Super Robot Wars Null

Neo-Hope Divided as Solar Vanguard Prevents Invasion of Japan

The Political Coalition of Neo-Hope is divided for the first time in its history as Treize Khushrenada, commander of the recently formed Solar Vanguard, presented evidence to the Federation Senate that Neo-Britannia was planning an illegal invasion of Japan. Majority Speaker Britannia has denied any personal involvement, claiming that the planned invasion was a result of rogue actors within the nobility chasing the old Area system. Among the most prominent members of Neo-Hope, Murata Azrael, head of Blue Cosmos, was especially critical of Speaker Britannia, and when asked for comment had this to say:
"We're in the middle of a war with the Coordinators and who knows how many other space monsters, and that's not even taking into account Dr. Hell and what's left of Neo-Zeon! What's Charles thinking, gallivanting off on a war of conquest when the world is metaphorically on fire?"
Although there have been calls for Speaker Britannia to resign and abdicate the throne of Neo-Britannia, he still retains both positions. The Federation Oversight Committee announced that it would launch an investigation into this matter, but declined to comment further when the BBC reached out to them.
-Millicent Ashford, BBC (Britannian Broadcast Corporation)

Celestial Being assassinates prominent Federation Official, reveals potential attempt at coup

Celestial Being has assassinated Federation senator Alejandro Corner and leaked documents that suggest he was in the process of gathering resources and technology to instigate a coup within the Federation. Senator Corner had been stockpiling technology, manpower, and Mobile Suits in a secret facility in the Sahara desert, which Celestial Being had located. According to leaked correspondences between Senator Corner and other Federation officials, he was planning to make himself head of a task force called the A-LAWS, which first would have destroyed the Solar Vanguard before taking over the Federation. Many people have drawn comparisons to the A-LAWS and the defunct Titans, with some calling Corner a spiritual successor to Jamitov Hymen or Bask Om.
-Isabelle Cronkite, WNN (World Network News)

Space Colony Heliopolis Destroyed

The space colony of Heliopolis, territory of the Orb Union, was confirmed to be destroyed earlier this week after all data traffic from the colony abruptly ceased. Lifeboats are still being recovered, and several eyewitness accounts say that ZAFT mobile suits had invaded the interior of the colony, fighting with a Gundam of some kind and an unknown model of ship. The Orb Union and the Federation declined to comment, with the Orb Union citing a focus on rescue efforts, while the Federation has stated that there are too many unknowns. At present, the Orb Union has managed to recover 78% off all lifeboats, and is attempting to verify the status of those that have not been recovered yet.
-Kai Shiden, The Colony Bulletin

---

A/N: Something to tide you guys over for now. My brother and his wife are home for Thanksgiving, so there might not be an update until around this time next week. Isabelle Cronkite is the reporter from Dancouga Nova, in case anyone doesn't know.

May UE 0083
Okinawa Naval Base, Japan

The Solar Vanguard has suffered far less political blowback than you anticipated from exposing Neo-Britannia's attempt to illegally invade Japan. The Rose Girls and the Colony Gundam pilots have chalked it up to Treize's charisma and connections, and you don't entirely disagree. The intelligence that Celestial Being sent over regarding what Alejandro Corner had been up to is worrying though.

Turning Nena Trinity-DC 5
Roll 7

The good news is that the prisoner that they took, Nena Trinity has wholeheartedly agreed to defect to Celestial Being, mostly to avenge her brothers. She's provided further intelligence about what Alejandro was up to, although Celestial Being is still in the process of verifying most of it.

In the meantime, Neo-Britannia, perhaps as an attempt at a conciliatory gesture, has sent over another Knightmare unit to the Solar Vanguard. A single look over the pilot roster is enough to tell you that they simply wanted to get rid of the Purists in an attempt to save face. Ah well, at the very least, Jeremiah Gottwald and Villeta Nu seem to be competent enough. Treize is going to have to take care not to field them whenever you bring in the Black Knights.

