Gundam Crucible - [An AU Universal Century Quest]
- Thread starter TheBleachDoctor
- Start date
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
Naaah, almost certainly not. I think I'm thinking of someone from an entirely different franchise. I don't know Gundam in enough depth for that type of detail.
[X] Rig the Hrududus with Psycommu control systems to let Sicilia fly them like support fighters.
TheBleachDoctor
Secretly a Cat
- Location
- The Plane of Infinite Kittens
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You're thinking of the Moon Gundam, which actually has nothing to do with the Moon, but rather the Moon Moon colony, which is populated by space luddites.
It's, uh.
A place.
- Pronouns
- Reader
Not a secret cult heritage sight? Or experimental newtype lab? Or the location of the solar systems cringyiest Amuro statue?
Last edited:
Zedman7054
Eternally 3rd
- Location
- United States
[X] Rig the Hrududus with Psycommu control systems to let Sicilia fly them like support fighters.
I recently found this quest and managed to catch up quite recently, just in time to miss out on the last vote. But I'm looking forward to joining this mad adventure of revenge and gundams.
I recently found this quest and managed to catch up quite recently, just in time to miss out on the last vote. But I'm looking forward to joining this mad adventure of revenge and gundams.
[X] Rig the Hrududus with Psycommu control systems to let Sicilia fly them like support fighters.
To elaborate on this.
Moon Moon was a space colony settled by space Luddite-Malthusians who promptly developed a pre-industrial society that worships a giant Mobile Worker as a God. A mystical moon priestess leads their government, and they keep contact with the outside world through a tribe of space Morlocks living in the colony's guts.
Eventually they move to the earth to live in an underwater city, but that's a whole different story.
Shapeless Phobos
Filthy Casual
[X] Rig the Hrududus with Psycommu control systems to let Sicilia fly them like support fighters.
TheBleachDoctor
Secretly a Cat
- Location
- The Plane of Infinite Kittens
- Pronouns
- She/Her
To add on the Moon Moon bit, the pilot of the Moon Gundam was a Newtype from Moon Moon. Amuro has met them.
Also, that Rick Dijeh he's flying in this cinematic is the same one that Mackenzie is now flying.
View: https://youtu.be/xyDe86TBBYI
Also, that Rick Dijeh he's flying in this cinematic is the same one that Mackenzie is now flying.
View: https://youtu.be/xyDe86TBBYI
Greek Fire
One of these days, I'll actually start writing.
- Location
- The Earth Sphere
[X] Incorporate the Hrududus back into the Kehaar configuration. It'll put the TR-6 off balance in MS mode, but with Sicilia there to help you can focus more attention on managing that than you normally would.
TheBleachDoctor
Secretly a Cat
- Location
- The Plane of Infinite Kittens
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Locking votes in six hours.
- Pronouns
- Reader
Or don't. It's not like I'm in any rush to see things go horribly wrong or anything. After all-
It's not like Cybele jinxed them or anything.
[X] Rig the Hrududus with Psycommu control systems to let Sicilia fly them like support fighters.
TheBleachDoctor
Secretly a Cat
- Location
- The Plane of Infinite Kittens
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Gundam has a long history of "Fuck around and find out" when it comes to atmospheric reentry. Time for another installment.
Chapter 34: Hathaway's Fall-Part 1
TheBleachDoctor
Secretly a Cat
- Location
- The Plane of Infinite Kittens
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Psycommu Hrududus
"All-Range Attacks!" You cackle, a wrench in one hand and a welder in the other, "The power is mine! All mine!"
"Funnel Fighters!" Sicilia joins in, grasping a laser cutter with both hands, "We're getting Funnel Fighteeeeers~!"
The deck crew stare on in concern as you and Sicilia begin to gleefully cutting apart the control systems of both Hrududus and splicing in Psycommu receivers. You have no doubt that there are several dozen safety, engineering, and workplace guidelines that you're violating right now, but it's all in the interest of MORE FIREPOWER, so you don't think twice about it.
The Bellerophon is about to enter Earth orbit in preparation for reentry, and only now are you being briefed on this mission! The secrecy is worrying, you won't lie. What's so sensitive that the brass couldn't risk the details being leaked ahead of time?
With both Cascadia and Alex Team in attendance, Captain Nouri turns on the large screen.
"Commander Bright will be providing the brief for this mission." She states, making everyone sit up a little straighter, "We're getting this as a direct communication from Londenion. Laser comms. Remember what he says, we won't be repeating this briefing."
Wow. Okay, this is really damn important. Now you're really curious. Why does Bright want to keep this under wraps? And why only one ship?
