File: Viridian Thunder.jpg (342 KB, 850x850)

342 KB JPG

>>1857639

"He's down for the count! There's no way he could possibly take that blow and keep going!"

"No way, he's made it this far, he's not giving up just yet!"

The two announcers argue with each other, while the entire audience's eyes are focused on one thing. The massive, green machine in the middle of the arena. Standing over it, it's opponent, a huge, draconic Chevalier, gloats.

"Viridian Thunder seems like it's taken irreparable damage. The champion, Giga-Drake seems like they know this battle's done. It's a shame for Chris Kingston, who was certainly the underdog in this match, but Giga-Drake's superior speed won them the day."

It seem the cheers of even the most passionate of Viridian Thunder's supporters are beginning to fall silent, seeing their hero crushed before a superior Chevalier. Suddenly, a whirring sound seems to emanate from the tank-like Chevalier, drawing the confusion of almost everyone in the arena.

Slowly, Viridian Thunder clambers to it's feet, the massive damage it's taken clearly visible as it stands up. Giga-Drake stumbles back slightly, shocked to see it's opponent is even able to move, much less stand. A moment of weakness is enough for Viridian Thunder to capitalize on, and it dashes forward, using one last-final burst of speed from it's damage engines to strike at Giga-Drake.

"He's done it! Viridian Thunder has--"

Suddenly, he screen goes black, and you see, in the reflection of the screen your very angry looking Aunt.

File: Maria Everett 5.jpg (8 KB, 195x258)

8 KB JPG

>>1857671
"Hunter!" she yells, setting down the remote to your television. "This is ridiculous! I've told you not to watch that stuff! Chevaliers are dangerous, it only serves to glorify violence! On top of that, you have an important day tomorrow. It's a school night, you can't stay up all night watching giant robots fighting each other!"

You turn towards her, sighing. You are Hunter Everett, a fifteen year old living in a small town called Kingsmark, Nevada. You've never known a world without Chevaliers, and it's been your dream for as long as you can remember to own one yourself. Unfortunately, your parents both died in the war, and you've spent your whole life raised by your aunt, who absolutely despises Chevaliers. Your options have been limited since birth.

You intended to keep the volume low enough, and you thought she'd already gone to bed, but evidently, you were wrong. You look her over, trying to determine the best thing to say.

> "It's the championship match! It's important!"
> "Someone from our town could have won the championship! I had to watch it!"
> "Tomorrow isn't that important, it's just my birthday."
> "Sorry, you're right Maria, I'll go to bed."
> Write-in.

>>1857685
>> "Sorry, you're right Maria, I'll go to bed."
>As soon as she leaves turn on the TV again
So, how long until we get our OP prototype?

>>1857685
> "Someone from our town could have won the championship! I had to watch it!"

>>1857685
>Other: "Chevaliers kept Earth from defeat and enslavement under the Vaahl. You'd have preferred we lost and be under the Empire's boot? Maybe you should emigrate to the Empire if you don't like our independence that much."

>>1857685
>"Someone from our town could have won the championship! I had to watch it!"

>>1857689
>>1857685
Another mecha quest, nice. Hope we can go full hot blooded this time.

>>1857704
And Backing the second anon I linked.

>>1857685
> "Someone from our town could have won the championship! I had to watch it!"

>>1857741
>>1857691
>>1857688
Calling it for this one! I'll start writing! Thanks for breaking the tie!

File: Chris Kingston 2.jpg (96 KB, 850x1039)

96 KB JPG

>>1857741
>>1857691
>>1857688
>>1857685

You groan, "C'mon! Someone from our town could have won the championship! I had to watch it! Do you remember Chris Kingston? He's gonna put Kingsmark on the map!" You look at Maria, trying your best to plead with her. Although she's been your legal guardian since you were a baby, you can't think of her as any sort of parental figure. Maybe it's because she's not that much older than you, or maybe it's because she acts even younger than she is. Really, she's more like an older sister than anything else.

She huffs and shakes her head. "I don't care who's in it! I don't want you watching that stuff! Chevalier are dangerous weapons, they aren't toys. People could get seriously hurt! Besides, you need to sleep! I can't have you staying up all night watching Chevaliers again."

You frown and grumble. A part of you wants to argue more, but you can tell she's serious. If you argue with her she'll only get more and more upset with you. You bow your head, "Fine, you're right." Just like that, her expression lifts immensely and she hugs you.

"Thank you Hunter! Now get some sleep, I love you!" Her attitude completely changed, and her voice is all sweet now. You sigh and nod. "Love you too Maria." She turns the lights out as she walks away, and you wait for a while, before ensuring the volume on your TV is turned off and turning it on again.

You turn it on, only to see Viridian Thunder standing over the defeated Giga-Drake. You missed the end of the fight. Chris Kingston jumps out of his mecha, and grabs the trophy being offered to him.

You know you're supposed to be happy for the hometown hero, but you can't help but feel jealous. Christopher Kingston is a prodigy. He graduated from the Academy two years early, at 16, and was better than some adult pilots at the age of 12. Of course, he also came from the richest family in Kingsmark, and got a Chevalier as a birthday present. You'd never be able to get that.

Even still, in school you're pretty much painfully average. You have a total of two friends, you barely get passing grades, and you're far from the most athletic. You pretty much only have one thing going for you...

> You've never given up once in your life.
> You have a near encyclopedic knowledge of Chevalier.
> You're an excellent hoverbike racer.
> You're not bad in a fight, and you've taken some martial arts classes.
> Write-in.

>>1857774
>You've got gravity defying tits.

>>1857774
> You have a near encyclopedic knowledge of Chevalier
Mecha NEEEEERD

>>1857774
>> You're not bad in a fight, and you've taken some martial arts classes.
Time to be shonen MC

>>1857774
>> You've never given up once in your life.
SHONEN SPIRIIIIIIIIT

>>1857774
>> You've never given up once in your life.

>>1857774
>You've got gravity defying tits
And you have leant how to use then in
martial arts classes

Lol
But for reals
> You have a near encyclopedic knowledge of Chevalier.

>>1857774
> You're an excellent hoverbike racer.

>>1857783
>Shonen
Its being hotblooded when Mecha is concerned.

