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You are Carya Marseille-O'Hara, a Captain and newtype mobile suit pilot in the Colony Transit Fleet. So far your stay on Luna has made it seem that trouble will never stop following you wherever you go, as it seems that every single time you try and do something you practically trip over another conspiracy, or else someone comes after you as part of a conspiracy. First it was the Von Braun branch of Anaheim Electronics asking for your help in testing a new mobile suit clearly designed for use by your newtype-heavy organization, a weapon which disturbingly enough supports full AI integration. Though it did allow your sister's soul to take the machine over by sharing your brainwaves, it also begs a whole series of questions about the more widespread use of AI in combat roles. ALICE, the only truly 'intelligent' AI you've worked with or even ever heard of, is one thing... mass-produced shadows whose emotional responses and ethical concerns are dictated purely by lines of code rather than by independent thought and experience are quite another.

Then there was the Lunar military's attempt to force your mobile suit down while you tested its maneuvering capabilities, an obvious move to create an opportunity for industrial espionage. They had to settle for photographs, as you managed to resist their strongarm tactics long enough to resolve the situation peacefully, but this too falls into a disturbing pattern.

Now, after having agreed to help Artesia Som Deikun lure her brother out of hiding in Von Braun's lower levels, or at least expose the man posing as her brother for unknown ends, you've stopped a kidnapping of a potentially talented newtype girl. Unfortunately, you were moments too late to prevent the murder of the girl's father, apparently some influential lobbyist if you're understanding the police chatter.

“The next step depends on young miss Paraya here,” Artesia insists, carefully placing things back in the girl's hands while trying not to overwhelm her. “Quess, do you want to help us catch the men responsible for your father's murder? The ones who tried to kidnap you?”

The girl leans out the doorway as a policeman in uniform carries a forensics kit into the room next door, presumably to begin examining her father's body for any evidence the gunmen may have left that could corroborate and supplement your own story.

“What do I have to do?”
>1/2
>>
>>952402
It's actually a rather simple plan, literally so simple a child could pull it off.

Non-ferrous tracking devices will be placed on Quess's person: one in her left shoe, one in the elastic of her underwear, and one swallowed in a capsule. She'll then be released into “protective custody” by the local police, who will put out a series of statements detailing the nature of the crime and their response to it. Adenaur Paraya was killed while taking his daughter to the Newtype Clinic in an event seemingly unrelated whatsoever to newtypes, most likely a robbery of or an attempt at extorting the lobbyist that went wrong. Quess survived the incident unharmed and the perpetrators went down in a gun battle with police who cut them off in the garage, she's been released into police protective custody by request of the Colony Transit Fleet until such time as they can send a newtype officer to properly assess her condition and ability.

Then when Char, or whoever the man claiming to be Char, comes back for a second attempt at kidnapping? You simply follow him to his lair and grab her, ideally using the Sericea and your new mobile suit to destroy the mobile suits this man has smuggled into Von Braun.

“So are you following us so far?” you ask the girl, who's sat quietly through your detailed explanation.

She nods. “I... think so. But who is this man really, and what has he done wrong?”

“If it's really my brother he's always been something of a loose cannon,” Artesia explains sadly. “Our father was probably murdered by the Zabi family, and for years my brother waged a private war against everything Zeon had become. Now I don't think he knows what to do with himself, which is dangerous for a man like him.”

“And so you'll kill him?”

Artesia shakes her head, admitting her uncertainty about the point. “If he puts others at risk, and killing him would end that risk, then I feel we have no choice.”

>Agreed. The safety of Von Braun comes first, Char... or whoever this is... comes a distant second.
>We'll see when we get to that point, we don't even know if it's really him yet.
>Killing our old friend's brother, regardless of who he's chosen to be, isn't our first choice.
>Actually, we'd prefer to take him alive. If he's dead we won't get any information out of him.
>Other?
>>
>>952418
>Actually, we'd prefer to take him alive. If he's dead we won't get any information out of him.
We don't really know if any future attempts to kidnap other potential Newtypes would stop even if the ringleader has been apprehended. Better to get some info first as much as possible.
>>
>>952427
So, my one voter. Would you mind if I take this fairly slow?
>>
>>952471
Yeah, I guess that's fine.
>>
>>952418
>Actually, we'd prefer to take him alive. If he's dead we won't get any information out of him.
Also to know if he knows anything about the whole nuclear terrorism thing
>>
>>952474
It's just that one vote doesn't really make a "consensus", especially when this quest typically draws ~8-10 people. So I figure give it some extra time. It's not like /qst/ is a fast board.
>>
>>952418
>Actually, we'd prefer to take him alive. If he's dead we won't get any information out of him.
As dangerous as he is, he is most dangerous when leading a group of followers.
>>
>>952418
>Killing our old friend's brother, regardless of who he's chosen to be, isn't our first choice.
>>
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>>952486
“Actually,” you interrupt, “we would rather take him in alive if that's at all possible.”

