After Math

[Ryku]

Finally after six months the Congo deployment was officially over and the team was waiting for orders on what country was going to to authorize their sling shot back to the Terminus.

Everyone had a few hours to relax inside of their private rooms within FOB Hayward as they awaited their next order. So much had taken place within the 6 months that the team had been down here for a simple training operation. Casaval was KIA protecting the Rangers and the Glencore CEO, along with Neli being in critical condition with the slim chances of ever piloting again. Along with barely escaping the grips of a humanoid looking Kaiju which lead to the death of Lt. Rudy.

 

What would be the feelings or thoughts of the Pilots as they sat alone.

 

 

 

[vicky_molokh]

Remy was looking forward to the reassignment. The whole alleged 'training' period was a mess, starting with the sloppy maintenance and showy utilisation of the deployment system - that could've gone way worse than it did, ending with the way the real serious emergency was handled, and then there was all the scheming and dubious agendas in-between.

 

And yet something good did come out of this jungle experience. Or at least something useful. Mind-sharpening. Eye-opening. Horizons-expanding. And yet too elusive to describe in words yet.

[Lcythas]

No.17 was hardly one overly given to questioning his superiors - or his unofficial ones - but, the slightest of frowns was present on his face as he considered their situation, after long grueling months in the Congo. It had been quite the meat grinder, which ironically justified their deployment here, in a sense. However, from the perspective of an intended training mission, things had undeniably turned out in less than optimal fashion.

 

By now, it was hardly like they were even combat-effective, by the standards of NATO, now that half their unit had been knocked out. Reassignment had been virtually a guarantee, as with Mecha and Pilots both scarce on the ground, NATO could afford to waste neither. Which was also why he was examining a detailed blueprint of Lie Vante on a datapad. Several areas of his armaments and arsenal had been marked for alteration and refinement once they reached a base with the supplies.

 

In the off-chance that they received no reinforcement, No.17 was determined to maximize the firepower they already had. Despite himself, his grey eyes flitted over towards Remy with a bare hint of curiosity and assessment, checking what her reaction and status might be in relation to his own. He would have to rely upon her far more, and vice versa.

[Ryku]

As time passed, both pilots would receive a text message from Lt. Huston. " Meet with me in the command room."

As the two stepped out of their barracks they would notice that the base was rather quiet today. Not much was happening and there was only a few people wandering around.

[vicky_molokh]

Remy put on the flight uniform in a series of routine, efficient motions and walked into the corridor.

"This day feels different," she said, without diverting her eyes from the next turn in the corridor, "let's see what it brings."

Edited July 28, 2023 by vicky_molokh (see edit history)

[Lcythas]

"Seventy-three percent chance of reassignment or assimilation into a larger unit. Twenty-two percent chance of new objectives being delegated." No.17 speculated in his usual monotone, although his suit looked somewhat frayed around the edges. Perhaps the dry-cleaning services on the FOB left something to be desired, or maybe the past months had been wearing away at him. However, his grey eyes still masked whatever misgivings he might have felt about their situation well as he glanced over to Remy, appraising her in a glance.

"Are you...Alright?"

[vicky_molokh]

"Sure," she glanced at 17, walking without looking ahead for a second. "Why?"

[Lcythas]

"When the unit is reduced to below half, which by most military doctrines is effectively non-existent in terms of capability, one should ensure that the remaining half is in good shape, if nothing else." No.17 remarked, with the faintest hint of a wry tone in his voice.

A few seconds later, "Several....Reputable sources also indicate that military operations are going poorly for NATO. The normal resource-bickering, but worsened by civilian death counts and faction fractures. It is likely that logistical resources, amenities, and benefits will decrease in the near future, while danger will increase proportionally for us. What do you make of the situation?"

[vicky_molokh]

"Luc, we were never really formed as a unit, and that is part of why we failed. It's charming that you still consider us one. We are just a bunch of assorted talents, each with its own equipment built to a different paradigm and doctrine."

There was a pause.

"Though in a way, that is also why there is no particular breaking point associated with our group being reduced to below 50%. There is not as much synergy lost because there was not enough of it in the first place.

