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>>1459217
You retrieve an earpiece from one of your pockets, and carefully fit it over your ear before tapping a small button on the side.

“It's me,” you declare simply.

“What's up?” Carya replies with a slight groan of exertion, probably in the middle of stretching. “You making progress with Anaheim?”

“I'm meeting some executive in a bit. Saran brought me something interesting,” you explain quietly. “A backpack that should work well under Jovian gravity.”

“Good news,” your teammate replies. “Is it ready?”

“Yes. It's also complex, like 'Slattern' was,” you continue, trying not to give Saran any cause for concern. “To properly control it you either need direct input from a newtype with advanced spatial awareness and coordination or a particularly advanced automated control system.”

“Well then it should be no problem,” Carya replies calmly. “I trust your judgment.”

“Understood,” you reply.

Your hand reaches back for the earpiece, but after a moment you check the motion. Having remained aboard Sericea for most of your deployments you've never really understood why your partner insists on wearing her tactical gear around in normal company, but you suppose there are a number of situations where it might be useful. Many of those seem less and less improbable the closer you get to the source of all this trouble.

So in a moment's decision you elect to leave the communication device precisely where it is.

>Please prepare to fit the new system to the Viola.
>We'll pass, at least until the new system is tested.
>I will examine the system myself before deciding.
>Other?

>>1459225
>>I will examine the system myself before deciding.
Work out any possible kinks, since this is equipment that lives will depend on.

>I'll start writing when the update for SSQ is done, since this thread is moving much slower
Also, I'm not gonna bother with my name anymore. Too much effort, not a lot of point.

>>1459225
>>I will examine the system myself before deciding.

>>1459225
>I will examine the system myself before deciding.

>>1459225
“I will examine the machinery myself,” you decide. “We can afford a few more hours on Luna for the purpose.”

“Understandable,” Saran agrees, seeming to lose some of his enthusiasm at what must seem like doubt in his work. “This is after all a relatively new combination of systems. Shall I clear the afternoon?”

“Please,” you nod. “Thank you.”

“You're quite welcome of course,” Saran smiles. “We do after all get to see our designs in action... as glad as I am the war is finally over I have to admit it made it easier to get performance evaluations.”

“You might not want to share that sentiment too broadly,” you caution him, rising and checking your wristwatch. It shouldn't be too much longer now before your meeting with the Anaheim executive officer, probably just long enough to get yourself some fresh coffee.

“I know that much,” Sara nods, the smile fading somewhat. “But you have to remember what business we're all in, Captain. Though I can't personally condone what the Royal Dockyards did for example, I can understand why they might've done it.”

“Just... keep that in mind, I guess.”

With that suggestion, Saran excuses himself.

You've only just waited long enough for your cup of coffee to cool enough to drink when the receptionist comes out to alert you.

“Miss? Arnold Stern, VP of Internal Affairs, is ready to see you.”

Stern, is it? Of course your mental image is of a puffed-up middle aged man in an expensive suit cut for a man ten pounds lighter, and you're not disappointed. Vice-President Stern is exactly what you expected, though you have to admit his hairline is a bit less of a shambles than you'd imagined and he's clearly taken very good care of his health: for a colonial business executive, you're surprised that he doesn't smell like smoke.

“Captain Bell, is it?” he muses, offering you his hand to shake. “Arnold Stern. I must admit I was expecting someone a bit older. Please, take a seat.”

The office of the Vice President of Internal Affairs must be either very important or particularly lucrative, judging by the appointments. Hardwood desk, looks antique, with a matching chair, expensive and old office supplies like gold pens and vintage staplers... maybe a collector? It would certainly seem like an appropriate hobby, and many of these probably came from Earth which makes them that much more valuable.

“So, what is it you're here to discuss?”

>Jupiter.
>The Mars incident.
>The intercept here on Luna.
>Other?

>>1459359
>>The intercept here on Luna.

>>1459359
>The intercept here on Luna.

>>1459359
>>The intercept here on Luna.
Has it been a regular occurrence, or does it just involve Newtype related tech being tested?

>gonna need to get food real quick, then I'll start writing again

Okay, give me 3d10
DC 1, Crit 22, best of three.

Rolled 4, 9, 2 = 15 (3d10)

>>1459461

Wait, DC 1?

>>1459476
17, don't know what happened there.

Rolled 7, 2, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>1459461

>sill need one more

Rolled 3, 7, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>1459461
ok

>also, writing

>>1459566
“Last time Captain Marseille was intercepted by the Luna military,” you explain carefully, fighting your own fight-or-flight instincts with every word. “We need to know why.”