>>1857774
> You have a near encyclopedic knowledge of Chevalier.
Time to invent funnels and shit.

>>1857792
>>1857788
>>1857780
Calling for being a nerd! Writing now.

>>1857792
>Wanting to be an engineer
Boo

>>1857805
>Not wanting to be like Amuro, minus the whinnying part

>>1857806
Char is much better than Amuro.

File: Ryoma_scowl.jpg (18 KB, 400x300)

18 KB JPG

Or even better we could be like pic related

>>1857805
>Not wanting to design and build your own custom mecha unit
Besides a pilot that doesn't understand his mecha is a dead pilot

>>1857815
Yes I'd rather just be a great pilot, leave the designing to someone else.

File: Sam Cross 3.jpg (74 KB, 882x1176)

74 KB JPG

>>1857774
>>1857780
>>1857788
>>1857792

You stare up at all the posters of various different Chevaliers littered across your room. You know Maria hates them, but you've never let her throw them away. You've spent your whole life studying and watching Chevalier, even though your aunt scolded you each time, there was always something that drew you to them. You now know pretty much every model of Chevalier, you know the history, and you even know some of the mechanics behind them. In most respects you're far from a super genius, and you're not really the type to work as a mechanic, but you know much more than most do about Chevaliers.

You fall to sleep, thinking about all the different makes and models of Chevalier, as well as how best to counter Chris Kingston's Viridian Thunder.

"Hunter..." a strange woman's voice calls out. You're floating in what feels like absolute nothingness. It's like all of your senses have completely vanished. The only thing you can hear is that strange voice, continually calling your name. It's getting louder, until each time your name is screamed into your ear.

You wake up suddenly, as Maria knocks on your door. "Hunter! Wake up, Sam is here!"

You get up, forcing yourself awake. That dream was bizarre. Even now it feels vivid, like it was real. It's strange, but the feeling of nothingness still lingers over you. And that voice...

You force yourself to forget about your dream and head downstairs, where you quickly scarf down your favorite breakfast of french toast, made specially for you by Maria, before heading outside.

Waiting for you, as she has for pretty much your entire life, is your best friend Sam.

Sam grins upon seeing you, holding her hands behind her back.

"Hunter! Guess what I got you for your birthday!"

> A ruby red Lancer-class Chevalier?
> A new Hoverbike built from scratch?
> An encyclopedia of various different Chevalier?
> A date?

>>1857824
> A date?

>>1857824
> A ruby red Saber-class Chevalier?
Why would you want it to be a Lancer? Do you want to die?

>>1857824
>> A ruby red Lancer-class Chevalier?

>>1857824
>> A date?
>>Exaggerated winky face

>>1857832
> A date?
>Exaggerated winky face
> but seriously. A ruby red Lancer-class Chevalier?

>>1857824
> A date?

>>1857838
>>1857837
>>1857832
>>1857827
Calling for a date! Writing now.

File: Sam Cross 5.jpg (41 KB, 512x512)

41 KB JPG

>>1857840
You grin, running a hand through your hair.

"A date?"

Judging by the look she gives you, you're pretty sure if it wasn't your birthday, she'd deck you right now. "Shut up, perv. I got you this!" she says, holding out her hands. Within, she's holding a tiny figurine, you recognize it immediately as a Titan-class Chevalier, the original model. Although nowadays Chevalier are far more advanced, you've always liked the design of the original Titan-class.

She grins as you inspect it closely, "I made it! I had to take a sculpting class, and my dad helped me with some, but I put it together! I know how you said you always liked the Titan-class, and..."

She's interrupted as you hug her suddenly. "Thank you so much, Sam!" you say. She hugs you back, a little hesitantly.

"Y-you're welcome, dork."

With that, the two of you begin your walk to school.

"Are you excited?" she asks as the two of you walk.

"For what?"

"Are you kidding me? The simulation test! It's happening today this year. Did you seriously forget?"

You blush lightly. You actually had. The simulation test is probably the biggest event of the year. Everyone enters a simulated battlefield and battle it out with Chevaliers. The winner is even eligible to get his own Chevalier, or even earn a scholarship to the Academy. Of course, every year previous, there's only been one winner, and you haven't gotten close. You're not sure why this year will be any different.

> Of course you're excited! Even if you lose, it's still fun.
> You'll probably just lose again, you're not excited.
> You know you'll win this time! Even if you don't know how...
> Write-in.

>>1857849
>> Of course you're excited! Even if you lose, it's still fun.
WE GET TO FLICK THE MIND BUTTONS

>>1857849
>> We're pumped! This is our moment! This is our time to win!

>>1857849
>> Your gonna kick everyone's ass from here to Vaahl

>>1857849
> Of course you're excited! Even if you lose, it's still fun.

>>1857849
> Of course you're excited! Even if you lose, it's still fun.

>>1857857
>>1857855
>>1857852
Come on have some confidence will yah.

>>1857849
> You know you'll win this time! Even if you don't know how...

>>1857849
>> You know you'll win this time! Even if you don't know how...

>>1857875
>>1857862
>>1857854
>>1857853
Calling for confidence!

File: Pale Crusader.jpg (64 KB, 850x609)

64 KB JPG

>>1857877
You grin.

"Of course I'm excited! This year I'm gonna beat everybody, even Aiden!" You pump your fists, and Sam giggles.

"Sure you are. Didn't he kill you immediately last year?" She teases, sticking her tongue out at you. You frown, trying to keep your bravado up. Sure, he did kill you last year, and he's won every single simulation test you've had since you were kids, and he's better than you at pretty much everything, but this year you swear, you'll beat Aiden Abrams!

"Whatever, that was last year. This year, I've got this in the bag!" You're about to continue, when a loud noise interrupts you, coming from above. You and Sam both look up to see... A white and red Chevalier, Templar-class. It looks brand new, and you've seen every Chevalier in town, since there aren't that many. Either someone got a new Chevalier, or someone from out-of-town is visiting. You notice it's flying directly towards school.

You and Sam don't need to exchange a word before both of you take off after the Chevalier. If there's any one person that could match your enthusiasm about Chevaliers, it's Sam. Of course, Sam doesn't want to be a pilot, but rather wants to work as a mechanic and engineer. She's always been interested in the machinery behind Chevaliers, and seeing a brand new Templar class must be just as exciting for her as it is for you.