The screen flickers a bit before an image of Noa Bright comes into focus. The look in his eyes is dead serious.
"Cascadia Team, Alex Team," He begins, "This mission is classified. You aren't to disclose the details to anyone outside of this room. At 0800 hours, you will reenter the Earth's atmosphere above Southeast Asia. The Bellerophon will take you as close as it can to the target zone, where you will drop onto the target in conjunction with an attack from local resistance."
The image changes to that of two Garuda-class transports heading north, with the Bellerophon dropping onto them from the east, and a force launching from the Philippines hitting them from the west.
"The transports both belong to Anaheim Electronics, on route to a testing facility in Japan. Working with the local resistance, you are to seize both transports, and divert it to this base in Taiwan."
The display shows the route, but… you have a lot of questions.
"Captain, is this transmission two-way?" You ask, and at her nod you address Bright, "Sir, isn't Anaheim currently cooperating with us? Wouldn't attacking their transport put us on their bad side?"
He nods, "Normally you'd be right, Ensign. However, we have the go-ahead to take what's in the transport, straight from Anaheim themselves. In each of these transports is a Mobile Suit that could change the course of the war itself. They're potent atmospheric-use Mobile Suits, utilizing prototype propulsion technology. I won't go into the fine details, but it's no exaggeration to say that whomever obtains these Mobile Suits would dominate any and all opposition on the ground and in the air."
"I'm sensing a catch here, Sir." Christina frowns, "What are we up against?"
"Well, we have reason to believe that Anaheim has cut the same deal with the Sleeves, the Republic of Zeon, the Federation, and us." He answers grimly, "They wanted buyers for these Mobile Suits, but didn't want to sell to any particular side… so it appears that they let everyone buy it, and are leaving it up to each customer to collect."
Silence reigns for a good long while.
"…What the fuck?" Eris breaks the pause, gaping in incredulity, "Sir, are you saying that we're about to drop into a four-way battle, and one of the groups opposing us is one that are supposed to be our allies?"
"Yes." Bright sighs, "I've already contacted the Republic's Prime Minister about this, but it's out of her hands. She didn't explicitly say it, but they're deploying a Spec-Ops team for this. It… won't be pretty."
So that's why Londo Bell is committing a ship with two of its best teams on it… but still, something seems off.
"…There's more to this mission, isn't there, sir?" You venture, and he nods.
"I dispatched an envoy to negotiate with this resistance cell almost two months ago. Things didn't go according to plan, and they lost their means of achieving orbit. So they're taking part in this operation, and we're using it as cover to mask their presence when they make the transfer."
….
"Who is the envoy?" Mort asks.
Two photos appear on screen.
"Hathaway Noa. My Son. He's being escorted by Elle Vianno." Bright's voice takes on a grave tone, "I don't suppose I need to explain how badly things could go if the Federation discovered that my son is Earthside, with little protection."
Ah, no, he doesn't need to explain at all. Hathaway would make for a powerful hostage, and you wouldn't be surprised if Londo Bell fell into disarray as a result.
Damn it, you don't like the stakes here.
"With respect, sir, there's a lot that can go wrong here." You address Bright, barely masking your grimace, "You're asking us to capture two Garudas, while fending off no less than five contending forces. We're good, but this sounds like a suicide mission."
"I have faith in you." He answers confidently, "I've seen pilots like you before, Ensign Naese, and your team reminds me of many I've led in the past. I know you'll find some way to succeed."
The vote of confidence is nice, but you aren't sure that you can do this! Urgh… orders are orders, you guess.
"Don't worry, sir, we'll get the job done." Christina salutes Bright, "We'll get your son home in no time."
"Glad to hear it." Bright smiles slightly, "Best of luck, Cascadia Team, Alex Team."
And with that, the transmission is over.
"He's joking, right?" Eris asks, looking a bit pale, "He had to be joking."
"I wish that he were." Captain Nouri answers regretfully, "However, this is how it is. The Bellerophon will provide as much assistance as possible, but it'll be up to your teams to capture those Garuda. Our mission is to capture both, but we need at least one. If we lose both, we can rule out any Earthside operations for the near future."
Are these Mobile Suits really that powerful? You shudder to think of what Mobile Suit could possibly dominate the airspace so thoroughly…
You're sitting in your cockpit with Little Sis, waiting anxiously as the Bellerophon prepares for descent, when the alarms begin going off.
"Cascadia Team, Alex Team," Captain Nouri pipes in over comms, "We've spotted a ship shadowing us."
The ship in question is familiar. It's a Zeon Zanzibar-class cruiser. The markings and colors identify it as the Republic of Zeon.