The Budapest has been sent to Japan at the request of the local garrison, they claim that an 'urgent' event is imminent, and want as much firepower on station to address it when it happens. The Nadesico is still in drydock for repairs, but Mithril has its flagship submarine, the Tuatha de Danaan, on standby off the coast. In addition, the crew of the Idaho and the Metal Armors that had been stolen from Giganos had been rescued by the EFF wet navy, and rapidly been incorporated into the Solar Vanguard. With all the hubbub in getting to Japan, you haven't had a chance to meet any of the pilots yet, but you've heard that one of them is a descendent of disgraced Britannian nobility. They're aboard an Argama-class assault carrier, the Thermopylae.

You're on the bridge having a chat with Colonel Mannequin when an urgent message comes in. Kati reads it in confusion.

"Blood Type Blue detected, respond with all haste. What the hell does that mean?" Kati ponders in frustration.
"Ma'am, new orders, we're to head to Tokyo immediately to reinforce the defense there!" The communications officer says.
"Nothing for it then, we'll have to go in blind. Lieutenant Ayana, prepare your machine."

You nod and head down to the hangar.

---

May UE 0083
Outskirts of Tokyo

You are Baron Ashura, and you are not pleased with this development. Dr. Hell had ordered you to marshal a force of Mechabeasts in another bid to destroy his most hated enemy, Mazinger Z. You assembled the attack force with gusto and set off toward Photon Power Labs, only to encounter this...thing. It had attacked without provocation, destroying the vanguard with contemptuous ease with an attack that reminded you all too much of Mazinger Z's Photon beam, while impaling anything that managed to get close with what could only be described as a spear of light coming from its hands.

"What...what do we do? All of the mechabeasts that Dr. Hell gave us are destroyed!" Your male half panics.
"No, this is not our fault, none of us could have known that monstrosity would have appeared and attacked us!" Your female half reasons.

An Iron Mask snaps you out of your panic.

"Dr. Hell is calling!"
"Put him on, quickly!" Both of your halves bark in unison.

"Baron Ashura, I have seen what is happening from afar. Alas, we must abandon our attempt to destroy Mazinger Z due to this...unexpected occurrence. Rest assured, I do not blame you for something none of us had any way of predicting. Return, and we will discuss our next course of action."
"Thank you for your understanding Dr. Hell." Both halves say as you bow in gratitude. "Turn us around and head back to Hell Island!" You order the Iron Mask at the helm of the flying fortress after the call ends.

---

Current Tactical Information
A paramilitary organization called NERV has contacted you to provide additional information and context.
The source of the 'Blood Type Blue' has been dubbed an Angel, code name 'Sachiel'.
Sachiel is capable of firing high-power beams from its eyes capable of causing massive explosions.
Sachiel can produce oversized 'spears of light' from each hand for use in close combat.
Any attack that would have hit Sachiel has instead been deflected by a pale orange barrier called an 'AT field'.
NERV has stated that Sachiel's target is NERV HQ in Tokyo, more specifically, the lower layers of the facility. NERV has stressed that Sachiel cannot be allowed to accomplish this objective at all costs.
NERV claims to have a Super Robot capable of defeating Sachiel, but requires time to prepare it for deployment. They refuse to give a concrete number.
The MAGI supercomputer within NERV will provide tactical assistance in the meantime.
Evacuation of Tokyo is not complete.
The Blühende Rose is detecting heavy dimensional distortions.

Current Objective: Stall for time
Failure: Sachiel breaches the lower levels of NERV HQ

Who deploys? (Pick EIGHT, and vote by plan)

[X]Mira Ayana in the Blühende Rose
-Copilot
-[ ] Nina
-[ ] Yukari
-[X] Lucia

[ ] Mazinger Z
-Pilot: Kouji Kabuto

[ ] Great Mazinger
-Pilot: Tetsuya Tsurugi

[ ] Photon Power Labs Support Team
-Machines: Aphrodite A, Venus A, Boss Borot
-Pilots: Sayaka Yumi, Jun Hono, Boss, Nuke, and Mucha

[ ] Getter Robo
-Pilots: Ryoma Nagare, Hayato Jin, Benkei Kuruma

[ ] Stark Jegan (Patrick Custom)
-Pilot: Patrick Colosaur

[ ] Uruz Team
-Machines: M9 Command Type, M9 Sniper Type, and M9 CQC Type
-Pilots: Melissa Mao, Kurz Weber, Sosuke Sagara