It's not long until the both of you are racing down the street, trying to beat the other and become the first one to see the Chevalier.

>ROLL 1d100! Best of 3.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

Trying for luck

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>1857894

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>1857894
WOOOOO SPEED

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>1857894
Lets do it

>>1857906
>>1857905
>>1857904
>>1857908
Alright, 84! DC was 50! Writing now.

Ah your that guy who was asking questions about running a quest over in MSPQ. Good to see you finally decided to run it.

File: Aiden Abrams 2.jpg (163 KB, 600x847)

163 KB JPG

>>1857911

You surge forward. Sure, Sam is definitely more athletic than you, but at the same time, you have a lot more motivation. By the time you get to school, where the Chevalier is setting down, you're completely out of breath, and your legs feel like they've been dipped in lava, but you get to see, a Templar-class, up close and personal. The machine steals your breath, and you're left speechless as Sam catches up.

It's amazing, it's exactly like what you pictured. Your awe is interrupted when the chest of the mecha opens up, and someone you instantly recognize climbs out.

Aiden Abrams.

The most popular student in your school, a straight A-student, a great athlete, and most importantly the person who's aced the simulation test every year in a row. People call him almost as good as Chris Kingston, and the worst thing is, his family isn't rich.

You didn't know he had a Chevalier of his own. A crowd of people surround him, asking countless questions. Somehow, he treats this all like it's no big deal.

"Oh this? Someone saw my performance in the simulation tests and said I was a natural. They offered me a place in a national tournament, with this as the prize. It's name is the Pale Crusader. I'm gonna be piloting it in the simulation tests, you'll all get to see it's capabilities then." He offers a wide smile.

Sam speaks up suddenly, her eyes still fixed on the Chevalier. "It's not a base-line Templar. It's upgraded, did you do that yourself, or did you get it like that?" Everyone turns to look at you, and Aiden's gaze washes over you and Sam, almost predatory.

He approaches, "It was given to me. I admit I don't know all that much about the internals. You wanna take a closer look at it?" In one sentence he's almost completely cut you out of the picture, like you don't matter. You start to feel your blood boil as he treats like you don't even exist.

> "Having a fancy new Chevalier doesn't matter. In the simulation test today, I'm gonna beat you, Aiden."
> "Can I see it too? I know a lot about Chevalier."
> Punch him.
> Just head to class. The sooner you get the day over with, the sooner you get to the Simulation.
> Write-in.

>>1857957
> "Having a fancy new Chevalier doesn't matter. In the simulation test today, I'm gonna beat you, Aiden."

>>1857957
> "Having a fancy new Chevalier doesn't matter. In the simulation test today, I'm gonna beat you, Aiden."
> Punch him.
Preemptive strike

>>1857957
> "Having a fancy new Chevalier doesn't matter. In the simulation test today, I'm gonna beat you, Aiden."

>>1857961
>>1857957
Know what, punch him too.

>>1857957
> It's bad practice to not understand the machine you're piloting, y'know.
>>throw out some technobabble so he knows we're legit.

>>1857957
> "Having a fancy new Chevalier doesn't matter. In the simulation test today, I'm gonna beat you, Aiden."

>>1857957
> Scope out for the weakness of the mech.
>>1857975
> Also this

>>1857957

> Just head to class. The sooner you get the day over with, the sooner you get to the Simulation

>>1857977
This

Is this going to be real or super robot?

>>1857975
I'll back this

Calling!

>>1857987
Somewhere in between I suppose. It'll definitely have elements of both real and super robots.

>>1858004
Oh hi man i made the dga new episode was good.

Hmmm how many years have we gotn our asses kicked by this guy?
If its enguh times we should be able to work out how his going to attck us.
Most people dont change how they fight more so when then have won every time (way change when its still working)

File: Aiden Abrams.jpg (221 KB, 900x1286)

221 KB JPG

>>1858008

"Y'know, it's bad practice to not understand the machine you're piloting," you say, before crossing your arms over your chest. "A normal Templar-class doesn't move like yours did, it's clearly been stripped of some weight, and the engines have been upgraded." It fits Aiden's fighting style. He's fast, and doesn't like to get hit even once. It fits that they'd upgrade his Chevalier so that it's faster, even if it takes less hits. Of course, the Crusader has it's built in shield attachment, but getting behind it, and finding a way to hit it would do a hell of a lot of damage.

Aiden slowly turns to you, and the rest of the crowd seems to follow his gaze. You feel a bit nervous as what seems like the entire school stares at you, while Aiden's smile never falters. "I'm sorry... who are you?"

You grit your teeth and feel your face start to go red as the crowd of people start to laugh at you. Sam reaches out, putting a hand on your shoulder, but you quickly brush it off, stepping forward until you're face to face with Aiden.

"My name is Hunter Everett! And it doesn't matter that you have a fancy new mech, you could be piloting Viridian Thunder, and in the simulation test today, I'd still beat you!"

As a punctuation mark, you follow your words up by swinging your fist at Aiden's face, before he manages to make some snarky comeback. The crowd seems to erupt after you do that, and Aiden glares up at you, for the first time his smiling veneer beginning to crack. A teacher quickly pushes their way through the crowd and separates you before Aiden can retaliate. When the teacher asks Aiden what happened, he simply smiles. "Nothing, I was just showing off my new Chevalier. I'm fine." The teacher seems suspicious, but accepts that as an answer.

As the crowd disperses, and everyone goes to class, Aiden gives you a weird look.

> Skip class, you can't sit through history while the biggest event of your life is coming up later.
> Spend class trying to come up with strategies.
> Spend class talking to Sam.
> Just go to class and pay attention, you don't want to flunk out of school.

>>1858038
> Spend class talking to Sam.
>Flip Aiden off as you head to class

>>1858038
> Skip class, you can't sit through history while the biggest event of your life is coming up later.
We have better things to do like getting ready for the fight.

>>1858038
>> Spend class trying to come up with strategies.

>>1858038
> Spend class talking to Sam.
> Spend class trying to come up with strategies.

>>1858038
>> Spend class trying to come up with strategies.
STUDY THE FIELD OF BATTLE

>>1858038
Skip class, come up with strategies.

The Theoretical Ace don't need no school!