Artesia glances at you curiously. “What? I never thought you'd lean that direction.”

“We don't particularly care about your brother,” you tell her, correcting any misunderstandings immediately, “aside from the fact that you still worry about him. Mostly we need to know his associates, the extent of his activities, that sort of thing. If his presence here is part of a larger movement we would prefer to know that sooner rather than later.”

“I suppose you have a point...”

As Artesia ponders the point, you notice Quess fidgeting quietly. A one-eyed glance prompts her into voicing her concerns. “So what does this man want from me? And what makes you any better than him?”

“Newtypes have been used as weapons since the One Year War,” you tell her in response, briefly revealing your glass eye under its patch to illustrate the point before covering it again. “We will not lie to you, we discovered our abilities in the same context Char did amidst social, technical, and medical experiments intended to draw out our full potential in combat. We... tend to think along those lines ourselves, and to our knowledge Char has never tried to stop. In his world other newtypes are tools, just as he himself is an instrument.”

“Young newtypes are lucky,” Rossweisse adds quietly despite the presence of someone she doesn't know in the conversation. “Even my generation...”

“Part of the reason things changed is because we, and others like us, helped change it,” you attempt to reassure her. “And though it may seem to you that what we offer is the same as Char's intentions, to use you, there is one critical difference: Char would have you kidnapped. He would structure your choices, cajole, manipulate... he does it well.”

“If you say no to us, that's not a problem. We'll still see to it you're taken care of, and you can go about your life as best you can.”

“I have no family anymore,” Quess tells you. “How would you 'take care of me', train me to be a soldier like you?”

>If you want, it could be arranged.
>No. Children shouldn't be on the battlefield, and I'm sure Artesia has an alternative.
>Our organization specializes in it, and the training would be in your best interests.
>Other?
>>
>>952562
>Our organization specializes in it, and the training would be in your best interests.
>Other?
"And no, the training we offer isn't as a soldier, but as a navigator and starship captain. It's simply that, since most Newtypes were soldiers, self-defense and command training is something we ended up including because it looked prudent at the time. Space pirates are a problem you have to deal with when you're a space captain, after all."
>>
>>952562
>Other?
I think asking what she had in mind before this whole fiasco would at least give us a handle on what Quess is potentially capable of.

>Our organization specializes in it, and the training would be in your best interests.
Depending on her aptitude, the CTF might have something for Quess. Ideally, not direct combat related, but with the nature of space travel and the value of Newtypes in said endeavor, getting drawn into a battle carries with it a pretty high certainty.
>>
>now is the time for writing
>>
>>952611
“That is what our organization specializes in,” you admit. “We were originally a military unit, ace mobile suit pilots given great operational freedom and dedicated technical support. Since then we've grown out of that role... ace newtype pilots are still a common sight of course, but we're more concerned with navigating interstellar ships. Keeping them safe from hazards and piracy.”

“You want me to command a starship?” she asks a little incredulously.

“Command, probably not at first,” you admit. “That requires years of experience. But to navigate one is a task only trained and talented newtypes can do.”

“We also have a diplomatic role,” Artesia adds. “Though for some of us ethics are a bit of a concern.”

“Ethics?”

“We can often tell when someone is lying,” Artesia explains more carefully, “or even make somewhat more... potent suggestions.”

“You mean like mind control?”

“Not exactly,” Rossweisse corrects the girl's enthusiastic assumption.

“It's more like force of personality,” you explain. “For example we couldn't make you do crazy stuff, like kill yourself or anything. But if we really wanted to make you cooperate with us, we probably could. That's what the real Char tends to be good at.”

“So I wouldn't have to kill anyone?”

“You might,” you observe carefully. “All newtypes in the CTF learn basic military strategy and self-defense techniques. It's not always safe out there, so we need to know what each candidate is good at, reinforce their basic skills where they're not so great, and make sure they can stay alive if something goes wrong.”