[ ] YF-19 Custom
-Pilot: Isamu Dyson

[ ] SMS Wing
-Machines: VF-25 Messiah x5
-Pilots: SMS pilot x5

[ ] W-0
-Machines: Alexander Frame x5
-Pilots: Leila Malcal (CO), Akito Hyuga, Ryo Sayama, Ayano Kosaka, Yukiya Naruse

[ ] Asura Strike Force
-Machines: Alexander Red Ogre, Gloucester x4
-CO: Ashley Ashra

[ ] Dragonar Team
-Machines: Dragonar 1, Dragonar 2, and Dragonar 3
-Pilots: Kaine Wakaba, Tapp Oceano, and Light Newman

[ ] Auxiliary Knightmare Unit
-Machines: Sutherland x8
-Pilots: Jeremiah Gottwald (CO), Villeta Nu, Kewell Soresi, Veteran Devicer x5

[ ] Gundam Meisters
-Machines: Gundam Exia, Gundam Virtue, Gundam Kyrios, Gundam Throne Drei
-Pilots: Setsuna F. Seiei, Tiera Erde, Allelujah Haptism, and Nena Trinity

[ ] Black Knights Emergency Strike Force
-Machines: Guren Mk II, Burai Command Type, Burai x10
-Pilots: Zero (CO), Q1 (Guren Pilot), K1 (Second in Command), P5 (Commander of secondary unit), Rookie Devicer x8

[ ] Wing Gundam
-Pilot: Heero Yuy

[ ] Gundam Altron
-Pilot: Chang Wufei

Things that will participate in the battle by default:

Ships (Budapest, Thermopylae, Tuatha de Danaan, TDD can only provide long range fire support)
EFF Garrison (Linear Gun Tank Squad x8, Jegan Squad x15, GM III Squad x10, VF-171 Wing x4, FD-7 Spearhead Wing x12, GP-02 (armed with N2 mine) x1, M6 Arm Slave Squad x7, Leo Squad x10, Aries Squad x3)

What will be your strategy?

[ ] Maximum Break
-Hit Sachiel with everything you have, no holds barred beatdown using everything except the N2 mine saved as a last resort

[ ] Delaying Action
-Spread your forces out and bombard Sachiel from long range, likely to result in massive casualties amongst the garrison forces

[ ] 1v1 me, m***f***
-Stall Sachiel by fighting it one on one with select units, starting with your Super Robots, highly likely to result in heavy damage to at least one Super Robot

[ ] Boom Town
-Immediately hit Sachiel with the N2 mine (This WILL cause massive collateral damage, but render Sachiel dormant for the first round of combat)

[ ] Write-In
-Please specify what you will do to delay Sachiel, and under what circumstances you will deploy the N2 mine (last resort, opener, etc.)

---

A/N: And here's the update, sooner than expected! Please have actual discussion about the merits of the plans you vote on, things can play out VERY differently depending on what you pick. Please, vote, discuss, critique, speculate, hell, shitpost if you feel like it!

Winning Vote:
[X]Plan ExoTech + Support Without Tension

---

May UE 0083
Outskirts Ghetto, Tokyo

Yukari and Nina hug Lucia tightly before kissing her on opposite cheeks. They give you a quick embrace as well before you and Lucia board the Rose and prepare to sortie.

One of Zero's subordinates suggested trying to drive the Angel into the old ghettos on the outskirt of the city. In his words, 'the only ones who still live there are yakuza and Zeon-wannabees'. So, with a desire to keep civilian casualties down, a defense line had been set up in the old Shinagawa ghetto.