"Cascadia and Alex Team are deploying. We reenter the atmosphere in ten minutes, and we're noticing… well, expect an attempt by the Feds for an interception. All Mobile Suits that can't withstand reentry are to use the Bellerophon as a shield and act as mobile anti-air batteries!"
Sheesh, what is this, White Base? Well, same class of ship, but still! Looks like the Captain expects a fight!
"Roger that, Captain." You maneuver the Woundwort towards the catapult. "This is Ensign Cybele Naese and Sicilia, TR-6 Kehaar II, moving out."
Flames are beginning to wreath the bottom of the Bellerophon and the distant Zanzibar. You can even see the atmosphere beginning to burn against your Kehaar II as well. This shaking and shuddering as the Earth tries to pull you down… it's almost exhilarating, but it's frightening as well.
The Earth is… it's just so big! That fact grows ever bigger in your mind, as it seems to consume the whole world on approach.
"Coolant systems operating within acceptable parameters." Sicilia reports from her chair, "Theo and Big Sis 2 look like they're doing fine as well."
You give her a weird look, "Big Sis 2?"
"Lorelei." She explains.
Huh.
The MP Nu and Sinanju Cascadia are both riding the Flying Armors, and seem to be handling them well. Guess all that practice paid off. You're even managing your heat without a second thought.
Aside from making sure your approach isn't too steep or fast, everything is going smoothly. It's almost enough to make you think that maybe you won't have to deal with any Feddies…
Of course, you should have known better than to think that.
"….-team! Casc-…." The Bellerophon tries radioing the three of you, but the flames around the ship are beginning to form into a plasma envelope, "…-inco-!... three-!.... -aplants!"
The Mobile Suits on the Bellerophon itself received the message loud and clear, but Theo, Lorelei, and yourself are left out of the loop.
"Start scanning the area," You order Lil Sis as you start looking in every direction. "Aren't many craft that could intercept a ship mid-reentry. Should be easy to spot."
A few seconds later, Sicilia shouts out, "Big Sis! At our six!"
She zooms in on the indicated sector, and you wince.
It's not Delta Plus Mobile Suits, at least, but three Gaplants riding boosters. Judging from their angle, they sortied from the surface. Since they just Gaplants, they can't withstand atmospheric reentry. So it's likely that they're making a single pass at you, then falling back to earth.
Well, you've got the thrust from your Kehaar and two Hrududus. You could potentially divert your course to intercept them before they got within range of the Bellerophon, but if you're damaged doing so… rejoining the ship might be tricky. God forbid they nail your coolant systems, too.
"Big Sis, what's the call?" Sicilia looks at you expectantly. With the Bellerophon cut off from comms due to the plasma from reentry, this is a call you'll need to make as team leader. You've even got Lorelei and Theo to back you up, although the commands you can issue to them at the moment are limited…
They're sure to get the gist of it if you move to intercept. Although if you want them to stay behind, then maybe Sicilia could use the Psycommu to somehow convey your intentions to the two. Lorelei is bound to sense what's up regardless…
Or, oh! You could send both the Hrududus to intercept the Gaplants! Zero risk to you or your team! Although the possibility that you could lose both machines to the heat of reentry is… a very real possibility.
[] Move to intercept the Gaplants…
-[] Alone
-[] With Theo and Lorelei
[] Stay near the Bellerophon and defend it with the others.
[] Send your Hrududus to intercept the Gaplants.
"All-Range Attacks!" You cackle, a wrench in one hand and a welder in the other, "The power is mine! All mine!"
"Funnel Fighters!" Sicilia joins in, grasping a laser cutter with both hands, "We're getting Funnel Fighteeeeers~!"
The deck crew stare on in concern as you and Sicilia begin to gleefully cutting apart the control systems of both Hrududus and splicing in Psycommu receivers. You have no doubt that there are several dozen safety, engineering, and workplace guidelines that you're violating right now, but it's all in the interest of MORE FIREPOWER, so you don't think twice about it.
The Bellerophon is about to enter Earth orbit in preparation for reentry, and only now are you being briefed on this mission! The secrecy is worrying, you won't lie. What's so sensitive that the brass couldn't risk the details being leaked ahead of time?
With both Cascadia and Alex Team in attendance, Captain Nouri turns on the large screen.
"Commander Bright will be providing the brief for this mission." She states, making everyone sit up a little straighter, "We're getting this as a direct communication from Londenion. Laser comms. Remember what he says, we won't be repeating this briefing."
Wow. Okay, this is really damn important. Now you're really curious. Why does Bright want to keep this under wraps? And why only one ship?
