Testrun for UG@

[runners_low]

[1]

[There's a mission soon. Felicita volunteered to sortie, but the request was rejected. The reason - who knows? Maybe she's sick or wounded. Maybe her unit is damaged. Or maybe the side-effects of combat drugs are increasing and it was decided she should take it easy for a while - or forever.

Either way you are the one to deliver the news to the bed-bound girl, and she does not look happy about.]

No. No, no no no. You must reconsider, please.
I must pilot.


[2]

[Whatever you're doing, you are being followed by a small levitating robot. Maybe you know it belongs to a certain ill girl, maybe you don't. Either way, it's not going away soon, taking it your actions and movements with curiosity. What do?]


[3]

[Combat prompt! The situation was looking really bad there, but Felicita ran in with a defensive support - and her agile mobile suit Deva tackled an enemy out of the way, an enemy that would deal you some serious damage otherwise.]

Don't worry. I'm here now, I'll beat them all up.

[Regardless, you are still outnumbered. Considering what you know of Deva's capabilities, Felicita can NOT take all the bad guys just by herself.]


[4]

[And... she screwed up. It's not necessarily related to prompt #3, but whatever Felicita was trying to do, she failed. And there are consequences. Maybe a mission failed or an important target fled. Or maybe even innocent people got killed.]

I'm sorry...

I didn't mean to. I... tried my best. Just please...

[Either way she fully realizes it, considering she's on the verge of tears now.]

Comments

4

[gift_of_magus]

Stop crying. The dead are dead, and so they shall remain forevermore.

[Here's Eibon, with her usual bedside manner.]

[runners_low]

I wanted to save them. I really did...

[Sniff.]

They will take Deva away from me now, won't they?

[gift_of_magus]

[Damnit, you just can't stay angry at that level of moe.]

Perhaps. I do not know the will of your masters.

[The book-girl pulls up a chair near Felicita.]

Why is someone as frail as you a fighter?

[runners_low]

I... must fight. And I want to. But even if I didn't want to, I must.

[gift_of_magus]

Yes, of course...but that doesn't answer the question. Why must you fight? Why do you want to?

[runners_low]

I need good combat data, to show how well-made Deva is. So Mother's sponsors will buy the design from her. We don't have money, or a place to go. The hospital I lived in is expensive.

Deva... is me. My real body. Only when I'm inside it, only then I feel alive.

[And saying that reminded Felicita of all the people who are alive no longer, because of her. She slumps down, as if shrinking.]

[gift_of_magus]

I see...

[And that's all Eibon says, just sort of staring off into space.]

[runners_low]

...

Others said it's weird when I told them that.

[gift_of_magus]

[Eibon blinks twice and shakes her head a bit, as if suddenly coming awake.]

Sorry, I was just thinking...

...I've known many people like that. People with weak bodies, but strong hearts...it's not weird.

[runners_low]

Then... you must understand. Understand my feelings.

[gift_of_magus]

Perhaps.

...If your parents are anything like the others, then...don't die. More than riches or stability, what they want is you.

[runners_low]

...

Th... thank you.
But it's okay. I'll die soon anyway.

[gift_of_magus]

That doesn't make the time you have any less valuable.

Do not take too many risks. It'd be a shame to lose what you have.

[And a pat on the head for the little sickly girl.]

1

[emorangerpink]

I'm sorry, it's not my decision. Repairs on the Deva aren't complete, and even if they were the doctors say you're still recovering from your last sortie. Commander Jin told us to keep your machine locked down until it and you are back on form.

[runners_low]

But, I must go out and fight! If I don't, then everything is lost.

[emorangerpink]

What do you mean? Do you know something about the enemy? No one said anything about Deva having unique abilities...

[runners_low]

No, it's not that. Everything is lost for me.

[emorangerpink]

But... there'll be other chances to sortie. God knows we're not short on fights to get in to.

I know it's hard to wait while others are out there, but you have to look after your equipment, and yourself. Trust me, I've been there.

[runners_low]

I must fight as often as possible... even if I'm hurt. It's better to go out and fight, then to stay behind.

[Okay Laura, you managed to make Felicita's voice waver. She is uncertain.]

[emorangerpink]

Well, today it's not possible. It won't be possible until we're done with repairs, and if you want to be ready to pilot again by then, you need to focus on recovering. Worrying about this will only make that take longer.

[Laura's tone is firm, and brooks no argument. Her voice, and expression, soften when she asks:]

Why is it important for you to fight, anyway? If you try to go out like this, you'll just do badly, for no good reason.