“I think I understand,” Quess finally nods, seeming to understand that what you're offering is not so simply defined as “technician”, or “navigator”, or “leader”, or even “soldier”.

“Good,” you nod. “Glad we could clear it up. So, are you ready to do this?”

“I think I am. But I'm still confused about one thing: why do you use the royal we?”

>Explain in simple terms.
>Refuse outright.
>Offer to explain when this is done.
>Other?
>>
>>952642
>Explain in simple terms.
>Other
This is one example of newtype abuse our organization fights against.
>>
>>952642
>>Explain in simple terms.
>>
>>952642
>Explain in simple terms.
>>
>>952642
>Explain in simple terms.
Wait, is this about Newtypes in general, the CTF, or the old gang of the Grim Guard as a whole being referred to here? Or is it about the thing with Carya sharing headspace with Catrina? Artesia was also using 'we' in this instance, so I'm a little bit iffy on whether it's just CC's usual word mannerisms here.

In case it's mostly the latter, leave Quess to expand her mind and figure it out for herself.
>>
>am and have been writing
>>
>>952719
“Well, remember what you said when we first met?”

Quess narrows her eyes at you, focusing her senses as best she knows how. “As if there were two people there... a split personality?”

“Close,” you reply. “When I speak I do so for two distinct people, myself and my sister. That sort of arrangement happens sometimes when morons are allowed to run newtype research with no oversight.”

Or political oversight that just doesn't give a shit.

Fair point. The real difference between the Grim Guard and Zeon is that you actually had a reason to care about the well-being of the newtypes you took responsibility for. Zeon wasn't concerned about such things.

“Well,” you correct yourself, “oversight that doesn't care is just as bad, and that's what got us where we are.”

Thanks.

“So somehow your sister ended up...” Quess gestures at you vaguely. “Inside you somewhere?”

“Basically.”

“That may actually be the most disturbing thing I've ever heard.”

You frown. “Hey, that's not nice. We may be two people stuck in one body, but we're both still human.”

“Sorry.”

“I guess you really can't be expected to know much about dealing with other newtypes,” you sigh. “We'll have to work on that. Now, take off your shoes and pull down your pants a little.”

After fitting her clothes with the two tracking devices you mentioned to her earlier, then having her swallow the third with a little water, she's ready to leave with the local police for the second part of your plan.

“Don't worry,” you tell her quietly. “We'll be looking out for you.”

The local police escort the young newtype away, and your little group heads back towards the Sericea.

“Well, I suppose I'll have to thank you for dinner and a show,” Artesia sighs.

>Why don't you stick around with us for a while? At least for the duration of this operation.
>We could use your help if this is the real Char. He might actually listen to his sister.
>It may be for the best to go our separate ways.
>Other?
>>
>>952754
>>Why don't you stick around with us for a while? At least for the duration of this operation.
>>
>>952754
>Why don't you stick around with us for a while? At least for the duration of this operation.
>>
>>952754
>>Why don't you stick around with us for a while? At least for the duration of this operation.
Partially for safeguarding, but mostly for any insight Artesia can offer from her time spent here.

Oh, and give her a heads up on Cima. Unless she went to a proper, local dive bar after all that time spent in a space pirate asteroid. Maybe she and Artesia can bounce ideas regarding any ships that transited to Luna with Cuithe on their path? Might narrow down any leads on suspicious ships that could've smuggled MS parts to be assembled.
>>
>>952754
>Why don't you stick around with us for a while? At least for the duration of this operation.
>>
>writing
>>
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>>952812
“Actually, we could use the extra hand,” you tell Artesia.

She shakes her head. “I was never much of a soldier, and definitely wasn't much good with a mobile suit. I'd just get in the way.”

“You should be with us if we end up facing your brother,” you insist quietly. “And if you're really concerned you won't be pulling your weight or something like that, between you and Cima you may be able to puzzle out the most likely ways mobile suits could be smuggled into Von Braun.”

“I suppose I could,” Artesia seems to relent. “Okay, I'll come along.”

After arriving at the Sericea you briefly introduce Artesia and Cima, who share a somewhat cool reunion before agreeing to get straight to work as you join Rossweisse on the bridge.

“So we have a few options,” Rossweisse muses aloud. “I could bring the Viola as backup, or we could use this new weapon.”