The screen flickers a bit before an image of Noa Bright comes into focus. The look in his eyes is dead serious.
"Cascadia Team, Alex Team," He begins, "This mission is classified. You aren't to disclose the details to anyone outside of this room. At 0800 hours, you will reenter the Earth's atmosphere above Southeast Asia. The Bellerophon will take you as close as it can to the target zone, where you will drop onto the target in conjunction with an attack from local resistance."
The image changes to that of two Garuda-class transports heading north, with the Bellerophon dropping onto them from the east, and a force launching from the Philippines hitting them from the west.
"The transports both belong to Anaheim Electronics, on route to a testing facility in Japan. Working with the local resistance, you are to seize both transports, and divert it to this base in Taiwan."
The display shows the route, but… you have a lot of questions.
"Captain, is this transmission two-way?" You ask, and at her nod you address Bright, "Sir, isn't Anaheim currently cooperating with us? Wouldn't attacking their transport put us on their bad side?"
He nods, "Normally you'd be right, Ensign. However, we have the go-ahead to take what's in the transport, straight from Anaheim themselves. In each of these transports is a Mobile Suit that could change the course of the war itself. They're potent atmospheric-use Mobile Suits, utilizing prototype propulsion technology. I won't go into the fine details, but it's no exaggeration to say that whomever obtains these Mobile Suits would dominate any and all opposition on the ground and in the air."
"I'm sensing a catch here, Sir." Christina frowns, "What are we up against?"
"Well, we have reason to believe that Anaheim has cut the same deal with the Sleeves, the Republic of Zeon, the Federation, and us." He answers grimly, "They wanted buyers for these Mobile Suits, but didn't want to sell to any particular side… so it appears that they let everyone buy it, and are leaving it up to each customer to collect."
Silence reigns for a good long while.
"…What the fuck?" Eris breaks the pause, gaping in incredulity, "Sir, are you saying that we're about to drop into a four-way battle, and one of the groups opposing us is one that are supposed to be our allies?"
"Yes." Bright sighs, "I've already contacted the Republic's Prime Minister about this, but it's out of her hands. She didn't explicitly say it, but they're deploying a Spec-Ops team for this. It… won't be pretty."
So that's why Londo Bell is committing a ship with two of its best teams on it… but still, something seems off.
"…There's more to this mission, isn't there, sir?" You venture, and he nods.
"I dispatched an envoy to negotiate with this resistance cell almost two months ago. Things didn't go according to plan, and they lost their means of achieving orbit. So they're taking part in this operation, and we're using it as cover to mask their presence when they make the transfer."
….
"Who is the envoy?" Mort asks.
Two photos appear on screen.
"Hathaway Noa. My Son. He's being escorted by Elle Vianno." Bright's voice takes on a grave tone, "I don't suppose I need to explain how badly things could go if the Federation discovered that my son is Earthside, with little protection."
Ah, no, he doesn't need to explain at all. Hathaway would make for a powerful hostage, and you wouldn't be surprised if Londo Bell fell into disarray as a result.
Damn it, you don't like the stakes here.
"With respect, sir, there's a lot that can go wrong here." You address Bright, barely masking your grimace, "You're asking us to capture two Garudas, while fending off no less than five contending forces. We're good, but this sounds like a suicide mission."
"I have faith in you." He answers confidently, "I've seen pilots like you before, Ensign Naese, and your team reminds me of many I've led in the past. I know you'll find some way to succeed."
The vote of confidence is nice, but you aren't sure that you can do this! Urgh… orders are orders, you guess.
"Don't worry, sir, we'll get the job done." Christina salutes Bright, "We'll get your son home in no time."
"Glad to hear it." Bright smiles slightly, "Best of luck, Cascadia Team, Alex Team."
And with that, the transmission is over.
"He's joking, right?" Eris asks, looking a bit pale, "He had to be joking."
"I wish that he were." Captain Nouri answers regretfully, "However, this is how it is. The Bellerophon will provide as much assistance as possible, but it'll be up to your teams to capture those Garuda. Our mission is to capture both, but we need at least one. If we lose both, we can rule out any Earthside operations for the near future."
Are these Mobile Suits really that powerful? You shudder to think of what Mobile Suit could possibly dominate the airspace so thoroughly…
You're sitting in your cockpit with Little Sis, waiting anxiously as the Bellerophon prepares for descent, when the alarms begin going off.
"Cascadia Team, Alex Team," Captain Nouri pipes in over comms, "We've spotted a ship shadowing us."
The ship in question is familiar. It's a Zeon Zanzibar-class cruiser. The markings and colors identify it as the Republic of Zeon.