[runners_low]

Okay...

[That sounded very dejected.]

I need combat data, to show Deva is a strong mobile suit. So the people who Mother works for will want to buy it. For mass production.

[emorangerpink]

I understand. You wouldn't get good data now, though. If you want to show how it performs when it's damaged, you'll probably get plenty of opportunity in the future, even when you go out at full strength. Everyone gets unlucky sometimes.

If you want, you can give me some pointers on the repairs. It'll be something to keep you from getting cabin fever, and the Deva will be ready to move again sooner.

[runners_low]

I don't know...

[emorangerpink]

I do. It always helps to have the pilot's perspective in mind when working on an unfamiliar machine.

And I used to drag myself out of bed as soon as I was able, to get to work in the hangar. It helped a lot. Er, not that you shouldn't stay in bed, but it might still help you.

[runners_low]

It's not...

I can't help you with repairs! I don't know anything about mobile suits!

[After this sudden outburst, Felicita shrinks away, startled by her own display.]

Sorry. I'm just... dumb.

2

[link_to_revival]

[And here R had just been content to have a computer and camera set up in a little corner of the hangar to watch, observe, and maybe learn something along the way. And now there was something else blocking its view. Oh well, time for some conversation and text begins to write itself on the computer screen.]

Hello. Are you able to talk?

[runners_low]

[The robot flies in closer, to take in what is written on the screen from a shorter distance.]

Um. Yes.

[It says in Felicita's voice.]

[link_to_revival]

[Taking a guess that it's a little hard for the robot to see, R buffs the size up before adding another line of text.]

I suppose introductions are in order. My name is R.

[A pause followed, but then another line of text came up after the previous one.]

Forgive me if I am being rash, but I take it you are new on the Chalice here? I've not seen any small, floating probes around here before, barring the Haros.

[runners_low]

I'm Felicita... Arlotti. Your name is R? Just R?

[The robot bops up and down in the end.]

Umm, this is just my drone. I use it to talk with people who are far away. It doesn't have a mind of its own.

[link_to_revival]

Anything more would be superfluous. It's fitting and brief. That and I like it.

[Another pause. You've given the AI some food for thought.]

And where are you? Are you on the ship or are you a "visitor"?

[runners_low]

I'm in the ward, in my bed.

[She sounds slightly sad admitting that.]

I am a pilot, and I'm helping White Chalice.

[link_to_revival]

Ah. So I take it then that you pilot your machine in a way similar to piloting this probe?

[Just an educated guess. He doesn't know about your Druggie status.]

I'm a pilot as well, believe it or not. I have a copilot, but she's more in charge of managing special systems I don't know anything about. I handle the quite literal legwork.

[runners_low]

No, it's not that. I just tell this drone where to go. With Deva, it's... different.

[The probe draws in even closer, as if to simulate curiosity... or perhaps excitement.]

So you are a computer who is also a pilot? What can you do when you're not in your machine? Can you move around?

[link_to_revival]

Less a computer and more an AI. Given a network, I can move through it and access any systems that aren't restricted. Typically my copilot keeps me around, but some times I just prefer to sit and watch.

[Another moment passes, and R realizes the implications of its word choice.]

Make no mistake, it's simply that I find observing multiple people going about their daily business a fascinating thing to do. Find the common ground in their behavior, find what sets them apart from each other.

It's quite informative.

[runners_low]

It's the same reason why I have this, then.

[The probe bobs in the air again.]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Mechwarrior Felicita!" Matthew cries out, charging forward and slicing through a foe with five medium lasers!

"This situation is too hot! Withdraw immediately!"

Missile fire washes against the Nova's side, causing him to rock back and forth.

"There is no dishonor in tactical retreat!"

[runners_low]

No, I'll fight. We can win this!

[Another volley of enemy missiles! Deva evades by spinning like a ballerina at the last possible moment, projectiles missing it by mere inches.]

Because if we don't, then it is over. Over for Mother.

[The strange mobile suit runs up to the missile-armed foe. There is a flash of pink - beam strings emerge from Deva's fingers as it swings its arm haphazardly, its weapon slicing the foe into uneven pieces.]

And over... for me!

[Unfortunately this means all the other units can focus fire on Felicita's unit. And guess what, they do just that.]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Damned reckless fledglings talking about mothers!" Matthew mutters to himself. "Fine then!"

The Nova's jumpjets ignite, and it rockets fowards, putting the least damaged part of his mech in the path of the beam fire!