I would be taking charge of that for close support duties, while Rossweisse stays with the ship. She's likely thinking about what would happen in case this starts a fight.

“You wouldn't be planning to maneuver the Sericea in close quarters with Von Braun, correct?”

“No,” she replies with a shake of her head. “Though I think we both realize the danger of a counterattack. If this 'Char' has a ship at the ready, we should have the Sericea ready to act as well.”

“Catrina figured as much, I just wanted to check.”

Which still leaves the question: tried and tested machine, or cutting-edge weapons system specifically designed to operate in this sort of situation?

>Use the old Viola as backup, Rossweisse can handle that duty.
>Rossweisse needs to be aboard the Sericea, take the new machine.
>Other?

>sorry for the slowness and the shortness, I keep getting called off to do other shit
>>
>>952922
>Rossweisse needs to be aboard the Sericea, take the new machine.
>>
>>952922
>>Rossweisse needs to be aboard the Sericea, take the new machine.
>>
>>952922
>Rossweisse needs to be aboard the Sericea, take the new machine.
>>
>>952922
>Rossweisse needs to be aboard the Sericea, take the new machine.
>Other?
If we're anticipating a possible enemy ship, what are the odds for our Martian escorts loaded with a couple psyco-missiles in taking it down or disabling key sections of said ship? Once the MS escort is too busy dealing with us, of course.
>>
>>953023
>what are the odds for our Martian escort
Zero, they're already outbound back to Mars.

>writing one more update, then will return in the evening; maybe 7pm PST
>because the situation here is unmanageable
>>
>>953036
Ah, I thought they were cleared to land and dock, so I assumed they'd stick around for a fair bit. Well, nevermind then.

And I'm guessing you're dealing with holiday related stuff?
>>
>>953055
They were kind of in a tough place politically, so it was best for them to return to Mars sooner rather than later.

And yes.
>>
“We'll use the new mobile weapon Anaheim designed,” you reply. “Your place is on the bridge of your ship. Rossweisse. Catrina can handle it if I have to disembark.”

“That sounds like it would be best,” Rossweisse agrees. “Should ALICE bring up Anaheim and arrange the transfer?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“I have the head of Research and Design on the line,” ALICE soon announces. “Voice only.”

“This is the Sericea,” you announce. “We'd like to have that test machine of yours ready for operations and loaded into our hangar as soon as possible.”

“I'm afraid it's not ready to be deployed just yet,” the man responds honestly. “Its legs are mostly just placeholders, they might not actually work.”

“And what if we donated the legs off the Viola?”

After considering the question for a few moments, he replies. “I think so. It wouldn't be optimal, but it would be serviceable.”

“Serviceable is fine,” you insist. “What weapons do you have available that would work well with the new Viola?”

“Viola?”

“We're going to identify it as 'Viola' while it's in our service,” you explain. “That's the name of my machine, same way the old 'Air Force One' used to work.”

“I see. Well, the main weapon system designed for this machine is a variable-speed beam rifle with an integrated heat blade. The barrel shroud that provides for beam containment also extends an i-field that runs the length of the blade.”

“Sounds like a solid option,” you muse, “but a beam weapon in such close proximity to Von Braun? And inside it at some point? Maybe we should consider alternatives.”

“We also have a physical and explosive loadout,” he replies. “The beam emitters on the wrists can function as sabers, and it comes loaded with heavy shotguns and a pair of rocket bazookas that fire adhesive rounds. There's less chance of serious structural damage from overpenetration of a beam weapon, but it's heavier and has limited ammunition. And if anyone else out there is using remote weapons, the adhesive won't really disable your targets.”

>The VS blade rifle is the more elegant solution. We can work around the risk of collateral.
>The bazookas and shotguns are probably the safer solution.
>Other?
>>
>>953140
>The bazookas and shotguns are probably the safer solution.
>>
>>953140
>The bazookas and shotguns are probably the safer solution.
>>
>>953140
>The bazookas and shotguns are probably the safer solution.
>>
>will keep an eye on things and update when I can
>>
I am so sorry, I forgot it was running today! Let me catch up...
>>
>>953140
>>The bazookas and shotguns are probably the safer solution.
>>
>>953140
>>The bazookas and shotguns are probably the safer solution.
>>
“We'll try out the bazookas and shotguns,” you decide, figuring that if forced you could still use the beam sabers and funnels to finish the job. “Deploying an experimental beam weapon inside a lunar city sounds like something Titans would do. And would we be any better for it?”