Also, what happens if we show a good showing at the test today, but somehow don't get selected for the Academy? Will we be a mechanic or something?

>>1858038
> Spend class trying to come up with strategies.
> Spend class talking to Sam.
Man, I am not looking forward to getting beaten by this smarmy prick rival character (because that ALWAYS happens).

>>1858052
Try again next year most likely something will happen to get us involved you can't have a mecha quest without being a pilot

>>1858052
Winning the simulated test is only the beginning to get into the academy. The academy has it's own tests, and mechanics have a completely separate entrance exam for the Academy.

>>1858055
>>1858052
>>1858050
>>1858049
>>1858048
>>1858045
>>1858044
Calling for talking to Sam and coming up with strategies! Roll 1d100 please, best of three, as before.

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>1858065

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>1858065

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>1858063
Is there a chance of promotion from mechanic to pilot?

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>1858065
Time to bring out our inner Ratsel

>>1858074
...You idle fuck. For all of 12 seconds.

>>1858074
WHY SO SLOW

>>1858066
>>1858072
>>1858073
Alright, calling for 89!
>>1858074
... Ouch.

>>1858082
Its your fault, you should have rolled better.

Rolled 53, 29, 92, 64, 85, 1, 88, 69, 68, 13 = 562 (10d100)

Testing my luck

Rolled 20, 55, 63, 89, 32, 32, 88, 24, 82, 28 = 513 (10d100)

>>1858092
Do better

File: CK3 6.jpg (18 KB, 288x450)

18 KB JPG

>>1858083
Throughout class, you sit and chat with Sam, but only absentmindedly. Your main focus is, of course, on possible strategies for the simulated test. In the test, since Aiden is the only one in the class with a Chevalier of his own, almost everyone ends up with an identical gray Spartan-class. The Spartan-class is a completely average class in every way. Average in attack, speed, defense... it's effectively the most basic, well rounded class of Chevalier available. Aiden will be piloting his own Pale Crusader, which not only means his own Chevalier will stick out from all the rest, he'll also be weaker. Harder to hit, but any hits he does take would result in serious damage. The Templar-class isn't intended to take lots of damage, and the Pale Chevalier is even worse.

Most people in the class will obviously go after Aiden, he's the obvious target, since he's won every previous year. That's a slight advantage in your favor. The Pale Crusader looks like it's armed with the Templar's basic Lance-rifle and shield, giving him decent long and short ranged capability. At mid-range, he's limited in terms of tactics. The Spartan comes equipped with a basic blaster and back-rockets, although no melee weapons.

You only become aware that you've been mumbling most of this aloud to yourself with Sam jabs you in the ribs. You look around to see almost everyone staring at you, and quickly do your best to shut up.

Still, you have a decent plan going into this. Or at least, you have enough knowledge to come up with one.

At lunch, you sit in your usual seat with Sam, flipping Aiden off as you go to sit down. Aiden only smiles at you, as he sits at a table, with a lot of other people crowded around him.

You and Sam do your usual routine of eating alone in a secluded table, until someone you don't recognize walks up. You stare for a few moments, confused as he sits down. You swear you've never seen this person in your life, until you recognize him.

Sitting in front of you, is Cameron Kingston III, younger brother of the current Chevalier World Champion. For some reason he's dressed like a street punk, despite the fact that his family is the richest family in Kingsmark.

> "Uh... hi?"
> "What do you want?"
> "What are you wearing?"
> "Do you have a Chevalier like your brother? Because I'm a huge fan of Viridian Thunder and I've always been curious, when he upgraded it, why did he choose to upgrade the core but not the engines themselves, and why are his rockets only..."

>>1858138
>> "Uh... hi?"
>If he responds
>> "Do you have a Chevalier like your brother? Because I'm a huge fan of Viridian Thunder and I've always been curious, when he upgraded it, why did he choose to upgrade the core but not the engines themselves, and why are his rockets only..."

>>1858138
>> "What do you want?"

>>1858138
> "Uh... hi?

>>1858138
> "Uh... hi?"

>>1858138
This >>1858153

but with the addition of
>Nice threads!

>>1858138
> "Uh... hi?"
>You like dudes?

>>1858153
>>1858168
>>1858169
>>1858170
>>1858174
Calling this! I'm gonna take a short break for lunch, and then I'll get to writing. If you guys have any questions or anything, now would be a decent time to ask.

>>1858185
I'm back!

File: CK3 5.jpg (15 KB, 210x240)

15 KB JPG

>>1858185
You stare at him for a few seconds, confused. You have no idea why he's dressed like he is, or even why he's sitting next to you. You and Sam exchange a confused glance, before you slowly look over and wave. "Uh... hi?"

He nods, "Hey, man. I saw how you stood up to Aiden like that, it was pretty cool. You really gonna try to beat him later?" You pause for a moment and blink, looking over at Sam.

"Uh... yeah. That's the plan, I guess." He gives a boisterous grin and hits you on the back, knocking the wind out of you. While you try to catch your breath, he talks loudly. "I'm gonna help you out. Aiden's a jerk, and he needs someone to put him in his place. You seem like you're a cool enough guy to do that!"

Sam grins as well, "Yeah! We'll help you out Hunter! I don't even wanna be a pilot anyways! Just tell us what to do and we can help."

You can't help yourself from smiling. But then, reality sinks in. "Hold on, there's no way for us to tell who's who, and they don't allow any sort of communication in the simulation."

Cameron grins, "That's no problem! I have state of the art technology, which'll allow us to communicate in the simulation and keep in touch."

You start to hesitate, is this how you wanna do this?

> No, you want to beat Aiden alone.
> No, you'll accept help, but not by cheating.
> Hell yes! Aiden can bring his own Chevalier in, why can't you bring a secret weapon?

>>1858239
>> Hell yes! Aiden can bring his own Chevalier in, why can't you bring a secret weapon?
FIGHT THE SYSTEM

>>1858239
> Hell yes! Aiden can bring his own Chevalier in, why can't you bring a secret weapon?

>>1858239
> Hell yes! Aiden can bring his own Chevalier in, why can't you bring a secret weapon?

>>1858239
>> No, you want to beat Aiden alone.
Whats the point of beating him if you don't fight fair.