“Well, I can actually shed some light on that,” Stern admits, folding his hands in front of himself. “The Lunar Self Defense Forces are in the process of founding a new focus group for mobile suit development, what they call the Strategic Naval Research Institute. They have a fairly powerful selection of older mobile suits, but unfortunately for them they lack the sort of newer technologies that we've been using in our designs.”

“And since many of them are from the tradition of government-owned military development... I'm sure you can see why we've had our own disagreements.

Of course it makes sense, the Earth Federation's mobile suit projects were always more or less overseen by the government itself, with certain exceptions were broader discretion was allowed such as in newtype research. Same was true for Zeon as well, if nothing else to a greater degree. So having to rely on a private company must be a point of contention, since the goals of each may end up at odds.

“I see,” you admit with a token nod.

“They want an example, a test bed,” Stern continues, as if you hadn't just told him you were following his logic. “Any excuse to get a look at what we're doing. It's not even like they could use most of what we design either, I think it's really more a question of looking like they've fallen behind.”

“Why?”

“Because we follow the old way of doing things,” he explains, “which was driven by the most cutting edge technologies filtering down to mass-production. For years that's meant designing for newtypes, observing the results, and then adapting them for everyone else's use once we know how useful a concept can be in an extreme case.”

“That was one of our main points of disagreement with the military,” he tells you. “They wanted us to skip straight to things they'd call “practical”, like bigger guns or more powerful thrusters, while our company has always been interested in defining what's actually possible with the newest developments.”
>1/2

>>1459583
There are still a few questions that raises, such as why the Lunar government simply hasn't nationalized Anaheim or pushed for greater transparency, or even just resorted to paying more commission to have the company focus more on technologies they can put to use immediately.

>So they didn't just buy your time to focus on what they want?
>So they're really that desperate? Why hasn't the government stepped in?
>I don't believe that's the whole story. Please tell me everything.
>Change the topic to the Martian Royal Dockyards, bring up the paint.
>Other?

>>1459594
>>So they're really that desperate? Why hasn't the government stepped in?

>>1459594
The Lunar SDF probably goes through that whole "lowest bidder" bit, so throwing more money to get what they would not be the most feasible solution for them.

>So they're really that desperate? Why hasn't the government stepped in?
And any chance that SNRI would be wooing other potential clients aside from Luna?

>Change the topic to the Martian Royal Dockyards, bring up the paint.

>>1459594
>>So they're really that desperate? Why hasn't the government stepped in?
>>I don't believe that's the whole story. Please tell me everything.

>writing

“So they're that desperate?” you ask skeptically. “If so why hasn't the government stepped in?”

“You mean to try and force us to cooperate with SNRI?” the Vice President asks, and you nod in reaffirmation. “Well, I suppose because of how it'd look. The law's technically on our side, so ruling against our interest like that would set a bad precedent for other private businesses.”

“They may not like all our policies, but the Lunar government's not in the business of asset seizure.”

“How is it a government-funded research bureau is in such a position?” you press, not particularly liking what you're hearing but not having a clear idea of how to deconstruct the man's narrative.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he shrugs, a note of defensiveness creeping into his voice, “but since you're asking me maybe more powerful guns and thrusters was only getting them so far. And if you're looking for innovation, using one of our newest designs as a starting point is hardly the worst place to start.”

The man has an answer for everything, it seems. This line of inquiry isn't getting you anywhere, so you decide to shift topics somewhat. “Or the Martian Royal Dockyards.”

“That would even work,” Stern admits, “though they're hardly what you'd call readily available.”

“I mean as a model for how to operate,” you clarify, “though the Dockyards have certainly encountered their fair share of problems.”

“Such as?” he asks, seemingly curious.

“They had an internal program that dealt with some illicit technologies,” you explain carefully. “Rogue, shut down by this point, but before that happened their designs leaked. We had to scrap the prototypes.”

“I didn't know the CTF was into enforcing trade regulations,” Stern muses.

“We aren't. There was an attempted coup. We interceded.”

“Ah, that makes more sense,” he nods. “Though it's a surprise to hear that they had a problem like that on the inside.”

>Every company has its own internal problems (tactful)
>It's in the nature of the weapons design business (goad)
>I have to ask whether Anaheim has had a similar experience (blunt)
>Other?

>>1459747
>>Every company has its own internal problems (tactful)
Can't imagine Rosse being anything but tactful or blunt, decided to go with tactful.