 

As for what to make of the situation, well, some things will get worse on various levels, but we are not currently in position to affect the big picture, so it is best to stay informed about it, but not dwell on it beyond that."

Edited January 15 by vicky_molokh (see edit history)

[Lcythas]

Several seconds went on in silence as No.17 cocked his head slightly to the side, his brain appearing to try to wrap itself around the concept of not being a unit in practicality, despite being one in name. He'd been aware of their rather fragmented nature and purpose as individual pilots, but had merely considered those to be external forces, rather than directly affecting how they might be as a deployable unit.

"Hmm. I suppose practical standards and the battle records demand that efficiency-wise, we would more be considered a gathering of individuals than a single operating unit," He admitted, before raising an eyebrow at Remy's observation.

"An efficient viewpoint, although we can always affect the larger picture. It's simply what we'd be willing to pay in return. I suppose difference in training doctrines also accounted for our lack of success as a cohort. Rather difficult to meld together separate doctrines into a conglomerate whole."

[Ryku]

As the two walked slowly towards the command room. Huston would be seen peaking his head out into the hallway. " Guys get in here quickly!"

Assuming the two would speed up their pace and enter into the command room. They would see everyone surrounding the large TV. Currently playing was a live feed of an Kaiju attack in Seattle Washington in the United States. The new Emergency Kaiju Response Team of the West Coast was combating a large mutated bat near the city limits and was getting utterly destroyed as they were unable to keep up with its fast movements.

Everyone sitting around would continue to shake their heads in disbelief as they watched mistake after mistake from the EKRT. Huston would speak up, " Its not looking good for them at all." After a few minutes the EKRT would simply retreat from the area.

" Hmm... these pilots arent ready.."

Seeing the retreat, everyone would then disperse from the area..

Huston would turn around to face the two." Well looks like Seattle is going to be on Red for a few more days to weeks. I dont think were getting back to the Terminus any time soon. Ill have to get with command about it. In the mean time, get your Suits up to functional status just in case."

 

 

 

[Lcythas]

Watching the live feed with the others, No.17 didn't appear surprised at the turn of events being shown, nor at the evident outcome. It was the unfortunate reality when an estimated number of Mecha were outnumbered overall by Kaiju, and yet were forced to fight on less than even terms, necessitating teams. Lie Vante had been drawn up precisely to answer such a scenario as a stopgap measure, the developers planning for a specialized Mecha and Pilot being able to drag a Kaiju down...Even if said Mecha was also ruined in the process.

 

At the order for their suits to be made functional, however, No.17 inched his eyebrow upwards just a hint. He didn't have much information to draw upon in the Congo, but it seemed their CO expected trouble. With a nod, No.17 acknowledged the order, sending out an order to the hangar for Lie Vante's systems to be revitalized and cleared for combat. "We are to remain here? No orders for reassignment or active objectives. Resources can hardly afford to be neglected."

 

No.17's comments were devoid of judgement or emotion, simply truth.

[vicky_molokh]

   

Remy Concorde

"Acknowledged," Remy said and produced a phone out of her pocket, opened up the systems status of her frame, and looked it over on the awkwardly small screen, zooming repeatedly at the various sections to get a clear read. Some of the more complex systems were outright stripped from the frame in an attempt to make its maintenance (and, hopefully, mass production) more affordable. The automated lock-on module being the most notable one, which was replaced by a more compact counterstealth sensor suite - a less exotic, but certainly a very useful system nonetheless.

----

Remy Concorde

PILOT ASPECTS:
Self View:  

Humanity's Successor

For good or ill, Remy acknowledges being designed as the next best thing after natural humans. Harder, Better, Faster, Smarter. And something that was built as an improvement is bound to eventually outcompete its predecessor. Not out of malice, but due to the nature of things. Not with fanfare and pride, but with a matter-of-fact shrug.

Sooner or later, a Gattaca of sorts would become the new norm, and Remy is the aloof herald of that era, neither celebrating the world to come, nor mourning the old world.

 

Positive Invocations:

- Getting ahead thanks to the bioengineered improvements over the baseline human.

 

Compels:

- Social complications relating to the reputation of being one of the first augmented humans, and also incidentally the first emancipated clone.