>>1858239
> Hell yes! Aiden can bring his own Chevalier in, why can't you bring a secret weapon?
All's fair in love and (super robot) wars.

>>1858239
> No, you want to beat Aiden alone.
We're a shonen protagonist, we don't need no cheats.

You guys realize we challenged him in front of the whole school and if we beat him by cheating were going to look like a giant faggot.

>>1858239
> No, you'll accept help, but not by cheating.

>>1858239
> No, you'll accept help, but not by cheating.

>>1858239
>> No, you'll accept help, but not by cheating.

>>1858252
>>1858246
>>1858243
>>1858241
Calling it for cheating!

>>1858302
Wow good job invalidating the whole fight anons.

>>1858317
Like the guy taking the ace custom machine against a bunch of grunts wasn't making a mockery of it to begin with.

>>1858338
True, besides which, no one ever said we were perfect. Making mistakes just gives our protagonist an opportunity to learn and grow later on

>>1858338
Hey didn't go and challenge us in front of everyone with no provocation and then immediately try to cheat. Besides its just as weak as all the other suits, we even know what its weak to and what distance its fucked at.

File: Aiden Abrams 5.jpg (41 KB, 500x498)

41 KB JPG

>>1858302
You think on it for a minute, while you'd like to beat him alone, or without cheating... you know it can't happen. He's got the Pale Crusader, which, no matter how you slice it, is better than the generic Spartan-class. A specialized Chevalier, even if it has weaknesses, is always better than a generic one. You need to take any advantage you can if you're gonna win.

"Yeah, let's do it!"

Cameron grins, giving you a thumbs-up, which you quickly mimic. "Alright, I'll get to work on setting it up. You're a cool dude, Hunter! Remember, you gotta come up with a plan, or none of this works, okay? Give 'em hell."

Alright, with that, you spend the rest of your classes planning and hanging out with Sam and Cameron. It feels like an unbearably long wait, as seconds seem to crawl into hours, but eventually it's time for the simulated test. As you walk in, you bump into Aiden, who's surrounded by another flock of people. They all turn to glare at you, except for Aiden, a smile still fixed on his face, despite the bruise you gave him.

He steps forward, and places a hand on his shoulder, and for once you feel like his smile is genuine. "I don't know why, but for the first time in years... I feel like I might actually have competition. Thank you, Hunter. I look forward to our battle."

You're... shocked. That didn't even seem sarcastic... Maybe he was just trying to play mind games? He seemed actually genuine...

As everyone enters, a teacher explains the rules for the exam. "In this exam, you will all be put on a battlefield. Everyone that doesn't already have a Chevalier will battle with a standard Spartan-class. Disabling your opponents earn you points, however, earning more points makes your Chevalier more visible, and disabling an opponent with more kills is worth more points."

You approach your set up for the simulation and you start to think. You are incredibly nervous, you have to do this, right? This might be your best chance...

Wait, what's your plan for this again?
> Coordinate with Sam and Cameron, have the two of them serve as a distraction for him while you get behind him.
> Have Sam and Cameron help you rack up points amongst the weaker opponents.
> Don't coordinate and fight him one-on-one.
> Write-in.

>>1858317
SHOW ME WHERE IN THE RULES IT SAYS A DOG CANT PILOT A MECH

>>1858352
>> Don't coordinate and fight him one-on-one.
Fuck off with cheating, be and man and beat him like one.

>>1858352
> Coordinate with Sam and Cameron, have the two of them serve as a distraction for him while you get behind him

>>1858352
> Write-in.
>Work together to survive to the climax of the battle, Aiden will almost certainly make it there as well. At that point, take him on fair and square.

>>1858352
>> Don't coordinate and fight him one-on-one
>Aim for structural weaknesses

>>1858352
> Coordinate with Sam and Cameron, have the two of them serve as a distraction for him while you get behind him

>>1858349
Deciding that cheating immediately after challenging someone isn't a mistake, its a part of your personality and shows your not only a shitty person but a coward.

>>1858366
This

>>1858374
or maybe it's fine to cheat when the other person did the equivalent of taking a real gun to a bb gun fight.

>>1858352
>>1858366
I'll back this.

>>1858382
I don't think you understand what I'm complaining about.

>>1858366
>>1858377
>>1858383
Calling for this!

>>1858352
> Write-in.
>Work together to survive to the climax of the battle, Aiden will almost certainly make it there as well then gang bang him
But try to attcj the others for a bit of a show then once the main guy is doen its a free for all.

>>1858385
I understand that you're still complaining about it even though it was two decisions ago now. Let it go.

File: Spartan Class.jpg (404 KB, 800x1136)

404 KB JPG

>>1858394
You settle on a plan. You just need Sam and Cameron's help to get to the final battle with Aiden. You know he'll be alive till the end, he probably won't even get touched once. You just need to make sure you get there too. You're not as fast as the Pale Crusader, so you wouldn't normally be able to avoid as many attacks as him, but with help...

Sure, fighting Aiden himself will be a totally different beast, but you'll burn that bridge when you get to it. For now, you just have to make it there. As you enter the simulation, you feel strangely like you did in your dream for a few moments... and then you open your eyes, and you're inside the Spartan-class.

"Hey. Can you guys hear me?" you call out, hoping Cameron managed to set it up well.

"Yeah!" You hear Sam's cheerful voice call out soon after.

"Loud n' clear." Cameron sounds both like he doesn't care at all, and like he's insanely proud of what happened. You wonder how he manages it.

"Alright, form up on me, we just need to make it till the battle starts to get more focused. Then, I wanna take Aiden on one-on-one, okay?"

"Are you sure about that, Hunter?"

"Yeah dude, I dunno if you can take him. I dunno as much about Chevaliers as you two do, but... his looked pretty bitchin'."

You grin, and give a thumbs-up, which your Chevalier copies. "Of course I can!"

As the two others show up, you start to relay more of the specifics of your plan. You get a bit too engrossed however, because it's not long before Sam screams, "Look out!"

An enemy Spartan class is diving at you, firing his blaster directly towards you.

>Roll 1d100 to dodge!