>>1459747
>>Every company has its own internal problems (tactful)

>>1459747
>Every company has its own internal problems (tactful)
MS development did start out as an internal Zeon program. And the Earth Federation wouldn't have had the Gundam if not for Dr. Minovsky defecting.

Just some coincidental parallels. The sisters (or Audrey April) would probably be more in-depth on this.

>will start writing in a few minutes

>>1459851
>3d10, DC 16, crit 22
>best of four

Rolled 2, 8, 10 = 20 (3d10)

>>1459882

Rolled 8, 5, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>1459882

Rolled 8, 8, 1 = 17 (3d10)

>>1459882

Man, even Exabyte never tried to run two separate threads simultaneously, and that dude was seriously a masochist for running entirely too many quests.

>SSQ update cleared
>Rossweisse ability active: Metronome
>Continued exposure can bring other Newtypes more in line with her own, usually calm, mental state, reducing the effects of aggression, panic, and other extreme emotions.
>Oldtypes tend to become more lax and suggestible in conversation, revealing information and accepting proposals slightly more readily than they might otherwise.

>writing

>>1459973
“I suppose every organization has its own internal problems,” you sigh.

“And what would the CTF's problems tend to be?” the Vice President muses. “Probably some kind of newtype problems, I'd bet. Something most of us regular folks wouldn't even understand.”

“Actually, no,” you admit. “Mostly it's our neutral political stance.”

“Really?” he asks, seemingly surprised. “Is it really that hard?”

“It's constraining,” you explain. “The fact that we're technically not supposed to 'play favorites' at all means we often turn down offers and requests for assistance when it would come at a loss to another faction. Then there are some of us who want to have a freer hand.”

“I know that feeling,” the Vice President admits. “A lot of us sort of miss the old days, when we could build whatever we want without worrying about politics. About how it might look.”

He blinks once, seeming to realize he's said a bit more than he intended. “Sorry, the complaints of an old man must seem like a waste of time. I'm certain we can look forward to continuing a relationship between our organizations that's served both well over the years.”

“Thank you for your visit.”

With that it seems that Stern shows you the door a little too eagerly, and realizing that discretion is the better part of valor you shake his hand one more time and walk out the door.

Once out of earshot however you call Carya.

“I spoke with the Vice President of Internal Affairs,” you report. “He said something that mirrored what Saran told me. About how they both miss the war in a way, the freedom to pursue projects without strict civilian or even military oversight.”

“Based on what?” she scoffs. “That old 'pushing the envelope' crap? Who do they think they are, Chuck Yeager?”

“If anything that'd be us,” you sigh “but yes. That sounds like the sentiment.”

“I'd proceed with caution,” Carya suggests. “There's a thin line between reminiscing about the 'good old days' and breaking the laws to try and recreate them. Figure out which side of the line these people are on.”

>Contact the Lunar Militart with regards to SNRI.
>Contact Artesia, maybe she can connect you with someone.
>Meet with Saran, bring up SNRI in conversation.
>Meet with Saran, focus on evaluating the new maneuverability package.

>>1460011
>>Meet with Saran, focus on evaluating the new maneuverability package.

>>1460011
>>Meet with Saran, bring up SNRI in conversation.
And another point to bring up while testing the machine. In order to calibrate the equipment for Jovian operations, it would require data from Mobile Suits that has some experience in that area, right? The question is, where does one find records for such things?

>waiting for a tie break

>>1460011
>>Meet with Saran, bring up SNRI in conversation.

>writing

>>1460120
You decide to return to the mobile suit development and testing facility, some ten minutes by linear car from the office buildings where you met with Vice President Stern. The floor is a buzz of activity, mostly focused on the upright frame of a mobile suit that seems to be cradled backwards in a scaffolding of supports and catwalks along the wall. It has to be this way to access the cross-mounted thrusters and their pylons, each of which is lined with extra fuel tanks.

“So this is it?” you ask, approaching Saran as he directs traffic.

He nods proudly. “Yup. The hip armor is part of the package too, since the tail binder had to be altered. Each pylon mounts two beam funnels mounted in forward-facing cradles, with two more mounted in each side of the skirt armor.”

“And you maintained thrust to weight?” you ask.

“Take a look for yourself,” he suggests, handing you a dataslate with an even more detailed analysis of the materials involved and their weights. It also gives the cost... which is a figure with enough zeroes in it that you can easily spot another reason why these designs never see mass production.

It certainly seems to line up at least, every ounce of weight accounted for including the fuel load at full capacity.