“Yes?” comes a hesitant response.

“You're right,” you agree, “but not by enough. Load her up and deliver her to our berth as soon as possible. Can you put on the old Viola's legs inside our hangar?”

“Shouldn't be a problem.”

“Good. We'll be counting on you to do this quickly.”

It takes about fifteen minutes for the transfer to occur, as the Anaheim crew can use the secure government freight lines to move the machine from their labs to the Sericea. Their own team includes what seems like a hundred armed guards that came with the new gundam, now painted black with vermilion highlights and trim pieces. You nod, satisfied.

“Begin your modifications, we'll be arranging our loadout,” you instruct. “Small arms and personal armor, that sort of thing.”

For a few hours not much happens. The work crew is able to complete their modifications and you allow Catrina to test the new legs: everything works as it should, and she returns the Viola to its resting place in the hangar. It feels so strange seeing your gundam walking around without you in the cockpit, but you can tell Catrina's loved every minute of it even before she gives you a report.

The new legs work perfectly as an extension of the body... feel a little heavier though. Just a result of the fact that they weren't designed to be combined with this system.

“Will it be a problem?”

Not at all. I've already gotten a feel for it... you're really gonna like this, sis.

It's not until after 18:00 or so that anything else noteworthy happens.

“Carrina!” Rossweisse reports over the intercoms. “She's on the move!”

“Which way is she heading?”

“Based on the speed they're taking her by car,” Rossweisse tells you. “Heading towards a service lift.”

“Keep an eye on her,” you order. “We'll be standing by in the Viola...”

“Carrina, she's heading up!”
>1/2
>>
>>953547
“Are you sure?”

“Positive... Carrina, she's heading for one of the civilian freight ports!”

>We're launching now, we can't let them leave the city.
>Launch in the Sericea, we'll try and intercept them as close to Luna as possible.
>We hate to say it... but we can ask the Lunar forces for help in closing the port.
>Other?
>>
>>953576
>We're launching now, we can't let them leave the city.
>>
>>953576
>>We're launching now, we can't let them leave the city.
>>
>>953576
>>We're launching now, we can't let them leave the city.
>>
>>953547
>Other?
If Char is smart, well at least tactical, he probably has a counter response ready and flexible enough to deal with whatever we'll do.

ALICE, can you alert the Lunar authorities and feed disinfo that we are intervening within the city? Hopefully, this will trick Char or whoever into showing their hand early and we'll gain the upper hand.
>>
>turns out I won't be able to crank out another update before I have to start cooking
>will be back after dinner
>>
>>953675
Also need a roll. 3d10 best of 3, DC 16 Crit 21.
>>
Rolled 6, 8, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>953690
lol, look at your name
>>
Rolled 3, 9, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>953690
>>
Rolled 9, 9, 1 = 19 (3d10)

>>953690
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>953690
>>
Solid pass, but just shy of a crit.

In the middle of cooking.
>>
>>953802
What's cookin'?
>>
>>953821
>>953802
Good lookin'
>>
>>953821
Big family dinner plus cleaning.
>writing
>>954164
Someone had to do it.
>>
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>>954297
“Cast off and move into a launch position,” you order. “We'll get out ahead of you, worst that happens is they hunker back down and we're right where we started.”

“Point taken,” Rossweisse admits before switching back to the main comms circuit. “We're launching immediately, all crew to general quarters!”

There's a slight bump as the Sericea leaves her berth, and you have to pause as you maneuver the Viola into the lift. So, we finally get to go back into battle together... just like old times, sis.

“You sound excited.”

Yeah, I have to admit over the years I'd gotten used to this sort of thing. Relaxing, retirement, withdrawal... those things aren't for us, Carya. Never were.

“Who knows,” you muse quietly. “For now let's just stay focused. And sis?”

Yeah?

A devilish grin tugs at your lips. “Just you try and keep up.”

The force generated by the new gundam's thrusters is just as intense as you remember it, and your sister was right: the legs feel a bit heavier and slower than the rest of the machine. But it hardly slows you down, and you soon reach the dockyards where Quess was taken. You can sense that Quess is still in there someplace, and the tracking device agrees.

“ALICE,” you announce, “get us inside the port. We want to identify which ship she's been taken to.”

“Please hold your present location,” ALICE responds. “I can do so in a few moments, assuming the target has stopped.”