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>1858424

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>1858424
as a big green dude once told to a 4 year old monkey boy
DOOOODGE

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>1858424
Remember guts and courage

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>1858424
Planing and team work win evey time over better gear
And of course all is fare in love and war

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>1858424

>>1858426
Not with a doge roll like that

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>1858424

>>1858425
>>1858426
>>1858428
Whew, just barely passed! DC was 70! Writing now.

>>1858432>>1858426
Its accurate to the source material at least

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>1858424

>>1858426
Should have referenced Mecha instead of Shonen.

>>1858437
True you got that going for you.

>>1858435
As the opponent lunges at you, you dodge out of the way, just barely avoiding the blaster fire coming from the attacker. It tries to turn, but whoever's attacking you, they clearly aren't as used to maneuvering as they are aiming. Not to mention, an attack like that's basically suicide in a Spartan-class if you miss. You dive after it, driving the knee of your Chevalier into it's chest, while you aim your blaster at it's head. You fire, quickly managing to disable it. You grin as you receive a notification telling you you've gotten one point.

A guy like this would probably be one of the first to die no matter what, especially since he was trying to ambush you, which implies he doesn't have much faith in his abilities as a pilot.

You look out, over the main battlefield. You're currently on the outskirts of it, where you're mostly safe, but won't be able to pick up many points. The main battle is raging mostly in the middle of the battlefield. You see a white blur weaving in and out in a mass of gray Spartan-classes. The Pale Crusader... You have to decide what to do from here.

>Wait the battle out where you are.
> Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get.
> Fire from up here. You probably won't get many kills, but it won't exactly hurt.
> Write-in.

>>1858455
>> Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get.
No better way to get good than diving into the thick of it.

>>1858455
> Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get.

>>1858455
> Fire from up here. You probably won't get many kills, but it won't exactly hurt.

>>1858455
> Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get.

>>1858455
>> Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get.

>>1858455
>Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get

>>1858455
>>> Head into the main battlefield with Sam and Cameron, see what you can get.
BERSERKER MODE

>>1858475
We aren't Roarke, speaking of what type of weapon should we go for in this? I'm thinking a focus on melee with missile back up.

>>1858457
>>1858459
>>1858466
>>1858467
>>1858468
>>1858475
Calling for diving into the battle!

>>1858479
Man, people always want to go melee, it's tedious. Lets go for an option that's less common but just as cool, like heavy weapons or electronic warfare/support or tricky gimmicks or something.

>>1858491
At the end of the day melee is always the best choice, considering it lets anons get plenty of action and is generally incredibly important/versatile. Problem with Heavy Weapons focus is you sacrificing speed and ability to fight in cqc which can really fuck you up.

>>1858497
So bring a weapon for close quarters as well. I mean, what little we've seen so far makes me think he'd be better for something more technical, but my own preference in this kind of stuff is always maximum armour and a gun for every situation and a few more besides. How viable that is depends on the system.

File: Pmx-003.jpg (37 KB, 310x436)

37 KB JPG

>>1858503
I go for The O as my build of choice usually.

>>1858479
Lets just borrow Amos's ability to ruin everyone's day with missiles

>>1858508
Amos got his ass kicked by Clemmy pretty quickly though. And even if he made a one in a million shot he still isn't as lucky as Roarke in general.

File: BlackRain02.jpg (89 KB, 600x597)

89 KB JPG

>>1858497
>>1858508
>>1858503
I mean, we can do both...

>>1858512
No one is as Lucky as Roarke
And poor Clemmy nearly died to Red's lasers

>>1858518
Because she had to fight the worst enemy she could ever fight, and didn't even have bits then. She would do much better if they fought again.

>>1858522
That's because Karen would never upgrade the Archen, even if Roarke begged her to

>>1858525
Once again proving how shit Karen is.

>>1857925
Also Slibbs isn't the guy who was asking Wong about running a mecha quest
I asked him about that in the discord he was shilling this quest in

>>1858527
Sam and Clemmy are the best Waifus
Should have left Karen in little sister character hell

I was thinking a heavy gauss carbine and a vibro blade for load out.

>>1858485
You're not gonna just sit and let the battle fight itself. Even if Aiden has a cool new Chevalier, and you've never won one of these simulations, you're still one of the best pilots in class. "C'mon, Sam, Cameron! We're heading into the battle!"

"Are you sure about that dude?"

You nod, and before anyone else can respond, you dash into the battle, Cameron and Sam following you. You see above you, the Pale Crusader soars. It's practically glowing and as you look up, you see... Aiden has scored 14 kills. The exam has only been going for three minutes! You have to catch up! You need to!

> Chase after big points, looking for some way to catch up.
> Even if someone hasn't gotten a single kill, that's still one point for you!
> Stick to the plan, you just need to survive right now.

>>1858550
> Stick to the plan, you just need to survive right now
>Gun down all the easy targets on the outskirts of the main fight

>>1858550
>> Chase after big points, looking for some way to catch up.
The more big targets we get the better showing we put on which will make it easier for us to impress whoever is watching.

>>1858550
> Even if someone hasn't gotten a single kill, that's still one point for you!
Shoot for the middle. Get too many points and WE become a primo target.

>>1858550
>Even if someone hasn't gotten a single kill, that's still one point for you.

>>1858550
> Even if someone hasn't gotten a single kill, that's still one point for you!

>>1858557
We don't know what they're looking for. Maybe the prize sound judgement over acting like a big dick hotshot gloryhound.

>>1858558
But becoming a primo target makes it easier for us to get into the academy even if we lose. It looks better taking down aces than grunts.

>>1858564
Just beat Aiden at the end, ezpz.

>>1858550
>> Stick to the plan, you just need to survive right now.

>>1858550
> Stick to the plan, you just need to survive right now.

>>1858563
Our goal seems to be getting into the arena circuit rather than the military. What people would want in the arena would be 100% combat skills.

We have a plan, we should stick with it. Fighting strategically gives a better chance at victory than just throwing ourselves into fights

>>1858571
From my understanding of Hunter's character, it definitely seems like his primary goal is just to be a pilot right now, regardless of what that entails. Of course, I'm the QM, so I don't want my opinion coloring what you guys think,

>>1858550
>> Stick to the plan, you just need to survive right now.

>>1858580
Switching to
> Even if someone hasn't gotten a single kill, that's still one point for you!

>>1858554
>>1858558
>>1858560
>>1858562
>>1858585
Calling! Roll 1d100 please!