"Raaggghhh!" Matthew cries out as the Nova rocks back from the assault again.

[runners_low]

No! You didn't have to do that!

[Felicita cries out in panic, but then... suddenly she feels serene. Everything is calm and peaceful, and is going to be alright. This is because Putri System's overdrive mode is on, and the combat drugs kicked in. But while serene, her mood is not a passive one.

Hostiles to the right and left suddenly find themselves targetted by Deva's hand-mounted cannons, yellow beams blasting into their armor. Without losing a beat, Felicita continues by subtle but deadly swings of the beam strings. The long melee weapons fly through the air, dangerously close to Matthew's unit. But they hit nothing but their targets, slicing them apart.

You have a second of relief, before enemies realize what the hell just happened.]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

As the vapor clears, Matthew's Nova appears, surrounded by drifting, heated flakes of a silvery substances, wafting about in the air like confetti, it's armor battered yet still intact.

"Hah! The coating works. Let us see how you surats fare! ALPHA STRIKE!!!"

The Nova plants it's feet and lets loose with all it's weapons, bombarding the lead mechs, coring into their armo, and causing an ammo cookoff in one of them! Dramatic explosion.

"Fledgling Mechwarrior!" Matthew cries out over the comm, choking a bit at the heat overflow spilling over into his cockpit.

"You wish to crush your enemies and prove your worth. These are excellent qualities in a warrior! But you will not succeed in war unless you learn how to use your mech in it's proper role!"

[runners_low]

I don't want to prove myself.

[Deva stretches its arms widely, its beam cannons firing another pair of partially overlapping shots. It's to suppress the enemy, forcing them to hide or retreat unless they want a mega-particle to the face.]

I must prove Deva.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"You wish to prove your...Deva?" Matthew blinks at that for a moment, as he targets retreating portions of the enemy with single laser blasts, waiting for his mech to cool down some.

"Fledgling...if you wish to prove the worth of your mech, you have to learn to fight the battles that your mech was intended to fight, to fufill the role that your mech was designed to excel at!"

There's a ping from your console as he sends you a map of the area with certain terrain highlighted. Forests, rolling hills, and the like.

"Your mech has impressive speed and formidable weapons for it's tonnage, sacrificing defense in return. So what foes would it be most effective against? And in which locations?"

[runners_low]

[The Deva doesn't have the most standard of cockpits, but Felicita takes the map in anyway. In this condition, she can perfectly take in anything. She will also be at least seriously sick once the effect wears off, but oh well.]

I... don't know. Anywhere? I'll fight anyone, and anywhere I have to.

[The mobile suit drops its head and shoulders in an unnervingly human-like manner. It seems like someone doesn't like being lectured, especially on the battlefield.]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Lazy! Utterly lazy!" Matthew barks. If she still isn't thinking clearly, the only option he can think of is to emulate the brutal training instructors of his warrior caste upbringing!

They did wonders for his self-esteem! (No they didn't.)

"I have never seen such a paltry answer! I have seen better tactical analyses from my pet dog! With such a half-hearted response, such an unwillingness to think, even with all the clues in front of you, you will never succeed in battle! You may as well recycle that mech for scrap and resign yourself to a bed-bound existence, sucking juices from a tube! Now stand up and quit sulking! Conduct yourself like the warrior your Deva deserves!"

He growls over the comn, still firing off suppression fire at the distant enemy forces.

"If you had even tried to analyze the map, you would have noticed terrain in this area, marked out in bright colors, quiaff? And if you had compared each location, you would have noticed that they all were rich in cover! Now how would this cover help your mech during battles?"

[Uh...sorry if this is all too harsh. Matthew hasn't mastered pep talks.]

[runners_low]

...

[The Deva looks literally taken aback. Despite its unnatural proportions, it moves like a giant human being - a shocked one in this case.]

You're a jerk.

[And it runs off to chase after the remaining enemies!]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Huh?"

Matthew blinks in confusion, then frantically trots after Felicita.

"Wait! What is wrong? You were supposed to get angry and come up with a clever response, defying me and proving my scornful words wrong! Not...just run off!"

[runners_low]

Huh?

[Distracted and puzzled by Matthew's words, Felicita turns her unit mid-run to look back at him.

A perfect opportunity for enemies who were hiding in the nearby forests, that provide excellent cover as it was just described.

Deva is barraged by a sneak attack of a missile salvo, and one or two sniper-like shots from physical rifles.]

Kyaah!

[And it falls down, smoking and heavily damaged.]