You're getting close, and no doubt people will start seeing you soon. So it looks like you have a few possibilities...

>Move in and hold, allow yourself to be seen and force a response.
>Position Catrina and the Viola outside the docks, move in yourself.
>Hold long enough to confirm the target, then have Catrina make you an entrance.
>Other?
>>
>>954316
>Hold long enough to confirm the target, then have Catrina make you an entrance.
>>
>>954316
>Hold long enough to confirm the target, then have Catrina make you an entrance.
>>
>>954316
>Hold long enough to confirm the target, then have Catrina make you an entrance.
>>
>>954316
>Other?
ALICE, please saturate local comm networks that we've been seen at multiple locations. It's try to confuse them on where we actually are, and try to panic them.
>>
>>954349
This might be useful
>>
>>954316

Adding to myself:
>>954349

Also add conflicting reports that the port is closed or is still open or that we are there waiting for them. Force them to change their plans unexpectedly.
>>
>>954316
>Position Catrina and the Viola outside the docks, move in yourself.

I do favor spoofing multiple locations too, as suggested here >>954349
>>
>>954373
>3d10 best of 4 due to two people coordinating
>DC 17, Crit 21
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>954406
>>
Rolled 4, 9, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>954406
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 8 = 14 (3d10)

>>954406
roll'in, we are doing the disinfo?
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>954406
>>
>>954416
Crit!
>>
>>954421
Yes.
>writing
>>
>>954455
Dropped your trip there fella.
>>
>>954463
Indeed. I was posting on a different board and forgot.
>>
>>954475
It's fine. You've shifted between your two trips a few times in this thread alone...
>>
>>954480
Yup. I'm not sure why else I still keep them separated aside from force of habit.
>>
>>954487
“We're holding back for now,” you announce. “ALICE, spam some fake signals. Make them conflicting, about port closures and ongoing military operations. If you can make them think we're not right on top of them it'd help. I'll be handing the Viola off to Catrina for now.”

Quite suddenly the Viola is outside your control, maneuvering carefully under your twin's control.

“So what's the plan, sis?”

You draw your sidearm and check the chamber, then holster it. “Boarding action. Once we confirm the ship you'll help me insert right into their engine room. I'll cripple their operations and move on to find the girl if you'll handle any mobile suits that sortie. We'll take the whole ship.”

“Sounds great!”

“We have the target,” Rossweisse informs you. “Placing it on your HUD. Catrina, are you seeing this?”

“Got it, looks like a freighter? Probably converted to store mobile suits, easier to just transfer them between two ships. Keep them moving.”

“You're probably right. Let's go.”

Sure enough the freighter appears to be an old Columbus class, with two large storage bays fifty meters high separated by a crew living facility: unfortunately that means the engines themselves are separated into two banks, though the reactor is along the midline. More to your benefit however the Columbus has a poor ventral sight line, allowing Catrina to sneak you right in underneath the hull. After popping your cockpit hatch and checking to ensure your young charge isn't near your insertion site, you give Catrina the thumbs-up.

The wrist-mounted saber punches a hole straight up into the transport's reactor room and your sister lightly tosses you into the hole before sealing it with birdlime behind you. The force of the throw requires you to burn almost all of your suit's propellant all at once, and ends with you landing in a low crouch on the ceiling of the reactor control room where you magnetize your boots and draw your sidearm.

“We've been boarded!” one of the men you find there shouts before you put a round through his faceplate. Then you proceed to kill each of his three companions in turn with a cold professionalism that'd be the envy of any soldier. Four shots, four fatalities, and they don't get a chance to radio in the intrusion. There seems to be some confusion and alarm aboard, but none of it is directed towards you.

“Taking the reactor offline,” you report as you remove your helmet and strap it to your armor. “Give me a minute.”
>1/2
>>
>>954554
You swiftly find the control panel, dropping lightly to the floor as you demagnetize your boots. It's easy enough to insert the control rods fully and stop the reaction, then you simply shoot the controls into a mess of wires before reloading. Now nobody could retract the control rods if they wanted to, since it's not like you could go in there and do it by hand. The entire ship's systems fluctuate, including the lights which dim in some sort of emergency mode.

“Got it,” you announce. “The freighter's dead in space, moving on to the second objective.”

“They're sortieing mobile suits!” Catrina reports.

“Do you have visual?” Rossweisse replies. “I'm bringing the Sericea in to secure the scene.”