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>1858597

>>1858550
>> Stick to the plan, you just need to survive right now.
Dance around the outside finshing people off
Its about wining not beening a hero.
Also beening a hero makes you a biger target and there more likey to die in combate and ganged up on
Kill stealing here we go.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>1858597

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>1858597

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>1858597

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>1858597

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>1858597

>>1858599
aaaaa

>>1858601
Except the entire point of this whole thing is to test your skill as a pilot.

>>1858599
>>1858602
>>1858603
>>1858607
>>1858609
>>1858612
Ouch. DC was 75. First failure in the quest!

>>1858558
>>1858560
>>1858562
>>1858585


>>1858567
>>1858568
>>1858582
>>1858556

Wasn't the vote tied?

>>1858625
Oh, you're right! Thanks for catching that before I wrote too much. In that case, I'll keep the dice but wait for the tie breaker vote to decide, if that's good with everyone.

>>1858630
You could roll a d2 for it if you don't want to wait for a tie breaker

>>1858630
What about that one guy who deleted his vote after you called it? Does his vote just not count anymore?

>>1858620
Isnt beening able to still be standing count as a skill?
Isnt beening able to use team skills to beat a stronger person count?
And this is for training people to be solders you dont want they to die rushing in couse mah skill.

A wars going to break out and who do you think is going to be fighting in it?
I would rather be staning then die an hero.
Also we arnt the best one around so gota out think and postion better

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1858635
He deleted it to switch his vote.
>>1858634
Good idea!
1 for going for small points.
2 for sticking to the plan.

>>1858636
Waiting for your troops to do the hard work so you can swoop into steal their kills while doing none of the works is something heavily frond upon. Basically sitting out the fight so you have a better chance to take down the ace is frond upon too. This is a test of piloting skill for a scholarship to the academy. If you want to get stuck on a ship as a strategist and not be a pilot fine.

>>1858642
Ace fighter pilots literally live or die based on ambushing and picking off weaker pilots. How do you think the Red Baron got almost all of his 80 kills?

>>1858642
Do you know how snipers works?
Or any type of surport?
Or even recon, strike teams?
Living and completeing the mission i would think would be more important then trying to make a name for yourslef fighting in the thick of it.

Not to mteaion getting a kill on an ace would help every one and hurt moral to the other team.

And we can be a strategist pilot and still fight not to metion we wont be in any postion not go into thr fight if ordered.

I would rther be something more usefull then basic grunt front line meat bag thats just used to sheild the other aces

File: Hunter Everett 1.png (373 KB, 433x700)

373 KB PNG

>>1858638
You decide you need to get some points of your own, so that even if everything goes poorly, you won't end up with only one point. At the same time, you don't want to make a target of yourself and get too many points too quickly. So, you decide to fight and take out some of the enemies that haven't gotten a lot of kills yet. You see one, desperately trying to avoid getting killed, without any kills yet. You take steady aim before unloading the Spartan's gun into the enemy. They notice you immediately, and try to boost away. You tell Cameron and Sam to get after him, knocking him down so that you can finish him off... except someone else noticed your attacks and seemed to have had the same idea as you.

You feel a stabbing pain as an unseen opponent unleashes their blaster into your back. You try to dodge out of the way, but you're too slow, and take a lot of gunfire before getting out of the way. You curse, his attack managed to disable your missiles... that's one less weapon in your arsenal against Aiden.

> Go up for a melee attack.
> Just blast him to smithereens.
> Get out of here, this is a bad situation.

>>1858691
>> Just blast him to smithereens.

>>1858661
Fighter pilots aren't the same as mecha. It would be easier to compare them to infantry than them.

>>1858681
Why would they ever put a strategist in a mecha? They would put you on a ship so you had an overview of the battlefield and could give commands to all units across the battle. Support corps are incredibly boring to play considering how you do nothing. Recon still requires good piloting and so do snipers.

>>1858691
> Go up for a melee attack.

>>1858691
>> Go up for a melee attack.
Dragon fist!

>>1858691
> Go up for a melee attack.

>>1858691
Melee attack. Get past the shields easier

>>1858691
Just blast him to smithereens
As we back off

Man all these people wanting to do some cqc without a wepon.

>>1858691
> Go up for a melee attack.

>>1858691
> Go up for a melee attack.

>>1858691
>Go up for a melee attack.

>>1858695
>>1858697
>>1858698
>>1858711
>>1858713
>>1858715
>>1858703
We have no melee weapon and if we miss we autodie. We're in a mook suit guys.

File: 1490996401979.jpg (63 KB, 358x400)

63 KB JPG

>>1858710
>>1858719
>Not trusting in mecha cqc

>>1858721
We just have to Channel Hunters inner Roarke

>>1858695
Then I should point out there is a very good reason that Infantry do not sprint directly into a firefight and instead stick to cover.

>>1858721
>Trying to cqc in a mecha that has no ability to cqc

We are not a gundam, we are a mook. Mook mecha in cqc die horribly. Cardinal rule of mecha.

>>1858691
> Just blast him to smithereens.

>>1858695
>Why would they ever put a strategist in a mecha?
They don't just toss meatheads with fast reflexes in fighters (which are similarly selective and thus yes, comparable). You need a solid grasp of all kinds of tactics, manoeuvres and counter manoeuvres before they'll put you out there.

>>1858731
Not when their piloted by the plucky young ace they aren't.

>>1858734
But if you specialize in tactics they won't want to waste you and risk you dying in a battle so they'll keep you to the ships.

>>1858695
Spiners and recon both dont fight in the thick of it and let the front line grunts do the bluck of the fighting
Well takeing out key aces or buildings and other higher upps.
Pretty sure they make the battle/ mission better then just raning in there like lerroy Jenkins

We not that good yet
More like small scale squad tactics
Long way to go befor they reakon we amart enguh to just put on a ship.
But at the same time we would bw boss other people around lol deask work.

Also beening able to take the emmany without getting your team mates killed is better then beening a hero

Us keading a squid/ team more likey to make us squaid leader then a beach warmer

>>1858737
Jesus anon learn to type.

>>1858695
>>1858697
>>1858698
>>1858703
>>1858711
>>1858713
>>1858715
Calling for CQC! Gimme another 1d100! I have faith in you guys.

