactly 12 Purus and no more in this timeline? For now?

>>33371252
Damn son! 600 Soldiers as well as Hitting the MS Factory at Axis? AS WELL as getting Mineva?

Char Fucked them UP

>>33371334
Enjoy that sense of victory while it lasts, anon

>>33371279
Well, they're not the Oldsmobile Army yet. They were only called that because their suits were designed to look like classic Zeon designs. Since we're much closer to the OYW now, those designs don't look as old. But still...this is going to be good. Seriously, this is going to be really, really great. I wonder what the two ready units are? Given that Puru seems to be part of this conversation, is is them? Puru One and Puru Two?

>>33371334
Looks like the AEUG will have a bit of a boost in this timeline. Except I don't think we're going to be the AEUG. By the time this is over it's going to go far beyond just the Titans. We're going to need a different name to rally under. Perhaps we'll just all be Karaba? What does that name refer to, anyway? All I'm getting from a google search is two cities in North Africa.

>>33371391
Yeah, the whole point of that conversation seems to be that it's not actually that big a blow. It was a transitory success at best. But it will buy us time. I think we're going to need it. I'm really looking forward to where we're going with this. Great job, Hearts. Thanks for running.

>>33371429

When char founds his own neo zeon movement... the earth sphere political scene will go buttfuck insane.

>>33371462
Neo Zeon already exists, what the fuck is he going to call it? Anti Neo Zeon Group?

>>33371488
No, right now it's just Axis Zeon. It won't be Neo Zeon until 0087. Though that's in canon, which we have utterly destroyed at this point. I fear what this universe's equivalent of the Gryps Conflict is going to be. It's going to be so much worse than Zeta. So very much worse. At the rate things are advancing we're going to have a five way fight on our hands, as opposed to the three way fight of canon. It's going to be a mess. And I love it.

Archive is up, and I need sleep. Like now.

See you next weekend.

>>33371392
There's no guarantee that any of the groups in canon will exist in the future, aside from Titans (because reasons). It all hinges on how things play out from this point onwards... and make no mistake, the next two threads or so have a chance to deal a true death blow to the canon continuity.

>>33371392
Why don't we just call ourselves Olympus, seems a fitting name for a group wanting to oppose the Teetans.

>>33371290
That makes me sad, since there was visually a bunch more then just 12 in canon.

>>33371613
I'm just happy that Puru Twelve is around, who else is going to eat ice cream in UC 0096?

>>33371593
Oh, I know that. If this thread has proven anything, it's that as soon as we think we understand how we've changed the timeline it's just going to change again. The future is a moving target. I'm just spitballing because it's fun to try to guess where you're going. Seriously, this is a really complex AU you've constructed, and we're only two months into it. If I didn't at least try to guess where we were going the anticipation would drive me crazy. Keep up the good work.

>>33371605
And it would be confusing to Mars Zeon, since they'd never know whether their commanders were talking about the group or the mountain. I like it!

>>33371654
But 12 isn't enough for us to share our Puru Harem with Judau. We need enough that we can both have alot of Purus.

>>33371605
You mean SUPER ZEON, from Outer Gundam

>>33371692
Sadly, my *real* introduction (I watched Wing, but I never actually got into the franchise from it.) was DW Gundam, which means my impression of Elpeo Puru is "Annoying shrieking voice" and Puru Two is "Cool Puru who isn't annoying."

Althought I must admit, I fucking loved "COME OUT, QUBELEY!"

>>33371765
>DW Gundam3.
>Elpeo Puru is "Annoying shrieking voice

You're fucked in the head anon. Puru in DW was great and her interactions with Domon and Miliardo were the best thing ever.

>>33371828
Note that I said DW Gundam, not DW Gundam 3, Puru's voice is MUCH worse in the original. (Dubbed anyways.)

DW 3 pissed me off because Master Asia's voice was much worse than in 1. Also the history missions were crap in 3, I much preferred the story mission in 1. The Random factor made every mission feel the same, and the 'original' story mode was boring as fuck. (I've never played 2, so I dunno about that.)

>>33371903
That 3 is a typo and you still fucked in the head.

Also 2 really isn't that great.

>>33371954
Then your ears are defective, if you thought DW 1's dub Puru wasn't anything but a screeching mess.