“One got past me!” Catrina reports with a hiss as you make your way forward towards the bridge, where it seems the crew is moving Quess along with several less noteworthy newtype presences... other children?

“Got him,” Rossweisse reports, evidently having found a clear firing angle.

Ahead of you is a hastily-erected barricade of some sort, manned by armed crewmen. You don't have time for this.

>Call in an assist from Rossweisse or Catrina to clear this thing from the outside.
>Use a flash grenade and keep running.
>Use a flash grenade and finish them off. No one gets behind you.
>Find an alternate route.
>>
>>954622
>>Use a flash grenade and finish them off. No one gets behind you.
>>
>>954622
>Find an alternate route.
>>
>>954622
>Use a flash grenade and finish them off. No one gets behind you.
>>
>>954622
>>Find an alternate route.
Kinda wanted to be cheeky and bring some outside assistance, but I doubt I got the luck for them rolls.

It'd probably involve the Nu-Viola poking the hull, or Rosse going for a railgun overpenetration trick shot and with the barricade getting vented. Also, risky collateral damage what with other possible kidnapped Newtypes here./spoiler]
>>
We're deadlocked.
>>
>>954734
Flip a coin?
>>
>>954765
I'm in no particular hurry, but it may eventually come to that.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>it's officially come to that unless someone posts at the same time
>>
>>954820
Roll me 3d10, best of three. DC 16, crit 20
>>
Rolled 3, 9, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>954866
>>
Rolled 10, 7, 5 = 22 (3d10)

>>954866
>>
Alright, I'm going to have to call it here. I'm out of energy and participation's taken a nosedive.

I'll finish the session tomorrow afternoon, so if anyone trickles in feel free to roll. I'll start again where we left off.
>>
>>954917
Okay, see ya then King.
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>954912
Nice!
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 9 = 16 (3d10)

Damn it, missed the thread. Still going to give fourth roll just for sake of rolling
>>
So did Dom die?
>>
>>955998
King is pretending he doesn't exist. Its pretty silly really.
>>
>>956033
Ouch. That's awful. Go through all that shit get married. Then your wife takes off with your not!daughter.

Poor Dom.
>>
>>955998
He's off doing his own missions, since Newtypes are in high demand ic and ooc I wanted to draw as firm a line as possible between his misadventures in the previous series and CC's here.

They've exchanged a few messages however.
>>
>>956044
We should have a phone call with him at least. It would be nice to roleplay a well-adjusted married couple.
>>
File: POLL-1200x676.jpg (82 KB, 1200x676)
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82 KB JPG
In their scramble to set up a security cordon here, the gunmen have overlooked one critical fact: the deck plates inside a ship like this cover up an access crawlway, meant to provide crew members with an easy way to get into the guts of the ship's vital systems to perform maintenance tasks. No actual crewman on a ship like this would be so ignorant... maybe these aren't actual crew?

Whoever they are, they fail to notice you lifting one of the deck plates in the corridor behind them until it's already colliding with the back of one of their heads. The flashbang speed-taped to it goes off a second later, allowing you just enough time to seal them off behind a heavy blast door. One bullet catches you in the shoulder, carving a shallow scar on the armor plate but otherwise leaving you unharmed and your suit's integrity unchanged.

“That should hold them,” you mutter, again shredding the door's controls with your sidearm. “Got several gunmen sealed off behind a blast door, moving fore towards the bridge.”

“Watch for hostages,” ALICE reports. “Captain, request permission to deploy a local sensor.”

“Permission granted,” Rossweisse acknowledges. “Guide it in gently, we don't want to tip them off.”

“Affirmative, just leave it to me!” Catrina interjects. “Pass it over to my psychoframe and I'll take it the last few meters.”

“You have control,” ALICE replies as Catrina maneuvers the magnetized sensor device in on its finely-tuned chemical thrusters.

“Forward thrust at one-half KPH,” Catrina reports. “Placing it square on top of their roof, let's see what we've got going on inside.”

You position yourself outside the locked hatch to the freighter's bridge, and wait for the results of ALICE's scans. Placing your fingertips against the door, your own senses tell you that there are four newtypes in the room, including Quess, gathered in one small group and surrounded by a number of others... it's difficult to tell how many exactly.

Thankfully it doesn't take long for ALICE to report. “Thermal and passive radar indicate four individuals at the center of the bridge with six others positioned around the room.”