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>1858740

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>1858740

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>1858740
ORA ORA

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>1858740

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>1858740

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>1858740
>>1858739
Naver

>>1858747
89 with a DC of 85! Good job!

>>1858756
Cutting it close arent we mate

>>1858736
I realize I'm being extremely pedantic here and I'm sorry but strategy and tactics are not interchangeable.

Tactics are small-scale, immediate objective actions. Lieutenants and other field commanders handle tactics.

Strategy is large-scale, including logistics and administration, as well as deciding the overall objectives of the campaign. Generals and other staff officers handle strategy.

>>1858756
When it comes to mecha cqc I'm da best.

>>1858759
No your fine it is a big difference. If anons want to be a tactician then they would have to show that they can plan during a battle, but also they have the skills needed to warrant them being a squad leader. I'm arguing against the anons who just want to basically sit out the fight and let everyone else do the work so they get easy kills.

File: Sam Cross 7.jpg (73 KB, 639x935)

73 KB JPG

>>1858756
The Spartan isn't built for close-quarters combat, everyone knows that. Which is why your opponent isn't expecting you to close the gap between you, hitting him with a fist that sends him reeling backwards. You follow up by pouncing on him, driving your fist into the Chevalier's head, over and over again, until eventually, all that's left is a mess of scrap metal and sparking electrical parts. You see another notification pop up. Five more points, giving you a total of six, and leaving you in a respectable ninth place. You've made top ten, which does paint a bit of a target on your back. And you've already taken a pretty big blow. At the same time, the pack is thinning, lots of Chevalier are getting destroyed, and Aiden is, as expected, pulling out with a massive lead at 21 kills. You look up and around you, searching for the white blue soaring above you, but... it's gone. Where is he?

"Hunter!" You hear Sam cry out from behind you. You turn, just to see her Spartan leap in front of you, and the Pale Crusader's lance-rifle impaling her. You watch as his score becomes 22.

> Flee, it's not time yet!
> He hurt your friend! Charge him!
> Open fire!
> Cameron's still here, get his help!

>>1858767
Buddy its looking like you bitching about us not beening the midles trying to fight 20 other people at once and then worying about the templer thats ass raming everyone near him and thinkin we can win just by raning in there.
Im more about hunting around the outside and just get fucked within 5 secounds of enter that cluster fuck thats thr main fight

Is your weird mc houner thing hurt couse we not trying to go toe to toe with too many people?

>>1858779
>> Cameron's still here, get his help!
TEAM ATTACK FOR GREAT FRIENDSHIP

>>1858779
>> Open fire!
> Cameron's still here, get his help!

>>1858779
> Open fire!
Avenge Sam

>>1858779
>> Open fire!
> Cameron's still here, get his help!
Time to pmay bait for a team attck

>>1858779
>He Hurt your friend, Charge him.
If we get Cameron in here it could blow the whole we are communicating open. If we attack him while he has trapped his weapon, we can get him now

>>1858779
> Cameron's still here, get his help!

>>1858779
>> He hurt your friend! Charge him!
Lances are useless when you get close and personal.

>>1858792
he has a blade dude

we used a Lance rifle, aka gun

also he's a speed build flier

>>1858797
So we grab him. One good blow is all we need, and we are able to take more close combat damage than him

>>1858779
> Open fire!
> Cameron's still here, get his help!
Act as a distraction while Cameron comes from behind

>>1858797
Most people in the class will obviously go after Aiden, he's the obvious target, since he's won every previous year. That's a slight advantage in your favor. The Pale Crusader looks like it's armed with the Templar's basic Lance-rifle and shield, giving him decent long and short ranged capability. At mid-range, he's limited in terms of tactics. The Spartan comes equipped with a basic blaster and back-rockets, although no melee weapons.
He has the lance we have a blaster. No one has a sword.

>>1858779
> Cameron's still here, get his help!

A distraction might expose the Crusader long enough for us to put a round through it.

>>1858779
> Open fire!
> Cameron's still here, get his help!

>>1858792
Oh for fuck's sake.
>Opponent has a melee weapon
>We don't
>Opponent said to be weakest at mid range
>Clearly close combat is the best option!

>>1858808
Have you ever seen a lance before? When your in fist distance its completely useless.

>>1858811
unless he, you know shield bashes us back,. which anyone borderline competent would do.

>>1858808
To be fair, we're already pretty much touching him.

>>1858808
I know right its like people dont read or rember what hapoened a few posts ago
And think becouse we are mc we can kick anyones ass and just relling on lucky rolls

>>1858816
He has said he doesn't know the mech very well. Hes only played sims against ai, which won't wrestle with him.

>>1858816
So go on the other side of his lance, he has Sam stuck on it so he can't use it reliably and his shield is covering his other side.

>>1858824
a shield bash is fucking basic anon. If he can't figure out to do that he's not even on our level.


>>1858828
you assume he can't pull it out quick, which a lance is designed for.

>>1858811
Aiden isn't that guy we bumrushed, he's not an idiot and he's in a much more agile mech AND he's more skilled pilot than us. This is dumb.

>>1858816
Plus, y'know, you can still clobber someone with a lance, it's certainly a far better club than a fist is.

>>1858831
His lance impailed Sam which implied she is a decent way down it and it will take a second or two to get her off of it. And her mech is going to weigh down his lance and his mech as long as she's on it.

>>1858782
>>1858784
>>1858787
>>1858788
>>1858790
>>1858800
>>1858806
>>1858808
Calling for blasting Pale Crusader and having Cameron act as a distraction.
Give me 1d100 please!

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>1858845

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>1858845

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>1858845

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>1858845

>>1858840
This is Zap Brannigan tier "Clog their weapons with the bodies of our allies, then they can't fight back!" tactical planning.

>>1858851
Its not like we planed to get her caught, were just making use of what happened which is tactics.

>>1858851
And that plan worked perfectly.
As will this one.

>>1858857
Also, this way the communicator isn't shown up.

>>1858846
81! With a DC of 80. You guys just keep cutting it close.

>>1858863
WEW
DONT GET COCKY KID

>>1858863
Out of curiosity would our plan of charging while Sam was on the lance have worked?

>>1858874
If we beat DC then yeah