You launch, and fall in line with Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and Getter Robo. The two Mazingers are huddled behind an old office building, while Getter Robo is hovering above a skyscraper that is leaning perilously to one side. You take position by Getter Robo. Linear Gun Tanks, M6 Arm Slaves, and GM IIIs have taken position every few blocks on either side of you impromptu squad, while the Gundams of Celestial Being hover some distance above the battlefield, most definitely seen, but no one is stupid enough to turn away more help at this point. The Black Knights had scattered throughout the Ghetto, not wanting to give the EFF garrison an excuse to attack them, while the Wing Gundam is hovering a bit more distance above the Rose and Getter Robo, ready to provide fire support as needed. The Asura Strike Force and Uruz Squad from Mithril have taken a defensive position with a group of Jegans and Leos, the Spearheads and VF-171s are flying in circles around the engagement zone, ready to bombard Sachiel as needed, and the rest of the garrison force has been concentrated into a second line unit in the rear to protect the GP-02 should the N2 mine have to be deployed.

You decide to work out a plan of action with the other Super Robot pilots.

"So who takes the first swing?" Kouji Kabuto asks.

"How about you lead with Photon Beam Kabuto? Then I'll use Great Typhoon to distract before Lieutenant Ayana and Ryoma hit it with the Dark Lance and Getter Beam. The tanks can take pot shots at the Angel between us." Tetsuya Tsurugi suggests.

"Good enough, let's get in position then, it's getting closer!" You say.

The four Super Robots quickly head off in separate directions, Mazinger Z hiding behind a half-wrecked skyscraper, Great Mazinger settling on top of a high-rise parking garage, Getter Robo opting to hover above an intersection buried in rubble, and yourself taking the Rose above a ruined open air market.

You decide to take a moment to check on Lucia.

"Are you feeling alright?" You spare a few seconds to turn back and look at Lucia.
"I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine."
"C-Can we just have a moment?"

You sigh before clasping her left hand in yours. That seems to soothe her a bit. The two of you are brought out of your moment by a ping on the sensors.

"Showtime." You mutter for both of your benefits. To her credit, Lucia immediately gets to business.

The Angel comes into sight, and it is an ugly and morbid looking thing.

"Here we go, Photon Beam!" Kouji yells.
"Great Typhoon!"
"Getter Beam!"
"Dark Lance Cannon, firing!"

A twin pair of yellow beams lances through the air, only to dissipate against a hexagonal orange barrier. A great whirlwind of air storms forth toward the Angel, and is also blunted by the AT field. The Getter Beam and your shots from the Dark Lance Cannon similarly crash against the AT field and do nothing. However, the Angel notices, and turns its gaze toward you and your quartet of Super Robots.

Sachiel attacks Mazinger Z with Eye-cross beams
vs
Armor DC 16 = 6 Ability + 8 Armor + 2 (MAGI assistance)
1d10 + 8 Ability - 1 (cover)
Roll 6
6 + 8 - 1 = 13
Result: Mazinger Z takes no damage, but the surrounding area is utterly destroyed

The Angel makes the mistake of shooting through the building that Mazinger Z is standing behind instead of aiming directly at the exposed portion of the Super Robot. You're pretty sure that's the only reason that Mazinger Z gets out with little more than cosmetic scorch marks after the smoke clears. You have no time to marvel at the strength of Super Alloy Z though, as the Angel generates a glowing halo of light and begins floating up toward the Rose.

Sachiel attacks the Rose with Spear of Light
vs
Mobility DC 13 = 6 Ability + 4 Mobility + 1 (Lucia Copilot) + 2 (MAGI assistance)
1d10 + 8 Ability
Roll 9
9 + 8 = 17
Mira uses PERSIST
Result: Rose takes minor damage (5900/6000 HP)

You underestimate the Angel's acceleration, and only a sudden burst of power courtesy of Lucia's manipulation of the Diffusion Crystal Drive allows you to turn at the last second and prevent the Rose from being decapitated. You don't get out of it entirely unscathed though, as the Spear of Light that emanates from Sachiel's hand scuffs the left shoulder plate, and there's a noticeable deformity in it after you manage to disengage.

A massive pink beam lances down from above at Sachiel, deflecting off of a manifested AT field. Sachiel turns towards the sky to see the Gundam Virtue venting coolant as its GN Bazooka cools off. The Gundam Meisters immediately scatter while a combined squad of M6 Arm Slaves and Linear Gun tanks fire on Sachiel. Their machine gun rounds, bazooka shells, and linear gun slugs smash uselessly against another manifestation of Sachiel's AT field, and Sachiel promptly turns around and unleashes the wrath of its gaze upon them. You wince as the M6 squad and the Linear Gun Tanks that were with them vanish in a blinding white cross of light. A wing of FD-7 Spearhead fighter jets bombard the Angel's AT field with missiles, only to for Sachiel to destroy the entire wing with its devastating eye beams.