So, it's four hostages and six shooters? Seems like Char isn't among them, too... what exactly is going on here?”

>Breach and clear.
>Breach and clear, try and leave the Captain alive.
>Have ALICE commandeer the internal comms.
>Other?
>>
>as an aside I am running a 100 degree fever, please excuse me if I pass out suddenly
>>
>>957554
>Breach and clear, try and leave the Captain alive.

>>957557
GO TO SLEEP KING
>>
>>957554
pls don't die.
>>
>>957554
>>Breach and clear, try and leave the Captain alive.
>>
>>957554
>Breach and clear, try and leave the Captain alive.
>Other?
Flood the room with tear gas if they have no suits?

>>957557
Didn't realize you're the one over the frying pan yourself when you mentioned cooking, jeez.
>>
>>957554
>Breach and clear, try and leave the Captain alive.
>>
>>957571
>GO TO SLEEP KING
CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP

>writing
>>
Forgot:
>Use the eye
>Don't use the eye
>>
>>957671
>Use the eye
>>
>>957671
>>Use the eye
>implying we'll ever choose anything else but hax mode.
>>
>>957661
HE'S THE CAN'T STOP KID AND HE'S AT IT AGAIN
>>
>>957671
Four hostages and six targets, plus the cap needs to live. Oh yeah, that's definitely the time to use the eye.

>Use the eye
Though I am sorta anticipating slightly more strain from its use if the sister is in the robot.
>>
>>957671
>Use the eye
>>
>3d10, best of four due to hax
>DC 17, Crit 21
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>957735
HAAAXXX
>>
Rolled 6, 7, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>957735
>>
Rolled 4, 7, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>957735
welp
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>957735
>>
>>957745
ayy
>>
>>957745
Okay, now it's kinda eerie how it's the 2nd rolls that are good or gets crits most of the time.
>>
>>957735
You carefully remove the patch over your glass eye, and peer carefully into the future. Going left gets you hit twice, once in the head due to a lucky shot. Going right gets you through four of the shooters before one shoots a hostage by mistake, so that's no good. But going straight seems to actually offer an alternative, if you go... now!

Opening the door startles the gunmen on the bridge long enough that they delay firing for a moment, which is just long enough for you to break the first gunman's leg with a well-placed boot to the side of the knee and spin him around. You grab him around the throat, nearly crushing his windpipe, and pull him backwards hard enough to encourage his cooperation. His compatriots open fire, hitting the man several times in the thorax while you rest your pistol on his shoulder and return fire. One man goes down from a bullet through his lumbar spine, and two more from chest wounds before a strike to your chestplate signals that your human shield isn't doing much good anymore.

Then your second flash grenade goes off. The blast hurts your own ears but you push through anyways, using the moment of blindness to your advantage. Or at least you did until one gunman drops a fragmentation grenade in the panic.

So instead of throwing the flash grenade you decide to kick the body of your shield at the other gunman and fire twice at the man with the grenade before he can pull the pin, killing him with a bullet straight through the heart. Then you turn your attention back to the man who's just managed to push his dead buddy off himself and shoot him in the gut and torso.

Leaving more than enough to put a round right through the Captain's hand as he turns to threaten Quess. For her part the girl only winces a little bit as the Captain shouts in alarm, and you shoot the gun away from him before he can reach down for it.

“I wouldn't,” you snarl.

“What the hell are you?” the man demands.

“I'm pissed off is what I am,” you reply. “What you are is in deep shit, and if you know what's good for you you'll tell me everything you know about the man who's put you all up to this... the one posing as Char Aznable.”

“You're not gonna kill me,” the Captain insists confidently.

“No, but I've shut off your ship's reactors, killed most of your crew of thugs, and my associates have destroyed your mobile suit force and blocked your only avenue of escape,” you explain, edging closer to the man. “So this little stunt of yours is officially over, and one way or another you are gonna talk.”
>>
>>957843
And that's where I'd hoped to end up last night before I crashed, so I'll call it a night. I'll update Carya's notes when I'm feeling a bit better, and the archive is already up.

Hope you enjoyed, that you have a nice holiday season whatever you celebrate, and to see you after the New Year!
>>
>>957856
Get better, King...Queen...whatever you call yourself. Don't let the Newtypes bite.
>>
>>957856
Thanks for running and enjoy the rest of the holidays man.
>>
>>957886
Same!
>>
Fuck, I'm always away when this quest is on.



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