“This is good,” you nod. “Can I see it in action?”

“Of course, we prepared a station here,” Saran tells you, waving you over to a laptop laid out on a desk that's laden in blueprints, coffee, and drafting tools. “Feel free, you're already signed in.”

You take control, and there's an alarm on the floor. The technicians all clear out, giving the stripped-down test frame some space.
>3d10, DC 16, Crit 18
>Shouldn't be hard for Rossweisse, but failure IS a possibility

Rolled 3, 6, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>1460185

Rolled 8, 1, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>1460185

>>1460185
>>Shouldn't be hard for Rossweisse, but failure IS a possibility
...Really man? You had to go and say that

Rolled 5, 10, 8 = 23 (3d10)

>>1460185

>>1460228
Well. Looks like Ross' got this.

>got this in a moment guys

>>1460321
“Alright, here we go,” you nod resolutely, taking control. “I'll test each in sequence.”

You move each of the pylons, slowly at first, then quicker, then in combinations. You pivot them, then pivot the thrusters, then you maneuver them at the same time at different speeds. Each movement is clean and precise, with an intense focus.

“It seems great,” you declare. “Hardly what you would expect from an incomplete system.”

“How are you able to do that?” Saran asks in surprise. “Wait, nevermind. The answer is newtypes.”

“We can bring the Viola by to be fitted for the new system later today,” you offer. “I'm positive Captain Marseille will approve.”

“Good to hear,” Saran nods.

“So I heard you had a competitor,” you suggest casually. “Something called SNRI?”

“SNRI?” Saran snorts. “Now where'd you hear that from? SNRI lost their funding last year, the government refused to renew their contract because they weren't producing results. They've kept it out of the public eye of course didn't want to be seen as wasting taxpayer money.”

“You know how it is.”

Ah, so your suspicions were correct then? If SNRI is out of favor with the government it'd be strange for them to have Gaplants at their disposal for a stunt like the intercept mission you ran up against last time you were here. So that suggests either there's some sort of collusion going on between SNRI and some other party, possibly still within Luna's government, or that someone else was responsible.

Either way it seems to confirm that there is something else going on here. You suppose Saran must not even be aware that his own words are so strongly contradicting his company's more or less official line about the events.

>Raise the discrepancy with Saran, see what he thinks.
>Report straight to Carya. This smells like trouble.
>Find Artesia, alert her and get her view on the politics.
>Other?

>>1460401
>>Find Artesia, alert her and get her view on the politics.

>>1460401
>>>Find Artesia, alert her and get her view on the politics.

>writing
>this will be the last update of the night

>>1460401
“Good work on this,” you nod, meaning to excuse yourself from Saran's company. “I have political intricacies to work out now.”

“I don't envy you,” Saran admits. “Never been my strength, you know? Too much of it comes down to grandstanding... even if it were just about the funding I'd find it more tolerable.”

“In this case, arranging passage through Jovian space is enough of a concern to make it worthwhile,” you explain, not really telling a lie so much as obfuscating. You do mean to make such arrangements even if you have other, more pressing concerns to raise with Artesia.

“Well, good luck with that,” Saran nods. “Send along your schedule when you have a better idea when you'll actually be here and we'll clear a couple of hours to work.”

“Thank you.”

“It's what we do, ma'am.”

You take your leave of Saran and the technicians, getting out of the building and into a public space. There are enough people waiting for the rail line that you feel comfortable reporting in to Artesia.

“What is it?” she asks when you place your call through your comm device. “You learned something, didn't you?”

“Are you familiar with an organization called the Strategic Naval Research Institute?” you ask.

“Yeah, it was like a government-subsidized competitor to Anaheim, took contracts for more mundane weapons systems at a lower price point,” she explains, “or at least that's what they were supposed to do. Lost their funding last year I think, very hush-hush.”

“Why?”

“Well, Anaheim's executive for Internal Affairs seems to think they were the ones who intercepted Carrina,” you recount, your own doubts coming across clearly in your tone. “Is that possible?”

“They would need an outside funding source to pull off that kind of operation,” Artesia realizes. “I'll meet you at the ship. There's something else going on here.”

“Alright,” you nod to yourself. “Artesia?”

“Yes, Rossweisse?”

“... watch your back.”

>>1460614
And that wraps it up for the week. Thanks for sticking with it despite the slowness, and last week's disaster. Thankfully we got through enough to make it all worthwhile, I think.

Archive is up, and I'll be on tomorrow to answer any questions and comments. So hope you enjoyed, and see you next time!