Social Type:

Cool-Headed Insightful Type

Positive Invocations:

- Keeping calm under pressure.
- Helping a group of people stay calm, resist panic &c.
- Coldly analysing a situation or person and getting useful, unbiased insights.
- Cognitive empathy;

Negative Invocations:
- Situations where display of affection would be highly appropriate (e.g. recovering someone else's Mental Consequences; a shoulder to cry on).

Trauma:

The Little Things From Alleged Allies

It's not the big things that are hurtful, especially not from enemies.

Being treated as a meat robot? Getting bothered by journalists and rubbernecks on the street? Being constantly burdened with sky-high expectations? That's just . . . normal and expected, especially from a superior or an enemy, and taken in stride.

But witnessing an act of petty spite among alleged friends? Seeing one alleged team-mate slightly prejudiced against another over things that have no correlation with merit? Getting caught in one of those webs of 'white lies' that tend to snowball? Those are the worst things in people.

Pilot Style:

Agility and Precision

Evasive and marksmanship-focused approaches to combat.

 Dream:

A Step Beyond Understanding

"Knowledge is certainly tempting and intriguing. Science is fascinating. But you know what's even more intriguing? Correctly upon truths without having previously studied them in a rational manner. "

 

Positive Invocations:
- Rolls relating to lore/academics or theoretical knowledge, or for acquiring such through study.
- Rolls representing leaps of intuition or a priori reasoning, as distinct from empirical studies.

 

Compels:
- Being tempted by new and uncommon scientific knowledge.
- Something strange happening, or people reacting oddly, to the aforementioned intuitive leaps.

 

SKILLS:
+4: Agility/Athletics
+3: Diplomacy/Rapport, Mental Fortitude/Will 
+2: Ranged/Shoot, De-Escalation/Empathy, Lore
+1: Toughness/Physique, Mechanics/Craft, Situational Awareness/Notice, Medical.

STUNTS:
Advanced ACM Mastery: +1 Free Invocation when performing flight-related CaA. 
Neural Overdrive: You can push yourself beyond human limits at the cost of mental strain. Apply a bonus to a roll you've made, then take an amount of Mental Stress equal to the bonus. 
Psych Up: Spend a moment in preparation to tap into your potential. Make a Will+2 CaA, adding Free Invocation(s) onto one of your personal Aspects.

 

----

Mecha: Coucou Gris

Mecha: Coucou Gris
Design Concept: Mobile Aerospace Skirmisher.
Design Flaw: "Forget About Mêlée!"
ADDON 1: Airborne C3I Nexus
ADDON 2: High-Thrust Vectored Zeta Engine
ADDON 1: Precision Missile Batteries

Stats:
+4 Manoeuvre 
+3 Ranged Combat 
+3 Radar 
+2 Internal Systems 
+2 Electronic Warfare 
+2 Durability 
+1 Close Quarters Combat 
+1 Stealth Systems

Systems: 
Flight System: enables flight. 
Improved Manoeuvrability: +2 to CaA with Manoeuvre for flight-related stuff.
Counter-Stealth Sensor Suite: +2 to detect hidden enemies or prevent them from hiding. 
 

 

[Ryku]

Huston would turn back around to face Luc, " At the moment I have no idea whats going on. Im going to get in touch with command and see exactly what we want. We were supposed to jump back to the terminus from Seattle it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon. For now just standby, I dont think anything is going to happen here on our end but I do want you to ready to roll out just in case." Huston would pick up his phone and walk out of the room quickly trying to make a phone call.

[Lcythas]

Watching Houston walk away, No.17 regarded the now empty room with an uninterested gaze. After checking that Lie Vante was still being maintained at combat readiness, he projected out a palm-sized holograph of the Earth, inspecting red points dotted across the globe, all indicators of Kaiju assaults. There appeared to be no pattern to the slowly increasing numbers save for the fact that with every dead Mecha, there was one less to combat further monsters. At length, he turned his attention away from the display towards Remy, raising an eyebrow at her. "In a combat scenario, I would assume you to take the usual place as a sniper and observer? Although with only the two of us, that placement can be dangerous considering that Lie Vante is designed for melee."