"Cascadia and Alex Team are deploying. We reenter the atmosphere in ten minutes, and we're noticing… well, expect an attempt by the Feds for an interception. All Mobile Suits that can't withstand reentry are to use the Bellerophon as a shield and act as mobile anti-air batteries!"
Sheesh, what is this, White Base? Well, same class of ship, but still! Looks like the Captain expects a fight!
"Roger that, Captain." You maneuver the Woundwort towards the catapult. "This is Ensign Cybele Naese and Sicilia, TR-6 Kehaar II, moving out."
Flames are beginning to wreath the bottom of the Bellerophon and the distant Zanzibar. You can even see the atmosphere beginning to burn against your Kehaar II as well. This shaking and shuddering as the Earth tries to pull you down… it's almost exhilarating, but it's frightening as well.
The Earth is… it's just so big! That fact grows ever bigger in your mind, as it seems to consume the whole world on approach.
"Coolant systems operating within acceptable parameters." Sicilia reports from her chair, "Theo and Big Sis 2 look like they're doing fine as well."
You give her a weird look, "Big Sis 2?"
"Lorelei." She explains.
Huh.
The MP Nu and Sinanju Cascadia are both riding the Flying Armors, and seem to be handling them well. Guess all that practice paid off. You're even managing your heat without a second thought.
Aside from making sure your approach isn't too steep or fast, everything is going smoothly. It's almost enough to make you think that maybe you won't have to deal with any Feddies…
Of course, you should have known better than to think that.
"….-team! Casc-…." The Bellerophon tries radioing the three of you, but the flames around the ship are beginning to form into a plasma envelope, "…-inco-!... three-!.... -aplants!"
The Mobile Suits on the Bellerophon itself received the message loud and clear, but Theo, Lorelei, and yourself are left out of the loop.
"Start scanning the area," You order Lil Sis as you start looking in every direction. "Aren't many craft that could intercept a ship mid-reentry. Should be easy to spot."
A few seconds later, Sicilia shouts out, "Big Sis! At our six!"
She zooms in on the indicated sector, and you wince.
It's not Delta Plus Mobile Suits, at least, but three Gaplants riding boosters. Judging from their angle, they sortied from the surface. Since they just Gaplants, they can't withstand atmospheric reentry. So it's likely that they're making a single pass at you, then falling back to earth.
Well, you've got the thrust from your Kehaar and two Hrududus. You could potentially divert your course to intercept them before they got within range of the Bellerophon, but if you're damaged doing so… rejoining the ship might be tricky. God forbid they nail your coolant systems, too.
"Big Sis, what's the call?" Sicilia looks at you expectantly. With the Bellerophon cut off from comms due to the plasma from reentry, this is a call you'll need to make as team leader. You've even got Lorelei and Theo to back you up, although the commands you can issue to them at the moment are limited…
They're sure to get the gist of it if you move to intercept. Although if you want them to stay behind, then maybe Sicilia could use the Psycommu to somehow convey your intentions to the two. Lorelei is bound to sense what's up regardless…
Or, oh! You could send both the Hrududus to intercept the Gaplants! Zero risk to you or your team! Although the possibility that you could lose both machines to the heat of reentry is… a very real possibility.
[] Move to intercept the Gaplants…
-[] Alone
-[] With Theo and Lorelei
[] Stay near the Bellerophon and defend it with the others.
[] Send your Hrududus to intercept the Gaplants.
- Pronouns
- Reader
Hmm. Win win situation. If we lose, no more Cybele earthside missions for a while. If we win, we can refuse the suits and some other team gets assigned all the earthside missions.
The Hrududus mean that a more agile Woundwort can dodge enemy fire better alone, and might even be able to maneuver to attack them from outside there firing angle. Probably won't stop all of them but the single pass Gaplants probably can't do much damage anyway.
[X] Move to intercept the Gaplants…
-[X] Alone
[X] Stay near the Bellerophon and defend it with the others.
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
[X] Send your Hrududus to intercept the Gaplants.
Anything that doesn't have a person in it I'm entirely okay with sending off to explode.
Anything that doesn't have a person in it I'm entirely okay with sending off to explode.
Zedman7054
Eternally 3rd
- Location
- United States
[X] Stay near the Bellerophon and defend it with the others.
This is probably one of the most dangerous time to go running off to shoot people down, so I'd prefer a defensive play here.
This is probably one of the most dangerous time to go running off to shoot people down, so I'd prefer a defensive play here.
- Location
- A place
[X] Stay near the Bellerophon and defend it with the others.