"Atomic Punch!" Tetsuya yells.
"Cryo Laser!" Kouji calls out.

A pair of rocket propelled fists shoot forth from Great Mazinger, bouncing off of the AT field before returning to the Super Robot. A stream of cryogenic particles collide with the AT field a split second after that.

Well, at least the attention of Sachiel is back on your group of Super Robots and not the garrison forces...

---

Get in the Robot Shinji-DC 8
Roll 1d10 + 2 (Emotional Blackmail) + 2 (Gendo Ikari)
3 + 2 + 2 = 7
SLIM FAILURE
EVA-01 will deploy during the middle of the next round of combat

---

Tactical Information Update:

Garrison Force Casualties this round: M6 Arm Slave Squad x1, Linear Gun Tank Squad x1, FD-7 Spearhead wing x1
Solar Vanguard Casualties this round: None
Civilian Casualties: None, not counting unverified criminal and extremist elements
Condition of Shinagawa Ghetto: 93% Intact (the less intact the ghetto is, the less cover there is to use, and the less the MAGI can use of the area defense grid) (the area defense grid was not used this turn because Sachiel was not deep enough to reach areas where the MAGI has coverage)
Sachiel's Distance to NERV HQ: 1/12 (Sachiel will be within Tokyo proper at distance 6/12, MAGI defense grid coverage starts at distance 3/12)
Sachiel is completely undamaged
Evacuation of Tokyo is partially completed
NERV has stated that the designated pilot has reached NERV HQ, and that their Super Robot will be ready to deploy 'shortly'
The heavy Dimensional Distortions that the Rose detected are intensifying

Remaining Garrison Forces: Linear Gun Tank Squad x7, Jegan Squad x15, GM III Squad x10, VF-171 Wing x4, FD-7 Spearhead Wing x11, GP-02 (armed with N2 mine) x1, M6 Arm Slave Squad x6, Leo Squad x10, Aries Squad x3

Pick a strategy:

[ ] Holding Action
-Keep doing what you have been doing so far; pester the Angel with long range attacks from your Super Robots and take pot shots with more conventional forces to distract it, keep everyone where they are, and trust that NERV's mysterious Super Robot will be able to kill Sachiel once it deploys
-You will keep the N2 mine in reserve as a last resort

[ ] Up Close
-Engage the Angel in close combat with your Super Robots and bombard it from long range with your conventional forces at the same time to keep it in place
-You will keep the N2 mine in reserve as a last resort

[ ] Kill-box
-Draw the Angel in closer, then hit it with everything you and the MAGI have except the N2 mine
-Sachiel will gain 2 distance toward NERV HQ
-You will keep the N2 mine in reserve as a last resort

[ ] Scorched Earth
-Hit Sachiel with the N2 mine and wait for NERV's Super Robot to deploy and deal the finishing blow
-Will have political consequences related to deliberately using a high-yield weapon like an N2 mine but not as a last resort in such close proximity to the city, NERV will also be offended, will make future cooperation more difficult

[ ] Digging In
-Withdraw all forces to the second defense line and wait and see what happens
-Sachiel will gain 4 distance toward NERV HQ

[ ] Write-In
-Please specify the following things: What will you do about Sachiel? How will you use the N2 mine? Will friendly forces hold their current position or move? Unless you specify otherwise, it will be assumed that all plans, including the ones given above, will try to keep the engagement zone within the Shinagawa ghetto unless Sachiel manages to breakthrough. Also, keep in mind that in-character, you do not know that EVA-01 is deploying partway through the next round of combat, Scorched Earth is everyone being optimistic.

---

A/N: And here we go. I considered rolling for attacking Sachiel, but I figured it would be simpler to just have everything just bounce off the AT field, this is still early game after all. Anyway, discuss, vote, and critique!